QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD: Earthbound series Lucien and Scarlett (Book 2)

My fury almost choked me.

He let her fucking live.

He was thinking with his dick, or he’s gone out of his fucking mind!

She’d shown him just how dangerous she’s become, yet he’s still protecting her. It doesn’t add up. The repercussions she caused were still ongoing. Naturals and humans were still being taken, and we were still in the dark as to who was taking them. Nathan, along with the witch Megan, were still missing. We have redundantly agreed to form a united front. It was a union that had cracked long before it had begun and all because of that crazy cunt! I can’t even let her name fill my mind, let alone fall from my lips.

With lips thinned in anger and nostrils flared with fury, “Does anyone else know?” I questioned, not giving a shit if it pisses him off. I wasn’t too sure about the witch when she’d first appeared. Over time, she’d grown on me like a puppy dog, and she gained a lot of respect from some of the other men and women.

Anger lit up his eyes as he turned to face me. “Know what?”

Taut with anger, I said, “Don’t mess with me, Lucien, you know what the hell I’m talking about!” I took a sip of the whiskey I held in my hand. If he wasn’t careful, it would aim for his head.

The angry retort hardened his features. “No, not yet. I’m going to announce it at the next meeting.”

“When are you going to tell Scarlett?” I said, throwing back the drink I held into my mouth, feeling the burn as it slid down my throat. I leaned back in my chair. “She will not be in that coma forever!”

He gave a sideways glance. He looked eerily calm, but the lack of blinking gave him away. His expression became one of acute anger. “As long as no one says anything, she’ll never know.”

“Are you shitting me? How long do you honestly think that’s going to last? Once she wakes up, shit is going to hit the fan. She’s not stupid, and I doubt Aria will keep it a secret. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s already planning to tell her.” I ground the words through gritted teeth and run my hand over my bald head. This was fucking ridiculous. How did he think this was going to work? Aria is still a threat, and a big one at that. It’s time he opened his eyes to the fact. Whether he wanted to or not.

His eyebrows plummeted into a scowl as his face tightened. “I’ll deal with it if that happens. We have more important things to worry about than Scarlett finding out about Aria.”

It wasn’t worth me protesting anymore; he had that look in his eyes. No matter what I said, he wouldn’t listen, and he was right: we had more pressing problems going on.

SCARLETT

Fuck, my entire body hurts.

Whoever is trying to keep their voices low, isn’t succeeding.

I tried to lift my hand up to my face. Shit, someone’s holding my hand in a tight grip; if they don’t let it go, it’s going to fall off. I tug as I let out a groan.

‘Scarlett?’ The voice seemed to scream inside my head, “Scarlett, please say something,” the same voice whispered into my ear while the hand holding my own tightened, squeezing my fingers in a death’s grip.

“Is she waking up?” another voice said while I was sure I heard someone muttering please repeatedly under their breath in the background.

“She’s moaning, so I hope to god she is,” the voice replied. I know that voice. Pamela.

I fought the urge to tell them to shut the fuck up. My head hurts like hell, and all I wanted was some peace, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I could hear the worry in their voices.

I forced myself to open my eyes. The light blinded me briefly, causing me to shut them again. I blink rapidly attempting to pry my eyes open. The sun shines brightly through the large window into the room, causing me to close them once again. I noticed that I was in a room I didn’t recognize.

As my eyes finally opened, I heard Pamela tell someone to pull the blinds close, and the relief in each of their voices as I looked at the women standing around my bedside.

Without taking her attention off me, Pamela said, “Tell the others she’s awake,” I heard footsteps as they hurried across the room, a door opening and closing with a click.

I looked up at Pamela’s face. Tears are welling up in her eyes. I turn my head; relief written across their faces. What the hell is wrong with them? Anyone would think I have been missing for weeks on end!

Mia gave a choked laugh, covering her mouth with her hand, eyes wide and shining with unleashed tears. I realized I’d said the words aloud. Shit, it must be severe for Mia to act like that. I rack my mind, trying to remember the last thing that had happened. Aria, the fucking bitch. Fucking hell, Aria, and her smirking fucking face. What the fuck had she done? Shit, I had passed out after hitting my head off the wall.

