“Okay Denali. I trust you but I'm afraid.”
“I know but the house is full of guests, his family included. Nothing will happen in front of all those witnesses and those that can, can kill him in a heartbeat.” Denali wanted to be the one to kill him. He'd never had that feeling in his life. He was a loving and gentle boy, but something was changing inside of him. He pushed his own feelings away. He had to get through this. They made their way to the manor in silence but quickly.
The house was adorned with lights, inside and out and people wandered the grounds. Denali was right. This was a party, and he was about to crash it. With Vivianna's hand still in his he weaved through his house in search of Jax. He hoped he would find him surrounded by their family and friends. Denali wasn't disappointed. There he was with Denali's father who had his own look of worry on his face. What was Jax saying to him? Denali scanned the room and didn't know if he should feel relieved or worried that Annika wasn't there. He felt his heart clench as he made his way through the crowd, towards Jax and his father. He heard Jax ask for Annika and felt something break inside of him.
“Where is she, Jax? Where's Annika? Where's my sister?” He screamed as the two manor guards, Renny and Diallo pulled him away from Jax. He wanted so badly to hurt that man. He once loved Jax like a brother, actually hoping he would marry Annika so they could be real brothers. Now, looking at him, he felt more contempt than he'd ever felt.
“What are you talking about Denali? She's supposed to be here. I've been waiting for her,” Jax replied, and Denali could hear the false concern but knew it wasn't for Annika. Jax was beginning to fidget slightly, and a look of worry peeked out behind his dark eyes.
“You're a liar! You did something to her. What did you do to my sister, Jax?” Denali struggled against the men holding him. For the first time in his life he was pissed at Renny and Diallo. Why were they holding him? They should be restraining Jax.
“What are you talking about son? Why would Jax know where your sister is?” His father said, trying to remain calm but Denali saw his father's face. He believed him.
“Did you know that Annika was in love with another man? She didn't want to marry Jax,” Denali said and felt a small triumph when Jax shrank back.
“Yes, she told me this afternoon,” his father said sadly. “What does that have to do with Jax and you accusing him of... I don't know. What are you saying Denali?” His father may have sounded confused but Denali knew how he felt. He knew something was terribly wrong, and he felt guilty because he too had hoped Annika wouldn’t marry a monster.
“Yes Denali, what exactly are you trying to say?” Jax said and Denali sensed a hint of worry in his voice.
“She went to Jax today. She went to tell him that she loved James Mender and that she couldn't marry him. He grew angry and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her toward The Dark Forest. Now, she's missing and so is James Mender.” The room was silent, allowing Denali's words to penetrate. He looked around at the shocked expressions and wondered if everyone would believe him over Jax.
“I have no idea what you're talking about Denali. I don't know where Annika is. Surely you have been given false information. Maybe she ran away with James Mender.” Jax tried, and this angered Denali further. What he would give for Renny and Diallo to let him go so he could beat the shit out of him. Instead, he told the entire room what he knew and hoped it was enough to convince everyone that Jax Androni was a monster.
“Oh, no Jax. My information is not false. You took her to The Dark Forest and you hurt her! You hurt her badly then you went to James and you killed him. You must have disposed of his body because he's nowhere to be found but his house is covered in his blood. Now for the last time Jax, where is my sister?” Denali spat, watching sweat beads burst out onto Jax's skin. He was nervous. Renny and Diallo had loosened their grip on Denali as they all waited for Jax's explanation.
They listened as Jax apologized to his parents for the things he'd done but never actually admitting his crimes. Then, his body began to tremble and pulse uncontrollably. Denali broke free and rushed towards Jax but stopped just as he shifted to a lion. The lion looked at Denali. Jax's eyes were there, black and evil. Denali pulled the knife from the back of his pants and charged the lion but he was a second too late. Jax leaped over Denali and ran out of the house. He was gone and Denali was stunned.
“Dammit, why did you hold me back?” He screamed at the manor guards who'd been his friends his whole life but in that moment, he was furious with them. “Now he's gone and we still don't know where my sister is!”
“I know where she is,” came a small but familiar voice. Denali turned to Serephina, who was standing close behind him. Her eyes were sorrowful but not mournful. Denali hoped that meant his sister wasn't dead. The room quieted until the only sounds were breathing and Selene Androni's quiet sobs. For a moment, Denali felt bad for the woman. Jax’s parents were good inside and out. Denali had no doubt but their son was a monster. That can't be easy to absorb. He reverted his attention back to Serephina. “Where is she?” He asked, his eyes begging her not to confirm his biggest fear. She looked at Denali then at the Lord and Lady Levannah before speaking.
“I think it's best if we discuss this in private,” Serephina offered but the look on her pretty little elf face told them she wouldn't give them any information in front of the room full of people. “Only you Denali, and your mother and father,” she said before walking away. The three Levannah's excused themselves before promptly following the elf that had become a part of their family.
Once in the safety of Eldon's study, behind closed doors, Serephina spoke. “She's gone to Earth and she doesn't want anyone to come looking for her.”
“What the hell is Earth? Where the hell is Earth?” Denali asked, confused and angry but careful not to imply that he was angry with Serephina. He loved the fragile elf and was grateful she knew where his sister was. Denali heard his father inhale deeply before he felt his hand on Denali's back.
“Earth is another world son. It's larger than Neveah and is full of Ordinaries. Your sister has been there a few times. She's always been fascinated by the Ordinaries.” Denali heard a hint of sadness in his father's voice. It implied that Annika was gone forever.
“Well, this is good news then right? We can go get her. Bring her home. We can keep her safe. How do we get to this Earth?”
