In my mind, I was like a tiger caged in a zoo. Strong and magnificent as I prowled back and forth in front of the reinforced glass keeping me contained. To everyone else, I was a limp, broken old dog that needed to put out of her misery.

“Sit down!” Mum scolded.

“The doctor said to keep moving, and not to overexert myself! I’m not exerting anything!” I argued.

“You’re sweating.” She pointed out.

“It’s hot.”

“A polar bear would want to put on a jumper!” Oh so now she has a sense of humour.

“Elise.” Dad warned.

Groaning, I sit with a huff and instead fidget with the edge of the bandage around my wrist. Penny joins us, and just seeing the pity in her eyes has me back up. I ignore the pain. I’m not going to be seen as a cripple by everyone. I’m too proud for that.

Or stupid.

“Why are you standing there? Where’s the wheel-” Jordan starts, not going any further as I glare at him.

“Someone has to try and hurt herself more, by pretending nothing is wrong!” Mum snaps.

Despite, well everything, I’m restless. I’ve slept more hours in the last couple of days than I have all year. I can’t just sit and do nothing, plus I’m as nervous as anything about going into the memorial service. I return to my hobbled pacing as Penny’s Dad comes over. Just, great!

“Penny, there you are!” He instantly starts to scold her for disappearing all morning. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.”

Mum and Dad share a look, while I just glare at him. “Dad, relax. We won’t be. I was just going to talk to Elise and-“

“I don’t think that’s the best idea Penny!”

“Why not?” I jump in.

In my current state I’m pretty sure I can pull the sick card with my parents and get off from whatever consequences I might have to face with them about 'my attitude'.

“Well, you’re not the greatest influence on my daughter Miss Bunting.” He mutters.

“Funny, I could say the same thing about you.” I retort, crossing my arms.

“Excuse me?” Comes his shocked response.

I give a slight curtsy to signal that he has been excused and look at Penny, ignoring him. “I’m planning on stealing a car later and finding a bar to get drunk at. Want to come?”

Jordan groans, which only makes Penny smirk and her eyes light up with mischief. I have no idea how my parents didn’t take that bait, maybe they think I’m kidding. Grimm not so much, and when Penny answer’s, I’m pretty sure he is about to have some kind of seizure.

“Sounds great!” She hooks my arm with hers and forgetting my crippled pace, starts to stalk away.

“Penny! Stop! I command you-“ Grimm splutters behind us.

“You don’t command her. She is a person, your daughter and the only family you have left. You want to command something, get a dog.” I practically yell at him as we turn back. “She fought in this battle, she did something amazing while you hid in the basement with a bunch of kids. All week she has trained and tried to learn all she could, because the life you decided fit for her, isn’t enough. You may be a weak Hunter, but your daughter isn’t.”

My words don’t register with him. He wasn’t used to females speaking back with his views even more ancient than Paytah’s. The werewolf lived in another world that still had them living in nomadic camps and sticking to the same moral code as their ancestors. Centuries had passed them by, but even he was still accommodating to the idea that a woman can think and act for herself.

I had known Penny for a long time and despite our, less than perfect friendship; I still had to give her some credit. She took all Zane’s training better than I usually do; she tried her best and stood up when she had to. Last year she had fought beside her father, this year he hid while she was eager to do what she could. You had to admire that and I’d faked it around that jerk for too long. Their family isn’t my business, and maybe I am a bad influence on her, but Grimm had to be told.

“You’re just going to let her speak to me like that?” Grimm yelled at Dad, who looked completely unbothered by everything.

“I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner.” He sighed, walking by his old friend and taking my other arm, he and Penny helped me walk down to the gym without another word.

“I wish my Dad was like yours. He’s so controlling and doesn’t listen!” Penny huffed as we found a seat.

“You think mine isn’t?” I ask her, amused. Instantly I think back to all our fights, well screaming matches. How many times did I leave home or sneak out or act out?

