From Despair Comes Hope (The Strange Case of Devin Sola Book 1)

Ghost

            ***Charli's POV***

I follow Chris into the cottage wondering why he wants to go in. After all, we are in the labyrinth and my father has so kindly decided to change up the creatures in here. It isn't exactly safe for us to be here. Besides, I know that before I gain my powers back Chris will kill me one last time. I don't relish the thought of dying. But I also don't want him to deal with the guilt of having killed me and changed me into the Angel of Destruction. "What is this about?" I ask him.

He turns to face me. "I have to kill you. Now." He says. "I know my father said not to until we saved Devin's soul from the Styx but I need to do it now. I have a feeling you'll need to be Destruction to do this."

"I don't have my angelic powers – I can't be an angel without them." I remind him.

"I don't think that matters. When you wake up we'll figure out what exactly needs to be done to get your powers back." Chris looks at me. "I don't want to kill you Charli. But the fact of the matter is, I don't think we can wait until your powers are back. You can't be killed while you have your powers."

I sit perfectly still considering what he's just said. He is right. If I regain my powers before I am killed for the last time, I won't be able to be killed. I'll be immortal again. For an angel that means you literally cannot die at all. There is none of this dying and then returning to life because Tia stuffed your soul back into your body. You just can't die. I close my eyes and nod. "You'll have to do it now. While Tia's close. She is close, isn't she?"

"No, but she's Death. If you die, she'll know. Is there any specific way you want me to do it?" Chris sounds defeated. That is when I realize he was telling the truth. He doesn't want to do it. He doesn't want to kill me. "Before you answer that, can you tell me something?"

"Sure." I reply.

"Why don't you remember who we are?" He asks.

"Ares stripped more than my powers. He stripped most of my memories as well. To be honest, I don't think he ever wanted me to find you and be with you." I look at the floor.

"That explains it." He sighs. "You don't even recognize your own brother."

"My brother?" I give him a look that clearly states I think he is crazy. "I have a twin sister. I could never forget her, she's part of me. But I don't have a brother."

"You do have a brother. He's actually younger than you, so perhaps you've never met him before." Chris explains.

"Ok, so obviously one of you guys is my brother and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it's not you, since you're my mate." I remark sarcastically.

Chris laughs. "Obviously not. Ricky is your brother."

I can't help it, I burst out laughing. "LOVE is my brother?" I howl. "Oh that's rich. War begat Love. That's awesome." I laugh until my sides hurt while Chris looks on in annoyance. Finally I sober up. "Snap my neck. Right now."

Chris has the good grace to look startled. "Ok?"

"You need to kill me to make me Destruction. I need it to be quick and painless. Snap my neck. Let's go." I speak fast. "Before I lose my fucking nerve and run off." The last thing I see before my world goes black is a blur as Chris speeds around behind me.