The Demon's Daughter

Friends and Foes

Madison spent a few days confined to the bed, her body to weak and sore to do more than sit up for a short amount of time to eat. Ash and Liv took care of her during that time, bringing her food and helping her wash and go to the bathroom. She was embarrassed and grateful at the same time. She didn’t know how she would have survived without their help. Madison thought about calling Azrael, but she knew that would tip off the others as to where she was, and she didn’t want to bring trouble to the Crescent Moon Pack.

On the fifth day of her stay, Madison found herself in much better spirits. She was able to sit up with only a little pain, and she had stayed awake for almost the entire day. She could feel her strength returning. She would still be no match for Cillian though. He seemed intent on keeping her confined to this room for now since every time she made a move to stand, someone came in and either helped her or told her lie back down. It was maddening. She felt like a prisoner here.

Madison sighed and stood up, knowing someone, probably Liv or Ash, would come in. She was confused when a man, slightly younger than Cillian, entered instead.

“Hey,” he said casually.

“Hi,” Madison replied awkwardly.

The couple studied each other carefully. This man was tall and built like Cillian. His expression was one of curiosity though. His dark brown hair was slightly longer than his older brother’s, and he was dressed more casually than Cillian normally was. His features weren’t as severe either. His eyes were kinder, his mouth softer, his face rounder.

“Should I know you?” Madison asked.

“No,” he answered. “I’m Liam. Cillian’s beta, and brother, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Madison agreed. “Do you all look like your mother or father? Because they should be proud of their strong genes.”

Liam laughed. “We take after our dad,” he said. “Can I get you anything? Cillian said you should be resting.”

“Damn Cillian,” Madison snapped. “Sorry,” she added. “I’m fine. I don’t need to rest; I need to get out of this room.”

Liam hide his smirk. She was feisty. He had been right. “You almost died less than a week ago,” Liam pointed out. “I’m no expert on human healing rates, but I think you need a little more time.”

“I will literally kill myself if you don’t let me out of this room,” Madison replied with false sweetness.

Liam smirked. “You’re in luck. Cillian’s out for a bit, so I can sneak you out,” he said.

“You’ve just become my favorite person,” Madison replied with a genuine smile.

“I’ll find you some shoes and a jacket,” Liam said, disappearing down the hall.

Madison had been wearing some clothes Ash had given her. She assumed they were hers or Liv’s clothes, and she didn’t mind. Obviously, she didn’t have shoes or a winter jacket since she had been confined to the bedroom though. Madison didn’t even want to think about the state she had arrived in. She knew her brothers had pretty much torn apart her clothes, so she could only imagine it was bad. She thanked god she was passed out for all of that. Liam returned with a pair of wool socks, some boots that were a size too big, and a jacket that was two sizes too big.

“You’re a bit smaller than Ash,” he remarked as Madison pulled on the boots and jacket.

“It’s all right,” Madison said. “I just need to get some fresh air. I feel like I’m going crazy in here.”

“We’ll go out the back to avoid the pack. Cillian doesn’t want them bothering you,” Liam said, leading the way down a set of stairs and through the kitchen.

“Isn’t your pack your brothers and sisters?” Madison asked.

“Yeah,” Liam answered.

So Cillian wanted to keep his family away from her. That seemed odd. Madison didn’t care to focus on it once she was outside though. The fresh air was one thing, but Madison hadn’t seen snow in ages. The ground was covered in a thin layer of snow that got deeper further into the woods where no one had disturbed it. Madison could make out large paw prints near the trees. Werewolf tracks. It was snowing softly at the moment, the small flakes melting as soon as the hit the manor home or a person.

“It doesn’t snow where I’m from,” Madison said as she took a few steps toward the trees.

“I heard demons like it warm,” Liam commented.

“My oldest brother lives in Boston and it gets cold there, but in general, I suppose that’s right,” Madison said. “They can’t really feel temperature though, hot or cold.”

“Can’t say I’ve met a lot of demons, so I’ll trust you there,” Liam replied. He was watching Madison carefully, trying to see why Cillian was so intent on protecting her. She was a nice person, considering who her family was at least.

