Chapter Four: Enter the Half-Brother

Syphron:

Watching her flounder set me off, her confidence fading in one minute. They were ambushing her to throw her off, the rotten bastards. Taking over the answering, she could have collapsed into my arms. Turning back towards my brother he was chatting with Ivory, well it was about damn time for them to get together. What had she said to him, the tension still ripe between the two of them. Dragging her away from the obnoxious guests, the panicked look on her face told me that she didn't know how to dance. Pulling her onto my feet, she looked like she was gliding effortlessly on the dance floor.

"I am sorry that I never learned to dance." She apologized honestly, smiling nervously up at me. Why did she have to be so adorable right now? Kissing the top of her head, anxiety still burned in the eyes. His finger clanged on his golden glass, everyone turning towards him. A deep sigh poured from his lips, Alice hopping off of my feet. Smiling warmly up at him, she didn't know what was coming. Playing with the hem of her corset, she bit her lip. The look in her eyes told me that she wanted to get the hell out of there.

"How about we celebrate the newlyweds?" He shouted proudly, his chest puffing out. "We will do an official ceremony, and have a fantastic reception. Come back in a week wearing your Sunday best and bring the best gifts you can. Off you go. Party's over! I have a lot to do." Everyone piled out including the full orchestra, leaving just my family and her. The servants and butlers got right to work cleaning, my old man pulling us aside. A rosy glow burned on his cheeks, this being the first time in a long time.

"I don't think you should throw us a wedding." She protested desperately, my old man ignoring. "What if he comes?" Evil laughter erupted from his lips, the twisted look in his eyes scaring me. Getting down to her level, his big hands grabbing her shoulders. Stepping forward to protect her,

"I plan on inviting him so he has to recognize my son." He informed us sharply, a snarl curling on his lips. "He has sullied our names for far too long. I am sorry, but it is also a tradition that needs to be followed. It is required by law." Watching her face fall, she just didn't want any of us to get hurt. Slapping his hands away, she stepped back slowly.

"Your laws are stupid." She pointed out simply, sprinting up the stairs. "I am out of here." Silence poisoned the air, crashing noises erupted upstairs. A total stranger rolled to the bottom of the stairs, Alice staggering down them. Wincing with each step, blood poured from a broken nose. The stranger leapt to his feet, charging at her. The masked figure raised his fists in her direction, the heel of her boot landing in his jaw. Damn, she was a fine woman in my eyes. Smiling to myself, her strength turning me on.

"Will you stand down!" A deep voice thundered, my jaw dropping. "I am just spying on you for my father, the devil." Taking off his black crow mask, my former best friend Samuel stood in front of me. His black t-shirt hugged his broad chest, his black jeans covered in dust. Shoving a stray piece of black hair from his gray eyes, wild hair cupped his face. Leaning against the wall, the two of them reminded of brother and sister. Rolling their eyes at the same time, my old man and I exchanged odd looks. The same defiant grin danced across their lips, the two of us realizing that they were half siblings.

"Why would you work for him?" She demanded intensely, snapping her nose back into place. "The crown belongs to him. He stole it from him somehow. I have a few words for him." Samuel cowered back, black smoke curling down the stairs. The most menacing person stepped out from the smoke, white suit speckled with drops of blood. Gray eyes shot daggers into hers, his gray hair hanging wildly around his shoulders. We all bowed down to him, well that is she didn't.

"I am Beezlebub, the king of Hell! How dare you disrespect me?" He barked with disbelief, raising his hand to smack his son. "You will die before you fulfill your duty to your hus-" Leaping in front of Samuel, his hand smashed into her left cheek. Samuel stood there stunned, Alice standing tall.

"I don't care if you are the pope. You ordered for me to die! You took my parents away from me!" She thundered with a hearty tone, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't blame you for their path in life, but you probably pushed it along. How was I supposed to die? Please tell me." His fingers wrapped around her neck, her windpipe beginning to crunch. My old man held me back, Samuel slamming his heel into his father's arm, the crack of his foot shattered the still air. Dropping Alice to the ground, he smashed Sam into the glass cases of artifacts.

"I was going to have your mother murder you in your sleep, then your father. Finally, the ending to my masterpiece. She would shoot herself!" He gloated gleefully, snapping his fingers. "I can kill you right here and now. How do you feel right now?" Clutching her sides, an invisible force held us back. Coughing up blood, her inner thoughts telling me that her organs were bursting one by one. Struggling to stand, a gurgling noise escaped her throat. In one single flash of silver, he slit her throat. Clutching her throat, black blood cascaded through her fingers. Refusing to back down, a single black ball of energy spun in her palm. Slamming it into his right eye, howls of pain exploded from his lips. Kicking the knife from his hands, choosing to catch it with grace. Slamming it into the other eye, Beezlebub clawed at his eyes. Blood poured from his eyes, her own blood pooling at her feet. Swaying slightly, tears flooded from my eyes. Snapping his fingers, the bastard was gone. Samuel caught her in his arms, blood pouring from the corner of her lips.

"I am glad you are okay." She wheezed before passing out, Samuel shaking her to wake her up. Ivory rushed to her side, hovering her hands over her throat. Words flew from her lips faster than I could read, a golden light blinding all of us. The light died down, her wound sealed shut. Snatching her from Samuel, her blood soaked me as I clutched her close to my chest. Fat teardrops crashed to the ground, a wail bursting from my lips. She had no pulse, Renkin touching my shoulder. Taking a deep breath, she snapped awake. Tears flooded from her eyes, her body trembling. Shaking her head, the terrified look frightened me.