“What happened, and where the heck am I?” I really didn’t give two hoots who answered as long as someone did.

“Are you saying you don’t remember?” Pamela said, then turned her head towards Mia.

“I remember the meeting and that nutter of a cow attacking me and a shitload of men coming through some sort of portal to attack us. My head is killing me, so I know I got hurt. The last thing I remember is dizziness and her smirking face,” I said, lifting my free hand to my forehead. “Other than that, not a thing. I don’t even know where I am. I don’t recognize this room.”

I heard the door open. Turning my head with a grimace, I saw the rest of my siblings, minus Megan, fill the room, with Melissa and Evelyn not far behind them. The relief on their faces shone through tears falling from their eyes. Fucking hell, what the hell is going on?

“You’re awake!” said Melissa as she walked around the rest of the group to stand in front of them and run her eyes over my form.

“Do I really look that bad?” I said jokingly, running my hand through my hair and wincing as I felt the lump on the back of my head. It was big, like someone had planted a small mountain there.

“I’ve seen you looking better,” Melissa choked out with a watery smile.

Joy bubbled in her laugh and shone in her eyes as her lips formed into a slight smile. “You had us scared there for a while,” Evelyn said.

Abigail said in a soft, bubbling voice, clasping her hand over mine. “We didn’t think you’d ever wake up!”

Why am I getting the feeling they are holding something back? I lay there, closely watching their reaction. “How long have I been out for? It can’t be that long!” Whatever they were trying to hide, I had the right to know. I wanted the truth, no matter how much it would hurt. Turning my head, I settled my gaze on Emma. She wasn’t one to hold back for long.

“Tell me!” I demanded.

“Ten days.” Emma said shrugging her shoulders, ignoring the dirty look Pamela threw her away. “She’s got the right to know. We can’t hold it from her.”

Ten days! Questions arose in my mind. I knew they wouldn’t be good, but I needed them answered. How’s that possible? How could I be out for so long? Shit, what about my witch and omega? I reached down within myself, reaching out for them both; I felt them stir deep within me. As if waking up from a profound, intense sleep. I sighed with relief somehow; they were still there, and I had somehow controlled them.

“Tell me everything.”

Her head tilted to one side, Pamela grimaced. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“Pamela, you have got to stop trying to avoid the question and tell me,” I said with a sigh. I’m so fed up with her trying to keep the others from telling me what’s going on!

“Pamela, tell her. If you don’t, then I will.” Emma said as she crossed her arms under her breasts.

I saw the flash of temper. “No, I’ll tell her,” Pamela said. I wish she’d stop pussyfooting around and just get on with it. I heard her clear her voice as her hand tightened around mine. “So, after you passed out. Somehow, and we still don’t know how, Lucien talked Aria down. Once we all realized something was wrong with you, our attention and focus went away from what was going on around us. Before we knew it, Lucien and Damien were walking through the shield over to Aria.” as if gathering her thoughts, she paused.

Shaking her head Emma said “Pamela, just get on with it and tell her.”

With a glare thrown in Emma’s direction. “Hush. I’m gathering my thoughts,” Pamela replied.

Meeting her gaze with a glare of her own, Emma placed her hands on her hips. “There’s no other way to tell her. Just get on with it.”

Ok, this is freaking me out. I knew whatever they needed to tell me I wouldn’t like. As I pulled myself upright, a sick feeling appeared deep within my stomach. I knew it would have to do with Lucien and Aria, but what I was going to hear was going to floor me.

“Just tell me, Pamela,” I said.

“Fine,” Pamela replied with a huff, “after Lucien had talked her down, things seemed to settle,” at this, I heard the groan fall from Melissa’s lips. Ok, she disagreed entirely with that statement; it would be something I’d be asking about later.

“Oh, please, that bitch got what she wanted. Everyone sitting at that table knows we are witches and the humans on the council want us to be kept hostage or want us dead. They don’t like the thought of having witches on their doorstep,” came the outburst from Mia.

“We knew that could happen.” I didn’t understand where Mia was coming from. It wasn’t something we didn’t know could happen if or when they found out. “What are you not telling me?” I said as I looked at her before staring at everyone else in the room.

