by LJ Swallow
The longer they hold me and talk to each other in urgent tones, the stronger my heart beats and the more the agony in my body and mind fades. The Vee I once begged Joss to obliterate took over. She wouldn’t let go.
Xander and Heath begin an argument about what to do next. Xander insists Heath has to go to Ewan and Joss, to bring them back, and he’ll sit with me. Their squabbling reminds me further who I am and who these men are. As a muttering Heath’s footsteps stomp away, I land back in the world with a coughed laugh.
“Vee?” Xander grabs my face and turns it to his. I squint into the daylight and to where he kneels beside me. My voice won’t come, so I nod. His face floods with relief, and he drops my face. He wraps his arms around his head, forehead to his knees and he swears over and over.
I reach out in alarm. “I’m okay. I’m here.” Xander looks up again and swipes a hand across his nose. His eyes glisten, and I grab his hand. “I’m here.”
“You fucking scared me.” His voice is thick and hoarse, and he leans over. His mouth presses against mine, hard but I don’t have the energy to respond.
“I can’t kiss you like I did before.” I squeeze his fingers tightly.
“You almost killed me, so yeah, please don’t.”
I cough another laugh at his consternation, and he breaks into a smile. “We did it, Vee. We fucking did it. He’s gone. And you’re here.”
I turn my face back to the sky. Breathe in the scorched earth scent mingled with the metallic smell of blood. Am I part of the world now?
“Can Heath bring them back?” I ask, terrified what his answer will be.
Xander looks over his shoulder. “Heath’s trying. He’s exhausted though.”
“Let me.” I grip his shoulder and pull myself to sit. “I brought Heath back. I can do it again.”
Xander strokes my face. “You can hardly sit. Heath has got this. I’m sure.”
Rubble surrounds us on the ground, but the cracks in the earth are gone. The space the guys’ house once occupied no longer gapes, but the dirt is scorched. “The angels.”
“Gone. I don’t know if they die or are like us.”
Us. “I need to see Joss and Ewan. Please.”
Xander hauls me to my feet, and his strong arms hold me gently as I wince in pain. The sunburnt feeling remains, and the world lurches as I move my head. I peer through my tangled hair. My heart cries out in when I see Ewan and Joss sitting with Heath. I stumble as I attempt to run, and Xander catches me around the waist.
“Come here.” He lifts me in his arms. “And don’t bloody complain about me carrying you.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and place my face against his skin. I bury my face into Xander, the way he’s buried in my soul, and hold him tightly. We reach the others, and Heath helps me from Xander’s arms.
Exhausted faces turn to mine.
“You look like crap,” I say with a smile. “Anybody would think you just saved the world.”
Ewan laughs and seizes me in one of his rib-crushing hugs. I gasp in pain, and he apologises, covering my face with kisses. I hold him tight as his hair tickles my face. He’s still my Ewan. And he’s alive. Joss pulls me from him and buries his face into my shoulder. He’s weak, and I grip him firmly as our relief floods between us.
I turn to Heath who’s on the floor with his hands beneath his head and eyes closed. This pale-faced guy brought back to life two people killed by a god.
And he and Xander saved us all.
“Are you okay?” I stroke the mingled dirt and perspiration from Heath’s forehead.
He opens one eye. “I’ll live,” he says. And smiles.
I’m unsure how long we sit together in silence holding each other together in a world no longer filled with chaos. But through the relief and triumph, there’s one question echoing between us.
We’re still here. What happens now?
37
VEE
The middle-aged estate agent in her short blue skirt and silk blouse looks every inch the professional. But she struggles to hide her curiosity as she leads us around the property. Mary is adept at sizing up her clients, deciding their needs and what persuasive tactics will work, but in our case, she’s lost.
“This property has four bedrooms plus a smaller one that could be used as a study or uh—” She pushes open the door to a small room painted yellow with a cot beneath a wall decorated with wallpaper covered in cats. “Currently this is used as a nursery room.”
