by Dakota Brown
It startled him to be back solidly in his own mind, and he found himself alone in the living room.
After a moment of panic, the rest of his senses caught up to his eyes, and he heard them in the kitchen and smelled cooking. Was it that late? A quick glance at the window showed that he had stayed with Sofia for quite a long time.
The others looked up when he entered the kitchen. Sofia's now gold colored eyes gave him an interested look, before the demon realized that was counter to her current image, and she turned back to the table. She sat stiffly, giving the food a disgusted look.
He recalled having read that on their own plane, demons tended to feast upon energy. She would have to adapt. At least for now.
Doc hadn't sat at the table, and Nikolai studied the vampire. He was tense, angry, and probably hungry. He leaned against the cabinets and sipped at some tea, glaring in the demon's general direction but not quite looking at her.
Ed and Allan ate and shot worried looks at the demon, and then at Doc, and then at each other.
He sat at the table and helped himself to the food.
"We have to go back tomorrow. It's Friday. We'll have the weekend to work on stuff," Doc said, interrupting the strained silence.
"You want us to go to school. Seriously?" Ed turned an incredulous stare on Doc.
"Yes. We're not going to solve this tomorrow. Nikolai can shadow our guest here, and we can try to pretend like everything is normal."
Nikolai laughed, he couldn't help it. "You want the mage from fourteen fifty, who can barely navigate the present, to make sure our demon friend doesn't do anything weird?"
Doc's lips twitched, but he didn't quite smile. "I guess."
"I suppose going to this college is part of my agreement to help you rescue Sofia?"
"Yes," Doc replied.
"Very well. This vessel is exhausted. Wake me in the morning." She got up and left the room.
Doc followed long enough to see where she went before returning. "Guess she remembers enough to know she usually sleeps in my room." His shoulders sagged.
"I'll crash with Ed," Allan offered sadly.
Doc nodded. "Go run or something. You should get some exercise in. Tomorrow will be a long day."
The werewolves left, and Nikolai helped Doc clean up. He tried to think of anything he could remember that might be helpful, but he came to the conclusion that the only truly helpful thing he could do was sneak around at the Andersons and see if he could find the answers there.
Doc stopped him, hands on his shoulders, once they were done cleaning the kitchen.
"We can do this, right?"
"Yes. If I can find the right information."
"I wish I couldn't tell that you aren't nearly as confident as you sound," Doc sighed.
He half smiled, stepped forward, and rested his head on Doc's shoulder. The vampire wrapped his arms around him and held him tight. "Me as well."
∞ ∞ ∞
The wolves returned a couple of hours later. Doc and Nikolai were on the couch. Doc grading papers, while he surfed the internet on the tablet, using Doc's thigh as a pillow. He was currently looking for any inspiration in old myths or legends that might be helpful. The internet was a pretty great source of information, but it was pretty general and so far, he wasn't having a lot of luck.
"There is plenty on exorcisms." He snorted as the wolves came in. "But that is largely a religious thing. Also, we are not trying to banish the demon to hell. We are simply trying to free her so she can return home. Does this hell even exist? Do they really think demons are from hell? They're not servants of the devil this article references. They're simply beings from another plane." He grumbled in frustration and put the tablet on his chest. He glanced at the werewolves. Allan came over and sat on the floor, leaning against Doc's legs. Doc reached down and touched his shoulder absently.
Ed stared, eyes narrowed.
"What?" Nikolai finally asked.
That drew Doc's attention away from his grading, and he looked up, tilting his head when he saw Ed studying them.
"So, what, are you two a thing now, too?"
"A thing?" Nikolai wracked his brain for an explanation. While he had all of Sofia's language skills, sometimes the idioms still didn't quite make sense to him.
Doc sighed. "Ed…"
"I'm going to bed." He spun away down the hallway to his room and slammed his door.
"I don't think I can deal with him tonight," Doc groaned.
"You don't need to," Allan replied. "He's just tired and freaked out. It's not like none of us ever cuddle on the couch. I'll tell him to stop being a jerk." Allan stood up, stared at Doc for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed him.
Nikolai watched idly, still using Doc as a pillow, as Doc returned the kiss.
The werewolf stepped back and then went after his brother.
Doc put his tablet on the end table and leaned back on the couch.
"You and Allan seem to have worked things out."
"I guess," Doc replied tiredly.
Nikolai stood. "We're all exhausted."
Doc nodded but didn't follow when Nikolai took a few steps toward his room. "Where are you going to sleep?"
"Couch, I suppose."
Nikolai held out his hand.
After an uneasy glance toward Ed's bedroom, Doc stood and slid his smooth hand into Nikolai's calloused one and followed him to his borrowed bedroom.
Nikolai released Doc's hand and held his out in front of him. Blue motes filled the space, moving to the edges of the room.
"There, now we can talk, and no one can hear."
Doc arched an eyebrow. "Do we need to talk?"
"You, my friend, need blood. I need your fangs in my neck."
His other eyebrow rose before his eyes darkened, turning predatory. "I hardly call that talking."
Nikolai's pulse raced at the look Doc was currently giving him. "What do you call it?"
