I was the gentleman. I opened all the doors and I kept Dee warm with an easy pattern woven around us. She didn’t seem to notice there was no chill and the breeze when it swept down the wind tunnel that was New York City streets didn’t phase us. I asked, “Where we going? And are you letting me pay?”

She looked up at me with those beautiful hazel eyes. The flecks of gold shining in the fading sunlight. “I’m not telling and no you can’t pay.”

“You are taking all the man out of this huh?” I teased.

“Both Dev and Sage said you like when you don’t have to make decisions.”

I sighed. “Yeah, but it makes me feel weak when a woman does it.”

Dee stopped and pushed me towards the wall where I stood pressed against it even though she hadn’t actually moved me there. It was implied in her actions “You are not weak. You are the strongest person I know. The most loving and caring and so willing to sacrifice for everyone else. I don’t want to hear that from you again.”

“Yes ma’am.” I said without prompting and Dee looked at me with a curious face. She was evaluating me. Evaluating my kinks and my behavior.

Her face lightened and she offered me her hand. “You ever had a mistress?”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t typically submit to women. It’s a mommy issue thing.”

She laughed. “A mommy issue thing?”

“Yeah. Abandoment and being called a monster, kinda gives you issues.”

“And you’ve not worked through them yet?”

“How would you like me to work through abandonment when my go to move is to fuck you and leave you? I don’t let people close. Those that I do I get attached to too quickly and leave because of it. And I am a monster in my mother’s terms. I kill with my power. I hurt, I maim and I do horrible things to others and myself.”

“Nox….”

I sighed. “Don’t Nox me. I’m aware of my own self depreciation. I know I’m not what I said. But right now this isn’t going to help. I don’t want a dom Dee. I don’t want a top. I just want to be loved. I need to feel like I’m apart of this. Right now I’m drowning in how close you, Sage and Dev are. How close you are to my boys.”

“They aren’t just your’s Nox.”

“They are on paper.” I said. “Yet Sage has done more parenting than I have to those three. He’s been with you and Dev for months before he introduced you to me. Plus there’s the fact I was in a coma not once, but twice where the three of you bonded over me.”

I shrugged. “Can we please go eat?” I’d like to get this date over with, is what I thought, but I didn’t say it out loud. I didn’t want to make Dee feel bad.

She sighed. “What do you want to talk about?”

“How did you and Dev meet?”

Dev and Dee lived several blocks away and I walked in the chilling November weather. It wasn’t bitter cold yet. But it was getting there. The leather kept me warm as I walked and drowned in the emptiness of my life.

The doorman smiled at me and waved me over. I’d been over almost everyday with food. I frowned. “Sorry date, tonight, no food for anyone. I’ll bring you back something.”

He grinned. “I’ll buzz them and tell ’em you are on your way up.”

“Thanks Joe.” I waved and headed for the stairs. I wasn’t going to add to my anxiety. The elevator was perfectly safe, but I could take the stairs and sweat less and feel better once I got there. Even that little bit of exercise helped clear my mind. I locked down my emotions and my thoughts as I made my way to their floor.

Dev and Dee lived with Dev’s band mates. I’d yet to hear them play anything. Dev actually had a guitar in Sage’s basement now. It was acoustic and he liked to play for the boys. I’d stood at the top of the stairs and listened while he sang kid songs with Drake. It was cute. Everyone was so close already and I still felt a little left out. I understand I’m the reason they are close. But I missed it all. I missed all the growing together. And I was struggling to find my place in all of it. I could step aside and no one would miss me. I pushed away the thoughts as I knocked on the door. I had a key, I could just walk in, but this was a date, I was going to play it by the books. A real date. One where I was picking the girl up. But she was taking me out. It was almost proper.

Jimmy answered the door with a cigarette in his hand. It was unlit. “Hey, Nox. Just going out for a smoke. Dee’s still getting ready. Why didn’t you use your key? And hey why aren’t you bringing us dinner?”

I smiled. “Sage ordered pizza. Sorry. Date,” I said as he stepped passed me without any shoes on. “It’s cold outside, you might want shoes.”

He looked down and shrugged. “It’ll be alright.”

I shook my head. “Alright.” I stepped into their apartment. It could have spacious except the living space was also Jimmy’s makeshift bedroom, and their studio for practicing their music. Instruaments were scattered everywhere. Dev’s weren’t they were all in his room. Which is where I headed.

I knocked and Dev stuck his head out and smiled at me. He pushed me backwards. “She says you can’t come in. So I get you out here.”

He frowned at me and ran his fingers down my jawline. “Let me in.”

I closed my eyes and let my shields down a little and Dev jumped inside. It didn’t take much, we had so many magical and metaphysical connections between the two of us. He pressed a kiss to my lips and thought, “Stop hiding from us. We can help.”

I thought back. “You can’t help the boredom of my mundane existance, Dev. I have to deal with it.”

Dev took my hand and dragged me into the kitchen and handed me a cup of coffee. “I know we don’t understand. But we are here. Talk to us.”

I sighed. “It makes you feel bad that I’m not happy.”

“What would make you happy?” He asked with a smirk on his lips. “Except ….” He didn’t say what he was thinking as he pressed it into my mind with another kiss.

I hummmed in agreement. I smiled and wrapped my arms around Dev. Of all the changes in my life I didn’t regret adding him and Dee to our lives. I felt left out, but I didn’t regret it.

