SIRENA

It happened in an instant. Not the same way it did with Lux. Different. When Colère took hold of me, I didn’t feel the searing burn of his flesh on mine. I didn’t feel connected to him in any way. I felt… scared.

I have no idea where I am, but I know that Lux isn’t here. I feel his absence as much as I feel his presence when he’s beside me. I’m not in the car. I’m lying down on a bed in a darkened room, the musty smell of a dank motel surrounding me.

Shit.

Why am I in a bed? I bolt upright, my head aching.

A voice comes out of the darkness. “Lie back. Apparently, you don’t travel well. You were out cold when we got here. Almost thought I’d killed you.”

“Cole?”

A lamp turns on in the corner of the room, his violet eyes staring back at me. “It’s me. You’re safe now.” He looks down at his phone. “You needed to rest.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“A couple of hours.”

“What… happened?” I look down and realize I’m only wearing my bra and panties. I quickly pull the sheets to cover myself. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me.

“Calm down. When I jumped you here, you threw up all over your clothes and passed out. I put you to bed and cleaned your clothes. They’re drying in the bathroom.” He sees the relief on my face. “Come now, Sirena. I’m not that disgusting to look at, am I?” He moves toward the bed, and I find myself with nowhere to go. My back is flat against the cold wooden headboard. “Admit it. I look pretty good right now.”

He has a smug smile on his face that turns to confusion when I don’t react the way he obviously expects me to. “You look like… you. I admit that the family genetics are obviously good, but I’m not attracted to you.”

“What? You see me?”

Not this again. “Yes. I see Lux as he is. You and Kade, too, apparently. You all have the same striking violet eyes, impossible height, and stunning features that are completely different, and yet I see similarities.”

“Well, shit.”

“Who did you want me to see?”

“You know about that?” He’s concerned. I can see it in his eyes.

“Lux was forced to be honest with me about everything that’s going on.” Then it dawns on me. “You wanted me to see him? To see Lux as you thought he was appearing to me?”

“No.” I can tell it’s a lie.

I scramble off the bed, the sheet that was covering me stuck under Cole’s knee. “You’re lying!” I run toward the bathroom door to get my clothes, but Cole is too fast. He’s in front of me in seconds pinning me to the door. “Let go of me! What did you think would happen? That I would be confused? That I would settle for a pale imitation in my anguished state? That I would sleep with you? God, you’re disgusting!” I spit in his face.

“Stop yelling. You got it wrong. I was trying to comfort you. I wasn’t trying to take advantage.” I can hear the pounding of my heart in my ears. His anger turns to a smile. “I wouldn’t need to trick you into sleeping with me. Luxure and I have always shared. Soon you’ll be begging for me to kiss you.” One of his hands starts to trail down my side brushing against my breasts. “Aching for me to caress every inch of you while he watches. He loves it.”

I hate that my traitorous body reacts to his touch. I don’t feel any connection to him. He doesn’t light my body on fire the way Luxure does, but on a basic level, his touch is arousing, and I hate myself for it. I clench my free hand into a fist, my nails digging into my palm. I put everything I have into it, all of the strength I can muster, and swing for his stomach but he catches my fist in his hand. “You’ve got fire. I can see why Luxure is so taken with you.”

The tone of his voice chills me to my very core, and then all of a sudden, it’s there, the burning sensation that makes me weak at the knees… Lux.

The door bursts open and there standing in the doorway is my savior. In the blink of an eye, he’s ripping Cole off of me, and all I can do is watch as I slide down the door to the floor. Everything becomes blurry, gray spots appearing in front of my eyes as I take in the sight before me. They twist and turn, punching and pulling on each other, hitting off the walls. All I can hear is Lux’s voice booming at Cole, but with each passing moment, his comforting roar becomes distant like I’m being dragged down a tunnel further and further away from this room, this place, my fear.

A hand grips my shoulder as a blanket surrounds me. “Sirena, sweetheart, are you okay?”

I must be in shock. It can’t be him.

“Sirena?”

“Dad?”

“It’s me. I’m going to get you out of here. Away from all of this mess.”

It’s then that I snap out of it. “No!”

“No? You can’t be serious? You need to get away from these demons before they get you killed.”

The fighting stops.

The room goes silent before his voice fills the void—gentle but threatening. “No one is taking her anywhere. She stays with me. Understood?” Cole and my dad start shouting, but Lux won’t hear it. “If I have to take both of you out to keep her by my side, then that’s what I’ll do. She. Stays. With. Me. UNDERSTOOD?” He rips me from my father’s arms holding me tight to his chest. His touch floods my body with warmth as I sink into his arms still wrapped in a blanket as he strides from the room.

I don’t know where Cole is, and I don’t much care, but I hear my dad in the background following behind us. “I need to talk to her. I need to explain.”

