I could already sense the tension leaking out from the door that faced me – Scarlet's home. I knew something was going on when the weather did a 180-degree turn – the sun that shone brightly in the sky with no clouds in sight suddenly clouded with winds picking up to tornado levels.

Thank goodness I was nearby. Cece ordered me to go check on Scarlet. If it wasn't for the fact she and Vinzent were investigating the whereabouts of that gorilla shifter she'd be at Scarlet's side in a heartbeat – literally.

I opened the door.

Four pairs of eyes greeting me. My initial response was to look for Scarlet; my eyes searched to spot her neon orange hair and bluish green irises. My eyes landed on her face; immediately noticing the large bruise on her cheek.

I frowned, anger burst to life. Who the fuck hurt her?

I could feel my spirit press against my mind – already prepared to torture and destroy the culprit.

Scarlet looked like a mess – her eyes were red; the tear stains still fresh and apparent on her flushed cheeks. The bruise was a sickly purple on her skin, which looked a lot paler than normal. She wasn't wearing her glasses; her black, fingerless gloves gripped the back of Jaxson's shirt.

She didn't look like the happy, confident Scarlet I met running out of this condo the other day. Or the serious, fierce Scarlet who walked into the investigation site. No, she looked fucking broken, and now, my spirit and I needed a name.

Before I could open my mouth, I saw confusion morph on her face as she blinked

"Red horns?" She questioned, blinking.

I watched Jaxson turn slightly to stare down at her; the remaining two already looking at her. I bet they had the same wide-eyed expression as me.

"What Scarlet?" I questioned, not moving.

How the hell does she see my horns? I'm not in my demon form.

"Christian...red horns." She whispered; her eyes gazed up to my head with interest.

I thought I'd see fear within her eyes, but it was only confusion.

I struggled not to raise my hand and touch the usual spot where my horns resided. She shouldn't be able to see them.

Now I was taking a closer look at her eyes, they weren't their normal bluish green. No, they were lime green with a hint of gold streaks – magic flowed through them.

What the—

My eyes widened like saucers as hers rolled back; her knees buckled as she let out a weak moan.

"Scarlet!" Jaxson called out, catching her before she hit the ground. Michael and Junho were already by her side on the ground; Michael’s eyes emitted his usual glow.

"Can you lay her on the sofa? I need to work on her for a bit. Her vitals are all over the place." Michael revealed.

Jaxson nodded, picking Scarlet up with ease and walking over to the sofa. Junho grabbed a blanket, laying it on the couch which looked a tad dirty for Scarlet's taste.

Jaxson lowered her onto the blanket, pulling back to let Michael work. His arms stretched out as he closed his eyes; the markings on his arms surged to life as he focused.

I walked into the room, closing the door behind me before making my way over to the other two. I swallowed the lump in my throat, fighting the urge to lose my shit and go on a little hunt to locate the bastard who hurt Scarlet.

I'd been attached to her from the moment my eyes locked onto her that day – which for a demon shifter like myself, was a hard thing to accomplish.

"What happened?" Junho questioned, taking a quick glance at Jaxson who was on my left. He gave me a look, frowning at my expression. I bet my eyes are flickering.

"Boyfriend…or should I say, ex-boyfriend. Scarlet said she was going to break up with him. I was outside waiting for her to finish, when the weather did a hundred and fucking eighty degree turn and started hailing with winds increasing to ninety miles an hour. I came up the stairs and heard what I believe was Scar’s boyfriend. The mother fucker was yelling he wasn't gonna die and he shoved past me. When I arrived, Scarlet locked herself in the washroom, screaming and crying. It took me awhile, and I think her cat, to convince her to open the door." Jaxson explained, looking back at Scarlet. He continued.

"Fuck. What Cece said was right. She’s still lingering on the idea it was her fault that her mom was murdered. And her father..." He trailed off, the anger apparent in his eyes.

"Michael and I found her file." Junho disclosed.

We both turned to face him, confused.

"Her file?" I questioned.

"Kendrick said that they have files on all five girls who they think might be the Elemental – Scarlet being one of them. It has everything; when her visions began, when her mom took her to multiple mental health clinics for treatments. She finally took her to Saikikku and that's when she pulled Scarlet out of all the therapy, claiming Scar had psychic abilities." Junho explained.

"Mental clinics? Don't tell me she –" Jaxson began, but was cut off by Junho.

