Runes of Royalty

A Demon’s Fall Series: Book Four

G. Bailey

Contents

Join Bailey’s Pack

Description

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

Author Note

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About the Author

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Runes of Royalty Copyright © 2019 by G. Bailey

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

Cover Design by Daqri Combs.

Edited by Helayna Trask.

Created with Vellum

Protector. Angel. Assassin…and now Queen.

Evie is now queen of the Protectors, and rumoured queen of the demons as well, but dealing with the black magic she can’t control is far more dangerous than either of those titles.The Protectors have fallen, demons along with them, and Earth is not far behind.

Can Nix, Trex, Connor and Azi help Evie survive a power no one understands? Or knows how to stop…

There is a war to be won, and Cex is tracking her every move, can the assassin—now queen—win the war?

Demons will rule.

18+ RH

Prologue

Seth, Cheri and Hali come through the portal just after us, and the moment the portal disappears, it is like time just stops. Every person on the street is frozen, the cars on the road behind us are paused, and there is just silence in New York City. I wave my hand in front of a random woman’s face, and she doesn’t flinch or move at all. What is going on?

"Seems like Lamia knows we are here," Azi mutters, looking at the house right in front of us. It is completely out of place here in the middle of all these high rises. It's an old fashioned house, made with dark wood timbers, and there is an odd white picket fence around the front garden of weeds and grass. A small gate is right in front of us, and I step forward to open the gate when Azi catches my arm and stops me. "Wait."

"Salvatore...I have been looking forward to your visit," a voice speaks into my mind, the sheer pressure of her voice making me grab the sides of my head and mentally beg her to stop talking. "Come inside with only the death-marked witch at your side."

The voice stops, and I gasp, sucking in air as Azi holds me, trying to ask me what is wrong, but everything is silent for a second before sound just seems to return like a smack to the face.

“Vi, what the hell is wrong?” Azi demands, holding my face with his hands and looking into my eyes like he can see the problem and wants to destroy it with his gaze alone.

"A woman, I’m assuming Lamia, said to come inside with Hali only," I explain to him, and he grits his teeth in anger, but the mere fact he doesn’t immediately say no means Azi really does trust this woman. I’m a tiny bit jealous, but I know Azi well enough to understand this isn’t a woman he loves. Just knows and trusts, I assume. "I can keep myself and Hali safe. Just wait for us."

"You don't understand who she is," Azi bites out as Hali comes to my side, clearly not needing a pep talk to follow me into a creepy haunted house because a voice in my head told me to. That's my girl.

"Well, I'm about to find out, aren't I?"

Chapter 1

I don’t know how long I crawl through the red, dusty storm almost endlessly, never having a clue where I am meant to be heading. I don't remember when I started crawling, where the dust storm came from, or why I am so terrified of stopping. I cannot stop, I know something bad will happen if I do. I crawl and crawl through the endless dust. The red dust does nothing but fight me, punish me, but I can't stop. I never can stop because I finally realize he is right behind me, wanting the power—and my death alongside it.

"When do you think she will wake up?" Azi asks, though his voice sounds nothing like my Azi, as I become aware of the real world and not the dream of dust that never seems to end. The demon I'm in love with has never sounded so panicked, lost and angry all at the same time. "Will my Vi wake up?"

"I'm no doctor, but black magic doesn't kill the host. Not from what I read about it," I hear a slightly familiar voice reply. "Father never spoke of the magic, and his books were never clear on anything, let alone this."

"Leave us alone and watch the girls just in case he finds us sooner this time," Azi instructs.

"I will," the man replies, "though Evie darling is much stronger than this magic. She will wake, she is too stubborn not to."

I try to pull my eyes open as I hear a door open and close in the distance not much later as the warm sun shines onto my face for only a second before disappearing. Spreading my fingers out, I notice I am nestled in satin sheets that are rather comfy. There is a lavender smell in the warm room, but I can hear nothing more than Azi's breathing and muttering close by. When my eyes finally listen to me, I blink them open and look up at the glass ceiling that shows off the deeply moody and grey clouds hanging in the sky above. I am lying on a large bed in a square room with one window to the side. There are big white double doors on the other side of the cream painted room, and there is little else in here that I can see as I glance around.

"Looks like it might rain," I manage to say, but my voice is cracked and not much more than a whisper.

"Vi," Azi all but shouts. His loud voice in the quiet room makes me jump as he comes to me on the bed and helps me sit up only to pull me to his chest. I hold him close, keeping my head on his wrinkled top as I just relax in the fact he is alive and alright, though he smells like he hasn't showered in days, and he has a thin line of black dust, old blood, on his arms like he quickly washed down and didn't bother much. Azi's black hair is messy, pushed to the one side, which furthers my idea that he hasn't been showering. So does the partial beard he has grown out, but it somewhat suits him. The last time I saw Azi like this was when he thought I was dead, but even then, he wasn't this bad.

"What happened?" I ask, thinking back to the events before I was here, knowing it was all so important. They all rush back to me in a flood of memories. Becoming queen and beating Erica, but Star was hurt. Cex forcing me to make him my knight and getting to the black magic tree. I look down at my hands in my lap, remembering the moment I put my hands on that tree and absorbed half the black magic, with Cex taking the other. I was lucky to escape, only to find the Protectors’ city was under attack.

"I don't know where to start, Vi," he gently says, placing his hand on my face, and I look into his tired eyes. "It's been three days since you passed out in the city."

"Tell me everything," I demand. "I need to know what happened, Azi."

"The Protectors’ city is destroyed, overtaken by those yellow demons that I'm sure my dead brother helped create for Cex," he explains to me, and I feel nothing but guilt. This is my fault. I’m the god damn queen, and I let everything be destroyed because I fell in love. Do I regret that choice to save Connor? No, and I never could regret it, but it doesn’t stop the overwhelming feeling of guilt. I push the feeling to the back of mind, the place where it can gather dust with the rest of my supressed emotions I can’t deal with.

"Are Connor, Nix and Trex okay?" I ask, barely able to say the words and getting angrier by the moment as worry builds up. Why wouldn’t they be here with me? Where the hell are we? "Star? Just tell me if they are alive, and if they aren’t…tell me where to find Cex."

"They are alive, don't worry," he tells me, and the air I was holding in whooshes out. Thank gods. Though the more I wake up, the more I feel through our bond that Star is fine. I sense nothing but a longing to be near me again. After the test and nearly losing her, I feel the same way. "They can't be near you when you are like this, and your surviving people needed leaders while you recover."

"What do you mean they can't be near me?" I ask. “I don’t understand.”

"The black magic...you sent out a shock wave which luckily they all just avoided, but only I and other overlord demons can withstand the power. You have destroyed three homes we have taken you to, but so far you seem okay today," he tells me. "But you did kill a lot of those yellow demons and gave your people a real chance to escape, so the power isn’t all bad."

"Small bonuses then, huh?" I aimlessly state, pulling away from Azi and getting off the bed.

“I’m sorry about your houses, and thank you for helping me…again. I feel like I’m a long way past the person I used to be who never needed help.” I wrap my arms around myself as I walk to the window, seeing Big Ben and other familiar London buildings all around us from the high position we are in. The busy city keeps going on like the world isn't close to ending, because they don't know what evils go on around them. They live their lives quietly without any clue of the massive battles we all face to save them. If Cex wins, they will know without a doubt and suffer with no one to save them. I never wanted to be the hero, the one the humans, demons and, hell, even Protectors are no doubt looking at to save them. I was a damn assassin, clueless of who my parents were and living a relatively normal life. I know I will never be able to go back to that life because it is gone. The sun shines out of the grey looming clouds for a second, shining against me and feeling like even the sun is telling me I have to fix the darkness in this world.

“You never have to thank me,” he replies. “And you are different, but not in a bad way. Your old life built you up for this moment. Now you just have to deal with the new storm on the horizon.”

“It seems like the storm has never ended from the moment I met my real family. It’s almost ironically sad how I met my sisters in death, never truly getting to know them. Now there is nothing but death, and I don’t know where to run anymore,” I say to him, not sure why my sisters are who I am thinking of right now. I wonder how different everything could have been if I were brought up as my aunt’s child, a cousin to the throne until the test came up and my mother admitted who I was. I could have known my family rather than the cruelty of the streets. Then I wouldn’t have met Rita, or had a chance to look after Hali for her. I would never have met Azi, for that matter. As much as I wish my past was kinder, that it prepared me in a different way for this life now, I know it was the past I needed. I hope my sisters are somewhat happy in death with my mother and their father.

"What are you thinking of, Vi?" Azi asks, coming to my side as the sun is hidden once again in the clouds, and I'm left once more watching the city pass by.

"Of the past," I admit to him, knowing I can tell Azi the deepest part of my soul, and he will never judge me for it. "The pressure of needing to fix the world when I used to live happily in the shadows."

"You were never meant for the shadows, Vi," Azi says, placing his hand on the middle of my back. "The shadows were only guardians, keeping you safe until you needed to fight in the light."

"Poetic, but you are basically saying it's not the time for hiding anymore," I say, turning my head to look at him instead of the world. He is a much better view anyway.

"Not when you have the world to fight for," he says, turning to face me and leaning down, pressing his lips ever so gently across mine. "Not when you have a future, a damn good one at that."

"With you and my Protectors. Oh, and Star," I say, smiling at him as he straightens up. Azi looks to the double doors in the room and back to me with a small smile as someone turns the handle.

"And one more person," he tells me. The double doors are pushed open, and Hali walks in, grinning widely and looking exactly like the day I had to let her go.

"Hey, Evie. Did you miss me?"

Chapter 2

"Hali!" I shout, running to her and pulling her into a hug. I'm not a big hugger, but I don't want to let go of Hali in this moment. I've missed her so damn much. She hugs me just as tightly, and until now, I didn’t realise how much I’ve missed her. It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve had Hali close to me. With everything that is going on, having Hali here now is right.

"I will take that as a yes. I've missed you too, by the way," she whispers to me as I breath in her coconut and almond scent from the hair products she has always used.

"You have no idea how proud I am of you and how much I've missed you, Hali," I say, pulling back only so I can really look at her and make sure she is okay. Hali is half braided on the one side and the other is smooth, straightened, shiny black hair that falls to her shoulders. I've never seen her with this hairstyle before, but it makes her look older than when I last saw her. Though her hair is different, her clothes are similar to what she usually wears, and overall she looks healthy and okay.

"Seems like Seth has been looking after you like I asked him to," I comment, seeing how relaxed and happy she looks.

"Seth is alright under all that grumpiness," she explains to me. I wouldn’t call him alright, but whatever.

"I'm not grumpy, Hali," Seth states, coming into the room with a girl following right after him that I recognise as his daughter even though I haven’t seen her in a long time. "Evie darling, it is good to see you awake. You can have your pain in the ass charge back."

"Dickhead," Hali mutters, and I sneak a little grin at her. She isn't wrong, so I'm not correcting her. Looks like my girl is getting all grown up.

"Why are you here?" I ask. “Not that I’m not happy to see Hali, but surely bringing her to me now isn’t the smart move I’d expect from you, Seth. Not when your life depends on keeping my Hali safe.” Seth narrows his red eyes on me as I glare right back, my hands instinctively going to my sides for weapons that aren’t there. Well, holy fire always works. Azi grabs my arm before I can do anything, and Hali steps in front of me, somewhat protecting Seth which is a little confusing. Wasn’t she just calling him a dickhead?

"Our hiding place was attacked. Dad saved Hali and me," the girl blurts out, pulling my attention to her as she stands close to Seth, looking like his female double. They both have white hair, the same length, but the girl’s is wavy and braided on one side, just like Hali's. I assume she can hide her succubus side, the pink hair and skin, now that she is older. I’m not sure if I prefer this side to her or the pink succubus side. I catch Hali smiling at her clear friend, and I'm happy they get along. I remember her as a kid, but she is older now, less childlike and somewhat the same age as Hali, if I remember right. Though I struggle for her name which is still a blur.

"Cheri, you have grown up since I last saw you," Azi responds and nods once at Seth as a thank you. I suppose the demon can live for now if he doesn’t continue to piss me off, that is. How this idiot is Azi’s brother, I will never understand. They are complete opposites.

"I don't remember meeting you, uncle. After all, I was only two years old, and you have been just a story since then," Cheri replies, making it clear she isn’t happy about being ignored for so long. I don’t exactly blame her for that.

"Maybe we can change that fact in the future when it is safe," Azi suggests, and she nods once with a little smirk.

"What happened at the hiding place?" I ask, cutting into this nice catch up because we really have a lot of other things we need to focus on, but first I want to know who attacked my Hali and how they even found her.

"Yellow demons. Cheri and Seth saved my life when I was cornered," Hali explains to me, making my heart pound in my chest as I take her hand. “I was fighting them off with weapons, but there were just so many of them. My arm was bit by one of them, and I was cornered when Cheri sent a ball of fire into the demon closest to me, and then Seth helped her kill the rest so we could escape.

"Luckily, I know how to use my demon powers like my dad," Cheri adds in. “And Hali has witch healing already, so she soon healed her arm while we waited for you to wake up, Queen Evie.”

"Either way, they were very lucky Cex sent his demons when he did because I was visiting and I could save them both. Cheri is still a minor and has not come into all of her powers yet. And the witch is powerless, as you know," Seth explains. “Cex knew they couldn’t have outpowered that many demons on their own.”

"I've said thank you, no need to be mean," Hali huffs. “I can’t wait to turn eighteen and get these powers.”

"I wasn't being mean, child, I was pointing out the obvious. I swear I need a drink to talk to you. You are as bad as Evie," Seth mutters. “Stubborn and annoying.”

"I wouldn't call it bad, more practice at being perfect," I say, wrapping an arm around Hali's shoulders. I pause, feeling a wave of dizziness, and intense pain shoots right in my heart, which makes me sway a little. I hold onto Hali tightly as I close my eyes, seeing deep red swirls of darkness before someone's hand gently shakes my shoulder, and I force my eyes open, the dizziness disappearing instantly.

"How are you feeling?" Azi asks, suddenly right in my face, and Hali is behind Seth, holding Cheri's hand and looking frightened. I glance at my hands, seeing red swirling lines under the skin of my hands, but it soon fades until it completely disappears.

"I'm fine," I mutter when I can, knowing it’s a big old lie because my heart literally still hurts, and my hands feel like they were just burnt, but there are no marks.

"No, you're not, but I know where we need to go to get help," Azi growls out, rubbing his hands through his hair.

"Can't we just stay here? I might just need to lie down," I suggest instead.

"We can't stay anywhere more than eight hours at the moment," Azi explains to me.

"Why?" I ask, though I’m not sure if I want the answer.

"Cex is your knight, and he can feel where you are. Keeper Grey told us that we need to keep you moving every eight hours until you wake up," he tells me. “We take you from here to New York next and then somewhere else if we can’t get help. Somewhere far away.”

"The keepers are alive?" I ask, relieved.

"Yes, but we can't take you to them because then Cex would find the last of the Protectors," Azi explains to me. “And you could hurt them all on your own with how out of control you are.”

"I understand...so what do we do now?" I ask. “Can we go and find Cex and kill him? I’m game for that plan.”

"You need to get dressed, armed, and then we are going to see an old friend, because going after Cex without an army is a death wish, Vi. Lamia is the only demon in the world who might be able to help us, but it will come with a hefty price," Azi explains to me.

"I can pay it," I automatically state.

"No, I will. I will pay any price for the help we need from her," Azi informs me, looking stubborn.

“We will give you some space,” Seth suggests, ushering the girls out of the room with him as I meet Azi’s red eyes. He is angry, more than angry, I suspect. His demon wants to control the situation, no doubt making all his emotions much worse than they need to be.

"Azi, you don't get to be the one to make that choice. We are a team—"

"Team?" Azi asks, shaking his head with a sarcastic laugh leaving his lips. "What part of you was thinking of me when you didn't run and instead chose to take half this deadly power into your body?"

"I'm not saying sorry for trying to save the whole fucking world!" I angrily reply. What else was I meant to do? Let his brother destroy everything the Protectors have spent years protecting? Even if this power kills me, at least he will not have it.

"I don't care about the whole fucking world. It can burn for all I care, but I will not lose you!" he shouts right back, and I lose every trace of the argument I had ready to say. I step closer and throw my arms around his shoulders, slamming my lips onto his and kissing him like the world itself will wait and give us this moment. When I break away, breathing heavily, Azi rests his forehead against mine, both of us forgetting anything but each other.

"We will fix this. I'm not leaving you, Azi."

"Then we fix this mess because there isn't another option."

Chapter 3

I finish plaiting my wet dark blue hair, so it falls on my left shoulder, above the grey vest top I have on. Azi found me some black leather trousers, knee-high boots and a belt for me to clip two daggers onto that Seth gave me. I miss my sword and bow though, but beggars can't be choosers. I rub my hand across the steamy mirror, and I can do nothing but look at my face for a long time, running my eyes over the marks that signal my status as queen. I won that trial, but at the time, I never got to look at the marks that now appear on my face. It's almost like if I want them to be there, they are, and if I don't, they disappear.

I place the tip of my finger on the swirling triangle mark in the middle of my forehead and trace down the swirls on both the left and right side that swirl and circle just above my eyebrows and down to the side of my eyes. My mother had these marks, and I don't even know what she would say about me being the queen. Likely nothing good, considering in my time of reign, the Protectors’ city has been destroyed and my people are hiding or running for their lives.

"Dammit," I angrily whisper to myself, knowing I've somehow let them all down, even though there was nothing I could have done. I can't stop thinking back to the dream I had and the black magic power that is angrily swirling inside of me, begging to get out and destroy everything. I know the red dust is a mirror image of the power, and the reason I can never stop crawling through it is because if I stop, it will destroy me. It could destroy everything and everyone in this world. This magic is dangerous, unknown, and I've never been scared of myself until now.

"Evie, you coming out? We need to go before it gets dark," Hali asks, knocking on the door. "Or at least that is what Azi said," she adds.

"Coming out now," I reply, shakily letting go of the sink and picking up the black hoodie off the cabinet. I pull it on before opening the door and walking out into the living room of the fancy apartment. The sofas are black, facing large windows that have incredible views over the city. There is a small kitchen on the one side and a dining room area on the other where the door to the bedroom is.

"Whose place is this anyway? It's pretty posh," I ask, assuming it is Seth's, who is standing by the window with Cheri, showing her a pretty silver sword. It's not as nice as my purple one though.

"One of my homes, and you are always welcome back here," Azi tells me, walking over to my side with Hali next to him. Hali has a whip wrapped around her wrist, and I pick her hand up, turning it over to see the black and silver whip with very sharp ends she has on.

"Seth taught me how to use it and said I could keep it," she explains to me. “It’s faster, more deadly than a sword, and Seth says when I have magic, I could use elements with it. It’s a favourite witch weapon.”

"It was our mother’s, if I remember it right," Azi says, coming over to us and looking at the whip with me. I never saw Rita fight with one; she preferred her swords and daggers and sometimes a bow, though she could make her swords buzz with lightening, and her arrows into swirling arrows of water and fire.

"No one could use it like she could, except for Trouble over here who I caught playing with the whip," Seth explains, eyeing the whip like a long lost relative itself. It makes me wonder why he gave it to Hali in the first place. I have a funny feeling he has a motive which Hali will find out when he wants. And I will stab him with the whip if it ends up hurting her.

"It's different and almost natural to use," Hali explains to me. “When I saw it, it was almost like it called to me.”

"You are not fighting, so it doesn't matter, now does it?" I say, dropping her hand, because I’m sure the whip did call to her. I’m a true believer that some weapons have their own magic, their own owners which they choose. "Though I will admit it is pretty bloody awesome, and I can’t wait to see you train with it."

"Time to go, it will be morning where we need to get to," Azi explains, looking my way. "Ready to go, Vi?"

"As I will ever be," I reply, crossing my arms and wondering exactly who this woman is that Azi thinks can solve all my problems. I’ve never met anybody who Azi trusts, other than Seth and me, that is. Azi holds his hand out, pushing a portal into existence before walking straight into it. I hold Hali's hand before walking into the portal and pulling her through with me.

We come out onto a busy street in the middle of New York, with people pushing past us and going about their daily lives like they can't see us. A woman walks right in front of me, before carefully walking around me and carrying on like I’m not there. Seth, Cheri and Hali come through the portal just after us, and the moment the portal disappears, it is like time just stops. Every person on the street is frozen, the cars on the road behind us are paused, and there is just silence in New York City. I wave my hand in front of a random woman’s face, and she doesn’t flinch or move at all. What the hell is going on?

"Seems like Lamia knows we are here," Azi mutters, looking at the house right in front of us. It is completely out of place here in the middle of all these high rises. It's an old fashioned house, made with dark wood timbers, and there is an odd white picket fence around the front garden of weeds and grass. A small gate is right in front of us, and I step forward to open the gate when Azi catches my arm and stops me. "Wait."

"Salvatore...I have been looking forward to your visit," a voice speaks into my mind, the sheer pressure of her voice making me grab the sides of my head and mentally beg her to stop talking. "Come inside with only the death-marked witch at your side."

The voice stops, and I gasp, sucking in air as Azi holds me, trying to ask me what is wrong, but everything is silent for a second before sound just seems to return like a smack to the face.

“Vi, what the hell is wrong?” Azi demands, holding my face with his hands and looking into my eyes like he can see the problem and wants to destroy it with his gaze alone.

"A woman, I’m assuming Lamia, said to come inside with Hali only," I explain to him, and he grits his teeth in anger, but the mere fact he doesn’t immediately say no means Azi really does trust this woman. I’m a tiny bit jealous, but I know Azi well enough to understand this isn’t a woman he loves. Just knows and trusts, I assume. "I can keep myself and Hali safe. Just wait for us."

"You don't understand who she is," Azi bites out as Hali comes to my side, clearly not needing a pep talk to follow me into a creepy haunted house because a voice in my head told me to. That's my girl.

"Well, I'm about to find out, aren't I?"

Chapter 4

"Stay behind me, just in case," I whisper to Hali as we walk through the open gate and down the cracked stone path to the stairs that lead to the house. Hali doesn't say a word, but she squeezes my hand once to let me know she understands. Any demon, or whatever this woman is, that can stop time and have Azi's trust must be extremely powerful. Whatever she is, if she harms Hali, then I will never stop until she is dead. I make sure my thoughts are loud, hoping that she is listening in on them as we walk up the creaky wooden steps, and the black wooden door slowly swings open. I step through the door, feeling a wave of magic sweep over me before we get into the dark corridor that smells like freshly baked cookies, and the door slams shut behind Hali. Not creepy at all. I keep my hand on one of my daggers just in case Azi got this wrong.

