31. Blood

Chapter thirty-one

Blood

T he sweltering heat outside drove me to spend most of the day with Oliver in the attic. Contrary to my expectations, the standalone air unit up there created a surprisingly comfortable refuge. Our day was filled with music as we played piano and guitar together, our melodies harmonizing in a quiet symphony. At one point, we caught the triplets sneakily eavesdropping on the staircase, their eyes wide with curiosity. Throughout the day, Oliver seemed more at ease with physical contact, often surprising me with gentle kisses, even playfully pecking my neck.

As evening rolls around, I can hear Hugh shout out into the house that they had pizza delivered and if anyone wants some they should come down. Even though Oliver doesn’t eat normal food he comes down with me anyway. Casually, I take a seat squishing myself in next to Hendrik on the long couch. Kane and Seth are on the windowsill, looking a lot closer than they were a few weeks ago.

“What’s a Fallen?” I ask aloud, making Valentine choke hard enough he required a few back slaps on the back from Hunter and Echo.

“Why are you asking?” Hugh responds. Great, another one returning my question with a question.

“Well, I figure I’d ask while everyone was here, so no one avoids answering me. I asked Seth and Oliver, but they totally avoided it.”

“Where did you hear the term?” Nolan questions. Why won’t anyone just answer me?

“Her birth mother was a Fallen.” Seth answers him, casually still biting into his pizza and being the only one unfazed by my questioning. The room is silent for a moment and a few seconds later, most of them let out an understanding “Oh.”

“That suddenly makes a lot of sense.”

“What makes sense?” I’m so pissed. Reyes comes over and sits on the arm of the couch beside me.

“It’s someone that’s fallen from the Silver City, or figuratively at least.” Silver City? Like heaven?

“Oh!” I exclaim, “Is a Fallen like an angel?”

“Pretty much.”

“I mean what’s so weird about that? Vampires and werewolves can exist, but angels can’t?” Most of the guys look around at each other, wondering who the next person is to speak I would assume. “Okay, what aren’t you guys telling me?”

“The fact that you have some of those abilities already despite not knowing about it, is something they’re all thinking about right now.” Oliver speaks, leaning in the threshold of the door. I turn to face him more directly. “The fact is, none of us have been able to use our abilities on you, especially not ones that have anything to do with manipulating the mind.” Well, at least that explains that. “But there’s a lot of other things they’re afraid of.”

“Afraid?” I question, looking around the room. “Of me?” It’s almost laughable.

“Technically, we’re basically your servants.” Valentine speaks.

“Demons have no choice but to do what angels command.” Adds Echo.

Hunter additionally mentions; “That includes us witches and warlocks, too.”

I can’t believe they’re afraid of me. “But I’ve never told you guys to do anything.”

“Angels aren’t all good, Amelia.” Oliver says. “Sometimes they use demons as pawns in a larger game. Fallen are simply angels that no longer want to play. They come bound to a human body, rather than a celestial one, but they keep most of their powers.”

“Again, my birth mother was obviously a Fallen but I’m not one just because I was born, am I?”

“Not exactly.” Nolan finally talks, “You aren’t a Fallen because you were never an angel, but if you wanted to, we’d be at your bidding.”

“That’s the most… absurd thing I’ve ever heard.” Everyone has eyes on me. I don’t want them to be afraid of me. They’re demons! “I’m never going to command you guys to do anything, of course apologies if I ever do it by accident. I’ll always ask you, politely. I don’t expect anyone to be afraid of me. If there’s other things about Fallen that you haven’t told me yet that you’re afraid of, then fine, don’t tell me. But if you’re that uncomfortable, I get it, I’ll pack my stuff and go but I don’t want any of you to feel-”

“Don’t.” Hugh interrupts me, checking the faces around the room. “No one wants you to leave, although speak up if any of you feel different.” He does pause, but no one says anything, in fact, Hendrik just puts a hand on my shoulder and smiles reassuringly. “We’re happy to tell you anything you want to know. It’s just that we've all been under the thumb of a Fallen before. It’s not a great experience.”

“How bad did it get?” He doesn’t answer me, and the room goes dead.

