Chapter Forty-Nine (Lazarus)

Amaya opened the door, looking rather pissed off. As the door opened, she snapped, "What?"

“Sorry, I just wanted to see you.” I replied, feeling guilty.

“Sorry, I am not a morning person, come in.” She moved to the side, and I walked past her and into the room.

“How are you this morning?” I asked.

“A little grouchy.” She laughed. She paused as if pondering something, then sitting down and picking up her coffee, she added, “I woke up in the middle of the night and you mother was in my room.”

I sat down next to her shocked, “Did she do anything?” I asked, worried.

“She was trying to decide something for me, and I told her that just because she said that’s what I should choose doesn’t mean I will. She didn’t seem too thrilled about it.”

How dare she try to interfere with Amaya, I was livid, “I am sorry she bothered you, she is not someone who takes no for an answer.”

“I picked up on that, but don’t worry, I am one step ahead of her.” Amaya smiled.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t worry about it.” She smiled.

Why won’t she tell me what she is up to, does she not trust me? “You don’t trust me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, she is your mother. Just because your mother has done bad things doesn’t mean that you don’t care for her. I mean, look what happened in Salem. So, you are either loyal to her or she has something on you and right now I need to focus on self preservation.” She explained.

It hurt that she still had a defense up against me but how could I blame her I watched as they tried to execute her because of the stupid blood bond I made with my mother and now she had control over me all she had to do was demand me to do something and I would have no choice but to do it, or I would be rendered to ash for breaking the blood bond.

“I understand, I need to earn your trust. I vow I will no matter how long it takes. Little dove. If my mother is planning something, I will stop her, no matter what the cost.”

Amaya frowned, “I am not telling you because I don’t want you or Sin hurt by her. I do not trust her or her intentions.”

“You shouldn’t be the one protecting us, we should protect you.” I frowned.

She frowned but said nothing. “Promise me, that if my mother shows up again that you will tell me or Sin.”

“Why?”

Unsure if I should tell her about the women from before but knowing Sin, she probably already knew, “My mother has a habit of getting rid of any woman I am interested in, and they are never seen again. I can’t lose you, Amaya. Please be careful.”

“Why would she tell me to choose you if she didn’t want me with you?” she asked, confused.

“That’s the decision she tried to make for you?”

She nodded, “Yes, and I told her I couldn’t choose between either of you. To be honest, I don’t know if I ever will.”

Why would she want Amaya to choose me if she was planning on getting rid of her, along with her mother, to get rid of magic? It makes no sense, what was she up to?

“You still have time before the deal, Sin, and I made is up.”

“Yeah, a deal I did not have a say in.” she glared at me. “I should choose neither of you just because you treat me as an object to be won.”

“I don’t see you as an object.” I paused, "Neither of us do." As much as I hated defending Sin, but I know he cared about her and I wanted her choice to be made with her, knowing the truth and not through manipulation.

“If you saw me as a person, you would’ve included me.” she pointed out. She finished her coffee and set it down and standing up. “I have to get going. Abigail has asked for my help again.”

“Very well, I’ll see you later. I’ll be helping with the hell gate, so I’m around if you need me.”

She nodded and headed to the door, opening it, I kissed her cheek and left, closing the door behind me.

I headed to the throne room. When I entered Sin, Rook and Merula were talking to the demons that would be resealing the cracked gate.

I walked over to them, and the demons left, and they turned to me, “Lazarus, what brings you here?” Rook asked?

“I came to help with the gate and to speak with you two.” I looked around me before continuing, “We need to put guards on Amaya’s and Abigail’s doors. Hellebore visited Amaya last night while she was sleeping. I don’t know what she is up to, but apparently, she was trying to influence who she chooses to be with.”

“What good will guards do when she can brainwash them?” Sin snapped angrily. "I had guards at her door already."

“Well, we will have to figure out something.” Rook stated.

“Amaya said she had it figured out, but wouldn’t tell me what.” I added.

“What do you mean, she has it figured out?”

“I just said she wouldn’t tell me.” I reminded him, frustrated.

“Rook, I need you to send a group of soldiers to the earth plane and round up the ones that escaped the hell gate, Merula has the list of the ones we know for sure are missing.” Sin told Rook.

“I’ll go right away.”

“Thank you, and make sure they blend in. I don’t want the Heaven plane alerted to what has happened.”

Rook nodded and left the throne room.

“What are we going to do about Amaya and Abigail?” I asked Sin.

“We are going to pay a visit to your mother.” Sin declared, walking away from me.

“What good would that do?” I asked as I followed him.

“Maybe if she knows we are onto her, it will make her hesitate from her plan, giving us time to find out what she is up to.”

“Good luck.” I laughed.

Sin stopped and turned on me, grabbing my throat and pinning me to the wall. His eyes swirling darker red and orange. “You may think this is funny, but any threat to Amaya and Abigail in my kingdom is a threat I do not take lightly. Mark my words, if anything happens to either of them because of your mother, I will hold you equally responsible.” He hissed at me.

“I am not working with my mother, and I am worried about Amaya's safety as much as you are, so do not threaten me, brother.”

“Awe, are you fighting over little old me?” Hellebore asked as she walked up to us. “You will release my son. Now.” She demanded.

He looked at her and smirked, “You know you have no power over me.”

“My abilities may not work on you, but you will release my son, it is forbidden to kill a royal, no matter who you are.”

He released my neck and turned-on Hellebore, “What about you? You are not royal, so you I could kill.”

“Try it.” She dared him.

“I will give one warning and only one, you stay away from Amaya and Abigail, or you will be executed for treason.” He snapped before walking away.

I headed after him, but Hellebore grabbed my arm, “You will do as I say or the bond you promised will be broken.” She hissed.

I stopped and faced her, “What do you want?” I spat at her angrily.

“You are going to kill Abigail.” She smirked, “or you will turn to ash.”