OZMYERE

I frown in confusion as the six of us sit there at the dinner table, Azusa having just burst out of the room with Harlow.

"What was that about?" Ryker raises his eyebrows.

"I'm not sure," Alecsander frowns.

"Always making such a fuss," Ryker hums out. "Azusa sure knows how to steal the spotlight. It must be utterly exhausting to live with him."

"Hey, come on, just because he isn't here doesn't mean you can talk badly about him," Caesar frowns. "I'm aware you and Azusa don't get along, but would it kill you to be civil?"

My heart clenches at their conversation and I clear my throat to attempt to get rid of the feelings that want to burst from inside of my chest, but I know my drooping ears most likely give away my mood as Alecsander sends me a glance of sympathy and Aithne frowns. A few minutes later, Azusa walks back into the room, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans as calmly as ever while Harlow trails in behind him.

"Sorry," Azusa smirks, his eyes glinting as he sits back down, "I just got thirsty and couldn't help myself."

Harlow frowns and goes to open her mouth to protest, but a look from Azusa silents her and she decides to sit down back at the table. My eyes flicker between the two in confusion, knowing there must be more going on than they're telling.

"Tch," Ryker snorts, "typical vampire."

"Anyway," Alecsander clears his throat as Azusa glares at Ryker, obviously wanting to change the subject, "how about we learn more about Harlow? I mean, she is the star of tonight's show, after all."

"That's a great idea," Aithne beams, grateful for the new topic.

"Oh, um," Harlow clears her throat and smiles awkwardly, "alright. What would you like to know?"

"What do your parents do?" Karmine asks politely.

"My mother used to be a fashion designer and my father works mainly as an army commander," Harlow answers, smiling sadly. "My mom died a while ago though, so it's just been me and my dad for a long time. This necklace actually used to be my mom's. My father recently gave it to me as a present before I left."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Karmine frowns.

"It's alright," Harlow assures, "I've come to terms with it a long time ago, but I still miss her a lot."

"Most of us either voluntarily left home or our parents sent us here in hopes of us having a better life," Karmine explains, "but I never met my actual parents. I was put into the foster system from a young age. As you can imagine, it was quite startling to everyone, including myself, when my tails and ears appeared, so I ended up running away. Then, one day, Oz's parents found me and brought me here."

"Except for me," Caesar says boredly, "my parents kicked me out. I inherited my abilities from my aunt and it thoroughly freaked my parents out. My aunt had passed years ago, so going to her wasn't an option. So, I lived on the streets until I met Oz's parents one day and they took me in. I think, if not for them, I wouldn't be here right now."

"That's terrible, I'm so sorry," Harlow's eyes widen and Caesar chuckles.

"I don't really care," Caesar sends her a lopsided smile, "I'm better off without them anyway. The only other one without parents is Everett, but that's because he—"

Aithne suddenly kicks Caesar's shin from under the table, effectively cutting him off as he grimaces while she glares at him. I sigh, thankful that Aithne stopped Caesar from explaining more about Everett because I don't want Harlow to be scared off.

"Anyway," Aithne clears her throat and forces a smile, "we're so glad you're here, Harlow. I'm so excited to get to know you."

"Yeah, it'll be fun to hang out with you all," Harlow smiles. "Oh, and just wondering, do any of you work or do you go to university?"

"I work part-time at a book store," Aithne answers, "and since I take care of my parents and visit here in my free time, I don't really have time to attend college."

"I take care of the house while my parents are away," I say. "I've been looking for a job lately to also help support my parents. I used to work in retail for a little while."

"I'm studying full time as a business major," Caesar says. "I'm pursuing a career in accounting."

"I work as a model," Karmine smiles fondly.

"That's really cool," Harlow smiles in return. "That sounds like an amazing opportunity."

"My job doesn't exactly earn me money, and it's more of a duty than a job," Alecsander rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Yeah, because who wants to pay the Angel of Death?" Azusa snorts.

"Wait, what?" Harlow furrows her eyebrows in confusion.

