The crimson luminescence flickers, fading away completely within seconds, and from the epicenter, stands a tall man, embers floating in the air around him. Our bond feels almost stronger, like there was an invisible shroud over it that was only noticed when he was right in front of us. The tug I'd felt loosens, like having Andy in front of me caused the line to slacken. Remington and I share a look, thr wonder on his face mirroring my own.

'He is terribly pretty.' I send to Remington alone.

'I have to say I agree.' Remington admits, with the tiniest tilt of his head.

Andy's unruly black hair fell in light waves to his shoulders, about the length of Emerson's and at first his eyes were completely black; the sclera, pupil, and iris. Then, the black slowly bled out like blood from a wound, his irises blue, like the ocean and the sky were joined as one. Adorned in black skinny jeans and a pristine, white, untucked dress shirt, rolled up to just above his elbows, necklaces, chains, and rings adorning his body. There are odd little shiny spots of what looks to be dark ink splotches, but after a moment I realize they're scales. Protruding from the top of his head are two large spiraling black horns that curl up away from his skull and brush his hair, and upon closer inspection I can see little traces of dark scales lining his cheekbones and temples as well as dotting his neck, and suddenly my mind makes the connection.

So Andy is where the scales on Remington's face came from, and why one of his eyes was blacked out.

"Pleased to formally make your acquaintances, I'm Andrew, though, I prefer Andy. At your service." He does a sweeping bow, his clawed hand nearly meeting the ground, the pure deep, smoothness to his voice nearly causing me to gawk outwardly.

Hearing it in person is somehow vastly different from hearing it in my head. It's like liquid butter. I didn't know someones voice could sound like that. If there was one thing I knew for certain, was that both Andy's voice and his features all screamed one word; ethereal.

"How do you do?" Remington greets rhetorically, an uncertain smile on his face as he takes a glance back at me.

The look on his face makes me think he'd be blushing if he'd had any blood recently, his face a pretty pink like I know mine currently is.

Andy doesn't notice, and I watch as he simply stares at me. There's a sort of awe in his gaze, which causes me to immediately blush a shade darker. "You are so much cuter in person," He comments, stepping up to me so we're chest to face, "and shorter."

I scoff jokingly, grinning as I tilt my head back to meet his gaze, "R-rem isn't much sh-shorter than you are Andy."

"Yeah, but he towers over you. We all do!" Emerson remarks lightly from his spot beside Sebastian, both of them holding an air of hesitancy.

It seems as though they're staying out of this meeting for the most part, unsure of how to take this situation. Of course, it's understandable. The only interaction they said they'd had with Andy was when he was trying to completely possess Remington. I'd imagine that didn't leave a good impression on them. I turn my head back to Andy from where I'd turned to Emerson once he began to speak, only to be kissed. My eyes widen in shock for a moment, glancing over at Remington who is just as floored by Andy's actions.

I kiss back lightly, somewhat hesitantly, partly acceptingly. I just hope this doesn't hurt Remington in any way. I rather enjoy this, its quite like kissing Remington, but Andy kisses differently. A little rougher, but tender. His lips are on mine for only a moment before they're gone and he's two paces (two paces for him at least) away once again, smiling gently, a thinly veiled sense of awe in his eyes.

Remington scoots closer to me, maybe out of jealousy as he grips my hand tightly, rubbing small circles into my knuckles.

'Don't be so solicitous, demons don't feel like the people on this plain. She is ours in soul- Actually-'

I tilt my head to the right slightly in my confusion, a strand of my hair falling down in my face. Does he mean he simply wants the... emotions that come with being a soulmate? This thought causes a question to form in my mind. Like vampires, are demons unable to have soulmates? Or, does it delve even further than that? Andy clearly feels very strongly, I've felt many emotions from his side of the bond.

Andy moves forward again and comes to stand in front of Remington. A thoughtful look is plastered across his features, and there is this sense of tentative want coursing over the bond.

He swoops down, pulling Remington to him in a hug. "I've always believed you were cute as well, and I'm sorry for never explaining myself to you." He says, as Remington is frozen in shock.

