Cousin? Oh goddess. I stared in shock; Ryland was calling for me and my mom was crouching on the floor squeezing my hands.

"What does that mean?" I asked her in my head.

"It means now we know how to kill him and why he has that obsession with that unusual dagger." I took another deep breath before looking back up at Ryland's eyes. This must have been the deepest red they have ever been.

"He can't pull me into those...places again." I whispered. "We saw things... t-things from his mind." I whispered as I watched those memories flash through my mind. "We know how to kill him." I managed to breathe out.

"Fuck. Brielle I want you with her at all times." Ryland growled causing me to jump. "We have more soldiers at the border." He pressed a kiss to my head and rose to his feet before he hurried towards the door. James, Kolton and Jake were quickly out the door behind him. I slowly sat up.

"Mom, I will be fine, they won't be, they need you." I pleaded with her. She sighed and glanced at Lydia.

"Stay with her. If anything happens with dark magic, I swear to the goddess I will never let you even think about using magic again." I've never seen mom so serious about stuff like this. Well I guess Lydia has never used dark magic before. She just nodded and frowned but stayed close to me.

Once I heard the front door shut, I turned to face an exhausted Lydia.

I could hear screams from outside. I slowly stood up, my legs shaking slightly. What is wrong with me? I placed a shaky hand over my swollen stomach as I made my way to the window. I leaned against the wall and pulled the side of the curtain up so I could peak outside without being seen. I could see warriors and their swords clashing with...with demons?

"They need our help." She snapped. I saw Lydia giving me a look, having an idea of what I was going to do.

"No, Octavia. Mom will kill me." She snapped.

"I'm not going to sit on my ass and do nothing while everyone's lives are at risk." I went to take a step but my whole body froze. I looked at Lydia in shock. Her hand was raised and she had a sad look across her face.

"No." She whispered.

"We don't have time for this." She snapped. I felt myself shift into my subconscious as Lydia's hold broke down into nothing. She stared at me wide eyed.

"Octavia, please." She spoke.

I regained control over myself and made my way do the door. I pushed the door open ignoring the shakiness that was overtaking my body. I watched in terror as I saw Ryland fighting three demons at once. Mom was yelling as she did what she could, but she was growing weaker the more she used her abilities. My attention snapped to where I saw James on the ground with a demon above him, trying to slice at him with sharp talons.

"No." I breathed out. Suddenly everything seemed to stop as if my plead was enough to snap them out of this. Every demon rose from the fights they were in and turned to me. I stared wide eyed as they all watched me, as if they were waiting for something.

"What is going on?" I asked her as a few began stepping closer.

"Octavia!" Ryland screamed, snapping me momentarily out of my shock.

I felt myself sink back into my subconscious as my hands raised next to me. I watched as shadows ebbed from my fingertips, staining the white snow as it pushed towards each and every one of the frozen demons. I felt rifts get torn into the air around us, I watched as the shadows flowed into the rifts, sending the demons back to the underworld.

"They may be monsters, but no creature deserves that torment." She spoke, referring to the gods and their manipulation. I felt energy leaving my body in masses as the last of the demons were sent back to their home realm.

I heard more shouting as people rushed into the woods to secure the perimeter and kill the last of the wolves that were attacking with them. I raised a shaky hand to my nose as I felt something trickle. I looked at my black blood covered fingers in shock as I pulled them away.

"You're alright. Just sit down for a minute." She ordered me.

I jumped when I felt hands touch my shoulders. I saw Lydia staring at me with worry lacing her face. She directed me into the house and to the couch while she went to get something to clean off the blood. My head felt fuzzy but heavy at the same time. Why was this taking a toll on me, I've used more than that, and didn't have any issues. I was pulled out of my thoughts when a scream filled with terror echoed throughout the house.

Lydia.

I hurried up, nearly doubling over in pain. I clutched my abdomen as I watched in horror as my pants got soaked. No. This can't be happening. It's too early. I cried out as I got to the stairs. I held onto the railing as tightly as I could as I made my way up.

I leaned against the hallway wall as I made my way towards where I heard the scream. I quickly pushed open the door and nearly collapsed at the sight. Maps were everywhere, there were puddles of blood, candles were lit, and various objects that were emanating dark energy.

There stood Cade, but it wasn't truly him.

"Hello cousin." The voice gurgled, his head was held at an unsettling angle. His fingertips dripping with black blood identical to the shade of mine.

