u/LordCam000021

Much Later

The hallways were quiet, with most of the students already in class. A few others were probably serving detention for various reasons. Renee walked down the hall toward the girls' restroom and pushed open the door. She passed a student who was leaving, then entered an empty stall to use the restroom. A few moments later, Renee flushed the toilet and stepped out. She walked toward the sinks but stopped when she noticed someone standing near the entrance.

The door had been locked.

Renee looked at the man and immediately recognized him.

“Principal Lewis?” she asked. “What're you doing in here?”

“I wanted to speak to you, Renee. I hope this isn't a bad time,” the principal said as he slowly approached her.

“Seriously?”

“Yes.” He continued toward her, his expression calm. “I was hoping I could help you deal with everything that's happened. You've lost friends recently, and I can imagine it's been difficult.”

“I've never—”

Renee stopped when the principal closed the distance between them and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“No need to be afraid,” he said.

Renee felt disturbed by the gesture, but something else caught her attention. She could sense it beneath his human appearance—the same dark, unnatural presence she had encountered countless times before.

Her eyes narrowed.

He was a demon.

Renee reacted instantly. She grabbed him and hurled him across the restroom, sending him crashing into the wall hard enough to crack the surface.

The principal slowly lifted his head.

Renee stared at him.

“This is starting to get old, Nero,” she said.

The principal suddenly began laughing. At first, it sounded human, but the laughter quickly became deeper and more sinister until it sounded almost monstrous. He pushed himself away from the cracked wall and looked at Renee with a wide grin.

“There’s no foolin' you, is there, luv?” he said in a thick Australian accent.

“You can come up with as many disguises as you want. It won't stop me from butchering you,” Renee said.

She closed her eyes and concentrated. A golden light began to surround her waist before her bronze scabbard materialized against her hip. Renee opened her eyes, reached for the hilt, and drew her sword in one swift motion.

Nero chuckled.

“Your little metal stick doesn't scare me. You're gonna pay for humiliating me,” he said. “No one in Hell takes me seriously anymore, all because a half-breed bitch defeated me.”

“Cry me a goddamn river,” Renee replied.

Nero's grin faded. A deep growl rumbled from his throat as his body began to change. His human form twisted and expanded, his skin darkening until it became completely black. His body stretched upward until he stood nearly nine feet tall, while his face elongated into a grotesque, feline shape. His fingers lengthened into eleven-inch claws, each one gleaming as he flexed them.

Renee tightened her grip on her sword.

Nero lowered himself into a predatory stance, baring his teeth.

“I'll enjoy shreddin' you to ribbons,” he snarled.

Nero lunged.

Renee barely had time to react before his claws swept toward her face. She ducked beneath them and swung her sword upward, the blade slicing across his forearm. Black blood sprayed across the tiled wall.

“Why you little—”

He swung again.

Renee parried the attack with her sword, but the sheer force behind Nero's strike drove her backward across the floor. Her boots scraped against the tile as she struggled to hold her ground. The wound on Nero's forearm began closing almost immediately, the damaged flesh regenerating within seconds.

Nero followed with another slash, then another, his claws striking against the silver blade with enough force to send sparks flying through the restroom.

Renee waited for an opening. When she finally saw one, she swung at him, but Nero suddenly disappeared in a cloud of dark red smoke.

Renee's eyes widened.

Before she could turn around, Nero reappeared behind her and grabbed her by the head. He lifted her off the ground and slammed her face against the mirror.

CRACK!

He slammed her against it again, leaving several small cuts across her face before hurling her sideways.

Renee crashed through the sinks, sending porcelain and metal fixtures flying across the floor. Before she could recover, Nero grabbed her and threw her into the opposite wall. Her body struck the wall hard enough to leave a web of cracks behind her.

The cuts on Renee's face healed within seconds, leaving her skin completely unmarked.

Nero charged at her with a furious roar. Renee waited until the last possible moment before leaping over him. As she passed above his head, she drove her sword straight through his back.

Nero's eyes widened.

Renee lifted his massive body off the ground and over her head. Golden energy surged along the blade, burning through his flesh as Nero roared in agony. She dropped him face-first onto the floor, then kicked him away from the blade.

Nero struggled to get back up, blood oozing from the wound and pooling on the floor beneath him. The divine energy continued to burn through his body, preventing the wound from healing.

Renee walked toward him and raised her sword.

Nero looked up at her.

Before he could react, Renee plunged the blade through his head and drove it into the floor. She twisted the weapon, then ripped it free, severing his head from his body.

Nero's body went limp.

Renee pulled Nero's severed head free from the blade.

“I'd be lying if I told you not to come back,” she said. “But killing you again will be even more fun.”

She dropped the head onto the floor, sheathed her sword, and watched as the scabbard disappeared in a flash of golden light. Renee walked over to the restroom door, unlocked it, and stepped into the hallway. A student was approaching the restroom, but Renee stopped her. “Trust me. I ate a couple of burritos earlier, and they really messed up my stomach,” she said. “So I wouldn't go in there if I were you.” The student stared at her. “Uh... thanks?” she said.

Renee simply walked away while the student left to find another restroom.