Andy moves to pull away after a moment, but Remington reaches up to hug him back. "I'm sorry for never trying to get you to explain. I was far ruder to you than I should have been. You never did try to hurt any of us despite all of your chances. I was just scared."

They pull away, and Andy kisses his forehead with a beaming smile that shows off sharp top canines. I can just barely see the pointed tips of sharp bottom canines as well. He sits beside me, an arm draped over my shoulder and a hand resting on Remingtons shoulder. His touch spurs the same tingles as Remingtons does, and at Remy's surprised glance at Andy's hand, he feels it too. An emotion almost like embarassment thrums gently from Remington's part of the bond, chocolate eyes filled with amazement and surprise. Andy doesn't seem to feel anything, nothing in his face giving anything away.

'Does he not feel that?' I ask.

'Perhaps not.' Remington responds, a calculating look in his eyes.

"I would like to say I might be able to use some proper magic to better protect Elizabeth should she need it. I don't think I'll be able to stay longer than a week. Perhaps less, even. What do you all know about demons?"

"I'll be honest, not much. There is very, very little known about your kind. Religious depictions vary. No one truly knew they existed until you took up a space in Remington's body and it was confirmed for us." Emerson says.

We all voice our agreements. I had only ever heard of demons in passing, the scientists were always wondering how they could get their hands on one. Apparently they're quite slippery.

"Demons cannot physically manifest on this plain. Ritual summonings are just about the only way aside from possessions, and even then, it is only until the summoning task has been completed. We can use the shadows to manifest, as it's not physical per sé, but only if we're anchored."

"I didn't see you before you were suddenly apart of me." Remington remarks thoughtfully.

"I was in a spectral form. Its the only way we can be on this plain, though the entire time, hell was trying to drag me back. Too long spent away causes our souls to fade away. There is no coming back for us. Reincarnation ceases to be a viable option without a soul to reincarnate. The entirety of the Earth is considered holy ground, and we have to have an anchor to stay here. No one has ever managed to exist on this plain as long as I have. I have theories as to why, of course, but I think I just found my proof of one." Andy explains before turning his head to address Remington and I, "When I possessed Remington, I believe my soul was anchored to his. Did you two feel anything just now?"

"I felt a tug on the bond when you were manifesting, and then when you were here, it, hm, it loosened. Almost as though when you became physical, it slackened at the closeness, no longer pulled taut. I didn't even realize it was so tight until you were in front of us." Remington says.

"It was the same for me. Like a shroud had been over our bond, but with you here, the barrier was removed." I continue.

"I suppose it was the same for me as well. My soul must have anchored to his. That must be why I can manifest here at all without a summon ritual or full possession." Andy finishes, then brings his attention to Emerson who was quick to fill the silence with questions on hell and Andy's physical appearance.

"Can you make yourself look more human with magic?"

"I suppose I could glamor myself, but the horns would stay, physically, as well as my scales. It would all simply be an illusion instead of actually changing myself."

Emerson continues his multitude of questions on the durability of Andy's spiraling horns or the history of demons. Its an interesting few hours before Andy asks to have a proper tour of the house as well as the nature inside the barrier. The wonderment on his face as he took in the feeling of plants underfeet reminded me of myself when I woke up and realized I was outside for the very first time in years. I can't imagine having never felt the cool air or the gentle brush of grass and weeds under your feet at any point in your life.

::

A little while later, I finally got to see, or rather feel, the house being moved. Andy and I were still sitting on the plush couch in the living room, holding hands at my insistence. He seemed hesitant at first, but his hand was a welcome heat in my own. Almost too warm, dare I say, but I wouldn't change a thing. The happiness thrumming from his side of the bond brought a smile to my face. Sebastian was standing off to the side of the fireplace where a ship's wheel was mounted to the wall. It would have looked out of place if not for Emersons collection of ships in bottles mounted around it. Said boy stands next to him, with Remington beside him as well. Emerson had said that all three of them weren't needed to teleport the house, but it was a tradition their mother had started when they were young and had to move in fear of their magic being discovered. The house is their home, they will move it as one familial unit.

