Loose Ends: Demon Queen, #3

By Aindi Rain

The third book in the Demon Queen series ties up loose ends. While also opening the door to some new problems. New characters are introduced while reminding readers of the first book and how those relationships have changed over time. In this book we are reminded that people change and that in doing so they can forget how they used to feel about someone. How has life changed after the theme park case for May and her household? To find this out you got to read Loose Ends! 

 

 

Sneak Peak into Chapter 19
 

Mayu made her way down the long walk leading to her old home. Old memories played in her mind, stopping at the end of her and Akane's street. When did Akane start hating her? None of the memories she had ever hinted at Akane being so hateful to her. Not wanting to stay standing, she moved down the road toward the home she had left. The once white picket fence turned brown, and paint was chipping off. The yard was overgrown to a point. Opening the gate, it fell off the hinges. Stepping up to her door, Mayu took a deep breath. Her hands were shaking, but she needed to get this done with. Unlocking the door, she pushed it open. The smell and the sight before her made Mayu gag and step back. This was not going to be easy. She left everything the way it was when she escaped from her own house. She could smell the rotting food coming from the fridge and freezer. It was a good thing her home sat at the end of the street, and no one came near it, at least she hoped.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aindi Rain
• Release date: Jan 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223097136

Aindi Rain

I started writing when I was in high school but I was always restricted to set rules. When I was given freedom in my writing that is where I learned I excelled. I am not good with grammer,spelling but what I am good at is ideas and details of scenery or events. I love writing and taking people into another world where they can meet the main characters and see them as if they were a friend or a relatable person. I touch topic that are hard to talk about sometimes making it feel real to a point. My characters all come from within and I have so many more to share as I continue to share my books with everyone, 

Book preview

Loose Ends

Mayu could see dark red stains on the once light brown hardwood floors moving into the home. Glass littered the floor from the broken vases Mayu had once sitting on the fireplace. Died blood splattered across the walls and furniture. It has been a year since I was here at this point, and it still causes me to panic, Mayu muttered to herself, moving through the living room. Her breath caught in her chest when she saw the hallway blood coated the floor like she had been dragged down the hall a few times. Some blood pooled around the bathroom door while the other went to her guest room. Taking as much of a breath as she could, Mayu opened the door to her guest room to find the wooden furniture in splinters. Dried blood coated everything here, and giant spots stained the once light-colored carpet. Mayu shook her head. She had been kept here for longer than she thought. Moving out of the room, she opened the bathroom door to find the worst of her nightmare. The tub was now home to a new life as the water stained with her blood was left sitting. Most of it dried up but what was left was nasty. Blood spots were all over the floor here.

By: Aindi Rain

Chapter 1

Taji leaned against the doorway, watching Mayu and Selena in the home gym. The day was lovely and peaceful. Everyone was home, making the house reasonably noisy. The Spirit demons were hanging out in the living room with Elijah watching television, while Nishi and Kazuya were out in the backyard working on a deck for the new hot tub and pool. Kazuki and Fuyu were to show up in a few hours to celebrate Fuyu passing all of his exams and tests. The house they had once bought felt so small, but now they were remodeling slowly. They had moved once again but closer to the shrine to keep taking care of it while they worked on getting rid of the crime scene in it. This house was perfect for them, a two-story home with lots of land to expand on, and they owned it. Selena and Elijah both went to the same school. It catered to supernatural beings with magic and other abilities. Zuka and Suzu still went to school with Selena, Mayu and Selena both told them they no longer had to go, but they said they enjoyed going and being close to the kids. Which made them feel good about protecting their family.

Taji was pulled from his thoughts when Selena began talking. Mom, maybe he should have to join us, she giggled.

Oh no, you two had the yoga date, not me, Taji said, trying to make his escape down the hall only to have Selena catch him.

Mayu smiled. Time went by so quickly after the Titan Land case. Hayato made a full recovery after two weeks of being treated and brought up to date on the new world around him. Leevi and Hikari no longer lived in the Underground. They were now topside, living in a cute little house in town. She and her very crazy household moved closer to her mother's shrine. She felt it was a good idea to finally buy a home and not just rent. They lived walking distance from the shrine where they went to clean and take care of it while they got rid of the old shrine section that was filled with bad memories. Here in a month, she had a feeling it would be ready for its new life, one that housed displaced supers with nowhere to go that wanted better lives. Kazuki and her brother Fuyu stopped by often with Joshua. The family she always wanted was now real, and she wouldn't change it for the world. The shifters were about the same. Tani and Otagi could not find anyone or anything catching the shifters she was not looking out for. The Imps did random jobs for those in the station, making them well known and feared by rouges or criminals that thought they could run. Only a few more loose ends needed to be taken care of, Akane and Joe. Akane was in lock up and was slowly going insane from what she had been told by a guard and medical personnel. Time was coming to a point where Mayu would have to go in and see what was happening with her and if there was any saving her or if she was lost to her.

The sound of the doorbell brought Mayu out of her thoughts. Looks like we have company, Mayu said, moving to hear Kazuki and Fuyu's voices.

