Free Forsaken by Daniele Lanzarotta

 
    “You showed them we were here,” he says.  
    “Ben, it’s not like that.  I only showed our location to Ethan, I knew they needed
     help so I thought—”  
    “What?  You thought I’m evil turned good?  Steph, I’m who I am and you can’t change
     me.”  
    He did change but there is no need to bring it up… not now.  “Did I EVER ask you to
     change, Ben?”  
    He shakes his head.  “But isn’t that what you are doing now?”  
    I shake my head.  “I’m simply asking that you listen to what they have to say and
     consider helping in any way you can.”  
    “I’m not going against my father.”  
    I put my hand against his chest and meet his gaze.  “I’m not asking you to do that.
      Just listen to what they have to say and we’ll take it from there.  If there’s a
     way to help get Kayla without you having to cause your father any harm, please help
     them.”  
    He nods.  “I’ll listen to what they have to say, but that’s all.  And only one of
     them can come in… and I suppose the immortal can, too.”  
    I smile at him and gently touch his lips with mine, giving him a kiss.  
    I go to the door.  “Ethan, Hunter, please come in.”  
    Irene starts to walk toward me, “Please, Irene.  He said Ethan and Hunter only.  I
     don’t want to push it.”  
    She looks hurt, but steps back.  
    Ethan and Hunter come in and stand across from Ben.  I was honestly surprised he let
     Hunter in.  
    “So what is the deal?” Ben asks Ethan.  
    Ethan sighs.  “Your father is keeping Kayla and Samael in Hell and we need you to
     get through the wards and get Hunter through the portal.”  
    Ben gives them a puzzled look.  “So you think that the immortal who passed out when
     attacked by a succubi, can survive in Hell?”  
    Ethan nods.  “I doubt you’ll volunteer to go and get the nephilim, so Hunter is our
     best chance.”  
    “Well, I’m not betraying my father.”  
    Hunter moves forward as if he is about to attack Ben and I move in between the two
     and shake my head at Hunter.    
    Hunter takes a deep breath.  “Can anyone else get through that portal?” he asks.  
    “Not without a demon from his blood line.”  
    Hunter takes another step forward.  “Name your price.  I will do anything.  Just please
     help me get her out of there,” he begs.  
    “Hunter!” warns Ethan.  “You’re not making a deal with him.”  
    But Hunter doesn’t back down.  He doesn’t even look back at Ethan.  He just stares
     at Ben, searching for his answer.  
    I turn around and see that Ben is considering it.  His eyes are dark and cold like
     they used to be when I first saw him.  I walk over to Ben, unleashing my now dark
     wings and wrap them around his body, blocking him from everyone else.  
    “Look at me, Ben,” I say.  
    He looks down at me, his eyes locked on mine.  
    “I know you don’t see it, but you have changed and I love you for that and for so
     much more.  Ben, do this for me… please,” I beg.  
    I place a kiss on his cheek and walk away to the other side of the room.  I can’t
     look into his eyes, not with all that darkness in them.  I can’t be reminded of how
     much pain he was in when we first left.  And the last thing I want is for him to go
     back to feeling worthless like he did before.  
    There is silence in the room and I can feel Ben’s gaze on the back of my neck, but
     I can’t bare to look.  
    “I won’t betray my father,” he says.  I turn around with tears in my eyes and find
     him still looking at me.  “But there is another way into the Otherworld,” he says,
     “and you won’t need my help with that.”  
    I watch him wondering if this is just a trick, even though his eyes tell me otherwise.
      I hate that during this moment, I question him like I used to so long ago.  
    He winks at me and I close my eyes.  
    “Please tell them, Ben.”  
    He looks at Hunter.  “You can get there