"It was so scary. There was nothing but inky blackness, but then I heard his voice." She sobbed violently, gripping my jacket. "Then he brought out my parents, and they both kept saying how they should have never had me. He's right, I should have never b-" Samuel waved his hand over her face, sweet slumber taking her away. Shaking his head, determination simmered in his eyes.

"I want you to be the king, not my father." He admitted honestly, checking her pulse. "He is a tyrant, and I hate him. If you haven't guessed yet, I am her half brother. He is her father. He must have impregnated a human at least once for her to be born. Let me guess she was born dead. I was too, and he kidnapped me to be the next king. I don't want it. I just want to be free. Thanks for listening to me, and I am vowing my services to you." Kneeling on his knees, a strange symbol consisting of a music note being held in the beak of a raven appeared on his neck. My family excused themselves, my carriage was waiting for me. Standing up to leave, his footfalls echoed behind me.

"Will you leave me alone!" I roared irritably, hurt dimming his eyes. "Why would you want to follow me, and not your own family?" Crossing his hands, his feet crunched in the shattered glass. Turning to leave, I had no right being rude to him. He did seem to care about his sister after all, and she would have a friend.

"I just want to serve a better purpose." He blurted out desperately, running his hand through his hair. "Besides I came to spy on you guys, but I liked the vibe you all had going. If I am being honest, I don't have anywhere to go." Rolling my eyes, a sigh of defeat poured from my lips.

"Come along." I mumbled grumpily, his whole attitude perking up. "I want you to protect her when she needs it. Do you understand?" Nodding his head, he bowed in my direction before running after me. Hopping into my carriage, her head rested on my lap. Samuel sat across from me, his eyes watching out the window. Hoping that he was going to keep his mouth shut, my dreams were dashed in a few minutes.

"Can you tell me how you two met?" He inquired awkwardly, refusing to look at me. "I am just trying to break the silence." Rolling my eyes, almost regretting my decision. Curiosity twinkled in his eyes, his behavior reminding me of a small child. Clearing my throat, I really should try to get to know him better again. Groaning to myself, it was going to be hard to be nice to him after what we did.

"How can I not be mad at you after you sold your soul to that jackass and betrayed my family!" I barked venomously, all of my rage bubbling to the surface. "On top of that you spread the fucking rumor that got me banished. I am fine with you living with us, but it is impossible to not be pissed at you. Why did you even say that I was going to start a fucking revolution? How in the hell was I going to even manage doing that!" Guilt ate at him, the look in his eyes telling me that he did everything I accused him of.

"I was told to do those things. I didn't know about his beef with you." He retorted sarcastically, a growl rumbling in his throat. "And since that fucking day, I have been chained in the dungeon. He kept saying something about betraying your friend after making me do all of those things. I lied when I told you guys that I was spying on you. I don't why, but it sounded more reliable than when I just broke out of a dungeon. Never mind the abuse that asshole put me through." The tension between us was palatable, thick enough to cut with a knife. Sighing deeply to myself, it was time for things to be forgiven. My face softened at his confession, the two of them more similar than they knew.

"How about we start over again?" I suggested kindly, extending my hand. "Let's just start by being acquaintances. How does that sound?" A wide grin broke his steely face, him crashing into me. Embracing me tightly, tears flooded from his eyes. Alice would be better in this situation, my skills feeling a little inept.

"That sounds wonderful." He sobbed quietly into my shoulder, Alice stirring awake. Her brow cocked, a wicked grin dawning on her beautiful lips. A joke sat on the tip of her tongue, both of us waiting with bated breath.

"So I fall asleep and my husband cheats on me with my half brother. Just let me get out of the way." She joked lightly, Samuel collapsing into her arms. Her eyes fell on his arm, and the fresh wounds. Holding him tighter, she rubbed his back. If she wasn't a demon then she would be a saint. Laughing to myself, she touched the dried blood all over her chest. Disgust twisted her face, the urge to kiss her grew stronger.

"I see you are awake, my dear." I laughed, her giggles twinkling in my ears. "It is nice to see you back from the dead, again." Smiling warmly at me, her free hand reaching for mine. Loud snoring thundered from her shoulders, Samuel passed out from everything. Setting him on the opposite side, she plopped down on my lap. Wrapping my arms around her waist, she melted into my arms.

"I learned so much from his attack." She bragged feverishly, watching her brother. "Before you ask I knew he was my brother from the identical birthmark behind my ear. Did I say that I love you? Anyways, his weakness is his rage. Piss him off enough and he loses control of himself and magic. So we will just need a bunch of shiny distractions the next time we see him." The wagon halted to a stop, her arms scooping up her brother. Carrying him to the kitchen, his eyes opened groggily.

"I am going to treat your wounds, Sammy." She chirped cheerfully, flashing him her real smile. "Then we are going to put you to bed to fully heal. On top of that I will make you some dinner for later. So hold on for me, 'kay." Snapping her fingers, my three shadow children brought her our demon first aid kit. Ruffling the tops of their heads, they all snuggled into her palm. Humming a song, she got to work on Sammy. Managing to figure everything out, she had him patched up in no time. Placing him in her old bedroom, she tucked him in. Turning to leave, his hand grabbed her wrist.

"Can you stay by my side until I fall asleep?" He pleaded softly, a tender blush rising to his cheeks. "I don't want to be alone." Smiling warmly at him, she pulled up a chair. Humming the lullaby her mother used to sing to her when she was sober, tears streamed down her cheeks. Broken, she looked broken. I was going to fix this, and she was going to know what true happiness is. I love Alice and I was never going to lose her again.