#and he *thanks lilith* for stomping on the fire

[lostwords-found]

"You do what you have to do. I'll enjoy the starlight," says a man who cannot see the starlight to the angry god about to torture him. I'm. augh. ow.

[kpop---scenarios]

Whispers Of The Night (6)

Pairing: Stray Kids x Reader

Genre: College! Au, Vampire! Au

Summary: You just want to live a happy life, but currently, that wasn't happening. It's not until you meet 8 strangers who turn your life upside down and you discover what they are.

Warning: Smut!! [Oral; f. receiving, unprotected sex, choking, spitting] 18+ ONLY. MDNI

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: as always, @skzdust , my savior, thank you for all your help!

Previous Chapters

Taglist: @steddie-steddie @hongtyong @purple-bell @deadpool15 @purplelady85 @xomakara @wife2straykidss @piscesrising01 @baby-stay92 @dwaekkiiracha @silly250 @rylea08 @imperfectlyperfectprincess1 @satosugu4l @tsunderelino @iovecb97 @1810cl @lordmaahes-nsc @sailorkoss @minh0scat @pixie0627 @50-husbands @yaorzu-blog @anskiiz @joyofbebbanburg @number1jeonginstan @skzooluvr @jisunglyricist @ambersnowxxx @ayyonoona @31maze13 @stay-tiny-things @thegingerthatwaited @hoesheez @stayatinykatsy @catlove83 @jeonginstulip @kaleigh-2002 @honeycombbaybee @hyuneyeon @flylis @kpop-choco @chloe-elise-2000 @eastjonowhere @stephanieeeyang @nightmarenyxx @0325tiny @m1nn1everse @igot7bulletproofmonstas

You didn't tell them you were leaving. You stared at what was supposed to be yourself in the mirror, but you felt like you couldn't barely recognize yourself. You had snuck out of the bathroom, glancing over at their table. They were completely immersed in a conversation so you took the opportunity to sneak out of the side door. The cool air felt nice on your skin, it helped cool down your rage, but the one thing you had a hard time wrapping your head around was why you were starting to feel so much rage when around them? This wasn't some little feeling of annoyance when someone makes a stupid joke.

This was a pure, full body, nothing more than just rage and hatred flowing through your body. You walked for a while until you made it back to the house. It was quiet, except for the faint sound of begging from Lilith in the basement. You dropped your bag on the floor, walking to the couch to sit down.

Your leg was still throbbing but you had been a little too terrified to look at it. You took a deep breath, pulling up the leg of your pants, you see three claw marks near your ankle. The scratches looked infected and your stomach dropped. You stood up, ignoring the pain, rushing towards the basement door, ripping it open. You stomp down the stairs, standing a good distance away from Lilith. Your chest is heaving, her back is still towards you. You can hear her giggling, her head hanging down as she begins to laugh harder.

“What did you do to me?” You yell.

She doesn't answer. She sits there, still laughing.

“What the fuck did you do?” You ask, your voice is a little quieter this time.

She doesn't answer. But her laughing stops. She doesn't turn around, she doesn't say anything. She only hums, ignoring you.

You turn around, walking back up the stairs, slamming the basement door shut. You stand there, your head spinning. You were tired, your body felt weak but felt like it was on fire. Whatever was going on with you, was taking its toll on you. You tried to walk towards the stairs to go to your room but it was like your legs were blocks of cement. Sweat dripped down your face as panic set in.

You wanted to call out for help, you wanted to cry but you couldn't and the more you tried, the weaker you felt. Until you felt nothing else at all, your body collapsed to the floor and everything went black.

“Y/N?” Seungmin yells, shaking your unresponsive body. “Y/N?” He calls out again, trying to do whatever he can to help you and wake you up.

The others rush in, seeing Seungmin hunched over your lifeless body, Chan sprinting into action to help you. He picks you up, rushing you upstairs to his room, laying you down gently on his bed. He knows you're alive. He can hear and smell the blood pumping through your veins. He breathes a sigh of relief, though he's confused about what happened to you. He checks your face, your neck, shoulders. You haven't been bitten. Your hands look okay, so what was causing this? He notices your pant leg pushed up ever so slightly more than the other one. He moves off the bed, kneeling at the end of the bed. He gently rolls up your pants a little more, seeing the three scratches he can only assume was left on you by Lilith.

“Fuck.” He hisses, slamming his hand down onto the floor.

You gasp suddenly and loudly, sitting up in the bed, looking around. You're confused, where were you? Your eyes slowly begin to focus, seeing Chan kneeling at the end of the bed, staring at you.

“What happened?” You whisper, laying back down. Chan stands up, swiftly making his way over to you, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You left the restaurant without telling anyone.” He begins.

“I remember that.” You murmur.

“And then when you didn't come back to the table we started looking around for you. Seungmin found you first.” He says. “You passed out.”

“Oh god.” You groan.

“How long have you had those scratches?” He asks.

“Since… um.” You pause. “I found Lilith.”

“Why didn't you tell anyone?” He wonders.

“I was scared to look. I didn't know what happened and I didn't want to look.” You say.

“You should have told us, y/n.” He sighs. “You haven't been yourself since that day.”

“What are you talking about?” You ask, a slight change of tone in your voice. Chan detects it immediately. You were beginning to feel the anger build up in you again.

“You've been angry. Distant. You're not yourself.” He says.

“Like you fucking know me? I'm not fucking angry!” You scream, getting off the bed in a hurry, storming out of the room. You stomped the entire way to your room, slamming the door behind you. You were trying to control your breathing as you undressed, deciding you just needed to go to bed for the night. You slipped a long shirt over your head, not worrying about your shorts tonight. You crawled into your bed, Chan's words replaying in your head.

“you're not yourself. You're angry.”

You didn't want to admit it but you were angry. Whenever any of them were around, you were so fucking angry and you were sure it had something to do with Lilith, and you were sure Chan thought the same too. You tossed and turned for the first few hours until you finally felt yourself rest and relax.

Or so you thought.

“Y/n.” You barely hear, your body being shook awake, startling you.

“What? What happened?” You gasp, looking around. Your vision settles, seeing Chan standing over your bed, looking at you worriedly.

“You were screaming in your sleep. Are you okay?” He whispers. You're watching his plump lips move as he talks, And you wanted nothing more than to kiss him at this moment.

So that's what you did. You placed your hand on the back of his head, pulling him down. You could feel him go with it, his lips crashing into yours. You slide your tongue into his mouth, holding him closer to you.

Fuck you were so fucking needy right now and this is what you needed. Chan pulls away as you try to pull him on top of you.

“Y/N.” He breathes.

“Are you saying no?” You pant.

“No, that's not what I'm…” he pauses as you move the blankets off of you. You pull your shirt up a little, spreading your legs, showing him your lack of panties.

“Oh fuck.” He hisses.

“I need you Chan.” You say, pouting. “Don't you need me too?”

“Baby girl, don't say that to me. I've been trying to resist you.” He pauses, leaning in close. “Because once I get a taste, I won't be able to fucking stop.”

“Then don't.” You groan, lifting your shirt up over your breasts. You hear Chan take a sharp breath in as he stands up, undressing faster than you've ever seen anyone before. He stands before you, muscles glistening in the moonlight, his cock painfully hard.

“I don't think you know how long I've waited for this.” He says, pulling you off the bed. He lays down where you just are.

“What are you doing?” You ask.

“Ride my face.” He demands. You crawl onto the bed, hovering over him, nervous to lower yourself down. “Don't be afraid, let me make you feel good.” He says, pulling you down. You sit on his face, feeling his breath on your cunt. His tongue runs along your wetness, slowly moving up towards your clit. He doesn't stay there for long, licking up and down, with each pass picking up his pace, until he stays at your clit. He wraps his lips around your swelling bud, sucking on you, making your body jolt. His hands run up and down your thighs while you begin to rock yourself against his tongue. Your entire body begins to heat up, nothing but pleasure flowing through you. You can hear him moan from underneath you, the vibration from his lips making it feel even fucking better. You don't pay attention to how loud you are, Instead running your hands all over your body, playing with your nipple before moving up to run your hands through your hair as he brings you closer and closer to your orgasm.

You move your hands down, gripping onto his head, riding his face hard, until your orgasm finally overcomes you, exploding through your body as you scream out.

With ease, Chan lifts you off his face, your body still shaking from your orgasm. You're exhausted already. “I'm not done with you yet.” He laughs, sliding up on the bed. He leans against the headboard, pulling you towards him. You climb on top of him as he holds his cock, letting you sink down onto him.

“Fuck.” He groans. You gasp as your pussy stretches out, feeling full and he is only half way inside you. Chan thrusts up, pushing his already pulsating cock as deep into you as he could. He leans forward, pressing his chest against yours. His cold hand gently grazes your face, moving down to your breasts. He leans forward, taking your nipple between his wet lips, swirling the tip of his tongue around it. You moan as you grind on his cock, your arms wrapped around him, dragging your nails across his back while you begin to bounce harder and faster.

“You feel so fucking good.” He groans.

“Chan..” you cry out, your head thrown back, eyes closed, while you ride him.

You feel him move, his cold hand grabs your haw, forcing your face towards his.

“You look at me while you're moaning my name.” He groans. He leans forward, placing his tongue between your breasts, licking up your chest, moving up your neck and to your jaw. He smirks as he grabs the back of your head, colliding his lips with yours. He harshly thrusts his tongue into your mouth, kissing you so hard.

Chan breaks the kiss, moving his hands under your thighs. He lifts you up just enough so he can move, slamming you down onto the mattress, his cock still inside you. You turn your head, crying out as he rams his cock into you, his large hand wrapped around your neck, squeezing.

“Look at me.” He moans. You can't hear him, you're in your own little blissful world.

He grabs your jaw once again, forcing you to look at him. Your eyes open, staring at the man fucking you hard, but not as hard as you know he can go.

“Open your fucking mouth.” He spits, his eyes moving from your face to your mouth, to your tits and back up to your mouth. You stare at him as he rams his cock into you, smirking as you open your mouth, sticking out your tongue.

Chan leans down slightly letting spit fall from his lips, landing on your tongue. “Swallow it.” He whispers, watching you intently. You put your tongue back in your mouth, smiling as you swallow his saliva, making him moan louder and fuck you harder.

“So fucking hot.” He groans, holding your legs above your head. He places his thumb on your clit, rubbing fast, wanting you to cum one more time for him.

You're screaming out as he rubs and fucks you, your pussy tightening around his cock until you cum again, covering his cock in your juices. Chan holds tightly to your ankles, his own orgasm just seconds away. A few more thrusts he cums, spilling his seed deep inside of you, breathing heavily as he slowly thrusts, milking himself of everything he has.

Chan pulls out of you, smiling widely as he walks naked to your bathroom, turning on the shower for you before he comes back to help you out of the bed. As you shower and clean yourself up, Chan puts his boxers back on, crawling into your bed to wait for you. You come out in your shirt again, making him frown.

“You better have panties on this time.” He murmurs.

“No promises.” You laugh.

You crawl into bed beside him, snuggling up to him. While you felt satisfied and exhausted you couldn't help but feel the anger bubbling up again and you were getting tired of it. Chan must have sensed it, he pulls you in closer to him.

“We'll get it figured out, okay?” He whispers. You nod your head, your eyes already closed. You really hoped they would.

In the morning you woke up… alone. You looked all around your room and there was no sign of Chan.

“What the fuck?” You mumble, rolling over to sit on the edge of your bed. So he fucks you, and then leaves in the morning? You knew it was a little irrational to be this angry about it but was it really so hard to stay until you fucking woke up? Honestly, the audacity of some fucking men. You stood up, not caring you were only wearing a shirt and no underwear. You ripped your door open, stomping down the stairs. You could hear whispers coming from the living room and they stopped as soon as you entered the room.

“Good morning.” They all smiled at you. Except Chan.

“You!” You yell, pointing at him.

“Y/N.” He starts.

“Don't y/n me! What the fuck?” You snap.

“Remember how I told you we'd get it figured out?” He asks.

You drop your arm. “Yeah.”

“Well we figured it out.” He sighs.

“And?”

“And we've got a problem.”

[If you enjoy my stories and would like to help me be able to keep writing, please consider commissioning a story or donating. It would help me out tremendously. You can buy me a coffee. Thank you, I love you all.]

[delilahcalicocat]

★~I'll Never Stop~★

{Rating: Cotton Candy Colored Fluff that is hella fluffy}

◆–Warnings: Kissing, Swearing, Hugging, A long car ride with professional yappers, Lilith being Insulted by Trent–◆

【Pairing: Orange Cassidy x Lilith Punk】

《Summary: Matt and Mike tried to make a plan to stop Orange from winning with trent but things before their normal tag match take a turn...》

★– WC: 800 or 900 –★

A/N: This is not proofread, sorry for any mistakes of text color, Fonts or words in a sentence

[Lilith's POV:]

It was 10:00pm, Rampage just started filming. I was planned to appear with Orange and Trent since Chuck was busy with Tony.

A couple hours before the whole Rampage event, I'd heard Taven and Bennett chatting about how they'd interfere with Orange's Match. In which I did not approve of that.

Those little undisputed Asses shouldn't even be in this fucking tournament since they have the ROH Tag Titles. But this was just a normal tag match.

"Orange, You ready?" Trent Asked

"Mmmh" Orange hummed against my chest in the bear hug we had going on.

"I'm sure he's ready Trent, just give us like three more seconds-" I spoke

"Ugh! Enough with that hug! We're gonna be late!" Trent growled

"Jesus dude- calm the actual fuck down. You'll be fine, beside we never complained when you and Chuck hugged-" Kris and Hook spoke in unison

"Oh so what?! You're both gonna side with Lilith because Orange is just being sweet?!" Trent Sighed Loudly

"Trent. I don't think you should wrestle tonight. You should go home and Fucking rest!" Kris Spat with Venom on her tongue

"I agree with Kris here, you should relax. I'll go fight with Orange or something. Because we don't need someone getting hurt over you being angered" Hook Spoke.

"Fine! I'll fucking leave!" Trent Spat before he stomped off

"What the Hell is going on over here?!" Chuck Asked

"Trent just flipped out on Lilith over a fucking hug! Go talk with your asshole!" Hook Shouted

I had covered Orange's Ears before Hook shouted, Because the Anxiety and Anger in the locker room had built up 10x as much as it usually does...

——————————🍄——————————

After the Match, Me, Hook, Orange and Kris decided we'd just share the car that Trent and Chuck originally came to the arena with me and Orange in. It took 2 hours to get to that goddamn hotel

"So, uhm Kris. What are you gonna do for this year's Battle of the Belts in October?" Hook Asked Kris.

"Oh, If she still has it after WrestleDream. I'm gonna beat her for it." Kris spoke

I kept my focus on the road, My knuckles Bone-white from the pressure I'd applied to the steering wheel.

Meanwhile Orange was on his phone lazily Scrolling through X until he saw a post that piqued his interest, it was by Trent himself.

[Post]

Hey All, Just wanted to say. Tonight I almost got fired from AEW thanks to a certain Bitch. [@LilyPunkAEW], over a goddamn hug. If you see this Lilith. This is for You and Orange 🖕😒. ‐ Trent Beretta AEW

[Lilith's POV:]

Orange had gasped at the post and at the red light he'd shown it to me.

So I took out my phone as soon as we got to the hotel and typed out

[Post again this time Lilith's]

Hey Everyone! Lily Here to speak her mind. Since I saw a little Someone [TrentBerettaAEW] Post about me and My Boyfriend. [FreshlyOCAEW] and Complain about us. Fuck off. You're really gonna get upset over a goddamn hug? Like talk about sensitive much. We all sat and ate shit while you and [ChuckieTAEW] would hug, so why can't you do the same for me and Orange. It's a simple gesture of love you fucking dumbass. Get. Over. It. ⛤- Lily Punk ★

[Lilith's POV:]

I put my phone down on the nightstand, gave Orange a kiss and he fell asleep.

I laid down but struggled to rest, since my brain was aching to see what Trent responded, Turns out the Replies I got were

From Hook and Kris, who were up at like 1:30am.

But I think Trent learned something Today.. don't mess with Lilith Punk.

[luminouslumity]

Liveblog for Watching and Dreaming!

Okay, last episode. Here we go.

Oh, okay! So we're starting with drama right off the bat then! Great!

TITAN!

STRINGBEAN!

Oh God, poor Luz!

Poor Eda, but I've honestly really missed Lilith as an antagonist, even if it's only a dream in this case.

Okay, and now King is going to be traumatized! Wonderful!

Okay, ouch! This scene with Hunter hurts even more than the others!

Still horrified, but love the call-back to S1.

Aww! Reunion!

Rai Rai! I can't! It's just a shame this isn't the real Raine!

Oh, no... Belos, leave King alone!

This is so sad on so many levels! It's one thing to have an antagonistic chaos being, it's another if that chaos being just genuinely doesn't understand the repercussions of their actions! And of course he wouldn't, he's a child!

Raine, yes! Try and break free!

I'm really liking the action here!

Oh, so we're just gonna get the "try to get through to him" talk now, then. Okay.

The Archivists? Lore? Oh my god!

This poor baby!

GO, RAINE!

Oh, don't tell me that heart belongs to...

And it does! As if you couldn't get any more gruesome, Belos!

AMITY! YAY! And hearing her call Lilith Miss Lilith really makes me wish more than ever that we actually saw them interact beyond Covention.

Aww, more call-backs.

Dana, don't tempt us! But yes, please, I'd give anything for an Eda school days spin-off!

I hate Belos, but man I love his new monster design! It actually kinda reminds me of Garon from Fire Emblem Fates!

Yes, Collector! Go, little guy!

Wait, no! Collector! There are exceptions! That being said, the reactions from Luz, Eda, and King are hilarious!

LUZ, NO!

CAMILA! I'm not even joking when I say I literally started to cry at the same time she did!

YES! AVENGE HER!

Oh, the In-Between Realm!

I knew she'd be fine, but oh god, all of them are going to need therapy once all this is over!

King's dad!?

KING'S DAD! And I love his design!

Aww! He sounds so sweet!

WHY!?

Well, at least we get pretty animation out of this.

GOODBYE, KING'S DAD!

Again, poor Camila!

Glyphs! Yay!

NO, NOT HIM TOO!

NO!

LUZ! AND SHE LOOKS SO GOOD!

Aw, they're all fighting alongside each other! This is awesome!

I've missed you, red foliage!

Wow!

Again, this animation is amazing!

Raine! And she's whistling the song! Ugh, I can't!

Aww, Raeda nuzzlies!

More fluid animation!

YES, SHE SAID IT! SHE SAID THE THING!

BYE-BYE, BELOS!

Oh, fork you, man! How dare you even try and play the "I was possessed" card!

Okay, this is horrifying. Still, death by rain? How delightfully ironic!

Even now, he still refuses to see himself as a villain.

YEAH! STOMP ON HIM!

Aww, King! And of course the message would be a pun!

