Claimed

by K. H. Kate

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  PRESENT

  "Emeline?"

  The knock made me jolt back from the state I was in. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, revealing Zach.

  "I'm not too early for the training, am I?" His grin was too genuine which made it harder to not reciprocate it. The best thing after the shitshow I went through was taking 5132's advice into the heart.

  "Not at all." I pretended to be interested in his trinket as he started to lose the hook. "In fact, I'm happy to see what we are going to learn today!"

  "Today we're doing a magic trick." As soon as his words were out, the trinket fell on his hands, releasing a few souls in the room. I immediately recognized those blank eyes swirling around us. Sometimes they reminded me of Lex when he took his true form but I had to grit my teeth to not think about that man.

  "You always take souls, right?" Zach asked to which I nodded. "These souls can be used as a weapon if you want to. Now, I'm going to give you the same advice I gave Lana. They don't harm me as I'm their wielder but you be careful."

  My heart was beating too fast but not in fear. For the first time in weeks, I was excited. Those souls roomed around freely and Zach kept telling me how and where to touch for them to not freak out. As a soul ran through me, I raised my hands, touching the face that looked so small for it to be trapped.

  "He was just a kid." A breathy sigh left my lips.

  He nodded, coming closer. "I don't make the rules but he didn't want to go to Hell, you know? He fought everyone to escape his punishment but at the end of the day, we can't."

  My eyes closed in pain. The kid never had a choice, did he?

  "I'm upsetting you. I always end up upsetting people." I had to smile at the sulky voice. Zach was at a time funny and friendly but he was quick to blame himself. Something told me that it was because of 5132 and their past.

  "You are not, Zachery Carson." Zach groaned hearing his full name but I wasn't done yet. "No. You need to stop blaming yourself for petty things. Besides, if you keep it up, how on earth will you go through the engagement this week?"

  He winced. "For God's sake, woman, just because I let you use my bindings as your lab rat doesn't mean you can give me heart attacks any moment. I'm not talking about that."

  "But..."

  "The Volkioses wanted a grand engagement and that's why Mikhail is going to propose but I'm not a part of it, Ok?"

  My throat constricted like someone coiled a rope around my neck. Propose. I knew, of course. Mikhail wanted my blessing and asked me to help him choose two rings. I had been trying not to think about my own doom of marriage since then. I was happy for them, I truly was but it was hard not to think about Lex sometimes.

  "You know the rules, Zach." I heard myself say. "The Volkioses would never allow you to marry her. It has to be Mikhail."

  His face hardened and there was a faraway look on his face when he smiled. "Because fate made it that way? Because I'm really not her beloved?"

  Shit.

  If 5132 ever knew, I could already see the chaos it would bring. "Zach, that's not fair. 5132 is legally marrying Mikhail and she thinks you are ok with this, you were ok with it when she discussed it with you."

  "I know." Desperation clung to his gaze as he nodded. "I know and I am happy for them. So happy."

  "Zach-" Before I could finish my words, screams filled the walls of the whole manor and my blood ran cold. I looked at Zach to see him mirroring my expression. Without wasting any minutes, he called back his souls to go back into the trinket where I ran out of the room to see where the screams were coming from.

  When we finally walked into the hall, the anxiety building inside me was almost unbearable. What the heck was happening here? I wanted to shout at everyone.

  "Hey, breathe." Zach said, patting my shoulder.

  Easier said than done.

  There were some odd creatures lurking around the whole place.

  "I think they finally attacked." I said almost robotically.

  He nodded, making me follow him down a flight of stairs. We were entering another wing of the manor. In this section, the rooms were full of warlocks. As we passed open doors, I could make out shapes fighting demons.

  "Emie!" A panicked voice made me turn around but I wished I didn't. It was Lex, standing there as if nothing happened.

  "Oh thank fuck, you are alright. You are here." He tightened his fingers around mine. Zach took one look at our joined hands and left to help others. As soon as Zach left, I shoved Lex away from me.