Inside the restroom, a bright light suddenly illuminated the entire room before fading away.

Standing among the wreckage was a handsome Caucasian man with dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and a white-and-gold business suit.

He looked down at the remains of Nero, which had already turned to black ash, while the smell of sulfur lingered in the air. The man studied the surrounding destruction.

He knew exactly who was responsible.

“She’s formidable,” he said. “More so every day.”

He raised one hand and closed his eyes.

“Ol quanis olani ta el,” he said.

A bright golden-white light began glowing from his palm. The light intensified, spreading across the room until it engulfed the shattered sinks, cracked walls, and broken mirrors.

Within seconds, the damage disappeared.

The sinks were restored. The mirrors were whole again. The cracks in the walls vanished, leaving the restroom looking exactly as it had before the fight.

The man lowered his hand.

A moment later, his body dissolved into a column of divine light and vanished.

Toward the Afternoon

3:45 PM

School had ended, much to the relief of some students. They poured out of their classrooms and made their way toward the parking lot, gathering around as they waited for their buses.

Carl stood at his locker, gathering his things. Once he had everything, he closed the locker and secured it with his lock. When he turned around, he nearly jumped at the sight of Renee and Skylar standing behind him.

“Whoa!” Carl exclaimed. “L-Ladies.”

“We've been looking for you, Carl,” Renee said.

Carl's nervous expression suddenly turned into an excited grin.

“Wait... you two actually came looking for me?” he asked. “My fantasy is finally coming true.”

The girls exchanged looks of disgust before Skylar sighed.

“Oh, no. We just want to talk,” she said.

Carl's smile faded slightly.

“About what?”

Renee folded her arms.

“Katie Hammond,” she said.

“W-What about Katie?” Carl asked.

“You knew her, right?” Renee asked.

Carl swallowed and nodded.

“Yeah. I knew her.”

“And you liked her,” Skylar added.

Carl looked down.

“I... yeah. I did. I-I was bullied a lot, and she always came to my rescue,” he said. “And I-I knew that she was the one for me.”

“Yeah, well, we heard about the restraining order,” Renee said.

Carl's eyes widened.

“W-Who... Who told you that?” he asked.

“Katie's friends,” Skylar replied.

The mention of Katie caused Carl to shift uneasily.

“L-Look, I know how it sounds, but I didn't hurt her,” he said. “I-I-I just wanted to talk to her. Ask her out.”

“And you couldn't have done that in person or over the phone?” Renee asked.

“I-I-I get nervous,” Carl said.

His phone suddenly buzzed. He glanced down at the screen and quickly read the message.

“I gotta go. My mom's here.”

He shoved the phone into his pocket and hurried toward the exit.

Renee watched him leave.

“That was weird,” she said.

Skylar nodded.

“Very,” she said. “Aren't you going to catch the bus?”

Renee looked at her.

“Nah, I got fencing classes. What about you?”

“I think I'll chill in the library for a bit.”

“You are quite the bookworm, aren't you?” Renee teased.

Skylar smiled.

“I like the silence. Maybe we should hang out sometime.”

Renee smiled as well.

“I'd like that. Do you... want my number?”

“Sure.”

The girls took out their phones and exchanged numbers before putting them away.

“See you later,” Skylar said.

“See you.”

The girls went their separate ways. Skylar glanced back at Renee, still smiling as she continued down the hallway.

Later That Day

12:35 PM

Lunchtime had started, and students crowded the cafeteria, rushing toward the food lines before the best options were gone. Tacos and burritos were usually the only things worth eating. Renee entered the cafeteria, immediately hit by the familiar wall of noise. Students shouted across tables, laughed with their friends, and complained about their classes. Others sat with takeout their parents had brought them or food they'd picked up on the way to school.

Renee joined the first line and glanced at the menu.

“Of course,” she muttered.

She looked around the cafeteria.

That's when she noticed Skylar.

Three boys had cornered her near one of the tables. All three wore leather vests in different colors—navy blue, crimson, and dark brown. One stood directly in front of Skylar while the other two watched from either side.

Renee frowned.

She stepped out of line and walked toward them.

“Fate's a cruel bitch,” the long-haired boy said bitterly. “Gotta go to the same school as a Siyana.”

“Leave me alone, Rodney,” Skylar said. “I don't want any trouble.”

Rodney gave a dry scoff.

“That's all you Siyana ever say.”

“Yeah. You Siyana have been nothing but trouble from the start,” the other boy added.

Skylar frowned.

“You don't even know me.”

“Don't need to,” Rodney replied. “All we need to know is that you guys are nothing but freaks.”

Skylar's jaw tightened.

She slammed her fist against the table.

Bang!

The boys barely reacted.

Instead, they chuckled among themselves.

Rodney leaned toward her.

“That’s it, little beasty. Let it out.”

Skylar's breathing became heavier. Her fingers curled around the edge of the table. A low growl escaped her throat. The boys exchanged amused glances. It had come out deeper than she expected—more like an animal than a person.

Before the situation could escalate, Renee stepped between them.

“Hey.”

The boys turned toward her.

Rodney looked her up and down.

“Beat it. This doesn't concern you.”

