+Courtney.+

I could smell the Demon across the nightclub. He smelled like a match being blown out and there’s that smell. It was easy to recognize, I always smelt it at Senka mansion, I smelt it so much I got used to it but now it stood alone among the smell of humans that smell like delicious sweets.

I looked away from the Demon and looked at Dante, “Blue leather jacket.”

Aracelia lifted her chin, “Look at his hands, they’re burned. He can manipulate darkness and shadows.”

“Which means?” I asked.

“If you get trapped in them, you’ll lose all the feeling in your body and as far as you run you can ever get out of it.” Uncle Carter said. “You not even really running, you just think you are. The fear the darkness makes you think you, it’s how he feed.”

“So?” I questioned. “What does that mean?”

“It means you’re going in.” Dante said and Uncle Carter closed his eyes, sighing heavily. “She’s got to, Carter. If we go in, he’ll run. She goes in, she’s just another Demon and he won’t be concern with her.”

Uncle Carter opened his eyes and forced himself to nodded, “You’ll do great, Court. You’re strong, I believe in you. Just don’t say too much, it’ll make you questionable. Short quick answers.”

I nodded, “I know.”

I turned to look at Rafael who didn’t look happy and I forced myself to smile. I turned towards the direction of the older looking Demon. Maybe his early twenties with olive color skin with beautiful dark push back hair. His hands were burned, like hot irons were pressed on them.

I stopped a few feet away from him and he felt my gaze on him. He met my green eyes with curiosity. I grinned at him, tilting my head to the side, my long dark hair falling to one side. I looked at the back entrance of the underground nightclub and back to him. He flashed me a grinned and I innocently chuckled before turned my head, walking towards the entrance. I turned my head around a little enough to look in the corner of my eyes to see him following me so I looked straight ahead.

I pushed against the door and it opened into a very dim alley way.

“What is a very pretty young wolf like yourself doing here?” I heard the Demon behind me in a thick Eastern European accent.

I turned to face him and smiled, “Boredom. Thought it would be fun to cause some trouble somehow.”

“You just got even more interesting.” he said. He looked down the alley way and back to me, “Hungry? Which kind of Mortal do you like? On me.” he said, flashing me his pearly white teeth.

“Hmm.” I said and looked away as if I was really going to consider eating a human being. My mind was still part human and finding eating humans just grossed me out. Then there are the days that it made me hungry. “Something healthy and free spirited.”

“I know the right place.” he said, holding his arm out.

The door burst open and the Demon turned around. He made a growling nose as I reached out, grabbing his arms and pulled them behind him. He made a surprised sharp intake of breath as I brought my foot up and kicked the back of his right leg, knocking him down.

He cursed at me in a language I didn’t understand and swung his elbow back. His elbow hit me right in the nose, pain spreading threw my nose and I let go of him.  Dante brought his foot up and kicked the Demon further down onto the ground. Aracelia took hold of the Demons hands, holding them behind him tightly and the Demon groaned.

“Where can I find Armando Azarola?” Dante asked.

“Armando Azarola who?” the Demon asked coldly. He struggled to get out, “Let go of me you bitch!”

Aracelia smacked across the Demon head, “Hey! Answer him now. We know who he is, don’t you? Who knows, you give where his location is you could save your ass.”

The Demon snorted, “Go choke yourself on a man dic—“

Dante reached down and pulled the Demon hair, “Hey, we’re not joking! Where is he?”

“Why are you looking for him, huh?” The Demon asked.

Dante reached into his back and took his knife out of its holster and stabbed it into the Demon chest. The Demon cried out in pain and Dante dug it father into the Demon, twisting and turning it, “It seems like you do know where he is.”

The Demon bared his teeth, “I’ll kill you myself.”

Dante took the knife out and put the knife in another spot in the Demon chest, “Where is he!”

“Ah!” the Demon hissed. He breathed heavily, “Boston, he’s in Boston.”

Dante took the knife out, grinning, “That was easy, you could have saved yourself from the trouble.”

The Demon glared at Dante, “Now let me go.”

“You were here looking for your next victim weren’t you?” Dante asked and the Demon eyes widen.

“What? No you have to let me go—“Dante didn’t let him finish.

