Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Varys
Hell. Literal, unrelenting Hell. I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been stuck here with Lilith, her piercing gaze and ever-present smirk my only company. The oppressive heat, the metallic tang of blood in the air—it all grates on my nerves. My muscles coil as I glance toward the chaise, where she reclines like a queen overseeing her kingdom of torment.
She joined me hours ago, or maybe days—I can’t tell time here. Damon brought her a tray of salty fries and pomegranate seeds, her idea of a feast. Her stare never wavers from me, her crimson lips curving into a maddening smirk whenever she catches my eye.
“Still sulking?” Lilith’s voice cuts through the thick air like a blade, each word dripping with smug amusement.
“Still holding me here?” I snap, my tone razor-sharp.
“Patience, unicorn.” She croons, the picture of unbothered elegance. “Your sister’s fate isn’t sealed yet. They’ll come for you soon enough.”
Her words do nothing to quell the inferno in my chest. Vienna. My sister. The thought of her trapped, vulnerable, and surrounded by monsters keeps my anger at a slow boil. I clench my fists, nails biting into my palms, desperate for an outlet for the rage burning inside me.
Just as I open my mouth to retort, a loud crackling echoes through the room, and the air splits with a surge of energy. Red and black smoke floods the room, swirling faster until two figures emerge. Bellonna steps out first, regal and commanding as always, her expression unreadable, her appearance untouched—like she’s just stepped off a runway, not a battlefield. Blackwell follows close behind, his cocky grin as sexy as ever, looking completely unbothered and fresh, as though he spent the last hour lounging instead of facing danger. Not a single hair out of place, not a trace of blood or grime.
“Finally,” I snarl, stepping forward. “Where’s Vienna? Where’s Warrick?” My heart lurches. Why are there only two of them? My mind races to dark places, scenarios where something went devastatingly wrong.
Bellonna tilts her head, her sharp eyes meeting mine. “Relax, lover boy. Warrick took your sister back to the clubhouse to get her checked out.”
“She’s fine,” Blackwell adds, his grin softening slightly. “As far as we can tell, anyway.”
Relief hits me like a punch to the gut. My knees almost buckle. “Good.” My voice cracks slightly, but I force myself to stand taller.
I hurry to Bellonna and grab her arm, pulling her close. My lips crash against hers in a kiss, one full of gratitude, relief, and something deeper—something I’ve been holding back. When I pull away, I’m almost breathless.
“Don’t ever send me to timeout Hell again,” I growl softly, still holding her gaze. “I go where you go. Your fight is my fight. I’m not some useless, weak man. I do know how to fight.”
She laughs, her expression softening just a bit. “We’ll see,” she teases. “I’ll have to see your skills first hand. Otherwise, it’s just more babysitting in Hell for you.”
I roll my eyes, too annoyed to argue right now. I just want to see Vienna. “Can we go now? I want to see her.”
Bellonna wastes no time, turning toward the chaise. “Leaving, Lilith,” she announces coolly, her voice slicing through the thick tension.
“Thank you, Damon,” she adds, casting a wink at the demon lurking behind Lilith.
Before I can even process what’s happening, the smoke whips around us again, tighter and faster this time, pulling us away from the oppressive heat of Hell. When it clears, the air is cooler, tinged with familiar scents: leather, whiskey, and faint traces of blood.
The clubhouse.
We land in Warrick’s office, the abrupt transition from Hell to the mortal realm leaving me momentarily disoriented. Blackwell clasps my shoulder to steady me, his grin returning to full force. Bellonna, unshaken as always, glances around the room before stepping toward the door.
“Come on,” Blackwell says, jerking his head toward the hallway. “I’ll take you to her.”
My legs carry me without hesitation. Bellonna falls into step behind us, her boots clicking against the floor in a steady rhythm. My heart pounds with anticipation as we wind through the dimly lit corridor. It feels like an eternity, but at last, Blackwell pushes open the door to my room.
There she is. Vienna. My sister.
She’s perched on the edge of the bed, a book lying forgotten in her lap. Her face is pale, her eyes rimmed with dark circles, but she’s alive. Whole. Relief washes over me, almost bringing me to my knees.
“Vienna,” I whisper, crossing the room in three quick strides. I drop onto the edge of the bed and pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as if she might vanish if I let go.
“Varys,” she breathes, her voice trembling as tears spill down her cheeks. “You came. You found me.”
I pull back slightly, brushing her hair from her face. “Did they touch you? Hurt you?” My voice shakes with barely restrained fury, ready to tear apart anyone who dared harm her.
She shakes her head quickly. “No. Tonight was supposed to be my first… client, they said.” Her voice breaks, and fresh tears spill down her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” I say firmly. “Thank Bellonna, Warrick, and Blackwell. They’re the ones who got you out.”
Her gaze shifts, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Bellonna? Who’s Bellonna?”
“Me,” Bellonna says smoothly, stepping forward. Her presence fills the room, commanding attention. “Nice to meet you, Vienna. You probably know me better as Bloody Mary.”
Vienna’s eyes widen, her face going pale. “You called her again?”
I shake my head, letting out a dry laugh. “No. She volunteered. It’s… a long story. But she’s my mate.”
Vienna’s jaw drops. “She’s your what? ”
“My mate,” I repeat, my tone firm. “I’m mated to Bloody Mary.”
“Holy shit,” she mutters, her hand flying to her mouth.
“Mine too!” Blackwell blurts.
I whip my head toward him, narrowing my eyes. “What?”
Bellonna groans, smacking his chest. “Not now, idiot.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t keep it in.” He shrugs, utterly unapologetic. “We’re mated too. Happened during the murder spree. Best mating ever. Killing, biting, blood, marking, and sex. Sweet, fast, raw, unadulterated sex. She rode me like I was a prize show horse.” His eyes take on a faraway look, his grin turning even more ridiculous.
“Unbelievable,” I mutter, shaking my head.
Bellonna ignores the exchange and focuses on Vienna. “Do you feel up to talking? We need to know everything they did, everything they said.”
Vienna hesitates, glancing at me. I squeeze her hand, silently encouraging her.
“They didn’t do much... yet,” she says softly. “They kept saying I was being prepared for something special. They mentioned rituals, power, and... and a curse. Something about their bloodline.” Her voice falters, and she grips the blanket tightly.
Bellonna’s expression darkens. “Well, good thing they’re all dead. Not one Obsidian piece of trash is left breathing.”
Vienna looks at her, eyes wide. “So you’re the infamous Bloody Mary?”
“In the flesh,” Bellonna replies, smirking.
Vienna’s lips twitch faintly, a flicker of amusement breaking through her fear. “Thank you... for saving me.”
Bellonna’s gaze softens. “You’re welcome. But let’s be clear—it wasn’t just for you. I wasn’t about to let his sister suffer.” She tilts her head toward me, her expression unreadable.
The room falls silent, the weight of the night pressing down on us. Vienna exhales shakily, pulling the blanket closer around her.
“You’re safe now,” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “They’re all gone. No one can hurt you anymore.”
Her brows knit together. “All of them?”
Blackwell speaks up, his voice unusually steady. “Every last one.”
Relief floods her expression, and she sinks back against the pillows. “Good,” she whispers, her eyelids growing heavy. “Thank you... all of you.”
“Where’s Warrick?” Bellonna asks.
The question slams into me like a freight train. My heart drops as guilt rises in my chest. I hadn’t even noticed he wasn’t here. I’d been too focused on Vienna. Where is he? Is he okay? Is he upset?
“He said he was going to get someone to bring me something to eat,” Vienna says, her voice laced with uncertainty.