Actaeon Island: The Vulcan Clan
The midday sun shone down brightly as sweat trickled down Deacon's bareback. He had finished training long ago but he stayed. His muscles burnt as he wiped his forehead for the umpteen time while sneakily glancing at the bedroom balcony of a certain tiny brunette. It was over an hour now she was supposed to start her training. Since coming to Actaeon she had been training with either Ambrose or Ethan. She normally waited till the Vulcan warriors were done before coming to the training field but as Deacon noticed a small shadow behind the curtains peeking at him he forgot to be discreet. Dropping his hands from his forehead and blatantly smiling up at her he listened carefully, with being the leader he was able to tell the moment she realized she was caught. Standing some floors down he heard her heartbeat speed up as a soft gasp escaped her lips before she quite literally dropped to the floor hiding from him.
Sighing loudly his smile died as he walked back inside. He had hoped she would join him but he knew that was a long shot. At least he wanted her to stop being so scared. He figured he must have looked like an ant from where she stood yet she was still scared. The more frustrated he got the more he cursed at Jake. He knew the ex-alpha was at fault, he was the root cause of her fear for all things powerful. Stepping through the kitchen door Deacon headed to his bedroom, worn out and in need of a shower.
Alice had waited and waited yet the clan leader stayed. Ambrose was supposed to train her today. They both worked together Ambrose training her magic and Ethan training her strength. As time came for them to train she faked sickness telling Ambrose her head hurt too much to focus, the aged light witch left without any questions but a secretive smirk. Almost like he knew she just didn't want to meet Deacon on the training field.
Glancing out the window she looked down at the lone figure in the blazing sun. How long did he plan to keep going? Can he even handle the heat? She wondered a bit worried. Just then he slammed his fist through a wooden practice dummy shattering the wood. Before turning and looking up straight at her. Though she was peeking from behind the curtain she still felt like she couldn't hide from him. Instantly she dropped down out of his sight. Face planting the ground she slowly got up after deeming it safe. She quickly realized that wasn't the smartest move as her hands hurt from hitting the ground first.
She honestly wished Deacon didn't scare her so much but she couldn't help herself after living so long in fear. It was ingrained into her brain. It didn't help that Deacon was quite literally the largest man she had ever seen. Almost seven feet with bulging muscles but she knew it came with being a dragon shifter and the leader at that. They were even larger than werewolves. However she saw the kindness behind his eyes, she knew he wasn't like her old pack.
Looking back out she saw that the training field was now empty, he left. Sighing she climbed up the stairs to the roof. She just didn't feel like going down there all alone for everyone to see. She would practice her magic on the roof by herself.
Deacon had finished showering and changing feeling a bit down he headed to the kitchen deciding to go get some lunch. Sitting down he began eating a hefty sandwich when Ambrose suddenly sat down next to him as a young dragon shifter hurried to bring his lemon tea. Aged wrinkled hands grasped the fine china as he took a sip.
"Don't look so down." Ambrose spoke trying to comfort the discouraged clan leader, for the first time Deacon was at a lost. The powerful clan leader was at the mercy of a tiny brunette.
"I don't know what to do anymore. Every time I show her my strength, she gets more scared instead of being impressed. If I stand too close she runs. If I look at her she hides. Everything I do backfire. I honestly don't know anymore." Deacon expressed feeling a little better after talking to someone about his dilemma.
"You can't help your power but you could try to look more approachable. You should smile more. You either don't smile which looks scary or smile too much looking like a psychopath, which by the way, is even scarier."
Ambrose started giggling as Deacon gave him a frosty glare before the light witch continued.
"I blame your role as clan leader, you always had to be strong and evoke fear. Now that there is something you want you don't know how to act and what makes it worst is her fear for everything powerful which is all that is you, but... she knows you mean well. I can see it in her eyes. She is trying hard to get over her fears. I think when she becomes stronger she will become less fearful and more confident."
Pushing a now empty plate aside Deacon turned to face Ambrose questioning.
"Then the bottom line is smiling more but at the same time not too much?" He questioned furrowing his eyebrows.
"Yes and stop showing off your strength so much. Dragon shifters find that attractive but you are dealing with Alice if anything it just reminds her that you could snap her bones like a twig." Ambrose scolded.
Flinching Deacon ducked his head in shame finally understanding how his actions made her feel. Looking at Ambrose once again he questioned.
"What do I do now?"
Thinking a bit Ambrose then answered after a few long seconds.
"I think you should relax a bit, cool that head of yours." Ambrose playfully ruffled Deacon's hair before continuing.
"Maybe stretch your wings..." Ambrose trailed off waiting for Deacon to take the bait.
When the clan leader nodded in agreement before getting up and heading to the roof an all-out wicked smirk danced across Ambrose's face.
. . . .
Alice stood at the edge of the wall looking over at the other side. An endless drop of who knows how many stories above. Taking a deep breath she balled her fists, straightened her back and closed her eyes focusing as best as she could.
