Sour Souls The Morningstar Series Book 6
Sour Souls Chapter 37

"I cannot believe you talked him into letting you come on this mission." Karla said to me.

They are all waiting in my apartment as we go over things. Ares, me, Bexley, Nix, Kee, Vessa, and Karla. My mate is absolutely fuming right now, and I couldn't care less. Ares growled at Karla's comment. I stuck my nose in the air, and turned my face away from him. He is extremely angry, but he is letting me come. Maybe I should go easy on him. "The only reason she is coming is because she forced my hand." Ares stated.

I gasped dramatically as my head whipped back to him. Go easy on him my f*****g a*s. I did not force his hand. What a f*****g liar!

Honi chuckled in my head.

Mate is silly. She said.

Mate is stupid. I corrected.

"You were the one with your face between my thighs! I don't know how I possibly forced your hand. I was tied up! I couldn't of forced you to do anything if I tried!" I yelled at him. Ares raised a brow at me, not phased in the slightest.

"Gross." Kee mumbled.

Bexley and Vessa let out a loud laugh.

"Oh that's great. Did you gag her too?" Bexley asked Ares.

Ares whipped his head to scowl at Bexley.

"Mind your own damn buisness Bexley." He growled out.

"Mind your own damn buisness Bexley." She mocked, and then rolled her eyes. "Would you re-fucking-lax. We won't let anything happen to your mate." She said.

Ares just growled at her, but thankfully didn't say anything.

"Why are you letting her come exactly?" Nix asked.

"Nix." Bexley scolded. "Shut up." She whined.

Ares ignored them, and I sighed.

"I pretty much begged." I said.

It's not a lie. I did beg. Although, I made it very clear that I would not be here when Ares got back if he left. It was a bluff. I knew it, Ares knew it, everyone knew it. Ares threatened to have me watched, to which I said I could still sneak away.

I don't think that Ares trusts anyone, but himself to watch me. Not that his family isn't trustworthy. That was actually the problem. Half of them agreed that I should go, while the other half.. I probably could easily convince to let me go. Ares knew that if I didn't agree to stay, it wasn't happening.

Although, my mate did force me into a deal. We do this mission together. I listen to everything Ares says, and do not leave his side. When we get back, he gets to leave one mark on me. I get to chose which mark at least.

Honestly, I'm terrified. Of all of it. The mission. What is going to happen during it. Coming back. Being marked.

I keep trying to replay Epperly's words in my head. We will share the power. It won't be all mine. Ares will help me. I just have to trust in him.

It does little to calm my nerves though.

Does that make me a bad person? A bad mate? Am I fighting the bond too hard? Is this affecting Ares?

I know that most wolves are marked by now. Ares is much more than just a Werewolf, but still. Is this taking a toll on him, and I just don't know about it?

If it is, it won't be for long. Honi said.

Right.. Because we are going to let him mark us. I said.

And it is going to be fantastic. She said.

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Well, are you guys ready, or what?" Bexley asked.

"I'm ready." I said as I stood to my feet.

"No, you're taking some of my blood before we go." Ares said.

I frowned at him.

"We can do that on the way." I complained.

Ares shook his head.

"We are teleporting there. Kee and Bexley are extremely skilled when it comes to teleporting. They will be taking us." He said.

"Oh." Was all I said.

"Wait outside. We will be out soon." Ares ordered the others.

"Fine, but if I start hearing moans, I will come in, and watch." Bexley said.

"Bexley." Ares growled out.

"What? I could even be helpful. I can go grab some toys out of that chest in your closet." She said.

Chest?

"How the fuck do you know about that?" Ares asked her angrily.

Bexley only shrugged. She turned around, flipping her hair over her shoulder, and right into Ares face. I laughed. Ares growled as she walked out with the others. Then I turned to my mate. "You have a treasure chest in your closet?" I asked.

"No one said it was a treasure chest." Ares replied as he sat down on the couch.

"But it's a chest? Filled with toys?" I asked confused.

Ares grabbed my wrist, and yanked me into his lap.

"Yes." He said as he rested his hands on my thighs.

"What kind of toys could you possibly have?" I asked with a frown.

Never showed me any toys.

Ares deep blues bore into my soul.

"Sex toys Emilia. It's full of sex toys." He said.

