Mark Removal

**Aileen POV**
My brother raced over to me and hugged me close. It felt as if a whole lifetime since I saw him lying still in a burned heap. So much had happened and I was just relieved he was okay. The extra muscle working for the DSS gave us was evident when he crushed my arms in his embrace. My Father had nothing on the bear hug I was getting from Trevor. I don't think he noticed my discomfort. He acted like I just showed up from the grave. Like he thought I had been dead. *Let me just bask in this small moment with my brother. Just a minute to relax.*
I had to confess, his cocky demeanor was strangely welcomed and missed.
"It's good to see you stupid." Tears stung his eyes, though he fought to keep them at bay.
I giggled, "Good to see you're not an ugly mess of charred skin and boils anymore. I thought you'd be too scared your ass would be fried again."
Trevor nuggied me as if we were children making up after one of our many fights. "One, I was more attractive than you even barbequed. The burn marks gave me a dangerous vibe that many women enjoyed." He held up a second finger. "Two, why would I be afraid? I have two squad leaders backing me up. Not to mention the previous traitor Devon. I've been told you got him to stop being a ball-less piece of shit."
"Good to hear you need a squad leader to bail you out and give you some balls Trevor. I'll keep that in mind the next time the Council is looking for recommendations for squad leaders." Tom said in a dry tone, poking fun at my brother's expense. It was more light-hearted than most of what came out of Tom's mouth. Every time I had seen him, he was all business. I had wondered several times if he ever smiled.
Trevor opened the door that led to Rena's room. Sure enough on the linen sheets sat Sekai, Rena, Mallory, and Sam waiting patiently. My right eye twitched. They were so nonchalant despite the hell going on outside the room. How could they be so calm?!
Sekai stretched, showing off her long legs in some pink splattered mini skirt. Her flimsy tank top had the same pattern.. The future queen of Lutz... Maybe she was just getting it all out of her system now. I did have to admit with her firm figure, that outfit was gorgeous on her.
No one needed advanced demon eyesight to see Father's interest. I gave a fierce glare to my Father. To wear his lust so plainly in the middle of battle, with his damn daughter beside him! There was no excuse. Stupid man!
"Old man, we are in the middle of a war that's about to get a lot worse!" I huffed with as much venom as I could muster. Not giving into my temper was becoming an issue.
"Old man? I'm in my prime!" Father complained.
Was he trying to test my temper? I got it from him, so he should know better! "I don't need a sibling to be created in front of me!" I turned to Sekai. "Why are you even wearing that?! It's December and freezing outside!" I hadn't meant to yell at her for wearing what she liked. Honestly, I loved that a girl had the freedom to dress as she wanted. I was just upset and unsettled about my Father's leering. Was that how true loves were supposed to be with each other?
"Don't nag because Daddy likes what he sees. Besides, I'm a water elemental. The cold doesn't bother me at all. In fact, too many clothes overheats me! Lena would understand." She cooed, motioning to my squad leader.
"She has a very small point."
Sekai smirked, "so while we wait for all our marks to go bye-bye; why don't we go play!"
Rena and Sam interjected, "not in our room!"
Mallory stabbed a finger across her neck. "Keep it up and I'll behead both of you." The deadly demon pointed to Lena. "Aileen said you could break this God forsaken mark. I'd like it to be gone before Shiuku tears us all to pieces and grinds our bones."
Father grinned at the banter between all of us. This would all be new for him. He wouldn't be able to allow this kind of behavior much longer with his true love. How was he going to adjust Sekai into her new role once back home? "Perhaps we will talk about this later Sekai. When we aren't being threatened by my daughter and that fine looking demon beside you."
He was real close to setting off demon baby rage.
In the knick of time Lena got to work. Rena, Mallory, and Sekai all walked over to her. Lena should have already removed several marks from both humans and demons. I hoped she had enough juice after breaking everyone else's marks. She would still need some energy to fight. Especially once Shiuku made his grand appearance. The demon lord wouldn't miss the chance to put an end to his rival.
