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

TWO DAYS LATER

Finally, Aria had left. How long she would be gone was anyone’s guess. Aria had told me they needed her in her region. It was getting more challenging to get her to leave my side. She was like a limpet; she insisted on going fucking everywhere with me. She had frequently sprouted some nonsense that she wanted our relationship to change.

In all the years we had been lovers, she had never given me any sign that’s what she wanted. We had never been exclusive. We had taken other lovers, and we had shared the fun together as if the other party had been agreeable. I’d no choice; I had finally agreed to her demands. It had been the only way I could get her to stop attacking Scarlett, her sisters, and her family.

It was coming to the stage that either I or my demon would end up killing her. Agreeing to this so-called bonding had made my stomach turn; now I had a fucking crazy-ass mark around my wrist. I hadn’t missed the triumphant look she had thrown Scarlett’s way when she had revealed our markings. Yes, I had agreed to this bonding and the crazy-ass mark around my wrist. Aria would do anything in her power to hurt her, whether physically or mentally, and she had succeeded. I had seen the look of devastation filter across Scarlett’s face, which she had quickly hidden. Aria didn’t give a fuck about anyone but herself.

The bonding mark was something I hadn’t expected. Once this charade was over, I would get rid of the damn thing. If I wanted a bonding mark after all these years, didn’t she realize I would have had one around my wrist before now, and it wouldn’t have been with her.

There was only one who I would consider being bonded to, and she now hated my guts. Scarlett did not know that I would do anything in my power to protect her.

It was ridiculous that I, one of the most feared demons to walk this Earth, felt as I did. She had bewitched me; I no longer knew what the hell I was doing. I did what I did to protect the one female I wanted, and she wanted nothing to do with me. Damien thought I was out of my mind. I knew the hatred he had for Aria, and it was only a matter of time until he got his revenge.

I had ordered Jaden to follow, who I believed to be Aria’s little spy. The minute I had evidence, then this false bond would be broken. I just had to convince a certain witch that what I meant had been confirmed. I should have known Scarlett was hiding something else. Fucking hell, if it got out that Scarlett and her family were omegas, every nutter in a hundred miles would try to get to them. I had seen and done many things through my existence, but I had never witnessed what I had seen that day in the medical bay. Witnessing two other beings appear on either side of her was something else entirely. My demon hadn’t appeared shocked. He’d been fascinated with the omega. Being a witch was one thing, and she had admitted that they had some serious shit that they wielded, but an omega was something else altogether. Certain members of the council would cause problems once word got out. It would be mayhem. I hadn’t told the rest of the leaders. I just hoped they would back me up.

Jacob had quickly hidden the shock. And whatever problem he and Melissa had with each other, they could deal with in their own time. I know something’s seriously wrong within Jacobs’ pack. I had extended my hand if he wanted at some point to take me up on the offer; he knows where I am.

I had my own problems.

One was a lying, two-faced cunt.

The other was the only female I had ever truly wanted.

I know it would be difficult to convince her I was truthful. I will have to treat her with kid-gloves and try to be the male she’s looking for.

I wasn’t the type of male who wasn’t confident, and many were shit scared of me for a reason. I could kill with just a thought. I wasn’t someone who would knock on a door and wait to be told to enter. I walked right in. I knew I had to act differently if I wanted her to believe me.

I knocked, and like a fool, I stood there waiting.

SCARLETT

The sound of the rat-tat pealed through the room.

Mmm, Logan’s a bit early. I was expecting him anytime soon to take me to see Alex.

“Hold on.”

I finished putting on my sneakers. I glanced at my wristwatch, though he’s unusually early. It didn’t bother me.

Walking over with a smile on my face, I pulled the door open.

He was the last person I expected to see standing on the other side.

I felt the smile slip from my lips. I stood there; I think it must have been the shock; I was sure my mouth was opening and closing as if I was a goldfish. I hadn’t expected to find the one person I didn’t want to see standing on the other side of the door. Lucien wasn’t the type to politely knock. He was more likely to kick it in.

My first thought: What did he want? He hadn’t bothered his ass in coming to see me the entire time I had been unconscious, so why the hell bother now? Clearing my throat, I stood there frowning at him. If he thought I would speak first, he had another thing coming.

I saw his black eyes flashing red as they roamed over my body. He stepped closer until his body was just slightly brushing up against mine. “Scarlett, may I come in?” he said so politely for a minute I forgot who was standing in front of me. I hated that the heat of his gaze thrilled me.

