by Tigris Eden
“Who let you in? How did you get here, Demon?” Jo’s uncle spat.
Aoleon was the only person that seemed happy, but stricken to see Phineas.
“Phin?” Jo’s aunt breathed.
Phineas looked at the woman and quickly looked at Ulstair.
“You look fat and happy, Ulstair. I see lording over an entire world sits well with you.”
Aoleon stepped forward.
“How are you here? I was told you were dead?” She tossed a glance over to Ulstair, who said nothing, his eyes narrowed and focused on Phineas.
“No, your fat pig of a mate saw to it that we were separated. Permanently.” Phineas looked to Jo’s uncle. “Isn’t that right?”
“This is absurd. Take this Demon from my sight,” Ulstair bellowed. Aoleon, clearly confused by all that was happening, moved closer toward Phineas. Dietrich zeroed in on Jo’s face, but there was nothing there. No spark of hope, no resistance on her part. She just stood there calmly, in the clutches of her father. Had they planned this? Jo wouldn’t have anything to do with something like this. She wanted to know who her people were. She wouldn’t want to harm anyone. No matter how fucked up the situation seemed. Guards came in from the sides of the room. Staffs at the ready.
Phineas laughed. “Seriously? I’m a fucking first generation Demon.” He tossed a hand in the direction of the guards, and a gust of wind threw them to the other side of the room. Dietrich wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, but he stood, making his way to the two males in the middle of the room.
“Phineas, what the fuck, man? Are you stupid?”
“No more stupid than you are. How do you think Enri knew about your sister? How do you think the Agency knew to contact you, boy? That was all me. Me!”
Dietrich looked from Phineas to Jo. Had he been played that well? He’d fed information to the Agency, but only what Dravaggio had deemed harmless intel. What was Jo’s part in all of this?
“Well, if that’s true, I feel sorry for you. I only gave what I deemed necessary. The Agency only observes. I never actually did anything.”
Jorunn tried squirming from her father’s hold, but he gripped the back of her neck tighter—his hands large enough for his grip to swallow the entire column of her throat. She whimpered when his hand tightened.
Phineas held Jorunn out in front of him, completely ignoring Dietrich.
“Ulstair, tell your niece why her mother and father can’t be here. Why she only had me in the world to count on. Tell her!” The Demon ordered. D swore the roof over the dome cracked a little. Jo’s uncle stepped forward, his eyes wide as he peered up at the dome ceiling which had indeed cracked.
“Phineas, let’s discuss this. Release my niece and we can talk.”
The smile on Jo’s father’s face was pure malice.
“I’ll do more than release her.”
Everything stopped and then sped up so fast Dietrich wasn’t sure if his eyes told the truth. Jorunn’s body jerked violently and crumpled to the floor. As she fell, her eyes went dull, almost lifeless. No one had time to react. Dietrich himself had been right there, and still, he wasn’t able to understand what had happened. Phineas didn’t have a knife or a blade that Dietrich could see, but it was clear Jorunn was bleeding out. Phineas disappeared, then reappeared in front of Ulstair, his daughters all trying to protect him and their mother. It was useless. Taea went down first, a deep gash in her leg as she tried to fight off Phineas. Then Ryn, even with her bow and arrows was rendered unconscious by a large gust of wind that slammed her headfirst into a column. Dietrich saw Yewa rush to Jorunn’s side, where a pool of blood spread like wildfire all around her. He could hear the clanging of swords, but was too preoccupied with Jo to look or even care how the others were fairing. Yewa held Jo’s head in her lap as she gasped for air.
If his sister was doing what he thought she was trying to do, she’d be completely drained and in danger herself. She looked up at him, and he knew if he didn’t act fast they were going to lose Jo. There was nothing either of them could do if they didn’t act quickly.
“She’s not allowing me entrance, maybe if we work together.”
Aoleon had somehow made it over to them, taking Jorunn in her arms.
“My dear sweet child. I had no idea.”
“Save it. We can’t do anything about that. Just hold her hand while we do this.”
