30. Diana

Ifelt like I got hit by a train. Then the conductor said, "oh shit, I went the wrong way", backed up, then ran over me in reverse. For fuck's sake, I couldn't even get out of bed, I was so tired. We stayed up all night, our sexcapades lasting until at least four in the morning. My immortality meant I healed quicker–so I just ached down there–but it unfortunately didn't mean I could forgo sleep. The old school clock the guys insisted on keeping on the bedside table flashed nine. I couldn"t have slept longer than four hours.

Ugh, today will suck harder than I sucked Bash last night.

At least the guys weren't here to snuggle with me or talk to me. I needed some me-time to get my shit together. I laid there, content to enjoy the rare silence of an empty bedroom, something I rarely experienced living with five men. When I was finally able to roll over, I saw a note on the other pillow. Mal was one of the most thoughtful people I'd ever met, even when he aided the guys in edging me to the point where my nipples felt like they were going to fall off.

Diana,

We decided to let you sleep, because you literally wouldn't wake up. Desmond had to check you for signs of life this morning. Sleep in and get as much rest as you can. There's a berry and granola parfait in the fridge for breakfast.

Love,

Mal, Ares, Bash, Desmond, and Zaz

PS, Desmond: You wouldn't be so tired right now if you weren't such a brat. Just saying.

PS, Bash: You're really angelic when you sleep, and I'm angry I can't watch you.

PS, Zaz: Please link me and let me know if you need anything for pain or a potion for a boost.

PS, Ares: I already miss that wet pussy.

I laughed to myself. They were too much sometimes. I planned to take Zaz up on his offer though, because as far as I was concerned, I needed a triple boost just to sit up without my core muscles giving out.

"Um…Diana…" Oisín's voice sounded like it was coming from the living room. I snapped my fingers, magically throwing on some leggings and a sweatshirt and stuffed the note under my pillow, praying to the universe he wouldn"t come in here. He was such a ball buster sometimes.

His lumbering footsteps proved that the universe didn't give a shit about my pride, and I quickly pulled my blanket up to my chin and pretended to be sleeping.

"Di!" he shouted. When I didn't respond, he shook my shoulders, almost dislodging my blanket. "DIANA ROSSI MORNINGSTAR, wake up!"

"Oisín, go away you ginger ogre. I'm exhausted," I said, pretending to be half asleep.

"No can do, sister. Our dads are looking for you, and none of your penis-paraders knew where you were, conveniently–surprised their pants weren't on fire. I figured you were still sleeping. Come on, we have to start packing. Deployment in three hours."

He stood there, and I looked from him to the door, giving him a silent cue to leave. He didn't get the cue.

"O, can you give me some privacy?" I asked.

He took in the state of the room. There were clothes everywhere, the sheets corners were messed up, and an empty box of donuts sat on the bedside table.

His sharp cackle slapped me right in the face. "My sister is a WHORE! The great Diana R. Morningstar was taken out by a gangbang!"

"O, shut up!" I snapped. My face heated, and I knew it was turning beet-red. Half the building has superhearing and it wasn't their fucking business what I did in my bedroom.

"I wondered why they all seemed so happy this early in the morning, but I figured it was because they all loved bloodshed and violence, especially Ares. You'd have thought he won the lottery…which I guess for him, he did."

"You asshole, get the fuck out of my room!" I screamed, throwing my pillow at him.

He caught it and lit it on fire, laughing as the ashes hit the floor. Then he saw the note. His eye practically sparkled with mischief as he teleported it into his hands.

"Oisín, you fucker, give that back right now. That's private!"

"All the more reason to read it," he said before reading it aloud in a ridiculously high pitched voice. He wretched, pretending to vomit all over the floor, and laughed at his own humor.

"The least they could do was get you a fucking parfait. No bacon? No eggs? Not even a bagel with a flavored cream cheese?! You need to either upgrade or train these men better, Diana. They have five somewhat functioning brains, this is amateur hour. For shame."

Rolling my eyes, I got out of bed, wincing because I underestimated how much this would hurt once I stood up. I started casting the spells needed to augment the inside of my only suitcase. Mal and O had taught me how during our trip, so I could bring everything I needed, but the task of folding and packing everything was daunting.