+

“Were you scared?” I asked Rafael who looked a little frighten as he straighten himself against the wall. “I know, it can be gory and gross.” I got up from the air mattress and walked over to him, “I did suggest you shouldn’t come.”

He shook his head, “I am okay. I see animals be kill before.”

“He wasn’t an animal though.” I said.

“It was okay, I wanted to go.” he said. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, “Yeah.” I lifted my arms up and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him. “My sister is the one taken this time, I’ll do anything to find her. Can as many Demons for her, like she did for me.”

His tan russet arms went around my waist, “That man, he will die this time. I leave when he dies.”

I tighten my arms around him tighter, pressing myself closer to him, “I know.”

I pressed my nose against his shoulder and took a deep breath in. He smelled good and the bad thing was—he wasn’t wearing cologne. He smell good, like delicious stake cooking on the grill and it was mouthwatering. I lost myself as I pressed my nose against his neck and inhaled deeply.

My mouth parted a little and I ran my tongue across his neck. I felt him jerk but I didn’t stop because he really smelt good. I ran my tongue across the spot a few times until my teeth settled against his skin and I slowly bit down.

“Courtney!” Rafael hissed as I stepped away to the side. Feeling like water was throw on me, I woke up and realized what I have been doing. I took in a sharp breath and brought my hand up to my mouth, turning away from him.

“Leave.” I said.

“Courtney, I know you will not hurt—“

“Leave!” I coldly said, growling. He didn’t speak nor leave as my eyes stung up with tears and I squeezed my eyes shut. I finally heard his shoes walking away, so tears escaped from my eyes and went down my face. I bent down and covered my eyes with my hands as I cried. I’m a monster, I was going to hurt Rafael if he had moved away. I could still smell his delicious smell.

+Nevaeh.+

I stepped out of the room I was in and saw the last person I expected to see. My mouth literally dropped as I looked down the hallway to see Haidar standing there. He gave me a hard look, but grinned.

“How are you alive?” I asked him coldly as I walked over towards him.

“You’re sister aiming wasn’t perfect.” he said, chuckling but he didn’t really look amused. “I thought she had killed me though, she hit an important artery which is why I passed out and I wouldn’t have made it if Senka hadn’t gotten his Witch friend to help me.”

“Well how about I finished what she started?” I coldly asked as I took a stepped towards him.

I heard a familiar chuckled as his feet tapped against the staircase, “Nevaeh, relax. I would like this home not to be destroyed since it isn’t as big as my mansion back in Mexico.” He leaned against the rail, “Would you like a sundress? It is awfully hot and you been in the same clothes since you been here. I’m sure since you are that far along you would like something a little more comfortable.”

“I rather not shower for a whole week then take anything from you.” I coldly said. “Or eat.”

He put his hand on the rail, put one of his legs behind the other, and gave me a charming smile, “Nevaeh, my dear, you will be treated like how your sister was. As my guest.”

“Guest usually leave when they want.” I said coldly.

He chuckled, it sounds like so normal. Not like an Ancient Demon laughing, “You are my special guest. I want you happy.”

“Why?” I asked. “You tormented me in my dreams.”

“Oh let bygones be bygones.” he said as he stood up and walked over to me, leaving some space between us. “Haidar, you may go.” he said.

“Gladly.” Haidar said and I turned my head around, glaring at the monster who tormented my sister.

“How is little Azariah growing?” Senka asked as I turned my head back to look at him and my hands protectively flew my growing stomach. He smiled, “I always did find pregnant woman beautiful. I mean, you are growing life inside of you. It’s really a special inscribable thing to be able to do. Two beating hearts in one body.” He held his arm out, “Join me, I’m going out on the terrace. I have another guest I would like you to meet.”

I gave him a hard look, “Who?”

He chuckled, “You’ll just have to find out.”

“Is it Alma Kalama?” I asked as I crossed my arms across my chest.

He took his arm down and chuckled, “Well I guess it won’t be a long introduction. Come still, I would like to talk to you.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I said.

“I think you’ll like this talk.” he said as he turned, not waiting for me to answer and walked down the staircase again. My nose scrunched in frustration and I didn’t want to follow him, but it was like my feet had a mind of their own. I wanted to run the opposite way, but I was also curious to know what he has to say.

