Chapter 364: His Shadow, Her Shield

[Music recommendation: Skylar Grey - Vampire At The Swimming Pool]

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"Aliana."

She paused, looking back over her shoulder. "Yes?"

"Accompany me to the study before you head out," he said softly.

Aliana’s brows pulled together in mild confusion. "Right now?"

"Yes. It will only take a moment."

Aliana turned to face him fully, her light grey eyes searching his face for answers. Gavriel almost never made unexpected demands on her time, especially when something urgent needed her attention elsewhere.

So she gave a subtle nod. "Alright."

Together, they left the master suite and walked down the hallway toward Gavriel’s private study.

Aliana walked in silence, her thoughts elsewhere and her eyes fixed on the floor beneath her feet. Distracted, she didn’t raise her head until she followed Gavriel through the open oak doors of the study, only to spot an unfamiliar pair of men’s boots standing not far from the desk.

Realising they were not alone, her heels came to an abrupt halt, and her brows furrowed.

Slowly, Aliana’s gaze travelled upward, tracing the towering figure clad in a tattered, black hooded cloak over dark, layered clothing adorned with leather straps and iron chains.

A short gasp escaped Aliana when she noticed the figure’s black, dangerous, claw-like hands. Her eyes shot up to his face, where a pair of dull red eyes glowed beneath the shadows of his black hood.

Then, as if a memory from the past came rushing back, recognition struck her.

"You... I’ve seen you before..." Aliana said in shock, taking a step back. "Back in... Karden?"

Gavriel knew she would recognise him.

He casually leaned against the edge of his heavy wooden desk and introduced the man. "You are right, Ana. You have seen him once before. This is Reve. One of my most trusted men, and as of today... your bodyguard."

"What?" Aliana’s head whipped around to face her husband. "My b-bodyguard?"

Gavriel offered a single, reassuring nod before shifting his attention to Reve

Taking that as his cue, the man, who had remained as still as a stone pillar, took a step toward the bewildered Aliana.

Dropping gracefully to his knees, he drew his clawed hands back to lower his hood before speaking in a deep, gravelly voice. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you like this, Madam."

Once again, Aliana found herself utterly stunned by the man behind the cloak. Judging by those terrifying claws, she had expected a grotesque creature, with ghoulish skin, jagged fangs, and sunken eyes.

She certainly had not expected a striking man with long silver hair and pale, flawless skin.

Nervously, Aliana glanced at Gavriel, who was watching the entire exchange with quiet amusement with the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He offered her a subtle nod, encouraging her to speak.

Gulping softly, she turned her gaze back to the kneeling demon. "It is nice to meet you, too, Reve. You may rise."

Aliana’s body tensed in anticipation, waiting to inspect his features more closely. But as he raised his head to meet her eyes, she was surprised yet again by his sharp jawline and calm red eyes. There were no pointed ears, elongated fangs, or distorted features.

Nothing about him suggested that he was anything other than an extraordinarily handsome human, except for those claws.

’Why are only his hands like that?’ she wondered. ’He is a demon, so why doesn’t he look entirely human like Gavriel and Cillian?’

Gavriel saw the questions swirling in her eyes. Knowing his wife was far too polite to voice them aloud and risk offending Reve, he stepped in to ease her mind.

"Don’t worry, baby," Gavriel murmured softly. "Reve knows how to conceal his true form whenever he accompanies you in public."

Aliana stiffened like a deer caught in headlights. She shot a look at her husband, her eyes narrowing as she wondered if he had just read her thoughts.

Still acutely aware of Reve standing nearby, she softly cleared her throat and murmured, "Of course. That is not what I was concerned about." She lied smoothly, adding, "I was only surprised by you telling me all of a sudden that he would be my bodyguard."

The corner of Gavriel’s lips lifted further at her poor attempt to cover herself.

"Reve," he commanded softly.

Without warning, thick black smoke erupted around Reve, engulfing him from head to toe, making Aliana jump. She whipped her head towards Gavriel and shot him an accusing glare for not giving her even a single warning before commanding Reve and startling her in the process.

Gavriel only gave a smirk in return, making Aliana quickly look away from his infuriatingly handsome face.

Turning her attention back to the cloud of dark mist, her eyes went wide in absolute awe as it dissipated. The tattered hood and dark cloak were gone.

In their place stood a man dressed in a crisp black vest, tailored trousers, and a long black overcoat. Fine leather gloves now concealed his clawed hands. His long silver hair was partially tied up at the crown, leaving the remaining strands to cascade freely down his back.

With his sharp features, silver hair, and impeccably tailored attire, Reve looked less like a bodyguard and more like a model who had somehow wandered into the room.

’So this is what demons can do with magic...’ she thought, wondering if she could learn it herself so she wouldn’t have to spend so much time getting ready every morning.

Reve adjusted the cuffs of his leather gloves with quiet grace before stepping forward. The shadows that had enveloped him moments ago dissolved completely into the air, leaving no trace of the dark smog behind.

Crossing one gloved hand over his chest, he inclined his head in a formal, elegant bow.

"My lady," Reve began, his voice taking on a smoother, refined tone that matched his sleek human appearance, though a low, resonant rumble remained beneath it. "From this moment forth, my life and my blade belong to your shadow. I shall serve as your shield against every unseen threat in this realm and beyond."

Aliana blinked at his solemn pledge of loyalty, momentarily feeling as though she had been transported back in time. Her eyes flickered towards Gavriel, only to find him watching her with such softness in his eyes that warmth crept into her cheeks.

Regaining her composure, Aliana finally spoke. "Thank you, Reve. I appreciate your dedication, though I hope my daily corporate routine does not prove too dull for you."

A subtle flicker of a smile touched the corner of Reve’s pale lips. "Protecting my master’s wife in a city full of chaos will be anything but dull, Madam. You have my word. No harm shall reach you while I draw breath."

At his sincere words, a genuine smile touched her lips, and she replied softly, "Then I will be in your care."