Damien's pov

I walked down the stairs in Casita. Camilo told me I could help him around the village with his chores. I was excited to see mi vida hard at work. I walked into the kitchen and sat next to Camilo. He had a stack of arepas and bacon  on his plate. I filled my plate with fruit salad and put a couple pieces of strawberries on his plate. He beamed at me. 

I met Dolore's gaze and turned bright red. She heard our conversation in the forest and knew what we did. Isabella was right next to her snickering. She knew. Mirabel walked in with Hugo on her shoulder. 

"Damien, what should I feed Hugo? I looked in my books, but they all references wild berries and small Fae."

"I would say raw meat and fruits would be fine. I'll take you foraging later and I'll show you what to look for."

Mirabel walked into the kitchen and returned with a small plate with uncooked meat with fruits. I avoided Dolores gaze with an embarrassed, yet smug look. Camilo bumped my shoulder with his own and I gave him a soft smile. Bruno walked into the kitchen with Pepa and I was yanked up. 

"Camilo?"

"Sorry Tia, I'm going to the village a little early."

I waved to Julieta and let Camilo pull me out the door. I wore my trademark white, button down with a pair of dark brown cargo shorts. I watched Camilo care for a baby so the mother could sleep. Then he played with the children. I stood a little ways away from him just watching mi amor play with children until they left to get lunch

"Hola Camilo!"

I narrowed my eyes and watched a girl, obviously trying to flirt with Camilo. She seemed pretty enough. Long brown hair tied up in a braid, bright amber eyes, a flowy pink dress with multiple jangling bangles on each wrist. It maybe because she was flight with my Camilo, but something about her rubbed me the wrong way. He was panicking and shooting pleading glances at me. 

"Oye Cami! Let go grab some food from your Tia."

"Okay! Lo siento, Rosa, gotta go."

He gratefully ran to me and we started a leisurely stroll back in the direction of Casita. He started going off about he's too awkward around that girl and she always tries to flirt and kiss him. I sat us down at a bench and lovingly watched him babble about a bunch of things. 

I found myself reaching up to brush hair from his cheek. He stopped talking long enough to go pink in the cheeks and smile like a dope. I went in to snag a kiss. The beating of wings made me freeze. I spun my head to the side and shushed Camilo. I heard the wings of Fae. I jolted to my feet and started running to the forest. I could hear Camilo running after me, so I slowed my pace considerably. 

"I knew it."

Camilo stood next to me, trying to catch his breath. I stood still as I found a nest of Somnolienta Fae. I wasn't familiar with this colony so I wouldn't be able to negotiate a treaty like I did with my friends. I quickly ducked behind a tree and pulled Camilo with me before the guards noticed us. 

"Camilo. I want to make myself clear. Run back to Casita and get me a small brown knapsack. Don't open it, just get it to me as fast as you can." 

I covered him with a charm to hide his scent and sound before he ran off. I stood watch. The Somnolienta don't look like they're trying to take a human, but they could already have one. I crept closer and peered inside the nest. I nearly choked on my own tongue. Bruno, Camilo and Mirabel's papa lay in the center of the nest. His face was crying tears of blood, but he lay there with a happy, contented smile on his face. Thin blue tendrils connected from his temples, forearms, and going up his pant legs to connect to his upper legs. 

The current Ringleader for this pack was sitting in a throne watching poor Bruno, most likely looking into his mind to see what kind of dreams he was receiving. Admittedly I was curious, but I needed to get Bruno out of there. I placed an invisibility charm on myself. Slowly I crept into the hive-like nest, and threw a rock toward the entrance of the nest. I watched the Ringleader fly to the entrance to investigate. I put up a barrier around me and Bruno to prevent them from interfering. 

"Damien? Where are you?"

I quickly reached my barrier to encapsulate Camilo and brought him barreling into my chest. I held his mouth shut as the Ringleader and a couple others go to where he just was. I turned to face him and held a finger to my lips. He nodded and his eyes widened at the sight of Bruno. I took my bag and fished out my hunting knife. 

Using it, I pried the ends of the tendrils off his arms and temples. Camilo turned around as I  pulled Bruno's pants down to separate the tendril ends from his thighs. I pulled his pants up and pulled him onto my back. I nudged Camilo forward and made an opening in the hive wall. I pushed Camilo and Bruno through it, before the hole closed itself. 

"I thought I smelled a defect!"

I turned around and faced the Ringleader. I smiled and waved my hand, hiding my hand with my witches mark behind my back.

"Greeting your highness. I am Damien, of the Calderis Coven. I am sorry to take your energy source, but I'm afraid that your energy source was mi Vita Socium papa. I'm sure you understand."

"I do, but my people are going to go hungry and freeze because of your actions!"

"Not necessarily. I know a village on the other side of the mountain that no Coven cares for. I can have my familiar take you there, if you would be so accommodating."

"I don't know, this village has magical humans. That man's energy was simply divine. Give me one good reason to go this other village."

"If you don't accept, I'll be forced to burn this hive with everyone in it to the ground. I'm sure that you wouldn't want that." 

I still smiled at them, but it grew more sinister as it narrowed into a smirk and my eyes glared with promise. She shook in her little boots and battle outfit. 

"I have an alternative, however if you truly do not wish to leave this place that does not involve death by fire." 

I switched my smile back into a friendly one. 

"You submit under another's rule and protect this place for as long as I'm here. I have an artificial energy source to support five times the number of fae in your nest. My Fae friends all stated that it's delicious and would be more than willing to share, as long as you submit to her rule. Do we have a deal?"

We formed a huddle with her tiny council before she faced me with a strained smile. 

"We will serve under you as you see fit."

"So glad to hear it! Aphid!"

My little Fae friend appeared in front of me with a goofy smile. 

"Damien, my children are finally speaking!"

"That's amazing Aphid. I'd like you to meet..."

"Coara."

"Coara. She has moved into the area, and has agreed to work under you. Take her to your nest and tell them the duties of protecting the place. I  feel you both can learn from each other. Is the energy source doing okay?"

"Oh yeah, it's doing great! It'll provide for my people for years to come. We can certainly take on more Fae."

"That's good to hear. I'll come top it off and replenish lost energy tomorrow. Right now, I have to help Bruno recover from his slumber and comfort mi Vita Socium. I want this nest dissolved within the hour. I can't have human stumbling upon it. Aphid, do I make myself clear?"

"Absolutely. This nest is a bit of an eye sore to the surrounding scenery. I'll supervise the destruction teams myself, go cuddle your compañero."

"Alright. See you tomorrow."

I broke through the nest, but made eye contact with Coara before I stepped through. 

"Also, Coara. If I ever hear the word Defect come from you again, I will make you wish you were never manifested."

I glared at her and stepped through. Camilo was standing behind a tree with Bruno hanging off his shoulder. My poor Camilo looked terrified and dropped Bruno to run to me. I sent a water platform to catch Bruno and hugged Camilo close.

"I'm fine mi vida. Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Are you sure, nothing broken or hurt?"

"I'm fine love. It's a small colony that is now under Aphid's rule. Let's get your papa to my room so I tend to him. I don't think he has magical poisoning, but I do need to give him some potions and rose milk."

I walked with Camilo to Casita and snuck them both into my room. A Spriggan took Bruno and lifted him through the window to my bedroom. I had to create a medical room at room due to Fae following me here. 

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