#echo langdon

This was something that Carson had always known. Humans were, by nature, self absorbed creatures, creatures that relied on the ‘every man for himself’ as a law of nature. They were absorbed in themselves, wholeheartedly selfish, a key trait that had played a large part of monsters, beings of power and fame, going unnoticed for millennia, living among them right under their noses. It wasn’t anything they could help, an inherent flaw in them as a race, but it made things sort of interesting, fascinating to watch unfold, creatures so oblivious they walk straight into a hunter’s trap.

Tonight was the night. Tonight was the night that everything changed, and Carson watched in amusement and a curious fascination as the people filed into one of his many homes, thier bodys shivering from the snows icy touches, winter not yet here but just around the corner, the nip in the air a gentle reminder of it’s presence. He watched as they huddles around each other, the fire, for warmth and smiles, alcohol long since finding it’s way into the hands of needy teens who wished to let loose and rebel just that tiny bit. It was curious that they could not feel what was looming, be it winters turn in just a few weeks, judging by the amount of skin showing, most girls had blatantly ignored the chill, or be it the dark looming shift in the air. Tonight was the night that everything would change, and not a single one of them batted an eye at enter his mountain home.

Could they not feel it? Could they not feel the energy, the touch of the unknown just beyond their realm of sight. Carson felt it like a lover’s hands, the brush of fingertips along his spine, little shivers of pleasure accompanied by a nearly silent purr, deep rumbles in his gut that expressed his pleasure. He could feel change as she brushed feather light lips over the back of his neck, lingering in the air to create a hum of energy under the voices beginning to gather, a spice that he could almost taste on a heavy tongue. It was amazing they could not, all smiles and relaxation as anxiety licked along his spine, his hands gripping the banister so that he might have some hold, his thoughts racing and lifting, slipping past his mind’s fingers  like ribbons of smoke in the cold. He could feel her as if her hand was on his spine, and they felt nothing at all.

It was no wonder they were on the path to extinction. They never noticed anything that wasn’t  told to them.

There were a few exceptions, of course, a few humans Carson had noted that didn’t seem to fit the social norm that humans had created. Those favored few, They were observant, maybe not as  much so as a monster might be but significantly more than a normal human. They Weren't dull, vapid, boring, they were interesting and coy and while they did not recognize him and his brothers for what they were, they had seen past layers carson hadn’t even known were there.

Carson’s gaze flicked back to the growing pond of people at the foot of his stairs, a make shift sort of dancefloor made in the center of his foyer, as he heard the sounds of laughter, screams and enjoyment as the people found all the party favors he had set up, as any true host would. Beer, hard liquor, food by the tons  and endless music and wood to ward off the chill, Carson had left nothing up to chance. The night had settled in, the sun not quite gone but setting, streaking the  sky thousands of colors, lighting up the forest that was surrounded by his family's walls, beautiful, but Carson’s eyes skimmed over it, watching the door intently, with a purpose flashing in dark and light   mismatched eyes.

He breathed in, taking in the music that was pouring from the speakers, the spice of alcohol he had provided creating a slightly sensual and exotic tang in the air, a night for bonfires that burned brightly in the fire pits that had been douge into the  earth in front and behind his house, for secrets, lust and need. This energy was alive, a beating in it’s own right, infecting them all with that slow dreamy sort of haze that burned them, slowly, inch by inch, every moment another blaze and he could feel it....Every lick of need another hit to his veins. Carson wanted to burn, and He wanted to burn slowly.

Every inch of him ached for  it, the layer of need this night had created, and his gaze moved, taking in body after body after body, searching, hoping waiting….

For her.

“Have you seen them Abram? They said they would come, right?” Carson’s voice was low, a purr of unease now in his chest as he searched the people in his home. He allowed his eyes to move, flickering over to his best friend and practical brother.

“Why aren’t they here…. They said they were coming.” his impatience was starting to color his tone. His body tensing as he allowed his anxiety to take over, and he clenched harder at the wood railing, fingers tapping as he foot lifted to tap his toes against the floor, all signs of the ball of nerves that was plaguing him.

He just had to see her….

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Honestly, nothing should have been as difficult as opening the front door to this house.

It was just a house. Just like any other…. Alright. Maybe it was a little more extravagant. But wasn’t that even more reason to want to go in?

The sigh that parted her lips was long, exasperated as the others gathered around her. Their words hardly reaching her ears. But she could hear the music already thrumming, hear the low hum of laughter and conversations she was better left out of. The smell of liquor and weed hung thickly in the air, a tell tale sign of a Dhouti party. A party that no one in their right minds would miss. Not when people were clamoring to make the Dhouti boys happy.  Clamoring to get a minute in the lime light, even if that meant just hanging in the shadows beside them. Watching and hovering in the masses that followed after them.

But that wasn’t Requiem. And hell would freeze over before it saw the day of her begging for any Dhouti attention.

So, why was she here?

Right now, she should have been scurrying to rush into the home, into the warmth. Should have been striving to get the icy burn out of the tips of her fingers. She knew that they were pink, knew that her nose and cheeks would match. But she could not find the motivation to press forward and open the door. Instead she stared for a minute, watching the shadows move behind the glass.

“Requiem?”

The voice was soft, pushing in the tone, but it was enough. Enough for the darkling to lift a single eyebrow, grey eyes flicking to the brown haired beauty at her side, those royal violet eyes almost smoldering as they rested on her.

She shouldn’t be throwing attitude to her only companion, the only other person who didn’t seem too interested in being here either. The only other person who had just as much anxiety rolling off her. But still she did. Still, she could feel her nose scrunching up. She could feel her eyes rolling as she flicked those grey eyes back to the door, all pretty stained glass and stained wood.

“Ashlin.”

She knew why, the second the her name passed her lips. She knew that it was only because Ashlin knew. Ashline always knew. She could feel Requiems anxiety just as easily as Ashlin could feel hers. It was a comfort to know she wasn’t the only one. But never the less, there were others with them. Ones who only ever got to see this side of her. Ones who would judge her.

“Are you fucking kidding me Requiem. Open the fucking door you fucking ingrate.”

Those eyes snapped back to the blonde that was all snapping teeth and snarled tone. Her own expression irritated and she moved to cross those arms across her chest and she only looked all the more pissed. It was a second, it couldn’t have been more than that  before Menzy was moving pushing her way through the small crowd of girls, pushing aside the ones who didn’t move.

“Hard of hearing now too, princess?”

Menzy moved, her own fingers pressing down the lock on the door to release it, where the warmth of the house began to flood out. Almost no one noticed, their attention to thwarted by the awe in the house or too engrossed in each other or their drinks too notice. Grey eyes paused on the emeralds that were staring Requiem down, and what did she do? The only thing she could think of to do as an acceptable reply.

She shrugged.

“Jesus.”

And that was it, Menzy moved on, pressing forward and disappearing into the house. IT wasn’t a weird case for her to act this way. The attitude, the pushiness. None of it was out of character for Menzy. But, the word ‘princess’ rarely came out of those lips. Her insults generally pointing at her ‘carelessness’.

“Where’s Ankou?”

“She’s already here. Probably off with Echo, let’s be real.”

“That explains that.”

-------

“Shhh. Shhh,shshshshsh.”

His arm dropped his arm loosely across the shoulders of his taller Alpha, his other arm coming up to cross Carsons chest just to come up to caress the clearly unamused darklings neck, his thumb brushing across the fine jawline. He let his eyes lock onto that multi colored gaze, his own lashes fluttering in an obvious display of his affections.

