by Maya Daniels
Grabbing the biggest mug I can find with “Witches brew” written in fluorescent green letters on it, I fill it to the brim. A groan escapes my lips as soon as the first taste of coffee hits my tongue. Closing my eyes, I breathe in the aroma of the dark roast and, in less than a second, gulp down half of it. There is a feeling in my gut that I will need a hell of a lot more then this huge mug to deal with today.
“Can we skip the groaning and moaning today, please? I think I suffered a trauma,” Jezzinta quips, and the rest snicker again, though some of them cough to try to cover it. I glare at them over the rim of my mug. This only makes them laugh out loud.
“Okay, keep it up and get it out of your system so we can get moving,” I snap.
“You would think she’d be happy and relaxed after so many orgasms. No such luck, huh?” Faith says loud enough that I think can hear her from the main road.
My face burs, and it’s so hot I can fry an egg on it. They burst out laughing again, at least until Daisy quiets them. I give her a grateful smile that she returns but there is no mistaking the humorous twinkle in her eyes.
“Jez, open the ground so I can jump into it and not have to listen to all of your shit today, please,” I say sweetly. It doesn’t fool them; they still laugh. Would it be wrong to zap them with magick? I sigh. It probably would.
As I’m debating this, the angel struts in and heads for the tea. After making his cup, he leans on the kitchen counter, pulling me to stand in front of him. Automatically, I glance at everyone, and they all stare with huge smiles on their faces.
“Okay, enough! This is not a circus, and I’m not a monkey.”
“That’s debatable, Sap.”
“Good point, Jez.” I can’t help but laugh at that, and I hear Lucifer’s laughter rumbling in his chest.
“I messed up, guys, for not waking up early this morning, so I guess we’re leaving as soon as it gets dark.”
“It’s no big deal, Alexia. We already have our destination figured out, thanks to Meda. That saved us some time, I’m sure.” Remi waves away my apology. I’m about to thank her, but her next words make me change my mind. “Plus, if I had to deal with the tension between you two for one more day, I was going to strip you both naked and stand next to the bed until I saw with my own eyes that it was over and done.”
I glare at her. Lucifer chuckles again and I elbow him in the stomach. It hurts my arm, but hearing his grunt because he wasn’t expecting it is very satisfying.
“Luc, she’s very prickly this morning, my man. Maybe I should’ve talked to you about what human women like before letting you swim blind,” Philip says, his face serious as he peers at Lucifer over my head.
Lucifer stiffens behind me, and I can’t help it. I burst out laughing and everyone else joins me. After a second, his shoulders drop and he chuckles, as well.
“Do not give me nicknames. The only human between us two, ‘my man’”—Lucifer makes quotes with his fingers (he learned this from Will and has been using it every chance he gets), looking at Philip with his eyes narrowed to slits—“is you. And I do not need lessons on how to please a woman, as I am sure you all heard … many times through the night,” he finishes puffing his chest out. I expect cheerleaders to start jumping around and some old bald guy to put a medal around his neck.
“I’m going into the woods to meditate. I’ll let you all stay here and talk shit, since it’s like I’m not present anyway.” I step towards the outside door before I finish talking. “Alone, Lucifer. No one is going to steal me away while I’m in front of the house,” I tell him when he decides to follow me.
I doubt I convinced him to leave me alone for a little bit. No, Remi mumbled something I couldn’t hear, and that was when he let me get away, though his peepers burned holes into the back of my head.
He can get over it! I need some “me” time to figure out the storm brewing in my heart.
Chapter 9
Lucifer…
Watching Alexia’s retreating back makes the hairs on my neck stand up. I shall let her go to the woods and I will follow shortly. I do not know what these emotions are that sit, churning in my stomach, making me think if I take my eyes off her for even a moment, something is going to happen. I have never doubted myself, but the witch makes me doubt everything. Is it my protective nature trying to shield her from everything that is making me edgy? Or is there something I cannot yet see that is making me experience this fear?
