Claimed

by K. H. Kate

  "What about the day in the woods?"

  "I-never mind." She shook her head.

  I stopped dancing to make her look at me. "Please, Emie. Do you want me to make a fool of myself in front of the Volkioses? I will. I will do anything to fix us, fix this. See? I'm begging you at this point."

  I watched her let out a resigned sigh. "Fine! After the party, I will meet you on the roof."

  I smiled, pulling her in for a hug. She seems startled at first but still wrapped her arms around mine. Progress, I cheered in my mind, yes, it was definitely progress.

  Time couldn't have gone any slower.

  I waited with a heavy heart and a nervous tilt to my head as I watched her interact with everyone. Was there someone who got her eyes? Was that it? Or why would she refuse to see me that much? When the party finally ended, I followed her to the terrace and took a deep breath.

  When she turned around, she looked at me like I had grown three heads. I was sure that she didn't expect me to be on my knees with the opal ring, the ring she left for me to find on the dressing table.

  "Lex! What are you doing?"

  "Emie, I know I'm selfish. I do what I want and I never care who gets hurt in the process." I paused, clearing my throat. "But, for once in my life, I wanted to be selfless. I saw the future Ivy showed me. Everything starts with my betrayal. I could have left you to live your life back then, I could've waited until you were on your death bed to ask for my soul but I didn't. I kept thinking that I had everything figured out but I didn't."

  "I messed up so much, Emie. I didn't even realize it until I saw through her mind. I-I knew staying with me will only hurt you in the long run, that's why I chose the easiest way out. I know you would never let yourself be with someone who will degrade you, so I hurt you. It killed me to do that but the reason I did that was..."

  "I did everything because I love you." I could see the naked shock on her face. "The only person I was this close to care about was Zedkiel. When I saw him die, I felt a part of my soul disappear. Then the next moment I had to think of losing you too and I just about lost it. It hurts to see him like this but it hurts ten times worse to watch you move on. My shadows can't contain themselves. You make me insane. So, yes, I love you and I want to wake up every day beside you, I want to watch you mess up spells, I want to make love to you and making my future with you because the alternative...well, I can't afford to lose you, it will kill me, little soul. Not again."

  I clenched my eyes shut and opened them before saying the words I never thought I'd utter from my lips.

  "Marry me?"

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  "Marry me?"

  I couldn't believe what was happening. Lex, the man who always played games to get everything he wanted now was on his knees, begging for me to say yes.

  "Emie, please say something." I wanted to laugh. Should I enjoy his misery that much? But he did hurt me, didn't he?

  "I honestly don't know what to say." I answered with a polite smile on my face. "Will you-just stand up?"

  He nodded, running his fingers through his dark curls. His once long hair now only came up to his ears, courtesy of my sister's anger. I would never admit it to him but he looked even better with it. I waited for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. "Lex, I appreciate what you are saying but too much has been said already that it's hard for me to believe anything you say now. Can I give you an answer in the morning? I need to process this first."

  "Yeah, sure." Lex said eagerly, his expression wavering a little. "Take your time. I-I will wait for you. "

  I didn't know what to say but I had to know one thing. "Did you ever loved me? I mean before."

  His fingers clutched his cuff links for dear life as he struggled to open his mouth. "I wouldn't be this selfish if I didn't."

  Hiding my shock, I kept walking until there was a voice shouting for me to stop. But it wasn't Lex. It was a very anxious-looking Zed.

  "Zed, What is it?" I demanded, thinking of all the worst-case scenarios I could conjure but he broke into a smile as soon as he heard me.

  "Oh, thanks to the devil, you're alright."

  Puzzled, I could only stare. "Why wouldn't I be? Zedkiel?"

  "I saw Lex trailing after you. I was...worried." He flinched as if he should not have said it. "I mean I know you two were thinking of patching up or whatever but I just wanted to be sure that he hadn't lost it right in front of you."

