KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery followed behind Kimiko happily. He took in more of her outfit, feeling a healthy appreciation for how good Kimiko looked and how well she dressed. When he reached the room he shared with her, Avery hovered in the doorway until he heard Nero and Caden's door closed. He glanced at Kimiko when she asked how Nero was doing and sighed. Avery stepped into the bedroom before shutting the door behind him.

”They're putting on a brave front but I don't think they're okay. Even the prank didn't light up their eyes like it usually would. I know why Caden ran, I hardly blame him, I just wish he didn't for Nero's sake.” Avery leaned against the closed door with his arms crossed. He stared at a spot on the floor with his brow furrowed. ”I've never seen Caden lose control like that.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Since Kiki was in the room Cassiopeia normally occupied if she spent the night at Caden's, she led Nic to the guest side of the house. She picked a room she had helped decorate. It was mainly white with light brown trimmings and accents. Green, yellow, white, and orange plants decorated the room with black and white pictures of famous movie scenes and piano players.

Cassi tossed their borrowed clothes on the bed before she flipped onto the lounge chair by the windows. She pulled her legs under her dress and sat cross legged on the chair, with her head tilted back and stared at the ceiling.

”No,” she said simply. Cassiopeia opened the bottle of whiskey without looking and lifted her head to take a healthy swig from the bottle.

Cassi set the bottle on the table beside her seat. A record player sat nestled in the corner with a few records tucked underneath. She leaned over and selected a Nat King Cole album to play quietly. Once the soft baritone of Cole's voice filtered through the speaker, Cassi's attention returned to Nic.

”Do you want a shower?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery walked over to Kimiko while she told everyone the plan. He didn’t mind the idea, especially if it allowed him a few moments alone with her while they changed. Avery stood behind Kimiko, wrapping his arms around her and kissed the side of her head. He knew PDA wasn’t really their thing, but Avery felt comfortable around his friends. Besides, the day had been trying, and he just wanted to hold his girlfriend.

”Are they the silky ones?” Cassi asked. She had bought the wicked things for Caden as a joke one year.

Avery chuckled. ”Alright, so we’ll meet back here after we are changed. The kitchen staff worked all day to make this meal, so we definitely can’t let it go to waste.” Avery gently tugged Kimiko back as he stepped towards their room.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia walked into the house and gathered the clothes Kimiko had gotten for them. She still had a change of clothes, but that was in Kimiko’s room unless she had already moved them to one of the guest rooms. She reclaimed Nic’s hand and a bottle of whiskey as she passed the cabinet.

”Yes. And we should drink all the most expensive liquors. Caden spared no expense after all,” Cassi said and pulled Nic towards the quest side of the house.

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting;
Fit

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Caden had weaved some spell work with Cassi’s supplies and his own magical ability to create a space that would prevent the demon from smoking out before Caden had his answers. Still, Caden’s hand remained firmly fixed to the demon’s shirt while he demanded answers. Caden’s eyes glowed with a purple-green fire, the only sign of his wavering control.

”What do you know about the Knight of Hell, Nero?”

“I know they haven’t been in Hell for a long time,” the demon sneered. “Always thought they were too good for us.”

”And what of their relationship with Mundus?”

The demon’s eyes narrowed, a puzzled expression on their face before they smirked. “What would a shifter want to know about the King of Hell?”

”King of Hell? Last I heard he was rotting.”

The demon thrashed in Caden’s hold. Caden pinned the creature against the wall, bottles of liquid crashed to the ground and cast an interesting smell to Cassi’s workshop. Caden was going to be in so much trouble with Cass if she didn’t kill him.

“How dare you speak of such horrible things!! The King lives and will return to us! He—-gargh!” Caden turned the knife he had grabbed earlier from Cassi’s drawer and stabbed it into the side of the demon. It burned the creature's side as Caden had soaked it in holy water before.

”Focus, if you please.”

“That demon whore is betrothed to them. Everyone in Hell knows that,” the demon said, fighting against Caden and his knife. “And he wants them back. We’ve been searching endlessly for them, but we can never get close enough. Until you two were seen at their house. Oh yes, shifter…We know all about you. Thought you were clever, were you, pretending to be the bitch?” The demon laughed, and Caden cut into them again.

”My patience wears thin. Answer my questions and nothing more or die now.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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The idea of Nero completely reorganising Caden's office in some strange order with no way of figuring it out was incredibly amusing to Avery. He laughed while he closed the distance to the house.

”I will gladly help you rearrange Caden's office, and I don't even care if he knows I helped.”

