[Leah’s POV]I kept my gaze fixed on Asher as I continued to touch Ian. Despite the indifference that remained in his features, I could see the jealousy burning in his eyes. Good. This meant that even when the darkness had taken over, he still felt the bond between us. That meant there was a chance I could somehow trigger his other self, and no matter how small that chance was, I was going to take it."What are you doing?" Ian hissed, quickly realizing that I was up to something. "Are you trying to set off the angry demon?""Whatever it is." Kelvin called, easily hearing his words. "It won’t do any good. Your precious Asher is gone, and there is no way to bring him back. ""So you say." I growled. If there was a shot at getting Asher back, I was willing to take it. It was simply a matter of how far to push.Letting a slow smile spread across my face, I moved on from Ian and began to touch Craig’s neck and then his face. In the past, Asher had slipped from his act of being cold and pus
[Leah’s POV]"Stop it!" I shrieked, shoving Selene aside. "You’re hurting him!"Behind me, I could hear the yells of my comrades, but I wasn’t about to stop now. Sucking in a breath, I lifted my fingers and began to wipe the blood from Asher’s injuries."Why did you let her do this?" I murmured, feeling my heart break. "Why?""Because he is mine to do what I want." Selene offered in amusement."He isn’t a thing to be kept!" I snapped. "He is a human being!"At my words, Kelvin and Selene burst into laughter, causing a chill to race down my spine at how vile and evil it sounded."Asher dear," Selene cooed, pressing herself against his arm. "Would you please do something about this pest."Nodding, Asher reached out a hand and placed it against my throat. However, the minute his skin touched mine, an explosion of warm-soothing energy began to fill me."Asher," Selene snapped, realizing something was wrong. "Finish her!""Yes…" Asher hissed, as his eyebrows furrowed."If it will help you
[Asher’s POV]Jumping up, I kept Leah close to me as I drew on my power once again. The duo would pay dearly for what they had done. And then, once I was done with them, I would go and join Leah."Asher!" Antoine called as footsteps began to make their way towards me. "You need to calm down.""Calm down?" I repeated, feeling my anger spike once again. "How the hell am I supposed to remain calm when my mate is dead?""If you don't, you’ll end up killing everyone." Antoine pointed out in frustration. "You need to get a grip.""He’s right." Ian added, coming to stand beside me.Shaking my head, I continued to pull in power as Kelvin and Selene braced themselves. They were acting pretty pathetic for two powerful beings right now. Or were they?"Dammit," I growled, realizing that they were simply pretending. "Cut the shit." I spat, handing Leah over to Ian."Aw, poor hybrid." Selene giggled. "This is why emotions don’t belong in battle. When you let them take control, you’ve already lost.
[Asher’s POV]"Asher!"Antoine’s voice drifted through the roar of the power I was slowly drawing in as Selene struggled to break free. From the sound of his tone, I knew that he already had an idea of what I was about to do and wanted to stop me."Stay back!" I called, turning to meet his terrified gaze. "Just... stay back."Given the amount of power I was calling on, there was a good chance if he got too close he would be joining me and Selene in death. I couldn’t let that happen, since it would mean his death in our time as well."You’re going to end up killing yourself!" Antoine shot back stubbornly. "You need to stop!""No!" I hissed, feeling my power reaching its plateau. This was it. It was time to end this."But…""Promise me one thing." I began, realizing that there was one more thing that had to be done for the future to go back to normal."Promise?" Antoine repeated, furrowing his brows. "What?""Make sure he stays alive!" I responded, motioning towards a man that resembled
[Asher’s POV]A gasp escaped me as my eyes flew open. What was… lifting a hand, I touched my forehead to find it covered in sweat. Sitting up, I watched as a black comforter fell down my body, revealing perfectly smooth skin."My scars..." I murmured as my memories of everything that happened up to this point crashed into my head. "Sssss.""Asher?"Trying to regain focus, I held my breath as I slowly looked over beside me to find Leah staring up at me in confusion. As our eyes met, a small smile played across her lips, sending my heart beating a mile a minute."Are you okay?" she yawned, slowly sitting up and touching my cheek. "You’re covered in sweat. Did you have a nightmare?""Nightmare," I repeated, remembering the moon goddess’ words about me being the only one to remember everything that happened before Selene was killed. "Y-yeah," I sighed, wiping sweat from my brow."I guess it was.""Mmm."Leaning over, Leah rested her head against my shoulder and let out a contented sigh."D
[Leah's POV] I stared up into the eyes of the man that I had yearned for for the past five years. I still couldn't believe that this was happening. It had to be a dream, right? "Are you sure you're ready?" He murmured, running his lips against my jaw. "Once we start, I don't plan to stop." "I'm sure." I rasped, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I've never been more sure about something in my life." My body thrummed with anticipation as his heat seeped into me. And when he began to move, I felt my very soul beginning to come alive. "Please take me." I begged, closing my eyes and bracing myself. A slow heat begins to build within me as he starts to move, crossing the path of no return, and explosions begin to erupt within me. And that was always when the alarm went off and my world of pleasure and true happiness crashed down around me. Letting out a groan, I rolled over in bed and slammed my hand against the irritating alarm clock that took away my moment of seeing him. A year
