Devil's Desire {A BWLM Novella}

14

14: Athena

Santiago's study was a blend of mahogany and darkness, with the faint smell of old leather and polish hanging in the air. Antique swords and muskets adorned the walls, casting dull glints in the muted light. There were no family photos, no glimpses into the twisted legacy of the De La Cruz clan-not that I expected any. The long oak desk took up most of the space, and a tall window let in just enough light to remind me there was still a world outside this suffocating room.

I didn't bother knocking. I barged in, not caring who Santiago was meeting with. But when I saw the man sitting across from him in a dark brown leather chair, I froze. This guy was stunning. Dark chocolate skin, light brown eyes framed by long lashes, and a smile that suggested he knew exactly how good-looking he was. He looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine, not in some secret society of psychos.

"Athena, I'd like you to meet Judge Kian Michaels," Santiago introduced him, his tone calm, almost casual. A judge? This guy looked too young to be a judge-maybe early thirties, just like Santiago. His gray suit was sharp, and his buzzed cut was neat, fresh. Did all these men get together and decide they were too good-looking for the rest of us? Formed their own society of beautiful, twisted assholes.

Judge Michaels' eyes skimmed over me, amusement dancing in them as if he found my appearance funny. And why wouldn't he? I had on a peach sweatshirt, checkered capris, and white Air Forces with my name spray-painted on the sides. A big jean jacket with rhinestones covered my sweatshirt, and my hair was a voluminous afro after deliberately showering without a cap. I looked like a walking "screw you" to Santiago, and I wanted him to feel it.

"Athena, you are a breath of fresh air," Judge Michaels chuckled, standing up to kiss my hand. "I see the king will have his hands full with you," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

I flashed him a sugary sweet smile. "What a pleasure. So, are you also a murderous, obsessive asshole who enjoys holding women against their will? Or is that just a hobby?" I batted my eyelashes at him, watching his amusement falter. His eyebrows shot up in surprise before he cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable.

Santiago's jaw tightened, his face a mask of fury, but I didn't care. I knew there would be consequences later, but right now, I just wanted to make him feel something-anything-that would remind him he couldn't control me completely.

Santiago adjusted his tie before speaking. "Judge Michaels is going to be the officiant at our wedding, where you and I will be formally announced as king and queen."

Before I could process that, Judge Michaels cut in. "That's not the only reason I'm here, Athena. I'm also here for legal matters."

I frowned, not understanding. "Legal matters? What do you mean?"

Judge Michaels glanced between Santiago and me. "Since you're marrying into this society, there are certain clauses that must be followed."

"What clauses?" My mind raced, imagining all kinds of twisted rituals. Was I supposed to sacrifice a goat or something? Or worse, sacrifice my firstborn?

"The short version?" Judge Michaels didn't sugarcoat it. "To successfully leave your old life behind and embrace this one, we would have to fake your death. This would prevent anyone from searching for you."

I felt like the air had been knocked out of me. Fake my death? Leave my parents to think I was gone forever? How could they ask this of me? How could Santiago not understand what he was taking from me?

"What?! You can't do that!" I started pacing, my anger bubbling over. "What about my parents? It would destroy them! I'm their only child! My mama can't have any more babies-she had three miscarriages before me! I'm their rainbow child!" My voice cracked as I imagined their faces, the devastation they would feel. I couldn't bear it. I wanted to share my life with them, to have my father walk me down the aisle, to see them spoil their grandkids.

Judge Michaels looked genuinely regretful. "This is one of the many reasons we don't usually marry outside of our society." He shot Santiago a look that was filled with disapproval.

"I'm so very sorry. It has to be this way."

---

Later, in my room, I sat on the chaise, my eyes red and swollen from crying. Bianca was packing up my clothes, moving them into Santiago's room. Our room, as he so confidently called it. I was trying to put on a brave face, trying to convince myself that I could do this. But my heart was shattering.

I picked up my phone, dialing home, praying for a miracle. "Hey, Dad, is Mama up?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"I'm sorry, honey. Your mom-well, she uh... She's shut herself in the room and hasn't come out. Athena, her heart is broken." My father's voice shook, and I bit down on my fist to keep from sobbing aloud. It felt like someone was driving a hot knife into my gut.

"I'm sorry," I choked out, tears streaming down my face. If I could go back, I would change everything. But I couldn't. I was trapped in this nightmare, caught between the life I wanted and the life I had been forced into.

"Baby, please come home. We'll pretend this never happened. Things will go back to the way they were. Just please come home to us." His words pierced me, and for a moment, I let myself imagine it. Coming home, running into their arms, letting them shield me from this darkness. But it was just a dream. The reality was so much harsher.

"I'll be back soon, Daddy," I lied, trying to sound cheerful. "Alex wants to show me the world."

"We were right to worry," he murmured, his voice tinged with sadness. Of course, he knew. He always knew, just like when I was fifteen and my crush stood me up. I had lied about how amazing the date was, and he had come up to my room, telling me I was worth waiting for.

"Yes, Daddy," I whispered, and the dam broke. My quiet tears turned into full sobs.

"Shh... baby girl, it's okay. Has he hurt you?"

"No," I managed to sniffle out.

There was a long silence on the other end, a silence filled with understanding. "I love you, Athena. Your mother and I both love you. You're our rainbow girl. We were so blessed when you were born. You've made us so proud."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. Somehow, I knew he understood that this was goodbye. I would never see them again, never hear my mother's voice, never feel their arms around me. But I could still hold on to this moment, this last connection.

"I love you too, Daddy. And I'm proud to be your daughter," I whispered back, knowing it was the last time I would ever say those words.