17. Rain

My mom.

She’s here.

Not the thought I want to be having as my pussy throbs.

But it makes sense to why I can feel her so strongly.

Ever since I arrived. She’s here.

We hadn’t had much time between last night and today, with me being stuck inside my head and him being summoned by my father.

I nod at him. “Yes, please.” I whisper in response. My brain is still struggling on how to react as it is being pulled in multiple directions.

He places both his hands out in front of me, and I grab hold of them as I bring myself up to stand.

“I will always take care of you.” He promises.

My body tingles as warmth invades. I wrap both my arms around him and bring my body against his, holding him as tight as I can. Elijah holds me tight in return. I never want to leave his safe space and comfort.

His scent is divine—a mix of musk and vanilla.

“Thank you.” Is all I can say, whispering into his chest.

His voice is compassionate but commanding. “Little bat, you best put some pants and shoes on then. I will meet you at the back door.”

I don’t let go. Needing to stay in the moment just a little longer. He doesn’t force it to end either. Which surprises me, I wasn’t sure how he would handle something so intimate as this. But he lets me take his strength and comfort.

Taking one last deep breath of him in, I look up and kiss the underside of his chin before letting him go. I immediately miss his body, and his warmth against mine.

My feet pad against the hard, cold floors as I race to our bedroom closet. Turning the light on, I grab one of Elijah’s hoodies and sweats, which I have to roll at the waist a couple times so they aren’t so long on me. Finding my black hightops, I slide my feet into them and race back to him. Finding him at the back door, the porch lights are on and illuminating the backyard. He also has a flashlight sticking out of his pocket.

He reaches his hand out to me, walking towards him. I place mine in his. Our fingers intertwine, and E rubs the pad of his thumb in circular motions on the top of my hand in comfort.

The action surprises me. Making me wonder, does he realize that he is soothing my worries and anxiety? Perhaps he doesn’t, regardless it’s working.

Opening the back door, he leads us outside. The night is cold, crisp against my exposed skin. We walk across the wooden deck and down the three stairs to the grass. Our feet crunch against the lush grass as we pass where Elijah has his new firepit setup. He grabs the flashlight out of his pocket and turns it on. Shining it in front of us, towards the thick row of trees lining his property.

There is one tree in particular that catches my eye. It’s tall, with large overhanging branches and dark green leaves. It has to be hundreds of years old, the trunk is thick with some exposed roots around it.

That’s when I noticed it.

The fresh, dark earth that is piled in front.

“I have ordered her a marker, it just takes time for the marble to be engraved.”

Letting go of his hand, my legs move as quick as my mind. As I reach her, my mom, my legs give out. Collapsing on top of the freshly dug earth, which is her peaceful final resting place.

My focus is on her.

I don’t hear E behind me, but the light continues to shine. He is giving me space, and private time to talk to her.

“Why did he take you from me? I wasn’t ready. I still needed you.” I whisper as tears run down my face. I don’t wipe them away, instead I allow them to fall, and to feel. To accept the emotions I had been battling, suppressing these past couple days.

I have to accept this in order to start healing.

A cold breeze blows by, and the leaves rustle in the trees.

My sweet girl. I always knew this would be a risk, once I found out who he was—your father. I protected you the best I could. He found us. He plotted. He abuses his influence. But hasn’t won. He will never win. That boy behind you will never let him. He kills for you. He lives for you.

Mom.

I will always be with you. I am always here. But it’s time for you to spread those wings. Soar. Take back the power your father is trying to take from you. Elijah will be with you every step of the way.

I bring my hands to my face, leaning forward and I cry. I allow myself to finally mourn my mother and my old life. My body shakes as I sob. This is therapeutic, not sad, the need to let it all out is overwhelming. To release it all is freeing.

I’m unsure of how long I stayed like this. Eventually I feel Elijah, his presence is getting closer. I know he doesn’t get why I am sad, but I know he doesn’t like seeing me this way. He doesn’t speak, he knows I don’t need words of comfort or reassurance right now. This situation is what it is, words won’t change it.

Revenge will.

“His next name for La Notte del Diavolo is mine, mom.”

She needs to know.

“He’s angry, so he named me. But Elijah, he will keep me safe. He said we will get them first.”

