Original Stories Fan Fiction / Romance Fan Fiction ❯ Playing With Fire ❯ Dinner Guest ( Chapter 26 )

Chapter 26: Dinner Guest

Sage's P.O.V

Sage sat on the stairs, her eyes roaming over the familiar faces in her living room, all mingling and laughing together. She groaned inwardly.

“I swear mom did this on purpose…”

It was like a fucking family reunion every Sunday. Her 14-year-old cousin Ryan was playing video games with her 5-year-old brother Marcus, his little hands not quick or nimble enough to keep up with the older boy. The other boys sat around watching, waiting to play winner, while the girls chit-chatted, giggling secretively about the latest school gossip. Her mother and aunties were in the kitchen cooking, while the men sat in the study drinking and smoking cigars. The older kids, around her age, were out on the balcony, most likely dishing on any new spells they've learned. This was how it was every Sunday.

Everyone in this room was either a witch/warlock or witch/warlock in-training. The little ones haven't come into their powers yet, while some were just learning the basics. Sage glanced up at the clock nervously…6:30. Dinner was at 7.

“Where the hell is he?” she mumbled to herself. If Chase came late, the old people will start bitching before the food is even served.

“You seem jumping tonight.”

Sage looked up as her older sister sauntered down the stairs.

She rolled her eyes. “I'm fine, Jayden.” Her sister chuckled before taking a seat on the step above hers.

“You just don't have luck, do you?”

“Here it comes,” Sage thought with a sigh before turning to face Jayden.

“I mean… you might as well call the poor bastard and break-up with him now. Guys don't usually stay with you after they meet the family, do they?” she drawled in a mocking tone.

Sage gritted her teeth. She loved her siblings, she really did. But if she had to save only one of them from falling off a cliff, she would pick her little brother, hands down. To say her sister was a bitch was a serious understatement. Being raised in a family of witches meant sibling rivalry was bound to happen whether you wanted it or not. For as long as she could remember, she and Jayden have been at each other's throats. Jayden's powers peeked when she turned 16, making her the first witch in the family whose powers reached full capacity at such a young age. She was the golden child. Sage wasn't ashamed to admit she was a little jealous of her older sister. Everything always came easier to Jayden. Out of all the witches and warlocks in their generation, Jayden was the most powerful. Even her older cousins, who have been practicing the craft longer, paled in comparison to Jayden's power. And to think…she was only 21.

The family never questioned her choice in men either. Everyone always assumed, “If Jayden thinks they're good enough, then they are.” Never mind she changed guys more then she changed panties, she could do no wrong in the eyes of their parents. Then there was the fact that she was drop dead gorgeous. Sage hated bringing her boyfriends home because when the family didn't scare them off, they ended up ogling her sister all night long and she would dump them for that alone. Not that she could blame them. Jayden had beautiful, long straight hair that reached mid-back. It was a light, coopery brown color and shone red when the sun hit it. Her eyes were a deep shade of hazel with flecks of green. She also had the perfect body with shapely legs that went on for miles. She had everything Sage believed she lacked; hell, even her breasts were a cup size bigger. Sometimes she hated standing next to her in public, the feeling of inadequacy too much too bear at times.

Jayden even stole her boyfriend freshmen year. Matt Reynolds was Sage's first high school crush, and being a senior only made his appeal that much stronger. Sage was one of the few freshmen's to get asked to prom by a senior, but little miss perfect didn't want her little sister cramping her style. She was so excited come prom night, bought a new dress and everything. But when the doorbell rang and she came downstairs all dolled up and ready to go, she saw Matt and Jayden kissing as her parents took pictures. The jerk didn't even have the balls to tell her the truth. It was one of the most humiliating moments of her high school life. When her sister graduated, it was like heaven finally smiled down at her. But unfortunately, she still had to live with the bitch.

“This one isn't easy to scare off,” Sage shot back with a secretive smile. If anything, her family should be scared of Chase if they knew who he was.

“Hmm,” Jayden replied with a smirk, flipping her long hair over her bare shoulder. “Then I look forward to meeting him.”

“Bitch,” she hissed mentally despite the grin on her own face. Sage would be lying if she said she wasn't worried about Chase meeting her sister. Not many men could resist Jayden's charm, and it would honestly break her heart if Chase was one of them.

