Chapter 39 - Forget me not

Anastasia blinked, trying to make sense of the figure stepping into the room. Her heart dropped, and her fists clenched instinctively when the hooded stranger pushed back his cowl. Golden hair. Piercing blue eyes. That same unsettling calm that made her want to hurl something at his face.

"Elijah," she spat, her voice thick with rage. "You! You're behind all of this!."

He smirked, his gaze sweeping over her with calculated amusement. "Ah, Ana. Still as sharp as ever. I was wondering how long it'd take you to put the pieces together."

Her mind raced. The hooded figure in Chicago—the one who'd whispered about the weapon. The angel she'd fought tooth and nail in Italy, both of them bloody and bruised over that same blade. The blade that could kill demons, angels, and even archangels. And now, here he was, smirking like a cat who had swallowed a particularly clever canary.

"You've been playing me this whole time," she said, her voice trembling with fury. "Chicago. Italy. The weapon. It was all you."

Elijah chuckled, taking a step closer. The guard in the corner tensed, but he waved him off with the same maddening nonchalance.

"Play you? Oh no, Ana. You played yourself," Elijah said smoothly. "Though, I must admit, I've enjoyed the show. Especially the little stunt you pulled with time travel. That was… bold."

Her blood ran cold. "You knew?"

"Of course I knew," he said, his tone infuriatingly casual. "You saved Matt. Clever girl. But you should've known better. Changing time doesn't affect archangels."

From the corner, Zython's brows shot up. "Oooh," he drawled, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "The good Anastasia, breaking rules not meant to be broken. Oh, that's good."

Anastasia shot him a glare that could have melted steel, but Zython only chuckled.

Rose's stunned whisper broke the tension. "You can… time travel?"

Anastasia ignored her, her focus locked on Elijah. "Why?" she demanded, her voice like ice. "Why would you let me take the weapon if you knew what it could do? It could kill you."

Elijah's smirk deepened. "Ah, but it wasn't meant to kill me." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I needed someone to do the dirty work. Someone capable. And let's face it, you were perfect for the job."

Her jaw dropped. "You bastard," she hissed.

"A little harsh but yes I guess I am one," he said smoothly, bowing his head as though she'd paid him the highest compliment.

"You're insane," she snapped, yanking at the chains that held her wrists. "What's the plan now? Keep me here until you find some other way to use me? Or are you just waiting for me to snap so you can pat yourself on the back for being right about how predictable humans are?"

Elijah straightened, his expression softening into something almost patronizing. "Oh, Anastasia. You think this is the part where I reveal my master plan, don't you? How very… mortal of you. I am not some mere demon that would reveal the great plan so you can figure out how to stop me."

From behind him, Zython let out a low growl. "Careful, angel. Your smugness is showing."

Elijah didn't even look at him. "You should take notes, Zython. If you're going to play the long game, subtlety is key."

Zython rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Stop being a wise arse - you know you needed help from us so kindly stop taking credit."

Anastasia snorted despite herself. "God, you're both ridiculous. It's like watching an episode of The Odd Couple, but with more world-ending consequences."

"Always the comedian," Elijah said, his gaze narrowing slightly. "But don't worry, Anastasia. Soon enough, you'll understand how important you are to our plans."

"And if I don't want to be part of your plans?" she challenged, lifting her chin defiantly.

"Oh, Ana," Elijah said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You've been part of the plan since the day you were born. You don't have a choice."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving Anastasia seething and Rose pale and trembling.

"Wait!" Anastasia shouted after him, but the door slammed shut, cutting her off.

For a moment, the room was silent except for the sound of Anastasia's ragged breathing. Then Rose spoke, her voice thick with emotion.

"Why Dylan?" she said, her eyes glistening with tears as she turned to Zython. "Why did you even come into my life? You should've just stayed away. I wish you made me forget you too."

Zython's face darkened, his usual cocky demeanor faltering for just a moment. "Is that what you really want, Rose?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"Yes!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "You ruined everything. You don't care about anyone but yourself!"

A cruel smile spread across his face as he took a step closer to her. "Oh, you want to forget me, do you? Like I made your parents forget?" Zython leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper. "Are you sure about that? Because if you want, I can make you forget about your fiancé, too."

Rose's breath hitched, her lips trembling. "Billy…"

"That's right," Zython said, his tone mocking now. "You want to forget me? Fine. But don't think for a second I won't take something else from you. Something that matters."