After crying myself to sleep on Jordan’s lap, I actually woke up feeling better. Maybe it was the way the birds were chirping outside my bedroom window or the smells of coffee and bacon coming from the kitchen that only helped this along. Getting up I stretched, gasping as I quickly hunched over to hold my side. For all the drugs they had put in me and our abnormal healing rate – that injury was still hurting.

Instead I ran my hand through my hair a few times, and leaving my bedroom expected to find Jordan in the kitchen cooking; not Logan.

“Morning Bunny!”

“Why are you in my kitchen, again?” I mumbled, going straight to the coffee machine.

“Good morning Logan, breakfast looks amazing! Thank you!” He snapped back sarcastically and turning to look at me as he put the last of the bacon onto four plates set out on the counter, I only raised my eyebrow at him still waiting for an explanation.

I didn’t get one.

“Oh that coffee smells good!” Chris walked in the front door, looking as if he had been up all night and took my coffee before I could even get a mouthful. Picking up a plate he said nothing else as he left us and headed to my small dining table over by the door to the backyard.

“You all make yourselves at home, it’s no bother!” Getting out another coffee cup I make another and this time guard it as if it were the crown jewels.

“Go eat, you’re always so cranky in the morning!” Logan handed me another plate and picked up the remaining two, following me around to the table. “Jord get up! Breakfast!”

“So what, you’re their bitch now?”

“He cooks better than us, what did you put in these eggs man?” Chris takes another spoonful of scrambled eggs, moaning appreciatively.

“Chives, found some in the bottom of the fridge. They really make a difference especially if you can use cream, not milk.”

I froze mid bite as the pair started to discuss the ins and outs of making scrambled eggs. I had to still be dreaming.

“Hey guys, Sis.” Jordan yawned, sitting opposite me as he rubbed his face. He looked at exhausted as the other two, and I wondered if something else had been going on while I slept.

“Just in time, Jamie Oliver over there is sharing his egg recipe,” I teased and Logan only grinned back at me. I hate that stupid smile. I hate him; maybe not as much as before, these eggs were really good.

“How are you feeing?” Ignoring my dig at Logan, Jordan looks at me with concern and if he has told either of these two about last night, I will not have a brother any more.

“Sore, a bit stiff. I’ll survive.”

“Right.”

The question is there when he looks at me again, and groaning I only roll my eyes. “What? I’m fine, you lot carry on more than I do!”

“Right.”

I’m not taking the hook, is he expecting me to suddenly open for group therapy?

“Enough Jordan, I’m fine. I was even thinking of going for a run this morning!” That was a lie, but it worth seeing them all glare at me.

“No you’re not!” Chris manages to spit out with a mouthful of toast while Logan pretty much does the same thing.

“You can’t even sit up straight, how are you going to run?”

“You’re a comedian this morning aren’t you?” Jordan rolls his eyes and takes my coffee, ignoring my protest. “Anyway, we’re meeting up with the team just after ten. I’m sure Ellie won’t mind us using her bathroom?”

“Only if I get to go first?”

“No, I want to go first. She never leaves hot water!” Logan argues and I can’t help smirking at that.

“It’s instant here moron.”

“I don’t believe you!”

“We’re not arguing over a shower, you can use it once we’re out Ellie.” Jordan thinks he is playing peacekeeper and instead a whole new argument is about to begin.

“Once you’re out? So I’m not going with you?”

“Ah, no!” Joining into the conversation, Chris steals what is left of my bacon.

“Why not?”

“You’re injured and I didn’t think you wanted a part in this. Even last night you told me you regretted getting involved as it was!” Jordan throws back.

“Well I’ve slept on it. I’m coming too.” I stand up quicker than I should have and make a run for my bathroom. Being around this lot makes me act like a five year old, but either way I’ve made my point. I’m about to shut the door when Logan is there, and slips inside. “Out!”

“I told you I’m going first, I had a long night and I want a hot shower.” To my horror he reaches in behind the curtain and turns on the taps.

“I told you it’s instant so it doesn’t matter. Out!” I scream, not impressed.

Pulling off his shirt Logan ignores me, yet he is suddenly all I can see. Matt wasn’t unattractive, he just wasn’t like the guys I know. He wasn’t Logan.