“I do not like the idea of having a child lose one of his parents.” he said, not looking back at me at all as we walked out of the luxury villa. There was a table set up with food and he pulled out a chair, holding his hand out towards the seat, “Sit, please.” Giving him a hard look, I hesitantly sat down on the chair. He chuckled, “Relax Nevaeh, I’m not going to harm you. Stop being so stiff. Think of yourself being here as a vacation.”

I just looked straight ahead at the ocean with a hard look, not speaking to him.

He sat down in a chair on the other end, “What if I tell you—I won’t kill you once the kid pops out.”

My eyebrows furrowed together, “What do you want for me to save myself?”

He smiled, “Soon—meaning tonight I will be King of Canada, America, Central America, and now South America. I’m stronger then Aura now, I will have control of the people there. That makes the target on my head bigger.”

“Okay?”

“You make Azariah destroy the Angels who come after me.” he said, making my blood turn cold. “Of course that means your mother as well, but you two were never close. You just found out that you were adopted two years ago, she abandoned you. Also,” he said as he sat back in his chair to get comfortable and crossed his legs, “All the Hunters. I want to rid this world of Angels and Hunter, their bothersome. You make him do that, I will let you live. You, Hadrian, and Azariah can all be together. I will let you live in peace.”

I heard someone crying and I turned my head around to see a women in her twenties being brought outside the house. Leilah was holding her arm, pretty much dragging her out. “Please just leave me alone!” the women said.

Leilah rolled her eyes and pushed the girl over towards a chair, pulling her down. The women sniffled as she looked at me, turned her eyes to Senka, and then back at me. I looked at her neck where I saw bite marks.

“Alma, this is Nevaeh Brownstone. She’s an expecting mother as well. This is your daughter cousin, Nevaeh is a Nephilim also.” Senka said, introducing us as if we weren’t kidnapped and just two mutual friends meeting for tea.

“You’re biting her?” I asked him coldly. “Why? She is pregnant!”

“She has a Nephilim inside her womb, it makes her blood enchanting.” he said calmly. “I heal her as soon as I bit her, she is fine. I wouldn’t risk killing one of my precious Nephilims, one that isn’t even born yet.”

“I don’t belong to you.” I said, my hands balling into fists.

He leaned against the table, smiling, “You’ve always belong to me, Nevaeh. But how about that deal? You’re son just has to do a few little chores for me and you can have your family.”

I leaned towards him, “Let the world turn to darkness, let Demons control the world and have it be my fault? Azariah is everything towards me and you’re right, he would do what I asked him.” I gave him a hard look, “But I won’t let that happen—I rather be crucified.”

+

“Friends! We have done it!” I heard from outside of the bedroom I was. I got up from the bed and walked out of my room. Walking over towards the staircase I saw everyone having a party, Senka twirling the gold spear around. “The South is ours. Many more territories for you, you pick which place you would like. I don’t care, go wild.” he chuckled. Senka looked up towards my direction and grinned.

“See, it’s a bad thing to think to take on Senka.” Hadrian said as he walked up the staircase. “Senka is the most daring of the seven kingdoms.”

He stood next to me and pressed his hands against the rail, smiling down at the celebrating people, “It just means one less Ancient Demon to worry about when Senka is gone.”

Hadrian chuckled, “Senka is a brave men, he easily took down Aura Delano without even really touching her.”

“You’re doing that again.” I said as I walked passed him.

“Doing what?” he asked coldly, walking behind me.

“Saying things to try and scare me.” I said. “They didn’t work two years ago and they won’t work now. It’s still annoying.

“I know it secretly scares you.” he said, chuckling.

I walked into the room I was and grabbed the door, slamming the door closed but Hadrian stopped it and opened it. I turned to him, annoyed.

“I heard the conversation earlier with you and Senka.” he said as he closed the door. “Surprised a little I may say. Giving your own life up for what? Mortals who are selfish and cruel just as much as Demons? Like they always have been? You could have saved yourself, be with your child.”

“Our child.” I said and he scoffed. “And it’s not just about saving them. I rather die a million times then watch everyone I love die. Azariah won’t do anything bad, not if you tell him.”

“He’s my son, he would do anything I say.” he said.

“My son knows right from wrong.” I said. I walked towards him, “Why are you here, Hadrian? Why’d you follow me here?”

“I like rubbing things in your face.” he said, grinning.

