Page 90 of All Your Deadly Truths (The Filthy Duet #2)

Xeraphine

M y heart rockets into my throat. The feeling of my blood coursing through her system sends shivers all the way to my fingertips.

When I sense the resistance building within her, I slice open a fresh wound on my forearm, summoning hundreds of needle-thin points.

I hurl them at her, and they hit their mark, piercing right through her flesh.

As more of me flows into her, the sensation nearly drops me to my knees.

“Kneel, Tali,” I command, and though I feel her resistance, she obeys. Kai’s shadow releases her, and she drops to her knees before us.

I can’t tell the emotions that are flying around inside of me, because they are all over the place.

Pride, fear, happiness; the one emotion that I can feel out of all of them, above all else, is dread.

A heavy weight falling on my shoulders, because as much as I want this to be my happy ending, something inside reminds me that it isn’t mine to have.

Taking a step toward her, she begins to laugh.

“Who would’ve thought it would actually work…” She lifts her head to me, our gazes locking. “What’re you going to do, Daughter?”

I pass Kai, who reaches his hand out to me, just enough to brush his fingers across my wrist. He doesn’t stop me, but just reminds me that he is there, even as he leaves my peripherals.

Taking in a deep breath, I finally say, “You are going to permanently separate yourself from this world.” I can’t command her to do it, it doesn’t work that way.

She has to willingly go, and as much as I want so badly to demand through my power her to do it, it will do no good.

“I’ll summon Proserpina” —she laughs— “and you will tell her that is what you want. To leave this world, and to never return. ”

She leans forward, and begins laughing hysterically.

I continue, “You’ll do this, Tali, or I will remove your head and stab this dagger through your heart so you will never rise again.”

When her head lifts, I hate that she’s smiling. As if the threat means nothing to her. That it’s as empty as her very soul is.

If she even has one…

“You should know how unreliable burying someone is…”

My chin trembles, and I grip tightly to the blade.

“All it takes is one curious Mundane to bring me up, take out the dagger, and I will be back hunting you and what is mine! ”

I swallow hard, shaking my head. She trapped me in a box, but I’ll bury her in a concrete structure so deep in the earth that not even I will remember where she is.

It’s like she can hear my plans, and it only has her smiling harder. “War is coming. One where a new world will be created. Bury me to the core, someone—at any point—will find me, Daughter. I am inevitable.”

“Why…” It isn’t a question I need answered. I know the ‘why’. I understand what she wants, but it’s more of a plea. A why can’t she see just how badly this hurts me, and why doesn’t she care? Why didn’t anyone care for me and what I want?

Everyone but Kai and Sydni.

“Keep your arms down, Tali,” I say absentmindedly.

Am I ready to sacrifice one of them? For what? A life that isn’t worth living... not even one that’s truly free.

“Please.” I take another step to her and fall to my knees. “Leave and let me be happy. That is all I’ve ever wanted.”

When the smile on her lips stays, I close my eyes and shake my head in absolute agony. “And sacrifice what would make me happy? I think not. Whether it is now… or in a thousand years, Xeraphine Nora, I will have what I want.”

I grip the dagger so tightly that I fear I’ll break it.

That’s when his hand grips my shoulder, and I know what we’re about to do. The blade in my hand will no longer pierce her heart, but my own.

“One last time.” My voice catches as I tremble with the knowledge of what is to come. “Willingly separate yourself from this world and go to the Beyond with Proserpina.”

Not that I expected anything less, but when the word “Never” slips from her lips, rage and hatred surge through me. I scream.

It’s so loud that my voice cracks.

Kairhyse’s hand tightens around my shoulder, and I force myself to my feet. I turn to face him, staring into eyes that hold no worry. His hand drags across my cheek, and I fear this will break me beyond repair.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?”

My sobs come out with a whimper. “I don’t want to do this, I changed my mind.” I grab onto his shirt and shake uncontrollably. “I take it back, this plan is so stupid, it’s not worth?—”

He grabs the back of my head and slams his mouth into mine. It’s too brief, because when he pulls back all I want is for him to come back and do it again and again.

“Your peace. Your life. All of you. It’s all worth it. We will be together. Whether it is meant to be in this life, or the next. Remember that.”

