#hell over me

It was vast fields of colour, the different flowers dancing to their own song. But as he walked, beyond the ridge of a field that was coated in gold, a small cottage came into his view. 

Curiosity was something that Calum had learned to control from day one after Lucifer took him. It was control that he’d perfected. 

But in this vast land that held nothing else to keep his attention, he allowed his curiosity to rise. And so he made his way over. 

At the door, he hesitated to knock, his hand hovering above the door. But before he could strike the wood, it flung open and there were arms wrapped around him, the force of the hug making him stumble. 

Tilting his head down, he realised his soul was singing at her touch and the vibrant red curls finally clicked in his mind. 

“Lyra?” Her face pulled back, tanned skin peppered with freckles as she beamed at him.

“You made me wait, Cal.” Guilt filled his gut at her statement, his fingers brushing her curls away from her face before his fingers traced her jaw, curving under her chin. 

Lyra’s face tilted into his touch, a soft smile on her lips. 

“I’m sorry for making you wait, sweetheart.” The endearment rolled off his tongue, and he watched as two pink spots appeared on her cheeks. 

His head was overwhelmed with emotion, emotion that he’d only ever dared to dream about when he was away from the depths of hell, away from his watchers.

“C’mon, there’s some people already here for us.” The pinks spots had not faded from her cheeks, and he smiled as her hand slipped into his, pulling him into the cottage. 

He recognised Hecate almost instinctively, his magic almost singing as she smiled and stood from her spot.

Lyra stood to his side as he reached her and his eyes fell shut as her hands rested on either side of his face, the soothing magic that covered her skin relaxing his body. 

“You have suffered for many years, my child. And it was never fair to you.” She murmured, her thumbs brushing his cheeks. 

His fingers squeezed Lyra’s gently. 

“I was given her. It is worth everything I had to suffer, even if we only got a few precious moments.” He whispered before opening his eyes. He was met with the sight of Hecate beaming at him. 

“Even after everything, your heart is still pure.” She pulled away and stepped aside and Calum immediately bowed to his old Tohunga. 

“Rise tamaiti. You are no longer under my instruction.” Calum did so, his magic feeling more at peace than he’d ever felt. 

“Sit, both of you. We have much to discuss.” 

Calum helped Lyra to sit first, taking the spot next to her. His hand never left hers and Hecate could only smile in response. 

“We have a conundrum you see. Leta informed me of what was to happen. Of what the fates had told her was destined.”

“Michael’s Goddess?” Calum queried and his Tohunga nodded. 

“When the siren magic breaks, her bond will pull her back from death. Because your magic protected her.” 

“When the siren magic breaks?” Her voice was small, quiet. His thumb rubbed soothing circles on the back of her hand. 

“They will burn the bodies before nightfall. Your two sisters are the only survivors. Your bond to them both was protected by Calum’s magic. When the sisterhood bond dies, their bond will pull you back.” 

Lyra could feel the dull ache in her chest begin to form as she registered the words. Although she struggled with her sisters, what they tried to do, they’d sheltered and cared for her. Her eyes flickered to the demon sat next to her.

“But Calum will not return with me?” The Tohunga smiled kindly at her, the old face feeling comforting, familiar. 

“No. But there is a tribal call for loved ones. There is enough magic to bring him back.” 

Calum glanced at him in shock. 

“I will return with her?” Hecate smiled kindly.

“Your magic protected her. You brought down the cliffside knowing that it would kill you both, yet you still tried to protect her. Magic is a funny thing, my little wizard. Intent is everything to our magic, and mixed with your tribal magic, your bond forged almost immediately.” She explained and they shared a look and Lyra rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.

“What’s the call?” She asked the Tohunga who beamed at her, his wrinkled face lighting up at her words.

Calum could not tell how much time passed as his soulmate studied with his Tohunga, her attention never wavering, never leaving the old tribal elders face as he taught her the call that he’d only ever heard of. Her hand had long since dropped from Calum’s as she learned the call,  but Calum could feel his heart warm.

“She will be devout to you, Calum.” Hecate’s words were almost soothing in their manner, his shoulders relaxing just a touch.

“The devotion would be returned in kind. Does Leta know what is to happen when I return?” Hecate shook her head sadly.

“She is forbidden of giving us that information if it directly affects our descendants. You all waged war against the Siren’s, a prophecy that we never thought would come to pass. Myself and your Tohunga have, shall we say, a free pass currently because in the eyes of the law and the land, you’re both dead.” A sharp twist in his heart made him sigh.

“It’s going to hurt when we return, isn’t it?” He was beginning to feel the old magic dance around them as Lyra began to chant the words once more. He could see his Tohunga was being impressed with her determination.

“Would you really stay here, leaving her alone in a world that she will be bound to restore? Where she will not be able to take her life until her duty is done? Would you do that to her?” Calum knew his answer. 

“Will I return as I am?”

“No. That demon will have no control. You technically died and that is the end of his power. When you go back, should you choose to do so, you will come back as a magical, as is your birthright.”

“The brand will disappear?” His voice has grown quieter and Hecate hissed. 

“The brand will vanish which will further show proof to your claim that Lucifer does not own you and he never will.” A sneer crossed her face. “Leta will pull him back in line. If he dares to defy I will make him suffer for what he did to you.” Calum felt his heart warm at her words and before he could stop himself, he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you.” His voice was quiet, and it took the Goddess a second to respond before her arms wrapped around him in return, her head turning slightly to press a kiss to his temple.

“You are mine to protect my child, if it means fighting Lucifer then so be it.”  

“Tell me, are my family suffering?” Calum pulled back from the hug, allowing himself to revel in the reassurance from Lyra, her hand resting on his shoulder as his gaze landed on the Tohunga and the old tribal elder shook his head. 

“They’re at peace now. They feast with your ancestors and watch over you.” 

And Calum felt the peace settle in his heart as Lyra squeezed his shoulder gently. 

“When will the siren magic snap?” Lyra finally asked and Hecate smiled kindly at her.

“Now.” 

-

Lyra could feel Calum’s body next to her. She needed to stop herself from letting the heartbreak settle. She trusted that Hecate and Calum’s Tohunga were being honest with both of them.

Pulling herself up, her eyes taking in how her fingers had curled around his hand and a smile slipped across her lips as she sat up.

Gasps echoed around her, making her head jolt up in shock as various people stared at her in awe.

Bodies were shoved out of the way, and her eyes met Melody and Serina’s. They let out a breath of shock before they launched forwards, Melody reaching Lyra first, her arms wrapping around her tightly.

Lyra took in a deep breath as Serina wrapped her arms around her as well.

“I need the witches.” She finally breathed, twisting her body before yelping in shock.

“You’ve probably got some broken bones. You were both under rubble when we found you.” Serina explained, trying to push Lyra back but she shook her head.

“Witches.” She hissed as she pushed herself off and a pair of slender yet strong arms wrapped around her body, holding her up.

“What do you need us for.” Lyra looked up, her eyes studying the witch who had clearly been crying, tear tracks on her cheeks.

“I was protected by the sirens magic. It protected him enough so that Hecate could help protect him. But there is a tribal call to bring back loved ones.” And a gasp escaped the witches.

“Stand at his head, give me a second.” And the next few moments were a hubbub as witches began to move and circle around herself and Calum.

“Come back to me, love.” Her words were drowned out by the chants that were growing louder. She could feel the magic and her eyes caught the sight of Ashton at the opposite end, his own baritone voice mixing with the witches.

Various things happened at once as the chanting grew louder. 

Calum’s back arched off the table where he lay, another yell echoed around from the crowd and Ashton collapsed to his knees.

And that was when Calum took in a deep breath and Lyra nearly cried.

“You’re okay, you’re alive.” She got out, her lips touching his forehead before letting her own rest against his. 

The chanting had stopped and a roar of fury echoed around. Lyra’s eyes widened.

“Cal, baby I need you to sit up.” She didn’t even care if it was too soon to be so smitten with her soulmate, but she knew he needed to be kept safe.

“Where is my demon?” Lucifer barrelled through just as Lyra had gotten him sat up. Ashton was quick enough to get to his feet and stand between the raging King of Hell and his best friend.

“He’s not yours anymore.” Lyra snapped at Lucifer, watching as cracks appeared in the ground beneath his feet. She wasted no time in ripping off his shirt, showing the unblemished skin, free from Lucifer’s mark.

Lucifer stepped forward, grabbing ahold of Ashton’s bicep to move him out of the way, only to be met with a sharp pain, drawing his hand back to his chest.

“He is no longer yours, Lucifer. Neither of them are. Leave.” Jade hissed to the enraged King.

Before he could make any comment or anyone could say anything else, a dark skinned woman emerged from the crowd, touching Michael’s shoulder and nodding to Serina before her fingers gripped his shoulder.

“I would suggest that you think very carefully. You’re on thin ice as it is, Lucifer.” And the King froze. 

There were confused mutterings before gasps from the wolves came. But the moment the gasps came, the two were gone in a flash of light and Michael smirked.

“And that, people, is why we don’t actively piss off our goddess.” 

Luke couldn’t help but laugh as his arms circled Carina; his lips finding hers. His body was practically singing knowing that she was safe and that was when his hunger became known to him, keeping his face pressed into her neck. 

“What happened to his mark?” Ashton’s voice carried over and Carina was grateful when one of the witches had the sense to hand her a blood bag. 

“When he never returned, we were prepared for the eventuality of being contacted by you. As weeks began to pass, we realised that it was most likely the sirens were going to be starving him too.” She explained as she sliced the corner and passed it to Luke. He didn’t argue as he drained the bag greedily. 

Her attention turned to the group, Luke following her actions after a sharp elbow to his gut. 

“Hecate explained that I technically died. His hold over me went with it. I’m magical with some traits from being a demon. Nothing more.” Calum explained as a few of the witches forced both of them to lie back down. 

