Chapter Seventeen

Damon could no longer sit on the sidelines. Not when he saw the shifters were starting to become outnumbered.

"I would tell you that you're supposed to stay put, but I can see the determination in your eyes," Raidh said, glancing toward the counter from where he was seated on the floor. "I would love to help, but…"

Damon squatted to face him, resting his forearms on his knees. He could still remember that night so vividly. "I get it. A vampire nearly killed you. There's nothing wrong with having a healthy dose of fear of them, Raidh." Damon gave him a warm, understanding smile. "Besides, I'm not facing my twin's wrath if he spots you outside. I actually have a few reasons to live now."

"Aww." Raidh grinned. "I don't mind being your number-one reason."

"We're family, and I would protect you with my life, but you are not on the very top of that list." Damon chuckled. "The little pumpkin seed inside of me has claimed that spot." He chucked a thumb over his shoulder. "Plus the gorilla outside who fights like a wet dre—" He held a hand up. "Never mind."

"I'm sure Jax didn't mean to call Casimir a gorilla." Raidh got to his feet then dusted off his butt. "Things were tense."

"You really are a little peacekeeper." Damon let out a small chuckle. "Casimir is a gorilla in size comparison. I didn't take any offense."

"How are you going to lock the door?" Raidh looked nervously past Damon's shoulder. "Sorry, but I'm not going anywhere near it. I don't need any vampires spotting me."

Raising his hand, Damon wiggled his fingers. "One hundred percent chance of fog in the forecast, folks. As soon as it's thick enough, no one will see you locking the door." He pouted. "I still wish I'd gotten laser eyes."

From behind the counter, Damon's hand began to glow. He concentrated on the area right out front so he could quickly mask Raidh before Damon stepped outside.

Casimir was going to kill him, but Damon couldn't sit on his ass and do nothing. Those were his family and friends out there fighting. If he needed to get away, he had wings. But Casimir was still out there battling Elouan. That fight should have ended already since his mate had had his magic restored.

Which made Damon think something else was at play. He was still tripping over the fact ghouls existed, but he doubted that was the reason the fight hadn't ended already.

"Ready?" he asked Raidh when the fog had cut visibility outside the restaurant down to zero.

But Raidh didn't look ready. He looked terrified at the mere thought of going anywhere near the door. Jaytee would ground Damon into dust if his twin knew he'd just scared his mate half to death.

"Raidh." Damon snapped his fingers a few times to get the fairy's attention. His brother-in-law glanced at him then past him.

There was no way Damon could ask Raidh to do something that scared him this badly. "Okay, hon, I'll stay here," he said softly. "I'm not going to leave you alone." He wiggled his brows. "Want to see what food we can chow down on while the world is ending? We could have some pulled pork pandemonium, French fry fiasco, coleslaw chaos, or my favorite, apple pie apocalypse."

The side of Raidh's mouth quirked. "My favorite would be chicken tender catastrophe."

"Aw, come on, man. We already used a C," Damon objected playfully. He leaned his butt against the counter and crossed his arms. "You can do better, Raidh."

The fairy tilted his head. "It's so weird sometimes. I'm looking at an exact replica of my mate, and while I adore you, there's no connection with you like I have with Jaytee. There are times when I see you in the house, and for a split second I think you're my mate and I panic because I don't feel our bond."

"Then you realize it's just lil ol' me." Damon grinned.

"Little?" Raidh stared wide-eyed at him. "You're six-two, have huge muscles, and a long beard. I hope you don't get offended, but I can't for the life of me picture you pregnant."

Damon burst out laughing. "Now you know how I feel. If you recall, when I had my breakdown in the kitchen, I said almost the same exact thing." He looked around as if anyone would be in the restaurant. "You wouldn't happen to know where this pup is coming out of, do you?"

Swear to god, Damon had never seen anyone who turned that deep shade of red. He had an urge to grab the fire extinguisher. "How would…I don't…I mean, I guess…"

"Calm down." Damon smirked, stroking his beard. "All you had to do was say you didn't. I guess it would be useless to ask you what kíen means."

