The whole room froze. No one had ever seen or heard Iri cry. She was always the strongest and least emotional of the five Asha siblings. Dean, however, sighed. He turned to the boy Iri had pinned to the wall.

Happy now? He asked. Whatever she was planning has all gone to shit because you didn’t think. I know I’m not really one to talk but do you really think of anyone but yourself? If I had to hazard a guess at what she had planned, I’d say it had something to do with your father.

What had to do with me? A new voice asked.

Iri’s flinch didn’t go unnoticed by Dean. He shifted so he was blocking the newcomer’s view of Iri. The older man in the room did the same. Dean glanced at him from the corner of his eye. His body language radiated unadulterated fury.

How dare you come here, he growled in a thick brogue.

How dare I? How dare I? The other man taunted. What a man can’t come to see his children every once in a while?

You gave up any right you had to be our father the day you laid hands on our mother, Mac’s voice was quiet but laced with unbridled rage.

I did no such thing, the man scoffed.

Didn’t you? Iri’s voice was very quiet. Christmas when we were 5. After you thought we went to bed. You and mom got in an argument and you hit her. You hit her so hard that she stumbled and fell into a glass table. You nearly killed her and you just left like nothing happened. If I hadn’t been awake, she would have died.

How do you know about that? The man growled.

Oh come off it Laochlain! Iri snapped. You fucking knew I was awake and that I was watching! You hurt her because you fucking knew I was watching you!

Laochlain laughed. Think whatever you want princess.

You would say that, Iri scoffed. You were never our father. You were just the sperm donor.

Iri gently moved Dean to the side, all trace of her tears gone.

Do you remember what I told you when we were 10? She asked.

Dean watched Laochlain swallow thickly.

If I remember correctly, and I most certainly do, I told you I could kill you without bloodshed. Although bloodshed is indelibly more fun.

Dean watched the man shrink away from Iri.

I see you don’t remember my warning either, Mac sneered.

I sugges’ ya git yerself oot o’ here afore ya en’ up a bloody mess on tha floor, the man beside him said drawing himself up so he seemed larger than he was.

The man glared at Iri and Mac before turning on his heel and stomping away. Iri held it together for about 30 seconds before she collasped to the floor, sobbing. No one had realized she’d stood up until she collasped again. Dean instantly knelt by her side.

I take it that was your father? He asked quietly.

Iri didn’t reply. Her breathing began to pick up pace.

Shit, Mac cursed. Enyo……she always comes out when Laochlain’s around. It’s her defense mechanism.

Can we stop it? Dean asked.

We’ve never been able to before, Danny answered.

You…have to…

Have to what, Iri? Dean asked.

Knock…me out, Iri gasped gripping her head.

That’s insane! Dean exclaimed.

Maybe so, but it’s worked before, Niall answered.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

You mean this has happened before? Dean demanded.

The Asha siblings nodded.

Usually, Jamie is the one who beats her to a pulp then knocks her unconscious, Niall sighed.

Iri screamed.

It hurts, she panted. Oh gods, oh gods. He…he’s…he’s coming…

Iri let out a blood curdling scream that had everyone covering their ears. As suddenly as her scream started, it stopped. Dean looked at her. Her whole body was shaking and her eyes were staring off into nothing. A glance at her sister told Dean that she was terrified, something that was mirrored by her brothers.

Goddess Iryal, do you have to do this every time he comes around? A woman demanded bustling into the room.

She had the same silver hair and silver-blue eyes as Mac and Iri. She was pretty tall standing at around 5’7.5”. Though it was certainly clear Iri had gotten her height from her bastard of a father, seeing as she stood at just about 6’.

Kleo, she’s not doing this on purpose! The older man in the room, who Dean thought Mac had adressed as uncle, said.

The woman rounded on him.

And just how would you know that, Romulus? She snapped. You and Remus are always off on some other assassination mission before you even have time to rest here!

Do you really think I want to be here, Kleo? Romulus argued. I hate this place and you know it. I’d rather be home in Scotland in the highlands when the heather is blooming.