There was a long bout of silence as the couple walked a bit into the forest. Madison seemed to be thinking about something serious. Her breathing was even and slow, so she wasn’t in pain. Liam wondered if she was moderating her breathing on purpose though. She must know werewolves had heightened senses of hearing.

“Your brothers did all that to you for setting a pack of werewolves free,” Liam stated, breaking the silence.

“Something like that,” Madison answered, not looking at him.

“Why did you do it?” Liam asked.

Madison paused for a moment and shook some snow off her shoulder. “Rob and his pack were more of a family to me than my brothers ever were,” she finally said. “I had to help them.”

Liam nodded. He commended the loyalty Madison felt toward the Black Moon Pack. He didn’t know them personally, but anyone who was willing to risk their life for someone deserved to be commended. Cillian didn’t give Madison enough credit. She may be a human, but she stood up for her beliefs and fought for them like a werewolf would.

“Did you know your brothers would do that to you?” Liam questioned.

“My brothers always torture me,” Madison said sadly. “At least this time they had a good reason to.”

“They could have killed you,” Liam pointed out.

Madison scoffed. “They know better than that,” she replied. She turned and looked at Liam for the first time since they had left the house. “No one ever asks why my parents never stopped them. This,” she gestured to her body, “has been going on since I was a child. Instead of addressing it, my mother would just heal me and send me on my way. No questions asked. My father, well, he never cared to hear me speak let alone complain about something. As long magic can fix something, it’s not a problem for my family.”

“That doesn’t help you now though,” Liam commented. “We don’t have access to the magic you need to heal.”

“Azrael does, but if I call him the others will know where I am. I don’t want to put your family at risk. Ash mentioned a village nearby though. If you took me there, I could contact my brother.”

“Nice try, but no,” Liam replied. “Cillian would have my head if I did that.”

As if on cue, a large black werewolf with red eyes came bounding toward them, tackling Liam to the ground and growling fiercely. Liam put his arm up to defend himself, but Cillian’s wolf latched onto it, causing Liam to call out in pain.

“Come on!” Liam shouted. “We’re near the house and she’s fine!”

Cillian continued to snarl at Liam and pull at his arm.

“Hey, stop!” Madison yelled, running at Cillian and using her entire body to try to push him off Liam.

“Maddy!” Liam shouted in shock. This girl was fearless, that was for sure.

Cillian let go of Liam’s arm and turned toward Madison. “Leave him alone,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

“Maddy, it’s all right. I’m fine,” Liam said quickly. He didn’t know how much control Cillian had at the moment, and he didn’t want him to direct any of his anger at the small human girl. He tried to mind-link Cillian, but his brother was shutting him out.

Cillian went over to Madison, who despite the look of uneasiness in her eyes didn’t move. In wolf form Cillian was the same height as Madison, making him look especially imposing when he got right in her face. Before Liam could say anything, Cillian grabbed the hood of Madison’s jacket in his mouth and began pulling her back to the house.

“Ow, Cillian, stop,” Madison protested. “Come on! I would have followed you!” She could barely keep on her feet, and when she stumbled and fell, Cillian continued to drag her through the snow.

When they reached the manor house, Cillian dropped her near the door. Madison went to stand up, but Cillian shoved her down again.

“You are being unreasonable,” Madison snapped.

A man exited the door nearby and came to stand next to them. He nodded at Cillian, and Cillian disappeared inside. Madison went to stand up again, but the man stopped her. “Alpha said not to move,” he ordered.

“Well I can’t understand wolf,” Madison said, trying to shove the new man away and get up.

The man put his arm across her chest and easily pinned her to the side of the wall. Damn wolves and their super strength, Madison thought as she tried to shove him away.

Cillian came back out in his human form, dressed and looking angry. The man pinning Madison let her go and went back inside.

“You’re a jerk, and you could have bitten me,” Madison directed at Cillian.

Cillian scoffed. “Now you care about your well-being,” he remarked.

Madison glared at him. “My father isn’t paying you right now, so why don’t you let me get out of hair and you can spend what’s left of the holidays with your family,” she said. She tried to push her way around him, but Cillian grabbed her and pushed her back against the wall.