“How's the training going?” Jayden asked her tone anything but caring.

“Fine,” she replied tersely.

“You know, if you need some pointers…”

“Hey Sage!” her cousin Abel yelled from the balcony door. “When's this boyfriend of yours coming, I'm starving!”

Sage got up and made her way over to her cousins, thankful for the distraction since she was 2 seconds away from setting Jayden's ass on fire.

She stepped out onto the balcony where her three cousins stood. “It's not 7 yet, he'll be here soon.”

“What's he like?” her cousin Sarah gushed excitedly.

“Human, demon or other?” Tyler threw in as he pulled out a pack of smokes from his pocket and offered one to Abel before pulling one into his mouth and lighting it, a small flame appearing out of thin air.

Sage smiled. She could honesty say she enjoyed spending time with her cousins, these three in particular. Her, Abel, Tyler and Sarah were all the same age, give or take a year or two, and practically grew up together. Although she was a lot closer to Sarah, she shared a strong bond with Tyler and Abel as well.

“He's a demon,” she answered although she was tempted to choose “other” instead, but that would have sparked unwanted questions.

“Full house tonight, you nervous?” Abel asked pulling a deep draw from his cigarette.

“I'm nervous, but for a different reason,” she admitted casting a quick glance towards the road in search of his car, suddenly wishing everyone went back inside.

“Oh god, I hope he doesn't just appear like fucking Houdini…”

“Scared of what the old ones might say or do?” Tyler offered with a teasing smile.

“No, I'm scared of what he might say or do…” she replied quietly.

“What do you mean?” Sarah frowned.

Sage shook her head. “It's not important.”

“Well I'm excited,” Abel chuckled. “You haven't brought home a guy to dinner since sophomore year. I'm ready to sit back and watch the fucking fireworks.”

Sage punched his arm playfully. “Jerk!”

“Seriously, Sage, have you lost your mind?” Sarah shook her head disbelievingly. “I'm not introducing a guy to this family until my fucking wedding day!”

“Oh, from what I hear she doesn't have a choice, do you babygirl?” Tyler flashed a shit-eating grin.

Sage rolled her eyes.

“I heard our moms talking,” Tyler continued explaining to the others. “Nana busted her not-so-slick ass walking home with the guy and sold her down the river faster then you can say “royally fucked”.”

Abel and Sarah laughed. “Oh that sucks!”

“He better be worth it,” Abel grinned, the cigarette dangling from his lips.

“And he better be on time too,” Sarah chimed in looking at her cell phone. “It's ten to 7.”

“Shit,” Sage mumbled turning her focus back to the road. Suddenly, the sound of a car engine was heard off in the distance.

“That him?” Abel nodded his head towards the car in question. Sage watched as the Yellow 2010 Chevy Camaro sped down the road before coming to a screeching halt by the curb in front of her house, giving her cousins a front row view. They all watched in anticipation as the driver-side door swung open and out stepped Chase.

Sage's breath hitched in her throat. He looked damn good.

Chase was donning a pair of faded blue jeans, slightly baggy, with a chain hanging across the side pocket and black boots. Instead of his favorite leather jacket, which she currently had in her room, he wore a black blazer with silk lining the inside and a navy blue dress shirt underneath with the top two bottoms undone. His vibrant, icy blue eyes were covered with expensive looking sunglasses. His piercings, however, were all still in place, making him look like some kind of gangster mob boss.

“My parents are going to have a field day with that…Maybe I can convince him to take them off,” Sage thought unable to peel her eyes off him.

“Holy shit…”Sarah whispered. Sage looked over at the girl and nearly laughed out loud. Her mouth was slightly open in shock as her eyes bulged out of her head.

“He's fucking sex on legs! Where the hell did you find that fine piece of ass?”

“God, Sarah,” Abel scowled playfully. “You sound like Tyler, the guy isn't out on display ya know.”

“He fucking should be!” she shot back looking down at Chase.

“He is kind of a pretty boy,” Tyler said slowly. “You know… in that America's Next Top Gangster kinda way.”

“Will you guys shut up!” Sage hissed knowing Chase could probably hear their every word.

