Chapter 38

They say that the truth can set one free, but sometimes, the truth feels even more confining and overwhelming than the original problem. While we had thoroughly suspected Camille and her daughter Lucille of possibly working with my father against us, I don’t believe any of us thought that one of them might be possessed by him.

Needless to say, it was bringing up a whole new set of issues that needed to be addressed right away. Lord Jekia immediately took this information seriously, sending Emelio to contact Lumae and request her to come as soon as possible.

He didn’t wish to waste any time on this, especially given the fact that Rayne, Selenia, and I had witnessed Camille’s miraculous recovery firsthand.

“I still can’t believe it was all kept so quiet. No one appears to have known that Camille was nearly on her deathbed. How in the world did they manage to hide that so well?” Rin was saying as we sat in the conservatory.

He and Aurora had joined us shortly after Hailia had revealed what she knew about Camille, and she was still in there with us as well. Lana had opted to remain with Jekia during that time, and I believed they were now speaking to Selenia about everything she’d seen and heard while with me.

“I realize how strange it appears, but Camille can be quite a frightening and intimidating woman, and there are not many who would cross her even in such a state. She simply holds too much power in the higher social circles,” Hailia claimed.

“I’d imagine that it worries you to even speak of this now. I do recall Father mentioning that everything you’ve gained since you’ve returned has come from Lucille,” Rayne noted.

“That is true,” Hailia confirmed. She looked down, wringing her hands in her lap. “I feel terrible that I have not spoken much about any of this, but I was frightened because of the implications within it.”

“There were already ones set on accusing me when the rumors were being investigated, especially when they realized that I had been striking up a friendship with Luna.”

“You believed that Camille and Lucille would turn it all on you if you spoke too much, didn’t you?” Aurora guessed.

“I did, and I feared that they would succeed, and I would again be sent to that place. I couldn’t bear the thought of that,” Hailia confirmed.

Even if it might’ve been hard to believe, I understood where she was coming from. Like me, she’d grown up with others accusing her of anything and everything because of how she was born, and she’d even been framed for a terrible crime she hadn’t committed.

She had every right to fear that blame was being shifted to her again, and that it would only become worse if she tried to speak against it.

“Maybe it wasn’t right of you not to say anything about what you’ve suspected, but you are here now, and it seems like you still care about Lucille, even after all that happened in the past,” I pointed out.

“Honestly, I’m a little surprised about that. Wasn’t she one of your main accusers back then?” Rin asked her.

“She was, but I don’t believe she did it of her own free will. Nothing Lucille has ever done has been without the shadow of her mother over her, and I know firsthand how domineering Camille can be.”

“Our father used to fear her too, though he tried his hardest not to let it be known to anyone, especially me and Lucille,” Hailia confessed.

Her words perked Rin and Rayne’s interest.

“You know, there’s always been a lot of unanswered questions about what happened to him, and I can’t recall Father ever speaking of you addressing those questions when you returned here. Did you know more about his death than you’ve spoken of?” Rayne inquired.

Hailia hesitated, looking around nervously. “I would not be heard here, would I?”

“No. It is very safe here and Emelio wouldn’t allow any to listen in,” Rin assured her.

“I’d imagine that there’s even more than him now watching over this place, so you can say what you wish. It won’t get out and we wouldn’t repeat it outside of our family either. You have our word on that,” Rayne added.

Hailia let out a long breath, allowing herself to speak freely. “I have not spoken aloud of what happened since it occurred. I was so young that I didn’t fully understand many things, and now I wish I had. Perhaps I could’ve saved my father’s life if I did.”

“But then, he was also determined to save mine. He always protected me no matter how much Camille despised me and no matter what she attempted to do to be rid of me. But right before he died, things were becoming far out of hand. I took the punishment because his death truly was my fault. He died protecting me,” she confessed.

“You were there when that happened, weren’t you?” Rayne guessed.

“I was,” Hailia confirmed. “That was the night when Camille became completely enraged and came after me. She tried to stab me, but Father jumped in front of her and took the fatal wound for me.”

She paused, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I have always felt so guilty for that, and never been able to get past what she said to me. She yelled at me that what happened was my fault. If I had never been born, then he never would’ve died.”

“I believe it still, and I have wished to punish myself for it however I could, but I cannot handle being sent back to that place. They tormented me so much with visions of him, and I thought I would go mad before Lord Jekia exonerated me.”

