♦

As Michael and Lilith stepped through the threshold of her home, a sense of unease settled over her like a heavy shroud. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she could feel the subtle shifts in Michael's energy, a shadow lurking behind his eyes that hadn't been there before. Yet, she wasn't sure if her perceptions were real or imagined.

She understood that Michael had a purpose awaiting him and that his time in her home would eventually conclude. However, despite everything they had experienced together, he had yet to broach the subject of her joining him in furthering his destiny.

She forced a smile, hoping to dispel the creeping sense of apprehension that threatened to envelop her.

"Home sweet home," she murmured, her voice tinged with forced cheerfulness.

Michael nodded, his eyes devoid of their usual warmth. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if searching for something within the depths of her soul.

A thousand nerve endings seemed to scream within her. The prospect of confronting the issue filled her with dread, leaving her paralyzed by the fear of confirming her suspicions. She was desperate to avoid the confrontation altogether, fearing that her intuition might indeed be right. So she buried her doubts beneath layers of denial.

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before Donna's entrance from the dining room interrupted the silent exchange, causing a ripple of unspoken tension in the air.

"Oh, perfect, you two are just in time for dinner," her mother announced, attempting to contain her excitement but failing as a proud smile illuminated her face. Donna, taking in her daughter's appearance, displayed evident satisfaction.

After a brief pause, Donna gracefully gestured for them to follow. "Well, don't just stand there. Let's eat."

Lilith and Michael nodded, obediently trailing behind her into the dining room. Madelyn, Nyx, and Josiah were engrossed in conversation, unaware of the unspoken dynamics at play. As they entered, Nyx's eyes landed on her sister, and they practically bulged out of her head.

"What?" Lilith shook her head in confusion.

"You're practically glowing!" Nyx exclaimed, her surprise evident. "Was the dick that good?"

Nyx's candid remark caught everyone off guard, causing Josiah to choke on his wine as he struggled to suppress his laughter.

"I'm going to ignore that you just said that," Lilith replied, her bemusement evident as she shook her head. She settled into her seat at the table, promptly pouring herself a glass from the open wine bottle. Michael joined her, taking in the bountiful feast that Donna had lovingly prepared to celebrate their return.

"Oh! Drink this first," Donna suddenly remembered, disappearing briefly before returning with a glass bottle filled with a variety of different herbs.

As her mother handed it to her, Lilith held it up to the light in disgust. "What the hell is this?"

"Think of it like a... magical plan B," Donna explained with a nonchalant smile as she took her seat.

"You'll want to drink all of it," Madelyn chimed in, her tone serious. "Libidine are insanely fertile."

Lilith's eyes widened at the revelation. With that, she popped the top off the potion, downing it until the very last drop. She winced at the taste, quickly wiping away the remnants as she placed the now-empty vial down on the table.

With the dinner prayers said, they began to dig into the feast. Wine glasses sparkled, and laughter filled the air as they sat around, savoring the meal together. The atmosphere was warm and familial as they exchanged stories and banter.

"So am I going to get insanely hot too when I do the ritual?" Nyx mused, turning toward her mother and grandmother, earning laughter from them.

"That's one of the many things, yes," Donna stated, taking a sip from her wine.

"It helps draw the victims in," Madelyn added teasingly, wiggling her fingers, seemingly having had a bit too much to drink.

As Lilith went to sip on her wine, she froze. "Huh?"

"Cambion obtain souls in one way or another. Ours involve literally sucking the life out of someone by kissing... fucking. It wasn't something I had to do until after your father died."

Nyx, somewhat taken aback, asked, "Had to?"

Madelyn turned to her daughter, "You didn't educate them?"

Donna shrugged, earning a shake of the head from Madelyn before directing her attention to her granddaughters. "If you have a bond, it's basically like an infinite energy source, but for those without, we have to survive off other people's energy."

"Or what?" Lilith's mouth fell open.

"You die."

A heavy silence settled at the table, Michael and Josiah watching the family conversation unfold as if they were spectators at a tennis match. The exchange of glances between the two outsiders conveyed a shared sense of awkwardness.

"Well, that would have been nice to know." Lilith slumped back in her seat, taking a swig from her glass.

"So you're saying if I don't bond, I have to kill people?" Nyx set her glass down in disbelief.

