by Mary Ting
Awan stiffened. She tried not to show it, but I saw her muscles twitch.
“And after further discussion with Trinity Order, I am able to present the witches an invitation to our meeting tomorrow. The names have been chosen. Awan, Giselle, Corian, and Balen.”
“Balen?” Awan spat. “He’ll make a fool of the witches. I beg you to leave him out or replace him with one of my other sisters.”
Lotus shrugged. “Sorry. Those were the names given to me. I can’t change it. Just be grateful TO agreed. It took a lot of effort on my part to get you in. And by the way, please bring the Book of Enchantresses with you. They’re going to want to know how you managed to get a hold of it.”
Awan bowed slightly, a twitch in her lip. “I apologize for my rudeness. You’re right. I should be grateful. And of course, I’ll bring the book. It’s quite a long story, but I’ll enlighten the councils.”
Fake. This kiss-ass side of Awan made me want to gag.
Lotus faced Uriel. “You’re Uriel. Are you not?”
“Yes. I am.”
She shook his hand. “Why are you here? And where have you been?”
Uriel didn’t give Awan away. He didn’t tell her about Awan locking up his brothers. My body shook with anger. I wanted to squeal on the witches and tell Lotus she was making a huge mistake.
But I supposed all truth would be revealed soon. Karma has a way of biting back. Something bad was going to happen. I felt it through every one of my bones.
“That’s another story to tell.” Uriel glanced at Awan and then back to Lotus.
“You can help Liana, can’t you?” Lotus asked, pleading in her tone.
“Yes, I can, but I need to explain what is happening with Liana.”
What perfect timing for Lotus to be here. Seemed like she had the upper hand out of everyone in this room. We might get our way after all.
“What do you need?” Lotus asked.
Uriel’s stiffened shoulders relaxed a bit, but the crease in his forehead deepened. “I need to take Liana to Nephilim United compound. You are welcome to come.”
“Why?” A concerned expression crossed her face.
Uriel told everyone in the room about his past, and all about Kelly and Abigale.
The whole room went still.
Chapter 29
Back at NU
Keira
The three witches had offered their magick to teleport us to the NU compound, but we refused. Who knew where they might send us? So Lotus and Samyaza went by car together, and the rest of us with wings flew above the cars.
Not all went. Lotus told Malum and the witches to stay home. Again, Lotus seemed to have a huge weight when it came to decision making due to her TO membership.
I called Ezekiel and let him know we were on our way. Showing up unannounced like the last time might stir him up.
When we arrived, Uriel took Liana to the first aid station. Samyaza, Jonah, and Daniel went to check on Kelly.
Uriel gingerly placed Liana down on the cot and covered her with a beige blanket by her feet.
Lotus lifted the blanket. “She has a fever, so maybe not a good idea.”
“Oh, sure.” Uriel raked his fingers through his hair, looking defeated as he leaned against the wooden desk. “I don’t know what to do.”
Lotus placed her hand on Uriel’s shoulder. “We’ll find a way to get your Abigale. I don’t have the answers, but I need to observe first. Then I’ll go to Trinity Order for their help. Abigale isn’t the first to have two souls.”
“But she is your first experience of both souls awakened at the same time,” I threw in.
Lotus offered a heartfelt smile and patted my back like a mother would a child. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. Samyaza told me everything about you during our ride here. He has the utmost respect for you. I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you.” I smiled back.
Though I appreciated that Samyaza had told Lotus about me to help analyze the situation, he should have left it up to me. But I guessed time was of the essence.
From the moment I felt the connection with Liana, I hadn’t allowed myself to feel self-pity. I didn’t know how to describe this empty feeling—she held my mother’s soul, but I had no emotional bond with her. I didn’t know what she’d looked like before. Who was the real Abigale? Liana or Kelly? Perhaps neither, but a combination of both.
Uriel was a living, breathing, physical being I could see and touch. He had a face to go with the name. But even Uriel failed to recognize Kelly/Liana. This was a mess. For all I knew, we were chasing a wild goose.
“Keira. I’ve been so worried about you.” Ezekiel walked in and examined me from head to toe. Then he addressed Lotus. “It’s an honor to personally meet a member of the Trinity Order Divine Council. How can we be of service?”
Lotus gave a polite nod. “The pleasure is mine. Can you tell me what Kelly has been doing since Keira left NU to go to Malum’s mansion?”
“Yes.” Ezekiel’s eyes gleamed with eagerness. “I can tell you; however, how about see it for yourself? We’ve been recording her since she had contact with Uriel. She has said things—strange things she’d never said to us before.”
“Well done. Please show me the footage.”
Ezekiel led us to his office, popped open a laptop screen, and pushed play when we settled around his desk.
Kelly banged on the glass cell, spitting curse words at Uriel as she watched him leave the room. Then she calmed, her hands still pressed against the glass, and slowly curled her lips into a menacing grin.
“Ezekiel. Come closer. Let me see your handsome face.” Kelly’s tone was seductive yet full of mischief.
Ezekiel ignored her and pushed the buttons on the monitors. Lights flicked, dimming the cell light even more.
