by Dakota Brown
"How long will it take?" Melinda snapped.
"It will take as long as it takes. Not usually more than a month."
Nikolai was listening as well, and he swore. "He's buying us time, but more would be better."
"Fine. You will stay with her constantly. Bring her to me as soon as the process is complete. We have work to do," Melinda snarled at them, and I got the sense that she left.
I had no energy, and neither did my body. Someone picked me up from the ground.
"And where do you think you're going?"
That was Alex's voice.
I growled, and Nikolai tensed next to me.
"I was instructed to stay with her. Not to leave her lying on the ground. I will take her somewhere more comfortable."
"Fine, take her back to them. It will torture them to see her like this, and maybe the two of you can learn some of their secrets. They're such idiots, I'm sure they'll allow you to stay around."
Nikolai held me close, kissing me, before stepping away. "I must go for now. One of us will return soon."
∞ ∞ ∞
For a time, I lost myself again, clinging to the guys, not aware of much else. The demon mostly left me alone, though she did check in on me every now and again to make sure I was still there.
Ed spent the most time with me over the next week. Though they both had to go to classes, he had managed to perfect hanging out with me while still doing life things.
It was so tempting to simply let go, but the guys forced me to hang on.
They forced me to have hope.
They forced the demon to have hope.
Ash followed us everywhere as commanded, and the guys tolerated him living with them. On some level, I got used to having him around, though I mostly tried to hide from the world as life went on around me.
I missed the first mountain snow. The guys were right though, it snowed before Halloween.
What is Halloween? The demon's voice jerked me out of a light daze in one of my rare times when I was alone.
For a minute I couldn't remember. Couldn't remember anything. What did it matter? Why was I here?
Sofia!
The demon had never used my name before, but that brought me back to myself.
"Uh, Halloween? It's a holiday, or like, a fun day for people to dress up in costumes, party, things like that. It used to be a harvest celebration, among other things. We've turned it into a party, though."
Alex is forcing me to go with him to the college Halloween social. This sounds annoying. I suspect he wants to annoy your men, and maybe try to get information.
I shuddered at the thought of having to go with Alex. The thought of him touching me in any way made me shrink away from the conversation with the demon.
I would have cried if I had actual eyes to cry with. It wasn't so much that I really wanted to go to the Halloween party, but that I was missing going with my guys.
Even if all I could do was be around him, I could hang out with Doc. I could get Ed and Allan and maybe Nikolai to dance with me a little. We would all have costumes. I wondered what the guys would dress up as.
Instead I was slowly slipping away.
Fuck.
What do I do? The demon sounded lost.
"I guess just find a costume. The guys can help you out if Alex doesn't have something horrible in mind. And do what they say, because otherwise, it will hurt." I collapsed into a chair that I formed in my mental prison, just so I could collapse into it.
She faded away.
∞ ∞ ∞
"Sofia!" Doc yelled my name.
I looked up from the ground I stared at and didn't recognize my surroundings for a moment. It was my grove, but the moss carpet had withered, and the trees no longer connected. Several were rotten, and a few had fallen. Brown pine needles littered the ground.
The effort of looking up cost me, and I almost didn't reply.
Doc looked around frantically, yelling my name again.
"Here," I gasped, though my voice made next to no sound.
He heard me and finally focused on me. Doc rushed to my side and pulled me into his arms. His arms nearly passed through my body.
After another moment, Nikolai appeared and warmth from the werewolves wrapped around me. Nikolai pressed his arms around me, sandwiching me between him and Doc and the warm wilderness Ed and Allan brought with them.
I wasn't sure how long they held me, but eventually, everyone began to feel more substantial, and some of my strength returned as the guys shared their energy with me.
The others left, but Doc stayed, and I clung to him, shuddering.
"Sofia, you have to hang on."
"I'm trying." The frustration at not being able to actually cry overwhelmed my fear for a moment.
He gathered me close and pressed his lips to mine.
Neither he nor Nikolai had done more than hold me since I'd been imprisoned, and I hadn't asked, not wanting the reminder of what I was missing.
This time, I needed the reminder so badly, that I would have bruised his lips had this been our real bodies. I nearly attacked him with my need.
Doc held me tightly, kissing me until I finally returned to as close to normal as I thought I could manage.
He brushed my short hair back from my face and rested his forehead against mine. He looked a little faded, but I was a lot better.
If you give her too much of your energy, vampire, you're going to hurt the Russian when you feed on him later.
We both straightened. The demon stood on the edge of my grove. It also looked a little improved, or less rotted, anyway.
"We'll do what we need to. Sofia needs the energy."
Have you informed her of our other issue?
"Not yet."
"What's wrong?" My stomach sank. "I mean, besides the obvious."
"We are trying to keep your parents from knowing what's going on. At least for a while longer," Doc explained.
I nodded. I knew about that and agreed.
"It's almost Thanksgiving break, and they're expecting you to go home."
If I were fully in my body, I knew my heart would be racing and adrenaline would be making my limbs tremble. As it was, a brief imitation of that reaction pulsed through me, as if my mind remembered what my body would respond with.
