“My father isn’t the most honest guy, Nick.”
He looks her in the eye. “I guess it runs in the family.”
She’s pretty sure she should have a big reaction here. She should be offended, or angry, or hurt. But she isn’t. She’s as numb as Nick’s voice. It’s been a very long time since she’s felt the nothingness of numb.
“Would you like to call me names too? Would it make you feel better? I know I deserve it. Go ahead. Have at it.”
Nick looks shocked. He stares at her like he doesn’t recognize her. “I don’t know who I’d be talking to, so what’s the point? You like this bond so much, but you don’t even realize how it’s changing you. I don’t know when it’s you or it’s him. It’s like dealing with someone who suffers from multiple personality disorder.” He turns to her. “Can I speak to Keely now?”
She glares at him. “You really don’t want to right now.”
Nick pulls out his phone and sends a text. “You can go in then. Bryon will be here soon. I’m suddenly not in the mood to baby sit you.”
“I don’t need a baby sitter.”
“Actually, you do. Remember? Part of your agreement.”
“Fine.” Keely swings the door open and slides out.
“Give me a call when Keely’s back,” Nick calls coolly.
Keely slams the door hard. She takes two angry steps before the dam of tears bursts. Nick’s wrong. It’s not multiple personalities. She’s always her. It’s her emotions that are messed up. She turns back and ducks her head into the car. “I’m stupid. I know it and I’m sorry. If you hate me I understand, but I love you. Even when I act like I don’t.” She turns back to the house and rushes to the door.
Nick is on her heels. He catches her as she reaches for the knob. Pulls her in for a hug. “You have got me so messed up. You piss me off and make me want to kiss you at the same time. What the hell are you doing to me? I can’t take it. I want you. I don’t want him.” He pulls her chin up so he can reach her lips. Keely loses herself in the kiss. Her body longing for the distraction more than she could have guessed.
Nick reaches behind her and opens the door. They nearly fall into the house. Without breaking apart, Nick shuts the door behind them. Grabs her waist and turns her back is against the door. He slides his hands into the thick waves of her hair and presses his lips to hers harder. Before she can even think of stopping him, he moves his hands to her hips and leans into her, pressing his body firmly against hers. His fingers dig into her skin pleasantly and she lets out a surprised breath.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she suspects he is doing his best to seduce her. It is totally working. She grabs handfuls of his hair and tries to keep up with his lips. As if of its own free will, her leg glides up his making their bodies mesh together. She locks her leg behind him and before she knows it, he pulls her other leg up sandwiching her between the door and his hips.
With a soft growl from his throat, Nick turns them around and leans her back against the steps. He lies over her, propping himself on his elbows. Looks at her admiringly. “I love you so much,” he says just above a whisper. He licks his lips and touches them to her throat.
“Don’t stop on my account,” Kimberly says from the top of the staircase.
Keely looks up at her mom, upside down from her angle on the steps. “Uh, hi Mom.”
Thirty-One:
Lila slumps in Bryon’s car, staring out the window.
“Nick text me. He needs me to go stay with Keely for the night. Do you want to go home or come with?”
“Just take me home. I feel too guilty every time I look at her.”
“Have you gone to see Dustin?” Bryon looks out the rear window as he backs out of the parking space.
“I went yesterday.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” she says.
He turns on the radio. Sings along with the song. Lila smiles, her focus still on the window as the trees fly past.
“I want to be a cowboy.”
“You what?” She laughs and turns to look at him.
He runs his hand across the dash board. “This could be my steel horse. And look at me? I could rock a cowboy hat.”
“This song’s not about an actual cowboy. It’s about touring with the band.”
“It’s open to interpretation.”
Lila looks back out the window. Rests her chin in her hand. “Most things are.”
“If you think about it, we’re a lot like cowboys. We go around rounding up the bad guys and herding them back where they belong. I should get me a cowboy hat to wear on missions.” He raises his eyebrows and sings along with the song again, reaching for the high note and failing miserably.
“You’re such an idiot,” Lila laughs. She shakes her head. “It’s a good thing you’re a Watcher because you seriously cannot sing.”
“What are you talking about? I’m a kick ass singer. You just need your ears cleaned woman.”
“I think you’ve been inserting the Q-tips too far,” Lila says with a smirk.
“I push them in until my brain tickles.”
“You’re a clown, Bry.”
“That hurts. My ego is seriously wounded.”
Lila looks back out the window as if she’ll find all the right answers there. “Who do you think will replace Dustin?”
He shrugs. Looks at her from the corner of his eye. “I don’t know.”
“I hate him so much.”
“It’s all right if you don’t, Lila.”
She flinches. “I do.”
“You’ve been together a long time. What he did, he did for you. It’s understandable if you’re confused. I am and I’m not in love with him.”
“I’m not confused. I’m not in love with him anymore, and what he did, he did because he is a coward. Not because he loved me. He just used me as an excuse. I hate him.”
Bryon turns the ring in his brow. “I guess it’s open to interpretation as well.”
