Balance The Realms Nov 2024 - May 2025

[Shadowess]

"That's what I wanted to hear!" Kris praised him. "Alright, I assume you had the chance to talk to some of the boys already? I want you to go ahead and pick one or two of them to join you today. I find learning new skills comes easiest when you have pals to do it with. Plus, it'll give you the perfect opportunity to grow some close bonds here. Go and tell them they're excused from their normal duties today to join you in training instead. Then come back to me."

Kris then turned to Ortiz. "Hey Ortiz, would you mind heading over to Aunty Audrey's?" he asked, not really asking but phrasing his order politely. "Grab some of the basics for me. Chalk sticks. Candles. Herbs. You know," he waved a hand dismissively. While they did need the supplies for Blake's training, Kris was also subtly sending Ortiz to check on the old lady and Salem. He was confident in his earlier words to Blake, but he also knew there was no such thing as 'too careful'. "Oh, and uh, don't break anything this time," he jabbed with a playful smirk.

---

"You'll be fine," Lang reassured him as he patted him on the back and guided him to the first desk. "This is Travis's desk. He must be on a break or something. He's mute, but the guy has a big heart. He sketches perps for us." Lang explained and then guided him to the next desk. 

---

Azrael looked at Raven for a long moment, then at Lilly before closing his eyes and sighing heavily. "No, Lilly is right. As Death's children, you are both his heirs. And you will need to learn how to behave as such. Including forming a diplomatic alliance with our neighbouring realms." He conceded, then opened his eyes and gave a stern stare at both of them. "If you are to come with me to Heaven, then I need your word that you will both be on your best behaviour. That you will not leave my side for anything. This will be purely educational. Are we at an agreement?" 
Lilly beamed victoriously. "I agree." She said eagerly, then looked at Raven expectantly. Hoping he would join them.

---

"How can I forget?" Jessica laughed. She shuffled closer to him and caressed his cheek. "That was the first night that I really felt seen," she said softly. She brought her fingers down to his chin, then traced the side of his mouth to one of his fangs. She was going to miss them, but already she knew how she wanted to return to what she is now. "When we-... when we've got our little family and we know we won't have any more kids... I think I want you to be the one to turn me back. Would you do that for me?"

---

Eve hesitated for a moment and blushed as she reluctantly pulled away from him. She lowered her eyes to the ground to avoid looking directly at him. "I'm not sure. I could help you make things more comfortable here? Or I could teach you how to defend our home? I learned a few fighting techniques while I was surviving on my own..."

---

The second Hades burst into laughter, and David struggled to contain his own. He laughed but quickly reverted his laughter to chuckles to try and save Andi the embarrassment. Of course, by that time it was too late as Andi realised immediately that they had all heard him and his own face had turned crimson as a result. "Sorry, I'm sorry. That was unprofessional of me." David said quickly between his chuckles, and he gently elbowed Hades to hint at her to stop. "I suppose you could say you feel like... a new man?" David then asked, unable to help himself and immediately he burst into laughter again. 
At Death's suggestion, Andi quickly nodded. "Yes, please," he mumbled.  

---

"I-I..." Parker tried but struggled to find the words. His eyes were fixed on the photos. "I was drunk... we were both drunk... I had lost weeks' worth of memories and was trying to piece together what had happened to me when we met. I was a mess..." he tried to explain. "And I made this little girl, and I didn't even know..." his voice broke as he started to cry. "Look at her! She's got my hair! My eyes! I don't need a test to see it! I should have been there for her. For them both. I should have answered those calls. Now I'm no better than my dad! And now... and now... " he breathed heavily as his eyes lifted from the photos to his stump. "Oh fuck! Oh god! I can't take care of her now! What good am I now?! I should have taken Damien's offer when I had the chance! Oh shit! Oh fuck! I fucked up!" He sobbed as he looked up at Will. "Will, I fucked up!" 

[Denix Vames]

Blake bit his lip. Unsure of this training with his new friends but nodded anyways. He found just the people he was looking for in the kitchen. "Drake? Benny? Boss said you guys can train with me. He says you'll have a few things to teach me?"

