h4Chapter 334: The Demon’s End/h4

    strongSebastian~/strong

    Tomorrow was no longer a promise—it was here, and with it came Kalmia’s reckoning. My Aston Martin purred awake, low and smooth, like a predator stretching after sleep. Its voice wasn’t just sound—it was a vibration threading through me, steady and alive, almost convincing me I had a heartbeat of my own. The road ahead curled through andscape draped in mist and shadowed hills, the sort of scene mortals might linger over in poems or paintings. But for me, the world outside was a blur. My attention was captured by the woman at my side.

    Cassandra’s hand rested lightly on my thigh, her touch deceptively casual, though it anchored me more than she would ever admit. Sunlight, softened by Fox’s spell, spilled through the open windows, painting her in hues that made her look untouchable, like something carved out of myth. For once, I could drive with the wind against my face—no cloaking ss, no suffocating hats oryers, just the raw, unfiltered day. Freedom should have tasted sweeter.

    But her pallor gnawed at me.

    For a week, she had worn that same mask of defiance, brushing off my questions with the rogue’s stare she knew I couldn’t ignore. Only this time, I wasn’t fooled. And I sure as hell wasn’t letting it go.

    "Cass, love," I said, ncing at her as I navigated a sharp curve, "you look like you’ve been wrestling ghosts all night. And not the fun, poltergeist-party kind. Tell me again why we’re not turning this car around and getting you to a healer?"

    She turned those piercing amber eyes on me, a weak smile tugging at her lips. "Sebastian, for the hundredth time, it’s nothing. Just a bit of fatigue from... everything. Kalmia’s shadow has hung over us too long. Once she’s dust, I’ll be fine. Promise."

    I gripped the wheel tighter, my jaws clenching. "Fatigue? You’ve been ruthless your whole life, you didn’t even back down for that demon bitch, and now ’fatigue’ is taking you down? If this is some werewolf-vampire mate bond glitch, I swear—"

    "Stop fussing," she interrupted, her voice softening with that edge of affection that always melted me. "You’re worse than a mother hen. Drive, vampire. We’ve got a demon to bury."

    I sighed, dramatic as ever, but let it drop. For now. The pce loomed ahead, its spires piercing the sky like fangs, a fortress of ancient stone and modern enchantments. As we pulled up to the grand gates, guards—loyal werewolves—waved us through with respectful nods. I parked with a flourish, killing the engine and stepping out to open her door. Chivalry wasn’t dead; it just had fangs.

    We were ushered inside by a pair of stoic attendants, their eyes flickering with wolfish glow. The halls echoed with our footsteps, tapestries of legendary battles whispering secrets from the walls. Finally, we entered the throne room, the cavernous space was bathed in ethereal light from stained-ss windows depicting moon goddesses and starry nights. There they were: Zane and Natalie on their thrones, crowns glinting like promises of power. Zane’s father, King Emeritus, , sat to the side, his silver hair and regal bearing a reminder of the throne Zane had inherited. And clustered around like a mismatched family of ethereal guardians were Jacob, the Wolf Spirit himself—with his mate Easter clinging to his arm, and his four elemental siblings: Tiger, Eagle, Bubble, and Fox.

    The room buzzed with energy, a mix of ancient magic and familial warmth that hit me like a shot of aged blood whiskey.

    "Sebastian! Cassandra!" Natalie called out, rising from her throne with that feisty grace I’de to adore. Her aura seemed to shimmer all around us, making her look every bit the Celestial Queen. She pulled Cassandra into a hug first. "You made it. Oh my, you look... are you okay?"

    Cassandraughed lightly, waving it off. "Just the drive. Sebastian insists on taking the scenic route to show off his car."

    I smirked, stepping forward to p Zane on the shoulder. "Brother, you look positively kingly. Does that crowne with a side of brooding, or is that extra?"

    Zane chuckled, his blue eyes warming. "Only for old friends like you. Didn’t get enough of your sarcasm yesterday, Seb. Pce life gets dull without it."

    King Anderson approached, his voice booming with paternal pride. "Sebastian, my boy, the eternal troublemaker. Good to see you both. Cassandra, you hold up well against this vampire’s antics?"

    Boy... Really? I’m older than this guy!

    Cassandra grinned, though I caught the faint tremble in her stance. "Barely, Your Majesty. But someone’s got to keep him in line."

    Jacob stepped up next, his tousled hair and warm eyes screaming eternal youth. Easter smiled shyly beside him. "Seb, Cass. Ready to end this demon saga?"

    I couldn’t resist. "Jacob—or should I say Mist? The legendary father of all werewolves, looking like he just rolled out of a frat party. Tell me, do you pick out what age you want to look like per asion? Is this some wolf spirit perk? And Easter, how do you put up with this ancient puppy?"

    Jacobughed, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed like distant thunder. "Watch it, vampire. I could summon a pack to chase you down. But yeah, perks of being me. Easter keeps me grounded—literally."

    Easter giggled. "He’s not so bad. Just don’t get him started on wolf lore."