“Yeah. Nope.” Xander can’t turn away quick enough. “How many cars can the garage hold?”
Mary looks after him as he thuds downstairs before she can answer. She turns back to us. Joss nudges me with his elbow. “Vee likes cats. She could have this room.”
“I thought she liked sharing with you best?” asks Heath.
“I’d sleep with you more, but you snore badly. Especially after a few beers.” I tell Heath, then catch Mary’s attempt not to appear shocked. All five of us walked into the home in Berkshire, our latest property viewing, and she’s spent the last ten minutes trying to figure out our unusual situation.
I smile. “Too small for me. I’m sure we’ll find a use for the room.”
There was full agreement that we return to the UK. I’m more comfortable here and prefer the familiar although I don’t think we’d all fit into my flat. The bed isn’t big enough for a start. This led to a search for a new home an activity the guys grumble takes up too much time.
The wards located around the farmhouse can’t be easily replicated, but if we find a house close to a leyline, the fae promised to help us. Well, the Collector has. Xander no longer trusts we can be warded considering demons were living below us.
We’ve spent up and down the country searching through narrow terraced houses in Leeds to suburban homes in Oxfordshire.
Finally, we could be onto something. The converted barn has a similar aspect—hidden in the countryside away from traffic and a decent drive from nearby villages. I expected a small place, the words ‘converted barn’ didn’t sound appealing, but the place is bigger than the farmhouse was. The beautiful modern bathrooms and kitchen interior contrast with rustic colours and touches. Thank the stars for central heating after the cool of their old house. Besides, nobody is keen on using the fireplace.
“Where are you living currently?” Mary asks as she pushes open the door to.
“Hotels,” replies Heath. “We need to find somewhere quickly.”
Mary’s face brightens. “So, no place to sell first?”
“Nah, our last house fell through the gates of Hell,” Joss smirks, and Mary’s expression suggests she doubts his sanity.
“He means there was a fire,” I say and shoot him a look.
“That too.”
“I am sorry to hear that.” She points at the brochure in Heath’s hand. “Let me explain the situation here.” My eyes glaze over as Mary fills Heath in and I wander around the house. Ewan stands in the kitchen, arms crossed as he surveys the empty room.
“What do you think, Vee?”
“I told you, I’m easy with what you guys decide. I like the surrounding space, although the house isn’t as big as the last we viewed.” I walk to the window. Outside, a neatly tended garden is fenced, and tall trees border the property.
Ewan wraps his arms around my waist and rests his head on my shoulder. “Me too. This bores the crap out of me. I want somewhere to park my bike and relax after a hard day chasing monsters.”
He could be tongue in cheek, but sometimes I can’t tell. I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. “We’re taking time out, remember?”
“Try telling Xander that.” He kisses my nose. “Honestly, he’s nagging me every day to watch what Ripley is up to. I seriously want time out after last month.”
Last month. I trace my fingers along his jaw and watch the movement. The situation with gods, angels and the apocalypse seem a distant nightmare and adjusting to the new us will take time. Xander’s a
nswer, as always, is to throw himself into ‘work’. Not think. Do. But nothing is the same for the Four Horsemen.
The day I arrived, their lives changed. Now our power is firmly split, and we know who and what we are, however much we try to keep ourselves separate to the world, we can’t.
“Xander’s worried. We don't know what, or who walked through open portals. He blames himself.” I meet Ewan’s tired eyes. “How many did Seth open and what was behind them? Most who walked through must be hidden, but I bet we’ll find suspicious activity soon.”
"And then?"
"We eradicate them."
I pull a face. “Stop talking about this. Tell Xander to wait until after Christmas at least.”
“I don’t think the bad guys take time off for Christmas.” Xander walks into the kitchen, hands buried in his pockets. There’s amusement in his voice, and the brighter faced Xander helps wipe away the shadows from before. “I like this place. We should buy it.”