Renee glanced at Skylar, then back at the boys.

“Looks like it does now,” she said.

Rodney stepped into Renee's face, his eyes narrowing. He grabbed her arm.

“I said leave before—”

Renee's hand snapped around his wrist.

Rodney froze.

She tightened her grip slowly. His confident expression faded as pressure began building around his wrist.

“Before what?” Renee asked.

Rodney winced.

“Hey—let go.”

Renee stared him straight in the eyes.

“I'd think twice before putting your hands on someone again,” she said. “Bother her again and I'll ram your heads up each other's asses.”

She tightened her grip just enough to make him grimace before releasing him.

Rodney immediately pulled his arm back and rubbed his wrist.

The other two boys stared at Renee, their amusement gone.

Skylar watched her silently.

Renee looked between them.

“Now, are we done?”

Rodney scowled at her, then glanced at Skylar. Instead of throwing hands, he and his posse walked away without looking back.

Renee watched them leave before turning toward Skylar.

“You... you didn't have to do that,” Skylar said.

“Kinda wanted to,” Renee replied, sitting beside her. “But a thank-you would be nice.”

Skylar chuckled.

“Thank you,” she said, flashing Renee an innocent smile.

“Don't mention it,” Renee replied, smiling back. “Who were those assholes?”

“They're from the Tankura.”

“Tan-who?”

Skylar blinked.

“The Tankura,” she repeated. “They're an Indigenous tribe. Let's just say we've hated each other's guts for generations.”

“What tribe are you from?”

“The Siyana.”

Renee nodded.

“So, why do the Tankura hate the Siyana?” she asked.

Skylar raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you hated history,” she said.

Renee shrugged.

“Call me curious,” she said.

Skylar smiled slightly.

“You're really interested?”

“I asked, didn't I?”

Skylar chuckled slightly.

“Fair enough,” she said. “Nine hundred years ago, the Tankura were known for their strength, bravery, and savagery. They were one of the most powerful tribes in the world. Then one day, a man named Tomo was executed for supposedly murdering the chief.”

“And no one came to his defense?” Renee asked.

Skylar shook her head.

“Damn.”

Renee paused.

“Did he have any family?”

“He had a wife. Her name was Siyana.” Skylar's expression became more somber. “After Tomo was killed, she took her own life. His death destroyed her.”

Renee frowned.

“Jesus.”

“The tribe was already divided over who should control it. The Tankura's new chief, H'Jaku, exiled those who believed Tomo was innocent. They renamed themselves the Siyana to honor Tomo and his wife.”

Renee looked at her.

“So that's why you guys and the Tankura hate each other?”

“Pretty much.”

“If they taught us stuff like this in history class, maybe I wouldn't be so bored,” Renee said.

Skylar chuckled.

“Maybe you should pay more attention.”

“Maybe our teacher should make it interesting.”

The girls shared a laugh.

Skylar glanced toward the food line. It had gotten noticeably shorter.

“Hey, look,” she said, pointing toward it.

Renee followed her gaze.

Her stomach suddenly growled.

Renee looked down at Skylar.

“Be right back,” she said.

She jumped out of her seat and hurried toward the line.

Skylar laughed and shook her head.

A few minutes later, Renee returned with a tray holding three tacos, three burritos, and a cup of rice.

Skylar stared at the food.

“Hungry, aren't you?” she asked.

“Well, yeah.” Renee sat down. “But I figured I'd get you something.”

“Oh, wow. I already ate, but okay.”

Skylar picked up a burrito and took a bite.

Renee grabbed a taco.

“Y'know, this is the only edible thing in this school.”

“Yeah. I had their meatloaf pasta last week, and it tasted like crap. Straight-up crap.”

Renee snorted.

“Yeah, I wouldn't serve that to an inmate. Even if he's on death row.”

She took another bite.

After swallowing, Renee looked at Skylar.

“So, did you find out anything about Katie?”

“I've been talking to some of her friends. They all said she was a nice girl and didn't seem to have any enemies.”

Skylar hesitated.

“Though, she did get a restraining order against someone named Carl.”

Renee's chewing stopped.

“Carl?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Apparently, he started stalking Katie. He'd send her chocolates and flowers. Then he broke into her house.”

Renee's expression hardened.

“He broke into her house?”

Skylar nodded.

“Yeah, and apparently he was going through her drawers and sniffing her underwear.”

Renee stared at her.

“You're kidding.”

“I wish I was.”

Renee slowly put down her taco.

“So, do you think he's the killer?”

“Maybe,” Skylar said. “Or maybe he's working with the killer.”

“Carl's a weird dork, but he doesn't strike me as the violent type,” Renee said, taking another bite of her taco.

Skylar nodded slowly.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket.

Dakotah: Have you found Bruno yet?

Skylar glanced at Renee before typing a response.

Skylar: Not yet, but we have a lead.

She pressed send.

Three dots briefly appeared.

Then another message popped up.

Dakotah: We?

Skylar hesitated.

Skylar: Me and a friend.

She pressed send.

A moment later, another message appeared.

Dakotah: This is your hunt. You know better than to invite outsiders into it.

