When Silver Moons Rise (Lost Immortals Saga #2) (22 page)

I clench my fists and calm the heat boiling in me. The Grace inside me sleeps, but I am now wide awake.

Chapter Twenty Five

The Haunted Past (Chela)

Claaaaannngggg! The noise trills through my head the next morning. Outside Lilith’s room, an abundance of shouting is going on. I sit up, clear the sleep out of my eyes, and massage my chest where the spikes on Lilith’s dress poked me all night. It’s hard to believe this thing didn’t spear the bed.

I get dressed in a matter of seconds and rush out the door. I try my best to ignore the sinking feeling twisting in my belly. As soon as I get closer to the circle where everybody partied last night, I find out what the fuss is all about. Seth is chained to a pole. He’s wearing a metal collar while several guys pull him back and forth between one another.
Oh no. They must know he’s Tainted.
Zeke finally made his play.

“What are you doing?” I ask, moving over to stand by Seth’s side. “Jade, why are you letting them do this?”

I get a death glare. The kind woman who welcomed me as an honored guest yesterday has turned cold in less than a few hours. She steps toward me. Under her icy glare, I have to work to hold my ground. “You lied to me, Chela. He’s one of the fallen scum. Tell me you didn’t know this?”

I sigh and lower my head.
Oh boy.
Glancing over at Seth, I wonder why he takes all of this. He’s not completely crippled. No, he doesn’t have the full use of his powers, but he’s still very strong. Yet, he has allowed these people to secure and abuse him. I glance over at Zeke who wears a smug, victorious smile. He finally made his move, just like Seth said he would do. He was only waiting for the right time. If I still had my powers, I’d use them to zap that smile right off his face.

“Mark saved my life, because he was going to rape me,” I announce, pointing at Zeke. I leave out the part about being bled dry. I need to prove to her I’m still on her side.

She gives Zeke a hard stare. “Is this true? Answer me.”

“No way. I was trying to save her from a couple of vagabonds, and this fallen piece of scum jumped me. He’s the reason I have to wear this,” Zeke says, tapping the patch over his left eye.

“You’re a liar,” I hiss and start toward him. Someone holds me back. Lilith’s brother, Lionel.

“Don’t lie to me. I’ve already been duped enough,” Jade says and glances at me. In her eyes, I’m the one with the low credibility score at this point. I can tell.

“I swear that’s the way it happened,” Zeke says.

“He’s lying. Can’t you see that?” I say, my breaths increasing. Why doesn’t Seth say anything to defend himself? Instead, he stares at the ground as though he’s lost the ability to speak or fight or do anything.

Jade throws a hard look at me, and I can’t read her emotions for some reason. “I’m sorry, Chela. But you haven’t given me any reason to trust you. There’s a Tainted in my camp. He even managed to get around my blood test. You knew this about him, but chose to say nothing. I have half a mind to detain you right along with him.” Her look softens, but only by a touch. “I know how persuasive the fallen ones can be. Slick tongues, unearthly good looks. No red-blooded female can resist the pull, their temptation, Chela. I understand, it isn’t your fault.”

“Jade, you have to believe me. He saved my life. Zeke’s lying. Se—Mark hasn’t given you any reason to feel threatened since you brought us here. I don’t understand—”

“Cut the pretense, Chela. Zeke has already told me his real name. I had hoped I would never hear the name Seth Alton ever again. Yet, here he stands in my camp, the person who turned my daughter against me. Now, she sits in a prison, while he’s free.”

Oh no. I know who Jade reminds me of, now. The exotic dark looks, the long braid with the silver ribbon entwined inside it, a symbol of the succubus witch’s culture.

“He’s the one who turned my Ashli into a killing machine. A heartless girl who only lives to hurt people now,” Jade says, her voice cracking. “Say your goodbyes to Seth Alton, because tomorrow when the Silver Moon rises, he dies.

* * *

Seth has been taken back to the phantom library. Lilith has made it possible for me to sneak away and see him by distracting the guards Jade ordered to keep watch over me. Lilith continues to help me. I’m pretty sure her assistance comes with a price. Everything else in my life has turned out to be that way.

Why should this place be any different?

I slip inside the metal doorway and walk over to where Seth sits on the floor. Two cuffs connected to a couple of long chains are attached to both of his wrists. He also doesn’t have the luxury of being able to use a chair this time. Instead, his chains are attached to poles situated on both sides of the nook he sits in.