“I’m talking to you.” She slammed the heels of her palms on the glass, one after the other. “How dare you ignore me?”
Ezekiel finally looked up. He sighed through his nose and crossed his arms. “What do you want?”
Kelly blinked and her cocky expression died. She glanced from left to right as if she could see something else other than the glass securing her in.
“Something. Something is happening. Something happened to her, to me, my other half. Our souls must combine before she dies. The gatekeeper must bring us together. You have to save her so I can be free.” She tugged at her lank, oily hair, revealing more of her grimy face. “Did you hear me? I won’t die. I can’t die.”
Ezekiel meandered toward Kelly, a bit hesitant. “What’s happening?”
Kelly gasped, her chest rising and falling like she was having a heart attack. “Even if I knew what was happening, I wouldn’t tell you, idiot.”
She screamed like she was in pain and pounded the glass over and over. “Stop! Stop this. Make it go away.”
“What can I do?”
The genuine concern in Ezekiel’s voice made Kelly peer up momentarily with softer eyes, but she bared her teeth.
“You can set me free. Let me find her.”
Then Kelly fainted. Light illuminated around her, then shot up from her chest to the ceiling. The same thing that had happened to Liana, but her light had connected with me.
Kelly’s arched back relaxed, but she sprawled on the ground, lifeless.
“Is she dead?” I asked, my eyes rooted on the screen.
Before Ezekiel could answer, Kelly opened her eyes. On her knees, she crawled to the corner and embraced her bended legs. She rocked and muttered things I couldn’t hear.
“She’s been like that ever since with no change.”
Uriel ran a hand across his chin with a sigh. “I see. Let’s take Liana to her and see what happens.”
Chapter 30
Brothers
Malum
“Malum.”
A womanly voice behind me made me cringe. I’d smelled her flowery scent before she called my name. Giselle had been ignoring me, not even giving me eye contact, a
nd now she wanted my attention.
I stopped and turned to face her. It had to be done sooner or later. We couldn’t go on ignoring each other.
“What?” I demanded, harsher than I intended.
She blinked and her eyes grew wide. “I-I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Liana. If there is anything you need, please let me know.”
Her words sounded genuine, but she’d already planted a dagger through my heart. My fault for letting her get close to me, and I didn’t intend to repeat the mistake.
I realized too late that I’d been foolish to think she would side with me. We all stuck up for our own kind. Always had and always would.
“Oh, you’re sorry?” My question came off too mocking.
She drew her eyebrows together, indignation beaming through her eyes. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Of course, I am.” She took a step back. “Oh. You think we had something to do with the bombing. You’re taking Samyaza’s side, the traitor to his own kind. I see. At least I know where we stand.”
I gripped her wrist when she pivoted to walk away. “Oh, no you don’t, witch. You don’t get to blame this one on me. You’re the one who pushed me away and stood by your sister’s side. You wouldn’t even look at me.”
She leaned on her heels to face me directly as she spoke through gritted teeth. “I didn’t look at you so that I could show Awan I was loyal. If she ever found out I would betray her, she would make me watch her kill you, and then she’d end me with a slow torturous death. Sometimes, I don’t know who she is anymore. Getting the Book of Enchantresses is all she has cared about for decades. Honestly, I don’t care about the book. But I have no choice. Either I listen or die.”
I felt sorry for her. And I was a fool. I’d thought about my own needs before even considering what she was going through.
I released my tight grip when she looked at her wrist. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
It was all I could say. But the truth of the matter was that I wouldn’t give her my heart. In case Samyaza was right about Awan being involved with the attack, I had to keep my distance. Liana and my family came first.
She cleared her throat. “Very well then. At least we got that cleared. I’ll be heading back.”
Giselle had the softest skin, and she always smelled like spring. I wanted to run my fingers through her long black hair and let it fall on my naked body. It was like being bathed in silk.
Do you miss me as much as I miss you? Or was I just someone to manipulate to ensure you would get your way?
“Malum. I really like you. I wish things were—”
We stared into each other’s eyes for a fleeting moment. Giselle couldn’t finish her thought. Clicking heels approached. Only one person made such an arrogant sound.
“Thank you for the update. I’ll let you know how Liana is doing as soon as I get the report from Lotus.”
Giselle blinked in confusion, but quickly caught on when footsteps sounded closer.
“Yes. Please do. I’ll be with my sisters. Thank you.”
Giselle gave a slight bow toward Dom. My brother returned the greeting, looked over his shoulder at her ass, and watched her disappear around the corner.
I rolled my eyes. Dom was a horny bastard. Seducing women was the only thing he was good at, besides tracking enemies.
“Malum. Let’s talk in your office.”
Dom and I walked side by side without saying a word. After closing the door, I sat on the sofa across from him.
Dom leaned back and released a deep sigh. “Anything new before I share?”
“You’re not going to believe this. The angels Awan shipped off in search of their book arrived when you left.”
I told him about Liana getting sick and how she had two souls. And about how the angels would help her.
Dom hiked up his eyebrows. “Do you believe the angels?”
“I have no choice. Awan was the one who said it, and Lotus insisted that we do what Uriel said. At that point, I was willing to do whatever to help Liana. Lotus is with them right now.”