Dad shakes his head and Mum smiles. “Give him time Penny. He just can’t accept you’re all grown up now. The more we feel like we’re losing you, the more we try to hold on.”

I don’t miss the double meaning to Dad’s words.

“I know Mr. Bunting. I’ve just had so much fun since we’ve been here. I feel so complete. I kind of feel the same when I go shopping and I get a great bargain, it’s like, this is what life is all about. I know it’s not the same, but you have to understand Elise?”

My first instinct is to make a point of her calling what time she’s had here recently, fun, but I let it go.

“I do.” I agree, having dealt with my own issues on what we are and what we do. “Though I can’t remember the last time shopping gave me that kind of rush.”

“It shows. What are you even wearing right now?” Penny looks me over and I instantly glare at her making Mum cough to hide her giggle.

I give the same look to Mum whom only shrugs. Things can change, but some stuff will always be the same and I’m actually okay with that. Huntington walks up onto the stage with Ailin and the Council members following her. They take their seats and all the chatter starts to die down. It’s then I take a second to talk to Penny.

“I wasn’t kidding about stealing a car. Still in?”

She would be terrible at poker as her surprise and fear was all over her face as she fumbled to answer. “Oh, yeah, really? Sure!”

Trying not to laugh, I scan the crowd and find Logan, sitting beside Zane in the second row back from the front. From each denomination of people here, some had been selected to take part in the memorial. I would have rather of had him here with me, but it was an honour to be asked and stand with the other Trackers to acknowledge their fallen. I didn’t know any of the Hunters; I didn’t have to. We had all been in this together.

Julios said a touching speech regarding his father and Robyn stood loyally by his side. I couldn't even find it in me to hold any bitterness towards her. The whole time Jordan had his arm around my shoulders, and Mum had a never ending supply of tissues at my disposal. I don't know what my problem was, but emotional wreck didn't seem to cut it. At one point Huntington declared a memorial would be erected at the front of the Academy; a wall of names that would also extend to the fallen from last year.

I lost focus then, deciding to get myself under control instead, until I heard my name.

"Elise, please come up on stage."

"Sweet heart, that's you!" Mum whispered and I looked up to see Huntington standing by the podium with two of the Treaty Keepers and a council member. It was kind of ironic really. If those guards only knew who, or what they were standing beside.

Jordan got me up and I half walked, half shuffled through the aisle of seating and down the main passage. I didn't like all the attention on me, yet managed to keep my head high. If anything, it was a good thing, because I'd finally stopped crying. Huntington extended her hand to assist me up the stairs and a rush of anxiety had me clinging to her as I turned to face everyone.

Literally, everyone.

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to imagine people in their underwear or something, but considering my parents and sibling were out there, I think that would do more damage than dealing with the fact I seemed to have fallen victim to stage fright.

"Most of you will know Elise Bunting, or have at least heard of her." The balding Council member croaked into the microphone with deep, raspy breaths.

I had no idea where this was going.

"This remarkable young woman who stands before you, is responsible for two of the Warlocks deaths." He started, causing the crowd break into a rush of murmurs like this was news to them.

It wasn’t. Gossip travels fast, but it doesn’t stop them staring now, with wide eyes and suspicion. I don't blame them. Had the situation been reversed and a bruised up, teenager with an attitude problem was in front of me and I was being told she had done something like that, I wouldn't believe them.

"Like the great Alistair Bunting before her, she also put an end to the Lord Alpha's terror last year. When faced with the impossible, Miss Bunting's sheer will and determination to uphold all we believe has led her to triumph over the evil that plagues this world."

It hit me then, I was being made an example of in front of everyone. I wasn't about to be reprimanded like Huntington had done once in a school assembly when they just installed a new security system and I screwed the motion sensors.

I’m being - awarded?

Turning to look at Huntington, she smiled and squeezed my hand encouragingly. I didn't realise I still held hers, but wasn't willing to let it go now. The man kept talking, saying words I wasn't used to hearing people putting into sentences with my name.

Inspiring.

Brave.

A fine example.

Intelligent.

Responsible.