Andy and I watch in silence as Sebastian places a hand on the ship wheel. He turns it quickly, letting it spin fast as he says a single word with glowing golden eyes. "*Transportari (transport) Lincoln, Nebraska."

At once, the home begins to shake lightly. Items on the shelves and tables barely shift with the motion, but then they begin to lift. "This is the cool part." Andy says, and the brothers all step away from the wheel.

The couch begins to lift off the floor, floating a full foot in the air. For a moment, everything stills, suspended midair, and then there's a flash of gold light. When the light clears, everything is touching back down to their original surface. "Welcome to Lincoln, Nebraska. The house is somewhere in an open space of the city, glammored so no one will think to go near it, and cannot be seen. You'll be safe here." Sebastian says with a smile.

Throughout this, I watch in wide-eyed fascination. Remington laughs as Emerson checks over the spells on the house to make sure they're all intact. He walks over, taking my hand in his as he crouches in front of Andy and I. After a moment of deliberation, Remington offers his hand to Andy as well. The demon smiles, pleased surprise pulling at the edges of his grin to widen it. After allowing themselves the chance, they've been quick to warm up to each other.

::

I wish the tranquility had lasted, but I knew if my boys didn't find blood soon, things would get very dangerous for me. I was okay with that, I could hold them off for the most part. My main concern was hurting them. I never want to hurt them. If they asked, I think I'd even willingly offer up my blood.

In hindsight. I wish that I had been the one they'd fed from. It would have saved Remington that pain.

Andy was sitting in front of the door to my room, a knife in hand, mine to be specific. It wouldn't kill any of them, but it would hurt, or if a killing blow was delivered, knock them out long enough to move them someplace else.

I miss Remington. He's been with his brothers, away from me for two whole days now. He explained that, as his mate, my already alluring blood would affect him tenfold compared to his brothers or other vampires. This soulmate thing is still an odd thing to grasp, but I can't say that I mind.

A knock on the door startles me, and I know immediately it is Remington, though he radiates nervousness. I've been feeling his emotions more and hearing thoughts less. Hopefully that means he can't hear my embarassing thoughts anymore.

Concern floods my being, his mannerisms unfamiliar to me. Remington is not a very nervous person, at least not like this, so to feel him so tense and scared causes concern to wrap its icy fingers around my heart.

"Let him in." I murmur, sitting up from the bed where I was lazing about and fiddling with my shadows, making them into little flowers and other dhaoes.

Andy frowns momentarily before nodding, protectiveness being the only emotion I feel from him. "Fine, but if he tries anything, I'll throw him out the window. Gently, of course."

Remington steps through the open doorway as soon as he's able, his gaze immediately meeting mine. The love and adoration I feel from him almost overwhelms the anxiety and hunger coursing through his veins. Theres a quiet relief that the door is open but I know I'm not in a situation where I can allow it to be closed.

"We'll be back sweetness. Going to head to the Underground to find a new supplier, hopefully."

His first verbal words to me in two days, and his tone is laced with desperation, the hunger really beginning to get to him. The shadows fall apart like a splash of water against the bed, dropping from where they floated in front of me. They skitter away, hiding in the dark folds of Remingtons overly large black sweater that I'm wearing. I stand, wanting to move closer but knowing I shouldn't.

I haven't left the room as Andy hasn't allowed it and I haven't felt the need to, and because I knew it would be cruel if they smelt my blood any more than they already can. Sebastian has been bringing food and leaving it at the door, leaving as quickly as possible. Besides, being in Andy's presence is calming. I don't feel trapped. "Be careful... c-come back soon."

It wasn't hard to notice the red of his irises or the claws piercing through the flesh where normal nails usually lay. He looks like a corpse with his pitch black hair, the deep purple bags under his eyes and the unnaturally white skin.

For once, he truly looks like a vampire.

