The EmperorOz?
Lucas
“Here,” Brian said, handing me a pair of sweats. “Thought you both would want to cover up.”
Even though I nodded and dressed, I truly didn’t care. I couldn’t shake the image of Dominic surrounded by chaos. I wanted him here with us. The fear of having left him behind gnawed at me.
“He’ll be okay,” Talon assured, guiding me back to the couch.
“You don’t know that. There were so many, and….” My voice broke as tears stung my eyes, the image of the swarming demons too vivid to articulate further.
“Dominic is strong, and we would feel it here,” Talon said, placing a hand over my heart, “if something were wrong. We’re connected—his soul.”
I shook my head in despair. “Why did we leave him? We could’ve…”
“Lucas, those demons were almost too strong for me and my lion. I didn’t want to leave, but Dominic was right. Us being there would distract him if something happened to us.”
I knew Talon was right. We were a distraction, and I was no match for the demons that attacked.
“You’re right,” I murmured, curling into Talon’s side. He wrapped his arms around me, a silent promise of safety. I rested my head against his shoulder, fighting back a fresh wave of tears.
“I never told him,” I whispered into the quiet.
“Lucas?” Talon’s voice was gentle, questioning.
I pulled back slightly, meeting his eyes. “I love you. I never told Dominic, but I love you both. I’ve loved you for a while.” The words, once held back, now spilled forth, mingled with my tears.
“I love you too, Lucas. We never said it, but we’ll tell Dominic together. We’ll have that chance; I know it,” Talon replied, his voice soft yet firm with conviction.
A throat clearing caused me to look up. King Edward stood before us, his expression grim.
“They’re not going to help,” I said, bracing myself for the worst.
King Edward released a heavy sigh. “I’ve spoken with my contact at the local coven. The master there refuses to get involved. And I quote, ‘he wants nothing to do with lions or demons.’”
“What are we going to do? Is there anyone else we can call?” Talon’s voice was edged with desperation.
“There is one possibility,” the king replied. “My contact mentioned a witch who’s estranged from the coven’s master and might be willing to help us.”
“Did you reach out to him?” I asked.
King Edward nodded. “I did. I briefed him on our situation, and he seemed confident in his ability to assist. He said he’ll be here as soon as he can,” Edward informed us.
“Thank Fate,” I whispered, relief momentarily easing the tension in my shoulders.
“Couldn’t he be more specific with his timing?” Talon pressed, his tone laced with urgency.
“He assured me it would be within the hour. I pressed him—”
His explanation was abruptly cut off as my older brother Noah burst into the room, the rest of my family trailing behind him. Noah wrapped me in a bear hug, which I returned tightly, overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of my family.
As Noah released me, Olivia swept in for her own tight embrace. “What are you all doing here?” I managed, surprised and heartened by their presence. “Brian called,” Noah replied, pulling back from a hug he had just given Talon.
“We’re here to fight,” Olivia added fiercely. “We might be prey shifters, but we’re Bondars. Bondars stick together. We’ll kick some demon ass if we have to. No one touches our brother’s mate.”
Their words, filled with resolve and unity, bolstered my spirits. Even in the darkest moments, the bond of family brought a light of hope. But at the same time, I worried for them.
“These demons are strong,” I cautioned softly. “It could be dangerous.”
“It doesn’t matter, son. Dominic makes you happy, and he’s part of our family now. We fight for family,” my mother said with quiet strength.
“That’s right, son,” my father chimed in.
Nana stepped to my side, her gaze resolute. “Schatje, we’re not going anywhere.”
I opened my mouth to protest her joining the conflict, but my words were cut off as unexpected figures appeared. My jaw dropped. What the hell were they doing here? Talon and I didn’t need their bullshit.
Talon growled and stepped in front of me—intercepting his father, Tessa, Graham, and Mark. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“We know you want nothing to do with us. But the pride’s been put on alert. We’re here to help and fight,” Tessa said, her tone lacking its usual edge.
“For the pride?” Talon scoffed, his expression twisting with disdain.
“No, not for the pride,” Talon’s father said, stepping close to Talon. “For my son, who I hurt. Because I was an idiot. Let us help you.”
“This doesn’t mean I’ll forgive you,” Talon stated flatly.
“I know,” Seb replied, his eyes shifting to include Tessa, who stood uncharacteristically subdued. “But I… we need to help you.”
“And them?” Talon asked, his voice hard as he nodded toward Mark and Graham.
Mark stepped forward, the air thick with tension. I fought to suppress the growl bubbling up from deep within.
“I have some things to make up for, too,” Mark said, meeting Talon’s steely gaze. “I’m here to help, Tal. After this, I’ll stay out of your life for good.”
