17. Erin
Chapter seventeen
Erin
“Okay, so explain this whole ‘Key’ bullshit to me again?” Seth and Derik had been talking their heads off, trying to explain it to me for hours at that point. Libby intervened a few times but just left me more confused. Josh preferred to play watchman, standing against the wall with his arms crossed looking all angsty like he had a stick up his ass. What made him even more annoying was how hot he looked doing it.
Prick.
Okay. He was the one who saved my ass and got me out of that stuck-in-the-dark-ages hell hole.
If Josh hadn’t figured out where the Demons had me…
I shivered, the memory threatening to take over.
Josh hasn’t done anything wrong.
I need to stop being so snippy.
I huffed, pushing my eyebrows together. I chewed on my lip, slumping into Seth’s sofa as I crossed my legs applesauce style.
Focus, Dummy.
Derik looked at me like I was an idiot, while Seth practiced breathing and pinching the bridge of his nose. Letting out a final sigh, Seth started again. “Okay, Erin, focus. I know it’s a lot to take in but please for the love of all things holy, pay attention.”
“Dammit, Seth, I’m freaking trying. Don’t be an ass. It’s a lot.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
So much for not being snippy.
Ass.
“Alright. I’ll start over,” he shook his head, eyes closed as he took in another deep breath before continuing. “Nephilim, Angels, and Demons have been at it damn well since the beginning. Angels and their Nephilim children protecting themselves and humans from the Demons who spawned from the pits of Hell. But it wasn’t always that way.”
“Demons, at one point, were able to roam free. Before the Hell pits were created. They wreaked havoc on the Angels and the humans. And their offspring, Nephilim. The Demons destroyed hundreds of civilizations. They craved power, destruction. They captured humans and enslaved them, tortured them. Once they were bored, the people would be massacred.”
“The Angels finally had enough. One specifically, Raphael. He was one of—if not the strongest—Angels to ever exist. He led a civilization of humans, Angels, and their Nephilim children alike to success. Bustling cityscapes, abundance of wealth and health. His people were living long, happy, peaceful lives, spanning an entire continent. His people called their sanctuary Evanyia.”
“With a population that large—as you can imagine—it caught the attention of the horde of Demons parading themselves around the world, thirsting for more and more power.”
“Unfortunately, Raphael’s paradise caught the eye of a Demon by the name of Kerebos,” Derik gulped as Seth paused. “He was the embodiment of death, pain, and destruction.”
“He led his Demons to Evanyia. Murdering any humans, Nephilim, or Angels who stood in his way. The women were taken and thrown into slavery. They were raped,” I flinched. “Tortured and broken. Kerebos relished in the massacres.”
I felt myself slipping again, the images of my own experience with the Demons threatening to take me, digging their talons into the edge of my mind. A hand squeezed my shoulder, knowingly. I shrugged it off, although a part of me was grateful for the brief distraction.
“Raphael caught wind of what was being done to the innocents in his kingdom and gathered his strongest Angels.”
“They built an army to fight against Kerebos and his Demons. Raphael searched for the strongest warriors. Including the human-Angel offspring, Nephilim.”
“Previously, Raphael cherished the Nephilim of his continent and trained them to defend themselves. However, he wasn’t truly aware of their full potential, even while fighting alongside them in the centuries prior. As Kerebos and his Demonic army closed in, Raphael started taking note of the Nephilim within his kingdom. Noticing the strength that they wielded. Some were more powerful than the Angels themselves.” I shifted in my seat, the fine hair on the nape of my neck raised.
Just how powerful were these Angels?
Seth swept his gaze over the room. “The Angels and their children trained as one. Raphael sent the strongest of his army to fend off the onslaught of Demons as they prepared themselves.”
“Their numbers dwindled. The Demons kept coming. More and more of them, as they didn’t need the same amount of time to breed as Angels and humans did, being created and developed enough to fight within months, sometimes weeks. The Angels didn’t stand a chance.”
“Raphael rallied the remaining Angels, called forth their Nephilim children, and forged their power together to form a pit. A place to trap them within the Earth and send them away from their world. Hell.”
Yeah, and a unicorn really traveled to a candy-covered mountain.
