Enchanting Wilder

by Cassie Graham

  Kai makes it to the last step, and turns to us, edginess and tension rolling off of him. We halt to a stop.

  “This was far too easy. They have to know we’ve made our way inside by now. There isn’t a thing that happens down here Maker doesn’t know about.”

  McKenna turns around, her lip in her teeth. She pulls on it and leans against the dirt wall. “Maybe Maker wants us here?”

  Kai shakes his head. “I don’t know, but something feels off.”

  A shiver breaks out on my back. “I agree. Something isn’t right.”

  Producing my weapon, the holy knife, I nod to Kai. “If you see demons, dissipate and get the hell out of here. We’ll find you.”

  Kai squares his shoulders and nods.

  “Let’s keep going,” I command.

  Slowly, step-by-step, we continue. Each time my foot hits the soggy pavement, I feel my heart thump more shakily in my chest. Warning me, but I force the caution away and keep pushing on.

  It’s hot down here, the air thick. My lungs strain to take in the heavy air.

  Eventually, we come to a fork in the hallway.

  “Which way do we go?” Candy whispers.

  “Left,” Kai and McKenna say in unison.

  My eyebrows downcast and Wood’s jaw tightens.

  “Okay.” Candy points.

  Heading to the left, our feet shuffle against the now dry dirt, each of us careful. We’re aided by gas lanterns that line the walls, making it much easier to see.

  Kai and McKenna stop in front of two red doors at the end of the long corridor.

  “This is it,” McKenna says, a tremble in her voice. “This doesn’t feel right. Where are the demons? Where are the spells Sally told us we’d need?”

  Wood quirks his mouth. “Maybe the demons aren’t here?”

  “Like they’re on vacation, Wood?” I deadpan.

  “No.” His eyes narrow, pulling out his gun. “They could be on assignment and the Maker didn’t think anyone could get in.”

  I huff and push the end of my knife with my finger, causing it to grow in size.

  Placing a hand on the door, Kai jiggles the handle and it immediately opens. He pushes the door inward, cautious as to what’s inside.

  “You can enter, Kai,” someone says from inside the room.

  Kai straightens up, his eyes bulging. He brings his hands behind him and stands at attention.

  “What are you waiting for?” The voice drones, “Come in already. We’ve been waiting for you.”

  My stomach drops, but I know I have to stay strong for the group. Candy and McKenna clasp hands, looking at each other one time. With determination, they nod, walking through the door.

  Wood turns to me, his eyebrows creased in worry, but I give him a curt signal, letting him know I’ve got his back. He drops his gun to his side, still holding onto it and makes his way into the room.

  Disengaging my knife, I place it in my jacket pocket.

  Willing my feet to move, I cross the threshold into the colossal room. So unlike the hallway outside, the walls are covered in shiny and pristine rich stone. Granite, it looks like. The floors are the same material, though a different shade. It’s speckled with gold and black colors, while the walls are white and cold. A contrast so unlike the other, yet they flow together with little effort.

  Two guards stand just inside the door, dressed in all black. The man to my right, has dark skin and blue eyes, he looks downright lethal. Watching me closely, he follows my every move. His lips curl over his teeth in a warning growl. That’s when I see the werewolf underneath the demon-slash-human suit. Menacing, yet, he stays in his place.

  “Gerald, keep calm. They aren’t here to fight,” the voice promises, though I don’t know how it came up with that conclusion. I’d kick anyone’s ass to protect my group. Fighting is very high up on my list of priorities.

  “Where is that voice coming from?” Wood asks under his breath, turning to me just slightly as he follows McKenna and Candy farther inside the room.

  I shake my head, the goose bumps on my arms rising to attention.

  There’s a long, twelve-person table on the far side of the room with demons talking around it. They stare and snarl at us as we pass them, their red eyes blazing in the low light.

  More Thayans.

  My knee-jerk reaction is to shove my blade so far into their spines they won’t feel their tattered and disgusting souls leaving their bodies, but I don’t. The Declan from hundreds of years ago wouldn’t have thought twice about taking out a demon. Hell, Declan before McKenna would have reveled in it. Now, I know all it’ll do is make McKenna question if I’d do that to her, and I couldn’t even wrap my mind around causing her harm.

