“I don’t want it! Get rid of it. I can’t go back to that. I won’t!” She turned to bolt, the panic overriding her sanity.
The pain, the constant memories. To never be able to touch him again for fear she would see what he’d been doing. She choked on the dread as she reached for the door, a cry of sorrow lodging in her throat. Just as she thought she was about to break down. Strong arms wrapped around her, drawing her against his chest. She attempted to pull out of his embrace, but he tightened his hold, and she finally gave in, soft sobs muffled by his body.
“I can’t go back to that, Ze. Please, I can’t lose you. I can’t—”
She felt his fingers in her hair, and he tilted her head back. “Never. You hear me, Seraphina? You will never lose me.”
She narrowed her eyes at him through the tears and panic. “Don’t call me that, you ass.”
“I will use whatever weapons I have at my disposal to defeat any enemy you face. Even if it’s your own fear. I fight dirty.” He pressed his forehead to hers. Damn the arrogant, self-assured, adorable, Biker Sex God. He’d managed to defuse her panic attack with his words. She didn’t miss the deadly glare he shot Ilianna. It made her feel tingly all over.
Ilianna appeared ready to cry herself, her golden eyes wide. She took a hesitant step forward and reached for Sera, placing her hand against Sera’s back, rubbing slow circles.
“I’m sorry, I did not explain well. When I said ‘fixed,’ I meant together. Gods, I am not doing well at this. Hindsight is a difficult power to master. For someone with only a small amount of Seer blood like yourself, it is hell. Your demon has become the buffer, the wall around you to protect you from the harsh edges of the Hindsight gift.”
Sera stared at the Oracle. “What do you mean, ‘my wall?’” She used Ze’s heartbeat to regulate her breathing, his warmth chasing the terror and panic from her body. Still, she couldn’t stop the soft trembling in her muscles from the lingering memories of fear and agonizing loneliness.
“I have natural barriers against the backlash of my powers. You and your sisters, the other Seers, don’t have that protection. Envy here acts as that buffer. His power shields you from the feedback of your gift. That is why your powers shifted to him like they did. You share the gift; it now works through both of you.” She took Sera’s hands in hers with a broad smile.
“I was foolish not to have worked it out sooner. I could not fathom how such a thing could happen. Then I thought about Isabelle and how her empathy shifted and changed, becoming focused after she and Greed joined together. Although he does not have any of her gifts, he is her anchor. But in your case, with your blood, his blood, and the angelic blade, you literally become one. It just took some time for the power to equalize between you.”
Sera felt warm lips at her temple, and she turned her gaze to Ze. Her anchor? Her barrier to the darkness? She closed her eyes and rested her head against his bare chest.
“It would explain why we couldn’t read anything before. Not without touching the object together. If I can shield you from the harshness of the world, then I will gladly accept that duty for as long as you will have me, Sera.” Such simple yet powerful words made her heart flutter in her chest.
She nodded, a soft sob leaving her again. This meant she would no longer have the pain, right? That she would not be haunted by the memories of those she had touched. It would not just be a temporary reprieve from the hell, it would be a life she could actually live, with a man she loved.
Ilianna smiled and clasped her hands together. Then her demeanor changed, her smile faded, and her eyes strayed to the window. Sera followed her gaze but could see nothing. As she watched, though, the sky began to darken, and the Oracle’s incredible gold eyes began to swirl. Pinpricks of light glittered in the depths of her gaze. Then she blinked, shook her head, and swayed.
“Are you okay, Ilianna?”
“Yes, my dear. Seeing the future is sometimes more confusing for me. It is like seeing multiple pathways before me and knowing what the outcome will be for each. But I am not sure which one will be the correct path yet, not until certain criteria are met. It could be any of the seven roads that lay ahead of us right now.” She turned away from them for a moment, then whirled around and pinned Ze with her eyes.
“Demon, before you leave, I have a small measure of advice for you. I cannot tell you the future. I don’t know it myself right now, too much changing too often. But one thing remains fixed. If Gluttony falls, the world falls with him.”
