14. Chapter 13

It's the last frame. I'm winning. Iggy is in second place, and Aziel is in last. My Beloved is amazing at so many things. He's a strong fighter, an amazing lover, and a protector, but he cannot bowl.

He's rolled a gutter ball every single frame. His score is currently a zero. I'm not sure how that's possible.

I think his mind is elsewhere. Ever since he came back from talking with Atreyu, he's been quiet.

He's sitting in a giant troll's hand, tapping his leg as he watches Iggy get another strike.

"Oh, come on. No one can be this good at bowling." Aziel huffs, crosses his arms, and slouches.

"You're such a sore loser." I head over to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. "It's just a game."

He points to the scoreboard. "I have zero points."

"I guess I'll just need to give you one-on-one lessons." I nip at the shell of his ear.

He perks up, sitting straighter. "It definitely sounds like I need lessons. What's your charge?"

I slink around him, sliding my fingers across his chest before I take a seat on his lap. "I don't know if you'll be able to keep up with my demands. You'll need a lot of stamina."

He growls, his claws digging into my thighs. "I have plenty of that." He licks his lips, his eyes dropping to my mouth, then my breasts.

I tease him, dragging my fingers across my collarbone, then down, and up. Aziel is practically panting.

"I don't know if you'll be able to keep up with everything I want to show you." My voice becomes husky, my own lust heating my body from the far-from-innocent flirtations.

"Or, I hate to say it Aziel, maybe you found the one thing you aren't good at," Iggy chimes in with his two cents before cracking his knuckles, sitting down, and stretching as if he has had the hardest day. "I'm leaving here with a perfect three hundred score."

"I'm leaving here with a perfect three hundred score," Aziel mocks him.

"Childish, Beloved. Just childish." I pat his hand, scolding him while trying not to laugh at how much losing bothers him.

The pins are reset. Ten standing and waiting to get smashed by a bowling ball skull.

"You haven't said how your talk with Atreyu went. I mean, you told me who he was when you came back, but you've been quiet." I play with his long grey mane, hoping it eases his frustrations.

"He is a cranky bastard for good reason. He isn't pleasant to talk to. I'm lucky I walked away with my life. He hates my kind. He is scarred because of the cursed werewolves."

"But did you scar him?" Iggy asks.

"No, but I can understand his unease."

"He needs to understand that you aren't to blame for his pain."

"He has too much to work through to see that. I'm hoping his beloved finds him soon. He doesn't have much time left before the coma turns to death."

I stand, grab my seven-pound skull ball, and line up my feet with the arrows. The venlillies under my shoes took some getting used to. The plant is sticky and the leaves hug around my boots to stay in place.

Releasing a breath, I step forward, bring my arm back, and sling the ball forward. Ten spine pins fall with ease giving me another strike to add to my record.

Aziel is up next. His feet pound on the floor. The vibrations tickle my feet as he snags a twenty-pound skull ball.

"You can do it, Beloved. I have faith in you." I clap for him, grinning with encouragement.

"Makes one of us," Iggy grumbles under his breath, and I elbow him in the ribs. "Ow. What? I can't fight to save my damn life, literally, and Aziel can. I would have to say, when it comes to skills, bowling isn't one he needs."

"That actually makes me feel a lot better, Iggy." Aziel gives him a very toothy smile that looks more like a snarl with all the sharp teeth.

Iggy leans toward me and whispers. "Is he smiling? Or is he about to eat me? I can't tell. It's creeping me out. Tell him to stop. Oh God, the smile is going on too long. Elouise!" Iggy pats my arm faster and faster, the stench of sweat breaking out over his skin.

I giggle, pointing at the pins. "Let's finish this game and get on the road."

"Does Purgatory have roads?" Iggy questions.

"No, but you know what I mean." I shove his head away and he falls from the chair. "Oops. Sorry."

"I'm nervous guys. I don't think I want to roll." Aziel's tail tucks between his legs.

I need to get him into a fight. He'll be in his element. Once I do that, he'll be reset.

Iggy crawls up the hand, wrapping his arms around the fingers to swing his legs up. "That was rude, and I won't forget it."

