by P. C. Benson
I stepped in front of them, cocked and ready. They all stiffened, and the two girls on the brothers’ knees fell from their lap and scrambled away. My energy radiated from me—it felt alive and tingled on my skin. Lilly snapped her head up, her dark void pulsing at the sight of me. Jake smirked. Daemon pushed the two girls up and stood as they also left. I briefly glanced around the now-empty balcony.
“Isn’t this a familiar sight?” I let my energy loose and directed it at the three.
Lilly glared and stood, but I narrowed my eyes at her and pushed with raw energy. She fell back onto Jake’s lap—wiping the smirk off his face.
“Didn’t I fucking warn all of you about this?” I stepped closer and the brothers flinched and tried to leave. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”
Lilly gathered her dark, slimy energy and got ready to blast me. “Lilly, I’m really getting tired of your shit, so don’t fucking test me.” My temper flared along with my energy, which was now flowing out in waves. Her eyes widened briefly, and her darkness receded, but she shot me a venomous look.
“Jake, you were fucking warned.” I enclosed him and his brother with raw energy so they couldn’t leave—a tight bubble around us, buzzing with energy that only I could dissipate.
“I didn’t do anything, please. We weren’t doing anything. I swear. We were just having fun.” He was sweating bullets and placed Lilly in front of him. What a fucking pussy.
“Daemon, do something!” Lilly screamed. She was red and looked uncomfortable. She was probably most affected since she had the most evil coursing through her veins.
Daemon tried to step forward but flinched. He wasn’t immune. I tried to shield him, but if he stepped any closer he would get a full blast of it. “Gabby. They weren’t doing anything. It wasn’t like last time. He’s telling the truth.”
I eyed the four in front of me, frozen in fear, and pulled back the energy. “That’s my last warning. Keep it PG or take it to your room. Also, I don’t want to smell your shit!”
The two nodded vigorously, while Jake let out a nervous chuckle. Lilly kept her mouth shut, but her stormy gaze kept darting between Daemon and me.
I stayed around them as they slowly relaxed around me. Two women sauntered back to Thing One and Thing Two, and I noticed Jake’s smug grin.
“What are your names again?” I asked the two.
Jake’s clone smirked, holding a full glass of whiskey. “I’m Paul. This brooding one is Allen.” He gestured to the nicely dressed one.
Allen nursed his beer and scoped out the area, while Paul and Jake were obnoxiously loud and drank copious amounts of alcohol. Allen stayed alert and aware of his surroundings. I have to be careful of this guy.
I took a sip of my beer and stepped closer to Daemon with a raised brow. “So, where did your girls go?”
He grunted in annoyance and continued to look inside the house. I followed his gaze—nothing had changed, wild people dancing or in different levels of fornication, some were drinking, smoking, or passed out.
“I don’t get it. Why are you all out here? Why not go in there and partake?” I gestured with my hand.
Jake twisted to face me, the dark gleam in his eyes reflected from the torch in the balcony. “This is where we watch Lilly’s masterpiece. We get to enjoy it from out here without the hassle of interacting with vermin.”
Lilly giggled next to him.
I eyed the humans on the other two’s laps.
Daemon waved dismissively. “They are high out of their minds. They are not aware of anything.”
Paul grabbed the blond girl’s head who was sitting on his lap and brushed her hair out of her face to show her dilated pupils and the stupid grin on her face. As soon as he released her, she went back to kissing his neck, and her hand snaked to his chest, then down the band of his shorts.
I shook off the disgusted look on my face. “So did you drug these chicks?” My jaw clenched.
“Nope. We didn’t force anyone to do anything against their will. We’re all about free will. They all came here intending to have a wild time. We dangle it in front of their faces, and they are more than willing to partake, regardless of consequence.”
“I see. Is that how you get your kicks? To spread discord with lasting consequences?”
