Page 39 of Resurrection (Daemons & Lumens #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Leviathan

W e received word this morning that the witch could help us with our relics. We thought they would be destroyed in the ritual, but they weren’t. We gathered outside after breakfast, my brothers and I, Seraphina, and the unfortunate tagalong, Phenex.

The witch, Delphine, joined us in the courtyard behind the manor shortly after we arrived.

The other daemon, who I happened to like, Gremory, was with her.

Tibby as well. My face softened as I glanced at Seraphina’s friend.

She had been through so much at the hands of our fathers, and I wasn’t sure how to talk to her.

My father scrambled her brain, and Andras’s father broke her spirit.

And yet, she was here, reserved and skittish, but here. And that alone showed so much courage.

Gremory snapped a chair into existence for Tibby, and she flushed, thanking him. Delphine marched toward us. She was a striking woman but entirely too serious for my tastes. It was obvious she was powerful too, hopefully enough to rid us of these damn leashes.

Seraphina crossed her arms, eyeing the witch, and I smirked.

I could see she was sizing up the other woman.

That was a cat fight I’d gladly watch. Seraphina’s hair was still strange to see.

It was a fiery red, her natural color. She looked sexy as hell, but I almost missed the silvery blue locks.

The unique color suited her just as much.

She wore dark-green leggings and a black cropped sweater.

I was tempted to steal her away and strip her of the clothes to reveal the delicious flesh beneath.

We were all a bit sexually frustrated. Phenex refused to leave us alone with her, and she refused to fuck with him around.

The last few days were tortuous, to say the least.

“Alright.” Delphine cut through my sexually charged thoughts. “I believe the relics are tied to the daemon blood your creepy-as-shit fathers forced into you a decade ago. If we expel the blood from your bodies, Phenex here can cast some hellfire and destroy the relics when they are vulnerable.”

“Will we lose our powers then?” Andras crossed his arms. Our fearless leader was dressed almost casual in slacks and a fitted crewneck sweater. He looked like a GQ model, of course.

“Yes and no.” Delphine frowned. “Did you all know your mothers?”

I cocked my head to the side. “That’s a strange question.”

She shook her head. “Not really. You see, humans cannot accept daemon or lumen blood into their bodies and gain power the way you did. It’s essentially poison.

I have a theory they were lumens. Or that you had lumen grandparents.

Phenex and Gremory confirmed it. We thought your scents were just mingled with others, but I think it’s your blood that brought the powers forth. ”

“Intriguing,” Andras murmured. “A fact I am certain our fathers knew, and they forced the issue.”

“Like they chose our mothers and forced them to have kids?” Dev cut in, his voice shaking with anger.

“Yes,” Ty snarled, arms crossed and looking dangerous as hell.

“When we expel the bad blood, we’re going to replace it with another.” The witch cut in.

“Whose?” I asked, fairly certain I knew.

“Mine, of course.” Seraphina grinned. “Right?”

The witch nodded. “Yours or Phenex’s. And I don’t think he’s interested.”

Phenex growled. “I fucking hate this plan. I don’t want my mate’s blood flowing in their stupid veins. And they sure as fuck can’t have mine.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes. “Lucky for us all, you’re not in charge. I am. And I say they can have as much of my blood as they fucking want.”

Phenex snarled, stomping away.

“Why you want this many irrational men, I’ll never know.” Delphine smirked.

Seraphina shrugged, her own smirk devilish. “They’re delicious?”

The witch laughed, and I liked her a little bit more. “Fair point. They are easy on the eyes.”

“I can hear you, love,” Gremory shouted from his position next to Tibby. “Shall I remind you who your mate is?”

Delphine turned to Gremory with a wink. “Perhaps later, when I have you on your knees.”

The daemon chuckled, his eyes glowing. “As you wish.”

“He’s so well trained.” Seraphina laughed, and the sound was music to my ears. “Perhaps you can teach me your ways.”

I stalked toward her and dropped to the ground, my knees hitting the dewy grass. “You think I’m afraid to bow before you, mi diosa ?”

Seraphina reached out, stroking her hand through my hair. A deep growl built in my chest at the feel of her nails scraping against my scalp.

Phenex was suddenly there, kneeling beside me. “Me too. I will kneel for my queen at her command.”

Delphine laughed. “It doesn’t seem like you’re having any trouble.”

Seraphina grinned, her tongue darting out to lick her lush lips. “I suppose not.”

“When are we going to do this? With our relics?” Dev cut in, ruining the moment.

“In three days. At the new moon,” she responded with certainty.

Andras nodded. “Right then. Seraphina, sweetheart, shall we continue to practice with your power?”

She huffed dramatically. I stood slowly and wrapped my arms around her curvy waist. “I believe in you, mi diosa . You can do this.”

Phenex stood as well, shoving me aside and grabbing her face. “I believe in you too, mini monstra .”

Seraphina rolled her eyes and shoved away from us both.

I sighed. The crazy asshole was actually growing on me.

If he weren’t a daemon attempting to steal our girl, he’d fit right in with the crew.

He was obviously hot as hell, and even Seraphina was attracted to him, though she tried to deny it.

Phenex was charming and funny, and just as growly as Ty, which she fucking loved.

If we didn’t figure this shit out soon, I was certain it would end badly.

Our group was fracturing at a time when we needed to come together most. Andras and I stayed up late into the night discussing the disconnect.

And we had the feeling if Phenex wasn’t accepted by us and Seraphina, we would never be whole again.