"Aw." I place my hand on my chest, pretending to be sad. Getting up, I bring my fists to my face, twisting them to imitate that I'm crying. I stick out my tongue at Iggy before spinning around to give Aziel my attention. "How can I help you, Beloved?"

"I don't know."

"Can I show you?"

"Please."

I scoot him over a bit. "You want to stand here. Don't aim for the middle pin. You want to aim between the middle and the second. Look at the pins, not the arrows. Keep your arm straight when you release." I guide his arm back and then forward. "You don't want to release the ball too late or you will throw it too far left. It will curl and go into the gutter which is what you have been doing."

I give him a demonstration, showing how my back leg crosses and I tend to bend low when I release the ball. It has me in control of the ball more. He practices too. He is so large, that every motion is awkward.

"You can do it," I whisper. "It's just a game. Pretend those spines are someone you hate and you want to kill."

"Brenden," he growls, holding the ball to his chin.

"Perfect and pretend this ball is your weapon. You're going to aim it at his stupid fucking face."

"I can do that."

"I know you can." I tug on his tail. "Now show yourself you can. No one else." I step away, giving him space, but My Beloved turns to see where I'm at. "I'm right here. I won't go anywhere."

"That's so fucking cute," Iggy sighs with hearts in his eyes. "He's so lethal and needs support just to go bowling. How adorable. No wonder you love him."

Aziel exhales, his tail swooshing back and forth in confidence. He steps forward. Iggy and I hold our breath. Aziel's arm swings back, then he releases. I inhale, standing up on the chair so I can see over Aziel's shoulder to watch the ball.

"Come on. Come on," I urge it, wishing I could control the direction the ball is going in. "It's going to hit! It's going to hit them, Beloved!" I squeal, jumping up and down when the ball curves at the last second, taking down six pins.

But that's better than none.

"Holy shit, I hit them. I got six!" Aziel laughs, tugging on his hair next to his eyes, and sprints up to me, snagging me in a tight hug. He spins me around in circles. "Thank you. Thank you for showing me." He peppers kisses all over my face and sets me down, my head swirling with dizziness.

He cups my face and stares into my eyes, happiness shining so bright in his pupils.

"Don't ever be afraid to teach me something new. I love it when you teach me."

My knees become weak, my entire body softening, my heart falling deeper in love with him.

"Fog! Fog is rolling in!" Trelo announces over the speakers. The lights flicker on and off. The siren blasts through the bowling alley. "Those that don't want to fight, you are more than welcome to stay here. Those that do fight, good luck. I hope to see you again. If I don't, it was nice knowing you."

The sweet expression on Aziel's face disappears. The fighter, the killer inside possesses his bones and hardens every surface of his body. He stands up straight, chest out, chin high, and the adorable werewolf who didn't know how to bowl has vanished.

"That's our cue." Aziel rips the venlilly from his feet, tossing the sticky green plant in the trash. "One more fight."

"Why not just cut out the middle man? Let's just threaten Scorder." Iggy laces up his shoes.

"Because we have a dangerous journey ahead." Aziel double-checks the straps on Uri to secure it to his back. "He knows everyone, and we do not want to get on his bad side or Dread Mountain will be worse than we could ever imagine. Scorder isn't a trustworthy dragon, but he is someone you want on your side. Keep your enemies close, keep Purgatory enemies closer."

Iggy contemplates, intertwining his fingers through the trolls' that make the seat he is sitting in, not that they fit together, and kicks his feet in a small tantrum. "I can't stay here with my new friends?" He lifts the orc's skull from the floor, the one that Aziel killed for whistling at me. "He means well."

I snort, knowing Iggy is joking, but his humor doesn't land with Aziel.

"You'll be someone's bitch if you stay. Knock yourself out."

"Aziel!" I scold him.

Iggy gasps, hand to chest, then wiggles his brows. "You think? I don't think any of them could handle me."

Aziel rolls his eyes and takes my hand. "I'm sick of him. Give him to The Ferryman."

I slap Aziel on the shoulder, turning to Iggy. "He didn't mean it."

"I meant it. Let's go." Aziel walks ahead, the only one leaving the building to go fight.

And I follow him because I'd follow him anywhere.

Of course, I drag Iggy with me.

