Chapter 35 — The challenge

Nevaeh:

Mikhail’s eyes are the last thing I see before the door closes behind me. Just then, a bright light bursts from the bottom of the door. I rattle the doorknob and try to get back in the room, but the door is shut tight.

“It’s not going to work, Nevaeh,” Azazel mutters helplessly.

I turn and face him, surprised to see that Alex, Rowan, Carrick, Kell, and another man are also standing there.

Seeing my despair, Azazel pulls me into his arms. “We need to go in there and help Mikhail.” I cry out mournfully. “Please.”

Azazel shakes his head. “We can’t, luv. Mikhail and Luka have enacted the Macto Benficium Duellum Sanguis.”

My brow furrows with confusion. “I don’t understand. What does that mean?”

The handsome man who was standing near Alex replies. “The Macto Benficium Duellum Sanguis is loosely interpreted as the Fight Right duel of blood. It is a ritual practiced by Angels to fight with an enemy. It ensures that both parties fight without any outside interference. Once they make the circle of blood, they are transported to another plane of existence. Once they reach the plane, they will fight until only one is left alive. As soon as the fighting is over, the victor and the defeated will be transported back home. One will be alive, and one will be dead.”

A shocked gasp escapes my lips. Did the man just say that one of them has to die? “No…No… he shouldn’t have done that. Oh my god.” I cry out desperately.

Alex shakes his head solemnly and gestures for us to go out the door. “There is nothing we can do until the challenge is over. For now, all we can do is go home and wait for Mikhail to appear.”

The men turn to the door with a sullen nod. As I watch them file out, I stifle my tears. I feel lost without Mikhail. As if my world is gone. I move to follow but stumble when my swollen ankle gives away.

Azazel catches me and lifts me in his arms. “You’re hurt.”

I hiss through my teeth as I lift my leg and show him my swollen ankle. “I think it’s sprained,” I mutter.

Azazel places me on a flat surface and inspects my ankle. “Let’s see, then.”

The redheaded man squats down next to me and appraises my swollen ankle. “Let me heal her.”

Azazel nods and moves away, giving the man room to heal me. I look on warily but remain quiet. If Azazel and Alex trust him, then so do I.

The man takes my ankle in his large, scarred hands and places his other palm over it. A warmth courses through my foot until it reaches my throbbing ankle. It’s like a tidal wave of warmth that spreads throughout my body until any pain I feel is completely gone. I look down and gasp when I see that my body is no longer marred by scrapes or bruises.

Even the skin in my arms is clear of cuts.

Looking back at the man, I give him an odd look and say, “Thank you.”

His golden eyes glow like gems as he gazes upon me. The man is incredibly enigmatic. However, even though his auburn hair glints like fire beneath the glow of the lampposts, and his rugged expression can melt the panties off a blind woman, all I feel is intimidated.

“Call me, Mathias.”

I nod my head. “Thank you, Mathias.”

Azazel’s extends his hand out to me and pulls close. “There’s nothing you can do now, Nev. Mikhail will be fine.” I give the warehouse one last longing look. “Fine, let’s go.”

The ride home is a solemn one. Everyone is tense and grim. Not a word is said, but I know that they’re worried. Needing a change of clothes, I ask Azazel to walk me home. I try not to look at the bloodstained floor as I pass through the entranceway. My head pounds and nausea churns in my stomach as the metallic smell of blood permeates the air. I try not to let panic overwhelm me, though. What’s done is done, and I’m alive. Azazel told me that Aaron and Henry will never bother me again because he and Mikhail took care of them.

I bite my lip and look down at my unblemished skin as I stand in front of my bathroom mirror. Closing my eyes, I try to stifle my tears. I’m fine. I’m alive. I repeat over and over in my head. Right now, my focus should be on Mikhail. I can’t lose him. He’s the love of my life.

Somehow, knowing that the only thing that matters is Mikhail makes me feel more centered. I’m going to be brave for him because I know that’s what he wants. I have faith that he’ll defeat Lukan and come back to me.

As soon as we get back to Mikhail’s house, we see that Alex and Mathias are in the middle of some covert discussion. Each man gives each other a warning look before they grow quiet. I want to ask them what’s going on, but something tells me that it’s best that I don’t ask.

Giving each man a gentle smile, I take a seat next to Alex and mutter. “So, how were you able to find me?”

Azazel leans against the doorway and crosses his arms over his chest. “I cast a spell that enabled me to find you through my mate mark. Once I did, it guided me to the factory.”

Even though I don’t really know what a spell would entail, I’m grateful that he found me.

Alex’s brow furrows as he gazes from me to Mathias. “What doesn’t make sense is that the spell split and pointed to Mathias too.” Mathias scowls in reply. “I told you, Cross. I have no family.” Azazel uncrosses his arms and pushes away from the doorway. “The spell does not make any mistakes. Are you sure you are not related to Nevaeh?”

