by Marie Mistry
When we finally pulled up on a deserted road in the middle of a forest, I looked around cautiously. Was this another forest picnic?
Bane got out of the car, took his shoes and socks off and carefully placed them in the footwell before heading for the treeline. Daron got my door for me and I slipped out to follow Bane, curious about what he had planned. The instant Bane reached the soil, he bent and dug his fingers into it.
“You always touch the earth whenever you use your power,” I mumbled, watching as the trees moved apart and the ground flattened into a grassy path before us. “Why?”
Bane shrugged. “Earth is … stubborn to try and bend to my will. But if I touch it with my skin, it makes controlling my gift a hell of a lot easier. I don't know why. Maybe Mother Nature just appreciates the personal touch?”
The conversation died out as he stood up and smiled at his friend, tapping the Bluetooth earpiece that I hadn't noticed before. “I'm linked up if you need me but I'll be dealing with security, so I'll stay quiet. Have fun, kids.”
Security? What on earth were my mates up to?
Bane melted away into the trees, almost literally becoming invisible as he moved through the plants.
“Where exactly are we?” I asked, as we walked towards the dark forest path. Daron pressed something on his tablet and three tiny drones, no bigger than my palm, sped out of the car behind us. The moment they reached the trees, tiny torches flickered to life, illuminating the path for us with low level lighting, no higher than my waist.
My imps, clearly unamused with the slow, meandering pace that Daron and I had fallen into, flew off ahead to investigate, leaving us completely alone.
“We are going to one of the oldest amusement parks in England. It's entirely abandoned, except for the annoyingly watchful security guards."
“Who Bane is dealing with?”
“He'll drug their coffee,” Daron explained. “Nothing fatal, I promise. Besides, we need them out like a light if I'm going to start the rides back up.”
We reached the park and my eyes lit up as I spied the towering loop of a rollercoaster over the top of a six-foot, panel fence. The slumbering beast was silhouetted against the dark sky by the light of the moon. It seemed to go up and up forever before twisting in a plummeting arc down to the ground. It didn't gleam like it should have; moss and rust stole the shine that should have been there.
“Is it safe?”
He chuckled. “Ferrokinetic, remember?” The nails on the fence panels pulled themselves out of the wood as if to emphasise his point. “It's made of metal so my gift will take over if anything goes wrong. I'll keep you safe, I promise.”
His last words felt like a vow and I smiled, leaning up to kiss him as he reached across and pushed the wooden panel. It fell forwards, leading the way into the abandoned park.
Stepping into a land where moss and plants had taken over was like walking into a post-apocalyptic ghost town.
As we passed, the park seemed to wake from a long sleep. Lights glowed back to life, music drifted from boarded-up tourist shops and the hum of machinery, long unused, sang in the background. Part of me recognised that it was Daron's other gift—electrokinesis—but the other half of me gloried in the spooky tingle that ran down my spine.
Maybe I was more of an adrenaline junkie than I thought.
The three drones turned their torches off and sped in different directions across the space, noiseless and nearly invisible. I suspected my Envy mate was using them to make sure that no one other than Bane was nearby. Daron tapped a few more times on his tablet, then switched it off and deposited it safely into his pocket.
There was an unmistakable medieval theme as we continued further into the park. The pointed turrets of the old entranceway spiralled upwards into the distance like something out of Arthurian legends. Moss-covered caricatures of knights and their ladies looked down at us from boards, which pointed the way to the different rides.
But it was the towering rollercoaster which had first caught my eye that Daron pulled me to.
A single cart sat on the track, all the dirt and grime that should have been on it gone, likely at Bane's command. Daron helped me into the cart before clambering in and pulling the restraint bar down onto our laps. As a final precaution, my mate pulled off his glasses, tucking them into a pocket in his jacket.
“Ready?” he asked, looking at me with a breath-taking smile on his face.
I nodded, the surprisingly addictive mix of fear and excitement robbing me of words.
