Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Serenity

The atmosphere in the room was so thick that I felt like I was drowning, and the tension was so heavy, it was almost a physical presence, pressing down on me from all sides until I could barely breathe. Even worse than the suffocating pressure was the overwhelming sense of fear that radiated off everyone surrounding me.

It was like a living thing…a dark, insidious entity that crept into my mind and wrapped its icy fingers around my heart. I could feel it emanating from Enzo, Dimitri, and Gianna, could practically taste their sharp, acrid terror on the back of my tongue. I'd never been able to sense anyone's feelings before like this. Did it have to do with the bonding between Angelo and me?

Only Louis DuPont sat motionless, his eyes still glazed over and vacant, as if he had been transformed into a wax dummy. The compulsion that Angelo had used on him had him in its thrall, rendering him oblivious to the growing horror that threatened to engulf us all.

I watched as Angelo turned back to Steven, his jaw set with grim determination. The air around him crackled with barely contained power, a tangible force that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Because, beneath the surface, I could sense his fear and uncertainty in the face of this new and terrifying threat.

I thought about Angelo killing Freddie. He'd said it was ugly. I couldn't bear the thought of him killing Steven too. My chest tightened, and I could barely breathe as I pleaded with Angelo. "Please don't hurt Steven. He's always been like a brother to me."

Angelo ignored my plea and turned to Louis, his eyes intense and focused. "I need to see if he is possessed by this presence as well. Tell me everything you know, Detective."

Louis struggled against the compulsion, his face contorting in agony. "I…can't." He began to drool, his body convulsing violently. A blood-curdling scream tore from his throat before his eyes fluttered shut and he slumped over, unconscious.

"Damn it," Angelo growled, frustration and anger flowing from him in waves. "His mind is blocked from me too."

Enzo rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "Angelo, do you think Marsha might be behind this? Perhaps she conjured up some kind of spell."

Angelo shook his head, his expression grim. "It doesn't feel like witchcraft. I've sensed her magic before, and this is different, much more powerful."

Goosebumps broke out all over my arms. The mention of her name brought a flood of vivid, visceral memories—the suffocating fear, the helplessness, the searing pain of her cruel spells. My stomach churned, and I could almost feel the phantom ache of invisible bonds tightening around my limbs, a ghostly echo of the magical restraints she'd used at Simon's auction.

A cold, creeping dread settled into the pit of my stomach, and I could feel the pressure of the situation pushing down on me. I turned to Angelo, my voice trembling. "So…Joy…do you think Simon has her?"

He rubbed his forehead wearily. "Possibly." His gaze shifted to Enzo, and he spoke with authority, his face hardening with resolve. "Lock these two up in the dungeon, and then take your men and go to Simon's Ravenwood. Report back to me."

Fear pulsed through my veins, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. "Dungeon?" I whispered. "How can you have a basement? We live in New Orleans."

"The dungeon isn't in a basement. It's in a secure room." He held up his palm, his eyes flickering with a hint of warning. "Don't worry, I'm not going to torture them." Yet I could hear it in his voice. If Angelo didn't get what he wanted, he would use force.

God, this was beyond awful. If Angelo didn't kill them, whatever dark force was controlling their minds certainly would. Worse, I was powerless to help them.

"Where's this secure room? "

My question was met with silence.

Enzo focused on Angelo, his posture tense and alert. "Dimitri, Petar, and I will go to Ravenwood Estates. Are you going to contact Keir?"

Dimitri's eyebrows shot up, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips. "Oh joy, a field trip to Simon's house of overpriced knick-knacks. Just what I always wanted." He glanced at Angelo, his eyes glinting with a mix of humor and wariness. "You sure you want to bring Papa Keir into this? Last I checked, his idea of ‘helping' usually involves blood, mayhem, and a body count that would make the Grim Reaper blush."

Angelo sighed heavily, slumping his shoulders. "Looks like I don't have a choice." He glanced at Gianna, his voice firm as it echoed off the high ceilings. "Stay with Serenity." It was an order, not a request.

To my surprise, Gianna nodded, her expression completely solemn for once. "I will protect her." I couldn't tell if her agreement stemmed from a genuine affection for me, or from fear of the unknown force that threatened us all.

