34. Chapter 34
I n the shared space between Wyatt and Aron’s room, Eden sat on the couch. Silently, she pulled the blanket from Wyatt’s bed he had given her closer. Her blank gaze stayed on the window where she didn’t truly see the snow that was slowly building on the edge. With her chin resting on her hands on the back of the cushion the last hour rewound itself in the back of her mind. The look on Wyatt’s face when she showed up with blood still on her hands and tears in her eyes filled her mind. Wordlessly, he had helped her get her jacket and stained shirt off.
Wyatt had been respectful for someone who seemed to want nothing more than to take her to bed. She was left with a tank top as he stood behind her in the mirror. Through the reflection his eyes caught hers as his hands gently held her shoulders. He still didn’t speak as he reached beside her to turn on the water and picked up a washcloth from a drawer to her left. His movements were slow. His eyes never left hers as the full weight of everything finally fell. The tears spilled over as a sob escaped her and her vision blurred. Her hands went to the sinks edge where red imprints marked the counter as she gripped it, knuckles white. Eden forced her eyes closed.
“It’s okay.” Wyatt’s deep voice hummed as his hands brushed against her forearm.
More sobs wracked her chest as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. When he did hear head leaned forward as midnight hair covered her face. Pain that had a vise-like grip on her heart for years suddenly poured out. The faces of every victim of her family played behind her lids ending with Wyatt chained at the mercy of Eloise.
“I’m sorry.” The words fell out between tears.
“It’s okay.” There was no judgment in his voice.
“I’m so sorry.” You have no idea what I’ve done.
“Viper,” he sighed as she felt an arm release her. Another sob shook her body. “Shhh…”
The sound of running water caught her attention. Between the strands of her hair she saw Wyatt’s hand wringing out a washcloth. As he moved, her gaze focused on the now cut rose tattoo. A wave of guilt fell over her as he ran the cloth down her arm. With every stroke, the tears started to fade. Eventually, he whipped away every speck of red off her hands and arms. Once it was gone, the tears stopped.
“I’m sorry, I just-” Eden started to apologize.
He shook his head. “We both have blood on our hands… I’ve seen the darkest parts of you and I haven’t run. I told you I’m here, allow me to help bring that glow back.”
“I don’t think moisturizer is going to bring it back at this point.” A small laugh escaped her as they went back to the couches.
“Funny, Viper.” A smile returned to her face as relief filled his eyes.
The sound of the door as it opened and closed behind her caused her to turn. Wyatt walked through the door with two steaming mugs in hand. A bright smile was plastered on his face as he approached and joined her on the couch.
“Lavender and Mugwort tea for the lady, regular coffee for me.”
“Thank you.” Eden gratefully took the mug.
“Are you sure you’re ready to do this?” He asked, his left hand met hers.
“I can’t keep going on missions and coming back like this… If they knew, I would be done anyway. Eloise is already willing to ship me away.”
The color in Wyatt’s face drained. “Where would they send you?”
“They would use The Arrangement to send me with Holden. One of the many emergency clauses of The Slavamari. If I walk away now they won’t be able to.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I would do my best to make sure it didn’t happen,” Eden told him, her eyes hardening as her mother’s words echoed in her mind
The two finished their drinks and talked casually about what they would do after they got her things. Quickly, she went back into his room and found a set of washed clothes she had accidentally left the night before. Eden pulled them on and opened the door once more to ask if he was ready; she noticed he must have changed before he went downstairs.
“Good, you found them. You can keep the t-shirt and sweats you stole if you want.” He offered with a smirk.
“Well then, I guess it’s good you offered. I wasn’t planning on bringing them back.” She teased and went to the door.
Before she could touch the doorknob, he grabbed it and pulled it open. She shot him a half-annoyed look before the two of them went to the entrance hall and put on winter coats. As she zipped up her jacket, the weight of what they were about to do started to settle. He’s so good at being distracting . Eden glanced at him as he pulled on a black beanie.
“You okay?”
“Fine… Just never thought this was something I’d do.” She admitted as he stepped toward her.
“Is it something you’re still ready to do? Last chance to back out.” He quoted her words back to him as his hands gripped either side of her arms gently.
“It either happens on my terms or theirs, I’d rather it be on mine.”
