A Daughter's Love

Chapter Fifteen.

6:39 am.

I grabbed Malik by the collar of his shirt and dragged him from the bed, slamming him face down into the wooden flooring of his and Ryker’s shared bedroom “What the-?” he groggily muttered but his words were cut off by a loud, uncomfortable groan when I pressed my right knee in between his shoulder blades, trapping him firmly in place. Ryker shot up on his bed, awoken by the loud bang that had echoed throughout the room. His brown, hazel eyes were wide with confusion, shock and adrenaline yet they were rimmed by the redness of sleep as they searched the room. I pulled one of my favoured daggers from my boot and placed it at Malik’s throat, gripping his hair with my free hand “Lia?” Ryker questioned, eyebrows furrowing up in confusion while Malik groaned and tried to turn his head to look back at me when my identity was revealed but I kept him pinned in place, unable to move his chin for fear of slitting his own throat in the process “What’s going on here?” Rebecca demanded, appearing in the doorway, fastening her robe as Nolan appeared behind her, Joe perched on his shoulder, wide awake despite the early hours. Rats were nocturnal creatures. I ignored them and tugged on Malik’s hair, lowering my lips so that they were close to his ear when I spoke “This is your only warning-.” I began, my eyes flickering in Ryker’s direction when I paused, wetting my bottom lip with a single lap of my tongue before I continued, gritting my teeth and sparing a quick glance in Rebecca’s direction, making sure that she was still rooted in place “Temporarily offer up your memories in order to fully awaken or force my hand” his glasses had tumbled from the night side table when I’d plucked him from the bed, his forehead having hit the piece of furniture on the way down. Malik gritted his teeth and tried to reach for me but I pinned one arm against his back beneath my knee and stepped on the hand of the other, keeping it pinned where it was. He was unable to struggle, though he wiggled about, trying to fight my hold, his breathing hard and nostrils flaring “My memories? Are you insane?” he bit out past clenched teeth, causing a cold chill to run down the back of my spine when I raised my gaze to meet with Ryker’s. I didn’t want to hurt him. I’d hoped that Malik would give in early on so that I wouldn’t have to go through with it. I hid my face and clenched my jaw “Lia, stop this” Ryker tried to reason, getting up from the bed with his hands raised to show that he meant me no harm. My body began to tremble but grew perfectly still when I tore the dagger away from Malik’s throat and threw it in Ryker’s direction, pulling the second dagger from my other boot to hold it at Malik’s throat as Ryker slumped down on the edge of his mattress. I couldn’t look, I couldn’t stand to see the weapon protruding from his bare chest, the blood that trickled down to the hem of his trousers and onto the floor below. I refused to see the shock and horror on his face as he touched his own wound and gazed upon his blood “Ryker!” Rebecca’s scream pierced the morning air, still cold, still biting as she lunged herself forward only to be stopped by Nolan who looked at me like I was some kind of monster. He didn’t want me to hurt her too, the love of his life “Let go of me! Ryker! I said let go!” she continued to fight against Nolan’s iron grasp but I ignored her, eyes moving to take in Malik’s terrified face as he stared at a wounded and dying Ryker. He was completely frozen, pupils dilating and lips trembling “I can still save him-.” I urged, speaking as though I hadn’t just stabbed the only person who had ever been there for me, pretending that the world around me was silent and we were the only two present. My father’s face flickered past my gaze, his golden eyes and dark skin, the way his lips tugged upward in a grinning smile as his brown hair fell before his face in loose strands. Forgive me. I thought, directing the words to everyone around me “If you agree to our terms” my words spoke, perfectly calm, unaffected by the blood that was starting to stretch across the floor toward my left foot. I must’ve looked like a monster to Rebecca, to Ryker and Nolan when inside I was crying, weeping tears of agony and grief, screaming, yelling, pleading for Malik to give in and agree to have his memories sealed so that I could go to Ryker, so that I could help him before it was too late. When Malik said nothing, I lowered my face and whispered a low “Please” to the world, to the gods above and as if they had heard my plea, Malik began to violently struggle against me and cried out for Ryker, tears filling his icy blue gaze that so closely resembled that of Neptune “I agree! I’ll do whatever you want, just please, help him!” without a single moment of hesitation, I flew up from my place perched on his back and rushed to Ryker’s side, my dagger cluttering to the floor as I knelt in front of the redheaded