Tom joined his wife. He placed both hands on her shoulders. I think he was transferring his energy to her somehow. Lena's fingertips sparked shades of white and purple. The colors crawled up Sekai's arm softening the dark black of Shiuku's mark. To my joy, it seemed this process was not painful like her healing. Sekai's entire body seemed to relax like she was being treated at a luxury spa.
My brother was staring enviously at Rena and Sam huddled together. He still held a small crush for the girl. Rena was clearly frightened about betraying Shiuku and Sam was comforting her lovingly. This would wake my brother up to the fact he never stood a chance with her. She liked women and had exceptional taste. Wanting to have a date with me, and then finding a sweet beauty like Rena. I felt proud of my friend.
To my right, Father had found a chair to sit on. The rest would be good for Father, Devon, and myself. We had given our all in that performance and were exhausted. Father in particular needed the break. His body hadn't recuperated from Lena's healing yet. I smiled childishly. Father being this tired meant Sekai would be out of luck for awhile.
I crumpled to the ground. Trevor sat beside me. He had taken out his phone and was scrolling through messages.
"Trevor? Can you grab that bucket?" I asked softly.
He passed me the bucket without looking up from his phone. Apparently the baby decided that I would spend my relaxation time puking. Just lovely.
"Alright Aileen, you're up." The words should have filled me with glee. Now, I felt only uncertainty.
Knowing what was coming after I left here, made me wonder if this was the correct choice for me. Lena would not approve, nor would Tom. I should be selfish and have the mark removed, but that would ruin my secret scheme.
"Let Devon go next. His lets Shiuku kill him at any moment. Plus, I don't think I'm done throwing up yet. The baby is not behaving." A twig of guilt coursed through me for using my son as a delay.
Devon shrugged and lugged himself over to Lena. "Shiuku can't kill him unless within 30 feet of him. We'll sense Shiuku's aura long before then. And Devon...This will be the only time my wife's hands are going to be on you! You understand me!" Tom snapped possessively.
Devon and Lena must have been pretty close before his betrayal. I guess that was why Devon made the comment about Lena to me. If he would use his old crush for Lena to trick Shiuku, it must have been somewhat mutual...well at one point. Trevor tugged at a piece of my hair, snapping me away from my irrational jealousy. Devon loved and supported me; I had no reason to doubt him.
"I want Lena to forgive me, I don't desire her in that way any longer. It took some time, but I've moved on." Devon didn't give Tom much more attention. His eyes stayed on the floor while Lena moved along his tight muscles, finding all the binding points of his mark. I had to bite my lips to stop from gaining red eyes. There was nothing sexual about her touches, but I was growing angrier by the second.
After several excruciating minutes, of Lena fondling his chest and arms; she located where the mark had its' tightest hold. She worked her ability into his hand and trailed it along her found path to his beating heart.
An impatient sigh left my throat and I immediately regretted it. Father had opened his eyes, suspicion towards his daughter all over his face. Judging from his stare, he could read my insecurities. Damn it.
He said nothing and leaned back into his chair. I went back to watching Lena and Devon.
Unlike how Sekai had appeared, Devon was on edge. He was tense and seemed to be breathing with difficulty. Tom was acting surprisingly soft compared to his earlier outburst. The three of them were mumbling amongst each other, mending broken feelings at last. Things would be much easier for all of us if Tom and Devon were getting along; or at least tolerating each other. A small laugh escaped Lena's lips and Devon's shoulders finally slumped.
Leaning back against the wall, closed my eyelids, and I found my own peace. Just like Father, I started to doze off.
Next time I woke up, there were four pairs of eyes staring at me. I jumped up and punched the nearest set. Thankfully, Devon blocked me with ease. His fist clenched mine, squashing my tiny fingers in the ball of his own palm. He didn't let go when I tried to free myself.
I rolled my neck, cracking it a couple of times. "So, did you finish taking everyone's marks off?"
Lena flipped her ponytail back visibly annoyed. "Yes, while someone was taking a little ol nap, I was working."
Trevor and Devon helped me to my feet. "Alright, sis. Let's get that nasty mark off of you now."
"No. I'm keeping Shiuku's mark."