2158

~Abella

Once again, I avoid Cian's grasp.

His words are not a surprise, but it's still terrifying to hear him say it.

He bent his head down, almost like he is reluctant to mention it, and asked me to come with him to the immortal realm.

"I can't go to the Immortal realm with you," I exclaim firmly. The last time I went with him to the Immortal realm, I didn't have a choice, and although I didn't explore beyond Cian's personal home, it was terrifying. A mortal like me wouldn't survive a day there, if the rumours and stories about it are true.

Cian frowns, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why not?"

"I don't belong there," I remind him, motioning over myself as if my mortality is painfully obvious. To him, it likely is, and likely would be to anyone else living there. Even though Cian hasn't killed me yet, I can't trust that he won't leave me there alone at some point, or that he won't care if anything bad were to happen to me.

"Sure you do," he says with a shrug, making it sound as though this isn't a big deal. I wonder if Cian is afraid of anything anymore, especially considering how long he has existed. "You will be with me."

I narrow my eyes on the immortal, reminding him that what he says isn't always going to mean anything to me. He doesn't look hurt by that, but he does look surprised. I'm deciding that he didn't kill Abella, but I have no doubt he has done other devious things to Noah that have made the Alpha hate him so much. I want to trust him, but I can't yet.

"I'm not your equal," I breathe.

Cian steps forward, shaking his head at me. Frightened by his sudden proximity, I stumble back, still scared he is going to grab me and the world around me will disappear and when I next open my eyes, I'll be in the Immortal Realm.

"Do not say that. You are beyond me, Amolet," he murmurs calmly, although there is something firm about that.

I sit back down, my legs suddenly not able to keep me standing. I'm not beyond Cian, and he knows that, so I'm not sure why he is being so kind. Maybe he thinks I am fragile, that I'm close to exploding and going back to siding with Stace and Noah, so he is acting this way to get me to do what he wants.

"Why are we going to the Immortal realm?" I question.

"I need help in dealing with this situation." I follow Cian into the kitchen, watching as he starts to heat some water. I realise that I'm still shivering, unable to shake the cold feeling still lingering inside me. Had I been outside a moment longer, I likely wouldn't have survived. "As much as I don't exactly want it from this person."

"Who?" I'm not even sure I want to know at this point.

"Another Sin," he admits. "Technically a sibling."

I shiver, knowing what that means. Going to the Immortal Realm is terrifying enough, but knowing that I would be going there with the intention of meeting an immortal Sin makes this all the more confronting.

"I can't go if there's going to be a Sin there," I panic.

Cian eyes me as he stirs the drink in front of him, the steam wafting up around his face. "Why not?"

Swallowing uncomfortably, I attempt to figure out the best way to say that Sin's are meant to be the bad guys, the ones people are scared of and avoid. Even though Cian hasn't threatened me, had I been any other mortal girl that he stumbled across, I'm sure he would have reacted differently to me. I'm here, alive and unharmed because I have use to him. I can not allow myself to be seduced by his gentle words and kind nature.

"They are a Sin, they are dangerous," I remind him warily, careful of his reaction. One wrong word and I could ruin the bond and connection we are growing between us.

Something devious glitters in his eyes. "And I'm not?"

"That's different..." I break off, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of telling him I'm less afraid of him then any of his siblings.

"Is it? You're standing before me, willing to work with me, and I'm a Sin," he comments mischievously. He wants me to admit that I trust him, but I'm not sure I'm ready to divulge that yet, even if the look that has passed over his face is making me shift from foot to foot anxiously.

"If you wanted to kill me, you would have already," I remind him blandly. A spike of fear flutters through me as the thought of him deciding in this moment to kill me. "What's to say this Sin won't?"

"Sin's don't just kill everyone in their path, Amolet." He hands me the hot drink, which I take into my hands gratefully. I don't even hesitate taking a sip from it, enjoying the warmth and sweetness. "And there is no chance I would allow any harm to come to you, don't worry."

I clear my throat, tearing myself away from his intense gaze. Don't react.

"Why do you need their help?"

"I need a plan on how to deal with Noah and his sidekick," Cian mutters, leaning back against the counter, arms folded over his chest.

"I think Stace is more than a sidekick." I think about the elusive, ethereal being that is Stace. I have no idea where he has come from, but it's not from this world. He is uncomfortably taller than me, and his tattoos seem to move if I glance at them a certain way. Whatever his motives are, I'm starting to think they aren't good.

"Maybe you should avoid him. He's very dangerous." Cian's tone suddenly goes cold, as he brushes past me and out of the kitchen again. Sighing, I follow him, setting my drink down on the counter.

"It feels as though he comes into my life whenever he pleases, I can't escape him," I mutter.

Cian turns to me, holding out his hand. "Alright, are you ready?"