"Let the girl go. I knew you were a coward, but killing a helpless girl, I thought was even beneath you." Her voice echoed through me.

"She's not so helpless, are you Lydia Darkstone?" He chuckled pushing the knife closer to her throat. "She has been tracking me, communicating with me as well. But she wasn't bright enough to realize she left the connections open."

"Let her go." I snapped, trying to keep my voice from wavering.

He gave me a vicious smile and before I could even blink he vanished. Lydia dropped to the floor clutching at her throat and coughing.

I don't even want to contemplate why he let her go, but I don't care as long as she's safe. I went to step towards her but pain shot through my sides, I nearly fell over if it weren't for the wall supporting me.

"Tia?" She whispered getting up slowly and hurrying over to me. She gently touched my sides causing me to jump, her hands almost felt like they were on fire. I cried out and fell to the floor.

"Fuck." She cried. "I'm so sorry. I'm going to get help, don't move." She blurted out before sprinting out of the room. I felt something on my legs and looked down to see a pool of black blood forming below me. I cried out in panic as I tried to scoot my body away.

"Octavia!" I heard Ryland yell from downstairs. I cried out again as I tried to get myself away from the blood.

Before I could even blink he was in front of me. His eyes were dark red as he took in my current state. He was on his knees in front of me, pulling me against his chest. He carried me out of the room and into our bedroom, gently placing me on the bed. I felt so hot, but so cold, I could feel the sweat dripping down my back, but shivers wracked through my body at the same time.

"Stay with me." He growled out as he began pulling off my socks and softly tugging at my leggings. I didn't have enough energy to question him. I could hear him curse out under his breath.

His eyes kept shifting, meaning he was mind-linking someone.

I screamed out in pain as I felt a searing, stabbing pain explode throughout my abdomen.

"Ryland." I cried out as the pain was overwhelming all of my senses. I just need our baby to be okay. I just need this all to stop. He gently spread my legs and shrugged off his shirt.

"Mae and you're mother are on their way. Just hold on for me baby." He whispered to me, gently running his hand down my cheek. I cried out again as I felt immense pain erupt throughout my body.

"I can see his head, but barely." He breathed. He knelt down in front of my legs and I couldn't see what he was doing as darkness began creeping into the corners of my vision.

"Don't close your eyes, Octavia. I am so proud of you, just stay awake for me." Ryland spoke, if he was worried or nervous he wasn't showing it. Suddenly, the doors bursted open as mom and Mae rushed to my side. I could see Lydia standing against the door frame, out of breath, but she didn't come in.

"Dammit. It's too early." Mae spoke quietly as she took Rylands place in front of me on the bed. Ryland was at my side whispering sweet nothings in my ear and mom had her hands out next to Mae. I screamed out again as another wave of pain, raced through my body. I squeezed my hands tightly around Rylands as a numbing feeling began spreading down my legs.

"I need you to push." Mae ordered. I couldn't I was too tired. I couldn't do it. I just wanted to close my eyes, just for a little while.

"Come on, Octavia." She pleaded.

I screamed out as I felt my body push, but it felt like I wasn't pushing anything. The searing pain just became even more unbearable.

Mom began chanting as I suddenly felt something between my legs. My heart broke at the sight of our small baby, Mae was pushing onto his chest with her finger.

I screamed out at the sight of our limp and silent baby. He should be crying. Why isn't he crying? My baby. Ryland was shaking as he held me tight. I could hear Mae and Mom talking frantically.

"Let me finish what I started in that cell." I felt the voice leave my lips. Everyone froze, knowing it wasn't mine. Mom quickly carried my baby over and placed his limp blood covered body to me. I cradled him in my arms even though I could probably hold him in one and watched as shadows surrounded us. I guided them throughout his body, they surrounded his heart, helping to guide the rhythm, into a steady consistent beat. Helping his lungs allow air in and out. Allowing his small, fragile body to begin operating as it should with a little assistance.

Suddenly, the loud cried erupted from him. I couldn't help the smile and breath of relief that escaped, while I showed Ryland our baby. He wrapped his shirt around him, taking him from my arms, gently. He held him in his large hand and held him against his chest as his free arm rubbed up and down my back. I felt myself slouch against the bed as the sight of my mate and my baby boy filled my vision, before I allowed the darkness to take over.