Dawn settles above us now, casting an angelic glow across Seraphine's features. Soft amber light catches her emerald hair and creatures littke golden streaks. Perfection. Absolutely otherworldly. Even in her pajama pants and hoodie she looks ravishing. I can't help sigh in content as we walk together, bellies full of human food and bodies full of energy. Mine coming alive since feeding from Sera. I'm also admittedly a little full of myself. Now that the initial panic of Sera leaving me has been resolved, I let myself feel smug at her blatant display of jealousy earlier.
We are both nervous for what will soon transpire. Now though, I understand how much my words had stung her. If I were on my own right now, I'd be a mad man. Having her at my side and knowing that she believes in me is what keeps me motivated. I only hope that my jabs earlier didn't take the wind from her sails.
We agree to wait at our house, knowing that Axar will suggest them to find Seraphine there. I manage to talk Seraphine into lying with me and sleeping while I guard and await her family's arrival. My hands find her stomach on their own accord and they massage and worship the growing swell. In her sleep she wraps around one of my arms.
The atmosphere of the house changes and I do not have to see them to know they have made it here. Ezekiel's evergy reads much different than most. No doubt, they are here looking for her. A large shadow falls over Seraphine's silken sheet clad figure, and I look up to see a furious Ezekiel.
"Why are you here with her?" He asks directly.
"I love her. I wasn't letting her leave until she understood that she is my one and only. She wanted me to stay with her. Sit down if you'd like, we've been expecting you." He leers at me before taking a seat in one if many chairs in the room. The other three follow him in, Ivara lingering at his side as she scowls in disapproval at me. I knead my fingers through Seraphine's scalp as I smirk at her.
"So..." Ivara starts. "Where do we go from here now?" Seraphine stirs and I hold her in place. Sleep.
"Seraphine has devised her own plan. You see, Sera can now possess a body. The others do not know this. Sera intends to infiltrate Yeomorah's side by possessing key people, until she is able to get close enough to possess Yeomorah himself. If she can possess him, she will disorient him enough that Ezekiel can finish him off."
"Go on." Ezekiel urges.
"If this plan fails, and Yeomorah trues to possess me to turn on my own, Seraphine will possess me and give him a time over it. It takes lots energy and focus to operate two bodies at once."
"Meaning while he is distracted by Seraphine over your body, that we can take advantage of the moment if we are close enough to him to assist Ezekiel in killing him." Axar chimes. I nod at the boy.
"You, should you fight with us, be careful. Sera is a forgiving being, but she would never forgive me should you get hurt."
"I want to help. She's been training with me, and I think I could handle some of his men on my own. I will do my best to stay safe, I don't want her mad at me either."
"I wouldn't be mad at you. Only worried. I know you can handle yourself..." Seraphine sits up, moving my hands from restraining her. "But I still am responsible for your well being. Just as much as I am my other boy." She pats her stomach. "I make no difference in you two." Axar beams at his mother. I wonder if that had been a concern of his.
"I make a difference." Alexavier laughs. "I think Axar will always be ny pick. No offense, but one Noxodius is bad enough. I'm not going to babysit this little guy when he comes out." Sera chucks a pillow at him.
"Without Nomias though, how do we go about just rolling in on Yeomorah?" She asks. Ezekiel grins.
"Noxodius wasn't the man to shake on the deal, but is still your mate and grandson of Nomias. We play like we are stupid. Noxodius has asked us here. Technically, I'm not supposed to be in on this. I'm walking to my demise. Noxodius plays double agent, going behind his grandfather's back to deliver me sooner so that he may hold their end of the deal and have you. The rest, we just play by ear."
"When do we leave? I was thinking daylight would be best. Stronger demons do not fret over sunlight, but perhaps his guards might. They will expect us at night too, as that's deadline. I'd really like to take full advantage of the element of surprise here. When I was caught by Yeomorah last time, he was proud of being methodical and systematic. He relies on plans and predictability. If we catch him completely off guard, we stand a better chance I believe." I kiss her head.
Seraphine gets up and goes to find salvageable food for those who need it. We discuss a bit more and pace to work our nerves. Seraphine dresses, and I notice her shoes are practical, but not obvious. Flat, dressy boots. I chuckle. She wears a loose sweater dress left in the closet and some fleece lined tights. She looks beautiful, like she could be out enjoying her day.
"Any particular reason you are dressed up?" I ask.
"Yes. I don't necessarily want to look like I intend to fight. I want to look meek and like I was unprepared to be brought there." She swishes the loose dress. "I look heavier in this, more awkward and definitely less threatening. It blurs ny body lines so that if we fight and they aim for my stomach perhaps they'll be a smidge off." I exhale and run a hand across the back of my neck. I don't want her to fight.
"I like your thinking on this." I tap her forehead. "Smart, smart girl. Ability to think and adapt as you go along will be very important. Many times, a man dies when he hesitates to stay fixated on a single idea or gives into fear and freezes."
I lead her out of the room by her hand, cold sweat pooling across my back as I deal with my own inhibitions.
I hope that Sera is wrong. I want Nomias to be on our side, the lack of numbers has me uneasy. We were already disadvantaged enough before. She squeezes my hand and points down the stairs where I see my parents standing to the side conversing with Ivara. I rush her down with me to greet them.