I felt awful for her as I watched her vainly try to wipe her tears away. Her pain was very real and had been so well hidden until now. I could sympathize with her too.

Like me, she’d always been judged for how she was born, and she’d even been framed using it.

“It’ll be okay, Hailia. No one’s ever sending you back there, and Father has regretted what was done since he learned more of the truth,” Rayne assured her as he handed her a handkerchief.

“No one’s blaming you for what’s been happening either. It’s obvious that you’ve been trying to stand by Luna, even if you felt afraid of what could come from it. You even came here to speak to us about it and try to help Lucille,” Rin pointed out.

“You truly believe that Lucille is a victim in this too?” I asked her.

Hailia nodded. “Yes, I do. Lucille has always been used by her mother, even back when Father died. Even Lord Jekia noted that she faltered in testifying against me, and she apologized to me in secret before I was sent away.”

“I know it is strange to others, but she fears Camille’s anger too, and probably much more so now that the Fallen has intervened. I can only imagine the dark power he may have given her.”

Aurora looked at Rin. “I understand Hailia’s fear with what happened to her, but I’m at a bit of a loss here about everyone else. What about Camille before this made so many fear her?” she asked him.

“Well.” Rin let out a resigned sigh. “I don’t know if I can adequately explain that to you. It goes back long before Rayne and I were born, and I can only say what I’ve heard through the grapevine about her. Although, I’m inclined to fully believe that she’d attack her husband and shift the blame to Hailia.”

“It’s completely believable even without Hailia telling it to us. I can still remember when we were younger and the subject of Selenia visiting those houses came up. Father wasn’t at all happy with the idea of Camille having any access to her, and when I asked him why, all he’d tell me was that she may try to use her against our mother,” Rayne told him.

Rin looked surprised. “Father said that he was concerned about that?”

“He did, but he only admitted it to me because I pushed the issue. He told me in private that while he didn’t mind us knowing Lucille, her mother was a completely different story. She’s been reigning as the queen of the matchmaking houses for centuries, and every time someone challenged her, they ended up having terrible things happen to them.”

“It was no secret that she had a real disdain for our mother too for a few reasons,” Rayne explained.

“Yes. Not only did she have nothing to do with the houses that had been trying so hard throughout the centuries to match a female to Lord Jekia, but Lady Lana is also human. Camille took that as a slap in the face when she heard about it,” Hailia elaborated.

It was easy for me to put things together as I heard this. The rumors about me said it all now that it was connected to her. If she had disliked Lady Lana for being human, then of course she’d dislike me.

I was not the type of female who ever would’ve been welcomed by her or high society. But as I thought that, I also caught sight of Aurora.

“I’m not sure I completely understand her logic in this. Aurora is human too. Has she also tried to cause trouble with her?” I inquired.

Hailia shook her head. “No. Not that I’ve ever heard.”

“She probably wouldn’t because Aurora’s my beta, and we all know how the ones like her still view me,” Rin scoffed.

Rayne was hard-pressed to disagree. “Unfortunately it’s always been that way when it comes to the three of us. As I told you a while ago, there are some that have never thought Rin was fit to be an heir here, so they don’t bother with him as much,” he added.

“But he’s still your twin brother, even if you two do have different fathers, and Lord Sage was considered on par with Lord Jekia,” I contended.

“It’s all right, Luna. It might’ve taken a while, but I’ve risen above them and so have the rest of us. The bigger concern right now is what’s going to happen to you. It’s one thing to deal with a bunch of snobs. It’s a whole other when a Fallen’s involved and giving them power,” Rin reminded me.

“He is right, and it sounds like he’s possessed Camille, at least to an extent. On top of that, there’s also the issue of that crystal now embedded under Luna’s skin,” Rayne continued.

“Has Emelio told you not to attempt removing it?” Aurora inquired.

“It’s safer if it’s not attempted at this time. We do not want to do any more damage than what has been attempted,” a female answered.

We looked over toward the doorway to see Lord Jekia coming in with Lana and Selenia. With them was a beautiful, luminous woman that Emelio was escorting.

She was a vision in gold, with long flowing hair and a matching flowing gown. The only part of her that didn’t appear golden were her eyes, which were deep black and lined with long black lashes.

I knew instantly that this was Lumae, and not just because I knew she’d be coming. The feeling that emanated from her was incredibly powerful, more so than most others I’d met.

It could only come from a creature such as a Sumarian, who was ranked right underneath those in the Heavens and Hells. All of us bowed our heads as she came over to where we were sitting, and I felt the nervousness welling within me.