Aww, more reunions!

DADRIUS CONFIRMED!

Seriously, everything about this voiceover is great! Sucks that Luz can't do magic anymore, though. And I'm glad the Collector will at least be keeping in touch.

Aww, Hunter has a new palisman!

TIMESKIP! NICE!

Aw, the University of Wild Magic!

Amity looks so good! They all do, but Amity's is my favorite! Lilith too, actually!

King-ceñera! So sweet! And disgusting, but it's the thought that counts. And glyphs have returned! Cool!

A removal spell! Awesome!

BYYYYYEEE!

That was such a perfect note to end it on! Thank you for everything, Owl Crew! And I know we'll apparently be getting something related to the Azura series eventually (no idea if it's still going to happen or not though), but even if it's just books or graphic novels, here's hoping we can get more from this show in the future!

[lunarticxenia]

Astrology Observations #2

Hi guys, I really loved all the nice support for the last post, thank you all so much :) I was wondering if there’s any type of astrology posts you guys would want me to post, let me know! Without further ado, here’s the observations. 

Note: These might not apply to everyone, and not all aspects are bad, some just require more work than others or are underdeveloped! <3 

TW: Abuse, ED, Health issues.  

🦄Mars Square Pluto if underdeveloped can be really scary. Individuals with this placement could be particularly violent and have uncontrollable tempers. I’ve met many individuals with this placement, people with this placement developed are very ambitious and have a lot of energy. However, I’ve met others with this placement underdeveloped who have been really scary, for lack of a better term. 

🦄Same goes with synastry, I’ve had this aspect in synastry twice and the relationship became extremely abusive and toxic. Obviously it’s not always the case with this aspect, but it’s something to be wary of and it takes a lot of hard work and commitment to deal with this aspect. If both individuals make this work, it can result in a very strong bond. 

🦄Afflicted prominent Virgo placements can result in one having bad eyesight. Every person I’ve met with a Virgo placement in their big three that’s afflicted wears glasses, and I have an afflicted Virgo Midheaven and my eyesight is terrible. I’ve also found this to be true in individuals with an afflicted Mercury (i.e. a lot of squares, oppositions, quincunxes, even conjunctions). 

🦄I’ve found that individuals with afflicted Taurus placements tend to get sore throats or strep throat a lot. (My cousin has both Mercury and Venus in Taurus, and they’re very afflicted and she gets strep throat a lot). My other friend has Saturn in Taurus and her Saturn is extremely afflicted, and she got strep a lot as a kid. 

🦄Venus-Uranus conjunction, Venus in the 1st, and Mars in the 1st are usually indicators of love/attraction at first sight in romantic synastry. 

🦄Sagittarius placements by far make the funniest people (not being biased, but the people who have made me laugh the most in my life have personal Sagittarius placements). 

🦄Leo Mars are definitely the kinds of people who would’ve posted a black screen on snapchat in middle school saying “dont hmu” when angry/upset. LMAO. 

🦄Building on that fire moon and/or fire mars are extremely dramatic when they’re angry. I have an Aries moon and I stomp around and stick my nose up in the air when I’m angry without even realizing it. My friend who is a Sagittarius moon is also very dramatic when she’s angry with the way she talks and expresses things. My friend with a Leo Mars usually makes dramatic hand gestures explaining why she’s angry and moves around when explaining it. 

🦄Lilith-Midheaven aspects get sexualized ALOT and if not sexualized, they’re talked about a lot, especially at the workplace. 

🦄Pluto in the 11th, Chiron in the 11th, and Lilith in the 11th can have a harder time making friends because people get “weird vibes” from them (obviously not always the case but this is what I’ve noticed). 

🦄Moon in the 8th people have a heavy presence. I know three people with this placement and they’re EXTREMELY intense. They’re also extremely intuitive. Definitely a fan of this placement. 

🦄I’ve noticed people with Saturn in the 5th tend to date either later in life or very rarely. If they do date, they don’t get into committed relationships very easily. 

🦄Pluto in the 12th placements deal with a lot of paranoia on any variety of things. My dad has this and is extremely paranoid when it comes to money, even though he never had a reason to be. My cousin is extremely paranoid when it comes to school even though she studies 24/7 and is at the top of her class. 

🦄Moon in the 4th…their family HEAVILY influences who they are and their life, either for the better or for the worse. I’ve also noticed that they tend to be a lot like one of their parents. I know a girl who has this, and she’s the carbon copy of her mother. She has the same personality, even down to the way she talks. 

🦄Lilith in the 2nd is a common eating disorder placement. :( 

Hope you guys enjoyed! 

[harunayuuka2060]

Hiya! So I was just scrolling thru ur Simeon's grandchild!mc when a super duper weird thought struck me... What if MC was related to theo... Like in a direct descendant... How would the boys react..? But the peculiar thing is, theo (that is his name...right..?) is supposed to be calm, powerful and very angelic somehow right? But the mc yk, their just a savvy, stubborn n social butterfly sorta teen... And what'll happen if Theo finds out that they're the student exchange from the human world??? Like somehow he just stomps into hell and is like,

"Ayo kid, whatchu think ur doing here?"

And the mc's just like-

"Oh hey grandpoppey! Yk, I'm just hangin out with ur un-owned sons and havin a nice time... I never knew u were such a damn b*t*h"

And he's like-"...I'm sorry wha-

Srry fr the long ask..

MC: Sup, granddads! How'chu doin? We're all sizzlin' here aye?

The brothers: ...

Lucifer: Who's this?

Mammon: Our "father"'s direct descendant. That's his grandchild.

Lucifer: Well then, you're not welcome here.

MC: *throws their hands in the air* Why're ya like that, mate?

Lucifer: ...

Mammon and Levi: Pft.

MC: Ya' bitter about the past? I was still a molecule at that time aye!

Mammon: I like this kid.

Lucifer: Shut up, Mammon.

--------------------------------------------

Satan: So, are you an angel or what?

MC: Not sure, mate. Maybe ya can call me motherfuckin' Hercules with this charm and good looks? *laughs*

Satan: *gets easily infected with their laugh*

---------------------------------------------

Belphie: What's the reason why you're pretending to be a human?

MC: *shrugs* No reason. Oh wait! There is actually! Ya' know, grandpoppey told me— that if I wasn't behavin, he would throw me to a fire.

MC: Like I ain't a firewood, mate! I know I'm hot but not flammable aye!

MC: Preparing for the winter, ye.

Belphie: Pft. *wheezes*

Belphie: I can't—

--------------------------------------------

Beel: This is where Lilith stays.

MC: This place is old and crusty for a lady, aye?

Beel: You think so?

MC: Ye. *taps the tomb* Rest in peace, mate.

Beel: ...

Beel: What did you say?

MC: Oh, ya'r not aware? She's ghostin' the shit outta me.

Beel: ...

MC: But she still pretty, ye? Wish she's alive and with us.

Beel: ...

Beel: *smiles* Thanks.

[lilith-of-rivia]

The Bards Sister  Geralt XFemale!Reader Part 1

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

Masterlist 

Summary: Geralt of Rivia and his long time travel companion Jaskier find themselves in Jaskiers home land. A place geralt had not only never seen nor heard of. Jaskier is ready to reunite its his family after traveling and exploring the world for 20 years. The one person he missed the most was his baby sister (Y/N). Who he hadnt seen since she was 5. The journal is long, but the pay off is grander then they would ever be able to predict. I know i am trash at summaries.

Trigger warnings: NONE a lot of Geralt and Jaskier in this first part. Your charicter doesn’t come in till closer to the end.

Pairings: GeraltxReader JaskierxSister!reader

Word count: 6,095 longest fanfic I’ve ever written!!

A/N: hello my loves!!! I got my Insperation back!! I’m hopping i will be regularly posting agin!!! I ove you all so much you consistent love and supoort has not gone unnoticed. The constant likes and reblogs truly means the world to me. I love every single one of you so much. Thank you for believing in my writing the way you do. All my love -Lilith ps. I have reviewed and edited but I will be doing a more in-depth review soon!

“Where are we going, Jaskier.” The Witcher’s brooding voice echoed threw the flowered valley. His horse trotted not far behind his companion. Jaskier looked back at him and just rolled his eyes.

“How many times have you led me on endless roads, towards the middle of nowhere speaking little to no words to me no matter how much I ask?” Geralt said nothing. Jaskier snorted looking back towards the road.

“Exactly. No shut up, your brooding is giving me a headache.” The bard was giving the witcher a taste of his own medicine. The idea that Jaskier was leading him to somewhere he had no idea of the location, made him uneasy. Did he trust his bard? Absolutely without a doubt. Would he ever admit it to him? No never.

Their travels continued till the sun was barely hanging in the sky. The air had grown crisp replacing the harsh burning of the full summer sun. Jaskier pulled his mare to the side of the road, climbing off her, tying her to a tree. Geralt followed, realizing they were stopping for the day.

“We still have a couple hours of daylight left.” Geralt said as he took Roach’s saddle and tack off.

“We don't need a couple hours, we are nearly there. Maybe an hour and half.” Geralt cocked an eyebrow at Jaskier.

“Then why did we stop?” Jaskier pulled his saddle bags off his horse, putting them beside a log as he gathered some sticks for the fire.

“Because I have to debrief you as to who we are going to see and you must bathe before we do so. The stream here will do the trick.”

“Gods Jaskier, will you just tell me where we are going? The secrecy is bullshit.” The broot of a man was losing his patience with his friend.

The duo had been on the trip for nearly two weeks. They left Tramieria and headed east. Much further east than Geralt could ever remember traveling. Yet the bard seemed to know exactly what turns to take and when. The closer they drew to their destination the more the witcher could hear his heart beat faster.

“Jaskier if this is some stupid plot for me to protect you from some man who’s wife you slept with again-“

“It's not Geralt-“ Jaskier pinched the bridge of his nose, his stress causing a minor headache. “Just go bathe then I’ll tell you everything.” Geralt studied his friend, his eyes searching his face, his ears tuning into his heart beat trying his best to figure out what he was getting himself into.

With a low grunt the witcher grabbed his last set of clean clothes and the bar of soap from the bard's hand before stomping off to the river.

“Clean EVERYTHING!” Jaskier yelled over his shoulder. Only getting an unfriendly finger in return.

Nearly an hour later, the sun was completely hidden behind the canyon, the glow of the fire Jaskier started illuminating their small camp. Jaskier’s fingers strummed mindlessly at his lute, his eyes fixed on the stars that were making their presence known more, humming to himself softly. He heard his friends footsteps as he approached, his hair was wet at his shoulders. A fresh white Cotton tunic hugged his muscular build, black trousers hugging his legs. He smiled nice for once. All thanks to the lavender and honey soap Jaskier had received as a gift.

“Now don't you look better.” Jaskier said with a chuckle. The witcher sat down across the fire from him, his golden eyes staring heavily at the bard.

“Spill your guts Jaskier.” Jaskier rubbed his hands over his face and nodded. His eyes looking anywhere but at his friend.

“I haven't been completely forward about my family life.” Jaskier’s eyes landed on the moon above them. It was nearly full, he was doing well with time. He knew they would reach their destination well before the next full moon.

“Jaskier.” Geralt’s harsh voice broke the silence. With a loud sigh Jaskier finally looked his friend in the face.

“I’m royalty Geralt.” The Witcher’s expression did not change. He just looked at his friend. He could hear Jaskier's heart beat become uneven and unsteady. At first he thought it was a joke but the nervous energy radiating from his long time friend made him think better.

“My family, they are wonderful people. My mother, bless her, taught me everything I needed to know about writing and music. Convinced my father to let me train at Oxenfurt Academy. My father is a noble and loyal king. He served our people well. Still does to my knowledge. I haven't been back in nearly 20 years…” the bard trailed off, his eyes fixated on his hands, his fingers twildilling with a ring he had on. The ring was that of his family. Their crest engraved into the gold.

“I was never meant to be a noble. I lived for adventure, for more than just sitting on a throne and watching people come and go. I was never fit to be king. My parents knew that. They understood. Understanding people they are.” His voice trailed off again, hopping his friend would say something. Ask a question. Anything. He didn’t know where to go next.

“Why didn't you ever tell me?” Geralt finally asked.

“Because it never came up. My family never needed me. I never needed them. I love them all dearly of course. But we were never the closest people in the world. Well, my sister and I were.” That caught the Witcher’s attention. His eyes narrow slightly, he made sure to not let his expression scare the bard into not telling him more. He was genuinely curious about his family. But he couldn't lie and say he wasn't disappointed that in the 7 years they traveled together he never heard of them.

“You have a sister?” The bard's eyes lit up. His memory raced with images of his tun little sister chasing him around the courtyard screaming, yelling his name. Her giggles and laughs pulling at his heart strings.

“Yes. Her name is (Y/N). She is about to be 25. Big age for a princess. I havnt seen her since she was very little.” His heart started to break softly. His neglect to his baby sitter weighting heavily on him.

“I write her often, as much as I can. She was...well, a surprise to my parents to say the least. I was 15 when she was born. I left home at 20. I was only around for her toddler years. I never got to see her grow, blossom into a young woman. I missed so much.” Jaskier had to fight back the tears, his throat becoming tight and dry. His body filling with regret.

“I just kept pushing it back Geralt. I alwasy said I’d make it home. I alwasy had it in the back of my mind to go back and see her. But I never did.”

“Why now?” Geralt asked.

“She wrote me a few months back. It was nearly a book. It was filled with tales of her new travels around our country. She had been training heavily with an unmanned matester of combat. She traveled the countryside with the man. She referred to him as an uncle. In the letter she asked me if it was true that I’d been traveling with you. She said the songs and tales of Jaskier the Bard traveling with the White Wolf made it to her ears.” Jaskier stopped talking for a brief moment, rummaged around his rut sack and pulled out a notebook. He untied its string and a large pile of papers fell out into his hand. He unfolded the parchment and scanned the writing.

“I wrote her back that week. Only to receive this in return.” He began to read;

“Oh dear Jaskier!! I cannot believe its true. I thought he was only a legend. The white wolf. Please tell him he is a hero here. We love his stories. Many have written books of him. Children run round calling themselves the butcher of Blaviken here to save the damsel and distress. I love his stories, mainly because they involve you. Please come visit me this year. I miss you terribly. I want to hear of your travels with the wolf. Mother said he is more than welcome to stay if he wishes to travel with you. I do miss you Jaskier. More than I think you know. I do not mean to guilt you or make you feel bad as i know you are traveling the world to your heart's content and would never want you to feel as though I do not support you-“ Jaskier stopped reading for a brief moment. A small tear dripped onto the page he was reading. Geralt listened to every word he read. He couldn't help the small tug of his lips when he read about the children pretending to be him. It was a breath of fresh air for the witcher. He had constantly been told he was a monster. To hid your children from him. Yet here was an entire country that loved him, yet he had no idea. Jaskier cleared his throat and continued. “But i miss my brother. And maybe, just maybe. I could come with you. If you deem me fit. I have been working tirelessly with a friend of fathers. He trains me in not only swordsmanship, but Herbology, and monsters as well. I can name nearly every monster that has inhabited the Continent and how to slay it. He thinks I’m ready to leave the nest and I think mother and father are getting a bit tired of me as well. I cannot stand another somber, dull, dinner party with nobles who look at me like a piece of meat. So please. Visit me soon. Come and stay a few days. Catch up with your dear sister and maybe, if he isn't too busy and if it doesn’t inconvenience him, bring the Wolf with you. He’d be a welcomed hero. All my love dear brother. Xoxo Love always, (Y/N) Irene Pankratz

Jaskier folded the letter, placing it inside his notebook before safely storing it inside his sack again. He ran a hand over his face, his eyes slowly moving from his hands to his best friend. They sat in the silence for a while. Geralt’s brain replaying the words he had heard from his friend.

“You could have told me about her Jaskier. Why didn't you? You’ve been in contact with her all this time, planning to see her and your family again. Bringing me along for the ride, yet not a single word in 7 years. Do you not trust me with such a secret Jaskier?” Jaskier was taken aback by his friend's words.

He never knew his secrecy would have such an impact on his friend. When it came to Geralt he learned long ago, the little words, the better. The witcher can only handle so much before he loses interest and stops listening or walks away. He never in a million years would have thought he cared about his life that much. It warmed the bards heart to know his dear friend, the only brother he ever had, cared that deeply for him.

“It has nothing to do with not trusting you Geralt. Is has everything to do with the shame I hold for not seeing her sooner. For treating her like a dirty secret form the world. There is no logical reason for me to keep my family such a big secret. Yet I have. For 20 years.” Geralt’s hands rubbed together softly as he listened to his friend. He understood the secrecy. He was a box full of secrets that nobody could get into.

“Its okay Jaskier. I understand the secrecy. Is that where we are going tomorrow?” Jaskier nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

“Her birthday is the next full moon. I’m hoping my gift will be a good start in time lost.” Geralt looked at him curiously. He hadn't noticed any major item in Jaskier’s possession that could make a good gift for a young princess.

“You’re her gift Geralt. I wrote her back after that letter and told her I’d be back for her next birthday. But that you simply were to busy with your work. I told her that you greatly appreciated her support and that youd consider writing to her in the future. She has no idea your coming with me.” Geralt didnt know how he felt about being a gift. He never ever saw himself as a gift to anyone. More of a burden the a gift. He shook his head at Jaskier and tutted at him.

“Jaskier if your that broke you could’ve asked me for a few extra coins for a real gift.” The witcher attempted to joke with the bard. It made Jaskier smile more. Geralt could be funny, but his humor was incredibly dry, much like Jaskier’s father.

“Geralt! Did you just try and joke around with me??” Geralt rolled his eyes, laying down stretching his muscles as he looked up at the starts.

“Best get some sleep Jaskier, you’ve got a rather big family reunion tomorrow.”

The next morning Jaskier was up and awake before Geralt, a rare sight. He truly hadn't slept more than a couple hours that night. His nerves kept him awake. He feared his sister wouldn’t be as loving as he pictured, she had every right to be mad at him, hate him even. By the time Geralt was up, Jaskier had bathed, changed and had his horse completely ready to go.

Geralt had to do everything in his power to not laugh at his friend. He looked rather ridiculous. His normal bright attire was replaced with a royals outfit. A green and blue velvet tunic and some extremely uncomfortable looking black trousers. His hair was combed back and his face was freshly washed. He even cleaned under his fingernails. He looked rather ridiculous in Geralt’s opinion. He couldn't help the low chuckle that left his lips as he put his bed roll away.

“I don't understand why you're laughing. I have some clothes for you to put on as well.” Geralt’s expression changed instantly, from humorous to angry.

“No. Absolutely not. What I’m wearing is perfectly fine. I’d wear it to meet any king or queen.” A bag was chucked at him, he barely caught it before it smacked into his face.

