Bloodbath (Order of the Unseen #4)

Chapter Ten

Damien

D arkness envelops us as Quinn and I settle into bed. With her face nuzzled in the crook of my neck, she drifts into the deepest of slumbers, snoring deeply. I know she hasn’t slept in days and I’m the reason behind her exhaustion and worry.

I never gave my black outs much thought before. Not until now, this very moment, as I stare down at the woman I love. The knot in the pit of my stomach grows.

She’s clinging to me, her nails digging into my shoulder blades and her breath softly caressing my chest with each exhale.

None of this is fair.

She doesn’t deserve any of this.

Gently stroking her back, I nuzzle my nose in her hair, relishing the sweet aroma of lavender and vanilla.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I whisper.

Pressing a soft kiss on her temple, I allow my lips to linger against her smooth skin, this sense of impending doom lurking in the room with me.

It’s time. I know it’s time for her to know the truth.

The whole story.

But I know before we say anything, we need to pay Genesis, the most important woman in her world, a visit. A visit she most definitely will not be ready for.

None of us are, though.

I’m on high alert when Jensen creaks open the door and slips into the room. Our eyes meet amid the darkness.

“Damien,” he says softly.

“Not now. I don’t want to leave her again.”

“I know.”

“I can’t pull myself away.”

“Try harder.”

Looking down at Quinn, I nod reluctantly, hating myself fully and wondering how the hell I’m going to sneak away without disturbing her. I don’t want to leave her here alone, but I have no choice.

I need to get caught up on everything that has happened since my black out.

She stirs slightly as I shift in the bed, sitting up slowly.

But she doesn’t wake up. Instead, she snuggles deeper into the blankets and falls into a deeper sleep.

Exhaustion doesn’t cover it. Quinn doesn’t even flinch when I stand. Jensen patiently watches as I tuck her in tighter, draping the sheets and thick comforter over her bare shoulders.

I’m having the hardest goddamn time pulling myself away. I kiss her forehead once more. When her lips curl into a peaceful grin, I nearly melt.

Fuck.

Pull yourself together, Damien.

But hell, I can’t, no matter how hard I try. Everything that has happened in my life has led up to this moment. Every choice, every mishap, good and bad. I wouldn’t change a single thing, even the worst of it. Because at the end of the day, I was led to Quinn. She is my past, my present, and my future.

I’ve never loved anything more.

Quietly shutting the door behind me, I trail behind Jensen to the kitchen. Micah has been waiting, sitting patiently on the counter. He pours some bourbon into a glass and tosses it back.

“Enjoy your shower?” he asks smugly, his speech slurred.

I stare at him, but he has no interest in meeting my eyes. It’s easy to tell he’s filled with unprecedented rage. His face is beat red, the muscles in his jaw twitching. It's obvious he’s trying to bite his tongue, when in reality he wants to lash out.

“Not particularly,” I answer. “I spilled the beans about my great childhood. Abusive daddy and dead mom.”

With dilated pupils, he finally lifts his gaze and glares at me from across the room.

“Easy, Micah,” Jensen warns, his voice trailing off. “And put the fucking liquor away.”

“It’s fine,” I tell him, taking long strides over to where Micah resides. “He’s a big boy. If he wants to drink while he’s on his meds, that’s his choice.”

Jensen drops his gaze to the ground, disappointed.

After grabbing a glass from the cabinet, and filling it with liquor, I sit so closely beside Micah that my knee brushes his. “You’re pissed off.”

“I am,” he agrees.

“I get it.”

“Ha. I’m sure you do,” he scoffs.

“What’s the damage? How many bodies?”

“Lost count. But don’t worry. We cleaned up your mess, as usual.”

“You wanna hit me or something?”

“Kind of.”

“Go for it, then,” I say, swirling the bourbon around the glass before bringing it to my lips. “I already got my lip busted open somehow. My eyebrow, too. Let’s add a shiner to the mix. Is it cool if I get a little buzz first?”

“Get fucked.”