This guy didn't know me at all.

"Ever willing to sacrifice herself for others, we should all be thankful for her presence within our community. She does not discriminate between our species, fighting alongside all our kinds willingly, and not just because of current circumstances." He finished, pulling out a small black box from his pocket. "I hear by award Miss Bunting, the Hunters Cross."

I hadn't heard of such a thing before and he opened the box to reveal something that looked like a war medallion, civilian soldiers receive. A diamond encrusted triangle marked with a H, T, S in each corner sat over a silver cross, with a red ribbon holding it onto a pin.

The crowd started to clap.

"Please accept this on behalf of the council, for your act of exceptional bravery." The Councilman said to me, his voice barely being heard over the speaker as he turned from the microphone.

I nodded, taking the box, unsure what to do now. Did I have to make a speech?

"Thank you." I told him.

"These are an old tradition, used before the time of the Treaty. With no great battled since it had been created, no occasion has ever called for it. We discussed it yesterday for some time, you deserve it Hunter." His sweaty hand shakes mine, and I wonder how long it's been since he was actively a Tracker.

Now he was overweight and badly aging, his days of fighting long gone.

"Why is it called the Hunters Cross?" The name didn't really make sense and when he answered me, he moved from the microphone completely; speaking quietly.

"I believe you know how we begun, the Hunters were created to make the balance fair. They were a third party, controlling others like them and when they turned against their creators, Slayers and Trackers looked at the Hunters for leadership. When the rebellion started, and each war ended, the Hunters awarded the Slayers and Trackers who did exceptionally well with one of these."

"But-" I started, only to be silenced.

"That's all you need to know Miss Bunting. Would you like to say anything?" He offered.

Huntington nudged my side and I instantly nodded. Moving in front of the microphone, everyone slowly went quiet.

"I am not deserving of this award. I am no braver or stronger, than anyone here. At the start of this year I was living as a civilian. I ran away from what happened last year. It has taken me a long time to find some kind of peace, with what we are, what we do. I still haven't really accepted it either." I paused, staring down at my feet.

Not the greatest start to a speech and I hope no one is recording this. It hits me then how quiet it is. Real quiet, and I look back up to make sure everyone hasn’t suddenly disappeared; they haven’t.

“I ah, well, my grandfather had a vision of a world where we wouldn’t constantly be fighting with one another. The Treaty he helped create, ensures peace and discipline to all races it governs, yet there are always going to be those who think they are exempt to the rules. I may not have worked out who I am and have issues with what we do, but I know that no matter the threat, I will do whatever I can to make sure they are stopped, just like all of you.”

I guess public speaking isn’t one of my greatest talents, but I did finish better than when I started. Mum was wiping away tears, Dad looked proud and catching Grimm’s eye, he only glared. Sadly, he wasn’t the only one and just as I was nearly at our row, I saw Tom. I returned the look, even going as far as to hold up my medal to really piss him off.

Everything else went by in a blur until I found myself alone with Logan outside. The sun wasn’t quite ready to set, still hovering on the horizon like blood orange ball of fire. The wind was freezing as it whistled through the gardens, tugging on our jumpers and grabbing at my hair. Why we were out here, I wasn’t sure, but I had wanted some fresh air and we were definitely getting plenty of it now.

“It’s so cold.” Logan shivered, holding my hand a little tighter.

“Toughen up princess!” I tease, and looking up at him, we’ve looked at each other at the same time.

There is no one around, since we’re the only two stupid enough to come out and we haven’t had any real alone time for ages. Alfie and Ani are usually around, or my parents. Jordan, Zane. I stop walking, and hug him as tight as I can. I just needed him, just for a minute. Nothing more than feeling him beside me and that everything really is over; that we are okay. Instead, Logan holds me like I’m made of glass.

I hate this; being fragile. Instead I go to kiss him, and Logan acts as if he’s kissing his grandma; a quick peck on the undamaged cheek and a tiny smile to go with it. Then he lets me go, takes my hand and he starts trying to lead me back towards the front of the building.

