Ruthless (The Seraphim Series Book 2) (23 page)

“You need to stop asking me that.” Iris wasn’t smiling; she was beaming. “A few days ago, I was in my apartment, alone. Now I’m here with you guys. It’s crazy and scary as hell, but exciting.”

Sebastian walked back into the room. “This is a cute bonding experience.” He sat down in another plush chair and kicked up his feet on the table. “Does anyone know where we’re going?”

Lilliah turned to Benedict. He was on the other side of the plane, talking to Derek.

“I haven’t asked yet.” She rubbed her temples with her fingers. “And at this moment, I don’t really care.”

They were in the air when Benedict and Derek approached Lilliah. The others had all split off, each sleeping on different sofas or chairs. Lilliah couldn’t sleep. She had too much on her mind. She’d been over her fight a million times, replaying every move she and Lucifer had made. Something just didn’t feel right.

“I fought Lucifer,” Lilliah said as Benedict sat opposite her. Derek remained standing, his arms folded over his chest.

“I heard. Are you okay?” Benedict leaned forward, worry etched into his face.

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath. “That Harold guy turned out to be a snake.”

“They’re all snakes, Lil. We know the people we can trust, and we hold them close.” He looked around the plane, at the people sleeping. “Remember that.”

“I think that was the first time you’ve called me Lil.” Her body shook with silent laughter.

Benedict just shrugged.

“I think we should talk about your fight.” Derek finally took a seat, his body filled with tension. “You left out the part about her power, Benedict. If I’m going to be of any help, I need to know everything.”

“Lilliah’s powers have been coming and going,” Benedict said simply. “There isn’t really much to tell.” He then looked at Lilliah. “Tell me what happened.”

She breathed in deep and then started from the beginning, when she woke up tied to a chair, and finished with Lucifer’s attack.

“Before, I could never really get close enough to him to actually fight. He had just been way too fast. But this time I did and he didn’t seem trained.” She stopped, trying to gauge everyone’s reactions.

Benedict looked confused. “Not trained? As in, not trained to fight?” he asked.

Lilliah nodded. “I kind of have a theory. Why do you think Lucifer came after Azrael first?”

“Because he’s the strongest,” Benedict answered immediately.

“Divide and conquer,” Derek added.

“Because he’s the strongest, yes. I think he needs me for my blood, so there wouldn’t really be a need to divide and conquer. I think he needs Azrael for protection.” Everyone remained silent, so Lilliah continued. “Azrael used to run Lucifer’s army. He was the fighter, the warrior. I think he made sure no one got close to Lucifer so he didn’t have to fight.”

“He fought Michael, though,” Benedict said. Lilliah could see him thinking it through, going over everything in his head.

“Can Michael fight?” She only had a brief memory of Michael from when she’d been sent back through her past lives. He certainly hadn’t looked like a fighter. And when the fighting had started, Michael had been hidden away with all the other archangels.

“There is literature that talks about him fighting. He is known for fighting with a sword,” Derek answered, leaning forward.

“Maybe it’s wrong. Maybe neither of them fought that well. Maybe he just stood there holding a sword, and everyone assumed he could fight?” She could tell by their faces that she’d lost her momentum. “You get the idea,” she said, deciding to stop talking for a second.

“What would that even mean? So he can’t fight. So what? He’s fast, and he’s strong. He’s still deadly.” Derek toyed with his sunglasses, twirling them between his fingers.

“I’m saying he’s vulnerable. Get Azrael out of the way, and we can kill him or send him back to Hell at the very least.”

“What if you’re wrong? What if he’s not fully back to strength yet? In the week you’ve been gone, he’s been around the world causing destruction and mayhem. It’s getting worse.” Benedict sat forward, his jaw tense.

“What mayhem? What are you talking about? What has he done?” Lilliah’s eyes bounced from Benedict to Derek.

Derek leaned over to a nearby table and picked up a brown file. “My recon team have informed me that Lucifer has been busy. In Africa, mass murders. In England, fires, killing hundreds of werewolves and vampires. In France, two hundred vampires all stabbed themselves, just in front of the Eiffel tower. Right out there for the world to see.” He passed Lilliah the file.

She opened it and was almost sick. The first picture was a bloodied mess of what used to be a person. A life. “Oh, my.” She covered her mouth and looked away.

“Those pictures are very graphic, but it’s the truth,” Derek commented, not taking his eyes off the file.

Lilliah carried on flicking through the pictures and reports. “How has none of this been on the news?”

