[Chanel’s POV]I watch Giddeon, taking note of the clear fear in his features over betraying Diego’s trust, but trust be damned given our situation.“Please,” I say, putting as much emotion into the word as I can. “This is life or death.”“I…” Giddeon begins, his expression shifting. “I can’t…”“Fuck this,” Anthrose growls, moving forward and trapping Giddeon in a headlock. “Either you spill the fucking beans or I’m going to pop your fucking head like a cherry.”If this had been any other situation, I would have been amused by what was happening in front of me, but right now I could feel Anthrose’s killing intent pressing against me. He really intended to kill Giddeon if he didn’t tell us who Diego’s informant was.“Wait,” I gasp, jumping up as Giddeon’s face starts to turn red. “What are you doing?”“Anyone who doesn’t work with us is considered the enemy,” Anthrose responds, going full warrior. “Especially when we are in a do-or-die situation. If he can’t help us, then he isn’t wort
[Chanel’s POV]When we arrive at our destination, I don’t hesitate to get out of the car and then wait as Giddeon follows suit. Once he joins me, he leads the way up to a simple building and knocks on the door, then steps back.For a moment, we just stand there watching and waiting as nothing happens. Frowning, I move forward and prepare to knock again. If this bastard wasn’t going to answer this time, then I would kick the fucking door down. However, I don’t have to take such extreme measures as the door opens just before I pound my fist on it and a tired-looking man lays eyes on us.“Who...” he begins, until he sees Giddeon. “Oh,” he smirks, his face lighting up. “I was wondering when you would come searching for me.”“If you knew we were coming, why didn’t you come to us first?” I ask before Giddeon can say anything. “And since you seem to know why we are here, I don’t need to explain anything.”“Fiesty,” the man grins. “Just like I like my women.”“Gross,” I gag. “We didn’t come h
[Chanel’s POV]When we arrive back at the condo, Anthrose is in the living room with a look of annoyance on his features. And when we step inside, he is moving, ignoring Giddeon completely and grabbing me.“Well?” He demands, taking me by surprise.“Well what?” I ask, even though I know what it is he wants to know. “You’re going to have to use your words.”For a moment, he doesn’t speak as his look of annoyance grows stronger. “Is now the time for you to play games?”“Maybe,” I shrug, enjoying seeing him so on edge. It was a nice reprieve from his put-together and indifferent appearance; it made him seem more human. “What is it that you want to know? Whether we managed to get the help of the informant or something else. Be more specific, please.”“Will he help?” He demands.“Yes,” I respond. “That is taken care of, and since it is, I need to find the perfect dress for an event.”“An event,” he repeats, confusion flashing across his face. “Why the hell would you need a dress? Have you
[Anthrose’s POV]The sound of a rapid heartbeat echoes in my ears, but I’m not certain whose heartbeat it is—is it mine? Is it Chanel’s? And a warmth so intoxicating presses against me, warming even the coldest parts of my soul and heart.What the hell was I even doing? And why couldn’t I step away? Why didn’t I want to separate myself from this warmth that I was feeling for the first time in so long?I was being greedy. I was being a selfish bastard, taking advantage of this when I knew that I couldn’t offer anything to the one who was providing it for me.“Anthrose,” Chanel’s voice is soft as her fingers press against my cheeks, causing thrums of energy to radiate through me. “Does this mean...”I don’t let her finish what she is saying before I press my fingers against her lips, stopping her from uttering the words that could cause me to topple into the abyss of desire and pleasure that I’ve fought so hard to avoid for all of these years. Dammit. Why was it so hard for me recently
[Chanel’s POV]I stare in disbelief at Anthrose as his mask of indifference that makes me feel like we are so far apart starts to come back in place, replacing the passion and desire that were just there.“Hate me so much that you understand I’m no good for you.” He says slowly, straightening his clothes. “That way you’ll find happiness.”“Happiness,” I repeat, my anger threatening to bubble over once more. “Are you really saying that to me?”Didn’t he understand that my fucking happiness was him? That every time I saw him, my heart came alive, and every time he offered me a rare laugh, smile, or even look of affection, my world became a little brighter?Fuck! How could he not understand that he was the reason I fought and breathed?“You’re my happiness,” I snap, moving forward and attempting to touch him. “You Anthrose. You are the one who makes me happy.”“I’m sorry,” he says, shoving my hands away before I can even press a finger against his skin. “It’s about time you stopped holdi
[Anthrose’s POV]I sit in the living room, listening to the chatter that is taking place, but not registering anything that is said. Although I know I should be focusing on this stuff since it involved our saving Diego and Rosalie, all my mind could stay on was Chanel.Fuck. This was frustrating, but it was something that needed to be done; after all, there was just no way that we could ever be together. Not only because she was my pupil and I was her teacher, but because, as someone with no title or anything to promise, I didn’t deserve her.Sighing, I lean back and let my wander back to a time when I thought that maybe there could be something. Where I still had hope of the future.I’ll never forget the day when my respect for the leaders of Crystal Fang was destroyed completely.“If you’re that worried, why don’t you go look for her?”The voice comes from directly beside me, snapping me out of my head and pissing me off at the same time.“I don’t know what you mean.” I mutter, lett
[Anthrose’s POV]I wait as Chanel continues to stand in front of me, clearly staring me down, debating whether or not she should attempt to push again, but in the end deciding against it.“Alright,” she mutters, taking me by surprise. “Since my ego can’t take anymore hits this evening, I’ll let you off.”Sighing, I let a small chuckle out as my adoration for the woman in front of me grows.“That’s wisest,” I agree. “Now, how about you try to get some sleep.”“I don’t wanna,” she pouts, returning to the Chanel that I know. “And I’m not tired.”“You sound like a child,” I point out. “Be good and go lay down so you can sleep off your drunk.”“I’m not drunk,” she announces, attempting to move but stumbling. “Whoops,” she giggles. “I guess maybe I am a little.”“More than a little,” I counter, unable to ignore the smell of alcohol in the air. “Come on, to bed with you.”“Alright, alright, dad.” Chanel sighs, beginning to move but stopping as I reach out and grab her wrist. “What is it?”“I
[Geo’s POV]I listen to the sounds of the adults quietly talking, their conversations going on even late in the night. From what I could hear, I knew that they were in a state of waiting for the one that Aunt Chanel and Uncle Giddeon sought out today would be able to get the answers that Willy was currently seeking for me. As a ghost, he was able to travel anywhere, and right now he was certainly on that island and roaming through the temple.Sighing, I look out the window beside me, taking in the area below, noting the different entities that walk there. They’re a mixture of ghosts and humans, but none of them are Willy.“Hurry up,” I grumble, crossing my arms. “You’re taking too long.”As the words leave my lips, lightning flashes, drawing my gaze to the sky to find it is glowing a crimson that it wasn’t previously.“What?” I gasp, causing Landon to jump up in bed.“Wah, what is it?” He gasps, looking around wildly. “What happened?”As the words leave his lips, another round of ligh