I don’t move.

“Can we please go back inside now?” He groans.

“Kiss me first.” This time the whisper of a kiss, is on my lips. “That’s not a kiss.”

“Your jaw is purple, your cheek is cut and you’re eye is still kind of swollen” he circles his own left eye, “I don’t think you’re in the best shape to start making out with!”

“You’re a jerk.” I snap.

“If I touch you, it hurts. If I kiss you - it’s gonna hurt.” He argues.

All he gets is a one finger salute as I try to storm off.

“You can’t walk away from me Bunny!” Sure enough, he is back at my side in a couple of steps. “Stop.”

“No.”

So he grabs me by my upper arms and stops me. Before I know it, his cold lips press against mine and before long, nothing is cold anymore. This is what I had wanted. He was touching me, he kissed me like he meant it. Nothing is wrong, we’re still us. The last couple of days, he had been amazing. Helping, caring, but not normal. Logan had been around when he had to be, otherwise he was king of finding a way to be busy the rest of the time; away from me. Even when he was laying beside me at night, it didn’t really feel like he was there and of course he assured me everything was fine when I made a point of it. That barrier dropped now, passion I’d been missing returned leaving us both breathless. It was like we were both trying to convince the other that we were okay.

The worst part was, that he was right, and our sudden ‘make-out’ did hurt. It was his hand on my hip that got to me, I could deal with the other one that found itself under my hair and against my neck, but there were no bruises there. Breaking what could have been one of our top five kisses, ever, I groaned and cursed how wet my eyes instantly went. Logan jumped back like I had just given him an electric shock, before throwing out those four words I hate above all else.  

“I told you so!”

“I’m fine!” I argue.

“You’re crying. Shit!” He ran his hand through his hair, looking as stressed as if he just, I don’t know, killed me.

“No, it’s the cold playing with my senses!”

Logan sighs, instantly defeated. “Can we go inside now?”

“Fine.” He doesn’t hold my hand now, instead choosing to hover around me like an overprotective parent. “Logan, please just be normal!”

“I am.” We start a staring contest, which he loses. “Okay, I’m sorry. I just, I dunno. I don’t know what to do!”

“What do you mean?”

“This, you, it’s strange and I’m trying to help you and it’s scary.” He admits, starting to ramble. “You died. You were just laying there, torn up and dead. I can’t just forget that Elise. I wake up and check you’re still there, still breathing, trying to make sure I haven’t moved so you’re not cold with no blankets or I haven’t put my arm over your stomach. I don’t want to hurt you, but it’s impossible not to right now and I love you and I know you’re start-”

I kiss him again.

My arms go around his neck, and I shut him up, because I’m feeling sentimental, and loved and a lot of things, which only makes me want to kiss him that much more. His arms stay flat at his side this time, but I can deal with that because he still kisses me back and when I stop, looking into those stormy eyes that still hold fear within them I have never been happier knowing I didn’t walk into that light and leave him behind.

“I get it.” I tell him, and I do. He doesn’t usually give much away, an annoying trait all the men in my life have, but he showed me enough so I can see what's going on in that head of his. “I love you too.”

I smile.

He smiles.

We go inside and are the first in line to get dinner.

                                                                        -x-

"Okay, so what do you say if anyone comes to the door?" I ask Alfie.

“Elissse, sleeps. No one come in.”

“Good boy!” I take off the bottle caps on three bottles of cola, and let him help himself to them.

He knows I had Penny bring me more than that, but he doesn’t know where I’ve hid them. They’re more insurance that he’s going to do what I want since we haven’t gone much further in his obedience, I have to bribe him.

“I’ll be back soon. If I’m not here by dawn, then you can tell them where I went. Okay?” He nods and Anippe slides closer to one of his bottles. “No! Not for baby snakes!”

