"I... *hic* claim this table... for all demon kind"
Felix was nearly doubled over with laughter, along with Demetri, Jane and Alec, as he watched the young woman, stood upon the kitchen table with her arms stretched wide and yelling for all the castle to hear. In the corner of his eye, he could see the wolf creeping closer, a mischievous grin upon her face as she snuck up behind her drunken friend. How had it taken nearly three weeks and orders from Aro, to guard both the girls, for both he and Demetri to start talking to them? They really did seem to liven up the, once rather dull, atmosphere of the castle.
"If you want... *hic* to share this table... Then you must pay... with a shot of vodka"
He watched, venom pooling in his eyes with mirth, as Aya jumped out behind Helix, screaming and pushing the demon from her place and screaming that she had 'toppled the tycoon' before narrowly missing the drunken fist that was swung her way, the demon falling backwards against the floor as hysterics took over her once more and the wolf staggered her way back towards the half bottle of vodka, pouring them both another full glass, adding barely any lemonade to sweeten the sharp bite of the alcohol.
How was it possible for two, rather petite, women to drink so much? After a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, a bottle of Jack Daniels and a full bottle and a half of Vodka, not to mention the Sours shots they had been doing, he was pretty certain that the two should have passed out by now.
Six hours previously:
"Helix is an amazing chef, shame you guys can't try any of it really"
Felix watched with his fellow guard as the demon flitted around the kitchen, pulling out various pots and pans, sniffing the different herbs and spices as she decided on each separate ingredient. The wolf was happily watching her also, a satisfied gleam in her eyes as the other girl pulled out a fine cut of steak from the fridge.
Sometimes Felix really questioned why they even bothered to keep the kitchen stocked with such premium foods when, in all the times he had seen the human residents of the castle cooking with them, barely any one had shown a real talent for actually cooking with any of it. However, watching as Helix all but danced between each task as she prepared the sauce, her skill with a knife as she chopped the vegetables honed to perfection and her keen sense of taste well refined as she tasted each element, he could honestly say he was thankful that they did spend such money on the items. Watching Helix in the kitchen was like watching a well rehearsed ballet, full of passion, elegance and experience.
"It's not that I'm an amazing chef Aya. It's just that, through my training with daggers and swords, my knife work when prepping food is better than most other amateurs and, because I have been trained to recognise the separate tastes and scents of different poisons, my taste buds and sense of smell is strengthened and able to connect what goes well with other things"
Aya stuck her tongue out at the other girl as she continued to cook, both girls ignoring the dumbstruck expressions of the guard at what Helix had just said. She made it sound so normal? What the hell was normal about a young woman being trained to detect poisons or to fight with swords and daggers?
"Who would train you for such things? Surely an ordinary demon doesn't need such skills?"
Aya nearly fell off her chair with laughter at Jane's question, a look of the highest amusement in Helix's eyes as she continued to stir the stilton cheese through the cream and chicken stock, using her free hand to turn on the other hob to start heating the pan for the sirloin steak.
"You guys really don't know anything about demons, do you? Let me guess, you think Aya is just a regular wolf as well?"
"The demon race is separated by a hierarchy. Lowest, you have the Satyr's. They tend to just be the servants of the higher class of demons, caught in the form between man and goat. They have the bare minimum abilities, strength and speed. Nothing overly special, so they aren't sent out to make contracts.
Next you have the Sirens. They are the ones that are sent to form contracts, beautiful and enticing to look and listen too, but very rarely gifted with outstanding abilities. They collect the souls of their contracts, but are also sent to reap the souls of sinners. Kind of like debt collector's for the damned.
Both the Satyr's and the sirens serve the Homunculi. They are souls that have been handpicked and transformed into demons by either one of the two demon lords, Balthazar and Lucifer, after death for showing signs of higher abilities. Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis and Shape Shifting are usually the gifts these beings possess that the other, lower, classes don't. They are also known as 'Nobles' and act as the Generals of the armies of hell, and answer only to the final class of demon.
