+Courtney.+

                I was crying against a pillow. What have I done? I'm a horrible person, I'm going to Hell for being lured in like I did. The whole time I was brought to this place I was under Haidar little spell trick but once he left me in this room I was back to my senses and realized what was happening!

I'm such an idiot!

                "I'm so sorry, Nevaeh." I whispered as tears escaped my eyes. I couldn't stop crying, I have never felt so guilty in my life. Haidar used some trick on me and I fell for it!

                I heard the door to the room I was in unlock but I didn't dare look up. Looking up means getting tricked.

                "Awe, beautiful don't cry." Haidar said and my hands balled into a fist against the bed. He was mocking me. I felt him sit down on the bed next to me and he grabbed my arm, "Hey now, do not ignore me--"

                I snatched my arms back and crawled back on the bed until my back hit the frame, "Don't touch me!" I hissed as I glared at the silk black bed sheets. "Go to Hell."

                He chuckled, "Not so sweet anymore."

                "Go away!" I yelled.

                "You are angry," he said and I pressed my lips together tightly as my anger build up. I wanted so badly to kick and scream. "Senka invited you to dinner, he's eager to meet you." he said and I ignored him.

                "You're such a monster." I coldly said. "Messing with girls head, using evil tricks."

                "Well how else was I supposed to take you quietly?" he asked and I wanted to spit on him. "But I will admit, you are beautiful though. Nevaeh isn't the only one with beauty, you are very beautiful." he said and I saw his arm reaching out towards me.

                "No!" I screamed as I leaned away but he grabbed me and used his other hand to grab hold of my chin, tilting my head back so I would look up at him.

                "Calm down." he said and I jerked, trying to pull away but his grip tighten around my arm. My face scrunched in pain and soon I hissed. I stopped fighting and he loosened his grip, "Good girl."

                I only glared at him.

                He took his hand away and pulled a strain of my hair and twirled it around his finger, "I know this wasn't something you thought of, but isn't it sort of of romantic? After Senka succeeds I will take you on an actual date. I'm sorry if this is turning out differently then you expected."

                My face softened at his apology, he seemed so. Serious about it. Maybe I was overreacting about this, I mean Haidar is sweet and kind. He let go of the strain of hair and caressed my cheek, giving me an innocent smile.

                "No more crying." he said and I nodded, laying my cheek in his hand. He playfully tap my nose when he moved his hand from my cheek and I giggled softly as I blushed. "Here," he said pulling a dress up in view. It was a pretty red dress with a sweetheart neckline with some two inch pumps. "Senka likes his guest to dress formal to dinner, pajamas won't please him. A friend of mine will come and do your hair. He's expecting us in an hour, okay?"

                I nodded, "Yes, Haidar."

                He gave me a quick sweet kiss before he got up and lift the room. Once the door closed behind him, it was all the fog disappeared from my head and I scoffed, feeling disgusted with myself! I threw the dress away me and I got up, t

running over towards the door but it was locked it.

                "No!" I hissed as I hit the door. I pressed my back against the door and slid down it, crying.

                I only stopped ten minutes later when I heard the door unlock and I got up. I stepped a few feet away and watched a girl walked in with a bag in her hand.

                She gave me a look, "Why is that dress on the floor? That's expensive."

                "Look even nicer in the fire." I said and she glared at me before smacking me across the face. I cried out as I fell and landed on my side. I sniffed as I held back tears wanting to escape.

                "Oh get up." she said as she stepped over me. "And grow a pair you child."

                I was forced into the dressed that went above my knees a little and the two inch pumps. She curled my hair and gathered all my hair to my right side, pinning my hair to keep it that way. I fought with her as she tried to put makeup on and I earned myself another slap.

                "Damn Brownstone." she muttered as she put blush on my cheek. "There, made you at least somewhat presentable. You have good cheeks."

                If I was strong enough and not a coward I would have fought as the girl lifted me up from the bench and out the room but I let her drag me threw the mansion. I was surprised at how bright and alive it was where I expected something scary like from a horror movies but no. Gold and white decorations and lots of flowers and paintings on the wall.