Dietrich took his sister’s hand while NuNu and Jacobi stood guard. There was chaos raining down all around them. The Brothers Grimm, Z, and the guards were all battling alongside the cousins as they tried to subdue Phineas, while Dietrich and his sister tried to save Jo’s life. Jes and Draven surrounded them amid the fighting that was taking place. Dietrich relaxed his body and tried entering Jo’s. He could feel his sister. Could feel her trying to reach Jorunn, but it was like running into a wall. They tried several more times and got nothing. When he came to, he was drenched in sweat. Yewa was passed out, and it was Jacobi holding her up.
“It’s not fucking working!” D roared, standing. He turned his attention to Arcane and the others who were surrounding Phineas. He was going to lose her; she was going to be a blip on an ever-changing radar, and all because of Phineas. He rushed forward and bent right at the moment of impact, ramming his shoulder into the Demon’s back. The impact only made the Demon grunt, and Dietrich’s shoulder ache.
Phineas whirled around with a sharp blade in his hand and came down hard. The blade caught D in the thigh, slicing through meat and partway through bone. His leg collapsed, taking him down. Dietrich looked up just in time to see the blade going in for a kill hit. He rolled, moving out of the way; the sound of the blade hitting the stone floor and reverberating up the other man’s arm loud in the room. It didn’t faze the Demon one bit. Dietrich looked over his shoulder as NuNu fired his weapon. Bullets flew past Dietrich’s body and into Phineas, the sound cracking loudly in the now empty room. It didn’t stop the Demon, but it slowed him down. NuNu was pulling D back as Gregor and his brothers advanced.
Gregor turned into his giant beast. His brothers did the same. They weren’t wolves, but dog-like in nature. Gregor bit Phineas’s arms as Liam jumped on his back. The Demon thrashed back and forth, trying to escape their clutches. It was Caelian that approached on all fours, saliva dripping from his jaws as he sized up the Demon the other two males were trying to bring down. Caelian was slow in his approach. A predator, savoring its prey. Gregor held Phineas down with an arm as Liam stood on his back. Caelian didn’t hesitate when he bit the side of Phin’s neck. His jaws clamped down, crushing bones in the process as he tried to remove the Demon’s head. Phineas didn’t scream, didn’t move. He just stood lifeless as his body emptied itself of blood.
“That motherfucker is not dead,” Ryn said, limping towards the Demon’s body. “Eighty-six his ass. Arcane, separate his head from his body.”
Arcane lifted her sword and was ready to bring it down swiftly when Aoleon cried out, “NO! Arcane, no you can’t!”
The triplet turned to her mother. “Why the hell not?”
Aoleon placed Jorunn on the floor gently and made her way to the front, standing by her daughter, who was more than ready to deliver justice.
“He’s your father.”
“Well, shit. Can anyone say immortal soap opera!” Jesminda gaped, looking out at the others.
Chapter 23
Aoleon dropped to her knees in front of Phineas’s body, tears streaming down her face.
“I was already pregnant with the triplets when Ulstair told me Phin was dead. I had no idea. None,” she wailed.
“Aoleon,” the man that was at the root of all the current issues hissed. Spittle falling from his mouth as he screamed. “What are you saying?”
She whirled to face Ulstair and screamed right back, “The girls are not yours. They are Phineas’s daughters.” Aoleon threw her entire body over Phineas as he lay motionless on the floor. “You will not take him from me again. You will not deprive me of who has al
ways held my heart. Do you really think I married you for love? I married you because it was the only thing I could do for my daughters. Having you rut on top of me was not the highlight of my life.”
“I don’t give a damn. You are the Sovereign.” Ulstair looked to Arcane. “Kill the intruder. Because of him, Jo’s dying. If she’s not already dead.” Ulstair really tried to sound sincere, but even Dietrich knew a lie when told. The bastard wasn’t the least bit concerned about Jorunn. All he cared about was his lie being swept under the carpet. Out of sight, out of mind.
“Wait,” Aoleon wailed. “Put her in the Chrysalis. She will heal. I swear it. Stegis! Bren! Bring Lady Jorunna. Hurry!” Aoleon pointed to a white pod that was in the center of the room above the altar, then looked to Jorunn who was being lifted into Stegis’ arms. Her body was stiff, and her skin was drying out.