The adrenaline was wearing off and it was obvious to anyone that both of them were in agony. 

“You’ve got so many broken bones, both of you. It’s going to take at least a week to heal, even with the advanced healing.” Jade explained and Calum grimaced. 

“They can stay with us.” Luke spoke up, his eyes flickering to Carina who nodded. “I owe them a debt, they saved our lives. It’s the least I could do. Plus Carina will be on hand to help with the healing.” 

“I think all of us are agreed when we say we owe them both a debt.” Michael finally spoke and Calum fought the blush that was threatening to cover his cheeks. 

“None of the life debt business.” He finally muttered, earning scattered laughs from those that were listening. 

“We still owe you a debt all the same.” Melody spoke up, her fingers sliding into Ashton’s. His lips curved up into a gentle smile as he brought her knuckles to his lips. 

“You don’t owe me a debt, Melody. Keep him happy and I’ll consider the debt satisfied.” Calum nodded to Ashton and she bowed her head towards him. Ashton groaned. 

“At least neither of us have to worry about our asses being handed to us by some errant demons.” He finally muttered and Calum laughed, sucking in a sharp breath when the pain got too much.

“Like they’d dare piss off Leta. Hecate already said she’d go toe to toe with the King. I doubt he’d be willing to fight two of them and win.” This earned sniggers from the wolves and witches alike. 

It was a few more hours before the crowds finally dispersed before the humans reached the area and Carina finally began to prep her two charges for transport.

“This will make for an uncomfortable journey, but you need my magic to get you past our protections.” She explained softly and both hummed in acceptance.

The transport itself was disorientating, but with the broken bones and damaged body, both of them let out hisses of pain once they’d reached the destination. Carina was immediate with her reactions, using her magic to ease both of their pains before moving them to one of the many spare rooms in the house.

“I’ll be back in a few moments with everyone else.” She was gone before either could respond, so they simply lay in the quiet, their fingers entwined.

“I don’t know about you, but when we’re better, how about a vacation?” Calum held back his snort, the small smile nearly turning into a grimace as pain flashed across his face.

“Best plan I think. I can take you to my old tribe too.” 

His head turned ever so slightly to see her eyes light up at his suggestion, her fingers squeezing his as best she could.

“Lets focus on getting better first then.” Lyra’s voice was gentle but Calum felt like his body was on cloud nine. 

He knew at those words that he truly would do anything for her.

“Your wish is my command, sweetheart.” 

-

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—

The pressure that kept him in the darkness finally lifted, his eyes immediately adjusting to the darkness.

He registered the water that seemed to be shallow enough, he knew he was sat down, hands bound together along with his ankles.

Immediately his hands tried to pull, a sharp shock travelling up his entire arms, a hiss escaping from his lips.

“No point.” A voice broke through the pain that seemed to intensify with his silence. He hissed in agony, the pain finally receding. Leaning his head back, he let out a tired sigh, eyes turning to where the voice originated from.

He was greeted with sharp yet young features that spoke of an aristocratic heritage. He could see that despite the damp hair, there were curls. But what got him was the dark eyes and almost bruise like colouring underneath them.

“Vampire?” Ashton questioned quietly and he received a snort of amusement.

“Looks like you morons have brains after all.” Ashton’s eyes held confusion as the curly haired vampire tilted his head to his side. Sat next to him was a soft baby faced male, mouth parted in what seems like feigned sleep. He turned his head and saw the familiar shock of blonde, causing his thoughts to freeze.

“Calum?” The now names demon jolted, eyes bleary and pitch black. It didn’t take him long to register that Ashton really was there.

“Fuck.” Finally escaped the blondes lips and the curly haired vampire laughed.

“Two demons, a werewolf and a vampire walk into the siren's den. Shall we figure out how this ends?” The sarcasm was dripping from the vampires tone and Ashton eyed the third male.

Now that he species had been identified, he could see the destroyed mark on his shoulder, the water lapping against the skin. Ashton realised the implication and suddenly he felt his heart go out to the wolf.

At least, what was left of his heart.

“Is there a reason why you’re here then, vampire?”

Ashton’s question was met with stony silence before-

“Luke.” He finally muttered, earning a curious gaze from the red haired demon. “My name is Luke.” The vampire reiterated.

“Ashton.” He returned evenly. Luke rolled his eyes.

“The council refused to believe that the sirens took my mate. They murdered the wolf’s chosen mate. Not too sure why you two are here, though.”

“Relics.” Both Ashton and Calum muttered at the same time, Calum’s sounded much more exhausted.

“What kind?”

“The kind that would protect the supernatural from this. The sirens overstepped.” Ashton muttered and Luke snorted.

“When do they not? Believe they’re fucking immune to the laws of the supernatural.”

“In parts they are. However, they took the King's consort.” Luke froze and eyed Ashton warily.

“Human or demon?”

“Hybrid. Legend would lead you to believe that they don’t exist. But they do, they’re just rare. This one had been raised on earth, the whole nature versus nurture idea. The day she met the King, he was changed.”

“They murdered her.” It wasn’t a question, but Ashton nodded.

“He felt the bond between them snap violently. That would only ever happen with murder. Archangel Gabriel had to stop him from wiping the planet just to destroy the sirens.” The words chilled Luke to the core as the water shifted and he could feel the pressure build once more.

Ashton couldn’t fight it as darkness overcame him once more and his thoughts vanished.

—

When Ashton woke up, his face was met with soft sheets, pillows that seemed to welcome yet suffocate him.

There was a flickering moment of confusion before it was pushed away, his body stretching out, hands coming into contact with another warm body.

“Five more minutes.” Came the muffled whine and without even thinking, Ashton laughed as he leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to the bare shoulder that was available to him.

“The sun’s up. C’mon love or you’ll waste the day in bed.” He felt his heart stutter as they turned to face him, eyes morphed into a scowl.

“You’re too damn chirpy for this time of day, Irwin.” Came the following grumble and he laughed as his lips met theirs. “You love me for it, Charlie. Now get up, before our own monster comes looking for you.”

This earned another whine, Charlie stuffing their face back into the pillow as Ashton got out of bed.

His eyes wandered to the photos and he could feel something trying to break through on his mind, a mild pain crossing his forehead as he shook of the feeling. The pain disappeared as fast as it came, especially when a small missile launched at him.

“Daddy!” The cry of excitement made his heart swell as he scooped up the five year old who had his curls and eyes.

“Morning bub. You ready for some breakfast?”

“Pancakes!” Ashton laughed as he made his way downstairs, setting his small clone down on the breakfast bar before prepping the pancakes.

Once he had the batter made and the sides cleared, he moved his, now chatty, child to the countertop next to the stove to make it easier for the two of them.

Moments later whilst he was watching the pancake carefully, he felt a set of arms wind around his waist, lips meeting his bare shoulder.

“Look! Daddy’s makin’ us pancakes.” The excited cry was met with laughter and the joy that seemed to fill him was something that drove down to his very bones, the feeling of pure happiness seeping through him.

“That’s right baby! Reminds me of the day your daddy proposed to me, trying to cook pancakes and having us rushed to the hospital for smoke damage.” He rolled his eyes as the urgency hit him this time, a lot stronger.

And then he remembered as he pulled back from the food, eyes taking in the child that was a carbon copy, before looking to Charlie and his memories hit him like a freight train.

The proposal, it’d gone off without a hitch. They’d gone to get pancakes to celebrate. But there was a robbery gone wrong. Charlie had been hit with a stray bullet and was fighting for their life. And Ashton had begged to anyone listening to save his childhood sweetheart.

Lucifer had met him in the waiting room, offered the protection, told him the costs. At first it’d seemed like a good deal, but he never read the fineprint.

Charlie was saved, but instead of being able to keep his life, he was torn from it.

Lucifer made a lasting impression on Charlie and Ashton had watched as the look in their eyes went from one of horror to disgust to heartbroken. And then he was ripped from their arms and tossed into the darkest realm with no care.

His eyes refocused onto an unfamiliar face, one that was pleading with him, soft features that didn’t look right on Charlie’s body.

“Fight it, fight the magic.”

And then he remembered.

--

He jolted forward, water moving around as his eyes were wide, frantically searching the other four. They were still out.

Then he felt the magic, he felt it pressing on his soul, demanding his unconsciousness. And then there she was, the face that had been on a body it didn’t belong to.

She was bigger by sirens standards, a shawl covering her tummy, the curves capturing his attention for a second before his eyes searched her face. Relief flooded her.

“Good, my magic’s holding.”

“Why are you doing this, siren?” She tried not to flinch at the harsh tone he used, her eyes darting to behind her as she moved behind Ashton, his eyes finally making out the small path that seemed to circle the four of them.

Her fingers found his temple and he nearly snarled.

“Soothe, demon. Please. I’m trying to protect you from the siren’s magic. They’re determined to break you and the blonde one. They believe they’ve broken the wolf by killing his chosen mate.”

“What do you mean?”

“They talked about killing the known consort of Lucifer, the rightful Queen of Hell. They want to break each species, rule them all. I cannot stand by what they want or their methods. I want peace.”  Her voice was frantic, whispered and tired. He could feel her magic, the overlay protecting him from the oppressive magic. His body relaxed, winding down as if he’d been held taut like a marksman with his bow and arrow.

“Why?”

“I never wanted to be what I am. Not when I learned of the other legends, other lives. They mocked me, cut me off from both magic and people. I grew depressed and began to hate them but I could not leave, I was bound to them.”

“They broke you.”

“Yes.” Her whispered response came and she eyed the other three warily as she moved back in front of him, sitting on the pathway, her feet dipping into the water.

“Will you help us?”

“In return, I ask that you not kill me and let me escape with you.” He took her in properly then, the way she held herself. By sirens standards, she was only pretty. Nothing stunning or jaw dropping that had men dying just to get a night with one. She was much bigger, held herself hunched over. There was no confidence.

