Undeniable Fate - Book No. 1 [l.h.]

No. 15

All three of them are screaming like crazy. I don't know who to help first; Liam or Luke. But I do know that I want that woman to shut up. She's causing all of this. I just wanna fucking slap her. And as I'm still looking at her, I see her head twist to the side and her body falling to the ground. Finally.

When I look back to Liam and Luke, I see that they're calming down. They both look like they've been in big fights. That's how tired they look. I rush over to Luke first. Once he's up, Liam's on his feet aswell.

"What the fuck was that?" Liam asks.

"It was a banshee," I say, "I think. It was the same kind of scream as the one I heard earlier today."

"Oh, fuck," Luke whispers.

"What?" Liam asks.

"It means Harry was right. They really are gonna hurt Steffi. The same ones who killed Demi. They'll fucking-"

When he stops in the middle of his rambling, he looks up at Liam. His expression changes from slight panic to pure anger. And out of nowhere he pushes Liam completely away from me.

"You two are working together! I don't know who it is you're working for, but I know you're both in this together. You and Harry. Steffi, don't believe him, he's lying."

"Fuck you, Hemmings," Liam says, "This has nothing to do with you, it's about her. And besides, this is something between siblings. You don't have any rights to mess with her. You really think I'd hurt the only person I care about!?"

"Stop it!" I yell. "Both of you, stop it. You should be more worried about the lady across the street who's causing all this trouble."

They both look at me like I just told them to breathe underwater. Out of frustration I point at her direction, like a six year old. When we all look at her, she starts to get up on her feet. She cleans herself a little from the dirt on the street. Her half red, half black hair fall in front of her face. Then she notices us staring at her.

Without thinking twice, Liam takes of running to her. But she sees him and starts running too. She quickly runs around the corner, with him right behind her. I'm wondering is she really is the banshee.

Whiel I'm still staring at the corner of the street, I feel two arms engolving me into a warm embrace. I know it's Luke and I can feel he's worried. About everything, probably. I wonder if he read my mind just before the screaming started.

"I know you probably want to wait till he's back, but she was giving us that warning for a reason," he says, "I really should get you home. Come on."

"No."

"What?"

"No, I want to wait for Liam. I wanna know if he got her and who she is. You can do whatever you want, I'm staying here."

"Cast out of Heaven, wandering around on Earth, but you're still the most stubborn person I've ever met," he mumbles.

After another minute or two, Liam comes back around the corner. He keeps jogging until he's right in front of us. He doesn't seem out of breath at all. He looks like he just took a freshing nap. But that's not important right now.

"So I'm assuming you didn't get her," Luke says with a hint of sarcasm.

"Unfortunately, no. I don't know if you know, but banshees are basically witches. And this one threw some plants or something in the air and vanished. But don't worry, I know how she is."

"Really?" I ask. "Well, who is she?"

"Her name is Ashley Costello," he says, "She's been around for quite some time. I think she even knew Horan when he was still alive. Anyway, she's been following me for a few days. Actually, you, Luke, Demi and I. I wonder if she knows the rest of the story."

"And you didn't care to tell us she was following us?" Luke asks.

"I didn't know she would give us a death scream," he retorts.

"Forget it," Luek says, "How about you go and try to find her, while I take Steffi home?"

They look at each other for a couple of moments. You can almost cut the tension and put it on toast. Finally, Liam relaxes and nods. He takes one final look at me and then walks away.

But he can't walk away. I have something to tell him. I wanna go after him, but am held back. With his hand around my wrist, Luke walks me back to his car. He quickly unlocks it, gets me inside, walks over to the driver's side and gets in himself.

He starts the car and drives away. Back to my appartment.

-

We stay silent for most of the ride. No music, even. Whatever special moment we had on the beach, it ended when Ashley came.

"Listen," he suddenly says, "when you and Liam were talking, I could tellhow badly you wantedto decide. I don't know if you did. And if so, who you chose. Just know that Liam can lie. It'spart of his nature. And so far, he hasn't really cared for anyone but himself. If you do choose him, know that I'll never stop loving you. I would never betray you. I will never turn on you. Please, just believe me."

"I know you won't. That's not a part of your nature."

We drive up to my building's parking lot. We get out of the car and walk inside. We take the elevator.

While we're going up, I keep doubting. Would it be right if I do choose Liam? I would get to live among the humans and get to know my brother. And if I choose Luke, I would be back in my rightful place and so would Luke. But could I do that? Be bound to one, final place?

The elevator stops and we step out. By the time we arrive at my door, I'm going crazy. I have to tell Luke about my thoughts.

"Luke- "

"Just open the door and we can talk about it inside," he says softly.

That's a good idea.

It smells kinf of funny in the hallway. The neighbours must be cooking something. Doesn't matter. I just put my key in the lock, turn it and open the door.

The next thing I see and feel are black and pain. And an ground shaking scream.