Page 8 of Hunted By Fear

Kai found her.

For the first time since Rome took her, everyone is back at the apartment. The only problem is we can't agree on what to do next.

“What the fuck do you mean he’s controlling her?” Talian asks the question I’m sure all of us are wondering. I didn’t ask because it doesn’t really matter much; either way, she won’t be staying with him.

Even if Rome found some way to control her.

Leave it to him to manipulate her mind; she could never love him without that. Not after whatever it was he did to her.

We might be demons, but he’s her worst nightmare.

“I don’t know what he did or how, but she didn’t remember me. All her memories are with him, building a life together.”

We’re all quiet as we let his words sink in.

“Building a life together?” Bast’s voice is gruff and clipped, not at all like his usual soft-spoken tone.

“Yeah, they're married, have been friends for years, living the dream together with a little coffee shop and a house to builda family in.” I hear the disgust in his voice, even though he manages to keep his face neutral.

Something neither Talian nor Bast manages. Talian looks as if he might puke, while Bast looks like he might very well burn the entire apartment to the ground.

Considering the fact that he and Talian already did that not long ago, I’d rather we don’t do it again.

“So fix it.” The icy rage in Bast’s tone seems to take Kai by surprise. It’s been a long time since Bast cared about anything like this; it’s easy to forget how he got such a high position.

“You think I didn’t try?” Kai snaps back, more than happy to meet his annoyance head-on. Kai gets off on being an asshole, no matter the situation.

“Wait, you couldn’t get through it?” I ask as his words finally register.

His lips pull down in a slight frown, and his brows pinch together as he shakes his head, annoyed that he’s admitting defeat.

I’ve never heard of a mind Kai couldn’t get into, let alone a mortal's.

Most mortal minds were easy pickings; they didn’t even realize they were in danger of mind reading and manipulation, so they had zero defense, not that anyone would care to see into their minds. Most humans were relatively easy to control without digging too deep.

Angels, on the other hand, were harder, as were some demons, but never had I heard of Kai being unable to do it. Sometimes it was harder than others, but the four of us were some of Satan’s highest-ranking generals, under only him and the princes.

“Did you really even fucking try?” Bast pushes to stand, the stool falling to the ground with his sudden movement, but nobody pays it any attention.

“It’s no secret you two didn’t get along,” Talian says with a sigh that makes Bast roll his eyes.

“They get along just fine,” Bast snaps, turning his narrowed gaze to Kai, who glares back. “Don’t you?”

I glance between them, knowing I’m missing something but unsure if I care to ask for the details. Clearly, it’s a sore subject, and it won’t do us any good with getting Aerilyn away from Rome, so is it even worth it?

“What am I missing?” Talian asks, seemingly just as confused as I am, and I feel a little better knowing I’m not the only one left out.

“It doesn’t matter.” All eyes turn to me. I can see Talian’s urge to continue to push for information, but I push forward before he can.

“Regardless of what you are or are not able to do, we need to get her out of there before Rome comes back. We can worry about the rest after; who knows when we’ll get another chance like this.”

Talian still looks like he wants to press Bast and Kai for answers, but he stays quiet, for now. Bast looks two seconds from losing his mind, and Kai looks annoyed, no doubt over being unable to break through Rome’s barriers.

I don’t like that either, if I’m being honest.

When did Rome become so powerful?

And why would he use so much power on her?