The witch arrived at dawn, looking exhausted and frightened.
Her name was Lin, a young member of Grandmother Chen's coven who specialized in divination and scrying. She'd sent her familiar to monitor demon activity in Shanghai as a favor to Kieran, repaying a debt from years ago.
"They're planning to kill you," she said without preamble, accepting the tea Marcus offered. "Asmodeus has assembled five other demon lords. They're going to assassinate you, Kieran, then take Adrian while he's grieving."
Kieran's expression went cold and dangerous. "When?"
"I don't know exactly. Soon. They're waiting for the right moment—a time when your defenses are down, when Adrian is separated from First Generation protection." Lin pulled out her phone, showing them a recording her familiar had captured. "Listen."
They watched the video, hearing Asmodeus lay out his plan in detail. By the end, Adrian felt sick.
"They're going to kill you," he said, his voice shaking. "They're going to kill you to get to me."
"They're going to try," Kieran corrected. "There's a difference."
"Six demon lords, Kieran. Even you can't fight six demon lords."
"Not alone, no. But I don't fight alone." Kieran pulled out his phone. "We need to contact the First Generation immediately. And Wei. And every ally we have. If Asmodeus wants war, we'll give him war."
"This is exactly what he wants," Marcus warned. "Open conflict. Chaos. In war, accidents happen. He'll use the chaos to separate you two, to make his move when you're distracted."
"Then we don't give him chaos. We give him precision." Kieran's eyes flashed red. "We strike first. Take out his coalition before they can move against us."
"Preemptive assassination of six demon lords?" Lin's eyes widened. "That's declaring war on the entire demon community."
"They declared war when they plotted my death." Kieran's voice was ice. "We're just responding."
Adrian grabbed his arm. "Wait. Think about this. If we kill six demon lords, every demon in existence will come after us. The supernatural world will tear itself apart."
"And if we wait, they'll kill me and take you. I won't risk that."
"There has to be another way. A way that doesn't end in apocalyptic war."
They stared at each other, the blood bond crackling with conflicting emotions—Kieran's protective fury warring with Adrian's desperate need to prevent catastrophe.
"What do you suggest?" Kieran asked finally.
"We expose them. Not to the supernatural community—they won't care about demon schemes. We expose them to other demons. Make it clear that Asmodeus is breaking demon protocols, violating supernatural law. Turn the demon community against him before he can move."
"Demons don't care about laws."
"But they care about power structures. About hierarchy." Adrian's mind raced. "If we can prove Asmodeus is trying to upset the balance, trying to gain control over vampires—which affects all supernatural species—then other demons will see him as a threat to their own power."
Marcus nodded slowly. "It could work. Demons are territorial. If Asmodeus controls vampires, he becomes too powerful. Other demon lords won't want that."
"But we'd need proof," Wei pointed out. "The recording helps, but demons can claim it's fabricated. We'd need something undeniable."
"Then we get undeniable proof," Adrian said. "We infiltrate Asmodeus's operation. We gather evidence. We turn his own coalition against him."
"That's insanely dangerous," Lin said.
"Everything we do is insanely dangerous," Adrian replied. "At least this way, we might prevent a war instead of starting one."
Kieran was quiet for a long moment, clearly torn between his protective instincts and the logic of Adrian's plan.
"If we do this," Kieran said finally, "you stay protected. You don't go anywhere near Asmodeus or his coalition. I won't risk you."
"Kieran—"
"Non-negotiable. You're the target. You can help plan, strategize, coordinate. But you don't put yourself in direct danger. That's my condition for trying this your way."
Adrian wanted to argue, but he could feel Kieran's resolve through their bond. And honestly, the idea of facing six demon lords terrified him.
"Okay. I'll stay back. But we do this smart. No reckless heroics."
"I'm never reckless."
"You're always reckless," Marcus, Wei, and Lin said simultaneously.
Despite the tension, Adrian laughed. "He really is."
They spent the next week planning their infiltration. The goal was to gather concrete evidence of Asmodeus's scheme—documents, communications, anything that proved he was violating supernatural law by attempting to control an entire species.
"The problem is access," Marcus said, studying blueprints of Asmodeus's Tokyo operations. "He's paranoid. Multiple layers of security, both technological and magical. Getting in without being detected will be nearly impossible."
"Unless we have inside help," Wei suggested. "Someone Asmodeus trusts."
"Like who? We don't exactly have demon allies."
