Do All Demons Know Each Other

Freya winced at the crunch of bone. That was Helena's jaw as Rina punched her jaw.

"Ouch," Victor said with a wince.

"What the hell?" A voice said from behind them. Freya glanced at the brown-haired girl with warm honey eyes and knew immediately that she was Victor's sister.

"Charlotte," Victor said sounding slightly alarmed, the tips of his ears turning pink. "This is Freya," he said gesturing to Freya, who smiled warmly, chuckling slightly as Charlotte bowed to her, much to Victor's embarrassment.

"Charlotte." He whined. "Don't be so ridiculous."

"YOUR BOYFRIEND?!" Rina shouted from behind them. "How dare you put the lives of mortals in jeopardy just because you want to catch up!" Rina roared.

"I'm not entirely sure why you're surprised," Helena said dryly, as she realigned her jaw with a sickening crunch. "Come on. You're making the tea go cold."

Rina scowled watching as Helena ventured deeper into the Library. She rolled her eyes, before following her in.

Freya sighed. "Rina's the only way out of this hellspace."

"Give them a minute," Victor said crossing his arms as he glanced at Ava before looking back at Freya. "Did you guys learn anything in New Orleans?"

Ava and Freya exchanged a glance.

Victor glanced at them both warily. "What is it?"

"We learned quite a bit actually." Ava mused."The spell must be done in the same place it was enacted."

Victor's eyes widened. "In the Mage Tower? But the Witch..."

"My ancestor didn't survive long after the curse was enacted," Ava said.

"He killed her?" Victor asked.

"It's not that surprising actually. My uncle wasn't known for his loyalty after all." Freya pointed out.

"Which is why she put the failsafe in place," Ava said.

"Failsafe?" Freya asked.

"Victor and I," Ava said gesturing towards Victor. "We could only be born until all the other ingredients of the curse could be found."

"Come on. I could use some tea." Ava said following the path Rina had walked moments before.

Victor turned to Freya who was looking at him thoughtfully. "Are you going to be okay? Going back home I mean." Victor asked.

Freya smiled. "The castle was never really my home. I spent so much time away from the castle. Hiding with my army in the forest. Protecting my people. Maybe I deserved to have my crown taken away from me." Freya said following after Ava. Victor stared after her in surprise.

"She may never have a crown on her head but she was always a Queen," Xander said.

Victor glanced at him, his eyes narrowed. "Did you, or any of your people ever tell her that?" Victor asked. "Freya spent her time as a werewolf alone and fearful of humans. Of being more beast than Queen."

Xander watched as Victor left them behind as he followed behind Freya. "He seems to be very well informed," Charlotte noted.

"The closeness of a Knight and his Queen."

"This is Tea Time?" Victor asked looking around at the elaborate display of small iced cakes, bright pastries, and a shining silver tea set.

"This is nothing," Rina said, turning to Helena. "Actually I'm surprised you didn't go more elaborate." She said calmly taking small sips from her oval cup stamped with an upside crown covered in flames.

"And risk that face you make?" Helena said archly, making an amused sound when Rina rolled her eyes in response.

"Why did you bring them here?" Xander asked, his eyes flicking between Victor and Charlotte.

"How protective." Helena purred.

"Hella." Rina said warningly.

Helena scowled. "I told you to never call me that." She muttered.

"Only Darius is allowed?" Rina asked with a smirk. "Where is your better half anyways?"

Helena scowled. "You always did like my brother better."

"He asks permission prior to kidnapping me." Rina pointed out.

"Wait kidnapping is normal for your family?" Xander asked.

"It's practically how they communicate," Rina said dryly.

Helena eyed Charlotte and Victor. "Your next steps in this journey to reclaim a Never-Queen's humanity is fraught with danger," Helena warned.

"Charlotte's eyes widened suddenly. "Did you kidnap us for our protection?" She asked.

"Why?" Victor frowned. "You don't even know us."

Rina smiled. "But she knows what it's like to be separated through time and realms from her brother." Everyone turned to look at Helena in surprise. Helena scowled and avoided their gaze.

"How long has it been?" Rina asked.

"Nearly a decade." She sighed.

"Of course, you'd never tell your brother you missed him," Rina said with an eyebrow raised.

"We're quite a pair, aren't we? I never see my brother, and you can't seem to rid yourself of yours." Helena pointed out.

"They'll be safe," Rina vowed looking at Charlotte and Victor. "I promise."

"Now tell me the other thing," Rina said.

Helena blinked innocently up at her. "What other thing?"

"The real reason you arranged for me to come here. What is wrong?"

Helena glanced at Freya. "I have the gift of foresight. There are forces in the world who would rather you never gain your humanity. Even as a human you are a threat." Helena said.

"Because you've always been a warrior," Xander said.

"Someone willing to stand up for those who lack the capacity to stand themselves. Breaking the curse isn't the end of your journey. It will be the first note in an aria that has been waiting to be sung." Helena said. She looked back at Rina. "It wasn't the only darkness I saw. Terry's tale is not yet done."

Rina scowled. "Of course not. What's in store for my brother now?"

"Once a long time ago you ran from a Kingdom that had never treated women fairly. A man's world, I believe the Mortals would call it. I have seen darkness coming for New Orleans. Coming for her, for Terry, for you. And for Dorian. Truths you've long hidden are coming to haunt you and before this battle is done, Vemos will be irrevocably changed and a Queen will finally sit on its dark throne."

"Over my dead body," Rina swore.

"That is what I fear."

"Well, it's good to feel the wind on my face," Victor said with a sigh.

"Helena has always been fond of dark places," Rina said.

"Unfortunately we won't be going home. Not yet." Freya said.

"Everyone take a breath. This might be bumpy." Rina said as she lined her palm and fist together her eyes closing as the winds started to circle them all in a tunnel, whisking them even further into the past.