"Leave her, Demos."
Jonathan stated rather calmly where my heartbeats could be heard from miles. I was barely able to stand there and watch as these two conversed. My father. Jonathan was my infamous father.
How did I never recognize him?
"Demos." Jonathan warned again when Demos's face hardened. I couldn't exactly see what was going through his head but I was sure that he was up to no good.
"Oh Jonathan, I've gotten her exactly where I wanted her."
"Let go of me." I hissed, feeling the hard edge of the dagger as Demos dragged it down to my chin. Jonathan's gaze faltered only for a second before he jerked forward.
"You let them go, Demos or I'll make sure Condessa never wakes up."
Allegra bit out a curse from the floor. Shit, Allegra! I almost forgot about the second woman. I desperately wanted to help her but Demos's hold was too tighter.
"Condessa will wake up!" Demos's voice took a dangerous turn. "In a minute, Prophesy will be here and then there's nothing stopping us from what we want. This is what you wanted too, didn't you? You made a deal with my father."
What?
"You made a deal with his father? A demon?" I asked Jonathan who looked away, avoiding my scrutiny filled gaze. It's Demos who seemed to be excited to deliver the truth.
"Oh, love...you didn't know? Your father here made a deal to make you my future Queen to save his image." His smile widened, hearing the little gasp that left from my lips. "The witches weren't happy with what Keisha did and when not a month later Jonathan returned in a human body, he made quite an uproar. He thought he had everything planned all along."
"I did what I had to do to protect them, Demos!" Jonathan clenched his fists when he noticed the mirth in Demos's gaze. "You were nothing but a child when I met you. You can never understand what being a father means, what I have done to make sure my daughters are safe from their psychotic mother."
"Y-You did What!?" I asked in bewilderment.
"I admit, I myself was counting on Condessa to watch the witches burn. My wife did the unthinkable, the witches turned their backs on me, what choice did I have? I had to make that deal for you and your sister's safety. You do realize your mother gave birth to you centuries ago and yet here you are, living in the 21st century."
No...
"Please, don't tell me..."
"I was always paranoid that one day she'll finally come back to finish you two. So I brought you two together as a newborn in Hell. I made the original deal with Demos's father to let you two stay frozen in time, only to let you go to earth when Keisha was dead or banished. But as the former King died, Demos changed the deal saying you have to be his Queen. Otherwise, he would throw you two out of Hell or worse, turn one of you into a demon. I didn't have a choice but to tell him about the three pieces. I thought if he knew at least then he'd consider my offer. He didn't."
"I'm so sorry, Emeline." His eyes were pleading with me but I couldn't find my voice. "Back in 1995, I actually met Zedkiel and he told me that Keisha finally perished. A few months before that, I woke up to a new body who lost his wife and his son in an accident. The memories of my host body were still fresh and it's like I was running in two different directions. I wanted to raise you both at the same time, I didn't know how to deal with such a loss. I thought giving you two up was the best decision for all of us. I know now how wrong I was."
He looked like he wanted to say more but I heard a couple of footsteps. No sooner, I was face to face with a stoic Prophesy.
"You called for me, your highness?"
Demos gave Prophesy an unimpressed look. "Why are you so late?"
Prophesy titled her head to look behind her who turned out to be Fallon. "He doesn't know the meaning of the word respect."
Demos let out a scoff but unfortunately, he was too busy to call for punishment. Instead, he gestured at Fallon with a look I was familiar with. Before I could warn anyone of them, Demos was giving out orders.
"Seize Jonathan. We are going down now."
Jonathan's lips opened to probably scream or to curse but I was already being dragged to the pit of Hell with Allegra behind me. I tried to beg Prophesy with my eyes, to finally see through the fog Demos left for her but just like every other time anything I did, went unnoticed by the deity.
Too soon we were stopping near a cavelike place. The only difference was, the whole wall of the cave was built in glass. I watched Demos stare at the girl sleeping inside with a look I had only seen a few times on his face. He cared for her and that also meant he'd do anything to wake her up. This was it. The end of my world was just a few feet away and I was still powerless.
"Come on. Do your job." Demos urged me with a grin.
"I don't know the spell to break her out. And even if I knew, I wouldn't!"
Prophesy gripped my wrist in a warning. My gaze went to the woman who started raising both of our hands to the cave wall. I was still confused until Demos barked out another order.
"Release Allegra. These three needs to be together."
Someone must have followed us because, in a minute, Allegra was forced to touch the wall too. At first, nothing happened as I expected. There was no pain or anything like that. But nothing prepared me to feel every molecule of my body be pulled toward the cave. There was a brief moment where I could see my body fighting to let the souls out but the glass won't let me do that. I tried to think of myself in the manor next, hoping that would trigger something except it didn't. The pull was so strong that the glass broke with a clink and rain over us instead.
"Ahh!"
I didn't know who the voice belonged to but I sure smelt the funky smell of blood until that was what I could see. It was everywhere. From the wall to the broken glasses. Even the sky wasn't that blood red until now.
