Chapter Thirty-three
Naomi
A s soon as Aaliyah told us where to find the lab, Archer and I had taken off into the shadows to get there. Unfortunately, we found the room full of scientists and guards. The scientists were easy enough to take care of, but as soon as we took out one guard, another just took their place. I don’t know how many guards Rashid and Naomi have employed, but there seems to be an endless supply of them.
Because of that, I’d barred the doors to the lab and left Archer to deal with whoever was still alive inside while I took to the halls to take on the barrage of guards. The upside to this is I’ve been able to work out a lot of aggression as I slice and dice through them with my shortswords. I haven’t been able to use them much lately as we’ve been living among the humans, who have moved past using such weapons.
I’m sure I look like a sight with blood in my hair, face, and clothing, and what I’m sure is a feral smile. More than a few guards have taken one look at me and taken off. I guess they’re not being paid enough to face down a demon covered in blood-wielding swords. I can’t even blame them for running. They were not prepared for the fight we brought to them today.
I’m beginning to tire as the flow of guards finally begins to slow to a trickle. I duck into the shadows to avoid an onslaught of bullets, sliding out behind the two men and slicing their heads clean off. I wait for the next group of guards to appear, letting out a sigh of relief when no one appears.
Leaning against the wall, I take a much-needed break. I’ll just take a few minutes to make sure no other guards will be making an appearance, and then I’ll travel through the shadows to help Archer finish up inside the labs. Once we finish with that, we’ll seek out the others to see where else we’re needed.
I attempt to slow my breaths that are coming out more like pants, but it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had to flex my warrior skills like this. My body is no longer used to it. I’ll need to make sure to remedy that after we finish this battle. I can’t keep my family safe if I’m out of shape and out of practice.
“What do we have here?”
A shiver runs up my back at the feminine voice. A frown mars my face as my eyes roam around the area, not seeing anyone.
Unfortunately, this means I miss the smoke billowing around my feet until it’s too late. It’s wrapped around my body up to my arms before it tightens. I struggle against it, unable to move at all as a woman appears before me.
She’s beautiful with her dark hair and features so like Aaliyah’s, but the insanity and darkness in her eyes taint it.
Nadia reaches out to stroke my cheek, laughing when I jerk my head back. “You are a beautiful one, aren’t you? And so strong. I can see why my daughter has added you to her collection. In fact, all of you are quite beautiful in your own ways. Aaliyah obviously gets her good taste from me.”
“Right.” Laughter spills from me as my mind goes into overtime as I endeavor to free myself from one of the people Aaliyah is meant to kill today. I was never meant to meet this woman. I don’t stand a chance against her. I might be a demon and a warrior, but I’m no match for the woman before me.
“I wonder if I should start my own harem,” Nadia says thoughtfully. “Is it called a harem if there are both men and women in it? I don’t believe that Rashid would approve, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Maybe I’ll just take the one my daughter has put together. That could be fun.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “You’re fucked in the head if you think any of us want a damn thing to do with you.”
The smile she gives me is horrifying, and I gulp as her eyes meet mine. “Do you really think I care if any of you consent to what I wish to do to you? I’m a vengeance djinn—likely the oldest and strongest still alive—I take what I want when I want. I can do whatever I want to you, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. What do you have to say about that?”
Nothing. I have absolutely nothing to say about it. Just like I have absolutely no idea how to get myself out of this situation.
“It’s good that you and Rashid kicked her out when you were done using her,” I find myself saying. “You would’ve tainted her, destroyed her goodness with the poison in you. You’re not worthy to be called her parents. She is ten times the woman you could ever hope to be. We flock to her because she’s worth loving—something I’m sure you know nothing of.
“I doubt Rashid holds any love for you. I know Aaliyah doesn’t. She hates you with everything she is. I bet your parents couldn’t even spare love for you. You’re so vile, no one could love you. You don’t deserve to be loved. You’ll never know the love your daughter has known.”
“You bitch,” Nadia hisses as she shoves her face in mine, baring her teeth as she snarls. “You’ll regret your words.”
“Naomi?” Archer’s voice sounds down the hallway, and I turn my head as he steps out of the lab. His eyes widen in fear as he sees my predicament.
A cry spills from my lips as a sharp pain pierces my belly. Glancing down, I find Nadia’s hand buried in my stomach. She twists her hand, sending pain radiating through my body as another pained sound leaves me. Lifting my head to meet her eyes, I see my death.
“I think I’ll use you to show my daughter what the punishment for insolence is.”
I hear Archer screaming my name one more as everything darkens around me, the pain beginning to float away. A single tear slips down my cheek as numbness sets in, and all I think is how sorry I am that Archer and Aaliyah will have to see my dead body.
If I could prevent that from happening, I would, but I’m already succumbing to the darkness.
I love you all, I think, wishing with everything that I could send that message to each of the people I’ve fallen for over the last few weeks.
Then I have no thoughts as the cold and dark pulls me under.