Chapter 82 Safehouse
“There is safety in the very heart of danger.“– Vincent van Gogh
Neron
Am I dead?
My body teetered on a metaphysical ledge, floating above the thin, invisible line separating both states of humanity’s transience. Life and Death. The land of the living versus the world of the deceased. It was strange; the encompassing pain from my wounds faded into nothingness. Sweet euphoria rolled through my body like gentle ocean waves, dousing me from head to toe in pleasant cool. Peace. Serenity.
I felt secure. Safe..
I could breathe without the nefarious blood gurgling in my lungs. Healed. I was healed, but I sit on the cusp of death, beckoning me to its embrace with open arms.
Death was taught to be a terrifying event because no one truly knew what happens to us after we die. Stories of divine punishment and eternal damnation, passed down through generations, cultivated the fear of our mortality and the desire of immortality. We know the dreadful things we’ve done and are terrified to answer for them to a higher power.
But I knew what awaited me on the other side. My Moon Goddess. What if this was my time to go? What if, despite the shit from the past summer, I’ve ignored the signs of my imminent death? My bloodline had to end at some point, since it carried nothing but destruction. This was meant to happen, foretold by destiny’s silence. Who am I to question it?
I couldn’t feel the bond connecting my soul to the land of the living.
Hmm. In the end, Osiris got what he wanted.
But, if there is one regret I had, is not seeing Kiya’s award–winning smile before I passed. The one thing that kept me fighting through the messed–up crap thrown at me since day 1. I couldn’t even give her the necklace
Wait! Her necklace!
In a flash of panic, I patted down
jewelry to the metaphysical.des to check if I had it, but of course, I didn’t. Dead men don’t bring
jewelry to the metaphysical. I never got it fixed! How could I have thought about passing over if I couldn’t fix
her necklace before I did?
I need… I need to go back!
Without warning, I felt something wet and cold press up against my hip, followed by soft fur tickling the back of my neck. I jerked around to be met with a familiar pair of gold eyes that had been with me, though thick and thin, belonging to someone I consider my brother. A huff escaped his nose when I wrapped my arms around his bulky body in a tight hug.
*Yeah, yeah, I’m here, dummy.” Onyx scoffed, with a hint of amusement in his voice. He nuzzled his snout against the crook of my neck before licking my face. “I came here before you were to make the dumb–ass
d
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Chapter 812–Safehouse
ecision of accepting death. I’m not ready to die yet and you sure as hell aren’t taking me with you!”
“My bad, Onyx.” I averted my eyes, heat rolling into my cheeks. “I just…”
“You don’t need to say anything. I know what you were feeling.” He sat on his rear end, gazing down at me. “But you need to pull yourself together.”
“Are we safe?”
“We are. You’ll feel like shit, though. Silver and wolfsbane aren’t a joke.”
I grimaced, rubbing my chest in the memories of the stabbing. Sucking in a deep breath, I knew I had to go back. Too much left unanswered and undiscussed. “The bond of life. I can’t feel it, so how am I supposed to wake up?”
“Oh, you’re right.” Onyx tapped his paw in thought, his silky head tilting from left to right. “Well, there is one option. The wolf, if strong enough, can resuscitate their human in both fascinating and… weird ways.”
I arched an eyebrow, now concerned. “Weird ways? What does that mean?”
“You’ll hate me for this, but I want to see Artemis again, so kick my ass later.”
“Onyx, what the-!”
Onyx released a deafening bark that thundered through the world.
Right next to my fucking ear.
An unholy scream tore through my throat and out of my mouth, pulling my body up like a rag–doll. My coordination must’ve taken extra time off for my mini–coma because I lost my balance on whatever the fuck I was lying on, plunging to the hard floor with a colossal ‘thud!‘
“FUCK! OW!”
“Holy shit, Neron! Take it easy!” Two pairs of hands grasped at my biceps, pulling me up to the soft cushion. of what I assume was a couch. Pain exploded all over, yanking a hiss from my teeth. “That’s one way to wake up from sleep.” Anthony chuckled, trying to defuse the tension.
“You’re welcome.” Onyx snickered through mind–link.
“Fuck you.”
“That would be incestuous. And you’re not my type.”