They reached the back porch when Nero touched Avery's cheek. Avery paused, looking at Nero. He felt himself blush, a goofy grin on his face.

”Thanks, Nero.”

Avery turned his head when he heard the backdoor open and smiled when Kimiko walked out. He walked closer with Nero still in his arms. Avery set Nero down finally before talking to Kimiko.

"Nero and I are going to rearrange Caden's office. Want to help?"

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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”Caden has everything. He even has Baiju if you want,” Cassi said, having had some of the traditional Chinese liquor before.

Cassi blushed when Kimiko met them on the back porch. ”I can't believe you carried me all the way here,” she mumbled. ”You can put me down now,” she added.

Cassi looked at Kimiko and nodded. ”That's good, Kiki. Thank you for doing that.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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The staff merely glanced at Avery carrying Nero before they quickly turned and went back to work. Sarah questioned Avery with a silent look, but he shook his head before focusing back on Nero. He held Nero a little closer, at a loss for what to do for them. He didn’t like seeing Nero unhappy, but he could tell the imp was trying.

”Well, I would punch him in the face, but if you don’t want to resort to physical violence, might I suggest rearranging his office? He’s rather particular about order.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia desperately wanted to kiss Nic when he looked at her like that. The world always seemed to disappear when he gave her that smile. She settled for resting a hand on his cheek, running her thumb along the lines of his face. He didn’t have a single imperfection. Cassiopeia wondered if he ever had acne growing up.

”If only I could see you in action without being a distraction.” Cassi slid her hand from Nic’s cheek and rested it on his chest, thoroughly impressed he was still carrying her.

”I guess it would have to be some sort of creme-based liqueur if it was to be mixed into hot chocolate. Which isn’t usually strong enough for me, but I suppose I shouldn’t be drinking to get drunk.”

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Caden

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

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Caden tore apart Cassi’s back room. His eyes were bloodshot after shifting back into his usual form. He glared at items he didn’t want and crushed many of Cassiopeia’s herbs underfoot as he tossed things aside, looking for specific ingredients. Usually, Caden knew this shop as well as the bookshelf in his own house. He could have found the items he was looking for easily, but he was exhausted from shifting so rapidly and drained from the emotions of the day. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. Once he had the ingredients required, Caden broke the demon warding on Cassi’s shop and summoned a demon.

The demon had barely registered their surroundings no sooner than Caden had his hand wrapped around their throat. ”You better have the answers I seek, or this will be a short trip for you.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery laughed and shrugged. ”He might like that too much. I don’t know if you know this, but Caden is a bit of a pretty boy and a shapeshifter. Anything you do to him, he could just shift and make it work. Now, if you wanted a second shot at me, I might be convinced. Just as long as you pick colours that are more my shade this time.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia looked around and sighed. ”Fine,” she said and wrapped her arms around Nic’s neck. She smiled briefly at some of the staff she knew as they walked by. Some smiled back or took a second look, confused by why Cass was being carried. She looked away, focusing back on Nic.

”I’m better than Nero…or Caden. Thank you for taking charge back there…It seems it doesn’t have to just be a medical emergency for you to know what everyone needs,” Cassi complimented. She leaned close and kissed Nic’s cheek. The man never seemed to stop caring for her or the people important in her life. She laughed when he suggested hot chocolate. Cassi smiled and shook her head.

”I’m thinking something stronger.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery glanced at Nero as he started to walk. The forest had taken on a gloom now that the sun was nearly set. What had started off as a magical evening full of hope and anticipation had quickly turned into one of misery.

”Trust me…Running away from your problems isn’t the best solution. Kiki can tell you that,” he said, remembering how he had run from her and blocked her out when things had gotten hard. ”He’ll come around, but don’t make it easy for him… I know he left to protect you and us from his loss of control, but he left you here to deal with the worry and the pain of that memory. Whatever it was. He shouldn’t have done that.”

When Avery first met Nero, there had been something about them that Avery instantly liked. And that like had turned into a need to protect them. Avery would happily beat on Caden for Kimiko and Nero. Even Cassi, but he was certain Cassi would do that all on her own.

Avery mused over Nero’s rhetorical questions when he spotted Nic scooping up Cassi to carry her. He smirked and pointed it out to Nero. ”How about those two. Never thought I would see Cassi let someone coddle, let alone carry her like that. I think it's good for her.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassi was pulled to a halt by Nic, but she barely registered why until she was in his arms. Her mind had been flooded with Nero’s past and their present, but when she felt the ground leave her, she had enough sense to cry in alarm. Cassi’s face flushed, and she looked away from Nic.

