QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD: Earthbound series Lucien and Scarlett (Book 2)

The slender figure of one of the most beautiful women in existence stepped out. Her long, dark hair seemed to glow as the surrounding lights shone down onto her head. Her hazel eyes appeared blue-gray; I know her eyes could change depending on her emotions. The color of her skin was a golden toffee. She’s here for a significant reason.

I’ve known this woman all my life, as have the rest of my family, and it wouldn’t surprise me if everyone around this table hadn’t run into her at some point. She could be your friend or foe. I’m glad she’d always classed herself as a friend, and I prayed it wasn’t about to change.

In a sultry voice, she said, “Gentlemen, please sit. You don’t have to rise to your feet just for silly old me,” she laughed, as she laid one of her hands on her chest, she ran her gaze over everyone who sat or who was standing around the table. Briefly lingering a little longer on myself and my family.

Fucking hell, this is all we need.

Waving her hand, she said, “Sit, sit. SOOO… shall we have a bit of fun!”

His face contorted with rage. Lucien replied, “You’re not welcomed here, Fate.”

His angry barb hadn’t fazed her. Fate replied as she took in his muscular body, “Why so angry demon? Is something wrong? Do you not want to know everyone’s little secrets?”

His words held an angry bite; Lucien replied, “Fate, I have not invited you into my home. So, why are you really here?”

“Oh, all right, you spoilsport. As you, and by the expressions on everybody else faces, they don’t want to play either. I’ll just have to think of a game to entertain myself. So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty,” Fate said, taping a long finger on her bottom lip as her eyes ran over everybody as if deciding who she’d torment first. Her eyes landed on Archer. We all watched with bated breath as his entire body tensed. She seemed to glide over to him, her hips swaying from side to side. She stood in front of him, then took a step forward and pressed her body tight against his; she reached up and laid a soft kiss on his cheek before whispering something in his ear. The tick in his lower jaw told you everything you needed to know. He backed away from her until his body was tight against the wall behind him. His jaw tightened, eyes narrowed; you could tell whatever she had said to him he hadn’t liked.

A light laugh rang out as Fate stepped away from him. “Don’t worry, your secrets are safe with me…For now.”

With a vexed look upon her face in a high-pitched voice making everyone cringe Aria said, “You need to leave,”

Hearing the voice, Fate swung her head around with a raised eyebrow; she walked over to Aria. “Who are you to tell ME when to leave! You’re nothing but a lowly demon and a nasty, jealous, devious one at that! If it wasn’t for the demon beside you. You would be nothing,” Fate sneered. Hatred for the female was clear on her beautiful face. “I suggest you keep your mouth shut; otherwise, I’ll shut it for you.”

At Fate’s words, anger swooped over her face. Turning her head towards Lucien Aria muttered angrily “Lucien, are you going to let her speak to me in that manner.

Slapping her ass cheek chuckling. Fate replied, “I’m so naughty that Lucien’s going to spank me,”.

She turned on the balls of her feet as she heard Jacob speak up.

“Stop fucking around and tell us why you’re here,” Jacob said with a frustrated sigh as he sat down in his seat.

Titling her head to one side, turning her attention to Jacob, she walked towards him. “Yes, why is the question, isn’t it?” Fate replied. “As you seem, so eager, let’s start. Now, who should I pick first?” she said, as she tapped her fingertip on her lower lip as if deep in thought. “I know. As you asked Jacob, I think it should be your…Mate.”

As she walked closer to where they were sitting. Jacob growled, “Leave her out of your games His men seem rooted to the stop. As if something embedded their feet to the ground they were standing on.

Rolling her eyes, Fate laughed, “Why would I do that?” she replied in a breathy voice.

I watched as Fate stopped directly in between them and placed a slender hand on each of their shoulders. It seemed as if something had rooted them in their seats.

I watched as Jacob’s mate jumped when Fate’s hand touched her shoulder. “Now, where should we start?” It wasn’t a question. Jacob’s mate squirmed in her seat as if trying to dislodge the hand that had been placed firmly on her shoulder. I was sure I saw Fate curl her fingers deeper into the flesh of her shoulder.

