The Witch's Devil (Complete)

Chapter 40,

Ember's POV~

The tension was so thick it could choke an elephant. The bombshell of a millennium has been dropped. To think that this was coming from a single question on my personal thoughts, for my truths, a peek into perhaps my way of thinking. Especially with how bold and unforgiving I was the last time I faced the Queen. Yet with this information brought to light. It brought a new brighter light upon the woman who sat a mere arm's reach away from me.

Lilith was the first to stand for something, and was punished for it. Torn away from her only family. Alastor asked a question before anyone could.

"What?" Alastor guides his hands through his silk black hair. Heaving rigid breaths, "what happened?"

"Alastor," I call to him on a whisper rushing around to his side, "perhaps we need to step—"

"What happened to my mother?!" Alastor shouted through flared nostrils.

Even Asmodeus stood from where he sat with his eyes locked, his posture ready for anything. I place a hand on Alastors chest. The tingling light sparks dance across my hand. An answer was given like a splash of water thrown onto an ember of hope.

"She died." Spoken so softly, its heartbreak palpable.

A knife to the heart of this conversation. This simple dinner had derailed and exploded within a single moment. Over what? A simple question. I scoffed, biting down on my inner cheek. The heart under my hand spikes in rhythm. A heart shattering single worded question from my mate rocks around the rancid room.

"How?" Alastor's voice broke.

"From her injuries I imagine, along with a grueling delivery." It was the gentle answer, yet it stung nonetheless. "She was the soul who summoned me. Somehow, Calia escaped her captors, then the gardens and finally the city. Found sanctuary in the forest. When I found her," she let out an agitated huff, "when I found her; she greeted me with a joyous smile, cradling her newly born little bundle. There was far too much blood."

A trickle of pain down the witches thread. Alastor looked down to me with devastation, lips pressed into a thin line. Shaking his head side to side in disbelief.

Reaching out to him was all I could think to do in this fragile moment. His heartbeat was as fast as a hummingbird's wings, but thankfully he didn't pull away. No, instead he took hold of my hand.

With his nostrils flared, Alastor meets my gaze in a red hot fire. Biting down on my bottom lip, fluttering my eyes closed in thought. This demon, my demon, shaking his head in a conflicted rage. Finally, he speaks as if his only concern is me.

"Why?" Shouts reverberating through the walls.

She hums in thought, "I couldn't say for sure, all I can say is that my sister loved you, Alastor." Lilith spoke with care of a mother's softness. "Calia was only somewhat more agreeable, compared to me, and since I didn't bend to Adam's arrogant will. She was the only one left."

"What about Eve?" I asked aloud without a second thought.

"To my knowledge Eve was created after Calia did not meet Adam's," Lilith hissed the first man's name like a curse, "sadly I couldn't protect her forever."

Alastor spoke next in a hushed tone, "Why?"

Nails clicking against the table's surface, "Why, to what exactly?"

"Why did my mother give me up? Why did she have to die? Why-" he leans down to press his forehead to mine, "just why?"

A long moment of silence before anyone said another word. "Calia loved you enough to get out, however she did, and she got you both out. To get you both to safety away from your monster of a father." she digs those nails into wood as she continues, "It was just terribly unfortunate that no one could help her through the labor and delivery.