Serenity

Once again, we asked Genevieve and her Witch Council for help. While Daniel could teleport us to Danu's location, we would be walking in unprepared without their shielding magic. We had decided to take the fight to her full force. Both councils agreed with our decision to attack my father's army. All agreed there would be minimal bloodshed, and civilians were to be subdued if at all possible. I didn't want my people to suffer any more than they already had at the hands of my father and Danu.

I stood looking at myself in the mirror, my hand resting on my prominent stomach. I could feel their powers surging even now. The images we had seen replayed in my mind constantly. The vision of the twins made sense, but the other things had me at a loss. Would I have more children? Were the visions Nyx's way of telling me I would live through this day?

"Ren?" Daniel's voice came from the door as he knocked lightly. "Are you okay?" I turned to look into those mesmerizing blue eyes and thought back to the first day we met. I couldn't hide my smile. "What's that look for, love?"

"Just remembering the first time we met. I was so scared to open those doors," I chuckled.

He grinned, "I remember how your heart raced. I had been watching you for a while, wondering if you would run away. You looked so frightened, yet so determined and beautiful all at the same time."

"I seem to remember someone being rather forward even on the first day. I believe you even offered to train me if I wanted to submit to you." His cheeks flushed as he cleared his throat.

"Yes, and look at us now." He moved to wrap his arms around me, his hands resting on my stomach as his lips lightly traced against my mark. "Not only did you submit, but I, in turn, submitted to you along with Garen. You have completed our lives, little one."

I leaned into his embrace, letting a sigh escape me. "I just want this all to end so we can enjoy our lives again."

His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Agreed. Now shall we go and kick some goddess ass, then rescue your brother?"

"Yes, let's." I giggled, letting him lead me downstairs. Garen's eyes lit up as he saw us. He stepped closer, capturing my lips with his. "My love," I whispered.

"My Eternal," he replied, his hand snaking around mine. "The Council is ready, the troops are already in place. We are just waiting for your approval, Serenity."

All eyes were locked on us as we entered. Genevieve came forward. "We're ready. I'm coming with you to be the anchor and first line of magic as well."

I frowned, "I don't want you getting hurt. Ash would never forgive me if something went wrong."

She waved me off, "And I can't sit here and wait. Would you stay behind if it were Daniel or Garen?" She gave me a knowing look then continued, "Yeah, I didn't think so. Let's just get this done already, okay?"

"Sheesh, she's bossy," Matt muttered, then let out an "oof" when Susan slapped him in the gut. I rolled my eyes, then followed Genevieve before the other witches.

When they began chanting, the air swirled, and everything was soon a blur as the four of us gripped hands. I squeezed my eyes closed and felt as if the room had tilted, then the floor seemed to drop, and we crumbled. Loud clapping brought me back to my senses. I opened my eyes to see an expansive garden with Danu standing before us, a smirk on her face. "Damn, and here I thought I'd have to hunt you down, but instead you came bearing gifts."

The air around us shook as the ground began to tremble. She was drawing on the elements, but I'd already planned for this. I saw Daniel let his beast come forth, and Garen seemed to shimmer with magic as I grabbed Genevieve's hand and began to let our magic meld. I threw my head back, allowing the power to flow through me. Tendrils of light crackled, striking the ground around the goddess. Her face showed fear for a moment before she schooled her expression.

"You little bitch," she cursed, propelling vines towards Garen and Daniel. The bond hummed, our magic flowing ceaselessly between the three of us as her attempts failed, hitting invisible barriers that Garen had created. My response was much more effective as a crack of lightning slammed into the tree beside her. It burst into flames, reminding me of the vision Nyx had given us. It had become a battle of wills.

"Draw from her," Genevieve grimaced. Her body was suffering from the magical reverberations. While the three of us had the bond, she was not accustomed to this much energy flowing through her, and despite being a witch, she was still mortal. "Use her magic against her, confuse it."

I blinked, then realization dawned on me. Danu had violated the laws of nature. The magic wasn't flowing through her, it was being twisted by her selfish whims. I had to set it free.

When I signal, get Genevieve to safety, I told Garen. He nodded despite his reluctance to part from me. Daniel, I need you to distract Danu. I'll only get one shot at this. He grunted. "Trust me," I told Genevieve, who looked at me in confusion. "Now!" I roared, releasing her hand.

In a blur, Garen sped by, grabbing her and heading toward a sheltered area. Daniel lunged for Danu, claws fully extended, as he tackled her to the ground. I slammed my hands into the ground, calling every element to reclaim the corrupt goddess. Her screams filled the air as vines and roots began to encircle her as they had done to my brother. "You can't kill me!" she shrieked.

Daniel had moved near me as the earth began to reclaim her. "No, but I can't keep you quiet for a while," I answered, my breathing beginning to calm. We watched as the earth churned, pulling her down deeper. The flaming tree simmered, then began to shatter, falling as if marking the spot where we had just entombed her.

When the ground stilled, a pain stabbed into my chest, and I raced toward the palace, practically flying down the halls until I reached the throne room, feeling the pull of Ash's spirit. The tile was still tossed and broken as I slammed my hands to the ground. "Ash!" I screamed. Magic poured from me as I latched onto his form. My body heaved as I visualized shredding the vines that had entombed my brother.