His face dark and troubled, Angelo began to leave the living room, his footsteps heavy on the polished wooden floor. I ran after him, my hand grasping his arm desperately, the fabric of his shirt rough beneath my fingers. "Wait! You don't even know what this power is, what you're up against."

He turned to face me, his hands gripping my shoulders tightly, the scorching intensity of his touch branding me through my robe and nightgown. "Stay with Gianna."

Determination surged through me, and I straightened my spine, meeting his gaze head-on. I refused to be a helpless victim. I knew Angelo would never let me leave the house with Joy missing, but I had to do something. "I want to go to your library. Maybe there's something you overlooked. Maybe Gianna and I can find it together?"

I looked at Gianna questioningly, hoping she would back me up.

To my relief, she smiled and nodded.

"Please, Angelo. I need to do something. Louis, Steven, and Joy are my family. Think about how important your family is to you. I can't just sit around and do nothing." My voice cracked, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision.

"All right. You may go to the library." He raised his finger, his tone brooking no argument. "But only the library."

I looked over to Gianna, my resolve strengthening. "I understand."

Angelo headed for the door, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous foyer. "I'll have Elena prepare coffee for you to have in there."

I clasped his rough hand. "Thank you."

He pulled me against him, his strong arms encircling my waist, and kissed me hard. His lips were demanding and urgent as he poured all his frustration, fear, and desire into that one searing moment of contact. I knew I should push him away—this wasn't the time or the place for such intimacy, not with everyone watching us, but his kiss was too intoxicating, and I found myself melting into his embrace.

The world around us faded away as I lost myself in the sensation of his mouth moving against mine, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips, seeking entrance. I parted them with a soft gasp, and he deepened the kiss, exploring my mouth in a way that made my knees weak and my heart race.

His hands roamed over my back, pulling me closer. The searing touch of his skin through my flimsy robe and nightgown was like a brand, marking me with its intensity?—

Someone cleared their throat significantly, and I pushed on his broad chest.

He reluctantly released me. What was wrong with me? One minute, I vowed not to let him touch me, then the next I wanted his lips and hands all over me. He claimed never to have used compulsion on me, but sometimes I wasn't so sure. Or was it that my traitorous body simply craved a vampire's touch?

Gianna escorted me out of the living room while the men left to fulfill Angelo's orders. I hoped that there wasn't a second ambush; the thought of it made my stomach churn with dread. The memory of Enzo's close call was still fresh in my mind, and the idea of any of these men—especially Angelo—facing a similar fate filled me with a sickening sense of fear and helplessness.

My mind was suddenly filled with lurid images of Angelo lying in a pool of his own blood, his lifeless eyes staring up at me in silent accusation. I rubbed my slick forehead and felt a sudden, desperate need to find a way to protect him, to watch his back and ensure his safety.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and I had to take a deep, steadying breath to calm the frantic pounding of my heart. I knew I couldn't be in two places at once, but the urge to protect him, to shield him from the dangers that lurked in the shadows, was overwhelming.

For now, at least, Angelo was staying within these walls, but I knew it wouldn't be for long. He was the Angel of Death, and he would soon be tearing this town apart, looking for what he wanted.

"Do you mind if I go change?" I picked at the folds of my robe, feeling exposed and vulnerable. "I'm really self-conscious walking around like this."

Gianna's lips quirked up in a sympathetic smile. "Why not," she said, her tone understanding. "I don't want to walk around in my nightgown all day either."

We made our way upstairs to our respective rooms, the silence between us comfortable despite the doom and gloom of the situation. It felt strange going to Angelo's bedroom, but this was where all my clothes were now, whether I liked it or not. I slipped into a pair of jeans and a soft, oversized T-shirt, the familiar garments helping to ground me and ease some of the anxiety buzzing just underneath my skin.

As we headed back down to the library, Gianna glanced at me curiously. "What are we looking for anyway?"

I shrugged, biting my lip, considering the question. "I don't know, but I have a feeling we must have missed something earlier."

She frowned. "Like what?"

I thought about Steven and Louis. "Maybe there's something on what kind of creature could block Angelo's power of compulsion? Or something on witchcraft or ancient curses that could resist a vampire's influence?"

