"That is something that I can't argue with. I don't remember how I ended up killing them. Yet you know I do not drink them dry. I'm not saying that as an excuse-"
Fool! I will handle him,Hand over control to me.
I hesitate. I don't want to, but if I want him to trust me, then I need to take that step, too.
Fine.
I exhale before easing up my control, and I feel him surge forward. I'm not sure if it's the smart thing to do, knowing that it isn't Evangeline who is beside me, but I hope he knows that.
Be careful, she is not our mate,
She will not offend me,
Everyone seems to realise the change; the sky darkens a little, and the wind has picked up.
"I killed those women," he says, sneering down at Alcazer.
Alcazer freezes, staring at us intently. I can tell from the way that Dad is staring at me that they have seen the shift in my aura. Everyone has; there is an odd atmosphere in the sky, and everyone is watching us. Zerachiel places his hand on the stand, and I can tell that if people found me intimidating, then they would definitely cower before him.
I can smell the fear in the air. Franco and Phillip back away, and I don't miss the way Alcazer's hand tenses, his claws coming out.
"You…"
"That's not Zedkiel," Chasyn murmurs.
"Of course I am not," he says. His words don't sound natural, as if forming them is not the easiest task. "He is nothing compared to me."
Thanks,
"Those women tried to seduce us. I belong to my mate, and they had no right to touch me. I will kill anything or anyone that hurts my mate in any form. Even Zedkiel," he says, and I can feel his rage as he now turns his glare to Evangeline.
I don't get it. He himself was worried I'd hurt her, but the way he is looking at her now, the emotions he is feeling, he is filled with such resentment that I can feel it through every fibre of my being.
How is he so sure that he's not the one who is a danger to her?
“Zerachiel, correct?” Dad says quietly. I can feel his heart thunder, and I wonder how much he knows but isn't telling us. Why did he keep this from me?
"I have no time for introductions that you already know the answer to. But I can tell you, the darkness is growing, but not only from where you seek it. Choose your King wisely because, in the end, this may be the start of our extinction. There are forces who will not wish to see the crown where it belongs, but you must rise above that."
He scans the crowds and sky slowly, and no one dares speak. His gaze finally settles on Evangeline. Her heart is pounding, and her expression is surprisingly soft, but there is anguish and pain in her eyes.
Is she back?
No… Her scent is still the same, and from her grip on my arm, the sparks are not as intense as they should be.
"Zerachiel," she whispers to him, but I can sense his disgust and hatred.
Do not trigger her,
I'm not a fool,
I relax a little. The last thing I want is for people to turn on Evangeline and somehow link her to the Oracle's death. That doesn't mean that I'm not intrigued by the change in her. Right now, she looks as innocent and in pain as Evangeline. If it wasn't for the sparks, I wonder if I would have even figured it out.
What is the purpose of her putting up this façade?
He doesn't respond to her, and before he looks away, I notice the look of hurt in her eyes.
"As I said before, I am the one who killed those women, not Zedkiel. However, whether he becomes the King or not, I have no interest in the matter. But he has warned you of the threats that are coming, as have I. The rest is up to you."
Dad sighs, "What more proof do we need than that of a Lycan speaking? From the body of a hybrid? That is proof enough that he is a true Lycan, a powerful one! I stand by my decision to allow Zedkiel to compete for his throne. Who is with me?"
Do not harm our mate, even if that evil is present,
I won't. You know a lot more than you are letting on. Don't you think we need to work together to figure this out before we make more mistakes?
You and our mate have already made many mistakes. Perhaps it's better if we let the world end. At least we can be together…
I don't…
I look around, wondering how many will side with Dad.
Chasyn is the first to stand, Kash is a fast second, both raising their hands, and Jeremiah and the twins follow. Ragnar simply smirks and raises his hand lazily. To my surprise, Philomena Welhaven stands, and her son follows suit, raising his hand. Sinclair glares at his father as my attention goes to the other alphas. The smart ones raise their hands, knowing that if I am to come into power, it would only benefit them to remain in my good books. Only the Huntingtons refuse to vote for me to continue alongside Alcazer.
The crowds follow hesitantly, and although there is a mixed reaction, the majority are willing to give me a chance, a chance I didn't really think I even needed until now. I have to prove I'm fit for this position.
"Then Zedkiel remains in the games. We will return in a few hours for the final match in this task before we move on to the luna matches!" Dad calls, dismissing us all.
"Come on," I say to Evangeline or whatever her name is. I take her hand, and she seems satisfied with that. I don't want her here, but at the same time, she's possessing my woman's body, and she is my priority.
We return to our quarters, and instantly, she pushes me up against the wall with impressive power. "Allow me to please you just the way you like it," she whispers seductively.
"No," I say, taking hold of her wrists, "How about we start with you telling me your name?"
"My name…" she snakes her arms forcefully around my neck and looks up at me with eyes that now turn pitch black, a sinister smile crossing her lips. "… is Evelyn."
"Evelyn…" she's getting closer, and I stare into her eyes, hoping somehow Evangeline can see me.
Fight it, Little Mouse…
"The matches will start soon. I need to prepare."
I remove her arms from around me, only to feel her anger flare up.
"There's nothing to prepare. Do I disgust you?"
"I'm not doing this right now," I say firmly.
"Then when?! When she regains control? I know you want me gone!" she hisses, and I feel the darkness wrap around her.
I turn sharply, my eyes flashing as I feel Zerachiel's own rage rising. "Do not test me, Evelyn," I snarl.
"You are meant for me, too! We were both mated to Zerachiel – to you! Yet each time he chooses her and you… you just want me dead!"
Guess that façade is over.
I look at her coldly. "You killed the Oracle, correct? You killed the village and Evangeline's family, correct?" I snarl, grabbing her by her neck.
She glares at me with anger and rage.
"I did what I needed to!" she hisses. "Evangeline is weak. I can be the Queen you deserve!"
"Evangeline is the only one who will be my Queen," I sneer, slamming her against the wall.
Remember, she's Evangeline…
I clench my jaw, wishing things weren't so complicated.
"We will always be one. You want her, then you have to have me. Kill me, kill her… we can keep doing this, every lifetime, Zerachiel… every time. Let's fall in love… let's rip each other's hearts out. And like every rebirth, you will kill me… saving this planet over Evangeline. Does she really believe you are her hero?! You are nothing but a killer!"
"Evangeline," I say clearly, trying to control the anger that swirls inside of me. Her words are hitting a nerve. "Fight her, you are stronger, this is your body. Take control, I want you."
Who knows if my words will reach her, but I had to try. She lets out a menacing growl, and I'm slammed against the far wall of the bedroom, the black whips of her power slashing long gashes across my chest.
Fuck, she's powerful.
My eyes flash, and Zerachiel's rage burns around me like an inferno. "Stop!" he thunders, and she hesitates. Stopping mid-step as he takes control.
"Zerachiel…" Her eyes are conflicted once more.
"Stand down," he snarls.
I cock a brow. It's impressive how he seems to have some kind of hold on her. Why else would she hesitate when she is ready to tear me apart?
She looks down, and I feel his anger dissipate as he stands up and goes over to her, pulling her into his arms. I feel confused. I had felt his hatred and rage earlier…
Her heart pounds as she melts into his touch, and then I feel the shift, the spark that tells me Evangeline is back. She gasps as she looks up at us, her heart thumping, and I push Zerachiel away, tugging her head back and kissing her hard.
Thank God, she's okay…
-----