She hisses at me, unimpressed and starts to watch Alfie like a hawk as he practically eats the plastic in an effort to get the cola out quicker. I leave them to it, and looking around the dimly lit hall, all is quiet. Holding my side, I haven’t even gone two doors down when it feels like I have a cramp. I hold my breath passing Logan’s room, where he agreed to sleep tonight. His earlier confession, led us to having a talk and with the air between us clear, I insisted he actually got some real, uninterrupted sleep. Mum had to weigh in on the conversation and Logan gave up.

I make it past his door and nothing happens, so keep going down the corridor and around the corner until I arrive at Penny’s. I’m hoping she is still interested in being corrupted and knowing twice, she finally opens the door.

“What are you doing here?” She asks yawning.

“Stealing a car remember?”

That wakes her up

“You’re serious?”.

“Get dressed.”

I close her door and barely a minute later, she has her shoes on and her red hair tied up. “Are we going to get in trouble?”

“No. We’re not students, so we can come and go as we please.”

“I meant with Zane. He is scarier than Huntington!” Penny whispers, looking around like the walls have eyes.

I don’t answer, and shush her as she keeps trying to talk on our way out.

“If we’re not going to get into trouble, why are you being so sneaky?”

I roll my eyes, and still don’t answer her.  Since most of the additional residents here have now gone, we see no one. That’s a good thing as I’m not exactly made for disappearing quickly right now. We use the door in the kitchen to get out and as we walk around to the front of the Academy where the cars are located, we’re not technically stealing a  car. We’re borrowing it without my Dad’s knowledge. I already took the keys to his SUV while he was still at dinner and Logan had to go see Zane about something.

“Where are you going?” Jordan asks, appearing out of no where to lean against the front of the car.

“Out.” I answer with a shrug.

He is sweaty, in his workout gear and I had checked the roster Zane had up in the gym when we left the service. There wasn’t anything on tonight so what was he doing?

“I’m coming.” He declares, taking over from Penny at the drivers side.

“But-” My arguing is pointless as he shuts the door. “Still want to come?”

Penny looks torn, eventually shaking her head. “I won’t tell. I promise!”

“You dont know where we’re going anyway.” I sigh, and after saying goodbye, climb in beside Jordan.

“Where are we going?” Jordan asks as I close the door.

“Someone owes me a drink.”

He understands, and says nothing else though the green dashboard lights don’t hide the grim look on his face. The car is almost as quiet as we are; the engine barely makes a purring sound as Jordan starts it. He doesn’t even comment about having the keys or warns me about how annoyed Dad will be knowing I took his car.

Technically, we took his car.

The dark highway is just as abandoned as the driveway out of the Academy. The car headlights only break so far ahead of us as there are no streetlights out here. I refuse to look anywhere except for in front of us as we go along the empty space the Warlocks had set themselves up in, and finally we catch the broken, old wooden sign that marks the bars location.

Jordan parks opposite the front door. There are no other cars anywhere and the building is only lit up by the moonlight above it. I take Jordan’s hand as he helps me out and going to the entrance, it’s just as abandoned as when we came out here a couple of weeks ago. The windows are still covered in the security bars; the door nailed shut by two planks of wood.

“Come on.” I nudge Jordan and we go around the side, to the small window I’d climbed in last time, and many times before that.

It’s closed, but as Jordan reaches up and pushes, it creaks open. “It’s empty. I don’t sense anything even here.”

“Trust me, he’ll be here.” I assure him.

With a grunt of effort he climbs up and slides in. The thump of his landing tells me enough and I brace myself for the climb in.

“Stay there, I’m going to try the back door.” Jordan calls out. Good idea.

“Okay!”

Instantly I start to move around and freeze as the door is already swung open; waiting. Slowly I walk closer and that all too familiar feeling starts to smother me as I stand in the doorway. A light is on at the end of the narrow passage, revealing the stock that lines the walls; boxes full of bottles with alcohol and kegs of beer. How did we not see the light before?

