*“Promises are only as strong as the person who gives them.” ― Stephen Richards*
***Neron***
By the stroke of Lady Luck’s finger, repairing the damage to my home and land from the battle didn’t take as long as I thought it would. What would normally take my men and I hours, or even days, to fix was cut down by more than half thanks to the avatars. With a sprinkle of magic here and there, thanks to Phoebe and Asim and Violetta’s willingness to help, I could sleep easily knowing my home was alright.
Yet, an immovable stone sat heavy in my chest. How does one sleep with a bleeding heart?
Raina’s condition rippled through her family like a shockwave from an atomic bomb. One would be blind not to see or *feel* their sadness and frustration. Adonis’ forlorn gaze stuck to my heart like glue when he opted to skip dinner, preferring to stay in his room away from everybody. Little Orchid didn’t have to say anything to express herself, not when she blazed past everyone toward the direction of her bedroom. Valerian, defeated and spent, promised me that he would try to talk to his children before he went to sleep, but even I knew his efforts would be futile.
The children wouldn’t see their mother for some time. As much as we adults try to deny it, kids know. They can pick up disturbances better than anybody. They just can’t verbalize it as well as we can.
After bidding Luli and the other Omegas a good night, I walked up the stairs to the fourth floor. The sounds of doors closing echoed from the hallway below. The avatars must’ve retired to the guest rooms I’ve given them. They deserved to rest after what they did for me earlier.
Sighing through my nose, I thought back to my encounter with Val in the hospital. Was I too hard on him? The man almost lost his wife, and I threatened to cut his tongue out. My muscles trembled with guilt. The mate bond was powerful, but it could be too powerful. Whatever one does, they will always have an inkling of how their other half is feeling, from their emotions to their physical condition. If they’re in pain or not. Who is to say Valerian isn’t taking on a lot of Raina’s pain right now?
Pain or no pain, the way he spoke to Kiya was unacceptable.
Speaking of my girlfriend, I haven’t seen her since we left the hospital, and I’m worried. She didn’t show up for dinner, and that, in itself, was a bad sign.
A pair of rapid footsteps echoed behind me as I approached the top floor's threshold. A gust of air and a blur of black and blue dashed past me, damn near bumping into my arm. Once I caught sight of the mane of black silk hair flailing behind her, I crossed my arms and cleared my throat.
"You know, it's rude not to say, ‘excuse me’ when you bump into someone, right, Nuria?"
My sister slowed her steps and spun on her heels to face me. She was up to no good. That Cheshire grin on her face said it all. She hid her arms behind her back, hiding whatever she cradled in her hands. "Hey, Alaskan Moose! What’s up?"
I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t THAT big.
"**I beg to differ—**"
"*Shut up*." I grumbled to Onyx before turning my attention back to Nuria. "What was that?"
"What was what?" She cocked her head to the side.
"I asked you."
"Asked me what?"
"What’s behind your back?"
"None of your business."
A light thud was heard. Dropping my eyes to the ground, I spotted a small booklet with matches set in a perfect line inside. Nuria picked it up, hid it behind her back again, maintaining her rinky-dink innocence with that annoying grin on her face.
"What are you doing with matches?"
"Um…" She averted her eyes, asking the empty hallway for help. "I just need it for…something."
"Something." I repeated.
"Yes. Something."
"Then you don’t mind showing me what else is behind your back?"
Nuria’s smile curled into a snarl. "Nosy, much? I’m not going to burn down anything if that’s what you’re thinking."
*Not now, but one day, you might*. "Oh, Nuria, why would I think such a thing?"
"Because you've got that suspicious look on your face like you always do." She rolled her eyes and showed me what she was hiding. "I just needed a couple of candles, okay?"
Two long white candles rested in her palms, with her thumb holding the matchbook. The body had melted a bit, shaping itself around Nuria’s fingertips. How odd. "See, was that so hard?" I chuckled when she flipped me a friendly bird. "Are the lights in your room not working?"
"Oh, they are. I don’t need them for light. Phoebe is sleeping with me tonight."
"So, they’re for her."
"You can say that. We’re going to have some fun with them."
I pursed my lips together, confused. "What fun do you need with candles?"
Nuria said nothing. She continued to grin at me. But it wasn’t just any grin. Sin was promised all over her perfect teeth.
It took a second to put two and two together.
*I should never have asked*.
My cheeks tickled with heat as I rubbed my face in hopes of getting rid of my embarrassment. "Just…be careful. Make sure the wax isn’t too hot and try not to wake the house with your…shenanigans."