“This isn't any normal king and queen Geralt. This is my family. And besides, you are no ordinary witcher in my kingdom, you’ll be treated as royalty there. You may as well look the part.” Geralt huffed and threw the bag of clothes back at his friends feet, glaring daggers at him. He hated dressing up with a burning passion. Everything was too tight, not easy to fight in. If anything happened he’d have to rip the seams on every piece of clothing to be able to maneuver his weapons properly. And fancy clothes dont have space for weapons. He didn't like that one bit. Jaskier looked at his friend. His eyes pleading with him.

“Please Geralt. Just for today and her birthday. I couldn't care less what you wear at any other point on this trip.” He had walked closer to Geralt now. About a meter away from him. He extended his hand, the bag in his hand. Geralt looked from the bag to his friend. His teeth and jaw clenched.

He let out a loud huff and grabbed the bag from the bard.

“Fine.” He said through gritted teeth and began taking off his clothing. Jaskier smiled before turning his attention to Roach, getting her stalled and tacked so when Geralt was dressed they could leave.

“If we move with a bit of a haste we could make it there before breakfast.” Jaskier said as he mounted his horse, looking at his friend. His hand slapped over his face. The witcher looked utterly ridiculous in his new attire. The bright red and orange vest a-top a cream tunic, his legs tight in some disgustingly ugly corduroy pants. The pants were obviously smaller than the seamstress he bought them off claimed them to be. The ends of the pants came nearly mid calf on Geralt’s legs. His pasty white ankles and feet shining in the early morning sun.

“Jesus Geralt. Those are worse than the ones I got for Pavetta’s party.” The bard could no longer hold in his laughter. Did Gerarlt look like a nobleman? Sure, but his size, white hair, and bright yellow eyes really didn't help the situation.

“Jaskier, I will kill you for this.” Geralt grumbled angered as he pulled his socks up his feet and over his calves. Luckily for him (and Jaskier) his boots went higher than his pants, making it harder to notice that the pants he was wearing were way too small.

“At least I’m not making you wear a big hat with a feather, those are truly hideous.” Geralt mounted Roach, more carefully then he normally does in fear his pants could bust at the seams.

“I had to wrap you up nice and pretty to present you to my sister.” Jaskier commented as he led his horse; Napoleon to the main road, Geralt and Roach in tow.

The two men rode in a comfortable silence for some time, but as they got closer and closer to Jaskier’s home, all Geralt could hear was his frantic heartbeat. Jaskier’s palms get sweaty and his throat dry, no matter how much water he drinks from his water skin.

“Jaskier. You need to calm down. Your fucking heart beat is driving me insane.” Geralt hissed. They could see the end of the valley they had been traveling in. Geralt looked out in the distance, his eyes saw the castle first. It was very far, but he could tell how beautiful it was from where they were.

“Maybe you just shouldn’t listen to it then.” Jaskier barked back.

“You know I have no control over it, idiot. Take a deep breath. I know you're scared, I understand. But from the sounds of it your sister desperately misses you, I don't think she would ask you to come see her if she was going to hate you.” Geralt didn't talk much at all, that everyone knew. He was a man of few words. But when he did speak it was wiser than most people ever expected. People tended to forget the age of the white haired man, as he stopped ageing physically in his late twenties.

Jaskier smiled softly at his friend's words, he listened to him and took a few deep breaths, calling himself down. Geralt was right. His sister seemed eager as ever to see him again.

The two men approached the entrance to the city. Geralt was more than shocked. He wasn't sure if he had ever seen a city so beautiful in his entire life. The streets were lined in beautiful stone, flowers, vines, greenery all around every corner. The banners that were hanging on the outside of the main gates caught Geralt’s eyes. The crests on them were brightly colored in greens and blues, a very large diamond in the center. Their horses rode into the entrance of the town. Jaskier’s heart was calm, steady, his face was bright and had a smile Geralt had never seen on him before. He was finally home.

“Welcome to Inritha (In-Rithe-A) the capital of Unthya (Un-The-A) Geralt. Welcome to my home.”

Their horses traveled down the stone brick road slowly, the city was buzzing already even with it being the early hours of the morning. Geralt was surprised to see everyone look so...happy, care free. Enjoying their lives. They looked as though nothing was a fret, no monster looming. Geralt was mesmerized by the city. The buildings were built out of what looked to him like limestone, a building material he so rarely saw in other parts of the Continent. The buildings were being taken over by vines and moss, flowers all over. He’d never seen so many butterflies in his life.

“Jaskier-'' his voice was barely a whisper, the bard turning to look at him as they rode side by side. Jaskier couldn't help but smile as his friend admired the beauty he himself had so easily forgotten over the years.

“I know, it's beautiful. I've forgotten myself.”

The two men continued riding their horses up the road closer and closer to the castle. The longer they road tho more attention they got from passer buys. Geralt could hear their whispers.

It couldn't be. Could it?

THE Geralt of Rivia? Here in Inritha?

Mummy look! It's the butcher!!

Has Prince Jaskier finally returned home?

For the first time in what seemed like his entire life, the hushed whispers Geralt heard as he rode through a city were not of hate and disgust. But of admiration and curiosity. The entire time Geralt and Jaskier rode through the city, he never once had the urge to grab either of his swords that were at his side.

The two men approached the gates of the castle, four armored guards stood outside. The put their hand up in motion for the men to stop. One who looked as tho to be the commander of sorts stepped forward poking between both men. Eyes lingering for a long while on the two.

“State your name and what business you have in Inritha at this early hour.” Jaskier dismounted his horse, waking a few feet forward.

“My name is Jaskier Alfred Pankratz son of Dastrill and Alvere Pankratz. This is my companion Geralt Of Rivia, we are here on behalf of my sister, (Y/N) Irene Pankratz’s 25th birthday.” Jaskier bowed his head lowly, keeping eye contact with the commander in front of him.

“Prince Jaskier?!?” The man clearly looked flustered and embarrassed for not recognizing the prince of his own kingdom. All four men quickly bowed their heads.

“Please accept my apology your highness, we welcome you home. As do we welcome your honored guest.” Jaskier smiled and told the men to not trouble themselves with an apology. Geralt continued to watch from atop Roach, still not use to being idolized instead of feared. Honored guest. Geralt thought to himself. He could get use to the new treatment. Jaskier remounted Napoleon the gates to the castle walls opening. The both road threw, all four men bowed their heads as the two walked threw. Not once did they threaten Geralt’s life. They were led by a guard to the stables where they left their horses.

Geralt could hear Jaskier heart beating again in his chest as they were led inside the castle. Geralt tried to concentrate on his friend, to be there for him but he couldn't help but let his eyes wander all over the castle's walls, it was a bright exterior. The walls polished, candles everywhere. Large windows allowing for natural lighting. Nothing dark or gloomy about the castle at all. He felt uplifted..cheary almost. As they neared the entrance to the grand hall where the King, Queen, Princess along with some others were. Geralt could hear the light conversation, and the clicking of silver on plates, they were eating breakfast. But he could still hear Jaskier’s heart beating in his chest. Geralt placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder as they walked, giving it a soft squeeze. The action made Jaskier more worried if the witcher was feeling alright, as it was abnormally out of character for the man. But he said nothing, appreciating the gesture.

They got to the door and just as the guard was about to push the doors open Jaskier grabbed his arm.

“Could we maybe skip the loud over dramatic announcements of my arrival? I have not seen my family in years.” The guard only nodded, bowed his head and walked back outside to his post. Jaskier looked over at his friend, as he put his hand on the door ready to push it open.

“Now or never.” Jaskier said as he opened the door. Both men walked into the large room, the talking stopped almost instantly. Geralt stood at the door, not wanting to impose on the important reunion of his friend and his family. He followed Jaskiers gaze to the table ahead of them in the front of the room. The room was lined with huge floor to ceiling windows, the light of the early morning sun shone brightly making the marble floors glisten.

“JASKIER!!!” The loud scream of a girl nearly made Geralt jump out of his skin, his hand reaching back for a sword that wasn't there in instinct.

It made Jaskier jump but the smile that covered his face was even bigger than the one he had seen as he walked through the city. Geralt followed Jaskier’s gaze to a young woman. The sight of her alone made Geralt want to pass out. He wasn't sure if he had ever seen someone so beautiful in his entire life. Her hair was the same chestnut brown that Jaskier had, but it was long, hip length. She had it pulled back slightly out of her face, a few baby hairs framed her face. Oh her face. Geralt thought as though he was looking at a living breathing angel. He heard her chair scrape roughly on the ground before it loudly crashed on the floor. She raced around the long table from her mothers side and sprinted to her brother. She practically threw herself on him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He quickly wrapped his arms around her, stumbling back a few steps. Everything was quite as the two embraced. Geralt's eyes went to the king and queen who were now standing. The queen looked just like (Y/N) but her hair was black, long stripes of grey peeking through her hair. The crown atop her head glistened in the light. Her right hand was tightly around her husband's arm, her other hand placed softly over her mouth as she looked at her children. Her husband looked much like Jaskier. His hair was the same color as both of their children, but much like his wife’s, much of it had turned grey. His eyes were the same cornflower blue that Jaskier had.

Minutes passed in silence before Jaskier put his hands on his sisters shoulders, pulling her away from him. He put one hand on her cheek as he examined her features. Her pale cheeks were damp with tears. But not sad tears. Tears of joy.

“My sister, how you’ve grown.” Geralt could hear the tears in the bard's voice. He couldn't see him but he could hear everything.

(Y/N) fingers gently brushed over her brother’s face as she smiled at him.

“My brother, how you haven't aged a day. You look just as I remember you. Maybe a few more wrinkles.” She teased. He laughed softly. Wiping his eyes with his hand before pulling her into another bone crushing embrace. She was much shorter than Jaskier, barely shoulder level with him. Geralt was shocked to remember she would be turning 25 in two days. She was still young in the face, beautiful. He wanted nothing more than to see her more up close.

While the siblings spoke their parents moved from the spots at the table, standing behind (Y/N). Alvere was the first to pull him into a tight embrace after her daughter let go. Her fingers gently combed through his hair as she inhaled his scent deeply.

“My dear son how I've missed you.” She whispers slowly into his ear. Geralt was starting to feel bad for eavesdropping. Not that he could help it. He was still standing at the entrance to the grand hall yet he could hear everything.

Jaskiers father hugged him next, it was not nearly as long as the outer two but both men were okay with it. Understanding that their relationship had never been one for long father son hugs.

“It is good to see you again my boy.” His hand clasped down on his son's shoulder.

The four of them stood close together, smiling more than Geralt ever thought possible. It almost made his heart turn. Deep, deep, deep, down the witcher longed for a family that would look at him the way they looked at Jaskier. He often cured the universe for not giving him an option when it came to what he had become. He clung to the few memories he had of his mother. But as years passed they became harder and harder to remember, more painful. But he had. Made a new sort of family over the years. From Jaskier, to his brothers at Kaer Morhen.

“(Y/N), mum, dad, there is someone I’d like you to meet.” Jaskier turned his head towards the door to the hall. Geralt stood tall, shoulders pressed back, his hair framed his face gracefully. Even in the entirely ugly attire he was in, he made himself as presentable and as proper as possible. (Y/N)’s eyes grew bigger when her eyes met his. He once again was taken aback by her beauty. Her eyes were a powerful emerald green matching similarly to the color of her brother's tunic, but brighter. Her mouth fell slightly agape when she realized who it was. The eyes were a dead give away that he was in fact a witcher, but once she saw the silver medallion that rested on his chest, she knew.

Jaskier nodded his head for Geralt to walk forward and he did, his footsteps were light, his pace slow and steady as he walked closer to the royal family. (Y/N)’s hand gently covered her mouth in excitement. Her eyes flickering to her brother who grinned at her.

“A bit of an early birthday gift.” He winked. Once Geralt was closer to the group Jaskier turned so he could introduce them, at his sister's side. All eyes were on him. Even the few people who were still seated at the table were looking at him. He started to feel a bit more uneasy. He started to remember how far away his swords were if he needed them. This alone was beginning to make him panic. He was not used to being welcomed into royal courts unless it was specifically for a hunt.

“This is Geralt of Rivia, one of the most feared, renowned, and skilled Witcher’s the content has to offer. And also my best friend.”

Geralt's eyes were back on (Y/N)’s, his worries dropped more when she smiled brightly at him. Her eyes gleamed.

Geralt bowed his head to the three of them, “ it is an absolute pleasure to meet you, your highnesses.” (Y/N) was nearly blown over by the sultry sound of his voice. She had only heard stories of the witcher. Never see him for herself and definitely had never heard him speak. She never expected a monster hunter to be as handsome as he was. She admired every feature he had. Her eyes fixating on his chiseled jawline, the light gray stubble across his chin and cheeks.

“My, what a pleasure it is to meet such a famed warrior as yourself Geralt!” The king spoke before (Y/N) could, which she was happy about as she did not trust her voice to not waver at his beauty in that moment.

“You my dear are very popular around here. Your stories are legendary. The school children even host yearly plays, Reenacting your most beloved stories.” (Y/N)’s mother added her finger pointing light hardly at Geralt. Her hand came out gracefully from her side to shake the Witcher’s hand. He gently took it, a small smile pulling at the corners of his lips. His attention returned to (Y/N).

“I’m terribly sorry I’m the birthday gift from your brother this year.” She shook her head almost as soon as the words left his mouth.

“Do not be sorry Geralt-'' the way she said his name made him feel as though he could keel over. “I would like to thank you, for protecting my brother for the years you have. He never skips on his gratitude for you in his letter to me. For that we are all eternally grateful for you.” She reached her hand out. Geralt wasted no time in grabbing her hand, shaking it gently. He was dying inside, but he couldn't let her or anyone else see. He took a gentle step towards her, his head lowering softly, his soft lips were placed on the back of her small hand. The small action made the young girls' faces burn red. Her eyes flicked to her brother who smugly smiled, knowing danm well his gift was going to take the cake.

“Well, you both should come join us, we just started eating.” The king said with a smile, with a quick wave of his hand two more places we set.

(Y/N) gently removed her hand from Geralt’s. Walking towards the table, both men in tow. As she reached her spot she moved her plate and glass to the middle seat that had been prepared, leaving Jaskier a seat next to their mother and Geralt a seat next to her. They all sat and waited as food was served to them. (Y/N) could feel Geralt watching her as she ate, her brother deep in conversation with her parents about his most recent travels. But she wasnt listening. Her attention was only on the man seated to her left. She looked over at the man, eyed him up and down then turned to her brother. For the first time she noticed how ugly their attire was.

“Gods Jaskier who dressed you two?” She asked as she sipped her orange juice. Both men looked at her. Jaskier looked a bit hurt and Geralt only snorted.

“I told him the clothes were horrendous.” Geralt said beside the young woman making her giggle. The sound made his heart beat faster. This was also when he realized how sensibly everyone else in the room was dressed, and how much they stood out. (Y/N) was in a thin white cotton dress, it was around knee length and a light sweater was on her shoulders. Her mother and father dressed similarly. Their clothes looking normal, comfortable.

“Oh my dear brother. What have you done to the poor witcher.” She laughed, turning her attention to him. She could see how uncomfortable the clothes made him. The vest was way too tight and he was practically bursting out of his pants, not that she minded, she gladly enjoyed the view.

“He is torturing me. That's what.” Geralt scoffed and she couldn't help but giggle again.

“You're so dramatic Geralt it's truly not that bad.” Her head flicked to her brother.

“Jaskier don't be rude.” She tutted him like a mother, it made Geralt snort under his breath as he took a bite of his eggs. She stood and walked behind him. He was stiff at her movements.

“Do you mind?” Her fingers were on the strings of the vest. He shook his head no and she quickly untied the tight strings, and it fell from his shoulders. She took it off and handed it to one of the maids

“You can burn that horridly ugly thing.” She said as she sat back down.

“I do not remember you being so rude, little sister.” Jaskier quipped.

“What I think is rude is how you made sure you got the more presentable clothing and dressed your poor friend in those horrendous colors. Have you seen his pants, Jaskier?? It's a miracle he can still breath.” Her eyes looked towards the witcher who was already looking at her with a cocky smirk on his face, glad she was putting Jaskier in his place for the ugly outfit choice.

“I can take you to the seamstress later today, if you’d like Geralt.” Her smile was like a drug.

“I’d appreciate that m'lady.” He said softly.

“And I can show you around the city, both of you. But in return I would like to hear some of your stories, first hand if that’s doable.”

“That sounds like a reasonable trade.” Geralt quipped back.

“Then it's a date, Witcher.”

“A date it is.”

[solomonish]

Growing Pains (Lucifer & Mammon)

At first, Lucifer thought that to fall with those he loved more dearly than anyone was the final blessing the Celestial Realm would bestow upon him.

But Father did not intend to stop after taking Lilith from them. He just took her first - the brothers still had themselves and each other to lose.

ao3 link: here!

---

The office in the manor was slowly becoming more and more cluttered as Lucifer continued to drag stacks of paperwork and countless manuals on Devildom culture into the house when he returned from his meetings with Diavolo. The business he had been tasked to sort out for the rest of his existence needed to be started on right away, leaving Lucifer tied up with an amount of work fitting for the place he now had to learn to call home. Instead of navigating the new life with his brothers, he had to spend his time navigating the halls of the palace or bent over an old wooden desk. The impressive castle doors now instinctively sent a pit into his stomach and finding the Royal Butler Barbatos waiting for him to lead him so he wouldn't lose himself in the halls hurt Lucifer in a weird, bruising way he had never felt before.

By the time he got home, the house was normally quiet. It scared him, at first: after spending so long in battle, silence could only mean something bad. During the first days, he found his brothers huddled up in the same spot, unwilling to be alone. Beel and Belphie would be curled around each other in some way, inseparable as they had always been. Mammon could be found sprawled over the carpet,, one hand gripping Satan's ankle or wrist as if that'd be enough to stop one of his rampages. Perhaps it was; from what Lucifer heard, every day he was getting better, learning more. Mammon wasn't the only one gripping him; Asmodeus was often cuddled next to Satan, clinging tightly to his arm or sometimes even to him. He was getting awfully affectionate lately, but maybe it was doing Satan some good. Only Levi wasn't directly touching anyone, but even though his back was turned, his new tail would occasionally twitch and brush against one of his brothers.

These scenes gave Lucifer pause, the feeling he was learning to be pride swelling in his chest. Everything was alright. Mammon had kept things under control.

He left them alone, not wanting to disturb their peace, and continued his work, the task distracting his mind and the affection distracting his heart from the crippling grief that loomed above them all.

Eventually, though, the brothers disbanded. The quirks he had noticed growing in them soon became hallmarks of their new beings: Asmodeus' affections were becoming increasingly licentious, Belphegor could hardly be found awake regardless of the time, items turned up missing and wound up in Mammon’s possession...each of his brothers seemed to spiral further and further towards degeneracy, save for Satan, who was as sinful as it got and instead retreated into himself and forming a grudge against everyone for his status as what seemed like a half-baked replacement.

