Ronan

Chapter Fifty-One

So Ronan was right. One didn't have to die to find their way to this place. That, in itself, was comforting. After the day her warlock boyfriend had had, a knife to the heart wouldn't have been the greatest way to end it.

She was taking the portal as a win.

Side by side, they stood at the base of the moss-covered staircase. Ronan watched the portal longingly as it sealed shut behind them, disappearing from sight.

She was sure-had he not already been holding Elsie-he'd have reached out with his hands to grab it. And do what? Keep the door open by dragging it along with them?

She put her foot on the bottom step. The movement seemed to shake him from a dream.

"Are you coming?" She asked, a teasing smirk pulling at her lips.

His gaze darted all around, taking in the clear blue skies and the towering ruins of a colosseum. "Yes. I'm coming." Albeit slowly and unwillingly. "Stay behind me."

He stood one step above her, unmoving.

"Why?" She challenged, bouncing Realyn. "There aren't any threats waiting to jump out at us. It's your bog-standard staircase, just significantly more aesthetically pleasing."

"Then what about that sound?"

A rising and falling melody reached them through the peak of a temple entrance. It started fast, then slowed, hard, then smooth. Constantly fluctuating.

"That's Damien," She explained, maybe taking a little bit of joy from his stump. "He's playing the piano. I've taken it to mean he knows we're here and is using the sound to show us the way."

"He's an arrogant bastard."

"Must run through the family."

"You'd better hope not. You forget your daughters have my blood."

"My angelic qualities will heal them." Was this chattering to distract her or himself? "Come on Ronan. You're not scared of seeing your brother, are you?"

"You forget my siblings and I are decidedly evil."

"Your brother's harmless. Just take my hand. One foot in front of the other."

She reached it out to her, waggling her fingers. Less than pleased, he slipped his hand through hers, allowing her to tug him along.

They reached the top of the staircase at the world's slowest pace ever. But Rosa didn't push him any further. She didn't know the full extent of the bad blood running between the brothers. She couldn't imagine how much strength it had taken Ronan to force himself here today. Especially when he was yet to sleep after his earlier battle.

On the other side, they spotted the suited man sitting at the piano. The playing got louder and harder as they made it closer to him. When they all stood in the same clearing, his playing abruptly stopped.

Ronan held his breath as Damien rose, turning dramatically. He squeezed onto Rosa's hand, clutching on for dear life.

When the brothers met eyes, the colour drained from Ronan's face.

"Hello little brother." And, of course, Damien was enjoying this. He nodded towards the fallen angel in good humour. "Rosa, looking as lovely as ever. I see you've come to pay me a visit. And might I say, I'm glad you didn't empty your brains across Triumph's floor for this one?"

Ronan tensed.

It seemed Damien knew the exact words to use to press his buttons.

"Hello Damien," Rosa said. "Thanks for letting us in."