#stacilynn

Sythe Luce slipped from the bedroom without a sound, phone already in the palm of his hand. He typed as he walked, finishing off an email he'd started a few hours ago. Annoyance flickered in the back of his throat, but he managed to type out a half-assed statement regarding his commitment to keep an imaginary treaty of peace between his demons and the rest of the Otherworld.

Taxing. His job was taxing, and now he was doing favors for people he didn't even like. He'd always admired the blond's drive, but the two had never been more than acquaintance. How Karsyn managed to use her bond with his brother to get this statement from him he still wasn't sure. The little bitch had tricks.

Pressing send and stuffing the little box of trouble back into the pocket of his leather trews, Sythe shuffled into the small kitchenette of his chambers and snagged up the box of smokes still sitting on his counter top. He lit one, flicking on the coffee pot as he took a long drag.

Hopefully the smell out drag the minx in his bed up and out in time for him to make it to Night's before noon.

-

Nathaniel Cross rushed through the rows and rows of desks in his office, sprinting to the copier. Finally, he'd finally gotten the statement from Sythe via an email Karsyn had forwarded him half an hour ago. His heart was beating in his throat, the realization hitting him with a full adrenaline rush.

This was it. Finally, they were here. With Sythe and Night's statements, the others would sign. After months of hard work, of burying himself in the ancient libraries and studying the social order of every major faction involved in Otherworld politics, Nathan had finally gotten a second signature.

The door to the copy room was open. Nathaniel grabbed the door frame, swinging himself inside, only to hit a brick wall.

Matthew stood beside the machine, shuffling through the papers in his hand. Beside him, the copier hummed as it continued to shoot out a neat stack.

"You actually did it," the raven muttered to himself as his golden eyes scanned the print. "You got him to agree."

"Karsyn's bringing me the official documents tonight, but yes. Sythe's agreed."

"What's next? Who's next?"

Blood thrummed in his ears as Nathaniel stepped further into the room, checking that the machine was putting out the correct papers. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" The low tone of his voice, the doubt that ran deep in his words. Nathan struggled with the war inside himself, the attraction. "You've got dozens of people working on this, waiting for the next move. And you don't know where to take it from here?"

"Rhydstrom." His thoughts were wild, frantic as he scrambled for a plan. "No, Calcifer. The Angels are next."

"You're not going to get Calcifer to sign in the middle of a civil war. And even if he did, who would you send? He knows of your relationship with Blyze, with the rebellion. He wont sign."

"Night, then. I'll send Night."

A scoff from the raven. "I'll never understand how you got a full fledged God in your pocket. Karsyn must be hiding ancient secrets between her legs to keep him entertained this long."

Annoyance overwhelmed the attraction, and Nathaniel snapped. "I've asked you to stop talking about her like she's a slut."

Matthew smiled, showing every one of those perfect white teeth. "And I've asked you to stop playing house with an adulterous whore but it looks like I'm going to have to settle for less." Setting his papers on the printer, the raven demigod caught sight of a tall, brown haired male through the open door. Nathaniel pretended not to notice the way those golden eyes lingered, the desire that pooled there. "I'll go to Calcifer, send Blyze to Rhydstrom."

"That- why would I-"

"Cyph and I go back. I've done him some favors in the past, made sure my product didn't end up in his land. I'll take some backup with me, just in case."

Just in case. Nathaniel's eyes found the ceiling as Matthew quit the room, golden hues locked on to the assassin that had roamed the rows of his office until settling down in the blond's office.

With a soft chuckle, Rue Demmekke felt the pressure that had been building and building over the past couple of days easing away with every step he took. Caydin had only showed up half an hour ago on the compound with a greasy bag of Five Guys, one large Super Slurp from the gas station up the road, and that casual grin fixed firmly in place. Rue cleared the board room immediately in favor of stuffing his face while the blond filled him in on everything he'd missed in the past few weeks.

Soon after he finished his lunch- or was it dinner? He was losing time fast in the walls of the compound, falling into a nonstop flow of meetings. They'd left the rooms and halls behind to walk the grounds, giving Caydin a chance to smoke as they talked.

"Wait." His hand tucked deep in the pocket of his black uniform cargos, Rue shook his head. "Since when has Daniel played poker? Just tell me that."

Beside him, Cayd shrugged as he let out a laugh of his own. Drawing the cigarette from his lips, he let the smoke coil on his words as he answered. "I have no idea. I've never even seen him touch a deck of cards."

Reaching for the smoke, Rue took a deep inhale before speaking. "So, what you're telling me is, Daniel- our Daniel- won an all-in game of poker with his bet being his inheritance of the Throne of Creation, after losing seven straight rounds of strip poker, butt ass naked with his balls on the seat, and still managed to lose his keys at some random woman's house that this championship was being held at and had to walk home. Is that right?"

Caydin laughed. "I think that's it, yeah. I didn't even believe her until Rizzo showed me pictures."

"Riz was there? Why?"

"Irine was playing."

"Ah. How're they doing? Is Kai taking summer classes or is he just gonna graduate on time?"

"He's still got a week to make up his mind. Rizzo's pushing for the classes, it would be easier on her if he graduated early and moved out. Irine is draining her checks as soon as she gets them."

Rue shook his head, handing the cigarette back to Caydin. Though the grounds were normally deserted this time of day, a single dark haired angel dressed in uniform stood just up ahead. "It's crazy that she's supporting all three of them. Do you think she'd accept if I-"

Offering a polite smile to the stranger as they came closer, Caydin cut him off. "You know Rizzo doesn't take hand outs. She'd just avoid us forever and, no offense, but personally I live for Irine's house parties."  