“What Pamela is trying to tell you in her own way is Lucien made a deal. We had to agree to stay here under Lucien’s care,” Emma replied.

“This isn’t making sense,” I replied as I rubbed my temples. My head hurt, the pain becoming unbearable. It felt as if a war was raging inside my head.

“I’m trying to explain as best as I can without freaking you out too much. I wish everyone would stop butting in and interrupting me,” Pamela said, a stormy look on her face as she glared at everyone in the room, “I don’t agree or like Lucien. However, we still need to find Megan, and as he’s still helping us, we need to stay here, and I know, as the rest of us do, that you have some sort of feelings for him. You need to put those feelings to one side. You must do this.”

The way she was carrying on, we would be here till doomsday. “I know that any feelings I have for Lucien need to be ignored. What are you not telling me?” I demanded. A sinking feeling gathered in my stomach.

Pamela’s voice faded into the background as I reached out and tried to join our mental link. Though Lucien had blocked me in the meeting, I hoped he had lifted it. I felt the flicker of our connection: it was very slight, but it was there. I couldn’t sense his thoughts, which showed that he had all but blocked me, but I could feel down that small link to his arousal. Whatever he was doing or watching, he was gaining pleasure from it.

I hastily broke the link. I didn’t know if Lucien knew the connection was still there, but I could tell he couldn’t sense me at that moment. I couldn’t stop the painful thoughts that ran through my mind. They grew inside of me. A primal urge so deep within me grew until I felt the need to hit or destroy something. I knew he was with her; deep within my soul, I just knew it. The words didn’t have to come from anyone else’s lips. I wanted to be alone, to dwell over something I had realized. He didn’t give a shit about me. If he did, then he wouldn’t be with her, let alone anyone else; I would be no one’s fool.

No matter how much it would tear me apart inside, I needed to know.

“Has he been to see me?” I asked, interrupting Pamela. I noticed the nervous look they gave each other. Their silence at my question became uncomfortable. I knew the answer. “He hasn’t, has he?” I answered my own question, watching as they slowly shook their heads, a faint glint of pity in their eyes. An icy emptiness entered my heart as it broke into a million pieces; unknowingly, I rubbed my chest just where my heart was between my breasts. I felt Pamela grab that very hand, stopping the movement. “Is he with her?”

“We can leave. We don’t have to stay here. If that’s what you want to do,” Pamela said, avoiding the question. She turned her head and looked at the others and waited for their agreement; it wasn’t long in coming. I heard the muttering going around the room. They all agreed. If I wanted to leave, then that’s what would happen. I so wanted to run and hide, to lick my wounds, but I couldn’t. Though I knew he’d lied to me and chosen her, I must think of Megan. She needs every single one of us. We’ve got to find her and find out who’s taken the naturals and humans.

“Just tell me, IS. LUCIEN. WITH. HER?” I asked through gritted teeth, knowing the answer even before I saw the sympathy flutter across their faces. I would not let either of them stop us from our goal. If he didn’t want any sort of connection with me, so be it. I slowly closed the remote connection we had left; another hit to my heart, cracking it that little more. My witch and omega cried out; they felt the pain as much as I. As that connection closed with a snap, I was sure I heard a rough, thick voice raw cry out in agony. I had a sinking feeling that it was the demon within Lucien. I briefly touched that torched mind, asking for forgiveness, feeling the rage roll through him as I closed that link. “We’ll stay… for now,” I tell them with a proud lift of my head. “Now tell me why the hell I’ve been unconscious for so fucking long. Do any of you know?”

Eyebrows meeting each other in confusion Evelyn said. “That’s the problem; we don’t have a clue.”

“None of us could reach you through our mental link. We all tried over and over. It was as if you had blocked us all!” Melissa replied, a worried expression crossing her face.

Shaking my head in disbelief I said, “That’s not possible,” We all knew we couldn’t completely block each other out. The link was there till we died, and even then it was not completely gone, but that is another story.

Biting her lower lip as tears formed in her eyes Ava whispered. “We didn’t know if you were going to wake up.

Rubbing my forehead, trying to think how it could have happened I said. “Do you think it was something Aria did when she attacked me?” It wouldn’t surprise me if she had something to do with it, considering she’d already attacked me once before.

