Chapter 8

When I finally regained consciousness, I blinked my eyes open. Everything was bleary for a moment, then it all came into focus. I felt my hands and ankles tied together with strong rope. I grunted, then realized that I had something tied around my mouth to keep me from screaming. I growled, looking around, before my gaze came to a stop on the person next to me.

Mika was next to me, kneeling on the ground and glaring up at someone. When I looked, I saw it was Malix. I growled louder behind my gag, thrashing about and trying to get loose from my bindings.

Malix looked over at me with a smirk. "Ahhhh, the witch bitch is awake! Finally, now it's a party!" He cackled madly. "I'm sure those little shits will come running to find you two wastes of space when they realize you two didn't return to your precious little mansion. They'll search everywhere!"

Malix then raised his hands, a gun in each of them, and aimed at our heads. "It'll be so funny when they find your dead bodies instead~..."

I held my ground, knowing that his guns wouldn't hurt either of us due to the protection spells we had. When he tried pulling the triggers, nothing happened. I smirked behind my gag, laughing.

Malix glared at me before slapping me across the face. He ripped off the gag. "What is the meaning of this?!"

I grinned ferally. "You can't hurt us that way, fucktard," I bragged. "Protection spells, remember? Mine is tattooed right into my skin, too, so you won't be able to remove it."

Malix growled, the other devils around us laughing at his frustration. "SHUT UP!" he yelled. He shot the gun in his right hand, killing one of the devils. I felt my stomach turn as I saw it deform and melt into the floor. I shuddered, looking away to glare at Malix once more.

"Anyone ELSE wanna laugh at me?! HUH?!"

He looked at me, then at Mika. A slow grin formed on his lips. "Eris... remove the barrier on the short one... NOW."

I began to thrash around. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!"

Malix punched my cheek, knocking me over. As I hit the floor, Mika and I spoke at the same time.

"Aomaris!"

"R-Raestrao," I bit out, my jaw hurting like hell.

Suddenly, a bright flash of purple light engulfed the room, carrying a powerful wind with it. Malix, Eris, and the rest of the devils covered themselves, trying to protect their eyes. I myself had to squint so I wouldn't end up seeing spots. As the wind and light faded away, I looked to see that Sam and James had come. James had a long, golden pistol aimed at the back of Malix's head, and Sam had tackled Eris to the ground. Both looked intensely pissed off. James looked at me, and I let out a breath of relief.

"It's alright now," he said.

"We've gotcha, girls," Sam finished.

I grinned, then winced at how the action pulled at my sore cheek. Jame looked at me carefully, then I saw his nostrils flare, his eyes locked onto my cheek. Heaven knows I probably had a bruise forming there by now; it sure felt swollen enough.

Malix was frozen, knowing that if he moved even one muscle, James would shoot him. And with Sam holding Eris down, the devil had no one to help him. The other devils had fled when they saw the two incubi, knowing that they would have better chances to live if they escaped.

"Well, it seems like I finally have your cooperation, Malix. It took long enough," James drawled smoothly.

"Feh, I'd rather have just kicked his ass regardless," scoffed Sam.

Eris managed to get out from under him, and I saw Mika watch them as they fought. I knew Sam would be able to beat her easily. I then let my attention go back to James and Malix as the devil spoke.

"Hehehehe, you piece of demon shit. I could shoot you right now."

"And what's stopping me from shooting you first?" James asked, his voice light, though it didn't lose any of its commanding tone. "If you so much as flinch, I will pull this trigger and end you once and for all. It would be well-deserved punishment for hitting a woman like Serenity."

I blushed, glancing away for a moment. Aww... he does care...

Malix growled, frustrated at the stalemate he found himself in. "What IS stopping you, pretty boy?"

James shrugged slightly. "Just me wanting to do this."

A split second later, James quickly shot Malix's hands, making the devil drop the guns he was holding. He cried out in agony, holding his bleeding appendages to his chest. "Grrahh! YOU SON OF A BITC-!"

