Chapter 7 - Tick Tock
Lilith:
“You arsehole!” I scream as soon as Cain flashes me back to my room. I’m so angry at that moment that I’m sure if I had my dark powers, I’d have killed Cain. Or at least tried. “Ugh!” I kick my armchair toward the wall before I slump down on it and take a couple of calming breaths.
Once I’ve gained my control back, I think about what I learned about the darkness—the Tenebrous. For so long, I lived with that thing living inside me, and I never knew what it was. To think that the power is searching for me like a parasite searching for a host makes nausea churn in my belly.
My thoughts quickly turn to Cain and his kiss. I know I should be outraged by his daring, considering he was ordered to kill me, but I can’t. Though I hate him and want to dismember him for threatening Fallon, I can’t stop thinking about how good his body felt against mine. Ugh, I can’t believe that I still can’t resist a bad boy after all of these years.
Well, it looks like I’m going to have to if I want to keep Fallon and me alive.
I look out the window, surprised to see that it’s morning and turn to get some sleep when to my surprise, Michael calls me, “Well, this is a bloody surprise. What I can I do for you, Michael?”
“Bonjour, Lilith. Comment vas-tu?” How are you? Michael asks in his rich dulcet voice.
“I’m well, Michael. What can I do for you?” I answer steadily. I don’t want him to sense the tumultuous emotions that are rolling through me. It’s best if I keep Michael and Lucifer out of this. I can’t risk Cain thinking that I’m plotting with them. I can’t risk my son’s life.
My thoughts snap back to the present when Michael replies.
“I am bien, merci. I was calling to see how you were. Valentina was asking me to call and check up on you.”
If this had been anyone else, even Lucifer, I would have told him to wank off. But Michael and his mate, Valentina, have been gracious and kind, so I have a bit of a soft spot for the git and his mate. It was only recently that he found her, and they are both happy, which makes me happy for both of them. I also don’t want him to become suspicious if I decline. No, I just have to act normal and follow the plan to its conclusion.
“I was actually on my way to work. But you can tell Valentina that I’m well, and I will speak to her when you get back from Israel?”
His breath filters heavily through the receiver, “Bien, I will let you go then. Call us if there is anything you need.”
Without another word, I disconnect the call and prepare to go to work.
As I take a seat on the Metro, I can’t help but think about Lucifer’s suggestion that I speak to Fallon. However, the mere thought of even approaching Fallon makes a sour feeling settle in my stomach, and I want to chunder.
“You’re thinking too hard,” Cain mutters as he takes a seat beside me.
Swallowing hard, I bite my lower lip and look out the passing scenery from the window. “I thought you said you’d give me time to find the information you needed?”
Cain stretches his legs in front of him and slouches back on the chair. It reminds me of how Lucifer likes to lazily stretch out in his throne. Both males are so arrogant and self-assured, which explains my attraction. I’ve always had a thing for bad boys, which explains why my life has been such shit.
Cain looks at me from beneath the fringes of his eyes and gives me an arrogant smile. “I will admit, I became curious when I saw you leave your apartment.”
Message received, I think when I interpret his words. He basically admitted that he’s keeping a close eye on me, and I don’t know if I should be nervous or kick him in the bollocks for being such a tosser.
Pushing tendrils of my hair behind my ear, I shake my head and scowl at him. “You do know that’s rather dodgy, right? How am I supposed to trust you if you’re stalking me?”
He places his arm over the top of my seat, leans close to me and whispers, “You know you’re the most fascinating woman that I’ve ever met?”
Rolling my eyes, I place my hand on his chest and push, “And did you know that you’re a tosser?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he leans close and places his lips in front of mine, “Oh, am I?”
His lips caress mine with every word, making my heart drum in my chest.
For several minutes, we remain in the same position. Cain’s nose rubs against mine, and our breaths mingle while his lips continue to hover close. It’s like we’re in our own little bubble of intense attraction, and neither of us wants to get out.
It’s only when the train comes to a stop that we snap out of our haze.
Hardening my heart, I rise from my seat and mutter, “Next time you follow me, I will rip your cock off and feed it to you.”
To my annoyance, Cain throws his head back and breaks into gales of laughter. “Oh, luv, you know you won’t.”
Growling with irritation, I give him the finger before I exit the train. However, Cain must heed my warning because he remains where he is and gives me a cheeky grin as the train continues on.
My mobile rings at that moment, and Lucifer’s name appears on the screen. Raising the mobile to my ear, I connect the call.
“Lucifer?” Trepidation spears inside of me. Lucifer wouldn’t be calling unless things have gone to shit.
“Hello, Lilith, do you have a moment to meet? I have some crucial news we need to discuss.”
I puff out a breath and look at the time. I’m already late to work. I curse beneath my breath before I reply, “Where should I meet you?”
“Meet me at my home in Arcata in five minutes.” He replies.
As soon as he disconnects, I call the Café and inform Marguerite that I have an emergency and will be late. Marguerite readily agrees to cover for me.
Lucifer greets me at the door once I flash in, “What is it you wished to speak about?” I mumble irritably.
Though I need to ask him about the siphon, a part of me hopes that this conversation is not about the siphon.
Lucifer gestures for me to follow him and stops in front of his drawing-room. “I apologize for the suddenness of my call, but as I said, what we have to tell you is crucial.”