Dev smiled and pressed another kiss to my lips. “We all love you Nox.”

“You say it so casually.” I grinned at him.

“I do. Love you that is.”

I nodded. “I know. And I love you. I love Dee. I don’t regret my choices. At least on the rational level.”

Dev laughed. “And you are never rational. Always with those messed up brain waves.” He poked me as the bedroom door opened and Dee walked out. He turned and smiled and I couldn’t help the grin that splayed on my lips. Dee’s hair was pulled up into a bun, she had fans dangling from her ears that matched the red of her dress. It was tight in all the right places and billowed to the ground so when she spun on the dancefloor it would get nice lift. And knowing Dee there was nothing underneath the dress. No bar, no panties and no pantyhose. Dee loved to make you want her with very thin clothes.

Dee joined the both of us. She pressed a soft kiss to Dev’s lips and then did the same for me. Eddie who had been sitting on the couch groaned. “I don’t want to watch this. Get a room!”

Dev threw an apple at Eddie. “They are leaving soon.”

I smiled at Dev. “Why don’t you come to Sage’s after work?”

Dev smiled and looked at Dee she shrugged. “Alright. I’ll call Sage make sure he doesn’t have plans.”

“You know he doesn’t care. He’d have you guys move in if we had room.”

Dee laughed. “What you don’t think the four of us could share one closet? I mean you don’t have any clothes to speak of and the other two could easily scrunch into a quarter of the closet.”

Dev shoved us away from the kitchen. “Go before you give her more ideas.”

I hooked Dev in my arms and kissed him with a little more vigor than Dee had given us. I couldn’t help the small noise I made when we parted. Dev laughed. “So easy pretty boy.”

“Only for you lover.” I grinned at him and pressed a quick kiss to his temple. “See you later tonight.”

“Have fun.” Dev leveled a finger at Dee. “Don’t press him.”

“What?” She asked innocently as she took my hand and grabbed her shawl from the hook. and I grabbed the door. She was going to freeze. Thankfully I could easy handle that.

Sage pulled me off the couch. “Go get ready.”

I sighed. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go. I was in a funk, which was why Sage was pushing me to go. Why he had set everything up – rather told Dee that she had to take me out tonight. She was the only one free. Dev was working too many nights. Sage had to be up early. Dee wasn’t on call tonight or tomorrow so it was perfect. She hadn’t even worked a double. Everyone was always busy which was contributing to my lack of motivation.

I got up at 6am with Sage. I made him and the boys breakfast. They older boys got ready and walked to public school by themselves. I got Drake ready and took him to Pre-K. What the fuck was that? But Drake loved it even if he had to wear his glamour all the time. He came home exhausted. After Drake got to school I went to the gym. Sage purchased me a membership someplace I’d have to walk and get out of the house instead of yoga or running. I was bored out of my skull. I had cooked until I was bored. I’d even sat down in front of the idiot box and tried to numb out.

I went to NYU’s website and looked at all the courses they were offering. But the semester had already started so I could apply but it wouldn’t help my boredom now. I didn’t even have any fucking clue what I wanted to do. Dev tried to talk me into bartending at Aspect. Sage pushed me to teach a class at the gym. And I had I said I’d try both, but they didn’t have places for me so again I waited.

So now they were trying to at least make my life enjoyable. This fucking sucked. But I put on a happy face. They knew I wasn’t happy but I tried not to act like it in front of them or the boys.

Sage sighed. “Come on Nox.”

“I’m moving.” I said.

“You could be happy about it.”

“I’m happy.” I said with a faked grin.

Sage rolled his eyes. “Dee has a good night planned. I know we are busy but you’ll get used to this. I promise. Go have fun. Forget your mundane life.” He said mundane with hatred. That was the only thing he didn’t like – the fact that this life bored the living fuck out of me. He was happy I was here all the time. He was happy I lived with him. That I cooked for him. I cleaned for him. He was in heaven and I lived a boring mundane life. I felt like shit and no amount of yoga or working out fixed it. I really should go see Adrian. Or Margo… You know it’s bad when I am almost to that point.

I went upstairs and took a shower and pulled on a pair of blue jeans, a non-sarcastic t-shirt – actually it was one of Sage’s. It still smelled like him and it was comforting when I felt like shit. I wore a black button down over top the black t-shirt with the Avengers written across the chest.

My hair was colored orange and my nails matched. I think redid my nails everyday out of sheer boredom. My hair too. I applied make up everyday, maybe not as thick as I did today but there were parts of me that stuck to my habits. I scratched at the modified tattoo. You couldn’t see the cross swords anymore. It was a chinesse symbol that meant exiled. Very blatent for the Venatori.

I didn’t have nightmares anymore at least not like I used to. My other fears were replaying in my head – the tattoo had me in sweats for a few nights afterwards. But I don’t think it had anything at all to do with the actual tattoo more what it represented. My fear of change. I couldn’t even jump from the AU building. They wouldn’t let me past the Infirmary. My whole fucking life was changed the day I said fuck you to the Venatori.

And I have no one to blame but myself.

I pulled on my leather jacket and headed back downstairs to say night to the boys and Sage. They had pizza for dinner. No telling what I was having since no one would tell me anything. No one really understood the anxiety not knowing caused me. But what did it really matter. I was a ball of nerves anyway.

