BRIARWOODDALIA"What the fuck did you do to Ayra?" Cara snarled, pushing away from her bed. "You were supposed to get her on our side.""I know," I replied, squaring my shoulders in preparation for her berating.I never did anything right in her eyes, but that was okay. I wasn't doing this for her, anyway. I was doing it for the helpless young girls that huddled in the corner, shaking with fear. They didn't deserve this fate. "So? Why did you do that to her? She could have died.""No," I said, firmly. They didn't know Ayra as much as I did. She was stronger than that."You know, I've always been skeptical of this plan of yours. Why not just go directly to Nathaniel? He's a demon, and he's your cousin. He'll help us."I shook my head at her. She didn't know how the Black men worked, and how loyal their demons were to only their mate after being mated. Naturally, demons were unfeeling beings, and most of the time, they didn't form attachment
AYRA"It's funny how you keep me locked up during the day, but you practically drag me up to the top of a cliff late at night. We're past the border, aren't we?" I asked, taking in the view below me.With the moon this bright, it illuminated the ocean below. The consistent overlapping waves and the soft wind blowing were like music to my ears, and the serenity of it oddly calming. "I'm not busy at night. I don't have to worry about something attacking you from a mirror.""What? So, you're saying Dalia won't be able to do any damage if she attacked us right now?""She wouldn't dare. She might be a powerful Nighthowler, but she knows how far those powers of hers stretch."There was that confidence again. Granted I'd never seen him in action in his wolf form, but it was rather surprising that even demons were scared of him."And how far does yours stretch?""Wouldn't consider it too far and too little. Somewhere in the middle. There are some creatu
AYRA"Why are you staring at me like that?" Ishmael asked, cocking a brow at me. Ever since Nathaniel had mentioned how long it took him to make these weapons, I was constantly in awe of how young he looked."You don't look a day older than twenty-five if I'm being honest.""I'm flattered that you find me attractive.""I didn't say that. I said you look young.""Same difference, babe. Why are you suddenly questioning my looks and age?""Nathaniel mentioned how long it took you to make Draenhium weapons. It just doesn't make sense that you look like this. Hundred years for each one, and you've made six so far.""Nathaniel is wrong. I've made ten." He chuckled, the shock apparent on my face. "Originally, I made four at the beginning. The flowers were plenty enough for that amount. After that time, it took a hundred years for a single flower to bloom.""Do you grow the flower yourself?""Now, now, Ayra. A sorcerer never shares his secrets.
NATHANIELLong before Ayra came along, I struggled to understand how Logan and Kimberly lived with the mating bond.It seemed rather strange to me that they had that level of commitment to each other. The way they subconsciously reached for each other when the other was stressed out. The way his face lit up whenever he saw her.Aside from my brothers, I wasn't that protective of anyone, but that came with the territory of being related to them.But today in that building, the fear that had gripped me was like no other. I hadn't felt that way in a long while, the cold fingers of fear crawling up my spine as nausea built in the pit of my stomach.While in the hospital with Logan and Kai, my mind had been crippled with the eagerness to check on Ayra myself even though I could feel she was alright. It was pathetic, and I was disgusted with myself. I didn't work that way. I wondered what my brothers would say if they could see me right now. They'd probably s
SANDRA"Hurts, doesn't it?" I asked, sliding into the barstool next to Seth.He removed his gaze from the dancefloor, throwing back another shot. This was his seventh one of the night if I wasn't mistaken. I could tell he was tied up in knots, watching Nathaniel's hands trail down Ayra's body.He never did that with me, I thought.My anger bubbled to the surface just thinking about her. She hadn't been here for long, and she already made Nathaniel do things he wasn't comfortable doing.Like dancing. He preferred to be out of the public eye, but here he was, swaying slowly to the beat of the music. "Don't know what the fuck you're talking about," he said gruffly, flicking his hair out of his eyes. "You like Ayra," I pointed out, curling my lips up in disgust. What did they find attractive about her?"Frankly, I don't get the appeal. You're a good-looking male, and I don't understand why you're after her.""Why are you chasing Nathaniel'
AYRA"What if I'm right though? What if he doesn't find me attractive?" I asked, running my hand through my hair in frustration. "Silly, he finds you attractive. Why would he have sex with you if he doesn't?" Reese asked, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder."I agree with Reese," Nikki said. "I've seen the way he looks at you. That isn't the look of a man who isn't interested in you. He came to the club with you last night without putting up a fight. Would he do that if he didn't feel something?""Nikki is right. I haven't known Alpha Nathaniel for that long, but he usually never budges when he makes a decision. He said he wasn't going to go with you, and he ended up doing so. Let's not forget the mark on your neck."Of course. The mark. The stupid thing that brought us together in the first place. I wondered how things would've turned out between us had he not marked me against my will."I could go on and on. He finds you attractive. Think about i
