Necessary Evil: The Celestials, #2

By Ann Bakshis

The God of Life and Creation seeks to end a malicious vendetta, and will allow no one to stand in the way of his murderous agenda. Yet when his grandson, Nash, learns the truth behind his grandfather's desires, he finds himself wrestling with whose side to be on in what is sure to be a bloody battle.

Torn between duty, and his deep love for Katarina, Nash begins questioning all he thought he knew.

The gate is open, allowing unspeakable evil to seep through. Can Nash stop the rising darkness? Or will Katarina pay for his failure with her life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann Bakshis
• Release date: May 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201853907

Book preview

Necessary Evil

The Celestials, Book #2

A Novel by Ann Bakshis

Copyright © 2021 by Ann Bakshis

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living and dead, actual event, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Published by AB Books, 2021

For my Uncle Jim

Table of Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

One

Kat

I hang my head and close my eyes as we teleport, leaving the Cyllene System behind us. My life has been torn apart and I feel dead inside. The torc—a device made from gold, dull in color, with a gap in the front capped by a set of Veltraum triangles—sitting snuggly around my neck isn’t helping. The older man referred to it as a Lewen ring, but I don’t know what that means. My focus has to be getting out of this trap and returning to the Mileak Doorway so I can destroy it, hopefully sealing these three in the Muron System forever.

We land on something hard, warmth covers my face, and a cool breeze wafts around us, carrying with it the scent of saltwater while birds chirp happily in the distance. I open my eyes, noticing we’re standing on a pale brick patio in front of a massive, three story house constructed from granite with gold accents, and copious amounts of windows line each floor. The structure rests atop a hill overlooking azure waters and white sandy beaches. Tropical flowers, trees, and plants cover much of the landscape, along with bubbling fountains and crushed seashell pathways. Beyond the house are over a dozen small, white cottages, all pristinely maintained and connected to a pathway leading up to the rear of the dwelling.

Amazing, Nash utters, his mouth falling open, eyes widening.

Isn’t it. Uri beams with pride. Shall we go inside?

Approaching the porch with its expansive walkway wrapping around the house, an image from a nightmare greets us. A thick canopied tree with long twisting roots encompasses the majority of the light-stained wood for the front door, split down the middle to allow entry.

What’s that? I ask, nervously pointing to it.

The symbol? the older man replies. It’s the Tree of Life. Just like the three entwined triangles stand for the Veltraum, this is for the Lewens. It’s on everything associated with our family. You may have noticed it along the bottom of the Mileak Doorway after you passed through it.

I wasn’t paying attention to that when Nash hauled me into this system. But I did see it at the bottom of the door on Lemuria.

We step inside the house, the foyer expanding into a living room covered in marble floors, plush white furnishings, beautifully detailed sculptures, and a back wall filled with open windows stretching from floor to ceiling. Thin cream-colored curtains billow inward from soft breezes filtering into the room. Beyond the glass is a patio leading to an in-ground pool where several young women wearing bikinis lounge. Mixed in with the sounds of gently crashing waves is the laughter of children, something I wasn’t expecting.

Uri, take your brother up to his room so he can shower and change into more appropriate attire. The older man scowls at his grandson’s unkempt appearance. Nash, leave Katarina with me. We have some things to discuss, but do take the cloak and place it in my chamber.

Yes, Grandfather. Uri nudges his brother to follow, and they proceed up a winding staircase off to the right.

As the two leave, the older man takes my arm and guides me to a sofa where he has me sit, then reclines across the way on an identical piece of furniture. I study the room, looking for exits other than the front door and the back wall of windows. However, I don’t see any, simply an elegant dining room accented in pearls and a hefty door leading into a neatly kept kitchen.

Something tells me this won’t be a pleasant stay, so I’m hoping we’re not here long.

My gaze focuses on my captor, allowing me an opportunity to finally take in his appearance. He’s tall with long, wispy white hair that hangs loosely around his narrow shoulders. His face is oblong, cheeks slightly sunken, and harsh eyes. The robe he’s wearing is a light gray silk, which looks to be swallowing him up due to his thin frame. Deep creases cover much of his face, his slender lips nearly disappearing into their wrinkles.

