14. Follow the chaos
Nevaeh
I 'm in a trance the moment we enter the club. Safely tucked between Angel’s arms, my mate makes sure I’m out of reach for any slimy, grabby hands.
Angel doesn’t even let someone brush past me, much less entertain the idea of a stranger touching me. He is acting like we are behind enemy lines and not in a club where the music is loud enough to make my ears bleed.
You’re telling me people do this for fun?
I can’t even attempt to enjoy the beats and the obnoxious music when it overwhelms my heightened senses in the worst possible manner. Filtering the surrounding sounds, I focus on the heartbeat of my mate and block out everything else.
Scanning the various sorts of supernatural creatures surrounding me, I get why the gates are enchanted. The charmed gates are stopping humans from turning in this direction.
The warmth of my mate spreads through my back when he leans closer and gestures around the club.
“Any idea where to start?”
“Follow the chaos.”
Commotion on the second floor overpowers the ear-splitting music and I drag Angel behind me, knowing the others will follow.
The crowd thins in half as we go up and the moment I come face-to-face with the ruckus, there’s no doubt in my mind who the orchestrator behind this is.
Two pixies are at each other’s throats, and it’s not a regular catfight—there’s hair ripping, dress tearing, and drinks flopping on the floor. Their makeup is ruined, making them look like angry pandas.
Behind them, there’s another bickering fest taking place between two demons, screaming what they could and would do if the other didn’t stop talking.
The crowd is thoroughly enjoying the show—oohing and awing with every witty insult. This looks like a poorly written but highly entertaining comedy show.
Looking around the room like a headless chicken, I desperately try to spot the director of this soap opera.
A mysterious shadow catches my attention. Invisible to the crowd, the stunning woman touches the shoulders of the two men in passing, and like magic, the men are on the floor beating the absolute crap out of each other.
My eyes follow the lean woman, and I tug my mate’s hand so he can see the exact second she changes appearance from a beautifully shaped woman to a muscular man who passes the women snapping at each other.
Just a simple brush from him has the woman losing control over their anger and jumping at each other’s throats.
Angel snickers behind me, but my eyes are fixed on the man stepping into a corner booth and dropping on the sofa in a dark leather jacket.
It’s been two years, but the man who leans back with a drink in his hand is someone I can’t forget. Watching the chaos unfold with mischievous eyes and a confident smirk, I finally have the missing piece of my heart.
That’s my best friend .
The club is drowning in crimson, but this is a man I can spot in a crowd of thousands with my eyes closed. How he messes his hair every ten seconds like an impulse makes me smile with nostalgia of him doing the same as a kid hits me.
Rubbing his hands on his thigh, he shakes his head once before his eyes start scanning the floor, searching for something. The desperate way he’s looking tells me his Divine must’ve sensed my presence.
I wait for him to look in my direction, but he snaps his eyes shut and drops his head to stare daggers into the table before him. It hurts to watch him chastising himself for even entertaining the idea of me around.
He's really here.
I can’t believe I’m this close to him after spending two years not knowing if he made it.
Angel squeezes my shoulder in silent support, and I force a deep breath. Harvey would tease me for the rest of our lives if he saw me shed the first tear.
I start walking toward Harvey, my steps hurry the closer I get, but I freeze in my spot when Harvey lifts his head to glimpse to his left and his face comes to light.
His face.
I’m frozen with the realization that this is the first time in a lifetime that it’s free of bruises. He looks healthy —more than healthy, because even sitting down, he resembles a small mountain.
When we were kids, Harvey never made any effort to style his hair, and now that his mom isn’t around to scold him, his overgrown, messy hair makes sense.
Willing myself to move, I walk to stand before him with my arms crossed over my middle.
“Still causing chaos for your amusement?”
My shaky whisper is enough to break his trance. The second his eyes land on me, the glass slips from his hand and falls to the floor, breaking into a thousand pieces.
“Monkey?”
Harvey pales as if he's seeing a ghost. A real possibility for us, because we both thought death was our only way out of that dungeon.
