by C. M. Owens
Devin's face tenses, distorts, and then finally I see a tear wavering on his eyelid for a whole new reason once he's forced to endure the horrific memories that had been locked away.
He drops his mother's hands, and his eyes lock in on mine.
I see that desire, passion, and obsession that has been lacking the whole time I've been here. His restraint is gone as he lunges to me and jerks me up in his arms.
His lips cover mine, and my tears stream into the kiss to offer a salty tang. My arms wrap around his neck as I cede to the passionate embrace, and his hands begin burning against my body as he grips me almost too tightly, forgetting I'm mortal again.
"I love you," he murmurs against my lips with a needy longing.
"I love you, too," I sob, my eyes blurred by my hellacious tears.
Gemma almost falls off the couch after overhearing the endearing exchange, but I'm done worrying about her now. My Devin is back.
He loosens his grip just barely, finally remembering I'm not immortal, and he does well not to crush my fragile body.
"You see why I have to end this before it's too late now," I whimper.
He shakes his head, his adamant stance more prominent than before now.
"No. You're not leaving me ever again," he says, strain hindering his tone.
"Devin, you'll die if I don't do this," I cry out, my tears falling harder.
"I'll die if you do. I won't live without you. I can swear to that."
I rest my head on his shoulder as he continues to hold me in the air, and he carries me to the couch to sit in his lap.
He strokes my hair gently with his hand, and I finally give into the exhaustion that is weighing me down. I curl into his incredible embrace and watch as Theia awakens the minds of the others.
Devin pulls out his phone and dials a number. I listen in as I nestle in closer to his chest, and he tightens his one armed grip around me.
"Hale, hey, it's Devin… Yeah… We need to talk… I'll text you the address, but don't tell anyone where you're going, especially not Serena… See you then."
He dials another number right behind it.
"Hey, I'm going to send you an address, and I want to see you there tomorrow… Yeah, bring Camara with you… We can skip the objections. You'll see when you get here… Okay."
He puts his phone away, and he returns his stray arm back around me as one by one more tears flow.
Persia sits down beside Theia, and both look to be in disbelief. Persia clears her throat before speaking.
"Since my memories stopped before the battle, Theia had to share hers with me. I'm so sorry," she cries.
"It's not your fault, but I need to learn how to harness Asteria's power this time before the fight,” I mumble.
"I always assumed Kahl's mother was a Nuri," she says with a tiny ounce of conviction.
Why do I still feel like she's holding back?
"She definitely wasn't a Nuri," Phillip mumbles as he drops to the couch, his memories restored in true scarring fashion.
Gemma's eyes stay focused on the floor. Her memories have returned as well, and now she knows why I hate her so intensely. She also knows Devin expelled her from the group.
"I need a drink," Devin grumbles.
"I second that," I say while standing up.
His hand clasps mine, and Persia follows us to the bar. Her eyes are heavy and troubled.
"I think you should go stay with your family until we sort this out," she says hesitantly.
"Not a chance in hell," I scoff.
"Adisia, you're mortal again, and until you're triggered… again, you'll stay mortal. You don't need to be here, and they can't hunt you down right now as easily. It would be so much safer."
"Safer? If I'm there, my family is more at risk. You're not sending me there,"
"Then I'll send you somewhere else. I have numerous places, and you can stay there," she pleads.
"No. I'm not leaving her alone," Devin interjects.
Persia now feels outnumbered, and he puts his arm around my waist to show his loyalty lies with me.
"Devin, she won't be safe here. You know as well as I do this is no time for a mortal to be with us. You saw what happened while she was immortal. Imagine what she'll face if they find her now."
Devin swallows hard and pulls me into his arms while kissing the top of my head. He stares her in the eyes as he speaks very calmly despite the storm I feel brewing inside him.
"If she's alone, what happens when they find her?"
Persia sighs and props against the counter while burying her head in her hands.
"It's risky either way," she admits.
"It's less so if she's with me. I will stop at nothing to protect her, and I'm not going to leave her side," he says firmly.
I lean into his protective stance, and Persia nods in defeat. She skulks away to rejoin the others. Devin pulls my chin up and bends to kiss me so softly.
"We need to get to my other place. They'll be watching this one soon if they're not already."
I nod in response, and he flashes into the bedroom to grab the couple of outfits I have here. He grabs a small case to throw them in, and tosses it over his shoulder.
He grips my wrist and starts to flash, but he quickly releases me when I squeal in pain. He flinches slightly from his accidental lapse.
"Sorry. It's going to take me a minute to adjust to your renewed mortality," he mumbles with such a burdened, regretful tone.
"It's fine," I murmur while rubbing my wrist.
He walks over to examine it, and his eyes grimace when he sees the slight bruise already appearing beneath the reddened area of accidental assault.
He takes my hand in his and kisses the marks left behind from his haste.
"I can't believe I just did this," he sighs with guilt streaking his swirls more prominently.
I move my hand to stroke his burdened face and speak to comfort his guilty mind.
"I'm fine. You got used to me being immortal. Now that your memories are back, it's going to take a minute to adjust to me being back to this temporary, fragile phase."