Feeling my body flush with heat, I hastily took a step back. I didn’t need this, plus what was so important that he needed to tell me in private. He had said all that needed to be said, even if it hadn’t been in words.

“Why?”

“We need to talk. I need to explain,” Lucien replied in a low, husky tone.

His coaxing voice failed to stem the tide of anger boiling inside of me. “Explain? What exactly do you have to explain?” I couldn’t be bothered by his damn lies. I had, had enough of them to last a lifetime. “How you lied?”

He clenched his mouth at my words, an expression of frustration on his face. He didn’t like to be questioned. He was too used to getting his own way. I would suppose it’s embedded into his soul, if he had one. I felt my omega and witch perk up on sensing him. Nope, they would not persuade me to let him in; yes, I hated to admit that I was curious to hear what was going on fall from those tempting lips. He had shown that he was a deceiving, dishonest bastard, and to prove to me otherwise wouldn’t be easy. No matter what I say, he will not leave. Against my better judgment, I heard myself say.

“Sure, come in.” I took a step sideways, stood to one side, and held the door wide open. I hoped whatever he had to say wouldn’t take long.

Fucking hell, what on Earth am I doing? I had no intention of inviting him in. I felt my witch dance with excitement. I know this was her doing. What the heck was wrong with her? She wasn’t acting like her usual self. My omega was an entirely different ball game. She was sitting back, relaxed as hell, as if waiting for something to happen.

I stood and watched as he walked in. He had this proud tilt to his head as if he owned the place. I scoffed to myself. He did own it!

I couldn’t help wondering where Aria was. She was usually by his side.

The door closed with a click.

A shadow of annoyance crossed his face. “I should have been told that you had awakened.”

I couldn’t understand why he was angry. He was the one who had walked away; he was the one who chose another over me.

“Why?” I was determined I would not let this lie. “You tell me, right now, why you think my sisters or any of my family should have told you I had awakened?” I said, standing, my arms crossed under my breasts, legs slightly apart.

“IT. IS. MY. RIGHT.” A low growl rose. His skin rippled, eyes flashed a vibrant red before turning black once again, and I knew his demon was close to the surface.

“You belong to me, to us,” the words fell from his mouth as he took a step closer. I knew those words weren’t only coming from Lucien himself, but from his demon. Shit.

“Lucien, you need to take control of your demon,” I insisted, raising my head to meet his gaze without flinching. Somehow, I knew neither would hurt me. Not physically, but mentally was a different ballgame entirely.

Lucien’s features distorted. “He let you go; he betrayed your trust. He betrayed me,” came the rough voice from deep within Lucien. “You are meant for us. He knows this, but he still took Aria as his mate and bonded with her.”

I could hear the pain in that voice. Pain that Lucien had caused by joining himself with Aria. I couldn’t help but question, would Lucien have still gone ahead, knowing the pain his demon would go through? I know if he thought it was to his benefit, he would. While I stood there, I realized I wasn’t afraid of the demon inside Lucien; he had never hurt me, and I sensed he wouldn’t do it now. I know Lucien had to take control back. I had this terrible feeling it would be disastrous for everyone if he didn’t. Would it be possible I could talk this man, this demon down, to soothe the pain he seemed to be feeling? I had to try if Lucien couldn’t.

I could see the fight between them both, his features flickering from one image to another. Both fighting against the other. It seemed an age before I finally watched Lucien take complete control.

It seemed like an eternity had passed as we stood there staring at each other, not saying a word. I burned for his touch. The need built within me. I couldn’t let him touch me; the cost would be too much. As I looked at the floor, I shifted from one foot to the other. Since our first meeting, I hadn’t felt this uncomfortable standing before him. I felt the anxiety building up within me. I didn’t know what to say, but one of us had to say something.

I lift my head, meeting his black eyes. Trying and failing to lighten the mood. “I see he’s pissed off with you.”

“That’s putting it politely,” he replied, lips curled to one side. Was it possible that he felt uncomfortable with what I had witnessed? He met my gaze before taking in the room I had been staying in. He lifted his hand, rubbing at his jaw line before transferring his hand to the back of his neck, where he rubbed as if giving himself a personal massage. He dropped his hand down to his side.

“So, is what he said true?” I dared to ask.

His gaze trained on me, “To a certain extent, yes.”

