Chapter 20

Crowley tugs me with him effortlessly through the many corridors of the building, or at least what remains of it. I don't try to fight him, it would be futile anyway.He stops at a random door and leads me inside.The room seems to be a normal office. A big oak desk with a classic black leather chair behind it is in front of the big windows. Two smaller and much less comfortable looking chairs are placed in front of the desk. There is also a single bookcase in the room filled with books, probably law books or something similar. Except for that it's a painstakingly plain and boring room.

Crowley closes the door behind us and finally releases my upper arm, but only for a split second before taking my hand in his and bringing it up to his face. He holds my hand so gently it surprises me. I could easily rip my hand out of his grasp but I am frozen, curious as what he will do next. He seems to be inspecting my hand, after looking at it from all angles he looks back down at me. "It's not broken or even fractured. Seems like Chess got lucky." He says simply. I furrow my brows. He is referring to when Chess had stepped on my hand. It was indeed not broken or fractured, I could have told him that much myself. But there was and ugly bruise forming on the top of my hand.

I rip myself free from his grasp and hold my hand protectively against myself. "Don't touch me" I say with as much venom in my voice as I can muster.He only smiles down at me, seeming pleased that I have finally spoken. "You can't really stop me can you?" He is grinning now, stating the obvious. He could crush my skull if he wanted to without batting an eye. Luckily he doesn't go into it any further and gestures to the two chairs in front of the desk."Sit." He says simply.I look at him with suspicion, not moving. He sighs and goes to his seat behind the desk, leaving me standing in the middle of the room.

He sits there for a moment just looking at me in amusement."What's your full name?" He asks me, resting his head on his hand. I can't stop the look of surprise that came over me. From everything he could have asked me, he wants to know my full name? I gape for a moment, unable to form the words. Crowley doesn't move, and just watches me with amusement as I struggle with my words. Finally I get a grip on myself and straighten a bit. "Why do you want to know my name?" I ask him instead. There was no way I was going to entertain him by being easy and answering every question he has.Crowley only shrugs, not seeming to care too much. "I thought it might be best if I knew your full name so I might address you with it. But I'm fine with continuing calling you little mouse if that is what you prefer instead." He says lazily. He got me and he knew it."My name is Hana Takahashi" I reply annoyed at the fact that he got me to tell him my name. "Hana Takahashi." He says, seeming to play with the syllables. I shudder, but I don't know why. "Well Hana, you might already know this but I'm-""Crowley, I know." I interrupt him. Hoping to irritate him but he seems unbothered. Instead he seems very pleased by my answer."That's right, Crowley Eusford. It's important for you to remember that name." He states, leaning back into his chair.I don't take the bait by asking him why it is important to remember his name, instead I finally sit down into one of the chairs. Just like I had assumed, they would be uncomfortable to sit in for a long period of time.We just sat there, staring at each other for what felt like hours but was probably only a couple of minutes. Daring the other one to make the next move. I couldn't take it anymore and broke first."Spill it, what is it you want with me." I say flatly, not interested in playing his staring game any longer.

He lets out a breath, almost relieved that I cut straight to the point. "Humans really are straight forward creatures." I narrow my eyes at his comment."It makes this all the more easier I guess. How much do you know about vampire mates?" He questions, looking all of a sudden serious. I rack my brain for any mention of vampire mates but come up with none. I have no idea what it is he is referring to.Noticing my confusion he sighs again, only this time sounding a bit more frustrated."I guess they thought it unimportant to teach you this in your academy." Crowley laughs humorlessly before straightening."In this world we have what we vampires call, mates or soul mates. These mates are individuals destined to be with one another. The only reason as to why you mortals don't really have this is because you don't have the ability to recognize your mate. We vampires do. However, it is rare for someone to actually find their mate." He says, looking closely at my reaction. I was staring off into the distance, a feeling deep down in my gut telling me the reason why a vampire might be telling this. But I needed it confirmed nonetheless."And how...does this information relate to me?" I ask carefully, looking back at Crowley."Because, Hana, you are my mate." He says. His smile gone, looking dead serious at me. But I caught a hint of fear or nervousness in his eyes before he masked his face back to neutrality.I inhaled sharply at my assumptions being confirmed. Crowley Eusford, a fucking blood sucking vampire, was my mate, and I was going to kill him.