Word Count: 1668

~Kezziah

Naturally, Cian got invited in.

He sauntered into the house, shoulders back, gait triumphant. Sitting down on the couch, he motions for us to sit in front of him, that smirk touching his lips not fading for a moment. I'm nervous about why he is here, however, I sit down regardless, curious about what he is going to reveal. I have a feeling it's going to ruin my life.

Beside me, I can feel Alden's tension. He doesn't like having an immortal sitting in his home; especially a Sin. I can tell he is as curious as me, though. He's been looking at me strangely, wondering why Cian knows I exist.

"Well, is someone going to say something?" Cian says, clapping his hands together. Both Alden and I flinch at the harsh sound.

Alden and I exchange glances.

"You're the one who has walked into my house," Alden mutters, not even trying to be hospitable. I don't blame him, since he doesn't have the best history with Immortals. And Cian, with that golden hair and cat like gaze, he's a predator ready to strike, leaving both Alden and I cautious. "Maybe you should start.

"Alright, fair enough. If it isn't obvious already, I'm here for Kezziah. She one the competition for me," he tells me. I frown, unsure of what he means. Competition? I don't remember any competition involving Cian. Unless he means...

Alden jumps in before I even have a chance to defend myself. "What do you mean competition? There hasn't been a competition."

It's clear Cian is enjoying this.

"You're lucky I'm bored with this place and I won't be around much longer, so I don't mind exposing the operation all of your guards are involved in," Cian says, propping his feet up on the low coffee table. I watch Alden's jaw tighten. "Kezziah managed to survive out of all the other girls that were bet on. And I thought she might want to know."

"Wait what operation? What competition?" Alden questions. Cian looks at me to explain, relaxing himself back into the couch. He knows there is a relationship going on between Alden and I. I have a feeling he wants me to ruin it.

I glare at Cian while I talk. "I was dragged into some competition by guards in the middle of the night. That's when I met Cian, who apparently bets on girls who are going to live the longest from your medication."

There's an off silence.

"How long has this been going on?" Alden asks, luckily concentrating his anger on Cian. "And why was I not told earlier?"

Cian shakes his head dismissively, getting up from the couch. I can tell he is getting bored of conversing with Alden, wanting to get to his point. He crosses the room, looking through drawers and cabinets without a care in the world that this is Alden's personal items. He knows no one wants to get on the wrong side of Greed.

"All that matters, is I came here to tell Kezziah she won the competition. Of course, I saved her life to get her there, but that's just semantics," Cian says, ducking his head in a cabinet to search for something.

I can feel Alden look at me, but I don't address it.

Cian pulls out a bottle of clear liquid, popping the top off it to take a whiff of whatever is inside. "Now, since I'm close to leaving, and my job here is done, it is my duty to inform Kezziah of why this is all happened, and who is truly behind this entire operation. Since of course, it couldn't have been all me."

"What are you talking about?" I growl, watching Cian take a swig of the liquid inside, his face screwing up in disgust at the taste of it.

"You'll just have to come with me if you want to find out," Cian offers, putting the bottle back where it came from. If Alden is bothered by him rifling through his stuff, he is keeping it too himself, too interested in the conversation between us two.

Finally, Alden cuts in. "She's not going anywhere with you."

"I know you're used to making decisions, Alpha, but you're not about to make them for darling Kezziah here," Cian says firmly. He turns to me, winking. "You trust me, right? After all I've done for you, I don't know why you wouldn't. And I can promise you want to come with me. This will please you greatly."

After the competition, Cian has no more reason to be kind to me, or even to spare my life. As curious as I am with what he wants to show me, I can't be sure it's not a trap he is luring me into.

"If you're going anywhere with Kezziah, I'm coming with you," Alden proposes firmly, leaving no room for argument.

"Perfect," Cian purrs.

Without warning, he grabs both Alden and I's hands, before the world crumbles around us, and everything goes dark. He's transporting us somewhere. I'm hoping it's not right into Time's territory.

When I open my eyes, warmth hits me right in the face. I'm standing in a spot of sunlight, right in what looks like a forest clearing. It makes me startle, as I look around. I've never seen this place before, and it's clearly in the middle of nowhere. At least Alden is beside me, still gripping my hand tightly.

"You can come out," Cian calls out into the forest.

I peer into the forest curiously as a shadow of a figure lingers behind a tree. When they emerge, a feeling of warmth floods me, as I realise it's Avia, the one person who has tried to protect me right from the beginning.

She doesn't look any different, and doesn't feel or smell any different either as I run into her hug. I can't believe this is happening right now.

"Avia, what are you doing here? What is going on? How do you know Cian?" I ask, so many questions appearing in my mind that I was to know right now. When I pull away from Avia, I hold her shoulders, not wanting her to go anywhere. She looks good, no one touching her. Time never found her. I couldn't be more grateful.

"I'll explain everything in a moment. Why don't you sit down," she says.

I can tell she is uncomfortable as we all sit down in a circle on a clear patch of grass - Cian most reluctantly so. She eyes Alden like he is evil, and I remind myself I'm yet to explain to her the entire story.

"It was me who got Cian to keep an eye out for you within the institute. Although I trusted that nurse to get me information, she didn't have as much power as Cian," Avia explains.

I can barely believe what I'm hearing.

"See when I came to you that day after your parents were killed, it wasn't just fate. I hate Time, as you are aware, and I had to try help you. I knew he wouldn't kill your family for no reason. And being an immortal myself, I knew there was no one else that could help you like I can. I just didn't predict what Alden would do," she tells me.

My eyes widen. "An Immortal? You're an Immortal? You never told me that. Why didn't you tell me that?"

I feel almost betrayed that she would keep something so important from me. I trusted her with everything, but clearly she didn't trust me with that. She looks remorseful. "I just couldn't at the time. The less you knew the better."

"How did you become involved with Cian?" Alden asks.

Avia looks at him, expression sour. I cut in. "It's okay. He's my mate."

She was about to make some kind of comment, but knowing the secret she kept from me, she didn't dare. "Cian owed me a favour. That's all anyone needs to know."

All of a sudden, I hear soft laugh from inside the forest.

Every ounce of the blood in my body went ice cold, as I watched Time saunter out of the forest. I didn't think I would ever have to see him again. Those golden eyes haunted me as he stepped out into the clearing, a smile on his face, arms wide to greet us.

"Well, if it isn't my favourite little group of people," Time says, as everyone jumps to their feet, startled.

Alden goes to say something, but Time holds his hand up. "I wouldn't say or do anything if I were you. There is only one reason I'm here, and that is for my darling mate. Now, Kezziah, do you want to come with me?"

Time's gaze is hot and pointed, waiting patiently for me to take his hand. I glance at Alden who is shaking his head at me. Even Cian looks afraid, while Avia only looks angry. SO I shake my head at him, to which he only sighs.

Suddenly, reaches out, and grabs the collar of Avia's shirt, pulling her to his chest. He wraps his arm around her neck. We all jump, but don't move any closer.

"There is a lot at risk, Kezziah. It's imperative you come with me," Time murmurs.

He's serious, not teasing. I know that means whatever he has planned for me is important to him, meaning I doubt I'll be able to get out of it. Looking at Avia, she shakes her head at me, but I know Time will kill her without any mercy.

"Okay," I croak, letting go of Alden's hand. "Take me with you then."

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If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

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Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

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Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