I sit on the floor in front of him.

“Lotus,” he says calmly. “I would’ve thought you’d be out there somewhere celebrating this moment. Yet, here you are, choosing to spend your precious free time with me. Why is that?”

“I don’t understand why you’re letting them treat you this way? I know you can break these chains,” I say to Seth. A hint of a sarcastic smile plays across his lips and in his eyes.

“The metal is made of galena. My powers aren’t strong enough to do a thing, thanks to your invisible boyfriend,” Seth snaps, yanking against his restraints.

“You knew Jade was Ashli’s mother. You should’ve just told me as soon as we got here.”

“That would’ve went over well with you, I’m sure. The murderer can now add the title of evil warlord who corrupts innocent girls to your self-righteous list of no-nos, right?”

“Maybe I should let them toss you into a volcano. Then I won’t have to listen to your smart mouth anymore,” I scold.

“Suit yourself. But know this, Ashli was already in touch with her darkness when we met a few years ago. She didn’t need me to steer her toward a road she was already walking on.” He looks me straight in the eyes, hammering the meaning behind his words deep into my mind.

Seth believes I got in touch with the dark side of my powers. Okay, so something did grab hold of me last night. I’m still struggling with trying to understand what happened. I can’t afford to let Seth into my head this way, though. I shudder when I think about what could happen if I were to actually let him in.

“I know what you’re thinking. That I’ll go dark. It won’t happen that way for me,” I try to reassure him, thinking of Mother.

“Whatever you choose to believe,” he mutters and sits back so he can give me the smug, disarming grin he always uses to throw me off guard.

I clear all memories of the two of us dancing last night out of my head. But he’s right about Ashli. That girl enjoys hurting people. She helped Camden make a serum to turn innocent kids into undead creatures. How can she be the daughter of someone like Jade? I’ve spent enough time with Seth to understand how he works.  As much as I might want to believe he’s crooked and a complete lost cause, I’ve learned he only latches on to his target’s previously existing flaws. Still, his bad boy qualities don’t mean I can just sit back and let someone destroy the only way to save Faris.

“I’m not going to let this happen to you,” I begin. Asa said if one of them dies, then they all die. I face losing Faris, even after all I’ve done to find him. “I might beat myself up for saying this, but I agree with you about Ashli. That doesn’t mean I forgive all of the crappy things you’ve done to my family and friends.”

He stares at me the longest time, and says, “Careful, Lotus. I might start thinking you’re actually concerned about me.” His smile widens.

I roll my eyes. “It’s just that I—well, I don’t think anybody should be punished for something they didn’t do,” I admit quietly, debating on whether to tell him about the dream I shared with Asa, or not.

“Go ahead, tell the fearless rebel leader how you feel. I guarantee you’ll find yourself strapped up here beside me in a flash.”

Once again, he’s right. I play a dangerous game by looking after this Tainted. But he belongs to the last remaining royal celestial family, the Lost Immortals. He’s Faris’s brother, and he’d want me to do the right thing by saving his family member’s life. The same way Seth has saved mine so many times throughout this journey.

“I know what has to be done,” I say as I stand up. Seth rises to his feet too.

“What are you planning to do?” he asks as if he doesn’t know; but I’m pretty sure he does.

“I don’t enjoy feeling like I owe you anything. At the end of the day, you’re still one of the Tainted. To be obligated to your kind in that way is never a good thing. Just know I’m going to reduce my bill a bit.”

“You’re about to do something stupid, I’m sure. Might as well hang a billboard advertising you have angel-blood before you even get started,” he says sarcastically, his strange dark gaze filled with something I don’t dare consider to be concern.

“Watch it, Seth, or I might start to believe you actually care about me,” I say in a mocking tone and walk away before he has time to respond.

Chapter Twenty Six

Heroine with Heart (Chela)

“I want to exercise my right to use the Champion’s Call.” Silence blankets the room. Jade, Zeke, Lionel, and two of her other closest advisors all stand inside her living room. “It’s my right as Champion of this nation to be able to use the Call. And it’s your duty to honor it.” The Champion’s Call is the right to challenge the rule of any decision considered to be based on hearsay rather than actual proof. It’s a long shot, I know. Seth has done some crappy things. Still, I want to give the Call a chance to work.

