Hidden Runes

by G. Bailey

  “Incredible isn’t a word I’d use to describe myself,” he quietly says.

  “It’s a word I think suits you completely,” I reply. Nix gets to work, tattooing something near the top of my spine, and the pain isn't all that bad after a while.

  "I know my brother has already asked you this...but I want you as my mate as well," he randomly says, and I turn my head so I can see him a little bit in the corner of my eye. Nix is breathtakingly gorgeous, and I've always been so attracted to him. It's the black wavy hair, the mischievous glint in his eye, and the dark tattoos that suit his handsome body. It was almost like Nix was made for me in a way, he ticks all the boxes. Though it's more than that. We are both messed up by our families, our past, and yet we are fighting for a future with each other.

  "Before I answer, tell me what you think of about our future. Where do you see us in ten years?" I ask him. He flashes me a confused frown but tells me his answer anyway.

  "Honestly? I see us all living together, with you running circles around us and driving us crazy as you have always done. I see Hali dating some douchebag that breaks her heart, and us lot having to hold you down as you make a ploy to kill him. Then I see you sending Star after him anyway," he tells me, and I like his idea of our future already.

  "Star is a brilliant sidekick," I say, and he chuckles.

  "Mostly I see a future with us all together. I want you, us, you know? I want to sit in front of a fire, cuddling up to you while we laugh about something that happened that day. I want a normal future, at least as normal as we can get," he explains to me and sits back. "Your tattoo is all done." I sit up as Nix gets me two mirrors, handing me the first one and placing the other behind my back so I can see his work.

  "Nix, fucking hell, it's perfect. How do you know me so well?" I ask, eyeing the Celtic knot he has drawn. Inside the swirls is an H for Hali, because he knows she is like a child to me, and that is where you place your child’s initial for good luck. I remember seeing a woman in the Protector city bar with Nix, and we spoke about her own knot tattoo, and I said how much I would love one in the future. The fact Nix remembers that conversation after all this time says a lot about him. A lot about how he feels about me.

  "Because I love you. Even if you say no to being my mate, to being with me fully, or hell, if you don’t want to be with me at all...I will always love you from a distance. I know I don't deserve you, and hell, I don't think there is a single man on Earth that does...but if you agree to be mine, I will make sure I'm always a man you deserve," he explains to me and leans closer as I put the mirror down. I wrap my arms around Nix's shoulders as he puts his mirror on top of mine, and I slide my hands into his soft hair.

  "Nix, of course I will be your mate. I love you, and you have always been deserving of me and the whole entire world. You are far more perfect and awesome than you know," I tell him, needing him to feel that way about himself. I’ve never doubted that mating with Nix would be the perfect future for him and me. We are two halves to a whole, or whatever the saying is.

  "For a woman who says she doesn't like romance, you sure have a way with words, love," Nix tells me with a smirk on his lips, which disappears as nothing but sexual tension builds up between us. I don't know who moves first, but the next moment, Nix's lips are on mine, and my hands are ripping his shirt off. Nix groans as I undo his trousers, and he unclips my bra.

  "You are fucking gorgeous, love," Nix tells me, lowering his head and kissing down my chest until he finds one of my nipples. I moan as his skilled tongue teases my nipple. I lift Nix's head to my lips again, and Nix chuckles as I hurriedly push his trousers down his legs.

  "You’re in a rush, aren’t you?" he grumbles in a deeply sexy way.

  "I've wanted you since the day we met...so yes," I reply, and he smiles, lifting me on to the bed. Nix places the mirrors on the counter as I push my trousers and lacy underwear off, leaving myself naked on the tattoo table, with Nix's eyes greedily taking in all of me. "What are you waiting for?" I tease.

  "I'm committing this view of you into my memory for good," he tells me, climbing on to the table and pushing my legs apart as he lines himself up. I gasp, holding onto his shoulders as he slowly, deliberately slides inside of me and groans as he rests his head on my shoulder. "Fuck, you feel better than you look, and that's saying something." Nix grabs my hip, lifting my leg so he can slam in and out of me deeper, making me lose control with every perfect movement.

