7. CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

SERA

Ender's face is carefully blank, and my heart hammers in my chest as he tries to remain impassive.

But I know his pain—I feel it in the very depths of my being.

"Do you remember that?"

"It's hazy, but I can still smell her—my mother. I probably wouldn't have understood until I was much older if not for my father. He reminded me every day that I helped kill his mate."

I stare in horror. "How could he blame you when you were only a baby?!"

"My father abused my mother, draining her powers through their mate bond. Even newly born, I could sense her pain and desire to die. She couldn't even live for herself, let alone me, and I knew . My father was furious because I stole the only thing in his life he could control. He died when I was ten. Without the light of a mate, he had nothing to balance the darkness inside of him."

I clamp a hand over my mouth, gagging on the piece of cheese I was eating.

Tears prick my eyes, and I look away with a sniff, thinking of a small Ender enduring his painful past, all alone.

Without thinking, I reach over and put my hand over his.

It's small in comparison, my dark skin contrasting against the pale purpley-gray of his.

I don't say anything. Instead, I squeeze my fingers around his.

Ender might have brought me here against my will, but I would never wish his experiences on even my worst enemy.

The Teraphim shifts in his seat and winces. Immediately, I pull back, and he sighs.

"What's wrong?" I demand.

"Nothing. An accident that I got Earthside that hasn't healed—it wasn't from you."

"Pity."

"There she is," he quips with a smirk.

"Didn't go anywhere. So were both your parents Teraphim?"

"Yes, but only my father was an Erlking."

"I…don't know much," I admit. "My parents acted as if we were human. I mean, we look it, minus the wings."

"Nephilim are actually a branch of Elves. As you do know, there are two main divisions—Seraphim and Teraphim, much like how the Fae have the Seelie and Unseelie. Seraphim bring things to life, and Teraphim facilitate matters of death. And just like there are many kinds of Seelie and Unseelie Fae, there are many kinds of Seraphim and Teraphim. I'm an Erlking. I suppose humans would consider me the Grim Reaper of Elves, although ol' Grimsy doesn't like the comparison."

I mull over Ender's explanation, cataloging all the new bits and how they fit with what little I do know.

"So what kind of Seraphim am I?"

Ender hesitates for just a moment too long before he answers.

"I don't know."

He's lying— but why?

This isn't the first time today he's done it. Earlier when he told me that veilquakes were nothing to worry about, he lied.

As long as I'm not too focused on my thoughts, it seems like Ender can't hear them.

Earlier, I was tired, and everything seemed to be just in the periphery of my mind.

Even so, I noted the tension in Ender's body after the veilquake.

For something that was nothing to worry about, his hold on me told another story.

Deciding to investigate his lies later, I continue to ask the Teraphim questions.

"What do you do here in The Veil?"

"I run a camp for children connected to death—it's where I met Ahnou."

"Speaking of Ahnou, I heard him when you were being a dastardly villain. Care to explain why he didn't roast your ass for me?"

"He owed me a debt for helping his mate."

"Uh-huh, and you asked him what?"

"To help me kidnap you."

I gasp. "How could you, Ender? I bet Fern is furious at him!"

"Well, if you must know, she insisted Ahnou uphold his word."

Ooo, that meddling brat!

"Is it safe to say the Fern's ass is now grass?" Edner teases.

"Damn straight—and I'm the lawnmower."

He mimics the sound of a mower starting up, and I laugh so hard that my stomach knots.

When I finally get a hold of myself, I stare at the man who looks like a literal nightmare, trying to picture him surrounded by children at a camp.

The Teraphim makes a face. "What are you thinking? I know it's something bad."

"I thought you could read my mind?"

"Your thoughts, yes, but you also see in your mind's eye. When you think in pictures, I can't see your thoughts. Just hear them when you speak them in your head. I have no idea if this is because I'm blind or if this is just how reading minds goes."

"Is this a Teraphim ability or just an Erlking ability?"

Ender taps a claw on the table. "I'm not sure."

Another lie.

He growls, hearing my thought loud and clear. "Leave it alone, Seraphina."

I have no idea why, but my toes curl when he uses my full name.

And now I'm lying to myself because I do know why, I just don't want to admit it.

"Stop lying to me," I counter, just to get out my head so neither of us can hear the thoughts swirling in there.

"It doesn't matter."

"Bullshit."

"What does the fecal matter of a male cow have to do with anything?"

He's distracting me on purpose, pretending to be ignorant, but I'm not stupid.

"If it wasn't important, then you could just tell me!"

A smug smirk twists my lips as I sit back and wait for his rebuttal.

But he doesn't say anything. The seconds stretch into uncomfortable minutes of silence.

"Well?!" I finally burst out.

"Well what?"

"Dammit, Ender! You can't kidnap me and lie!"

"Why? Is there a rule book that says I can't do both? If I'm evil enough to do one, why not the other?"

"You're not evil, just a massive dickhead."

"I suppose one could misconstrue my beak as a dick, and that is on my head."

"ENDER!" I screech, at my wit's end.

"I'm sorry, Sera. I can't tell you."

"Why did you even bring me here?"

My voice is as bitter as I feel.

"So that you could live."

"I was doing that before."

"No, angel, you were just surviving. There's a difference."

"It's my life—don't you think it should be my decision?"

"Maybe, but I have a vested interest in your life."

"But why?!"

He clamps his damned dick-shaped beak shut again.

Thanks for that imagery, I snarl in my head.

Ender chuckles, but visions of him using his beak like a cock dance through my mind.

"If you're not going to cooperate, then neither am I."

The Teraphim rolls his eyes. "When have you been cooperative?"

"I've been very nice today, considering everything, but not anymore—not unless you tell me what's going on."

"Your ultimatum doesn't scare me. Be a brat. Just remember, I'm going to treat you how you act, and brats get punished."

Heat flashes through my body, and I scowl at my traitorous reaction.

"This isn't over," I snap, marching out of the room.

I'm going to figure out what Ender's hiding.