Before Malix could finish that statement, James shoved the end of his gun barrel against the devil's head. "I didn't say you could speak. Do you want me to shoot you in the throat?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. Malix only growled in response.

I couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit aroused as I watched him. Such a deadly being cared about me and was this pissed about me being in harms way. It was supremely flattering, and I bit my lip in an effort to control myself.

"Now, I am going to give you three seconds to get on your knees and beg for forgiveness or the next bullet goes through your pathetic Hell-borne skull."

Okay, yeah, control was not something I was going to have anytime soon. Sweet baby Jesus...

Malix paused for a moment, but relented and got down on his knees. When he finally got into position, though, he wrapped his arms around James' leg and bit him hard.

"GAHH!"

"James!" I called out in concern, my voice shaking slightly.

At the sound of my voice, James shot Malix in the back, making the red-skinned asshole unclench his teeth in shock and pain. He trembled as blood seeped out of his newest wound. He seemed frozen with pain, and James lifted his leg out of Malix's hold and kicked him to the side.

"Disobedient to the very end, huh?" questioned James, getting slightly louder so he could be heard over the sounds of Sam and Eris's fight. With a quick glance over at the younger incubus, I saw that he was starting to have some issues. Eris had shoved a gun of her own into Sam's mouth.

The brothers then glanced at each other, nodding slightly. As soon as they each looked back at their oponents, the air seemed to ring with static, then went completely still. I was afraid to even breath too loud. My eyes went from one brother to the next, and back again.

Sam had begun to bite down on Eris's gun as she pulled the trigger. His eyes were glowing a bright golden color that was familiar, and pieces of the gun went everywhere. Eris looked absolutely petrified now, and before she could blink, Sam let out a loud, animalistic growl, tackling her to the ground.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

Mika and I both flinched at the sound, and I faintly noted that his voice had changed. It reverberated more, having a slight echo that was at least two octaves lower than his usual voice. He began beating Eris relentlessly, and I averted my eyes.

As I looked back at James, he met my eyes, frowning apologetically. "Please, forgive me for this."

I didn't get the chance to ask what on earth he was talking about before he turned back to Malix. His eyes began to glow golden as well as he lifted Malix by his shirt collar, pulling him off the ground and dangling him in the air.

"It's high time you discover the true power of demons," he said, his own voice different as well. If the situation hadn't been quite so dire, I would have found the sound of it quite sexy.

His appearance began to shift, and as it did, the other incubi had arrived. Damien went to cover Mika's eyes so she wouldn't see Sam, and Erik moved to do the same to me. I shook my head, though, my gaze firm.

"I'm not a fool, Erik," I murmured. "Nor am I weak or easily sick. I deserve to see this."

He hesitated, but nodded in defeat. "Let me untie you, at least, princess..."

I nodded, then turned my gaze back to watch James. He stood proud, no longer looking like a human, but like his true self. Golden yellow horns and matching markings on his skin. His legs were mostly covered by flat golden yellow, along with his feet, lower arms, and hands. I blushed a little, noticing that we was naked.

Oh my, I thought to myself, sitting up as Erik finished untying me. I watched in awe as James cast multiple spells upon Malix's body, each of them making his form deminish and/or making him weaker.

"LET ME GO!" the devil growled, struggling more and more.

"As you wish." James gave Malix one final glare, the golden glow in his gaze growing brighter. He growled, baring his teeth and chanting Latin in a guttural tone, preventing me from truly understanding what he was saying. Malix began to scream in agony; whatever spell James had cast, it caused the devil to hover in midair as his limbs were pulled in different directions. I heard the sickening cracks and snaps of his bones being disconnected, before he finally disintegrated.

The echo of his screams died out in the empty warehouse, and I didn't dare look at the mess Sam had most likely made; I may have a strong stomach, but I did want to be able to eat tonight without having that memory in my head.

I heard Sam panting harshly, every now and again a growl escaping him. He walked towards James, and I politely kept my gaze above his waist; I had to admit, though, his demon form was amazing as well. His horns did kinda look like bike handles, though...