"Contrary to my actions, I didn't come here to make fun of you," O assured me as he pointed at the pile of clothes. He magicked them so they landed in the suitcase in neat, folded piles. "I can't even talk, I've done so much worse over the years."

"I'm sure you have. How old are you again? I'm surprised your bones aren't crumbling to dust where we stand. I'll make sure to pack you some of those calcium chews Nonna likes to take." I internally gloated at how hilarious I was.

"Ha, ha, ha. At least I'm out of diapers, you little baby. You're almost twenty three? That's nothing. I'll make sure to buy you some cool stuffed animals once we get to Hell's gift shop. Think of them as an early birthday gift."

O and I continued to trade barbs as we packed all my things. His witty comebacks were on an entirely new level, and I wanted to be just as ruthless when I grew up. I loved bonding with my brother, even when he was being a complete shit.

I brushed my teeth and got ready, changing into a black tactical catsuit and combat boots one of the guys left out for me. My brother carried my suitcase as we made our way to the front door.

"Say goodbye, sister. We're going to Hell."

All the memories I made here flashed before my eyes, good and bad.

Watching movies, eating snacks. The sex, love, and snuggles. The fights, the make-ups. The horrendously good puns. Watching the guys wrestle and beat the crap out of each other. Reading books with Ares and Mal. Looking over Desmond's shoulder at his iPad while he monitored their businesses they had to leave behind. Deep conversations with Zaz. Trying to ignore Bash watching me like a creeper.

"I'm going to miss this place…" I admitted. "But onward and downward, I guess."

Oisín patted my back, and we locked the door on our way out. This was the beginning of a new era. The Morningstar Era.

"I don't likethis part of the plan," Ares grumbled. He grabbed me around the waist, lifting me off the ground as if I were a feather, and threw me over his shoulder. Everyone was in the training facility, along with half of our soldiers. The rest were waiting in antechambers around the compound, ready to fade in when it was their turn to cross through the portal.

"Put my daughter down," Michael snapped.

"I changed my mind, she needs to stay with me." He didn't let go.

"Luci, talk some sense into this one. We're way too close for everything to go tits up right now," Michael huffed.

Mom giggled, and both my fathers smiled at her. "Tits up! That's hilarious."

"Come on Lyn, we have to make sure the portals between the antechambers and here are properly set up." Michael offered mom his arm, and they faded out of the room.

"Ooo, Michael and Marilyn, sitting on a cloud. Rocking it back and forth so loud?—"

My father muted Ares' cutting the god's singing short. "Shhh, focus. Michael is the only person who can open that portal, and I'm not letting him go without me or to let my daughter out of my sight. Ares, you have to stay here with the army…you're their General. You'll meet us when we secure a holding area for the troops."

"I know…" he sulked.

The blood rushing to my head was making me nauseous, so I faded out of his hold, and gave him a huge hug. He squeezed me so tightly that I was surprised he didn't crack my ribs.

"Ares, my giant hairy man, you need to have some faith. My Dads are perfectly capable of keeping me safe. I'll have Azazel, Mal, Oisín, and Judas with me too," I assured him.

"Did someone call my name?" Judas said after he faded right between Ares and Lucifer.

"Um, ironically, I did…" I admitted.

"What can I do for you, Diana Morningstar—Lucifer's Spawn and Sword—Terror of the Void—Woman Warrior waltzing into war wielding a weapon and a winning smile?" He said all of that with a straight face, and I had to give him props. It cut the tension between the three of us and made me snicker.

"Please help us convince Ares that we have to part for a day at most so he can lead the troops and I can help my dads?" I asked him. "My dads, brother, two of our partners, and you'll be there."

"And Bain, but that's not the point. You could walk in there alone and you'd still be fine, because you can take care of yourself. You're more powerful than even you give yourself credit for, Diana. Your men need to accept that even though they want to wrap you in man-bubble protection, you don't need it." Judas shot a pointed look at Ares, who flicked his hand, hitting his friend with a shot of magic to the jaw. It cracked like a right hook.

