*Sera's POV*
"And you don't remember changing or washing?"
"I didn't do it. I was upset and well, I was feeling sorry for myself and then I noticed I had this gown under the hoodie that wasn't there. And my hair is clean now, and my nails. It's weird. I don't understand it." The priest shakes his head.
"I've been confused for hours now." He chuckles. "You've been here all night, my brothers should be here soon though. Do you mind to speak with them?"
"I do not mind. It's the least I could do for your kindness."
He sits down across from me and we talk about life, God, childhoods, favorite snacks and hobbies. He has deep laugh lines around his mouth and eyes, I can tell he has experienced just as much happiness as he has sorrows in this world. I tell him this and he laughs and pats his plump belly.
"I've experienced the good foods too." I giggle and swat at his arm which only crac
I rush to the church without hesitation. Axar lurches up and nearly trips over his legs trying to leap out of the car after me. I float over the steps and pound on the door. Once I decide they've taken too long to open it, I force the door open and step in. I close my eyes and sigh, taking in Seraphine's aura. I can feel her in this room. She was here! Is she still? "Sir, may we ask that you not destroy church property?" An older man who's nearing baldness calls after me. A group follows him into my path. Another man cuts them off from the back as he stands before them gesturing them to stay where they are. He grabs his cross as he eyes me, shivering. "Stay back. Might I ask what you are doing here?" I almost laugh at his poor attempt at bravery. "How do you know what I am? I'm onl
*Seraphine's POV*"Wait! Wait! Please! Just let me talk, Itty." She cries behind me. It pains me, for some reason, but I can't trust her. What if what dad told Barima was true? She could be trying to lure me off to Ezekiel. He would likely be able to absorb my soul, just as I somehow had Barima's. "I'm sorry! I just need to be alone!" I call back to her. "Please! I can't keep up." Finally, I turn to look at her. "Thank you. Thank you. Why did you run from me?" She pants. "They told me what you wanted with me." She bites her lip. "What did they say?" "I was to be given to Ezekiel as a sacrifice." "That's only partially true." I huff. Unbelievable. "Then what exactly is the truth? I've places to be." "Father is slowly dying. He was c
*back to Sera* I had pulled up every article I could find on Barima's phone. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I gather the things I need to try to contact her. I need to tell her sorry, and set things right so I can sleep again. I've been studious as a college girl, desperately cramming information in before a final exam. Martha Stewart would be proud of the things I've whipped together using the potion books. I know I'm royally fucking up somehow, but I feel more in control learning these things and at least trying to implement them. I grab the salts, ouija board, crystals, my protection necklace and a partridge in a pear tree as I prep the livingroom floor. I scoot furniture to the walls and lay everything out on the rug in center. I've heard this typically takes two people for better success, but I am o
"Don't drop the fucking shit!" Narius snarls, batting his hands around dramatically as I glower at him. I try to steady myself as we gather what we will need for a summoning. My patience is thin as ever, and my body restless and uncoordinated. I can hardly hold onto my thoughts, let alone the pillars full of sand and small stones. The house is dark, eerily silent even for me. The only sounds to be heard outside of our headbutting is the soft snores of a tired Axar. Narius takes over the circle, sick of my shakiness, and I focus on candles and other things. This is our quickest option. Demons of all forms and types can be summoned, even half breeds. The dead or alive can be summoned. We press our hands into t
I stand in the doorway of my home, Axar behind me as I tear my way through. The house is wrecked, obvious signs of a struggle. I hardly talk the damage as I ascend the stairs, stooping at the top not to scratch my my horns on the ceiling. Death. It's overwhelming in here. I turn to Axar and have him close his eyes as I direct him up. I do not know what we will find, or see. All I know is that someone is dead. Barima's presence is strong here, Samael's is not. Barima is dead, I believe. The first room I check is my own. I immediately spot Seraphine's body missing and I curse and search the room. I check the guest rooms and Barima's. Samael's too. Samael had packed his things. Barima had not. None of these rooms were disheveled like the main house. I lead Axar back down, allowing him to open his eyes and remain in the living area. Dining room is messy, but the kitchen is where it gets interestin
We all met back at my home. Sera immediately went to find Barima, and I did not stop her from going to the source of the blood trails. I secretly hoped she'd slip and fall. That she'd die again. I focused on my anger to stop the urge to be near her, to feed from her. Her brother accompanied her, with his eyes on the back of his head. I couldn't have spoken to her or neared her of I tried. Ivara also cut me off from any conversation. I tried to initiate talk about family and bloodlines, but she told me flatly that I deserved none of that knowledge. Not even my parents want to deal with me. They followed Ivara to another room. "So, I got you exactly what you wanted. Do you still plan to sit here and act like an asshole all evening? Thanks are in order." "I wanted to back out. That bastard she carries is not mine. I no longer wanted her." &n
As expected, everyone left as soon as I went to pack. Going as far as even to take Barima's body. No matter, I will be shortly behind them. It only takes moments to appear inside grandfather's home, in his study. I am stealthy as I slink through the house to find him ordering around human servants to fix a room for Sera while she protests and tries to stop him. She's in a pair of jogging pants and a snug sweatshirt, a sliver of belly poking out. I lick my lips. I notice her room is beside his, and that he has scratched a square in the wall big enough for a door. No doubt conjoining the rooms. "This will be cut out and left open for now. The nursery will be in there. I'll send one of you out for clothing and necessities for both of them. Other guests can pick rooms down the hall. Leave at least one spare room between our three and theirs. Nobody across from them." &nb
*Seraphine's POV* I stare out the window of the dusty old bedroom. It's so dusty. Everything's dusty, it smells stagnant and I'm afraid to even lay on the stale bedding. I sit in the padded arm chair facing out, picking at a hole in the glass that I've secretly imagined jumping out a hundred times. In my dreams I landed safely, softly on the dead grass below and slithered away. If only. I wonder if they are looking for me yet? They obviously have to know I was taken unwillingly here. What will they say when I return? I hope they aren't angry. I'd love to tell them the truth, but I have to lie. It's either lie, or be an empty shell. This butthole killed me. I have little doubt he wouldn't destroy my mind from the inside or hurt ke and this child. I'm in a lose lose situation here. This time I h