Page 81 of Knight’s Salvation

“I can’t believe this.” How could Chaya keep their father’s existence from her?

Marcus shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I know I failed you, Mia. I thought you were safe within the compound walls.”

“How long?” she breathed.

“Have I been watching you?”

She dipped her chin.

“Always.” Sadness and longing transformed his handsome face. “Your mother, too, until she passed away.”

“Why?” Why did you leave? Why did you stay away all these years? Why did you let my mother die of a broken heart? All the questions she’d carried around her whole life swam through her mind.

“Your mother knew why I had to leave. She knew I loved her, loved you and your sister. But I couldn’t risk your safety. When Helena escaped Hell, she was weak for many, many years. She was no threat to me or my family. But I sensed the growth in her power over time. I knew eventually she would be strong enough to escape her prison. And I knew once that happened she would come after me and mine. I couldn’t allow that, couldn’t allow her to hurt the people I loved most.” He paused. “You see, I betrayed her, destroyed her chances to overthrow Diemos. Diemos may be an evil bastard, but Helena is far worse.”

It was too much to process, especially when all she could think about was Zenon alone with that evil, heartless monster. He leaned over and squeezed her knee. “You have to trust him.”

She shoved him away, shaking her head. “Why didn’t you help him?”

“It was too much of a risk.”

“Is he…is Zenon going to try and free himself from her?” she said, voice shaky.

He held her gaze. “Yes.”

“You planned this together?”

“Well, not the part where you showed up and nearly got yourself killed.” Pain and guilt twisted his striking features. “Despite her promise, you will never be safe from your aunt. Zenon knows this. As soon as she knew of your existence, you became her target. We must follow this course. She now knows you are his mate and my daughter. This is Zenon’s only chance to break free. She will never allow him to be with you, and she won’t let you live if Zenon doesn’t go with her.”

How could this be happening? She stared over at the male in front of her and saw where Chaya got her dark coloring, the determined tilt to her jaw, and held his gaze. “He could die, couldn’t he?”

“Yes,” he said, not pulling any punches. “But at least he’d finally be free.”

* * *

It wasthe eve of the equinox, and power stirred through Zenon’s blood. The excitement vibrating from Helena wrapped around him and crawled over the surface of his skin. Made him want to take an acid shower to scrub it off.

Taking a deep breath, and using her newly regained powers, Helena claimed her freedom. He expected to find Silas waiting for them, but there was no sign of the angel.

That male did nothing without reason, and his absence meant whatever was about to happen—good or bad—was meant to.

“No sign of that bastard Silas,” Helena said beside him, like she’d read his thoughts.

Wrapping her hand around his arm like they were taking a fucking stroll in the park, she tugged him into motion. The night before, she’d given him a small boost of power, enough to heal most of his injuries, but not enough that he could attempt an escape. Not that he had any intention of running.

Nine days had passed since Mia had cried out his name and he’d watched her father carry her away from him. Nine excruciating days of wondering if she was all right, of missing her so bad it surpassed any punishment Helena had dished out. Being separated from her was killing him.

They walked into the elevator and Helena stared in confusion at the buttons. Watching her flounder gave him a small measure of enjoyment.

Her grip tightened painfully on his forearm. “Why are we in this box? I don’t like it.”

“It takes us out of the building.” He punched the button for the ground floor and her eyes widened in alarm. Helena had been contained since they escaped Hell many, many years ago, controlled and moved around by Silas. This was her first taste of the outside world.

When they walked out of the building and onto the street, she looked around with something close to fear and not a little wonder. “I can see why Diemos wants to conquer this realm.”

The closer they got to the portal, the more alive Zenon’s senses became. He felt his brothers nearby. Mia’s father would have spoken to them, like they’d agreed. Told them what was going to happen here tonight, what was at stake. That there was no other option.

That Zenon had to do this alone.