“It was their last stand against Kerebos. Raphael’s power was waning. His disciples were weakened from the constant battle, vast numbers of Nephilim being destroyed. He used his final burst of power to send Kerebos and his army into the pit. Closing the Demons off from the world. Or so they thought…”
“Destruction had been brought to Evanyia, thousands of humans murdered. Nephilim and Angels slain. Raphael had succeeded in freeing his people who survived the Demons, however, the guilt and the pain of seeing all who had suffered—who had been taken—weighed on him. His human wife was amongst the humans who were killed, having risked her own life to save the innocent beings ravaged by Kerebos’s Demons.”
“Kerebos finally fell at Raphael’s hand and was thrust into the pit. Once the pit was sealed, the Demons became trapped within. Raphael plummeted, grief and sorrow enveloped him, sucking the life from him. His power rang out as he took his final breath. Lightning blanketed the sky and fire erupted across the mountains surrounding the continent. The rivers flooded, washing away the dead bodies of the fallen. The wind thrashed through the homes of his people who were taken. It was all destroyed.”
“Before his death, his Nephilim offspring and closest Angel warriors, surrounded him. He warned them how determined the Demons could be. How bloodthirsty they would be after having been trapped. They say his pupils turned to white, seeing what had yet to come.”
“Raphael warned his people who remained, those closest to him in those final moments, to be watchful. To be at the ready and prepare, for there would be those who escaped the pit. And one day, war would come. A war like no other. And the only thing standing between the Demons and destroying the world, would be a key. The Key. To end the Demons. Locking them away forever. But, if it fell into the wrong hands, it would be the end of humanity. The end of the Angels and Nephilim, as the Demons would once again wreak havoc on us all. And with them, bringing the end to the world as we knew it.”
The tension in the room was palpable. Everyone was on edge.
Josh leaned against one of the massive windows in Seth’s living room, his jaw ticking. Libby uncrossed and recrossed her ankles several times, her eyes fluttering between each of us. The tendons in Seth’s forearms flexed along with Derik’s. Both of them held death in their eyes.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Okay, so let me get this right. Some ancient Angel, Raphael, kicked a bunch of Demons’ asses. And said Demons want revenge. But beyond the whole kicking Nephilim and Angel ass thing. They straight up want to slice and dice us all until we’re all gonzo?” I said, adding a touch of annoyance to my voice.
Derik chuckled, the fear on his face twisted into a smart-assed smile, chipping at the tension in the room. “That’s one way to put it, Princess.”
“That’s freaking stupid. And what the hell does that have to do with me? Why would the shithead call me ‘The Key’? I’m barely gaining this freaking Nephilim mojo. My dad wasn’t anything special, besides, as you”—I glared at Seth— “informed me of being an Angel. My mom was human and as far as I can tell besides spitting fire and lightning there’s nothing different between me and you guys. So. Why me?” One of my legs fell asleep, so I pulled it out from under my other one, tapping my foot against the hardwood, anger threatening to boil over.
I am nothing.
Why the actual fuck would I be this ‘Key’?
The biggest thing I have going for me is lighting someone’s ass on fire.
And technically, that can be done by throwing gasoline and a match at someone.
My pulse thundered in my ears.
Seth matched his gaze to mine. “I don’t know. But we’re going to find out. Because as of right now, we have nothing to go on,” he shot Josh an accusatory look before turning his gaze back on me. “And there was no intel or tip off prior to the Demons taking you.”
I wanted to scream.
Keep a lid on it.
I can panic and lose it later.
I glanced at Derik, then Josh. “Then what do we do?”
Derik chimed in; a crooked grin plastered on his face. “We get your ass trained up, Snow. Then Seth and Tight-Ass over there, get cracking on the books and interrogation tactics to get us some answers.”
Seth and I both rolled our eyes. Derik winked at me.
And at that, even with all the doom, destruction, and dread that filled the room, a laugh escaped my lips. “Well, Beer Pong Man, show me how to kick some Demon dick-headed ass.”
“I thought you had defense training when you were a kid?” Derik gave me the up-down. “What you’re doing right now is trash.”
I swung my fist directly for Derik’s cheek and he made his point by catching it mid-swing. He followed up by kicking my legs out from under me. I landed clean on my back, knocking the air right out of my lungs. “Get it together, Erin. You’re all over the place with zero aim or control. The strength is there but that’s about all you got.”