This closeness is interfering with my sense of logic. “So, Lucien, what is true and what isn’t?” I needed to get away from him. I watched his reaction as I walked over to the chair and sat down on it. “Answer my questions. No lying to me. I want the truth. I deserve that above anything else.”

The velvet edge to his voice couldn’t hide his anger. “I had to calm Aria down. She was uncontrollable from the first meeting. I hadn’t realized what lengths she’d go to.”

As I struggled for control, my voice rose. “Don’t convince me you didn’t suspect that Aria wouldn’t try something at the meeting. You know she had attacked me once before, causing my witch to reveal herself because she had felt so threatened. At the meeting, she let her men through that portal like there was no tomorrow, but do not tell me you had no inkling of what she might do. Don’t tell me you didn’t know it wouldn’t be a possibility that she would attack my family or me at that meeting. Because I don’t believe you.”

My words didn’t sit well with him; his eyes flashed red. He wasn’t happy with my reply. I didn’t care; he had lied to me, and I wanted to know why. Then there’s this bonding he now had with Aria. Why had he done it if he didn’t want to be with her? I had found out they had been together for years, so he must still have feelings for the woman, no matter how crazy she appeared to be. The promises he had given me had been broken, and now they lay like shattered glass pieces at my feet. They matched my heart.

Our gazes locked, “I wasn’t sure,” Lucien confessed, running his hand over the top of his head, gathering parts of his hair between his fingers. “I was stupid enough to think she wouldn’t try anything.”

Setting my chin in a stubborn line, I raised my head, “That might be true. If I’m going to believe what you’re telling me. Tell me, the entire time we were together, have you been with Aria or anyone else? And I don’t mean just to say hi to someone. Did Aria know about us? Did you tell her it was over between the two of you?”

My temper rose. My head tilted to one side as my foot tapped. I felt my witch getting over-excited about what was happening. It wouldn’t be long before she was jumping around in glee.

My omega didn’t give a fuck. She just sat there as if she was watching a movie.

“Do you know I felt everything? Every feeling you had, I felt it. Unless you shut down our link completely, I still have the slightest teeniest link to you. I tried to stop it by closing that slight link.”

With a burst of manic laughter, “I can’t. No matter how many fucking times I tried, it didn’t work. So do not tell me that you never touched Aria or any other female when we were together because I fucking know better!” I yelled. I saw the shock flare in his eyes as he realized I had felt every feeling he had. I knew of every time he had cheated on me or lied. I’m not stupid. I know when someone is lying to me, and I knew he had been for weeks. The look of regret I saw on his face was fleeting.

I stood and rushed over until I stood in front of him. Screaming, I stabbed the tip of my finger into his hard chest. Before I realized what he would do, he grabbed my hand and used it to pull me toward him until our bodies were touching.

He had a fiery look that was now all too familiar. “Do you know what I’d do to anyone else who had spoken to me as you just did? You are lucky I feel like I do; otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here in one piece,” Lucien growled.

Twisting my body from side to side, as I tried to pull my hand out of his grip, “Stop fucking struggling. You will end up hurting yourself,” Though his hand was like a vice around my wrist, he wasn’t hurting me.

“LET. ME. GO.”

“Not until you calm down.”

“Answer my questions, Lucien; it’s easy to do. Even the mighty Lucien, who everybody fears, can tell me what I have the right to know,” I replied as I met his black gaze.

“You couldn’t handle the truth!”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know,” like a crazy woman, I yelled into his face, “so tell me!”

His expression clouded, his voice cold, “Fine,” letting go of my wrist, he turned and walked away until he was out of touching distance, “yes, I lied. There, are you happy now?” he shouted. “I was still sleeping with Aria while being with you.”

I felt suddenly weak and vulnerable in the face of his anger. Like a fool, I stood there; I had known, but I hoped I had been wrong. How much of an idiot am I? “And the others?” I demanded, through clenched teeth, crossing my arms around my body so I wouldn’t grab anything in hand and throw it at him.

His face was void of any sort of emotion. “You know the answer, so why ask?”

I gave a baleful laugh; I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to keep the sound from coming out. Of course, I did. Why was I torturing myself like this? I couldn’t let myself think of the other females, women he had touched with the same hands I had allowed him to touch me with. If I did, I would throw up. It made me sick to my stomach; he had been using me. If you have feelings for someone you don’t do something you know will hurt them to that extent, and for him to do this showed me he didn’t give a fuck.

I took my hand away from my mouth and let my arm fall to my side. What is the point? “I think you need to leave,” I whispered.

