Her Witch, Her Demon [WxW]

The week passed quickly, and soon the day of the Durug meeting arrived.

Following Jakubs’s direction, Rexadan drove for what seemed like hours, going farther and farther to the outskirts of Green Front. They could have simply teleported to the location, but Rexadan insisted they had to blend in so they didn’t raise any suspicions. Teleportation was a high-level skill only greater and royal demons possessed.

Weaving through the thick darkness, a mansion soon appeared in the distance. They drove into the mansion, full of cars and demons, and Rexadan parked his black Bugatti next to a silver Cadillac convertible.

“Tag,” said one of the security men in black suits when Rexadan and Nyx reached the front door.

Rexadan took a rectangular card from the pocket of his blazer. Jakubs had given it to Rexadan after spilling everything he knew about the Durug. He’d probably hoped that Rexadan would spare his life after that. He’d hoped wrong.

Nyx hadn’t expected that the Durug would be very high on security. Then again, they were an outlawed organization. Even if most demons held their extremist views, they still couldn’t do that in the open without any repercussions from the Witch Council and Demon Circle.

The Witch Council and Demon Circle have been bitter enemies for thousands of years. But if there was something they both agreed on, it was that the Durug was bad news.

Perhaps, certain that the tag was genuine, the bouncer gave back Rexadan’s tag with a nod, then looked at Nyx expectantly. She waited with bated breath, wondering if the bouncer would see through her disguise. If someone like Jakubs in the lower ranks of the Durug had recognized her, then everyone else must already know what she looked like.

To avoid being recognized, Nyx had braided her long curly hair into cornrows, and worn a mask of a skeleton on the lower half of her face. She would have shape-shifted into someone else, but she didn’t think such extreme measures were necessary.

“Your tag,” said the bouncer, now glaring at Nyx with dark red eyes.

“She’s with me,” said Rexadan.

The bouncer raised a brow.

Rexadan smirked. “She’s new.” Then in a serious, yet sarcastic tone, he added, “She abhors witches. Truly can’t stand them.”

Nyx almost rolled her eyes.

The bouncer, completely clueless seemed impressed. His smile widened. “You’re here to join us?”

“Yes,” said Nyx.

“You’re in luck then. Today’s a very special day. You’ll love it.”

Not waiting to ask what the bouncer meant, Nyx followed Rexadan into the mansion. It was even grander on the inside. A large ballroom awaited them, full of fancily clad demons. Most of them were in their demonic form. Most lesser demons couldn’t take on human forms and had to depend on their concealment skill to hide their true form. But here, everyone could be themselves, it seemed.

“Damn,” Rexadan whispered. “This place is huge.”

Nyx had a lot of questions. However, she knew better than to discuss things with Rexadan in a room full of demons. Not even vampires or werewolves had hearing as sharp as demons.

Nyx looked at her wristwatch. It was ten minutes until midnight. Jakubs said the meeting would start exactly at midnight.

Waiting for the meeting to begin, demons all around them socialized with one another. And then when the large wall clock chimed struck 12, the whispers in the room silenced immediately. A tall pale demon with a horn protruding from its forehead descended the long winding stairs.

Krazord. Nyx narrowed her eyes. What the hell were they doing here? She shared a knowing look with Rexadan.

Apart from being a general in the demon army, Krazord was very loyal to their master. They did nothing without their master’s approval.

Herragal. Shit. Nyx balled her fist.

Were royal demons really pulling the strings?

“Welcome, fellow demons of the Durug,” Krazord’s deep voice filled the room. “Today is a special day. Today, we celebrate one of our many victories. Any day a witch dies is a victory.”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Ever since Nyx created the Union, she’d become used to demons and witches being friends. It’s been a while since she found herself among demons who cheered for the death of witches.

“We’ve been investigating the Union for months now,” said Krazord. “And now we have a breakthrough.”

What the fuck? Nyx raised a brow. Rexadan’s expression was more like ‘I told you so.’ Then he grinned. Nyx sighed. It seemed she’d become too soft after living in the human world for so long. Now people were undermining her authority.

“We thought the owner of the Union was human. But it turns out that Onyx Castle is a demon.”

There were boos everywhere. Rexadan laughed out loud and began booing right along with them. Nyx glared at him, but he only booed louder in her face.

She shook her head and smiled.

“That’s right. Onyx Castle is a traitor to her kind,” said Krazord. “I thought of bombing the Union from existence.”

What the fuck? She glared at the demon general.

“But after finding out that a demon owns it, I think I have a much better plan. One that will teach this foolish demon a real lesson. Her plan is to unite demons and witches, right? Well… I’m going to destroy that dream of hers.” Krazord laughed manically. “Bring them in.”

A group of people wheeled something large and rectangular onto the center stage. It was covered by a dark material so it was impossible to see what it was.

“Anyone who patronizes the Union is an enemy of the Durug. It doesn’t matter if they’re demons, vampires, or werewolves. We will deal with them all.”

Upon Krazord’s command, one of the people took off the covering to reveal a large glass cage. There were eight people inside. The prisoners banged their hands against the glass wall, yelling with all their might, yet no sound leaked out. It must have been sealed by demoncraft, thought Nyx.

What was Krazord up to? Who were these prisoners? Wait… Nyx froze. She recognized three of the demons. Hustiks, Nolara, and Jweiga. They all worked for her at the Union. Did the Durug kidnap her employees?

Nyx clenched her jaws so hard they felt numb. This bastard. Do they want to die?