man. He was gripping the hilt of my dagger, his blood pooling from the corners of his mouth, the blade must’ve pierced one of his lungs. I moved faster than light, pulling the dagger from his chest and discarding it on the floor as I wrapped my arms around his neck and hid my face in his shoulder “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” I repeated over and over again as Ryker began to heal, his hand moving away from the gaping hole only to examine the clean flesh that lay beneath. Rebecca began to calm down when she realized that her son had healed but it was only a brief moment before her anger flared up again and she began to yell at me, to scream how cruel I was for deceiving them like I had. I ignored her and forced the tears from my eyes, pulling back when Ryker placed his bloody palm to the side of my face, soaking my hair and skin in the evidence of what I’d done “I’m sorry about yesterday” he informed and I wanted to shove at him, to shriek and cry and bang my fists into his chest out of frustration. Why was he apologizing when I was the one who should be begging him to forgive me? I hadn’t even thought about our argument with all that had happened yet the guilt was eating at him, so much so that he didn’t care whether I’d stabbed him with a dagger or not “Ryker-.” I began to protest but his lips pressing against mine cut me off. I could taste the blood, the sweat and metal before I quickly pulled away and rose to my feet, stumbling back a few steps. Rebecca was completely still, even Nolan seemed surprised and Malik looked defeated, broken as he lay on the floor, his hands balling beside his head until his knuckles turned white “You did well” Aurella’s voice declared as she stepped into the room through a swirl of black smoke. She wore different clothing than she had, hours prior, bathed and dressed in a pair of black leggings, similar to mine, a pair of black heels, a glossy, ebony corset and a long sleeve black ruffle shirt that was tucked in beneath it. Her hair was tied into a horse’s tail on the back of her head and hung down in loose curls while her fur coat still clung to her form. She stepped toward Malik, coming to a stop near his head “You, son of the sea god and noblewoman, Mary Grace Sillvan-.” she began, kneeling in front of my brother who looked up at her with a glare in his eyes and venom perched on the tip of his tongue, ready to be spat “You have willingly agreed to have your memories of your identity, abilities and origin sealed for the sake of your awakening” she explained as Rebecca tore her arms free of Nolan’s grasp and took a threatening step forward. Aurella barely acknowledged her, too intrigued by the young man before her, his aura, his power fuelling her interest “You-.” the redheaded woman said, the single word escaping her lips like a low hiss, a warning, a threat that she was to disappear for fear of facing her fury but I knew that Rebecca was no match for the witch, she was too powerful, too immortal to fear a simple woman with no skills other than to bake and dance “Malia, nothing good can ever come from this woman being involved-.” she tried to reason with me, pointing her finger in the witch’s direction but Aurella ignored her and reached out her ivory hand to trace the lines of Malik’s features, his nose, jaw and even his lips “Even if she’s needed to help bring back my mother and father?” I questioned, meeting Becca’s gaze from across the room. She fell silent and I turned my gaze down to Ryker who was covered in blood much as I was but he had no visible injuries, his lung and gaping wound having long since healed due to our bond that would soon fade “We may need the boy-.” Aurella informed me, turning her empty, white orbs onto Ryker. I was about to protest, to say that he had no part in this war when she raised her hand and spoke directly to Rebecca’s son rather than speaking through me or ignoring that he even existed as she often did with others “Know that from this point onward, if you choose to assist us, you will be nothing more than a pawn for her to use-.” the ‘her’ Aurella was referring to was me and I wanted to shake my head, to tell her that I could never abuse Ryker’s trust or faith in me as she expected me to. Rebecca too looked like she was biting her tongue, wanting to protest as Nolan stood silently by and Joe gave a few small squeaks “I will permanently bind your life to hers and expect that you assist us whenever you may be called upon” I thought back to earlier that evening when Aurella had said that because I did not have Ryker’s blood the bond will only be temporary but with his consent she could make him like me, able to heal within moments of being wounded but it would not make him immortal since both of us could still die if we received a blow fatal enough. The witch was giving him a choice, to remain behind or join us but if he chose the latter then he would have to give himself to our cause, to our desire to