Ever the dependable brother - a thought that was now strangely accompanied by a twinge of something unpleasant instead of the warm, affectionate delight Lucifer was used to - Mammon still tried to keep everyone together.

At first, it seemed to work. Nobody seemed entirely willing or even purposely trying to avoid the others. However, it seemed that the sin they began to embody were too great an obstacle none of them knew how to hurdle. Any interruption infuriated Satan, and Asmo seemed offended at the concept of taking his own time away from himself to check in on his brothers. Beel and Belphie could never be taken away from easing the effects of their sins for long enough to hold a meaningful conversation, and Levi had already dug himself so deep in a self-deprecating hole he seemed convinced any efforts to connect were the beginning of an elaborate prank to make fun of him. When items turned up missing immediately after Mammon’s visits, doors started slamming if they even opened.

Still, his attempts to keep the camaraderie alive meant Lucifer had more time to spend on the paperwork. It was a good system - at least, that’s how he felt. Evidently, Mammon didn’t feel the same.

Normally, on the days where Mammon made a futile attempt at his rounds (days that were becoming more and more scarce throughout the week), Mammon passed by Lucifer’s door. This time, there was an angry knock on the door, more of an alert to Mammon’s presence than a request for permission. The door didn’t bang against the wall, but Mammon had twisted the doorknob rather ferociously and Lucifer almost flinched at the noise it made. Taken aback by his brother’s stormy entrance, he nearly watched him approach impassively. There hadn’t been any opportunity to discuss the proper, respectful way to enter his workspace - clearly, this needed to be remedied soon.

“What’re ya even doing in here?” Mammon bellowed, looking around. The shelves that had books in them were put together nicely, the sturdy wood packed with old books about a life they both used to find reprehensible. How cruel of their father to force them to live what He made them fear most.

“You can lower your voice,” Lucifer answered, dropping his pen on the desk. When he leaned back, ignoring the way his upper back twinged at the change from his previous slumped posture, he met Mammon’s eyes and was surprised to see genuine frustration behind them. “I’ve been working.”

A scoff had never sounded more irritating to Lucifer’s ears. “Is that what it is? Because to me, it seems like you’re avoiding us.”

Lucifer scrunched his eyebrows. “Where did you-”

“Is that it? What, we all lost so now we’re losers and you can’t stand to look at us?”

“I never-”

“Or you couldn’t fill the void left when you were thrown out as the world’s best lapdog, so you became Diavolo’s instead?”

“Stop right there, Mammon,” Lucifer commanded, standing from his seat. His voice had a steely chill to it that it never had before, one to match the resentment burning inside of him. Instinctively, Mammon backed off. They didn’t know much about their new predicament, but they knew how the seven of them ranked in power, and Lucifer would always come out on top. “I’m won’t concern myself with where you got these foolish thoughts from. Perhaps it would benefit you to spend less time with Levi-”

“Levi? How could you know if he even had anything to do with this? When’s the last time you saw him?” Mammon shot back. “Spending less time with anybody isn’t the answer to anything, though of course it’d be your answer to things.”

Lucifer sighed. “I’m working out the details of this situation so you don’t have to worry yourselves with it.”

Mammon didn’t have an immediate response to that, instead watching Lucifer with betrayed eyes. He seemed to deflate over time, a resignation falling over him that forced his fire out with a sigh. "We were a team, Lucifer. What the hell happened?"

There were obvious answers to that, and there were not so obvious answers. Faced with so many options, Lucifer found himself unable to choose between them, and instead stared blankly at Mammon. Slowly, Lucifer sat back in his seat without breaking eye contact.

We've been ripped away from everything and left to become scabs over the wounds we've been given. All I'm trying to do is give you the freedom to heal however you need to, to keep you from the chains that could have just as easily awaited us as this fate did.

I'm hiding from you a burden that is too heavy to pass on - if I move it from my shoulders, I fear my arms would be too weak to carry it to you.

There were so many ways to tell Mammon that Lucifer had to lock himself away, the door a heavy shield against his own grief and the ever-growing work that buried him and the secret he carried. Even if Lucifer didn’t trust his own mouth to only say what was necessary, he could just thank Mammon for his efforts, tell him that he trusted Mammon more than anybody to keep together the one thing that ought to stay intact after the holy hell they’d created. But something inside him bristled, swelling uncomfortably until he felt like a balloon ready to burst. Gulping down his thoughts, Lucifer resumed his writing, the pen scratching against the paper more ferociously than the claws of any creature by which they now found themselves surrounded.

"I don't need your help," Lucifer answered simply, with finality. Though the words rang true in his mind, they were leaden with the way they pulled on his heart and tasted like iron on his tongue.

Mammon scoffed again, narrowing his eyes so Lucifer wouldn't be able to notice the tears that began to gather within them. "Fine, then. I-I didn't wanna help ya out anymore anyway."

As Mammon stomped out the door of his office with a huff, Lucifer felt something snap inside him. It wasn't in the way pent up rage unleashed itself, apparently, somehow in the form of a sixth brother, but more in the way one holds on desperately to a branch too thin for the weight. Once it snaps, the plummet is rough, with stronger branches breaking up the fall and taunting tossing them around in a cruel ricochet. Outside of the thick wooden door, it was startlingly quiet, as if the house itself was forcing Lucifer to grapple with the final thread holding them together being cut with his own words.

The pain started in his chest, the way it always did, wrapping around his heart and lungs like thorny vines. The spot on his lower back, occasionally tickled by phantom feathers, throbbed as his entire brain seemed to weigh heavier in his head. After a near eternity surrounded by laughter and the beautiful, enchanting hum of Celestial life and a thundering of battle that would ring in his head for the rest of his existence, the silence seemed like a stifling blanket, the final lock on the cage they had been forced into.

When one opposed Father and lost, he truly did lose everything.

[gingerwritess]

Haven't been in a relationship before either so… But what about one feeling distant from the other (Loki or the reader)? Like, feeling left out, forgotten or unloved?

thank you for the prompt ahh i thought i’d give it a try! not a super angsty fight, maybe only for a little, mostly make up fluff :’)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Loki doesn’t exactly have friends.

He’d tagged along with Thor’s little entourage, yes, but even when he would brave the jump and call them his friends, they’d laugh and sarcastically agree: he’s just the little brother, kept around because his mom told them to be nice…not that he knew that, of course.

When he and Thor were just children, Loki liked to think they were laughing because of him—seeing them laugh gave the young god some fulfillment of his namesake.

It quickly became clear they were laughing at him.

He doesn’t laugh much anymore.

See, the problem is that now Loki doesn’t want friends; he finds them distracting and pointless, a waste of effort, and just another thing for him to mess up, to lose.

He has you, and though he had decided to skip the phase in the relationship where he would’ve called you a friend and go straight from “associate” to “lover,” he swears that’s all he needs.

You’d called him a friend all the while he barely smiled at you, and you didn’t mind; he’s a pretty cold and distant guy. It’d take time to break through his ice.

But you have friends.

You’re with them right now, again, you’d flounced out the door with a wide grin, stopping only to press a kiss to his cheek from behind the couch and slamming the door behind you.

He doesn’t want to go with you, you’d offered. He won’t go do anything better with his time either, so he sits there with his nose in his book, reading the same sentence over and reading the same sentence over and reading the same sentence over until the inevitable pity party kicks into full swing.

If you’re not there to crash said party, the god just spirals. By the time you’re slipping back through the door late that night, waving goodbyes to your ride, he’s sulking—and lonely.

You round the couch, dropping your bag on the coffee table and grinning at Loki; he’s laying down now, on his side with his arms crossed, half his face smushed into the pillow.

Cutie.

“Ugh, these shoes are killing me.”

Flopping into an armchair across from him, you lean down to unlace your shoes, kicking them across the room and hoisting your feet onto the coffee table with a relieved sigh.

Loki blinks. “I take it you enjoyed yourself?”

“Mmhm.” Your arms reach into the air as you stretch your sore muscles. “Danced my soles off, you missed quite a show.”

“Hmm.”

He sounds unamused. Oh dear.

“What’s your deal?”

“My deal?” He shifts on the couch, tightening his arms over his chest and frowning. “Oh, you know my deal. Just another lovely night in good company.”

Your hands come up in front of you. “Hey, I invited you, sunshine. You turned me down.”

Still giddy from your outing, you fake a little pout as you say it, crossing your arms and cocking your head to the side to mimic his position.

“Put that cursed lip away, good gods,” he groans and rolls onto his back, draping an arm across his eyes when you laugh. “Clearly you didn’t need me getting in the way of your good times.”

“C’mon, Loki, don’t say that.”

“It’s true, isn’t it?” His head lolls to the side again to look at you. “Go have fun with your friends, I’ll be here whenever you decide to come home…as always.”

You frown, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth as you scrutinise your sulking lover. “Do you not want me to go out with my friends? Is that what this is about?”

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to that option.”

“…tough luck, Loki.” Pulling yourself out of your chair with a huff, you shake your head at him, grab your shoes, and stomp off to the bedroom.

How wonderful. Now he’s lonely, you’re upset, and your shake of the head almost felt like you were disappointed in him. He groans, punching a hand into the pillow.

“I only missed you,” he calls out into the quiet room, hoping you hear. “I miss you when you’re gone, you know.”

There’s only the sound of opening and shutting of drawers coming from your room as you move around getting undressed.

“My love?”

That normally scores him a few points.

“…darling?”

Groaning loud enough for him to hear, you lean onto the dresser and drop your head to your chest. “Get your butt in here if you’re gonna apologise, doofus.”

He’s glad you can’t see him scowl when he rolls off the couch and trudges into the room. You look pretty, he notes as he drags his feet to stand in front of you, your hair messy and makeup smudging under your eyes from whatever party you had been to.

“I miss you,” he repeats, lifting his hands to rub down your crossed arms. “I won’t deny it, I get lonely when you leave me.”

“That’s not an apology, Loki, that’s an excuse.”

“I—ugh.” His head drops to his chest and he leans his forehead against yours, and you can hear his teeth gritting together. “Sorry…”

Uncrossing your arms, you close your eyes and smile. “You can’t keep me here forever, y’know. I’ve got my own life too.”

“I know…” he sighs, offering you a sad little smile. “And I am sorry. As much as I’d like to keep you for myself, your time would be better spent elsewhere.”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” you chuckle and wrap your arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly. “I love your clingy ass. And I miss you when I’m gone too, you know what I was doing the whole time tonight?”

“What?”

You grin and pull him in for a kiss. “Bragging about you to all my friends. And the bartender. And the Uber. And—”

“Oh, just shut up and accept my apology.”

His cool hands find your hips and those lips you missed so much curl into a smile against yours.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

hope you enjoyed, feel free to send me ideas!

loki tags: @bluediamond007 @himitoshi @drakesfiance @destiel1597 @dangertoozmanykids101 @archy3001 @jcalpha1 @yzssie @skullvieplu @forthesnakeofdragons @skulliebythesea @wegingerangelica @storiesfrommirkwood @agarwaeneth @adaliamalfoy @laurfangirl424@paradisaicsam @fitzsimmons-is-forever @ladylokimischief @katelinwrites @tarynkauai @polaristrange @loavesofmeat @canadian-ravenpuff-multishipper @lou-makes-me-strong @holyn0vak @chocolatealmondmillk @swtnrholland @kenzieam @jessiejunebug  @catticas @the-republic-and-face-of-texas @doralupin01 @whitewitchdown @atomiccharmer @falconfeather23435 @babygirlicecream  @avengrcs @vethrvolnir2 @bookgirlunicorn @wabisabigrl @myhealingstar @khaleesi-marvel @ei77777 @spacecrumbs @scarlettrosella@rocks-are-pretty-odd @confessionsofastrugglingteen  @easilydistractedwriter @arttasticgreatnessoftheawesome77 @fluffyllamaswearinghats @milktearose@lcyouinhell @h0tshotholland @dontmesswithmemundane @southsidesarcasticwriter @helnik-s @lilith-akemi @fire-in-her-veinz @unlikelysamwinchesteronahunt @mischievousbellerina  @kcd15@mellowgirl01 @lokislilcaribbeanprincess @allthingzhiddleston @scorpionchild81 @lokixme @vast-ish @blue-automne @galaxycharmed @devilbat @kangaroobunny @end-up-well

[theendofthematerialgworl]

That One Time Ryan Got Proof That Demons Exist (Mainly Because Shane Got Mad)

Title: That One Time Ryan Got Proof That Demons Exist (Mainly Because Shane Got Mad)

Warnings: Swearing, demons, Ryan being mildly traumatized

Word Count: 2,144

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prologue

You walked through the Winchester House quietly, exploring as you spoke quietly. “My dad got me in here, by the way, so, uh, thanks Dad.”

You were a demon. However, as far as your viewers and the rest of the world knew, it was all a very elaborate cosplay.

“I have to be out of here pretty quick, because their gonna start their filming soon, so-” You heard the door open and your father’s voice and swore quietly. “Crap. They’re here.” You turned the camera on your phone so that your viewers could see your face. “So, I have two options.” You whispered. “Either I sneak out, slamming the door behind me to scare Ryan, or, I fuck with them and make Ryan shit his pants. I’m going with the second.”

You began screwing with them, stomping around, slamming doors, and generally making Ryan near-shit his pants.

As the weeks, months, and years went on, you piggybacked off of their popularity, and they unknowingly piggybacked off of yours. Of course, your dad, Shane Madej, found out eventually. The two of you had made a compromise.

“I still get to screw with you guys, but I won’t screw around with the spirit box, or the flashlights. I will leave those alone. Deal?”

Your dad had sighed. “Deal.”

Today

That had been nearly three years ago. Currently, you were filming, still on your phone (because bringing anything else could alert them to your presence) and still fucking with the Ghoul Boys.

“I think I might get in huge trouble for this one, I’m going extreme today.”

It was the third time they had been at the Winchester house, making a saga that the people loved.

“I don’t know how they manage to make more of this, honestly, but apparently you guys love this house and how scared Ryan gets, so they did it, I guess. Oh, my dad is going to kill me.”

They were going to stay in Sarah’s room for half an hour, alone. Shane, your father, was going first, and you were incredibly pleased with it. Well, he always went first, but still. It gave you the time you needed to summon a demon.

Whenever your father said something along the lines of, “Hey, spirits, kill me.” You always threw something at him. Jokingly, of course, you didn’t actually want to kill your father. Your main job was getting to the house before they did so that you could use a ouija board to open a door/prep the spirits and help them with their fear of your father. “Alright, Sarah, it’s your turn. What would you like to do?”

A ghost hammer got thrown at his face, narrowly missing.

“Well. M’Kay, Sarah, I thought we had a deal.”

She did not seem to care, as her pale, see-through self just ignored you.

“Woah, what was that?” Your father asked.

“What?” Ryan called.

“Something got thrown at my face!” He called back.

“Oh, my God.” Ryan said from the other side of the door.

About fifteen minutes later, the real fun began.

“Oh, my Dad is going to kill me.” You muttered. “Sarah, you go first, I have a hell of a lot planned.”

Sarah didn’t really seem to care much about Ryan, so you waited about five minutes before you started on the small stuff. For example, tugging slightly on his shirt, stomping around, mussing up his hair because your sixteen-year-old self was only about two inches shorter than him.

Ryan was sufficiently terrified. “I am so scared, oh, my God.”  He took a breath. “Okay, I’m gonna turn on the spirit box.” You immediately set your phone down on the bed and clapped your hands over your ears. You heard the static of the spirit box, and took your hands off your ears. “Okay, I’m good now,” You muttered. “but I do have to stop talking for a bit.”

You heard your own voice come through the spirit box.

“What was that?” Ryan said. He took a breath.

Shit.

“My name is Ryan. Um, if there is a ghost, can you please say my name back to me?”

You nudged Sarah, and she sighed. “No.” She said.

You huffed. “Fine.” You mouthed back.

“What?” Ryan asked. “Did you just say ‘no’? Uh, if someone just said ‘no’, could you please tell me your name? I’m here for Sarah.”

After a few more minutes, Ryan turned off the spirit box, and you sighed gratefully. “Thank Satan, he turned off that blasted box.”

Throughout the rest of his time in the room, you evenly spaced out all of your interactions as to not scare Ryan too much. You didn’t actually want to hurt him, so you had never done too much, especially not all at the same time. You tended to repeat actions ever once in a while, too, because while you were somewhat creative, you weren’t exactly a well of new ideas.

Ryan looked terrified by the time he got out of the room.

“Hey, are you okay?” Shane asked. “What happened down there?”

“A lot. Oh, my God.” Ryan jumped, as you had tapped on his shoulder.

“What?” “Something just tapped my shoulder…” He had turned around, but couldn’t see you, as you had gone invisible. “There’s nothing there.”

“Yeah.” Shane said. “I’m sure you just imagined it. You’re letting your fear get to you.”

“Yeah.” Ryan breathed. “Yeah. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

They continued on throughout the house.

“So, I know I said that I’m going to do something big today, because it is their third time in the Winchester House, and so it’s mine, too.” You said, having moved to a different room, across the house from where Shane and Ryan were. “And it might-well, I know I’m an asshole, but, uh, it-it might be a bit much, in terms of scaring Ryan. Dad won’t be scared, because he knows that it’s me, probably, and, ya know, not, like a ghost, or something.

“Anyway, you will see what I’m about to do. If you hadn’t noticed, like almost always, I am wearing flame retardant clothing. The reason why is because I don’t want to get burned by what I’m about to do.

“So, I will be summoning a demon to do my bidding, and this demon can light themselves on fire, which is part of the reason the clothing I’m wearing is flame retardant. Um, this demon, I will make sure they don’t burn the Winchester House down, or anything, I’m not that stupid, I’d rather not set this house on fire and get sued and/or thrown in jail.

“Alright, I have my little setup here…” You spoke a few words in a Latin (which didn’t actually mean anything), and one of your favorite demons, Lilith, appeared.

“What are you asking me to do here?” She asked immediately.

“I need you to light yourself on fire and go scare Ryan and my dad.”

“Wow. This is insane, even by your standards.”

“I know, I know, but please!” You gave puppy eyes, and she sighed.

“Fine.”

“Thank you!”

“Where are they?” Lilith sighed.

“Follow me. And keep out of sight.”

The two of you walked along the house, taking a few secret passages to get there faster.

“Satan, I hate this house.”

“Yeah, me, too. But I also kinda love it.”

“Screw you.”

You snorted. “You wish.”

“I really, really don’t.”

You heard your father and Ryan’s voices and stopped. “They’re here.” You pointed to the duo. They were standing in the kitchen, staring at the flashlights that were sitting on the counter. “Fuck around with the flashlights first, actually.”

“Gotcha.” Lilith stretched for a moment, probably to be dramatic.

“Alright, and…go!” You whispered.

“If you want to kill us-”

“Stop bringing me into your shit, Shane!” Ryan interrupted.

“Fine. If you want to kill me, Shane, turn on the white flashlight and turn off the black one.”