Ewan’s shoulders sink in relief. “Thank fuck for that. I hope Heath and Joss agree.”
“Vee, tell them you want to live here, and they’ll agree,” Xander instructs me.
“And if I don’t want to?”
Xander’s eyes widen in alarm. “Why? What’s wrong with the place?”
“Not enough demons.”
Shaking his head, Xander walks over and flicks my nose, so I flick his back.
“What’s happening here?” asks Joss and waves a hand at the three of us. “I told you, Tuesday is my day with Vee. Be fair.”
My mouth parts ready to retort and he winks at me before inclining his head to the estate agent. Xander huffs and steps back. “Very funny.”
“You have to wait until Friday,” continues Joss. “I’m happy to share my day but only if–”
“We’re interested,” puts in Ewan gruffly. “Joss, shut up.”
The woman’s face lights up, and at this property price, her shock at our sexual deviance drops away. “Let’s talk offers. I’m sure the owners will be flexible as they already moved out.”
“Why?” asks Xander sharply. “What’s wrong with the place?”
The woman frowns. “Nothing. The owners have moved to London.”
“Joss? Vee?” continues Xander. “Anything?”
Xander really can’t leave behind his day job. Ever. I’m about to respond when Joss speaks. “No demons here.” He looks to Mary. “Are there? Otherwise, we’ll need to charge them rent.”
38
VEE
The guys may be keen to buy their own place, but with no furniture to fill the empty house, their keenness drops away at trips to the shops. Flat packed furniture leads to arguments. Drinking begins when assembly becomes as difficult as preventing an apocalypse. Anybody would think there’s another one on the way, judging by Ewan’s swearing and temper.
In the end, I put together the remaining items with Heath’s help. By that, I mean Heath helps by passing me screws.
Honestly, by the end of the third day, I’m ready for a glass of wine and chilling out with the guys.
By that, I meant in our new place, but the guys had more pressing matters to attend to. I rest back against the bench seat in the pub and sip my white wine. “Guys, three pubs in three days. This is getting too much.”
Heath knocks his bottle against my glass in celebration. “Cheers!”
Xander relaxes back, beer in hand. “I like this pub. I think this should be where we come.”
I thought choosing a house was bad enough but checking out every pub in the local area is tiring. I won’t be coming with them every night. I knew as soon as we walked in this place would suit them. The older décor and snug corners remind me of the pub we left behind in Grangeton. Ewan immediately locates a table in one corner, and we now sit with drinks as if this has been our local for years.
I can’t complain. I haven’t seen the four this relaxed for weeks. Joss told me how important a place away from home is to them. Joss and Heath want to spend time in the human world too, more so since our lives changed.
Joss sits beside me now, hand in mine. He absentmindedly rubs the back with his thumb, and I nudge him. He turns his infectious Joss smile to me. I glance at Xander and lower my voice.
“Have any angels contacted him yet? He seems cagey about something.”
Joss’s smile disappears. “No. And Xander’s has itchy fingers. He wants to start hunting the escaped portal dwellers.”
I sip my wine again. Some subjects aren’t dealt with but will need to be. The Horsemen attacked angels—possibly killed one. The portals are closed. Order is gone. Now what? The guys still have their powers, or we think they all do. Xander’s and Joss’s are easy to test out without killing. I still have them too. If I didn’t, would I be human again? Age? Absorbing their powers led to some interesting situations in the early days, but I’m bloody glad I have them. Otherwise, what would I be?
“Do you think the angels will do anything?’ I whisper.
“I think they’re worried that Order survives within us and killed their angels. Nobody knows apart from us what really happened because we’re the only ones who walked away that day. All the angels know is that the five of us had the power to take down a god stronger than theirs and survive.” He cocks a brow. “That would be enough for me to keep away from us.”
Confusion exists, and that’s behind our refusal to talk too. We have our lives back but may face more in the future.