“Some of us were asked to kill and weren’t given a choice.” Oliver breaks the silence. I look over at Nolan, he mentioned people had killed before but I thought he told me everything. He looks up at me knowingly,

“I know I told you before that some of us have killed, but I rather specifically only told you about the accidental occasions.” I look around the room…who was made to kill? Hugh won’t look me in the eye, and I know how strong he is. Kane seems completely zoned out, reflecting on something so I suppose him as well. Nolan’s fists are tightly clenched so I can only assume him too. I look over my shoulder back at Oliver who is looking right at me. Without a word he solemnly nods. These guys are pulling my heart strings in so many different directions I don’t even know where to turn. Hendrik’s face catches my eye, and I can see that he’s fighting back tears. I place a hand on his knee, and he turns to look at me.

“It’s like I told you,” He whispers, “, they really don’t like certain species being friends.” They…made Hendrik kill the wolf shifter because they loved each other? I could puke. My chest is shaking, and I can’t seem to control it. Maybe I really am going to puke – I need air. I push myself off the couch and run towards the kitchen. I hear my name being called after by several voices, but the house just feels too small to stay in. Pushing open the back door I run into the backyard. The sun has set but the sky is still tinted with it’s bright pink and orange flair.

“Amelia?” Nolan and Oliver both question as they come outside, followed by everyone from the household. I see that Kane is staying back toward the door, I suppose fearing his own actions getting too close to the pool.

“Look, I’m sorry. It’s not you guys. I just needed some air.”

“We understand if you don’t like us for what we did-” Hendrik starts but I have to cut him off immediately.

“Don’t like you guys? Are you fucking with me right now? I love all of you and the fact that someone made you guys hurt people against your will is disgusting! I think I’m gonna be sick.” I try and breathe as some of the guys come towards me. Even Oliver isn’t afraid to touch me to help me calm down.

“If you’re going to be sick, can you at least avoid the flowers.” Echo comments, which just receives a glare from myself and others.

“Mr. Pierce is going to find another Fallen soon.” Seth says, drawing everyone’s attention. “We have about three weeks, from my estimate.” Does that mean they’ll be forced to do things again? Is Mr. Pierce the one that is pulling the strings?

“Not if we’re already claimed.” Byron mutters, but loud enough to get everyone’s attention.

“He’s right.” Reyes adds, “We’re only free now cause the last Fallen died in an accident. But we can’t be claimed by two Fallen. It just doesn’t work that way.”

“Yeah, and if I had to be claimed,” Hunter sighs, rubbing his earlobe around an earring he must have got recently, “, I rather be claimed by someone who would feel guilty asking us to kill for them.” I don’t really understand what they’re talking about. What’s claiming?

“You can’t just ask Amelia to do something she doesn’t understand.” Oliver rebuts.

“Then we explain it to her.”

“You’re forcing her to take on a lot of responsibility.” Nolan adds, standing on Oliver’s side. It’s the first time I’ve seen them agree on something.

“Can we please not talk around me?” I ask aloud, breaking the conversation. “Someone please explain to me what claiming is?”

Richard clears his throat to let us know he’s going to speak, “They’re suggesting that if you, as a part-Fallen, or part-angel, whatever, claim all of us as your demons, then no other Fallen or angel can command us. We’d be your puppets, no one else’s.”

“You’re not puppets-”

“That’s what he’s saying.” Echo jumps in. “You don’t think of us as puppets, so you won’t treat us that way. You won’t make us hurt anyone.”

“Yeah, and I don’t see you being the type to command us to do stuff for you all the time either.” Hendrik adds. “I mean, we’ve mostly been doing stuff for you to be nice already.”

“I know you guys are thinking of the advantage of having Amelia, but-” Nolan starts, looking down at me, “-you can’t just tell her all the good stuff.”

“Nolan,” I interject before anyone else has the chance, “, does this benefit all of you? Like, bottom line does this get you guys out of future trouble and the torment you’ve had to put up with?” Nolan looks around at everyone before answering.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll do whatever you guys need me to do. You put a roof over my head, you welcomed me as a friend, and I still haven’t paid anyone back. I understand there’s downsides to everything but none of you deserve what sounds like a fate worse than death and if I can help with that then I want to.”

“Amelia, you don’t know what you’re suggesting.” Oliver pleads. I understand that there is more to this, but I refuse to see any of them get hurt anymore.

“Seth, what will happen if I don’t do this?” Everyone turns to Seth with anticipation.

“I’m really not sure I should say…” He’s standing nearby Kane, further away but I’m not letting him off the hook for it. Giving him the best puppy dog eyes I can, he gives in. “If she doesn’t do this, and we get a different Fallen to command us in three weeks…out of the fourteen of us here, only ten will still be here this time next year.” My mouth falls open, is he serious?

