Invisible Eyes and Abduction

**Aileen POV**

Sam and I sat on the bed given to her by Shiuku. Her room was only two halls from Shiuku's, where I was still required to sleep even if he's not home. A rule that I would never come to understand.

With my husband gone again, Jacob, Sekai, and Devon had started taken shifts escorting me. This last week, Devon had been sent on missions by Shiuku. I missed him when he was gone. Right now Jacob was outside Sam's door.

I thought Devon could play silent, Jacob refused to say two words. He constantly was twitchy and apologized obsessively. He would never explain why. And I had tried to get him to talk to me several times.

"So how many times are you going to end up with the wrong man. I hope you didn't tell your demon that you were in love with me and that's why he kidnapped me." She twirled a strand of hair around a green fingernail.

Her speculation was earned. I had used her when we first met to mess with my brother. I was relieved she could joke in her current situation.

I hopped back on the pillows. The motion bounced Sam slightly on the bed. "I never mentioned you to my dear husband. Somehow Shiuku is able to gather random information about me. From what I'm gathering, even before I got to this dimension. I believe he has been watching me since I was a kid."

A very unnerving thought, but I would be dumb to ignore Shiuku's wording or all these coincidences. Shiuku may have been the one to open the vortex in the first place. He was clearly strong enough.

"Another dimension? I figured you were from some small ass forgotten country. I guess that makes sense that you're so strange and why you had an unwanted fiance. Your dimension must be prehistoric!" She weeded her fingers through her hair. "You ever feel him watching you?"

There weren't any times I could think of. I still wasn't sure when he did or didn't have his eyes on me.

"He could be watching now. I don't understand much of this. I know he's not doing it 24/7 but who knows when he chooses to leer at his cute little wife; that he respects but doesn't love." I said bitterly.

Sam chuckled, "you do attract some weird shit don't you?"

She was trying to keep her eyes from scanning the room. The same temptation I was trying not to give in to. When/if he really had that kind of ability, it left no aura. The DSS may always be at a disadvantage if he could pop in on any members lives as easily as mine.

"Do you think we should ask Jacob? He may be a new pawn of Shiuku's, but he may know something." Sam had no incite to what was going on, but she did trust Jacob. I won't lie, despite everything, a part of me wanted to trust him too. It would be nice to have another ally here.

Sam took the pillow from under me when I didn't answer. "Hey, I was using that!"

"Now you're not," she laughed. It felt good to have a friend here who wasn't just taking orders from Shiuku. My hand trailed across his mark on my skin.

"How did he nab you anyway? All I know is that at some point Devon mentioned your name to Shiuku over the phone."

Sam chuckled, "beware of demons using Bluetooth."

I looked at her blankly. Bluetooth? I knew Trevor had tried to explain it before, but I still didn't understand. At first I thought it was some game involving sharks. My brother had a mighty laughing fit at my expense.

"Did he hurt you?"

Light from the window shined in her eyes making Sam squint. "Actually, I was on a date. Cute girl named Venessa. I guess I should have learned not to take a first date home after you. At least this girl was on the same wavelength as me."

Shivers took hold of her body. Shiuku had terrified her. I placed my hand on top of hers for reassurance. She squeezed tightly.

"So I take her back to my place and things are getting heated. Both of us were tearing at each other's clothing." Sam started crying. I wiped her tears away wishing there was more I could do for my scared friend.

"We were kissing each other, then I hear a loud cough. I figured someone broke in. We look around frantically, but see nothing. We go back to our thing and then a blast of wind sweeps through my living room. Venessa gets launched back against the wall. Before I could react, she was coughing up blood. SO MUCH BLOOD."

My blood started boiling as I listened to her tale. "I get up to go help her...I still don't see anyone in my apartment. Two steps off the couch and a hand grabs my wrist. I see the intruder at last and I'm freaking out. I wanted to resist, or fight him, but I suddenly felt so weak. His eyes were so dark; evil. My instincts wanted me to run like hell, but my legs wouldn't listen."

I nodded, "It's his aura. Something similar happened to my family when he came for me."

This was a good reminder at how the rest of the world saw my husband. I got too comfortable playing house here. I forgot how cruel he was. Venessa was probably dead.

Pressure from a headache started settling in. A weight on my shoulders again too.

"I stared into his cruel eyes. There was no remorse for my potential girlfriend lying half dead in her own blood. I freaking begged him not to kill me." Sam continued.

"He told me he wasn't going to kill me, but I was to come with him quietly. Being at his mercy, and all the possibilities swarming my mind; I thought my heart would give out. I screamed in fear."

She took in some air to calm herself. Sam reached for a tissue and blew her nose.

"He started throttling me. His palms go around my neck and I swear he could have twisted my head off like a Barbie doll if he really wanted. He again informs me that I'm not going to be killed or raped. That I'm for his wife. So I'm thinking who would marry this psychopath. I sure wasn't expecting you to be that girl."

