by P. C. Benson
I paused and waited. Nothing. They kept their shields up. “So be it.” I raised both my hands, blasted their shields and they crumbled instantly. I wrapped each of them with energy like I had the Fallen. “If you are not able to uphold the law, then you do not deserve the seats you have taken. You will now be relieved of your duty. If anyone has a problem with that, then they can take it up with me.” I glared at each of them, but they averted their eyes, except for a pudgy woman and two burly men with tree-trunk-sized arms who looked like they could snap my neck with their bare hands. I released everyone, snapped my fingers, and the three crumpled to the ground.
“They are relieved of their duties. Does anyone have any objections?” I crossed my arms and waited.
No one stirred. “I will say it again; Daemon is off-limits. If you wish to speak with him and he agrees to it, then you are welcome to speak with him. If you want to help, then even better, but no one is going to question his loyalty or decide if he is welcome amongst the Nephilim. That is for me to judge alone. Go against Daemon, and you go against me. Do I make myself clear?” I spoke the last sentence louder.
“If there are no further objections, the rest of you may carry on.” I raised my hand, released everyone, and walked back to my place next to Alec. I gave Daemon an encouraging pat on the shoulder as I passed him. “Oh, Mr. St Clair and Celeste. We will talk afterward,” I said pointedly. I was still pissed at them.
Their shoulders tensed they but didn’t respond.
It was quiet, and no one moved. Then Celeste eyed me, and I gave her a slight nod, so she directed everyone to their seats and asked for the soldiers to bring the unconscious to the infirmary.
Alec placed his arm around me and whispered very softly in my ear. “You and I will talk afterward,” he mimicked. Oh shit, he was pissed.
“So, where were we?” A polished handsome woman stated. “Yes, Daemon.”
“Oh, excuse me.” I flashed them a fake smile, and every head in the room turned towards me. Alec stiffened, and his arm on my shoulder tightened. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I was hoping that I would be part of the selection process of the Regent replacements. I don’t want to keep attending these meetings of yours, so I was hoping we get this out of the way right now. I’m sure this is agreeable to everyone.”
No one spoke. The seven remaining Regents looked awkwardly at each other.
Mr. St Clair finally spoke up. “Usually, dear, there is a process for a Regent replacement, before a vote is even considered.”
“You mean, a political process?”
I took a step forward, but Alec held me in place. I stayed put since he was still pissed. “We can argue about your antiquated process, Mr. St Clair, and if you are defending the practice, then I am sorry to say, this will not end amicably. I must insist that this happen now, and you all choose from anyone in the room and allow everyone to vote. The only other thing I insist on is that I approve the candidates. I will scan their souls and make sure they are not corrupt. That goes for the rest of you as well.”
Mr. St Clair eyed me, then Celeste, then me again, then inclined his head. “When did you wish to start, after Daemon’s case?”
“I wish to leave this room as soon as possible, but I will not leave until Daemon’s part is over, and all the Regents have been vetted, and the proper and rightful individuals are seated on those comfortable chairs. So you all decide how to proceed. I’m sure you are anxious for me to depart as soon as possible as well.”
He gestured for them to restart. The woman looked my way, asking for permission, and I inclined my head. She smiled and started talking. “Daemon, we apologize for our initial accusation. Please know that not everyone suspected you. A few of us sympathize about the ordeal you have gone through and are still going through. During our meeting, one of the solutions that came up is getting the help of our expert. Now, before we go any further, since you were vouched for by the Savior, we must ask her permission before we proceed.”
Daemon nodded. The Regent looked at me once more.
“Who exactly is this expert and what will he be doing?”
A man who looked like the twin of this lady spoke then. “The Regency have experts that have different talents, and one of them can uncover forgotten memories and help restore them. This will accomplish two things: to help us see what truly happened and help him recover lost memories.”
“What’s the catch?”