“I’m here now my love. There is no more need to fret.”

“You literally just walked in… and you already have everybody staring Echo.”

“Let them look. To miss it would be tragic.”

Echo let his eyelashes flutter against, his hand only coming off when Carson put a gentle hand over Echo’s, his fingers prying lightly at the fingertips. He was bothered. Obviously. Something was wrong, the tension in the tall darkling almost spilling off of him in waves.

“What’s wrong Carson? The girlies giving you trouble again? Want me to beat them up for you?”

A small chuckle passed the blonde's lips, his arms dropping to his sides just to find warmth in the depth of his pockets.

He would be lying to say that seeing the expression on Carson’s face didn’t bother him. The only solace he could take was Abram taking his place next to the boy, his own lips quirking slightly as he leaned over the banister that Carson had been on. Blue eyes thrown up towards him, the smile on his lips was sincere but obviously cautious as he smiled up at Carson.

“I’m sure they are coming, Car. You gotta chill a little bit.”

A hand patted Carson’s back in what Echo had to assume was supposed to be some kind of reassuring motion but Echo would never have a clue why.

“Who? Who are we talking about right now?... Damn. All right.”

If looks could kill Echo would be on the floor probably bleeding from the mouth, Abrams face one not to be reckoned with in those seconds. And Echo could only put a hand over his heart, feign baffled by the look. Like it was something easily tossed his way.

In reality, it was something thrown his way too often and too easily. And not from just little baby Abram either. His friends and family seemed to give the “The look’ just as often and just as easily as Abram. But he knew that when it concerned Carson from Abram, he had better clam the fuck up.

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“Read ‘em and weep, boys! That makes three wins, and by rules of best out of five, I win! I’ll be claiming all of your wallets and your dignity now, thank you.”

The smile was apparent, even without seeing Ankou DeAngelis’s expression as she placed her winning hand on the table for the group to see, the men huddled around the table in nothing more than their underwear leaning to take a look at her cards before the low groans of disappointment and irritation began to bubble around her in a full bloomed chorus of manly dejection. Ankou’s grin only widened as she crossed her legs, her hands moving from the smooth feel of her cards to the wood of the table, her bright eyes, flashing poison green, bright but hazy with a  light hint of alcohol. She tapped the table, once, loudly, with one long finger, one brow raising in question as she watched as some of the men started to stand, making gestures and curses like they were just going to leave.

She didn’t allow her smile to falter, her tone all sun and ease and laughter, a hint of something dark, primal, that stopped the men in their tracks.

“Ah, Ah Ah…. I believe you have something of mine. I would hate to have to collect on any of you over a fun little game, simply because you could not keep your word.”

She supposed, given the chance, most of them would have tried to make a  clean getaway. She knew it was on their minds, a thought that rested in the shadows of bad ideas and alcohol brightness shone light in the dark. They stared at her a moment, and Ankou could practically read the ideas flickering through their minds. They all wondered, briefly, for a moment, of their chances of making it out of this with their money if they just ran. I could never be said it was not a thought.

But they knew better then to act on that idea. There were just some things, no matter what pack you hailed from, there were some things and some people you did not touch, did not fuck with, and as it was, Ankou was one of the. It was not wise to cross her, hell, most would have advised stray from even catching the young woman's eyes, vivid green a siren's call that too many had fallen victim to. It wasn’t that Ankou was particularly nasty...Ankou was… friendly, smooth and warm, the kind of girl who smiled and made your day a little brighter. She wasn’t the cold beauty that Ashlin and Abby had, she wasn’t the regal distant princesses that only allowed the gods themselves to part their legs, like Requiem and Perilium. Ankou was…. Summer nights and cinnamon liqueur, the burn of Alcohol and the hum of butterflies in your stomach as your crush wound their hands around your waste. She was sensual burning and slow touches, heated glances and panted breath, all the heat and lust high schoolers seemed to desire. She was the embodiment of your first love,your highschool love and unrequited crush, and that made you want to please her. She was the kind of girl who spurred feelings of desire and heat, and she made you want to try harder, take more.

But Ankou was a wildfire, and as quickly as she could warm you, Ankou could consume you, burn the flesh of your bones and leave you, empty, used up, a shell of who you once were. She showed no mercy, none to those who would cross her path and spike her temper, and it was common knowledge, you did not cheat her of her prizes, for she would use every bit of what she stole from you against you, and bring you to your knees.

“Your wallets, place them on the table before you leave.”

She watched their hesitance with an amused eye, watched them before they sighed and fished their wallets out, eight thumps of distinctive leather on wood before they moved, grabbing their clothes and leaving the room in a huff, her hands already on the leather to place them in the jacket pockets of the jacket she had stolen a week ago, much to large sleeves sliding off as she grinned and laughed at her new fortune.

She pocketed them all, the smile on her face changing slightly as she hummed her contentment.

Now, she really needed to find her girls.

She stood, her spine cracking as she lifted her hands, stretching them out as she yawned, her body stretching as she stood on her tiptoes for a moment, her head lolling slightly to the side before she inhaled, the familiar musk of smoke and sweat and woods filling her, her eyes closing as she allowed her hands to drop. Her heart ract stuttered, her stomach clenching as her thoughts shifted, to his smile, his eyes, the feel of hima against her… she felt that familiar ache, the need thudding through her veins, ands he sucked in breath, trying to calm herself.

First Menzy…. Then she would go look for him.

She had just enough liquid courage for that.

“Oh Menzy~”

Her voice sang, waving through the crowds as she followed the embrasses men and left the room, her eyes flickering over the moving bodies and sensual fire light. She only had to look around twice before she spotted that head of platinum blond hair, her smile returning with even more force than before.

“MENZY!”

That was the only warning the girl got, before Ankou had thrown herself on her, her hands wrapping around her as she pressed her body flush up against her best friend.

“Nice try at scaring us, but if you think anybody is going to fall for that you’re dumb.”

 Brown eyes flickered over to Ankou, taking in the girls who was casually sprawled out around Menzy, her hands in area’s that most friends would find uncomfortable. But Lottie had come to find that most anything was an open book when it came down to these two girls. And really she would have heeded her words if the sound didn’t ring out again. There was no way to be sure what it was. It was not a knock, but there was a shuffling, a movement right out the house that she could just barely hear.

“It might be Lochlan.”

  “It wasn’t even a knock Lottie, it could be an animal for all you know.”

  Lottie shifted pulling up off the wooden floor of the parlor, her eyes already shifting to the door that was completely blocked by a steel plate, the only open part a small slot in the wielded metal. There was a second of silence, the room that held a few of the girls all staring at Lottie as she stood, her fingers brushing over reddened knees.

  “Lottie, we are telling scary stories. You’re just being paranoid. Sit down, we will change the subject, I’m sure Ankou won’t mind.”

  Requiem patted the floor again, her other hand drifting a pink pillow to accommodate what was once empty space beside her. Her small hands fluffing it if to only make it look a little more comfortable. It only served to quirk a corner of her lip, her eyes moving from the beaming grey eyes back to her slippers.

  “We can, I just would rather make sure. It will only take a second; I’m not going to open it unless he is here.”

There really was no keeping her from looking. They knew it. All of them knew her feelings for the tall brown haired boy. They all knew her need for him; they all knew her love for him. Whether they got it from the long phone calls at night, or the constant text messages, maybe the consistent seeking or maybe it was her confessing to them. She was in love with him, adamantly. There was no way to deny it.