He winked—my shy nerd actually winked—and the cart shot along the track in an explosion of speed that left me breathless and squealing like a schoolgirl as we shot for the stars, barrel rolling into oblivion. My euphoric scream filled the abandoned park around us, tears leaking out of the corners of my eyes as the cold evening air whipped past. My wings and hair streamed behind us in the wind and I gloried in the sensation of it all.
The benefit of riding on an abandoned rollercoaster controlled by my mate? There was no hour-long queue for a thirty-second ride. We went around and around five times before he brought our car to a stop in the loading bay.
“Having fun?” His hair was everywhere and I knew I couldn't look much better. In answer, I leaned over and kissed the living hell out of him.
His cheeks were pink when I finally released him. “Come on, there are other rides left.” Disengaging the bar, he pulled us out of the cart and towards the next ride.
I felt like a kid in a sweetshop, each ride making me giddy with excitement. The only thing missing was the candy floss and greasy fast food but Daron had packed another, spectacular picnic to make up for its lack. We ate sitting on the track of one of the smaller rides, our legs hanging over the edge, our thighs grazing, as we stared up at the cloudy night sky.
Chapter 6
Somehow, hours later, we ended up back on the first ride. This time, Daron stopped the cart at the highest point, undid the harness and we shamelessly made out on top of the world. My white knight left hickeys on my neck and we were both breathing heavily when he finally got his fill. Even if the cart was too small, and too precarious for us to go further, I still felt complete as we snuggled, watching as the pinks and golds of dawn just began to brush the sky on the horizon.
“This is perfect,” I whispered.
Daron just pulled me closer.
A few more minutes passed before the car reluctantly descended to where Bane was waiting for us.
“We should get back to Vice,” Daron muttered, stepping out of the cart. “But I have enough power for one more ride, if you two want a turn together?”
Bane looked at me, a question in his eyes. “Do you feel like breaking one of Blaze's rules?”
I grinned, still high from the adrenaline of the ride. “Come on, you have to try this.”
My Greed mate didn't have to be told twice. He hopped into the cart with the enthusiasm of a seven-year-old at Christmas.
The ride thundered to life beneath us and Bane's whoop of enjoyment carried over the chorus of the singing birds. Unlike Daron and I, who had gripped the restraining lap bar with everything we had, Bane had his arms in the air the entire time. His lunatic grin and shameless enjoyment made it all the sweeter when Daron sent us around for another loop.
When the cart lurched to a stop, leaving us midway around the track, both Bane and I looked towards the loading bay. We couldn't see anything and it wasn't long before I started to suspect my Envy mate was being sneaky once again.
“Do you think he's done this on purpose?” I asked, trying to remain calm.
Bane shrugged. “Either that or he misjudged the amount of power he needed and is frantically shouting 'mine' over and over again at his glasses.” I snorted and he shot me another grin. “Don't laugh, it's happened before.”
I sighed and leaned back into my seat. “Thank you for helping him do this. I've had the most amazing time.”
Bane nodded. “Daron's been more understanding than I really de
serve.”
“Agreed.” I knew it was blunt but I'd had enough lies from my Greed mate and if I wanted honesty, I owed him the truth in return. “He's a pretty devoted friend but, then again, I think people who don't make friends easily know a lot about the value of friendship.”
“So do the people who lose their friends,” Bane muttered.
We lapsed back into silence.
“Would you do it again?” I don't know what possessed me to ask, but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Was the information you got for the rebels worth it?”
He shook his head. “Never. To tell the truth, I wasn't exactly following orders. The rebels wanted me to seduce Lucinda and I tried for friendship instead. If anything, she was trying to seduce me. I just did the bare minimum necessary to maintain my cover. I know that my inaction doesn't make me any less culpable, but you wanted honesty and there it is.”
I steeled my spine. “You said you touched her over her clothes … How far … No, I don't think I want to know …”
Bane looked me straight in the eye and told me anyway. “It happened once. I touched her breasts and kissed her a little. One of my team realised I was in a tight spot and came to interrupt us before she got a chance to take things further.”
