John finished the story. "Well, that is the most that we know." He couldn't look at Hyde. Janice couldn't look up either. "The priest was found dead last year when we were attacked. He found the Abraxas charm but we had the words to make it work."

"This is all your fault?" Hyde yelled.

"Hey. No. We didn't summon a demon, Hyde!" John defended them. "We just protected ourselves."

"And you couldn't let me in on any of this. Here I am thinking I'm going to freak you out!" Hyde stood up and began to pace.

Soren and Ryker began to form a plan that they started in the car. Hyde added to it and even John jumped in with some good advice. Nora watched her man plan and he was really good at it. He included her and she was thrill.

"I want to keep Janice, John and Poppy in the house and Hyde is watching them to keep them here." Ryker stated and looked at Poppy. He didn't want to put her in danger. He had a strong need to keep her safe. John and Janice was happy to stay in the house.

"I am so sorry about this! This is all my fault!" Janice was in tears. These children were putting their lives in danger because of her and a bad decision she made a year ago.

"We can all throw stones at you later, Janice." Soren winked at her. "No one is blaming you, really. This isn't your fault. This is Willem's fault. He had to know what he was doing when he started playing with a demon. He had spent a year feeding people to it. Now, back to the plan."

Janice took a break and supplied some snacks and watched the guys work. The Lloyd brothers got weapons out of their car and loaded them in the living room. It now looked like arsenal storage.

The air began to whirl and there was loud thunder. Janice gasped as she jumped from her chair. She went from fast asleep to awake and terrified. Nora felt bad for her. She has lived in fear for a year. "He's coming!" She whispered.

"We need to follow the plan here. It's coming. I can feel it getting closer." Nora agreed with Janice.

"What do you mean, you can feel it?" John asked. "Please say you aren't going out there with them?" He noticed that Nora wasn't assigned to sit in the house.

In fact, he never heard what she was supposed to do. Soren just said that she knew what to do. John had no idea what that meant.

Soren smiled at Nora. "Don't worry, John, she is awesome!" He loved her.

Ryker rolled his eyes. His sister-in-law was awesome. He knew they would get married. Soren was going to keep her. "She is a phantom and she's gifted." He turned from Janice and John. "So, are you going to marry her or what?"

Soren laughed and looked at Nora. "Yes."

"Hey! Don't you have to propose to me or something! Your brother asked you and you said yes. Are you two getting married?" Nora pointed out. She laughed.

"Marry me, you pain in my ass!" Soren stated. He wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her hair.

Nora laughed. "How can I say no?" Nora gasped. She turned a shimmery blue. She wasn't a phantom yet. "It's close, Soren. Are we ready?"

The Lloyd Brothers both cocked a shotgun and said yes at the same time. "Nora, are you ready?" Soren asked.

"Yes. It's not my first rodeo! Mrs. Lloyd has a nice ring to it!" Nora smiled and kissed Soren.

"Hell yeah it does!" Soren smiled. His fiance was a phantom. Nora phased and was floating. She knew this was going to frighten John and Janice.

Janice and John were huddled together and stared at phantom Nora. "Poppy, stay with them and keep them here. Okay?" Nora stated. "Sorry about this, I won't hurt you." She didn't have time to explain this right now.

Poppy nodded and hugged her friend. "It's okay. That is just Nora." She reassured them and let go of Nora. "Be safe out there!"

"I'm not the thing you need to worry about." Nora said as she began to shimmer and looked out the window.

The demon was outside with a dark figure. Hyde knew that figure. "Willem!"

"Hyde. Stay here. I don't know what they have planned. Nora. Go out the back. I got the front." Ryker directed. "Be careful." Nora nodded.

Soren kissed phantom Nora and looked in her eyes. "Be careful." Nora nodded.

Janice watched a ghost float through the window that she opened.

"If anyone leaves this house, I will shoot you myself, is that clear?" Soren threatened. "Hyde?"

"Clear." Hyde agreed. Soren looked intimidating right now. He would do whatever Soren said at this point. He was much different hunting in contrast to sitting around the dinner table. He looked formidable. Hyde wouldn't argue with him right now.

"The Lloyd Brothers. Back for another round, I see." The demon smiled as the guys stepped outside. Soren saw a flash of blue. Nora was in position. Invisible and cool.

"We can't get enough. You ready to die?" Soren asked.

"Me? No. I don't think so. I have been feeding since I saw you. I am stronger. It will take more than a shotgun to kill me." The demon said and laughed. He licked his lips and looked at Soren. "You are going to keep me strong for a long time!"

