“Who said that?”
“I’m sorry to startle you, my child. I thought this was the best way to contact you,” the voice says.
“You’re in my head,” I say with a shaky voice. I’m hearing voices now, great.
“I see you have run from my son. Running from him won’t help. The mark you carry will always help me, or him, find you,” the voice says.
“You can’t be real. There is no way you are… him,” I say and swallow hard.
I hear a chuckle. “It’s okay to say my name, dear, when we are family. You have nothing to fear.”
“Nothing to fear? Lucifer is talking in my head,” I say, trying not to sound hysterical.
“What my son told you was true. I chose you for him. I’ve been watching you for a long time,” the voice says.
“Why me?” I ask.
“Because you have been through struggles, you have no one in your corner, and I know you won’t automatically fall at my son’s feet. I love my boys, I really do, but they have got quite used to getting everything they want and not having to work for anything,” he says.
“So, you’ve decided to basically arrange marriages for your sons?” I ask, still pretty skeptical.
“I knew I was always going to give them brides. The time wasn’t right until now. My son that is intended for you has the power of lust. Anyone who comes into contact with him, or close to him, cannot resist him. He could literally have anyone he wanted, and I saw the sadness in his eyes because none ofthe interactions were genuine. He knew he couldn’t trust what anyone felt was real until I found his bride and made her immune to his energy.”
That thought makes me sad. Never being able to trust what anyone felt for you was real would be lonely.
I don’t know what that feels like since I have never let myself get close to anyone enough to even have to question our relationship.
Yes, I know. I had kept my virginity until six months ago when the person who beat and raped me stole it. After my family was killed, I was focused on survival more than trying to get intimate with anyone.
Right now, the thought of anyone touching me, even someone like Silas, brings fear and panic inside of me.
I don’t know how I would get to that place. He’s the sin of lust. There is no way he could live without touching me. There is no way I would be good enough for him. What I have to offer isn’t enough.
“Everything will make sense in time,” the voice says. I jump, forgetting that I have him in my head.
“How long are you going to lurk in my head like a creeper?” I ask dryly.
“I need to check on my daughters from time to time. Don’t worry; I only do it when I feel you need family,” he says.
“What do you mean feel?” I ask curiously.
“I can sense when my sons and daughters need me. That’s part of the connection with the mark I had given all of you. It’s there for more than decoration. It’s something to keep my children connected to me so I can always be there for them, and I will know if anyone will try to harm them,” he says.
“Harm? I already have someone wanting to harm me; I don’t need any hell beings coming after me,” I say, starting to panic.
“I know, Serenity. I haven’t been able to figure out who attacked you. Once I find out who, they will pay for what they did. As I was saying before, there come times when people will want my spot in Hell. The best way to do that is to go after my children. I have to keep an eye on that. No one threatens my children,” he says in a tone that should scare me, but I don’t feel like he wants to harm me in any way.
Is it weird to feel the safety in his voice? Somehow, I know he means it when he says he wants to protect me.
Silas
Waiting around for my bride to settle has me pacing my room for a long time.
I don’t want to leave her side; I want to keep her with me always.
Is it weird to be obsessed with someone this fast? Probably. I don’t care though. I know she’s mine, and I want her here in my home where I know she’s safe.
She doesn’t know what kind of danger lurks around. She only knows of the human possible threats; she has never had to face any of the malicious beings of Hell before.