iBob was slipped into my bag as Raya waved at me from across the cafe. I waved back and she quickly made her way over to our table. Her smile was infectious and for a tiny second, I realised making new year resolutions before I had to, seemed to be a good way in turning them into some kind of reality. For example, I was currently catching up and just hanging out with one of my best friends who was not a supernatural creature and hasn't wanted to kill me at some point in the past. Not that I've been aware of anyway.

"Hey El, how are you?" She reached over and we hugged, looking like two totally normal, non-demon fighting women catching up for a coffee. The novelty of it all was surprising.

"I'm great! You?" 

"I'm pregnant!" Raya blurted as she sat down. Instantly she slapped her hands over her mouth, but her eyes were bright with excitement and she was soon laughing at herself. "Sorry. I was going to wait to tell you, but I couldn't!"

"Pregnant? With a baby?" I stupidly asked as my brain seemed to go on vacation for a few seconds. "Oh my god, Raya! That's great! I mean, congratulations!"

I laughed with her and gave her another hug. "Thanks, Keiran is over the moon. I had to practically sneak out to come and see you today. He's gone all super over protective. It's insane."

"Well, you can't really blame him for that can you?" We both turned serious and I hated that I just ruined the moment, so tried to fix it. "You're his wife, carrying his kid. Man instincts."

She smiled again, though it wasn't like before. "Well he better back off a bit. We've got another twenty something weeks to go."

Ordering food became a chore as I felt a little sick beside my glowing friend. I was on Keiran's side and calling him now to come and get her, and then lock her up for, I dunno, ever, seemed like a great idea. The fact they were still alive and heading towards thirty was an achievement on it's own. They were married and in love and together. Now, they would have a tiny, defenseless infant to carry around; not only that, she had nine months of pregnancy to get through and that bump would act like a target to our enemies. I was terrified for my friend and I wondered how far she'd thought about all of this. 

"Keiran said if it's a boy he wants to call him Grant." Raya mused dreamily, sipping her tea.

"That's a nice idea." Thinking of Grant, Keiran's dad only made my stomach tighten.

Thinking back to when we first met in the underground, the trio had been close. Grant had loved Raya as if she was his own flesh and blood, not just his daughter in law. They'd only been down there because she was injured and I could still remember how scared he'd been not just for her, but for his son too. "I don't know what will happen to Kieran if anything does happen to her."

It wasn't just Raya that Keiran had to worry about now, and the urge to protect my friends once again became all I could think about. Maybe I could work out something with Cain, a white card of safety for my nearest and dearest to be excused from all the fighting. Could there be a realm they could all just go to and be safe? How Raya was able to remain so calm and hopeful was beyond me, yet some how a part of me knew she would be okay. They had survived this long too, I hadn't been alone through all those battles; the fact they were still here now is all on them.

"You've gone quiet and I know that's never a good thing." Raya interrupted.

"Just, thinking."

"About?" She quizzed, putting down her fork.

"Honestly, I want to ship you guys off to another realm where nothing can hurt you. Keep you as far away from me as I can manage too, I'm jinxed to be around." I admitted.

"You sound like Keiran and you're not jinxed.I will tell you, what I told him. Nothing is going to hurt me, or the baby Elise." She put her hand over mine and squeezed. "We've been doing this long enough to know how to survive. Even so, everything happens for a reason so we will take it day by day, week by week and not stress over what we can't control."

I could tell that last bit was hard for her to say, her voice broke slightly and the fear in her eyes was something I knew all too well. "True. If anything comes even close to hurting you though, it's signed its own death warrant."

"I'll drink to that, oh wait!" She laughed and took a sip of her water. "This is good news, let's just focus on that. It's been so long since something good has happened to us."

We spent the rest of the time talking about Alfie and Annipe, Logan and my crazy family. I didn't mention our new godly residents at the Academy, or about my run in with the Fates. When she mentioned Keiran joining the training that Cain was doing now they finished up on their demon hunting job, I changed the subject. Maybe I should have told her more about what was going on, but for now I figured it wasn't worth the stress. She'd gone through two apocalyptic style battles, and it would be best if she missed the third. I'd tell Keiran later, and once he'd taken her as far away from here as possible, then he could tell her.