“Marguerite or you, Jacob? I know, I will do you both together, won’t that be fun!” she giggled as if excited about the idea. I watched as her eyes changed color, turning to a golden yellow, her voice growing in depth. Her voice seemed to echo around the room. “Imagine everyone. A beautiful young woman meets this handsome shifter, who soon realizes that the young woman is his destined mate, and they fall in love. Now it turns out the shifter is the Alfa to his pack, and some of his people look down at this young woman, but it doesn’t stop him from having this young woman by his side.”

“Time passes, and they are happy. The young woman doesn’t realize that the older woman that befriended her has her own agenda, and nothing will get in her way. She wants the young woman’s mate. After all, isn’t she entitled to be the one by the Alpha’s side and entitled to be his queen by blood alone? She doesn’t care that he’s mated to another. After all, she’s nothing. Just something she stepped in and wiped off. So, she becomes a snake. She sees the Elders and tells them about the blood bond. The elders summon the young alpha, and they kindly remind him of their laws and that he must mate with someone with royal blood. At first, the young alpha refuses. They remind him of the laws and that the royal blood must stay intact.” Fate stopped, turned her head slightly until she was staring in Melissa’s direction before she carried on speaking.

“Now, even the powers that be would overlook the young woman not being blood, but the Alpha can’t, not now. After all, the Elders have told him, he must mate with the other woman. The royal blood must stay intact. Even knowing that the young woman is his soul mate, his destined mate, he casts aside his feelings for the young woman. He mates with the young women’s so-called friend. What is worse, do you think? A man who chooses another over his destined mate for a blood bond. Leaving said mate in so much pain that she contemplated killing herself or the woman who lied from the very beginning. Who not only betrayed a loyal friend but also her so-called mate?” Fate paused, letting everyone take everything in, as she broke eye contact with Melissa.  “Of course, some of you here in this room might think a blood bond is just as strong as the bond you’d have with your true mate. A mate that is destined and, yes, in some circumstances, if neither ever meets their destined mate, everything could work out fine. But say if they know who their true mate is, they cast them aside like a piece of garbage. Well, it ends up in complete disaster. But some don’t give a monkey’s ass about mates. Not as long as they get what they want, they don’t give a shit about anyone else. Do they, Marguerite!” She all but screamed in her ear, causing Marguerite to start in her chair.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Melissa shift slightly in her seat. Her face flickered with a flash of pain before masking her emotions.

Fate doesn’t give a chance for either of them to reply.

She casually walked, going behind them in front of the gathered naturals and humans. “In these minds before me, there are so many secrets. Trying their hardest not to reveal what their dirty little hearts desire. Secrets they have locked deep in their minds,” Fate said as she grinned like the Cheshire cat.

Puff, like a cloud of smoke, she’s gone, only to reveal herself standing behind Malcolm, who sat directly in front of us, “Malcolm,” Fate said in a sing-song voice, as she put her hands on his thin boney shoulders and gave them a hard squeeze.

“Fate, you-u-u shouldn’t be here,” Malcolm stammered in nervousness; as his body shook, he swallowed.

Squeezing his shoulders, Fate replied, “Dearest, dearest Malcolm. You know I can go anywhere I damn well please. Now, what was I saying until you rudely interrupted me? Oh yes. Everyone in this room has secrets they want to keep hidden.” Fate lowers her head, her breath tickling his ear as she rests her lips lightly against it. “What’s your deepest, darkest desire, Malcolm? Don’t hold back. I’m sure no one here will be shocked.”

Releasing her grip, Fate stands, turns, and takes a few steps until she is beside him, watching everybody’s reactions, “Maybe I should tell them?”

It was apparent she was enjoying herself immensely at the cost of everyone else’s discomfort. “Mm, doesn’t any of you wonder why Malcolm keeps protesting about the beautiful women sitting opposite him or the fact he wants to get his greedy little hands on them?”

Malcolm squirmed in his chair, his forehead glistening as sweat formed on his forehead.

We all knew who she was referring to. There were no other women sitting across from him but myself and the rest of my family. I must admit, I was curious. I waited with batted breath for her answer, even though I just knew it would be something that would disgust me and my family. We weren’t long in waiting.