Who knew backs could be so sexy?

“So you just gonna stand there checking me out or did you want to join me Bunny?”

I want to blame the steam that is suddenly swirling around the small bathroom as my cheeks start to burn, but I know it’s because he caught me staring. A blind man could see what was making me blush right now and with a huff, I slammed the door. His laugh followed me out and I was tempted to go back in there to shut him up. Violence may not always be the answer, but well, sometimes it is.

“Everything ok?” Jordan is standing in the corridor looking less than amused.

“Go without me, you better not come back.” I snap, storming into my bedroom instead. Why didn’t I get a place that had two bathrooms?

The second I hear the bathroom door open, I’m waiting and with nothing other than a towel wrapped around his waist, Logan struts out like he owns the place. Jerk. “Jord, where did you put our bags?”

I creep across the hall behind him and quickly shut the bathroom door, locking it. Dumping my clothes on the counter beside the basin I am aching for a shower. Checking the stab wound, the slice of the mark is scabbed over and the bruise is that weird greenish yellow color rather than the dark purple from yesterday. They really got the week or two to heal thing right, but I don’t really have time for that.

While Jordan and Chris get ready, I go out the back and check on Alfie. Now that I’m not an emotional wreck, he seems much happier and I also want to try something.

“Alfie, can you fix me?”

“Elise said no?” He tilts his head, confused.

“Yeah, but I was being stupid.” I lift my shirt, and I left the bandage off for a reason. His head comes closer and I feel the lightest tingle of his tongue along the mark.

“Alfie can fix!”

Then he just stared at me.

“Oh god, it’s not going to be one of those spit things is it?” The thought made my stomach churn and with a nod his tail shoved me in the back so I fell towards him. Instantly my mouth opened and sure enough, one perfectly aimed spitball slipped down my throat. Gagging, I started to cough and if I didn’t know my snake better, he looked offended.

“Alfie fix Elissse!”

“Thanks pal!” I felt bile rising up from my stomach and to distract myself from throwing up, I hugged Alfie instead. “Be good today okay?”

“Yesss”

He slipped into the water with a little flick of his tail and going back inside, I went straight to the mouth wash and in a bad call on my behalf, then took nearly half a carton of juice from the fridge. The taste didn’t help fighting any sick urges, yet I already felt the tug of pain in my side lessening.

“Right, lets roll.” Jordan put his wallet into the pocket of his jeans and looked at me oddly. “What is your deal?”

“Toothpaste and OJ.”

“Even five year olds know that isn’t a good mix!” Chris was quick to pick on me before throwing his arm over my shoulders and we headed out to their car.

 -x-

Of all the places we could go to, the warehouse we stopped outside was similar to the one the vampires had been staying in. Broken windows around the top levels as well the overgrown weeds around what could have once been garden beds only added to that abandon feel of the place. The fact we were also near industrial railroads only added to the atmosphere. I am pretty sure this is where drug deals go down in movies.

“So were all the abandoned places closer to town taken?” I asked, getting out of the car I looked around with fake interest.

The hour drive had been a killer since I was stuck in the back of the car with Logan who kept insisting we ‘talk’. When that didn’t work, he instead started teasing me about this morning’s mishap in the bathroom and once I took out a knife and threatened to stab him if he didn’t shut up – he was smart enough to do so.

“You’re the one who insisted on coming along!” Jordan sighed and we all started walking over to the ancient looking metal door.

“I also insisted on sitting in the front, but who was in the back?”

We were nearly there when the door swung open and we all hesitated for a second. Annoyingly, Jordan stepped in front of me as if to block me from any possible threat while the other two spaced out either side of him.

They all relaxed at the sight of the man who came out. His dark brown hair curled at the ends, instantly distracting me. I’d love to have that kind of wave to my hair and, as he got closer, I realized whom he actually was. Tom Van Helsing.

“Ah, there you are Bunting-s?” He peeked around Jordan to where I stood crossed armed and even more unimpressed.

“Hey Tom!” Jordan greeted, clearly I had missed the start of their blossoming friendship.

The pair did some kind of fist bump, before Tom did the same thing to the other two before it was my turn. “I heard you were injured, good to see you back on your feet.”