free my parents and end Amun’s reign over the earth and all who inhabit it “I pledge my loyalty to you and your cause” I stiffened when Ryker went down on one knee and reached for my hand, taking it in both of his only to press the back of my hand to his forehead like a knight would do when greeting his queen. I gritted my teeth, about to tear my hand away from him, to tell him that his choice was that of a love struck fool, a fool who fell in love with a woman who didn’t believe in the word but Aurella interrupted me “Excellent” she said, turning back to Malik and pressing two of her fingers to the centre of his forehead. His eyes went blank within seconds and his body fell limp to the floor by her feet before she stood and black smoke once again began to swirl around her, crawling up from beneath the beds, snaking through the gaps in the floorboards below “Tonight, we shall gather at the place where it all began” with the declaration spoken, both she and Malik disappeared into thin air, his unconscious body taken along with her to prepare him for his awakening. I tore my hand away from Ryker and turned my back to him in pursuit of the door “You’re a fool” I snapped to which Rebecca added “What do you think you’re doing?” both of our questions and statements directed toward the blacksmith who remained on one knee. I paused to glance back at him, my eyes cutting and my face fierce like that of a warrior, preparing for a battle “A damned fool” I finished then slipped past Nolan, out the door on my way to my bedroom. Joe squeaked and leaped down from Nolan’s shoulder to scurry his way along the floor until he was perched on Ryker’s shoulder instead, clearly picking sides. I retrieved clean clothing then went to bathe, scrubbing my own flesh as I listened to Rebecca and Nolan arguing with Ryker over his choice “This ain’t yer fight boy!” the Irishman yelled following a loud bang that vibrated through me, through the water around me where I sat in between the steam and stained red liquid. My eyes stared at the surface of the water, able to see my own reflection staring back at me “Your father’s right, this war doesn’t concern you” Becca tried to rationally reason. My ears picked up on the slightest movements, the smallest of noises, insignificant as they may be. I could hear a pin drop in the middle of a bustling crowd, hear the frantic flutter of a bird’s wings from miles away, able to hear the way Ryker’s heartbeat sped up when he spoke his next words “But it concerns the woman I love-.” I flinched, my arms winding themselves tighter around my form as I lowered my head and stared at my slit pupils, wet hair and glowing irises. He wasn’t thinking, he couldn’t possibly be thinking in that moment, spouting such nonsense and declaring such blatant lies. Who could ever love a monster like me? Who could possibly see a woman where a beast appeared? “And because of that it concerns me!” I slammed my hand palm down into the water, striking at my reflection and causing the water to shoot upward from the sheer strength, nearly striking the ceiling, coating the floor and walls before I abruptly stood and reached for my towel. Love, such a pathetic emotion that made gods weak and mortals do foolish things in pursuit of it. I stepped out of the tub and proceeded to dry myself, dressing in a pair of grey leggings, my black boots, a white ruffled top with my black corset and Neptune’s coat. I left my hair down as I exited the bathroom and headed downstairs, to the kitchen where the arguing commenced “Malia, please reason with him” Rebecca said in desperation when I descended down the last few steps, interrupting them with my presence. I looked from Nolan to Rebecca and finally to Ryker, the anchor necklace that dangled from my neck a reminder of what was to come, of the chaos and destruction that was to unfold on the path ahead of us “There is no reasoning with a fool, if he wishes to die then let him” I concluded, moving around them to head for the door to the bakery. Joe’s violent squeaking followed me out into the dreary grey light of day and I abruptly turned to find Ryker standing in the doorway, the bell overhead ringing “Lia-.” he began but I ignored him, abandoning the bakery to travel my way down the busy streets. I ducked into an alley way as an attempt to avoid him but his hand clamped down on my wrist, turning me and slamming my back into the stone wall behind me. He had washed the blood from his body and changed his clothing to a simple brown long sleeve shirt and cream trousers that stood out against his brown shoes “I want to go with you-.” he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine as I stood stark still there, trapped between his body and the wall. I could easily escape, easily snap his neck and run but it wasn’t just any man standing in front of me, it was Ryker. Ryker who had never judged me, who had never viewed me as a monster. Ryker who bathed and clothed me, who knew of my faults