[Leah's POV]"What did you just say?" I asked, trying to calm my beating heart. "Wrong?"How could he say that I was thinking wrong after discovering we were mates? What about what happened that night on the beach?"I'm sorry if I led you to have misguided delusions about us." Asher responded evenly. "However, what happened then won't happen again."At his words, all the warmth disappeared from my body, leaving me frozen to the core. He was rejecting... but why? Especially after what happened between us."I only came here to deliver something." Asher continues. "Here."Remaining in place, I watched as Asher dug in his pocket and pulled out a small glass vile that had a swirling black liquid in it. However, that wasn't what shocked me. What got me was the rawness of the hand that was clutching it."What happened to your hand?" I demanded, surging forward. "How did it get like that?"The skin that connected with mine in that instant was hot to the touch, and now that I was close enough
[Asher’s POV]"Then hurry up and get this over with." I hissed, as Aldina’s hands began to venture up my shirt."That’s a good boy." She beamed, flashing her extended fangs.Nodding, I closed my eyes and collapsed on the ground, waiting for her to take a spot beside me. Once she did, she brought her lips to my neck and allowed her teeth to dig deep into my skin.Letting out a hiss, I felt myself beginning to drift as her endorphins began to flow through me. Images of that night started to appear, sending torrents of emotion through me. Back then, I was so desperate to help Leah, I didn’t even think twice about what I had to do. I would give my very soul to help her be able to reverse the curse that was put on her. That was why I sought out the help of this vampiress and her mate.After searching high and low, I was given information on the two and didn’t hesitate to find them. However, I hadn’t expected that in the end I would have to make a decision that questioned all my morals. Ho
[Asher’s POV]A gasp escaped me as my eyes flew open. What was… lifting a hand, I touched my forehead to find it covered in sweat. Sitting up, I watched as a black comforter fell down my body, revealing perfectly smooth skin."My scars..." I murmured as my memories of everything that happened up to this point crashed into my head. "Sssss.""Asher?"Trying to regain focus, I held my breath as I slowly looked over beside me to find Leah staring up at me in confusion. As our eyes met, a small smile played across her lips, sending my heart beating a mile a minute."Are you okay?" she yawned, slowly sitting up and touching my cheek. "You’re covered in sweat. Did you have a nightmare?""Nightmare," I repeated, remembering the moon goddess’ words about me being the only one to remember everything that happened before Selene was killed. "Y-yeah," I sighed, wiping sweat from my brow."I guess it was.""Mmm."Leaning over, Leah rested her head against my shoulder and let out a contented sigh."D
[Asher’s POV]"Asher!"Antoine’s voice drifted through the roar of the power I was slowly drawing in as Selene struggled to break free. From the sound of his tone, I knew that he already had an idea of what I was about to do and wanted to stop me."Stay back!" I called, turning to meet his terrified gaze. "Just... stay back."Given the amount of power I was calling on, there was a good chance if he got too close he would be joining me and Selene in death. I couldn’t let that happen, since it would mean his death in our time as well."You’re going to end up killing yourself!" Antoine shot back stubbornly. "You need to stop!""No!" I hissed, feeling my power reaching its plateau. This was it. It was time to end this."But…""Promise me one thing." I began, realizing that there was one more thing that had to be done for the future to go back to normal."Promise?" Antoine repeated, furrowing his brows. "What?""Make sure he stays alive!" I responded, motioning towards a man that resembled
[Asher’s POV]Jumping up, I kept Leah close to me as I drew on my power once again. The duo would pay dearly for what they had done. And then, once I was done with them, I would go and join Leah."Asher!" Antoine called as footsteps began to make their way towards me. "You need to calm down.""Calm down?" I repeated, feeling my anger spike once again. "How the hell am I supposed to remain calm when my mate is dead?""If you don't, you’ll end up killing everyone." Antoine pointed out in frustration. "You need to get a grip.""He’s right." Ian added, coming to stand beside me.Shaking my head, I continued to pull in power as Kelvin and Selene braced themselves. They were acting pretty pathetic for two powerful beings right now. Or were they?"Dammit," I growled, realizing that they were simply pretending. "Cut the shit." I spat, handing Leah over to Ian."Aw, poor hybrid." Selene giggled. "This is why emotions don’t belong in battle. When you let them take control, you’ve already lost.