“Like I said, most things are.”
“I kind of hate him too. I just keep imagining it in my head. How he held Keely. How she must have felt. But she’s not mad at him.”
“Keely doesn’t come from our world. She doesn’t get it.”
“I know. But if he did this to her and she can forgive him…it kind of makes me feel like I should too.”
“Why would you waste your time after what he did? And when he betrayed Keely, he betrayed all of us. Don’t get that mixed up. We were all responsible for her and he didn’t care. Dustin did what Dustin wanted, the hell with everyone else.”
“Yeah, I know that,” Bryon says. “And I’m pissed. I seriously wanted to murder him with my bare hands for a while, but after I calmed down, I realized I don’t really want him to die.”
“I don’t either.” Lila sighs loudly. “Then I think about how we would all be feeling if Keely had died because of him. How hurt Nick would be. How hurt you would be. How badly we would have failed.”
“But you’re the one hurting right now.”
Lila shrugs. “We all are. That’s his fault too. I wish I could take back the past couple years.”
“I’m really sorry, Lila.”
“I know you are Bryon. That’s what makes you such a good guy.”
“Well, that’s the general consensus among women.” He smiles at her.
“I hope you can start working on your confidence soon. It makes me sad to see you so down on yourself.”
“Mmm. True story. I don’t tell myself how incredibly handsome, smart, and funny I am nearly enough.”
“You are smart, but I don’t know about the incredibly handsome part.”
“And funny. Don’t forget the funny.”
“Funny looking.”
“You’re just jealous,” Br
yon scoffs.
“You are pretty awesome, Bry. You’re really good at making me feel better.”
He pulls the car into Lila’s driveway. “I hope so. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“Yep. Thanks Bryon.”
***
“Out,” Kimberly demands, her glower fixed on Nick. She points to the door as she descends the steps.
Nick lifts himself off Keely. “I’ll wait outside until Bryon gets here.”
Keely nods, her cheeks hot. Once the door is closed, she stands to face her mom. “The Hierarchy said I have to be guarded around the clock. I think it’s more because they don’t trust me, but they pretend it’s to protect me. Oh, yeah, they aren’t going to kill me. Thanks for being there today, by the way.”
Kimberly lifts her head. Back straight. “Nick is still your Guardian?”
“Yeah. You’d know that if you had gone. He’s not in charge anymore, but he’s still my Guardian because of our relationship. They’re o.k. with it.”
“I’m glad it all worked out,” Kimberly says as she moves past Keely.
Huh? That’s it? “Yeah, I can tell. You should reel your excitement in a little,” Keely mumbles. She stomps up to her room and slams the door like any mature adult would do.
She looks around her bedroom expecting Asmoday to be waiting for her. But he’s not. Keely feels tired and disappointed. And very confused. She curls up on her bed, hugging her pillow. Picks up the faint scent of Asmoday. Presses the pillow to her nose and inhales deeply. “I am a horrible person,” she murmurs to herself.
How is it possible to be kissing Nick one minute then be missing Asmoday the next? It’s incredibly sick and twisted. Nick’s right. Like usual. It runs in the family. They are all a demented bunch. Keely shoves the pillow hard against her face and screams. Throws the pillow across the room.
Asmoday sidesteps being hit in the head and raises a brow. “Rough day?”
With a gasp of surprise and embarrassment, Keely sits up quickly, making herself dizzy. “Where were you?”
Asmoday smirks. “Why? Did you miss me?”
Her face warms. “Minutely.”
He stares at her for a moment before exhaling slowly. “I needed a moment to regain my composure. I was worried I would react badly.”
“Oh.” Because of the unexpected make out session with Nick. “Oh.”
He nods. “But as you can see, I am calm now. I’m getting better at this.” He sits beside her on the bed. Like he’s accustomed to doing, he pushes the hair off her shoulder. “What was the Hierarchy’s judgment?”
Keely raises her hands, palms up. “I’m alive. I have to go to school at the Academy. Train in the evenings. Tutor on the weekends.”
He nods as if in agreement. “That was a wise judgment. You need to understand how to use your accolades.”
“There’s more.” She crinkles her nose, worried how he’ll react to the rest. “They want to talk to you.”
“To me? Why?”
“Because they want to know whose side you’re on.”
“I am on whatever side you are on,” Asmoday says.
“That’s what I told them, but they have this White Warrior who is basically a lie detector. They want to be sure. They’re waging war with the Demons. On the Demon King in particular. They think it’s the only way to ensure the prophecy never gets fulfilled.” She watches him closely. Concentrates on his emotions.
He nods again. “They are very wise. When am I to speak to this White Warrior?”
“I don’t know. I guess the sooner the better.” She tilts her head. “You’re o.k. with this? With going to war?”
He meets her eyes evenly. “It is the only way you will be safe.”
She breaks away from his gaze. Stares at her hands. “When I talked with our father last night, he told me about the betrothal. He said it’s the reason we feel like we do. Did you know?”