With a suitcase open on her bed, Eden rustled through her drawers for everything she would need. Wyatt helped fold and put things in the bag as she tossed it over to him, occasionally he peaked out the cracked door. She packed her laptop, twenty books on creatures the family had collected, as much of her apothecary as she could take, the books on Xemos, and extra weapons stashed around her room. Quickly, she put them into a seperate bag. Within twenty minutes she had most of everything she deemed necessary, the rest Bastien could steal back for her.
“Do you have the note?” Wyatt asked.
“What note?” A voice asked from behind him.
Eden turned to see who had appeared only to find Stacey in the doorframe. A storm of rage filled her eyes as she glared at Wyatt though her demeanor stayed calm. The most dangerous version of Stacey. With the suitcase in his hand Wyatt took careful steps back toward Eden and positioned himself so his shoulder covered her left side. The action sent a momentary recognition through her, it was just how the Miller men were trained to do the same. If it wasn’t for Stacey in front of them, she would have found it much more endearing.
“Where are you going, my dear?”
“I’m done with The Salvamari, Matron.” She told her, proud her voice came out evenly.
The woman shook her head with an entertained scoff. “No, you’re not…”
“You don’t get a say in the matter.” She took a step and moved past Wyatt.
Her gaze never wavered from Stacey as she closed the distance with him close behind. The Matron didn’t move from the doorway. Eden saw the dark look in her eyes as she got closer. Just as the two women were shoulder to shoulder Stacey’s hand shot out and grabbed Eden’s wrist. With a swift grip on the thread, magic forced its way forward. She felt it flow out and into the other hunter. Electricity sparked around her wrist which caused the Matron to let go with a look of surprise that Eden would use her powers against her.
Within seconds, Wyatt was between them his back to Eden. In the next moment she watched as Stacey grabbed him by the shoulders. With the bags, he was easily thrown off balance and off to the side out the door. Stacey raised her hands and a barrier of shimmering shadows barred him from entering the room.
“I hope he wiped his fitly paws before coming into this house.” Stacey said, turning to Eden. “Tell your little hell hound to go wait outside like a good little demon.”
Sparks cracked from his hands. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“This is a family matter.” Stacey demanded to Wyatt.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll be right there.” She insisted for his safety.
Wyatt watched her face for a moment before he disappeared down the hall. Once they were alone, Eden drew in a long breath before she turned to face her Grandmother. All the years of her being the favorite now long forgotten as they stood in silence for a few seconds.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Follow down the same path as that Cade? Become a Heretic?”
The question threw her off. “You’re not giving me much of a choice, Stacey.”
“You’re not giving me much of a choice either, Eden. I know you know how this is going to end. This is not what you were meant for.” The woman took a step toward her, but she took another back. Pain filled Eden’s eyes. “Why can’t you let me try? I know it’s not ideal for the family but-” “The family, Eden, how will you ever have children and continue the family line if you’re with a demon? Are you willing to give up this family and your future for him? Give up the chance to have a happy human life like you always dreamed of? I will not stand by and let him destroy you. Destroy everything you’ve worked so hard for. You’re not in your right mind. Maybe you need to spend a few months with the Donovan’s.” “Destroy everything you’ve worked for you mean?”
The accusation hung in the air and caused the woman’s calm demeanor to fade away. Stacey gritted her teeth and grabbed her right hand once more only this time there was no magic behind it. Her fingers pulled at her sleeve and roughly rolled it up to reveal the Compass and her new addition. Stacey’s eyes went wide as the silver chain and sigils that trailed up her arm and over the tattoo. She turned Eden’s arm over in her hands and examined them closely but quickly dropped her arm in frustration. Does she know what these are? Her purple eyes stayed on the woman’s face for any clues.
“Did you do this for him?” She snapped accusatively, this was confirmation enough.
“No… I did it to protect the family… Cleo had just come to the school. Though she hasn’t tried anything I was worried.”
Stacey’s face fell and she started to pace beside Eden’s bed. “You could have been a great Matriarch, better than Gwen ever was…”
Pain reverberated in her ribcage and she tightened her grip on the bag. Stacey had been the top Matriarch of The Salvamari before the title passed to the Donovan family after the escape of the angel Lumina and Nikoli a Heretic. Greer took her and Stacey had been angry ever since.
“You’ll become Lennox if you stay with him. You’re already on her path.” She motioned to the silver markings. “Is that what you want? To become selfish? Heartless? A murderer?”