and flaws yet still he chose to see the good in me, the frightened little girl hiding beneath the great beast that she so often pretended to be “I don’t ever want to leave your side” he added and it was as though my entire world came crumbling down. Why did my stomach churn the way it did? Why was my breathing so heavy and why were my eyes beginning to fog over with unshed tears as I gazed upon him? “Please-.” when did Malia May Campbell ever beg? I reached up to grip the fabric of his shirt, the scratchy cotton material rough to the touch as I lowered my head to hide my face. I was ashamed, how could a man possibly get me to beg? “Ryk, don’t do this” I pleaded, pressing my forehead to his chest and gritting my teeth. When I closed my eyes, I could still see the shock on his face as the dagger imbedded itself into his chest, I could still smell his blood, taste the metal on his lips when he kissed me. I could still hear him gurgling on the liquid before I had pulled the weapon from his chest. Neither Neptune nor Aurella cared for Ryker. His life meant little to nothing to them and I feared what they would have him do in the future if he was to follow me into battle “Don’t force me to watch you die” I was trembling, but why was I trembling? He could do with his life as he pleased, who was I to question his actions and desires? Yet there I was, begging him to stay because I didn’t want him to die. Why didn’t I want him to die? As if to answer my own question, the words slipped past my lips before I even realized what they were saying “I can’t lose you too” I was afraid, afraid that if he went with me, he wouldn’t come back. I was afraid that I would lose the only person I ever cared about, the only person who saw past the monster and be left alone in the world. My shoulders shook as I raised my head to lock gazes with him “I won’t lose you too!” I declared as if shouting it in the faces of the gods. I would move heaven and hell for the man that stood before me, I would destroy countries, flatten continents if it meant keeping him alive and in truth I was afraid of what I might do if he was to be injured or killed. I would go mad with grief and anger, I would become a human storm that would take out its rage on the world around it “No, you won’t-.” he calmly stated, catching me off guard since I hadn’t been expecting him to be so collected, so at ease with the situation. His free hand that wasn’t gripping my wrist slid down the wall to my waist where it pulled me closer to him, where it brought our bodied together tenderly but firmly “Because you’ll be right there to make sure that, that doesn’t happen” my gaze softened at his words, his blind faith in me, in my abilities to keep him alive. I leaned back into the wall, my chin tilted upward and eyes fogged over as he let go of me to caress the sides of my face in his scarred palms “Lia, I-.” No! my eyes widened and I quickly shoved him in the chest, hard enough to send him stumbling a few paces backward, Joe squeaking as he clung to Ryker’s shoulder, attempting not to fall “Don’t-.” I said, glaring at him from across the alley way. He caught himself and managed to steady his stands as I surveyed the area discreetly, looking for a way out like a mouse caught in a trap “Don’t you dare lie to me” I knew what he’d wanted to say, the three words never having been directed at me before apart from through the mouth of my mother or father. No man nor boy had ever said that he loved me and I wasn’t planning on ever hearing it, especially not from him “It’s not a lie if it’s the truth” he argued to which I shook my head in disbelief and turned to leap onto a few barrels and crates that lined the alley, hoisting myself onto a window sill then upward onto the roof above where I sat perched, glancing back down at Ryker from over my shoulder “I’m not your keeper, you can do as you please at your own risk” I informed then disappeared into the dreary shade of day, leaving him behind to reflect on what had happened with Joe squeaking his displeasure toward me in his ear. If Ryker wanted to join me on the battle field then so be it, he would live and die by his own free will but I was going to do my best to see to it that no harm shall befall him as long as he stood beside me and not in my way. From there Ryker would go to the forge where he’d finish my armour that he’d begun to make for me, having taken my exact measurements and used a specialized mannequin that could adjust in size while I continued to search the town for any man or pirate who looked to be doing some form of evil. I needed to kill and that hunger needed to be fed or else I would lose complete control over the siren within me. She needed blood and she needed death or else we would both go completely mad with bloodlust. It had been my curse since the day Bastian tried to steal my innocence, a curse that had grown stronger following my awakening as a rogue, unpredictable creature of the deep blue.

