Forsaken (book 3) (The Charmer series) (9 page)

"Of course, you can rely on me."

"Yes, I think your right," he says looking sincere.

"I'm always right," I lie before leaving his coven and joining my family.

After explaining myself to Angus, Den, Dallah and now Sallack who joins us, I once again have to listen to them why they freak out about my deal with Richard and how he will betray me. However, I made this deal with Richard so I will stick by it.

As my friends they are worried about the choices I have made along the way, but again, I had to tell them that they are my choices, and that they are made for the great of good. No deal I have made with Lucifer or Richard were selfish, they were made from my undying love for Ruk. No matter where Ruk and I come to in our lives after this mess, he will be alive, that is the sole reason I can still walk and talk.

"Babe, a deal with the Devil, really?"
Den asks for the tenth time.

"Yes, and I would do it again, for every single one of you," I tell him passionately.

"I know! That is what scares me." He half shrieks.

"Den!
You left me! What the fuck!" Candy screams as she rushes through the front door, causing us all to turn to her with frowns.

"Shit, I'm sorry,
are you ok?" He asks nervously.

"No I am not! Every time that bitch needs you, you are there like a fucking lap dog! You need to make a choice, me or her!?!"

"Candy, you have this all wrong. Den wants to be with you, he is just being a good friend," I tell her, feeling the need to stick up for Den.

"Shut it bitch! Den
decide now!?"

"Stop working yourself up so much, you have to be careful with your temper now you have our baby in there." He points to her stomach.

At a loss for words, I shake my head discreetly when I see Candy suddenly remember she carries their child.

"We should go, leave you guys alone," I say to them and in sync, Sallack, Dallah, Angus and I stand to our feet, ready to remove ourselves from this awkward drama.

"No I need to speak with you," Den half shouts out to me.

Damn it, he can't do this again, not here, not now.

"
Freeze her!"
I tell Dallah telepathically in a rush, needing her to do so before Den utters another word.

Watching the confusion in Dens face when he realises that Candy has been frozen mid shouting, I step up to him and hold his hands lovingly.

"I know that you love me, would leave her for me, but that isn't what I want. Even if Ruk and I had never found love, I wouldn't, couldn't, take a child’s father away from them. We know more than anyone how hard it is to grow up without a dad."

"I can still do that babe, we could see him all the time," he says with strength to his words.

"Candy wouldn't allow it Den. You are a family man now, you need to be there for them both, and as much as I hate Candy, she will need you. It will be hard, but you will soon forget about me when you hold your baby in your arms."

"I don’t think I will. Babe, you are my number one, always," he tells me
passionately.

"Please Den, I can't do this," I beg of him to stop.

I want Den to be happy, and with all that is going on at the moment, I don't want him to get hurt, not when he has his own family now. Even though Candy doesn't deserve the dirt off his shoe, his baby deserves the dad Den will be, the caring, devoted dad that I know he will be.

"What if you were wrong about Ruk, what if I am the one and you're letting me go," he asks with hope.

"Then you wouldn't have fathered a child with another woman," I tell him simply, but full of sorrow.

"I need to release her, it could harm the baby if I have her under the spell for a long time," Dallah announces with regret.

Den nods his head to her with a weak smile, and straight away, Candy is realised from the spell and waiting for Dens reply.

"Let's go up stairs candy," he tells her gently, receiving a smug grin in return.

Watching them leave the kitchen, I slump in the chair and sigh quietly to myself.

"All of this will come crashing down on you soon," Dallah tells me, her voice laced in grief.

"I know it will," I tell her then rub my hands over my face, taking a deep breath and looking at them with a fake smile.

"Right, I need to see Ruk before tomorrow. And before you tell me that I need you all with me, then don't. I will be fine, if something happens then I will contact Dallah, ok?"

Getting sympathetic nods of the heads from them I get up from the table and take the 3 mile walk over to the Brothers’ home, I could transport there, but I need to be alone.

Chapter 9

Standing outside the Brothers’ home, I lift my hand to knock on the door, when suddenly it opens and Mary stands there, her eyes clouded with disgust.

"Where is he?" I question in a bored tone.

"Out!"

"Move out of the way," I tell her whilst pushing her to the side, causing her to bang into the door.

"You will regret that!"