“Then I’m doing it.”

Nolan and Oliver both exchange a look before Nolan continues, “You’re not going to like this.”

“I don’t care, how much worse can it be than knowing some of you won’t even survive one year?”

“Pretty bad.”

“Hit me with your best shot.” Sighing he pinches the brim of his nose while speaking.

“Kane, go find a glass and a knife.” A knife? What for?

“Is he going to stab me with the knife?” I whisper at Hendrik.

“No, don’t worry it’s not one of those ceremonies where you have to cut yourself or anything.”

“Okay good, not that I wouldn’t have done it for you guys but someone would have to catch me when I fainted.” Kane comes back quickly with a large red wine glass and a small kitchen knife. He places it on the outdoor table nearby the pit and we all start to gather around as he hands the knife over the Nolan.

“Well, for everyone who is okay with this, and with Amelia, you know what to do.” He states, proceeding to prick his index finger with the knife and squeezing it into the glass. After a few drops he sets the knife down and backs off.

“I should mention, your blood isn’t required. Everyone else is up for debate.” Hendrik smirks as he walks forward to grab the knife and repeat Nolan’s actions. One by one each man from the merman to the incubus prick their fingers and when Oliver finishes the wine glass is about half full. It’s kind of gross actually, given how much thicker it’s getting. Fourteen demons dripping their blood into one cup. Disgusting.

“You look green and you haven’t even drunk it yet.” Richard snickers.

“Whoa, I have to drink it?” I exclaim. “I came out here because I felt sick, are you guys trying to make me throw up on the back lawn?”

“If you want to do this,” Nolan responds, “, and again I’m giving you the option to back out, you will have to drink all of it and keep it down.”

“This seems really unsanitary.”

“Amelia once again, you absolutely do not have to do this.”

“No, I'm going to. I just need to mentally prep myself for what I’m about to do.”

“Maybe we can mix it with some soda.” Hendrik chuckles.

“Amelia the blood is going to clot if you don't do it soon, and it's going to be a lot worse.” Oliver reminds me. “If you don't want to do this, you can just tell us.” I look at him and around at the faces that are staring at me with anticipation. They have so much fear in their eyes, but no one is willing to tell me to go ahead and do it. They all are giving me the option to back away. But after everything, what all of them have done for me this only one thing I can possibly do to make it up to them. I could never live with myself knowing that one of them or a few of them might die because I don't do this now.

“Is there any other steps after drinking this?” I confirm.

“Nothing.” I tell myself that if I do this quickly then I should be okay. I step forward and grab the glass, but I look up to the sky as I take in a deep breath. I close my eyes and lift the glass up to my lips and let my head fall back as I chug the thick liquid quickly. Thankfully it's not too much, and it's pretty much become just a mouthful. I open my eyes to check that the glass is empty and place it back on the table in front of me before I promptly cover my mouth with my hands. I want to gag, but I can't, so I focus on making my throat swallow. As it goes down, I feel extremely queasy. “Hey, get her some water.” Promptly, Niles runs into the house to get some water. Meanwhile, I think I'm about to faint.

“Come back inside and sit down.”

“No.” I respond. “Water would be great, but I think I'm okay.” I'm lying, but I don't want them to think I'm too weak. The taste in my mouth is horrible. A little bit like a strong metal fence. The only reason I know what that tastes like is because I was challenged to lick an icy pole fence when I was younger. I had to get a shot after that. When Niles returns with a glass of water, I chug the glass just as quickly. Once I'm done, Hendrik, Richard, and Niles all give me a big group hug. I'm surprised at first, but I'm really enjoying it. Once they let go, even Kane, Valentine and Seth give me a huge hug. Each of the guys thanks me for something that I don't really understand.

“Alright, enough excitement for one night everyone back inside.” Despite the glass of water, I still have a very strange sensation in my mouth. All I need to do is make sure it stays down.

“Yes, please. There is pizza still right?”

“You can have as much as you want.” I give him a cheeky smile before the guys usher me inside. As we walk in, I want to confirm just a few things.

“So you said there were other things to do with being whatever I am now to you guys. What kinds of things do I need to do?”

Valentine is the first to respond, “Nolan will probably help you out with it, but you're gonna have to keep an eye out for us a lot more often than you are now.”

“How so?”

“You know how Nolan makes sure that we are keeping ourselves in check and that we're not accidentally killing anyone along the way?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, it pretty much becomes your job to make sure that we aren't making complete idiots of ourselves.” Richard continues.