                "Hurry up." she said since I was being slow. I never wore heels though, what did she expect? I'm only fourteen. She muttered something in another language and I could only guess what she said.

                We came to a large door and she opened it, "Guest of honor here." she said with excitement as if she was happy to get me prepared.

                People around the large rectangle table looked at me. I froze as I stepped in and my legs shook as all eyes came on me. I wanted to run back to the room where I very much preferred then having a bunch of Demons look at me.

                At the end a man clapped, "Ah, Courtney, glad you are here." he said as he walked over towards me. "I hope Aria treated you well, she pampered you and made you feel welcome."

                Not really, I thought as I shyly looked down at the shoes I was in.

                He chucked, "Come, my dear." he said as he put his hand behind my back and pushed me forward over to a chair. It was the chair next to his and he pulled the seat out. When I didn't sit, he chuckled, "No need to be shy Courtney. Please, sit."

                I did as he said and he pushed me real closely to the table. My heart beat quickened as I felt the familiar presence next to me.

                "I will just like to welcome you." the man who I can I only guess is the one and only Senka I've been hearing about the last few days.

                I hesitantly look up at him, "Why was I brought here?"

                "For lots of reasons." he said, shrugging his right shoulder as he sat back against his chair.

                "Where are we?" I asked. "There's no windows here, I barley even remember how I got here."

                "The less you know, the better." he said as he smiled at me.

                "You can't get to Nevaeh threw me." I said and he looked more amused. "I won't let you."

                "You know kid, you give yourself less credit than you think." he said as he leaned against the table. "You think you're not so important and weak, but trying to protect your sister is brave. Stupid, but brave. I admire you for that."

                My hands just balled into a tight fists on my lap.

                “Are you hungry?” he asked and grabbed me a plate that had pork, rice, and potatoes on it. “I'm sure you are, go ahead and enjoy. We don't usually drink soda in this place, but I had some brought in just for you.” he said as he brought over a wine glass with a bubbling drink. When I just stared at the table, he chuckled, “It's alright, and nothing was done to any of it. See.” he said as he took a sip of the drink and then a piece of pork.

                “You're using me as bait to lead my sister here.” I said and he didn't deny it, just grin. “How will she be able to even find me?”

                “I'll let Hadrian figure that out.” he said and my eyebrows furrowed together as I looked up at him. Why would Hadrian figure out where I am? “Oh, dear, you really have been kept in the dark. Hadrian is a Demon—“

                “Liar!” I yelled as I stood up. I reached up behind me and took the pins out of my hair, throwing it aside, “Let me go!”

                “It's true, dear.” Senka said as he sat back comfortably in his chair. “Everyone knows it, Nevaeh, your mom, and your uncle. That child in your sister stomach that growing is very special.”

                I shook my head as I glared at him. No, he's lying. Hadrian isn't a Demon, I've been in the same room as him before! He seemed so . . . well, a little different but I just thought it was because he was Italian and that their different culture. No! Nevaeh would never be a Demon, she kills Demons for God sakes! And her baby isn't—whatever the mix between a Nephilim and Demon is!

                “You poor child.” he said as he looked up at me. “You're family thinks you too much of a child to know any of this.”

                “Stop it.” I said as I wanted to burst in tears since I knew it was true. No one in the house thinks I’m mature or old enough to understand any of this. They treat me as if I was eight years old still, never telling me the whole story.

                “I don't think you’re a child.” he said. “Fourteen is very grown up, I mean girls use to be married at your age already. I think you can handle some truth, Courtney. I promise here we won’t treat you as a child, but an adult.”

                I shook my head, “No, you're lying. You're just telling me what I want to hear, I know you're all liars.”

                “See, you are smart.” he said as he waved his finger towards me. “Courtney, come.” he said as he waved me to come to him. When I didn't move, Haidar got up and grabbed my arm, pushing me towards Senka. I snatched my arm out of his grip, but didn't move since it would be useless, “I'm not going to hurt your sister. She has something growing inside her that I want.”