Imaging pristine white wings Alice concentrated hard trying to draw them out. Ambrose had taught her that the same way the angel can control her, she can control it. If she practiced hard enough she could learn how to be in complete control of her powers, instead of the angel taking over she would control it the way a werewolf would control their wolf.
A dim light started glowing from behind her however with her eyes closed she couldn't see it but she could feel it. The peaceful grace enveloping her in its light. A serenity that only a pure angel can produce. Far in the back of her mind she heard the roof door opening but didn't let it break her focus knowing it must just be Ambrose since he was the only one who knew she was here. He must want to check up on her. Blocking his presence out of her mind she tried even harder to release her wings wanting to show Ambrose her progress. By now the light was a lot brighter as slowly thick pure white feathers emerged from her back causing her sweater to rip open at her back but the intruding cold wind didn't break her concentration.
Deacon looked on in amazement standing silently. He didn't want to interrupt when he saw her angelic glow. Looking on he was fascinated as slowly her wings started emerging. Though it sprouted out her back carefully extending out there was no blood or any signs of pain. It was so natural like just another limp.
Slowly opening her eyes Alice climbed up onto the ledge staring down. There was no way she was going to jump, she wasn't brave enough but it was all about the little steps. To stop her fears she had to start somewhere if she ever hoped to master her powers. What was the use having wings if she couldn't fly? This was a daily practice, stepping up onto the ledge looking down and every time it became even easier than the last. If she continued one day she would be able to jump and take flight.
Deacon, however, had no idea of Alice's intentions, thinking she was going to jump he didn't care that her wings were half way out. He simply rushed forward with a straggled no as his wings extended instantly.
Alice gasped turning only to see Deacon rushing towards her with large black wings extended and hands outstretched reaching for her. Startled she unconsciously stepped back forgetting for a split second where she was standing. Her left feet meet air as she lost her balance falling backward off the mansion. Having lost her concentration her wings retreated as a scream escaped her lips the air rushed around her. She saw the clear blue sky before a shadow was above her.
Deacon leaped off behind her grabbing her securely a few seconds later. Beating his wings they floated midair. Him clutching her tightly to his chest and her holding onto his shoulders for there life. With eyes squeezed shut she further buried her head into his chest trying not to look down. The feeling of nothing under her feet was unsettling.
Flying back to the roof Deacon carefully placed her down having to pull her hands away from his shirt as they were in a steel grip, crumpling and completely ruining it. Slowly he looked down at her as she stared back. Deacon still held her to him in which she didn't move. Staring straight back at him they both stood there together not even noticing the aged light witch hiding behind the rooftop door with a smirk.
'Oh, how playing matchmaker is fun.' Ambrose thought before turning to leave.
. . . .
The Underworld: King Lucifer
The tortured screams of the guilty echoed through the walls as the warm air lingered. A result of the lava pit that laid deep below. Lucifer sat upon his throne, a sight to behold. He never cared for such power but as his evil intent grew such things became a necessity. Unlike Alaric, Lucifer was more regal and noble. Shiny things didn't please him. Different from Cain, Lucifer never could enjoy senseless slaughter. Being the king meant that every day he needed to dish out punishment, be it death or torture. While the darkness had corrupted him he still wasn't as far gone as Cain. Lucifer never submitted to the darkness keeping his last thread of humanity. For he knew the moment he allowed the darkness to consume him. God himself would need to destroy him. Having the king be as far gone as Cain who had lost his humanity would be a shift in the balance. Despite it all, Lucifer was still a king that carried a duty.
Raising his hand Lucifer made a small slice through the gates. As the air opened a crack Lucifer looked through seeing his queen. Since she disappeared into hiding Lucifer couldn't get a clear read on her whereabouts. Using a stronger spell he was still able to see her but unable to find her.
Standing at a doorway Emma seemed a bit nervous but more so guilty.
What was bothering his queen? Lucifer wondered.
In a few more seconds she walked into the room only for a mutt to grab her. Looking closely Lucifer recognized the Stealth team's ex-leader, Noble Ryder. There was something else Lucifer noticed too, Ryder's eyes were as clear as day. Not a hint of the second chance mate bond.
What exactly happened? Did she break the bond herself?
Suddenly another powerful presence was there. Lucifer froze as he looked on in shock and disbelief.
Jake stepped in as his eyes burned a gold so pure it sent Lucifer's instincts on haywire making him struggle to stay still. As Jake's hand grew into a mid shift Lucifer's very breath froze as the air instantly became an icy cold.
Impossible!
Was his only thought.
As Jake approached Emma lifting her off her feet Lucifer flexed his grip in anger unconsciously destroying the arm piece of his throne. An intent to kill emitted from Lucifer so dark and intense that the demons nearby started choking on it, falling to the ground.
Lucifer sat completely still his thoughts raced all coming back to the one person that will have a proper answer, Cain.
