It met her

Her only fear

Not too long after Asia's announcement his mother died, followed by his father a few weeks later. His father died from old age whilst his mother died from over breeding. The constant egg laying finally took its toll on her but he had to admire her dedication to trying to keep the population maintained. His sister, though a grown woman, was still childish in nature so he just let her believe her mother died from illness. After their deaths, Asia moved to live with her human lover in the village and Asmodi moved into his parent's room and began feeding on their corpses. It wasn't a traditional act but one done by most.

Asia would visit now and then and he'd break out of his introverted nature to entertain her. For some reason she never brought her mate and children there and he didn't care enough to ask why. He'd long since swallowed his feelings for her as a mate but still held onto the love he had for her as a sister. He loved watching her grow up, once her children came along she really changed. Her level of maturity rose almost overnight. She no longer teased nor taunt him, she didn't make goofy comments about the shapes of clouds and she didn't call him Azzy-wazzy anymore - which he was very much grateful for. She shared her plans for the future, stories about her children. She seemed so happy with her life and he was happy for her.

But now she's dead, he tore himself away from his thoughts and was brought back to his cold empty room. He began to wonder vaguely what Elizabeth was doing at that moment but was unwilling to put forth the energy it would take to use his magic to track her. The contract he'd force between them went better than he thought, she was absorbing his essence quickly and her body didn't reject it in the least. This is probably attributed to the four days she spent in that dead alive state, that state of relaxation must've allowed her body to accept and mix with it smoothly. He could hear the familiar flapping of wings out in the distance. 'She's returned.' he thought, finally closing his eyes. Was I waiting for her?

The moment Cerulean was close enough to the ground she hopped off his neck with her hem still in her hand. The act of trying to storm off plus protecting the foraged content in her skirt made her march seem more like an enthusiastic waddle. Cerulean was supposed to be her friend... maybe that was stretching it but he was the one who saved them so having him forcefully try to pry those memories from her felt so much more hurtful. The way he asked wasn't like an inquisitive person trying to learn about another. It felt more like the town chief interrogating someone accused of being a witch. Something about that look in his eyes and the way he had spoke did not sit well with her. She wasn't sure if she hated him for it but at least, at that moment, he was the last person she wanted in her line of sight. She crossed the room but just before she could begin to enter the basement she was hit by the frighteningly familiar aura coming from down there. 'Oh no.' She inhaled to confirm it was indeed what she thought it was. The pitter patter of feet came up behind her. She sighed, turned on her heels then bent to face them.

"Sylvia, Sonnet, I know you want to see Ma but it's best to wait up here until I'm sure you won't catch anything." She said in a voice that sounded alarmingly like her mother.

She expected the twins to revolt but they were uncharacteristically obedient. To Monika they were loyal minions but they failed to show that kind of respect to anyone else. Back at home they were known as the 'short legged bandits'; the toughest kids among the town and the top dogs of their grade. Despite how odd it was she didn't dwell on it, best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. She instructed them to stay with Cerulean while she checked on ma. They don't know anything, they were too young to. No matter how many questions he'd ask they'd have no answers, plus they had more attitude than she did so they'd tell him off if he kept insisting.

She turned and faced the basement entry way then began descending the stairs. She was not at all surprised by what she saw upon entering the room. Monika lay on the ground; her limbs were stretched to thrice their original length and bent unnaturally. Her once plump arms and legs now looked reminiscent of gnarled branches. Her torso looked the same say for the patches of grey that grew on her upper body and the scratches that littered every inch of her. She looked like the corpse of a creature nature should've never let existed. Monika turned her head to look at Elizabeth; her skin looked like it was pulled tighter over her face. Still, she tried her best to smile.