Page 51 of Their Offering

I shook my head. “And hecan’tknow Ida.” I gave her a warning glance. “Lillian is… special.”

“She opened the portal, didn’t she?”

I was sure surprise was written all over my face. “How did you know?”

She laughed. “You’re not that hard to read, dear. I’ve been around you long enough to know things.”

“You can’t tell––“

“I won’t. I promise.” She gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Your father can be a dick. I don’t blame you for protecting the girl.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “So when will she be here?”

“Hopefully soon, but it's taking longer than I thought it would to convince her.”

Ida’s eyebrow raised. “You need her willing.” She paused in thought. “You want her to close the portal, don’t you?”

I nodded.

“Good.” Ida had always been wary of our father, voicing her distaste for his ruthlessness and obsession with taking over Earth, but only with us boys.

“Thank you, Ida.”

She bowed her head. “Of course.”

“I have to be getting back. Please have everything ready as soon as possible.”

“Of course,” she repeated. “Keir?” She paused. “She might consider coming if you soften up a bit.”

“Ida…”

She threw her hands up. “I’m just saying. You tend to beabrasive.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”

As I took the elevator down, I couldn’t help but think about what Ida had said. I knew I wasn’t the most pleasant person, even worse with Lillian. I sighed inwardly. I had to do whatever it took to get Lillian to Hell. We were running out of time, and my father was getting suspicious.

Once I was walking through the woods toward the portal, I knew I was being followed. Every time I turned to look, though, I saw no one.

My father.

He’d sent someone to follow––someones, actually. I could hear their footsteps.

As I reached the clearing, I took a quick glance around before stepping into the building. I passed through the portal, and I hoped they’d wait for me. I had an idea, one that would convince Lillian she had no other choice.

Chapter 25

Lillian

I woke up with a start and my body shot up.

Thankfully, neither of the twins woke up with me. I watched them sleep peacefully, and a smile crept up on my face. They were stunningly perfect as they laid there, breathing in sync. I wanted to kiss them both awake and beg for them to take me again, but I couldn’t bring myself to disturb them.

I carefully slipped out of bed into the pitch-black room, but I knew which direction to head in for the bathroom. I put my hand out in front of me, but instead of finding the doorknob, my hands landed on a body.Keir’sbody. I knew it was him. Ifeltit was him.

I wanted to hug him, apologize for what I had said, but I was also angry at him for disappearing like that and making us worry. Okay, makingmeworry.

“Keir, where have you been?” I hissed at him quietly, trying to not wake the twins. Looking up, I found him looking anywhere but at me. “What?”

“Put on some…” He finally looked at me, and his eyes scanned my naked body. My breath caught, and I blushed. I prayed he didn’t notice. “...clothes. There’s something you need to see.” He didn’t glare at me, and a part of me wondered if he liked what he saw. I hoped he did.

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