“Don’t talk about this, Vee.” Joss hugs me around the shoulders and draws me close. “We’re alive. We’re together. We took on a god stronger than any other and won. Nobody wants to fuck with us now.”
He chuckles and I half-smile. Joss is partly right. There’s no greater threat to the world out there. “Even angels, I hope.”
“Especially angels. They have no control over us anymore.”
Ewan stands and grabs his jacket. “Coming, Vee?”
“Where?”
“Fresh air.”
Ewan shrugs on his jacket drawing attention from others in the pub, as we all did when we walked in. The closeness between us has deepened now the days running from and into danger have passed. The new house fills with a happier energy. The conflict has stopped. Joss tells me he thinks I’m part of that—their grounding force holding us together. Nothing changed. Nobody wanted to walk away after Chaos died. We’re one.
“You mean dragging me out for a ride on your bike?” I ask.
He grins, and his eyes shine from beneath his fringe. “You know you love it really.”
No, what I love is that Ewan wants to share what was once his solitary time with me. He enjoys us wrapped together losing ourselves as the world speeds by. Ewan is in control again, and he’s happy. I long for the spring when we can drive places together, and Ewan wants us to lose ourselves in something else. Something I’d never expect from Ewan—romantic dates.
“Don’t be long,” complains Joss. “We have movies to watch tonight.”
“Ones not interrupted by broken glass, I hope," jokes Heath.
Xander scowls at him. “Life is different now.” He stands. “Okay. Ewan. Drive straight back with Vee.”
“Oh hell, not a meeting,” Joss complains.
“No, not a meeting. Let’s spend time being what we always were. Us.”
I couldn’t be more surprised at Xander’s words. I smile at him. “I like that. Us.”
Why did I agree to ride back on Ewan’s bike? I’m bloody frozen by the time I arrive back at the house. “That’s it. Nothing else until Spring,” I tell him.
He laughs and sweeps me into his arms. “Sure.” I press my nose into his neck. “Vee! That’s cold.”
“That’s why you take me out on your bike in the middle of winter, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“Because you want to warm me up afterwards.” I smack his backside and walk away calling, “Maybe later.”
We gather in the new lounge room on the blue sofa I cho
se. The place is warmer and brighter than our old home and not just because the décor is. Heath and Xander banter in the kitchen as I snuggle between Ewan and Joss on the sofa.
Why would any of us want to walk away from the energy we give each other through our closeness? We have a life together. A relationship that will grow deeper as we learn more about who we are. That will keep us safe.
“So tomorrow—” I begin when Xander and Heath walk back into the room.
“No,” interrupts Heath. “No more shops.”
Joss chuckles and takes his beer from Xander.
“Yes. We have one thing left to buy now,” I announce and gesture at the bare walls.
“Pictures?” asks Joss.
“Nope. Christmas decorations.”
They stare at me as if I suggested hanging photos of demons on the walls.
“Christmas?” asks Ewan. He shifts in his seat as if needing to see if I’m serious.
“Yes!” exclaims Heath. “Good plan. Every year I ask if we can ‘do’ Christmas and only Joss ever agrees.”
“I have no desire to copy stupid human traditions,” says Ewan.
Heath sits opposite me on the coffee table. I thank him and kiss him briefly on the mouth. He rubs the back of my cheek with a smile.
Xander sits next to Heath. “I agree with Ewan, sorry.”
“The problem is, Xander, now you’re free you’re more human than you were.” His brow tugs at my words. “Oh, come on. We barely speak about how things have changed but look at us. Buying a house, arguing about furniture. The human world is permanently your world now. Let’s be part of it.”
Heath smiles. “Agreed.”
“We still have our powers,” Xander reminds us and swigs his beer. “I think we still have a duty to keep things safe and under control.”
My heart warms at his commitment to fulfilling his old role. But then I guess he’s never known any different.
“Yes, I agree,” I reply.
