Chapter 14 – Party Crashers  

The moment they stepped through the door, Anastasia didn't waste time. She faced the group gathered in the living room—family, friends, and warriors who had fought beside them—and said it plainly.

"Bastian remembers everything."

Matt and Billy shot up from their seats, moving in tandem. "It's good to have you back, brother," Billy said, his voice thick with emotion.

"I second that," Matt added before both men engulfed Bastian in a crushing hug. He let them, closing his eyes for a brief moment before patting their backs. When they pulled away, Wyatt stepped forward. No words, just a firm handshake, the kind that spoke volumes. Sean followed, his movements hesitant, his usual skepticism evident. But Bastian wasn't about to let him keep his distance.

Without hesitation, he grabbed Sean and pulled him into a hug. Sean stiffened at first, arms frozen in midair, but then he gave in, closing his eyes and returning the embrace. Soon, the room filled with murmurs, more hugs, handshakes, pats on the back. Even the angels who had fought beside him on the Ethereal Battlefield stood to greet him.

Bastian glanced around at all of them, his gaze landing on each face before speaking. "Thank you. For watching over Anastasia when I couldn't. For trying to save me when you shouldn't have. You risked everything."

"They had help," a voice interjected, smooth and deliberate.

Bastian's breath hitched. He turned.

"Elijah." The name left his lips in a whisper.

Elijah stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You have an incredible woman by your side," he said. "It didn't take much for me to see the depth of her heart—the things she would do for those she loves. I regret any wrongdoing against either of you."

Bastian held his gaze for a beat before reaching out. "Forgiven."

Elijah clasped his hand, a silent agreement passing between them. Then, Bastian smirked. "Besides, I get the feeling you wouldn't have let anything happen to her. You were the other shadow watching over her, weren't you?"

Anastasia's head snapped up. "What?"

Elijah just smiled. "And here I thought I hid my presence well."

Anastasia's brows knitted together. "All those times I saw something but couldn't explain it… that was you?"

Elijah smirked. "Bastian's not the only one who can slip through the shadows. Initially, I watched for my own selfish reasons. But there were things I saw—things that changed my mind." He exhaled. "When Dylan—or should I say Zython—kidnapped you the first time, it was under my instruction."

Anastasia tensed. "You what?"

"I ordered him to pull you from the water—to save you from drowning, not to hold you captive. I planned to bring you to our side as a guest, not a prisoner. The second time…" His jaw tightened. "He defied me. He's a demon. I should've known better than to assume he'd follow orders."

The room seemed to shrink, thick with the weight of his words. Then, Anastasia's voice cut through it. "You were the one who sent us to Italy, weren't you?"

Elijah said nothing. Just nodded.

He took a breath. "I can't change the past. Well—one of us did."

The room collectively tensed. No one dared to look at Matt, but his resurrection still sat on everyone's shoulders, unspoken but present. Elijah pressed on. "But I can make amends. I swore an oath to protect you and your kin, Anastasia, and I intend to keep it."

Bastian clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Then you're one of us now."

Elijah inclined his head. A silent acceptance.

But then, Bastian's expression darkened. "There's something else you all need to know."

The shift in his tone had everyone snapping to attention. "Anastasia, our child, and I will not be returning to the Celestial City."

The air turned razor-sharp.

Wyatt, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke. "A deal was made, Bastian. You can't break it."

Elijah nodded grimly. "I'm afraid he's right. You agreed. You must return and as Anastasia's protector, regretfully I need to return with you."

"No," Bastian's voice was firm, unyielding.

"Bastian—" Anastasia's voice was softer, sadder. "We don't have a choice."

"Yes, we do." His eyes locked onto hers, desperate, determined. "I won't have our child raised by them."

"But they said—"

"They said what we wanted to hear. Listen to me, Ana. You don't know what it's like up there. They'll let our child sleep in our home, but that's it. They'll raise him the way they see fit. They'll brainwash him into their rules, their laws. He won't be ours. He'll be theirs."

Anastasia felt her pulse quicken. She turned to Elijah. "Is this true?"

Elijah looked down, then back at her. The weight of his confirmation crushed her. "Yes, Ana. It's true."

Her hands instinctively went to her stomach. "What have I done?"

Bastian was there in an instant, crouching in front of her. "You couldn't have known."

A slow clap echoed through the room.

"Well, well," a voice drawled. "Even if she didn't, we'll make sure she doesn't set foot in that ghastly city."

Everyone froze.

Every muscle in Bastian's body locked as he turned.

"Dylan," Matt spat.

Elijah and Bastian moved in front of Anastasia in an instant, shielding her. Dylan—or rather, Zython—stood in the doorway, casual as ever, a smirk playing on his lips.

Bastian's eyes darkened, his voice razor-sharp. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Zython tilted his head, amused. "My old friend. You have gotten your memories back? You are looking at me now in the exact same way when we first met. Extraudinary. "

Bastian didn't blink. "That's none of your concern-"

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Matt shouted. 

Matt took a step forward, but Wyatt threw an arm out, stopping him. He kept his gaze locked on Zython, watching every move.

Then—

A second voice, one just as familiar, slithered through the room. "Oh, Matty. Calm down before you pop a vein."

Every head turned.

Britney.

Jenny who had been making snacks and preparing beverages for everyone, stepped out of the kitchen but the second she saw Britney, the tray full of drinks slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.

No one cared.

Because Britney was pregnant.