by Bailey Dark
“I want to make things right between us, and that starts with my behavior.” Aiden rests his hand on my shoulder, and I tear my eyes away from Briar to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry. I’m going to try to be better.”
“Better?” I narrow my eyes, thinking of the way Briar obeyed him earlier. “Then explain your relationship with Briar – my future wife.”
“We don’t have one?” He scoffs, raising his brows. “You’re too jealous, Kane – women don’t like that.”
“I smelled you,” I growl. His words strike a chord in me. I know he’s right, too much jealousy will push Briar away. But looking at Aiden makes me furious when I know he touched her. “Don’t lie to me.”
Aiden blanches. “Kane, it was nothing, you know she and I spoke in the hall of your castle. That’s it.”
“That’s –,” I start, but I fall silent when a scream echoes from the alley. It feels like I’ve been doused in cold water.
I tear away from Aiden, shadows slipping away, and peer down into the alley. My eyes rake through the darkness as I search for Briar. I spot her at the end, partially hidden behind a thick pipe. A man is pressed against her. She screams again, though the sound is strangled and breathless. Rage and fear catapult through me with enough force to make me sway. I leap off of the rooftop, dropping silently into the alley.
I let the anger coil in my gut, calling to the shadows. Darkness races towards me, dousing streetlamps and lighted windows. It drapes itself around my shoulders and head, like a midnight cloak. My nails sharpen to claws and I feel all of my fangs descend. Each tooth is replaced by a razor-sharp fang, so long I can hardly close my mouth. I stalk through the alley noiselessly, letting the shadows hail my arrival.
The man who wrestles with Briar is twice her size. She struggles against him, but in her tight gown, she can hardly move. His face is buried against her neck and he grunts. Her cheeks glisten with tears. Briar's gray eyes find mine and she hiccups softly. My muscles tighten with anger at the sight of her. No one touches her. I pause behind the man, letting the darkness and cold caress him. He pauses in his assault, glancing callously over his shoulder.
“I’m busy here, fuck off,” he growls. The man freezes at the sight of me, shrouded in darkness with empty, black eyes. “What the fuck?”
“Release her,” I hiss, voice echoing unnaturally, coming from every direction at once.
“This one is mine,” the man says uncertainly. “Go find your own.”
I bare my teeth at him, and he lurches backward. Briar sinks down onto the filthy cobblestones, shrinking against the wall. I run my tongue over my fangs and lift a hand. Shadows materialize in my palm, solidifying into a long scythe. I can feel the man’s fear like a hot wind, and I bask in it for a moment. But then I hear Briar’s soft cries and the spell is broken. All I want is blood and death.
In a blur, I lunge at him, scythe raised. His scream is cut short as the shadows I command, curl around his neck. His eyes bulge from their sockets, locked on my nightmarish face. I lift my palm towards him and send him hurtling back into a brick wall. He slams into it with a grunt and slumps to the ground. I'm on him again before he moves, claws tearing through his gut. Blood gushes over my fingers, hot and sticky. Quiet joy swells in my chest with the adrenaline, and I dig into him with my claws over and over again. He doesn't fight back as I gut him – he can't. The sickening squelch of his death brings a grin to my face. He's half-dead now, barely breathing. His eyes are unfocused. I drop the shadows, revealing myself, and toss the scythe aside.
Blood coats my hands, like red gloves. I lift a finger to my lips and taste it, savoring the sweet coppery taste. It’s been months since I tasted fresh blood. I haven’t felt the need since Briar arrived. A shiver slips up my spine and I wonder what Briar might taste like. The ragged breath of the dying man tears me from my thoughts. I cock my head at him and smile, showing him the full breadth of my fangs. He’ll die and his last thoughts will be of the demon that slaughtered him.
“Do you believe in an afterlife?” I ask him softly.
“I-I do,” he stutters. More blood gushes out of his abdomen with the short words.
“You must know there is a place where the wicked go,” I say, running a claw over his exposed intestines.
He shudders in pain. “Please,” he whispers.
“I could never bear it if I knew you were at peace in my realm,” I murmur. “Not when you’ve attempted something so vile with my bride.”
“I-I didn’t know,” he says pleadingly.
I pat his head, staining his cheeks with his own blood. “That’s what makes you so wicked,” I say. “You didn’t care who she was.”
