“You may not notice the change immediately.” With that, Luke began to walk away but Daria stopped him.
“You never answered my question.”
He let out a bitter laugh. “Jason will never embrace the power he has and never rule. Therefore, I will never bless your marriage. He has defied his family,” he spat. “Better that Alastor kill him, than let him join his uncles.”
The words swept over her like a Chicago wind chill. He stood there, daring her to contradict him. Then, Luke threw a quick glance to the empty hallway. Was it to check if they were alone? Or did he hope someone had come by?
Hard, cold eyes met hers. “We live in dangerous times, Daria.”
“You don’t need to remind me. I know well enough how dangerous my life has become,” she replied. Yet she had the distinct impression his statement had nothing to do with her individually.
“I love my children,” Luke repeated, his voice now gentle and soft. “They came to being after the war. After the dust settled. Even Alastor and Candy, though they have killed, have no idea what horrors still lie ahead. I do not wish that upon them. But it is not something I can control.” He paused. “My youngest would break.”
“He’s stronger than you think,” Daria shot back.
The corners of Luke’s lips curved as he mulled over her words, silently, for many long seconds. Finally, he nodded. “You will develop great powers. When that time comes, you’ll have to choose sides.” He departed, leaving her dazed.
His statement held hidden meaning but she didn’t understand any of it. Luke spoke of something yet to occur. Prophesied of something larger and out of everyone’s control. Obviously, he wanted to spare his children from this mysterious threat that loomed over them. But his evasive comments shed little light.
Jason was warm, friendly, and caring as well as being the silent, foreboding shadow who protected her. Both sides made up the whole man, and she didn’t care which one he chose to be in the end. He had it in him to be a cold-blooded killer. She understood that. But he wasn’t. He was sweet and loving. If he chose to kill Alastor she’d support his decision, after she tried to persuade him otherwise. If he had to become a killer to fight off whatever Luke thought came for them, so be it. It wouldn’t change her feelings.
Footsteps approached and she stood to greet Miller.
“You’re up early,” he observed.
Yes, much too early for a battle of wills with Lucifer or any future in-law. Too early to decipher cryptic double entendres. Unwilling to share her thoughts, she remained silent.
When she didn’t respond, he added, “How about some breakfast?”
Daria plodded to the kitchen and planted herself next to the counter as he pulled out frozen waffles. He popped the waffles into the toaster oven and placed a mug under his espresso machine. The smell of coffee and sweet bread soon wafted through the kitchen and her stomach growled. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was.
A few minutes later, they sat side by side on the bar stools in front of the kitchen island. Between gulps of juice, Miller asked, “Sleep well? How are you feeling? Notice anything different?”
“No.” And she really wished she did notice something different. Something that allowed her to step outside with the freedom to defend herself. “I guess maturation isn’t all that glamorous.”
Miller chuckled. “No one knows what actually happens at maturation except it’s a turning point. If the creatures drink your blood now, they will receive the pinnacle of power transfer. It’s very tempting to wait. But they have to gamble you won’t kill them first.”
“I don’t want to kill anyone, just scare them enough to go away.”
“Okay. What else is on your mind?”
“So much, I can’t even begin.” Her life lay in a jumbled mess, like opening a box of puzzle pieces for the first time. Though she had begun to assemble the pieces in the last few days, gaping holes remained in her picture. “Luke ambushed me earlier and said some really interesting things. I can’t figure him out.”
Miller snorted. “It’s Lucifer. Why would you think anyone could figure him out?”
Daria studied the milky brown liquid in her mug. The coffee seemed clearer than Luke. “He says he loves his children,” she murmured. “I believe that. He worries about Jason. But why have them fight?”
The answer came to her as soon as she asked the question. Luke was trying to protect Jason. Toughen him up to prepare for the future. Didn’t he say he wasn’t sure Alastor and Candy could handle the doom and gloom he spouted? Luke really did love his children. Why hadn’t she realized that earlier?
“Jason’s always been a black sheep in that family,” Miller replied. “The rest of us think he’s more normal.”
She threw him a sidelong glance. “Luke says something is going to happen.” Daria chewed on her lip as she replayed the conversation in her mind. “I think it’s about the uprising in Hell.”
Miller glanced out the window and nodded absently. “I’ve been thinking about that since I woke up. The coalition isn’t here. I wonder if they’re in Hell.” He glared at her. “Don’t even think about trying to help.”
Her eyes widened in innocence. “It hadn’t occurred to me.” But of course, now that Miller brought it up, she was thinking about what they could do for Damien.
“You need to worry about yourself first,” Miller grumbled.
Daria looked around to make sure they were alone. Then she leaned in close and whispered, “Speaking of which, Jason said he needed your help. Has he talked to you yet?”
Miller stabbed his waffle with the fork. “Maybe. What if I said I couldn’t help?”
A protest formed on the tip of her tongue. Then she noted Miller’s grim face. “What is it? Why can’t you help?”
