by Cece Rose
“We would be fools not to consider what this could mean for us all,” Asmodeus’ voice answers calmly.
“She’s not—”
“She’s awake,” a feminine voice says, it’s a pleasant voice, and yet it carries commend with just those two simple words. Well, there goes that plan. I sigh, as I open my eyes and sit up. I’m sitting on top of a large desk in a library surrounded by demons. My eyes immediately seek out Adam, who is sitting on a chair on the far side of the room, watching the roaring fire he’s next to. Turning my head to look back at the other nine demons in the room, eight male demons and one female. She’s only the second female demon I’ve seen since coming here, I can’t help but notice the huge gender imbalance.
“Have you guys decided whether to question me or kill me yet? Or is a fun mix of both?” I say jokingly. I glance at the female demon, she’s beautiful with auburn hair that falls down in soft, shiny, loose curls around her doll-like face. Though tall, at least 5’9 from my guess, she’s delicately built with slight curves.
“And she still makes jokes,” one of the demons huffs disbelievingly. I turn in his direction, he’s one I’ve seen already. The one with azure-coloured eyes, and platinum blond hair.
“Sargatanas is right, she isn’t even taking this seriously,” another says, this one has deep red hair, tied back from his face.
“She killed Alastor, she needs to be held accountable,” another chimes in.
“A halfling? She could never have done it, I don’t believe it,” the one with the high-pitched voice says. What did Adam call him? Fleruty?
“How could you think she is incapable after that demonstration she just provided for us. She knocked several higher demons on their backs, from within the confines of a circle. One on one with Alastor, I believe she has enough power to have killed him,” Asmodeus says.
“Well, if she did, then what is she? Halflings do not have magic it is impossible, I refuse to accept it,” Fleruty replies belligerently.
“She isn’t a full demon, her eyes are human, and she walks in their world’s sun,” a calm, quiet voice says. I look in the direction of the voice at its owner. His purple-coloured eyes are sharp and intelligent. His cheekbones are high, and his brown hair hangs just below his chin.
“Achia makes a good point, she possesses demon magic, but she cannot be wholly demon with those eyes and sun walking ability,” the female demon says, nodding her head in his direction.
“Whether or not Satanachia makes a good point is pointless, Astaroth,” a voice growls.
“Then what is the point, Beelzebub? Do explain it to us all,” Astaroth replies, rolling her glowing eyes.
“The point is did she or did she not kill Alastor. If she did, we have to take precautions that she cannot do so to another higher demon. Whether that be by killing her, or other means,” Beelzebub replies. I sigh internally. I wonder if they always squabble this much. The past few thousand years must have been so much fun for them.
“Look, let’s just get to the point. I killed X, Alastor, the executioner, whatever you want to call him. I did it myself and of my own volition. I only came here today to say that, and that’s it. I have no interest in whatever you guys want to class me as, I’m just me, Mona. Honestly, I hope I never see any of you again, no offence. But that also means I have no plans on becoming Mona the demon slayer, so I'm really of no concern,” I say loudly, drawing everyone's attention back to me.
“Unfortunately, Mona, it does not matter what you wish. I’m sure everyone here now accepts that you are capable of killing Alastor and therefore, I will accept your confession. As it stands, there is no law against murder in our realm, nor would killing a demon in your own world class as murder,” Astaroth replies, before any of the male demons can get a word in. None of them look particularly pleased about that, but they keep their mouths firmly shut.
“Why would Adam be in trouble then? I mean, if I hadn’t confessed?” I ask, feel confused at the whole situation.
“Because of the accords we all agreed to. In order to preserve our kind, no higher demon may kill another. The only ones who have that right are four demons, three of whom are in this room. I am one of those,” Astaroth answers calmly. My eyes widen a little.
“Who are the others?” I ask, figuring those that have permission are probably the biggest threats the demon realm has. And I'm in a small room with three of them, fucking figures. She smiles sardonically at me, an utterly terrifying look on delicate face.