Ryker stood with a bag of clothing discarded beside him in the sand, Joe perched on his shoulder, his back toward me as he faced the ocean where the waters had claimed the lived of my parents eight years prior. The old wooden dock sat to our right and the sun was setting over the horizon, plunging the world into twilight. I sat on the chimney of the bakery, my hands stained red and my face covered in dried blood splatter from a man that I’d killed an hour before. He was a drunk, a man who had struck a woman in the markets, a woman who was merely trying to stop him from stealing her property that she needed to sell in order to get by, to live. I’d taken a pouch of coins from his corpse and left it at the entrance of her tent that was filled with various hand woven pieces of jewellery, made from beads and sea glass along with leather and thread. I watched her when she discovered the bag, having burst into tears as her daughter hurried to her side, calling out “Mama, mama!” over and over again with an old stuffed animal pressed to her chest in the form of a torn, eyeless rabbit. I leaned forward, my elbows perched on my knees as I ran a hand through my hair and felt the nerves fading away, the anxiety and stress seeping out of my body as though killing was my drug, as though it brought me the numbness that I so craved “It would seem that all are present” Neptune announced as he stepped forth from the black smoke and joined Ryker as Aurella began to scribble a symbol into the wet sand around Malik’s unconscious form, the saves crashing around them, water pushing and pulling at his body. I stood and stepped from the side of the building, landing in a low crouch between Ryker and Neptune, precise, like and arrow that had been strung then shot “Malia” Neptune greeted me as Ryker stared down at me in shock. He hadn’t been aware of my presence until he gazed upon me when I stood, hands stuffed into the pockets of my inherited coat. The sea god examined me, from my dirty blond hair, to the blood that stained my face and my clothing down to my boots “It suits you, surprisingly” he complimented, referring to the coat that I wore which used to belong to him. He was dressed as he usually was in black trousers and black, polished shoes but his coat was entirely made of silver and buttoned up to below his collar bone where a white shirt was protruding forth from beneath it. The jacket had long sleeves and was embroidered with silver water lilies as the collar stuck up and brushed along the bottom of his ear lobes. His jaw was coated in stubble and around his waist there was a silver and sapphire belt that signified his importance, his status among the gods “I think the belt was a bit too much” I commented, eyes darting toward the article in question. Neptune chuckled at my statement as Ryker watched us with a curious gaze, not sure how I could so casually speak to a god as I was “I was told, it matches my rings” he explained, raising his hand that was decorated in no less than seven rings, all made of silver, white gold, white diamonds and sapphires. I studied the pieces with narrowed eyes then scoffed and turned my attention onto Aurella “It matches your wealth perfectly” I agreed which brought forth another round of laughter from Neptune. Ryker looked at me, able to see the splatter across my face, the stains on my white shirt and coat but I ignored him and continued to observe the ritual. The shape that Aurella drew was similar to a circle decorated in pentagrams and symbols that I didn’t recognise. Malik began to stir, groaning when he gripped at the sand, awoken by the water as he forced himself onto his hands and knees. He looked so confused when Aurella joined him in the circle and cupped his cheeks, pressing her forehead to his while she began chanting. The winds began to pick up, both of their eyes glowing vibrantly as they gazed at one another, the circle too glowing a brilliant blue as the waters washed past them. My hair whipped about violently due to the speed of the winds but my gaze remained undisturbed whereas Ryker was squinting, struggling to see even though there was still a bit of light left behind from the passing day. Stars decorated the sky and the moon had begun its ascent but the sun was just barely hidden behind the horizon, coating the sky a light blue “This is how she rids the Hearts of their memories” Neptune explained from beside me, his words directly solely toward me and not bothering with the redhead that stood to my left. I nodded as Malik’s mouth gaped, light emitting outward from the back of his throat, his veins too beginning to glow beneath his pale flesh. The light left him, seeping into Aurella’s eyes, nostrils and mouth, as though she was sucking his soul from his body until the light was completely snuffed out and Malik crumbled to the sand beneath him, the winds growing completely still as the power was sucked out of the atmosphere surrounding us “He remembers nothing, not his name, not his past nor does he know how to swim” just as Neptune spoke the words, a stronger wave washed ashore and dragged Malik deeper into the ocean but left Aurella behind, standing among the shallow water. I could hear Malik struggling beneath the water, frightened and confused as he thrashed and struggled, unable to control that which he had before. Ryker moved to help him but I raised my arm, forcing him to stay rooted in place with a deadly glare and a warning hiss in the back of my throat “Once he has drowned, we will depart for the Sunken Soul” Neptune informed and I nodded, lowering my arm back down to my side. I could hear Malik’s gulps as he tried to gasp for air but instead was met with lungs filled with water. The sea god looked to Ryker and jerked his head in the direction of the bakery building stationed behind us “You, boy, we will need his glasses” it took Ryker a moment before he remembered his deal with Aurella. If he was to be called upon, he couldn’t refuse in aiding us on our journey. He stole a glance in my direction then departed with a nod, heading for the house “Aurella informed me of his earlier actions-.” Neptune said once Ryker was out of earshot. I looked to him, knowing that he was referring to the kiss, to Ryker’s declaration of love to his parents