My future could hinge on what she decided was best here, and there was that chance that she may decide that I needed to be taken away. Silence settled over the room for a few tense minutes as Lumae stood in front of me.

It felt like she was studying me. Then, finally, she let out a resigned breath.

“My, I didn’t believe we’d end up with so much trouble from the Fallen in this world as there’s been in the last fifteen years,” she lamented.

“With all due respect, I cannot see where it’s such a surprise. We know that we aren’t immune to their influences, even if they rarely took interest in us before,” Lord Jekia contended.

“You do make a good point,” Lumae partially relented. She gently held my chin, forcing me to look up at her so that she could see my face.

“You have also been correct in your assessment of this child. She is certainly more Willow Faerie than demon, although I can also see where he has tried very hard to push her to that side more.”

“I realize that I may be biased here, but I can attest that there is nothing evil about Luna despite what he’s tried to do. Lord Merrick would vouch for that as well,” Rayne interjected.

“I spoke to Merrick at length after Rayne returned with her too, and there were no issues as she grew up. If anything, one would’ve thought it would happen more easily with how they tended to ostracize her,” Lord Jekia added.

Lumae nodded, letting me go. “I see, and I believe that as well. However, I am concerned about how this is playing out. It is one thing for the incubi to simply aim for Luna and believe she should be one like him.”

“The bigger issue is how he has infiltrated one of the most prominent matchmaking houses within the Northern Lands. It’s worried me that he’s already extended influence beyond Camille and to the young females training there.”

“Understandable, and perhaps there is no choice in this but for me to disband at least that House. Even if word gets out about why, it may be safer for all than risking inviting more Fallen in,” Jekia lamented.

“What will happen if you do order that? Will Lucille be okay?” Hailia asked, looking worried.

“It might be difficult to determine. We haven’t yet figured out the extent of the influence exerted on her,” Emelio admitted.

“The Fallen in question has been very cautious in his actions and has effectively concealed any evidence of his involvement.”

“Very true,” Lumae acknowledged with a slow nod. “Even with our oversight of this world, it would appear that he’s slipped by us for far too long. That much is obvious by what has already occurred.”

“Not only was Luna both emotionally and physically assaulted to the point that she nearly lost control and developed horns, but there is also the matter that Camille’s physical status was able to be so well hidden. It certainly was not only Lucille attempting to hide it.”

Hailia’s eyes widened as she understood the implication. “You believe that he has aimed for her and Lucille even before Luna came here?”

“The possibility appears to be there with the research we were able to have done. Hokuo tends to be very thorough when I ask him to look into something, and he was a bit alarmed too when he realized the connections that appear to have been made even before Rayne met Luna,” Lumae admitted.

“You mean to tell us that Camille had connections to that Fallen before Luna came here?” Rin asked, sounding both shocked and incredulous.

“It appears so, but the information is only in pieces at best, and while it has been put together that this Fallen entered that House through invitation, it’s been hard to determine which one allowed him in or the means by which they did it,” Emelio elaborated.

Rayne’s eyes narrowed as he heard this, and he stood up to face his father. “How long had you known about this?” he quietly demanded.

“Calm yourself. I had suspicions when I realized that the issues were originating from that House, but Lumae is the one who has just confirmed this to me,” Lord Jekia answered, remaining as stoic as always.

“And you weren’t going to mention it to any of us until you confirmed it!” Rayne fumed.

“Have I not warned you about jumping into things without being certain of them first?” Lord Jekia countered.

Rayne backed off a little as he glared at him. “It is far too easy to do so when it comes to the ones we love, and it takes time and mental training to keep yourself from doing so.”

“You and Rin are still young and tend to become impulsive when things bother you too much, so I decided that it was better to err on the side of caution this time and keep it to myself. I can see now that I did the correct thing.”

“Of course you did,” Rayne huffed, still looking disgruntled as he crossed his arms and turned away from him.

Lana stepped beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Please, do not take this the wrong way, Rayne. We asked you all to stay with us because of this, and we feared what could come out of it, both for you and Luna. None of this was done with any ill intention,” she promised him.

“Father and Mother are right, Rayne. You and I both know that we would’ve immediately wanted to go after them if we’d known even a sliver about that Fallen being invited in there. We can be mad all we want, but it won’t get us anywhere. We’ve learned that before, haven’t we?” Rin spoke up.

