Ruby

CHAPTER XXXIII

LUCIFERS POV

JANUARY 5
3:43 p.m

ADALIAS EYES are glassy. They get like that a lot, and whenever they do, her voice is cold and distant, her movements stiff.

She's a surprisingly calm person when she's seething. Doesn't make her any less dangerous when she gets like this.

"I'd have killed them myself if I could have." Jackson wraps his arms tighter around Emily.

She stays quiet, looking to be in too much pain to speak.

Jackson asked us to come here after explaining everything, so we sit in a small cozy room.

"I can't begin to imagine what this must have been like for the both of you. I'm just glad nothing worse happened." Adalia tries to steady her breathing. It's not working.

"You guys will do something about it, right?" Jackson sits on the floor with Emily in his lap, his arms completely wrapped around her as his chin rests on her shoulder.

"Of course." I glance at Adalia for approval but she looks back at the door which has just abruptly slammed open.

"Emily!" Alice shrieks. "You're alright, thank god."

Alice runs over and kneels down by Jackson and Emily.

Alice tries to pull Emily out of Jackson's arms for a hug but Jackson's grip tightens and a growl seemingly uncontrollably pushes out his throat.

Embarrassed by the looks he's getting, he hides his face, burrowing it into the side of Emily's neck.

"Sorry we couldn't get here sooner. We got the news a little late." Christos tucks his hands into his pockets.

"So when are they being tried?" I look to Adalia.

"As soon as possible, it might even start as early as tomorrow morning."

Emily almost spits out the drink Jackson had given her. "Tomorrow morning? What about all the planning it takes to put a trial together?"

"There's not too much planning they can do. The trial will move fast with mind reading at the courts disposal on top of your testimony, they'll be charged with treason within the day. Speaking of which, did you want to make your statement with the guards now?"

Emily shakes her head without hesitation.

Adalia nods. "I can send some guard to get a testimony tonight, but right now, the last thing I want you worrying about is this trial. Let me handle that."

"I want you to stay here for the rest of your winter vacation. With me." Jackson murmurs, only just loud enough that I can hear.

"Can I get a little space?" Emily tries to shrug Jackson off her to no avail.

Adalia extends her hand for me to take, almost as though she's my mom and has to lead me everywhere.

I take her hand and stand with her. We start to leave with Christos and Alice until Emily stops us.

"Wait. Alice, Lucifer, could I talk to you guys?"

"So you want them to stay but not me?" Jackson grumbles.

"Jackson, please. You can get the rest of the day with me, I promise."

He sighs, releasing her from his grasp and standing. The three leave us, shutting the door behind them.

"This whole damn realm is unbelievable." Emily stands.

"What do you mean?" Alice fixes her gloves.

"Once they got those three lunatics into custody, Xander went to identify them to see if it was anyone they knew and sure enough, they were some of the many enemies the Reed family had made."

"What does that have to do with Giana?"

"They knew I was Jackson's mate and decided they'd get back at the Reeds through me. I mean, it's the equivalent of vandalizing someone car because you're mad at them, it's ridiculous, I'm not property!"

"Guess I never thought of it that way." I mumble.

"I just..." She sighs. "I wish things were different here. I want to like living here so bad, but it's like every time I start to enjoy myself, Jackson or his family just make me feel like they've bought my soul."

"Yeah, and is it just me, or does it seem like every mortal born mate in this house has lost their marbles?" I look around at the walls of Reed manor, feeling less and less at ease.

"Right?" Emily exclaims, As though she's been waiting for someone to bring that up. "And Christos, he told me a while ago that the Reeds always treat their mates like objects that they can personalize to their liking and the idea makes my skin crawl."

"He told you that?" Alice asks quietly. "If he knew that something bad could happen, why wouldn't he step in?"

Emily shrugs. "He kind of said it in a way of 'nature will take its course'. I made him promise that he wouldn't let Jackson change me, lord knows if he even remembers doing that."

Alice looks like she might be sick, and considering how her pregnancy has been going, it's probably true.

The door squeaks open and Natalia steps in with a man. He's familiar to me, a part of the Reed family.

"Hey guys. I heard it was just us and I was hoping we could all talk." She tries her best to press her lips into a smile.

"But why do I have to be here?" The man rolls his eyes.

"If you guys didn't know, this is Trevor, he's Penelope's mate. Xander likes to refer to her as 'my dearest baby sister made of vulgar, spite and everything vice'."

"Like Xander would know anything about her, he doesn't even make an effort to talk to her." Trevor snaps.

"As someone surrounded by her at all times of the day, can you honestly say that you blame him?" Natalia glares back at him. His face softens and he looks down.

"Can we just move on?" He mumbles.

"Yeah, anyways, I was thinking about today and it's been a big wake up call for me. I think between the five of us, we're all in really good positions right now, and if we put in the effort, we could change the way of life for mortals in Giana forever."

"I'm listening." Emily smiles.

"We're tied to the most powerful people in this country. Might as well put it to good use. Push our mates to see as us equals, set the precedent for others to follow suit. Prove we're more than bags of blood." Natalia folds her hands in front of her.

I can see Natalia concocting this and Emily agreeing, but I don't see why Trevor would want anything to do with this.

"So, what do you say? You guys willing to give our mates a little hell?" Natalia's smile is real this time.

"Nothing would make me happier." Emily's almost mischievous grin widens.

Trevor glances back at the door nervously, lowering his voice. "Only if you guys really have my back. Penelope will be the one making my life hell if she ever figures out I agreed to anything like this."

Natalia nods. "You have my word. Strength in numbers."

The three of them turn to me and Alice, the two biggest variables. Emily, Natalia and Trevor may be with one of the most powerful families in the realm, but me and Alice are married to the two people in Giana that could actually change anything.

"C'mon you guys, it's not any different than the pact the three of us made together. Stand up for ourselves, right?" Emily bites her lip.

Alice cups a hand low on her stomach, as she's been instinctively been doing a lot lately. "Okay, I'm in."

My throat swells. I feel bad for Emily and the rest of the Reed mates, but I don't have the courage to stand up for myself, let alone others.

But the thought of Gladys Rais calling me a filthy mortal tainting the royal bloodline makes my thoughts surge.

"Me too."