The moon had just reached its peak in the night sky as Devyn walked up behind the tall man standing on the balcony of his room. Slipping his hands underneath the man's arms and wrapping them around his waist, Devyn pressed his chest against his mate's back as he softly asked, "Why don't you come to bed?"

Devyn turned his head to rest against Denzyl as the demon inhaled and exhaled slowly. Denzyl, Devyn's demon mate, had grown restless throughout the months Earth had spent battling Hades. Denzyl was not a demon from Hades and was rather part of a clan that had been banished from the underworld centuries ago, so he did not have special ties or much affection for the forces of Hades. However, being a demon and sharing blood with those of Hades allowed Denzyl to perceive that something was brewing.

Hades was plotting. Denzyl could sense the darkness that was threatening to cloak the universe in an endless night.

"Is everything okay?" Devyn inquired as the demon turned to face him. Devyn gazed into Denzyl's stormy grey eyes as the demon held him closely. "Mm, everything's fine. I was just thinking about some things," Denzyl voiced quietly as he breathed in Devyn's comforting scent. Denzyl did not want to worry Devyn with his assumptions; there was no certainty that the darkness of Hades would prevail and cover the world.

"How are negotiations going?" Denzyl inquired as Devyn leaned against him.

"As well as they can. Hendry is returning tomorrow to finish things up."

The chilly night breeze flowed over the couple as they stood in each other's arms and enjoyed being caressed by nature. After a while of enjoying the crisp night, Devyn eventually led Denzyl back into the warmth of their room where the two went to relax on their luxurious bed. Devyn planted soft kisses on his mate's chest as he lay on top of the demon who sat against the frame of their bed. As Devyn gave him sweet kisses, Denzyl reached beneath Devyn's loose, white shirt and swirled his finger over the mark on Devyn's shoulder.

The mark on the human's shoulder glowed and pulsed in reaction to the demon's touch. The mark was what connected Devyn and Denzyl, and, together with their love, linked them as mates. It was a shadow of Denzyl's demon essence that had been infused into Devyn, giving the human the ability to live alongside his demon mate until the end of time should no tragedy befall them.

"How do you think she's doing?" Devyn mumbled as he continued to rest against his husband.

Denzyl took his husband's hand that contained his matching ring and intertwined his fingers with Devyn's, so their twinning rings clinked against each other gently. "I think we would know if something had happened to her," Denzyl replied softly before planting a sweet kiss atop Devyn's head. "She's strong, just like her predecessors."

"Yeah, I know, but...it's been a while since we've heard from her," Devyn returned as he weaved his free pinky finger through the long, pale fingers of Denzyl's other hand.

Understanding Devyn's concern, Denzyl smiled down at his husband lovingly before proposing, "How about we go look for her? What was the location of her last contact?"

A smile formed on Devyn's lips at Denzyl's proposition. "Mm! Let's do that." Although the CEO had been properly kept busy with war politics and negotiations, he refused to sit still in his fancy skyreacher while his family fought through blood and mud on the ground. "I think her last location was-"

Before Devyn could complete his thought, an alert sounded from the device propped on the nightstand beside the bed. Looking to the left, Denzyl reached for the device and played the message that came with the alert. A woman's voice sounded through the device as Denzyl returned to cuddling his husband.

"Hello, Mr. Vaumyr, sorry to disturb you during your night," the voice began before getting into the meat of the message. "The lieutenant has returned. She is waiting for you in the lobby."

"She's back." A small smile formed on Devyn's lips as Denzyl scooped him into his arms. After leaving the bed, Denzyl set Devyn on his feet before disappearing into the large, walk-in closet. After a few short moments, the demon emerged from the closet holding a shirt and a pair of pants. Denzyl handed Devyn the pants before slipping the simple but high-quality, black shirt over his head.

"I guess we don't have to go too far to find her," Denzyl commented as Devyn donned the pair of pants.

"I guess so," Devyn returned with a light chuckle as Denzyl took him by the hand and began leading him out of their room and through the penthouse the demon and human called their home.

+++++++

Woah... Axel gazed around with wide eyes as he observed the massive lobby in which he was currently standing. The lobby of Vaumyr and Co. was exquisite in its simplicity and was a beautiful portal to the multi-trillion-dollar company.

Maelynn, Kilo, Castyr, and Axel waited in the center of the lobby while a woman at the front desk contacted the CEO.

