*Seraphine's POV*
I nearly smack my head on the door in my attempt to eavesdrop. So far nobody has spotted me outside the room where Noxodius and Alexavier speak in hushed whispers. Why are they in this room holed up like moles? Nah. Nox is a rat, only not cute or as intelligent. I smirk as I listen in.
"I owe her no explanation." I seethe. No explanation? I'm carrying your child, my life could be in danger here with this Yeomorah crap regarding that deal. I have EVERY right to know.
I continue listening until I hear, "Here we go." I nearly put my head through the door as I hear them walk to the other end, air whooshing from the window. They are sneaking out the window! A little time passes, and I open the door stealthily. Flatten all but my belly pooch as I slink along the door into the room nervously.
"What is that?" I whisper breathlessly. The far side of the room has no window. Air whips around creating a light noise, though nothing moves. Not even bed sheets. The wall has a slight movement to it, almost hypnotic. It simmers in an odd way, the way you'd image a mirage to move in the desert when your mind is fuzzy. What is that? I inch closer, grabbing a flower from a vase to chuck at it. The flower disappears and I squeak. My eyes widen. They had to have left in this! I turn back and slip out of the room, leaving the door unlocked as I rush down to where I found the library yesterday. I can not be caught near that room.
I eyed several books yesterday, which I was made to exchange. I noted where they were placed though, and I hatched myself a plan. I scan for similarly sized novels and strip the covers off, nearly tucking them over the books I intend to smuggle until they are disguised as novels and harmless incubus-succubus folklore. I practically skip back to my room, where I find Nomias waiting by my door.
"Hello, Seraphine. How's my great grandbaby this morning?"
"Fine. And so is the cow he resides in by the way." I sneer.
"I was about to ask about you. I want to apologize for my actions last night. I should not have grabbed you so roughly."
"You might as well, your grandson does."
"Are you missing him this morning? I'll be here to protect and guide you, while I can't replace him, I can provide company and all your creature comforts."
"I appreciate the offer, but for now I need time to regroup and some breakfast. I'm starving." He chuckles.
"Sit your things in your room and follow me down. We'll have breakfast, and we'll talk a bit." I don't want to follow him, but I'd raise more suspicion if I rebelled, so I sit the books in the nightstand drawer and follow him down.
I nearly slobber as I smell the foods. My stomach gurgles loudly and I can hear him laughing. He wraps an arm over my shoulder and directs me to a long table where Axar is already digging in. Mom sits beside him studying me as we enter. Nomias walks off to the counters to gather me two plates. I simply blink as I look at all the food. Eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, waffles, pancakes, yogurt, fruit. I don't believe I have ever had a feast like this, and I'm a bit uncomfortable. One of those has to be his plate. He sits both plates before me, and retrieves his own.
"Eat Itty." Mom urges as she watches me. I'm starving, but hesitant.
"Are you sure all this is for me? Others might need to eat."
"Staff eats their fill every morning. Nobody here goes hungry. Or wants for anything. Even employees live better than your average humans." Somewhat pacified, I give in to my appetite and dig in. Everything tastes delicious. I accidentally moan. I can't remember a time I've ever had this much food at once. Even Noxodius's pizza and birthday cake pales in quantity comparison. As I gorge, I notice Nomias and mother watching my belly. I tilt my head in question, mouth full of food.
"Your sides are moving!" Mom squeals.
"Im...not...far enough...along...mmm..." I manage over my food.
"You are though. Pregnancies in our kind progress quicker, but still go the same amount of time. They develop as one normally would, earlier on and abilities develop last after normal development. I was starting to worry that you weren't showing more or signs of movement yet. But your belly has popped some. Looks like all will be fine. " I glance down to notice that my small bump has protruded a tad more.
"I look like I need to potty." Axar and mother giggle hysterically at this, while Nomias pinches the bridge of his nose in disdain as a slight smirk lightens his face.
"So, Seraphine, while your mate is away, is there anything I can assist you with. Anything you'd like to learn?"
"Everything. I know nothing thanks to that lying-" He clears his throat. "Son of a window washer..." I add.
"I can only teach you certain things, some you are just born with or without." Liar.
"I know healing and some self defense. I'm down to learn anything. Also, Axar and I need Barima to learn from as well. Could you help me to summon her? Last time I summoned her when she passed, Yeomorah appeared naked on her couch and kidnapped us. It was traumatizing." Mother looks uncomfortable and she grabs my hand.
"Honey, there is something I should tell you. Your brother and I tried to summon Barima while you were taken by Nox, but she did not come fourth. We tried again, and failed. Mileva tried too." My chest tightens.
"Wha-what does this mean? Where could she be?" Nomias sighs.
