My words seemed to infuriate him, because before I knew it, his white flames were arching towards me. I let out a sigh. Shadow jumped off my shoulder, my eyes widening as he transformed mid-air into a massive jaguar, absorbing the magic and letting out a low growl.
“Wow, you are totally rocking this badass thing,” I whispered. I was nearly positive one of the boys laughed behind me, but I would scold them for that later.
“You have a goddamn hellcat?” Nero demanded. Then a scream rang out as Asmodeus backed up while my magic attempted to crawl up his legs. Nero batted my magic away as it circled him once again, but when it touched his hand it began to decay, the smell of flesh filling the space. Both of them backed up further and I pulled my magic back, not completely done with playing with them. I knew that we had more information to find out.
“That is correct.”
“And that magic?” Nero demanded, looking… jealous? “You’ve never had that before!”
You know, as someone who had confidence issues created by a lack of parental support, I felt for the two of them. I mean, I’d yet to meet their father, but he did a number on these boys, and if they hadn’t killed so many of my people, kidnapped shifters, and tried to hurt my men… well, I would almost feel bad for them. As it stood currently, I did not.
“Do you always do what your daddy wants you to?” I goaded softly. “He wants you to take New Orleans, so you almost get yourself killed to make him happy?”
“You don’t know anything about our father,” he retorted sharply.
“But I think I do.” I crouched down next to Shadow, his massive body rubbing against me, and finally decided to answer at least one of his questions about my magic. “You see, you aren’t the only one with parents in high places, Nero.”
“What does she mean?” Asmodeus demanded.
“My daughter would be referring to me,” Alexander said, stepping forward. I nearly smiled as the raw fear on their faces became very, very obvious. Yeah... alright, I was starting to seriously love this ‘dad’ thing.
“I don't understand,” Nero sputtered. So clearly his father hadn’t let him in on the secret. Which really sucked for him, because let’s be honest—if he had known, he probably would have tread far more lightly.
“This is King Alexander, who I am sure you are familiar with. One of my fathers,” I purred, enjoying both of their discomfort.
I saw the indecision on both boys’ faces, and then Asmodeus had to be stupid. He turned and tried to run. Immediately, my magic looped out and caught his legs easily, pulling him to the ground and holding him there as Nero stared on in horror. Horror as my magic began to devour his brother’s flesh.
That was right about when the truth began to come out.
“I didn’t mean to disrespect you, King Alexander,” Nero blabbered, shaking. “I was just doing what my father wanted me to. He told me I needed to take New Orleans. You have to understand, if I had known, I would have never done anything like that—”
“Be careful to not kill him just yet,” Alexander said, nodding to Asmodeus, who was screaming in pain as I held my magic at his legs. Smirking slightly, I inched it up a bit so it hit where his dick was.
Yep, that cry of pain was different.
Alright, one of the boys totally laughed this time.
You know… honestly, this was all a bit anticlimactic. I was glad though. Before all of this, before coming into my own, I would have craved a fight. But now, feeling more balanced, I didn’t feel the need to waste my time on small men with smaller egos and obviously tiny penises. Peni? What the fuck was the plural of penis…
“Narc!” Abel let out a laugh as I realized I had said that out loud. I flashed him a smile and shrugged, getting distracted as someone joined us. Someone I clearly needed to meet, because without this guy, none of this shit would have happened.
However, in my slight distraction, Nero stepped back and I growled. “Do you want to end up like your brother? Don’t fucking move.” Nero nodded, looking down with disgust at his younger brother. I didn’t feel bad. In some ways, Asmodeus’ interests were not only darker, but way less excusable. He had threatened to kill my family when I’d killed him the first time. The second time he’d wanted to imprison me and force himself on me. I had absolutely no sympathy.
The entire space filled with power, blocking out my internal thoughts as a very familiar man—well, looks-wise—appeared, a near replica of his two sons. He was swearing up a storm and was accompanied by two guards that were holding him in place, looking completely unphased as the entire New Orleans supernatural community watched on.
“Let go of me you fucking idiots, do you have any idea who I am?! I will be your king one day…” His voice went meek as he looked around, realizing just where he was. I watched him pale as he began to shake and met my father’s gaze.
Alexander, paying him no mind, turned towards me and smiled. “If you don’t mind, I am going to escort our new favorite prisoners down to the kingdom’s prison cells. I want to make sure they get there safely... before suffering.”
Tilting my head, I considered again if I wanted to kill them. But I didn’t. I wanted them to suffer with their father. But more than that, I think the person who deserved to die was Louis. He seemed to be a manipulative bastard, and since my father knew more about the politics in Hell, I’d wash my hands of this.
I offered him a curious look, not wanting to sound like a total softie. “You’re going to come back?”
“Do you want us to?” Duke asked, walking forward as I nodded. Jeremy’s eyes warmed on mine, and Alexander snapped suddenly, opening up a portal. The boys and their father screamed out for help as they were forcibly pushed through, followed by Duke and Jeremy. Alexander offered me a wave before he disappeared, leaving me staring at the rainy street left in their wake.
Tilting my head back as rain began to cover my face, the silence of the space around me had reality crashing in. The reality that… this was over. They were gone.
My smile grew as I turned back towards my men. “Honestly, I am only really disappointed about one thing.”
“What’s that?” Raphael asked, arching a brow.
“I was sort of craving a Scooby Doo ending, like ‘I would’ve gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for that meddling necromancer and her badass hellcat.’ You know?”
There was silence before laughter rang out, and I smiled happily, glad to know that my cheesy joke had made some people laugh.
10
Narcissa
This is what I had been fighting for. This peace and serenity. This feeling of being in Declan’s spacious bar, the serious tone turning far more celebratory. Although, I suppose in retrospect, it hadn’t been much of a fight at all, had it? Stretching my legs out in front of me, I found myself at peace with that. At peace with knowing that I had handled a situation with my newfound self-confidence secured.
They were gone, and I had a feeling that they wouldn’t be trying to fuck with us any longer, which was good. Because while blood wasn’t shed by me this time… if they ever tried anything, I wouldn’t be nearly as understanding.