You’re probably wondering who I am, he says, folding his hands, placing them into his lap. My name is Phanes. I’m the God of Life and Creation. Uri and Nash are my grandsons, born to me by my daughter, Nyx, and two of her male suitors.

They’re gods?

Yes, but because their fathers were mortals they aren’t as powerful, which is why Nash took the torc when I dispatched him into the Cyllene System.

You sent a child to do a man’s job, I scorn. Why didn’t you come and kill me yourself?

My intention wasn’t to kill you—not right away, Phanes replies with ease. Nash was merely meant to locate Perses, but then the doors closed, sealing him inside. The torc was simply a precautionary measure, in case you had already inherited your gifts. I had always planned to come and murder your father, then take you captive, however I didn’t get the opportunity. He leans forward. Tell me, who killed him?

I don’t know, I lie. I was taken before it happened.

By whom?

The Najem. They were a group of trained spies and assassins. I don’t see the harm in divulging that bit of information since it’s no longer relevant. They’re on the verge of extinction, thanks to me and my actions on the Turion.

I’m sure that type of lifestyle suited you well, being the Goddess of Death and Destruction, Phanes comments, smiling.

Ask your grandson how much he enjoyed it, I grouse. He was a better Najem than I was. A god who’s supposed to be for life sure did create a lot of death.

Sometimes the two go hand-in-hand. Death can be a means of creating new life, depending on how it’s taken.

Or you’re all hypocrites who only care about life when it suits your needs, I respond, contempt dripping from my tongue.

He glares at me, an unsettling silence falling between us.

A lump forms in my throat. My mother’s death wasn’t necessary.

It was more than necessary. Phanes eyes darken. It was essential. How else were we able to open the Lewen side of the Mileak Doorway? Chaos had to die.

You didn’t have to force me to watch, I grumble.

I didn’t, Phanes says adamantly. Thanatos would’ve been the one to have shown you, not me.

I clench my teeth. You lie.

Look into your heart, Katarina. You know I’m telling the truth.

I want to refuse to listen, but my grandfather is cruel enough to put me through that type of torment. Considering the pain he’s already caused me. In the same breath, I continue to wonder why Chaos branded me with the Veltraum triangles against my father’s wishes, and what she was really doing in the Muron System instead of on Gammel with us. I no longer believe Perses when he stated she was in hiding. I have no memories of her from when I was younger, even prior to the doors closing.

My thoughts are broken by the sound of a child’s laughter. A little boy runs in from the patio, jumping on the couch beside me. He can’t be more than three years old and his features resemble Uri, but are more striking rather than delicate.

Go back to your mother, Phanes instructs in a peaceful tone.

The boy grins, struggles to get down from the couch, then rushes back outside.

He looks like Uri, I comment once the child disappears down the path.

That’s one of his sons.

How many children does he have?

At least a dozen. They live in the cottages with their mothers, along with other women he’s acquired over the last several years. Phanes grins. He has quite the appetite.

I grow sickened by how proud he sounds with regard to his grandson’s conquests.

Nash should fit in well here, I mutter, recalling his time with Birgit Roe.

I’m not sure why it still bothers me so much. I love Ian and….

Wait, I love Ian? When did that happen? I’ve been so focused on gathering the pieces for the Veltraum disk that I never gave myself a chance to think about how I felt. I’m both thrilled and fearful of the revelation. Who knows how Nash will react if he finds out where my affections truly lie, or what hell and torment I’ll be put through because of it. Ian will be lost to me forever unless I can get back through that damn doorway. I need to figure out a way to remove this torc.

That’s pleasing to hear, Phanes says, reclaiming my attention. I’m glad he’ll enjoy himself.

I furrow my brow. You said raw passion is dangerous, but isn’t that exactly what you’re encouraging your grandsons to experience with so many women around?