“Let her go, angel. She needs to sort herself out,” Remi says softly, and I only hear her because of my enhanced hearing.
I want to ignore her and take one step to follow Alexia, but seeing Daisy shake her head slowly makes me stay where I am. Maybe they are correct. It’s not like Alexia is a helpless woman who needs me hovering over her. Her powers are getting stronger by the second. No, it is not because I’m too protective. I need to be honest with myself. It is the fear that she will slip through my fingers as she has so many lifetimes before that has me fretting like a mere mortal. I am very glad no other entity, god or goddess alike, is here to witness this. I care about the witches and the fairies … even the humans. Somehow, they have all become part of my family, and that is a sobering thought. Alexia has changed me more than I anticipated. I like to think I am being nice to them all because she cares about them, but the simple truth is that they are an infectious lot that work their way right into your heart. You cannot help but care for them after seeing their love and loyalty to each other, even the new additions to the group.
Leaning back against the kitchen counter, I watch them talk quietly with each other and can’t help but smile. If anyone is worthy of having a peaceful and happy existence, it’s these souls here. They still manage to smile and laugh, even after everything the fates have thrown at them.
“Soon things will be over and you shall not worry about Alexia or yourself any more.” I have no idea why I say that, but they all stop talking and solemnly look at me like I’m a gospel messenger. There is hope and reverence in their eyes, which makes my gut twist. I cannot promise anything to them, for not even I know what the fates have in store for us all. “I do not know what will come,” I clarify. “All I know is that I shall do my best to help make it so. I will protect Alexia with everything I am. I will do the same for you as well.”
“We know, Lucifer. Thank you for being there for her, for all of us.” Remi nods her head.
“Yeah, we’re grateful as well, angel,” Archie adds, and Will looks deep into my eyes for a moment before nodding, too.
It is a very good feeling, so I do not know why it tastes bad in my mouth, like a lie. I open my mouth to say more, but a blast of power hits the house, making the windows shake. I stand frozen for a second, the shock of it taking precious moments away before my brain catches up as to what this may mean. Then I catapult out the door, followed by everyone else. If anything hurts her, I will destroy this damn realm and everything and everyone in it!
As we all bolt to the woods across from the house, we are surrounded by burning trees. The air is thick with smoke and the crackling sounds make the scene eerie. Alexia stands in the middle of the raging fires, a vision that stops me in my tracks. Her arms are raised above her head holding a circle of fire between them. She looks like an avenging goddess and my chest hurts from the bursting pride seeing her like that. Trapped within the circle are hundreds of snakes with pitch-black eyes. They spit acid venom, trying to free themselves but to no avail.
Her hair floats around her head like she’s under water, making the entire scene unreal. Looking closer at the fires around us, I realize they burn like a shield around the trees but the trees themselves are not on fire. What a smart witch. She protects nature even when she fights to protect herself. Respect for the person she is fills me as I come up to her and stand at her back.
“Don’t just fucking stand there. Do something,” she growls, peering at me over her shoulder. Her eyes flash with anger and a sense of victory that is impossible to miss.
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Before I say or do anything, the others reach us, powers mingling and linking together. The flames leap higher when Faith adds her magick to Alexia’s. Winds pick up, making sure that not too much energy is used to keep the circle of fire going, and I see that’s Remi’s doing. The ground starts to shake, and it opens under the circle, swallowing the snakes in its depths as Alexia lowers them slowly. Jezzinta kneels next to Remi, her palms pressed firmly on the grass, her head bowed down like in prayer. Meda and Daisy mumble incantations and purple shadows follow the snakes down before the soil molds together again like nothing ever happened. Within a moment, the wind stops, the flames and fires go out, and the quiet of the woods surrounds us like a comforting blanket. It is the most impressive display of their powers and love for each other I have ever seen. Like an orchestrated dance, they all move at the same time, coming around Alexia, encircling her with their arms, assuring themselves that they are all fine. The rest of us stand frozen, watching the unconditional devotion of these women, and I know we are all humbled by it. If I worried that Tiamat would somehow find a way to stand in their way, this moment removed those concerns.