Melissa replied, “We honestly don’t know. I’ve been trying to relive the moment Aria’s men attacked you, but I can’t find anything that would lead to her being able to knock you out like that.”

Sighing I replied. “Well, something or someone caused it, and I’d bet my life it was her! She’d already attacked me before that, so it wouldn’t come as any surprise that somehow she blocked our mental link,”

Curiosity and disbelief in her voice, Abigail said, “What do you mean she attacked you before?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied, dismissing the question with a wave of my hand.

Pointing her finger directly at me Abigail replied. “Err, yes it does. Don’t think you’re getting away with that brief announcement because you’re not.”

I sighed; I should have kept my mouth shut. Once Abigail got a bee in her bonnet, she wouldn’t stop until you gave in. “I will tell you all about it later. This is more important.”

“Oh, don’t worry, you will definitely tell us,” Abigail promised with determination written on her face as the others nodded their heads in agreement. Fucking hell.

“I’ll look at the old potion and casting spell books. There might be something there that Aria could have used,” Melissa announced. We all knew the books Melissa was talking about. They’d been handed down from daughter to daughter through the generations. There were some risks when casting the spells and potions. The books Melissa was talking about were the ones we didn’t initially use anymore. It wasn’t good if Aria had used a conjuration from a similar book. We all knew how dangerous those casting spells and potions were. It’s why Melissa’s family had crafted their own many years ago.

Turning my attention to Melissa I said. “Do you think she might somehow have books similar to yours?”

Shrugging Melissa said , “Anything’s possible, but that’s the only thing I can think of…” she paused; a thoughtful look came upon her face, “That, or she got one full-blood to do it for her. We all know they are still around. It’s just finding one who knows the old ways and who will do it.”

“If she’s found a full-blood who would help, they wouldn’t do it for nothing. There would be a price she would have to pay,” Pamela replied, “and it could be anything!”

Fucking hell. If she’s found and approached one of them, we could be in a lot of trouble. The full-bloods were the original witches, and they were pure, full-blooded witches. Most have been destroyed. They now usually kept to themselves. Some were part human, but it did not dilute their blood enough to be safe enough to approach. Unless, of course…no, it wouldn’t be a good idea.

Raising an eyebrow Melissa said. “There is someone I could approach,” I know where this was going; she must have read my mind. The risk of approaching her could come at a cost.

Realizing where Melissa was going, shaking her head Emma said. “It’s too risky. We don’t know how she will react, and if the others find out, her safety will be threatened.”

“I think we have to try,” Melissa replied. “We have no other choice. I will be back before anyone realizes I’m gone. She’s the only one who will find out if Aria has approached any of the other full-bloods. The only thing is, if any of the others find out she is helping us, we will have to protect her.”

Rolling her eyes Evelyn said. “Oh, she will love that. This is crazy, you know that, don’t you? And how the hell are we going to protect her?”

“I agree with Evelyn,” Mia said. “If she’s in one of her shitty moods, we could all be in danger!”

Waving her hand as if she was dismissing everyone’s doubts Abigail said. “I think we have no other choice. We need help, and Astrid is the only way we can find out with certainty if it was definitely Aria who caused Scarlett to be unconscious.”

“So, are we all in agreement?” Melissa replied as she looked at us.

None of us liked the idea of Melissa approaching Astrid, or entering an area that none of us ever entered. Though Astrid was our blood relation, we rarely heard from her; her blood wasn’t diluted enough to make her even human. We hadn’t seen her for a few years and kept in touch through our mental link. Another way she would contact one of us to let us know she was alright was with flowers. A black rose would show everything was okay. A pure white lily told us differently. The last time any of us had heard from her must be around a year ago. Since then, not a thing.

I heard the muttered, fines, and okays going around the room.

“Good, I’ll leave tonight, and I will be back on Friday,” Melissa said. “We’re not on patrol until then, so that will give me plenty of time to get back, with no one noticing I’m gone.”

I couldn’t help wondering how she was going to leave as she couldn’t just walk out the door. “Erm, how are you going to leave?”

With a smug grin Melissa replied. “Portal, I’ve been doing it on and off the last ten days to see if I would be detected, and so far, nothing.”

Raising her eyebrow Pamela said. “You don’t think we will stay here without having a way out?”