    Fox sauntered over, his fire-red hair practically crackling, golden eyes twinkling. "Seb! My favorite bloodsucker. I see you’re still dressing like you’re auditioning for a spy movie. And Cass, looking fierce as ever. Need me to cook up something spicy to celebrate after?"

    I grinned. "Fox, you fiery flirt. If your cooking’s as hot as your ego, we’ll all be ash. But sure, whip up whatever— as long as it’s not demon-vored."

    Bubble chimed in, his white hair and translucent blue eyes giving him that otherworldly jovial vibe. He pped me on the back, a ssh of water magic tickling my skin. "Sebastian, you rogue! You disappeared on me thest time we talked. Are you still interested in redecorating you library? Maybe add some waterfalls? And Cass, darling, you seem a tad... drained. Water spirit’s orders: hydrate!"

    "Ha! Bubble, always the interior designer. If you turn this throne room into an aquarium, Zane might drown you himself."

    Eagle hovered nearby, his long ck hair flowing in that constant invisible breeze of his, silver eyes sharp as des. "I see all, Sebastian. Including how you tease to hide your nerves. Winds whisper of your worry for Cassandra."

    I rolled my eyes. "Eagle, ever the watchful poet. Spare me the wind poetry; we’re here to kill a demon, not philosophize."

    Tiger, the silent Earth spirit with his golden-brown hair and green eyes, merely gave me a faint smile cracking his stoic facade. He ced a protective hand on Natalie’s shoulder, ever the bodyguard.

    "Tiger speaks volumes with silence," I quipped. "Bute on, big guy— one word? ’Hello’? Or do trees do all your talking?"

    He grunted. "Hello."

    The room erupted inughter, easing the tension like a well-timed joke at a funeral.

    An hourter, the pleasantries faded as the atmosphere shifted—dramatic, heavy, like storm clouds rolling in. Guards dragged out the enchanted celestial cage Natalie had locked Kalmia in, a glowing prism of starlight and moonbeams that hummed with suppressive power. Inside, Kalmia snarled, her demonic form twisted and bound, teeth sharp like venomous thorns, eyes zing with infernal rage. She looked diminished, but that didn’t stop the chill racing down my spine.

    Natalie stood tall on the dais, her voice ringing out like a queen’s decree. "Kalmia, demon of shadows and deceit, you stand used of tormenting the realms, manipting lives, and threatening the bnce of all. For your crimes against werewolves, vampires, and the celestial order, I sentence you to death. Eternal oblivion."

    Kalmia threw back her head andughed, a sound like shattering ss. "Death? Foolish girl. You can’t kill me. I am mated to Shadow, the god of darkness himself. His power courses through me—eternal, unbreakable. He’ll shatter this cage and drag you all into the void!"

    The room tensed, but Natalie smirked, her eyes shing with Jasmine’s power. "Oh, Kalmia, you poor deluded thing. Shadow can’t save you. Have you forgotten how my mate, Zane—the Night Alpha—already aided the Moon goddess and the god of Light? Or has your time in that cage deemed your memory? They trapped Shadow in an eternal prison, sealed beyond reach. You’re alone, demon. Utterly alone."

    Kalmia’s face twisted in horror, her ws scraping the cage. "No... impossible! Shadow! My love!"

    Cassandra stepped forward, her voice steady butced with raw emotion. "Kalmia, you used me like a puppet, promised me power, a home with you while plotting to steal my body. You ordered me to kill Sebastian—my mate. You made me a ruthless monster, feared by all, but you were the real monster. Today, I’ll watch your end."

    I joined her, my hand in hers, voice dripping with sarcasm and fury. "And you, bitch, hunted my blood like it was a trophy. Backed by your demon games, you nearly tore us apart. But look at us now—mates, unbreakable. You? Dust."

    Jacob nodded, his ancient eyes hardening. "As the Wolf Spirit, I’ve seen demons like you corrupt the essence of my children. No more."

    Tiger rumbled, "Earth ims you."

    Eagle whispered, winds howling faintly, "Winds scatter your lies."

    Bubble grinned, though fierce. "Water drowns your fire."

    Foxughed mischievously. "And fire? Fire burns you to nothing."

    Natalie raised her hands. "Together, then."

    They linked—Jacob, Natalie, Tiger, Fox, Bubble, Eagle—their powers merging in a blinding vortex of earth, wind, water, fire, wolf essence, and celestial light. It surged toward the cage, engulfing Kalmia in a maelstrom. She screamed, a piercing wail that echoed through the hall, her form convulsing, cracking, then disintegrating into fine, gray dust that scattered like forgotten ashes.

    The room fell silent, the cage empty.

    King Anderson stepped forward, his voice filled with gratitude. "Celestial siblings, Wolf Spirit, all of you—you’ve safeguarded our realms once more. Peace endures because of your unity. Thank you."

    Relief washed over me, warm and real. But then—Cassandra’s hand went limp in mine. Her eyes fluttered, body crumpling like a puppet with cut strings. "Cass!" I caught her just in time, cradling her against me as panic surged. "Cassandra!"