Talon’s silence spoke volumes. This man had shattered his family with a lie and made his life hell, yet here he was, ready to fight demons alongside him. Talon exhaled slowly, his eyes briefly flickering to his father before he returned to my side. I squeezed his hand, offering what strength I could through our touch.
“Majesty,” Carl’s voice suddenly boomed through the tension. “Everett Magi has arrived.”
As Carl announced the arrival, a man stepped over the threshold. This was the powerful witch? I thought as I took him in.
Everett Magi wore a crisp, tailored navy-blue suit with a subtle pinstripe and a cream-colored shirt open at the collar in place of a tie, giving him a relaxed yet formal appearance. His jet-black hair, neatly combed with a slight wave, framed an oval face with a sharp chin. To top his look off, he wore silver wire-framed glasses.
To put it simply, he was skinny, five feet nothing, and wore glasses. He excluded a nerd, not an all-powerful witch.
He adjusted his glasses as he scanned the room, his gaze lingering briefly on each of us before settling on King Edward. “Your Majesty,” he greeted, his voice soft yet carrying a hint of amusement. “I understand there’s a matter requiring my particular expertise?”
“Yes, Mr. Magi, thank you for coming so quickly,” King Edward replied, gesturing toward us. “This is Talon and Lucas, the mates in need of your assistance. As I told you on the phone, their mate, a demon, is in trouble.”
Everett nodded, his movements fluid and graceful as he approached us. Stopping before me and Talon, he extended a slim hand, his grip firm despite his unassuming build. “I’m sorry to have to meet under these circumstances.”
“Can you help us?” Talon asked.
Everett didn’t answer the question; instead, he asked one of his own. “What made you mate a demon? They aren’t the best of creatures,” he inquired, his tone neutral yet probing.
Talon bristled. “My mate is not a creature,” he retorted sharply.
“Apologies. My experience with demons hasn’t been the best. I’m shocked anyone from our dimension actually mated one.”
This guy was pissing me off. He was there to help, but at the same time, he spoke offensively of demons. “Can you help?” I pressed.
Everett released a sigh. “I can’t take you to the nether realm without permission from the emperor. No human can.” My heart shattered and my head fell.
“But.” My head shot up at the word. “I may be able to get you an audience with the demon emperor, but I can’t guarantee he’ll do anything. It’s your best shot, though.”
“We’ll try anything,” I said eagerly.
Everett gave a little smirk, “I didn’t tell you my fee.”
“Your fee,” Talon growled. This little man was going to talk fees?
“Yes,” Everett said plainly, brushing the nonexistent dust off his sleeves. “My fee. Witches, like demons, do nothing for free. So, you better be prepared for the Emperor to ask for something. My fee is simple: I need a favor.”
“What type of favor?” Talon asked.
“We’ll do it,” I said at the same time.
Everett chuckled. “Oh, the favor I want isn’t from you, little rabbit; I want a favor from the Satchel Pride,” He said, eyeing Edward.
Edward stiffened, and Talon rumbled low along with the other lions.
“What kind of favor?” King Edward demanded.
“One that I’ll ask for at a later time, or…I can leave.”
Edward growled, and the other lions of the pride reacted to their king’s roar.
“I don’t like being blackmailed,” King Edward snarled. “How can I be sure your favor won’t jeopardize my pride, mate, or family?
“I give you my word; my favor won’t involve any of those. It’s more of my enemies will be your enemies type of thing. I’ll even throw in my services to help convince the Emperor,” Everett replied haughtily.
Edward eyed Talon and then me, weighing his decision before nodding resolutely at Everett. “As long as it doesn’t jeopardize or harm my pride, mate, or family, I agree to your terms. The pride will assist you as needed.”
“Excellent,” Everett beamed, his satisfaction clear.
My stomach churned. What the hell did we just agree to?
“Now, clear the center,” Everett commanded, taking control of the room. He gestured grandly, and with a flick of his wrist, a dazzling sigil appeared on the floor, glowing ominously.
Raising his hands, he began chanting in a resonant tone that filled the room. The words were foreign and mystical, and the growing wind and sporadic flashes of light added a surreal quality to the scene.
With a final, emphatic shout, Everett directed a bolt of lightning from his palms into the sigil. The energy erupted in a spectacular display.
A loud crack echoed as a blinding light momentarily swallowed the room. Shielding my eyes, I braced against the unknown.
When the light dimmed, and I dared to open my eyes, I was stunned. In the center of the now-quiet room stood a man whose appearance was the stuff of fantasies—undeniably captivating and alarmingly powerful.
He was clad in a meticulously tailored black leather jacket adorned with intricate silver designs that looked very much like the design on the ground. The jacket was open, revealing a tight ash-gray shirt that contrasted sharply with his olive-toned skin, tinged with a reddish hue.