Lilith stepped over, heels, dark dress, and all, and slowly turned off the black flashlight, then turned on the white one. “OH, MY GOD!” Ryan screamed, jumping back. “What was-oh, my God.”

You nodded at Lilith, and she stepped down to the end of the hallway.

“Alright, I’m out-” Ryan began.

It was then that Lilith set herself on fire.

She began walking forward, keeping clear from the walls so as to not light them on fire. Of course, that wasn’t going to do much, because you had already made sure that they wouldn’t with magic. Thank God/Satan for fire-proofing spells.

Ryan was screaming. “OH, MY GOD! SHANE! OH, MY GOD!”

“Shit.” You muttered.

You father looked pissed.

“Lilith. Lilith, stop, that’s enough. That’s enough.”

Lilith disappeared, the fire stopping along with it.

Ryan looked terrified.

“I am so dead.” You muttered.

“You know what? You know what?” You father said. “Ryan, you’re going to get your proof. (Y/N) (Y/M/N) Madej, come out here right now!”

“No!” You yelled back, your voice echoing around the room. “I though we were supposed to keep this a secret!”

“Come out right fucking now, you are in so much trouble!”

“I will not!” You argued.

“You will! Or I won’t let you do magic for the next month!”

“This is tyranny, I tell you! Tyranny!” You yelled back, coming into view.

If it was possible, Ryan had gone even paler.

“What the hell was that?” Shane asked.

“Well, I figured since it was your third time in the Winchester House, and three is an important number, I would freak you guys out more than usual-”

“And you thought that was a good idea? Look at Ryan! He looks like he going to black out!”

Ryan did indeed look like he was going to black out.

“Sorry, Ryan.” You said.

He was silent, staring at you in slight horror, his eyes flicking from your face, to your horns, to your wings, to the thorny circlet on your head.

Ryan’s hand had, without your notice, gone to the holy water gun that was attached to his hip. He brought it out and pointed it at you.

“Woah, woah, woah! Don’t shoot, don’t shoot!” You exclaimed, putting your hands up and backing away slightly. Shane stepped in front of you, ready to take the hit if necessary, but you pushed him out of the way and stepped forward cautiously. “Look, I’m sorry for screwing with you and summoning Lilith and all that, but really, I promise you, it was all in good fun. I made her swear not to hurt you.”

Ryan let the gun fall to his side, though he didn’t put it back in the holster, still terrified.

“I suppose I should introduce myself.” You sketched a bow, (Y/H/C) hair swinging down over your shoulders. “Lady (Y/N) Madej of Hell, at your service.” You grinned, causing your pointed white fangs to come into view.

“Ryan Bergara.” Ryan said, sounding dazed.

“Yeah, I know. Uh, sorry about the whole ‘summoning Lilith and scaring you really bad’ thing. Like I said earlier, I promise it was all in good fun.”

“What are those?” Ryan asked, pointing to your horns and wings.

“Just my…uh, extra appendages. Kinda the usual for demons like me, especially within the higher-ups.”

“You…You’re a lady of Hell?”

“Yep!” You said cheerfully. “Oh, Dad, I do hope you don’t mind that this is all on video, but I’ll probably edit it out.”

“Edit it out.”

“Yeah.”

“Wait.” Ryan said. “If you’re a Lady of Hell, and Shane’s your Dad, that means…”

“Shane Madej, Lord of Hell.” Shane said.

Ryan collapsed.

“Shit!” You exclaimed. “Oh, God, oh, no. Dad, magic?”

“No, that’ll just freak him out more. Use mortal first aid.”

“Gotcha. Um…You loosen constrictive clothing and I’ll hold his legs above his head and slap his face.”

It took a few minutes for Ryan to wake up. When he finally did, it was to you and your dad smiling down at him. “You good?” Shane asked.

“Yeah, Big Guy. Please tell me I didn’t just see a demon?”

“Nope, I’m a demon!”

“My God.”

“Eh.” You said. “He’s okay. Kinda weird sometimes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’d be surprised.”

There was a noise from down the hall, and Ryan screamed. You huffed. “Don’t worry, just the wind.” You lied. “Take it from me.” It was, in fact, Sarah Winchester, who very much wanted the three of you to get the hell out of her house. “Yeah, yeah, we’re going.” You muttered. “Ryan, Dad? We should go.”

“Filming’s wrapped up anyway.” Shane said. “I think we got enough.”

“Let’s get out of here.” Ryan looked, to be honest, traumatized.

“Sorry about all that.” You said as you left.

“On the bright side, at least I know that ghosts and demons are real now.”

“Are you gonna stop the series?”

“Nah. I didn’t get a theater degree for nothing.”

[the-roanoke-society]

//I want to know more about the various time fracture and time travel missions where Succubus and Seraphim meet younger Harry and Hamish.

oh, gracious. well, buckle in, it’s a ride. the #concerning the mission with the time fracture and #concerning the time warp mission tags are both separate missions that somehow both take place on the Actual Timeline. the #time fracture incident happened first.

put under a read more because i severely underestimated how long this would get. some of the details of the time fracture mission are a smidge violet. proceed with caution.

seraphim and succubus had been sent out into a desert in the southern half of arizona to investigate some—very odd activity. lilith, upon initial review of the files, thought that maybe it was something demonic, so of course, those were the two agents that were picked.

but when they finally got to the sector of the desert where the strange “glitches” had been happening (in the words of the locals), they couldn’t find anything up until—well. it was sort of like reality, irritated at there being two people this close to what was essentially an open wound, ripped itself open.

seraphim and succubus, in short, were sucked through a fracture in time.

it’s not as romantic as it sounds.

it would have been fine, except for the fact that this was an unnatural rift, caused by some cult activity in the opposite corner of the state that they wouldn’t even investigate until the year after, when they began kidnapping and “sacrificing” sex workers traveling through the area. turns out the elder god they served was a nasty piece of work. but that’s another story.

this meant that it left bodies behind; granted, faux corpses, but corpses all the same. and lilith—she suspected. but she wasn’t sure. there had never been an incident like this where she, or any other women of her handle, had been able to be sure.

from the feeds, it rather looked like they were pulled forward, and then struck by lightning originating from chest-level space. both were violently knocked backwards, almost in half. the autopsies likened the internal lacerations and bruising more akin to blunt force trauma.

for all intents and purposes, seraphim and succubus were dead.

except–that they weren’t.

the actual, living, breathing agents landed roughly in an alleyway in london, circa nineteen-eighty-five.

and the bodies—were buried.

merlin laid his wife to rest. harry threw a rose onto the coffin of a woman he hadn’t yet gotten the chance to propose to. and their grief was shared by the society, the council, the order, and other agencies.

they stalked roanoke like ghosts, unwilling to leave their rooms, their stomping grounds, so quickly. this is the place where they’d do their mourning. kentucky could be a pretty gentle place, if you let it be.

lilith observed them from afar, trying to an eye on them—and signal receptors in the basement, by the gate.

she hoped in silence.

but what wasn’t silent was london in its punk phase.

and guess who just happened to be in the pub that succubus and seraphim woke up next to?

a much younger, much rougher hamish macoighre.

good news? not exactly.

hamish—we’ll just say that merlin was supremely refined through his recruitment into kingsman, his training, and his acceptance of his position.

this was before allllllll of that happened.

seraphim, more than a little panicked and in a bit of haze, wandered in and very stupidly just drank the first thing she could get her hands on—which happened to be hamish’s scotch. which, uhm. again. wouldn’t normally have been a problem.

but this hamish was a lot less kind. “oi! the fuck y’ think ye’re doin’?”

the scotch hit her brain before her common sense did, and it was coupled alongside the fact that seeing her husband closer to her own age was—jarring. her face wasn’t just flushed from the booze. “the fuck are you gonna do about it? hm?”

his friends around him egged him on, because “what, you gonna let some bird just drink what you paid for, ham’?”

and poor rae, she was trying to get seraphim out of there, but then: “go on, hit me, fucking asshole! you won’t—!”

joke was on seraphim. he walloped her right in the face and left her with a prize-winning shiner, which sent her into enough shock for succubus to finally get her out of the bar and back outside into the alleyway where they’d landed.

“okay, look, lillith, drake, someone is going to find us, but you can’t go around picking fights with your spouse—“

said spouse abruptly appeared around the corner of the alley, fury on his face like a mask—but he stopped, looking off to the side, at someone neither women could see.

and rae heard a familiar voice.

“hamish? what’s wrong? are you alright?”

no one was prepared for harry hart of the 80s. no one.

“… oh my god, harry is a fucking babe.”

“rae. focus.”

“this cunt—“ and what started ferociously sort of died because it was then that he started to look at seraphim like he had before. it wasn’t a look of recognition, not anything like that. more a look of—‘oh. oh she’s cute. i slightly regret decking her in the eye.’ “—stole my drink!”

“so you hit her? gracious, hamish, what on earth is wrong with you? our—“ and harry got real close to him, and the roanoke women sort of backed up, pretending not to hear—but they already had an idea of what he was muttering. “our training begins in three days. you know how much elias vouched for you. if he finds out you did this—“

“he won’t find out, harry, for fuck’s sake—“

“you can’t keep acting like this if you want to be a kingsman.” and then, a little louder. “apologize to that woman. i’m sure it was an accident, right miss?” that was the first time harry had actually looked at them. his eyes went straight to rae. as they had once before.

what a fucking cosmic joke.

“yes.” seraphim answered honestly—and a little timidly, because hamish was starting to walk towards her. “we’ve uhm—“ she blinked, shaking her head. her face was beginning to ache. “—had a rough day.: and the swallowed. “i’m sorry. if you want, i can get you another one—?”

succubus snorted, “with what money, genius?”

“oh—shit. right…”

“‘salright,” hamish began, grinning. “i—have a better idea.”

that better idea included going back into the bar, stealing an entire bottle of scotch behind the bartender’s back, and sneaking up onto the roof.

but succubus—she stayed down on the ground, with harry.

neither of them knew when they’d be pulled back home.

maybe it wasn’t so bad to make the most of it.

“thanks for uhm, helping my friend. my name’s rae. what’s yours?”

“oh, harry. harry hart.”

and eventually, one pair ended up at the bar, having a warm conversation over pints of guinness, and the other—kinda sorta ended up making out with a fantastic view of the london skyline, having split almost half a bottle of stolen liquor. seraphim discovered that hamish, her rock, the most stable person in her life—had been just as lost as she sometimes felt in her twenties. it was bittersweet.

they weren’t even the best versions of themselves yet—but seraphim and succubus, in their own way, saw that even if they’d met earlier, in another life—they would have fallen in love with them just the same.

and harry and hamish would have, too.

but this wasn’t the right place, or the right time.

rae felt it first.

“raeanna? is everything all right?”

“yes, uhm—i’m  sorry, but i need to find my friend. right now.”

and out in the alleyway: “morgan! morgan, come down!”

seraphim groaned. and not just because his lips had found her neck again. “shit—hold on, pause, i need to make sure rae’s all right—“

“what about if i’m all righ’?”

his voice was so husky and right in her ear that for a split second, she seriously considered fucking him on the roof.

but again. wrong place. wrong time.

“oh shut up. you’re fine. rae! hold on—we’re gonna play a game called can i get down a fire escape while this wasted—if i win, i don’t break my legs—“

as soon as seraphim’s feet hit the pavement with a grunt—she felt it, too. okay. not just the scotch, then.

someone had found their signals. they didn’t have much time.

rae grasped harry in quick embrace that left him breathless. “we’ve got to leave now, i’m sorry; you’re gonna do great things.” it was already happening, they had to get farther away from them. succubus hooked a hand around seraphim’s arm as she gave hamish one last kiss.

“remember—show them just what you’re made of.”

“wait—but you just—!“

whatever harry was trying to say we didn’t hear them. a bus passed by the front of the pub, loudly, and when it passed, the agents were gone.

they were in london’s past for only a few hours.

but in their home timeline—they had been dead for almost a month and a half.

harry and hamish had eaten more strawberries in that time than most people do in an entire year, and that’s when lilith knew for sure that no, they weren’t dead, they were just lost. and she just had to wait. the craving for strawberries was a dead giveaway to her hunch.

but she said nothing to the kingsman agents, who slept in their beds, burying their faces into anything that smelled like them at night. grief!masturbation definitely happened, but that’s another post.

it was hard to watch. other members of the society generally, very quietly, stayed out of their ways, for the most part.

when the gate snapped them back—it was 3:16 in the morning. the manor was dead silent. “i don’t think they expected us,” seraphim whispered. they were both afraid to even make noise. something felt—different.

very quietly, they walked upstairs and went to the kitchen, where eggsy was making cups of tea for him and lycan, who still had some trouble sleeping.

as soon as he turned and saw them, standing in the doorway looking more than a little bewildered, he dropped both mugs. lilith woke up to the sound of shattering ceramic.

seraphim sprinted to her room as soon as it sort of hit what had happened, when eggsy explained through joyful tears that it’d been almost two months, we thought you were dead, we thought you were never coming home.

oh, but they were.

and harry, harry’d woken up too, and put on a robe before stepping into the hallway. he stopped, because he thought he saw seraphim run past the corridor opening, and that couldn’t be right. what was all this noise in the kitchen?

as soon as he saw his girlfriend, back from the apparent dead, he fainted. the thud reverberated throughout the house.

seraphim found merlin asleep on her bed, and jake wide awake, who quickly started barking. “no, no no no, jake, shhhh, it’s okay, we gotta be quiet, okay, people are—“ oh. he was looking at her. “—sleeping. hamish? … hamish. sweetheart, it’s me.”

but he’d had nightmares like this before. he didn’t trust his own eyes. and he rolled up into a sitting position, watching as she took one step towards him, then another, until she was sitting next to him, her thigh against his, her hands on his face. “i’m sorry,” she said. “if i had known—we would have tried to get back quicker…”

his face crumpled and he crushed her to him, sobbing freely into the crook of her neck.

much harry did in medical. he very carefully felt rae’s body next to him as he woke up. made very sure that she was there, with him, actually with him. and then he slipped one arm around her. and broke. he couldn’t speak.

turns out this fracture mended itself like a bone, much like any other. that’s what allowed them to be pulled back.

both of them were treated, of course—the ride back had left them with heavy bruising on their ribs, legs and spines. and lllith insisted of a few weeks of leave—but that may have been more for harry and hamish’s sakes.

it was a rough summer.

as for the time warp mission—that happened about a year later, and that was planned. of course harry and hamish threw fits, understandably, but lilith, wyvern and drake all assured them that they’d be able to come home safely.

the mission, in a roundabout way, was ness’s idea/request. over tea one afternoon, she’d been pondering ways of preventing another moor mission scenario, where borley was left defenseless against an aspect of the unknown that had only happened because of societal stigma. she wondered if they’d only started teaching earlier, if they’d started collaborating with the kingsman agency years ago, if things would have played out differently. would fewer lives have been lost.

… then she remembered our gate.

she remembered she had a way to find out.

so it happened that seraphim and succubus were again sent back to london, circa 1987. harry, as it turned out, hadn’t lost his romanticism or softness, not just yet. and hamish, while well on his way to become the man that seraphim knew—was still clinging to a handful of what were essentially fuckboy tendencies. they were sent to borley, with a letter from ness, to—herself. holy shit, they thought, she looked exactly the same? how old was this woman?

and they set about building a curriculum, bridging the gaps between borley mission aesthetics, and kingsman.

there was just one rule.

do not get too attached to harry and hamish. to galahad and merlin. don’t do it.

if you’re expecting a situation a little like the uh, the graduate—uhm. well. you aren’t entirely wrong.

turns out when two people are meant to be together, life–finds a way. and sometimes that entails sneaking out to a bar in the middle of the night and discovering that no, the boys didn’t know how to kiss them—but the ladies knew. that—caught them off guard.

of course, lilith found out. pretty quickly. she’s not a moron.

the mission was not ultimately a failure, but seraphim and succubus would find out in a while that it hadn’t been quite a success, either. their on-boarding with borley didn’t go as smoothly as you’d think. their reputations and qualifications at roanoke didn’t carry the same weight overseas, and neither did their specialties.

lilith, in a fit of rage, blanked out their memories of their husbands—but just for a week. which could also be another post.

hopefully! this answered some questions (and wasn’t terrible). we haven’t done a mission where we’ve come across harry and hamish as very young boys, or somehow had them transported into our time yet.

but i’d be very, very curious to see how that would play out.

[wistfulwisteriawitch]

Vas Ura (My One) / Vas Soluna (My Bonded) Part 01: Colter Chapter 01

Lilith’s POV 1 st Person

The blizzard was a massive pain in my ass. I winced and glared out into the nothingness that was this god forsaken mountain, we had arrived in Colter and waited for the Van der Linde gang on the path they’d take to get up there. I waited for Belial and finally spotted his silhouette “they won’t want a man approaching but here they come.” He said huffing into his hands and cocking a grin. “Show time!”

Grinning wide I tucked my coat tighter around me and trotted my Clydesdale in their direction as they entered the small town from across the river, meeting the gang with hands raised. “Excuse me!”

Hosea was the first to leap off smacking Bill who had a rifle trained on me. “Fucking moron!” he steps forward, “Excuse me miss is there where you’re camped?”

“None of that sir please, there is plenty of room you all look half frozen, my family and I welcome you. Come, come!” I step forward and envelope Hosea in a warm hug, he stiffened but when he realized that I mean no harm he laughed and pat my arm. “Aren’t you friendly.”

“Come, do you have wounded?”

“We have one dying.” Hosea coughs.

Davey, shit we weren’t in time, and we couldn’t help Ms. Adler either, the blizzard was so damn bad we hadn’t been able to get through with just our horses— by the time we did it would have been fruitless to go knowing Dutch, Micah and Arthur would be there.

“I am so sorry, let’s get him into the warmth.” I motioned for Belial to help Javier and Charles lift the poor man who was whimpering, my heart broken. His brother…himself…dead…

I felt tears clog my throat, “Bella, bring me the tonics and other things we need to make this man more comfortable. Blankets too from the wagons.”

Once the group was in the cabin that we had fitted to work much better than where it was— we had come up here prior and fixed it to suit living again, three cabins, bedding, crates and storage, fireplaces working in every room, it was almost cozy. After purchasing the small town— no one even wanted it, we simply came up every few weeks to clear it out and make sure things were functional.

“Who knew.” Hosea muttered as he warmed up.

Pearson and the other men folk were in the refinished cabin to the right with bunks, there were two others, all fitted with pelts and clean bedding. We had tried to think of everything we’d need a month in advance so we knew we had plenty of food and supplies.

Ms. Grimshaw snapped at the girls to help clean things, but I softly calmed her down and asked for their help instead with Davey. We propped him up, made sure he was warmed, poured pain killing tonics down his throat and soothed him as best we could.

A hand encompassed mine as I worked. “Thank you.” It was Mary-Beth. Her sweet oval face set in sorrow.

Next to her Swanson was praying over him receiving his final rights.

