Chapter 8

Cassia gasped for air, her climax flooding her. She'd never been with two men, and the power of her Alpha and Rafe's bite overwhelmed her. The magick of the shifter sizzled through her and she'd never felt freer.

As she fluttered open her eyes, Julian's mouth crushed upon hers. She tasted herself on her mate's tongue and deepened the kiss, her heart pounding in her chest.

She panted as he tore his lips from hers and rolled her onto her stomach. Rafe moved to the top of the bed and she settled between his legs.

"Take his cock," Julian ordered.

Cassia reached for Rafe's dick and grasped it, doing as she was told. The wolf groaned, his fangs still descended, as she gave him a firm stroke. The cool air brushed over her pussy, her body throbbing once again for release.

She moaned, anticipating her mate. With his cock pressed to her entrance, she wiggled against him. A firm sting to her bottom sent desire flooding through her body.

"Bad kitty. Patience."

Cassia released a whine of protest, her body lit with arousal.

"Suck him," Julian commanded.

She glanced up to Rafe, whose eyes swirled with lust. As she brought the wolf's shaft to her lips, she sucked a breath, Julian's cock sliding deep inside her pussy. She swallowed Rafe's hardness, flicking her tongue over his soft skin.

"Fuck yes, you're so beautiful," Julian said, sliding in and out of her pussy.

So full with her mate, she lost herself in the moment. Rafe writhed under her, fucking her mouth as Julian plunged inside her. She sucked a quick breath as Julian dripped a cool liquid upon her bottom.

"What?" she breathed, removing Rafe's cock from her mouth, still licking and stroking him.

"Just a little surprise for you, my mate. This ass."

"Oh Goddess." Cassia's eyes widened as he slid his finger over her back hole. A twinge registered as his finger slid inside her while he continued to pump in and out of her pussy. "What are you?—"

"I'm having all of you, meu amor. So I brought us a toy." Julian leaned over and revealed a shiny black bulbous object.

"I don't know if—" Cassia stilled as the smooth metal tip breached her tight hole.

"Easy … you're nice and wet. That's it."

Cassia sucked a breath as he inserted the firm bulb inside her ass. So full, her pussy contracted around him.

"You're so fucking hot. Does this feel good?" He tugged on it and settled it inside her.

"Oh Goddess. I'm so … it's tight. It's …"

Julian withdrew and slammed inside her. So full, her core contracted around him.

She tightened her grip on Rafe as he tunneled his fingers into her hair. The wolf tilted his hips upward, pumping himself into her warm mouth. Full with both men, Cassia's body quivered in ecstasy. Edging close to her climax, she devoured Rafe's cock, sucking it hard. He cupped the back of her head, and she moaned, swallowing his shaft between her lips.

Julian fucked both her pussy and her ass, playing with the toy. The sensation intensified and the energy around her exploded, her orgasm teetering. Cassia cried Julian's name as he increased the pace, thrusting hard inside her core..

Waves of pleasure crashed over Cassia, her pussy quivering around Julian's cock. Seized by her climax, she shuddered, her body rocked with her orgasm .

With a grunt, Rafe gave a final thrust into her mouth. She sucked him hard, milking his dick. Cassia's pussy convulsed around Julian's cock, and she trembled with pleasure, her orgasm dancing throughout her body. Julian yelled her name as he slammed into her over and her, stiffening as he as came hard inside her.

Losing herself within the sexual haze, Cassia released Rafe, unaware as Julian removed the toy and himself. Her head lolled forward onto a pillow, her body still tingling with the tendrils of her orgasm.

* * *

My Alpha.Cassia's heart pounded against her ribs as she panted, attempting to catch her breath. Julian wrapped his arms around her, cradling her to his chest as he covered them with the blankets.

"I never thought this would happen. That was incredible," she confessed.

"Everything is changed. My world has gone from darkness to light," he told her.

"Where's Rafe?" she asked, still unwilling to move from the warmth and safety of his arms.

"I suspect he's shifting." A wolf howled in the distance.

"Oh Goddess. I'm glad it worked."

"You saved him. We saved him … together." Julian smiled. "Rafe's tested me. Still does. But there's something about him. For all the times he's made fun of my golf, he's developed a decent swing. We've run together. Hunted together. This connection we have. He gets on my nerves but we sometimes have fun. Like tonight."

"Yes, that was fun." Cassia laughed.

"That was hot."

"He's family."

"I guess that makes us a family. For now."

"For always," she said.

"I sense the Alpha in him. One day he will make a great leader. He'll have his own pack, his own family."

"It doesn't work like that. Once you're family, you're family." Her mind turned to darker thoughts of the reality they faced. "We need to stop this demon."

"You ready to try to find the vessel?"

"I'm one hundred percent ready." I'm scared. Cassia attempted to rally her confidence. "There's no other choice. We've got to do this."

"Tomorrow, we'll head out to Idaho. Find that house. Once we get the vessel, we're going to call on the hellhounds. Turn the ones who come to you. We're gonna find out which demon is responsible, summon that fucker and send it off to its maker so it's never able to hurt anyone or anything again."

"I've never summoned a demon before." Cassia had never been to Hell. The hounds terrified her. She couldn't imagine facing off against demons, but there was no other option.

"I won't let anything happen to you. You're far too important to me … to this world. I'd give my life for you."

Cassia knew he would sacrifice his soul for hers. She also knew that when it came to demons, none of them would be truly safe. It was a dangerous but necessary task.

"We're going to have a proper mating."

"Hmm, what?" she laughed. "We are mated now."

"Let's go to Fiji?"

"I love to snorkel," she told him. "Except for the sharks."

"Snorkel, huh?" Julian placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I shifted into a dolphin once. I can't do most fish but I can do mammals."

Julian laughed. "You're amazing."

"I want to run as wolf with you, Julian." Cassia sensed his desire to see her.

"We will, sweetheart, we will." The Alpha closed his eyes.

With her ear against his chest, she listened as his heartbeat slowed. Cassia melted into him, emotion bursting inside her. I love you.

* * *

"Are you sure this is it?"Greyson asked.

"This is the address." Julian stared up the long winding driveway that twisted through the forest of pine trees to the main house. He turned to Cassia. "Does this look familiar at all to you?"

"I don't know. It was dark when I arrived. But I do remember a driveway like this one. The trees. See there … the evergreens. But honestly, it's the Pacific Northwest so …"

Greyson looked to Julian. "Should we flash?"

"We should approach slowly." Dominique kicked a rock up the driveway. "The flashing is too much sometimes. I know you like to show off but come on. What if we land in the wrong spot or someone is up there waiting? We should walk."

"Dom's right," Julian agreed.

"We can learn the lay of the land." Rafe stripped off his clothes and shoes.

"Woah, what're you doin', wolf?" Greyson's eyes widened. "Fucking hell, you're always taking your clothes off."

"Leave him be," Dominique admonished the vampire. "He can shift again. It brings him joy."

"Would you mind? I'd really appreciate it." Rafe gathered his things and held them out to her. "I can't ask the old man, and that only leaves me with the prince and his mate."

