Chapter Twenty-Four: Famine's Assistance

Famine slowly stood back to his full height and readjusted his tie. The skin on his cheek bore the vivid imprint of Holly's anger. Those steel-blue eyes of his studied Holly in more depth now. "Brother, your chosen one has caught my interest. That is the first time a mortal has ever dared to strike me."

Dagon smoothly stepped in front of him. "You are not touching her. I don't care if you withdraw your support. I won't let you hurt her in retaliation."

"Retaliation?" Famine shook his head with the smallest of movements. "No, do not misunderstand me. She has merely woken an interest. I will not hurt her though you might want to raise your guard a bit more."

Eros all but growled. "She's obviously not interested in you, Famine. Just get out of here."

The mildly amused eyes that had warmed on Holly turned to pure steel as his lip flared at the sight of Eros. "And now your pet yaps at me and bares its comically small fangs. Tell me, Lust, just what do you plan to do to me? There is nothing one like you can do to someone like me."

Holly turned away from them and retreated to the windows. Dagon started to go after her but she held up a hand. "I have to check on them."

"That isn't wise," Famine scolded. He was in front of her now. She hadn't even noticed him move. "I would advise you to stay away from the window."

"I have to see if they're okay." Holly held a fist close to her chest. "I can't just let them fight for me without at least watching them."

Famine turned from her and walked to the window flicking up one of the dusty blinds with a single finger. "The silver-haired child is on the ground."

"Quix!" Holly tried to run but Eros stood in her way. He caught her around the stomach and pulled her against his body. "Let go!"

"What else is going on?" Eros demanded with a glare at the horsemen.

"The female reaper is battling a blond with their scythes. The one on the ground is getting up now, coughing blood. Oh, he looks like that last attack hurt. He's rather bruised."

Holly went still in Eros's arms. Quix was injured and all because of her. He never should have been out of there in a fight with how is health had been ."Please, let me go to him," she demanded.

Eros shook his head. "No, but I'll go to him if you need me to. I'm sure two Princes of Hell can protect you."

"You'd do that?" Holly looked over her shoulder at him and turned and hugged Eros tight. "Thank you," she whispered into his shoulder.

Eros hugged her back a fierce strong hug as if he was trying to absorb her body into his. "Stay safe, Holly," he whispered.

Famine raised a brow again and glanced at Dagon. "Is that really so wise? You're letting your pet go rescue a rival? Have you become soft, little brother?"

Dagon ignored him and nodded at Eros. "Go, but don't put yourself in any extra danger. I need to stay here with her."

Eros didn't need another word and raced out of the building leaving just the three of them now.

Holly wrung her hands in front of her chest as she stood in place. She couldn't bring herself to try to look out the window again. All she could do was think about Quix and now Eros was putting himself at risk. Why couldn't she do anything? If her magic was so great, why couldn't she use it to save those that were important to her?

"There's a magic pulse inside of her, but I can not gauge what that special power is. Would you care to inform me?" Famine questioned.

"There's no way I'm telling you what her power is," Dagon countered with a scowl. "Holly is mine."

Famine chuckled. "Are you jealous and wanting to be slapped too? She's quite unequivocally claimed that she belongs to none of us. I do not wish to suffer her wrath just yet."

"Us?" Dagon demanded as his eyes narrowed. "You should mind your tongue before you cause more issues. Even if you are older than me, I will not hand her over to anyone."

Famine held his palms up and smiled over at Holly. "I wouldn't dream of it. Besides, if I was to be intrigued by someone I have to spend time with them first. I merely mentioned that she has my interest now and I will get to know her better. Besides if you plan to make her your Queen that means she would be my lovely sister in law, does it not?"

"What about the fight?" Holly whispered. "How is the fight going?"

"Such a one-track mind," Famine clicked his tongue but he moved once more to the window as Dagon took a closer spot next to her. "Ah, it's already over." He turned and smiled at Holly. "Congratulations, it appears you have succeeded and even acquired another."

"What?"

"I believe he's talking about me." Tydeus strode into the room with Quix slung over one arm and Eros over the other. "These belong to you I take it." He dropped the two men onto chairs near Holly and turned his full attention to the horsemen. "This situation is way more volatile than usual and I'm used to saving her from the jaws of death all the time. What happened, Dagon?"

"It's always my fault?" Dagon demanded with a scowl. "You just got here and you're outnumbered. I would be on my best behavior if I was you, Tydeus."

Tydeus ignored him as he approached Holly. Without words, he went to her and pulled her close to him in a hug. "I'm so happy you're okay. I was worried, this time is so strange."

Holly pushed against him until she freed herself. "Tydeus, thank you, but I don't know you to have you so close to me." Granted her body had an entirely different reaction but Holly was determined to rule over it with sense.

Dagon snickered. "I like that look on you, Golden-boy."

Tydeus shook his head. "Holly, it's me. I told you that I was on my way. I'm sorry I was late. You don't have to shrink from me like that. I'm only here to help you and to protect you." He pointed to the two men standing almost shoulder to shoulder. "Especially from those two."

Famine chuckled there was a dangerous glint in his eyes now. "This one is still alive and running after your woman? Do you want me to take care of him for you?" he turned and smiled at Dagon. "It's the least a big brother can do for his favorite little brother."

"I'm your only little brother," Dagon mumbled before sighing and shaking his head. "No, don't touch Tydeus. He's just trying to save her as well, just in his own way."

Famine frowned. "Doesn't his own way directly conflict with yours?"

Tydeus ignored them as he knelt before Holly. "I apologize for my lateness, but I am here now. Please, let me share the burden of protecting you. I care what you think of me, but your safety is my utmost concern. Please, trust me." He looked around and frowned. "Are you telling me that Angel still isn't here?"

Holly shook her head. "No, just Eros." She was crouched in between Eros and Quix with one of their hands in each. "Where's Ruby?"

"Ruby?" Tydeus stared at her.

"Yes, a reaper with red hair, Ruby and Lachesis were both out there fighting Krim." Holly winced. "I have to go find them."

"You're not going anywhere," Eros grumbled. He glared up at her. "I didn't go get beat up for you to run off."

"But-"

"Rubes won't let someone like Krim take her down," Quix coughed. He picked up the hand that was entangled with Holly's and brought it up to his cheek. "Won't lie, I thought that was it out there. I'm glad I can see your face again."

Holly would have normally blushed at something like that, but she was too distracted. "Please, someone, go out there and find them. I'm so worried."

"What will you give me if I go?" Famine questioned as he inspected his nails.

"What?" Holly and the others demanded as they stared at him.

Famine smiled back. "I am volunteering to go rescue your friends from Death's grip but asking what you will be rewarding me with in return. I do not work for free."

"We don't need you," Holly whispered as her hands tightened to fists at her side.

Quix put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get them back."

"I want some alone time with our shining star here," Famine announced. "Surely something so benign should be allowed, correct? Dagon can even put his pesky wards around so I do not run off with her. Just some time to talk with her and get to satisfy my curiosity without the glares and stares of all of you other jealous males around."

Holly sighed. This sounded like a trap, a very dangerous one. But she wouldn't allow anything to happen to those who had tried to help her. Besides, it was just talking. he hadn't even asked for a date as Quix had. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. "Just save them."

Famine put a hand over his chest and bowed his eyes practically twinkling. "It would be my pleasure."