“Do any of you know of his…hidden chamber?” Fate questioned, keeping her eyes on everyone’s reactions briefly with a raised eyebrow, “Well, anybody? No? Well, I am shocked.” She turned her head slowly until her gaze rested on Aria, then turned her eyes back to Malcolm, “I am sure someone here knows. Malcolm here…along with a bit of help. Likes to… Now how should I put it?” She lifted her finger and tapped it on her closed red lips. “Well, let us cut to the chase. He loves nothing better than to…. play with the objects of his affections, and I don’t mean playing with a ball. Currently, his focus is on the lovely ladies sitting before you. He would love nothing better than to be able to have some fun with them. That’s why he wants so badly to get his grubby little disgusting hands on them. Of course, I’ll leave it to the rest of you to decide what to do with him.” She let the words sink in, a smile of satisfaction on her face.

It didn’t take long for the shouting to start; questions were thrown from every direction at Malcolm.

“Stop,” Fate shouted, holding up a hand, sighing as she waited for the voices to dye down to soft mutterings, “I’m sure questions anybody can be asked and answered once I’ve had my say, so let’s get on, shall we!” She went to walk away, then paused and turned back, looking at everyone who sat or was standing around the table. “It occurred to me that none of you have ever questioned where Aadya is. She wasn’t at any of the meetings. So, where is she?”

Silence hung in the air.

I heard the muttering build up again around the room. Eyes turned towards Malcolm and the rest of the council members sitting at the table. We had all heard of Aadya, but we had never seen or met her in the flesh. She’s one of the fairer council leaders. I also wondered how the hell she knew all of this, but then again, being who she was, it shouldn’t entirely surprise me.

“I don’t like what you’re implying. Let me assure everyone around this table that Aadya is well and will be at the next meeting.” Malcolm blustered, a tinge of pink covering his cheekbones.

“WHAT. DID. I. JUST. SAY?” Fate fumed; a shadow of annoyance crossed her face and turned her attention to the council member, who had, in her opinion, spoken out of turn. With a click of her fingers, a mental sheet appeared over his mouth. You could hear muffled sounds coming from his throat, but no words could be formed. “That’s better. Now, where was I before I was rudely interrupted? Oh, yes.”

Fate turned and walked around the room, pausing every so often, looking at everyone sitting or standing in the room. It was as if she was considering who to fuck with next. I prayed it wasn’t me or any of my family.

Shock at what had happened silenced everyone in the room, temporarily leaving even Lucien speechless.

The heat of anger darkened his eyes, leveling a steely-eyed glare at her. “Fate, you’re going too far. Release him … now!” Lucien demanded.

“Oh … very well,” with a click of her fingers, the mental sheet disappeared as if it had never been there. The councilor’s lungs constricted, and air left his chest in one giant whoosh. The expression of relief that came across the councilors’ faces was priceless. We couldn’t miss the look of gratitude that he sent Lucien.

As if deciding what she was going to do next, she came to stand behind Jax, placing one hand on one of his muscled shoulders; his whole body stiffened. “Jax, Jax. Why so nervous? Have you something to hide?” Fate said, shaking her head with displeasure. “Jax, the crafty devil; he is now sitting where another should be. Someone who others believe is more deserving of the permission while their King isn’t able to do so,” she announces as she looks directly at Jaden.

“Someone who left his coven, and though he is no longer part of it, he and he alone are the one person who doesn’t need to be voted in. He should sit here. Instead, a fake ruler is in the seat of their King. Isn’t that right …Jaden?” tilting her head to one side as if waiting for an answer, one he doesn’t give. No emotion showed on his face. It is as if her words have no meaning. “Now Jax here, being the crafty fellow he is, took the opportunity he saw with both hands and played it to his advantage, and now is in the position he’s always believed should have been his.” She bends until her lips are at ear level; her breath caresses his ear. “Isn’t that right, Jax? You’ve been plotting for months to take over, but the very thing everyone should ask themselves was it just luck that Nathan went missing, or did you have a hand in it? You unrightfully believe that you are the rightful king. When everybody knows in the covens that if Nathan isn’t able to do his duties, Jaden or any of the King’s rightful blood kindred will be in his place. Let me reassure everyone in this room that Nathan, along with Megan, will be found.” She stood back up and stepped back. “And when that day happens, it will be up to your King to decide what will happen to you!”

