Retribution

She really loved him, when did that happen. Obviously she could feel again and I was overjoyed for her, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to know what had happened since she first went down to the underworld.

I saw the moment Malachi pushed his hand through Unya’s hair and pulled her as close as she could get. She let out a moan that had everyone shuffling awkwardly.

“We should give them some privacy,” stated Janelle, looking anywhere but at them.

“I think we’re safe, it’s not as though,” I couldn’t finish that sentence as Unya climbed on top and we all turned around and walked out of hearing distance.

Thirty minutes later and they came to join us, our healers had fixed Addy just in time. Ackley had been beside himself, but she wouldn’t look at any of us as she mumbled her thanks and took off. Ackley chased after her, but his shoulders were slumped and he looked broken. He loved her and he didn’t want to live in a world where she didn’t exist, just like Unya and Malachi.

“Thank you for what you did, you didn’t have to risk your life for me,” said Malachi, pulling Janelle in for a quick hug.

It was a good thing that it was quick, seeing the look in Unya’s eyes.

“What’s going on Malachi? Do you know this group?”

“We both do, Marcus is or was, a close friend to you. Janelle helped to find you when you were taken and Addy was your best friend, she was practically your sister.”

His eyes widened in shock at his own words, what did he do?

‘I forgot, Unya, Hades stole your memories and has been lying to you ever since. You don’t live in The Underworld and you never did, you spent your entire life up here on the surface. I couldn’t say anything due to a deal I made with Hades and I couldn’t do anything against the deal until you found a way up here yourself. That human was the closest thing you had to a sister and Marcus was the only person you could trust and count on. When your world was blowing up around you, and you were being lied to constantly, he was the only one you could trust. ”

“It’s okay Malachi, I knew I couldn’t trust him. I wondered if I could even trust you, but I do, I trust you with my life. Thank you for telling me.”

“We need to go back down below Unya, you know that. We don’t want Hades sending his creatures up here to come after us.”

“You’re safe for now, Hades can’t see us as long as we are here. You don’t have to go Unya, I’ll protect you we all will,” I stated, hoping she would stay, but already knowing she wouldn’t.

“No, I can’t let the Gods win and that includes Hades. The Gods need to be wiped out and I can’t do that from here, Hades needs to trust me until the moment I kill him for all of the Underworld to see.”

“I’ll stand by you Unya, whatever you feel you need to do, it won’t be alone.” Malachi linked his fingers with hers, never once breaking eye contact.

“Before we go, there’s somewhere I need to go. But I don’t know how to get there.”

I asked where she felt she needed to go and the answer astounded me, how could she even know if Hades had stolen her memories. I couldn’t refuse her, and Malachi wouldn’t let her go without him. So that was how the three of us ended up entering Mihaela’s cottage, just as Semias tore her soul out of her and sent her body slumping to the ground.

34

Unya

I screamed the moment I realised she was dead, I may not have known who she was but she was family and she had risked her own life just to save mine from Adiran.

Marcus lost it, the floor shook violently as Semias was thrown against the wall. His face began to hollow and his skin was near enough translucent, Marcus kept screaming and I think he was going to kill the reaper.

He probably could have succeeded if Mihaela hadn’t appeared before me, shaking her head sadly.

I threw my hand out as a tornado of air hurtled Marcus through a wall, landing him outside and out of reach.

Semias stared at me in shock, before turning to face Mihaela. It was clear Malachi couldn’t see her, and I didn’t have the time to explain to him what was happening.

“It’s okay Semias you followed your orders, but before you take my soul to Hades please allow me a moment to speak to Unya. That is the only request I have.”

He nodded solemnly, before turning around to give us false privacy.

“Do not be sad my dear child, I need you to know that you were loved deeply. No matter what happened between us, I was never disappointed in you, not truly. I am proud of you and even though you don’t yet know who you are, just know that I will always love you and you will never be a monster in my eyes. I have a favour to ask, would you grant me that, my sweet, sweet nipotina.”

‘Of course, anything,” I replied, choking up and struggling to get the words across.

She laid her hand on my cheek, and although I couldn’t feel the contact it did give me a sense of warmth and love that I would never forget.