[Asher’s POV]"You back to normal now?" Aldina asked, appearing behind the bars of my cell. "Or do you need to stay here a little longer?"A groan escaped me as images of the night before flashed before my eyes. After parting ways with Leah and Chloe, I had lost my battle against the darkness and snapped into nothing more than a mindless creature whose only intent was to kill. In order to keep me from causing any trouble, Kelvin managed to lock me up before shooting me with a strong sedative."I’m fine." I sighed, slowly getting to my feet. "You can let me out now.""Sure," Aldina purred, clutching the bars and leaning in. "But first, I’m pretty hungry since I couldn’t feed last night.""Alright."I watched as Aldina pulled the key to my cell out of her bra and then entered the cell with me. But before I could speak, she quickly shoved me down on a lone cot that sat against the wall and then straddled me."What are you doing?" I growled, as her arms began to wander around my neck."I’
[Thia’s POV]I stood on the porch and watched as Leah and the twins made their way down the drive and towards the main road beyond. Once I was sure that they were no longer in earshot, I headed back inside to find Ashton and his mom already in the living room waiting for me. Ian had gone to get Haidan and Antoine, so he wasn’t present, but once they returned, we could discuss our next strategy to deal with the new danger."Come here." Ashton called, patting the space beside him. "It’s going to be alright.""I know." I sighed, collapsing beside him.Letting out a breath, I leaned in close so that his warmth seeped into my skin, calming my nerves and helping clear my head some.As I closed my eyes, I could hear the sound of the front door opening and footsteps making their way towards us. Opening them once more, I watch as Haidan, Antoine, and Ian make their way towards us, followed by Deon and Tatiana."Welcome." I called, plastering a smile on my face. "I’m happy all of you could come
[Leah’s POV]My breath hitched in my throat as I took in the area that Craig had brought us. Who would have thought that a small amusement park would be hidden so close to the coast? I was sure that the ocean line probably looked beautiful from the top of the ferris wheel, and the nice sea breeze made everything calm."So, was I right or was I right?" Craig asked, meeting my gaze expectantly."Yeah." I responded, continuing to take in the sight. "It is pretty good."I tried to keep my voice even as I took in the vibrant carousel that featured zoo animals instead of horses and the spinning teacups. It was definitely something the twins would enjoy, but when I tried to find excitement over Craig’s surprise, I could only remember that night six years ago when we were attacked."Are you sure?" Craig responded. "You don’t seem very happy."Shit, I needed to get it together, otherwise I would hurt him."I’m really okay." I assured him, plastering a smile."We were attacked at an amusement p
[Asher’s POV]I can feel Leah’s body shivering against mine as I stare into the eyes of the tiny creature that looks so much like me and her together. There was no doubt about it now; this was my child. The child that I created together with Leah. But why didn’t she tell me about her? Why was she trying to hide it?"If you don’t speak, I’m leaving." Leah warned, pulling my attention back to her."How old is she?" I asked instead, unable to stop my curiosity about the child. "What is her name?""It doesn’t matter." Leah snapped, unconsciously attempting to put more distance between us. "She doesn’t concern you.""BULLSHIT!"Anger explodes through me from Leah’s attempt to stop me from getting to know my child. Without thinking, I slammed my fist into the wall right beside her head, causing pain to rush up my arm and through my body to try to stop the darkness from trying to erupt."Just let me go." She whispered, snapping her gaze from mine. "Remember, you were the one that didn’t want
[Leah’s POV]I stumbled out of the small cabin that possessed Asher’s warmth and scent as the man himself watched me with cold and distant eyes. His hot and cold attitude was really starting to piss me off, but it confirmed my suspicions about something more going on in his head.Stopping at the end of the porch, I turned and stared into Asher’s eyes as he continued to remain impassive."I just want you to know." I began, deciding that I would just speak what my heart was screaming. "You don’t have to suffer alone. I’m here and I’ll always be here. "Maybe it was useless of me to even say that, but I couldn’t stop myself. Asher was my mate and my best friend. Even if he was now this cold and indifferent person, when he slipped up and dropped the act, I found that the same man was still there. It was just a matter of finding that man and bringing him back permanently."Am I supposed to be moved?" Asher asked, frowning. "Who knows?" I shrugged. "Anyway, see ya!"Turning, I quickly made
[Chloe’s POV]I stormed out of the house, ignoring Thia and Ashton’s questioning gazes. I was beginning to get sick of this. Anytime I mentioned my visions, I was simply told that they were nightmares, even when each and every one comes true."Dammit." I growled, looking towards the house where my siblings and brother-in-law remained oblivious. "Something big is coming." I continue, feeling my heart begin to beat faster. "How can I get you all to believe me?"Closing my eyes, I once again saw Asher with glowing red eyes and large black wings. He stood proudly over the corpses of many of our friends. Beside him was a man with blazing red hair and a vampiress that looked pleased with themselves. However, they weren’t the ones I was most concerned with. Instead, there was a beautiful blonde with an ethereal feel to her that really worried me. Shaking off the chill that was beginning to rush down my spine, I turned and began to make my way towards town. If Leah and the others weren’t goi
[Leah’s POV]I stared at Chloe for a moment more, before gritting my teeth and racing forward. I would have to worry about how she knew my secret later. Right now, I needed to save my mate."Wait for me!" Chloe called, rushing up behind me."Stay back." I warned. "When I let go, I can’t control it."The ability was something I discovered when I was at my angryest over not being able to shift into a lycan anymore. When it happened, it scared me so badly that I didn’t dare use it unless absolutely necessary. Because of that, I was still not able to fully handle it."But you’ll need my help." Chloe argued."No, I won’t." I snapped. "Now stay back where it is safe and call those damn kitsune’s!"I didn’t bother looking back to see if Chloe had listened. If she got too close, I would have to knock her out. I didn’t want to have to do it, but desperate times call for desperate measures.Extending my senses, I quickly located Asher and began to move. I could sense his pain through our bond a
[Asher’s POV]I kept my gaze firmly fixed on Leah as she studied me carefully. What in the world was she thinking behind those guarded eyes?"I’ll find her something of Tatiana’s." Ian responded, drawing my attention back to him. "For the time being, she can clean your wounds. They’re starting to heal and if any debris is left, we will have to reopen the skin. ""Got it." Leah responded, stepping forward and reaching into the bin.Satisfied that she could handle things from here, Ian headed out of the room, so it was now just the two of us. Leah’s hand that gently cleaned my wounds shook ever so slightly. It was easy to tell that she was nervous about being so close to me, especially after how harsh I had been with her recently."Why did those tengus attack you?" She asked, taking me by surprise. "And don’t say it isn’t any of my business."I fought back the amused smirk that wanted to form on my lips at her defiance and kept my expression neutral."They owed a friend money."My word
[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