NATHANIEL My insides were on fire.Every breath I sucked in was more painful than the first. My vision was blurred, and I felt dizzy. The room was too crowded for me, the multiple nauseating scents filling my nose until I caught a particular scent.One I was all too familiar with, one that brought calm to all the clashing thoughts in my head. I could feel a cord snapping within me, and without giving it a second thought, I followed the scent until I was behind her.As if sensing my presence, she turned away from Seth, and from my peripheral, I saw him curl his lips up in anger."What's wrong?" She asked, worry coming down on my face."I need you."My voice sounded weak even to my ears. She picked up on that, her brows knitting together in confusion."Come here." She grabbed my hand, tugging me along with her as she made her way out of the ballroom, ignoring the people that tried to stop us and talk to us."What's going on?" She asked. "
NATHANIEL"Nate, come sit for breakfast."There in my kitchen was Aiden with an apron tied around his waist as he moved around the kitchen like he did it every day."Where is Alan?" I asked, plopping down on a stool."He went for a run. We figured things are going to get hectic around here. Relieve the stress while we can and all that."He placed a plate of hashbrowns and eggs in front of me, but I couldn't bring myself to reach for it. Food was the last thing on my mind."We checked through security footage of the party. At what point did you know Acheron was gone?" He asked, going into business mode."A few minutes after I had a glass of champagne? I can't remember," I replied, rubbing my eyes."Who gave you the glass of champagne?""I took it from Ayra.""Bingo. We saw the security footage, and aside
NATHANIEL"It took a long while to find you, but here I am. Three long decades since we last saw each other," Knox said with a smile."Why are you looking for me?" I asked.His lips twisted into a smirk. "I'm hurt, Nate. And here I was thinking you'd welcome me to your little island with a feast.I sighed, scrubbing my hand down my face. "My bad. I've just had a lot on my table for a while.""I heard. You're fucking Zachary's sister." He leaned back in his seat, propping his feet on my desk. "Does he know?""I'm not fucking her. She's my mate."He shrugged. "Same difference."Supernaturals didn't age as quickly as humans did, so after ten years, Knox still looked the same with his honey-colored eyes and dirty blond hair. The only thing that changed about him was the length of his hair and the scar that ran from his temple to his jaw.I first met him when I was pack hopping with my brothers. He ran away from home to escape his controlling father - his words, not mine - and he somehow e
RYKER"What's your problem, Ry? It's so early in the morning. What do you want to talk about?" Samuel asked, rubbing his eyes as he trudged into the room where kept Draven's unconscious body.He was still dressed in his pajamas, and clearly didn't appreciate being woken up, but I had to make some things clear.Starting with our uncles being alive."What happened to the Brothers of Doom?" I asked, and the change in Samuel was abrupt.His stance straightened while his eyes glared daggers at me. "What the fuck is wrong with you? What lies did Ishmael fill your head with?""That's funny seeing as Ishmael wasn't conscious when Benjamin and I got there." I walked over to Draven. He was strapped to a bed pushed against the wall, and above his bed hung Eris's bloodstones."Why are you asking me this?""Because I never saw their bodies. Raises some questions in the air, don't you think?""Do you think I'd lie about their deaths? For fuck's sake, what type of fucked up person do you think I am?
NATHANIEL“Who is Zachary?” Ayra asked out of the blue.I looked away from the movie playing on the TV screen. “Hm?”She rolled her eyes at me. “You heard me, Nathaniel.”I did, but I didn’t know whether to answer her question or lie. I wanted her to meet with her family, but at the same time, I didn’t know if she was ready for that yet.“I already told you. He’s a friend. Is something bugging you?”She shook her head. “No, not at all. My mind just kind of roamed.”“You’re lying.”She refused to meet my eyes. “No, I’m not.”“Don’t lie to me, Ayra. Why are you asking about Zachary?”“I hear voices in my head. I think it’s my family, and I think they are lost.”“Lost?”“Yes. They’ve been whispering in my head for the last few days, and they keep telling me to go look for Zachary. They said our relationship is cursed. And I think Zachary is my brother.”Did she know already? That meant there was no need to hide who Zachary was from her.“Let’s first start with this. Why didn’t you tell me
