Donovan was back after midnight. He noticed the door wasn't locked and got ready for the worse, but all he found were his two protected ones sleeping on the sofa, surrounded with books and the two lazy cats. He felt his heart warmer. She covered them up and was putting the books away when Livia woke up. She looked at him sweetly and sleepy.

"You forgot the door open," He whispered.

She got up, wearing a dark red robe, short and thin enough to see her body's outlines. Her black hair was loose and messy, making her sensual.

"Anita is very curious and I like to teach her. We both lost the sense of time," she smiled "Did you find something?"

"I believe his castle is here, hidden by magic. His troop failed so I must defeat him tomorrow before he makes more damage" He said dully.

"I want to help you" Livia touched his shoulder.

For all gods! Like if being pretty wasn't enough she had to touch him and tempt all his senses with that gentle jasmine smell! Donovan took a deep breath and touched her hand.

"You'll help me staying safe," he let her go and sat down on a chair.

"Donovan… why do you run away from me?"

"What?" He whispered puzzled.

"You- you avoid me like the plague. Why?" She approached until her knees touched his.

"Livia you… you arouse me," Donovan was ashamed but he had to be honest "I want to hold you, take you and I'm afraid this can awake the demon in me."

"We could be careful, Dee" She purred as she touched his thighs.

"You are a temptation, woman." He said in a husky voice, he was giving away to her beauty.

"Not all temptations are bad," She kissed his legs, going up to his strong chest while she caressed him. She desired that man more than anything, no matter how dangerous he was.

Donovan buried his hand on her hair and kissed her passionately. He picked her up and carried her to her room. Livia felt nervous when he locked the door and took his weapons off. But when they both were taking off their clothes and admiring each other, everything seemed right. Livia kissed each one of his scars and her soft body trembled of desire when he caressed her with his rough hands. He touched her juicy gap carefully and filled her with delight as they made love eagerly. She was on top of him as the most pleasuring sight as he was enclosed by her warm legs. He pressed her waist as they reached an intense climax and fell on the bed.

They embraced each other as if they were separated for ages.

"I never thought I would do this" Donovan said.

"W-were you a virgin?" Livia asked surprised.

"I'm talking about loving and being loved back," he kissed her "I have a beautiful woman in my arms now… I never thought I was worth it."

"Of course you are, Dee" She caressed his hair "You are a good man."

After a couple of moments, they heard the door lock turning itself. They dressed up in a second. The door opened and a small shadow emerged in the dark.

"Anita?" Donovan asked.

"I had a bad dream" The girl rubbed her eyes.

"Come over here," Livia helped Anita to climb the bed "It wasn't real."

"I dreamt you had left us," Anita said with a brittle voice.

"I would never," Livia told her "Now try to sleep, it's late."

And they three cuddled on the bed. Anita felt safe but she could not believe in Livia.

Livia woke up alone in bed after a good night's sleep. She looked around and saw Donovan meditating. Livia admired him for a while. Then she got up and got dressed, very silently. Anita was reading.

Livia was drinking coffee when Donovan came to her.

"Today, I face Demitri."

"I'll help you" Livia stood up.

"You won't."

"You can't expect-"

A terrible scream came from outside. They left and looked up, astonished.

There it was: hanging on the horizon: a huge castle. Livia picked up one of her books and compared it to an illustration.

"It's the castle Zeltzereich"

"Demitri's castle. He revealed himself." Donovan said.

"How dare he?" Livia took her cutlass sword in hand and shouted to the city "Let's drive him away!"

People agreed, but then there was a strong wind to chill the bones and a sinister gale of laughter echoed.

"I was here a century before you."

Livia's blood ran cold. That was his voice.

"Show yourself, darkstalker!" Donovan shouted.

And Demitri descended like a gold, surrounded by a golden aura. There was a terrible commotion among the people. Some ran away, others screamed the end was near.

"Greetings, mortals. Behold your new master!" Demitri roared as he cast a fireball on the city's church, destroying the entrance. "Worship me if you want to live."