The door slams shut behind me and Jordan hasn’t made any noise yet. I don’t dare call out, and passing the light, I freeze as the whole area is lit up like it's the doors are about to be opened to let the thirsty drinkers in for the night. The jukebox in the corner by the pool table, that I’ve never actually seen work, suddenly blasts out Highway to Hell and Jordan emerges from the corridor to the toilets. With one look around, he runs to my side.

“Did you do something?” He asks in a whisper.

“No, the door was open.”

He frowns, and the staff room door behind the bar swings open with a bang. We both jump, and Jordan instantly moves to block me from the threat. Darius walks out like nothing has changed, whistling along to the rock song as he doesn’t even acknowledge us. The cleaning rag is already tucked into his pants, and pulling it out, he wipes the usually sticky wooden surface.

“Took your time Hunter.” He greets casually, his eyes flicking up to find us across the room.

“Well, I haven’t been myself lately.” I answer, moving around Jordan to go and take my usual spot in front of him.

My brother follows, shadowing my steps and reluctantly sits beside me.

“How about a drink?” Looking at Darius expectantly, he only smirks.

“For you, it’s on the house!”

A bottle of whisky is set in front of us and three tumblers are nearly half filled with the amber liquid before he mixes them accordingly.

“So,” I start after taking a larger than necessary gulp.

“So,” Darius leans against the counter, looking between the pair of us.

“What do I call you? Cain, Darius? Is there something else?”

“What would you prefer?” He asks thoughtfully.

“I know you as Darius?” I shrug.

“Then call me that.”

“What are you?”

“A vampire.” Though his smile was all teeth, forced.

“No. You’re not.”

“You know so much, what am I then, Hunter?”

I look at Jordan, unable to tell what he is thinking right now. His eyes are a little watery, and he suddenly coughs. Judging by the way he glares at his drink, I’d think it was too strong for him.

“A bartender.”

Darius nods, his amusement lighting up his eyes.

“An asshole.”

“Elise!” Jordan snaps, making Darius laugh now.

“I’m an asshole who saved your life, and that Tracker you’re so fond of!” Darius reminds me.

“You didn’t just save my life, you brought me back from the dead. So you clearly have some magic skills behind you. A wizard, a mage, are you a Warlock?”

“No.” He answers.

“The devil?” That manages to get the smirk plastered back onto his face and so my guessing game continues until I give up. “You’re not going to tell me are you?”

“If I did, I would have to kill you.” Jordan sits upright, instantly wary. “Relax. I put too much energy in bringing her back to simply kill her now.”

“Why? Why did you do that?” I demand.

“Wasn’t your night to die.”

“Because you said so?”

“Not everything is in my control Elise.” He sounds different, older, wiser, more like Ailin. It doesn’t last. “But a lot is.”

“So you’re a, god, then?”

“Maybe I’m just a monster?” Staying cryptic, I glare at him as he pours us another drink, which Jordan declines. “This universe, is just one of many. Creatures, beings, species, whatever you want to call them, come and go. Some, stay.”

“Like you?” Jordan asks.

“Humans are fun to play with, but all toys get boring. The dear Impaler, well he was my last attempt at finding some kind of amusement with the humans again. He had many, unique, character traits. An interesting family. He didn’t need to be corrupted too much and I guess that ruined it for me. It was like finishing a puzzle that someone had already half completed.” He looked past us, into nothingness as his memories took him.

Jordan looked at me, as if sensing I was about to say something, and shook his head.

“How horrible for you!” I muttered sarcastically, rolling my eyes at Jordan who was clearly waiting for me to say more.

“Indeed.” Darius agreed. “I met someone soon after. I hadn’t seen her in a long, long time. She was disappointed in me, that hurt.”

Clearly it still did. He took a shot of whisky and went quiet for a moment. “I started to do, good, for her. One thing led to another and suddenly I’m working with a Hunter as well as his comrades, and you know the rest.”

“So what took you so long to stop all of this? You’re clearly powerful enough and yet you let it to this!” I started to yell.

Imagines of the others going into the light came back to me, the fighting, the death, he could have stopped it all.

“I wanted to see what I created could do.” He shrugged.