It had been a few days since I’d been back and I’d avoided one person. I’d seen Mia when picking up Drake and told her I’d talk with Jace later. I didn’t want to make it worse by waiting too long. He’d hopefully understand why I didn’t tell him right away. But I didn’t think he’d understand either way this went or when it went down.

Jace was cleaning up his classroom when I knocked on the door. He looked up and he smiled out of habit. But it faded with into anger as he looked back down at his desk.

I walked inside the room and shut the door behind me. Jace said with a white hot voice, “You afraid I’m going to yell at you?”

I shook my head, “No. I figured you’d rather keep some modecum of your calm cool collected reputation.”

“That’s thoughtful of you.” He said as he straightened a stack of papers a little rougher than was necessary. He bent the stack several times before he huffed and put them down. He looked up at me. “Why did you let Chris die?”

“Yeah, Jace I let some fucking were just kill him. He’s like my own nephew. ”

“But he’s not your nephew. He’s mine. You’re nephew survived.” Jace stalked over to me where I stood halfway between him and the door. He shoved me and I could feel the bruise form and almost immediately heal. “You could have saved Chris too.”

“I tried Jace. I raced to them as fast I as I could. You know I didn’t know which ones were which on the screen you know how it works.” I spoke calmly and tried not to make things worse and I just stated facts.

“Don’t Jace me. You didn’t try hard enough.” He shoved me.

“I’m sorry Jason. Or would you prefer Mr. Hill?” He shoved me harder and I had no choice but to take a step back.

“You could have saved him.” Another shove. “You were so worried about every other boy.” Another shove and I took another step backwards. “You saved a fucking were boy before you saved my brother’s son.” He shoved me again and I hit the wall behind me. I took a deep breath and squashed the rising fear, the overwhelming crushing pain that enveloped my chest as I started to panic. I couldn’t panic now. Jace had every right to be angry and I’d rather he take it out on me than Fae or Matt or one of the other boys who survived. “Who the fuck do you think you are, saving monsters over your own kin.”

“Chris was dead by the time I found the boy. I found him first Jace. I cried. I was broken. I couldn’t do anything and I knew you’d hate me cause I let him die. You think I don’t wish I could have gotten to him faster.” I tried not to let my voice crack with the pain from the encounter and this very situation.

He grabbed my shoulders and shoved me into the wall, I felt the drywall dent as my shoulders crashed into it. I knew I was on the verge of a panic attack. I tried to cont to ten backwards. It didn’t work. My heart was in my throat. I felt the tears fall silently down my cheeks, they burned my eyes and were warm against my skin. Jace was yelling a torent of whys and hows and whos at me. I couldn’t focus on any of it. I couldn’t listen to him with my heart pounding in my ears.

I didn’t hear the door open but the next thing I knew Mia was ripping Jace’s hands from my shoulders and he was staggering backwards. I didn’t hear Mia shouting over the rush of fear coursing through my body. I stayed where I was, frozen in fear. Caught up in the memories that flooded through me any time something like this triggered me.

I remember standing in the fire starter room – behind the orange door with my hands to the wall and in my head Garrett was screaming at me. I could feel the lashes of air and earth falling on my back around my arms over my shoulders, wrapping around me. The pain of my skin ripping form my body was real. Living my nightmares while I was awake was worse than in the dreams. I could feel the pain and I would remember it.

There was a tender hand on my cheek wiping away the tears. I heard a name through the jumble of noise in my body, “Sage.”

But I didn’t register anything else as I sank to the floor and pulled my legs up to my chest. I slowed my breathing, the hand still on my cheeks running small fingers over my beared, rubbing the hair and grabbing a small handful of manicured hair. I glanced down at the small hand and the flood gates opened and the tears fell. I sobbed, “I’m sorry.” I said it over and over again.

The small little girl was pulled from me and I reached for her but a strong hand grabbed my hand. He pulled me into his lap and I curled up against him. He whispered in my ear. “I’m sorry, Nox. I know you did everything you could. I know. I’m angry. I’m not angry at you, babe. It’s okay. I’m here. We’ll take you home. I’m sorry.”

There was a barrage of I’m sorries as he held me close. He’d done it so many times before. I calmed down but I don’t know how many minutes had passed. Mia was smiling at me when I looked up. She asked, “You think you can walk?”

I nodded and she stood up and offered me here hand and I stood up with her’s and Jace’s assistance. Mia handed me Naya and smiled, “You think you can walk and hold her?”

I nodded again and took the small one offered me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. She murmurred in my ear baby nothings and I couldn’t help but smile. Jace turned me towards him. “You are coming home with me right?”

I nodded. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, babe.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine and kissed softly and hugged me to him with Naya craddled between us.

Jace pulled away and took my hand. Mia took his and she lead us through the door and towards the elevator. They would take me to Sage. I think I understood that from the barrage of things they said. When did Sage’s place become home I asked myself.

Date night was good. Nox was perfectly dressed I’d seen him in club wear before, but this this was spectacular. The blue rose was perfect. I had been disappointed he hadn’t followed me back up stairs. I’d have been late for our reservation if I could have taken him out of his clothes. But I wasn’t going to get to have fun with Nox tonight – we had not one but three boys staying with us and two of them were old enough to know what went on behind closed doors.

