The pain of being stabbed in the gut was nothing compared to two obsessive parents, a pair of obsessive friends and a boyfriend who is, by definition, over-protective. Given neither my parents nor my friends murdered anyone...

This is a very polarizing issue between us. Neither one of us was ready to talk about it, though we both know that it is the elephant in the room. To be honest, David's insistence on helping me get better was a major deterrent to that conversation. He seemed healthier than he'd ever been and I was happy. But, being me, I had to question him about it.

I waited until my friends left before broaching the subject. David sat in the chair by my bed with a Sports Illustrated in his hands. I wondered where he got it, though I assumed it was from Porter's room.

I sat up gingerly and smiled at him, "So, you totally murdered Kai's family?" I asked. I felt extremely embarrassed and uneasy after saying this. This isn't how a normal person should speak.

David stopped flipping through the pages and stared at me, "Excuse me?" He asked.

"I-I just, uh, Kai's family. Lucas told me-"

"And you think Lucas told you this out of the good of his shriveled up old heart?" David asked. He put the magazine on the table, his eyes not leaving me once, "Kai hurt you. I told you a while ago that I would protect you, that nobody would hurt you. I didn't mean to kill Kai's parents or even Kai but..."

I dreaded hearing the gory details. Just watching him, I could tell that something changed in him. It was small, subtle, but there. I took a minute before asking, "But?"

"Things happened. He fought back. His parents fought back. And something inside of me snapped." His expression seemed to change throughout the story. His face reacted to mine and I was sorry I couldn't hide it more, "I know this isn't what you want to hear...but a part of me liked it. A part of me still thinks that it was right."

"It wasn't."

"I know that. The bigger part of me knows that. But I feel how I feel." David said as he leaned back in his chair, "Does this change anything? Does it change us?"

"Us? No. But it changes a lot." I said softly. I quickly reached over and rummaged through my drawer until I found my family's Grimoire. I opened it and spoke to him, "One of my ancestors was a noted Alchemist. I'm talking about unparalleled skills. Apparently, my family has a penchant for falling for supernatural creatures. Most curses, for example vampirism and lycanthropy, are magical afflictions, probably a witch's curse. Magic can undo magic. That's true, but nature can sometimes undo magic because nature kind of is magic."

"You're losing me."

"One of my ancestors was working on a cure-all. Basically a cure for whatever magical affliction one could have." I watched as the realization hit him. It wasn't exactly a happy face. I took a deep breath, "This isn't happy news for you?"

"Being a wolf isn't unnatural. In fact, it's quite the opposite." David frowned, "I'm kind of digging being a wolf. I mean, I have a pack now. It's freeing."

I stared at him, my mind going a million places. One place was break-up. If I was being honest with myself, I could already see cracks in our happy-ending. I could actively feel myself becoming one of those lovey-dovey people who ignores all the signs of a disaster in the making. Even still, I would be remiss if I didn't stress how much I enjoyed being David's boyfriend, how much I'd grown to...love him? David and I hadn't gotten that far yet. I feared that we never would.

"I... have never felt this way about anyone before. I will do anything to make you happy and keep you safe." David said. I nodded at him and slid the book away. David smiled, "I killed two people, that will always be on me...but I did it for a good reason."

"I have to talk to Kai." I said quickly.

"What? Why would you talk to Kai?!"

"He stabbed me. And if, for no other reason, to understand why he did it." I could practically hear his thoughts, "I know, he stabbed me. But I don't understand."

"I don't suppose I'm going to change your mind. So, I'll go."

"Umm, no! Last time you saw him, you murdered him...how exactly is he not dead? Are you that bad at killing people?" I asked.

"One of these," My father said as he appeared at the door. He held up a ring I'd seen a few times before. He put it away a while ago. I'd always noted to ask him about the flame insignia on his collector's weapons and on Kai's lighter. They're obviously connected. The ring shares that quality. Dad tossed it to me before taking a step into the room, "Passed down from generation to generation. From one hunter to the next."

I grabbed the ring out of the air and stared at it, taking in all of its splendor. The ring was absolutely stunning. The ring was made of what looked like a sort of onyx. I ran my hand over the top, which was gold with a black insignia of fire. I looked up at my father.

"The Order of the Flames," He explained, "A network of demon hunters which innumerable reach."

"Demon Hunters?" I asked. I ran my finger over it again, "So, the Summers part of our family are Demon Hunters, which explains your aversion to anything magical. Also why my mother would give up her magic."

"Order of the flames?" David asked.

"The Order is ancient. We're men and women conditioned to eradicate evil and the destruction evil brings. We were banded for a very specific purpose, to stop a rising evil, to extinguish it in flames, and each time it is reborn."

