Malachi winked. “I can’t reveal my trade secrets.”
Leaning forwards, Helena observed him with hope reflected in her hazel eyes. “Are you sure you can help me if I’m in trouble?”
“I don’t lie,” he told her seriously. “You may not have guessed it by now, but I’m a pretty blunt guy.”
“I don’t like this,” Ben grumbled. “This puts us at a disadvantage, and to be honest, I don’t trust our new acquaintance.”
“Right back at you,” Malachi replied, and Ben knocked his booted feet off the table. “That wasn’t very nice.”
Ben growled at the demon. “I have been trying to be polite. My patience is wearing thin. If you don’t mind, could you shut up?”
The demon’s eyes flared red for a split second and the staring contest between him and Ben commenced.
Helena slapped her palm against the table’s surface. “Guys, please, let’s get along. Perri should be our priority. She doesn’t deserve to rot in a dungeon because of Lilia.” She looked at Malachi. “I will trust you to get me out if the need arises.”
He inclined his head. “I’ll do my best.”
“Your best may not be good enough,” Maya’s words were sharper than a blade. “Her life is at stake here. Be serious or don’t get involved.”
Hans raked his fingers through his dishevelled brown hair. “I must agree with Maya. It is imperative Helena stays alive if we want to find a way to kill Arthemis.”
After placing his untouched bottle of beer on the table, Malachi got up and circled the table. He captured Helena by the arm and pulled her out of her seat. “Come with me a sec.”
“She isn’t—” Maya started to say.
Helena cut her off. “It’s fine. I will talk to him.”
Malachi pulled her along into the kitchen. He didn’t stop there and passed the storage room before emerging through the emergency exit. Once they were outside, he let her go and looked up at the night’s sky.
“Are all of your friends so protective and annoying?” he asked when he faced her.
“They are called friends for a reason.”
“I can see that you’ve made up your mind about going into Arthemis’ den the instant that vampire mentioned your friend was in danger.” His blue eyes bore into her as if he was trying to dissect her with laser vision. “Won’t you tell me where Diya is now in case you don’t make it back?”
Helena crossed her arms over her chest and raised a brow. “What happened to your confidence and getting me out when I need you to?”
“I had to ask.” He smiled. His mirth didn’t last long. It was replaced with a serious expression which he rarely showed. “You know what will happen to the vampires once Arthemis is dead, correct?”
She pursed her lips and nodded.
“And you’re okay with that?”
Helena lowered her arms. “No. I don’t want them to die.”
“It would have been easier if you told me the opposite,” he grumbled under his breath. Malachi got closer to her and lowered his voice. “Killing Arthemis now may be the best time. He is weak and in a body that’s not his. I could cut his head off while you and your friends distract him.”
“That’s not an option,” Helena shot back. “I don’t want Lucious to die!”
He looked into her determined eyes and cursed. “You will have time to think of a better plan until his body is restored. When that time comes, it will be almost impossible to kill him. He won’t fall for the same trick again.”
“I don’t need to trick him. I just have to get Lucious to surface and take his body back.”
“For someone who is about to risk their life, you are awfully optimistic.”
Helena shrugged. “We should go back inside. The others are probably thinking you’ve kidnapped me.”
“There’s an idea,” he said but didn’t do anything other than patiently trail behind her back into the pub.
Close to 3 a.m., the other hunters returned with the news that London was a mess and leaving it wasn’t a bad idea. They came across two possessed vampires and managed to kill them, but not before Burnell twisted his ankle trying to avoid one of their attacks. Freda was snickering to herself as she talked to Reynard in the corner, saying things like Burnell would no longer be fit for ballet. When Helena inquired about what she meant, Freda left the room in a huff with her husband rushing after her.
The meeting ended at four in the morning, and Helena staggered into her room. Her eyes were burning and sleeping in a bed was the only thing on her mind. She looked at the bed and scowled. Malachi was sitting on it with his legs crossed and his back resting against the wall. He had his hands knotted behind his head and a smile on his lips.
“What are you doing here?” she grumbled.
“I chose this room as my accommodation for the night. Letting you out of my sight would be problematic. I overheard that the amount of danger that follows you is abnormal. You may want to have your karma checked with a psychic.”
Helena didn’t have any will in her to fight him. She was in the middle of putting most of her energy into keeping Lilia at bay. They had decided to let Helena and Hans go to the Council building as long as Malachi could deliver on his promise to get her out if things went haywire. This gave her a chance to see Lucious and try reaching him. Maybe if she tried hard enough, he would gain control of his body, and they would figure out a way to banish the original vampire.
“No response?” His smile faded. “Too bad.” He slid off the bed and pointed to it. “You should rest. You look terrible.”
“Thanks?” She climbed under the quilt, pulling it up to her chin. “Where are you going to sleep?”
“Here, in the corner. Like vampires, I don’t need to sleep every night. Once every three to four days will do.” He settled under the window, facing the door. His white hair in the moonlight looked like shimmering silver. Once he crossed his legs in front of him again, he glanced at her. “Do you have something else you want to ask?”
“If you loved Diya, why did you let her kill herself for the ritual?” she asked, rolling onto her side to see him better.