"Did you feel that magic?" Hali asks me, and I feel her shiver through our joined hands.

"Yes, I'm surprised you could though," I admit, eyeing Hali as she shouldn't have supernatural senses until she gets her witch powers at eighteen. Though she shouldn’t have supernatural healing so early, but here we are.

"This way," a female voice calls out to our left, where a door suddenly opens and there is a warm light on the other side. Shrugging at Hali, I walk to the door and push it open, walking into the cosy living room where an old woman is sitting in a rocking chair, a glowing purple cat on her lap that is purring as she strokes it and rocks the chair. The woman has long grey hair that is shiny and smooth. Her body is small, hidden in a cloak, and though she is old, she still has a beauty to her—an almost youthful, magic glow to her pale skin. The cat lifts its head, eyeing us for a second before going back to sleep like we aren’t here. There is a glass coffee table right in front of the woman, and near it, a sofa. The rest of the room is empty bar the large fireplace with a hot fire burning inside of it.

"Hello," Hali awkwardly says, waving a hand at the woman who lets out a little laugh but keeps her eyes on me.

"Hello, death-marked witch. Why don't you and your guardian sit down?" she asks, pointing a hand at the flowery couch opposite her.

"I'd rather stand and so would Hali," I reply, tugging Hali’s hand to stop her sitting down.

"Standing is rude, at least it is to me. How else will you drink your tea and eat your biscuits?" she asks and clicks her fingers. Suddenly, there are two mugs with steam coming out the tops of them and a plate of biscuits in the middle of the coffee table in front of the sofa. I eye the cup of tea and biscuits before returning to observe the woman. They may be Hali’s favourite biscuits, and I love a cup of tea, but that isn’t going to make me sit.

"If you could make that a plate of bacon, I will sit down," I barter, and the woman laughs, clicking her fingers again. A plate of crispy bacon appears next to the cup of tea, looking and smelling perfect. I wink at her before going to sit down, nearly forgetting the reason we are here as I eat the bacon and wash it down with the tea. Bacon really is my downfall at times.

"Evie can be lured into any trap with a plate of bacon," Hali states, rolling her eyes at me.

"This isn't a trap though, because I trust Azi with my life more than I trust myself," I say. "But I would like your bacon appearing power, Lamia."

"It's not meant to just make bacon appear, Salvatore, and neither can you ever harness my power. You are struggling with an ancient power as it is," she replies, eyeing me carefully.

“How do you know Azi?” I ask her, changing the subject before we talk about something so dangerous. I need to know why he trusts her.

“Azi and Seth are children of dear friends of mine, who we lost many years past. I do not have friends, never needed them, but Azi’s parents where important to me as the only ones I’ve trusted in my long life. They helped me survive when I was hunted, and Azi showed me the same kindness as a child when he did not need to. I owed him a debt for the kindness, and it was paid not so long ago. That’s how I know your demon…you can say I am a family friend of sorts,” she explains to me, her accent unrecognisable and distant like she is imagining a story I couldn’t understand.

"So, family friend, the black magic...you know of it?" I ask her, and she smirks as she rests back in the chair, letting it rock.

"The magic is very similar to my own, but uncontrollable, hostile and never should be held by a Protector with angel blood," she replies. “It was not made for angels or Protectors or anyone that walks this Earth. Ancient magic has one owner, and it can only be held by them. Cex was always a jealous child, one I warned my friends would be a problem when he was older. They loved him nonetheless, like any parents do, and could not stop his anger when he grew up, and now he has a way to control a deathly magic. Only it has taken his soul and any trace of good in him to do so.”

"My angel blood is why the black magic is rejecting me?" I ask, not wanting to dwell on Cex and how he was always evil and apparently more so now. That doesn’t surprise me.

"Killing you, Evelina. That is what the magic is doing. It cannot be held by anyone currently alive, and it can only be destroyed by the death of an angel. Even a half like you would take the magic to death with you," she explains. “The other half of the magic is still deadly enough to destroy the world, and the only person who can take that half from Cex is you. You must kill him and absorb the power before it tries to attack the world. It would be like a storm, the red dust would wash out human, Protector, angel and demon alike. Witches and reapers would fall to it as well, and there would be nothing left.”

"No, then we need to get it out of her!" Hali exclaims. “Not pour more of the deadly power into Evie. Tell us how to get it out.”

"The power cannot be taken unless Cex decides to take it, and the same vice versa. Either way, Evie will die," she states, the word die seems to plunge the room into silence.

"I am here, and I can hear you. Is there no way to survive it?" I ask her.

"I do not know many things, but taking magic that is not yours comes with a price," she says. "I invited you in here alone because Azi cannot understand it, and he would die for you."

"I don't understand it!" Hali exclaims.

"That is why you will forget this part of the conversation the moment you leave my house. It is for only Evie to remember," she says, and Hali shakes her head, staring at me.

"How long?" I ask, knowing I need all the information I can get.

"The black magic is unpredictable. I will give you this to help your control and hide you from Cex, your knight," she says and holds out her hand. A necklace appears out of nowhere, with a dark red, glowing stone on a long chain. "When the colour is all drained in the stone, Cex will be able to find you, and the black magic is no longer controlled."

"Thank you," I say, standing up and walking to her, looking down at the necklace, which she closes in her hand.

"It comes with a cost," she says when I stop in front of her.

"Azi suggested you like to charge for your help," I mutter. "What do you want?"

"Nothing from you, a queen soon to not be one. Even then, there is nothing you can give me. I want a debt owed from Hali," she says, moving her gaze to Hali. “I see a bright future for you and a time in which I will need your help.”

"Hell no," I angrily snap. "Forget your help. Hali, we are going."

"I promise you a debt," Hali says, and the words magically echo around the room as I glare at her.

"Hali! She is a dangerous demon and could ask anything for that debt!" I shout at her as she stands up, nods once at the demon before looking at me. Not that anything she could say could make this any better in the slightest. A debt is a debt. In the end, I wouldn’t be able to stop Lamia from collecting it. I can hear and sense the magic wrapped around Hali’s last words.

"Pick the necklace up, Evie. You kept me alive, and I owe you a much bigger debt I want to pay back. That necklace will give you time with your guys, with me and your family you just found. That time is worth any debt, and I owe you," Hali tells me, acting so strong and so much older than she should have to. “Let me give you this, Evie. Please,” she pleads with me, tears falling from her big pale grey eyes. I hate it when she cries…because all I want to do is fix the world for her.

"Hali..." I whisper, sighing.

"For once in your life, listen to someone and pick the necklace up," Lamia tells me, and I pull my gaze to her. I step closer, slowly picking up the necklace and lowering my voice.

"Thanks for the bacon and the advice," I say. "But if your debt hurts her in any way, then I will find a way to end your existence. Even if I'm dead, I will find a way from the other side. Hali is my world, understood?"

"Your adoptive child will not be hurt by my debt. I do not wish a war with the Salvatore," she replies. "Even if I did not care, I respect your past actions too much to betray you. I have only ever helped or interfered with good people. Azi is one of those, you are another, and Hali will be another when she is challenged."

"What are you?" I ask her, wondering who this strange demon is and how she has so much power. Demons usually have red, orange or blue skin or hair. Something that makes them appear less human. This woman looks human to me, even when it’s clear she is anything but.

"A time keeper demon. The last of my kind, and that is a true curse you could never imagine," she says, putting her cat down as she stands up. She is a little taller than me as she waves a hand over the plates and cups on the table, making them disappear.

"Maybe it is a curse because you keep yourself locked away in here. All alone," I reply. “You could come out into the world.”

"I'm not alone, I have my familiar and memories of family that will keep me alive for many more years yet," she tells me.

"Demons can have familiars like Protectors?" I ask. Never heard of that before.

"As you well know, demons, Protectors, angel, witch, reaper or whatever. We are all similar in the way we share the magic of this world," she says, winking once at me which is creepy, but I don't say that. I agree with her statement though. "Time for you to leave. Your people do need you at this time."

"I won't remember this conversation, will I?" Hali asks, coming to stand next to me as Lamia goes back to her chair.

"No, but I will remind you of it when I collect my debt, death-marked witch," Lamia replies.

"My name is Hali," she sarcastically states, walking to the door and out into the corridor.

"Good luck," Lamia whispers to me, though I hear her loud and clear from the other side of the room.

"Same to you, Lamia," I reply, nodding once in a respectful way before walking out to the corridor. I slide the necklace over my head before tucking it into my vest.

"I won't let you die from this magic. It won't happen, Evie," Hali says. "Even if I don't remember why I feel sick and sad from how scared I am to lose you. The demon can't get rid of that feeling, and I will know only one person in this world can make me that scared to lose them."

"When did you get so smart...and well, older?" I ask, placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Around the time I was taken hostage, then rescued by strangers, then lost you. Then you came back and, well, I could keep listing," she says, “but this mark I have…it means life will never be easy for me.”

"When this is over, you can have a normal, protected life," I tell her, meaning it. “We can find a new Chinese place we love, and catch up on the Catfish episodes we have missed. We can have our normal back.”

"Not without you though, and you can’t promise me a future right now. You are my family, and I have nothing without you," she says, letting tears stream down her cheeks, and before I can reach for her, she walks out of the door, letting the magic take her memories. I follow her out next, seeing her stand on the steps looking confused as she wipes away a tear.

"Should we go inside?" she asks, looking at the door in confusion as it slams shut, and suddenly the busy streets of New York burst back into life.

"No, we already have and you have forgotten. We have to go now," I explain to her, offering her my hand to hold.

"Why am I so sad?" she asks.

"I don't know," I lie as she takes my hand, because telling her the truth will only hurt her more, and I won't do that. I can't ever do that to her because it's my job to protect her, and that is what I am going to do. I'm going to protect everyone.

Chapter 5

Trex

"Star, come on. You have to eat something, girl," I say, stroking Star's back as she sits by the window, hearing her huff once more at me. I'm not surprised to find her waiting once again, like she has done since we had to let Azi take Evie away to keep her safe even if none of us wanted that to happen. It feels wrong not to be at her side when the world is going to shit, but if I trust anyone to keep her safe, it is Azi. I stroke a hand down Star's back, hearing the slight whine she lets out as I look out of the tiny window at the demon underground. This place shouldn't exist in such peace, but here it does. When Evie passed out, she sent out waves of red magic that were so powerful, it killed demons like they were nothing more than paper in the wind.

The demon underground is made of old shipping containers that rise high in the sky, and the demons have made their own little streets lined with everything from nightclubs to food markets. The demon underground Evie took us to was destroyed by yellow demons, and this one in the south of France is one of the last two demon undergrounds left, according to the demons we have spoken to. The fact they opened their doors to hundreds of Protectors tells me all I need to know. They are kinder than we Protectors are, because we would have never let a demon into the city.

I don't think I will ever get the image of watching the gold buildings of my home burn down. The screams of the people we couldn't save still haunt my dreams as well as the knowledge the city is gone. There is nothing but ash, dust and pain in the place I loved and grew up in. Evie was always right about the demons though; they are just like us. They have families. They fall in love and fight for what they believe is the best thing for the world.

"Star, Evie would be upset if you turned down the bacon-covered steaks I made you," I tell her, knowing bribing her to eat might be my only chance. "And you need to be strong for when Evie comes back to us." Star looks at me like I'm the devil before huffing and walking into the kitchen on the other side of the room. I pick up my sword from where it is resting by the front door, clipping it onto my back before walking out the container, onto the metal panels outside.

"Trex!" I hear someone shout, and I walk to the edge of the panel, holding onto the bars and looking down at Connor who is at the bottom of the stairs. "We have a problem!" I don't need him to tell me anything more as I sprint down the path and to the stairs. I quickly run down the steps, jumping around the corners until I get to the bottom. Connor nods his head to the side, running down the alleyway and into the crowds of people. There is cheering, swords clashing, and I look up as a fireball flies into the air.

"What's happening?" I ask as Connor pushes his way through the demons in the crowd, and the sound of fighting gets louder.

"One of our people is fighting a demon. I don't know the details," Connor shouts back to me as we continue to get through the people who are not interested in letting us pass. We finally push through the crowd just in time to see Nix jump into the battle. He grabs the demon that is on fire, lifting him in the air and throwing him across the dirt floor before spinning to face the blond Protector, placing a hand in the air and warning him not to bother.

"What the fuck is going on?" I ask, walking into the now silent space and over to Nix's side. He nods at me before looking back at the demon, who seems to be calculating the odds of trying that again. The Protector is a young man, one I don't know, and he is covered in burns and blood but stands his ground while facing us. He looks behind his shoulder once, holding a hand out, and a young demon woman with orange skin, black hair and big eyes runs to hold his hand. She clings to him as he kisses her forehead.

"She is my sister, and mine to care for until she finds a mate," he spits out.

"I choose him," the girl says. "I know we only met a few days ago, but sometimes you just know who you are meant to be with."

"Then he dies for touching you. He is a dirty Protector, not even a demon! He cannot be trusted!" the demon shouts, and there are hushed whispers following his words. I go to speak when a hooded figure walks right into the middle of the circle. I know who it is instantly from the way she walks and how she holds herself.

"When is everyone going to learn that demons and Protectors have more in common than their differences?" she says, lowering her hood and letting her long blue hair be revealed. The crowd instantly bows their heads as she locks eyes on mine, and I see the relief in her gaze. It matches my own. I'm fucking glad to see her alive and well. "I should know this fact because I was brought up around you, and I am a Protector. I am also your queen, and I will not tolerate us fighting each other. You can trust my words when I say that there is a fight coming our way, one which most of us will not survive, so save your strength for that. Save it for the overlord demon called Cex who wants to destroy every world, and I am going to stop him. We are going to stop him because this is our home. Protectors, humans, demons and every other creature that lives in this world need to stop him. No more fights, no more petty arguments. Save it for the real enemy."

The crowd murmurs their agreements before the words Salvatore and queen are whispered instead. She has returned.

Chapter 6

"Blue, damn it is good to see you. I was worried," Connor states as the crowd disappears into the streets and, most of all, their eyes are no longer on me. Connor kisses me as he wraps his arms around my waist, and I lose myself in the feel of his lips against mine as I slide my hands into his soft hair. Someone clears their throat and a hand rests on my back. I pull away from Connor to see Nix at my side, smirking down at me. He purposely leans down and seductively kisses me while Connor holds me, reminding me of that one time he watched Connor and me together, before he pulls back.

"We all missed you, and you have an audience I presume you don't want," he says, and I nod in a little bit of a haze. I forget how they make me feel when I’m around them. I forgot how much I missed them and feel complete with them near. Everything feels just a little less terrifying when they are here.

"Why are you here? With Cex as your knight, he can follow you," Trex asks, coming over to me.

"Ah Trexy, are you not happy to see me?" I ask, placing my hand on his arm.

"It's not that, and you know it," he replies, and I grin at him. I do know it. I pull the necklace out of my shirt, letting the red glowing gem hang in the air.

"I was given a gift from a creepy old demon lady in a haunted house," I explain to them, running my fingers over the gemstone.

"Wait, start from the beginning of how you got that necklace," Trex asks, looking confused.

"Well, she had this power to make bacon appear—" Connor’s laughter cuts me off.

"Did you really walk into a creepy house, no questions asked, because she had bacon?" he asks.

"I think we know Evie well enough to guess the answer," Nix mutters, though he laughs a little.

"I didn't know she had bacon until I went inside. Either way, I'm safe from Cex being able to find me," I explain to them, and they all look relieved.

"And the magic?" Connor gently asks.

"Controlled for now," I say, which is the closest to the truth I'm willing to tell them. Trex stares at me for a second, clearly not believing I'm telling him everything. Which I am not and never plan to.

"Connor!" Hali shouts, coming out of the crowd with Azi at her side. Connor opens his arms and hugs Hali, which thankfully distracts them all from me.

"Kid, I don't get a hug?" Nix asks as Connor lets her go. Hali smiles before hugging Nix, and Trex simply crosses his arms as he nods once at her.

"I'm glad you are here, Hali," Trex says, which is basically his version of a big old hug.

"Me, too," she says, grinning.

"We have a building to live in. It belongs to Seth, and he has offered to let us stay there," Azi explains, holding out a key.

"Offered, huh? Doesn't sound like him," I say, raising an eyebrow at Azi.

"Seth offered once Azi told him we could all move into his apartment with him if he didn't give us the house," Hali interjects.

"Ah, brotherly love," I say, crossing my arms and looking around at the demons and Protectors going about their daily lives here. It's odd, mainly as the Protectors have dirty, burnt clothing, and the demons are better dressed. I'm surprised out of all the places they could have run to, they trusted the very demons they have hunted for years. This is why you shouldn't be assholes to anyone; they could turn out to be the one person you need help from in the future.

"We should get going to the house and have a talk about what really happened in Lamia's house," Azi suggests.

"What do you mean?" I innocently ask, noticing how all my Protectors are quietly listening, their eyes on me as they try to spot if I'm lying.

"Lamia wiped Hali's memory, which she wouldn't have done if there wasn't something to hide. Also, Hali looked like someone just stole her favourite person in the world, and she wanted to cry. So, something else happened, and I want to know what," Azi says. Dammit, these men are too smart for their own good.

"Nothing else happened," I quickly reply.

"You're lying to me," Azi says, crossing his arms and looking like he wants to spank the answer out of me…which I’m not all opposed to.

"She is lying to us all, and Evie would only do that to protect us," Nix says, rubbing his chin. "But I know Evie would come to us, tell us everything if it were the right thing to do."

"I will find out," Azi grumbles in annoyance. "But come on, we should get to the house and off the streets."

"Where is Star?" I ask, following Azi who instantly walks off, not waiting to see if we are following him. Every step he takes is stomped, and his back is tense. I want to tell him everything, but that cannot happen. I'm not going to die. I'm not one of those selfless hero types that is happy to die for the entire world. Nope, I'm going to find a different way to save myself. I have always saved myself, and this time is no different. At the end of the day, they can't help me, but I know a few people that can. I need information on black magic and what it does. That tree I got the power from cannot be the only one of its kind or the only magic tree that can hold all the power.

"Call her," Connor suggests, looking at the black rune on my arm. "She will be delighted to see you. Star has been upset and angry since the test."

"What happened in the test? We never did get to ask you, and Keeper Grey has been silent since it happened other than to tell us Cex is your knight and that you have half the black magic while he has the other half," Nix asks from my other side, and I pick up the protective tone in his voice. I glance at Trex in front of me, who has slowed down to listen in.

"I won the tests, and Star was hurt in them. The next thing I know, Cex is there, holding Connor and threatening to kill him," I explain. Even the memory hurts when I think about it.

"He jumped me in the fight outside. I fucked up and didn’t see him, it was my fault," Connor mutters, shaking his head, and I grab his hand, linking our fingers.

"It wasn’t your fault. If it wasn't you, it would have been Trex or Nix. Or even Hali if he could have found her. The point was that he knew I'd do anything to save you all, and he used it against me," I say, needing him to understand this isn’t his guilt to bear.

"I love you, and I'm sorry he used me against you," he tells me.

"You know I love you as well," I whisper, still not quite used to saying those words to anyone. "You guys are the only ones in the world that will ever hear those words from me."

"We know," Nix whispers from my other side and presses a kiss on my forehead as we get to the end of a path and take a left down another one that has three houses on the path. I've never seen this in a demon underground. Usually, they can't have buildings, or anything other than what they can find to make houses with. This is an actual street, kind of, with real houses.

"Anyways, Cex forced me to make him my knight, and then opened a hole in the ground which led to this old tree. He started taking the power, and I knew I had to do something. I placed my hands on the tree, and the power was so strong, so powerful that I have no clue what happened in those moments. It was overwhelming, like nothing else, and then it just stopped. I fought Cex and escaped, found Nix, and well, you all know the rest," I explain as we all stop outside a cute house with a blue door.

“Here it is,” Azi says, unlocking the cute front door. I run my eyes over the house, the little pathway to it and the flowers outside. I really like it, and it feels like home.

"I think I'm stealing this place from Seth when this is all over," I say, putting my arms on my hips. “Yep, it is decided. Hali, guys, do you like your new home?”

"You can't steal a house," Connor says, while the rest of them laugh at me like I’m a little crazy or something.

"Sure, you can. Watch me," I say, shrugging a shoulder.

"I'm sure the queen of the Protectors does not need to steal a house when she could simply buy one," a voice says from behind me. I turn and grin at Keeper Grey, who smiles at me as he lowers his hood.

"Good to see you," I say, going to him, and he bows his head low.

"I am glad you are alive. Shall we go inside? We have many things to discuss for this war."

"Welcome to my new home, Keeper Grey," I say, waving a hand at the door.

"Seth isn't getting this place back, for sure," Hali whispers to Nix, but I hear them.

"Not without finding one of my daggers in his foot, nope."

They all laugh as I walk past them and open the door, wondering exactly what I'm going to tell Keeper Grey to do. Hell, I don't have a clue how to save myself, let alone everyone else, and right now, that is a big problem.

Chapter 7

Walking through the door, I almost stop and smile at the gorgeous room we have walked into. There is a large lounge at the front of the massive open plan room, and a kitchen with lots of cabinets on the other side. The cabinets are a light blue with dark granite worktops, and a black fridge sits in the middle of them. I take in a modern black cooker, a microwave and blender next to the cooker on a counter. There is also a metal holder filled with spatulas and other kitchen items. The lounge has a large fireplace with a pile of logs at the side, a flat screen TV in the corner by the window, and three big white couches with light blue pillows.

"It's like Seth made this place for me. I will have to thank him later," I happily say, jumping on the sofa, noticing how comfy it is. I hear the other guys and Hali come in, talking about how amazing this place is as I pull my sleeve up and press my finger onto my black mark. I mentally call Star, feeling her excitement, and I smile with the knowledge that she is on the way. I go to move my finger away when I sense something else—no, someone else. I scream as it feels like claws stab into my mind, trying to find where I am. My hand is pulled away, and hands are on my face, lifting it a second later.