The silverette stuffed down his annoyance at having to cut their conversation short as the stranger came close enough to greet. It was obvious he wanted some time with the Dark Leader, and Rue had to put his individuality aside to accept the raven's greeting. "Dark Leader."

"Brother. What can I do for you?" The man was shorter than most, with pretty standard features. If it came to a lineup, Rue wouldn't be able to pick him out of a crowd.

"I have a question."

Despite his annoynce at never being able to have a second for himself, Rue was glad Caydin was beside him. At least he could see that Rue didn't purposely blow off the blond's texts or calls- his time wasn't his own anymore. So he nodded the other along, hoping it would be something they could work through quickly so he could get back to their walk.

"Vla auo rai ka tvoax au klo Larr Daklou?"

His brows furrowing, Rue struggled to interpret quickly, despite the angel's native dialect. "I'm sorry, I don't- What about the Holy Mother?"

"Vla auo rai ka tvoax au klo Larr Daklou?" he said again. This time, something akin to rage began to burn the words, "Rai, klo tar a ra aro."

His studies came flooding back, and Rue's pulse quickened when he begun to understand. "‘Ba rak tvoax au klo Larr Daklou. I speak for no one." Danger. Something inside Rue shifted, and his Instinct screamed to put himself between this stranger and Caydin. "Why do you-"

Pop.

The sound didn't exist this close, but his ears rung with the gunshot. Rue waited, but the pain didn't come. Lifting his hand to his chest, he pulled his fingers away to find warm blood already leaking onto his palm.

My chest. Major arteries, too many. I'll bleed out in seconds. Too far from the buildings. Caydin- protect Caydin.

But the extra strength he'd shared his body with these past few months only flickered, as if it, too, had been wounded. Like a television being shut off, the edges of his vision began to darken.

I can't leave Caydin with him, alone. He doesn't know yet. I have to tell him.

Rue turned to face the blond beside him, but only a golden haze formed before everything disappeared.

The world was gone.

I'm dying.

-

Pain. Dear Gods, the pain. He struggled to keep his chest still, to hold his lungs steady to keep from spreading the fire any more. But someone was on his stomach, holding a lump of wet cloth to the hole in his chest. Someone else was running beside his head, holding a mask over his mouth that forced his lungs to keep working. The ceiling was too bright, the light assaulting his eyes.

He was alive. Damn the Gods, he was alive.

-

Karsyn's head snapped as the double doors flew open, and her eyes met those of her husband's. There was fear there, real fear- and fury. Gods beware, there was fury burning in her husband's blue hues.

"Where are they?"

"They're taking Rue up to surgery now. He's... Dy-"

"Where's Caydin?"

"They couldn't pull him off Rue. I tried, but... Dy, he was shot. Rue was shot."

The raven god's gait didn't pause at her pitched words, his eyes finding the red emergency doors on the other end of the room and his body following.

Chapter 01: Day 01/07

Scene: On the first day of their freedom from parental control, Rue comes down after a week of hell doing Blyze’s grunt work.  Characters: Rue Demmekke, Renegade Demmekke, Daniel Nightengale, Caydin Blythe

"I ain't ever gonna dance again; these guilty feet have got not rhythm..." Rue rolled his eyes the music assaulted him the second he pushed open the front door. He'd spent the past week in his father's office- literally, his cot had been set up on the floor behind a desk- as per the agreement his parents had come to. It seemed like these days he'd only had one single say in any of this; and since he'd confirmed that he wanted to become the next Dark Leader, everything else had been taken out of his hands.

Every other weekend he spent at the angel compound. Week nights, if it wasn't Midterms or Finals, and every holiday. It was like soccer camp- but with more plays and matches. And way, way more carnage. Even his classes had been changed; Karsyn had booked him for more Otherworld History courses than he could keep up with, and he didn't want to think about the fit she'd throw when she finally saw the grade of his Trig III final.

But with the Academy shutting down for two months of summer, he'd thought he might catch a break. But while his brothers were whisked off on family vacations and trips to expansive realms, he'd been handed a cot and the latest statistics of the recon missions spanning six months back. He'd probably spent half the week buried in his history books, comparing war strategies from this ruler to the next.

All so Blyze could walk in, scan the report that had taken him three days to type up and format, toss it to the desk and wave him out.

He was still simmering when he'd picked up Ren a few hours later, honking the horn of his Wrangler until Charlotte came out with garden shears to cut his breaks if he didn't stop.

And the redhead had come galloping out of the front door, pecking his mother with a kiss on the cheek before barreling into the Jeep so hard, Rue was sure they'd topple over.

"Remind the strung out cunt to take her meds."

Renegade stuck his entire head out of the passenger window as Rue began to pull out of the drive. "Your vitamins are in the fridge beside the OJ- Love you!"

"Why do you call them vitamins?" Rue murmured as his half-brother returned his entire body mass inside the vehicle.

With a grin, Ren tugged at the seat-belt. "Because the last time Dad called them her cure for the Benzo Blues, she threatened to send us all straight to the Hell Realms, flaming asses first."

The young leader rolled his eyes as he took the long, waving road away from his half-brother's large estate. "Have you talked to her about Sythe?" The other day, while Rue was locked up in their father's study, Renegade had come in to supposedly help the silverette. Instead, they'd found classified documents locked safely in Blyze's desk drawer with an entire dossier on Charlotte.

Under confirmed paternal link was Sythe's name.

"Nah, she's been locked up in her bedroom all weekend." Fishing in his duffle, Renegade withdrew his aux cord and began hooking it up to Rue's stereo. "Is Ray gonna be at the house?"