I love and hate that damn dog.
My hands went to my wounds, feeling for further damage, only for soft fabric to brush up against my palm. I look down to see that I was cleaned up from the blood, and medical gauze hid every laceration and gash. I still felt light–headed, but it was better than almost dying.
Chapter 82–Safehouse
“What happened?” I groaned, rubbing my temples.
“We’re in Asim’s safe house.” Kwame set a water pitcher on the glass table, handing me a cup of water, which I gladly took. “You passed out before we got here, giving us one hell of a scare, dude.”
“For
a second there, I was ready to kick your ass out of heaven.” Valerian grumbled, messing with the buttons on his phone. “Don’t scare us like that again. When you stopped breathing, we all assume the worst.”
I stopped breathing? My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, glancing at my hands as horror coursed. through my veins. “I’m sorry…”
“No need to apologize, bro.” My Gamma patted my shoulder, avoiding the gauze. “We’re glad you’re okay.”
I nodded, growing silent. I looked at my surroundings, glancing from the windows to the full and simple furnishings made of glass and wood, to the simple décor of antique vases and plates sitting inside glass cabinets, intimidating the beauty of the morning sky. The couch I sat upon was soft in a dark ash,
accommodating to my weight. The glass table in front of me held a simple bowl of apples and bananas along with a water pitcher and several class cups.
The home and hearth were simple, yet warm.
“Wait. You said this is Asim’s home?”
“Yes.” I jerked my head to see the man in question coming from the kitchen with a plate full of rice and chicken. It took my mind a few seconds to realize that he wasn’t Osiris, despite their incredible resemblance. “It won’t be my home for long, however. I’m only renting this space until I leave for Egypt once again.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Hmm. Give or take a few weeks before I found your team.” Asim grinned, the corner of his eyes crinkling with his smile. “I had to get used to life in the city before I ventured off with the guidance of All Mighty Ra.”
“I guess that means you’re an avatar, as well.” He nodded. “Wouldn’t your brother find us here?*
Asim shook his head. “No. Just like our parent’s home, this place is shielded under the blessings of my god, Everything inside this home is under his protection, which means Osiris won’t be able to find us unless we step over the protection threshold, which is not recommended. However, he is… incapacitated. At least, het
should be.”
“Didn’t you stab him?” Valerian asked, eyebrow arched.
“Yes. He isn’t the only one who can deal with knives and daggers.” Sadness and regret reflected in Asim’s violet eyes as he exhaled a weighty sigh. It hurt to look at them. “It had to be done. He’ll be spending his time healing, so he wouldn’t exactly be on the hunt tonight.”
“Not him, but his subordinates would. We can’t get too comfortable.” Kwame mentioned. “They could scour
the streets right now.”
“Which is why we all must stay inside unless it is absolutely crucial for us to leave.” Asim patted his thighs once and handed me the plate of food. “Eat up. You need to get your strength back.”
“Thank you.” I took the plate and was about to eat until a hefty reminder popped into my head. “Wait! Ashley
Chapter 2 – Safehouse
and Steven! They’re-
“Out.” Valerian interrupted, voice void of emotion. His body shook under uncontained emotion. “We got them out. It took time too, but since Garnet Moon was the closest pack to where we were, Nikolai and Lyra transferred them to their pack hospital to heal.”
“They’ll be fine.” Lyra walked in from the dim corridor; lips curled into a soft snarl. “They got lucky. If we left them any longer, they would’ve bled out.”
“Oh, you would’ve liked that, huh?” Valerian accused, glaring daggers at the former Luna. Lyra shot a look at my Beta, close to a mother whose children he insulted in front of her. Her hazel–eyes darkened to a rich brown, sending chills down my spine.
“It wouldn’t be wise to argue with me, pup.” She shot back. “Your mother and father–in–law are alive. Be thankful.”
“They’re my mate’s parents and my son’s grandparents. Do you know how hard it was getting off the phone with them and Adonis asking about them?” His hand squeezed his phone, metal absorbing in his anger. “If your crazy–ass daughter hadn’t cut them up like fucking ham-!”