I pause, staring at his bare skin, tucking my hand behind my back. Just because Cian has assured me that he would take care of me and ensure no harm comes my way, I still don't want to step foot into the Immortal Realm, at least not yet.

"Wait...Maybe you should find out whether Abella truly is alive or dead," I say.

"She has to be alive." A darkness seems to seep over the both of us at the mention of Abella's name. Even though she rejected him, even though she chose another man over him, I can tell Cian still loves her. Were it not so obvious on his face, I would have assumed he wasn't capable of love, as a Sin. But he is willing to kill for this girl. I'm waiting for the day someone will love me as much as Cian has loved Abella.

"I'll go, I'll figure it out," I offer.

Cian tilts his head back and forth. "How will you do that?"

"I'll get it out of Stace if I have to." Stance has no idea that I've decided to side with Cian, so he may still be open to divulging information to me, especially if he thinks I'm close to turning against him. "I think he will tell me."

"How can you be so sure?" Cian questions.

"I get the impression he wants to do the right thing," I reply simply. I truly do think he wants to do the right thing, although that theory may be in jeopardy if I find out he knows that Noah is lying about who killed Abella. I'm secretly hoping Stance is a good guy, since the thought of being his adversary is terrifying.

"Thank you, Amolet," Cian comments gently. "For trusting me."

"I still don't trust you. You do scare me," I reply honestly. There is no point lying to him, especially when I'm still in between figuring out who I can trust and what side I want to be on...Or even if I want to be on any side at all. I have to remember that I could just go home to Lev and forget about all of this mess. Levi is probably panicking, trying to figure out where I am.

Cian steps forward, his stride purposeful as he comes to stand right in front of me. "What is it about me that scares you?"

I try not to cower at his sudden proximity, of the obvious power that seeps out of him.He is trying to intimidate an answer out of me, but I'm not going to fall under his spell like I imagine many others do...Even if it is tempting.

"You're a Sin, an Immortal with a lot of power that you could use against me," I comment breathlessly.

Cian tilts his head down, twirling a piece of my hair between his fingers. "What kind of power do you think I have?"

"Something that can kill me," I whisper, still as he twirls my hair before letting it fall back down against my shoulder. I have no idea what power he possesses. All I know is that he exists as to balance with the seven Virtues. Any power he has outside of that purpose is beyond me, and I'm too frightened to ask him to clarify. Once I know, will I really be able to continue?

"I could definitely kill you," he muses, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. His dark eyes trace down my face slowly, focusing on my lips for a lasting moment. "But I like you alive."

I swallow. "Comforting."

"Why don't you speak to Stace, then we go get this brother of mine?" Cian finally steps back from me, giving me a moment to breathe again.

"Why do I have to come?"

"I'm hoping your beauty will soften his resolve." I roll my eyes, not fooled by his playful compliment. He notices my expression, nudging me. "Don't try to correct me."

"If Stace finds out I'm lying to me, he may kill me," I remind him, trying to change the subject off his flirting. I know he is just trying to make me more comfortable, trying to take my mind off everything that could potentially go wrong, but I can't help the feeling that stirs in my stomach as a consequence.

"I doubt it," he maintains with a shrug. "He only has interest in killing pure-bloods."

Cian doesn't look too afraid, although I notice something in his shoulders deflate slightly when he turns away. Part of me feels bad, all of a sudden. I've dropped the fact that his mate may be dead on him, and I can tell he's struggling to deal with it. Part of me wants to comfort him, but the other knows it isn't my place, and I'm not sure when I can make it better.

"I hope you'll be okay...If she really is dead, I mean," I say, cringing at my crass way of saying it.

Cian looks back at me, expression soft. "Something tells me I'll manage okay. But only after I kill Noah first."

Sighing, I nod. And I believe him.

***

It took me a stressful amount of time to get Stace's number.

After returning home, I was met by a terrified Lev, who I could explain very little to. Then, I got in contact from a few people from work who found a number attached to a phone Stace might use. With that knowledge, I call his phone, silently praying that he will answer. If not, it's going to make everything a lot harder.

Thankfully, he answers after a few rings. "I didn't know how else to get in contact with you."

"I'll be there in a moment," is all he replies with.

Frowning, I turn around in my room, facing the window. I happen to blink once, and suddenly, Stace is standing before me. I flinch back, grateful I closed my bedroom door so Lev can't hear.

"Woah..." I breathe.

"You wanted to speak to me?" he questions, tilting his head curiously. He looks slightly worried, knowing I've come from Cian, looking over me as if my well being actually means anything to him.

"Tell me the truth," I declare immediately, not wanting to hold back for a second. "Is Abella really dead?"

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Sophie_Midika

Midikacrane

~Midika 💜🐼