I scream through my cries and shake my head. “No, you can’t make me choose myself.”

“Do it, Xera.”

“No, no, no?—”

He grabs my arms, and I can feel my hold on Tali slipping. “I love you, for our eternity. Never any less than that.” He pulls me into one final kiss in this life. “I’m yours—every version of me. Across every lifetime…” His smile breaks me. “I’ll be waiting for you to find me this time.”

When I blink, I see our first kiss, how when it happened all I could think was how much I hated him, but in truth, it was hatred for how much I wanted more.

To the time he sat across me at the diner and how right it felt to be stared at by him.

To the far too few early mornings waking up with him smiling at me.

I’ve not had enough time with him and being happy. This can’t be the last time I feel his touch.

“I love you, Kai… I’ll come find you. I promise.”

He spins me and I stare down at the woman that will be taking everything from me.

“Tali.” My voice waivers, but I continue as though someone is controlling me . “Aim for my head. Cut clean… and don’t hesitate.”

Understanding washes over her, but I don’t allow for her to contemplate the action. I pull on my blood through her, and tear apart any restraint she may have had.

She’s up on her feet, and I close my eyes.

Unwilling to see how cruel fate has been to me.

A gust of wind accompanies liquid splattering across my face.

As if a rubber band snaps my heart, agony rips through my entire body. I didn’t know pain until this moment. It’s as though every part of me shatters—hot, liquid knives slicing through my veins.

When duel thumps hit the floor, I whimper and fall to my knees .

I peel my eyes open, the world a blur as I see Kai’s back. His body lay flat on the ground in front of me, and he doesn’t move.

My shoulders shake as my being catches in its wake.

Tali’s scream shatters the fragments of my reality.

Before she can run, I command, “Get down on your knees.” My Amoro is consuming me, and I swear I’m about to lose every ounce of control.

But I can’t. I can’t be reckless. I have to see this through. I can’t…

He’s…

I can’t…

He’s…

My eyes slowly turn up to her, and the look of pure defeat laces her expression.

The tears streaking my face feel too cold.

The world feels… cold… empty…

“Proserpina.” I speak the singular name, and Tali drops her shoulders. Her eyes are wide, so much so, that I could swear they are ready to fall out.

The sound of metal screeching together comes from my left, a gate opening, but I don’t look to see what I know is happening.

I struggle to swallow.

“Tali.” Proserpina speaks as she comes to stand beside me.

I’m unwilling to allow myself to look down at Kai again. Not right now. I can’t see his…

“You’ve killed a Mark claimed by a Succubus.”

“S-She commanded me!! It goes against?—”

Proserpina cuts her off, “You took away the one protected being for us, and for that, you are subjected to damnation.” It’s now I lose what battle I have, and drop my gaze.

“I’ve always loved watching you smile, you know that? Because being able to make someone like you do so, it feels like an accomplishment.”

“My moody, complicated demon.”

“You’ll eat, now sit your ass down on that barstool, Xeraphine.”

I choke on a hysterical sob.

“I hope you’re fast, little demon.”

“I love you, even though you infuriate me sometimes.”

“Ah, my dear Xeraphine.”

Blood pools at the place where his head is missing, and I reach down for it as if I can magically sew it back together.

My vision is completely distorted, the world around me shifting with the amount of tears that blanket my eyes.

“I love you,” I whisper. “I’m sorry… ”

“Xeraphine.” Proserpina calls for me, but I don’t turn to look at her. I just keep staring at the mess I’ve made, wondering if, had he let me run away, he’d still be here. “How would you like to proceed with this damnation?”

Tali damned me by being able to control me, no matter the obstacle.

I place my hand onto his shoulder, willing him to move.

Tears fall like a river down my cheeks, and I struggle to find the means to speak.

But I have to.

I have to.

“You have to, baby.”

“Eternity in the Beyond is too good for you.” My voice breaks as the confidence in this decision falls to pieces. “Take her to the Void, where she will forever be lost to a sea of nothingness.”

Just like where she’s put me…

I shut my eyes, and release a breath.

Screams echo over my frantic mind, and in the seconds that pass, silence finally invades me.

“As you command,” Proserpina whispers. “I will be seeing you someday, Xeraphine.”

I hope not.

I hope I never have to see anyone ever again.