by Mary Ting
“She’s a little devil.” Dom shook his head with a smirk.
I didn’t like the way his face lit up lustfully.
Lotus snorted. “Well, what do you think you are, an angel?”
“God, I missed you.”
I almost gagged at Dom’s words. Was he trying to get on her good side or did he really mean it?
“Maybe I missed you a little?” Lotus stuck out her thumb and second finger, leaving an inch between them.
“That’s a lot. Usually, people will tell me to go fuck myself or claim they didn’t miss me at all, like Malum did.”
I downed my drink. “I did not. I was just surprised you came back unannounced. You could have given me a warning.”
“And miss the excitement on your face?” Dom drummed his fingers on the armrest. “I think not.”
“Anyway, is Father still locked away?” Lotus uncrossed her leg and sat straighter. “I felt his presence just before I landed. What’s going on? He wouldn’t be able to get free unless he was given angel blood. And if he were, how would that be possible?”
She looked at us as if we were guilty.
“You know Trinity Order will not tolerate any abusive behavior, so what’s going on, Malum?” Lotus added, narrowing her eyes at me.
Why did she ask me? Did she think I was the ruthless one?
“I’m not the one who caused trouble. Why don’t you ask Dom about the witches and their real reason for being here?”
Dom spread his arms. “Don’t blame me for events beyond my control. Besides, even if Father found a way to escape, he wouldn’t be able to stay in the human world. As for the witches—they are harmless.”
Lotus stood up, filled our glasses, and sat back down. “True, but he could easily possess another reptile or insect form. Something without a mind and soul. Then he’d mold it to a hideous creature of his own making. And I’m afraid who he could manipulate. After all, even in snake form, he was able to sweet-talk Eve into taking a bite of the forbidden fruit.”
“We shall see,” I said. “We’ll deal with Father if it comes down to it. No use fretting about something that hasn’t happened yet.”
My father, also called Sin, took humans as vessels and would plant thoughts in their minds. He would make them do the most horrible things. Kidnap. Murder. Rape. You name it. Seven deadly sins.
Dom and I didn’t care, even with being part human ourselves, but it affected Lotus. Eventually, we were bothered by her concern, mainly because we feared we would be cast out from other supernatural beings.
Dom, Lotus, and I were so sick of Father’s manipulation and deceit that we’d taken matters into our own hands, especially when word got around that he had planned to kill his own children. Paymon was too chicken; he had no part in what we conjured up.
When Uriel had planned to open the Book of Watchers for the first time, we had told Father it would be opened by one of the archangels to entrap the watchers. We’d convinced him to be there to steal the book. In order to do so, he had to possess a bug, for he could not possess a watcher or an archangel. And he certainly could not come as himself.
We’d hoped his greed would blind him, make him believe it was possible to steal the book, which my siblings agreed would have been utterly impossible.
When the book had opened, it had been too late for him to change form as we expected. Time had frozen, and so did he. The book had sucked him in, distorting him and making his body translucent. He could no longer sustain a body in the human world.
Afterward, he could only survive by taking other forms such as insects and reptiles. The best part was that he couldn’t track us down. I had no idea where he lived. I supposed trying to stay alive in a world where you didn’t belong would take a tremendous amount of effort.
“Balen mentioned something about the archangels being locked up—and what book was he talking about?”
It seemed Lotus would not let anything slip past her. I didn’t blame her. She was in a good position at TO. Trusting her brothers, especially Dom, was the last thing she should do.
Dom waved a hand dismissively. “Balen has no idea what he’s talking about. He only cares to humiliate and taunt Awan. It’s a good thing we’re not like them.”
I rolled my eyes. Not like them. No, we were worse. At least the witches expressed their true feelings. We, on the other hand, hid it and stabbed each other in the back. Well, maybe not Paymon, and perhaps not Lotus either.
Dom and I … we were truly our father’s spawn.
Lotus pierced me with her eyes, and then Dom. “If you two do anything to jeopardize my seat, I swear on Mother’s grave, I’ll kill you both myself. What I have going there was my doing. My actions. My voice. I got myself where I am today. I don’t want to be known just as a demon princess. I want to be known as the being that makes things happen for the good of society. We locked up Father for his wrongdoing and malicious ways; don’t make me do it to you as well.”
“Sister.” Dom clucked his tongue and chugged down his liquor. “Don’t say things you don’t mean. It might come back to bite you.”
Lotus leaned closer to Dom. “Brother. Oh, I mean it. I mean it with every bit of demon-black blood in my veins.”
Dom bared his teeth, dark veins protruding through his skin on his face, and then he recoiled. “Very well. I’ll try to be careful of my actions for my only sister. Just keep your promise and talk to the council about that meeting, will ya?”
Lotus brushed her fingers through her long hair. “I’ll try, but they are very reluctant. They won’t allow the witches to set foot on TO premises so far.”
Dom thumped his glass onto the table, ice clinking. “They just want a second chance. Besides, TO killed many of their kind, not the other way around.”
“That’s the precise reason why they are reluctant. And how do we know Awan doesn’t have something up her sleeve that she’ll unleash once they let her in? This is too complicated for rushed decisions.”