Once we were done, she headed back to their hotel on the other side of town and after walking her part of the way, I decided to take some time out from everything and do some shopping. I'd just arrived at one of the bigger department stores, when that prickly feeling on the back of my neck made me cautious and sure enough, I was positive I was being followed. It wasn't too long until I worked out the source and doubling around, I found Cain looking at over priced ties in the menswear section.

"When are you going to ever wear a tie?" I asked, picking up a red one as thoughts of strangling him came to mind.

"Funeral?" He asked casually.

"Well this is a fun chat."

"You found me." Cain stated, frowning slightly. "How?"

"How long have you even been following me?" I demanded instead. His lack of answer said enough. "Since I left right?"

"You can't just go off alone!" He snapped back and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, I can. Watch me do it now." Walking away, I heard him sigh and getting into the elevator, I wasn't surprised when he now stood on the next level waiting for me. I hit the button to close the door and made sure to press every stop on the way down. I got off on the third level and headed towards the car park exit, before going down the stairs to get back to street level.

Closing my eyes,  took a few deep breaths and not sensing anything to give away his location now, I quickly carried on down the street and into another store. I got lost inspecting shelves of various sneakers; some designed for running, others for jogging and even more for walking. 

"Can I help you?" Asked the sales girl.

"Yes. If I'm wearing these walking shoes, but I need to run away quickly, will I still be able to do that in these or will I need to change into a more appropriate pair?" She looked at me as if I had spoken to her in Japanese. "I'll grab these in a seven. Thanks."

"Now you're picking on store girls?" Cain asked disapprovingly from behind me.

"Didn't you get the hint before?"

"What's wrong? You looked happy at lunch, I thought you must have got some good news." He fished.

"You know what news I got at lunch." I finally turned to face him, and while I expected him to look annoyed at being given the slip before, he wasn't. "I'm scared for her, for them."

"Understandable."

I went to pay for my shoes and left the store, ignoring my new companion. Logan became the proud owner of two new shirts and I also found a new pair of jeans for me. Cain followed behind like a lost puppy, thankfully not talking, but unfortunately not going away either. In the end I had enough and waited for him to catch up.

"Here, can you zap these home for me please?" I shoved my bags at him and he fumbled to hold them all.

"I'm not-"

"Yeah, you are. Thanks. See you back at the academy!" Leaving him there, I crossed the road and got into Zane's SUV. I hadn't even started the car when Cain sat beside me in the passenger seat. "My shopping better not be left in the street."

"It's in your room." He told me dryly.

"Then why are you here? I'm going back. Enough with the stalker like tendencies." 

"I thought we could, talk."

"I don't feel like talking." The look he gave me told me he didn't believe that. "What do I have to do to get some alone time?"

"Talk to me."

"I feel like we're about to go around in circles. I don't feel like talking. I want to be alone. Get it?" Starting the car, I turned on the radio and pulled out of the parking spot.

"I get it." He said, turning off the radio. "Yet there is always someone else around, and now it is just us."

"Fine. What do you want to talk about oh mighty fallen godly one?" I taunted, really not in the mood.

If looks could kill, the way he was looking at me now would be it. The next time I looked at him, he shrugged and sat back in the chair; casually turning on the radio once more and the air conditioning.

"Never mind."

The silence grew between us and despite how relaxed he looked on the outside, I knew exactly what he was doing and I refused to bite. Well, I tried to resist, but soon enough I was turning down the volume and mentally kicking myself.

"Okay, you win! What do you want to talk about?"

"Oh nothing much. What do you think they will serve for dinner tonight?" Cain wondered.

I wish I had strangled him with the tie when I had the chance. "Who knows."

Cain shifted in his seat slightly, and without looking at him I was more than aware he was now staring at me. "Do you ever get any premonitions? Is that how you know I'm around, do you see me before I'm actually there?"

"No. I don't get visions or premonitions. I know you're around because you stink. Seriously, they make cologne to spray on yourself, once maybe twice. Not marinate in it." I wrinkle my nose, and feel happy enough that I just pulled that off as he subtly bends his head and sniffs a couple of times. "You don't stink. I'm joking. I just, get this feeling. What ever, is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"No. I was just thinking about it, that's all." He answered flatly, in that 'i'm about to start sulking' way that Logan did too. So to avoid dealing with that, I sighed and tried to look more interested as I briefly looked his way.

