by Liza James
“Jesus Christ, Luna. What the fu—” He scrubs his hands over his face again, forcing himself not to look at me but surrenders as I slip my fingers under the edge of my panties and slide them, soaking wet, down my legs as well. I’m already aroused again, it’s ridiculous. But my own anger mixed with the surprise and clear arousal in his blood devours me.
“No. Stop lying. If you don’t want to do this, fine. But don’t fucking lie about it. Don’t be cruel to get your point across.”
“I’m not doing this with you,” he states again.
“You realize, I’m the one person you can’t lie to, right?” I step toward him, relishing in the fact that he can’t keep his eyes off of me. They roam my body as flames lick across my naked skin, the heat within him envelopes me and draws me even closer, so that I’m only inches away from him.
For a split second, I think I see actual fear in his eyes before he completely shuts it down and goes back on lock. He leans back, resting his hands casually on either side of the sink.
“Stop keeping things from me. Stop refusing to teach me about the bond. I’ll train, no problem. I want Stella to train too. But we need to tell her the truth about what we are.” His eyes are hard and black as I state my demands, but he nods in acceptance.
“Fine.”
“I want Camden here too.” I push, willing him to go past his breaking point and claim me for himself. “He can help Stella and I with our past, and he can help train us.”
I pause, waiting, begging him to fight back about the Camden point. His eyes search mine briefly and I see the flicker of pain that I wanted to see, hoping this is the line he’s going to draw.
“Fine,” he states again and everything in me collapses at the yield.
He won’t even fight for me.
“Fine,” I repeat dryly and turn around. I walk out of the kitchen, leaving my sopping wet clothes on the ground behind me and go up to my room, locking myself in for the rest of the night.
I told Sam to leave. I had to. Things are getting far too complicated and hostile between Luna and I. Even I know when things are becoming too destructive for her to continue being a pawn in my fucked-up game.
She cried, she yelled, she even hit me. Because despite the countless times I told her I didn’t want any sort of relationship, she had grown attached. She lived here for a fucking week, one week. It was clearly the right move to kick her out, because things were about to get a whole lot worse.
We have been training the girls over the last few days without explaining to Stella the reason why. We chalked it up to self-defense lessons but were now going to tell Stella the truth and Luna was losing her mind over it. Nathanial and I told her we’d be there, well Nathanial said he would, and with Nathanial always came Camden. And there was no way in hell I was letting Camden be the one to partner with my brother to tell Stella the truth. He had already spoiled that shit for Luna, stepping up and taking my place. I wasn’t letting him take this.
Speaking of taking, Luna had basically stolen every ounce of the hold I had over her after the little stunt she pulled in the kitchen. I left the bathroom feeling like shit, but also feeling like I had finally made my point clear. What else did I have to fucking do to her? She was killing me by forcing me to destroy her.
But no, she won that fucking round. Catching me off guard in all her naked, sexual glory. The literal Goddess of my dreams, every single thing I could ever want, dangled directly in front of me while I was forced into rejecting her.
How had I had the strength to do that? I reminded myself of Amelia. I thought of Amelia breaking our bond seven years ago. I remembered the way I loved her before everything had gone to shit.
I thought about us fucking, Amelia and me. I thought about her naked body in front of my eyes. It was so fucked up, and I wanted to throw up everything in my stomach. I hated the reminder, hated the fact that had even been me at one point in my life.
But it was the single, only way I could find the strength to push Luna away. I was damaged. I was wrong for her. I had given myself to something so vile in the past, to someone so disgustingly evil, that I could never be whole enough for her. I wasn’t the same man I was back then, when I first fell. I would never be him again and who I was now, wasn’t good enough for her.
“So, spit it out, whatever the hell it is. I can tell you all are tense as shit and it’s freaking me out.” Stella’s spitfire voice broke through my thoughts and I brought my attention back to the room in front of me.
Luna and Stella were nestled together on the couch while they faced each other. Luna was nervous as hell, her foot bouncing constantly while Stella looked bored at the fuss everyone was making. I glance over, watching Nathanial in the corner of the room. He stood in the back, putting a distance between himself and everyone else while Camden stood level with me, encroaching on my fucking territory.
“Okay, I don’t really know how to start this but—”
“We’re angels. Fallen angels. You and Luna have Demon and Angel blood inside of you. You both are targets, that’s why we’re training you.” I speak the words in a casual tone, spitting them out just like she wanted them to be.
All eyes shoot to me, a mix of every emotion warring on all of their faces. Camden looks amused, Luna is livid, and Nathanial is anxious for her response. Stella on the other hand, looks relieved. As if she was just given an answer to a question she has been yearning to ask.
“What the fuck, Elijah!” Luna shouts, rage bridging through the bond between us.
“Luna and I are bonded through blood. It’s a long story, but it’s permanent,” I continue, ignoring Luna’s death glares from the couch.
“Well, it’s not necessarily permanent…” Camden’s voice confidently breaks through the chatter and my heated gaze swings to him. Luna’s does as well, as if he’s offering another fucking answer she needs.
