Lazarus povI watch how Sarah’s eyes roll back in her head in horror. Her body goes completely lump before I or Than have time to react and catch her. She collapses on the floor and Than instantly tries to scoop her up, but I move past him and shove him aside. “What the fuck is going on? What is going to happen to my wife if she’s the host? Why is that thing inside her to begin with?” I spill out questions without thinking. My mind is racing faster than ever before. I can’t imagine what we might be facing with this newfound thing. Seriously, I can’t even follow the events of our life anymore at this point. Everything is going to shit. At this point, all one of us has to do is breathe and something will go wrong. “We need to hook her up with some systems. Right now, she’s too weak and the leech is feeding on her energy. Once it’s completely gone, it’ll try to feed on life sources. Perhaps it’s better to try and keep her unconscious for a while until I figure out what type of leech
Felix povThe crazy bastard holds me close enough for anyone to mistake us for actual lovers. If I wouldn’t know better, I would assume he’s actually planning to kiss me. I should've known better. I shouldn’t have gotten involved in this madness. First and foremost, when I first heard his name and last name be involved in the conversation, I should have listened to my instincts and ran as far away as possible. But no. Of course, I didn’t do it, so now, I’m dealing with the consequences of my own stupidity. If only I could for once listen to the inner voice and follow its command, that would be amazing. “It’s not here for us,” Lenox whispers. I know I should feel freaking relieved at the words, but for some reason, I’m having the complete opposite reaction. Cold shivers run down my spine at those words and his grip on me tightens. Just because he claims that thing isn’t here for us, it seems that it doesn’t make it any less dangerous to be near to. “That’s the tracker, Lenox.” I
Lazarus pov“What do you mean by she’s not there? This better be a fucking joke. There’s no way my wife just vanished in thin air while we’re standing here, basically guarding this goddamn door!” I growl at the nurse. I have no business forcing my anger at frustration at everyone like this, but I’m at the end of my rope. All I have to do is spin on my heel and more shit falls over me. “Son,” Than speaks, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Calm down. It isn’t her fault, or anyone’s at that. We need to find Sarah first, only once she’s back in that room can we start tossing accusations and decide what to do next.” As much as I hate to admit this, he is right. Even when he mutters something that sounds like ‘better find her before your mother finds out that her precious daughter-in-law is missing or kiss out crown jewels goodbye.’I want to laugh, but I can’t. His attitude is remarkable and the fear our mother has installed in his mind is a thing of wonder. Not that I don’t fear mom. She
Atlas povI want to rip out her throat. I want to claw her eyes out so badly, it’s making me feel giddy. And on top of that, Lenox is growing really damn turned on by the view of Sarah, struggling to breathe. Isn’t it funny how we love her with all our being, yet for some reason, her pain excites us? Sick fucks, that’s what we are. Not that any of us cares. Maybe only As does, but since she doesn’t have a dick, I don’t think her opinion matters. To some we are monsters, some think of us as feral, some call us an animal. Well then, welcome to our freakshow.A sudden wave of pure euphoria runs through our entire being as Lenox adds more pressure to her throat. He won’t let me choke her since he fears the possibility of going too far, so this will do for now. As Lazarus appears next to us, he tries to place a hand on Lenox's shoulder. “Lenox,” he whispers the name as if he’s approaching a cornered animal. I don’t pay him much attention. The family drama doesn’t concern me, but I sur
Luka pov“I must say, you almost had me. Almost. If only your answers weren’t that perfect, if only you left some details out, or let’s say, forgot a couple of things - I might have believed you. The mystical hatred aside, tell me, did you really think you would succeed? Seriously? Think about this - you are going against Lenox Vincent. No, let’s make it even better - you are going against Lenox and Luciano Vincent. Yeah, that sounds even better.” As I speak, Fenton’s face turns as white as a paper sheet and the grin on my lips spreads wider. I have always hated using my family name against people, but now, it’s pretty pleasant. For a moment, there’s nothing but the distant forest sounds surrounding us. It looks like Fenton has completely lost himself, nearly brainded. Until, he shakes his head and gets back to his senses. He clears his throat. “Impossible. Luciano is dead.” Colour me surprised, who would have thought that my father has died? I raise an eyebrow at him and decide t
Lazarus povAlthough Atlas clearly knows its best to let go of control and allow Lenox deal with this mess, I can’t say that the disappearance of his visual presence easies my mind. While my brother isn’t burning alive anymore, now that I know what is truly hidden in him, waiting for the moment to break out of the chains, I’m fucking terrified. I don’t think I will ever find any comfort in being around Lenox again. Not anymore. “What do we do next?” Lenox’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. It startles me that he finally sounds like himself alone, but what surprises me even more is how far away I have stepped from him without noticing it. I guess I should be glad my brother is so out of it that he doesn’t notice my behaviour. If he were to see it, he would be hurt, definitely feel rejected. Lenox turns his attention to Than, so I use the opportunity to step closer to him. I know I am acting like absolute shit, but I can’t help it. This will take some time for me to adjust to.