"What are you talking about?" Soren had to ask. Nora couldn't believe that Soren was having a casual conversation with the demon.

The demon laughed. "You have no idea!" He looked at Ryker and back to Soren. "You are different than your brother. Stronger. Tastier. You are different, more powerful and you have no idea. I'm not telling you!" He was going to kill them and didn't feel the need to give them any information.

"I need to know what you mean!" Soren was going to ask more questions but he didn't trust the demon.

 Willem interrupted anyway. "We are gods now and we no longer answer to you." Willem stated. He liked the power the demon offered. He felt strong, like a god and he was done talking to these guys. He had no idea who they were.

"Willem!" Janice was on the porch.

"You are dead, Janice." Willem sounded different, murderous, as he pointed his finger at her.

"Janice, stay in that house or I will kill you myself. Don't be stupid." Soren warned again. "Don't mess up my plan or I will be pissed." He whispered to her. "Get in the damn house."

Janice backed away. Closed the door. She was scared. Poppy grabbed her and pulled her back to the living room with her family. "Nora is out there!" Janice was scared for Nora. She loved her.

"Trust me when I say that she is fine. She's too stubborn to kill." Hyde smiled as he said it. He hoped he was right. Please be okay.

"I want Janice. Let the woman out and we will leave you alone. She is the sinner. She is the one that must be sacrificed and this will be over." The demon said. Willem. He was out for blood. He had promised the demon could have his mom. He had to keep that promise.

"No. You aren't getting anywhere near her." Ryker said and smiled at his brother. He shot at the demon and nothing happened. It was just buckshot.

"You idiot. Buckshot can't hurt me. I thought you knew what you were doing? I thought you would be a challenge. I have heard a lot of chilling stories. Some were very impressive. I was looking forward to meeting you on level ground. I'm disappointed." The demon laughed and stepped closer. "Our last encounter was less than satisfactory. I'm looking for a good fight."

"I hope you are right, actually. I'm looking for a good fight as well. I wasn't ready to meet you on our last encounter." Soren sneered at the demon.

He was hoping to piss it off and get it away from Willem. What a dick. Ryker knew that Soren could piss anything off. He had that skill.

Soren smiled at the demon as he talked to it.  He was it step closer to him. Away from Willem but closer to the house. This was ideal but there was a plan. "I have been wanting a rematch and I love a good fight. You were pretty weak that last time and if it weren't for the element of surprise, I would have had you. I know I can kick your ass but I think I will let my brother. It's been awhile since he got to kill something."

"You arrogant prick!" The demon yelled. He hated this human. He took three steps toward Soren. "I won't let you get away this time." That was a mistake, he underestimated them. That won't happen this time.

Nora was behind Willem. She had to get the charm from his neck. Janice stormed out of the house. Out from the protection. "Janice, no!" Ryker yelled. "Get her back to the house! Poppy!"

"Poppy, take her. Hyde. Your mom. Now." Ryker commanded. He wasn't use to someone not listening. Poppy was out trying to pull Janice in. Willem waved his arm and Poppy was flung against the house. She didn't move. Hyde pulled her inside.

Janice couldn't move. The demon had her. He was holding her. Maybe he would save her for later. Kill her slowly. She was weak. Easy prey. He was looking for a fight. The brothers would be a challenge.

"You belong to me!" The demon growled. He smiled and Janice just stared his teeth looked like bones of people. She was terrified.

"I know. Take me and leave them alone. Take me and go. They are innocent." Janice was trying to save the rest of them. She was shaking uncontrollably.

The demon laughed. "Right. Like I am listening to you. I listen to Willem and why would I leave the hunters. They kill my kind." He wasn't leaving them alive. "They are not innocent." The demon spat and it landed on the ground like acid. It ate a hole in the dirt. The grass around it died.

"Please." Janice begged.

"No." The demon wasn't going to budge. He wanted the hunters. He began to squeeze Janice. She couldn't breath. The sulfur smell was getting stronger. There was just pain and she couldn't even scream.

Soren looked at Nora. Where he hoped she was. Nora took that as a sign and grabbed Willem from behind and froze him. She had to keep contact to keep him frozen.

She took his necklace with the other hand. Slide it off of his neck. It burned her hand as she removed it. She tossed it to Ryker. She had to let go of Willem. Touching that amulet cost her a lot. She wasn't counting on that.

"Nora. You okay?" Soren was scared.