"That's the best part," Donna explained. "It's incredibly satisfying."

A moment of silence passed. Donna, quickly changing the subject, turned her attention toward Michael. She placed her fork down and cleared her throat, her intent clear in her gaze.

"Michael, I've been meaning to tell you," Donna began, her tone carrying a weight of significance. "I got in contact with the people I mentioned before. They want to meet with you, so I set an appointment with them tomorrow."

Lilith's heart sank as she held her wine glass to her lips, her fingers filled with tension.

Michael, wearing a forced smile, acknowledged Donna's news. He had anticipated that the time for him to fulfill his destiny would come, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.

Donna's eyes flicked toward her eldest daughter for a moment before she continued, her voice tinged with a sense of finality. "Since this will be the last time we see you, let's make tonight extra special."

"What?" Nyx looked around confused, and Lilith, her grip betraying her newfound strength, accidentally shattered her wine glass. The sound pierced through the room as shards fell around her, cutting into her hand. All eyes turned toward her, and she flushed with embarrassment and frustration.

"Shit, sorry," Lilith muttered, hastily excusing herself from the table. She made her way to the bathroom, clutching her bleeding hand.

Once her hand was completely healed, she ran it under the tap water, fighting the torrent of thoughts threatening to consume her. Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and Michael stepped in.

"I hope you're here to ask me to come with you," Lilith mused aloud, focused on washing the remnants of blood away.

A moment of heavy silence passed before Michael finally said, "No, Lilith."

Lilith froze, her hands lingering under the water before turning to him. When her eyes met his, she searched for any sign of warmth but was instead met with a cold exterior. As much as she wanted to remain strong, her desperation showed through, the vulnerability in her eyes belying the turmoil within.

"Let me come with you," she pleaded, her heart sinking, anger and desperation filling her voice. "I want to be with you."

Michael's expression remained unyielding as he shook his head. "No."

"Why not?" Lilith's patience waned, and she felt pieces of her breaking with each rejection as she stepped forward in defiance.

"Because I don't want you to," Michael replied, his gaze cold and unrelenting.

Her eyes lingered on him, shaking her head in disbelief as she grappled with the sudden change in character. "But... I love you," she confessed, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "I thought you loved me."

"I don't," Michael said, his words cutting through her like a knife.

Lilith closed her eyes in an attempt to bite back her tears, letting out a shaky breath. She took a step back, distancing herself from the man who had shattered her heart. She wondered where it had gone wrong, what she had done. She couldn't understand how he could just disregard everything so easily.

"No, you're lying," she protested, refusing to accept the reality of his words. The pain of rejection and betrayal had encompassed her heart.

Michael, wearing a twisted smile that only deepened Lilith's pain, continued his heartless confession as he lowered himself down, positioning himself at eye level, almost mocking her with his physical stance. "I used you, Lilith," he admitted, his voice devoid of remorse. "I just needed the power from the ritual to continue my work."

The truth of his deception cut through Lilith like a blade. She stood there, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, struggling to come to terms with the fact that the love she had believed in had been nothing more than a means to an end for him.

Lilith fought to blink back her tears, but the overwhelming emotion got the better of her. The moisture welled up, betraying her attempt to hold back the flood of despair. "You knew?" she asked in disbelief, her voice quivering with a mix of hurt and shock.

"Of course, I did." Michael tilted his head, a dispassionate expression on his face, as he nonchalantly brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "My father led me here for a reason."

A white-hot rage surged within her, the intensity of her emotions pushing her to react to the profound betrayal. Lilith's fingers curled into a vice grip around his wrist, her fingernails digging into his skin, as if trying to grasp onto some tangible truth amid the emotional chaos.

"I was stupid to think you could actually have the capacity for love. You're a fucking monster," Lilith seethed, her anger and hurt propelling her past him and out of the bathroom. The weight of his deception bore down on her, leaving her to confront a harsh reality that she should have expected.

The door slammed shut behind her as Lilith's emotions crashed over her in waves, and she found herself in her room, alone and shattered.

The bond she had shared with Michael left her feeling as if her heart had been violently ripped out of her chest, a visceral ache echoing through the empty space. It was a profound betrayal that cut deeper than the end of a relationship, leaving her in the debris of trust shattered beyond repair.