The worry I'd already had for him quadruples as he swallows thickly, taking a step back from me as his gaze zeroes in on my throat. "We will, I will. I'm sorry, we can't take this any longer. At this rate, someone might die and none of us want it to be you, or to be reminded of a time where we had no control. No regard for any life except our own. Please, you absolutely must stay inside the barrier around the house. You'll be safe as long as you're inside it."

The sclera of his eyes turn black before he's gone, having flashed out of the room with a hand over his mouth and nose. "I've never seen him like that before. They're usually careful with their blood supply. I suppose it can't be helped that no one wishes to supply them. Sebastian suddenly murdering a whole group of werewolves had to have caused a stir, and Remington has been drinking more now that you're here." Andy comments quietly, twirling the knife in his fingers as he locks the door once more.

Worry fills my heart, unease numbing my thoughts as the look on Remingtons face right before he left stays in my minds eye.

He looked so afraid, terrified even.

Andy sits on the couch across from the bed, crossing his legs, ankle resting on his knee. He tilts his head to the side as though listening for something before uprighting it, gaze tired and face pale. "They're gone. I'm going to take a nap."

He stands up, even though he just sat down, and walks over to give me a kiss on the cheek, to which I blush.

"Hey Andy?"

"Yes lovely?" He inquires with a small smile, his tall form looming over me as he gazes at me with tired sky eyes.

"C-can you... um, can you lay by me? I don't... want to lay alone right now. I'm worried about Remington and the others." I'd been working so hard on it, and finally I could get through most of my sentences without stuttering all over the place.

His smile grows and he happily crawls into bed beside me. He wraps his long arms around me and I snuggle into his embrace. I wish Remington was here with us, but I'm also content to be held by Andy's warm arms. Remington will be back soon. They'll all be fed and have a new supply of blood. I won't have to stay away from those I consider family any longer. If Andy weren't here, I'm notnaufe I could have handle this.

::

Andy's warmth must have lulled me to sleep, cuddled up into him as close as I could be. I knew he wouldn't be able to stay with us for too long. I wanted to soak up every bit of his affections and touch as I could. It was very sudden when I was jolted into a hazy view of some alleyway. There is a figure backed up into a corner, shaking, sobbing his eyes out as blood stains the arm clutched in a white-knuckled grasp.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, please forgive me. We won't even look at a girl ever again, I swear!" Mutterings reach my attuned ears, the voice painfully familiar, not coming from the unfamiliar person.

Remington stumbles forward, a hand over his mouth like just before he left our room. Brown irises scream of devastation, of starvation, but his demeanor exudes malicious intent. His available hand reaches forward, fingers twitching haphazardly and I notice he's coated in blood. It covers his jeans and his shirt. Dried in his hair and on his face, tear tracks the only clean space on his otherwise bloody cheeks. His skin is pale, though seemingly less than before, gaining a small bit of color. He's fed off someone already, and based on the blood, they didn't survive.

The stranger cries out as a single finger drags across his cheek and down to his throat, Rem's clawed hand leaving a trail of blood in its wake. I watch in slight shock and honestly, not enough horror, as Remington's hand digs into the man's throat, ripping it out as he lunges forward to dig his fangs into what's left of the man's neck.

There's more blood on both the new corpse and Rem's body than my soulmate actually swallows, the crimson red substance staining everything it touches. It drips on the asphalt ground, blending into the black floor like it belonged there in the darkness.

"Remington, you need to stop..." I murmur, knowing he couldn't hear me.

I was wrong, it seems, as his head perks up from its place ripping into the man's chest cavity. "Min darlende?**" The words are a mere whisper, the maniacal grin that spreads across his face after he speaks sends a shiver down my spine.

"Stay where you are." I state, willing to try anything to wake up.

If I hurt myself in a dream, will I wake? Is this even a dream? It can't be. So this has to work.

With barely a thought, my shadows heed my call, slicing into my arm.

I bolt up in bed, clothes drenched in sweat, a thin slice going up my outer arm. I glance over as I get up, Andy still being asleep. He looks considerably less drained than before, which I'm glad for, though his tanned flesh was clammy and pale. It's when the floorboard creaks as I'm shoving on a pair of pants that he wakes up.

