Big News

**Aileen POV**

Jacob and I had worked together for about three hours, sorting the information we had. He had learned about the past between the original guardian and Shiuku. He also found Shiuku's main objective. Hearing what he had planned was disturbing. The view point was so screwed up that I could not sympathize with his reasoning at all. Shiuku was evil. Pure and true evil. If he's successful, it'll be hell for not only this dimension, but all. His rule would spread. The DSS had to stop this now!
Devon was waiting antsily by the door. He was running late and Shiuku may have already arrived. Devon hadn't wanted to be here upon Shiuku's return. Odd, seeing as how Shiuku wanted him here so badly less than a week ago.
"Done? Good. I have to go. Shiuku is here and already displeased with me. Go back to your room Aileen. Jacob will escort you." His gaze softened when I tensed up. "No matter what happens in there Aileen...I love you. Don't think that anything will stop that now. I'll be back soon, this is a quick assignment." He knew something that he was forbidden from telling me. I had a bad feeling I would be finding out soon enough. It must have been pretty devastating news if he was already trying to reassure me.
I smiled. "And don't think that you can die. You're my family now." I took the bow from my hair. This banner bow had been the most precious gift I ever received, before my necklace. Devon had nothing sentimental to him. I wasn't sure if this would work, or not; but I hoped he would at least acknowledge my kind gesture. I tugged his sleeves up and tied the bow around his wrist. Making sure it was securely fastened, I pulled the sleeve back into place.
"The tree is you. The raven is both me protecting you from my family...and including you." I pressed my lips to the bow. "I love you Dev. If any of my family tries to give you a hard time, show them that banner. It'll serve as proof that you have my trust. Congrats, you got the Dark King's faith and his little princess'."
Sweetly, we kissed each other on the cheek. The day would come where we could do more. It had to. I was drawn to my sexy half-demon for so long; misplacing that pull for Shiuku's ruse.
He saluted and once again I would be separated from my true love. Not that I had the time or energy to focus on that. Shiuku was waiting for me.
.
.
.
Jacob wasted no time bringing me back to Shiuku's bedroom.
And there he was standing tall with a cocky look. He reached for me, yanking me roughly into his embrace. I wanted to slither away. Those warm fuzzies were there promising protection and safety; but now I knew they belonged to Devon. They must have been near each other prior to this meeting. Shiuku had recently stolen his aura, letting it rub off on him. I wasn't falling for this any more!
"Let me go. I'm not sleeping with you." I yelled, clenching my hands.
Shiuku clicked his tongue. His eyes stayed that gray color, so he wasn't mad?
"Oh that is a pity little one. I had so much fun fucking your sweet wet pussy and I would love to eat some more fruit off your delicious nipples. You will always be my favorite breakfast." Lust darkened his gaze. I refused to step back. He may be an evil murderous selfish asshole, but he was not a rapist. That he had proven to me. The worst he would do is kill me since I would have no more use. That was perferable to being manipulated into having sex. These wonderful zaps of energy were for Devon. I would not allow my true love's aura to push me into bed.
"A real pity, but that is no longer needed," he told me.
Why because he has a new target lined up?
He smirked down at me, I wanted to cower back. "I have some wonderful news for you and a surprise that should be here later today."