The Gods of Life have an obligation to create it, so they may sleep with as many women as necessary to fulfill their objective. Whether it be to have one or hundreds of children. Of course, these descendants won’t be powerful like their fathers because their mothers are mortals. Also, the more children a god has, and depending on who bears them, the harder it is for the offspring to inherit their abilities. I’m sure many of Uri’s children will never become gods, but they’ll still have happy, fulfilling lives.

And if a god has a child with another deity?

He narrows his eyes, glowering at me. Then we get you.

My mother wasn’t a god.

No, but she was a celestial, and they’re just as powerful… and dangerous.

I let a bit of silence lapse. What are you going to do with me?

Once my grandsons have had time to relax and enjoy themselves, we’ll start looking for the pieces for the Veltraum disc, Phanes replies, then smiles when someone enters. Uri, why don’t you escort Katarina up to Nash’s room so she can shower. Ensure that your brother dresses her appropriately. I don’t want her wearing this trash in my house. He gestures to the torn, ratty clothing I currently have on.

Yes, sir. Uri taps me on the shoulder.

I stand and follow him up the staircase, which bends at the next landing. We traverse down a thickly carpeted hallway where teal-colored wainscotting and large landscape paintings cover the walls, then stop in front of a set of windowless double-doors. Uri places his hand on the doorknob but doesn’t turn it. Instead, he stares at me and I grow chilled.

Nash told me everything about you, he says, stepping away from the door, moving closer to me. His dark blond hair hangs loosely, framing his delicate face. I’m looking forward to getting to know you intimately.

There’s no way in hell you’ll ever touch me, I growl.

That’s what this is for. He grips the torc, pulling me against his chest. My brother has already promised me a night, so you won’t have a choice.

Memories from what was done to me on the prison planet come roaring back, and my anxiety soars as I once again feel trapped and powerless. I ball up my hand and am in the process of raising it when my fingers uncurl, my arm falling to my side. Everything in my head becomes muddled, and I briefly forget where I am. Uri smiles, the back of his hand caressing my cheek, but I don’t remember him putting it there.

I was under the impression mind-control doesn’t work on our kind, I comment, realizing what he did.

It does when you wear the ring. His lips brush against mine, he rubs my arms, and tugs on my clothes. I kiss him back, but not of my own free will. He releases me just as the door behind us opens.

Nash stands there, a confused expression on his face. He’s freshly scrubbed wearing beige pants, a pale-yellow button-down shirt, and sandals. His wavy chestnut-colored hair is damp and uncombed.

I’ll see you later. Uri turns and goes down the stairs.

I fucking hate you, I sneer.

He’s only teasing, Nash says, pulling me into the room, closing the door.

The bedroom is large and ornately decorated in soft colors. A king-sized bed with a thick mattress rests against the wall on the right, and a bathroom is behind a door on the left. A wide balcony extends off the back with windows similar to those in the living room. Across from the bed is a seating arrangement consisting of three love-seats, several end tables, and a vase filled with freshly cut flowers.

No, he wasn’t, I snap. Have you looked outside? Didn’t you notice the women around the pool? Or hear the children?

I’m not my brother, Nash responds, irate. None of that matters to me. Only you do.

I’m just for fun, remember? I retort, throwing his words back at him.

I said that so Phanes would leave me alone.

Bullshit, Nash. Why does it even matter? I throw my hands into the air. I don’t give a shit what you do with your dick. Just keep Uri away from me.

He grabs my arm and tosses me into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him after entering. I never want to hear you say anything like that to me ever again! he yells as I lie on the tiled-floor. Why would you think I’d throw away what we have for some whores?

Because you did it before! I shout, getting to my feet.

Damn it. I need to get over this Birgit thing. This can’t keep bothering me like it is.

That was a mistake and it won’t ever happen again, he says a bit more calmly. I love you, and only you, Kat. I always have and always will.

Sex has nothing to do with love. It has to do with power and control. That’s the reason you slept with me.

That’s not true! he shouts, his temper rising again.

You know damn well that it is. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have put this thing around my neck.

