Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 61

Despite various POVs, the events will be taking place simultaneously.

Morpheus

It was like a vacuum of nothingness. It reminded me of the limbo of Tartarus. "Deimos, Brandon?" I spoke hesitantly, realizing neither of them knew this form.

"Who are you?" Brandon asked, placing himself between me and Deimos. Interesting.

"I'm Morpheus. This is my true form. I'm no longer using Sean as my vessel, he has been restored to his former self," I explained. "I am here as a favor to Eveleen and to you Deimos."

He eyed me with intrigue. "You created the dream pocket. If you're here now, that means he's there."

I nodded reluctantly. "I wish I had better news, but you are correct. Your time is ending in this plane of existence. She wants you to know that your time in the dream pocket, well, um." I took a deep breath, unable to think of a way to say it delicately. "She's pregnant, Deimos. She carries your child."

He physically stumbled back, his breaths coming rapidly as Brandon tried to steady him. Falling to his knees he let out a rueful laugh, tears streaming down his cheeks. "You warned me. All those years ago, you warned me," he groaned, tugging at his hair. "Everything I ever wanted and my punishment is watching it slip through my hands as I vanish."

"I didn't know it would end this way, Deimos. You must believe me. My visions are never set. I knew there would be a cost, but I never imagined it would be this."

He reached out and took my hand, "I don't blame you. I don't blame anyone but myself. Then again, I can't regret it all. I'd rather die knowing she loved me and that my child will live than to have never known her at all." His words were remorse-filled but spoken with absolute truth. "So what happens to me now?"

"I don't know. As we speak, she is facing Erebus while North, Gabriel, and Michael face Kaylie. I gave her my word that I would stay with you until the end," I told him and noticed Brandon's image shimmer. "I think that might be close."

Brandon quickly embraced him, "I'm proud to call you friend and brother," he told him. "I'll tell her everything we've talked about. I will make sure your kid knows you were a good guy and loved them."

Deimos gave him a sad smile, "Thank you, my friend and brother. Love her for me."

"I will," Brandon nodded and suddenly vanished.

The room suddenly disappeared and we were standing in a dimly lit room looking at Eveleen and what appeared to be Deimos demon form. I looked at the man next to me and was surprised to see an ordinary human with dark eyes and brown shaggy hair. All demonic features were now gone and I couldn't sense any magic in him other than the magical tattoo that still bloomed on his chest.

"Why are you resisting me, pet? Maybe you need to remember what it's like to just let go again," the false Deimos said as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Fight back, Eveleen," the real Deimos muttered next to me. "Seal him in my form and fry his fucking ass with light." His hands were clenched and for a brief moment, his eyes flared.

I had no idea what was happening or how.

Eveleen

Erebus placed his hands on me, trying to convince me to kiss him, to let him touch me. I felt his shadows begin to try and pull me to his darkness. His hand ran down my cheek and for a moment I let myself dream that it was really Deimos, but when his fingers traced over my tattoo, all I wanted to do was vomit. That one touch betrayed his guise instantly, breaking any chance of fooling me.

I turned to stare at him and had to school my expression immediately. I swear I'm losing my mind. In the corner of the room, I saw the ghostly outlines of Morpheus and Daniel. He was in human form now, his chest still bearing my claim mark. His mark also had a single white bloom for our child in the center. Fight back, Eveleen. Seal him in my form and fry his fucking ass with light. His hands were clenched and for a brief moment, his eyes flared as I heard him in my mind. Morpheus looked completely confused as he stood watching the events unfold.

I turned my focus back to Erebus, placing my hand along his cheek. "I've missed you," I told him, letting my hand glide along his skin until I reached his false mark. "I thought I'd lost you. How did you manage to slip away, or are you still there? I don't understand, Deimos."

Erebus smiled as his lips neared mine, his confidence restored by my act. "I'm still there, love. I need your help to be free from him and Kaylie. Come with me and we can free Brandon and escape together."

"No more running?" I asked.

He shook his head, "No more running. You'll be mine forever, little fairy."

My hand pressed tight over the mark, "I bind you to this form Erebus, God of Shadow and Darkness. I seal your immortal soul within this mortal vessel!" I yelled.

He roared and pulled back, the burning imprint of my hand now marring the skin. "Very clever, little fairy. Should have known you would catch my little slip of the tongue. But why resist, Eveleen? I can feel the shadow within you. It calls to me. Don't fight it, don't fight us. I can give you so much power if you just accept it."

I let out a peal of laughter and allowed my glamor to fade. His mouth slacked. "You mean this kind of power, Erebus? I think I've already got that covered. Not even your dear old dad could defeat me. And now, well now, you're not a god anymore."

He tried to vanish and growled, "What have you done? I'll fucking kill you and everyone you love, you bitch!"

I held my hand on my stomach, "You already have killed someone I love and on behalf of his child and our family, I sentence you to eternal death, Erebus. You will be nothing more than a memory in a lost mythology." He roared and tried to charge me, but I held up my hands as my shadows swirled to protect me and the baby, then light shot from my hands and I watched as the form of the man I loved was reduced to ash along with the bastard who had essentially killed him.

I fell to my knees sobbing, then felt hands on my cheeks. "Oh pet, I'm so proud of you."

"Daniel?" I asked, looking at a wavering ghost-like image. "How?"

"You, Eveleen. It's always been you and your love that held all of them to you and now, it has given me a few stolen moments to say goodbye and see your beautiful face once more." He pressed his lips to mine, making them feel cold. I felt my tears begin to flow as he pulled back and placed a hand on my stomach. "If it's a girl, will you name her Rebecca - for my sister?" he asked with a sheepish smile.

I nodded, "I will, I promise. I love you, Daniel," I cried.

"I love you too, Eveleen. It will be okay, I promise," he smiled, and then everything faded and I felt myself crying as Owen pulled me closer.

Author's Notes: Only a couple more chapters...

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