Her haunting words rang with prophecy, and Sera felt her hair stand on end. Ze tightened his arms around her, gaping at the Oracle.
“What do you mean? Is he in danger?” Worry strained his voice.
“Not yet, but he will be. I cannot say any more, just speaking of it might change the path you take. Just know he needs you now, more than ever.” Her hauntingly beautiful eyes gazed once more out the window before she came over to Sera. “Forgive me for upsetting you, Seraphina. If you have need of me, think of this place, think of me. I will hear you.”
Sera couldn’t be angry with the woman. She was too open, too honest, and shone with regret. Sera stepped away from Ze and wrapped her arms around the Oracle and held her close. She was so short, it made Sera feel tall. Ilianna calmed and let out a soft chuckle, her laugh reminiscent of wind chimes.
“Nothing to forgive. I’m the one who had a panic attack,” Sera said. Ilianna cupped Sera’s cheeks in her hands, locking eyes with her.
“I know what is happening in your town, Sera. Find those children. Michael must not be allowed to harm them. It would irrevocably damage his soul. There are just some things you can never return from, some actions that will pave your path to darkness.”
Sera nodded, determination steeling her resolve. They would find the kids, even if she had to touch every damn car and house in town.
Ilianna dropped her hand and turned to the demon. “Look after her. You two are bonded deeper than I have ever seen before. It is beautiful. Truly magnificent.”
“I will, Oracle. Might I ask a question? My brother, Tanus, is he…” Ze paused, dropping his gaze. Sera slid her hand into his. He smiled at her, then directed his attention to the Oracle.
Ilianna turned her head to the side, the golden glow within her eyes swirling like small galaxies encompassed by pinpoints of silver light. Her voice thrummed in the air, shivering over their skin as she spoke, the power in the room pulsing at her words.
“The Sin of Wrath has his own trials ahead. He will need to find his solace before he loses his mind completely to the beast that Michael cursed him to become. I do not know where he is, but he is close to the crossroads of fate. The choice is his. Return healed, or sink into the abyss of madness and chaos.”
Sera felt some of the strain leave Ze. At least he now knew his brother was alive. That was more than he truly knew before. Ilianna gave him a soft smile.
“His female will be his salvation, but he has a fight ahead of him. I do not know the outcome.” Ilianna reached for the pair of them, taking their hands and linking them together. “Find those children. Do not let Michael harm them.”
A soft knock at the door roused Ze. He blinked back the dizzy feeling from the summoning and turned to Sera, who was curled up beside him. Slowly sleep began to leave her, her petite body stretching under the covers. Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips and rolled from the bed. He grabbed for his pants, swearing as the person outside knocked again. He wanted Sera to sleep some more—the outside world could wait a while longer.
Slipping his pants on, he opened the door to find his brother, Mammon, leaning against the wall. His female paced back and forth, her arms crossed over her chest. The pair of them glanced up at him at the same time. Isabelle, the Seer of Empathy, let out a breath and narrowed her eyes.
“About time! What have you two been doing? We’ve been knocking for ten minutes. No wait, I don’t want to know what you’ve been doing. Where is she? She awake? You better
not have upset her.” Isabelle halted her tirade, then blushed deep red and averted her gaze quickly. Ze smirked. Apparently, her empathy had just given her a glimpse of what they’d been doing only hours before. Served her right.
Mammon turned his emerald gaze to Isabelle and with a chuckle, he pulled the small spitfire into his arms. Ze couldn’t believe how much his brother had changed in just a month. Not that long ago, he had been worried Mammon was truly lost to them, that his torture in the Pit had indeed destroyed him. Thanks to Isabelle, Mammon was slowly returning to them, but Ze had no delusions. He knew Mammon would never be the same again. No one could endure five centuries of being torn apart in a realm of abyssal darkness and not come out altered on the other end.
“Love, I’m pretty sure the last thing he was doing was ‘upsetting’ her.”