Struggling to suppress his instinct to stomp his brother's dreams, Rue just replied. "We're all restricted to the grounds; Maman set the security bounds before she left this morning." She'd known whenever they checked in to the estate, and when they left- the nosy ass. "And you know we've all been told to keep you two separated. You're supposed to sleep in my room every night."

But Renegade smiled at his phone as he scrolled through his music to find a song to play. "That would be the good, Catholic thing to do, I guess."

At the long gaze Rue shot his brother, the redhead actually had the audacity to look appalled. "Oh, don't you dare get high and righteous with me. Caydin? Really? Dude, you live together. You're practically brothers."

And just like that, the silverette turned back to the road. "Don't say that. We're not brothers."

A snort as Renegade turned back to his phone. "What would you call it then?"

Santaria began to play on the Wrangler, and despite himself the angel's heart began to speed up. "Roommates."

-

...-All I really want to know, I already know. And all I really want to say, I can't define. It's love that I need...-

Daniel lowered the red solo cup so Rue could read his lips; "Eight grand says they fuck before we even make it to bed."

The angel rolled his eyes away to the sight of his brother on the couch. No matter where Raychl Cross seamed to stray around the room, Renegade's gaze followed the curve of her ass. It'd been about two hours since the toddlers were put down, and even with the two sleeping demigods in the next room, his brother just couldn't seem to keep it in his pants.

"Thirty bucks. He'll sneak in her room first night. The rest... he won't even bother pretending he's not taking that bedroom for the rest of the week."

The snickering from his best friend was enough to draw out a sickened grin from the angel. It was horrible, really. Them betting on Renegade's self-control.

But it wasn't like they all weren't painfully aware of the elephant in the room. Renegade and Raychl had been raised together; there were pictures framed in the hall of the two of them in a bath as two year olds. The fact that they weren't technically related meant nothing; the two families had lived as one for too many years for the two to find each other attractive.

...-My soul will have to wait, 'til I get back and find Heina of my own. Daddy's gonna love one and all. I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break. And I got to live it out, oh yeah...-

From the corner of his eyes, Rue felt more than saw Caydin come into view. With his hair held back by one of Karsyn's headbands and her apron tied around his front, the blond was bustling away in the kitchen to make brownies of the green type.

For the past month or so, the feeling Rue felt for the other had begun to worry him. The strain of his instinct to grab him, bury himself in him, hold him so tight he left bruises on that pale, alabaster skin... The fantasies that came to mind were enough to turn even his stomach.

An itching in his canines made him shift in place. And damn him, Daniel noticed. "Looks like I'll be the only one in this gods damned house sleeping alone tonight. Fuck. Me."

As his friend chugged the last of his drink, Rue couldn't help but agree.

-

Laying in his bed was the hardest thing he'd ever done. Agreeing to sign his life away to end a war his father had begun? Nothing. Waiting to see if Caydin made the first move by joining him in his bedroom? He was lucky the bed wasn't shaking half as hard as he was.

The door to his room opened, but it was Daniel's dark features looking in to find him. "Is Ren in here with you?"

"No. Why?"

"Raychl's door is locked."

"How do you know Raychl's door is locked?"

"Because I tried to open it."

"Why did you try to open it?"

"To see if Ren is in there."

"Are you trying to see my brother's ass?"

"No, but if our dads find out-" The demigod paused, turning to glance back behind him into the dark hall. "Caydin? What are you doing?" The blond must have mumbled his answer, because even from the bed Rue could spot the change in Daniel's demeanor. "I'm so tired of being the only one in this gods-damned household not getting any ass!"

-

Chapter 02: Day 04/07

Scene: Rue is contacted by Blyze to go to the estate to receive a mission that’s returned early, which carries with it an added guest.  Characters: Rue Demmekke, Caydin Blythe, Sargent Jasyn Rogue, Drig’uhl Dav Iyra

Rue set his phone down in the center console of his Wrangler, a scowl set hard in his face. Beside him, the petite blond didn't comment on how fast he was taking the dirt road, or the jostling it gave the two angels.

He kept telling himself he'd brought Caydin along because he needed the company. That the blond could entertain him on the long car ride between home and the compound. While his instincts screamed to keep him close enough to touch, to see or smell, he held firm on the desire to control himself.

"What's so important that he sent you to receive a mission?"

Over the last few weeks, Caydin had grown more and more interested in the role Rue had agreed to inherit. Venting to him had been so easy, and the angel had been curious enough to ask questions for better understanding.

"Adler's mission should have taken another week at the least. He's back ahead of schedule."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Unease brewed in his gut. "Could be. Either he was one lucky bastard and completed his mission early, or everything went to shit and he had to run back."

-

As soon as he came through the double doors of the compound, the council surrounded him. Among the many war generals and foot commanders, Sargent Rogue appeared on his right to fill him in. Behind them, Caydin walked in Rue's wake as the crowd hurried up the main stairs. "Commander Adler returned at 14:57 on the West pad with all of the original party that accompanied him." Papers were shoved into Rue's grip as the Major took over. "-And some additional party members."

That wasn't particularly abnormal. It wasn't unusual for their teams to go in with a set goal, and while conducting the mission were able to bring slaves back to the compound. He'd done it himself a few times- whenever he could chance getting to them.

But the summary of his report wasn't adding up. Slaves only had one surname with no definitive family mark, so why were there multiple...

As they came up on the door to the briefing room, Rue lowered the papers to glance over the faces of his council. Behind him, Caydin listened. "Hold on." He scanned through the papers one more time, a frown contorting his features. "Does that mean Adler..."

