Kuza sat in one of the sewer drains, using it as a recliner pretty much. There was no water or sewage that flowed through it. Even if it was dirty, it's not like he really cared. Him and Croc weren't exactly the cleanest people in the world. He had his sketch pad in his lap, drawing whatever was coming to his mind. From outside, a raven flew in through the bars and chose to land on his notebook.

"Shoe, shoe!" He groaned when the bird wouldn't listen to him.

Croc couldn't help but laugh at how cute Kuza looked frustrated. "Sorry, Kitten. They're drawn to my brother's soul."

"Well," He huffed, "Make them go away."

"I cannot, nor will not, ever tell my children where to go."

Croc sighed to himself. He was the only one who could hear his brother's voice. Covey didn't bother him too much but on occasion, he couldn't help himself from making comments. Dry, dead leaves started to tumble in across the cobblestone at his feet. He felt a cold draft that was unsettling. Even the raven decided to fly off. Croc grabbed Kuza by his hips and pulled him down to the ground.

"Head upstairs and spend some time with the others. I have something to attend to." He said.

Kuza reached up on his tip-toes and kissed him. The way that vampire could see past his psychical appearance, it meant so much to Croc. He'd never truly understand what he meant to the demon. Kuza understood what his love was trying to say. He ran off towards the exit opposite of where the wind was blowing in from.

"Brother, I know you chose to preserve my voice and my power. Please, offer Thursday the same courtesy. The boy is simply too naive to have ever known better."

"And what's your excuse?" He replied.

"I have none." Covey answered honestly, "I was foolish. I'm sorry. Thursday will understand, but Lumi and Apollo never will. When the day comes that you kill them, leave nothing. They deserve to have their souls ripped apart at the seams for the pain they've caused us and countless others. They will never see the light."

"You're only reaffirming what I already knew." Croc muttered.

He was chilled by the sound of Jasper's cane walking down the tunnel. In his bones, he could feel this coming. As the warden's body weakened, he was trying to finish any business he could. That included cutting down another branch of Croc's family tree. Shae walked alongside him, carrying the body of a young demon.

Though Thursday was slightly older than Croc, he had always looked the youngest in the family. Small horns sprouted out from his head, his long black hair draped along them. He had the wings of a bat and sharp nails to match. Croc had to admit, he did prefer to see Thursday in his more human form. His true form of a massive bat was terrifying, even to him.

"I have some rather disheartening news." Jasper spoke, "In trying to capture Thursday, I discovered Lumi has joined Apollo in following Tesla. They are planning an attack, as I'm sure you've figured out. Do you think you can handle them both?"

Croc picked up Thursday's body from Shae's arms delicately, "Don't worry about me. Those two have always underestimated my power."

"You purposely don't show your power so you can surprise your enemies. Is that it?" He replied.

"That, and I don't like to raise my fist when I don't have to." Croc reached his hand beneath his brother's shirt, pulling out a necklace. The charm of it was a bat with ruby red eyes that glowed dimly. Removing it, he handed it to Jasper, "You may have his wings as well, after I'm done with him."

He turned his back to them and continued to walk down to his bedroom. Through the maze of halls, he was the only one who knew how to find it with ease. Jasper and Shae had more important things to tend to anyways. So, they left him to be with his dying brother.

Croc sat down on his bed. He gently brushed Thursday's black hair out of his eyes as he started to slowly come to. "Hmm..." He was in a haze, "Croc?"

"Long time, no see." He lightheartedly replied, "I've missed you. You aren't well, you know."

With barely any strength to do so, he raised his hand to his bleeding side, "No, I'm not. I never thought I'd go first..."

"Second, actually." He strongly wrapped his hand around Thursday's, "Don't worry. You'll be with Covey and I from now on."

Strangely, he smiled, "Good. I wouldn't want to be alone... I've spent too much time alone..."

His soft voice, along with the words he said, was heartbreaking. When Croc decided to exact his revenge on his family, he never expected he'd find closure this way. He thought the journey would be fully of anger. Instead, it's only been bittersweet and merciful. He leaned over Thursday, gently connecting their lips, and swallowing his withering soul.

| | |

Light; It was a vampire's worst enemy. Even worse than demons or hunters, sunlight was their biggest fear. Only a mere flash of it and it could incinerate them. Demons and other dark creatures could even agree it felt like torture to be exposed to it. Artificial light, though not as harsh, even hurt them if they weren't used to it. Years spent by candle light and fireplaces made them feel as if they would never stand in the sun.

That all changes with death, though. In the afterlife, one couldn't feel pain. There was never a light too bright or a corner too dark. Never was there a room too cold or too hot. A city stood proud, filled with dark creatures who could finally live in peace. The buildings never deteriorated and war had never touched these grounds. It felt so pure. You'd think that purity would be sickening to dark beings, but it wasn't. It was simply comforting.

Somewhere, there was a place for those that thrived on anger. That city, wherever it may be, was far, far away from here. In the afterlife, there was a paradise for everyone. For Chris and Angelo, it came in the form of a simple loft in a nice community. People they'd lost over the years, they finally had back. Most of them lived in this very building. Finally getting to live a life where they weren't disturbed, it felt like a dream come true.

