Fractured Fates & Silent Vows

Rating: T/M for some themes

Summary:

In another timeline, Liam triumphantly returns to his hometown for a fresh start. His time at Hollywood Arts is a whirlwind of success and new friendships. Despite keeping a few secrets, he's on top of the world. But just when he thought everything was going smoothly, an old friend reemerges, hellbent on reigniting the past.

Author's Notes:

Chapter 10: You're the Reason

They say that those who are good are the ones who give, and the evil ones are the ones who take; but what if the latter were simply broken by those who profess to do the righteous works, leaving the one deemed evil to endure a placement they never asked for? What if what was given was nothing but a burden far too heavy for one to handle?

Villain or hero?

You could only be one. Right?
They were only words made up by mortals to restrict people into a box of comprehension and control. Those words have enough power to shape one's destiny. The ones who claim to be on the side of good will eventually shed their masks, revealing themselves as the monsters they truly are. Those deemed to be sacred and righteous will eventually show their true colors.

Liars.

Thieves.

Murderers.

Cowards.

The only question that matters is the one every soul must answer at some point in their lives:

What will you become?

Blazes.

When Jade opened her eyes, this was what she saw—a burning forest that consumed everything in its path. The dazzling display of reds and oranges dancing about her in unison was only broken by her freezing eyes. Her final memory was of lying next to... Abruptly, her gaze shot to the location she assumed he would be. She was shocked and afraid to see that the young man she helped was nowhere to be found. Had the scorching flames taken him?

"Liam?!"

Her companion failed to answer when she called, but something else did. Jade stepped back a few paces and saw a deep rumble through the confusion. Before long, the sea of flames split and a four-legged beast rose up, leaving nothing but harmless embers under its powerful paw. Its hungry fangs held a paralyzing glare that prevented Jade from moving.

Its presence carried with it the omen of death! Was this to be her fate for her past sins? Despite the randomness of this moment, Jade couldn't shake off the feeling that the canine was familiar. Such a realization should've been a boon yet the rigid girl's heart began to sink the more she accepted this fact. Noticing the scorched fur and burning flesh, her body tensed at the grotesque sight before her. Dazzling emeralds narrowed until the beast was only a few inches separated them, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Why else would a wolf approach in such a way?

"We promised to protect each other; to be there for each other when we needed..."

"I failed you!" she whispered absentmindedly, clamping a hand over her mouth soon after. How did such words pour out so easily? Was she dreaming? "I wasn't there. You were always there for me and I... I..."

"Why are you so hard on yourself, Jade?" the beast calmly questioned. "As long as we've known each other, you've been your biggest critic. You've belittled yourself more than those you criticize others. I just want to know why."

"Liam? Why are you a wolf?! Why is the world burning around us?"

"That's for you to answer. We are in your psyche after all!" the creature stretched out a paw to her.

Jade risked to grip the limb, still completely freaked out inside, and her breath caught when it turned into a human hand. When she saw the creature kneeling in front of her and grinning gently, her sapphires rattled. A sleeveless jacket with a fur lining that flaunted his toned chest had replaced the missing fur. Jade tried to suppress her blush, but it had disastrous effects as the burning embers grew in height and ferocity all around her.

"What's going on?!" she cried, lunging at him in a desperate bid for protection.

In her panic, Jade clung to him like a child would their mother. It was the first time in a long while that she felt free to express her vulnerable side, a point that was emphasized when she felt Liam wrap his arms around her. Feeling his protective hold made Jade feel safer, even in the face of danger. If she was being honest with herself, this felt right, even if this was some weird fantasy. Liam was all the defense she needed from the world, a slowly spreading across her face.

"Better?"

"More than you know..."

To Jade's surprise, the world around her felt... cooler? She jerked violently at her sudden confession only to feel the low rumble of a laugh from her guardian. Embarrassment rushed through her cheeks, but Jade also couldn't resist giggling.

"Have you figured it out yet?" his whisper sent shivers down her spine, but she didn't care either.