“Beelzebub,” she says gesturing to the man who had argued with her before, she then gestures to a demon that's remained silent the one time. He's not even looking in my direction, facing out a window instead. “And, Azazel,” she adds.
“And the other?”
“You won't ever meet him,” she answers smiling even wider.
“God, I hope not,” I mutter quietly. I really don't want to meet any more demons whatsoever, let alone a powerful one.
“The girl is capable of killing a higher demon and she has demon blood, are we all agreed those are facts?” she asks the other demons. Affirmations of agreement come from all the demons present, bar Fleruty, who is glaring daggers at me like I killed his puppy or something.
“So now all we must do is vote on the course of action. I will begin, naturally. I vote she lives. She will sign the accords, then she would then no longer pose a risk, but she may instead be useful. A day-walking demon has its advantages, does it not?” Astaroth says. She then turns to Asmodeus. “How do you vote?” she asks.
“I vote she lives,” he says, giving me a nod. She turns to the next demon.
“Agaliarept, you have remained very quiet thus far, how do you vote?” she asks another demon. It's the one that looks like a damn Egyptian god. And he still hasn’t put on a freaking shirt.
“I vote she lives, also,” he answers as he turns to me, a calculating look on his face. I try not to dwell on it, and instead focus on the fact I now have three votes in favour of letting me live.
“Fleruty, must I even ask?” Astaroth questions.
“I vote we kill her now, and if any of you have any sense, I suggest you also do so,” Fleruty snaps. Geeze, why does this dude want my head on a spike so bad?
“Rofocal?” she asks, not responding to Fleruty's comments.
“I vote she dies. She's not one of us, she shouldn't be allowed to sign,” he answers.
“Satanachia?” she asks.
“She lives,” he responds.
“Sargatanas?” she asks.
“She dies,” he answers, almost mockingly as he smiles at the demon who answered before him.
“Beelzebub?” she asks, giving him a look of annoyance.
“I vote she dies, as you should have,” he answers returning her annoyed look, which she pointedly ignores. She then turns to face the final demon.
“Azazel, it appears you have the deciding vote, how do you cast it?” she asks.
“I choose to abstain from voting, as this whole discussion is pointless. Kill her, let her live, it’s of no consequence,” he answers calmly without even turning to face her. There’s a shift in the air pressure, and then he's just gone. I didn’t even see his face before he left. Clearly, this discussion just isn’t as important to him as it is the others, for whatever reason. A thought strikes me as I look at the empty spot where he was just standing. I thought Adam said you couldn't jump in or out of this property?
“He cannot be serious,” Asmodeus says, drawing my attention back. I notice his eyes are wide as he looks between me and the now-vacated spot by the window.
“Apparently so,” Astaroth says, narrowing her eyes on me.
“So, what happens now?” Adam asks, finally speaking as he stands from his seat. All the eyes turn to me, and then they turn back on each other as they all begin arguing again, trying to change each other's votes. Nothing fun happens, that's what happens now. Why did I ever think this would be easy?
Chapter 16
“Wake u
p, dove, I have to go,” Adam's voice says softly. Fluttering open my eyes, I look up at him, realising he's got me held in his arms. Just great. I passed out while jumping, again. Making a grand total of three times tonight that I've passed out. I've never felt so freaking frail and girly. Why can everyone else jump without passing out?
“Can you put me down?” I ask, feeling ridiculously uncomfortable being carried by a demon. Instead of setting me down softly, like a normal fucking person would, he unceremoniously drops me onto the floor. As I land on the grass, I glare up at him.
“What? You said to put you down, you didn't specify how,” he drawls, smiling deviously.
“Ugh, don't you have demon things to do?” I mutter, standing up and brushing the grass from my dress.
“Demon things?” he questions sounding amused.
“Yeah, evil, torture, enslaving, ridiculous parties,” I answer while rolling my eyes.
