Luciano povAs I follow the mysterious demon, I wonder if I'm fucking crazy. He's someone who has said a couple of things, alright, some of them aren't exactly public knowledge, but still, how can I trust the guy?I follow Than as he moves closer to what I could call a forest line, but he takes only two steps and stops. There's nothing before us I could call the gardens of evil or anything but a fucking field. Yep, it's official; this guy is delusional. "Close your eyes and take my hand; I lead you from here," Than says and offers me his hand. I tilt my head, thinking if he really believes I'm that stupid. To take a hand of a demon feels like signing some sick, twisted contract, and this isn't one of the things on my to-do list. "No hidden motives. Mortals and shifters can't enter if they see. I told you: you see when you don't want to notice." Man, this demon guy and his stupid riddles. I sigh in defeat once the thought of Lenox crosses my mind. I'm doing this for my son; I'm do
Lenox povI pull the massive door open and a joyful giggle, and actual fucking giggle, leaves me once I face the masses of warriors before me. I raise my axe and lick my lips, "Sexy. Who's first?"Sure, I shouldn't expect anything else, so it really doesn't surprise me when all of the men move closer to me. On the other hand, what happened to one oo one and all that shit?Miss As laughs in excitement when I make the first swing and thrust the axe into someone's chest. I pull the weapon out and grin at the blood gushing out of him. This is it; this is what I love and breathe for- the baths of blood, cries of pain and horror. One by one, I take the cat's warriors out, slashing, slicing and ramming my axe into their weak, pathetic bodies. It feels like my smile will slice my face as with each drop of blood that lands on my skin and clothes, it grows wider. Atlas howls in happiness while As keeps laughing and begging me to give her more. The lady doesn't know when to stop; one of these
Lazarus pov Did I just say that? I mean, what the fuck is happening to me and who the hell thought it was a good idea to ask her to marry me- my nonexistent brain cells, my hopeless heart or dick? Whichever it was, I'm fucking screwed. At least if I base anything on the look on Sarah's face. But it's not like I could stop the words from escaping my lips or anything. The view of her holding Alister, caring for him and being more of a mother to my boy than his biological mother got to me. I'm pretty sure there's no need to add how fond my boy has grown to Sarah, so there's that too. I knew I didn't want to lose her, but this encounter became the sole reason and proof why I can't let go of her, why I'm so scared to let her slip through my fingers. I know my brothers have feelings for her too, and each of them has their own reasons for why or when they caught the feelings, but this is like the highest peak for me. I clear my throat while everyone, including my boy and the kitchen
NOTE: The following 3 chapters are demands from readers, so if you're not interested, you can skip them. However, as always, I added some interesting details in them. Enjoy xAtlas pov My human, that man, he's mental. Don't get me wrong, I knew there was something off about him for a while, but the last drop at my nerves was that spoon. No pun intended. Lenox, he's, well, yeah, he's Lenox. Since Miss As joined us, it's been quite a tight fit in his body, but I'm more than happy to share the space since she's providing an alibi for my human. Lenox has always been aggressive and vicious, but since she's with us, no one questions why he does the things he does. As much as I enjoy the lengths, he will go to feed me and Miss As, sometimes I wonder if that's what Lenox really wants. I'm a creature of hell, I need that thrill of evil, and As is close by, but she seeks something different. Without Lenox, we couldn't live, but I wonder what is the price he's willing to pay for us. All hi
Sarah povI love Alister. He's so cute and affectionate that I can't find it in myself to say no to him. No matter what this child might ask from me, I know I will go above and beyond to give him everything he wants. At this point, all he has to do is look at me the way he does now, and I would kill for this child. *Me too, me too* Talia jumps in, excitedly running around my mind. A slight smile spreads across my lips as her voice echoes in my mind. We had to live separately for so many years, and our life hasn't been quite the fairytale I imagined once we would reunite, but despite that, she still loves me, and I love her. I adore Talia for being so in sync with me and loving Alister just as much as I do. Alister claws my top with such strength that his knuckles turn white. Deep down, I feel such sadness for him, I wish I could change how his life has been so far, but some things are how they are. No child should feel unwanted, especially because their mothers don't want them. No
Lazarus pov"No idea; that's something I'll have to find out. Right now, there's no time. We're on our way, but remember to keep your phone close and please, check up on your mother for me." Dad says before he ends the call. He knows he doesn't have to wait for an answer from me because I will do as he asks without verbal agreement. I shove the phone back inside my pocket, unlock the office door and head upstairs. I could go back to the kitchen, but something's telling me the situation I created still might be as tense as it was when I left. Besides, Luka and Sarah are looking after Alister, and I'm sure my boy won't let go of Sarah for a while now that he got his hands on her. Not that I blame him, I can't seem to fight the temptation to cling to her myself, so it's only natural he does too. On top of that, Alister quickly accepted Sarah as his mother without asking questions or being close to her for an intense amount of time, so I should touch on that question pretty soon. It'