“Seriously Sage, where did you find this guy? He looks like he should be in magazines— and oh my god he's looking up here!” Sarah squealed and quickly looked away as if her cover was blown.

Sage watched as Chase looked up at her, a slow smirk playing across his lips, forcing her to smile back almost shyly.

“I think I'm gonna be sick,” Tyler deadpanned before throwing down his cigarette and grinding the heel of his boot into it.

Abel chuckled. “Damn, you got it bad.”

Sage blushed, tearing her gaze away from Chase before turning and walking back inside. “Shut up and let's get this over with.”

As they stepped inside, Sage noticed her mother and aunties setting the table and the kids putting away their games. The doorbell rang.

She could feel her heart racing as if it would burst any minute now. She wasn't looking forward to this evening at all. Sage made her way to the door but was abruptly cut off as her little brother beat her to it.

Marcus tip-toed to reach the handle and swung the solid oak door open. Chase stood leaning casually against the door frame with his hands tucked in his pockets. His head dipped low to address the little boy.

“Hello there,” Sage heard his deep, smooth voice say.

“Hi!” Marcus greeted in his cute sing-song voice, flashing Chase a bright, dimpled smile.

Sage watched as a full-blown grin broke out on Chase's handsome face. “Well aren't you cute. May I come in?”

She scoffed. “As if he needs permission.”

Chase's head snapped up in her direction, as if hearing her thoughts, and grinned. She walked over to the door and stood behind her brother, bracing her hand against the door panel.

“What took you so long?” she cocked an eyebrow.

“What? Didn't you say dinner's at 7?” he asked in an innocent tone, gazing at her from above the rim of his shades, the gleam in his pale blue eyes shining through.

“Besides, I went shopping,” he shrugged. “Had to look respectable and all.”

“Respectable would entail ditching the rocker piercings,” she countered unimpressed.

“I happen to like my piercings.”

“You could have at least taken out your tongue ring,” she said with an irritated sigh.

“I was going to, but then I remembered how much you like it,” he said suggestively, flashing his most dangerous smile. Sage bit her lip, unable to make a remark. She did like his tongue ring…

“Are you dating my sister?” came a little voice. Both Sage and Chase looked down at Marcus who was still standing between them, looking up at Chase with admiration shinning in his big green eyes.

“Yes, I am,” Chase replied grinning down at the boy. “What's your name, kid?”

“Mar-cus,” he sang cutely fidgeting from one foot to the other.

“Well, Marcus, I had no idea Sage had such an adorable little brother. You are so cute I could just eat you up—”

“Marcus, go tell mom our guest is here,” Sage interrupted glaring daggers at Chase.

“Ookaay,” the little boy drawled before bouncing off.

“Behave yourself; you remember that conversation, don't you?” she reminded him as he stepped over the threshold and into her personal space.

“Perfectly,” he whispered grinning from ear to ear. The two gazed at each other for a moment before a loud cough drew their attention. Sage looked up at her smirking cousins.

“Aren't you going to introduce us?” Abel asked quirking a brow, though his amusement was difficult to hide.

“Right,” Sage cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed. “Guys, this is Chase, Chase these are my cousins: Abel, Tyler and Sarah.”

Chase slowly slipped off his glasses and flashed his most charming smile. “Pleasure to meet you all.”

Sage swore she heard Sarah's small intake of breath at seeing him up close. Chase shook hands with Abel and Tyler before grasping Sarah's hand in his and giving it a chaste kiss. Poor girl looked like she was about to faint. Sage knew Chase was just fucking with the girl after hearing their conversation on the balcony.

“Aren't you going to introduce me?” Sage groaned as her sister approached the group, her hips swaying as she drew near.

She tossed at sideways glance at Chase to gage his reaction to Jayden, but he wore a mask of indifference.

“Chase…meet my sister, Jayden,” she introduced almost dryly, trying to keep the venom out of her voice.

“It's nice to meet you,” Jayden purred reaching her hand out for him to take.

Chase repeated his greeting with Sarah, planting a soft kiss on the back of her hand.

“Pleasure's all mine,” he greeted in a smooth tone.

Jayden's smile grew almost seductive. “My, aren't you a gentleman. I have to say…you are way out of my sister's league.”

