by Liza James
“Yes,” he answers flatly.
I press a quick kiss to his lips before I turn around and stride out of the room without a response. I hear him laugh behind me, the low sound licking through my flesh as arousal pricks along my skin. God, even the sound of his laugh calls to me. But I ignore his wasted attempt and continue down the stairs.
Once we reach the room downstairs, we find everyone gathered in a tight circle speaking hurriedly. Esme looks back over her shoulder and gives me a secret smile, one only I can see as her gaze drops to my hand. I casually slide my fingers into my pockets, I don’t want to draw attention to what happened between Nathanial and I right now. Not until we get through this.
“So, it’s settled, Luna, Stella, Nathanial, and I will ride together. Leon, Esme, Amelia, and Lucifer will take another vehicle,” Elijah orders. Leon is currently passed out on the couch, his chest swallowing heavy breaths while Amelia stands near Esme, but continuously drops her gaze to him.
Esme looks energized, she’s clearly already broken the spell and I can’t help but feel like Amelia looks better as well. I walk towards them, directing my gaze towards Amelia. “How did everything go?” I ask.
“Good, actually. Well, other than Lucifer’s shitty attitude the entire time Esme drew from Leon. It was painful, but nothing I haven’t been through before. Esme was strong enough to break it quickly.” Her controlled voice is strung with new life. She sounds different, just slightly, and I can’t help but wonder if this was the push she needed in getting help.
“You look better,” I say quietly as my eyes fall down her tall frame. She’s wearing leather pants, her long white hair a little more unruly as it falls around her face and down her back. Her icy gaze is somewhat less cold, not by much. But enough for me to notice.
“I feel better,” she says hesitantly, but she quickly turns away and towards the group in order to end our conversation.
I turn my attention towards Esme and lift a hand to gently squeeze her shoulder. “Thank you,” I say. “For everything.”
She reaches up and clasps my hand in hers as she drops her forehead against my own, a small smile spreading across her lips.
“All right, get your ass up, big guy. Let’s hit the road.” Elijah slaps Leon on the chest as we all turn and begin walking out of the house. We load up into two separate vehicles and hit the road to the warehouse, where everything will hopefully come to an end and we can finally move forward.
We pull up to the abandoned building. It’s a massive warehouse, an industrialized space with half-hung doors and scattered brick. We pull up to the back where we are hidden from most of the shattered windows while the others parked near the front. They’re entering first, while the four us intend on climbing to the top floor and watching in hopes that we won’t have to interfere, but obviously will if necessary. Amelia would prefer to be the one who kills her mother. I didn’t ask why that was the case, it’s her personal story to tell, and I’ve come to a place where I won’t push her until she’s ready to divulge it.
The ground outside is littered with trash. Used tires, broken bottles and glass shards are strewn across the cracked cement. We step out of Nathanial’s vehicle and I have to make an effort not to walk through unidentified liquids while the putrid smell infiltrates my nose and throat.
Nathanial steps up behind me and tightly grips my hip as he bends down to speak, “Remember what I said. Stay with me.”
I nod in agreement as Luna comes up to stand at my side. She leans over and presses a kiss to my forehead, “I’m happy for you.” She speaks quietly, referring to the news Nathanial and I shared on the drive over.
I had wanted to keep it between us for now, but as we drove in the tense silence, into a situation we aren’t sure what the outcome would be, I wanted to make sure my sister knew. So now it’s something privately shared between all four of us. Luna cried, happy tears of course. And Elijah rolled his eyes, but made it clear he was happy for us as well. I didn’t miss the way Luna deliberately eyed Elijah after she saw my ring, but he reached a hand across the small space between them and held her jaw in his tattooed hand as he leaned forward and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. That shut her up.
“Thank you, Lun,” I reply as we all slowly, quietly step through a heavy metal door that leads into the building. Elijah takes his place in front of Luna, and Nathanial comes up behind me so that both my sister and I are placed in between them.
I already hear voices as we turn down a narrow stairwell and begin climbing up the old, worn steps. Thankfully, the space is so big that the creaks sounding beneath our feet are quickly muffled by distance.
