Page 140 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Natia

Taurus don’t love easily. They like a lot, but rarely love. Once they do love, you’ll never see another love like it.

Hush settles over the ancient site as the illusion crashes into place, projecting a calm, undisturbed image to all those beyond the circle. Glittering midnight moonlight spills across the frost dusted ground. My simple white cotton dress swishes against my calves, whilst my hair hangs loose down my back. Following Duncan’s instructions, I’ve kept everything as natural as possible for the spell to have maximum effect. I can taste the monolithic magic wrapping around me, compacted by a history of mystic practitioners. My protectors stand sentry in between the immense slabs of stone arranged in a circle, Archan’s cadre dispersed between them creating a formidable ring of protection and power. Duncan gives me a nod, signaling that he has sent a message from my phone. I await my first guest. Ant appears in front of me, arching an eyebrow at our company.

“What the fuck is Lucifer doing here?” Zac grinds out. Archan’s cadre steps forward as one. I slam my hand on the ground and activate the first of the runes to begin the internal ward nobody but me planned on. Duncan hammers his fist against the shield.

“Surprise,” Ant says, waving jazz hands.

My hand passes over the second rune, strengthening the ward. I roll my eyes. “It’s not like I hadn’t figured out who you are before now, Lucifer. You may be the devil in disguise, but the disguise is a poor one.”

He pouts and nudges my arm, making me curse. “What gave me away?”

I tilt my head as I unwrap the cloth from the remaining rune stones. “Your aura for a start. The fact that Ty called you father.”

His lips twitch. “Picked up on that, did you.”

“The deference people show you, that I’ve only previously seen towards Archan. Now, unless you want to be trapped in here with me and your psychotic son, you need to hand me the poison and step out of the protection circle.”

He sighs and pulls out the vial. He rolls it between his fingers. “Fine, but remember our agreement?”

I nod, taking the vial and turning so Ant is shielding my leg and hitch up my skirt. I secure the vial with the blade strapped to my thigh and drop my skirt. “If I can’t contain him, he will die, and you will protect my family and friends with your life.” He grips my chin and turns my face towards him.

“Anything worth saving requires sacrifice, Natia. You are not weak for sacrificing him, you are strong.” I blink back the sting in my eyes and bob my head. His eyes soften. “If there was another way, I would give it to you in a heartbeat.”

I laugh. “Don’t tell me the devil has gone soft in his old age.”

He glances around at the frantic men surrounding the protection shield. “You have people who love you, who fight for you,” he locks eyes with me and he pushes a stray hair behind my ear. “You have people who would die for you, that is something to be envious of.”

Withdrawing a penknife from my dress pocket, I indicate the edge of the circle once more. “Last chance. Once I apply my blood to the shields, you won’t be able to leave.” Not the exact truth. He could leave, but I wouldn’t let him. Sighing, he pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. Being hugged by the devil? Not as weird as it seems.

“Stay strong, I will keep your friends and family safe.” He turns and passes through the ward unharmed. I draw the small knife across my palm and with a quick burst of power fling my flowing blood against the previously clear shield, tainting it pale pink. Zac rushes towards Lucifer with lethal intent. Lucifer flicks his fingers in the air, knocking him on his ass. I’d laugh if I wasn’t so terrified.

Duncan’s shouts grab my attention. I twist to stare at his hardened features, Zee’s pale and clutching his chest. My heart breaks for who I must become in this moment. Fear soaks through skin, invading my muscles, organs, and mind. “Natia, what are you doing?” Duncan growls.

“What I have to, to keep you safe. No matter what, stick with the plan and contact Ty.”

Zee growls, and Jed mutters something whilst ghosting his palms over my shields.

“Natia. You promised, you swore an oath!” Zac shouts as he stands and glares at the blade in my hand.

“I will do what I must, Zac.” I harden my stare at Duncan. “Make the call, Duncan.”

I click play on the wireless speaker I brought to help me focus. “In The Air Tonight” by In This Moment spills out from the speakers. Slipping off my boots, I squish my feet into the dewy grass and let the earth steady me.

“I can’t get through; it’s fortified with her blood. Natia dictates who comes and who goes,” Jed says, pushing his hands through his hair. Aaden stands stoic and strong, and gives me a small nod of encouragement. Duncan flips out his phone and dials a number. He holds my gaze.

“You better know what you’re doing, Locks.”

A grin spreads across my face. For the first time since this began, I know what I’m doing; I harden my heart and shore up my defenses. Fate’s plan is finally coming to fruition. My heartbeat steadies and my pulse slows to a rhythmic swish.

Ty appears, looking suave in a charcoal three-piece suit. His loose hair moves in the breeze. He looks me up and down and raises a questioning eyebrow. “You’ll get it, when I get my grandfather back.” Ty sweeps his hand and my grandfather flops at my feet, bound and bloody.

“You said he wouldn’t be harmed,” I grind out, placing my arms around him and helping him to his feet. He sways several times before finding his balance. Blackened and blood-shot eyes widen as he looks at me.

“No, Natia. One life is not worth billions,” he says, rocking on his feet, his torn trousers flapping against his knees. I tear my eyes away from him.

“Go to Duncan, Gramps.” He wobbles forward. Losing a little courage, I grab him and wrap him in an embrace I’d worried I would never feel again. “I love you, everything will be okay.” He nods against my shoulder, damp with his tears, and backs away, passing harmlessly through my ward.

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