His porcelain skin flushes as he continues to gape at me. Harvey blinks furiously and then looks away as if I would disappear the next time he looks my way.
When I don’t turn into smoke after he slaps his cheek the second time, Harvey jumps up quickly and throws himself on me.
“ Monkey! ”
Burying his face in my hair, he exhales loudly, holding me like he’s afraid I will disappear. I’m clutching him just as hard and try my hardest to not let the way his shoulders are shaking tear my heart to pieces. Holding each other close, we both sob into the hug.
I can’t believe I’m holding him, and I didn’t even have to sneak into his cell for a hug.
When Harvey refuses to back away after seven solid minutes, my lungs start screaming for oxygen with how tight this giant is holding me.
“Can’t breathe asshole,” I choke out.
“Stop being a baby and let me crush you for a minute,” his voice cracks and I give up on trying to get his paws off me. “I thought I lost you… I thought… I-I never thought I’d see you again. I’m so— I’m sorry Nevaeh. I’m so sorry, I should’ve done m-more…”
My stuttering mess of a best friend starts heaving with every word. I hate how he still carries guilt over my choice. It takes all my muscle strength to detach from his bear hug and cup his face in my hands.
I’m irritated that I have to stand on my toes to be somewhat at eye level with him. Why is every man in my life so unnecessarily tall?
The light stubble on his cheeks grazes my palms as I force him to look at me, wiping a few tears that escape his familiar stormy eyes.
“It wasn’t your fault. You had to leave. I would’ve blamed myself forever if they caught you again because of me. You saved yourself from that dreadful place. Never apologize for that, you hear me?” Despite the tightness in my throat, I speak firmly.
“I swear on Fates, If I could—”
“You would’ve taken me with you in a heartbeat? Of cours e , I know that dumbass.”
Leaning his forehead against mine, he chuckles freely, something old Harvey avoided in front of an audience. Wiping under my eyes softly, he takes me in, and we both try not to sob in relief in front of a hundred people.
I have him back. I have my best friend back.
I still can’t believe we made it out.
“Still a smart mouth, I see.” Harvey shakes his head in mock disappointment as if I didn’t copy-paste my attitude from him and Papa.
Harvey was my role model growing up. He still is. Every curse word in my dictionary is Harvey’s blessing. Papa helped too, but it was mostly Harvey.
Holding my hands, he backs up slightly and adores me with a rare loving smile. “Look at my monkey all grown up… pretending to be a lady.”
“Better than your fake ‘bad boy from Hell’ look when everyone knows you’re a complete softy at heart,” I coo childishly, knowing he will hate it.
“Take that back.” He glares, giving me his scariest look, which doesn’t do shit for me.
I’ve been watching that face since he was six, and it only makes him look like a constipated pig.
I snort, but before I can retort with an incredible comeback, a throat clears loudly behind me. I don’t have to turn around for me to know it’s Seiji.
Shoving our banter aside, Harvey takes a protective stance before me, falling into his overprotective papa bear routine. Ignoring his glare at our friends, I swat his back before the claws come out.
“Oh, back off Papa Bear, they’re with me.”
Standing between them, I ask Harvey to take a deep breath before his rage seeps out of him.
He scrutinizes the people behind me one by one. Taking extra long on Grace and not nearly enough on Rick.
Harvey was born with a crazy good bullshit radar. He can separate the good ones from the dickheads in a single interaction, and I know he’s trying to figure out if they are worth our time.
The second his eyes land on Anxo's face and the shiny ring on his hand, Harvey takes a step back, eyes widening in shock with every face.
I see the exact moment my best friend realizes he is surrounded by his oath family . Family that tried their best to find him. To find us.
“Prince of Famine, Horseman of Conquer, and how the fuck are you a Bookkeeper, my little human?” Harvey breathes out. “You are a Bookkeeper, right darling ?” Grace nods shyly, and Harvey’s gaze lingers longer than expected.
Interesting .
