3 days had passed

I felt like I submitted in the face of all the death in Onyx Lycan Nightclub three nights ago.

But that 'submission' to my reality had warped back into a new kind of resistance. One where I was determined to hold onto my soul at all costs.

The Lycans had changed the mansion... some of the flooring was ripped up and there were now two direct tunnels underground, gateways that led straight to the bowels of hell. One was in a spare bathroom and one was underneath one of the curving staircases.

Those tunnels freaked me out. It made me think their 'bitches' den was the mansion on Earth and the Angel Killer's den was the realm just beneath. They basically added another level to this mansion; keeping it cozy and contained in one territory. But those fucking tunnels, now always close to me, led to real hell that I had not actually been truly acquainted with, and I was hoping to avoid such a fate forever if I could.

Like, for real, I was resistant to falling just to be dragged into an eternal hell-burning doom once my mortal life ended, all because I submitted to a demon.

I didn't care that Lyrian and I may be soulmates. Everything was at stake when it came to my soul, that's how I viewed it.

Anyway, the tunnels weren't for me, that's what I'd tell myself over and over to calm myself down. They were exclusively for the Angel Killers as now they had a quick way to go in and out of the devil's realm in their hunts for Lucifer.

As for the rest of us? The mortal whores and low-level witches they 'acquired' as war-booty from the club are allowed to roam this territory as they see fit.

However, the powerful slut-pups they 'put away'.

Calla assisted in putting the three Lunas into a comatose state, then burying them... literally burying them in the garden.

I watched it happen from the windows, full of fear and apprehension, wondering if that would happen to me if I disobeyed. Being buried alive? No fucking thank you.

Except I wasn't a Luna – which Calla explained hot it meant they were bound to the devil the same as her. Marked witches. Extremely powerful. They were too dangerous to keep alive and they were un-cooperative anyway. The three of the Lunas were... insane or something, as they did not seem to 'act' like the rest of us.

One other dangerous slut-pup is kept in a cage; Cleo the fairy.

I was both happy and conflicted about their punishments.

The fairy and the three marked witches created Llyrian and Eleyrion.

They were facing punishment.

Calla, well she is baking in the kitchen.

Drema is coming back from the garden after helping with a punch of foster-animals, injured wildlife that had somehow been brought out here. I was sceptical of the reason and the way that all occurred. Drema believed Dremon wouldn't have hurt animals to keep her here. That they were legitimate cases of animals in need of human assistance, whether from car accidents or disease.

Rose? She helps Calla make food. Rose was determined to get close to Calla, as she believed that would help her understand how to survive this next stage of being a 'favoured whore' in the real world. Since Calla was so relaxed or giddy all the damn time. It was annoying.

I felt like the only one still keen on running away. Still full of negative emotions.

Lyrian, well, he was a little hypnotised by the real tangible Earth, being outside his head, he would disappear with the pack and go hunting for hours on end, running or exploring the new modern world at night.

Meanwhile, the rules by Dremon were simple. If you weren't mated, you could leave if you didn't want to stay. Mates? They had a slightly more barbaric view for Calla, Drema, Rose and I. We couldn't leave... because 'destiny'. Everyone was pretty chill about it. I just stayed quiet.

Calla was determined to put on some kind of show tonight for the Angel Killers, Rose and Drema were in on it. They had their outfits and everything worked out. Some kind of tribal dancing and strip show.

Which was cute... I guess? How they were all so settled. At home.

Maybe it was my whole identity to feel 'ripped from the roots'... like a bit of a gypsy I needed to know I could move. I was antsy about all this.

Lyrian, to my surprise, had not touched me for the last three days.

Although he had fucked other slut-pups. I was very fucking aware of that.

Although, in regards to me, Lyrian had said one thing to me.

When you're ready, pup.

That's it.

He was treating me like I'd 'come around' eventually.

The only two major feelings outside of apprehension that I was consumed with were jealousy and terror.

I didn't like that combination.

When Lyrian left me alone, it angered me. But when he came too close, I got too scared. And oh, he loved that, but he also didn't push it.

At least not yet.

But I had not reconciled with reality at all.

I saw how Rose adapted; she was flexible, willing. Orphis handled her gently, fucked rough and toned down any threats. Because her life was one cycle now. It was nice to see the demons realise that. So that's a good thing.

I pass the trapped fairy and I lay down some chocolate for her.

I didn't like her, but I wasn't going to let her starve.

"Thank you, my friend," Cleo whispers at me, taking the chocolate, "...can you talk to them for me... help me...?" she asks, so pathetically.

"I think you should suffer the way we suffered, for the same amount of time," I tell her simply, "Don't talk to me," I turn to her and I walk away.

I go right around the mansion's lower floor, past where any slut-pups are taking a nap.

I find a back door out into the garden, and I retrieve a shovel.

The Lycans had just left for the night, so I was going to work as quickly as possible.

My conscious was kicking about the Lunas buried in the garden. I was going to get them out.

So, I drop down to my knees over their unmarked graves, and I start to dig.

****

A few hours in, I've found a hand and a head.

Selene's eyes are open, and I look at her in horror. She's awake.

"I'm getting you out," I tell her. She can't seem to speak back to me. So she just looks at the sky, wanting out.

I dig faster.

But as I dig, I notice a red to white to black flash inside the house.

When I look up, I see one Lycan has returned.

Our King; Dremon.

He's snarling so loud his voice travels out the windows, "They're back! Keep a close eye on this bitch, threaten to kill her if you see any of them approach, or rip off her wings, it will make them think twice. Calla, my love, you know what to do. I have to fetch my brothers now. Stay safe, they value this fairy, her life is your weapon until I return. Keep your eyes peeled... and avoid reflections."

