Hell's Belle - Eve Newton Page 0,28

the Heavens.”

I blink as I have no words. I am completely speechless for the first time in my life. I even had something to say when I first found out that Shadow could shift into a human.

“I know this may come as a surprise and it was not my intention to ambush you,” Vazna says, his tone exuding caution now as well. “But I have wanted to talk to you for a very long time.”

“Why?” I croak out.

“You are a special creature, Shax. I can feel even from this short interaction that you are struggling with your two halves. I want to offer you another option.”

“What would that be?” I inquire with narrowed eyes. “Don’t think you can use me to get to my sister.” Protecting her is the only thought in my head.

“Oh, this has nothing to do with your sister. She is the Ruler of Hell. She is where she belongs. You though…you don’t feel that you are?”

“I am where I belong and that is with my sister,” I say carefully.

“What about you, Shax? Don’t you wonder what else there is for you?”

“No,” I state blandly. I’m not trusting this fucker just because he’s sporting a pair of white feathered wings and a fancy title.

“You can lie to yourself, but you cannot lie to me. I know how special you are.” He comes closer and strokes my cheek with the back of his hand.

I slap it away and step back. “Sorry, man, I’m not that into guy-on-guy.”

He gives me a curious look as if he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. That shouldn’t be surprising, though.

“You were born from great power, Shax. You shared a womb with the Ruler of Hell. You are her opposite in every way. Every way.”

I remain silent as I take in his words, trying to figure out what exactly he is talking about. “Are you saying I belong in Heaven?” I ask slowly, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Vazna gives me a searching look. “Is that what you want, Shax?”

I shake my head and give him a twisted smile. “I’m not buying what you’re selling so leave me the fuck alone,” I say. He is here to mess with my head, and I have enough shit going on in there without having him add to it.

“Shax!” he calls out as I spread my wings.

The black feathers are even more noticeable against the white glare of the snow-capped mountain.

I shake my head at him again. “I’m not who you think I am,” I say desolately. I belong in Hell, that much is clear from the contrast between us.

“Shax, wait!” Vazna says, but I flap my wings and transport myself back to the Wastelands with a heavy heart.

Heavier than usual, anyway.

I don’t know what to think about Vazna. I don’t even really want to think about it at all. It’s too painful. It creates too much conflict inside me. I hate asking for help, but I feel there is only one course of action and that is to speak to my dad. I can’t confide in Annabelle. She won’t understand. There is nothing in her that can make her see what I’m going through. Even though I know she’d try to help me, her natural scorn for anything good will cloud her judgment.

Good.

I ponder that word as I make my way to my parents quarters. I know there’s good in me, but it is being squashed by the evil. I live in Hell, good has no place here. Not even inside me. Maybe the answer lies in leaving here and seeing what comes out. I turn on my heel, decision made. Speaking to my dad isn’t necessary now. I will discuss it with Shadow later. I’ll track her down and ask her if she will go to Earth with me. To make an informed decision about who I am, I need to be in a neutral place and Hell isn’t that place. Annabelle will be furious, but she will accept it. She’ll have to because I need to calm the war inside me.

I finally feel some sort of peace settle over me, but it doesn’t last long as I remember the box and key that I took from Elijah and what it unlocks. I have a feeling of dread about it which is why I haven’t passed it on to Annabelle yet. I have a feeling that what it unlocks will release her father, but also something else she isn’t ready for. I have to