Atreyu— if I remember correctly— steps in front of Aziel right as we reach the door. Trelo is behind the counter, staring at us with worried pinched brows.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Atreyu blocks the doors, his eyes the color of freshly spilled blood.

"I'm going to fight to get a clue about where the avisseus is. I'm taking my mate and her headache of a friend back home with me. You know, home? Where your brother is, where your family is, or don't you care anymore?"

Atreyu lifts his fist to hit Aziel. I blur to him, dagger to his neck, the silver burning his skin.

"Try it and you'll be forgotten by those you love," I threaten, our gazes locking.

"You'd kill your own kind?"

"I'd kill anyone who dares to harm my beloved. I don't give a fuck if you're a vampire. If you're a threat to him, to me, you're done."

Aziel tugs me back by grabbing the neckline of my shirt, then loops his fingers in the belt loop of my pants to keep me there.

"It's okay, My Light. He was just getting out of the way."

Atreyu's jaw ticks as it clenches, his fists balling at his sides. "Fine, go get yourself killed. It's one less thing for me to do." He walks away, bumping into Atreyu on purpose. He pauses, turning slightly so we can only see his scars. "Try not to die, not that I care, but my brother would. And if he cares, I guess I'll have to give a fucking shit too. Tell my family I miss them if you live and I'm better off here."

"If I don't get myself killed?"

Atreyu huffs with impatience. "Yes, not that I care, remember?"

"How could I ever forget?" Aziel drawls.

We watch Atreyu disappear to the bar, to the same corner, to the same seat, and pick up his mug. He doesn't give us another glance.

"Be careful, Aziel. It was good meeting you." Trelo holds out his hand. "I hope you live and find a way out."

Aziel slaps his palm into the bull shifter's. "What about you? Ever plan on leaving?"

Trelo dries off a clean glass. "No, that time has passed for me. Plus, I'm happy here."

"You're happy here? In Purgatory?" I step in front of Aziel, completely dumbfounded by Trelo's answer. Who in their right mind would want to stay here? "We are talking about the same place, right? The one with weird, wicked creatures that want to kill you? The one with thick fog and deadly fights? The one with acidic rain?"

"Sometimes it's acidic. Not all the time."

I tilt my head, putting my hands on my hips. "Really? Don't try to find a rainbow in darkness, Trelo. You'll be disappointed."

He grins, stealing a quick glance at someone. I spin around to see who he is looking at but no one is there.

"It isn't so bad. I like it here, as weird as it sounds. I like my job. I have freedom here that I didn't have on the other side."

"That's…" My shoulders slump. "That's really sad."

"Don't be sad for me. I'm fine. It's your mate you have to worry about. He's about to go to The Graveyard. Every fight there has me holding my breath. I hope you live to see another day, Aziel."

Aziel puts on his skull mask. It sits perfectly on his snout and the sides wrap around his temple, so it stays in place.

"Don't worry about me, Trelo. I have more experience killing than I do truly living. If there's anyone you need to worry about, it's my opponent." Aziel slips his hand across my lower back. "We need to go," he whispers into my ear.

My heart pounds with anxiety. My palms begin to sweat. I realize talking to Trelo was just a distraction. The longer we talk to the bull shifter, the longer Aziel has to go without risking his existence.

"Best of luck, Trelo." Aziel waves before turning me to the door.

"Same to you, Friend."

The silence hanging in the air is heavy when we leave. People watch us as if we are walking the plank to our deaths.

"I don't know Aziel. Please, let's just take the information we have and go to Dread Mountain. Please," I beg, taking his hand and stopping directly in front of him. "Please."

"If we go to Dread Mountain with no new information, what then, My Light? The journey will be wasted if the avisseus isn't there."

"But you'll be alive."

"Yeah, I don't think this is necessary," Iggy states, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's too risky."

"No risk. No reward. I'll be fine. I've been fine all the other times I've fought."

"It only takes one time." I lift a finger, my middle finger to be exact because I'm not too happy with him right now.

Aziel tries to hide his smile, kissing the pad of my finger. "It will be okay, I promise." He drops to all fours when we are outside, the bones of the centaur he killed are still there. "Come on. It's faster this way. Climb on."

I jump onto his back first, furious and afraid, gripping the hair on the back of his neck a little hard. He turns his head, narrows his eyes, and huffs.