“To tell you the truth, it hadn’t entered my mind,” I replied, though I should have known that they wouldn’t stay here willingly without a backup plan. “But I should have known better,” I said with a smile and shrugged my shoulders; after all, we were witches and could move freely when the need arose, “so you’ve been going on patrol with Lucien’s men?”

With a soft laugh Mia joked. “You’ve been asleep too long; that’s your problem. It’s been agreed. After all, we can go on the patrols; we have a missing sister. The councils, well, the humans in the councils, weren’t too happy, but Lucien and the other leaders of the naturals told them they had no choice, which they weren’t happy about, but with some persuading, they reluctantly agreed. So Melissa, Evelyn, and Ava have been out twice.”

“And now I’m awake and feel like shit,” I said as I rubbed my temples. The pain had eased somewhat, but was still lingering. “So, who is guarding us? I can’t see Lucien just leaving us here without someone staying behind.”

With a huff Pamela replied.  “A couple of shifters. A few demons have been taking turns standing outside your door or monitoring us. If we want to go outside, one tags along, and a few walk the grounds. I think two shifters know you; one is a young blonde with longish hair called Alex, then a couple of older shifters, Logan and Adam. Also, a vampire called Jaden has been here a few times.”

So, he hadn’t even bothered to check up to make sure I was alright. Great, it just gets better and better. I know it was pathetic, but I must know. Clearing my throat, “Has Lucien been by to see how I am?” knowing the answer even before it fell from their lips, I couldn’t stop the hope appearing in my voice. How pathetic can one be? I heard my witch pipe up. I ignored her; she didn’t have to tell me how pitiful I came across.

I noticed the glances they gave each other, as if trying to decide who would tell me the bad news. My stomach rolled; I felt the sick rising in my throat. I took a deep breath, trying to keep control of that rolling stomach. I didn’t want to be sick. I hated this waiting; they might as well get it over with, pull the plaster off. One sharp tug, and it was over.

Meeting my gaze Evelyn told me. “Once when we first arrived, he hasn’t bothered his ass since we have been here.”

“He’s a bastard. Not worth your time,” Mia spat out.

Looking down at my hands I choked out. “At least I know as I stared down at my hands, I realized with dismay they were twisting the covers. “We’ll find Megan, then we’ll leave,”

Laying her hand over my own, stopping the movement Pamela whispered. “That’s the spirit. You’re stronger than you realize. Why wouldn’t you be? You are a Winters, and we are tough as nails.” Pamela pauses as if deciding to tell me something important. “There is a way to sever your bond with Lucien,” she tells me before looking over at Melissa.

Eyes widening in shocked surprise melissa said. “Pamela we discussed this. You know it hasn’t been used for centuries.”

Looking between the two of them, frowning I said. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s an old enchantment spell; It breaks the bonding to a mate. I don’t know enough about the spell to even know if it could be dangerous or not. That’s why I told Pamela it shouldn’t be performed,” Melissa replied and then turned her head to glare at Pamela, who didn’t seem bothered in the slightest by what she was revealing.

Raising her chin with a look of confidence staring a cross at  Melissa Pamela replied, “I’m sure it will work,” before she turned her attention to me and said, “Scarlett, you don’t have to feel this way. If your bond to Lucien is no longer there, then you will be free.”

I tuned them out as they argued, protests of the others joining in. Should I let Melissa perform an unknown spell on me? It could end in disaster; if there’s a chance it will stop me from feeling as if someone had ripped my heart from my chest, it’s a chance I am willing to take. Pamela was right. We were strong as a family, and yes, I could probably get through the pain I was feeling with no added help, but if I could cut the bond I had with Lucien, then I wouldn’t have to live through the agony that I felt was ripping my heart apart. It was something I never wanted to feel again; it was tearing through my body like a sandstorm. The rage my witch felt nearly overcame me. Somehow, I kept her at bay. My omega wept in the corner as if her heart had been broken. They both felt the pain streaming through my body as I felt theirs.

I closed my eyes, thinking of being free of our bond taking in a deep breath, opening my eyes, turning my head towards Pamela and Melissa, “Do it,” I said, “do the spell,” I hear the protests of my other sisters and cousins; they weren’t happy with my agreement.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Pamela replied, reassuringly squeezing my hand.