  The brief hint of worry in his voice had me smile.

  "Why are you smiling?" He frowned.

  "You don't have to worry about us all the time, ok? I know you were upset about everything that happened recently. We needed that talk anyway." And thinking about it again was enough for me to lose the smile.

  "Oh." He nodded, still wary of my change of expressions. "So, what did you talk about?"

  "He apologized for everything. Then he told me that he loves me."

  His eyes widened, and lo behold, I wasn't ready when he started shaking my shoulder in a joking manner. "Oh, Emie...how much have you had to drink?"

  I wasn't expecting any better reaction but for him to think that I imagined it all was enough to let me know just how ridiculous the situation was. Lex didn't love anyone, not even himself. So I had to swallow hard before I started crying right there. "Then I don't know what you will think of his proposal. H-He wanted me to marry him again. This time I guess in front of everyone like 5132, without any absurd reasons behind it."

  "Fuck, he really did it." Zed took a deep breath, looking up into the sky. "I just hope he isn't playing games anymore. Who knows what goes in his head. Sometimes even he doesn't know what he's doing. Are you ok?"

  I gave him a tight-lipped smile. "I'm fine. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

  "But-"

  I hated using the bond between us to force him but sometimes he left me with no choice. "I said no, Zedkiel."

  "Fine." He agreed without thinking before he came to the realization. "Don't do this, please. I was just looking for you cause Allegra wanted you for some reason."

  "Zed, you know I don't like doing this either. I am sorry, I was just not ready to talk. It won't happen again. I promise, Ok?" With one last look at where I left Lex, I continued walking with Zed, away from my wretched heart. But too soon I realized that I could never run far.

  Damn him.

  I cursed silently, I forgot to block my mind and he had no problem baring his for me to see it for all I wanted. He was hurting too, guilt marred his very soul as he took every breath. So when we finally reached the basement, I couldn't wait to show my relief.

  "Thank you for everything." I said, turning to face Zed. "I guess I'll see what Allegra-"

  I wanted to say more but the words were cut short when I really looked at him. He looked paler than normal and so nervous. I couldn't understand the emotions playing in his face but my gut was telling me that something was terribly wrong. "Listen, Emie, what happens inside the room, it's hard for you to understand now. But I promise you, it was for the best."

  "Um...what are you talking about?"

  "Open the door." The more I tried to deny that something was wrong, the more nervous he looked. To assure myself that it was just me that was imagining things, I turned the doorknob and the sight that greeted me made my heart stop.

  Almost.

  I reached for his arm, pulling him back. "What's the meaning of this!?"

  His smile was anything but friendly. "He brought this upon himself."

  And that's the only warning I got before something slammed into my head, forcing me to meet my old friend, the dark void.

  "She's out cold."

  "Don't worry, she is strong."

  "I must admit, I didn't think you of all people will help me."

  "Just fulfill your end of the deal."

  "I will once I have the third piece in my hand."

  Suspiciously the last words seemed like Demos's. Please tell me I was hallucinating...I prayed over and over again.
This couldn't be happening. Demos was supposed to be back in Hell, forever suffering under the pit. Mikhail and Eros had made sure of that or maybe...

  Zedkiel's been with them then. Was everything that was happening even real?

  "Here you are, my darling." My worst nightmare greeted me as soon as I opened my eyes. Panicking, I tried to stand up from the chair but no matter how many times I tried, I just couldn't. What the...

  Demos stared at me, watching me fail with a teasing smile on his face. Only when I was ready to spit on his face that he raised his hands. "Don't bother, love. You have my blood in you. It will detain your magic and stop you from turning into a Reaper for the next twenty-four hours. By then, we will be back in Hell just like I promised."

  No! Not only I had been taken but so was my magic.

  "What...wh..?" I coughed twice, clearing my throat only for my gaze to clash with Zed's unblinking one. "You. What the fuck have you done, Zed!"

