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Cassiopeia smiled and released Nic to watch him walk away with Caden. She sighed, feeling an odd sense of emptiness before she turned to look at Nero.

Cassi rolled her eyes at the fake smile before she followed them down the hallway. She didn’t go up the stairs with Nero but continued down until she reached the greenhouse. She sighed, feeling relaxed as soon as she opened the door. Who knew the first time she was in here with the demon would have been the start of a lifelong journey with them. Why did Caden have to pick Nero as their mate?

Cassi tossed her bag and cardigan onto the couch and started tending to the plants. The repetitive actions soothed her mind and comforted her soul.

---

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---

”What’s going on?” Caden asked Nic curiously as they walked down to the gym. As he went, he texted Avery that they were ready to go.

Caden wasn’t worried about leaving Cassi and Nero alone together. Even if the two of them fought, they would at least get it out of their system and move on.

---

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---

Avery’s eyes shifted to refocus on the object that blocked his view. He grinned at Kimiko, wrapped an arm around her, and quickly rolled her over so he hovered over top of her.

”Your heart,” he said simply. ”Your innocence, your virtue.” He traced a finger from her throat, down the centre of her body, to the top of her shorts.

He tracked his finger, a small smirk sitting comfortably on his lips while his mind tumbled with thoughts of Kimiko naked and trembling underneath him until she begged him to stop.

His phone buzzed, pulling Avery from his decadent thoughts. He sat back on Kimiko’s legs and took out his phone.

”Ah, they’re ready to train. Are you gonna come?” Avery asked, getting off Kimiko and the bed.

---

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---

Box of books in hand, Nero makes their way back downstairs and towards the greenhouse room, guessing that Cassi will be there. They watch the sorceress care for the plants before setting the books down on one of the tables. “So, where would you like to start?” Nero asks, breaking the silence. Looking around, they can really tell that this room was practically made for Cassi. That thought alone fills Nero with nearly unbearable guilt all over again, but they plop into a seat and pull out the book they were currently reading last night.

---

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Nic runs a hand through his hair. “We’ve had some patients just seemingly vanish into thin air. I managed to find some footage from the operating rooms and played it frame by frame with Cassi last night… The bodies didn’t disappear, they exploded into a mist so fine it was pink and within a fraction of a second, there’s no trace of anything left.” He says as he double checks in his head that he’s given all the information.

“These have been patients that were on the brink of death before going on the operating table, but it has been the same team experiencing this and some of those patients, my team and I personally saw to it that they were fit for surgery. They shouldn’t be dying let alone exploding into nothing.”

---

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---

Kiki’s breath catches as Avery easily flips their positions and her face becomes crimson at Avery’s words and touch. Then, without much warning, he’s climbed off of her and the bed. “Well, I won’t now.” Kiki mutters before she can stop herself. She sits up with an even deeper flush while refusing to look Avery in the eye as she gets off the bed herself.

“I need a moment.” Kiki says before realizing the connection between her statements. “J-just to get on my workout clothes.” She quickly adds.

---

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---

Cassiopeia kept her focus on the plants, knowing if she broke her concentration she would lash out. However, she did have a few housecleaning questions for Nero.

”I have a few questions first, and then we can play nice for Caden's sake. First question, did you know you were being hunted? Because if you knew and thought latching yourself onto Caden would save you from bringing Hell to our doorstep, I will summon Crowley without you and gladly give you back to who or whatever is looking for you.”

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Caden listened carefully to Nic's problem. It was a rather interesting case, and some parts of it sounded familiar, but others not so much.

”Did you bring the video with you?” Caden asked as they walked into the gym.

---

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Avery’s eyes widened at Kimiko's statement, and then he was grinning. ”My little fox… I wish very much to simply keep you in this room and see all the different ways I can make you come but I cannot. You take as long as you wish, as long as you promise to think of me,” Avery said with a wink before he opened the door and left Kimiko to get ready to train.

He walked slowly down to the gym, having to calm himself and clear his mind of Kimiko and her statement.