Then another thought hit me.
"Wait, what happened to Halloween?"
"Other than that, we all barely refrained from killing Alex in front of a lot of witnesses, not much," Doc grumbled.
"But, wasn't Halloween like, tomorrow or something?"
"Sofia," he replied sadly, "Halloween was a few weeks ago."
"But we just talked about it!" I glanced at the demon. Though she was in her pure energy form, she still somehow conveyed sadness.
Doc held me, and I sagged against him. He nuzzled my hair in a very Ed-like move. "Nikolai thinks he's close," Doc whispered. "Hang in there."
"So, what do we do about Thanksgiving?"
"We've got a couple of options. One, just tell your parents. None of us are real happy about that idea for so many reasons, especially since Nikolai is increasingly convinced that he can fix this. He's looking for one more piece of information."
"How?"
"He's putting his invisibility spell to good use in the Andersons' library."
Despite how awful I felt, I grinned, leaning my cheek against Doc's chest. He kept his grip on me tight.
"I can fool a werewolf, I can fool idiot modern mages." Doc mimicked Nikolai's accent. It twisted me up inside.
"Okay, so what are our other options?"
"Fake that you're desperately ill and can't come back. That risks your parents coming to see you, and doctor's visits, and other awkward questions, like why can't your mage boyfriend just heal you. We don't think it's a great option, either."
"I'm assuming you have a more viable option?"
"Yes, just trying to give you everything we came up with so you can choose."
"Okay."
/>
"Our demon friend here has offered another alternative. Right now, everyone is trying to keep the two of you separate from each other."
For good reasons.
"She thinks that if you join more closely with her, allowing you to actually interact with the world to some degree, the two of you will be able to fool your parents long enough to get through Thanksgiving."
"Why haven't we done this before now?" Being able to interact again sounded amazing. As it was, I was rapidly slipping away.
Because, once we do this, there's no going back, and soon, our powers will fully merge. We've been trying to avoid this very thing we're proposing. Once the Andersons sense I have fully merged with your body, then they will command me to use our powers and there will be no point in not telling your parents, as all will be lost.
"Oh."
"The Andersons have already…" He hesitated a moment, finding the right word. "Approached me, about going back to Nebraska with you. They're not interested in losing their prize, and until the demon settles in fully, you're useless to them."
I smiled, and the demon's enjoyment of being useless warmed me as the sensation coursed through my connection with her.
"That must have been an interesting conversation."
Doc sighed. "Ash is the only reason Alex and the other mage they sent with him are still alive. He restrained me. Barely. Probably only because I knew it really was a bad idea to kill them."
I raised my eyebrows and pressed myself closer to him.
"So, what does the pack get out of it?"
"Their silence on what we are."
"Oh. Damn. So, they want you and me to fool my parents for a little while longer, so they don't have to worry about my parents going to the authorities?"
Doc nodded. "But more importantly, we get a little more time to figure this out. Unfortunately, if Nikolai hasn't solved the issue before we return, the game will be over."
"Fuck."
"He's freaking out about it in his very understated way. I've had to force him to sleep for the last week, otherwise, he'd be a complete wreck." Doc sighed.
You should ask him what forcing the mage to sleep is like. The demon sounded sly.
I glanced up at Doc. His face turned redder than I had ever seen, and he cleared his throat.
"I can guess." I laughed. "I really am missing out on all the fun."
Doc shook his head. "We're all losing our minds."
"Well, we'll just have to make up for lost time when I get back. How are Ed and Allan? I don't really get to talk to them."
"Ed is a wreck. Allan is only marginally better. I don't think Ed has shifted since he was injured, and we can't talk him into it. Allan still runs, but not as much. I'd tell you we were all fine, but you wouldn't believe me." He tightened his grip on me. He laughed bitterly. "And it would be the biggest lie I've ever told."
"Okay, so as soon as we're on the road back to Nebraska, the demon and I try to integrate without fully integrating so I can interact enough to fool my parents? And we hope Nikolai fixes this before the Andersons find out."
"Yes."
"Okay."
You must know, even if the mage frees me in time, I do not know how this will affect you, Sofia. It will change you. Also, it will make it harder for me to leave your body intact. I warned you of this already.
"It's worth the risk. It's the only thing we can do."
Very well. Be warned. I do not share well. It will be difficult for both of us.
"This is already difficult."
She nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I need to go. Hang in there, Sofia." Doc kissed me again before releasing me and fading away.
Your vampire is lucky your mage knows healing spells.
"I'm surprised Ed and Allan aren't helping out." They usually shared blood with him, too.
Your werewolves have exhausted themselves sharing their energy with you, as has your vampire. You see your mage less because he is trying to stay rested so he can perform the necessary healings on himself and the werewolves, and of course, soon he will be performing a complicated piece of magic he has never done before under extremely stressful circumstances. It is wise of him to conserve himself. He does not like it.
"How long before we do this?"
Tomorrow, by your days.
"Okay. I'm looking forward to another real taste of the world. I hope it won't be the last."