"Evie!" Trex shouts at me as he comes into focus, his dark black hair, the slight beard he has, and his grumpy expression is replaced with nothing but pure panic.

"Your mark should not be touched. Did he find out where you are?" Keeper Grey asks, standing near the fireplace. Trex lets my face go as I look at Keeper Grey, but he stays close, placing his hand on my shoulder as he sits on the arm. "I'm taking it as a no as he hasn't turned up here to kill you."

"I went to call Star," I explain, hearing how hoarse my voice is. All this screaming is no good for me. "But it's like he could get into my brain somehow and cause me pain."

"He is your knight. Knights are given to queens to be able to always find them. Reapers have them for protection of their own queen as well, and so did the demon queen many years ago," he explains to me. “No more using that mark until Cex is dead. That means no more knights or taking a mate. It’s too much of a risk.”

"Do witches have them?" Hali asks as there is silence around the room.

"No, your race was not original and created by dark magic like the magic Evie currently has in her body," he explains. "Witches are basically humans cursed to have magic. Protectors, reapers, demons and even angels were originally born naturally into existence. They almost share the same pool of magic, even with their differences."

"My father once told me angels were created, not born," I reply, just throwing out that random piece of information.

"Well, perhaps not angels in that count. I do not know much of their race," Keeper Grey waves it off.

"But you know about black magic, right? And how to get it out of me, for example?" I ask. “I need to find a way to save myself.”

"It cannot be held by a Protector, that is all I know. The keepers that are alive are all living here, and we are doing every bit of research we can into a way to save you. I do not know if we will find the cure, but we will not stop until we do find something," he explains to me. “We will not see our queen die without a hell of a fight.”

"I will speak with my brother and the demons to send the word out for knowledge," Azi says, and Keeper Grey nods in agreement. "I will be back soon, and I have not forgotten the chat we need to have, Vi," Azi explains, his eyes on mine before he walks out of the door.

"Perhaps the reapers might know something? I could find a way to call my mother and father to help," Connor offers.

"Reapers are said to have more knowledge of ancient times than anyone on Earth. Your father might be able to help us if you call out for him," Keeper Grey suggests, and Connor nods in agreement.

"Queen Evelina, you should call your father. He might have useful knowledge," he suggests to me. I’m not sure if I’m ready for another father daughter chat just yet.

"My father knew little of the power when we last spoke, but sure, I can ask," I reply, looking around at my new home and admiring the space on the wall between the kitchen and fireplace. "My sword would look lovely in a holder on that wall. Don't you think?"

"I have your sword in our place here," Keeper Grey states. I grin up at him.

"I think you are now my new favourite person," I inform him.

"Hey, I got you a tiger. That space is reserved for me, thank you very much," Nix interjects from where he is leaning against the wall, watching us. I go to reply to his comment when the door is slammed open by a giant tiger, who runs and jumps on me. I squeal as the sofa goes flying backwards from Star's weight, and Trex falls with us. Star doesn't care as she licks her massive tongue up my face, and I try to push her away.

"I get it, you missed me. Damn girl, you need to get off," I say, coughing from the pure weight of her.

"Star, you are hurting Evie. Get off," Trex demands as I hear Nix and Connor laughing. Star huffs, throwing evil looks at Trex as she climbs off me. Trex offers me a hand, pulling me up and against his chest, both of us freezing as we gaze at each other. He lifts his hand and tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear before resting his hand on my shoulder.

"I will leave you all be and check back in a few days when, hopefully, I have something to tell you. We will be close though, for your protection, our queen," Keeper Grey says.

"I'm the queen of a city I let be destroyed and people that are on the run. I don't think I need protection, I'm clearly bad at this," I mutter.

"You tried to save us, but nothing could have. The fact you are here, still fighting, is enough, and it is what your mother would have done. Fought to the very bitter end for her people. The city may be destroyed, but Protectors have a lot of money. You have a lot of money, enough to rebuild the city five times over, but Protectors find their home with their queen," he explains to me. "Most of your people are alive, waiting for your direction. You can do this. The test would have never given you the crown otherwise."

"Is Erica dead?" I ask, wondering.

"I assume so, we have not seen her either way. I believe Cex killed her," Keeper Grey explains and bows once more before walking out of the house. I know I shouldn't feel any kind of emotion for that sister who was never much of a sister to me, but I do in a way I cannot explain. She was my sister, my last relative from my mother’s side. A deep part of me wanted to find a way to make her better, to make her human at least in her actions. A deeper part of me knows she was lost when she killed my other sisters I never got to meet. Maybe death was just what Erica needed, and death at the hands of someone she loved is pretty poetic, even for her.

"Come on, Hali, let's check out the bedrooms," I say, holding a hand out for Hali. She smiles at me, in a sad way, like she can understand the silence in the room. Hali slides her hand into mine, and I know in this moment Hali is the family I've always aimlessly searched for. Hali is like a daughter, sister and everything wrapped into one. I have family, true love and friends...but why does it feel like the rug is going to be pulled from under my feet at any moment?

Chapter 8

Someone knocks on the door as I sit on the bed in the big room that Hali and I found upstairs, along with folded bedsheets ready for us to make the bed up. The house is three levels, and the second level is just one giant room with three queen size beds pushed together to make one. It has a big bathroom with a hot tub, and the closet has some very cool hidden weapons and snacks in it. There is another large bedroom on the level above, with its own bathroom that Hali has taken, whereas the guys and I can share this one. I look up, opening another one of the chocolate snacks I found, as Trex comes into the room, closing the door behind him as I pop the chocolate in my mouth.

"Connor has taken Star out to get new meat for her food, plus some food for us. Nix has taken Hali clothes shopping for us all since we don't have anything," Trex explains as he eyes the room and the giant bed. "Do I want to know what Seth was doing with this giant bed?"

"Making it perfect for me and you guys? Look, he even has a secret snack and weapon storage," I say, pointing at the box near my feet at the end of the bed. "There is a cool axe in there that I think suits you." Trex purses his lips as he comes over to the box, picking up the axe which has a glowing green line over the silver metal.

"What do you think the green lines do?" he asks as I stare at them. They remind me of my new necklace and my purple sword I got in Hell. I wonder if there is some kind of link between them all. When I was a slave in Hell, I saw shops selling these weapons but never understood what they were and how they were different.

"Not sure. My purple sword is super light for a sword and has similar lines. I've seen weapons like these in Hell, and demons make them. I'm not sure what they do though," I explain. "I'm assuming the purple makes the sword lighter somehow, perhaps."

"As you've stolen the house, I don't feel too guilty about stealing this axe," Trex states, admiring it and putting the box on the floor. I chuckle, gaining his attention.

"Seems like I've rubbed off on you," I say. "The almighty Trex stealing from demons. Whatever would the old you say if he could see you now?"

"That I shouldn't be in love with a crazy, overly sarcastic woman who drives me insane? Luckily, I can't help but love her," he suggests to me, and I grin at him.

"They say the best people are crazy," I reply.

"I'm sure it's the crazy ones—like you—that originally came up with that statement," he says, putting the axe down and walking to me. He lifts my chin as he steps right in front of me, leaning down so he is close, but not close enough to kiss, and a serious expression flashes across his face. "I thought I lost you again."

"I didn't know it would do that. I only thought of stopping Cex, not the aftereffects," I tell him, knowing it isn’t a good excuse, because for all I knew, it could have killed me.

"When I thought you might die...it was a million times worse than the first time we lost you. I felt like my world imploded in those few moments where you were lying in Azi's arms, covered in dust and not moving. When you breathed, it was like I wanted to exist again," Trex roughly tells me, almost like he doesn’t want to admit it.

"I never knew you were this romantic, wanting to die for me and all," I say, trying to avoid his serious comments and how guilty they make me feel. How much I know I would feel the same if it were the other way around. Love is the master at making you feel guilty but somehow rewards you all the same.

"It's not romantic, it’s almost fucking tragic that I've fallen for a woman who regularly gets herself in life and death situations that test every part of my protective nature," he angrily growls, and he really does have a point. I'm not the type to happily sit inside knitting or whatever normal women do. I'm more the type to polish my sword but then accidentally get into trouble somehow even doing that.

"Would you trade me for someone else though?" I ask, reaching up and pressing my lips to his, sucking his bottom lip into my mouth as I run my hands down his flat stomach, admiring the ripples of muscle until I find his belt.

"No," he bites out as I undo his belt before pulling his jeans down and freeing his hard erection. I take his length into my hand before guiding it into my mouth. Trex lets out a sexy groan as he guides me into a rhythm he clearly likes, his hands holding my hair tightly. Trex suddenly pulls out of my mouth before pushing me back onto the bed and looking down at me.

"Take off your clothes," Trex demands, his words deep and husky as he watches me. I smirk, liking this side to Trex and how demanding he is. I've always loved how demanding he can be when he wants, and I'm pretty sure it was one of the things that made me want to fuck or kill him when we first met. I don't answer his demand, but I very slowly pull my top up and off. I unclip my bra, loving how his eyes widen as he gazes at my breasts. I grin, slowly hooking my thumbs into my leather trousers and pushing them down. Only issue? Pushing skin-tight leather pants off is not sexy. No, I'm pretty sure I look like a deranged lunatic as I wiggle out of them before getting them stuck on my shoes. Trex laughs, clearly far more amused than I am as I sit up and finally manage to get them off before falling back on the bed, covering my face with my hands. Dammit, I seriously suck at being sexy.

"I will take these off for you," Trex states, still laughing a little bit as he kneels on the bed before slowly pulling my lacy panties down.

"You have to stop laughing. I can't take you seriously right now," I mutter as he pulls the panties off and moves to kneel at the end of the bed. I gasp as he pulls me right to the edge of the bed, parting my legs as he does.

"Maybe this will make you take it a little more seriously," Trex suggests, uncharacteristically winking at me before placing his head between my legs, his tongue torturing my clit seconds later. I arch my back as a deep moan escapes my lips, intense pleasure shooting through my body. Trex tortures me right to the edge of an orgasm before stopping, letting me calm down and then teasing me all over again until I can't take anymore. I push his head up, pushing him to sit on the floor as I climb onto his lap. I sink down onto his length, gasping at the pleasure as I hold onto his shoulders and move my lips to his neck, feeling his pulse under them. An orgasm slams into me as Trex holds my hips, guiding them back and forth as I ride out the orgasm shaking through me. Trex flips us over onto the carpet, kissing me as he slams in and out of me, riding out my pleasure.

"Mate with me, make me your mate and knight," Trex asks, his lips close to mine.

"Now?" I ask, moaning from the pleasure, and he chuckles.

"Not this moment exactly," he says, running his hands over my nipples. "But I want an answer for our future. Something to look forward to when this war is over."

"Yes," I whisper back, completely focused on how close I am to another orgasm but knowing I would say yes to this at any point. "You have me completely. I don't tell anyone I love them unless they are everything to me."

"Good, because you are everything to me, too," he says, before kissing me deeply and making the world fade away as he thrusts in and out of me. After a second orgasm rides through me, Trex finishes, his eyes lovingly locked on mine the whole time.

"I love you," I say, just because I know there is nothing more I want to say than that. Sometimes the easiest words are simply enough.

Chapter 9

"Finally! We've all been waiting to go out for dinner for ages," Hali states, standing at the bottom of the stairs with her hands on her hips as I come down. I would feel embarrassed, but after my afternoon with Trex in bed…I can’t feel anything but happy and sated.

"You could have gone without me," I suggest to her. “I never said you had to wait for me.”

"It's a street barbeque, and they will have bacon...so no, I couldn't go without you thinking I'd betrayed you somehow," she replies in annoyance. Ah, she knows me so well. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and she pushes me away, wrinkling her nose. "I'm old enough to know what you were doing upstairs for hours, so don't touch me please." I can't help but laugh as she storms to the door as Trex comes down the stairs. Connor grins at me as he walks across the room to our side, and Trex stops at the bottom of the stairs next to me.

There are piles of clothes on the sofa and weapons near the front door, but nothing else has changed except Azi and Nix aren’t back yet. Connor has a big sword on his back, held by a chest holder like the one Trex found in Seth’s weapon box and is now wearing with his new axe.

"We all heard," Connor informs us, “but let’s go as we are all hungry.” I'm sure my cheeks are burning red as he takes my hand, walking us outside after Hali, and Trex closes the door behind us.

"Sorry, well, not sorry. Are Azi or Nix back yet?" I ask Connor. “I thought they would be.”

"Azi came back for a bit and asked for Nix's help. They both will be back tonight apparently," Connor explains to me. “I wouldn’t worry, they said nothing is wrong.”

"Maybe they found something about black magic," I suggest, very hopeful that they have. This afternoon with Trex has made me more desperate than ever to figure out a way to live. In some ways, I’m happy Azi is busy though, because I don’t know how I’m going to keep lying to his face when he asks more questions about Lamia.

"It's what we are all hoping," Connor replies, leading me out of my new house and into the street where Hali is waiting with Star at her side. Star is big enough now that Hali can lean against her side, looking very comfy as Star almost seems like she is grinning at us. Trex catches up to Hali, talking quietly with her as they walk down the quiet street towards the main part of the underground.

"What really happened with Lamia? Azi explained she is a powerful demon he once helped, and she used to owe him a debt. We are just worried, Blue," Connor gently asks me, catching my gaze before I can look away.

"The necklace helps control the black magic, and she gave it to me. Lamia is powerful and unique," I say, knowing nothing I said is a lie. Avoiding the truth might be the best way to handle the situation for now.

"Like someone else I know," Connor says, eyeing me carefully, almost like he can see my avoidance.

"I know we need to raise an army to stop Cex and kill him. That is the end game, and other than that, can we not just enjoy each other for a little bit?" I ask him when he opens his mouth to say something else. “Please.” I don’t know what makes me vulnerable for only a moment to say that one word, but Connor sees and hears it. I clear my throat and look back to Trex as Hali laughs at something he says.

"You have an army who would die in an instant to save you, if you only asked," Connor suggests. “You don’t need to fight this war alone. Well, not with just us at your side anyway.”

"There isn't a Protector army left. Not one big enough to stop Cex," I remind him. “We are vulnerable, and I can’t lead the last of my people to a death trap.”

"I wasn't talking about the Protectors. No, I mean the people you grew up with and spent years helping," he says. “The ones that call you the Salvatore and their queen.”

"The demons do not have a leader. Some of them respect me and call me their queen, but they don't love me enough to die for me," I remind him. “I would be asking too much with nothing to give them back. Demons live by the motto of an eye for an eye. There is nothing I could give or promise them to ask them to die for me.”

"How do you know that if you don't ask?" Connor replies as we get into the busy street, and I pull the hood of my cloak up to hide my face on instinct. "Plus, fighting for you would save them in the end as well."

"Demons and Protectors won't be enough. They would be killed. All of them, effortlessly," I reply. “The amount of yellow demons in the city was thousands…and that’s just what I saw. I know that there must have been a hell of a big army to be able to destroy the city.”

"You are half angel...maybe there is another race to ask?" he suggests, but the idea of begging my father for help makes me want to throw up. I can't ask him to help save us. I don’t even want to ask him for information on black magic, but I will just in case it could save my life.

"A problem for tomorrow. My big problem right now is my empty stomach and the smell of that good food," I reply, and he wraps his arm around my waist, keeping me close as we go through the demons and Protectors who talk between each other. We get into the queue for the barbeque, and Star comes back to my side, purring as I stroke her head. My cloak hood falls down in the wind, completely revealing my hair which makes several demons and Protectors look my way, instantly bowing.

"Queen Evelina, it is good to see you well," a familiar redhead says, coming over to me and bowing her head as I remember who she is: Keira, one of the demon women we rescued in Hell. Though she looks a lot different now from the starving demon she once was. Now she looks like a leader, with her red hair up in a tight bun, a long red coat on that makes her stand out in the crowd. I wonder briefly how her daughter is, the one with bright red hair. I hold my hand out which she shakes as I take another step closer to the food. "I wondered if you would come and see me tomorrow regarding the welfare of our people? I need some of your time."

“Is it important?” I ask, knowing I don’t have a lot of free time at the moment that I don’t want to spend finding a way to fix my powers.

“Very. Please, I would not ask otherwise,” she replies, and I eye her for a second, deciding that it can’t do too much harm.

"I sure can, where should I meet you?" I reply.

"In the centre of the demon underground is a soup kitchen where we hand out free food for those who are new and have not earned any money yet. We should meet there at midday if that suits you," she suggests as I sidestep closer to the food again. I'm not losing my place for anyone. Keira just side steps with me, looking amused. She gets it. Bacon is bacon, after all. I can smell it from here.

"Sounds perfect to me," I reply, and she bows her head once more at me, attracting more interest from the people around us who stop in shock when they see me. I pull my cloak up, hiding my hair once again as I want to be invisible until I have the bacon in my mouth. You never know, they might try to get in my way.

"Tomorrow then, Queen Evelina," Keira says.

"You can call me Evie, you know," I inform her as she goes to walk away. I don’t know what it is about Keira, but I feel like we could be good friends. I like demons, generally, and especially ones like Keira who have a good soul. I saw it the first time we met and she gave me that Latin nickname a lot of demons now know me by.

"Perhaps, but I feel it would be disrespectful of your position," she replies, glancing to her left, and I follow her gaze to see her daughter holding a man’s hand, eating ice cream with a big smile. They have both come a long way since being the prisoners I rescued. They look happy, enjoying their lives. "I must go, but do enjoy your night."

"You as well, and say hello to your daughter from me," I reply, and she nods in agreement with a small smile before walking to her family.

"It's good to see them all well and healthy," Trex says from in front of me.

"Demons love Earth, and it suits them well. Hell is not a home for them, and it never really was," I reply, just as we get to be the first in the queue. Trex pays for us each to have a bacon covered burger, covered in sauce, and a side plate of amazing chips. I don't even notice anyone until the food is gone and I'm throwing the wrapper into the bin. I look up to see Connor and Trex smirking at me, while Star is chewing on her third burger Hali is feeding her, judging by the number of wrappers she is holding.

"Hungry, huh? Damn, you wore her out, Trex," Connor states, and Trex only grins at him.

"Just eww," Hali interjects, and we all laugh. I glance to my right as I hear music, seeing a group of people dancing around a singing woman who is playing music on a guitar. I smile at how the demons are dancing with Protectors, and there really is no separation between the people. The children run between them, laughing with each other like they have been friends for years. It's peaceful to see this life we could have in the future, oddly enough, with me possibly leading them. Hopefully I won’t get them all killed. It seems to be a bad habit at the moment.

"Dance with me?" Connor asks, and I just laugh.

"I don't dance unless it’s a dark nightclub where no one can see me. There is way too much light out here, so nope. Nada. It isn't happening," I say, still laughing at the idea as Connor grins and takes my hands, pulling me towards the dancers. I roll my eyes, knowing Connor isn't going to give up on the idea from the determined look in his eyes, and let him pull me onto the dancefloor.

"Dancing outside in public isn’t fun," I mutter as he pulls me against his body, leading me so we sway to the music, but I know my protest is pointless as I’m smiling. Connor has a way of pushing my boundaries to the limit and making me enjoy being there anyway. I wrap my arms around his neck, noticing Trex chuckling as he spins Hali around nearby us. The big scary Protector has a soft spot for Hali. God help any guy that breaks her heart in the future. Three strong Protectors, an overlord demon and me to deal with? Yeah, no way would any guy get out alive or with his balls intact.

"Trex really cares for her. I love that. I always wanted Hali protected and to have a father figure," I whisper to Connor, not wanting anyone else to hear that inner thought other than him. “Hali has lost so much…and she needs this. She needs a family that always has her back.”

"Now she has a big family, though she has had Azi and you for a long while," Connor replies. "Did Hali tell you she used to meet up with Azi all the time when you were mad at him? He was always protecting you two even when you didn’t know it."

"Doesn't overly surprise me now," I reply, smiling as Connor spins me around and pulls me back. "You love dancing, don't you?"

"Yep," he whispers into my ear. "I love any excuse to hold you close to me and pretend like there isn't a good chance you are lying about Lamia, and I might lose you. Don't tell me the truth, but know that I will always be at your side. I'm keeping you close, Blue, until I find out the truth." I don't reply to him. Instead, I rest my head on his chest and let him continue to dance us to the music. I don't even know what I would say anyway. My future is out of control, and for now, I just want to enjoy the moments with my family that I have. Memories I can use to fight the battles we have coming our way, one we have to win for everyone.

Chapter 10

Lying on a sand covered ground, I lift my hand up into the swirling red dust above me that is beginning to make a shape. My hand flies through it like it isn't there, but I can see it nonetheless. The dust suddenly shoots out in all directions, leaving a glowing red sphere of energy in its place. The sphere spins and spins until the power shoots out in all directions and leaves only glowing red eyes in its place. They aren't like Azi's eyes; no, these are pure evil and ever so familiar as I stare into them.

"Come to your knight, Evelina. I am waiting. Come to me."

I'm not sure who is snoring when I wake up gasping, feeling the warm light gently flittering across my face. I glance at Azi and Connor at my sides, soundly sleeping with their arms wrapped around my waist. I carefully sit up, placing their arms at my side as I look at Trex and Nix on the other side of them, all of us easily managing to sleep in this massive bed. I was completely surprised when no one said an awkward word when we came home last night and went to the bedroom. They all just happily got into bed, and I snuggled into the middle of them.

Star is snoring the loudest on the floor at the edge of the bed, and the noise is so loud that going back to sleep is impossible. Not that I exactly want to with all those dreams of red power and glowing eyes. It was Cex in my dreams, I could feel the bond through my mark and sense his voice as he called for me. I shiver, hating that we have any kind of bond and that I can't just kill the bastard.

I climb off the bed, careful to step over a snoring Star and not wake her. I walk into the closet and randomly grab some clothes before pulling them on. I pull my hair up into a ponytail with a hairband I find and glance at my leggings and blue shirt that has the number twenty on it. I look like a preppy mum going to get her son from a football game, but it will do. I grab the dagger belt off the ground and clip it on, knowing it isn't smart to be without a weapon right now.

I sneak out the room, closing the door as I want to make the guys and Hali breakfast before they wake up. I smile at the idea of cooking for them for a change. I walk down the stairs just in time to see Hali slowly pull the front door open.

"Well, well, well, look who is sneaking out at the crack of dawn," I mutter, getting to the bottom step and raising an eyebrow at her.