  Even if she did give in to the evilness inside…I couldn’t.

  I grit my teeth and keep going.

  Kai leads to the left, farther into the room where someone sits on a throne-like chair. Though, I’m not close enough to see who it is.

  Who sits in thrones anymore? God doesn’t even do that nowadays.

  I shake my head and stare at the curtain in front of the elaborate chair is shielding the person behind it. The silhouette of long legs and a tiny body moves behind it, shifting in the seat.

  Is it a woman?

  Kai stops in front of the sheer drape, the rest of us lining up next to him.

  My feet planted firmly on the ground, my eyebrows crease as we watch the woman talk to someone behind the screen.

  A demon, dressed all in black like the guards at the door, moves to the side of the room, pulling on the rope attached to the curtain.

  Slowly the fabric moves to the side, showcasing a woman with long, curly red hair and a narrow face. Her red lips purse as her eyes scrutinize us standing in front of her. Superiority flows through her onto us and she juts her chin up, tapping it with her finger. Tilting her head, she uncrosses her legs only to cross them again. Her top teeth pull at her bottom lip, a sly smile crossing her face.

  Kai gasps. “M—Maker?”

  My head snaps to him. Maker?

  McKenna steps back a foot, covering her mouth with her hand.

  Maker pulls her chin down slowly at Kai, her eyes lighting up with anticipation.

  McKenna moves back another step, her hands now holding her stomach. Her face has turned an odd shade of white and I move to her instantly, grabbing her by the waist.

  Maker appraises us, not saying a word.

  “What is it?” I ask, holding McKenna’s weight up.

  Candy and Wood turn to look at us, but Kai stays cemented in his terrified stance.

  “She’s…” McKenna starts but then abruptly stops, shaking her head in a jerky motion.

  “She’s what?” I probe.

  “I can feel it,” she admits, tears falling down her eyes. The hot liquid pours out of McKenna’s eyes, the little droplets falling onto her shirt.

  I shake my head, holding her tighter against my body. “I don’t understand.”

  McKenna hiccups, sobs forcing their way up her throat and out of her mouth.

  She shakes her head again, moving away from me. She puts a few feet between us, rubbing her eyes harshly with the pads of her hands.

  Tears still falling with force down her face. “That’s why?” She laughs, her voice shuttering. “That’s why you took my parents?” she shouts at Maker, pounding on her chest.

  She’s angry now. Her tears no longer fearful, instead, they’re made of hate. Her cheeks are red and her stance is strong. I step toward her cautiously, the way I’d approach a wild animal.

  She must see me in her peripheral, because she skirts away a few inches when she notices me moving toward her.

  “Don’t,” she warns, putting a hand up.

  I step back, my hands up in surrender. “What’s happening, McKenna?”

  With terrified eyes, Candy’s feet shuffle toward us but Wood puts a gentle hand on her shoulder and she stops.

  Angrily swiping at her face, McKenna’s hands
point to Maker. She sniffles.

  Maker sits up straighter, her eyes animated with happiness. “So, daughter, you’ve returned.”

  My jaw falls open just as McKenna collapses to the ground.

  It’s like a magnetic attraction…or a string connecting us both. Attached to her and me, it tugs as I pull away and it yearns longingly for me while I loathe it.

  I can’t make myself believe.

  All I see is blackness. The black of her eyes, the cold of her stare, the familiarity in her grin. I try to close my eyes, but I can’t stop the images from hitting me in the face.

  No. I force myself to shake my head. No. It can’t be true.

  There it is again. That little tug. The one that says, “Hey, I know you don’t like me, you probably hate me, but I’m familiar. If you allow yourself to open up, I can help you do amazing things.”

  God, stop it. Please.

  I claw at the ground, my head resting on the cold, stone floor.

  When I finally allow myself to open my eyes, Declan, his expression so troubled, yet so loving, is the first thing I see. He reaches for me, caressing my forehead, moving his hand down my face, then mimicking his actions with the other side.