Cillian didn’t actually have an answer for her. He could let her leave. Madison had access to more money than most people, and she could buy her way to the human world and put herself up somewhere nice until school resumed. At the same time, nothing would protect her from her brothers if they found her.

“Your father might not be paying me right now, which is why I’m not required to listen to you. Now let’s go.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.

Madison knew she couldn’t fight him off. She was stuck with Cillian and his pack until he decided she could leave or until school started again. As they entered the house, Madison saw Ash and Liv looking at her worriedly. Clearly, they weren’t used to people arguing with Cillian. There were a few young men and boys about Madison’s age in the room as well. Liam entered from the opposite direction cursing.

“Damn it, Cillian,” he swore. “I was being polite.”

“Do not take her out of this house,” Cillian growled at his brother. “That goes for all of you.” He looked at the others, but specifically Ash and Liv. “You put all of us in danger doing that.”

“Come on,” Liam said with a sigh. “You don’t think her i***t brothers would come this far.”

As he spoke, the loud cawing of crows could be heard from outside. It had been quiet only a moment ago. Cillian looked at his brother, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“Ok, I was wrong,” Liam said holding up his hands in surrender.

“Cillian, let me talk to them,” Madison pleaded.

“No,” Cillian retorted.

“Please, I need Azrael,” Madison begged. “I can’t heal without my mother’s magic, and Azzi will have it.”

“Tiernan, Owen, Liv, go around back and cover the flank,” Cillian ordered. “Malachy, Ash, Seamus, take the west. Eamon, Connor, Finn, east. Tommy, Dara, with me.” He looked at Liam. “You keep her inside, unless you can’t manage that.”

The wolves split up and left the room leaving Liam, Cillian, Madison, Tommy, and Dara in the room.

“Cillian, please. Let me talk to my brothers,” Madison said.

Cillian looked over her at Liam. Liam nodded and grabbed Madison’s arm gently but firmly. “Come on, Maddy,” he said.

“No,” Madison replied, trying to fight him off.

“Maddy, you know you can’t beat me,” Liam said, easily restraining her.

“Let go of me,” Madison retorted.

“I can’t,” Liam replied. “Cillian’s trying to protect you. I have to help him. I don’t have a choice.”

Cillian, Tommy, and Dara exited the house and walked a few paces to where the lane met the main road. The birds had vanished now, and the silence was back. There was something eerie in the silence now. Cillian could smell the sulfur before he even saw the demons, which meant his pack surely could as well. He would have recognized these demons as Leo Beck’s offspring even if they hadn’t been looking for Madison. They looked just like him. Well, three of them did. The other two were larger than most demons Cillian had encountered.

“You can call off your dogs,” the demon at the front said with a smirk. “We came for my sister, not a fight.”

“Your sister isn’t feeling well,” Cillian replied shortly.

The demons laughed.

“I bet not,” another said, smiling to reveal a set of razor-sharp teeth. Cillian was reminded of the bite mark on Madison’s back and the missing flesh that someone had clearly torn out. He clenched his fist.

“Look, Madison’s going to rest here until school starts back up. I’m sure she sends her best,” Cillian replied.

“If it’s all the same, I’d like to hear Maddy say that,” the demon at the front said.

“Like I said, she’s resting,” Cillian repeated.

“Wake her up,” the demon demanded.

Cillian didn’t move. He had no intention of letting these demons see Madison.

“Valin, Kilvon, find one of the dogs and kill it,” the demon in front said. The two large demons looked at each other and smirked.

“Don’t start this fight, mate,” Cillian warned.

“You kidnapped my sister,” the demon said with a shrug. “I’m worried about her safety. This fight is justified in the eyes of The Commission.”

Cillian knew that’s where this was heading. The Becks were a well-connected family, and if this went south, they could say they were protecting Madison and blame Cillian’s pack for starting the fight. They would be let off with a warning, while the pack would be arrested and most likely killed.

“Liam, please,” Madison begged, still trying to break his grip. “My brothers will start a fight, and I don’t want your family to get hurt.”

“My family can take care of themselves,” Liam said, not letting go.

