Sing, Canary - Ashley Amy Page 0,15

bloody pulp. They were hurting him to get to me, and we all knew I wouldn't watch another suffer in my place.

Only I knew it also stemmed from secretly loving him as more than just family. Axel had been my world and my first love. He just never knew it.

Axel looked up at me, not expecting me to step in on his behalf. After all the crimes he committed against me, he thought I'd leave him out to dry.

What people don’t remember is, two wrongs didn't make a right. People often felt validated to hurt someone because they were originally hurt by them. Misplaced anger never made it right.

As an angel of the light, I also understood compassion. My heart often hurt over the things I could not change for others. It was part of the bigger plan. People had to overcome their own hardships to prove themselves.

You chose to become more than your past, or you played the victim. Everyone here thought I was the second option. They didn't understand the ruse my father and I had set up.

"What do you want?" I seethed at the vampire.

Barcel cackled, looking to my cousin. The lion wasn't allowed to shift in this prison with the wards blocking his animal.

"I told you, Axel. The sheltered princess hasn't dealt with death or torture in the ways we've caused it."

Axel's glowing eyes told me he was fighting his anger. He also devoured me with that yellow stare, trying to figure out my game.

To him, and every other man in this facility, you were only nice for the pay off. What it could do for you. He didn't comprehend I did it because he had never known a love so pure.

I did.

The very few men my father allowed me to interact with, were the good ones. I had August, and I had Talon. The rest could keep fighting like the rats they were.

"I asked, what do you want?" I restated.

Barcel cupped my cheek, grinning from ear to ear. "I want your submission, Princess."

He moved his hand to circle my throat, lifting me from the table I had been eating at. At his commanding signal, the meek, Asian woman stood behind him.

"This is my greatest achievement. Simone has learned her place at my side. She is going to show you what yours will be, if you want the lion to live today."

My eyes quickly scanned the room for the guards, but I found none. Barcel was truly in control of this place. I knew he had them all not show up, just for this.

"What is expected of me?" I knew fighting would be futile for Axel's sake.

"Two sins for the price of one encounter. You're going to pleasure yourself with my female, Princess."

I gulped, knowing I'd need God's approval. Invoking his name, I called him to come to me. I let him know I had to do what was right by doing what was wrong.

Just don't touch her first, Lyra. Just like your tricks, there are ways around my rules that even I know. Peace be with you, and you are doing the right thing.

When his spirit left me, I knew what had to be done.

Barcel laughed, unknowing of my communion with the holy one. I bit back a smile.

The Asian stepped forward, aligning herself to face me. Barcel took her lips with his, forcing his touch onto her.

I understood then that she had been a victim to his violence. Now a puppet, he stripped her of who she was.

As the king went to take his place among his people, I spared one last glance at Axel. He shook his head to one side, telling me to not do it.

I just looked at the shank being held to his throat. Slicing him just enough to draw blood, I cringed at the memory of my past. From hearing the phrase that broke me and seeing the tip of a knife being held to my cousin's throat, set off my flashbacks.

Turning back toward the lithe woman, I dipped my head to her. She might be too far gone to truly help me, but I needed her to understand this one thing.

As our faces drew near, both of us were nervous. She had large eyes for her race, but they were beautiful.

"I've never done this before," I whispered to her.

"It isn't hard. Just focus on me. It's easier then knowing they are all watching two females touch each other. Also, my name is Simone."

"I'm Lyra," I replied to her