by Dakota Brown
Ed was impressed. Also, he was glad Nikolai hadn't destroyed Doc's truck. He loved that thing almost as much as he loved Sofia.
Everyone else piled into the truck. Allan took the front seat, and he, Nikolai, Sofia, and Star crammed into the back.
Doc whistled. "You really trashed Alex's car."
Nikolai chuckled. "I believe the phrase is 'sorry, not sorry'?"
"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Star blurted once Doc pulled away.
"More urgently, where are we going?" Doc interrupted.
"Someplace we can work spells uninterrupted. I probably need to rest after," Nikolai said.
"Hotel?" Allan offered.
"Yeah, maybe. Find something. Nikolai, please tell me you have a traction spell handy. The roads…"
"Yes, of course. Otherwise, we would have died."
Ed cried a little and clutched Sofia.
"Sofia!"
"Sorry, Star. It's…a long story. Basically, the Andersons got me all possessed by a demon. We're trying to get her out so she can go home and I can have my body back. Nikolai has apparently figured out how to do it, which is why he's here. And, so…they're going to save me before it's too late. It's not too late, is it?" She said the last kind of to herself, and Ed thought she was probably talking to the demon.
"What!" Star yelled.
Sofia, who was basically sprawled between Nikolai's lap and his, shrugged. They both held her tightly, and she sort of melted into them.
"Why didn't you tell me any of this?"
"How, exactly, could I have?"
"Um, I don't know. The words, hey, Star, all these guys—which one of them are you dating by the way? Because that's not as clear as it should be—are trying to protect me from getting turned into a demon. Who does that shit, anyway?"
"The Andersons," Nikolai supplied.
"What does that even mean?"
"Do you want a magical theory lesson? I could give one," Nikolai offered.
"No! I just want to know what's going on."
"We told you, Star." Sofia sighed.
"But it doesn't make any sense!"
"Ah, no!" Sofia bolted upright out of our arms and shuddered. "Humans and their touching. Yuck." She turned her attention to Star, eyes now fully amber.
"What the hell? Your eyes!"
"Yes, Sofia has been sharing space with me for a while now. Neither of us like it, and you're not making it any easier on her by not believing her." Sofia's body sagged, and she collapsed against Nikolai's chest.
Ed took a hold of her hands again, and Nikolai brushed her hair out of her face. After a few moments she blinked her eyes and shivered. "You can fix this, right?"
"Yes. I am as sure as can be without having done this before." Nikolai rested his cheek against her hair.
"I trust you."
Nikolai exhaled. "I know."
Ed squeezed her hand. "We all do," he added.
"Not helping," Nikolai muttered.
"What, our super powerful mage is having self-confidence issues?" Allan laughed, though it sounded forced.
"It is different."
"Nikolai," Doc practically caressed the mage's name with his voice. "You'll do just fine."
Ed thought Doc might have used his vampire powers, because even he felt better about the situation, and the comment hadn't been directed at him.
Nikolai didn't reply, but he had a small smile on his face when Ed glanced at him. Sofia was grinning, too.
Star didn't look convinced, but she stopped trying to get more information out of them.
"There's a hotel about five miles down the interstate."
"That's closed," Star grumbled.
"Traction spell," Nikolai declared and waved his hand around, and dark blue sparkles filled the air. "Also, some degree of invisibility. Don't get hit."
Doc sighed and took the onramp. "At least there isn't anyone else insane enough to be on the roads right now. Let's just hope the hotel has a room left."
Chapter 28
The Demon
She was beginning to enjoy the touching. It was high time to get out of this body. Giving Sofia control, even for the short time she had the last couple of days, was taking everything the demon had as far as self-control went. She wanted to push Sofia out. Instead, they were slowly melding together. Only the mage's promise had kept her from destroying Sofia already.
And now. Soon. She would be free.
She hoped.
