Chapter 176
Cassian's POV
The magic released me.
I hit the ground hard. Stone bit into my palms. My ribs screamed. Every muscle in my body protested the sudden freedom.
But the pain? That was nothing compared to the rage burning in my chest.
"Brother!" Casper's voice cut through the haze. He was beside me in seconds. His hands on my shoulders. Face twisted with worry.
Did I really look that bad?
"Are you okay?" he asked. His breath came fast. Ragged.
I tried to push myself up. Failed. My arms shook.
Yes. But not for long.
Zero's voice filled my mind. Calm. Steady. Then his power exploded through me.
Every nerve ending lit up. My bones straightened. Muscles knitted back together. The pain dulled to a throb.
With Casper's help, I got to my feet. Each movement came easier than the last.
"Thank you, bud," I whispered to Zero.
Elowen's voice reached my ears. She was arguing with that demon bastard. My heart kicked against my ribs.
She is turning into such a little firecracker- I loved it! I told Zero.
I will remind you of that when she is being a brat later, he shot back.
A laugh tried to escape. I swallowed it down.
"Brother, are you ok?" Casper asked again. His grip loosened.
I stretched. My bones cracked back into place. The relief was immediate.
But then Raven spoke. Something about threats. About our daughter.
My patience snapped.
"Is he right?" I asked Zero through our link.
His whimper was answer enough.
"She will be..." Zero started.
"A Threat." I finished for him.
The word dropped like a stone.
Elowen's eyes found mine across the cathedral. Relief exploded across her face. Her whole body sagged.
Then she was running. Arms around me. Face buried in my neck. She breathed in deep.
I did the same. Vanilla and honey. God, I'd missed that smell.
My gaze never left Raven. I watched him. Studied him. Waited for him to try something.
He didn't move. Didn't try to grab her back.
Interesting.
"Is he right?" Elowen whispered against my skin. "About our daughter?"
"Yes," Raven answered before I could. His voice was flat. Simple. "If you don't believe me, ask your wolf."
"I already have," I said. My arms tightened around Elowen.
"And?" Her voice shook.
I pulled back enough to see her face. Those amber eyes were wide. Scared.
"It made sense," I said slowly. "If Casper's child will be as powerful as this demonic worm—"
"Raven." The demon cut me off. "My name is Raven."
I ignored him.
"If she is as powerful as HE claims," I continued, "then surely she would threaten the balance of our world. And everything The Moon Goddess stands for."
I'd heard stories. Our kind mating with humans. That happened sometimes. But demons?
"I am not just a demon, I am a Duke of hell, actually." Raven's voice dripped with pride.
Elowen rolled her eyes. The gesture was so normal. So her. I almost smiled.
"No one cares," Casper spat out behind us.
His eyes were locked on Elowen. His fingers flexed at his sides. He wanted to hold her. Pull her away from me.
I understood the feeling.
I laughed. Loosened my grip on Elowen's slim waist. Nodded at Casper.
Take her.
He caught my meaning. Moved forward. Pulled her into his arms.
"But yes, the dynamics of your world will be brought into question," Raven said. His tone was sharp. Insulted.
Probably because Casper had just brushed him off to grab our girl.
I shrugged. "Personally, the world can go to fuck! It needs a shake up, and I have no doubt any child of Casper's will be up to the task of giving it just that."
"Of Ours!" Elowen snapped. Her voice was defensive. Fierce.
My mouth split into a grin.
"Yes, angel," Casper said softly. "Of ours."
His eyes lifted to mine.
A lump formed in my throat.
Casper was the only one I'd ever told. About wanting a daughter. About the kind of father I hoped to be.
He knew what this meant to me. We both knew.
I nodded. Couldn't speak. Afraid my voice would crack like they were making me feel.
"I agree, I can keep her safe... here." Raven's voice broke the moment.
The three of us turned slowly. All wearing the same expression.
Shock. Suspicion. Disbelief.
"You want her to stay?" I asked. "In hell?"
"Not forever," Raven said quickly. "Just until—"
"Fuck that," Casper cut him off.
I stepped forward. Put myself between Elowen and the demon.
"You must be out of your goddamn mind," I said. My voice dropped low. Dangerous. "If you think we're leaving her here."
Raven's red eyes met mine. He smiled.
And that smile? It made my skin crawl.
"We shall see," he said softly.
The words felt like a promise. A threat.
I didn't like it. Not one bit.
But before I could respond, before I could tear into him, Elowen's hand found mine.
Her fingers laced through mine. Squeezed.
Not now, her touch seemed to say.