  I respected the man for God's sake. He was the good one between all of us. So why was he here, helping Demos take me?

  Demos came forward before Zed could say anything to defend himself. "Calm down, love, it's not good for your health."

  Demos kept talking but I only had eyes for Zed. I couldn't believe that he betrayed me. And Lex. Oh, God. Lex. He trusted Zed more than he trusted anyone.

  What would Lex do once he knew?

  "Don't you have any questions, love?" Demos asked once he noticed that I was staring at Zed. I tore my gaze from Zed to Demos.

  "How did you escape?" I asked the one question I couldn't fathom.

  "Zedkiel used Mikhail to wake me up."

  Lies, everything was lies. He brought this upon himself...

  "Who are you trying to punish?" I croaked out, suddenly out of breath. "I don't understand-"

  He had the nerve to laugh. "It's nothing personal."

  "Nothing personal!" I burst out, painfully aware of my anger rising tenfold. "You betrayed me, Lex, and God knows how many countless people. What's wrong with you!?"

  He shot me a look I never saw in him. Even my mother couldn't get that reaction out of him. Rage, hatred filled his bones as he scoffed. "Betrayal? Ask Lex what he did. I trusted him with a secret and he didn't even care about it! For you, to save you, he threw Prophesy at this disgusting creature."

  Prophesy?

  I stumbled to make sense. "What does Prophesy have anything to do with this?"

  "She has everything to do with this! You asked me once if your mother was my beloved, she wasn't. But Prophesy is." My ears rang but I couldn't believe what I was hearing. His beloved? How? "Because of Lex's stupidity, she is now in a cell numb out of her fucking mind. She was out and all I had to do was find her. Make sense of my feelings or the lack of them. Finding answers but Lex robbed me of it."

  "No, Zedkiel, listen to me, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry that I never put two and two together. But you don't have to do this! We can get Prophesy and run from here."

  Demos was silent all through the talk but now he let out a chuckle. "You out of everyone should know darling that you can't get out of Hell without my permission."

  "Fuck you." I had never felt pain and anger like this before. Even Lex didn't bring me this much torment as I spat on Demos. "You stay out of this."

  "No, you stay out of this, Emie." Zed spoke over Demos, his fists clenching once in a while. "Prophesy is linked to him and unless I find a way out, the two of you are stuck here. So, I suggest you start to adjust to your new life."

  "You can't leave me here with a clear conscience. You saved us more times than we can ask for. Where's that Zed gone?" I could only whisper now, all the anger had vanished with the truth.

  "That Zedkiel didn't have a beloved then." His lips twitched in what could have been a real smile before even that left, leaving that cold heartless man in his presence. "Besides, I already did something to get your hatred. That night in the woods? It wasn't Lex who attacked you, it was me. I had just talked to him, he fessed up and I was waiting for anything to punish him. Then you came running from the manor, I didn't even think twice. That's how far I'm gone, Emie."

  For the second time, I was speechless. It never occurred to me that Zed could have done this. He was a clan leader back then, of course, he could mimic the power of Darkness if he wanted to. Hell, he was the one who found me, didn't he? And Lex...I blamed him for all it's worth.

  "...I'll be back for them."

  Zed shook hands with Demos and proceeded to leave. Without taking me. I didn't know how long they were talking but I zoned out.

  Crap!

  "Zedkiel! You owe me for your life!" I screamed, the truth now feeling like a joke. I could make him do anything but I was useless to do so and as if he knew that too, there was a self-loathing smile on his face.

  "That's why I let him take your magic. See? We are alike now. Futile." With those final words, he left. Staring at the door in stunned silence, I glanced at Demos to see him looking at me in amusement.

  "Love, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day." Demos smiled, looking down at me. I didn't answer. I didn't even hesitate to bite down on his lip, drawing blood when his lips came to claim mine.