Skylar stared at the screen, her expression tightening.

She slipped her phone back into her pocket.

Renee noticed her distress and immediately grew concerned.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

Skylar looked up at her.

“Yeah. It's my dad,” she said. “He was just... checking on me.”

“I wish my dad did the same.”

Skylar sensed the bitterness in her voice.

“What do you mean?”

Renee looked down at her food.

“He's just... not around.”

Skylar watched her carefully.

“Does he... work a lot?”

Renee shook her head.

“It's complicated,” she said.

“How?” Skylar asked.

“Just... complicated,” Renee said.

Skylar wanted to press her for more answers, but decided to leave it alone. She and Renee continued chatting about other subjects, but deep down, Skylar remained determined to find Bruno—even if it meant going against her father's wishes.

9:45 PM

The driver pulled up to an abandoned church on the east side of Starhaven. No one had used the building for years. Its windows had been boarded up, weeds grew through cracks in the pavement, and years of rain and neglect had stained the old wooden doors. The driver parked beside the church and killed the engine. He stepped out, opened the rear door, and looked inside. Katie was still unconscious. He lifted her from the back seat and carried her toward the church. Inside, the air was cold and stale. A few candles flickered along the walls, their flames casting long, trembling shadows across the cracked floor.

The driver carried Katie deeper into the building.

Several young men stood around a metal table. They couldn't have been older than nineteen. They were barefoot and shirtless, their bodies covered in strange tribal tattoos. Black executioner-style masks concealed their faces.

None of them spoke.

At the head of the table stood the man from Soul Castle.

Bruno.

He watched silently as the driver approached.

“Master Bruno,” the driver said. “I bring fresh prey.”

Bruno looked down at Katie.

A faint smile crossed his face.

“Excellent.”

One of the masked men approached and placed a ceremonial dagger into Bruno's hand.

Bruno slowly ran his thumb along the flat of the blade.

“Young hearts,” he murmured. “So much life.”

He looked toward Katie.

“So easily taken.”

The followers surrounded the table.

Bruno raised the dagger.

The blade plunged downward. Katie's body jerked. Blood spilled across the metal table and ran over its edges, dripping onto the floor. Bruno continued the ritual with cold precision. His knife tore through flesh and cartilage as he opened the chest cavity. The metallic smell of blood filled the church.

One of the followers stepped closer. “Master,” he called. Bruno ignored him. He reached into the wound and pulled the heart free. Blood ran down his hand and dripped from his fingertips. He held the organ beneath the candlelight. He licked the blood from it, savoring it. “Good,” he said.

The followers lowered their heads. Bruno placed the heart inside a black container alongside the others. The lid closed with a heavy click. The room fell silent. One of the masked men finally spoke. “Will this one be enough?” he asked.

Bruno looked down at the container.

“No,” he said, his expression remained calm. “The ritual needs six hearts. I have three. I need three more. But we're getting closer.”

He turned toward the darkness of the church.

“Soon, I will have everything I need.”

The followers remained silent.

Bruno smiled.

“Then Dakotah will finally understand what happens when you stand in my way.”

The Next Morning

9:04

Renee walked through the school doors, scrolling through her phone. Last night was a hassle. She'd spent hours taking orders, carrying plates, and dealing with the constant rush of customers. By the time her shift ended, she was completely drained.

She could've used that energy hunting demons.

Instead, she'd spent the night serving country-fried steak.

Renee slipped her phone into her pocket and looked up.

Something felt different.

The usual chatter was gone.

Students stood in small groups, speaking quietly among themselves. Some stared at their phones while others sat with their heads down. A few looked like they hadn't slept at all.

Renee slowed her pace.

Everyone looked even more miserable than they had the day before.

She frowned.

“What happened?” she muttered.

She approached her locker, entered the combination, and pulled it open.

Once again, her sword was lying inside.

Renee stared at it for a moment.

“Seriously?” she muttered.

The girl sighed. As annoying as it was, she couldn't deny the weapon had become a part of her.

She reached into her backpack and started pulling out her books.

“Renee?”

She immediately recognized the voice.

Renee quickly closed her locker and turned around.

Skylar stood a few feet away, clutching several books against her chest.

“Oh, hey,” Renee said. “How's it going?”

“Not good.” Skylar's expression was unusually serious. “I take it you haven't heard what happened?”

Renee frowned.

She closed her locker, secured the lock, and faced Skylar.

“Heard what?”

“You know Katie Hammond?”

“Yeah. She was valedictorian last year. Why?”

Skylar hesitated.

“She’s dead.”

Renee's expression immediately changed.

“What?”

“Her parents found her on their doorstep when they came home.”

Renee stared at Skylar.

“You for real?”

Skylar nodded.

“Yeah. From what I've heard, she was cut open and her heart was taken.”

Renee's stomach tightened.

“Like Amelia's?”

“Yeah... like Amelia's.”

“Goddammit.”

Renee looked down the hallway. Students were still whispering among themselves, their voices barely audible beneath the hum of the school.

Another girl.

Another death.

And something about it felt far too familiar.

“What the hell is going on?” Renee asked.