"That’s the beauty of soundproof rooms, big bro." She shot me a wink, and I had to suppress the urge to shoo her away. Her sin aside, she straightened her stance and relaxed her arms by her sides. "Are you okay, though? After the ritual, I mean."
"Yeah, I feel good." The ritual didn’t hold back any punches. I felt like I was being pulled in two different directions, and it almost tore me in half. Dad didn’t want to let me go, but the pull of the light was much stronger. His attempts to control me continue to be foiled, and it only serves to piss him off. Who knows what he’ll try to do now? The bright side to this was that he couldn’t touch me anymore. A strange bout of energy buzzed in the center of my gut, filling the empty void he left behind. It felt. good. *Safe*, even. "No residual effects as far as I can tell."
Nuria’s eyes lit up under the hallway lights. "Good. I’m glad you’re okay."
My sister and I may annoy the shit out of each other on a daily basis, but deep down, we love and care for each other. If the roles were reversed, I’d be sick with worry until I was sure Nuria was okay.
"Oh! If you’re looking for Kiya, she’s in your room. I saw her walk in there about fifteen minutes ago."
"Thanks, Nuri."
Nuria gave me a thumbs-up before she turned and walked toward her room at the end of the hallway. I heard faint giggling, then a sharp squeal, and a door slam. Poor Phoebe. Witches need their sleep too, but Nuria doesn’t give a shit. Not when she’s on the hunt.
Laughing to myself, I shook my head as I approached my bedroom door. My fingers itched when they gripped the doorknob. All that time spent as a recluse inside of my body made my heart ache more for my mate. It has been far too long since I was able to hold her in my arms. To sleep with her scent tickling my nose.
Goddess, I’m whipped and I’m not ashamed of it.
Twisting the doorknob, I stepped inside the darkness and closed the door behind me. The air conditioner hummed softly, filling my room with cool air. Kiya stood at one of the windows, hunched over with her hands gripping the windowsill. Her soft breathing echoed, clouding the glass in front of her nose. I could feel the tension she was trying to hold in, desperate to escape somewhere. *Anywhere*. Her back muscles undulated underneath her blue and pink tie-dye pajama shirt when she pivoted on one foot.
"Kiya?"
The love of my life responded with a sharp exhale through her mouth. She didn’t turn to look at me. I took measured steps toward the mattress we shared, planting my rear end near the edge. I called her name again only to be met with the same response.
No doubt Raina filled her thoughts. Her older sister saved her life and was paying for her decision in a coma plugged into medical equipment. But I didn’t want Kiya to shoulder this burden alone. I couldn’t take her retreating inside of herself again. Hiding to where I couldn’t reach her again.
"My angel, I’m not going anywhere until you talk to me."
Kiya lowered her head and sighed through her full lips. She curled her fingers into her palm, her arm muscles buckling as she squeezed her fists. When she pushed herself off the windowsill and finally faced me, I saw it. Her eyes glittered like diamonds with tears. Without hesitation, I spread my arms wide, inviting her in.
"Come."
I groaned when she leaped into me, almost sending us backward into the bedsheets. My arms found their home around her upper back and her waist, squeezing as tight as I would allow it. Her soft body shook with her shudders as she burrowed her head into my shoulder, saying what she couldn’t voice aloud. I rubbed circles into her back with my fingers, loosening the tiny knots hidden deep underneath her skin.
*You can let it out, Kiya*. *All of it*. *I won’t judge you*.
"She made a stupid decision, Neron." Kiya heaved into my shirt, fisting the fabric in her fists. "A stupid, stupid decision. She could’ve died!"
"But she didn’t." I countered, breathing in the hidden scent of her shea butter body wash on her skin. "Raina is still alive."
"She still got hurt. Bad." She insisted, now tugging at my shirt. "Her blood was everywhere, Neron. I smelled death. I wish she’d let me heal her. Adonis and Orchid wouldn’t be so sad now…"
"*Min gudinna*, why do you think she shielded you from those arrows?"
Kiya inhaled a shaky breath, loosening her grip. "She still feels guilty for what she did to me. That’s why she told me not to heal her, but is that worth almost dying over? Raina should’ve thought about her family! She has too much to lose! Those arrows were meant for *me*!"
I remained silent, giving her the silent ‘okay’ to continue talking.
"I don’t want anyone else to die or to sacrifice themselves recklessly for me like this." Kiya tilted her head up, blinking once when she met my eyes. Her hand slid from my shirt to my bicep. "Val hates me."
Onyx’s low growls rippled deep in my chest. If the circumstances were different, he wouldn’t have let him off as easily as I did back at the hospital. "Do you truly believe that?"