“It could be unpleasant, and there are no guarantees. Everyone will be able to see what he sees, since our guy will be working with another to project the images.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“This, of course, is Daemon’s choice. The only thing I require is that this is done in private. So, if he is ready to give an answer after this meeting is over, then fine. If not, let’s set another day. Daemon, any objections?”
“No, I agree with you.”
“Perfect, I suppose we shall proceed with the Regents.” I turned to Alec. He released me but followed closely behind.
“I’ve been reading everyone’s soul. Although some of you are questionable”—my eyes rested on a skinny man with paper-thin skin, a curling goatee and gray hair along with a redheaded man—“you are still redeemable. I will be watching closely. Remember, you are here to monitor and uphold the law, help keep the Nephilim safe, and to make sure their lives are better, not benefit from your position. Difficult times are ahead of us. You are here to be the pillar of strength that guides your people—to ensure that you stay true to your promise to the position you hold. If you no longer possess that drive and passion, then it’s time to step down.” I studied their energy in reaction to my words, and they all seemed to be empowered by it. Perfect. “Please have Ti or Vik summon me if Daemon wishes to continue with the probing.”
I heard a murmur of, “savior” as I exited. I inclined my head and left.
“Gabrielle. Hold up.”
I slowed but did not stop until we got to the massive living room with two sets of deep couches—one around a gas fireplace and one around the largest TV I’d seen. I went straight to the bar and made myself a drink. I didn’t know what was in it, but I poured it in a glass and added some ice. I took a big gulp and grimaced.
Alec raised a brow in question.
I rolled my eyes, not caring at the moment. I needed to calm myself. I wasn’t sure why, but I was still riding high on adrenaline.
“What’s going on with you?”
“What do you mean?” I sat next to the fireplace.
“You know what I’m referring to: the outbursts with the Fallen, then the Regent. Let’s not even mention that you keep sidelining me.” He sat in front of me and eyed me.
“Sounds like you’re having an outburst,” I murmured, then took a sip of my drink.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“And what’s with the drinking?”
“I need to calm myself.” I swirled the liquid inside and eyed the glass.
“I know. I could feel you, remember?”
“So, what are you asking? You can feel me. What do you want to know?” I snapped.
“That. Right there.” He pointed. He got up and looked out of the large windows overlooking the lake. “You’ve been quick to anger, and you have been lashing out at people. It terrifies me. Not just for your safety, but others as well.”
I could see his reflection, and I was dumbfounded by his words. “You think I would hurt innocent people?” I asked as I set my drink down carefully.
“I feel helpless. I’m supposed to guide you, but you keep caging me. You take off or you stop me. How am I supposed to guide you, if you prevent me from doing so?” He leaned his head on the glass.
I stared at his back, then at the fire.
We were quiet for quite some time. He sat in front of me and took both my hands in his. “Why are you so angry, Gabrielle?”
I searched his face, looking for answers because I truly didn�
��t know the answer myself. “I don’t know,” I whispered. “I just feel it all the time. Maybe he succeeded, Alec.”
“Who.”
“Abaddon. He knew what he was doing, placing Lilly with me, allowing us to grow up together and making me love her. She was my whole life. I would have given up my life for her, even you, Alec, in an instant, with no question. That’s how much she meant to me. Do you understand what was taken from me?
“You are everything to me, you are part of my soul, but Lilly was my family, and she was all I knew, even if it wasn’t true. He turned her against me and took her from me. She is worse than dead. If she were dead, I could grieve and move on, but I can’t move on, Alec. I feel lost.”
I blinked hard, trying not to cry. I grabbed his hand. “I’m barely surviving. I’m only able to because of you. Since I entered your world, I’ve had to grow up fast. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m grasping in the dark. I’m sorry if I’m being difficult, or if I make things hard on you. Please know that I am grateful every day that I have you because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. I would either be dead, or I would be dark.”
