The Enemy

"What do you want with her person?" Severin asked showing no emotion. Showing emotion only served to give your enemy power.

"Just as I said, I want her." He looked at his claws. "Of course, I am willing to wait until after she gives birth."

Severin's sword was at Zane's throat, and his eyes were flashing red. Damn it.

"Struck a nerve, have I?" Zane stated glancing calmly at the sword. 

Meldon's face markings were going jagged.

Lord Yasa was the only calm one, and he wasn't even calm.

"I know everything," Zane said. "I know that she is with the Fox Prince, that she carries your blood."

Severin's sword pressed into Zane's neck. "You will not touch her."

Zane slowly moved the sword from his neck. "Why would I want to hurt her?"

"What the fuck do you want with her?" Meldon snapped growing tired and antsy.

Zane smirked. "I will find no other as powerful as she. I want her womb of course."

"Yeah well, it's taken so get lost," Meldon yelled.

Severin turned from them all, removing his sword from the snake demon's face; his beast was slamming against him again. His eyes were bleeding. His beast was causing him to react when normally he would have been like a stone to such news.

"Oh, do you plan to keep her and fill her again?" Zane looked shocked, but he wasn't.

Severin looked at Kasonna who was looking back at him. "Be not a fool." He said, though his tone was struggling.

"Then do we have a deal?"

No one said anything.

"I, of course, will give her time to nurse her son." Zane offered,

"What if she keeps it?" Meldon asked.

Zane shrugged. "I only need her womb; surely her kin will aid with the child."

"You're just as sick as him." Meldon spit.

"Then what does that make you half-breed? Your seed has coated the womb of a Maiden too, has it not?"

"Yeah what of it, I ain't like you two jerks, she ain't an object!" Meldon looked at his father "Say something!"

"I believe you are asking the wrong person." His father spoke with a sigh "While she does belong to my family – "

Zane put up his hand. "Severin may do as he pleases with her once she has given birth and he has gained his power, no?"

Everyone looked at Severin, whose back was still to them. "It is of no matter now. She is still far from birth." Severin stated, minding his words.

"Very well, then I will wait." Zane then looked at Kasonna, "Do send word when she has given birth if you please wind controller."

Her eyes got wide, and then Zane was gone as if he had road in on the wind.

He left a trail of death in his departure, showing his displeasure. Poor little Ray got in the way and was hurt badly; she suffered a broken arm. Zane merely laughed at the small human child, reminding them all that he did not give two fucks about anyone or anything.

Severin cursed in his head. The last thing he needed was another human around, but there this little human was. He had forgotten she was even about. But he had allowed her to stay and so this was his responsibility. 

He lifted Ray and took her to his mother, "Deal with her till Parthina returns,"

He had to get away.

In a day he was threatened, challenged, lost control of his beast, and somehow gained an orphan. But he knew one thing, he would kill the shapeshifter before the Demon ever had a chance to touch Parthenia. Not that he would ever keep her himself.

The Maidens were quickly brought back home. They were led to a room where only they, Lord Yasa, Meldon, and Severin stood.

"We have a spy," Yasa stated.

"Probably the Element witch, stupid bitch." Meldon sneered.

He found his throat within Severin's hand. "Mind your mouth half-breed."

"Let him go, Severin," Parthenia spoke now twenty-eight weeks along,

His eyes glided to her slowly like a predator watching his prey. "Do you think to tell me what to do to human?"

"Drop him." His father said. Severin released Meldon.

"What did Zane want?" Oni asked growing concerned.

Parthenia didn't miss everyone's eyes on her. "Me." She breathed.

"Yes," Severin confirmed.

"Why me?"

"He wants to breed you," Severin stated.

"Do ya have to say it like that? Damn." Meldon defended rubbing his neck.

"For peace?" Parthenia asked.

"Yes," Lord Yasa spoke before anyone else could insult anyone else.

"And?" She said.

"I did not entertain his request at the time," Severin answered.

"You didn't say no?" She seethed.

"I didn't say yes."

"But you didn't say no." She snapped.

"I see the time with the Fox has made your mouth lose woman. Remind me to punish him for it."

"Get over yourself!" She yelled.

Severin was growling at her and moved towards her. She stood her ground. "I'm not afraid of you." She stated resolutely.

"You won't be carrying my child forever, woman."

"Don't call it your child, you jerk." She said hotly.

"Parthenia." Lord Yasa warned.

Severin grabbed her jaw, and his father had to hold Meldon back.

"What, did the Fox whisper sweet nothings in your ear while you were in his care?"

"No, but at least he didn't throw me to the enemy." Her eyes held fire. She was weak from being away, but she would be damned if he was going to walk on her, especially after learning he does not flat-out deny the enemy's request.

"What, think I would keep you, indulge you, protect you?"

"No, I just didn't think you would be so stupid." She showed no fear only conviction. He slapped her. She screamed and blasted him with her power, knocking him back.

"How dare you?!" Tears streamed down her face as his eyes began to bleed.

"Meldon, take him and go." Lord Yasa stated keeping his eyes on Parthenia as she seethed with power around her.

"Hell no, let her kick his ass." Meldon was ready to sit back and watch.

"Now!" His father yelled.

Severin fought, but they both left the room. He knew he needed to go. He allowed his half-brother to pull him out.

"The fuck is your problem? How could you hurt her like that?" Meldon jerked him and released.

"Stupid half-breed, my bark is far worse than my bite." At least when it came to her, he knew.

Parthenia slid down the wall stunned.

 "You should not have pressed him his beast has been most upset lately." Lord Yasa knelt down to look at her cheek.

"He is ill?" Oni asked shocked.

"I'd say, the little girl named Ray is now his ward." Lord Yasa stood.

Parthenia looked up. "What?" She breathed. Ray, her little ray of sunshine was now the ward of Severins?

"He saved her, Zane hurt her." Lord Yasa spoke softly.

Both women were shocked.

"I believe Zane may know about the stone."

Both women stopped breathing.

There were only four people who knew that the stone that belonged to Parthenia.

Parthenia, Oni, Lord Yasa and Ki, the girl's Maiden mentor.

His sons were in the dark, especially Severin.