so I remained silent, not sure what to say or how to react “You are the last of the Campbell bloodline-.” he reminded me, causing my hands to ball into fists inside the pockets of my coat as I stared blankly ahead, feeling Malik twist and turn, thrown about by the water as he kicked and gasped, cried out and clawed at the liquid that was slowly suffocating him “But more importantly, you are Evangeline’s daughter-.” his love for my mother was blatantly obvious due to the way he spoke, the way his voice changed when he said her name as if she was his queen, his ruler and muse, as if the world revolved solely around her. I caught myself momentarily thinking that perhaps love did exist because of it but quickly shook it off, knowing that if it did exist, that it wasn’t something that would ever be meant for me “You deserve no less than royalty” his words caught me off guard and I looked to him with an arched brow, shaking my head when I breathed a breath of laughter. Ryker stepped onto the back porch, Malik’s glasses in hand “You don’t know me very well, do you?” I questioned of the sea god who locked gazes with me as night fell around us, the sky growing dark and our eyes having to adjust to be able to see each other there in the dead of night with only the moon to provide us with light “I know you better than you might think” he argued, turning to glance back in Ryker’s direction before he started making his way to where Aurella was stood. Malik’s last thrash was a weak and pitiful one as he attempted to breach the surface, to breathe but fell into the same darkness I had the night I too drowned. Ryker bent down to scoop his bag from the sand and stuffed the glasses inside before hoisting it onto his shoulder “Lia, what’s-?” he began to question when he noticed the confusion written clear across my features, when he could see the effect that Neptune’s words had on me. Was there something the sea god could see that I couldn’t? Did it have something to do with Ryker and I? I quickly brushed it off “Stay close” I instructed then began advancing on the ocean just as it spat Malik back out onto the shore, his face even more pale than it had previously been as his father bent down and scooped him into his arms, turning to address Aurella to instruct her on where to take us. The same black smoke as earlier crawled upward, along my feet, legs and body, circling around my limbs and head until the world was completely shrouded in black then replaced with the view of the open ocean at night from the deck of the Sunken Soul. The crew stepped back at the sight of the witch, fear clouding their features but Captain Benjamin was unaffected by her appearance as if he’d been expecting her to. He stood on the helm of the ship, leaning over the railing with Blue at his side, her body clad in a sea foam coloured dress that suited her perfectly “Benjamin” Neptune greeted, holding his son in his arms as he shot a look in the nymph’s direction before he headed for the Captain’s quarters. She quickly followed, her navy hair flaring out behind her as she leaped down from the helm and descended the steps into the room below where they would lay Malik in a tub of water and she would proceed to awaken him as I had been awakened “Now, we wait” Aurella explained then proceeded to make her way toward the navigation room, ignoring the presence or existence of those around her including the Captain who began to make his way onto the deck “Malia-.” he addressed me with a firm nod of his head. I bowed my own head but kept my hands inside the pockets of my coat, eyes locked onto the door of the Captain’s quarters “And you must be Rebecca’s son?” Ben questioned, turning his attention onto Ryker who stood at my side, gaping at the sight of the ship, the black sails, the various faces of the crew. There was a squeak and Joe managed to slip out of Ryker’s bag where he’d hid himself for the journey. He then proceeded to race across the deck and in the direction that Malik had been carried “Yes, Sir” Ryker responded, holding his hand out for Ben to shake, which he did, firmly. I proceeded to follow Joe, ignoring Ryker’s protests when Benjamin wrapped his arm around his shoulders and said with a grin “The hair gave you away” I heard Ryker’s bag drop to the deck with a loud thud, the metal inside cluttering as I made my way down the steps and into the familiar room that had a bed off to the side along with a desk, dresser and armchair. The Persian carpet was exactly as it had been the day I awakened “Never before has a Demi-god been awakened as a Heart-.” Blue explained from the bathroom as I stepped toward the door, leaning against the frame with my arms crossed over my chest, watching while Neptune placed my brother into the water of the rub then stepped aside “The result might not be what you expect” she warned as she stepped into the tub, her feet on either side of Malik’s unconscious body, his head trapped beneath the surface of the water. Joe clawed at my boot then proceeded to climb upward until he was sat on my left shoulder. We observed as the nymph lowered herself into the water, straddling Malik as she reached for his face with both hands. I stiffened when she pressed her lips to his, drawing him out of the water, a bright white light emitting from their joined lips until it grew so blinding that I had to turn my head away and raise my arms to shield myself from the bright glow. Once it subsided, Blue stepped out of the tub and proceeded to drain the tub of its water as Neptune reached for his son to carry him over to the bed so that he could rest until he was to wake up “He might just try to kill us when he awakens” I said as Neptune passed by me, meeting his sapphire gaze. The corner of his lips twitched upward before he lay his son down among the white sheets and pillows “I’m sure you’ll prevent that from happening” he said, referring to my own abilities and how I would stand in his way of killing his own father. I expected my brother to go for my throat the first chance he would get for forcing him to relinquish his memories and harming Ryker in the process. Aurella would soon return his memories and once that were to happen, all hell would break lose, I just hoped that I was strong enough to stand against him.