I smelt the woman next to me before actually looking at her. Her perfume was sweet, like donuts and sugar, and was so strong she must have been marinating in it for weeks. The longer she stays, more of that sickenly sweet smell begins to waft over me. What had initially made me want to get some kind of desert, now sparked a headache. At least it was still better than the wet-dog smell the shifters that had been coming up to me had. How many times did they have to be told no to get the hint I wasn't interested?

"It's so busy here!" I think she meant to complain, only she sounded like she was about to start a pep rally. "Is it always like this?"

It then occurs to me that I'm the one she's speaking to. Looking up, hot pink lips grab my attention as her sequined jacket fights for second place. She's bright, sparkly and looks completely lost. This wasn't a sequined jacket, or as I noticed looking down, a sparkly boot kind of bar. No wonder the werewolves were hovering around this end. Normally they stayed out of my personal space, knowing better than to try their cheesy pickup lines on the Valkyrie and me. That didn't seem to apply tonight now I had the attention of their new chew toy.

"Yes," I answer, putting my phone away. "Cute shoes."

"Thanks!" She smiles wider. "Do you come here often?"

"More than I'll admit." I couldn't get a read on her. She wasn't mortal, but there were no clues to confirm why I knew this. Most of my usual alarm bells were silent. Odd.

"Let me buy you a drink?"

"I'm good."

"You're sitting here all by yourself, looking sad. I couldn't help but notice you. Plus, like me, you seem to have missed the all-black memo. Cute jacket!" She giggled, extending her hand, complete with rainbow glitter nails to stroke at the faux fur. 

Maybe that was also why the wolves were lingering. Did this jacket remind them of their furry cousins or whatever else they fancied? 

"I'm Barbie." There was something that came through then that had the back of my neck tingling; her voice was too strained now. Unnatural even.

"Of course you are." I raise an eyebrow, as Eric appears.

"Who's your friend, Ellie?" He purrs, winking at Barbie as he interrupted my moment with the come to life doll.

"Her name is Barbie. Have fun." She could be Eric's problem now.

I slip away, heading towards the staff only door that hid his bedroom. The jingle of bracelets and shaking sequins slows me down and looking over my shoulder, Barbie is right there.

"Are you following me?" I ask cautiously.

"Where are you going?" It's more a demand than a question.

"I'm staff." Glancing at the sign on the door, her eyes widen before she giggles.

"Oh, explains why you rejected my offer of a drink. That's it, isn't it!" She giggles again, twirling one long chunk of hair extension around her finger. "You seem the type to break the rules. What harm will one drink do?"

Was she flirting right now?

"Did you need something or does this come on normally go for you?"

"Depends if it's working. Surely we can be friends?" Her perfume gets stronger. "Maybe even more than friends, Ellie. "

Not a vampire.

Definitely not a werewolf.

I had a tiny suspicion she was a demon.

My head hurts; the more I try to think about it, the worse the pain. I reach for the door, yet she's there taking my hand in hers. Her fingernails tiggle my palm as she attempts to link our hands in a super tight handshake. My vision darkens, and she takes us behind the door and into the very familiar yet small corridor. I can hear Zane talking, Cain laughs and Barbie does a shit job at hiding her surprise when she hears them too. Her eyes change, the normality of them altering to be completely red. Her rainbow nails extend into claws, and tiny fragments of her costume slip to reveal what's underneath.

Oh yes. Demon it is.

In fact, I'm almost flattered she'd think to choose me. Too bad she wasn't my type.

"I'll make this quick, Ellie. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. You seem like the type to try anything once. Twice if you like it." Gone is her squeaky voice, the growl of the demon replacing it in that sensual, come to bed way Succubus are known for. "I've been aching to feed on one of your kind. Hungered for it since I met him. He was waiting for you, and well, no wonder. You haven't told me no, have you? You're so easy. I like easy."

"That's what they used to say at the Academy. Penny started those rumours, gods what a bitch." I mumble, fighting to keep my head clear. "I didn't exactly shut them down though."

One of her claws runs down the side of my face as she starts to get way into my personal space.

"I've also got standards now. While I'm sure you're like super fun," I mimic her earlier voice which makes her freeze. "I don't think it would work between us."

She's gone in an instant, and I sneeze as another dose of her poison hits me. I shake my head and rub my nose, trying to get rid of the smell. Beside me, she hisses and growls, but is otherwise powerless now.

"I really did like your shoes." I wave goodbye as the guys run over and she disappears. Still rubbing my nose, I ignore the look from Cain and focus on Zane. "How are you feeling now?"

"Ah, good. Now. What was that about?" Zane frowns.