Ryn made her way over to Phineas, who was still quite alive but almost dead. She kicked him in the side, once then twice, before looking to Gregor. “Place this piece of shit in the Oasis chamber. He is not to be released for anything.”
“On it, Ryn.” Gregor had changed back into his human form as had his brothers, and the three of them picked up Phineas and carted him off.
“What’s an Oasis chamber?” Draven asked.
“Oh, nothing like you’d expect. He’ll heal. The chamber itself is the antithesis of what it’s called. He’ll suffer. If Mother still wants him, that’s her choice. She is the true Majesti. Father, or Ulstair, has always been the consort, but she allowed him the privilege of the title. Glad to know that I at least come from someone that is strong. Even if he is an idiot for thinking he could go toe to toe with a hellhound.”
“Gregor and his brothers are hellhounds?”
“Yup, the three of them together are formidable bastards. They were originally human, but were bitten by Cerberus when they were nosing around Hades. It’s how Z came to be with us, as well. Cerberus is a bit of a nut when it comes to his children.”
Well, that answered the one question.
Dietrich watched as Stegis placed Jorunn inside the Chrysalis.
“Dietrich, you’re hurt.” Ryn noticed.
It was nothing. What did hurt was the gaping hole in his chest as he looked over to where Jorunn had been lying. There was so much blood. What little room he had stored up inside for his sister was now filled with more emotions than he could handle. It was full to bursting, suffocating him until he almost choked.
“Omari, let me tend to your wound,” his sister pleaded. D looked over at Yewa, she was exhausted and dead on her feet.
“No. Ryn, get me something to tie my leg.”
Ryn left, and D pulled himself into a chair, extending his leg, which only made him bleed more. He welcomed the physical pain. The emotional shit was making him nervous.
Stegis and Bren were standing over Jorunn. They chanted something, and roots he hadn’t noticed before lifted the pod midair. Jo’s skin became dryer, and her hair so brittle it flaked off until she was bald. As she lay there unmoving, Dietrich had to look away. It hurt too much. He refused to watch.
Ryn returned with something to wrap D’s leg with, and once she was done, Jacobi helped him to stand.
“You can all leave now until her transformation is complete. Stegis and Bren shall keep watch,” Aoleon said.
“Is someone going to do something about Ulstair?” Dietrich called out in anger.
“Someone grab Ulstair. I have questions for him,” Draven said.
D didn’t think anyone would listen, but four men came out of nowhere. They flanked the male and ushered him out of the room. Ulstair didn’t struggle. He went quietly. A smile on his face the entire time. Dude was whacked out of his fucking mind.
“You know he killed her parents to seize control of Fion?” Jesminda said to Aoleon, who was still sitting where Phineas’s body had lain.
“Yes, and he’ll be dealt with. It’s just too much right now. My girls... Seeing Phin alive…” Aoleon’s voice cracked on a sob.
“Yeah, well, I’ve seen way worse. Be happy no one else was hurt,” Draven said, pulling Jes into his arms. Their pup was still asleep.
“Hope the little guy isn’t affected by this,” NuNu said, stepping close to the group. Adam was sitting quietly with Yewa, and Dietrich was okay with that. It seemed the Vampiri knew his place where she was concerned.
“Jesminda knows how to force sleep on him. It’s something she learned from Royce.”
Everyone started to make their way out of the room. Dietrich stopped and looked over his shoulder. The pod was completely covered in roots now. Some kind of liquid was inside. Stegis and Bren stood on either side of the pod. He wanted to be the one standing there but thought better of it. He wasn’t going to be here when she woke. He needed her to realize he wasn’t the one for her. Servants came in at the request of Arcane to clean the room. Once pristine, it was now soiled with the stale stench of blood. At least when Jo woke up, the horrors from today wouldn’t scar her too badly.
“I have something that will help that leg,” Ryn said, tapping him on the shoulder.
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Angry sex, it works every time. I’ll even let you lick my horns.”
She was so confident, he actually felt bad for leading her on and making her think they were getting horizontal. Well, he felt bad, and then immediately felt good when she palmed his cock in front of everyone.
“Feed me,” she purred.