This is also my hope. I wish to go home.
The demon left me, and I sank back down to the ground to wait.
Chapter 24
Doc
The demon was right, Doc came closer to actually hurting Nikolai than either of them cared to admit after giving Sofia so much energy. He barely felt recovered as he lay there, holding Nikolai while the mage slept. He stared at the ceiling and tried to convince himself that the next week wasn't going to be a complete disaster.
Nikolai snored lightly, head resting on Doc's shoulder. He didn't normally snore.
Someone knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," Doc whispered just loud enough for a werewolf to hear.
Allan pushed open the door.
Nikolai didn't stir.
"Are you two okay?" Allan's eyes trailed over Nikolai's muscled back.
Doc gestured for Allan to come over, but didn't move, not wanting to disturb the mage.
"We're fine."
Allan sank down on the bed, and Doc held his arm out, inviting Allan to lay down with them. He squeezed onto the small bed and pressed his back into Doc's side. "We're going to fix this, right?"
"Yeah, Allan. Nikolai will find the last bit of information he needs. I'll keep her safe this week."
"You sure you can deal with her dad for a week?"
Doc groaned. "Don't remind me."
"Room for one more?" Ed whispered from the doorway, sounding uncertain but desperate to not be alone.
Without comment, Allan shifted until he was basically sprawled on top of Doc and pressed against Nikolai. Ed took the spot Allan had just occupied, and Doc counted himself lucky that he could still breathe.
Doc laughed quietly. "And I thought it was hard to fit three in a queen-sized bed."
"I'm looking forward to moving us back into your room," Ed admitted. "Pack should sleep together."
Nikolai didn't budge, and Doc worried he had injured the mage despite the healing spells he'd cast before passing out.
They finally all drifted off, and even Doc managed to get some sleep, despite the worries that kept his mind spinning.
∞ ∞ ∞
"Did I miss something?" Nikolai woke first the next morning.
Doc's eyes snapped open, but he was weighed down and couldn't move. It took him a minute to remember he was literally buried under werewolves. He took a few calming breaths.
"No."
"Ah, good." The mage ran his hand lightly over Allan's back, and the werewolf's eyes fluttered open.
Allan glanced at Doc before seeming to realize it was Nikolai rubbing his back. He shut his eyes again and lay there.
"That looks cozy."
Doc glanced over at the doorway. Ash and the demon stood there.
"I had wondered why breakfast was delayed."
Doc turned his attention to the ceiling and rolled his eyes. The demon really was easier to deal with inside Sofia's head. She made more of an effort to play nice there for some reason.
Or maybe it was just because Ash was present. Him having some form of command over her pissed her off to no end, and she took every opportunity to let everyone know she considered them all beneath her. And he used to think Nikolai was bad about acting like royalty.
Ed grumbled and got up. Allan did as soon as Ed was out of his way, and they all headed to the kitchen.
"Are you all right?" Nikolai pushed himself up on his arms and looked down on Doc.
"A little squished, but otherwise okay."
Nikolai smiled. "Not what I meant."
"It's going to be a ver
y long week."
"How long can you go without blood?"
"If I'm not exerting myself, several days to a week before it gets uncomfortable."
"Take more of mine. You are still tired. I can see it in your eyes. I'll rest today and get one of the werewolves to borrow Ash's car and drop me off near the Andersons' place tonight."
"Are you sure, Nikolai? I can't imagine the last few weeks have been easy on you. Even with your healing spells."
"It is okay. I have all week to recover."
He took Nikolai's wrist and bit gently, trying not to overpower the mage with pleasure. Though from Nikolai's general lack of reaction, either Doc had figured out how to tone it down a lot more, or the mage really was exhausted. Energy coursed through Doc.
"Do you need anything?"
"No. I'll sleep. Eat later." Nikolai pulled the blankets over his shoulder. "Doc, keep her safe for us."
"I'll do my best."
Doc had already packed a duffle bag for the week, and he'd asked Victoria to help the demon pack something for Sofia. Her stuff was already in his truck. He hit the bathroom to clean up and joined the others in the kitchen.
"Hey, Doc. It's supposed to snow again. You know that, right?"
"I looked. Shouldn't be too bad." He grabbed some of the powder he used to make his protein drinks and, not trusting Sofia's parents to have decent tea, threw some of that in his bag as well.
The demon stood. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah."
He hugged Ed and Allan tightly and gave Ash a quick hug, too. The lesser demon really was trying. "Keep an eye on Nikolai," he ordered Ed and Allan.
"I'll take care of him for you," Allan winked.
Doc cocked an eyebrow and shook his head.
Ed laughed.
Sofia followed Doc out of the house and got in his truck. He fired up the diesel and headed toward the first mountain pass he had to get through before they could swing up into Wyoming and take the interstate down to Sofia's current hometown in Nebraska.
Fortunately, the roads weren't too bad. It hadn't snowed in almost a week, even in the highest peaks, so the first part of the trip went reasonably quickly. They didn't speak. The demon flipped through the radio stations as Doc headed out of the mountains.