Dom released a heavy sigh. “History will not repeat itself on both ends, I assure you that. I won’t let it happen.”
I looked at my watch, wondering if Giselle was waiting in my bed. “You can’t guarantee that.”
Dom shot daggers at me with his glare. “Whose side are you on? You sleep with one. Does that not sway your position?”
I clenched my jaw. “That has nothing to do with this.”
Dom gave a humorless laugh. “Oh, brother. It’s a good thing I came along. Your heart has gone too soft. Can’t you tell she’s just using you? What do you think will happen if Awan gets a seat in TO? Where will Giselle be? Not in your bed anymore, that’s for sure. She’ll find a better suitor, and then she’ll use him until she gets what she wants and move on. That’s what they do.”
I squashed my anger with every ounce of my will. Dom was punishing me with his hateful words because I had said something against him … unless he was right.
Had I gone so soft that I’d let a woman manipulate me? Sure, raising Liana had changed me. I had changed from an utterly ruthless demon to a somewhat compassionate one, but …
“I know what I’m doing,” I spat. “I’ve had many women in my bed before. She is no different.”
Dom arched his eyebrows. “Whatever you say.”
His taunting tone made me want to punch him.
Lotus stood briskly and looked at the both of us in disgust. “You two haven’t changed. Malum seems a little different, but you, Dom … maybe I’ll speed up my date of departure. Goodnight.” With that she sauntered off.
I had wondered about Lotus, how she would turn out. She was far classier and better than Dom and I put together.
“I’m going to bed, too.” I rose and put my glass down.
“You’re not going to the Dungeon tonight to check up on Liana?”
“Why? Oni and Micah will be there with her. Is there a reason I should?”
“Don’t trust anyone, not even Liana.”
“I trust you, Dom. You
’re the only one I trust.” I walked out feeling sick to my stomach.
Chapter 13
Dungeon
Liana
Balen asked if I wanted to do something more with my life. I didn’t answer. I didn’t know how to explain my torrent of thoughts.
A while back, I had considered asking for a leave of absence to get a college degree. I knew Malum would let me, but what would I do with it?
I had come to terms with the fact that I could never have a normal human life. Malum had taken that from me. I didn’t care if he was my biological father, he would pay for what he’d done to my human family. At times, though, in my weak moments, my heart softened at his tender touches and caring words.
Malum had changed for the better, but revenge was all I ever wanted, all I’d known since I was brought to his home. I couldn’t go back on my own promise now.
Sometimes I dreaded going to work, but the other times, I loved observing the customers. Especially today, since Paymon and Balen would be with me. I had a feeling it was going to be a fun night.
After Paymon and Balen ordered their drinks, they went to the dance floor. I enjoyed watching them from the other side of the tinted window, wishing I had something special like those two.
I had dated plenty of men and supernatural beings, but no one stood out for me. No one made my heart thump like I couldn’t be without him. Was that what love was supposed to feel like?
“Liana. You’re here early.” Oni walked in the office, followed by Micah.
“Hi.” I waved and sat on the edge of the desk and crossed my arms. “Yeah. I needed fresh air.”
Micah raised an eyebrow. “Family trouble, huh?”
I smiled. “How did you know?”
Micah shook his head. “That’s the reason I won’t live with Malum.”
“Me too,” Oni added.
Malum had offered to let Micah and Oni, my half-brothers, live in the mansion with us. They had turned him down with no questions asked. Perhaps I should look for a place of my own.
Yes, maybe I needed a change. A change would do me good.
I glanced out the window to the beings loosening up, drinking, escaping reality. I wished I could too. But sometimes, something deep in my marrow felt off. Like I was in the wrong body.
“Did you see Paymon with Balen? They look so happy together,” I said.
Oni ignored my question and headed closer to the window.
“What is it?” Micah asked.
Then I saw it. Patrons being knocked down.
Paymon. Balen.
The three of us dashed to the dance floor with swords from our weapon cabinet. Bodyguards were already there. People screamed and scrambled, tripping over bodies and pushing each other for the exit.
I whirled back and forth, looking for the assailant. Whoever had caused the trouble, they were gone. Oni and Micah examined the bodies. They had been bitten and their necks were snapped. We had no choice but to stab their hearts if we didn’t want the humans to turn into vampires.
“Liana.” Paymon rushed to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. How about you and Balen?” I spotted Balen when he came closer. “Did you see the vampires?”
“No. It happened so fast.” Paymon raked back his hair, panic in his eyes. “Why would they do this? Something must have happened. They were trying to send us a message. What did Dom and Malum do?”
His question struck me. Vampires hadn’t caused trouble since they had gone into hiding centuries ago. Why now? What had pushed them over the edge? Since it had happened in our club, Dom and Malum had something to do with it.
“I’ll find out,” I said with conviction. “I’m going to close the club. Why don’t you two go home?”
“Do you need our help, darling?” Balen placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“No, thank you. I have employees. But you do remember your promise to help me, don’t you?”
“Of course. Name the date and time. I’ll be there.” Balen winked and nudged Paymon, who couldn’t peel his eyes from the human blood.
