Bad Guy

I stand outside the Hecate and all its splendor. Caleb has changed it, getting rid of fine dining experience and bringing the underworld to the surface.

After Dominic, Caleb's father was taken out by an "opposing family" he took over the Hecate. Now, mortals party amongst immortals, oblivious to the danger they're in.

I make my way past the line and straight through the front doors. No kitchen entrance today or ever again.

That bastard thinks he can cross me. Let's see who can cause greater destruction.

I let go of the damper I keep over my magic, as lights burst and tables fly, glass shatters with every step I take.

It doesn't take long his goons to come running.

"Seems I was right," I say, taking in the bewildered look, they give me. They were not expecting to ever see me. People scramble to get out stepping over each other. A few idiots pull their cellphones out to film the destruction. To their misfortune every time, they try to film, their phones combust.

Darkness takes over and every fuse in the Hecate combust, the backup generator short circuits. Immortals banish out of sight, not wanting to be part of whatever this is.

"Come out, come out, where ever you are," I chant an old rhyme, "you cannot hide for long, the longer you hide, the longer you wait, the greater the pain." I let the beast take over, relishing in the sweet darkness. Claws tear through flesh and bone until only Caleb remains.

"We can talk about it," Caleb sounds like he's trying to placate, a child throwing a tantrum.

"There is nothing to talk about," my voice comes out in a low growl, "I know what you did. You couldn't spare your sisters, why would you spear me. Don't worry, I can be the bad guy."

Caleb launches at me changing midair into a half-wolf, half-lion beat. The problem with science, it has no concept of magic, his transformation is all wrong. Dark ice coats the earth, as I let out a howl. I can feel the earth shake as I call the shadows to me angling them like lovely daggers. Each one piercing through Caleb's abhorrent form. Claws tear through his chest wrapping around his black heart. He shifts back as the light fades in his once hazel eyes.

"So, this is what you sold me out for," I crush his heart, "a bleak chance at immortality. Pathetic."

The Hecate burst into flames, as the gas leak comes into contact with dark flame.

###

"Well that was fun," Liuli says, from within the shadows, "tell me, what did it accomplish?"

"It helped release my wrath," I say. The Hecate is no more, I just need to find Ren and kill Nicholas.

"Yet, you still don't know where your mate is.

"I'll find him," I teleport to the remnants of our loft, Liuli isn't far behind. The building is nothing but rubble, the stench of smoke lingers mingling with that of death. So many innocent souls, were sacrificed for that bastard's greed. "Liuli, what does he want with us?"

"That, I don't know," Liuli kicks ruble, wisp of dust rising, "when I came to this world you were already in the hospital, and Ren was already missing. I could only keep track of one of you."

"So, you chose me."

"You were the better choice, yes."

"You where the voice in my head."

"I figured it was the least I could do."

"What do you mean?"

"I was late."

"So long as Ren lives, all is forgiven."

"Thank you, young Mistress," Liuli bows her head, cat ears twitching.

"Your glamour's failing."

"No, it's not," Liuli looks up, "glamour doesn't work on you."

"But, at that house."

"My master helped me, he said it wouldn't last long."

"Who is he? And why do you keep calling me young mistress?"

"All I can say is, he is someone you admire greatly, as for the other, one day you'll understand," her tail swishes back and forth eyes scanning our surroundings.

She can feel them too, "Will you help me?" I ask, as more souls near us.

"To the best of my capabilities," she says, lifting her hands, a piece of quartz rest in them. Warm light emanates from it as Liuli chants in a foreign tongue.

"Let the wind carry, what the soul cannot," she finishes, as tiny orbs of light rise up, higher and higher. Until they become one with the stars.

"Thank you," I bow my head, as the quarts turns in to stardust.

"I must return to my world," Liuli says, "please be careful."

I reach out just as she turns to leave, "Wait, why do you have to go?"

"Master only sent me to observe," she smiles shyly, "I was never supposed to intervene."

"Thank you anyways."

Liuli smiles before placing a piece of jasper in my hand, "this belongs to you." Before I can say anything, she is gone.

###

"Yuri, Yuria, what did I tell you?" Master lounges lazily on a throne of ice.

"Do not intervene unless necessary."

"What will happen if my sister learns of this?"

"The same thing that will happen, if the Winter King finds you on his throne," I say, knowing very well he won't strike me for my boldness. Unlike the rest of the Vampire Lords Master, Alexander's temper isn't so bad. Most, fight over who will get to work for him, granted if you cross him, he can be as terrifying as the Shadow Queen.

"I'm used to the insult," comes a voice like winters kiss.

"Ah, Enrique," master Alexander greats the Winter King with a wicked grin, "tell me you have bourbon."

"You're as bad as your sister," the Winter King says. He looks at me than Master, arching one perfectly frosted brow, "what did you do?"

"First of, you use to be in love with her, second of, I did nothing wrong," Master sits up, looking the Winter King over, "no bourbon, what a shame. What kind of host are you?"

"One that's been too tolerant of you," the Shadow Queen and Dark King winnow in, "tell me brother, what mischief have you caused."

"All I did was ruin that Summer Kings plan."

"Is this true?" the Shadow Queen looks at me, or more like through me.

"Yes, Your Majesty," I incline my head slightly. Knowing the Shadow Queen hates any sort of degrading behavior. All are equal in her eyes, "the Summer Prince was sent to win our Young Mistress over."

Master sits up,"Why does she get a greeting?" he looks form his sister to me.

"The moment I arrived you asked me a question, I figured you didn't want me wasting time."

"Wise girl," the Shadow Queen says.

The Dark King is looking at Master with murderous intent. It seems he heard Master's remark, about the Winter King loving the Shadow Queen.

It is an old rumor yet the whole world knows it. When the Shadow Queen was young, she bed, the Winter King in an attempt to provoke the Dark King, for having betrayed her. The Winter King fell in love with her, promising to love no other if she would bind her eternal soul to his. Shadow Queen at the time, only a princess, refused, stating only one beast held her heart and soul for all eternity.

I feel a tingling sensation, as the Shadow Queen places a hand over my head, "there is something you must do for me," her voice is as sweet as honey. The remainder of her words resonates in my mind, as my eyes grow heavy, "when you get there, you'll know what you must do." All else is forgotten.