“We can keep the press under control. They’re reporting the killings in France as a piece of contemporary art.”

Lilliah shut the file, unable to see anymore.

“What’s even more worrying is the weather changes: we’re talking flash floods and droughts. All of our data shows Lucifer getting stronger, not weaker.” Derek took the file from her and put it back on the table.

“I’m not saying he’s powerless,” Lilliah corrected. Lucifer was dangerous and she knew it. “I’m just saying hand-to-hand combat isn’t his forte.”

They all sat in silence, pondering what this new information could possibly mean—if it meant anything at all. Lilliah didn’t have all the answers. She had no idea what killing Lucifer would take or even if she could bring herself to do it. She’d seen death, she’d seen Azrael kill people, but killing someone herself was something else entirely.

“We need to look into this further, but your powers are back. Even if not fully, you’re definitely getting stronger.”

Lilliah looked at Benedict. “I don’t know. I can’t control the blue fire thing that comes out of my hands, and I had no idea I was moving fast until Iris told me.” She rubbed her hands together. She really had no idea what to tell them. “Sometimes it comes, and sometimes it doesn’t.”

“You need to practice more,” he told her. “Your power is in there. Everything that is happening around you must be triggering it.”

It sounded plausible, so Lilliah agreed. “I’ll try.”

Benedict stood to leave.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re taking you back to England. It’s the last place Lucifer will look now. We also have the Keeper.” Benedict headed to the other side of the plane and opened one of the three closed doors.

“The Keeper?” Lilliah sat up straighter, this was news to her, amazing news. “How long were we captured for? The last time I checked we still didn’t know where he was.”

“Yeah, we picked him up early this morning. Don’t worry, Benedict will come back and go through everything with you. You’ve just given him a lot to think about. It’s a long trip. Try and sleep.” Derek smiled briefly, then followed Benedict.

She’d get answers from Benedict. The thought soothed Lilliah as she brought her legs up on the sofa and drifted off.

Chapter 18

Lilliah had always loved the smell of England. It was different from all the other countries. It smelt fresh; maybe it was the rain. She didn’t know. She just loved it.

She sat back in her seat and stared out of the car window at the early London traffic. She wasn’t sure how safe it was here, but she was glad to be back in familiar surroundings. Somehow, it made everything a little less scary. Instead of going to her mum’s house like she’d hoped, they’d all been whisked away. Apparently, meeting the Keeper couldn’t wait.

Lilliah hadn’t been surprised to find two blacked-out Mercedes waiting for them at the airfield. Lilliah, Rebecca, and Iris rode in one, while the men rode in the other.

She guessed it had been Derek’s doing. One thing she had learned about him in the short time she’d known him was that he never did anything halfway. She’d watched him on the flight over as he’d deliberated between two suits. The man had had suits waiting for him on his private plane, which was crazy. The more Lilliah thought about it, the more she couldn’t imagine him with Kristy. Granted she had only met her briefly, but as a couple, she never would have put them together.   

“This is pretty cool.” Iris looked out her window. “I’ve never been here before. I want to try some real English food. If we can, of course.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever said that before,” Lilliah joked, staring out at Trafalgar square.

Of course she’d seen all the monuments a million times before, but today was as if she was seeing everything for the first time. Everything was so beautiful.

Rebecca nudged Lilliah with her elbow to get her attention. “Did Benedict tell you anything about this Keeper dude?”

“Not really. I get the vibe he doesn’t like him, though. There is definitely history.”

Rebecca grinned, raising her eyebrows. “What do you think it is?”

“No idea.” Lilliah dragged her teeth over her lower lip. “I like to think the Keeper was Benedict’s teacher. Something went wrong and they had a falling out.”

“Oh no, wait.” Rebecca laughed, holding up her hand. “Maybe the Keeper is a woman.”

Lilliah’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, that would be amazing!”

“Childhood sweethearts”—Rebecca closed her eyes—“ripped apart by magic and duty.”

Iris returned her attention to the inside of the car. “What are you guys talking about?”

“We’re just making up some crap.” Lilliah shrugged. “We used to sit in the Subway and make up stories about people that walked past.”

“Yep. We did that instead of going to class. It’s why we both have crap grades,” Rebecca told her honestly.

Lilliah leant over and tapped Iris’s knee. “Have a go. It’s fun.”

“I don’t really care.” She looked confused by the whole conversation. “Benedict’s really hot, though.”

Lilliah and Rebecca straightened.