“You have no proof that Lennox has killed a human. You’re going off your assumptions. Yes she is guilty of a lot but she hasn’t killed any humans I’m aware of.” Eden turned and tried to step through the barrier but was unable.
“I decide who comes and goes from this room now… You know she killed Alaric while he was on his mission.”
Eden froze but kept her back to Stacey to hide the slowly saddening look in her eyes knowing this was more than just a ploy to use her anger at Lennox. She hadn’t been very close to him however he was a part of the family and as such she had a responsibility to him.
“You didn’t say anything last night… You just said he failed, not dead.”
“You left before I could tell you.”
“It makes no difference. I am not going to remain here and continue to add more blood to my name. I’m done with all of this death, the blind devotion The Salvamari expects. Now let me out of here.”
Sudden movement on the other side of the barrier caught her attention. Quickly she reached for her belt but froze once more as her eyes locked on Holden Holloway. He looked exactly as he had in the nightmare, including the new scar. A knot formed in her throat as her eyes went to the gold and royal purple lion carved into the family crest that sat on his right hip. A wave of mixed emotions washed over her as he smiled and stepped through the barrier. All at once the nightmare felt a lot more real. For the first time she was weary of Holden as he approached her.
“My my, Heiress Miller. Still as beautiful as I remember.”
Eden straightened as her body tensed, memories of their last meeting flashed in her mind. Holden had pulled her up to the study at the Holloway home for a private conversation which ended with a mutual agreement to focus on taking their places before any romantic endeavors could be explored. Coming within a foot of her, Holden brought his hand up, moving a piece of hair from her face just as he had done three years ago before he left her in the study.
For a moment, the older version of Holden Xemos had shown her was on the young man’s face in front of her. Their gazes locked, and she forced herself to stay collected as his eyes searched hers, for her feelings toward him. He was close enough to see the small details on his face and in his eyes. Every freckle on his cheeks including the ones hidden under a short, well-kept beard that accentuated his diamond shaped face. Hidden among the gray in his irises a hint of blue could be found when looking long enough.
“Heir Holloway, good to see you’ve made it.” Her body shifted into the formalities she had learned over the years and extended a hand toward him.
His hand met hers as he put his lips next to her ear and spoke in a soft whisper. “There’s no need for that, Little Bird. Everyone knows why we are here and honestly, I was excited to hear you were still single despite this whole demon situation. My hope is to catch your attention… Again.”
“I think you and Holden here should have a chat. He will be able to take the barrier away when he deems fit. I’ll be back in an hour to check on you two.”
Stacey’s voice caught her attention as she moved around the two and toward the door. Eden’s first instinct was to follow in case she decided it was a good time to drag Wyatt back down to the basement. However, Holden stopped her easily with a hand on her shoulder as Stacey walked into the hall. With no other way out, she decided to keep quiet for Wyatt’s safety. If he heard her yelling at Holden, he may try to do something risky.
“Let me out-”
“No,” He said simply and dropped his hand.
“So you’re actually going to participate in this nonsense?”
“Only because I recently have seen what happens when someone of our rank steps out of line and is given a chance to come to their senses. Eden, you are the Miller’s only Heiress and you’re out there falling for what that demon has made you think is love?”
Her ears turned bright red as anger and a hint of unwanted embarrassment fell over her. Eden wasn’t embarrassed of Wyatt, but now stood in front of Holden and being scolded for it she couldn’t help the shame it brought to the surface.
“It’s not an act, Holden. These creatures are more than what they seem. At least the ones I’ve seen- They aren’t all out just to hurt humans.”
“So this demon has never hurt a human? He is innocent?” He questioned with a raised eyebrow and motioned for her to sit. Eden fell silent, knowing the answer wouldn’t clear his name. “Lennox Cade?”
“How-” The name coming from his lips sent her hair on edge.
“Eloise told me everything about what’s going on here the night you woke up. She felt we could relate.” Holden motioned to the long scar obvious on his face.
“I wasn’t going to ask.”
His voice went soft for a moment as the old feelings she shoved away in a box tried to open once more. Once open, she feared it would indeed pull her back in just as her family wanted. Holden motioned toward the chair at her desk as he went to sit on the chest at the end of her bed.