I hear the protests from the others, but I block them out; I need to do this for my wellbeing, for my sanity.

Concern in her eyes Melissa said, “Are you sure? It will not be pleasant, and once it’s done, I don’t think it’s possible to be reversed,” she warns me, “and with time, the pain you are feeling will slowly fade.”

I met her gaze. “Has yours?” I saw the expression come over Melissa’s face. Had I hit a nerve? Whatever she had gone through had torn her apart, and I didn’t want the same to happen to me.

“He was my mate, he promised me…” I feel my eyes tearing up. I will not cry; I will not cry. I feel the sting of my lip as my blood hits my tongue. I refuse to carry on as I am. The pain he’s caused me has torn me to the quick. If I thought about how I felt about him, I wouldn’t go through with Pamela’s idea; I turned my head to meet her gaze, “if it gets rid of this pain.”

Giving me a last look of concern Melissa turned and instructed the others to form a circle around me. I watch them gather around me. One voice starts chanting, then one by one, the others join in. I heard the chanting, each voice reaching out to the other until they were one. As the chanting grew with intensity, a burning pain swept through my entire body, a powerful force like none of us had ever felt or seen, lifted me off of the bed I had been lying on. My body hovers above the mattress. It’s like I’m a wild bird that has flown into and at the same speed as the oncoming wind. My limbs stiffened as convulsion seized my body, causing me to violently shake. My eyes roll back into my sockets as my face turns a dark crimson. My mind and body screamed as they fought the power that was surging through me. I felt the tug on my witch and omega; it was like they were being wrenched out of my body.

I would not know until later that the continuous scream I heard was from my own mouth. A pale light left my mouth as my head shook from one side to the other. I listened to the frightened yells of my family as if they were from a great distance. Voices demanded to know what was happening; I felt a cool hand placed on my forehead as the chanting grew in full force. One voice is stronger than the others. As the pain flowed through my entire body, I felt myself slowly drift away. Until all I could see was …nothing.

I would find out later that the voice and hand had belonged to Melissa, and the spell had not worked. We did not question how it was even possible to remove your link from your true mate, from your own soul. We’d been taught that both were joined as if as one.

I slowly awakened. How long I had been out, I hadn’t a clue.

All I knew was my head and entire body ached as if I was coming down with a dose of the flu. A feeling of foreboding swiftly swept through my body and mind. Something was wrong; I could feel it deep within me; it felt like it was rising up to grab me around my throat and choke me. I didn’t want to freak out; it would only intensify my feelings. I had to get a grip.

“Shush,” a voice whispered; I hadn’t realised that I had been moaning, “you were briefly unconscious. Take it slowly, and you will be fine,” the voice reassured me in an odd, gentle tone.

Briefly! It felt like I’d been unconscious for days. “What the hell happened?” I choked out, turning my head to see who was sitting beside me. I met Mia’s worried gaze. She sat in the same seat as Pamela had been. I glanced around the room; it was just myself and Mia. “Where is everyone?”

“Lucien called a meeting,” Mia replied. “I volunteered to stay with you. The others will tell us what is going on when they get back.”

I pushed how I felt to one side. I knew Lucien would keep them updated with any new information on Megan and anyone else that had gone missing. “Mia, I wasn’t talking about that! I was out longer than a few minutes.”

“Fine,” the huff fell from her lips as if we had caught her telling a lie, for heaven’s sake “yes, it was longer than a few minutes. You have been out about two hours. I was getting worried you’d never wake up! Do you think it’s worked? Do you feel any different towards him? We all know how into Lucien you were; we didn’t realize how much.” She threw the questions at me as if we were in a game of handball.

I lay there and listened, trying my hardest not to show my impatience as she whittled on. Question after question rolled from her mouth. She asked me how I felt towards the one person who was my soul mate. No, I wanted to say to her, he had been my mate. He wasn’t anymore.

I heard her in the distance like a cloud descending and hovering above my head, dulling her voice. Describing what had happened and how I had looked, my mind drifted. I think over her questions. How did I feel? I held back the urge to yell, what a stupid question! I felt as if someone had cut me in two; that part of me was now missing. I reached down deep within myself, searching for my witch and omega. No, there’s something wrong. Both are crouched down like they are trying to hide from someone or protecting something. A whimper of pain came from my omega. How can that be?