He gazes at me in concerned confusion, full lips parting to speak. His eyes fall to my arm, and the dark patch of wetness soaking into the torn fabric of Remington's sweater. My shadows eat away at the blood, lapping it up eagerly. I don't bother letting him question me, instead choosing to speak first in a soft voice, careful not to be mean. "Its Remington. Go back to sleep Andy."

By the look in his eyes and his moving-to stand-posture, I can tell he is going to protest so I glare at him with no actual heat. "I'll be fine. Stay here, please?"

He shuts his mouth, rubbing his glassy eyes as he stumbles forward, shaking his head. I know how to protect myself and my other love needs me.

My....

My love.

I love Remington. I love both of them, Remington and Andy.

Well, I figured that out much quicker than I thought I would. No, no time. Gotta get to Rem. Remy is all that matters right now. Worry about your affections for him and the tired man on the bed later.

Tossing on Emerson's jacket over my sweater, I make my way out of the house. Shadows swarm around me as I try to picture that hazy image of the alleyway. Even if I don't know exactly where I'm going, I'll at least end up near him. Hopefully.

"Wait! I can't let you go alone! I know you don't need protecting, but I have to stick by one of you. I need someone to latch my magic onto or I can't hold my form." Andy stands at the entryway to the house, and I can tell despite him telling the truth, it is also an excuse.

He follows me out as shadows fester at my feet. I nod, relenting, and reach out a hand. He smiles slightly, "I can go myself. Just show me that alley you want to go to."

I picture the alleyway again, sending the image down our connection. Once I'm sure he knows where we're going, I disappear.

I stumble and fall to my knees as I land, knees stinging as small droplets of blood well up from the new scrapes. I haven't had to shadow travel too often since I started living with the brothers so I'm slightly out of practice. A burst of heat at my side alerts me Andy has arrived. He stumbled beside me for a moment, a hand clutched to his head.

"A-are you okay?" I ask, concerned.

He waves me off as he quickly gains his bearings. He's sweating slightly, looking a bit pale. "Used magic when I probably shouldn't have. I'll be fine. Let's find Remington." He waves me off with a small smile.

Andy helps me stand up, and I try to concentrate, keeping ahold of his hand. Focus on Remington for now, and not the tingles that shoot up my arm at Andy's warm, almost hot, touch. The sensation drowns out a bit of the pain in my arm. Where is he? Where is he? In my minds eye, I can see him, the path to him lighting up in my minds vision.

Following the path that flashes in my mind, we eventually come across an alleyway illuminated by a dim streetlamp. The stench of blood is heavy and I cough, the strong smell of iron coating my lungs. "Remington?" I call, walking into the alley, avoiding bits of broken glass and heavy droplets of liquid that I really hope isn't blood.

A man is laid off to the side, a shattered glass of booze by his hand. "He's dead." Andy whispers, pulling me further into the alley and away from the dead man.

I hear the scuffing of boots against asphalt and look in the direction I'd heard the noise. My breathing stops for a moment.

I found Remington. Crouched over a corpse and tearing into the throat with his claws but I found him nonetheless. Don't... don't focus on the corpse, on the blood. He's already dead. Focus on Remington.

"Remington, please, you need to stop." I call out, slowly inching further towards him.

Andy stays back, long claws extended on his hands, ready to grab me out of harms way if necessary. Remington stands up, his back still turned, and when he does finally turn around, I stumble backwards slightly in shock.

Black veins are crawling up his face towards his eyes, and the entirety of his mouth is full of sharp teeth. His skin is no longer pale, now a healthy light tan like a human, like he used to be before they started running low on blood. Is this because of all the blood he's drank? "Oh shit, that's..." Andy mutters from behind me.

"Elizabeth, don't get too close to him right now."

"I have to."

"That's not Remington in control right now."

I stare into his eyes, righting my stance, "Remington," I call once again, resolutely, "I want to go home. Come home with us."

