"I don't care about that. It's Fang I'm worried about."
She inclined her head before she poured her own cup. "He walks a shadowy line of deceit. But it is not my place to tell you what he has done. Only he can do that."
"What do you mean?"
Menyara spread her hand out and a perfect ball of fire appeared in the air in front of her face. "We all create things by our wills." She waved her hand over the fireball to make it grow larger. "Every action we take shapes our creations." She cut the ball in half with her bare hand and it dissolved into embers that extinguished on the carpet. "And it can destroy them."
Maybe she was dense, but Aimee didn't see a connection with that fireball and what was happening with Fang. "That's all fine and good, but-"
"There is no but, child. Fang is on his course. He must see it through."
Well, bully for her, but from what she'd seen he was having a really hard time of it. "Can't I help?"
"No. There is nothing to be done. Only he can defeat the demon within."
"There's no exorcism?"
Menyara knelt on the floor in front of Aimee and took her hands into hers and held them. "Inside us all are pieces of that which makes the negative." She glanced at Kerryna over her shoulder. "Demons are neither good nor bad. Like you, they have many facets. It is that inner essence or drive, if you will, that we all have that guides us through our lives. Sometimes those voices that drive us are whispered memories that live deep inside and cause us such pain that we have no choice except to let it out and to hurt those around us. But at other times, the voice is love and compassion, and it guides us to a gentler place. In the end, we, alone, must choose what path to walk. No one can help us with it."
Aimee shook her head. "I don't believe that. Our paths collided with each other for a reason. Like you with the ball. One move and we can take that hate and pain away."
Menyara patted her hand. "Now you're thinking, child. But remember, it is a powerful demon inside him. One who is hungry for blood fire and he will not easily be appeased. Look in your heart and you will see truth."
Kerryna clanged her cup on the saucer at those words. "You told me the heart blinds us."
Menyara laughed at Kerryna. "It does indeed." She pulled a ring from her finger and held it out to Aimee. "Wear this, child. It will protect you."
"From what?"
"When the time comes, you will know."
Aimee looked down at the garnet that was so dark it appeared black. Set in an antique setting of gold latticework, it was beautiful. "Your vagueness reminds me of a man named Acheron Parthenopaeus. You two wouldn't happen to be related, would you?"
She laughed. "We are old friends and like me Acheron knows when the truth will only hurt. You must find your own way in this. By the very laws of the universe, I'm forbidden to intervene."
"Oh, goody. Thanks." Aimee slid the ring on, then paused. "I'm sorry, Manyara. I don't mean to seem ungrateful."
"I know, child. Have no fear. Now it is getting late and you should return home. Your wolf will come to you when the time is right for it to be so."
Aimee nodded, then said good night to the two of them. And here she'd been thinking to spend a quiet early-morning cuddle session with Fang. Instead, she was terrified for him.
Flashing back to her own room, she heard a lot of animated talking downstairs in the foyer. What on earth? It was late and most of the staff should be done for the night.
Curious, she opened the door and went to the stairs. There below was her entire family, along with Jasyn, Max, Colt, Carson, and Justin. As she descended the stairs, she heard their discussion.
"So what did the police say?"
"He was one of three killed tonight. They're thinking it's gang-related, but since Stu is a Dark-Hunter Squire, he knows better. He said it looked more like a demon attack."
Aimee stumbled on the last stair.
"You a'right?" Dev asked.
"Just testing gravity."
Laughing, he shook his head.
Aimee straightened up, then joined them. "What are you guys talking about?"