“You can do that in my presence. I’m not letting her out of my sight. She needs some rest and fresh clothes. I’m taking her to the hotel up the road. You can come by later before we get back on the road.”

He’s about to put up a fight, but the sheer rage emanating from Lux is enough to stop him. “Okay. I’ll meet you in the lobby at 10:00 p.m.”

“Fine. One minute later, and we’re gone.”

“I’ll be there.”

Lux gently places me in the passenger seat of a new SUV. I don’t want to ask where it came from. With everything else going on, grand theft auto isn’t ranking high on my list of concerns. I rest my head against the window and let myself drift off, the reassuring sound of his voice a gentle lullaby.

* * *

I wake with a start, jumping from the bed as I relive the terror of waking up in unfamiliar surroundings.

“It’s okay, Sirena. I’m here. No one is going to hurt you.”

“Lux?”

His arms envelop me holding me close. “Yes. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just getting you some fresh clothes and running the shower for you.”

I instantly relax against his chest. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I let you down today. Cole took you, and I couldn’t come for you in case I drew the Vollstrecker to our location. I felt so helpless, and when I saw his hands on you…”

I pull back taking his perfectly carved face in my hands. “Don’t. You couldn’t have known, and you did the right thing. He didn’t hurt me.”

“If he had, I would’ve…”

“He didn’t. I’m okay. You’re here now. You came for me.”

“Of course I did. I would go to the ends of the Earth and beyond for you.” On tiptoes, I press an urgent kiss to his lips. It’s not long before he picks me up and walks over to the bed. “Fuck the shower. I like you dirty.” They’re the last words he says to me before we lose ourselves in each other.

He becomes my entire world in this moment sending me crashing over the edge, leaving me quivering and sated and desperate to reciprocate. Nothing and no one else matters until I feel him pull away. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t risk losing control again and putting you in danger.” He leaves me bereft and wanting more as he quickly dresses. “We better get on the road. Your dad wants to speak to you before we go. It’s almost 10:00 p.m., he’ll be downstairs in the lobby any minute.

I reach for his hand, but he shirks it off hurting me more than I care to admit. I know why he’s distancing himself, but I can’t help feeling rejected. I quietly grab my clothes and head for the bathroom. I leave the shower running for a few minutes while I compose myself not wanting him to hear me cry. I stare at myself in the mirror, the woman staring back at me, unrecognizable.

When I emerge from the bathroom, he’s pacing back and forth like a caged animal. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

He engulfs me in his arms. “I’m sorry I pushed you away. I just don’t trust myself right now. Everyone is trying to track us, and one false move could mean life or death.”

“I understand.” He senses my reluctant acceptance, but he doesn’t say another word.

We walk in silence down to the lobby where my dad is waiting by the door, his arms folded across his broad chest. His face lights up at the sight of me warming my heart. No matter what’s happened, he’s still my dad, and I love him. I break free of Lux’s grasp and run to him. “Daddy. I’m so sorry about all of this.”

He holds me tight. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I knew you were different and that you were strong enough to handle it. I should have trusted you and confessed everything a long time ago.”

Lux walks up behind us, his body radiating tension. “We don’t have long so say what you need to say, Gabriel.”

I turn my head staring him down. “We have time for this. I have time for this. I need to know who I am, and I need to do this alone.”

“I’m not leaving you with him.”

“He’s my dad, Lux. He’s no more a danger to me than you are. I want to talk to him alone. Thirty minutes is all I’m asking. Then I’ll go wherever you need me to and do whatever it takes to stay alive.” I take his hands in mine, the intensity of our connection giving me courage. “I promise. After this… I’m yours.”

Joy, fear, and a million other emotions flash across his features. He hates the thought of leaving my side for even a second, but he’ll give me this. He’ll allow me this time with my father before I have to leave my entire life as I know it behind—for him. “Thirty minutes. Go to the bar. I won’t listen, and I’ll watch the lobby. If anyone remotely questionable shows up, I’m jumping you out of here, and I’ll deal with the consequences later.”

“It’s a deal.” I gently caress his cheek and plant a tender kiss on his lips before heading to the bar with my dad.

We find a quiet corner where I can still see Luxure. He’s pacing the lobby when my dad starts talking. “You have to understand, Sirena. Before you, there was never any question of revealing what you are. What your family line is.”

“My family line? What are you talking about?”

“I promised you the truth, and to give you that, I have to start from the very beginning.” He shuffles in his seat. “I’ve been around for a very long time.”

“I know that. You’re an angel, I’m half-angel.”

The look in his eyes is one of… fear. “I was an Archangel.”

“The Archangel Gabriel?”

“Yes.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “I have watched over your bloodline for centuries without any incidents. No one but me and God himself knew of your existence. All of the women in your family are… special.”

“So Mom is the same as me? I thought I was half-angel because you and Mom fell in love.”

“Your mom is completely human.”

“But you said…”

“Your mom and I… aren’t your biological parents. You’re not half-angel.”