A truly broken siren.

He nodded.

“Tell the others, I will try to come and protect them but I cannot be seen around you too often. They will begin to wonder. Please, please do not break. There will be help.” And she was gone, his eyes still stuck on the spot where she had sat.

His chest ached for her, understanding flooding him as the water began to ripple, the wolf moving as he twisted away, a jolt hitting as he woke up with a whine.

Ashton knew then she’d been sincere.

He was stuck in the sirens pit, with only a broken siren as his lifeline whilst they desperately hoped that he’d survive this moment.

—

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---

But when Carina was taken from his very bed, her frightened scream sent shivers down his spine.

He could hear the wolf talking with Ashton and the other siren. There was an ache in him and he knew that if he didn’t feed soon he might as well let the sirens do away with him.

‘Carina is still safe, don’t let her lose you now.’ His mind whispered.

That was the only thing that stopped his full anger.

His mate was safe. She was scared, he could feel that. But she was safe. Part of him wondered if it was due to the fact she was a witch that she was still alive.

He knew that her powers had only grown since they first met a century ago. And even then she’d been alive before he was even turned in the twelfth century.

A spike of fear followed by courage made him ready to break free, to rip each siren to shreds with no mercy. She was terrified and he could do nothing.

“You have my word I’ll try to help all four of you get out of here.” The sirens words broke Luke from focusing on the fear that seemed to engulf his mate.

“Good, because I’m ready to break these damn chains, fuck the consequences.” He peeled his eyes back, gaze turning to the wolf. “I’ll give my thanks to your Goddess when I get out of here with my mate safe.”

“Duly noted.” The wolf returned, making Ashton smirk. Luke tried his best not to roll his eyes.

“So, siren. Where do we begin?” His gaze turned to her and she shied away from his gaze, watching as Ashton bristled in the water.

“They’re trying to make the witch cast a spell. She’s been refusing.” Pride surged through Luke at the sirens words and he felt the terror recede.

‘Feel that pride sweet thing. Hold on a little longer.’ He desperately though, silently hoping that by some miracle she could hear him. He knew it was not to be, but in the water pit, any small hope was enough for him.

“A witches magic will never work if coerced. The sisterhood should know this.” His words came as a drawl and he was met with sharp eyes, a fire burning in them.

She had a backbone.

“Do you think I don’t know this? I am to be cursed for eternity if she does the spell under coercion and I want no part of this.” She snapped, her face dropping as she realised exactly who she was talking back to. Luke smirked.

“Your sisterhood sees you as an embarrassment, correct?” Pinkish spots appeared on her cheeks and Luke kept himself in check, stopping himself from letting his hunger overcome him.

Siren blood was lethal to him, he could not afford to slip up.

“I saw through their promises of this life when I joined the sisterhood. I grew depressed. I decided that if they would not free me from the bond, I would refuse to be what legends tell about us.” His eyes swept over her body, the stomach, the stretch marks. Rolls of fat in the wrong places.

“That’s what sets you apart. You have a good heart that they could not corrupt. Why else would they leave you to be in this godforsaken pit with a vampire, a werewolf and two demons, personally taken by Lucifer himself?” Her eyes darted to Ashton who nodded. The gaze then dropped to the still sleeping demon. Luke didn’t blame him. His powers had been bound for weeks now. He knew that if they didn’t get it soon enough, he would perish.

“If they catch me, they’ll make an example of me and use your witch for it.” She finally whispered and Luke shook his head.

“They’ve already caught you.” And he watched the first tear trailed down the sirens cheek.

“I know.” Was all she could whisper, pressing her lips tightly together. And Luke understood why.

A siren's wail could be deadly if they wished it. Sometimes they didn’t have the choice, their emotions dictating the wail and he realised that his words had broken her heart.

“Help the other demon, if he stays disconnected from his magic any longer, he’ll perish.”

“What about you?” Ashton asked, earning a look of gratitude from the siren as tears rolled down her cheeks, moving to where the sleeping demon lay.

“Unless they murder Carina, I’ll be fine.” He shrugged as the sirens song began, louder than before and Luke couldn’t even attempt to fight it. It was powerful and as his eyes rolled into the back of his head, he missed how the siren collapsed, body dangerously close to the water as she blacked out.

-

“Carina?” Beneath the scent of the dried herbs, he could smell the fumes from the potion that must have been cooking. Luke rolled his eyes as he made his way down to her laboratory.

“Sweet thing, how many times do I need to tell you that the smell of your potions do not need to be masked?” Her head shot up from the cauldron and his lips curved up into a smile that matched hers.

“As many times as it takes, mi amor. The nightshade was particularly foul when it was added, hence the herbs.” He laughed as he watched her eyes return to the bubbling pot, tugging back a small tuft of jet black that had escaped the hair tie.

Moving to stand behind his mate, Luke allowed his hands to capture the strand of hair, fingers pulling the hair tie out before he began to pull her hair back properly, twisting it easily into a tight bun before securing it with the tie once more as she added the next ingredient.

His nose told him it was crushed nettles.

“Thank you mi amor, I’ll be up in an hour.” He dropped a kiss to the juncture on her neck before he made his way back up. He knew better than to try and claim her attention when she was brewing.

Greeted by the clatter of claws as he made his way to the kitchen, Luke chuckled as the small dog skidded to a halt in front of him, sitting herself down and looking up with pleading eyes.

“Your mama is busy my girl. How about we head out for a walk?” He had her leash in his hands within seconds. The only response he got was a wagging tail, making him laugh as they left the house, knowing that she would know whether he told Carina or not.

Small mercies came with his mate, despite the species barrier between the two of them. She’d created a talisman that helped him to blend in with the humans that they interacted with. Other supernatural creatures would recognise him for what he was, but humans remained in the dark.

When they’d found a small pup left in the cold to die, Carina had nursed her back to health and named her Petunia. Luke had no say in their adoption of the dog, but when she’d cast a spell that muted their dogs instincts when it came to Luke, he was entirely smitten with the creature.

He wasn’t surprised a decade later, when she finally admitted she’d cast a second spell on their dog which tied her life to theirs. In other words, their dog was just as immortal as they were.

The walk was with ease, Luke nodding to a few of the humans that seemed to be out with their own pets. Once the pair had returned to the house, Carina was just exiting the laboratory. Petunia greeted her with excited tail wags and soft barks, making her giggle.

Luke leaned against the doorway, his lips curving into a softer smile as he watched the two loves of his long life.

“I see you staring, Hemmings. I’d like my greeting now.” Her eyes met his and Luke didn’t hesitate as he shut the door and swept her into his arms, his lips met hers. Her arms wound around his neck as he placed her back on her feet, holding him close to her.

“One would say you missed me.” He teased her playfully as her lips met his once more and she could only grumble as he pulled away.

“It’s been a long few days thanks to your trip. Allow me to indulge in my feelings that I actually missed your fanged ass.”

A burst of laughter escaped his lips as he pulled her towards the kitchen.

“Well this fanged ass is cooking tonight. What would you like for food, sweet thing?”

He was met with a beaming smile as she sat on the bar stool, her elbow resting on the countertop so that she could rest her head in her hand.

“Surprise me, mi amor. I’ve missed your cooking and insistence that I eat.”

The evening flew by quicker than he liked, finally the two of them allowing to reaffirm their connection. Just the sounds that she made beneath him, he wanted to imprint it within his mind, remind him of these moments when they weren’t together.

They lay in the king sized bed, her head resting on his chest as his fingers carded themselves through her hair. He always marvelled that she was his opposite in many ways. Jet black hair compared to his blonde curls. Dark brown eyes that contrasted with his baby blues, eyes that he knew he could lose himself within for hours if she let him. Her tanned skin, sun kissed from the years they spent in the sunnier climates compared to his pale skin. She was a beauty in his eyes and he was hers.

“Do you ever think about the lost opportunity of children, mi amor?” Her question had caught him off guard and he turned his head down to see her looking up at him, curious brown eyes studying his face.

“Sometimes,” he admitted quietly, “I think about what could have been, what we could be if we wanted. But having children was never right for either of us. I knew that then and know it now. As much as we could make great parents to a teenager who craves attention, we would be useless with an infant. And then there’s the whole secrecy issue.” This made Carina smile slightly as she nodded, her lips pressing against his chest.

“I consider what could be, and realise how lucky I am to have you and Petunia. Perhaps one day we could look into which would mix all supernaturals together, rather than keeping them within their own species.” He gave her a small smile.

“If it would give us the title of parents, I wouldn’t be averse to it. But for now sweet thing, you need a rest. You’ve got your big meeting tomorrow.”

Something shifted in the night, it was three am, past the witching hour and certainly past whatever time would be considered good to break into a home.

But that was what concerned Luke. Carina had made their home unplottable. Humans did not know it existed and other supernatural creatures would have difficulty reaching them.

And then the most haunting sound burned his ears.

Immediately he moved to waked Carina up, but he was trapped, his eyes wide in horror as he watched four sirens break into their room.

His mind was screaming at them, but the words were trapped behind locked lips. He recognised the bright blonde hair easily.

Sorrel smirked as she sauntered across the room, the other three yanking Carina away from him, her screams echoing through his mind, the sound locking itself in there as he desperately tried to move.

“Make her watch.” His eyes flickered to the ground of four, his mate forced into her knees, head held in his direction. He could feel her fear echoing through their bond as well as her anger.

The anger turned to panic as Sorrel straddled Luke’s waist and a growl built up in this throat as he felt the sirens lips trail up his chest.

Everything about her touch was wrong. It revolted every cell of his body but he couldn’t move.

“As fun as it would to break the bond like this, to fuck a vampire and see if they really do break furniture and bones with their stamina, the mistress wants her alive. We promise not to break her too much, little vampire.” And then they were gone.