"She was hearing voices in her head. I read through it and confirmed two. It wasn't that she was afraid of them. The report said it would be as if she switched personalities entirely. They thought she was bipolar or dealing with dissociative identity disorder. They never finished their report because her Mother pulled her out. I gather Scarlet’s a shifter. I bet her Mother was too, but didn’t want to reveal it to Scarlet.” He concluded.

“You think Scarlet’s mother simply took her to all those institutes just to hide the truth they were shifters? It would make sense if her mother wanted her to attend a human school, but it’s a hassle. Not to mention the trauma it could have inflicted on Scarlet.” Michael said, pausing. He continued.

“I sensed something.”

We all turned to the door – Ethan closed it before walking towards us. Fuck, when did he get here without us hearing him?

"When Scarlet had her vision back at the site, I could sense magic. But it was hella small. It's as if it's caged or enclosed in something and only a fraction is leaking out. There's no way she can have strong visions and be a human. We know even Saikkiku isn't human and her visions aren't by touch. Something happened between when the voices began and the incident which resulted in the tornado disaster eight years ago." Ethan explained. He pulled off his glasses; the spectacles he only wore when he was in serious mode.

"I can sense something too."

We turned to face Michael again who knelt next to Scarlet; his hand on her forehead. She looked a lot better than before. The bruise gone, and her regular complexion returned. She still appeared worn out.

"When we first met her, I could barely sense it. Maybe a little pinch of magic from time to time. But now I can...I sense a presence in her head. It's faint and the signal goes in and out, but Scarlet isn't human. She's definitely a shifter, and if what Junho and I discovered in the reports is true, one of them is definitely an angel. I can’t determine if she has more than the two voices reported in the file."

We stood there in silence; our eyes all on Scarlet.

"You have three seconds to tell me why Scarlet is unconscious and looks like she ran a fucking marathon." Aww shit.

We all turned; Ethan jumped at hearing Cece who was behind him.

"How the fuck do you do that? Did you even use the fucking door?" He yelled.

"Answer my question." She ordered. Her eyes weren't her normal color – they were as red as blood. Cassandra.

"Boyfriend. He hit her, and Scarlet lost it. I calmed her down before the others arrived, but she could see Christian’s horns and passed out." Jaxson looked completely calm, even with Cassandra's appearance.

She took another glance at Scarlet; her eyes narrowed for a moment as they began to glow.

"The seal is breaking."

"What?" We asked in unison, confused.

"Make sure she rests and if anything happens, tell Cece." She ordered turning around and heading to the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" Ethan asked.

"Christian, Junho. Follow." Cassandra ordered. We looked at each other but nodded, making our way to the door. You never questioned Cassandra. You wouldn't get an answer unless you wanted a glare so strong it could probably give you frostbite.

"To catch a rat." She gave a sinister smile before walking out the door.

R.I.P. to Scarlet's ex-boyfriend.

"Please! Spare me. I did what was ordered of me! Why the fuck am I being punished?"

I was left speechless at the events before me. I side glanced to Junho who looked just as surprised.

We were in a dark alleyway; Scar's ex-boyfriend, Jake, now cowered against the wall with his ankles in chains and his hands up begging the tall, blonde vixen before us – Cassandra Alexandra Rose, Cece's spirit.

I'd pledged to assist her whenever she needed my services. She was a leader of a den of abandoned demon shifters; taking them in and assisting them with whatever they needed till they got back on their feet. It was my safe haven; the place I woke up in when I was discovered by Cece on the brink of death. I owed her my life and vowed to always stand by her side through thick and thin.

But I couldn't believe it what my ears heard.

"The last four years I’ve watched in the shadows as you treated Scarlet like garbage. Four FUCKING YEARS! Each time you did something stupid I merely watched, giving you a chance to realize your wrongdoings but nope. You just continued to add to the list, one after another. You think I was ignoring you?" She spat; power leaked off of her body.

She began to shift; her blonde, curly locks turned to silver. Jake shivered in place as he stared up at her wide-eyed.

"Please...Cassandra. I'll change my ways. I'll go apologize." He begged.

"Apologize? The seal is fucking cracked! What did I tell you five years ago? You said you were in love with her and would do anything to be by her side and protect her! Did you forget who she is? Do you know who I fucking serve? Or did you somehow lose your memory in that thick head of yours?!" She roared; her fists clenched.

I watched; speechless at what had just been revealed. Wait, Scar’s boyfriend was supposed to protect and love her? Now the seal is cracked. Is that the reason why Scarlet’s able to see our spirit forms?