His eyes are still etched with regret for his unintentional harm, and my lips call to his as I tug on his shirt to bring him down to me. His lips respect my wishes, and devour mine with such a ready passion.
I start pulling him back, and he kicks shut the door to the bedroom behind him. I feel the backs of my legs meet the bed, and I climb up on it backwards with my knees supporting my weight as I pull his shirt over his head.
His hands greedily slide up my sides, and he starts to lay me down when there's a knock at the door. He sighs as he releases my lips and answers the interrupter.
"Yes," he murmurs.
"Hey, we're ready when you are," Ther prompts.
Devin lets a small frown show his sudden frustration, but then he pulls me up from the bed. This time he scoops me up and tucks me against his chest.
"We're ready," he huffs.
"I'm not," I scoff.
He smirks lightly to show his very pleased reaction to my equal frustration.
"We'll pick this back up, don't worry," he smolders as he opens the door with me still attached bridal style to him.
"I can walk. I just can't flash," I say, feeling childish.
"I'm not taking any chances on something happening. If we need to move fast, then I already have you."
"I'm going to look a little silly being carried around New York," I grumble.
"I really don't care about a stranger's opinion. I do care if you're safe or not."
"Well, wait until there's trouble to scoop me up, please. I feel helpless enough," I gripe as I try to squirm free.
"You're not helpless," he says softly. "Just fragile."
I roll my eyes. "That did very little to make me feel less helpless. Please let me carry some dignity around."
He sighs lightly, but cedes to my wishes as he puts me down. I smile to thank him, but I can tell this is a begrudged concession to
say the least.
He gently intertwines his fingers with mine and steadies his pace to match my mortal one as we make our way to be with the others.
"I love you, baby," he coos.
"I love you."
He kisses me lightly as we all pile into the elevator. I smile when he pulls me into his arms once again, even though I know it's because he's scared to let me go. I feel the same way.
We reach the outside and the air brushes across my face with hope. I whisper to Devin as low as I can.
"Everything has stayed the same, just in a different pattern with detail tweaks. What's the point in rewinding time if everything stays the same?"
"Shh," he cautions. "Not here."
I nod as we walk through the streets, and our group keeps looking over our shoulders. Devin turns into a restaurant and scoops me up.
"No chances." He smirks.
Suddenly, we're flashing through doors, tunnels, and so much more. My mortal eyes can't assess the quick changing scenery the way my immortal ones could. Everything is a blur, as incoherent sounds and images swish past us.
He halts as we stand in front of the familiar building - one of his other New York homes.
He puts me down and takes my hand as we walk in to see the friendly faces greeting us. Devin nods very calmly and cordially to them as we step into the elevator.
Then he pulls out his phone to call someone else.
"Sheila, hey… I'm doing well. Thank you. I need a favor. I'm going to send you some sizes, and I need you to acquire a very assorted wardrobe collection for a young woman… Yes she is… Thank you… Yes, she'll need that sort of stuff as well… Essentially, she'll need everything any woman needs on a daily basis… Thank you… I'll text you the address to bring it to… Thanks."
"Starting all over, but it's still the same thing. Just like everything else," I mumble, fear sinking into the depths of my tone.
We step out into his apartment, and he holds my eyes in his before I even look around.
"Not everything has to change. Not everything needs to change. We only have to worry about the parts we want to change. We've lived through rewinds before, and we did change the outcome. Stop worrying about it. We've got excellent experience," Devin encourages.
Theia pats my arm, which is unusual.
"We've never repeated the same thing we wanted to change. You have to trust us to control the outcome, and steer it in a new direction. They can't see the past they don't know exists. Now we have the advantage. We're not walking into a trap with a blindfold on," she assures.
"This time we know their counters for us. We also know they've been studying us for a while. We know the puppet master, and we know they've enlisted a strong bloodline to block my visions.
"She told me my eyes had caused her a lot of hard work, but she doesn't have the ability to block. We need the person holding their secrets, and then we can see every move they make," Devin adds, anger lacing his tone as his jaw clenches shut.
"What good does it do us to know their counters?" I ask.
"Because now we can compensate. They don't know all of our assets, and they aren't prepared for centuries of contacts. There's a reason we made a few friends over the years," Devin says smugly.
I half smile as my eyes finally examine the unfamiliar surroundings of the apartment I once lived in.
The cold, whitewashed walls offer no warmth with their sterile appeal. Very calculated and colorless art tries to decorate the already dull appearance. The harsh metals intimidate rather than welcome. The white leather couches are far less inviting than the warmer tans that once stayed here.
Devin puts his arm around my waist as he kisses the top of my head.
"Sorry, baby. I wasn't expecting for this to happen this go around," he murmurs as he motions to the statuesque room.
"I think we have more to worry about that a color scheme right now," I mumble.
"I don't think you should have to change the way you are for someone else," Gemma chimes in quietly as she stares out the window.
"I'm not changing. It's called compromise. It's what you do in a relationship," Devin growls. "I'm allowing you to stay because we need everyone here, and you did redeem yourself by showing up and fighting beside us. If you insist on making such rude comments though, I will reinstate the rule we put into place where you get zero face time."
