We all met back at my home. Sera immediately went to find Barima, and I did not stop her from going to the source of the blood trails. I secretly hoped she'd slip and fall. That she'd die again. I focused on my anger to stop the urge to be near her, to feed from her. Her brother accompanied her, with his eyes on the back of his head. I couldn't have spoken to her or neared her of I tried. Ivara also cut me off from any conversation. I tried to initiate talk about family and bloodlines, but she told me flatly that I deserved none of that knowledge. Not even my parents want to deal with me. They followed Ivara to another room.
"So, I got you exactly what you wanted. Do you still plan to sit here and act like an asshole all evening? Thanks are in order."
"I wanted to back out. That bastard she carries is not mine. I no longer wanted her."
&n
As expected, everyone left as soon as I went to pack. Going as far as even to take Barima's body. No matter, I will be shortly behind them. It only takes moments to appear inside grandfather's home, in his study. I am stealthy as I slink through the house to find him ordering around human servants to fix a room for Sera while she protests and tries to stop him. She's in a pair of jogging pants and a snug sweatshirt, a sliver of belly poking out. I lick my lips. I notice her room is beside his, and that he has scratched a square in the wall big enough for a door. No doubt conjoining the rooms. "This will be cut out and left open for now. The nursery will be in there. I'll send one of you out for clothing and necessities for both of them. Other guests can pick rooms down the hall. Leave at least one spare room between our three and theirs. Nobody across from them." &nb
*Seraphine's POV* I stare out the window of the dusty old bedroom. It's so dusty. Everything's dusty, it smells stagnant and I'm afraid to even lay on the stale bedding. I sit in the padded arm chair facing out, picking at a hole in the glass that I've secretly imagined jumping out a hundred times. In my dreams I landed safely, softly on the dead grass below and slithered away. If only. I wonder if they are looking for me yet? They obviously have to know I was taken unwillingly here. What will they say when I return? I hope they aren't angry. I'd love to tell them the truth, but I have to lie. It's either lie, or be an empty shell. This butthole killed me. I have little doubt he wouldn't destroy my mind from the inside or hurt ke and this child. I'm in a lose lose situation here. This time I h
*Seraphine's POV*I got my wish, he took me back 'home', at this dusty decrepit old prison. Be careful what you wish for. It's been a couple days, and I hardly speak to him unless I have to. Mainly when he drags me into the town to eat. He brought bottled water back last time, and a pack of breakfast biscuits that taste like sand.I keep noting everything though, trying to stay at a distance that he can't read my mind. I'm afraid to sleep, afraid he'll mess with my head or discover I am onto him. I need help. I need the others. I need to tell them about his unusual behavior at times, about his eye. That red eye. It was like staring straight into Yeomorah's.I am roaming the first floor, snooping through everything like a burglar. Searching for books, information, weapons, entertainment, a secret portal to get me the Hell out of here. Anything. I find antiques, old knickers...ew. I find disintegrating papers, old tape
"If evidence confirms, you are sure this is what you want to do?" "I owe it to her. This is my best shot at freeing myself from his possession. He's among the strongest demons around today. Direct descendant of the ancients. Trying to exorcise or traditional methods to free myself of him would kill me too. We still have the death aura, even now that Sera lives once more. I think it narrows down to several possibilities. One, Sera dies again. Two, our child dies. Axar seen me kill him in a premonition." "He?" "Yes. Do not tell Seraphine, I don't want to ruin her surprise. I warned Axar not to spill, but I know he will. Three, is that I die. I don't want any of those outcomes. I want to see my son grow. Today, I could hear his heart beat.It made me realize that if I stay near her, this
*Sera's POV*I awoke in Nomias's bed, with a sleeping Nox against my back. He rarely sleeps, so it was a rare sight. I study his peaceful features as he rests, and I scan my surroundings to find Nomias at the bed's edge lost in thought. I don't want to spook him, but since I have awoken unscathed, I'd like to know what he found."Did you see it?" I ask softly, and he turns his eyes to mine."Yes. You were right, he is certainly possessed. He's also an asshole in his own right, I apologize for some of what I've witnessed." My face tingles like fire as I look away."He is definitely an asshole." I concur. A slight smile spreads across Nomias's mouth. "Thank you, by the way. For everything. I'm pretty sure I'll be in your debt until I die again." He snorts."Give me my great grandchild, and we'll call it even.""I'll owe you the next nine months then. Are you certain you'd want it