“Ah those demon things, I think I've done enough of those for the night. I think I shall just go to bed instead, care to join me? I can always jump you—”
“Oh my god, no, stop right there,” I groan, not wanting that particular mental image in my head. Unfortunately, my mind has other ideas, literally. Ugh.
“Your loss, Firefly,” he says with a smile. His mood had definitely improved since leaving the demon gathering. Mine, however, is still firmly set to pissed off.
“Why did you drop me all the way out here?” I moan, just now noticing the guys' house in the distance.
“They've set some lovely new wards up in our absence, clearly worried I may return,” he explains, narrowing his red eyes.
“Great,” I mutter. I begin to walk in the direction of the house, but I stumble in the heels. Just about managing to stay upright, I pause and pull off the ridiculous shoes. I turn around and throw them as hard as I can in Adam's direction, one at a time. He just catches them with ease. Stupid demon reflexes.
“Are you going to return the dress, too?” he asks softly, his voice sends a shiver down my spine. Nope, that was the cold. The cold made me shiver damn it.
“Fuck off,” I mutter, turning away and continuing to the house.
“I'll see you in three days, then, love,” he calls after me.
“Not if I can find a way to get out of it first,” I mutter under my breath. I hear him laugh, clearly overhearing my muttering. His laugh cuts off as the air pressure shifts, and with a small pop, I know I am alone in the still dark, early morning. Looking at the sky, I’m certain the sun will be up any minute.
I walk the rest of the way to the house, somewhat regretting my decision to ditch the shoes once I reach the gravel. They may have been hell to walk in, but the gravel is hell on my feet. Rough and uneven, cutting into my soft skin.
Finally, I reach the house, I just go to knock when the door opens. Mason is standing there, staring at me intently with his amber eyes. He reaches out but doesn't quite make contact, as if scared I'll disappear again.
“I'm back,” I say softly, barely getting the words out. I've tried to play tough all night, but really, I just want to cry. Once he seems to have realised I am in fact really standing here, he closes the distance between us, pulling me tightly against his chest.
“I thought I lost you...that we lost you, I mean,” he whispers into my hair. I breathe in his citrus scent, so relieved to be actually smelling it again. I made it. I'm home.
“I'm okay,” I whisper, but my voice cracks as tears force their way out. He pulls back to look at me and moves his hands to my face, cupping it between them as he wipes my tears away with his thumbs.
“You're not, but that's okay,” he whispers back gently, just making me want to cry more. I want to cry for me, having to go back to that hellish place. I want to cry for all the halflings I can't help. I want to cry for Darius, who I had only known for minutes, but now I want to scream knowing he's likely dead. But I'm not crying for any of those reasons, I'm crying because I'm relieved. I'm so fucking relieved to be home, to be seeing Mason again. I'm so relieved to be alive. Mason strokes my hair softly as he tugs me closer again, wrapping his other arm around me.
“I’m okay, that's why I'm crying. Shit, I'm so happy to see you, Mase,” I whisper. He pulls back again, looking down at me as if trying to read the truth on my face. He must see it because he gives a small smile.
“I'm happy to see you, too,” he replies. I notice his eyes seem drawn to my lips, rather than my eyes. I bite my bottom lip, and he runs a thumb across it, confirming my assessment. I slide a hand up his neck and into his long hair, which is as silky-soft as it looks. “Mona,” he breaths my name out. I lean up, closing the distance between us as I press my lips to his. The kiss is gentle, sweet even, and then it's not. My lips push harder on his and his hands fall to my hips, pulling me tightly against him as he kisses me back furiously. It's needy, demanding, and I completely lose myself in it.
“Yer back, lass,” Callan's voice comes from inside the house, freezing us both in place for a second. Mason pulls back from me, untangling us as we turn to face him. Callan is looking at me, his expression is confused, but not angry. I'm not even sure why I'm worried he'd be angry, it's not like there's anything between us. I try and shake off the thoughts. It’s not the time to dwell on that.
“I am, for now,” I answer. Callan steps closer and pulls me into a tight hug.