No one answered, but the sparkle in their eyes, and Lilly’s smug expression was enough for me to understand that this was how they tipped the balance. These humans were on a dark path. All of their actions had consequences, whether long or short term, whether it was a lifelong addiction, disease or STDs, a break-up, or the beginning of a spiral from tonight’s shenanigans. Partaking in uninhibited acts was what these guys offered. As long as they didn’t force any humans to do anything against their will, they were not breaking any laws. Lilly manipulated the atmosphere to entice their raw and primal desires, but they still came here with their own free will.
So the dark ones were working around technicalities—they were much smarter than I gave them credit for.
“So, the credit goes to Lilly, but who else is responsible for that?” I masked the fury I felt and attempted nonchalance as I gestured to the partygoers.
Both brothers’ eyes flicked briefly to Allen. Hmm, he was the leader of this little trio.
Lilly spoke up then, which surprised me since she’d been pretending that I didn’t exist. She placed a kiss on Jake’s cheek and said, “My man here has many talents, convincing others, and enticing desire.” Jake looked at her, and they stared at each other’s eyes and started kissing.
I turned away and looked around. Daemon was brooding in the corner. I saw him turn away from the two girls he had been with earlier away. He was now looking out on the ocean.
I noticed Allen watching me. “So what about you, Allen. Aside from being the leader of this little group?” I took a sip of my beer as I observed him closely.
He raised his eyebrows, taken aback by my statement. He pulled the girl off his lap and passed her to his brother. “You’re more observant than I thought.” His voice was low.
“What’s the big deal? Are you all worried that I might crack a secret code or something? I’m not interested. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t need to play any of your games,” I sneered.
“Touché.” He raised his beer and drank. He eyed me again and must have decided that I was right. “I’m the strategist of the team, and Paul is our smarty pants. He’s the expert in science, crafts, and philosophy.” He finished with a big smile.
My eyes grew in surprise.
“Yeah, I know it’s surprising. He doesn’t show it, but he’s a brainiac. He is one of the few strong elementals around.”
“I’m speechless. I didn’t know that you guys have some depth in you.”
They all grinned like I hadn’t just insulted them.
“So this is the big evil plan, huh? It’s not very exciting.” I shrugged as I finished my beer and reached for another from the ice bucket.
I passed a few around since we had come to a ceasefire. We weren’t friends, but while we lived together, we could be civil. Plus, this was invaluable information.
“Did you expect us to be torturing humans and sacrificing animals in our basement?” Jake said.
“I bet she did,” Lilly interjected.
“This is our pastime. If we’re not on our assignment, this is what we do,” Paul said.
My eyes narrowed, and I looked at them, including Daemon. He was watching us and listening to our conversation.
My head tilted, and I remembered what Viktor and the others had said about the brotherhood. “So, if you aren’t hunting Nephilim, you’re doing this?” I asked with my arms crossed.
They all looked surprised, including Daemon, who hid a smile and turned back around to gaze at the ocean.
Allen chuckled. “We really can’t get anything past you, can we?”
I scrunched up my face. “Did you guys think that the Nephilim weren’t aware of your activity?”
They shot each other meaningful looks, their relaxed demeanor gone. Were they really that naive? Idiots!
The brothers preoccupied themselves with their drink or their ladies, avoiding conversing with me. It was late, almost three in the morning, and only adrenaline was keeping me awake. I took another sip of my beer when goosebumps peppered my arm and my neck—a dark energy: someone powerful was nearby. I lowered my arm slowly and looked around. No one else seemed aware yet.
Then Daemon met my eyes, and my brow furrowed. He looked concerned as well, so this must have been unexpected.
“You guys expecting company?” I asked.
“What?” Lilly asked as the brothers looked around.
A platinum blonde with a bob came up behind Daemon and whispered in his ear. Her darkness was palpable, and she didn’t bother hiding it. The brothers were all smiling, and Lilly had a curious look on her face.
I eyed this chick in leather pants with high stiletto boots and a lace crop top. She had a silver nose ring and multiple ear piercings. She was tall, probably my height, if she weren’t wearing five-inch heels. I didn’t know what to make of her. She oozed sex appeal, and even towering over most guys, she owned it
I could see Daemon’s strained shoulder as the vixen before him trailed his face with her red fingernail. When she faced us, her voluptuous breasts were on display, along with her nipple piercing underneath her see-through shirt. My eyes jerked up and met her deep-set, icy-blue eyes, which she’d lined with dark liner. She also had a brow piercing. Her red lips twitched into an evil smile.