  The pain in his eyes broke my soul but I had to keep myself strong. "Emie, please, we need to talk-"

  "I'm not dealing with you right now. I need to help others. You know...the people who actually matter and don't lie on a whim?" He looked like he wanted to say more but one ruthless glare from me shut him up. But did he ever stop?

  "I need to talk to you, little soul. You better hear it before I lose my life."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  "Emie!" I shouted loud enough for her to turn toward me. How many weeks had it really been? I wanted to grip her chin to make sure that she just wasn't one of those dreams that disappeared the moment I woke up.

  That she was real and breathing.

  "Oh thank fuck, you are alright. You are here." My hands raised without my permission, tightening around her own. She smelled like heaven and I could have cried. But before I could even open my mouth, she shoved me with a glare.

  For a second, I wondered what made her do that when I remembered what I had to do to make her hate me. I winced, closing my eyes. I really was a bastard. But I did it for her safety.

  She had to have known that I had a valid reason.

  With that new determination, I closed the distance between us. "Emie, we need to talk-"

  "I'm not dealing with you right now. I need to help others. You know...the people who actually matter and don't lie on a whim?" Her voice was monotone, with no glimpse of the woman I left. Was she too far gone? Did I do this? Pushed her to the brink of a numb state?

  No way in hell I'd allow that to happen.

  "I need to talk to you, little soul. You better hear it before I lose my life."

  Her eyes widened. "What do you mean by lose your life?"

  "I've made some pretty good enemies in the last few weeks. I'm sure the demon King will kill me and if he doesn't...Zed will." She started speaking but I put a stop to it. "No, listen to me. I need to tell you why I left. You deserve at least that."

  "You are not listening to me. I need some time, please."

  My eyes narrowed. "But-"

  "You crushed my heart without even blinking." The accusation rang loud and clear. "I thought I lost you when Cone stopped giving me updates. I couldn't feel your emotions, couldn't hear your voice, you totally shut me out. Even then, I should have only hated you. Not fear. God, I can't feel that fear again. What do you want from me? You don't love me, you don't let go of me. I'm tired of your games, I am so so tired. So please, I beg you, give me some time to pick myself up. Alexei, please."

  The pain in those words tore me apart.

  "You want me to beg on my knees? Fine! I'll do-" Before she could actually drop on the floor, I reached for her with a shout.

  "I'll give you time, Emie! Anything you ask."

  The disgust I felt for myself couldn't be anymore greater than the disappointment she felt for me before escaping my sight.

  "No matter what happens, I'm here!" I shouted at her retreating back, hoping that she heard me. But when she kept running, my form deflected, all the energy spent with a chuckle that felt just as hollow as I felt inside.

  "Darkness!" Hearing my name, I headed toward the entrance where the voice was coming from. Loud shrieks of the demons around me were the only thing I could hear. Did I imagine that voice calling for me?

  Where was it? Who could it be-I didn't have to think any longer, the moment I was near the entrance, I noticed Allegra trying to get her off a demon who was leaching
itself into her body. Anger raised quickly, transforming me into what I really was.

  "Hey!" Finally, the demon turned around and as soon as it did, shadows flew toward it. Those vicious beings tore through the low-rank demon's flesh, turning it into nothing but blood and ashes. Allegra's eyes were wide with surprise as she adjusted her hair which was now covered with the gore the demon left behind. Though in a minute, there was a smile on her face.

  "Remind me to never piss you off."

  "How did this happened?" I snarled, joining her to find where these things were coming from. I felt Emie's anxiety all the time but today for some reason I couldn't ignore my feelings. I just had to come back.

  "I don't know but they are not only demons but hellhounds and every other soul from Hell is now running around in my Coven." She spat out, looking at the things lurking in the ceiling and the stairs. I nodded half-heartedly. Whatever was going on, I wanted a clear head. Me being angry would only slow us down.

  Wait.

  Finding a window nearby, I broke the frame, satisfied with the long stick-like thingy I was left with. Now, I could move forward.

  "What the hell are you doing!?"