“O shit…” Abel and Tyler mumbled together as Sarah glanced nervously at Sage.

Sage clenched her fists at her sides, struggling to tamper down the surge of heat and rage she could feel building inside at the sound of her sister's demeaning tone.

“I'm out of everyone's league, sweetheart,” Chase drawled evenly before brushing past her, but not before allowing his eyes to skim over her form in a dismissing manner.

Abel and Sarah suppressed their laugher as Sage hid her own smile after witnessing Chase's subtle rejection. She was pleased that his gaze didn't linger once on Jayden, but rather addressed her like he did everyone else.

“Burned!” Tyler laughed outright. “Pick up your jaw, Jay. That look isn't very attractive.”

Jayden quickly shook the shocked expression from her face and shot Tyler a dirty look before stomping into the kitchen.

Sage then turned to see her parents enter the room, her sister already forgotten. She felt her heart pick up speed again as she fell in step beside Chase. Her Nana, aunties and uncles sat ideally by in the living room, pretending not to notice the newcomer. But Sage could feel everyone's judgy eyes on her, boring holes into her skin.

She took a deep breath, slipping her hand into Chase's, some tension leaving her body when she felt him squeeze back.

“Mom, Dad…” she began. “This is Chase... my boyfriend.”

“Please don't be an ass. Please don't be an ass. Please don't be an ass…”

“It's nice to formerly meet you Sir, Ma'am,” he greeted with a polite smile, shaking her father's hand.

Sage released a sigh she didn't know she was holding, thankful that Chase was actually displaying signs of proper manners.

“Quite a grip you got their, son,” her father said with a questioning look in his eyes. Sage knew from that look that the hand shake was a way for him to read Chase's aura, but he couldn't since Chase didn't have one.

“Shit…” she thought as her nervousness returned.

“Relax.” Chase's voice rang in her head making her visibly jump, caughing her mother's attention.

“You alright, honey?”

Sage forced a reassuring smile. “I'm fine. I'm just going to go introduce Chase to everyone before dinner.” She hurriedly dragged him towards the living room and away from her parent's mistrustful gaze.

She went down the list, introducing Chase to everyone but not giving anyone the chance to strike up a conversation with him.

She then stopped in front of her grandmother. “Nana, you remember Chase, don't you?”

The old women took in the demon before her, a look of distain flashing across her face. “Oh, I remember him well enough.”

Chase grinned wickedly at the women despite himself, remembering that he had told her to suck his balls before calling her an old hag. But she couldn't remember that thanks to Kel. But even without the memory, it was clear the woman neither liked nor trusted him in any way, shape or form.

“C'mon,” Sage mumbled tugging him along behind her.

Chase's P.O.V

He smiled amusingly down at the witch. It was clear she was trying to rush him from one person to the next in hopes he wouldn't talk, but she wouldn't be able to keep that up all night. Although he was doing his best to “behave”, he could already feel the boredom sinking in. He never liked witches, and being in a house crawling with them made him…restless. Witches possessed similar senses to demons and could be very perceptive. He knew that her parents were already suspicious of him due to his non-existent aura and he would surely be ambushed with questions at the dinner table.

“Fucking witches,” he grumbled silently. “Hopefully I won't kill anyone tonight…Sage might frown on that.”

After 10 minutes within her family's presence, Chase quickly discovered that the only member he might be able to tolerate was her little brother. The kid was cute and could carry on a conversation with him without those judgy eyes passed down to witches from generations. Everyone kept throwing him looks when they thought he wasn't looking, but they varied from each person. The old hag kept shooting him dirty glares, the parents looked suspicious, the aunts and uncles looked interested, the cousins seemed to be sizing him up while her little brother looked up at him in awe as if seeing a real life superhero for the first time. The sister, on the other hand, was sizing him up in a completely different fashion. She sat on the stairs, twirling a lock of hair around her slender finger while eyeing him lustfully from head to toe. He'd be lying if he said she wasn't easy on the eyes, with a nice rack to boot, but he wasn't interested.

“Come on everyone, take your seats!” her mother yelled strolling out of the kitchen with a pot roast in her hands. “Dinner's ready!”

