Chapter 31: You are beautiful but...

Song recommendation: Killing loneliness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ9JdDAbKH0)

Kali shook her head angrily then quit the room. Her fist curled into a ball as she reached the bottom of the stairs and slammed her hand into the wall. Why was everything ruined? It was like she couldn't do anything right.

When she joined the assassins guild in the first place, it was so that she could be of some use to Clover. You had to take such channels to learn magic in the Elf country. The practice of magic without tools was strictly forbidden so it was the only way.

At that time too, after all her work Clover only seemed disappointed when she revealed that she had joined the guild...

Now she was in the same position. She had tried to do what she thought would make Clover happy and it backfired. The worst part was that while she wouldn't be forgiven, that little brat would probably worm his way back to Clover's side. Who did he think he was?

'Was it worth it?'

Of course, it was worth it. Who cares if a bunch of nobodies had to die? That's the way life is. Some people live and some die. It's the natural order. Clover knew that. So why did they have to save Ace in the first place? He wasn't someone who deserved to live. He hadn't earned the right.

Kalandra came to the end of the hallway still fuming. She had half a mind to go and kill Ace now. Sure Clover would be annoyed but, they were already annoyed. Kalandra paused. Yes, kill him and the problem goes away...

Kalandra had made up her mind and turned the corner. At the end of the hall, an ensuing scuffle caught her eye. She stopped to take a look. Michael was standing a step before the bottom of the stairs. His eyes seemed to be glazed over in a moment of unusual vulnerability. He blinked slowly then took the last step.

"Look!" came a voice, "There's one of the demon lord's humans,"

Michael's eyes slowly panned up. In front of him were two demons from Lord Yashtara's party. Michael didn't waste any time. He turned abruptly towards his room. However, a hand came down on his shoulder preventing him.

"Where are you going, human?" A tall demon gripped Michael's shoulder.

He wore a hideous grin as he stared down at Michael. His body was clad in a fusion of bloodstained metal and bone armour. He had a sword attached to his hip with a leather strap.

Behind him, a second shorter demon came plodding forward.

"Didn't the Lord say not to touch any of the things in the western palace?" he said reproachfully, but the corners of his lips were already drawing up into a grin.

"Didn't you see the banquet room?" The taller of the pair questioned, "The lord of the west has dozens of humans. They'll hardly notice if we take one,"

"True," the second concurred. Though it didn't appear to have taken much convincing.

"What do you say, human?"

"I'm not sure you'd want me," Michael broke into a mirthless grin, "I've been told I have a rather bad-temper,"

"Ha!" The demons burst into patronising laughter.

"This one is funny!" the taller demon exclaimed, "He should be a better sport than the others,"

"Maybe we should break his legs at least then?" the shorter rejoined with a laugh.

Michael let out an audible sigh, "Well don't take my word for it. I'm in a pretty bad mood anyway,"

Kalandra reasoned that she had all night to kill Ace, why not amuse herself for a while and watch Michael get disembowelled? He always had such an arrogant look in his eye and never a nice word to say. Usually...

Kalandra regarded the scene apathetically. Two demons were towering over him: A tall one and a short one, but even the short one still had a considerable advantage in height and build. The tall one was already reaching for their sword. Without Michael's magic, they'd probably have the advantage. Kalandra leant back against the wall and watched.

The demon unsheathed his weapon as she expected. It came down with considerable force. That was it then...Kalanadra turned to leave. Just as she did, something interesting happened.

Michael sidestepped the blade. The force of the blade lodged it on the ground. In the same instance, Micahel turned with a kick and sent the demon back leaving the blade still standing.

The second demon came swinging next. Michael dodged again. However, this time the demon was quicker. He blocked Michael's attack with ease. Michael was slammed against the wall with the demon's backhand.

As Michael wiped the blood from his face, his expression drew up in annoyance. Oh, there it was...He was pissed. Kalanda smiled. She continued to eye him with a detached analytical stare. What would he do now?

Michael ducked under the demon's next attack. However, the first demon was back in commission, pulling the sword from the stone floor. Michael gestured provokingly and the tall demon struck. The blade flew towards Michael with the same force as before.