Lenox pov"Wait, did you want to see me beat my fists against my chest to show off how much of a man I am, just like gorillas do that?" I offer the stupidest thing I could think of in a situation as such. DeAmes might think he's the shit, but boy, does he know I'm the dangerous one. I can't silence the voices in my head, and all of them scream I should take on the darkness and just kill him. I picked my poison years ago, I accepted it, and I'm more than willing to choke down everything that's left of it, right here, right in front of the man who made my life a fucking nightmare. "Lenox, Lenox, Lenox, you don't understand, do you? You're trapped here; there's no exit for you to use anymore. You're done. You're stuck here with me." He muses, shaking his head. I think I'm starting to like this guy. The way he talks, the shit he says- it's like he's tempting me to come up with something ridiculous. "Correction, DeAmes, you're the one who's stuck in here with ME." I make sure to emphas
Than povI like Luciano. More than I would like to admit. The shifters I've met over the years were quite judgemental and unkind once they found out where I come from. But then again, I never took any of them along to the gardens of evil.Luciano, he's something else. He listens, actually listens, and tries to understand even if he can't accept some things. Maybe that's why I'm not that worried about my daughter anymore. Ease overtakes my mind and body, and I come to the most crucial conclusion I could reach in this situation- I know Lenox, he's a good man, but now, I have no doubts that crazy bastard will do anything to protect my As. She is a part of him, a family, and judging by how much Luciano is willing to give for his loved ones, Lenox, as his son, will do the same. I'm a proud stepfather. My daughter chose a good one. They needed each other, kept each other alive, and though both are little, just a little, crazy about blood and violence, they fit each other perfectly. By t
Sarah pov I gulp as I scan the faces of the men in my room. A part of me wants to have Seth by my side, but she’s too good to stick around now. The thing I mentioned earlier, the possibility of terminating the pregnancy- it was my idea. I spoke about it and Seth just held my hand and said she would support me regardless of what I do. I saw the tears and pain in her eyes, I saw how much against the idea she was, but being the amazing woman she is, Seth stood by my side. And she would now too, but this time, I need to listen to the men who love me and make the decision with them. Only them. My mind races, thousands of thoughts run through the deepest parts, and each scream something new. Should we know what’s hiding inside our baby? Sure, the possibility of it being evil is small, but even a good being wouldn’t take over a body that isn’t born yet without a reason. Than said it himself, the holy beings come here to stop the evil deeds and this situation is too grand for him t
Sarah pov It’s not so much that Than makes me nervous, because he sure as hell does, it’s more his words that leave me speechless. He’s implying that whatever is living inside my body must be someone who’s sent for a greater good. There’s no saying if he could be right or if he’s tricking me, but the look on his face doesn’t resemble someone who’s coming here to play games. Besides, technically, he has no reason to fool me. His daughter lives inside Lenox, he has an obvious attraction toward Seth, and so far, he has proven himself to be worthy. Maybe he’s the one person I should listen to? “Okay, so what do we do next?” I ask, probably sounding a bit too uneasy. Not that he could blame me given that the past events keep piling up and the entire family seems to lack time to deal with the issues. “Nothing. We wait,” Than leans back in his seat as the tension finally leaves his features. At this point, as confused as I am, maybe he is right. Perhaps sitting back and waiti
Luka pov Lazarus stares at dad with the same confused, shocked, and wide-eyed expression as I do, but as it seems, it’ll take a while for my brother to come back to his senses. Possibly even too long, so this time, I have to step up and give him a break. Turning my full attention to dad, I clear my throat and slightly tilt my head as I speak, “Whatever is your idea about this situation, you can’t blame us. The last time we were with Lenox, he promised to follow us in a bit. We talked to Sarah and just left the room, and as you might have noticed, both of us kept glancing around. We were looking out for Lenox and decided to wait for him here.” Now, dad’s facial expression mimics ours, and all of us look like a bunch of very confused idiots. “That means you didn’t give Lenox a damn blessing to go there?” Dad turns his attention back to Lazarus. My brother shakes his head, still somewhat shocked, yet slowly regaining his senses. I have no idea what dad is thinking right now, but no