“When I started my mission at Phantom Academy I was also tricked into thinking these creatures could be more than what our families taught us. Hell, I even did the same thing you did, only she was a werewolf, Marabell.”
Holden continued the story about how the pair had met but her heart dropped at the name, the very one Eloise had given Bastien and her the night before. The wolf we killed. Once again the emotions from last night flew to the surface. She recalled Eloise’s demeanor when she was briefing them on the mission. It hit her why her mother had watched her so closely, she had known something she didn’t. Until now. Blood on my hands . Her gaze fell to her hands unsure whether or not Holden was aware of events of the day before.
“When my father found out he showed me everything she had done just the prior year, everyone she had killed. Then ran his favorite pocket knife over my face as a reminder. I’m sure by now he’s had her taken care of, as Stacey should be doing right now with yours.” Eden’s gaze snapped back up to Holden’s, every nerve lit up as she pulled on the thread. Outwardly, she flinched ever so slightly and watched him adjust in his seat. “Calm down, I said should be. Fortunately for you, Eloise has made her promise not to touch him. You’re a bit more of a wild card than me.”
She scoffed, partially relieved, half entertained by the thought of her being a wild card. “I’ll calm down when I’m good and ready. Funny coming from you seeing as that’s what all the Heirs call you.”
“And if they find out you’ve done the same as I, they are going to call us the perfect pair. Though I don’t think it’s going to be a secret much longer, you know how word travels. In any case, we can fix that at our wedding.”
“That’s presumptuous. You’re banking on the fact I’m staying as an Heir.” She folded her arms over her chest.
“You’re banking on the fact I won’t tell Eloise I saw Bastien kissing a demon last night.”
This time she couldn’t hold back from the reaction to his words as her face fell. In one swift motion Eden stood from her chair and pulled her knife from her sleeve. Anger was clear in her eyes as she crossed to him, her knee on the chest between his legs and hand on the bedpost beside him. The hand with the blade went under his chin as she glared down at him and her hair fell into her face slightly.
Holden didn’t move or even react to her. Instead his hand came up and his fingers slowly weaved into her hair tucking it behind her ear as he tilted his head up. The movement made her hand shift as the metal grazed his skin.
“Do you want to start that war, Little Bird?” A smug smirk crossed his face.
With an irritated growl she didn’t waver from her stance. “You dare tell anyone and I will.”
“I won’t if you finish one last mission. Then we revisit your status as an Heiress? If you still think it’s worth becoming a heretic after that I will let you walk away from me.”
Yet again here she was about to pick between what she wanted and what the family wanted her to do. The difference was this time it involved someone she deeply cared for within the family. Wyatt isn’t going to be happy about this. Eden had a distinct feeling that this would have something to do with Aron and Lennox’s daggers. She pulled her knife away and placed it back into its sheath, she took some steps back to put space between them once more.
“Finish your hunt on Cade. Take your revenge and Bastien will be in the clear from me, I promise.”
Eden took a moment to consider however each path boiled down to disaster if she didn’t agree. This was the best route, she knew Holden would keep his word. “This is my last hunt… After this, I’m done.”
“Oh Little Bird, I don’t think so but we’ll see in time.” Holden brought his arm up and released the barrier. “I’ll see you for my tour of campus tomorrow after lunch.”
The moment it was dropped she picked up her bag and walked out. She took every other step, she went out the front door where Wyatt was standing with the bag he had left with. When the door opened he looked up, his look of worry fell away as a smile crossed his face. However, after he met her eyes, it dropped and he met her at the bottom of the small set of steps. Wordlessly, he pulled her into his arms.
“Someone caught Bastien and Corvus, if I don’t complete my last mission they’ll make him a Heretic and kill Corvus… I can’t let that happen.” Her voice was barely audible.
Wyatt didn’t speak for a moment, the sense of disappointment lingered in the air. He held her shoulders and looked down at her. “Is this the last one?”
“Yes, I’m done after this. He won’t tell anyone about them if I do this.”
“What’s the mission?” He asked the one question she was hoping he wouldn’t.
“I can’t tell you… But you wouldn’t like it.”
“I’m not going to beg you to tell me, Viper. All my darkest parts are yours as yours are mine. Tell me when you’re ready,” His hands slid down her arms and took her hands as he kissed her gently. He released one and turned toward Omega Alpha as he went back to the Chapter House.