“We aren’t severing the bond. That would be nearly impossible,” I grit out, anger coursing through me at him even suggesting the option.
“Why?” he asks, like it’s no big deal.
Because she’s my Fated, you fuckwit.
But I can’t say that, no one can know that except Nathanial. “Because she’s half Angel and Demon. She wouldn’t survive it,” I say instead, and an eerie smile slips onto his face.
“That’s true, there is a probable chance that you wouldn’t, Lun. We simply don’t know for sure how it would affect your mixed blood,” he starts, and I hate him for using a nickname with her. “But I’ve been working on something, a medication to temporarily numb the bond between those who don’t want the effects. It’s rare that people find themselves in the situation you’re in, but it clearly does happen. I want to help those people,” he finishes, his cocky demeanor back in place as he speaks.
A bitter annoyance simmers in my chest, spreading through my limbs at his attempt to offer her an out, a way for him to claim her for himself.
“Wait, really?” she asks and the genuine interest in her tone is a sharp blade straight to my heart. But I’ve done this to her, this is what I wanted.
“Yes,” he says, smiling at her. “It’s not ready yet, but soon. I’ll have it available for anyone who wants it.”
“She doesn’t fucking want it,” I snarl, stepping forward and in between Luna and Camden. He doesn’t even hesitate, he stands and steps up to me, squaring his shoulders with my own, a challenge clear in his eyes.
Fucking do it. I’ll destroy you.
Luna jumps up from the couch, rushing to stand between us and places her hands flat on each of our chests, attempting to push us back. Camden shifts a few inches, giving her the impression that she’s in control of him.
What the hell, Elijah? This is good news. I hear her words as they bounce inside of my head. I clearly dropped my block on the bond without realizing it.
My eyes fall to hers and search her, filtering her emotions as I try to find what she really wants. I shouldn’t be surprised when I feel that she does, tha
t she wants something to take away the pain. I can’t fault her for that. But I also want to punish her because of it.
It’s a trap. I whisper back, there’s no way he can create something like that unless he’s using dark magic.
She rolls her eyes at me and turns to face Camden, “Thanks, let me know when you figure it out.” She turns back to me, “If it does work, we’ll decide how and when to use it together. This is good, Elijah. We can have our own lives back. You can have Sam move back if you want,” she’s placating me. Telling me what she thinks I want to hear when in reality, it’s every single thing I fear the most. She knows I don’t want Sam. I’ve never wanted Sam.
Before, there was no choice. Even if I didn’t want it, we’d be linked for eternity. I glance over Camden’s shoulder to see my brother, confusion lining his features as he watches our interaction. He didn’t know about this little side project either.
“Well, honestly, I have a thousand questions, but it makes sense.” Stella breaks through all of our tension and stands, coming to join us in the center of the room. “Especially with you two, watching each other like you want to tear each other’s clothes off every second of every damn day.” She points to Luna and I and I instinctively take a step back.
I watch as Stella’s eyes glaze over for a brief moment, Luna notices too and I glance over to Nathanial, hoping he may understand whatever is happening. But for a second, his eyes are focused on Stella’s, laser sharp and unmoving as the same fog washes over him. Stella suddenly shakes her head, clearing the haze that had taken them both over.
“Wow, seriously. The sexual tension is like a fucking ocean. I’m drowning in it and I don’t understand why either of you are refusing it. Especially for Camden?” She turns to look at him and Luna’s eyes widen in terror. “You’re cute and all, but you aren’t bonded to her. Sorry, dude.” She pats him on the shoulder and looks past to Nathanial. “You. You have fucking answers that you keep hiding from me and it’s pissing me off. So come on, let’s go train and you can fill me in.” She turns on the heels of her dirty black converse and stalks out to the back patio, waiting on Nathanial to follow her.
Surprise and curiosity wash through me at everything she just said. Something is clearly going on with Stella and by the shock on Luna’s face, she doesn’t understand it either. Camden looks disappointed and pleased all at the same time and as I try to decipher his motives here, I notice Nathanial moving towards the front door.
“Where the hell are you going?” I ask, turning towards him.
“I’m leaving. I have other work that takes priority,” he states plainly, like he didn’t just witness or experience the strange interaction.
What the hell is going on?
Luna immediately jumps in, “But Stella—”
“She’s fine,” he growls out possessively at her and I can’t help but reach forward and throw him against the wall for speaking to her like that. I hear her gasp behind me and feel the presence of Camden as he steps closer to her in protection.
Fucking dick. I’m protecting her.
“Shit. Sorry, I’m going,” Nathaniel says, clearly confused by his own actions. I search his eyes, wishing we were alone so he could explain whatever is going on.
“Get your shit together,” I whisper as I release him with a jerk, opening the door and watching him walk through it.
I watch in pure agonizing irritation as Camden stands behind Luna, his arm locked around her throat while he teaches her how to pull herself out of his grasp. She kicks a leg back, unsuccessfully trying to catch him off guard and he laughs at the attempt, making her giggle as well. A low growl is grating against my throat and rumbling inside of my chest.
