Chapter 53

"Perhaps you should come sit down for this," he says carefully, eyebrows furrowing slightly. He seems concerned that what he is about to tell me will negatively affect me.

This is Sinful we are talking about. Of course it will.

We sit on opposite white leather couches. Micah has an easy way of walking that seems so smooth and angelic. I'm curious about him, however, right now, I'm not sure if I should ask about him himself. That will come later, for sure, since he's the one who I have apparently been gifted to. Sinful clearly doesn't mind that I have a mate.

"You can understand while I am apprehensive right now. I have no idea what this place is, or what your plan is. All I know, is that you are associated with Sinful, and I don't trust Sinful," I say in one breath.

Micah nods softly. "Of course, I understand completely."

"Are you going to hurt me?" I ask softly. I might as well get to the point. It's all that's on my mind right now.

Micah frowns, disrupting his smooth, youthful skin with a few creases. He can't blame me for thinking that. A gift? How could I be someone's gift? If I ever get back home, Asher is going to kill me, and I'm going to let him.

"Never," Micah breathes. "Perhaps I should explain who I am."

"That would be nice."

He stands, just as I thought he was about to be completely honest with me. Instead, he stands, getting up to move toward the small kitchen set area. I watch silently, waiting for him to make the first move. He pours some cold water from the fridge, before he brings it back, handing it to me. It's a move to comfort me. I mentally prepare for what I'm about to hear.

"Sinful and I aren't necessarily close," Micah tells me, running his hand back through his silvery hair. It exposes the minty colour underneath. "Technically, he's my brother."

My mouth opens in shock, without me being able to control it.

"Brothers?" I say in disbelief. "You have the same parents? You grew up with him?"

"Please, don't be afraid of me because of this. Him and I come from the same entity, but we do not share blood. We were both created by the Moon, to serve the Moon, and that is that. Him and I are on the different spectrum of existence, and our intentions are very different," Micah explains, leaning forward in his seat. "I promise you, I mean you no harm."

I'm speechless for a moment. Brothers. I didn't have any idea that Sinful could have siblings, let alone have the Moon as his creator. It makes sense, though, as demented as that may seem.

"Then what is your intention?" I ask carefully, knotting my hands together on my lap anxiously.

"I am only here to do as my brother demands. He made a fair point, and being one of the Moon's virtues, I am obliged to do as he asks," Micah explains.

I flinch. "What? Virtues?"

"Yes. The Moon created the sins and virtues to balance the mortal world. Sinful, of course, embodies a sin, while I am humility. Perhaps you do not trust me, or am not willing to listen, but I can assure you that I am telling the truth. Sinful's idea may not appeal to you at first, but I know it will benefit you greatly."

I'm almost afraid to ask. "What is Sinful's plan?"

"He wants me to take you away from your mate, to a land where I live. There, you will be safe, and away from Sinful's plans for Asher. This is hard-"

"Not happening," I say quickly, getting to my feet.

I need to get out of here. Who knows if there is an end to this prison or anything, but I'm not about to stick around and let this insane man take me away to another realm completely. And away from my mate?

"Alaya, wait!" he says, following me to the door. "You don't want to leave just yet...Please, hear me out. I promise after this, you will want to come with me."

I'm completely ignoring him at this point. It hardly matters to me what he has to say. He thinks I'm going to stick around and listen to him manipulate me like his brother likes to do? I've heard enough for today, so without giving him another glance, I throw the door open, attempting to leave.

However, someone stands in my way.

I'm confused, surprised and also immensely relieved to see Asher in front of me.

He looks at me, over my shoulder, then back at me again. I'm surprised he's standing here, confused that he got up here in the first place, and relieved because he's here to save me. I was about to leave and go who knows where, so to see him in front of me wants me to fall to my knees and cry.

I had almost accepted I wouldn't see him again.

"You're safe," he breathes, sweeping a worried gaze across my body, before he focused his gaze behind me, at where I knew Micah was standing. As Asher brushes past me, I can't predict how he is going to respond.

I turn, expecting Asher to perhaps through a punch at this supposed man of humility. Instead? He stands in front of him, folds his arms and waits for some kind to explanation.

They know each other. I don't know how to feel about that.

"Micah, the person I would assume would steal my mate," Asher mutters, as I come up beside him. He's got this wrong, but I'm curious to see the exchange between the two. Perhaps I could guess what he relationship between them is.

Micah's jaw clenches. Only slightly though, displaying his obvious ability to reign in anger.

"I didn't steal anyone's mate," he says softly, glancing at me for a few moments before he looks back at Asher. "Your mate came here on her own merit. I had her brought here so she wasn't suffering in the cells that turn the best souls evil. I did her a favour."

There's a heavy silence in the room.

My fingers brush at Asher's clenched fist. "It's true...I came here to save Aspen from being sacrifice. Sinful was meant to come, which is why I'm so surprised you're here."

Asher turns his head down to look at me, his eyes a stormy golden mess of anger and confusion.

"We can talk about that later. Now, Micah and I need to discuss the repercussions of his involvement in this, because I know he's not as innocent as he may seem," Asher seethes.

He's not wrong. I walked away from Micah earlier for a reason. The idea of him working with Sinful makes me sick, which is funny, considering my mate is still under that megalomaniacs control. Well, now, I'm not so sure.

"Always dramatic, right Ash? You look tense. Why don't you sit down and I'll get you a drink," Micah offers lightly.

No one moves.

"This isn't a friendly exchange," Asher mutters pointedly, following Micah with his gaze, who has wandered into his kitchen, clearly intent on getting Asher that drink.

"No, but we are brothers," Micah says, filling a glass with tap water. "You owe me a few minutes."

Brothers.

My mind begins to spin as small connections begin, and I realise what this means. Micah is related to Sinful. Asher is related to Micah. That means, Asher is related to Sinful. This means...all of a sudden I want to throw up, as dizziness hits me straight in the head.

Reluctantly, Asher walks toward the nearby couch, winding his fingers around mine to take me with him. I'm hardly concentrating on what is going on as I sit beside him.

"You're related to Sinful," I whisper lowly as Micah fills another glass. "And you never told me."

Asher stiffens, his hand tightening on mine. "I haven't told you a lot."

Micah loudly fills the cups with ice.

"You better start," I growl through gritted teeth. Asher is like Micah and Sinful. If Micah's information is correct, that means he is been created by the Moon, and is one of those Sins or Virtues. It's hardly something I can comprehend in my mind.

"Later," he breathes.

I would have protested, but Micah came to offer us the water before he sat in front of us. I take a few sips before I put it down. Asher keeps his in his hand, the ice the same temperature as his attitude right now. And I don't blame him.

"Sinful gave me very strict orders," Micah says suddenly. I already know this, so I instead watch for Asher's reaction. A cool rage trembles beneath the surface of his calm expression.