"What was it then? No more interrupting or anything. Promise."

"I find that hard to believe." He scoffed.

He was trying to kill me and fighting the urge to bang my head on the steering wheel, I shrugged instead. "Fine. You wanted to talk, I want to talk and yet you're not. Guess it wasn't important, good thing we're nearly back at the Academy!"

"What?" He looked around as if forgetting this whole time I had been driving - a little above the speed limit, back to our current base. 

Instantly the car came to an abrupt stop and as the seatbelt cut into my chest, the shock of it all was nearly as bad as the pain that exploded in the back of my head and down my neck. I couldn't breath for a second, it was like a forgot how and as tiny black spots cleared from in front of my eyes, Cain's concerned face came into view.

"Seriously? What the hell!" I yelled at him coarsely a little in disbelief, but mostly in fury. "You can't just stop the fucking car like that!"

"I didn't, are you-" He started. 

Two words I just couldn't comprehend. "Yes, you did!"

"Hunter, I can assure you, I did not. Are you okay?" I was still holding onto the steering wheel and slowly released my grip. My neck was screaming at me, so ever so gently I went to touch it only before I could, Cain had leaned over and it was his hand there. "Let me."

Warmth poured from his skin and just like the release after a great massage, the pain went away.

"Thanks, I think." I mumbled, as Cain reached for his door. The fact it didn't open probably should have worried more than it did, especially when he started swearing and banging his hands on the dash. "You okay?"

"Fine." He snapped, and raising his elbow went to smash the window instead. It didn't break, not even a crack. "Fuck!"

Slowly I looked around, surprised to find we were actually off the main road and in a truck stop I had never really paid attention to before. A couple of cars went by on the highway, oblivious to the fact we were seemingly trapped in our car that someone had decided to stop and for some reason that made me laugh. 

"Why are you laughing. We're trapped." Cain growled, punching the dash now as what ever he had just been doing wasn't working the way he wanted it to.

"Zane is going to be pissed if you trash his car."

"That's the least of his worries." He told me, pointing out of the front window. "Look."

"What are- what is that?" My mouth dropped as I saw the definitely not normal storm clouds building in the distance, taking over from the clear afternoon skies. "That's in the direction of the Academy."

"Tell me you have the sword of the crocodile here." 

"Yeah, cause I always carry around a priceless, powerful weapon when I go shopping." I snap sarcastically and as he looks at me in a mixture of horror and rage, I reach around to the backseat and pull it out from under the blanket before he can have a go at me. "Of course I do! I'm not stupid!"

"I swear, one of these days-" Cain mumbled, taking it off me. This time when he rammed the window, it cracked and crumbled down the side of the car. It was like our cocoon had broken and a cold breeze came rushing in. "Come on."

Grabbing my arm, Cain firstly got us out of the car and now I was standing, my legs felt like jelly. He helped me balance before looking back at the clouds, and with a tiny shake of his head he let out a deep sigh.

"I'm meant to still be there, but they know you're not. It's another test."

"How do you know that?" I demanded, letting his arm go as I found my feet again. "What's going on?"

"They're sending us, well you, a message." There was something in his tone that made my blood run cold and I didn't need to be told any more.

"Take me there, now! I need to be there! I can stop them!" Cain did nothing; he didn't move, he didn't blink and I'm certain he didn't even breath. "Cain! Now! Please!"

He was thinking. His eyes glazed over, as his mind went somewhere else and so I started to run. He could do what he wanted, I was going home to do what I could. The whole way I screamed at Alfie for help, for him to come to me, but he never did and as I saw a car approaching in the distance I moved into the middle of the road and tried to wave it down. Instead Cain appeared then, grabbing my arm and then we were back at the Academy. 

"Stay close to me, do not leave my side. Understand?" He ordered and I quickly nodded.

The clouds seem to big and heavy to stay in the sky, the lowest appearing to reach for the tallest point of the academy roof above us. Hot pink sparks of lightning flashed and thunder exploded, so loud it made me jump each and every time. Cain started off around the outside of the building, and I did as he said, following close behind me as I kept guard for any signs of a threat coming our way. All the lights were off inside, and as we rounded the corner a flash back to the zombies, centaurs and monsters I'd faced in the past made me stumble. Cain paused, turning to help me up and I waved him on, getting to my feet and running after him. The oval was empty, the training grounds the same. Nothing but long, golden weeds waved back at us, and looking around again it was then I noticed something was wrong with all of this.