“Why am I even doing this?” he bemoaned as Sage dragged him over to where her cousins were sitting at the dinner table. This entire thing was pointless…yet a part of him wanted to meet her family. He wanted to learn more about her. At first, he convinced himself it was for solely experimental reasons, hoping he'll learn something as to why his powers don't work on her, but it was more then that. He wanted these people to know who he was, and more importantly, he wanted them to know who Sage belonged to. The more time he spent with her, the more possessive he became. He was truly baffled by the honest feelings he was developing for her to the point in which it was becoming increasingly more difficult to see his future, the rest of his eternity, without her in it.

As everyone took their seats, Chase pulled out Sage's chair and grinned at her stunned expression.

“T-thanks,” she muttered shyly before taking her seat, blushing at the looks they were receiving from her family. Chase heard whispers from her relatives commenting on his impeccable manners.

“You're welcome,” he replied before taking the seat next to her, putting him between Marcus and across from Jayden. Chase had shrugged off his blazer at the door, leaving him in his navy blue dress shirt. A tug on the bottom of his shirt forced him to look down. Marcus beamed up at him.

“I like you!” the little boy declared, his dimpled smile on full blast.

Chase smirked down at the kid, reaching his hand out to ruffle his mop of dark curly hair. “You don't even know me. I could be some kinda psycho killer.”

“Na-uh!” he shook his head eagerly looking up from under Chase's large hand, which made the boy's head seem tiny under his grasp. “You're cool!”

Chase chuckled. “Well, I can't argue with you there,” he turned to look at Sage. “Your brother has good taste.”

She scoffed. “Please, he's five. He thinks a plastic bag caught in the wind is cool, don't get excited.”

“I do not!” the kid whined attempting to glare at his sister but failed miserably. “And I'm five and a half!” Everyone laughed causing the little boy to pout and flop back into his seat.

“Alright, settle down,” her father said taking his seat at the head of the table after everyone was seated. Chase counted 17 people sitting at the table, including himself. The long elegant cherry wood table took up the entire room, filled with various kinds of luscious foods, appetizers and desserts already laid out. A large crystal chandler hung down from the ceiling and candles littered the room. It was a cozy, family orientated atmosphere that was clearly routine judging by how comfortable everyone seemed, each knowing which seat belonged to them.

“Damn, these witches take their family gatherings seriously,” he thought amusingly as his eyes scanned the room, sizing up each individual. Everyone, excluding the children, possessed a strong aura determining their power level and strength. Sage's father appeared to be the strongest while the old hag ran second, not to say other's at the table weren't almost as strong, if not equally. Chase couldn't help but notice that Jayden's aura shined brighter then Sage's, indicating she was clearly the stronger of the two.

He allowed himself a small smile. He knew none of them could see it yet, but Sage's aura was restrained compared to theirs, even the elders. Her powers were not undeveloped, no, they were merely dormant. His little witch could very well be the strongest one in this room if only she knew how to control and call on her powers.

“Maybe I could help her with that…”

“Chase,” her father called pulling him from his thoughts. “Would you like to say grace?” Chase cocked an eyebrow in disbelief as if to say “are you fucking serious?”

“I'm afraid I wouldn't be any good at it,” he smiled politely. “Not much of a believer.” That earned him a few shocked glances. He knew how religious witches tended to be, but there was no way in hell he was going to pray to any kind of god.

“I see,” the man replied as if offended. He then bowed his head and proceeded to say grace, everyone following suit. As their eyes closed, Sage landed a swift kick to his shin under the table, causing him to snap his head towards her.

“What the fuck was that?!” she yelled mentally as her eyes narrowed into slits.

“Sorry, baby,” he shot back with a grin. “Me and God don't get along.”

“Amen,” her father finished and took his seat. Noise then filled the room and people started talking and serving themselves, bowls and dishes being passed left and right. The only meal Chase wanted to eat, however, was sitting in the chair to his left, but that would have to wait.

Sage filled his plate with a little bit of everything and glared warningly up at him, already knowing what he was thinking.

“Eat it and enjoy it!” she hissed under her breath, loud enough for only his ears.

He smiled sweetly and kissed her cheek. “Of course, my love!” Chase began picking at his food, waiting for the interrogation to begin.