It was hours later that the sirens magic wore off and Luke twisted off the bed so violently, his body rejecting the remnants of the dinner as his body tried to rid himself of the sirens unwanted touch.

Then he realised what had transpired and the panic set in before the anger overtook.

He knew he would never be able to track her, they were too good at masking scents and magic. So with a hurried apology to the dog, promising that he’d find Carina, he was almost glad that the pup wouldn’t need to be looked after. The house was sentient enough and she didn’t need food to survive. Her life was tied to his and Carina’s.

His first trip was to the vampire council, his eyes half wild as he was greeted into the meeting. The eight vampires in attendance eyes him warily, he was known for his control.

To come in looking so wild and careless, it had them concerned.

“Mister Hemmings, What brings you to the High Council?” He could see the cool look from the elder and knew he needed to calm down. They wouldn’t listen otherwise.

“The sirens.” The words were stated simply, but four of the eight flinched. He realised that he wasn’t the only one who’d had a run in with the sirens

“What about the beasts?”

“They took my mate hours ago.” This earned him looks of sympathy. He hated them.

“Do you have everything prepared if she were to pass? You know you won’t survive long without her.” And the bubbling anger that Luke had been holding back, exploded.

“What? Will you do nothing for my mate? The very mate who made it possible for us to live amongst humans, and to have kept our secret?” He snapped and was met with frowns.

“We cannot risk the lives of our own for the life of a witch.”

Luke was gone from the room before they’d even finished the sentence.

He knew that the elders had issues with his mate being a witch. He remembered the time when a wolf was bound to a vampire, both councils exiled them. Luke has never agreed to that decision. Especially after meeting his own mate.

He was just lucky the witches understood. They understood that Carina was his just as much as he was hers. They had even blessed their union so many years ago.

He knew where he needed to go next.

His journey to the witches council was more exhausting. Even though he didn’t need to sleep, he’d neglected to feed, his desperation overcoming the hunger.

When he greeted the High Council of witches, the concern they shared, to see a vampire look so broke in front of them, it hit him hard.

Falling to his knees, his hunger warring with his desperation, but desperation won out.

“Luke?” His head snapped up and Jade recoiled from the dead look in his eyes. He didn’t care how he presented to others now.

He could feel her anxiety rise and his own was fighting to stay in control.

“Sirens. They took Carina.” The witches Council were in uproar.

“Luke, have you fed?” Jade’s concerned eyes watched as he zoned out, his head snapping towards her when she spoke his name.

“Uh, no?” His confusion and then he felt the anxiety turn into full blown panic and before he could do much else he was knocked out.

When his eyes peeled back, he felt full but exhausted. Jade was sat on the coffee table and that was when he registered that he was laying on the couch.

“We managed to get some blood in you. One of the priestesses is procuring a live feed.” His gut churned and Jade gave him a twisted smile.

“It’ll be someone who deserves to die. Don’t worry.” And she laughed as his shoulders relaxed.

It was easier to focus once he’d fed, his body relaxing as he sat with the witches High Council once more.

“What about the vampire High Council?” Terra queried as the other witches shared looks. Luke scoffed.

“They told me to be prepared for when she dies. They’re not willing to help a witch.”

Uproar.

“Fucking old timers.” Jade snapped as she glanced to her sisters before standing up. Luke met her gaze evenily, resisting the anxiety that was bubbling once more.

“I will personally go with you to every High Council. They have to listen to a representative and a mate.” And he felt relief flooding him. He hoped that it was enough to stave off Carina’s anxiety, even just for a moment.

Having Jade with him, Luke fed more often, keeping himself and his emotions under control as they met with the various High Councils.

When they reached the High Council of wolves, Luke was exhausted and his emotions were close to snapping. This was the last thing he needed, especially with him going into what was considered enemy territory.

He waited by the treaty line, hands stuffed in his pockets as he waited. It was moments as Jade seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He didn’t jump.

“They’ve agreed to see you.” Was all she said before gripping his shoulder and he swore as he felt the uncomfortable sensation of the apparition.

“God dammit woman, warn me before you do that.” He snapped, pulling his arm from her grip. She gave him an apologetic look in return.

“She did that of our request, leech. We didn’t want the others panicking because there’s a vampire walking around.” Luke froze and fought every instinct to snarl at the council. But he composed himself.

“That can be forgiven, but still some warning would have been nice.” He ground out, earning curious looks from the other wolves.

“Why do you want audience with us, vampire?”

“The sirens took my mate. I’ve been travelling to ask for help but also support when I say they need to be wiped out.” This caught the wolves attention.

“We would be willing to support you when you put forward the motion for them to be destroyed. But we cannot grant you the help that you seek.”

Luke fought down the anger. He knew that it was going to happen, every other council had denied their own help.

“Thank you for your time. Jade?” She didn’t need to be told twice as the apparition surrounded them once more and once they were by the treaty line.

“Luke?”

“I’m not giving up. I’ll go to the sirens myself.” He muttered and she watched as he stepped away from her. She moved to step with him, but the look he gave her, froze her in her tracks.

“Let me help.” She whispered and he shook his head.

“I need someone who knows where I’m going. If you don’t hear from me, you know that either I’ve died or they’ve got me. They won’t kill me until they get what they want from Carina.” Jade could feel the goosebumps on her arms as Luke continued to walk away from her.

“Make the councils aware. I want those sirens dead.”

-

His head was pounding as he pulled himself up from the slumped position.

His eyes turned to the siren who was pushing herself from the floor, her eyes wide and terrified.

“What the fuck was that?” Luke snapped, the anxiety rising in his chest and he registered that it wasn’t his own.

Carina was still alive.

“That was my wake up call.” The blonde demon groaned and Ashton’s head snapped to the other demon.

“Calum?”

The demon that Ashton had named Calum, turned his head towards Luke, ignoring the other demon.

“You said you went to every council?”

“Yeah, almost every council agreed. The only one that didn’t was the vampire council, mostly because I never asked of them.” Luke lifted his shoulders into a shrug and felt the siren work her magic as the song picked up again.

“Good, because they think they can break me, but they don’t know me.” And to the shock of the siren, he stood up, his hands free of the binds.

Magic seemed to surround him as his eyes fell shut and Luke felt the power radiating off the blonde demon and he felt every bind snap, Carina’s emotions hitting him full force and rendering him breathless.

He watched as Ashton’s eyes widened as they met the sirens and Michael smirked.

“These sirens chose the wrong creatures to break. I’m going to make them pay and when I’m through with them, the mere memory of them will be tainted enough for people to forget.

And as the siren helped them from the water pit, once her hands touched Ashton’s, she was sold on helping the four of them.

“I’ll show you the secret passages. I can’t let them live after this.”

-

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He’d never believed it until he turned eight and his grandfather sat him down and explained to Calum his role as a Tohunga ahurewa. He explained the title and it's the equivalent of a highest class of priests.

The following year, Calum began tutelage under his grandfather, learning the tribal tongue as they taught him the prayers, chants and songs which invoked old magic.

With the witches blood within him, when he began to chant, the tribal elders realised they had a powerful sorcerer within their tribe. Calum was afforded the highest title at his age and he began to learn the old magic.

He took to the teachings like a duck to water. He found something that he was not only good at, but he knew that his own magic benefitted the rest of the tribes.

Calum knew that the witches would begin to get curious about his magic, about his heritage. He’d always prepared himself for them to either steal him away or at the very least, argue for him to return to their sides to learn like his father before him.

But then at sixteen, he was encouraged to go from the other elders. And so he went without argument. His parents saw him off, his mother offering a blessing and a whispered prayer of protection. His father simply smiled.

“They will accept you as family.” Were his only words in farewell.

And his father had been right.

The witches that had greeted him when he stepped into their territory welcomed him with open arms and he could feel the magic that was thrumming through them and the area around them.

“How do you focus?” He barely whispered as the passed another strong barrier. The first witch, Jade, laughed as she threw her arm across his shoulders, pulling the teenager into her side. He didn’t protest and accepted the offered comfort as another wave of powerful magic washed over them.

“We are tied to our own magic, but you, cousin, are tied to the earth's magic. That’s why you feel it so strongly.” Her explanation did not stop him from falling to his knees as they reached the most powerful barrier he’d felt in his life.

The moment his fingers touched the grass, nails digging into the dirt, he felt the magic connect to him, accept him.

Jade simply stood over him, smirking.

“Welcome, little Tohunga. Our magic accepts you and will teach you over the coming years.”

It took him months to adapt to their magic. Or at least, it took him months to stop collapsing every time he reached the strongest layer of magic.

Jade took him under her wing and began to teach him about the various types of magic. And slowly he began to return to his roots to incorporate the two together.

And that was when he knew he’d attracted the wrong kind of attention.

-

“Calum?” He peeled his eyes back at the sound of his name, his entire body aching. The binds were locked so tightly and he knew that he was in danger of dying.

As his eyes drifted over the newcomer, it took him a long second for the face to click in his head and panic surgered before it was flattened once more.

“Fuck.” The mutter came out, knowing that if Ashton had been sent, then Lucifer knew that Calum had either survived and been captured or he was dead.

“Two demons, a werewolf and a vampire walk into the siren's den. Shall we figure out how this ends?” Calum would have laughed had he had any energy. The vampire had been entertaining to begin with, but when his binds had gotten stronger, his awareness had diminished till he was constantly on the verge of passing out, unable to fight the sirens magic.

“Is there a reason why you’re here then, vampire?” Calum’s lips twitched. He knew his closest friend would be determined to figure everything out.

Ashton’s question was met with stony silence before-

“Luke.” He finally muttered. “My name is Luke.” The vampire reiterated.

Calum wasn’t at all shocked that Ashton had managed to get the vampires name when he’d failed to do so.

“Ashton.” The words were returned evenly. Calum tilted his head to look towards the other two.

