Mortal Wounds

Chapter Twelve

Invidian's POV

"I feel sick. I slept with a monster," Morgana cries a river onto my shoulder. I focus on the puddle on my shoulder like a teether keeping myself from overanalysing my situation. "Father will disown me if he discovers my secret and they will cast me out of this town. I don't want to withhold information though. Dear brother, what do I do?"

"Then don't tell anyone. Leave it to the officials to handle it, I'll back you up either way."

Morgana hugs me tighter.

"You're such a good brother." Before I could lose consciousness from oxygen deprivation, she holds me at arm's length. "I must have angered him by breaking up with him. This is all my fault. I only dated him because—"

She pauses, gnawing on her bottom lip.

"Because?"

"I've never been attracted to a guy and it was worrying me. I thought maybe if I tried hard enough I would. But—" She cuts herself off to groan in her hands.

Jesus, I feel like Davian and her have been having the worst s*x ever.

"So, if you're not attracted to guys, you're attracted to chicks I'm guessing."

She glances up in alarm with a quiver of her lips.

"I don't want to talk about it."

I nod, respecting her boundaries, although a question dances from my lips before I could hold back, "If you had the chance to get even with Davian, would you?"

She blinks in horror.

"No. What he did was awful. I couldn't put anyone through that pain," she replies after a moment of consideration.

"What if you had the chance to and if you didn't do anything? Wouldn't he just go on to hurt other people?"

"It's not my place to judge him. It's God's job. I would just call the authorities and let them deal with him."

That genuinely puzzles me. I wish I had faith that someone would fairly take care of my problems, but it's been two years, and no one avenged my death. I must be my own karmic force.

Morgana tenses when we hear a door opening . Not long after there is a knock on my door. She wipes her eyes with her sleeves, trying to put herself together. After she gives me a nod, I call for Dwaine to come in.

"Virgil, I need to talk to you in private," Dwaine stops in the doorway, looking at Morgana with surprise, "Darling, have you been crying?"

"I'm fine."

"Alright, get some rest," he advises, patting her on the shoulder. Once she leaves, he mutters to himself, shutting the door, "Everything is a mess."

His face then hardens. The way the man stands, eyes sharp through his glasses, arms folded with an all-purpose stare as if he knows the world better than I do. Oh no, he's getting the pre-arguing mode face all parents get. I need to defuse the situation.

"I'm sorry about my behaviour yesterday. I was really stressed and tired from what happened the other day. I didn't mean to come off like that. I don't know what got into me," I murmur, keeping my eyes downcast to appear as depressed as I can.

His expression softens, mouth opening and shutting as if he didn't expect that. He pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a seat.

"Would you like to explain what caused that behaviour?"

"Because everything is in such a routine it made me frustrated with my life. I wanted to go with Davian because I wanted a little change of pace."

He furrows his brows, but he seems to buy it.

"You should have told me this before. Everyone feels unsatisfied with their lives at some point, but you should realise you have everything you need here. You're not going to find anything good out there."

"I know. It's just a case of the grass looking greener on the other side is all. I won't do it again."

Dwaine's shoulder's slump in relief.

"I believe you, son. You must give your account to officer Wheldon before he gets too agitated. I swear, that man has no concept of manners," Dwaine huffs, "We need to go to the Evanderous manor to talk to him."

"I don't think Davian was behind what happened to Lavender." He frowns with a few question marks above his head. "I was with him that entire day. We even shared a bed."

"You did what now?" he splutters.

"Yeah. We totally cuddled and he has a weird tendency to curse unicorns in his sleep. Point is, there is no way he could have attacked that girl."

"Hold on, why were you both in the same bed?"

"We were having rough s****l intercourse."

He gapes like a fish out of water.

"What?!"

"I'm kidding. There was only one spare bed and Beau was snoring on the couch."

"Oh." He sighs in relief.

"Or am I kidding?"

"Virgil!"

"Back on topic. The security guards are searching through Davian's stuff for clues but all we have is Lavender's word and those text messages. Also, do not forget Davian ran. The guilty don't run."