  Every chance she had she took when it came to Lochlan Lannister. Any chance to brush her hand over his tanned skin, she took any chance to hear his words directed to her, to have his breath against her own flesh. Most of the time it played into those lingering hugs and those small ‘secrets’ that she just had to tell him. Her favorite was when he would lean into her, press a kiss to her forehead or hear temple, telling her how much he was going to miss her when they both knew the second they got home the phone would glued to their ears. Sure, she felt a little bad that she had known for years now, and still had yet to tell him anything about her feelings.

  But really it was something you worked up to.

  Small fingers pressed against the metal slot that adorned the steel, the metal starting to creak but stopping in the same instant it started. The chime from her phone halted her actions. But her hand didn’t move from the steel, instead her free hand moved into her pocket picking out the slim phone. The screen illuminated to show small text with Lochlan’s name splayed across the screen, the only message written out on it making her eyebrows furrow.

  Open the door Lottie

  There was a second of just staring before she moved her other hand away from the metal of the door, bringing it down to her phone. She moved a little slower than usual when texting him, her fingers hesitating over the screen. He was never generally so demanding. Usually his words were request if anything, but not this. It was a command, one that worried her, but she tried to rationalize it as she typed back.

  It was liberatio. And he was outside of the comfort of any protection, she had to say.

  I was so worried about you. Where have you been?

  It didn’t quite answer his question, and she knew that. But it took a second. Another moment of hesitation passed before she could really answer his question. She wasn’t sure, couldn’t say what it was but something was not right.

 Are you outside? I can’t just open it if you aren’t.

 Yes. Please hurry.

  Her mind went slightly numb to the panic that was beginning to build up in her chest. But she was moving, her hands already coming up to punch in the code to the door.

  -----------------------

 “Are you Crazy!?”

 Up until this point, Cypher had not said much of anything, instead having been the comforting presence beside Lottie as she watched the blond send message after message after message to the boy who just wouldn’t respond. She had remained at Lottie’s side, running a soothing hand through blond strands and along the ridges of her spine, whispering words she herself did not believe, playing into the ever growing unlikely situation that something was holding Lochlan up. Maybe he was caught in traffic, maybe he had run into trouble, or maybe he had lost his phone, It’s okay, I’m sure he’s alright… Just keep trying.

 She hadn’t said a word as she called him again and again and again with no answer, she didn’t protest when she wanted to leave the room to leave another message and had wrapped an arm around her. She had watched as Ashlin tried to sooth her, sliding in that graceful way the Baxter girls had to sooth the smaller blond while Cypher got her blankets and pillows and drinks for the girl whose mind a thousand miles away. She had remained quiet through all of it….

 But she couldn’t stay quiet now, not when Lottie was about to do something so stupid.

 Her body moved, pushing up off the floor and forward in one fluid movement, her hand slapping over the control panel by the door to stop Lottie from placing in the numerical code that would open the metal slate, the only thing keeping them separated from the demons that were running rampant outside.

 “You’re going to open it? Seriously? Without even looking? What is WRONG with you?”

 The words were hushed, a hiss on her tongue as she moved past the small girl, pushing her slightly as her hand moved to the little sliding panel in the door. Pink and purple hair spilled over her shoulders as she rose to her tip toes, blue eyes widening as she opened that little siding panel that was their window to the outside.

 And what she saw made her blood run cold.

 Cypher made it a point to avoid demons. It wasn’t that she had any particular aversion to them, like The Bubblegum twins, but she liked called it ‘common fucking sense’. No matter what the media would like to say and what people would like you to think, Demons were dangerous. They had abilities, powers; things that they could do that could kill a human almost instantly. They fed on souls, flesh and blood and living creatures, and they didn’t have the same morals and standards as Humans did. They thrive on death and murder, on killing and pain, and they didn’t care for the softer parts of human emotion, like love and devotion. And on today, on Liberatio, the beasts in them were allowed to run free. Cypher heard stories, horror tales of humans who had fallen prey to the one day out of the year they were made to feel like the prey the demons always thought of them as, enough to know a state of the fear that could only come with a hunt…

 She had never wanted to taste true fear, but the flavor of it was seared into her soul, and she was sure that she would never forget it, not in this life or the next.

 Then again, the sight of twenty or more demons on a front lawn wasn’t something one tended to forget.

 “Oh God….”

 The words were a whisper as she closed the screen, her eyes wide and unblinking as her heart hammered in her chest. The beat roared in her ears, so loud she almost missed Lottie’s words as she tried to press closer to the control panel.

 “But Lochlan is out there! I have to open the – “

 “He’s Probably DEAD Lottie!”

  Cypher wanted to scream, she wanted to yell and kick and shout at The Small blond because she just didn’t understand that it was important she didn’t open that door. Cypher would admit that she didn’t have the best way with words, that often times her words would fly out before she could even think about them and more often than not it lead to some hurt feelings and painful situations. She had tried to get a hold of it, but in moments of high stress and fear always seemed to loosen that hold she had over her filter, and like now, she would come to regret it. Lottie’s face shifted to that of absolute heartbreak. Every inch of her expression fell as tears welled in those brown eyes, and Cypher cursed under her breath for saying what everyone had been thinking but purposely avoided.

 “There are Twenty something demons on The BubbleGum and The Blackmail twins front lawn…. I don’t think Lochlan is out there.”

 She could feel it, the need to try and backpedal on what she said, but she wouldn’t…. not when it was the truth.

 “We have to move, away from this room, It’s only been three hours and however much your moms spent on this protection, I don’t trust it to last another twenty one hours.”

 ---------------------

 She almost wanted to hit her… almost. There was the fact that she was right, and that was the very thin protection that Cypher was granted from Briggs.

 “That wasn’t Necessary, Cypher…”

 Briggs voice, soft and low, almost raspy with disuse spilled into the now silent air. Briggs crossed her arms as her eyes narrowed on the pink and lavender haired girl, watching as the flush of embarrassment crossed over her cheeks, and she had enough decency to look sheepish and regretful as Ashlin pulled Lottie into her Arms.

 Briggs wasn’t a very loud girl. She didn’t scream or shout or hell, she barely even panicked. Most would say she hardly even had emotions, But there were times, few and far in between when Briggs could feel her temper spark, her eyes flashing with a raging protective streak that only showed for the people who were here in this house.

 Briggs didn’t do the whole ‘social’ thing. It was more than just an aversion to it, more than just dislike. She didn’t like to talk about it, but it was a fear, a knowing constant gut wrenching fear that plagued her since she was small. She hadn’t always been so distant and cold, Briggs mused as her hand moved to touch the scar that ran along her face. She used to be joyful, happy and talkative when she had been in elementary school. She had talked to everyone, had tried to include every student and classmate so they didn’t have to feel alone. She used to be the person who made friends with everyone, the one who everyone knew…. Until she had made friends with the wrong demon….

 Now Briggs was weary, careful about whom she chose as friends. She didn’t talk to people very often, and the few people who managed to worm their way past her shell were in this room. She had a protective streak a mile wide over anyone she saw as hers in some way, and so Cypher knew not to play around when she saw Briggs’ eyes narrow at her and a frown pull even deeper across her features.

 “I’m….”

 Cypher started to speak, but whatever she meant to say was lost as something shuffled just outside the door, low hanging sounds of shuffling feet and thudding footsteps spilling past the steel meant to protect them.

 “We already know you’re in there…. Why don’t you just open the door and make this easier on everyone? Just come to the door Requiem…”

 Briggs stiffened as The growl slipped through the door, the name of the girl next to her on his lips as a slow sharp ring sounded, the sound of claws against steel as they dragged over the door. There was a moment, a heavy silence that seemed to stretch in forever, Before –

 “Oh hell fucking no.”