Once we reach the top of the stairs, we enter into a wide loft style level that sits directly above the group below. We stay towards the back, because the edges don’t have a secure railing anymore. Beams that once lined the brink are now broken and collapsed across the floor. Dust billows with each of our steps, blowing up and twisting around us in a way that slips into my lungs and urges me to cough. I turn my head and press it into Nathanial’s chest as I try to quietly breathe in something clearer, hopefully free my lungs of the floating debris.
“My darling Amelia,” Sunan’s voice rings out around the space loudly. Her tone fills the area with toxicity and my heart immediately sprints forward in my chest. I whip my head around, looking for her figure but see nothing ahead of our friends below. They also turn around, seeking her out while they step closer together. “It’s been far too long. I’m disappointed in how you’ve changed.”
I watch as Amelia’s eyes shut briefly, she stills her shoulders and straightens her spine. “How so, mother? I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. Everything you’ve demanded and taught me.”
I watch as Lucifer tightens a hold on Esme, dragging her back and behind him while he stands to the side. He watches casually, technically he doesn’t have any skin in this game. But Esme does, she’s the one who broke the spell.
“Yes, but you’re not who I raised you to be. Your mind falters and you hesitate before following through on your actions. The Amelia I raised knew why she was doing what she did. She was strong, powerful. You’ve become weak and fragile.” Sunan finally steps forth from the darkness on the other side of the building. She’s tall, nearly six feet, and her body is thin and slender. She wears a long black dress that dips incredibly low in the front. Her hair resembles Amelia’s perfectly, an icy slate of white that cascades around her shoulders. She’s powerful, and a flicker of fear lights in my chest at the sight of her. There’s something familiar, something I’m drawn to in a way I shouldn’t be.
I look to Luna who watches her warily, her head tilts in curiosity as well and I know we’re both feeling the same thing. We both take a step forward and I reach for Luna’s hand as we join together. We want to hear better, see things clearer, in this dark and muddled space.
Elijah and Nathanial are at our backs in an instant though, and they both place their hands on us to stop the movement. I can feel the lining of tension that suddenly builds within Nathanial, it moves through our blood and reflects in my own side of the bond.
“Ah, Stella and Luna,” Sunan speaks affectionately as her eyes lift to exactly where we stand. “A perfect example of where you’ve failed me again, Amelia.” She lifts her hand and points to my sister and I. “Come forth, you two. I want to see you.”
We take a step without a second thought, because the pull in my chest yearns for me to do so. I feel something, there’s a secret lying below the surface that I need to uncover. Luna moves with me, our skin heats and cools in rapid intervals. I shouldn’t know what Luna is feeling, I realize that. But I do, because somehow it’s exactly the same as what I’m feeling.
The men try to pull us back, but it’s useless, because suddenly they’re both paralyzed in position. They’re being held back by an unseen force and through the haze of magnetism that draws me toward Sunan, a memory of fear bursts in my mind.
“Thank you, Danner,” Sunan addres
ses the man responsible for the invisible force for holding Elijah and Nathanial back. I want to pry my gaze away from her and search for him, but I can’t, I’m so consumed by her blue eyes and familiar voice. My blood lights up with Nathanial’s anger, a rage that billows through my body and fights to break me free of the draw. “Amelia was supposed to kill you both. Luna, the night in the woods. And Stella, when Danner had come to find you. There were so many opportunities though, she could have done it any of the countless other nights you housed her in your fucking home.”
We take another step closer to the edge, listening to her words. Absorbed through her revelations. My heart races while my mind logically wants to escape this hold. But my body won’t respond, my entire being wants to hear these answers.
My eyes falter just briefly when several small and grotesque Demons emerge from the darkness behind Sunan. They stretch forward while horrid sounds escape their lips. I’m confused, because I thought Sunan hated Demons? I thought she wanted them all dead.