He stalked forward. "The guys call it starting shit." His lips curled into a hint of a smile. "And if I didn't need blood, I'm not sure I'd have the energy."
Nikolai nodded. "I am not trying to forget about Sofia." He felt he needed to clarify. "But we also must continue our lives."
"I'm over a hundred years old," Doc whispered. "This is something I'm well aware of."
"Also, you do not usually let yourself get close to anyone." His heart skipped a beat when Doc slid his hands up Nikolai's arms.
"No. Doesn't mean it has never happened."
Nikolai stepped into Doc, and the vampire kissed him. He parted his lips, letting Doc explore his mouth, before he did the same, running his tongue along Doc's fangs, digging his hands into the vampire's back.
He wanted more, but he also knew it wasn't a particularly good time to push Doc's boundaries. They both wanted comfort and some form of reassurance, and right now, this would do.
Doc pushed him back until his legs hit the bed and he had to sit. Doc straddled him, knees on the bed, lips locked on his.
He leaned back, needing to breathe. His blood pounded in his veins, and his jeans grew far too tight.
"Perhaps, you could give me a moment to change into some sleeping pants. These jeans are very tight," he managed to gasp out.
Doc's eyes glinted with amusement, and he let Nikolai up, backing away a couple of steps to give him space.
Feeling a little shaky, he went and leaned on the dresser. He dug out a clean pair of flannel pants and tossed them to Doc.
He changed, though the heat of Doc's gaze on his back burned into him. When he turned around, Doc was sitting on the bed, changed into sleeping pants, staring at him, clearly as aroused as Nikolai. He hadn't even heard him move. He studied the other man's muscled chest, noting the thin scars crossing it
"You heal quickly enough, I wouldn't think you would scar."
"Depends on how much blood I've had. I've been well fed recently. Getting shot wasn't going to be a problem. Sometimes, not so much." He tilted his head. "Chan
ge your mind?"
"Ah, no. Was just looking."
"The ones on my back are from a werewolf. Much harder to heal."
That got Nikolai's interest. He twirled his finger, asking Doc to turn. He obliged, standing and putting his back to the mage.
He came over and traced the thin lines that crossed most of Doc's back. "They healed fairly well."
"Nearly killed me."
"Fortunately, it did not." He brushed Doc's hair out of the way, then touched his hair tie with magic, liking his hair down.
Doc's breath caught as his hair fell free. "That's Sofia's trick."
"I'm sorry," he replied, his own voice catching. "I won't do it again."
"No. It just surprised me."
He rested his forehead against Doc's shoulder, hands on his arms. "So many things we should have done."
"Nikolai," Doc whispered. "I'm not sure we could have done much more. Maybe we should have tried to get help from other mages, but in this time, we have to be so careful. As you've noted, it hinders us. What else could we have done?"
"Not left her alone."
Doc stiffened for a minute before nodding. "That is one thing we should have done. She should have been safe in her dorm."
"We'll get her back." He dragged his hands down Doc's bare arms, callouses catching on his smooth skin.
Doc's breathing quickened again, and he turned, bringing Nikolai to him and sinking back onto the bed, pulling the mage with him.
He pressed his lips to Doc's, and the other man devoured his lips, biting, though not hard enough to draw blood. They kissed, exploring each other, Nikolai resting on his forearms, fingers curled in Doc's hair.
Doc traced his muscular back with his fingers, igniting his nerves. He pressed into Doc
"If you keep that up," he gasped when he came up for air, "you may shake my resolve to not push your boundaries tonight."
Doc's lips curled again, not quite smiling, but clearly pleased with himself. He grabbed the mage and turned them both so quickly, Nikolai barely had a moment to register he was now underneath Doc before he was pressing his fangs lightly into his neck.
"We wouldn't want to test your self-control," Doc murmured against his neck.
"It is not so good in these situations," he admitted, gasping out the words as Doc applied more pressure. The vampire pressed into him, and he thrust against the other man, grinding into him.
Doc growled what might have been a warning before sinking his teeth into Nikolai's neck.
For a moment, Doc let him experience nothing but the icy pain of his bite, then he hit the mage with pleasure. The contrast undid him. He clawed at Doc's back, crying out his release and thrusting against Doc while the vampire took his blood. Doc shuddered, licking Nikolai's neck to stop the bleeding and sending tremors through the mage's body. He collapsed on top of him, and they lay there, both trembling for a few minutes, until their bodies calmed.
Finally, Doc groaned and rolled off the mage, lying next to him in the relatively small bed.
"I need a shower," Doc muttered.
He grinned, pleased. "There is a spell for that." He waved his hand, and blue magic touched both of them.
Doc yelped in surprise as the magic washed over him.
It wasn't as satisfying as actually bathing, but keeping clean on military campaigns was difficult, and he didn't prefer to be dirty when he didn't have to be.
"Thanks," Doc said looking down at himself.
"Of course. I don't like to be dirty. It is not always easy to get a shower."
They shifted around until they were actually under the covers, and Doc rolled on his side.
He traced the rapidly fading scratches he'd left on Doc's back before curling up around other man.
"You don't mind?"
