1382

~Amolet

Sinful stands over Noah's dead body, grinning at it.

Cian summoned Sinful and Hale over moments after Noah died. His body isn't even cold, still lying in the exact same position in the entrance to my apartment. I can't stop staring at him, at the dark hair fanning his face, even if it makes me nauseas, like I'm going to be sick if one of them says the wrong words.

"You killed him?" Sinful asks, looking at me. I grit my teeth, trying not to be annoyed at his smugness. Noah may have been a terrible person, but he is dead, which allows him some semblance of respect. Even if it's hard to justify.

Cian nudges Noah with his foot. "I killed him. Amolet just started it."

"Alright, that's one down, I suppose." Sinful claps his hands together, his tone joyous.

"Don't look so smug," I snap, glaring at him. He only smiles at me, not bothered at all about how tactless he's being. Being immortal, he's probably lost all sense of meaning with death, since he will never have to face it unless another immortal decides to end his life. Maybe I'll be the one, even though I'm mortal. It's tempting. "Stace isn't going to be so easy."

"She's right. We need to be smart about this next step," Hale adds.

I'm glad Hale is speaking. Seeing his darkly dressed figure out of the corner of my eye makes me nervous. I'm still unsure about him, especially since he gets along so well with Ira. Not to mention his silver tattoos and piercing eyes. It's hard to avoid looking at him curiously.

"He's going to be angry, and he isn't going to trust us," Cian brings up. I'm afraid he's right, that Stace is going to be hostile now, and put all his forces against us. Yet, there's something in Stace that makes him different from Noah. He isn't just some other enemy for us. For whatever strange reason, Stace cares about my wellbeing, or at least for a moment he did.

"He didn't tell Noah anything about me and Cian being mates..." I voice.

Sinful's eyes light up in surprise as he examines the two of us, likely trying to see if the dynamic has changed between us. "Oh, so you know now?"

"Yes, I know."

Sinful opens his mouth, likely to say something at Cian's expense, but I cut him off.

"Because he didn't tell Noah, I think he was starting to doubt if he was even on the right side or not. I think if I'm able to talk to him, then I can get through to him," I exclaim. Surely it's worth a shot, to bring Stace onto our side. I can't help but think about what he said to me when he drew me away. He was concerned I was being hurt after using my powers, and sent me right back to Cian...Why would he do that if he was friendly?

"And then what? Because last time I checked, you can't bring all those immortals back to life that he killed." Sinful tilts his head to the side, the lilt to his tone suggesting he's mocking me.

My eyes narrow. "I know, but he will be easier for you all to kill if he trusts us."

If Stace sides with us, I'm secretly hoping they won't kill him. I know he has done terrible things in his past, but if he can redeem himself, then surely they will considering sparing him. I doubt it though, but maybe I can get through to Cian.

"If he knows you are working with us, he won't trust you," Hale reminds me, looking right in my eyes.

"Then he doesn't need to know. He doesn't even need to know that I told Cian him and I are mates." I shrug my shoulders, hoping I look at least half as terrified as I actually feel about having to face Stace alone. I just need this to work. "We trick him...It will work."

Sinful strides toward me, a seriousness settling over his face. "It better work, otherwise you'll have Ira to worry about."

***

Flopping down onto the couch, I rest my hand over my eyes.

I should just be grateful that Noah's body is no longer lying on my apartment floor

"How are you feeling?" Cian asks softly, bracing himself on one knee beside the couch. Tilting my head to the side, I look at him hopelessly. I want to melt with his gentle nature that he is now revealing to me, as if he isn't some pure blood immortal capable of killing whoever he wants to, whenever he wants to with no consequence. I'm just surprised to have seen him do so today, picking up Noah's body like it meant nothing with just his power alone.

"I thought I would be happier to see him dead," I sigh, letting Cian grab my hand, running his thumb over the top of it gently, soothing me.

"I promise this is going to end," he assures me. "And we will find Abella."

"Do you really think she is alive?" I ask softly. I can't believe anything Noah has to say, not after everything. And yet there's a moment of hope blossoming inside me, like she really could be somewhere safe. Even if that means Cian and I just killed someone who isn't the murderer we thought he was.

"I hope so."

"It won't change anything, you know? You're my mate, Amolet." Cian pulls at my arm, encouraging me to sit up. I watch him settle between my legs, looking up at me earnestly. It's amazing how his eyes, even though they are as dark as obsidian, can express so many warm emotions when he wants them to. "You are who I want forever."

"Everything about this feels right. You and me, I mean," I tell him softly.

"I wish I knew earlier. I wish I knew right away, even though part of me already figured there was something more between us." He rests his large hands on my thighs, squeezing gently.

My throat is dry all of a sudden. "Don't be mad, but I've known for a while now..."

He blinks, processing at first, and then he frowns. I too figured there was something else going between us, but I've spent so long pushing it away that now I'm no longer afraid, I'm so overwhelmed with relief and the urge to be close to him at every moment.

"How did you find out?" He questions warily.

"Sinful brought it up." I bite the edge of lip, hoping he isn't going be made.

His grip only tightens on my thighs, but he doesn't look angry, being more surprised than anything. "And you didn't tell me? Amolet, I could of had you so much earlier."

"I didn't want you to reject me. I thought you wouldn't be able to love me because you were still in love with Abella," I say in one breath, pouring out everything that has haunted me these past few weeks. "And we thought she was dead...I mean, I didn't think you would be ready to move on."

Cian shakes his head as if he can't quite believe what I'm saying. Pushing up, he sits next to me, pulling me to face him properly.

"I could never reject you," he says gently. "I've wanted you from the moment I saw you, even in my cell. I knew it was wrong but I haven't been able to stay away from you. It's killed me thinking you wanted to be with Lev."

"It doesn't matter now. We are together, and nothing is going to change that," I tell him firmly.

I don't want anything else. Never again.

"Nothing," he affirms. "Now come here. I don't want to keep my hands off you anymore."

I giggle, falling back onto the couch, not complaining one bit as he leans over me, and captures my lips with his.

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Sophie_Midika

Midikacrane

~Midika 💜🐼