My eyes went wide as my cheeks flamed. Honi is laughing her ass off in my head. Ares is looking at me with slight amusement.

"Uh, oh." Was all I could think to say.

"Wait, how does Bexley know?" I asked.

Ares sighed as he reached his bleeding wrist to my mouth. I grabbed it, and greedily slurped up his blood. Gods, I never knew I would like someone's blood this much. I'm not a Vampire.

"I have no idea. She's a nosey little pest. When we were teenagers she snuck into my room at the mansion, and went through a bunch of my stuff. That's probably how." He said. "Hmm." I hummed as I slurped up his blood.

Ares smirked up at me.

"Want to know what kind of things I have in there?" He asked.

I nodded as I continued to suck on his wrist. I think this is the most blood Ares had made me drink at one time. I wonder how he's keeping his wound open.

Immense control. Honi said.

I wish he'd lose a bit of it. I grumbled back to her.

"Chains, whips, vibrators, gags, ropes." Ares listed off each item slowly.

Is he trying to scare me again?

He is. Honi said.

I let go of Ares wrist to speak.

"You're an idiot." I said.

"Excuse me?" Ares asked.

"I said, you are an idiot." I repeated.

I grabbed Ares face between my hands, and leaned down to his face.

"When are you going to see? Every time you try to scare me, all you do is turn me on. You've already tied me up, and gagged me with my own underwear. Why are you still holding back?" I said lowly.

Ares eyes softened. It shocked me honestly. It's not like this is the first conversation we've had like this. He never softened up before like that. Usually, Ares just gets annoyed.

"This doesn't scare you. After all of the abuse you've suffered through, and you still get turned on with the things I want to do to you." He said sadly. "Yet, wearing my marks scares you."

"No, Ares, that's not exactly-" I tried to explain to him how I'm really feeling, but Ares interrupted me.

"The others are waiting pet. Let's go." He said.

Ares tapped the side of my leg, and I reluctantly slid off of him.

Mate looks sad. Honi whined.

Yeah, he does. I agreed.

"When we get back.. I won't mark you Emilia. I'll let it be your choice still." Ares said softly.

"But.." I trailed off.

What am I going to say? I didn't want to be marked to begin with. It was a deal I made with the Devil's grandson. I just knew I needed to go on this mission too, and I was willing to do anything to go. Now though.. The look in Ares eyes.. That sadness.. I almost can't bear it.

Honi whined in my head.

Isn't this what I wanted though? To not be marked yet? Feeling this way now.. Does that mean that I do want it?

I'm so confused.

"Come on Emilia." Ares said.

I looked at the hand he held out to me, and then back to his face. I placed my hand in my mates, and let him pull me to my feet. Ares stared deep into my eyes.

"Emi." I breathed out.

Ares gave me a confused look.

"I.. I want you to call me Emi from now on." I said. "Please." I added.

Ares looked stunned for a moment. Then a wide smile spread across his face. He yanked me to his hard chest, and wrapped his arms around me.

"Okay, Emi." Ares said agaisnt my lips.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Just at the sound of my nickname on his lips. I should have told him to call me that way sooner.

Ares just pressed his lips to mine, and then someone pounded on the door interrupting us.

"Come on you two!" Vessa called from the other side.

I pouted against Ares lips, and he growled into my mouth. A moan slipped past my lips. I pushed Ares away as I pulled my face from his.

"Don't do that." I said.

"Do what?" Ares asked amused.

"Growl in my mouth like that." I said.

"Why?" Ares asked still amused.

"Because.." I trailed off embarrassed.

Honi is chuckling at me.

"Because you liked it a little too much pet?" Ares asked.

"M-maybe." I said trying to sound confident.

Ares pulled me agaisnt him again, and bend his head down to my ear.

"I will remember that for when we get back, Emi." He said.

I nearly melted then, and there. Before I could react much, Ares pulled back. He grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the door.

Once we were all outside, Bexley summed up the plan one more time. I think that Ares is extremely angry that she got put in charge of this mission. Apparently, Bexley is a higher ranking member of the BOC than Ares. Which is shocking for many reasons. "So, we are going to pop in outside of the building. Nix, Karla, and Vessa will take out the guards quietly. We know how many there are on the outside, and where they are stationed. But we do not know what is inside of this place. Kee, double check the surrounding area when we get there. So, we will need to proceed with caution after that. Kee, and Emi, stick together. If the kids are in there, you two will be our best source to calm them. That's a very important part. We need them calm for things to go smoothly. No chaos on this mission." Bexley said.