I raise my hands and prompt him to continue when he doesn’t say another word, “Well, what the bloody hell is it that you wish to tell me?”
His brow quirks, “I’ll tell you as soon as my guest arrives.”
I look around the room suspiciously before I look back at him and give him a cold glare, “Please don’t tell me that you brought me here for some kind of reunion with Fallon.”
He shakes his head, “No, Lil. Though I want you two to reconcile, I will let you do that on your own time. No, I asked Azazel to meet us here to discuss what is happening with the siphon.”
I puff out a breath, relieved that this is not one of Lucifer’s schemes.
Just then, a tall male with golden hair and eyes flashes into a room. Like all supernaturals, this male is exceptionally attractive. The way he prowls towards us reminds me of Cain’s graceful stride. Ugh, why can’t I get my mind off that handsome bastard?
“Lucifer,” the male greets steadily before he gazes back at me.
“Thank you for joining us, Azazel. Let me introduce you to Lilith,” he waves a hand toward me, “Lilith, this is Azazel.”
Azazel bows his head gracefully and smiles, “It’s a pleasure to meet the only other person who is as annoyed by Lucifer as I am, luv.”
I snicker in reply, “He can be quite a sod, can’t he?”
Lucifer snorts with offense and scowls, “I didn’t invite both of you here so you can reminisce on what an arsehole I am.”
I scoff, “Awww, but how will we amuse ourselves?”
Azazel chuckles as he strides to Lucifer’s drink cabinets, takes out a bottle with three glasses, and hands one to each of us.
I take the glass, drink the smooth bourbon down without a thought, and slam the glass down on the table. “Alright, so what is happening with the siphon?”
Azazel drains his own glass and sighs with pleasure, “I’m sure that Lucifer told you that the siphon had been acting erratically lately?”
I nod, prompting him to continue. This is it. This is the information that Cain needs from me.
“Its erratic behavior put me on edge, so I decided that it was best if I took it out of the city. As carefully as I could, I moved it to an isolated island off the Rakhine Coast, where I knew no humans would trespass. This was nearly three weeks ago.”
“Alright, so what’s the problem?” I ask.
Azazel takes another drink and scoffs, “The problem is that I went back to check up on it, and the island seemed to be, for lack of a better word…rotting.”
My mouth gapes open with surprise. I know that Cain told me the Tenebrous would destroy any living organisms in its way, but I guess I was hoping that it was all a ruse to get me to give him the Tenebrous, “What?”
He looks at Lucifer and shakes his head with disbelief, “At first, I thought that the Island was experiencing some form of natural change, but on closer inspection, I saw that the land surrounding the Siphon was slowly turning black, and any wildlife near it was dying.”
My stomach drops with trepidation.
Lucifer steps forward and lays his glass on a nearby table, “What do you think happened to it?”
Azazel shrugs, “Based on the consistent loss of wildlife, I’d say that the power is somehow spreading itself through the island and every living creature around it like cancer.”
Gasping with horror, I take a step back and nearly stumble. “Are you sure?”
He nods, “I could see it consuming the resources. And I’m sure it will continue until every tree, plant and flower is a rotted mess.”
“What do you think it bloody is?” Lucifer asks.
Azazel shakes his head, “I don’t know. I had never seen the siphon do that, so I’m assuming it’s the power of the darkness that is causing this.”
“You think the darkness is having an adverse reaction to being trapped in the siphon?” I mutter grimly in hopes that he’ll tell me no. But of course, that’s a hollow hope considering what Cain told me about the power.
He nods, “I do. Whatever the power you were holding is, it’s beyond our ken. Do you know where that power came from before you acquired it?”
I shake my head, “No, I don’t. Like I told Lucifer, the power found me, not the other way around.” I answer as honestly as I can without revealing what I know.
Azazel blows out a breath and slumps down on an armchair. “We need to know the origins of that power then. Because I get the feeling what happened to that island is a warning for what is to come.”
“Have you consulted the Cross boy’s mate, the Breija?” Lucifer asks Azazel.
Azazel nods, “I did consult with Amara, but she hasn’t been able to find any information about a power that consumes organic matter. Especially since it was happily living inside Lilith without issue for so long.”
“I never felt like it was consuming me. If I had to describe it, I would say it amplified all of the negative emotions I felt at the time. It was like there was a perpetual flame of rage and loathing burning inside of me, and nothing else mattered,” I answer steadily.
Both males fall into a thoughtful silence, making me feel edgy.
After a minute, Lucifer takes a deep breath and mutters, “We need to learn where that power came from.”
Azazel gestures to his phone, “I contacted the council to see if they’ll give me access to their ancient scrolls.”
Lucifer nods, “Right now, Gabriel and Rafael are MIA, but I can call Michael to see if he might know anything, and I have a stack of heavenly scrolls I can look through.”
I feel guilty when they discuss ways to research the power.
As soon as we’ve established a plan, Azazel flashes out, leaving Lucifer and me to speak. “If we do discover that the power is the cause of this island’s demise, what do you think we should do to harness it?”
Lucifer frowns, “I guess it depends on the extent of the power. But we won’t know we discover what it is.”
“Alright, keep me updated.”
Without a word, I flash to my apartment and ponder what I’m going to do next. I think about the agreement I made with Cain. Is it possible that I can harness the power without risking my own life? Will the Divinity Pantheon agree to let me go?