“Oh, you fancy him,” Rebecca sang, wiggling in her seat.

“I agree. He is hot.” Lilliah laughed, resting her back against the door.

“Like ridiculously hot. Azrael is too.” Iris then looked at Lilliah. “He looks like a model.”

“You should see him in black.” Lilliah raised her eyebrows suggestively. “Grey just isn’t his colour.”

“Lilliah’s right.” Rebecca shook her head. “We should think of another name for him.”

Lilliah tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“He’s not Azrael, is he? He’s this other guy with red eyes who likes the colour grey. The normal Azrael has blue eyes, wears black, and would never leave you.”

She liked the sound of that—a new name for a new guy. “It has to be a horrible name.”

“Yeah, like Keith.” Iris smiled. “I hate the name Keith.”

“We can do better than Keith.” Before any of them could decide, the car pulled to a stop.

“Are we here?” Lilliah looked out the window. They were outside an apartment block. It looked nice, but very normal. Sebastian, Benedict, and Derek were already out of their car.

Opening her door, Lilliah called out, “Is this it?”

“Think so.” Sebastian walked over and helped her out of the car, and then helped Iris and Rebecca out. His bruises were fully on show and his eye was still swollen. “I have no idea what either of them are talking about.”

“It’s okay, baby.” Rebecca linked her arm through Sebastian’s. “You can hang with the girls next time.”

“I think I might have to,” Sebastian said, his face very serious looking.

“So what’s the deal?” Lilliah leaned against the cream-painted wall of the apartment building. “I thought you said you have this Keeper guy.”

Derek pulled a pair of glasses from his pocket. “I think Benedict’s got this one. Right?”

Benedict didn’t answer but went straight through the door, everyone following behind. He was on a mission, taking the steps two at a time and checking the room numbers as he went. He stopped at the last door, Room Sixty.

“Let me do the talking.” He looked between Lilliah, Rebecca, and Sebastian. “Okay?”

They all nodded and he knocked. The door swung open, and a young, messy-haired guy stood in the doorway, shirtless.

“What do you wa—Oh,” he said, looking at Benedict. “Sorry, not today.”

He slammed the door shut.

“Was that the Keeper? Well, he was not what I was expecting.” Lilliah folded her arms. “Maybe I should try talking to him?”

Benedict looked as if he were thinking the idea through—for about a second—then he kicked the door in.

The Keeper was standing on the other side with a gun pointed at them. “When I say no, I mean no.”

Benedict dug his hands into his pockets, completely unfazed. “You’re not going to shoot me.”

“Want to bet?” The guy tiled his head to the side. “If there is anyone on this earth I would shoot, it would be you.”

Everyone stood away from Benedict, watching the exchange. Tension filled the room, everyone unsure whether the guy with the gun would really pull the trigger. Benedict clearly didn’t think so.

“Okay.” Lilliah held up her hands in surrender. “Please don’t shoot anyone.” She stepped forward, but Benedict stopped her from getting too close. “We just need your help,” she said.

The Keeper looked surprised, though he kept the gun aimed at Benedict. “You need my help, huh? Is that why I was kidnapped out of Istanbul and dropped off at this shitty apartment?”

“Yes, although I don’t remember giving anyone the order to give you a gun.” Benedict gritted out the words, his jaw tense. “You have something we need.”

“I have connections in London. I could have been out of this hellhole within hours of your boys leaving me here.”

“Then why didn’t you go?” Benedict challenged.

“As you said, I have something you need. I always have something that someone needs. I was curious as to what it was.” He finally lowered the gun. “Doesn’t mean I’ll give it to you, though.” He turned his back to them and walked into the small apartment.

They all hung back, unsure whether he wanted them to follow him or not. Benedict looked bored.

“Why were you in Istanbul?” Benedict walked into the small space, somehow already filling it with his size. “Doesn’t really seem like your kind of place.”

“My house was ransacked.” The Keeper reached for a T-shirt on the floor and pulled it on. “A lot of people are after me. Been on the run, staying in different places. How did you find me?”

“I asked around.” Benedict crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “Did a few spells, but in the end, I called Katy.”

Lilliah was so busy watching the exchange that she hadn’t noticed Rebecca standing beside her. “We were both wrong,” she said. “He isn’t a chick and he’s not old.”

“I have no idea who they are, but I want to know so badly,” she whispered back without taking her eyes off the two men in front of her. The more they talked, the more unanswered questions she had.