"I'm fine. Sure. For now. Get Willem." Nora stated. She was weak. She fluttered back and forth from ghost to human.

Soren had Willem by the collar. He was trying to figure out what to do. He wanted to kill him.

The demon gasped. "A phantom? Where did you find it?" He stared at Nora. Nora saw fear. Interesting. Why was he afraid of her?

"Her, not it and she is a friend. Family." Ryker shouted and shot the demon with a shotgun shell. It had holy water in it. He was weak. "Nora. You got this?"

"Shut up." Nora yelled. She had to concentrate to be the phantom. Save her energy. She touched the demon's arm and Ryker shot it again. It shrunk away from Nora and yelled. The demon dropped Janice into a crumpled pile. She wasn't moving. Ryker couldn't tell if she was breathing even.

Nora grabbed the demon around his neck and chest and used a lot of energy freezing it. The ice spread down his chest, inside him and through his body. Ryker shot it again with the holy water. And again.

He unloaded and reloaded. Nora kept the demon frozen using everything she could. She felt him starting to break apart.

"Now!" Nora yelled.

Ryker threw the amulet and Soren shot it with holy water. It shattered into pieces and shot out a bright light. The demon screamed and splintered into a pile of black pieces and then the pieces turned to tar and seeped into the ground. There wasn't a mark anywhere. Willem screamed and fell. He was dead before he hit the ground.

Nora floated to the ground and sat. She was human. She would have to phase again soon to heal. Soren was at her side on his knees. "Nora?"

"I'm okay. Still alive. Janice. Poppy?" Nora asked. She was worried.

"I don't know. Willem is dead." Soren knew that.

"Good. I'll tell Hyde." Nora said. He was her friend.

"Let's check on the others." Soren helped her up. She held on and limped to Ryker and hugged him. "Thanks."

Ryker was a little shocked. "Sure. What did I do?"

Nora smiled. "Called me her and family. Thanks. That was...I'm touched. Thanks."

Ryker cleared his throat. "We need to check on Janice. Don't tell anyone that I said that!" He half teased.

"Never." Nora smiled. Once was enough for her. She knew how he felt.

They found Janice and Soren was afraid. "She has a pulse but it's weak." He picked her up and took her inside. Laid her on the couch and Hyde and John were there. Hyde was scared.

"How is Poppy?" Nora asked. She was sitting. Her hand was burnt. It was branded with the markings on the amulet.

"She probably has a slight concussion but I think she will be fine. Ryker, will you check her?" Hyde asked.

Poppy was lying on the love seat. He noticed that she was small. He never paid attention before. She was pretty but he noticed that before. She opened her eyes and stared at him. "Ryker. You okay?"

"Yes. Poppy. Fine. Are..you? You had me...us worried." Ryker looked into her pretty brown eyes.

She sat up with great difficulty. "I think that my shoulder is broken.

Ryker could tell that is was out of socket. "No. But this will hurt for just a second. Take a deep breath when I tell you to. Okay?" Poppy nodded. "Inhale." She did and Ryker almost bear hugged her and her shoulder popped back in.

"Ouch!" She glared at him. "That hurt."

"Just breath. If you pass out, I will give you mouth to mouth!" Ryker warned her.

"Tempting offer." Poppy smiled. "Thanks."

"Better?"

She moved her shoulder. "Hurts."

"You will have to baby it for a few weeks but you will be fine." Ryker gently tucked her hair behind her ear. "You have a terrible knot on your head. I'm sorry. I tried to get Janice in the house." Ryker felt terrible for Poppy getting hurt.

"Hey, don't worry. I'm tougher than I look. So, that is what you do. Hunt demons?" Poppy smiled. She had a huge crush on him but she didn't want to be one of his women. She actually didn't want to be just his one night stand.

"Yes. You are gorgeous." Ryker said.

"You are gorgeous." Poppy replied.

"Oh, I know, Poppy." Ryker winked at her. He was finding a bed to drag her too soon. She was hot and he had already waited too long. He was going to show her how much he really liked her.

He was bummed that they had other things to address before he could do that. He touched her face and she closed her eyes. "Remember to baby that shoulder."

Poppy smiled as he removed his hand. "I will. Thanks for saving all of us, Ryker."

"Well, I am a hero. I expect to see some gratification from you later." He winked.

Poppy looked at him. "Oh, you won't be able to stop me, Ryker."

Ryker chuckled. "If you aren't careful, I will drag you away and let you show me right now!" His voice was deep and thick.