Selena ran down the stairs to greet her grandpa and uncle, leaving Mayu and Taji standing in the hallway upstairs. Mayu shook her head, laughing. We better go get cleaned up and ready for this celebration, Taji said, taking Mayu's hand to lead her to their room.

Taji joined Mayu in the shower. The shyness was long gone between the two of them. The night Mayu had returned from Titan Land, things changed for them. They knew one-day things would change again, but until that time, they treated every day as unique. Time spent as just the two of them was bound to change, and it was brewing in the way Kazuya acted some days, but he never said anything leaving Taji to wonder if he was worried. When the time came to share, Taji would happily give the time to them. He had a long while for it to just be him and Mayu. It was only fair he gave the same to whoever spoke up next. Kissing Mayu, they got out of the shower, throwing on nice clothing. They went downstairs to greet her father and brother.

Congrats, Fuyu, on passing, Mayu said, hugging him.

Fuyu chuckled, lifting her off the ground in a big hug. Thank you, Dusty said I will start in your section when you return to work, he said joyously.

Kazuki greeted Taji and the rest of the people in the home. He had come to love the craziness of Mayu's house. It made it feel warm. Selena became everything to him. She was Mayu's daughter, which meant she was his granddaughter, and he vowed to keep her safe if something ever happened to his child or any of the men in the home who saw this little girl as part of their world. Smiling, Kazuki joined in on the conversations while he watched Selena and a few of the spirits run around in the backyard.

I hear someone passed, Katsu said, appearing with food in hand. Selena ran over to him and jumped up and down until his hands were free before she gave him a hug. Now he had her up in his arms, hugging her tight. Someone is gaining muscle, he muttered, putting her back down.

Selena rocked on her heels. Mom and I use the home gym, she doesn't let me lift weights yet, but I do yoga and other workouts, she said, having her face turn red.

Katsu chuckled, keep up the good work, Selen, he said. He had stopped using her full name and gave her a cute nickname.

Selena's face lit up. I will, she said, running off to knock Elijah over since he was not paying attention.

The rest of the day was filled with conversation and laughter. Alex and Izumi showed up to welcome Fuyu to their team, knowing he would have never gone anywhere else. The fire crackled in the pit Kazuya made, giving off a nice warm glow to the autumn night air. Selena and Elijah sat around the fire eating marshmallows. With the adults sitting in handmade chairs around them and the fire. The relationship between Elijah and Selena was talked about shortly after Mayu had returned from her work trip. Elijah sat down with her and explained that Selena was his mate. He told Mayu he would protect her, and when she was eighteen, he would tell her what she was to him. Elijah would be her best friend until that time and just look out for her. Mayu had told him he might want to tell Selena before eighteen; otherwise, she could end up confused, so it was best for him to tell her if she started having a crush on him and that when she was sixteen, he could date her but not before that. They were both still young, but neither of them was stupid. Mayu was sure Selena already knew what she was to Elijah and let things be the way they were so she didn't cause him harm or hurt him somehow.

With night resting upon them, Mayu sent Selena and Elijah to bed. School was starting up again, and she needed them to get some sleep. The morning would come with all-new adventures. Mayu was back at work with her team, and Taji was returning to work. They all had taken time off while the kids were out of school just to spend time together after the Titan Land case. Cleaning up, Mayu was stopped by her father. He wanted to talk to her for a few moments without anyone else.

I don't know how much you know about our family line, but expect a new partner to surface soon for you. We are lucky to get a chance to feel secure in a relationship before another comes to light, but I think you are due for more than just one to appear. I hope it happens slowly and not all at once, but I can't say it will happen that way. You and Taji have the foundation set for all others. No matter who it is, I will cherish you all and do right by each one of them. I still have not fully given Taji what I need to because he keeps dodging me, Kazuki said, shaking his head. Taji was crafty at avoiding him at times.

Mayu leaned against the hallway table. Taji has gotten a lot of devotion lately, and it's all new to him. I think he is not ready for whatever you have to give him just yet, she said.

Kazuki smiled. Taji was a lot like Roka. The man didn't take his blessing for at least a month when he got with Hana. Yes, he gave his approval for Taji to be with Mayu, but as the former King, he still had something he needed to provide Taji with, something Mayu could not have since it was a bit of his magic for her partner. 

At some point, he will have to let me, its magic passed down, and only I can give it to your husbands. I can't give it to you, Kazuki said. He didn't know how to explain this since his father never explained it to his mother. In fact, him having a child at all was unknown to his mother until it came out he had one with a human as a deal. The amount of anger his mother had for him was crazy, but he didn't care. His mother never did meet Mayu. She kept herself away and refused to see her. Even when she was in Demon world, the woman ignored Mayu.

Mayu moved closer to her father, seeing him look unhappy with something. I am sure Taji will stop escaping you soon. Just stop trying so hard to give him that gift, she said softly. Kazuki hugged Mayu before stepping out of the house to walk away with Fuyu and Joshua. Mayu watched until they were no longer in sight of her, and a couple of birds flew off after them. Mayu knew it was Tani and Otagi sending birds to go make sure they made it home. They were, after all, Mayu's weakness, her family. Shutting the door, Mayu went upstairs to turn in for the night. 