“Do you even know what Jason is asking?”
She stared into those big eyes. Only this time, she was the one trying to peer into his soul.
“He said something about sanctioning our marriage. I assume that once it’s sanctioned, the creatures will go away. It sounds like a contract loophole.”
His lips drew into a thin, bitter line. “You’re thinking like an attorney. And you’re right. A sanctioned marriage is an exception to the rules. It allows the marriage outside the scope of the laws. But there are only two ways to get that. The first one already failed.”
“Luke said no,” she sighed.
Miller nodded. “That leaves only one option.”
Daria waited for Miller to continue but he didn’t, preferring to sip his coffee and chew on his food. When she couldn’t take the wait any longer, she cried, “Are you going to tell me or not?”
“Why hasn’t Jason told you?”
Her brows crinkled, bemused. She hadn’t thought about it until now, given all that had happened. But the way Miller asked, he made it sound purposeful.
“He hasn’t told you because you might refuse,” Miller answered for her.
“Why?”
“It’s not my place to say. I can help you, but there will be consequences, Daria.”
All his loaded statements sent jitters through her. “What are you implying? What consequences?”
He countered with yet another question. “How much do you want to marry him?”
“Jason is adamant we marry. I might tease him a little sometimes, but he knows how I feel. And yes, I want to marry him, too.”
“No matter the consequence?”
“Yes.” If Jason said this was their last option, she had no choice.
Miller let out a heavy breath. “All right. Good.” Then he attempted a smile that seemed decently genuine. Maybe he’d finally gotten the hang of it.
With the smooth movements of a practiced hand, Jason drew the cloth across the steel blade. The rhythmic motions
were a small attempt to calm his nerves before the imminent fight ahead. It helped him focus his thoughts.
On the coming massacre.
The beach remained quiet and his mind drifted to something darker: Balthazar.
The vision of the man standing in front of the gate plagued Jason. As long as he had breath in his body, he would remember the way Balthazar had grabbed Alice by the hair and held the dagger to her neck. Alice had whimpered and pleaded with Jason to save her. But he had stood by, held back by Balthazar’s men.
Because he was weak, as his father claimed.
He should not claim to love anyone if he didn’t have the power to protect the one he loved. Jason’s hand paused in its rhythmic motion. He would never let Balthazar get near Daria again.
Jason placed the sword on his bed and stood, staring out toward the lake. Had the coalition not come because of the uprising in Hell? Between Hell and the auspicious one, had they chosen the former?
He left his room and strode to the kitchen. Daria sat with Miller eating breakfast, engaging in deep conversation. They parted abruptly upon his entry.
Their stance aroused his suspicions. What had they been whispering about?
Daria jumped down from her seat and came to him with bright eyes sparkling in anticipation. “How’d you sleep?”
“Fine,” he answered slowly. “I still need to go check on Candy. She should be waking soon.”
That brought Miller out of his chair. “I’ll go. Help yourself to breakfast,” he called over his shoulder.
Jason gestured for Daria to follow him outside. He didn’t want anyone to eavesdrop so he waited until they were several yards from the house before pulling her behind a majestic elm tree. Hiding behind the wide tree trunk, Jason verified they were alone before he curled his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Happy birthday, Daria.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Thanks. And no, I don’t feel any different than I did yesterday.”
Maybe Daria, like his mother, would never develop powers. It didn’t matter to him either way. He didn’t love her for the powers within her flesh and blood.
“I need your help to find the way out of here.” He kept his voice low. “Before my brother and father forcibly pull me off.”
Her brows shot up and she looked around nervously as though afraid they’d be caught. “What do you mean?”
“There’s an exit in the backyard. It will create an opening in the protective barrier which will allow us to travel through the shadows and I can take you away.”
Her eyes darted along the hedgerow and she jumped at a noise above, then sagged when she saw it was just a squirrel. She grabbed his arms. “Miller will help us. He promised me just now,” she whispered, flashing him a conspiratorial grin.
No wonder they were so secretive in the kitchen. If anyone heard, there’d be hell to pay.
“We just have to get married in a church,” she declared, gazing at him tenderly. “It will be sanctioned and your House will have to recognize me. I’ll automatically be under your protection and your House will continue to rule. But Miller said there are consequences.” Daria stepped closer and searched his face. “What consequences? Miller wouldn’t tell me.”
Jason let out a breath of relief. Good. The witch had kept his mouth shut. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
He smiled and placed his hands on her arms. “His help is what matters. Did Miller tell you how to get out of here?”
Daria nodded. “He’s going to meet us here at midnight and let us out.”
Midnight. The witching hour. Miller’s powers would be at its strongest then. The three of them had to get out of the house undetected by either the residents or the creatures outside. The odds weren’t in their favor.
And once they got out, he’d have to deal with those lovely consequences. A lump of dread grew in his throat. He tried to swallow but failed.
She continued to stare up at him, waiting patiently for his response. Expectation lit her eyes.