“No idea. None of this is making sense. I can't imagine the pain their families are going through,” Skylar said.

“Maybe there's a connection?” Renee suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“Amelia and Katie were both popular,” Renee said. “Now they're both dead, and their hearts were taken.”

Skylar's expression grew more serious.

“You think the two murders are connected?”

“I don't know,” Renee admitted. “But it's too damn weird to ignore.”

Renee glanced at the time on her phone.

“I'd better get to homeroom. I'll see you around.”

She started walking away.

“Wait,” Skylar called.

Renee stopped and turned around.

“If you want, I could ask around,” Skylar said. “See what I can find out. I'll let you know.”

Renee raised an eyebrow.

“Why help me?”

Skylar shrugged.

“You're a journalist. You want answers, and so do I.”

Renee studied her for a moment.

“Alright,” she said. “I appreciate it.”

Skylar smiled.

“No problem,” she said, walking in the opposite direction.

By the time Renee reached her homeroom, it was noisy as usual. Students chatted among themselves while others settled into their seats.

Renee entered the room and looked around. She spotted an open seat behind a familiar face.

Her expression immediately soured.

Of all the people she could've ended up sitting behind...

Carl.

“H-Hey, Renee,” he greeted.

Renee stared at him for a moment before taking her seat.

“Hey.”

Carl turned back around, keeping his eyes on his desk.

Renee pulled out her notebook and pencil, deciding not to acknowledge him any further.

“How's it going?” Carl asked.

Renee continued sketching in her notebook, still avoiding eye contact with him.

“Peachy,” she said dryly.

Carl gave a small nod.

“Y-You heard about Katie, right?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“She was very special to me,” Carl said. “When Troy was jacking me up for my lunch money, she saved me. I—I wanted to give her flowers, but she rejected me.”

Renee's pencil stopped.

She slowly looked up at him.

“Dude, just because she saved you doesn't mean you two were soulmates,” she said, before returning to her drawing.

Carl's expression fell.

He turned around in his seat and faced the chalkboard.

“Maybe it should've been you,” he muttered.

Renee's pencil stopped again.

She looked up.

“What'd you say?”

Carl didn't turn around.

“Nothing.”

Renee stared at the back of his head for a moment. Something about the way he'd said it bothered her. She eventually looked back down at her notebook, but she couldn't quite shake the feeling that Carl had meant something by it.

Just a quick note. Daughter of Heaven is both fantasy and supernatural. Anyways, here's the fifth chapter.

Soul Castle

4:31 PM

As the bus reached the stop, Renee got up from her seat. She moved to the front and stepped out when the doors opened. The doors folded shut behind her as the bus drove away from the curb.

Renee made her way through the parking lot toward Soul Castle. Numerous cars occupied the spaces outside, and she noticed people sitting by the windows, chatting and dining. Judging by the crowd, the diner was having a fairly busy afternoon.

She pushed open the front door and stepped inside.

The smell of fried chicken, country-fried steak, and fresh coffee filled the air. The clatter of silverware and the hum of conversation surrounded her as servers moved between the tables, carrying plates of food and refilling drinks. Renee walked past the occupied tables, receiving a few familiar looks from the staff.

One server spotted her and smiled.

“Hey, Renee,” she greeted.

“Hey,” the girl replied with a small smile.

She headed toward the kitchen. The air grew hotter as she approached, thick with the smell of sizzling meat and fried food. Grills hissed as cooks worked behind the counter, while servers hurried in and out with plates balanced in their hands.

Renee passed the dish pit and made her way toward the office. She knocked once before opening the door.

Lucius sat behind his desk, staring at something on his computer.

“Hey, Pop-Pop,” Renee greeted.

Lucius looked up and smiled.

“Hey, pumpkin. How was school?”

“Gloomy,” Renee said.

She took off her jacket and hung it on a hook beside her backpack.

“One of the cheerleaders died.”

Lucius's smile faded.

“Well, that's awful.”

“Yeah.” Renee grabbed an apron and began tying it around her waist. “But it's weird, though. Her heart's missing.”

Lucius stopped typing.

He slowly looked at his granddaughter.

“Her heart?” he asked.

“Yeah, but if you ask me, I think demons—”

“No, no, no, no.” Lucius held up a hand. “Leave the demon hunting alone.”

“But, Pop-Pop—”

“But nothing.” Lucius pointed toward the kitchen. “Now get to work.”

Renee rolled her eyes.

“Yes, Pop-Pop,” she muttered.

She turned toward the door, clearly annoyed.

Lucius watched her leave, his expression becoming more serious.

Renee returned to the dining room. The servers were busy attending to their customers, carrying plates and refilling drinks as conversations filled the restaurant.

As she looked around, she noticed a man sitting alone at a table near the window. He looked to be in his early twenties. He was tan-skinned and handsome, with dark brown dreadlocks that fell around his shoulders.

Renee walked over, putting on her best hospitality smile.

“Hi, welcome to Soul Castle,” she greeted him. “Has anyone taken your order?”

The man looked up at her.

“No,” he answered simply.

“Oh, okay. Well, my name is Renee, and I'll be taking care of you.” She pulled out her notepad and pen. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Water with lemon is fine,” the man said.

