Irin decided we all needed a break after so many pivotal revelations, and I couldn’t agree more. But I didn’t want to be alone. Not after finding out what I am. Not after learning what Legion is. It’s all too much to digest at once, and I need some semblance of normalcy. Just a small remembrance of my life before all this.
“I was wondering when you’d wake up,” Sister smiles when she spies me in the doorway of her suite. She’s still hooked up to IVs and bandaged, but she seems to be in good spirits, which is exactly what I need right now. Apparently, Irin was gracious enough to provide all the necessary equipment to help her heal, and I couldn’t be more thankful to her for that. She even has an on-site physician for her round-the-clock care, which has been a huge help considering that Phenex is needed more than ever by the Se7en.
I nearly run to her side, yet resist the urge to gather her in my arms. She still has a long way to go, and I’m not sure if I have superhuman strength or what. She’s endured so much, and I would kill myself if I hurt her even more.
“How are you feeling?” I question, looking for any signs of harm during the attack on the Se7en’s headquarters.
“Good, actually,” she beams, her eyes going wide with excitement. “Did you know there is this mystical balm that actually accelerates healing? It’s made from angel blood and some funky herbs, but holy crap, it’s good. Costs a grip too, but Cain insisted when Irin suggested it. I can’t even tell you how awesome he’s been. All of them, actually. And your friend, Nikolai? Wow, girl. Wow. Seriously, men should not be that pretty. It’s not fair.”
I smile at her infectious positivity. Still the same, old Sister, prattling on a mile a minute. Nothing will ever break her, and it inspires me every day. “Well, actually, he’s not a man. He’s a warlock. A prince too.”
Sister shakes her head. “Not. Effing. Fair.”
“Tell me about it. You should see his brother, Dorian.”
“He has a brother?”
“Yeah. He’s the king of their kind.”
“Welp…that’s it.” She gives a wave of a bandaged hand. “Both ovaries have just exploded. I’m barren. Or pregnant.”
We laugh together, and it feels so good to not think about all the crazy shit I was just woken up to, even for a moment. Just two sisters talking guys and being silly. Just being human. Although, only one of us can honestly take that title now.
We chat for nearly an hour about everything and nothing, keeping the conversation light and optimistic. Sister, once again, is blown away by the existence of otherworldly creatures, and the opulence of Irin’s mansion. I have to admit, Irin is loaded. I can’t figure out exactly what she is—and truthfully no one has—but she must be very old to have amassed such wealth.
“I was afraid…when they came,” Sister admits, her eyelids getting heavy. Her body is working overtime with the angel-blood infused healing balm, and the morphine drip doesn’t help either. I wonder if my blood could help her. Or even Adriel’s. But there’s no way I’m asking her.
“Everything’s ok now,” I smile, trying to muster up some optimism.
“And when they told me…what happened to you. I wasn’t sure if you would wake up. No one knew for sure at first, because humans aren’t supposed to survive whatever they did to you. Irin said you just needed time…that your body needed to adjust.”
I school my features, desperately trying to give nothing away. “Did she say why I needed to adjust?”
Sister lays a gauze-wrapped hand on mine. “I know you’re not like me. I’ve always known. And now that you’re here, and you’re breathing, and you’re alive, I know that my suspicions were true. And that makes me love and admire you even more.”
I don’t have the heart to lay it all out for her, to tell her that I’m not deserving of her admiration, and barely deserving of her love. Not when my father created me to be a weapon. Not when I’ve hurt people and lied and cheated and killed. I can’t blame what I’ve done on Adriel. I can’t even chalk it up to the Calling. It was all me. And now that I’m no longer cloaked by whatever magic Uriel used on me, who knows what I’m capable of.
I open my mouth to tell her just that, but she’s already drifted off to sleep. Maybe it’s for the best—a sign from God. I’m sure He knows my truth would only hurt her even more.
With a kiss on her forehead, I whisper goodnight and turn to leave her to rest. Cain is standing in the doorway. I don’t even know how long he’s been there.
“She looks good,” I say, swallowing thickly.
“She does,” he answers, his eyes going to her sleeping frame. “She’s getting stronger every day. Phenex says the scarring will be minimal too.”
I nod. “Thank you…for getting her out of there. And for taking care of her. I know your priority was the Redeemer, but I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you chose her.”
Cain nods back in response. “Not as grateful as I am that she chose me.” His gaze goes soft as he sidles up to her other side. “We can and will get the blade back. But her… Her life is much more precious than a piece of sharpened steel.”
And although I suspected it before, realization finally hits me like a ton of bricks. Cain loves her. The scarred, vicious Demon of Murder is in love with my sister. And oddly, I wouldn’t be upset if she felt the same. No one would protect her more fiercely than him. And now that she is fully immersed in a world that is so unstable and uncertain, she’s going to need him. Especially when I’m not here.
Without another word, I exit the suite, leaving Cain to watch over my sister as she sleeps. I want to ask him about Legion and Uriel, and what we’re going to do, but I can’t. Not here. I won’t disrupt the bit of peace he’s found in her.