Finally, and above all the others, are the Fallen Angels, the royal family so to speak. Direct descendants of the two original demons, the brothers Lucifer and Balthazar Morte. They are distinguished by their pale blue skin, black horns and the fact that they possess both, incredibly beautiful, human and demon forms. They are the most powerful and the only ones to be conceived and born by natural methods, all possessing gifts that are unique to them alone. It is often considered taboo for them to form contracts as it requires them to leave the safety of the shadow realm. Helix Morte is the niece of Balthazar, making her the next ruler of the shadow realm."
Aya was grinning from ear to ear as the four guard stared at her in utter shock, occasionally glancing at Helix as she continued to cook, not seeming to care that her entire races hierarchy and her own position within the system was being discussed across the dinner table. But, if the guard were shocked about the demon's true identity, then they would probably scream at the truth behind Aya.
"Now that you have 'revealed' me, I believe that I shall do the shame... Fuck knows it's taken you three years to be bothered to learn about my race's history"
Helix lowered the heat on the oven, not wishing to burn or ruin any of her work. She knew from experience that Aya would be upset if she did such a thing, especially with such a nice cut of meat. The wolf had a serious love of meat. She leaned against the counter, folding her arms across her apron clad abdomen, recalling from memory all that she had learned of the Sera pack and the other wolves.
"Whilst many would consider the Children of the Moon's race to be unorganised, wild and savage because of their animalistic nature, the truth could not be more wrong. Like Demon's, the race is separated and categorised into separate groups. The first and lowest of these beings are the 'rabid wolves'. They have little to no control over their inner wolves, rarely ever being able to return to their human forms, and have often been known to attack hikers in the wild. They are easily mistaken for regular woodland wolves.
Next you have the 'shape-shifters'. They are not true children of the moon, often losing control of their inner wolves when first coming of age, they are also much smaller. Luckily, they are more in touch with their humanity and are, over time and with help from an older shifter, able to gain a sense of control.
Next, you have the 'Lycans'. A watered down version of the Children of the Moon that have, over the centuries, found mates within the human race. They are usually in near perfect control of their inner wolves and rarely have any... Unfortunate accidents, such as attacking innocent individuals. However, they are the source of the 'howling at the moon' belief. On a full moon, the nature of their origins over-rides their humanity and they are forced into their second form.
And last, but never least, we have the Sera pack of Wolves, currently lead by Willow Sera. The last of the true born Children of the Moon and considered to be the royal family amongst all the race of wolves. Because their blood remains pure and untainted, they are gifted with the original strength, speed and control of their ancestors. They are lead by the matriarch of the family, the eldest daughter born during the rule of the current leader. Each leader is blessed with an ability that will aid them during their reign and, in their wolf form, have been known to tower well above six feet tall. This, as you can probably see, means that Aya Sera is the next in line to lead the pack"
Demetri could swear that, if possible, his jaw had well and truly hit the floor. How had he not figured it out? When, that morning, after being locked within his study for a full twenty-four hours, Aro had all but pirouetted out of the room with the order to place both girls under the highest form of guard. For Aya, Felix and Demetri so that she could not steal any gifts with her own ability, and for Helix, Jane and Alec so that she could be brought under control if she ever used her gift again.
"Don't look at us like that. We thought you'd have known at least about the names of the royal families"
Aya's words were giggled as she looked at all four vampires, jaws slack and eyes wide as saucers. Since being given their freedom to roam the castle and after Jane and Alec's help towards Helix after her beating and since Felix and Demetri's placement as personal guards, the two girls had become quite fond of the four guard. The twins had introduced them properly to Felix and Demetri, allowing them all to make a fresh start on the possible friendships. It was nice to feel like they had made friends in such hostile territory.
"Aya? Pass me the white cooking wine please"
Helix had turned back to the oven, searing the steak gently before placing it under the grill for a few second. She didn't want to burn the outer flesh, but she wanted to make sure it was perfectly medium rare. Aya jumped up from her seat and ran towards the pantry, rooting through the contents before coming back, curiosity in her eyes.
"What do you need the cooking wine for? Are you going all gourmet on me?"