I lift a shoulder, acting innocent.

He scoffs again, and I roll my eyes at his attitude. If anyone has a right to an attitude, it's me. He is the one risking his life. Again.

Holding out my hand for Iggy, he grabs it, and I yank him up. He settles behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist so tight, I can't breathe.

"Iggy," I croak, slapping his arms. "Can't. Breathe."

"Sorry. Sorry. Makes me nervous getting up here. It's so high off the ground."

Without warning, Aziel takes off sprinting. Iggy screams, embracing me in a deadly hold again. I clutch onto Aziel's mane, hunching low to avoid the wind in my eyes.

Aziel's head snaps to the left and I follow his gaze, gasping when I see a suffogrim.

And it screeches when it sees us, flying to get to us. Aziel growls, picking up the pace of his strides. The suffogrim gets close enough that I can smell the rotting flesh it has hanging on its bones. I gag.

Iggy groans from the retched scent, burying his face in my back. I do the same, only I bury my nose in Aziel's fur. I'm bombarded by his scent. He still smells of the shower we took together. Peace settles over me and my hand drops to his neck, rubbing the tough hide. I think about him combing my hair and taking the time to braid it. I hear his small grunts when he plucks a hair out of his scalp just so he can tie the braid off at the ends.

My eyes water and fear replaces the happiness I feel. I can't lose him to this fight. I can't. I'll die anyway because he is my beloved but the difference is that I'd want to die. I wouldn't wait to wither way. I'd go ahead and take my dagger, place it against my heart, and sink it into my chest until the silver steals my last breath.

The screeching becomes so close, I feel the breath of the suffogrim against my cheek. I turn my head to look at the creature just as it opens its mouth. Its tongue is black, blood dripping from its sewed-on lips. I'm caught staring at it too long and he inhales, stealing the air right from my lungs.

"Elouise!" Iggy screams, snatching one of my daggers.

My best friend attacks, stabbing the suffogrim in the arm. Blood splatters onto my arm and I scream in agony, unable to move, barely able to breathe. Aziel comes to a hard stop, sliding a few feet before shaking us off his back.

Iggy and I fly into the air, away from the suffogrim, landing hard on the ground.

"Elouise!" Iggy scurries over to me as I gasp for air, holding my hand against my chest. "It's okay. Breathe. I have you. Breathe."

I'm on all fours, digging my fingers into the black dirt, spit dripping from my mouth, tears streaming down my face as I desperately try to get air. Iggy rubs my back which helps me relax.

Tears fall from my cheeks and onto the cold soil. I'm finally able to see. I glance up when I hear a roar and Aziel has Uri out. He leaps through the air and brings Uri above his head before planting Uri in the skull of the suffogrim.

It releases a murderous cry that makes my ears ring.

Aziel lands on his hind legs, blood dripping from the mandible of Uri. The suffogrim screeches again, the stitched skin dropping from his bones as it dies.

Aziel grips the sardonic creature by the back of the head, its blood coating Aziel's hand. I can smell the scent of flesh burning, his flesh.

"Aziel!"

I know he can hear me. He chooses not to. He doesn't act like he is in pain and that's concerning. My Beloved is too used to agony. Every now and then, he has pain from when he was sick. It reminds me of phantom pain. The sickness is gone but the ghost of it remains inside him.

"You dare try and steal the air out of my mate's lungs? You dare try to kill her? Her air is not yours. It is hers." He rips the suffogrim's head back, placing Uri at the creature's throat. "And it is mine for when I want to swallow her moans," he snarls, slicing Uri through the suffogrim's neck.

Aziel tosses the head in the forest; the branches stretch out to grab the head. The trees fight for it, leaves falling onto Purgatory's floor, and one of the trunks engulfs the head, swallowing it whole.

Aziel doesn't holster Uri. He runs to me, dropping onto his knees to gather me into his arms.

"Feed, My Light. You need blood." He pushes my face against his neck, and I don't hesitate, I sink my fangs into his throat, sucking long drags of his delicious red life source.

The panic flees my body. It becomes easier to breathe with every swallow. The burns on my arm begin to heal.

He moans, cupping the back of my head. "That's it, Elouise. Take all you need."