  "What do you think I am doing?" She didn't notice but the demon near her almost caught her when I shoved the stick into its body, hearing a howl. "Iron. Still works wonders."

  "Good intuitive."

  Hmm. I was ready to swing that in another demon's body when I noticed Zed standing in the corner with a strange look on his face. Was he chanting or channeling someone? Squinting at him, I still couldn't figure it out.

  I winced, remembering what he told me that day. That he didn't need me anymore. Was that what he truly believed or was it a moment of anger thing? I had to know it and for that I had to face him.

  Time to get this over with.

  "Allegra, have my back, will you? Master might beat my ass into next day. I would rather have no demon interrupt us."

  She gave me a strange look, rolling her eyes. "Fine."

  Quickly closing the distance, I opened my mouth to apologize but I couldn't find any words. Damn it. Why was it so hard to just say the words?

  "Zedkiel, I-I am so sorry. I-"

  He looked at me, sweat forming on his forehead. Was he sick or something? I tried once again but the words never came. Not when I also noticed the color of his shirt change quickly into red.

  No. What, no.

  "Zed-"

  "Run-" He couldn't even finish his word, his neck bending awkwardly until I saw the claw marks visible there. No, it wasn't happening. It was Zed. He wasn't, no...

  "Don't even bother. He'll be dead in a few minutes." Demos suddenly appeared behind Zed, wiping his mouth to gesture to the body now lying on the floor. The almost lifeless eyes of Zed made Allegra gape when I wasn't even sure if I was breathing.

  "Y-You-"

  "I warned you time and time that I was coming for her. You people didn't listen."

  "Shut up!" Fuck, what had he done? Skidding across the floor, I shook his shoulder. I called his name but he wasn't responding. Why wasn't he responding? No, fate couldn't be this cruel. He couldn't die.

  "Zedkiel! Come on, master, wake up!" I was not losing him. Fuck. Clutching his throat, I tried doing what my shadows were telling me to do. To feed him. It had to work. "Es, Alexei, comence Zedkiel Lytton, le eslah ek Moon clan oke fial!"

  "Nothing will help you now." I heard Demos taunt my shadows, his figure walking a little farther away from us to touch the other members fighting. Each of them fell on the ground and I was afraid to wonder what that really meant.

  From the corner of my eyes, I saw Allegra charge at him. "Ekere le dra vas!"

  Demos raised his hands as well, colliding with her own magic. They both circled each other, too busy fighting each other off to notice my shadows hovering over Zed. Good. I needed distraction to get him away from here. If this didn't work...No.

  "Come on, master! Don't leave me hanging. Es, Alexei, comence-" I slapped his face a few times. "Wake up!"

  "Lex?"

  Emie. She was here.

  Perfect.

  "Look, he's not breathing. Help him. Please."

  She looked at Demos. "W-What happened?"

  "There's not enough time! Take him, heal him. I don't care. Just wake him up!" She nodded, dropping down to touch his cheeks. I watched his face for any change but I couldn't find anything.

  "Emie?"

  She stared at me, tears in her eyes. No, no. It was not happening. "He's dying-"

  "Don't you dare! Don't you dare finish that sentence." She was wrong. Very wrong. "You always know what to do. You save people. You are my little soul. You are-a Reaper. You brought a spirit back then. You brought those people back too. That means you are the only one who can help him. Yes! That's our only way!"

  "Lex, if you are wrong..." She trailed off, her eyes widening. She must have seen something in my eyes cause she nodded, gulping. "Fine. Ok, I'll do it. I need to take him to safety first."

  "Come on!" I was just about to take them far away from here when Demos suddenly threw Allegra across the room. "Allegra! Dammit."

  "Allegra? The Volkios?" I heard his chuckle. "You are the cure, the third piece of the game. My mistake, I see Emeline is here too."

  No.

  "Emie, you have to do this alone, I am sorry but I need to stop him first. And you...you are so dead." That's the only warning Demos got before I took the iron frame I dropped on the floor earlier to plunge it into his stomach. Demos looked surprised only for a second.