Alexia is afraid they might get hurt on this journey, but I believe she finally realizes it is not just her journey to take. They must all do it together if they are to succeed, and I will be there to make sure they do. Her gasp makes me push everyone away and grab her to my chest, looking franticly around for the threat so I can remove it, but I see nothing. Looking down at her, my eyes widen in surprise.
Chapter 10
Alexia…
Shoving Lucifer’s arms away so I can look at my hand properly, I stare dumbly at it. I feel the heat, but I don’t pay close attention until it becomes unbearable. Now I can’t do anything but stare, grinding my teeth so I don’t cry out. The pentagram that Azalea branded me with is pulsing and radiating heat like a furnace. It glows like there’s molten lava churning under my skin. It’s getting worse by the second, and I’m not sure how long I can hold on before I pass out.
Lifting my eyes to Lucifer, I see him staring as well, his eyes round with wonder. Is he aware I’m in pain here?
“Fuck, this hurts! It’s getting worse, too. Like my hand is on fire!” I tell no one in particular.
They all gather around, and I see their worried faces. Just like me, they have no idea what to do about it. Lucifer, however, does not suffer from doubts. He grabs my hand between his palms and his power seeps into my skin. For a moment, nothing happens, and I’m about to pull away when blessed coolness covers my palm. I almost cry at the relief. The pulsing light between his pecs gets my attention and I look at the ruby around his neck, which is getting brighter in color, joyfully bouncing off our faces. A few moments later, he releases my hand and kisses my forehead.
“Come, let us go inside so we can talk.” Interlacing our fingers, he leads me towards the house and I numbly follow. Something happened. Something important, but I have no idea what.
* * *
“What happened out there, Al?” Daisy is the first one to speak as soon as we settle in the living room.
“I just started my meditation when I heard the noise. Leaves rustled like something was dragging a stick through them. Lucky I opened my eyes because one of those snakes was about to sink its fangs in my thigh.” I shiver at the memory of seeing the snake’s open mouth dripping venom, ready to strike.
“I don’t get it. How were they able to enter the property?” Remi muses softly, her eyebrows drawn low and her lips pressed into a tight line.
“That’s what I was wondering, too.” I lock eyes with her.
We both turn towards Archie and Will. At first they look solemnly at us, and after a moment it registers on their faces that they understand what we’re thinking. They both jump up at the same time, anger clouding their faces.
“Now wait a goddamn minute here!” yells Will.
“You can’t be fucking serious to think we had anything to do with this!” Archie asks incredulously.
“We are not accusing anyone. But they got past the wards and protection somehow.” Remi’s emotionless voice pierces the air like a shot.
“I don’t see you looking at her,” accuses Will, pointing at Faith.
“Piss off.” Faith very nonchalantly flips him the middle finger, looking bored.
This makes Meda giggle and Jezzinta grin at Faith. I shake my head and see Remi doing the same. Daisy just sits there with her hands covering her mouth. I’m not sure if she’s trying to hide a smile or trying to keep herself from saying anything.
“I have a soul bond with Faith. If she meant me harm, it wouldn’t have happened,” I tell them slowly, giving them time to process the information.
“After what happened in the woods just now, the witches are all bonded,” Lucifer adds like it’s an everyday occurrence for people to bond their souls. We all gape at him and he continues. “Why are you all gaping at me like fish out of water? You cannot tell me you did not feel that bond out there. I felt it, as I am sure they all did.” He waves his plate-sized palm towards the men.
“I thought only I felt the bond forming. I didn’t think you all did,” I mumble through pursed lips, looking around at my sisters.
“I suppose you can’t get rid of us now, Sap. How brilliant!” Jezzinta says with glee, and I glare at her in return, which only makes her laugh.
“You all have a death wish.” I snap.
“Yup, we learned from the best. From you.” Remi just can’t let it go.