Well, I don't blame them for interpreting Davian's genius idea to scramble out of town, for guilt.

"You can explain your point of view to office Wheldon. We'll go in half an hour," he informs me before leaving.

I lock the door, turn the shower and gather a change of clothes I can give to Davian. My hands press against the cold glass of the mirror. A moment later, I morph through it and end up back in Vanitas' expensive bathroom. I walk out, noticing Vanitas sitting in the living room, angling his phone to take a selfie. As expected, I bet if I walked into his room right now it will be filled with his pictures.

"Narcissistic motherfucker," I joke, even though my insides are still churning from all the drama.

"What can I say? I love myself. Love myself enough to kick your a*s for leaving that comment on my i********:. Yes, I know that was you," he growls, pocketing his phone to analyse me, "There's rage now in your eyes."

I shift with discomfort. His deductions make me feel exposed.

"Had to sit through church for an hour. Too much talk, not enough wine."

"Right. Be sure to direct anger on the enemy, not your friends. Anyway, the reaper hasn't left his room. I must let you know I am not keen on letting him stay here. If he discovers your identity and the fact you got out of Purgatory illegally, he can rat you out. Then I will get an ear full of unnecessary bitching."

"Then don't spill anything. I won't say anything to him either."

"Why are you taking a risk for another person?" he demands, his eyes narrowing at me, "And do not say it's because you're feeling guilty about his situation. Pity is foolish. You owe him nothing."

I do owe him for dragging him into my mess, but if I admit that, Vanitas might accidentally lop off Davian's head. He's antisocial like that.

"Speaking of pity, who is the Henley girl?" he asks.

"I don't f*****g know. I didn't even know you made a deal with any mortals until today."

"Guess you should have let people know about your personal life," despite the jab, he appears stoic as he types something on i********:.

Perhaps another meaningless life quote which has nothing to do with the picture he took.

"Greed is still flooding you with work?" I ask in a poor attempt to ask him how he has been these past two years. I shouldn't be trying to keep a conversation with him. It'll only make me want to run off and let the rest of my family know I'm alive, but I can't help it. I want to know what I've missed out on.

"The same old same old. He's added about fifty humans to his collection since you've seen it."

I shudder at the mental image.

"Ok, well, I'm going to check up on the reaper."

"What is your plan of attack for all this?"

"We'll see soon enough." He arches a brow at me but that is all I've got.

I walk up the spiralling staircase and knock on the guest room door. I open to find a lump under the blankets which I poke. It jerks away and I hear a muffled, "Get lost," come from it.

"Are you seriously hiding from me? You know I can f*****g see you, right?"

"Go away, life destroyer." I can't tell if this is pathetic or just sad.

I place the change of clothes on the side table and pick up his phone.

"They're saying you texted them saying that you're the one responsible." He goes rigid under the sheets. "But if I show them your phone, they'll know it was someone else. Unlock it."

He doesn't respond for a moment. At first, I think he is going with the brilliant plan of ignoring the one person who is helping him out, so I prepare to wrestle him out of his sheets. Before I can, his hand shoots out from the covers. He snatches the phone and hides it with him. I blink a few times, giving him an odd look. He then pushes it out from his hiding place. I pick it up with a snort. Wow, so he hates me so much now he can't bear to look at me. For some reason, that irritates me.

"Thanks, your highness. Go say hello to Vanitas so he doesn't decide to smite you for ignoring him in his own home, plus, you get food privileges if you suck up to him."

"Go away. I hate you," he growls.

I narrow my eyes at him. Rude.

"I'm suggesting so you don't starve yourself to death in your blanket burrito of misery and woe."

"Damn you. Go find someone else's life to ruin."

"In case you didn't notice, I'm not the one who sabotaged you."

"I have no future there anymore. Nothing. No family to run to. Nowhere to live. You think Cassiel is going to let me stay there after this? Hell no. And I don't have any money, not where to turn to, and all the work I had to do to go to college will be for nothing." His voice sounds defeated, raw even as if he has been crying. I begin to feel bad for him.

