Page 14 of Resurrection (Daemons & Lumens #2)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Seraphina

T he pain from my afternoon of torture was gone, but the dull ache of Samuel invading my mind still persisted.

It was really fucking annoying. His intrusion was the first time I felt someone inside my mind and that would never be happening again.

The Kings and even the Princes of The Obscuritas were far more advanced in the use of their powers, that was obvious.

Up until a few months ago, I didn’t even know I had powers, other than fast healing.

The maddening part of it all was I had no control over my own.

I healed myself without thought, and anything else was beyond my reach.

Knowing what I do now, there were so many moments I could recall feeling something.

Some other thing filling my veins and writhing beneath the surface, desperate to get out.

But I couldn’t access that power. It wouldn’t answer me—not until that fantastic moment when I tossed Samuel Delano across the room.

My power came to me then, and the rush was unlike anything I had ever felt.

Well, almost anything. Thoughts of my men slithered into the forefront of my mind and sent shivers down to my overzealous clit.

Since the stolen time in the woods with Dev, I was practically fiending for their touch.

It was also easier to focus on them instead of the impending meeting tonight.

My sister. I was finally going to see my baby sister.

Almost a decade apart, and here we were, back where it all began.

Maybe that was a good thing. Like a full circle moment.

But how would she act? What would she think of me?

If I saw so much as a hint of a bruise on her, I’d burn this fucking place to the ground with everyone in it, myself included.

I don’t think I could handle seeing her hurt by the cult that already took our other sister and our mother.

The fact I hadn’t even thought of my father did not go unnoticed.

I was too angry with him. Angry that he let this stupid cult get their hands on Michaela.

Angry that he couldn’t save our mother and sister.

And angry that he left me and never looked back.

Why should I care for a father who never cared to find me?

Angry tears burned my eyes, and I shoved thoughts of my father and any other messy emotions deep, deep down.

I stalked into the bathroom and checked my hair and makeup.

The Kings left several dresses for me, via their guards.

I wished for my leggings and boots, but apparently women could only dress like slutty debutantes in this fucking place.

The gown I slipped into now was made of the softest velvet.

The fabric clung to my curves especially well, and the deep shade of red looked like blood.

I found a red lipstick to match the dress.

The dark smokey eye makeup paired well. I was going for goddess of death vibes and really thought I nailed it.

I slipped on the black stilettos last, smoothing out the beautiful gown in annoyance. Why did evil assholes give good presents?

A guard tapped on my door but did not speak. I smirked, opening the door and stepping out. Two guards backed away, giving me a wide berth. They were all mildly terrified of me.

“Shall we go to dinner?” I smiled, showing far too many teeth and making them fidget awkwardly. I didn’t bother waiting for their reply before charging down the hall and through the maze of doors to arrive at the Dining Hall.

This place was massive. Tibby and I had studied the building plans extensively.

I knew this day would come eventually, and I at least wanted to know my way around.

Thinking of my only friend sent a piercing hurt directly to my soul.

Laszlo had fucked her up so royally, and he would pay for that.

I didn’t even get to tell her I loved her before that crazy ass guard, who was definitely not a guard, whisked her away. I hoped she was safe somewhere now.

Two more guards stood before the doors of the Dining Hall, opening them slowly as I approached.

I was growing utterly bored of only seeing guards dressed in riot gear and The Obscuritas Kings.

When the doors opened and I turned my gaze to the table at the center of the room, I smiled something fierce to see my men waiting for me.

They were all there, dressed impeccably in tailored suits.

Ty stalked toward me. His eyes narrowed as he licked his lips and examined me from the swish of my dress against the floor to the silvery blue curls on top of my head.

He wore a black, three-piece suit with a black shirt beneath.

Ty looked like a wild animal forced into submission.

I wanted the beast to come out and play.

He growled as he approached, snaking one arm around my waist. The other gripped the back of my neck possessively.

“My pet,” he purred, his lips so close to mine. “You look fucking edible. I’m about to rip this dress from your flesh and fuck you against the wall.”

His words melted my insides, and I licked my lips, loving his eyes raking over me. “Are you expecting me to say no, because that’s a fuck yes.”

Ty chuckled, and I heard Levi’s laughter collide with it.

I leaned around my monster man and smiled at Levi.

His suit was a deep navy blue and matched his eyes perfectly.

He wore a crisp white shirt beneath it, the top buttons undone and informal, the flames tattooed on his chest just barely peeking out.

He cocked his head and brought his rough hands against my cheek. “ Nuestra Diosa de la Muerte . Have you come to collect our souls?”

I leaned into his touch. “I am quite hungry for souls. Specifically those of the four devils I see before me.”

Andras joined us then, his cold mask melting only slightly as his eyes locked with mine. “Only you could look so tempting when the world is burning, my dark angel.” He leaned in close. “Do you like the dress?”

My mouth popped open, and I laughed. “More now that I know it was you and not the fucking Kings who knew my tastes so well.”

Andras smirked. I noticed then the rouge pocket square tucked into his charcoal jacket was the exact shade of my dress. Before I could let loose another sassy comment, Dev walked up to us, more slowly than the others and looking reserved. I thought of his sister, and my heart went to him.

“Hi, Dev,” I whispered, studying his gorgeous face. “How are you?”

Dev’s head dipped, hiding his beautiful green eyes from me. “You look beautiful, Seraphina.”

He turned swiftly and went back to the table. His suit was similar to Ty’s, but with a white shirt beneath. The tailored pants did wonders for his ass, and I bit my lip, watching him walk away.

I wanted to go to him, to tell him it would be alright and we would fix this, but I didn’t even know if I believed that.

“He will come back to us. We will get through this. Together.” Levi rubbed my back gently, offering comfort.

I nodded, forcing my emotions down once more. There was nothing else to say in that moment, not with so many villains among us. We walked to the table as one. It was a large dining table, set for twelve people. I was curious to find out who would be filling the extra seats.

A member of the kitchen staff directed us to our assigned seats.

We were not allowed to sit, but made to stand behind the chairs and wait for the oh-so-important Kings.

Ty was placed next to me, at the middle of the table.

An empty seat was on my other side. Andras was seated diagonally to my left, at the right of the head seat.

I assumed Laszlo would be there, the entitled prick.

Dev took his place next to Andras. Levi was moved to the same side of the table as me and Ty, but at the far end, closest to the end seat.

I had a feeling his father would be seated there, which was a bit unnerving.

This was going to be the dinner party from hell.