Raidh just stood there with his mouth hanging open, and his lavender-grey eyes bugged. It seemed Damon was two-for-zero. "Close your mouth before you catch flies."

"Did Casimir teach you that word?" Raidh scowled, his hands planted on his hips.

"Oh my god," Damon groaned in disbelief, his arms spread out. "How bad could it be?"

Raidh glanced around, just like Damon had, licking his lips. "It originated with the Méityah , but others have learned about it, though I personally would never use it," Raidh whispered like his mom was lurking around the corner with a bar of soap, ready to wash his mouth out. "From my understanding, since guardians rarely—"

Both their gazes shot toward the entrance when they heard what sounded like sharp nails clicking along the glass.

"Get behind me, Raidh." Damon let out a low growl, turning to face the front of the restaurant.

"I am behind you," Raidh replied nervously.

The fog still clung heavily outside, making it impossible for Damon to see past it. He didn't like not knowing who was taunting them.

"You got some kind of chant to let us know what's going on out there?" Damon's claws slid free, studying the glass door and large window, trying to get a glimpse of who it was.

"I don't need a spell." Raidh swallowed roughly. "I can already tell you it's no one we want to let in."

Damon wanted to tell Raidh to go into the kitchen, but since he couldn't see back there, he wasn't sending the little fae into a room for a potential ambush. "Get down on the floor. If they look inside, all they'll see is me."

Raidh dropped to his hands and knees.

"Do me a favor," Damon said without taking his eyes off the front of the restaurant. His gut told him that whoever was out there would try to get in. Since he was the only one in there, it was his job to keep Raidh safe. "Check the cupboards or whatever storage Mason has back there for cooking oil." He reached down and grabbed Raidh shoulder before the fairy could slide into the kitchen. "Don't go too far back there. I didn't hear or smell anyone come through the back door, but I would rather err on the side of caution."

Raidh nodded rapidly before Damon let go of him. Not even a minute later he returned with a gallon jug clutched against his chest. Raidh's face was red, and he was grunting before he dropped the container on the counter. "I didn't know oil could be so heavy."

Damon didn't comment. Now was not the time to tease his brother-in-law. He retracted his claws, grabbed the jug, then walked to the front door. Then Damon walked slowly backward, spilling splotches along his way.

Hopefully, whoever it was wouldn't see the oil spots. Damon was counting on them slipping and falling. They wouldn't stay down, but it would buy Damon enough time to get Raidh out of there if the enemy was more than he could handle.

When he was almost to the counter, the nails slid along the glass again. All Damon could see was a hand with thick, black claws. Damon began to pant heavily, feeling as if the happiness inside of him was draining out of him, leaving him with guilt and shame over what he'd put his mate and family through.

"Oh god," Raidh whispered, tears in his voice. "I should have never involved Jaytee in my sordid mess. I never meant for any of it to happen." He burst out crying. "If my father hadn't paid Vicino to come after me, you wouldn't have been put in that sleep. Look what I've done to you. I'm so sorry, Damon."

This wasn't right. Damon had accepted what he'd become. Was happier than he'd ever been. "Raidh, whoever is out there is drawing out our regrets and guilt. Can you counteract it?"

Because Damon felt the darkness inside of him trying to claw its way out. If it succeeded, he would attempt to drain the fairy of all his blood.

"I really need you to counteract this effect, buddy." Damon felt his fangs straining to lengthen. He wanted to join Raidh behind the counter, to stay close to Jaytee's mate, but he feared getting any closer to the fae.

Damon was left with no choice when the glass on the door shattered and in walked two men. They were Damon's height and build, but one had short, black hair and the other was a blond, his long hair in a braid that hung over his shoulder.

"Look what we have here, Niall," the blond said to his friend. "A cute little fae and…" He sniffed the air before his brow creased. "What exactly are you?"