The mage's lack of confidence wasn't that concerning. She felt he probably had the answer. She was more worried about being able to leave Sofia's body intact once the bindings were broken.
She would hate to repay the kindness shown by Sofia's men by destroying their woman. She hadn't initially cared. Now she did. Another sign that it was past time to get out of here. She had enjoyed watching Doc and Nikolai handle the werewolf, and it would be interesting to find out what the repercussions would be. That did not mean she was going to stick around and find out.
The demon tried not to enjoy the mage's touch as he caressed Sofia's shoulder and pressed his cheek into her hair. As much as he liked the vampire, he was completely in love with Sofia. Some of it might have been the magic, some of it might have been the connection they had forged, but most of it was simply that he loved her.
The demon worried most about Ed. He would be completely crushed if anything happened to Sofia. He had chosen her, and her death might literally kill him. He loved her as if she were life itself.
Allan was more reserved, but no less in love with her. A deep river with unexplored depths. She could sense the intensity of his emotion every time he looked at her, and it was frightening to the demon, who wasn't used to experiencing those emotions at all. Let alone from several people.
And then there was Doc. Doc who quietly risked everything and calmly tried to take care of everyone. Sometimes he still acted shocked that Sofia wanted him, but he wasn't about to give her up without a fight, even if it meant sacrificing himself instead. The demon hoped it never came to that. Doc was the glue that held that pack together, though Sofia was slowly beginning to fill that role as well.
And what to do about Ash? The other demon believed that Doc and Nikolai would free him. He had spent so much time with her in Sofia's body, that she worried he was starting to fall for Sofia, too. Would the others accept him if he did? What would he do if they didn't? The demon knew Sofia wasn't completely aware she had spent the last month or so sleeping near Ash. They had taken over Doc's bedroom, probably unfairly. Ash had told her he wished to return home, but he had been on this plane for so long, she did not think he would be able to manage it if freed.
The truck slowed, and the demon watched from Sofia's eyes as Doc got out to see if there were any rooms available. The blast of cold air made everyone shiver. No one spoke while Doc was away. His eyes glinted with amusement when he returned.
"Last room." Doc held up a key when he was back in the warm truck. He put it in gear and drove them around to the back side of the hotel. "I wouldn't expect anything fancy, but we will be warm. The clerk was very surprised to see me." He laughed tiredly.
Star groaned. "Why did I go with you all again? I should have stayed with my car."
"You would have frozen," Nikolai replied.
They got out when Doc parked and hurried to the room.
They all wrinkled their noses. The room was probably clean enough, but clearly at one point, it had been a smoking room.
Nikolai muttered and waved his hands. A spray of dark blue sparkles swept the room for a moment, and everyone sighed in relief. "Now it is very clean. You could eat off floor." He looked at the floor. "I wouldn't recommend it, though."
Sofia shuddered in disgust, and the demon echoed that sentiment.
"So, now what?" Star asked uneasily.
The room itself was a standard two bed hotel room with brown carpet, outdated furnishings, and a small bathroom in the back, from what the demon could establish from Sofia's memories.
>
"Now you sit over there." Nikolai pointed to a chair. "You two keep an eye on things," he pointed at the werewolves, "and I will release a demon." Nikolai rubbed his hands together and managed to look confident and nervous at the same time.
"Seriously?" Star crossed her arms and glared.
Nikolai shook his head and gestured. Sofia's friend yelped as she slid backward into the chair and ropes appeared from nowhere to tie her down. "Just stop distracting me."
The demon noted he also cast a shield around their room, probably to block sound. He claimed he was used to using a lot of magic, but he had likely used a large amount on the way down from Colorado, and she hoped he wasn't wearing himself out before tackling the spell to release her.
"Doc," Nikolai said. "I need access to the demon's magic."
The demon wondered at Sofia's alarm, and a moment later, the memory surfaced of what demon blood had done to the vampire last time he'd tasted it. That also explained why Nikolai was willing to use so much magic. He expected to get a large boost from hers, and he didn't know what her blood would do to Doc.
