Chapter 08: I can’t recognize myself

Arlene’s POV

As soon as he steps out, I break down in sobs. Lucien hugs me tightly but stays silent.

“I hate him so much right now!” I mutter under my breath.

“It’s okay. Arlene, I taught you how to be strong, you can do much better than this.” I nod through the tears.

“The only problem is that even after all that happened… I still love him.” Lucien heaves a sigh. “The fault in my stars is that I can’t hate him more than I love him.” Lucien hugs me tightly

“Ever since I met you… I can’t recognize myself. I changed and I thought about it a lot last night. I love you but I don’t want to hurt you. You are made for Hunter and he is made for you. I’m mad at him but I can’t ignore what I saw in his eyes when he said all that and when you cried. It was hurt, self hate and sadness. He still loves you deep down, I don’t know what is compelling him to do everything. I have a theory but I still need to prove it. Tiana says she needs to speak with us, do you want to go now or later?”

“5 minutes please?” he nods and walks out. I go to the bathroom and splash water on my face before looking at my reflection. “Stop it, stop it! Stop it! Stop letting him affect you. He is nobody but a traitor now. You can never trust him. Stop it! Stop crying and fight! He doesn’t know what exactly I saw in the future, if anyone finds out then I don’t know what will happen. I am confused more than anything.”

*Flashback*

Where am I? Is this the future? Everyone is walking around hurriedly but they seem excited. I follow the maids into my room. I smile at them, I look…wow! I look like a princess or something.

“How do I look?” I ask the maids.

“You look like a million bucks.” One of them, probably the youngest, blurts out. Everyone laughs.

“Is he here?”

“Yes, the master is here.” I smile and run out. I follow future me and she knocks impatiently. Lucien opens the door.

“Welcome home” I hug him tightly.

“You’re breaking my bones, my queen!”

“Stop joking around.” I laugh a bit

“Its been years now, I see thinking about what happened still makes you… dull.” I shake my head

“It’s… I’m fine. Yes, thinking about it is bound to make me feel… dull as you put it but I’m sure he’s fine.”

“its been years.”

“I know.” I walk away from the conversation.

*End of flashback*

I shake my head and wipe my face before joining him. We teleport to Tiana’s place but once we get there, it’s hard not to scream. The house is in ruins, what happened?

“They were here.” Lucien runs in and I follow him. Tiana is laying on the ground almost lifelessly. I run to her and see Asher laying next to her. He looks broken.

“Tiana?” Tiana looks at me and smiles sadly.

“Lucifer and his gang came. They did this. Look, I have very limited time left so listen to me… A little privacy?” the guys leave “After this whole war, I need you to do something…”

Asher’s POV

She’s dying, she’s really leaving me. Just when I was about to tell her about my feelings, they came and destroyed the place. They attacked her as well when she tried retaliating. I shake my head, this is not good. Arlene steps out of the room.

“She’s dead” Those two words bring me down on my knees. Lucien is just standing there. I know he must be hurt because he has spent his life with her.

“This is all your fault.” I mutter lowly before looking at Arlene and getting up “You’re the reason this happened! She died because of you and do not try to deny it. I hate you so much, I wish we didn’t share the same blood.” I growl at her.

“Asher, you’re hurt. You are not thinking straight.” Lucien holds me back “Just leave, Arlene. Please!” Arlene looks at me before leaving…

Arlene’s POV

I get back to the palace with one thing on my mind, the golden chalice of life. That’s what he wants! Apparently it’s within the palace and that there’s a secret passage in the garden. I manage to get there undetected. I use my powers to scan the area and finally fine a secret tunnel right under the daises. I use a shovel to dig my way to the door and when I hit it, it feels like I’ve won the lottery. I will end this war now! I open it and get in. I switch on all the torches using my powers, if someone is following me, they’ll be confused. I recall what Kourtney told me about the palace and the secret passage. I follow the sound of water and eventually reach a waterfall. Behind it, there should be a cave.

Lucifer’s POV

There’s someone in the palace… Arlene! Something’s fishy here. Why do I have the feeling that something’s not right?

Arlene’s POV

It’s right in front of me. The golden chalice of life. I reach out for it and pick it up. That was easy! I make my way to the exit but immediately stop. Lucifer is here! I quickly hide as he walks around.

“Arlene? Arlene? Just give me the stupid chalice!”

“Not happening” I get out of my hiding spot.

“What will you do with it? It’s useless to you.” I shake my head.

“You killed my best friends now I will kill you. Water! Fire! Wind! Earth! Come to life at my command. Destroy the enemies that stand before you. By my command, end this futile war!” I recite the words Tiana taught me and before I know it, the ground is shaking. I smirk at Lucifer.

“You know that you will also die.” he tries to use his powers to escape but we both know that it’s futile.

“As long as good prevails over evil then I don’t mind dying!” I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

I hear Lucifer’s cry of defeat and smile. I wait for the impact of all the elements but nothing happens. I open my eyes and gasp. A shield has formed around me. Wow! I’m kinda liking this chalice. It lifts me up and teleports me away.

Lucien’s POV

I’m trying to sense her but I can’t. Don’t tell me she’s dead too…

A/N:

We’re approaching the end of this book. I’ll be coming back with another story though.

Hope you’re ready for the finale…