Ortiz seemed a bit pissed at first but with Kris's playfulness, he smirked. "Yes sir." He disappeared. It wouldn't take long before he held a shopping bag filled with the materials needed. However, he seemed concerned. "Salem's gone missing. Audrey's having a fit. I don't know how that Succubus found out but I figured she must have been spying on Blake as a way to gain info from us. No doubt she's taken Salem to lure Blake and use him for her own benefit. Should we tell him?"

Salem would be locked in a cage in an abandoned building of the city. Violet, the Succubus, was waiting for her trap to work.

---

Luis was doing some paperwork after having restored his desk by his powers. He felt their presence and turned. Glaring at Reed, "What do you want?" Reed nervously cleared his throat, "Hello I'm-" "You're not one of us and you never will be. You're just another flea." He rubbed his own shoulder, "I understand that you are upset with how things have transpired. I can assure you that I am here to keep things running smoothly." "Smoothly? You're the CIA. You never work with anyone. All you do is pick at people's heads."

Reed turned away. Defeated by Luis's insults. Frowning as he didn't know what to say.

---

Raven shrugged and sighed, "Oh why not? Fine."

Once they appeared in Heaven, Raven would squint. "Too shiny and bright. I liked it better when it was dark."

---

Ben blushed. Transfixed by her touch until she asked him. He raised a brow, "But how would that work? Like could I be a Blood God and give you a kid? Or do I have to be normal for it to work? I'm not sure about any of this. Anatomy was never my best subject in school."

---

Adam snapped his fingers with a smile, "We could decorate together and fight too! Let's have some time to renovate while also saving time for you to train me. Sounds great?"

---

Death and Andi would appear in the throne room. He looked around, "Where are the children? I hope they haven't made more trouble while I was gone."

---

Ash appeared before David and Hades, "Afternoon." Hades's eyes widened, "Ash? As in totally fucking creepy ancient demon? You look dapper." Ash smirked, "Working on a new look for my dear wife. I'm still unsure as to how I should show myself as for my family. Gave myself a British accent as the poor soul on the Judas Cradle." "I think you mean the icing on the cake." "The what?"

---

Will placed his hands firmly on his shoulders, "Parker it's going to be ok. We'll make it through this together. You're not the first person to fuck up. We all have at some point. Right now, I'm going to go check on her if that's alright with you. I can go over the process with CPS." He held a small smile, "I want to have this kid if you want her too."

[Shadowess]

"Shit!" Kris hissed, glad that Blake hadn't returned yet. "No, don't tell him. We can't have him running off and springing the trap before we're ready. Stay here with the boys. Go over the basics with them. How to brew a simple healing potion. How to locate objects. You know the drill. I'm going to Aunty Audrey's to see if she has any leads or plans..." he said quickly, knowing the old woman always had some kind of plan up her sleeve. 

Meanwhile, the boys had just put their packs on and were ready to head out when Blake stopped them. "I'm always up for a day off!" Drake beamed. 
"Oh, this means training day!" Benny grinned. "You picked us? I'm honoured."
"Of course, he picked us. He's a man of taste!" Drake wrapped an arm around Blake's shoulders and started walking with him towards Kris's planning room. "You'll learn some pretty basic stuff today, but maybe later we can show you how to make a pretty potent stink bomb?"

---

Through the whole encounter, Lang glared at Luis. "You know better," he said to him quietly. His voice was tinged with disappointment. After all, it hadn't been that long since he'd talked to Luis about fitting in now that he was no longer human. Lang turned to Reed. "I'm sorry about that. Like I said, today has been hard on a lot of people. Try not to take it personally. Come on, I'll introduce you to the others."

---

Azrael smiled at Raven. "You will find, as a Prince, there will be times when stepping out of your comfort zone will be necessary." He said gently, then turned to face ahead of them as he guided them towards a large building. Its bricks were massive and looked to be made of polished marble. A subtle sweet smell hung in the air as they stepped inside. A mix of earth and flora, like a warm field on a summer day. "Stay close to me, children. Don't speak unless spoken to, and let me do all the talking. The Angels here are outwardly friendly, but in this power vacuum, they will be looking for any opportunity to give themselves an advantage when it comes to a promotion." Just as he finished speaking, he noticed a familiar face walking towards them from the far end of the hall. "Speaking of opportunists..." he mumbled before Uriel could hear him. 

