Chapter 29 – Blood Ties and Betrayal  

Britney's smirk stretched across her face like she'd already won. "You really think you can just run around and play hero, Anastasia? You don't even know the people closest to you."

Anastasia clenched her fists, ready to launch at her, but Britney snapped her fingers. Shadows shifted behind her, and from the darkness, two demons dragged someone forward.

Rose.

Anastasia's stomach dropped. Rose wasn't struggling. Her head hung low, guilt dripping from her like thick tar. She wouldn't even look at her.

"What the hell is this?" Anastasia's voice cut through the battlefield noise, sharp and demanding.

Britney tilted her head mockingly. "Oh, don't act so surprised. How did you think we always knew where you were? How did you think we managed to terrorize you even on that little island getaway? Who do you think helped make that happen?"

Anastasia's body went rigid. "You're lying."

Britney laughed, a sick, twisted sound. "Am I? You really think Rose could have a demon brother and not be a demon herself? Come on, Ana. Use your brain. Her parents—her 'adoptive' family? Demons. Loyal spies for the underworld. Everything the Goodwins did, we knew. Every step you took, we knew. Because of her."

"No." The word was a whisper, but it carried weight. Anastasia turned to Rose. "Tell me this isn't true."

Rose finally lifted her head. Tears streaked her face. "I never wanted to hurt you," she choked out. "I wanted to stop, but my brother never let me go. I was trapped, Ana. I swear it."

Betrayal burned in Anastasia's chest, but she forced herself to stay level. "Do you love Billy?"

Rose's lips trembled. She nodded.

"Do you still want to be part of this family?"

Another nod, this one more desperate.

Anastasia inhaled deeply, fighting the storm raging inside her. Then, her decision was made. "Then help us take this bitch down." Her eyes cut to Britney, burning with fury. "Your brother is dead. You're free."

Rose looked at Anastasia, then Britney. The hesitation lasted a second before she took a step forward. A dagger materialized in her hand, and she slashed it toward Britney's throat.

Britney dodged effortlessly, moving like a phantom. "Tsk, tsk. You think just because you had a change of heart, you can beat me?"

Gabriel and Elijah stepped up beside Anastasia. "You need help?" Elijah asked, eyes locked onto Britney.

"No." Anastasia didn't look away from her target. "Go end the war."

Elijah hesitated but nodded, sprinting off with Gabriel. Britney arched a brow. "Brave. Stupid, but brave."

Anastasia didn't bother replying. She was already moving.

She struck first, aiming for Britney's ribs, but Britney twisted at the last second. Her counterattack was fast—too fast—but Rose was there, intercepting with a blade aimed at Britney's gut. Again, Britney dodged, kicking Rose back and narrowly avoiding Anastasia's second strike.

Britney was slippery, agile. Every move Anastasia made, she countered with ease. But Anastasia wasn't alone.

Rose came at Britney from the side, forcing her to defend on two fronts. She blocked one of Rose's swipes but missed the second—Rose's dagger grazed her arm, drawing blood. Britney snarled, eyes flashing with fury, and retaliated with a brutal spin-kick that sent Rose sprawling.

Britney wasted no time. She drove her blade into Rose's stomach.

"No!" Anastasia's scream ripped through the battlefield. Britney yanked the knife free, and Rose collapsed.

Anastasia didn't hesitate. Rage fueled her, burned through every nerve. She attacked like a storm, forcing Britney onto the defensive. Britney blocked, parried, but Anastasia was relentless. A deep gash split open Britney's thigh. Another across her shoulder. Britney gritted her teeth, her cockiness fading as she realized Anastasia wasn't letting up.

Then Anastasia landed the hit that mattered.

The Angel Fire blade sliced deep into Britney's side. Britney stumbled, coughing up blood, her hands trembling. Anastasia pressed forward, blade at her heart.

Britney let out a dry, pained laugh. "Do it."

Anastasia's grip tightened. "You've had a child."

Britney's bloodied lips curled into a half-smile. "A son."

"Where is he?"

Britney's breath hitched, but she answered. "The Colossal Palace."

Anastasia's blade didn't waver. "If I let you live, will you swear to never touch my family again? Never go near them? And you'll give up the baby—to be raised properly. I don't want any child of our bloodline to be raised evil."

Britney's face twisted into something between rage and amusement. "Never."

Anastasia didn't want to do it. She wasn't heartless. But Britney had sealed her fate.

Then, suddenly, the blade plunged deeper—not by Anastasia's doing.

Anastasia's head snapped to the side.

Rose, with the last of her strength, had pushed the blade down, driving it straight into Britney's heart.

Britney's breath hitched. She gasped, her hands clawing at the wound, but it was too late. Her final words whispered through the air as she glanced at Anastasia. "I'll see you in hell." Her body stiffened, then began to crumble, turning to ash that scattered with the wind.

Anastasia barely registered them. She was already catching Rose as she fell, blood pooling beneath her.

"You idiot," Anastasia whispered, cradling her. "Come on. We're getting you to the healer's guild."

Rose's eyes fluttered. "Sorry," she mumbled, then went limp.

Anastasia didn't hesitate. She lifted Rose into her arms and took off toward the healers, leaving the battlefield—and the last remnants of Britney—behind.