with these memories alone, because her mother hadn’t remembered the crash--nor her father nor Lucessa-- most days.
That night, she’d lost everything.
Tears fell. Looking up, Lucessa saw the pleading look in Maxim’s eyes. The look begged her to believe him--to believe in him.
Could she believe him--this familiar stranger?
Chapter 10
Darius and Alexander crept along the side of the house, making their way to the same gate they’d entered the night before. It stood slightly ajar, as they’d left it. Darius kept their mission between Alexander and himself, he didn’t trust the others; there was no telling where their loyalties ultimately lie. They would sell their souls for a chance to return to Erebos, but he was unwilling to return until he grasped what was rightfully his.
When that day came, the Dark One would banish his older brother and Maxim would beg Darius to spare his life. Forgiveness was not one of Darius’ strong suits. It shocked him that his younger brother hadn’t joined him when he’d left. His twin was a coward.
He rubbed the place above the hollow spot in his chest. They’d been close, thick as thieves, but Maxim had made his choice. He’d chosen self-preservation and left his twin out to dry.
“Alexander, take the lead.” Darius shifted, his eyes appraising the men standing behind Alexander. “Men, you’re here for one purpose and one purpose only,” Darius’ words stopped the group of Melas Oneiroi after they entered the back yard. “Find anything I can use. You’re not to harm the girl. Don’t even look at her. Alexander is the only one to enter her room. She is to be left unharmed.” I have other plans for her.
The men nodded their understanding. Unfortunately, they weren’t known for following directions.
“If my orders aren’t followed, don’t worry about returning to Erebos--you won’t even make it back to the house,” Darius said, making eye contact with each man in turn. Blank stares returned his penetrating gaze.
His original reason for wanting unlimited access to Earth was different from his men’s. He’d been young and naïve then. He thought himself in love. Fucking idiot. He’d fought for the ability to travel between Erebos and Earth, unsupervised. His father, and now his older brother, forbade this liberty to the Oneiroi. Only in dreams can they travel to Earth. And they must only interfere to steer the human down a better path.
Blah, blah, blah. He could almost hear his father’s last lecture, before his unfortunate accident .
The men dispersed inside the back door of the house, and Darius receded into the shadows to await their return.
# # #
Lucessa yawned and stretched her arms high above her head. Her shirt lifted ever so slightly and exposed her bare midriff. Her questions became less persistent as the evening wore on.
“Where are you staying while you’re here? Do you just go back and forth?” she asked as her hand again grasped her wine glass.
“My leader has insisted I keep to this world until this matter is resolved.”
“Why don’t you stay here? I have an extra bedroom that’s never been used,” Lucessa said. She kept her eyes locked on Maxim as she poured the last drop of wine into her glass.
He hadn’t imagined it’d be this easy to convince her of the severity of the situation, but the tidbit about the crash had pushed her over the edge. The change in her demeanor was instantaneous.
“Thank you for the kind offer.” He accepted without a second thought. He couldn’t protect her unless he was able to be close to her.
That he enjoyed her company was a plus.
She was like no female he’d ever come into contact with. She was neither vain nor selfish. He should’ve known this since it was his responsibility to watch over her. It was true, humans could hide their true nature in their dreams, but not Lucessa. She was everything she appeared to be. Caring, honest, and compassionate.
She shifted her wine
That night, she’d lost everything.
Tears fell. Looking up, Lucessa saw the pleading look in Maxim’s eyes. The look begged her to believe him--to believe in him.
Could she believe him--this familiar stranger?
Chapter 10
Darius and Alexander crept along the side of the house, making their way to the same gate they’d entered the night before. It stood slightly ajar, as they’d left it. Darius kept their mission between Alexander and himself, he didn’t trust the others; there was no telling where their loyalties ultimately lie. They would sell their souls for a chance to return to Erebos, but he was unwilling to return until he grasped what was rightfully his.
When that day came, the Dark One would banish his older brother and Maxim would beg Darius to spare his life. Forgiveness was not one of Darius’ strong suits. It shocked him that his younger brother hadn’t joined him when he’d left. His twin was a coward.
He rubbed the place above the hollow spot in his chest. They’d been close, thick as thieves, but Maxim had made his choice. He’d chosen self-preservation and left his twin out to dry.
“Alexander, take the lead.” Darius shifted, his eyes appraising the men standing behind Alexander. “Men, you’re here for one purpose and one purpose only,” Darius’ words stopped the group of Melas Oneiroi after they entered the back yard. “Find anything I can use. You’re not to harm the girl. Don’t even look at her. Alexander is the only one to enter her room. She is to be left unharmed.” I have other plans for her.
The men nodded their understanding. Unfortunately, they weren’t known for following directions.
“If my orders aren’t followed, don’t worry about returning to Erebos--you won’t even make it back to the house,” Darius said, making eye contact with each man in turn. Blank stares returned his penetrating gaze.
His original reason for wanting unlimited access to Earth was different from his men’s. He’d been young and naïve then. He thought himself in love. Fucking idiot. He’d fought for the ability to travel between Erebos and Earth, unsupervised. His father, and now his older brother, forbade this liberty to the Oneiroi. Only in dreams can they travel to Earth. And they must only interfere to steer the human down a better path.
Blah, blah, blah. He could almost hear his father’s last lecture, before his unfortunate accident .
The men dispersed inside the back door of the house, and Darius receded into the shadows to await their return.
# # #
Lucessa yawned and stretched her arms high above her head. Her shirt lifted ever so slightly and exposed her bare midriff. Her questions became less persistent as the evening wore on.
“Where are you staying while you’re here? Do you just go back and forth?” she asked as her hand again grasped her wine glass.
“My leader has insisted I keep to this world until this matter is resolved.”
“Why don’t you stay here? I have an extra bedroom that’s never been used,” Lucessa said. She kept her eyes locked on Maxim as she poured the last drop of wine into her glass.
He hadn’t imagined it’d be this easy to convince her of the severity of the situation, but the tidbit about the crash had pushed her over the edge. The change in her demeanor was instantaneous.
“Thank you for the kind offer.” He accepted without a second thought. He couldn’t protect her unless he was able to be close to her.
That he enjoyed her company was a plus.
She was like no female he’d ever come into contact with. She was neither vain nor selfish. He should’ve known this since it was his responsibility to watch over her. It was true, humans could hide their true nature in their dreams, but not Lucessa. She was everything she appeared to be. Caring, honest, and compassionate.
She shifted her wine
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