"Was successful."

Rue's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard against his sudden dry throat. "How many?"

"Five, Sir."

"Five." From where he stood, Caydin could see the blood leave Rue's face as he watched the Major beam with pride. Confusion brought the blond's own brows down as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing. They'd managed to bring back five slaves? That was good news- so why did Rue look like someone had taken the floor out from under him? What was on that paper?

To the left, a Lieutenant stepped up. "If you would rather we wait until the Dark Leader returns..."

Rue’s face twitched with the desire to fire back at the obvious disrespect, but his eyes were locked on the door to the council chambers. "I'll handle this, Rickman," he mumbled before turning the knob and stepping in. 

But once Caydin could see what was waiting on the far wall, he had no idea how the silverette could force himself to take another step. 

"Dark Leader," Commander Adler mumbled, bowing his head in respect to the young silverette. Rue's eyes never strayed from her face as he walked to address the commander, nodding his greeting. And from the door, as the other members of the council filled in around him, neither did Caydin’s. "The eldest female of the Royal bloodline; Drig'uhl Dav Iyra of the Dirgulian household."

She'd been forced to kneel on the concrete floors; the dress skirts of her gown torn and muddied by the harsh Drigulian tar. Caydin could barely see the white blonde of her hair beneath the black paste, or her pale skin beneath the dirt. Her eyes were shut tight beneath a dirty veil of hair, but he could see her lips moving silently as she prayed.

20. She couldn't be older.

I'm young and I'm foolish, I've made bad decisions. I block out the news, turn my back on religion. Don't have no degree, I'm somewhat naive, but I've made it this far on my own.

Maybe to save Rue the embarrassment of asking himself, Sargent Rogue spoke aloud. "What do we do with her?"

The dark leader's gaze never lifted from her face as a general in the crowd answered. "Blyze would throw her to the soldiers. Give them her royal ass as compensation for the slaves she's sent to death." 

But lately, that shit ain't been gettin' me higher. I lift up my head and the world is on fire- there's dread in my heart and fear in my bones, and I just don't know what to say.

At the man's crude words, the princess's eyes closed even tighter as her body began to rock back and forth. She seemed to throw herself into desperate prayer, her mouth moving too fast for Caydin to make out what she whispered. He managed to catch one word that fell from her lips again and again; “Doukr.” Mercy.  

Maybe I'll pray, pray. Maybe I'll pray

"How would you like that, bitch? Your father raped my sisters before throwing them to the guards-"

Just as the Sargent lifted his leg to kick the princess, Rue moved. His hand snatched up the chains binding her wrists together to give a tug. The boot barely grazed her back as she stumbled to keep her balance. "Then we'll wait for Blyze to come back from vacation to decide. Until then-" Turning to meet Sargent Rogue's pale features with his own, he handed off the chain. "There's holding cells on ground floor B for this. Put a dozen rotating guard on her at all times, and keep them segregated from gen pop. I don't need a mutiny during my first week in command."

I'm not a saint, I'm more of a sinner. I don't wanna lose, but I fear for the winners.

"Yes, Sir." A glint of relief burned in Rogue's gaze as he hurried to lead the princess out of the room.

Caydin stood there, frozen to the ground as she came closer and closer. His eyes couldn't move from where she'd been kneeling- a princess. Drigulia was a patriarchy; she had no say in their laws.

But when her eyes opened to see the doorway coming closer, she began to fight the restraints. Rogue gave a sharp pull to jerk her through, but her hands found the wooden frame and refused to let it go.

Her eyes found Rue's from across the room, and then the most beautiful accent followed on foreign words she screamed at the silverette. Caydin's frown deepened as she spoke. Why do I feel like I know what she's saying?

"Vroat- dr kl'rbuor!"

The blond's gaze found the dark leader as Rue wet his lips. His answer was short, clipped."Vlouo auo raiu kl'rbuor?"

"Rai kaax klod."

If possible, Rue's face got paler. He nodded once to Rogue and the princess was tugged from the room, screaming in that strange language the entire way down the hall.

The room was quiet then, after her screams faded out. The tension Caydin could feel twisted his gut- there had been too much disrespect in the past few minutes for Rue to let it go without recourse.

"First Sargent Rickman, you can go."

For a second, Caydin couldn't understand why the offending officer's face flushed with rage at the dismissal. It wasn't until the man had hurried out the door that he realized Rue had just demoted the Lieutenant with nothing more than six words.

"Now, gentlemen; excuse me while I make a call." Without waiting for any confirmation that they'd heard him, Rue snagged Caydin's arm as he led them out. Before he knew it, Rue had released him once they'd traveled far enough away to find a deserted office.

One with a trash can. Rue's entire body jerked as he heaved into the bucket without waiting for Caydin to rush the door closed behind them.

-

Chapter 03: Day 06/07

Scene: On the back porch on the estate, smoking Karsyn’s weed. Characters: Rue Demmekke, Daniel White

Rue plopped down on the amber lawn chair, sinking deep into it's cushion as he propped his feet up. Without looking away from the flatscreen streaming a vine compilation from Daniel's phone, he set his hand out to the side for the raven to pass a joint over.

Beside his chair, Daniel was in his own little world. Two dozen blunts bursting with their mother's stash sat perfectly aligned in a tray, with a pipe and multiple lighters. He'd come out here hours ago, when the others began settling the toddlers into bed. Not because he didn't want to put his sisters to sleep, but because the demigod switched off with Karsyn with caring for the girls when Night was away on business.