"Don't we?" Adrian pulled up information on his laptop. "Bael testified against Asmodeus at the council meeting. He's already positioned himself as an opponent. What if we approach him? Ask for his help getting evidence?"
"Bael is a demon lord," Kieran said flatly. "He'll want something in return."
"Probably. But what he wants might be less catastrophic than war with six demon lords."
They contacted Bael through official channels, requesting a meeting. He responded immediately, suggesting they meet in Seoul at his headquarters.
"It's a trap," Wei said.
"Probably," Adrian agreed. "But we're going anyway."
They arrived in Seoul with heavy security—Kieran, Adrian, Wei and her pack, plus two First Generation vampires Elena had assigned as bodyguards. If Bael tried anything, he'd face overwhelming force.
But when they entered his office, Bael was alone, lounging in his chair with that unsettling smile demons always wore.
"Lord Ashford. Adrian. How delightful. I assume you're here about Asmodeus's little murder plot?"
"You know about it?" Kieran asked sharply.
"Please. I know about everything that happens in demon politics. Asmodeus has been recruiting, making promises, building his coalition for months. Frankly, I'm insulted he didn't invite me." Bael gestured for them to sit. "But I'm not surprised you've come to me. You need help getting evidence, and I'm perfectly positioned to provide it."
"What do you want in return?" Adrian asked.
"Direct question. I like that." Bael leaned forward. "I want Asmodeus's territory. When you expose him, when the demon community turns on him, he'll be forced to surrender his holdings. I want first claim on his operations—his clubs, his businesses, his networks. All of it."
"You want us to help you gain power," Kieran said.
"I want you to help us both. You get rid of a threat. I expand my empire. Everyone wins." Bael's smile sharpened. "Except Asmodeus, of course. But that's rather the point."
It was a devil's bargain—literally. But the alternative was war.
"We'll need concrete evidence," Adrian said. "Documents, recordings, something undeniable that proves he's violating supernatural law."
"I can get you that. Asmodeus keeps records of everything—paranoid habit. He has files on his scheme, communications with his coalition members, detailed plans for taking control of vampires through Cain." Bael pulled out a small device. "This will get you past his magical wards. Use it wisely."
"How do we know you won't betray us?" Kieran asked.
"Because betraying you doesn't serve my interests. I want Asmodeus gone, same as you. My motivations are selfish, yes, but they align with yours. That's the best kind of alliance." Bael tossed the device to Kieran. "You have one week. After that, Asmodeus will likely make his move. Get the evidence before then, or prepare for war."
They left Seoul with the device and a very uncomfortable alliance.
"I don't trust him," Kieran said on the flight back.
"Neither do I," Adrian agreed. "But he's right—our goals align. And we're running out of time."
"Then we move fast. Tomorrow night, we infiltrate Asmodeus's headquarters in Tokyo. We get the evidence, expose his plan, and end this before it escalates."
"Tomorrow?" Adrian's eyes widened. "That's barely any time to prepare—"
"Which is exactly why we do it. He won't expect us to move this quickly. We'll have the element of surprise."
Wei groaned. "Why is it always rushed, dangerous plans with you two? Just once, I'd like a carefully planned operation with backup plans and proper preparation."
"Where's the fun in that?" Kieran asked.
"I hate both of you," Wei muttered, but she was already pulling out her phone to coordinate her pack's involvement.
That night, Adrian couldn't sleep. He lay in Kieran's arms, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that could go wrong.
"You're thinking too loud," Kieran murmured.
"Can't help it. We're about to break into a demon lord's headquarters to steal evidence that could prevent or start a war. It's a lot to process."
"We've done harder things."
"Have we though?"
Kieran turned to face him, his expression serious in the darkness. "Listen to me. Tomorrow is dangerous. There's a real chance something goes wrong. So I need you to know—if it comes down to choosing between getting the evidence and protecting you, I'll choose you. Every time. The world can burn as long as you're safe."
"That's romantic and terrifying in equal measure."
"I contain multitudes." Kieran kissed him softly. "I love you. More than peace, more than politics, more than anything. Don't ever forget that."
"I love you too," Adrian whispered. "Come back to me tomorrow. That's all I ask. Whatever happens, come back."
"Always."
They made love that night with desperate intensity, both of them acutely aware that tomorrow could change everything. The blood bond between them pulsed with love and fear and determination.
Whatever came next, they'd face it together.
Or die trying.