Renee wrote it down.

“Okay. Anything else? An appetizer, or do you want to skip straight to an entrée?”

The man didn't answer immediately.

Instead, his eyes slowly traveled from Renee's face down to her shoes before returning to her eyes.

Renee noticed.

She didn't like it.

“I'll have the spinach dip,” he said, a faint smirk spreading across his face.

Renee jotted down the order.

“Okay. I'll be right back.”

She turned and walked away, but the uneasy feeling followed her.

She entered his order into the POS system before heading into the kitchen. She grabbed a cup from the rack, filled it with ice, poured in some water, and added a lemon slice from the fruit tray.

Once she finished, Renee returned to the dining room and walked back to the man's table.

“Your water,” she said, placing the glass in front of him. “Do you know what you want to—”

“Please, join me, little sister,” the man interrupted.

Renee stopped.

She stared at him.

“...Excuse me?”

“Sit with me for a moment,” the man said.

Renee gave him an awkward smile.

“Uh, I'm on the clock right now, so I can't—”

“I insist.”

Something about the way he said it made Renee pause.

She glanced around the dining room, then back at him. The man simply stared at her.

After a moment, Renee reluctantly pulled out the chair and sat across from him.

He continued watching her. There was something unnerving about his gaze, as though he were trying to see beyond her face and into her thoughts.

Renee shifted in her seat.

“Tell me something, little sister,” he said. “Have you ever experienced loss?”

Renee stared at him. The question caught her completely off guard.

“Why the hell do you wanna know?” she asked.

The man's expression remained calm.

“Because I can see it in your eyes,” he said.

Renee frowned.

“See what?”

“Pain.”

Renee's expression hardened.

She crossed her arms.

“Doubtful. Mostly because I don't know you, and you don't know me.”

“I don't have to know you to see your suffering,” the man replied. “After all, loss has a way of challenging people. It can make them stronger... or consume them.”

“Okay,” Renee said dismissively.

She stood up and turned away.

Before she could take another step, the man grabbed her arm.

Renee immediately looked down at his hand.

“Let go of me,” she said.

The man leaned closer.

“You don't have to hide it,” he said quietly. “I can help you.”

Renee's expression hardened.

She slowly pulled her arm free from his grip, forcing his hand away as if it weighed nothing.

“Who the hell are you?”

A faint smile crossed his face.

“Someone who understands what you've been through.”

Renee's eyes narrowed.

“And how exactly do you know what I've been through?”

The man's smile widened.

“Join us,” he said, ignoring her question.

A male server noticed the interaction and walked over, his expression growing concerned. “Renee?” he called. Both Renee and the man looked at him. “Everything okay?” he asked. “Yeah, Alex,” Renee said, looking back at the man. “Everything's fine.”

She turned and walked toward the kitchen. Alex followed her. “What was that about?” “Don't know. Don't care,” Renee replied. She grabbed a stack of menus from the counter and began straightening them, avoiding his gaze. Alex watched her for a moment. “You sure?” he asked. Renee sighed. “I'm fine, Alex,” she reassured.

She glanced back toward the dining room.

The man was still sitting at his table.

Still watching her.

Renee quickly looked away.

9:27 PM

A sixteen-year-old girl with sky-blue highlights in her blonde hair waited in the living room of her family's large mansion, dressed for a night out. Her parents were away, so she had the house to herself. She sat on the couch, texting her friend, who was already waiting for her at the carnival. The loss of Amelia still affected her greatly. She hoped the night out would clear her mind.

A notification appeared on her phone.

Your driver has arrived.

Katie smiled.

“Finally,” she said. She slipped her phone into her purse, grabbed her keys, and headed outside. After locking the front door behind her, she walked down the steps. A white car waited at the curb. Katie approached the vehicle. The driver leaned over and unlocked the back door. The girl opened it.

“Katie?” he asked.

“That's me,” the girl said.

The man nodded.

“Hop in,” he said.

Katie climbed into the back seat and closed the door. The driver pulled away from the curb. For the first few minutes, Katie relaxed against the seat, scrolling through her phone. The glow from the screen illuminated her face as she exchanged messages with her friend. Then something caught her attention. Katie looked out the window. The familiar streets had disappeared.

She frowned. “Wait…,” she said. She glanced toward the dashboard. The driver's phone was mounted beside the steering wheel, its navigation screen displaying a route. It wasn't taking them toward the carnival. Katie sat upright. “Hey,” she said. “I think you're going the wrong way.”

The driver didn't answer.

Katie lowered her phone.

“Hello?”

Nothing.

Only the hum of the engine filled the car.

Her stomach tightened.

“Sir?”

The driver slowly looked at her through the rearview mirror.

A grin spread across his face.

“Sorry, doll,” he said. “You ain't going to the fairgrounds.”

Katie's face went pale.

“What?”

She reached for the door handle.

It didn't move.

She tried again.

Nothing.

Her breathing quickened.

“Open the door.”

The driver said nothing.

“Open the damn door!”

Katie grabbed the handle with both hands and pulled as hard as she could.

Locked.

Panic surged through her.