You know mother Iri stays away for this exact reason, Mac growled. She’s possessed by gods, goddesses, and Princes of Hell all because of you. And that sick fuck she gestured in the direction Laochlain had stormed off in. He tortured her for information on you. Information she refused to give up even though some may say she hates you. She doesn’t hate you. She hates what you’ve done to her. She hates not being able to have total control over her body anymore.

Suddenly, Iri took a raspy breath. That one breath scared everyone in the room.

Fucking Koschei, she spat in Greek. That bastard thinks just because he got out once that she’ll let him out again. You assholes should be grateful I was able to subdue him before he got out.

Dean stared at Iri in confusion. He had no idea what she was saying. It was literally all Greek to him. A glance around the room told him only a few had actually understood what she’d said.

Astinos, what did my sister say? Danny asked.

Something about a Koschei wanting out and how we should be grateful she was able to stop him, the young man who’d been holding Mac answered.

Koschei the deathless, Mac’s voice was but a whisper. Her face was even paler than Dean thought possible. No wonder she was terrified. If you’re not Koschei and I know you’re not Enyo, just who are you? Her switch to Greek was utterly flawless, not that Dean knew what she was saying.

I suppose I should introduce myself since I have never been out before. I am Persis.

No one said anything.

You sure know how to make a lady feel welcome, Persis quipped. Look, I don’t want to be out anymore than you want me out but Enyo is weak. She used up a lot with that ghoul, so she couldn’t prevent Koschei from coming out.

What about my sister? Mac demanded.

Persis sighed deeply. She’s not ok, little one.

Dean couldn’t understand what she said but from the look on Mac’s face it wasn’t good.

What do you mean she’s not ok? Mac snapped, not that Dean understood a single part of the conversation.

She’s locked herself away from the rest of us, Persis told them. No one can get to her and she refuses to talk let alone come out. Enyo is trying as we speak but, she is broken.

Can she hear us? Dean asked.

Persis looked at him in surprise.

I cannot guarantee Koschei won’t try to wrest control from me when I do this.

We have to try something, don’t we? Dean asked.

Give me a moment.

Persis closed Iri’s eyes and for a long moment there was silence.

She is listening, Persis spoke so quietly that Dean almost missed it.

Iri, please listen. Don’t let that bastard have any more control over your life than he already does. He’s going to try to provoke you. Let him try. Ignoring him is the biggest insult you can possibly give him. Trust me I know his type. He’s not worth falling apart over. As for you dick of a brother, well I can’t tell you what to do there. I’m not exactly the best person to be giving you family advice. I mean my family is pretty damn fucked up. My dad’s been hunting a yellow-eyed demon since my mom died and dragging me and Sammy around with him. Sammy got out, but I dragged him back in. I can’t tell you how many times one or both of us have come close to dying or actually dying. But one thing has remained pretty constant, we have each other. Even if we fight; even if we disagree, which is more often than not, in the end we are family and family sticks together. Despite all his dicking around and thinking with it, which I think most men are guilty of, Danny still cares about you. At least, I would hope he does. Yeah he’s an ass for screwing up your master plan, but this will give you time to make sure that everything is properly in place before you begin. He paused and lowered his voice. I know what it’s like to be broken and feel like you’ll never be fixed. It’s the worst feeling there is. It messes with your head constantly and it drains you in ways you never thought possible. But you have to keep going. You are strong. Fuck, you essentially took out an entire nest of vamps by yourself. But that doesn’t mean you should do everything by yourself. Trust your siblings, sometimes they’re all you have.

How can you speak as if you know my struggle? Her voice was layered. One spoke in a language that Dean couldn’t understand. The other was English.

I’m not trying to spaek as if I know your struggle, he told her. I don’t know your struggle. Just like you don’t know mine. He rolled up the sleeve on his right arm. This is my struggle, the Mark of Cain.

He watched as her eyes widened almost imperceptably. She yanked his sleeve down then grabbed his wrist and dragged him away from everyone else.