“What we could do?” I stared at him blankly, “What we could do? All those people, died. They died because you got a kick out of seeing us fight for our lives? As if last year wasn’t bad enough, this was worse. You could have stopped that too, but instead you hung out here, playing vampire?”

The casual way he held himself changed as I stood up. His back went straighter, his eyes narrowed and what ever he did to block us sensing him, vanished. We could sense him now, and that only made me angrier. “You’ve been following me haven’t you? Since the hospital!”

“Before that.” Darius growled; pissed off now.

Jordan was so still and silent, I wondered if Darius had done something to him. His eyes were glazed over, and it was like he had been frozen. Reaching out to touch him, it was like he had been turned to concrete as he skin lost its life and was hard to touch.

“He’s fine. I can’t risk you saying something that he isn’t supposed to hear. You should’ve come alone.”

“Why? Why didn’t you stop it sooner?” After taking a deep breath, I manage to sound a little more civil, but I can’t drop the coldness to my tone.

“It was agreed within the Treaty, I was to stay out of all affairs. Portia didn't believe my change of, heart, was legitimate, just a phase. Whether I was good, or bad, it didn’t matter. They simply used me to set it all up, and then I was voted off the island. I guess in some ways, this was a test for me. I could just as easily let it continue, helped them even. I didn’t. Obviously.”

“Did you know it was going to be like this?”

“I had my suspicions, especially with the rat they had set loose, you know the thing that attacked that girl. Portia seemed certain it was under control though, she can see the future you know. Clever little bitch. Even so, I wanted to make sure someone else was aware of what was going on and your grandfather and I came to a certain arrangement.” He raised the bottle, offering me a shot now.

“What was that?”

I take the shot.

“It’s done now, it doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me.”

He laughs. “Of course it does Hunter.”

Just like that, I feel myself dropping the subject. I want to fight the fuzzyness in my mind, different to the alcohol and despite what he may think, I'm not done with that topic. Well, for now I am and with Jordan frozen in time, we get drunk. I feel better. The alcohol dulls my aches and Darius doesn’t tell me anything I don’t already know. I stop caring and sitting on the edge of the stage with the bottle between us, and we reminisce about old times.

“You know I can’t be this person anymore.” He tells me.

“What?” I don’t understand.

“I had a lot of witnesses to my death. I love this job, this place. I need a new me so I can stay.” He stands in front of me, like a performer greeting his audience. I nearly throw up as his face starts to change, distorting as his bones move and reset with a broader jaw, bigger nose and a darker shade of skin. “How’s this?”

It’s not very, him.

He tries again, and again, even becoming female a couple of times. He goes between werewolf, shifter and vampire, able to change into what ever he wants. I think he is also doing this to make a point, but I’m too drunk to work it out and feeling too nauseous from his shape changing to pay real attention.

“What do you really look like?” All creatures, have a true form.

“I can’t show you. Some secrets need to remain hidden.” He winks, and transforms into a messy haired, bearded, tattooed man. His height goes up, his shoulders wider, and he actually looks rather at home in the bar environment. “This?”

“Perfect.” I tell him as he grins, revealing perfectly straight teeth before opting to shift into a black leopard. “Neat party trick.”

Once he’s done showing off, he sits back beside me as the new Darius. We decided to call him Leo now. Not very original, but then again I named a snake Alfie and my suggestion of jerk, will not be used as a term of endearment only.

“Hey Leo, thank you, for saving Logan. And me.”

He smiles, scratching his chin through his mass of black curly hair that takes over most of his face now. “You’re welcome.”

I lean against him, and already he has started to get that musky smell like cat shifters have.

“Is it all over, are we safe now?” I hate how desperate I sound for that reassurance.

My eyes close of their own accord, and just before I fall asleep in my groggy, drunken haze, I’m not if I was even supposed to hear. Either way when I wake up the next morning, in my bed with Jordan on the floor with Alfie curled around him, Leo's tone of warning is all I can think about.

“Nothing is permanent in this world, Hunter.”