“What do you want, Mother?” Amelia asks, her voice fracturing slightly as she speaks. My eyes fall to her and Leon, who stand side by side in a surprising show of unity. Leon actually looks much stronger than he was at the house, and I wonder if he fed from Esme before they arrived.
“You know what I want. Why I want it,” she replies harshly. Her shoulders rise and fall with a stretch as her anger begins boiling to the surface. “I want the daughters of Archophys and Estera, dead. I want them gone and destroyed for who they are, the disgusting mixed breeds that shouldn’t exist.” She tilts her head as a sick smile crosses her lips and she looks to Leon. “I’d also love to have little Leon as one of my slaves. He can join the others,” she lifts her hands and motions to the Demons that surround her. “You can give him to me.”
Confusion spirals through my mind at her words. I don’t understand what Luna and I have to do with her, what our parents have to do with this woman.
“Over my dead fucking body,” Leon snaps out. Sunan smiles even wider at his retort and Amelia takes the subtlest of steps in front of him.
“That can be easily arranged,” she says as her eyes flash to Amelia. She doesn’t miss the small act of defense and it sends her over the edge. “Zacam,” she shouts and her Demon’s launch forward as Amelia steps directly in front of Leon. They attack, and Amelia and Leon land several hits before one of the Demons gains a hold on Leon and drags him forward. It’s clear he’s stronger than what he was but isn’t nearly at his top strength. Amelia cries out as another darts a twisted arm forward and shreds a claw through her stomach when she’s caught off guard. Esme tries to step forward, but Lucifer lifts her over his shoulder and drags her back and away from the chaos.
Enochian. I hear the word whispered through my head and I know it’s Nathanial. She’s using Enochian to control her slaves. Focus Stella, you can fight against her hold, the draw she’s pulling from you and Luna.
I can’t. I need the answers. I reply to him, but I work through my mind to try and regain a sense of logical thinking through this mess. Leon is dragged to Sunan until she can twist and turn him around so that he’s facing Amelia. My eyes fall to Lucifer as he whispers in Esme’s ear. The two of them slowly step farther back into the darkness and a sudden rage builds in my stomach at the thought of them fucking leaving us here.
I want to feel Nathanial at my side, but I’m terrified at the fact that Danner is somewhere near us, holding him and Elijah in place. Sunan lifts a hand to Leon’s neck, she holds a long thin blade that dances teasingly across his throat while she watches Amelia’s reaction.
“You failed to kill them,” she says spitefully, and she presses the tip of the blade against the base of his neck.
“I’m sorry,” Amelia says quickly and through heavy breaths as blood seeps from the wound on her stomach. “Give me another chance.”
My heart sinks at her declaration, but at the same time, I understand the need to say what you have to in the middle of a deranged situation such as this.
“No. You failed me. It’s unfortunate that the ties of your blood bind you so strongly. You were mine Amelia, never theirs. Archophys was supposed to mine, he was supposed to be my Fated.” She takes a step forward, bringing Leon with her as her hand begins trembling against his skin. A sick sense of resentment taints her voice as she speaks, and my mind begins collapsing at the words she’s saying.
What is this? I try to ask Nathanial, confusion washes through our bond on both sides.
I don’t know, he responds.
Luna and I take another step forward, coming dangerously close to the edge of the loft. Amelia looks behind her shoulder and meets our gaze, her eyes flash with uncertainty as well and suddenly I realize that no one truly knows what is happening, not even Sunan’s own daughter.
“What are you talking about?” Luna’s voice sounds next to me and I can see Elijah tense at her words. He fights to step forward and the space around us begins flickering as he tries to alter our surroundings. But Luna doesn’t attempt to help him, she’s just as invested in what is being revealed as I am.
“Do not try anything,” Sunan shouts as she drops the knife to Leon’s stomach and begins piercing his skin with the blade. “I will kill him now, in front of all of you. His sister was easy enough, he will be a treat,” she speaks as a wicked grin slowly spreads across her face and Leon fights to break free at her words. He’s seething, his own rage bubbling forward but the Demons are quick to grip onto his legs and arms again in order to hold him still against Sunan.