How she knew I had made plans to abandon her, I don't know. I laid awake for hours after she had finally slept just trying to pinpoint how she had found out. I'd never tell her, but she's smarter than I realized. Beneath her playful, innocent exterior is a very intuitive and powerful demon wearing the flesh of an alluring woman. "Are you sure you aren't going to tell her? Last chance. You could just go explain yourself-" "No. It's better this way." Alexavier snorts in disbelief. "Fine, don't take my advice. You should know by now that you have zero tact. You're making a mistake. My loyalty lies in my half sister, so don't expect me to cover you. I'll play dumb and let you suffer her wrath." "I owe her no explanation." &n
*Seraphine's POV*I nearly smack my head on the door in my attempt to eavesdrop. So far nobody has spotted me outside the room where Noxodius and Alexavier speak in hushed whispers. Why are they in this room holed up like moles? Nah. Nox is a rat, only not cute or as intelligent. I smirk as I listen in."I owe her no explanation." I seethe. No explanation? I'm carrying your child, my life could be in danger here with this Yeomorah crap regarding that deal. I have EVERY right to know. I continue listening until I hear, "Here we go." I nearly put my head through the door as I hear them walk to the other end, air whooshing from the window. They are sneaking out the window! A little time passes, and I open the door stealthily. Flatten all but my belly pooch as I slink along the door into the room nervously."What is that?" I whisper breathles
My head is a dull throb. We wait forever for Ezekiel to get everything prepared to join us. Even feeding from several of his servants did nothing for me. My hands are clammy and my body feels drained. Tired even. Agitated and restless once again. I hardly could contain myself the entire night. I kept watching my surroundings and tuning in on strange noises or voices.The large male was thrilled when I allowed him to view Seraphine. Her resemblance to him seemed to enlarge his already enormous head. According to him, she is the only grandchild to share the tiny birthmark under his eye, and the texture of his hair and even the unusual bend in her pinky fingers. The others only share his eye color.He goes over everything with his oldest son, who is left in charge. He grabbed several things he thought he might need. He primped himself like a peacock before heading to join us. Alexavier rolled his eyes as we exited behind the relative giant. Thi
It is summer again, the months have flown by since Seraphine so valiantly pushed our son into the world. The sun beams overhead and a gentle breeze whistles through the branches of lush trees. Noxodion is shaded at his mother's breasts, having pulled up to nurse. I watch our boy as he feeds on wobbly legs, like a little fawn. His hands clutching Sera's blouse and his favorite lock of hair. A grey checked blanket is spread beneath us, and a basket of foods Seraphine I repaired sits opened from our lunch. I had suggested a picnic to lighten her mood. She has been down hearted all morning since Axar went to stay the week Ezekiel. He's becoming quite smitten with females, and he begged me in private for a week away from mama Sera's watchful eye. Seraphine is still not completely trusting of Ezekiel alone with the kids, and her nerves have been frayed every since. She believes he is pulling away, and worries he feels left out
The past couple months have flown by. After leaving Ezekiel's home, we came back to mine with the agreement we would visit him weekly. I wasn't sure he was going to miss most, Seraphine or Axar. Or even me. He has gotten noticeably closer to me the past few weeks, even coming to visit us instead and helping with the nursery. Often he would mess with Axar and swat a nail straight through the wall with his hand. Seraphine continues struggling to adjust to her limitations. She often becomes aggressive after being denied the ability to mop for the third time in a day or being told not to raise the furniture up to check beneath it. She has removed every speck of dirt or lint that could have existed here. She's also removed half the food, constantly starving and never quite full enough. Her stomach has doubled now and she's quite uncomfortable.Several times we have taken her into the city to
Behind Ezekiel's massive palace, lies a huge and intricate garden. We had followed him outside and through the labyrinth of pebble and stone paths. The flowers, having died this season, were replaced with greenery and shrubs that are winter hardy. Beside me, Seraphine pulls Axar into her body and rubs his arms to keep him warm. "You're a great mother, Seraphine." I lean to the side to whisper, careful not to drop Samael. She stops to look up at me, nearly yanking Axar over. I use my free hand to raise her chin and I lean down to give her a chaste kiss. "Never again will I ever doubt you. I'll spend the rest of my life to make this up to you." Her eyes are swollen and her face pale from grief and exhaustion, still the smile she gives me might be the most beautiful sight I've ever bore witness too.  
