The Devil: A Paranormal Vampire Romance Novel (Devil Series Book 4)

by Raven Steele

  I nodded. "Hold on."

  He took hold of my hand firmly, and we disappeared.

  Lucien had fallen into a deep sleep the second he dropped into bed. I couldn't sleep at all, so I sat in a chair next to him and watched over him. He seemed so distant, barely looking at me and talking only when I asked him questions. There was so much pain inside him. I felt it pulsing off of him even as he slept.

  Morning came. It took us a couple of hours to get ready. Lucien's movements were slow, and sometimes he would stop moving for no reason at all and begin to shake. I used soothing words and touched him only when I sensed he would welcome the contact.

  "Are you sure you want to come?" I asked him. "Because I can go see Henry and the others on my own. I'm sure they will understand."

  He lowered onto a sofa, considering my words. "As much as I'd like to rest, I need to see them too."

  When Lucien was finally ready, we teleported directly into the Deific library, the place where Henry could usually be found, or at least he had been in the past. I was disappointed to find him absent.

  I sighed. "I wanted to do this in person, but I don't know where else to look. We'd better just call him."

  Lucien removed a recently purchased cell phone from his pocket and handed it to me.

  I dialed the number, but no one answered.

  "Do you think everything's all right?" I asked.

  "Call it again. He probably didn’t answer because he doesn’t recognize the number. It’s what I would’ve done."

  I dialed again. This time he answered on the third ring. "Yes?"

  "Henry?"

  There was a long pause.

  "Are you there?" I asked. When he didn't say anything, I kept talking. "I have Lucien. We're back and at the library looking for you. I know a lot of time has—"

  Henry appeared in front of me, making me jump and drop the phone.

  "You're alive," he said. His gaze flickered to Lucien. "And you."

  Lucien nodded.

  Henry exhaled a shaky breath and leaned over, his hands resting on his knees for support. "I didn't think I would see you two ever again."

  "I didn't either," Lucien said.

  Henry straightened and inhaled a long slow breath. "You couldn't have returned at a better time. Now that we have a new President who doesn't share the same views as Erebus," he paused. "Is he—?

  "Dead," I finished. "He won't be coming back here ever again."

  "Wonderful news! As I was saying, the country is finally returning to normal, or as normal as it can get. The DSRD's focus has changed. Instead of forcing people to register, their main goal is to try and understand where a supernatural's abilities comes from."

  "That sounds dangerous," Lucien said.

  "We're keeping a close on eye on it." He glanced at me. "You need to go see Llona."

  "I was hoping to."

  "She's with the others. Lucent Academy is celebrating an Auran holiday today. There are all sorts of activities going on and a big banquet tonight. I was planning on attending myself. What are we waiting for?"

  Before I could stop him, he reached for Lucien, but as soon as he touched Lucien's arm, Lucien recoiled, nearly falling over.

  "I'll take him," I said quickly.

  Lucien turned away, his back to both of us.

  "I apologize," Henry said. "I didn't mean to …"

  "It's okay. He's just been through Hell, literally. He will need some time."

  "Of course. How insensitive of me." He eyed Lucien worriedly.

  "How about if we meet you there?" I asked. "We'll be right behind you."

  He nodded and took a step back. "I want you to know that countless days and nights were spent trying to find a way to bring you and Lucien back, or at the very least contact you. Llona and Liam traveled the world, speaking to anyone who might have information. They will be so relieved to learn that you've returned."

  "We have good friends," I agreed, my gaze flickering to Lucien. His whole body was tense, and I could tell he was trying hard not to shake.

  "I'll see you at the academy," Henry said. Before I could take my next breath, he was gone.

  "I'm sorry," Lucien whispered. His tremors intensified now.

  My chest tightened, nearly crushing my heart. I hated to see him suffer, a pain he had to endure because he had saved me. I touched him lightly on the back to see how he would respond. When he didn't flinch, I gently rubbed up and down and swallowed around a sudden fullness in my throat for what I was about to suggest. It could ease his torment.