I nodded, clenching my jaw. “Thank you for your honesty.”
He sighed and sank back into his seat. “Does it make it any better?”
I shook my head. “Not right now. Perhaps someday in the future, knowing the truth might help the wound heal better.”
“I'll wait.” His breath was ragged. “I'll wait as long as you need me to. Give you all the space you need. Even if you decide—if you can't love me after… Ah, fuck.” His words cut off and I swore I saw the glint of moisture in his eye before he blinked it away. “I know I've fucked our bond up. I hope, if you don't want me, that it will make the distance easier to bear.”
I pulled the terrarium necklace out from my collar and fiddled with it. “I don't think I will ever be able to give you up.” I know I shouldn't have said it, but the way Bane's shoulders straightened made something in me ease along with him. “I don't want space. I want to work past this and put it behind us.”
“Then I won't stop fighting,” he vowed.
The car lurched forward, slower than before, and I forced a smile, trying to regain our earlier good humour. “Looks like Daron has his power back.”
But it wasn't just Daron waiting for us in the loading bay.
Blaze's green eyes turned icy as he caught sight of Bane in the car with me. When we skidded to a stop and Daron lifted the lap bar, my Wrath mate gently lifted me out of the seat and set me aside like a doll. Then, fast as a whip, Blaze turned and socked Bane straight in the jaw.
“You were warned,” he spat.
Daron grabbed his arm as he drew back for another punch.
“Enough already!” He threw Blaze's hand away and stood between them. “This isn't productive and neither is getting in the way of letting them make up. You always drag on and on about the Strange God choosing all of us for a reason; well, he chose Bane too! By all means, protect Lilith, but don't take your anger out on your brother-by-mating when it's not your choice if she forgives him or not. You are getting in the way of their reconciliation and it's not going to make it better for anyone in the long term.”
The three of us were shocked into silence by his unexpected tirade. I half-expected him to continue but instead, he huffed and marched out of the loading bay, jumping over the queue barriers and heading for the car we'd abandoned.
I sighed and examined Bane. Once I'd determined that, other than a split lip, he'd probably be fine, I followed Daron, only for Blaze to catch me by the arm.
“Sweetness, you know I'm only looking out for you. Maybe I wouldn't have done anything if I could feel you were fine with it, but I could feel that whatever he was saying was making you hurt.”
I sighed. “Sometimes we need to hurt to be able to heal,” I whispered. “I know your heart is in the right place but you just ruined Daron's date night with your temper. I would have thought you'd have the sense to wait until it was over to have a word. I expect this kind of thing from Aeron, not you.”
I shrugged Blaze's hand off and chased after my Envy mate. I caught up with him by the fallen fence panel.
“Daron, wait.”
Ever the gentleman, he stopped and offered me his arm. I didn't take it. Instead, I flung myself into his arms and held him.
“I'm sorry he ruined our night,” I whispered. “I was having the best time.”
Daron's slight smile reassured me that whatever fleeting anger he'd had was gone. “It's alright. I knew it was risky, but I wanted Bane to have the chance to speak with you. It's hard to make up if no one gives you the privacy to do so. I should have sent a drone to check for heat signatures. At least then, Blaze's appearance wouldn't have been such a surprise.”
I shook my head. “Let's forget about it now. There's no use in 'what ifs.' Besides, we probably ought to be getting back to Vice before someone misses us.”
Chapter 7
Undeterred by Blaze, Bane stepped up his game over the next few weeks. Chocolates on my pillow, brilliant bouquets of roses on my windowsill and the return of his trademark charm were just a few of his methods for winning me back.
As crazy as it seemed, getting closure from him on that ride had helped soothe the jagged edges of my heartache faintly, and that allowed me to enjoy the attention he was lavishing on me. I'd never tell him but I was already several steps closer to giving in.