“Paymon. Paymon.” I gave him a shove when he didn’t respond. “Paymon.”
Paymon blinked, his irises pulsing. “Liana?”
The tender way he said my name, like a lost child, broke me.
I narrowed my eyes at him. I needed to be stern to make him listen. “Go. Go with Balen. I’ll talk to Dom and Malum when I close up. Be safe.”
After we cleaned up the mess, I went home, straight to Malum’s bedroom. I’d thought I would have to knock on his door and interrupt his activities with Giselle, but surprisingly, the door was open.
“Liana?” He straightened. A second ago he had been slumped on the edge of his bed. “What’s wrong?”
I entered and halted by his dresser. “Vampires attacked our nightclub. I had to close early.”
He rose and gripped the foot post as if he needed something to anchor him steady. “An attack? Why?”
“I thought you would know.”
“What do you mean?”
“The attackers were vampires. They bit a handful of humans and left. It’s obviously a message. Who messed with the vampires and why? The witches? Do you know something you’re not telling me?”
He placed out a hand. “Whoa. Slow down. Let me think.”
I didn’t slow down. I let out a barrage of questions. “Why risk your own kind to help the witches? What did they promise you? Balen wasn’t making things up when he told us Awan locked up the archangels, was he?” When he didn’t answer me, I raised my voice, startling him. “Was he?”
“I’m not sure.”
When he couldn’t look at me, I saw through his lies.
“People died tonight. I know you don’t care about them, but I do. Paymon was on the dance floor. He could have gotten killed. I know he doesn’t mean much to you. But he does to me. He’s better than you and Dom combined.”
I had never yelled at him with such conviction and anger before, and it surprised me. But I was tired of the games, lies, and who knew what else was going on around me. Those innocents would be the ones to suffer, not the attackers.
Malum blinked, a mask of hurt on his face. “I—”
“You’re allowing Dom to take over this family. He has no morals and you know it. Stop being the monster you are.”
That last sentence took guts to say. I’d finally told him how I felt about him after all these years. Tears streamed down my face, but not because I was sad. I had the tendency to get emotional when I was thoroughly pissed. At that, I ran out.
It was time to move out on my own. First thing, I had to pack and check in at the hotel.
Chapter 14
Guilt
Malum
I didn’t know what to say or do. It was the first time Liana spoke—no, yelled at me with such fervor. I should go to her and explain, but explain what? That she was right. That I was truly a monster.
Liana hadn’t known I was already pissed about a fight with Giselle. Giselle had come to let me know she would not be joining me in bed this evening. I’d accused her of manipulating and using me. She hadn’t liked my tantrum, especially when I’d thrown objects from my bookshelves.
I chastised myself for letting Dom’s accusations control me.
Can’t you tell she’s just using you? What do you think will happen if Awan gets a seat in TO? Where will Giselle be? Not in your bed anymore, that’s for sure.
The fight with Giselle was my fault, but Liana had acted like a spoiled brat. Perhaps that was my fault too. I gave her everything she wanted. I would give her the sun and the moon if she asked. She had no idea how much I loved her.
Demons were not good with words, but we showed our devotion through actions. Killing her human family so I could raise her as my own and give her everything was something she would never understand if she found out. But I’d done it out of love.
Most demon parents didn’t claim their children, but I did. I claimed all of mine. Not that I had m
any.
But vampires? The witches had had a run-in with them before Uriel opened the book. Did the vampires know we were working with the witches? Had they sent me a warning?
I would not tolerate threats.
All had been fine until Dom returned. It was time to do something about it. I would speak with Lotus and tell her everything Dom had done and planned.
Did I even know the complete plan? Was he honest with me?
And then another question … could I trust my sister?
Chapter 15
The Globe
Liana
Get a spine. I told myself that many times, but every time I had the opportunity to kill Malum, I chickened out.
Coward. Spineless. Idiot. Didn’t my human family mean anything to me? I didn’t have what it took to give them justice.
My sister’s screams and Malum threatening me because I cried—those memories filled my nightmares. But I still couldn’t find the courage to take revenge. Planning did no good.
I’d even held a knife to his throat once as he slept. I had come so close to killing him. One swipe across his neck and he would have bled to death, but I didn’t have the guts to see it through as memories of his kind gestures and tender words had held my hands prisoner.
Why must his good deeds fill my mind when I was so close to ending his life?
Malum had been horrible and heartless when he first took me, but as time passed, he’d softened. He smiled more. He treated his servants with kindness. He even spent time with me, making sure I had everything I wanted.
I never asked for anything. I didn’t want anything from him, but he gave it to me. My first bike, first car. If only he was not my enemy. If only he hadn’t killed my family.
If only I hated him with all my heart and soul, but a part of me must care for him, or I would have killed him without hesitation.
Regardless, I wanted revenge. My confluence of emotions made me erratic, sometimes irrational and whimsical. And sometimes, I loved that side of me.
Instead of moving out after I quarreled with Malum, I went to bed. I had to scheme better, wiser. If I moved out, I wouldn’t have access to his office.