Temporary bride for the demon overlord-Chapter 33: Nemesis

Anger rose in him, blinding and hot red. Karma had once again been poisoned.

And he was going to find out who the fellow was. But right now, he needed to concentrate on Karma’s wellness.

Thank God Veronica had the good sense to inform him. The harried nurses wheeled her into a ward, and different medical equipment were being set up.

Alphonse hated this. He hated the hospital and the smell of death that clung to it. Chlorine, harsh and pungent as it was, couldn’t disguise the woes and sufferings of human that rose and billowed like a dark smoke from a chimney.

A dark smoke that could only be seen by the children of the night. Alphonse knew Karma would be alright, if not for anything but his blood coursing through her veins.

It would counteract whatever poison has been fed into her. The worst of it at least.

But that thought didn’t bring him the relief he thought it would. His fingers tightened against the yellowing edges of an envelope he had found in her purse.

She had an explanation to do. If only she’ll wake up.

He accosted a nurse who was holding a tray. Startling her with his presence, she let out a shock gasp.

She stared at the door, that was just closing soundlessly. Her eyes turned wide as saucers and she wondered how such a tall man could have entered without making any noise.

"How is she?" He hissed, the words ripped from it throat in low tones.

By gods, he was a fool. Did he really think Karma could be left alone with only the vaguest of answers?

He should have known she’ll never be satisfied until she’s gotten to the root of the problem.

"Her vitals are surprisingly stable," she frowned a little as she examined the chart. "Traces of poison have been detected in her blood, but we can’t say which one yet. But..but,"

She stared at Karma with confusion. Her pale skin was regaining their color, and her mouth moved without words.

"It’s only been a minute since I connected the IV, yet she’s infinitely better. I’ve never seen anything like this," she muttered under her breath, scribbling furiously at the note in her hand.

"If you’ll excuse. I’ve got to inform the doctor," she slid out of the room, still muttering to herself.

Alphonse let out a relieved breath when Karma’s eyes peeled open. She stared at the room, disoriented.

Alphonse rushed to her side, and cradles her head to help her sit up.

She wanted to talk but only a croaky sound emerged.

Alphonse handed her the glass of water by the bed side and watch her drink greedily.

"Now, that’s better." She sighed contentedly.

"What happened?"

"You were poisoned,"

"Jesus fucking christ. I suspected as much," she stared hard at him m, her vulnerability forgotten.

"You’ll answer my question Alphonse. By God, you will." Her eyes gleamed with determination.

"You’ll answer my question first," his voice was a low timbre that sent shivers down her spine.

His face might has well be carved with stone, because his eyes flashed dangerously with anger.

The air simmered between them, tension crackled like lightning in the wind. Each one refusing to back down from the show of dominance.

"Fine," Alphonse said sharply, gruffly. His shoulders were still taut with tension, but his eyes had lost their raging inferno.

Not totally lost, mind you. His eyes still burned, like banked coals.

"What do you want to know?"

"I see you’ve found the letter from my anonymous benefactor. All roses and sunshine," she nodded to the envelope that was clutched in his hand.

"Ryan came to my office to talk about investment,"

The banked coals kindle to life, and the red rage consumed him again.

"What did he say? Did he do anything to you?" His eyes narrowed dangerously, "Did he touch you?"

"Calm your horses." Karma said drily. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

But she didn’t understand. Nobody could understand the complicated game of power that was going on around him.

Nobody could understand how he hadn’t been able to breath, how it felt like his heart was being ripped from his chest with crab pincers when he saw Karma’s unconscious form lying on that stretcher.

It felt like something was cracking open inside him and he was ready to tear the culprit responsible to pieces.

"I got that letter when I went to the orphanage today. But I think I’ve been poisoned since yesterday. At the party," Karma’s voice turned thoughtful.

"Ryan is making his move," Alphonse said abruptly.

"What do you mean?"

"I told you he’s dangerous did I not? I told you to be careful!" His words were quiet, yet they carried the edge of steel. "He infected the air. That way, it couldn’t be traced to him."

Karma had to grudgingly admit respect to this Ryan of a guy. While she’d been concerned about flattery, Ryan was planning her great demise.

She remembered what Alphonse told her about Ryan.

Doesn’t wait to plan, just looks for a weakness and prance. Does that mean she’s considered a weakness?

Whose weakness? Her eyes slid over to Alphonse, where he had been pacing.

"Here," he handed her a small bottle. A sickly sweet smell was wafting from it.

She held the bottle gingerly away from herself.

"That will make sure you can’t be poisoned ever again. It’ll fortify your blood."

Abruptly, the air shifted and sudden chill descended on her. She rubbed her prickly skin and glanced at Alphonse. His eyes had gone black and she was sure he was responsible for this.

"I have to leave," he said, "Now."

"Alphonse!" She called.

He turned, his fingers posed on the door knob.

"Who is Ryan and why are you afraid of him?"

"My nemesis." He whispered softly.

But before she could ask another question, he was gone

.

Karma wondered if her taste for vengeance had gotten her in more trouble that she’d anticipated.

She was married to a demon, but right now, she very much wished she wasn’t.