I huffed. “Excuse the hell out of me for being a human and assuming being able to kick a guy in the nuts and the defense moves I learned when I was ten , would hold up.”
He cocked his head and clicked his tongue. “Well, do better. Demons don’t give a shit; they just want you dead. So, suck it up, Pipsqueak. On your feet. I’m going to run you through some basic movements. Again.” He bent down to reach his hand out and help me up.
Dick.
I flipped him off and rolled myself onto my stomach before pushing up and onto my feet. “You know, the whole serious asshole thing doesn’t look good on you, Derik. I liked you better when you were just an annoying asshole.”
Someone snorted at that. My eyes swept the room and found Libby holding her hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking; Seth standing next to her with a coffee mug in hand, busting out laughing.
“Hell must’ve frozen over. Erin, did you admit to liking me? I’m honored.” Derik flung a hand over his chest.
I rolled my eyes, straining to keep a smile from creeping onto my lips. “You’re so dramatic. And if anything, you being obnoxious is just far more tolerable,” I widened my stance, bending my knees slightly. “Although, this gives me a reason to punch your face in without feeling guilty about it.”
That’s a lie. You’ll sit there, overthink, and feel horrible about it if you ever actually land a blow on the guy.
Seth’s eyes twinkled as they met mine across the room, knowing damn well that I’d guilt trip the shit out of myself. He flashed a smile at me and my cheeks flushed.
“Then let’s see it, Sweetheart,” Seth rang out. Heat washed over me, and his smile grew into a full-on Cheshire. Libby, giddy as her laughter spilled out from her.
Sweetheart?
What in the hell is that about?
I flipped him and Libby off.
Prick.
I lined myself up and sized up Derik’s relaxed stance; arms resting at his side, legs slightly parted, boredom etched across his features even as his pupils tracked my every breath. The moment I waited for came, his attention briefly darting to where Libby and Seth were still chatting. I swung my arm out, Derik without hesitation, reached for it, opening up his stance while doing so. I took my other arm and swung upward, directly into his chin, his teeth clang together.
Ha! Victory!
Derik’s eyes lit up. He snaked his foot behind my ankle and pulled it out from under me. Causing me to lose my balance and sending my ass back to the floor. My small victory evaporated.
“Son of a bitch.”
Derik shrugged, turning on his heel and striding to the kitchen to grab his own mug of coffee. “What can I say, Snow, I got skills.”
Libby snickered. “Yeah, right, you’re just butthurt Erin actually landed a hit on you.”
He sipped his coffee. “She got lucky. I was getting bored handing her ass to her all day; thought I’d throw her one.”
“Yeah right,” she snorted. “She caught you off guard. Or are you too afraid to admit to a moment of defeat, Oh Mighty One?”
“Pssh, whatever.”
Is that a hint of pink I see?
“So,” I said as I wiped non-existent dust from my sweats. “Now that I successfully wounded Derik’s fragile ego, is it break time?”
A laugh escaped Seth. “From sparring, yeah. But we gotta try shaking out some of your mojo.” I frowned at him.
“We gotta figure out how to control it and run some practice with it. Ya know, outside of when the shitheads are actively trying to gut us. Might be a little handy.”
“Fine, but I’m stealing your coffee first.”
“You’ve had half the pot already.” His brow arched.
“Exactly. Only half.”
“Have you even eaten anything?”
“No.”
“You need to eat, Pipsqueak.”
I threw my hands on my hips, staring Seth down. “Make me.”
“Maybe I will, hangry-ass.” Seth smirked, crossing his arms over his chest, sun-kissed—no sun- worshiped —biceps bulging , and tight-ass muscle shirt perfectly accentuating his pecs. I salivated.
I licked my lips, my gaze lingered before dragging it upward. “You know, I think I changed my mind,” my eyelashes fluttered, giving my best impression of being sultry. “I think I am hungry.”
I flashed Seth a smile. His eyes darkened, my pulse quickened.
That might’ve backfired.
“Oh, really now?”
Derik gagged. “Gross. Come on guys, we’re right here. Get a damn room.” Libby smacked him on the arm. Seth mirrored the color of a tomato. And I was pretty sure I matched.