Saying it out loud hits differently than hearing it said to you. You feel more in control of the situation when you say it.

“How was tonight, and will you tell me how The Chapel started? I need to know in order to understand everything happening.” I ask, turning my head to face Elijah who is now next to me on the grass.

“The great Master Maxton Montgomery stood proud with his number two and my mom at his side. His number three, the one whose family we slaughtered last night, wasn’t there. He convinced his followers that the son acted out a murder-suicide.” He pauses, letting me take that in before continuing.

“Your father convinced them with his charismatic personality and charm that the Devil himself speaks to him, communicates his wishes through your father to ensure they are fulfilled, to better the world. And when you think about it, to better the world from Blackwood, it’s the biggest load of shit, but people bought into it. Here, you either love God or bow down to the Devil. He started holding Chapel at his house, in the backyard, and used the fire as the communication vessel between him and The Dark One. Seeing is believing, people started to believe. Maxton saw this as a great money opportunity as well. He started charging people to attend and to have The Dark One help them. At first, followers would moan about their bosses or neighbors being dicks to them, and suddenly The Dark One, during Devil’s Night which they call, La Notte del Diavolo, would have blackmail ready for them to use against those people. As more people started buying into it, your father’s ego grew. That’s when he renamed himself Master and moved to the caves with the cloaks and masks. He also started charging people to be members, or followers as they are referred to. As they moved up his ranks, they would get charged more to attend and to be close to the Master. Then one day, blackmail turned into bodies. Blood rituals to thank The Dark One, to give souls back to him in gratitude. Anyone who was in the way of The Chapel soul became enslaved to The Dark One for eternity. Then, your father started using the fire to get names to appease his own agenda, which led me to you and your mom.”

“Why us?” It sounds pathetic as I ask it, but I need to know.

“He has known where you two have been for some time. When your names were pulled, he expressed giving your mom, the evil in the world, to The Dark One. Then I would keep you, he told his followers that you and I would be the next generation to take over The Chapel. His only blood born and his stepson. He convinced the followers that your mom was evil, she kept you from him all these years. Denied him of his rights. He sent me around prior to your birthday, he planned La Notte del Diavolo for that night. I snuck into your room when you were working late one night, grabbed some hair from your brush so he could get it tested. It was a match, he is your father. Then I took you both. Before La Notte del Diavolo began, he told the followers the plan for the evening, at the wish of The Dark One, which is why you were covered in her blood and markings after I killed her. Then shit changed. Your father went back on his word, he wanted you to himself, like the sick fucker he is. But no one questioned him, except for me. Questioning him only enrages him. Provokes his beast more. Something I fucking love to do. When he decided plans had changed, I was not going to lay down quietly and take it. He thinks he still has some control over me because of my mother. That has no relevance to me. You were always fucking mine. Are MINE!”

His passion is chilling. Beautiful and fucking hot.

“Then why pull my name now?” I question, trying to wrap my head around all this new information.

He blows out a sigh. “He is going to try and take you away from me again. He is either going to try and kill me instead at the next La Notte del Diavolo, or change plans again and keep you, trap you, make you his personal prisoner. And who the fuck knows, maybe still try and kill me. He knows I will never rest until I have you back.”

Elijah’s face hardens. He’s not with me right now, he is off in a world where people are taking me. I place my hand on his face and whisper, “No one is going to take me. I am safe with you. I am yours. You would never let them have me. We would never let it happen. You are teaching me. I am becoming stronger, and my wings are finally opening. I am free. I am your little bat, as you are my protector.”

His face leans into my touch with each word spoken.

I continue, “Thank you for bringing my mom to me, to our home.”

Looking at me, his face is stunning in this light, the highlights and shadows from the flashlight accentuate his features, his tattoo, and his softness. Calming him down, his face in my palm shows a vulnerable side I had not seen before. Even if it’s just for a moment, its a nice glimpse further into his being.

As he comes back to me, his face hardens and his breathing regulates before he speaks up, “We should get to bed. He may have pulled your name, but we also have names of our own.”

My stomach flutters in excitement, similar to when E told me to crawl to him. I smile, and my eyes widen with my mind racing, wondering who our name is. Standing up, I look down at him with eagerness in my voice, “Well, what are you doing still down on the grass? Let’s go.”