"What's going on?"

When Allegra called me in the devil awful time to meet her, I didn't exactly realize that I was meeting her along with every other Volkios. The place was literally swarming with ego and pride. 

"We are inviting you to the meeting." She assured with a smile. "Eros thought it's time we all talk face to face."

"The Demon?"

"The very one. Oh look, he's already talking to Emie." With that, she started walking toward them, forcing me to wonder how to kill a Volkios without facing punishment. I didn't know who this Eros was but I sure as hell didn't expect him to talk to my wife.

"Your shadows are literally this close to strangling him." I heard a voice behind me. Lana. "Please don't kill him. I kind of like him as a friend."

"Does he know who he is talking to?" 

"He will in a second if you actually interrupt him." Good point. By the time, Emie noticed that I was with them I had already claimed my spot beside her. I felt her tense but I was too far gone to consider what was good behavior.

"Volkios." I nodded at the man, raising my eyebrow at Emie. "Wife."

The Volkios, Eros looked at me with amusement. "It's Eros. I believe you are Darkness?"

I nodded, waiting for her to say something. But she stayed silent until Eros chuckled. "Nice to meet you. Your wife didn't mention you at all. I was just surprised that you two are already married without her...permission." 

What? Was little soul going around telling people that I forced her to marry me?

"She told you what-"

"I meant Rebecca." He was quick to clarify. "You need permission from the Eternal Volkios to go through any marriage. You know the laws, right?"

Fuck the new world and fuck the laws.

But I couldn't say that without ruining my master's reputation so I held in it like a good boy. "My wife also forgot to mention that I was only awakened like four years ago so I am not familiar with the new laws. It was wrong of me to not brush my knowledge up sooner."

"It's no problem. Just don't tell Rebecca about your marital status and we won't have anything to worry about." I tried to find any deceit in his eyes just as my shadows did but unfortunately, none of us found anything. Before I could grill him more, Allegra told us to sit down.

The Volkioses were ruthless.

I didn't have to spend too many seconds with them to deduce that. Especially that Eternal. 

"I suggest Emeline Deshayes go through a trial. She'll give us all the answers we want and we can put this matter behind us."

I was ready to let the shadows do their job when Lana spoke out. "It's not happening. My sister won't go through a trial."

"Why not?" The woman looked smug. "If she knows something-"

"Asked me that directly," Emie whispered with a scowl. I could feel her frustration and fear with our connection. I really could whack this Rebecca for even suggesting such a thing.

"Exactly. Ask her what she knows instead of jumping up to conclusions." I added after seeing her show a little hint of smile.

"And who are you?"

"That's Darkness." The fairy, Araceli let them know before I could. I couldn't trust the look in her eyes when she smiled slowly. "Forgive me, I've watched over your grave for years."

Talk about being creepy.

Shuddering, I tried to look at anything other than her when I noticed a disturbance. Like it was coming from me. Anger? I was a little creeped out but I wasn't angry. Was it possible that little soul was jealous?

"Shouldn't concern him. Why is he even here?" 

It's Allegra who shot her a disapproving look. "I told you he's her beloved. He has every right to stay here just like her."

This conversation was headed down a path none of us wanted. Thankfully Eros intervened. "Guys, calm down. Demos is not answering any of my letters. That's why we called her or otherwise Demos would be the one sitting here, answering us. Now, Emeline, tell us what you know about him."

Yeah, tell him, little soul. How you don't hate him like you hate me. How he was the one-

"He saved me. I remember the hellhounds wanting a piece of my flesh. They used to wager which part they would get first. Demos noticed me and he saved me from that. We were friends for a while until he proposed."

Cracking my knuckles wasn't enough, I had to bit my lip to stop myself from howling. None of them noticed how close I was to release my shadows neither did they care by the way they kept their interrogation.

"The Demon King proposed. How did it feel like?" Rebecca asked with a smirk. I was really starting to hate her. 

"Like I didn't deserve it." She trailed off, frowning. "It's not like he made me feel like that but I never thought we were equal. I am not even a demon."

Because we were equal. We still are.

"How many people knew about you in Hell?" Eros asked next, a thoughtful look on his face. "And why did he give you permission to come here?"

"Almost everyone, even Fallon. He had me live in the same place he lived. I knew he had siblings but he didn't tell me where they were. And the reason he wanted me here was because..." Her breath hitched, finding my eyes on her. "H-He said I was a faulty demon and I needed a cure. He thought the Coven had an answer, especially a witch."

"The attack near the manor." Allegra started explaining. "The day we found her, we lost a clan over his rage which brings us to this question...Emeline Deshayes, are you responsible for the people to rise from the graves in Memphis? 

I expected her to deny it. To look shocked. But much to my amazement, she took the blame with only a shrug. "Yes, I did. What about it?"

"Emie..." I tried to warn her of the outcome but she looked at me like she wasn't scared at all. 

"Demos thought I needed an army to keep myself safe from the witches so I did.  I wasn't thinking of the consequences back then but I take full responsibility for anything they did."

"No!" Couldn't she see what that meant? "Those people are kidnapping witches to rebel against the devil. You want to be responsible for that? Don't be stupid."

Only now I could see her widened eyes. "What?"

Allegra confirmed it with hesitation. "Darkness is right. You don't want to take full responsibility for that, Emie. Demos told you to do that. You shouldn't blame yourself alone."

"Our brother isn't like this. It's not in his nature to do things like that." The angel countered.

"But he still did." Eros said, sighing. "Emeline, can you tell us anything else that would help us with our problem?"

"Ask her if she knew Sage." Valentine interrupted, looking bored. I have only met this guy a few times in my life but I had to admit he looked better than he did a few centuries ago. That blood lust in his eyes was almost gone. Almost.

Lana reacted first. "What does Sage has to do with anything?"

"Just ask her."

"Yes, I knew him." What? I must have shown my shock cause she looked down, starting to pick her nails. "I told Valentine, I am sorry. Demos wanted to take advantage of the fact that Sage would open the gate. They used to have meetings sometimes."

"Oh." Lana whispered.

"Maybe we have a solution already. Byron." 

Whoever this Byron was, had the people in the room erupt in shouting. Even my shadows picked up the danger, barely hissing through my haze. It's Valentine who raised his hands in warning. "Hear me carefully. Byron worked for Sage so he must have told him everything or some parts of his plan. We find him, get him to confess and then come back here, safely."

"Absolutely not." Lana stood up, glaring at the vampire.

"Who to say he's even alive?" Lorette asked.

The werewolf nodded. "Sparkus."

Sparkus? They were willing to go back there? My eyes met Emie's at the same time she shook her head. "Why do you want to go there?" 

"He's been thrown there as punishment but he's a vampire. He'll die slowly, more miserably so I can assure you that he might be barely breathing but he's alive. You can make him talk."

"She's not going." I didn't care what anyone else thought. I would not have her remember those moments ever again. I won't let them taint her mind. I couldn't.

"Not alone, yes." Valentine added with a grin. "You are going with her."

Dammit.

"Little Deshayes?" The mermaid asked with a small smile.

I was staring at Emie the whole time yet I could see Lana shudder. "I can't. I-I am sorry Emie but I can't face him again."

"You won't be actually going there. We will use astral projection just in case." Allegra advised which I would take over going there any day when Lana shoved a fist through the table, almost breaking the thing.

"None of us are going. Eros, say something!" It was adorable that Lana thought of us but the other Volkioses seemed to already make up their mind. I could see in their eyes. Not a second later, Rebecca let out a sigh.

"So be it. Arrange for a secure passage to Sparkus."

Fuck.