***Author's Thoughts: Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy with work. Hoping to wrap this series up in 3-4 more chapters following this one. I will also probably do a spinoff of two of the characters from this series in the future. Thank you all for reading!!!***
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As if there weren't a huge tension already with her evil uncle and dealing with Iris' crazy aunt, and all the other dramas that played continuously throughout their lives. Luna was sick of it, but she wasn't tired. In short Nyla was once her best friend who had various things in common with her, she had her issues with Nyla turning people, but that wasn't what killed their friendship.
It was the fact that Nyla, like her uncle and Iris' aunt desired power above all else. And over time Nyla prioritized her wants over the lives of others. But it didn't stop there, she personally sacrificed those weaker than her for magical items, all under her bestie's nose. She may not have killed those people personally, but in Luna's opinion that made it worse. And now she was here on the day of an important meeting.
"Who is this?" Alex asked frowning, it didn't take much to set off alarms for him. He could feel the darkness brimming off of Nyla as she made it up the hill to that very room.
"An old friend." Nyla smiled.
"You're no one's friend. I learned that lesson a long time ago." Luna narrowed her eyes, she rubbed her fingers against a knife on the table almost as if on a reflex. Nick and Dom both watched carefully unaware if this would go south or not. But to their relief Luna suppressed her anger and moved her hand from the knife.
It was the first time the king had ever seen such dead calmness radiating from her warm eyes before, it actually scared him. The feeling was pure dread that made a knot form in the pit of his stomach.
"You'll have to wait, we're expecting someone for a private discussion." Nick informed her "If there is anything you'd wish to relay to anyone at this table, you'll do so afterwards."
Nyla looked around at the table before looking at Luna, then at Nick. She gave a faux bow "Of course of your highness, any room?"
"On the first floor, yes. And then we can discuss your abrupt...entrance."
"Sure." Nyla smiled before whipping her hair as she walked away.
Luna sighed with relief.
"What the hell was that?" Lynx asked "Who was sh- Luna turned to her shifting the dread her way.
Sirus looked to Nick who sighed "We will have to discuss this later, but for now let's focus on who's at the front door now."
"Fine with me." Luna turned away from Lynx with Nick patting her leg to calm her. It was a nice gesture. But it only helped a little.
It wasn't long before Cane arrived donned in a dark gray custom-made suit, Elyra wasn't far behind him. He pulled out his seat across from the king and Elyra pulled out hers, across from her brother.
"Shall we begin?" Sirus asked Elyra who nodded. She broke out into a huge grin.
"Everyone, this is Cane, he works for the big bad wolf from the other world. And it's taken me some time to try and strike a deal with him to keep us all...safe and satisfied."
Sirus could already guess how she had gotten her newfound satisfaction, but glossed over it to focus on what was really at play "And this is what we've come to, this meeting. So, what exactly do you want?"
Cane didn't even blink "The girl." Everyone's tension shifted, but then Cane spoke again "At least that's what I'd like to say. It would make my life easier, your lives easier. But Elyra's been telling me repeatedly in an annoying fashion that it would make life difficult. So, I'm here to observe and chat."
"Chat?" Elizabeth folded her hands into her lap while reading for any signs of deception from this new guest "And then what? Report to your master?"
Cane smoothed out his tie "I want to know if the girl is a good investment. I'm not the type to get sentimental about these things...people, objects...they're things that fascinate me before fading when they lose their shine."
"And if she is a good investment, you'll side with us?" Dom asked suspiciously.
"Side is a strong word. No. I would simply keep these findings to myself at my own behest."
"And your brother?" Elyra smiled wickedly at him "He is my friend."
"You knew before you met me, I don't really care about my brother. Not like you care about yours." Cane said turning to Sirus, he got a small jolt from seeing Elyra's smile fall "And that would be the consequence if this meeting ends with my dissatisfaction."
"No-
"You wanted a deal with a demon." Cane told her chillingly "Your life is more valuable, I'll give you that. But Sirus is younger, still growing in power...so many uses for such talents. Wouldn't you agree, Elyra?"
Elyra looked down in anger "You promised."
"I did. But surveying him now..." Cane gave a long vicious smile that turned everyone's stomachs "He seems good enough to keep alive for a time. And we do need more tools, weapons, you know to keep the higher ups from dirtying their hands."
"Careful, Cane." Elyra's eyes sharpened with her rage "You're letting your appetite overshadow your reason."
Cane looked at Elyra and breathed in and then out carefully before turning into a stoic once more "You're right, I am getting ahead of myself. King Nicholas."
"Yes?"
"You rule this kingdom, these people here are your charge."
"They are." Nick replied "But I doubt that any of that matters to you or your master."
"No, it doesn't. But despite what people may think, what you may think, all demons aren't blood thirsty and want the destruction of innocent lives. Mortals and the meek don't interest me whatsoever, only here and now does."
"Then please get to it."
Cane looked down the table straight at the source of power his master was seeking, she was girl with dark violet hair, eyes the color of a canary, palish skin. She was beautiful and surprisingly calm. Even when facing this demon, she didn't shirk away in fear or nervousness, but stared straight into the abyss.
"What is your name?"
"Luna."
"That's a lovely name. I never knew Enn, but from the descriptions that I've heard you definitely resemble him, mostly your eyes do. It's haunting in a way." Cane told her, he leaned back against his chair "What are your powers?"
Luna raised a hand and moved it on way with the water from the air turning into an ice crystal. She then looked down at the floor and the dirt granules imbedded there clumped together, softened, and then hardened into a ball. Luna didn't even do much but think once and then it began to rain before clearing again.
"Several things that I've been trying to understand. I can change matter into whatever I want without much thought, but I've only used it for small scale things. I can infuse my energy into that matter and make into a weapon against supernaturals. I can change the weather, the temperature, I can even affect nature. I can draw power from the sun and the moon, but I get dizzy if I try to absorb too much too fast...it's all a learning process for me still."
Cane's eyes never left her as he ate up this information "That isn't bad progress, I wouldn't be surprised if you could do a lot more with control in a few more years, maybe a few more months with the right guidance..Hm."
Cane looked down at the table thinking.
"What does my uncle want?"
Cane rubbed the bridge of his nose "Don't take it personally, Luna. In our world it is eat or be eaten. And those from the top families have to fight it out to remain on the top, if not then we'll be dispatched ourselves."
"Even if it means killing your own family."
"Sometimes, that's not always the case. My brother never wanted power but would rather be less than what he could be. Your uncle is our leader, we are our own kingdom in our realm and there are several kings and queens there. They will usurp power with the snap of a finger."
Luna didn't relent, letting the feeling of dread slowly wrap around Cane who was in awe of it. It actually made him shiver in fright, splendid. "His name is Dorian Aurelis, and of the sectors he controls many live in fear of him."
