Chapter 14 - Claims

Cain:

Ma’at lounges back in her ivory throne as Oromos swings a fan over her head and one of her servant girls feeds her fruit. The whole throne room is ostentatious with its Golden columns, floors and statues of Ma’at. Her golden, robed priests kneel nearby, afraid to gaze into their goddess’ eyes.

Ma’at’s hair is tied into intricate braids, and her body is sheathed in a gold catsuit. “I’ve been very patient with you, pet,” she waves a clawed finger in my direction, “but you’ve been making it very difficult to trust you when you’ve yet to bring me Lilith and the Tenebrous power.”

I take a deep breath, trying to stifle my trepidation as I face down the key to my redemption.

“I have done what you’ve asked. I’ve become close with Lilith, and she admitted that Lucifer siphoned the Tenebrous from Lilith after she tried to slay him. Right now, I’m working with her to find where Lucifer hid the siphon. Once I find them both, I will apprehend Lilith and bring the Tenebrous to you.”

Ma’at arches a knowing brow as she rises from her seat and approaches. I resist rolling my eyes when she exaggeratedly swings her hips and looks down at me from the tip of her nose, “For someone who was so reluctant to seduce the bitch, you really fell into it without issue.”

I stiffen in place when she raises her hand and caresses my brow, “It looks like Lilith is another weak-willed female who fell for your pretty face. Have you fucked her, my pet?”

I try not to flinch at her touch, but I can’t help the disgust I feel. The thought of someone other than Lilith touching me makes me ill.

“I have done what you asked,” I answer carefully.

Her lip turns down with displeasure, “Yes, you have. I guess Lilith has a type,” she chuckles caustically, “Lucifer is also quite the impressive specimen as well. Have you ever seen him?”

I think about what I’m going to say. I know that if I don’t give Ma’at enough information, she will become suspicious.

I shake my head, “I met him once, but it was quick. He wanted to talk to her about their son.”

Ma’at scoffs derisively, “It’s almost amusing to know that she and Lucifer discuss such mundane things,” she crosses her arm in front of her and puts her hand beneath her chin as if lost in thought, “Knowing that she and Lucifer are in such good terms worries me. I don’t want him interfering when the time comes for us to execute Lilith.”

My heart stutters at her callous words, “Lucifer may be powerful, but he’s not as powerful as the Divinity Pantheon Rulers or guards.”

Ma’at nods, “True, but that does not mean we have to be wary of him. Lucifer has existed for as long as he has because he’s quite crafty.”

She puffs out a breath and returns to her throne, “You have twenty-four hours to find the Siphon and bring Lilith in. If you don’t, I will have to send you back to your fortress and find a guard who can finish the task.”

I’ve known Ma’at long enough to know when she’s toying with someone, and she’s definitely baiting me, so I don’t react. Instead, I give her a submissive nod, “Of course, my goddess.”

Her eyes narrow as she waves her hand dismissively, “Go then and bring this distasteful business quickly.”

Without another word, I flash myself out of her throne room. But I don’t go back to Lilith’s home yet. I need the time to regain my control before seeing the woman who has tempted me beyond measure.

Seeing that I need a distraction, I open my laptop and research where the siphon might be located. Lilith said that it was off the Rakhine Coast.

The first Island that appears is Ramree Island, which is considered one of the most dangerous islands due to heavy radioactivity and the largest saltwater crocodiles.

I research the island’s history and search for photographs, but there are very few because humans refuse to travel in that direction. For a moment, I consider flashing to the island, but I hesitate because of the unknown dangers I might meet due to the siphon, and I know Lilith would be angry with me if I went without her.

It looks like we will have to take another trip. Knowing this, I plan our trip to a nearby island and reserve a boat to take us to the island.

Once I have planned everything, I go back to Lilith’s apartment.

Once again, I find myself finding Lilith sleeping. Emotions overwhelm me as I gaze down at her tear-stained face. My brow furrows with confusion.

Why did she cry herself to sleep?

Sitting next to her bedside, I wipe at her sodden cheeks. Lilith awakens instantly.

“Why were you crying, luv?”

She doesn’t answer my question as she rises from the bed and blankly mutters, “Where did you go?”

I furrow my brow, “I went home to get a change of clothes and do some research on the siphon. Now, are you going to tell me why you were crying?”

Lilith’s eyes narrow as she faces me, “That is none of your bloody business. This…” she waves her hand between us, “is just a fling we’re having. Don’t get confused and think otherwise.”

My nostrils flare when she pushes past me and strides to the kitchen. I watch intently as she gathers a bottle of wine and pours herself a glass. “Is that all we’re doing?” I ask, even though I know she’s right. There’s no future for us, and we both know it.