The apartment wasn’t much. A worn sofa took up most of the room. The walls and the sofa were all bare. The carpet looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in years, as did the walls, which were dirty white. It looked more like a doctor’s waiting room than a living area. But of course, the Keeper didn’t live there. What else had the apartment been used for?

“Katy.” The Keeper laughed. “And what did she say? Too busy getting ready for her wedding to care about anything else?”

“She’s worried about you. Said you called before you headed off?”

“I had to call someone. Hers was the first number I could think of.” He looked at the others who were still standing by the door. “You can all sit down, you know. I mean, it’s not like this is my apartment or anything, but sure, take a seat.”

Sebastian moved first, plopping down on the sofa. “I’m aching all over. My ribs, my nose. I think I need a break.”

Lilliah smiled. Only her brother could totally dismiss the tension in the room.

The Keeper stared at him funny. “Okay …” he drawled out, turning back to Benedict. “What do you need from me?”

Benedict pushed off the wall and sat on the sofa.

The Keeper leaned against a chair. “Just spit it out.”

“Was anything taken when your house was ransacked?”

The Keeper shrugged. “Some stuff. Nothing for you to concern yourself with, though.”

“Is the Holy Grail still safe?”

And there it was. The Keeper now knew why they were there.

“The Holy Grail.” Shock crossed his face, but just as quickly vanished. “Now why would you need such a powerful artefact?”

“It really is the longest story,” Lilliah said, hoping they wouldn’t have to explain everything from the beginning. She was bored of telling the story.

“So it has nothing to do with the Devil coming back then?” He raised an eyebrow and tapped his foot on the floor.

“So you know?” Benedict asked, his voice somehow getting colder.

“Of course I know. It’s my job to know.” He ran his hands through his hair and started pacing. “Why do you need it? What are you going to do with it?”

“Do you have it?” Benedict pressed, ignoring his questions. “Caleb, this is important. Do you still have it? The guys who picked you up checked in Istanbul, and it wasn’t there.”

“I don’t have it, but I know who does.” He turned to Lilliah, his eyes trailing her up and down. “I take it you’re Lilliah Daniels?”

“Yeah. How did you know?” Her eyes narrowed.

He smirked. “Looking the way you do? You couldn’t be anything else.”

“Thank you,” she managed to say, unsure how to respond to that, and looked anywhere but at the Keeper—Caleb.

No one else knew what to say either. Rebecca caught her eye and fanned her face with her hand. Sebastian didn’t look impressed; he was staring intensely at Caleb, who either didn’t notice or just didn’t care. Iris looked as uncomfortable as Lilliah felt, and Derek looked politely bored.

“Who has the Grail?” Benedict finally asked, breaking the silence.

“A friend.” Caleb rubbed his jaw. “She’s right here in London, actually.”

Sebastian rested his head back. “Thank God we won’t have to travel.”

Everyone looked at him—apart from Caleb and Benedict, who were still staring at each other.

Rebecca reached over and took Sebastian’s hand in hers. “Don’t you think you should go home and get some rest? You took a real bad beating yesterday.”

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. The romantic gesture immediately reminded Lilliah of Azrael. Pressing her lips together, she looked away, suddenly finding a small plant on the floor very interesting. In truth, she did find it kind of interesting. It was the only homely object in the room.

“I’ll be fine,” her brother assured Rebecca. “I just need some rest.”

Benedict stood, speaking to Caleb. “Of course you do. We all need rest. Stay here and be ready for tomorrow. We head out early.”

Caleb rubbed his jaw. “Let me get this straight. You hired some gang to break into my apartment in Istanbul and drag me all the way to London, all because you need my help? Why not meet me there? Hmm?”

Benedict shook his head and opened the door, stopping in the doorway. “They knew where you were. They were coming for you.”

“So you dropped me off in some crappy apartment? How is this any safer?”

Lilliah watched as Benedict stormed out of the apartment and banged on the door opposite. Everyone moved so they could get a better look.

A man in a black suit answered. He stood straight, his hands behind his back. “Yes, Benedict?”

“How many agents are in this building?” Benedict stepped aside so everyone could see the new guy.

“On an average day, sir, one hundred. But on a day like today, two hundred.” His clear British accent rang loud and clear.

“Thank you.” Benedict turned to face them, but he spoke only to Caleb. “You are in the safest place in London.”

Without another word, Benedict headed down the corridor, and everyone followed. “You’re all staying here.” He motioned to the door next to Caleb’s apartment. “Your belongings are already in there. Be ready for tomorrow.”