"...-I said, 'whoever threw that paper; your mom's a hoe.'"

As Rue drew a deep pull to hold, Daniel chuckled beside him. When the silverette turned to raise a brow, the raven shook his head. "Dude, you're so fucked."

Grey eyes rolled as Rue slowly exhaled. "Not compared to the heathens upstairs. I've barely seen Ren eat or piss over the last few days. There are times I forget that they’re actually here with us in the same damn house."

Daniel's head shook as he lit a second blunt. "They'll be fine. Uncle Nate's too guilty over those years Ray spent in Bristol, and Ren is Blyze's favorite son."

"So you think they wont care? There's a picture in the hall of both of them in the bath together as babies."

Daniel shrugged over Rue's cough, letting the smoke leave his lungs on a slow push. "They'll be pissed, but it'll blow over. Six figures says they'll be hitched by this time next year."

"No dice," the angel choked out. His fist came down hard on his chest a few times as he eyed the joint with suspicion. "What the fuck is Maman smoking? This shit is deadly."

"No idea," Daniel mumbled, struggling to keep his chest tight to keep from coughing. "But I want her dealer."

For a while, they both lay in silence as the television flickered. "...-Is there anything better than pussy? Yes; a really good book."

"What are you gonna do? I mean, are you ready for the..."

"Calenhai." It took him a moment of mulling the question over in his mind before he could answer. "No. No one will tell me anything about it. For all I know, it's a ceremony that they cut each other's dicks off with a rusty spoon."

Daniel's snort sent them both into hysterics as the image appeared in their minds. "Maybe," the raven heaved through a gasp, "They paint their cocks grey and sword fight."

Another round of muffled screams as the brothers lost their minds in hysteria. "What if it's a carwash? Just a fucking carwash."

"Blyze in a bikini-"

"-Scrubbing the windshield with his ass!"

"Dark Leader Booty, reporting for duty."

-

Chapter 04: Day 09/07

Scene: Inside Night’s personal office on the estate, discussing the angel’s war.  Characters: Danicious (Daniel) Nightengale, Dyatose (Night) Nightengale

Night shook his head, eyes glazed as he stared into the woodwork of his desk from where he stood clutching the edges. "We don't intervene, Dani. It's crucial you understand that." Even as the words left him, Night's chest caved with emotions. Anxiety, fear, desperation- things no father wants his son to see.

Well, my goodness gracious- let me tell you the news. My head's been wet with the midnight dew.

From across the room, Daniel's face flushed with rage. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the tremble that had taken his balled fists- something he knew Night had noticed. "You can't tell me that you're just going to sit by."

-I've been down on bended knee, talkin' to the man from Galilee.-

"It's not right to take sides. We must remain impartial in these issues."

"Da', he's my brother. He's your son."

-He spoke to me in a voice so sweet, I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet.-

"It's not just Rue. He's leading thousands of souls into an event we cannot influence."

"What if it was me?"

"Daniel."

"-What if it was me, Da'? Would you turn your back and let me die? He already had one father who did that to him, he doesn't deserve another!"

"It wouldn't be you, Danicious."

-He called my name and my heart stood still, when he said "John, go do My will!"

Night's words tightened as he struggled to soften his tone through gritted teeth. "Any war you wage will be a battle of Gods, not natural souls. Gods, who have a fighter's chance against your powers. Not mortal-born beings who will fall before you as lambs to slaughter if you fight by your brother's side. Thousands of pure lives that will be tainted by our influence- do you understand that? We cannot influence the lifelines of men outside our means, or the Balance will shift."

You can run on for a long time,

Silence. "Does he know you're not going to fight with him?"

"Rue and I have spoken many times on the subject. That neither of us will be able to intervene if-"

"-Fuck you."

"Excuse me?"

Run on for a long time,

"Fuck you. If you think that you can stop me from defending him-"

Run on for a long time.

He didn't have a chance to finish. Night's guards pushed so fast, so hard against Daniel's that the raven felt his chest cave. There was something in his father's eyes, something deadly, that promised he wouldn't be moved on the subject.

"Remember who you are born from, Danicious, and what power brought you here." The pressure lifted just as soon as it came, giving the young god a chance to breathe.

Leaning with one shoulder against the door frame, Karsyn held her coffee in a loose grip by her side as she watched the man she loved sleep beneath the covers of their bed. His back was to her, and her eyes lovingly watched the rise and fall of his shoulder as her chest warmed at the sight. They'd gotten to bed late the night before, bickering all day over planning for their trip.

But their bags lay stacked beside the front door, and the house had been cleaned due to her inability to fall back to sleep a few hours ago.

As she watched, he shifted in his sleep. His body scooted back to where hers usually lay, seeking her heat and no doubt intending to steal her covers.

When he finally settled back down, and his snoring slowly started up again, her lips lifted at the ends in a lazy smile. She'd let him be for a little while longer; they had a long day ahead of them.

She pushed off the frame when the fussing of their daughters began to carry from down the hall. On her way into their nursery, she set her mug on the white dresser and drifted to one of the two large cribs by the far wall.

"Good morning, my loves," she cooed to them. Bright blue eyes stared up at her from the mattresses lay they on, wiggling in their swaddles for attention.

Just as she lifted Astoria from her bed, her son came through the open doorway behind her. "Morning, Maman," he mumbled around a yawn, pecking her cheek with a kiss before moving to take Amelie up into his arms. "Is Da' up?"

She was lucky, she knew. To have a son so healthy, so happy so help with his sisters. So lucky for her children, her small family. "He's still sleeping. Did you need him?" Taking her daughter to the changing table, she began to undress the todd as her son went to the rocking chair in the corner.