“The council refused to believe that the sirens took my mate. They murdered the wolf’s chosen mate. Not too sure why you two are here, though.”

“Relics.” Calum muttered in time with Ashton, his voice clearly exhausted. He was fighting to keep himself conscious by this point.

“What kind?” Calum wanted to snap, his temper flaring, but it dropped almost as fast as it had come.

“The kind that would protect the supernatural from this. The sirens overstepped.” Ashton muttered and Luke snorted. Calum held back his own sigh.

“When do they not? Believe they’re fucking immune to the laws of the supernatural.”

“In parts they are. However, they took the King's consort.” Calum ignored the stabbing pain in his heart at that. Despite being the King’s Consort, she’d also been his closest friend besides Ashton. Knowing she’d been murdered hurt.

“Human or demon?”

“Hybrid. Legend would lead you to believe that they don’t exist. But they do, they’re just rare. This one had been raised on earth, the whole nature versus nurture idea. The day she met the King, he was changed.”

“They murdered her.” Calum closed his eyes.

“He felt the bond between them snap violently. That would only ever happen with murder. Archangel Gabriel had to stop him from wiping the planet just to destroy the sirens.”

Calum parted his lips, ready to back the King’s actions but then he felt everything snap black and he knew no more.

-

“Talisia, they’re by the boundary line!” Calum called over to the high witch. She took one look at Calum, her eyes taking in the small glow about him and realised he was using his tribal magic to connect with the earth.

“Can you encase them?”

“No. There’s something with them which is stopping me from doing so. I might be wrong but it feels like familiar magic.” He called back, a frown on his features before they morphed into panic.

Talisia made her way over to him, her hand resting on his shoulder and Calum snapped from the trance.

Time had been kind to him as he’d spent years studying with the other witches. Six years had been too long, at twenty two he’d grown into his body.

Calum knew that his last year with the witches would be to build new protections and learn the politics of the supernatural, as a precaution.

At first he didn’t understand why, but when he’d set a demon aflame in his panic to protect the witches, to protect his new family, he knew he’d angered powerful beings.

Light fingers grasped his tattooed bicep and he knew what she was asking.

“Let me pull back. I haven’t attempted to transport whilst holding magic like this yet.” He muttered as he pulled himself back. Before, it took chants and songs for his magic to refocus, but after months of training from the witches, he was able to do it silently, a flare of magic surrounding the two of them before she pulled him with her, apparating to the boundary line.

And Calum nearly fell to his knees when he saw who was stood there.

-

Words were indistinct. He couldn’t separate one from the other. And it was beginning to frustrate him. But then he heard the sentence that chilled his blood.

“Do you think I don’t know this? I am to be cursed for eternity if she does the spell under coercion and I want no part of this.” His mind quickly put together that the sirens were working with old magic.

And then it hit him.

They worked with the magic that the witches taught him. For all they knew, that was his only heritage. His tribal heritage wasn’t known. It was kept under wraps for the duration of his stay with the witches. The only ones who knew were the ones who were apart of the high council.

“Help the other demon, if he stays disconnected from his magic any longer, he’ll perish.” Calum felt his magic pull back from what he was taught, allowing the old magic to wash over him. He knew that after this, he was going to have to revisit his old Tohunga.

“What about you?” Ashton’s voice pulled his attention for a second as he heard something shift. He guessed that it was the siren, moving over to help him. He knew he’d just need seconds of her magic to protect against the rest of them.

He could feel her fingers touch his temple and his magic latched on as Luke spoke.

“Unless they murder Carina, I’ll be fine.” And then the siren song began and Calum could feel the magic fighting his own.

He felt his body get swept under, but his magic kept him on the edge of consciousness, working against the sirens magic.

-

His parents and sister were stood there, their wrists shackled together, and he could see that they were tighter than necessary.

“Now, I wouldn’t have brought the family along, however I need you to not set me on fire, little witch boy. Or should I say Tohunga?” The tribal name sounded twisted leaving the demons lips. Calum’s fingers clenched into a fist.

“What do you want from me?” The demon smirked at him, his eyes flashing as a sigil appeared above him. And Calum’s heart dropped.

“A soul for a soul, boy. Which one should it be?” He watched in horror as his sister fell to her knees, a scream ripping from her throat.

He ignored Talisia’s hand as he launched forward, feeling the magic wrap around his throat as he shouted.

“Stop!”

His sisters screams had been reduced to breathless sobs and his heart wrenched.

“You killed one of my demons, I do not take kindly to that.” And he watched as his parents stared at him in horror. His mother had dropped to her knees to comfort his sister and he felt his gut twist.

“Leave them alone, they’re not apart of this.” Calum finally muttered and he watched as the shackled disappeared, feeling his gut twist as he watched his sister cling to their parents.

Before he could protest the treatment of his family, more demons turned up and he felt the horror mount as they stood around his family, poised.

His eyes stared in horror, the scene unfolding as a scream tore through his sisters lips when the first demon wrapped what looked like to be a whip around her throat.

A grip seemed to dig into his shoulder, and he could feel the burn, mingled yelling escaping from his parents as he felt the claws dig so deep into his shoulder, Calum was certain that if he moved, his shoulder would get torn off.

“You were the ones that left him to this last resort. His soul is mine.” And Calum felt his heart break at the looks of betrayal from his family.

“I-I was left with no choice!” He pleaded with them, unable to move as they stepped back from him. “The demon would’ve killed all of us!” He pleaded with his parents as his sister was released from the whip, burns wrapped around the skin of her throat.

His heart shattered as darkness engulfed him and he was tossed away from the towering demon, a sharp cry escaping from his lips.

“Eternity doesn’t look so good now, does it, boy? Get moving.”

He realised that he would forever be barred from tribal grounds and everything came crashing down as he felt the sharp pain jolt in his heart, a scream ripped from his throat as his entire body began to change and adjust.

-

“What the fuck was that?” Luke snapped, pulling Calum from his slumber and Calum could feel the bindings snap beneath the water and his strength return.

He was going to make the sirens regret the day they decided to muder Lucifer’s Queen.

“That was my wake up call.” His voice was tired as he cracked his neck, feeling more alive than he’d done in too long.

“Calum?”

Calum turned towards Luke, ignoring his friend. There would be time for explanations once they were out of that hell hole.

“You said you went to every council?” His tone was sharp and Luke looked taken aback.

“Yeah, almost every council agreed. The only one that didn’t was the vampire council, mostly because I never asked of them.” Luke lifted his shoulders into a shrug and the magic began to build again. But this time he felt his own combat it and it felt like a power rush.

“Good, because they think they can break me, but they don’t know me.” And he watched as the sirens face dropped as he stood up, his hands free of the bindings.

Magic seemed to surround him as his eyes fell shut and he felt every bind snap. He could feel the sirens weak bond to her sisters, but before his magic could touch it, he watched as Ashton’s own magical signature snapped the bond, tying her to him.

Calum felt relief flood him that he wouldn’t have to face murdering the siren that had been trying to help them.

“These sirens chose the wrong creatures to break. I’m going to make them pay and when I’m through with them, the mere memory of them will be tainted enough for people to forget.” Calum growled out as his magic receded.

And as the siren helped them from the water pit, once her hands touched Ashton’s, Calum saw as her body accepted the bond between her and him.

“I’ll show you the secret passages. I can’t let them live after this.”

Calum smirked as his fingers snapped and the damp clothes were dry once more and the wolf laughed in shock.

“Who knew that demons could be handy.”

“Who knew that wolves would be good to fit through the smaller holes to make bigger.” Calum fired back and a groan escaped from the wolf before he shifted, his bulky mass immediately shoving into the caverns sides.

Calum turned to Ashton, unsurprised to see his arm around the sirens body, her gaze unsure.

“Your loyalty to your sisters is no longer there. What they may have forgotten to tell you is that my magic is tribal. They didn’t know how to fight it so they simply went for the one that was familiar to them.” He explained as the wolf continued to break away parts of the cavern.

A hiss told them that the vampire began to help.

“That’s why they had you under so many binds.” She whispered in shock and he nodded, his smile grim.

“I don’t know the witch they captured personally, but I know her friend. The high council were my mentors before I became a demon. If they taught her like they taught me, they most likely gave her what’s called a backdoor key. It’s a spell that can get a certain amount of people out of an enchanted place. However, it’s limited. It means that there will be people who need to stay behind.” Her eyes widened.

“You plan to take out the species?” There was a snarl from behind him and Calum turned as the wolf shifted back to his human form.

“Why the fuck did you tell her that?” His eyes were glowing, the anger rolling off him in waves. Calum rolled his eyes.

“Because she has no ties to the sisterhood anymore. Her bond with my brother in everything but blood has secured that.”

“So she is my mate?” Ashton’s words made Calum turn his head and he met Ashton’s gaze evenly.

“Yes. You know that my magic is attuned to you. I watched as you snapped her bond with them. It’s gone, no loyalty, nothing. Not to them.”

“If she gets us killed, I’m going to find you in the afterlife and make it hell.” The wolf snapped as he shifted back, budging the last of the rock away from the cavern, letting it fall away to give them all enough room to break through.

Once they were out, Calum could feel the magic become overwhelming and he knew they were panicking now. Their presence had been sensed.

He almost wished he was wrong, but it was barely seconds as a dozen sirens came from around the next bend and he watched as their bodies shifted and morphed, screeches escaping as they launched to the group of five.

“Time to test out my theory.” Came the mutter from Calum, earning looks of shock from the others.

His hands lifted to the air as he let loose a tribal cry, magic swirling around him as it met the crescendo pitch of the sirens song.

He closed his eyes and for the first time since he became a demon, he prayed.

---

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“Who goes?” A voice called out, one of the cell doors to their left rattling lightly.

“Lyra?” The siren called softly as she stepped up to the door.