Kiya nodded and licked her bottom lip. "I mean, he has a point. If Raina ends up dying, it would be my fault for not doing all I could to save her, but it feels wrong to do the opposite of what she told me. It hurts."
"You have enough respect for your sister that you wouldn’t go against her wishes. In the end, Raina made her choice, and I believe, besides her guilt, she loves you a lot. You’re her family as well. As for Val, he needs…" I inhaled through my nose. "…time. Just a little more time. Raina’s pain is as fresh on him as it is on you."
"You could’ve let him talk, Neron, before you threw him against the wall. He had a lot of things on his chest that he could’ve gotten off."
I squeezed her again. "There is a better way to do it than to yell at and insult you."
"It’s not like I haven’t gotten that before."
"And that’ll be the last time it’ll ever happen." I declared, holding her gaze. "No one should ever raise their voice at you, no matter the circumstance."
The corners of Kiya’s lips twitched into a smile, but disappeared when I blinked. "I guess I should thank you for defending my honor?"
"No thanks needed. I would do it again a thousand times over."
"Speaking of doing things again, I want you to promise me something." Kiya lifted her head off my shoulder. "Don’t do what Raina did. I don’t know if my heart can take another loss like that."
"Kiya—"
"Promise me. The last time you jumped in front of me, you died. Raina is teetering on that ledge in the hospital. If anything happens, just…don’t hurt yourself."
Kiya associated the act of shielding her from danger with death. It scared her. As much as I wanted to take that fear away, how could I promise her I wouldn’t shield her if that was what I would do anyway? Allowing her to get hurt was not an option, and if I can prevent that, I fucking will.
This was the one promise I ***couldn’t*** make.
My heart throbbed in pain when Kiya’s chest deflated when I shook my head. I leaned in and kissed her forehead before peeling her from my lap and settling her on the mattress. "I’m going to prepare for bed. I’ll be right back."
I pushed myself off the mattress, snatched my pajama bottoms from my closet and went inside the bathroom. After changing, I tossed my clothes in the laundry hamper and splashed water on my face. My thoughts raced a million miles a minute, and I was just barely picking out the ones that matter.
Dad attacked my home. This can’t happen again, not while I’m still breathing. Gripping the edges of the sink, I stared hard into my reflection in the mirror. Searching. Thinking.
No more games. Tomorrow, we get down to business.
The benefit of having the other avatars here on my land means fresh eyes. They can add input when needed, and goddess knows I need a lot of it. Through the mad god using people we once knew and cared for to kill us, Dad didn’t just have a grip on my life, but on theirs too. As the days progressed, the future was becoming more and more distorted with the unknown. The curse on me was lifted, and I’m more determined than ever to end this beast once and for all.
I hope those three are early risers. Nuria might try to gut me for waking her up at the crack of dawn, but fuck it.
Snatching a face towel from the hanging rack, I wiped my face and shut off the bathroom light. I half-expected Kiya to be tucked in bed and asleep, but instead, I was greeted with her lovely backside facing me while she pawed through the closet searching for what she needed. Her hair, braided into two thick cornrows, dangled off her shoulders.
*White* cornrows.
"Artemis?"
Artemis turned her head and offered me a small smile. Her cyan eyes practically glowed against the darkness. "Greetings, handsome. Kiya needed a break, so I’m here for the night." She returned to the closet, retrieved a small box, and fished out a plain blue bonnet. "Let us hope Onyx doesn’t steal this one."
"**Oh, I’m stealing that one too**. **It matches her eyes**!"
"*Speaking of, where did you put the yellow one*?"
"**None of your business**."
Typical.
"How are you, Artemis?" I asked as I set the pillows near the headboard. "I feel like I never get to hear from you."
"I don’t come out unless I have to. I like my little home in Kiya’s mind." She approached the bed and straightened the covers. "You seem well after the ritual, yet you’re different."
I paused, arching an eyebrow. "I don’t feel any different than before the shit show started."
"That’s what I’ve thought, and yet, I can’t shake this sensation." Artemis’ eyes scrutinized me from the top of my head down to my feet, in search of this ‘difference’ she alluded too. "Hmm. I can’t find it, but it is there."
"Should I be worried?"
"I don’t believe so. It isn’t a bad thing; quite the opposite, actually." There was more she wanted to say but didn’t. Perhaps she was just as confused as I was. Either way, it was a thought I folded and tucked in the back of my mind. That conversation died faster than a dragonfly, and in no time, the bed was set up.