Krazord, completely oblivious to the tempest brewing within Nyx, continued with their passionate speech. “Take a good look at them. They’re all demons, and they all fraternized with witches at the Union.”

Loud boos thundered in the room.

“Kill them.” Someone shouted among the crowd. And soon, it became a frenzied chant. “Kill them, kill them, kill them.”

Krazord raised a hand and the chanting silenced immediately. “Rest assured, demons, this is just the beginning. I have something even better for tonight.”

They beckoned to someone from behind, and a woman was dragged onto the stage. She was chained on her hands and feet, a brown sack over her head.

“We have a witch,” Krazord pointed at the captive woman. “A witch from the Union.”

The room was so silent, Nyx heard the collective beating of everyone’s heart. So much hate in one room. It sickened her.

Krazord pulled off the sack from the witch’s head.

Nyx’s eyes widened. What the actual fuck? Seeing the fear in Alicia Skargard’s eyes made Nyx even angrier than she already was. How did Meredith’s best friend end up here? She seemed to be screaming, but the duct tape on her mouth muffled every sound.

“How about you tear her apart,” Krazord said to the caged demons, “and then you will be redeemed?” They said to the demon who brought Alicia in. “Put her in the cage.”

Alicia tried to fight back, but something about those chains kept her docile. She fell to the ground. The demon, not caring at all, dragged Alicia like a dog.

Nyx had seen enough.

With a mere thought, she teleported to the center stage. In one swift motion, hacked the head of the demon dragging Alicia, then snapped the witch’s chains before taking off her duct tape.

Alicia seemed uncertain at first, shocked even. But once Nyx took off her mask, the blonde witch sighed in relief.

“Onyx,” she muttered, holding on for dear life. “What’s going on?”

“Onyx Castle.” Krazord glared at her. Alicia quickly hid behind Nyx.

“I heard you’ve been looking for me, Krazord. Here I am.” Nyx stood in all her glory, completely unbothered. Even if she didn’t reveal her true demon form, Krazord was no match for her. She didn’t have to release her oppressive demon energy to intimidate lowlives like Krazord.

Krazord’s stood their ground, the hesitation in their eyes was all too obvious.

Nyx suddenly raised her hand and Krazord was sent flying across the vast room, before crashing into a wall violently.

And that was all it took for everyone else to understand that they were under attack. At once, all the demons lunge towards the stage, screaming bloody murder. But then without warning, horrifying screams filled the air as most of the demons dropped to the ground and began convulsing.

Rexadan laughed like a maniac as he watched on in glee. Then he unleashed his demon form, his taller figure covered in heavy silver armor. He brandished a silver sword, blazing with golden flames.

Certain that Rexadan would deal with the Durug, Nyx turned her attention to the caged demons. Strengthening her fist with demon craft, she punched through the glass and shattered it.

“You three alright?” Nyx asked her subordinates.

They told her they were fine. When Nolara tried to narrate how they got captured, Nyx told her they could do that later. For now, they had a cult to exterminate.

Two royal demons, three greater demons, five lesser demons, and one witch against hundreds of lesser demons and a few greater demons.

The Durug didn’t stand a chance.

In about an hour, the entire mansion was one huge abattoir. Dismembered limbs of demons lay everywhere. Blood, of various colors, decorated the previously white floors.

“Krazord got away,” said Rexadan. He was back in his human form, and he was soaked in blood.

“Do you really think I would just let him get away?”

Rexadan grinned. “You marked him with a tracking spell.” Then he chuckled. “You’re so diabolical.” His expression suddenly turned serious. “If Krazord is doing this, does it mean Herragal is involved?”

“We’ll soon find out, won’t we?”

If Herragal was involved, how many more royal demons were backing the Durug?

“Well, hello there, beautiful. I’m Rex, what’s your name?” Rexadan smirked at the young witch.

Alicia introduced herself and then thanked them for saving her.

“Alicia, can you do me a favor?” asked Nyx.

“Of course.”

“Can you not tell Meredith about this?”

“Meredith?” Rexadan raised a brow. “Wait they know each other?”

“She’s my best friend.”

“Ah, now that makes a lot of sense,” said Rexadan. “I was wondering why you suddenly went off plan and started a massacre. Now I see why.” He grinned at Nyx.

“You won’t tell her, right?” Nyx asked, ignoring her stupid brother.

Alicia nodded. “You have my word.”

“Rexadan, take her home.”

“With pleasure.” He gave Alicia a hand, and she took it after giving a small smile. “What about you?” he asked Nyx.

“I have something to do. Just keep the witch safe.”

Rexadan nodded before leaving with Alicia and the other demons.

Once they were all gone, she took her phone and called Meredith.

Nyx released a huge breath of relief as soon as she heard Meredith’s voice. “Are you alright? Did I wake you?”

“Oh no. I’m still up. Practicing a spell.”

For the first time since coming to this place, the tension evaporated from Nyx’s shoulders. Upon seeing Alicia in those chains, Nyx couldn’t help but imagine Meredith in that same position. What if that had been Meredith? What if the Durug hurt Meredith next?

“Nyx, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” the softness of Meredith’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Yes… I was just...” She sighed. “I want to see you tomorrow. Will that be possible?”

There was a momentary pause. “I’ll come over tonight.”

Nyx smiled. “Okay.”

“Nyx.”

“Yes.”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“Not on the phone. I’ll tell you when we meet, alright?”

The nervousness in Meredith’s voice sent a sinking feeling in Nyx’s chest. What could her fated one possibly want to tell her?