Sam huffs showing her annoyance. "We get into a car and Jacob is driving never even acknowledging me. Shiuku is zoned out like a someone watching TV. No screen in the car...I guess he could have been watching the *Everyone Loves Aileen Show.*"

Knowing what I do now, Shiuku was definitely able to watch me. Mentally I wondered how often my no boundaries husband peeked in on me. The only privacy I knew I had for sure, was my inner thoughts. Shiuku couldn't read minds. At best he could use the mind ability to put suggestions in someone's head. I had heard of that before.

"Eventually, we get out of the car and Jacob looks just miserable, so I'm thinking this is some weird demon swing thing. The demon's wife must be bi. Jacob was for him and I for the wife. It wasn't until we got to the dining area and saw you, that I realized what was going on."

I tried to laugh, "Sorry still not into girls."

"Like I'd want you even if you were. Now that I know what a pain you are!"

Sam was still frightened. Her hand was now crushing mine.

While she was distracted, I reclaimed my pillow with a triumphant smirk.

Sam stopped crying and got a devilish smile. "So what is the insane demon like in bed? You were pretty eager to get his pants off yesterday."

I blushed crimson. "I was just trying t..to let off some steam!"

"Oh, I bet there was some steam."

I hid my aching head in my hands.

The weight lifted off my shoulders and my head cleared again, seemingly randomly. I jumped to my feet, startling Sam.

"Jacob come here now!"

Rage was as evident on my face as confusion was written on Sam's.

"Are you two done with girl time?" Devon poked his head in.

*Devon?! His return wasn't supposed to be until later today... why is he here now? And why the blood on his knuckles?*

"Hey, thanks for giving your demented boss the idea to kidnap me asshole!" Sam yelled.

I ignored Sam. Devon was probably better for my question anyway.

"How do I know when Shiuku is watching me? Are there any signs?"

Devon examined the room, dead silent for a solid 3 minutes.

I tapped my foot waiting impatiently.

"Sorry-"

"Nope, you know the drill. You apologize, I get annoyed, and you end up with my food on your shirt." I said cutting him off.

Beside me Sam raised an eyebrow. What the hell was she thinking?

"I told you I'm a coward. I was making sure Shiuku was not listening first."

So there was a way to tell!

"You aren't, dumb ass."

He cast his gaze down. " I follow Shiuku's orders out of dread. I wasn't going to tell you anything if he was listening. I-"

I really did inherit Father's knack for speaking over people.

"You are brave. You fought yourself to let me call Trevor."

"Because I couldn't stand seeing you lose your mind to those voices. I sympathized with you. I refused to let you write anything until recently. " He retorted.

I clicked my tongue. "All those dreams? I recall you apologizing almost every time. But more importantly, you warned me to go home soon. I doubt Shiuku would have approved of that." I grabbed his reddened hand. "So stop belittling yourself. You have the capacity to be brave and caring. If not for you, I wouldn't be myself right now...I hope to see the real Devon you've hidden away too."

Devon stared at our hands nervously. Little wheels were turning in head and he wasn't sure how to feel. I could make out happiness, uncertainty, pain, and fear. "I disagree, but we can move on to your question. So, that heavy feeling you got in your shoulders, right before I snagged my phone back; that's him using the mind element to watch you. His aura is strong and while you can't see it yourself, your body still takes a toll from it. He can use it to observe anyone, except most of the DSS. Elementals can feel when someone is using an ability. Other mind users can see it."

"So that's why you looked around. What does it look like?" Sam asked. I had almost forgotten she was here.

"Like a purple haze sort of."

I asked, "Does he ever watch you?"

"No, just you normally."

*Great.*

At least I should be able to predict when he's stalking me now. Did Sam asking about our sex life scare the big bad demon off a few minutes ago?

"So why are you back? You aren't supposed to babysit me for another few hours."

Devon reached into his pocket and dug out an open envelope. "Jacob has asked me to tie him up in an empty soundproof room... How do you feel about him?"

*Tie him up? My God he was really overplaying this guilt thing*.

"I don't think I hate him as much as I used to. Shiuku mentioned wanting me to kill him, to prove myself to the demons here. I just don't think I can. Besides it would be nice to have an ally here."

I was starting to get a queasy knot in my stomach. Again, Devon was giving me a pity filled look. I hated that and he knew it. So why? Something bad was in that bland white envelope.

"Shiuku always gets what he wants, or rigs the game so he wins." Devon plopped down on the bed, seating me in between himself and Sam.

"What's in the letter." I asked nervous now. "I mean it's open so you must have read through it."

Sam laughed, "is it a love note? You trying to make Aileen keep to her virtues?"

Devon swallowed. "read it Aileen it was written for you by your family."

My family?

"I shouldn't be giving this to you. Jacob didn't have the balls to. Apparently, he's had this since arriving with Sam and Shiuku...I...I'm here for you Aileen."

He handed me the letter. Devon's thumb brushed over my left hand in small circles. Sam held my right shoulder. Silently my friends gave me their support.