Chapter Four

~Elly~

After making sure Blaise was okay and checking in with her mom, Elly wandered around. She wanted to spend some time with her sister Kanna but couldn’t find her. Which totally sucked because Elly felt closest to Kanna. Deciding she still wanted company, she went searching for Ally. Ally was sitting in a tree, staring off into the distance. "Ally, anyone home?"

She blinked and looked down. "Oh, hey there. What's up?"

"I'm bored and want company!"

Ally laughed. "Well, I'm here. Kinda stuck though."

"How are you stuck?"

"I'm a tiger. Cat's get stuck when we climb trees."

Elly facepalmed. "Seriously? You're not even in your tiger form."

"Hey, I don't make the laws of nature, just get screwed by them."

"Okay, hold on." Elly tilted her head, staring at the tree. She shook it as hard as she could, Ally falling out. "You're not stuck anymore. You're welcome!"

Ally stood and stretched, popping her spine. "Not exactly how I imagined getting help would go, but I suppose that works. So, what do you want to do?"

"Let's go do something fun!"

"We could ride a dragon. I heard from Dad it's exhilarating"

"LET'S DO IT!!"

Elly skipped alongside Ally. "You seem to be in a good mood, today."

"Why not? Things are peaceful, there's never really any bad weather to speak of and I'm spending time with my big sis. What could be better?"

"Not being hungry."

"So why don't we hunt instead?"

Ally shrugged. So instead of riding dragons, they decided to chase after imps. It was actually an interesting hunt. The little imps were much more agile than their stumpy bodies appeared. The taste was interesting, too. It was like a mix of cheese and sweet tang. The girls watched as demons hunted elves and griffins, chatting about random things. Ven crept up, motioning for Elly to stay quiet. She nodded slightly and distracted Ally.

"So, uh, how old are you?"

"Me? I'm 20, why?"

"You look so young."

"MOTHER FACE!!!" Ven tackled Ally and knocked her over.

"ASSHATS!!" Ally shrieked. "Hello, Venero. What's up?"

"I'm bored! Kanna and I were supposed to go exploring the caves around Hell but I can't find her. Damien isn't here for me to ask, and now I'm asking you two."

Ally sighed again. "Well, let's go looking then." The three of them went searching for Kanna.

~Nyxie~

I hummed lightly as I went over my paperwork. It was mostly about updates to policies and checking in on the duties I was assigned. I signed it and set it aside, continuing to day dream as I finished my work and leaned on my hand. I hummed a tuneless melody and twirled the pen around on the table. I went to lean back in the chair I was in, but my wings got in the way. By now, I was getting tired of that. So, I decided it was best to hide them. Instead, I decided I wanted my wolf ears and tail to show. About time I looked the wolf demoness I was. 

"What are you humming, my dear?"

I sighed happily as Sal's hands rested lightly on my shoulders. "Just a tuneless melody. I was paying more attention to my daydream."

"Oh, and what were you dreaming about?"

"I'm more show than tell," I stood and took him to my room.

"I like where this is going."

"Shut up and kiss me."

He smirked and raised an eyebrow at me. "Gladly."

His lips met mine and it was fire. I pulled him closer to me and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I couldn't deny the lightning feeling he gave me when we touched. His hands caressed my arms and back, goosebumps following his fingers. I wasted no time and undressed myself and him. "I want you."

"I see that." He pinned me to the wall by the bed and kissed my neck, his hands moving down my body. 

I shivered, biting my lip. "Your touch is like lightning."

"Really now?" His tongue lightly licked my lips before we kissed. Claws ran down my sides while his bite made me moan lightly. He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist, our tongues now dancing together. I clawed down his back as he carried me to my bed. "Why don't I electrify you?" He caressed my shoulders and neck, enjoying the chills he gave me. His kisses on my neck and down my chest felt exhilarating. His fingers found their way into my hair and pulled my head back. "You are so beautiful." He smirked at my blushing. "And you blushing is adorable."

"Stop it," I playfully covered his eyes.

"Don't deny me the honor of seeing my love," he kissed my hand before moving it. This time, our rhythm was gentle and sensuous, but still as passionate. He teased me with his moan and then holding my hands down so I couldn't claw at him. So, I just settled for clawing his wrists and flicking my tongue at him. Any time he tried to catch my tongue, I'd close my mouth and laugh. "You're teasing."

"Am I?"

"Temptress," he bit me, moving his hips side to side.

"Is it tempting if you get what you really want?"

"Touche," we kissed again, being consumed in the fire we shared. 2 hours later and we were both panting and holding each other. "You have no idea how much I love you."

I smiled and snuggled into his chest. "Why don't you give me an idea?"

"It was love at first sight. I'd never seen a more beautiful woman. Though at first, I was at odds with myself."

"Why? Because I was a half-blood?"

"Yeah, but I learned to accept it. I watched you and how courageous you are, how determined you are. If you're set on something, no force in the world can change your mind. You stand for your beliefs and will do anything to help the people you care about."