“ENOUGH!” I roared, my Alpha authority bleeding through my command. Valerian closed his mouth immediately, but not without a scoff as his legs carried him to the window, staring out at the obscure sky. “Watch yourself, Valerian. Disrespecting Kiya won’t be tolerated, no matter what. You’ve forgotten that you’re in my presence.”
“I haven’t forgotten, Neron. Believe me.” He snarled back. Onyx wanted to put him in his place, to remind him that insulting Kiya in front of us was punishable, but I didn’t have the energy. The living room fell into tense silence as I ate a couple of bites of my food before my stomach insinuated that I was full.
Settling the plate on the glass table, I turned to Asim, sitting in a chaise. “How long do we have until Osiris recovers?”
The twin hummed, tapping his finger against the arm of his seat to a silent tune. “Vampires heal fast, so under normal circumstances, he would’ve tried to kill us before we left into the woods. However, because Ra gifted my blade to me, it’ll take him some time to heal from a weapon forged by a deity. My guess is the earliest would be the next morning.”
“That doesn’t give us enough time to plan on how to defeat him.” Kwame muttered, knees on his thighs and hands folded in front of him. His gaze is hyper focused on the table, but I know he isn’t paying attention to the glass. “Do you know how we can stop him for good?”
Asim’s eyes lost their shine again, shame contorting his face. “1…” He ran his hands through his long white hair in hopes to curb the growing anxiety on his face. “I’ve been thinking of any and every possibility, but… when I looked into his eyes today, I saw nothing. His soul… my baby brother wasn’t there. It is my fault that he is like this.”
“He said you abandoned him.” I reminded, remembering Osiris‘ hatred–filled screams.
“I did, and I’ll never forgive myself for that.” Asim answered in a despondent tone.
“Would we have to kill him?” Kwame asked the million–dollar question. Asim flinched, eyes blinking back his
Chapter 82 – Salehouse
tears. “I’ll take that as a yes.” at as a yes.”
“If there is no saving him… then yes.” He lifted his gaze. “But it’ll take all of us to defeat him and his army.”
“Well, I’m always up for a challenge. It’s been some time since I’ve been in a fight!” A new voice entered the conversation, exiting the hallway with a few takeout boxes at hand. The scent of seawater and lavender tickled my nose. I recognized the woman from somewhere, but my mind failed to pick up wear, especially since the shaven side of her hair was dyed with white, blue, and pink stripes. The dark–haired woman grinned, offering me a wave. “Hi Neron. Remember me?”
“Um… I squinted my eyes before sighing in defeat. “I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
“It’s okay. I’m Violetta. Kiya introduced us at the mall a while back.”
A lightbulb went off in my head. The singer! Violetta grinned when she noticed the flash of recognition on my face. “Phoebe called me up and said you all needed help, and I needed a distraction, so I thought, “why not?” She settled the Chinese takeout boxes on the table. “Avatars must stick together, right?”
“I take it she hasn’t eaten?” Lyra asked, her voice etched with worry. Violetta’s smile faded into a frown, nodding.
“She won’t eat anything we offered. Galen said that she loves chicken dumplings, but she wouldn’t eat that. It’s like she is in a daze and we can’t pull her out of it.”
“But, she’s okay, right?” I asked, nearly toppling over in panic. The woman in fishnets nodded.
“Physically, yes.” Violetta tapped her cheek in thought. “Why don’t you try to talk to her, Neron? She’ll respond to you. You’re her boyfriend, right?”
“Uh…” Heat rushed to my cheeks while Onyx panted and wiggled his tail behind my eyelids. “W–we aren’t in a relationship, Violetta.”
“But, she certainly means something to you and vice versa.” She pressed her fists against her hips. “If you’re well enough to walk, try it. You might get through to her, who knows? You carried her before you passed out.”
Would Kiya want to talk to me? We left many things unsaid between us. I still felt the heat of her body against mine when she clung to me for her protection. My head said to leave her alone, but my heart won’t let it go and wants to see her.
The humans say, ‘follow your heart‘, right? I’ll be doing just that.
Kwame and Asim helped me to my feet. Valerian was sucked into his own world that only the night sky could see. Walking up to Violetta, she looked up at me and reciprocated my smile.
“Lead the way.”