With a nod, Jade carefully lifted her head to meet her crush's gaze. Another admission made her realize that the flames were beginning to die down. The heat was no longer reminiscent of hell's gate, giving way to a soft breeze as she formed another idea. She missed the way they were... before the accident. She confessed within herself more truths, allowing them to pour from her lips without fear. It was her mind after all.

"I missed this..." The fiery ring around them steadily faded to the wind's authority.

"Me too."

"I never stopped thinking about you," she bit her lip as the charred ground began to yield to small saplings. "When you left, I was afraid that I'd never see you again! If I hadn't..."

This constructed form Liam rubbed his thumb down her back, tracing circles as she choked back tears. While she fought past her guilt, he smiled at the scene unfolding before them. In his silence, understanding and grace flowed from his touch. He wouldn't stop her as he observed the sky parting and releasing a cascade of rain down upon them both. Even with the downpour soaking them, Jade didn't stop.

"I'm sorry...!" she sniffed, resting her forehead on his chest. "I betrayed your trust. I've hurt you, left you cursed. Even now, I'm being selfish in wanting you for myself! I'm in a relationship and I'm jealous of Vega for having your attention and..."

She abruptly ceased her loathing, finally noticing the rain that descended upon them. Where did this come from? Was this a manifestation of her feelings? How could something so beautiful represent her ugliness? As she considered these inquires, Liam's smile never fell. It was as if he hadn't heard a word.

"Am I supposed to change my thoughts of you?" he raised a brow, his smirk border lining on the cocky side.

Normally, Jade would've taken exception to this, yet she couldn't help but welcome the challenging tone of the boy. "You know that most people find me intimidating, right?"

"That's because they miss the endearing petals of the rose focusing on the thorns..."

Endearing...

There were many words to describe Jade, but endearing wasn't one of them, but somehow it fit when he said it. Cherishing his description of her, Jade felt herself drawn to act, reminding herself that this was a dream; Such reprieves from the woes of the conscious world were only temporary.

With a gentleness that astonished her for but a second, she placed her hands on either side of his face, causing the drops to stop in with time. She leaned in and latched her lips on his, feeling a charge shoot through them both. Despite this being a realm of her deepest fantasies, it felt more realistic than the world of the living. Never before had she gotten lost in a kiss to such an extent. She could taste his soul, that complex melding of sweetness mixed with the savory flavor of hidden desire, or at least that's what she hoped.

Her heart kept skipping beats as she felt Liam's hands travel over her body, his adept fingers grazing her just enough to blur the lines of tickling and teasing. She had felt love before, but this unlocked a sense of starvation that she hadn't noticed until now. She had kissed before, but never before had she experienced such a tingling within her core.

How long had they been like this? A minute? An hour?

All she knew was that kiss, though a fabric of her secret desires, held more passion than she'd ever felt before in her life. That rigid burning in her heart was the perfect contrast to the softness of their embrace, feeling his skin blend with hers. Oh, how she wished this was real life, but Jade would take what she could get as a light soon shined above them, silently summoning the girl back to the real world.

"Dammit...!"

"Don't worry," she heard him whisper in her ear, pulling her shivering form. "This was but the first step, Jade. No matter how long it takes, you know he loves you. How that pans out is completely up to you."

"But... What about the others? Beck. Tori? It's all so complicated..."

"How about you start by not trying to dictate his love life? Maybe let things play out and not try to sabotage things between them?"

"Pfft! I'm just being protective..."

"You pronounced possessive wrong."

Jade rolled her eyes but didn't debate the construct. There was no time anyway as the blinding rays completely overtook her, leaving things unresolved yet with a key to a new beginning.

[Liam's Room]

Early in the morning, Liam woke up with a throbbing head and a sore shoulder. His eyes clenched shut when the sun greeted him. However, when he tried to block out the harsh rays, he found the task challenging. The source of his inability came with both shock and horror, an unconscious Jade cuddled up under him. As alarming as this was, he was grateful she was at least wearing clothes, even if it was just his shirt.