Before the man can respond, I plunge my hand into that gaping wound. He screams in pain, writing on the ground. I reach up through the mess of his mortal frame, hot blood soaking through my sleeve until I can feel his heart pulsing. I wrap my hand around it, and he freezes. His eyes roll back into his head, body trembling with a fit. Shadows seep from my fingertips, infiltrating his body, filling every crevice and opening with my dark power. The man's body relaxes, sinking to the ground as he dies. I watch the life leave his eyes with a small, satisfied smile.
Willem appears at my side. His pale hand snatches the soul and slips it into his pocket. I rise from my crouch, blood dripping from my fingertips. Aiden has joined us, lingering near the entrance of the alley with wide eyes. I merely glance at him before searching for Briar. She rises shakily, eyes wide and filled with fear. Fear of me. She doesn’t reach for me or dive into my arms as she did when I rescued her from the room filled with corpses or after I saved her from the Nephilim. But she hadn’t seen the true form of my cruelty then. And now, she’s right to be afraid.
I meet her gaze emotionlessly and slip another bloodied finger into my mouth. Her lips pinch with fear. Good. It will make breaking her much easier.
Chapter 10
Briar
I can still feel the man’s cold hands slithering over my exposed breasts. Even now, while I stare at his corpse, the shadow of his assault remains. Kane stands a few feet away, casually wiping his bloodied hands on his cloak. I drag my eyes away from the mutilated corpse to watch. His beautiful, full lips are lifted in the smallest of satisfied smiles. A shiver trails up my spine. He saved me from the man in the alley to be sure, but he did it in the most gruesome, painful way possible. And it was breathtaking to watch.
I bite my lip, picturing the way Kane stalked down the alley. Our eyes met once before he overtook the man. I remember feeling fear and darkness licking at my toes, but it never consumed me the way it did the man – as if Kane was protecting me from it. Heat courses through me and I pick at my nails, trying to distract myself. I shouldn't feel this way after watching Kane murder someone. But who knows what the man would have done if Kane didn't show up when he did. For all I know, I might be dead by now.
“Are you alright?” Kane’s voice breaks the silence. He quirks a brow at me and my blood thrums.
“Fine.” I sound raspy and nervous. I clear my throat and smooth the wrinkles in the cheap, satin gown. “Thank you.”
Kane eyes the corpse and the blood seeping in the seams of the cobblestones. “I shouldn’t have killed him. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“It’s alright,” I say softly, confused at his sudden show of remorse. I wonder if Kane has ever felt remorse before in his long life.
“You should have been more careful,” Kane says suddenly. My eyes snap towards him, away from the dead body. He glowers at me, frowning like a concerned parent. “Don’t let something like this happen again. We can’t draw attention to ourselves.”
“I’m not the one who crushed his heart in my bare hands,” I snap, anger sparking at his patronizing tone. “He attacked me, I couldn’t help that.”
“Then perhaps next time we get you something that will be more amenable to self-defense.” Kane scowls, staring as if I’m at fault.
Cheeks flushing angrily, I bend down and ri
p the dress from the hem to my thigh. I stretch, my pale thighs stark in the darkness. Kane’s eyes rake over my body, making me feel like my skin is on fire. “Here,” I say coldly. “I fixed it.”
Without waiting for his reply, I stomp towards the entrance of the alley. How dare he blame me for what happened? As if I’m the one who caused the stranger’s violent death. As if I forced Kane’s hand. I huff. I can take care of myself. I take a sharp right out of the alley and onto the street, not caring that I’ve left the three men behind. Kane warns me constantly about danger, and I understand – now more than ever – that gods and demi-gods and the minions of the Underworld are much more powerful than me. I’m still afraid. But I won’t be held accountable for something I didn’t do.
Halfway down the next block, I glance over my shoulder. The streets are empty, Kane doesn't trail behind me. An owl calls in the night and I shiver, the cold seeping through the thin gown and against my bare skin. Dawn likely isn't far off now, and it will be the coldest part of the night. I consider going back to the Diamond but change my mind when I remember the various activities displayed in the lounge. For all my bluster, I’m still not brave enough to face the darker side of human nature – the raw side. And Kane knows it.
