CHAPTER 17: CHRISTIAN

I woke up next to Zoe, I have a feeling something is wrong. She is yet to wake. Raven is a homeopath and her constant reassurance gave me hope, that my Vita is not dead but she is so far gone that it is hard to consider her alive. Zoe is powerful, whatever is going on I know she will be able to fight though it and it sucks her condition has been the same for like weeks now.

My investigation proceeded as normal. But the thing is, nothing. Whatever happening under the carpet, secretes not making the stories connect and my constant worry for my mate breaking me. Like sleeping beauty, I kissed her lips every day hoping that fairy tale held a spark of truth. I was no longer surprised to be disappointed, besides today was the end of the forth month and she is still unconscious.

"Knock."

Hanna entered with her new friend, her smile flaring every time she saw me reading by my fates side. Getting up I kissed her forehead and got ready to leave, the witch stopped me before I could take my leave.

"She is going to come out of this. She has more than enough energy now."

She has been living with us in the room downstairs opposite Taylor's room. She took care to bathe my Vita, showed me a way check her energy levels, giving me hope she was still there. Honestly her presence was welcomed, a thousand times more than the wolf. Although pretending to be oblivious to the buddying tension between the two, was torture. The two made me realize I would rather have a conversation with my grandfather, than share a room with those raging hormones.

"I know. She is an archangel's Vita."

Indeed she is my light and my only source of energy, losing her will resort to my fall. Not the fall of damnation but one greater, leaving them alone in her room. I got ear of another murder and an upset Michael demanding my presence. Rolling in irritation I ran down stairs passing the living room, dining room, kitchen and chill room. To the underground cellar where for out of six of my Pannak members sat for some reason the woman followed me.

"I have something to take care of. This time make sure to protect her with you lives."

Nodding in unison. I honestly could not and would not blame anyone but myself for Zoe running towards danger. She's my responsibility. My vow to protect her, my promise to keep her safe and my pledge insure her safety. I don't want to leave her side but there is a matter at hand demanding my attention. Unfortunately the pieces to this madness were scattered to the point the puzzle made no sense, the murders made no sense.

"Is he serious? You expected to protect Zoe with your lives? What is she here, the first lady?"

The friend he is yet to care to ask the name of questions and the wolf who have become my least hated occupant in my home laughs playing off the question… everyone knew my feeling towards this monstrosity and I was not shy in informing her the only reason she is still 'here' it is so everyone can keep their eye on her. That the fate of her continuous existence lies on Zoe waking up, the wolf nods as to answer the woman who insists in being in my space. The witch once more reminds the female to keep her mouth, for her presence here was barely tolerated by me.

My Pannak nodded understanding both of my request, I walked outside and shot up into the sky gliding in supernatural speed though the just above the clouds until I eventually reached my destination.

.

"Who the dammed do you think you are to demand my presence at will?"

Meeting in the border of Limpopo, where the African tribal leader was found hanging in a church. The feather was absent, or any visible clues. The body marked, by some ancient rune that is once again a mystery.

"Father has gone missing. Our people are aside themselves… Apollo and Raphael took leadership of Mount Olympus."

The runes seem to stretch further down his lower back… The more I focused on it made sense it is written in, Latin. Taking a picture to crack the case, I would estimate according to the pale lips and smaller rope marks around his neck. His brown fingers with dried blood, and scratches self-inflicted on his neck vertical. He was in fact suffocated, but worked on escaping form perhaps a wire and from the denseness… Perhaps the lack of visible denseness due to the amount of blood this is not a suicide, the skinny lines lining his neck gives us a possible murder weapon. The wound could have been a long number of possibilities but the smooth lines indicate it could have been a guitar. The guitar from the band is indeed missing and it seems to be the only thing missing here, interesting… What could have been the motive? Wait, the church is cool in temperature the fact the man hair is still covered by the sweat of the day's labor makes him question whether he was murdered outside and brought inside… But that will mean the murderer went through the lengths to use a larger rope, drag the corpse to the nearest church and hung him to make it look like a suicide.

I got up removing my gloves, and the far side I sensed something that I could not pick up. Michael grabbed my attention before I could put a finger on the matter and for the first time saw his exhaustion. Perhaps trying to prevent his people from retaliating was sucking the life off him, being the good guy does bite but that is his problems. Last time I checked my problems are yet to be dealt with and the less obligations thrust upon me the better.

"This looks like a human matter. The runes are not real so this is beyond my jurisdiction and last time I checked I do not work for you so don't call me for trivial matters like this."

"We need to find the one who murdered the duke of hell. Before well, hell breaks loose. Tell me you have a lead?"

Shaking my head in the negative, I warred within myself uncertain if I should mention my mother's involvement but decided against it.

"I heard your fated is yet wake."

Planning on ending his intrusive inquires, I made my escape not looking back. I did not care about others personal endeavors as it be I prefer not knowing unless it concern me or my Pannak. Now my Zoe.

"Wait. Why don't you talk to Apollo? He still sees potential in you."

To hell with waiting for irrelevant shit. Walking away I wondered not for the first time if my mother is involved with the murders, if so why? She stand to gain nothing from this and there is no possible way by chance she is still alive and would ever hurt father. Murder is out of the question and if she did, it had to be defense.

****

'Christian I need you to always remember not everything is in black and white, with each silver lining you come across believe in your instincts. Tell you a little secret, when daddy fell, mommy was so mad at him. Mommy couldn't handle the betrayal but piece by piece I saw peaks and leaks. Eventually mommy was confused speaking to daddy directly allowed me the luxury of having my own story to believe. So if you think Evan and Mikey are lying to you, by telling you bad things about Josh. Evaluate, ask Josh and give it time slowly the truth will unravel. Now fighting is never an option, unless you fighting for what you believe in, or in defense. Does your eye still hurt?'

'No.'

'Good now remember, you need to go apologies to Josh and Kenny tomorrow. You are grounded for three months. Punishment includes more lessons with daddy on how to control your anger and be the one in control over your abilities. You shouldn't let the darkness steal who you are, these lesson to control your demon will keep you alive in the long run… now go."

****

"Don't waste my time again."

I muttered and I felt my spirit lose the raging battle against any good left in my system.

.

Making my way upstairs, I went in the room and felt my spirit drop when I saw her close to lifeless body. Sitting exhausted next to her and grasped her hand placing it on my cheek, kissing her knuckles. I almost jumped when Zoe shot up gasping and panting in fear. Thank fate, for an incredible, tenacious and strong woman before him.