AYRA“Rise and shine, mate,” I sang, pushing the curtains aside to let the sunlight stream into the room.“Shut up,” Nathaniel groaned, placing his forearm over his eyes to block the unwanted light in the room. “It’s too early in the morning to be this chirpy.”“Says the freak who goes for a run and to the gym every morning. Plus, it’s one in the afternoon.”His eyes snapped open. “No shit?” He frowned, sitting up on the bed. “I never sleep for that long.”“I know.” That showed just how burned out he was. He was usually as early as five in the morning, and he didn’t go to bed until it was late. “You needed the rest.”He slid off the bed, scrubbing his hand down his face. “I should go check on Kai and the rest.”I jumped in front of him, blocking his path. “No, you also need some rest. I already checked on them, and I informed them of your condition.”“What condition? Nothing is wrong with me. I’m fine.”“Mentally?” I asked, raising a knowing brow at him. I knew he blamed himself for t
NATHANIEL“Logan, stand the fuck up. We have to get out of here!” I heard Theo scream from inside the temple. “It’s going to fucking sink.”Shit.I snapped my wings up behind me as it took off into the air, heading straight for the building. I went in through the wall Benjamin and I had broken down during our scuffle.“Holy shit,” Theo gasped.Fuck. I had temporarily forgotten that none of them knew the truth. I had a feeling things would go downhill from here, but I had to save them first.“Holy fuck, Nathaniel, is that you?” Theo asked as he struggled to lean up against the wall.“Yes. Hold on. I’ll get Logan down and come for you.”I flew out of the temple with Logan on my shoulder, all the while mindful of the cracks spreading across the walls.I had to get back to Theo before the building crumbled, but I also had to make sure Logan was far away from the building to avoid getting crushed when the building collapsed.When I was sure he and Ishmael were far enough from the building,
NATHANIELI eyed Benjamin as he walked in through the doors, a triumphant grin on his lips. He had Ryker and three other demons behind him, but Samuel was nowhere to be seen.“I honestly never thought it’d be this easy, but it seems we’ve placed you on this unreachable and unrealistic pedestal that we’ve let trap our minds and abilities.”“All that speech and you can’t even handle shit on your own.”“Yeah? Explain to me why I’ve got over ten of your Enforcers tied down right now. If those aren’t your lap dogs handling their master’s dirty work, then I don’t know what to call that.” He dug his hand into his pocket, pulling out a key, which he tossed at Tiana. “Good work keeping them busy. We’ve got it covered from here.”She dove for the key like her existence depended on it, something akin to relief flashing through her eyes. Her gaze cut over to me, and she offered me a sad smile.“It’s nothing personal,” she mouthed before promptly disappearing.Nothing personal, my ass. If I got the
NATHANIELI studied the cracks on the stone walls, wondering just how long this temple dated back. I was also questioning the durability of the building. Who knew if it would crumble any minute from now?There were no decorations inside the temple save for a wooden statue, which looked like a couple of termites had gone down to work on it over the years.“What are we gonna do? Call Ozark out here, and ask him to translate the spell?” Theo asked, his voice echoing off the walls.“And ask for the bloodstone. Don’t forget that.”“I’m doubting you now. What do we do? Sit?”Ishmael shrugged, reaching into his satchel. “You might as well. The same goes for you. Summoning Ozark is going to take a while.”Dismissed, I moved over to the half-broken wooden window, pushing it all the way open. It fell off its hinges, hitting the ground below.“I’ll go scout the place to see if anyone’s here. The dead body out front didn’t get there itself,” Theo informed us before going down a narrow hallway.“Wh
AYRAI paced the halls of the hospital, fear and anxiety making me jittery. I was anxious because Reese was in the delivery room, and afraid because I did not know how and what Nathaniel was doing right now.He left first thing in the morning with Ishmael and all his Enforcers, including Sawyer, so he wasn’t here to support Reese during her delivery.I had no idea where Nikki was, and Kimberly was busy with work, so I was here alone. Kimberly wanted to be here, but Reese ordered her not to. She said Kimberly could see the baby when it was born.“Anxious much?”I sighed in relief, turning to face the Nighthowler. “Dalia.” I needed someone to vent to, and she appeared at the right time.“What’s going on?”I pointed at the door behind me. “A friend of mine is in the delivery room.”“I see. The one you were shopping for.”“Yes.”“Anything else on your mind? Where is Nathaniel? Shouldn’t he be here?”“Why should he be?”Dalia shrugged noncommittally, dropping onto a chair placed in the hal
AYRAI stood on a podium in front of an immense crowd, fear licking every inch of my spine. Their faces were blurred, but I could still make out their anger.Was the anger directed at me?I panicked, my palms turning clammy while my mouth dried up. I took steps backward, ready to flee the scene, when a hand clamped down on my shoulder.I immediately felt calm soar through me, and my racing heart slowed down. I turned my head to the side to look at the woman, but her face was also blurry.Frustration replaced that calm. Why couldn’t I see anyone?“What’s going on?” I asked, pointing at the crowd.“Come here, honey,” the smoky voice said, but there was no mistaking the femininity it held.I knew that voice.“Mom?” I asked, tears suddenly pooling at the bottom of my lids.I could make out the outline of her smile as she raised her hand to cup the side of my face. “Yes, honey. It’s me. You’re all grown up now.”“What do you mean?”“It’s been a long year. I’ve missed you.”“Me too. Where a