Fallen (Book 3)

Chapter 2

Jackson

Ivy, completely zoned out and weak, rested against the bottom of the recliner, blood smeared all down her chin and her neck. She looked like a wreck, a complete and utter mess, and I chose to stay behind and watch Zach and Calix continue to burn while Ivy ran for the hills, or so I thought.

The word afraid was an understatement when I watched the scene unfold, my mind not fully processing Artimis' threats to the unknown enemy, and watching Zach burn before my eyes left me petrified to the point where I suddenly noticed the absence of Ivy's hand from mine. It took all over three minutes to give Noella, and Sebastian the heads up that she was gone, until I realized I left that bone head of a human back at the cabin, not thinking Ivy would wander back that way.

Now she's weak on the floor, and the bastard lives to see another day.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

I stood up, letting her hand go gently, and faced Sebastian, who was feeding Griffin his blood, which was a disgusting sight to see as he moaned and slurped his way back to health on Sebastian's wrist. All of his wounds began to heal, and even the rawness of his wrists began to fade, with fresh skin replacing the battered marks, it gave the indication that he tore himself free from the restraints I tied him in. At least the evidence was gone for good.

The mess in the cabin made it seem like a tornado made it's way through, hiding any and all evidence that I did anything to Griffin.

Noella, adjusting herself beside me, shook her head in disgust. "We have a bigger mess to clean than I wanted."

"At least we don't have to add a dead body to that list," I grumbled.

"Yet," she added, shaking pieces of the wall out of her violet hair.

Sebastian released Griffin from his wrist, wiping the saliva off him, leaning him back on the couch. "Just be thankful we got here in time."

Realization crossed Griffin's face as he got his wits about him. He looked around, at us, at the mess, at Ivy limp on the floor. He scrambled to his feet, collapsing in front of her body, Ivy's eyes staring blankly at the wall behind him. Griffin waved a hand in front of her face, not getting the reaction he wanted, he turned around with hatred in his eyes.

"What did you do to her?!?" he accused, eyes bloodshot, sweat dripping off his pale face.

"Excuse me?" I snapped, stepping forward automatically in defense.

Noella maneuvered her way in between us. "Easy. She's fine."

"No she's not," retorted Griffin.

"Yes, she is. We had to weaken her," explained Noella.

"Weaken her?!" Griffin repeated sharply.

I rolled my eyes. "It's like talking to a child."

Noella gave me a warning look, nudging my shoulder to back up. "When she comes around, we'll go from there, okay?"

Griffin was about to say something, when Sebastian glided over to him, kneeling down to get at his level. He flinched, his mouth hanging open like a dog, the wheels turning in his head trying to understand how he came over to him that fast.

"What I'm curious about is how you got here in the first place," he remarked.

Griffin recoiled. "Is that all you care about?"

Sebastian reached forward, gripping the collar of his torn shirt, bringing him close to his face. "I don't like unwelcome guests."

More sweat dripped from Griffin's forehead, panicked as his eyes darted throughout the room, trying to look anywhere but Sebastian's intense stare. I snickered, watching him helplessly, when Noella walked up behind him, smacking the side of his head.