"Reborn? Flames? Heavy-handed, isn't it?" I asked. David looked between us. I reached the conclusion well before him, "Phoenix and Tituba. You were put together to stop them."

"Ultimately. There is the little fact that the world is a powder keg and add supernatural creatures to that mix..." My father seemed resolute, as he always had. His attitude and beliefs made more sense than they had before. Nothing about him was random.

"Why didn't you say?" I asked.

"I gave up my rights when I married your mother, just like she gave up magic." My father's voice was filled with a delicate type of pain I'd rarely heard from him, "Your grandfather was furious. 'A Summers marry the very line of witches we're sworn to defend against?' and it only got worse. Your mother's family, for all their quirks, were more accepting, though not by much. Your grandmother thought I would kill them in their sleep."

"Wow...that's very...this is why you two are so strained?"

"Yeah, it is. It's not always easy to love anyone, least of all the person you love the most." Dad said, "That being said, I know you want answer from your friend, Kai, but I'm not sure he'll be receptive. Kai's father was a very respected hunter. I met with him a couple of days ago and I was trying to figure out why he'd come back."

"I respect both of your opinions, I do, but Kai isn't this guy. He doesn't hate people. He knows about vampires and witches and demons and he didn't...He didn't seem like that guy."

"No, he wouldn't, son."

                                                          *************************  

After our conversation, David and dad left me to take a nap. It must have been an hour of nothing but good sleep before there was a ding on my phone. I groggily reached for my phone and read that Eva and Charlotte wanted to come over. I quickly accepted when I read they'd be bringing iced coffee.

I waited patiently, eager to tell them what I learned about my father and the Order. I knew they would interested in hearing what I learned. I was moving slower than usual and by the time I cleaned the area around my bed, the two of them showed up with my favorite iced coffee.

I waited for them to settle in. Charlotte moved to my computer so that she could check her social media site and Eva gravitated to the seat by the window, insisting that since she's become a vampire, she lacked motive to be in the sun. I laughed at both and began drinking my coffee.

"So, how is bed rest?" Charlotte asked as her eyes scoured her timeline.

"Alright. David was over earlier." As I said this, Eva's eyes jumped. Charlotte's eyes left the screen long enough to find Eva but she quickly went back to scrolling the timeline. I continued, "We talk about him killing Kai's parents..."

"And?" Eva asked.

"He admitted it freely and isn't ashamed of it." I knew their reactions would be swift, so when they didn't react I was confused. I looked between them, "I know you're thinking something, might as well say it."

"Far be it for the vampire to say something, but it's wrong." Eva's voice was unsure, probably thinking that I was going to defend him. She shrugged, "How do you feel about it?"

"It's wrong. There's nothing about any of this that feels right. I just...I'm worried that he's giving into the wrong thing." Charlotte was now totally tuned into our conversation. I took a deep breath, "His new pack. I just wonder if they're good for him."

"Have either of you talked about it?" Charlotte asked.

"Talked about the almighty Pack? No. I'm afraid that he won't respond well to what I have to say." I said. I sighed, "And I was thinking that I need to see Kai."

Both of them had a substantial reaction to this.

"Are you insane?" Eva asked, "Even if your boyfriend hadn't just murdered his parents, he stabbed you."

"Eva's right. I get you, he was your friend. But I, of all people, know how these otherworldly things can get to normal people, but I doubt that he stabbed you without it meaning something." Charlotte frowned, "I have to go on record as saying that this is a really bad idea."

"Understatement." Eva added.

"That's why I needed you two to come by. I found out that those cool knives and stuff my dad used to keep in the study aren't just knives, they're Hunter weapons." I explained. I quickly filled them in on the conversation we had. I waited until the end to add, "And when I first met Kai, he had a lighter with the same symbol on it. Kai's family were Hunters."

"Is this supposed to go in the pro or con side because I really think seeing him, especially knowing that, is a bad idea." Charlotte snapped, "Look, I've seen a lot of people die lately. I don't want to be added to the list nor do I want to see you become part of that?"

"I'm not going to die. I just need to know what this was about and-"

"If that's why he was your friend?" Eva asked, "He was the outsider. He was outside all of this for you."

"Yeah. He was."

"I know that this is a bad time to bring this up but...Finn and I aren't together anymore." Eva admitted.

I watched her with wide eyes. Charlotte was shocked but looked more at peace with it, as if she expected it. Last I knew of them, they were in love. Though, since she's become a vampire, she's become more unstable than usual. She's changing.

"I love Finn, I do, but there's been a few things wrong for a while now." Eva explained, "I think it was time."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know things weren't good."

Eva smiled at me, "I know you didn't. But they weren't and I'm alright." She smiled.