We were never told that our witch and omega could suffer so profoundly. My witch stills and lifts her head; her dark gaze locked onto me, watching as I dared to come closer.

“What have you allowed them to do? Undo it now before it is too late,” she screeched, clutching her head in her hands as she partially sat up; something’s behind her form. I knew then they were shielding something. A slightly glowing light flickered behind her. I didn’t want to admit to what I was seeing, but I knew. A sudden chill sweeps through my body.

What had I done? I pulled back. I needed to get up. I had questions I wanted to be answered. I turned my head towards Mia.

“Get Pamela or Melissa now!” I demanded through gritted teeth.

With a puzzled expression on her face, Mia replied. “What’s wrong?”

“Get one of them NOW, Mia,” I practically screamed at her; I could feel my face heating in a temper.

With a catch in her throat, “I can’t. They’re at the meeting,”

Shoving the bedcovers off myself, “Then I’ll go to them. Help me get up and dressed,” I demanded Nothing would dissuade me from my decision. “Now, Mia, stop wasting time.” I could barely feel my witch and omega. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were trying to hold on for the sake of what I had seen. They were fighting against the spell that my family had performed on me.

“Fucking hell. Pamela’s going to lose her shit,” she huffed as she helped me out of bed and helped dress me.

“That’s the least of your worries,” I replied as we left the room, only to find Adam standing there. Shit, this was the last thing I needed. I noticed the shocked look on his face. I turned my head to look at Mia. ‘Hasn’t anyone been told I’m awake?’ I said through our link.

‘Err no,’ Mia replied down the same link. ‘Pamela thought it best we kept it to ourselves when you awakened.’

I wished I’d been told. ‘Ok,’ I replied, this was a disaster. It never occurred to me someone would be outside my door. I should have known better. ‘Well, I guess Pamela had her reasons.’ Breaking our link and turning my attention to Adam.

“Fucking hell, you’re awake,” Adam said with raised eyebrows as he rushed over.

“As you can see, I’m as right as rain,” I replied, lifting my other arm and sweeping my hand down my body as I tried not to hold on to Mia’s arm, which I was doing a piss-ass job of. I didn’t have time to stand here for chitchatting. I wanted answers, and the only ones who could give them to me were Pamela or Melissa.

“Should you be out of bed?” Adam said; his gaze lingered on my face. Whatever he saw as he looked at me, he didn’t seem happy about it. Shit, I must look like crap. “I don’t mean to be funny, but you look like shit. Does Lucien know you’re awake?” The second he mentioned his name, his demeanor seemed to change; it was like a flick of a switch. As if he remembered something unpleasant. I felt Mia still beside me, as if she knew something I didn’t.

“No, not that I’m aware of.” I turn my head till I’m looking at Mia, “Do you know if he’s been informed?”

With a roll of her eyes Mia said. “No. Pamela, bless her, thought it best we kept it private.”

What a stupid idea. “Did Pamela think he wouldn’t find out? This so-called secret of me being back in the land of the living is already out,” I replied, indicating towards Adam. What on Earth had Pamela thought she was doing? How would she keep me hidden and let everyone think I was still unconscious. “Did you all agree to this?”

Screwing up her face, Mia replied, “No, a few of us, including me, I might add, disagreed on it. But you know how Pamela is.”

“She won’t let go. She’s like a dog with a bone—”

Interrupting our conversation Adam asked “Where are you off to?” his legs wide apart and arms crossed over his chest.

Turning my head to meet his gaze I replied. “We’re going to this meeting they did not invite me to no offense, but can you move out of our way or come with us,” as I take a step closer. He’s a big guy, but he had always been nice to me.

Holding onto me, Mia said. “Scarlett, I don’t really think it is a good idea. Let’s stay here, wait for everyone to return, and speak to Pamela and Melissa then.”

Adam agreed with Mia. “Listen to your sister, Scarlett. You have just woken up, and it’s obvious that you’re still weak. Wait for them to return; they shouldn’t be much longer. I will inform Lucien that you’re awake now. I’m sure he’ll want to see you.”