Chapter 2

Early mornings at the station were different now. Mayu was never the only one there. Tani and Otagi, along with the Imps, were always there to greet her. Today would be a rough day for Mayu. She had to go and talk with Dusty and figure out what to do about Akane. They were also going to be going over the missing person list her father gave them before the Titan Land case. Done setting the meeting table with everything needed, Mayu made her way to Dusty's office.

Mayu took a deep breath before opening Dusty's office door. This was not an easy thing for her. She knew Akane was no longer safe to be around, but part of her wanted to believe that she had cared for her at some point. Closing the door behind her, Dusty looked up from the papers in front of him.

I know this won't be easy, May, but we can no longer put it off. You will go to the cell block and determine if her demon is still around and if there is any hope of recovering that part of her or if it's gone and we are left with a dangerous human with powers, Dusty said, rising to his feet.

Mayu crossed her arms as if it would protect her from the pain to come. I will have a full report to you once I am done. Mayu knew she would never go and face Akane if she stayed around in his office.

Dusty walked with Mayu until they reached the cellblock where they kept supers who were too dangerous for a jail cell. This would be their home until they were given a proper verdict. If cleared, they would be released if they were not, they were taken to a prison made for supers out in the middle of nowhere, and only high-ranked officers knew the location. Mayu never wanted to know, so she opted out of being shown. Entering the cell block, Mayu handed over her gun and anything that could be used as a weapon. Walking down the long hallway lined with cells, she tried to brace herself for what was to come.

Akane Walker Sho, Mayu said, getting her to move inside her cell.

Akane looked at Mayu for a long while as if fighting with herself. Mayu, or should I say Mayumi, I mean both names work for you. They link to a horrible time in your life, making me happy, she said, getting up.

Mayu didn't stand close to the cell. She stood in the middle of the hallway, out of reach of anyone trying to reach through the bars. You didn't have to be a genius to feel the anger and hatred that rolled off Akane. The time for kind words was long past, and Mayu knew it. As much as it pained Mayu, she had to do what was best for the people and put Akane away. She had attacked a human and used magic on them while also trying to kill or drug her.

Akane, you are being locked away for your actions during the Titan Land case. You are a danger to humans and other supers. What do you have to say for yourself, Mayu asked, letting her aura flow around her.

Akane chuckled, gripping the bars. She stared down Mayu. If they never left, you would be easy to control. I would have gotten you to do anything I wanted. I enjoyed every moment of Jun and them hurting you. In fact, I made sure they knew where you were so they could hurt you. I liked watching you suffer. It empowered me. Jaxson made life so easy he went right along with me. The fool helped me get you almost killed. Too bad you didn't die in that building. No more damaged Mayu to stain the world with her mighty ego that she somehow got by forgetting I helped you and made sure you lived. I made sure you were safe. You were mine to control, you fucking bitch! she shouted, trying to go for Mayu through the bars.

With Akane shouting, guards ran down the hallway to get Mayu out of the cellblock. Turning to leave, Mayu no longer felt the demon half of Akane. It was just like with Shiro. His demon was gone, and he kept the powers. Akane killed her demon and took her abilities, making her dangerous for anyone to deal with. Leaving the cell block, Mayu went back to Dusty's office.

The walk from the cell block to Dusty's office was long enough for everything Akane said to sink in. Mayu was nothing more than a toy to Akane that she used when she got bored or needed to hurt someone. Hand on the doorknob, ready to enter, Mayu froze. All of that time, Akane was killing her demon. Seeing Akane with Shiro was her learning how to do so. Now it all made sense. Why else would Akane have been angry when Mayu finally said she was leaving the shrine and didn't care if she was coming? Akane was losing her way to feel happy. Taking a deep breath, Mayu opened Dusty's door and stepped inside. Finding the room empty, Mayu sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. She sat there in the room's silence, staring at a statue on Dusty's desk.

Dusty entered his room, not thinking anyone would be in there. Before he could turn around to even see who was in his room, Mayu's voice rang out in the quiet Akane can't be saved. She is too dangerous to be around anyone, she said.

Turning around, Dusty was confused. Mayu was not even facing him. Then he remembered the conversation they had once before about her being able to smell the change or something like that. He had all but forgotten that whole conversation, pretty much. Moving over to Mayu, he could see that she was looking at her hands and nothing more. Kneeling, Dusty had her look at him. He could see the hurt in her eyes. It made him angry that Akane was hurting Mayu even without being able to touch her.

I'm sorry, May, you don't have to do anything more with her, Dusty said. He wanted nothing more than to hug her, but this was not the time or place for him to do that.

Mayu took a deep breath. I don't even want to hear when she is moved from those cells unless she somehow escapes. I want to know nothing. She won't hurt me anymore, nor will she be able to take up any more space in my life, she said, feeling an odd sensation run through her.

Dusty gave a warm smile. I can make sure that is stuck to, no more she takes no place in your life anymore, he said, getting Mayu to stand.

Mayu smiled. Thank you, Dusty. I have work to do and a new member of my team to greet and bring up to speed on everything happening this week, she said, leaving his