What the hell happened?! his mind screamed, trying to maintain a semblance of stability while his brain failed to recall the events of the previous night.

The last thing he remembered was... Whenever he tried to remember the moments of last night, his mind would draw a blank for most of that time. Using his free hand, his senses reminded him of the harsh weather.

"It was raining..." he whispered while finally slipping from Jade's hold.

"Hmm?"

That hum... That horrible act of innocence set her apart from her normally stiff demeanor. The calm, motionless air around them made Liam ignore his better judgment. Despite his feelings for her, he knew that acting without a plan would be unwise. His dumbstruck gaze met hers, and in the middle of his worries, he fell in to curiosity and his prior assumptions. He was met with pools of blue that seemed to be both comforting and unidentifiable.

The frown on her face told him exactly what was going on, if his emotions weren't at odds with one other. His pulse skipped a beat again as he watched her sit up and close off his only means of escape. Her gaze was filled with remorse rather than terror. She gave him a look that suggested she might not have known that. How could she have known anyway?

"I'm guessing we need to have a talk?"

With a bend of her head, Jade gave the lad a gentle smile that gave him more anxiety than any evil grin she could have ever pulled off. His nerves were getting out of control the more he stared at her. She was unarmed, to be sure, but Liam knew her well enough to realize that this was wishful thinking. He had no idea that she, too, was concealing something from him, though he could detect something was suspicious simply by observing the slightest change in her manner.

"Looks like it." she let out a soft huff, much to his amusement.

"Okay. Where should we start?"

"We could get ready for rehearsal first?" she stretched and yawned. "You missed our first meeting for Andre's production last night and I'd like to have clean clothes to wear. Or..."

"Or what?"

"Maybe we can skip that and talk about things? You are recovering after all."

For what seemed like hours, Tori had been fixated on the door. In actuality, she had been standing in the same location for a few minutes, but the sensation in her gut did her no favors. She stood for a few more seconds, stomach churning and eyes closed. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear, to suddenly become small. When she tried to spend time alone with Liam, why did she constantly feel like she was on trial?

She had to admit to herself that it'd been a while since she had alone time with Liam; Not since Halloween. After that night, Tori hadn't been her usual self. From forgetting her wallet and other vital items to shirking her commitments in school. Thankfully her grades hadn't taken a huge dip, but it was still noteworthy in her eyes.

The reason?

She couldn't shake off this crazy dream about demons and being kidnapped. It didn't help matters when she tried to talk about this to her dad. Every attempt was almost instantly shut down before it ever had a chance to get off the ground. Yet, here she was, next door while her family was away.

Three knocks, not too hard but just loud enough for anyone inside to hear.

No reply.

She tried again only to receive the same result.

After the sixth or seventh time, Tori Vega huffed and turned to go, only to run into an equally astonished Darius. Her blunder caused him to drop a heavy paper bag, spilling its contents. The dark circles under his eyes indicated that he had been in desperate need of sleep, but here he was, collecting the treasures of his shopping expedition. Tori apologized frequently throughout the process as she kneeled to assist him. As they finished, Darius observed the worry on her face. He sighed gently as he passed her and opened the door.

"Let me guess," he chuckled lazily. "You're looking for my brother?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little... Though I'm sorry to say that he isn't here. He's out with that West girl."

If she were a canine, her ears would have surely dropped. "What? Jade was here? Did they say where they were going?"

Darius shook his head as he set the bag down.

"Not a word. I caught them asleep earlier this morning and..."

He got up, and the neighbor girl was nowhere to be seen, leaving him with his mesmerizing expression all by himself. Though he honestly wasn't sure if her leaving was a temporary godsend, that's what he accepted.

Meanwhile, a wide-eyed Tori stomped inside with eyes ablaze. After Darius' statement, her brain got to work putting the puzzle pieces together. As each component was put into place, her annoyance grew into frustration and then, jealousy and anger. Given her reputation, such a display was uncharacteristic but justified.