Michael pivoted, grabbing the demon's arm. Using the demon's own momentum, Michael propelled him forward. The short demon was skewered by the blade. The tall demon drew back in surprise. However, it was too late.

Michael threw a fist straight into his face. Then another and another till his fist were covered in blood. As Kalandra surveyed him, a strange excitement rose in her stomach. Somehow the blood painted him in a much more favourable light.

The second demon had already hit the ground but he kept punching. Finally, Michael staggered back breathless. He shook out his fist with annoyance.

"What are these fucking demons made of?" he exclaimed angrily. He cradled his hand and let out a sigh.

However, from behind, he didn't seem to notice that there was one more demon. He must have heard the noise and was attracted to the sound. Now he had just witnessed Michael kill one of his own. He would be off to tell Yashtara.

Without thinking, Kalandra threw a blade from under her cloak. It whistled past Michael and hit the demon in the back of the skull. He fell down dead. Michael's eyes widened in surprise as he glanced from the demon and then back to Kalandra.

"Where did you come from?"Michael observed her suspiciously.

"Around," Kalandra answered.

"I didn't need your help," Michael added.

"Surprisingly you didn't, but I just felt like killing someone," Kalandra smiled, " So you really were a soldier before you were a wizard. Guess that military training kicks in when it needs to,"

"You knew that already," Michael answered reluctantly.

A familiar mix of distrust and displeasure came over Michael's expression. However, to Kalandra' surprise, it was reigned in by a subdued stare.

"Thank you," Michael said stiffly and turned to leave.

"He would have brought the whole house down on you," Kalandra gestured, "I just saved your life,"

"Seems like that was more of a secondary consideration for you," Michael scoffed. "Besides, it won't be long before they find the bodies then I'll still end up dead."

Kalandra snapped her fingers. The bodies were engulfed in shadow and sunk into the floor, disappearing completely.

"Not if I dump them somewhere," Kalandra grinned. "Demons die all the time. Yashtara probably won't even notice their missing,"

"That is awfully kind of you," Michael stated with a condescending bow, "Interesting that you still have your magic,"

"Well, when you're around the demon world as much as I am, you learn a few tricks," Kalandra added casually, "I'm sure I could teach you a few,"

The corner of Michael's mouth curled up into a smirk. His light eyes narrowed with their usual sharpness, "That would be even kinder of you,"

"Do I seem that kind to you?" Kalandra tilted her head back.

"Excuse me?" Michael glanced back. "I said thank you," he added with less patience.

Kalandra stepped towards him, "Do I look like the type of person who lives off please and thank you?"

Michael tilted his head to the side with an irritated grin, "What do you want Kalandra?"

"Let me think about it," Kalandra said thoughtfully, taking the length of him.

Michael waited uncomfortably.

"Why don't you start by telling me more about how much my eyes sparkle?" Kalandra finally answered, "Fake it if you have to but I want you to make me believe it,"

"Wow, I didn't see that coming," Michael laughed. "That's all you want? It's that easy to make you happy?"

"Yeah," Kalandra pushed Michael against the wall. "That easy,"

"Well I don't have to lie," Michael confessed, "You are beautiful, but..."

"But what?" Kalandra cut in hostilely, "I know you're not above a little quid pro quo. I know you and the little princess turned sister had a similar deal going,"

"And look how well that turned out for me?" Michael said flatly.

"Well at least with me, you get what you paid for right?" Kalandra leaned in with a smile.

"And what exactly would I be paying for?"Michael returned.

"My services," Kalandra answered, pinning Michael to the wall with one hand. "Should the need arise,"

"That's a very interesting offer," Michael mused, "but I'm not sure I'm your guy,"

"What? I'm not your type?" Kalandra smirked.

"Oh, you're the prettiest murderer for hire I've ever met," Michael said with a smile, "but we're going home. I'm not looking for another...business opportunity,"

"Are you sure about that?" Kalandra breathed, "After all, you're a wanted man. The Empire is tearing across the continent looking for you. And as for Clover, they won't send you back now unless you get down on your knees and beg. I don't see that happening anytime soon, right?"

"Preferably not."

"Then why don't you and I become...friends?"