"It should be fine if you accept your fancy reaper powers. You're capable—"

"No! That's the last thing I want! Just go away. I wouldn't have been sabotaged in the first place if I hadn't met you."

That one cut deeper than it should have. If he really thinks that's bad, I wonder how he'd deal with being in my shoes. At least he has a chance to start over and get his life together.

"I'll tell you how things progress," I tell him, picking up the phone and leaving.

I briefly wonder if Henley wouldn't be dead if she hadn't met me.

*

After non-brand cereal, Dwaine leads me to Cassiel's mansion at the edge of town. I'm already out of breath once we arrive, exhausted by the unnecessary 30-meter cobblestone path before the mansion. Water pours down a fountain, centring between the paths which splits outwards. The path manoeuvres around ivory statues of angels. One stands in the midst of the fountain, rainbows of water spurting around him.

As we walk past, I envision myself graffitiing their faces with obscene images. Stories I have heard of angels are blood-soaked horror stories. Those stories include them massacring people, wiping out entire races such as the Nephilim and killing children in the name of their father. My mother, Lilith, did not accept being put in a submissive position in the garden of Eden. Despite being Adam's equal, he sought to dominate her. She left and eloped with demons before transforming into one herself. The mother of monsters is what she became and as revenge for her rebellion, the angels Sensenoi, Samangalaph and Sanoi have been dead set on slaughtering her children. They never cared what age or whether they were evil. There are enough corpses that if you laid them on the ground side by side, they would disappear into the horizon.

There are five visible cameras in the front yard alone. Camera 1 hides to my left in the clean-cut hedges framing the pavement. Camera 2 hides in fountain angel's left eye. Camera 3 and 4 installed on the Doric columns that flank the door. Another one hides inside the door. On top of that, there are security guards making rounds around the building. This family must have a lot to hide. Dwaine knocks on the door. I swear I can hear it echo inside the manor before the door swings open. We are greeted by a 7ft butler who has no business being that tall.

"Welcome," he greets with a slight bow.

The front door opens into a guest room with a straight staircase. When we enter the house, I realise this isn't the only butler they can afford. They have a whole squad moving furniture I assume is Ethelia's. Black leather couches sit alongside collector items and paintings on the walls. It's more like a minimalist museum than a home, decorations orderly, materialistic and reminds me of a person who doesn't buy things for their own comfort, but rather, to impress other people. It's a lovely place. It would be a shame if someone burnt it down.

"Welcome, my name is Ethelia."

Ethelia walks down the staircase, beaming at us, dressed in a white coat with fur at the collar with a matching pencil skirt. She grimaces a little as she approaches us.

"Or so you would have already known because Cassiel told everyone. Sorry, that was an awkward introduction, what are your names?"

"Dwaine Avery," Dwaine shakes her hand with a welcoming smile.

She then looks at me for an answer. Your fiancé's downfall.

"Virgil Avery," I reply, shaking her hand.

"What a strong grip! Very handsome too!" she compliments me before a dreamy look crosses her face, "Ah, it's so weird calling Cassiel my fiancé. I can't believe I'm getting married."

"Speaking of which, where is the lucky man? I would like to congratulate him," I ask.

"Sorry, he's going to be out all day for business obligations. He's such a hard worker."

With this Lavender missing a hand drama happening? Not the least bit suspicious.

"We're here to see Office Wheldon. Invidian needs to fill him in on his account of what happened the day Lavender was attacked. I heard he was staying here," Dwaine informs her.

She nods, getting us to follow her up the staircase and my legs strains at the exercise. Upstairs is mainly a hallway of doors spaced out on both sides. A set of portraits catches my eye. They seem to be of the male heirs of the Evanderous family dating back to the Early Middle Ages. It's the kind of paintings you would find rich aristocrats get painted of themselves in expensive oil paints. Most of the family is made up of religious figures like popes and monks until the 19th century. The last portrait that was done was Linus Evanderous, the father of Beau and Cassiel. Their father had died a few years ago because of heart complications. I wonder how much money Cassiel inherited.