“Melody? Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Gods alive, they drove Serina and I mad, taunting us that you’d been killed for betrayal.” A hand reached through the bars and Melody felt her body tremble as she turned back to the group of four.

“You can’t let them die.” Her plea was quiet, but they all heard her.

Luke groaned before Michael shook his head to the vampire. And then he realised. It was likely going to be Michael and Calum’s mates.

“Calum?” Luke asked quietly, turning his attention to the blonde demon. “We can’t leave them behind.”

Another second and the door exploded outwards, pushing Melody into Ashton’s awaiting arms, earning a scowl from the red haired demon.

But then his focus vanished when the first siren stepped out and he felt his breath disappear. And his magic reacted, the bond snapping between her and the sisterhood, only to be replaced with one tied to him.

And he couldn’t find it in himself to care less as she threw herself at the siren she’d named Melody before turning to the group.

Michael was swift to meet the second siren, his anxious state settling as his fingers brushed her arm and the siren scowled.

“A fucking werewolf? Great.” She muttered and Melody laughed.

“Lyra and I are tied to demons, count your blessings Serina.” And Calum felt himself entirely lost for words as Luke finally snarled.

“All fucking dandy, but my own mate is still suffering.” He snapped and it seemed to move the group into action.

Every time they met a siren who was determined to get them, either Calum or Luke took them out. Now that they had the three that Michael had prophesied, there was no holding back for Luke.

And he was ruthless.

At first he just murdered them outright, but then he realised that to get to Carina, he needed them to tell him. He was surprised at the lack of sympathy that the other three held for their murdered sisters.

“They broke our trust with the sisterhood.” Serina simply intoned and none of them argued their words, especially when Luke wrapped his fingers around the throat of the next siren they saw, allowing Calum the pleasure to kill the other three with her.

“Where did they take the witch? If you give me the right answer, I might let you live.” His lips were curled up into a snarl and it was glaringly obvious that she was a younger siren.

What he hadn’t expected was for Lyra to give an encouraging nod to the siren in his grip.

“Sacrificial chamber. The centre cavern.” She gasped out and Luke smirked.

“First rule of coming across enemies. Never trust their word.” Her neck snapped in his grip and her body dropped to the floor as he turned to the three sirens they had.

“Where’s that chamber?”

“I can get you there. The other two will get burned.” Melody stepped forward. Luke went with him.

“We’ll stick with Calum and Lyra until one of you can give us word that we need to go.” Michael motioned to himself and Serina, and she didn’t argue with him, choosing to move closer to his side.

Luke followed after Melody and Ashton brought up the rear as they began to traverse through the winding caverns.

No words were shared as they hurried through and Luke could finally hear the chanting. He didn’t even break stride as he moved past Melody and broke into the chamber, his eyes wild and lip curled up into a snarl.

“The vampire gets to witness his mates doom, how sweet.” Sorrell’s sickly sweet voice set his body on edge, his eyes darting between the various sirens. It didn’t sit well with him that there was still so much distance between him and his mate, but then he spied Carina’s dagger in the sirens hands and he realised he had to tread carefully.

“The vampire broke three of your sisters from their slavery to you. I think I got the better end of the deal.” Luke commented nonchalantly as Melody slipped into the cavern followed by Ashton. Sorrell scoffed.

“That pathetic waste of skin? She was never one of us.” He watched as Melody’s resolve shifted and he smirked as she switched her direction towards Sorrell rather than Carina. He knew Ashton was moving to his mate, so he stayed put.

“Never one of you? I had the same as you, you insufferable bitch! I had the slender body, the looks to boot. But then you, the precious little princess decided I wasn’t worth a damn.” Melody snapped as she stalked forwards.

Sorrell watched in shock as the dagger ripped from her hand, straight into Melody’s.

“You were never one of us! You chose to waste away instead of helping us!” The stupor finally broke as Melody laughed and Luke silently prayed that he was immune to the magic of her voice.

“Better to waste away than put another siren through the hell you put me through.” With another snarl, the dagger was flung from Melody’s grip and lodged directly into Sorrell’s heart.

The look of smug satisfaction washed over Melody until the cavern began to tremble and her gaze turned from smug to frightened as she looked over to see Carina being freed into Ashton’s grip.

“Time to leave, little siren.” Luke muttered, trusting that Ashton would actually follow with his mate.

-

Calum watched as Michael pulled his mate away from the crumbling caverns.

“You can’t leave them!” Serina was pulling back towards Calum and Lyra. Lyra turned away from her sister, facing Calum completely.

“What do you need?” He couldn’t look at Michael, and he knew Ashton would have whisked Melody out with Luke and Carina.

Calum had never been sure what love was. He’d seen the aura, felt the familial love from the coven and his tribe. The brotherly affection he received from Ashton. But the way Lyra’s eyes looked up at him, so trusting and ready to help him stop the sisterhood, he felt his heart grow ten times in a span of seconds.

“I need you to focus your magic, I need you to direct it. Mine will overpower and guide yours when it gets close enough.” She nodded her head at his instructions, her foot stepping backwards to give him space, but Calum’s hand shot out, wrapping around her wrist.

Her eyes met his and he couldn’t stop the words that had been circling his mind.

“I know we’ve only just met, and I know this is going to sound so fucking stupid. But if I have to die today, I’m glad the universe gave me you, just so I knew what an all encompassing love felt like.” Her eyes widened at his words.

Before he could step away to turn and do his work, her arms went around his neck, her lips meeting his. And everything in his body began to sing, just for her.

“The universe allowed me this one moment peace with you, Calum. I cannot be mad at it, if we were to leave now.” Lyra whispered against his lips before pulling away.

He stood for a moment, dazed before he turned away, his hands raised as he began his chant. Calum could feel his magic meet hers, the force twisting together as he began to guide it.

The ground began to violently tremble, the earth protesting the use of her magic for something so destructive. But Calum held firm in his chant, unable to look away from the tops of the caverns as rocks began to crumble and fall.

Fear began to bubble in his chest, knowing that he was walking to his death. It terrified him.

A slender arm joined his, fingers wrapping around his as Lyra mirrored his stance, her body next to his, other arm raised up and the fear that had bubbled, began to shift into determination.

The second the chant ended, the ground cracked and Calum pulled Lyra into his hold, his eyes pressing tightly.

“I’ll love you for eternity, even in the afterlife.” He whispered as the world went black.

-

Michael was fighting with his mate, her struggled cries causing him grief as he felt the magic wrap around them and move them away from the caverns.

“How could you let them stay?” She snapped as she broke free from his arms her body turning away from him as she looked out to where the caves were. They were too far for her to go back on foot.

“Because Calum is the only one powerful enough to wipe out sirens. Our job was to keep you and your sisters safe.” He finally snapped and she pinned him with a glare that rivalled his own. She could see his eyes were shifting between amber and green and she knew that his wolf was dangerously close to the surface.

“Then why didn’t you let me save Lyra?”

“Because I know how it feels to lose your mate, and I wasn’t going to subject her to that pain so soon after finding him.” He snapped back, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Or did you forget that your sisters so loving murdered my last mate?” She stumbled back at the venom in his tone and she took in a shaky breath as a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Peace, Michael.” Carina’s voice was gentle, but she did not miss the way that Serina’s eyes landed on her hand, a look of confusion warring with a look of frustration.

Taking a step back, Serina’s body relaxed when Carina dropped her hand from Michael’s body.

Michael took a step forward to Serina this time, her eyes wary and he sighed.

“I didn’t mean to throw that in your face like that. My goddess gave me another, you. But you have to trust that there is a reason why we didn’t take Lyra with us. Melody will tell you what she said the moment she touched Ashton’s hand. I couldn’t let Lyra live with the false hope of him surviving or the crushing grief that would happen if he didn’t.” Serina’s bottom lip wobbled as she let out a choked sob, her body falling into Michael’s as it hit her.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered as a rumble ran through the earth and they turned to the caverns, watching in horror as the cliffs collapsed.

“Carina?” Luke prompted softly and she wiped a stray tear that had fallen.

“We have a day to find every body buried under the rubble before the humans will see the devastation.” She whispered and Luke nodded.

“The sirens bodies will need to be burned. Did you manage to contact Jade?”

“They should be here with reinforcements in the next few moments.” Carina whispered in return and sighed.

“We may as well move to the site before they arrive, so they know who is in charge of this clean up.” Melody murmured softly from Ashton’s side. He’d barely let her leave his side since they escaped and Serina sucked in a shuddering breath as she turned to Carina.

“I don’t want them touching Lyra or Calum’s bodies. We need to go now.”

It took two jumps, but Carina got them all as close as possible and she began to murmur spells, sand rising from the ground and solidifying into a table, her magic reaching out to give them a full view of what they were looking at.

It wasn’t much later that other witches began to arrive.

Ashton was frozen when Lucifer himself showed up with them, his eyes tired as he took in the protective stance that Ashton held over his mate.

“You cannot touch these two.” Michael stated firmly, stepping between Lucifer and Ashton. Luke felt either the wolf was very brave or very stupid.

“I’ve been instructed by my goddess that our mates will help bring about a new round of sirens, sirens that will obey our laws and will know better than what the last lot did.” His eyes flashed amber and Lucifer backed down instantly.

“I will not argue with your goddess.” He finally muttered. The other wolves that had arrived whispered between themselves before falling silent at Michael's look.

Carina stepped up then.

“Our task is to get every single body from the rubble before my spells wear off. I can only reapply the spell in twelve hours to give us another twelve hour protection. But that’s all we have.”

“There are two bodies that are not to be touched by anyone but our own hands.” Luke called out, his voice carrying. “A demon and his siren mate.” Lucifer gave off a silent snarl but Luke snarled loudly in return.

The King of hell wasn’t expecting that.

“King or not, you abide by our word. I already owe Leto my gratitude for helping me defy the fates to keep my mate alive. She gifted her wolf a second mate. Do you think she will not hesitate to make you obey?”

