Chapter Forty (Amaya)

When I opened the door to the hallway, I couldn’t believe my eyes, A large window was across from me, and the sky was lime green and demonic dragons were flying around. I walked to the window to get a better view of outside. The grass and trees were varying shades of purple and the trunks and bark were black, I could see rivers of pink water and lava across the open expanse.

“What do you think?”

Nearly jumping out of my skin, I turned to face a well-built man wearing a black button-down shirt and black jeans. His eyes were a piercing green that swirled in different shades, his dark hair was cut short and his face clean shaven, he was very attractive and looked a little like Lazarus. I hadn’t noticed before with Sin and Lazarus, but they had similar traits as Rook. Two horns protruded from his head but instead of the devil horns, I always pictured they were skinnier, curving close to his head, almost reminding me of a crown.

“It’s beautiful,” I mumbled, motioning out the window.

“I’m Rook, Sin and Lazarus’s younger brother.” He chuckled as he introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled.

“So, did you want a tour?” he asked me as I looked around.

“That would be great.” Abigail chirped as she moved to stand beside me. “Can’t hide in my room forever."

Rook chuckled again, “follow me, ladies.”

Abigail linked her arm through his and I did the same as he showed us around the castle, the place was like a labyrinth there was no way I would be able to find my way back to my room. He showed us the library, which I had a hard time leaving as I was an avid reader, and I couldn’t believe how many books there were to choose from, then he showed us the different offices and drawing rooms.

After showing us the kitchens, dining halls, game rooms, dungeons, weapons rooms, training arena and gym, he took us to the throne room. I looked around the room at the faces of various demons and creatures before seeing Sin sitting on the throne. He stood and walked towards me.

“Did you get the tour?” He asked me as he approached.

“Yes, Rook showed us everything.” Abigail frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Rook asked, confused.

“Young man, I am an old woman. I am not built for all the walking and stairs.” She huffed. Rook looked guilty, and Sin laughed.

“It was a great tour.” I smiled. “She is teasing you.”

“How are you feeling?” Sin asked, his hand brushing my neck.

I flinched and backed up, “I’m fine.” I lied. My neck still ached, and I felt betrayed that he had put me through all of that, why not just stop everything from the get-go, why did I have to nearly die?

I looked around us at the spectators and felt a knot form in my stomach, great more attention.

To distract myself, I looked around the large room. On the back wall was the throne. The one side wall had a hallway leading to different rooms, and the other had a staircase. The throne faced seven intricate gates. They looked to be solid gold, with carvings and symbols etched into it. One drew me to it, against my will I walked towards it and looked at the symbols reaching out to touch one when a hand grabbed my wrist. I shook my head and looked at Sin; he was looking down at me confused.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to”

“It’s fine, little flame, but these gates are dangerous, and I don’t know what would happen if you went into one.” He explained, releasing my hand.

I looked at the gate again as he did. “What does this gate go to?”

“It’s where souls are punished for envy.” He answered as we walked away from the gate even though I could hear whispering from the other side calling me, trying to pull me to the gate.

Lazarus walked into the throne room and seeing me, and Sin he walked over. He looked at me, “How are you feeling?” he asked.

Anger enveloped me and I wound up and slapped him, the sound echoing throughout the throne room as the ground shook with my anger.

“How could you!!! You let them hang me!” I choked out in a sob. Deep down, I believed he would've stopped the execution, but he just stood there and watched.

He looked shocked as he looked at me and Sin. “I… can explain.” He blurted. 

“No, you gave them the very thing they needed to condemn her and then watched as they placed the rope on our necks.” I paused as my chest tightened in panic, I could still feel a phantom rope around my neck, “you… would’ve let them kill us.”

Sin put his hands on my cheeks forcing me to look at him, “Breathe… you are okay now.” He soothed as I focused on my breathing.

I was so angry with them both I knew they had good reasons, but still it was my life they had destroyed, Abigail’s as well, and they very well could have ended them.

“We should go to another room.” Abigail offered, looking around. “We are making a scene.”

“Follow me, we will go to my office.” Sin shared when he grabbed my hand and led us from the throne room down the hallway and into a large office.

Abigail, Lazarus and Rook followed behind, we filed into the room, and they took a seat on the couch that sat at one side of the office. I removed my hand from Sins and sat in a chair to the side of the desk as Sin sat in his chair behind the desk.

“So, spill what was so important that you could stand there and let them hang me.” I snapped at Lazarus, more pissed at him than anyone.

“Something compelled me not to interfere.” He answered simply, looking at Rook.

“Something, compelled?” I asked, confused.

“Our mother can make people do things against their will.” Rook explained when Lazarus didn’t. “So, he couldn’t help you even if he had wanted to.”

I remembered how Lazarus had looked before they put the bag over my head. Was that why he seemed to be struggling, because his mother had compelled him not to help us?

"I have to back him up on that one, as much as I hate to admit it, he didn’t have any control over his actions and couldn’t help you." Sin agreed, and Lazarus looked up in shock.

“You actually helping me, even when it isn’t an advantage to you.”

“It’s the truth whether or not I like it, besides you were able to stop that bastard Pastor.” He replied clentching his fists in anger.

“Okay, so then why didn't you stop it sooner?” I asked Sin.

“You didn’t summon me sooner.” He replied.

“You never told me how to summon you.” I spat, disgusted by his excuse.

“All you had to do was call for me.” Sin replied, and I would’ve come.

“But you and Abigail knew what was going to happen, and you didn’t stop it.”

Abigail looked at me guiltily. “He needed you to be in a situation where you could summon him so you would make a deal and bind yourself to him.”

“Deal? I didn’t make a deal.”

“You did, dear, to save me.” she looked at me apologetically.

“But why?” I asked, exasperated. “None of this makes any sense.”

“So, you would be protected in hell and Sin could feel if you are in danger or not.” Lazarus spat as he glared at Sin. “And to prevent me from creating a bond with you.”

“So, this is still all about sibling rivalry?” I asked, appalled.

“No, it isn’t. It’s saving magic. Your magic.” Sin defended.

“Great, we did that. Now take me home.” I shouted at him.

“I can’t, your job isn’t finished yet.”

“Not to mention, even if you did go home, you are bound to him for eternity.” Rook noted.

“Fuck this.” I stood up and moved away from them, heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" Abigail asked.

“Anywhere but here. Funny, you all dislike liars, yet you are all guilty of it.” I snapped before storming from the room and slamming the door shut behind me.

I wandered down the hallway lost as tears fell, how could they betray me, was it even a betrayal? Everything they had said made sense, but why me and what did this bond with Sin mean? Am I his slave now? I just want to understand what's going on.

Someone tapped my shoulder when I looked at the woman she asked, “Are you okay?” A woman asked me. She was beautiful with long copper hair and deep brown eyes, she had petite horns that moved like vines on the side of her head and a petite build.

“No, I just want some fresh air.” I paused. “I’m Amaya.”

“Akuji, I can show you out of the castle if you like?” she offered with a smile. I could sense she had ill intent, but I didn’t care. I followed her outside and into an open field.

After I was outside she shared, "I''ll leave you to your thoughts."

I nodded, inhaling deeply as Akuji left to go back into the castle. I looked at the sky and watched the different coloured dragons circling above. Gods, they were beautiful. Their scales shimmered in different colors in the sunlight. Some looked demonic and others didn't. I wonder why?

One circled above me before swooping down towards me.