"Whatever it is, it would have to be super powerful to overcome Angelo." The nervousness in Gianna's voice made me tense up.

Elena passed us on the stairs. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun today, softening the lines of her face.

She bowed her head slightly and gave us a slight smile. " Bonjour, Mesdemoiselles . So, you are going to the library this morning? Monsieur Angelo told me to bring you coffee there."

Elena really was like the grandmother I never had.

"Yes, thank you," Gianna said. "Could you bring us some breakfast too?"

" Oui, bien s?r . I'm fetching the newspaper, and I'll bring it all on a tray."

"Thank you," I said.

We went our separate ways, and Gianna and I had just reached the library when a high-pierced shriek almost made my bones leap out of my skin.

"Come on." Gianna jumped up, knocking her chair over. "That was Elena."

I ran after her, hoping Elena had just seen a mouse or a big hairy spider. We found her at the front door. Angelo had gotten there first and had his arms around her. She was sobbing, clinging to him.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hallways of Crescent Manor as Angelo's men converged on us, their faces grim and determined. Among them, I recognized Lorenzo, one of Angelo's most trusted guards.

"Search the grounds," Angelo barked, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife. "Look for any signs of an intruder, anything that might give us a clue as to what happened here."

The men nodded as they fanned out, moving with practiced efficiency. Lorenzo paused for a moment, his gaze meeting Angelo's in a silent question.

Angelo gave him a curt nod in reply. Lorenzo's jaw tightened, and he turned to follow the others, his hand bringing out his gun as he disappeared into the gloom.

Angelo turned his head. "Gianna, keep her back." His hard voice echoed like thunder.

Keep me back? Why? I dodged around Gianna as she reached out to me. Then my gaze fell upon the figure lying face down at the front door, and my heart stopped.

The woman's long, black hair, the same shade as Joy's, spilled across the porch like a river of ink. A pool of blood bloomed out from her head, staining the wood beneath her in a grotesque imitation of a red sunflower, its petals reaching out in a silent cry for help.

The world around me fell away, replaced by a suffocating darkness that threatened to engulf me. Joy, my sister in all but blood, who had been there for me through every trial and triumph, lay motionless on the ground. The sight hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs and sending me to my knees.

Anger, grief, and shock swirled within me, building into a raging tempest that consumed every fiber of my being. I threw my head back, a scream tearing from my throat with the force of a thousand anguished souls. The sound echoed through the foyer, shattering the windows and sending shards of glass flying like lethal daggers.

Objects leaped from their perches, caught up in the maelstrom of my turmoil. Vases…books…furniture…they all spun through the air, their paths erratic and dangerous, but I barely registered their presence. All I could see was Joy's lifeless form, her blood staining the ground in a silent accusation.

Angelo had promised to find her, to bring her back from wherever she'd been taken. But he had failed, and now my best friend lay dead on his doorstep.

Distantly, I heard Gianna cry out behind me, her voice laced with fear and confusion. Then strong arms encircled me, pulling me up from the ground and into a solid embrace.

Elena screamed and fell to the ground, covering her head.

"Serenity, stop." Angelo's usually commanding voice reached my ears, but it sounded muffled, as if coming from underwater. For once his voice was unable to penetrate the haze of pain and soothe the anguish that consumed me.

He shook me, his grip tightening as he tried to break through the walls of my grief. "Serenity! Listen to me."

I was beyond listening, beyond reason. All the dark emotions that had bubbled within me for so long finally burst free, erupting out of me in a torrent of uncontrollable power. The very foundations of the manor shook, the walls cracking and groaning under the onslaught of my anguish.

Nothing mattered anymore. Not Angelo's pleas. Not the destruction I was causing. Not even my own safety. All that mattered was the gaping wound in my heart where Joy had once been, a wound that could never be healed .

I surrendered to the darkness, allowing it to consume me in the hopes it would take away the pain and the grief and the unbearable weight of my loss. In that moment, I wished for nothing more than to join Joy in the oblivion of death, to escape the reality of a world without her in it.

Yet even as I sank into the abyss, I felt Angelo's presence beside me, his arms holding me tightly, anchoring me to the world of the living. And deep down, beneath all the layers of despair and rage, a tiny spark of hope flickered within me, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love could still light the way.