The Seer huffed and poked Ze in the chest. “You were supposed to bring her back to the apartment, not get her house burned down and the kids in the town kidnapped. Oh God, what if she doesn’t want to see me? I’m the one who sent this walking disaster zone into her life.” Isabelle covered her cheeks with her hands, worry in her violet eyes.
A soft chuckle sounded from behind Ze, and he stepped aside to reveal Sera dressed in nothing but his shirt and a pair of high cut shorts. Jealousy hit him hard in the gut, even though he had no reason to be. Mammon was happily bonded with Isabelle. He would have no desire for Sera, but someone could see her looking all sexed up like that. The very idea had his demon scratching at his insides. Hell, he had never been this possessive before, but judging from the way she pressed herself against him, she evidently liked it.
“Stop it, you big brute. You will scare her, carrying on like that.” Isabelle whacked Ze on the arm, and Sera tried to hide her smile as she moved out of the way for the pair to enter. Ze glanced around the room. Sera had done a quick clean-up job, managing to make the bed look like he hadn’t been ravishing her to within an inch of her life. Of course, it didn’t really matter. It was clear what they had been doing. He preened with male satisfaction. Yeah, that’s right, she was all his.
Mammon moved past him into the room, slapping him on the back hard enough to force the air from his lungs. Ze grimaced, glaring after his wayward sibling.
“Between the females and you, I’m going to end up black and blue.”
“Suck it up, Buttercup. Your fragile skin could do with some hardening up.” Mammon leaned his massive frame against the far wall, his eyes skimming back and forth between the door and his female. Ze straightened, flexing his now bruised shoulder. Even after almost two months, it was evident Mammon expected Michael to show up and try to take Isabelle again. Not that he could blame Mammon in the least for being on edge. This was the first time they had been at a location without an angelic ward present.
Poor Isabelle had basically been a prisoner since this whole mess began, unable to even venture outside for fear one of the Malakhim might just pop up and grab her. Seeing her bright smile now, watching her with Sera, Ze knew he would go through it all over again to see them happy.
Sera didn’t know what to do. She desperately wanted to reach out and hug Isabelle. After all, this was the woman who had reached into the bleak emptiness of her life and ripped a hole in the loneliness, letting in just the smallest sliver of light. If not for Isabelle, she might have actually retreated within her mind and never come out. Thanks to this violet-eyed woman, she had found the man with whom she intended to spend the rest of her life. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Isabelle, trembling with emotion.
“I was so afraid you were a figment of my imagination. I’d started to think I made you up, that no one would come.” Her voice shook as she spoke.
Isabelle hugged her back tightly. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t reach out to you again. I tried, but that giant beast over there refused to let me.”
Mammon snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, emerald eyes flashing. “That’s because it almost killed you the first time. You think I was going to let you try again? No offense, Seer of Hindsight, but she is my life. I won’t put her at risk like that again.”
Sera had the almost irresistible urge to hug the ‘beast’ whose eyes were constantly scanning the room. Was he ever on edge! Dark black hair and a stubble-covered jaw gave him an almost angry appearance. Yet when he looked at Isabelle, he softened, his eyes reminiscent of sunlight through leaves.
It was clear to Sera that this man loved Isabelle very much, and she shone with that love, her violet eyes glowing. Sera turned her attention to Ze, and he tilted his head to the side, his silver eyes sending a shiver of awareness rushing over her skin. Yeah, she knew how Isabelle felt. She felt like she could save the world single-handedly with the amount of strength this male had given her.
Sera smiled at the Sin of Greed. “I’m glad you stopped her. I couldn’t bear to think something bad happened just because she tried to reach for me again.”
Isabelle clasped Sera’s hands again. “Ignore him and that other one. The pair of them are hopeless cases. We’re better off sending them for beer.” That earned Isabelle a growl from both demons. She just waved them off and continued. “Michael hasn’t tried to come for me for since that night at the apartment. I think we can be alone for five minutes without the demon guard hanging around.”
