Devils Roses 05 - Death

sexy."
    He blushes and shakes his head, "You say that to everyone."
    She winks, "Doesn’t mean I don’t mean it when I do."
    Ari frowns at her, "Keep it in your pants. God, you're the worst Succubus ever."
    Giselle sticks her tongue out.
    Sam shakes his head, "No, I met one who was worse. She tackled this Siren, I knew in Greece, to the ground and sucked her dry right in public. It was sick. Giselle at least only takes a little."
    "Gross." Ari winkles her nose.
    I look back at Aleksander and tilt my head, "What's going on?"
    He leans on the huge counter and shakes his head, "We go for Ophelia today."
    I lick my lips, "Today?"
    We've been planning it for almost two years. Ophelia is the start. The catalyst of the beginning of the end.
    I had noticed Lorri was feistier than normal and Lydia has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off.
    "She knows us all though right? She remembers the way it was before?"
    Ari looks down. She always does when we talk about before. She still regrets turning back the time. I look at Sam, who is like a brother to me and know she made the right choice. I couldn’t imagine living in a world where he didn’t exist.
    Aleksander shakes his head, "No. She doesn’t remember us. She was wiped the day they realized Ari had changed the time. Dorian went and wiped her, Tristan and Phillip. Oliver was wiped by Marcus and Henry. Everyone had to play out the parts the same as last time. Jonathan couldn’t be privy to the way things had worked out. Dorian and Marcus and Henry had a lot of mind wiping and clean up to do apparently."
    Ari's cheeks are bright red.
    Sam reaches across the table and grabs her hand, "Thanks for not leaving me behind."
    She smiles.
    "My sister, my dad, my mom, Sam, and the kids are all fine because of you." I smile.
    Aleksander's eyes widen, "Ari, I never meant to hurt your feelings. Sorry. I know you saved me once."
    She shakes her head, "I just hate that somehow there is always a glitch. Something gets taken or screwed up because of the reset."
    Giselle stands and walks toward Aleksander, "Okay, so what's the deal with Ophelia? What are we doing?"
    His eyes creep over to me. I frown, "What?"
    "It's me and you and Sam going for her." He says.
    I look at Sam and smile, "You're the bait I guess huh?"
    Aleksander laughs. I know he's bait too. They smell too good to women. Sam is especially bad. In this world he hasn’t fallen in love with Hanna yet. Not in the way that tones down his Siren side. He has moments where he's unbearable to be around.
    High-heeled boots interrupt the momentary silence.
    Lorri storms in with Dorian right behind her. He flashes a grin at me, making heat stir low in my belly. I know I'm blushing, but I keep my eyes down.
    "We leave in an hour for Ophelia. Today is the day. The sisters came to Annabelle earlier." She glances at Sam and cocks a dark eyebrow, "I told you to stay away from Hanna. She's made it without turning into her father. Thank God in Heaven. Dorian brainwashed her aunt and uncle and I convinced Marcus to give the cure to her dad. We all know it's temporary, but it's better this way." Her lips curled into a twisted grin on the word convinced. I shuddered imagining it. I'd seen her fight. It was dreadfully frightening.
    She looks at Aleksander, "You leave in an hour. You know where."
    He nods and she's gone.
    "You ladies look nice today." Dorian saunters over to the table grinning like a fool. A fool he is not though.
    Giselle swoons, "You do too."
    He flashes her a smile and then looks at Aleksander. "Brother, we need to have a little chat about a few things."
    Aleksander nods and follows him out of the kitchen.
    I look at Ari and whisper, "I didn’t think he was ever joining us."
    She shrugs, "I don't think he did. I think they're holding his dad's death for ransom. He helps and they kill him and end Aleks's misery."
    I look back, "Dorian and Lorri are kind of evil like that."
    "Yup."
    Just as it gets quiet the kids come running into the kitchen. My heart lifts. I smile at Danny, "Did you get Mist of Pandaria yet?"
    He beams, "Yup. Made a monk last night."
    "Me too."
    Giselle rolls her eyes, "Nerds."

Chapter Twelve

    Ophelia

    I look once more at the mirror. Something feels different but can't explain it. I sigh and leave the room. Mom and dad smile at me when I walk into the kitchen.
    "Hey honey." Mom hands me toast.
    "You're dad and I are going to the movie tonight. Are you going with Abbey to the pool party