“I knew we were to marry. I should have guessed that was the reason for the bonded feelings.”
“He said the bond will seal and we will be like one person. He said it would happen soon.”
“I see.”
“Don’t you care?” Keely asks incredulous.
“No.”
“What if I care?”
He lifts her chin. Examines her face. “You don’t.”
“Yes I do. I mean, I’m confused about it. Part of me doesn’t want to break the cord because I don’t want to feel the pain of it, and there’s a piece of me that likes this, whatever this is with us. But there is still a big part of me that wants my life back. I want to be with Nick. I want to kiss him and you not be involved. I want to know what I’m feeling is really coming from me.”
“Keely, you must come to terms with this. You cannot be with Nick. You are betrothed to me.”
“I’m not marrying you. We’re going to war. I don’t have to do what he says. And even if we weren’t going to war, I still wouldn’t marry you. You’re my brother.”
“Yes, about that,” he begins. He runs a hand through his hair nervously. “Do you recall when you asked me if I was lying, by omission, I believe you called it?”
Keely swallows. “Yes.”
“You said allowing you to believe something that wasn’t true was equal to lying.”
She nods. Those weren’t her exact words, but they’re close enough.
“My mother is human. She was imprisoned in Purgatory for hundreds of years, where her body was suspended between life and death. She owed a debt of punishment because in her human life she committed suicide. She suffered for hundreds of years alone. The only contact she had with anyone was my father. She was beautiful I am told and he could not control himself when he was near her. He also could not stay away from her. My father tortured her daily. Raping her repeatedly. Eventually she became pregnant with me. From the story I have been told, as I grew inside of her and she began to feel me move, I healed her soul.
“She gave birth to me. Looked at my face for only a moment before she was exiled from Purgatory and her soul admitted into Heaven.”
“That’s so sad, Asmoday. I’m sorry.” She bites her lip as she thinks. “So, you’re not really a Demon?”
He shakes his head. “I am a Demon, Keely. My true father was an Original Demon. One of the offspring of the first Watcher’s who fell. His father was your father’s second in command and returned with the other Watcher’s to Heaven. They were friends until that day, your father and my grandfather. When my true father died the final death, I was an infant. Your father was disappointed in his children. He knew he needed a daughter for the prophecy and had finally discovered a way with modern technology. Because of my age, he decided he would raise me as his own child. Groom me to be worthy of wedding his daughter that would fulfill the prophecy of damnation. He would have vengeance tenfold. Your father felt betrayed that my grandfather returned to God’s graces. To raise me in his image, to wed me to his daughter that will destroy the worlds, it was to be the sweetest revenge.
“What I am trying to explain, is, I am a Prince because your father gave me the title. Not because I am from his blood. I am not your brother, Princess. I am simply yours.”
“You’re not my brother?”
“No. So your reservations about marrying me can be dismissed.”
“You think it’s that easy?” Keely feels like a shattered mirror. There are pieces of her everywhere.
“I do not understand,” Asmoday says. His eyebrows crinkle with confusion.
Keely closes her eyes. Tries to think this through. She fights against his feelings, willing her own to come through. “I’m glad I’m not quite as sick as I thought I was. I mean, at least now I’m not attracted to my brother.”
“You are attracted to me? I suspected, but it is nice to have it confirmed.” He smiles at her and she feels
herself blush.
“Not the point I’m trying to make. What I mean is that’s the plus side. The not plus side is you’re not my brother.”
“I was under the impression that was on the plus side.”
“Not when it comes to the Hierarchy. Or my mom. Or Nick. I love Nick, Asmoday. I still want to be with him.”
“You may want Nick for now, but that will change. I can wait.”
“You mean the cord? For the bond to seal? That’s not fair. I won’t choose you because I want you over Nick. It would be fake. Like I was being forced.”
“I don’t believe that. I think you will choose me because you will understand me. The real me. You will see how much you changed me. I told you before, you taught me how to love, how to put someone before myself. You did this to me. If Apophis hadn’t killed your sisters, and I had this connection with any other, the prophecy would already have been fulfilled. I wouldn’t have cared. It’s because of you, your love and kindness that I am who I am today. Because of how I feel about you. You will come to see this. You’ll know me like no other knows me. And I will know you like no other could ever know you. What we will have will run deeper than anything you could have with Nick. And I will never judge you. I will always let you be you because I will understand everything you say. Everything you do.”
“I can’t think right now. This is too much. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“At first, I didn’t tell you because I found your discomfort humorous. After I connected with you, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know how the Hierarchy would react to it. I was not convinced they would be willing to give you the aid you need if they knew the truth about me.”
Her brows merge. “You still should have told me.”
“I would have preferred you to know. Maybe if I had, you would be mine by now.”
“I don’t belong to anyone, Asmoday. I want to be my own.”
He nods slowly. “When I say I am yours, I mean my heart belongs to you. I will never love another the way I love you. I will never lie to you. I will never hurt you. I will never leave you. I will always be here when you need me. And I will do anything for your happiness.”
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