Jason squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Then we’ll be married tomorrow.”
After all the trials they’d endured to be together, he wanted to believe more than anything in the world, that there lay a simple solution . . . marriage, in a church and before the eyes of God. He was supposed to put his future in the hands of faith. But they needed more than faith.
They needed a miracle.
Chapter 20
Giddy excitement bubbled through Daria and set her heart racing. Finally, she and Jason would be together. But with the mind-reading abilities of Mike and Luke, their plans could leak. Consequently, she retreated to the garden and spent her day avoiding everyone.
Her peace was short-lived, however. She had no sooner decided to go back to the house, when Alastor found her. Maybe he hadn’t been searching for her explicitly since he’d been walking in the opposite direction. Still, he didn’t seem surprised to see her.
He was almost too bright to look at, standing there against the sunlight, his hair gleaming. He wore a white button-down shirt today, its tails flapping with the soft breeze. His tan khakis complemented their green surroundings. He seemed so pure, almost pristine. If people saw him, she’d bet no one would guess the awful things he could say. They would never know that he asked his own brother to kill him.
Alastor came toward her, unhurried. Despite wanting nothing more than to run into the house, Daria stopped and waited for him. She had to stand her ground. If she kept running every time she saw Alastor, she would never get any respect from the guy.
When he stood a few feet away, Alastor smiled, displaying a row of perfect, white teeth. She expected the usual chill to run up her spine and was surprised when it didn’t come. Perhaps he had turned his fearful aura off, or else she had grown accustomed to being scared of him.
“Happy birthday, Daria.”
They all remembered. She hadn’t run into a single person who had forgotten. Strange, but he didn’t ask any questions about her powers. Maybe he had already heard the news and was disappointed. No one’s as disappointed as me.
“It’s a nice day. Care to take a walk with me?” he asked.
Taking a stroll with Alastor was the last thing on her mind. She glanced at the house again, wondering if she could make it inside in time.
His chuckles brought a blush to her face. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.” He quirked another smile. “For now.”
That last little addition didn’t make her feel better at all. She had half a mind to say no.
“There’s a lovely walkway around the garden,” he added persuasively. “It won’t take more than ten minutes.”
The walkway was indeed lovely. Daria had spent most of the morning surrounded by the fragrant rosebushes. She’d listened to the harmony of a gently splashing water fountain and chirping birds as she sat on the stone bench. She had enjoyed it then, but she doubted it would be half as enjoyable with Alastor.
Daria stood for a minute longer, struggling between her sense to run and her curiosity to find out what Alastor wanted. Against her better judgment, Daria fell in step beside him, waiting to hear what he had to say.
They headed around the back patio and passed stone steps embedded into the grass, lined by hedgerows and rosebushes. Lamps dotted the pathway, though they weren’t lit now. She saw the stone bench and the gazebo where she had spent her morning. Past the fountain, Alastor halted at the bench and sat, gazing at her expectantly. Gingerly, she sank down next to him.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
Alastor said nothing at first, merely staring out at the gardens. Maybe he enjoyed making her stew. After all, the longer he held her off, the more anxious she grew. When she was about ready to bounce off the bench, he gave her a kind, almost paternalistic smile.
“You don’t like me very much. I might even say you despise me.”
Well, despise seemed a little strong, but he was right. She didn’t like him. It wasn’t anything personal; after all, he’d never done anything to her, per se. She didn’t like the way he looked at her sometimes. Or how he looked at Jason.
“But you seem to have feelings for Jason,” Alastor added.
Daria nodded. “I love him.” And she had nothing to be embarrassed about, so she was going to tell anyone who cared to listen. Maybe then they’d leave her alone.
“Why do you two not get along?” she asked curiously.
A faint smile crossed Alastor’s face. “I know you won’t believe me when I say this, but I want the best for my family. That includes Jason.”
She started to protest but the words died on her lips. On any other day she would have argued with him. But strangely, just like this morning with Luke, she believed Alastor.
Instead, she faced him squarely. “Why do you want him to kill you?”
Alastor’s eyes met hers briefly before turning away. “Why would anyone ask to die?” He shook his head, as if asking a philosophical question. One she didn’t have the answer to.
“Our marriage doesn’t need anyone to die,” she tried.
At that, Alastor laughed. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve made my position very clear to him. He can marry you. But he will have to kill me first.”
Daria stood. “Then there’s nothing left to talk about.”
They headed back to the house, walking in silence before Alastor commented, “Marrying the auspicious one is a lifetime of responsibility. If Jason really wants to protect you, he would stop at nothing. No matter how many he needs to kill.” He sneered. “But he doesn’t have it in him. When the time comes, I won’t be the one standing in your way. It’ll be Jason.”
Daria was quiet as she preceded Alastor into the house, which was abuzz with conversation. Damien stood arguing with Miller about why the next attack hadn’t come. Mike chatted on his cell phone and Luke began calling to Alastor. Jason cast her a smile and strode to her.
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