"No, no I really won't. But you on the other hand, will wish yourself dead after this Mary," I growl out with rage.

"Ha, yeah ok. He doesn't want you, you stupid girl. He really isn't here, he went to get me some ice cream, grateful for the sex he just received, said it was the best he'd had," she tells me with a bright smile, goading me on.

"I don't believe you. Where is he," I shout at her getting riled.

"Oh
hon, it's so sad that these men of yours favour me, I think I’m starting to feel sorry for you," she says pulling a sad face, the condescending bitch.

"Where is he?" I scream at her with pent up anger.

This is when Dom and Mickey come running out of the kitchen and stand looking at me, distress playing in their handsome faces.

"What have you done?" Dom asks Mary suspiciously.

"Nothing Dom. Zara here wants to know where my mate is, and I was just telling her he is out," she tells him as if butter wouldn't melt.

Frowning at her, he then looks me in the eye before holding his hand out to me and nodding his head once, indicating I should trust him.

"Babe, she's right, he has gone out. Come sit with us until he gets back," Mickey tells me warmly.

Shaking my head no, I take shaky breaths before turning my attention back to Dom.

"I need to see him urgently.”

"Leave him alone, he doesn't want you!" Mary spits.

Dom’s head whips round to growling a warning at her.

"Leave us Mary, Zara is family, she’s always welcome and can stay here as long as she wants too," he tells her with authority in his voice.

Bowing her head down in embarrassment, Dom and I walk into Sallack's office and he shuts the door securely behind us.

"He's the one?" He asks in a quiet tone.

"He...no...yes...I..." I stutter, finding it difficult to speak.

"I don't know what's happening between you two, but I know something isn't right, I can see it in your eyes. Why are you so hurt by their finding each other," he asks gently.

"I'm sorry Dom, I can't," I whisper back, holding back the tears that threaten to weaken me when I need strength so desperately.

"Ok, I trust you Zara. Do what you need to do, and ask me for help when you need it. Promise me," he says in a strong tone. Standing tall he places his hand on my chin to bring my eyes to meet his.

"Promise," I breathe out almost in a sob.

Taking a seat on the large couch in Sallack's office, I wait impatiently for Ruk to return.

Dom had left me alone with my thoughts as he could see I needed some time to think before seeing Ruk.

Dom doesn't know the truth, but he knows something's missing. I'm grateful to him for not asking questions in which I cannot answer.

"Zara?"
Ruk's deep sexy voice fills the air.

Jumping to my feet, my chest presses tightly when I see the look of sympathy in his eyes. He must think that I am desperate, begging for his attention, not that he would be far off.

"I need to talk to you?"

"Okay...what is it?" He asks gently.

And before I can stop the words from leaving my mouth, I ask,

"Did you sleep with her?"

Looking at me with sad eyes, his head nods just one time. That one gesture brings my world down around me for the second time this week. My heart is weak and my strength is slowly disappearing, leaving but a shell.

Closing my eyes, the image of them in a passionate embrace taunts me.

How could he, how? He should have waited he said he was going to wait!?

"Why do you care so much? Why pick now to tell me you care for me, I don't get it," he asks, with a confused look on his face.

"You have really done it. I thought you were strong Ruk. You...fuck...I hate you for this!" I scream in heartache.

I shouldn't be so unfair to him, but god, he said this wouldn't happen, if Den could fight this, then why couldn't he?! Why?

"Zara, I'm sorry this hurts you, truly I am, but..."

"No, its fine, I'm fine." I tell him, and walk around him to get to the door.

I need to take myself away from this disaster; I can't look him in the eye without wanting to slap his face repeatedly, till he remembers us and what his thrown away.

Stopping at the door, I turn my head to him, but don't meet his eyes.

"I would have done anything for you, and there was once a time you would have done the same for me."

Transporting myself to my home, I stand looking at my house, my home, the place where Ruk and I were going to bring up our children. Looking up at the sky, I let an almighty scream rip from my chest, a scream so loud that I feel the ground beneath me shake, and the animals in the woods scurry away to safety.

Walking past the kitchen where Angus, Dallah, Sallack, and Den sit patiently, I head straight upstairs without looking their way, unable to take the looks of sympathy.

Closing my door gently behind me, I walk over to my bed and sit on the edge and shut my eyes against the memory of Ruk and me together in a loving embrace, promising our life to one another.