"How could Jade pull a stunt like this?!" she paced back and forth in the living room. "She disappeared last night only to sneak off to Liam's house? I get that they were close, but why is she doing this!? Is she cheating on Beck? Is she just trying to get under my skin? Was I too passive?"

Of course, nobody responded to her outbursts, nor did she expect that. Her irritation wasn't directed at Liam, but something about this situation smelled fishy. When it came to Jade, Tori learned from day one not to take the goth lightly. Whatever her motivations, they would remain a mystery until either she was ready to reveal everything or someone confronted her.

All she knew was that she needed to make a decision on how she was going to handle things, and that time was drawing close.

Nearly two weeks had passed, with each day getting more chaotic than the previous. While everyone else was gearing up for the forthcoming semester, Liam was completely irritated. The only bright spot in his seemingly never-ending battle against assassination was that he was becoming more adept at self-defense. At the same time, he was struggling to juggle his two lives, and it was becoming increasingly clear that it was taking a toll on him. The two who were most uncomfortable were Jade and Tori because he hadn't been around much during the holidays.

To make matters worse, whenever they tried to call or see him, he was never at home or in a deep sleep. Neither spoke to the other about it, but there was a mutual understanding that something more profound was going on. Given his secret, there was no doubt.

Even now, on a bleak Sunday morning, they both attempted to check on Liam only to find that both he and Darius were just leaving the house. With a silent agreement in place, they followed the vehicle, making sure to keep their presence hidden from the two. It took the two about fifteen minutes to arrive at the park. Once they entered the grounds, they soon noticed that, as expected, there were hardly any souls around. Tori took a deep breath and let the breeze blow her hair back while Jade kept her head on a swivel.

"Where do you think they could be?"

"Wish I knew..." Tori rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "...The last thing I saw was them pulling up to the park. I blinked and they were gone."

Irritated wouldn't begin to describe Jade's feelings right now, but she couldn't fault Tori's feelings. They would probably be in bed if not for how much they cared about their estranged friend. Instead, they were driven by something that compelled them to track down the boy in search of answers. However, nearly half an hour passed and there was no sign of either of them.

The rivals were nearly at the point of abandoning their journey when Tori spoke up.

"I wish there was a way we could track him."

Jade's chest thumped rapidly. There was a way she could find Liam but, it involved a lot of questions that she was in no mood to answer. Thankfully, her mind was sharp enough to conjure a plan for this. She only hoped that it would be enough.

"I might know a way..." She forced out, averting her gaze. "But, you have to promise me two things."

Tori didn't say a word, giving only a nod that did little to quell Jade's nerves.

"1. I don't want any questions about this method or how it relates to things. 2. If you so much as tell a soul about this, so help me...!"

"Alright!" Tori held up her hands defensively. "I won't say a word."

"Promise!"

"I promise!"

While Jade still wasn't convinced, she was growing weary of things. Like her frenemy, she too was feeling the effects of being up too early; Being without coffee didn't help matters either, but she would take that out on Liam later. For now, her lips parted and a familiar passage departed her lips. It was a mysterious language that Tori could easily decipher as if she had heard it uttered before.

...Death may come,

But we shall not part.

As if sensing the girl's curiosity, Jade was both grateful and hesitant as the faded glow of violet began to form that accursed cord. To Jade's astonishment, the cord didn't immediately resume toward their target, dangling limply from her neck. Even more, baffling was the sudden appearance of a scarlet cord that'd begun to wind itself around the purple thread. Unlike hers, this was bright and radiant.

This could be a problem... That dark voice in Jade's mind growled, prompting her to notice where this new addition resulted. She didn't have to look; It was obvious by the direction, yet the goth couldn't help herself.

"Jade?"

"Yeah?"

"Maybe it's the need for sleep finally hitting me, but are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

Jade didn't reply; She was too caught up in the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to suffocate her. Her mind continued to wail as the scarlet cord finally ceased its growth, wrapping around Tori's wrist like a limp lasso. Before either of them could comment further, they both felt it tug them to their intended destination. When they arrived, they hid behind some bushes as they found the object of their concern.