I pause in the empty street, fingers curling around imaginary locks of dark hair. I wish I could face it. If I could, I might find myself back in our room in the Diamond, naked and tangled with Kane. At least, I could at least allow myself to with it. I shake my head stubbornly. He might be partially right; I should have been more careful. But in the rest, he was not. I must stop ignoring the little cuts he leaves on my soul if I’m ever going to find the strength to do what must be done.
Loose strands of hair brush against my cheek as the wind changes. I glance up at the starless sky, shoulders finally relaxing. By the Gods, I wish it didn’t have to be me. The air shifts again, rushing over me like a kiss. But it isn’t right, the flags hanging over the streets are fluttering in the opposite direction. I inhale sharply, fear lancing through me. I spin, eyes darting from rooftop to rooftop in search of the cause of the strange wind. My hand strays to my dagger and I grip it tightly, palm already slick with sweat. Suddenly, I see a black shape leap from the shadows of one rooftop to a position directly over me.
I freeze, eyes locked on the dark figure. Every cell in my body screams for me to turn and run, but I know if I do, I'm already dead. Red eyes blaze out of the darkness, pinned on me. The Nephilim. I pivot and sprint down the street, back towards Kane and the others. I can hear the Nephilim flying behind him, the powerful beat of his wings is like a soft, rhythmic hum in the air. It only makes me more frightened. My breath rips out of my throat, and I taste blood. I can feel my fingers trembling as I run, and I can hardly control them; the fear is so great.
I know I’m panicking, my teachers never trained me for anything like this. I swallow the scream rising in my throat in favor of pushing myself faster. I’m not far off now from the alley where I left them – but what if they aren’t there? My blood runs cold at the thought. Please be there, I beg silently. The skirts of my cheap dress twist around my ankles, unbalancing me on the rough cobblestones. I manage to catch myself with a whimper.
A figure careens around the corner and my eyes widen. The broad-shouldered man lifts his hands as if to urge me to slow down. I open my mouth to scream at him to run, to escape the Nephilim, but then his face comes into view. Aiden stands in front of me, speaking, but I can’t hear the words. All I can hear is the furious wind of the Nephilim behind me. I skid into his arms, clinging to his shoulders.
“Run,” I say, voice high-pitched and broken. “The Nephilim, he’s coming.”
"Nephilim?" Aiden says. His voice comes to me now, and I realize I can't hear the Nephilim's wings beating any longer. "There's nothing there, Briar."
I glance up worriedly, twisting in Aiden's arms to get a complete view of the night and the roofs. But he's right. The rooftops are empty, and there is no dark figure hidden in the low-lying clouds. "I saw him," I whisper. "He was here."
“Where?” Aiden lowers his chin, meeting my gaze evenly. His large hands run up and down my shoulders soothingly.
“Just down there.” I turn and point to the streets. “He must have run when he saw you.”
“Or you just frightened yourself,” Aiden says calmly. “You’ve been through a lot tonight.”
“No,” I snap fiercely, surprising myself with the force of my voice. “I saw it.”
"Saw what?" Kane asks as he slips out of the alley. His eyes dart between Aiden and me, flickering with darkness.
I step out of Aiden’s arms, but he doesn’t let me go far. “I saw the Nephilim,” I explain. “He was chasing me.”
“Are you sure?” Kane narrows his eyes, focusing.
“She frightened herself, it was probably just an owl,” Aiden says with a patronizing smile.
I frown, narrowing my eyes. “It wasn’t.”
Aiden wraps his hand around my forearm as if to comfort me, but he squeezes too tight. My lips part with a silent whimper. "It was probably just her imagination. Finding it on the first night? That seems unlikely," Aiden says, bruising me.
Kane watches emotionlessly, oblivious to my pain. He meets my gaze and I clamp my lips shut. I know what Aiden wants from me. “Is that right, Briar?”
“Yes,” I lie, nodding sharply to hide a pained grimace. “I must have scared myself.”
“In that case,” Kane says, turning away. “We should return to the inn and get some rest.”
“Great idea, Fearless Leader.” Aiden releases me and salutes Kane mockingly. He ushers me towards Kane’s side and slings an arm over my shoulder as if he didn’t just silently threaten me. “I think it might be best to keep you two apart.”
“Why?” Kane cocks a brow.
