Denzyl woke to an ache in his heart. His hands clutched the soft bed beneath him. The demon opened his eyes to see a dark ceiling above him. His body was no longer cold, but the light warmth of the human was gone. Denzyl looked around to see he was lying in a room in the clan house. The crypt was gone and so was Devyn. Devyn!! Where is he? Denzyl sat up quickly as the door to his room opened. A woman entered carrying a tray of ointments and medicines.

"Where's Devyn- was a human brought here?" Denzyl inquired of the woman. He startled her with his desperate demand, the medicine bottles clinking together on the tray.

She swallowed before nodding.

"Where is he?"

"In the hold. Where we keep them."

The word them sparked a fire in the demon's bones. Devyn was not one of them. At least not to Denzyl.

The demon threw back the blanket and rushed out of the room. His family was shocked when they saw him run through the house. "Denzyl!" His mother called after him, but Denzyl ignored her calls and dashed onto the busy street. The demon gained his bearings before racing to the hold at the edge of the town.

They better not have touched a single hair!!

Screams and yells reached the demon's sensitive ears as he neared the hold. Denzyl gritted his teeth as he burst through the door. He rushed to the cages to see a demon assaulting Devyn. Denzyl barged into the cell and immediately got Devyn away from the demon. Devyn faltered in Denzyl's hold, and his knees gave out as he felt the crimson-haired demon's arms around him. After gently setting the human on the ground and burning off his restraints, Denzyl turned around and faced Devyn's attacker.

"What are you-"

Denzyl cut off the demon by punching him in the jaw.

"How dare you. Stay away from him," Denzyl hissed as the demon wiped the blood on the corner of his mouth with his thumb.

"How dare I? What say do you have? Is he yours? I didn't find your mark anywhere on his body. And trust me, I would have seen it if it was," Ryiak sneered, a trickle of blood now running down his chin.

Denzyl's hands fisted at Ryiak's provocation, but the demon ignored Ryiak and helped Devyn to his feet. Devyn leaned against Denzyl as the demon wrapped his arm around the human's shaking shoulder.

"You have no right to stop me," Ryiak smirked.

Denzyl again ignored the demon's goading and turned to leave when Ryiak added, "I'm going to claim him tonight...since you don't have the guts to take him. I've gotten quite attached to him, you see."

Denzyl stopped in his tracks. He clenched his jaw as he realized what he would have to do. I cannot let Ryiak claim Devyn. Denzyl carefully spun Devyn and held the human from behind. Devyn was too tired to resist and just leaned against the man holding him. Denzyl's heart pounded as he cradled the exhausted human's head.

"I'm sorry," Denzyl whispered before pressing his lips to Devyn's bare shoulder. Devyn's breath hitched at the sudden heat on his skin. The human began to gasp quietly in response to the intense heat racing through his body. Red, glowing tendrils began creeping through Devyn's skin from the area entrapped by Denzyl's lips. 

"What are you doing?" Ryiak asked as Denzyl's eyes turned red. "No! I was going to do it! He's mine!"

Denzyl stared Ryiak down with flames in his eyes as he felt his power flow through his mouth and into Devyn. Devyn let out a whimper as the heat burned Denzyl's mark into his back.

"Denzyl," Devyn whimpered quietly as his breathing quickened.

Tears touched Denzyl's eyes as he heard Devyn say his name through the pain, but he could not stop. This was the only way he could protect Devyn. Once the mark was completed, Denzyl removed his lips to see the red glow of the fresh mark burned into Devyn.

(This is the mark, except the mark is red)

===============================

Denzyl's eyes reverted to their usual grey as he pulled away. He could now feel Devyn's pain through the bond as a remnant of his power and energy had been burned into the human's body. Devyn's breathing eased as the pain slowly resided.

"Are you okay?" Denzyl reached for Devyn, but the human shrank away.

Devyn retreated to a corner as his body felt light. "What did you to do me?" He asked between breaths.

"I'm sorry. It's the only way I could protect you."

"Congratulations, Denzyl. He's now officially yours."

Denzyl looked at Ryiak to see an evil glint in his eyes.

"I'm curious to see how the elders will react to you marking a sacrificial human. This is going to be fun," Ryiak smirked before sauntering out of the cage.