"I was just—" she starts to explain, and I walk over to her, placing my hand on her shoulder.

"You don't have to sneak out, but at the moment, you need to let someone know where you are in case something goes wrong. It isn't safe right now," I say, knowing this is important that she understands. "You have no powers yet, and you mean the world to me. That makes you vulnerable and a prize for my enemies, so please be careful. I’m not just an assassin anymore that can leave with you at the first sign of trouble; I’m the queen of a race in hiding, one that did terrible things before my rule. We have enemies, our whole family does, and you are my family. Got it?"

"Cheri is outside, and we are going to practice fighting with the others. They are training everyone just in case, and I think I need to keep myself busy as I'm worried, too," she tells me. “Honestly, as much as I loved our life together, it feels good to have people my age around to train with like Cheri, and not humans who hate me. I also like our dysfunctional family.”

"Any training is good training, and I’m glad you have friends now," I reply as Hali opens the door further so I can see Cheri outside. I knew keeping Hali from the supernatural world was always a hard thing to do. The witches wouldn’t dare touch her now because everyone knows she is protected. It’s different now.

"Also, Cheri can make portals, so if anything goes wrong, she will portal us to safety. My mark is covered up, and I won’t make eye contact with anyone," she tells me, making me feel much better about letting her go out there alone.

"I promise to keep her safe. I have been training my whole life, and I'm good at portals," Cheri awkwardly tells me. “Hali is my best friend; I’d die to keep her safe, Queen Evie.”

"Straight back here at the first sign of trouble. If it's too dangerous here to get to me, then you go to our old home in Scotland," I tell Hali and look to Cheri. “It’s near Inverness, so portal there, and Hali knows where we keep a secret money and weapon box.”

"Understood, Evie," Hali says, hugging me tightly before going off with Cheri who nods in understanding. I don't exactly trust the white-haired demon teenager, but I have a feeling she will keep Hali safe, and that is enough for me. I watch until they are out of sight before shutting the door and walking to the kitchen. I pull out bacon, eggs and sausages from the fridge before frying the bacon and sausages, and making scrambled eggs. Nix and Azi come down the stairs first, just as I put four pieces of bread in the toaster.

"My beautiful woman cooking us breakfast, what could be better to wake up to?" Nix asks, kissing me on the cheek as he gets to my side.

"You guys are always cooking for me, so I wanted to return the favour," I reply, but Azi keeps his eyes on me as he comes over.

"You have bags under your eyes, did you not sleep well?" he asks, sliding his hand onto my shoulder.

"Bad dreams," I explain, not wanting to lie to any of them about this. "The necklace might keep Cex from finding me, but it seems like he can haunt my dreams either way. I used to have nice dreams where I floated in a sea of maple syrup next to a bacon-made boat with my favourite weapons on it as you guys fed me bacon. Now that is gone."

"That's really what you dream about?" Connor asks as he gets to the bottom of the stairs, smiling at me. "Never mind, of course it is. I will go and find the keepers today, see if there is a way to get him out of your head so you can sleep."

"Thanks," I reply, knowing there isn’t going to be a way until I kill him. Which I will never stop trying until I do. Cex has to die, it’s the only way to make this world safe. It’s everything after killing him that I’m concerned about. "Come and sit down, I made food."

"Why don't I make us all some orange juice while we wait for Trex to get his ass out of the bathroom," Nix says, kissing my cheek once more before going to the fridge. I carry on frying the bacon and sausages while Azi takes over with the toast, and Connor gets plates out for us. We all sit down and eat the food in a comfortable silence that has taken over us all.

"Where is Hali?" Azi asks after he finishes his food. "Still sleeping in?"

"Nope, she was up earlier than me," I explain, seeing Trex walking down the stairs, and he grins at me before going to get some food. "She and Cheri have gone to practice fighting with the other people at some gathering. Cheri can portal, so I think she will be safe."

"What are your plans for today then?" Trex asks when he comes into the room, sitting next to Nix.

"Going to see Keira, she wanted to speak to me, and it seemed important. I’ve noticed the demons see her as a leader of sorts, so it’s worth a small chat with her," I explain.

"Keira is mated to a strong demon now, and he is currently the leader of this place. She moved here before the war started," Nix tells me, and I raise my eyebrows, wondering how he knows so much already. We only just got here, and I really didn’t think the demons would be chatting with Protectors so soon about important secrets. "I've been speaking to a lot of the demons around this place who respect you and heard some things. Do you want some company at this meeting?"

"I’d love some," I instantly reply.

"Tomorrow, we begin training with Hali and the others. Hali has the right idea by being in shape for what is to come," Trex informs us. Though Hali can train all she likes, there is no way she or Cheri will be in the fight. I plan to get Cheri to take her to our hide out in Scotland when it’s clear the fight is beginning. At the end of the day, she is a young, vulnerable kid with no powers. It wouldn’t be a fair fight, and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on killing Cex if I were worried about Hali. I’m pretty sure my guys know this.

"Yes, and could you spread the word that all Protectors are to come and fight if they are able? We need to be working with the demons," I reply. “Train together, fight together. New Protector rules.”

"I will do that today while securing a safe place for the kids who will not be able to fight with us later on," Azi explains to me. “Seth is helping me make plans and talk to people.”

"I found the name of another half reaper kid here yesterday, who apparently regularly speaks with his reaper mother. I'm going to ask him to get my mother and father a message," Connor explains. "We are meeting in an hour."

"And I'm going to watch Hali and Cheri, secretly, because you don't even need to ask," Trex interjects, and I flash him a thankful smile. "And I'm sure I will find Seth watching as well if you want to head that way with me, Azi?

“Yes, I will. We have no more information about black magic, but the demons are still looking. Everyone is looking,” Azi replies, looking as frustrated as we all feel. There has to be some information on this black magic. It had to come from somewhere…and be controlled somehow, right?

"Maybe there isn't anything," I mutter, looking at the stone which is dim at the very top. It's only been a day, and it is already fading. Shit. How long do I actually have left?

"We will find something," Trex states as I pull my chair out and get up, taking my empty plate to the kitchen, not having the strength to really reply to them. None of them says anything as they help me wash up the plates, each of us more worried than the next, I suspect. I feel like loving them has made me happy, different and yet weaker than I have ever been. I want to fight for this, more than anything I've wanted to fight for in my whole life, but I don't know how. And if I don't figure it out soon, then there won't be time left to enjoy the life I finally have.

Chapter 11

"Keira," I say her name once I get close to where she is waiting for me in front of a large tent, the smell of soup and fresh bread filling the air. There is a large queue of people, some of which are children, waiting for their food. It reminds me of when I was a kid, and Rita couldn't escape the witches to risk coming to see me. I had to come to places like this, pretending to be a demon child and getting my food before running back home, scared a Protector or someone might find me. These places are a godsend for kids, adults and anyone that needs food when they don't have anything else. I hate that, though it has been years since I was a child, nothing has changed at all. Demons are still treated like they aren’t real people, that they don’t feel pain and love as strongly as we do. They can be just as vulnerable as we can, but they have no one to protect them. No real home other than this muddy village of old containers and broken things the humans throw away. It’s no real life.

"Queen Evelina," she bows to me and glances at Nix who stops by my side, holding his hand out.

"I'm Nix," he introduces himself, and they shake hands.

"We can go somewhere else if you like, but I thought you might like to help out today. We are short-staffed," Keira suggests. “I didn’t want to cancel on them.”

"I'd love to. I used to rely on places like this as a kid," I explain to her as we walk to the tent, going in through the back. We pull on gloves as we look around the old, thrown together kitchen. The cooker looks like one of the first ever made in history, with more rust than actual metal. The cupboards are falling apart, only little tiny parts of them are painted to cover up the worst of it. There is a massive pile of dirty plates, not one bit of cutlery matches the others.

"Can you cut the meat up into chunks for the stew, Nix? And Evie, would you wash up while I dry them as we talk?" Keira asks Nix, pointing at the fridge which is just as old and deteriorating. The door is taped shut to hold it in place by the looks of it. I meet Nix’s gaze for a second, and I see the same thing as I feel. Shame. Shame that anyone is treated so poorly. Demons are people, and this has to change.

"Sure," I reply, following her over to the sink, as Nix goes over to try and open the fridge. I start washing a big red, chipped bowl out while looking back at Nix every so often to see him focused on his job.

"You love the Protector, don't you?" Keira softly asks me.

"I didn't think I could ever trust anyone to really fall in love with them, but here I am with three Protectors and a demon I'm in love with," I answer her more honestly than I intended.

"I like how open you are. Honesty is a rare quality in a leader. Usually, they keep more secrets than one person should ever hold," she replies to me.

"I'm not without my secrets,” I tell her.

"I am sure you have plenty," she replies. "We all do."

"What did you ask me here for?" I ask her, cutting to the point. “I doubt it was to find out all my secrets.”

"The demon underground sees you as the leader—the queen—we have never had...but they want a promise of a future to fight for," she informs me. “You cannot ask them to die for you without something more.”

"What kind of future do you think they will fight for?" I ask, interested.

"It's not a hidden secret the Protectors have money, and even if the Protector city is destroyed, it can be rebuilt, re-warded as the perfect place of safety," she says. “Money is something we extremely struggle for. Even the basics are impossible to buy for us.”

"They want me to move them into the city?" I ask.

"More than that, they want to be seen as equal to the Protectors. That you are equally queen of both the Protectors and demons, and the laws apply to both. Demons will not fight next to Protectors if they are going to hunt them like they always have done when this is over," she says, locking her eyes with me as I hand her the wet bowl to dry. “They want to know life is more than this. That we can rise. That demons will rule.”

"Then gather the demons for me tomorrow night. I will make it clear what they have to fight for," I reply. "I will put the word out for the Protectors to come too for a massive gathering. There must be a future at the end of all this."

"The old motto of demons will rise seems to be coming true. I just hope that we don’t lose too much blood to get there,” she tells me.

“I can’t promise anything to anyone right now,” I answer honestly.

“I know,” she replies, eyeing the glowing stone resting above my top. “That glowing stone is a temporary fix.”

“You know what the stone is?” I whisper, eyeing Nix behind us who is thankfully distracted as he talks to a demon who is making a stew.

“Your secret is safe with me…but please make sure you are ready for when the stone fails and he can find us. We must know what is coming,” she implores me.

“I will end him…one way or another, I will make sure he is gone,” I make a vow to her.

“I don’t doubt it, Queen Evelina,” she says and rests her hand on my arm for a moment before letting go. “Let’s get this all done, and perhaps we can find you some bacon for lunch.” I shakily nod, filled with a nervous emotion I really hate as I pull my eyes back to Nix who looks so happy and relaxed as he laughs at something. At least I have these days with them.

Chapter 12

“Thank you for all your help, Queen Evelina and Nix,” Keira says, bowing her head at us as we step outside the tent. I really liked spending the day with Keira and helping out here. I found out so many demons are running here because Cex’s yellow demons are walking around the streets outside, looking for me, I’m guessing. It turns out there are far more demon children without parents than there ever has been due to the fighting and the destruction of the other demon undergrounds. Trex came to check on us half way through the day, and I sent him with orders for Keeper Grey to buy safe houses for the children and, well, anything they need. We have all this money, and it doesn’t make sense to not use it for something good.

“No, thank you for letting us help. I would love to come back next week and help out again," I offer, knowing it could be one way to feel useful until we run out of time.

"We both would," Nix says, and she smiles at us as Nix wraps an arm around my waist, and I rest myself into him. I was surprised how much Nix loved helping out today, laughing with the demons, and I even saw him helping an older demon pack a bag of food to take home.

"I will see you both at the same time next week then," she replies before walking into the tent, and I look up at Nix, seeing him staring at me. Today has been eye opening but sad all the same. It’s hard to see my people still suffering and really having no major way to help them yet. They need a home, a real home that isn’t in the mud and made of old containers with many holes and rust.

"Can we go and do something crazy? Something completely mad?" I ask him, not sure why I know I need to do something, anything to get my mind out of my gloomy thoughts of war and pain. “Somewhere away from here. I need a break.”

"I have a perfect idea," Nix says and holds his hand out. A portal appears in front of us, and Nix grins at me, nodding his head towards it. "Let's go." I nod, happy that Nix just gets it, and if I could trust anyone to have fun with, it’s him. Nix walks me through the portal with him, which leads us out into a little village street where a black painted shop is in front of us with a big sign that flashes tattoos in the window. There are a few other stores, but as the sun sets in the sky, they are closing up shop. The street itself has a few cars that pass by, but overall it is quiet. I have no clue where we are though. I wasn’t expecting a tattoo shop to be where he took me, but I love the idea.

"I like your plan, Nix," I say, squeezing his hand.

"I like you and tattoos, love. If it isn't pretty obvious," he says with a smile as I run my eyes over the tattoos on his neck and lower arms that are visible. I've seen him without a shirt and know he is covered in tattoos all over his body. Nix walks ahead of me and pushes the door open, which rings a bell as we head into the room.

"Nix, my man," a large, grey-haired human who is covered in tattoos states as he comes out of the back office. Nix lets go of my hand to give the human a manly hug, and they both laugh as the man looks over at me. "And with a new friend."

"This is my girl, Evie. Evie, this is my manager and old friend, George," Nix introduces us, and I shake George’s hand before stepping back.

"Manager?" I ask.

"I own this tattoo shop, but George taught me how to do tattoos and everything really," he explains to me.

"You have a natural talent, and I knew it the moment we met," George says. "Now, I was just about to close up shop for the weekend, but I can stay if you want? It’s been a long time since I saw you here."

"No, I wanted the place to myself anyway, and you have a beautiful family to get back to. It's good to see you though," Nix replies.

"Alright then. You should pop in more often," he says, patting Nix's shoulder before Nix walks him to the door.

“Go and have a look around, love, while I walk George to his car,” Nix suggests, and I wave goodbye to them both before looking for the door. I walk into the back room, seeing a tattoo chair, the needle and ink on a small table with sealed packets on the side on a counter. There is a wall near the door with dozens of pictures of tattoos, and each one is gorgeous and pretty amazing. There is everything from butterflies to famous celebrities done, and each one is extremely realistic, though it doesn’t surprise me. All of Nix’s tattoos are drawn and designed to be unique, and they really stand out.

"Do you like them? I did a few," Nix says when he comes back and finds me looking at them.

"I do...now what are you going to do on me?" I ask him, and he grins as he crosses his arms, running his eyes over me as he thinks about it.

"How much do you trust me, love?" he asks.

"Are you going to ask me to trust you to blind tattoo me?" I ask, and he smirks. I roll my eyes and walk over to the chair and sit down. I very slowly pull my top off, dropping it to the floor, and I see Nix's eyes widen before I lie face down on the chair.

"Tattoo away. I trust you," I say to him when he is silent for a moment.

"You always surprise me, Evie," Nix mutters, walking past me to get everything ready and trailing his fingers across my back as he passes.

"I surprise you by trusting you?" I ask, curious about what he means.

"Honestly, yes. I was a drunk, fuck up of a Protector when we met, and somehow you make me want to be better. You make life seem worth it again," he tells me, which in some ways is hard to hear. I hate that he thinks that way of himself, and I dislike that I can’t be certain of our future enough to tell him everything is going to be okay.

"I never saw you like that...you were just lost because the world was cruel and heartless to you. It wasn't who you were, but more who you became to cope with life. Nix, you are incredible under all the pain," I say as he comes back over to me. Nix leans down, gently moves my hair to the side, and presses a kiss in the middle of the top of my back.

“Incredible isn’t a word I’d use to describe myself,” he quietly says.

“It’s a word I think suits you completely,” I reply. Nix gets to work, tattooing something near the top of my spine, and the pain isn't all that bad after a while.

"I know my brother has already asked you this...but I want you as my mate as well," he randomly says, and I turn my head so I can see him a little bit in the corner of my eye. Nix is breathtakingly gorgeous, and I've always been so attracted to him. It's the black wavy hair, the mischievous glint in his eye, and the dark tattoos that suit his handsome body. It was almost like Nix was made for me in a way, he ticks all the boxes. Though it's more than that. We are both messed up by our families, our past, and yet we are fighting for a future with each other.

"Before I answer, tell me what you think of about our future. Where do you see us in ten years?" I ask him. He flashes me a confused frown but tells me his answer anyway.

"Honestly? I see us all living together, with you running circles around us and driving us crazy as you have always done. I see Hali dating some douchebag that breaks her heart, and us lot having to hold you down as you make a ploy to kill him. Then I see you sending Star after him anyway," he tells me, and I like his idea of our future already.

"Star is a brilliant sidekick," I say, and he chuckles.

"Mostly I see a future with us all together. I want you, us, you know? I want to sit in front of a fire, cuddling up to you while we laugh about something that happened that day. I want a normal future, at least as normal as we can get," he explains to me and sits back. "Your tattoo is all done." I sit up as Nix gets me two mirrors, handing me the first one and placing the other behind my back so I can see his work.

"Nix, fucking hell, it's perfect. How do you know me so well?" I ask, eyeing the Celtic knot he has drawn. Inside the swirls is an H for Hali, because he knows she is like a child to me, and that is where you place your child’s initial for good luck. I remember seeing a woman in the Protector city bar with Nix, and we spoke about her own knot tattoo, and I said how much I would love one in the future. The fact Nix remembers that conversation after all this time says a lot about him. A lot about how he feels about me.

"Because I love you. Even if you say no to being my mate, to being with me fully, or hell, if you don’t want to be with me at all...I will always love you from a distance. I know I don't deserve you, and hell, I don't think there is a single man on Earth that does...but if you agree to be mine, I will make sure I'm always a man you deserve," he explains to me and leans closer as I put the mirror down. I wrap my arms around Nix's shoulders as he puts his mirror on top of mine, and I slide my hands into his soft hair.

"Nix, of course I will be your mate. I love you, and you have always been deserving of me and the whole entire world. You are far more perfect and awesome than you know," I tell him, needing him to feel that way about himself. I’ve never doubted that mating with Nix would be the perfect future for him and me. We are two halves to a whole, or whatever the saying is.

"For a woman who says she doesn't like romance, you sure have a way with words, love," Nix tells me with a smirk on his lips, which disappears as nothing but sexual tension builds up between us. I don't know who moves first, but the next moment, Nix's lips are on mine, and my hands are ripping his shirt off. Nix groans as I undo his trousers, and he unclips my bra.

"You are fucking gorgeous, love," Nix tells me, lowering his head and kissing down my chest until he finds one of my nipples. I moan as his skilled tongue teases my nipple. I lift Nix's head to my lips again, and Nix chuckles as I hurriedly push his trousers down his legs.

"You’re in a rush, aren’t you?" he grumbles in a deeply sexy way.

"I've wanted you since the day we met...so yes," I reply, and he smiles, lifting me on to the bed. Nix places the mirrors on the counter as I push my trousers and lacy underwear off, leaving myself naked on the tattoo table, with Nix's eyes greedily taking in all of me. "What are you waiting for?" I tease.

"I'm committing this view of you into my memory for good," he tells me, climbing on to the table and pushing my legs apart as he lines himself up. I gasp, holding onto his shoulders as he slowly, deliberately slides inside of me and groans as he rests his head on my shoulder. "Fuck, you feel better than you look, and that's saying something." Nix grabs my hip, lifting my leg so he can slam in and out of me deeper, making me lose control with every perfect movement.

"Come for me. I want to see you lose control. Like that time I saw you with Connor," he whispers into my ear before gently biting down on my neck. I cry out in uncontrollable pleasure as his words send me over the edge, and Nix thrusts into me two more times before finishing, too.

"You like dirty talk then, huh?" I breathlessly ask. I didn’t know Nix had this side to him, but damn, I really like it.

"And watching," he admits to me, and I grin. “Watching anything to do with you.”

"I love you and your honesty," I say before lightly kissing him.

"I wouldn't lie to you," he tells me and kisses me before he can see the guilt in my eyes. I'm lying to him every day, to all the men I say I love...and I know there is nothing I can do about it. I kiss Nix, letting myself be lost in him, in everything that makes me happy and complete. At least, for now, it will keep my guilt from swallowing me whole.

Chapter 13

"Are you sure you are ready to do this—alone? Protectors can be stubborn and act stupid in anger," Trex asks, his arms stubbornly crossed against his chest as he looks over at the crowd gathering around the highly raised platform in the clearing I chose to meet in just outside the demon underground. It is warded here, but it’s open enough that my voice will carry to everyone that has come. There are far more people here than I expected, and I’m wondering how they all fit in the demon underground to begin with. As I look around, you can clearly see the people divided. There is a group of demons with a line of space between a big group of Protectors. Then there are mixtures of demons and Protectors gathering together in small groups, the ones that clearly are getting along anyways.

"Demons even more so. There hasn't been a queen of Hell in five hundred years, so they have never had a leader. The queen of the demons is a title that has never existed until you, Vi," Azi reminds me of what I already know. The bloodline for the queens or kings of Hell died out centuries ago when the last heir was murdered. That is why Hell is in such a state, and no one will be able to fix that mess. I can lead the demons on Earth though, or at least I fully intend to unless someone tries to challenge me.

I need to do this, to make a stand that no one else can do. We have too much to lose for me to run away like I usually do. I can’t be just the assassin I was. I have to act like a leader now and convince them there will be a future to fight for. I have this big speech in my mind, one I’ve gone over with my guys and Keeper Grey several times to make sure it sounds right. I glance at the keepers stood in a circle around the stage, protecting me and not letting anyone closer.

"We should be up there with you," Connor mutters to me. Nix doesn't say anything, but I know he feels the same way. Hali just smiles at me, but her eyes don’t hide her worry.

"No, I need to speak alone. If I take you all up there, then the demons won't respect it, let alone the Protectors. Plus, I'm strong enough to do this," I say, glancing at the crowds. "You have to let me lead, or what is the point?"

"We trust you, though it doesn't mean we don't worry about you with every part of our souls," Azi replies to me.

"I trust you all, too," I reply, knowing there isn't anything I can say that will make them feel better about this.

I jump up on the platform, pulling myself to my feet as the crowd goes quiet. Star jumps onto the platform, letting out a threatening roar before sitting next to me. Star doesn't play by the rules, and having a scary ass tiger at my side might help this talk go better. The cold breeze blows my cloak around my legs before letting it fly in the breeze with my long blue hair, which is only held down by my crown. Keeper Grey suggested I should wear the crown for this because it demonstrates who I am. The crown is much heavier than I expected it to be, and the pressure of it digs into my head. I clap my hands a few times, and Star roars once more which seems to scare the crowd into silence. I pause for a moment, feeling nothing but nerves as the cold wind feels like it wants to blow me off this stage. I glance over and see Trex’s eyes first, and he nods once at me. Each of my guys stands together, fully behind me on this, and it gives me the strength I need to be a leader.

