"What is that boy doing here?" My father roared. "Get him out!"

His usual calm disposition was gone, replaced with a red face and the bellows that only belonged to the wild beasts he hunted. His mouth was open and the skin around his face looked taunt, ready to peel off.

The guards who had been watching in stunned silence as the man had entered lept into action. Dropping their weapons, they grabbed Jax and pulled him to his knees. Their pressure must have hurt Jax because he flinched momentarily, but resumed his relaxed and humorous tone easily.

"This was not the welcome I was expecting." He received a harsh blow from my father and his head snapped to the side. I wondered if a movement like that had cost him his lip the other night.

"Hold him down. Pastor," my father faced the pavilion once again, "please continue the ceremony."

The man stuttered but his words continued. I didn't look away from Jax as the final verses hung in the air. Liu Ming was nowhere obvious, but I knew she had to be near.

"Then, by the power invested in me, I pronounce you both man and wife, you may kiss the bride."

Jax never looked away and instead pulled one hand free to the corner of his mouth. He turned an invisible lock and his mouth fell open like a drowned victim gasping for air. I wasn't sure if I understood him, but I tried to nod as my head was forced away from him. Nicholas grasped the back of my head, fingers digging into my curls.

He closed his eyes as he brought our heads together, his lips were hard and possessive like he was claiming me as his own. I felt the surge of disgust flow through me and I remembered Isabella telling me about her wedding. This was the event she remembered as her first realization that she belonged to someone else for the rest of her life.

Allowing myself a moment to think of My companions, waiting for me in the crowd, I whispered through my lips, "Till death do us part."

Nicholas's eyes shot open just in time to feel my teeth sink into his lips, bringing blood with them and transfer what I hoped was poison. His grip on me released and he backhanded me away from him. The sting of my face was nothing compared to him.

From my spot on the floor, I could see people stand and begin running. While most looked shocked, some seemed to understand what had happened and were backing away from me slowly. Jax's face was frozen in disbelief as he stared at me, perched on the floor. Nicholas's lower lip was bleeding from where I had bit him, but the red liquid was matched with slow, bloody tears from his eyes.

Nicholas shook as my poison began working its way through him. Unlike Captain Pierre and his cruel sailor, Nicholas did not die immediately. His skin began to heat as a bright rash seared his body. The beads of sweat pouring down his face mixed with the blood to form red welts and his clothes were thoroughly soaked. His desperate shouts for help were unanswered, people standing back, shocked to paralysis by the sight. His body racked up and down with seizures and uncontrollable movements.

If it had been anyone else, even my father, I would have felt pity, but as I watched my husband quiver in pain on the floor, I only felt satisfaction. That might make me a monster, but perhaps the birth of one monster in the world could be evened out by the death of another.

When his body finally rested, minutes after our union, the crowd began to stir. Waves of guests fled the enclosed space and their terrified shrieks faded with them. Even some of the guards looked less sure of themselves and backed away into the walls.

A small group of young, well-dressed women stood frozen in their seats, facing the now still body of my late husband. Their faces were pale as though they had glimpsed death himself.

My laughter broke the group of men out of their trance. I didn't know if my laughter was relief or something deeper and more sinister, but I didn't care. The deep pants from my chest rocked my body, pulling more laughter from me. The endless cycle pulling my mind deeper into the peaceful feeling.

"You're one of them?" My father's voice was the first one to pierce my hysteria.

I stood, dress splattered in the initial blood from Nicholas and faced him. I knew I must look like the devil incarnate as I whipped the blood from my lower lip.

"Are you really surprised?" I began walking toward him, flowers held in one hand, fingers tense. "Would I really love a Spirit if I thought he was evil?" I spit, drawing closer as my father moved back. "I know that you think all we do is cause pain, but I am your daughter. You, the cruel man who couldn't be bothered to love his children. Is it so far-fetched to think I would find people who understood, who were just as dangerous as you, but chose to love me?"

Jax's face lifted at my words and I could see the slow smile riding on his feature. His usual sarcastic or teasing smile gone, replaced with a real one.