Jaden’s gaze never left Jax’s as his expression turned to one of hate, his eyes hooded like those of a hawk, his mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile as a muscle flickered at his jaw. The usually calm and collected vampire I knew was no more. In his stead was one that had vengeance written on his face. Jaden went to open his mouth as he rose from his chair. Lucien, noticing the movement beside him, swung his head towards Jaden. Whatever Jaden had planned to do, was plain to see to anyone who watched. Damien stopped him by shaking his bald head and placing his large hand on Jaden’s shoulder. A silent message passed between the three of them. Sitting back down in his chair, he stared at Jax, promising retribution.

What Fate was revealing was shocking to everyone; why she was doing it was another question no one had dared to ask. It would lead to too many secrets. To hear that Megan would be found one day was a relief for us all. She didn’t seem to be in the mood to reveal when that day would happen. It surprised me she didn’t react to Jaden; it was as if she didn’t care if he attacked Jax. It was as if it hadn’t even happened.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the woman who was causing so much upheaval as she said, “Isn’t this exciting getting all this information out there? Revealing all those secrets or questions you all long to ask but wouldn’t dare to do. Now, who else has something they don’t want to confess or reveal?” she paused, eyeing her next victim; giving a mocking smile, she observed the Fae King.

“Gil-Galad,” Fate purred, as she placed her hand on his rigid shoulder. His eyes turned cold, his jaw clenched as he heard her say his name. “Your people follow you willingly. A leader, a King that’s so strong, so beautiful. Men and women can’t help but fall at your feet. You are someone that most males envy. Did you know, Gil-Galad, that there’s speculation about the Guards you continuously have around you?” Fate said, gazing at the five women standing at either side and to the back of him, “It’s true. They are not only your Guards but your lovers. It’s as if you have your own little Harlem. Soon it’s going to lead to an enormous problem. The woman you desire above others… can she willing share you…?”

Features composed, Fate paused. “I very much doubt it. She isn’t built like that, and if you stop visiting your women, they will take a very dim liking to it. After all, jealousy is a dangerous, fickle thing. Then there are your people. Will they accept someone who’s not Fae and not of noble blood? I can promise you both, your lives will not be boring, and no matter how you try, neither of you will be able to stay away from each other.” Fate turned and walked away, her eyes slowly running over my family and me. I watched the Fae King’s eyes drift to Mia. As they met each other’s gaze, I saw the lust burning in his and the excitement in hers.

I saw the change in her demeanor. as Mia’s head rose to challenge him. I know it was her damn witch. Fucking hell, Pamela had better teach her how to keep her witch under more control. It was a challenge the Fae king would meet head-on. I knew who the female Fate was talking about. Shit, she was so young, and I knew we would have to keep her away from the Fae king. A task we would find out would be entirely impossible as time passed. I had been so deep in my thoughts I hadn’t realized that Fate had stopped and was now standing behind Jaden. Though her hand was placed on his shoulder, she didn’t seem happy to be standing behind him.

“I will reveal none of Jaden’s secrets. As the rest of you do, he remembers the war as many of you do. A war where he fought side by side with many of you. A war that tore many families apart. Jaden’s mate will be forbidden. Her life would be in danger unless they disposed of the threat. They will eventually be side by side.” I saw her hand tightened over his shoulder; it wasn’t the same as she had given most of the others; it was one of reassurance.

Fate took a step back from Jaden, her eyes landing on the back of Damien’s head. “Damien, I know you’re longing to say something. I advise you not to.” She took a step sidewards till she stood directly behind him, “Damien is a demon,” she said, placing her hand on his suit-covered shoulder, “what you might not realize is that he is as powerful as Lucien. I see the shocked look on your faces. Then, why you might wonder, does he stand by Lucien’s side. Why not challenge the demon he sits beside? Why has he been ever faithful since the day they met? Could they be related, or is it just that they both honor an unspoken bond? An unbreakable bond. Many have tried but haven’t succeeded. Aria has tried many times over the years but with little success, and though Lucien knows of the hatred Damien has for Aria and with perfect reason. Why does Lucien let him carry on standing by his side, knowing one day Damien will harm his lover, maybe even kill her? Who knows? Even as I stand here, I can feel the hatred that burns so deep within Damien that he can barely refrain himself from slaughtering her as she has many others…” taking in the shocked expressions on everyone’s face, she paused. I must admit I was shocked, as I had never gotten the sign that Damien was just as powerful as Lucien. “Mate… the very word sends shivers down his spine. He hides his dark desires from the people he trusts the most and wonders if even the most willing females could succumb to his hunger. Only time will tell.”