I leaned forward and kissed him, hoping it would convey what my measly words couldn’t—a kiss that needed no words to express my feelings. Our breaths mingled in heavy pants and the air around us grew thick as our skin danced with the excess energy I projected. The restless energy in me subsided, which was more efficient in expelling the energy than the alcohol I had tried to consume. God, I wanted to be with Alec so badly. We needed to leave the compound. I was about to take us to the lighthouse when I heard, “Ahem.”
We sprang apart.
“I hope I’m not interrupting…” Vik said with a big smile on his face. “But, you wanted to be a part of the Regent replacement selection and Daemon’s probing, or should I tell them to carry on?” He wiggled his brows.
I threw a pillow at him as he guffawed on his way out. I sighed and followed Vik out.
I expected to go back to the ballroom, but instead, we entered a room I had never been in before. It looked like a large saloon from the Wild West. Alec called it a cigar room. It was a large room with a grand piano, a full bar, cigar cases, and a few sets of comfortable leather seats. The remaining Regents, Celeste, Mr. St Clair, Daemon, and a handful of other people were there, along with Vik and Ti. Everyone sat comfortably and quieted down when we entered the room.
“I’m assuming these are the candidates?” I gestured to the ones who wore regular clothes and looked uncomfortable and out of place. I smiled at them and addressed them. “May I ask how you guys were chosen?”
One of them nodded and timidly replied. “We volunteered and were called upon by the Regent.”
“Perfect.” I smiled widely. I studied each of them. “Do you all want to serve as Regent? It’s a tough position, therefore it must be voluntary, and no one will fault you if you have hesitations. Please speak now if you wish to not be considered. Your life will not be your own, you will have to put others before yourselves, and that could be tough depending on your situation.”
Their energy was pure and determined. I smiled inwardly. “You are all fine candidates. Your people chose well. Good luck.” They all flashed me a relieved and friendly smile and followed Mr. St Clair to the door.
Two others walked in and were introduced as the Nephilim that would probe Daemon’s past.
“I’m assuming Daemon has agreed to this?”
Daemon nodded.
I sat next to Alec and watched from the back. “How did you learn to read souls?” he whispered. I shrugged because I hadn’t learned—when I concentrated, it was like a person’s energy spoke to me, and I could read their core soul. Could they not do this?
One of the men murmured something to Daemon, and he nodded and leaned his head back on the seat. The man placed his hand on Daemon’s forehead, concentrated, and pinched his eyes shut as sweat started beading on the man’s forehead.
“Frank,” he grunted out to let the man he had walked in with know that he was ready.
Frank placed his hand on the first man’s forearm and threw his other hand out to the wall, projecting the images from Daemon’s mind. The brutal scene that Daemon had described to us played out without sound. I froze for a moment as I finally got to see the face of the man that had caused so much pain. He was tall and imposing with striking features, brown hair, and thick lips. The evil glint in Abaddon’s sharp blue eyes and his sinister smile gave me goosebumps.
Seeing the pain in Daemon, especially when his soul was ripped out of his body and when the light went out of Elija’s eyes, was something I would not forget. Celeste muffled a sob. I didn’t watch the children or Mrs. St Clair being tortured. Neither did Alec. He kept his elbows propped on his thighs and buried his head on his hands. I rubbed Alec’s back and watched Mr. St Clair as he sobbed into his hands. Celeste wrapped her arms around him, and they cried together. Ti and Vik also held each other as tears freely flowed down their faces. Even a few of the Regents had misty eyes.
When the projection stopped, I got up and kneeled in front of Daemon. “Are you okay?”
He gave a curt nod and pressed his hand on his eyes.
“Can we see his past lives?” I asked the man.
I eyed Daemon carefully. The man still held on to Daemon’s forehead.
“His memories are there but are blocked by dark energy. It will take time to get them back.”
“Meaning?”
“As you said, Savior. He has a long journey ahead, and only he can take it. We can try our best to guide him, but only he can traverse the land. It is up to him to find his destination. When he is ready. He will find his memories again.”
“I can remove the dark energy from him.”
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. It is embedded in him, and taking all of it away might do more harm than good at this time.”