“Davey?” I whispered and his eyes fluttered. “Can you hear me?”

“Mmmm.”

I softened my voice to a hum, something taught to us to guide someone to death peacefully. “It’s okay to let go. Your family is here and safe, you don’t need to worry.” If felt tears clog my throat. “We’ll help take care of them now.”

Hosea’s brows lifted as he listened.

Leaning in I whispered ever so softly, “I wish you all the peace and happiness in your next life Davey Calendar. Sleep now.”

His death rattle shook through him, eyes fluttering shut as a soft smile spread across his mouth.

No one breathed. No one wanted to.

I sighed, “I am sorry for your loss.”

Belial and Belladonna repeated the sentiment looking misty eyed.

Death was a sacred thing but a loss of life was a loss of life to us.

“Thank you.” Ms. Grimshaw was gripping my shoulder firmly. “Thank you for that.”

“Of course, Mr. Swanson?”

We buried Davey and made a headstone for Jenny.

And I waited for the person I had come so far to find.

We spoke in Russian to prevent eavesdropping as we worked on the meal “excited?” Bel asked me.

“Nervous, what if he hates me.”

“Psh, then he is an idiot.” Belladonna snorted.

They arrived with Ms. Adler and I walked out to greet them, arms raised, “are you Mister Van der Linde, Mister Morgan and Mister Bell?”

“Depends who the hell are you?” Micah trained a pistol on me and I huffed.

“I mean no harm, we’ve helped where we can gentlemen, but I can’t do much dead.”

Dutch was watching me, glaring over my body and hands with caution.

“Your people are warm and fed. Davey was taken care of to be more comfortable when he passed, we had a service and buried him. The women and child are safe.” I said softly.

Micah snaps, “I say we kill her. Just fucking take what—“

Arthur snarls at him, “are ya fucking crazy Micah? If what she says is true—”

“You can try. Mister Bell.” I felt a smile spread across my face; I already know the predatory look in my eye making all three men stiffen. “Do not take my genteel nature for weakness.”

Arthur huffed annoyed, “easy now let’s not—“

Hosea was almost sprinting outside. “You god damn dumbasses!” He coughs deep.

“Hosea!” I froze and caught his arm as he stood in front of me. “No you can’t be out here your lungs!”

“I’ll be fine miss. Dutch have you lost your senses?” Hosea huffed at his long time friend. “She saved us. They all did.”

“All?”

A cough from the tree line as Micah spun to see Belial holding a bow with an arrow knocked and aimed right at his heart, fire in his gaze. “Get the fuck away from my baby sister.” He hisses low, teeth bared.

“And,” I jerk behind me with my thumb, a woman coming out from behind a building holding a curved blade and smiling with a wild look in her eyes and flame hair tossed about on the wind. “I wouldn’t try that one. She’s a bit crazy about protecting me.”

“Milady.” Bella chides.

Hosea scoffs, “I apologize to you three for their behavior, we have been running and on the edge for a while. Apparently people have forgotten MANNERS.”

“Belial. Take the woman in from the cold. Ensure she gets broth and heated wine and she’s placed near the fire.”

“Of course, come now….” Belial gently takes Sadie from Arthur’s horse giving him a beaming smile.

“Let’s all head inside before we freeze our insides hm?” I say crossing my arms cocking a brow, “or do you all prefer to be in weather cold enough too freeze the balls off a brass donkey?”

With that Dutch cracks a wry grin, Arthur actually chuckles and Micah stifles a huff.

“Mister Williamson!” I call to the cabin with the door cracking open as the other men heard the commotion, “would you please be a dear and help them with the horses? They’re half frozen. I’ll make sure to save you some more broth.”

And to everyone’s amazement the man trudges without complaining and gets it done.

“Thank you so much Mister Williamson.” I pat his arm as he walked by to get the horses as he scoffed a grunt of acknowledgement.

With that the men watch as I stomped into the cabin. “You coming?” I called annoyed. “Or do you want to freeze? Supper is ready.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur glared at the small woman’s back, casting a glance at the red headed female who had sheathed her blade and cocked a brow at him tilting her head with a genuine smile.

It was still unnerving. “Dutch…what’s the plan?” He hissed as they got off their mounts.

“Well Arthur let’s see what happens, if Hosea and everyone are alright no reason to not take hospitality like this.” Micah is grumbling as he stomps into the cabin with the other men.

Dutch entered the main cabin, everyone huddled round the fire, sad but talkative. And Arthur balks at the sight.

The cabin is light and airy, clean too, a roaring fire in each room and small stoves roaring with kettles and pots.

“Auntie?” Jacks little voice perks up from Abigale’s arms.

“Yes cub?” The woman asks. He doesn’t know her name, but she’s tossed her hat off, long hip length black hair tumbling down as she reaches and squeezes his cheek. “You warm?” She throws her jacket over him and Abigale and the mother gives a thankful look. “Wolf fur, warm huh?”

“Yes! Thank you.” Jack chirps.

Ms. Grimshaw and the woman are working in a circle on mending items.

Pearson is sitting and trying to finish stirring a pot.

“A bit more thyme Pearson. Everyone needs the vitamins from it.”

“Vitamins from an herb?”

“Ah course, it has menna benefits.” Belladonna says as she stomps her feet of snow in a heavy Scottish accent. “C’mon now dinnae be shy abou it!” She walks over and laughs helping Pearson with cooking and dicing up items.

“What we aren’t doing stew?” He asks.

“No just stew, need more than that you’re all half starved I take it. Mi’lady?”

“Hmm?” Arthur watches as Lilith is rummaging through a box filled with things. “Thick cuts please, bread should be ready soon.” The woman glances at him, and gives the biggest smile he’s seen on her face, Carmel eyes sparkling. “Mister Morgan are you alright? Can I get your coat for you?”

“N-no It’s fine.”

Dutch had settled himself on an offered seat as Lilith circled him and checked him over, “no injuries, good.” With that she walked over to Arthur. “Mister Morgan.” She tilted his head, and he jolted a bit. “Hold still please.”

“What you some kinda doctor?” He mutters as she glances him right in the eye, making his head turn to look at the flame and then turn back.

“Good. No, but I was taught basic medical care by my father who is a doctor. Head injuries, no bullet holes? My brother is far more knowledgable.” She motions to the tall lean man who is spread out over a chair long legs stretched in front of him as he sharpens a series of blades.

“No.” He answers her question. But for some reason the man is grinning at his sister like he knows something as he glances at Arthur.

“Good.” She nods and walks away.

Strange. They were all strange….but….he glanced around at the cozy cabin, patched up, warm, fed, safe for now.

Dutch and Arthur are handed steaming mugs of a brown liquid and some kind of flat bread like thing. “Dip, and eat.” She says making a motion. “It’s good for you. And.” She handed another set of mugs one to each, “heated wine, drink slowly. Before the broth.”

“Glad we went foraging.” Bella cracked up.

Arthur watched as the women worked over cast iron skillets with Pearson, thick cuts of meat and cured sausages were cooked with mushrooms and other items but the smell he had to admit had everyone nearly starving.

The servings were more than enough to fill everyone’s bellies, and then some, seconds as well as the three odd individuals watched smiling and speaking in a different language, was it German? No…what was it? Russian? Not quite, it didn’t sound the same as he had heard Strauss speak it.

Lilith had Belial bring food to everyone else and Arthur was a bit worried but when she saw his face she smiled, “the other cabins are fixed Mister Morgan, don’t fret, you’re safe.”

He huffed a laugh as he finished his meal, “safe huh.” But when he looked up he saw a shimmer in her gaze, and she nodded.

“Yes. We will not let anyone hurt you.”

Stranger and stranger still. “Thank you for your ah…kindness.”

“Of course. It is the least I can do. I am only sorry I cannot do more for you.”

Why did he feel she was actually speaking just to him?

He took in her features in the firelight. Raven black hair mingled with a tinge of mahogany and spirals of darker shades of brown. Wide doe eyes and a small but full upper lipped mouth. She was so tiny though compared to the other two in her party, yet they seemed to listen to what she said.

Hosea smiled and nudged her from his seat making her glance at him and laugh. Arthur was relieved it seemed his lungs were doing okay, but he didn’t miss when Lilith asked him if the tonics were working and the steam— what steam?

“That sure did the trick, breathing much better now.”

“Eucalyptus works wonders for that as does thyme and rosemary! I’ll make you it again each day, but you must tell me when your lungs get bad.”

“I will, thank you.”

Arthur watched some more, as everyone idled, unclenched and spoke softly about what had been happening. But when Lilith sidled off to the barns to tend to her horse Arthur followed.

“Mister Morgan.” She said as she brushed out the large white horse.

“Miss….ah…”

“Lilith. Lilith Vallent. You, may call me Lily.”

“Ah…Lily then.” He stood crossing his arms and glaring at her as if trying to figure her out.

“Can I help you Arthur?” She turned and mimicked his stance with a smile.

“What in hell were you all doing up here?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

His brow furrowed and he growled as he stalked forward, gripping her arm and tugging her close. She allowed it, “do you think this is something fun to do, to trick people?”

“Why would I trick you?”

“Hell if I know, but look these people have gone through enough.”

“Arthur Morgan, I am not going to hurt you or your family.” Her voice is soft, calm, and an understanding is riddled through it, “though I can’t even imagine what you went through to cause you to be this cautious of kindness…..I…understand.” Her hand is gentle and soft on his arm and he tenses underneath the touch, only relaxing a fraction after a moment. “But I am merely here to help. Should I step out of line I give you full permission to blow my head off.”

That almost makes him laugh.

He realizes his hand was bruising and he lets go with a soft curse, “ah um.”

“Do not fear, I am made of sturdier things than most men.” A chuckle. “It’s alright.” Her gaze shimmered with glee, “besides I rather liked it. Perhaps I can talk you into doing it again some time.”

He flushed bright across his ears and huffed with a scowl and backed off.

Awe poor baby she thought to herself. “Mister Morgan, I was being serious.”

“Hmph.” He was handling his own new steed from Ms. Adler’s place. “Sure.” He drawled in that southern accent.

“Mister Morgan, you don’t know me, let’s stave off the will to read between the lines till we know one another a bit more hm?”

Arthur watches her expressions, her open ease with him as she walks by and nudges him with her hip on a chuckle. “See you inside Mister Morgan, try not to freeze I would hate to have to come out and find you.”

The door closes and he grumbles to himself, feeling guilty for being such an ass when in reality she hadn’t given any inclination to not trust her so far.

But after everything? Ugh, it all felt so…he glanced at the door….far too good for any of them…except maybe the women.

You didn’t live a bad life and expect good things to happen to you.

[onlyforevervoltron]

VI

The torment continued as Allura continued to train the Paladins while Lilith did some work on the Castle to keep herself busy. It was clear they were having a hard time forming Voltron and they weren't sure on how to do it, Lilith did find out Allura was shooting them with the Castle lasers as Lilith shook her head.

"I hate that she's doing this, but I also understand why" Lilith whispers to herself shaking her head once more grabbing another wire fixing it. "They need to form Voltron, but don't push them too hard..."

As she finishes wiring where she was at, she sighs when she hears something power up. Jumping back in alarm, Lilith was shocked with what was happening at this moment. Taking a deep breath, she rubs her head and walks out seeing Allura walking her way.

"Lilith, just the young woman I wanted to see,"

"I should be terrified..." Lilith whispers to herself smiling at Allura. "What's up?"

Allura stops in front of her and begins speaking. "Would you mind keeping an eye on the boys out there to make sure they're doing their job on forming Voltron?"

"Um..." Lilith took a deep breath while nodding. "I suppose I could."

Lilith sighs a little bit, walking around trying to find the team. Lilith couldn't help but feel a little useless right now because of all of this. It was somewhat difficult pleasing the princess right now. But - at the same time, Lilith understood. They had to train to defeat Zarkon. when she walked into the Castle Lounge, she saw everyone, aside from Shiro, sitting there.

"Oh? Did you form Voltron?"

Keith shakes his head. "The shooting stopped, so we came in so we could have a breather."

"Fair enough," Lilith shrugs and walks over there, leaning against the wall taking a breath, relaxing in her spot.

Lilith ignores Coran and Allura walking in talking about the Castle. "You did it!" Allura cheers clapping when she saw them. "You formed Voltron?"

Keith shakes his head; "No, the Castle stopped shooting at us so we just flew in,"

"What?" snapped Allura making Lilith roll her emerald green eyes gently. 

Coran sighs, looking sadly at the Princess. "Oh, right." Coran began rubbing the back of his head. "Uh, sorry, Princess, I had to turn off the Castle defenses to test the fire suppressors,"

Lilith heard footsteps, she looks back seeing Shiro walking towards them making her raise a brow. He looked so serious.

And sexy

Lilith blushed at that quick thought, and she watches him stop and look in. "What are you guys doing in here?" questions the leader crossing his arms. "We're not taking a break."

"Shiro's right," Allura commanded making Lilith shake her head, good lord. She was a completely different person last night, what happened? "You should be training,"

"If I may," Lilith began, interrupting them. "Since you have a Training Deck, I may be able to help with team building," Allura and Coran stare at her confused, as did the Paladins, aside from Shiro. 

"You don't mean..." Shiro went pale when he heard that. Lilith smirks, "Oh, gods."

"Meet me there in ten minutes, I promise you won't regret it." Lilith grins walking out and then turns around. "Much."

~

After changing into something more... Comfortable. It contained a black sports bra with a thin white shirt that stopped just above her stomach. Her short khaki shorts and she was barefoot. Her hair was in a messy bun, some little hairs hanging in her face. She held a bo staff close to her, swinging it around her body. All five Paladins walk in wondering what she was planning.

"What are we doing here?" Keith raised a brow watching her stop spinning the bo staff and look at them. 

Lilith giggles a little bit, getting into a position. "What does it look like, Keith, I'm training all of you."

"How?" questions Lance raising a brow at her. "It's literally five against one,"

Shiro gulps and looks at Lance. "Lance, I wouldn't put it past her to kick your butt," Pidge said getting ready. "She took on twenty Cadets and beat all of them in under a minute,"

"I could've done fifty, but they didn't want to injure too many people," Lilith stated taking her bo staff to her lower back stretching it and popping it, "I take to fighting naturally, according to Iverson, but I digress," Lilith then gets ready once more. "Now, shall we begin?"

"Alright Paladins, you're fighting against Lilith, this requires teamwork to beat her," Coran announced over the Comm. "Now, the Paladin code demands that you put your team members safety above your own, now, attack Lilith,"

Lilith shifts her foot and quickly heads towards them Lance and Hunk were surprised with how quick she shot towards them, taking their shields they block the hits Lilith was delivering to them. Dodging a couple of attacks from Keith and Pidge, she kicks Pidge away without trying to hurt her. 

"Oof!" Pidge stated as she landed out of the ring, then looking up she sees Hunk and Lance beside her. "Whoa, she's quick,"

"I agree," Hunk nods watching her. Keith suddenly was out beside Lance as he groans in pain. "I wonder how Shiro will fair,"

"If I remember correctly, he's the only one who can make it past a minute with her," Pidge began thinking glancing at them.

Shiro was then launched and hit behind them, Lilith stood there panting a little bit. "That was... how long?"

"Less than sixty ticks," Coran answers her, as Lilith sighs.

Lilith stares at them. "Guys, come on, I know you can do better than that," Lilith scolds them. "That was barely a minute with all of you, were you even attempting teamwork?"

They all stayed silent, making Lilith growl and slam the end of her bo staff on the ground hard, almost scaring them. "I didn't think so... This is so irritating." Lilith shakes her head putting her hand against her forehead. "Keith and Lance, you both rushed in too quickly, hoping to strike me down. Hunk attempted to catch me off guard, but failed, Pidge strategized a bit before he attacked me but failed, great attempt, it could've worked but it didn't,"

And then Lilith looks at Shiro, "I can almost predict Shiro's moves but he's improved since I haven't seen him in a year." Lilith sighs once more. "We'll keep doing this until you get the teamwork down, this could take a while,"

Everyone groans a little bit, as they get up and back into the ring with her, they all get prepared for another round while Lilith readies her bo staff swinging it around her body. She looks around, glancing at everyone, making sure she could read them. When she whistled loudly to start, Keith and Lance proceeded to attack her, Lilith smirks taking her bo staff bending down.

3... 2... 1...

She jumps out of the way and those two knocked into Pidge and Hunk getting them all out of the ring. As Lilith lands on the ground, she blocks a hit from Shiro from behind using her bo staff. She turns her head a little bit seeing him determined to knock her out of the ring.

"Remember guys, no one will be there to protect you! You HAVE to protect your teammates!" Lilith instructs to them after speaking that, Lilith grins at him, using her legs knocking him on his back making him gasp, she uses this momentum to swing her bo staff against his side knocking him out of the ring making him groan.

"This will take a long while," Lilith complimented with a sigh watching them all groan loudly. 

~

After five grueling hours of getting their butts handed to them, Lilith was impressed, they were improving slowly, but they still had a long time to go. Coran had another idea for them so he gave Lilith a rest so she could do whatever she needed to be done, Lilith, walking out of the Training Deck, started heading to her room. Walking in there, she takes a towel and wipes her face from the sweat that built on her face. Wincing in pain, she lifts her shirt where Keith nailed her seeing a bruise forming.

It should be within a few days, she noted. Changing into her armor after cleaning herself off, she brushed her hair gently getting all the knots out of it. She started blinking profusely in her left eye, shaking her eye gently trying to find her bag.

Standing up to the mirror, she grabbed the colored contact out of her eye seeing her honey-brown eye staring back at her. Throwing the colored contact away quickly in a paper towel she found, she grabbed her eye drops, putting a couple in her eyes moistening them. Blinking a little bit, she tried to hurry. She grabbed another container with her colored contact, opening it up, it looked clear.

But once she puts it in, it changes it to the emerald green her other eye contained. Thankful she got it done when she did, no one outside of her family knew of her heterochromia, it's not like it was rare or anything, she just didn't like her eyes, she was always made fun of at school, finally having enough, she told her parents she wanted the same color eyes and she wanted to transfer schools, her parents agreed and went with their daughters wishes.

Getting specialized contacts made, her eyes were finally normal and she went to school without getting ridiculed over them.

Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, she walks out to the lounge seeing everyone was resting. Smiling, she walks to Shiro, brushing her arm against his. He looks at her with a small smile resting on his face now. They both look back when they heard Allura stomping to them.

"What are you doing lying around?" Allura snaps in question, making Lilith turn and stare at the Princess. "You're supposed to be training!"

"And they have been, give them a little time to rest," Lilith answered her as calm as possible. "Can't push them too hard, Princess, humans do need rest once and a while."

Allura glares at her as Lilith was unfazed by it. "What do you mean 'can't push to hard'?" the Princess asks almost rudely. "Get up, you lazy lumps! It's time you faced the Gladiator!"

"Don't you think it's a bit much, Princess, I'm all for them to train, but they need rest..."