Dominique's eyes roamed down to his feet and back up to his face. She accepted his belongings and shot him a devious smile. "Oh darlin'. The pleasure is all mine. Now don't hurt yourself with that thing. I know you've beat death, but you surely are blessed."

Rafe laughed and gave her a wink. Within a split second, the large brown wolf stood before her. It took off, running circles around Greyson before darting in and out of the woods.

"Jesus, he's a handful." Greyson rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I bet he is." Dominique raised an eyebrow at the ancient vampire, a corner of her lip ticking upward as she walked past him.

"I remember it was a pretty long driveway," Cassia recalled. "Someone could be living in the house. We should walk. I want to get a feel for the land. Maybe I'll remember more."

"Let's go," Julian said.

"I'm gonna get a head start. Meet you up there." Greyson brushed a drifting dandelion seed off his black leather jacket and disappeared.

Cassia laughed. "He's a character, isn't he?"

"Greyson? Yeah. You should spend more time with his brother." Julian shook his head. "I've met many people and creatures in my life, but I always have found it amusing to meet ancient vampires. There's something about them."

"How's that?" Cassia smiled as Rafe ran past her, brushing his body against the back of her thigh.

"They were human. As time passes, I often find they're either yearning for their human life or past loves. They're cultured, well-traveled. Sometimes a bit grumpy. Grey-man, he's a bit of everything. In some ways, I get it because I've lived a long time, too. But I wasn't turned. I'm born of the magick. I never lived as a human. I think it's harder for vampires. They see humans and know they were once human. But there's no going back."

"Shifters aren't as hung up on human conventions."

"Like last night…that wasn't exactly conventional." He shot her a sexy smile.

Cassia's cheeks heated with embarrassment. "I don't know what happened. I blame it on whatever was in the air. I was drugged."

"Oh sweetheart, we're just getting started. You seemed to enjoy it."

"It's not like that?—"

"Don't lie, now. Not unless you're into spankings too. Come to think about it …"

Cassia shot him a wicked smile, but didn't answer.

"Ah, my kinky chameleon. Very nice. We're going to have fun exploring."

Cassia laughed and bit her lip. Jesus, this man was going to kill her. They were a couple of minutes away from looking for demon worshippers and a possible portal to Hell and she was ready to tear off her jeans and jump him.

"Yes. Yes. We are going to have some fun." Julian laughed.

"Hurry up, you two. You can get busy shagging later. Demon time. Stay focused," Dominique reminded them.

"I don't feel anything," Cassia confessed. "To be fair, I didn't sense anything that night before I walked inside. But I'm just not feeling anything yet."

"But there's something off," Julian commented. "Listen to the forest. I don't hear any wildlife. Animals know when there's bad juju. Maybe someone has used magick to mask the magick. We'll know more when we get in the house."

"There he is," Dominique called back to them.

Greyson walked the perimeter of the sandstone home. Confusion swept through Julian as he studied the large but dilapidated mansion. Vines and weeds flourished around and about the property.

"You sure this is the house? It doesn't look like anyone lives here," Greyson said.

"I don't know what's happening. It looks like the house, but it's not the house. The house I saw was well manicured. Beautiful. There's no way though." Cassia approached the home and placed her palm against one of the stones. "I can't feel anything. It's like it's dead inside. I don't know what's happening. I was just here a month ago. There's no way it could fall into this condition in that short a time."

"Was there anything recognizable about it from the outside?" Julian asked. "I know you said you were only there for a short time."

"I don't know. I'm shocked. But look, see there, that star … no wait …" Cassia's stomach tightened in a knot at the sight of her discovery. An inverted pentagram had been carved into one of the stones to the right of the front door.

The Alpha studied her finding, examining the etching. Underneath it the word, ‘PRESTON' had been engraved.

"No. There's no way I would have missed that. It simply looked like a barn star that someone got at a flea market. That … that's …" Cassia shook her head, her mind swirling with confusion.

"A sign of evil." Julian shrugged.

"Preston was the last name of the woman you spoke with, right?" Greyson asked.

"Sophia Preston. Maybe Thorn was right about them."

"If they're conjuring or possibly even controlling a demons, glamouring the house wouldn't be too difficult," Julian said.

"I ran a title search on the property and it said it's been in the same family since 1890. Ambrose Robinson. The last owner was Charles Robinson. 1979. This would explain the state of disrepair."

"When I searched, it was in foreclosure," Cassia insisted. "But if someone is trying to hide this place, things can be faked."

Rafe ran up to the group and transformed. "There's a root cellar in the back. I think we should check it out. It's locked. I didn't want to touch anything else though. You know … just getting my mojo back."

"Indeed, you have." Dominique handed him his clothes with a grin.

"You know it." Rafe winked at her. "Fuck yeah, this feels so good."

"Wolves." Greyson rolled his eyes. "I need a vacation."

"Same, darlin'. Hmm … I think we're due for a tasty local after this nastiness. I can just imagine it. The air here is so clean. I want one who's pure. No alcohol or smoking. No drugs. I bet I could find a sweet gym bro in town. Like steak and potatoes on Sundays. Delicious."

"Now that's the spirit," Greyson cheered. "The old Dom is back and ready to go. I'm here for it. Really."

"As if I ever left." She flicked her long braid over her shoulder.

"Something's not right here," Rafe said. "Like all the energy. No way that's natural. I didn't see one bird. Not a rabbit. Nothing. They know."

"Or were scared off," Julian guessed, pleased his beta embraced his true nature, ignoring the call of the vampire. Cassia's gift had been priceless. Rafe once again ran as wolf.

"Are we going to wait for an invitation or should we get the show on the road?" Rafe asked.

"We stay together," Julian told them. "Grey. I need you to do your thing if cambions are here."

"What if the fae is here?" he asked.

"If we find him, he's mine." Julian's face wore a cold expression.

The Alpha yanked off the doorknob, tearing open a hole in the wood. The door flung open, revealing an empty foyer. As he stepped inside, the bare oak floorboards creaked under his leather boots.

"No, this isn't it," Cassia protested as she rushed through the entrance into the great room. "It was bigger and the walls were white plaster. The ceiling … it was vaulted. This is … it's not it." She spun around to face Julian, her pulse racing. "How can this be? It's not new. This place looks like it's been like this for years. There's no furniture."

"These humans are using dark magick to alter your perspective." Julian reached for her hand. "We'll figure this out."

"It's some kind of glamour," Greyson told them. He pressed his palm to the wall and closed his eyes. "The dark magick is within the house. There are some who believe dwellings possess energy. This home is broken. Something inside it keeps it bound to evil."

"I don't feel anything," Rafe said.

"It's hidden, but it's here," Greyson told them. "It's pretending to be unnoticeable. Hidden from prying eyes. No one gives a house like this a second glance. When Cassia saw it at the party, it looked how they wanted it to look. Even now, we cannot determine how far the spell takes it."

"There's no one here," Julian said. "Maybe we should head upstairs. We've got to search every inch of this place."

"I'll do the upstairs. Back in a flash." Greyson disappeared.