Sam chuckled, having calmed a little more as he crossed his arms. "Geez, James. I haven't seen you pull that trick since that intruder in Demon Castle."

"It couldn't have been helped," he replied, looking away. He glanced to my left, raising a brow. "...you made a mess, Sam."

"Shut up."

Erik sighed from behind me. "Well, either way, you've both lost your glamour spells."

"Well, not for long!" piped up Matthew. I watched as he pulled out a couple of small bottles. "I kept extra just in case!"

As he walked towards his brothers, I shakily got to my feet. Erik's arms helped steady me, then let me go when I had settled myself. I heard Damien speaking to Mika, most likely answering the multiple questions going through her head. I paid no mind, simply walking up to James and crossing my arms loosely.

He wouldn't meet my gaze, and I sighed, smiling gently. "Ja-... Raestrao," I amended, making him glance up at me, "you have nothing to be ashamed of, okay?" I reached out a hand and cupped his cheek, smiling wider when he nuzzled into my palm. "And to be quite honest," I added, stepping closer so my lips were at his ear, "I kind of like the horns and markings."

I leaned back and gave him a wink, making his eyes widen in shock as he blushed slightly. Giving me a boyish grin, he lifted the potion bottle to his lips and downed it. His demon form began to melt away, and his more familiar appearance returned. The air began to warm back up to its original temperature, and I heard Sam guzzle down his own potion as well. I looked back at Mika and saw that Damien had uncovered her eyes; she looked pale as a ghost, and I rushed over to her in concern, helping her stand.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked. "Neither of them hurt you before I woke up, did they?"

She shook her head, then frowned as she looked at my throbbing cheek. "Are you okay? I don't know how strong devils are, but he looked like he slapped and punched you pretty hard..."

I suddenly felt a warm hand turning my head. "Let me see," murmured James. He felt around my cheek and jaw carefully, but I couldn't help wincing as he touched a few areas. He pursed his lips, traces of rage still in his gaze. "Your muscles are just bruised. When we return to the mansion, I want you to put some ice on this."

I nodded, then my eyes widened. "Oh crap, my car! It's still at the college..."

Matthew chuckled, sounding a bit nervous. "Uh, actually... I may have 'stolen' it while we were looking for you guys...It's right outside."

I gaped, then chuckled. "It's okay, Matthew... As long as she looks the same as when I left her. That car is my baby."

He gave me a wide grin and a thumbs up. "Yeah, it's all good."

Sam had come up to Mika as we spoke, placing a hand on the small of her back to steady her. He glanced at James, and I saw him nod out of the corner of my eye.

"Let's get you ladies home, shall we?" he asked, offering me his arm once more. I nodded, linking my arm around his and resting my head against him.

. . . . . . . . .

I had driven Mika, Sam, and James home, while the other three used the van that Mika had apparently been captured with. We parked and got out, heading inside and letting out a breath in relief. A thought niggled at me from the back of my head: the boys were originally only going to stay until Malix was gone. Biting my lip, I glanced up at James. I didn't want them to go; and I knew that Mika didn't, either. I certainly wasn't blind to the way she kept giving cow eyes to Sam.

Clearing my throat, I clapped my hands together once. "Well, how about we all get some rest?" I suggested. "Today has been very long and stressful."

Mika nodded, a wry smirk on her lips. "Yeah, that's for sure... First Lisette, then kidnapped."

I rose a brow in question. "Mind telling me what happened with the she-weasel?"

Mika blushed slightly, looking away. "Well, uh... I may have finally snapped and beaten her up..."

I saw Sam cover his mouth to hide his chuckles, but I could still hear them a little. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "...will I end up getting a call from Uncle David?"

"...maybe."

I closed my eyes, counting to ten before letting out a long, slow breath. "...okay, fine, I'll deal with it tomorrow. But," I added, giving her a scolding glare, "no more fights, eh? You're graduating in a couple of months."

Mika nodded, looking properly chastised, and I relaxed a bit. Turning to the boys, I grinned. "Well, you all better get some sleep, too. Since you're all able to get out of the house, there's a few places I wanna have Mika and I show you. You'll all love the arcade and the mall..."