---

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---

Oh great, I’m sure these questions won’t be at all biased… Nero thinks to themself as Cassi makes her first inquiry. They can’t help but sigh before answering. “I didn’t know I was a target of anyone before yesterday.” They open the book to the page they left on and lightly scan it to distract themselves from letting the sorceress rile them up.

This isn’t the time for Nero to dance around the bush or tease Cassi, in fact, that time might never actually come back. No, this is a time for the demon to prove they’re useful and not purposely trying to endanger Caden’s family… Their family. “I didn’t even believe Crowley when he told me until Caden noticed the peeping Tom at my house.”

---

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“Of course,” Nic digs into his pocket to show the flash drive he had used to download the footage. “Cassi had mentioned you had some security organization or whatever that might be able to get more off the videos than I could.”

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Kiki almost immediately puts her hands over her face at Avery’s response, making that weird strangled squeak that usually follows something like this. Avery’s little fox has no retort for him as he leaves the room. He started it! She argues with herself in an attempt to place blame on anyone but herself.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Kiki emerges from her hands and proceeds to nervously look for a sports bra and leggings as she wills her face to cool down before she follows the heathen to the gym. Avery coming back to mind, she splashes her face with some cold water from the sink before she leaves the room.

---

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Cassiopeia could understand not trusting Crowley. He was just like any other demon and would do as he pleased if it furthered his goals. However, Caden was properly in love with Nero, and Nero had saved not only Cassi but others without asking for anything in return.

"Okay, say I believe you," Cassiopeia said, starting to prune some of the plants. "How fucked do you think we are?"

Caden had filled her in more on Mundus and who they were. Cass didn't know much about Nero's past, but from what Caden felt comfortable telling her, it was obvious Nero was something special to them. If Mundus was coming after Nero, Cass had no idea what fate had in store for her and her family.

---

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Caden took the thumb drive from Nic and nodded. "Yes. I bought a security firm a while back and have been slowly improving upon it."

He walked over to one of the TVs in the training room and plugged in Nic's flash drive as Avery walked in and greeted them both. Caden pulled up the file in a program and played the thing over.

"Your security cameras aren't up-to-date," Caden noted while they watched.

---

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Avery stood next to Nic and looked over the video. He cocked his head to the side when the patient disappeared. Caden slowed the video down and the three of them watched the patient burst into mist.

"Shit. You weren't joking," Avery said and moved closer to the screen.

Caden put the video on a loop so they could watch it over and over again.

"And you said this happened twice with two different teams? No personal overlap?" Caden asked Nic.

---

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With a heavy sigh, Nero pinches the bridge of their nose and closes their eyes. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” They say honestly to Cassi before opening their eyes again.

“I don’t know how I got away from Mundus - all I know is that Abaddon helped and now she’s gone.” Nero goes on to say. “And I know shit-all about Mundus’ power since the only memories I have just show him using me to exact his will… I’m going with worst-case scenario until I find more information.”

---

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Nic can’t help but sigh when Caden says the security cameras are out of date. “Well, they’re mostly used for liability reasons so…” He shrugs - the hospital had other priorities for what they wanted to upgrade. Avery joins in watching as the video plays.

“Three times that I managed to find at our hospital, two I found footage for. Different days and times, and there’s overlap in some of the operating teams, but nobody was involved with all three patients. Plus, I’ve found a couple other patients at other trauma centers.”

---

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Kiki enters the gym to find Caden, Avery, and Nic closely watching the television. “What’s all this about?” She asks with her hands on her hips.

“And where are Cassi and Nero?”

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Cassiopeia slowed in her task while Nero worked. She was really trying to give Nero the benefit of the doubt. Their lack of knowledge on their past really frustrated Cassi. She supposed it was frustrating for Nero as well from the sound of their tone.

Cassiopeia walked over to the ladder and climbed up until she could tend to the higher up plants. She glanced down at Nero, noting how small they looked, and not just because Cassi was higher.

"How annoying it must be to be a pawn in someone else's game. And yet you have several demons doing your bidding for you. Remind me how that makes you different from the others?"

