“You want out?” I said, almost in a whisper.
“Well that can’t happen now can it? You know there is something else I long for now.”
“What. Do. You. Want?” I screamed.
“YOU! DEAD!” he snapped. I was jolted awake facing darkness. I was terrified of the dark and Odin hadn’t turned on a light before I fell asleep. I felt beside me to see if Odin was there. He wasn’t. Slaaneth’s laughter filled my ears and I began to scream.
Suddenly Odin’s door flew open and the lights flicked on. Tristian ran over to me, “Lilith are you okay?” he asked panicked.
I threw my arms around his neck and began to cry. “Where is Odin?”
“He ran out. He should be back soon.” Tristian shifted his body, “Lilith I don’t mind letting you cry on my shoulder one bit but um, your naked.” Heat filled my face as I fumbled to grab the covers. Tristian was sitting on it making it hard to cover myself. He walked over to the closet and grabbed one of Odin’s t-shirts and handed it to me looking away.
“Thank you,” I said, still embarrassed.
“Just let me know when it’s safe to turn around.”
“It’s safe.”
He walked back over to the bed and sat next to me. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
I leaned my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me. “It was Slaaneth. He was in my dream. He said he wanted me dead.” He tightened his hold on me. “When I woke up the light was off, and I could still hear his laughter. It was like he was in here with me.”
“Well, good thing I came to save you,” he said with a giggle.
“Tristian, he won’t stop until I’m dead. Even if he can’t kill me himself he invades my dreams. He will never leave me alone. I will never be safe from him. Awake or asleep.”
“You know what you have that he doesn’t?”
“What?”
“Us. None of us will ever let him or anyone he sends hurt you.” We sat in silence for a few minutes with me still cuddled up to him. I needed to feel safe and he didn’t seem to mind providing that for me.
“Hey Tristian, do you think there is a way to actually kill Slaaneth?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe if you went to Hell. But no one goes there and comes back alive. Once you enter hell, you are trapped there forever.”
A thought hit me. Actually, it was more like it was sent to me. Like it was forced into my mind. “I think I know how to kill him,” I said more to myself.
“How?” he asked confused.
“Where did you say Odin went?”
“Out. I’m not entirely sure where he went.”
“Well, get him here. Get everyone and meet me in the living room in twenty minutes,” I said. He nodded and left the room. When he was gone, and the door was shut I jumped up and headed straight for Odin’s shower. I let the hot water run over me as excitement filled me. I knew how to kill Slaaneth. I couldn’t wait to fill everyone in on my plan, so I rushed my shower and got dressed as quickly as I could.
When I walked out into the living room everyone was there except Odin. “Where is Odin?” I asked starting to get frustrated.
“He is on his way. Should be here in the next ten minutes.”
“Fine. While we wait on him I’m going to grab something to eat. Anyone want anything?”
“You mean we have to wait on Odin before you tell us how to kill Slaaneth?” Gunner asked.
“Yes,” I said.
“Why?”
“Because I’m not telling you until everyone is here.”
“Oh my Gosh this is so stupid,” he said. I turned and glared at him. “I mean it just sucks to wait,” he said with panic in his voice. I turned and walked into the kitchen.
When they were sure I wasn’t in hearing distance they began talking to each other. “You better watch it Gunner. She will do to you what she did to Ambi if you aren’t careful,” Cal said with a laugh.
“It’s not funny. It’s hard being around her. I never know what I can and can’t say because saying the wrong thing will get you killed,” Gunner said.
“You can say anything to her. Lilith isn’t what you are making her out to be Gunner,” Tristian said in my defense.
“Yes, she is. She is a freak. She has powers she can’t control. Her eyes turn yellow and swirly when her witch takes over and black and red when the vampire takes over. She can kill with a single word Tristian. I don’t know why Odin let her move in here. Shouldn’t he have asked us first?”
“Because she is my wife and your empress,” Odin snapped. No one heard him come in. “I didn’t have to ask you.”
“It’s not what I meant,” Gunner said, trying to defend himself.
“Then what exactly did you mean?”
“Odin look I am just frustrated that I don’t know what to say to her. I’m scared that she will kill me if I say the wrong thing to her.”
“She will not kill you,” Odin snapped.
“She almost killed Ambi. You can’t be sure that if I piss her off she won’t try to kill me too.” I was done listening to them. I didn’t want anyone scared of me. I went back into Odin’s room and crawled back into bed. I pulled the covers over my head to block everyone out.
The excitement I just felt was now replaced with self-pity. I felt horrible for what I had done to Ambi. We were able to get past it but I didn’t think about how it affected the others. I felt like such a horrible person. I was a monster and there was nothing I could do about it. Tears began to run down my cheeks. The demons inside of me, terrifies me. What would happen if my witch or vampire side decided to take over permanently? What would I become?
I heard the door to the room open. Odin crawled in the bed beside me and pulled me onto his chest. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I heard what Gunner thinks about me.”
“Don’t pay him any attention. He just hasn’t gotten over the Ambi thing.”
“He is right Odin. I am a monster.”
