they're burning and I push the door to my room open, finding Deacon sat on my bed.
“Az said you were coming here. When you weren't here, I figured I'd wait. I hope that's okay,” he says softly as I close the door behind me.
“What do you want, Deacon?” I sigh. I don't have the mental capacity to spar with him today on top of everything else.
“I just wanted to let you know that she got home safe. I wiped her memory of anything that was done to her. She just thinks she came here to see you.”
“Than— that was kind of you.” I say warily. “Why would you be so nice?”
“Because she's a child. Children should never be used as pawns in war. Azriel agreed, he only used her upon Archer's insistence in the first place. He never would have touched your sister otherwise.”
“So I'm meant to believe that Demons have some actual rules and standards that they play by.”
“You don't have to believe a thing I say, but know that not everything is what it seems. Not always,” he says passionately. “I will leave you alone, but if you need anything, just push the button by the door. Someone will be able to bring you anything you want or need.”
He waves his hand and a console appears on the wall next to the door. “You live here now, while you are tied to this place, and Azriel, he wants it to be your home.”
“He only wants that so that I give him what he wants,” I hiss.
“That may be the case, but do not scoff at what he offers. It could be much worse. He could have taken everything he wanted against your will. Be glad for small mercies. He obviously sees something in you that he likes, otherwise he would not have been so kind.” He closes the door after him, the last of his words barely out before he disappears from sight and leaves me wondering what the hell is going on in this place.
Everything is so confusing, and it's hard to tell who is friend from who is foe. Though deep down I know that everyone here is my enemy, that I am not here by choice, I can't help the small part of me that want to believe there is good in both Azriel and Deacon, even if only so that I don’t lose my mind while I try to find a way to get out of this place. Even if only to keep myself distracted, keep them distracted, long enough for Remy and her guys to find me here.
No matter, it won’t save them from my wrath when I’m done here.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Colt
“She's back?” I ask sounding as confused as I feel.
“She appeared in the kitchen while I was making coffee this morning,” Marie says her voice thick with emotion. “I have no idea how.”
“Is she okay? Did she say anything?”
“She doesn't seem hurt, and she says she wasn't. She said that she went to see Fallon in a big fancy castle, and that she said Fallon says she loves me, but that she can't come home right now, but she'll try to come home soon.” Her voice catches and I know she's losing the fight to keep her emotions locked down.
“Holy shit.” I let out a rush of air, not sure what else to say. “Did she see Remy?”
“No, she didn't mention Remy. I'm sorry.”
“No, don't be sorry. She's back, and she's not hurt. That's what matters right now. I'm glad she's back, Marie.”
“He's still going to pay for this,” she says, her voice sharp with anger.
“He will. Elijah and Danny have a light show set up for him tonight. I have a feeling we'll be hearing from Archer Dotoro in the next twenty-four hours, whether we want to or not.”
“I don't want to know what you have planned, but make it hurt.”
“I plan to.” I smile down the phone, she can't see it, and I'm kind of glad.
“I'll speak to you soon, Colt.”
“Hug Rebel for me.”
“I will,” she says, disconnecting the line. I drop the phone on the table in front of me and look back up to the room of people facing me. Both on Skype and in the room.
“Rebel is home,” I tell them, and the entire room lets out a sigh of relief.
“That’s good news,” Nasari says over the Skype call.
“Now let’s fuck Archer’s shit up enough that he'll think twice about fucking with the kids again,” I say with