"Azrael!" Uriel greeted him warmly with open arms, then looked at Lilly and Raven in turn. "And the Heirs of Death! How lovely to meet you!"
"Children, this is Uriel. An Archangel, like me." Azrael introduced him quickly, then looked at his old colleague with a serious expression. "What news on Raguel?"
"Not good, my friend." Uriel frowned. Though Lilly squinted at him, she didn't say anything. But she glanced quickly at Raven, wondering if he'd caught it. The way Uriel spoke. His slightly exaggerated tone. The way he composed himself. She didn't know for certain yet, but she got the impression that every little movement and every word from this man was off in some way. Uriel's eyes were fixed on Azrael as he continued, having not noticed Lilly's scrutiny. "We're still waiting for the Spirit Council to grace us with their presence, hand down their sentence and choose his successor."

"You seem certain he won't walk free." Azrael raised an eyebrow. "Are his circumstances so dire?"
"My friend! He attacked you! Attacked one of our own, unprovoked! He is vicious. Dangerous!"
"He made a mistake-"
"I understand this must be hard for you. You had been close to him, and he hurt you. But you shouldn't worry about him. He can't hurt you anymore." 
Azrael stiffened. His jaw clenched, and his eyes bore into Uriel's, who looked back at him in faux sympathy. "Where's Gabriel? I wish to speak with him."
"Oh, I-"
"In private," Azrael added forcefully as he cut off his former colleague.
Uriel seemed a little offended, his smile looking a bit strained as he stepped back and gave a small, disappointed shrug. "I understand." He said quietly, then looked at Raven and Lilly again. "It was lovely meeting you both," he said politely, then turned and walked away while mentally summoning Gabriel and letting him know Azrael had asked for him. 
"And that is how you carefully navigate a conversation with someone you'd rather punch in the face," Azrael told the children with a half-joking smirk. 
"Azrael!" Lilly gasped quietly, surprised but amused by his remark.

---

"No, you heard what that Shezmu said. We'd both have to be human. But maybe once we've got our family, we don't have to stay human? Like I said, I like how I am now. I've never felt more myself. I just want a family, too." Jessica explained. "So, if you're happy with it, when we're ready to turn back, you could..." She paused and thought for a moment. Unlike her, they couldn't just ask any vampire to turn him because then he'd just be a regular vampire. They needed to be Blood Gods. So, they would need to ask a Blood God to turn him. "River. We trust and know River, so we could ask him to turn you. Then we make a romantic evening. Candles. Rose petals. Just you and me. Then you turn me too. What do you think?"

---

Bringing her eyes back to his, Eve smiled brightly. "That sounds wonderful, husband!" she said excitedly. Falling back into her old habit of calling him 'husband' as a pet name. She took his hands in hers. For a moment, she felt like his carefree bride in Eden once more. When it had just been the two of them. "Where shall we begin?"

---

Andi glanced around the throne room, then looked back at his King. "Perhaps they're still visiting Azrael?" he suggested, then paused to lightly press his fingers to his throat. "That's going to take some getting used to." He chuckled, referring to his own voice.

---

Parker's heart was hammering in his chest from his anxiety. He looked at Will and took some breaths to try to calm down as he nodded. He glanced at Madeline's photo once more before looking back at Will. "The- The blood test," he reminded him. "They won't just hand her over unless we prove I'm really her dad." Referring to himself as a father felt weird. He still wasn't used to the idea. "Maybe we can get a nurse to take a blood sample straight away

[Denix Vames]

Blake chuckled, "A stink bomb eh? Wouldn't mind putting that to the test."

Ortiz nodded at Kris, "Yes sir." He stepped out to meet the trio. Blake stopped and warily kept an eye on him. Ortiz said, "I'm going to be with you to teach you the basics of potion making. More specifically healing potions. Even locating objects. You need to learn everything right away if we're to take down this Succubus." "Ok but first I want to work on my combat."

