The Letters

**Aileen POV**



Inside wasn't just one letter, but three. Two were typed and one hand written. The first was typed out by Lena, the squad leader I had betrayed.



*Dear Aileen Lutz,*

*I hope you are doing alright. Trevor has given his full report on what happened. I can assume why you were forced to make such a decision and I just want to say... that you are stronger than I ever realized. You gave yourself for your loved ones. I did not make a mistake having you on my team. No, the only error I made was with Jacob. At least now I understand why he tried so hard to be your friend.*

*By the grace of God, I pray this letter makes it to you. I think it would be better to read this from all us; than hear it later from Kaibec*.

*I wanted you to know, no matter what Devon or Shiuku may or not convince you of; you are a member of the DSS. No one considers you a traitor.*

*Believe me when I say we will be freeing you. We won't let you meet the same fate as Rachel, Amy, or Brintini*.

*Stay strong and know we are all here for you. Give us a little more time and you'll be safe. And don't worry about that mark. I can break it when I next see you.*

*You have my condolences when you get to King Ulrich's letter. I should have done more. Your Father made it very clear he was to be the one to tell you.*

*You really do remind me a lot of myself at that age. I'm only maybe six years older, but it feels like a whole lifetime. Anyway I'm stalling. I just wanted to tell you that I don't have a family either outside of my Tom... but anyway I consider you like family. You are not alone Spacey Head*.

*Sincerely*,

*Squad Leader Lena*



"You good?" Devon asked staring at me intensely.

"Why did she say condolences? And she barely mentioned Jacob. Why would this make me want to kill him?"

I felt nauseous, like I would throw up any time. My fingers didn't want to flip to the next letter.

"Read on, it's not my place to tell you."

I nodded turning to the second typed page.



*Salutations loving sister!*

*I miss you and so do our parents. You don't have to tell me, I know you miss this perfect example of an amazing brother!*

*How's that evil bastard treating you? I hope like a Queen. I'd hate to have to fight him again. Obviously I took it too easy on the demon lord last time. My burns are still healing a bit... although, Jacob using a fire ability I didn't know he had, didn't help*.

*But do not fret little sister! I am still as unlawfully handsome as always. Girls will be swooning over me in no time!*

*Have you beaten that idiot Devon yet? I'm sure by now you've realized he ain't shit. Better you cuddle a poisonous scorpion than put faith in Devon. At least then you won't be surprised when you get stung. I won't complain about that weasel too much in this letter though. Lena said to let Devon show his own colors. I think she has some hope for him deep down. Not that the stubborn leader would ever admit it out loud. Especially not in front of Squad Leader Tom. My squad leader can get seriously jealous about other men*.

*I guess Devon is a smidge better than Jacob. I want to be the one to kill him, but Lena insisted we wait. You needed these letters and Kaibec is an excellent tracker. Wink wink.*

*I do feel bad about not being able to protect your family better. Had I not been recovering I would have shown that spineless man what I can really do. I guess he is a lot worse than Devon. I never heard of Devon waiting until someone was weak to attack.*

*I wish I could hold you when you get to the third letter. If you aren't with anyone right now, and there is someone close you trust, go to them before you read on*.

*I love you sis (so long as you don't steal any other girls from me)*

*Be safe*,

*Trevor the Lovable*



"You still good?" Devon was still caressing the top of my hand with him thumb. My knotted stomach settled slightly if I focused on his touch. When/if Devon ever escapes Shiuku, he could have a future as a counselor. There was something comforting about his presence. And he was a great listener!

Still, I could taste vomit threatening to rise. If Devon let go of my hand, there would chunks on the floor.

I shook my head. "I'm going to be sick. I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next letter. How bad is it Dev?"

His face flushed and he turned away from me. Somehow he was fighting a smile, but I had no idea why. There was nothing humorous about my question. I stabbed my nail into his palm.

Devon showed me his compassionate side again. I'd rather have the misplaced goofy grin back.

"I know this isn't easy, but you're going to go crazy if you don't read that. I can see the madness around working it's way into you." Sam said. "It's from your Father, if anyone can break bad news to you, it should be him right. I'm sure he'll be gentle about whatever Jacob did."