"I just got hit on by Succubus Barbie. Luckily for you, she wasn't my type." I glance at Cain who has his silent and brooding face on. "Anyone else want donuts or just me?"

"What was a Succubus doing here? This isn't exactly their kind of place." Zane wonders, before shaking his head. "So, kid. You're ah, having a kid?"

"While I'm not supposed to be telling people yet, yes. Yes I am." Cain rolls his eyes. "So, was that a no for the donuts?"

"Talk about a surprise hey?" Zane smiles, almost. It's the way he does it when he's trying to act tough but can't keep a straight face around me. "I'm happy for you, Sunshine. For both of you."

"Yeah well, don't tell anyone, or I'll have to kill you." I shrug.

Zane laughs. "Sure you will, but don't worry. My lips are sealed. I need to go back to my own room, do one of you mind?"

"I'll do it." I decide. "Then I'm getting donuts."

"I'll meet you back at home, I'm just going to see Eric." Cain is gone before I can even ask any questions, so I hug Zane and sure enough, we're in his room.

"You're like a child who hasn't left home yet." I look around the small living space the Council provided. "Why don't you have your own place?"

"No point." He pulls a bag out from under the bed, looking through it for something. "How are you, Sunshine? Really?"

"I'm okay. It's been an experience."

"I am happy for you, both of you." Zane stops and sits down. "But, I'm worried too. This would have been, and still is I guess, huge to deal with. He told me you didn't tell him straight away and that really cut him deep."

"Whose side are you on?" It doesn't sound as defensive as I had planned.

"Yours. No ones? Is there a side in all this?"

"I couldn't tell him. I thought he'd run, and that he'd hate me or think it was some kind of trap. I didn't see this as a good thing, not after the year we've had." I sighed and sat beside him. "Honestly, I wouldn't have told anyone if Kara hadn't walked in on me when she did. This isn't what we had planned, like at all. I still don't know how it's all going to work. I said all this stuff to Cain, to try and make him feel better, but I'm not sure even if I believe it."

"First thing, he is never going to hate you. Secondly, you believe it. You wouldn't have said it otherwise. You have always been one of the strongest people I know, whether you realise it at the time or not. It's something I've admired about you since we first met."

"Bad idea bringing that up since you know, you kidnapped me." I punch him in the arm.

He cringed at that but recovered quickly. "You fought an army of vampires, saved our lives, and you didn't even really know us then. I know you didn't like us, yet you did it anyway. I know plenty of others that would have just ran and left us. I know that there is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it."

I wanted to believe him.

Zane hugged me against his side.

"You know how I feel about you, and to an extent him. The two of you finally getting together doesn't surprise me, at all. The baby, yes, but there's no going back now." He rubbed my arm, giving me a squeeze. "Cain told me what happened. I'm not defending him, but he's trying. Know that he's trying."

"What did he give you to do say that?"

"Twenty bucks." Zane laughed. "He didn't. He only just told me how badly fucked up though. I didn't realise he dug his own grave in addition to yesterday."

"That's a great way to put it. He dug his grave, then fucking lied down in it too. See, we're both insane. What chance does this kid have?"

"A better one than ninety nine percent of those born into our world. Crazy parents or not I know you and I know you will do anything for your family. I've seen you with Olivia. Sometimes the unexpected turns out better than anything you could have planned." He squeezed me again. "Look at us now."

I think about that for a second and know he's right. I'm not about to admit it though.

"He trusts you."

"Or something close to it." He shrugs.

"I don't mind if you take his side occasionally. That doesn't happen for him very often and we all need a friend sometimes." Zanes smiles back at me. "You do as well, Old Man."

"Not sure what you mean there kid. I have friends or at least, a few acquaintances I care about. I'm not the guy you first met."

"That Zane had a few acquaintances he cared about, this version has friends and family. I better go, I still want donuts." I give him a proper hug. "I'm glad your hangover didn't kill you."

"Me too. Take care, Sunshine."

I detoured via the Council to check my new friend was settling in. She only glares at me from behind the glass. Her boots were off, sitting on the floor beside her and as I checked her information on the screen, I'm not surprised she was already wanted for a few other, not so nice things. The body count of jilted lovers she had left behind was almost impressive. Just like the fact her name was actually Barbie.

"You." She growled.

"Hi Barbie! You've been a bad, bad Succubus now haven't you?" She stood up, slowly stalking towards the door as if I couldn't see her. With the bright lights over her head, she was lit up like a disco ball. "I just had a tiny little question for you."

"Why would I tell you anything?" Gone was the girly giggles and smiling pink lips as she snarled at me.

"You're not in a great position here. I can help with that." I shrug. "Before I rejected you, you mentioned that you met someone waiting for me at the bar. Was it another, Hunter?"