I’m still too restless to go back to my room, and after sleeping for three days straight, I don’t think I could sit still even if I tried. And being left to my own thoughts is definitely out of the question. So since it looks like we’ll be staying here for a while, I decide to explore Irin’s massive estate. The halls seem to always be filled with a flutter of activity, mostly from Irin’s staff, whose uniforms seems to consist of little more than underwear and short, colorful sarongs. Beautiful boys and girls parade seductively, each one stopping to happily ask if I need anything. I can tell that they enjoy being here, and probably literally live to serve. None seem older than twenty either. I don’t know if they’re immortal, like Irin, and stay young and gorgeous through magic, or if their employer just likes jailbait. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the latter.
I stumble into what seems to be a study. No. I can’t even call it that. It’s a library. Dozens upon dozens of shelves are filled to the brim with volumes marked with numbers. Years. They’re labeled with years. These are The Watcher’s recordings, dating all the way back to the beginning of time. Holy shit.
I run my fingers over the leather spines, not even knowing where to start. The Watcher is said to have seen everything. How many mysteries of this world has she documented?
“I can’t tell if Irin is the most efficient historian in existence, or just the ultimate voyeur.”
I turn towards the voice, and smile, my eyes automatically filling with happy tears. Nikolai strolls over to me from the doorjamb, as smooth and graceful as ever, wraps an arm around my waist, and kisses the top of my head. Affection is so easy with him, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. And it doesn’t hurt that his scent of sea and spice is as intoxicating as his beauty.
“Can you imagine the shit we could learn in just one of these?” I say. “What’s the real deal with the Bermuda Triangle? Is the Loch Ness monster real? Where’s the Lost City of Atlantis? We could create Unsolved Mysteries on Steroids. We’d be famous.”
“I don’t know. I kinda like not knowing everything. The Divine only knows there’s enough shit I wish I could unsee. Plus, I’d be afraid of learning too much about myself in the process.”
“Why?” I ask looking up at him. I feel him shrug.
“Would you want to read about all the shit you’ve done? All the shit you’ve tried to forget about? I’ve been alive for over a century, and I was a ruthless deviant for most of that time. I guarantee some of history’s greatest tragedies were caused by my kind, if not personally by my hands. I don’t want to be known for those faults.”
I nod, understanding completely. I’ve only been alive for a little over two decades, and I’ve done enough foul shit to have an entire book dedicated to me. I don’t need to be reminded of all my mistakes.
We stand in silence for a beat, gazing at the stacks, before I ask, “Did you know? In Hell…did you know what I was?”
“I suspected, but I wasn’t sure. I knew you weren’t fully human though.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I don’t even hide the tinge of hurt in my voice. I don’t have to with him.
“Because you weren’t ready to hear it. You were fractured when I met you. I didn’t need to add to that. Not when I needed you to be strong.”
He’s right. I was a mess when we first met. If he had told me that I was anything else other than a girl who had been dealt a shitty hand, I probably wouldn’t have believed him. Then doubt would have eaten me alive. I know Niko did what he thought was best, especially with not having any concrete evidence. It would have just added to my confusion.
We stroll through the library until we stop at a huge mural, the twin to the one in Lucifer’s study. The Rise and Fall of Humanity, starring the demon my heart aches for, Legion.
“You ok?” Niko asks, knowing exactly who and what consumes my thoughts.
“I don’t know. He’s…different. I can feel it. I felt it the moment I stepped into that room. And now that I’m different too, he won’t even look at me. And when he does, it’s like all he sees is Uriel.”
Niko shakes his head. “It’s not that. I think he’s just…afraid. That you can’t see him anymore. The Legion of Lost Souls is not just a demon, Eden. He is many. That has to be some seriously fucked up shit to deal with. And maybe he’s struggling with holding on to who he truly is.”
His words bring me the comfort I so desperately need, and I nestle into his side. “Geez, why couldn’t I have just fallen for you? Demons are complicated as hell.”
“Because you have a warrior’s spirit. And warriors live for the fight.” He pinches my hip, making me squirm. “Besides, you couldn’t handle me. I’d shatter you to pieces, and you’d be coming back, begging me to do it again.”
“Arrogant dick,” I jibe.
“What was that about my dick?” he shoots back.
I chuckle, giving him a playful elbow to the ribs. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“Same here. Seems like Mr. Hellfire has a thing for you.”
“So Lucifer really sent you? Why?”
Niko shrugs. “Said he wanted me to help you and the Se7en. Though I’m not sure what he thinks I can accomplish.”
“Is it permanent?”
“Not if I don’t succeed.”
I turn to him, my eyes bright with excitement. “Oh my God, Dorian and Gabriella…they have to be beyond happy right now.”
His gaze drops to the floor. “I haven’t told them.”
“What? Niko, you have to call them. Now! They were devastated when you didn’t come back with me. I know they want to see you.”
“No, E. I won’t involve them in this. It’s too dangerous. And if I fail…” He shakes his head, dispelling the thought. “I can’t get their hopes up only to watch them suffer again. They have my nephew to protect. I won’t be the cause of any more strife.”
I get it, although it kills me. “You will succeed. We will succeed. And you’ll be with your family again. I promise.”