 Requiem put her hands up, shaking her head as she turned away from the door, vivid blue locked on the hallway next to them. Briggs didn’t blame her, she doubted anyone of them were crazy enough to answer a call like that.

 “Don’t worry, Don’t worry, Req, I got this.”

 There was determination, hard center to the words that Ankou spoke. The brunette moved, ignoring the little whispers of distress that had appeared in the wake of her statement, the only hint that she even heard the words from the other was a little wave of her hand and a smile painted across pretty pink lips.

 Ankou moved to the door, her hands coming to rest on the metal as she leaned against it, standing up on her tip toes so that she could open that small panel, just as Cypher had when she looked out. Briggs couldn’t see her face, confusion rippling over her, her head tilting as she watched her small friend, dusky pink hair falling over light grey eyes.

 “Hello~ I am Requiem, what do you want?”

 …. She was an Idiot. Briggs couldn’t help but slap her hand to her forehead before she ran her hand down her face.

 Ankou was a lot of things, Strong, determined, a little bit strange. But Suicidal was never something she thought she would have to associate with The Miller girl.

 “What the actual Fuck, Ankou, no one is gonna fall for that.”

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 Need crawled through his body and pounded out a rhythm in his mind. Music seethed and roared, filling the large spaces of his mind, an edgy, compelling melody as dark and driven as he was. The notes were ripped from deep within his soul, moved through his fingers the man he had devoted himself to, pushing him lightly to take his place in front of the door. The music was one of the few things that reminded him he was alive and not one of the undead. The steel slide back once more, green eyes peeking over the side. Then he heard the woman's voice. Haunting, mystical notes that hung in the air like silver and gold shimmering with fire. He actually saw the notes, saw the silver and gold dancing in front of his eyes. Echo stopped dead in his tracks, shock ripping through him. Her voice never ceased to make those trembles play up his spine. It was something he would never grow used to.  He heard it daily, the smooth tone that wrapped him up. Yet his heart jumped in his chest.  He felt excitement. Hope. Emotion. Real emotion. Colors were so vivid that they nearly blinded him. The sound of her voice played through his body, touched him in places he had long forgotten. His body tightened; need slammed into him. Echo stood frozen to the spot. The colors, the emotions, the physical lust rising so sharply could only mean one thing. The brown haired beauty possessing that voice had to be his. It was impossible. Totally impossible to believe. The men of his race could spend an eternity hunting for the one woman that was their other half. Males were predatory, with the instincts of dark, hungry killers, cunning, quick, and lethal.  Now Echo stood there, unable to do much other than smile, his hands pressing against the cold steel as he lowered himself to her eye level. Unable, in that dazzling moment of emotion and color, to believe he even deserved her.  Ankou's voice was throaty, husky, erotic - held the promise of satin sheets and candlelight. It played over his skin like fingers, tantalizing, enticing, sinfully sexy. It mesmerized anyone within hearing distance; it haunted and captivated. The notes danced, pure and beautiful, weaving a spell of enchantment around Echo, around every listener.  "Oh, I've been waiting for you to show yourself, baby."  "Oh, that's terrifying." Her voice, God did it do strange things to him. Things that he could barely fathom, the shiver still continuing to climb his spine. Even though her voice was childish, almost playful. And his only reaction to the quick slam of that small steel plate was a snicker, and quick thumb over his lip. ------------------ Panic was a strange entity. It could live and breathe, existing in every cell in one’s body. It could cripple, rob one of breath, of dignity, of quality of life. Panic could be the first thing one felt when waking and the last thing one felt when falling asleep. It was an insidious enemy. Silent. Unseen.Deadly. Requiem had decided some time ago not to let the panic affect her.  Hell, she had been followed by a demon prince for most her life.  If she was going to survive, if it was even possible with panic as her companion, she would come to terms with it – and she had. Until this moment. Until panic wasn’t about the physical or the mental, but all about the emotional. That was an entirely different kind of panic, and one she was completely unprepared for.   Her life was one of absolute discipline and control. She planned her every move, and her contingency plans had backup contingency plans. There was never a moment that she wasn’t ready for. There was never a time when anything shocked or surprised her. She stayed alive that way. She had few friends, and she thought of everyone she encountered as an enemy. The few people outside of her own squad she had ever allowed herself to feel even a drop of friendship with had eventually betrayed her, and she simply counted those painful moments as important lessons to be learned. Her Palm itched as she watched Ankou slide down the metal door, her head leaning into the heavy material. Not a small nagging itch, but a full-blown do-something-this-minute-to-alleviate-it itch. Requiem pressed her hand tightly into her thigh and held it there, her heart suddenly beating hard in her chest. Life sometimes threw curves at the most unexpected times – yet she should have known this might happen.  She could hear the shuffling, the muttered words that seemed more growl than anything. And it was the same voice as before, the same one that had specifically called her name to begin with.  "I'm not interested in talking to your little whore, where's Requiem? I already know you're in there, no use in hiding."  And he was right, she knew it. Everyone there knew it. So she did the only thing she knew she logically should.  Not to say she wasn't shaking the entire time she was opening the small sliding knob. She didn't want to look, didn't want to see the demons that were staring back at her. So instead she looked down, grey eyes unblinking on Ankou's.  "W-what.... do you want..."

 --------------------

The instant her voice slipped through that open panel, Carson could feel every inch of his body come alive. It didn’t matter that Echo, with his towering figure and hulking frame was blocking his way, had pushed him aside to look through the tempered glass to see the girl he called for, the moment Requiem’s voice came through that door, wavering and broken and completely unlike her usual tone, he was moving, pushing against Echo to make him fall against the ground with an impressive thump.

 He had been calling for her. His Voice, his mind his heart, all in sync, in tandem with his desire to win his little princess. He sat there for a moment, unable to say anything, not a word, just feeling her, tasting her in the cold winter air. He could feel her, the steel door between them nothing but a mere annoyance keeping him from his woman, his princess, and the growl that dripped from his lips was met with white puffs of steam, little tinges on the practically black metal as his hands, claws pressed against the door to draw little shriek of twisting metal. She hovered just out of reach, just beyond his grasp and sight, but he could feel her, her heart beat like he was holding it in the palm of his hands. What a fascinating feeling.

 He marveled at it, mismatched eyes wide as his forehead pressed against the door. He wondered if she knew what she did to him, if she knew that even though he was a demon, an arch demon with power that could easily annihilate some of the best warriors demon kind had ever seen, and yet here she was, his weakness, his reason for living and breathing and fighting. Did she know she held him, know she could easily command him to destroy cities, walls, lives and he would bow easily under her command? He'd give anything for her, to make her happy. He was her willing servant prince, only ever able to taste true power and his crown when she was near. She owned him... It was only fair he claimed her too. "There you are, princess... Why don't you open the door for me? It would make all of this go so much easier..." "She's not going to listen..." The hiss of his voice caught him off guard, making the large demon flinch in sudden surprise before he turned to the previously silent monster boy next to him. He watched him for a moment, almost contemplating him.