"We're not at the Academy." I whispered to Cain, who seemed to work that out in the same instant I did. "It's not real."

"It's real." He murmured back. "Stay."

Cain boldly walked away from the building and onto the oval. Lightning surrounded him, each bolt barely missing him, yet he didn't flinch. It was like he couldn't even see it and once in the center of it all, he raised his hands and a bright white light of his own was sent up into the storm. The thunder stopped and the roar of his scream took its place.

"Cowards!" He  called and the clouds began to rise, thinning out so cracks of blue sky appeared. "Is that all you've got?"

"You should do it now. He's distracted, it would be so easy." A voice purred from behind me and twisting around, sword raised, a man was casually leaning against the wall.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"Kill the Fallen, then I shall tell you." He unfolded his arms and stood up, the black coat a little bit of an overkill as he kept his face hidden. So far, people in robes weren't technically there, yet I was willing to see what would happen if I got a little closer with my sword.

"Right. Tell me who you are, and I might let you keep your head attached to your body."

"Foolish mortal." He scoffed, stepping closer. "I am helping you. Kill the bastard and all of this, will go away. Do not make me do something I did not have to do."

"All of this?"

"You can go back to your little human life, and you have my word, we will leave you alone. No more will you be a threat to us if he is gone." He whispered rather seductively. His voice was deep and entrancing and I was willing to keep him talking just so I could keep listening.

"I want a name first." I decided, lowering the sword.

The hood fell back to reveal a dark mass of hair that would make one of the guys from One-Direction jealous, in fact I bet these guys all got together to swap styling tips. What made this one attractive to me was he seemed to have passed puberty, grown a beard and had the most stunning blue eyes I had ever seen. He licked his lips as a cocky grin appeared on his face, boldly closing the space between us. He was a good few inches taller than me, and now he ditched the robe completely, his black jeans and t-shirt combo only enhanced the appeal - gods  help me if he had tattoos. He didn't.

"You may know me as, Hades." Every word that came out of his mouth sounded like dirty talk and a few deep breaths later, I was happy thinking about Logan, you know, my boyfriend, who I love - a lot.

"Hades? The underworld guy?" I went back to the disney movie and the ugly dude with blue flaming hair. I bet this guy could make blue hair his bitch. "I thought you'd be more, dead and old."

The grin disappeared and that impatient, offended edge of his tone wasn't missed. "I am Lord of the Underworld, sweet heart."

"Did you ever have blue hair?" Glancing behind me, Cain was nearly done and so I decided to try and mess with this guy for as long as I could. "I saw this cartoon once and-"

His cold hand was suddenly holding onto my chin, and those enchanting eyes stared down into mine. "Kill the Fallen one. You know of the horrors he has caused, the darkness he plagues your realm with. Do it, now. It's the right thing to do. With this upon your blade, his death shall be quick and you will be free Hunter."

My head felt too heavy, and I was glad he was holding it so I didn't have to. All that talk about losing heads, and I was clearly losing mine. I liked how that sounded. I would be free and Cain, well, he had this coming didn't he?

"Cain needs to die." I told him, understanding now.

Hades stepped back and I looked down at my sword. A faint glimmer of something blue disappeared as I watched and confused as to what was going on, I turned around and saw the Fallen doing something he probably shouldn't be doing. Did he ever do anything that wasn't going to end up hurting me?

"He nearly killed your brother, your family, your friends. You. He killed the Slayer and lied to you. So many lies, Hunter. You don't need that in your life. This is your chance to make it right." A voice in my head guided me closer, until I was nearly at Cain.

The lightning was gone, the clouds nearly non-existent and with an exhausted sigh, Cain slowly turned to look at me. "This was a distraction, there is- Elise, are you okay?"

I could kill him, didn't the Fates say so and even Portia. It could be done slowly, painfully; make him suffer for the pain he has caused me. Everything that had happened was because of him.

"Elise, what are you doing?" He asked cautiously.

The voice in my head laughed. "Do it Hunter."