Their gaze fell on a bruised and battered Liam, who was pushing himself up off the ground. They recoiled in horror at the way his body erupted as soon as he got to his feet, displaying his extreme fatigue. As his opponent advanced, he gripped his neck tightly with quivering fingers. Whoever this was, it was not Darius. He was kind and loving, always treating Liam as if they were blood brothers. This monster was some demonic spawn of hell itself. There was a bloodlust that chilled their blood.

In a matter of seconds, they witnessed the older man lunge towards Liam with malicious purpose, only for him to parry the blow and use the remaining energy to deliver a spinning back kick. With a swift movement of his body, the man seized Liam's foot and effortlessly dragged him into the air. There was a loud crash and Liam was back on the ground.

Where is Darius?! unknown to either girl, they had the same idea.

"Pathetic..." the male spat on the wounded boy. "...He told me I would have a challenge! You were his prized student, but I must admit, you're a fucking disappointment."

Inching closer and closer, the man grinned sadistically as he watched Liam earnestly back into an oak tree trapping himself. Wide-eyed but not willing to show weakness, he attempted to stand on wobbly legs only to have a large hand wrap around his neck and lift him off of the ground. Those blazing red eyes pointed at his him with a rage that wouldn't be sated until he said so.

The agony Liam experienced was a searing hot flame that spanned down his throat, into his lungs. It felt like a white-hot poker was being shoved down his gullet. Any attempt to claw the large hand from his neck was feeble as his mind went into a frenzy. Even the Faustian burn wouldn't respond to his desperate desire.

Anyone else would've given anything for this to end!

Well, almost anything...

With a malicious grin, the creature tossed him harder against the thick tree, though the noise was silenced as he constricted his fist and held his prey firmly in place, slowly relishing the display of torment. The entity resumed as the boy gasped for any air he could muster.

"Is this all you got?! What happened to that big bad cursed arm, boy?!"

"..." Liam wheezed, his eyes glazing from the lack of oxygen.

"No wonder he gave you up without a second thought!" the girls overheard the hellacious being taunt their friend, each fighting the urge to reveal themselves. Jade understood why as she felt a familiar aura from him, one that made her want to vomit. "You were warned about those girls yet you persisted. How many things could've been avoided if you'd just let that damned arm take you out! Now, you'll have nothing..."

"Big... Big talk from a hypocrite..." Liam spat, black waves flooding in from the edge of his vision before finding himself tossed into a nearby tree, forcing it to crack slightly from the impact.

Amid the mind-numbing pain, the two warriors had no idea just how close they were to the objects of their discussion. It took everything within Tori and Jade not to scream as his body fell limply right in front of them. His scars were on full display as the scent of dirt and blood filled their noses, making them want to vomit. Still, they remained as the weakened form of Liam was lifted once more.

"What are you going on about, boy?"

"I'm... I'm not stupid, Darius..." Liam hacked at his stunned opponent, drops of thick hemoglobin mixing in with the soil beneath him. "Or did you think I wouldn't notice? I've seen the way you look at Tori's sister, idiot! Ever since I rescued her, she's been your main focus! You no longer check on me during missions; you only knew about this hit on me because I told you! So, who's the distracted one, Aeshma?"

To the girl's surprise, the creature took the form of Tori's neighbor, surprising them all with a lopsided grin.

"How long have you known?"

"...long enough..." Liam staggered on wobbly legs. His eyes were glassy but his defiance was on full display. "I've seen you sneak off with her many times, but I said nothing. Plus, your reputation..."

Reputation? Jade raised a brow.

"Mom and the others grew suspicious about your actions when all of the recruits stationed with you wound up disappearing without a trace. They suspected foul-play, but they had no evidence..."

"...until they sent you?"

"I... I was against it, until they... they offered me the chance to find out what happened with me and Jade. So, I understand... why you'd hate her. We were pawns to get you closer to Trina for whatever reason that may be. A demon and the daughter of an angel?"

"That clever old hag..."