“I am not leaving. I need you to understand.”

Understand? Is he really fucking kidding me? My face flushes, our eyes clash. “There isn’t anything you could tell me that would get me to understand why you have done what you admitted you did.”

His dark eyes darkened as he held my gaze. “I did it to protect you, and I would do it again if it meant it kept you safe.”

My lower lip trembled as I returned his gaze and listened with bewilderment. Is he for real? Does he think I was going to carry on where we left off? If that was the case, he had another thing coming. No matter his excuses or what he thought he was doing was for my safety, I would not stand there and accept it. How would he feel if the circumstances were reversed? Would he be able to turn a blind eye to what I was doing? I very much doubted it.

Studying his reactions, I stood there.

“You say you did it to protect me! How does that work?” I stand there, studying his reactions. Nothing. His face is still void of any emotions. Is he dead inside? “Let me get this into my head. While you’re still having sex not only with Aria but with any other female you come across, you expect me to accept it? Sit there like a dutiful little wife and turn the other cheek?” My entire body shook; whether it was with shock, anger, or a combination of both, I couldn’t tell. All I knew was if he got too close to me, I would end up hitting him. From the corner of my eye, I could see a vase just within my reach. It wouldn’t take much for me to step to one side, grab it and either throw or hit the bastard with it. “If you’re going to carry on sharing yourself with every tom, dick, and bitch, then I should be allowed to do the same.” I watched the reaction to my comment. He didn’t like the idea of me sleeping with anyone else. It didn’t matter that he thought he was doing it for my own safety. I could never be the other woman or have a partner who thought it was okay to have sex with anyone who caught his eye.

His voice dropped in volume and frowned with cold fury. “That will never happen,” he snarled and took a step toward me.

I put up a hand to warn him to keep away, “If you do not want another man to touch me, it works both ways. You stop seeing Aria and the other women, and I mean every single woman. Naturals and humans.” I didn’t know how that would happen as he was bonded to Aria. I didn’t care. If he genuinely wanted me, he would have to find a way around it. I know deep in my heart he wouldn’t be able to.

I watched as he shook his head. “That isn’t possible… even if I wanted to agree and I do, I can’t. Being bonded to Aria means we are one.”

We are one? What the hell did that mean? I didn’t realize I’d said the words aloud until I heard Lucien speaking to me.

“It is like a human marriage, but it’s more extreme with bonding. Having the markings on one’s skin shows how devoted you are to each other, but it also declares that your souls have bonded as one. It takes some time for the markings to completely meet and join. Once they do, it completes the bond.”

“So, you’re telling me that you have married her? That Aria is your wife?” I spat out; I cupped my head in both my hands as I tried to keep them from trembling. It’s so much worse than I thought. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This is so fucked up. How did I get to this stage? Oh yes, I let him touch me! I knew he’d stepped closer to where I was standing, trembling in shock and anger. I shouldn’t let him touch me. No matter how badly my body called out to him, I can’t give in. I felt betrayed. My heart couldn’t take anymore. He took another step toward me, making me take one step back to his one forward. This carried on until I felt the back of my legs hit the bottom of the bed. I felt one of his hands on my waist while the other pulled one of my own hands down from my head.

I kept my head down. I didn’t want to meet his gaze. I didn’t want to see the lies I knew would be in those coal-black eyes. He placed his fingers under my chin and lifted my head.

What lay within them shocked me; anguish and regret reflected from them. Could I trust what I saw from those eyes? I wanted to so much, but I couldn’t. I had too much to lose. I had something I had to protect, something that was dearer than my own life, and I knew if Aria ever found out, she would try to take it away from me, and I would not let that happen, even if it meant keeping Lucien from knowing. The only way I could see us ever being together was if she was no longer in the picture, and until that happened, I had to stay away from him. No matter how it would tear me apart.

If I had to leave to protect my precious cargo, so be it.

FOUR DAYS LATER

SCARLETT

I was still getting over the shock of seeing Lucien outside my door. I hadn’t told a soul what had taken place. I knew that my family would have a flying fit if they found out about it. I knew they would whisk me out of here like a whirlwind. I was staying put until I decided differently.

Melissa was back. It was as we had feared, Melissa had found out that Aria had gotten the help of one of the witches. To have a pure witch in her hands, she must have known of their existence. Melissa had asked Astrid to find out how long Aria had been in contact with the witch. She had reluctantly agreed to help us. I don’t blame her for being wary about helping us; it put her life in grave danger.