The intensity of the emotional wreckage left her grappling with a sense of loss that extended beyond the confines of a love gone sour. The realization that he could so callously throw away what they had shared left her questioning the authenticity of every shared moment.

Alone in her room, Lilith confronted the stark reality that the connection she thought was unbreakable had been severed, leaving her to pick up the pieces of a fractured self.

♦

The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows casting a warm, golden glow over the room as Donna, Nyx, Josiah, and Michael gathered around the breakfast table. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee minced with the enticing sizzle of bacon, created an appetizing ambiance that hinted at the day's culinary delights.

Donna's concerned gaze swept over the table, and a faint furrow formed on her brow. "Has anyone seen Lilith this morning?" Her voice carried a subtle undercurrent of worry, and she couldn't help but express her concern.

Nyx paused from her breakfast, her demeanor growing somber. She lifted her gaze from her plate, and a troubled expression clouded her features. "She won't talk to me, and she won't come out of her room," she revealed, her frustration evident in her words.

The situation had her deeply troubled, and she couldn't hide her emotions. Michael remained inscrutable, his face betraying a hint of emotion as Lilith's name entered the conversation.

Nyx, however, couldn't contain her emotions any longer. She felt a surge of anger rising within her, the frustration at the current state of affairs with her sister boiling over. "This is your fault," she accused, her voice laced with bitterness. "You hurt her, and now she won't even look at us!" Nyx pushed her chair back and rose to her feet, her anger at seeing her sister so upset overwhelmed her.

Josiah, the peacekeeper, sensed the brewing tension and intervened. He guided Nyx away from the table, creating a private space for them to talk. Donna's watchful eyes followed them as they left the room, leaving her alone with Michael.

Taking a deep breath, Donna addressed Michael with a hint of sympathy in her voice. "You did the right thing," she said, acknowledging the difficult position he found himself in. "You have duties to fulfill, and Lilith would only distract you." Her words were meant to reassure him, even though the sadness in her eyes hinted at the pain of the situation.

Michael, unsure of how to respond to the complex mix of emotions, emitted a thoughtful hum, understanding that the path he had chosen was fraught with difficulty and sacrifice.

Michael rose from his seat at the table, his movements carrying a certain heaviness that mirrored the weight of his emotions. "I'm going to make sure I have everything, then I should be ready to go." He announced his intentions, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation.

As he left the kitchen and entered a nearby bathroom, Michael closed the door behind him, creating a small sanctuary of solitude. Alone with his thoughts and feelings, he leaned his palms heavily against the sink, the cool touch of porcelain offering a semblance of support to his trembling frame. His entire being seemed to quiver under the weight of emotions he had never experienced before, each one carving a deep groove in the facade he had meticulously built.

Struggling to contain the overwhelming weight, Michael's attempts to hold back his tears proved futile. Tears trickled from his eyes, and he found himself gazing at his own reflection in the mirror. The pain he felt was almost unbearable, and it threatened to consume him entirely.

His breathing grew labored as grief washed over him, each wave threatening to pull him under. But Michael fought to regain his composure, his resolve firm even in the face of such intense sorrow. He took a few deep breaths, willing himself to pull together the shattered pieces of his heart. The bathroom walls held witness to his silent struggle, the space a cocoon for the tumultuous emotions raging within.

With great effort, he wiped away the telltale traces of his tears, his face once again a mask of controlled stoicism. Michael knew that he had to carry the weight of his decisions and the responsibilities he had chosen, even as his heart ached with the pain of leaving Lilith behind.

♦

The hallway outside of Lilith's room was cloaked in an eerie quietness, a prelude to the inevitable farewell that Josiah stood bracing himself for. Before her closed door, he raised his hand and knocked softly, the sound echoing through the silence. Yet, there was only silence from within, as if the room anticipated the bittersweet departure that loomed.

Josiah hesitated for a moment, his hand lingering on the door. With a determined sigh, he gently pushed it open. The curtains were drawn tightly, obstructing any hint of daylight as Lilith lay in her bed, a silhouette against the muted surroundings.

Quietly, Josiah moved closer, his footsteps soft. He reached the side of her bed and sat down, looking at her, concern in his gaze. She didn't acknowledge his presence, her gaze fixed on some distant point, lost in the abyss of her thoughts.

"I wanted to say goodbye," Josiah said softly, his voice a tender blend of sadness and understanding. "I know you're hurting right now, Lili, but I want you to know that I care about you... and I'll miss you."

Still, Lilith remained silent, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Josiah could sense that she didn't want to talk, that words alone wouldn't suffice to ease the depth of her pain. Wary of intruding on her private grief, he stood up and made his way out of her room.

"Josiah..."

He turned back to her, watching as Lilith climbed out of bed and moved in front of him, her eyes brimming with tears. Without hesitation, she pulled him into a tight hug, burying her face in his chest. Josiah was momentarily taken aback, but he swiftly wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He could feel her trembling in his embrace, her tears seeping through his shirt.

"It's okay," he whispered, his voice gentle and reassuring.

She cried in his arms, the weight of her despondency pouring out in a torrent of tears. Josiah rubbed her back soothingly, attempting to provide some comfort in her moment of despair.

As her sobs began to subside, Lilith pulled away and wiped away the remnants of her tears. "Is this the part where you tell me 'I told you so'?"

Josiah flashed a sad smile, shaking his head.

"You don't have to go with him, you know," Lilith offered, acknowledging the magnitude of his pain compared to her own.

"Yes, I do," Josiah whispered, and a moment of shared understanding passed between them. "Be good, yeah?"

Lilith let out an amused huff. "I'll try."

With a comforting hand on her shoulder, Josiah departed, pausing at the door with a final wave before Lilith was left alone with her thoughts once again.

♦

Lilith's room felt like a prison, and the bed she clung to was both her refuge and her tormentor. Her body seemed to be going through agonizing withdrawal, as if it were addicted to the presence of Michael. The pain was excruciating, and she despised herself for feeling this way, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing how deeply he had affected her.

As the minutes passed, Lilith cycled through the stages of grief. Denial had been her initial response, the shock of Michael's sudden personality shift making it difficult to accept the reality of what had happened. A hot and stinging anger surged through her veins, a fiery reminder of feeling used and the vulnerability he had exposed in her.

But beneath the anger, there lingered a complex and stubborn emotion: love. Despite everything, despite the betrayal, she couldn't deny that she still loved him. It was a love that confused and frustrated her. It was as if she didn't even know him, as if the Michael she had fallen for had been a mirage. Perhaps it was a blessing that he had left, she thought, her mind spiraling into a whirlpool of conflicting thoughts.

The door swung open, allowing a stream of sunlight to intrude into Lilith's room. Her eyes flickered toward the intrusion as her sister entered and settled onto the bed. Lilith observed her sister's presence with resignation.

"They left," Nyx informed, her voice tinged with her own unresolved emotions. A heavy silence lingered between them before Nyx ventured to speak once more. "Did he even say goodbye?"

Lilith released a shuddering sigh, her patience wearing thin due to her sister's intrusion when she didn't want to confront these painful thoughts. Choosing silence as her response, she met Nyx's expectant gaze, refusing to engage further.

When Nyx attempted to speak again, Lilith cut her off curtly. "I don't want to talk about it, Nyx."

Her sister's patience wore thin as well, and she shifted to face Lilith directly. "I'm sad too, you know? The world doesn't always revolve around you."

Lilith's frustration grew, and she pushed herself upright, unable to contain her anger. "You have no idea what I'm going through right now."

"So, what? You can't just lie here and cry, hoping he comes back," Nyx spat back, her words biting.

"He's never going to come back, and neither is Josiah, so suck it up and leave me the fuck alone."

Offended, Nyx inhaled sharply before rising from the bed. "Fuck you." she retorted, delivering a parting gesture as she stormed out of Lilith's bedroom.

♦

The car journey was cloaked in an uncomfortable silence. Each passenger seemed to be grappling with their own thoughts. The road stretched out ahead, with the wind tousling their hair as Donna drove, a sense of unease filling the vehicle.

Breaking the silence, Michael couldn't help but express his curiosity. "I don't know why you don't just tell us exactly where we're going."

Donna glanced briefly at Michael, her nervousness still apparent despite their shared history. "I'm sorry, I'm already a little freaked out. I've said too much already... you being who you are."

Michael managed a chuckle at this, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's okay. You don't have to be nervous around me. I'm the same guy I was when you met me."

Donna laughed, the sound lighthearted and warm. "That is so not true!"

Josiah, seated in the back, joined the conversation. "Yeah, I can attest to that. Though, I would also like to know where we're going."

Donna took a moment before she began to explain. "We are like this secret network, and we all know each other."

"A secret network of people that sold their souls?" Michael questioned, starting to piece it together.

"Yup," Donna confirmed. "And if you think about this network like it's a hotel, then I'm taking you to the penthouse. No one's gonna pass up the chance to meet the true son of the most foul... If there is anyone to get you right back on track, it's them."

As the journey continued, they eventually reached their destination. Donna pulled up to the front and turned to face both men. Her smile was radiant, though tinged with a hint of sadness. "I'm gonna miss you boys."

Josiah reached out to hold her hand, expressing his gratitude. "Awe, Donna. Thank you so much for everything you've done for us. Truly."

Michael echoed his sentiments. "Yes, thank you."

Donna's smile remained, but her eyes were misty as they bid their goodbyes. The men climbed out of the car, and before Michael walked away, he turned back to face her, unsure where to go.

"So, you'll just go up the path. I really think you're going to be impressed. At least I hope so," Donna explained, resting her arms on the car door. Michael smiled, closing the distance between them as he knelt down to her eye level.

"Why are you so good to me?" Michael's gratitude was tangible, his heart heavy with the thought of parting ways with this woman who had been a pillar of support.

"I've waited my whole life for you, we all have... " Donna replied with a forced smile, her emotions beginning to show. "Could I ask you a favor?"

"Anything." Michael agreed, his determination to repay her unwavering.

"When you finally talk to your father, can you maybe put in a good word for me? When I get to hell, I want to be in the lowest circle." Donna's request was unusual, and Michael couldn't help but inquire.

"Circle?" Michael was puzzled, not understanding why she would want to be punished.

"However, it's structured, I want to be in the worst part... or the best part. I want to burn in blistering fire for all eternity in service." Donna explained, her devotion to her cause shining through.

"I'll see what I can do." Michael's smile brightened, and he gently began to rise to his feet, straightening his posture as he looked down at her. "Okay?"

"Okay." Donna nodded, her excitement clear. She watched as Michael walked away to catch up with his brother. As they continued toward their destination, Donna couldn't contain her enthusiasm and shouted, "Hail Satan!"

The two boys glanced back at her, struggling to suppress their laughter. Michael playfully held his finger to his lips, and Donna joined in the laughter as she watched them walk away, her heart filled with a mix of emotions but ultimately, a sense of purpose and anticipation.

♦

Donna's room was a sanctuary of comfort, with soft, muted colors and the gentle scent of her favorite lavender candles. She had settled in bed, a book in hand, prepared to immerse herself in a story. However, her tranquility was soon interrupted by the presence of her eldest daughter. Donna greeted her with a warm smile, fully aware of the turmoil that had engulfed her daughter's heart.

Lilith hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words that seemed to elude her. But instead of speaking, she burst into tears, her emotions too raw to be contained any longer. Donna's heart ached for her daughter, and she immediately put her book aside, her arms opening wide in a silent invitation.

"Oh, honey, come here," Donna murmured softly, urging Lilith to seek solace in her embrace. Lilith didn't hesitate, moving to her mother's side and allowing herself to be enveloped in a loving hug. Her tears flowed freely, and she clung to her mother, craving the comfort and guidance only she could provide.

Donna gently brushed the hair away from Lilith's tear-streaked face, her lips pressing a tender kiss to her daughter's forehead. She understood the pain Lilith was going through, all too familiar with the intensity of emotions the bond brought.

"You know, when your father died..." Donna began, her voice a soothing balm amid Lilith's storm of emotions. "My whole world crashed around me. The pain was unbearable, and there were days when I didn't think I could make it through. The bond, unfortunately, amplifies those emotions, making the highs higher and the lows incredibly low. I searched for anything that would replace the feeling that he gave me when he was here."

Lilith hiccupped through her tears, her voice trembling as she asked, "Does it ever go away?"

Donna's expression softened with understanding. "It gets easier," she assured. "That feeling will never truly go away, but over time, as you're apart, the connection won't be as strong."