Yet it wasn't in my head. It was from Hades behind me and Cain's eyes widened slightly before rage took over. "Get, away, from her. Now."

"We've had a chat, her and I. We've come to an arrangement." Hades taunted. "Isn't that right?"

I didn't know what to say.

"Elise, what ever he has told you will be a lie. I swear I will-" Cain started only to have Hades step between us so I couldn't see Cain anymore. "Your fight is with me, Hades. Leave her out of it"

"Why? It's so much more amusing this way, don't you think? None of this would even be happening if not for you." He answered with a sneer. "Now, girl. Kill the evil that plagues your world."

Stepping beside me, Hades all but pushed me at Cain who now just looked confused as he took a careful step backwards.

"Now." Hades urged, a little more forcefully now.

So I did. The sword was raised and I took my shot; swinging around I pivoted on my heel in time with the blow and as the infected blade made contact, the howling scream of agony was like music to my ears. These weapons, crafted by the gods for their own uses really did have a bloodlust of their own. I felt it, the rush of need and relief that followed as blood coated the sword; fed it.

Hades fell to his knees as he gripped his abdomen and as I swung again, this time going through his shoulder as he fell onto his back so I pinned him to the floor and gave the sword a little twist. His mouth hung open in shock as he was too occupied holding his stomach to really fight back. I guess being cut with a sword that could actually kill you hurt. A lot.

"Here's a bit of advice Hades. Don't ever, go into my fucking head!" I screamed at him, pulling out the sword. Adrenaline and pure, raw emotions fueled me on now and as I moved to make good on my promise of beheading him, his laughter made me a hesitate.

"You're just as ruined as he is. I will enjoy seeing you again, Hunter." He spat as blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth and then he was gone.

"No!" I yelled, ramming the sword into the grass as a hand rested on my shoulder. Spinning around, I planned to finish what I no longer could with Hades at who ever was there and instead, Cain blocked my hit and ended up pinning my arms at my side.

"Stop, it's over. Calm down." He told me gently. "It's done, Elise."

It took more than a few deep breaths to get me to believe that and the Academy was no longer abandoned. Classes stood just to our left, and frozen students stared in a mixture of curiosity and surprise. From the other other side, someone was yelling something, and I'm pretty sure I heard my name.

"What was that?" I demanded, finally moving to retrieve my sword.

"I told you there would be another test." Cain answered, running a hand over his head before rubbing the back of his neck. "When the car stopped, we entered his realm."

"Will he die, I cut him pretty deep and he put something on the blade."

"He's immune to his own poisons, but he will need time to recover." Cain sighed as Hermes and Zane reached us. Looking behind them, I saw Logan and for some strange, and unnecessary reason, I felt like I wanted to cry.

"Are you two okay, I could sense something, but had no idea what was going on!" Hermes greeted us as Zane grabbed me by the shoulders.

"You okay kid?"

"I'm fine, just, extra training." I lied and he didn't believe it. Especially when Logan pushed his way through and the second he hugged me I did cry. Cain told our small crowd a few things I couldn't and when I got myself together, I stayed under Logans arm.

"This proves what we've been saying sunshine. You don't go anywhere without any of us." Zane put on his Dad voice and I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious. They're getting bolder with their attempts and who knows what could be next."

Cain chose then to disappear and as Hermes looked my way I only shrugged. "Right, whatever. I'm going home."

"I'll stay with you." Logan and I started to head that way when Zane stopped us.

"I'm glad you're okay, but what happened to my car?"

"Well, we might need to talk about that, later, once I'm recovered from this whole ordeal." I put my hand to my forehead and pretended to faint against Logan. "It might not be for a while yet, so maybe get someone to take a drive with you back down the highway to check it out?"

"Right. Go rest up kid."  Zane shook his head, before pinching the bridge of his nose as he walked away. "Nothing will happen, she said. It'll be for a couple of hours, she said."

"You're never borrowing anything of his again, you know that right?" Logan laughed as we put some distance between us and everyone else.

"Oh yup. I wonder if Cain mentioned the broken window?" 

Luckily Logan had been listening while I checked out. "He didn't mention that part." 

"Guess Zane is really going to love me once he see's that then! I'll just fake an injury or something to get out of that lecture." I decided.

"You do that Bunny."