  Lochlan wasn't a talker even in the best of conditions, but tonight seemed to have set him off in the strangest of ways. It was no secret how the Necro Demon felt about the little blond human. In short, Carson would almost call it annoying, the way that even when they weren’t around each other, they were constantly texting, calling, and in-between those times, Lochlan was talking about her, bringing her in to every conversation that he had. ‘Lottie would love to eat here’ or ‘Lottie would love this place’ was a constant on his lips, and truly, Carson almost wanted to deck him every time he said it…. But refrained. After all, his annoyance didn’t stem really from the actions themselves. No, on the contrary, Carson was glad, happy his longtime friend had found the woman he had cared so much for. In his world, it was rare, incredibly so, to find the one woman who owned you in such a way. People spent years, centuries, millennia, like his father had, to find their one, and to find them so young…. It was a miracle.

 No, The reason Carson wanted to punch him steamed from nothing more than the swelling pit of jealousy that had found it’s home in his beating heart.  Lochlan didn’t see it, but he had the love of the blond he cared for so dearly, had her wrapped around his finger and longing for him in all the ways he wished Requiem would desire him. As it was, his own princess publicly hated his very existence, and it had taken him breaking into her room and reading her diary, scouring her face book and other social media pages, reading her texts and emails for him to find out anything about his woman. She hardly looked his way, barely acknowledged his existence  when in public and damn it, Trees were uncomfortable for sitting in long periods of time and he didn’t know how much more his heart could take of her almost waking up when he was in her bed. Up until recently, The only lifeline he had was the fact that she texted him, and while it was not a frequent as he would like, it was enough, that small bit that kept him going, the barely there brush of possible affection from his desire.

 Though he would never say it…. Carson was…. Jealous, of the Love Lochlan was given. Lochlan loved Lottie. That much, anyone could be certain of. He loved her probably more then he would ever say, and he supposed that was why he was acting the way he was.

 The whole time he had been in his home, Lochlan had hardly spoken a word, only really talking when Echo would pry the words out of him. Instead of joining in on the feast and pregame that Carson had set up for his squad, Lochlan had spent his time staring at his phone on the table, not touching it as it sounded off, again and again and again as His little human tried to contact him. He watched it light up and fade with each missed call and every text message, and Carson couldn’t remember such a face on Lochlan’s features since they were young, since they were children and his family had him brainwashed into think he meant nothing. Carson didn’t like the implications of that look.

 Carson leaned back and gave a huff, turning head slightly. "You're too soft, my drovek. I'm simply giving her the chance to give herself over to me...I wanna give her the option to do this easily, willingly..." "Why? You’re only prolonging it... This is the third time you’ve told her to open it and she hasn't. Just rip the door off like you know you’re going to." Irritation, hot and vivid ripped through his veins, the loud horrible sound of nails on steel accompanying his growl. He was right, but that tone grated against his already on end nerves. He turned, one of his for arms reaching to grip into the suit Lochlan wore, dark eyes burning as he yanked him close. He wasn’t taller than him, but an angry Carson was not something to be taken lightly. "I love you, truly, you're  a good friend to me and I understand you're upset. It's not easy to betray your girl and we've asked a lot of you for tonight,” The words were a growl, and even Lochlan had to lean back against it, his spine straightening as his own mouth…. What mouth he had, pulled down at the edges in a much attempt of a frown.

 “I owe you more than I can repay... But don't you dare disrespect me just because you're having second thoughts." "Easy, prince, easy..." It was Asher this time that moved his touch to soothe over the growing irritation that was building itself into a steady rage. A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his anger, making the Acrh demon blink and breathe as he felt that anger slipping. Carson let the taller monster go before straightening his own suit. "Everyone is so testy..." Asher purred, rolling his shoulders to ease his suit jacket back in place. Carson watched him as he took his place next to his twin, settling back against the wall of the house they were attempting to enter. He wanted to say something, but truthfully Carson didn’t trust his words at the moment. Luckily he didn’t have to, because someone else seemed to be in the exact same mindset as him. "Of course... Who wouldn't be?" Khronos moved into sight, his hands in his pockets as he tilted his head. He looked perfectly at ease. "Tonight isn't the night to be arguing like fucking whores over a 20 dollar cock. You don't even have your girls yet, so stop acting like pussy whipped cock fucks and open the fucking door." Ebbe’s words almost brought that fire back, but the soothing touch of his brother and his best friends kept that heat at bay. "If everyone is done snapping on each other, I have an idea..." Logan spoke up, as infuriatingly calm as ever. "Why don't we cut the electricity? If we do that it might send them into a panic making them easier to catch once we do get inside, Not to mention It makes their… protection their prison, a fascinating sort of irony…It May make getting inside a little bit more difficult; however we already knew that they were probably going to be a little bit stubborn. That's just human nature."

 ------

  The words slithered into his mind, humming low and right under his own thoughts. Logan’s voice something of a shadow creeping into him, and he knew better than to think it would be only to him. No. Keyser knew that the mystified voice was echoing through each one of the boys. He knew not because each of the eyes turned to Logan but because of the words. And he had to give Logan credit. The plan had merit.

  There was no stopping them. They were getting in tonight. Each of the boys would have their women tonight. There was no escape, no plan that they would be able to execute against forty one demons standing in their front yard, literally. Honestly, there was only one person he was interested in. Only one of the humans in the house mattered, and only one person would be the one playing in his part of the game.

  Keyser Fonaes was a selfish man. He knew that from the moment he could talk, could recognize what was his and what wasn’t. He had always been driven to get what was his, to try and manipulate the situation in to his liking. He had always been clever and quick with his words since a young age. Always turning the situation to suit his needs. However, if ever there was a moment that he couldn’t willingly get what he wanted, he would take it. And it so happened that Briggs Davenport was his. Claimed and titled as so the moment he had set eyes on her.

  For several years he had tried, to twist the situations. He had pressed his wants on her, tried to get that gaze on him and only him. Keyser had pressed until he could no longer feel the sentiment needed for trying. Instead what lied in that wants place now, was a hungry need. Vicious, and ravenous as it clawed its way up his spine bursting a new life into him with each breath he heard her catch.

  There was pause before he moved, his legs shifting out, shimmering before disappearing into a dazzling black smoke. He inhaled, the fear waking in the girls driving his urges up until all he could hear was the low rumbling of a growl buried deep within his chest.

  “That can be arranged.”

  His response was nothing less of a growl, his body turning from the solid mass into something that could only be compared to mist.

 ------------------------

 There was a difference, Ankou mused, between fear and real, true, full blow terror.

 Fear was natural, normal, something that could be felt on a day to day basis. It was there, lying, hidden, thrumming through the blood of every human that walked the streets with a waking consciousness. There was no escaping it, not in this era, as it was the fear of the unknown, the fact that what you told your kids lived under their bed was no longer restricted to just simple ‘be-good’ tales, but rather now walked, lived, breathed, learned beside you in schools and in stores and at the park. They looked like people, but the truth under that pretty face across the room was far… far worse.

 No, what was racing through Ankou now was much different than the fear that accompanied her every day, was stronger, fierce, and it felt like electricity in her veins, every inch of her lit up and her hair standing on end.

 She was going to die here. Of that much, she was certain. The one who had spoken to her, the one who had kneeled down to lock eyes with her own, the shivering purr of his voice practically trailing a physical hand down her spine, would be the one who took her life. She didn’t know how she knew…. Call it an instinct, a hunch, or maybe even the demons blessing that flowed through her blood… But somehow she knew that when she dies tonight, it would be his teeth, his claws, which would be the one to tear her to shreds… Ankou Miller was going to die….

 But not without a fight.

 “Hey guys, I heard something outside…. What’s going on?”

 Ankou didn’t move as Perilium’s voice drifted through the now silent air. She hardly moved as she heard Lottie crying harder, the sounds of Cypher’s voice as she tried to sooth the distressed blond. There was silence, a strange sort of stillness that seemed to fill the very air, and it was in that stillness that Ankou felt her tale tell calm sliding over her.