I trailed off, waiting for them to finally understand that I didn't want them to leave. Mika picked up on my hint and smiled at Sam, taking his hand. "Yeah, and there's also this gym where Serenity and I spar sometimes; they have literally everything."

All at once, they seemed to get what we were hinting at. Their grins were nearly blinding, and I couldn't help but giggle. However, my cheek decided to remind me that it was injured, and I let out a small whimper. "Ow..."

James immediately put an arm around my shoulders. "Let's get some ice on that, shall we?"

I nodded and let him guide me towards the kitchen, leaving the others behind in the lobby. When we entered, he surprised me by picking me up by my waist and setting me on the island counter. "Sit here," he ordered gently. "I'll get the ice."

"Thank you," I murmured, blushing a little. If this is what it feels like to be taken care of, I guess I don't mind...

He smiled at me and then went through the drawers before finding a dish towel. Heading over to the freezer, he pulled out a few ice cubes from the bucket and wrapped them in the towel before stepping in front of me.

"Alright, hold still..."

I winced at first when the cold towel touched my face, then relaxed as the pain began to go away. I placed my left hand over the one he used to hold the towel. "Thank you, James..."

"My pleasure, Serenity," he murmured, lifting my free hand to kiss it. He paused, then furrowed his brow, looking away. "About what happened at the warehouse-"

"Nope."

He looked at me in surprise, raising a brow. "...'nope'?"

I nodded. "Nope. I'm not going to hear any apologies from you, James," I said firmly. "You did what you had to do. If you didn't, who knows what would've happened to Mika and I? You and Sam both did what was necessary; I'm sure my little cousin is telling him the same thing right now."

He seemed to relax, giving me a grateful smile. "You are an absolutely wonderful woman, Serenity. I'm so happy that you want us to stay here; that you both want us to stay here."

"I'm happy that you want to stay," I replied, a soft smile on my lips.

However, the moment became ruined when my stomach growled. Loudly. I gaped, blushing in mortification as James laughed.

"Before you go to bed, perhaps a small dinner?" he suggested, his whiskey eyes alight with mirth.

"Y-yeah... Is there any leftover Italian pasta salad?" I asked.

He thought for a moment, then nodded. "There should be; that is, if Damien didn't get to it first. He may not have pasta very often, but he will indulge when I make that particular dish..."

He went over to the fridge, and I lightly swung my legs in the air, feeling very much like a little girl again. I held the makeshift ice pack to my cheek, adjusting it a little as James let out a pleased mumble.

"Aha. Here we go." He pulled out a small container that was filled to the brim. I bounced a little in excitement as he grabbed a fork from the drawer before opening the container and walking back to me.

"Since you need to hold that to your cheek, I'll feed you," he said.

I felt my face heat up. "U-uh, you d-don't have to, J-James..."

He smirked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You needn't be embarrassed; after all, I'm the only one here aside from you."

I closed my mouth, at a loss for words. After a moment, I relented, giving him a half-serious glare. "You are incorrigible sometimes..."

He only laughed, lifting a forkful of noodles to my mouth. "I just know how to get what I want."

I rolled my eyes, choosing not to respond.

He fed me in silence, and when the pasta was gone, I let out a contented sigh. "Mmmm... I swear, you really need to teach me how to make that..."

James glanced at me over his shoulder as he quickly washed the fork, container, and lid in the sink. "When we have the ingredients for it again, I'll teach you," he promised.

"Awesome!" I grinned wide, then winced. "Ow..."

James finished up and stepped over to me, concern coloring his features. "Be careful, Serenity... I don't want you to be in more pain."

I blushed, looking at him from under my eyelashes. "Awww, you do care."

He lifted my chin, making me meet his eyes. "I do indeed. Far more than I probably should," he confessed.

I looked at him in surprise, unable to speak. He smiled a little at my flustered expression, then lifted me off the counter by my hips before swinging me up into his arms, carrying me princess-style. "Come; let's get you in bed, hm?"