“Jesus, why do you keep pushing her away?” Stella laughs beside me, watching Camden and Luna.
“For a lot of reasons,” I state plainly. “Trust me, it’s better this way.”
“Maybe for you.” She pauses, inhaling a deep breath as she continues watching them. “But not for her. You don’t know what she’s been through.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I ask, glancing over at her. Stella watches them with intensity as Camden throws Luna forward and pins her beneath him. His arm grips her around the waist as he lifts her on her hands and knees. A knot forms in my chest as it burns my skin and rips across my bones. I hate seeing her with him, in this position no less. He looks like he’s about to fuck her right here in the open and I want to kill him for it.
“She’s been rejected her entire life, by everyone important. Except me, obviously.” Stella keeps talking but her breaths begin coming out in short, ragged intervals and that hazy fog begins seeping back into her eyes.
“By who then?” I ask, trying to continue our conversation and observe whatever is happening in Stella unfold. I want to split my attention between her and Luna but struggle to find balance. I need to focus on Stella for a moment in order to gain any sort of insight on her condition.
Her condition. Shit, I don’t know what the hell is happening with either of these girls.
“Our parents. They left us when we were young. I was a baby and Luna wasn’t even two. They dropped us off in the middle of the woods and somehow we made it to Safe Haven.” Stella’s words slam into my mind and cascade through my body like a swarm of ants, overtaking and inhabiting every inch of space available. “Luna doesn’t know the first bit though. I found out when I started digging around for information on our parents. Luna has never been interested in knowing about our family until recently. She never wanted to know why they abandoned us.”
I turn to step between Stella and her line of vision to Camden and Luna. She shakes her head again, bringing her hands up to rub at her eyes before meeting my gaze. I watch her as confusion lines my features. “When was this exactly? How many years ago?” I press, trying not put pieces of my life together that should have no relation.
“A little over twenty-five years ago. Luna is twenty-seven. It happened right before she turned two.” I stumble backwards, bringing my hands up to grip my hair as I turn to look at Luna. Her body is flush against Camden’s and I see the tension building between them. Camden’s hand drops to her waist as he yanks her tightly against him. They’re facing each other as his other hand falls to the back of her neck and grips her hair.
Oh fuck no. I turn back to Stella and see that she’s fallen into her haze again as she watches them. I feel everything spiraling out of my control as I try to understand what must be going on with Stella and I try to stop myself from tearing Camden away from Luna.
It’s not my place. It’s not my fucking place.
But I can’t. I can’t focus on anything else as I watch his head dip down and move towards her. In a flash, I’m behind her, wrapping my arm around the other side of her waist and tearing her away from him. I pull her against my chest, feeling her small body mold perfectly with my own as a growl bursts from my throat.
“Stay the hell away from her,” I say as I try to reign in the rage that’s flooding my system.
“You don’t have that fucking right,” he throws back at me, standing straight without an ounce of fear as his eyes bore into my own.
“I have every right. She’s my fucking Fa—” I begin, but quickly cut myself off, releasing her in the process as my eyes narrow on him. Thankfully, I don’t think Luna notices the comment. She’s too concerned with the fact that I intervened like this.
But this is all part of his plan, I can feel it. He’s trying to gain something here, knowledge, understanding, I don’t fucking know what. Although, I know he isn’t good.
The smallest smile tugs at his upper lip and just as I’m about to launch forward and charge him, Stella’s voice booms behind me. “Come on, Camden! Take me to Michael’s.”
Luna looks confused as she turns to Stella and pulls out of my grasp, hurrying over to her. I take a few more moments to calm myself, watching Camden as he follows the girls.
Everything is falling apart and I have no idea if I’ve
just told Camden that Luna’s my Fated.
“Michael?” I ask as I catch up to Stella. She’s turning quickly, a light flush working up her neck as we move through the house to the front door.
“My boyfriend, remember? Honestly, I need a good fuck. You all are a massive nest of raging hormones.” She doesn’t even look at me as she steps out the front door, like what she’s saying isn’t completely different than how she would usually speak.
“Stella, what is going on with you? How does Camden know Michael? You know everything now. I’m sure you have questions. We can talk about what you told me before.” I say, reaching out and grasping her arm in my hand.
Stella stops to look at me, but her eyes linger behind my head as Camden comes up to stand with us. “I’ve met him a couple of times,” he says casually.
A heat flares in her eyes for a brief moment and for the millionth time today, I’m feeling confused and surprised at every single person’s actions.
Stella looks like she’s ready to tear everyone’s clothes off.
Elijah is acting oddly territorial again.
Nathanial was distracted and frustrated.
Camden is the only one who seems to be his usual, determined self. He’s the only one who takes what he wants, when he wants it. I can’t help but admire that trait in him.
If only Elijah did the same thing, because he wants me, I know he does. Especially after how he acted today.
Her eyes meet mine, an odd gaze staring back at me. She looks unsure, confused, apprehensive, but then her face breaks out into a grin and she nods back at Camden, “Come on, lover boy. I need Michael.” She turns and waves goodbye over her shoulder while Camden nods in apology and follows her out.