Chapter 37 – Take me instead

Anastasia's body hit the ground with a dull thud, her breaths shallow and labored. The darkness that clawed at her vision finally consumed her, dragging her into a void of silence.

Rose screamed, her voice cracking as she threw herself at Britney, the rusted pipe in her hand raised like a sword. "What did you do to her?"

Britney sidestepped with ease, grabbing Rose by the wrist and twisting until she yelped in pain, dropping the pipe. Britney smirked, her voice dripping with condescension. "Calm down, little sister. It's nothing permanent. Your precious Anastasia just needed a nap."

Dylan sauntered forward, his footsteps echoing in the eerie stillness. "Always so dramatic, Britney. You could've just knocked her out without the theatrics."

"She wouldn't have gone down that easily," Britney shot back, her gaze flicking to Anastasia's unconscious form. "You know she's not human, Dylan. That little concoction was the only way to make sure she stayed down long enough for us to finish this."

Rose wrenched her arm free and stumbled back, glaring at Dylan with tears streaming down her face. "Why are you doing this? You were my brother. You—you cared about me. You said—"

Dylan's laughter cut her off, harsh and humorless. "I said a lot of things, Rose. Most of them lies." He stepped closer, his smirk fading into something colder, more calculating. "You were a means to an end, just like everyone else. Don't take it personally."

Rose's lip trembled, but she straightened her shoulders, her voice trembling but defiant. "You're a monster."

Dylan tilted his head, feigning contemplation. "Maybe. But monsters get things done."

Behind him, the demons began to close in, circling Anastasia's prone body like sharks scenting blood in the water. Britney waved them off with a sharp gesture. "Back off. She's mine to deliver."

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Yours? Last I checked, I was the one pulling the strings here."

Britney crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "And yet, you'd still be chasing your tail without me. So why don't you go play with your little human friend while I handle the hybrid?"

Dylan's smirk vanished, replaced by a dangerous glint in his eyes. In a flash, he closed the distance between them, his hand snapping out to grip Britney by the neck. He lifted her off the ground with ease, her feet dangling as she clawed at his hand.

"I'm in charge here," Dylan growled, his voice a deadly whisper. His eyes burned with fury, the faint glow of his demonic nature seeping through. "And don't you ever forget it. I can destroy you in a second if I feel like it."

Britney choked, her defiance faltering under his crushing grip.

"Anastasia's mine. Got that?" Dylan tightened his hold slightly, his lips curling into a snarl. "And let me make one thing perfectly clear—we may be working with that damn angel, but he's not our boss. I am the boss. Got it?"

Britney's eyes bulged as she nodded frantically, her face turning a shade of purple.

Satisfied, Dylan released her, letting her crumple to the ground in a heap. She coughed and gasped for air, glaring up at him with a mixture of fear and hatred.

"Good," Dylan said, brushing off his hands as if ridding himself of her insolence. "Now get her ready. We're not here to waste time."

Britney wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, rising shakily to her feet. "You didn't have to—"

"Do you want me to finish what I started?" Dylan interrupted coldly, his gaze pinning her in place.

She shook her head, muttering under her breath, but she didn't push him further.

Rose clenched her fists, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at Anastasia, motionless on the ground, and then at the swarm of demons surrounding them. Her mind raced, searching for a way out, a plan, anything.

"Let her go," she said, her voice breaking but loud enough to carry.

Britney turned to her, arching an eyebrow. "Let her go? Sweetheart, you're in no position to make demands."

"Take me instead," Rose said quickly, stepping forward. Her legs felt like jelly, but she forced herself to stand tall. "You said I was your favorite human, Dylan. Prove it. Let Anastasia go, and I'll go with you willingly."

Dylan stared at her for a long moment, something flickering in his eyes—was it hesitation? Amusement? Whatever it was, it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He let out a slow, mocking clap. "Bravo, Rose. Such selflessness. But here's the thing..."

He took a step closer, his smile widening into something sinister. "You're not the one I want."

Rose stumbled back, the weight of his words hitting her like a punch to the gut. "But—"

"Enough," Britney snapped, cutting through the conversation. She crouched down beside Anastasia, grabbing her by the arm and hauling her up with surprising ease. "We don't have time for this."

Rose surged forward, desperation overtaking her fear. "No! Let her go!"

A demon stepped into her path, its grotesque face leering down at her. It snarled, baring jagged teeth, and Rose froze, her courage faltering.

Dylan reached out, grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her back. "Stay put, Rose. You're just going to get yourself killed."

"You're disgusting," she spat, tears streaming down her face. "I hate you."

Dylan's grip tightened, his smile faltering for the first time. "Hate me all you want. It won't change anything."

Britney slung Anastasia over her shoulder with a grunt, casting one last smug glance at Rose. "See you around, little girl. Or not."

The demons parted like a sea, creating a path for Britney and Dylan as they disappeared into the shadows with Anastasia in tow.

Rose collapsed to her knees, her chest heaving as sobs wracked her body. The alley was silent now, the only sound her ragged breathing. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, and whispered through gritted teeth, "I'll get you back, Ana. I promise."