Chapter 49 - Shadows and Alliances

The air around the Goodwins' home felt heavier than usual, almost crackling with the weight of the looming mission. Weeks of preparation had pushed everyone to their limits—mentally, physically, emotionally. Inside, the tension between Zython, Elijah, Billy, Matt, and Sean was thick enough to cut with a blade. The truce between demon hunters and the demons was holding by a thread, frayed with every sarcastic comment, side-eye, or outright bickering session. It was a miracle no one had broken into an outright brawl yet.

"Are we sure this is the best idea?" Billy grumbled, staring down at the plan Elijah had sketched out on the dining table. The map was littered with marks, escape routes, and contingency plans scribbled in Elijah's precise hand. Billy crossed his arms, leaning over the table, his frown deepening. "I mean, trusting him?" He jabbed a finger in Zython's direction without looking at him. "And his merry band of demons? Sounds more like a recipe for disaster."

Zython, lounging in the corner with one leg crossed over the other, smirked, his fangs flashing just enough to send a chill through the room. "Relax, angel boy," he said in his lazy drawl, twirling a blade between his fingers like it was a toy. "I'm only here to help your precious family out of the kindness of my heart."

Billy shot him a look that could've melted steel. "You don't have a heart."

"Touché," Zython said, mockingly tipping an imaginary hat.

Wyatt sighed, clearly tired of the constant sparring. "If you two are done bickering, we have a mission to finalize." His calm, calculating tone managed to quiet the room—barely.

Elijah gave Zython a warning look before continuing to discuss the mission. "Look, the plan is straightforward: get in, get out, and for the love of everything holy, don't die in the process." He glanced at Zython. "And don't do anything stupid."

"Oh, I never do," Zython replied with an innocent grin, though the glint in his eyes screamed otherwise.

Anastasia, overhearing the chaos from the porch steps outside, rolled her eyes and took another sip of her coffee. The sunset painted the horizon in brilliant shades of orange and pink, but she barely noticed its beauty. Her mind was racing with every possible scenario—every way this could go horribly wrong. She'd never been more terrified in her life, not even when she'd been cornered by Gabriel. This wasn't just about her anymore. There was something far more precious on the line now.

The creak of the porch steps broke her thoughts, and she turned her head slightly to see Elijah walking toward her. He looked better—fully healed and steady on his feet—but his usual calm aura still carried an edge of danger that made her stomach twist.

Elijah eased himself down beside her, folding his hands in his lap as he stared out at the sunset. For a few moments, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like a fragile thread. Finally, Elijah broke it.

"You do know this mission might fail, right?" His voice was low, almost too quiet to hear. "And if it does, we might not get out alive."

Anastasia didn't answer right away. She stared at the sky, her fingers tightening around her coffee mug as his words sank in. She'd been thinking the same thing, but hearing it out loud made it feel all too real. Finally, she turned her head to look at him, her expression unreadable.

"I have to try," she said, her voice firm but quiet. "This isn't just about me anymore. There's an innocent child involved now—one that apparently everyone wants. Including you and Zython."

Elijah's lips twitched into a knowing smirk, his dark eyes gleaming. "True," he admitted with a slight shrug. "But one fight at a time, right?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, their gazes locking. The tension between them was palpable, neither one backing down. "You know," she said slowly, her tone deadly serious, "if it comes down to protecting my child, I'll kill if I have to. And if I have to kill you," her voice dropped to a near whisper, "I will."

Elijah chuckled softly, the sound low and almost amused. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

Her jaw tightened, but she didn't look away. "The only reason you and Zython are still breathing after what you've put me through is because you saved my life—and Rose's. And because you agreed to help. But make no mistake—if either of you tries to take my child from me, I won't hesitate."

Elijah raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk never wavering. "Noted."

They fell silent again, the weight of unspoken threats hanging between them. After a moment, Elijah leaned back slightly, his gaze turning toward the horizon. "You know," he said, his tone more thoughtful now, "if this war keeps going, it won't end with you. Or me. Or anyone else here. It'll keep going long after you're gone."

Anastasia frowned, arching a brow at him. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Elijah turned to face her, his expression unusually serious. "Your child," he said simply. "That's how it ends."

Her eyes narrowed, confusion and suspicion swirling together. "And how, exactly, is a baby supposed to stop a war that's been raging since the old ages?"

Elijah's lips twitched, but it wasn't quite a smile. "Your child is... unique. Human, demon, and angel blood, all in one. That kind of power? It changes everything. It could bring peace."

"Stop it how?" Anastasia interrupted sharply, her voice laced with frustration. "By wiping out the Celestial City? Killing everyone, I assume?"

Elijah gave her a look of mock offense, one hand pressed to his chest. "Not everyone. Maybe just the useless ones."

Her grip on the coffee mug tightened until her knuckles turned white. "My child will have no part in destroying half of all life."

Elijah's smirk returned, but this time it was softer, almost fond. "You're a remarkable woman, Anastasia," he said, his tone teasing. "But so serious. I was hoping we could be friends."

She snorted, shaking her head. "If you hadn't tried to kill me, my brother, or steal my unborn child, maybe we could've been."

Elijah chuckled, clearly amused by her fiery response. But before either of them could say another word, a voice rang out behind them—sharp, cold, and dripping with mockery.

"Well, well, well," the voice drawled, sending an icy chill down Anastasia's spine. "Looks like I'm just in time for the party, sis."

Anastasia froze, her entire body stiffening as the sound of that voice clawed its way through her memories. Slowly, she turned her head, her heart hammering in her chest. Standing just a few feet away, a smug smile on her face and malice in her eyes, was none other than her demon stepsister.

Anastasia's stomach dropped. "You," she hissed.

Britney grinned, tilting her head as if she were savoring the moment. "Miss me?"