Breathless

Chapter 27

Devon walked back to the house slowly, every step he took felt heavy, as if his body was ready to collapse. His face was expressionless, he just looked straight forward, thinking to himself.

His only brother was dead, and he had killed him. Devon didn't know how to feel, maybe he should have tried harder to convince him? Aaron was stubborn and power hungry but maybe he would have listened to his brother if Devon had tried just a little more.

Devon internally shook his head, he knew Aaron wouldn't have listened, he knew what his brother would have done. There was no other way, right? It was for the greater good, for Emily's sake, for his kind and humanity, but somehow, it still felt wrong.

Devon thought back to when they were children, Aaron wasn't always like this, at one point he was a sweet kid who was just like everyone else. If it hadn't been for their father, Aaron would have turned out a lot different.

Their father, Darius, was a prideful and aggressive man. He had incredible strength, just like Aaron, and he used it often. People feared him, but also respected him. Darius wanted to raise Aaron to be just like him, so he was always tougher on him. Their father didn't pay much attention to Devon, he saw the younger brother as weak for not inheriting the massive strength that most men in the bloodline had. Aaron didn't get a childhood the way Devon did, being the successor of their father, from the age of only seven, he was forced to fight and increase his endurance. Any type of weakness was not an option for Aaron, or else there would be dire consequences.

Devon understood why his brother turned into the person he was, but he never wanted things to end like this. He loved his brother, no matter their differences, Aaron was still his family.

Devon continued walking until he made it to the house. He started to walk up the steps but didn't make it past the first one because Emily tackled him. He stumbled a little but remained standing as the girl wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. Devon in return put his arms around her waist and hugged the thin girl.

They stayed there for a few minutes, just holding each other, not saying a word. Madi walked up and leaned against the door frame, smiling at the two. Emily let go of Devon just enough so she could look at his face. She starred into his amber eyes lovingly and smiled.

"You came back" she said softly, Devon nodded and smiled back. Emily looked like she was going to cry, she was so happy Devon was alright. The two separated, Madi walked up to Devon and smirked.

"I didn't think you'd come back in one piece" she said, but shook her head and smiled "I'm glad you did" Devon smiled and hugged Madi, squeezing her roughly to annoy her. When he let go she took a big breath, wincing in pain and glared at Devon, the three of them laughed together.

"So, what now?" Madi asked after the laughing had died down. The two girls looked at Devon, hoping he would have the answer. However before he could say anything, footsteps could be heard coming out of the house.

"Might I suggest something?" Arthur said as he walked up to the door frame. Devon glared at the man, but Madi put her hand up to stop him from going anywhere. Madi nodded towards Arthur, who then spoke in his usual deep french accent.

"Emily, I think you should go home and see your mother" Arthur said, the trio all raised their eyebrows at the man on the porch, Arthur shrugged.

"Ma Cher, don't you want to know who your father is? Your mother might know where he is" Arthur said, Emily looked down.

"Maybe I should, she might have some answers for me, or maybe she's just as clueless as I was" Emily pondered for a second before turning towards the other two. "What do you guys think?" Emily asked, Madi spoke first.

"I think you and Devon should go, but I can't come with you. I'm sorry, I agreed to help Devon and keep you safe, but now that Aaron is gone I have to return home, my fathers company can't run itself" Madi said, Emily smiled and nodded, then turned to Devon.

"Meet your mom huh?" He said grinning "We'll have to go back to Kentucky first so I can clear up a few things but once that's done, I'll be happy to go wherever you want" he said while lightly grabbing Emily's hands. She gave him a big smile and nodded her head, then the three looked up at Arthur again. He smiled down at the trio.

"I wish you all luck" he said softly but then his face became serious. "But remember, just because Aaron is dead, that doesn't mean it's over, more people will want your power Emily, you have a long road ahead of you."

Emily starred up at Arthur, not really knowing what to say. Devon reached up with his hand to lightly touch Emily's chin, bringing her gaze onto him.

"But I will be by your side, and I will protect you" he said softly, Emily nodded and gave a small smile. Madi stretched up her arms and made a large sigh.

"Well guys it's been fun but I'm ready to go home and sleep in my own bed" she said and everyone chuckled, even Arthur who still stood on the porch above them.

Everyone went inside the house to collect their things and leave. Devon and Arthur took care of Jordan's body which had been laying upstairs in the hallway. They brought the corpse outback and Devon used his ability to cremate the young man. Arthur said a few words for him, saying it was proper to give everyone a farewell, even if they were your enemy.

Emily helped Madi to get the blood out of her hair and get her into some fresh clothes. They didn't do anything about the house and the bloody mess upstairs, Madi said she would deal with it when she got home. The girls got cleaned up and packed up their things.

They went downstairs to find the two men outside in front of the cars. Madi said she would take Arthur to wherever his car was, so the group would have to split for the time being.

Emily hugged Madi tightly, she was sad that they were separating, but understood it was necessary. Devon gave Madi a quick hug as well before the group said their goodbyes and drove away from the old house for good.

**********

"Hey sleepy head, wake up"

Devon said sweetly as he stroked the sleeping girls hair sitting in the passenger seat. Emily opened her eyes and looked up to see Devon with a goofy grin on his face. She sat up and looked around outside through the tinted windows. It was morning, the sun was just beginning to rise.

"Where are we?" Emily asked, Devon smiled as he opened the drivers side door and got out, quickly walking over to the passenger side and opening it.

Emily stepped out onto the wet green grass, Devon had parked on the side of a country road. It was cold out, the two could see their breath in the air.

Emily looked over the hill they were on to see a large lake, the water looked magical in the morning rays of sunlight. Bright busts of pink and orange reflected off the cold waters surface, mirroring the lovely dawn sky.

"It's beautiful" Emily whispered.

"I thought we could watch the sunrise together before we got back to the house" Devon said smiling at Emily. She looked up to meet his gaze, his amber eyes sparkled in the light. Devon put his arm around Emily's waist and they both leaned against the car.

The two starred out onto the shining lake as the sun rose and began a new day.