"I have to say that I wasn't sure if I could believe that at first though."

"You don't get it, Liam! You've pissed off the big boys and they won't stop until you're eliminated! I can't always protect you from them!"

"Go... to Hell..." the boy gasped. "You haven't protected me since I got here. You're the one who got me into the same school, knowing that they were there. If I had chosen my path..."

"Nothing would've changed!" Darius roared, baring his fangs at his ward. "But, I'll rectify your mistake soon enough."

Through blurred vision, Liam put on his best glare, stomaching the suffering from his beating.

"What... What are... you talking about?"

"I won't be dragged back into his war..." Darius seethed, venom and desperation blending into his tone. "I know what you're thinking: What would Trina think? Well, don't you worry about that. We planned for that! As for you...?"

Liam couldn't hear the words of the one he called brother as his senses began to fade. The darkness felt warm as his sight gave into the abyss. He never anticipated things would turn out like this. Somehow, the pain that once ate away at his body was no longer there. What remained was a humming peace that soothed his form, leaving him floating without care. It felt warm and yet, his mind longed to know one thing:

Is this how it all ends?

[Vega Residence]

Trina was a nervous wreck...

It'd been days since she had last seen her beloved Darius; The last time they spoke about their plans to leave their old lives behind. It was such an enticing offer, one that she couldn't refuse. Sure, it was risky, but the more she thought about it, the more Trina felt her desire grow. Years of negligence overrode any fear that tried to rattle her. Still, some doubts were just too strong to ignore.

What about Tori? Would she forgive her for abruptly leaving?

Sure, her younger sister was a pain, and her friends didn't make it any better, but Trina couldn't deny that she loved her sibling. She would miss Tori deeply. This couldn't deter her from her ultimate goal. While she adored her sister, she couldn't stand the rest of her family. The overbearing nature of her mother, whenever she received any attention, mind you and her father's derelict attitude were more than enough reasons for her to leave. Trina grew up being the black sheep and that's when she found Darius.

Given her father's status as an archangel, she was never supposed to exist.

The empty void inside became unbearable as she wandered around her room. The only thing that spared her from drowning in her dark thoughts was the sound of her phone ringing. Rushing to the device, negative emotions faded when she saw the name she'd hoped to see.

"Hello? Darius?"

"Hey, gorgeous..." his depleted voice worried her. "...Are you ready? I'm about five minutes away."

"Are you alright? You sound like you've been fighting again."

"I'm sorry about taking so long, but I had to take care of some loose ends before we could leave. Don't worry, we're in the clear."

Trina wanted to ask more questions, but she also knew that time was of the essence. She knew what Darius truly was but he knew who she was. Being a former demon general trying to turn things around only to be trapped in a vicious cycle of expectations and stereotypes. Her heart ached to watch every attempt he took to mentor and help young boys become better only to have her father take them in as criminals.

At first, Trina believed it was because they were incapable of changing from their delinquent ways, but she quickly learned that it was merely his ego. Nothing about what he was doing in this profession felt genuine. Innocent youths much younger than her were taken and relocated to random homes after being taught to better themselves by her love.

"All in the name of morality..." she whispered bitterly.

Trina Vega didn't have long to contemplate things as a horn blared outside, signaling the beginning of a bright new future. With her family off to their devices, she grabbed her suitcases and headed downstairs. Passing by her parents, a damning revelation pierced her stomach, forcing her to quicken her pace where Darius was waiting. After tossing her bags in the backseat, she hopped in.

As she expected, he was covered with day-old bruises; There was a struggle between him and someone else recently.

"Ready?"

"You're hurt..."

"I had a little misunderstanding a few days ago, but it's resolved now."

Relief washed over Trina but was quickly replaced with shame as she looked away. "You don't have to lie to me. I know what you had to sacrifice for us to accomplish this. I... I truly appreciate you for taking such a huge risk for me..."

"...For us!"

Trina found herself enveloped in the arms of her love, returning the gesture with equal vigor. Despite the pressure of leaving behind the only life she knew, her heart felt lighter than air. Nothing else mattered... Her father's wishes for her life meant nothing to her. The passive attitude of her mother faded from memory. Her sister...

