Chapter 15 – Two Times the Charm    

Jenny's heart pounded as she stared at Britney's swollen belly. Eight months along—there was no way the baby could be Matt's. A wave of relief washed over her, but it barely had time to settle before Matt scoffed.

"Knocked her up, huh? Can't say I'm surprised."

Zython blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then let out a loud laugh. Britney followed suit, their twisted amusement echoing through the room. Zython wiped a tear from his eye. "Damn, Matt. That was actually funny. Haven't laughed like that in a while. But uh..." He tilted his head, smirking. "Yeah, buddy, you are the father."

Matt's face went blank. He opened his mouth, shut it, then shook his head. "The fuck did you just say?"

Jenny jumped in, voice sharp. "That's impossible. What happened between them was only two months ago!"

Matt frowned. "Jenny, what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Oh my god." Anastasia's voice wavered as the horrifying realization dawned. "Demons carry babies for only three months before birth."

Matt's stomach dropped.

Britney grinned, that sickening, self-satisfied smirk. "Bingo, sister dear. Matt's seed was the only thing I wanted from him. And now, I have it."

Matt's entire body tensed, his fists clenching. He was two seconds away from losing his shit. "Can someone explain what the fuck is happening?!"

Jenny had no choice. She had to break the spell. She stepped forward, chanting under her breath, weaving her hands in the air. The moment the enchantment lifted, Matt's face went slack. A series of rapid blinks, and then it hit him.

He knew.

His knees buckled, and he dropped onto the couch, hands in his hair, devastation crashing down on him. Sean and Jenny flanked him, murmuring quiet reassurances, but Matt wasn't hearing any of it.

Wyatt took a step forward, arms crossed, gaze locked onto Britney and Zython. "Alright. You've screwed with my family enough. What do you want so you can leave sooner?"

Britney's smile was pure venom. "Oh, Daddy, it's not that simple."

Zython chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I'm afraid it isn't. Because what I want? You're not going to hand it over willingly."

Elijah, who had been silent until now, narrowed his eyes. "If it's the Angel Fire Blade you're after, forget it. The answer is no."

Zython's grin widened. "Why would I want something I already have?"

The room went ice cold.

Wyatt visibly paled. Elijah stiffened. And then—

Wyatt bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Zython leaned back, watching him go with amusement. "He's not gonna find it," he mused, voice dripping with satisfaction.

Anastasia took a step forward, squaring her shoulders, her voice like steel. "Then what do you want?"

Zython tilted his head, his dark eyes locking onto hers with unsettling intensity. "Just you."

Wyatt's boots slammed against the floor as he returned, panting. "He has it!" he shouted.

Everything exploded into motion.

Elijah yanked Anastasia backwards just as an unseen force lunged at her. Bastian caught her, steadying her while Elijah unleashed twin beams of pure energy from his hands, blasting two invisible demons into view. Jenny cast another spell that revealed the rest, and suddenly, the room was packed with them.

Chaos erupted.

Wyatt took on two demons at once, his blade a blur. Jenny engaged Britney, magic crackling in the air between them. Elijah and Bastian clashed with Zython, while the rest of Bastian's comrades waged war against the horde spilling into the house.

Wyatt ducked under a demon's swipe, then turned to Bastian, gripping his arm tight. "No choice now. Get Ana to the city!"

Bastian hesitated. "But—"

"That was not a request!" Wyatt barked. "You swore you'd protect her. Don't break that promise. Take her and GO!"

Bastian clenched his jaw, knowing he had no choice. He grabbed Anastasia's hand just as she incinerated a demon in front of her.

"What the hell are you doing?" she snapped.

"We're leaving!"

She yanked her arm free. "If you think I'm leaving my family to fight alone, you've got another thing coming, Bastian Webber!"

He exhaled sharply, frustration mounting. "We don't have a choice. Your father—"

"I don't care!"

He hardened his grip on her wrist. "You may be strong, Ana. But so am I. And if I have to carry you out of here, I will."

A second later, Elijah grabbed her other arm. "Go!" He tossed Bastian a glowing key—the only way to open the Celestial City's portal. "NOW!"

"No! Let me go!" Anastasia screamed. "DAD!"

Wyatt met her gaze, his expression raw with emotion. "I love you, Ana. Now GO!"

Zython's eyes flicked to them, realization dawning that she was about to escape. His face twisted with fury as he roared something in an ancient demonic tongue. "Ǫn Ḑemønic ǧlᶙrm šhe ǫs Ǧɩrcᾑ!! Ⱥfẃɛr ḧᶙr!!"

Every demon in the room turned to Anastasia.

Elijah shoved her. Bastian pulled her. The door of light opened just as the demons lunged. The last thing she saw was her family locked in battle, demons closing in from all sides, and Wyatt's determined face as he fought to give her this chance.

Then everything disappeared into blinding light.