"This place is so rich with history," Ethelia says, noticing where my attention is, "So much to learn about this town. I don't know if I'll fit in."

"Beau and I can show you around if you like," I offer.

This is my opportunity to get some information out of her or talk her out of marriage. Plus, Beau should be chatty enough for her not to notice that I would have no idea where the f**k we are going. Speaking of the kid, Beau sticks his head out of his room before noticing me.

"I heard my name. Hey, what are you doing here?" he begins to ask me, his voice becoming sheepish when Dwaine glares at him, "Pardon me, I mean, good morning. What brings you both here?"

"Going to talk to the police guy," I answer.

He bites his lip and joins my side.

"What are you going to say?"

"Well, he's not going to lie, because that would be despicable and if I catch him doing so, there will be consequences," Dwaine snaps at him even though I'm sure all that frustration is being aimed at me.

Dwaine then walks ahead, urging Ethelia to continue to lead the way. She scratches the back of her head awkwardly before leading the way. Beau hides behind me looking close to pissing himself.

"Is he always this angry?" he whispers to me.

"Menopause body tackled him early."

"Men can get menopause?"

I give him a deadpan look. Why am I, a creature whose only half human, more aware of humans than him?

"Don't give me that look. They didn't teach us that stuff in high school, remember? Anyways, I was thinking you should tell them the truth. You're right, Davian is a freak but doesn't deserve to be done over for something he didn't do."

"I don't remember calling him a freak but note taken."

Ethelia opens the door to a room down the hall. It opens to a study room where burgundy curtains block out the sun and the fireplace casts warm light on the black couches before it. A mahogany study desk is flanked by large mahogany bookshelves. At the study desk, one of the men I saw in the CEO of BBB News' memory sits at the table.

Raguel Wheldon, the chief of police, meets my gaze with silver eyes, a stark contrast to his hair and dark skin. Everything about him seems to command attention, especially with his bulky build and white police uniform. A g*n lies on his desk. A prickling feeling runs down my back. There is something off about him. I don't think he's human. He doesn't notice anything odd about me and greets us with a less than pleased expression.

"You must be the only one who hasn't given a report. Sit," he commands before looking at Dwaine and Beau, "Why are you both here?"

"I'm his father."

He grunts in annoyance before his eyes flicker to Beau. "And you're here because you're trying to find new excuses not to study for the economics exam you're going to fail again."

"Am not! I'm here because Virgil and I were together most of the time. It only makes sense we recount the story together," Beau insists but Raguel doesn't buy it.

"Leave. Both of you," he tells them, looking back down to scribble something on his notepad.

Dwaine opens his mouth, preparing to argue before shaking his head, deciding it'll be easier to leave. Beau shoots me a worried look before scurrying after him.

So, this is the guy who helped Cassiel hide the circumstances of Henley's death. I draw to the seat on the other side of his desk, watching him carefully. I can't figure out what he is. If he were a demon or a reaper, I would have been able to pick up on it. All I'm getting from this guy is that he's not human.

"Start talking."

I force a polite smile while my thoughts claw at me to lunge across the table and kick some answers out of him. He might have just accepted the bribe to go along with Cassiel's plan, but he still played a role in creating the myths about Henley's and my death. I tell him my side of the story, aside from the fun fact Davian and I aren't human. I tell him I was bored so I got Davian to show me the arcade store in Gomorrah. We saw Beau there and I convinced them to go drinking with us. Beau got drunk and we decided to crash at Davian's brother's apartment with Cosmo as our alibi. By the time I'm done, Raguel is staring at me with suspicion.

"Beau told me you were looking for his wallet and because it was late, you both then stayed at Davian's friend's house."

"He lied to save his reputation," I return, "You can check Gomorrah's bar for security footage to prove that Davian was with us last night. There was no way he could have attacked Lavender."

"Given the ethics and morals in this town, you shouldn't have been interested in drinking. Why were you?" he inquires, tapping a pen against the table with impatience.

"Boredom. I was stuck in a routine of going to school, coming home, studying, sleeping; rinse and repeat. Unfortunately, the one time I go out to do something to break out of that someone loses at hand," I lie wistfully.