  "I can't imagine what you've been through, Lucien. I promise I'll be here for you, to help you in any way I can, including taking away your pain. I can make you forget."

  His breathing quickened as he considered it.

  "Just say the word, and I will take your memories. Bury them forever."

  He was silent for almost a full minute before he said, "I need to think about it."

  I nodded and slid my hand into his cool palm. He exhaled a weighted breath at the touch as I searched his tormented eyes. A storm raged there. So much pain and sorrow. I longed to take it away.

  Pressing my palm to his cheek, I asked, “Can I kiss you?”

  He barely nodded but held still as I lightly pressed my mouth to his, hesitating long enough for our breaths to mingle. I moved my lips slowly over his and opened my mind. With a slight mental push, I touched his consciousness. A stone wall as dark and black as a starless night greeted me.

  “Let me in,” I breathed.

  His body shuddered. “I… I don’t know if I can.”

  My fingers glided down his neck, and I palmed his heart. “Let go of your fear. I’ve got you.”

  He sucked in a hitched breath and gripped my hips, his clutch desperate as if he was afraid he might fall if he didn’t hang on to me.

  Very slowly, his mental wall shimmered just enough to let me past. While still planting soft kisses onto his mouth, I gently placed memories of us into his mind, stitching my love for him into each one. His shoulders trembled, and I opened my eyes just in time to catch a tear sliding down his cheek.

  His kiss deepened, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to get him closer. He did the same to me until there was no space between us.

  We stayed like this for some time, wrapped in each other’s embrace, our lips expressing everything we felt. The tension in his body relaxed, only shuddering occasionally.

  Finally, he pulled away. The storm in his eyes was still there but no longer raged. "I'm ready to go to the Academy."

  I hesitated and bit my lip, thinking he could use a few days, maybe more before seeing others.

  "I'll be all right, Eve," he whispered. "I want to thank my friends."

  "Okay, but if things get too heavy for you, let me know and we'll get out of there."

  He nodded.

  I gently took his hand and teleported us to the tall clock tower within Lucent Academy's walls. Sunlight filtered in through the open windows. The sounds of laughing and cheering filled the air. We walked to a window and peered out. The lawn was full of Auran girls playing all sorts of games. There were races, volleyball, and even an archery range.

  "They look so happy," I said.

  "As they should be."

  Instead of teleporting again, we walked down the stairs and across the campus to Chadni Hall. A few people glanced our way, but no one said anything. I doubt any of them knew who we were.

  "Hey!" a voice shouted.

  I kept walking thinking it was someone else being shouted at.

  "Your hair is boring again." The girl's voice was closer.

  I whirled around. May barreled into me before I could stop her. Her arms squeezed me tight.

  "Where the hell have you been?" she said and let me go.

  "Um… Hell."

  "Right, well, I'm not even going to ask how that was. I'm just glad you're back." She glanced at Lucien. "That was some move you did, jumping into Hell’s mirror like the fucking hot knight that you a
re. How are you holding up?"

  "I'm up," he said.

  "Well if you ever need anything that involves fire, I'm your girl." She tugged on my arm. "Come on. Llona's going to freak when she sees you."

  I smiled and followed after her, the sunshine at my back. Lucien followed. When we walked through the front doors at the same time as several Auran girls exiting the building, he quickly hooked one of my fingers into his. I glanced back at him, but he gave me a reassuring smile.

  May guided us up to Dr. Han's office. The door was partially open. I could hear Henry's voice within.

  "Look who I found skulking around campus," May said as she walked into the room.

  All eyes turned toward us. Dr. Han rose from his chair. He looked exactly the same as I had remembered. Liam stood next to Henry, and Llona rushed to embrace me.

  "I'm so happy to see you!"

  “Me too,” Liam said. “Maybe now she can sleep at night.” He looked past me to Lucien. "Welcome home.”