“Stop the car!”

The driver chuckled.

Katie's eyes darted around the back seat.

Her phone.

Her purse.

The windows.

Nowhere to go. The car suddenly slowed and pulled onto the shoulder of a deserted stretch of road. Katie stared through the windshield. There were no houses, no pedestrians, no other cars—just darkness. The engine shut off. Silence filled the vehicle. The driver's door opened. Katie's heart hammered against her chest. “Please…” she begged.

The driver's footsteps moved around the car. Katie scrambled toward the opposite door, desperately pulling at the handle.

Still locked.

The rear passenger door suddenly opened. “Get away from me!” Katie screamed. The driver lunged into the back seat and grabbed her. Katie fought with everything she had. She kicked, scratched, and clawed at his arms, desperately trying to break free. “LET ME GO!” Katie yelled. The driver tightened his grip. “Easy now,” he said. “HELP!” the girl continued shouting.

Her scream disappeared into the empty night. Katie's strength began to fade. Her movements became slower. Her vision blurred as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She could hear the driver's breathing.

Calm.

Almost relaxed.

Katie's eyes fluttered.

“No…”

Her body went limp.

The driver held her for a moment, making sure she was unconscious.

Then he pulled out his phone.

His expression changed into a satisfied smile as he typed.

I have her. Heading to you now.

He pressed send.

A few seconds passed.

Three dots appeared on the screen.

Then a reply.

Good. Your patience will be rewarded soon.

This is the first chapter of my fourth novel.

Starhaven, Illinois

Sunday Night

Rain hammered the pavement of Starhaven, turning the streets into mirrors beneath the glow of neon signs and streetlights. People hurried along the sidewalks with umbrellas held over their heads, while others crowded beneath awnings and storefronts, waiting for the storm to pass. To anyone watching, it was just another miserable night in the city.

But appearances could be deceiving.

A fifteen-year-old girl walked through the crowd with her hood pulled low over her face. The rain soaked her dark jacket, and water dripped from the edges of her hood while she pushed through the pedestrians. "Watch it!" a man snapped after she bumped into him.

She didn't apologize.

She didn't even look back.

Her fists remained clenched at her sides as she continued down the sidewalk.

Rainy nights had a way of bringing out the gloom in people. For her, it brought out rage. A rage that had been building inside her for years. She crossed one block, then another, ignoring the curious glances of strangers as she made her way deeper into the city. Eventually, she stopped in front of a nightclub glowing beneath a red neon sign.

Sinner's Diligence.

Music thumped from inside the building, its bass vibrating through the sidewalk. A long line of people stretched beneath the nightclub's awning, waiting to get inside. The girl walked toward the entrance. A large bouncer stepped in front of her. He looked down at her and smirked. “Way past your bedtime, isn't it?” he teased.

The girl said nothing.

She didn't even look at him.

The bouncer chuckled.

“Come on, kid. Move along,” he said.

She raised her head.

For the first time, he saw her eyes beneath the shadow of her hood.

Then she grabbed him by the lapel of his black, tailored jacket. The bouncer barely had time to react. The girl twisted her body and hurled him across the street. His body slammed into a parked car with a deafening crunch, caving in the driver's-side door.

The line outside the nightclub went silent.

Nobody moved.

Nobody spoke.

The girl released her grip and stared at the entrance.

Then she walked inside.

The moment she entered, the nightclub exploded with color and sound.

Flashing lights swept across the dance floor as hundreds of guests danced beneath the pulsing music. Others sat in private booths, drinking and laughing while female dancers dressed in skimpy devil costumes moved around poles on elevated platforms. Male patrons watched them with lustful eyes, barely paying attention to anything else around them.

But the girl wasn't interested in the spectacle.

Her eyes slowly scanned the room.

Something was wrong.

She couldn't explain it, but she could feel it.

This place wasn't what it appeared to be. Several guests noticed her as she walked through the crowd. Some whispered among themselves, wondering why a girl who was obviously underage had managed to get inside.

She ignored them.

As she passed through the crowd, she accidentally bumped into a man carrying a cocktail.

The glass nearly slipped from his hand.

The man stopped.

Slowly, he turned around and stared at her.

His expression changed.

"...Nephilim," he hissed.

The girl's eyes narrowed.

The man's eyes suddenly turned completely black, the whites disappearing until nothing remained but darkness.

The girl stopped.

She turned around and stared at him.

She knew immediately.

He wasn't human.

Before she could react, a spotlight suddenly snapped on, bathing her in harsh white light.

The music stopped.

The dancers froze.

One by one, the remaining guests turned toward her.

The woman standing on the balcony above the dance floor looked down at the girl. Unlike everyone else, she didn't appear surprised. Instead, a small smile curled across her lips. "So, she's here at last," she muttered. She glanced toward one of the bodyguards standing nearby and gave him a subtle nod.

The man understood.

He reached inside his tailored jacket and pulled out a pistol.

"Everybody out!" he shouted.

He fired two shots into the ceiling.

BANG! BANG!

Panic erupted throughout the nightclub.