  I push into his hands. He’s my safe place. He’s the scissors to to the string attached to Maker.

  Declan looks hard, his eyes inspecting my every feature.

  Holding back tears, I place my hands on his arms, allowing him to hold some of my weight, and I stand. Attempting to convey my bravery—or lack thereof—I’m not sure of which because I’m feeling a bit of both, I turn for Maker.

  Stepping next to Kai, I take a deep breath. “Where are my parents?” My real parents. Not the nauseating one sitting in front of me.

  “I’m right here, darling,” Maker coos. “I’ve missed you so much. I haven’t seen you in…what…twenty-six years? My darling girl, you look wonderful.”

  My stomach churns and yet her endearment wills me to listen.

  I shake my head, fighting the sensations crashing over me like angry waves during a thunderstorm. “No. I want to know where they are.”

  Maker rolls her eyes and points to the door at her left. “Guards, bring them out.”

  Air catches in my throat as the seconds pass by. Candy moves to me in a flash, grabbing my hand, linking us together with her emotions. I soak up her courageousness, thankful for her.

  Grunts and hushed warnings echo throughout the big room, the space filling with anticipation. Wood and Declan move beside us, their postures strong and ready.

  Chained by their hands and feet, mom and dad hobble out of the room. Their clothes tattered and skin dirty. They’re rough, but for the most part okay. Surviving. I’m so thankful for that.

  I take a quick look at Candy and our Sephra Link takes hold. We both bolt toward them, but my feet don’t move fast enough. By the time I’ve taken three measly little steps, two black blurs rush to us, pulling us back with force. I struggle against the demon holding me.

  Declan rushes to me and Wood does the same to Candy. Their eyes wild.

  “Hands off them, now,” Declan warns as he bares his teeth, his hand on one of the demon’s arms.

  The demon’s forehead creases but Maker gives one nod. He shoves me away and I fall into Declan’s arms, my breaths coming out in sharp gasps.

  Bored with the entire thing, Maker sighs. “Happy now? Family reunion, blah, blah, blah.” She waves my parents off as they fall to a tired heap on the ground next to her. “Now we can talk, yes?” Her eyebrows quirk and I fight the urge to try to get to my parents, again.

  But if we have any chance of surviving this, I need to do as she says.

  “Yes,” I answer.

  “Good. First thing’s first. Come give mummy a hug.” She opens her arms wide.

  I cross my arms and stay firmly planted. If she thinks she’s getting a hug, she’s out of her damn mind.

  Her bottom lip pouts and she lowers her arms, pushing her hair away from her face.

  I look so much like her…

  “Fine,” she says. “On to your story, then? I’m sure you’re confused.”

  I nod, my eyes skirting to mom and dad. Mom looks up from her spot on the ground, tears welling in her eyes. Dad looks from my eyes back down to the floor, shame written all over his face.

  “Well, my dear, you were taken by these heathens.” She points to mom and dad. “Stolen. Kidnapped.” She looks to one of the guards. “These two and the entire angelic community set out to take you from me. I was ambushed. They seized you and spelled you to be a baby and grow up as a Strix.” She looks down at her lap, her mouth trembling—and I almost want to believe her.

  I shake my head. “Why would they want to take me? I’m a demon.”

  Maker snickers, patting under her eyes. “Sweet girl, because you’re also half angel.”

  Like a swift kick in the stomach, I bend over, the air rushing out of my lungs. Candy holds onto me steadily. “An…an angel? How?”

  Maker laces her hands together in front of her, setting them on her lap. “Well, see when two people love each other very much, they turn their love into a baby.”

  “Ugh. I don’t mean how like that. I mean as in who is my dad?”

  “Why does it matter? Heaven found out about you, McKenna, and they decided to save you from me.” She rolls her eyes. “As if I’d hurt my own daughter. They thought you’d been evil for far too long, and needed to see if they could make the light from deep within you shine.” She appeases me, thoroughly disgusted. “Seems it worked.”

  “And mom and dad?” I ask. “They’re…angels?”

  I turn to them, their poses slumped on the ground, beaten down.