I don't want anybody to feel pity for
me; I want to be left alone. I thought I'd be more upset by finding that my mate had slept with another, but as it's the second time this has happened in 5 months, with the same tramp, I feel as though my tears turn to dust and anger replaces any emotion that begs release. I want to hurt Ruk in return, I want him to feel the way I do, it may not be fair, but life isn't fair.

Fuck this life, fuck everything, and everyone!

In some sad, twisted way, I am looking forward to going to the Dark Coven tomorrow, and excited about the battle that will take place to release some of this rage building within me, even seeing Richard.

At least I know where I am with him, he will show me no sympathy,
he doesn't care about anyone. He will choose his life of crime and violence at any chance he has, I wish to be like him in many ways, to only care for myself, not to have to worry and fear for others.

"Morning sweetie, want something to eat?" Dallah asks in a cheerful mood.

"No thanks, I'm gunna head off early, I just want a cup of tea first," I tell her with no emotion.

"Ok. Why so early, you said you didn't need to be there till this afternoon," she asks gently.

"I want to get away from this Dallah," I sadly nod, silently telling her that this is the only thing I will say on the matter.

Nodding her head glumly, she turns her back to me and leans on the sink. I know that she has tears falling down her beautiful face, I sympathise with her, she shouldn't feel for me, because I cannot do it for myself. I got myself in this mess, so it is mine to deal with.

"Dallah, you here?"
We hear Julian call to her from outside, his tone sounding off.

"Kitchen," she calls out.

Entering the kitchen, I see a hesitant look on his face just before he smiles.

Quickly diverting his eyes from mine, he walks up to Dallah and kisses her head.

"What you two doing today?" He asks her, meaning the both of us.

"I'm not sure what I'm doing, but Zara...”

"Julian?" I call to him before Dallah can finish speaking.

"Um?"
He asks, but doesn't turn to look at me.

"Look at me!" I shout, making him jump.

Turning slowly, we lock eyes, and as soon as we do, I laugh aloud.

"What has got into you Zara, don't take it out on Julian, he has done nothing," she tells me in a hurt tone.

"Um hum. So Julian, what brings you here?" I ask with a grin, making him take a second look at me.

"I wanted to see Dallah, of course," he tells me sounding thrown off.

"Of course," I reply sarcastically, "who sent you?" I ask stirring my tea.

"What do you mean? What's wrong with her?" He asks Dallah.

"Oh for god sake!" I laugh and stand to my feet and walk around the table to come face to face with him.

"Who, sent, you?"
I ask angrily, my eyes burning brightly.

"You fucking whore! Who do you think you
are!" He yells at me, spit flying on my face.

“What’s going on?” Dallah shouts out, as I wipe the spit from my face, glaring at Julian as I back hand him across the face, making his head snap to the side.

Holding his cheek and standing tall, he laughs in my face before hitting me in the same manner.

I manipulate the air, and throw it viciously into his stomach, causing him to thrash against the wall, and fall heavily to the floor.

"Who sent you?" I repeat.

"Bitch!"
He yells with rage and throws his hands up to the sky, with his head down.

Forcing the air out of his lungs with my mind alone, Dallah tries repeatedly to break my focus, but in vain.

"What have you done Zara?" She cries, but as soon as she crumbles to the floor in heartache, she scurries away from him in fear and shock when his body shimmers leaving a man with dreadlocks and a dirty leather jacket, with evil eyes laughing at us as he escapes.

"How...did...you know..." She asks in a shaky breath.

"I just knew."

"I'm so sorry, how could I have not seen it!?" She cries.

"I have been waiting for it to happen.” I tell her pulling her in my arms to comfort her. “I'm sorry I didn't let you know sooner, that was cruel of me, but I needed to have his full attention," I tell her calmly. "Listen, you need to go and find Julian, see he is well."

"Yeah, you're right. Shit! I feel so stupid at being fooled so easily."

"I think that’s what he was hoping for. When I am gone, promise you will keep your eyes wide open to this, this could happen to anyone. Keep my whereabouts to yourself, and warn the others." I tell her strongly.

"I will. You be safe Zara."

"Always."

Watching her disappear before me, I run upstairs to grab my
bag before transporting to the Dark Coven.