James left quickly, leading Jasmine and Maia away from this hotel. Once the door closed behind them, I smiled, then sat heavily on the bed again, holding my head in my hands.

"Chrystal?" Sarah asked quickly, running to sit beside me. She held me close, then asked the others, "What is this? What's happening to her?"

"Her powers are growing," Lisa answered softly. "She's becoming too strong to remain human. We need to end this quickly."

"She's in no condition to fight anyone!" Sarah argued.

I pulled away from her a little. "No, Lisa's right. We have to end this."

"Why? Why does this have to end now?" I could see the concern and confusion in her eyes. "If she tries to go down there and fight, she'll only get herself killed!"

"Sarah," Sebastian said smoothly, "believe me, I hate the idea of her going down there just as much as you do, but the only way to help her is to finish this."

"Why?" she asked again. "What happens when this is over?"

The demons were quiet. I held my head tighter as another wave of pain hit, and Thomas took a step closer to us.

Eventually, Evan answered. "Once her final trial is complete, she can be transformed into a demon and ascend the throne. Once she is free from her human body, she won't be in pain from her powers anymore."

"Of course, it is still her choice to make. One we will all respect," Lisa added.

There was silence in the room yet again, and Sarah held me tighter.

"You aren't really thinking about not going through with it, are you?" she asked.

I looked up and stared at her, stunned. "I don't want to leave you guys. I didn't think you'd really want me to become a demon." I hugged my arms around myself. "I don't really want to be the same sort of being who killed my parents."

"Trust me," Thomas said, "your parents would want you to be happy. They won't care what you are."

"And I for one cannot let you suffer like this for the rest of your life. Who knows how strong these powers of yours will become?" Sarah asked. "They may become too much and kill you. And we don't care what you are. You'll always be Chrystal."

My eyes watered at her remark. They both cared so much about me. I really hadn't expected them to accept my fate so easily, and yet here they were, telling me that everything was going to be okay, and that they'll always be beside me.

"I hate to interrupt," Evan said, pulling us all from our thoughts, "but they aren't slowing down, nor are they going to wait for you to be ready before they attack. We should really start moving."

I nodded, then looked around the room at everyone who remained. I had to come up with a plan. This was my fight, my destiny. I felt that I should be in charge of it.

"The four of you should go on down to the lobby, clear it out. I don't care what you have to do, but make sure you don't hurt anyone." I focused my gaze on Sarah and Thomas, and it was nice to see the familiar look on their faces as they awaited their orders. "I want both of you to stay in the hallways when the attackers get here. Only come out if we need you. Make sure all of the guests stay in their rooms. Please."

They both saluted and answered, "Yes, Chrystal," before turning to the demons.

I also gazed at them. "I can't go down there with my swords if the lobby is crowded. I'll be down soon. If they get here before I arrive, I need you to hold them off the best you can. Besides," I added, holding my head again, "I'd like to take a minute and see if this headache will go away..."

Lisa and Evan exchanged a glance before nodding. "We'll do our best to clear the outside in front of the building as well," Lisa told me, "but we make no promises."

"We should have the lobby cleared within five minutes," Evan commented. "That should give us plenty of time to make sure it stays clear before they arrive."

I nodded. "Be careful, all of you."

They all smiled. Sarah and Thomas hugged me, and Lisa patted my shoulder, then they all left the room to prepare for the battle ahead.

*

My heart began pounding as I watched them leave. I wanted Sarah and Thomas to hide with the others, but that wasn't going to happen. I had to be thankful that two of them understood what was happening and what the stakes were. At the very least, I would still have two of my friends when this was all over.

I shook my head rapidly, despite the pounding headache. No, I told myself, I can't think like that. I will not let those two die. I'll protect them with my life.

There was a brief moment of silence, then I felt Sebastian move to sit beside me. He pulled me to him, and I leaned against him.

"Remember the last time we ran into battle together like this?" He asked, and I could hear the smile on his lips.

"I wouldn't say we'd done it together," I told him. "You ran in before I did."

"Just because we weren't fighting back to back does not mean we weren't fighting together," he said. "We were on the same team, working toward the same goal."

"But this is different." I reached down beside me and picked up my swords, tilting them in the light and admiring their shine.

"How so?"

"Back then, I'd been waiting for the inevitable end of our contract. I hadn't cared what happened to me, so long as you saved the others. I was going to die either way. Now..." I stopped, my eyes filling with tears again. When I spoke next, my emotions were evident in my wavering voice. "Now, I have a life ahead of me. I have people to protect." I looked up from my swords to meet his somber face as the tears spilled over. "I don't want to die. I want my eternity with you."

He gave me a sad smile. "It sounds as if you've made your decision."

I shook my head. "I've never had a decision, Sebastian. Lisa and Sarah are right. These powers aren't going anywhere, and they might just kill me if they get to the point where I can't handle them anymore. And after that dream..." I thought back to the dream I'd had where I was alone in my manor, terrified for my life, then regal and carefree as I sat on a throne with Sebastian. There was never a choice. There was only destiny.

Sebastian held me closer. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear those words."

"Really?" I asked him as I tried to wipe away tears. "Do you want to be king?"

He pulled away and shook his head. "It has nothing to do with that part of your destiny. I just really didn't want to have to worry about losing you one day. An eternity with you is all I've ever wanted."

The tears I'd previously wiped away were replaced with fresh ones. I hugged him tightly, and he did the same. "I've never looked forward to anything more in my entire life," I cried.

He pet my hair soothingly. "Neither have I."

I sat in his arms for a moment longer, then reluctantly pulled away. "We need to get downstairs. I have to be there." I stared down at my lap. "Maybe we shouldn't get too excited. I may not make it through this fight."

Sebastian slowly lifted my chin with his thumb and forefinger. I met his gaze, and I was shocked at how confident he seemed.

"I will not lose you. You will make it through this." He smiled at me sweetly. "We will have our eternity."

I smiled as he leaned down and kissed me. It was a different kind of kiss than I was used to. I felt his love for me in it as always, but this time he was kissing me harder, as if he was trying to send me his confidence through our touch.

I wasn't sure if it was love or his confidence that convinced me, but when he pulled away, and as I gasped for air, I smiled at him and nodded. We would survive.

Sebastian stood and extended his hand. I took it and he helped me to my feet. My head immediately began spinning again, and I had to hold onto him until I could get my balance.

"Chrystal-"

"I know, but we have no choice." I smiled up at him. "I'll be fine. I have three demons ready to protect me. Now let's get down there so we can finally end this."

Sebastian smiled, then bowed to me deeply. "Yes, My Love."