“Borough rules don’t apply out here. Find another way to save your lover,” Zeke says, his lips turned up in a smirk. I narrow my eyes at him.

Stepping forward, Jade studies me as though I’m insane. “What are you doing, Chela? You’re putting the life of a murderer before your own. Consider the consequences if you lose.”

“I’m putting a life before my own, yes. Somebody has to fight for the living in this crazy world. Why not let it be me? My mother chose the wrong side. Your daughter did too. Seth didn’t hold a gun to her head and make her use her powers to hurt people. She teamed up with the Tainted all on her own. There’s already too much loss. Somebody has to choose life. I want to be the one to make a difference.”

Tears fill Jade’s eyes. She lowers her head and inhales deeply, blinking them away. “Very good. Your words hit hard. You are most certainly a heroine with a big heart. I hope carrying the world’s burdens around doesn’t wind up getting you killed.” Jade glances back at Zeke and crew hanging on our every word. She waves a hand at them and says, “I need a moment alone with Chela.”

Zeke grumbles and says, “What? Come on, Jade. You can’t seriously be ready to consider what she’s saying right? She’s working with the black wing. You need to tie her up too.”

“Silence!” Jade roars. All four guys cower. “I said leave us.” Zeke lowers his eyes for a moment and then glances at the guy beside him just before they all file out of the front door. Now, Jade and I stand alone in the room.

“You care for this Tainted,” she says in a factual tone.

“No. It’s complicated. I don’t—I…”

“Then leave him. Move on and find your friend.”

“I can’t,” I whisper.

Jade’s face hardens the slightest bit. “You’re an angel-blood,” she says. I glance at her and my mouth falls open. “Don’t look so surprised. It isn’t only your physical appearance that gives you away: that uniquely colored hair with the silver strands framing your face; it looks the same as your friend you’re prepared to die for. It’s not even your strange skin tone. Or even the seraphinite necklace you wear so inconspicuously for everyone to see. Your giveaway comes in the way you challenge me, the way you speak of Ashli. You’ve experienced her powers. I can tell. No one here knows about her abilities. There’s no need to deny my claim. As her mother, I have my own secrets, as you very well know.”

“What will you do now? Chain me up with Seth?” I ask, hoping that’s not the case.

“Groundless barbarics aren’t my style, Chela. Besides, you could just as easily call me out on my secret as well. I’ve heard stories about the last ancestors of the Immortal Seraphs, the royal angels, the group that keeps the balance between both worlds. Make no mistake. I am honored to be in your presence. But Seth Alton is a member of the group that murdered your kind and mine. The Tainted will wipe out everything and everyone who gets in the way of their goals. Humans will be prisoners. And the Lost Immortals will remain as stories in the minds of our children.”

I wonder if Jade knew that Seth was a descendant to one of those Immortals if she’d still be ready to condemn him. Heartache blinds us, though. I have the feeling that revealing Seth’s secret would only make this situation worse.

“I have my reasons for wanting to keep Seth alive. And he did keep Zeke from hurting me,” I say, feeling somewhat hopeful because of this new information Jade has revealed to me. “I still stand behind my right to challenge your judgment.”

“I believe you, Chela. Understand this. As the leader of this community, I’m responsible for what happens to all of the men, women, and children who carry on the best that we can inside this godforsaken new world we’ve been thrown into. They look up to me, because they have no one else. I am fully aware of Zeke’s treacherous intentions.”

This news takes me by surprise. I look up at her and frown. She seizes the moment and continues with her explanation. “Yes. I know he is from a gang, a deadly one that targets angel-bloods and supernaturals of all types, including my own succubus group. Bleeding us dry. Having his way with the females along the way. Lionel filled me in on the stories from a few of the young people who live inside the city where we found Zeke. He was in bad health, and your Tainted friend obviously worked him over, which I figure he no doubt deserved.”  She gives me an applauding smile.

I scoff and say, “Then why do you let him stay?”

“Sometimes the best defense is to create an offense first. Keep your friends close. But sometimes your enemies need to stay in your most influential circles. Make them think they have the upper hand. In Zeke’s case, he’s one of my top military advisors. It doesn’t get any closer than giving him a position right up under my nose. This also means that anyone who challenges my judgment faces a showdown with him. Do you understand what I’m saying, Chela?”