  Liam didn't try to hug or shake Lucien’s hand. I'm sure Lucien was relieved.

  Dr. Han rounded his desk and hugged me as soon as Llona let go. "I bet you have an amazing tale to tell. I'd love to hear it some day."

  I released him and felt my eyes well with tears. "I saw him, Dr. Han. Charlie. He saved us."

  Saying Charlie's name out loud didn't hurt like it always had before. Instead of pain, my heart felt full of love. Maybe that meant I had finally forgiven myself.

  May clapped her hands. "This sounds like story time. Let's break out the popcorn!"

  Llona's gaze flickered to Lucien. As if sensing his inner turmoil, she said, "Let's wait for another time. There's a party going on, and now we have more reason than ever to celebrate."

  We chatted for a few more minutes, before Dr. Han had to excuse himself for an event he was supposed to host. Henry and May accompanied him. Dr. Han smiled and bowed his head as he passed us.

  "Lucien," Llona said after the others had left. "I don't know what you've been through, but there's a lot of pain in your eyes. Would you mind," she glanced nervously from Liam to me, "if I gave you a little Light? It will help ease some of your burden."

  Lucien lowered his head. For a second, I thought he was going to deny her, but then he whispered, "Please."

  "Let me have your hand."

  He held it toward her. Llona grasped it and closed her eyes. A moment later, her palm lit up. Lucien's chest expanded as he sucked in air. His eyes moistened.

  "There," Llona said and let go. "If you ever need more, just ask."

  "Thank you," he said. His voice was already stronger, more assured. "And thank you for helping Eve. I will be forever in your debt."

  Llona laughed. "Well, you'll have plenty of chances to pay us back, if you are still working for the Deific. Liam and I, work there full time now. May helps out occasionally as well. It's an interesting job."

  I laughed. "That's one way of putting it."

  "Do you want to go downstairs?" Liam asked Lucien. "I've got the fight from last night recorded."

  "What?" Llona gasped, appearing to be hurt. "You're not going to play volleyball with us girls?"

  "We wouldn't want to embarrass you." Liam winked at her and opened the secret door behind Dr. Han's desk.

  "I'm right behind you," Lucien told Liam. He turned to me. "I'll see you soon?"

  "Of course." I almost leaned up to kiss him, but he beat me to it. It was a peck, but it warmed my insides. He smiled at me before disappearing behind the wall.

  "Let's go jump into a volleyball game," Llona said and pulled me along.

  The rest of the day passed quickly. It was the break I needed, and by the look of Lucien at dinner, he needed it too. He leaned against the wall in the dining hall talking to Liam. I even saw him laugh once.

  After the night's festivities died down and most of the girls had returned to their dorm rooms, the rest of us settled into Dr. Han's office. We talked about all sorts of things, past and future. I was looking forward to working with Llona and Liam. They told us specifically about a side business Bodian Dynamics had started. It was some Institute in Ironwood that had been experimenting on both supernaturals and humans. It was rumored that they had found a way to isolate specific genes in the DNA, mainly what they deemed as positive attributes like strong muscular builds, height, and even abnormal abilities like telekinesis or pyrokinesis. They created a special serum from these genes called Prime DNA and were injecting into babies. Their hope was to create a perfect race. I agreed with the others that this was dangerous and should be stopped.

  Llona leaned over to me. "You're welcome to stay here for the night."

  "Thanks. We may." I glanced at Lucien. He was already watching me.

  He walked over to me and said, "Do you want to go for a walk? It's a full moon."

  "I would love to." To the rest of the group, I said, "This was fun. Let's do it again soon."

  May laughed and lifted her soda into the air. "Here! Here!"

  Lucien and I ducked outside of the room and headed downstairs.

  "How are you feeling?" I asked when we reached the lobby.

  He inhaled and opened the door to outside. "Better. I'm calmer in my mind."

  I stopped on the first step and turned around. "I meant what I said earlier. I can help you forget."