"I'm sorry, but it's not good Seraphine. I believe that her soul has either went another dimension or was devoured. We aren't going to be able to bring her back again." I blink rapidly and try to control my voice.
"Will you excuse me for a moment?" I manage to whisper as I bolt from the table to my room, laying beside Barima's body on the spare bed.
I don't know what to do. Or say. Noxodius abandoned me, and now Barima is dead, for good it seems. I just lay on my back beside her, staring at the ceiling as I once again cry. She had helped me so much. She had taught me things, comforted me, engaged in mindless gossip and conversation when I really needed 'girl time'. She watched after Axar, and myself when I was dead. I think of her devious faces when we would wrestle and her hilarious flirting. Other than Axar, she is my only actual friend. I love her, maybe just as much as Axar or my own family.
"I'll try myself. Everyone lies to me. Keeps shit from me. They could be lying right now Barima." I whisper to her. "You held on for me, and I will for you. I won't let go until I'm certain." I cry until I'm exhausted, and I curl onto my side to try to nap.
I decide when I wake that I'll go find Axar and we'll look over all the literature Barima brought to learn together. I shouldn't have ran off. What if he needed me? Guilt consumes me, and I get up to go check on Axar. I don't know if it's my nerves, or the room, but something feels odd. I softly check the room, jumpy at even the sound of my own steps. I check the nursery connected to my room as well, and it is empty. Nobody here. Only a photograph of Nox and I is ontop ofvthe dresser, where it should have been under the sink where I had stashed it in a fit this morning.
Still unnerved, I grab the books from the nightstand and turn to leave. I cast a parting glance at Barima, and that's when I notice her locket has been opened. I run as fast as I can down the hall to find Axar, mother and Nomias.
My search nearly turns up empty, until I spot Nomias in his study.
"Please, have a seat. I feel you are deliciously disturbed? I'm quite famished, Nox has told me you are an excellent feed. Sit down and let me take this off your hands." He grabs the books away and nudges me to the sofa beside him, arm over my shoulder as his eyes darken and he feeds without confirmation. I stare at him for a moment as he pulls his eyes back.
"Ah. That was exceptional. Nephilims really give you a buzz. Addictive really. Now, tell me what has you shaken up?" He squeezes my shoulder and looks at me softly.
"I think someone was in my room. I could feel it. I found things moved, but nobody was there." I look at him desperately, needing him to see how serious I am. He sighs and pulls me into his chest, mindful of my belly. He just holds me for a moment before he speaks.
"Frightened little thing." He rests his chin on my head. "Itty, there has been lots going on lately. From Noxodius leaving, Yeomorah's shenanigans, Barima's final death, your mother's physical one, pregnancy, and then trying to tend to Axar. You're spread too thin. Mentally, you aren't well. I seen your thoughts, memories, tragedies you endured last night and I know that you have lots of healing to do. That being said, I will certainly keep an eye out for anything odd. If you'd like to, you may room with me or whomever if you'd like. I have been judgmental and hard on you at times, but it's because you are tough. I want you to continue to feel comfortable coming to me with your troubles, but let's not rule out the fact that your mind could have conjured this up in it's exhausted state."
"Thank you. I will consider all this. Would you mind to help Axar and I train a little later?"
"How about now? I've fed and I feel great. Thank you by the way. I can see why Nox is so possessive."
"Like a bear guarding a honey comb. A bear with a stick in it's ass..." I grumble. "Do you know how many times he's referred to me as 'pet' or 'food source'?" He rumbles in amusement.
"Do you know how many times he's came to me on his knees, snotty nose crying for his 'pet' back because he 'can't live' without her?"
"Fastfood is hard to give up." Nomias rolls his eyes.
"Suppose that's one way to look at it."
I feel him stand with me and pack me through the house as I protest that I am more than capable of walking. Finally, after him ignoring me, I throw my forearm over my head indignantly as a damsel in distress would. This tickles the staff who pass us in the hall and they dip their imaginary hats or clutch imaginary pearls. I smile solemnly. I remember how Barima would clutch her chest and sigh dramatically. We collect Axar and mom follows us.
We reach a giant room, almost bare except for some punching bags and gym equipment. I guess this is probably where the staff exercises, since it's hard to picture Nomias with those sophisticated slacks and grey stripes above his ears breaking a sweat with such minimal weights. Incubi are very strong, would they bench like double what we could? I don't know, but the picture is slightly comical. Noxodius in full form might not even fit on that bench.