“Look at me.” I didn’t. I didn’t want him to see me cry. “Lilith, look at me.”
“Odin don’t.”
“He grabbed my face, so I was looking into his eyes. “You are not a monster. Do you hear me? You are beautiful, kind, loving, and you have the biggest heart of any one I have ever met.”
“Then what would you call what I am? If I am not a monster, then what am I?”
“Unique,” he said with a smile. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on baby. Everyone is dying to hear your news.”
We went back into the living room, “So how do you plan on killing Slaaneth?” Cal asked.
“With a spell,” I said.
“Come again?” he asked.
“A spell.”
“No, I heard you but exactly how do you think a spell will kill him?”
“I will call on him to come to me. I will call for him to leave hell. When he comes to me, I will kill him.”
“This is your big plan?” Latham asked skeptical.
“Yes.”
“Correct me if I am wrong but there has never been a witch that can call a demon from hell. If it were that simple, he wouldn’t have needed to sacrifice you,” Dex said.
“Listen, I know it sounds crazy and simple.”
“Yeah too simple,” Gunner shot at me.
“I know this is the way to kill him.”
“How do you know that?” Brant asked.
“You will just have to trust me. I know this will work.” Silence filled the room as everyone contemplated my words.
“Okay. If you think this will work, I’m in. What do you need me to do?” Ambi asked.
“It will work,” I said, excited that she was on my side.
Tristian and Cal looked at each other, “We’re in too.”
“Count me in,” Brant said.
“Whatever you need empress I will be glad to help,” Dex said.
Latham nodded that he too w
ould help. Only one left was Gunner and I could see he was having an inner battle with himself. Odin stepped next to me, “I will be by your side no matter what Lamia Mea.” I smiled back at him and looked back at Gunner.
When he didn’t say anything, I walked over to him, “Gunner, I know what you think of me. I am really sorry for what I did to Ambi and trust me, no one beats themselves up more than I do. I hate what I am. I am a monster and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do about me. But I need you. And if you don’t want to do it for me, do it for them. They need you too.”
He looked at me like he was trying to figure me out. He looked shocked at my sincerity. He looked at everyone else in the room then back at me, “Okay. I’m in.”
“Yes,” I shouted as I hugged him. His body tensed. “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” Everyone laughed at our awkward moment.
Suddenly everyone was talking at once, but no one was speaking.
“Will this really work?” Gunner said.
“I wonder how she thinks this is even possible,” Latham said.
“She felt nice against me. I hope they find me a mate soon,” I heard Gunners voice again.
“Oh, baby you…. you got what I need,” Cal was singing. And I couldn’t help but laugh which caused everyone to look at me like I was crazy.
“I wonder what he sees in her?” Ambi said.
I must have made a face at her comment because Odin walked over to me, “What’s wrong baby?” he asked concerned.
I didn’t want them to know I could hear their thoughts now. Gunner can’t stand me already and this would definitely send him over the edge. “Nothing. Was just thinking.”
“Please be okay baby. I love you so much and I fear what your witch and vampire are doing to you.” Hearing Odin’s thoughts made my stomach turn. If he was terrified of what I was becoming, then I was right to be scared too.
“She was so beautiful, naked and afraid. I am so thankful I could be there for her. Her body is beyond sexy. Odin is a very lucky man.” Tristian’s thoughts made me fill with embarrassment again.
“You say you’re just a friend. You say you’re just a friend but baby you… you got what I need.” Cals voice got louder in his thoughts so I was able to hear him over everyone else. I giggle.
“I’m getting food. Anyone want anything?” I asked as I started walking toward the kitchen.
“Does anyone have plans for tonight?” Ambi asked. The guys said no in unison. “Want to order in and watch a movie?”
“I’m okay with that,” I said, excited to hang out with everyone. The guys agreed and while they argued over what to eat, I got comfortable on the couch.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The past few weeks have passed by quietly. There has been no sign of Slaaneth’s army. And with me deciding not to finish school we will be moving to Italy in two days. I decided I couldn’t go to school and be around all of those humans with me not having any self-control. I’m afraid that when hunger strikes I won’t be able to control myself. Hopefully when we get to Italy, the Luminaries will have some answers for me.
I have had no luck in finding a spell to summon Slaaneth. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this hard. Every time I think I am close to something, it turns out to be nothing. The group has been trying to find something as well but also with no luck. All of the contacts that they have don’t know how or have never heard of a spell to summon a demon like Slaaneth. Odin suggested that when we arrive in Italy that I should talk with Kira.
It didn’t take long for us to pack the house up with nine people working together. Thankfully Ambi didn’t have anything in her house except clothes. The moving company is arriving today, so we can ship our belongings to the new house. Odin said he found us a house big enough to fit all of us. I was surprised when he said the whole group would continue living with us. He said it was because he didn’t want to take away the family I had just gained. But being able to read his mind I know it is really because he wants twenty-four-hour protection around me when and if Slaaneth’s army strikes.
The guys decided to go out for a bit leaving me alone at home to wait for the movers. Waiting for the movers was torture. The TV was already unhooked and wrapped in plastic. I was alone with nothing to do. I was walking through the house wandering from room to room making sure we didn’t miss anything when a thought popped in my head.