Elijah halts his attempts, but the tension between the four of us is thick and fierce, our Fated connections exploding with anger and power. I can feel as it swamps the area, slithering through our blood and pulsing against our skin.
“Archophys was mine before he was ever Estera’s. We were in love—pure, unmatched love. He belonged to me, and together, we had you, Amelia. But he was a Demon, and I was an Angel. It was a struggle to be so far apart and he wanted to see you every now and then. As you know, Arcadia doesn’t allow biological parents to raise the children. You’re brought up in the community, with mentors and vague parental figures.” She pauses briefly, the anger she’s emitting is coming to a breaking point as her lips flatten into a hard line and she grinds her teeth. “But I cared for him so much, I wanted to make it work. So, I sent my sister, Estera, with you to visit him on earth. I couldn’t get away then, but he so badly wanted to see how you’d grown. You were so young, only a few years old at this point.”
Her knife buries even deeper into Leon’s gut as he cries out. Her eyes flash up to mine and Luna’s as every bit of information comes crashing to the surface. “They betrayed me. Over the next year, Estera spent days on earth with you and your father, in the name of helping me. I didn’t realize what was happening until I arrived one day, on one of their outings and caught them fucking while you were with Leon and Nya.” She spits the words out as she buries the hilt into Leon. She’s livid, and his knees weaken and collapse in her hold.
“No, that—that would mean—” Amelia stumbles towards them as she reaches for Leon and succumbs to her mother’s words.
“That Stella and Luna are your half-sisters. Yes. Those sick and vile breeds are your flesh and blood, my dear. They are disgusting beings you should have slaughtered when you had the fucking chance.”
My mind explodes and Luna inhales an audible gasp at her words. We’re related. We’re fucking related and that makes Sunan our aunt. She knew our fucking parents, long before they ever had us. I feel my lungs tighten and it quickly becomes harder to breathe. I need Nathanial, his steady flow of confidence and power, but I can’t fucking reach him.
He tries though, and I feel him push everything I need through our bond. He growls out behind me as he tries to break through Danner’s hold. Elijah is doing the same and suddenly, every bit of power that builds between us fights to burst free from the seams at the same time. It’s suffocating us in a heavy sea and I squeeze Luna’
s hand as we both try to push back with it.
“Leave Leon, please. We can fix this somehow,” Amelia says as she crawls closer to a nearly passed out Leon on the ground. The Demons quickly come forward though and block the space she needs to breach to get to him.
“Oh, we’ll fix this, daughter. We absolutely will. Because you’re coming with me and I’m going to fix you. I’m going to remind you why you’ve been raised to rule the Fallen Race. Why you spent your life working to purify our kind and rid the world of the darkness brought by Demons and vile mixed breeds.”
In a second of breaking commotion, Nathanial and Elijah blow through the holds that Danner placed on them. They spring forward and Luna and I are suddenly being dragged farther from the edge as Lucifer and Esme run up behind us. Esme is scanning the room quickly, her hands laced in front of her chest as she chants and speaks words that I don’t understand. I hear Nathanial and Elijah tell her a quick thank you and realize she must have been the one who helped break them free of Danner.
I savor the feeling of having Nathanial’s arms wrapped around me, but my mind is still solely focused on what’s happening below and how we can stop this.
“Say the fucking words, Amelia,” Sunan bites out as she continues driving the blade into his stomach. Amelia’s crying, actual tears streaming down her cheeks as a Demon comes to stand behind her and holds her face in front of Leon’s.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” he spits out. “I’d rather fucking die.”
“Leon,” she cries just as he yells in pain when the knife pulls out and pierces his flesh again.
“Say the goddamn words or I will kill him. Right here, in front of you. You think I don’t fucking know? Do you think I’m oblivious to this sick and twisted hold you have on each other? It’s disgusting. I had to witness Archophys and Estera live their tainted bond for years, knowing they would one day have children. Knowing that you would have to grow and find them, Amelia. I built you into someone stronger than this weak creature you are now.” She shakes Leon’s weak body as she twists the knife and he bleeds out before us.