"It's totally empty." Julian walked around the perimeter of the great room, stopping every few steps to listen.

"It's empty to our eyes … but … I need a minute." Cassia took a deep breath and called on the instinct of her beast. "Okay, okay, okay."

She blew out a breath and closed her eyes. Somewhere in this house, somewhere on this property … there had to be a portal. Where are you?

Cassia called on her memory, the one Thorn had shown her. The blood. The body.

She opened her eyes and scanned the room once again. Though it looked different from the party she'd attended, it was approximately the same sized room. As she walked across the floor, her energy awakened, an awareness developing as the sun began to dip in the horizon. The light blinded her as she reached the far left corner. Drawn to the floor, she brushed the dust from the planks, revealing a single dark bloodstain.

"She was murdered here," Her heart pounded in her chest, her pulse racing. "This is real. This happened."

Greyson materialized next to Julian. "It's all clear. There's nothing.

"Cassia." Julien knelt by her side.

"Blood," she whispered.

Dominique, Rafe and Greyson hovered over her and the Alpha.

Greyson sniffed. "Ah, whoever has done this is very good but not quite good enough."

"This blood is human," Julian confirmed. "What the fuck is happening in this house?"

"It's the woman they murdered. I feel like…" Cassia slid the tip of her finger across the darkened stain. "This…it isn't the only human. There's more. They may be buried on the property. What are they doing?"

"Something really fucking dark," Julian said.

"I think we should go to the root cellar." Cassia looked up to Rafe and then Julian. "This house…it's masked."

"But the rest of the property might not be," Greyson said. "Maybe the wolf was onto something."

Cassia pressed to her feet, fear starting to creep back into her mind. The room appeared to flicker back to how it existed in her memory.

"I think we should leave this house. This house needs to be cleaned," she whispered.

"We can send for a witch later," Greyson told her.

"Come." Julian gave her hand a gentle tug. "I agree…we need to get out of here."

"What if they planned to drink my blood?" Cassia's whisper echoed in the empty room. "These humans. Who does this?"

As they passed through the kitchen, she swore she saw a flicker of light dance through the crack of a basement door. The house is coming alive.

"Did Greyson search the basement?"

"I did." The vampire flashed next to her.

"Jesus." She jumped back and clung to Julian. Her heart nearly burst out of her chest.

"Julian rolled his eyes. "People don't like it when you do that, dude. Knock it off."

"He's right." Rafe laughed.

As they approached the back door, Cassia glanced once more to what had at one time been the kitchen. All the cabinets had been removed as well as the appliances. The only evidence of a sink was a hole in the floor. Who lived here? What has been done in this house?

The loud smack of Julian's foot breaking the locked back door down shook her contemplation. The rush of cool air filled her lungs as she inhaled a healing breath and stepped into the yard. The thick energy swirling around her immediately dissipated, yet a constant low buzz of magick remained.

In the distance, the last tendrils of light from sunset traced around the old root cellar. Cassia looked to the ground, her mind still racing. "Look. The grass is flattened. They've been here."

"Recently," Julian added.

"Look where it leads." Greyson nodded toward the strips of grass that edged the woods.

"The root cellar." Cassia hurried towards it so she could get a closer look. The arched door was tarnished. She knocked on it. Metal. "What is this?"

Greyson hissed, his fangs descending. "Silver."

"You're not affected by it?" Julian reached for her and inspected her hand.

"No, I'm chameleon. Silver doesn't bother me." She brushed the dirt off the door, revealing intricate etchings in the metal. "Here, do you see this? The inverted pentagrams. There're more symbols here."

"If I were human and wanted to hide a vessel from other supernaturals, this seems like a good idea," Rafe said.

Cassia tugged on the door handle again, attempting to open it. "Shit."

"Here. I got it." Julian removed his coat.

"No, don't touch it." Cassia watched as he wrapped the leather around the knob.

"Nah, I got it." With a grunt, the Alpha yanked on the doorknob and threw it across the field. He shook off his jacket and winked at his mate. "I've learned a few things over the years."

"We make a good team." Cassia shoved open the door, careful to push it all the way against the wall. The stench of death immediately slammed into her. "Jesus. What is that? Oh Goddess."

"That, my dear, is a rotting human." Greyson coughed and spat on the grass. "It appears they are keeping the bodies."

"Jesus Christ, that's nasty." Rafe brought the collar of his shirt up over his nose.

"But what a wonderful deterrent," Dominique commented.

"They're doing something with the bodies. Keeping them cool for a reason. I mean, this is a root cellar. What do humans usually store in them? " Julian raised an eyebrow at them.

"Food," Dominique answered without emotion.

"No. Nope. I can't. Not today." Cassia blew out a breath, steeling her nerves.

"Someone should've told them they'd be better off with a morgue refrigerator. This isn't the eighteen hundreds. It's not quite cold enough in the spring. Days are getting warm." Greyson craned his head and stole a peek inside the stone structure.

"It's cold in the winter here. Real cold. But now? You're right." Julian shook his head. "Y'all ready to get this done because this is some sick shit, and I'm so ready to get out of here."

"Let's go," Greyson agreed.

"Stay between me and Grey," Julian told Cassia.

The stench intensified as they stepped deeper inside the cellar. Its stone walls curved around them in an arch. In an area of nearly ten foot by ten, the men stood hunched over inside it.

"Nothing's in here. This is a fa?ade." Julian reached to press his fingers to the stone, immediately retracting them. "Get back from the walls!"

"What was that?" Cassia wrapped an arm around his waist and rested her palm to his chest. "Are you okay?"

"I just got a jolt."

"Electricity?" Greyson asked.

"No way. How's that possible. They're just rocks." Rafe touched his finger to a wall and jumped back. "Fuck. Bruh."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Julian scolded.

"Nothing. It's just a little sting."

"The red bricks. They conduct electricity," the Alpha said. "The iron-oxide. It's no accident. There's got to be another room."

"Over there." Rafe pointed to the back of the chamber, at a brick wall. "Along here…this crack. It looks like it's some kind of a door."

"If it's electrified, how are we going to get it open without touching it?' Cassia looked to Julian.

"I've had a problem with my magick lately but…" He sighed and released his hand. "Hell short-circuited it but our mating? I've been feeling pretty damn good lately. Let's give this a go."

Julian closed his eyes and stretched his hands toward the wall. Cassia's pulse raced as his powerful energy filled the room. Her eyes widened in amazement as his hands began to glow bright.

"Look out!" Julian called out as a burst of energy emanated from his fingers. The wall blew open, sending the bricks flying.

"Holy shit! You did it." Cassia inhaled the red dust and coughed. The nauseating air reeked of death. "Ah, no. It's worse. That smell."

"There's definitely more than one body," Dominque said with confidence.

As Julian stepped through the hole into the next chamber, motion-activated lights brightened the room. "Brace yourselves, folks."

"Jesus." As Cassia stepped inside, she fought the bile that rose from her stomach.

Bodies of women and men hung by hooks in the ceiling, like cows at a butcher. Cleavers and carving knives rested on a steel gurney in the corner.

