6. Belzar

six

Belzar

“ Y eah. That’s not fucking happening,” Zarreth snarls.

“We’re not going to force you two together.” I roll my eyes at the dramatic asshole. “Trust me, I’m more than happy to only have to share her with two guys. No need to add another one,” I grumble.

“Good. Then leave me the hell alone.”

“Would if I could. Unfortunately, that’s not the only reason we’re here. Shit went down last night… It was bad.”

“Yeah. I spent hours looking for Luc’s stupid hounds and you assholes didn’t bother letting me know you found them.”

“That was shitty. I admit. But we were a little distracted with Luc going ballistic and cleaving Bartleby’s head off his shoulders with his fucking claw,” I say.

His eyes widen and his jaw drops. “He did what?”

“Yeah. Bart had the misfortune to be the one to admit to Luc that he and Droxley are the demons responsible for murdering Serafina.”

“The fuck? They murdered Serafina?” he exclaims.

Oz begins filling him in on everything that happened last night, hopefully leaving out the part after we returned to Maddy’s room. I tune him out, focusing on the mate bond. It’s been a while since she left, she should be with Luc by now. After last night, I’m not only worried about the demon that might as well be my father, but also my mate. Taking his pain from him was hard on her. I don’t know if she can handle it if she has to do it again.

She’s anxious, but that’s understandable. She’s worried about Luc as much as I am.

Suddenly fear floods the bond and Oz goes silent, his eyes flicking to mine.

Shit! What’s she doing?

“Maddy,” Zeph gasps. “What’s happening?” he pants as the emotions flash through the bond so strong it nearly knocks him off his feet.

“She’s taking his pain again. It’s just like last night, but so much more intense.”

“Wait… She’s not…” Oz furrows his brows as he concentrates on the bond. “She’s not with Luc. She’s in Zo’s room.”

That should make me feel better, at least she’s not taking Luc’s pain again. But the ferocity of the anger, pain, and despair slamming into me tells me it doesn’t matter whose emotions she’s fucking with. It’s not good.

“Let’s go,” I bark.

“We’re not done here,” Zarreth growls.

“Tough shit. We’re out. You want to hear the rest of the story? Then get your shit together and come with us.” Without a second look at the others, I run back inside, through the hall, and am through the door to the office in a flash. I’ve never been more thankful for Luc’s door than right now. Or that it’s on the same side of the castle as Zo’s rooms.

I fly down the corridor, not slowing as staff dive out of my way. Footsteps pound behind me, and still, I don’t slow. The need to get to my mate is all-consuming. I never cared about not being able to pop from place to place like Zo and now Maddy. But now, there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to be by her side in an instant.

I crash through Zo’s door, finally landing on my feet in her sitting room. The sight of my mate passed out on her couch sends panic coursing through me. Rushing to her side, I drop to my knees beside her and pull her unconscious body into mine.

“ Amica Mea !” I wail as her head hangs limply from my arms.

“What the hell happened?” Oz demands.

“She… She told me about my brothers and I sorta flipped out.” She grimaces. “I was lost to the haze and suddenly it started to clear. I don’t know what she did, but somehow, she eased the anguish that was building into an inferno. Her empath powers surpass even my mother’s. When I came to she was standing over me for like two seconds before she just collapsed.”

“What was she doing here anyway?” Zeph asks. “She was supposed to be with Luc.”

“She ran into me, literally, when she was leaving his wing. I knew something had happened since she suddenly had wings that she definitely didn’t have when I saw her yesterday morning. I asked her about them and she told me about my brothers kidnapping her last night. Luckily, she insisted we go somewhere else to finish her story otherwise I might have killed a servant walking by.”

“Damn it, Amica Mea . You can only take so much. You’re not the devil yet . You are not invincible,” I mutter as I run my fingers through her hair.

“She took her emotions, didn’t she? Like she did Luc,” Zeph says, following my train of thought.

Zo’s eyes widen. “She didn’t tell me that part. She really did that?” she gasps.

“She didn’t take all of his pain. She couldn’t. But she took enough that he was able to return to us and talk to us before he went to his room,” Zeph explains.

“Then she took mine only hours later?” The shock on Zofina's face makes my stomach drop further. “Devil. Is she going to be okay?”