Damon fought against the dark urge clawing inside of him. "I'll be a gracious host and allow you to go first." He tried not to breathe in Raidh's sweet smell.

The blond bowed. "We are infernus incolae , but you can call us hellhounds."

Damon's blood ran cold. No wonder all his joy had drained away. That was one of the things hellhounds were known for, though this was his first encounter with the creatures.

Niall sniffed the air. "He almost smells like a Zantharian, but there's something way off about his scent." He frowned. "It's your turn to tell us what you are, mutt."

Nazaryth stepped through the broken door frame and stabbed the blond behind his ear. Damon's brows shot up, and Raidh squeaked when the hellhound burst into dust. That was one hell of a way to die. But at the same time, Casimir followed behind the winged beast and stabbed his sword into the dark-haired man's head with a snarl, ending the guy in the same way.

"Are you two okay?" Nazaryth asked as Casimir crossed the room, hurrying toward Damon.

But he slipped on the oil and fell right on his ass. He hit so hard Damon felt the floor vibrate.

"Watch out for the oil," Damon said belatedly.

Nazaryth smirked down at Casimir as Damon's mate sat up and glared at him. "Your timing sucks, nékah ."

"We're okay." Raidh nodded then started around the counter.

Too late Damon smelled the approaching enemy. They came from behind him, clearly gaining access through the kitchen.

Damon turned to find Elouan coming around the corner. Elouan drove his sword through Damon's gut with a triumphant shout. Damon cried out, his insides feeling as if the fires of hell were burning inside of him. Elouan yanked his sword free as Casimir and Nazaryth attacked

Dropping to his knees, Damon clutched his stomach, hot tears coursing down his face as he thought of his and Casimir's child. He thought of the conversation he'd had at this very counter with his dad, Kalen offering to build the pup's crib by hand. How happy Casimir had looked as they'd stood in the bathroom mirror and his mate had touched the line of butterflies on Damon's neck.

There was no way their unborn child could have survived the wound. Damon didn't think he was going to either. The sword had been glowing when Elouan had skewered him, and already Damon felt himself weakening, unable to shift.

The entire building shook as a fissure raced along the floor while cracks climbed over the walls. Casimir, Nazaryth, and Elouan were unable to stay on their feet. Nazaryth spread his wings and hovered as the interior of the restaurant pulsed.

Aldrin appeared right next to Damon, hell's wrath twisting his features.

"Help Damon!" Casimir flipped to his feet when the building grew still and raced toward him, dropping to his knees when his mate reached out to him. "It's going to be okay, ceutya nétya ," his mate said through tears. He pressed a shaky hand over Damon's stomach, blood instantly coating his hand.

Damon collapsed sideways, but Casimir caught him and lay him on the floor. He knew he wasn't going to make it by the horrified look in Casimir's cerulean-blue eyes.

"I swear to you I killed him," Casimir said frantically. "I ran my blade through his heart. He fell dead at my feet." He wiped his tears with the back of his arm. "I'm so sorry, nékah . Our babe…" He clenched his eyes shut as a sob escaped.

"No one is going to stop this child from being born." Aldrin's voice sounded demonic. When Damon glanced at him, he was stunned to see the man's irises had turned into swirling galaxies, and his features were… Damon had never seen anything that terrifying.

Elouan screeched as he was lifted up into the air, his weirdly cut hair a falling cascade.

"I erase you from existence." Aldrin's voice sounded like it was echoing as Elouan slowly dissolved into tiny particles before they died out. Then Aldrin lowered to one knee and poised his splayed hand above Damon's stomach.

The intense pain eased. Damon yanked his shirt up, and although there was blood on his skin, he didn't see a wound.

"I just keep pulling your ass out of messes." Aldrin shook his head.

"This one wasn't my doing," Damon replied, pressing his hand against his stomach, almost too afraid to ask. "The baby?"

"Safe and sound, and since danger keeps riding your ass…" Aldrin closed his eyes and spoke in a language Damon couldn't understand, but he felt a tingle race through him.