"I'm going to… turn this way so I'm not intruding." Iggy spins around in a circle a few times before finally finding a direction he wants to look in.

I close my eyes, tasting Aziel, the relief, and the way he is holding himself back from fucking me right here. Vampire bites with their mates are extremely pleasurable. Aziel is barely holding on by a thread not to orgasm. It isn't the time or the place.

I find the will to stop before it becomes too much for the both of us. I ache between my legs and his cock is hard, stretching across his stomach. Precome leaks out onto his abs. All I want to do is bend down to clean him up, but we are already behind in getting to The Graveyard.

I lift his hand, eyeing the burn marks that are taking too long to heal. I bite my wrist, shoving it into his mouth. Aziel grabs my arm so tight; I think he is about to break the bone. His eyes flash gold, my blood powering his system in the same way his does to mine.

I have to roll my lips together to keep myself silent. The way he is feeding from me strengthens our bond. Our souls intertwine, his emotions sink into me, giving me a breath of fresh life I had no idea I was missing.

He removes my wrist from his mouth, his lips tinted in red, and now he seems to be the one breathless. His chest rises and falls, that's when I notice the ropes of white on his chest.

"I couldn't stop. I tried not to, but you tasted so good, and it reminded me how the full moon night will go. My imagination took hold."

I giggle, loving that he reacts to me in such a way. I rip the lower section of my new shirt off and wipe him clean before tossing the cloth onto the ground.

"I can't wait until we have time to explore one another," I say, my fingers playing with the thick patch of hair nestled above his werewolf cock.

God, it's huge in this form.

I can't wait to take it.

"Come on. We need to go." Iggy shuffles on his feet. "You guys make traveling awkward."

Aziel stands, holstering Uri. "Yeah, I won't apologize for that. We're close. Is everyone good walking?"

"I'm fine," I reply, patting my body to double check my daggers are there.

"I will be fine if you two manage to keep it in your pants."

"That's not what happened, and you know it," Aziel gripes. "I can't help my body's reaction. She helped me heal. It's not as if I planned on coming all over my chest. It isn't something I tend to share with people, Iggy." Aziel walks forward, staying a few steps ahead of Iggy.

"I don't think he likes me," Iggy whispers.

Aziel overhears.

"I like you just fine. Sometimes, I find you insufferable, but I'll get over it."

"Ouch," Iggy mumbles, a frown taking over his face.

"Don't listen to him. It's the entire circumstance, Iggy. Nothing seems to be convenient anymore, and we just have to keep that in mind."

He nods, still looking down. I forget how submissive he naturally is due to his omega nature. I loop my arm through his and bend down to press my cheek against his shoulder.

"Aziel is ornery. Don't mind him. He likes you or he probably would have killed you by now," I try to reassure my best friend.

"She's right," Aziel sings from in front of us.

Iggy whips his head up and smiles. Just as quick as his happiness arrived, it leaves when we hear the murmuring from the crowd.

The Graveyard.

"We're here," Aziel announces.

The three of us stand just outside the tree line, taking in the huge ribcage that lies on the ground. Inside the bones is where everyone fights.

"I always wonder what creature existed to leave such a skeleton behind," Iggy says, impressed and terrified by how his words are broken between breaths.

"Don't know. Don't care. All that matters is what happens inside the cage." Aziel charges forward, walking straight to Scorder who is currently taking bets.

He is in an extravagant outfit. The coat is longer in the back, and he isn't wearing a shirt underneath so everyone can see his body. He's wearing a top hat that has seen better days. The rim is jagged, the material fraying, and there's a big red stain on the front.

He probably killed whoever that hat belonged to.

"Scorder." Aziel cuts in front of everyone to speak to him.

"Ah, Ripper! You all better bet on this guy! He's the champion." Scorder continues to take money from the patrons, his pockets brimming with eeries. "You want in on the fight?"

"Only if there is updated information on where the avisseus is."

"There always is." Scorder's grin is off-putting, a deceitful twinkle in his eye.

I step into his space, my hand itching to dig my dagger into his neck. "And you won't just tell us? Since you already know he will win."

Scorder tsks, counting the eeries. "That's not how it works, Love."

Aziel is quick with Uri, placing it against Scorder's throat. "I just killed a suffogrim with this and I will kill you too if you think you can call my mate that."