Guests screamed and scrambled for the exits, knocking over chairs and tables as they desperately tried to escape. Within seconds, the crowded nightclub became a stampede. But the girl didn't move. She stood beneath the spotlight, watching the chaos unfold around her. Soon, the nightclub was nearly empty. Only the girl, the mysterious woman on the balcony, the armed guards, and a small group of remaining guests stayed behind.

The girl slowly looked up. The woman smiled down at her. "Should've known you'd come and spoil my night," she said. The girl reached up and pulled back her hood. For the first time, the woman got a clear look at her face. "You're a hard bitch to find, Dahlia," the girl said, narrowing her eyes. "Your little minions gave you up."

Dahlia frowned.

"I doubt my boys would betray me for a brat like you."

"If you ask me, they fear death more than they fear you." The girl smirked. "But don't worry. You'll be joining them real soon."

Dahlia let out a humorless chuckle.

"You want to kill me?" she asked. "I'm eight hundred years old."

"You don't look a day over eight thousand, Methuselah."

Dahlia's smile disappeared.

Her fingers tightened around the balcony railing.

Crack.

The metal bent beneath her grip.

"Now bring that saggy diaper you call an ass down here!" the girl shouted.

Dahlia's eyes narrowed.

"How should I put this delicately, Spawn of Michael?" she said. "You're beneath me."

She lifted one hand.

"Kill her."

The remaining customers rose from their booths. The man who had collided with the girl earlier tossed his cocktail aside. The bodyguards drew their pistols as they surrounded her. Then the transformation began. Their eyes turned completely black. Their jaws stretched as rows of long, pointed fangs emerged from their mouths. A chorus of inhuman screeches erupted throughout the nightclub.

The girl stood completely still—fearless. She looked from one demon to another. "Freakin' demons," she muttered. She shrugged off her jacket and tossed it onto the floor. Then she closed her eyes.

A brilliant golden light suddenly erupted around the girl's waist. When it faded, a bronze scabbard decorated with intricate golden markings rested against her hip. The girl's eyes opened. She reached for the hilt. With one swift motion, she drew her sword. The blade emerged with a metallic ring. Twenty-nine inches of double-edged silver steel gleamed beneath the flickering ceiling lights. Celestial engravings covered its surface, glowing faintly as the blade responded to the demonic presence surrounding her.

Near the tip, notches lined both edges of the weapon. A small, golden, chevron-shaped crossguard curved gracefully from the base of the blade, seamlessly blending into its design. The two-handed hilt was wrapped in alternating bands of bronze and gold. The girl tightened her grip. Across the nightclub, Dahlia watched from the balcony. For the first time that night, her smile was gone.

The demonic guests extended their claws to ten inches as one of them charged and lunged at her. In one swing, the girl sliced the demon in half. Another came at her, swinging his claws wildly. The girl parried each strike as sparks flew from the collision of steel and claw. The Nephilim thrust her sword into his stomach, causing the demon to screech as the divine energy coursing through the blade burned him from within. She pulled the sword free and sliced his head off.

The bodyguards aimed their guns at her and pulled the triggers. With quick succession, the girl deflected the bullets with her sword, sending them flying back toward the gunmen and fatally striking two of them in the head while another bullet pierced the third guard's heart.

A demon came at her from behind. The girl quickly parried his strike before sending him flying across the dance floor with a powerful kick that sent him crashing through a pillar. The demon rose to his feet, but before he could react, the child hurled her sword through his head.

The last demon swung his claws at her from behind, but the girl quickly dodged the attack. She blocked his next strike before thrusting her hand through the right side of his chest and tearing one of his ribs free with ease. She rammed the bone through his skull before brutally snapping his neck.

The demons were slain.

Their bodies began to crumble, turning into black ash that scattered across the nightclub floor.

The girl shook and wiped the black blood off her hand, then looked up at Dahlia and stretched out her hand. Her sword levitated from the floor and soared back into her grasp, as if responding to her call.

"You're next, bitch!" the girl said, pointing her sword at her.

Dahlia didn't seem threatened.

"Do you truly think you have a chance against me? Foolish girl," she said.

"I've gone toe-to-toe with Nero and took his head. What do you think?" the girl asked.

Dahlia scoffed.

"The thing about confidence is..."

The woman vanished in a puff of red smoke.

The girl remained alerted, her eyes scanning the room.

Dahlia suddenly appeared behind her and leaned toward her ear.

"...it can be a weakness," she finished.

The girl spun around, but before she could react, Dahlia sent her flying backward through the stage with a blast of dark energy. The girl crashed through the wooden platform, sending splinters and debris into the air.

A moment later, she emerged from the hole, her shirt scorched but her skin completely unharmed. She rubbed her stomach, feeling a slight soreness where Dahlia's attack had struck.

Dahlia's mouth curved into a smile.

A fiery ring suddenly enveloped her body, transforming her.

Her skin became red, while her hair and eyes turned black as night. Her ears became pointed, and small horns protruded from her forehead. Her scarlet dress vanished, replaced by a black tube top and leather hot shorts, along with a medium-length loincloth and black open-toed boots.

The girl tightened her grip on her sword.

For the first time, she wasn't facing a group of demons.

She was facing Dahlia.