“So Chase,” her mother began.

“And it begins.”

“How long have you been seeing my daughter?”

He looked up from his plate, smiling when he heard Sage groan beside him. “A few weeks now, ma'am.”

“How did you meet?” she inquired taking a sip of her wine. All attention was now on him, other conversations seemingly forgotten for the time being.

“My brother and I are new in town. Sage and her friend Mia offered to show us around on the first day of school,” he answered casting Sage a flirty smile like any normal boyfriend would.

“And you've been seeing each other since?” the father chimed in, quirking an eyebrow. Chase nodded.

“That's strange,” the man continued taking a bite of his chicken.

“How so?” Chase asked titling his head slightly.

“I seem to remember her taking another boy to a school dance last week. What was his name, sweetheart? Dyne? He was a nice boy.”

Chase watched as the color drained from Sage's face. “Um…It didn't work out, daddy.”

“But it worked out with Chase here instead?”

“Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, Sir,” Chase intervened casually taking a bite of his own food. “The food is delicious by the way,” he said shooting her mother his most dashing smile.

The woman smiled in return, though it lacked any genuine emotion. “Thank you.”

“A competition?” the father continued, his food forgotten. “Is that what you see my daughter as, young man.”

“Daddy!”

Chase stifled the growl he could feel rising in his throat. He hated being talked down to by mortals.

He forced a tight-lipped small. “Of course not, I only meant I was fortunate enough to have your daughter give me the time of day, which I assure you was no small feat on my part.”

“Ha!” Sage scoffed to him mentally knowing she had no choice in that particular matter.

The man nodded as if pleased with his answer, but then it was the grandmother's turn. “You don't feel intimidated to be dating a witch? Most demons prefer inferior and submissive women, but witches are quite the opposite.”

Sage released another groan, praying for this to end.

“Don't give her so much credit, Nana,” Jayden piped before Chase could reply. “Her powers haven't even peeked yet, so inferior isn't too far from the truth.”

“Jayden.” Her mother warned in a quiet tone as Sage tensed in anger. Chase's eyes drifted between the two. It was clear they didn't like each other too much.

“No love loss between you two, huh?” he joked easing the tension when several people laughed softly.

“Sibling rivalry,” Sage's aunt spoke up. Chase turned to look at the woman, remembering her from the day the girls tried to escape. She was in the car with the old hag. “You have a brother, don't you? Surely you can relate.”

“Not really,” he replied honestly. He and Kel never competed for anything. Chase was close to both his brothers, but shared a stronger bond with Kel since Craven was always too busy running the world and all. He had no reason to envy his brothers and vice versa. If Kel ever wanted something, Chase would always ensure he got it at all costs. He knew Kel would do the same for him. Petty emotions such as jealousy didn't run in their family.

“What about your parents?” her mother asked keeping up her line of questioning.

“What about them?”

“Tell us about them.”

“My mother's dead and my father's a dick,” he deadpanned his voice cold and void of emotions as he sipped his water.

Everyone at the table gapped at him, slightly taken aback by his blunt way of speaking. Chase grunted, almost spitting up his water, when another sharp kick slammed into his shin.

“Bitch, if you kick me one more fucking time…” he warned sending her a quick glare, which she returned.

“I'm sorry,” he cleared his throat. “That was rude of me. My father and I just aren't close.”

“That's alright,” one of her uncles chuckled. “We've all got our fair share of family issues, I know I do.”

“So it's just you and your brother living alone?” her mother asked curiously.

“Yes, ma'am,” he smiled charmingly. “I have another brother but he travels a lot for business purposes.”

“Two more that looks like you? Must be by lucky day,” Jayden smirked playfully.

“One is taken and I'm sure the other one doesn't like whores,” Sage deadpanned without looking up from her plate.

“Sage!” her mother scolded despite the quiet chuckles from her cousins. Jayden's eyes narrowed dangerously on Sage before turning her attention back to Chase, a sugary sweet smile spreading across her face.

“Did Sage ever tell you about the time she took the iron and tried to straighten her hair to look like mine?”

“I was 10!” Sage snapped wanting nothing more then to hurl her steak knife at the she-devil's head.