She rolls her eyes as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"I did more than fight beside you. I died beside you," she pouts.
"You did, and that's why I haven't said anything, but don't think that means you can go back to your malicious attacks on Adisia. I mean it," he warns again.
She doesn't say anything as she continues staring out the window.
I scowl at her back. Right now I feel weaker in comparison to her, and it makes it much harder to tolerate her. Before, I felt powerful, and I felt as though I could handle anything she threw at me.
Now, I feel as though she'll bide her time until she can find a way to be rid of me. I wanted to die of my own accord, not by her jealous hand. After Devin said what he did about following me to the grave as he follows me in life, I don't want to die at all.
"So, what now?" I say to break the awkward silence that has set in.
Kry walks over and props up beside me.
"Now we get on our phones and start preparing for war. It's going to take us a while to track down all of our contacts, and some are going to need to be talked to face to face."
"So everyone leaves to go speak to their contacts, and I stay here," I pout.
"No. Everyone goes everywhere together," Kry interjects. "Personally, I don't particularly care to be killed again," he grumbles.
"Nor I," Theia says as she pours a glass of amber liquor.
"I think that's one thing we can all agree on. We'll make a schedule after we've made every call we can," Devin instructs.
"Do you think it wise to drag a mortal around with us?" Gemma scoffs.
"Gemma," Devin threatens.
"I'm not taking a shot at her. I'm merely stating the obvious. Her mother has already voiced concerns on the same matter. It would leave us with a very exposed and obvious weakness while in the field," she counters.
"Adisia is going," Kry snorts. "Get the hell over it. When she does change, she'll be anything but a weakness. She's the only person to ever kill someone as powerful as Safina by herself. She damn leveled the world. We had to entomb Safina and Rhea because we weren't strong enough to kill her. Do you even realize who you're pissing off right now? It's something to think about," he mocks.
She swallows hard as the realization comes to her. She hadn’t thought about what I could do to her if I get pissed enough after I regain my immortality. She walks over to sit on the uninviting couch as she flips through her contacts.
"I'll see how much longer my parents are going to be," she says dryly.
"Actually, hold off on telling them about all of this. My mind is aching from reliving the memories. For now, let's just concentrate on all the outsiders," Theia murmurs while gripping her head.
Gemma nods, and then she resumes her task at hand.
"I'm going to go grab a room before the herds get here and take all the good ones," Kry murmurs.
"It's Devin's home - they're all good," Ther chuckles as he walks over to grab a glass.
I pull out the vodka - because I'm not ready to join them in drinking scotch - and I pour my own glass while drowning it in orange juice. Devin smirks as he sees the diluted beverage, and I shrug.
"I'm not ready for the strong stuff yet. But I can get drunk much easier than you," I tease.
They all laugh a little, and even share a twinge of envy for my weak ability. Devin kisses my citrus flavored lips and smiles as he tastes the alcohol on my breath.
"I don't know that I've fully been able to appreciate a drunken version of you," he quips.
I blush a little as I smirk.
"I don't believe you have either, but we'll re
medy that tonight. I'll show you my favorite thing to do while I'm drunk," I seduce.
Devin smiles his wolfish grin, and Kry coughs lightly as he returns to the room. Gemma snorts while rolling her eyes to show her disgust.
Theia and Phillip groan a little at the distasteful comment I hadn't intended for them to overhear, and my face radiates red.
Devin's eyes are burning into mine though, and I instantly forget all the embarrassment I feel. His perfect lips call to me, and I very deliberately take a step closer. The shattering sound of bulbs bursting above us makes me smile rather than shriek.
I look up at the shattered remnants and sigh, "Finally. It's about damn time I had a spark."
Everyone chuckles a little, and Devin's lips trace over mine.
"I'd forgotten how hot she was even while mortal," Ther grumbles.
"Yeah, me too," Kry groans. "At least she's not walking around in a skimpy swimsuit and stilettos this time," he teases.
I throw a stress ball at his head, and he flashes to the side to avoid contact. I roll my eyes as they chuckle at my expense.
Even Devin doesn't bar his amusement as he snickers at Kry's joke.
Damn men. Damn Camara for giving me those heels.
"You're cute when you're embarrassed," Devin plays.
"You're cute when you're being playful," I say in a seduced and seductive manner.
He kisses me lightly. His scent is so amazing. I smile as it engulfs me, and his strong arms pull me in tighter to his body.
"Let's play then," he whispers, but if I can hear it, then so can everyone in the room.
He starts laughing as unimpressed frowns scold him, and he shrugs innocently. He pulls his glass to his lips, and genius strikes me.
"Let's move your bed to the padded room," I say bluntly as I take another sip of my drink.
Devin strangles slightly on his drink and sputters it back into his glass, while Kry's glass splatters to the ground.
I blush instantly when I realize what my comment insinuated.
"I meant so we can have some privacy. I can't hear when you whisper too low. Just a little low. My hearing isn't quite as developed as last time, and I can't whisper low enough for no one else to hear. You're all pretty dirty-minded, for the record," I scold.
