Page 68 of Dark Souls

“What the fuck happened in there? We saw them take the necklace off you and Raiden was losing his head. I knew you’d be fine and I’ve been stopping him from barging in there and ruining the whole operation. But even sex wasn’t distracting him!”

“I’m sorry.” I exhaled as Raiden released me and I pulled myself together to hide my inner turmoil. “I didn’t know there was a no jewellery rule tonight.”

“So, what happened? Are you okay? You look a little pale? Paler than normal, I mean.” Raiden studied me with concern.

“I’m… fine. It was just… a lot. I need to process.”

“So, do we need to be concerned? Should the SIA think about shutting this shit down?” he asked, clearly agitated by my unusually flustered state.

With a shaky hand, I rubbed my forehead in an attempt to clear my mind. I couldn’t stop seeing Red’s face. Leaving him against my will caused me physical pain, but what choice did he give me? I was no one’s doormat. A raw ache had embedded itself in my chest and I was beginning to feel nauseous. Was this what heartbreak felt like? Because it fucking sucked.

“Ilaria?” Sienna came to my side, placing her steady hand on my shoulder as I tried to focus. Of course, they wanted information. But telling them my soulmate was running the illegalUndergroundclub for the most depraved supernaturals was out of the question. I could barely even accept it myself. I’d still give them the truth, just leave out that little mind fuck of a detail.

“It was a tournament to the death. Members were betting on who would win each round. It was brutal, gory and merciless but as far as I’m aware, every contender was a willing participant and seemed to enjoy putting on quite a show. You know until they didn’t. The victor would walk away with a hefty share of the winnings and the glory of being the most feared fighter there.” The insanely hot but fucked-up image of Red clawing open that hybrid’s torso interrupted my thoughts.

“Shit. That sounds vile,” Sienna breathed, glancing over her shoulder at Raiden.

“So only one fighter lived by the end of the night?” Raiden clarified and all I could do was nod.Yeah, my ruthless, cold-hearted mate.They must have thought I was feeling queasy due to the front-row seat to all the action, not because my soulmate was doing everything in his power to push me away from him. “Why would anyone sign up for that?”

“Money. The possibility of fame. We are talking about supernaturals that have twisted morals and enormous egos, Raiden. The question is, what are we going to do about it?” Sienna asked as if this whole situation was already out of my hands. I’d played my part and now it was over to them.

My eyes darted between the couple as they communicated with their eyes. “Honestly,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm so I wouldn’t be pushed out of this. “As of right now, I don’t think interference from the SIA is necessary.”

“Why not? It’s sick what is happening in this club and tonight probably wasn’t even the worst of it.”

“Maybe. But Grandpapi was right. It’s controlled. The members I spoke with tonight were there just to have a good time. To blow off steam and to indulge in their primal instincts. A rogue wolf told me that being a member of the club helped her to control her urges in the real world. It might be too early to say but I don’t think the club is a threat.”

Sienna narrowed her eyes, thinking hard while Raiden studied me. I held his gaze, not shying away from his attention because that would be the quickest way for him to realise there was more to the story than what I was saying. Once again, I felt like the biggest bitch for omitting the full truth, but I just couldn’t face the questions, the pitiful looks or the raging aggression that would come with my family knowing about Red. They all had enough on their plates worrying about my brothers. I didn’t want to add my shit to the load. And deep down, I just really didn’t want their judgment. I had to figure out what the hell I was going to do about this myself, and as much as I loved my family, they’d stomp all over this with their overprotectiveness and need to control.

Raiden’s phone started ringing and I breathed a sigh of relief that his attention had shifted when he answered it.

“Yeah, she’s here. She’s safe. No. It was some underground fighting ring. No. She doesn’t think so.”

I leaned my body against the car door and folded my arms, staring down at my boots as I listened to Raiden answering my mum’s rapid questioning. When she seemed satisfied that all was well, she said something about going to see my brothers in Heroux and my head snapped up. I dived forwards, ripping the phone from his hand before he protested.

“Mum? What’s happening?” There was no way anyone was going to see my brothers and Neve without me. I didn’t care if they had some stupid rule about no vampires being accepted in their realm. I was going.

“My magic finally managed to connect with the White Witch, Kamari. She is the Mother of the Heroux Coven and the only one with the power to create portals between our realms. I told her about The Book of Dark Magic that belonged to your great-grandmother Cora and that I thought it would help the boys and she agreed to let one person into the realm with it. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“No! Let me go! I’ll take it.”

“Ilaria…” Mum’s tone was almost a plea. If she knew I’d kick up a fuss about this, she thought right. Not only was I dying to see my brothers and best friend again, even if it was only briefly but I really, really needed the distraction. I needed to escape the madness rapidly descending on my life and just have some time to…think. Breathe. Get some perspective. Between Heathen, Red, The Underground, I was losing my mind. I needed to be around the people that kept me grounded the most even if they didn’t realise that just being in their presence amidst a pending war was a much-needed holiday for me.

“Please, Mum. You know how much I’ve been missing them. Please. Let me go instead.”

She exhaled and I could imagine her shoulders sagging in defeat. “I suppose you being away will give me the chance to sit the men in this family down and explain where you were tonight.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Fine. I won’t ever stop my three rascals from reuniting. I know how much you’ve been missing them.”

Unexpected tears sprang to my eyes but I blinked them away before anyone noticed. “Thanks, Mum. You have no idea how much I need this right now.”

“Okay, sweetie. Come to Grandpapi’s. We are all here and we will brief you on what you need to tell them.”

I hung up the phone and went to place it in my bag when Raiden coughed, holding his hand out to me. I frowned.

“That’s my phone. I’d quite like it back.”

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