Slay My Soul

“You spoiled my plans you know,” I say, watching Sirus flinch at the sound of my voice. “I was going to work out some of my issues with Marcus here, but you seem to have beaten me to it.” Sirus turns slowly and looks at me. He looks like shit. His protruding cheekbones tell me the idiot is starving himself again, as another self-imposed punishment. He’s looking more unhinged than usual. I sigh. “Come on Daddy-o, walk with me.” He cocks his head confused, but trails after me like a loyal puppy leaving the cell door unlocked. It’s not like Marcus can go anywhere anymore, or ever.

I lead us to the same spot we sat at to have bonding time, before they went on their bullshit mission, and I gesture for him to sit, plonking myself opposite him.

“You’re a dick, you know that, right?” I say. He purses his lips but says nothing. “The last time we were here, you were dear Johning me without me even knowing. You were tying up loose ends because you thought you weren’t coming back. You didn’t trust me enough and fell into the very trap we were trying to avoid. From now on you are open and honest with me, or my creativity of your punishment will outshine your masterpiece with Marcus. You get me?” He nods. “I get why you thought you had to do it. But communication could have cleared that all up. Tobias had to knock you out because you would rather have died, than return without Reece.” I clock him in the jaw, snapping his head to the side. “What part of ‘I need my Dad’ did you not fucking understand! I could have lost both of you! You’re so fucking stupid!” I’m screeching in his face now, as I thump his chest with my fists. He grabs my fists and pulls me to him, securing me in his arms as he holds me, shushing me gently and rocking me as I messy cry into his shirt. Fuck I’m sick of crying!

“I’m so sorry Eve. So sorry for all of it. I promised myself he would come home no matter what. We were so close, we got into his cell and we were trying to get the keys to unlock the manacles. Footsteps were coming and then Tobias knocked me out. He was right there, Eve. I nearly had him!” I sob harder, feeling his guilt eating at him. I shove him away and wipe my face.

“Never again! Don’t do that to me ever again! We are family. You can’t just abandon me to go on rogue missions. You can’t decide you know better than me, just because you’re an old fuck. Unfortunately for you, I give a shit about your well-being too. That means no big risks, at least none without me.” He holds his hands up in surrender.

“Ok Eve, no more secrets, communication lines are open, no more risks without you by my side,” He agrees.

“Right, now that that’s out of the way.” I offer him my wrist as he glares at me. “You kind of have to be alive to keep your promise,” I say shrugging. He grumbles at me, but accepts the offering, biting down and drinking in earnest. I watch as his features smooth out and his skin develops a healthier pallor. He retracts his fangs and wipes his mouth.

“Eve, I’ve been thinking-”

“That hasn’t really been a wise thing of late, has it? Are you sure you want to do that?” I butt in, his intimidating scowl making me laugh.

“Shut up smart ass and listen. That beast they summoned on the field, was in the cells with Reece and me. That orange circle he was in, was also present in the cells. He couldn’t step outside of it. I think he was an unwilling prisoner. ”

“I don’t even know what the fuck he is,” I tell Sirus. “Have you ever seen beings like that before?” He shakes his head. “Shit, we need to get our study on then,” I grump.

“See the thing is, when Carino saw him and heard his name, he immediately told us to get our weapons ready and lop the heads off. I’d bet my right arm he knows what they are, since he knew how to kill them.”

“No need to bet your arm, just use Marcus’s,” I quip, making him chuckle. “Ok, so we need to have a chat with Carino then.” I get to my feet and dust off all the leaves and dirt. Sirus follows after me as we head back to the house.

The guys are all still in the kitchen area, going through emails and making calls. I put my fingers to my lips and let out a whistle.

“Meeting time!” I call out. The guys immediately halt what they are doing and pile onto the couches. I jump into Darius’s lap because I’m feeling like a bit of a needy bitch and point to Sirus. “Tell them Daddy-o,” Sirus repeats his info and his thoughts. All heads swivel to Carino, who looks totally unfazed.

“They were demons,” He says dryly.

“Back the fuck up!” I exclaim. “Ohhh, does that mean Angels are a thing? Please let them be a thing!”

“No.” He responds blandly, but I see his lips tilting up at my excitement.

“Fucking dumb!” I huff, crossing my arms and pouting.

“Yes, quite,” Carino smirks. “Demons were willingly banished a long time ago to another realm where it was hoped they would perish. All magic to do with them was outlawed and all written documentation was destroyed. The being that was summoned is Asmodeus. He is the Demon Prince. The summoning ring stops them from leaving or doing harm to their summoner.”

“Does it make them do the summoner’s bidding?” Luka asks.

“No, the summoner can negotiate a deal and offer something of great value. But it’s up to the demon if he wants to take them up on the offer. Once agreed the Demon is stuck until his end of the bargain is fulfilled or if the summoner dies.” I frown, what could the warlock have of such value that the demon would agree to his request?

“So what do you reckon got the demon to agree?” Dev asks as if verbalizing my thoughts.

“Freedom,” Carino says. “It’s the only offering I can think of that would be worthy of his attention.” I shiver thinking of them running free.

“So what did they do to be banished, to begin with? Is it the whole evil thing? Did they try to break into heaven?” I ask.

“No heaven and still no Angels Eve,” Carino says laughing, making me sulk. “The Bible is just a well-written story. Demons are like dragons, for the most part, they need an anchor. Bare in mind they were willingly banished. There was a war between Demons and the Light Fae. The Light Fae thought them to be abominations like they viewed the Dark. When they learned that the Demons planned to expand and intermingle with the other races, they decided to end their line. The Fae set a trap claiming they were going to war with the Demons. The Demon army went to the arranged field but found it empty and no army present to fight against. Then their bonds with their loved ones began to break. By the time they returned, their women and children had been slaughtered. Those whose links had broken, began to be dominated by the monster inside them. The other Demons then had to put down their own men. It was realized, that with no more women, they would all eventually turn. The witches offered to create a realm for them so they could turn and live their lives without the worry of hurting the other races or being hunted by them. Demons were a peaceful race before the interference of the Light Fae and their quest for perfection.”

“Bloody hell!” Lysario snarls clearly pissed at his people. “I’ve never seen anything about it in our history books.” Mikyda sniggers at Ly clearly pleased to have him realize how shitty his race can be.

“So why do they want freedom now if they willingly went into this realm to be trapped? Are they too deranged to care who they hurt?” Garret asks.

“My guess is Eve. Finding out that cross-breeding is happening again, the warlock has offered them hope of finding anchors. A chance to have a mate. I think he told them of Eve and it’s given them hope,” Carino offers.

“I didn’t even know this race existed and clearly the rest of you didn’t. If they were removed from our history, how does Belestine know about them?” Luka asks, frowning.

“The Circle of Shadows is the keeper of secrets, history, and forbidden knowledge. We had the only information, and only seven of us had access.” Carino’s eyes flash angrily. ”There must be a traitor in my circle.”