Dark Nine [18+]

Chapter Seventy-Six

Diana's POV

I never thought I'd be so thrilled to be covered in chocolate syrup while holding two sticky and smiling Kor babies. Just holding them in my arms and seeing their steel-grey eyes gazing into my soul has the world dripping away into a place that doesn't matter. Nothing matters but my world. My little ones.

At least, it feels that way as I'm holding them close, feeling a burn in my chest with the blood lust that's ignited in me after hearing Maelstrom, little E and the twins were attacked. I was so extremely proud of Maelstrom for being so quick witted and smart to get away – I was also pissed at E.

I'm trying to walk out of the shop with the twins, who've expertly climbed onto my shoulders, almost toppling. Entrpy stands and wobbles but Alpha Centauri scoops him up just in time, cradling him in his arm as he holds my waist and leans down to my level, "Where are you storming off to, Empress?" Alpha Centauri drawls in my ear, "Home is here."

I blink and his power collapses the dimension around us, placing us back in my home – and not just anywhere.

I'm in a master bathroom, and the bath is already running. Venus instructed little E and Maelstrom to wash their hands and faces at the sink, while Mars stands with a bottle of chocolate sauce.

"Mars. You stole from Jitters?" I ask him, raising a brow, surprised.

Mars does a double take, surprised I asked the question.

"No, I believe she gave it as a gift," Mars motions to Maelstrom, who won't meet our eyes but agrees.

"Yes, mmhm," Maelstrom's skin starts to shimmer in and out of visibility, like he's about to disappear with Diasphora, who is also looking up at him as they dry their hands and faces with a towel. They share a knowing look, a sneaky nod, and they both go invisible.

I feel the air move as they zoom out to explore with each other. The chocolate sauce is in Mars' hand one second and snatched out the next – disappearing with the runaway children.

Mars stares at his open hand, "Those little liars," he snarls as he realises he was duped, turning and also Stealthing, "You can run, but you can't hide, little ones," Mars' calls out while invisible, and I hear both Diasphora and Maelstrom screaming and laughing from far away as a door slams open and shut in their sprint.

Venus is already putting some kind of baby soap mix into the bathtub.

"Give them to me," Venus looks at me once with a possessive glare and a curt, monotone. Of course he wants to be the Super Dad and make me look bad.

"As if," I whisper as I move closer and check the water.

"Do not be angry at the love we have for our children, Diana," Alpha Centauri schools me with a calm tone, as he dangles Entrpy by his chubby wrist into the bubbles.

"Love? You didn't even care that much that they were attacked, they could have died –" I say this as non-verbally aggressive as I can manage, trying not to worry the kids.

"You have such little faith," Alpha Centauri ignores me while he watches Entrpy poking at the bubbles.

"Storie?" Entrpy looks up at the Estori with wide, steel eyes.

"Yes, Entrpy?" his father murmurs back, stoically.

"Moga," Entrpy points at me, "Sad," Entrpy looks at me, his brows furrowing in a worry-brow.

"I'm not sad," I place a wriggling Ephereum next to Entrpy, while Venus leans down on the other side of the bath with the warm sponge and drips water over their heads, making them look up in surprise, "...why do they think I'm sad?" I frown as E smirks to himself.