---

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"Perhaps. If I was a lawyer, though, I could easily get a case thrown because of the poor quality in camera work. Most video quality is in high definition or four k res," Caden noted.

Nero's words about donating to Nic's hospital bounced around in his head. Maybe Caden would get in touch with the director of the hospital and mention how he owned a security company...

"Well that's maddening," Avery commented.

---

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Avery walked away from the screen, assuming Caden was going to have the videos playing on a loop while they all trained. He walked over and grabbed the jump rope for Nic and handed it to him.

"How about we do some bag work today, Nic? Or did you have something else you wanted to work on?"

Caden was immersed with the video, but Avery gently guided his alpha and friend over to the treadmill. It was still in line with the TV so Caden could multitask.

Avery looked over when Kimiko entered and smiled. "Nic has a monster in the hospital," he said and pointed to the treadmill next to Caden. "You can warm-up and watch."

"Nero and Cass are working on intel for Nero's problem and Nic's other problem. Which is good news for you, Kiki. I think they figured out why they fell off your mother's list of blessings," Caden said, glancing at her before looking back at the TV.

---

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Nero rolls their eyes with another sigh, leaning back in their seat and looking up at Cassi. “And I had them do things like take care of cats, drive me places if I didn’t feel like walking, or gather intel for a something like the chimera case.” They cross their arms over their chest but lower their gaze to the coffee table with the book on it.

“I know you’re looking for reasons not to trust me and while I understand it and definitely deserve it, I’m not going to let anyone hurt Caden or his family.”

---

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---

“It’s not really my place to tell them to update cameras - especially since I shouldn’t really be reviewing them anyway.” Nic says as an excuse before turning and seeing Kimiko enter. He’s hit with the reminder of everything concerning his dad all over again.

Nic takes the rope and goes over to a space with enough room to skip. There isn’t much more he can glean from the videos at this point anyway. “Sure, bags will be good.”

---

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Kiki glances between all three men, trying to process all the information thrown at her at once. She follows Avery’s instructions first and gets on the treadmill. “I don’t know if that qualifies as ‘good news’, Caden.” She says with a worried expression thrown in Nic’s direction.

“What happened?”

---

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Cassiopeia stared at the peace lily she was working on, and sighed. ”It's not exactly easy to forget two hundred and fifty years of, well, hate for demons. I know you saved me. I know you love Caden, it's just… difficult,” Cassi confided and finished working on the lily.

She descended the ladder and turned to face Nero.

”If I wanted to know more about that day, the day you helped kill my family, and the order that told you to, would you let me dig in your mind?”

Cassiopeia couldn't shake this feeling she had since learning of Ren's demon deal. It had been how he said it. How Nic yelled at his father. There was something about that moment that had taken her back to the day she lost everyone.

---

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Avery smiled at Nic and nodded. ”Go about your usual warm-up. We'll do a bit of cardio and arms together after before the bag,” Avery said and patted Nic's back before starting his own warmup.

---

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”Well, I did intend it to mean good news for you, not necessarily anyone else,” Caden clarified.

He looked over at Nic when he didn't reply to Kimiko. ”Do you want me to tell her or do you?” Caden didn't want to overstep, but he could also understand not wanting to repeat himself for the third or fourth time.

---

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Nero turned their head to regard Cassi and look in her eyes. “Now when you put it like that, how can I refuse?” They say with a half-smile before reaching their hand out to the sorceress. They hadn’t put gloves on to hide their hands - it had been plenty of time for the imp to feel comfortable enough around the house. “Just… just know that whatever happened back then… I took no pleasure in it.”

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Nic nods and does some slow walking with the rope as Caden looks over at him. “If you don’t mind telling her, I’d appreciate it.” He says before picking up speed with the rope. He knows there will be follow-up questions, that he’ll need to eventually have Kimiko talk to his dad, but right now he would rather focus on his workout and take his mind off of everything.