"We need our most powerful player, alert and focused." Aiden leers at Kane and me. "We can't have you staying up all night with your lovely bride."
Kane scoffs, lip curling. “What an amusing idea. I can assure you there’s nothing to worry about.”
My heart winces at his words. For him, perhaps, there would be nothing distracting about spending the night with me. But for me, I know my thoughts would constantly be stuck between my heartsick fantasies and my plot to kill him. Nevertheless, I don’t want to give up a night with Kane. “We both know the traditions,” I say quietly, cheeks pink.
"Ah yes, that two betrothed will keep themselves pure for the three months before their wedding?" Aiden snorts. "When has anyone ever followed that tradition?"
“Drop it, Aiden,” Kane says, looking at his brother coldly.
"Trust me, you'll be grateful in the morning that I kept you two apart," Aiden assures us. He tugs me in a little tighter and my eyes dart toward the indifferent Kane. "Briar can stay with me, and Willem can room with you."
Fear of being alone with Aiden for more than a few minutes lances through me and Kane purses his lips unhappily. “No.”
“Kane,” Aiden murmurs. “You don’t want to hurt her, do you?”
My brows pinch with concern, and I look questioningly at Kane. He stiffens at Aiden's question and turns a black glare on him. "You don't know what you're talking about," he says. His voice is dangerously, quiet and gentle.
“Don’t I?” Aiden cocks a brow and smiles.
I bite the inside of my cheek, questions swirling through my mind. What does Aiden mean? And why does it bother Kane so much? I look up in time to see Kane staring at me. His gaze darts away when I notice it and he squares his shoulders irritably. “Fine,” he snaps. “But another word about this and I’ll make you mute for the length of our investigation.”
“Good choice,” Aiden crows as we reach the Diamond.
Willem, who was silent during our walk back, flashes me a cruel smile. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy your evening.”
I keep silent as we trudge up the stairs, ignoring the dwindling crowd in the lounge. Willem goes into my room – Kane's room
–, and I see his wings appear on his back. Kane lingers in the doorway, his eyes meeting mine once more. My lips part in confusion and I take a step towards him. I want to ask him about what Aiden meant about hurting me. I want to ask him why he would leave me alone with his brother when surely he must know that I don't want it. But Kane closes the door in my face.
“Come on, don’t dawdle,” Aiden snaps from the door to my new room.
My heart clenches painfully in my chest as I envision a night with Aiden. Bile rises in my throat from the fear, and I press a hand to my stomach, trying to calm myself. I take one last look at Kane's doorway before Aiden locks me in.
“Alright, little mortal,” Aiden says from a chair by the window. “Let’s talk.”
Chapter 11
Kane
I listen to Briar’s heartbeat, counting the rhythm. Absentmindedly, I scratch at the fabric on the armrest of the chair I’m lounging in. Willem has left for the night, he wanted to stretch his wings. I saw him bring the soul he captured, and I suspect he’s bringing it to another Reaper to ferry to the Underworld. Willem is peculiar like that – orderly. Briar’s heartbeat accelerates, pulling me from my thoughts. I sit forward, eyes narrowed at the door as if I can see her through it.
For hours, I’ve left the bond open. I don’t trust Aiden with her. I only wish I hadn’t been such a fool to ever leave a weakness for my brother to exploit. If he hurts her, I think darkly, trailing off into a series of violent daydreams. Aiden may be a Minor God of Strife, but I’m the most vicious of them all. I sift through the bond, searching for her emotions, but they’re faint and hollow. It doesn’t sit well with me; Briar is usually so vibrant. I worry at the fabric of the armchair, moving my finger in time with her heartbeat.
I feel relief flood through her, followed by a sigh. Agitated, I rise, pacing in the rented room. I put Briar in danger constantly, as if she’s a magnet to it when she’s with me. But if we were to be apart, I know it would be painful for both of us. I’ll simply have to work harder to ensure her safety. And that means this is the last night she’ll spend with Aiden. I grit my teeth and loose a long, frustrated sigh. Even if that means I can’t touch her the way I did today. It will be nightmarishly difficult to resist her now that we’ve been bonded. But Aiden is right; I could hurt her. It was different with Lilith, she was a vampire, like me, and she was vicious in her own right. Briar is fragile and soft; gentle where others have been cruel.