"He's supposed to pick Rue up before you two leave."

"I'll get him up in a little bit, after the girls are fed." Offering a wide smile to her daughter, Karsyn tugged the white leggings up her wiggling legs. "Remember what we said about this week, Danysious. Watch the girls, take a shower every day- that’s not optional, either. I’m serious, I’ll know. Make sure Ren doesn’t feel left out of your little group stuff. When you all get together you sometimes exclude him. But don’t let him and Ray be alone together. Don’t look at me like that; their fathers might be blind as that old hag your uncle keeps around but I’ve seen the way they are together. I’m serious- you’re responsible for what goes on in this house while we’re gone. That means no drama, no games.”

“Yes, Maman.”

“Good boy.” With one hand, she patted his cheek after trading off his sisters so she could get Astor dressed. “And if you dilate any of my alcohol with water or pop again I will drop you off with Unkie Rhydstrom for the summer while your father and I turn your bedroom into a sex dungeon.” At her son’s pale complexion, she smiled. “Leave the cash for replacements under my mouthwash in the bathroom next time, love.”

-

Sythe ran a hand over his freshly trimmed beard, frowning at the hallway wall as he listened to his girlfriend shower through the open door. “All I’m saying is, if you don’t want me to go then why tell me about the getaway in the first place?” He could hear the annoyance in her tone, the kind that sent his heart racing. They were still new enough to each other that he wasn’t confident in how she’d react if he told her how he felt.

“It’s just… my brother.” Frustrated himself, the blond demon king ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a deep sigh. “The two of you haven’t even met yet and it’s… a week. All together.”

“I thought we were doing things on the beach though, like karaoke and bar hopping? Is it a Sit-Inside-The-Whole-Time-And-Stare-At-Eachother sort of deal?” There was a pause, and he could hear her head shake. “Your family is so weird.”

“I’m sure we’ll do things. Karsyn doesn’t like to stay cooped up indoors. She’s got the attention span of a teenage boy.”

“Karsyn’s one of your brother’s kids, right?”

“His wife.”

“His wife. So, what’s the problem? Do you think they won’t like me?”

“They’ll love you. It’s just… my brother.”

“You keep saying that- what does that mean, ‘my brother?’”

Rolling his eyes to the ceiling, he frowned. "You'll see."

-

Blyze's scowl was fierce enough walking up the front steps that Nathaniel couldn't help his wide grin. "What happened to you?" The blond chuckled as he reached for the soldier's duffle.

Handing it off, the silverette shook his head, Aviators staying perfectly still. "I told Charlotte I was leaving on the way out."

"And?"

"She said, 'Have fun.'"

Sucking through his teeth, the demon winced. "That's shit. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't tell mine anything." Throwing his brother's bag over one shoulder, the two made their way through the house to the garage, where they began to add Blyze's bags to what Nathan had already packed. "He hasn't been home since Friday night."

"No word?"

"Nothing. So," slamming the trunk, the two made their way into the cab of Nathan's 2019 blue Mustang. "Half a grand says he'll never know."

Scowl right back in place, the angel buckled up as the garage door lifted. "Twenty bucks. It's been a minute since he's had a nervous breakdown and tracked you to my house."

"Deal."

-

-

As they rose from the Camero, Sythe Luce finally set eyes on the quaint beach cottage they'd be staying in for the next seven days. It was beautiful, honestly. He had an appreciation for the location, given how cooped up he stayed inside his own realm.

"You were quiet the whole ride here," Eirian grumbled as she came around the hood to help him get their bags. "What's going on?"

He didn't have a chance to tell her, to start to explain, before the shouting because to reach them. The front door slammed, and Sythe turned to watch his brother's red face marching to him with a scowl to could set even the heavens ablaze.

"Lucian, take her. Get her away from me or I swear by the Balance I'll kill her. I'll fucking do it, brother. I'll-"

With a trail of brown waves flying behind her, Karsyn Smithe came storming out the cottage next, looking just as livid as her husband and twice as vengeful. "Get over yourself Dyatose Nightengale- Everyone already knew you eat my ass. Just because I sent that meme to the group chat about it doesn't mean you need to go crying to Big Brother because your ass eating heart's broke about it. "

Turning to stare her down, God grated through his teeth, "Not another word, Karsyn. Not another fucking-"

"Fergalicious."

"I swear on the Balance-"

"OH SO LAST TUESDAY WHEN WE WERE PLAYING SCRABBLE IT WASN'T A WORD BUT NOW, BECAUSE IT'S CONVENIENT FOR YOU-"

With a frown of his own stuck in place, Sythe gave them his back as he began to tug their bags out of the back seat. Casting a glance to his girlfriend, his brows arched. "My brother."

"Oh."

Jaxon leaned his shoulder against the cold metal of the lift as it ground from floor to floor, resting his throbbing head as his eyes slowly registered the passing of lights through the grate. He’d never been so tired in his life, juggling so many masks was beginning to wear on him. The age of his bones was beginning to seep in, reminding him that he wasn’t built to move forever. But everywhere he looked, a new war required his attention, so he went. And went, and went, and went. He wondered idly if it would ever end, if he’d ever find peace again or if he’d lived through the allotted amount he was to be given in this life. If he’d die in this war.

His mulling was cut short as the lift jolted to a halt, and his hands moved from memory to pull it open. The key was in his hand without thought- it had been about six years of coming here, taking every opportunity to visit the cold Atlanta apartment.