"I'm so used to sleeping with Ed and Allan that it feels weird to sleep alone. I don't mind."
"Good."
Chapter 23
Sofia
The guys worked out a rotation so that I wasn't alone in my mental prison very often. It was the only thing that kept me sane. If I wanted to, I could look out and see the world through my eyes, but it was as a passenger and it freaked me out.
After a while, I stopped looking.
The demon inhabiting me did its best to ignore me, and for about a week, the only thing it had to do was pretend to be me.
Then the Andersons decided they wanted to have a look at their new toy.
The demon's alarm roused me from my stupor and turned my attention from the warm energy Ed had wrapped me in. He and Allan weren't quite as good as Nikolai was at being able to project themselves into my mind through our shared pack bond. I could share emotions with them, but we couldn't actually talk.
To Nikolai, it was simply like the mental space he created when we shared spells.
Ed slipped away when I looked out into the world. Nikolai stood next to us, and Ash faced us. The view was disorienting because I couldn't control my body, or do anything, and my range of vision was much smaller than normal. I didn't like it, but I wanted to know what had worried the demon.
"The Andersons want you to come now," Ash ordered.
It was a Friday, I thought. We were on campus still. Maybe ready to go back to the cabin. The demon had flat out refused to sleep at the dorm. I didn't think Victoria minded not having me there, so we were going back and forth with the guys every night.
"I do not wish to go to the Andersons," the demon said. I shivered at the sound of my voice.
"You don't have a choice. They've given me control over you in this matter."
"You! You're a lesser…" Nikolai slapped a hand over my mouth, and the demon fell silent.
I flinched away from her anger. The knowledge that a lesser demon would rarely interact with a greater demon on its plane, let alone command one, leaked from it to me. In fact, I actually gained quite a bit of knowledge about their plane without intentionally trying. It would have been more interesting if I wasn't a prisoner in my own mind, but it did give me something to think about.
"Come." Ash sounded resigned.
The demon's horror as my body responded to Ash's command without either of us being willing chased me deeper into my small prison.
I wasn't sure how long I cowered before I felt a presence focused on me.
I should be angry with you.
"With me?" I studied the being standing before me. This must be how the demon saw itself. It—she?—had vaguely feminine curves on a humanoid body, but she was a being of pure golden energy instead of flesh.
It is your fault I am here.
"How is it my fault?"
You allowed yourself to remain untrained.
"That wasn't really my choice."
The demon's attention shifted outward for a minute before it came back to me.
Do you really think your men can free me?
"I hope so. If anyone can figure it out, they will."
I will try very hard not to shove you out. It is difficult.
"I'm sorry."
She seemed to accept this. I do not know what they will require of me, but with you here, I do not know that I can accomplish it. Stay hidden. Hopefully, the lesser demon is not commanded to speak of your presence.
"He's had a lot of practice using his words wisely."
The longer I am in your body, the harder it will be to leave it intact when I depart.
I shivered. "Let's hope this doesn't take long."
I do not like it here. I do not like being commanded. Your pack is pleasant enough, but obviously, they do not want me here, either.
"I don't think they'd have any problem with you at all if you weren't in my body."
The demon laughed. They do seem fairly accepting. They even tolerate the lesser demon.
"It's not his fault he has to do what the Andersons say."
No. She changed the subject. Your mage is close. I do not know what they intend, but I expect it will be painful. Perhaps he can shield you.
; "Painful?"
I doubt I can do whatever it is they require of me. Your body is not fully mine, so my capabilities are limited.
I shuddered, fear tingling through me.
We have arrived. Be cautious.
She vanished, and shortly after, Nikolai replaced her. I melted into his arms.
"I was going to look for their library," he explained. "But your demon has good point. You will need protection."
"She's talking to you?" I didn't let go of him, burying my face in his chest.
"She knows I'm here and asked me to help."
"Invisible?" I guessed.
"Yes. I found a safe spot to hide. I will stay with you."
He held me, and we both listened while the woman with the white hair who had led the ritual to bind the demon to me spoke. Her name turned out to be Melinda Anderson. She was Alex's grandmother, though she didn't look much over forty, and she wanted the demon to demonstrate some magic.
At first, the demon simply refused.
Nikolai certainly saved my life as he shielded me from the worst of the pain the backlash of her refusal brought down on us.
Nikolai held me and shielded us as hot fire raced through my body and stabbed at my brain. He kept me anchored, kept me from fleeing. It still hurt, but it wasn't as unbearable as it would have been without him.
He experienced everything I did, wincing as pain seared our nerves.
"You should leave." I desperately didn't want him to leave me to this alone, yet I also didn't want him hurt.
"It is tolerable," he replied, and refused to let go.
I had no idea how long the torture lasted. It came and went. I suspected the demon offered several refusals before they finally commanded her to perform some sort of magic.
This time, the pain was different. My entire body was being stretched, filled, new pathways burned through me.
The demon and I both screamed as magic poured out of us. My body collapsed to the hard ground, nerves screaming in pain, completely spent.
"I told you," I heard Ash saying. "You can't force the integration. Sometimes it takes a while. If you burn her out before the demon is fully in control, she'll never heal, and she'll be useless to you."