"Thank you for coming here, meeting together like this. We have never gathered together, Protectors and demons, because we have spent years killing each other. I watched demons being hunted and discriminated not only by humans, but by Protectors who are just as quick to kill and judge without proof. Humans have proven they will never let us have the same jobs as them, live next door to them and have a normal life. They even shun demon children who are homeless and alone. I know this because I was one of them and walked many streets being ignored with an empty belly and with rags for clothes."

I stop as whispers fill the air, many of the demons looking between each other. I pull my eyes to the Protectors who are stood alone to address them first as they already know my past. "I was alone because Protector laws made my birth a crime. They made love a crime. I am a true Protector queen, one proven by blood and the test. I wear the marks, and yet my own people made my life a living hell in which demons and witches were the only ones who showed me kindness." I make my queen marks appear all over my face, mostly to prove a point.

"I called you all here today to not only mention the past, but to make the plans for a new future. I am queen of you all, for you all, and I will not have my people against each other any longer. We fight together, for each other, and for a future where I protect you all. Demons side with Protectors, and Protectors look after demons. That is the future I am offering for all that survive the war coming to our home. If you stay here, you are accepting my offer for a future where there will be peace, and I will protect you all. No one will suffer any longer, no demon child will need to look at humans for a home. Protectors can love whoever they choose. There will be no more suffering and pain...so who is with me?" I hold my head high as there is silence before Trex, Nix, Azi and Connor come to stand in front of the platform. They lower their heads before going down on one knee. The crowd instantly follows their lead, copying their movement and bowing until there isn't a demon or Protector standing. I place my hand on Star's head, looking down into my familiar's eyes for a moment and knowing I was born for this. To make a change that will bring about peace between two races that have never known it.

I look up as someone claps, long drawn out claps, three times before stopping, and only the sound of their feet crunching against the frost-covered grass can be heard. Connor's father stands with Connor's mother at the back of the crowd, holding a scythe that shines in the setting sunlight. They both have long black cloaks on, black clothes underneath, and other than Connor’s mother’s blonde hair, they almost seem like they could disappear in the shadows at any moment. The demons and Protectors move aside to let them walk through the crowd, and I pull my eyes to Connor as he stands, staring in shock. I jump off the platform, moving to Connor's side as we walk to the start of the crowd just as Connor's parents get there.

"Mum," Connor says in relief, and she smiles happily at him. His mum looks a million times healthier and happier than I’ve ever seen her, though she keeps her eyes on her son, clearly desperate to hold him.

"We come with a message from the reapers. We will fight Cex and his building army at your side, Queen Evie. Reapers protect both life and death, and life on Earth is currently threatened, so we will come out of the shadows this one time for a debt owed to the queen by me. The queen of the reapers will not let Earth fall to a demon, and help will be sent.”

“The queen of the reapers sent you?” Connor asks before I can.

“She did. Reapers do not get involved with the affairs of life often, but this war affects more than just life on Earth. It is interfering with the fabric of life and death. Therefore, we are here,” he tells me.

“Does she want something in return?” Trex asks.

“Nothing other than peace. We will disappear into the shadows we appeared in once the war is over.”

“Then welcome,” I say, looking up at Connor who doesn’t seem to be taking everything well. I nod at Keeper Grey who starts sending the crowd away, knowing what comes next should be private. It’s time Connor finally meets his father.

Chapter 14

“Can we go somewhere more private to talk?” Connor asks his parents as we all stand quite tense and awkwardly with each other. Everything about this moment feels overwrought because it is the first time Connor has ever seen his father. I know how that feels, especially all the anger which I can visibly see in Connor's eyes. Connor's father could have helped Connor, who grew up seeing his mother only once a week and had no real parental figure. It reminds me of myself, but worse because my father didn’t know about me and couldn’t be there as he was literally trapped in Hell. Connor’s father could have been there and clearly knew about him. It’s odd how this man is his father, but they look nothing alike. Connor is the image of his mother, but his father with his black hair and dark eyes only seems to look like Connor in facial features. I wonder if they have similar personalities instead.

“Yes, that would be suitable,” his mum says, and his father apprehensively nods, his eyes watching Connor very closely. Connor opens a portal to the house, and steps through first, with his parents following next, and I don’t need an invite to know Connor wants me there.

“Go with him, he needs you. We will give you all time alone,” Nix suggests, stopping Trex who goes to follow. “Anything his father has to say to him will hurt. Evie needs to be the one there. She understands the long lost father turning up feeling more than most.”

“I know and agree. I might punch the idiot for missing out on Connor’s life if I went through there,” Trex grumbles.

“I got this, Trexy. Connor knows you have his back if he needs it,” I say, kissing his cheek before going through the portal into our living room, where Connor is hugging his mum. The portal closes behind me just as Duna lets her son go and sees me. I know I’m not going to be able to escape one of her hugs that is heading my way.

"Evie, oh I'm so glad to see you well after what happened. Everyone is talking of the city falling," Duna says to me, letting go of Connor and coming up to me. She pulls me into a hug before letting go and staring at my face, where I know my marks are visible.

"Your mother would have been so proud of you. Your marks are just like hers," she gently tells me, and I can only nod as she lets go.

"Connor, this is—"

"My father. I'm aware," Connor interrupts Duna, his voice anything but friendly.

"My name is Fraser, or you can call me father if you wish. I know it is not an ideal situation between us," Fraser says, rubbing the back of his neck while holding his long scythe in his hand. I very much want to know why they fight with those and how they do. The curved end cannot be easy to fight with, and surely a sword is easier. Like Fraser can read my thoughts, he makes the scythe disappear into black dust that fades into his shadow.

"Ideal?" Connor humourlessly laughs. "You never even came to see me. You're a coward, and I wouldn't call you a father."

"I could not come to you. It was not that easy!" Fraser shouts, and in his anger, shadows seem to gather around his feet like a swirling storm, though Connor doesn’t seem threatened and clearly doesn’t think his father would actually hurt him. Neither does Duna who stands back as Connor steps closer to Fraser.

"Easy? I was dragged up by foster parents, and only able to see my mum once a week! I had nothing, and I needed you. I needed family who would love me. What excuse could you possibly give for leaving me?" Connor sarcastically asks, his tone suggesting nothing Fraser could say would fix the past. “I waited, begged and pleaded to the shadows in my room for you to come and save me when I was young. Now I have learnt how to look after myself, and how to be strong without family.”

"Nothing I can say can fix your childhood, but please let me explain some of the reasons,” Fraser asks Connor, and Duna goes to Connor’s side, placing her hand on his arm.

“Give him a chance. For me, Connor,” she pleads with Connor, and hell, even I’d have trouble saying no to that guilt trip. Connor only sighs and waves a hand at Fraser, suggesting he talk.

“There are reaper laws, much like Protector laws, that have been set in place for many years. I was set to be married to a high class reaper when I met your mother, and I fell deeply, passionately in love. I paid my price for my crime, and still do pay it, but it means I couldn't come for you. My punishment is for life, and it was—and still is—no place for a child. I would like to be in your life in the little time I have," he clarifies to Connor.

"Little time you have?" Connor asks.

"Fraser's punishment is to run a boarding school of sorts for reaper teenagers that struggle with their powers or have broken the rules. I have taken a job there as well, but usually we cannot leave without a good reason. Though we get one day a month off work, and we want to spend that day with you. I know it's not much, but maybe reaper laws will change in the future and our punishment won't be so extreme," Duna tells Connor, resting her head briefly on his upper arm.

"Can't you just run away? Surely that's easier," I say.

"Reapers can always be found by our mark. We are part of the shadows, and there is no place on Earth, Hell or Heaven that shadows do not exist," he tells me. Well, that is certainly creepy.

"Right..." I reply, shivering as that's disturbing. I'm really not a fan of these reapers now I come to know more about them. No wonder they stay hidden in the shadows.

"Connor, I did get your message from the boy, but you can call for me in the shadows when you need me. You are a half reaper, and the shadows will let you talk through them," Fraser says. "When this war is done, please give me a chance. I know we have a lot to make up for, and I have a lot to explain to you, but I'm asking for one chance."

"I would be open for meeting up. I want to know you and why my mum loves you so much," Connor replies, and I’m proud of him for the wise decision he has made.

"Oh, Connor, you have no idea how happy that makes me," Duna says, wrapping her arms around him and hugging tightly, whispering something to him that we can’t hear. I watch Fraser as the mark on his neck glows red, looking like it almost burns before fading, and Fraser hisses under his breath.

"We must leave. The reaper council only gave us permission to deliver the message and return," Fraser explains, clicking his neck in clear discomfort before coming over to me. He reaches into his cloak and hands me a black stone. I accept the stone, turning it over to see a silver painted scythe with a silver circle around it on the stone. "When you need the reapers, burn this stone with fire. Holy fire or normal will work all the same. The reaper army is large and works in silence. They will help you end this out of control demon by the demand of the reaper queen."

"Thank you. I do hope your reapers’ laws change in the future," I reply to him, placing the stone in my back pocket. I would put it on the fireplace, but that seems like a dangerous move. Knowing my luck, the fireplace would set the stone off when I’m in the bath, and I’d have a house full of reapers while I was naked. That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. Well, not to me, but some crazy bitches might like that idea.

"Our reaper queen is stubborn, and with no relative to challenge her, I doubt the laws will change any time soon," Fraser says, looking back at his son. He offers Connor a hand to shake, and Connor looks at for a long time before shaking his father's hand. "I am sorry, son. I came to see you on my days off, watched you from a distance as you grew from a little, mischievous boy to a man I am proud of."

"You saw me?" he replies, his voice quiet from the shock, I’m guessing.

"As often as I could. You wouldn't believe how many times I wanted to take you home with me or even just say hello," he says, letting go of his son’s hand and looking like he didn’t want to.

"I'm glad you were there, even if I couldn't see you. I look forward to seeing you again," Connor says, and Duna goes to Fraser's side as Connor steps back to me. I link my fingers with his as Fraser holds Duna close to his side.

"See you soon. I love you, son," Duna says before they disappear into a large shadow. I don't have to say a word to Connor as I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him tightly. He holds me back, both of us wordlessly there for each other. Sometimes words aren't needed to make it better, because being there is simply enough.

Chapter 15

"You're right, Blue, this does make everything better," Connor says, picking up a piece of bacon off the plate we are sharing as we both relax in the hot tub. "And you must feel bad for me if you’re sharing your bacon." I watch him chew the bacon, and I push back that crazy side of me that wants to jump across the hot tub and steal it back. Phew, I can do this. To be on the safe side, I hid my weapons from myself downstairs as I made the bacon. Poor Connor smiles at me, completely clueless of my possessive bacon issues. Or he knows and thinks this is funny, I’m not sure which one it is.

"I kind of know what you're feeling...and I like you, so I'm sharing just this once," I say, grinning at him as I get another piece and chew on it as I relax back in the bubbles, loving the jet which pushes hot water right into my right shoulder blade which is sore from training this morning. Trex and Nix were on a mission to make sure my sword play was on point, though I did point out to them that double teaming me was unfair. Oh, and that I’d prefer they double teamed me in bed. Luckily, that statement distracted them enough to throw them off their game, and I kicked their pretty little asses.

"I'm glad to see my mum is alright and in love, but it was hard to see my father. As a kid, I used to cry and beg for my father to come and rescue me. I even made a teddy bear with a black cloak and drew reaper markings on it in pen, and pretended it was my father. That's how sad I was," he tells me, and his cheeks are red as I look at him.

"It isn't sad at all. I wanted a mum or dad, or anyone to come for me when I was starving on the streets. Rita did her best, but she couldn't always be there. When this is over, I will be changing the laws, allowing people like your mum to love whoever. I know my mum would have changed them if she could, and I am stubborn enough to annoy the keepers until they side with me on this law. I don't believe keeping the bloodlines pure or whatever is the best idea," I reply. Connor moves across the hot tub, kneeling between my parted legs. He grabs my hips and pulls me against his hard body, making me shiver.

"You have a family now, you know that? You have me, and I want to know if I have you," he asks as I brush his wet hair to the side and trail my hands down his neck and to his shoulders.

"You do," I whisper.

"Then mate with me when this is all over. I want you, Blue," he tells me, moving even closer so I can feel his hard length pressing into my stomach.

"You know I'm yours, Connor...so yes," I reply, leaning closer and kissing him before he can say a word. Connor kisses me deeply, running his hands down my back before grabbing my ass and pulling me harder against him. Connor lifts me, turning us around before sitting on the seat and letting me have more of the control. He slowly rubs his fingers across my nipples, making me gasp before he lowers his hand to between my legs.

"Show me what you like, Blue. I want to know you," Connor says, taking my hand and guiding it to my core. I lean back, slowly rubbing myself in the way that sends me close to the edge and letting Connor see. It makes me feel vulnerable and incredible all at the same time. Connor stops me after a little while, replacing my fingers with his and slowly guiding me down onto his length. I moan, loving the feeling of being filled up by him. I slowly rock my hips against him, locking my eyes onto Connor's as we enjoy the pure feeling of being together. I don't know how long we are like this together, riding out my orgasms until Connor cries out my name as he finishes. We rest our foreheads against each other’s, just needing to be close as we catch our breath back.

The door to the bathroom bursts open, and I turn to see Azi come in, frowning at us both, and somehow I know the time for romance is over from the way Azi looks. Something has pissed him off.

"Have you heard of knocking?" Connor asks, still holding me close and not caring about Azi being here.

"No," Azi drily replies to Connor and looks at me in a much nicer way. "Your father just turned up downstairs, and he isn't in the best of moods. I’m inches away from throwing him out the window and kicking his ass. He is beyond aggravating."

"Right. I will be down in a minute. Thanks, Azi, for not hurting him," I say with a wink, and he smirks.

"Anything for you, Vi," he replies before walking out of the room and leaving the door open. I look back at Connor, sighing a little bit that our time is over so soon.

"Thank you for this," Connor says, kissing me once, and I happen to catch a glimpse of my necklace as he pulls away. The red glow is down to half now...and it seems like it keeps on dropping more quickly these days.

"The sex?" I ask, trying to focus on Connor instead, even though my heart pounds loudly in my chest, and I can hear it in my ears like there is no other sound. I've never been scared of much, but this terrifies me more than I'd care to admit.

"No. Well, I did love that, but I meant being here for me tonight. I needed you," he explains.

"I knew you did," I say, wishing I could say I will always be there for him. Instead, I wrap my arms tightly around his shoulders, placing my head in his neck and breathing in him. If we don't find a clue about black magic soon, it's going to be too late.

Chapter 16

I jog down the stairs to see my father’s white wings and the top of his white head of hair as he looks out the window of my home, and I glance at myself in the mirror by the stairs, seeing my black leggings and dark blue top look decent enough, even if the top is pretty low cut. I really would love some of my own clothes right around now. Azi is awkwardly stood by the door with Trex; both of them look like they are ready to run out or kill my father. It makes me chuckle, which catches the attention of them all. Nix is just simply sat on the sofa next to Hali, both of them are eating a pizza, and Star is drooling as she watches them. They clearly don't care about whatever my father has said to freak Azi and Trex out. My father turns around, his arms crossed against his chest as he glares at me.

“I am confused as to why you did not call for me earlier? Finding out my daughter is the new queen and her city is destroyed is not something I wanted to find out from another angel who heard the gossip,” he says, his annoyance clear not only in his words but in his voice. Wow, no wonder Azi was pissed. Daddy dearest sounds ready to stab me. "It has taken me a while to find you, and I'm not overly impressed by that. Why didn't you call for me?"

“Hello, father. It's nice to see you as well. Do you like my new home?" I say, waving a hand around. “It is much nicer than that posh place I had before.”

"Seth said you can't keep it, by the way," Azi adds in. “He was firm on that.”

"You can tell Seth to shove his opinion where the sun doesn't—"

"Excuse me,” my father interrupts, “but can I talk to my daughter with some peace and quiet?" he asks, though it sounds like a scary ass demand.

"We were just leaving anyway. Want to come, Hali? Nix? Connor?" Trex asks, nodding his head at the door. “Azi?” They all basically agree and hustle themselves out of the door, leaving Azi with my father and me.

"I'm not leaving," Azi tells Trex, closing the door behind him. At least one of my people isn’t scared of my father.

"I gathered," my father drily replies and comes over to sit on the sofa, watching Star as she sniffs the closed pizza box.

"No pizza for you, girl. It isn't good for your hips," I say, pushing the box to the side and sitting on the sofa. Star huffs at me before lying on the floor, resting her head on my foot to make it clear I'm not moving for a little while.

"Can I get either of you a drink?" Azi asks us.

"I'd love a cup of tea," I reply, knowing it’s rare for Azi to offer, and he makes good tea.

"I would prefer a coffee. I have found lattes are favourable," my father replies, and Azi nods, smirking at me before going to the kitchen. We don’t have a coffee machine, and there is no way Azi is going to make him a decent coffee anything like a latte.

"Explain to me what happened," my father insists. "I found the city in ruins, with a few strange, emotionless yellow demons running around. I disposed of them while I was there."

"I'm thankful you did," I reply to him. "I want to return to the city after the war is done."

"War?" he asks. "I want you to explain all of this. Now."

"I took half the black magic hidden in the Protectors' city into me when Cex tried to take it all. Only problem? He forced me to make him my knight, and the moment this loses its glow, I'm out of time, and he can find me," I explain, pulling my necklace out of my top so he can see it clearly.

"That necklace is keeping you alive, isn't it?" he quietly asks, and if I didn’t know better, I would think there was pain in his voice.

"What?" Azi interjects, not looking impressed as he hands my father a mug of coffee and me a cup of tea before sitting down.

"No, well, it's keeping the power from hurting me, not killing me," I lie, and my father pauses, clearly knowing I am, but he doesn't say anything on it. "I can learn to control it. It's only half after all."

"Your mother had a knight, and she said the power shared between each other goes both ways. You should be able to control Cex's powers. Maybe even make him powerless long enough to kill him," he tells me. “I don’t know if you are aware of that. It might not work for a demon, but it could.”

"Thanks for the tip," I say, knowing it’s something to try, but I doubt it is as easy as he makes it sound. I bet it takes a good bond between a knight and queen, and what I have with Cex could never be described as that. "But I wondered if you knew anything about black magic?"

"I know it is an ancient power, one given to the original creations. The first demon, the first Protector and so on. I also know it was designed to die with the owner," he tells me, and it’s not what I want to hear.

"The black magic was held in a tree which was destroyed when we took it," I explain to him. He sips on his coffee, clearly thinking before replying to me.

"The tree was likely made from the ashes of the owner of the magic. Perhaps it is how the magic is meant to die," he says. "I don't know more, but I will ask every living angel for information. I doubt they will know more though. They spent too much time in Hell and not on Earth." The room drops into an uncomfortable silence, all of us knowing this isn’t good news and another avenue is gone.

"I want to ask something else," I say. "Well, I don't want to ask, but I am going to swallow my pride because I can't let my people die just because I didn't ask."

"I will fight with you," he says, answering me before I even get a chance to ask. "You are my daughter, and I owe you a lifetime of being a good father. I will fight with honour at your side, and so will my people, your people as you are half of us."

"Thank you. I mean that," I reply, shocked that he is so willing to fight for me. I guess he is my father after all, even if he has been heartless towards me in the past. This is a difficult situation for us all, but I respect him a whole deal more for wanting to fight with me.

"Was that Hali, the charge of yours I've heard you care deeply about?" he asks, filling in the silence.

"Yes, it was," I answer, smiling.

"She is very stubborn and brave, and she reminded me of someone else in the little time I spoke to her," he says, and I grin.

"Hali might not be my daughter by blood, but in every other way, she is," I reply.

"Azi, thank you for the coffee, though it is a little bitter for my liking. You can fix this in the future," my father says, and I can't help but chuckle as he slides the empty cup onto the coffee table. I place mine next to his. "May I have a private word with Evelina before I return to my people?"

"I will be upstairs," Azi replies, tensely smiling at me before going up the stairs. My father gets up and comes over to sit next to me on the sofa before holding his hand out. I frown before placing my hand in his, and he holds it tightly as he softly speaks to me.

"You wear the marks of a true queen, and I am proud of you for winning the test against your half-sister. I have thought long and hard about us, about what kind of father I want to be, and I've decided the only option is to make Eella proud. One day, we will be together in Heaven, where I'm sure she waits for us both," he tells me. “I want to tell her many stories of you and how brilliant you are. I do not want to live my life in the past, lost in the pain of losing her any longer.”

"You really miss her, don't you?" I whisper.

"Every single day. There is nothing worse than being torn apart from the one you love," he tells me. "And I loved her more than I thought it was possible to love. Then I saw you, and I feel a similar love and protectiveness for you. You are all I have left on this Earth, and I want to save you."

"Save me?" I ask. “We both know deep down that it isn’t possible.”

"The magic is going to kill you. I know it, and I'm sure you do as well," he confirms what we both know, but I’m too much of a coward to say it out loud.

"I'm going to find a way to save myself. There has to be a cure or a way to destroy the magic," I explain to him. “I have time yet.”

"I know an angel who can pull power from one angel to another. I'm sure it would work on you," he tells me.

"Then you would die, and I can't let that happen," I reply, shaking my head. “You just said you want to live a life, a real life with no shadow of grief.”

"It would be a chance, Evelina, and do you think my life would not be filled with grief if you died?" he asks, letting my hand go and placing his hand on my face. I would usually pull away from the affection, but for some reason, I know it means so much to him. "If it doesn't work, then I will find a way to kill Cex and take the other half of the magic. All magic needs to be together, so it should be easy to pull the magic from you."

"Black magic kills and fights angel blood to win. I think the only reason it hasn't killed me yet is that I'm a half," I tell him. “It would destroy you.”

"I do not care about death, I have little to live for. If you die, I’ll have nothing, as my family will all be in death waiting for me," he explains to me.

"Enough talk of death, we have time to fix this," I try to use humour to shake off the deep sadness that makes me feel like it's going to suffocate me. My father lets his hand drop and stands up off the sofa. I stand with him and walk to the door, pulling it open.