We all nodded to her.

Ares grabbed my chin harshly, and forced my eyes up to his. I frowned at him. He could have just said 'hey', or some shit. Stupid head didn't need to grab me like that.

You like it. Honi teased.

Exactly. Now is not the time to get turned on. I replied.

"You do not leave my side. Got it?" He asked sternly.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it." I said, and the shoved on his chest.

My cheeks flamed as Ares let go of my chin. What the hell is wrong with me? Ares has a point. How is it that I'm not scared of all the torturous things he wants to do to me, but I am of his marks? Maybe I should put some faith in what Epperly said. More faith in the mate bond.

Bexley stepped between Ares and I. She looped her arms through ours excitedly. Then she looked at the other four girls.

"See ya on the other side." She said.

Before any of them could reply, Bexley must have teleported. I said must have, because I blinked, and suddenly we are in a forest surround by trees. Bexley let go of Ares and I. I looked up at my mate, but he just grabbed my hand, and followed after Bexley. We walked a few feet before Bexley stopped, and crouched behind some bushes. Ares and I crouched down with her. I followed Bexley's line of sight to a building in the middle of the woods.

The building looks run down. It's not super big either. It kind of looks like a warehouse. It's a dark brown-gray color. Obviously it's been sitting out here for a very long time.

I opened my mouth to ask where the other's are, when we started hearing screaming. Instinctively, I tried to stand up. Ares held me down. When I looked at him he held his finger to his mouth telling me to keep quiet.

I turned my eyes back to the building. Men are standing outside that I didn't notice before. They are all in pretty casual clothing, and all have large guns. I can see that they are starting to panic due to those screams. That same feeling as last night washed over me. My eyes went wide, and I sat back on my butt. It's that same exact feeling only stronger. Much stronger.

"They're all going to die." I whispered.

"Well yeah, that's part of the mission." Bexley said without looking at me.

"What's wrong Emi?" Ares asked.

I shook my head.

Ares gripped my face, and forced my eyes to his.

"What is wrong?" He asked looking worried.

"You can't feel it?" I asked confused.

Honi made it pretty obvious that my sense of death is due to that other side of me. I guess I just thought that Ares would feel something like I do. Since he is the Devil's grandson. I thought he could feel it. Can't he?

"Feel what?" Ares asked.

I frowned at him.

"Their death." I stated.

Ares eyes went wide. He shook his head at me. I opened my mouth, but then we heard more screams. I wanted to scream myself, but I know we have to be quiet until the others are done. I clamped my mouth shut as the screams continued. The screams grew louder. They are almost to the ones in front of us. That must mean they're almost done. I'm almost there.

Sweat is lining my brow. I placed a hand over my mouth, trying to keep in my scream. It's painful to hold it in.

Ares still has my face cupped in his hands. He's looking at me worried. My mate has been asking me over and over what's wrong, but I can't risk telling him.

"Emi, baby, talk to me. What do you mean you can feel their death?" Ares asked for the hundreth time.

"A bringer of death." Bexley whispered.

Honi said that too. What the hell does that mean? How does Bexley know about that?

"What are you talking about?" Ares growled out at her.

More screams sounded.

"Okay, they killed the last one." Bexley said as she stood to her feet.

Bexley walked over to me, pushing Ares out of my line of sight. He growled at her, but Bexley ignored him. She grabbed onto my hand that is covering my mouth softly, and pulled it away.

"Let it go now Emi." She said softly.

I took in a deep breath. When I let it out, it was with a scream of my own. An ear peircing one, louder than any other scream I've mad. It also lasted much longer than any other scream I've had. By the time I was finished, I'm panting. "How.. did.. you know?" I asked her.

"We can talk about it later. Right now, we need to get those kids." She said.

Bexley stood, and began walking to the building. Ares helped me to my feet, but he has his eyes narrowed at Bexley. He pulled me with him as he followed after her.

She knows something. I said to Honi.

Maybe she knows what we are. Honi said.

It sure seems that way. I said.