Sarah pov“You have to be kidding me,” I groan as I close my eyes and try to grab control over my emotions and senses. In all honesty, I’m a bit over everyone telling me what I’m supposed to do. No, perhaps not even just a bit- a lot, damn it. One person comes in here to tell me it’s better to do this, and the other arrives to tell me the complete opposite. How am I to make the right decision if everyone seems so indulged in my life that they need to make the decisions for me, or even try to shift my judgement?Isn’t this the one matter that I should discuss with my partners and come up with the best thing to do for our future? Yes, I already made the mistake of thinking that I had all the right to make this choice on my own, but thank God, Lazarus opened my eyes and reminded me it’s as much my decision as it is his brother’s. But now, there’s a demon sitting next to my bed and claiming I can’t even think about the termination. Does he have any idea who resides in my baby? What if
Lenox pov“Holy fucking sticks and bricks, let me shit myself while you’re acting all mysterious and dangerous, why don’t you? Come on, tell me and I promise I won’t steal shit here,” I grin at the blob and hide my hand behind my back to cross my fingers. For as long as I keep them crossed, no one can claim I lied. Alright, I’m lying, I still fully intend to steal something, but the creature doesn’t need to know. “Follow me, but for those answers, keep in mind that everyone pays a price,” she whispers as if she’s trying to make a fucking deal with me now. What the hell is even happening? I promised mom I wouldn’t make a deal with the devil and this thing before me looks like I imagine a devil would. I want the heart, but the price? Yeah, for as long as I don’t know what it is, I’m not that keen to exchange my left nut for the heart. I need my left nut. Panic seizes me as images of this, whatever it really is, ehem, woman, grabbing my nut, runs through my mind. I quickly lift the
Sarah pov “He’s right,” I let out a long, shaky breath as I admit the one thing I wish I wouldn’t have to admit out loud. Lazarus might have reacted to my words in a way I didn’t expect him to, but at least, he didn’t shy away from telling me everything he thinks of the decision I’m trying to make. Regardless of the circumstances and setting, I can’t make the choice on my own because Lenox is present. Often, women have to carry the burden of life-changing choices on their own simply because they are alone. But I’m not. And I know that I won’t be even if I pressure the matter and the choice, I thought was the right one. But what if it’s not? What if Lazarus is right in more ways than I can think of? What if the next time Lenox and I try for a baby, we have to face the same situation as now? I know, we don’t have much time to make the decision, but we also don’t know how dangerous the thing is that’s taking over my baby. “What do you mean?” Seth asks, concern crossing her fea
Lenox pov~If you do this, I will never forgive you,~ As snarls at me as I hop through the shadowy, eerie-looking forest. Shit, this place feels like home. I could totally see myself living here, building a small cabin and all that nonsense. While As keeps fuming, I stop to take in the scenery and enjoy the silence surrounding me. The tree branches look like they’re ready to grab my body and gut me on the spot. How hot is that? I can almost imagine how I could take one of those fucking vile-looking branches and make myself a new, exclusive spoon. Maybe that thing could have a mind of its own and attack people on my commands?Once I’m done with my task, I might grab a souvenir on my way out of here. While my mind wanders to beautiful possibilities, As can’t seem to shut the fuck up, so I snap at her. “Because I should forgive you for nearly killing my brother, huh? Real smooth, Miss As, real fucking fantastic ants farm smooth.” She scoffs. ~You forgot who keeps you alive.~ Yeah,
Lazarus pov“Kill the baby?” The question leaves my lips before I can stop it. I didn’t intend to be so straightforward or come across as a complete asshole, but sometimes, even if I try my darndest, I can’t stop myself from saying some things. All eyes in the room focus on me. I guess saying something in the lines as Sarah did, the fancy wording of termination and all, seems more humane than the actual truth. All things aside, that’s exactly what she’s saying. She is planning to kill the baby. I raise my hands and shake my head. “We need to discuss this. All of us. Just think of the possible consequences and the reaction Lenox will have to these news. Like it or not, he’s the biological father of that child, and he has a say too. Yes, it’s your body and your choice, but thus far, I haven’t heard anything from you that implied that you didn’t want this baby. In fact, you appear to be rather happy about the possibility of becoming a mother.”Everyone in the room sits silent. Sarah
Luka povWhen Laz and I step into Sarah’s hospital room, she’s already wide awake, grinning at our mom. My heart skips a beat at the sight before us. Not only the adoration in the eyes of the women I love the most but I’m taken aback by how much at ease Sarah appears. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, so I assume they were sharing some secrets or spent the time laughing at their weird jokes. However, despite the cheerful energy that surrounds them, I can’t help but feel a little suspicious. As they smile at us, I notice how the smiles don’t reach their eyes and it’s all the confirmation I need to accept that something’s wrong. Not only wrong but they’re also trying to hide it from us. Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out sooner or later, because just like Sarah said- if we want this to work, we must remember how important communication is. Sucking in a deep breath, I brace myself for the possible backlash but still go with the initial plan and dive right in, “What’s wrong?”Sarah a