She takes a sip of her wine and shrugs, “Of course. We’re just fucking,” she moves closer and traces her index finger across my chest, “Don’t worry, Cain; you’re a very good fuck, and once we’re done taking care of our business, we will go our separate ways.”

Taking her hand, I pull her roughly into my chest, “You know you can trust me, Lil? I care for you.”

She pushes out of my arms and stumbles back, “This is not about trust, Cain. It’s about you being better off without someone like me in your life. I mean, you barely know me. And the only reason you’re sticking around is so you can earn your bloody redemption.”

Jaw tight, I pull her back to me and turn her around until her back is to my chest. Leaning down, I kiss her neck and jaw as I slip off her shorts and t-shirt. “Since all we’re doing is fucking then we might as well get to it then, yeah?”

I bite down on her tendon and slip out of my own clothes before I slide my hands down her silken thighs and belly. Lilith arches her back with a cry and wraps her arm around my neck. Raising my hand, I cup her breast and pinch her nipple between my fingers as I kiss my way down her neck and spine. The feel of her warm skin against my lips makes my body burn with desire. Lilith claws at the table when I bite down on her firm arse. Seeing that she’s caught up in my touch, I raise her leg and trace her wet folds with my finger until I reach her clit. “Cain,” she gaps as she wraps her fists around my hair, encouraging me to continue.

Pulling back, I spank her arse and mutter, “You don’t get to control the situation, luv. This is my time, and you will do what I ask.”

When she shakes her head, I spank her again and bite down on her other arse cheek. “Answer me!” I growl.

Lilith tries to pull away, but I don’t release her. Instead, I spread her wider and lick her tight rosette. Lilith mewls and arches her back again. “Please, Cain.”

I swipe my tongue across her swollen bud, “Are you going to do what I ask, or should I stop,” I growl sensually.

Lilith turns her head and sighs out, “Yes, please, Cain.”

At her response, I rise from my perch on the floor, slide my fingers through her hair and tilt her head back until it’s at an odd angle. Kissing her hard, I slam my cock inside of her tight sheath until I’m buried to the hilt. Groaning with pleasure, Lilith moans and clings tightly to my neck while I slowly pull out and slide back inside her wet sheathe. I keep my strokes controlled and grip her neck tightly as delicious bliss begins to spread inside my body. “You say this is sex, Lil. But we both know that there’s more. We don’t want to, but we feel more,” I whisper huskily in her ear as I pound into her body.

My jaw tightens, and my nostrils flare at the feel of her tight walls, maddeningly massaging my shaft. Sweat gathers around our bodies, and our heavy breathing permeates the air.

Lilith’s lips devour mine as she clings tightly to my neck and slams down on my cock until we’re both nearly mindless with ecstasy. After a few minutes, our climax reaches its peak, and we’re both crying out with bliss.

Wrapping her in my arms, I lift Lilith’s boneless body in my arms and carry her back to the bed.

This time our kisses and touches are more about our comfort and desire to be close, rather than for sex. Eventually, we lie back on the bed, Lilith resting her head on my shoulder as she caresses my chest, “What did you find out about the siphon?” she asks.

Keeping my eyes on the ceiling, I rub my hands up and down her spine, “I believe that the siphon is in Ramree Island. No humans inhabit the island because of high radiation levels and the large predators found across the island. Lucifer’s friend was quite brilliant placing it there.”

Lilith gives me an agreeable hum, “Should we flash there?”

I shake my head, “We can’t, luv. Not unless we want to end up in the wrong part of the island or in the middle of the ocean. With the Tenebrous power being so unpredictable, it’s probably best to be cautious. I think we need to flash to one of the human-inhabited islands nearby and take a boat to the island. I already set it up.”

She sits up on the bed and glances down at me, “We should go then.”

I nod, but I don’t let her rise when she tries to get up. She glances down at my restraining arm and arches a questioning brow. “What?”

Pulling her to me, I kiss her hard and mutter, “After we’re done with this whole Tenebrous business, we need to talk.”

Lilith pushes her hair away from her face and looks away, “I don’t think there’s anything else that we need to speak about, Cain.”

My chest swells with anger as I rise from the bed and pull her along with me, “Don’t lie to yourself, luv. You know you feel something for me. Just as I feel it for you.” I angle my head toward her and kiss the tip of her nose. “Do not push me away,” I murmur.

I’m so lost at that moment. Though I was resolved to let Lilith go before, I don’t think I can follow through with it. As I gaze into her solemn eyes, I can understand her fear. If you care for someone, you’re giving them power over you, and they might let you down, which would break us. We’ve been let down so many times that we expect the worst of everyone. We are so alike in that aspect that it’s almost painful. However, though I’m frightened of what might happen in the end, I can’t bring myself to let her go.

“I’ll give you time to think it over, luv,” I mutter.