We walked from the restaurant to the AU building – hand in hand and stealing small glances at each other when the other wasn’t looking. The talk was easy and pretty non-essential, there was a long stretch of silence that wasn’t awkward. It made me wonder how thing had gotten to this point, where we were comfortable even when there was nothing to say. He’d been gone for two weeks. It was supposed to be a month but the trip ended abruptly and here Nox was walking with me.

When the AU building drew into sight Nox pulled me aside and into the shadows of the building, he pulled me against him as he leaned on the wall. His hands on my hips he smiled at me. I loved that smile. I brushed a red strand from his face and put my arms around his neck. I waited for him to say something but he just stared at me. I asked, “What?”

“Nothing, love. I just missed looking at him.” He quipped with a smirk on his face. I felt the blood rushing to my ears and face as he leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine then whispered, “I love that color on you.” Which of course made it worse and he spoke softly again, “You sure you don’t want to spend the night alone?”

I shook my head and stepped away from him. He was purposefully tempting me and he knew it. “You promised Drake he could spend the night at home.”

He frowned but it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared and I wasn’t sure if I’d even seen it. He was taking my hand and we walked towards the building and inside the public spaces to the elevator. There was no way I could walk all those stairs and Nox never even asked if I’d try, he pushed the button and we waited for it to come down. I could feel his palms starting to sweat, and his pulse quicken.

The elevator cleared and we were the only one’s left on the elevator when it started up. Nox was wrapped around me, his face pressed against my neck. I think I enjoyed the elevator ride because of his reaction to it. He trembled in my arms as I held him tight against me. No one else joined us on the elevator. We got off in the dorms. I only knew it was the dorms because it was a long empty hall that lead into a set of double doors and I could hear a bunch of music playing and a lot of loud male voices.

Nox pushed opened the double doors and I was greeted with the sight of what a frat house might look like if there were kids of all ages in one. There was a pool table, a foozeball machine, several couches and a large flat screen. Tables and a small kitchenette. And a lot of boys. A man with gray hair and a pair of round reading glasses walked over to us and held out his hand. “Nox, my boy. A pleasure to see you.”

“Good to see you again. This is Sage Morgan.”

I took the man’s proffered hand. “Nice to meet you Mr. Morgan.”

“Sage is fine.” I said quickly. The man laughed, and Nox nor he actually gave his name. A boy, with another held firmly in hand came up to Nox with a bag, in each of their free hands.

They smiled at me, one was shy and I felt the power of the wolf radiating off of him. He was the one being lead by the other, and if I’d not known it I would never have guess he was Venatori. Without the cross swords at his temple he looked like every other sixteen year old boy I’d ever met.

The man patted the Venatori boy on the shoulder, “Have fun, Matthew.”

He grinned at the man and nodded. He offered me his hand with a bright smile. “I’m Matt.” He nodded towards the other boy. “This is Faelen. You must be Sage.”

I nodded. “I finally get a face to the name.” He looked at me like he was confused and I laughed. “Nox wrote all about you. About both of you.”

Matt chuckled. “That’s right, he was always writing things down.”

Nox was watching our exchange but he was watching the wolf boy more. He held out his hand and Faelen went to him immediately. Nox wrapped his arms around the boy and Faelen relaxed. I liked watching him with Drake and this was no different. I took Matt’s bag, “Shall we go get Drake?”

Nox frowned a little then nodded. Seeing his father was never easy for him. But the frown was replaced by a grin and we were on our way, up the stairs this time up to see his father.

Kai answered the door holding Snoopy on his neck and a toddler under his arm like a sack of potatoes. He smiled brightly at me and bid us to come in. Drake squirmed and his poppi let him down and he ran and wrapped his arms around Nox with a huge smile. “You home.”

Nox pulled the boy close and nodded, “Yeah. You want to go home?”

He nodded and Nox stood up and picked the boy up with him not that he had much choice Drake was all arms around Nox’s neck. “Thank you, Kai for watching him.”

“It’s always my pleasure, Nox. Sage and I have plenty of time to talk too.” He smiled at me and patted my shoulder. “Who are these two?”

Nox introduced the boys. “Matthew Davenport, Faelen Taylor, this is Kai Viddens, my father.”

Matt extended his hand with a shy smile. “A pleasure, sir. I’ve read all about you. My mother spoke highly of you and Mr. Vega.”

Faelen just curled around Nox’s body like he was afraid of Nox’s father. Kai wasn’t an overly tall man, but he was imposing, and he was Venatori. There was a definite air of superiority wafting off of him while Matt spoke of his accolades.

Nox added, “Faelen will be staying with us. If he doesn’t want to join the pack, we’ll have to figure something else out.”

Faelen muttered something I didn’t quite hear, but Kai laughed, “No one will hurt you here little wolf, and I doubt my boy will let you go anywhere he suspects you’ll get hurt.”

Matt frowned, “There are already boys who have shown an interest in hurting Fae. He’s not exactly substantial. He’ll be better in a pack. Or a human school.”

Faelen didn’t react well either he looked wounded when Matt made his suggestion. Nox pulled the wolf closer and smiled at Matt, “We’ll deal with it all later. I think Sage wanted to get ice-cream before we go. Dad, you want to come?”

Kai shook his head. “No, I’m going to call Margo now that you’ve gotten Drake and I owe her a dinner.”

Nox nodded with a smile. “Enjoy your date. Some other time.”