Stretching out her tattooed arm, decorated with several silver bracelets and rings, she said, “Hello, savior. I was hoping to see you here. I’m Amy.”
I straightened up, almost to her eye level, as I grasped her hand and reinforced my shield, letting my energy coat my surroundings. I wouldn’t let this sexy chick intimidate me. “Pleasure. I’m Gabby. Who exactly are you?”
She glanced at our hands and let go quickly. Her square face hardened, which she masked just as fast. “Let’s just say, I’m someone important.” Then her eyes darted below.
“I see. So I’m assuming you’re here for my sister?”
She then turned to Lilly, and her smile widened. Lilly stood with an expression of awe on her face. They shook hands, then Amy circled Lilly. “I’m very impressed, Lilly. I think you and I will be good friends. Stick with me, and you will learn a lot.” She winked.
“I’m looking forward to it, Amy. It’s nice to meet you.” She beamed. Their energy swirled around each other.
“Boys.” Amy nodded towards the brothers.
The brothers straightened up and nodded formally. Hmm, she’s definitely someone important. These three didn’t show respect for anyone.
Amy pulled my sister towards Daemon, and the three of them had a whispered conversation. Every now and then, they would glance towards me. Lilly, at one point, stared at me with a mixture of fear and disdain.
I was done. Deciding to go to bed, I chugged my beer and tossed it to the trash.
I nodded towards the boys. “Goodnight, boys.”
They nodded back.
I stepped closer, and again reinforced my shield and pushed my energy to my surroundings. I hooked my arm around Amy’s and nodded towards Daemon and Lilly. “I’m going to bed. You and I need to talk. Why don’t you walk with me?” I said as I tugged her with me. She didn’t resist, but she flinched as her shields went up. Her energy pushed against me but it was no match for mine. She stopped as soon as we were out of sight. “This is far enough.” She crossed her arms and faced me.
I raised my brow and stepped closer, purposely invading her bubble. “I know you’re someone important, but I don’t give a fuck. We all know I’m only here for Lilly. Fuck with her, and you fuck with me. I think we both know, regardless of your power, who will come out on top?”
She didn’t flinch. She was stoic. Damn, she was good.
“I’m not here to cross the savior. We all know that even the boss won’t cross you. I didn’t get to my position by being stupid. Don’t worry. I won’t mess with your sister. More importantly, I won’t get in your way.” She sneered and continued. “However, I won’t stop her from her innate desires.” She moved back, pushed the door open, and stepped out.
☈ ☇ ☈
I woke up around noon the next day. Lilly had never made it back to our room. I assumed she’d slept in Jake’s room. The main floor was clean when I stepped out, and even the balcony showed no sign that there had been a raging party just a few hours before. How the hell did they do that? I must learn that trick.
No one was around the main floor, so I scanned the house and sensed they were upstairs. Music was coming from up there. Jesus, were they having another party?
The two brothers sat on the sofa, eating. They gestured for me to join them, and I grabbed a plate as my gaze traveled around when I heard Lilly’s laughter. She and Jake were in the Jacuzzi, her head thrown back in laughter. I did a double-take since I was uncertain at what I was seeing. Amy and Daemon were kissing at the edge of the Jacuzzi. Geez, even her bathing suit had some leather on it, her rib tattoo on display.
“Are those two a thing?” I nodded towards Daemon and Amy.
Allen shrugged. “It’s a complicated thing.”
I frowned.
“They are on when they are around each other, and they are off when they aren’t.” Paul smirked.
I made an oh face and dug into my burrito.
“Hey, savior. Wanna join us?” Amy hollered.
I waved at them and lifted my plate.
A few minutes later, she came over and leaned down, with her giant boobs popping out as she reached for some grapes. Why did everything seem so sensual with her?