"No." She smirked. "Not a Hunter, or any of your other pains in my ass. Something else."

Barbie pressed herself against the glass, licking it in front of my face.

"I wouldn't do that. Who knows what's been in there before you."

"What are you, Ellie? I hadn't tasted anything like him before, and you. You're different. You're a different flavour." She slid up and down on the glass, closing her eyes and moaning.

I roll my eyes. "I'll tell you, if you tell me, about him."

Barbie stops, opening one eye as she looks me over. Pink lipstick is smeared across the glass and one of the guards appears at the end of the hall.

"Hey, you. What are you doing here?" He calls.

"Uh Oh. You're in trouble." Barbie pouts.

I dismiss the guard, turning him around and back out the door in an instant. When the door closes, it's locked from this side. I gave it at least a minute before the alarms went off.

"You will be if you don't answer me. I saw the taser in his hand and the gas mask around his neck. Some of the guards here don't exactly play nice. Especially when you have some of their Slayer buddies on your hit list."

The flash of fear is unmissable.

"I'll help you, if you help me."

"I never caught his name. He was big, real macho. You know what they say though, the bigger they are the smaller their-" She wiggles her pinky in front of me with a smirk as the alarm sounds, and I quickly silence it. Barbie hides her surprise well. "He wasn't like the others here. I only went to that bar because my roommate has a thing for wolf shifters. I don't get it, you know. They're so drooly and only ever do it one way, which makes getting my kicks that much harder."

"So, he was a big guy?" I prompt.

"Yeah. He smelt different like you do. I was intrigued. We got talking, he was friendly enough. He drank juice. He wiped down everything before he touched it, his hands were covered in something, a cleaner? It burned where he touched me. See?" She slipped up her jacket, the crop top underneath did nothing to cover her skin or the blistered sores in the shape of a handprint in the curve of her hips. "I like it a little rough, it didn't bother me at first. Then I got a taste, and I'd be willing to die for more of that."

Barbie twirled, the marks were also on her back - literally anywhere he must have touched. I shivered, an uneasy feeling digging its claws into my gut. An unwanted memory of the fire god that had nearly killed Zane came to mind and I wasn't sure if it was the oncoming panic attack making me nausea is or if morning sickness was about to kick my ass again.

"Did you kill him?"

"No. I barely got a kiss, but it was enough. He was a talker though. He told me he was waiting for someone, described you perfectly, just like your ass." She winked. "After our kiss, well he got the fuck out of there. I think I scared him. He was strong enough to break the connection as you did. I've been hanging around all week, hoping you'd show up and I'd get to try again or even him. I'll try harder next time. I just want another taste, just a little something?"

She begged, dragging her claws down the door as she slid down against the glass again.

"It'll be good for you. I promise." She begged.

"Apart from big, what did he look like? Beard, horns, scars? Anything?" I was getting desperate and she seemed to know, purposely delaying her answer as the sounds from the door being hit echoed up to us.

Ailin was going to flip when she heard about this.

Barbie put her hand down her front, clearly feeling her boobs which only became even more awkward as we made eye contact. A second later though, it was her phone she pulled out, nothing else. She smirked, flicking through it before stopping.

"There." She held it up, and the shadow at the bar gave little away. "I knew I had something."

I don't get to see his face, but he had longish black hair that was clumped in dreadlocks. Worst of all, he wore a light denim jacket, with darker denim jeans.

"Double denim?" I frown.

"I know! To eighties." She agreed. "What's your number, I'll send it to you."

I hold her phone in my hand a second later, send the photo and delete it, before she gets it back. 

"Thanks for this."

"What about me?" She cries, the door finally giving way as angry voices erupt through it, followed by the guards.

"You won't be rooming with another of your kind." I touch the screen, adding a few notes to her file. "I know things can get awkward when that happens. I also got you a few special privileges."

"What? That's it? What about getting me the hell out of here?"

"You did kill like ten of my people, a few civilians and I don't think you're as anti-wolf shifter as you claim."

"Allegedly, killed! Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?" She groaned, stomping back to sit beside her shoes. "Fine. I hope your friend finds you."

The cold edge to her tone doesn't bother me.

"Me too." I agree.

I disappear as the closest guards make a grab for me. Instantly I'm on my phone, looking at the photo. Cain wanders over, his approach clearly cautious.

"No donuts?"

"What? Oh." I stop. "No. I forgot."

I pass him my phone. "Do you know this guy?"

"No, should I?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why do you have his picture?" He asks slowly, handing my phone back.

"The succubus said she had tasted one of my kind, as in a power, before, but I was different. I just went to see her, and I got this. Apparently, he was at the bar waiting for me, and she was only there to try and attack me or wait for him to turn back up to try again." Saying it out loud makes it sound worse.

