EIGHTH BLOOD

Chapter 11: Discovery

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The moon was still out when Octavia was roused awake by a muffled crash.

She jolted up in bed and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Apart from the pounding of her heart, the room was silent. She crept out of bed and pulled out the Reikon Blade. It might not be able to cut anything physical, but it should be enough to give someone a scare. She tiptoed over to the table with the cosmetics and found a tub of rouge lying on the floor in pieces. The red paste flowered outwards like a bloodstain. What had caused it to fall? The shoji was closed, so it couldn't have been the wind, and she couldn't recall it being close enough to the edge to topple over by itself. It was as if something had brushed past it in a hurry.

Her heart stopped as the door leading out into the hallway swung open. She pointed the tip of the dagger at the doorway, waiting for a ghostly spectre to appear in the empty space. But no one came. Striding over the smashed tub of rouge, Octavia crept towards the door. A shadow was lurking in the hallway. She spotted it by a corner and aimed the dagger at it. The shadow fled. Octavia chased after it, intending to give whoever it belonged to a piece of her mind, when she sensed a subtle surge of youki close by. She forgot about the shadow and changed directions in favour of sprinting back to her room.

A guard blocked her way. Shit. Rin had warned her about the youkai who roamed the castle at night. She couldn't let herself be seen. She wasn't even supposed to be out of her room. Sesshoumaru would have her head if he learned she'd been out chasing shadows. She backed away from the guard. He hadn't noticed her yet, but it was only a matter of time before her scent drifted his way, revealing her position. She had to be fast—

A paw covered her mouth from behind, silencing her scream before it could even form. She craned her head sideways and met her attacker's cold gaze. It was a large black bear dressed in an imperial uniform. Her eyes bulged in horror at the rows of blades she saw in its mouth. She willed herself to be calm and felt for the guard's youki. Once she found it, she grabbed hold of it and dragged it into her body. The guard growled in her ear as she fastened her hand over its paw and burned off the fur there.

The guard howled in pain and struck her over the head with its other paw.

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When she came to, Octavia found herself inside an enormous room with a dome-shaped ceiling. She was on her knees with her wrists and ankles bound. Peering over her shoulder, she saw that the guard from before was also restraining her. Talk about overkill. His expression wavered when he saw that she was awake.

"What have you brought us?" asked a deep, masculine voice.

Octavia tilted her head in the direction of the voice. There was a crowd of demons gathered around her. Each one looked upon her with revulsion. All except two. Two winged humanoids stood the farthest away from her atop a dais. Their silhouettes were large and imposing; even more so when Octavia noticed their sharp claws and pointed teeth. Brown-skinned and beautiful, the pair were almost identical except for their sex and differing hair colours. The man had long, cobalt hair that he'd fastened at the nape, whilst the woman's was a shade between navy and pure black. They were dressed like royalty, and their faces were patterned with dark umber markings. The man's snaked up from his neck and around his right eye, whereas the woman's encompassed her entire left jaw and cheekbone, curving around her face like a crescent moon. Their eyes were a slightly darker shade of brown and had vertical slits for centres. Their wings, however, were made of a furry membrane. Daiyoukai.

"I found this wench sneaking around near Sesshoumaru-sama's quarters," the guard said. "I thought she was human, but this suggests otherwise." He lifted his paw and revealed what she'd done to him. The majority of his fur had been stripped away, and the flesh underneath was sporting an eight-pointed star. The other demons snarled and fixed their bloodthirsty gazes on Octavia.

The male Daiyoukai sauntered down the steps. "Do you sense it, too?" he asked the crowd. "It would seem that Sesshoumaru-sama's new toy is not quite what she appears."

Octavia bit her tongue.

"Who are you?" he asked.

She scrunched up her nose. "I should be the one asking that question, not you."

He chuckled. "This is a surprise. Our lord has never taken a concubine before. At least, not publicly."

"I'm not a concubine," she said. "But if I was, I wouldn't be his."

"No? Why else would you be so close to his private chambers?"

"Are you stupid? He hates humans. He'd sooner die than fuck one. Ask anyone."

The other demons muttered amongst themselves.

The female Daiyoukai glided down the dais steps, her hairpins glittering as she walked. "If you're not his lover, why are you here? And how did you do that?"

Octavia followed her gaze to the guard's singed paw. "Magic?"

Her nostrils flared. "I don't believe you."

"Why would I lie?"

