The Demon's Half

Chapter 36

The goddess.
The one that Alexander said had separated the souls. The one that had cursed humankind.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
Her head cocked to the side. "Are all mortals this crude?"

The room erupted with laughter. Not normal laughter. The sound was too high pitched, too rehearsed.

"I said bow," her voice remained sweet. My whole body felt heavy as it fell to the floor. My spine arched in pain. Sweat bloomed across my back, until my forehead pressed to the ground.

"Good," she purred.

I almost fell backwards as the invisible force eased, letting me move again.

"Why—why is my father here? What did you do to Alilla?"  I stood on shaky legs, staring her down. "Where is Alex— Oz? What do you want with us?"

Ornella snorted. "So many words from such a fragile little mortal. Where are your manners?"

My fists clenched and took a step forward.

"Why is my father here?" I snapped, louder this time. Heat prickled down my arms. I could feel my fire waking up.

Good.
I had to save him.
I had to, or Mia would never rest.
I had to—
Alilla's foot twitched. Barely. Like a dreamer stuck in a nightmare.

Ornella sighed, placing a delicate hand on her chest as if heartbroken. "Poor Alilla. She burned out," she faked pity with her tone. "But don't worry. She'll wake up soon."

"What did you do to her?"

Her eyes widened, all mock innocence. "Me? Nothing! She just used every last drop of her magic to bring back her dear Daniel."

"What?"

No.
If Alilla had used her grandmother's spell, she wouldn't be breathing now.

Ornella giggled. "He came back. He's a demon now. But it's still Daniel, technically." She flashed her perfect white teeth in a smile. "He'll serve her forever now. Isn't that beautiful? The best kind of love, if you ask me."

"She would never do that."

"Not willingly," she pouted. "But she was just so desperate to bring him back. We may have forgotten to mention how he'd come back. Oops."

Alilla stirred with a soft groan. I dropped beside her, helping her sit up. She blinked, her green eyes unfocused. Her scars were gone.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She slowly nodded, rubbing her temple. Her lips were cracked. "Is... Daniel—"

I barely opened my mouth before Ornella cut me off. "Oh, he's marvelous, sweetheart. Now you can finally belong to my court, just like you promised."

"You what?" I asked.

Her face drained of color. And that's when Daniel screamed. The sound ripped through the castle walls. He scrambled away like a wounded animal, his back slamming against the wall. And he stayed there, panting like something was devouring him from the inside.

Ornella waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, that. He's just been in the in-between. He'll be fine in a few minutes, or hours."

"The In-Between?" Alilla's lips trembled. "But you said—"

Daniel screamed again. His spine arched, horns thrust from his brow, and coarse fur erupted across darkening skin. His face contorted, features melting into a muzzle, until nothing of the man remained—only a beast, swelling to three times his size. It was Alexander's transformation repeated, though no wings unfurled from his back.
Nearby, the witch beside Ornella applauded softly, as if watching a stage play unfold.