~Alaya
I’m not sure what surprises me the most.
Sinful is a jerk. I know that much already, though. How he managed to make my plan go from somewhat brilliant to absolute trash that I’m too far deep in to revoke. He always managed to do it in record time – I assume when Asher and I were back in the mortal lands. Cunning. Manipulative. All these things I already know about Sinful, yet it still crashes over me like wave that I may have possibly stepped into a trap.
The next surprise to contest the former, is this utter stranger looking down at me. He definitely adds sense to the strange in that word. In some off sense, he reminds me of Fate, and maybe on a far stretch, Fate.
That relation is probably due to his hair.
Unlike Fate’s extraordinary cobalt blue strands, the colour of this man’s hair is a brilliant silver with the slightest undertone of minty green. At least that’s what I assume it is, considering I can hardly look at it for too long without feeling like I’m breaking an unknown law. Back in the Desire Pack, I would have criticised the colour for being part of the dyed hair trend.
I know here, that can’t be the case. This is something immortal. Just like how Fate has his hair colour.
He steps back, holding the door open into a large room filled with furnishings. From where I stand, it seems eerily normal. Normal doesn’t go along with a Moon that harbours the souls of some of the most dangerous mortals there are.
“Please,” he says, “Come in.”
For a moment I’m stuck to my spot. Something about this man exudes confidence and trust, but this is a prison facility. I’m meant to be a criminal here until Sinful comes to save me. After this stranger’s words, I’m not sure that’s about to happen anymore. Especially since I’m his gift from Sinful.
He seems to notice my hesitation. I can only tell this when I finally move my eyes up to meet his. Naturally, they are spectacular, which doesn’t seem to be a surprise considering that’s a typical immortal trait. A glacial blue. Despite the colour being as sharp as ice, something about the way he looks at me is warm. I’ve known not to fall for the way someone looks at you. Sinful taught me that.
“I mean you no harm, only an explanation,” he says carefully. Admittedly, I’m drawn to the tone of his voice. It’s soft and delicate, as if it would break if he raised his voice.
At this point, what do I have to lose?
Slowly, I step into the room, looking around the room curiously. It seems as though this one room hold almost everything. A lounge area, a kitchen and dining. All that is missing is a bathroom and bedroom which must behind the door at the end. This looks like an apartment you would find at the top of your average high rise in the Desire Pack.
It’s not a prison. Not a trap. It’s a home, that I wouldn’t have guessed belong to the male behind me if he wasn’t standing there. In fact, it reminds me of my old apartment after I got my job. Average.
“What is this place?” I breathe, turning around on the spot. The stranger leans back against the door, arms crossed over his chest as he watches me silently.
“My room,” he tells me tentatively. “Where I stay when I come to visit.”
I turn, surprised by this for whatever reason. I don’t know him at all, yet here I am, judging him. Of course this isn’t his place, looking at how small and insignificant it is. This is an immortal we are talking about.
“You don’t live here?” I question anyway. Keeping him talking is stopping me from second guessing myself and getting nervous. I’m not sure if I’m dead or alive right now, so in that regard, I’m slightly less frightened of what my outcome will be.
“No, I live elsewhere,” he tells me, finally pushing away from the door. “I’m Micah, by the way.”
“Alaya,” I reply nervously.
He nods, strolling past me, leaving me to breathe in a surprising scent of white grapefruit and spice. He really is so strange. I watch him while he wanders to a chaise lounge, sitting down on it backwards on his knees, so he could rest his arms on the back of the rest. He raises a dark eyebrow at me. It’s interesting how they don’t match at all to his hair.
“I already know,” he says carefully, watching for my reaction. “Like I said earlier, Sinful alerted me. I apologise you had to spend the amount of time in the cell that you did. We have a hard time communicating with the staff here.”
I swallow uncomfortably. Who would willingly work in a place like this?
“What did Sinful say to you?” I ask, remaining rooted to where I stand, even as he motions for me to come sit. He seems good at picking up on my hesitation, though, as he comes to stand in front of me again. I ensure there is reasonable space between us.
“Perhaps you should come sit down for this,” he says carefully, eyebrows furrowing slightly. He seems concerned that what he is about to tell me will negatively affect me.
This is Sinful we are talking about. Of course it will.
We sit on opposite white leather couches. Micah has an easy way of walking that seems so smooth and angelic. I’m curious about him, however, right now, I’m not sure if I should ask about him himself. That will come later, for sure, since he’s the one who I have apparently been gifted to. Sinful clearly doesn’t mind that I have a mate.
“You can understand while I am apprehensive right now. I have no idea what this place is, or what your plan is. All I know, is that you are associated with Sinful, and I don’t trust Sinful,” I say in one breath.
Micah nods softly. “Of course, I understand completely.”
“Are you going to hurt me?” I ask softly. I might as well get to the point. It’s all that’s on my mind right now.
Micah frowns, disrupting his smooth, youthful skin with a few creases. He can’t blame me for thinking that. A gift? How could I be someone’s gift? If I ever get back home, Asher is going to kill me, and I’m going to let him.
“Never,” Micah breathes. “Perhaps I should explain who I am.”
“That would be nice.”
He stands, just as I thought he was about to be completely honest with me. Instead, he stands, getting up to move toward the small kitchen set area. I watch silently, waiting for him to make the first move. He pours some cold water from the fridge, before he brings it back, handing it to me. It’s a move to comfort me. I mentally prepare for what I’m about to hear.
“Sinful and I aren’t necessarily close,” Micah tells me, running his hand back through his silvery hair. It exposes the minty colour underneath. “Technically, he’s my brother.”
My mouth opens in shock, without me being able to control it.
“Brothers?” I say in disbelief. “You have the same parents? You grew up with him?”
“Please, don’t be afraid of me because of this. Him and I come from the same entity, but we do not share blood. We were both created by the Moon, to serve the Moon, and that is that. Him and I are on the different spectrum of existence, and our intentions are very different,” Micah explains, leaning forward in his seat. “I promise you, I mean you no harm.”
I’m speechless for a moment. Brothers. I didn’t have any idea that Sinful could have siblings, let alone have the Moon as his creator. It makes sense, though, as demented as that may seem.
“Then what is your intention?” I ask carefully, knotting my hands together on my lap anxiously.
“I am only here to do as my brother demands. He made a fair point, and being one of the Moon’s virtues, I am obliged to do as he asks,” Micah explains.
I flinch. “What? Virtues?”
“Yes. The Moon created the sins and virtues to balance the mortal world. Sinful, of course, embodies a sin, while I am humility. Perhaps you do not trust me, or am not willing to listen, but I can assure you that I am telling the truth. Sinful’s idea may not appeal to you at first, but I know it will benefit you greatly.”
I’m almost afraid to ask. “What is Sinful’s plan?”
“He wants me to take you away from your mate, to a land where I live. There, you will be safe, and away from Sinful’s plans for Asher. This is hard-”
“Not happening,” I say quickly, getting to my feet.
I need to get out of here. Who knows if there is an end to this prison or anything, but I’m not about to stick around and let this insane man take me away to another realm completely. And away from my mate?
“Alaya, wait!” he says, following me to the door. “You don’t want to leave just yet… Please, hear me out. I promise after this, you will want to come with me.”
I’m completely ignoring him at this point. It hardly matters to me what he has to say. He thinks I’m going to stick around and listen to him manipulate me like his brother likes to do? I’ve heard enough for today, so without giving him another glance, I throw the door open, attempting to leave.
However, someone stands in my way.
Asher.