  “No,” Maker says flatly. “Just lowly Strix the angels found to take care of you.”

  My eyes water. “Is that true? Mom? Dad?”

  Mom’s the first to raise her head. “It’s true. We were going to tell you…”

  I breathe in deep, pinching my nose. “So, this was all a rouse to get me back here? Why? So you could show me the error of my ways? Bring me to the dark side?”

  Maker’s mouth turns down and she shrugs. “Yes. I wanted to reunite our family.”

  “Our family?”

  Smiling, Maker slides her eyes to Kai. “Yes, you and your brother.”

  Kai steps back, grabbing at his stomach. He hadn’t said a word the entire time we were here. I’d wondered if he was okay. Turns out the answer is probably no.

  Candy and I exchange looks, and I can see she’s just as concerned for him as I am. I squeeze her hand one time and she nods, letting me know it’s okay to go to him. I let go of Candy’s hand and rush to Kai.

  Oh my God, he’s my brother.

  He angrily pulls at his hair. “No. NO!” he shouts. “You sent me to Limbo for years. Centuries. You sent us together. Why? Why did you do that?”

  Maker picks at her nails. “When you become defiant, you get punished.”

  Kai points indigently at her. “That’s your excuse? We began to defy you so you sent our souls to suffer? You’re sick.”

  Putting her hands up in a so-sue-me manner, Maker states unapologetically, “I am all, so you do as I say.”

  “Is Kai an angel?” I probe. If I am, maybe he is, too.

  Maker giggles, making her seem far less terrifying as before. “Not that it’s the point, but you and Kai have different fathers. So no.”

  Kai scoffs. “So we’re just supposed to listen to you because you’re mommy dearest? You allowed me to think you were this big scary monster to fear. For so long, I had no idea who you were.”

  “You should!” Maker booms. “Fear me, for I am the real evil.”

  “You’re not Lucifer,” Wood spits for the first time since we arrived.

  Maker looks to him as if he’s a moldy old piece of gum on the bottom of her expensive shoes. “I am not. That is true. But, you may know me by another name…” She looks right at Declan, sneering. “Ava.”

  De
clan rushes up to Maker. “Oh mother f…”

  “You can’t be serious,” Wood says, unable to comprehend.

  “She died,” Declan says, scornful. “You can’t be Noah and Sarah’s daughter.”

  “Oh?” Maker asks innocently. “When Lucifer decides to love you, there’s certain extras that come along with it.”

  “So, what?” Wood heckles. “You and Lucifer had something going on and he decided to make you the leader of all demons? That sounds like a bunch of made-up bullshit if you ask me.”

  “I’m most certainly not asking you,” she scolds, giving him a look of utter displeasure. “As I was saying, while he moved on rather quickly, I was able to get everything out of him I wanted.”

  “You’re the master manipulator. A she-devil in the flesh,” I spit. “You had the audacity to bring evil into this world, and then lavish in it. God.” I shake my head. “Murderers, rapists, thieves, lies, gluttony…all of it. You brought this upon us and you have no remorse?”

  “None,” she states simply. “Evil is subjective.”

  “What in the hell?” Declan says, rubbing his finger up and down the skin between his eyes. “How is evil subjective? Please, for the love of God, enlighten us.”

  Maker laughs. “For the love of God? Oh honey, for the love of Me. He can’t help you here.”

  Declan stays silent, his forehead scrunched in annoyance.

  “Would you call a police officer killing in the name of self-defense, murder?”

  None of us say a word.

  “I didn’t bring evil, I brought justice.”

  “That’s not justice. There wouldn’t be self-defense if you didn’t breed evil!” I shout. “You did all of this and now you’re somehow going to rationalize it? You’re more messed up than I ever imagined.”

  Maker shrugs, clearly unaffected by my unwillingness to agree.

  “Wait,” Wood joins in. “If you’re Noah’s daughter, and Kai and McKenna are your children, that means you’re all related. Does that mean we’re related? Are you my…my sister?” he says it like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. “Does Noah not know who you are?”

  Maker tilts her head from side to side, studying Wood. “He doesn’t, brother,” she sneers, happy with herself.