Raguel gives me a look as if he doesn't completely buy it.

"Beau also said you weren't there that morning to walk back to GoldVine."

"I went for a morning walk."

"Where?"

"Around Cosmo's apartment," I explain before taking Davian's phone from my pocket, "Also, I have Davian's phone. He left it at Cosmo's house."

He takes the phone with an arched brow.

"You were withholding evidence?" he demands.

"I was going to give it to you now." I raise my hands in defence. "And I was too busy wrapping my head around the fact Lavender had her hand chopped off and didn't bleed out."

"The wound was cauterised." I raise my brows in interest. His face hardens with distrust at my curiosity. "Her attacker did not only cut her hand; they cauterised the wound when she passed out."

So, whoever attacked her didn't want to kill her. It's almost as if they wanted to show off what they could do or they were sending a message.

"You don't look scared. Your classmate was attacked, and you don't seem to be a little unnerved by that?" he questions, leaning forward to study my expression.

"Of course, I am. I can't imagine what she's going through but fear isn't going to get anyone anywhere. A thirst for justice would," I reply, looking him square in the eyes, "Getting away with such acts is impossible if at least someone is there to avenge what happened. No one can keep their skeletons buried forever."

He stares at me for a moment before returning to his notes.

"We're done here. Don't leave this town until I say so. Otherwise, there will be consequences."

I leave the room with nothing useful on him yet. I haven't identified any strengths or weaknesses, however, Cassiel's ones are showing. If Cassiel is the intent, Raguel is the means of getting things done. Raguel is his weapon. He's the one giving him the power to get away with whatever he wants. Remove him and Cassiel is going to defenceless. I have a feeling that's easier said than done. I'm going to have trouble sneaking into finding what dirt I need about Cassiel while he's around. Security here is far too tight and if I'm going to possess someone, I'll need a plan. I need to get information elsewhere.

I walk downstairs where I find Beau and Ethelia talking. Well, more like Ethelia talking which Beau stares at the wall with annoyance. He snaps his head up to me when he sees me walking downstairs.

"What happened?" he demands.

I shrug at his reaction.

"Told me he would throw me in jail if I sneak out of this town again. My rights feel violated."

He folds his arms, giving me a 'you know that's now what I was asking,' kind of look. Ethelia looks up, seeming chipper.

"Excuse him. Raguel is a dear but he's just stressed out. I was wondering if you're not too busy, you boys can show me around the town now," she asks eagerly, "Also, your father left for work."

Aw, but pissing him off is so fun.

"Sure. We can go now."

Beau glares at me behind her back and I smile back.

"Beau, you should lead."

He cuts me a dry look before reluctantly leading the way. I smile, walking alongside Ethelia as he gives us a grand tour of the town. There are quite a few security guards around now. I count about 20 in the residential and commercial area. As soon as we get to the commercial area, most shops are closed. The townspeople who are in this area give Ethelia a wary look as if not knowing how to act around her. Jeez, I wonder if this is how they acted around Davian. I have no idea why he's so concerned for this town's safety. I would have set it on fire then moved on.

"And this is the café," Beau tells us, lacking the enthusiasm a good tour guide needs.

"Oh, how delightful!" Ethelia claps her hands, walking into the shop beside us.

As soon as she does, Beau moves next to me.

"You really have to make me hang out with her?" he hisses at me, "Why do you hate me?"

"What's wrong? She's delightful," I say, mimicking her northern British accent.

He folds his arms with a frown.

"It's nothing wrong with her. It's the fact I never knew she even existed until Cassiel announced they're getting married yesterday."

I give him a bewildered look. I don't understand why some relatives are so neglectful. If it were any of my siblings, they would have been bragging every five seconds about meeting someone they would actually want to settle down with. I wonder if it's because he's just really bad at communicating with his own brother.

"So, is she a reminder that he keeps stuff from you?"

"No! I don't need to know what he's doing. What kind of question is that?!" he demands with a furious blush.

