KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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?”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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 Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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?”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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 Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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 Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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 Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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 Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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 Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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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.