"It's against nature." Allegra choked out due to a piece of glass stuck in her throat. Another scream left from her lips when she pulled it out. "It's started in the North...they are leaving."
I didn't understand her up until I saw Demos talking to Condessa. "Are you well? Do I have to call for anyone?"
"I-I am alive." The girl whimpered, shock clearly radiating on her face. "How am I alive?"
If she was alive...the witches were dying and as a Volkios, Allegra could feel them.
No. We couldn't end like this.
Where was Prophesy?
"You are not quite alive yet but you will be." Demos promised before his gaze met mine. I knew I had to run but my strength was nowhere close to his. Allegra tried to help but a kick to her stomach was enough to make her heave. He easily hauled me toward the girl until we were face to face.
"Condessa, meet Emeline, the future Queen of Hell." His voice was soft but the underlying threat was clear as day as he suddenly gripped my chin, almost making me whimper. "Also, she is going to give you her blood so that you two can be linked. I can't risk her running again."
No. What Demos was asking was worse than him taking my life. A lifelong link like that was only going to kill any chance of my escape.
"No! I won't do it." I spat out.
His grip tightened to a degree that I was afraid if he would snap my neck altogether. "I don't remember asking, love."
He uncurled his fist, showing off his claws. Before I could protest, he started to draw blood from my wrist. Dammit. I had to run or I'd forever be stuck in here again. Then I heard it. At first, it was just a whisper but it got louder.
Screams.
So many screams.
My ears started to bleed at the ferocity of it just as I hoped his did too cause at the exact same moment, I saw his face changed to someone who was afraid. The commotion behind me was hard to ignore when even Condessa's eyes widened. Following her gaze, I looked up and almost instantly my breath hitched.
Instead of the usual red sky, there were hints of golden now.
"What's happening?" Allegra cried out.
God, why didn't the screaming stop?
"They are coming. They are coming to Hell." Demos sounded in disbelieve.
Whoever was coming if it meant I got some time...I turned around with the promise to hurt Demos when his walls were down and there was he, the father I never knew even existed standing with the dagger I was getting threatened with.
He mouthed for me to be silent but Demos turned around at the same time. "The angels are coming-Jonathan."
My father didn't even look scared. "You heard the screams. They are coming. All of them will fight this war, Demos. It's over."
"No, it's not." With that, he moved fast to grab Jonathan's neck. I almost screamed but seeing Jonathan match Demos's every step made me believe he was capable of keeping himself safe. With that in mind, I helped Allegra stand first. I didn't forget what she said. Condessa had to die if we wanted our kind safe.
I sought her out next. She was just starting to hide when I caught her. "Condessa, I am sorry but you need to die."
"We need to kill him first! Leave Condessa, we'll deal with her later." Jonathon yelled out suddenly, twirling the knife with a grin. Leave Condessa? So she could run again? Not a chance in hell. I kept my hands on her wrist, watching Jonathan kneel down to Demos's level to lift the dagger in the air. Just before he could pierce it into the demon King's heart, a loud voice stopped him.
"No!" I whipped around only to see Rose and the rest of the guys.
"Emeline, step back." Rose warned again. Her lips opened, an ancient language flowing from it and immediately a protective barrier fell upon us. What's happening?
"W-Why are you stopping him? He needs to die." I looked back at Lex who also furrowed his eyebrows. He was here, all of them were here. It looked like Demos was also right cause I heard the flutter of wings somewhere. I was just about to get to Lex to tell him about Zed when Condessa shoved me aside with her elbow, quickly crossing the barrier to run.
"Stop!" I was going to follow her but I found a hand grabbed me only to pull me against them. Lex.
"Little soul! " He snapped. "Let her go."
What about the witches? "But she-the witches..."
"Let her go. The clans must have heard the bell by now. They will go to the tunnels and they will be safe."
Will they though? "But there's not enough tunnels! Most of them were still under construction when we-"
"Shhh...calm down. We will worry about them once we get rid of him." He kissed my forehead with a long breath. "We don't know what's happening inside the barrier. He's more important now."
"Yes, he's more important now. Which is why he needs to die." Jonathan nodded, rising the knife once again.
"Alexei, take Emeline away. That's not Jonathan."
What?!
"Demos is in Jonathan's body, Emeline. Killing him would mean killing Jonathan."
"There's nothing we can do." Lex's eyes were now pleading with me. "Not now. We have to play it smart and lock both of them here. I can't risk your life."
Of course. Demos could possess bodies. He wouldn't even need any spells like Keisha. He saw what happened to me back then and took inspiration from it. And like an idiot, I fell for it.
"I have no power here but I can't just turn my back on him!" I had to at least try. Seeing him drag Jonathan's body to the barrier made my hysteria even more prominent. "He's leaving! I-I can channel you or 5132 or anyone!"
5132 stared at me like I lost my mind. "Seriously? You can't walk right into the lion's den. Not for a father who left us like we were nothing!"
Shit.
"Help me." Lex had to help me, right? But to my disappointment, he only tugged me closer with a shake of his head.