Ha, there was nothing subtle, or gentle about my Father. He was always blunt. Kalum was the soft one. Father should have let Kalum wright the letter.

Little sour pre-puke like burps left my mouth as belly rumbled from my growing anxiety. Devon tried to hide his grimace. He could probably smell it. Not my most attractive moment.

Swallowing down the burning liquid in my mouth, I finally flipped to the last letter.

Did Father really write this? There were several dried circles smudging several letters. Father didn't cry. The condition on this very paper was more horrifying than any of the words Lena or Trevor had used to warn me.



*Princess Aileen, my dearest daughter,*



*I don't even know how to start this letter. Both Lena and Trevor have left me alone to do this. They have gotten good at leaving me alone when I order it. This is the second time in less than a day. I have no idea what they are writing, or type? Whatever that is. They are off doing that while I sit here at a cramped little desk trying to put my jumbled thoughts on paper*.

*Daughter, you know that I have never been good at delivering news or sugarcoating anything. I'm lost more now with what to do or say to you than ever before. The one thing I can say for sure is that your brother and I will be fighting over who gets to end Jacob's life, if you don't beat us both to it.*

*Before Devon left us after Shiuku took you, I made him promise to look after your well being. He better be beside you right now. My judgement has never been wrong about someone. That boy cares for you. And if I'm wrong and he is not helping you; I'll add him to my list*.

*If Jacob gives you this alone, please find Devon. I don't want you alone. And remember I love you. As does your little family here; Lena, Tom, and Trevor.*

*I'm wasting time. You've gone through two other letters by this point and if your anything like me, you just want to get to the point by now*.

*I'm sorry, I failed you again. This time I was the one there for the last moment. I can only imagine how you must have felt watching your Mother die in front of you. I've never truly cared when watching those I should love die. I have killed more men than any scholar could ever count. There are more sins on my back then you could ever imagine. The only thing I haven't done is fuck a demon.*

*My point is, I never thought a death could touch me; unless it was yours. I was wrong. Kalum was a Father figure for me and a friend. How he was with you, was how i wanted to be*.

*Jacob murdered him. Kalum is dead.*

"I don't think she's good this time Devon." I could hardly make out Sam's voice. There was a horrible ringing in my ears.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't even finish reading the letter Father had taken the time to write.

Something really bad had happened while I was stuck warming a demon's bed. I ran over to the trash can off to the side of Sam's room. Everything I had eaten in the last day came back up violently. I gagged, coughed, and fell to my knees.

He was killed and it was all my fault. Shiuku had him murdered because of me. Jacob knew how much my little family means to me and still killed him. And I was about to forgive him! Kalum is weeping from heaven and I'm considering befriending his murderer.

Devon and Sam tried to approach me.

"No, stay back please. I don't wanna-" I hurled again missing the trash can this time.

Kalum is dead. Kalum is dead. KALUM IS DEAD! NO!

I ripped out a small chunk of my black hair. Kalum, the man who stayed by my side and held me when Mother died... I wasn't even there for him! I wasn't there for his last moments.

Devon snaked an arm from behind me. His other hand held my hair back while I continued releasing the contents of my lunch.

The stress was too much. Shiuku knew, he knew! Did my own husband plan for someone I loved to die?

NO NO NO!!!

I was fucking the man who ordered his death! I really was a whore! The entire damn reason I ended up here was to save my brother. And now I've lost my first friend; the first person I could rely on.

*Look Sir Kalum, I'm getting so big.*

*Where's Father? Will you play with me instead?*

*I love you! When I get bigger I'll protect you too!*

*Kalum, can we play slay the dragon? I wanna be the knight!*

*I wish you were my Father.*

All gone. He was never coming back. The demon I am marked by wanted him dead. An ex friend carried out the demand. And I was useless to stop it.

"Aileen, would you like to lay down." Devon asked kissing my forehead.

I leaned into Devon and his embrace. I was glad he didn't listen to me. I wasn't like my Father, I didn't want to be alone. I needed the care Devon was offering to me. He may be part demon, but his strong arms felt like angel wings; delicate in this moment.

"No, I'm going to regain my composure and write a letter."

Sam brought me some tissues to clean up my snotty face. I blew my nose and glared at the floor.

"Then I am confronting that piece of shit Jacob."