8. Chapter Eight

"What is your home like, Nell?"

Teryn's question snaps me out of my depraved thoughts of last night. When both of her sons were inside me. At the same time…and I loved it. I clear my throat as I scratch my head. "Uh, well it's not much different than here; if you take away all the rape and torture, that is." I laugh, but quickly clamp my mouth shut when I realize that was not a joke to the others. My males watch me with concern while their parents stare at me in horror. "Sorry." I offer an apologetic smile. "I think the biggest difference is societal standards. We live a bit…differently on Europa—though we still have many of the same things as you do."

I don't want to offend them, but I have no reason to lie, either. I look forward, taking in my distorted reflection in the elevator door. Casmir and Emrys stand to my right, angling themselves in a way that makes me think they're expecting an attack as soon as the doors open. All three of us opted for our leathers today, as my bonds wish to visit the shop that makes them. Apparently, a friend of theirs owns it and has been working on custom fittings for us.

I run my hands over my thighs, feeling a bit sticky. I'm not sure why I'm nervous, but something in my gut is telling me to be. Niair and Teryn met with us this morning and insisted on showing us something that they have never shown another soul. Something that could help us in this war.

This thing of theirs must be powerful if they keep it in one of the thick, sealed vaults at the bottom of the library. As soon as they mentioned it, it felt like spikes were dragging up my spine. It's not that I don't trust all of them, but it's strange to think they have something—more powerful than the gods, they claim—that could turn our fate against Andras.

So, I insisted Xamira come along. The males" parents greeted her, though none of us explained to them just what she is. Which is preferable at the moment, considering I've no clue what we're walking into. They must think she's just an emotional support cat. I suppose she is, in some ways; but she's also so much more. I peer down at her still form, my chest warming at the way she's nestled between Cas's legs. She loves them.

"And what of your parents? Which gods are they? What are they like?" My stomach turns. How do I explain that my mother has hated me since I was born, and my father loves me only enough to be considered acceptable?

I shrug, deciding to keep my answer simple. "They are the God of Balance and The Goddess of War, though to me they're just my parents. They are," I pause, trying to think of the right word. "Motivated. So they will be a great help against Andras." They both nod, satisfied with the answer. I get an approving caress down the bond and wrap my arms around my front. If I close my eyes, I could imagine Cas is hugging me. At least, that's what it feels like.

"When will they be here?" Niair's deep voice saturates the tight space, making Xamira narrow her eyes in his direction. I suppress a laugh at my sassy girl.

"If our message was successfully delivered, I would expect them to arrive very soon." No one mentions what will happen if our message didn't make it. That is a fate none of us wants to face.

The elevator finally slows, stopping abruptly at the bottom. I wonder how old this thing is?

Releasing a breath, I wait for the four fae to exit. I'm feeling too jittery to have them at my back where I can't watch their every move. Following them around a corner and down a dark, narrow hall, we come to a stop in an area that looks like a mini cave. Barely large enough to fit all of us, but sizable enough for the vault just ahead.

What the fuck do they have inside?

A thin form steps from the side, focusing on the intricate puzzle of locks. It's not the insane amount of security they have that shocks me to my core…no, it's Ender! The male has clearly been avoiding me since I arrived in Anloria. I was convinced he didn't exist, and the others were just playing an extended joke on me. But here he is—all five-foot-four of him. No wonder he was able to hide in the shadows so easily; he has the perfect form for it.

I take in his appearance as he works. He has long, black hair that's braided down his back. Black pants and a sweater that do little to hide his thin arms and body. But other than that, he seems quite normal. When he's done, I almost expect to recognize him when he turns around, because why else would he refuse to meet me? I don't, however. His sharp jaw and pointed nose are unfamiliar, as well as his dark eyes. They almost appear black, with very little white showing.

He looks at our group, his gaze pausing on me for a moment before addressing Casmir. "It is ready, Your Highness." He bows his head lightly, stepping back against the wall to allow my prince to open the door.

"Thank you, Ender." Cas moves forward, grabbing the large handle in the middle and pulls hard. The metal creaks, and it almost feels as if the movement causes the mountain stone around us to vibrate. Interesting.

The others walk through the arch, disappearing inside from the lack of light. I stop in front of the librarian and raise my brows. "Ender. We finally meet…I'm Nell."

His eyes flit to the vault before returning to mine, appearing darker than they were a few seconds ago. "I know exactly who you are, Anellah," he sneers. I immediately call to my essence, covering myself and Xamira—who is sitting to my left—with a wall. "Your mother tried to kill my king! Of course she was unsuccessful, though. He is THE god." He closes the distance between us, but I stand still, waiting to see what he will do.

"He will reward me greatly for being the one to end your life." His hand reaches for something at his back and the hairs along my skin stand straight up. I want to call for the others, but I still do not know what's going on. Do Niair and Teryn have anything to do with this?

Ender jerks his hand forward, stabbing something into the wall I've created. His brows furrow and as he tries to penetrate it a few more times, I gasp at what he's holding.

Obsidian.