"Serenity! You have to wait," Garen shouted as he followed me, leaving Genevieve in the garden. "You're going to hurt yourself and the babies."

I shook my head, sweat rolling down my face as he and Daniel came to kneel next to me. "I can't. I have to save him."

"Love, we aren't telling you to stop, just let us help," Daniel said as he placed a hand over mine, his magic mingling with mine. Garen knelt and copied the move as they were on either side of me. I glanced up to see Matt and several soldiers guarding the doors, eyes constantly sweeping for trouble.

I began to focus, pulling from them as the ground shuddered. Rays of light began to break through, bathing the room in brilliant hues. Like something out of a horror film, my brother's form appeared, withered and drawn. I gasped, my heart pounding in fear. "Ash," I cried, crawling toward him. I raised my wrist to my mouth, preparing to give him my blood, when Garen stopped me.

"You're weak enough, love, let us help." I nodded, tears streaming as he bit his wrist, then began letting drops fall in Ash's mouth as I held his greyed lips apart. I massaged his throat, willing him to swallow.

Daniel's hiss drew my attention, followed by pounding on the heavy doors to the throne room. "We have to hurry. There isn't time for this." Before I could comprehend what he was doing, his claws elongated, and he slashed at Ash's chest. I screamed, but Garen held me back as Daniel began to pour his blood directly onto Ash's heart. The slight movement as the heart seemed to absorb the blood was almost imperceptible, then as he continued to coat it in blood, the organ began to pulse rapidly. Daniel sealed the chest wound with his blood, then lifted my brother as we began to make our way to the exit.

Before we could clear the door, it shattered open, throwing us to the floor. My father stormed into the room, eyes wild with rage. I groaned as I lifted off the ground with Garen's help. Daniel towered over us, his demon form on full display as he snarled. "So nice of you to join us," Father sneered. "Oh look, I'm going to be a grandparent. I'm sure those cursed spawn will help keep your power fed for centuries."

"You will not harm her or our children," I seethed, fighting to hide the shudder of pain that travelled down my back. I noticed Garen's hold tense.

Was that what I think it was? He asked, never breaking eye contact with my father.

I don't know, and we don't have time to worry about it. I snapped, then flooded the connection with my apology. I felt his concern grow along with Daniel's worry now seeping through the bond.

"None of you will leave here, Serenity. Pity you couldn't help your brother, but Danu will add him to the spell. I should thank you, daughter, at this rate, I'll be immortal." His dark laughter filled the room as his guards continued to engage with Matt and the vampires. A flicker of movement caught my attention just beyond my father's shoulder. "Any last words?"

I stood proud and hissed, "You are not my father. You are just a selfish bastard who deserves to die. Oh, and fuck you!"

He grimaced, "Ladies first," then, raising his hands, threw a blast of magic toward us as Garen jumped in front of me. He blurred away as the magic destroyed part of the wall where we had just stood.

Our eyes met briefly, then we heard an anguished roar and looked back. While my father had been distracted, Ash had blasted him with his magic, which now seemed to be amplified thanks to Daniel's vampire blood. While Ash's magic held the old fool captive, Daniel had plunged his claws into his chest. He pulled back, clutching Father's still-beating heart in his hands. "Consider this your retirement," Daniel smirked, then crushed the heart as my father's body withered and fell lifeless to the floor.

"Ash!" I screamed as he began to collapse. Daniel sped forward, grabbing him and easing him down. Garen helped me over to him.

He gave me a weak smile, "Hey, little sis." He looked at my stomach, "Woah, when did that happen?"

I jerked a thumb at the guys and winked, "Not long after you left us in the grove. I'm so sorry we couldn't get here sooner."

He coughed and gave a dismissive wave of his hand, "Eh, I was just resting." We chuckled at his comment.

"Is this big brother?" Matt panted as he came running up. "Not to be rude, man, but your guards are pussies. We kicked their asses."

"Yeah, those are the old guard." Daniel helped him into a sitting position. "Maybe we should consider training together." Matt seemed to mull the idea over in his head, then looked to the three of us.

Daniel, who had resumed his human form, nodded, "I think our two kingdoms will be collaborating on several issues in the future. Hang in there, I think there's someone who wants to see you."

A flurry of voices filled the room, but was pierced by a single one shouting, "Asher!" I smirked as I watched Genieve burst through the line of vampires and race toward my brother. She almost knocked him over as she embraced him. "Asher, I was so scared," she gushed, then began checking him over and investigating his injuries.

Daniel snorted, "Well, I'm going to assume she has everything in hand now." At that moment, a heavy contraction swept through me, causing me to scream and buckle over. "Serenity!" both Daniel and Garen yelled.

Genevieve gasped, "You need to get her out of here, now! Those babies aren't going to wait, and I don't think this is where they are meant to be born." I tried to say something, but Ash cut me off.

"Go," he whispered. "I'll be fine."

"Come to the manor when you feel up to it," Daniel said, then gripping me and Garen, we teleported with Matt following behind.

Author's Notes:  Completed story is available along with a few exclusives on my Patreon.