"What was that?" Damon was too overwhelmed about the pup to even put his emotions into words. His pumpkin seed was fine, still tucked away inside of him.

Aldrin opened his eyes. "A powerful enchantment that will keep your babe safe. When you give birth, it will stay with your child for their entire existence."

Damon was blown away. "What exactly is my pup's purpose?"

"You wouldn't happen to know if it's going to be a boy or girl, would you?" Casimir asked.

Damon slapped his mate's arm. "I think my question is more important."

Aldrin vanished.

"Damn it," Damon snarled as he pushed to his feet. "Why was I lying on a dirty floor? Do you know how disgusting public floors are?"

"Care to tell me why you had vampires after you?" Nazaryth asked.

Damon frowned. He recalled Arion warning that they were coming, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember who Arion was talking about or why they were being attacked.

Casimir shook his head. "I was in the forest when I was ambushed by a swarm of vampires, but I don't know why they attacked me. And tonight…" He frowned. "Arion warned us about the impending attack, but I have no clue why those vampires wanted us dead."

"Arion…" Casimir cursed. "I need to find out if Jax and Elvine found him."

"They did." Kalen walked through the door. An image flickered in Damon's mind—destroyed floor and walls, broken glass—but as quickly as it came, it disappeared. When he glanced around, the interior of the restaurant looked fine. Why had Damon thought Wild Tiger Barbeque had been demolished?

"Is he okay?" Raidh asked.

"He's alive," Kalen replied. "Jax and Elvine took him home. Jax called Jaytee to give him the update." He glanced over his shoulder. "Does anyone know why those vampires attacked us?"

"We were just trying to figure that out," Casimir replied.

"Whose clothes are you wearing?" Damon asked his dad.

"Mason had some extra in his go-bag. I think it's time we head home."

Damon couldn't have agreed more. He took Casimir's hand as they headed for the door.

* * * *

"How'd it go?" Panahasi asked when Aldrin walked inside the demon leader's apartment.

"The babe is safe." Like he'd told Elouan, no one would stop the child from being born. It was more important than anyone knew.

Currently, Zennor slumbered. He was a vile, merciless god the likes of which no one had ever seen before.

Even Aldrin feared him. Maybe because he was one of four who'd forced Zennor into a billion-year sleep. They'd thought they would find a way to kill him before he woke up. They hadn't, and they were running out of time. In two hundred years, Zennor would wake up and unleash hell on earth. Thankfully all wasn't lost.

When Damon and Casimir's child found their mate, the couple's combined powers would become unparalleled. They would be the only hope of the entire world surviving Zennor's wrath.

After making himself a drink, Aldrin sat next to Panahasi at his in-home bar. "Wiped Elouan from existence, which means he never was born."

Panahasi frowned. "Then how did you explain the attack?"

"I didn't." He took a sip of his bourbon. "They have no clue why they were attacked. I also wiped their memories of the hellhounds showing up, of Damon being stabbed, and the protection spell I placed on their child."

Panahasi snorted. "Why didn't you just erase the entire event?"

"Arion."

A knowing look entered Panahasi's eyes. "Jaytee and Elvine would have never found their other mate if you'd done that."

Aldrin turned his tumbler slowly around on the counter. "I might have blocked Jax's and Elvine's connection to each other until they met Arion. That way all three could discover they were mates at the same time because I didn't want Arion to feel like he was coming into an already established relationship. The guy has suffered enough and needs something beautiful in his life."

"At least Fate can be pissed at you this time instead of me," Panahasi snarled.

Aldrin didn't blame him. Fate had been a straight-up dickhead.

He downed his drink. "Let him get pissed. I'm heading home to my mate." Now that he'd saved humanity's future.

"Are you sure this child is humanity's savior?" Panahasi asked.

He'd been one of the four who'd put Zennor into the sleep and knew how important it was to find a way to kill the god.

"I can already feel their power from within Damon. So, yes, I'm sure."