"Call me when this is close to running out," he says, and I know that it’s a lie when I nod my head to agree. If I call him, he will bring that angel and take this power then die with no chance to save himself. I might as well shoot him in the head by doing that, and I know I couldn't live with myself if I kill the last living family member I have. I want to be selfish and keep him around, and that is what I'm going to do. He is wrong about being alone.

"Goodbye, daughter," he says.

"See you soon, father," I reply, watching him step out of the house, spreading his white wings out before flying off into the sky. I mentally call for my wings, feeling them appear behind me as I step outside into the cold night. It's been a long time since I've been flying.

"Vi, we need to talk, don't you think? Especially as your father thinks you are going to die, and you didn’t argue the point with him." I turn to see Azi leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed and his red eyes burning with anger. Flying is going to have to wait. Angry demon overlord is not something to be ignored.

Chapter 17

"Where are we going then?" I ask Azi as he continues to glare at me as I make my wings disappear, and he holds his hand out for me. His glare turns into a look of pure frustration, and I wonder how much of my father's and my conversation he overheard. I want to tell him everything at this moment, knowing he would help me find a way to save myself or die trying. That's the point though, I couldn't see him die for me. Or at all. Azi is a demon like no other, a demon with parts of his soul that are good and pure. Whatever becomes of me, it's important he lives. Crap, now I really sound like one of those girls out of movies who will happily die for the better good or some shit. How did I get myself in this mess? Oh, I know, it started as a damn fairy tale where I fell in love and then did something stupid. Unfortunately, this fairy tale doesn't look like it has a good ending. If it were a movie, I'd pass on seeing the end...except this is my story, and there is no door to walk out of because I don't like it.

"Seth has a cocktail bar that also does food. Why don't we go there to talk? It is private and quiet," he suggests. I glance down at my clothes, the leggings and top aren’t all too bad to wear out. I know there isn’t anything nicer among my clothes in the house anyway.

"Sounds nice," I reply and take his hand he offers me. I rest my head on his shoulder as we walk through the demon underground, passing many people and seeing the difference since my speech. Everyone is working together, by the looks of it, and there is a peaceful feeling in the air. I don't sense any anger or pain like I expect to find in places like this. Usually, demon undergrounds are full of the emotions no one wants, much like the people here themselves. Unwanted by the world of humans.

"Why are you so mad?" I quietly ask him as we head through a dark alley into another street. This one is lit up more than the others, and there is a large warehouse in front of us with a big queue of people outside. Luckily, they are all dressed casually; clearly everyone doesn’t care about dress codes for the time being.

"If it were the other way around, would you be happy?" he asks me. I don't have an answer for him as he looks down at me for a second, and he knows it. No, I wouldn't be happy. I'd do anything, kill anyone, to make sure Azi lives. We walk up to the door, where the bouncer opens it straight away when he sees us. I walk into the big warehouse which is transformed into an awesome cocktail bar inside. Big fancy glass lights hang from the ceiling, showcasing the multi levels of what looks like red glass floors. The tables are full of people, and waiters are running between them. This place does well even in a war, it seems.

"Brother, what brings you to my home," Seth says, coming out from a hidden door which swings shut behind him. He is all dressed up in a suit similar to the one Azi is currently wearing, only Azi wears it better. Seth also has glitter on his black coat and red lipstick on his white collar. "And Evie darling, I've heard you like my spare home very much. Too much perhaps."

"You mean my home," I counter, crossing my arms as I let go of Azi’s hand. Azi just sighs and looks at me, knowing I’m not going to let this one go.

"I never gave it to you," Seth replies. “I won’t give it to you.”

"I didn't ask for it. It's mine, plain and simple. You can try to get it back if you want," I say, grinning. “I have a dagger waiting to slam into your balls if you come over.”

"Your girlfriend is a crazy psychopath, brother," Seth says, stepping back and looking concerned. He really should be.

"Yes, she is," Azi says, sounding proud as I smile up at him.

"Whatever. You can keep the house, Evie darling, but I want my box of weapons back," he counters, and I just laugh. That isn’t happening either. I love a few of the daggers in there, and Trex is smitten with the axe.

"Nope, they are mine, too," I reply. “Where do you think I’d get the dagger for your balls from?”

"I wouldn't try to argue with her. It will get you nowhere. Trust me, brother," Azi suggests as Seth narrows his eyes at me like I'm the devil.

"Why are you here?" he asks with a sigh, crossing his arms. "I have company tonight, and I am not taking guests."

"Funny enough, we are not here to see you. We want a drink and some good food," Azi explains.

"You're at the best place then," Seth replies, waving a hand around the room. "Have a good night."

"Wait," Azi says as Seth goes to turn around, and he pauses to look back. "Did you find anything useful?"

"Nothing that will save her or be of any use," he gently tells us, sounding very much not like Seth. If he feels sorry for me, then I really am screwed. "I will not stop looking. No one will."

"Thank you, Seth," I honestly reply to him when Azi doesn't say a word. Seth bows his head in a respectful manner, which is unusual for him, before he turns to walk away. Seth stops a waiter who walks past him, whispering something and pointing at us before leaving through the door he came in.

"This way, please," the waiter says, nodding his head in the direction he wants us to follow. I go to step away when I notice Azi doesn't move, his eyes fixated on the floor. I step closer and place my hand on the side of his head, lifting his glowing eyes to me.

"We can enjoy tonight and worry about the future tomorrow. Don't leave me, Azi. Don't let your demon take over right now," I plead with him, knowing he is out of control simply by looking in his eyes. "Be strong for me. I need you, Azi," I honestly say, because everything is swirling out of control, and nothing I do seems to be able to stop it. I'm losing everything, heading for death, and I can't stop it. Nothing seems to be stopping it. The keepers, angels, reapers and now the demons have no answers for a way to save myself. I'll be damned if I let Azi lose himself, too.

"I won't be able to save you from this, will I?" he asks, his voice sounding like a ghost.

"I don't know. That is the truth," I reply, my voice cracking.

"Death couldn't part us. It has tried once, and I got you back, Vi. I'm too selfish to let it take you from me. To let anything part us," he angrily tells me, and I deeply wish I could tell him he is right.

"And I will fight to the bitter end to save myself and us. It's not over, not yet," I whisper to him. He slowly lowers his lips to mine, pressing a hauntingly sweet kiss on my lips, leaving me wanting more as he lifts his head away.

"Why does it feel like our time is close to an end?" he asks.

"Azi," I quietly whisper his name, and he nods, straightening up. "I don't get you alone much these days, I'm going to make the most of it." He looks over to the waiter who is stood a small distance away, looking awkward. I don't blame him. The waiter quickly turns and starts walking us to our seats. We head through the red glass tables and the nice red chairs that are tucked into them until we get to the back of the warehouse. The waiter leads us into a lift that takes us up two floors until the doors open up to the top level. This level only has one table and two chairs, with a long, large glass window that shows off the views of the demon underground and a city in the far distance.

"Please use this to order your food and drinks," the waiter says, handing Azi a tablet. That's a fancy way of ordering food. Azi nods, ushering the waiter away as he goes to pull out a chair. Azi takes over, holding a chair out for me and waving me to my seat.

"Such a gentleman, what have you done to my demon?" I ask.

"I can't be a gentleman and a demon?" he asks, and I smirk.

"Apparently you can," I say, "though I'd like the demon back for the bedroom later."

"Bedroom?" he chuckles. "With an audience? That room is never empty."

"Audience or perhaps partners to join in?" I counter with a grin. "I've never had a threesome before. Could be interesting."

"You have four partners in love with you. It would more than three, Vi," he says, but there is a smile on his lips that makes me think I might get my way in the future. Azi clicks a few things on the tablet before handing it to me. I scan through the menu and find a creamy bacon pasta that looks good and a chocolate dessert for after.

"I've ordered us some cocktails to try. I hope you do not mind," Azi says as I hand him back the tablet, and he places it on the table holder. It's not long until the food arrives, and Azi requests that the waiter put some light music on and leave us alone for a while. The music comes on a little later, a familiar tune played on a piano.

"Nice?" Azi asks after I've eaten a few bites of my pasta and he has dug into his steak and chips.

"Very," I answer. "Yours?"

"Delicious," he replies. "Hali seems to be happy here with Cheri and another friend she has made."

"Is the other friend a girl?" I ask, because Hali, the little minx, has not told me a word about this other friend. Though I did ask if she liked Cheri as more than a friend the other night, because they are so close, and she said she likes guys. I told her I wouldn’t care either way, but it was fun to see her embarrassed to talk to me about this stuff.

"No, a boy. I have my eyes on him, do not worry," he says, and I laugh. Of course he has.

"I need you to promise me something. Something I can't ask of the others because they don't know what this magic is doing to me," I eventually say as we finish our food. I nervously sip on my glass of wine as Azi stares at me, placing his knife and fork down.

"Anything," he replies.

"If it kills me, promise to live for Hali. The witches will try to kill her because of that mark of hers. They will never stop, and without protection, she might as well die with me," I carefully say.

"You will not die," he growls out, his eyes glowing a brighter red than a moment before.

"I'm saying if I do. I need to know you won't leave her to follow me," I reply. Azi pushes the table away and gets up, storming to the window where he stands still watching the city.

"You ask too much of me," he finally says.

"Azi...let your demon out for me. I need to talk to him," I ask. “I need him.”

"He will kill you," Azi growls, looking down at me like I'm insane. "My sin is control, and you are the only person in the world I can't control. My demon would see you as a challenge he would kill to win."

"I think he loves me as much as you do. I want to know if I'm right. Trust me, Azi...I want to meet him," I reply, knowing it is important. “Plus, you both already have all of me, there is nothing left to win.”

"I won't be able to stop him," he warns me.

"And I can fight all on my own. I can also fly, and I will jump out this window and leave if need be," I tell him.

"Promise?" he asks, watching me closely.

"Yes," I say, tilting my head to the side. I take a good step back as Azi looks down at the ground, and there is a noticeable change in the air as he lets his demon take control. All of Azi's skin lightly glows red, but it's nothing on his eyes as he lifts his head to look at me. They are nearly all black, with a bright red line around them that glows intensely.

"Mine," he growls, sounding nothing like Azi's voice at all.

"Will you make sure Azi stays alive?" I ask.

"In exchange?" he counters.

"I will be your mate," I answer, knowing what demons promise to each other when they mate. Demons don't mate like any other creature I know. I only have to promise myself to him for eternity and for him to say the same to me for us to be mated. Words have so much power, and demons believe this more than anyone. "When this war is over, I promise myself to you for eternity."

Azi storms over to me, pulling me into his arms and kissing me harshly. It's a brutal, demanding kiss, and I love every second of it. His hands go to my sides, where he pulls at my shirt, ripping a hole down the back before letting it fall. I quickly undo his buttons on his shirt before he spins me around, pushing me face first against the glass. Luckily, no one can see us up here, especially how my breasts are pushed against the cold glass, and it somewhat feels good.

Azi rips my trousers off next before wrapping a hand around my waist, and his other hand slides a finger inside of me as my legs part. I moan as his fingers torture me, and all too soon, he removes his hand. I look at Azi in the reflection of the glass as he steps between my legs, and his hands hold my hips tightly as he thrusts into me. It isn't Azi, not really in this moment. It's his demon wanting full control, and damn, does it feel good. Azi thrusts in and out of me, his black eyes locked with mine the entire time. His hand slides between my legs, pushing my ass further into him as he arches me down.

"I promise my heart, my demon and everything to you for eternity, Vi," Azi whispers in my ear, and I cry out as pleasure shoots through my body. "Vi!" Azi shouts my name with a roar as he comes. We both breathlessly stare at each other in the now steamy glass window. "Eternity, Vi. Death means nothing in the game of our souls."

Chapter 18

"When did you get slow, dude?" I ask, spinning my sword around in my hand and jumping to the left as Trex tries to land a hit. We are both covered in sweat; the cold air from the open doors to the warehouse is doing nothing to cool us down as we train together. I don’t usually fight against Trex as I tend to prefer solo training or fighting with Hali who is deadly with that whip of hers. Trex is hard to beat, and I damn well know it.

"You're bad for a man's ego, you know that?" he replies, grinning at me before swinging his sword and hitting mine hard as I block him.

"Oh Trexy, I can be good for your ego if you like," I say, jumping back and loving the playful wink he gives me. I love training with Trex, it is the only time where he is laid back, chilled almost. The crowd around us cheers and claps as we circle each other, neither one of us wanting to give up the fight and lose. Trex runs at me first, and I spread my wings out, flying into the air and jumping onto his back, holding my sword at his neck. The crowd cheers my name while Trex drops his sword and places his hands in the air. "I win."

"You're a cheat," Trex says as I jump down and wink at him as he turns to look at me. I drop my sword and wrap my arms around his shoulders, smiling up at him.

"But you love me anyway," I reply, kissing him once before pulling away as I know we have people watching. Way too many people watching even for my liking.

"You're such a pain in the ass, Evie," he mutters in a playful tone.

"Evie, Keeper Grey asked to see you," Hali says, coming up to us as I break away from Trex. She high fives Trex before he ruffles her hair, and she pushes him away.

"And what's in it for you, kid?" Trex asks her, crossing his beefy, sweaty arms.

"He said he would give me a useful book on witches if I came and got her," Hali replies, shrugging her shoulders.

"Let's go then. I wanted to see him anyway. He still hasn't given me my sword back, despite several promises," I say, kissing Trex's cheek before walking off at Hali's side.

"A witch book, huh?" I say as we head down the busy streets of the demon underground, heading further and further into the main part of the place.

"It's about time I learnt about my heritage," she quietly says. "It's not like I can just ask any witch for information."

"No, you can't," I reply. “And it is a smart move to learn more about your people. Not all witches are bad, even if a few in charge are. Maybe one day, witches will change their mind about you, and if not, then you have me.”

"Can I ask you something?" she asks after taking my words in.

"Anything, Hali," I tell her.

"Did my mum ever speak of my father? Did she say who he was or is?" she asks.

"She didn't tell me much, but only that he didn't fight for her or you when he should have. Rita ran from the witches and your father in fear. So even if he is still alive, I know he could never be the father who would deserve you," I tell her my honest opinion. The fact is if he is alive, he hasn’t come for Hali or tried to find her. He didn’t stop the queen from killing Rita, or even try.

"I wish mum was here sometimes. You know? I think she would be so proud of you, Evie," she tells me, not giving me her opinion on her father, and that’s okay.

"She would be proud of you, and all we can do is make sure we keep making her spirit proud. I'm never going to forget your mum, never. I love her even now, and I remember her like it was only yesterday we last saw each other. Rita was my mum in every way I needed, and I hope I am that for you. I want to be whatever you need until you are older and strong enough to need me no longer...and even then, I will be there," I tell her, needing her to understand my feelings on her.

"I love you, Evie...you're my second mum. You always have been," she says, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around my waist. I rest my head on top of hers, holding her to me for a second, and breathe in her coconut and almond hair conditioner. We may be different in so many ways, but we are so much the same. And gods do I love her. She is my family.

"Sorry to interrupt, Queen Evelina. It might be safer to come inside," Keeper Grey says, and I lift my head to see him standing outside the door to a container, and he bows his head.

"What are your plans for today, Hali?" I ask her as she lets me go and shyly waves a hand at Keeper Grey who nods in a respectful way to her.

"Just hanging out with Cheri. She has this awesome bedroom with a huge TV and all the new movies. Oh, and an awesome snack collection she steals from her dad," she tells me.

"Sounds like fun. Go on, and I will see you later," I say.

"See you later," she says and goes to walk away when she stops and looks back at me. "I keep having these terrible dreams where you die. Your whole body is on fire, both holy fire and this red power that is scary to even look at. It consumes you, and you let it. I hate these dreams...and I hate that they feel like more." I shiver as I listen to her speak, knowing her mum had dreams of the future as it was one of her powers. With how close Hali is getting to receiving her powers, she could be seeing my future.

"They are just dreaming. Nothing more, Hal," I say, knowing it would hurt and scare her more to tell her the truth. She tensely smiles, like she knows the truth but doesn't want to call me out on it, before disappearing into the street. I rub my face before turning around and walking over to Keeper Grey.

"You asked to see me?" I question him with a kind smile.

"Evelina, you seem upset. Maybe a cup of tea would help settle your nerves before we talked?" he suggests.

"I won't say no to a cup of tea," I reply, letting him lead me into his new home. I shut the door behind me, pausing in my steps to see the lounge we have come into. There is nothing but books everywhere, piled in every corner and littered around the sofas. I quickly catch up to Keeper Grey as he opens the door to a kitchen and waves a hand at one of the three stools in front of a counter. I sit down, resting my arms on the counter as I aimlessly watch Keeper Grey make us both a cup of tea. Keeper Grey slides my cup to me, and I rest my hands around it as I watch the steam rise for a moment.

"Did you ask me here to tell me you found something?" I question.

"We did find information about black magic and what it can do. We have found nothing on how to contain it or save you, to my uttermost frustration," he says, shaking his head after he speaks. "I heard your father is going to take the power from you and save you in the end."

"No, he will not. I chose to take this power, not him, and I very much doubt his plan will work. It is more likely to kill us both," I explain to him. "I am glad you asked me here, though. I wanted to speak alone with you."

"I am sad to hear this about your father. I truly believe his death would be a good way for him to free his soul," Keeper Grey says and glances at my necklace. "We do not have much time, do we?"

"No. I am going to take the necklace off in two days. It is my birthday, oddly enough, and a good day to finish this," I tell him. I haven’t told anyone else what day it is, and I never told Hali. She always tried to guess though.

"I did not know it is your day of birth in two days," he says. "Perhaps a different day would be better. Have you spoken to your men about this?"

"They do not know it will be my birthday, and I'd rather you didn't tell them, please," I tell him.

"Of course, your secret is safe with me, Evelina," he says, and I knew it anyway. "Though I doubt that was the real reason you came here to speak with me."

"You asked me here, remember?" I reply.

"I did. I wanted to give you back your weapons. I have made some changes to your sword and bow. Ones suitable for a queen," he tells me and walks to the side of the kitchen. I sip my tea while I wait for him to come back, and when he does, he places my sword on the counter in front of me. The purple sword now has white runes all the way down the side that look familiar, even if I can't read them. He rests my mother's white bow next to the sword, and I see the same runes on them.

"It is your name. They say the weapons named by the queen are special. I wanted to do something for you," he explains to me.

"Thank you. I really mean that," I say, placing my hand on the sword. "Now I need to ask you to do something. A queen’s demand, in a way."

"Anything," he replies.

"I want you to tell five keepers this so that my wishes are kept alive even if some of you die in the war," I explain to him.

"That is a smart move," he responds.

"I want Hali to be made queen of the Protectors and demons in my place if I die. I do not want her crowned until she is eighteen, and only Hali can choose a new Protector to be regent on her behalf. She must be protected because she is so special, and I do not know any other way to make sure she is," I tell him. “My guys will do their best, but really she needs more than they can give her. More than I could before I was queen.”

"The keeper in me that believes the queen of the Protectors should have Protector blood wants to tell you that this is a bad idea. The man I am knows Hali would be a queen her guardian would be proud of. I will keep your order and make it so if it is needed," he replies. I knew I liked him.

"If I die, there will be no royal blood left. In some ways, that could be a good thing, but in others, I hope we never have to find out," I say.

"You are smart to make plans for her future," he says, "though I hope to see you have many children and for one of them to win a test for the throne in the future."

"Maybe one day," I say. I hope.

"I have something else for you before you go," Keeper Grey says, reaching into his pocket and handing me a letter. My name is written across the top of it, but I don’t recognise the handwriting.

"Who is it from?" I ask.

"Erica. I don't know why she gave me it for you, but she did just before the final test. She told me to give you it, and tell you to only open it when Cex is dead," he says, and I frown. What kind of crazy was she on? I thought she loved Cex, so why would she write a letter that can only be opened when he is dead. It doesn’t make a tiny bit of sense, then again none of Erica’s actions or thoughts ever did.

"Right...well, she was a crazy psychopath," I mutter, sliding the letter into the back of my trousers.

"She was crying as she gave me this, full body sobs that even I struggled to hear. I have never seen emotions much in Erica's eyes, but there was something I couldn't quite place with the moment she handed me that," he explains to me. “In the end, she was still your sister, so please don’t throw that away.”

"I will tell you what it says. As much as I have no love for my dead sister, I will not open it until Cex is dead. Respect for the wishes of the dead, and all that," I say, knowing I won’t throw it away. I hate Erica and everything she has ever done, but a deeper part of me is curious what the letter could possibly say.

"And all that," he replies, bowing his head as I pick my weapons up and head for the door. I look back at him once, pausing.

"Thank you for everything, Keeper Grey. I wanted to tell you that," I say, and he very slowly bows, and when I meet his eyes, I see they are cloudy with tears.

"I must thank you for the time I've had with you. You are a true queen who reminds me so much of your mother," he says. "I am proud to know you." I shakily nod, before leaving his house, because there isn't anything else we can say to each other. It feels like I'm saying goodbye to a long lost uncle or something with Keeper Grey. I look down at the gemstone, seeing the glow is down to about a quarter now, and the rest of the gem looks like a diamond. Time is running out.

Chapter 19

Staring at the mirror, I finish drying my hair off with the dryer, just as Connor comes into the bedroom, and I turn the hairdryer off. Connor looks comfy in his low rise trousers and blue shirt.

"They are here. It's time you told her," he gently suggests. "I can come with you if you want, Blue?"

"No, it is alright. We will be down soon," I tell him.

"I packed her a bag of food, including her favourite hot chocolate. It might help," Connor says, tucking the bag into the rucksack by the door.

"She will love you for that," I reply.

"I just hope she understands," Connor sadly says before walking out and leaving the door open. I look back at myself in the mirror, just about recognising the stressed version of myself. Life has never been easy for me, and I've always fully accepted it. I just did what I had to do to survive and carry on. Now I know there is every chance tomorrow could be it for me, the end of the life I've fought for. I keep telling myself it's all going to be okay, like the fool I am, because denial is much nicer than the truth. The truth is depressing and makes me want to run away. In some ways, I only have one more day left of denial.