”You can’t possibly think you can carry me through the woods and across Caden’s backyard to the house, do you?”

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting;
Fit

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Caden ran until his wolf couldn’t anymore, and then he shifted to a bird and flew until Cassi’s shop was within his sights. The hawk disappeared into a tree, where a squirrel quickly scrambled down the trunk to get away from hungry claws. The squirrel bounded across the park before crashing into a trash can. A cat yowled, fleeing from the noise and raced across the street, where it was nearly hit by a car. The cat disappeared into an alleyway, and a man walked out.

He glanced left then right, his blonde hair shining brightly in the light of the street lamps. He walked towards Mystic Dreams, constantly looking this way and then, but he wasn’t really paying attention. If he had been, he would have seen the woman walking along a path in that same park where the hawk, squirrel, and cat resided.

Now disguised as a middle-aged white man, Caden drew a design on Cassi’s door. The thing unlocked, and he quickly moved inside. Although he didn’t break anything, the woman found it odd to see a man sneaking about outside a store that had been closed for days. She knew the woman who ran that shop. She was friendly if a bit odd, but there had never been a man who looked like that in her shop. The woman pulled her phone out and quickly dialled 911.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery rubbed Nero’s back, smiling encouragingly and nodding. He rose to his feet with Nero in his arms. He paused when Nic and Cassi went ahead first and decided to wait when he heard Nic ask Cassi what had happened. Nero swore in German, causing Avery to laugh.

’I think I’ve heard Caden use that one before,” Avery chuckled. ”I don’t think he wanted to leave…But I’ve never seen Caden lose control. Never. I think it just hit him, and how the two of you have been trying to break whatever Mundus had on you anyways. It’s just a lot to process, I guess.” Avery wasn’t going to pretend he understood what Caden was going through, but Avery did understand rage and loss of control.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassi wrapped her arm around Nic’s, leaning into him as they walked. She was half tempted to have him carry her, but as easily as he seemed to be able to pick her up and set her on kitchen counters, Cassi didn’t want to test Nic’s ability for endurance.

”Mundus, and yes. He…I don’t know how. Maybe it was a contract he had Nero sign… I have no idea how we are going to figure it out…” Her mind wandered as she talked, and the image of Nero being naked and chained circled back around. Cassi started to cry silently.

”It was awful, Nic… He had them bound and basically naked in front of hundreds of demons and whatever ilk Mundus surrounds himself with. I’ve seen awful, inhuman things during my years on this earth, but what Mundus did to Nero…” Cassi shook her head, emotion tightening her throat.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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”Inside is good,” Avery agreed. ”Maybe have them take everything down, too,” Avery suggested. There was a lot to be set up in the house for the celebration that would no longer be happening.

Avery held Nero while they cried. He rubbed their back, slowly moving them into a position to be carried. ”He’ll come back…He just needs to regain control. He was very angry before he shut me out, but I don’t think it was directed at you,” Avery told Nero, hoping that helped in some way.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassi wasn’t entirely sure she heard Kimiko right. Caden…ran away? Then Avery spoke up, comforting Nero the best he could. He did. Caden ran off. Cassi had half a mind to go after him, kicking and screaming even if he was shifting uncontrollably.

Nic took control of the situation as best he could, and Cassi was incredibly grateful for it. ”There’s nothing more we can do today anyway. Caden will come back if he doesn’t do something reckless first,” Cassi stated.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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

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It wasn’t until Nero dropped to the ground that Caden fully registered Cassiopeia’s words and what had just happened. He didn’t believe her at first, and then he didn’t want to believe her. The dragon inside warred with him, angry and wanting to be freed to go after the so-called prince of Hell. Caden was half inclined to let the dragon take over.

Caden’s attention shifted from Cassiopeia crying into Nic’s chest to his mate on the ground. No, not his mate. Not yet, anyway. Caden pulled his hand from Nero’s, releasing their forearm, and stumbled back a few steps.

”Caden?” Avery’s voice sounded barely above a whisper. Caden looked at him and Kimiko. Their faces were blurred, barely recognizable as the dragon inside him fought for control. The rage he felt was capable of burning him alive, he thought.

Caden started to shift. His hands morphed into claws, his eyes took on the shape and form of a dragon’s, and wings erupted from his back. Then he shifted again, slowly gaining and losing control of his powers as he fought to keep from shifting completely into a dragon. His eyes found Nero’s again, but even the sight of them couldn’t ground him.

”Es tut mir Leid.” Caden turned and walked quickly from the gazebo before the shift claimed him. He shifted from two legs to four and let the wolf he had claimed as his, run him through the trees.