While Chris filled up a cup of coffee, he called upstairs, "Ange?"

The crow walked up to the side of the balcony overlooking the living room. In a place with high vaulted ceilings, he no longer had to worry about constricting his wings. They were able to relax in their large, natural state. As he looked downstairs, some of his raven black hair fell in front of his eyes.

Chris smiled brilliantly, "You look beautiful today."

He softly smiled, "I wish you didn't have to go." Angelo ran his hand along the rail as he stepped over to the stairs. "You seem nervous."

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, his dominant set his free hand on his hip. "I know the others will be angry with me. Well, Ghost will probably break down in tears, Ricky will try to punch me, and Ryan will do that creepy ass thing where he just doesn't talk and glares at you until you feel like the worst human being ever. I'd rather have Ricky punch me to be honest."

"You've never been scared of their reactions before." Angelo wrapped his arms around Chris' waist. "It's something else."

His snit, grinning in a bittersweet manner, "My angel, my now you know me better than yourself. Why are you trying so hard to get me to say it out loud?"

"Sometimes, if we say it out loud, it won't feel as bad." He responded.

Chris sighed, setting his hand on the side of his love's face. He gave him a kiss and ignored what he'd said. "I need to get going. I love you." He took one last drink of his coffee, then left the half empty cup in Angelo's hands.

"Give the others my love. I love you." He stole away one last kiss, "Be safe."

It wasn't an easy thing for Chris. He'd avoided the living world for as long as possible for several reasons. The anger his family will have for his sudden death was one thing he had to deal with. Facing the consequences of his lies and secrets was another. Regardless of any of it, what he truly feared did not exist in the living world.

He knew, one of these days, the society would call a meeting. It was inevitable, which meant he'd come face to face with someone he never wanted to see again. Chris walked through the streets of the pearly city, feeling a pain in his chest from the anxiety these thoughts were causing him. The memories flashed through his mind to remind him of his biggest regret in life.

As he reached the meeting hall, he felt his stress rise, if that was possible. The magic inscribed into the building made it so only members of the society could enter. It recognized his DNA structure, allowing him inside. It seemed he was one of the first to arrive. Unfortunately for him, the face he'd dreaded seeing had made it here first.

Leaning against one of the pillars was a demon with unrivaled beauty. His long white hair reached down to his waist, falling just beyond the hem of his leather pants. The topaz colored eyes he had were impossible to lie to. Chris didn't feel fear anymore seeing Vepar for the first time in centuries. Instead, he could only be overwhelmed with more pain of regret.

In his time in the afterlife, he'd made efforts to avoid his ex-husband. Others had told him he was in this city, but he didn't want to see him. How do you face someone you killed? Even if it was a crime of love, it was hard to ignore the principles of it. Vepar had a feeling someone was staring at him. As he looked over to Chris, he froze in his place.

"Chris-" He began to spoke, but he wasn't sure exactly what to say. Pushing himself away from the pillar, he approached slowly. He surprised Chris when he suddenly hugged him. "You're here. I've missed you, so much."

"You're not... Mad at me?" He asked.

Vepar pulled back, still keeping his hand around Chris, and looked up into his eyes. "Mad? Why would I be mad? You mean about putting me out of my misery? How could I be mad about that? Or, do you mean because you got remarried?"

"You know about that?" He replied.

Finally, he demon took a step back. He didn't mean it to be anything more than friendly affection. You could understand how it was hard for him to let go of who he once loved. "Yeah, Vinny told me. I had run into him when he first came here and he told me about Angelo. He said you love him more than anything in the world. It was hard to hear, but he said Angelo makes you happy. That's all I want for you. Is he... Here, or back in the living world?"

"He's here. He and I had binding collars in life, and as you probably know, if one person dies, the other will live in great pain. I didn't want that for Angelo. So, I made sure we were able to die together." He explained, "That reminds me, your sister, and Isabella, what happened to them? I haven't seen or heard about them."

"They're... Lying in the bed they made, you could say. They are here, but they're in a town very, very far away from here. I've avoided them, because I know she'd be angry with me if she knew I chose the path of peace." Vepar said.

Chris glanced behind himself as he heard footsteps. Maria and Sebastian walked into the meeting hall. They'd be the last ones needed, so they could start this meeting. The pattern on the floor was identical to the one in the living world. Symbols, all different, surrounded a pentagram. Not all belonged to those who had passed. When someone was inducted into the Society of the Fallen, their symbol was added to the collection.

He couldn't help but notice the newest addictions. Chris had been worried that the others weren't ready for this just yet. They all had some... issues, to deal with. Seeing the symbols of a raccoon, alien, and jack-o-lantern carved into the ground made him realize he was wrong. They did belong here. Chris stepped onto a coffin with a crow crossed over it. They didn't chose their symbols; Their symbols chose them. Back when he joined the society, he had never understood the crow. Now, he understood it was a prediction for the future.