I quickly walked into the living room cleared a space in the center of the room and sat on the floor with my legs folded on top of one another in a meditation position. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind. I tried to reach the person who forced the thought of how to kill Slaaneth into my mind. I had no clue what I was doing and wasn’t sure if this would even work.
I began calling out in my mind. Hello. Is anybody there? I need your help. There was only silence, so I tried again. Hello. I know you have helped me before, but I need you now. I need your help again. I felt like an idiot. I took another deep breath and said only one word. Please. I waited in silence for about five minutes when I heard her voice. It sounded like she was right in front of me. I opened my eyes and my heart fell to the floor. “Mom?”
“Yes. Sweetie,” she said, as she pulled me in for a hug. Tears flowed from my eyes. I have missed her so much and now she is here in front of me.
“How is this possible? You’re dead.”
“You summoned me. I am only a spirit. You said you needed my help.”
“You are the one that put the idea of how to kill Slaaneth in my head?”
“Yes. I was a very powerful witch. I know forbidden things that most witches don’t. We don’t have much time, what do you need my help with?”
“I can’t find a spell to summon Slaaneth. How am I supposed to kill him if I can’t even find the spell?”
“The spell is within you. You will not find it on paper or in a book. No other witch will be able to tell you how to kill him because only you hold the answer. Look deep inside Lilith. Connect with your inner witch and the answer will be there waiting for you.”
She was beginning to fade, “Wait how do I connect with her?”
“The same way you connected with me,” she said as she faded completely. Tears poured harder from me blurring my vision. I laid on the floor and curled into a ball. The pain of losing my parents came rushing back and hit me like a tidal wave. I lay there crying for what felt like an hour. I cried until I had no more tears left.
I lay in silence on the floor when someone knocked on the door. I didn’t rush to answer it. With puffy eyes and a red nose, I didn’t care who was at the door. When I finally reached the door, I could smell who was on the other side. There scent was metallic, tangy but it smelled delicious. I swung the door open and before the guy could say anything I leaned into his ear and whispered:
Follow me, follow me,
It is I you seek to see,
Alone together is your request
Desire is your test,
Follow me, follow me.
When the guys’ eyes glazed over I stepped to the side of the door, so he could enter. He waited for my lead. I shut and locked the door and motioned for him to follow me. I led him into Odin’s bathroom. Once inside I shut the door, walked over to him and whispered, “Don’t scream. This won’t hurt a bit.” My vision went completely red and my fangs popped out. I ran my tongue across them checking the sharpness. My mouth watered at the sight of his smooth velvet skin on his neck. I watched the artery pump slowly. I licked my lips and I sank my fangs into his neck. The tanginess of his blood made my jaws clench just like they would have if I ate a lemon. His blood was irony and metallic. It wasn’t sweet like the girls in Croatia had been, but it was still delicious. I drank him in quenching my thirst.
“What the fuck Lilith?” I heard someone say. I didn’t stop drinking, he tasted too good. Someone tugged on me trying to get me to stop, “Lilith you are killing him! Stop!” they shouted. I still coul
dn’t stop.
Someone else walked into the bathroom, “Lilith let him go.” I tightened my grip and sucked harder, faster. “Let. Him. Go,” they demanded. “You are killing him. Stop. Now!” they jerked my head away. My vision cleared, and I dropped the guy. He fell and lay limp on the floor. His eyes were still glazed over, and he never screamed once.
“Dude, her eyes,” Latham said.
“I know,” Odin replied. He looked at me and I looked at the floor embarrassed at what I had done. “Lilith.” I didn’t look at him, so he walked over to me. “Lilith, what did you do?”
“What does it look like?” I snapped mad at myself. Not only did I have two forces inside me that takes over whenever they want and now they are teaming up. The witch side of me lured him into the house, into the bathroom so the vampire side could feed from him. I was disgusted with myself. “Is he dead?” I asked with tears burning at the edges of my eyes.
Odin bent down to feel for a pulse. “Barely. His partner is looking for him Lilith. What are we supposed to do with him? How do we explain this?” he sounded furious, frustrated and worried all at once.
“I don’t know Odin. I didn’t mean to. It just happened like before. One minute I was lying on the floor crying then he knocked. I could smell him through the door. He smelled so good. When I opened the door, I whispered a spell into his ear, so he would follow me. Once we were in the bathroom I controlled his mind, so he wouldn’t scream. Then the vampire in me took over. My vision turned red and that’s when I fed.”
“Her eyes,” Latham said again in shock.
“I don’t know how to fix this,” he said, running his hands through his hair.
“Yo, dude is getting impatient….” trailing off Cal took in the scene. “What the hell happened?” I groaned. “Don’t you have some type of spell to fix him?” he asked.
“No Cal, I don’t. If I did don’t you think I would have fixed him by now?” I snapped. The guy moved and moaned in pain.
“If we can buy some time maybe we can get him up and moving,” Odin suggested.
“Her eyes,” Latham said yet again.
Corruption of the Heart (The Corruption Series Book 1) Page 21