Whilst what happened on the ride had helped Bane and I heal just a little bit more, Daron hadn't attempted to take me on any more date nights. I wondered if he was more bothered by the tension between Blaze and Bane than I was but, somehow, I never got the chance to ask him about it and, before I was ready, Kain was gently shaking me awake on the first of August.
“Rise and shine, Sunshine.” His soft, sleepy smile brought to mind all of the delicious things he'd done to me the night before and I snuggled closer to him.
“Mmm, you smell good,” I mumbled against his chest.
“I know I do but you need to get in the shower. Blaze is getting your escort ready for you as we speak.”
My eyes snapped open at the reminder of what day it was and I pushed myself up into a sitting position. “Oh hell.” It was the day of the Assembly meeting!
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and staggered my way to the bathroom, eyes still blurry with sleep, as I dragged myself through a quick shower. When I returned to my bedroom, Kain had made the bed and laid my clothes out for me and Jin was slouched against the dresser beside a covered tray, yawning. I gave my Sloth mate a distracted kiss as I stared at the outfit my mother had made.
It was a severe, black ensemble that looked stiff and uncomfortable. The short, ruffled and pleated skirt and plain, cropped white shirt weren't so different to the ones I wore at Vice, but the similarities ended there. Instead of a blazer, there was a short, double-breasted woollen cape with a stiff collar, full hood and gold epaulettes. My mother had left slits in the back for the garments to fall over my wings and the buttons were engraved with the Carazor crest. She'd spared no expense, down to the gold thread detailing on the hems and the Carazor crest brooch, which fastened the tall collar around my throat.
It made me wonder how anyone could take so much time over an outfit and still refuse to acknowledge the person it was made for. Was it right of me to wear something she'd designed? Was it the same as giving her approval to continue treating me the way she did?
Damn her for making me feel so conflicted about something so simple as getting dressed.
A scrap of white lace drew my eye to the assembled underwear beside the outfit. My mates had been having fun rummaging through my clothes and had picked out a full set of see-through lingerie.
I smirked as I slid it all on slowly, letting them see every detail, as I smoothed the stockings over my legs
and hooked my arms into the straps of the bra.
A light tap to my rear made me pause. “Stop teasing, Sunshine, or you'll never leave this room,” Kain warned.
“I wouldn't object,” Jin added, his finger tracing the edge of my bra.
I batted both of their hands away. “I need to get ready.”
They grinned like the unrepentant boys they were but let me finish dressing. Then Jin sat me down and wound my hair into an elegant French Twist. Every motion of their hands felt like they were preparing me for a battle and it set me on edge.
The final touch was my sigillary. The symbol of my station as Head of House Carazor, imbued with magic, slid easily over my crystal at the small of my back. The prick of pain and flash of warm power covered my body for the briefest instant, before the weight of the sigillary spread outwards, forming in familiar rings around my horns and the thumbs of my wings.
There was enough gold on me that I didn't bother accessorising beyond the daisy-chain bracelet which Daron had given me. For good luck, I also wore the heels Aeron had given me as an innocence gift, in exchange for my first kiss, so long ago.
Kain held his hand out to help me up from the stool and I smiled, kissing his cheek sweetly. “I wish you could both come with me.”
Jin shook his head. “Without a sigillary, we wouldn't make it past the doors. Only Heads of families are allowed into the Assembly Chambers.”
I breathed in a deep breath and nodded. “I know.”
Nelly had explained the rules of the Assembly to me in detail. The only demons allowed within the historic halls were the Heads of Houses. Each of them could only take one unshown servant in with them to see to their needs.
Once inside, the space was divided into the High Chamber and the Low Chamber and the rivalry between the two was legendary. The members of the High Chamber treated the members of the Low Chamber like second-class citizens and everyone in the Low Chamber was waiting for a High Chamber family to die out, so that one of them could have a chance to fill the space left by their absence.
The way Nelly had explained it, most Low Chamber families would hate me on sight, because if I had just declined the position of Head of House Carazor, one of them would have had a chance at being elevated to the High Chamber.