He knew the suspicions his wife kept close to her heart, resulting in the walls she’d thrown up in their relationship. Ultimately, these visits had probably brought about the end of their love. But it was his silence that had buried their marriage half a decade ago- that, he couldn’t blame on anyone but himself.

Jaxon’s eyes didn’t stray around the front rooms of the spacious apartment, knowing nothing would be moved from the last time he’d come here. No signs of life could be found until he reached the very back bedroom, where he feet found root at the doorway and his heart stuttered to a halt.

The bed was empty, covers strewn across the floor. He turned to the bathroom, telling himself she’s probably just gotten up to use the facilities. But a few steps inside shut that idea down in it’s tracks.

Panic restarted the muscle in his chest. “Astor!” He called, turning around. Maybe he’d missed her somehow when he came in- maybe she was in one of the other rooms, finally moving around.

But a quick search of the flat came up empty, and Jaxon Mile was all too aware that he was the only one who knew that there were now two very broken, very unstable gods let loose in this world.

Running both hands through his thick brown hair, Jaxon turned in a circle as his eyes roamed the abandoned apartment all around him. “Fuck. Me.”

-

Astoria ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it down against her neck as she looked around. It was so long now, swishing along the bottom of her hips that were wrapped in skin-tight denim pants, a shirt that was much too small for her bust allowing ample amounts of her tanned stomach to be seen. Brown boots covered her feet as they led her down the busy sidewalk. So many gazes fell on her white hair, and she offered a gentle smile at each gawker she caught. It wasn’t often they got to witness a goddess walk among them, let them look.

Soon, they would burn in the fie she unleashed upon this world with the same gentle, loving smile splitting her face. She would bring hell raining down on this realm soon enough, punishing every soul that failed to save her twin.

Her smile may have broadened as she began the search for her brother.

Daniel had created his followers into a crude rendering of his father’s own, coloring their hair and eyes white as a tribute to the pale beginning of creation itself. These small nods to the bastard who’d contributed just enough to bring him to life, with the help of his worthless mother, entertained him to no end. 

The blackette’s hands stopped, as a grin took his lips. It spread, pulling the skin of his cheeks into an unnatural twist. Lusious’s head turned back to catch the smile, his already pale face leaching of color. 

Everything was finally coming into place, after all this time. His patience was paying off, and now he would finally be able to reap the fruits of his labor.

Astoria had awakened.

They could begin.

Ashlae turned over in her bed, tangling the grey sheets around her. With a huff of frustration, she gave up on getting any sleep tonight, despite the dose of sleep aids she’d allowed herself, just to rid her face of the heavy bags beneath her brown eyes.

After a moment of untwisting the covers from her body, the caramellette rose from her bed. Dressed in only an oversized black shirt and her tight sleeping shorts, she rubbed at the untamed curls fanning her shoulders as she moved from her hotel room.

Despite her quiet support, her son refused to take the extra bedroom she’d bought to allow him his own privacy. It had been a few years since he’d slept in a bed with her, but she’d thought that meant he would move on to sleeping in a room of his own. Instead, Casimir insisted on taking the couch in the front room of every hotel they’d stayed at in the past few months, if he slept at all.

“Cassie?” Her hand moved to rub her eyes, drowsy from the sleep that seemed to evade her these past few days. She made it two steps into the front room before what she was seeing caught up with her, stopping her breath in frozen lungs.

Casimir sat casually on the couch, the pillow and blanket still folded at one end where she’d left it hours ago. His computer sat open in front of him on the coffee table, the screen casting a dull light on his emotionless features as he stared up at the woman occupying the middle of the room. Her palm open before him, a small ball of white energy crackling as it aimed between his icy blue eyes.

Eyes that seemed, now, unimpressed with the very obvious threat to his life. His elbows rested on his knees for God’s sake, hands held together in a loose grip. In a moment of hysteria, she recalled that he’d taken the same stance when they’d sat down to talk about sex a few years ago. Quiet, humble, collected.

But now was not the fucking time. “What the fuck?! Logan!” But the sound in her ear was only a crackle of electricity as she stared in horror at the long mane of white hair, at the woman who didn’t even turn at Ashlae’s outburst. “Casimir!”

Finally, his gaze drifted to her direction. He was calm, barely phased at the threat aimed to take his life. “It’s okay, Shay.” Helpless, she watched as he spoke. Her weapons were still in her duffle back in the bedroom she’d just left- why weren’t they in her hands? Why had she allowed herself to get lazy in his protection? “It’s okay.” Turning back to the intruder, his tone turned gentle as he whispered, “I’m going to say goodbye.”

Terror rioted in her chest as he rose to stand, keeping his movements slow as he stepped away from the couch. Ashlae watched that ball of energy dissipate, the hand that wield it slowly closing into an empty fist.

Suddenly, he was standing before her- when had he gotten so tall? She nearly dwarfed him, craning her neck to meet his cautious gaze. “I have to go with her-”

She had time, she could get to her duffle in the bedroom. It would take a few seconds to reach the door, push it open. Five or six more to reach the bag, find her guns. Were they loaded? When was the last time she’d cleaned the chambers? 

Snatching a fist full of his shirt, she felt blood rush to her cheeks. “My ass you do! Casimir Mael.” Get him to safety, protect him.

“Shay.” He hushed her easily, hands coming up to grip her upper arms in a soft hold. “She explained everything to me. Tell the others they can go home soon, they must miss home as much as I do.”

Ashlae felt her brows lower as confusion washed over like a tidal wave. “Cass, what are you talking about? Who-”

His head shook from side to side, swaying those light blond strands. He needed a haircut, she’d have to get him one soon. “Papa spoke to me. They’re calling us home.”