---

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Kiki pats Caden’s arm. “I know, sorry. You can blame Avery for my grumpiness.” She says before she starts her warmup, decidedly not clarifying any further as she waited for Caden to explain for Nic.

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Cassiopeia was surprised Nero agreed so readily. She walked over to where they sat and took a seat beside them. She eyed Nero's hand before looking them in the eyes.

”I honestly didn't think you would agree to this. Didn't seem like you were having very much fun last time,” she noted.

---

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Avery looked at Kimiko when he heard Caden should blame him for her grumpiness. He smirked, keeping his comments to himself, and resumed his workout.

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Caden raised an eyebrow, curious as to Kimiko's meaning, but he let the subject slide.

”Nic's dad, Ren, made a deal to save his wife from cancer. Turns out she had been diagnosed with the disease prior to their camping trip. The deal was made with Ren giving up ten years of his life. Cassi came to work with Nero on how to get Ren out of the deal. Since we have to summon Crowley, we're going to ask who holds the deal, and hopefully save Ren.”

Caden explained all of this while he continued to watch the video footage. He had scanned every part of the room several times over, watching for any glitches or indiscrepancies, but nothing was standing out to him.

”Do you still have access to your dad's men of letters files?”

---

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Nero raises an eyebrow at Cassi’s hesitance. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to find answers and I know you’re essential to unlock those.” They say simply, dropping all pretense of cocky or impish behavior.

Though difficult to tell with their vessel, there was an air of exhaustion that wraps around Nero. Their shoulders are slumped and they’re not fidgeting about as usual. “I want to know with certainty that Mundus isn’t behind this and that he’s as good as gone.” Even the name left a nasty taste on their tongue.

---

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Kiki’s eyes keep glancing over at Nic as Caden explains, feeling her heart pang for the human. “Making a deal with a demon would definitely be the opposite of pious.” She speaks quietly for Nic’s benefit before she watches the video loop for a few times.

“Don’t you have access to them too?” Came Kiki’s response. “But yes, I still have access.”

---

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Cassiopeia watched Nero's body language shift, and she hesitated a moment more, having recognized the dissociative behaviour.

”Yes, I think we'd all like some answers on that particularly. Alright, let's start with the last memory then. I want to know who made that order and why. Then, if you're feeling up to it, we can unlock more of your memories concerning Mundus,” Cassi stated.

She stared at Nero's hand, seeing all their scars, and sighed. Everyone had a past. Cassi floated several candles out of their places and drawers. She lit them before crushing up some herbs she magiked over as well.

”This will help keep you grounded and direct the memories rather than have them shift randomly,” she explained.

Once Cassi felt ready, she took Nero's hand and shut her eyes. She dove back into the memory of her family's death. She saw Nero on the hill. She saw them kill their grandmother, but didn't let go. Cassi held on, wanting to know who and why.

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”I do, but I figured while you're here and wanting to help more, you could access them. You could look into it with Nic and Avery while the rest of us contact Crowley,” Caden suggested.

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Nero falls into the memory again easily, detaching themselves from the bloodshed as their past self kills Cassi’s family. As Caden’s family joins the fight, past Nero meticulously makes sure all of the sorcerers that needed to die did before they signal to the other demons. Nero doesn’t wait for them to regroup as chains seemingly appear out of nowhere and drags the imp below the ground.

“Well?” Anxiety and fear course through Nero but they squeeze Cassi’s hand in an effort to stay grounded. Before them sat Mundus on his throne.

Nero’s past self kneels before Mundus, bowing their head to avoid looking into his eyes. “The coven has been eradicated.” Their voice is hollow, as if they are a machine with pre-written lines to recite.

---

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---

Kiki nods, understanding what Caden is implying. “I can do that.” She says, throwing another glance at the human before looking at Caden again. “I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s feeling right now…” She’s not looking for a response, but she really does feel sorry for the man.

---

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---

Chains tore through the ground and locked around Nero before dragging them back to Hell. Cassiopeia fell through the ground with them, the whisper of chains on her own wrists while she watched Nero and Mundus from a distance.