A subtle gesture from Grace and Harvey immediately conceals his excitement, but not before I see it.
I hate that just a couple of months with Angel, and I know it’s not my place to say anything. Even when all I want is to bang their heads together until they give in to what Fates have clearly decided for them.
They both could use a miracle made just for them.
I’m not surprised Harvey identified everyone so quickly. Our Divines have a way of knowing which mythical species holds what rank.
Angel steps towards a dumbfounded Harvey to welcome him into the family. “Call me Anxo. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, brother.”
Clutching the hand offered to him, Harvey takes a shaky breath and looks sideways in search of me.
We did this all the time when we were young. Whenever one of us was nervous, the other would stand as close as possible to offer that extra boost of support.
It’s so strange that I remember every detail about him and our childhood, yet simultaneously lost almost every other part of my life. It’s like my subconscious refused to leave his memories behind, even when I lost everything else about myself.
Before Harvey can get sentimental about Angel calling him brother, Seiji pokes his nose into their heart-warming moment.
“Welcome to the twisted family, brother!”
In his excitement, Seiji throws himself at Harveywho malfunctions for a second before throwing his head back in laughter. When Seiji pokes Harvey's bicep and asks for his workout routine, Harvey steps back, shaking his head with unconcealed amusement.
Papa always said that Horsemen have a bond stronger than blood, and seeing the three men interact like they’ve known each other for years fixes another piece of the puzzle in my heart.
Shaking me like he doesn’t realize our size difference, Harvey fires off, “But how did you find them? And how did you get out? I’ve been trying to find a way into the bitch coven for over a year, but none of my efforts or contacts ever came close.”
“Add that to the list of things we have to talk about because it’s a long story. I would gladly tell you when we get home.”
“ Home home?”
Patting his back, Angel answers, “Home, brother. Our home . The Tetrad kingdom has been awaiting your return for a very long time.”
Harvey gulps loudly and shakes his head with an exhausted smile. I can’t imagine how hard it was for him to get out of a dangerous situation, only to realize there was no way to get back home because it literally shifted .
Sensing my thoughts turning dark again, Angel wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. I lean into him, basking in his familiar scent to calm down.
Looking up at Harvey again, I realize I might’ve missed a minor detail because the causal display of affection has blown his head off, and Harvey is standing with his jaw hanging low.
His confused gaze keeps bouncing between Angel and me clinging to each other. I wait for him to cool off, but with every passing second, Harvey looks more confused yet equally elated. I don’t think the poor man knows which emotion to act on first.
Pity, the old man finally went cuckoo.
To antagonize him further, I say, “The torture finally got to you, huh? I always knew you were fragile but I didn't expect you to lose your mind so soon.”
“ I am fragile? And you're what? The symbol of mental stability,” Harvey scoffs, folding his big arms over his chest.
Is he eating the whole city’s ration? How did he get so big and muscly?
“I’ll let you know I’m sleeping ten hours a week and eating almost two meals every day. Beat that old man.”
“I’m only five years older than you! And I'm eating four times a day.”
What?!
I immediately turn to Angel, who is for some reason mortified as we discuss our achievements.
“You’ve got to start feeding me more. I can’t lose to this asshole,” I beg him, even when I know I can’t possibly eat more, but I'm willing to try.
“ This asshole is standing right here!”
Taking a deep breath before his Divine senses his frustration, Harvey tries to calm down. Every time I comment on his age, something in him catches fire.
It’s so entertaining to watch him try to make me understand that twenty-five is not old. I know it’s not but irritating him is way too amusing to stop.
“It was shock , not old age, you little fucker. I was going to congratulate you on finding your mate, but you’re being mean, so fuck you.”
“Fuck you too dumbass.”
“You’re so damn irritating. Come here.” As soon as I’m within reach, I’m engulfed in another bear hug.
Not even a minute later, my mate pulls me from my best friend to him. I can see Harvey is about to rip into Angel when Hazel walks over. I didn’t even notice her leave. I bet she did a quick round to make sure trouble wasn’t lurking around.
