---

---

---

---

I glance over at Nic, his head on the steering wheel. ”Are you okay?” I ask, resting my hand on his back. I hope he’s fine… I really can’t drive.

---

---

---

---

”I have a music room on my side, or we can meet in the sunroom on this side,” I say, giving her two different options.

---

---

As much I want to pretend like something’s actually wrong because I find that her touch is very nice and calming, I instead laugh. “I’m great actually.” I turn to place my cheek on the wheel and probably show her a very red face.

“You’re just really cute.” I tell her honestly, letting out another chuckle before I get out of the car and head to her side to help her out of her seat, goof grin still present.

---

---

---

---

“I hope your music room has a decent cello.” I hear Kiki say as I make my way back to Caden. I watch her leave towards where I just came from.

I peer up at Caden. “You enabled my pranking.” I say with a grin and a little happy wiggle of a dance. ”I hope you’re prepared.”

---

---

---

---

I frown a little, still concerned until he calls me adorable. My face reddens and I look away, although I know it’s too late, and the ‘adorable tomato’ comment won’t be far behind. I stay in the SUV while Nic gets out, trying to compose myself while he walks around the vehicle. I tuck my hair behind my ears and get out when Nic opens the car door.

---

---

---

---

I cover a hand over my heart and take a couple of stumbles back. ”Ah, you wound me Kashikoi kitsune,” I call after Kiki.

I look down at Nero and chuckle. ”Mmm, you better make them count before I retaliate then,” I say. I take Nero’s hands and pull them in to kiss them good morning. ”Danke, for earlier. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

---

---

I hold my tongue and walk with Cass towards the entrance after helping her out of the car, even though I really want to tell her how gorgeous she is when she blushes. “Thank for worrying about me though.” I tell her with a genuine smile as we enter the museum.

“Alright, how do you usually like to tour museums?” I ask and offer her my arm.

---

---

---

---

Even though I want to start making plans right away, I instead beam up at him. “I didn’t realize I was cutting into your beauty sleep.” Genuinely however, I felt like it was my fault he was so tired. Even though I’m ‘sleeping’ lately, I still don’t feel physically tired so it’s hard for me to keep track of time.

“Whenever you feel like reciprocating though.” I tease with a wink.

---

---

---

---

I buy our passes into the museum and glance towards the entrance. ”Well, usually from the beginning to the end,” I say cheekily. ”I just follow where my feet take me, no real set destination or time limit. Except today’s time limit will be when we get hungry,” I say with a laugh.

---

---

---

---

I laugh and pull them into a hug. ”You’ll be the first to know,” I say and kiss the forehead. ”I told Kiki we’d have some one on one time though. Do you mind entertaining yourself for a little longer? Avery doesn’t like jump scares or bears. I might have to help you with the bear one, though.”

I grin and pick at their sweater. ]”Mmm, I see the new wardrobe I got you wasn’t enough,” I tease.

---

---

I boop her nose for her snark, but chuckle still. “Sounds as solid of a plan as any.” We go through the little turnstile.

“Just make sure you tell me when you’re hungry. I don’t want you to starve because you’re too polite to tell me you want your pizza already.” I send her a wink. I don’t put my arm around her or offer my hand now, wanting her to be able to look around at her own pace without pressure from me. Typically I just go from one end of the room to the other, following the path that the curator has set.

---

---

---

---

”You don’t think I can handle a bear?” I joke as I hug him back before he comments on my wardrobe choice. “Maybe you can wear my wardrobe so it will smell like you, then I might stop stealing yours.”

I do a little hop up to kiss Caden’s cheek. “Would teleporting into the pool count as a jump scare?” I ask with a head tilt.

---

---

---

---

I change into an oversized sweatshirt and some leggings, hoping this is the last costume change I do for the rest of the day, before I go on a hunt to find the music room. It’s not hard to find and to my delight (and no one’s surprise), Caden has a beautiful cello in it. I pluck the strings to make sure it’s in tune before I sit down and play some music to warm up.

---

---

---

---

”Oh, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about me. I love food. I’ll let you know when I’m hungry. However, sometimes I forget, and I get that ‘hangry’ feeling. So, you’ll also learn to feed the sorcerer, and she’ll be happier,” I state. We walk into the first room and its history in Cary. I smile and start looking around the room, taking it all in before I pick something and start reading.

The first couple of rooms are much the same. They talk about the history of the town of Cary, how it came to be and what it is famous for. They showcase local artists, both current and past. There is even a bit of supernatural history about Cary, tales of ghostly apparitions and mysterious disappearances. I take pictures of the information to file away for later.

Some of the other rooms are renditions of famous paintings, and there are a few sculptures and stand-alone pieces that I quickly become wrapped in.