My thoughts turned to Fate. What had she been thinking about turning up like that? She had opened up an ugly can of worms. I was just thankful she had revealed none of our personal secrets. When Fate had approached Jacob and his mate Marguerite, anyone with half a brain cell would know Fate had been talking about Melissa. Whatever she had whispered into his ear, the way she had brushed up against Archer hadn’t sat well with him. It won’t surprise any of us if they know each other. In fact, it seemed everyone knew or had heard of her, which wasn’t really an immense surprise. It was Fate, and she knew everyone.

Melissa and Pamela had gone on the patrol the other night along with a handful of naturals and humans. Nothing under-hold had happened. The next patrol was tonight. I hoped it went just as smoothly. So far, the young human they had found hadn’t been able to give any more information. It was as if his mind was a blank void, and so far, he hadn’t changed. He was still basically human. It was very frustrating for us all. If he could remember something, it could lead us to Megan.

I had visited Alex every day, and while his family seemed grateful and were friendly whenever I ran into them, I was still wary. They had repeatedly thanked me, my witch and omega, for saving him. When I visited Alex last night, he had told me he would be back on duty next week. He still had visible scars, and I hoped most would fade in time. I know it’s the scars in his mind that could affect him the most. When I had visited a few evenings ago, he had been having nightmares. When I questioned him, he had told me it was of the attack. Though I wanted to ask him to go into more detail, I had held myself back from doing so. I was hoping he would remember what or who had attacked him at some point. I had asked him about what his mother had announced to everyone in that room. It was another thing he didn’t want to talk about. All he had said was that his mother shouldn’t have mentioned it. That it was private amongst the pack. It all seemed very hush-hush, and I, along with my family, wondered what she had meant. It baffled Melissa as much as the rest of us.

How could I criticize him when I held a secret of my own? I could reveal nothing to Alex, let alone Lucien. He was bonded to Aria, and I trusted her as far as I could throw her. There was going to be a time when I, along with my family, would have no choice but to leave, which would have to be sooner than later. I wouldn’t put them in danger. It was dangerous enough already without adding others into the equation.

As we sat at the table eating our lunch entirely out of the blue, Pamela said, “Has Lucien approached you at all?”

I felt the rest of my sisters and my cousin’s attention shift to whatever they had been discussing to look in our direction.

Nearly choking on the soup as it went down my throat, I placed a look of puzzlement on my face as I asked, “Why on Earth are you asking me that?” I held myself back from squirming in my chair. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to tell them the truth, either.

With a shrewd look on her face, Pamela replied, “Nothing, really. I am just surprised he hasn’t tried to contact you, or you contact him if I’m honest,” as she took a spoon fall of the soup in front of her.

“Are you joking? Why would I seek him out? I think he’s done enough damage to my heart without me giving him the chance to break it even more.” I’m not about to reveal that he had turned up at my door a couple of nights ago. It wouldn’t go down too well. After listening to what he had told me and the look on his face before he left, I wondered if I should give him another chance. That changed when I glimpsed him again, with Aria and another woman by their side. I knew wherever they were going together wasn’t to play hide and seek. I just thanked the heavens that neither had seen me.

Before he had left me, I could remember him trying to convince me that what he had said to me was true, that not everything I heard or saw was as it seemed. He hadn’t been able or willing to tell me when I had pressed for more. So, no, I wasn’t about to reveal that he had turned up trying to convince me he needed me to believe him.

Before taking a bite of her sandwich, she flicked her multicolored hair over one shoulder. Evelyn said, “If he turns up at your door, make sure you tell him to bugger off. You need no more heartbreak,”

As she wiped her mouth with a napkin and placed it on top of her empty plate, Ava declared “Well, I don’t think it would surprise any of us if he did, he’s arrogant enough to do it. Just like a lot of the males we have been in contact with recently.”

I heard the mutter of agreement; it’s pretty apparent they’re not impressed with any of them.

“We can’t forget that you’re still connected to him and why your witch and omega had such an adverse reaction,” Melissa said.

“Personally, I think it’s because of the…” Mia blurts out. Seeing the look upon my face, she stopped mid-sentence; her eyes widened as she locked her gaze with Abigail’s. Was she about to reveal a secret she shouldn’t know about? Is it possible? Could they know my secret? After all, we still didn’t know the full extent of their powers. Mia and Abigail were something else altogether. Being twins, they had their own personal connection. They know how the other is feeling without having to say a word.