They were both hiding something; whether it was the same thing was a different matter, but I was going to find out what it was and neither of them would stop me from seeking the others out. I was going to this so-called meeting. Something was going on, and I was determined to find out what the hell it was, and I really didn’t give a rat’s ass if Lucien would want to see me or not. So far, he hadn’t bothered his ass, so why would he bother now!

“See me? Has he bothered his ass so far? Because from what I’ve been told, he hasn’t. Both of you. Stop treating me like a fucking child. Adam, move out of the way,” I said through gritted teeth, “and you,” I turned my attention to Mia, “I don’t care if you stay here or come with me, I will find out what the hell’s going on.” I needed to find out what was wrong with my witch and omega. I could still sense their pain and anguish rooted deep within me. It’s like we’re being ripped apart; I’m barely holding on to them. I knew it was to do with the spell and the rejecting of Lucien as my mate. I couldn’t think about that sparkle of light I had witnessed. It didn’t bear thinking about, and if I lost either my witch or omega, I would be nothing.

Pulling my arm from Mia’s grip I moved forward, causing Adam to keep stepping backward until he had no other option but to either walk with me or try to stop me from going to this meeting; I sighed in relief as he fell in step beside me with Mia walking the other side. I saw the glimpse of worry they shared. I was going to find out what the heck was going on, and my gut told me I wouldn’t like the outcome.

Neither of them said a word as we walked down one hallway, then another. If we didn’t get to where this meeting was being held soon, I would be like a puddle on the floor. I soon realized I didn’t recognize the building we were in.

“Where are we? I don’t recognize any of this!” I said as I looked at them both in confusion.

“We are in Lucien’s private residence. It’s about an hour’s drive from his club,” Adam replied as he met my gaze, “I thought your family would have told you after you’d woken up.”

“We had more important things to discuss,” Mia hastily said.

“To tell you the truth, it was the last thing that was on my mind,” I replied, “I naturally thought we were in the same building and just in a different room to the one I’d been staying in,” I replied. I turned my head to look at Mia. “Why?”

“Why are we here and not at the club?” Mia replied, looking at me from the corner of her eye. “Lucien, bless his cotton socks, decided along with the other leaders we needed to stay here until the threat of some of the council members has passed.”

“It pissed some on the council off that Lucien and the others wouldn’t agree to destroy you and your family,” Adam replied.

“So, we have been here since I passed out?”

With a shrug of her shoulder Mia said, “Yep, and it looks like we will be here until they think differently.

This wasn’t good. Unknown to Lucien, the other leaders, and the council members, we could leave whenever we wanted. That bit of information we kept to ourselves. If Lucien or any of the other leaders or council found out we could return when it suited us, I knew there would be hell to pay. The council would come at us full force, trying to stop us at every turn. They wouldn’t care if they hurt anyone. Lucien and the others might think differently. No matter what happened, certain council members were always going to be an enormous problem. It was pathetic; they were the ones who seemed hazardous in my eyes.

Adam and Mia abruptly stopped; a large oak door stood before us. It surprised me that no one was guarding the entrance to the room. I would have thought that would have been one thing that Lucien insisted upon. I knew that this was where this so-called meeting was being held. My suspicions we confirmed when Mia said.

“Are you definitely sure you want to go in?”

“Of course,” I replied with certainty, meeting her gaze. I needed to find out what the fuck was wrong, and I wanted to find out why these meetings seemed to be such a big secret. I knew they were hiding something, and my gut was telling me it was going to tear my heart apart. I had no choice; I still had to go in.

“Your one hundred percent positive you want to go in?” This time, it was Adam who was asking me, fucking hell, how many more times do I have to say yes!!

“You have both asked me now. The answer will not change. YES, YES, YES,” I screeched. “Now, is that a sufficient answer for the both of you?”

I saw their matching expressions and the roll of Mia’s eyes. Neither looked thrilled at my outburst. Well, tough, I’d had enough. It was time I found out what the fuck was going on with me and this big secret.

Adam stepped up to the doors, knocked, then knocked again, then gave another two sharp taps; he muttered something I couldn’t decipher. We watched as the doors swung inwards of their own accord.