"Well Noah and I are great." Charlotte blurted, causing us to look at her, "Sorry, It's just usually me who sucks at relationships. It's a little disheartening to see you of all people having trouble."

"What does that mean?" Eva asked.

"Oh come on, you're the perfect one, I'm the sarcastic one and he's...well, the gay one." Charlotte joked.

"Nice." I chuckled.

We all laughed. As we laughed, I noticed that someone was standing at the door. Our attention quickly turned to the presence. It was Finn. I knew him by his short hair and down-to-Earth smile. Eva stared at him, not happy or sad, but skeptically.

"I picked a bad time. Didn't mean to interrupt." Finn's tone was rather stiff, though he was showing no sign of stiffness.

"It's okay, we were about to go, right E?" Charlotte asked as she stood and gathered her purse and coffee.

Eva stood, too, and stared at Finn, "Yeah, we should go." She said

The girls past him, not bothering with a goodbye. I took note of who oddly Eva seemed to regard Finn and how oddly Finn was. They didn't seem like two people who'd broke up. The awkwardness was there, but it wasn't the same as any of my relationships. It wasn't pain. It was curiosity.

Finn moved into the room and I couldn't place my finger on it but something was different. He moved closer and took a seat in the chair at my bedside, where Eva had just been. He stared at me, as if appraising me.

"You're better?" He asked.

I nodded, "I think I have you to thank for that."

"I'm just glad you're okay." Finn nodded. There was a quietness that seemed to last for minutes before he spoke again, "I think I should go."

"What's going on? Is this because of Eva?" I asked.

"Eva?" He asked.

"Because you broke up with Eva? Because I don't want you to think you have to be with her for us to be friends. I mean, sure, that's how I met you, but I just..." My mind began to wonder if Eva was his only distraction. I quickly added, "Lucas either."

"You think Lucas would mind us being friends?" He asked.

"Lucas is a lot of things, including spiteful, but I don't think he would mind us being friends." I chuckled, "I think he would see our friendship as a way to get back into my life."

"He wouldn't do that." He snapped.

"Sorry. You do know him better." I said slowly. Another awkward pause. I laughed, "Is he alright?"

"Lucas? He's great. Fine. Why?"

"Because regardless of whether I think it's a good idea to be with him, I-I care for him. The same way Eva feels about you." I added the last sentence quickly, "I don't want to meddle, so that's all I'll say."

"He cares about you too. In two hundred years, you're probably the only thing he has." Finn said softly, "I really do need to get going. I've got brooding to do."

"Oh...well, okay. I should be going too." I said as I tried to stand. Seeing that I was having trouble, he helped me and I quickly thanked him. I slipped on my coat and looked to him, "I think I'm going to see Kai."

"Are you insane?!" Finn asked, "That dick almost killed you!"

"Been spending too much time with Lucas?" I asked.

Finn reigned himself in, "It's not safe." He frowned.

"I know. I've heard why I shouldn't all day." I stared at him, "Isn't this the part where you say I'm profound and that I should?"

"Probably. Dammit, fine." He growled, "He was your friend before he even knew about your supernatural crap. He deserves a chance to explain himself."

"Thank you." I smiled, "You can let yourself out, Finn."

Finn nodded as I left.

                                                          *************************  

I made it to the hospital in less time than it took me to actually find Kai's room.

When I got to the door of Kai's room, I heard talking. Kai was being told, by Uncle Wen, that he was released into his uncle's care. Wen said that he would go and get the car. I waited until Wen was gone before sneaking into Kai's room.

I watched as Kai hopped into his pants and buttoned up his shirt. I began to wonder how Kai could hurt me. I hadn't been this...angry until now. I let Kai in, let him know stuff about myself that wasn't easy to let anyone know.

When he turned, his face went white. We stood, staring at each other. When I knew Kai wouldn't make the first move, I waved my hand, closing the door to the room. Kai took exception to this and moved to a bag sitting on the bed, no doubt full of weapons. I moved the bag further on the bed.

"I'm not here to fight with you. Or stab you. Thanks, by the way." I said gesturing towards my stomach, "I have some sexy scars...great for bathing suits."

"What?" He asked, "What are you talking about."

I stared at him, trying to figure out what game he was playing.

"I heard you were stabbed, the night before I was attacked." Kai's eyes grew concerned, "I didn't want to believe it."

"Believe what?" I asked.

Kai relented. He was fighting with himself about something. I took note of how scared he seemed.

"Kai, you can tell me."

"Your boyfriend-"

"Yeah, I know what he did."

"And you-you don't care?" He asked, "Why me?"

"You don't remember?" I asked.

"The blood." Tears began to stream down his face, "I woke up in a hoodie with a knife in my hand. There was blood everywhere."