“Are the others here?” Jordan interrupted before I could respond and with a nod, Tom turned and we followed him in.

“Remember all those times we talked about you being nice to people, this is one of those times where you should do that.” Logan whispered as he came in behind me.

“Right because I care about what the Van-“ Words left me at the sight of duo that came over to greet Jordan. Looking around the rather ancient interior, I expected to find a photographer running around on a photo shoot. These two were not Hunters; they were some rare species of god. My first instinct went with these were the final two of the brotherly trio and I almost regretted not keeping tabs on the other more famous families in our world. At least then I’d have known what I was walking into.

“I think you’re drooling, a little bit, there.” Logan wiped the side of my mouth, smirking as I slapped his hand away.

“Was not.” Instead I felt guilty for not only checking him out this morning, but these two now. Last night I broke up with my boyfriend. Maybe I made a mistake about not sleeping with Matt, because right now my hormones were getting out of control or maybe it was just from the amount of testosterone in the room.

“And this is Elise, my sister.” Jordan had been talking that whole time and I had been completely spaced out.

“Oh cool, heard lots about you!” The tallest of the three stepped forward extending his hand and it took me a second to work out how to shake it. “I’m Nigel.”

And oh so charming.

His smile was a weapon in its self and as the other one shoved him out of the way, they all had dark the same dark wavy hair. These two had the same clear blue eyes and while Tom reached that too old capping, these two didn’t.

“Drew, pleasure!” This one had the balls to kiss my hand, as I took his; not that I actually minded. Meeting his gaze, there was more intelligence there than I was expecting and as the corners of his mouth curled up in amusement it only made my heart beat that little bit faster. Well I had clearly made a big enough idiot of myself for one day.

“We’ll see.” I pulled my hand away, rolling my eyes. “So what’s going on?”

In other words; distract me.

“Oh so now you’re interested?” Tom piped up.

“I never said I wasn’t!”

“Actions speak louder than words.” Has this guy speaking to Ailin? She was always talking in riddles and shit.

“I’ll tell you what you can do with-“

“Are we just going to stand around talking all day?” The female voice cut me off and turning, two dark skinned Slayers walked out from what had once been an office. “Bunting right?”

“I prefer Elise.”

What I didn’t expect was for Mindy to come out behind them. “Oh! You!”

“Mindy?” My surprise was obvious, more so when she ran over to hug me.

“You know each other?” Chris asked. Looking around, for some reason this seemed to shock them more than seeing her surprised me.  

“Yeah, kind of. She knew my friend Reece and helped him out last year.” Mindy smiled back at him, her blonde ponytail swinging behind her head with each perky movement. Instantly Jordan stood beside me and the sudden awkwardness of the situation was lost on her. She kept digging her own grave. “Do you still see him?”

Where does she live – on another planet? As if reading my mind, or maybe I was failing at hiding my emotions, one of the other girls spoke up quickly.

“Um, Mindy, had an accident end of last year and lost some of her memories. I know it’s not a great excuse, but-“ She started to try and explain and I held my hand up stopping her.

“What’s going on?” Mindy looked around at us and everyone seemed to drop their gaze. Jordan reached for my hand, but I ignored him. I saw the panic on her face, and wondered just what had been happening with Mindy.

“Mindy, Reece, well he died.” I may have been a little blunt, but she was going to find out sooner or later.

“Died?” Her hands flew up to her mouth and instantly she began to cry. The other women went to her side and again I shoved Jordan away.

“If it makes it easier, he died a hero saving the world.” Not many people got to have that attached to their name.

“We’ll just give her a minute, come in when you’re ready.” Tom frowned at the trio and we were led through another door into what had once been some kind of factory.

A couple of other guys sat around a table, not even looking up as we walked in. The woman by the whiteboard was busy writing things up there and taking a seat between Jordan and Logan I rubbed my wrist, barely thinking about it.

“You okay?” Logan leant over and whispered into my ear.

“Fine.”

Thankfully the woman started talking, ending that discussion. The way she was dressed seemed strange to me considering the rest of us were in sweaters, boots and jeans or some kind of pants. We kept it practical, yet here she was in high heels and a pencil skirt.