“Are you sure you don’t want to join, Gabby? It feels refreshing.”
“Maybe in a bit. Thanks. I need to digest.”
Shrugging, she sauntered back to the Jacuzzi, with her firm butt hanging out of her thong. Her tiny waist swayed. She even looked great without makeup.
“She’s like a walking sex machine.” I shook my head.
“You have no idea,” said Paul. Both the brothers’ eyes were glued to her behind.
“No one can resist her charms.” Allen sighed.
“I bet she could seduce even a straight female. Is she like one of those succubus demons or something?”
They both looked at me and laughed.
“What?”
“We’re Fallen angels, Gabby. Not demons.” Allen said in between chuckles.
“What’s the difference?” I shrugged.
They eyed me to assess if I was serious. “We were creations of heaven. Demons are creations of hell. They don’t have human forms. Some can mimic a form but their true forms are not even close. These are our true forms.”
“Oh.”
“You really don’t know much, do you?” Paul scrutinized me.
“Well, as you already know. Lilly and I were planted here, so no.”
I looked over, and the couples were both making out.
I rolled my eyes and huffed.
Allen looked at me and gave me a half-smile. “I know you have a problem with that, but we Fallen are very open with sex. We aren’t prudish. We don’t have the hang-ups that humans have. It’s a natural thing—a primal desire. If you’re going to be around, I suggest you get used to it because you’re going to see a lot of it. We’ll respect your sister because that’s your rules, but you must know this is normal for us. We don’t feel the need to hide behind closed doors.”
I scrunched my face up to determine if he was fucking with me. He looked serious.
“If you don’t believe me, then look for yourself.” His head gestured towards the couples.
Amy had her top off and was straddling Daemon. He palmed both of her breasts as he kissed her neck. “Jesus, I didn’t need to see that.” I turned to the two men, who were smirking.
“Amy likes putting on a show,” Paul said.
As soon as I heard Amy moan, I looked back one more time. Daemon had Amy’s breast in his mouth.
“Okay, that’s my cue to leave.”
They both chuckled as I hightailed out of there. I didn’t even want to see what the fuck Lilly was doing. I couldn’t stop her if she wanted to put on a show as well. What the fuck was I doing here? It didn’t look like Daemon needed saving.
I packed my stuff and thought about taking it back home. I didn’t want to worry about Alec, so I needed to mask my energy somehow. How did I do that, especially from Alec?
Okay, I knew energy could be transferred and stored. So, if I stored my energy, I could trick Alec that I was still here. I hope. But, I would need to mask my true energy. How did I do that? I’d been told to listen to my instinct, and my powers would follow. I looked around the room to see what I could use to store my energy without anyone finding it. Unable to find anything, I decided to mask the whole room, which made it impenetrable. Let’s see if the Fallen can invade this. It was thick enough that Alec would be able to sense me here. Now, how do I mask my energy? A shield wouldn’t work. I sensed the different energy around me from my lesson with Daemon and remembered dissipating my energy around my surroundings. Hmm… Could I do that? Could I diffuse into vapor? Daemon and Celeste said if I understood the mechanics of something, then I could pretty much achieve anything. When I disapparated and distinguished other energy, I felt myself diffuse. I wondered if I could do it on a larger scale.
The human body is made up of cells, and cells are made of atoms, which are energies. What if I did it and couldn’t put myself back together? Stop overthinking. Maybe start small. I gazed at my right hand. Wait, no, I’m right-handed. I switched to my left just in case. I concentrated and tried to dissipate my left hand. My hand vibrated and blurred, then in a puff, I saw energy in the shape of my hand instead of skin and bones. I panicked for a second, but I could still feel the hand. My right hand hovered and felt for the energy, but it was almost untraceable. I smiled. I closed my eyes, concentrated, sucked the energy back in, and when I opened my eyes, my hand was back. Oh my god, if this works, then I could go invisible. This is huge! I made sure that my barrier held, and I dissolved into the air. I rushed to the bathroom and saw nothing. No ripple, nothing. I squealed in delight. Now for the true test.