Kai smiled and kissed Drake on the cheek and offered the boys each a hand, “I look forward to spending time with the two of you.” Matt grinned.

I gave Kai a hug and we all left the AU building via the stairs. Faelen was a lot less tense going down than I’d seen him so far. He was chasing Matt and Drake both down the railing. Nox watched as he walked down. I watched him. He was a beautiful man and I was never going to get over that. I snaked my fingers in his and we all went for ice-cream at Bonnie’s across the street before heading home.

It was nice having a family. I knew what family was before. I love my family, but this was different. It was mine even if it was all so new.

I had plenty of time to kill before I was to meet up with Sage at 8. I saw Drake for the first time and told him I would come get him at Poppi’s place so that he could sleep with us tonight. I hoped Sage didn’t mind. I sent him a text asking him to make sure I wasn’t making promises I couldn’t keep. He responded with a resounding of course.

And then I stopped in to see Matt and Faelen. They were off in their own little world in the common room of the boys dorms. Faelen was curled up against Matt while Matt read a book. Faelen picked his eyes up when I knelt down next to them and he gave me a happy smile. “Do you want to stay with pack tonight?”

He smiled and gave me a nod. I looked at Matt who was smile. “You want to come spend the night with him at Sage’s?”

Matt nodded, “I’ll see if I can get a pass from my Dad. He seems overly eager to please me since I came back.”

“You lived. That means a lot. And I’m sure he got word of my glowing report about your actions.”

Matt laughed. “I guess. I heard you got yelled at.”

I shrugged. “Nothing new. I’m going to dinner with Sage at 8. We’ll stop by afterwards and you can meet the rest of the family.”

Matt smiled, “Am I part of that family then?”

I nodded. “Yeah, Matt you are. You might not be mine on paper but you’ll be family none-the-less.”

He brightened. “I’ll keep him safe till you come back for us then.”

I patted him on the head and ruffled his hair. “I know you will.”

With all of that taken care of I still had time for a shower, to change the color of my hair from the camo to sapphire blue, paint my nails the same matching color and put on a pair of black jeans and the only dress shirt I owned. I debated on the tie and decided I didn’t have one that matched the blue in my hair so I changed everything to blood red. Changing the nail polish was the hardest part but because it was fresh it was easy to use my power on it without damaging my nails.

So at 7:30 I left wearing my black jeans and dark gray dress shirt and the blood red tie. I didn’t put on a coat, the sleeves would work and I was going to be with Sage anyway so I was going to be fine.

I caught the train and I was still 15 minutes early when I knocked on Sage’s front door with a single blue rose – well it was white, I made it blue. He opened the door brushing his teeth with and stopped mid brush to stare at me. He stared at me for three minutes. I counted the seconds bitting my bottom lip waiting for him to finish his examination of my attire spinning a few times before he shook his head and let me in.

He rushed up stairs and I heard him swear as he kicked something. He wasn’t ready. I wasn’t worried we’d be late. I knew Sage was going to be late. He made the reservation. He knew better than to make it for 8 pm. I stood in the entry way and waited for him – a proper date. We hadn’t really had one of these before. I could have followed him upstairs and watched him get dressed, but then we proably wouldn’t make our reservation.

I looked at the pictures on the wall, not that they had changed since I was here last and looked at them. But then I looked at the center of the frames adoring the wall and found a selfie Sage had taken of the two of us in Central park with Drake chasing butterflies in the background. I stared at the picture for a long time.

Sage cleared his throat and I turned to look at him and found my boyfriend standing at the base of the stairs in a pair of black dress pants and a white button down shirt with the top of blue shirt peaking through. I was going to guess that underneath the dress shirt Sage was wearing a superman shirt.

He took a step closer and adjusted the blood red tie and smiled. “You look amazing.”

I smiled at him. “You too love.” I nodded towards the picture, “How long you had that up here?”

Sage smiled. “Since you left. I missed seeing you, so I printed a picture to remind me of you everything I walked past it.”

“Can I get a copy of that?”

Sage smiled, “Yeah. I’ll get one made up.”

“After dinner, I want you to meet some people okay? I said.

Sage laughed, “You mean Matt and Faelen? I was wondering whenI’d meet them.”

I nodded. “Yeah, them. Faelen needs pack, they can stay in the other spare room tonight. I’ll take Faelen to Adrian later have him inducted into the pack.”

“There isn’t any need to do that. He’s your pack mate, you induct him into your pack. No one is going to dispute that Nox. He’s yours. I’m yours. Drake is yours. I bet if you tried hard enough Matt would be yours too. I bet your lion friend could be yours too if you knew how to do it. If you haven’t already.” Sage laughed. “You have this uncanny ability to just do what you need to do to survive and help those around you survive.”

“Can we not talk about all things mistical and mysterious about me tonight?” I asked.

“Of course, Nox.” He offered me his arm, “Shall we. We have reservations.”

And we went, we weren’t late – we were early even. I smiled happily as the maitrade sat us down at a table for two in the dimly light Italian restaruant. One I’d never been to. Sage ordered for me. Well he had ordered ahead of time, so everything was ready when we arrived.

We chatted about nothing in particular. All that really mattered was that I was with Sage, we were together and I was holding his hand. Running my fingers over the top of his. I don’t know when the conversation stopped. Our check sat in the middle of the table and Sage was watching me stare at him. I knew he was watching by the way he chewed at his bottom lip. He was memorizing me. He asked me, “Is everything okay?”

