“You mean a succubus or an incubus?” Hartwin asked. “They rarely participate in anything unless it benefits them in some way.”
“Sounds like someone we know,” Maya added, rolling her eyes.
Lilia smiled. “Yes, it will be difficult. We have no choice but to seek help from those creatures. That is unless you can come up with a better plan and trap one of Arthemis’ children?”
Maya lifted her hands in defence. “No thanks. I’d rather take our chances with the sex monsters.”
“They are not ‘sex monsters’,” Hartwin corrected. “They absorb the life force of the living through touch.”
Maya eyed his gloves. “And what exactly is your superpower?”
Hartwin glanced at his hands and a pained grimace appeared on his face. It vanished as he excused himself and left them alone.
With confusion riddling her features, Maya stared at his retreating form. “Did I ask for some top secret info or something? What’s up with that reaction?”
Lilia patted Maya on the shoulder as her dull headache resumed. It must have been unrelated to the noise in the living room. “It is best for us if you don’t inquire further. He has hated his ability all of his life since Arthemis used his power the most.”
“But what is it? Can he fly? Turn invisible? And what would he need gloves for?”
Removing her hand, Lilia left Maya’s side and went to her room where she lay on the bed. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her shields. Peace and quiet enveloped her.
In her chest, she felt a spark of life. Her hands balled into fists, Helena had not retreated far. That girl subconsciously struggled for control of her body.
When did humans begin to crave life so much? Did they enjoy being hurt?
A sluggish minute passed and a faded image of Helena formed in front of her. Doubts reflected in the depths of her hazel eyes, and Lilia realised she had little time left. They would clash sooner rather than later.
“My mission is not over yet. Rest and be at peace, Helena,” Lilia said in a soothing tone.
LUCIOUS
Dawn would soon be upon them. After all that work, they were unable to find the nest of the possessed.
Pity. It would have been one less problem to deal with later if they could eliminate those things.
Lucious stole glances at the Royal vampire while they drove back to the Council building.
What did he mean by being the Devil? Did he push people into believing such a creature existed or did they come up with the title for him by themselves?
Regardless of the answer, he couldn’t piece together Ealdraed’s personality. He helped a woman when Lucious would have waited in the shadows for the possessed vampire to strike her. Ealdraed seemed indifferent about Lucious taking blood from him also. Just what was going on inside the head of such an ancient being?
“Ask what it is you wish to know,” Ealdraed said once he peeled his gaze away from the streets of London.
Lucious’ fingers twisted around the steering wheel. “Did you really kill those close to you? Why would you do something like that?”
“Because I was told to. The only way one can be true to Arthemis is if one erases one’s past,” Ealdraed quoted.
“And you want to bring someone like that back?”
“I am choosing the lesser of two evils here. What would you do in my stead? Let the world fall into ruin or take control of it and hope for the best?”
“Is that something you must do? Can you not let the world decide what it wants for itself?”
His passenger chuckled. “Truly, you are an interesting man. It is no wonder Runa turned you. Remember, young man, the world you see exists because of the balance we have created through hard work and unnamed battles no one even knows took place. Being a leader—someone others respect—requires more than brute force or tactfulness. One must believe in their goal, and my goal is to keep this world as it is—peaceful. You may take my advice or leave it in the gutter. I will lose no sleep over it.”
“But can awakening Arthemis bring peace to this world?” Lucious asked, stopping the car at the traffic lights.
“I do not know. Our father sees the world differently to how humans perceive it. Where they see beauty, he sees possibilities. Where they fight for control, he dominates. He is like a force of nature, unstoppable, uncontrollable. He can be terrifying one moment and distant yet beautiful the next.”
Lucious didn’t say anything for the rest of the journey back. He had nothing more to add when all he wanted to do was get back to his room and see if Helena was doing well. The magical relic in his possession would show her to him, and he would have his peace of mind, for the time being.
He parked the car in front of the mansion and waited for the elder to go in first. Blowing out a breath, he got out of the car and hurried to his room. When he saw Hans standing outside his chambers, he almost groaned out loud in frustration.
Would distractions never cease?
“Hans, what is the matter?” Lucious asked.
“I wanted to find out if everything was well with you. Did the Royals divulge their plans?”
Lucious ushered him into his room and locked the door behind him. “Take a seat. Do you want anything to drink?”
“Lucious—”
“I will tell you what I know once I have a drink or two. I can now fully understand why Alexander consumes an abhorrent amount of alcohol. After a while in a stressful job, it becomes a necessity,” Lucious explained as he poured himself a glass of bourbon—a gift from one of the delegates upon their arrival in London.
He took a swig of his drink, noting the faint smoky taste on his tongue before the alcohol burned its path down his throat.
“They have set their mind on waking Arthemis.” Lucious took a seat on his Chesterfield sofa. “I don’t believe there is a way to dissuade them.”
Hans ran his hand through his dark brown hair. “Can any of them be trusted?”