---

---

---

---

”I’m sure you can, especially if I am the bear,” I say with a mischievous wink. I lean forward and place another affectionate kiss on Nero’s head before I reach around them and grab one of the decanters filled with a clear liquid.

I laugh when they suggest I wear their clothes. ”I could change forms and wear your clothes for a day. Could be fun to pretend to be you for a day.” It’s nothing I haven’t done before. I used to impersonate police officers daily to get access to cases before they had me on speed dial as their top consultant.

I look back at the pool where Avery still swims. I look back at Nero and grin. ”That definitely counts, my little imp. Have fun, but not too much without me,” I say. I place my fingers under Nero’s chin and kiss them softly before I leave them to their pranks.

I follow my senses and find Kimiko in the music room. I poke my head around the corner and ease my way in, making little to no sound so as not to disturb her, even though I know she is going through a warm-up.

---

---

I mentally make a note to start carrying around snacks that Cass’ll like in my backpack. I don’t watch her, but I do glance over at her every so often to see what’s currently caught her attention. I find a gorgeous oil painting in one of the rooms that catches my eye and I step closer to look at the work more closely and recognize my mom’s signature underneath my grandma’s.

The little inscription under it reads that it was donated to the museum as a multi-generational piece that had travelled to three different countries before it was finally finished. “Oh.” I say in surprise both at never having seen this painting before but also that a piece of my family lives in this museum.

---

---

---

---

“I make no promises.” I say as I scamper off to change clothes. I don’t want to ruin Caden’s.

---

---

---

---

“You’re too large to sneak.” I tell Caden once I’ve caught him in my peripheral vision. I finish off the last notes of my song before I set the bow in my lap and look at Caden. I sigh loudly. ”I’m sorry about Avery - I don’t know what it is about him but I can’t stand him.” I say to start.

---

---

---

---

I'm so enthralled with one of the sculptures that I lose track of Nic. The hand work of the piece I am looking at is stunning. I feel like if I stay here overnight the piece will come alive.

I jump a little when I hear Nic's voice after so long. ”Hmm?” I manage to pull my gaze from the sculpture and find Nic. I wander over to him, automatically wrapping my arms around his and look at the art piece.

”This is stunning,” I compliment. The brush strokes seem to shift the longer you look at the painting.

---

---

---

---

I grin innocently and sit down across from Kiki. I pour her a generous cup of Shochu before I pour myself some. I lean back on my chair, resting my ankle on my opposite knee. I let my drink breathe for a minute before I take a sip. I shut my eyes for a moment, feeling transported back to Japan.

”Don't bite my head off for this, but is it because you two are similar?” I open my eyes and look at her. ”You're both duty bound, under oaths, and apprehensive of others. You may be more open than Avery is but you have quite the bite, Kiki dear.”

---

---

I nod, still a little surprised before I realize Cass has wrapped herself around my arm a little. With the arm she holds, I paint to the bottom corner of the painting that has my mother’s family stamp from China and then her her signature underneath that. ”My grandma and mom made this apparently.” I step a little closer and almost broke down. Underneath my mom’s signature is my sister’s initials. I reread the inscription.



”And my sister…” At this point I’m glad Cass is next to me because I felt ready to just turn into a puddle of tears at any moment.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I set the cello down gently before I take the drink, following Caden’s actions in how to enjoy it. At his words, I snap my teeth together loudly in a bite before I take a sip of my drink. “I’m only more open because you taught me how to be.” I lean back in my chair and set my drink down, crossing my arms. It felt embarrassing to me that Caden had even seen any of that behavior from me. Sure. I’m hot headed, but I haven’t let someone get under my skin like this since I was 13.

“We got into a fight with those stray werewolves while leaving the club last night - no big deal, we handled it just fine.” I make sure to add so Caden doesn’t worry about it. “I complimented his fighting style and the man damn near bit my head off.” I pick up my drink to take another sip. Not to mention, he trusts Nero much more than he will probably ever trust me… He trusts the demon more than an old family friend of Caden’s.

---

---

---

---

I follow Nic’s finger and look at the inscription. It doesn’t register to me until he tells me who. He leans forward and I go with him, but I’m mainly watching him. I glance at the painting and the inscriptions. I see all three Wu women’s initials, plus the little blurb. This painting is a work of art and history. Nic’s history.

I look back at him, up into his face, and I can feel the emotion rolling off of him. I start to feel tears build up in my eyes just from the mix of emotions I am certain Nic is feeling right now. I hold onto his arm a little tighter, moving one of my hands down his arm to intertwine our fingers.

I don’t know what to say, but I feel like I should say something. I look around, thinking maybe we should find a manager and tell them who Nic is. Or maybe Caden can buy the painting for Nic. In the end I look back at Nic and back at the painting.

”We can come here as many times as you want. Once, twice, three times a week. We can bring your dad.”