He grabs the torc, pulling me close, and wrapping an arm tightly around my waist. If what you’re saying were true, then I would’ve already given you over to Uri. He offered me several of his women in exchange for you, but I turned him down. I don’t want anyone else. Nash presses his forehead against mine. I can forgive you for sleeping with Ian, but I’ll never forgive you if you fuck Uri.

I never slept with Ian.

That’s a goddamn lie, Kat! he hollers, shoving me away. I saw you in the Sydlak silver! It was like the two of you couldn’t get enough of each other. His face falls. You’re different with him than you are with me. I can’t handle that kind of pain again.

Now you know how it feels, I utter, seething. Keep Uri away from me. He can control minds and wants to get inside mine more than anything.

That ability can’t be used on powerful beings.

It can with this. I point to the torc. If he gets an opportunity to touch me, I’m going to kill you.

He won’t. Now get in the shower. I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom.

Nash leaves and, as he closes the door, I sink to the floor and cry. This isn’t how my life was supposed to go. I blame Thanatos for this, so the alignment needs to happen like Perses wants to put an end to his father’s tyranny.

Standing, I remove the earpiece from when I was on the Elarian base, tossing it in the trash. Fresh towels line a rack by the shower stall, so I strip and step under the hot water, letting it pulsate down my sore body for several minutes before bathing. When I’m done, I continue to stand there and work on pulling forth the darkness. The last time I tried caused a seizure, so I’m not putting great effort into it.

My head hurts, but nothing like before. As I focus on conjuring one of my powers, my thoughts take a rapid turn and I find myself inside Uri’s mind. I don’t know how I did it, but he’s clearly happy I’m there. His smile is filled with lust and his eyes heavy with desire. I try to pull free, but simply wind up diving deeper into his madness. He forces me to re-watch the torture my mother was put through. The slashes across her body, the terror in her eyes, and the blood pooling around her.

Don’t let this happen to you, he whispers. Come to me, Kat, and I’ll save you from extinction.

Get out of my mind, I mutter out loud.

I’m not in your head, lover. You’re in mine.

I slam my head violently backward against the white tile covering the shower stall to end the connection, and scream from the pain exploding behind my eyes. Nash runs in, pulls open the stall door, and turns off the water as blood from my wound flows down the drain. He wraps a towel around me and shouts for help while my eyes roll back into their sockets. Through a fog I hear shouting, but can’t understand any of it. I’m lifted out of the stall and settled onto the bathroom floor. A warm hand touches the wound, eliciting another holler from me, but the pain subsides and my eyes refocus. I’m lying partially in Nash’s lap, Phanes resting his palm on the back of my head while an older woman fusses about cleaning up the mess.

She’ll be fine now, the older man says, stepping back. She’s healed, but I recommend we never leave her alone. We might not be so lucky next time.

They think I wanted to hurt myself?

I was simply trying to break the connection with Uri. I don’t want to die, but live so I can make them all pay for the horrors they’ve brought into my life. And for the loss of Ian, since he’ll probably be killed when the alignment takes place. But my father was right, it has to happen.

Nash, let Dagmar help Katarina get ready for dinner. She’ll take great care of her, I assure you.

It’s all right, my lord, the older woman who was cleaning says, holding out a hand to help me stand. She’s plump with short, white hair and rosy cheeks. Her long, heavy, dark red dress accentuates the lumps underneath, made even more obvious by the thick leather corset cinched around her waist. The sleeves are three-quarters in length and uncomfortably taut.

Nash reluctantly hands me off, then leaves with his grandfather. Dagmar has me sit on a chair by the vanity along the wall so she can scrub the blood from my hair. The towel is still wrapped tightly around me, and as I stare in the mirror I don’t recognize my reflection. The image of a beaten woman with dark circles encompassing her tired eyes gapes back, breaking my heart.

I can’t be here, I mutter, holding back tears.

It’s not all bad, Dagmar says, running a comb through my damp locks. You’ll fall in love with this place like many of the other women and never want to leave.

How many live here?

Around twenty, she replies, her nimble fingers now loosely braiding my hair. There’s been so many over the years it’s hard to keep track.

Those who left, where did they go?