"I help guide souls of those who have passed to the afterlife," Alecsander rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.

"So, you're like... the grim reaper?" Harlow asks.

"Not quite," Alecsander laughs nervously and Harlow smiles sheepishly in return.

"I work as a cashier," Ryker interjects, "but I also write poetry in my free time."

"That's cool," Harlow nods, "I like creative thinkers."

"I focus full time on online college, like Caesar," Azusa says. "I want to get a career in design."

"I really love design. I'm studying the arts too," Harlow smiles before she glances around the table. "What about Everett?"

"Everett..." Alecsander exchanges a glance with Caesar, "Everett is a street fighter."

"Oh?" Harlow raises her eyebrows.

"Yeah..." Alec sighs.

"So, Oz," Harlow starts, gaining my attention, "what do your parents do that they're gone so often?"

"They're entrepreneurs," I answer, giving her a small smile, "aside from running this sanctuary."

"Oz, are you alright? You've been kind of quiet," Alec frowns.

"I'm fine," I assure him with an unconvincing sigh.

"You don't sound fine," Alec presses.

"I'm sure he just needs some rest," Ryker smiles, "he's been so tired lately."

"Are you sure?" Caesar asks skeptically.

"I'll take him to his room, if that's okay," Ryker offers and Alec nods uncertainly.

Ryker stands up and makes his way over to me, helping me stand up even though I don't need it. I send him a small smile as he walks me out of the room and I can't help but feel like we're being intently watched. Ryker takes me to my room and opens the door before he glances behind us and quickly shuffles us inside, shutting the door with his heel.

"Come now, let's get you to bed," Ryker says sweetly and I nod. "You need your rest, Love."

"Thank you," I smile tiredly at him and he smiles in return.

"Anything for you, my love," Ryker says softly.

***

HARLOW

"Do you think he's okay?" I ask worriedly, glancing between the others.

"He'll be fine," Alec attempts to assure me, but it sounds more like he's trying to assure himself.

Azusa's hand clenches slightly, only noticeable if you're really paying attention to it, and I find myself frowning.

"I have a question," I start. "Do any of you know if Ryker is human or not? I mean, he obviously knows about us."

They exchange glances between each other and a few of them frown before Aithne finally answers.

"Ryker told us his father was a demon but that he didn't inherit any abilities," Aithne shrugs. "That's all we know."

"A flame demon like me, or?" I ask.

"We aren't sure. Nobody ever really thought to ask," Alec's eyebrows furrow in thought.

"Huh," I frown, "alright."

We spend a few more hours together talking and I get to know them better. I send a few occasional glances to the entrance of the room and wonder what happened to Ryker since he never came back down. I'm also internally grateful that nobody seemed to want to pry into my love life, well...yet that is.

A few minutes later, Ryker comes back to the dining room and he smiles sweetly at us.

"Thank you so much for inviting me over. Dinner was wonderful as always, Aithne," Ryker says.

"No problem," Aithne nods. "How's Oz?"

"Oz fell asleep as soon as I took him upstairs," Ryker chuckles and shoves his hands in his pockets. "I stayed with him to make sure he was asleep for a while."

"Right..." Azusa trails off, "well, I guess you'd better be going now."

"Yeah," Ryker nods, "I have a late night shift to get to. I'll see you around."

With that, Ryker turns on his heel and I almost miss the sly smile that splays across his lips as he walks away. Almost.

"I'm gonna go to my room for now. I'm pretty tired after the long day," I smile and stand up, feeling a worrisome urge to check on Oz. "Thanks for the dinner, everyone. And thanks for making me feel so welcomed."

"Of course," Alec smiles and the others see me off.

I quickly head up the stairs and to my room before I glance around to make sure that nobody followed me and I try each door until I find Oz's room. I raise my eyebrows upon noticing the complete darkness of the room and I feel around until I switch on a light switch. The lights suddenly flicker on and I'm able to see Oz's room, which has a blue rug with a few white bookshelves filled with books, a blue and white bed, a closet like mine with a bathroom like mine, a black bean bag chair, a TV, and a video game console. There's also a black laptop resting by the foot of his bed, which I'm careful to not step on as I walk over.