“The Royals?” Lucious snorted. “No. They are like walking Enigma cyphers—without the right key, it is impossible to know what’s inside.” He lowered his voice a little. “I believe Kallias is the least of our problems. He may be driving this whole operation like a battering ram, but the one I am most curious about is Ealdraed. His friendly act, though doesn’t appear to be false, puts me on edge. I cannot trust a man who tries to get information about Lilia and Helena out of me in subtle ways.”
“While their focus was on you, I started looking into the existing records of the original vampire,” Hans said, shifting closer in his seat. “For someone who was present in this realm for a very long time, there is little written text about him. Most of the scriptures talk about the Seven Pillars of Arthemis rather than the man himself. It is as if he was the puppeteer, and they were the visible dolls dancing on the stage.”
From the way Ealdraed talked about his sire, Lucious guessed Arthemis to be a complicated creature. His gut told him that no good could come from bringing him back and giving him control. The world had changed tremendously since the last time that man walked the earth. He wouldn’t fit in, and maybe even try to enforce his old beliefs on the new generations of vampires. The control and respect the Councils fought so hard to cultivate would melt away faster than ice cream in the sun. “If we cannot defy the Royals and cannot allow Arthemis to be awakened, what is there left to do? Our hands are tied.”
Hans reclined in his seat and his fingers played with his left cufflink. “Then we wait.”
“For what?”
“For a sign, of any kind. This situation is out of our hands. I believe it is the time we let fate decide what will happen.”
Lucious burst out laughing. Of all the things they could do, Hans wanted fate to play out? If that happened, and Lilia got what she wanted, Arthemis would be dead. And where would that leave them? How would such a drastic action affect the vampires he was supposed to look after?
Standing, Lucious poured another drink and studied the tawny
liquid inside his glass. “I want you to find out what will happen if Arthemis is killed.”
Hans’ eyes widened. “Why would—”
“Don’t ask too many questions. I cannot answer everything at this time,” Lucious replied sternly.
“I see. This must be related to Helena. Do you think Lilia is in control of her? If so, do you believe she is after the tomb as well?”
Lucious didn’t respond. He looked out the window. The sky was beginning to brighten.
Another day went by without me seeing her…
“I take it you do not wish to elaborate,” Hans replied, rising from his chair. “I’ll take my leave. While Perri is here, I have to keep an eye on her. She is someone very dear to me.”
Lucious spied the strange ring on Hans’ wedding finger many-a-time. The man never took it off. “Did you two get married in secret?”
Hans chuckled, twisting the ring on his hand. “It doesn’t come off, and I believe it never will.”
“Is it blood magic?”
The Councilman shook his head. “No. Just a prank the spirits pulled on us when we least expected it. Not that I mind, I assure you.”
“Do you love her?” Lucious asked, growing more curious by the second.
“Perri is different to my first wife. She is a lovable and pure creature. I find myself unable to touch her because I fear a single stroke may taint her forever.”
“That truly is a dilemma,” Lucious commented and took a mouthful of his drink. “Are you afraid she will not return your feelings?”
Hans smiled sadly. “No. She loves me with all her heart, perhaps more than I could ever hope for from a mortal. But she is still young. I sometimes wonder if there is a better path for her to take, a simpler life than being a woman of a Councilman. Our lives are not the easiest…”
“It seems we both have ended up with exhausting love lives,” Lucious mused.
“Tell me about it!”
After a few more minutes of light banter, Hans left to dedicate his time to research.
Lucious circled the bed and sat on the edge of it. He picked up the box with the relic and took the clear crystal into his hand. Patiently, he waited for the image to change like it had done previously only that never happened. Scowling, he rolled the crystal in his hand, filling with anticipation and worry for what this could mean. Was Helena no longer among the living or was her soul gone from their realm? He didn’t know which possibility terrified him more.
8
FATHER & MOTHER
LILIA
O n the way to England, Lilia’s migraine bloomed. The pressure in her head seemed to keep building, making her eyes and forehead hurt. She closed her eyes, relaxing into the seat of the metal bird they had boarded ten minutes ago. Her heart pumped fast as if she was in the middle of an escape from some kind of a beast.
Balling her hands into fists on her lap, she focused on her shields. The girl she pleaded to stay buried did not wish to rest. Helena had become too stubborn, holding on to even the slightest glimmer of hope, and Lilia could do nothing about it.
“You must understand that my task is not finished,” Lilia said inside her mental shields.
Helena folded her arms in front of her and studied the fate with disdain. “I have seen your past, Lilia. Arthemis may need to be stopped, as you have said on many occasions, but I can’t let you use my body as it is. You’ve hurt my mother, for crying out loud!”
“I did not hurt her. I merely extracted some blood from her child. Blood of the second fate is needed for the ritual. It is good that Diya will be reborn close to me.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better. You made me into a witch, too. I never asked for this!”
Lilia scoffed. “You are my vessel, Helena. Your existence has only one purpose.”
“Oh, stuff your fate gibberish somewhere where it won’t see the light of day. I need my body back.”
“Not until my son is dead,” Lilia snapped.