Without warning, a pan came flying out of the kitchen and hit Liam in the head, throwing him off guard. He released Madison as he fell to the ground in shock and confusion.

“Go,” an old man said from the kitchen as he picked up another pan.

Madison didn’t need told twice. She hopped over Liam who was groaning on the floor and rushed out the door. She ran down the lane and stopped just short of Cillian, Tommy, and Dara. She saw Cian, Zagan, and Aron. She could hear howling in the woods though.

“Cian, stop this,” Madison said.

“Aw, Maddy, we heard you weren’t feeling well,” Cian said, feigning concern.

“Valin! Kilvon! Stop,” Madison shouted.

Cian smirked. He took out a knife and tossed it hallway between himself and Cillian. “Go on, Maddy. Do it, and I’ll tell them to leave the wolves alone.”

Madison took a step toward the knife.

“Maddy, don’t,” Cillian said, grabbing her wrist.

“It’s fine,” Madison replied, shaking him off. She walked over and picked up the knife.

“Really make it count, Maddy,” Cian said with a smirk.

Madison rolled up her sleeve and put the knife to her wrist. She took in a sharp breath as she pulled the blade across her flesh, spilling her blood onto the snowy ground at her feet. She dropped the knife and grabbed the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

Cian laughed. “Valin, Kilvon, leave them,” he said.

The two demons rejoined the group.

“Let it bleed, Maddy,” Cian said with a smirk. “Or are you afraid your wolf friends can’t handle the smell. It must be tempting to them, you know?”

“I need mom’s magic,” Madison replied, ignoring his comments. “If you didn’t come to bring some then leave.”

“Do we look like Azrael?” Zagan scoffed. “Call that human lover if you want help.”

“We came because we weren’t done chatting yet,” Valin said. “You still haven’t answered for what you’ve done.”

“f**k off, Valin,” Madison retorted. “You took more than enough for my perceived crime.”

Valin picked up his knife and threw it at Madison, but Cillian was quicker. He ran forward and caught the knife by the hilt before it could reach Madison and threw it back at Valin, hitting him just below the shoulder blade.

“f**k!” Valin cried out.

“You will not hurt her on my land,” Cillian said to the demons.

“Does my father pay you well, mutt?” Cian sneered.

The wolves in the forest growled loudly.

“I’m going to kill you,” Valin said angrily.

Cian held up his hand to stop Valin. “We don’t need to fight,” he said. “He knows who would win. Besides, we only came to check on Maddy.” He looked down at his watch. “Call your pack here,” he said to Cillian.

Cillian hesitated but finally used the mind-link to tell the others to gather at the front of the house. Slowly and cautiously, the wolves made their way toward the small group. Cian seemed to be studying them carefully.

“Only a few young ones,” Cian said almost in disappointment. “Oh well. Maddy, you’ll be contacting Azrael no doubt.”

Madison nodded.

“Then I suppose this is goodbye until the next holiday. Come here, baby sister, and let’s have a proper send off though,” Cian said.

Madison hesitated. She didn’t trust Cian, and she knew Cian could see that. They both knew that if she didn’t listen, however, Cian would attack the pack. He knew their numbers now and he knew which were the weakest members. Madison forced herself to walk over to her brothers, leaving a trail of blood from her still bleeding wrist behind her.

Cian smirked. “It’s a shame father cares about you,” he remarked. In a flash he reached out and used one of claws to cut open Madison’s face from the top of her forehead to her jawbone.

Madison screamed and clutched her face in pain as she fell to the ground. She was aware of some shouting, and she heard a wolf growl and jump at Cian only to be caught mid-air by Kilvon. The demon had the wolf by the throat, his hand crushing it.

“No,” Madison begged. “Don’t hurt them.” She had no sense of who it was or where Cillian was. All she knew was that someone was in danger and she couldn’t let her brothers kill them.

“Look at me, Maddy,” Cian demanded.

Madison forced herself to look up at him.

“You are f*****g nothing,” he spat. He grabbed her by the hair and shoved her back toward Cillian. “All yours wolf boy.” And with that the demons disappeared into the ground.