I make my way towards him as he does the same. He moves slowly, like a predator, eyeing me with a ravenous yet adoring gaze. My steps are cautious and light, slithers of inky black vines curling around my feet.

"Ich am not Remington, darlende.**"

I will the vines to curl around Remy's feet and hope that he doesn't notice. His voice sends shivers up my spine, speaking in a language I can't understand. It's undoubtedly Remington's voice, but it's... darker, slightly raspier than usual and rougher around the edges. There's an accent coating his words that he usually doesn't have, though I'm not sure I can place it. As he moves to take a step forward, he nearly falls over, having not realized his legs wouldn't move with him. His eyes widen but he regains his balance quickly much like any vampire would. "Inlēten ich gī!*" He growls, and while I have no idea what he's saying, I refuse to release him.

The vines crawl up his legs at my command and I move as close as I can. I don't flinch, even as he attempts to lunge for me, though I notice he tries to keep his claws from touching me. He... doesn't wish to hurt me. Simply to cause me to lose focus enough so I'll let him go... but even now, I'm not so sure of that thought process.

"Remington, you need to calm down." I murmur, reaching up to brush a hand through his thick mess of raven locks.

He snaps at my arm in spite, fangs nearly grazing my flesh, only to jerk his head back with wide eyes that flicker between red and brown. He sniffs, once, gaze narrowing to where the wound on my arm rests. I simply move my arm a bit further away from him with a hand still in his hair.

"Hǒu hath dareth touch thee?"

"I did it. Don't worry about it." Thanks to some of the words being more familiar this time, I'm able to respond.

"Thou shalÞ nōt dī sin again." My eyebrows scrunch in confusion at the glare he sends my way, words lost in the heavy accent.

Andy moves forward behind me, about to pull me back and away. "Andy, no. I've got this."

He grunts his disagreement, staying close as I feel his warmth near my back. Remington's eyes never once leave the pulsing vein in my wrist, and I know he wants my blood but his gaze is conflicted. The veins around his eyes have lessened considerably, irises slowly bleeding back into their natural brown.

"That's it my love, I'm right here for you." I murmur, raising my other hand to rest on his cheek.

The tingles have become pleasantly familiar by now, so it's no surprise when they arise at our touch.

"Your... love?" He mutters, the red and black fully gone from his eyes, his gaze finally meeting my own.

I watch in silence as his claws retract and the sharp teeth revert back to his usual small fangs. "Yes Remy, I love you."

There is no hesitation, no doubt. I love Remington Leith with all of my being.

Tears gather in his eyes and I let my shadows dissolve as he chokes out a sob. "My sweetness, I love you too, I love you too. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. What have I done? What have I done?"

He starts to look back at the mangled corpse, fear buzzing through our bond and showing prominently on his countenance, but I place the hand that was in his hair on his other cheek to make sure his gaze stays on me. "Don't look." I murmur, bringing him into a tight embrace.

This is what he was so afraid of. He didn't want this to happen, but it did.

His sobs shake both of our bodies and I bring us to sit on the floor, on our knees. Rem leans his head into my neck and continues to cry, wrapping his arms around my waist loosely. Andy stays standing, a hand coming to rest in Remington's hair as he turns to stare at the mouth of the alley.

"Oh shit." A small gasp is heard and I glance back as best as I can to see who it was, the voice familiar.

Emerson stands there with Sebastian, clothes clean. They clearly hadn't fed on anyone.

"We were talking on our way to the club, and when we looked back, Remington was gone. Let's get back to the house Eliza. We'll go Underground another day." Seb states gently, walking over to Remington and making an equally as gentle attempt to coax him up from the ground.

He gives a wide berth to Andy, who stands close to Remington and I, a steady presence at our sides. Rem just grips onto my body tighter so I simply shake my head at Sebastian to show I've got this. "Alright, let's go. Come on Remy, let's go home."

::

** "My darling."

** "I am not Remington, darling."

** "Let me go!"

** "Who has dared touch you?"

** "You shall not do that again."