Niko smirks, his ocean blue eyes dimming with unnamed emotion. “Pretty words from such a pretty girl.” He kisses my hair again and we resume inspecting the mural.
“You rescued Crysis. How?”
“He was chained up in some underground cell, drained of most of his blood, barely alive. Lucifer sent me straight to him, as if he knew he needed to be saved. Had I not been there, the Se7en would have never found him.”
“That’s strange,” I murmur.
“What is?”
“That Lucifer would want to help a Nephilim.”
“Well…he helped you, didn’t he?” I look up and frown at Niko, not out of annoyance, but out of confusion. Plus I’m just not used to considering myself as something other than human. “Don’t get me wrong, Luc is as self-serving and narcissistic as they come. And every move he makes is calculated and deliberate. But I think…I think he saved Crysis for you.”
My frown deepens. “For me?”
“He knew you’d need help; you’d have questions. Crysis is your friend, and after finding out the truth, you’ll need as many of those as you can get. He is your kind…your family, in a sense. He can help you tap into your gifts and strengthen them. And if this comes to a fight—which I believe it will—you’re going to need him.”
Again, I know he’s right. Even though he’s considered young for an immortal, Nikolai has proven to be insightful and wise beyond his years. His friendship is everything to me, and I am so incredibly thankful that Lucifer saw fit to send him, even if it is for his own selfish reasons.
The gauche sound of my growling belly makes us both break into chuckles, so we decide to seek out sustenance. After Hell, I’m over formal dining, so we simply pop into the kitchen where Irin’s staff is cheerily prepping.
“Is there anything we can do for you?” a lovely young woman asks sweetly. She is wearing a scarf around her breasts, fashioned like a halter top, and a long sarong with a high slit.
“Um, I was hoping we could get something to eat?” I ask, feeling uneasy with so many eyes on me.
“Of course! What would you like?”
“Some cheese, crusty bread, and a bottle of red would be perfect, my dear,” Niko answers smoothly, causing the young woman to blush bright red. I roll my eyes. Charming bastard.
“Of course. Coming right up.”
Niko’s indelible charisma scores us a gorgeous charcuterie board and the best wine I’ve ever tasted. We sit cross-legged on one of the many chaise lounges in the party room, noshing and chatting. Well, he sits cross-legged. I’ve got my feet tucked under me, thanks to my obscene skirt.
“I swear, I think Irin is just teasing me. Why do Lilith and Adriel have a regular wardrobe, while I’m prancing around in concubine clothes?”
“Now, if I was a different guy,” Niko begins, tearing off a piece of crusty French bread, “I’d tell you that you look damn delicious and to just go with it. But since I am your fairy-fucking-godmother, I’m going to tell you to ask the staff to bring you what you want. They love it when we request stuff—it’s weird. Like, they get off on servitude. They’d probably bust a collective nut if you asked them to replace your entire wardrobe.”
Duly noted. I make a mental note to track down Kairo and give him a list of Eden-approved clothing.
“Well, fairy-fucking-godmother, can I ask you something? And I want you to be completely honest, no matter how much you think it’ll hurt my feelings.”
“I don’t know how to be any other way.”
I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Now that Adriel is back, do you think Legion…” I can’t even say it without my face going hot.
Niko lifts a brow. “Do I think they’re fucking around?”
“Well, I wasn’t going to say that, but yeah.”
“No. Do I think she wants to? Probably. But do I think he’s trying to rekindle that flame? Not at all. He spends all his time with the Se7en. Training, plotting, counting his eight pack. When we first arrived, he sat by your side for hours, silent and still as a fucking statue. Not even a twitch of emotion. He’d just watch you. And when he wasn’t doing that, he was in the gym, fucking shit up. I don’t even think the guy has slept.”
My brow furrows with confusion. “Why would he sit and watch me sleep for hours, yet not even speak to me now that I’m awake? That doesn’t make any sense.”
Niko takes a long sip of wine, contemplating his next words. “Look, E,” he begins, setting down his glass. “I shouldn’t be the one telling you this, and I feel like a fucking narc for doing so, but I want you to understand. After Legion was reborn, he was filled with so much rage and hatred. And fear…fear that he would lose you. He… Well, let’s just say that anyone who stood between him and you was promptly and gruesomely discarded. I think that might be fucking with him a little bit. I mean, how could it not? He’s spent centuries trying to do the right thing. Now killing is second nature to him. And it may be hard for him to accept just how much he relishes it.”
“So? What does that have to do with freezing me out?”
“You’re half angel, baby. And you fell for him when he was a demon seeking redemption. All hope of that is lost now that his true self has been released. Maybe he’s afraid you won’t be able to forgive him for what he is. Maybe he’s struggling with forgiving himself.”
I nod, tearing the bit of bread between my fingertips into tiny shreds. “God, I hope you’re right. Because I know she wants him…but if he wants her…”
Niko’s hand goes over mine. “If he does, then he’s a damn fool. And he doesn’t deserve you, human, Nephilim or other.”
A small, sad smile curls my lips. “Tell me again why I didn’t fall for you first?”
Niko returns the sentiment before stroking my cheek. “You’re only half angel. Too fragile.”