She sat next to me, my father wearing an odd expression on his face.  A mixture of guilt and pride twisted his face, his fork sinking into the perfect food in front of me.  A timer was ringing in the kitchen, her boots scurrying towards the kitchen.  Coming back, she smiled sweetly at the both of us.  Placing the lobster in his mouth, a groan of happiness tumbled from his lips.  Beaming with pride, she took a bite.  Spitting it out, she shoved her plate away.  

“I guess that my heat has made me a little nauseous.” She practically cried, both of us continuing to eat. “Actually, I want to go take a plate to Lucy.”  A force held her down, my father’s hand flat on the table.  Clearing his throat, she gave in to his spell. 

“Your father was forgiven a long time ago.” He explained with an annoyed tone, the flames erupting around us. “I don’t ever want you to associate you with the bad him.  You didn’t commit his crimes.  Let me guess Rose told you about his past. I am going to pun-”   Breaking from his spell, her lips parted in protest. 

“I asked him.” She blurted out, the ground quaking underneath us.  A tall gentleman with white hair, and red eyes approached the table. Black feathers rustled in the hot flames, black armor glistening in the orange flames. Running his hand through his slicked back hair, his horns curling around his head.  Sitting down at the other end of the table, his fingers drummed the table.  

“Hello granddaughter.  It appears that I have found you at last.” He growled through gritted teeth, her eyes trembling with fear. “I am so disappointed in you.  You chose to mix up your bloodline further.  Give up the child now, and come with me to your real home.”  Shaking her head, black vines snapped from behind her.  Leaping from their seats, the two of them stood inches from each other.  A black leather whip sat in his palm, black lightning crackling around it. 

“I refuse.” She spat bitterly, the two of us trapped in a black box of energy. “I am going to have to ask you to leave before I hurt you.  You have no business being here.” Cocking his brow, he pulled Lucy out from behind his back.  Screams exploded from her lips, her body laying in between his ring finger and thumb. 

“I will crush her if you disagree to come with me.” He threatened coldly, her bones cracking as he pressed his fingers together. “Come along now.”  Her scythe slid into her trembling fingers, her black wings unfolding.  Black energy swirled around her, black flames licking her feet.  Springing towards him, he dropped Lucy to the ground.  Catching her, the crack of her arm breaking broke the still air.  Struggling to her feet, tears flooded from her eyes as the bones fused back together.  

“Lucy, I need you to get the two of them out of here.” She ordered urgently, the whip’s spike digging into her back. “They don’t stand a chance against him.  Break his hold now!”  The spell snapped, her giant cat form was carrying them out of the room as his body slammed into mine.  Watching through a window, her body was getting tossed around.  Struggling to get up, inky blackness dyed her other eye.  Black blood poured from her nose, her left eye twitching in pain.  Raising his whip again, the black leather wrapped around the handle.  Dragging her towards him, her mouth was moving.  Black vines mixed with black fire, a black flame lilypad spinning around underneath his boots.  Red petals grew around him, spikes erupting on the inside. Cracking his whip in every direction, her footing getting unsteady with each dodge of his attacks.

“You think you can win with a simple magic trick.” He chortled darkly, banging on the steel petals. “I will find a way out of it.”  Shock widened my eyes, a single black ribbon swirling around the room.  Banging on the window it was too late, a cry of agony exploded from my lips as the ribbon shot through her chest.  Bone cracked, her fingers gripping it. 

“That is just what I needed. You can’t move nor can you do anything else.” She wheezed, coughing up blood. “I learned a new trick when my raven demon side awakened.  It is stronger than this current spell.  My father was always stronger than you, so that is why you hated him.  This is the thread of your mind, and I am going to destroy it.  Shadows of darkness, decay his mind. Turn him into dust, and allow my red lily to absorb his power.”  Fright widened our eyes, shadowy hands yanking the ribbon tightly, a single black vine barreling for his mind.  Bits of brain rained down, a red lily bursting through his skull.  The lily swallowed him whole, the door swinging open.  Black energy flowed into her, her eyes going back to normal.  Her scythe faded away, her body collapsing to her knees.  Horror widened her eyes, the flower bursting open.  Her grandfather stepped out twenty years younger, his black eyes twinkling with excitement.  Sauntering towards her, blood covered her entire body, his whip raised in the air. The crack broke the still air, her hand catching the whip. An intense scream of pain erupted from her lips, a spike growing through her hands.  

“Silly child, you tried so hard.  Too bad you are about to die.”  He bragged haughtily, his face falling. “What are you doing, you foolish child?” Struggling to her feet, black flames engulfed her hand.  Dragging him closer to her, he tried to run away.  