Cassiopeia devoured the image of the prince of Hell. She took his grey-silver skin, his clawed hands, and the deadly gleam of his eyes. She even let the sound of his voice lull her in. The sorcerer swallowed and squeezed Nero's hand in return. The power that seemed to roll off Mundus even in Nero's memory was all consuming.

”Good. That will remind the others not to break their deals with me,” he sneered.

Mundus stood and stepped down from his throne. His foot falls fell heavy as he stalked towards Nero. ”An entire army gone, because the old bitch couldn't keep her kin in line. You left the new matron alive?” Mundus put a clawed finger under Nero's chin and tilted their head up to look at Mundus as he asked his question. When Nero confirms, Mundus grinned.

”Good. I still intend to claim her as mine one day. She could be a fun new playmate for us,” Mundus purred, leaning in closer to Nero.

Cassiopeia forced herself to watch even though she desperately wanted to look away. Nero lived it. The least she could do was watch, learn, and understand.

---

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---

Caden followed Kimiko's gaze to Nic. He nodded, saying nothing as he took a moment to watch Nic train. It seemed it was a good thing Nic found them. At least now they could educate Nic on the supernatural world.

”Do you want to practice blocking me while we workout?” Caden asked, pulling both of them from their thoughts.

---

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---

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Nero’s voice doesn’t sound like their own, it’s despondent and lacks the usual playful tone those who have come to know Nero are familiar with. Their body is taut as the much taller being leans down and conscious Nero knows it’s in an effort to avoid flinching.

“If I’m to win this war with my sister, we will need a new army to join our ranks.” Mundus goes on to say as he straightens. “Perhaps the former fiancé of the new matron and his family?”

Nero stares blankly up at the Prince of Hell, hiding their true thoughts on the matter. They had seen how powerful the other family had been against their demons and had doubts they would even consider talking to Mundus, let alone making a deal with them. They knew saying something like this will just end with punishment inflicted onto Nero.

“Perhaps not.” Mundus muses as he turns towards his throne before beckoning Nero to follow. “Let’s review some other options, my pet.”

---

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---

Kiki groans at this suggestion, remembering how poorly blocking had gone last night with Avery. “I nearly lit Avery and my bed on fire trying last night.” She says with a sour tone and grumpy expression. The fact that she hadn’t been able to get it right not only the first time, but in her following attempts put her in a dour mood.

---

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---

Cassiopeia's hand tightened on Nero's when Mundus teased the idea of going after Caden's family. Clearly the prince was stupid, but he also had Nero pull out when Caden's family arrived, which led Cass to believe Mundus understood just how powerful Caden's family was. However, the news about the relationship between the two siblings was not comforting.

Cassiopeia watched Nero slink forward to crawl into Mundus’ lap. Cassi observed the demon's behaviour at seeing Nero like this and it sickened her. However, the desire in his eye told her a lot too.

”Let's move on from this. How did your free yourself?”

Cassi spoke into Nero's mind, into their memory to redirect them to a new problem, to unlock more of Nero's past.

---

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---

Caden slowed the treadmill to a walk before he hopped off. He stood in front of Kimiko's, smiling at her.

”Did you forget I'm fireproof? Come on, Kiki. If you don't keep trying you'll never get it. Do you want me to let my barrier down, so you can feel why we need it?”

---

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---

---

Nero only realized how tightly Cassi’s hold on their hand had become when her voice enters their mind. “Gladly.” With her encouragement, Nero’s able to find the memory where they had approached Abaddon for help. They practically beg the other demon to save them and the older white-eye actually agrees. Only now is Nero realizing that Abaddon must have been planning something already when Nero sought escape.

The memory shifts back to the throne room, showing Nero poised once again in Mundus’ lap as Abaddon and another demon enter the chamber. The demon standing next to the white-eyed one had the same tall, slender figure as Mundus with the same grey skin and brilliantly white hair.

“Eulb Yui, what a pleasant surprise this is.” Mundus says, his words spoken with a silver tongue as his long fingers run through Nero’s long hair. “And you brought one of Father’s little experiments with you, how merry!” The Prince’s smile is wide but his narrowed eyes give away his suspicion and displeasure.