"Oz?" I whisper as I approach his sleeping figure on the bed.

I frown when I notice that his ears are drawn back and his expression seems anxious, even as he sleeps. I also notice dark bruising around his wrists and under his eyes, as well as his neck, which concerns me.

"Hey, Oz," I try once more, leaning over to gently shake his shoulder.

Oz mumbles in his sleep before his eyes flutter open and he groans.

"What is it?" He mumbles.

"Oz, are you alright?" I frown, my eyes flickering across his figure.

"'M tired," Oz yawns and stretches his arms, blinking a few times but retaining a sleepy look on his face. "I feel like I haven't even slept."

"Come on," I sigh and hoist him up, steadying him as he sways slightly, "let's get you cleaned up."

I drag Oz over to his bathroom and carefully slide open the glass door, carrying him inside the white tiled bathroom with red tile flooring, a clear shower with red stucco tiles, a toilet, a towel rack, and a white marble countertop with a sink, mirror, and medicine cabinet.

"Stay here for a minute, okay?" I say as I sit him down on the floor and he only nods in response.

I quickly run out of his room, not sure who I should go to for help. I end up running throughout the house until I find Azusa and Alecsander in the living room. They both turn to look at me, having previously watching TV, and their expressions both shift to concern upon seeing the look on my face.

"What's wrong?" Alecsander asks worriedly.

"I think something's wrong with Oz," I breathe out and the two of them exchange glances before they run towards his room with me trailing behind them.

"Shit, not again," Alec says softly as he reaches Oz's room, rushing into the bathroom to find him unconscious on the floor.

"What is it?" I frown worriedly.

Azusa rushes over to Oz and cradles him in his arms, examining him worriedly.

"Oz has been progressively getting more sick ever since he first became ill a few months ago," Alec frowns. "Nobody can figure out what's wrong. We've taken him to every doctor in town and none of them have given us a proper diagnosis. His insomnia has gotten even worse with all of the stress, and I just wish we could find a way to help him."

"Alec, go get some of my spare blood supply from the fridge and bring an IV from the medical room," Azusa says, his voice firm.

Alec nods and rushes off and I notice Azusa tilt Oz's head to the side slightly as he examines him with a mixture of concern and anger on his face. Somehow, I get the feeling that there's more going on and that Azusa knows it too. I watch as Azusa clenches his jaw with a pained expression before he sighs.

"I'm sorry," Azusa whispers before he bites down on the crook of Oz's neck.

After a few minutes, Oz seems to slowly regain consciousness as his eyes open and a groan escapes his lips. He begins to squirm in Azusa's hold, but Azusa only wraps his arms around him tighter, keeping him from escaping. Alec then comes rushing back with the items Azusa requested and Azusa gently lifts Oz up, dragging him back to the bed. Azusa places Oz down on the bed and Alec hooks him up to the IV as Azusa licks at Oz's wound and seals it shut, placing the back of his hand against his mouth as he leans away from Oz, his eyes flashing between red and brown as blood trails down his lips.

"That should help," Azusa whispers hoarsely.

"What did you do?" I ask, frowning in concern for Oz, but knowing that Azusa would never do anything to hurt him.

"While we don't have any way to treat him, we figured out that when he gets really bad like this, it helps if Azusa drinks his blood. Then, we replace the blood he lost and he appears to do much better for a little while," Alec sighs. "We don't really understand it, but it helps him and that's all that matters."

"I understand it well enough..." Azusa says quietly, his voice laced with anger, and I glance over at him, wondering what's truly going on.

"I'll watch over him," Alec says quietly, sitting on the bed and brushing strands of Oz's hair out of his face as Oz falls back asleep.

Azusa nods before he sends me a look that says we'll talk about this later. Azusa then heads out of the room rather quickly. I frown, glancing at Alec and Oz one last time before I head back to my room for the night.

"Just what the hell is going on?" I breathe out in a sigh.