**Devon POV**

Kaibec was waiting for me in the forest looking annoyed. I had little time for his little tantrums. Shiuku was expecting me to complete this swiftly. I told Kaibec as such, but that didn't stop him from complaining the entire trip back to Aileen's apartment.
He had managed to stop his grumblings long enough to call Lena. She agreed to rally up everyone available for Aileen's message. Tom was off on a mission of his own along with Trevor. His team was in charge of rummaging through the leftover parts of Shiuku's most recent DSS obliteration. I was a little excited that I only had to deal with Lena and Aileen's father. They at least didn't despise me.
I was trudging along the paths we had taken earlier until we got to my car. I was lost in my own head while starting the engine. Not only did I have to complete my mission, give Aileen's information, but I would have to tell them about Aileen...Aileen! My eyes misted and my heart clenched. She was going to be devastated when Shiuku talked to her. *God, Please let our time outside in the leaves and what I said before leaving be enough. Let my words ring true for her. No matter what.*
Then there would be the challenge of telling her Father. I could see him beating me black and blue. I failed to protect his precious daughter. Maybe he could give me a concussion so I forget...No, Aileen would need me when I return. I just needed to finish this fast.
My fingers went under my sleeve, tracing the flag on my wrist. We can make it through anything. I will protect her better from now on and she will keep me safe too.
"You are acting like Aileen now. You almost missed the exit."
Couldn't argue there. At least three cars had honked their horns loudly at me. Can't blame em either. I turned at the last second into the exit lane. Hmmm...don't have to deliver any news if I get into a car accident.
"You are driving like a mad man. What's wrong with you?" Kaibec asked, even more irritated.
I let the bitterness out, "I'm trying not to fall apart myself right now. What I have to tell to all of you myself is going to be hard on everyone. I want to ball my fucking eyes out, but I need to be strong for Aileen. She can't know how hurt I am. I need to get over this, so she never wonders if I'm going to support her. I won't let this have her questioning my love for her. Fuck!" I pounded on the steering wheel, stopping the car outside her apartment complex. I had to lend her my strength. I couldn't do that if I was wallowing in my own depression.
Kaibec said nothing as we made our way up to her room. We didn't even have to knock, Lena opened the door. "What's the rush, my God you look horrible Devon!"
She was right, thanks to the buzzed look I kept, my hair was neat; but that was it. There was sweat on every inch of my body, cuts sliced through my shirt in several places from running too fast in the forest without paying attention, and a vein pulsed on my forehead. Anger, sadness, hopelessness, and yet a desire to put all that aside for my true love probably gave me an odd expression.
"Those squirrels give you more hell?" She wanted to loosen me up. I was glad she still tried to act like a friend to me.
Her Father was the exact opposite. He wore his hostility openly. The King really could judge a situation well. I handed him his daughter's letter. Lena read over his shoulder.
*Dear Father,*
*I'm sorry about the sloppy handwriting. You see, I've got a bit of time crunch here. Okay quick recap of me, the voices are still there, but with Devon and these letters, I'm fighting them back. The trauma is still there, but manageable. Still a work in progress. Devon has his own demons to deal with too. He never had a loving family like I did. Like it or not Father he is now part of our small family. Look at his wrist for proof. I will be gifting him something shortly*.
*Alright now for the information. I'll be giving you and Lena something this dimension calls 'cliff notes.' A really long time ago the original guardian and Shiuku were equals. Both of them were the strongest demons to ever exist. Shiuku decides humans should be controlled, but she disagrees. Tera, the original guardian, does think humans need to live more in harmony with demons, but not owned by them. Shiuku starts a war against humans.
Tera falls in love with some guy whose name I can't remember. Shiuku continues to try to take over all humanity and let demons rule. She stands against him declaring humans and demons should live as equals. They fight, she starts losing. So she makes a sacrifice. She uses her life force to weaken Shiuku and make it to where he would not be able to take over humanity until the final guardian was born. Shiuku would have to make plans in the shadows.*
*Tera dies and her lover creates the DSS to train and get stronger from year to year. That is where Jacob's part ends and yes, I am having him help me with this. Even I have my limits at how much I can do at one time.*
*My part was on why some demons want to work for Shiuku while others are just in fear. You see, I had the books on elemental history and the goals of Shiuku. Simplified by a lot, humans did not have elemental powers. They were given by the oldest demons. Several wish they had never given it and joined Shiuku, while others believe they did the right thing. These elemental gifts cause Shiuku and his willing men think demons are clearly superior. Humans should be like pets worshiping demons since they are using 'stolen' power. Shiuku wants demons to completely take over and humans to grovel in despair. He will allow for a few humans to have comforts, only to control their peers. Chaos and destruction are what his mind is set on*.
*There is also an ancient demon, Kuzon, who has a unique ability over dimensions. Shiuku wants to steal that ability and take over others in the future; leaving his future son to temporarily maintain the throne of this one.*
*There are good demons here who do not agree with that but are scared. I'm going to try to gather them up for a revolt. Lena will just have to break their marks. The DSS is right. Demons and humans should coexist. I think Shiuku is also spreading rumors that the DSS kills all their kind. That's why we don't have many demon members. Fear! There are demons out there that fear the DSS because of Shiuku's lies!*
*Well those are the main points I could scrounge up in the short time I had. I'll continue digging more into this so it's not so choppy. But with the rate things are going, any bits of information I can give, even hastily put together like this, should be beneficial.*
*Love you, I'm staying strong*,
*Aileen Lutz*
Lena was speechless. I was proud and scared that my love was putting her neck on the line to gather up help, and King Ulrich was pissed.
"Like hell is he taking over my kingdom! Abusing my daughter and manipulating her by her dark history wasn't enough for that bastard!" He was seething.
I cleared my throat, a fresh coat of sweat dripping from my forehead. My finger went back under my sleeve to touch the banner. "I do have another thing to add before I finish Shiuku's assignment for me." A pause while I tried to maintain myself, "Shiuku had some tests done while Aileen was unconscious a while ago. He got all the results back."
I expected one of them to interrupt me, asking about why she was in such a state. The King thinned his lips to keep the question from surfacing. They all stayed silent and waited for me to fill in the space. I took several deep breaths. Just attempting to speak the sentence caused bile to burn in my throat.
All eyes were on me, including the little bunny demon. "Aileen is pregnant."