“She doesn't want to come back Denali. She's pregnant,” Serephina whispered and Denali felt his heart break in two. The sound of his mother’s weeping tore at his soul but his father's ripped it apart. He felt his own tears sting his own blue eyes but wiped them away, determined to get answers.
“From Jax?” He asked but thought he already knew the answer. Judging from the tree in The Dark Forest, he'd really hurt Annika but Denali couldn't bring himself to believe Jax had raped his sister, though he knew it was a fact. He looked at his parents who were holding hands and openly crying but still standing strong.
“No,” she said simply and Denali felt relief wash over him.
“How can you be sure?” Eirene asked her normally strong but chipper voice was laced with despair.
“I followed her. I saw her go through the portal with Akayleah, the woman that calls herself Queen of The Dark Forest. The woman helped nurse our Annika back to health. Annika is safe with her.”
“Again, how do you know the baby isn't Jax's?” Eldon asked.
“She told me she was with James Mender just before Jax did what he did to her. She really loved James and is sure the baby is his. She asked me to give you this,” she finished and handed Denali a folded piece of paper. He took it and felt his hands shake as he held the paper. His legs were trembling, threatening to give out on him. He sat on the nearest bench and unfolded the paper. His parents sat on either side of him, each wrapping an arm around his shoulders. He began reading out loud as his parents held him.
Dear Family,
I am so sorry that I left without saying goodbye, but I'm
sure you understand why by now. I hope he didn't do anything to harm any of you when he discovered I was gone. As I'm sure you are aware of by now, Jax is no longer Jax. He's a monster and I had to leave Neveah in order to get away from him. He will never stop looking for me that's why I can't write my location but Serephina knows it. Please don't let anyone know where I am. I am carrying James Mender's child and I fear what Jax will do when he discovers this. So for the safety of this baby I beg you, please do not come for me! I am safe here. I will be safe here. No one can protect me in Neveah, not even you Denali.
Speaking of you, my beautiful baby brother, please don't go after Jax. He's dangerous, more dangerous than you could imagine. He will hurt you. He will kill you if he has to. He's not our friend anymore. He's not your friend. Don't trust him. Trust me and know that I will be happy here and safe but I will miss you terribly. I love you with my whole heart Denali and I promise we will see each other again someday. Take care of Mama and Papa and Vivianna. Be happy in life. Please do that for me.
Mama and Papa, I love you more than anything and I'm so sorry. I will miss you most of all. Please don't be sad for me. I will be happy here. Someday, when Jax is no longer a threat I will come home, until then please just be happy and content knowing I'm okay.
I love you all.
Annika
Denali dropped the letter after the last word was spoken. His body hunched over as sobs wracked his body. His mother pulled him to her but his father's arm never left his shoulder and the three of them wept for the girl they had all loved. The girl that was lost to them.
Denali honored one of Annika's requests, he never went looking for her, but he couldn't let Jax walk away without paying for what he'd done to his sister, his family. Over the next 18 years Denali's life was dedicated to ending Jax. He knew he'd need more than his strength to defeat the man so he honed his ability. He trained with the protectors of Neveah. He watched and studied Jax. He wanted to know the mad man inside and out. He had to know himself inside and out. During this time, Vivianna waited.
After James' disappearance, Denali insisted she move to the manor. Denali felt a twinge of guilt every time he left her to further his war on Jax but she was always understanding, always there for him when he returned, waiting with open arms. He promised her they would be married some day and he fully intended to keep his promise, but both agreed they couldn't marry until Jax was taken care of. Until balance in Neveah had been restored.
Since Annika fled the beloved Neveah the balance had been off. Colors faded a little every day. Spirits fell sadder a little every day. The changes were so miniscule that it may have gone unnoticed but Neveahian’s are receptive people and the slow decline was frightening. Neither Denali nor Vivianna wanted to be married under those circumstances. Once they were married they wanted to settle down and be happy. Enjoy each other. Vivianna wanted him to be her husband, not Jax's nemesis. So they resigned themselves to what had become their lives with the hope that one day it would change and harmony would resume.
When the young girl with blazing hair appeared eighteen years later they knew things were changing. Before them stood a perfect mix of the Levannah and Mender families. Denali never felt more relief than the day he saw his niece Lilly. Her resemblance to Vivianna and Annika confirmed what Denali's sister had told them all those years ago. Her baby was the baby of James Mender and that girl was back in Neveah.
Times were changing.
The End…Thank you!
Message from Angie:
Thank you for reading these books. I truly hope you loved reading them as much as I loved writing them. This story was a true labor of love and one that I will be forever proud of. This journey of being an author has brought new people into my life, readers that have become friends, other authors who've helped me along the way, and a vast array of critics whom I respect and are thankful for their thoughts.
Had it not been for an idea, that became Neveah, I wouldn't be where I am today and I would be without the friends that I now treasure. I look forward to years of storytelling and can only hope I make you all proud. Thank you again for kind words, beautiful reviews, and friendships. Until next time!
Xoxoxoxox
Angie Merriam
Books By Angie Merriam
Neveah Series
A Broken Forever
Standing Broken
Breaking the Wicked
Distilled Love Series
Vodka Dreams
Whiskey Songs
Tequila Nights (Coming soon)
You Are My Sunshine-Stand Alone
Never Say Goodbye- Stand Alone
Featured in the anthologies Intertwine and Interwoven
Contact me on social media:
www.facebook.com/Abrokenforever
www.twitter.com/psladiebug
Neveah Box Series (Neveah Box Set Book 5) Page 75