"You said I should keep her stress free and love her." He replied.

"Yes, and five years later, here we are. The fucking seal Saikikku placed is cracking and I can't fucking locate her because she’s hiding thanks to Xerxes threatening to kill her. I guess your little fling with Rebecca is more important than your fucking duty that I, your Queen, assigned you!"

I looked at Junho – his eyes were wide with fear and confusion. Great, Rebecca’s involved.

"I...how did you–"

"How did I know? I know fucking everything, especially when it concerns Scarlet. I vowed along with my host to protect her. My life is at stake if Scarlet gets in Xerxes path without fucking training. She can't defend herself at all. You're putting this whole fucking galaxy at risk! Don't you get it?" She screamed; her clenched fist hit the wall next to her – the impact vibrated against the stone as it cracked.

"I'll fix it." He pleaded.

"You won't do anything. I'm done with you." She announced before turning around; her blood red eyes locked onto me.

"No evidence left behind. I need to see Vinzent and help him with some things. When you're done here you can return to your regular activities." She ordered, turning to face Junho.

"Stay with Scarlet tonight. She has nightmares, especially when she gets upset to this extent. Make sure she's as calm as possible. When she wakes up, try to distract her with the case. Lizard breath should show up sooner or later and you guys need to catch him. We need more information on Xerxes’ whereabouts. If anything happens, call me. After that, we need to sit her down and tell her." She concluded, before turning to leave.

We both nodded, knowing that hunting down Lizard breath would be one of our priorities. His blood matched the smear on the garbage can at Saikkiku’s place. We needed an opportunity to catch him. If we caught him, we’d be one step closer to arresting Xerxes for his multiple crimes.

"Wait Queen, please." Jake called out.

She stopped in her tracks, turning to face me and Junho.

"One more thing. Adelia was one of the five. It just came to my attention another of the five, Naomi's, remains were found. There are only three girls left. Tell the others. Don't let Scarlet out of your sight. Understood?"

We both nodded.

She turned and walked away; a rift appeared out of nowhere, and she entered the portal, disappearing from sight.

Junho groaned.

"Fuck. This got a lot more serious. Go tell the others. I'll clean up." I encouraged. He glanced at Jake, glaring at him before returning to face me.

"Fine. Don't feel like wasting my energy on him, anyways. I'll follow Cece's uh..."

"Cassandra. That's Cece's demon spirit." I disclosed.

"Ah. Makes sense. I get why she appears out of nowhere now. I'll stay with Scarlet tonight. I'm going to tell Jaxson and the others to meet with Kendrick and find the whereabouts of Lizard breath and the names of the remaining two potentials." Junho put his hands in his pocket as he frowned.

"Scarlet’s the Elemental, isn't she?" He whispered; his eyes flickered between his original turquoise color and purple.

I nodded.

"No doubt about it. But how are we going to tell her without her freaking out? Cassandra said no stress." I proposed.

"Well, she said to distract her first. Why don't we plan something to get her mind off things? Then we’ll focus on Lizard breath. From the way Cassandra stated it, he won't be appearing tomorrow or the day after so let's see how Scar recovers."

I nodded in agreement. Cece had some level of foresight; her power very similar to Michael’s and Scar’s. I didn’t know exactly how powerful it was, but Cece always showed up at the right place when you needed her. Her predictions were never wrong either.

The clanking of a chain echoed in the alleyway as we turned our attention back to Jake who was fighting the chain holding his ankles.

"Does he think he can escape us?"

I smiled at the fearful expression on his face; my spirit’s sinister voice echoed in my mind.

"Get back to Scarlet's. Michael is probably in desperate need of a nap, and Ethan and Jaxson should head back to headquarters and inform Kendrick. He'll lose his shit if we don’t tell him about Scar, and I've had more than enough outrage for one day. Once Scarlet’s stable we need to regroup and put all the pieces together so we all are aware of what we're dealing with. If Saikikku is involved with Scarlet, this isn't just an Earth thing. Whatever this is, it will affect the other realms."

"Understood. I'll see you in a few." He nodded, turning and walking forward.

"If you need help with getting rid of the evidence let me know." He called out, walking through the barrier we placed, as he entered the crowded streets.

I smiled, realizing it was just me and Jake, who continued pulling on the chains on his legs.

"Now then. Why don't we get started? Don't worry. I'll make sure not even Rebecca will find your remains." I whispered; power flowed in my eyes as I lifted my hand – dark flames emerged.

Let's have some fun.