The vampire didn't hesitate, just held out his hand to Sofia.
She put her hand in his and stepped closer.
"Doc," she whispered.
"Only way," he replied. "I'll be okay."
Sofia tilted her neck back, and the vampire lowered his lips to her neck.
The demon winced as his fangs pierced Sofia's neck, expecting pain. The pleasure that had Sofia moaning and clutching at the vampire nearly caused the demon to forget herself. She almost let herself merge with Sofia, only managing to stop herself at the last minute. The wave of pleasure drowned out Star freaking out in the background.
Sofia staggered back, a smile on her face, breathing heavy, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
Doc's eyes glowed golden, and he quickly removed one of the reservoir bracelets he wore and bit into his own wrist before offering it to Nikolai.
The mage twisted his lips, and the demon got the idea that, while he obviously enjoyed sharing his blood with the vampire, he didn't particularly enjoy drinking it. Even from a vampire.
"Are you okay?" Nikolai asked as he took the vampire's arm.
"Demon blood and I don't get along particularly well," Doc replied through clenched teeth.
"Oh." Nikolai pressed his mouth to Doc's arm. He groaned as her power hit him. She could tell he took as much as he could, but she was powerful, and it wasn't enough to save Doc from the affects.
The vampire collapsed when Nikolai released him.
"Doc!" Nikolai knelt by his friend. Ed and Allan hurried to his side. Star had fallen silent.
"He's not breathing." Ed put his hand on Doc's forehead. "And he's burning up. Sofia saved him last time he did this. I don't think you took enough magic, Nikolai."
"Took as much as I could." Nikolai clutched at the unconscious vampire.
The demon forced Sofia out of the way, taking control of her body "If you hurry, I can help him," she said. It was the least she could do if they set her free. She could feel the vampire's life force being overwhelmed by powers he was never meant to taste.
Nikolai tore himself away from Doc and stood. "Lie down. And stay in control. I need Sofia to bury herself again. Same as before, cling to the pack bond."
Did you get that?
Yes. I hope this works. Sofia tucked herself away, and the demon did the best she could to separate herself from her host's mind.
"We're ready," she said to the mage.
She watched as he wove the spell, her magic and his combining into a golden and blue lightshow, with hints of lavender from Sofia's magic. He muttered in Russian as he skillfully twisted the net of magic into a complicated pattern.
For as difficult as the magic was, Nikolai had the shape completed fairly quickly. He truly was as talented as he claimed, and the demon was impressed.
"Ready?"
She nodded.
Nikolai pushed the spell into the golden cuffs that bound her.
They flared with magic as the spell tried to reject Nikolai's, but his was stronger, and after a moment, they melted away.
The demon winced. That would leave a scar, but better than the alternative.
Freedom tugged at her, and she nearly bolted from this plane, but she had promised to save Doc. Of course, if she did magic in this body, it could destroy Sofia. She couldn't sense the girl at all but also knew that Sofia would choose to help her vampire even with the risk. He would die without her help.
She got off the bed and pulled on her magic. It filled her, burning pathways that had, until recently, barely been used, stretching them, altering them. It felt so good to be reconnected with something that was normally so intrinsically a part of her.
The werewolves had put the vampire on the other bed. She went over to him, put her hands on his chest, and pulled the rest of her magic out of him. His natural healing ability would take over from there. He would have to do this again for Ash. She knew he would, even though it could cost him his life.
"What are you doing?" Nikolai asked. He watched her shape another spell.
"He needs to be able to handle demon blood if he's going to save Ash. I'm making it so that it won't kill him. He will still have an instant hangover from hell, but otherwise, he won't suffer like he does now."
"Quite considerate of you."
"Don't thank me until you get Sofia back. Doing magic in her body may have destroyed her."
"She would have wanted you to save him," Nikolai stated quietly.