"Lieutenant!" A voice sounded from the end of the large lobby, drawing the four's attention. Maelynn's lips curled into a smile as she saw who it was. Maelynn had made a quick call when she and the three others neared the skyreacher that housed Devyn Vaumyr's company, and the call resulted in a pretty, golden-haired woman rushing into the lobby.

"Lieutenant!" The blonde exclaimed with a smile as she rushed to the redhead. "Thank goodness you're alive!" The blonde immediately brought Maelynn into a tight embrace when she reached her. "We were so worried; we hadn't heard from you in weeks!"

"It'll take a bit more than a few demons to take me out," Maelynn reassured the woman as she returned the embrace.

"I'm so glad you're back and safe!"

Maelynn smiled in response to the woman's exclamation before closing her eyes and relaxing in the blonde's arms. "Me too, Hally...me too."

Hally eventually pulled away from the lieutenant as the VIP lift reached the ground level. Maelynn turned to face the area with the numerous elevators as the doors to the lift opened to reveal two beautifully handsome men who quickly entered the lobby. Kilo and Castyr took a step forward at the appearance of the CEO and his demon mate, and Axel merely observed what was going on in silence.

Axel was more or less unfazed by the appearance of the two men. Sure, they were strikingly handsome, tall, fit, young, and quite frankly, a beautiful couple. However, Axel had been impressed by another and found it difficult to be awed by any third party. Nonetheless, Axel's unfazed expression quickly morphed into one of surprise when the lieutenant called out, "Uncle Devyn!" and hurried toward the two men.

Eh? Uncle Devyn?! Axel swung his head to the man with emerald eyes and soft brown hair whom Maelynn threw her arms around in a happy reunion. How is he your uncle?? He looks way too young for that! The man's skin was flawless, and his physique was premium. How is that possible? Devyn Vaumyr is completely human. He's not even half-demon or half-angel.

Axel was aware of the drug that could extend a human's life, but it had been banned decades ago due to lethal side effects. It would have been impossible for the CEO to have remained so youthful whilst on the illegal drug. The man beside Devyn Vaumyr also appeared to be non-aging, however with one look, Axel immediately knew he was a demon. It was not the man's crimson hair or stormy gray eyes that gave it away but rather his aura and the constant drive to protect his mate.

"How is my princess?" Devyn asked Maelynn as he held her by the shoulders and looked her up and down.

"I'm fine. A few scrapes and a twist of an ankle, but no broken bones." The lieutenant assured her uncles that she was unharmed for the most part before leading the two men to her three guests.

Since Axel, Kilo, and Castyr were dressed in the clothes they had found in the rangers' storage, one would not know the three were part of the HDD until they were close enough to see Kilo and Axel's purple and silver eyes. However, Devyn and Denzyl immediately knew who the angel and star were at a single glance.

"Uncle, this is-"

"Kilo!" Devyn voiced as he hurried to the guardian angel. He did not need Maelynn's explanation for he knew the angel and star well. Devyn had fought with Kilo and Castyr many a time and even saved their lives a time or two.

The angel and human bowed their heads to each other before Devyn brought Kilo in for a quick embrace. Devyn inclined his head to Castyr in greeting as Denzyl nodded to the angel and star.

"How are things?" Devyn inquired as he smiled softly at the pair. "How have you been? It's been so long."

"Indeed," Kilo returned with his usual, cool expression. "We are well."

Recalling the reason why Kilo and Castyr returned to the Heavens all those years ago, Devyn then asked, "How's Rae?"

Hearing his colonel's name, Axel immediately became engaged in the conversation. Devyn Vaumyr knows the colonel?

"Does he still not remember anything?"

"Ae," Kilo replied in confirmation. "His memories have yet to return."

"I see," Devyn voiced and momentarily lowered his gaze. "And who is your companion?" The CEO asked as he gestured to the young male standing just behind Kilo and Castyr.

"This is Axel. He is the vernal of our unit." Axel bowed to the CEO as Kilo introduced him while motioning for him to step forward. "He's the reason we are here."

Eh? I am? Axel was slightly surprised by Kilo's statement. Why would I be the reason we came to Vaumyr and Co.?

Aware that there was meaning behind Kilo and Castyr's sudden appearance, Devyn quickly asked, "How can I help?" He was always ready to aid his friends in whatever way he could, and Devyn knew Kilo would not bring just anyone to him in a time of need.

You certainly have not changed, Devyn. Kilo gazed at the human fondly as he replied, "I need a favor."