“Fine,” I sigh, standing with my waist between his legs, face to face. “Just do it.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Jensen mutters behind me.

“I’m waiting.”

“I’m not going to hit you.”

“That’s not what I was referring to. You told me to get fucked, so… do it. Fuck me.”

“I’m not in the mood for your stupid jokes, Damien,” Micah argues, gazing at me with disapproval. “I’m allowed to be pissed.”

“You’re right. You are,” I reply.

He frowns. “I care about you, asshole.”

“I know you do. I’m fucking sorry. I don’t do this shit intentionally. I can’t remember how it even happened. I grabbed a hold of the fucker when he came up behind me, and I couldn’t stop hitting him,” My eyes shut as I try to recollect everything that took place in that moment. “His blood was so warm on my hands. It felt like fucking heaven, if there even is such a place, but the rest is all a blur.” Exhaling a sharp breath, I open my eyes. “Then I came back to… balls deep in Quinn.”

“Her pussy brought you back, huh?” Jensen remarks. “Magical powers.”

I shrug. “I’m telling you. I think she’s a witch.”

Before I can even wrap my head around it, Micah’s arms are locked around me in a heartfelt embrace, his body warm and inviting.

I’m almost shocked by his gesture.

Cradling the back of his head with my hand, I breathe him in. “I care about you, too,” I softly let out. Over his shoulder, I catch Jensen’s eyes as he watches us empathetically. “I care for you deeply. Don’t you know that?”

He nods, his body relaxing in my arms.

“You mean the fucking world to me.”

“I hate you,” Micah mutters, tightening his grasp on me, his fingers tracing the rippling muscles in my upper back.

There are so many times he has been my safe haven over the years. If I could, I’d shield him from the outside world. I’d do anything for him. My hands caress his back, too. I turn my head slightly, my lips brushing against his neck, this simple action conveying words I can’t express.

But from the way his breathing quickens, I know he feels it.

It’s impossible to dismiss the hot tension building between us. This moment of vulnerability lingers, several minutes passing us by. Words fall short here. He’s seeking solace, unwilling to let go.

And so am I.

We park across the street from Quinn’s family home the next morning. Micah and I approach the house cautiously as the sun rises above the horizon. We fear that we may be showing up a bit too early, but time is of the essence.

There’s a hint of pine and smoke from nearby chimneys in the crisp air. I haven’t spoken to her mother in a few years. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

Micah glances at me briefly once we reach the front door. He seems really shaken up. The moment I take his hand in mine, our eyes meet. I wait for him until he’s ready. Letting out a shaky breath after a moment, he nods. It takes me a few seconds, but finally, I ring the doorbell.

The door opens and she greets us sleepily.

“Hello, Genesis,” I let out, noticing the fear that immediately flickers in her eyes.

“Damien,” she wails, shaking her head with fear. “No—”

“Quinn is fine. She’s safe.”

The sigh of relief that leaves her sends a chill through my body from head to toe. With that, she opens the door and gestures for us to come in. The door shuts behind us hastily. We follow her to the kitchen and watch as she takes a seat at the table, placing her face in her hands.

“Give me a second,” she says, her voice shaky. “I saw the two of you and immediately thought the worst. I thought you were here to tell me—” She lets out a choked sob. “—I thought something had happened to my girl. I need—a minute.”

Micah and I exchange silent words with one another while Genesis gathers her thoughts. I lean against the doorway and lower my gaze to the hardwood floor beneath my boots, hating how we need to have this conversation with her. This is her worst nightmare coming true. We were all trying to avoid ever having to discuss this.

But the threat of the Hallowed Divine returning was always there.

The realization that this has now become our reality sends anger through me.

“They know,” she murmurs. I nod. “How? How did they find out?”

“We aren’t sure.”

“I made a promise to my sister,” she mutters, more to herself than to us. “I promised I would never let anything happen to Quinn…”

“Nothing is going to happen to her.” She stares up at me with troubled eyes. “We would never let that happen.”