She didn’t know exactly what made her do it- the cocktail of confusion, rage maybe. But for the first time in their lives, Ashlae’s hand came down hard across her son’s pale cheek, turning his head from her with the force of the slap. He had to understand, she had to make him understand. There was no option that allowed this- allowed him leaving her to run off, talking about his dead father as if Sythe was there to help them. The gods were all dead, they had to work with what they had, now.

Her body trembling, shaking as the tears threatened her vision, she snapped. “No.” All she could see was her son holding his cheek, face turned away from her as a vivid fury took over. “You’re not going anywhere Casimir. We have worked too hard to hide you, I have worked too hard- you are not going anywhere, do you understand me?!”

Slowly, his hand dropped. Something broke in her when he turned back, that red mark that marred his face weakened her knees. But it was the understanding in his gaze, the forgiveness there that loosened the sob from her throat. “I love you. Thank you, Shay.” And when he drew her close, kissing her cheek before wrapping her tight in his arms, he whispered in her ear. “Tell my sister I love her too, and Papa’s not angry with her. Tell her not to cry. Letat' kak feniks iz svoyego adskogo plameni.” Rise like the Phoenix, from your own hellfire. His father’s personal creed, now Luna’s crest. 

He pulled away, and Ashlae felt the floor hit her knees as they buckled. The sobs racked her body, engulfing the room in her grief as her son offered his hand to the stranger. But what she saw was the little boy that had waged a war with her over eating any green vegetable for the first few years of his life. Blond fluff that fell as he sat in her lap for his first haircut, screaming his lungs out as the barber worked quick. His little hand outstretched to her to show his first fallen tooth, one of the fronts, smiling with pride at having tugged it loose himself, blood tinting his pale lips.

As the woman turned to take his hand, there was a second that Ashlae was given to glimpse the face of the stranger taking her son away. A face she hadn’t seen in years- someone she hadn’t thought about in ages.

Caydin wiped the black tar off of his face, clearing his ocean hues as he stared back, releasing the beautiful white wings that rumbled underneath the blades of his shoulders. His crown was covered in filth, hanging off the side of his tar soaked hair.

"I said, where?"

"He said behind those wings, behind that imposter of a crown."

Caydin smirked, letting his wings spread to their full length, the only part of his body that wasn't black. With a smirk, he took out Soothsayer – a present from his husband many, many years ago – flicking off the safety before filling the chamber. With a bang, he hit his enemy square in forehead.

Her shirt seemed to almost hang off of her frame, as if she’d lost a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time. The bags under her blue eyes were nothing more than dark blotches she hadn’t yet found the time to cover up with concealer. Brown hair no longer fell in healthy brown waves, and was instead wrung up in a too-tight bun.

But Karsyn stood there, tugging her black jacket tighter at the neck despite the heavy humidity that bore down on them. Astor and Amelie flanked Nicolette and the boys, her hands tight on Evryn and Talyn’s wrists.

The twin girls were dressed almost like polar opposites; Amelie in a flowing flowery sundress and Astor sporting Doc Martins and a Ramones baggy band t-shirt.

But the Blythe-Demmekke children all wore the official colors of their parents; Nicolette had on a form-fitting black and grey uniform, her long black hair let loose under the stiff hat and a sash of blue strung from her shoulder to the waist in the royal fashion. Evryn and Talyn looked like little soldiers- but they weren’t so little anymore. Both boys had already passed their sister in height, despite her protests, and proudly wore the soldier’s uniforms in almost an almost obsessive manner. They’d watched Rue dress up for war meetings enough times to properly put on the uniforms, tying the sash across their middle instead of in the royal fashion like their sister.

Nicolette struggled to keep her anxiety under control; her nails digging deeper into her brother’s sleeves at each shout or loud noise.

It was a few minutes before they found their group huddled around Caydin, and only then- surrounded by their own kind- did Nicolette release her brothers to run to their father.

Evryn and Talyn slammed into both sides of Caydin, both talking at once to congratulate their father. Nicolette gave Rue a tight lipped smile when she came close enough to rest at his side.

“Couldn’t keep them home,” she whispered loud enough for him to hear. Her eyes rarely left the black-haired twins, talking ecstatically to praise Caydin.

The Dark Leader shifted to tug Nicolette into a one-armed hug, resting his cheek on the top of her hat. “You wore our colors,” he mumbled, the shock in his voice barely contained.

She snaked an arm around her father’s waist, giving him a light squeeze. “Of course we did. You told me that we always wear our uniforms when one of our own gets a metal.”

Rue was silent, but his smile and pride were barely contained.

Karsyn didn’t bother waiting for the boys to part from Caydin. Instead, she added another bouquet of flowers to the blond’s arms- blue roses to match his eyes. “Congratulations, my Little Ocean,” she said on a soft sigh, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. Her eyes were tired but alive with pride as she shared a soft smile with him. “Your hard work paid off.”

“Yeah!” Astor spoke up. “None of these pussies have degrees! You’re the first!” Amelie slapped her sister’s arm, earning a sharp swear from the brunette.

“Show Daddy what you got him,” Nicolette softly urged the boys from where she stood in Rue’s safe arms.

Talyn reached into his pocket, pulling out a set of dog tags Rue had helped them get personalized; the two normal tags were adjourned with a third that read ‘I’m the one with a degree- so listen up you fucks!’ on the front, and the back held his graduating year. One of Karsyn’s crystals  jingled between the tags, adding a purple stone to the silver metal. 

Nicolette and Rue stood back and grinned as Evryn placed them around Caydin’s neck to settle on top of his black robes and ropes.