  "Come for me. I want to see you lose control. Like that time I saw you with Connor," he whispers into my ear before gently biting down on my neck. I cry out in uncontrollable pleasure as his words send me over the edge, and Nix thrusts into me two more times before finishing, too.

  "You like dirty talk then, huh?" I breathlessly ask. I didn’t know Nix had this side to him, but damn, I really like it.

  "And watching," he admits to me, and I grin. “Watching anything to do with you.”

  "I love you and your honesty," I say before lightly kissing him.

  "I wouldn't lie to you," he tells me and kisses me before he can see the guilt in my eyes. I'm lying to him every day, to all the men I say I love...and I know there is nothing I can do about it. I kiss Nix, letting myself be lost in him, in everything that makes me happy and complete. At least, for now, it will keep my guilt from swallowing me whole.

  Ninety-Four

  "Are you sure you are ready to do this—alone? Protectors can be stubborn and act stupid in anger," Trex asks, his arms stubbornly crossed against his chest as he looks over at the crowd gathering around the highly raised platform in the clearing I chose to meet in just outside the demon underground. It is warded here, but it’s open enough that my voice will carry to everyone that has come. There are far more people here than I expected, and I’m wondering how they all fit in the demon underground to begin with. As I look around, you can clearly see the people divided. There is a group of demons with a line of space between a big group of Protectors. Then there are mixtures of demons and Protectors gathering together in small groups, the ones that clearly are getting along anyways.

  "Demons even more so. There hasn't been a queen of Hell in five hundred years, so they have never had a leader. The queen of the demons is a title that has never existed until you, Vi," Azi reminds me of what I already know. The bloodline for the queens or kings of Hell died out centuries ago when the last heir was murdered. That is why Hell is in such a state, and no one will be able to fix that mess. I can lead the demons on Earth though, or at least I fully intend to unless someone tries to challenge me.

  I need to do this, to make a stand that no one else can do. We have too much to lose for me to run away like I usually do. I can’t be just the assassin I was. I have to act like a leader now and convince them there will be a future to fight for. I have this big speech in my mind, one I’ve gone over with my guys and Keeper Grey several times to make sure it sounds right. I glance at the keepers stood in a circle around the stage, protecting me and not letting anyone closer.

  "We should be up there with you," Connor mutters to me. Nix doesn't say anything, but I know he feels the same way. Hali just smiles at me, but her eyes don’t hide her worry.

  "No, I need to speak alone. If I take you all up there, then the demons won't respect it, let alone the Protectors. Plus, I'm strong enough to do this," I say, glancing at the crowds. "You have to let me lead, or what is the point?"

  "We trust you, though it doesn't mean we don't worry about you with every part of our souls," Azi replies to me.

  "I trust you all, too," I reply, knowing there isn't anything I can say that will make them feel better about this.

  I jump up on the platform, pulling myself to my feet as the crowd goes quiet. Star jumps onto the platform, letting out a threatening roar before sitting next to me. Star doesn't play by the rules, and having a scary ass tiger at my side might help this talk go better. The cold breeze blows my cloak around my legs before letting it fly in the breeze with my long blue hair, whi
ch is only held down by my crown. Keeper Grey suggested I should wear the crown for this because it demonstrates who I am. The crown is much heavier than I expected it to be, and the pressure of it digs into my head. I clap my hands a few times, and Star roars once more which seems to scare the crowd into silence. I pause for a moment, feeling nothing but nerves as the cold wind feels like it wants to blow me off this stage. I glance over and see Trex’s eyes first, and he nods once at me. Each of my guys stands together, fully behind me on this, and it gives me the strength I need to be a leader.