Ortiz nodded at Drake, "Attack."

---

Luis continued to glare.

Reed was unsure as other officers either greeted him neutrally or happily. He gripped the leather over his shoulder from his bag and walked into the evidence room. Knowing that he hadn't seen anyone enter the room. He stood at a corner and gripped his arms. "This isn't going to work but I can't disobey my superior." A tear dripped down his cheek before more showed up.

---

Gabriel appeared. Raven said, "I'm guessing I missed all that tension?" Gabriel rolled his eyes, "Don't mind Uriel. He just wants power like all the other winged chicken here. Frankly, I'm fine with being a messenger. Now, what do you need me for?"

---

Ben smiled, "That sounds like a fair deal. I wonder if we could make our moment together real steamy." He winked.

---

Adam spoke as they entered their home hand in hand, "How about the furniture? I was thinking of lilac curtains with some find redwood to compliment it."

---

Death replied, "Take as much time as you need. I must see where my children are." He disappeared. Finding himself behind everyone in Heaven. "Ah! I see you've recovered Azrael. Bringing them here for a lesson on politics? I guess they should start somewhere."

---

Will nodded, "I'll go get a nurse and see what I can do. In the meantime, you need to take some deep breaths. Ok?" He left the room. In a matter of minutes, a nurse had extracted a vial of blood from Parker and would retrieve a vial of his supposed daughter's blood in order to complete the test.

[Shadowess]

Drake had laughed at Blake's comment and had been about to say something when Ortiz stepped into their path, bringing the trio to an abrupt stop. The tension was thick in the few seconds before Ortiz would speak. Both Drake and Benny didn't dare speak. Benny averted his eyes from Ortiz, while Drake stared back at him defiantly. Both their hearts sank when Ortiz explained he would be the one training them today. Then they winced as Blake told him he wanted to learn combat, as they immediately knew what would come next. 

At the order, Drake removed his arm from around Blake's shoulder. He briefly nodded to his sparring partner before grabbing his arm and shoulder. In one fluid motion, he kicked the back of Blake's leg and swung his hips so that he flipped him onto his back on the ground. "Sorry mate..." he mumbled as he stood straight, then offered him a hand to help him up. The first form of combat any of these boys learned was hand-to-hand or martial arts. Because, as good as magic can be, it's not as effective or safe to use when within close proximity to an opponent. 

After watching Blake's swift take down and wincing again, Benny nervously looked at Ortiz. "Um, Ortiz... Sir, may I ask why the boss isn't training us himself?" He asked curiously, knowing it was unusual for him not to be present for the first day of training. 

---

As much as he hated not being involved in any of his boys' first day of training, this matter needed Kris's utmost attention. When Ortiz stepped out to stop the boys in the hallway, he wasted no time and vanished.

He appeared in the little shop and saw that Auntie wasn't sitting on her stool as usual. "Auntie?" He called out. The old woman's face appeared from behind her curtained doorway and she stared at Kris for a moment. "Oh, Kris. Thank goodness. Get in here and help Auntie."
Kris obeyed her, hurrying into the back of the shop where she seemed to be brewing something in a small cauldron. "I came as soon as I heard. What can I do to help?" He said as he looked over her supplies nearby. 

"Oh, you're a good boy. Hand me those quartz shards. The clear ones. Thank you." 
Kris helped her with brewing her potion and then asked. "So, what's the plan?"
"The plan?" Auntie chuckled darkly. "The plan is we rescue my little Salem, and I come home with a new Succubus pelt! Now, stand back and prepare yourself. This may get messy. Did you bring the gift I gave you?" Kris produced the bracelet from his back pocket and showed it to her. "Good! Keep it close. You might only get one opportunity to use it." 
He nodded and placed it back into his pocket. He stood back as instructed and let Auntie Audrey chant her spell to locate Salem. When random images of a location popped into both their minds, Auntie reached out to him. "Take my hand, lad." he did, and after a few more chants from Auntie, they both vanished, aiming to teleport right next to Salem's cage.