Lilith doesn’t reply. Instead, she pulls away and begins to dress. I don’t argue further, leaving it up to her to sort out her emotions.

This time we both dress more casually in jeans, t-shirts and hiking boots and flash to an area that I visited in the past.

The boat owner, a short, portly man with leathery skin and beady eyes, seems skeptical of our intentions to arrive safely on the island. But he swiftly hands us the keys when I give him a large stack of money. He’s also kind enough to warn us about any possible danger zones. “Stay out of the southern region of the island. The bridges are old and worn, and the waterways are riddled with crocodiles. You’re better off going into the western port near the rocks and walking through the jungle.”

Lilith gives the male an amused smile and answers, “We’ll be fine.”

The male scoffs but remains silent as he watches us maneuver into the vessel. “The human was kind to offer us advice on the predators on the island. If they only knew that there were scarier creatures than crocodiles and snakes all over the world.”

My lip quirks with a snicker, “If only they knew that now you and I are going to be the most frightening things there.”

It takes us several hours to get to the island. I look up at the sky and frown. It was past noon when we left Lilith’s apartment, which means that it's around six in the evening, so we do not have much time before sunset. Though I don’t fear predators since they tend to shy away from us. I believe they instinctually know that we’re stronger and respect our space. Yet, I’m still wary of trekking through the darkness and mistakenly stumbling upon the Tenebrous. That would be a danger we wouldn’t be able to escape easily.

The wind stirs around us, pushing tendrils of Lilith’s hair everywhere as she jumps off the boat and helps me tether the vessel to a post.

Once’s we’ve ensured that it’s safely tied, we gather our packs.

Lilith raises her head up, her brow furrowed with concentration as she searches the area. “Do you feel that?” she asks.

I appraise the area and hone my powers but feel nothing. “No, what is it you’re feeling? Is it the Tenebrous?”

She sways as she gestures to a nearby area. “I feel it calling me,” she murmurs with a note of trepidation, “this way.”

Without argument, I follow her as she traverses through the jungle. As predicted, the predators scurry out of our way as soon as we reach their territory.

Lilith hastens her steps, her expression one of absorption. Reaching forward, I take her hand in mine and shake her a bit, “Are you alright?” I ask.

Lilith nods, her gaze staring dazedly ahead as she continues.

I follow behind her while maintaining cautious eyes around us until Lilith comes to a dead stop. Her face pales further, and her eyes dim.

“It’s here,” she mutters anxiously.

I stop beside her, follow her eyes, and gasp. The siphon is settled in the middle of a stone encasing surrounded by a black meadow. Upon closer inspection, I notice that the land around the stone is scorched and decaying.

Before Lilith can move forward, I block her way, “What are you doing, Lil? You can’t just walk up to it if it’s leading you to it.”

Lilith seems to snap out of her stupor and takes a couple of heavy breaths, “It’s call is so strong, Cain. I feel like it has wrapped its arms around me and is pulling me toward it.”

“Just keep your eyes on me, luv.” I press her close and cling tightly to her waist, “Stay close, and it’ll all be over soon.”

With those words, I reach for the bow and Hod’s arrow, which I had strapped around my back and take aim. Lilith hisses through her teeth and nods, “Just shoot the bloody thing already.”

I mount the arrow and take aim. The arrow seems to pulsate brightly as if it can sense the Tenebrous’ powers. However, before I shoot it, Lilith places her hand over the arrow and shakes her head, “No, don’t.”

I frown, “What?”

She seems to sway as she keeps her steady gaze on the stone, “I…I should do it.”

I hesitate until she extends her hand out to me with a determined expression, “Give me the bloody thing, Cain.”

Jaw tight, I hand her the bow and arrow and wait for her to make a choice. At first, she seems to falter, but she quickly readies the weapon and takes aim. Anticipation thrums through my veins as I watch her expertly handle the bow.

The whoosh of the arrow whistles as it hits its target and flares. Lilith and I watch with bated breath as the arrow shines brightly and engulfs the siphon with its power. For a moment, exhilaration flows through us as the Tenebrous power is being harnessed. But then, something happens. The arrow begins to shudder and bursts from its target, haplessly fizzing out on the ground.

“What was that? Why is the bloody Tenebrous still active?” Lilith calls out, panicked.

I frown, “I don’t know. It’s what the book said.”

She sputters as she steps toward the aborted arrow and picks it up. I take it from her hands and appraise it. The quiver looks unharmed with its constant glow. “It seems to have rebuffed the power somehow.”

“We were supposed to harness this, Cain. Not make it worse!” she gestures, panicked.

“What the bloody hell are you doing, Lilith?” Lucifer’s voice cuts in through our trepidation.

Eyes wide like saucers, Lilith turns and faces an enraged Lucifer.

Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse.