Vermillion was a kingdom of possibilities, dreams, and hope. It's neighbor was a bit different. Casor was a kingdom covered in mist, nearly always rainy, and overall was an average place to live in. Casor held all the same amenities that Vermillion did and more. The people of the sullen looking kingdom were of mostly humans, under the eye of a tragic queen who reigned with her mind never her heart. She and Nicholas had made several appearances with one another in ensuing equality among the two lands to help the country prosper and grow.
Not everyone wanted peace or prosperity, especially the people of the town of Rain. Rain was once a hidden village that raised spies and assassins, thought to be cursed for how much blood it's citizens had spilled. There were even tales of sacrificing their own as tribute for the lives lost to an unknown deity. If the tribute was accepted, for an entire year it would rain down and replenish crops. If not, for an entire year the blood of their victims would pour souring the land and poisoning any harvest.
It was an interesting history to the man sitting in the house of the leader of the village. He was sitting in an iron chair, his feet resting comfortably on the bodies of those he had slain earlier in the day without alerting any of the villagers.
"Lynx." The deep voice called smoothly with ease as a woman slid over a slide door from the outside and walked in. Lynx had russet eyes, peach skin, emerald hair down her shoulders, and a permanent frown. "You didn't need to take the woman's clothing."
Lynx shrugged staring down at the black silk robe, embroidered with red drops down the torso with lengthy freeing sleeves that nearly covered her hands.
"It's best to blend in for now. I honestly don't get why you have to pretend as if you're overseas, Sirus."
Sirus smiled at her, his entire aura was a big black blob of aggression tangled in lust and death. His hair was ebony and his eyes were the color of fresh snow, and like his eyes he could be just as cold.
"We're here playing dollhouse when your true prize is next door in Vermillion. Luna's literally in your grasp." Lynx growled.
"I got hungry-
"You got bored!" Lynx angrily stomped on the head of one of the dead men under Sirus' right foot, crushing the entire skull in. Blood, bone, and brain matter stuck to the floor and some of the face stuck against her shoe which she rubbed off hard against the floor until it was clean. The eyeballs were ejected through the sockets and slid across the room as soon as she had done the act.
"Someone's hangry." Sirus teased "Maybe you'd feel a bit better once you've had a snack." Sirus nodded at the three corpses on the floor. One was the leader of the town who's neck was snapped by Sirus, the other two bodies were his servants.
"I'm irritated." Lynx crossed her arms, she had already consumed parts the wife of the leader of Rain. "We came all this way to toy with these insects when you can swoop in and take her."
"I'm not so sure about that. I heard that she has protection from Vermillion's king. And he himself is not ordinary-
"He's a vampire-
"He's a problem." Sirus glared at her for underestimating such an opponent. Nicholas was not only older than they were, but knew more, experienced more, and had killed all sorts of creatures including demons in the past. "I'd like to monitor her for now."
Lynx sighed "Do I need to send a spy? As an incubus you can do that on your own."
"I'd like you to go. I know you, I trust you. And I want you to get Luna to trust you too. Let her warm up to the idea of our engagement."
Lynx rolled her eyes, incubi and succubi could be so dramatic. She herself was a demon, one of the remaining Arae, demons/spirits who cursed the guilty. However Lynx believed that guilt could be found in the smallest of tasks, and her punishments were cruel and swift, it was a version of justice that fed her lust for violence.
"And if she doesn't comply?"
"Be...persuasive." Sirus told her "Luna's weak right now, but what's worse is that her true weakness lies in the heart. She cares. For mortals and immortals alike."
"Threatening people she cares for seems like the opposite of getting her to accept you."
"She's a girl." Sirus reminded her of this fact that he firmly kept in mind. Young, naive, and innocent. She could be turned if the right person tilted her head, if that person had the strength to. "She's to be mine per the arrangement. So we'll play this little game awhile longer."
"Fine." Lynx knew what this really was, babysitting. "When do you want me to head out?"
"Maybe a week or two from now. A little birdy chirped in my ear that the princess is in town, and she is even more destructive than her brother. We'll wait until she leaves, then you head out. Take your time too."
"Why?"
"Take a car or something to appear as humble. Think you can manage?"
"I think I should kill you." Lynx's eyes shifted to vertical slits that flickered bronze, the air around her exhumed that of a predator ready to pounce on their prey, coiled muscles, breathing shallowed, heat reeling off the body, hair standing up from pure excitement and fear (as well as all signs which were present during sex).
Sirus let out a wild guffaw, of course he knew she was serious, and she had a strength that could match his, but Lynx never went through with that promise.
"Have at it." Sirus extended both arms to opposite sides of his body "Just be careful not to stain anything."
Lynx rolled her eyes, transitioning back. Sirus was her friend, the one demon who understood her and vice versa. He was a pain in the ass at times, but in a way him asking a favor was good a thing, especially if one day she asked for one in return.
"Consider it done, you owe me."
"More than that, I owe you in blood by the gallons." Sirus' eyes lit up like a Halloween lantern with excitement "Prepare for your journey. Verdure soon awaits."
Back in an old stone castle that sat on the cliffside of a hill was an unsure Luna. Elizabeth's eyes probed her from the moment she came into the room, but Luna took her frail white hand and shook it rigidly.
"Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. I'm Luna."
"Hm. It's nice to meet you too. Brother, you didn't tell me you were still keeping guests."
Nick laughed nervously rubbing the back of his neck "It's a bit complicated, Eliza."
"Then uncomplicate it for me. Dominic." Elizabeth turned to face him, her eyes were a shade darker than Nick's and gave Dom chills. "You'll join us after dinner's been prepared."
"Um-
"Um?"
"O-Of course. Of course." Dom nodded and quickly excused himself from the room, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
When the moon rose dinner was served, and for the first time Luna saw Dom sit at the table, he sat next to her, with Luna across from Eliza who sat next to her brother. For the first five minutes no one said anything, just ate in awkward silence.
"The castle's still bleak." Elizabeth told Nick "And why is it so dark?"
Nick sipped water from his glass before answering, Elizabeth was exuding annoyance. He was always being berated by her for little things. She was bossy to say the least, but this was his home to do with as he pleased.
"Because I like it that way. The open windows-
"That's very dangerous by the way."
Nick sighed and turned to her "I enjoy the fresh light that shines in, it illuminates the castle in the most enchanting way. Secondly, Eliza, no one is coming to attack me-