Helix rolled her eyes as she took the bottle, giving it a quick glance over and smirking too herself. Quite a high percentage for something that would only have the alcohol burned out of it later. She uncapped the bottle, taking a slight sniff of the content before grabbing herself a wine glass. Why waste good alcohol?
"Aya, I'm making you pan-seared fillet of Sirloin steak, rested upon a bed of wilted spinach and crushed new potatoes, accompanied by sautéed asparagus and baby carrots, finished with a creamy stilton sauce. If I went anymore gourmet, I'd need to change my name to Heston Blumenthal... The wine is for me because, since being brought to this damn castle, I've seemingly joined an AA group"
Helix took a long swig of her wine, grimacing slightly at the taste before returning her attention to the wolf, a look of even greater curiosity within those neon orbs. Aya had to admit, she'd missed their nights out and drunken shenanigans. Aro had only told her to keep the demon under control, but not restrain her completely. What harm could a few glasses of wine do?
"How's it taste?"
"Like wine, but really shit. Want a... glass?"
Aya had already snatched the bottle from her hands, a cheeky grin on her face as she took a large swig, before the demon had even finished her words, holding it out with a cheeky grin on her face as Helix grabbed a second glass and the wine was poured. Alec looked between his fellow guard as an idea came to his mind, master Aro had told them to look after the girl in his and Caius' absence, keep them entertained whilst they were detained within the throne room. Surely it wouldn't hurt to get them something more decent if they wanted a few drinks?
"If you would like, I have seen the human secretaries hide a stash of alcohol away. They keep it for when the more... grotesque... side of their work becomes too much. They drink the pain and guilt away, so to speak"
Aya and Helix grinned as they took a sip of their wine, grimacing in perfect synchronicity at the flavour, looking at Alec. That sounded like a wonderful idea.
Present time, the throne room:
Aro could not contain his elation as he paced before his throne. Such a delightful discovery, to learn that his precious little Aya and her demonic friend were more than simply a regular wolf and demon. Oh no, they were so much better than that, they were royalty, the future for both of their races. Such women under his control would prove great assets if he chose to ever open up negotiations with either Lord Balthazar or Willow Sera. The only issue, would he ever be willing to use his Aya as a bargaining chip? the mere thought of her leaving him made his marble skin crawl. He wanted her to himself for the rest of their existence and, although he wasn't best pleased about it, he was beginning to realise just what may have been occurring between he and the wolf.
Caius rolled his eyes in annoyance as he watched his overly happy brother pace before him. Whilst Aro seemed to be all rainbows and smiles, the fair haired king could not shake the feeling of utter frustration with everything. Why could he not shake the thoughts of pale blue skin that bruised so perfectly, of fiery red hair and coal black eyes that had glittered with defiance as she fought back against his attack. Why had he not taken any joy from his beating her? Why did he feel a sense of true remorse at his actions towards her? He had never felt guilt once during his marriage too Athenadora, so why start to feel such things towards such filth as this demon? His baser instincts were screaming at him to return to her side, make sure that she had healed and try to make amends for his brutality, learn more about the woman who was beginning to force her way, with that strong personality and blunt way with words, into his mind. He had avoided returning to her side when he knew she would be awake, wishing to avoid that sharp tongue and to simply observe her as she slept. She would probably accuse him of being a creep, but it was simply that he wanted to be with her without their equally violent actions getting in the way. He just wanted to try and understand what he was feeling, without her causing his temper to flare up.
His train of thought was cut short as a sound drifted to his ear, also catching the attention of Aro. It sounded like two women screaming, one all too similar to Helix's voice. Their mind went into over-ride as panic set in and they rushed out of the throne room, intent on securing the safety of both the women.
"I... I love you *hic* Aya"
The two girls were curled up beneath the kitchen table, Helix lying flat on her back as Aya rested her head against her stomach as a pillow. Aya patted the demon's leg roughly, taking a swig of her drink as she made a 'hmmm hmm' noise in acknowledgement.
"But... But I still wish we'd never come here... Why does my soul *hic* chain have to be Caius anyway? Why not... Sebastian?"