"We need to leave, little soul. We will kill him, I promise. But right now, just come with me."
We could come back, alright. But what about Jonathan? Would he still be alive?
"They'll kill him." I said through clenched teeth and before anyone could say anything, I jumped into the barrier.
***
I made my way inside, walking faster. I had no plan of action. I wasn't even thinking clearly. My heart pounded in my chest and I swore I could almost hear it roaring in my ears. Did I make a mistake by coming here alone? But what about Demos? They were willing to let him live which I could never agree to.
I continued until I found voices coming from behind the door. Taking a deep breath, I pushed through the thing only to meet Jonathan and Demos. Jonathan's hands were tied to either side of the wall and Demos stood over him. The sight would have been satisfying if only they were in their respected bodies.
"Welcome, love. I knew you wouldn't leave me." Demos's smirk widened when he noticed me gulp. Jonathan was barely hanging into his life and if I didn't do something now, I was going to lose my father forever.
"I didn't come for you." I whispered, running my gaze toward the other person present there. So Condessa didn't run after all. "Let him go."
Demos chuckled, lifting Jonathan's chin. "I knew the only way I can make people believe I was dead was if I killed him when he's still in my body. I could have walked away with all of you. Take over another body for the sake of it. I almost succeeded but then Rose stopped me. Do you see why I hate witches now? They are nasty little backstabbers."
"You don't have to do this, Demos. You and Condessa can stay in Hell, do whatever you like. Just let us go."
"Don't you get it? They might be coming but it's already too late. The witches are falling everywhere, clans are dying. It's time for Hell to be reconnected. Then you and I will live right here, forever." I could see movement, three or four demons were making their way slowly around us.
"You are insane." That's the only thing I could point out.
"I will take that as a compliment." He gave me a bright smile. "Condessa, link her to yourself. It's time."
I was just about to curse them both when she shook her head. "I can't."
His eyes narrowed to silts. "What do you mean by you can't?"
"She is carrying a powerful child in her womb. I can't link her to me, Demos." I couldn't have been any more shocked if I tried. Memories of those nights of passion filled my mind. Oh God, we never used protection. We never even discussed if we wanted a child or not.
"W-What!?"
What would Alexei say now if he knew? Would he freak out or take the news as a good thing? I never got to wonder cause the next thing I knew, I was in Demos's tight embrace.
"Love, you are pregnant! This is good news." His hands went to touch my still flat stomach and I flinched, trying not to panic. "We will get a little demon, Emeline. You have no idea how happy I am."
He knew this was Alexei's child, right?
For the first time, I wondered if Demos was right in mind. He should be furious but he looked like someone gave him the moon. I didn't even know how to react when he called Fallon with an urgency. "Take care of her until I return. Condessa and I will do the spell ourselves."
He nodded, bowing his head. I knew something bad was going to happen next yet it didn't give me enough time to prepare myself because Fallon was onto me with anger that even defeated Demos's. "I can't let you carry a Darkness's child and claim the role of a Queen of Hell. He's blind but I'm not. I'll get rid of it. I'll do it so slowly that he won't even recognize who did it."
Rage filled my entire being as I tried again to call my energy and powers all together but to my utter disappointment, I realized I still had no power of my own. Damn it, Demos! When his hands touched mine again, it felt like I was being electrocuted. Screaming, I fell back to the ground near my father's feet.
"Fallon, I swear I will kill you!"
"L-Let her go." Jonathan who was now in Demos's body started begging.
"I can't." He shrugged, bringing something from his pocket. Whatever it was, couldn't be good news. I fought as long as I could. I begged, I spat at him but he grabbed my throat, pushing the substance into my mouth until I had no choice but to swallow it. I tried to cough and pushed myself to puke but he kept his hands right there, watching me struggle with panic in my gaze. I couldn't allow this to happen. What kind of mother I was going to become if I couldn't even stop it from getting hurt?
"Don't-" I choked out, feeling the unshed tears finally running down my cheeks. I tried to jerk away from his hold but a demon held my arms, keeping me firmly on the ground. At the same time, someone clamped a hand over my mouth. Then I felt it. The pain. The unbearable pain in my stomach.
"Ah, it started." He chuckled, finally getting off of my body. I could barely see through the hazy vision but I could feel that sinister smile on his face.
My child, God, I hoped it was still alive. Momentarily closing my eyes, I saw myself far from here. I saw myself with Alexei, with the child running around us. I was safe here. I waited for the numbness to come and join me like that night Hannah died, but it didn't.
Even my Reaper side couldn't be called now.
"It's almost done now-what the hell happened!?" I heard a voice scream and then I was being dragged somewhere. I also heard voices arguing, fighting between them. Was it me? Or was it someone else? Color spot my vision and blood spurt from my nose and mouth. I could almost feel the bitter taste on my lips. For a second, I wished for him to finish me soon as he promised so that I won't have to think anymore. I saw the ceiling as it was disappearing from my view. I also heard an earth-shattering scream.
But I never got to know if I was going to be a mother.
*****
This chapter was hard to write. Let me know what you guys think will happen next.