“So going over your reports from last night, Zane was right for wanting to put a patrol out. Three separate groups of vamps were chased off with eight casualties on their side, thankfully none on ours. Keiko and Kazuki happened to be nearby going after a vampire of their own and managed to get these pictures.” She pulled out a remote and everyone turned to look behind me.

A projector screen took up the wall beside the door we came in and my mouth dropped at the sight of Aaron on the screen.

“That’s Aaron!” I pointed at the image as if that would keep him in place, and looking back at the woman, she nodded.

“Yes, Zane confirmed that last night.”

Looking back, something seemed very familiar about the park that surrounded him. “This was near my house!”

“That’s why we were there this morning,” Chris answered, looking guilty. Here I was thinking they were just being freeloaders.

“Zane put out a patrol around my house?” I don’t know why I asked; it was obvious.

“Yeah, didn’t you know?” Drew added himself into the conversation and I shook my head.

“How about you all tell me what’s been going on?” I demanded, not caring as Mindy and the other two slipped in to take a seat at the other end of the table.

“The simplest explanation is, well, Zane thinks Aaron is coming after you.”  Jordan sighed, proceeding to tell me about their theories about the factory attack being a test – something to draw me out of hiding. It made sense, but I don’t get why he would want me. “It’s also why we were wanting you to stay in hospital. It would have been even harder for him to get to you.”

“Or easier, did you forget the whole underground incident?”

“Good point.”

“So what now?” I looked back to others who pretty much shrugged.

“Guess he has to slip up one of these days and when he does, we’ll get him!” Tom finished and now there was a synchronized nodding competition.

Waiting for Aaron to ‘slip up’ didn’t sit well with me. The discussion returned to patrols and brainstorming up any other places he could be hiding, or plans that may explain what’s going on. The second they got out their colorfully dotted map I had enough.

“I’m out.”

“Where are you going?” Jordan called out behind me.

“You’re right, I want nothing to do with this!”

Thinking of what Logan said about being nice, I left out the part about it being because I am surrounded by idiots and that idiot followed me.

“Wait up!”

“Go back to your team, you work so well as part of one right?” So I was being a little passive aggressive, sue me.

“Ok, enough! You want to do this, lets do this. Yeah I fucked up, yeah I should have told you. I did what I was thought was right while trying to save my friends life. I was constantly keeping Selene off your back! Do you have any idea how many times they nearly found us? And what I felt for you, wasn’t fake – Sam and I were just friends! Yes we dated, but we’d been broken up for ages before that happened. The problem was Selene knew we knew Jordan and used that to her advantage. When Jordan asked me to look out for you, I took that shit seriously!”

I had to stop and listen to him, and since we were outside, I hoped those inside couldn’t hear this.

“It doesn’t fucking matter Logan! I get it. You were in a tough spot. I forgive you, I do. What do you honestly expect from me right now? Do you really think us is a good idea? All we do is fight, I’m never going to forget what happened even though I do forgive you and the only reason I am still talking to you now is because Reece of all people, believed in you enough to tell me to give you a second chance!”

Wow, Reece got his name thrown out there twice-in one morning after months of silence and all I was left with was my anger.

“He said that?” Logan asked rather sheepishly.

“He said a lot of things!” I yelled, throwing my arms up dramatically.

Something kind of shifted between us then. Maybe it was the Reece talk, but I really didn’t hate Logan as much as I had always told myself I did. Instead of carrying on yelling with each other, we both burst out laughing and that is how Zane found us when he pulled up. Logan sobered up pretty quickly and realizing the older Slayer intimidated him only made me laugh harder.

“Why are you out here? Shouldn’t you be in bed or something?” Zane glared at Logan, as if me being outside was his doing.

“I’m out here because I’m to sober to be dealing with the shit in there.”

“Why are you even here?”

“To find out what’s going on. Thanks for the heads up about Aaron lurking around the place!”

“You’re suppose to be in bed, resting, preferably in a hospital. We have it under control!”

“With pretty pink dots all over town?” Crossing my arms, I only glared at him and I knew I had won when he groaned and rolled his eyes.