Denzyl watched Ryiak leave before turning his attention back to Devyn. Denzyl heard the human gasp in pain as he pulled his clothes back on. Devyn leaned against the side of the cage after he slipped Denzyl's shirt back on.

"Devyn-"

"Explain. Now. What is this?" Devyn looked at Denzyl through tired, scared eyes. His voice was shaky from fear and exhaustion.

"It's...my mark. Each demon has their own, specific mark that signifies their power and identity."

"And why did you burn it into me?"

"So Ryiak, or any other demon, can't touch you. You're...mine." As soon as that word escaped Denzyl's lips, he felt disgusted with himself.

Tears swelled in Devyn's eyes as he looked at the demon. "What...what are you going to do to me?" Devyn whimpered as he slid down the cage and sank to the ground.

Denzyl's heart broke as he heard the fear and vulnerability in Devyn's voice. He could also feel a shadow of the human's emotions through the bond. Denzyl rushed over to Devyn but stopped just in front of him. A tear escaped Devyn's eye as he looked up at the demon.

"I won't hurt you. I could never hurt you, Devyn." Denzyl's voice was soft and tender. Devyn continued to look up at the demon, his lips parting as a quivering breath escaped. The human watched with watery eyes as Denzyl carefully bent down and stood on his knees. Devyn closed his eyes as the demon slowly wrapped his arms around the shaking human. "I'll protect you. I promise."

Devyn let out a relieved whimper and let Denzyl bring him flush against his chest. The human clung to the demon as he rested his head on Denzyl's shoulder and cried.

"Shhh. It's okay," Denzyl soothed. The demon slowly brought his hand up and petted Devyn's head. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Denzyl shifted positions to sit next to Devyn. The human leaned on the demon and continued to cry, and Denzyl let him. Denzyl continued whispering soothing words and stroking Devyn's head as the human cried out his fear, shock, and trauma.

Denzyl's blood boiled as he thought back to what Ryiak did. It took every fiber of his being to not rush out after Ryiak and rip out his throat. Eventually, Devyn's breathing slowed and became quieter as he grew calm.

"Did...did I get here in time?" Denzyl asked quietly as he continued to soothe the human. A lump formed in his throat as he waited for Devyn to respond. A sigh of relief escaped Denzyl's lips when Devyn nodded. "Let's get you washed up, hmm?" Denzyl looked down at the human softly after the two had been sitting in silence for a few moments.

Devyn nodded his head. Denzyl stood, but Devyn remained sitting. "I-I...don't think I can walk yet." He said quietly as he lowered his head. His body was still recovering from both the effects of the crypt and the assault.

Denzyl reached down and gently scooped the human in his arms. Devyn held on to Denzyl as best he could as the demon carried him out of the hold. Denzyl took a route that bypassed the town and led to his house at the opposite edge of town. Devyn closed his eyes and rested his head against the demon as he walked along the edge of town. The sway of Denzyl's movements and the feeling of safety from being in the demon's arms ushered the human into a peaceful rest. Devyn was fast asleep by the time Denzyl reached his private residence.

Denzyl entered the house and walked up the set of stairs, lights flickering on as he walked beneath them. He set Devyn on the bed in his room and found him the softest pair of clothes he had.

"Devyn," the demon gently nudged the human's arm. "You should get cleaned up."

"Mmm...too tired...Can you do it?" The human mumbled.

"What?" His words startled Denzyl, but the demon quickly regained his composure. He looked at Devyn. His eyes were still closed.

"I want to wash him off, but I can't move. Can you bathe me?"

"You trust me?"

"Mmm hmm. Just get him off of me."

"Okay. I'm gonna get the water going."

Devyn nodded, and Denzyl walked off to the bathroom. He turned on the water and made sure it was a comfortable temperature before returning to the bedroom.

"I'm going to undress you, okay?"

He nodded. "Just get him off," Devyn began to whimper and struggle to undress.

"Okay, I will. It's okay."

Denzyl calmed Devyn down before gently slipping the shirt over his head. Devyn lied back down as the demon removed his pants. Denzyl then lifted Devyn in his arms and carried him to the bathroom. The human relaxed as the demon set him in the hot water, his exhausted body welcoming the warmth.

Devyn let out a soft moan as Denzyl began scrubbing his head after lathering his hair with shampoo. Denzyl cradled Devyn's head with his hand and gently laid him back so that the water covered his neck halfway. Supporting Devyn's head with one hand, Denzyl gently rinsed his hair with the other.