  He searched my eyes. "If you had to do it all over again, would you have erased your memory?"

  His question didn't surprise me. It was one I had been asking myself for some time. At first I thought the answer was complicated, but, in reality, the truth was simple.

  "No. I would've found another way, or waited it out. What I did wasn't worth the pain I caused you." I took his hand and held it firmly. "I'm not saying this to try and sway you. You must do what you feel you need to do to protect yourself. I will be here no matter what, whether it's now or in a hundred years. My heart belongs to you."

  He exhaled and pulled me to his chest, holding me tightly. His heart beat steady and sure. "I don't know what the future holds for us, but I'm prepared to spend every second of it with you. And I don't want to forget a single moment. It just may take me some time to get back to my old self."

  "Take all the time you need."

  The campus was quiet, and the moon and stars glowed brightly against the dark sky. I looked up at him, smiling. "We did it. We survived."

  He kissed me tenderly on the forehead and whispered, "I love you, Eve."

  "I love you, too."

  We stayed like this for some time, bathed in the moon's silvery glow. Finally he let me go. "How about that walk?"

  "I want nothing more." I interlaced my fingers through his and descended the steps.

  The night had come, and we would walk it together.

  * * *

  THE END

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  If you enjoyed reading about Llona, Liam and May, then check out their beginnings in the Fractured Light Trilogy. Read Fractured Light, book one, on Amazon today!

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  If you'd also like to find out the devastating results of Bodian Dynamic's DNA experiments several hundred years into the future, then check out the Original Series, a thrilling and romantic Dystopian series. Read book one, Escape to Eden on Amazon.

  Books by Raven Steele:

  "Fire burns inside me, and it wants out."

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  Solar Academy was the last place Rose wanted to go, but after mentally igniting a boy on fire at her current high school, her father insists she attends so she can learn to control her powers. All her life, the fire inside her has raged. It doesn’t help that years earlier Aurora, her mother and the one they call Sleeping Beauty, had unleashed her own fire killing dozens of innocent people.

  Now Aurora sleeps in an eternal slumber protected by dark magic no one can break. Which is just as well. Rose is desperate to break free from her mother’s murdering shadow and prove to people that she is more than the flames burning inside her.

  With the help of ne
w friends at Solar Academy, Rose finally feels like she belongs. But when she discovers a web of lies surrounding her mother’s imprisonment, she’s forced to confront the past and come face to face with the darkness that also pulled her mother into its evil grasp. The only way to fight it is to release her own raging inferno, even if that means harming her friends and the boy she’s falling in love with.

  In this full-length, urban fantasy series, Steele introduces readers to a dark and beautiful academy story with fairytale elements. If you like Cassandra Clare, Stephanie Meyer and Sarah J. Maas, you will LOVE this series! Scroll up and grab it TODAY!

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  Raven Steele is a pen name for Rachel McClellan. Check out her Dystopian novels!

  * * *

  "There's got to more to life than just surviving."

  In the future, mankind has learned to manipulate their DNA, harnessing only the good genes, like intelligence, strength and height. They called this prime DNA and humans rushed to get these new pDNA injections, which gave them superhuman-like qualities. Centuries later, however, their DNA became so engineered that humans rarely live past the age of thirty, thanks to a new deadly disease called the Kiss. The only cure is to receive an injection of oDNA, DNA from an Original human that hasn't been genetically altered. Problem is there aren't many Originals left.

  When seventeen-year-old Sage wakes up in a hospital with no memories, her only clue are the words "Run Now" written on her hand. Trusting her instincts, Sage barely escapes but only to collide with an outside world that would kill to get their hands on her.

  * * *

  With the help of unlikely allies, including a boy with hidden bat wings, Sage makes the dangerous trek to Eden, the last place for people like her and the only place she'll be safe from those at the Institute who would use her blood until she died. But with deadly Primes hot on their trail, Sage must make the ultimate sacrifice to save the people she’s grown to love.