His hair, deep charcoal with fiery red streaks, fell tousled around his shoulders, framing a chiseled face with a strong jawline and high cheekbones. His eyes, piercing fiery orange with flecks of molten gold, captivated and held an untold power. This had to be the demon emperor.
It was those eyes that now scanned the room. He eyed each of us, and I could see confusion and annoyance with each glance.
“Your majesty,” Everett said with a bow as the man’s gaze finally landed on the witch.
“Everett Magi,” the man bit out through clenched teeth. “You swore you’d never summon me again.”
Everett held up a finger. “I said I wouldn’t unless I need your assistance. And I need your assistance.” His posture relaxed, and a tiny smirk crossed his face. “It’s not that bad to see me, is it Oz? It’s been what, sixty years?”
I furrowed my brow in confusion. No way, Everett was sixty. He looked barely twenty-one. And wait—the emperor’s name was Oz? This seemed almost too surreal.
“Sixty years is nowhere near enough. I should’ve never…. What do you want, Rett,” Oz replied, his annoyance escalating.
“My associates here need a favor,” Everett stated, gesturing to Talon and me.
Oz glanced at us briefly before turning back to Everett. “You brought me here for a favor? I should kill you where you stand. The answer is no,” he responded, anger seeping into his voice.
“Please,” Talon implored, stepping forward. “Just take us to our mate.”
Oz scowled. “Mate? What does your mate have to do with me?”
“We’re the du?a of Dominic Billings,” I said, moving to stand beside Talon.
Oz’s scowl deepened. “Dominic, who? Don’t know anyone by that name. Sorry.” he muttered dismissively and turned back to Everett. “I don’t want you ever summoning—
“Domi’zel,” I interrupted, stepping in front of the emperor. I felt terrible using Dominic’s true name, something I had promised never to reveal, but I was desperate to get to him.
“What did you say?” Oz asked, disbelief filling his words.
I straightened and locked my eyes with the stunning, scary man. “We’re the du?a of Domi”zel,” I stated firmly.
Oz’s reaction was immediate. “Domi”zel? Shit… the fucker found his mates,” he exclaimed, punching his fist into his palm.
“Hey!” I protested, and Talon growled beside me.
“Relax, furballs. I have to help—or at least level the playing field. Fucking favors, I hate them,” Oz grumbled. He shook his head in resignation. “Should’ve listened to my asshole dad—never do favors for anyone, son; they’ll always bite you in the ass. He was right.” His glare briefly flicked to Everett before continuing, “Damn witches,” he sneered, “and bloody crones.”
With a casual flick of his wrist, Oz’s demeanor shifted from annoyance to command. The surrounding air seemed to pulse with power, a low hum vibrating through the room. In an instant, our surroundings morphed dramatically—the interior of the Pride house was replaced by the grandeur of a massive throne room.
As I glanced around, the sheer scale and opulence took my breath away. High, vaulted ceilings loomed overhead, adorned with intricate frescoes depicting epic battles and historic demon lore. The walls were lined with towering pillars, each carved from what looked like obsidian, shimmering with an eerie light that cast long, dancing shadows across the polished floor.
The room was bustling with an array of demons and creatures, each more bizarre and menacing than the last. They milled about, their conversations halting as they noticed our sudden appearance. Whispers and wary glances were exchanged, a tangible tension filling the air as they recognized their emperor and the unexpected guests at his side.
Oz strode forward, his presence commanding attention. He moved with a regal confidence towards a raised dais at the far end of the room. With each step, his form changed, his body expanding and contorting. His human-like appearance melted away, replaced by a towering figure that dominated the space. His skin turned a deep, blood red, and massive black horns curled from his forehead, arching menacingly towards the sky.
Reaching the dais, Oz ascended the steps and turned to face the gathering. His transformation was complete now; he stood in full demonic form—imposing and awe-inspiring. The murmurs in the room grew louder, a mixture of reverence and fear rippling through the crowd.
Settling onto a colossal throne that seemed crafted from bones and raw volcanic stone, Oz raised his hands, commanding silence. The room fell deathly quiet, and all eyes fixed upon him.
“Domi’zel! Jul’phanar!” Oz’s voice boomed, echoing off the stone walls. It rolled over us like thunder, filled with power and an undeniable authority.
As the names hung in the air, I scanned the room anxiously, searching for any sign of Dominic. Could the Emperor really summon him just like that? My heart raced with hope and fear.
Hang on, Dominic. We’re here, I whispered inwardly, clutching Talon’s hand tighter, waiting for our mate to appear amidst the gathered demons and darkness.