Devyn leaned against the back of the tub as Denzyl began scrubbing his body. He winced slightly as the demon cleaned the fresh burn but did not resist. After dabbing the mark dry, Denzyl gently worked his way down Devyn's body until the human was clean.

Devyn wrapped his arms around Denzyl's neck as the demon lifted him from the tub and carried him to the bed. He was still holding Denzyl's neck as the demon set him on the bed, bringing the demon a breath away as Denzyl laid him down. Denzyl placed his hands on the bed and hovered above the human. The demon's heart skipped as Devyn's green eyes slowly opened and gazed at him deeply. Denzyl's desire surged, but he fought to keep it restrained. His eyes moved down to Devyn's soft, red lips, and his heart felt as if it was going to explode out of his chest. Denzyl looked up to stop his eyes from traveling down any farther.

"Uh...Devyn. I need -I need to get you dressed," Denzyl cleared his throat and looked back into the human's eyes.

Devyn nodded before whispering, "Thank you...Denzyl." He slowly unwrapped his arms from around the demon's neck.

Denzyl quickly stood and went to grab the pair of clothes. The demon swallowed dryly before returning to the human lying on the bed. Denzyl sat Devyn up and slipped the warmed shirt over his head.

"It's so soft," Devyn smiled as Denzyl helped him dress.

That was the first time Denzyl had seen Devyn smile. The demon's heart fluttered as he looked at Devyn's sweet smile. Once the human was fully clothed, Denzyl retrieved a bandage and ointment from a cabinet in the bathroom. Devyn opened his eyes as he felt Denzyl get onto the bed. Devyn looked up at the demon as Denzyl knelt over him. Denzyl gently turned the human over and pulled down his shirt. Devyn grabbed the sheets as Denzyl dabbed the ointment on the mark.

"Does it burn?" Denzyl asked as he noticed Devyn clutching onto the bed.

"Mmm hmm."

Denzyl bent down and gently blew on the wound in response to Devyn's whimper. Devyn's grasp loosened, and his body relaxed with relief. Once the ointment was dry, Denzyl gently put the bandage over the mark and turned Devyn back over. He pulled up the shirt to cover the human's exposed shoulder and helped Devyn get under the covers. Once Devyn was comfortable, Denzyl went to the bathroom and showered.

Denzyl wiped the fog from the steam off the mirror to reveal his tired eyes. Lifting a hand towel to his wet hair, Denzyl looked into the mirror and noticed his wounds were gone. The demon ran his hand over the area where Devyn stabbed him. Not even scars remained. How long has it been? How long were they watching us, waiting for the crypt to shatter? Will the elders let Devyn live?

Denzyl let out a breath and continued drying his hair. I will think about this later. I am too tired right now. After dressing in some comfortable clothes, Denzyl walked down to the lower level of the house to check the residence's surrounding sensors and set the security to the highest level. The clicking of locks bolting in all of the windows and doors sounded throughout the house as the residence entered 'Level Red' security.

After getting the couch ready with a pillow and blanket, Denzyl walked back upstairs to check on Devyn. He sat on the edge of the bed and rested the back of his hand on the human's forehead. Devyn's temperature was normal, so Denzyl stood to leave. With the detection of Denzyl's presence, a hand reached out and grabbed the demon's fingers as he turned.

"Can you stay?" A quiet voice asked. Denzyl turned back around and looked down. Devyn's green eyes fluttered open. "I don't want to be alone."

The demon nodded and got onto the bed. He slipped under the blankets, lay down on the opposite side of the bed, and was sure to leave space between him and the human. Denzyl sighed and closed his eyes, ready to finally get a good night's sleep when he heard Devyn roll over, and a soft head touched his arm.

"Can you hold me?" The human asked quietly. Slightly surprised, Denzyl raised his arm, and Devyn scooted closer. The human nestled into the demon as Denzyl turned on his side and wrapped his arms around Devyn. "I feel safe...with you," Devyn said into the demon's chest as Denzyl situated the blanket to cover both of them.

"Mm. You're safe with me," Denzyl assured the human as the demon held him tighter and subconsciously rubbed his hand up and down Devyn's back in soothing motions. Devyn sighed contently before snuggling in and falling asleep. Denzyl listened to Devyn's steady breathing and let it lull him to sleep.