She glides as she makes her way over to Reid, laying her hands on his massive shoulders and gripping them. “Reid, your future isn’t set in stone. Many changes are coming your way to survive them; Be stronger than you have ever been.”

Letting go, she turns casually, walks around the room, stops behind someone with either a shake of her head, roll of her eyes, or a tut. After doing this for several minutes, she speaks, “I never really bothered with any of your problems. I’ve been listening for so long since that first meeting when Lucien sent out the invites, and the more I listened, the more curious I got, and I realized something. Every single one of you in this room has some sort of secret. Of course, some are not worthy of my interest and not worth worrying about. I decided I must be candid about it, but I decided a few had to be revealed, and there’s a reason behind my logic, though I will not disclose my reasons. Now let us take Aria.” Fate stops and turns to look at the female demon sitting beside Lucien.

Aria’s lips tighten in anger, eyes flashing red at the women standing there. Who looks directly at the female demon with confidence and not one ounce of fright on her face, “Everyone knows she is a low-level demon and Lucien’s lover … amongst other things,” Fate said with a slight snicker, “if you didn’t, you do now.”

I sat, watching Lucien’s reaction to Fate’s comment. His brows scrunch downward, lips thinned into a grim line. Fate would be dead at his feet if he could have had his way.

“There are so many questions,” Fate said. “Didn’t it even cross your mind, Lucien, to find out what Aria has been doing or hiding before arriving at that very first meeting? Should any of you in this room even trust her? Out of the goodness of his stony heart, Lucien gave her, her own region. One she rules with an iron fist. Aria loves to cause mayhem wherever she goes and is the type of female that gets off on it. Why does she feel so threatened? She’s attacked Scarlett more than once. The last time Aria attacked her, it shouldn’t have knocked her clean out like it fucking did. Doesn’t anybody in this room think there is more than meets the eye with Aria? The council seemed overly concerned with the witches, who, I might add, are more human than the crazy demon sitting next to Lucien. It raises the question, are any of the council members in cahoots with her? It wasn’t Scarlett’s fault that Lucien played her like a damned fiddle promising her things that …well did you even intend to keep those promises, Lucien?” Fate said with a curl of her lip, “Does Scarlett know about the secret you have kept from her? Aria wants to hurt her in any way possible.” Fate is practically yelling by this time. She wasn’t a pretty sight.

All eyes, including my own, were glued to Fate, Aria, and Lucien.

Lucien’s expression said it all. There sat one pissed-off demon. Whatever he was hiding didn’t sit well with me. Meeting Aria’s bold gaze, I watched a smug, satisfied look settle on her face. It hadn’t bothered her what Fate had revealed; it was as if she had played right into her hands.

“Aria, why are you looking in Scarlett’s direction?” Fate said as she walked closer to the sitting female. “Why don’t you tell us why you were secretly planning to hurt Scarlett and her family? No! What? Has the cat caught your tongue?” she tuts, shaking her head. “Lucien, are you going to tell Scarlett, or should I?”

His body tensed, going rigid with anger, his jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the woman standing in front of him. I felt the pain from behind my eyes. I knew I had to stop the pain from forming into a full-blown headache. Placing the fingers of my hand onto my forehead, I rubbed the skin, trying to ease the tension I could feel starting.

“Well, everyone, it looks like it’s going to be me,” Fate announces, looking at Lucien then Aria before gazing around the room.

A smirk formed on her lips as a glee of excitement appeared in her eyes as she pushed herself up from her chair. “No, I’ll do it,” Aria screeched in pleasure; I watched as she stood there, shoulders back, proud and defiant. I could feel her eyes as they burned into me, her gaze smug with satisfaction, as she said, “As you all know, Lucien and I are bonded.” Arias lifts her right hand, causing her sleeve to slide down her arm, showing the black bonding mark around her wrist. “What Lucien didn’t tell you is we are forever connected as one. Come, my love, show everyone our matching marks.”

I closed my eyes and prayed this was a terrible dream. I listened with dread, hoping what I was listening to be a barefaced lie. I forced my eyes open.

Lucien is standing beside Aria, revealing the identical mark.

My witch and omega screamed in agony.