"They're eating them." Cassia covered her mouth with her hand.

"What the fuck?" Rafe shook his head. A dead bald man dangled from the hook, his abdomen splayed open. "This is some sick shit."

"I bet you they're eating the organs." Dominque looked to Julian. "As much of a lovely time as I'm having tonight, can we speed this up?"

"We need to find the vessel," Greyson said as he studied the walls.

"Spread out. There has to be something here with that symbol on it," Julian told them.

Cassia slammed down her shields in an attempt to seal out any of the negative energy. Focus. It wasn't the first dead body she'd ever seen, and it wouldn't be the last.

She studied the room that had been dug into the side of the mountain. A large area, it had been fitted with modern conveniences…a refrigerator and a sink in the corner. A mural of curved horns sprouting from scorched earth had been painted onto the face of its white, cement, brick walls.

"Lucifer," she whispered. "Look at all the demons. That one." Her heart pounded in her chest. A lion with a severed woman's head lay bleeding at the edge of the painting.

"It's okay, Cass. Don't let this get to you. These are human conventions." Julian placed a hand onto her shoulder.

"Who are these people?"

"Hey guys." Rafe pointed to plates and knives inside the cracked porcelain sink, smeared with dark dried blood. "Looks like they were in a hurry."

"You're lucky you got away," Greyson said to Cassia. "I have a feeling they were planning on you as their next meal."

"But these are all humans." Dominique pointed to the hanging bodies. "Cass is supernatural."

"I think they knew what I was," Cassia said.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I think we've got a winner." Greyson pointed to a dead man lying crumpled in the corner. "Check out his back."

"What in the…" Cassia stepped back at the sight of the carved-up corpse.

"Don't touch it," Greyson warned.

"Y'all gonna need some next level hand sanitizer after this." Rafe shook his head.

"Thorn said we only had to see the symbol to know it's here. That symbol has been carved on his legs."

Julian retrieved the pouch from his inner jacket pocket. He reached inside and unfolded the paper. "It matches."

"I'm a little nervous about this," Cassia confessed. "We don't know what the vessel is going to look like. What if it's alive or something?"

"We're literally about to read something out loud that a demon wrote," Rafe added.

"Half demon," Dominique corrected.

"My instincts tell me he's legit. And my instincts are always correct," Julian took a step toward the body. "Let's get to it."

Cassia watched as Julian focused on the small piece of rice paper. The spell revealed itself, written in Thorn's perfect penmanship.

"We all flash if this goes south." Julian looked upward.

Cassia rested her palm onto his shoulder, readied to shift and fight.

"Cum Dea mecum et circum, portam poscimus ehe. Secretum revela inferni et vas dimitte. Aroya."

Several seconds passed and nothing happened. Cassia scanned the room, a sense of impending doom lurking over her. "This isn't good."

"I knew we couldn't trust that damn demon," Greyson said.

"I gotta say he didn't seem that bad to me," Rafe commented.

"That's because he wants the fae dead. Not that I disagree with the sentiment." Dominique sighed. "If I don't get out of here soon, I'm gonna lose my shit. It reeks in here."

Cassia's mind raced. The hellhounds had come to her before anyone else. She called them. "They spoke to me."

"What?" Julian asked.

"I'm the one who must call the vessel."

Julian nodded and passed her the paper.

Cassia's body hummed with shifter magick. She looked to the spell and repeated it in her mind three times, memorizing the words.

As she closed her eyes, she called on her beast and imagined the hellhounds in her mind's eye. Secret of Hell. Come to me now. "Cum Dea mecum et circum, portam poscimus ehe. Secretum revela inferni et vas dimitte. Aroya."

The flames stung her fingers as Thorn's note ignited. She dropped the smoking rice paper, and the room began shaking, the brick walls crumbling from within.

"Get them out!" Julian called to Greyson.

The ancient vampire wasted no time. Greyson, Dominique and Rafe disappeared from the chamber. As Julian reached to touch Cassia, she jumped away from him. A thunderous noise rumbled as large shards of stone crumbled, falling down into the chamber, narrowly missing Cassia.

"No! One more second. Look. There. I can get it," she screamed to him.

"No Cass, let me. I don't want anything to happen to?—"."

From beneath their feet, the floor cracked open, revealing a deep crevasse. Before Julian had a chance to stop her she threw herself onto the cold ground and reached inside.

Cassia curled her fingers around the object as Julian reached for her and they disappeared.

* * *

"It's an egg,"she exclaimed. A rush of adrenaline tore through her veins. Unable to take her eyes off her prize, she barely noticed Julian staring at her. "What? What's wrong? This is great! Look. I've got it! Wait … what is it?"

"It's silver, that's what it is," Rafe told her.

"You could've been killed," Julian scolded.

"Yeah, I could have but then I wouldn't have this." She smiled and raised an eyebrow at him.

"We'll talk about this later. I think we should flash back to New York."

"Leave Idaho?" she asked.

"My place is burned down. I've got a house on the lake but I don't think we should stay here. That sect could still be here. Too risky." Julian reached inside his jacket and retrieved his phone. "I've got a text from Sayuri."

"Sayuri?"

"She wants to see us. Without Thorn. It has something to do with the hellhounds and the vessel."

"I think we should go," Cassia said. "Maybe she knows more about the Aroya."

Julian looked down to read her next text and held it up to Greyson so he could see it.

"No way." Greyson grinned.

"We've gotta leave here anyway. You wanna take the jet or do you have the juice to flash?"

"No time to jet. It'll take too long. I'm good. I do, however, have to make a pit stop." Greyson stretched out his arms and placed his palms onto Dominique and Rafe. "See ya on the other side."

"Wait. Where are they going?" Cassia asked.

"My guess is Kade's. This place isn't safe … we need to get out of here."

"But I—" Cassia lost her words as Julian wrapped her in his embrace and they dematerialized.

* * *

"Julian."Cassia shook off the dizziness and opened her eyes. The cold air stung her face as her brain struggled to process what she was seeing. "Jules. Where are we? Is that? No, that can't be. Is that Mount Fuji? Are we in Japan?"

"Yes," Julian answered. "That's Yotei. It looks similar to Mount Fiji. Beautiful, isn't it?"

Cassia glanced back to him, still in shock. Her focus remained transfixed on the snowcapped mountain. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a woman wave to her. Sayuri.

"What is this place?" Cassia asked.

"Hokkaido. Northern Japan," Julian answered. "Stay close. I don't sense anything, but we don't know her well."

"It's breathtaking." Pink cherry blossoms painted the landscape, the ocean in the distance. Cassia turned and caught sight of Sayuri, dressed in a yellow patterned silk kimono.

"Konnichiwa." Sayuri bowed and gestured to her home. "Do not worry. My home is properly guarded. "Alpha, Cassia, please, come in."

"Ojama shimasu." Julian bowed.

"I see your friends have arrived." Sayuri gestured to the field.

A broad smile broke across Cassia's face as Rafe, Greyson and Dominque strode toward them. Warriors … a family of badass creatures. Family. Pack. Our team.