 Her heartbeat roared in her ears, but no longer did it hammer in time with the fresh surges of panic. Her mind slowed, eased as she felt her body move, standing on once shaking legs to run a hand through the brunet locks that adorned her head. Something in her expression had changed, the light in her eyes faded and simmered into a low ember, a warning of the fight and fire that Ankou held in her chest, a hint of the warrior buried in under the bright grin she always wore and the tilting laugh she easily gave.

 “Demons have taken refuge in your front yard, Perilum. And It seems one had taken a particular liking to your sister and me.”

 Her voice had shifted, changed. The playful tone was gone, replace by one of a velvet purr. She looked unhurried as she spoke, eyes moving over the faces of their girls who had come to mean more to her then she could ever put into words. There was a beat, a moment as the words processed in Perilium’s mind, and even in that moment Ankou was moving, crossing the room as green eyes scanned for something, anything, a weapon of some sort she could use to defend herself.

 “What?”

 Ankou resisted the urge to role her eyes.

 “Demons, Perilium, Twenty something of them, if I had to guess. They’re currently outside the door telling your sister to open it. Menzy… help me find a weapon or something.”

 She didn’t look as she moved away, instead heading back toward the living room in hopes of finding something a little more sturdy the pink and blue umbrellas by the door. She heard as Perilium turned, bounding down the hallway with Ashlin’s twin’s name on her lips, calling for her even as her head of curly black hair disappeared behind the corner.

 Ankou waited for a moment, before continuing her search. Really, she didn’t have any hope to take out one of the demons. From what she saw they all looked higher then any class of demon she had faced and she didn’t think she could hold off twenty of them for everyone to escape. Her hope was to at least wound, so that they might remember her when she was long gone and dead, leave a mark somewhere on this earth. She knew Menzy wouldn’t leave, that she would go down fighting, and it was both a curse and a blessing that her best friend would die beside her.

 “Just open the door.”

 The new voice sounded, and Ankou turned to catch sight of the previously sleeping Abby gliding into the room. She looked irritated, inconvenienced at best.

 “The demons? Just let them in?” Cypher spoke, her eyes wide on the girl

 “They’re going to get in anyway, there’s no need to make this more trouble than it has to be.”

 “What’s your plan, If we don’t let you in?”

 Ankou’s voice carried as she looked over her shoulder toward the door. She couldn’t explain her logic for looking at a completely closed door, but she had a feeling that steel wouldn’t stop them from seeing in if they truly wanted to. She spoke over the arguing girls, green gaze locked on the open panel looking past the sight of black fabric, trying to fins the eyes she had seen before.

 Almost as if to answer her question, the moment it was out, the lights around them surged, flicked before giving completely.

 “Of, Fucking… course…”

 Briggs snarled in the darkness, the sound of foot falls filling the suddenly very open space. Briggs huffed, her sigh catching Ankou’s attention.

 “You just had to sya something…. I’ll go check the Fuse…. Maybe that’s all it is.” The words, though hopeful, sounded defeated.

He was so ready, so fucking ready, and now, all he had to wait was few more minutes.

 Though, he supposed he had to give credit where it was due…. he couldn’t think of a single person that wasn’t excited about Liberatio.

 Though how could you not be? If he had to make the comparison, he supposed it was a little like the human’s Halloween, a day where you could be anything, anyone, do anything…. Though there was that slight difference. On Halloween, They dawned a mask, placed cardboard and plastic over their faces to mimic what they did not possess…. To mimic him and his kind. On Liberatio, they shed the mask they wore year round, and once a month, twelve days out of three hundred and sixty five of them, he was able to be the creature that he was, the demon was allowed to be free and unchained.

  It was one of the few times people like him, people like his Brother’s and his friends were able to truly be themselves, to shed the skin of the human form they were cursed and burdened to wear. It wasn’t as if they were in any real danger. Monsters, as a whole, ruled over the general population. Most people in charge were of some sort of dark heritage, and really, the only ones in power who weren’t some sort of creature were the mayor and her wife. There were rules, however, regulations that must be obeyed for the general wellbeing and safety of the human populace. Such as they must wear their human forms whenever they left their homes, any place a human could see them. Abilities and powers had to be checked by an official, and only certain, harmless ones were allowed to be used in everyday life without any repercussions.

 It was like being constantly chained, constantly told to never be yourself, constantly knowing that you, what you were, was abnormal and strange and the only way you were going to be accepted was to try and fit in with creatures who wished you were anything but you.

 So it was something he looked forward to, to be himself with people like him, who accepted him as is….

 It was… Liberating.

 “I dunno about anyone else, but I’m ready to get this started.”

 Carson found the words came easy as he moved; pushing off the couch as he realized that he couldn’t sit still anymore. He smiled as he stood, moving his rams above his head as he stretched, hearing, and feeling his back crack, the rush of satisfaction making his breath slip past him in a low rush. There was a moment, a seconded as his duel colored gaze darkened to match the wicked grin that was sliding over his features, hits of the true beast that lay beneath the human skin.

 “But what do you say to a little pregame before the real fun begins?”

  “I think that pregame is against the rules.”

  Abram Lee. Aka. Party pooper.

  A unfortunate side effect of being a Lee. At least that was what Echo Langdon liked to think.

   There was only a split second after the words were spoken before a crash resounded through the Dhouti manor, loud and attention seeking.  With forearm and head pressed against the wall, Echo sighed. Exasperated and exacerbated. It wasn’t until after another second of silence that Echo turned cinnamon eyes on Abram. His head still pressed to the cold wall.

  “Got dammit, Abram. Why do you feel the need to ruin everything? I swear to Got if you get my tostino’s taken away from me again, I will cut you down.”

“Uh, first off that was your own damn fault. Don’t go screaming about how much you love them at twelve in the morning and it probably won’t happen again.”

  “Ahhhh~”

  Echo turned on his heel, arms thrown up in a display of astonishment, all show. But he stopped as he rounded on Carson, his elbow moving out to catch onto the wall once more, a smile creeping over his lips as he spoke.

 “Moving on from mr sourpuss over there, what the plan Carson? Little bit of Havoc? Mayhem? Destruction? Before you say anything I am aware that all those things are the same thing but I am pretty pumped.”

  Echo stretched, a hand running through the blonde locks before catching on his neck.

  There was only a couple of minutes, only a few more pain taking minutes until the real fun would begin.

  There were many things that could entice excitement from the demon, many things that even could get him giddy. Not much of anything could get him quite as excited as this specific day did. The one of twelve days of the year that he could roam, that he could be free of the human shell he had worn most of his life now. The one day he could act true to his nature. There was something so liberating in itself, being able to release from the human sludge he indulged in. To be able to tear away from school life, to be able to tear away from the ‘morals’ he held on a daily basis. Morales that held no true value to him.

  No, the humans themselves held no true value to him, none but one. A single human that just thought of her set his heart skipping and his mouth watering.

  But that was a different situation. One he was not open to talking about.

  The point really was simple. Humans ruled generally. Kept the appearance of leaders. They kept up with telling themselves they had the whole situation under wraps. And tonight was the day that the ‘others’ proved who was truly in charge.

  Who the true kings were.

  Something that Echo, if he knew Carson was not going to prove it himself, would take the burden on. To make sure it was etched into he simple minded humans.

  “Abram, Abram, Arbram….” Carson’s voice was a purr, a ripple of dark intentions and too much excitement to spell anything other than trouble.