We work together, practicing moves and focusing on senses. We play around with the screams too, varying vibrations and pitch to balance or repellent objects. Axar's is so powerful that he's able to move us several feet without trying. We praise him and I work with him on both defense and offensive strategies. I want him to have the best chance of survival and escape, should my gut feelings be right. Nomias finally teaches me how to block my mind, something I never imagined he'd demonstrate, but it was necessary in close combat because he could read my mind to predict my moves. A huge problem. I caught on fairly quickly and now I intend to constantly block.
The night falls, and after dinner I reluctantly head back to my room to study my contraband books from the library. I feel little 'bubbles' as my tummy moves about and I grin. While not strong enough to kick, these little motions make me excited and more determined. The things I need to learn most are mind reading, teleportation, and maybe even how to manipulate minds as Nox can. I sigh as I diligently read these ancient books, soaking in as much as I can retain for fear Nomias might notice then gone and come take them.
At some point, I fall asleep in my pile of books. As I come to consciousness I can sense a presence, so I do not move or open my eyes. Instead I block my mind and focus on energy around me, as the book said. I need to read the energy and decipher intentions and emotions from there based on positive or negative. I fight hard not to whine, move or even expose my own terror to whatever looms. I know instinctively that it is nobody in this house.
It leans closer to me and I can see it's arm rise through my eyelids in the dimmed light. As it violently thrusts it's arm down towards my stomach, I kick out and knock it backwards. I am up on my feet in an instant, but I am not prepared for what I see.
Barima's body stands before me, red eyed and gripping a pencil with white knuckles. 'She' furrows her brows and reaches for me, but I step back and square myself, ready to flee or fight. She grasps the locket in her free hand and tilts her head.
"You struck me Seraphine." Barima's soothing voice purs out. She opens the locket and shuts it. "I thought you loved me. All I wanted was to hold you, and touch your precious belly." She reaches for me again. "Let me touch your belly. Look how precious." Taunting. Sinister.
"Who are you?" I snap.
"Barima. Have I been dead so long you forgot me?"
"You are not Barima. Who are you?" It laughs.
"Anybody you want me to be mama." Its grin pulls Barima's mouth back at unnatural angles. "Now stop playing and come here to me." It lunges and I grab the arm with the pencil and slam it into the wall, twisting the arm. I don't want to harm Barima's body, but I know that is what it's counting on. It charges me again and I catch it's hands, forcing it back as we lock up in the center of the room. It looks at me too long and I sweep it's feet.
"Who are you? Where is Barima's soul?" It giggles and flexes it's claws.
"In my belly, dear. Though I'm sure it's not as satisfying as what you have in yours. I want it..."
I'm caught off guard as it becomes faster, running towards the walls for moment and springing back at me. An image that might haunt me forever. I can't evade in time as it slices my side. Something dark stirs within me and I snap. It scuttles up the wall and somehow unbeknownst to me, I am crawling the wall after it and it kicks me down. I subconsciously release a growl and I leap up, snatching it from the ceiling and slamming it over the decorative knob on the bedpost. It screeches as it is impaled, but I do not let up. Somehow I know that it can't be stopped until I destroy it's host.
It tries to gather itself up and slash at me as I rip its limbs away. A red light glows within its chest and I feel myself drawn to that light. It's life source. Absorb it. Before I can stop my tongue flicks out and my hand constricts its throat to still the creature. I cover it's mouth with mine and my tongue delves, drowning out it's pleas as I suck out the source of it's existence.
As it dies out, I can get bits and pieces of it's memories. I see it watch me as I'm unaware and I catch it swiping the pencil as it imagines itself stabbing my stomach. I feel it's panic as it realizes it is outmatched before I had finished it off. Finally, it stills, defeated. I recoil my tongue and shake myself out. I turn my attention to my surroundings and my injured side. My tummy has the red glow within it, and the little bubbles signifying movement begin again. My body hums happily. I need to figure out how to access more of it's thoughts so I can see who it was or why it was in Barima. I avert my eyes in remorse, unable to look towards Barima's even more mangled body. If it was bad before, it's astronomically worse now. The door flies open and I see Nomias rush in, only to halt before me, eyes fixated on the body.
"What in Hell has happened here? You are in form, Barima is-you're bleeding! Heal it!" I come back to myself and quickly focus on mending the gashes on my side, which thankfully weren't as bad as they appeared.
"Barima. Something was in Barima, it was going to stab my stomach while I slept. It wouldn't stop so I had to ruin it's body I felt. Something told me that was how to stop it so I-"
"Your belly...you ate it? Well done. Did you see anything?"
"I seen enough to tell it had been watching me at least a few days off and on and that it had intentions to kill me. Then it died and I couldn't see anymore."
"We'll find out the rest shortly. Now then, if you are alright, I'd like you to explain to me why you have the books I had made you put back?"