Who's back this time round?

Who knows.

I work a bit faster, shovelling with my tiny hand spade.

My arm is hurting and I'm desperate to at least get one of these witches out.

"Sounds like there's some trouble brewing, hold on, I'll get you out," I promise Selene, "But please don't hurt me. I'm just trying to do something a little sane. If I get punished that's on me, I don't care, they can't do anything, if I die, well he's left without a mate, isn't he," I whisper a bit hysterically, "Come on, faster," I hiss at myself, finally clearing both of her arms so she can also help pick up dirt and throw it aside, but then I see something, "Oh my GOD, EW!" I squeal and I almost puke when I see a worm wriggle out of her nose.

Selene aggressively pulls it out and starts to panic.

She lifts herself, in a moment of adrenaline, she is able to sit up half-way out of the shallow grave.

She grabs a cursed necklace placed around her neck and she takes it off her head.

She throws it away and she can talk, "There's bugs in my head," she starts to cry, "I need hell to burn them out, where's my sisters."

"Inside the Earth next to you," I don't know what else to tell her.

"What's wrong with them, why did they do this to us," Selene wipes her eyes and I don't tell her what I see crawling out of those next.

I look away and keep digging.

Until the ground starts moving.

Small, low vibrations.

Thump, thump... thump.

I look up, expecting Lyrian to find me plotting against them.

Instead, I see a Lycan I've never seen before.

A massive hulking 10ft beast with bright red eyes. He's full of muscle, built like an absolute tank. His aura is purely demonic and fully evil, I feel the threat and I feel myself cower, knowing not to fight. I sit back submissively in abrupt shock as he leans over to an equally as shocked Selene and he grabs her hand, as he licks her face – then he lifts her out easily, and throws her over his shoulder.

The Lycan looks at me, clearly considering me an enemy.

Shit.

I better co-operate.

"The other two were next to her," I blurt, and I point. The beast rolls his eyes to the freshly packed dirt and he uses his 12 inch claws to remove the dirt in one go.

He doesn't even so much as nick them, he is so precise.

I watch as he slices of their necklaces, picks them up and throws them over his shoulder with Selene. They fit all together under one set of claws.

The Lycan looks up and looks into the windows of the mansion, spotting Cleo trapped in a cage inside.

"...who... who are you...?" I whisper at the giant beast, as the landscape around us is unusually quiet. Even the bugs are scared.

Onyx, his voice opens a door I don't allow, so he can drawl that demonic poison straight into my head. I thought he was one of the Lycans who died three nights ago... this doesn't make sense... and the mental door Onyx has forced open to speak with me has given my left-arm an intense tingling sensation. It's almost like I'm about to have a stroke, where are the Angel Killers? Onyx drawls, patiently.

They'll be back any minute, I was helping the Lunas, I swear it, I communicate with him, please get out of my head, you're not welcome and I feel like I'm going to die or something. My head doesn't feel right!

Don't fight it, Onyx is dismissive, his eyes still on the fairy as he considers his options.

You better go, I don't know how you're back but you better leave, I beg him, I don't want to see any more bloodshed, Onyx. I saw my mate, Lyrian, eat your heart. Please leave before another fight breaks out and someone else ends up dead!

Onyx grins and finally looks down at me, so you're his favoured whore? He was the one who attacked me first.

I nod, knowing better than to lie.

But also knowing in my gut, this wasn't going to go well.

Whatever happened next.

Either option may be as fatal as the other.

I might be, but I was helping your Lunas, I remind him, please don't hurt me.

Were you religious growing up? Onyx asks me in that deep demonic drawl, so fucking randomly.

I almost let down my guard.

I was, actually. I used to go to church all the time with my favourite aunt, until she passed – that was so long ago. I haven't gone back since I was a little kid and –

Your fight is strong, I can feel it in here, Onyx drawls quite nicely in my head, that's why you're so unhappy in this head of yours. You're fighting the darkness. Your name?

Helena. What's it to you? And should I not fight evil? I ask, a bit snappy.

Of course you should, puppy, but there's nothing wrong with submission, you're torturing yourself, I can help you relax, Onyx licks over his teeth as he smiles, and I don't mean to scare you, note the demon-sarcasm, but you're now my hostage, Helena, until I secure my favourite fairy, so scream for me, bitch – I need them to know you're now with me.

You want me, just to save that fairy bitch? I whisper now, feeling my heart do weird annoyed flippity-flips.

So... you're a jealous puppy too, Onyx leans over to me, smirking, don't worry, Helena, I'll teach you how to share. Then when you are returned, Lyrian will thank me.

My mouth twitches up, then falls into a neutral line. I say nothing.

I hear a door open and slam from the mansion.

"Helena?" Rose calls out to me, looking in the dark from the balcony, unable to spot me, "Are you out here! Hello! Helena!"

"ROSE, HELP!" I scream out, as I try to get up and run, ready to take my chances before – !

Well.

I didn't really stand a chance in hell, but I don't regret attempting to take a step toward the house.

And not even managing that.

Because just like that, Onyx snatches me up, throws me over his shoulder – and takes me as a prisoner, running us back to the enemy pack.

Which should be dead.

But somehow, that feels like the least of my troubles right now.

Onyx sounded quite serious about searching my soul.

The very thing I had been so fucking fussed about the last 72 hours. I didn't exactly feel like having a counselling session with a 10ft demon from hell.

But that seems to be where this is headed.

Until a swap can be made with Cleo, I need to keep my head on.