---

Lang followed him into the evidence room and folded his arms while leaning against some shelves. His whole demeanour was relaxed. "Hey, don't worry. Look, we all have a job to do, right? At the end of the day, we're here for the ordinary Joe to make sure he's safe as he goes about his nine-to-five life so that he can go home to his family every night. Right?" He gestured towards the door. "So, in the grand scheme of things, what they think doesn't matter. What matters is we're all here for the same reason. We just have slightly different roles to play in that, that's all. Besides. This is just day one, and a hard day one to boot. Give it time. Be patient. They'll come around when they see that you're just trying to help."

---

"I'll tell you about it later," Lilly muttered to Raven in reply to his comment. She then looked up as the blonde Angel appeared and greeted Azrael. In comparison to Uriel, Gabriel seemed to be much more relaxed when talking to him. No pretence that Lilly could detect, anyway. 
"I was hoping we could talk about what happened." Azrael phrased it carefully, but what he really meant was, he needed his friend. Then Death appeared, and Azrael was relieved to see him. Happy, even. He couldn't hide the smitten smile that spread across his lips as his eyes landed on his beloved. "Your Grace," he greeted him warmly. "Precisely, you, Grace. Those were my thoughts exactly. Although credit where credit is due, this was your daughter's idea. You may have a diplomat in the making." 
"I uh, I was just curious about what Heaven was like..." Lilly mumbled shyly, her cheeks turned a little red while she awkwardly looked away. 
"She's being humble." Azrael smiled at her. 

---

Jessica giggled, blushing. She grinned at him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Maybe..." she smiled coyly. "I think you should give me a demonstration."

---

"Perfect!" Eve said excitedly. "And we could have incense, some gold lanterns. Maybe a sheepskin rug. Oh, and those decorated vases, you remember how lovely they looked with the painted figures?" And with that, Adam may once again be reminded that Eve had no experience of the modern world. Not its styles, fashions or advancements. Most of what she had managed to learn had slowly been forgotten over time from the moment they had been banished to Hell and she'd found herself surviving, fleeing, and hunting with little more than the clothes on her back. Only ever knowing Hell's wilds. Its fields, forests, mountains and deserts.

---

Parker took some breaths as the nurse left the room with a vial of his blood. In anticipation of Parker agreeing to the test and to make things a bit less stressful for little Madeline, a vial of her blood had already been dropped off at the hospital. In the meantime, Parker tried to keep himself calm, but every so often his eyes would drop to the photo and then to his stump, and he would feel the panic swell within him again. What if she gets into trouble and he can't help her in time because he only has one leg? It would all be his fault because he was too proud to accept Damien's gift. He was so stubborn in wanting to be human for as long as possible that he might be a liability when it comes to keeping his own daughter safe. These thoughts swam around and around in his head. Every so often, he'd catch himself beginning to spiral again and would shake his head, then try to focus on the fact that they didn't know anything for certain yet. 

The wait was excruciating. The nurses hadn't given him any kind of timeframe, so he wondered if he might not hear anything for weeks yet. Surely, something like this wouldn't be so quick? He vastly underestimated how many children had suddenly been put into a similar situation to Madeline because of the quakes, resulting in the strained CPS system doing everything it could to find willing relatives or legal guardians as efficiently as possible. The minutes felt like hours. Parker could swear the hand on the clock on the wall was broken. He bit the corner of his nails anxiously, starting to draw blood, when a small knock on his door finally pulled him out of his thoughts. 

"Mr Parker?" The nurse squeaked. She was a little smaller than the last one had been, and her scrubs were burgundy rather than the usual blue that most other nurses could be seen wearing. 
"Yes?" Parker sat up rigidly, unsure of what to expect. 
"I have your test results here." She said in a soft tone. "Would you like to read them yourself, or would you like me to read them?" She offered.
Parker thought for a moment. He licked his lips and found his mouth had dried up from nerves. He turned to pick up the glass of water with a shaking hand and took a sip. Swallowing the water, he briefly closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them to look back up at the nurse. "Please, you go ahead."

"Based on a comparison between your blood type, Madeline's blood type and a record of what Lucy's blood type had been... Madeline is your daughter." She told him, then paused to let the news sink in. She'd learned early in her career not to jump to congratulations when it came to news like this because it would turn out not to be a happy situation. 

