Author’s notes: And finally, the end…
A loud wail filled the air, sharp cries echoing through the dark room. In the corner, Regent smirked at his sister’s pain. The demon woman gasped, clutching at the stained bed sheets as her child was drawn from her and washed in the warm water beside the cot.
Jayne had hung on longer than Regent could have imagined, her determination to live for the half-blood freak the angel had given her had been too strong for him to crush completely. But now… now that the child lived…
Regent could use the boy; turn him to his own purposes. He could teach the half-demon child, teach him to be cold, uncaring, heartless… teach him to be the perfect assassin, the perfect slave. His little nephew. It would be the perfect punishment, for his sister to know her child would be his forever more.
The mismatch-eyed demon approached the cot, smirking at his sister’s deadly crimson glare. The demoness’ eyes were clouded with pain and blood-loss, and the strain of bringing the child to life. The cold-eyed demon midwife beside her lifted the child, showing the tiny creature to his uncle.
Regent’s eyes narrowed. Still an infant, the child had yet to develop the bat-like wings that marked their kind, but his features were too much like his fathers. Pale skin, far paler than any full-demon could ever hope to have covered the child while brilliant blue eyes blinked from under wispy curls of what would grow to be thick black hair.
Still, without his angel parent to raise him, the child’s angelic heritage would never awaken within him. His demonic half would rule him, and Regent alone would rule that half. With a low chuckle, the demon lord lifted the child from the midwife’s arms and stood over his younger sister triumphantly.
“Give him to me…” Jayne gasped. “Rhodry… let me see him…” Regent’s smirk widened.
“This is your punishment, my beloved little sister,” he said coldly, his eyes glittering maliciously. “From this day on, your child, the child of your foolish… dead angel lover is mine, mine to raise, mine to guide and mine to do with what I wish.” Jayne whimpered, the pain too much for her to hold back. At Regent’s nod, the midwife left the room quietly, leaving the too siblings to each other.
“Please… brother… Let me see my son.” Jayne’s voice was weak.
“You brought this upon yourself. Forget your child, Rhodry,” Regent snarled at the name. “From now forth, he is Trahern, and he is mine.” With that, the demon lord left the room, child in his arms, ignoring the cries of the desperate mother behind him. A triumphant light lit his mismatched eyes. He had won… his sister would never betray him again.
Tears trickled down Jayne’s tired face. Eyes narrowing, she forced herself into a sitting position, casting her eyes about the room. There, on the table next to her caught, a small silver dagger glittered.
Her brother had won… there was nothing more she could do. Her child… Myrandel’s child… he would never know his true heritage. If she were to survive, the boy would never have a chance to find his own path.
Jayne smiled wryly, lifting the dagger from its place on the table and holding it up to her gaze. A cool, ghostly wind blew about her.
“Myrandel… at least now… we can be together,” she murmured, pointing the knife to her breast. “Now… we can be free.” The blade drove home… there was a cry… then crimson blood… and finally, sweet darkness.
Two ghostly figures watched Regent carefully laid the boy in a small wooden cradle, rocking it slightly. Behind him, the midwife who had given birth to Jayne’s child stood watching silently. At Regent’s nod, she approached the crib, drawing a stool up to it where she could watch.
“Will he be alright?” the woman’s voice asked worriedly. The taller, angelic ghost wrapped an arm about her shoulders and kissed her forehead.
“He’ll have to be,” the man murmured. “Some day… his destiny will align with those whom I have seen. He’ll have to be strong… until then.
Miles away, a single cloaked figure stood staring up at the darkened sky as if expecting a figure to fly down and greet him. A sad smile graced the green-eyed travelers lips.
“I’ll carry your prophecy, Myrandel,” Kevin murmured, gazing up at the sky. “It’s the least I can do… to give these people hope…”
Author’s note: And we’re done! Finally. ^_^