“She said her curly hair was ugly and wished she had mine,” Jayden continued, chuckling softly. The older people at the table smiled at the memory while the cousins looked nervously between the two sisters.

Sage looked like she was ready to leap across the table and strangle her sister when Chase spoke. “I like her curly hair,” he admitted smoothly.

Sage blinked up at him, her face turning red at the chorus of “aww's” that echoed through the room

“That's so sweet!” Sarah gushed giddily. The comment seemed to shut Jayden up, rendering her silent for the time being. As the evening went on, Chase felt himself growing more and more restless, which didn't go unnoticed by Sage.

“What's wrong?” she sent him mentally.

“Bored.” He replied before bringing his hand to rest on her knee. “Why don't you excuse yourself to show me where the bathroom is?” he grinned at her as his hand slowly crawled up her leg only to disappear under her skirt. One claw brushed against her inner thigh before her hand clamped down on his and pulled it out from under her skirt, silently praying no one noticed.

“This is so not the time!” she said tossing his hand aside.

“How old are you, Chase?” her father asked suddenly, having been quiet for a while. The question startled both of them out of their private conversation.

“Jesus, you guys!” Sage snapped drawing everyone's attention. “Enough with the questions, Chase isn't the only one at this table.”

“We're just trying to get to know your boyfriend better,” her father replied calmly before addressing Chase. “Are we making you uncomfortable, son?”

Chase grinned as he reached down to grasp Sage's hand, intertwining their fingers. “No sir, not at all. Takes a lot more then a few questions to make me squirm. And to answer your question, I'm 18.”

“Is that right?” the old hag piped up skeptically. “And how long have you been 18?” Both the father and the old woman were now looking at the couple as if discovering something for the first time.

Chase blinked, looking between pops and the old hag before releasing a low chuckle. “Damn, I forgot how intuitive you witches can be.” He muttered reaching for his wine and taking a long sip. He felt Sage squeeze his hand in silent warning not to do anything drastic. The comment earned him several questioning looks from those at the table, including her cousins.

“You don't carry yourself like a teenager would,” the man continued, ignoring his comment. “You strike me as a man who has seen much in his life, which leaves me to believe you have lived a long one.”

Sage's P.O.V

Her eyes darted between her father and Chase, not liking where any of this was going. She knew from the moment her parents laid eyes on Chase, they didn't like him. They hated everything from his daunting demeanor, pierced face and cocky swagger. But she was hoping they would at least be decent about it.

“So much for that…” she thought as a slow smile stretched across Chase's face, the same one that made her heart flutter, but for different reasons.

“Well, if I'm being honest…” he began, a tinge of something else laced in his voice but she couldn't place it.

“Chase…” she said out loud before realizing it.

“It's alright, baby,” he said flashing her a lopsided grin. At that moment, she knew all politeness was forgotten on his part.

“Oh, dear god…”

“I think it's safe to say I'm older then everyone in this room…combined,” he smirked cockily before continuing. “But that shouldn't be surprising, most demons are. You know, eternal youth and all.”

Sage knew how easy it was for Chase to do a complete 180; sometimes she thought he was bi-polar. This was something her family now had the pleasure of seeing first hand.

“And why is a demon your age enrolled in high school?” the mother asked dryly, quirking an eyebrow.

Chase scoffed amusingly, his tone shifting into something dark. “That was my question when I first rolled into town. Seems like it was all the rave among demons. Curiosity got the best of me, that and boredom,” he finished with a shrug.

Sage glanced around the room, noticing how many now seemed uncomfortable at the change in mood.

“Well, he's got a point there,” Abel jumped in trying to steer the conversation onto friendlier grounds. But his attempts failed.

“I don't want you seeing my daughter anymore.”

Silence filled the room has everyone stopped eating to gaze at her father. If Sage didn't close her mouth it would have hit the floor.

“And why is that?” Chase grinned, making it clear he did not take the man seriously. “Something I said?” The respect was gone from his tone, which now held an almost mocking quality.