"It hurts, Momma," Lilith confessed, her tears still falling. Donna held her daughter closer, her love and support a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions.

"I know, baby," Donna whispered, her heart aching for her daughter's pain.

Their moment of shared sorrow was interrupted as Nyx entered the room, her own sadness evident in her demeanor. Donna noticed her daughter's silent suffering and beckoned her to join them on the bed. Nyx crawled in beside Lilith, seeking solace in the warmth of her family.

"My poor babies." Donna sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of their collective grief. She lifted her head, her gaze shifting between her daughters as an idea formed in her mind.

"I've got some gummies," she offered, "I can pull together some snacks, and we can have a movie marathon, maybe some drinks."

Lilith considered the offer for a moment, the idea of ​​momentarily numbing the pain with alcohol and substances appealing. Any distraction from the anguish was a welcome one. She nodded her head in agreement. "I think that's a great idea," Lilith said, her voice tired but willing.

Nyx, too, chimed in with a condition. "No romance movies."

"Definitely no romance movies," Lilith affirmed, and for a brief moment, they found solace in the prospect of a shared evening, leaning on each other for support in their time of need.

Lilith's earlier outburst weighed heavily on her, and as she reflected on her harsh words, a profound sense of guilt washed over her. She couldn't bear the thought of having strained her relationship with her sister during this difficult time.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Lilith offered, forcing a tender smile.

Nyx's response was filled with understanding. "It's okay. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have pressed you about it." A smile of reconciliation graced her lips, softening the air between them. Lilith, filled with gratitude, pulled Nyx into a heartfelt hug.

"Your emotions matter to me too. Just because I'm hurting doesn't mean I don't care about what's going on with you." Lilith explained, her head resting on her sister's shoulder. Donna, observing the touching moment between her daughters, couldn't help but smile warmly, appreciating the bond they shared even in times of pain.

♦

The kitchen was abuzz with lighthearted energy as Lilith perched herself on the countertop, her legs swinging playfully as she watched her mother expertly prepare margaritas. They had already indulged in a few drinks, but the desire for more lingered, adding to the jovial atmosphere that enveloped this small, close-knit family.

Nyx's eyes darted across the pantry's contents as she sought out some munchies, her craving evident when she retrieved a bag of chips. Amidst the cheerful chatter and laughter between Donna and Lilith, Nyx was momentarily lost in her thoughts until she found her voice.

"You know... and sorry to bring it up, but he seemed like he didn't even care." Nyx mused aloud, her words breaking into the mirthful ambiance.

Donna, focused on pouring the blended concoction into three cups, glanced back at her youngest. "Who?"

Lilith, leaning over to snag a chip from Nyx's stash, chimed in with a hint of wry humor, "Michael. That makes sense because he told me that he didn't want me to come with him, that he didn't love me..." Lilith's tone carried a facetious undertone as she recounted the hurtful words, "Oh, and that he used me for the power of the ritual so he can, and I quote, 'continue his work.'" She popped the chip into her mouth, seeming surprisingly nonchalant, perhaps aided by the influence of the drinks.

Nyx's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. "What?"

Donna shook her head, skepticism lining her features. "Oh, that can't be true."

Lilith, not one to back down, persisted, "You didn't see his face when he said it, Mom."

Donna approached her daughters, holding her glass with a graceful poise. "I forget how young you guys are. Sometimes, people say things and don't mean it. You know, maybe he did what he did out of love, and not out of cruelty?"

Lilith exchanged a knowing look with her sister, their shared concern etched on their faces. "I think Mom's delusional."

"I think so too." Nyx agreed, turning her gaze back to her mother. "Whose side are you on?"

Donna couldn't help but chuckle at their playful banter, taking a sip of her drink. "Oh, my Dark Lord, I'm on nobody's side. When you get older, you start to see things from an outside perspective."

Nyx playfully licked her teeth and shot her sister a conspiratorial look. "I think we have a traitor in our midst, Lili."

Lilith nodded in mock seriousness, joining in on the fun. "Yes, Nyx, I think you're right."

Donna, thoroughly amused, playfully rolled her eyes as she began her departure from the kitchen. However, she couldn't resist throwing a lighthearted comment over her shoulder. "You two are insufferable."

♦