Dietrich coughed. “Feed you?”
She squeezed his cock harder, making it twitch. His dick had a mind of its own. He couldn’t be held responsible for that.
“Yeah, give me your big cock.”
Jes stopped and turned, her eyes flashing black before clearing.
Fuck! Here comes the crazy.
Jes handed her son to Draven.
“Ryn, show some fucking respect. Better still, prove you’re fucking classy. Your cousin almost died. Dietrich had his tongue and his cock in all kinds of places that weren’t you last night. You really want leftovers? Better still, don’t you have higher standards than pawing on your cousin’s sloppy seconds? He’s an idiot, I’ll give him that, and he’s an even bigger fool if he thinks he’s not in love with the woman in there,” she pointed to the pod. “Save yourself for someone who actually wants you. He’s just playing you. Using you for his personal gain. He thinks if he fucks you, it will make Jo go away. It will, but he’ll be left a shell of a man. And as much as I hate to admit this out loud, when he’s not being a dick, he’s pretty damn decent. I’m not going to let him screw up just because he’s too much of a pussy to man up and take what’s his.”
Ryn smirked.
“Honey, he wants me. So does every other male. Attached or not. Didn’t they tell you, I’m a man-eater?”
“Well, I’m a bitch beater, anyone ever tell you that? So, unless you want me to rip your spine out through your mouth and repeatedly gouge out your peepers, back off.”
A cold blast of air swept through the walkway. It chilled even Dietrich’s bones.
“Sister, if you bring that shit to our doorstep, I’ll end you myself,” Arcane said, grabbing hold of Ryn’s shoulder.
“Yeah, listen to your sister, girl. A bird without its wings is a tragic thing, sweetheart. I’ll do more than ground you. I’ll end you,” Jes said in a mock whisper.
Draven shrugged and mumbled, “That’s my mate.”
Taea grinned, and Jacobi and NuNu both grunted. Ryn looked as if she would say more, but Dietrich moved away and shook his head.
“Trust me. It will take more than arrows to stop the train wreck that is Jes. Chick is badass with a capital B.”
“Thanks, D. I think that’s the sweetest thing you’ve said to me. Like ever. But you’re still an idiot. The shit you pulled at lunch… Straight up dick move.”
“Don’t care, Jesminda. It was for her own good.”
She turned, and Dietrich couldn’t let her off the hook. No
one took him down, whether it be in battle or words. It was bound to happen.
“Hey, Jes.”
“What?”
“A big fuck you and three pre-fuck yous for future input that I don’t want and will never ask for.”
“Really? Really? You get like what, one, maybe two seconds—three max—to have a comeback. You waited like five. You’re getting slow, old man.” She smiled. Actually smiled.
Damn female.
He was serious.
Yewa pinched his arm. He turned to stare down at his petite sister.
“What was that for?”
“Your manners are appalling, Omari.”
Yeah, well, who the hell cared anyway?
~ ~ ~
Everyone was in his or her rooms or doing other activities that kept their minds off the earlier events. Yewa had definitely seen worse. Way worse. And she had experienced some of the worst atrocities that could be done to a woman. This world was so strange to her. Even stranger than the one she’d existed in prior to her rescue. There were moving metal contraptions, things that flew in the air and held people. She’d taken her first airplane ride a few days ago with Enri, who had assured her it was perfectly safe. If the Goddess wanted her to fly, she would have outfitted her with wings.
Yewa wondered why she was staying in her room. She should be out exploring her surroundings, learning the new oddities. Not shying away from them. She stood from her chair and made her way over to the sliding door. When it opened, she looked left, then right, and stepped out. Just go for a walk. A walk wouldn’t hurt her. She wasn’t inside the monastery that resembled the nightmare that had brought her to a strange land. No, she was somewhere that only the Orisha were privy to. This place, Fion, was magical. There were so many things to see, things she’d never thought were real. Then again, she never expected to be immortal either. The night her immortality had kicked in was the worst night of her existence.
Her new life, this strange life, was a blessing. She wasn’t going to squander it away by being cooped up in a room. She’d been in too many cages over her long life. It was time to get out and see what there was to see.