I tuck a wave of my blue hair behind my ear and lift my head. I'm Evie Ravenwood, and there is no way I'm going down without one hell of a fight. I will take Cex with me if I fall, and send him straight back to Hell, to the deepest parts where he can never exist again. I stand up, walking out of our bedroom after picking up the rucksack, and walk up the stairs to Hali's door.

"Hali? Can I come in?" I ask, knocking a few times on her door. I rest the bag I packed her over my shoulder as she opens the door, seeing the bag first and crossing her arms as her eyes narrow on me.

"I'm not leaving you to fight this alone. Seriously?" she asks, shaking her head. "I'm not a kid you need to hide away."

"Cheri is waiting downstairs with a few dozen children. All of you are going away because it isn't safe. You are the leaders, the protectors of these children until tomorrow is over. There are five other groups, and you all can meet up if things go badly," I tell her. "This has been planned for a while."

"‘Things go badly’ means you die, right?" she asks, sitting on the bed and wrapping her arms around her small frame.

"Hali," I carefully say, stepping closer, knowing there isn't anything I could tell her to make this better.

"Don't baby me now. I know tomorrow isn't going to be easy for you, and I'm scared to leave. I don't want to lose you again," she says, and I hear her sniffle as she looks down at the floor. I go and sit on the bed next to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders as she leans her head on me.

"But if you are here, I will lose for certain because I will only be able to focus on looking after you. It's the same reason Seth is sending Cheri away, and all the parents of the children here. We need to focus," I explain to her. "Tomorrow is dangerous enough. Honestly, those children and Cheri need you to help them. What if a yellow demon bumps into your group? We have heard they are everywhere. This last week, I've been training with you, and I know you are an excellent fighter who can hold her own with that scary ass whip of yours. I am trusting you to keep them safe and make it to the safe house. That is your mission."

"I can do that," she says, finally looking up at me. "I will keep them safe."

"Good girl," I reply, leaning closer and pressing a brief kiss to her forehead. "My girl."

"Evie, you got all loving and stuff recently," she laughs.

"Don't expect it to last long, I'm feeling all sorts of new emotions recently. It's those damn Protectors and Azi," I say, standing up off the bed. I pick up the bag as Hali stands up, and I help her strap it onto her back.

"I like the effect they have on you," Hali admits and grins at me before walking out the door. I think I like it, too. I follow Hali down the stairs, where a gathering of children and adults are waiting, all of them looking up to us. I spot Keira with her daughter in the crowd of parents who are both demons and Protectors. Star runs to my side, knocking people out the way, and the children eye the big tiger with interest.

"It's time," I say, walking through them with Hali. The parents say goodbye as Seth whispers something to Cheri before stepping back. Hali says goodbye to Trex, Nix, Connor and Azi before going to stand at Cheri's side. I nod once at her, proud for how brave she is being.

"All children need to jump through quickly. I can't hold it open for long," Cheri says loudly, and there are murmurs of agreements. A demon walks over to Hali with a baby, and Hali happily takes the baby and the bag she gives her.

"I will keep her safe. I promise," Hali says.

"Thank you so much. I will fight here and make sure it is safe for you to return," the demon says, bowing her head in a respectful way before stepping back.

“Star, I need you to go with Hali and the others. Keep them safe for me,” I say to her, and she whines but doesn’t disagree as she goes to Cheri’s side. I can feel if something is wrong with Star, and that means I could get to Hali and her quickly if needed.

"You got this," I tell Hali as the portal burns up. Cheri jumps in first with Star, not looking back, and the children all go through next until just Hali is left.

"I love you, Evie," she says, making my heart hurt and every protective part of me want to grab her before disappearing into the portal, and then it disappears. There is a deathly silence in the room as blue ash falls onto the floor from the remains of the portal, and the fact sinks in that our children are now gone. At least they are safe, and that is more than we can say for ourselves.

"I'm going to spend my last night between the legs of my favourite succubus demon. I suggest everyone enjoy their night, too," Seth says, and I throw him a disgusted look as he walks out. I spend the next ten minutes saying goodbye to everyone until just Keira is left. She briefly hugs me at the door, her eyes drifting back to the place where the portal was.

"Do you think they will be okay?" she asks.

"Hali and Cheri are smart—and deadly when they need to be. I'm sure they will be safe. The house we sent them all to is heavily warded against intruders that mean harm, and they only have a twenty-minute car journey to the house. We planned it all with my keepers, and they have promised me everything is perfect," I explain to her. “My connection with Star is strong, and I will know instantly if there is an issue.”

"It's hard to see her go," she says and bows her head. "I'm sure I will not see you on the battlefield tomorrow, but I wish you all the luck I can give. Kill the demon and end this. We need peace."

"I will end this one way or another," I say, leaning closer. "Demons will rise. I've always believed those words, and so should you. This is the demons’ chance to rise, and we will not let it pass."

"No, we won't," she says and turns to walk away into the night. I close the door and rest my back against it as I look over at my guys. Each of them is watching me, their looks are so intense that I can only awkwardly bring up the next greatest love of my life.

"So, who is cooking bacon then?"

Chapter 20

"Whoever taught you to cook, Azi, is amazing," I murmur as I eat my bacon-covered chicken and cut up another piece to have. It's been almost awkward as Azi cooked, and we all helped out in the kitchen before we sat down to eat. None of us really knows what to say to each other as we are all too worried about tomorrow.

"Agreed," Trex says from the other side of the table.

"How do we prepare for tomorrow?" Connor asks, pushing his food around and not looking the slightest bit interested in eating it.

"Enjoy tonight?" I suggest and place my fork down. "I know it's hard to relax and enjoy being here, but that is what I think we should do."

"I have another idea," Nix says. "We should go in the hot tub in the garden which I finally got working. It's a nice night, and who knows if this place will be standing after tomorrow."

"Love it," I say, grinning. We all clean up the plates before walking out into the small decked garden, where a big hot tub is in the middle. Trex removes the cover as Nix turns on the dim lights outside. I slowly pull my clothes off, well aware that I will be naked in front of all of them at the same time. It's not something I planned, but they have all seen me with no clothes on anyway. I slide into the hot water, choosing a corner spot and resting my head back as I hear them removing their clothes. I look up at the night sky, seeing the millions of stars in the sky and how peaceful they look.

"Evie, can we see your rune mark?" Trex asks. "And we can show you ours. I've been thinking it would be a smart thing to know if we get separated tomorrow."

"You've all seen it," I reply.

"I don't know about the others, but I've been too distracted to read your rune name," Trex replies. I laugh as Nix mutters the same.

"I know it, I already asked," Connor explains. I roll my eyes at the slight jealousy in Trex’s and Nix's faces, and how Azi is just sipping on the beer he brought out with him. I stand up in the water, turning my back to them so they can see.

"It's called Ashkin, and it means strength, passion and leadership," I tell them, wondering why they are so silent.

"And loyalty, which is what mine means, love," Nix whispers as I turn around, floating into the water and looking at Trex last as he points at his rune name on his shoulder.

"Mine means passion, and you know Connor’s means strength," Trex tells me softly. "So, your rune name means you are like us. And the leadership part is clearly meant for you."

"Come here, Blue," Connor says, waving a hand for me. I swim across the water, well aware of all their eyes on me as I straddle Connor and settle on his lap, feeling him hard and ready underneath me. Connor slides his hands into my hair, and he kisses me like he can tell me how he feels without words. I feel someone move in right behind me, reaching around and playing with my breasts, rubbing my nipples into hard peaks as I grind against Connor. I look to my side as Connor kisses down my neck, pulling me onto his length, and I let out a long moan as he glides into me.

Trex moves onto the seat next to us as Connor pounds in and out of me, and I reach my hand over, and he happily lets me rub his length as I rest my head on Connor’s shoulder, getting close. Suddenly, Connor lifts me off him and turns me around, sliding back inside me as I face Nix. Nix stands up in the water, and I slide him into my mouth as Connor continues to thrust in and out of me. I moan as an orgasm slams into me, making me groan as I reach my hands out at my sides. Azi's length slides into my left hand, and Trex stands on my other side, making it possible for me to stroke him, too. There is a perfect moment of pleasure between us all, and I can do nothing but ride out the pleasure. Connor holds my hips perfectly as I feel him come deep inside me, and the rest of my men finish not long after. I rest back in the hot tub, breathless and silent as I try to calm my body down. Holy heck, that was amazing.

"That's your early birthday present, Vi," Azi says, making us all laugh.

"How did you know?" I ask.

"Grey talks," Nix says, and I laugh.

"I must remember to thank him sometime," I reply to them, cuddling up to Connor's side. "Though please say this isn't just a birthday only thing?"

"Nah, it's not," Trex says, and I smile as I snuggle into Connor's chest, feeling Trex's hand on my back. Whatever tomorrow may bring, I have a night I know I will never forget.

Chapter 21

“Queen Evelina, everything is ready for you like you asked,” Keeper Grey says, coming into the clearing just outside the demon underground from a portal, joining the rest of us. I nod at him, tightening my grip on my bow in my one hand, the cold metal soothing me in a way. I've never been nervous about fighting until this moment right here. The tests for the queen, being hunted by Protectors and everything else in between—all of that never scared me as much as this does. The cold wind blows against my leather, tight clothes that cover me, and a few strands of my hair that have escaped my plait blow past my face.

“Then it’s time to do this,” I say and reach into my pocket to pull out the stone the reapers gave me. "Burn this with holy fire the moment I take the necklace off," I order Keeper Grey, who bows before he walks to stand right behind me where the other keepers stand. I glance behind me, seeing rows of demons and Protectors, standing side by side. Everyone is ready for this, everyone except for me. The real truth is that I'm terrified to take this necklace off, to face Cex. But being scared is nothing when I compare it to the pain of losing everyone I love. Even if I die today, I had everything I spent my whole life looking for, all in these past few months. I have a family.

“We are right here, at your side, no matter what,” Trex tells me, holding his glowing green axe in his hand, reflecting off his eyes that are so determined for what is coming next. I look over at Connor by his side, holding two swords, and he softly smiles at me. I look to my other side, seeing Nix and Azi stood close together. Nix has a bow similar to mine, and Azi doesn't need any weapons. He is one.

“We stick to the plan," I tell them, seeing Seth walking over to us and knowing I only have one more moment alone with my men to say something. "Can you always remember that you all made my life a million times better once I met you? I never believed in fate, but it feels like fate to me that we are together. I love you all. Meeting you was worth even death."

“Time to get that necklace off, Evie darling," Seth interrupts anything anyone was going to reply as he stops next to Azi's side. I suck in a breath of cold air and lift the necklace off my chest.

"Father! It's time to help us!" I say, knowing he will come too late to try and stop this. He will hear me call him, no matter what. I told him it would be today or tomorrow, so it's not totally random. Angels won't be able to help this war, and he would only try to stop me. "Ready or not," I mutter before pulling the necklace off my neck. I drop the necklace on the floor and lift my foot, slamming my boot into the stone, and it breaks with a loud snap that echoes around the silent field.

"Queen Evelina. About time," Cex whispers into my head, feeling like he is right next to me. I stare down at my hands as they start to burn, and I lift them out in front of me, seeing them glowing red. The red power escapes my skin, swirling around my hands and arms as pain slams into my chest. I fall to my knees with a scream, hearing and seeing nothing for a long time.

"Vi!" Azi shouts somewhere close by, but there is nothing but the power. There is nothing but the black magic killing me, taking everything I have left to fight with.

"NO!" I scream to myself, shaking my head. I will not let it kill me yet. With every bit of power, of strength I have, I force my head to rise, and I place my hands at my sides. My throat is raw by the time my screams wear off, and I can control the power enough to push it back. I collapse to the ground, shaking and shivering as I feel hands on me.

"Evie. You okay?" Connor asks, lifting me up.

"Yes," I say, grabbing hold of my bow as I stand with him. "The power was just too much for a moment..." I drift off as I see the utter chaos around us. There are yellow demons everywhere, flooding out of portals that hover above the ground all around us. Nix is stood nearby, shooting arrows into the hearts and heads of any yellow creatures that get close. Trex is fighting nearby, killing the creatures like they are play toys, and he looks relieved as he sees me for a second and then gets back to it. There is so much noise, so many screams and sounds of weapons being used. Fire, ice and water blast into the sky, mixing with the rising souls of fallen Protectors. The sky almost looks like it is filled with magic.

"I can feel he is close. Where?" I ask. “Which way did he go?”

"Azi and Seth are fighting him. They went that way," Connor says, pointing straight ahead.

"I'm going after them, but you all need to close the portals. The yellow demons have to stop coming through," I tell him, and he shakes his head, clearly wanting to argue that he should stay with me.

"We are coming with you, love," Nix shouts, overhearing us.

"You can't. Only Azi and Seth can survive Cex and my black magic," I shout to him, knowing Trex and Connor can hear. I look to Connor, seeing the indecision. "Save our people. Save them, because I have to do this."

"Go. We have your back," Connor says. Not one part of him looks happy about saying it, but he knows he needs to trust me. I lean up and kiss his cheek before pulling two arrows out of my quiver. I pass Nix, who nods once at me, and I have to pull my eyes away from the pain there.

I shoot an arrow into a yellow creature that runs in my path, and another one who is fighting one of my demons. I shoot two more arrows as I run, getting to the top of the hill just as one of the yellow creatures tackles me. I lose my bow as I reach for a dagger, slamming it into the creature’s neck as we fall. The creature screams, coughing yellow blood all over me as it dies. I push it off me, pulling my sword off my back and swinging it into the chest of another yellow demon that is waiting. I throw the quiver off my back, pull out another dagger with my other hand, and start running once more. I have to kill two more yellow demons before I finally see Cex fighting off Azi, and Seth is passed out on the ground near them. Azi is slamming fireball after fireball into Cex, who is giving just as good as he is getting. I run faster, knowing I need to help him.

A Protector bumps into me, a young woman who is holding her stomach. I step around her, slamming my dagger into the yellow demon that hurt her, and it burns up as it dies. I leave the dagger and go to the woman, helping her sit on the grass as she coughs up blood. I go to heal her, but she pushes my hands away, nodding her head in the direction of Azi and Cex.

"If you don't kill him, no one can. Go, my queen," she pleads, pushing me away. I know full well she will die if I go, there is nothing but more yellow demons around us, heading our way. I look up in the sky, seeing angels appearing and flying down to help us.

"Take this then," I hand her my sword, and her eyes widen. It hurts to give my sword away, but at least she will be able to fight. "I don't need it, but you do. Keep it and yourself safe."

"But—" she goes to argue with me, but I'm already leaving, running straight towards Azi and Cex again. I scream as two yellow demons jump on me, knocking me onto the ground, and one of them wraps its hands around my throat. I call my holy fire rune as it lowers its disgusting face close to mine, looking like it's going to bite me. I slam my hands into its chest, but the fire only burns off them and does nothing to get him off me. Suddenly, a flash of silver, and the demon’s head rolls off, and the body is pushed off me. I look up at a man in a cloak, with a large, yellow-blood-covered scythe in his hands.

"Thank you," I say as I climb to my feet and see the massive army of reapers that have arrived. It's like watching a shadow wash across the yellow demons, nothing but the silver of their scythes visible in the darkness. They clear a straight path to Cex and Azi, the only ones they are staying clear of. I don't even think about thanking them or anything as I run to Azi, seeing him close to Cex. Azi’s whole body is glowing a deep red, fire licking at his skin as he lands a punch in his brother’s face. Cex is the same, though his power is more. So much more.

Just as I get close, Azi slams a dagger into Cex's shoulder. He roars, blasting red power out in a shock wave that hits Azi so hard, he goes flying in the air. Cex holds him in the air, keeping him floating like a rag doll as he hits him with black magic.

"You might be able to fight me, brother, but too much of my power will make you burn. Don't worry, I will look after your sweet queen," Cex taunts, stepping close to Azi with his hands outstretched. He doesn't even notice I'm there.

"Enough, Cex!" I shout, and Cex pauses in his steps, not letting Azi go as he turns his head back to look at me. "Let him the fuck down. Now. This is between me and you."

"No, it isn't, but don't worry, I will deal with you next," he says and laughs as he turns back to Azi, increasing the waves of black magic to the point I know he might be able to kill him. Azi cries out in pain, and it feels like my heart is being ripped open from the noise alone. I pull my arm up, placing my fingers on my black mark and reaching into that bond between Cex and me, knowing this is my only chance. Suddenly, I feel the connection between us like a wave on a beach, and I slam a wall up between us, stopping the sea.

"What have you done?" Cex roars as I open my eyes and smile at him.

"You are my knight, and I am your queen. I control you, not the other way around. Don't you know how the game works?" I reply, and he screams as he tries to push me out of his head. Azi falls to the ground with a slam, and I run over to him, kneeling next to his side. I place my fingers on his neck, feeling that he has a pulse. Before I can even be relieved, I look up to see Cex staring around at the war that’s nearly over. He hasn't won this one, and he never will.

"It's over," I shout at him. "It's over now!"

"I will come back. I will win next time," Cex shouts back at me and calls a portal. He jumps through it, and before I've even said goodbye to Azi, I'm on my feet, sprinting to the portal. I jump through, knowing that Cex can't escape now. I won't let him.

Chapter 22

“It’s almost ironic that you chose to run here, Cex,” I say, crawling to my feet after I fall out the portal, and spitting out the blood in my mouth as I rise. Cex looks back at me in disgust, and I force my connection with him to make sure he cannot escape again. This is over here, now, in the very place this all started. The Protector city. Or what is left of it anyway. The city is in ruins, covered in dust and rubble. I glance at my feet, seeing what is left of the gold street we stand on.

“It’s my greatest achievement, destroying the blessed Protectors. They are finally all gone now, and when I kill you, then there will be nothing,” he spitefully says, flinching from the pain in his shoulder as he tries to stand up tall. "I'm glad you followed me. I get to kill you and take half of my power back. Then my brothers will not stand a chance."

“In what world do you think I’m going to be the one to die first tonight?” I say, laughing a little. "You are not in control, Cex. You never were, and I am going to be the one to end you."

“Silly little queen, this isn’t a fight, it’s a death sentence for you. Your sister was easy enough to kill,” Cex heartlessly says, and I shake my head. I knew he never loved Erica, and deep down, I know he killed her because she didn't win the test. It was the only reason he kept her near him.

“You talk too much...have you never seen the movies where the villain who talks too much always dies?” I say with a bored sigh. Cex narrows his eyes at me before swinging a blast of black magic at me. I simply move to the side, and he throws another one. I pull a dagger out of my belt as he tries to hit me again, and I jump on a piece of rock, avoiding the blast which smashes the rock to pieces. Dust covers the air as I jump down, using the dust to hide me long enough to throw my dagger at him. He catches the dagger with his other hand, melting it into dust with fire.

“I guess we will do this the old fashioned way then,” I say and call my holy fire into a constant stream that I throw at Cex. He quickly counters with a blast of black magic, and the two slam into each other, pushing us both back. I dig my feet into the ground, refusing point blank to give in as I call for more holy fire. I scream as my arms light up with holy fire, and it soon covers every part of my body, burning my clothes and boots. I call for every part of my rune power, all the way down to the deepest part of my soul, and still, it isn't enough. The black magic gets closer and closer, my fire can't fight it.

I cry out as I push my black magic out of my body with my other hand, the two powers mixing in red and blue fire. It blasts out of me as I step forward, nothing but pain stretches through my body with every step until I'm right in front of Cex, and I see the reflection of what I look like in his eyes. My hair, face and everything are on fire, the powers of both holy fire and black magic mixing in a beautiful and deadly way. I move my hands to Cex's face and smile as he tries to push me away.

"Time to die, knight," I say, and he screams. His scream is painful even to hear as I burn him into nothing but dust and red energy that floats in the air in front of me. The red energy shapes itself into a ball, and I'm powerless to stop it as it slams into my chest. I cry out as the magic overwhelms me, feeling like waves of fire burning all over me. My soul burns as I drop to my knees in the dust and close my eyes. Dying this time is painful, pure pain that I repeatedly beg to be over, when in one moment, it just is.

Chapter 23

There is something deeply peaceful about floating, not feeling the weight of your body or the pain that can come with it. I don't feel much of anything as I float forward in the line I am in, seeing and feeling the warm glow of the gate in front of the line of souls. Memories of life are fleeting as I try to think of them, and I can only remember love. So much love in such a short life I had. My white dress is shimmery, floating around me as I move closer to the light. I know I'm in Hell, waiting to go wherever the souls go. That's what I am now, a soul. My body is gone, and my fight is over...so why does it make me so sad?

"Evelina," I hear someone shout my name. Someone so familiar...but I can't remember who. I can't pull my eyes from the light. The line is now just two souls left...I'm so close. "Stop! Evelina is mine!" I float forward once more as the last soul disappears into the golden light archway in front of me. Suddenly, an angel jumps in front of me as I try to move forward, his white wings blocking my view of the light. I feel frozen in place as I stare at his back and his white head of hair. I know him.

"I want to make a deal. My life for hers. Please talk to me," the man pleads with the golden light. Suddenly a booming voice replies, and a white light blasts into my head.

"It must be her choice to live as well. I will return her memories temporarily," the voice says as the white light disappears and I remember everything. I'm Evie, and...I died. How the hell am I here? I look up as my father turns to me, reaching his hands out with tears in his eyes only to pause because we both realise he can't touch me.

"Let me take your place. You need to say the words," he asks me, pleading with me. He is begging me, and I don’t want to say yes, but a deeper part of me wants to go back to my Protectors, to Azi, and to Hali. I want to live out the rest of my life that was cut too short.

"B-but you will die," I say, my voice is like an echo though. He lifts his hand to hover near my face, much like how he showed me affection before, but this time he can't touch me. I can see how much it breaks his heart that he can't. It hurts me, too.

"Evelina, you gave me a reason to live when I thought there was none. I'm your father, let me protect you this one last time. Let me do this," he begs, and pain shoots through my heart, crippling me as sobs leave my lips. “Let me be your father.”

"Dad, I love you. I wish we had more time," I manage to say.

"Time is something we can have in death one day. We will see each other again, but for now, you need to live. You have so much life to live," he softly says.

"Is there no other way?" I ask. “Any way to stop this?”

"Say the words, daughter," he sympathetically commands, moving to my side so I can look into the golden light where there is an outline of an angel stood in the middle. "Defy death just one more time, and let me go home."

"I want to live," I say to the shadow of an angel, even though the pain it causes me to say the words makes me cry them out.