"Lilith, it's okay," Shiro assures her, Lilith looks at Shiro with a raised brow. "We know what we're getting into, we need to do this."

"I don't like this one bit, Shiro..." whispers Lilith as Shiro touches the top of her head.

"What are they doing?" Lance asks everyone who shrug. 

Pidge grins a little bit, "They're best friends, they both care for another." She answers mainly to herself. "But you could also see the attraction they hold for one another."

"It's so obvious," Allura said giggling a little bit. "But - now onto matters, let's go!"

Lilith and Shiro snapped away from looking at one another, blushing and Shiro begins heading out with the other Paladins. Lilith took a deep breath and tried to calm her heart down. Finally catching herself, she begins walking off to go do something outside, but before she made it outside, she passed by the dining hall seeing everyone throwing food at one another, laughing.

"Finally!" exclaims Lilith throwing her hands up in the air while everyone stops seeing Lilith looking gleeful. "You get it now!"

"Huh?"

Allura figures out what Lilith was saying and grins. "You're finally working together as one!"

"Yes!"

Keith blinks a little bit; "Hey, they're right."

Smiling at everyone when they began talking. "I actually don't hate you right now," That was obviously Lance,

"You guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Hunk asks looking at everyone who nods.

"Let's go form Voltron!"

Lilith giggles when they fell because they were still handcuffed. Allura uncuffs them and they all run out to their Lions while Lilith watches them go, Shiro stops by her side really quick and looks at her. 

"Thank you, Lily," Shiro whispers to her thankfully, as he runs before she could reply. Lilith smiles running to the outside of the ship, watching them closely, her chest glowing lightly. Faintly seeing it, Lilith looks down seeing it, when she looks up she sees the guys forming Voltron making Lilith smile.

"I told you I could get them to do it," Allura tells Coran with a smile. "They just needed a common enemy,"

"It's true, like the old proverb says," Coran begins and puts a finger in the air. "'A man can be driven to do anything if a beautiful woman is really, really, really mean to him,'" Lilith giggles at that and turns to them. "Lilith, what's going on around your chest?"

"I'm not sure, it just started shining all of a sudden..." Lilith began touching her chest where the light was.

"It can't be..." Allura states looking at it, making Lilith blush at the closeness, "I've only heard of this but I can't believe this is happening..."

"What?" asks Coran looking at the Princess, 

Allura looks at Coran. "It happened to my half-cousin every time Voltron merged ten thousand years ago, she's the heart and soul of Voltron."

Lilith was confused, by what she meant, but she decided to not ask about it. After the Paladins got back, Lilith watches them walk back to the Castle, Lilith lost track of time, seeing that the sun was going down slowly. Smiling a little bit, she decided to go for a walk, ignoring the calls from Allura and Coran.

After getting far enough, which was about a five-minute walk, Lilith finds the hill and sits down enjoying the light breeze the world was giving off. Closing her eyes gently, she was surrounded with nothing but silence. It was peaceful.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked a voice behind her, snapping open her eyes, she sees Pidge walking up to her, and sits next to Lilith. "You kinda left without saying anything."

"I came up here to think," Lilith answers with a small sigh, looking back at the sunset. "You don't realize what's out there unless you actually go." 

"What do you mean?"

"Other worlds, Pidge," Lilith looks at Pidge with her emerald eyes. "In the back of my mind, and call me weird, but - I always there were other worlds out there but I never set foot on something other than the Jupiter mission I took a few years back,"

"That turned out to be dangerous, didn't it?"

"Yeah..." Lilith nods, unzipping her armor showing her arm seeing a thin mark on her skin. "That happened during the mission, it was a lot worse than this, but... It was fixed up,"

"My brother told me about that mission, said you barely made it out alive," Pidge said looking at the sun after Lilith adjusted her armor and rezipped it. "How did you make it back?"

"I had something to live for," Lilith simply answer. "Call me strange, but a voice was telling me to come back home,"

"A voice?"

Lilith lets out an airy chuckle with a nod, laying down on the grass with Pidge laying right by her as they watched the sun set over the horizon.

~

PART SEVEN: VII

[lpdwillwrite4coffee]

CHILDREN OF LILITH CHAPTER THIRTY

Griffin lifted his fist to knock when there was a click and the door swung away.

“Griffin, come in,” Amsterdam said, hurried and without cheer.

“Hey, John,” Griffin drawled, dropping his hand. “Nice timing.”

It wasn’t like John to give up his pretense of normality, even around people who knew his true nature.

“I heard your motorcycle outside,” John said, moving into the kitchen. “Would you care for some coffee?”

“Seeing as the sun isn’t even up yet, yeah, I could go for a cup.”

Griffin shut the door and scanned the expansive room. The table was clear of papers and books, except for two identical leather bound volumes lying side by side. He’d grown accustomed to seeing stacks of notes along any available flat surface, but that morning everything was tidy. Too tidy. It made Griffin uncomfortable.

“Someone coming to visit?” Griffin asked, catching sight of John through the dinette window.

He halted, two mugs in his hands, blinking at Griffin. “What?”

“You cleaned,” he said, jerking his head at the main room.

“Ah. I… needed something to do,” John explained, turning back to the coffee pot.

Eyeing him curiously, Griffin pulled off his coat and hung it on the back of his chair, taking a seat. John appeared at his side, holding a Charlie Brown mug with the handle out.

“Thanks.”

John turned into a blue and green blur as he darted back into the kitchen for his own mug and returned. Coffee sloshed over the edge of his Woodstock mug, staining the cuff of his blue plaid shirt.

Raising an eyebrow, Griffin commented, “Maybe you should cut back on the caffeine, John.”

“Caffeine doesn’t actually affect Vampires,” John answered with a scholarly tone. “Something about our altered state of life and the way our bodies convert energy. Really I only make coffee out of habit and because I like the taste.”

“It was a joke,” Griffin said over the lip of his mug.

John looked up at him. “Oh. My mistake.”

Griffin leaned his elbows on the table. “John, is everything okay? You’re acting squirrelly. You never act squirrelly. What gives?”

For the first time since Griffin arrived, John went still. His hazel eyes lowered to the books across from him, staring as his mouth worked around troublesome words.

“There’s no easy way to say this,” he began, voice just above a murmur. “I wish I didn’t have to…”

“What is it, John?”

“I’ve exhausted all of my resources trying to come up with another answer but…” John faltered, lifting his gaze. “Griffin…Nikki is dying.”

Griffin’s world tipped on its axis.

“What?”

“The book Nikki found the day of your first visit, the book of poetry, it had a companion piece.” John nodded to the two volumes. “The second is an analysis of the first. I didn’t want to believe it could be authentic but…” He inhaled softly. “It explains, at length, that a Luminari experiencing the same symptoms as Nikki is sick.” He paused. “Beyond the reach of modern medicine.”

“Nikki’s…” Griffin shook his head. “No, that’s not… John, she’s fine.”

Grief darkened John’s face. “I’m sorry Griffin, but she’s not.”

“No. No, your book is wrong.” Griffin stood up, pacing towards the window. “Bradley and Rex- they poisoned her, tricked her into taking those drugs-”

“Drugs that would have no adverse effect on a Blooded Hunter.”

“It must have done something,” Griffin countered. “That’s what’s causing her symptoms. Once it works its way out of her system… she’ll be fine.” His voice reflected the growing ache in his chest.

“No, Griffin,” John said slowly. “Nikki’s gift is as powerful as it is volatile. The damage it’s causing is fundamental. The human body isn’t built to withstand such vast amounts of energy, and given that she’s coming into her powers in early adulthood instead of as a child, she’s even more susceptible to harm.” Reaching for one of the books, John continued. “She isn’t the first Luminari to suffer like this. I believe that’s why this first book was written. It’s an explanation, a warning even.” He opened it to a marked page, eyes skimming along. “The Fire that Overtakes,” he read. “Fire in blood, fire in bone. The Fire that Overtakes, overtakes both.”

Griffin scowled. “I didn’t major in abstract poetry, John. What the hell does that mean?”

“It’s saying that if a Luminari’s gift cannot be controlled, it will destroy its host.” John closed the book, looking up at Griffin. “Nikki never learned how to control her gift. She never even knew she had one until it was starting to devour her from the inside.”

“Then she’ll learn to control it.”

John shook his head. “What Nikki described to me, her symptoms… they’re the first stage-”

“First stage of what?” Griffin snapped.

“Of death.” Pressing his lips in a firm line, John sighed. “The unexplained bruises, the noses bleeds, headaches, fainting… These aren’t from her gift surfacing. They’re from her gift overtaking her. And there isn’t a way to come back from it.”

The floor swooped under Griffin’s feet, making his stomach drop. Angry denial leeched from his body, dragging wretched cold in its wake. His veins were hollow, organs gone. Everything was numb.

“I’m so sorry, Griffin,” John murmured.

“How… How long does she…?” He couldn’t finish the question. His vocal chords had become thin rice paper.

“Best case scenario, a few weeks,” John told him. “But her episodes have been frequent and severe. I think realistically we can hope for a few days. Maybe four.”

Four. The woman he loved only had four days to live.

“Griffin, I think you should be aware…” John shifted in his seat. “This kind of death for a Luminari… It isn’t easy.” He winced at his choice of words. “Swift,” he amended. “As I said before, what Nikki is experiencing is the first stage. After that, she’ll begin to lose consciousness for longer periods of time. She’ll begin to have seizures. And soon after, she’ll slip into a coma and… pass away.”

Griffin felt sick.

Dizzy and lost, he stared at John. “You’re… you’re sure there’s nothing…”

“I’m sorry,” John whispered, shaking his head. “I’ve read everything I could find. I even did my own analysis along with the book they gave me but-”

“They?” Griffin’s brows snapped down over his eyes. “Who’s ‘they’?”

John grimaced at his mistake. “The companion piece… It was given to me by one of Alexander Rex’s men.”

“That book was in Rex’s possession?” Griffin pointed at the volume sitting on the table. “Then how can you trust it?”

“Believe me, I didn’t want to. I thought it was a bribe, some kind of forgery in an attempt to convince me to align with him. But I studied it, did my own authentication, and it’s real. It hasn’t been tampered with.”

“If Rex knew Nikki was sick… Then why did he do all of this?” Griffin blinked. “Why hunt her down if he knew she was going to die anyway?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think we’ll ever know. Men like Rex don’t share their secrets.”

The numbness in Griffin was turning into an agonizing pressure. “Why didn’t you want me to bring Nikki?” He asked, voice dull.

“I thought she would take the news better from someone she trusts, someone she connects with.” John looked up at Griffin. “From you.”

Griffin shuffled to the window, staring at the slivers of light cutting through the dark sky, bringing in the dawn.

He’d spent his life saving people, but now the woman he loved was going to die.

And there wasn’t a skill he possessed that could save her.

* * *

Nikki kicked at the blankets ensnaring her body, detangling herself from the fabric. She’d awoken dizzy and feverish, aching deep inside her torso like she’d been stomped on in her sleep. She rolled onto her side, shoving her arm under her pillow, hoping for relief. The movement only made the pain worse. Twisting, she started to roll to her left when her gag reflex was triggered and her stomach somersaulted.

Cursing in panic, Nikki launched herself from the bed and ran for the bathroom. She smacked against the wall in the darkness but didn’t stop to recover. Throwing open the bathroom door, she fell to her knees in front of the toilet and heaved.

“Nikki?” Lisa’s voice was muffled. “Are you okay?”

“I’m ok-ay,” she choked. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

Lisa’s hand was on her back, stroking gently. “It’s alright.”

Through the burn of stomach acid, Nikki tasted a bitter metallic substance. It only made her nausea worse.

“Hey,” Boz said, voice rough from sleep. “What’s going on?”

“Nikki’s sick,” Lisa answered.

“Aw man, that sucks.”

After a final deep heave, Nikki coughed and started to push away from the toilet. “I… I think I’m okay now.”

“Let’s get you some water,” Lisa said. “And maybe take your temperature. You feel really warm.”

Nikki nodded and allowed herself to be helped up onto shaky legs.

“Thanks,” she murmured, walking with Lisa out of the bathroom.

Lisa glanced at Boz and jerked her head back towards the toilet.

“Will you take care of that?” She asked. Then she noted the pair of neon blue satin boxers he wore, and smirked. “And maybe put on some pants?”

Boz looked down and flushed. “Oh, uh, yeah, I’ll… get right on that.”

He watched Lisa usher Nikki downstairs at an easy pace, talking quietly, and he realized they were missing someone. Padding barefooted to the study, Boz ducked his head in the doorway and called for Griffin. No answer.

He’s probably crashed out on the couch, he thought, going back to his bedroom and shoving on a pair of jeans. Fishing a white Henley tee-shirt out of the drawer, he pulled it over his head and started tugging his belt through his pant loops as he strode into the bathroom.

Flicking on the light, Boz was focused on working his belt buckle when he went to the commode. He leaned down to hit the flush lever and stopped.

“Holy shit,” he breathed.

The inside of the bowl was stained dark red, the water thick with blood. It was so dark it was nearly black.

“Nikki!” Boz yelled, turning on his heel and bolting.

* * *

Lisa had just pulled out one of the kitchen chairs for Nikki to sit in when she heard her name being called and then thudding footsteps.

“Nikki,” Boz called, skidding around the banister. “We need to get you to a hospital.”

Lisa frowned. “She’s just got an upset stomach, Boz.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Nikki, you just threw up blood. A lot of it. We need to get you to a hospital, and get you checked out.”

“But…” Nikki blinked. “I feel fine now.”

Boz locked his eyes on her. “Trust me, you need to see a doctor. Now.”

Nikki swallowed her panic. “Okay,” she said, voice dull. “I’ll go get-”

Lightning struck her spine, pitching her forward. Nikki collapsed to the floor, violently convulsing. Her jaw locked, trapping her screams inside her charred lungs.

“Nikki?” Boz called, dropping to his knees beside her, cradling her head.

Her limbs flopped on the hardwood. Her vision blurred, turning the room into a shadowed cave.

“I think she’s having a seizure,” Boz’s voice said above her.

Lisa was at her side, pushing the furniture out of the way so she wouldn’t injure herself. “I’ll call an ambulance.”

“Hold on, Nikki, we’re gonna get you help,” Boz told her as she quaked.

Her insides became molten, and then the world went black.

* * *

“I’ll help in any way I can, Griffin,” Amsterdam said. “I have contacts at the Hospice center. We can make arrangements for her.” He paused. “She’ll be taken good care of.”

Griffin stared through his reflection in the window. “Hospice,” he repeated. His voice was as hollow as he was.

“They would be the ones best equipped to handle her level of pain…”

Those words lanced through Griffin. His anguish must have showed, because he saw John in the glass, stepping forward as if he was about to apologize. He didn’t get the chance.

Griffin’s phone rang, fracturing the relative quiet. He didn’t bother to look at the caller ID before he answered.

“Yeah.”

Griffin didn’t- couldn’t- breathe as he listened. Boz was still talking when he pressed the end call button and bolted for the door.

John gaped, watching him rip his coat off the back of his chair. “Did Boz just say-?”

“Nikki had a seizure.”

Griffin heard the door close behind him, cutting off whatever John was saying. His keys were in his hand, he was running down the stairs…

And then Griffin blacked out.

He came to, standing in a hospital corridor, with Boz talking to him. The words ‘vomited blood’, ‘started seizing’, and ‘CAT scan’ were being used, but he wasn’t aware of the context. He wasn’t even aware of himself.

A nurse passed them, bumping Griffin’s elbow, and suddenly the earth felt like it was sinking from under him. He backed up, knees going soft.

“Griff?” Boz reached for him, a deep frown pulling at his features.

“I just…” Griffin swallowed. “I just need to sit down.”

A plastic chair appeared behind him and he lowered himself, just short of collapsing. Boz was next to him, asking something.

“What?” Griffin turned, forcing his watering eyes to focus.

“Are you okay?” Boz repeated. “You look like you’re gonna pass out.”

Griffin’s trembling hand scrubbed over his face. “Yeah, I’m… I’m fine,” he mumbled. He stared at the patterned tile floor, digging his nails into the palm of his hand. “I’m fine.”

[lpdwillwrite4coffee]

CHILDREN OF LILITH CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Dodging around a dense cluster of patrons in bright clothes, Boz jogged towards the bar, shouting for Griffin over the music.

“Boz?” He heard Griffin yell back but he couldn’t see him. “Boz!”

The music had just shifted into a seriously bass heavy techno song and the strobe lights had kicked on, making it almost impossible to see.

“Boz, over here!”

Over the heads of several people waiting to get drinks, he saw Griffin at the end of the bar and ran towards him.

“You know, for a guy who’s six foot four, you’re hard to find sometimes,” he said, skidding to a halt next to him.

Griffin scowled. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Nikki,” Boz told him, yelling over the music. “She doesn’t look so good.”

“What do you mean? I just saw her.”

“Well, that must have been about thirty seconds before her eyes started to do the freaky green glow thing and she got really pale,” Boz said. “She looked bad, man, like she was about to pass out.”

“Where is she?”

“I helped her to the bathroom. I offered to wait with her but she told me no and shut the door before I could say anything else. That’s when I came to get you.”

Clapping his friend on the shoulder, Griffin shoved away from the bar. “Thanks.”

“Sure,” Boz said, watching him push through the crowd towards the restrooms.

If Nikki was sick again they were gonna need to get her home, and preferably ‘they’ meant all four of them- Lisa included. Pulling out his phone to text her, Boz frowned at the already glowing screen, an unknown number flashing across his caller ID.

“Hello?” He yelled, moving away from the bar towards the staircase. He’d probably have to make whoever it was wait until he was outside before he could talk.

“Boz? Is this Boz?” A woman’s heavily accented voice replied. “You’re friends with Griffin O’Connor?”

Boz pulled the phone away from his ear to look at the screen again. “Who is this?”

“My name is Mary…” The music drowned out her next few words and Boz could only hear “… And Griffin wasn’t answering his…”

“Yeah, sorry, you’re gonna have to hold on, I can’t hear-”

“No, no, this can’t wait,” Mary told him, raising her volume over the music. “You’re in danger-”

Boz stopped cold. “What?”

“You need to get… Are coming!”

“What? Who’s coming?” He could hear her trying to repeat herself but it wasn’t loud enough. “Mary? Who’s coming?”

“…You have to…”

“Fuck,” Boz muttered, straining to hear her. “Mary?”

“Get out now-!”

It was the last thing he heard before the thunderous crash of glass and metal and people screaming. He ducked, covering his head and whirling around to face the cataclysm.

A man’s body was sprawled over the bar top, limbs bent at unnatural angles. Blood poured from the gaping wound that at one time was his neck, and his head hung loose from his spine, backwards over the edge of the bar. He’d been dropped from the rafters.

Feral roaring broke through the screams and more bodies fell to the floor. Only these were still very mobile. They plummeted into the crowd and tore through anything made of flesh.

Vampires. How the fuck had Vampires made it into Onyx?

