Page 150 of Dark Souls

She shook her head. “You’re wrong. He has felt acceptance. From you. That would mean more to him than anything.”

I exhaled loudly and let that sink in. She was right. They had me. I accepted them and I wouldn’t stop until the rest of the world did, too.

“And the family will come around, I promise. They are just being cautious. Imagine being told something your entire life and then suddenly being asked to question it. It will take time for them to process but they will.”

“How come you are being so understanding, then?”

She smiled. “I don’t have the same responsibilities your parents do. And if there is one thing I have learned in my lifetime, it’s that you can never judge a person without knowing what they’ve been through. Everyone is capable of goodness, just as everyone is capable of evil, regardless of your race. And most importantly, no one is perfect.”

“So you agree with them? You agree that even after everything, The Devil deserves a trial?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “All I am saying is that life is never black and white and nor are people. Sometimes, people do bad things but there is room for redemption. However, I doubt that will be the case here. Some people are just terrible and don’t deserve second chances. But I do agree with the system your parents have for dealing with people like that. It works. And justice is nearly always served.”

“I wish I could be as optimistic as you. See the potential for good in everyone. But I don’t. And I’ve seen with my own eyes what they’ve done to Luka. To Heathen. To Hana. Their reasons are irrelevant; they forfeit both forgiveness and redemption. They have continued to ruin two people’s lives. They’ve treated them like they don’t matter, and only see them as objects they possess and use for their own gains. They took away their choices and their freedom. I don’t want to live in a world where people forgive that.”

“Then let’s find out everything we can about The Devil and whoever else is involved. Gather up all the evidence and allow Luka to present his case to the family.”

“It’s not as simple as that. Luka doesn’t trust anyone. And he’s worried about his sister’s life. The Devil can’t find out that any of us know about Luka or Heathen until we figure out who we are dealing with. We need to have the element of surprise on our side and the fewer people know about it all, the better chance we have at keeping it contained.”

Grandma stood up. “Then let’s go back inside and come up with a plan. Together.”

I huffed, not convinced but willing to try again. We walked back towards the castle until an ostentatious sports car came tearing up the long driveway and skidding to a halt in the gravel. I narrowed my eyes to try to get a glimpse of who was in the passenger seat and who was driving like a maniac. I froze. Oh. Hell. No.

“Oh look, Leif’s home. That’s good timing, as we will definitely need his help with this,” Grandma said, continuing to walk to the front door. She looked back over her shoulder to see I had stopped and was glaring at the car with clenched fists. “Ilaria?”

“It’s okay, Grandma. Go and butter them all up for me. I need to speak with my brother.” My tone was sharp and she frowned, peering back over to the car that Leif was still sitting inside and was now leaning over and kissing the driver with clashing tongues. I nearly vomited in my mouth.

As soon as she had gone inside, I zoomed up to the passenger door, ripping it open. I grabbed Leif by his jumper, yanking him out of the car aggressively.

“Woah! What the hell,” he slurred, falling onto his ass on the gravel as the driver’s door opened on the other side and Lia dived out, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open at my violent outburst.

“No. What the hell to you, Leif Anderson! What are you doing with her?” I shouted, pointing my finger accusingly at the bimbo standing behind me.

Leif rolled his eyes as he attempted to pull himself to his feet unsteadily. Uh, no. He did not get to give me attitude right now.

“Herhas a name,” Lia snapped back. I turned and hissed at her, causing her to recoil slightly in surprise. I was not in the mood for this.

“Calm down, sis. Since when have you cared who I am hanging with?” Leif asked, now upright but swaying slightly. He smelt like a brewery and looked even worse. This was getting ridiculous. When had he last had a decent night's sleep or even a flipping shower?

“I care when you are choosing to ‘hang with’ a fucking spoilt brat who has nothing better to do than bully others and plot ways to sink her claws into the men of this family through any means possible.”

Lia dropped her head, pretending to look hurt by my words and Leif frowned. “Don’t be a bitch, Ilaria. Lia’s been a friend. She’s actually been there for me recently. Which is more than I can say for you.”

I blinked at him in shock. Was he serious? Okay, so I may have been a little distracted recently but people’s lives were hanging in the fucking balance. My mate’s life, to be exact. I couldn’t sit around getting shitfaced with him, which is all he was interested in doing these days.

“Leif. I’m going to go,” Lia said quietly, acting every inch the innocent, meek submissive that she was absolutely not. “Call me later, yeah?”

“No! He most certainly will not call you later!” I shouted as she slammed the car door and put the car in reverse. “Stay the fuck away from my brother or I swear to God, Lia!”

“Bloody hell,” Leif grumbled, brushing past me. “And you say the men in this family are overprotective.”

“Yes, I am overprotective when I can see she is taking advantage of you. You are not thinking straight. Look at you! You’re a mess! Enough is enough, Leif. I know you’re hurting, grieving and angry at the world. I get that. But clearly you’ve lost your frickin’ mind if you’re choosing to take comfort in Lia, of all people. You know the hell she put Neve through for years. You know she has thrown herself at Lorcan and Raiden and you, time and time again. She is only after one thing! Power and fame.”

“You know nothing about what I am going through! And she has apologised about Neve and Raiden. She actually feels bad. She has a different mindset after all that. Anyway, maybe I am using her too? Ever thought about that?” he shouted. I paused. Leif never shouted. He never lost his temper. Ever. Nothing ever got to him enough to make him scream and shout and it was disturbing to see. This wasn’t him. “Do you know how it feels to be constantly babysat and looked at with pity by everyone around you? Lia doesn’t do that. I’m not going to fucking marry the girl. But she listens. She’s distracting me from the mess of my fucking life. Everyone in this family is too busy with their own bullshit to care about mine. Or even understand it. Lorcan is over at Blood Moon with his new responsibilities, starting his new life with his perfect mate. Mum and dad are busy ruling the realm, Raiden and Sienna have the SIA, and you, fuck knows what it is that you are doing but one thing I know for sure is that you are keeping secrets from me.” He stepped up to me, glaring down through drunk multi-toned eyes. “When did we start doing that, huh? When did we start keeping secrets from each other?”

My anger had dispersed and guilt took its place. He was right. I had been keeping secrets from him, which we had always promised we’d never do.

“It’s been… messy. I’ll tell you everything, Leif. My life has been confusing and you’ve been struggling. I didn’t want to add my shit to yours.”