  “You worry too much.”

 The Dark haired boy moved, sliding easily along his hardwood floors before he was standing next to the taller boy. His arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer to him as that wicked little grin only spread feather along his lips, ink black hair falling into mismatched eyes as he traced soothing circles into Abram’s side.

 Despite Echo’s command, Carson could not ‘Move on’ From Abram. He could never really dismiss the boy, could never cast him off, or disregard his unease or his displeasure. Out of nearly everyone he knew, Carson He’d Abram’s opinion in the highest of regards, something almost unthinkable when you considered he practically bent backwards and forwards to please those close to him. Anyone of his squad, Echo, Abram, Riagan, Asher, Lochlan, Keyser, Quinton, Ebbe, Ethan, Balthiar, Gaige, Lucca, Ender, Parker, Logan, Khronos and Pandemonium... everyone else…. everyone in his little group could ask anything of him, and Carson would see hell raised to get it for them…. But Abram was son another level entirely. Abram was like his brother, Different from his twin but just as close, and the slight look of discomfort on his features at the thought of getting in trouble bothered the Black haired demon.

 But There was fun to be had, and Carson knew that if Abram would just let it happen, he would have significantly more fun than sit sitting around waiting for Liberatio to start.

 “It’s only against the rules if you get caught, and aside from Echo’s Tostino’s Incident, we have a squeaky clean record. What’s that harm in having a little fun a few minutes early?”

 Carson moved, detangling himself from his Lee, smirking as he turned back to Echo, who seemed too excited to hold it in. Carson shrugged, putting on a mocking face of casual ease, taking a step forward as he jerked his head slightly in time with his shoulders.

 “Well, what’s life without a good scare…? Not ours of course, but there is just something so fulfilling about seeing that fear etched on a human’s face.”

 Carson was not a good man. He could never pretend to be, not when the thought of someone so terrified of him that they can do nothing but run and scream at the very thought of him pleased him so. And so It was without a single shred of guilt or regret that he turned toward the hallway leading out of the room. The dark haired boy lifted his hand, gesturing in that sort of haphazard ‘follow me’ gesture that came with the mixture of excitement and impatience, and he didn’t bother to look behind him as he made his way through the twists and Turns of his Father’s house. He came to a stop at a dark wooden door, only a brief moment spent fishing about his pockets for the key before he unlocked it, the door creaking as he pushed it open.

 Inside was an almost empty room, with only a couch and a couple of paintings to decorate the windowless room. It would have been an unremarkable room, if it hadn’t been for the group of kneeling, blindfolded and gagged humans that filled the empty pace of the floors. Some were shaking, others were struggling to get out of their bonds but all were tied and bound, and all were perfectly unscathed.

 For now.

 “I got us all a little gift…”

 Carson purred as he pocketed the key, turning on heel to face his friends as he walked backwards into the room, hands moving to gesture out.

 “Every person in this room has made some sort of pass, comment, or move on our girls…. I brought them here to pay due justice, but what do you say to bit of friendly competition?”

 Carson stopped, his hands falling to the pockets of his leather jacket as he tilted his head, grin never slipping, only widening, spreading, threatening to split his face in to in a very real sense. His excitement always made it so much harder to uphold his human glamour.

 “We have a few minutes before Liberatio really starts, but who do you think can make their target scared the most? They made the moves and now must pay the price, but why not play a little with the idiots first? The person to make their target the most scared will be crowned The King of Fear for the duration of Liberatio. To ease your mind Abram, we won’t let them go any farther then the house… It’ll be like a little game of hide and seek.”

 Carson looked over, seeing the slight hesitation on their faces.

 “If you need some persuading…” He murmured, moving toward the first of the group, Carson stood behind him, hands reaching to grab hold of the man’s shoulder, slamming them down harshly, enough to draw a muffled cry of pain from the human.

 “This one here, Abram, Was caught pressing you precious little Ashlin up against a wall in-between third and fourth block. When she tried to fight him off he simply slipped a hand up her skirt. It’s not good to touch what belongs to someone without permission.” The last part was murmured into the ear of the now shaking man, and Carson only laughed as he patted his shoulder, moving on to the next. This one he tangled his fingers in his hair, yanking his head back to draw another pain filled cry from the gagged lips.

 “Echo! This one would be all yours. You see, He was caught with your girl under the stairs, and again, he doesn’t seem to take ‘no’ for an answer. In fact he even tried to slander your good name to her by telling her all sorts of pretty little lies…. He was deemed untouchable because he’s the Principal’s son, but just for the night, he’s yours to do with what you wish.”

 Carson pushed the man away, dark gaze flashing as he lifted his hands again.

 “Do I need to go on? I know it isn’t much, but the real fun will start once that announcement rings out… why not… vent some fustrations?”

   “Momma, its already locked down. Can you chill out? It’s not like anything is going to get in here.”

  “Requiem Bates.”

  Her name itself being called by anybody else would have meant little to nothing to her; it was more who was saying it. Also, exactly how she was saying it that mattered. Grey eyes shifted to watch as the matching set of her mother’s pierced through her. Those eyes that were settling on her held something of a promise. A promise, that’s she herself honestly wanted nothing to do with either. It was with an exasperated eyes roll and hop off the counter that Requiem finally listened to her mother’s words, a single hand wave following as she walked past her mother.

  “I’ll check. I’ll Check, Jesus.”

  “Wait.”

  The words slipped in the same instant as the small blonde gripped Requiem’s shoulder, her strength apparent as she pulled the darkling back. There was a panic written across the girl’s features, something that Requiem took into account as she moved forward, slinging an arm around Lottie’s shoulders, and rubbed soothing patterns over the freckled skin.

  As mean as people liked to think she was, and how she liked to act, she was never anything less than sweet to her friends. Even when they were being a little too cry baby for her taste. But Lottie seemed to have a soft spot for this boy, the boy she knew as well had a soft spot for her little Lottie.

  “Lochlan is not here yet…. He said he was coming. Let me call him first. He might have got hurt, or he is stuck in traffic or something, Req we can’t just loc-“

  “Why is everyone so hyped right now. I’m sure he is fine, but we have less than a minute until the sirens, and my mom is already on my ass Lottie. I’m sure he is fine. If he shows, we will open it back up for him.”

  “I’m going to call him, see if he is at least safe.”

  “Good plan, kiddo…..”

  Requiem watched as the blonde fumbled for her phone, but didn’t wait for her to start dialing. Instead she moved away, back to the control room. A room that after only a few seconds seemed like it was a million miles away, and this was only due to the fact that the siren was beginning to wail. The siren only served to make her heart jump out of her chest. Though she was still close enough to hear Lottie leaving a message she felt infinitely alone headed down the hall.

  She didn’t like to think she was easily scared. She liked to think if brought into a situation she would be able to handle it fairly well. But there was something bubbling in her blood stream. Panic

  And the small panic that was setting in her blood stream was the only reason she began the small sprint. That panic however would never be told to anyone or anything. No to Requiem, it was because she wanted to do as her mother told her too. She wanted to be able to say she got it done before the announcement was done.

  And that was the god awful truth behind it.

  Or at least what she would tell you it was.

  “I’m sure he’s fine Lottie…. Lochlan is a tough boy, I highly doubt there’s just about anything that boy can’t take down…”

 Ashlin didn’t even look up from the book that was open in front of her, yellowing pages filled with tiny pen strokes and little notes that she had jotted down as she discovered them. Violet eyes never wavered from that small written text, and her hands found the ends of the long brown strands that tumbled over her shoulder.