  "Thank you for coming here, meeting together like this. We have never gathered together, Protectors and demons, because we have spent years killing each other. I watched demons being hunted and discriminated not only by humans, but by Protectors who are just as quick to kill and judge without proof. Humans have proven they will never let us have the same jobs as them, live next door to them and have a normal life. They even shun demon children who are homeless and alone. I know this because I was one of them and walked many streets being ignored with an empty belly and with rags for clothes."

  I stop as whispers fill the air, many of the demons looking between each other. I pull my eyes to the Protectors who are stood alone to address them first as they already know my past. "I was alone because Protector laws made my birth a crime. They made love a crime. I am a true Protector queen, one proven by blood and the test. I wear the marks, and yet my own people made my life a living hell in which demons and witches were the only ones who showed me kindness." I make my queen marks appear all over my face, mostly to prove a point.

  "I called you all here today to not only mention the past, but to make the plans for a new future. I am queen of you all, for you all, and I will not have my people against each other any longer. We fight together, for each other, and for a future where I protect you all. Demons side with Protectors, and Protectors look after demons. That is the future I am offering for all that survive the war coming to our home. If you stay here, you are accepting my offer for a future where there will be peace, and I will protect you all. No one will suffer any longer, no demon child will need to look at humans for a home. Protectors can love whoever they choose. There will be no more suffering and pain...so who is with me?" I hold my head high as there is silence before Trex, Nix, Azi and Connor come to stand in front of the platform. They lower their heads before going down on one knee. The crowd instantly follows their lead, copying their movement and bowing until there isn't a demon or Protector standing. I place my hand on Star's head, looking down into my familiar's eyes for a moment and knowing I was born for this. To make a change that will bring about peace between two races that have never known it.

  I look up as someone claps, long drawn out claps, three times before stopping, and only the sound of their feet crunching against the frost-covered grass can be heard. Connor's father stands with Connor's mother at the back of the crowd, holding a scythe that shines in the setting sunlight. They both have long black cloaks on, black clothes underneath, and other than Connor’s mother’s blonde hair, they almost seem like they could disappear in the shadows at any moment. The demons and Protectors move aside to let them walk through the crowd, and I pull my eyes to Connor as he stands, staring in shock. I jump off the platform, moving to Connor's side as we walk to the start of the crowd just as Connor's parents get there.

  "Mum," Connor says in relief, and she smiles happily at him. His mum looks a million times healthier and happier than I’ve ever seen her, though she keeps her eyes on her son, clearly desperate to hold him.

  "We come with a message from the reapers. We will fight Cex and his building army at your side, Queen Evie. Reapers protect both life and death, and life on Earth is currently threatened, so we will come out of the shadows this one time for a debt owed to the queen by me. The queen of the reapers will not let Earth fall to a demon, and help will be sent.”

  “The queen of the reapers sent you?” Connor asks before I can.

  “She did. Reapers do not get involved with the affairs of life often, but this war affects more than just life on Earth. It is interfering with the fabric of life and death. Therefore, we are here,” he tells me.

  “Does she want something in return?” Trex asks.

  “Nothing other than peace. We will disappear into the shadows we appeared in once the war is over.”

  “Then welcome,” I say, looking up at Connor who doesn’t seem to be taking everything well. I nod at Keeper Grey who starts sending the crowd away, knowing what comes next should be private. It’s time Connor finally meets his father.

  Ninety-Five

  “Can we go somewhere more private to talk?” Connor asks his parents as we all stand quite tense and awkwardly with each other. Everything about this moment feels overwrought because it is the first time Connor has ever seen his father. I know how that feels, especially all the anger which I can visibly see in Connor's eyes. Connor's father could have helped Connor, who grew up seeing his mother only once a week and had no real parental figure. It reminds me of myself, but worse because my father didn’t know about me and couldn’t be there as he was literally trapped in Hell. Connor’s father could have been there and clearly knew about him. It’s odd how this man is his father, but they look nothing alike. Connor is the image of his mother, but his father with his black hair and dark eyes only seems to look like Connor in facial features. I wonder if they have similar personalities instead.