“So it’s possible to gain them back?” Daemon asked.
“You are the only block to your own memories, Adam.”
Daemon nodded.
I patted Daemon’s shoulder. He gave me a weak smile, and I thanked the man.
Everyone slowly made their way out, but not before they said kind words to Daemon, both apologizing for their first behavior and thanking him for what he had done.
“Hey, man, let’s get you a drink,” Vik offered.
Daemon looked surprised.
I muffled a laugh on Alec’s shoulder.
“Yeah, let’s grab a bite too while we’re at it. We’ll tell you about how you used to spar with Vik and me.”
“Oh, god, they are corrupting him,” Celeste moaned.
My shoulders shook from laughter, and Alec chuckled. “I’m so sorry, Alec. I didn’t mean to be insensitive to you and Mr. St Clair, not after…”
“Don’t be, my dear. I have mourned the death of my wife for a long time. The pain is always there and never goes away. This new development is not pain, but anger and helplessness. We had bodies, you see, for both Elija and Miriam. We found their bodies in the house, they had left Elija’s, and they had a replacement body that had looked like Miriam’s. It was badly burned so we didn’t suspect anything. You see, we can only recognize the energy, both bodies didn’t contain their essence. It could be many lifetimes, and I would recognize Miriam’s energy anywhere,” he said with a faraway look and a small smile on his face. “Celeste was able to recognize Adam, even in Daemon’s body.” His face fell, and his handsome face was filled with sadness. “What they had left behind were just husks. We buried them and mourned their loss, but we also looked forward to the day we would be reunited once again.” The pain in his eyes made me want to break Abaddon’s face. My fists clenched with anger that matched what I saw in Mr. St Clair’s eyes. Alec reached for my hand and smoothed out my fingers. “We waited for their return, but after several centuries, we knew something was amiss. You see, as the first humans and the first Nephilim, we would always be reborn after a few centuries.”
&
nbsp; “I’ve spent a long time searching for them in my premonitions, but nothing,” Celeste interjected. “I didn’t expect to find you before we found them. It’s disturbing that Abaddon has got as far as he has without my knowledge. I suppose using Adam to block my sight was a great strategy.”
The door opened, and loud voices could be heard, followed by Vik, Ti, and Daemon carrying a tray full of food and drinks. The three had been laughing.
Grateful for the food, I made myself a plate as I smiled to myself that Ti and Vik had finally welcomed Daemon into the group.
“So, one time, Vik had you in a headlock, and he was going to slam you down, wrestling style, but you somehow got yourself out, right before he slammed on the floor, so he fell face-first and busted his nose. It was the funniest thing I’ve seen.” Ti laughed so hard that she could hardly finish her story. “When he landed, he looked up and said, ‘You weren’t supposed to move’!”
“Very funny! He wasn’t,” Vik said.
Celeste and Mr. St Clair looked happier as well. When everyone had finished eating, Alec spoke. “Can we finish up our conversation? It’s getting late.”
The energy in the room got serious.
“Celeste, now that Daemon is no longer with Abaddon, do you think you can get a glimpse of his plans more?” Alec continued.
“Wait, are you sure you should be discussing this with me around?” Daemon said.
“I think at this point, even the Regent is convinced of your innocence. Not to mention they about shit their pants at Gabby’s show of power tonight.” Vik snickered.
“Speaking of, why were you two ready to feed Daemon to the wolves tonight?” I crossed my arms and raised my brow, as I directed my question to Celeste and Mr. St Clair.
They looked at each other with unease.
“I’m sorry, Daemon and Gabby. I am not proud of my actions, not just tonight, but of my role in the Regent over the past few centuries.” Celeste played with her many bangles and spoke to her lap. “The politics around the Regent was hard to navigate, and sometimes, you needed to play a certain role to achieve a more palatable solution. At times, the choice is between the lesser of two evils, so it’s easy to fall into a certain persona. You reminded us tonight why the Regent was formed in the first place, Gabby.