Shocked, I give each man an astonished look. “What? What do you mean related? And what does the spell you cast to find me have to do with it?”

Azazel squats down to face me. “The spell is meant to find supernatural blood mates and their relatives. When the spell kindled, it split off in two directions. One pointed to where you were, and the other one pointed to Mathias.”

I shake my head in denial. “That’s not possible, Azazel. I’m human, and so are my parents.”

Azazel quirks a speculative brow. “No, luv, your mother is human, but you don’t know who your father is. For all you know, your father can be supernatural.”

I shake my head. There’s no way that my dad would have been supernatural. It’s not possible. “Don’t you think that if I was supernatural, I would know? I mean… I don’t have wings or glowing eyes. Anyway, my mom says that my dad was a one-night stand met at a nightclub near her university.”

If I was paying attention, I would have noticed Mathias’ head snap in my direction. I would have noticed his eyes appraise my appearance.

“Then how do you explain your rapid healing, luv?” Azazel asks. “You fell down the bloody stairs and were stabbed in the stomach, yet you have no wounds. No human would have survived those kinds of injuries. Also, only angels are born with wings. Nephilim, are not born with wings.”

I look back down at my stomach and shudder. No, it can’t be.

I give Mathias an apologetic look, but to my surprise, he’s not angry. If anything, he’s looking at me as if I’m a puzzle he needs to solve. “You…you said that your mother met your father when he was at a club. Did she say anything else?” He asks. Something about the tone of his voice makes alarm bells go off in my head. Why is he asking me this?

Seeing that there’s no reason not to answer, I shrug my shoulders and reply. “Well, according to mom, she was out with friends when she met the guy. She said that he was gorgeous and looked a little lonely. Apparently, his wife had died, and he was looking for solace, which my mom was more than happy to provide.”

At my words, Mathias rises from his seat and looks back at me. “When…How old are you?”

With my heart in my throat, I answer. “I’m eighteen. My birthday is in February.”

Eyes wide, Mathias sifts his fingers through his hair. His red hair! Realization sets in my gut as my mother’s words roll through my mind. There was a very striking man there. He had auburn hair and golden eyes. I was smitten.

I run my gaze over Mathias’ features as the truth dawns on me. “Oh my god. You’re him, aren’t you?”

He shakes his head in denial. “No, that’s impossible.”

I don’t know why his words hurt me. It’s not like I know him. I guess after everything my parents have put me through, it’s hard to hear the man who should have protected me from the world reject me. Because there’s no doubt in my mind that Mathias is the man my mother slept with nineteen years ago.

“She said he had auburn hair and golden eyes. That he looked like an angel.” I mutter tearfully. I want him to see how upset I am. I’m so sick of swallowing down my sadness.

Mathias shakes his head. “No… …I would know if I fathered a child. I wouldn’t make such a mistake.”

Everything inside of me goes cold. Of all the words to use, calling me a mistake is the most hurtful one. It’s so similar to my mother’s words to me that my heart breaks into a thousand pieces. Is that all I’ll ever be? A mistake?

Jaw tight, I take a step back and cross my arms in front of my chest as if I can protect myself from any more hurtful words. “You know what? It doesn’t matter if you’re my dad or not. I mean, my own mother abandoned me, so why should I expect differently from the man who screwed her.”

Without another word, I gather my things and rush to Mikhail’s room. I clutch my chest as I slump back on Mikhail’s bed and let myself cry. I don’t understand why things have to be so difficult. Why can’t Mikhail and I just be together without any issues? Why can’t my family love me? So many whys.

Oh, how I wish Mikhail was here to hold me. I know it’s stupid to depend on one person for your happiness. I know it’s a mistake, but Mikhail has become my world, and I’d like to think that I’m his.

Sniffling, I pull Mikhail’s pillow close and breathe in his scent. “Where are you, Mikhail? I need you,” I mutter against the pillow.

I bite my lips tearfully as a knock on the door snaps me out of my reverie. “Nevaeh, let me in.” Azazel’s muffled voice echoes through the door.

I shake my head with a sob and pull the pillow closer. “Please, Azazel, go away. I just want to be alone.”

I wait a few moments, but there’s no sound of retreating footsteps. Silence reigns as each of us wait for the other to give him. “Very well, luv, I’ll give you some time.” Azazel releases a resigned sigh. “But I’m here for you if you need me.”

I blink away my tears and glance at the door, but I don’t reply. It’s only when I hear his retreating footsteps that I release a relieved breath and let sleep overtake me. I just hope that when I wake up, Mikhail will be there; because I don’t know what I’ll do if he’s not.