Translations

I’m sorry

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery watched Caden struggle to remain in control, but he was shocked when he ran off. Avery had never seen Caden lose control like that. He had seen Caden emotional, sure, but never to the point where he couldn’t control himself. And Avery never thought he would run from Nero.

Avery looked back at Nero and felt the need to support them. Avery squeezed Kimiko’s hands before he knelt on the ground with Nero. He stared at Nero, unsure what to do.

”I’m going to hold you, okay?” Avery waited half a second before he pulled Nero into an embrace.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassi wasn’t sure how long she remained hidden in Nic’s embrace; all she knew was that when she turned back around, Caden was gone. Cassi looked down, saw Avery holding Nero, and frowned.

”Where did he go?” Cassi asked Kimiko.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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

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In the short time Caden had known Nero, he had quickly learned Nero's quarks and mannerisms. With that, it didn't seem like it had been a short time. It felt like Caden had been apart of Nero for months, years. He held the little imp's hands securely, thinking about how lucky he truly was to have such a companion early in his life. It was because of this connection that Caden could feel Nero's nervous energy wanting to let go and run all over the gazebo.

Caden rubbed his fingers across the back of Nero's hands after Cassi had anointed them. His eyes were trained on Nero, so he noticed the shift in Nero's demeanor. Caden titled his head slightly in silent question. A familiar look entered Nero's eyes and Caden's smirk mirrored Nero's; his eyes shifting to the brilliance of his dragon's.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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While Cassi went through the steps, the atmosphere around the group shifted. Goosebumps rose on Cassi's skin when the magic of the ceremony started to grow. She returned to the altar, exchanging the bowl for the dagger, and came back to prick a finger on Caden and on Nero's hands. As soon as blood was added to the mix, the magic grew stronger. Cassi could taste it on her tongue and it sent a pleasant tingle through her body.

"Grasp forearms," she instructed the couple. Caden's hand encompassed Nero's forearm, his fingers wrapping over each other as he held on securely.

Behind Cassi, the book on the altar flipped pages on its own, and as Cassi spoke, the wind came. It wrapped itself around Nic in friendly greeting before joining Cassi. A flare of gold and purple swirled briefly around Caden and Nero's arms before it thinned out and wrapped like a rope around their joined forearms.

When Cassi spoke, her voice sounded older, much like Caden's would get when he tapped into the power of his dragon. Her voice held the warmth of a crackling hearth, but the smell of the world around them shifted to that of ozone and fresh rain.

"The two shall become one, united and bound by blood, bone, and flesh. What one feels so may the other feel. What one desires so may the dream. What one hears so may the other see. Joined, connected, fore-" The wind snapped and howled around them. The candles snuffed out and Cassi felt the air leave her lungs momentarily. Her eyes snapped open, wide with shock before they rolled back into her head.

Caden didn't dare break the connection with Nero but he yelled at Nic to grab Cassi before she fell. But Cassi didn't fall. She was frozen in place as the vision overtook her. She saw darkness and experienced a cold so powerful she wondered if she would ever be warm again. Shadows danced around her until they started to solidify. Cassi saw a familiar chair--a throne--and she knew where she was.

People came out of the darkness, demons, devils, and witches. All manner of dark creatures crowded and shoved to get a glimpse of the people on the altar. Cassi saw Nero chained as they usually were, but they were dressed in this ridiculous gown. If one could even call it that. It was more a piece of the night sky draped across their porcelain skin, leaving them quite naked. Mundus towered over them, one hand on Nero's shoulder while the other held their chain. Cassi resisted the urge to charge forward and rip the thing from Mundus's hands.

The prince smiled, his teeth glowing in the dim light as he stared down at her and the people around her. "Bow my children, and welcome my mate."

Cassi was thrown from the vision. She hurtled through the worlds between and gasped when she finally returned. Cassi stumbled back into something warm and solid. Her eyes desperately searched for Caden's then Nero's. She looked at the demon with such sorrow before looking at Caden again.

"I can't," she said, repeating herself several times as she shook her head vigorously.

Caden refused to release Nero's forearm even though the magic had unraveled from around them. His hold tightened. "Mon amour, please. You said you could do this."

Cassi shook her head profusely. "I can't, Caden, I can't I can't I...." Her voice broke and she looked back at Nero, tears streaming down her face. "They're already claimed."

Silence filled the space, the wind finally gone. Not even the birds sang goodnight to the fading sunlight. Cassi turned and buried her face in Nic's chest. "I can't I'm so sorry I can't."

"Fuck."