“I am a King, boy.” Lucifer snapped, clawed fingers wrapping around the vampires throat, lifting him off his feet.

“And I am a broken siren.” Melody stepped forward, her glare firm on the King of Hell. Ashton was both terrified and proud of his mate in that moment.

“So what? Your fucking race murdered my Queen. Why should I listen to the vampires threats?”

“Because King of Hell or not, you have our laws to follow. The sisterhood may have disregarded the laws, but I don’t. Put. Him. Down.” The claws retracted from Luke’s neck, dropping him to the sand.

Carina helped him up, her fingers tracing the marks the claws had left.

“And what will you do, broken siren, if I decided to take the body of one of my own away?” The taunt was a challenge, and any fool could see it. Raising her fist, she watched as his eyes became unfocused.

“I will rip you from every good thing. I will take your memories and taint them. I will drive you mad to the point that your own kind have to put you down like a rabid dog. Don’t. Test. Me.” Her fist dropped on the last word and Lucifer stumbled backwards, his glare less intense as he put distance between himself and Melody.

She returned to Ashton’s side and he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head as Carina took over.

“The only siren body we are after will be with the demon. Otherwise, we will create pyres and burn them at sunset.”

No one argued with them after the verbal smack down that Lucifer had received.

As they began to pull bodies from the wreckage, Luke visibly shivered as he came across Sorrell’s body, unable to even touch her. The dagger that was still lodged in her heart was a clear as daylight message.

Carina removed the dagger, sheathing it before continuing to help shift the rubble.

It took the better part of six hours, their bodies were weary as they got closer to the centre of the destruction.

Various species were trading off, but the original six held steadfast, determined to find the bodies of their fallen two.

It was Melody who found them first.

“Ashton.” Her voice was calm and they knew. They abandoned the areas they were all working at, scrabbling across the rocks to see it for themselves.

Luke helped Melody launch the piece of rubble as far as possible away from the entwined couple. Their hair covered in dust, faces covered in cuts and dark bruises.

Ashton knelt down first, his fingers pushing through his best friends’ hair, brushing it away from his face. Melody and Serina knelt together, their fingers gently brushing Lyra’s hair back before their first tears fell.

No noises could escape the two, they knew it would mean certain death for those that were now not protected. But even so, the mournful noise that escaped Ashton, followed by a baleful noise from Michael, who could feel every emotion from his mate, everyone paused.

Ashton carried Calum, silent tears falling as they moved through the rubble, following the path towards the set up. Creatures alike stopped as the procession passed them, Luke cradling Lyra’s body to him as the other four followed behind.

No words were spoken as the bodies were lain together, knowing that even in death, they deserved something so simple. It was all Ashton could do to stop himself from lighting them immediately, reminding himself to follow the traditions.

“One day and then we burn them.” He whispered to Melody who let out a choked noise, her face moving to hide in his face as she heaved noiseless sobs, her fingers clutching at Ashton’s shirt. Serina was in a similar position, allowing her mate to comfort her as her shoulders shook, tears dampening Michael’s shirt.

Carina wiped the few stray tears from her eyes, taking a hold of Luke’s hand.

“We’ll help finish up. You guys have done enough.” She finally whispered and before they could make noises of protest, she held up her hands.

“You’re about to witness your own species go up in flames, please. Let them comfort you and pull yourselves back. You’re the only ones who know the old ways for your species death. We need you both.”

They couldn’t argue with her logic, not when she was so sound in it.

They stayed, waited it out. Eventually, when all of the bodies were found, the various creatures began to step back, allowing Melody and Serina to step forward.

“Why aren’t we burning the other siren?” A call came from a latecomer and quick as a flash, Ashton had his whip out and around the person's throat, the magic pushing them into the air as the whip tightened around their throat.

“She was mated to a demon, to my best friend. Our laws dictate that we burn our dead a day after. Despite what the sisterhood did, we have to follow their laws with their bodies, but once they connected, she’s bound to my laws.” He snarled.

No one moved an inch before he dropped the newcomer unceremoniously on the floor.

Melody and Serina began their chants.

“We ask our goddess, she who tempted Odysseus, to take the sisterhood and grant the passage to where they will go. We do not ask for judgement, for their souls have been selected. Grant them that mercy with the fires of the dead.”

The pyres were lit up, and the sirens magic broke, the two remaining sirens collapsing into each other as the bond between them and the sisterhood snapped away completely.

Everyone was so focused on the two living ones, no one noticed when the supposedly dead siren’s hand curled around her mates.

-

tag list: @cals-babylons​​ , @glitterprincelu​​ , @calumspeachy​​ , @cosmocalum​​ , @monsteramongmikey​​ , @talkfastfletcher​​ , @hereforlukescruff​​ , @astroashtonio​​ , @catchinqcalum​​ , @5saucewho​​ , @dontstopisagoodsongchangemymind​​ , @therainydays4​​ , @asht0ns-world​​ , @silverchainbee​​ , @hidd3nfangirl​​ , @doodleasouarus​​ , @empathycth​​ , @mylovehes​​ , @songforhema​​ , @kinglyhood​​ , @youngblood199456​​ , @makecoffeenotwars​​ , @sunny-sos​​ , @negative-love​​ , @softboycal​​ , @kinglycalum​​ , @you-of-ghost​​ , @meetyoutheremgc​​ , @lmao5sosimagines​​ , @lietoash​​ , @aw-hawkeye​​ , @drummerboy794​​ , @itjustkindahappenedreally​​, @mycollectionofnuts​​, @abitloudforanaccousticset​​, @boytoynamedcalum​​ , @teampreator​​ , @dukehoods​​ , @dweebluke​​ , @calumculture​​ , @lashtoncurls​​ , @wildhearthood​​ , @gigglyirwin​​ , @blue-skies-are-alright​​ , @hearts-to-the-sky​​ , @tiddlerrr​​ , @all-i-want-is2b-loved-by-you​​ , @zooniah​​ , @cakeassx-blog​​ , @rotten-kandy​​ , @vipclifford​​ , @musiclover1263​​ , @rosecoloredash​​ , @jpgluke​​ , @cathartichaoss​​ , @5secondssofssummer​​ , @daisy-jen​​ , @balsamichood​​ , @cliffordstxngue​​ , @lukesbellas , @myloverboyash​​ , @cxddlyash​​  , @gabiatthedisco​​ , @rosesfromcth​​ , @gorgeouslygrace​​ , @calumsssparkle​​ , @valentinelrh​​ , @meetashthere​​ , @softforcal​​ , @cakesunflower​​ , @sweetcherrymike​​ , @fangirlforever0704 , @caswinchester2000​​ , @long-termplanwithshort-termfixes​​ , @josierosie​​ , @ashtoniwir​​ , @raabiac​​ , @burncrashbromance​​ , @killerlukesqueen​​ , @angelbabylu​​​ , @heartbreak-5sos​​ , @geeksareunique​​ , @singledadharrington​​ , @singt0mecalum​​ , @sugarcoated-pain​​​ , @sublimehood​​​ , @americanhorrorstudies​​ , @moonchildsblack​​ , @uncrownedqueeen​​ , @softforluke​​ , @lostincalum​​ , @colourfulcalum​​ , @calpops​​ , @rosecolouredash​ , @aftermidnightclifford​ , @myemptywallets , @nine-butterflies , @dammitbands , 

His Wolf was going mad, locked away, stuck in human form. He could not even mourn the loss of his mate, the snap of the bond so sudden. The pain had been nothing like he’d ever felt and he’d screamed in agony, his vocal chords burning raw from the mixed cries and howls that had been desperate to escape, to give some kind of relief from the sheer agony that had run through his entire body.

Blearily, his eyes turned to the newcomer he hadn’t met, the shock of red still vibrant in the darkness. He took a cautious sniff.

“Demon.” His tone was even, lifeless. He could see the pity in the demons eyes.

“Wolf.” He returned quietly, eyes holding Michaels for longer than necessary.

Michael looked away, he couldn’t stand the pity that he could see.

“Has there anyone been feeding you?” Michael’s eyes snapped to the demon and scoffed.

“They’re breaking us. One by one. The vampire hasn’t fed for god knows how long. They murdered my mate and have kept me in this godforsaken water pit and your demon buddy has been tied down without access to his magic for weeks. I’d say the last thing they’re bothering to worry about is fucking feeding us.”

The demon eyed him warily, eyes dropping to the mark that he knew was destroyed. He felt his skin burn every time the water touched it.

“How?”

That brought up Michael short.

He didn’t know how she was killed, but he felt the bond snap so brutally, he was almost certain his heart was going to stop when it happened.

“They tell me she begged. Pleaded with them.” He finally whispered, his eyes falling shut as he turned away from the demon.

“And you’d trust a siren on their word?” Hope bloomed before Michael crushed it, the vicious reminder they’d brought him, pulling to the forefront of his mind.

“They threw her head at me.”

Silence.

Then-

“Shit. Talk about really going for the break.” And Michael felt his body relax minutely. He didn’t want the pity, he was in enough pain to beg them to just put him out of his misery.

“Michael.” He finally muttered to the demon. The demon gave him a half smile in return.

“Ashton.”

Michael could feel the magic build once more. And he watched Ashton. But the demon didn’t slip into a slumberless coma like the other two had done.

“You’re immune?”

“More like a broken siren took pity and wants out.” And it was almost like fate was listening. Michael had seen this siren a few times, watching over them. He could see from the way other sirens treated her, like a shadow that had no use to them. Despite his animosity towards sirens, he felt none for this siren.

He just felt sorry for her.

“The sisterhood have charged me to be your keepers.” Her voice was quiet and Michael could only feel confusion as Ashton smirked.

“A punishment?”

“I spoke out of turn apparently.” Her words were laced with doubt and frustration. Ashton snorted.