"Sayuri." Greyson stopped and bowed, his hands at his sides. He gestured toward the others. "Dominique. Rafe. This is Xavier. My brother insisted we take him. Kade is concerned about his dear Dominique."

"I'm honored to meet you both. Sayuri." Xavier bowed with respect, greeting her. "Alpha." He extended his hand to Julian.

The tall, good-looking vampire carried a backpack. Wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, his pec muscles bulged from his arms.

Julian shook his hand and turned to his mate. "This is Cassia. She's chameleon."

"It's lovely to meet you, Cassia. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances. Given the recent events with demonic forces, Kade offers my services to you. Dominique is family. He shares concerns that you may need more assistance." Xavier smiled at her.

"We are grateful to have her. As we are you. I'm sure Dom will appreciate the company." Cassia smiled and glanced to Dominique.

"Please come in. We will have dinner shortly." Sayuri gestured to a small cabinet near the door. "Please. Your shoes." She clapped her hands and several maids dressed in long blue dresses with white aprons streamed into the great foyer.

"Arigatō," Cassia said as a maid dropped to her knees and removed her shoes, quickly replacing them with beige cotton slippers.

They followed Sayuri into a spacious great room. The sleek clean design was contrasted by black wooden furniture. The great blue Pacific Ocean beckoned through the floor-to-ceiling windows across the back of the room.

"Please. I've arranged for drinks in the dining room." Sayuri led them to an open air area with an enormous low wooden table. She gestured to a rectangular pillow at the head of it. "Alpha, please sit."

Cassia followed Julian and she slid onto the pillow next to him. She smiled at Greyson who sat across from her. His jaw ticked with annoyance and she surmised that he remained suspicious of Sayuri.

"No need for formalities. And as I'm afraid there's no cause for a toast, please feel free to drink your sake or water," Sayuri commented as servants placed goblets in front of Xavier, Greyson, Dominique and Rafe. "I have arranged for the very best donors in Japan to serve you. They shall arrive shortly. But for now, please enjoy this blood. It is warm, I assure you."

A servant poured sake from a tokkuri into a gold cup, and Sayuri brought it to her lips. The others at the table followed, sipping their drinks.

With the egg tucked in her pocket, Cassia looked to Julian who nodded. She reached for the small cup. It warmed her palms as she lifted it to her lips.

"I am grateful for your presence," Sayuri began. "It was essential that I spoke to you. I'm afraid Thorn can no longer assist you at this juncture due to his compromised position. If Hell became aware of his involvement to date, it is likely they'd insist he go back to Hell. He much prefers the human realm, so he cannot take any more risks at this time. After the event last night, I discussed my desire to help you, and he's released me from service so that I may assist you."

"Why would you help us?" Julian asked, his tone skeptical.

Sayuri set her cup onto the table and continued. "My motives are not entirely altruistic. My brothers are missing and I believe you may be able to help me as well. You see, I'm born of dragon and wolf … a hybrid." Sayuri looked to Rafe. "One day, while I was away, something evil murdered my parents and took my brothers."

"How do you know a demon took your brothers?" Greyson pressed.

"Because when I returned, I saw the cambions … I saw the portal … I saw it take them."

"I'm so sorry," Cassia said.

"I have never accepted their deaths. I was devastated. Obsessed with finding them. I've searched this world high and low. Visited both witches and psychics alike. No medium could find them on the other side so I continue to presume they are alive. I gave my service to Thorn in exchange for his assistance. It's been many years."

Sayuri released an audible breath and flattened her palms on the table. "There's been rumors of one particular demon who has taken them. My brothers are in bondage. After listening to you … I must know if my brothers have been turned. I offer you safe haven in my home in exchange for your agreement to let me join you as you attempt to find the vessel. My home has been warded, protected by the High Priestess of Japan. It has never been breached by demons nor any other diabolical creature."

"We appreciate your hospitality but I can't risk another person getting hurt." Julian looked to Xavier. "We now have one more life to keep safe."

"Alpha. Xavier is a warrior, as am I," she insisted.

"I don't know if you should get involved. I …" Julian looked to Cassia as if she'd help him find his words.

"I'm samurai. Onna-Bugeisha. My sword has been infused with magick that makes it effective against any dark magick…including cambions and all forms of demons."

"Sayuri. Everything about you … my instinct tells me you're being truthful. But you must know you will be in great danger. In full disclosure, we have found the vessel. But in our search for it, we discovered this human sect is cannibalistic. The fae may still be a player as well. Even if your brothers have been turned, the real hellhounds will come with the others. And on top of all else, we must vanquish a demon. You need to know this is going to be very dangerous. Not only is it unlikely we will find your brothers, but you could die."

"I am a warrior. I am aware of the dangers, as always. Risk is inherent in our work. We agree, yes?"

"Yes, yes, of course." Julian nodded. "I am grateful for your assistance."

"Very good. All right then. Let's talk about the vessel."

* * *

"It's an egg."Cassia dug the object from her pocket, careful not to get it too close to the supernaturals around her.

"Silver," Julian noted.

"Clever demons. Not clever enough," Sayuri said.

"Clever humans, you mean? You should have seen what they were doing. Eating rotted flesh." Greyson wrinkled his nose.

Cassia rolled the smooth silver egg about in her hands. As she studied it, she caught sight of a tiny pinhole on its rounded tip. So miniscule, she could have easily missed it. Her heart raced with excitement. "There's something here."

"What do you mean?" Julian asked.

"Right here, see? I need something sharp. Does anyone have a pin or a knife?"

Sayuri smiled and reached into her bun. She twisted a finger into her hair and retrieved a long thin metal hairpin. "Here. Try this."

Julian handed it to Cassia. She flashed a knowing smile to the Alpha as she slid the tip of the hairpin into the hole. As she pressed it inside, the egg split open revealing a silver coin.

"Oh Goddess … what is this?" Cassia pinched it between her fingers and she held it up into the air for everyone to see. "A coin?"

"The Secret of Hell." Julian sat stoic, studying the relic. On one side, an etching of a hound. As she flipped it, wording came into view.

"What is this?" Cassia spoke in a whisper, concerned about what could be conjured. "Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis."

"Hellhound to shifter. Released of your bond. Something like…you no longer serve," Greyson translated.

"It breaks the spell," Sayuri guessed.

"But how would they know I would be able to touch it? I mean only another human or witch could?—"

"And that's the point. No vampires. No shifters. Not even a fae. No one could touch it. But … a human could," Julian said.

"Or a witch," Greyson brought the sake to his mouth and downed it like a shot of whiskey. He looked to Sayuri. "I think I might need something a little bit stronger."

"Humans working with demons, possibly witches or perhaps the spell born of a witch. Black magick. Whoever did this to the shifters, they wanted an out. So they make a coin to help flip the hellhounds but the catch is that only a human or a witch can use it?" Julian looked to Cassia. "Or …"

"A chameleon," Sayuri finished his thought.

"We need to get the hounds turned as soon as possible." Charged with the energy of their discovery, Cassia impatiently sat at the table, contemplating their next move. "We need to know the name of the person who's done this."