Lazarus pov I stare at him. All I can do is stare at him and try to figure out if the demon himself has been possessed by another demon because… what the fuck? Has Than finally caught the family crazy? I never thought of it as anything contagious, but apparently acting like one of the Vincents could be considered as a virus now. By now, I'm sure my jaw has hit the floor and my eyes are wider than the brightest full moon. While I am busy being in an understandable state of shock and disbelief, Than looks at me like I'm some child who is trying to misbehave. "What are you waiting for, Lazarus? Didn't you hear me? You need to take the child and leave! There is no time to waste, you must go!" He raises his voice, which is enough to snap me out of the dazed state. I shake my head and take a step back to create some much needed distance. "Have you gone mental, Than? Are you hearing yourself? You're seriously ordering me to steal my brother's child? No, let me rephrase that… You are de
Luka povComing back to senses sucks if your head is pounding like a goddamn bass drum. It sucks even more if your vision is blurry and something bright shines at you, so opening your already tear-filled eyes is close to impossible. And worst of all - those two things make the headache ten times worse. For some reason, my whole body is in pain. Even my damn toes, and if it’s possible, my hair. I have no idea where I am, but it is clear I am tied to something. Possibly a tree since I’m upright. Although I am no expert, I believe I’m chained and tied to the object because I can feel something as heavy as metal against my skin and something more. God, if Lenox were here, he would know. My brother is oddly good at materials and all that shit. Honestly, this makes little to no sense. Does someone really have to ensure I won’t escape, especially after I was knocked out cold? Being in this much pain would prevent me from even forming an escape plan, let alone acting on it. I do wonder i
Than povReturning home has never felt like this before. Not in a sense that I’ve been eagerly awaited, which obviously is the case here since everyone around me seems very pleased to see me. What I mean is the feeling that I don’t belong here anymore. It’s not about others, it’s about what has changed within me - it’s deep rooted, captivating, something that has gripped me so hard, I don’t think it will ever let me go. Seth. It has to be the change she has brought me - the sense of belongingness I have whenever I’m around her. With that woman, I feel at peace, wanted, respected and needed. With her I feel everything I don’t have here. Home, on the other hand, hasn’t changed much, if anything at all. The same dark, slimy cave walls, those same faces of the demonic creatures that surround me. I could say something has shifted, but I’m not sure if it’s more my problem than any other. “My Lord, we have been waiting for your next visit. It’s such an honor to be present when the Lord
Sarah povI feel weird. Something about me feels different, but I struggle to pin-point why and if anything has changed. A little obsessed with the need to figure out what has changed, I start by touching my arms and legs. Then, I count my fingers and toes - all intact. I can’t check if anything inside has changed without an x-ray, so I don’t focus on that possibility. A minute of me wondering passes, then three and then I don’t even know how long until I realize something. The voice in my head is gone, it has stopped haunting me, stopped screaming at me and demanding for something. “A-are you there?” I stutter as I whisper into the darkness, but there’s no answer, both from outside the cell and inside my head. “This isn’t funny. Stop messing with me and speak up,” I say, a little louder to appear like I’m challenging the thing, yet still nothing. The only thing that happens is some footsteps in the distance that I hear slowly approach me. Looks like I haven’t been as silent as
Lenox povThe little shit is persistent, that much credit I can give him. I’m not one to grant first chances, let alone second and he sure as fuck doesn’t deserve any, given he kidnapped Luka and all that. However, here I stand, becoming a better man than I ever was and changing my way. Except, the shit head isn’t taking the goddamn hint at all. Lord have mercy on my soul because I’m about to bash someone’s head in with my trusty spoon. Speaking of which, where did I put it? As I start patting down my pockets in search of my magic weapon, the damsel in distress clears his throat and starts nervously scanning the damn surroundings. “What?” I grumble, half-assedly paying attention to him. “Nothing, I’m just worried, you know,” he mutters and casts his gaze down. “Yeah, yeah,” I grunt and give up. “Where the fuck did my spoon go this time?” I shout, a little louder than intended. How am I supposed to make this sacrifice and kick the demonic asses of whatever is on the other side of
Felix pov“Go on, run. Shoo, shoo, little pet, you’re free now. Don’t make me shoot at the sky or some shit just to scare you away. That bullet will come back down and there ain’t no way in flippity flappity fuck hell I’m standing here to accidentally take myself out with it. Nope, ain’t happening.” Lenox mutters in a baby voice. First of all, this approach of his, acting as if I’m some kind of a kid is downright disrespectful. And mean. Yes, mean too. Sure, I didn’t want to follow him at the beginning, but the guy has grown on me now and I really don’t want to watch him head into danger alone. So, like any proper brainless moron, I shake my head and refuse to move for an inch. If this guy is about to die, I’m doing the same. Besides, it’s not like I have anything better to do with my life anyway - why not become an unlike hero, huh?“Come on, man,” Lenox grunts and rolls his eyes. “I’m allowing you to live and see the day your balls finally drop. Don’t take this experience from yo