"Nox, Seraphine. Hello." Mother smiles at us. Sera returns her smile nervously and watches me.
"Mother, father. Might I ask why you are here?"
"You may." Father cuts in. "We are here because Nomias mentioned that tonight is the night he finishes the deal with Yeomorah. He also mentioned to us what transpired between Livienne and Seraphine, stating that he would no longer back Seraphine. Your mother made an interesting point. Seraphine has only been volatile in situations where she has been attacked or threatened. Narius and Nomias refused to look into Livienne's memory to see what truly happened. This is why we've come. We wish to see through Seraphine's eyes, or yours. We intend to go to Yeomorah's as well on Seraphine's behalf. We will see to it our family remains safe, Seraphine and our grandchild included." He smiles at Sera as he nears her.
"Use me. I seen what happened and how Livienne lied when Sera left."
He wastes no time in getting into my mind, mother alongside him. I guide them through what they needed to see, and through my conversation with Seraphine and her plans. I guide them to the coincidences and oddities that Seraphine brought to my attention. They exchange a look with one another once they have finished.
"This is why they wouldn't look into Livienne's story. They must have suspected it was bogus and covered her. Why though? I distinctly remember him gloating that you made a deal with him to name the baby."
"I did. He also went all out on a nursery. Seraphine mentioned a bit ago that the child isnt the problem, but the mother. He still, despite having fed from and claims of liking Sera, brings up her blood line and at one point tried to refuse her and the child into our family history. He only relented because Seraphine's relation to Ezekiel. The child is double royal of two unlikely combinations. I don't think he's out to kill her, but I think he is willing to let whatever happens, happen once the child is born."
"How would he raise the child without it's mother though? He knows next to nothing about children. He never had anything to do with us until we were weaned off our mothers. Then he came to claim us and would send her off." Father probed. Seraphine's knuckles turned white on the banister.
"He was going to let that bitch raise my child." She gritted through her teeth. I had never thought about that. Was he really?
"She stared daggers at my belly, but was so eager, vying for Noxodius's attention and safety. Raising my baby would be her way in. Nomias would push her in to help raise my baby, which would mean if Nox wanted to see it or be near it then he'd have to deal with Livienne. Nomias is likely counting on Nox becoming overwhelmed or uncomfortable with the child after my banishment or death and handing it over. The room is beside his and he took the adjacent room and made it a nursery only ebtersble through that room. The room he placed me in. The style and decorations he chose of his own, not taking in my tastes or any considerations. Much too over the top. Like he designed it for someone with expensive tastes." Someone like my brother and Livienne perhaps? They've both always been extremely flashy. "Also, Samael killed Barima in Noxodius's house while we were away. Nomias knew where we were at this time. That's odd to me as well considering that he was working with Yeomorah, who was once a close friend of Nomias." Father's jaw ticks and his eyes darken as he nods to Seraphine, obviously connecting the pieces that she's presented us.
We finish our discussion and we set out to Yeomorah's, materializing before his giant prison as we await the guards to surround and question us before they hopefully let us in. It was the fastest way, but I do seethe over the extended energy. Seraphine walks nervously between father and I, just as we planned. He holds her arm gruffly as the guards recognize us all and escort us in. I can feel the nervousness radiating from the guards in Ezekiel's presence. Even at half his former potential, he is an intimidating creature. Every bit as bulky and corrupt as Yeomorah. Every bit as deceiving.
Our little platoon marches the hall, diligently following the guards. I notice everyone's eyes shift the the cells at our sides as we move down a familiar wing. Sera shifts uncomfortably looking at the filthy cells that reek of death and bodily fluids. I see her mouth her sorrows to the empty eyes that spy from the bars. We soon pass the cell which held my Seraphine and I can't help but grind my teeth. This is where this started. Where he possessed me. This is where he will end.
We come into a large room at the end of the hall, and we are ushered inside. The lights are dimmed slightly, preference of demons, and Yeomorah sits in a large chair at the end. The walls are lined with guards as well as demons he appears to be allies with. Several stocks, mounts, and large cages also line the walls behind the guards. I quickly spot Samael, who Yeomorah points in Sera's direction. The two of them eye Seraphine's stomach.
"Here already? Where is Nomias? Seraphine, darling, follow your father and have a seat." Sera trembles pitifully and allows Samael to yank her from me to the seat feet away from Yeomorah. I watch her performance in awe. Yeomorah pulls her chair closer to him and I nearly see red when he caresses her bump and then lower back.
"You look a little different than the last I seen you. Grief, you've gotten so big and so soon. Lovely as ever though." He digresses. Sera releases a breath and scoots herself a little. "Oh. Now don't be like that." His eyes fall on Ezekiel. "If your grandfather here and Nomias cooperate tonight, you won't have to deal with me much longer. Are you hungry dear?" She tucks her chin as he touches her jaw and curls her knees up. "I love how passive you are. So humble, and worthless. I had grand intentions for you."
"I-I'm not hungry." She whimpers.
"Suit yourself. You will be. Now since we are all here, uninvited, might I add, let's contact Nomias and figure out why you left him behind shall we?"