Oh God.
Play dumb. Play dumb. Play dumb.
“No idea what you’re talking about, Derik. I was actually going to say I was hungry for some tacos. What about you, Seth?”
“Uh, yeah,” he ran his fingers through his midnight black hair. “Tacos sound great.”
“Great!” I forced an exaggerated smile, the gesture leaving my face to ache.
“Great.”
I twirled around and damn near sprinted to the guest room. Oh so casually slamming the door shut behind me.
What the actual hell was that? What is wrong with me?
My heart nearly beat out of my chest.
Did I imagine his eyes darkening? I thought that shit only happened in books and the movies. What is happening?
A knock sounded at the door.
“Hey, Erin, you okay?”
Seth.
I squeaked.
Shit.
“Ah, yeah. Yeap! I’m fine! I’m just going to get changed out of my sweats.” I laughed nervously, my fingers crossed that he didn’t notice.
“Oh, alright,” he paused. “So, tacos…does hitting up The Taco House sound good?”
You sound better.
Oh my god. Erin.
No! Bad. Stop that.
I yelled through the door, “Yeah, we can do that! I’ll finish getting changed then I’ll be out and we can go.”
“Cool. Do you need anything or need me to grab anything for you?”
An odd fantasy suddenly flashed through my head.
Seth opened the door, his eyes trailed down my body from head to toe. Hunger lit his eyes. He licked his lips and closed the distance between us.
His arms circled my waist, bringing my body flush against his, fitting together perfectly as if our bodies were made for each other. My eyes fluttered behind my lashes, looking up to his. He brought his face closer to mine. “I’d much rather eat you.” His pupils dilated, closing the gap. Seth’s mouth crashed into mine, tongue jutting in and out, dancing around mine. I wrapped my arms around his back, gripping the toned muscle beneath his shirt, digging my nails in. He growled, his grip around my waist tightening. He lifted me, his hands having traveled down to my ass, firmly grasping it. I swung my legs around his middle.
Seth released my mouth and began trailing kisses along my jaw and my neck, nipping as he went, before licking his way along my collarbone. I panted, needing more.
I raked my nails down his back slowly as I began rocking my hips against the large bulge forming in his grey sweatpants. His grip on my ass tightened as a moan escaped his lips against my skin, sending electricity down my spine. I arched my back, forcing my chest upward, his face now shoved between my heaving breasts.
Seth spun us around, pressing my back against the wall as he began thrusting his hips upward in motion with mine. I let out a moan. “Seth, I need you.”
He moved one hand from my ass, reaching for his waistband and pulling out his rock-hard cock. He adjusted so that his length was between our hips and against my center, teasing me through my sweats. He began rubbing his length along my crevice. “If you need it so bad, Princess, then take it.”
I wiggled, moving my hands to pull my pants away, fumbling being held against the wall. Seth let out a low, throaty laugh before carrying me to the bed, tossing me on the comforter. He climbed on the bed, wedging himself between my legs before dragging my sweats down over my hips, tossing them to the side. He bent down, biting his way up the inside of my thigh, sending chills through me. “Please, Seth.”
He smirked, leaning forward. He rested his length against my entrance and began rubbing himself along my folds, teasing me. “What did I say, Sweetheart? You want it,” he thrusted against my clit, my hips bucked. “Then take it.”
“Erin?”
I blinked my eyes. “Huh?”
Seth strained. “Do…you need anything?”
My face heated, and I thanked the freaking Angels that he was on the other side of the door. “Uh, no! I’m fine. Thanks though, like I said, be out in a few!”
“Okay, just yell if you need me.” His voice faded slightly as he stepped away.
“Then take it.”
“Get it together, Snow.” I chastised myself.
Holy fuck.
I took a few breaths to collect myself and calm the heat pooling at my center, then maneuvered over the bundles of blankets still scattered across the floor. I reached my clothes that were still huddled together in a pile on the floor, rummaging through them to find something to wear.
I spotted a pair of black denim shorts that I rarely wore, in part because of how short they were. They did make my butt look above average though. An idea popped in my head. I snatched my only low-cut black T-shirt and my only push-up bra. A rush of lust-fueled adrenaline danced through my veins, a devious smile playing across my face.
“Oh, what the hell. Why not?”