"Yes. I know. There. Tell him when he wakes. I'll leave now. Do me one last favor? Make the Andersons pay for this."
"I will," Nikolai replied, his face grim.
In consideration for Sofia's body. She laid down on the bed next to the vampire before she pulled herself out of her host and departed this plane.
Chapter 29
Ed
"Is she gone?"
"The demon is gone. Sofia is not breathing," Nikolai choked out.
Ed and Allan scrambled to Nikolai's side. Ed put his hand on Sofia's throat and couldn't find a pulse. He couldn't hear her heart, either.
"Damn it!" Ed put his hands on Sofia's chest and started pumping, trying to get her heart going again. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He couldn't lose her now. They were so close.
Doc groaned and rolled over, staggering to his feet and leaning against the wall. He clutched his head. "What's wrong?" He managed to get out.
"Sofia's not breathing," Star shrieked from her chair in the corner.
"Shit." Doc staggered over to Sofia's side.
"Nikolai, can you, like, shock her heart or something? See if you can get it started. It's something they do now with a medical tool, but we don't have one of those," Allan demanded while Ed worked.
"Maybe." Nikolai gestured at Ed. "Move."
Ed leaned back, and Nikolai placed his hands over her chest. Magic crackled around his hands and sank into her chest.
Her back arched, but otherwise, her heart stayed silent.
"Doc," Nikolai said desperately. "I might need you."
Doc had already opened his wrist again and poured some of his blood into Sofia's mouth. Ed rubbed her throat to help her swallow and went back to chest compressions.
"Try again," Allan ordered.
Nikolai nodded and sent his power into her chest.
Nothing.
Ed went back to compressions, trying not to press so hard that he broke bones in the process. Tears blurred his vision, but he couldn't wipe them away. She had to come back.
"One more time," Allan ordered.
Ed leaned back, and let Nikolai do his magic.
This time, it worked. Sofia's heart jolted to life, and she gasped, taking a breath. Her eyes snapped open, but even he could tell she wasn't actually conscious. Maybe it was the pack bond telling him that.
Her eyes fluttered shut again, but at least she was breathing.
He stared at Nikolai, willing him
to give him good news. The mage simply looked exhausted.
He wilted. "I think it is best we let her rest. See if we can reach her as we did while she was imprisoned. Convince her it's safe to come out of hiding."
"We'll take turns," Ed suggested after a moment. He was emotionally exhausted, but not tired enough to sleep. "Allan and I can keep watch. You two get some rest and see if you can reach Sofia. I can smell how exhausted you are."
Nikolai collapsed into bed next to Sofia, and Doc squeezed in on the other side.
"Hey, mage, before you pass out…I need to pee."
Nikolai glanced at Star, rolled his eyes, and waved his hand. The ropes binding her to the chair vanished. He was asleep before his hand dropped back to his side. Doc was already out.
She got up from the chair, glaring at all of them, and headed to the bathroom.
Ed, not wanting to deal with anything else dramatic for a while, stopped her. "Phone."
"What?"
"Give me your phone."
She glared but handed it over. "Don't trust me?"
"Right now, no."
"Right. Feeling's mutual."
Allan sighed and pulled a chair over in front of the door so he could guard it and keep an eye on everyone in the room.
Ed sank down onto the other bed and prayed to whoever might be listening that Sofia wasn't lost to them.
∞ ∞ ∞
She still hadn't stirred a few hours later when Doc woke. He glanced at the clock. It was the middle of the night.
Nikolai was still out cold, and Ed's eyes drooped. Star had passed out in the other bed. Allan still kept watch at the door.
Doc gestured for Ed to take his place.
"Are you okay?" Ed asked quietly.
Doc nodded. "Heal fast."
Ed lay down next to Sofia and curled up around her. Allan squeezed in on the other side of Nikolai, and though the four of them didn't really fit, they made it work. The mage rolled over in his sleep and rested his head on Allan's chest, his back pressed firmly to Sofia.