Lazarus povBy the time Alister finally wakes up, I manage to do a quick trip to the car and back. I grabbed some food and blankets to cover him and in the meantime, I started a fire to warm up some food for us. Every once in a while, I glance at Ophelia and for most part, check her pulse. Babies aren’t supposed to be this calm and sleep this long - she has to eat, but instead, she’s just sleeping. When Alister stirs awake, his eyes instantly seek me out. Once our gazes meet, he flashes me a smile and something within me shatters. That is my son - the little boy who’s been forced to grow up too soon, all thanks to my inability to be the father he deserves. “Dad, why are you sad?” He asks, instantly picking up on the change in my mood. Like the selfish, scared fool I am, I just shake my head in denial. “I’m not sad, just thinking.” Wordlessy, he kicks off the blanket, gets back to his feet and walks closer to me just to plop down next to me. Again, he rests his head against my upp
Luka povLeaving Sarah in the cell has to be close to the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The pleading look on her face, the desperation and sadness in her eyes paired with her words will forever haunt me. As I move through the halls, my mind instantly kicks into the right gear. First and foremost, I need to figure out how to fix this mess and then, we can move along with whatever has to be done next. Rounding the corner, I manage to run into the man she begged me to seek for - Than. “Luka? What are you doing here?” He asks, looking like he has just been caught red-handed, doing drugs or some shit. I raise an eyebrow and remain silent, waiting for an explanation to come, but that doesn’t happen so I groan and shake my head. “I was looking for you, actually.” Than tilts his head, obviously intrigued, “why?” If I wouldn’t be in such a hurry, I would use this moment to fuck around a little, but since we don’t have time for foolish behavior, I get straight to the point. “I went
Lazarus povI have no idea how much time has passed and while I sit here, with a baby in my arms, I can’t help but feel completely fucking useless. My son is in a place I don’t trust. The baby I’m holding keeps sleeping as if she’s in a coma - no signs of life other than the obvious raising and falling of her tiny chest. My wife is locked away, parents do whatever the fuck they do and my brothers - I don’t even have any idea what is up with them both. How the fuck did we get stuck in this loop of madness? Another roar of thunder echoes around me, so I look up at the sky. Perhaps Alister is right - it really looks like the sky is raging because it demands something to be returned. Or, more precisely - someone. I pry my eyes off the sky and look back at the calmly sleeping baby. She’s a thing of beauty - perfection, no matter how long I look at her. Ophelia looks like a mix of Sarah and Lenox, in a way, as if mother nature gifted her the best parts from each parent. At one point, I
Lenox pov“You can’t be serious,” my sidekick gasps. “N-no, y-you just c-can’t,” he starts stuttering as his hand grabs my upper arm and he tries to pull me back. Too bad he doesn’t realise that his strength has nothing on me. No matter how much he tries to hold me back - he simply doesn’t have it in him to stop me. Ever. No army has stopped me before and I don’t plan on changing that. “I’ve made up my mind, my beautiful mutt. Come on, let’s go, we have no time to waste,” I flash him the weakest smile. Truth be told, I don’t want to do this. Really, I don’t. But, by putting my priorities where they really should be, I save them all. And then, the downside is that I’m willingly missing out on my daughter’s future. I won’t be there for her first word, first steps and first milestones. “Totally worth it for as long as we ensure she has a future.” Atlas grumbles. I can’t help but agree with him. “You crazy bastard!” My sidekick snarls. “How can you give up on everything you have? D
Felix povOkay, I might have underestimated how far those bloody shadow forests are. Seriously, it’s already getting dark and I feel like I have been walking for years. It doesn’t help that everything in this part of the forest is starting to merge into one, big mess. I can’t keep track of the times I already tripped on something and I keep doing the same nearly every two steps I take. “Lenox Vincent, where are you? Come here and grab your death tools, I’m tired,” I hiss under my breath but still push forward. If he is already there, doing whatever a crazy person does in the middle of a creepy forest, he needs me to get there as soon as possible. I’m not sure when I changed my opinion of him as someone I need to escape to someone I need to reach as fast as I can, but that doesn’t matter. What does is he can’t do without his tools, the same things I’m carrying around. After another time of nearly kissing the ground, I stop and lean against the tree to rest a little. The water is g