Aya rolled onto her stomach to look at the demon, her chin still rested against Helix's stomach, an expression of 'are you serious' plastered across her face as the guard looked beneath the table in surprise. The demon had a mating bond with their master? Did he even realise it?
"Sebastian? *hic* why the hell would you want him as your Soul... 'rope'?... Yeah, rope, he's a creepy asshole. I thought you had *hic* at least SOME standards Hel"
Helix raised her arms in a sign of exasperation. Hadn't she told the other girl? it was so obvious, at least to her mind it was. Sebastian was the perfect choice for her soul chain.
"Soul CHAIN. And he might be an ass but I'm already in an arranged engagement with him... Have been since we were kids. Least if he were my soul *hic* chain... I wouldn't be stuck in a loveless, on my part at least, engagement"
Aya frowned, surely if Helix had found her soul chain then the engagement would be cancelled? Sebastian was completely wrong for her anyway, he was a total ass kisser to Balthazar and always trying to get up close and personal with the future queen. He was a total creep and, honestly, Aya knew that she'd never like that guy. She was about to give a counter argument, try to convince her equally drunk friend that she wouldn't need to think about that weirdo anymore, only to be cut off by the one voice neither of the girls wanted to hear at that moment.
"You are engaged filth? "
No one had heard the door to the kitchen open, all staring in horror as Caius and Aro stood in the doorway. The girls crawled out from beneath the table, stumbling as they got to their feet, although Aro managed to catch Aya and pull her too his side as Helix returned Caius' glare full force. Aya could see the glint of jealousy in the man's eyes as Helix prepared her answer.
"So *hic* What if I am snowy... Not your fuckin' business who my blue ass belongs too"
Caius was in Helix's face within seconds, stooping down to her much smaller height as his jealous and enraged glare bore holes into the red head, clutching her wrist in a grip that would have broken human bones as he pulled her closer to his face. If she had not set his temper off and he had been this close to her, he knew deep down that he would quite happily have crushed his lips against hers. She made him feel like he was on fire, like their combined passion for fighting with each other could quite easily destroy them both with its intensity.
"It is my business when your 'blue ass' belongs to me! No other shall take what is mine!"
For a split second, Aya was certain that a blush had graced Helix's cheeks at Caius' words, he had all but claimed her as his own with what he had said. But, she could see that gleam in those black eyes, the mischief that was stirring within that mind. She turned her face away, not completely aware that she had buried her face in Aro's chest as the ancient froze at how intimate the position felt. He liked to have her this close, it just felt so right as Aya began to mutter in panic.
"Don't do it Hel, don't go there"
Demetri could hear Aya's soft chanting as a twisted grin slowly began to morph across the other girls face, why did he not like the look of that smile? From the corner of her eye, Helix could see the intimate position that Aro held her best friend in, a spark of further anger blazing within her mind at the sight. What had gotten into her Aya? The Aya she knew wouldn't have been simply standing there like a lost puppy, silent and obedient as her master held her. She would have been joining in with the hell raising... Imprint of not, what had Aro Volturi done to the girl to make her so docile?
"I knew it... Caius *hic* is an ASS MAN!"
Demetri's head fell into his hands as the demon continued to chant those words, Caius' eyes narrowing into slits as he snarled, baring his fangs to the woman.
"She didn't just go there Aya. She ran there and bitch slapped the beast"
Aya felt nauseous as she watched the vampire finally lose his control, pulling the demon along as they left the kitchen, the sound of Helix screaming abuse in the distance. She sent a look towards Aro, silently telling him that she hadn't known the other girl would behave like she did. He simply sighed, placing a soft kiss against her forehead.
"I do not believe he will kill her... Try not to worry yourself dearest"
Aya couldn't help but to worry though. This wasn't how things were meant to be if they wanted to see their dream for peace realised. Helix had always said she wanted the same as Aya. But then, if that were so, why was the demon so intent on causing trouble and fighting with the one vampire she needed to make amends with? She sighed, allowing Aro to guide her drunken body back towards his quarters... Perhaps Helix had lied? She had always been a little bit of a warmonger. Maybe it was time to put some distance between them and work towards peace alone.