"You should rest tonight. We can do it in the morning," Sayuri suggested. "I have a special place on my property for rituals. It is surrounded with a moat of sacred pools."

"The darkness gives them power," Julian said.

"Over here, people. I know you guys have all the power in the world during the day but us vamps do better at night. Just sayin'." Greyson shook his head.

"Dusk then." Julian's mouth ticked in anger. "We can get a few hours of rest then we must do this."

Sayuri stood and clapped her hands. An older gentleman rushed to greet her with a bow. "Hayashi. Okyakusama o o heya made go an"nai sa sete itadakimasu. Kyūketsuki-tachi ni donā o tsurete kite kudasai. Saikō no ketsueki ga fukaketsudesu."

"Hayashi will bring you to your rooms so you may rest. They shall attend to your dinner. Vampire friends … donors are expected within the hour. You are welcome to use the hot springs pool in the back. It is quite beautiful this time of year. Hayashi will arrange for proper clothing, as it's expected to get cold."

"Sayuri," Cassia began, guilt twisting through her. She couldn't bear seeing yet another person hurt. "My sentiment is in line with my Alpha. I'm appreciative of your ability to fight with us, but there is a chance your brothers aren't among the hellhounds."

"If I have even a small chance of seeing my brothers, I would be most appreciative. This world is far too dark … we might bring more lightness."

"Is Thorn in agreement with your actions?" Julian asked.

"Of course. Thorn seeks to walk among humans, to indulge in earthly pleasures. He's a child of the sun, the oceans, the mountains. I believe there is a bit of Heaven and Hell in all of us. Perhaps we are born with more or less. Thorn must be released from Hell so he can choose a new path. Unfortunately, he too, struggles with complex problems. Not all things are easily solved but we do not give up. We learn. We persevere. We eventually conquer."

"I can't promise we will find your brother tomorrow, but I can promise you we will conquer the demon. I appreciate your hospitality. We all do." Julian bowed. "Arigatō."

Cassia nodded at Sayuri, who struggled to hide her tears, unable to conceal her pain. It was apparent that even after hundreds of years, her loss crushed her soul as if their disappearance had occurred yesterday.

Cassia watched Rafe, Greyson, Dominique and Xavier walk in front of them, exchanging light banter and joking in the midst of their impending brush with Hell. Cassia smiled at Julian, who reached for her hand.

Family.She'd gone so long without one she'd almost forgotten the warmth inside her chest, the loving feeling of knowing they'd drive you insane but stand by your side. A hearty love that didn't go away, people who worked together through sunny seas and storms.

Julian had been a gift. Her heart tugged in her chest, the strange feelings swirling inside her like a hurricane. Steady as she goes, she told herself. Hang on tight and get ready because rough seas are coming.

* * *

The cold airbrushed Cassia's face. The temperature lowered as the sky darkened with water-laden clouds. The majestic snowcapped mountain stood ever present, wisps of dark smoke from their fire painting the horizon. The scent of burning wood drifted in the air. Blue waves churned in the distance, rolling toward the island. If she closed her eyes, she could hear them roar as they crashed against the shore.

Hayashi tossed another log onto the huge bonfire while Julian and Greyson deposited a circular trail of black sea salt. Sayuri had promised the sacred pools surrounding their chosen site would help keep them safe, but Cassia worried if it would be enough. A gust of wind, a torrential storm, anything could break the salt circle releasing the hellhounds from their bondage. What if she couldn't conjure the hellhounds? What if they failed to materialize? It wasn't enough for them to come to her in dreams … they had to enter the earthly realm.

Hayashi broke her contemplation as he approached and built a makeshift bed using pillows and thick, red silk blankets. "You lie here. Sayuri said you need to focus. Others stand."

"Arigatō." Cassia nodded and turned to Julian, who'd finished creating the spiritual barrier.

Her heart tightened as he approached. She stared deep into his eyes and smiled as he gazed down upon her. She shivered, and he took care wrapping a scarf around her neck and pulled the lapels of her coat closer together.

"This weather. I don't like having you out here," he told her.

"Sayuri said it might snow."

"I guess it can still happen this time of year. Maybe we'll get lucky. I want to kiss you in the snow."

"Are you going to keep me warm?"

"Always, sweetheart, always." He pressed his lips to the top of her head. "Are you ready to do this?"

"Yes." Cassia wrapped her arms around him once more, holding on as if she'd never let go. "I've got to free them. I want this nightmare to be over. I want you to know … I care about you so much." I love you.

"When this is all over, Cass, we're going to get away for a while. No more magick or bullshit demons. Just you. And me. Together."

"Goddess, that sounds amazing. Okay, okay …" She released him, stepping back, and nodded as if she were trying to convince herself it would be safe, that conjuring hellhounds was a great idea. What else could they do? Drag me off to Hell? Yeah that. Get it together, Cass. You can do this.

"You all right?" Julian asked. "You don't have to?—"

"No, no. I'm fine. I've got this." She didn't give him a chance to finish. She knew he'd burn a hole through his own palm trying to hold the coin. But her gut told her she was destined for this moment. The hounds had been chasing her for her entire life and today it would end. She'd call them and demand their submission. And hopefully, the coin would work to break their bondage.

As Cassia lay down onto the makeshift bed, a cold snowflake kissed her skin. She looked to Sayuri, then Greyson, Rafe, Xavier and Dominque. Her gaze settled on Julian. If she didn't survive, if she didn't wake up, Julian's face would be the last she'd ever see.

"I'm ready." Cassia reached into her pocket, fingered the coin and closed her hand around it. She held it tight, the coin buzzing with energy against her palm. She closed her eyes, letting her body drift into the ether, commanding the white light of the Goddess to surround her, to protect her from evil.

Come to me, she called. Within her protective bubble, she extended her mind, searching, reaching, calling. I have the vessel. I hold the secret to Hell. Come to me! I command you to come now!

The putrid stench of sulfur permeated her nose, alerting her to their presence. Beady red eyes pierced the veil of darkness, the faint but familiar cry of the hounds sounding in the distance.

In her mind's eye, she held up the coin. Come be freed of your bondage. As she extended her hand, a bright light shone from her fingers. Channeling the power of her Alpha, she illuminated a path far into the distance. You must come to the earthly realm, she ordered. You must come now and break the veil. Now!

Her heart pounded in her chest as she caught sight of nearly twenty-five hellhounds rushing toward her. Cassia. The Alpha called to her. As she turned to his voice, a bright light shone, a portal opening to the earthly realm beckoned in the distance.

Cassia set off running, faster and faster, the hellhounds closing in on her. The light grew brighter and larger as she edged closer to consciousness. Her chest heaved for breath, her legs burned. A hellhound snapped at her heels and she leapt into the portal.

Cassia's eyes flew open and she scrambled to her feet. A pack of hellhounds snarled and growled at her from inside the circle.

"I have it. I have the vessel!" She held the coin up into the air, and they responded, crying and howling. "I have the Aroya!"

"Read it. Read it now," Julian urged.

"We must hurry," Sayuri urged. "The snow is melting the circle. They cannot be allowed to escape. You must transform them."

"Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis." Cassia's stomach dropped as the hellhounds growled at her, unaffected by the spell. "Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis."

"Go to them into the circle," Sayuri suggested. "The circle keeps them in but it must be blocking the spell."

"Are you crazy?" Julian yelled. "She's not going in there."

"She must go to them now," she insisted, urgency in her voice. "The salt…it's melting. Cassia must do this. It is her destiny."

"Fuck destiny." Julian plowed his fingers though his hair and turned to Cassia. "Give me the coin."

"What?" Cassia's eyes widened. "No. This is my responsibility. I must do this."

"I'm ordering you…as your Alpha to give me the coin. I can't lose you."

"We're running out of time," Sayuri warned.

"Julian. You can't do this. This is my fate alone. I'm sorry." Without giving warning, she leapt across the salt to the hellhounds.

"Cassia!" Julian yelled.

"I'm okay, I'm okay," she assured him, holding out the coin to the hounds. "Look…see…they're not attacking. They know this coin. They know the Aroya."

"Say the spell! Say it now!" Sayuri yelled.

Without waiting one more second, Cassia released the spell with intention. "Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis."

"What's wrong with this spell? It's killing them. They're dying," Cassia cried. The ground shook and the fire roared, the tails of demons piercing the flames.

"Give me the coin!" The Alpha yelled to her.

Flames shot up all around the perimeter of the circle, and she shielded her face, unable to respond to Julian. Through the chaos, she caught the gaze of a tortured hellhound as it lay writhing on the ground. Help me.

Without thought to herself, Cassia ran through the flames toward an injured beast. It snarled at her but she refused to give up, to give in to her fear.

"It's okay … I promise … just let me … the spell." She held up the coin and closed her eyes, praying they wouldn't attack. Julian screamed at her through the din as he leapt into the circle.

But she was far gone, compelled to save the shifters. She placed her hand onto the tortured beast, and released the spell a third time. "Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis."

A crack of thunder sounded from above, instantly extinguishing the fire. Smoke billowed in the air as the flames sucked back into the earth, leaving nothing behind but scorched earth.

Cassia watched with fascination as the hound before her metamorphized into a naked man. His dark brown eyes flickered with the same green she'd seen in Sayuri's. "Julian!"

"Cassia. Are you okay. Jesus Christ, you scared me." Within seconds the Alpha crouched next to her.

"I'm fine…please, Julian. He's hurt."

Cassia's heart beat as Julian laid his hands on the man. The energy of the Alpha reverberated through the air. Within seconds, the tortured man transformed into a wolf. Standing on all fours, it howled in pleasure, running circles around them.

"It's a wolf." Cassia broke down in tears of relief. She had no idea of how many hellhounds they'd saved, but one had survived.

"Kenji!" Sayuri cried as she rushed towards them. Crying, she fell to her knees, embracing the wolf. "Oni-chan." She looked to Cassia and Julian. "My older brother. I need to find Otouto. He's here somewhere. Makoto."

* * *

Cassia staredout the glass windows, watching the snow fall. She contemplated the fate of the wolves. One by one, Cassia and the Alpha had saved them all, transformed each beast. Though nearly twenty-five hellhounds had survived and shifted into wolves, one tiger also emerged. Though Julian and Cassia had found Sayuri's younger brother, Makoto, he hadn't quite recovered.

Cassia considered how she'd ignored Julian's wishes to remain outside the circle, but instinct had driven her to save them. While wolves followed their Alpha, submitted no matter the circumstances, chameleons lived their lives alone. A solitary, independent life. Desperate to save the wolves, she'd had no other choice. She hoped he understood, though mated, instinct would continue to drive her decisions.

Cassia sensed Julian's drained energy, and she also had retreated, pondering their experience, attempting to rally for what came next. The wolves had been taken inside Sayuri's home, extra servants brought on board to care for their needs until they could transform to their human forms. Julian, as Alpha, had spent hours with them, sharing his energy, providing guidance.

The sound of soft footsteps drew Cassia from her contemplation and she gazed up to see Sayuri entering the great room. Dressed in a black and silver jumpsuit, her fur-lined hood surrounded her face. Wearing silver sneakers, she appeared to glide across the floor as she approached them.

Sayuri beamed with happiness. "You have done a great service. My brothers are alive because of you."

"How are they?" Cassia asked.

"Makoto is weak. But his wolf is good. He's going to make it, though. After all these years…I can't believe he's still alive."

"I'm so happy they're alive."

"The wolves. They'll need to be in a pack. Of course, it'll be their choice. But they will benefit from Julian's leadership. You do think he'll take them?"

"It is not my place to speak?—"

"But you're his mate. Your actions saved them all."

"Yes, I'm his mate, but Julian…he must make the decision. I'm chameleon not wolf. A wolf must lead them…the Alpha must make the decision."

Cassia felt his presence before he stepped into the room. Greyson looked up from his game of chess with Rafe, holding a pawn between his fingers. As Julian entered, all heads turned, their focus on the Alpha.

"It's okay, guys," Julian assured them.

"What the sitch?" Rafe asked, his spirit remaining light.

"I've talked with Logan. He's agreed to help get them acclimated." Julian faced Greyson. "I need your help getting them flashed back to New Orleans. Once things are over, I'll be settling them back in Idaho. Dimitri's going to help out too."

"My brothers will remain with me," Sayuri told him.

"Yes, of course," Julian assured her. "Kenji is the only one who has been able to transform so far."

"Makoto will soon. His dragon is strong."

"We need to talk with them. We must find out who did this to them."

"Of course. I will see if he is up to…" Sayuri lost her words as her brother entered the room.

Clean shaven and hair combed, Kenji wore a somber expression, evidence of his tortured bondage. Dressed in a dark blue hakama, he strode into the room, his head held high, charisma still intact.

"Kenji." Sayuri bowed, her eyes lit with reverence for her older brother.

He crossed the room and approached Cassia and the Alpha. Kenji bowed briefly. As he rose to meet their gaze, his dark piercing eyes swirled with a fierce intensity. "I am in your service. Thank you for finding the vessel and releasing the shifters from the curse."

"I'm so sorry this happened to you." Cassia's heart broke for him and the other shifters who'd been bound to serve a demon. Guilt twisted through her, aware the hellhounds had been trying for years to find her, ask for her help. Though divine timing determined fate, it was nonetheless cruel. "I'm sorry it took me so long. I can't imagine what it was like for you and the others.

"I appreciate your empathy. I will join your fight to bind the demon who did this to the wolves."

Cassia found a seat on the sofa and Julian slid next to her. Both Kenji and Sayuri settled on chairs facing them.

"There is a secret sect of humans. A most high, evil one," Kenji began. "They move in the shadows from all parts of the world. Have been on this earth since the late eighteen hundreds. They worship evil deities, drinking blood and eating the flesh of both humans and shifters alike. It's rumored they originated in San Francisco, but soon migrated their congregation to Idaho where the vast wilderness cloaked their diabolical ways. Their sect lends their services to the wealthiest in the world. Though many demons have been conjured over the years, Asmodeus has taken governance of their sect.