"Tha-tha-thank you... nurse..." Parker breathed the words but felt a tightness in his chest. He was relieved to know for sure, but his earlier thoughts came hurtling back to him. In the state he was in, he wasn't fit to look after her... to protect her. And if he'd learned one thing since finding out his true heritage, it was that he and his family would never know a peaceful life. He had already come to terms with that before now, but that was before he knew he had a child to look after. Tears welled in his eyes, and he ran a hand through his hair. The nurse had nodded to them and left the room, but he was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed. 

He knew what he needed to do. Before, he would have fought tooth and nail to avoid it out of sheer pride. Or was it spite? Possibly both, if he was being honest with himself. But now there was an innocent little girl in the picture. His daughter. Even without the test and even without meeting her yet, he'd known she was his from the moment his eyes landed on the image of her face and the fierce paternal instinct to protect her at all costs gripped his heart. Pulling himself together, he wiped his tears away and looked at Will with a new determination. "Can you bring my father here for me?"

[Denix Vames]

Blake winced at the hit but accepted the help. He nodded, "That's alright. I figured things would be challenging."

Ortiz glared at Benny, "Don't question my order." Blake raised a brow, "Wait a minute. Does Kris usually teach us? In fact, where is he?" Ortiz replied, "You don't need to know right now." Blake glared right back, "I will find out." Ortiz gave him a look. Warning him in some way not to disobey but Blake soon disappeared. Ortiz clenched his fists, "That fucking-!" He grabbed Benny and shoved him against the wall. "I want you little shits to keep your mouths shut and listen right now! Kill Blake when he least suspects it. Make sure Kris doesn't find out, got it?"

---

Salem lifted her head up from her crying, "Auntie!"

Blake appeared. Salem gasped, "Blake?" Violet stepped out from the shadows into the moonlight, "Well well if it isn't the whole family." Blake glared, "You bitch! How could you do this?!" She smirked, "It was easy little one." Her eyes glowed. "Now, come to me." Yet, when she waited, he did not walk towards her. He only continued to glare at her with his fists ready. Violet growled, "Why isn't it working?!" Blake looked at his hands. Expecting the trance to happen but always feeling it bouncing off, "I'm not sure. Usually to deflect a Succubus' powers, you have to ignore sexual desires."

Salem brought her hands to her chest like a nun in prayer, "Or already have love for someone else." Blake turned to her. Blushing at the sight of her as he seemed bewildered that he had loved her this quickly. Salem shouted, "Watch out!" Blake turned back to Violet and raised his arm. Blocking her high kick. Her eyes widened, "What the hell?!" He smiled, "You're all alone. That was your worst mistake." He sent her across the floor. She hit the wall as blood spewed out before she collapsed on the floor.

---

Reed held out a hand, "Just give me my book back. I should have never stopped researching. Maybe my interactions with your friends would have been better."

---

Gabriel asked, "Did you want to discuss it alone as friends or as political figures? You did bring Death's children."

Death smiled at his family. He laid a hand on Lily, "I am pleased by your eagerness to learn more of this world. It shows such great curiosity in the face of the unknown. You may outdo my teachings yet."

---

Ben's horns grew as his eyes glowed red with his tail sprouting. He licked his lips, "Oh get ready." He bit into her neck. Nibbling and kissing there.

---

Adam smiled, "Those sound nice Eve but humanity has changed since you were gone. Things aren't really the same anymore. I'll get John to nab some magazines and you'll know what I mean."

---

Will wanted to ask if Parker was sure but he could read it all over his face. He clenched his fists. Feeling somehow guilty as he wanted him to do this from the beginning. Yet, he wanted to respect his wishes. He sighed, "Ok. Damien? We need your help. It's really important."

[Shadowess]

When Ortiz had snapped at him, Benny had flinched and looked down again. Then he'd looked nervously between him and Blake when his new friend displayed defiance. After Blake had vanished, Benny flinched again with a whimper as Ortiz pinned him to the wall. He stared up at him in disbelief at the order he'd been given. "Wha-what?!" He gasped. His face had turned pale. 