Flashes of the night ran through my mind and I backed back, hitting the door. Kai took note and began calling my name. I put my hand up to silence him. He started towards me and I jerked, causing him to stop.

"I did it?" He asked.

"You stabbed me, Kai." I said trying to fight the visions. When I was somewhat more in control, I noticed Kai. His eyes were darting back and forth and when they stopped, they landed on me, "And David..."

"He's a monster! He-You know what he did."

"I also know what you did." I said softly, "Kai, you stabbed me. You stabbed me. Kai, you fucking stabbed me! Why?!"

"I don't...I don't remember." He snapped, "I swear I didn't know. I was in my room and my dad brought in a knife, a knife with the same insignia as my lighter. My lighter and the knife began to glimmer, as if they were alive."

I watched him as he told the story. He was trying to pull the memories together, to put the pieces of the puzzle in perspective. I was beginning to understand. The Hunter's weapons weren't just weapons with the insignia on them, they were magical. The Hunters aren't just regular humans, they're...more.

"I woke up with the knife and the blood and my father told me to get cleaned up, that I had slept almost an entire day. And when I got out of the shower, I heard about you. I told myself it wasn't true, that the blood wasn't yours." His eyes found me and they were filled with pain, "And then that monster showed up and he wouldn't leave. My dad told him to leave. When he wouldn't, my dad tried to throw him out. The look on his face as he...he enjoyed it. They're gone."

I felt as if an ever-consuming darkness was entering the room. Hearing about the night from his perspective was so much worse than hearing about it from David's or anyone else. The flashes were beginning to happen faster for me, too.

"He'll pay for what he did."

"What about you? What about what you did?" I asked.

He eyes flashed with sympathy before he said, "Get out."

I nodded and turned to the door. I snatched it opened and fled the room.

                                                          *************************  

Lucas opened the door to his house and stalked inside. He was relieved to hear someone in the living room. He took his time putting his coat and keys up before entering the living room. He saw a figure standing by the fire, gazing into it. He smirked.

"I knew you wouldn't be gone too long, brother." He said as he moved closer. He stopped when he realized that the person by the fire wasn't his brother, Finn. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Eva let an annoyed chuckle leave her mouth as she stood and turned to him, "I bet you did, Finn." Her face morphed into anger, "What are you trying to prove? Isn't it enough that you outed Finn's feelings for Perry? Isn't that enough?"

"I had to know..."

"If Perry felt the same? He doesn't. That's not how he works." Eva argued, "What if he had seen through you? Do you think he'd have been gracious or furious? Finn's gone. Isn't that enough?"

"No! It's not enough! Nothing enough until he loves me again!" Lucas raged, "I needed this to be about Finn, that he'd fallen for Finn. It would make sense. He loves Finn because Finn is better than me."

Eva softened, "That's not true. That's not what happened and, sweetie, if you're looking for something to make sense here, it just doesn't."

"That's not comforting, aren't you the comforting one?" He said as he fell back onto the sofa.

Eva flung herself down next to him, "Not so much. You can't do that again." She whispered.

"I know."

"If it makes you feel any better, he still loves you." Eva said looking over at him, "He doesn't feel like he can love you, not like he can love David. Don't get me wrong, he loves David a lot..."

Lucas chuckled.

"But he loves you more. He's afraid." Eva said quickly.

"Me too."

The two of them stared at each. For a second they both silently thanked each other, for being what they needed at the moment. Eva had been the voice of reason that Finn always was to Lucas and Lucas was the problem that needed solving. The moment lasted a little too long. The two vampires moved closer until their lips met.

The two crashed into each other, like waves on the ocean.

                                                          *************************  

Upon leaving the hospital, I made my away to the Domus Cecidit.

Kai's reaction to me was the last thing I expected. It was the story I didn't get. Kai hadn't meant to do what he did. He wasn't some Hunter with a vendetta, he was collateral damage. I somehow knew that Kai's part in my war against everything evil had just been decided. Kai is the catalyst in what I can only assume is the change of everything.

I raced into the Domus and sat in the chair by the window, trying to look out into the abyss again but there were only trees swaying in the wind. I stood, trying to compose myself. I could only feel the pain of the events of my life, the flashes of those events running through my mind. I sank to my knees as the house began to rumble and every object that wasn't nailed down began to rise into the air. I hid my head in my hands as everything around me grew violent.

"Perry?"

I looked up. To my shock, Phoenix stood above me. He knelt down and put a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay. Everything will be alright." Phoenix cooed.

"How did you...why are you here?" I asked.

"Your parents called me." Phoenix said as he pulled me into a hug, "Everything will be fine. I swear."

Everything in the room fell to the ground and the rumbling stopped.

"Touching," Nora said as she appeared behind him, "But we're short on time."