I nodded. “Yes, love, perfect. I just missed you.”

“I missed you too. Last night….” He frowned, “I’m sorry I didn’t know what to do.”

I gave him a weak smile. “You did nothing wrong. You did everything you were supposed to. I was beyond my capacity to cope.”

He sighed. “Nox. You need to talk to Dr. Silverman.”

I sighed. “I will. You made the appointment.” He nodded in agreement. I continued, “But I will find someone else to talk to, Sage, other than you. I’m not sure I could trust her again.”

“Nox, she loves you. Just like Dorian. You forgave him.”

“Sage, she tried to kill me. But I don’t really know that she even tried. I think the Venatori had my sister killed and let me live. Gary said they chose wrong.” I could see Sage’s demeanor change at the mention of the Venatori harming me in some way. My love was over protective. And I didn’t blame him. I was furious. I pushed the data card across the table. “I don’t have the clearance to read the information on it. But Dorian’s mom gave me everything about my birth, my father, my mother, anything about me. I don’t know what’s on it. But I think it’s important.”

Sage picked it up and smiled, “You want me to see if I can crack it?”

I shrugged. “I’m not asking you to. If it’s something you want to I won’t stop you. I’ll see what friends I can find to unlock it, but that could take a while. I don’t know those people. And I think only the top clearance will get me into those files.”

Sage pocketed the card and smiled. “I’ll work on it.” The glint in his eye said that he was more than eager to hold it over the Venatori. To know what he could to do make them pay.

I smiled, “You want to meet Faelen and Matt and pick up all three boys. I’ll even let you spoil them with icecream on the way home.”

Sage laughed. “Will you eat some?”

I nodded, “I will for you love. Anything you want.”

Sage smiled. “I just want you, Nox. Just you.”

Everything was spinning when I left Dorian. I needed to sit down half way up the stairs to my room. The world kept shaking me to the core. I turned the card in my hand over and over. It was just data – my life – my entire life. Everything in it. But I had bigger problems to deal with than my own problems. I had to talk with Jace. I had to deal with Darwynn, he was staying Adrian right now. I had Faelen with Matt to deal with. I had too much to deal with. And now I needed to prevent more boys and girls from getting hurt. Because it wasn’t going to stop.

It had been pretty much go go go since I left Sage’s house. A perfect night together – granted there were tears, but not bad ones – not really, and I hadn’t had a chance to even say hi. I sent him a text, “Go out tonight? Wherever you want. 8pm?”

I was outside when my phone buzzed a notification for a reply from Sage. It always made me smile when I heard the small ping go off. “Sounds great! 8. I’ll make a reservation. Dress nice.”

I groaned at the dress nice part, there was no telling where he was going to take me out. But I didn’t really have time to deal with it right now. I had to hop a train to Adrian’s place so that I could fetch Darwynn. He had to make the rounds or risk getting kicked out. And I had something I wanted to talk to him about anyway.

Adrian’s house doubled as he place of work. Around back you could go in discretely for a session. Adrian was a psychologist who focused on sex issues. If you and your lady couldn’t get it up anymore, Adrian helped you fix that. If you happened to like your sex a little kinkier, Adrian could help you with that too. He was one of the few sex ed teachers in the city who also taught people about the BSDM lifestyle. I had a feeling Darwynn would be ready to find a new place to stay.

And I was right, I knocked on Adrian’s front door and Leah answered with a bright smile. “Nox, darling, we were about to call you.” She opened the door wider for me and I stepped inside. She wrapped her arms around me and whispered, “I think our guest would find himself more comfortable elsewhere.”

I smiled and hugged Leah. “We’ll find him a place to stay. He has to check with the CCB anyway, Marshall will help I’m sure.”

Leah nodded and lead the way into her living room. “Darwynn, look who’s here.” She smiled brightly and Darwynn looked a little gun shy as he looked up, but the relief flooded his features and his smile and eyes grew bright.

He didn’t say anything but he was ready to leave their hospitality. Being a supernatural creature with exceptional hearing and smell made living in a place of sex rather much if you weren’t used to it. I could hear Adrian downstairs with a D/s pair. A normal human couldn’t, but there was only so much sound proofing one could do to supernatural ears.

“Let’s go talk with Marshall, he’ll put you up someplace a little less friendly.” I grinned at Darwynn and his smile faded only a moment before he stood up and walked to the door to grab his bag.

“Thank you Ms. Leah. Tell Adrian I appreciate all he’s done for me.” Darwynn extended his hand and smiled at her.

“A pleasure. A friend of Nox’s is most definitely a friend of ours.” She said as she shook Darywnn’s hand. “Do come back on a less eventful day. It would be an honor to hunt with you.”

That was the wolf’s way of saying welcome to the family. Darwynn nodded his thanks and headed for the door. “Tell Adrian, next time don’t scare away my friends with his playmates.”

Darwynn turned around and he was not doing a good job of blushings, though his face was shocked and he was trying to hide that. “It’s…”

I grinned at him. “Look, lover, if I thought I had another place for you to stay I’d have let you stay there. I’m sorry Adrian was booked last night and today.”

“How did…”

I interrupted, “You look like you got very little sleep. And I know what Adrian does for a living, I was a client at one time.”

He stopped and stared at me like I was an alien. He shook his head. “What’s a boy like you need with a man like that?”