My breathing turns erratic at the sight of the stone. How did he get this? I freeze long enough for Casmir and Emrys to hear Ender snarl in frustration. They yell, running out of the vault toward the crazed male. The hollow of my chest sinks as the librarian smirks at me before swinging his blade, slicing Emrys's arm.

"No!" All thought leaves me, and I absently block my bonds from moving forward. Deep-rooted heat and hatred simmer just under my skin, pushing me to Ender without a single care that he still holds the obsidian blade.

The one way he could actually kill me.

He sees me too late, twisting his hand to shove the stone through my ribs just as I grip his head and twist until his eyes meet the wall behind him. A nauseating crack scatters through the deafening noise of my racing heart. I waste no more time on the male as he drops heavily to the ground, instead turning my attention toward Em.

I step over the blade, reaching for my bond's hand. "Are you okay? How badly did he hurt you?" I twist his arm until I see the cut and watch as it stitches itself up. Thank the fucking gods obsidian does not harm fae the way it does us.

"Me? I'm fine, Nell…what about you? What the fuck was that?" My eyes snap to his, the dark honey color instantly calming me.

"I—I don't know," I stammer, taking in a deep breath. "He said my mother tried to kill his king, but it didn't work, so he was going to kill me to make his king happy. I'm guessing he meant Andras."

"If he was planning to kill you, why did he only bring one knife? He must have known that wouldn't work…" Casmir trails off, biting his cheek while he inspects Ender's body. I say nothing and move to the side to let Niair and Teryn through.

"What is—Ender? Oh gods, what happened to him?" The older male crouches, checking to see if Ender is dead.

Cas begins to explain what happened, but I hear no words as my eyes catch what's inside the vault. I stumble forward, feeling horrified by what these fae have kept secret for decades.

Rows upon rows of obsidian.

There are large boulders that look as if they've been chipped into. Knives and arrows tipped with the black stone. So many weapons. So much stone. More than enough to eradicate the gods.

"Oh my gods." My throat tightens unbearably, my vision blurring at the edges. Xamira hisses next to me, growling as she bites deeply into my leg to pull me back—I don't move.

I do not realize I'm trembling until something grabs my arm. I instinctively swing out, shoving the heel of my palm into the chest behind me and watch as the prince falls into his captain. My bonds look confused, Em opening his mouth to speak, but I shake my head to stop him.

My gaze slides to their parents, who stand just inside the vault with no questions in their eyes. They know what obsidian does to gods. They've been hiding it. They brought me down here knowing I would certainly react poorly.

"Why do you have this?" I demand, swinging my arm across the large room. I don't give them a chance to answer before I'm screaming. "Why the fuck do you have this?" Teryn looks away, unable to face me. Niair's brows furrow, as if he's contemplating how to answer my question.

"Love," Emrys tries to placate me, but I ignore him.

"Answer me, Niair." I drop my voice, a deadly calm taking over me. If they are planning to use these against the gods, I will kill them right here. "Why. Do. You. Have. It?"

He swallows loudly, seeming uncomfortable with the amount of rage I'm directing his way. "Nell, it was not our intention to upset you. You must understand, we are just trying to help."

"Trying to help? Are you fucking kidding me? Who would this help except Andras? What were you going to do with all of it?"

"Nell—"

"Shut the fuck up, Casmir." I don't look his way, but I know my words stung.

"These are from the first war. They've been kept here for centuries—protected—and they could be useful in this war. Not only could it kill Andras, but what if the demons are like you? What if they can be taken down with this stone, as well?" He has a small point. Small. But I'm focused on one word.

"Protected? You call that protection?" I look pointedly at Ender's body, still folded over itself from when I snapped his neck. "Because to me it looks like you had Andras's biggest fan guarding the one fucking thing that could easily kill every god in this war!" I scream at the two fae as they watch me with apologies written over their features. "What do you think Ender fucking did when none of you were looking?"

As angry as I am, I believe them. I do not think they had intended any of this, but that does not negate what has happened.

Without waiting for an answer, I storm from the vault, followed closely by my sorid. "Come." Em and Cas reluctantly leave their parents, knowing what I said was not a request. They both attempt talking to me the entire way back to the castle, though my head is too fuzzy to process any words they say.

As we're walking out of the tunnel that connects the mountain and the castle, I spot Leia as she turns a corner. "Leia." She stops in front of me, waiting for me to speak instead of offering any of her usual, playful remarks. "Niair and Teryn need assistance on Level One. Find Ansa and Jorin—direct them to the library." She nods once, turning back toward the direction she just came from.

I walk us to the front of the castle, quickly descending the stairs and make for the gate. Once we're out in the open, I pause and close my eyes.

Breathe in, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four.

I count ten before I feel calm enough. I have no time for panic attacks, so I've been doing everything I can to stall them. I can cry when this is over.

I look to my males, who both stand just in front of me, letting me have this moment to myself. I feel bad for directing my anger at them earlier. They shouldn't have to be so understanding to just accept it.

Shaking my head, I gesture us forward and explain to them why I screamed at their parents. They ask questions the entire way to the city, never once blaming me for my outburst.

But in the back of my mind, a little thread of doubt inches its way in, telling me that I don't belong here. That they'd be so much better off without me, as they wouldn't have to deal with my quickly shifting emotions any longer.