A.N. This is the second to last chapter. Figured I'd make it an even 20. If you have been enjoying this story and hate that it's going to be gone don't fret, for there will be an Interlude and a sequel to this fic, half the interlude is done and the sequel is already being written.

Chapter 19

10:57 p.m.

With a sigh of relief Liz shut the Crashdown doors behind her friends, the party had finally come to an end, trick or treaters had finally stopped coming by begging for candy, and it was finally time for the ceremony. She was actually looking forward to becoming a full-fledged demon, Liz bit her lower lip and snorted lightly, imagine that.

"Are you ready birthday girl?" Jeff spoke from behind her; Liz didn't turn to look at him when she nodded. Granted the ceremony wouldn't start till a few minutes before midnight but she still had to get ready. She stared outside watching the porch lights go out.

"Where's Cole?" Liz asked.

"He's getting ready, it's customary for your mate to stand with you." Jeff explained. It was a big step for him to call Cole his daughter's mate; he sure wasn't the partner he'd pick for her. "Are you alright Honey Bear?"

Liz giggled at the silly name Grandma Claudia gave her, a name that stuck around since she was a toddler. "You haven't called me that since I was fifteen." She finally turned around to face her father, tears of happiness flooded around her warm innocent eyes.

He hadn't consciously stopped using the name but he realized that before she came to visit was the last time he spoke that endearment. "Well, when your Grandmother died I guess, I didn't want you to be reminded of the pain you felt when she left. Figured if you heard the nickname you'd be upset." Jeff admitted.

"So," Liz pushed away from the glass doors. "Is this the normal attire for the Shapeshifter and Ticatra Clan King to wear?" Dad was donned in a long dark red robe with gold thread decorating the front and neck. She couldn't even see his feet the robe was so long, a part of her expected him to being wearing a Halloween Merlin's hat.

"Yes, for ceremonies such as this, it is the proper apparel." He assured. "Now, Belthazor is upstairs waiting for you in your room, he and your servant are ready to help you dress."

"Servant? Since when do I get a servant?" Suddenly she's scared. Things were changing so fast, she's normally a person that took the time to figure everything out before she made a move, but now she didn't have that luxury.

Dad placed his hands on her upper arms and stared her straight in the eye. "I understand sweetheart. Your whole life is changing, if I could stop the world from turning and let you be a kid for a little while longer I would. Unfortunately that is not one of my gifts, all this ceremony is, is a ritual to open the door further for you to receive your gifts and to one day rule in my place."

He's trying his best to make it seem like this practice wasn't a huge deal…but in actuality it was everything. If Liz didn't go through with the ritual than she wouldn't be accepted into their Clan as their future ruler.

"But I already have powers." She pointed out.

"True, but once the baby is born, those powers will diminish if you don't go through with this. In your blood you have Shapeshifter, Ticatra and Witch, all running through your veins. As you grow older your powers will increase—if you go through with the sacrament. If not, what little power you have, and believe me in comparison to what you could have it's not much, will disappear."

Liz whispered, "That doesn't sound so bad, what else aren't you telling me?" She knew there was more but Dad was worried about—her reaction? Her safety? She didn't know, but he was worried about something, and she needed to know what it was.

Sighing Jeff nodded, he explained about not being able to rule when he gave up the throne or died. Then he told her the bad news, someone, from either a rival Circle or heaven forbid their own would kill her and whatever children she created. As long as he had heirs no one else could take the throne, if Liz and her children were dead his Clan could appoint a new leader not of his bloodline.

"Great. So what outfit do I have to wear?"

11:05 p.m.

Jeff guided her to her bedroom where Cole was already dressed in a robe similar to her fathers, only his wasn't decorated with gold thread. Wherever this servant Dad spoke of was she didn't know because she wasn't in the bedroom.

Hanging on a hook beside her bathroom door was what she assumed she'd be wearing for the ceremony. She'd been expecting a long red robe but that certainly wasn't what she was staring at. It was red, but that was where the similarities ended.

The red garment was a dress, was short but not indecent, running down the arms was deep red lace, when she touched it she knew the fabric was silk. She glanced over at her dresser resting there are four pieces of jewelry all matching her dress. Two rings, a necklace, and a pair of earrings.