I laughed. “Adrian taught me how not to be a victim.”

“You mean you weren’t always so cocky?” He laughed.

“No, I’ve always been cocky. I just learned how to cope when someone decided to call my bluff.” I grinned at him as we walked down the street. “I had a rough start, and I had certain triggers I needed to learn to get past or I’d have ended up worse than Faelen.”

“You mean dead?” Darwynn asked.

“Most likely.” I shrugged. “I had a mouth, I’m half human in a supernatural world, I had been taught early to submit completely and unerringly to my betters. I didn’t know I had a choice in the matter. Adrian taught me I did, taught me to say no. Taught me rules I could live by to have the kind of life I wanted and maintain control of it.”

“I can’t see you giving up any control.”

I smiled. “Then I’m doing it right.” I tapped him on the arm and pointed to a set of glass doors in one of the taller building in the city. “The CCB is this way.”

“You know a lot of people don’t you? Leah was saying Adrian and the local pack leader get along because of your intervention. Said you actually know Il Cane.”

I laughed. “I’ve not actually met her. I know her son intimately. He’s a good friend.”

“Intimately….” His eyes grew wide. “Do you sleep with everyone you meet? Should I be worried?”

“No. I offered to feed Ant, his mother has strong empathic powers, but he does not, but the line is still strong and he can’t control his bit like most vampires. And I like men, when he fed from me, I took it to the next level and he went with it.”

“Why would you feed a vampire, doesn’t that kill Venatori?” He asked.

But there was a man in a dark gray suit standing in the shadows of the empty stair well. His dark brown hair was too dark, his skin too pale and he looked a little hungry. “He feeds us because that is all he has to offer us. He is but a mere pawn in the game of vampires and werewolves.”

I groaned. “Desmond, I need to speak with Marshall, not you.”

“Marshall, is busy boy. I can deal with your lion friend here. For a price.”

“I want to speak to Marshall, Desmond. We can wait.”

The vampire pouted. “You never come to see me!” And in that instant he was flying up the stairs at vampire speed.

“Don’t mind him, he’s an asshole on a good day. But he’s harmless. He thinks he rules the city. But Del Figlio does; he’s only notable because he’s council and a master in his own right, and his Chevalier is one of the richest men in New York City. And together they fund the CCB. They don’t run it, that’s James Wright.”

“So why aren’t we meeting with him?”

I grinned. “I don’t know him.”

“But you know the richest man in New York City?” Darwynn’s disbelif only added to the irony.

“No I don’t know the richest man in New York City – that would be Asher Eriksen – he’s Venatori. Marshall is second richest.”

“And you know him on a first name basis.”

I laughed, “He’s a wolf. I know every high born wolf in New York City. It’s how the three so-called packs get along. Intermediaries – the vampires and myself.”

“What’s a Venatori doing meddling in werewolf disputes?”

“I need to know who to go to in which neighborhoods, so that when I have a mark I know the full story. I don’t kill my marks, Darwynn. I take them to the people who can help them. If they aren’t a lost kid and are killing for pleasure I take them to the Venatori and let them kill them, but even then I give them to the leader of their neighborhood, be it vamp, or wolf. CCB has no territory here. Just this building and their havens.”

“So why bother letting them know I’m in town?”

“Because it’s how we keep the peace. You aren’t a wolf, so you can’t swear fealty to Adrian or Dom. Your only option is the CCB, and Marshall is your way in. All vamps swear fealty to either Desmond or Ant, if you are lucky enough to corner Bernstein that’ll do too. If you are a Dragon, you keep quiet or join the CCB. Most dragons right now claim loyalty only to the Dragon council so they keep quiet.”

“What about others? Do they know to do this? I’m new here how would I know to find the CCB?”

“Someone would have found you and brought you to James. James might kill you then for not coming to him right away.”

“Tough life this city life.”

I knocked on a door and a small voice called “Come in.”

We opened the door and a small bird like woman looked back at us. I gave her a little wave and she blushed. “Petra.” I said as I took her hand from her desk and kissed it. “I need to speak with Marshall.”

“Mr. Vallejo told me to tell you Mr. Kent is busy and he would be glad to see you in his Chevalier’s stead.”

I sighed. “I have to register a Therian – mountain lion class. Can Desmond help me with that?”

She shook her head. “No, Master Wright says – the vampire has no rights here – he’s dead.”

I grinned. “I need to seep with Marshall then, Petra. This is Darwynn Randall. He’s …”

She interrupted me, “Oh we’ve heard of you Mr. Randall. Please come, I will get Mr. Kent immediately.” She lead us into Marshall’s empty office. “Please sit, make yourself comfortable, Mr. Kent will be right with you.”

“They’ve heard of me?” Darwynn asked.

“Anyone who kills Venatori is CCB heroes.” I said flatly. “Speaking of which I need you to think about something.”

“What’s that boy?” He said with mock outrage.

“I’d like to send you out to various other camp sites when classes go out. Tame the beasts, or at the very least let me know the things that go down out there. No more kids need to die because of some petty feud. ”

“You think to right centuries of tradition?”

I shook my head. “I seek to right the deaths of innocent children everywhere.”

“Noble. What can I do about it? I’m nothing.”

I smiled. “Tell me, is all I ask. I’ll give you a location, I’ll fund the flight and the travel expenses, you be my eyes and ears and I’ll do the rest.”