Sera got the distinct impression that poor Isabelle had been a virtual prisoner since this whole end of the world thing had kicked off. She couldn’t blame the woman for wanting some private time.
“Isabelle, I don’t want to leave you alone.” Mammon’s tone was a mix of warning and worry.
“You know full well I can hurt the Malakhim if they’re stupid enough to come for me again. There will be no hesitation. I’ll take the bastards down.”
Sera backed up as Mammon went to Isabelle’s side. To her, he looked terrifying. The energy coming off him beat against her skin, but Isabelle remained unaffected. She merely returned his stare.
“I can’t lose you. I won’t survive that. Five hundred years in the Pit is a cake walk compared to life without you.” His voice was thick with emotion, his hands fisted at his side.
Isabelle softened at his words, cupping his cheek with her hand. “I love you too, Mammon. I promise we won’t leave the room. There is a store at the end of the block. Just grab us a bottle of wine or something. Please?”
He curled his lip, flickering green flame rolling up his arms. Obviously, he didn’t want to leave her alone. Sera couldn’t blame him. Having almost been taken by one of those angels, she knew how terrifyingly outclassed they were.
“Fine, ten minutes. That is how long you have for ‘girl time.’ Then we will be back in this room. Understand?” He turned on his heel and stomped toward the door. Then he stopped, swore, and came over to Isabelle, pulling her against him roughly. His mouth descended over hers with a growl.
Sera couldn’t help but grin. For all the demon’s bluster and sharp, angry edges, he seemed to be a total pushover when it came to Isabelle. He released Isabelle from the kiss and grumbled his way toward the door. Isabelle just grinned, swaying a little. Sera nodded in agreement. When these males decided to make a statement, they tended to leave a woman breathless afterward.
Ze opened his mouth, and Sera pinned him with a glare. He put his hands up in surrender and placed a quick kiss on her lips, trying to turn her to putty. So not happening. She lifted her head, bolstering herself against his seduction.
“Think I’m going to be as easy as my whipped brother there?” Okay maybe not as easy to defend against when he used that low tone that made her wet and wanton, but two could play at his game.
“Oh, I know you are. Make it two bottles of wine. Leave us girls to…oh, I don’t know, compare demon penis sizes or something.” The snorted laugh from Isabelle had Sera grinning. Ze had the good grace to look a little white around the edges.
“Woman, is this some kind of conspiracy against men? Do you have a rule book or something I should know about? What do
you call a group of women anyway…no wait I know, a har—”
“If you wish to escape imminent bodily harm, I wouldn’t finish that sentence, Ze.” Sera glared at him, and he clamped his mouth shut. Ze cleared his throat as two pairs of eyes stared daggers at him. He rubbed the back of his neck, moving toward the door quickly.
“Fine! Wine it is. Just so you know, we men will be talking about, er…breast sizes. Yeah, that’s it.” Ze bounded out the door behind Mammon. The pout on his face made him look like a child who had been punished for something.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The girls watched the men leave, their gazes moving to one another before bursting into laughter. Sera held her sides and flopped onto the bed. She’d never before seen two fully grown men acting like such little boys. The pair of them had skulked off to get the requested wine. No doubt they would be back in seven minutes rather than ten. Oh well, they would make the best of it.
Still laughing, Isabelle held her hand over her chest as she fell back against the covers. “I haven’t laughed like that since this whole crazy mess started.” She sucked in a deep breath and let it out, staring at the ceiling.
“How did you find out?” Sera had so many questions, and she wanted answers to them all, but she had to prioritize. There were more important things to worry about right now than her selfish desires.
“I was attacked, and Ammon saved me.”
“Ammon?”
“Oh, Mammon. I call him Ammon. He’s getting used to it, although the big baby says it isn’t manly enough.”
Sera grinned and made a mental note to call the Sin of Greed Ammon from now on just so she could have solidarity with her sister Seer. Suddenly nervous, she licked her lips and voiced the question that had been burning in her chest since the woman walked into the room.
Envy's Kindness (Seven Deadly Sins Book 2) Page 20