Harvey stares at her hard before slowly turning to me with wide eyes and asking lowly, as if everyone here doesn’t have the same advanced hearing.
“You have a siren? A Goddamn siren?! ”
Merfolk was one of our favorite conspiracy theory topics growing up. We know they stick to deep waters and don’t like life on the ground, but other than that, their species is a mystery to the supernatural world.
Turning to me, beaming with excitement, Harvey reminisces. “Remember the theories Dean—”
“All lies.” Hazel interrupts our fawning over her kind.
“What— no !” Harvey and I argue in sync.
There’s no way Papa is wrong about his theories. All of his theories make sense.
Okay... most of them do.
“They’re true! We know you can control water.”
“Nope.”
What?!
“You can only sing your manipulating songs in water.”
Considering I saw her puppet-ting the hotel staff months ago, I already know Hazel will stomp on another one of our theories.
“Couldn’t be more wrong.”
Turning to each other with similar disappointment, Harvey and I wonder how none of our guesses are correct. I don’t want to imagine how Papa will react when I tell him we officially know nothing about Merfolk.
Harvey nods at me encouragingly and musters the courage to ask Hazel one last thing, not before I duck behind Anxo. Safety first.
“So, I’m guessing you don’t turn blue after not touching water for 24 hours?”
“Who the fuck came up with that one?!”
If looks could kill, Harvey and I would be six feet under. Before Angel loses his mate and the Prince of War at the hands of his Warriorhead, he urges us to scramble away and take a seat.
Three love seats in a semicircle make a booth. Seiji and Hazel slide into the first one. Angel takes the seat next to them before helping me beside him. I’m about to say we are one place short when Harvey asks Grace— ever so politely —to take a seat and strategically times it so he's the one sliding in before Rick can.
My mouth drops open at how casually Harvey brushed off my sister’s so-called boyfriend.
Scooting closer to Grace, Harvey shoots me a sly wink, and I know this dumbass is up to something. I’ve been his partner in crime for far too many years to not notice the signs. And if he wants me to play coy, I’m in.
Anything for Harvey .
With no place to sit, Rick chooses to stand behind Grace like a guard dog. I’m sure he can sense the tension between my best friend and sister.
I swear to Fates I’ll kill him if he tries to ruin the first good thing Harvey has found.
Angel pulls me until my back is flush against his chest. Circling his arms around my waist, he kisses my crown, making me abandon all thoughts of skinning Rick alive.
Lately, Angel needs constant physical contact, or he acts like he is dying. I can’t even complain because I love the way my insides sing when he is near.
I’m falling so hard for this man that it terrifies me.
“So, they helped you break out?” Harvey asks.
Seiji answers before I can get the chance. “Yes, we did. We found her in the woods all bloody and dying. She even sobbed and thanked us for our bravery.”
Like always, the dramatic princess exaggerates.
“Oh, speaking of finding things.” Harvey turns to Anxo, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. Behind me, I feel Angel shift when Harvey directs his fury and irritation at him. “Who the fuck are you trying to keep out man? Fucking aliens? I’ve been running in circles trying to find a single portal for two years. I’m the Prince of War for Fate’s sake.”
Chuckling nervously, Angel scratches the back of his head. He groans when, once again, no one steps up to save him from being the bringer of bad news.
Eyes holding all the apologies in the world, Angel clears his throat. “Sorry brother, but after what happened with you two... protecting the kingdoms was all the previous leaders could think about. I agree changing realms was taking it a little too far, but—”
Hazel throws her tablet on the table with a low growl, effectively saving Angel from the physical embodiment of war.
“Witches and their braindead puppets are here.” That sentence is enough for us to spring to our feet. “A dozen by the east exit and more at the back gate. Looks like more covens have joined Visha,” she adds, furiously tapping her fingers on the screen.
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to ruin my dress with blood, but you can’t fight destiny.
Grace contemplates before turning to my mate. “Anxo if they get in here, we can’t be sure how many of these mellow partying creatures will turn on us given the chance.”
