Chereads / Grounded One / Chapter 21 - Chapter 19

Chapter 21 - Chapter 19

I woke in darkness and smoke causing me to doibt whether I had waken up or if my mind was stuck in a vivid dream. Coughing, I searched around blindly trying to find the door, upon finding it I twisted the knob, yanking it open. Lucan stood in front of me with a puzzled look, I took a glance around noticing only the room I had slept in, was now ablaze. Layton, Cleus, Quinn and Cerberus stared at the flames diligently yet it stayed contained to that area. Cleus took my hand in his, pulling me away to the livingroom, downstairs.

"Cleus, what's happening?" he stared at me with a lost for words, "there was only smoke inside" his eyes widen before he excused himself, hurrying upstairs.

My body felt uneasy and soul felt an ominous energy in the air causing mind and bones to grow tense. Cleus came back downstairs with Layton and Lucan following steadily behind. The trio sat opposite of me on large navy sofa but unlike the material, their eyes were hard void of any softness..... any gentleness and suddenly I saw the monsters told amgonst whispers and written cryptic on page. Cleus asked me to repeat the statement I had made moments ago.

"There was only smoke in the room?" his gaze sharpen.

"How long have you been inside the room, Ash?" my eyebrows knit together as I looked at the confused.

"What you do mean, Cleus? I've been asleep inside that room unlike you saw me" Lucan's eyebrows followed my own knitting together.

"Ash, Lucan said when he woke up the room was ablaze and he searched everywhere for you. He almost died, looking for you" I was beyond confused, Lucan is the son of the Devil.

"How can.." I trail off into thought, baffled by this information.

"Ashlin, don't you recognize those flames?" I shook my head, "You were born from it, every chaos child is" Lucan explained.

"Every chaos child is born from it?" they nodded.

"What's going on, Ash" Cleus asked in deadly tone.

"Where should I start?" they looked at each other baffled.

"I don't know, anywhere that explains why my brother almost died" Layton stated in a sarcastic manner.

"Well...I met someone who showed me the chaos which led to my existence and she promised to hel-"

"Who is she?" Cleus asked

"Her name is Lyra. She was helping me find a way to stop my existence from being a time bomb but" I sighed as they leaned in, "She found the first chaos child"

"How does that lead to Lucan being baked like a patato?" Lucan glared at Cleus who tried to hide his smile.

"He made a deal with God, the chaos child did not reset everything because he wanted me but I left Heaven and Lucan's devil has be cloaking me but, now" my eyes dropped to the floor as the weight of everything sunk in.

"Now, he knows where you are" They said in sync giving voice to my thoughts.

My eyes looked to Lucan as the feeling of hopelessness covered me. He reached forward pulling me into his embrace, my arms wrapped around his torso as I buried my face in his neck. Tears ran from their homes as though sensing the oncoming danger, they left with trembles and stifled cries. Lucan rubbed by back in comforting circles but my heart won't slow down and my lungs are beginning to refuse oxygen. He pulled away holding me at arm's length, lifting my chin, our eyes locked. His swarm with multiple emotions yet two shun brightly; concern and anger while my own on reflected fear.

"Ash, you need to breathe slower. Take a deep breath, now let it out slowly. Again, deep breath in, let it out, slowly" his words were full of concern yet they were gentle and soft.

I had never trusted fate, nor loved destiny, I've always found them to be crippling but they are also cruel mistresses. Lucan's eyes were locked with my own, maybe that's why, when he entered neither of us saw him, as he moved towards us before an invisible force pulled me to him. His dark ivory eyes stared down at me with a sinister smile forming on his lips. Tan hands reach out to hold me but stopped short as swords appeared. Grabbing ahold of my sword I cut the invisible binds that held me captive, before turning to Lucan, who had already made his way to me.

"Layton, get Quinn and let him take her away from here. I hate to say it but he's the only one who can protect her, right now" his eyes turned forwards as he quickly pulled me out of the path of an oncoming fireball, "Cleus, I'll need your help"

Lucan kissed my forehead before pushing me towards Layton, who grabbed my hand pulling me upstairs. We dodged through the hallway before stopping beside Quinn. Layton quickly explained the situation before I was grabbed and pulled ,again. This time though, Quinn pulled me down the hallway, jumpping through the third floor, window. He pulled me in his arms, bridal style before dark wings appeared behind. They weren't black or void instead it resembled the midnight sky in late winter; captivating.

We flew over the river of forgetfulness, landing in an enclosed cave; hidden from naked veiw. Quinn placed me to stand as I look around awestruck, the walls weren't made of mud and dirt instead cement and bricks. Oak floors and antique furniture added a mordern touch to the cave's insides.

"We'll be safe here...... at least, for now" Quinn led me to a chair.

"What's going to happen to them?" my eyes fell to my palms knowing this situation was my fault.

"Have a little faith, they are Lucifer's direct descendants, his powerful legacy" Quinn boasted.

I placed a smile on my face trying to only think of the best but no matter how hard I try, my mind worried endlessly about them, after all they were my family. When no one could look at me and see my true form, they stared with intensity and called to me, passionately.