“That’s there thing, not mine. Besides, I managed to get a lead on his hideout and just came to pick up a few things!” You could pretty hear the ‘so there’ in his voice, the fact Zane didn’t poke his tongue out reminded me that he wasn’t me and knew how to act like an adult.

“Well, can I come with you then?”

He laughed, and he realized I was serious. “No. Logan, take her home will you?”

He threw Logan the keys to his car and then headed into the factory. “Zane! I’m fine, please let me come with you!”

“You go for a look around and end up being swamped by vampires and nearly bleeding to the death. You’re not coming to capture one of the most dangerous vamps we’ve had running around the place in recent years. You’re a liability, not an asset.”

“Ouch!”

“Sorry sunshine, Logan, take her home and make sure she actually rests.” The order is clear and I don’t make it hard for him.

“Fine, jerk!”

“I heard that!” He calls out, just before closing the door.

“You were supposed to!” Looking at Logan, I put my hand out for the keys. “I’m driving.”

“No you’re not.”

“I’m not an invalid. I can drive!” While we stand there arguing over who is going to drive, one of the women come out with Drew.

“How about I drive?” Drew offers, winking in my direction and my attention leaves Logan.

“Where do you think you two are going?”

“Zane asked us to give Logan a hand.” The woman explains and I know what he is doing. Good thing Zane doesn’t know about Alfie’s little trick otherwise I doubt he'd be letting leave even with my little entourage.

“Fine, I’ll go in the back with Drew?” I open the back door to find the keys suddenly in my hand and Logan walking around to the front passenger side. “Guess not!”

Getting back to my place, everyone makes themselves at home. The woman’s name is Rachelle and she is actually kind of cool. In some ways she reminds me of Jodie and I wonder if that’s why Zane sent her away with us so he wouldn’t have that reminder around too. It’s just something about her presence and after an hour of watching some movie the guys put on, I yawn and fake being tired.

Holding my side, I struggle to stretch and instantly Logan is worried. “Are you okay, did you need a new dressing on it or pain meds or anything?”

“No, it’s fine.” I lie, considering I don’t even have anything on it. “I’m just going to go lie down, help yourself to what ever is in the fridge.”

I get my stuff ready and keep it hidden beside my bed, out of view from the door. They each take a turn to check on me over the next hour or so and after going to the bathroom, I fake taking a couple of the pain pills that are also meant to knock me out. 

I wait for one more check and of course Logan had to ruin to my plan of getting out as he comes in to sit beside me.

“How are you feeling?”

“Tired, get out.” I grumble, rolling over to face him. He frowns, before smirking.

“You know, I might just stay. Until you’re asleep.”

“Why?” Something is up right now, for someone who had been so good at lying, he wasn’t hiding anything from me now.

“Just worried about you.” His concern seems genuine and yawning I nod slightly as he moves to lay beside me.

“Hands to yourself!”

“I know the rules Bunny.”

Fake sleeping is hard when someone is with you. In the end I did fall asleep and waking up curled up beside Logan wasn’t how I was expecting to be. It was practically dark out and listening out of the room, the TV was still on.

Slowly I moved from Logan’s side and got up, pausing to see if he’d move. When he didn’t I grabbed my bag and decided to try getting via the laundry. Creeping down the hall, I froze as I had to open the door, daring to peek around the corner to find Rachelle and Drew asleep on the lounge chairs.

Feeling bold, I walked past and turned off the light, going through the back door instead. I had only just processed the thought about them leaving it unlocked and only closed with the fly screen door when three shadows moved through the darkness.

“What the…” I whispered, freezing in place. Alfie should be here by now, if there was trouble he’d sense it and just as I went to yell for the others, Aaron stepped under the veranda. 

“Hello Miss Bunting. You’re coming with us!”

Opening my mouth to scream, strong hands grabbed my arms from behind as a piece of cloth was shoved over my mouth. I tried to hold my breath to avoid breathing in and trying to kick out or push back was impossible. It was like fighting a concrete wall and managing a look back, it wasn’t human or vampire behind me, rather some kind of demon. It’s skin was more like the bark from tree and it was built just as solid, yet none of that really mattered as what ever was on that fabric worked. Going limp in it’s arms all I could think of was how pissed of Zane and the others were going to be about not finding Aaron tonight.