“You're also going to be responsible for taking care of otherworldly situations that happen in our general vicinity.” Niles adds. “You have to be a leader during these situations. It's pretty much during those times we're okay with being commanded around. You also have full control of our other forms.”

“By other forms he means like our cat shifted forms.” Hendrik explains. “You also have control over Nolan’s wolf or Hugh’s gargoyle, hell, even over Oliver's more vampiric form.” Oliver has a more vampiric form? I'm not sure I want to know.

“We're also going to have to start you on combat training. Have you done kickboxing before or something like it?” Hugh asks me.

“Does ballet count?”

“No.”

“Then I have no experience.”

“Don't worry, we'll work on it.” I have a really bad feeling I’m going to get my ass kicked. As everyone goes back to their original positions in the living room, the banter and laughter starts to pick up as they argue over pizza slices, which are now cold.

“What are going to do when Mr. Pierce comes with a new Fallen and they can’t command us?” Echo asks Nolan.

“Oh, right.” Seth says, interrupting them and dashing back upstairs.

“I’m not sure what he has planned, but we have a lot to think about.” Nolan answers him. “At the moment I’m trying to figure out how we fit someone else in here. I got a call asking if we could but technically with Amelia in the last room-”

“Nolan,” I interject, “, I said before I’m happy to move out. Mom offered to help me with a down payment for a rental and I can-”

“I am not forcing you out of the house, besides with what just happened I think you should stay here for as long as you’re happy to.” I shrug my shoulders and smile at him, taking a bite of pizza. At least I tried, and the cheese is really helping to get that awful taste out of my mouth. “Would you move upstairs with Oliver?” Halfway through swallowing I forget how and choke on my food.

“Whoa, dude,” Richard cuts in, “, she’s Seth cousin or something right? She’s in a double room why doesn’t Seth move in with her? Moving into Oliver’s room is just a little weird, not to mention presumptuous. Though I totally ship them.” He snickers, looking out our faces he stops smiling. My face is burning in embarrassment.

“Hold up.” Valentine says, pointing at me and behind me at Oliver, “Have you two already…?” I grab the couch cushion behind me and promptly place it over my face, letting myself slouch into the couch. “Holy crap. I knew those bruises were from sex!” With as much force as I could muster I throw the pillow at Valentine who blocks it, but it goes flying into Hunter instead. Most of the guys are acting like girls with all the noises they are making. I fold my arms and huff. I’m not ashamed but this is so embarrassing! I see Oliver start walking away from the threshold of the room.

“Hey, where are you going?” I ask him.

“As far away as possible.”

“You are not leaving me with these monsters.” I grumble. Seth comes back down the stairs with an envelope and Oliver ceases his retreat out of curiosity. “You left on purpose.”

“Oh yeah, absolutely.” Seth smirks, coming over and handing me the envelope.

“What’s this?”

“Solution to a lot of problems if everyone is interested.” I open the envelope and it contains a document, the front page stating; ‘The Last Will and Testament of James Hart’.

“What is this?”

“It’s your father’s Will. You’ll find on the fourth page that he left three houses in his name to my father, your uncle. I’m passing the message to let you know that one of them is only three blocks away from the college and is basically a small mansion. It’s empty and has twenty rooms and four bathrooms, not to mention the multiple living areas and open kitchen. The place is yours.” I’m so glad I wasn’t eating.

“What?” I see what he means though about it being a solution to multiple problems.

“Just so you know, it’s out of Mr. Pierce’s district.”

“So if we all move there, then he can’t enforce anything upon any of you anymore?”

“That’s right. If we don’t live in his house, we don’t owe him anything. That is, of course, if you actually want us all to come with you.” I look at the piece of paper and I’m stunned that my uncle is willing to give this to me. He must have been holding onto it for a long time, I mean, his family could have moved into it a long time ago but chose not to.

“I mean, it would feel pretty lonely to move in by myself,” I begin, then turn to the room, “, but I wouldn’t want to go unless everyone thought this was a good idea.”

“Shotgun first.” Hendrik shouts, and everyone looks at him in curiosity. “What? Shotgun first, so after Amelia, I get to pick the room I want first.” His declaration quickly spirals into a boisterous debate among the guys, each claiming their right to choose a room. I glance over at Oliver, who gives me a reassuring nod, his smile mirroring my own. The prospect of a house belonging to all of us, a life free from fear and coercion for these remarkable individuals, fills my heart with joy and hope.