With a baffled look on her face as she looked at the three of us Emma said, “Because of what?”

I saw their shared look. It told me all I needed to know.

They knew.

It wouldn’t be long before one of them let slip that I was carrying Lucien’s child. I have no choice. I needed to tell the others. There is only one way I can do that with no one overhearing. I reached out and linked their minds with my own.

‘You know, don’t you?’ I said to Mia and Abigail, I know the others are listening down our link to our conversation. ‘Yes,’ they said simultaneously, ‘I’d like to know how but that can wait,’ I replied.

‘What are you talking about?’ Ava interrupts, ‘What’s happened?’

This is going to be bad, ‘I didn’t want to tell you like this, but as Mia and Abigail know, I have no other choice. Another addition to our family will soon be added.’

Five pairs of eyes widened as they slowly realized what I had revealed to them. The shock left them incapable of speech.

I watched their reactions to the news. Mouths that are hanging open quickly shut. Five pairs of eyes stared at me in complete shock. I know what they’re thinking. I know there will be panic, and their first thought will be to get me out. It will not happen. Not yet. No one else knows outside of this group, and until I show and as long as no one opens their mouths, we can stay. There is too much we don’t know. We need to find out who took Megan and the others. Whoever they are, they are getting bolder, plus I wanted to prove that Aria had Alex attacked. I will stay until I show or think any of us are in danger.

‘You must realize you can’t keep it.’ Shock radiated through my body and kicked me to the core.

I turned my head and faced the person who thought they could tell me what I could do with my own body and child. I met her gaze. No one, not even my family, is going to talk me out of my decision.

‘I’ve already decided what I am going to do. So do not convince me otherwise, and it’s not an it. This is my child you are talking about, Pamela!’

I knew from her expression that Pamela wasn’t happy with my comment, but she will just have to accept that the life I carried inside me was up to me if I wanted to keep it.

‘I understand, you have grown an attachment to the…’ Pamela paused carefully, thinking of what her reply should be before carrying on, ‘baby, but we do not know what will happen to you or your body through the pregnancy. The child could hurt you.’

‘I will take that chance,’ I tell them throughout the link. I know Pamela has concerns and has good intentions. I’m sure they all do, and I understand that. If I were in their shoes, I would feel the same way. I had made my choice, and no one was going to change my mind. I knew in my mind that she would bring up the subject again.

Interrupting the argument I was having with Pamela, Evelyn said, ‘Do you think that is why the enchantment spell didn’t work?’

‘That and the fact that, in some strange way, Scarlett is bonded to Lucien. That’s the only explanation,’ Melissa replied.

‘How on Earth can we be bonded? We have all seen the markings on Aria’s and Lucien’s wrists, and I have none,’ I remind them down the link. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. ‘Surely that’s impossible?’

‘Not all markings show straight away, and, as we know, Lucien is a demon, and we don’t know what that signifies,’ Melissa replied. ‘At the moment, I am more worried about Aria finding out. The crazy bitch will do anything to hurt Scarlett; what will she do if she finds out that Scarlett is carrying Lucien’s child?’

‘You all know she will try not only to kill Scarlett but the child as well,’ Abigail replied. I heard the muttering down our link, the worry in their voices.

‘I’m wondering what Lucien’s reaction will be when you tell him,’ Ava said. ‘I’d love to see the look on his face.’

‘I’m not,’ I admit to them.

I can see by the expression on their faces that I have shocked them. The only one I notice who isn’t saying a word or has a look of shock on her face is Melissa. I wondered if she went through something familiar all those years ago and knows where I’m coming from. To keep my child safe, I will do anything I have to. ‘I can’t take the chance of Aria ever finding out. Aria will do everything in her power to hurt me. Once she finds out about my child, she will be relentless in her goal, and I will do everything in my power not to let that happen.’

‘If you are so determined to keep the child, then we have to leave,’ Pamela said, ‘the sooner, the better.’

‘We cannot leave yet,’ I can hear the muttering of disbelief, knowing it is coming from every single one of them, ‘I know Aria had something to do with Alex’s attack, and I want to prove I am right.’

‘Are you mad?’ Pamela screeched down the link. If she had been speaking through her voice, then my eardrums would be humming.

‘No Pamela, I am not mad,’ I sigh, trying to explain my reasoning, ‘Alex has become my friend, and if you had seen him lying there with only hours to live, then you would know why I want to prove it was that cunt who hurt him.’

