Heart of Darkness

Everyone gathered in Rayven's home in the demon world. Roxana was in panic and had told the others that something wasn't right and when Skender's grandma couldn't find him, her feelings were confirmed.

"What happened?" Lucrezia asked.

"I am not sure. One moment he was there and the next he was gone." The grandma said.

Angelica put her arm around Roxana who was distressed. "He is not alright. I can feel it. He is... he is in pain."

"We need to know his location," his grandma said, looking at Lucrezia.

"I think I can find out." She said.

"I will come with you," the grandma suggested.

"No. You can't." She would have to deal with Raphael.

The grandma frowned.

"I'll be back soon with the location and then we will go find him," she said.

She didn't waste time and quickly went to find Raphael. It was late but she didn't care. She went straight to his home and he was quick to appear. "Lucrezia?" He frowned.

"I think your brother has made a move. He had taken one of my demons." She hurried to say. "I need to find him."

Swiftly, he was right in front of her. "I have been thinking about my brother and whether I should ignore him and I think ignoring him is the best way." He smirked.

She took a deep breath, her patience running out. She knew he wanted her to beg.

"Besides, I am sure you demon... Isn't he a defender? He should be able to help himself."

"Yes, but he just recently got his demon back. He is like a newborn. I need to help him. Are you going to help me or not?"

"Do you need my help?"

"Yes."

"If I help you, you will be mine. I will make sure everyone knows. Do you agree to it?"

"I thought you would give you a chance not become yours?"

"I changed my mind. Some witches are involved and those are tricky to fight so... it should be worth it for me." He replied.

"Alright." She said feeling repulsed. She would dance at his funeral.

Raphael had his own demons and witches as well, to help him locate his brother. Clearly, he had already found his brother but now he wasn't where he had found him. He moved location.

"We need some clues to find him," the witches said.

"Shades. Something involving the creation of shades?" Lucrezia guessed.

"Do you have a meaningful item that belongs to the person?"

Lucrezia had to teleport back and speak to Roxana. She gave her a necklace with a golden button. Lucrezia gave it to the witches.

"Alright. We will try to locate anywhere where a ceremony with the Gods might be going on. We need you to clear the space and not interrupt us."

Lucrezia and Raphael had to leave the room and from the room next, they could hear the chanting of the witches.

Lucrezia became impatient as she waited. It was taking longer than she anticipated.

"Relax," Raphael told her. "Would you like some wine?" He said as he went to pour himself some.

"No."

He came back with his glass filled and sat across from her.

"I should go see..." she said.

"No. Remember, we can't interrupt them. They might have to start over."

She took a deep breath to calm down, then looked at him.

"Why exactly was your brother banned? What happened?" She doubted it was only a disagreement.

"Well, we were always competitive. I guess it went too far and..." his eyes became distant as if he recalled a memory. "It had always been complicated. I guess his sin is envy and mine is pride."

She nodded.

"Envious people are never happy. He had lived his life creating shades to overpower me. Instead of enjoying his existence."

Yes. Envy was the saddest sin. The one she truly pitied.

"Isn't it lonely? Without a family. And you killed your mate."

He smiled. "I won't be lonely anymore soon."

She was disgusted again. In the back, the chanting of the witches got louder and louder and a strange wind blew inside.

Raphael was unfazed as if he was used to this.

"So what do you offer them for their service."

"Blood. They have a thing for blood. Unlike humans, they can somehow use it to live longer without a mating bond."

Yes, she had heard that.

After being stuck with him for what felt like forever, the chanting finally stopped and Lucrezia and Raphael returned to the room. At this point, she had a headache and the chanting echoed in her mind.

"We believe we have found them."

Lucrezia nodded. "Alright..." it looked like they had something else to say.

"But it is dangerous. They have already begun a ceremony and opened the portals to the other world. Breaking it could bring out bad spirits into our world."

Oh please. They could not be denying to tell the location, right?

"We just want to retrieve one of us. We are not interested in breaking any ceremony." Raphael lied.

"Is there any safe way to stop the ceremony?" Lucrezia asked knowing they wouldn't believe Raphael.

"They have to stop it without being interrupted."

Lucrezia nodded. "Well, that might not happen and we need to stop the ceremony because it could be dangerous to all of us. If you wish, you can come with us and restore whatever we might ruin."

They looked at each other and then somehow made a decision. "We will tell you where to find him."

Lucrezia breathed out relieved.

Raphael went to gather his army and Lucrezia went back to Roxana and Skender's grandma.

"Did you find him?" Roxana asked.

"Yes. We will go bring him back."

"I am coming." She said.

"You can't. It will only make it more difficult."

Tears streamed down her face.

Skender's grandma assured her that they would get her grandson back. Well, having an original defender would certainly help.

"I have many resources. You don't have to worry," Lucrezia told Roxana.

She took notice of William at the back, watching her with a frown. While everyone prepared he came to her and took her aside.

"I need to talk to you."

"Now?"

"Yes."

She took them away, "alright. Hurry."

She thought he would tell her something he had seen in a dream but he reached out his wrist. He couldn't be serious.

"Stop being stupid," she said pushing his hand away.

"You might need it." He told her.

"I have an army with me and a defender. Don't worry little lamb."

"Just take it. It won't hurt."

She looked at him for a long moment. Why would she deny blood? But she just didn't want to.

"I don't need it," she said with finality.

He sighed frustrated, then looked at her with true worry. Was he serious now?

"Alright. I have to leave now," she said a little baffled by the boy.

Rayven stayed with the women and Lucrezia took Skender's grandmother, Lazarus, Vitale, and Acheron with her, plus her two wingmen and her sister. Raphael came with his demons and the witches that would take them to the location.

She thought they were at an advantage but she didn't know what this brother had in store for them.

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