“I'm so happy yer home,” he says, squeezing me extra tight. Then he suddenly let’s go, holding me back from him. “What do ye mean by 'for now', lass?” he asks, his bright-blue eyes are focused on me.
“I'd like to know that, too. What do you mean, Mona?” Mason echoes. I look between the two of them.
“First off, where are Nick and Kaden?” I ask. I’m not explaining this again and again, I’d wait for them all to be here.
“They're out, lass,” Callan answers.
“Out where?” I question him, feeling concerned. Please tell me they didn't...
“Don't look so worried, Mona,” Mason says, pulling me close and wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulders. “They only went out looking for a way to get you home, they're in this world, don't worry. They're just chasing a lead. I'll text them now to come home,” he says gently.
“Aye, lass, they went tae see if an idea was possible or not, and how they'd do it. While Mason helped me look through my books on demons for other backup plans,” Callan explains.
“Oh okay,” I reply, letting out a sigh of relief. They are okay. Everything is okay... for the next three days, anyway. I notice Mason pulling out his phone with his free hand, and quickly sending off a text.
“So, what do you mean by for now?” Mason asks as he tucks his phone back into his pocket.
“Can it please wait till Nick and Kaden are back? And I'd really like to get changed first, and take a shower, and have some coffee...please tell me someone has a stash of coffee somewhere?” I beg, looking between Mason and Callan. Callan sighs.
“Nick usually has some hidden away, lass. I'll grab it from his room,” he offers.
“Thank you!” I say, quickly darting to him to give him another quick hug, before turning and racing up the stairs, almost tripping on the damn uneven step again. As I reach the top of the stairs, I look down, noticing Mason and Callan having what looks like a whispered argument. Stepping back down onto the top step, I pause trying to listen and then shake my head. I turn back around and head to my room. It's none of my business whatever they're arguing about.
Sitting on the sofa wrapped in a fluffy blanket, whilst clutching my coffee in my hands, I can't help but be reminded of the first time I was in a room with all of the guys at once. It had been at the hotel after my first time using magic against X. It had been my first-time meeting Kaden and Mason as well. I swallow as I look between the two of them. Kaden is sitting next to me on one side, and Nick on the other side of me. Callan and Mason are both sitting across from us on the other sofa. I focus on flicking my eyes between Mason and Kaden. Shit, I've k
issed both of them now. What the heck am I going to do? Do I have to do anything?
“M, are you just gonna stare off into space, or are you gonna tell us what happened?” Kaden asks waving a hand in my face, pulling me from my inner turmoil.
“Shit, sorry. I was off with the faeries,” I mutter.
“Off with the faeries?” Nick asks sounding amused.
“It's an expression for daydreaming, how have you not heard that before?” I question, surprised.
“I suppose it has something to do with the fact it wouldn't make much sense for fae to use that expression?” he retorts.
“Oh...I guess that makes sense,” I reply feeling a little sheepish. Sometimes it's easy to forget little things like that would be different. I wonder what else is different between the races.
Talking about little faeries, where's that damn pixie gotten herself to? I haven’t seen Abby fluttering around since I’ve got back. Maybe she’s finally left? The demon dropping in may have convinced her this wasn’t such a great place to hang out. Despite the fact she’d bitten my hand and pointedly ignored me for the most part, I can’t help but worry about her in the cold. I hope she found somewhere warm to sleep.
“So how did you get back here? Not that we aren't all happy you're back, shit, we're all really happy to see you're okay. How did you manage it?” Mason asks.
“Adam brought me home,” I answer, chewing on my bottom lip nervously.
“The demon brought you home?” Nick questions sceptically.
“He did, that was our agreement. I didn't believe he'd actually keep to it though, so I'm so relieved to be back,” I admit.
“You did have an agreement with him, then?” Nick asks.
“Yeah, why the hell did you owe him a favour, M? Because I keep trying to think about why and it just doesn't make sense to me,” Kaden questions.