  "Thanks for ruining my shirt." He whispered, grabbing the end of the stick to pull it out. To my shock, the wound healed itself and he threw the stick somewhere behind him.

  "Lex!" I heard Emie scream. Shit. What was she still doing here?

  "Get out!"

  "Corrium!" She finally masked herself along with Zed. Good, they would be gone. I might die but they would be safe.

  "No!" He grabbed me from both sides, forcing me down to my knees. I wanted to chuckle at him but the tail came out of nowhere, almost choking me. "I wanted to pretend for a second that it hurt so you can have some peace of mind. But then I realized I just don't care. Give me Emeline and all of this will be over."

  "Who said I wanted it to be over?" I smirked, spitting on Demos's face. He wanted my little soul, he almost killed my master. No, it was far from over. Before I could work out what I really thought of him, Demos brought a knife down fast and hard against my heart.

  Out of nowhere, I heard a scream, throwing Demos off of his feet.

  Shocked, Demos blinked from the ground. "What the-"

  "You missed buddy." Suddenly Demos was the one flipped on his back and I was the one with a grin. Good thing he only managed to scrape the skin before the shadows took over. They lurked all around me, hissing at Demos who still looked shocked at the change of the event.

  "I don't take very lightly to invading my home." Allegra gritted out, starting to chant something, the sound echoing through the room.

  "Hek ta ai rikes le nieyar. Ere kes na to ban."

  "I-I ahhh!" Demos hissed out when the black formless faces touched him. Once he realized the shadows weren't going anywhere anytime soon, he started to resist. Allegra was getting closer to him and my hold on him tightened.

  I was going to make Demos pay.

  "His tail is his weakest spot." Allegra finally said. "Break it with his knife."

  I must have looked crazed when I grinned back. "As you wish, Volkios."

  With that, I tried to cut the thick tail with the knife that was painted with my blood. Demos howled with pain, his face going red.

  "How is that for a tailcut? Imagine, between all the demons, you would stick out like a sore thumb. Like a King." I asked with fake concern. On second thought. "I wanted to pretend it's not hurting for a second but then I realized I just don't care."

  Still screaming, Demos's hands were raised in the air. Dark power flowed from his fingers, but it wasn't enough. The
earthly kind's power came crashing down around the hellish King and another scream ripped from his throat.

  Gradually, he stopped resisting and his body went limp. I let go of Demo's arms, forcing him to fall forward, crashing to the floor.

  "He's still alive." Allegra stated with a grim look. I nodded. I knew the bastard was alive, we didn't kill him. I needed him for answers and the Volkioses would take him for retribution. We almost had the same goals.

  "You all ok?" Zach asked running to where Demos's body was lying limp. I was surprised to see Cone alongside him. The demon bowed before going back to staring at the demon King.

  "I'm fine." Deciding I needed to patch this up quickly, I turned to Allegra.

  "Call Mikhail and make sure all these things have been taken care of." She nodded, already leaving to find Mikhail.

  Now I had to make sure Zed was still here, with us.

  "Little soul!" She jumped at my scream, staring at me with a look I couldn't decipher. Her hands were on him, her lips moving to chant when I barged inside. I looked at Zed next, his skin was turning almost blue. I tried my hardest to not come to a conclusion.

  The obvious one.

  "Anything?"

  "You're hurt. Where's Demos?" She whispered, making me notice the red blood dribbling down to the floor from my body. Honestly, I didn't feel the pain any more than I felt the anger. That Demos dared to hurt the people I care about, he deserved worse than a butchered tail.

  "In the basement. I honestly don't care about myself. Just tell me it worked."

  "Lex-I, he should have woke up by now." She started to shake. I could even see what she really couldn't say. It didn't work. "I-I really don't know what will happen now but when I took him here, he wasn't breathing."

  "No." I took a step back. "No. He isn't dead."

  Her hands raised to I think touch me but she shook her head instead, her voice accusing. "You almost died."

  "Your stupid fiancé's anger wouldn't have killed me."

  "Not his anger but the knife!" How did she know about that? "He almost killed you."