“Good sister.” He ginned, looking proud.
I stood up, poured two shots of whiskey, and handed one to Dom. “Before I forget, Lotus was able to set up a meeting for the witches at TO. It’s tomorrow night.”
Dom gulped and tipped his head back. “I knew she would come through.”
I poured another one for me and sat back down. “I’m not sure if Awan would be the right witch to hold a position at TO.”
“Well, we’ll see what happens. At least her true motive will come to light.”
I finished my second shot and set it on the tea table between us. “So tell me. Were you able to find this vampire?”
“Indeed I have.”
“And?”
“I killed him.”
I stiffened and straightened from my slouched position. “Please tell me you killed him after you got the information you needed.”
Dom loosened his tie. His suit pressed to him like a second skin. “Of course I did. And you’re not going to believe who’s behind the attack.”
“Who?”
Dom stood and headed for the window. “It’s a funny world we live in. Everyone stabbing each other in the back. I mean, I’m not surprised. They think they’re the law, so why not do whatever the hell they want?”
“What are you talking about?” I stood, prepared for his rage.
Dom slowly turned to me. “Trinity Order. The vampire told me TO was involved.”
It took me a few seconds to register. “No. I don’t believe him. Why would he tell you the truth?”
Dom took his time and patted my cheek. “Because, brother. I caught not only one, but several. Before I cut off their heads, the three said the same.”
I moved away from him to my desk and sat on the edge. “Samyaza claimed the witches teamed up with the vampires and caused the attack.”
Dom took off his teal suit jacket and placed it over the sofa. “Samyaza is a traitor. I would never take his word. Besides, he’s tight with Kenan. Perhaps Samyaza is involved, too.”
I glanced at the globe I had returned to its original place. I had gone back to the destruction to fish the globe out. No need to try to hide it and pretend it didn’t exist. All was out in the open about what I had done.
“What do we do now?”
Dom dusted something off his pants and gave me a sideways glance. “Are you asking me?” His lips practically reached his eyes. “Seems like we’re finally a team. I say we pretend we don’t know. I’m not going to tell Awan. Let’s see what Awan reports back tomorrow after the meeting. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
The newly born vampire said Trinity Order had called the strike and Dom believed their story? Either Dom was lying through his teeth, or he was finally coming around. My bet was on the first option. I would never in a million years lower my guard around him.
“I agree, brother,” I said.
Two-faced. I was always untruthful with Dom. Would I ever trust him?
A knock on the door startled me.
“Come in,” I said.
Paymon entered, looking perturbed and unsettled. “Where’s Liana? I tried to check up on her, but she’s not in the guest room.”
Dom shifted to get a better look at Paymon. “You feeling okay? That was a close call.”
Paymon narrowed his eyes, most likely wondering why Dom was being so polite.
“Um. Yes. I was lucky the metal rod didn’t go through my heart. I guess I’m meant to live. Where’s Liana?”
“Paymon. Please.” I place a hand on his shoulder to escort him out the door. “We’re in the middle of—”
Paymon shrugged off my hand. “How could you do that to Liana?”
“What do you know? What have you heard?” My voice grew stern and cold.
“Not much. But Liana being in a coma is your fault. She went behind your back because of that damn thing.” He pointed to my bookshelf. “Why? Why is this family so
fucked up? This is why I drink. I’d rather be with the lowlife demons than a family that pretends to care about each other.”
“Paymon. You don’t understand. I didn’t want her to remember her past.”
Paymon shoved me. “Why? Why did you take her away from her human family? She could’ve had a normal life. She lived with good people. Just admit it. You were being selfish. You saw something special in her and you just had to have her. You didn’t care about her. You cared about her potential power.”
My heart cracked. My selfish wants had done this to Liana. I knew I had changed over the years, but I hadn’t known how soft I’d become, and I didn’t like it one bit. Tender feelings only made me weak.
How could I protect the ones I loved like this? When I was ruthless and uncaring, my enemies second-guessed themselves before attacking, but if they found out I had become weak, who knew what they would try.
“You’re right.”
Dom and Paymon looked at me as if I had grown a third eye.
“I did whatever the hell I wanted without thinking of the repercussions. But that isn’t me anymore. I’ll make it right, Paymon. I’ll do it for Liana. I’ll be a better father than ours. He was never around. He didn’t care about us. I became the very being I loathed. I won’t let that happen to me.”
“Well …” Paymon’s voice softened and his muscles relaxed. “I’ve noticed you’ve changed.” He looked at Dom, raising his chin to stand up to him. “He hasn’t.”
Dom extended his arms out and kicked up his feet on the sofa. “Why do I need to change? I’m perfect the way I am, always have been. You on the other hand, Paymon, need to grow some balls.”
Paymon hissed, fingers rounded at his sides. His demon face flickered, baring his teeth. “You do whatever you must. Karma will find you.”
“Oh, don’t worry, little brother. Karma will find me when Awan gets a seat in TO. She’ll make everything right again. We’ll start by getting rid of the elders. They need to go. It’s about time the new generation took over.”
“Awan? And what makes you think she’ll do as you wish? From what Balen told me, she has an agenda of her own.”