                “You stay away from them both.” I said and everyone in the room started chuckling. My hands balled into a fist at how they were mocking me.

                “Courtney, I thought every child should have an aunt.” he said. “I won’t hurt you that is the very last thing I would ever do to you. I see potential in you, dear, I can have people train you to fight and be the strongest, but of course you will be guarding my court. And Haidar took a liking to you, you will have a happy life here.”

J              “I rather be thrown into a pool of sharks with a paper cut.” I said and he smirked.

                I felt a pair of arms go around my waist and I fought with Haidar to get him to let me go! “Shh,” he whispered in my ear and my nose scrunched up as I stared at the wall across from me. I saw a knife in the corner of my eyes and I was so tempted to grab it. I felt like there was a snake wrapped around me more than arms, it was disgusting and gross. I got that horrible feeling from Haidar, like he was still that horrible black snake with amber eyes. “You will still here, with me.” he said.

                Senka got up and moved in my view. He lowered his face down towards mine, “You belong here with us now.”

                “My sister will find me,” I said. “And when she does, she going to kill all of you.”

                “I'll look forward to it.” he said as he flicked at a curl. “Haidar, take Courtney back to her room. It seems like she isn't very hungry like we thought. Only trying to be nice.” he said, shrugging.

                “No! No!” I yelled as I fought with Haidar as he pulled me out of the room.

+Nevaeh.+

                I can say I had another night of Senka staying away and haunting my dreams. It’s been like this the last view nights and though I don’t want to seem like I’m complaining, I found it a little strange how he just seemed to stop. Oh well, it wasn’t a dream of horrible bugs and watching anyone I love die.

                I felt Hadrian move behind me and his arm tighten around my waist. I felt all warm and comfortable. I entwined our fingers as brought my other arm up to lay my head on. A few more minutes of good resting wouldn’t hurt, I was so tired.

                I heard someone clear their throat though and my eyes opened.

                “Wait a second. . .” I said when I remember where I was. Hadrian didn’t come along, I had been dreaming about him, but he wasn’t here realistic. I looked down at the end I was holding and saw a familiar big honey-color hand and chipped nails. I took in a sharp breath and snatched my hand out of Dante hand. I sat up and scoffed, “Dante!” I hissed angrily and I brought my foot up, kicking him off the bed.

                He woke up as he fell to the floor and groaned, “What’s happening?”

                “What happening? WHAT HAPPENING?” I angrily hissed as he stood up, rubbing his head. “Why were you in the bed? We agreed you stay on the floor, you jerk!” I said as I threw a pillow at him and he rolled his eyes as he caught it.

                “The floor was uncomfortable and this bed is big enough. I had a pillow in between us—well, I don’t know where it is now.” he said and I crawled at the end of the bed, getting up. I saw Saya at the door who looked amused a little with Hector and Aidric. My face burned in embarrassment so I was quick to get defenses.

                I turned around quickly to catch Dante yawning and he stretched, “Why were you touching me?” I asked and he snorted.

                “Sorry, you looked cold.” He jokingly said as he walked passed me and I scoffed. I jumped on his back and he lost his balance. I kicked the back of his knee and he fell to the floor. I threw him down onto the floor on his chest and he groaned as I grabbed his arm, forcing it painfully behind his back, “Ah! Okay, okay! Never pull something like that again, I get it Nevaeh. But seriously, I only meant to sleep, not try anything funny.”

                I heard Hector and Aidric chuckle.

                “You better, or I might actually give Hadrian that chance to teach you a lesson.” I warned him and he snorted.

                “Like I’m scared of Hadrian—ah! Okay, I understand. Just let go of my arm before you break it!” he said and after hearing him beg, I let go of his arm. I got up and he stood next, rubbing his arm I was holding, “Jeez,” he said. He pointed at me, “You only got me because I’m still tired.”

                I brought my knee up teasingly and he was quick to block his manhood. I chuckled and put my knee down, “Relax, I may want to save the world from Dante minions but I’m not that harsh.”

