XXXXIV

F or a moment, Stella thought Jakob would refuse, but then his chin dipped in a nod that left relief flooding Stella's system.

"A temporary place if you succeed. Consider it a trial period. If you screw up even once, I'll have your head."

"Understood."

‘We don't have much time," Valdora said. "Raphael, I need you to trade places with me."

Raphael moved swiftly; his face set with stony determination. Stella and the others adjusted slightly to compensate for his absence. The new placement gave Stella a perfect view of them.

Once he reached Valdora's side, they bent their heads together as Valdora listed out her instructions to him. This time, the words didn't carry, and Stella's anxiety spiked. Keeping the flow of her energy into the circle and toward Irina felt impossible. Her concentration was too split.

Please work. Please work. Please work.

After what felt like an hour, Raphael and Valdora's heads pulled apart. Raphael mirrored Valdora's position as she straightened, the cane held before him in a vertical line with both hands.

"River, you'll finish the casting when I say go. Raphael, you'll step into my place when I say go. Both of you together, all right?"

"Yes," Raphael said, his eyes finding Stella's. She gave him a weak smile of encouragement. He sent her a similar one back as River responded in the affirmative too.

"One… Two…"

Stella caught a flash of fear in Raphael's eyes and almost stepped toward him, breaking the circle. His throat bobbed.

"Three."

In the hanging moment, Stella mouthed, I believe in you .

" Go ."

" Zotum cidellus !"

Raphael and Valdora moved in unison to the left, but no beam came out of the cane. Instead, a blinding light eclipsed the room. Stella's wasn't the only cry of surprise that sounded. She threw up an arm to cover her eyes, but the worst of the damage was already done.

Bright spots appeared behind Stella's eyelids. A whimper left her as she dropped to a crouch and tentatively lowered her arm. When she opened her eyes, the same spots disrupted her vision and she let out a noise of frustration.

She wanted to know what happened.

She needed to know if anyone was hurt.

Stella pressed against the bond frantically in search of Raphael. He answered almost instantly, and a rush of comfort greeted her alongside excitement. Stella tried opening her eyes again. Her vision was still skewed, but the longer she managed to keep them open the better it became.

The first to come into focus was the circle. All the white sand was a smoking black. Stella lurched upright and stepped away from it. Her eyes skirted next to the circle's middle where Irina stood bent at the waist. A mess of her own making laid at her feet that was reminiscent of tar.

Stella looked away before her stomach could rebel against her.

Her eyes met Raphael's. His face was far paler than before, but his eyes held a measure of pride that softened his haggard appearance. Jakob crossed over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. The two exchanged nods and Stella flushed with pride as well.

"Welcome to the family," Jakob said. Then his eyes drew to Irina like a magnet.

"Not yet, Uncle Jakob!" River said as he made to move toward his wife. "Valdora and I need to cleanse the space and clean the debris. Nobody touches the sand or breaks the circle before we give the all clear."

Jakob looked ready to protest, but then Irina croaked, "It's all right. I'm all right."

Stella joined the others as they gathered off to the side to let River and Valdora finish their work, making a beeline for Raphael. He pulled her into his weary arms when she was within reach.

"You did it," Stella breathed against his chest.

"Because you believed in me," Raphael whispered back.

Stella looked up at him. His tired eyes met hers. "Bargaining for a place in the household?" Stella teased though some of the anxiety over his bold actions still lingered.

"What can I say? I can't resist a good gamble." Raphael tucked a few wayward strands of her hair behind her ear.

Someone snorted. The word gross was most certainly uttered, but Stella didn't care. After all that had been lost, she was overcome with what she had gained. A family. A soulmark. A place in this court carved by her own two hands.

A fortnight flew by in the wake of Irina's return to hybrid status. Stella could barely wrap her mind around it and all that passed in the interim.

There'd been no time to lose after River and Valdora cleared and cleansed the space before Irina and Jakob called upon the special committee. They'd returned sometime after dawn victorious, but with a not-so-subtle warning that she would be watched carefully.

Then there was the matter of the household at large. Jax never returned after his fatal use of dark magic on Nova. Two household members were gone in a single night, and two gained.

Raphael's welcome had been less than warm compared to Stella's, especially after explaining his deal with the demons to Jakob and Irina. Stella sat through the heavy conversation right by his side. It had been uncomfortable, to say the least, but there was no denying that Raphael brought with him an abundance of information that could help the Vranas.

Like the Ether and its means of spying.

The Demon Quarter hiding in plain sight.

And of course, the demon's infamous Lord Wepwawet.

Raphael couldn't shed much light on the demon God's grander plans, playing only a small part in them to begin with, but he insisted one was in play. He insisted nothing went on in the Dark Court without the demons knowing. A fact Irina had tacked on that would piss off the Corvina family.