‘You think somehow she arranged for him to get attacked?’ Evelyn said, ‘I can see her doing something like that. After all, it was another way of hurting Scarlett. The only thing is I can’t see her doing it herself. It must be somebody she trusts or someone who is under her thumb.’

‘I agree with Evelyn,’ Melissa replied. ‘Aria wouldn’t do it herself. It would be one of her followers, someone she has control over, or someone who’s besotted with her.’

‘I agree with Pamela. We need to leave for your safety and the child you are carrying, but I can also see where you’re coming from. So, I think we need to stay until we find out if it was her or come to the stage where we have no other choice. Whoever it was, it would be someone she would trust.’ Ava replied.

‘It’s apparent you all want to stay. We will need to be extra careful. None of us are to be left alone unless it’s vital. We stay in pairs. Scarlett, if you even get a whiff of being in danger, then you get out of that situation as quickly as possible!’ Pamela said.

I heard them agree. I knew Pamela was still worried and unsure about the pregnancy but, like the others, will still stand by my side, no matter what.

‘What about Megan? So far, we have heard nothing new about her being taken,’ said Mia.

‘Hopefully, that will change soon,’ Melissa said with a sigh.

‘For the time being, one of us has to keep a close eye on Aria,’ Pamela said.

‘How on Earth do you think any of us will be able to do that without Lucien catching on?’ I replied, didn’t she know that Aria never left Lucien’s side? ‘You realize that whoever follows her will in the likely event be following Lucien, Damien, and anyone else whom Lucien might have contact with?’

‘It’s too dangerous, and Scarlett’s right. Lucien’s bound to realize he’s being followed, and if he doesn’t, then I know Damien or Aria will,’ Melissa replied.

‘Then how are we meant to find out if Aria had Alex attacked?’ Pamela shoots back.

‘There is a way. It is risky, but it can be done,’ Melissa replied.

I didn’t like the way this was headed; I had a foreboding that I would not be happy about it, whatever Melissa was about to suggest, but I was curious enough to find out if I was right or wrong.

‘Melissa, what are you suggesting?’

‘Are you still linked with Lucien?’

I wanted to lie and say no; I wasn’t, they would know I was lying through my teeth. I sat there, for how long, I did not know. It felt like hours when I knew it wouldn’t have been more than a few minutes.

‘Yes, I am still linked to him.’

‘We can use that to our advantage. Lucien must have his own link with Aria. If Scarlett can secretly join their link or somehow join Aria’s link, then we could find out what we need to know.’

Did I hear her correctly? I must have misunderstood. No, I can’t do it; she must be insane. He would know the minute that our connection had been reestablished. Without breaking our connection, I looked around the table. I could tell that they hoped I would agree with Melissa’s daft idea. Then there was the baby. Would he or Aria be able to sense I was pregnant? No, I could not do what she was asking of me. I couldn’t put my child in danger.

As if sensing my unease at her suggestion, Melissa said, ‘I can put a powerful enchantment spell around you and the child, so no one is aware of the connection.’

Letting her feel the sensation of the fear I am feeling at the thought of doing what she was proposing. ‘Do you even know that it will work? You are asking me to put the child I’m carrying in the firing line,’ I question her. ‘If she finds out, I will be in even more danger than I am now. She will come after me without hesitation. Lucien cannot control her like he’s been doing.’ It wasn’t the fact I didn’t believe in Melissa’s abilities; I just didn’t want to put my child at greater risk.

‘It will work,’ Melissa tries to reassure me, confidence written in her voice, ‘if I feel that you or the child are in danger, I promise you. You and the life you’re carrying will not be harmed.’ I felt the hand being placed across mine in reassurance. I knew that hand belonged to Melissa. I didn’t doubt the power she had. It was just the thought of my child being hurt.  “One of us will be with you, constantly watching your back. If it puts your mind at rest, I will do it.’

I felt myself wavering. I knew Melissa was logical, but there was still this resistance to her suggestion.

‘I hate to say it, but Melissa’s right. If you are going to do this, she needs to be the one watching your back. Scarlett, you know she is the one who has the power to protect you if something should go wrong,’ Pamela said.

‘That enchantment spell will be so locked around you the Devil himself wouldn’t even know you’re listening to all his dirty thoughts,’ Melissa replied.

The Devil, just the thought of him sent shivers down my spine. The things she comes up with sometimes shocked me. There was no way I’d ever want to get into his fucking head.