I opened my mouth to speak but I felt Azariah move. My hands flew to my stomach, taking in a deep breath. He was moving around allot and it kind of hurt. I stumbled back and Hadrian watched confused. I leaned down onto a table and I felt something press against my hand. I looked down to see Azariah moving around in my stomach. Like I could actually see his hand pressing against my belly and it’s no normal around. I’m only eighteen weeks, he’s moving around really strongly. Ever see a horror movie and the girl has something weird growing inside of her and the thing is moving around allot, making it all look creepy? Yeah, that’s what Azariah doing.

“Come here!” I said to Hadrian who gave me a confused look. “Come here!”

Hesitating, he walked over and I took his hand, pulling him down and placed his hand on my belly. Azariah calmed down inside of me, making me calm down myself since it was kind of scary how hard he was moving around inside of me. I could actually feel him touching my ribcage.

“You upset him.” I said to Hadrian.

“I am?” he questioned. “His mother is a naïve stupid little girl who should be saving herself inside of other people. You are the one leaving him in this world alone. Who do you think you are? The Messiah?”

I scoffed, “Of course not, I just know right from wrong.”

“You are naïve.” he said. He looked down at my belly, “You’re—big. I thought you weren’t pregnant in the beginning, I remember.”

“That’s such a nice thing to say to a lady.” I said sarcastically.

“You have such—such a sweet little innocent voice. It’s probably why you like to talk allot.” he said.

“I think you mistaken me for you.” I said. “You could never stop talking about yourself.”

“You know, the only good thing about you is your mouth.” he said coldly. “You got a pretty mouth, but the rest is annoying.”

Staring down at him, I could see something familiar in him. He always said one of his favorite things about me was my lips because they were full and soft. I got my lips from Aracelia, who was also full and plump. He also liked my eyes, seeing they were green apple green.

“Want to feel them?” I asked him.

He scoffed, but didn’t reject. He just stood there for a moment, staring at me as if he was debating in his head if he should or not. He started lower himself, “Stay still and don’t try anything funny.” he coldly said.

I tilt my head back and closed my eyes. I felt his breath on my mouth before his lips touched mine. They were more or less just pressed onto mine until I parted my lips a little so our mouths were fitting together. He moved his mouth against mine slowly, almost in a caution way.

He pressed his head further down onto mine, kissing more a little harder. Even though he wasn’t himself, his mouth still felt the same and made me feel like I was on fire. I brought my hands, hesitantly placing them on his neck, afraid if I touched him he might pull away but he didn’t.

+Hadrian.+

I brought my hands up behind Nevaeh head and pulled her close to me as if it was possible. I hate to admit it, but I did like kissing her. I could feel her soft small hands around my neck, wrapping around my neck further until her hands met.

“Make him forget.” I heard Senka voice and my eyes snapped open. I wasn’t in the same room with Nevaeh anymore though, I was in Senka office back in the mansion. He was looking at me—or past me. I turned around and my eyes widen as I looked at myself on the couch bench where a Witch was sitting at the top. “Make him forgot about him being in love with her, make him believe it was all a lie. Make him believe he has been working for me for the last forty years and I told him to go find Nevaeh Brownstone. I wanted him to make her fall in love with him then have him conceive a child with her. It was all fake, he never loved her.”

“Alright.” The Witch said before placing her hands on each side of my head.

Senka moved to sit over on his desk and he was grinning ear to ear. I shook my head, looking back at myself, “No, this can’t be true.” I said. I ran both my hands threw my hair and wanted to pull my own hair out with how frustrated I was.

It was a lie, a whole lie. Senka lied to me, I trusted him.

I then saw Nevaeh thick eyelashes and I pulled away, staring at her. She dropped her arms as she stared up at me and I scoffed .Azariah did that, I know he did. Was it true or was that just another lie? Making me see thing, try to make me believe in that? I don’t see why he would do that though—I believe Azariah more than Senka.

Because I wouldn’t be feeling heavy like I do as I looked down at Nevaeh. It was like feelings after feelings were weighing down on me and I could breath. It was a scary feeling. I bent down and looked down at her stomach where Azariah was growing inside.

Damnit, I was so horrible to him.

I reached my hands out and placed them on her stomach. I leaned over and pressed my forehead against her growing stomach, “Help me remember.” I begged Azariah.