Stella took a deep breath and culled the weight of the conversation from her mind, opting instead to peer around her bedroom. A smile lifted her lips. The bedroom was twice the size of her old apartment, not including the en suite bathroom. The room was dressed in rich royal blues and creamy whites. Its wood floors boasted two large rugs; one under the king-size bed and the other under two wingback chairs and an accent table.

All the belongings she packed outside her wardrobe, her books and knickknacks, were scattered around the room. It made the lavish space feel cozier, but they weren't her favorite part of the room. That honor was reserved for the three large windows.

She made it a point to never close the satin curtains. The natural light and dark were an unaccustomed luxury she couldn't stop admiring. That she shared the room with Raphael after explaining to Jakob and Irina about their soulmark, made the bedroom even more of a haven.

A gentle knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Stella said, setting aside her book. Deval stuck his head inside and shot her a smile.

"They're back."

Stella's heartbeat jumped. "I'll be right down."

He left the door open as he retreated, and Stella was quick to follow. Even though Raphael sequestered himself in the royal apartment suite since the night of the new moon, a disturbing "rumor" reached the special committee's ears. As a result, for the majority of the evening, he'd been out with Jakob at an informal review. Stella and the rest of the family knew it was anything but formal.

The only reason Stella remained calm in the hours that passed was through the reassurances passed by Raphael through the soulmark bond. While there had been some noticeable moments of annoyance, anger, and worry, Stella was left with the overall impression that things went well.

At least, well enough.

Stella speed walked to the receiving room on the main floor. Everyone was already gathered around the furniture, taking their seats, and getting comfortable for what was sure to be an important talk. Stella smothered her surprise to see even Ruby in attendance.

She'd only seen her a handful of times since moving in. Every time it was like seeing a ghost.

"Hey." Raphael hadn't bothered trying to claim a seat. He stood near the mouth of the foyer's hall, hands casually resting in his front pockets sans gloves. He met her halfway as she entered the room, wrapping his arms around her once she was within reach and placing a kiss on her forehead.

Stella sank into the comfort of his embrace. "You're not dead."

"I'm not." Stella could hear the smile in his voice. "Though unsurprisingly, I too, now find myself under the committee's close watch."

" Excuse me , but this is a family meeting in which all the details of your interrogation are shared with the entire household and not just—"

Sebastian coughed loudly and then adjusted his glasses. "What Briar's trying to say is come and sit. We're all eager to hear what happened." Briar rolled her eyes and sank back into the couch, arms folding over her chest.

Stella offered a smile in apology, and she and Raphael took the section of the couch that had yet to be claimed. Once seated, Deval began the conversation.

"So, what happened?" He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as he looked between both Raphael and Jakob. "You were gone for hours. Way longer than Irina's meeting."

"That's because this wasn't a meeting," Jakob replied. "It was a negotiation."

Irina sat up straight in her seat next to Jakob's. "A negotiation? For what? I thought this was about the matter of Raphael losing his demon powers in favor of sorcery."

"It seemed that way at first. I explained my transformation as best I could but played ignorant for the most part. I couldn't say why a God chose to extend their favor to me, or how exactly in accepting it, my demonic abilities fled or the runes that decorated my horns and body vanished too. However, the fact that my half-breed status was already common knowledge, they begrudgingly accepted it. Afterward is when the negotiating came in."

"Negotiating for what thought?" Irina asked.

"Information on the Lunar Court and demon population," Jakob answered.

"But you were never part of the Lunar Court," Stella said. Raphael took her hand in his and squeezed.

"No, but I had close ties with enough members to make whatever knowledge I might possess appealing. As for their questions on the demons at court, I might have only ever been half, but that was more than enough."

Some of Raphael's unease and bitterness filtered through their bond. It pulled a frown onto Stella's lips.

"I advised Raphael to hold his tongue on both matters," Jakob told them. "Which is why we were detained for so long. Our uncooperativeness was deemed for an extent of time as hostile and treasonous ."

"But why not tell them about the demons?" Irina asked.

Jakob's lips thinned momentarily. "I believe the special committee is compromised. As such, there was no reason to show all our cards. Unfortunately, because of our uncooperativeness on that matter, certain pressures were applied that forced us to acquiesce to their other demands."

"Other demands?" Stella repeated. "What other demands?"

A rush of scenarios bombarded Stella. All of them resulted in one form or another of Raphael being tortured, banished, or killed.

"I signed a formal declaration renouncing any connection or status I held with the demons—" Raphael rolled his eyes "—as if that was ever in question."

"And I officially declared both Stella and Raphael as members of the Vrana household," added Jakob.