I couldn’t believe what I was about to agree to, and you never know. I might find out information on Megan, and if it meant helping to find out if Aria was the one who had attacked Alex, then it was worth the worry. I might even find out something we didn’t know. I had to take the chance. ‘Ok, I will do it, but I want that damn spell in place before I even join our link up again. I do not want Lucien or fucking Aria detecting me—’

‘Can I just say something?’ Mia interrupted. ‘Melissa, can you tell us with a hundred percent certainty that Lucien won’t see through your spell or know Scarlett is once again connected? Because the last one didn’t work.’

Shit, that hadn’t entered my mind. Turning my head I ask Melissa. ‘Well, can you?’

Meeting my stare Melissa replied, ‘No, I can’t. I can’t guarantee any spell won’t go wrong or work on a natural or human. All I can promise you is that I will watch Scarlett and the first sign or feeling from her that’s something wrong, then I will tell her and the rest of you we have to leave.’

‘We have no choice. I want to prove that Aria attacked Alex, which is the best way to do it.’ I said.

‘Not only that, I’m sure Aria and that creepy councilor are getting some jiggy, jiggy on,’ Melissa replied. ‘Did you see the way they were looking at each other in the meeting? You could tell he’s already been in her panties! I’m surprised that Lucien doesn’t stop it.’

Just the thought of them makes a shiver go through my body. ‘Even before Fate turned up, I knew there was something not right with him. He gave me the creeps. The way he kept looking at us. Yuck, just the thought of him getting his grimy hands on any of us makes me feel sick to my stomach.’

‘Lucien and Aria have what a human would call an open relationship and have occasionally shared lovers, so it doesn’t surprise me. It doesn’t bother him,’ I felt their shock down our link. It was as if a thunderbolt had hit the ground with an almighty bang and left a gaping hole.

‘How do you even know that?’ Melissa said.

‘Does it really matter? I know, and I am not telling you how I found out.’

‘What I’d really like to know is why did Fate appear? Has anyone had any contact with her since then?’ Abigail said.

‘I saw her on the way back from Astrid’s,’ Melissa admitted, ‘and yes, I should have told you, but I didn’t, and I am sorry,’ she apologized.

‘Melissa, you should have told us. What did she want?’ I said.

‘What does Fate ever want? She told me she is keeping a close eye on my little ones, and seeing Fate is their godparent. I suppose Fate feels it’s her right,’ Melissa said. ‘She can get overprotective. Anyway, that’s what she told me, and just before she left, she said something even weirder. What is under our noses isn’t always what it seems, then said she is seeing us all soon and then did her little vanishing act.’

Fate was someone who could change with a snap of her fingers. Her temperament could be up and down. You never knew who you were going to get. The soft, sweet, gentle woman or the fucking devil.

Fucking hell, she could be a pain in the ass. We hated when she was cryptic.

‘Well, it’s not worth worrying over. We’ve got too much to do,’ Pamela said, reminding us all as if we had forgotten, ‘Melissa, there is one thing. Are they ok? Have you linked with them?’

‘They are all fine. I’m just waiting to know when I will pick them up and take them home,’ Melissa replied.

It was a relief that they were being cared for and safe to us all. They were important, not only to Melissa but to the rest of us.

‘Melissa, can you have the spell in place before Scarlett opens her mind to Lucien? None of us know who else Lucien might be linked to, so we cannot take any chances at Scarlett’s or the child’s safety. We can’t risk the possibility that either Lucien, Aria, Damien, or anyone else can sense her. From this moment on, we are never alone. We are in pairs or more, if it’s possible. We do the spell first thing in the morning.’

‘You know we won’t know that it’s even working until Scarlett opens up their link again,’ Melissa said, with concern in her voice.

‘I thought you didn’t have any concerns that it wouldn’t work,’ Pamela said sharply.

‘I don’t,’ Melissa replied, in confidence, ‘but there is always a slight chance with every spell that it won’t work on certain naturals or humans… Or it could wear off,’

‘If that happens, then we will have to leave. I will not put my child at risk,’ I told them with determination and warning in my voice. ‘If Aria or Lucien find out that I am pregnant, then I will not be taking any chances.’

‘Nor do any of us expect you to. I know how dangerous this is, and if I thought I couldn’t protect either of you, then I wouldn’t even consider it,’ Melissa reassured me.

‘Ok, let’s do this.’