Page 15 of Crimson Devotion (The Sacred Seven #1)

FIFTEEN

Ophelia

The door of my study opens, and Valerio enters swiftly, with Aurelia in tow.

The two are dressed in the same clothes, and it’s starting to get creepy.

Aurelia’s always seen Valerio as some sort of God, and if she dares disobey me, she’ll always listen to what he says.

A rather odd pairing of siblings, given that the two share the least things in common.

Both are wearing long leather coats. They end around their ankles, with black turtlenecks tucked into black pants, with leather belts. Even the belts are the same, and their boots, too.

“This image is just weird.’’ I snort, leaning back into my chair. The two take seats across from me, exchanging a brief glance.

“You called us?” Valerio speaks, crossing one leg over the other as he leans back into the plush seat, a serious look on his face. He knows I rarely summon people into my study, as it’s a no-no zone for everyone except Lucifer. Well, and[1], I guess.

“Yes. I need something from you two.’’

“What is it?”

“Back when I lost the bracelet, who took it?”

Valerio lifts an eyebrow. “How would I know? You were the one to lose it, Ophi. Besides, it was two centuries ago. And you have it back. Does it matter?”

“It matters. Do you know how Faith ended up with the bracelet?”

“No.’’ He leans forward slightly. “But I am curious.’’

“She found it in her home, after her parents were killed. A vampire killed them. What I don’t understand is why a vampire would be so thoughtless to lose it. Especially if it was in their hands for two hundred years.’’

“That does seem odd.’’ Aurelia frowns. “How did you lose it, again?”

“A fight with werewolves.’’ I sigh, barely remembering the details of the fight. “I didn’t even notice it gone until sunrise.’’

“You killed them all, I presume?”

I nod.

“Then…’’ Aurelia glances at Valerio. ‘‘If we find out who found the dead pack, we’ll know who took your bracelet, and who killed her parents.’’

“That’s where the two of you come in. You’ll go and find out for me.’’

“You’ve been inside this castle for two hundred years, Ophi.’’ Valerio’s gaze softens. “Why don’t you go? It would do you good to get outside a little.’’

“It’s a widely known fact that Lucifer’s here. I’m not leaving him unprotected, and besides, why would I go when the two of you are perfectly capable of doing this little task for me? Or are you incapable of following leads?”

Aurelia scoffs, her ego wounded. The prideful look she carries like a badge of honor appears, and I suppress a smirk. She straightens up, pure determination on her face.

“Of course we can! Who do you think we are? We’ll leave first thing tomorrow.’’

Valerio groans, burying his face in his hands. “Aurie, she’s playing you like a fiddle.’’

Aurelia ignores him, eyes on me. “What do you want us to do with them?”

“Bring them here. I’ll let Faith decide what she wants to do to them. Though, I think she’ll kill them. Rightfully so.’’

“Are you sure that’s smart?” Valerio presses, worry flashing through his eyes. “She’s still a new vampire. Killing a vampire as a human and as a fellow vampire isn’t the same, and you know it.’’

I wince.

When a vampire kills another vampire, they can hear their soul. It’s gut-wrenching, and it manifests as physical pain. Because of vampirism, even that pain is enhanced, and many never survived it at all. I hate myself for not thinking of it sooner.

“Then I’ll do it.’’

“But—’’

“End of discussion,’’ I say, raising my voice just a little. Valerio’s mouth clamps shut, and he nods reluctantly. The concern doesn’t lessen; if anything, it increases when he sees just how excited Aurelia is to be given such an important task.

“Alright,’’ he breathes out, straightening up. “That’s not the only reason you’ve called us here, is it?”

“No, there’re two more things.’’

“Go on.’’

“First and foremost, Aurelia.’’ I glare at her, and her smile immediately falters. “You need to stop with your hunt for werewolves.’’

“What? Why?”

The words leave her mouth like a childish whine, my eyes rolling to the back of my head in irritation. She pouts, hands clutching the fabric of her pants. She glances at Valerio for support, and all of a sudden, he finds the painting on the wall too interesting, not daring to look at either of us.

“Because werewolves are going missing left and right, and I know you’re responsible for that.’’

Aurelia scoffs, folding her arms in front of her chest. “How would you know? You haven’t left the castle.’’

“I have eyes and ears everywhere, little sister. You’d do well to remember that the next time you go after an entire fucking pack!”

“In my defense, they always attack me first!”

“How many packs have you killed so far?”

Aurelia pauses, looking at the ceiling, doing the mental math. “Thirty-eight, give or take.’’

My heart sinks to my feet. The number is higher than I’d anticipated.

She goes after lone wolves, too, and I thought they were her main target.

Sure, I was aware of her flair for taking out entire packs, but not once did I imagine she’d be able to kill thirty-eight and still be alive to tell the tale.

Vampires might be strong, but an angry werewolf isn’t someone I’d want to fight.

I’d win, but it would be a fight that would take a toll on me.

They’re callous, worse than us, and insanely intelligent.

They’re servants of the moon, and they roam the forests freely, which is why there’s little to no chance of finding one in the city.