"Your caveman energy is excused because you're worried about your lady. I feel the same way about mine, so I understand," Judas sniffed. "Anywho, I have to drop said lady off with my guards, because sometimes the safest option is to let them go so everyone can do their job." Steam came out of Ares' ears, his fists catching on fire. "Toodles!" Judas exited.

"May the stars shine down on that poor man. Your aunt is hell on wheels," Lucifer snarked. I would argue with him...but he was right. She was all moxie, ass, and snark—but I knew someone like Judas would definitely be able to handle her.

"Fine. But you need to check in with me, every hour. Just keep your mindlink open so I can hear everything you're doing," he pouted.

"You'll see me soon, handsome," I said, giving him one final hug before I left to meet my dads and mom by the portal on the other side of the training facility.

Ares dipped me over, and gave me the longest, most passionate kiss I'd ever had. When the soldiers started whistling and cheering, I wriggled out of his hold, rubbed his chest for good luck, and walked away, reminding myself that this plan was for the best and that we'd only be parted temporarily.

When we met everyone at the portal, an ominous feeling settled in my chest. This was it. Once we stepped through that door, everything would change. We'd be in the thick of it, no longer removed from the war that would decide our world's future.

"Diana, I think we should say something to the troops," Lucifer suggested. "They need to hear from their leaders."

I had no clue what to say, but I agreed with him—this was the time to boost morale and remind them what they were fighting for.

Lucifer magnified his voice. His enormous, black wings unfurled from his back and carried him under the vaulted ceiling, allowing him to see the entire facility.

"Today is the day we take Pandemonium City back!" he yelled, his voice carrying a preternatural echo that sent chills down my spine. "I won't take up too much time, because I know you're all just as eager as me to get this bloodbath started—" the room erupted in cheers. The combined magic of all the vampires, shifters, demons, and magical beings crammed into the room buzzed and crackled, rising like a tide before crashing down over everyone. Their revelry went on for a few more minutes, dying down again when Lucifer cleared his throat.

"There are some people I'd like to thank. First and foremost, my children Diana and Oisín. They're my reason for coming back into the world after being gone for so long. Thank you for being by my side and fighting this fight with me."

The crowd started chanting Morningstar, Morningstar! Their belief in us almost made me cry. Oisín's emerald green wings sprouted from his back, and he flew to meet my father, giving him a huge hug and whispering something in his ear. Even with my superhearing I couldn't hear them over the army's excitement. I followed suit, hugging them both. The crowd got even louder, chanting Sword, and I had to blink back tears. I shot magical fireworks into the air, and many followed suit.

When the crowd died down, Lucifer said, "I would also like to thank my daughter's boyfriends. I hated them on principle, because no one will ever be good enough for her in my eyes, but they all grew on me." I scanned the room for my guys, and their expressions ranged from scowls to smiles. Zaz was laughing his ass off. "And lastly the loves of my life, Michael and Marilyn. Michael stood by me through my fall from grace, even through times I didn't deserve him. He brought me Marilyn, and I hope that once the war is over, we can start a new chapter of our lives together.

Michael and Lucifer locked eyes, and I had the feeling their private conversation was a good one, because both of my fathers smiled. Michael wrapped his arms around my mom's waist, lifting her into the air with him to meet us. The image of the three of them holding each other made me and O cry. They deserved happiness when all of this was over.

Lucifer nodded at me, and despite having no clue what to say, I sent a beam of magical light into the air, getting everyone's attention.

"Last but not least, the Morningstar family would like to thank all of you. You all believe in a better future enough to fight with us and bring our vision to life. You're all passionate and fearless enough to put your life on the line and fight injustice and a better tomorrow. Not just for all the paranormal beings of the world, but their mortal counterparts who don't even know we exist. Thank you. Together, we'll bring about a new era—The Morningstar Era!"

The volume of our army's chants and cheers could have blown the metaphorical roof off of the training facility. I waved to my men below, reminding myself that this war was for them as much as it was for me. Red had targeted all of us, and we wouldn't truly be safe until he was dead.

Thank you for being here with me,I linked them all. Azazel, Desmond, and Bash flew to me, joining the family's group hug. Mal and Ares used their magic to levitate themselves into the air and met us, and with all my men around me, I felt invincible.

I feel like a Morningstar.