Scorder's fingers press against Uri to push him away. "Alright. Alright. Don't get your soul in a twist. I meant no harm." He tugs at the lapels of his jacket. "In order to get information, you have to fight. That's the deal."

"So break the deal!" I shout at him.

The dragon actually seems regretful. "I can't break the deal. My life is on the line too. I have to keep the show going or it's my existence. Okay?"

"Who are you working for? I thought you ran the show."

"I'm the manager, so to speak, but the idea?" He gestures at us to come forward.

Scorder glances left and right. "This show has been around for a while but not the same people have been running it. It's a new guy, one with connections, power, and experience with shows. He killed the previous owner."

Aziel straightens, a storm brewing in his chest. "I think I know who you're talking about."

"You know Azazel?" Scorder questions in a whisper.

"Know him?" Aziel scans the crows to see if Azazel, whoever he is, is here. "I was captured on the other side by him, but the Horsemen caught him and brought him here. He specialized in carnivals and freak shows," Aziel informs. "And it really pisses me off I'm somehow trapped by him again. This will be my last fight, Scorder. Understood?"

"Understood." Scorder opens the cage for Aziel to enter. "You know the deal, no weapons."

"Like I ever need them." He unhooks Uri and hands the weapon to me. "If anything happens to me, promise you'll still try to get out of here."

"Nothing is going to happen to you. You can't talk like that." I do my best to keep my emotions in check and it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

Scorder closes Aziel into the cage. I press myself against it, my nose and lips peeking through the holes so I can be as near to Aziel as possible. His fingers grip the chained fence as he leans down, giving me a deep, passionate kiss.

"Everything will be okay. Keep Iggy safe. I'll be out soon. It's only one fight. I can do this. And then we can go home."

"Aziel." I drop my forehead against the cage door. "How many times do I have to tell you? You're my home."

He doesn't say anything. He just lifts my chin, rubs his thumb over my bottom lip, and gives me a thoughtful smile.

"Even if I didn't exist, the memory of your lips would be strong enough to keep my spirit alive."

And just like that, he backs away, sinking into the dark. I can only see the outline of his frame and the mask he covers his face with.

"Creatures and Creaturettes! Welcome to the show!" Scorder blows fire into the air, the crowd cheering for more. "If you're new here, please let me introduce you to Ripper, our reigning champion. He hasn't lost a fight yet!"

And he better not start now.

"He is one of the largest werewolves you'll ever see. Standing ten feet tall and over eleven hundred pounds, please shine the light on our very own, Ripper!" He sings Aziel's nickname and right on cue, Aziel roars so loud, it shakes the bones under my feet.

The crowd loves him, standing, clapping, and screaming for more.

"Our other opponent has been in Purgatory for a while but has decided to come out and play with us." The crowd roars. Scorder scans everyone with his wicked, charming smile. His gaze lands on me and he tips his hat in my direction.

I sneer. "Keep looking at me and I'll carve your fucking eyes out."

"Maybe I should take the weapons that are…" Iggy waves his hands up and down my body. "—On your person. You seem a little murdery."

"I'm fine. I just hate Scorder."

Scorder spreads out his arm, pointing in the direction of the other opponent. "He is also a werewolf, standing at nine feet tall, and one thousand pounds. Please welcome, Ghost, as he hasn't ever been seen until now. You know what they have to do! Tell me." Scorder cups his hand by his ear.

"Fight for your existence!" The crowd yells, rattling the cage with their hands.

"You heard them fellas. Fight for your existence." Scorder runs out of the arena. The crowd dies down and silence falls.

The cage doors on either side open, allowing the fighters to enter the ring. Aziel walks out first, spreads his arms, and roars to the moon. Bones beneath our feet tremble from the power.

On the other side, another werewolf steps out. He's nearly equal in size to Aziel, granted Aziel is a foot taller but his opponent is wider.

"They kind of look alike, right? Or is it just me?" Iggy asks.

The bond shakes like an earthquake, complete shock, fear, and sorrow filter through into my heart. I gasp, clutching my chest from the pain.

"What? What is it?"

And for the first time, I can hear Aziel's voice in my mind. It's distant since our bond isn't complete, but it's there.

"It's my dad."