“Zar. Can you check her out? I know she’s not your favorite person right now, but please. We just need to know she’s okay,” Oz pleads.

I expect him to say no. Hell, I’m not even sure why he’s here. But I don’t expect the sorrow that fills his eyes at the suggestion. The air in the room freezes as we wait for his reaction.

Finally, he sighs, resigned, and murmurs, “I can’t.

“What the fuck do you mean, you can’t?” Oz snarls.

Zar’s eyes shutter before he says, “I don’t have my healing powers anymore. Luc stripped them during my confinement.”

Holy shit.

I can’t even imagine living without my powers.

“Fuck, Bro.” Zeph claps his twin’s back and pulls him into a hug. The two of them used to be super close until a few years ago when Zar came back. I don’t think I’ve seen them hug like this in over twenty years.

“What are we supposed to do? Just wait for her to wake up?” Oz grumbles, clearly not a fan of that idea.

“What other choice do we have? The only one who could do anything to help is Luc. And I doubt he’s in any condition to do anything of the sort. Get comfortable, boys. We’re going to be here a while,” I announce as I rearrange Maddy in my lap.

Hours later, we’ve filled Zar and Zofina in on everything we know, including Maddy going to check on Luc this morning, when she finally starts to stir. Much to Oz and Zeph’s irritation, I haven’t moved since we got here, holding Maddy tightly the entire time. The bond went completely silent shortly after we got here. It’s terrifying. I can feel the tether tying us together, but it’s just a whisper. Enough to let me know she’s alive, but nothing else. Logically, I know she’s probably just sleeping off the power surge, but damn, I’m ready for her to wake up. My grip on her tightens as she wiggles on my lap, nuzzling her face into me.

“Mmmm. Belz?” she murmurs, her breath puffing the hair on my neck.

“Right here, Amica Mea . Right here,” I assure her, stroking my hand down the back of her head.

“What happened?” she groans as she sits up, slowly taking in her surroundings.

“We were hoping you could tell us that, Angel,” Zephyr says, reaching out to brush her hair behind her ears.

“I think I took too much…” She grimaces. “I didn’t mean to. My powers just did what they wanted. Which, I mean, was the right thing because if Mom would have stayed like that much longer, the bodies would have started piling up. Seems my powers know what to do even if I don’t.”

“Great, she can’t even control her fucking powers,” Zar grumbles and I shoot a glare at him.

“Dude. What the hell?” Zeph scowls at his twin.

“No. He’s right. I can’t. I didn’t tell my powers what to do. I just knew I had to stop her and they did what they had to.”

“Doesn’t mean he can be a dick about it,” I mutter.

She places a gentle kiss on my lips, easing my ire before she turns back to Zarreth.

“What are you doing here, anyway?” She glares at him.

“I came to find out what's going on with Luc. Don't flatter yourself, Sweetheart ,” he snarks

“Right… Well, I couldn't tell you. He wouldn't answer the door.” She shrugs. “Feel free to go check on him yourself. I believe someone owes me a date.”

“Are you sure, Angel? We can wait until you're fully recovered,” Zeph assures.

Her eyes light up as she smiles at him. “I feel much better. Just needed a little nap. Have you changed your mind about wanting to show me off?” She arches a brow.

“Hell no! Never!” He jumps up and pulls her off my lap. “Let's go, sweet cheeks!”

“Sweet cheeks?” She laughs as he pulls her to the door.

“What? You do have some sweet cheeks.” He wiggles his brows as he looks at her ass.

“He's not wrong,” Oz murmurs, standing to follow.

“Do you have to talk about my daughter's ass right in front of me?” Zo glares at the completely unrepentant demons.

“Sorry, Zo,” Zeph calls from the door, dragging a giggling Maddy behind.

I jump up to follow, not wanting to be separated from her after what happened. “Zar, see if you can get through to Luc yeah? We'll be back shortly.”

“How the fuck am I going to get through to him? If he won't answer the door for his precious granddaughter, he's certainly not going to answer for me ,” he scoffs.

“Whatever man. Zo? You'll try? I'll check in soon.” With one last parting glare at Zar, I run to catch up to my mate.