Chapter 35 – Sisterly Love

The tension in the alley thickened like smoke, suffocating and inescapable. Anastasia's gaze darted between Dylan and Rose, her stomach twisting with unease. Zander was gone. Just like that—poof. Typical demon behavior. Coward. And now, she was left with this smug bastard smirking at her like he'd just won a game she didn't even know she was playing.

"Dylan!" Rose's voice cracked, raw with emotion, as she took a shaky step forward.

"Rose, don't!" Anastasia yelled, her hand darting out to grab her, but it was too late. Rose lunged into Dylan's arms, clinging to him like he was the last solid thing in her crumbling world.

Anastasia's heart sank. Idiot! Didn't she know better? But then Dylan's arms circled around Rose, and to Anastasia's surprise, he hugged her back. Not stiffly or awkwardly, but almost… tenderly.

"Oh, come on," Anastasia muttered under her breath, her fists clenching.

Rose pulled back just enough to look into Dylan's face, her own eyes brimming with tears. "Tell me it's not true," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Tell me you're not… not…"

"A demon?" Dylan finished for her, one eyebrow quirking up. His voice was smooth, syrupy. Dangerous.

Rose nodded, hope flickering in her eyes.

Dylan sighed, cupping her face in his hands with an almost mocking gentleness. "Oh, Rose. Sweet, naive Rose. It's all true."

"No…" Rose's voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes," Dylan said with a smirk, his tone dripping with condescension. "But if it makes you feel any better, you've always been one of my favorite humans. Truly. And don't worry—I won't let any harm come to you. That's a promise."

Anastasia barked out a humorless laugh, stepping forward. "How noble of you. Really, Dylan, you should get a medal."

Dylan's gaze snapped to her, and the smirk widened. "Anastasia," he purred, dragging out her name. "So it's true, then. You're carrying his child. Bastian's child."

Her jaw tightened, but she didn't respond. No way was she giving him the satisfaction.

Dylan's face fell into a mock pout. "I have to admit, I'm disappointed it's not mine. But no matter." His grin returned, sharp and predatory. "I'll just raise it as one of the most powerful demons this world has ever seen. Won't alter my plans too much."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Anastasia snapped, her voice slicing through the tension like a whip.

Dylan tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with something dark and twisted. "You think this is all coincidence, Anastasia? That I just stumbled into your lives? Oh no, sweetheart. I've known about you since before you were born."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She felt her knees weaken but locked them in place, refusing to let him see her falter.

He continued, his tone almost conversational now. "Do you really think it was an accident that I picked Rose? That I embedded myself into her family, her life? Do you think it was random that your stepmother and stepsister ended up with your father after your mother's… unfortunate demise?"

Her breath caught. "What are you saying?"

Dylan's grin turned wicked. "Oh, Anastasia. Your mother didn't just die. She was poisoned. By a demon blade. My demon blade. The poison mixed with your blood while you were still in the womb."

Anastasia froze, her mind racing. Poison. Demon blade. Her mother. Her…

"No," she whispered, but the pieces were already falling into place.

Dylan stepped closer, his voice lowering. "You're not just human, Anastasia. You're a hybrid now. Part human, part demon… and thanks to your mother, part angel too. And now your child will be the same—a perfect blend of all three. A true anomaly."

Her stomach churned, bile rising in her throat. The thought of him having orchestrated all of this—her entire life—made her sick.

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll admit, I was puzzled when you didn't fall for my… charms. Incubi don't usually face rejection. But now it makes sense. Bastian. He was protecting you the whole time, wasn't he? Blocking my powers."

Anastasia's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, memories, connections. Dylan—no, Zython—had been in her life for longer than she could fathom. Manipulating. Orchestrating. And now he stood here, smug and triumphant, unraveling her very existence.

"You sick son of a—"

"Enough chit-chat," Dylan cut her off, his voice suddenly sharp. "You're coming with me. Both of you."

"Over my dead body," Anastasia snarled, her fists clenching.

Dylan smirked. "Now, now Anastasia. What good will it do to kill you. Your carrying my heir."

Before she could react, shadows began to shift and move around them. Dozens of demons emerged from the darkness, their eyes glowing, their forms twisted and menacing.

And at the forefront, standing smugly with her arms crossed, was Britney.

"Long time no see, step-sis," Britney sneered, her voice dripping with venom.

Anastasia's eyes narrowed. "Of course, you'd be here. Couldn't resist tagging along, huh?"

Britney shrugged, her smirk widening. "Oh, this is too good to miss. I mean, watching you get what's coming to you? Priceless."

Anastasia's heart pounded as she glanced around, calculating. Outnumbered didn't even begin to describe it. She had to think. Fast.

Dylan took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers. "Give up, Anastasia. There's no point fighting. You'll only make this harder on yourself. And on her." He nodded toward Rose.

Anastasia clenched her jaw, her mind racing. She wouldn't let him have her child. Not now. Not ever.