Demons (Darkness #4)(55)

After a hot shower and some clothes, we emerged from our room. Charles sat on the couch, his haphazard and misshapen quilt stretched out on his lap. He glanced up as we walked in. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” I looked at Stefan. “You coming with me, or are you doing your own thing?”

“My own thing? You mean, leading this clan with a steel fist?”

“Yes, honey, leading this clan with a steel fist.” I patted his elbow.

“And a huge set of brass balls!” Charles joined in.

“Oh god, don’t get the adolescent started. He’ll never stop.” I made my way to the door, the boys right behind me.

Stefan held the door for me. “I’ll be with you today. I think we should do these duties together.”

We’d lost a quarter of our troop, one of those being Claudia. Adnan took that one pretty hard, even though he hadn’t known her well. The Mata had lost about the same amount, including Jack, the Tiger who had saved my life in the past. Of the survivors, most were wounded in some way. That demon, what they classed as a two after it was all said and done, tore through people, virtually indestructible. It had nearly overcome Andris even as it was trying to assume control of me. Without us to stop it, it would’ve gone on, killing and destroying. We were lucky not many had the power, know-how, and magic to call one that powerful. We were also lucky that Dominicous was able to grab Andris before he crawled away.

Literally.

Speaking of Dominicous. I felt his unmistakable serenity as he came around the corner in front of us, Toa by his side. The man was a cool breeze, until he was a hot furnace. He seemed to switch on and off like a light.

While his link to me wasn’t nearly as strong as mine and Stefan’s, or his and Toa’s, it was enough to get the general point across. Being that I could mask it at any time, Stefan was mostly okay with the connection, especially since the paperwork had been filled out. In this culture, he was legitimately my father.

And that connection came with Toa. It could be worse.

“Sasha. Stefan. Hello.” Toa bowed his blond head with a serious scowl in place he didn’t bother hiding. He was less refined around Stefan and me since I became Dominicous’ rightful heir. I had no idea why, but it was actually a nice change. Expressions were good, even though the lectures were still boring as hell—when I listened, obviously.

Dominicous grinned and nodded his hello as they passed—he’d taken a hard knock to the throat with a pair of claws. He still had the nasty gouge marks. While that was healing, he didn’t say much. Unfortunately, that meant Toa had the run of the mill with the lectures.

Somehow, it could be worse.

“What’s up Toa’s butt this time?” I asked as they wandered away slowly.

“Same old debate, I think—Toa is still pushing to blood link with you. Where, before, Dominicous was on board, now with his link to you, he doesn’t feel it’s needed. I agree, obviously. Toa’s not pleased we are all ganging up on him.”

“He knows I wouldn’t agree, anyway. Why is he still pushing?”

“If he can get Dominicous and I to agree, he thinks we can talk you into it.”

I laughed as we made our way down the stairs. “All this so he doesn’t have to link through you, is that it?”

“Exactly. He still doesn’t trust me.”

“I don’t think he trusts anybody,” Charles offered. “That guy needs to go find a book to stick his nose in. He frets too much. Tries to hide it, but hang around him awhile, and you’ll see it.”

We entered the rooms dedicated to the wounded—those that needed care more often. These were the men and women hurt the worst, and without the ability to take care of themselves quite yet. All were on the mend, though. All would make it.

I knew exactly which bed I was visiting first.

“I don’t need you visiting every day, human,” Jonas growled, staring at the ceiling. “And when can I get out of this damn place? I’m sick of being here.”

Charles leaned toward the bed over me. “The day you can wipe your own ass, bro, is the day I give a shit.”

I gave Charles an elbow to shut him up. “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit. How do you think?” Jonas responded.

“How you look, then. You feel exactly how you look.”

I elbowed Charles again as Jonas’ gaze swung over, promising retribution.

“Just sayin’, bro.” Chuckling, Charles wandered away to visit someone else.

“You did good, though,” I said to Jonas seriously. “You fought a good battle.”

Jonas returned his gaze to the ceiling.

“I’m glad that attempt to kill me that one time failed …”

It was a joke. Judging by the stare, he didn’t care.

“So…do you need anything?”

“You to f**k off,” Jonas growled.

“Well that’s not very nice.”

“You know I hate when people see me…in this place. You just come by to rub it in.”

I thought about it for a second. “Yeah, that’s true. Oh hey, and also, there’s a new bumper sticker on your car. You’ll see it when you feel better. I think it really fits.”

A glare followed me as I walked away. There wasn’t a new bumper sticker, but he didn’t know that. Payback’s a bitch for all those times he was way too cranky.