Opening another crack in the gates Lucifer didn't care about his whereabouts or what he was even doing in that moment. Cain was asleep when he was suddenly yanked out of bed. Sitting on the throne effortlessly Lucifer had dragged him into hell flinging him into a wall in that same motion using black trends of darkness. Slamming into the ancient bricks broke almost all the bones in Cain's body while the wall remained pristine. Lucifer had used his power to build his kingdom, slamming against the wall was the same as slamming into his fist.
Very calmly Lucifer rose from the throne stepping to Cain in slow controlled steps, who still lay on the ground struggling to get up. A normal injury would heal in mere seconds but because Lucifer was the cause it was going to heal very slowly. Unable to get up Cain continued struggling only to fall down each time.
Now right in front of him dark smoky whips extended from Lucifer reaching for Cain. Wrapping around him it lifted him up and off the ground to the same level as Lucifer.
Dark eyes studied him carefully before Lucifer's hand was at his throat holding him there against the wall gasping for breath as the dark whips retreated.
With a snap of his fingers, the crack disappeared only to reappear right in front of them. Jake still had her in his arms which caused Lucifer to unconsciously squeeze tighter. Gasping loudly, Cain struggled to breathe as Lucifer crushed a vertebra.
Looking at the scene playing out before their eyes Lucifer then turned to Cain.
"Explain."
"M-my ki-ng, I don't kn-know. I fol-lowed your or-ders exc-atly. Its imp-"
Squeezing tight Lucifer cut off his speech. While Cain was his favorite servant this called for punishment.
"But it is possible, or am I not staring right at him?"
Lucifer questioned darkly looking straight at Jake.
"Pl-ease, bel-ieve me, my ki-ng." Cain gasped as Lucifer let go causing him to crumble to the floor.
"I op-en my mi-nd to y-ou. Ch-eck and s-ee for your-se-lf. I am lo-yal, I wo-uld ne-ver be-tray you."
Cain struggled to speak closing his eyes. As a being almost as powerful as god himself Lucifer can peek into others minds looking at their memories but only with permission.
Once against the dark whips extended wrapping around Cain's head as Lucifer slipped into his memories almost two hundred years ago. The moment Lucifer had Cain wipe the earth of the last thing that can stand against the dark witches and their goal of taking over the earth. The one being that was more powerful than the witches. Lord Dmitri, the very first werewolf, created by God himself. One of the three originals.
Lucifer looked deeper, to the last memory Cain had of Lord Dmitri. It was dark as rain poured down lighting struck. A little girl ran with all her might though obviously weak she ran with the speed of light. It was the night Emma escaped the witches hold. Running so fast it was impossible for the witches to keep up, all but one. Cain followed closing in. He was about to recapture the hybrid when something slammed into him.
As predicted Lord Dmitri. The werewolves have been trying for a while now to save the hybrid but they weren't successful, until now. Little Emma continued running only to slip and fall right in front of Dmitri with Cain not far behind. All Dmitri needed was a split second. Staring into the little girl's eyes the bond formed. Emma was his mate. It didn't escape Cain or Lucifer who was watching from the shadows, waiting.
Frozen from the shock of even having a mate Dmitri noticed too late what was actually happening. Lucifer allowed Emma to escape only because he knew it would give him a clear chance to destroy Dmitri.
Quickly Lucifer opened a crack as thick black smoke emerged and dark whips escaped wrapping firmly around Cain's entire body with not an inch exposed.
Turning while shielding his mate Dmitri realized with dread what was happening. A deathly presence fill the air as Cain's body bent and cracked at impossible angles as a black liquid leaked out his eyes, ears, and lips. Little Emma could no longer stand from the intense evil presence as she fell down gasping for air.
Lucifer was possessing Cain's body. Now in full control, a wicked twisted smirk grew as a light protective shield formed over Emma. From the warmth, she knew who created it.
A typhoon of dark magic formed around them as Lucifer chanted with that twisted smirk. However, instead of trying to save himself or kill Lucifer, Dmitri followed his first instinct which completely changed as of a few seconds ago.
Chanting as well Dmitri opened a teleportation portal instead using the last few seconds of his life to save Emma. He knew that if he started fighting Lucifer right then and there Emma's little body wouldn't be able to withstand it. As she disappeared through the portal, Lucifer blasted Dmitri destroying the entire island and shattering his soul, ensuring he can never be reborn again. Destroying the original completely, not even God could save him. Or so Lucifer thought... until now.
Releasing Cain, Lucifer slipped out of his mind now seeing that Cain indeed never helped Dmitri piece back his soul.
Then how was the original able to be reborn?
Lucifer could see it though, this Dmitri was nothing like his old self. Weak, his powers was barely tapped. The Dmitri he knew was a god on earth. With his rebirth, his powers must still be asleep.
This changes things. Having Dmitri back is one thing but knowing he was his queen's mate was a next.
He needed a change in plans, maybe it was time for Lucifer to take a more active role towards his queen.
. . . .
A/N: Thank you for reading :)
Sneak peek: Meet the new Jarred.