"Princess, let's get you ready." A soft sweet voice spoke from the doorway. Liz turned to address the woman standing there but was a little taken aback by her appearance. It wasn't her demon, which she assumed was severely toned down that shocked Liz it was her attire.

Where her dress was innocent with a dash of sexiness thrown in this dress was all sexy and no innocence. Black leather mini-skirt, making her already pale legs look that much more so, and appeared to be painted on, a bikini top with lace sleeves and a small lace strip sewn around the bottom. Desirable five-inch heels finished off the outfit, to Cole's credit he didn't stare overtly or even for very long. His gaze mostly remained on his mate.

The voice didn't match the stance, which was defiant, the body which was dangerous, and outfit which was arousing, for a moment Liz thought someone else had spoken, until she spoke again using the same tone. "Shall we?" She certainly didn't act like a servant.

Jeff smiled at Gre-Neta, he probably shouldn't have made her his daughter's servant now that he thought about it some more. Unfortunately he's been so busy trying to figure out what Liz was hiding than dealing with what Liz was hiding for that month that he hadn't had the proper time to find a suitable candidate.

Gre-Neta always held a grudge against him; they had been lovers back in his youth. She was close to three hundred at the time; her powers gave her the ability to age far slower than any other demon he'd come across. She was upset when he chose to marry a witch and start a family; even got more ticked when he wouldn't keep her as a mistress.

Although she hated him she was the best at what she did, getting new demons ready for their rites. So he went against his better judgement, now seeing the hostility burning in her eyes he could see the mistake he made.

"All right." Lakarisha stared down the demoness; she wasn't about to let her servant think she was higher on the food chain. That would be suicide, she'd see an opportunity and pounce, there wasn't a doubt in her mind.

Cole stood off to the side observing the battle of wills, he knew Liz wouldn't back down but he wasn't sure about the woman in front of them. While Liz was downstairs with Jeff Gre-Neta tried her damnedest to seduce him, if he wasn't with Liz he might have been tempted, if he wasn't concerned about the welfare of his man parts he might have been tempted. Something about her turned him away, she was gorgeous, no denying that, but she lacked the spark he found in Liz.

Jeff left the room giving the three of them privacy, which was when Lakarisha's servant got bold. "You know when I had my ritual my father scoured the globe for gold and precious jewels for me to wear. Aren't you insulted that Jeff didn't do the same for you?"

"Yes well when your ritual took place people and demons alike didn't really bathe that often, as you can see things change." Liz spoke without missing a beat. With her nose and chin slightly raised Lakarisha spoke down to the taller demoness, "Your age is starting to show, can't hide those wrinkles for much longer."

From behind her in the mirror she could see the servant…she didn't care to learn her name—form a fist. Cole didn't have a chance to do anything before Gre-Neta went up in flames, Liz smirked, she hadn't even needed to turn around.

"Hate it when that happens." Lakarisha coldly spoke. As quickly as her icy demeanor arose it disappeared, "Do you think Daddy will be upset?" She lifted a brow and bit her lower lip in worry.

"No my love. I don't think he'll be upset. He saw the choice he made was a mistake." Cole reassured her.

"Was she going to be important to the ceremony?"

"No, she was only supposed to get you dressed, and since she did that, there is no more need for her." He pushed away from the wall. "Are you all right?" Worried that she may have issues with bursting someone into flames.

Liz thought about it for a few moments. "Actually, I'm ok with it." She smiled up at him before turning towards the dresser to put on her jewelry. Although there weren't many pieces, the pieces that were there looked very expensive. Cole helped her put on the necklace and told her which fingers the rings were meant to go on.

When she gave herself one last peek in the mirror Cole came up behind her and eased his arms around her still slim waist. "You're beautiful." He rested his cheek against hers as they stared at their entwined bodies.

"You don't look so bad yourself. Are you wearing anything underneath that robe?" She flirted. He was going to be her husband and she wanted so badly to make love to him. Ever since he came to Roswell they hadn't exactly had the time to do much in the way of bedroom activities. Or in their case—everywhere activities.

"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."

TBC