“Not only are you too old for my daughter, which is a major understatement on my part, but I don't trust you—”

“Dad—”

“Let me finish, Sage,” he said in a firm and even tone before continuing. “I can't help but notice how careful you are with your words, which leaves me to believe you are a talented liar. This is a very small town and people talk. I heard about your little run in with the dog demons. You and your brother seem to have this town in an uproar and I don't know why, but I can assure you I don't care. The only thing I care about is the safety of my daughter—”

“She is safe with me,” Chase interrupted as the grin fell from his face only to be replaced with a cold expression.

“You have no aura,” her grandmother added as if it were the answer to everything.

“Your point?” he cocked an eyebrow.

“Everything with a soul as an aura, even demons, but you don't. It means you are not who you say you are and therefore can not be trusted,” the old woman explained her eyes narrowing slightly. “Only the most evil and vilest creatures possess no soul.”

“So lemme get this straight,” Chase said chuckling darkly as he sat up a little straighter. “Because none of you are strong enough to sense my aura, I'm automatically labeled as, not only evil, but vile? That's a little petty wouldn't you say? Blaming the dinner guest for your own incompetents?”

“Holy shit…” Tyler whispered as everyone stared on wide-eyed. Silence filled the room for the second time that night.

“Emily, please take the children into the next room,” her mother said quietly to her aunt. The woman nodded and prepared to stand.

“Oh, that won't be necessary,” Chase waved off nonchalantly before draining the rest of his wine. Even Sage was staring at him wide-eyed.

“What the hell are you doing!” she hissed at him only to receive a smug grin in reply.

“You're right,” her father agreed standing abruptly “The children can stay because our guest is about to leave.”

“Am I now? When did I say that?” he asked Sage with a mock expression of confusion on his face.

“I am telling you to leave, now.” her father demanded as the rest of the elders moved to stand as well as if ready to fight if need be. They all could now sense the growing danger that filled the air.

Sage watched as Chase's eyes carefully took each of them in, an amused glint shining behind his icy blue orbs.

“Baby, your family is so rude…I think my feelings are hurt,” he said his voice cold and empty as his gaze fell on her. His tone alone sent a shiver down her spine, bringing back the memory of the day she discovered his true identity.

“For fuck sakes…” she moaned dropping her head into her hands for a moment before looking up again. “Okay, everyone needs to calm down.”

She really didn't want Chase to slaughter her entire family. She could tell he was in one of those moods that usually ended bloody for everyone involved.

“It's time for you to go,” her Nana said coming to stand beside her father.

“And if I refuse?” Chase drawled his grin widening sinisterly.

“Oh god,” Sage repeated still holding her head, not sure what else she could possibly do to defuse the situation.

“Then I will use force,” her father replied firmly holding his chin high.

Chase chuckled, draping one arm across Sage's chair. “You fucking witches are so cocky. You think you're real badass, don't you? Then go on, hit me with your best shot.”

“What the hell is wrong with this guy?” Abel asked Sage, his voice revealing both his astonishment and confusion. “Shouldn't you do something?” Her cousins all looked at her as if she was crazy to let this go on, but what the hell was she supposed to do!? Angering Chase further would only worsen the situation.

Suddenly, the lights in the room began to flicker as a vibration shook the windows and chandler as if they would explode any second.

Chase rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Why don't you show me something I haven't seen before, Sir,” he taunted.

“Enough!” Sage yelled bolting to her feet. “Let's go.”

“Okay,” Chase shrugged standing to his feet calmly.

Sage quickly masked her shocked expression. “Damn, that was… easy.” She thought for sure she would have to drag Chase out of here covered in blood, but his compliance caught her off guard.

“You aren't going anywhere with him!” her mother ordered rising her voice for the first time tonight.

“Relax mom! I'm just gonna walk him to his car,” she snapped before grabbing Chase's arm and dragging him out of the dinning room before anyone could protest.

“It was nice meeting you all!” he tossed over his shoulder cheerfully with an innocent smile gracing his lips. Sage shoved his blazer into his chest before yanking open the front door and walking out, allowing it to drift close on its own behind them. Sage could feel all the tension leave her body when she felt the cool night air against her skin. She released a shaky breath before turning around to face Chase.

The asshole stood with a wide smile plastered on his face. “That went well, don't you think?”

Suddenly, she felt the fire that started in her spine race up her body, down her arms and into her hands. Before she knew what she was doing, she punched Chase square in the face.