When she received no response, her eyes shifted to the other Daiyoukai, who was studying her with careful eyes. "Prove it," he said.

Without hesitating, Octavia grabbed hold of his youki. Her eyes flashed purple and she opened her mouth to reveal barbed teeth instead of blunt ones. Her audience recoiled at the sight. Even the two Daiyoukai seemed stunned by the transformation. Wary, even. Pleased with their reactions, Octavia released the youki and felt her teeth shrink in her mouth.

The male Daiyoukai narrowed his eyes. "How did you do that, little mouse?"

She didn't answer.

"What was that, Kanetsugu?" the female Daiyoukai hissed. "What did she do?"

"I thought I was imagining it, but there's no denying it now. She has the Shikon no Tama. I sensed it the moment I laid eyes on her." He shifted closer to Octavia, catching her by the chin and forcing her to look into his eyes. "But how can that be? I thought the jewel was destroyed."

"It was," Octavia said. "I can assure you, I don't have it."

"You're lying. Why else would Sesshoumaru-sama have brought you here?"

What would Sesshoumaru want her to say? She took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound as convincing as possible. "I was born into a coven of powerful magicians," she lied. "I came here because my clan was killed in cold blood. I'd heard stories of a warlock who served a demon warlord, so I crossed the sea to find him. I was unable to complete my training, you see, so I was hoping he might be willing to tutor me. My goal now is to enact vengeance upon those who have wronged me."

There was a possibility that she'd hammed the last part up a tad too much, but the crowd of demons seemed satisfied with her explanation. The two Daiyoukai, however, were not. "You still haven't told us what Sesshoumaru-sama's involvement is in this," Kanetsugu growled, letting go of her chin. "What does your vengeance have to do with him?"

"He agreed to let me meet with Cyril in exchange for my allegiance."

Kanetsugu laughed. "Now I know you're lying. Our lord would never accept a human as an ally, regardless of how powerful they claimed to be. Which brings us back to my question from earlier: what were you doing in that wing of the castle? What kind of obedience did he want from you?"

"For the last time, I'm not a fucking whore!"

The word hung in the air.

The female Daiyoukai's eyes widened with disgust. "How dare you speak to my brother like that. Have you no sense of decorum? I could have your tongue for that—"

"Enough, Kannika," Kanetsugu interrupted. "She's obviously never been put in her place before. It's time we changed that, don't you think?"

Octavia's heart thumped in her chest. She hoped they couldn't hear it. "I wouldn't if I were you," she whispered. "I'm assuming you've met Sesshoumaru's ward. Well, you see, she's very attached to me, and if I got killed, she'd be quite upset. I have to admit, I don't know much about Daiyoukai, but I do know one thing. And that is – don't mess with the people they care about. Otherwise, you'll meet a sticky end."

"Are you threatening us?" Kannika asked.

"Yes. Why? Is it working?"

Kanetsugu rose to his feet and cracked his knuckles. His eyes darkened and his mouth curved into a smile as he answered, "No."

He wrapped his fingers around her throat. She reacted to the feeling of his claws pressing into her skin by taking hold of his youki again. He grunted and sketched a thin line across the column of her throat, drawing blood. Gritting her teeth, she ignored the pain and concentrated on using his youki to free herself from the guard's grip instead. It didn't take long for the youki to pour out of her palms and scorch the guard's clothes. The guard snarled but refused to let go.

The doors behind Octavia flew open and a strong gale rushed into the room, silencing her tormenters. Kannika shrieked and scurried backwards, whilst Kanetsugu lowered the hand that was painted with blood in defeat. His jaw was tensed, and his posture was rigid. Intrigued, Octavia twisted her head and peered over the guard's shoulder at the figure in the doorway.

Sesshoumaru strode into the room like an angry weather god. His face was long and misshapen, and the whites of his eyes were pure red. He burned with rage, but the fire wasn't for Kanetsugu or the others. For some unfathomable reason, the fire was for her.

Kanetsugu bowed his head in greeting. "I hope we didn't wake you, my lord."

"What is the meaning of this?" Sesshoumaru boomed.

"This human claims to be an ally of yours."

"She is."

Kanetsugu looked disappointed. "I see," he said. "Forgive me, my lord. I didn't know. I was afraid she might have been . . ."

"What? Finish your sentence, Kanetsugu." Sesshoumaru's voice was like thunder.

"I meant no disrespect. I merely wish to understand. We all do."