Rayne looked defeated as he sat beside me again. “Yes, we have. It’s just a hard thing to accept.”

“It’s hard to accept that any would want to call on one like my father or have such ill intentions, especially against your family. I feel a bit guilty too. My coming here may have made things much worse,” I lamented.

“Don’t start that again. You’re as much a victim in all of this as any of us,” Rayne told me.

“He is right. None of it has ever been any fault of yours. One cannot help what they are born to,” Lord Jekia reminded me.

“Not at all,” Lumae agreed.

“But perhaps having Luna can also work to our benefit to finally be rid of this Fallen from this realm. It’s quite obvious that his biggest interest here is in her.”

“You wish to have me help drive him away?” I guessed.

“If you are willing, then I believe that would be the easiest way. After all, you are his bloodline, and as such, you may also hold power over him to an extent. We have seen that with the Nephilim since the Redemption, and it’s quite reasonable to believe that you are much the same as them, even if your mother happened to be one of the Fae,” Lumae responded.

“You’re thinking of having Luna drive him away? How? Are you going to have her fight him?” Selenia inquired, looking very curious.

“Absolutely not!” Rayne sternly rejected. “I won’t allow Luna to be put in any more danger! There have been enough close calls as it is!”

“Things will be done as they need to be, and we have no intention of allowing anything to happen to Luna. There are simply too limited of choices in this, and she is the best option to fight back against him,” Lord Jekia informed him.

“He’s a damned Fallen! Isn’t that enough for the Sumarians and even Higher Powers to step in and be rid of him?! There should be no reason to place any of us in danger, especially her!” Rayne argued.

“Be sensible, Rayne! You know Father especially would never allow them to do that to any of us, especially Luna!” Rin countered.

Rayne refused to back down. “Maybe Father wouldn’t, but I do not discount that others would,” he stated, glaring at Lumae as he stood. “Do not think that we don’t know how things work. There has never been hesitation on sacrificing for the greater good when it comes to the Higher Ones.”

“I won’t stand here and claim that it has not been done in the past,” Lumae said, remaining calm as she faced him. “But I will also say that we have no intention of sacrificing anyone, especially Luna. Not only would doing so make it so that you would never trust us, but she is innocent in all of this as well.

“What I am suggesting is not so much sacrifice as it is her own empowerment. She is much stronger than she has ever realized, and it will be good for her to stand up on her own and face what she must.”

“I won’t allow you to do that. She’s my beta and I’ll decide what’s best for her,” Rayne contended.

“Rayne, please…,” Lana started.

“I won’t allow this argument to continue, Rayne,” Lord Jekia interrupted, his tone much sterner now. “If you wish for Luna to be freed from this, then you will allow what must be done. It is enough that you’ve been hindering such things from the moment you brought her back. I know I warned you about this possibly happening. Most Fallen would prefer to make their children like them, especially one such as him.”

I quickly stood, gripping Rayne’s arm. The last thing I wanted was for him to say or do something he couldn’t take back with his family.

“Please, Rayne! This is enough!” I pleaded. “Let me do what I must so we can end this!”

The room fell silent, tension hanging in the air.

Rayne continued to glare at his father and Lumae, but he finally backed down slightly.

“Fine, but I won’t allow you to make her your sacrifice. I’ll deal with that Fallen myself before that happens!” he declared.

None of us stopped him as he stormed out. However, once he’d left the room, Lord Jekia addressed Emelio.

“Please ensure that Rayne doesn’t attempt to leave these grounds. I can’t have him taking matters into his own hands and endangering himself.”

Lumae’s expression remained neutral as she looked at him. “It seems your oldest needs more reining in,” she commented.

“Perhaps a little,” Lord Jekia responded, “but he’ll come around in time and understand how things must be handled. It’s something one can only learn on their own.”

“True,” Lumae conceded slightly, “though we should tread with caution. We don’t need a repeat of last year’s incident.”

I stood up, bowing my head politely to her.

“If I may, allow me to speak to him. I might be able to calm him down and bring him back,” I suggested.

“I don’t see why it would hurt anything. The last thing we need is for Rayne to go rogue on us. He’s been pushing that boundary a lot lately,” Rin chimed in.

“Very well. If it’s fine with you, Lumae, then let’s take some time for this. It would be much better if we could have Rayne here with us,” Lord Jekia proposed.

Lumae looked slightly put out but agreed. “Very well. I suppose I can give Luna a bit of time to try to bring him back, but please make it quick.

“We don’t have much time.”