“Anyway”—A heavy sigh escapes my lips—“what were those things?” I look at Daisy. She always knows more than the rest of us.
“They are one type of the monsters Tiamat created for her army,” she says through numb lips.
“She has a fucking army?” I scream as I jump to my feet, horrified.
“Of course she does,” Lucifer says slowly like I’m a simpleton, and I whirl on him.
“You didn’t find that little piece of information relevant to share?” I scream in his face.
“Calm down, Alexia. I did not know you were unaware of it. It is common knowledge among the rest of us. I would have expected Inanna to inform you of it. You are aware of many things, and it did not cross my mind to start quizzing you about the gods.” He glares at me like I’ve insulted him. See how much I give a damn.
“I know nothing about Tiamat, apart from the fact that she’s been hunting me in every lifetime. Killed me in each of them, and in this one, she killed my grandmother because she couldn’t find me. All that because she wants the tablets of destiny and she thinks I know where they are or that I have them.” I cross my arms over my chest and loom over him. He zeros in on my breasts, and I glare at him, making him chuckle. Asshole.
“I do find it unusual that Inanna did not find it necessary to inform you about Tiamat and her quest for the tablets. She never said anything to you?” He looks at me suspiciously, like I’m trying to trick him. I kick his legs, which are stretched in front of him, making him growl.
“I wouldn’t be asking if I knew, angel.” Throwing my arms in the air, I start pacing like a caged animal.
Vessel or not, Inanna is starting to piss me off. What kind of a goddess screws around with her vessel, while said stupid mortal risks her life and the lives of her loved ones to do her bidding? Something is not right in this whole cluster-fuck, and I have every intention of figuring out who’s playing games with our lives.
“Did she mention anything about your connec—” he starts but Daisy elbows him, making him growl and glare at her. Some silent communication goes on between them, and he turns to me with his lips pressed in a tight line.
“Did she mention what?” I lift my eyebrows at him.
“The story about Tiamat and why she is searching for the tablets,” Daisy answers my question instead of Lucifer. He is still sitting with tightly-pressed lips, as if the words will escape on their own accord if he opens his mouth.
“That’s not what he was going to say,”
I point out.
“No, it’s not, but it’s the only thing he is allowed to say at this time,” she says gently.
“More games, more plotting, more riddles.” Shaking my head, I make my way towards the kitchen. “Anyone want coffee? And, Remi, where did you hide those smokes? I need them like yesterday,” I say over my shoulder as I head off to satisfy my addiction for coffee.
Chapter 11
Lucifer…
Keeping my lips pressed together for fear of saying something I will regret later, I look at Alexia’s retreating back for the second time today. It is not even noon yet. I have a strong urge to call her back and tell her everything, but the fear of something happening to her if I reveal too much keeps me mute. It’s not easy, and I turn all my frustration and anger on Daisy.
“Why hasn’t she been told?” I growl at her, my words sounding more animal than human.
“That I can’t answer. Maybe she wasn’t ready?” Daisy says, uncertain.
“I shall get to the bottom of this. You’ll keep her in this house until I’m back if you value your life.”
I don’t wait for the old witch to answer. I sneak out of the house as quietly as I can and head for the woods. I don’t need anyone seeing what I’m about to do, especially not Alexia. Something doesn’t feel right, and I will know what it is today or heads will fly.
As soon as I’m far enough away that no one in the house will notice the signature of a portal opening, I wave my hand and step through it without breaking my stride. I’m in no mood to practice patience. Squinting, I try to get used to the difference in light. The scene greeting me is not what I expect, and my anger deflates immediately.
I’m in the middle of Inanna’s temple and there is not a soul in sight. There is no sound anywhere, no matter how hard I focus my hearing. She’s sitting on the ground, leaning against the altar, and she eyes me with tired, red-rimmed eyes. My stomach clenches like the Creator is squeezing it with an iron fist. Something is horribly wrong. I know it before I hear her say a word.