I smiled and looked up to meet his gaze. "Well, listing things works, too."

"And I must admit, your bravery is a marvel. I've never seen anyone take on Len and live. You've done it a few times now."

I just shrugged. "What can I say? I'm stubborn." A knock on the door startled me into squeaking. Salax laughed at that. "Hey, don't laugh!"

"But that was adorable!"

I flicked my tail at him. "So are you." I sat up and dressed myself. I smoothed my black dress and sat on the foot of the bed while Sal dressed and answered the door.

"Is my mom here?"

"Kanna?" I stood. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"She doesn't look so good," Sal stood aside to let me see her.

"Mom, I was kidnapped, and, it, happened again..."

 I could tell what she meant by it. "What?! Who?" I held her close, humming to ease her feelings.

"Dad is part of the rogues now, I think he's leading them… He told me that they were taking me to test my reflexes. But then I was left alone with them…And…"

"You don't need to say anymore, I can feel it." I took a few deep breaths to keep myself calm before I looked to Salax. "Tell Len. After this, I want none of the rogues left alive." He nodded and left. I sat Kanna on his bed and held her hands. "Where was Zero?"

"He did his best but they overpowered him, he's with the healers now." Kanna fell silent and shuddered. I stroked her hair and began healing her wounds. She had multiple bruises, lacerations, bite marks and even stab wounds.

I felt sick to my stomach. Did Erys know that this had happened to her, again? "You don't have to leave the castle anymore if you don't want to. I just want you to feel safe."

Len slowly walked in. "Nyx, Erys is confirmed to be the rogue leader. Are you sure you want to go through with your decision?"

I looked to Kanna, who was on the verge of tears. "I'm sure. But I want to be the one who takes Erys. Kanna, do you want to talk with Ver?"

"I do," she tried pushing back tears. "Mom, I can still feel it…"

Len shook his head. "Disgraceful. I truly am sorry, Princess Kanna. I will personally see to it that you are never without at least three guards from here on out." He bowed to her. "Nyx, we will await you in the trial room." He bowed to me and left.

I helped Kanna stand, wrapping her in the blanket from Salax's bed. We walked to Ver's room and while she waited by the door. I whispered to him what had happened. "Please, do everything you can to help her. Her PTSD has sky rocketed. I'm afraid she might kill herself if no one's watching. Don't say any synonym close to rape or assault, just follow her lead on how she refers to it. Please, help her heal."

Ver nodded. "Sweetheart, come in. We won't leave this room for anything until you decide you want to move." 

Before I left, I gave one gift. "Spirit, please help keep her soul whole." A small lavender mist swirled to Kanna and wrapped around her. With a heavy sigh, I walked to the trial room. I was so severely disappointed in Erys. Not only had he decided to join the group that threatened the royal family and council, but said group had just further traumatized Kanna. Whether he knew it would happen or not, as their leader, he was responsible for their actions. Without noticing, I found myself pacing outside the trial room. "Well, here goes everything." Time to do my first major job as Goddess. I walked in and sat beside Len, my arms holding my chest. Len, myself, Salax, Elysium and Kira were all watching him. Kira sat between us elders and Erys. Erys was sitting in front of us Elders. "Why did you kidnap our daughter?"

"She belongs with me."

"You dumbass, Kanna is a Princess. She belongs with us in the castle." Furo growled.

"You idiot, what got into you?" Kira frowned. He shrugged. "Save yourself and leave the rogues!"

"I see darkness," I frowned. "Did you now Kanna was raped, again? Her injuries were worse this time!"

"How did you find her?" Erys finally showed some emotion.

"We didn't," Salax spoke up. "She came to Nyxie and told us what happened."

I held my hand up to Erys to silence whatever he was going to say. "And regardless of if you knew it was going to happen, as leader you are responsible for their actions." I tried my hardest to keep my voice from shaking. "I'm sorry, but I have no choice." I walked up to him. "Please forgive me, I really never wanted this to happen," I whispered, my voice giving away the inner storm of emotions I felt. It took me a few seconds, but I managed to get my hands in his hair and take a strand. "Please forgive me, my love." I pulled the hair, watching him fall to the floor. "I'm gonna be sick," I turned away quickly, holding my mouth with one hand, an arm over my stomach, and my eyes shut tight. I held out the hair to Len. He took it, the hair transforming into Erys' gem. My stomach was violent as I shakily made my way to a chair and fell into it. I felt hollow, sick, detached.

Kira moved closer. "Are you going to be okay, Nyx? You're shaking."

I was shaking? "I, I don't know. I don't feel like I'm here right now. I'm gonna be sick…"

"Someone move the body," Elysium called. Imps carried it away. "I, I can't imagine how you must feel, Sis." Elys frowned, Len nodding in agreement before leaving.

Salax sat beside me. "I cannot imagine how that must have felt. Come, let me ease your shaking." He gently pulled me into his arms.

My first real job as Goddess was that. It was the hardest thing I had ever done.