Eris arrived at the crime scene where his sister and comrades were already situated. Selene was trying to weave a Spider Cell. An ethereal-like box, tethered by silver strings of magic, floated in the air. Each silver tendril was intentional, tracing spells and revealing the time they were cast. If magic had been used, the spell would both it and the time it was used. Eris was thankful for his Shadowling abilities. Still, he wondered why he had left no scent, not that he wasn’t thankful for that too. Nonetheless, it still unnerved him though.

The web of magic was finally complete, and he watched his dissect every strand. Obviously, there would be nothing left behind from him. He watched her face harden as she waved her arm through the Spider Cell, dissipating it.

“Well?” he asked her. Selene gave him an annoyed look, the red in her eyes obscuring the violet.

“They didn’t use a Marking Spell. That only leaves Fairy Dust. They are either using it as a cover or ingesting it. Either way, whoever they are, they’re dangerous.”

“So investigate Selene,” he scolded.

“What does it look like I’m doing,” she seethed.

“Let’s not argue here,” said Blake, stepping up between them. “We’ll go to the Darkling District and investigate the sellers and buyers of Fairy Dust.”

“We’ll go as well,” said the leader of the district’s Enforcers, Conner.

“You sure about that,” asked Jeanette. “These Witches delve into the dark arts. They’re not likely to cooperate with you breathing down their necks.”

“We have the right to arrest whoever is making that Dust.”

“That you do,” answered Selene. “We’ll go, get a name, and then turn it over to you.”

Eris stared at his sister, shocked. “Selene!”

“Shut it,” hissed Blake, glaring at him. Eris snarled. Blake was always defiant and harbored a tiny seed of hatred for him, no matter how small the situation. Eris had never really liked him, even as children.

“How dare you!”

“How dare I?” Blake turned and glared at him. “You have the nerve to say that to me? You, who cares for nothing. Who never has! You have not done one thing to help this investigation! All you do is chastise, and you know what, Eris, never have you been too quick to send us out. It was almost like you knew.”

“What are you insinuating,” he growled, flexing his muscles.

“Figure it out.” Blake turned to walk away, and Eris, in his fury, yanked his arm back and punched him, sending him sprawling into the side of the building, quickly regretting it when Blake lunged at him, not holding back. Slammed down into the ground, Eris’s fury only grew with every kick and punch. When he finally knocked Blake off himself, he soon found himself slammed against the side of a building, a thin, lean arm pressed against his chest.

“Enough!” echoed Selene’s voice in the alley. Eris looked down at her purple eyes. He quickly relaxed and looked over her shoulder at Blake, who Jeanette held. Both were furious.

“You can let go of me now.”

Eyebrow raised, Selene studied him with a face devoid of lightness. “Are you sure?”

“Selene, I’m fine.”

Purple eyes slanted, she took a step away, watching him. “At least act disgusted, brother. Jeanette, Blake, let’s go.” Eris watched his sister walk away, not looking back at him. For the first time, he felt very distant from her. He tried to fight the feeling.

“Selene!”

“Go home, Eris,” she called. “You’re Coven Master, we’re the Hunters, we can do our job without you.” She stopped walking and looked back at him. “Go home, Eris. All this bickering will get us nowhere.” Eris was stung. As she walked away, he knew it had not been the words that had stung her but the look in her eyes. You’re not wanted. Eris punched the wall.

***

Eris lay in bed, his hands behind his head. What the hell was he doing? Killing and picking fights with Blake. The killings were justified, right? Yeah, he answered himself. He needed to keep Selene preoccupied, just until Shira or Negal told him more about Jason. He’d rather commit unspeakable acts before he let Selene fall deeper into her own darkness.

“Oh my, my, having regrets?” Eris didn’t have to turn to look to know that it was Shira.

“Hmm, I was just thinking about you.”

“Oh! How delightful.” Shira’s hand slithered up his chest. His heartbeat fluttered, and suddenly, he remembered a time that did not exist. A time when she looked happy and in love. A time when he, Negal, Senid, and Shira were together, all smiles. He shook the image away.

“Don’t be flattered.”

“Oh, how hurtful.” He felt her legs wrap around him. Eris shut his eyes. Another vision flashed. He was holding her, feeling nothing but love, kissing her. Eris opened his eyes and noticed her hovering above him, her body close to his, her black leather bodice pushing her cleavage higher than possible, and tight black leather pants that highlighted her slender legs. Her eyes, like black pools, seemingly glowing against her skin.

“What do you want, Shira?”

Her eyes flared, briefly turning bright red before returning to black pools. “What is rightfully been mine.”

“And that would be?”

Shira’s voluptuous lips were at his ears, her cold breath sending warm shivers over his body. “You.” Eris shut his eyes tightly when her lips touched his neck. He felt them move up his chin and knew soon enough that they would be on his lips.

Eris could push her off; he had the power to, but Eris was tired of fighting off the darker inhibitions that he knew existed. So he stopped. Eris kissed her back fiercely, tightening one hand around her neck while he ripped off her bodice with the other. He was tired of ignoring his darker urges.