I turned away for a brief moment to close the curtains, only to get a slight scare when I turned back with Artemis standing directly in front of me. Her chest brushed up against mine, awakening frissons of heat underneath my skin. She gazed up at me in a stone mask cracked with curiosity, blinking thrice before smiling again. "I know I’m not at liberty to say this, but Kiya cares a lot about you. I hope you didn’t take what she said about you not shielding her in a weird way."
"I understand, Artemis." My hand found its place on her shoulder. "And I hope you understand why I can’t promise her that."
Her smile fell. "I’m aware. I think what’s been happening for the past month or so has really muddled what is most important to us. Our safety is on the line. Peace feels fleeting, and I’m afraid that feeling is only going to get worse in the upcoming days."
"Which is why we need to nip this in the bud before it does get worse. I have a few plans in mind, and I’m going to need the others involved, since this affects all of us."
"Does it have to do with the anti-worship book you mentioned some time ago?"
I nodded. "I can’t let that go. I know it’s out there, somewhere, and we need to find it. I don’t want anyone else to be put in more danger than they already are."
"Extend that same grace to yourself, too." Artemis took my hand off her shoulder and cradled it in her palms. "After all, you matter to Kiya and me."
"And you both matter to Onyx and me."
"I know we do, but…" She ghosted her thumb over my knuckles. "It’s more than that with our resident warrior. But I’ll let her come to terms with it first before the fanfare."
*What the hell does that mean*?
Artemis was an enigma, and she’s capitalizing on that title with how she sauntered away, leaving me dumbfounded. "Are you ready for bed?"
Before I could answer, she gripped the hem of her shirt and slid it off over her head, allowing her breasts to spill free into the space. She shoved off her bottoms and tossed them both in the closet haphazardly. My mate was in her nude glory right before my eyes, and that glory force stopped my brain.
*I wanted to devour her*.
"U-um, why did you take off your clothes?" I gabbled, trying my damned hardest to keep my eyes from moving downward. Onyx, that piece of shit, didn’t make it easier with how he was howling and panting like he was the one in heat.
Artemis cocked her head to the side. "What use does a wolf have with clothes?"
"B-but, y-you’re…um…"
*Speak up, you moron*!
"Am I making you nervous?"
*If by nervous you mean making my cock go rock hard, then yes, I’m very fucking nervous*!
"**The best way to deal with a problem is to tackle it head on**. **So, in this case, just drop your pants and—**"
"I’m perfectly fine." I strained out, aware of the blistering heat swirling around my cheeks. It was made worse when Artemis’ lovely eyes lowered before jumping back up to my face. She smirked, crawled into bed, pulled the covers up to where they were just below her ample bosom, and patted the spot beside her.
"Aren’t you going to join me?"
"**Artemis is a fucking tease, isn’t she**? **Since I had to deal with it, it’s your turn now**!"
How the hell am I supposed to deal with it? I’m the proverbial dumb ass staring like a guppy out of water! And with a hard on, nonetheless!
*Sleeping was going to be fun*.
After getting my bearings, I slid into bed beside her and drew my side of the blanket to my chest, shamefully covering the storm in between my legs. Artemis giggled under her breath, shuffled onto her side, and scooted closer to me. The moment she did, two globes of pure heat pressed over my crotch and a satisfied sigh left her lips.
"You know exactly what you’re doing, Artemis."
"Oh?" She asked, feigning innocence. "And what is it that I’m doing, Neron?"
"Being a damn she-devil."
She turned her head back with hooded eyes. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, but do try to get some rest. We’re up early tomorrow, aren’t we?"
Artemis was utter perfection, and it frustrates me. The way she made me feel, pulling me into a haze of desire and leaving me high and dry, tormenting me, makes me want to roar. And I thought Kiya was a tease? Artemis turned it up *several* notches.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time to indulge my desires, even if Onyx hates me for it.
Inhaling deeply, I wrapped my arms around my naked mate and pulled her hard to my chest. Her stomach vibrated underneath my forearm, her laughter ringing through the cool air. I leaned in and brushed my lips against her ear. "It won’t be today, or even tomorrow, but one day, you’ll answer for this crime, Artemis. Mark my words."
"Not if I make you beg first, Alpha."
----------------------------------------------
**The Following Morning**
"This fat dot is over the Corpus Christi Bay. That’s where my pod is located."
"This one is off the coast of Turkey. Nailah has family there. Interestingly enough, I’m not surprised that this map marked a dot over Egypt, but not Cairo. Hmm."
"And this dot is over New Mexico. Mara’s old pack is in that area."
