He grabbed his head.
“Why!” he roared.
Alek whipped around and pounced on her. His hands hovered over her throat and shook with emotion as he stared into her eyes.
“Why did you not lie to me?” He demanded vehemently.
“You know why,” she said. “I wanted to. I thought, it would be nothing to keep hiding it. But I’m tired of hiding the truth. Especially when it comes to you.” Her lashes fluttered, as she lifted her hands grabbing his wrist. “I don’t know what makes you different, dammit. I survived for thirty years by doing anything to get what I wanted. Knocking down obstacles one after another.” She pressed his trembling hands to her throat.
“I’ll gladly take the punishment for my father’s actions,” this was the first time she called Eris by his title aloud. “I know it won’t bring back your wife or your kingdom.” As her lips trembled, “This is all I can do. I’m sorry.”
Alek stared at her, gaze filled with numb shock and anger.
“No, I don’t want your life,” he said, pulling his hands out of her hold. “I need time to think.”
“Alek, wait—” He turned away from her, disappearing before she could stop him.
Lanias stared at the place where Alek had stood. She felt numb with loneliness, her body suddenly feeling empty and cold. Her hands were held out, but there was no one there to take them.
Next was the memory of his cold eyes. She shivered, pulling her hands to her chest.
“I may lose a few people, but that’s it.”
“But isn’t that what you fear the most?”
Her own words returned to haunt her. She laughed but there was no real humor in it.
“I’m used to fighting alone,” she muttered aloud.
And to the question of whether Alek was important to her.
The answer to that was obviously, yes.
BATMAN BUILDING
“Why is it taking so long for you to rid this plane of the volatile blood?”
Icarus stood on the edge of the building, watching the humans the same way humans watched ants. “I’ve been distracted by my battle with Eris. The plane had made him weak, but he still presented a great challenge to kill.”
“The Being and Surrem I sent failed to capture the key.” The one speaking stepped closer. Their bald head was covered withblack tattoos. The orange eyes of the creature who’d spoken dimmed, this speaker was a Fallen.
“You boasted your ability to regain it,” Icarus said, turning around to face him. “Was that boast a lie?”
The other Fallen flinched. “I can only do so much with this body you gave me.” He whimpered, a sly look entering his eyes. “If you were to give me a proper shell, I could better deal with the pest for you.”
“You are a Fallen One, you deserve the shell you’re in now. Your only value accrued because you told us of Eris’ crimes. You have yet to be forgiven for your own sins.” Icarus warned. It’s eyes brightening, “How dare you believe yourself worthy of such a blessing.”
Zaharis sneered, his appearance completely altered from the creature who’d previously been nearly destroyed by Lanias. He’d been lucky that the True Ones hadn’t attempted to kill him on site. Instead, they’d been more interested in the news of a Witch who could open the gate between planes. His brother’s poor attempt at hiding the key from him. He should have killed both mother and daughter all those years ago. “I only wish to assist my betters.”
“Assist me by finding out just who has the ability to kill a Surrem,” Icarus commanded arrogantly before turning away and disappearing into the fog that encircled the top of the building. “I will call Lrik, Slo and two more to meet this threat. Make sure you find the Key; we must have it to return.”
Return. Zahiris snorted.
He would first kill her, and then he’d use the key for his own machinations.
The True Ones were blinded by their arrogance, and he’d use it against them to make them pay for this humiliation.
And once he was done with that, he’d play games with his niece. He grinned, exposing his empty black mouth. Just as empty as his soul.
