A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 116: Kara: The Underworld Princess

Gabriel halted in the hallway, his gaze searching for the assailant in all directions. To the left was the drawing room, its doors slightly open. To his right was the library, the doors wide open. He saw a shadow move atop the shelves.

As if calling to him, he heard a whisper, distant at first. It was coming from the library.

Taking short but measured steps, he shoved inside, his senses high on alert. When he moved an inch away from the door, it shut completely.

Gabriel’s claws lengthened. Whoever the assailant was, they appeared to be strong.

"Gabriel," came the whispers again, louder this time.

"Why don’t you show yourself," Gabriel voiced, walking around the shelves.

"Tsk. Why would I do that?" The voice came again, clearer this time. It was feminine with a tinge of pride in it. The accent was unlike anything Gabriel had heard before.

"Don’t make this harder than it already is," Gabriel said. He appeared on another lane of the shelf to see a shadow pass across the wall.

"It is you that’s making it harder," she said. Gabriel appeared in another lane and saw her seated in a chair between the shelves. Her legs were crossed, her back facing him. Her wavy dark hair hid her side profile. In her hand was a bow and a quiver of arrows lying on the floor.

She appeared so docile sitting there but Gabriel knew better. Still, he was cautious when approaching her.

She didn’t move an inch nor say a word despite sensing Gabriel’s presence. Instead, she let him walk in front to see her face.

Gabriel was more than certain he had never seen this woman before. Her eyes, emerald green, bore into his with innocence, a virtue that betrayed her innocence. And though he didn’t want to admit it, she was deadbeat gorgeous.

"And you are?" He asked when she didn’t blink.

Her eyes moved for the first time, running him up and down in a lustful gaze. She stood up, slightly shorter than him, her hands slowly tagging Gabriel’s shirt.

"You’re more beautiful up close," she said, running her tongue over her fangs. Fangs! Gabriel’s brows creased. Was she a vampire? But she wasn’t pale. A bastard maybe. Worse, a demonness!

She moved closer to his chest inhaling his scent.

"Aah! I’d do this forever," she commented.

"I’m afraid you won’t live to tell the tale any moment from now if you don’t step back," Gabriel warned, his hands arresting her adventurous ones.

"And strong too," she commented, intertwining her fingers with his.

Gabriel pushed her back to the chair.

"Not so gentle for a man," she complained when her butt landed on the hard wood.

"Why did you try to kill my wife?" Gabriel asked, his face now serious. He was already tired of her games.

"Kill her?" She acted surprised. "Is that how you phrase an act of kindness? I was trying to save you."

"Why would I need saving from a stranger in the weirdest way there is?" He asked, now caging her with his hands. Either she was mental or something else...

Her brows creased, studying his face like an open book.

"You don’t know?" She asked, leaning forward to look into his golden eyes.

For a moment, Gabriel felt as if she was assessing his very soul, even the wounds he had long buried and those on the surface. She must be a very powerful demonness!

"Don’t know what?" He asked, lines of confusion forming on his face.

"There’s a bounty placed on your head in the underworld. Father thinks you’re a threat to his throne! He says the prophecy will be fulfilled if you live."

"What prophecy?"

"The ancient ones said that a prince would be born out of an unholy union, and should he become of age, he’d unite all the species of his time. You’re that prince," she said, touching his chest, her eyes dreamy.

"That doesn’t explain why you wanted to kill my wife," Gabriel said, arresting her hand again.

"Unlike my father, I don’t want you dead. You’re the most powerful demonpyre to ever exist, and I am the most powerful demon in the underworld. Together, we’d be unstoppable!"

Gabriel gave a little thought to her proposition. The prophecy made him chuckle in self mockery. If he was the prince to unite all the species, then why was he hated by every one of them? Demons and vampires saw him as a threat to their power. The humans were his sworn mortal enemies. This prophecy must have been wrong!

"I don’t think I’m the one you’re looking for," Gabriel said. He took a few steps back. "If I ever see you again, I’ll kill you!"

The woman stood from her chair, her eyes blazing in anger. "Kara daughter of Azazel can never be wrong! I can feel the power surging in you."

She seductively walked towards where Gabriel stood, her hips swaying in a provoking manner.

"Join me, and together we can rule this world."

"You could be of greater use as an ally if that’s what you’re suggesting."

Her jaw ticked, her fists clenched. "No one denies me what I want. Not even the strongest man in the world!"

Gabriel sucked through his teeth, seemingly amused by how she was simply triggered. "Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything, eh?"

"Is it because of her?" Kara asked. She started walking around Gabriel in circles, her long dress sweeping across the floor. "Her blue eyes, clear as the sky. Her addictive smile," she whispered.

"This might be the last description you get," Kara said, her deathly eyes looking in the distance.

Gabriel’s cool vanished in an instant, and before he knew it, he was headed to strangling her neck. His claws clicked catching nothing but thin air! She was gone!

’Elena!’ He remembered. Running across the hallway as fast as he could, he nearly threw a maid off balance.

He stumbled across Darion just around the corner.

"Where is she? Where is Elena?" He asked, tugging his shirt tightly.

"I just left her in her chamber," Darion replied, his face laced in confusion.

Gabriel let go of his shirt before he stormed into Elena’s room. His heart momentarily stopped when he saw the bed empty!