"That's it!" Drake growled from behind Ortiz and swiftly brought his knee up between the man's legs. It was a cheap shot, but at least it would be effective. As Ortiz would likely be writhing from the nut-shot, Drake kicked him in the back for good measure. "You had that coming asshole!" he shouted. 
"What did you do?!" Benny squeaked at Drake. He stared at Ortiz with wide, terrified eyes, expecting nothing but retaliation. 
"Forget him. Come on, we gotta go after Blake." Drake said while grabbing his arm. "Obviously, there's some kind of trouble, and we gotta help!" They both vanished, too.

---

"Oh, my sweet girl!" Auntie had hurried over to Salem's cage as soon as they'd appeared while Kris kept a lookout for the Succubus. "Did that wretch hurt you?" she asked.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Kris snapped as soon as Blake had appeared. "Ortiz... you had one job, dammit!" He then muttered irritably. 
When Violet made her appearance, Kris glared at her and tensed. He wasn't sure how he'd resist her charms this time, but he was determined to fight her influence with everything he had. When she seemed to focus on Blake, he growled at her angrily. "Leave him alone, you bitch!" But then he raised an eyebrow at Blake when her power didn't seem to work on him. At first, he assumed Blake had some kind of special resistance, but then Salem spoke, and he couldn't help but smile at the pair. 

Seeing the Succubus making her move, Auntie chanted a quick spell to grant Blake a little extra protection. Both Drake and Benny then appeared just in time to see Blake sending Violet across the room. "Dude, wicked!" Drake cheered. 
"Boys?! Now, why are you two here?!" 
"Sorry, sir! We just wanted to help!" Benny said quickly.
"Yeah, and Ortiz has gone off the deep end!" Drake added.
"What-?" Kris started but was cut off by Auntie Audrey. 
"Kris, you can chatter with your boys when this is over. Put the bracelet on her before she wakes up!" She then turned to Blake. "Come, lad, help me with this cage!"
"What about us?" Benny asked
"Watch my back while I approach the Succubus," Kris ordered. 
"You can count on us, boss!" Drake said while walking with Benny behind him as they marched towards Violet. Kris took the bracelet out of his pocket as he walked and knelt beside her with the intention of sliding it onto her wrist.

---

Frowning, Lang sighed and brought him his book. "It wouldn't have helped, you know. Research is nothing like the real thing. Life and people are unpredictable."

---

"As much as it would be beneficial for the children to learn, you can have friends among your allies, you may have a point." Azrael conceded with a small smile. He watched as Death praised Lilly. "Perhaps we can talk informally later, then?" he asked, turning back to Gabriel. "If there are any other Archangels that I trust, it's you and Nate. I know what Uriel told me, but I want to hear it from you. How are things looking? He said the council still haven't made an appearance. Any word on when they will?"

"Thank you, Father." Lilly continued to smile. She watched some of the exchange between Azrael and Gabriel. "You're friends?" She asked curiously, having overheard the first part of the conversation. 

---

Jessica tilted her head back with a gasp at his bite. The thrill shot through her, and she felt her fangs lengthen a little. She let out little sighs as his kisses and the feel of his teeth on her skin sent excited shivers through her. Running a hand through his hair and feeling his horns with her fingertips, she leaned into him. Nuzzled his neck before biting him in turn, drawing some blood that she flicked her tongue over before kissing his neck so that they were both kissing and biting each other's necks. Lifting her head a little, she moaned into his ear, "Make me yours."

---

Eve looked at Adam, unable to begin to imagine how the world might have changed. "Magazines..." She sighed, then stopped walking. She turned to look at Adam pleadingly. "I don't want to learn from pictures on a flimsy parchment! I want to see it for myself! Adam, take me there. Please? I need to see how our descendants have built their world!"

---

Damien had been searching for news online for any crimes in the world. A few had caught his interest. He hadn't been able to get his day with Samson out of his head. His veins had started to ache from withdrawals, but he ignored the feeling for now. As much as he'd drop everything if Samson called for him now, he'd prefer not to see him again until he'd picked out their next targets to 'punish'. James hadn't come home yet, so Damien assumed he'd had some luck with that nurse. 