“I promised I would keep her away from the society, and from what Quinn has told me, you’ve somehow made this personal.”

“Genesis,” I sigh.

“You’re dating her?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve gone against your vows.”

“You’re right,” I admit, taking long strides across the room until I’m pulling out the chair and sitting beside her. “I went against my vow by getting personally involved.” She nods in agreement. “But don’t think for even a second that I regret it, because I don’t.” My tone is firm, her eyes widening in disbelief. “I don’t regret any of it.”

“How could you say that?” she snarls, teeth bared.

“How could I ever regret her?” I challenge. She stays quiet. “As far as I’m concerned, the Order is the last thing on my mind. She may have been just another order before, but she’s so much more than that. All that matters to us is Quinn.”

“Us,” she echoes, locking eyes with Micah. “You agree with this?”

He nods. “I do.”

“I want her to be happy. I care about her happiness,” she rushes out, conflicted, tears building in her eyes. “If you make her happy, then so be it. I’m not going to take that away from her. God help me, I made a promise to her mother to keep her away from all of this, but she’s fallen in love.”

“Quinn needs to know,” I urge. “She deserves to know the truth, and if Felicity were here, I have a feeling she would agree.”

Her gaze drifts to the table. “Her whole life is going to change, Damien.”

“I know.”

“No, you do not know,” she speaks over me, tears cascading down her cheeks. “She doesn’t even know she’s adopted.”

I swallow hard.

“Oh, dear God. I’ve been meaning to tell her. I’ve been trying to figure out how to, but with telling her about her birth mom comes the rest of the story, and the rest of the story is going to break her heart.” She looks into my eyes weakly, searching for the answer. “We’ll never be able to go back after this.”

“We won’t,” I agree, placing my hand on hers. “But by not telling her what’s going on, we’re only putting her more at risk. The Hallowed Divine knows about her. They’ve started their ritual. Severed head of a pig on her sorority’s doorstep. Missing girls in town, all matching the same description.”

Trembling, she covers her mouth with her hands.

“We would never make this decision without you. You’re her mother, and I know you have the purest intentions. From day one you’ve only wanted what’s best for her, and I want you to realize that you’re not alone in this. We all want the same thing here.”

“I know,” she whispers, wiping away her tears.

“I love her,” I confess. “I am in love with your daughter. I would give my life for her in a second.”

“All three of us would,” Micah chimes in. “I love her, too.”

“All three?” She hesitates, an expression of confirmation overtaking her features. “I suspected she was leaving something out. Mother’s instinct, I guess.” A gentle grin crosses her face. “Come here, Micah,” she instructs, gesturing to the chair closest to her. She pats his hand as soon as he takes his seat before her. “We’ve met briefly in the past, haven’t we?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answers respectfully. “Shortly after we were given our orders.”

“You also took an oath,” she reminds him.

“I did. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep her safe. I never vowed to not love her.”

“Touché,” she mutters. “And where is Jensen?”

“With Quinn,” I tell her.

“I want her to be safe, yes, but I also want her to be happy. You understand that, don’t you?”

We both nod in unison.

She frowns, her voice turning somber. “She’s happy. She’s the happiest she’s ever been, and here we are, about to take it all away.”

Leaning forward, I look her straight in the eyes. “She’s stronger than anyone. You raised her that way. She’ll be okay. It’s time, Genesis.”

She turns to me, blotting at her tears with a crumpled tissue. “I’d like to be there when she learns the truth. As her mother, I feel I should be there.”

“Of course,” I concede, standing tall and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “She’s going to need you there more than anyone.”

“Thank you.”

“Would you rather tell her alone?”

She places her hand over mine. “I appreciate your asking. The three of you boys have kept her safe thus far. You’ve protected her. She loves you. We should all be there when she learns the truth.”

“When?” I question.

“The full moon is only a week away.” She wrings her hands nervously. “How about this weekend? Friday night?”

I nod, clenching my jaw once it finally sets in.

Three more days .