Boz dropped his phone and reached behind him, yanking his gun free from his waistband. People around him started rushing for the door in terror, just as Boz spotted his first target and took aim.

* * *

Nikki bolted out of the ladies’ room, shouting for Griffin. The music drowned out her voice but she kept yelling. She didn’t see where Serena went, but she couldn’t have gotten far.

The strobe lights stung her eyes as she elbowed her way through the throngs of people. She aimed herself towards the twinkling amoeba of a bar, as it was the last place she’d seen Griffin. She made it halfway there when a mangled dark mass dropped from the ceiling, cracking the bar top and sending shards of glass everywhere. And then all she could hear was screaming.

A body. It was a body.

The crowd engulfed her as it turned into a rip tide, hauling her with it.

“Griffin!” She shouted, hoping maybe he was trapped in the same current she was. “Griffin!”

Arching her neck, she tried to see over the heads of everyone around her. As she did, she saw more bodies leap to the club floor, roaring as they launched into the mob. A Vampire grabbed the woman next to Nikki, ripping through her neck with pearlescent fangs. Flashing strobes illuminated the spurting red as it curved through the air.

This time the scream came from Nikki. Clamping a hand over her mouth, she pushed between two men, running towards the Hunters’ alcove. Gunfire rang out and she ducked, covering her head. Before she could straighten, an arm was around her waist, pulling her off her feet.

She screamed again, clawing at the person’s forearm. “Let go of me!”

“I’ve gotta get you out of here,” Otto’s voice shouted in her ear as he started hauling her towards the emergency exit.

Nikki stilled only for a second. “No, I’m not leaving without him!”

“Who?”

They spun around and Nikki saw a dense knot of people being forced apart. Griffin lunged forward, and relief flooded through her. He was okay. He was alive.

An inhuman roar was the only warning before a Vampire leapt over a group of people and landed on Griffin, dragging him to the floor.

“No!” Nikki screamed, bucking in Otto’s hold.

“Damn it Nikki, stop,” he hollered. “I have to get you somewhere safe!”

“Griffin!” She could feel Otto’s blood under her fingernails, and didn’t stop. Kicking back, she stabbed him in the shin with her stiletto and he dropped her, shouting a string of curses.

Pulling free, Nikki bolted across the club. She watched Griffin twist in the Vampire’s hold, landing the heel of his boot on the underside of the male’s jaw, throwing it back.

Weapons. He needed weapons.

Nikki ran against the flow of people to the alcove and flung back the red curtains. She remembered Griffin taking his holster off at the beginning of the night and hanging it off the back of his seat.

He’d thought it was safe to disarm.

The horrifying sounds around her mocked that notion of security.

Slipping his Glocks out of the holster, Nikki tucked one into the back waistband of her jeans and palmed the other. Twice in one day she’d used his guns. Maybe it was time for a set of her own.

A surge of heat emitted from her torso, soldering her feet to the floor. Her limbs turned to flame-curled parchment, flesh flaking away from bone.

She wouldn’t make it… the heat would take her under…

Her vision dimmed. No, goddamn it. She clutched the semi-automatic and sucked in a desert-dry breath. Not yet.

The fire suddenly dissipated, leaving her body functional and unburnt. Unlocking the gun’s safety, Nikki shoved through the curtains, running back into the main club.

* * *

Griffin came to with blood and plaster in his mouth, and his forehead pressed against cold linoleum.

The Vampire that had attacked him had dragged him by the ankle along the club floor before chucking him at the wall like he weighed less than a dinner plate. If he’d been anyone else- someone who wasn’t a Blooded Hunter- the blow probably would have killed him.

He’d have thought he was dead, if it wasn’t for the excruciating pain lancing up his skull. Forcing himself onto his hands and knees, he spat out the foul mixture and groaned. Fuck, everything hurt.

The male laughed as he struggled to get to his feet.

“C’mon O’Connor, show me some of that infamous fury of yours.”

Griffin stared down at the black and white patterned linoleum now stained with red. He flashed back to the last time he’d collapsed on a club floor, his blood smeared beneath him. He could smell phantom smoke, and for a terrifying moment he wondered if Onyx had caught fire too.

The male stomped forward, snarling. “I said get up!”

Pops of gunfire had his ears ringing, and Griffin feebly tried to cover his head. Blood exploded from the male’s shoulder, the force of the hit spinning him a quarter turn. Three more shots brought him to his knees and the final bullet hit its mark, grey-green ash pouring from the hole as his chest caved in. Griffin squinted through the dust and blinking club lights but couldn’t see where the shots came from.

Before he could push himself up, a female Newborn had vaulted over one of the stages and was on him. Her fingers were talons, clawing into his back as she growled. Just when he expected fangs to sink into his neck, he heard a choked hiss and looked up.

Nikki had the female by the throat, lifting her off her feet and throwing her back. The Newborn somersaulted, landing in a crouch, and jumped up. She didn’t get further than a few paces before Nikki fired off two shots that turned her to dust.

Warm hands were on the sides of Griffin’s neck, then under his arms, pulling him up.

“C’mon,” Nikki urged. “We’ve gotta move.”

She got him to his feet, and with one arm around his waist guided him through the warzone. A wooden chair was chucked over their heads and it collided with the edge of the bar, splintering into shrapnel.

“Get down!” Boz cried, aiming at something behind them.

They both landed on their knees while Boz fired off several rounds. The Vampire he shot tumbled off the bar and exploded into ash when it hit the floor. Griffin stumbled trying to regain his footing and pitched forward.

Catching him by the arms, Nikki helped him up. “I’ve got you,” she told him. “C’mon.” She pulled him around the side of the bar, crouching as they went. It was the nearest cover she could find.

Griffin crawled until his muscles gave out. Pressing his back against a cabinet door, he splayed his legs out and let his head fall back against the metal. His eyelids fluttered closed, and everything around him went silent.

Heat, so strong it ached, rushed up his neck and face.

“Griffin? C’mon, stay with me,” Nikki’s voice reverberated in his skull, shaking him from the darkness.

“ ‘M okay,” he mumbled through split lips.

Her hands cupped his face, thumbs at his temples. “I think you have a concussion,” she said, staring into his eyes.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he said, giving her a weak grin. “I just need a minute.”

She frowned. “Griffin-”

“Nik.” His hand went up to hold her wrist, squeezing gently. “I’m okay.”

Her gaze wavered, dropping down to the cuts on his neck and chest. Her hand followed, trailing down to his sternum, leaving a wake of searing heat wherever she touched. His palm pressed down over her knuckles, keeping her hand above his heart.

With each beat, an echoing pulse of warmth coursed through his flesh. It curved up, spreading out into his shoulders and arms, and up his neck to his temples. For the first time all night the dogs were quiet, soaking it in like sunlight.

“Thank you,” he murmured, still tasting blood.

Nikki’s swirling gold stare locked with his, the preternatural power in it holding him captive.

Stray gunfire hit the shelves above them, sending shards of glass raining down. Griffin pulled Nikki to his chest, covering her head with his arms. More bullets clipped the bar, ricocheting around them. Griffin pressed his bruised cheek into the top of her head, whispering comfort through the noise. When it was over, Nikki lifted her head but made no move to pull away further.

“Are you alright?” He asked, thumbing at a smudge of his blood that had stained the side of her face.

She nodded. “Yeah… I’m fine.”

A large, lithe body leapt through the air, casting a shadow next to them. It landed in a crouch at the same moment Nikki raised the barrel of her gun level with the person’s heart.

Otto flung his arms up defensively. “Whoa! Easy there, Lara Croft. It’s me.”

Nikki’s hard expression didn’t change as she lowered her gun. “Christ Otto, you scared me.”

“Likewise.” He smirked, and dropped his hands. “Oh, and I’ll send you the bill for my new war wound.” He flashed the bloody scratches along his forearm and looked to Griffin. “Your girl here kicks like a sadistic mule.”

“You’re lucky it was just your shin,” Nikki muttered angrily.

Otto grinned. “I like her.” Hustling towards them, he nodded to Griffin’s obvious cuts. “How y’doing, boss?”

“I’ve been better,” Griffin admitted, straightening out of his slouch. “Give me the run down.”

“We’ve got at least fifty more Vamps in here… probably more. It’s kinda hard to do a head count, ya know?” Otto said, peaking over the edge of the bar. “James and Victor went after a couple that slipped out the back, and my brother and Lisa are upstairs with a team of security guys.”

“And everyone else?”

“We’re holding our own,” Otto said, stealing another glance around the room. “Your boy took a bad hit though.”

Griffin’s lungs stalled. “Boz?”

“Yeah, just now. He’s little banged up, but he’ll be alright.” Otto arched his neck to evaluate the current situation. “You think you can fight?”

Fingers twisted in the fabric of his shirt, Nikki’s fist pressing against his abdomen. The plea in her eyes hit him harder than any punch.

Swallowing hard, Griffin tore his gaze away from hers and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll just need a minute.”

The leg of a bar stool crashed into the end of the shelving to their left and all three of them ducked.

“Go. They need you.”

Otto coughed. “Yeah, no kidding.” Pointing to the gun next to Nikki, he said, “Be careful with that thing. You’ll shoot your eye out.” He winked before jumping up and vaulting over the bar.

“Griffin, you can’t go out there,” Nikki said, tightening her fist in his clothes.

“I have to.”

“No, Griffin,” she snapped. “Listen to me, you’re too badly hurt. You have a concussion and you’re bleeding and-”

“Nikki, I can’t leave my people out there to fight for me,” he interrupted, voice ragged. “I have to be with them.” When she didn’t respond, he clasped his hand over hers again. “You asked me what being a King is like… This is it.”

He felt her start to shake, but she stayed silent.

“Do you have my other gun?” He asked, pushing himself up further.

Nikki nodded and pulled his Glock from the back of her waistband. Griffin took it and checked the ammunition.

“Don’t move from back here, okay?” He said. Holding the other gun out to her, he said, “Take this… You’ve got a few rounds left, so only use them if you have to.”

Her trembling stopped as she took back her weapon. Cradling it in her palm, she blinked down at it. Griffin waited for her to look up, to lock eyes with him again, but she didn’t. The warmth around them that he’d started to take for granted vanished, and his skin prickled from the cold. Griffin shifted around her, heading for the end of the bar.

Nikki grabbed his arm, halting him. “Why did you want me to leave you behind?”

He frowned at her. “What?”

“Today at Doctor Oliver’s. You wanted me to leave you…” Her voice cracked and she swallowed. “Why? Why were you ready to die for me?”

The words were heavy on the back of his tongue. He could feel their grooves and edges; taste the emotions they were soaked in.

Because I love you.

He wanted to scream it, whisper it, press every syllable of it into her skin with his lips.

“Griffin?” She urged, fingertips digging into his bicep.

He leaned towards her, holding her gaze. “Nikki, I-”

Bodies- human or inhuman, he wasn’t sure- collided with the edge of the bar and the brutal sounds of battle spilled over, wrecking the tiny bubble around them.

Griffin cursed and tightened his grip on the handle of his gun. “I have to go,” he told her, rocking onto his feet.

Leaving Nikki sliced him deeper than a blade ever could.

* * *

Impotent grief overcame Nikki, ruining her from the inside. She blinked and two streams of angry tears fell down her face, dripping onto the metal notches in her gun.

It was too much- Everything she felt, everything that had happened…Everything that was almost said. It hurt so badly she started to go numb.

No, not numb. Cold. She was freezing.

Her skin tightened into goosebumps so severe they looked like welts. The nail beds of her fingers and toes turned blue, while the color drained from the rest of her limbs. She was shivering to the point of being breathless. And then the lights went out.

It happened so fast she thought the club’s power had been cut as everything was hurled into darkness. But before she could take her next straining breath, her vision returned tenfold. The world around her was in agonizingly sharp focus. Every flash and shimmer of light was like needles behind her eyes. Nikki could only sit in mute panic as her sight blinked on and off.

Unbearable heat blazed through her, singeing her limbs and boiling her insides. She wanted to scream, but no air was left in her lungs. The fire had taken it all.

Gaping, she pitched forward, trying to suck oxygen down her sunbaked windpipe. She slid the gun away from her, just before her muscles seized and her arms buckled underneath her. Her eardrums popped as if there was an atmospheric pressure shift, while her mind fought to regain control of her body.

Pain rocketed through her skull and down her back, turning her spine into a lightning rod. Wetness gushed down her face and she blinked at the hazy puddle of blood ebbing from where she laid on the linoleum. She heaved and more crimson poured from her mouth.

God, there was so much of it…

In one final attempt, Nikki forced herself up onto her hands and knees, but the effort left her blind.

She needed to hide. That much blood would attract any number of Vampires, and with only moments of consciousness left, she needed to move now.

The cabinets under the bar. They were wide and had sliding doors with latches. If she shoved the contents out of her way, she could maybe squeeze herself in.

Nikki swept her arm out, feeling her way to the nearest cabinet door, and grasped the handle. It took most of her strength to pull it back far enough for her to crawl inside. Still blind and overwrought with pain, she pulled herself into the confined space, kicking bottles out of her way as she went.

She’d just heard the lock click shut when the flames engulfed her.

* * *

Boz knew his limitations. He was a decent marksman, he was fast, and despite being leaner than most of the other Hunters, he was still strong- stronger than a few of them, even. But he was aware of the areas that would be noted as ‘in need of improvement’. Close-quarters hand to hand combat was one of those areas.

“Fucking hell,” he groaned, shoving himself to his feet.

The toe of his boot kicked through the pile of clothes and dust that, ten seconds ago, had been a ferocious white-eyed female trying to rip his heart out of his ribcage. Patting himself down, he checked for any other wounds he’d been too preoccupied to realize he’d received. Only a few cuts and scrapes, and one gash to the forearm. Tally that up with the head wound, possible brain damage, and shoulder spasms, and he figured he wasn’t doing half bad.

He winced when his fingers grazed the tacky, partially-scabbed over mess at his hairline. Okay, maybe he was doing a little more than half bad…

Boz shook himself and stomped out of the corner he’d been thrown into, scanning the surrounding area. Hunters and Vampires alike were being tossed around, their bodies eerily silhouetted by multicolored flood lights. The club floor was slick with blood and ash, the smell making his stomach churn. He reloaded his weapon and skimmed his eyes over the clashing figures, searching for one in particular.

Where’s Griffin?

Boz’s chest felt tight. He couldn’t find his friend in the melee.

A wiry male vaulted over one of the stages, screeching. Boz fired off several rounds and blood exploded from the Vampire’s abdomen. He fell, rolling into a crouch. The silver had slowed him down, but not by much. Roaring, the male launched at Boz, but two bullets landed their mark and he crumpled into a rapidly decomposing heap.

Boz was just about to mentally congratulate himself when his feet were knocked out from under him and he slammed into the hard floor, flat on his back. He was still struggling to regain his breath when a female with tightly curled red hair pounced on him. Fangs snapped dangerously close to his neck and face, and the forearm he had pressed against her throat was a weak line of defense. Leveraging both their weights, Boz flung her over his head and rolled backwards, landing over top of her. He jammed the barrel of his gun against her chest and fired off a single shot.

Perfect aim.

He got to his feet as her body cracked apart into hunks of gray ash. Boz ignored the throbbing in his neck and shoulder. Pinched nerves could kiss his firm, white-

Fuck.

Another male tackled him to the ground in a blur, knocking his gun from his hand.

“Sonuvabitch,” he yelled, kicking the male in the throat. He pushed himself away, sliding back towards his weapon, but his regular, very non-superhuman strength wasn’t lasting. He really wished he hadn’t misplaced his knives.

His hand landed on something round and heavy- the wooden leg from a bar stool- and he gripped it tight. His heel busted open the male’s nose, spilling a bright fountain of red down his front. The male shouted, pulling back in reflex, and Boz took the opportunity. Wielding the broken furniture piece like a baseball bat, he hit the Vampire across the temple, sending him sprawling.

But it wasn’t enough. Growling, the male coiled his body like a panther’s, bared his blood-smeared fangs and leapt.

Gunfire, most definitely not from Boz’s weapon, sounded from his left and in the flashing lights over the dance floor, he saw the male collapse in a pool of his own brain matter. Limbs twitched, the undead male still fighting to get to Boz but lacking the cerebral cortex to perform the necessary actions.

Heavy boots strode through the muck, kicking the male over, and then another shot finished the job.

“You alright?”

Griffin’s hand was outstretched for Boz, who took it and was hoisted off the floor.

“Yeah,” he said, blinking at his friend. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Boz recognized the intense focus in Griffin’s eyes, the hard set of his jaw, and the shift in his posture. He’d let his gift loose.

Things were about to get a whole lot bloodier.

“Here,” Griffin said, handing Boz his gun back. “You sure you’re good?”

“Yeah,” Boz said with a nod. “You?”

Griffin smirked, a preternatural glint in his eye. “Absolutely.”

Clapping him on the shoulder, Griffin strode forward, aiming at a trio of Newborns and sent all three to the ground with ash pouring from their chests. Boz moved into the position he knew well- watching Griffin’s back.

He faced the other direction, keeping his weapon at the ready and finger hovering over the trigger. Boz held his own, taking out five more Vampires before needing to reload. Hearing the start of a brawl behind him, he whirled around, ready to shoot whatever was attacking his friend. But Griffin was faster.

Rolling, Griffin snatched a forgotten dagger from the floor and gripped the handle with the blade facing down. Dropping into a fighting stance, he charged forward, slashing the male open from navel to collar bone. Blood splashed across his shirt as flesh split apart and intestines spilled out. The male jerked and cried out, hands futilely trying to hold his body together. Griffin’s knife found its mark, and the male crashed to his knees.

A blur of color launched at Griffin’s back, and in one fluid movement he dropped down, flipping it over his shoulder. The young female screamed as Griffin’s knee pinned her to the ground. Just as his blade was coming down, she knocked it away with a solid hit. Anger twisted Griffin’s features and he clamped one hand under her jaw and the other at the back of her head, wrenching it almost a hundred and eighty degrees. Boz could hear the snap of her neck over the house music. Paralyzed, the female could only hiss while Griffin retrieved his dagger and stabbed it through her chest.

When he stood, Griffin caught Boz’s eye, and for a brief moment shame cut through the brutal rage. It was just like the morning on the roof, when Boz had found him after he’d shredded that Vampire apart. Boz nodded in understanding and took his place again, this time at Griffin’s side.

I got you buddy, he thought, giving Griffin a sideways glance before spotting another male, and taking aim.

* * *

Steel warped in Serena’s grip, her feral hiss barely drowned out by the sounds of war beneath her perch in the rafters.

Nicholas had done this. He was responsible for ruining her plan- the one shot she might ever have at capturing Griffin. Even if he died in the fight, it wouldn’t help her cause. Alexander would laugh in her face if she went back to him crying foul because the Hunter King was killed by someone else.

Griffin’s life was hers.

Nicholas should have known that. And now he was going to pay the blood price.