“What makes you think that will make a difference?”

“Just think about it. Think of it as a free vacation, and a means to look for a new home for you and your cause while relaying a little information back to me.”

“Why should I help you, Nox?”

The doors to the office opened and a blond haired blue eyed man walked in. He was stunning, as usual. His suit was properly pressed and starched and he looked like he was made of money. He smiled and spoke softly, “Helping Nox, helps yourself. The most powerful Venatori is not the man who sits on the throne dear lion.”

I rolled my eyes. “Marshall, Darwynn Randall. Dawywwn, Marshall Kent. Our liaison to the CCB.”

“It is my honor to sponsor your membership into the Creed of Celestial Beings on behalf of our friend here. He does more good for our kind than all of his combined. How do you think we became the most peaceful supernatural city on the planet.”

“Because the Venatori sit on your doorstep?” Darwynn said sarcastically.

“You would think that, and the world believes it. Peace isn’t held by that, trust me. ”

Darwynn laughed, “You’re telling me this scrawny boy keeps the peace.”

Marshall joined him in his laughed, “For heaven’s no. It is not this boy who keeps the peace, it is the bonds he forges. He’s tied to the most powerful vampire in the city. He’s tied to an Alpha wolf in the city. He is the strongest Cesari to ever grace this city with his fire. The boy simply needs to take his place as rightful king and this city would find peace.”

Darwynn asked, “And how does he take his rightful place?”

I frowned, I knew the answer. I’ve always known the answer. Marshal smirked as he said, “My killing the false king.”

“He’s not a false king, he’s not a king at all, Marshall. He’s the leader of the Venatori. And I will not kill Mark Green.”

“Such a pity.” A voice from the other side of the door said as Desmond walked in. “You see Marshall, he is no king. A puppet maybe, for the son to pull the strings, or maybe the wolves. The dragons can call the would-be usurper. He’s nothing. Il Cane dotes on a boy because he might be prophecy fulfilled. What does she know? She’s insane.”

“Can we move on? I’ve heard you two bicker about this for hours before. Darwynn needs clean passage in the city, in and out for as long as he wishes. Can you get it for me?”

Marshall smiled, “And down to business, my boy. What will I get in return?”

“What do you want, Marshall?”

“What does everyone want from boy?” Demsond laughed.

“I don’t know you tell me, since you seem to know.”

He flashed his fangs at me with a hiss. “Your blood fool boy.” He lunged at me only to be stopped by a wall of air.

I grinned at him. “You think I’m stupid Desmond?”

The vampire pouted – again. Marshall laughed. “While my master is correct, he will not be partaking of the gift you bestow upon us.”

“Then what do you want it for?” I asked.

“That, my friend, is none of your business.” He held up a syringe and smiled, “Do we have a deal?”

“I’d rather he bit me than you stick that thing in my arm.”

The look on Desmond’s face was priceless but he looked at Marshal and it was washed away in a moment. He sighed and turned to me, “I will ease the fear. Close your eyes and let me touch you. Fear will not sustain me but it will be a mere taste of what you offer.”

I sighed and dropped the wall of air. Desmond touched my arm and I felt him shudder and gasp, “Drop you shield, Nox, so I can feed from it all,” he begged.

I sighed and let go. It was the least I could do for the favor he was doing. Desmond fell to his knees as my shield fell, his head rested against my arm and Marshall deftly wrapped the cord around my other arm and drew blood quickly. I felt nothing but the warmth of vampiric power coursing through me. Desmond was an empath – he fed on emotion. He gasped when he let go and dropped to all fours. “By the gods….” he whispered.

Marshall handed Darwynn a sighed form, “Leave it with Petra and welcome to the New York Branch of the CCB. May the heavens ever guide you.”

I stood up and put my hand on Desmond and whispered, “Thank you.”

He looked up at me with a frown, “It is I who should thank you. I have never felt so much pain except for that in Il Cane.” He smiled then, “It is a glorious feed.”

We walked out and Petra took the paper from Darwynn’s hand and smiled at me, “Next time bring a flower.”

I grinned at her and formed a pattern of a flower. It would never die, or wilt or wither, it would just be.” I handed Petra the white daisy with a smile and she stared at me in awe.

Darwynn laughed, “Do you charm everyone you meet?”

I shrugged. “Not everyone.”

We walked down the stairs in silence and out the building and my phone rang. “Petra?”

She giggled, “Mr. Kent has sent an address of a safe haven to Mr. Randall’s phone. And he has a meeting with Mr. Wright tomorrow at 8am sharp. He cannot miss it.”

“Thanks, Petra. Tell Marshall thanks.”

“He said to thank you. You’re gift will be most useful.” And then she hung up. I wondered what they wanted my blood for if not to feed on. Desmond had taken my fear but thinking on it now I shuddered. I hadn’t panicked then but I would probably now that I was thinking about it again.

I really needed to see Sage sooner rather than later. Darwynn interrupted my thoughts. “I think I can find my new place and make the meeting. I’ll think on what you asked me. I have your number. You keep in touch oh prophesied one.”

I rolled my eyes, “Can you forget you heard that from those two?”

Darwynn nodded, “Not on your life.” he grinned at me and waved. “May your hunt be true.”

“May the moon guide you.”

Darwynn laughed as he rounded the corner. I don’t think expected me to say the proper good-bye.