"The human speaks the truth. She is no thief in the night. I brought her here myself."

"Then why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I do not have to explain myself to you. However, if it will ease your worries, know that it was my intention to consult with Cyril first. Had he been unwilling to accept her as his apprentice, it would have rendered a public introduction meaningless."

Blood ran down Octavia's throat and chest, but she couldn't bring herself to tear her gaze away from Sesshoumaru, whose eyes were pink around the edges.

Kanetsugu dipped his head in remorse. "I hope you don't think I was doubting you, my lord. I was just concerned on your behalf. It's my duty to safeguard the Western Lands on your behalf. I was worried that you may have fallen prey to the same trickery as your father—"

Sesshoumaru's irises turned blue and his upper lip curled into a snarl. "I am not my father. I suggest that you remember that. Unless you and your sister intend to end up like your father."

Kanetsugu and Kannika both flinched.

"Forgive us, my lord," Kannika whispered. "We were foolish."

"That we were," added Kanetsugu. "Your power exceeds your father's tenfold. You are stronger than him in every way. You are the greatest Daiyoukai that has ever lived."

Arse-kisser, thought Octavia.

The other demons held their breaths in apparent anticipation.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and growled, "Ensure that you do not forget it."

His face returned to normal. Octavia watched his elongated snout shrink and regain its fleshy colour. The stripes on his cheeks were no longer jagged – their edges smooth – and when he reopened his eyes, they were white and gold again. The tension in the air dissipated and the guard restraining Octavia loosened his grip on her, allowing her to slip free. Her fingers grazed the cut Kanetsugu had made and she winced in pain. Sesshoumaru heard the sharp intake of breath and took notice of the wound. His eyes narrowed.

Hypocrite, she mouthed. Although it hadn't scarred, she remembered the feeling of his claw slicing open her skin. What was it with Daiyoukai and going straight for the neck?

"No one is to lay a finger on her," he said. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama," the crowd answered in unison.

Kannika squirmed. "Pardon my boldness, but why did my brother sense the Shikon no Tama's presence? Wasn't it destroyed?"

"Save your questions for when the magistrates are gathered," Sesshoumaru replied. "I will tell you everything I know then, and only then. Am I understood?"

She nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"Good. Now, get out. And do not speak a word of this to anyone, or there will be consequences."

Kanetsugu and his sister vacated the premises. The crowd waited until they were a certain distance away before following them out. Octavia swayed on her feet as blood trickled down her chest. The cut wasn't deep, but because of where it was, it reopened every time she moved. She covered the cut with her palm to slow the bleeding. Sesshoumaru didn't look at her as he headed towards the door. When she failed to move, he stopped and stared at her. His face was as unreadable as always. Not wanting to be carried again, she trudged after him.

"That is twice you have left your room without permission."

"I thought I saw something," she mumbled, remembering the shadow.

"No living being is capable of breaching the barrier around your room. It is indestructible. Your paranoia almost cost you your life, human."

"I'm not paranoid. And stop calling me that! It's not like you don't know my name. And besides, if anyone's to blame, it's you. What took you so long? Those twats almost killed me!"

"That was your fault for goading them."

"Wow. Way to blame the victim. How fucking progressive of you."

"Victims seldom threaten their attackers."

"So, you admit they were out of line?"

"You were all out of line."

They arrived at her door then. Instead of reaching for the handle, Octavia balled her fists and glared at him. "You're insufferable. It makes sense, though. Everyone's too scared to give it to you straight, so you've never been held accountable for your actions. That's why you're such an arsehole."

"That is enough—"

"It's not nearly enough! You can't treat people like this! I don't know how you've convinced Rin and the others that you're this perfect hero, but you're not fooling me. When I look at you, I see someone beautiful on the outside but hideous on the inside. It's a joke. You're not a hero. You're just a coward."

Sesshoumaru's true face emerged. "Control your tongue!" he bellowed. "Or I will remove it for you."

"You wouldn't dare."

"You haven't the faintest idea of what I would and wouldn't do."

"Rin would never forgive you if you did."

Octavia's throat burned where the cut was. Sesshoumaru's fangs decreased in size and the red left his eyes. However, his expression remained cold and unfeeling. After a minute's silence, he turned and walked away. Octavia reached for the handle, but before she could turn it, Sesshoumaru paused and shot her a spiteful look.

"You will never belong here," he said.

He might as well have plunged his hand into her chest and ripped out her heart.

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