The Unseen Series Book 3

Book 3: Lovely

Nonali

Nonali was in disbelief. The message was crystal clear, yet the words seemed to bounce off her comprehension.

The possibility of her mother being alive was shocking enough, but the revelation that her father wasn’t the man she’d known all her life? That he was capable of such horrors? The thought made her stomach churn.

“I wish she hadn’t told you. I could strangle her,” Ezra grumbled, ignoring the icy stare Nonali shot his way.

“Don’t give me that look. Her pact partner wouldn’t let me lay a finger on her.”

“I can’t believe what she’s endured,” Nonali whispered, her mind flashing back to the sight of her cousin Dahlia’s scar-riddled body.

Dahlia was a living testament to torture.

“Don’t dwell on it. She chose to pay that price.”

“You both keep mentioning a price, but what do you mean?”

“Magic wasn’t designed for the human body. To use it, you need a medium, like me—I’m your medium. Magic can kill or maim you, or worse. To prevent that, you pay a toll. It’s a way to extract the magic from your body before it starts tearing you apart.”

“So the price can be anything? And what do you mean by worse?”

“Not quite. The price has to involve something being taken from you. Blood, flesh, cum,” he smirked suggestively.

“It can also be drawn from intense emotions, like fear and love. If you let magic build up, it can consume you, leaving you a hollow shell.”

“Why don’t I have to pay a price then?”

“I handle that.” He smirked. It took her a moment to understand.

“Oh, right. Why didn’t she choose that option?”

“From what I’ve gathered, Dahlia isn’t one to do things by halves.”

“She’s always been an all-or-nothing kind of person. How does that affect her?”

“The more magic you use, the higher the price. The number of orgasms needed to cover her level of magic would probably keep her bedridden for days,” he mused.

“So he just tortures her constantly? I thought they were friends?” Nonali was aghast.

“That guy doesn’t have friends, just people he hasn’t killed yet.”

Ezra’s stern tone made her uneasy. He was fearless, but Dahlia’s pact partner made him nervous.

Nonali didn’t like him either, especially after what he’d done to Dahlia. Her cousin had changed.

When Nonali had answered the phone months ago, she’d been relieved. Dahlia’s cheerful demeanor had made her believe that her cousin had remained untouched by the harshness of her world.

But in reality, Dahlia had experienced it firsthand. She’d become a part of it.

When Dahlia had tortured that demon in the basement, Nonali had been filled with both rage and revulsion. She wanted that demon to suffer.

She wanted him to pay for his crimes. But seeing her cousin inflict pain so casually was too much. Dahlia’s gaze was cold, but not devoid of emotion. Nonali could see that she enjoyed torturing that man.

When she couldn’t take it anymore, she’d gone upstairs and Ezra had comforted her. She wanted to cry for Dahlia.

She remembered her as a sweet girl, but maybe she’d never really known her. Seeing Dahlia covered in someone else’s blood as if it was nothing made her feel sick.

“Experience is the best teacher.”

The thought of Dahlia enduring such horrors was unbearable.

“You wanted to be a part of this world. You just have to learn to accept it,” Ezra said grimly.

“I know, but she’s my family. It’s hard to see her like this.”

“She doesn’t care, so why should you?”

“Ezra!”

He raised his hands in surrender and backed off, turning to rummage through the fridge.

“I’m struggling to accept that my dad might be Satan.”

“Yeah, he really doesn’t like being called that.” Ezra winced.

“I don’t care. He killed my dad and took my mom.”

“Hey, don’t get your hopes up about that being true. I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said softly.

“Ezra, this is the first time in years I’ve felt any hope. If my mom isn’t alive, I’ll be devastated, but it’s nice to think I might see her again.”

“Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn’t count on anything. You’re too optimistic, Nonali.” Dahlia’s sarcastic voice echoed through the kitchen.

Nonali spun around to face her.

“I’d love to strangle you,” Ezra muttered darkly.

“Be careful, she likes that.” Dahl’s companion smirked. Nonali didn’t like his oily voice or his unnatural smile.

“Can we talk for a minute?” The just us was implied.

Dahlia followed her into the hallway, leaving the boys behind.

“Why don’t you find a new pact partner? There must be someone less dangerous.”

“Nonali, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. Sin is my—” she paused, searching for the right word.

“Paramour is the term you’re looking for, my dear. What I am doesn’t have a term like she and Ezra’s relationship,” the dark man purred, appearing behind Dahlia in an instant.

“Ah, right. You get it then?” Dahlia raised an eyebrow.

“Wait. You two are together?” Nonali gaped.

“It seems so,” Dahlia replied dryly. “Feels a bit like Stockholm Syndrome,” she mused.

“This is a lot to process. Hasn’t he tortured you? He ~ate~ your ~liver~, Dahlia!”

“He’s done that three or four times,” she dismissed. “As long as he regrows it, it’s not a big deal.”

Nonali could only stare.

“Anyway, my relationship isn’t what I came here to discuss. If we’re going to take a road trip to Hell to meet your dear old dad, you’re going to need to up your game.”

“My game?”

“Nonali, you can’t even manage a simple teleportation? That’s basic stuff, you know.” Dahlia’s voice was laced with amusement.

“You do have access to our family’s grimoire, right? Have you been studying it?”

“The grimoire? No, I’ve been following grandma’s instructions. She gives me practice worksheets.” Nonali’s words were met with Dahlia’s barely suppressed laughter.

“Such a diligent student, aren’t you?” Sin’s chuckle echoed in the room.

“Nonali, listen to me. You learn from experience, not from”—Dahlia’s words were interrupted by a chuckle she tried to disguise as a cough—“you certainly don’t learn from worksheets. Is Ezra of any help to you at all?”

“Hey! Ezra might have his flaws, but he’s good to me!” Nonali defended.

“I’ll swing by tomorrow to pick you up. You’re going to learn some ‘real’ witchcraft.” Dahlia shook her head, her laughter echoing as she faded away.