"Why don't you think Davian is behind the attack?"

"He doesn't come across like a psycho."

"Why?"

He slides me a dull glance, annoyed by how much I'm pushing. He seems to realise I won't stop so he gives in.

"When he first came here, he was really shy. Reserved. Didn't talk to many people. I felt sorry for him and we hung out. He was a bit of a nerd, obsessing about video games I had no idea about, but it was interesting. Normal fears. Scared about a million things, especially the future. After this whole mess up with his father—"

"What happened to his father?"

"He didn't specify. Anyway, even though his father did something to upset him and ruin their family, he still went to visit him. If it was anyone he would attack it would be his father, but he didn't. He would even bring him chocolate. I don't think anyone like that is capable of hurting someone without a reason."

I let that sink in, vaguely understanding why Davian complained he had no family to run to. If he didn't have his father, where is his mother? Now I want to know how damaged his family is.

"So, you befriended him, got him to open up to you, then you turned around and harassed him, even though you think he is harmless," I summarize with a straight face even though the betrayal disgusts me.

"What? No—I—Screw you, I'm buying a coffee," he huffs before storming in. That's denial if I ever heard it.

I follow him inside, noticing Ethelia trying to order French sounding coffees which confuse the barista. I take a seat at one of the dining tables and gaze out the window. Ethelia finally gives up and orders a black coffee then joins me on the table.

"What a cosy town. It'll be lovely to live here," she says with the same smile on her face.

"How long have you known Cassiel?"

She blushes at the question.

"We started dating about two years ago."

Sounds around the same time he bribed people to make Henley look like a murderer. With guiltless tendency to lie, he probably fed Ethelia with empty promises. I can't imagine how else she is in love with him.

"Wow, two years." I glance at Beau who pretends not to be eavesdropping and glares at the barista who looks thoroughly confused by his anger. "I can't imagine committing to someone for so long."

Which is true. I would be too paranoid about whether they would stab me in the back or put me through heartbreak. I've seen too well what heartbreak can do to someone.

"I'm willing to take that leap of faith. Besides, if it doesn't work out, we can get divorced."

Beau takes a seat next to me, his eyes narrowed at her.

"That costs a lot of money. I hope you're not going to make Cassiel pay for it all if that happens."

She chuckles at his suspicion.

"I have more than enough of my own. My sister owns Gomorrah's bank. We met through her. And I'm also a popular model. A celebrity in my town. Anyway, my sister introduced him—" she trails off, swooning about how they met.

I wonder if the same bank handles Cassiel's finances. I watch as Ethelia gets into an animated conversation with Beau. The poor woman has no idea what she's getting into. I need to do something that gets between them, that can't be traced back to me. Cassiel is not going to have the pleasure of messing up another life. Not while I'm here.When my phone rings, I'm startled out of my thoughts. It's an unknown number. I head to the bathroom to pick up the phone.

"It's Virgil. Who am I talking to?" I answer. There's silence on the other side of the phone. I lower my voice. "I swear if it's the Host at least have the balls to meet me in person. I'm sick of your cryptic shit."

"Vanitas told me what's going on." I seize up, recognizing that deep voice from anywhere. The voice of the man who raised me. "To be honest, I was sceptical but... even your tone of voice is the same."

There's no doubt. It's my other brother, Ascanius. At first, I didn't know how to react. Goddammit, I told Vanitas not to tell anyone for a reason. This is unfair. I'm not here to stay.

"Vanitas brought your friend here. I'm showing him what it's like to collect a soul so we're out right now. We should be back in a few hours. You should come here for dinner," Ascanius continues after clearing his throat, "I want to see you."

I don't want to see him. No, he'll try to talk me out avenging Henley and myself. I know him well. He will try to convince me that it's best to let it go. He's a pacifist, a firm believer that the best kind of revenge there is, is to become a better person yourself. And if I see him and the place I used to live I will be reminded of the memories that I took for granted- how will I be able to let it go?

"I can't," I mutter before hanging up. I press my forehead against the mirror with a shaky breath.

Fuck, I really want my old life back.