"How does she know he was waiting for you?" He says it casually enough, but I can hear the rage hiding behind each word.

"He described me to her, which is how she knew who I was." I put my phone away. "I'm going to go and ask Eric and-"

"You think it's a good idea for you to go back?"

"He wasn't there like twenty minutes ago, and she said he hadn't been back in a week since their first kiss." I shrug. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

My phone starts ringing; the annoying cat sounds enough of a warning to tell me who was calling. Cain raises an eyebrow, glancing towards my pocket expectedly and rolling my eyes I get it back out and hit the silent button.

"Why are you avoiding Ailin?"

"No major reason." I smile. "Just, you know, broke into the holding block and kicked the guards out while I did my own questioning. Also made a few additional notes on her file as authorised by the President"

"No wonder she curses me for giving you these powers." He sighs. "I'm staying with you."

"Good. Look what happened the last time you left me alone. I got picked up by a Succubus, who had already hooked up with my stalker." I smile up at him. "Once we talk to Eric, donuts."

"Deal."

A second later we're back at the bar which is starting to get busier. Eric is standing by the cash register, so I simply climb over the gate and go over to him. He finishes what he was doing and turns my way.

"See, he gets it." He glances at Cain who waits on the other side. "This area here is a no Elise zone. I'm working!"

"I'll be quick." I show him the picture on my phone. "Do you remember this guy from last week at all?"

Eric frowns. "No, I don't. Sorry. Should I?"

"Maybe. I don't know. According to Barbie, he's been hanging around here waiting for me."

"Why would he come here?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. She said he was like me, a power. You haven't noticed anyone at all?"

"No. I never noticed Barbie until tonight though, and she seems the type that would be hard to miss. I don't think I've even got any surveillance from last week as the camera's need replacing out here. It hasn't been a priority." He waves at some impatient demons nearby. "I'll check later, just in case. If someone is lurking, be careful okay?"

"Thanks. Let me know if anything does come up." I head back to Cain, who already looks like I'm going to tell him bad news So I don't say anything. "Donuts?"

"That good, huh?"

"For now. Damn it's later than I thought. I don't think anywhere will be open."

We start to walk out of the bar, which changes instantly into an alleyway and as we step out onto the city street, miles away from any possible threat that could be lurking there, Cain opens an umbrella as the rain comes back. We walk close together, his arm around my shoulders and mine around his waist. The streets are flooded from the earlier weather and leaves, as well as bits of rubbish float on by in the reflection of the lights from the closed up shops we pass.

Sure enough as we stop out the front of the donut chain, the internal lights are off and the doors are locked. The wind returns, cutting like a cold blade through our coats and I press closer against him for warmth. Surprisingly, the umbrella doesn't even flinch despite the force being thrown at it and as the rain increases, Cain looks around before letting me go.

"What did you want?" He peers in closer, inspecting the menu and the mouthwatering images that surround it.

"The one with the biscuits all crushed on top." I point it out and sure enough, he's holding one of the trademark boxes in his free hand. "You didn't?"

Peeking inside, four of my favourites greet me.

"How's your morning sickness?" He asks, and as we turn the corner we leave the abandoned city and end up back at the penthouse.

"It's there, but hardly noticeable. Especially now I have these." I gaze at the box lovingly.

It's warm and peaceful here. The next front of the storm hits, but we're too tired and comfortable to even notice. Cain sets up the fireplace, the heat increasing to a very pleasing level before we settle on the sofa together to eat the donuts and watch TV. I'm tucked under his arm, my legs over his lap as he stretches out. Every movement is too stiff like he's overthinking how he should sit, where he should look. I had to practically force him to eat a donut.

"I wasn't sure how tonight would end." He says as I channel surf in search of something to put on, distracting me from my mission. "I'm sorry, I-"

I reach over and kiss the icing from the corner of his lip, silencing him.

"I know. I'm sorry for keeping it from you. I never did it because I wanted to hurt you, I just panicked. If I didn't say it, it didn't make it real." I kiss him again, longer now as I feel him coming back to life beside me, "Communication. Who would have thought?"

He smiles, relaxing properly now as I cuddle further against him. The TV is shut off so only the crackling from the fire fills the room. Cain lets out a deep breath as I close my eyes, and I can see it again. Feel it. The three of us, wrapped up in one another. Tired, but happy. Scared, but doing it anyway. A sleeping bundle tucked against me, safe and loved as we just watch him dream. Zane was right; I did believe everything I had said.

"I can see it too," Cain whispers, and looking up at him, his eyes are closed. "You're right. We can do this."

"Together."

Cain nods, a kiss placed on my forehead as his hand curls around mine and rests against the curve of my stomach.

"Together.