                “You’re in such a good mood.” he said. “No ancient Demon crawling in your head to freak the fuck out of you?”

                “Oh, no more.” Saya said as she walked in. She wiggled her finger at us to follow, “Come.”

                +

                I picked up one of the small daggers lied up and I threw my arm back, aiming at the human shape boards where a circle around the target I had to hit. I threw my arm forward and it flew across the room, hitting cleaning in the middle of the red dot.

                 I grabbed the next one, then the next one, and kept hitting around the target with different knives until I got the seventh. I stood up straight when I was finished and looked at Saya who smiled and clapped, “I heard the Brownstone were a good hunters family.” She held out half round knife, “Throw this, but be quick because it flies like a Frisbee back to you.”

                I nodded and took it. I looked closely at a tree branch and threw my arm back before throwing it furrowed. It flew around in a circle and it cut the branch off the tree before it turn back around and flew back to. I nervously held my hand out and taking a risk, I grabbed it. My hand stung when the blade cut my palm a little and I hissed as I dropped it.

                “You lack focus.” Saya said as I looked up at her. “You need to watch as the Chakram twirls, keep an eye on the handle.”

                “I can’t slow it down with my mind.” I said.

                “You can if you focus hard enough.” she said as she bent down and picked the Chakram up. She threw it in the air and it flew so far away before it turned back around. She held her hand out and took it by the handle gracefully. “You were thinking too hard, just feel it. Watch the handle move in the circle, you know when to grab it.”

                “Can it wait until my hand stops bleeding?” I asked.

                “You can’t stop fighting to go find a bandage.” she scoffed as she threw the weapon at my feet and it stuck half way in the ground. “Pick it up, a little scratch never killed anyone.”

                I scoffed and she gave me a hard look. I removed my attitude look and bent down, picking the weapon up. Turning to face the trees of the woods that hid Saya home, I aimed at another branch and I threw the Chakram. I winced a little as I watched it fly around in a circle, never taking my eyes off it. You would think it was going too quickly, but actually it was like it was slowing down. It came back at me and I held my hand out just in time to catch it by the wooden handle when it was a foot away.

                My mouth widen as I looked at it, amazed.

+

                “You need to understand Nevaeh, this is my home.” Saya said as we both walked down the field of her home. She had a beautiful garden of different flowers and she looked at them as we walked. “It may seem wrong, but my home is more important than being a Nephilim. My father—he has told me I should stay here.”

                “You still see your father?” I asked.

                She nodded, “Yes, he visits a few times a year, stays a few days. I’m his third child he ever had, he’s very protective of me and it’s why he trained me to be a Hunter so no Demons would hurt me. Last couple of years though, I can see it being hard for him to come around because of my age. I am ninety-four years old, we are both amazed I made this long with this career choice.”

                “You really don’t seem that age though.” I said. “You’re walking at the same speed as me, nothing makes you seem that old.”

                “One of the disadvantages of being a Nephilim.” she said as she sighed heavily.

                “Disadvantages?” I questioned.

                “We could live way passed a hundred, Nevaeh. But do you know how many people I have watched died? I’m tired, mentally. I lived a full life, I don’t have anyone but this place now. I miss my brother and two sister, my mother, my grandmother.” she said.

                “Oh,” I said.

                “Cherish your family, Nevaeh.” she said as she looked at me. “Don’t let this job be the number one thing in your life, you’ll miss out on the important things.”

                “But this situation is important.” I said. “If I don’t get rid of Senka, he’s going to be after me for the rest of my life. All of our lives, Saya. We’ll be together when he comes, we can kill him together.”

                She sat down on the ground and looked at the rose bushes, “Last thirty years, I’ve been here hiding like I was a criminal. I haven’t even been to the town.” she said, chuckling humorlessly. “I don’t know what the world is like anymore, Nevaeh.