  “Yes, that would be suitable,” his mum says, and his father apprehensively nods, his eyes watching Connor very closely. Connor opens a portal to the house, and steps through first, with his parents following next, and I don’t need an invite to know Connor wants me there.

  “Go with him, he needs you. We will give you all time alone,” Nix suggests, stopping Trex who goes to follow. “Anything his father has to say to him will hurt. Evie needs to be the one there. She understands the long lost father turning up feeling more than most.”

  “I know and agree. I might punch the idiot for missing out on Connor’s life if I went through there,” Trex grumbles.

  “I got this, Trexy. Connor knows you have his back if he needs it,” I say, kissing his cheek before going through the portal into our living room, where Connor is hugging his mum. The portal closes behind me just as Duna lets her son go and sees me. I know I’m not going to be able to escape one of her hugs that is heading my way.

  "Evie, oh I'm so glad to see you well after what happened. Everyone is talking of the city falling," Duna says to me, letting go of Connor and coming up to me. She pulls me into a hug before letting go and staring at my face, where I know my marks are visible.

  "Your mother would have been so proud of you. Your marks are just like hers," she gently tells me, and I can only nod as she lets go.

  "Connor, this is—"

  "My father. I'm aware," Connor interrupts Duna, his voice anything but friendly.

  "My name is Fraser, or you can call me father if you wish. I know it is not an ideal situation between us," Fraser says, rubbing the back of his neck while holding his long scythe in his hand. I very much want to know why they fight with those and how they do. The curved end cannot be easy to fight with, and surely a sword is easier. Like Fraser can read my thoughts, he makes the scythe disappear into black dust that fades into his shadow.

  "Ideal?" Connor humourlessly laughs. "You never even came to see me. You're a coward, and I wouldn't call you a father."

  "I could not come to you. It was not that easy!" Fraser shouts, and in his anger, shadows seem to gather around his feet like a swirling storm, though Connor doesn’t seem threatened and clearly doesn’t think his father would actually hurt him. Neither does Duna who stands back as Connor steps closer to Fraser.

  "Easy? I was dragged up by foster parents, and only able to see my mum once a week! I had nothing, and I needed you. I needed family who would love me. What excuse could you possibly give for leaving me?" Connor sarcastically asks, his tone suggesting nothing Fras
er could say would fix the past. “I waited, begged and pleaded to the shadows in my room for you to come and save me when I was young. Now I have learnt how to look after myself, and how to be strong without family.”

  "Nothing I can say can fix your childhood, but please let me explain some of the reasons,” Fraser asks Connor, and Duna goes to Connor’s side, placing her hand on his arm.

  “Give him a chance. For me, Connor,” she pleads with Connor, and hell, even I’d have trouble saying no to that guilt trip. Connor only sighs and waves a hand at Fraser, suggesting he talk.

  “There are reaper laws, much like Protector laws, that have been set in place for many years. I was set to be married to a high class reaper when I met your mother, and I fell deeply, passionately in love. I paid my price for my crime, and still do pay it, but it means I couldn't come for you. My punishment is for life, and it was—and still is—no place for a child. I would like to be in your life in the little time I have," he clarifies to Connor.

  "Little time you have?" Connor asks.

  "Fraser's punishment is to run a boarding school of sorts for reaper teenagers that struggle with their powers or have broken the rules. I have taken a job there as well, but usually we cannot leave without a good reason. Though we get one day a month off work, and we want to spend that day with you. I know it's not much, but maybe reaper laws will change in the future and our punishment won't be so extreme," Duna tells Connor, resting her head briefly on his upper arm.

  "Can't you just run away? Surely that's easier," I say.

  "Reapers can always be found by our mark. We are part of the shadows, and there is no place on Earth, Hell or Heaven that shadows do not exist," he tells me. Well, that is certainly creepy.

  "Right..." I reply, shivering as that's disturbing. I'm really not a fan of these reapers now I come to know more about them. No wonder they stay hidden in the shadows.