[Leah’s POV]"Stop it!" I shrieked, shoving Selene aside. "You’re hurting him!"Behind me, I could hear the yells of my comrades, but I wasn’t about to stop now. Sucking in a breath, I lifted my fingers and began to wipe the blood from Asher’s injuries."Why did you let her do this?" I murmured, feeling my heart break. "Why?""Because he is mine to do what I want." Selene offered in amusement."He isn’t a thing to be kept!" I snapped. "He is a human being!"At my words, Kelvin and Selene burst into laughter, causing a chill to race down my spine at how vile and evil it sounded."Asher dear," Selene cooed, pressing herself against his arm. "Would you please do something about this pest."Nodding, Asher reached out a hand and placed it against my throat. However, the minute his skin touched mine, an explosion of warm-soothing energy began to fill me."Asher," Selene snapped, realizing something was wrong. "Finish her!""Yes…" Asher hissed, as his eyebrows furrowed."If it will help you
[Leah’s POV]I kept my gaze fixed on Asher as I continued to touch Ian. Despite the indifference that remained in his features, I could see the jealousy burning in his eyes. Good. This meant that even when the darkness had taken over, he still felt the bond between us. That meant there was a chance I could somehow trigger his other self, and no matter how small that chance was, I was going to take it."What are you doing?" Ian hissed, quickly realizing that I was up to something. "Are you trying to set off the angry demon?""Whatever it is." Kelvin called, easily hearing his words. "It won’t do any good. Your precious Asher is gone, and there is no way to bring him back. ""So you say." I growled. If there was a shot at getting Asher back, I was willing to take it. It was simply a matter of how far to push.Letting a slow smile spread across my face, I moved on from Ian and began to touch Craig’s neck and then his face. In the past, Asher had slipped from his act of being cold and pus
[Leah’s POV]"Mallard has been around for a very long time." Craig began, growing serious. "I know that sounds impossible, but some claim he may even be immortal."Immortal…Shivering, I tried to picture being unable to die. After losing those closest to me, I found it hard to imagine carrying on. I couldn’t possibly imagine how it would feel to have to go through that again and again."Immortality only exists for those who dabble in the dark arts." Ian pointed out, "Are you saying you seek the help of a dark mage?""We do what we have to in order to keep the peace." Craig explained, seeming completely unphased by Ian’s accusation. "Wouldn’t you do the same?""Some…" Ian began, shooting me a quick glance as I realized who he was referring to. "Of us would." He agreed. "However, aren’t our opponents dark mages? Who is to say that your informant isn’t helping them?""Mallard is a trustworthy man." Craig countered. "You don’t have to worry about him being a traitor.""Maybe you trust him.
[Leah’s POV]"You’re Asher." I insisted. There was no way that I could mistake the sensations I was feeling from where we touched."Who?" The man asked in confusion."Leah," Ian murmured, giving my body a slight tug. "That isn’t Asher."Frowning, I continued to take in the man. The eyes that met mine were the exact same color as his, as were the facial features that surrounded them. I mean, sure, there weren’t any burn scars and no mask, but this could be how Asher looked before the accident."I’m sorry," the man said gently, grabbing my hand and beginning to pry it off. "I’m not the person you’re searching for.""R-right."Stepping back, I felt my pain shoot through my heart. He wasn’t him; he wasn’t. My Asher was gone. He lost his battle to the darkness, and it was all my fault."Come on, Leah." Ian whispered as I continued to stare."Yeah."Despite wanting to stay with the man that reminded me so much of my mate, I allowed Ian to begin to lead me away. Maybe after some rest, my hea
[Leah’s POV]I held my breath as Craig led us into a dark hallway with a long stairwell leading down beneath the earth. Once we reached the bottom, the sound of laughter drifted towards us, filling the deafening silence that was becoming unbearable."In here." Craig announced, beginning to knock an odd beat against the door. "They’ve been waiting."Nodding, I watched as a tiny peep hole was opened and a single golden eye peered out at us."Craig?" A low voice growled. "I thought you were dead!""Not so lucky." Craig responded, letting out a laugh. "I’ve brought the help as promised.""Mmm." For a moment, whoever was behind the door seemed to say something to someone beyond."Could you let us in?" Craig asked, taking a step back and crossing his arms."Yeah, yeah." The person behind the door grumbled.A huff escaped Craig as the peep hole slammed shut and the sound of locks being undone filled the space around us. "You sure we are welcome?" Antoine asked as the door ahead of us opened
[Leah’s POV]I remained quiet as Antoine and Ashton seemed to go straight into battle mode. How were they both so okay with doing something that could alter everything? Sure, even if things were changed, the mates we were given by the moon goddess wouldn’t, but how would we know to look for them if we remembered nothing?"Leah?" Ashton called, drawing my attention to him.‘Hm?’"I know you’re worried." He began, seeming to immediately pinpoint my issue. "But you heard Ian." He continued. "Everyone is dead and we’re next if we don’t do this."‘R-right.’I knew he was right and I knew that this was what needed to be done, but I still couldn’t stop the pain I felt at the thought of not remembering Asher or Arabia.Arabia… As her perfect face flashed in my mind, I felt a knot begin to build up in my throat and tears prick at my eyes. My precious girl was gone. As was everyone else that I cared for. Something about it didn’t seem real."Would you rather stay here?" Antoine suggested "You d