Briar scoffed and Sebastian cleared his throat. "I mean no offense," he said, casting a glance to Raphael, who shrugged in return. "Stella, of course, was always intended to be a member of this family. However, I thought his position was on a trial basis." Sebastian waited patiently for Jakob's answer.

"My hands were tied in the matter," was all that Jakob said. "It was either declare for them or reject them."

Stella smiled appreciatively at Jakob. "Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me. Your loyalty and dedication to this family have always put you in our highest regard. Despite Raphael's many indiscretions, he was instrumental in saving Irina… and his soulmark connection with you also made it quite impossible to say no." Stella held back a grin as she shared a sly look with Raphael.

Deval raised his hand, a growing frown appearing over his brow. Jakob waved for him to speak.

"Since when can they force that kind of decision? Isn't each household allowed the final say in their members?"

"Ah, but we are no mere household." A sardonic smile slashed across Jakob's face. "We are a class apart. Not mere royals but a symbol of what this court is… which brings me to their final demand. We've been given notice to add four vampyrés to our household."

A cacophony of voices spiked in outrage and question. Stella's own among them questioning the validity of the demand and what they would do. Jakob quieted everyone after allowing them a brief interlude to voice their complaints.

"—I will not be giving up my study," Sebastian groused, his voice the last to usher a grievance.

"Vampyrés once held the majority in our small household, but with recent events, the tides have changed. We are comprised of four vampyrés and five other supernaturals. It was made quite clear that a household of our standing and rank could not maintain its credibility among the other vampyré households as we stand. If we did not yield to their demand of fresh blood, then we would be held before all other households for a vote to be stripped of our title."

"A vote we don't have the numbers for," Irina voiced the obvious problem bleakly.

"Not yet," Jakob stressed and held out his hand for Irina. She took it gratefully.

"They'll find the thinnest excuse to bring us down," Briar huffed. "First Irina, now this? What next? All four of our new members are sanguinares, who we'll have to put down?"

"This is no time to disparage. We've been given an opportunity to strengthen our household and position at court if we use it correctly. Let's not limit ourselves to thinking fresh blood exclusively means fledgling vampyrés. We can tap houseless courtiers or extend invitations to seasonal courtiers."

Sebastian leaned forward. A gleam stroked his gaze as if the ideas going on inside his head spurned a fire all their own. "A houseless courtier might prove beneficial if they're already in line with our views. They may also already hold certain relationships and sway with other households should we need to strengthen our position. Seasonal courtiers hold their own appeal. They've always been the more liberal sort."

Briar cocked an eyebrow. "Yes, and if they're not the liberal sort, then they're the bloodthirsty sort. As in, they will wreak chaos and havoc because they find it so deliciously fun, regardless of household ties or standing."

"Which is why it's imperative we choose wisely... and swiftly."

The small hesitation made Stella fidget in her seat. "How swiftly?"

Jakob's expression clouded over momentarily. "We have thirty nights to extend invitations to four new vampyré and have them accept. With night one beginning tonight."

A second outburst of emotion and dismay filled the room, mostly from Irina and Briar.

"All that means is our selection process begins tonight," Jakob insisted, raising his voice above the two. "We already keep an extensive file on every courtier, and tonight we use that to our advantage. We'll review every houseless and seasonal courtier and sort them into two piles: acceptable and unacceptable. From there, we'll refine further," Jakob instructed.

"What about human prospects?"

Jakob eyed Deval thoughtfully. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have two or three in consideration. I'll leave the task to you."

Deval blinked owlishly, then sat up straighter. "But I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"That's all right, Briar will assist you."

"I will?"

Jakob turned his gaze calmly to Briar. "You will." She nodded. The slightest pout tilted out her bottom lip, but Stella gleaned the spark of challenge cast in Briar's expression. "Sebastian, come and help me retrieve the files from my study upstairs. If someone could clear the table as well. Put the raven on the mantel and the books where they belong—"

"There's one more issue to address."

The room, only just spurned into activity, went still.

"What issue, Ruby?" Irina asked.

"Jax." Her answer put the room on tenterhooks. Ruby turned her gaze to Raphael. "You said the demons wanted him, right?"

"Er, yes. I believe they mean to bind him to our— their Lord and God, Wepwawet. However, the act must be done willingly on Jax's part," Raphael explained.

"You don't know why they want him bound?" Ruby asked.

"No, I'm sorry. You never knew more than the basics of what you were assigned, but it was common knowledge all assignments in some way helped with the greater plan of our— their ," Raphael corrected again with more frustration. "With their Lord. It's more likely that a higher-ranked demon would know more, but since I was at the bottom of the barrel…"

"They gave you a big enough task though, didn't they? Steal the grimoire, kill your girlfriend, and feed Jax to the wolves." Briar glanced at Irina and Deval. "Metaphorically speaking."