 ‘And if he can’t…. his friends certainly won’t let anything happen to the boy.’

 Almost like her hands were following her thoughts, Ashlin found herself staring at the picture of three boys taped to her pages, smiling to the camera with bright eyes and stupidly making slight little moves to push at the other boys, trying to press them out of frame as the camera had gone off. Ashlin tilted her head, her expression never wavering from the cool facade she almost always wore. Violet eyes flicked, long lashes brushing her cheeks as she trailed her fingers down the pages, running them over the lines of text she had written, immediately finding the name that always caught her eye.

 ‘Name: Abram Lee.

Age: Twenty (?) years old.

Race: Arch Demon

Next in line to lead Demon dominion Heaven’s Falls. Twin To Asher Lee, Incredibly smart, annoyingly persistent and pain in the ass  ’

 … That last one might have just been personal opinion. She supposed it wasn’t fair to say that anymore, considering she had written this back when she had been in middle school, and over the years he had grown from the arrogant know it all that plagued her existence to someone she could have almost called a friend…. If she had bothered to hang out with him outside of school. He was still obnoxiously smart, almost annoyingly so, but considering she was two grades under him and he had graduated a while ago, that didn’t really bother her so much.

 Either way, Ashlin knew him fairly well. He was friends with Carson Dhouti, and Lucca Arenello, and all three were good friends with the Lochlan Boy that Lottie was so fond of.  He had other friends, Like Echo Langdon, but considering the tree were demons of the strongest caliber and the deadliest kind, she figured they were a bit more terrifying then one stupidly strong human. They had all shown to be very protective and ultimately possessive over what was theirs, and anyone who had dared to try and bully or tease anyone in the infamous ‘Squad” had met a very painful lesson in humility. If anything, Lochlan was far safer with them, then he would be coming here…. But...

 Ashlin looked up from her book, just in time to see Lottie’s face fall as she left a message for the man.

 She couldn’t find it in her to say that to the girl who just wanted to know her boy was safe, to see it with her own eyes, feel him with her own hands. Ashlin couldn’t call herself a hopeless romantic, but there was something almost wistful and envy worthy in what they had. It was easy to see the love Lottie had for Lochlan, and she had seen the boundless adoration that the boy had for Lottie in return. He adored her, practically depended on her, though that might be more from their past together than anything else. She did find it strange, as Lottie messaged him again, that he wasn’t answering. Usually it was hard to get them to stop texting, but somehow, it seemed that Lochlan was not responding.

 She should have paid it more mind.

 Ashlin sighed, not looking at the others as she moved her hand to flip her black book closed silently, pushing off from her spot of leaning on the counter. Her gaze moved over the bodies in the room, taking in the worried expression on Lottie’s face, and the casual ease of Ankou as she opened the fried for a moment, tilting her head to scan its contents before pulling out a bottle of water. Her gaze drifted to Menzy, but before she could make any real notes on the scantily clad girl, the Alarms sounded, both distant and near as the TV lit up with the red screen that flashed the name ‘Liberatio’.

 Ashlin’s heart hammered in her chest as the words drifted through the air, her eyes locked on the screen.

 ‘Attention: This is the start of the Monthly Liberatio. As from this moment forward, all Demon Dominions will be placed in lock down, and all Creatures are released of all restrictions….’

 Ashlin stopped listening as Requiem bounced back into the room, light pants on her lips as she came back into the light, and Ashlin moved, sliding through bodies to find her sister’s side, intertwining her fingers with the much smaller girl, more for her own comfort then hers. The lace of her robe drifted over the floor, and she felt more then saw her Twin and her other sister moved, a warm hands pressing against her arm.

 “Well, It’s begun…. What do we do now?”

  “Oh, Oh, Oh! I know! I know!”

 Ankou could feel it, that distant sort of excitement that came with hearing the ringing bells of the Liberatio. She couldn’t explain it, could not explain the absolute thrill that came with the holiday not meant for her kind, but she could liken it to a play, an act where all the players would soon make their way to the stage and the bells would sound, a tragedy in the making where only the primadonna death herself was missing.

 Liberato was a time of great distress for humans. The alarm sirens were like the tolls of the bells in the poems of old, and the sirens to drag them from this hell they had found themselves in. It locked them in, nails in a coffin of their own design, and Ankou could feel her need thrum through her veins at the thought. Humans were the bottom rung, the lowest in the food chain that had spawned into existence at the emergence of demons and their ilk. Ankou found it strange that, rather than slaughter the entirety of them, Demons had chosen to take over, to slide into positions of power and to silently rule over the masses with a silent but heavy stare. Don’t get it wrong, she was glad, happy they had not gathered them up to farm them, but it was odd that Monsters had agreed to the humans demons for safe ignorance and simply kept their primal natures at bay until that one day, that one day each moth they were bale to let it fly.

 They accepted synthetic flesh, souls, the blood donated and bodies of the recently passes, but Ankou always wondered…. Why? Her family had been gifted with the strength to rival that of a low class, E-class Demon, long ago by making a deal, a pack with a specific demon. They were the bodyguards the people called when they worried, when they wanted extra protection, but it was clear that she would never be able to take anything higher then E-rank without losing her life. A normal human didn’t stand a chance… why would they accept a place in society that forced them to hide what they were?

 She didn’t think she would ever really get an answer, then again…. She didn’t care all that much.

 Nit when they’re was fun to be had.

 Ankou could practically feel the curtain’s call around her as she pivoted on heel, her hand shooting up in the air and her eyes widening slightly with a vivid excitement.

 “Let’s Play Truth or dare!”

 “No way.”

 Ashlin’s response was quick, harsh and solid as she shot down the idea, Ankou could feel her body slump as her arm fell, her lip jutting out to pout at the sound of of her cold tone.

 “Ash~” Ankou stared, but Ashlin shook her head.

 “No way, I’ve learned my lesson in playing Truth or dare with you… next think you know it’ll turn into ‘Spin the bottle’ and ‘Seven minutes in heaven’ and there’s not a single person here I would want to make out with.”

 “Oh come on, you’re not still mad about that are you? Abram said he was cool with it!”

 “Doesn’t matter, choose something else.”

 “You’re being unreasonable.”

 Ankou pouted as she crossed her arms, turning her head before she rolled her shoulders and moved again, Green eyes darting to find the pretty platinum blond girl who owned a very piece of her soul.

 “Menzy…. No one wants to play with me…”

 Ankou murmured as she moved, coming to her place beside the only slightly taller girl. Restless fingers danced, moving to the shirt that Ankou wore to play with the frayed ends, the black martial running smoothly over tanned skin, a reminiscent of the hands of the person the shirt belonged to. She knew that if she pulled it up, over her nose, she would smell the scent of wood and smoke that mingled with a musk that created the addicting scent that was Echo Langdon.

 Just the thought of him made her heart skip and her cheeks flush with a little pink. Echo was…. A friend, she decided, a friend that she was always coming to realize was fucking her up in more ways than one. Ankou was going to blatantly ignore it even as she breathed in to catch the scent of the man she longed to see again.

 Was he okay? In a safe place… should she have invited him like Lottie had to Lochlan?

  She was glad, happy she had taken the shirt the other day as he had sneaked out of her room, but the sweatpants she wore were far too big for her, and had to be rolled ridiculously at the ends of the pants and the hem to even slightly allow her to walk. It helped ease her racing thoughts to feel his clothes on her skin, and she moved to Menzy to wrap her arms around the girl’s waist.