The Tiger Prince's Witch
Chapter 73 - The Demon

As everyone around them cried with terror, Anna, Kamryn, Jaz, and Micha stood tall. They knew the main event was coming soon, but they'd been preparing for it and were ready. Anna knew she needed to do something to calm them down. They had to stay strong if they were going to win this fight. As the darkness surrounded them, she closed her eyes and began to sing.

Kamryn looked around when he heard the sweetest sound in the middle of the chaos. It seemed to be the calm in the middle of a storm. When his eyes landed on Anna, he realized she was singing. The song had no words that he understood, but the melody washed over him, making him feel calm and powerful all at once. He noted the others also seemed to be having the same reaction.

After a few minutes, the crowd had quieted down, and everyone was standing straighter, ready to continue the fight. Kamryn noticed something else as well. The darkness surrounding them was turning from a solid black to a light gray, almost like a fine mist. When her eyes opened and she looked into his, he knew it was almost time to bring out their secret weapons. The four little ones.

Marcella and Shila were keeping them safe until they were needed. As Anna's song came to an end, he saw Alice and Marcus almost in a trance. They were standing completely still with strange looks on their faces. "What's going on with them?" He asked his mate softly.

"That song is one Spirit Energy has been singing for a long time in times of despair, war, or conflict. They both know it well. I'm sure somewhere deep down, it's bringing back a memory or causing them to feel something. We need to get ready for the hard part. Astaroth is preparing to show himself." Kamryn nodded, letting her know he understood.

Alice and Marcus shook off whatever they were feeling before glaring at Anna. She looked toward Elsie to gauge her reaction to her parents. Anna could see the sadness on her face, but there was also anger. When Elsie's eyes met hers, she gave a slight grin.

"They're no longer my parents. I'm with you all the way." She said sincerely, and Anna could tell that she meant every word.

"It's nice to have you back." Anna glanced toward Melita, who was staring at their exchange, before looking down at her feet. "It's nice to have you back to Melita."

"What? I thought you'd be ready to kill me." Melita felt her heart racing with hope when Anna gave her a small smile.

"I know what you did wasn't all on you. We're glad to have you on our side. Now, let's kill some evil." Anna looked back toward the mist before them with a sinister look. It was now time to show what they were made of. She looked at Kamryn and nodded so he could mindlink Marcella to have her and Shila bring the children out.

A few minutes later, they appeared, handing Liana to Anna and Zack to Jaz. Marcella and Shila stood nearby with their own gifted little ones. After strapping the children to their fronts, they prepared for what was to come. Liana, Zack, Sasha, and Sean looked ominous as their eyes glowed white, making them look like something out of this world. Alice and Marcus took a step back in surprise.

"What are these things?" Alice hissed at them while wearing a worried expression.

"They are not things. They are our children. We wanted to make sure they witnessed the death of a demon and his soulless followers." Anna looked around at the warriors who, despite having empty black eyes, didn't look too keen on fighting at the moment.

"You're only ensuring their death. They will be killed along with you after Astaroth takes their souls. From the look of their eyes, they appear they have some special abilities. That will only help him defeat Satan." Marcus appeared smug, but Anna could see through it. No one expected them to have reinforcements they knew nothing about.

"Why doesn't he show himself? Is he scared of us? Surely a big bad demon doesn't need to hide behind a few worthless minions." Alice and Marcus were furious at Anna's words, but it was nothing in comparison to how Astaroth felt. The ground started shaking as they heard a thunderous roar.

"I am here. You will see me when I'm ready. Prepare to die, witch, and know that everyone with you will die because of your self-confidence in a battle you can't win." The voice seemed to be all around them, making it impossible to pinpoint where he was hiding. Anna did not tremble in fear as she wore a small smile. She had to keep goading him to bring himself out in the open. They wouldn't be able to defeat him if he remained hidden.

"You're wrong, Astaroth. We will prevail, and you will be sent to the devil for your well-deserved punishment. What do you think he would do if he knew you were betraying him like this?" The ground shook again as the demon growled. "By the time he replaces out about this, you will all be dead. He won't know what hit him when I get through with him. He should have known better than to keep me close back then. I know all of his secrets and his weaknesses. Once I'm through with him, he will bow to me before I end his existence." Anna shook her head at his words. Clearly, the demon was delusional to think he could beat Satan. She was sure the devil was well aware of what he was trying to do. He may be the ruler of all the evil ones, but that didn't make him heartless. He accepted his role in the greater scheme of things but would never take the souls of unsuspecting beings.

"I almost feel sorry for you. To think you've been around for centuries and to have it all end because of your jealousy. Think of all you could've accomplished if only you'd focused your energy on good rather than evil." While she spoke, Anna had everyone move into position. She almost had Astaroth where she wanted him. He was losing control.

"Good is for suckers. Evil rules all. You should know that by now, Anna. I've been watching you and know you have the power of four, but that's not enough to defeat me. You should know you need more than that. I don't know what you expect from those creatures you call children, but it won't make you successful. I am untouchable." When Anna began laughing, the ground shook worse than before. They were so close. They were spread out, now making a half circle with Marcella and Shila standing slightly behind her.

"No one or nothing is untouchable. You may think you are above all, but you're not worth the dirt stuck to my shoe. If you're so high and mighty, show yourself. Stop letting everyone else fight on your behalf and start taking matters into your own hands. Unless you're too much of a coward." There was a scream below the earth's surface as the ground began splitting right where Alice and Marcus stood. They barely had time to move out of the way before Astaroth rose from the gaping hole.

"I'll show you who's a coward. It's time for you all to die." His voice sounded less threatening now that he was in front of them. Anna smirked with her arms crossed.

"Pathetic. You sound like a toad that has been living too long underwater. You're nothing but a decrepit old man who has lived way past his prime. Don't you think it's time you burned in hell?" Anna and the others were pulling their energy from within, preparing for what was to come. As confident as she sounded, she knew this wasn't going to be an easy feat. Astaroth was more powerful than he looked, even though he appeared to be nothing more than a bag of bones. "I will never return to hell. I will send you in my place. I'm going to rule the earth, so every being will be in my command. Right now, I'll start with someone you love." Anna felt a chill run through her spine as he raised his hand and snapped his fingers. At first, nothing seemed to have happened until she heard an earsplitting scream. When she turned around, she felt her heart shatter as she fell to her knees.

"Nooooooo," She screamed as Kamryn pulled her into his arms. Anna knew people would die, but it didn't prepare her to see her father's lifeless form lying next to her weeping mother.