Somehow, the memory glitches as if it were corrupted data. One moment everyone is in the same positions before everything shifts and Eulb Yui holds Nero up by their neck beside Mundus’ throne. The imp looks panic-stricken right before their neck is snapped and their body falls to the floor in a limp thud.

Another glitch occurs, this time skipping ahead to Eulb Yui and Abaddon shaking hands with Mundus nowhere to be seen. The other child of Lucifer nods before disappearing and Abaddon approaches the limp figure of Nero.

“Rise, little one.” Abaddon commands. Nero’s neck seems to snap back in place as their eyes glow a bright white. “Her Majesty gave you a blessing from her Father. You’re more powerful now, but I would suggest laying low from now on. Mundus will no longer control you.”

Nero looks up at Abaddon with a silent question in their eyes - What now? Abaddon waves their hand dismissively. “You’re free, do what you wish with that.”

---

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---

Kiki can’t help but glare at Caden’s smile as she slows her own treadmill to a stop. “If you think it’ll help me.” She says with a sigh. She knows it’s necessary for her to get this over with if she ever wants to have peace of mind with Avery. “I don’t quite understand what you could even be feeling from me, so maybe knowing what that’s like could help.”

---

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---

Cassiopeia stood in the back of the chamber, watching the entire memory unfold. Mundus had their hands on Nero like some Bond villain and Nero was dressed in practically nothing. The display of lust and power sickened her.

She shifted her focus to the newcomers. She knew Abbadon to be a Knight of Hell like Nero, and the other demon looked exactly like Mundus. Before Cassi could form any opinions of value, the entire memory shifted. She watched Nero fall to the ground with a broken neck before the memory shifted again. The chains that were wrapped around Nero disappeared as they came back to life.

The memory was seemingly over, but they were no closer to the answers they needed. However, the development of one of Mundus' siblings being involved was intriguing.

”Do you want to keep going?”

---

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---

---

Caden nodded in understanding. ”Well, you can feel what Avery does, although maybe that is more of a comfort.”

He looked over at Nic and Avery as they trained before he took a breath and released his block.

Kimiko would be flooded with feelings of curiosity and frustration. Of tempered rage, but also a strange mix of peace. The shifter’s family was under the same roof, together and safe. Safe. Safe. Safe. The word seemed to repeat itself like a mantra, but it wasn't complete. There was a hole, a longing for something, or someone, that wasn't in this room.

Caden felt a constant pull towards Nero when they weren't together. It had become a comfort to Caden, because he knew at the end of that line he would find Nero. His mate. The love of his life. The emotions shifted to something more primal and desirable, and Nero took over all of Caden's thoughts.

---

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---

Abaddon leaves the chamber and Nero is left with the impression that this will be the last time they see her. “My memories are caught up. I remember watching her leave and then beginning my life as the demon prankster.” Present Nero scans the room for any other clues they might have missed.

“Were you able to see through that distortion? I didn’t see any of the interaction with how they got rid of Mundus…” Nero feels like they now have even more unanswered questions. “We won’t find anything else moving forward and… and I need a moment before we can go backwards.” Even with the grounding Cassi has set up, Nero is overwhelmed by the memories.

The sheer emotions were enough to create mayhem in Nero, but it’s the fact that they died that unnerves them the most. All they could think of is running to Caden and hugging him tightly just to reassure themselves that they are indeed free and safe. “Please…”

---

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---

Kiki’s glad she had stopped her treadmill as a wave of emotions crashes into her senses. It gave her some comfort to know that she’s not the only one frustrated, but also reminds her of how far she has to go before she can school her feelings like Caden does. As she feels his thoughts seemingly flow in another direction and the sudden desire takes over, Kiki waves her arms.

“Ach! No, no thank you! You can stop.” The fox declares, not wanting to go down that path. “Is that what you’re feeling from me??” No wonder Caden had said she needed to work on blocking last night if he had gotten that same flood of emotions.