Raphael bristled. "I wasn't given the task because I was important. It was because I was expendable. Last I checked, the grimoire is safely in our care and Stella's pulse remains intact."

"And Jax?"

"Briar?" Ruby intervened. The vampyré softened her scalding gaze before turning it to Ruby. "Shut up." Briar's jaw dropped. "We can't change the past and dwelling on it like this won't do us any favors. I understand that the priority needs to be on filling out our numbers to meet the committee's demands, but we can't neglect Jax."

"Ruby." Sympathy coated Irina's voice, but she was ignored. Ruby only had eyes for Raphael.

"A war is brewing. I can feel it—" Emotion cracked Ruby's voice. She took a second to compose herself. "We need to be prepared on all fronts, which means you need to learn how to use your magic as fast as you can." She cleared her throat and continued more softly, "I want to be the one to help you. I worked with Jax the most. I know how his mind works, at least, I used to. We can use that to our advantage."

Stella felt Raphael's shock, echoed by her own.

"As for you, you need to double down on your training with Deval now that…" Ruby's gaze only just shifted to Stella when her watering eyes dropped quickly to her lap. The room held its tongue as she once more collected herself. "Keep training with Deval. As for River, you know what you need to do."

Raphael's interest peaked through the bond. He cast Stella a searching glance, but she gave a small shake of her head. It wasn't the time to divulge her curse, but they would speak on it soon no doubt.

"What about the rest of us?" Briar prompted.

"Find the best possible prospects to join our household, and whenever the others aren't busy with their tasks as stated by Ruby, they'll also contribute to our search efforts. They'll take measure of our prospects, spend time with them, and report back," Jakob replied.

Anticipation filtered through the room with the plan in place. Stella's heart beat a little faster.

Raphael cleared his throat. "Are you sure you want to help me?"

Ruby locked eyes with him as she gave a curt nod. "I'm the most qualified to help."

"I'm not so sure if that's true," River grumbled.

"Witch magic and sorcerer magic are different," Ruby said, her voice leaving no room for debate. "I've been exposed to both for decades."

"Me too," River muttered more softly. "Technically. Sort of," she amended in clear reference to her time in the Otherworld. Ruby ignored her and turned her attention back to Raphael.

"I'll help you because we need to be prepared for whatever the demons are planning and because we have to be able to beat Jax when the time comes." A hardness entered Ruby's voice as she finished speaking. The determination she presented wearing a dangerously frosty front.

"Jax doesn't need to be beaten, Ruby," Sebastian spoke with care. "He's not our enemy. He's just—"

"Lost," Raphael finished.

River heaved a sigh, a worrisome frown tugging at her features. "Let's say Jax is engrained with the Lunar Court and demons now. Then Ruby's right. We need to be prepared for the chance that he may be working on behalf of their grand plan. Whatever it may be."

"But why would he?" Deval pushed back.

Raphael lifted a hand and started counting off the reasons on his finger. "His ego. His desire for power. His crusade for equality. His natural thirst for knowledge and magic—of any variety."

"You mean dark magic," Ruby said her eyes turning hard like stone.

Raphael nodded, holding Ruby's gaze even when she tried to look away. "The demons and Lunar Court will give it to him. They'll give him anything to stay because he's that powerful."

Jakob stood and wound his way around to stand behind Irina's chair. He surveyed the room and its occupants somberly before speaking.

"I know it's been difficult these past few months—this year even—and unbearably difficult for others more recently. But I want you all to know how proud I am of you for standing by one another as we face this fire. Take heart in the knowledge that this isn't the first time the Vrana Household has risen from the ashes.

"They have damaged us. Knocked us down. But we are not broken, and we will not stop fighting. Our goal remains the same. We will be the hands to shape and mold this court, and the foremost seat of authority. We will see to it that it evolves as it rightfully should and create a legacy that we all can be proud of," Jakob finished passionately.

Stella's heart stirred as energy in the room ignited.

"Patience conquers," Ruby proclaimed.

"Family first," River added, reaching out and touching Stella's shoulder.

She smiled back at her. "Always."

The atmosphere felt wholly rejuvenated. There wasn't just a plan in place and action to be taken—there was fervent hope. Stella watched as Sebastian and Jakob went off to get the files, while River and Ruby began to clear the coffee table.

Raphael leaned into her side, his nose brushing against her cheek before whispering. "You're my always, love."

A small but giddy smile lit up Stella's face. She turned and kissed his cheek as the room's energy continued to build on the momentum of Jakob's speech and all that was to be done. If a war was coming, they would be ready. Stella was more than ready and willing to fight for her new family.

A pulse of warmth filled her as she locked eyes with Raphael. And , she thought, for the man I'm coming to love .