Halfling (editing in process)

Chapter Thirty-Two

It was three days after their arrival at Maven's home that their peace was broken. They had been hard at work building a nursery for the baby, despite Maven's protests that it was far too early to be worrying about such things. Javen, being the stubborn creature he was, insisted. He didn't let Maven out of his sight for more than a few minutes, and was constantly questioning if she was alright and checking if she needed anything. Both Payne and Aria could tell Maven was getting quite annoyed with Javen's constant hovering, the woman used to living alone and caring for herself. Payne and Aria had been enjoying walks in the woods with Marcus, practicing magic deep in the woods and helping Maven with her herb garden in the back. It was peaceful compared to the hell they had been through in the labyrinth, and in the months before that. Maven had told the two that they could stay as long as they wanted, that she didn't mind the company, and they were more than happy to stay, seeing they had nowhere else to go. The house was abuzz with excitement about the baby, even if it was early.

"Javen, I swear to the Goddess if you do not quit nagging me I will take this fire poker, what is left of it, and I will beat you over the head like the hellhound." Maven threatened, waving him away from her soup pot/cauldron.

"Maven, you do not need to be lifting that thing it's bad for- Hey!" Javen exclaimed, jumping back as Maven swung the poker at him.

Payne snickered in the corner, looking over as Aria came in with an arm full of vegetables from the garden. 

"I'd listen to her lover boy. Maven is a strong independent woman that will kick your ass." Payne commented with a grin. "Let her do what she wants. You'll have your time when she is so swollen she can't move. Then you'll be whining how you have to take care of her every second of the day."

There was a loud bang, followed by a yip, a growl, and finally a whine of defeat, as Maven smacked Marcus with the same poker she had threatened Javen with.

"I would think you would learn hound, stop trying to eat my coals and I will not smack you, and if you try to bite the poker again, I will lock you outside. Go chew on your bear skull." Maven demanded, sending Marcus to the corner.

The large dog huffed at her before shrinking into his tiny form, running over to Aria and jumping up on her leg, looking up at her pleadingly.

"Oh no, don't look at me Marcus. Maven scares me too. Go over and chew on your bear skull like she said, and we'll go on a walk later and let you chase some deer, alright?" Aria questioned, smiling fondly as the pup huffed at her as well. He resigned himself to the corner, chewing on the jawbone of a bear he had dragged in the previous day.

Aria moved over and carefully dumped the vegetables on the table. She had just began to prepare them when Maven dropped to the floor, clutching her head and gasping.

"Maven!" Javen exclaimed, at her side in a moment, trying to pull her to her feet, questions flying from his mouth so fast Aria couldn't tell if it was elvish or common.

Payne moved over to them wearily, reaching out and gripping Aria's arm.

"Something's wrong." Payne whispered. "We need to get out of here."

Maven looked up at them, fear and pain mixing in her eyes. She gripped Javen's hand tightly, gasping shallowly.

"They are coming." She whispered.

A moment later, an explosion sounded from outside, a magical rush so intense it knocked all of them to the ground. They didn't have time to recover, the back door and front bursting open as several incubi stormed the room. They weren't able to retain a full human form; their horns out, tails whipping, their faces too angular to be human. They were on the group in seconds, restraining them and dragging them outside. When trying to rescue them, Marcus was impaled several times with sharp spears, his body pinned to the floor. He howled as they were taken outside, fighting to get free, too weak to move. The house was set ablaze behind them as they were forced to their knees in front of a swirling violet portal, Lucien stepping free from it a few moments later.