"You dare blame me for this," my father hissed. His hair was falling around his face as the skin began to pale. "You insolent filth. I raised you and you dare return blaming me for siding with the demons. You never were a fitful daughter, now you are nothing more than a killer, a soulless devil."

"You say it as if I'm not like you. After all, dear father, you raised me to survive always telling me to follow orders and be a good daughter. Even when I told you what he had done to me, you ignored my pleas. I have seen you do unspeakable things, never loving or caring for anyone but yourself."

His gaze hardened as he looked at me. The remaining guards had long decided that they valued their lives more than money and had fled into the cool, outdoor air. The only people left where the shell shocked guests and Jax who was now only held by guards, too close to my father to flee.

"Kill her!" My father ordered in a low, gutted voice, pointing at me. "Tie her up and kill the wretched thing. Don't forget the boy, burn him with the demon."

When his orders went unanswered, he looked around finding no allies. The guards were skittering around the edges of the rooms, their weapons held tightly.

I stood a yard or so away from him now, watching as the usual confidence leached from the once proud man. When he realized how doomed his situation was, his face fell. Like a cornered animal, he unsheathed his dagger and pointed the shaking blade at me. When I only laughed in response, he swung violently at me, slashing and throwing the weapon around like a madman.

With a quick duck, he flew past me and straightened. Now I was near Jax while he was trapped in the room.

"If you want to live, leave now." I spoke over my shoulder, the men glancing at each other before turning tail and running.

Jax stood, moving to stand next to me while my father watched from a distance. The few remaining guests huddled behind him, their backs pressed against the wall as they stood, paralyzed with fear. His tall frame fit perfectly next to mine as we faced my father.

Leaning over, Jax whispered in my ear, "Liu Ming is gathering horses and will meet us in the woods outside. I came to collect you and Isabella."

His hot breath fanned my neck and I smiled. My father witnessed our actions and his features turned black. It was a good feeling knowing that my simple interaction with Jax was enough to enrage him.

"Step aside and let us pass. You've seen what I can do. I am willing to leave peacefully provided you do the same."

I was not a monster like my father. I hated the man with every fiber of my being, but I was more concerned with the safety of my allies.

Instead of answering, my father removed his suit Jaxet, leveling his hunting danger. I stiffened as he leveled it against us. His eyes were set on me, lips tight.

"I don't think that is possible, Maurea. You stand in front of your husband's body, the body that you put there." His leg tensed, moving down to gain a solid footing. "There is only one way this day can end."

He lunged forward, quickly closing the distance between us. Jax and I separated, diving to opposite sides of the aisle.

The low ponytail that was hidden in my father's coat came undone, long strands of brown hair falling in his face. His breath was ragged, forehead tense.

He turned to me, slashing as he pushed back, by legs tripping over the overturned benches. I could feel the force of each swing as it brushed by me. He managed to land one hit, the long tear in my arm severing the sleeve. He stood back, a satisfied smirk on his face. In the split instant of pause, I rushed forward, clawing at his neck and face. He was faster than me, leaning backward to avoid my touch.

"You have never been a fighter, why should I fear you?" My father mocked as I panted.

"I wouldn't underestimate her," Jax's voice came from behind him as his arms wrapped around my father. He was much taller, his eyes visible over the mess of hair. "She has friends."

My father struggled against Jax's hold. The danger turning in his grip. I reached out to warn Jax, but it was too late. His blade hurried in Jax's shoulder, the silver hilt splattered with the red liquid.

"Jax," I gapped, hearing the low yelp come from the taller man.

I pushed my father as Jax let go. His body flew across the room, landing a few yards from the altar. His body crumpled.

"Don't touch the blade," Jax hissed, cupping his shoulder. His hands were stained red, the liquid oozing through his fingers. My hands were raised, unsure how I could help. "We need to leave now. Water is the only thing that can help a wound this far along."

"We need to find Liu Ming then. If Isabella was here, she would be waiting for us." I turned to the crowd, scanning each face for a hint of recognition. Most were leaning away, their eyes tightly closed as lips moved in a silent prayer.

No Isabella and no Liu Ming.