The corners around Helena’s eyes crinkled as she narrowed her eyes. “And what happens when he dies? Do you think I’m stupid? All this secrecy, lies, and you pretending to care… You are no better than Reaver and his daughter.”
“I do not care for your insulting words. They mean little to me.”
“You should, Lilia. I’m not going to roll over and let you take control. I may not want thousands of people to die, but I can’t let you do something I will regret later. Therefore, I am going to fight.”
Lilia screamed when Helena ran towards her and hugged her close. Bright light consumed the shields. Their souls battled for dominance and one emerged victorious, pushing the other soul back into the shadows of her mind.
HELENA
“Lilia? Lilia, are you alright?” Maya’s voice came from her right.
Helena groaned and lifted her hand, stopping Maya from fussing. “I’m fine. I’m okay.”
“Okay? Since when do you use such…” She trailed off and grasped Helena’s face. Pulling her head to study her, Maya gasped. “Your eyes…they’re different colours.”
“It’s because Lilia won’t back down,” Helena explained. She saw the flight attendant hurrying over to them with a worried expression.
“Are you feeling sick? Do you need anything?” the curvy woman asked, her thick European accent highlighting the R's in her speech.
Helena shook her head. “I’m fine. Thanks. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
The woman smiled. “Then please put on your seatbelt. We are about to take off.”
“How did you…you know, take control of your body? I thought you were gone,” Maya whispered when the stewardess left their side.
Once she secured the seatbelt around her middle, Helena sucked in a deep breath. It had been a while since she was in control. Her limbs tingled and her stomach rumbled from being empty. It appeared that the fate was just as bad at eating regularly as she was. Running her hand through her hair, she cringed. Her hair was greasy, and she badly needed a shower.
“How could you let me get this way?” she asked Maya. “Can’t you dump me in a shower when I need it?”
“Your other half knows blood magic. She’s not the easiest person to get along with.”
Helena grumbled a curse under her breath. Even with magic coursing through her veins, she couldn’t use it without knowing the spells. Lilia obviously didn’t struggle with the same problem. Didn’t Lucious once say that blood magic required sacrifice? A shudder ran through her. “Have I killed anyone?”
“Not that I know of,” Maya replied.
The pilot announced they were about to take off and the sign for the seatbelts came on above their heads.
The aeroplane began to shake as it gained speed, and Helena hugged her sides. She could feel Lilia stirring, trying to come out. She knew that she won’t be able to stay in control for long. So, she sat up straighter and assessed the surrounding seating, noting that Ben was behind them, listening in, and Reaver sat next to Nora and Nico two rows ahead.
A man with a cold stare met her gaze. She recognised him from Lilia’s memories. Hartwin was his name, if she wasn’t mistaken. From her dreams, she knew him to be a just and cautious man. He would want Lilia back. She couldn’t let him get too close to her.
“When we land, keep the vampire away from me,” Helena whispered into Maya’s ear.
“It would require more energy than I have to fight against a Class 6. I may be hijacking this body, Helena, but I’m not all-powerful. Most of my powers are tied to the Demon Realm.”
Ben shifted closer and spoke through the gap between the seats. “Helena? Have you come back for good or is this a fluke?”
“It’s not. Lilia’s soul doesn’t belong in the driver’s seat. It takes a lot of energy out of her to control my body. Once I saw an opening, I took my chances.”
He stayed silent for a long minute. “It may not be the best time for you to return. Reaver is up to something. He wants more than to kill Arthemis. From what we k
now, he may escape into the fourth realm and claim godhood.”
Helena’s mouth fell open.
The plane jerked forwards and lifted off the ground. She waited until they levelled off to say, “We can’t let Reaver pass through the gate to the fourth realm.”
“I gathered that much. That’s why when Lilia was busy chatting with Reaver and Hartwin, we did some things on our own,” Maya said with a smirk. “The people who joined Ben’s hunter clan are going to help us keep things under control during the ritual.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Helena said. “They could get hurt.”
From the other side of the seats, Ben added, “They’re used to danger. Don’t worry about them. I have trained my men well, and they will be ready if something goes wrong.”
Cutting the conversation there, Helena looked out the window at the night beyond the glass. She was back, but for how long? An hour? A day? Her reflection in the window terrified her when she saw two different eyes—a blue and a hazel one. Would she have to fight Lilia for the rest of her life? What if Lilia’s mission failed and Arthemis returned?
With everything going on, she couldn’t hate Lilia for trying to do this. From the dark memories of the fate’s past, she pieced together the nightmare Lilia had been through. Sealing Arthemis was the right decision. If they hadn’t done so, all those years ago, the world as they know it would be a very different place.
“I am glad you understand at least that much,” Lilia’s voice echoed in her mind.
“It doesn’t mean I will let you rule my life.”
LUCIOUS
Lucious coughed when Kallias’ hand grasped his throat and squeezed. “Where is the tomb?”
Ealdraed rushed to his blood-brother’s side, pushing him away from Lucious. “What is the meaning of this?”
“We couldn’t find it,” Laclia offered from the doorway of the library.
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