Poppy blushed. "Tempting offer that I wouldn't say no to. Maybe later....not too much later though. I can show you all kinds of things, Ryker."

Ryker was hot now. "Don't tease me, Poppy." He smiled at her. "I have things to take care of and then we are talking in private." He didn't ask. "We still have our hotel room that needs used properly." He winked and Poppy just nodded in agreement.

"So, the demon is dead?"

"Yes. We have to get Janice to the hospital and I have some personal things to take care of and then I will take care of you. I want you to go and rest." Ryker smiled at her.

"No, Hyde is my family and I am going with him to the hospital first but I promise to rest later." She smiled at Ryker.

He nodded. He could respect that and he realized that he wanted to take care of her. "You take care of them and I will take care of you...later." He kissed her forehead and sighed. Poppy closed her eyes and smiled. He memorized that smile.

Janice was taken to the hospital and she was in critical condition. John gave them a bull shit story. The truth wouldn't work. Smashed to death by a demon probably wasn't on the check in sheet. It wasn't covered by insurance either.

Nora had to stay at the house and Soren stayed with her. "You okay?"

"Yes. I can't heal Janice." Nora was sad. "She is too hurt. I'm not sure she'll make it, Soren."

"I know. Poppy's going to call." Soren was waiting for the horrible phone call.

Nora phased finally. "Oh, much better. Soren?"

"Yes. Nora." Soren didn't want to answer the questions that he knew were coming.

"That demon was afraid of me, do we know why?" Nora was a little frightened.

Soren was quiet. "Probably because you could kick his ass."

"Right. You want to tell me?" Nora knew that Soren knew.

"Mmm. No." Soren smiled. "I don't want to tell you."

"Is it the same reason that amulet burned me?" Nora was scared. "Am I evil?"

Soren smiled at his floating fiance. "No, Sweetheart. You aren't even close. You are the opposite of a demon. Well, you are a crossbreed. Sort of. You are the product of an angel and a human. He was afraid because you are powerful. More so than a demon. You can kill them. Single handed."

"How? I don't understand." She glared at him. "How long have you known this?"

"Well, I only just found out before I saw you again. I found a book that I want to show you later. We can talk more. Okay?" He was afraid she would be mad. She looked at him.

Soren shrugged. "I don't understand this either. Maybe we can hunt your parents down one day and ask them." Soren was curious. Maybe he would kick their ass for leaving her. "So, you going to marry me. Tomorrow!"

Nora laughed. "Absolutely. Did you see Poppy and Ryker?"

"Yes. My brother is a whore. We should warn Poppy." Soren was worried.

"No worries. Poppy loves man whores. She will be fine. That is just her type." Nora laughed. "So, do we know why that demon said you were different than Ryker?"

Soren smiled. "He was full of shit most likely."

Nora looked at him. "I don't know. He said that at the first meeting also. When he thought he was going to get to eat you. He said you would make him invincible."

"I know. I have to talk to my father." Soren stared at the empty fireplace. "I actually am a little worried about that, Nora. I don't know."

Maybe he was like Nora and he was adopted or something. That seemed wrong because Ryker remembered when they brought him from the hospital. Maybe they had a private adoption and picked him up when he was born? He had questions for his parents. That was their next stop.

It wasn't until the next day that Poppy, Ryker and Hyde appeared at the house. "How is she?"

Nora was scared. She was the closest to a mom that Nora ever had. She loved Janice. Nora found it interesting that Ryker went to the hospital with Poppy.

"She is still in critical condition but they said she will live. She probably won't walk again but she is alive." Hyde smiled and saw a worried look on Nora's face. "I'm fine, Nora."

She dove on him and hugged him anyway.

Ryker walked through the door. "We need to talk to Mom and Dad, Soren. Soon. Now!" He was bothered by what the demon said also.

"I know." Soren looked at Nora. "You're coming." She just nodded. Of course she was.

"There isn't a whole lot going on here. Dad is staying with Mom for now. I am going to shower and take a long nap!" Hyde yawned.

"Me too! I might take a long bath." Poppy smiled and looked at Ryker on accident. He smiled at her.

Soren caught the looks they were sharing. He was asking in the car and then he had a thought. "We have better transportation if Nora is up to it?"

Nora smiled. "I think I can do that. It's good to practice." Ryker glared at his brother. They were finishing each other's thoughts again. They walked to the porch because it was easier to travel without trying to go through the walls. 

Thanks very much for reading and please don't forget to vote! ;)