“Looks like you can keep us company.” Her eyes turned to Michael and she frowned.

“How?”

“Your sisterhood murdered my mate and decapitated her. Forgive me for not willing to let my broken heart be trusting of the sirens song.” And he watched a the smallest of smiles crept up onto her features.

“This works in our favour. The only consolation I can give you, is that she wasn’t alone. The sisterhood believe their version of cruelty is traumatising. And whilst it is, they’ve done worse to me than make me hold a dying woman’s hand. I blessed her passage in the hopes that the gods would keep her safe from further harm.” And Michael could only stare at this siren, a siren that he wanted to hate so badly, but couldn’t.

“Moon Goddess, grant her safe passage. Heal us both.” He finally whispered, tears falling down as he bowed his head, the tip off his nose touching the water as his teardrops fell.

He could feel the burning on his neck. He knew it was going to happen soon, but this way, it was his choice to heal. He wouldn’t resent his Goddess trying to find the other part to his soul once more.

“Let me give you peace for this, wolf.” And although he didn’t want her to touch him, to be anywhere near him. Michael nodded.

It was like a light went out and with it, his heartache, his pain and most of all, his destroyed mark.

-

“Michael.” The soft voice that he was greeted with was not one he was expecting. He knew the sirens magic, he could still feel the pressure on his chest.

But the being in front of him was a stranger. Dark caramel skin, tight curls that defied gravity and the most gentle smile on their lips. And then it clicked.

He fell to his knees, a look of awe overcoming his features as he prostrated himself before the Moon Goddess, his words lost from his voice as he realised that every prayer he’d ever made since he was a child had gone to his Goddess.

“Rise child, you need not to bow to me on these realms.” Her touch was gentle as she carefully brushed her fingers through his hair. He waited before she retracted her hand and pulled himself up, his eyes drinking in the image of the Goddess the wolves worshipped.

Pearly white teeth were a stark contrast against her skin as she grinned at him, lifting a hand and letting it come to rest on his face, her palm gentle against his cheek.

“You’ve been so brave, my child.” He’d never felt this content. Not when he’d met his mate, not when they’d bonded completely. It was a different kind of relief that filled his body, the knowledge that his Moon Goddess was a real being and she watched over her wolves.

“How? They killed my mate. All I’ve wanted is to follow after her, to be at peace. The pain, it’s so much.” His voice wouldn’t go past a whisper, terrified to break this illusion.

“The siren will not dare break you from me. You can speak, child.” Her tone wasn’t harsh, but it was firm, almost as if her words were carrying a warning to the siren that sat watch over him and the three others in their pit.

The first tear rolled down his cheek, and she didn’t hesitate to wipe the tear away.

“You asked for me to heal you. To grant her safe passage instead of begging me to make her spirit wait for you to return to her side once more. Do you understand the kind of bravery you invoked, child? Even the most wisest of wolves has never been able to do such a thing.”

She guided him to a seat he hadn’t noticed before. And then he began to really look.

It was a garden, clear skies as they walked through it to the small table that held two chairs and a tea service. As they walked, her robes shed away, revealing more skin, the dress fitting to her and making her look impeccable as she took a seat, the air of grace rendering him speechless once more.

She was a real thing.

“The sirens overstepped the laws this time.” Her voice was firm as she poured him out a drink, she didn’t even ask him for what he wanted. But as he took the offered cup, the tea touching his tongue, he realised that she knew what he’d like.

“What else have they done? They could make claims, say that my mate attacked, gave them the right to defend themselves.” He knew his voice sounded empty, he looked away from the look of pity.

“I may not get on with Lucifer, but he does me a service by keeping his demons in check. He knows my territory and does not dare encroach on it for fear of my wrath. He knows that at a simple command, I could have every wolf descending on him should I so wish it, and I would win.” Michael felt himself stare for a moment as he processed her words.

Her lips curved into a small smile as it finally hit him.

“You know Lucifer?”

“I know him, and he rightfully fears me. However, I knew of his consort, or Queen, for lack of a better word. She was a hybrid, demon and human. A test to see if nature or nurture would win out. When he met her and she put him in his place, he knew it was over for him. He would have done anything for her if she had asked.”

It hit Michael like a freight train.

“She was his mate?”

“Yes, but he didn’t know that. Apparently, she was a descendent of one of my own. She never had the genetics so she never knew her heritage. But the bond still recognises. It’s why he nearly levelled the entire earth when his bond snapped.”

And Michael could understand why.

“What’s going to happen?”

“The four of you are going to wipe out the sirens. Only three will live, bound to three of you.” And suddenly his anger flared so fast, pushing away from the table. He didn’t realise he was pacing until she stood up herself, her dress flaring out as her hair seemed to ruffle, eyes alive with fire.

“Sit down.” The command had him submitting instantly, his legs giving out and having him fall to his knees. The anger still burned in his chest, a growl bubbling to the surface.

“They murdered her and I cannot let them live.” Michael ground out and the soft sigh that followed made his heart twist painfully.

“Sit with me, child.” She waited for him to finally get to his feet, dragging them back to his chair as he sat down, his back rigid, eyes a dark shade of green as he scowled at the Goddess.

“Why are you telling me that three of them will live?”

“Because they are mates to the two demons and yourself,” she paused before continuing when all he did was stiffen, “the vampire has his own mate. Fate will not dare take her from him if they know what’s best for them. He is willing to fight the fates for his mate.”

“And I wasn’t?” He snapped back, frustrated.

“You did not journey across the world, my child. It is not to say that you wouldn’t, however he did everything he could. He even turned to the High Council of Wolves to ask for help.” This brought Michael up short.

It was an unwritten rule that Vampires were never to be trusted or offered any kind of help. To have asked the High Council for help, it spoke volumes of his desperation and Michael sighed.

“I would not be surprised if he petitioned Lucifer himself to be allowed passage to Hades’ lair.” He muttered as her hand rested on his. The stark contrast of their skin made him pause before he relaxed and turned his hand beneath hers, his fingers curling around her hand carefully before squeezing it.

She beamed at him in return.

“So three will be saved, what then?”

“The vampire will have access to an old spell book. His mate will require to give three drops of blood before your own mates will share their own with hers. The spell will infuse with the three sirens and they will be able to create sirens themselves. They will be their own High Council.”

“And why are you telling me this?”

“Because you will keep the other three on track. You will stop them from wiping out the entire race too soon. The first demon has met his mate, he does not know or recognise it yet due to the magic being suppressed. But the other demon and yourself must find your mates before you destroy the rest of them.”

“Then make it stop. Make my chest stop feeling like it’s on fire.” He finally pleaded with her and she smiled kindly.

“The fact you took so long to ask means you’ll be fine. However, as your Goddess, I have a lot of pull. My last favour to you, my child.” Her arm swept out to the garden and he nearly keeled forward as he got up, desperate to reassure himself that she was there.

But he hesitated as he reached her. Would he want to let her go once he had her?

Her fingers touched his face and his body melted to her touch. Her eyes shone, unshed tears clear as daylight.

“My wonderful wolf. I’m sad our time was not forever like we had planned.” She whispered and the first tear fell. He caught it with his thumb.

“What we had was enough for us. We had our small pocket of forever princess, I promise you.” He returned just as softly and she giggled before her arms wrapped around him and his own held her tightly to him.

“You need to go back to her. I’m safe and happy now. No pain.” He held back the sob that wanted to escape.

“I can’t let you go like this, princess.” He finally whispered and she pulled back, her lips meeting his gently.

“You can. She deserves you just like I did. But promise me that you won’t forget me?”

“Always, princess.”

There was a hand to his shoulder and he turned to see his Goddess pulling her cloak back on, holding her other hand out to his mate.

“It’s time for us to leave child. Your mark will be healed, and any remaining pain will be dull. Memories will hurt, but do not bury them. Promise me you will give her a chance.” The tone she used brokered for no arguments.

“I can only promise to try for now. But I will not let her die.” The Moon Goddess paused before nodding her head in acceptance.

“This I can deal with. Take care of yourself, my child. I do not want to see you again for many moons to come.” And without warning, a bright flash filled his vision and both of them were gone.

And he was alone once more as he fell to his knees, a loud sob breaking through, but he could notice the difference.

His chest wasn’t heavy, there was no jagged pain. He could breathe once more.

And then the world returned to black.

-

When his eyes opened, it took him a second to feel the peace, the calm after the storm of emotions.

And part of him hated it. Hated the fact that he’d allowed himself to move on like that. But then he reminded himself that it wasn’t so.

He was in control. Yes he would need his mate around, but he could get to know her, learn to love her instead of loathe her.

“Your Goddess uses strong magic, Wolf.” The siren muttered and he snorted.

“She knew you wouldn’t try to interfere, but she had to be sure.” He explained, the water lapping at his neck. He then realised that it didn’t hurt him for the water to touch it.

“I’m guessing my mark is gone?”

“It glowed before disappearing minutes before you woke up.” The siren spoke quietly. His eyes shut together and he realised that the second he’d held her, the mark vanished. There’d be nothing but relief after the initial joy of seeing her there.

“My Goddess has gifted me a second mate. One of your sisters.” His eyes opened, meeting the shocked sirens. “There is a third who can be saved. My Goddess explained everything to me, from what the vampire did to get his mate back and what we can do so this never happens again.” He refrained from saying about destroying the entire species bar those three.

The last thing Michael wanted was to drive the siren back to her sisters, to prevent their deaths out of loyalty to the species.

“You have my word I’ll try to help all four of you get out of here.”

“Good, because I’m ready to break these damn chains, fuck the consequences.” The vampire muttered as his dark eyes opened, meeting Michael’s carefully. “I’ll give my thanks to your Goddess when I get out of here with my mate safe.”

“Duly noted.” Michael returned, making Ashton smirk.

“So, siren. Where do we begin?”

---

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