"Asmodeus has been known to change itself…hence recent sacrifices have been shifters. It covets the magick of shifters. They prefer wolves, but have taken others out of desperation. My brother and I being some of them. Although we are not purebloods, they covet the power of the dragon. Netted in silver, we were captured.

"You and Cassia were their prized offering this year. They knew of your abilities, of the prophesy of your mating with the Alpha, the Prince of Wolves. Asmodeus has waited years to have prime specimens to add to his menagerie. To you they are hellhounds, to the demon, we are entertainment to suffer in whatever manner it prefers."

Kenji focused on Cassia. "The sect opened a special portal for you. Your purpose was bait, to draw the Alpha. The night you escaped, they'd allowed you to do so. They knew about Julian, had been tracking him for months. The serendipity of having a prince and a chameleon mating had been celebrated."

Kenji rose from his seat and paced across the room to glance out the window. "We'd been trying to reach you for years, as we were aware of the prophesy. In retrospect there is no way you would have been able to help us without the Alpha. The Alpha had been deep in hiding. We had to endure, waiting for divine timing. Your mating was never controlled by Hell but by the Goddess herself. So now …"

Kenji turned to face all of them, his arms crossed. "We must conjure the demon to the surface and forever banish it into its own cage of Hell from whence it can never escape. Though Lucifer could do it himself, he enjoys the suffering Asmodeus offers."

"And what about this sect?" Greyson asked. "No offense but the humans sound as dangerous as the demon."

"When we conjure the demon, the most powerful leaders of the sect will be bound to the circle. They've been drinking blood so long that most of them are no longer humans. Asmodeus's evil has permeated their very souls. It's like an irrevocable tattoo on their souls. There is no going back. No forgiveness. They are the evil. When Asmodeus is banished, their souls will be banished forever with it."

"And the other humans?" Julian pressed.

"I will take care of the others on my own. They will be weak without the demon, their leaders. One by one, I will find them. They will die by my hand until the sect is completely destroyed. It is my purpose."

"We can't let you do that alone," Julian told him.

"If I make it through the battle with the demon?—"

"If?" Greyson asked. "You mean when."

"I will sacrifice myself to save others. This is my service. Should I live, I will rest for thirty days, rebuilding my peace and my family, with my sister. I will easily slay the remaining humans." He turned to Julian. "You must tend to the wolves, create a pack in which they can heal and recover. They have sworn allegiance to you. It is your duty to lead them. Your destiny."

"We're goin' to need a witch to conjure a demon of this magnitude. One who can keep it bound," Julian insisted.

"Sayuri is capable." Kenji looked to his sister who nodded.

"What?" Julian asked.

"I divulge information as necessary," Sayuri confessed. "In my service to Thorn, I've had the opportunity to train. Many a witch has asked for favors. Perhaps a dragon scale. Or dragon breath. These things do not come for free. I have been schooled in witchcraft by some of the most powerful high priestesses in the world."

"At midnight we shall call on the demon," Kenji explained. "I shall fight with you."

Cassia's pulse raced as Sayuri's younger brother walked into the room. Pale and shaken, he walked at a slow pace.

Sayuri gestured to an open seat her sofa. "Makoto. What are you doing out of bed?"

"Daijōbudesu." He waved her off but agreed to sit, his expression flat. The fire in his eyes had been extinguished. "Unlike my brother I don't see it as service. I want revenge. Every wolf in this house wants revenge. Then you can take them to Logan's. We will leave this world with justice, knowing we fought and survived. If we die, we die. This is how it must be."

"Please don't talk that way, Makoto. You will stay inside and recover. Let me be your sword. I shall slay the demon in your name," his sister assured him.

"No Sayuri. This must be. We shall all slay the demon, the cambions, the evil. No one person has the right to decide. I go. The wolves go. This is justice." Makoto stared out the window, not responding further while Sayuri quietly bowed her head, defeated.

"What do we need to conjure it?" Cassia asked, breaking the uneasy silence that had filled the room.

"My sister shall do the spell. She will use my blood to call the demon." Kenji took a deep inhale and released it. "It will require all of our collective energy to bind it."

"I'm down." Rafe smiled. "I'm lookin' for some payback myself."

"Once it's risen to the surface, we shall force it to call the humans who fed the monster. It will resist. It will do everything it can to kill us first," Kenji advised.

"We all must be prepared to die." Makoto averted his gaze, not making eye contact. "It always brings death."

"Hold on there…" Rafe held up a hand. "Don't go throwin' around the D word just yet, buddy. You're not the only one who's been through hell this past week. Literally. There's no way I'm giving up now. I'm definitely not planning on dying."

"Makoto. Stop. Do not speak this way." Sayuri's hands trembled as she spoke. The cup rattled as she set it down on the end table.

"Sister. He's unable to hear you right now," Kenji explained. "The damage within us … he must fight it on his own."

"O yurushi kudasai." Sayuri bowed her head. Her face tightened in sadness, fighting tears that streamed from her eyes. "I am so blessed to have you both back. I cannot lose you again."

"Our brother is struggling, but knows he must have revenge. You cannot take this from him. He deserves to have justice. Whatever form that takes."

"Hai," Sayuri whispered.

"I understand both perspectives," Julian offered. "We must strategize, but remain realistic. We've fought cambions. There is a possibility Kellan is working with this same demon."

"Or the humans," Rafe said.

"Or the humans," Julian agreed. "We must be prepared. The cambions may resurface … either in or out of the circle of protection. All these things will come for us. Likely all at once."

"My sword will kill the cambions," Sayuri assured them. "I have fought them in battle and been successful."

"Okay, I like that spirit," Julian held up a finger, "but … but we all must fight together. Watch each other's backs. None of us want to end up back in Hell."

Kenji locked eyes with the Alpha. "I'm in your service. Now and forever. I swear an oath to protect you and your mate. I have no intention of ever going to Hell again."

"I appreciate your candor and service. But you are not indebted to me or my pack and anytime you wish to leave, you are welcome to do so," Julian told him.

"It shall be." Kenji bowed.

"It is time for the sake." Sayuri, composed, rose and clapped her hands.

Servants filtered into the room seemingly out of nowhere. One by one they poured the warm sake.

"You will drink this to prepare. The sake has been infused with the blessing of the Goddess, created from sacred rice. Omiki. While it is usually reserved for the holiday, given the circumstances, we shall drink tonight. We ask the Goddess for her blessing. We will all be reborn. To new lives. New loves."

"New allies. New wolves." Julian raised his cup.

Cassia smiled at the Alpha and looked to Sayuri. "New friends."

"Kentō o onorimasu." Sayuri held her drink to the air.

"Kentō o onorimasu," Kenji repeated.

Julian nodded and brought the cup to his lips.

As the sweet sacred wine coated her tongue, Cassia vacillated between optimism and realism. Her heart broke for Makoto who she suspected had already accepted his fate.

Cassia resolved to fight with everything she had to protect her mate and pack … her family.

This battle must be successful. There was no other outcome. Not for them. Not for their pack. Or the world.