Malachi gave her a wistful smile. “Clearly you’ve never met Diya. Once she sets her mind on something, she is hard to convince otherwise. You could say she is a lot like you.”
“She sounds like a complete opposite of Lilia, though the stubborn part must run in the family.”
He closed his eyes and a peaceful expression softened his beautiful face. “She was radiant like the sun. Her presence would bring life even to the dullest of moments. And, like you, she was willing to do anything for her family.” He inhaled deeply. “I can still sometimes smell her scent—waterlily and spice.”
Helena watched him with interest. No man could fake being in love to this extent. He seemed completely lost in his memories of the second fate, and the happiness he displayed didn’t seem forced or manufactured.
“Diya will be born as my younger sister in America soon. Mum is due to give birth sometime at the end of next month. I don’t know how she has taken my leave. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or explain my reasons. At that time, Lilia was determined to pursue her goals without asking me first.”
Malachi’s brows rose. “Why did you tell me where she is? Lilia would have waited until the end of the mission or omitted the truth entirely.”
“I’m not Lilia, and I don’t believe in destroying someone else’s love.” Helena rolled onto her back to break eye contact. “I know what it’s like to lose the one you love. The pain never goes away.”
Malachi’s voice softened. “Get some rest, Helena. You will need your strength for tomorrow.”
“Will you promise me something?”
“What?”
“Promise me you will keep my sister safe until she is ready to know the truth about what she is.”
He remained silent long enough that Helena had to steal a peek at him. He seemed thoughtful as he rubbed his chin.
“I wanted
to be with her as soon as possible, but I see your reasoning. No mortal would want to have a demon for a boyfriend, especially when they’re a toddler.”
“You haven’t met my family yet,” Helena said with a laugh. “My mother will probably try chasing you away with a cross and a bucket of salt.”
Malachi chuckled. “Knowing that she had raised someone like you, I’m sure Diya will turn out just fine.”
“Right, sleep time,” Helena mumbled and faced the wall. She felt like she could open up to Malachi without any judgement involved. And, although he was a demon prince, her gut told her that he was worthy of her trust.
17
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
LUCIOUS
T he place Lucious found himself in was dark and cold. At first, he thought he was inside his mental shields, but soon he came to realise that such was not the case. He was trapped in the heart of the original vampire who had taken over his body. The longer he thought about it, the less he understood why in that moment he had given up control. His desire to protect Helena was the drive for it and seeing Anna being vulnerable had stirred remnants of self-blame in him. He did not wish to kill his sire. The grief and guilt of what he had done were clouding his judgement. He regretted giving in to Arthemis and not leaving with Helena on that night at Stonehenge. Fear had riddled his mind with doubts.
What would happen to her if I ran away?
Without being on the inside of the Council and gathering information that could save her life, he thought he would be useless. He shook his head as he floated in the emptiness. No. He knew exactly why he chose to give up. He couldn’t face her after sending her away. He had promised Michael to let her go for her own sake.
Does she believe that I do not want her?
He had traded so much for his love that he began to forget who he truly was. His anger towards himself and the atrocities he had committed in the past had driven him into a shell out of which he saw no escape. Helena would be better off without him in her life. She deserved someone who would not endanger her or bring tears to her eyes.
Looking down at his hands, he realised that he could not see them. Not them or the rest of his body in the endless void into which he kept falling. Deeper and deeper his conscience sank. Eventually, nothing of him would be left. The sins of his past would stop haunting him, the tears on Helena’s face would dry and be replaced with a smile someone else would bring to her lovely face, and the rest of the world would keep on moving ahead one day at a time.
This isn’t like you. What about Anna’s dying wish?
His sire had kept many secrets from him. He did not deserve to be on the Council as some silly prophecy had said. Not only that, he believed that he wasn’t worthy of such a high position. All of his life he had spent in the shadows of the vampire community, making friends if the need arose and eliminating those he believed would hinder the path to his goal.
How could such a monster be on the Council?
And yet, there he was, fading because he could not fill the shoes Eliza and his sire had left behind. The Royals had taken over and there was nothing he could do. With the original vampire back, the order would be restored. Arthemis promised not to harm Helena. She would be safe by the side of the most powerful being in the realm.
What if he lied?
Lucious’ breath caught in this throat. He did not feel as if Arthemis was lying at the time, but he could not be certain. What if him abandoning his post would cause more harm than good to his beloved? Could he lose Helena to death?
No. She’s mine!
His spirit stirred. Eternal minutes ticked by in the darkness, and one by one his fingers began to reappear. It would take time to rebuild his spirit and energy, he knew that. He could only hope that Helena would wait for him and be safe. She was his light, and he was going to fight the darkness to get a glimpse of it.
ARTHEMIS
Arthemis clutched his chest. He felt Lucious’ soul sparking to life within him. It was too early for that man to regain control of his body. In the past week, Arthemis thought Lucious’ young soul would eventually fade or give up entirely. He was wrong. Lucious continued clinging to life and, without Lilia, he couldn’t erase that man for good.