I watch from a distance as Ezekiel and Axar ease her onto the floor from her feet. Her sides heave and she seems injured and tired. She will live though, unlike my brother. I can't understand how this all happened, and I find it even more ludicrous that she would have me believe that Samael came to her aid. I want to go to her even still, but the look of grief across my parent's faces snuffs the idea. Still, I need to address her. I have to call her on her misdeeds.I excuse myself from my family, and I make my way over to her. Axar and Ezekiel have been healed by her hands save for Ezekiel's deeper wounds. The two work in tandem on Seraphine's now. I notice with her hiked top that her sides and stomach are bruised and welted. She appears to have a gash on her throat. Her arm is bruised and swollen. Her face is swollen."Seraphine." She looks up to me with vulnerability in her eyes. I'm certain to mask mine. I look blankly down on
*Seraphine's POV * I can hardly believe my eyes as Samael steps before me, blocking me from view and harm. Grief practically emanates from his pores. That's when it clicks. Mom. Despite all of his sins against her, he still loved my mother. But he has never loved me, has he? Why start now? He could never stand to be near me, and over the years I had stopped trying to make him bond with me. I don't quite know what to say to him, how to thank him or if I should, so I just hug him from behind. His arms shoot up in defense, and he stiffens for a moment to glance back at me. He reaches across his opposite shoulder to tap my head. "Ivara loved you. She always did, even before she knew you." He stalls for a second, knowing that we are safe with Narius charging. He will have their attention for a moment. "You are an alright kid." I squeeze
*Seraphine's POV* I scream, startled. The flesh across my shoulders searing as it tears away. I was so close, so close to this giant man who had set his sights on Axar. I fight to fling whoever us on my back away, desperate to reach Axar in time. He's just a child, not even old enough to drive! He shouldn't be here. This man has an ominous, sinister vibe about him that he commanded the room just by entering it. I don't have to guess what his intentions towards Axar are. Free of the pest on my back I leap onto this man's shoulders and I hit him with everything in me, as quickly as I can. I can feel myself being pried away from him as I let lose with as much force as I can muster, fluttering the man to turn to me. It's a horrible situation I find myself in, but in that moment I see Axar run for Alexavier. He was pale as a ghost as he made his d
In no time at all, Nomias enters the room, taking a seat near Yeomorah and lazily crosses his legs. He looks quite pleased with himself, especially as he gazes over at Seraphine who still is acting her part perfectly. She even evades his eye contact in faux shame. Fast behind him enter Narius and Livienne. She raises her chin to snub Seraphine as she goes to the traitors' side of the large room. "Nomias, please, can you elaborate on this strange situation? I was under the impression you'd all arrive together or have the decency to contact me at the very least." "I had intended to arrive tonight, with everyone together, but this little mutt decided to attack my grandson's mate. After her despicable actions, she ran like she always does to avoid confrontation. I thought after all my hospitality and training her, she'd both be more courageous and respectful." Livienne
Dawn settles above us now, casting an angelic glow across Seraphine's features. Soft amber light catches her emerald hair and creatures littke golden streaks. Perfection. Absolutely otherworldly. Even in her pajama pants and hoodie she looks ravishing. I can't help sigh in content as we walk together, bellies full of human food and bodies full of energy. Mine coming alive since feeding from Sera. I'm also admittedly a little full of myself. Now that the initial panic of Sera leaving me has been resolved, I let myself feel smug at her blatant display of jealousy earlier. We are both nervous for what will soon transpire. Now though, I understand how much my words had stung her. If I were on my own right now, I'd be a mad man. Having her at my side and knowing that she believes in me is what keeps me motivated. I only hope that my jabs earlier didn't take the wind from her
*Seraphine's POV*I stare down at him in disbelief. Why was it so damn hard for him to believe me? After his little speeches lately I thought we were past this. Still, he cannot seem to trust me or see my value. Still, I had predicted this. Livienne never thought to block her mind from me during our hallway encounter where we were partially alone. So I decided to go with it, but to give her more fight than she bargained for."You are always worthy. Always have been. Always will be." He holds my foot around my ankle and caresses my leg. I look up and blow a tendril of hair out of my face. It's hard to stomp him like I had planned on doing. My emotions and hormones are all over, conflicting one another as I stare down at him."All that talk earlier. All that praise, and it was all fabricated. That hurts. I really thought that you meant it.""I mean everything I say.""You're actions and word