That's good. She can help us. My wolf replied.

We will question her the moment we get back. I said.

Honi agreed with me, and then we focused on the mission. We reached the other three girls at the front entrance. Kee is looking at me worried.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, we heard you scream." Karla said.

"Do you need to sit down for a minute? Are you feeling weak? Should you take more of Ares blood?" Nix rushed out.

All of us snapped our heads to her. She seems awfully concerned. Which is strange because I feel fine. Am I not supposed to?

"She's fine." Bexley said dismissively.

Nix looked up at Bexley confused. I looked between the two of them as they had a silent conversation. What the hell?

"What the fuck is going on?" Ares asked them.

"Nothing." Nix said.

Ares looked straight to Kee.

"We should focus on the mission for now. Emi feels fine. All the gaurds are dead. Let's just hope there are no more surprises." She said.

Ares doesn't look happy though. He's squeezing my hand tightly. Anger is rushing through him. I placed my hand on his chest, and he looked down at me.

"It's okay Ares. We have time to talk with them later. Right now we need to focus on these kids. They need you more than me right now." I said.

Ares jaw tensed. For a moment I thought he wasn't going to give in. Then he turned for the door.

I blew out a sigh of relief as I was pulled with him.

The doors are only locked by a chain that links between each handle, and then a big pad lock. Wow.. that's.. disappointing. Aren't these supernaturals? Like a pad lock is going to do much.

Ares grabbed the pad lock with one hand, and yanked it right off. Breaking the lock, and the chain. The chain fell to ground, and then Ares stood back. Bexley came to the front, and kicked the door open.

Nix, Vessa, and Karla are right behind her with their weapons held high. Karla has a cross bow, Vessa has a sword, and Nix has two large daggers. They all walked in carefully. Kee, Ares, and I walked in behind them. It's dark in here, but I can still see. I'm looking around at the open space. There are lots of crates piled up on one side of the building. I can see a table, with a few filing cabniets behind it. "E-Emi?" Came a voice from behind me.

I turned to see that almost half of the warehouse is caged off. How could I have not noticed them before? All of these poor kids.. They're all huddled against the back wall with each other. There's probably 80 of them. One of them stepped forward to the gate.

"Kate?" I asked.

"Is.. Is that really you Emi?" She asked.

I rushed to the gate, leaving Ares behind.

"Emilia." My mate scolded.

I ignored him.

"You.. you got out of the dungeon." She said.

I nodded as I looked at the others. Some of them I recognize. Other's I don't.

"I met my mate." I told her. "We are here to help you." I said.

Kate shook her head.

"They have so many gaurds outside.. Our buyers are going to be here soon." She said.

"Guess we better hurry then." Bexley said.

I looked over to see her break the lock of the cage. She opened the door, but no one made a move. I looked back at Kate.

"They beat us badly. We're too scared to go." She admitted to me.

"No one will hurt any of you again." I said loud enough for all of them to hear. "These people I brought to help, they are much more powerful than any of your buyers." I told them.

"How could you know that?" One of the others asked.

"Because." Kee said as she came to stand beside me. "We are Morningstar's."

All of the kids gasped. Kee definitely said the right thing. Bexley, Kee, and I were able to get the kids to come out after that. Nix called Tia to arrange transportation out of here.

"Bruce is on his way with some vans, and back up." Nix said.

"Bruce?" I asked.

Nix nodded.

"He's the leader of the Bounty Hunters." She said.

"Oh." I replied.

Almost all of the kids are out. Now that Ares deemed no danger, he gave me some space. Bexley, and Nix are talking in the corner. Karla, and Kee are talking with some of the kids. Ares is outside keeping watch.

"Emi."

I looked behind me to see Kate.

"There is a door over there. I think that they have more kids in there." She told me.

I looked around again, but everyone seems pretty busy.

"I'll go check it out." I told her.

I walked to the door, and carefully opened it. Only, there isn't a room on the other side. It's just.. outside. Why would Kate tell me there are kids out here?

I turned to go back inside. Shit. There isn't a doorknob. I'll have to walk around.

I took one step before something whacked me in the head. I winced at the pain as I fell to the ground. Blood trickled down my head, into my eyes. My sight started to blur. I can make out black boots walking towards me.

Then everything went dark.