Deprecated (On Hold Indefinitely)

Deprecated: Chapter Eleven

She collapsed on her bed in anguish. She wasn't sure how she was going to go about taking her worst enemy down. Deryn was strong now, and she'll become stronger once she remembers who she is, if she hasn't figured herself out already.

Aileen took a deep breath and undressed herself. She slipped her lithe body into a silk nightgown before nestling underneath her covers. If she could shed a tear she would, but it wouldn't be for herself and her failure to conjure up ideas for Deryn's demise. She would cry for her brother, who was in... in love with that monster! She stole his heart for her own benefit, and he is forever a slave to her!

She squeezed her eyes shut, ceasing to forget how Kade could ever be with her. The pain that Aileen felt in her chest thudded with her still heart, and she buried her face into her pillow so she could scream.

Sure, she had all of the female angels helping her, but what were they going to do? She was the leader, so she had to come up with the ideas. Capturing her and plucking each shiny, silver feather from her wings would be too easy. Too simple, and not near enough punishment for what she had done.

She had taken her only true family away. Her brother, Kade, and her lover, Ralph. Ralph was an innocent man until she enslaved him to work for her!

Aileen wailed softly as the ache in her heart grew and filled her entire chest. She was alone because of Deryn. She should  have killed her the moment that she was born. She wouldn't exist today, and the enchantment on her brother and on her love would be gone, and she could have them back. Finally.

The emotional desolation faded into abhorrence for her enemy, and she knew what she had to do. If she was going to corner Deryn, she had to attack her heart.

Aileen sprang from her bed and darted to the desk to write a handwritten letter to her brother. It was long and heartfelt, which is exactly what she had planned. And then she would deliver it to the front steps of the cabin before vanishing without a trace.

She knew what she had to do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I stretched from my fingertips to my toes as I tried to wake up. I rolled over and felt along the covers next to me.

Kade wasn't there. I sat up and gazed around the room, but he wasn't in sight. I found it unusual because he and I normally wake up around the same time. I guess I was a little late this morning.

I fell back on the bed and laid there, staring at the textured ceiling. I felt a heavy feeling in my chest, because he hadn't told me about where he was going. The cabin was so quiet, and it didn't feel like he was here. I finally got up.

I dressed myself in jeans and a T-shirt. I stared at myself in the mirror. The memories that played themselves in my dreams were nothing new. I was still confused about the random men that I saw, and it bothered me that I didn't know my connection with them. I headed out of the bedroom.

There was one name that danced along my tongue and in the back of my mind.

"Ralph."

My eyes widened, because that very person was standing in the kitchen.

*~*~*~*

He couldn't let her go through with it. He was his sister!

I am so sorry, Kade, the letter had read. I just can't handle this anymore. I can't handle not being able to see you. I can't handle you not being on my side. I don't want to exist. Not with HER in the picture. You're my brother. No woman should be able to take you from me. Family is always supposed to come first. But I suppose that doesn't matter to you.