That was the only thing that made Trina flinch in the arms of her beloved, a moment that didn't go unnoticed by the demon. "Seraphina?" she could melt after hearing her true name. Such a name was rooted in obligation, she despised her angelic name in favor of the one everyone knew her by. There was something about when Darius... or Aeshma would say it; It sent a relaxing surge through every fiber of her being.

"Say it again..." She buried her face in his chest, clutching his sleeve. "...Please."

"Anytime, Seraphina."

Once more she felt her walls breaking down, leaving only her authentic self.

"It's been so long since I've felt like this!" Her voice cracked as she struggled to hold back the tears. Freedom and joy flowed through her as he rubbed her back, whispering something in her ear; his lips tickled her ear while doing so. When she pulled away, she was met by the demonic gaze of her lover and friend gazing lovingly at her. "Sorry, I'm wasting time when we could..."

"Tending to your needs is never a waste of time," he placed a hand on her cheek, chuckling at her.

"Are you sure about this...? About us?"

"I couldn't be more certain about anything," he grabbed the wheel and started the car. "Are you okay with leaving Tori behind?"

Trina's grin fell at the mention of her sister. Once again, her heart ached at the prospect of their decision. Guilt began to taunt her, always creeping in to berate and shame Trina for making any choice that didn't include her baby sibling. Normally, she'd crumble and give in to silence the terror that tormented her, but not this time.

This time Seraphina would rise above the petty insults.

"Tori is old enough to handle herself..." she replied flatly. "She has good friends to protect her if anything tries to cause harm. She's going to outgrow me eventually, so why not give her a headstart? I'm not going to keep sacrificing myself just to please him!"

Darius... No, Aeshma leaned in and kissed his beloved, feeling her pain and rage pour into him. Every tear she'd ever cried. Each moment of heartache tasted bitter as their lips remained attached to one another's. Her moans of declining despair were a symphony as she surrendered to his affection. There was no longer a need to focus on the negative, Lord knew he had his own. When they pulled apart, he winked at her and pulled out of the driveway.

"That's all you need to say, gorgeous."

As they drove into the night, Trina spared a final glance at the Vega homestead. Once again, fear tried to grip her heart but she'd tear away as they pushed on into the night. Even the tears stinging her eyes weren't enough to destroy her resolve.

"You know we'll probably get in trouble if we're ever caught..." she muttered semi-playfully.

"Even their powers are limited. Where we're going, they won't have eyes on us!"

Rather than press the issue, Trina chose to let things ride. She shifted in the passenger seat until she was comfortable enough to drift off. Wherever they were headed, she trusted Darius to protect her. While she slept, he too wrestled with dark thoughts that tormented him. In just a few days, he went from making a deal with the devil to attacking someone who looked up to him like a brother.

It'd been a few days since he watched the life drain from Liam's eyes, but it was necessary, at least, that was what he kept telling himself. After sealing the deal with Lucifer, he knew that the bounty would never go away until the boy was dead. He was fortunate that there was no connection made to link him to the vigilante on Satan's hit list, but there was only so much time before even that concealed 'gem' would be revealed.

At least with Liam indisposed, there would be nothing to link Darius and Trina, thus protecting everyone involved. It was a selfish act to do what he did, but, despite the severity of his actions, the former demon general had held up his end of the deal. This was a preemptive strike to avoid the inevitable war that was fated to come. If anyone found out about his involvement, they would almost certainly say that his decision was a cruel one.

But, once they were away from the reach of the mad tyrant, it would all be worth it; That's what he told himself anyway. While his love slept soundly, he continued to battle these thoughts as the image of his brother continued to flash in his mind. It would be a long journey that would pull on his soul for a long time. With a sigh, he turned onto the expressway toward the airport.

Shit! I hope that someday you'll forgive me... he spared a final thought on Liam before his attention solely fell on the plot. I'm sorry, brother.