"Very well. You will be stripped of your angel blood and wings for the price of a trade," the voice tells me. "Walk into the light, Danike, and exchange your life. Come back to your home." The angel disappears, leaving nothing but the glowing wall of golden light that shines so brightly. So warmly.

I can do nothing but watch as my father walks slowly to the light and stops right before it as a figure appears.

"Eella?" my father asks, and an arm slowly reaches out of the light. My father places his hand in hers, linking their fingers as the soul walks out. "It's you," my father whispers. I lock eyes with my mother as she comes into view, or at least her soul does as she stops at his side. My parents look at each other with nothing but pure love, and my father very slowly fades from his form to a soul. My voice catches as I realise he is gone, my blood family are all in death now.

"I missed you. I have waited," she says, resting her head on his chest. He holds her close, like nothing else matters. He looks happy. My mum smiles at me as I cry, knowing I don't have long to see them like this. This is a gift.

"Our daughter is so beautiful, so brave. Aren't we proud, my Danike?" she says so softly, just like I’ve always imagined her voice would be like. The last of my true family stand in front of me, and it’s time I will never forget.

"So proud," my father replies. "I wouldn't trade her for anything in any world."

"Be strong, this is the right way to end our story, and you will live on, keeping our memories alive. My precious baby girl, oh how much we love you," she whispers to me, before they both look at each other. "It's time for us to leave."

"I love you, too," I whisper as I watch them walk into the light. The light blasts out in a wave from the archway, hitting my chest. I close my eyes as my whole body feels warm, almost like the sun is shining on my soul, just before the world fades into golden light.

Chapter 24

I blink my crusty eyes open, looking up at the extremely close white ceiling above me, which I quickly realise is not a ceiling at all, but a lid to a box I am lying in. Emotions flood me as I remember everything and the bitter knowledge my father is gone. We just got to know each other, found each other, and now I will never see him again. My hands are holding the handle to what feels like my sword, and the world is so bitterly cold, I realise.

I push the very heavy stone lid to the side, bit by bit, which takes a hell of a long time to do until it falls to the side. I sit up, looking around at the room I'm in. It's a tomb, and the floor around the casket I’m in is covered in flowers, some old and some new. The walls are littered with runes, hundreds of them are drawn in gold ink, yet I can’t read them to know what they are.

I wipe my eyes of the tears, looking down at the white lace dress I'm in that reminds me of what my soul was wearing in Hell. My father is gone, and he is with my mum. I want to be sad, I really do, but a deeper part of me knows it is what he wanted. He never looked as happy as he did when he was holding my mum's soul. Thinking of them makes me certain of who I want to find now. My guys. They must think I'm dead, and I need to get to them.

I climb out of my casket, walking barefoot over the floors and to the door. I push it open and walk out into the field just outside of the Protector city. As I stare, I realise the city is slowly being rebuilt and is no longer the rubble it was. How long have I been dead? I thought it was only a short amount of time, but that can't be so.

I pull my arm up, placing my finger on my black mark and feeling for where Star is. My guys will be with her. I sense her and hold my hand out, calling a portal. The portal slowly burns up, and I jump into it. I walk into my old apartment in Scotland, where a shadow of a man kneels on the floor, an empty bottle of vodka near his feet and a dagger pressed into his chest. He sobs as he holds the dagger near his heart.

“She isn’t coming back,” he mutters to himself, his eyes closed. “Just end this to see her again.” I scream, running across the room and pulling the dagger out of Trex's hands before he can do anything stupid. He looks at me like I'm a ghost he can't believe is here, and I look at him just the same. Trex is a mess, broken, and I can do nothing but cry as I pull him into my arms.

"I’m here. My father saved me. It’s me. You don’t have to do this," I whisper to him, kissing the side of his face as he holds me tight. He suddenly pulls away, grabs my face with his hands, and stares at me.

"I wanted to die. To find you," he tells me. “It’s been so long.”

"Don't you ever talk about dying again. I am never leaving you again," I promise him.

"Evie," he cries and kisses me. The kiss is emotional, painful, and god, it makes me feel alive as he deepens the kiss.

"Trex, where the fuck are you?" I hear Nix shout, and the door is kicked open. “You best not have done something stupid—” Star runs in first, jumping on me as she does and knocking Trex out of the way. I hug her tightly, happy to see her.

"Evie?" Nix whispers, coming over and pushing Star out of the way to pick me up into his arms. "I knew your father could do it. I knew you would come back."

"I'm sorry," I whisper to them both, even Star who sticks her butt close to my back, making it clear she isn't leaving. Azi and Connor run in the room next, followed closely by Hali who cries out in joy. They all run to me at the same time, making my old apartment pretty cramped as they hold me close. We don't need to say anything.

"Can you be the Protector that defied death just twice? I don't think I can take it anymore," Hali says, and we all laugh—and cry—a little. I may have lost my father, but I have my family.

Chapter 25

"I don't love dresses usually, especially not ones that look like a Disney princess should be wearing it, but I love this dress," I tell Hali as I stare at myself in the full length mirror. The dress is made of several layers of dark blue fabric, and some of the layers have white stars embroidered so it looks like the night sky. The top has high shoulders, a low v-cut, and a blue train falls from the top of the shoulders. My hair is up in a bun filled with numerous plaits that have taken Cheri ages to do. Turns out she is one hell of a hairdresser in training. I lift my crown off the side, putting it in place on my head and smiling at Hali.

"I know it's silly, but I wish my parents were alive to see this day," I tell her, and she comes to my side, her long purple dress is just beautiful on her.

"They will be watching, so will my mum," she replies to me. There are a few knocks on the bedroom door, and I look around our new bedroom in the first tower rebuilt in the city. It has been a year since the war, and five months since I came back to life. I learnt the keepers changed the law while I was gone. They invited demons to come and live in and help rebuild the city. With money and a bit of magic help along the way, we have new houses built in over half the city and new wards up that protect everyone. As humans are now aware of the city, they have come to help us, almost like they could sense we saved the world for them. Or more like they love the money they get paid.

The tomb I woke up in was also the final resting place for anyone that died in the war, and so many did. We resealed the tomb, and I made a vow to make sure no one will ever forget what they died for.

"I guess it is time," I say, feeling nervous.

"You've waited long enough to take your mates. I mean you guys already live together and do everything together," she chuckles.

"You have a point," I say, pulling the door open to see two guards outside. That is another law the keepers made me agree to. With demons being in the city, we can't guarantee they are all okay with having a new queen and leaders. So, I have guards that follow me around and stand outside my private apartments. The guards follow us down the glass corridor that has shiny dark blue floors. I made a bit of a change to the gold colour scheme they had in here. I think midnight blue is a much nicer colour.

"I can't wait to see the throne room. You know it's going to be cool," Hali says, grinning widely. I love seeing her so happy, so relaxed and chilled. I've made it officially known to the witches that Hali is my charge and an attack on her would be an attack on me. I may have suggested I'd make the witches wish they never existed if they touched Hali, and they sent back a simple agreement to stay away. Hali is finally as safe and free as she can ever be. The witches are a small race, and they couldn't fight an army like mine off. I hope one day they will be more accepting of Hali, but I very much doubt it.

"Have you been having any more dreams?" I quietly ask her, watching her eyes as she shifts them away from me.

"No," she answers.

"So that means yes. When you're ready, I'm here to talk about them," I tell her.

"They are real, aren't they?" she asks.

"Your mum could see the future in her dreams sometimes. She said they come true unless she interfered with them," I tell her. "It was a family gift, and only your bloodline can do it."

"Then I don't want to talk about my dreams," she firmly tells me. "They aren't all bad anyway." I spot the blush on her cheeks, and I laugh, guessing why she doesn't want to talk about it.

"They are about a boy, aren't they?" I ask.

"No!" she quickly says, looking away from me. I chuckle and wrap an arm around her shoulders for a second, squeezing tight as we get to the other side of the building. The guards rush ahead and open the glass doors, where I can see Azi stood on the other side in front of the restored large stone statue of my mum. Azi has on a black suit that stretches gorgeously against his body. Holy hell.

"You're drooling," Hali teases, and I glare at her as we walk through the glass doors that the guards shut behind us.

"Beautiful mate," Azi says, pulling me into his arms and kissing me like there isn't anyone watching.

"You don't look bad yourself," I reply as he lets me go but keeps our hands linked. Low music begins to play in the throne room, and the guards open the doors enough for Hali to walk in before the guards close them again. Azi walks me to stand in front of the doors, and I look up at him for a moment.

"Forever. We get forever now," I softly tell him, and he smiles like I said the best thing in the world.

"Forever, Vi. Now let's get the rest of the men you love officially in your life for good," he says, and I look back at the guards, nodding for them to open the door. They open the big white doors, and I get my first look at the throne room full of hundreds of people on each side of the path in the middle. The walls are filled with blue stained glass windows that stretch from the ceiling to the floor. In the glass are paintings of our past, both demon and Protector, and even some angels I can see. The floor is all glass, looking like millions of stars under our feet. The throne itself is perfect for us, everything I could have imagined and more. There are five thrones, and the middle one is white whereas the other two on either side of it are black. They are covered in runes on the back, rising high into the room.

Standing at the side of the throne is a row of keepers with Keeper Grey in the middle, but I only briefly look at him as I see my guys. They are stood proudly in front of their thrones, their eyes locked on me. I run my eyes over their suits, how perfectly handsome they look and how much I cannot wait to rip those suits off when this is all done. Azi slowly walks me down the aisle in the middle of my people; a mixture of both demons and Protectors sits in the seats to watch. I catch Keira stood near Seth and Cheri, and they all bow their heads with the rest of the crowd. I eventually see Hali, who stands to the other side of the thrones as my only family. I wish there was someone else to stand there with her, but nonetheless, I'm happy it's her. I smile at her, seeing how happy she looks as she smiles right back. Azi kisses my hand as Keeper Grey walks to us, and we stop in front of the thrones. Azi walks to his throne and stands tall.

"Welcome, Protectors and demons, to this joyous and unforgettable day. We have fought long and hard times to get to where we are today, to get to a time of peace that I hope stretches past many of our lives. Today marks the start of our future as our queen chooses her mates who will be her knights," he says, his voice echoing around the room.

"Thank you for everything," I whisper to Keeper Grey as he pulls out a dagger from his sleeve and holds his hand out. I slide my arm into his, and he very quickly cuts a tiny line across my black mark which stings.

"Choose your mates and your knights, Queen Evelina, and may the heavens bless your choices," he says, bowing his head as he hands me the dagger. I walk to Azi first as it makes sense to go in a line, and we are already mated by words. Azi holds his hand out to me, and I cut a line across his palm.

"I make you my knight," I whisper the words to him, wanting some part of this to be private. Azi places his cut hand against my black mark, and with a slam of magic, I feel our bond burst into life.

"I am yours, and you are mine," he says the ancient words. "I will protect you until I die."

"Maybe even longer than that," I whisper, making him smile before he sits down on the throne, and Keeper Grey announces him as my knight. I move to Connor next who cuts his hand, and before I can offer my arm out for him, he pulls me into a deep kiss that leaves me breathless and the crowd whispering.

"I love you, Blue," he cheekily tells me and places his hand on my arm as he holds me close. I sigh as Connor bonds with me, and I get a rush of his feelings and love. It's everything.

"I am yours, and you are mine," he whispers to me. "I will protect you until I die." Connor kisses me once more before leaving me in a bit of a daze as he sits down on his throne.

"Come here then, love," Nix calls me over as I shake my head and walk over to him. He lets me cut his hand and says the words before we even make the bond.

"I love you," I say to him as he places his hand on my arm, completing the bond. I know he loves me too, way before he can even return the words to me. Nix sits down on his throne, looking way too comfy as I move to Trex. Our relationship was chaotic at the start, and somehow perfect and everlasting now. I didn't know when I first met him that we would always be together, nor that we would be here now. I don't have the words to tell Trex, and I know he feels the same as I cut his hand, locking our eyes on each other as he covers my mark with his cut hand. A tear falls down my cheek as I feel his emotions, the pure concentrated love he has for me.

"I am yours, and you are mine," he says, his voice echoing around the throne room. "I will protect you until I die."

"And I will protect you all, too," I reply, knowing there isn't anything left to say. I can feel their love, each of my mates like a wave of love in my mind. I walk to my throne and sit down. The crowd cheers, standing up and clapping as Keeper Grey shouts into the crowd.

"May Queen Evelina Ravenwood and her knights rule long and true."

Chapter 26

"Congratulations once more, Queen Evelina," Keeper Grey says as he stands near the door, the last one to leave the party. Hali has gone to her room with Cheri who has moved into the city and is going to the new Protector and demon school with Hali. I'm glad Hali has such a good friend when she struggled all those years in human schools to even make one friend that didn't judge her.

"Thank you," I say, looking over my mates who are picking up empty cups and plates and throwing them into black bin bags. Who knew keepers and my friends could party and be as messy as they were?

"I wanted to ask a personal question," he says, looking like he really doesn’t want to ask.

"Go ahead," I say.

"Have you read the letter Erica left for you?" he asks. "I don't mean to pry, but I can't shake the look on her face as she gave me it. I wanted to make sure it was read."

"I actually forgot about it," I honestly tell him. "I will go and read it now though as I know where it is."

"Thank you. I know there is no love lost between you two, but the dead do not usually make wishes to be ignored," he says and bows his head before walking out my apartment. I shut the door, feeling my mates looking at me before I turn around.

"Erica left me a note to read, something she said couldn't be read until Cex is dead. Do you think I should read it?" I ask them.

"Yes," Azi is the first one to answer.

"It could give you the closure you need, Blue," Connor tells me. Trex and Nix nod in agreement, putting the bags down as I walk into the bedroom. I pull my wardrobe open, searching through my trousers that are hanging up until I find the one with the letter in it. I pull it out and go to the bed, sitting down as I break the seal.

"Read it out loud," Nix says, and we all look at him. "What? I'm curious what crazy pants had to say." I roll my eyes at Nix as I open the letter and start reading it out loud:

Dear Evelina,

Part of me wants to never tell anyone my darkest, deepest and most hidden secret, but if I am to tell anyone, it is family. As I write this, I hope to beat you in the test and become queen, and this letter will never be read. If you are reading this, I know the test chose you as queen and you have killed my love.

I grew up with family, and yet I missed out on my mother, and the keepers taught me how to be what I am today. I don't know if I am doing the right thing in my life, but for once, I'm going to do the most unselfish thing I can.

I had a daughter, a beautiful baby girl with white hair and blue eyes that remind me of yours. Her name is Eella Ravenwood, and she is hidden with a human foster parent at the address on the back of this letter. I named her after our mother because I hope it will make her good. She is not like me or Cex; she is pure and innocent. If you are queen, and Cex is dead, then Eella is safe because the laws will be changed.

I do not like you, sister, but I cannot deny that Eella needs family like you. Please save her. For family.

And if Eella asks one day about me...tell her I loved her father so much that I could not see anyone else. No matter how Cex treated me, I loved him.

Erica Ravenwood, princess of the Protectors.

I drop the letter on my lap, completely speechless and shocked down to my very core. I have a niece out there, a little girl who has my mum’s name and my family blood.

"Go and get her. You know you want to," Nix says, sitting next to me on the bed and taking my hand.

"Bring Eella back to her family," Trex says.

"You grew up alone, never knowing who you were, and we both know you won't let Eella have the same fate," Connor replies.

"She is my niece, too, and belongs with us. We aren't like her parents, and we can show Eella how to be good," Azi explains his feelings to me.

"Are you all sure? It will change everything if we go and get her," I reply to them all. “I know I won’t have a princess brought up by just anyone. She would live with us.”

"What do you want?" Trex softly asks.

"To get my niece and bring her up," I say after a little pause. I thought all my biological relatives were dead, and I want to go and get her more than anything. I know what it is like to live alone out there.

"And we want the same as you. We love you, and it is the right thing to do," Connor says. I lift the letter and turn it over, seeing the address on the back. Some place in London that I don't know.

"I want to come with you, just in case there is trouble," Azi says as I stand up.

"Good idea," Nix replies. "We will get this place cleaned up and ready for a kid to come back to. Maybe we can call some of the drunk keepers to get some kids’ stuff."

"That will be funny," Connor replies with a grin, leaving the room with the others. I call a portal to the address, leaving the letter on the bed and taking Azi's hand as we walk through the portal to the other side. We come out onto the busy street, where there is rubbish littering the pavements, and the houses look like they are close to falling apart. There is a group of human teenagers at the end of the block of houses, on bikes and smoking as they laugh. One of them is blasting loud music from a speaker he is holding. Shit music at that.

"Erica is such a bitch to leave Eella, a goddamn royal princess, in a dump like this," I angrily mutter, knowing this is no place for any child.

"Agreed," Azi growls. I glance at the houses, seeing the one with a number four hanging off the door. We walk up the steps, and I lift my hand, knocking the door a few times. I knock again when no one answers right away, and finally the door opens, and an older teenage boy with scruffy hair answers.

"Is Eella here?" I ask, and the kid doesn’t even look at us really as he types on his phone.

"The foster kid? Yeah. I will get my mum," he says and leaves the door open. "Come in."

The boy runs off up the stairs of the messy house with its wallpaper falling off and no carpet on the wooden planks of the floor. Beer bottles are all over the sofa, and this place looks like shit.

Suddenly, a little three-, maybe four-year-old girl runs down the stairs. Her white hair is long, covering her body nearly as she is skinny and wearing old, ripped clothes. Her shoes look too big for her, causing her to nearly trip when she moves. When she stops at the bottom of the stairs, she lifts her face to look at me, her eyes are the very image of mine. Of my mum’s. Goddamn, she is beautiful and doesn’t look one thing like her parents but is the very image of my mum.

"Eella, right?" I ask, and she nervously looks away from me as a woman storms down the stairs. She roughly grabs Eella's arm, cutting her with her nails as she lifts her up like a doll.

"Did you set fire to your bed again, you little shit?" she demands an answer. Before I can even say a word, Azi is stepping forward.

"I suggest you let Eella go before I burn your arm off and feed you it, human," Azi threatens, and the woman jumps back, dropping a crying Eella on the floor. I run and pick her up into my arms, stepping back as the woman runs up the stairs screaming demon.

"I'm going to make a payment to shut her up," Azi says. I nod in agreement as I look at Eella in my arms. She is so light for her age.

"Can I see?" I ask her, nodding at her arm. She sobs as she shows me the cuts, and I rest my hand over her arm, calling my healing rune. Her sobs disappear as I heal her, and she looks up at me in shock.

"Who are you?" she quietly asks, not pronouncing all the words right, but I understand her.

"My name is Evie, and I'm your auntie. You are a Protector like me, Eella Ravenwood. Also, don't worry, I used to accidentally set fire to things at your age, too. It's nothing to be worried about," I kindly tell her. I instantly know I would do anything to protect her, like she is my own. She feels like my own as I hold her, staring into her small face.

"Didn’t mean to," she says and reaches out to touch my blue hair. "Blue."

"Don't worry about it, and you like my hair, huh?" I ask, and she shyly nods. "Do you want to come home with me? It's much better than here, and you will be with family."

"Ok," she says, still looking worried, but I don't expect much more yet. I kiss her forehead as I hold my other hand out and call a portal. It's time to take her home.

Epilogue

Several Years Later…

"Agreed and allowed," I reply to Keeper Grey, and he nods once, going to help the demon that came to us for help. I rest back in my throne, wishing it was a little more comfy with my bad back these days.

"You should be resting, Blue," Connor softly suggests, and I just shake my head at him. Azi, Trex and Nix are teaching at the demon and Protector school, as they do twice a week. Connor has taken his studies with the keepers again, and I know he loves learning. I've taken up bacon cooking in my spare time; it's the perfect hobby. Hali is off with her boyfriend, who I’ve not decided if I like or not yet.

"I'm eight months pregnant, and I can sit in a big chair," I reply, "though I'm pretty hungry," I add in. Connor chuckles and stands up, stretching from the two hours we have been stuck in this meeting we have once a month. It’s the only time the throne room is open to all, and anyone can come ask for help or for changes that need to be made. It has helped to keep peace these last five years.

The throne room opens again, and this time, Eella runs in, laughing as my son chases her. Eella’s long white hair is up in a ponytail, and she looks so happy as she looks after her brother. I don't remember what day it was that Eella sat down with us all and told us she wanted to call us mum and dad. I know it made me cry, and since that day, she is my daughter.

"No fireballs in the throne room!" Connor shouts, and Eella stops, pouting as she catches the fireball Danike just threw at her and makes it disappear.

"But, dad, we were having fun," Danike whines, crossing his tiny arms against his chest. Danike has black hair, dark blue eyes and a cheeky smile that's been there since he was born.

"Outside with the fireballs though. I know you think it's cool now you have your powers, but fire tends to burn people," I interject, and he purses his lips.

"Told you so," Eella adds in and smiles at me. "Sorry, dad. Sorry, mum," Eella and Danike say together, and I chuckle as Eella makes a small portal to what looks like the royal gardens before they both run through it.

"You might want to follow them. We don't need the royal gardens burning down. Again," I say, remembering how mad the keepers were the last time it happened.

"Shit," Connor mutters, calling a portal. "I got it." I laugh as he jumps through the portal, and the throne room is silent once again. I rest my hands on my bump, feeling my daughter moving around and kicking me. I can't wait to meet her, and my family will be complete in ways I never expected to have. I'm the assassin turned queen, who now has everything she has ever wanted.

Author Note

Hi! Thank you so much for reading A Demon’s Fall Series! I will really miss Evie and her men, but Hali will be getting her own book soon. There will also be a series based on the Reapers in this world coming out soon.

Thank you for your continued support and if you have a little time to leave a review, it would be amazing.

A special thank you to my beautiful family, Helayna, Mads, Cora and everyone that has helped along the way!

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www.gbaileyauthor.com

About the Author

G. Bailey is a USA Today bestselling author of books that are filled with everything from dragons to pirates. Plus, fantasy worlds and breath-taking adventures. Oh, and some swoon-worthy men that no girl could forget. G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs. And, of course, the characters in her head that never really leave her, even as she writes them down for the world to read!

Please feel free say hello on here or head over to Facebook to join G. Bailey's group, Bailey's Pack!

(Where you can find exclusive teasers, random giveaways and sneak peeks of new books on the way!)

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