Stiffening when Will's words entered his head, Damien tore his eyes from his laptop before locking and closing it. He stood and stepped away from the table before vanishing.

Parker had watched Will summon his father, and for a second, he'd been tempted to quickly hide the pictures of Madeline. For a wild moment, he didn't want Damien to know he had a grandchild. But knew that after the fight he'd put up to avoid becoming a Devil, Damien would likely start asking questions now that Parker had suddenly changed his mind. Besides, he'd be bound to find out anyway. Reluctantly, he kept the photos on his lap on the bed. 

Damien appeared a second later and looked between them, worriedly. "Is everything alright?" 
"I-... Um..." Parker hesitated. He looked at Madeline's photo again to steel himself, and then he looked Damien in the eye. "I've changed my mind. I want you to make me into a Devil." 
Surprised, Damien looked from Parker to Will and then back again. "You were so adamantly against it, though. What changed?"
Parker sighed and held up a photo for Damien to take. He watched his father look at the photo with a mildly confused expression. 
"Her. Madeline... I'm doing it for her. She's my daughter."
Damien tore his eyes from the photo and stared at Parker in shock. The shock quickly melted to give way to understanding. He nodded to his son and handed the photo back. "Then we should get you discharged first. I can then take you to Hell to get it done."

Parker wasn't thrilled by the idea of being taken to Hell to become a Devil, but he knew that if it meant he could keep his daughter safe, he'd do anything. "Will, can you do the paperwork and stuff for my discharge? Just tell them you'll help me with physio at home or something."

[Denix Vames]

Ortiz clutched his crotch as he dropped to his knees. Gritting his teeth against the pain. He soon disappeared once both boys did. Deciding to flee before Kris might make him as an example to the group.

---

Blake nodded at Auntie. He knelt and grabbed the padlock. Salem spoke, "It's only minor. I'll be fine after a healing potion." He stared down at the lock and willed it to let go of the cage. It dropped with an echoing clatter to the floor. Salem pushed the cage. Blake held her in his arms like a knight in shining armor. She blushed at the sight of him, "Thank you."

Violet slowly opened her eyes to find a bracelet around her wrist. She glared, "NO! My power!"

Just as she felt defeat, Blake and Salem held a kiss before their lips parted.

---

Reed glared, "Why do you think I do any research? It's to keep things organized." His expression became like a crying puppy, "To know what or who I'm going to deal with." With that baby face of his, his eyes sparkled from the tears. His lips pursed as he gave off the look of a flirty newbie. Though he didn't even know he was making that face.

---

Gabriel nonchalantly waved his hand, "They still need to go through what's left from the Interdimensional Earthquake but in two days, they should be ready to meet."

He turned to Lily's question, "Oh yeah! We all go way back. Before mankind was ever a thing. You wouldn't believe the crazy adventures we use to have together."

Death smirked. Thinking of his own lover as this hero holding a sword like the soldiers from the Middle Ages. Imagining him conquering great foes. "I can certainly picture quite the scene. I myself always avoided the outside. I rather prefer my own solitude. Though I guess that has changed now. For the better I'd say."

---

Ben's wings sprouted. He ripped into her dress. Caressing her chest before pressing his nail against her. Leaving some gentle claw marks. He kissed her breasts before moving to her hips. "I'll make sure you never forget how much I love you."

---

Adam hesitantly spoke, "Well first we need John to be there. I rather have him around in case anything should happen. I'll have a talk with him about it. Still, it was already dangerous being out there myself. So, just stay on your toes." He stepped further into the middle of the brothel, "John! Eve wants to go on a tour to the Earth. See the modern people and the modern quirks about life."

---

Will nodded, "Sure." He kissed him. "I'll be right here waiting." He left the room. Intending on doing what Parker said. By the time, Parker would have become a Devil, the paperwork would have been dealt with.

---

James was the first to open his eyes. He had never been tired before in all his years as a soldier. He turned to May. Her head laid on his chest. He ran his hand through her hair. "May. Thank you for giving me this new feeling."