                I lowered down next to her, “My uncle just learned recently he is a Prophet of the Lord. He—as in God, wants us all together and fight against Senka Dashwood. I’m my mother first child, her first. After so long, she was finally given a child she so desperately wanted. I think I was put on this world to do a child, I think we all we put on this planet for a reason Saya. You, me, Nellie, Uriah, and the others—this is our mission. We are the only thing that can drive Senka Dashwood out of the dark and kill him.”

                “You make it sound like a drama show, Nevaeh.” she said, chuckling and I joined her.

                “Do one last mission, Saya. Make it worth wild.” I said and she reached over, taking my hand. She took the white lace glove off my hand, “Saya, that’s a bad idea—whoa.” I said when I wasn’t forced into a memory.

                “There’s a block on my mind, Nevaeh.” she said. “My father paid a witch to put a block on my mind to keep Demons like Senka Dashwood out of my mind and it’s the same for the people around me. I think you are right, I need to come with you so Senka can’t find us. We’ll need to find him.”

                I smiled, “So you’ll come?” I asked.

                “I have to.” she said, smiling.

                +Aracelia.+

                I watched as Hiliaria touch Gaspar cheek, “You be good, okay?” she told him in Arabic.

                “I am not five years old anymore, mama.” he said. “I am forty years old now, you know how I feel about that.”

                Hiliaria gave him a hard look, “Don’t talk back to me, Gaspar. This is serious.”

                “I know.” He sighed heavily and bent down, kissing her forehead. “Take care of Nasirah and the girls for me.”

                “You already know I will.” she said. “Don’t do anything stupid there, the quicker this problem is over the quicker you can come home.”

                “Give this to Sierra.” I said as I handed him a letter and he took it. “Thank you again for going, it really is important you go Gaspar.”

                He nodded, “I go and they won’t come after my family, right?’ he asked.

                I nodded, “Right. My daughter is hopefully already on her way back from Canada with Saya Tanaka, her and the others will start looking for Senka Dashwood straight away. Once they get rid of him, you can come back and your family won’t be in danger.”

                “Good.”, he said and looked at Hilaria, “Goodbye, mother.”

                She forced him a smile and nodded, but I didn’t miss the tears in her eyes as he turned and went over to the door leading him down the hallway to get on the plane when they called for him.

                “He will be alright, Hilaria.” I said as I turned to her. Under her hijab her blonde hair was tucked back, hidden from everyone in Morocco. “Nevaeh won’t let anything happen to him.”

                “I have kept him safe his whole life, I knew a day like this would come.” she said, turning to look at me. “I didn’t know you had a daughter though, I’m surprise you didn’t tell everyone. Aracelia Stormborn—the angel who always wanted a child.”

                I smiled, “I thought word would spread around. Nevaeh is my life even if she is as stubborn as her father.”

                She turned and looked at the clock hanging on the wall, “I should get going, I promise Nasirah I wouldn’t be gone long.”

                I nodded and hugged Hilaria goodbye. I took my phone out to open that email Victurus had sent me about his son Rafael. I had sought out Victurus first of them all since I had learned he was in Brazil but he had just finally messaged me back before I had come into the airport.

                I went over to a payphone and dialed Victurus number.

                “Hello Aracelia.” Victurus said, sighing heavily as he answered. “I had dreaded this ever since I gotten your email. What is wrong now?”

                “Our children.” I said and he didn’t say anything. “You need to send him to America, to Charleston California.”

                “Senka wants him to.” he said after a long pause. Victurus first son he ever had, Salvius, the one of those Nephilims Senka had taken the first time. Victurus had been in depression for a long time about it, always blaming himself for not taking better care of his child. It’s why he always took extreme care of his child. “I can’t just take him without telling him the truth Aracelia. He’s sixteen, he will question all about this.”

                “I had to tell my daughter the truth, you will now need to.” I said. “Senka will come after him in his dreams, he already doing that with my daughter. Please.” I begged. I begged for a long time to take this risk and for him to take Rafael to Charleston. I had to call him back when the phone call ended and fought with him until he finally agreed. “Thank you, Lord.” I said.

                Now all I have to find is Damini.