Darrin and Gerrick took the rings and slid them on, grateful for the protection. Looking up they saw Ayrie approaching in the distance, a demon with her.

"She returns to us." Darrin said, relaxing further as he saw his charge. She looked like she hadn't slept in days, and the hole in her dress where she had been wounded gave away that it had been no accident. As she approached she tried to hide it by balling up the torn segment in her fist, but he had seen it before she could do so.

"Ayrie..." Gerrick whispered, concern evident in his voice.

----

[i]'Here we go...'[/i] Ayrie thought as they neared the house. She saw a shimmer of magic over the car outside, a car surrounded by a woman she recognized but couldn't place, and the priests. [i]'So much for hoping they hadn't found out what was going on here...'[/i]

She balled up the ruined part of her dress and tried her best to hide it in her fist while not looking conspicuous, and smiled as they approached.