Chapter 43

"The bad side?" I ask, to which he nods at I have no idea what he means by that, since I haven't yet experienced the full wrath of Sinful's power.

"I've been trying to get Fate out of Sinful's way, however, nothing has made him understand. That is why brought Aspen here..."

My entire body freezes, and not from the cold. I know exactly what he means by that. Sinful is going to kill Aspen, and Asher is standing there, calm as ever, as if his brothers death sentence isn't about to happen. It makes me want to bend over and throw up everywhere, however, I manage to keep control of myself.

"He's not my real brother," Asher adds.

"Does that matters?" I growl, hiding my surprise at hearing that. "You're getting an innocent man killed for what? To protect Fate? I'm sure as an immortal, he can look after himself, I'm sure of it."

I don't know much about Fate from the little time I spent with him, but he has power, and a lot of it, so I don't doubt he can handle his own problems. Either Asher is really as bad as he claims to be, or he's trying to be the hero in looking after Fate.

"Yes, it matters," Asher tells me calmly. "It's more than just Fate. It's the other immortals too...are you listening?"

At this point, I'm on my feet, walking toward the exit to the room. I don't know how much more of him I can take at this point. However, I don't get far, before he grabs my arm, pulling me back toward him. I place my hands against his chest, but it does nothing to alter the proximity between us.

"Mate," he breathes.

"You can't just use that term like that and expect me to just melt into your arms," I say promptly, trying to pull away, but his grip remains strong.

His eyes are glinting mischievously. "Are you trying to leave?"

"Maybe," I challenge.

"You don't even know me yet," he reminds, to which I frown at.

"I think I know enough."

My second attempt to pull away is just as unsuccessful as the first one. Asher only smirks at my lame attempts.

"You really don't," he taunts. "Just trust me when I say if you decide to leave, you wouldn't get very far."

"Are you challenging me?"

He shrugs. "All I'm saying is that it would be foolish of you to even try. You would miss me too much. And anyways, I've been told I'm a brilliant hunter."

My jaw clenches. We'll see about that.

I watch him carefully, for a specific reaction.

He's been coy with me. Careful, in fact. I've been waiting for him to start questioning me about Alaya. About what we did that night. Instead, all he has been doing is brooding, and now that this has happened, I'm not anticipating any further reaction. My favourite side of Asher is about to come out.

The dark side.

We assume Alaya and Aspen left together this morning. I don't believe there is an inch of my property Asher hasn't scoured. It's interesting watching his reaction to this. He pretended not to care about her, as if I don't know him and how he works. This will drive him insane, which is exactly why I am letting him take care of the issue.

"Don't bring anything with you," I instruct, pausing Asher's movement up the stairs. "You won't need it."

"Who knows how far they have gotten," he replies.

I shake my head at him in disbelief, not preferring him like this. His expression is withdrawn, his eyes wandering in all directions as if Alaya is in this building. Surprisingly, he's weaker while she is away rather than while she is here. More distracted even. If he wasn't, I wouldn't be pressing for her return.

"You're an Alpha, Asher, use that to your advantage," I mutter flatly. He understands what I mean by that. It shouldn't take him more than a few hours to scope her and the other male out.

"She hasn't shifted, otherwise I would have been able to find her by now," he said, folding his arms over his chest.

"Your mate is out there, it just depends when you want to find her."

We keep eye contact for a few moments, before his stubbornness chips away completely, until he turns to walk away from me. I watch his departing back. Alaya has no idea what is coming from her. Or what's in store when she gets back.

***

~Alaya

(11 hours earlier)

"Seriously?"

"I convinced him," Asher informs me, leaning against the doorframe to my room. I smile at the thought of that.

Aspen isn't going to be spending the night in a cell like I had assumed he would. Asher had managed to convince Sinful that Aspen wasn't' a threat, which he probably already knew. It wouldn't surprise me if Asher is only doing that for Aspen because he knows he's going to be executed by Sinful soon anyway.

The thought makes me sick to my stomach, but I swallow my hateful words. Him being in his own room helps me another way too. In a way Asher doesn't know about.

"You can go," I comment, pulling my bedcovers over my legs as I look back at the book I was reading, not taking in any of the words.

Asher knows I'm mad at him. He also knows it's for good reason.

"Alaya, I'm sorry-"

I hold my hand up, ceasing his talking. Without even looking at him, I notice him walking away. I practically feel him do so. If my heart could physically crumble into pieces, it just did. No, just because he's my mate doesn't mean he can kill an innocent man like that, and expect me to be okay with it.

I wait a few hours before I make my move.

Asher will regret not keeping his mouth shut about where Aspen is sleeping tonight. It's far from both Sinful and Asher's quarters, while being closer to mine, which couldn't be more perfect. I left enough time for Asher to sleep, and Sinful to do whatever immortals do instead of sleep before I ventured out, light on my toes with a backpack over my shoulder, fully dressed.

I knock softly on Aspen's door, praying it is actually his. When he opens the door, I exhale in relief, pushing him out of the way.

"Is everything okay?" he asks, quickly closing the door after me.

Turning back to him, I struggle not to throw all the information at him. Instead, I'm slow and convincing, explaining to him until he begins to pale, those brilliant emerald eyes clouded with worry.

"That wasn't apart of the plan," he excuses, raking his fingers back through his hair.

"There was no plan," I mutter, already turned around to rifle through his drawers for any clothes. None. The servants don't need to bring him any, considering his life is going to be ended soon, if we don't get out of here in time.

Aspen continues to be silent, watching me.