Thinking of his mother enraged him further. Hans was late, and the other vampires who served the Council were incapable of finding her. She must have used Wiccan wards to keep them from locating her. In his frustration, he kicked the nearby coffee table, sending it flying across his chambers.
Kallias, Cenric, and Bion burst into the room, their eyes scanning for threats.
“What’s wrong?” Kallias asked.
“Your incompetence is unforgivable. How hard is it to locate one woman in this city?” Arthemis demanded.
Kallias and the other two sons bowed their heads low.
“We have searched every street,” Cenric responded. He brought his eyes up to meet Arthemis’. “She is a powerful sorcière. No vampire could sense her presence, not even moi ou mes frères when we searched for her.”
“That is not good enough!” Arthemis growled. He covered his eyes with his hand and thought of a way to locate her. Without her personal items in his possession, he would be unable to track her even with blood magic. His shoulders relaxed, and he smiled at his children. “Patience… Mother loved telling me that I was impatient when it came to the things I desired. I shall heed her advice and wait a little longer.”
Kallias bowed at the middle. “I will go out now and search for her until I find her.”
Arthemis glanced out the window. The weather in this country was dull and depressing. The clouds swarmed around the sun as if they were pulled there by magic. It was a perfect place to start building his empire and prove to his mother that he was capable of making her smile. Once she understood that he wanted the world to be at her feet, she would love him as any mother would.
A hound who served the Council knocked on the opened door and bowed at the middle. “Master Hans has returned with a woman.”
Arthemis’ lips shaped into a victorious smile. That Councilman had come back late, but he had delivered on his promise.
After Arthemis took a seat in the armchair by the window, he indicated for the messenger to leave. “Cenric, Bion, once I confirm that that is Lilia, you may free the girl from the cells below. Check on Hartwin as well. I am certain he is starving for some blood.”
“And what would you like for me to do?” Kallias asked eagerly.
“You must oversee the birth of vampires in this city with Laclia and Ealdraed. Do not let them run free.”
The three men nodded and left the room.
Arthemis ran the tips of his fingers along his lips, pondering how his fate was turning out. Lilia would not come to him without a plan. Had she changed vessels and was using the old one as bait? She had more than enough time to transfer her conscience to another body.
His eyes landed on the young woman who entered the room with Hans by her side. Her shoulder-length chocolate-brown hair and widened hazel eyes reflected her shock as she staggered towards him.
“Lucious? You’re alive…” Tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t wipe them away. She seemed too entranced by the sight of him.
Hans stopped her from getting too close to Arthemis by capturing her right shoulder. “Helena, you must remember that that’s not him.”
She slowly looked at the other vampire. It annoyed Arthemis, knowing that her attention was not on him. Not only that, this was not his mother. It was merely the vessel’s true soul who was in control.
Arthemis rose to his full height and outstretched his arms towards her. “Come to me.”
The girl looked nervously between him and Hans. She bit her lip and separated from the Councilman’s hold.
“Helena, he is dangerous!” Hans warned.
She ignored him and moved to stand between Arthemis’ arms. He encased her in an embrace and lowered his head to breathe in her flowery scent. There was no mistake, she smelled like
Lilia.
“Your lover is being released. I suggest you see to her,” Arthemis told Hans.
Hans’ jaw tightened. He spared one last look at Helena who gave him a curt nod. In the next second, the vampire was out of the room, leaving Arthemis and the girl alone.
She pulled away enough to see his face. Her fingers brushed his cheek with so much love and pain in her expression that he had to mentally restrain Lucious from taking back his body.
“You really aren’t him…” She sounded disappointed.
He was too mesmerised to speak. No mortal woman ever looked at him with such affection. Most females spent nights with him because they wanted to be a queen or feared him. None loved him for who he was. Such was the curse he had to shoulder for an eternity. His mother, too, did not help make matters better. She urged those women to flee before he harmed them or killed them.
Helena’s hand stopped on his chest. “What do you intend to do to Lucious?”
“He gave his body to me willingly.” He moved away from her to take in the sight of her. She seemed tired as if she had not slept well. Her shoulders were slumped, and she appeared uncomfortable to be next to him.
“Why would he do that? I’ve known Lucious to be a fighter. He would never give up.”
The silent accusations she fired at him with her eyes made him raise a brow. “Why do you love him? I have his memories and know of his past. He is a killer, yet you do not care about that. So why?”
“Because he completes me. We have shared a soul long enough for me to know that he is strong, dedicated, and caring.”
Arthemis snorted. “He is no different to me. As my mother would put it—he is a monster who preys on the weak.”
“I also saw Lilia’s memories. Not all of them, but I know how dangerous you are,” she replied, standing her ground. “Lucious would never slaughter a village for fun.”
“You think I killed because it brought me joy?” He laughed and lifted her defiant chin to make her narrowed eyes meet his. “I did what I had to do to protect my mother. They were going to kill her and bathe in her blood to see if they could reach godhood. The second they found out what she was capable of, they would plot and scheme to bring her to their level or sacrifice her to their gods. Fear and dark desires plague the hearts of mortals of this world. They seek the impossible, and they will not get it.”
Fated Origins: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Helena Hawthorn Series Book 4) Page 22