She becomes quiet. I’m not permitted to discuss that with anyone except Lords Phanes and Uri.

This tells me the women more than likely left unwillingly and are probably dead. So much for being Gods of Life.

Dagmar finishes, then disappears for a brief moment, returning with a sleeveless, silky, yellow dress with a short hem and plunging neckline.

You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not wearing that.

She hands it to me. You have to. It’s the rules.

I stare at her, perplexed. Whose?

Lords Phanes and Uri. All women must be comfortably attired when they traverse the estate.

I frown. I don’t see how this is comfortable.

You can’t leave the room unless you’re wearing it, she says, annoyed. You don’t want to experience what will happen if you break their rules. You may not live through it.

I cringe at the possible torments.

Where’s my underwear? I inquire, looking around the room, noticing my discarded clothes are gone.

She smiles. You don’t need any. Besides, it’ll interfere with the way the dress sits on your body.

I grumble, slip the on garment, and tie it behind my neck. Standing and turning slightly away from the mirror, I notice the back of the garment is cut nearly down to my tailbone.

Beautiful, Dagmar says, clasping her hands. They’re going to love you.

My stomach turns at the word ‘they’.

She escorts me from the bathroom and downstairs to the dining room where the three are seated around an elongated table topped with a lace tablecloth, marble candlesticks, crystal place settings, and cloth napkins. They all rise at my approach, which should make me feel appreciated, but it doesn’t. Nash pulls out the chair beside him, which I slide a few inches away before sitting. Dagmar steps into the kitchen.

You look amazing, Uri comments the same instant Nash opens his mouth, probably to offer up a compliment.

He glares at his brother, tension immediately filling the room.

Shall we have some wine? Phanes picks up an unopened bottle chilling in a bucket of ice beside him.

Nash fills my glass, but I refuse to drink it, even if it is from a newly opened container. I don’t trust anything these three put down in front of me, which will make eating a challenge.

Are you settled in, Nash? the older man inquires, sipping his drink.

Yes, I am.

Good. Katarina will be staying with you. We can’t afford to leave her unattended.

She can also reside with me when my brother gets bored of her.

Stop it, Uri, Nash snaps, angered by the comment. We’ve already been through this. You’re not going to get your way.

We’ll see.

Dagmar enters carrying platters teeming with various meats, cheeses, breads, and vegetables, placing it all in the center of the table. Nash fills my plate first, but I don’t touch any of it until the others begin eating, feeling it’s now safe that everyone has taken from the same sets of dishes. If the meal had been served individually, then I wouldn’t even consume one bite. Growing up as a Najem has made me overly cautious about people, although not cautious enough. I’ve seen several Najem die due to their carelessness in how food or drink was presented to them. Especially when an Elarian happened to be close by.

What are the plans for this evening? Uri asks between mouthfuls.

Perhaps you can give your brother and Katarina a tour of our little nest, so they become familiar with the grounds and the boundaries, Phanes replies.

Sounds like an excellent idea. He smiles, then winks at me.

Nash’s head is down, so he miss the gesture. What planet are we on, anyway?

Canopus, his grandfather answers. It’s filled with classic architecture dating from when the universe was first settled. Technology is severely lacking in the Muron System, so the worlds are still pristine from when life began. It’s quite tranquil.

You’ll enjoy it here, Uri states. I hate to be leaving in a few weeks.

We’re going to be here that long? I exclaim, thinking it was simply for a day or two.

Relax, Katarina, Phanes says, setting down his empty glass. You should be grateful. It means a longer life for you.

It’ll be fine, Nash whispers in my ear, but the look on Uri’s face tells me different.

Two

Ian

Kat, where are you? I holler into the communicator for the Elarian flyer I’m piloting. Damn it, why isn’t she answering?

Because she doesn’t have a vocal collar, Rheegan responds sitting beside me, working to get the thrusters back online. Your dad destroyed the one that had been around her neck.

Shit, I forgot.

The last several hours have been a roller coaster of emotion and turmoil. I never expected my father to side with the Forum, but he did just that by murdering a guard to extract Caen from her cell. Rheegan and I