“I’m confused. You’re telling me I’m adopted? Is that what you were hiding? I’m human, but I’m adopted?”

“No. Well, yes.”

“Spit it out, Gabriel.”

Taking my hands in his, he struggles to find the right words. “I’m still your dad, Sirena. I always will be.” I risk a glance in Luxure’s direction. He’s watching us intently, his face marred with worry. He promised he wouldn’t listen, but I know he can sense my pain even if he doesn’t want to. My dad continues. “I may not have been involved in your conception, but I was at your birth. From the minute you took your first breath, I knew there was something different about you. Your biological mother was an amazing woman. I loved her very much.”

“I thought you said you weren’t my dad?”

“I loved her as a daughter. Nothing more.”

My head is spinning with every new word from his mouth. “You were my mother’s dad?”

“Sirena, I’ve watched over and raised every female member of your family for generations. I have kept the secret of your bloodline, never telling another living soul, not even your mom.”

“Which mother are you talking about?”

“Don’t be obtuse. It doesn’t suit you. Gilda is and always will be your mom.” Tears well in his eyes at the mention of her name, and my heart softens toward him. “I met her just before you were born. She’s the reason I became a Fallen. I wanted to live a life here on Earth with her. I wanted to have a marriage and a family. The moment I saw her… I knew… I knew she was going to be my wife and your mom. The second she laid eyes on you, she fell in love. You were everything she ever wanted, everything she ever needed. No one could have loved you more, Sirena. You have to believe that.”

I don’t notice the tears flowing down my cheeks until I’m wiping them with the sleeve of my sweater. “I know. I just have to know the truth.”

“The females in your family are unique. All supernatural beings live on the understanding that free will is an illusion. Humans believe they have it, but it’s all smoke and mirrors. The bigger picture for every being is decided before we come into existence. Angels and demons understand their place in the grand scheme of things based on this rule. A thousand years ago a girl was born—your ancestor. The first being in existence to choose her fate. She was destined to be one of the Masuulka. I assume Lux has filled you in on them already.”

“Yes.” I’m aghast at his revelations unable to say more.

“Before she was ‘born,’ her soul chose a different path. She chose to be human. She chose not be what God intended for her.”

“What does that mean for me?”

“It’s not what it means for you, Sirena, it’s what it means for everyone else. If supernatural beings found out they could have chosen their path, that demons didn’t have to be evil, and angels didn’t have to be good, there would be chaos in the universe. Humanity is the greatest gift God ever bestowed on a soul. If given a choice, every soul would choose humanity.”

“So I am human or not?”

“I thought so until you met Luxure. He seems to have triggered your supernatural side—the being you were destined to be.”

“Let me get this straight. I’m not half-angel, I was supposed to be supernatural, but for some unknown reason, the women in my family choose their fate and always choose to be human?”

“Yes, but you’re different. None of them ever showed signs of their original fate.”

“Okay, so why me? Why am I different?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Well, what the hell am I? Do you know that?”

“Yes. When each of you were born, I was informed of your original destiny, but I’ve never divulged this information to anyone, Sirena. Not even your mother. She knows that there is a supernatural world and that you are a part of it, but she doesn’t know how or why.” He’s hesitant to say anymore, but I have to know.

“What. Am. I?”

“Before I tell you, remember that you chose humanity, you chose to be good.”

“Just say it.” I feel sick to my stomach, unsure if I’m ready for this.

“Before you were ‘born,’ God decided that you were going to be a Siren. You…”

“Stop. I can’t hear any more.” My heart is pounding. I could almost make peace with being supernatural when I thought I was part angel, but this, I can’t handle this. “I’m a demon? A sex-crazed demon?”

“No, sweetheart. You’re still you. You decided your fate. You wanted something different. You wanted to be good.”

“I have to go. Lux is waiting for me. Goodbye… Gabriel.” I pull my hand from his, the tears rolling down my cheeks now out of control.

“Please… Sirena… wait!”

I don’t look back. I can’t. I run into the arms of the man I love.

The demon I love.

I love him.

I’m in love with Luxure Zonder. I’ve known it on some level since the moment we met. You can’t share this kind of connection with someone and not love them, but I’ve never consciously thought it until now. I’m giving up everything to follow him away from or into danger. I don’t even know. The only thing I’m sure of is that I need to be with him. I need to fight for him. I need to love him.

“Are you okay? What did he say to you, angel?” My heart breaks at his term of endearment. He thinks I’m an angel, that I’m good. He has feelings for that version of me. If he finds out I’m nothing more than Lucifer’s whore, he’ll never look at me the same way again. Holding me close, his hands caress my back in a gentle rhythm. “You’re okay now. I’m going to look after you. Let’s get out of here.”

We head out to the car, and I just can’t look back at the man who raised me because he also lied to me. My entire life has been a lie. Everything I am… is a lie.