  I was sure that he was boiling inside but he only touched my cheeks gently as a lover should. He thought he had me cornered, huh? My eyes closed on their own, humming with the soul inside me. He might take my magic away. He might think I was futile just like Zed but none of them knew one thing.

  I had been talking to them.

  Those souls inside me.

  Those spirits I raised.

  "Come, my army, come with me."

  With a grin that even Demos would be scared of, I let go of the souls inside of me with a scream. Those poor souls screeched, flying toward the other demons in the room to make them crumble to the floor. Demos looked shocked only for a second, watching the footsteps of those people coming closer. They were quick, I admit.

  I took one look at them and smiled. "What are you going to do now, Demos?"

  "You've been a very bad girl." He chuckled, stalking toward me. But I didn't lose the smile. I was free after all.

  Let him come.

  Let them sin.

  Cause they would pay, every one of them.

  "Sorry, Demos. If I'm going down then I'm taking down all of your demons with me."

  And true to my words, they would go down. With or without their King.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  I waited like a shark would for its prey.

  She didn't say yes but it wasn't exactly a no either. I just had to try harder, make her see reason. And if that didn't work then I'd let my shadows do all the work. They were dying to get out anyway.

  "Alexei!"

  The shout didn't change my emotions. At least it wasn't her voice. Still, in a daze, I reached downstairs to see Zach looking around for someone with worry in his eyes. If it was any other day, I'd care for it but today? I only managed to do a careless scoff.

  "I thought you were going to drink your sorrows away. Your buddy bailed on you?"

  Prick.

  Zach's eyes clearly showed what he thought of me. "Ivy didn't bail but your woman sure as hell did."

  I paused, not even realizing what he was talking about. Emie did what? How did I not feel her emotions? How many hours had it been on the roof anyway? For the first time, I looked around, noticing the broken glasses thrown there.

  "What happened?" My gaze hardened the more I took in the scenery around me. "Where's Emie, Goddammit!"

  My words cut through the commotion near the hall. How could I not notice the tension in the air? Everywhere there was at least one or two tensed individuals bubbling about something. To my surprise, even Cone was there with his head bowed as usual.

  Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I wondered what if whatever Ivy saw before was happening right now? I tried to shake the image of Emie's eyes filled with suffering but no matter what, I was stuck in that horrible nightmare.
<
br />   "I was going to meet Lana and Mikhail when I heard the scream." There was no longer any anger left in Zach's voice. He sounded as tired as I felt. "I came down to see what's happening but it's like they literally vanished. I can't find them, Alexei. They are gone. Allegra is also missing so you can assume what the Coven is going through right now."

  I clenched my fists, forcing myself to blame someone for it. But who? Demos had been already handled with Zed's help. Zedkiel...

  "Did Zed decide to stay the night?" Surely he would know what to do. If it's anyone I could count on, it was Zed. But Zach's lips tightened even more at the question.

  "He's missing too." Damn it to the hell!

  I could feel my control snap at any moment. This, exactly this type of despair I was trying to avoid when I ended everything two months ago. Thankfully Cone rasped out, making me look at the demon. "Masterr, we should look for them now before it's too lateeeee."

  "Cone, find Jonathan, we might need him. And the rest of the Coven members, you call the Volkioses and other clans. We're gonna need as many people we can." I turned back toward Zach. "What about your bindings?"

  Zach almost ripped open the trinket from his wrist in one pull. "Consider it done."

  "Good, where's Allegra's room?" Every Volkios had a room in here that was locked. She had to have one too.

  Zach frowned. "What?"

  "We need to find a book named El kayes to find Emie. Now, just tell me!"

  "Upstairs, East wing."

  For what I was going to do, I needed that book. But to my surprise, when we actually found the room, there was no reason for us to break in since it was already open and in shambles. Shredded papers covered the whole floor, even the small bed. I carefully stepped over the broken things to look through the drawers.

  "Is it the book you were looking for?" After searching for a good half an hour, Zach threw me a heavy book.