“No way, big boy!” She screamed shrilly, her face inches from his. “You lost the black flames of Hell to my father, so your powers are limited.  How about I take your heart?”  Smoke curled out of his armor, her hand in his chest.  Ripping out his heart, my father snatched it from her.  

“You can’t kill him.” He blurted out desperately, a dagger shimmering in her grandfather’s hand as I pounded in after him. “If he dies, your tyrant brother will take charge and attack Hell with all he has.”  Evil laughter erupted from his black lips, the dagger swinging towards my father.  Tossing him to the side, she crossed her arms.  Blood spurted over her face, the blade inches from her face.  

“I might be able to talk to my brother.” She called out, ripping his heart from my father’s hand. “He will keep coming back to try to kill me.” Black flames devoured his heart, the black tissue turning into a large pile of ash.  His porcelain skin cracked, a raven tattoo appearing on her chest.

“You appear to be the next leader, my dear.” He groaned one last time, his body turning to dust.  Her hand shook, her body collapsing into my arms.  Cuts and bruises covered her pale skin, the hole in her hand catching my eyes.  Resting her head on my chest, the room shook again.  A white haired man stomped into the room, his green eyes meeting hers.  His hair cascading down his back, his black lips curled into a sneer.  Struggling to her feet, he towered over her with his six foot seven frame.  

“I ought to kill you.” He growled through gritted teeth, his black gloved hand gripped her neck. “I am Ravene Du Thrills, your half brother.”  Slapping his hand away, his black striped suit hugged his muscular body.  Slamming her foot into his chest, he stumbled back.  

“I am the ruler of the Raven Clan, and the fighting ends today like our father intended it.” She threatened hotly, pressing her heel into his chest. “You may be a foot taller than me and twice my size, but the raven picked me not you.  Get with the program or get out into the big old world.  What is your choice?”  Sitting up, he rested his hands on his knees. 

“Do I really get a choice!” He shouted hoarsely, his voice cracking. “I don’t want to serve anyone.  I worked by his side, cooling his damn fires.  I was the reason you didn’t have an attack in a long time.”  Plopping down next to him, she patted the top of his head. 

“How about you become my second in command?” She offered kindly, her brother thinking about it. “It must have been lonely growing up.  I wish I was there to help you.  Maybe you could train me to use this.” Holding up the whip in her good hand, her brother examined her damaged hand.  

“I see his spikes got to you.” He joked lightly, tucking a piece of hair behind his pointed ear. “I know how to heal it up.”  Mouthing some words, black feathers fluttered about the room. A black energy sealing her wound shut, catching a feather in her hands.  

“You are welcome here whenever.” She promised kindly, standing to her feet. “When do I get to see my territory?  I want to greet my new people, and maybe use their fighting skills for something else like I don’t know, maybe taking down a hunter’s program.  Do you think that they would be in?”  Her brother glanced over at her with a confused look, a frown forming on his lips. 

“That might be a problem.” He exhaled sadly, rocking back and forth. “They are all sick with a strange disease that the hunters sprayed on us.  Do you think you could help us out?”  Standing to her feet, she offered him his hand.  Jealousy flashed in my eyes, his fingers wrapping around hers.  Pulling him off of the ground,  she turned to me.  

“Don’t be jealous.” She whispered in my ears sensually, running her hands up my thigh. “I will have my way with you later.”  Shivers shot up my spine, my father clearing his throat.  Shooting him the most polite smile she could drum up. 

“We are going to the Raven Territory so I thank you for your hospitality, the wounds on her arm sealing shut. “I am going to drum up the best treaty ever.”  Dusting off her dress, surprise widened my father’s eyes as she embraced him tightly.  Pulling back, she gazed warmly in his direction. 

“You are the best father-in-law ever.” She chirped cheerfully, a crooked grin lighting up her face. “You are the closest thing I have ever had to a parent, so thank you.  Call me if you need to talk.  I am always available, and I will give you updates on everything health wise.  See you soon.”  Turning to walk away, she cried out as he pulled her back in. 

“You are the greatest daughter-in-law.” He admitted sheepishly, a soft blush rising to his cheek. “I am sorry for my attitude about everything.  I am just going through the pain of losing my wife again.  Please forgive me.”  My heart shattered at his words, the room growing uncomfortable all over again.   

“Let’s go guys, and call me if you want to talk about which we definitely will when we come back.” She announced urgently, heading towards the door. “We have to save my people.  So let’s go.”  Skipping away, she gave me a loving smile.  My heart fluttered as she spun around, the freedom twinkling away in her eyes.