Page 58 of Beasts

“Can we please not talk around me?” I ask aloud, breaking the conversation. “Someone please explain to me what claiming is?”

Richard clears his throat to let us know he’s going to speak, “They’re suggesting that if you, as a part-Fallen, or part-angel, whatever, claim all of us as your demons, then no other Fallen or angel can command us. We’d be your puppets, no one else’s.”

“You’re not puppets-”

“That’s what he’s saying.” Echo jumps in. “You don’t think of us as puppets, so you won’t treat us that way. You won’t make us hurt anyone.”

“Yeah, and I don’t see you being the type to command us to do stuff for you all the time either.” Hendrik adds. “I mean, we’ve mostly been doing stuff for you to be nice already.”

“I know you guys are thinking of the advantage of having Amelia, but-” Nolan starts, looking down at me, “-you can’t just tell her all the good stuff.”

“Nolan,” I interject before anyone else has the chance, “, does this benefit all of you? Like, bottom line does this get you guys out of future trouble and the torment you’ve had to put up with?” Nolan looks around at everyone before answering.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll do whatever you guys need me to do. You put a roof over my head, you welcomed me as a friend, and I still haven’t paid anyone back. I understand there’s downsides to everything but none of you deserve what sounds like a fate worse than death and if I can help with that then I want to.”

“Amelia, you don’t know what you’re suggesting.” Oliver pleads. I understand that there is more to this, but I refuse to see any of them get hurt anymore.

“Seth, what will happen if I don’t do this?” Everyone turns to Seth with anticipation.

“I’m really not sure I should say…” He’s standing nearby Kane, further away but I’m not letting him off the hook for it. Giving him the best puppy dog eyes I can, he gives in. “If she doesn’t do this, and we get a different Fallen to command us in three weeks…out of the fourteen of us here, only ten will still be here this time next year.” My mouth falls open, is he serious?

“Then I’m doing it.”

Nolan and Oliver both exchange a look before Nolan continues, “You’re not going to like this.”

“I don’t care, how much worse can it be than knowing some of you won’t even survive one year?”

“Pretty bad.”

“Hit me with your best shot.” Sighing he pinches the brim of his nose while speaking.

“Kane, go find a glass and a knife.” A knife? What for?

“Is he going to stab me with the knife?” I whisper at Hendrik.

“No, don’t worry it’s not one of those ceremonies where you have to cut yourself or anything.”

“Okay good, not that I wouldn’t have done it for you guys but someone would have to catch me when I fainted.” Kane comes back quickly with a large red wine glass and a small kitchen knife. He places it on the outdoor table nearby the pit and we all start to gather around as he hands the knife over the Nolan.

“Well, for everyone who is okay with this, and with Amelia, you know what to do.” He states, proceeding to prick his index finger with the knife and squeezing it into the glass. After a few drops he sets the knife down and backs off.

“I should mention, your blood isn’t required. Everyone else is up for debate.” Hendrik smirks as he walks forward to grab the knife and repeat Nolan’s actions. One by one each man from the merman to the incubus prick their fingers and when Oliver finishes the wine glass is about half full. It’s kind of gross actually, given how much thicker it’s getting. Fourteen demons dripping their blood into one cup. Disgusting.

“You look green and you haven’t even drunk it yet.” Richard snickers.

“Whoa, I have to drink it?” I exclaim. “I came out here because I felt sick, are you guys trying to make me throw up on the back lawn?”

“If you want to do this,” Nolan responds, “, and again I’m giving you the option to back out, you will have to drink all of it and keep it down.”

“This seems really unsanitary.”

“Amelia once again, you absolutely do not have to do this.”

“No, I'm going to. I just need to mentally prep myself for what I’m about to do.”

“Maybe we can mix it with some soda.” Hendrik chuckles.

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