The avatars plus Nuria and I were hunched over a table in the common with my grandfather’s map spread out across it. Lupin rested his head in my lap, his tail wagging. Kiya returned right before breakfast and hours after Artemis teased me beyond my control, goading me into touching her before she headed into the shower. My resolve cracked. I indulged for just a minute before she cut me off, shook her finger in front of my face, and scampered into the shower.
And now she’s resting inside my girlfriend’s mind, all smug and pretty. *Damn that lovely vixen*.
"The map doesn’t give us much to go on, if I’m being honest." Kiya shrugged her shoulders.
"*Morfar* knew something. Why else would he give Neron the map?" Nuria asked, propping her elbows up on the table. "Look, a map is a map. This thing is telling us where to go. Why don’t we just buy plane tickets and fly out there to see what’s up?"
"How do you know if we’ll find anything?" Violetta asked with an arched eyebrow.
"I don’t." She turned to me, her eyes pleading. "But we have to try."
"I still believe the anti-worship book is worth something." I spoke. "Even if scholars believe it doesn’t exist, there’s something out there that can stop our enemies, and by extension, Apophis."
Asim huffed a harsh breath out of his nose, contemplating what I had said. His eyes dropped to the map. "I’m still not sure if it exists, but, I’m willing to take a chance at discovering what these places mean for us. It’s not a coincidence that there are four places that stand out on this map; each has some sort of connection to us, notably the Corpus Christi Bay."
"The bay and Egypt, yes, but what about New Mexico and Turkey?" I asked.
"New Mexico has quite a few werewolf packs, but the only one we know of is the Amethyst Moon Pack, which is where Mara comes from." Phoebe explained, rapping her fingers against the wood. "Other than that, I can’t think of any particular connection between Kiya and me."
"And Turkey is a bit of a wild card." Kiya added. "As far as I know, neither I nor Phoebe have any connection to that country."
"Connection or not, these places mean something." I concluded, rising out of my seat. Lupin barked and stood with me. "For once in my life, I agree with Nuria. We should travel to these places, see if there is anything that can help us, and move on."
Kiya’s smile made my heart swell. Pride twinkled in her eyes. A sting of shyness hit my heart. "Want to be back on a plane so soon?"
Chuckling, I reciprocated her smile with my own. "Of course. Do you want to travel the world with me, angel?"
"I’m always up for an adventure."
"Ugh!" Nuria made an audible gag. "Can you two not flirt while the rest of us are here? It’s so sweet and cute; it's giving me fucking cavities."
"As if you’re any better." I scoffed. I ignored her middle finger. "Paying for multiple plane tickets won’t be easy, and I need to bring Val and Kwame up to speed before we leave."
"I have a plane. Don’t worry about the tickets."
Everyone jerked their heads toward Violetta.
Phoebe curled her fingers under her chin and gave the woman a scrutinizing look over. "…since when did you acquire a plane? They cost millions, if not billions, of dollars."
Violetta leaned back in her seat, folded her hands in her lap, and released an enigmatic chuckle. "I’ve been in the singing business for a long time. I had sung for a lot of rich men. Mermaids have to make use of our voices in some way."
"There is no rule against that." Asim laughed. "Do you have a pilot on standby?"
"Nope. We’d have to find one."
"I can ask Anthony if he knows anyone." Kiya pulled out her cell phone and started texting away. "How soon do we want to leave?"
"The sooner, the better." I announced. "I don’t know how long our search will be, but it’s best to pack a couple of suitcases for at least a week. If Anthony doesn’t pan out, I know someone who might be willing to lend us a pilot if he agrees."
Nuria groaned again. "Our new stepbrother? I wouldn’t trust him to throw me a frisbee."
"It’s an alternative, Nuri."
Phoebe stood on her feet. "I can teleport Asim and myself back to California to pack up. It shouldn’t take long, I don’t believe."
"Auntie?"
All our heads turned to Adonis, standing behind Kiya. She blinked and set her cell phone back in her pocket. "Donny. Do you need something?"
"Can you come with me to the hospital? I…I don’t want to go alone."
My girlfriend smiled and nodded, rising out of her seat and taking her nephew’s hand. "I’ll be back later. Text me if something comes up."
"Will do, love." I answered back. A finger tapped my arm, prompting me to turn to face Alana and Aiyana, fidgeting on their feet. "Girls? Is something wrong?"
"Can we talk to you, Neron? If you aren’t too busy." Aiyana asked, folding her hands behind her back. Alana shifted nervously, but still held my gaze with confidence. Everyone else got to work on what they needed to do, and I followed the girls wherever they wanted to talk with me.