“I agree,” Hazel taps in. “Horsemen don’t have a shortage of people who will happily rally forces with the witches. We need to wrap this in the bud outside and then get the fuck out of here.”
That’s one risk of being in this realm. The abundance of mythics lingering in every corner means you never know who’s waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Angel sighs, throwing his head back. “Lately, it seems like we’re gaining enemies by the day.”
“My fault.” Harvey and I take the blame in sync, which makes Angel shake his head with a smile and pull me into his side.
Clapping my hands together, I demand attention.
“I have a plan. ”
“What are you proposing now, Lucifer spawn?” Seiji whines like he already knows what I’m thinking. I bet he is also pissy because he doesn’t want to ruin his outfit too.
“He is my g odfather , so technically, not his spawn. So here’s the plan,” I get ready to share when immature whispering stops me.
“Five hundred rubies it involves gore,” Angel bets with Seiji, but Harvey clicks his tongue in disappointment.
At least my best friend has faith in me.
“Amateurs… it’s always blood and guts with her.”
I take it back. Harvey can go fuck himself.
Why they think I’m some psycho killer is beyond me.
I’m fucking adorable!
Fine then, time for a new list.
1. Papa
2. My little monkey
3. Angel
4. Grace, Hazel, and Seiji
5. Harvey (congrats on the demotion dumbass)
Ignoring the men giggling and whispering like teenagers, I focus on the ladies who are more interested in getting things done.
“So, listen in... Angel, Hazel, and I will sort out the ones in the back while Rick and Seiji tackle the east exit.” On nods of approval, I continue. “Grace and Harvey should stay inside and make sure no one follows us. In the meantime, maybe Grace can fill Harvey in on what he missed.”
That’s right. I've purposely put them together because I’m shipping.
Your friendly neighborhood cupid.
Hazel’s forehead crinkles, but I subtly shake my head at her before she can protest. Taking the hint, murmurs of acceptance ring around me.
I get that Grace is in a relationship, and this is not exactly ethical, but Rick is an emotionally abusive asshole, and assholes don’t get my morals.
I know Grace will probably want to maturely handle things with Rick before even considering anything with Harvey, but I hate the guy too much to feel bad for him.
Grace suddenly chokes on the water she was sipping, and Harvey immediately reaches out to pat her back. We pretend not to notice the way Grace stops breathing entirely or how Harvey sucks a sharp breath.
My sister flusters and whispers a small thank you, but Harvey still looks deeply concerned.
Oh, relax Romeo.
“Are you sure you want me to stay? I’m not—”
“Do you want to switch places and get your hands dirty, Gracie?” With a disgusted face, Grace zips her lips shut and slumps back.
My gaze shifts to Harvey, and this man is ogling at Grace with the most adorable puppy look I’ve seen.
Oh boy, he is gone gone.
The last time Harvey looked at something like that, it was his dad’s sword. The tantrum he threw after he was told he couldn’t have it, was brutal .
Naturally, Harvey stole the sword and hid it until his dad made a deal with the twelve-year-old that he could practice with it for two hours daily.
When Harvey wants something, he goes after it full throttle . How he is tripping over his feet for Grace; I know it’s just a matter of time.
I’m already on team Harvey.
Rick can choke on his dick for all I care.
With his hand on my back, Anxo stands and instructs Grace. “Don’t leave this section unless absolutely necessary. Seiji, link me if anything looks even remotely suspicious.” Seiji affirms by nodding once.
Usually, I’m excited to kick some ass, but this is the first time I’m facing my past since my escape. The idea of being surrounded by the nightmares I grew up with, terrifies me to the core.
The last two months with my newfound family have soothed some of the wounds the coven inflicted, but it doesn’t change the fact that I still carry them on my skin every day.
I know I’m safe, and no matter how tonight ends, there’s no scenario in which Anxo will let me go back to that dungeon, but having to keep confronting my past is starting to weigh on my sanity.
A past that hasn’t stopped haunting my present.