The forests are their territory, and they know it better than we’d ever know it.

“And you want me to believe that all thirty-eight started fights with you?”

She shrugs, her nonchalance grating on my nerves. My jaw clenches, and the urge to throw her out the window almost takes over. With a deep breath, I close my eyes, trying to regain my composure.

“Listen to me, Aurelia.’’ I open my eyes, voice low, the threat behind my words undeniable. She freezes for a moment, then swallows thickly. “Lucifer will wake up soon. The moment he finds out you’ve been killing werewolves for fun in his absence, he’ll punish you.’’

Aurelia’s face goes slack, and I can tell that she’s seriously considering my words. Her shoulders slump, and she avoids my gaze like the plague, eyes glued to her lap while she fiddles with her fingers. It’s one of her nervous habits I’ve grown to learn over the centuries spent together.

“Alright,’’ she mumbles. “I’ll tone it down.’’

“You won’t tone it down,’’ I hiss. “You will stop.’’

“Fine.’’ She sighs, reminding me of a petulant child. She’s definitely pouting, too.

“Now, you’re free to go, Aurelia. I need to speak with Valerio.’’

She stands up, stomping out of the study. She’s not going easy on the door, either. She slams it with all her might, and it breaks off the hinges. Valerio shoots me a pointed look before he walks over to the door, trying to fix it.

“Just let it be.’’ I shake my head at her antics. “Have you found out anything about the other thing I’ve asked of you?””

If anyone knows the library, it’s Valerio. He spent too many hours in there and could probably recite every book, front to back. That’s the only reason I told him to find me anything that would explain why my heart started beating again and why I have a mate.

He turns to look at me, still trying to fix the door. “All I was able to find is that the mate bond between you two is so strong that it got your heart beating again.’’

“Which is weird, given that I’m dead. Does that mean I’m reverting to a human?”

“God, no,’’ he responds, eyes widening as if I just slapped him across the face.

The horror in his eyes makes me laugh. “Mates are often found in werewolves, sometimes even mermaids. Never vampires. And the cases with vampires were just old tales; nothing’s confirmed.

I was unable to find any names, or anyone who would be able to help.

All I did find was that you and Faith were meant to be together. ’’

“Evidently,’’ I draw out, words dripping with sarcasm.

“There doesn’t have to be a logical explanation, Ophi.

’’ He smiles softly. “It just happened. Who knows why? All that matters is that after all you’ve done for us, all the sacrifices you’ve made, and all the struggles you’ve survived, you finally found someone you can call your own.

Someone who will never leave you, and someone who loves you for who you are.

Enjoy it. Embrace it and stop letting your doubts get to you. ’’

“Stop reading me like that,’’ I mumble, looking away.

Valerio’s right.

I’ve been terrified that Faith will wake up one morning, decide that she wants more of life, and leave me behind.

That kind of pain is something I would never be able to survive.

The thought of losing her, the other half of me, the reason I’m alive — and the reason I can feel the heartbeat in my chest again — hurts.

It hurts, and if she does leave, I know I’ll have nothing else to live for.

She’s all I want, all I need.

My perfect, sacred Heaven.

“That’s easier said than done.’’

Valerio manages to fix the door, then comes to sit across from me again.

“You seem convinced that Lucifer will wake up soon. Why?”

I’m grateful for his subtle tactic to take my mind off my insecurities, but that’s only another issue I need to tackle, sooner or later.

“Yvonne was in the castle.’’

For a brief moment, Valerio freezes. Then, something unexpected happens. He stands up from the chair, eyes wide, lips thinned into a line. A look of pure fury crosses his face, his hands fisted by his sides, jaw clenched.

“She what?!”

I nod.

“And Lucifer’s locket is missing. I’m presuming she took it.’’

“When was this?”

“A while ago, while you were chasing Aurelia.’’

A string of curses slips from his lips in muttered, hushed words. He grabs one of the hair ties I keep on my desk and quickly pulls his long hair into a messy high ponytail. A few strands fall over his forehead, but he pays them no mind, eyes focused on me.

“How did she get in?”

I lean back, gripping the armrest of the chair. “I suspect it was the necklace she gave Faith. When I broke it, I felt magic, but I was too angry to focus on it. It gave her a way in.’’

“Did she do anything else to him?”

I shake my head. “No, he’s fine. Well, as much as he can be. But his locket is missing. That makes me believe she did something. I think she’s trying to wake him up, too.’’

“She was the one who put him to sleep in the first place. Why would she suddenly want him awake?”

“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?”

Valerio starts pacing through the study, his footsteps silent on the dark, oak wood floors. They creak under his weight, and neither of us speaks. I let him process the information, and soon enough, he stops pacing around, coming to stand right in front of me, only the desk separating us.

“You’re certain he’ll wake up?”

“Yes.’’

He releases a deep sigh, eyes locked on mine. He mulls over the information, his cogs turning. His eyes close for a moment, and I know we’re thinking the same thing; he’s just the one to voice it out.

“That just means that a lot of things will change. And I’m not sure the world is ready to face the wrath of Lucifer D’Achille.’’