---

---

---

---

”Ah, so that is why I have a phone call from Levi,” I pull out my phone and set it on the table. It reads that I have one missed call and one unread voicemail from the Chicago Alpha. ”I suppose he wants to have a conversation. Hmm, was the fight fun at least?” I ask Kiki, a shameless twinkle in my eyes.

I take another sip of my drink and stare at the liquid. ”Avery is an interesting character. He was slated to be killed before the Marrok called me. I’m not trying to excuse Avery’s behaviour, but I would like the two of you to get along, especially if you plan to be here for any length of time. How long do you plan to stay, Kiki?”

---

---

Cass pulls me out of my trance and I smile, if a little sad, before I use my free hand to cup her head and bring it closer so I can kiss it. “That’s very sweet of you to offer.” I tell her honestly before tucking her hair behind her ear and releasing her head.

”But I think the hospital might start wondering what I’m doing when I start missing work.” The offer is incredibly sweet of her, truthfully. But between work, my dad, training with Caden, and learning more about the world, I felt like I would not have the time to add this roadtrip to my schedule. “How about we shoot for once a month? And I’m sure my dad knows of this already, but maybe he forgot. Maybe it’ll help him too.” I say, trying to be optimistic.

---

---

---

---

---

---

“I broke one of their noses before knocking him unconscious.” I say as a small smirk slips onto my face despite myself before I sigh again. “Honestly, we had made a pact to be nicer to each other last night for your sake, but I let my anger get out of control again.”

I glance out the window for a moment before I take another drink and close my eyes. “Was this how I was at 13? A ball of weird anxiety and anger?” I ask Caden. I hate that I disappointed him, that I wasn’t able to live up to his level of charm and grace with conversation.

---

---

---

---

I kiss Nic back softly, wiping a few stray tears from my face after. I smile shyly from the fact that I was the one who got emotional on Nic’s behalf. ”Once a month,” I agree. ”And should you ever want something more permanent, I’m sure Caden could talk to the art curator of this place and get this painting back for you.”

---

---

---

---

I grin when Kimiko gives me some of the details. ”That’s my girl,” I praise. It would be worth listening to Levi have his temper tantrum after this.

I relax back in my seat and sip my drink. She doesn’t answer my question about how long she plans on staying, and I don’t press the matter. I know she needs to talk with Nic, but that can wait another day.

I look at Kimiko and snort at her statement. ”Was?” I tease her.

---

---

I smile at the thought. “Maybe down the road, but right now I kind of like that other people can see it and enjoy it.” I hadn’t known that Kiki had even gotten into oil painting, but she could’ve been starting to learn while I was off at college. I pull Cass into a tight hug, letting myself close my eyes and just smell her hair for a moment.

“I’m glad you agreed to another date, otherwise I don’t know if I would have ever known about this.” I say softly before I let there just be some comfortable silence as I hold her. Only when I hear someone enter the room and awkwardly cough do I finally release her.

---

---

---

---

I give Caden a middle finger, resisting the urge to throw the cello at his head. “From what my dad told me, I was a little gremlin who started little fires everywhere she went.” I hadn’t started any fires in a long time… If you don’t count the house from the drunk wine story Caden shared with Nero.

“Also, I don’t know how long I’m staying. I can get a hotel or something if you need your guest room back, but I’m hoping my mom just might visit once she’s realized one of her offerings has been voided.” I shift in my seat awkwardly. I don’t have high hopes of her actually showing up here - I’ve been chasing the woman since I was 18 and still never got close to catching her. My dad has never spoken poorly of her either, but it’s not the easiest subject to approach him with anyway.

---

---

---

---

Dressed in a black bikini swim suit I had gotten at one of the shops with Caden, I put on the little swim shirt I got with it, covering up the back scars efficiently. I close my eyes and concentrate on the pool, picturing it in my mind before I feel the familiar little poof that is teleporting. Much to my chagrin, I appear about twenty feet above the pool, but I make the most of it by curling into a ball. “CANNONBALL.” I shout below me before I hit the water.

---

---

---

---

I smile, holding onto Nic and burying my head in his chest. I’m glad I agreed to a second date as well. Mostly because I was finally letting myself have something, but also because I was getting to know this amazing man and all that made him, Nic.

He released me after someone else walked into the room, and I smiled up at him. I tug on his hand. ”Come on, I’m hungry, and I want to see the gift shop before we go.”

---

---

---

---

I chuckle and shift forward on the couch. I set my cup down and picked up the cello Kimiko had been playing. ”You are welcome here for as long as you wish, Kiki. You know that,” I assure her.

I was concerned about her waiting around for her mother, though. It just seemed like a set-up for more disappointment. I used to think that was one of the reasons why she had been so destructive. I let my mind drift from that thought, though.

”You and Nero seem to be getting along,” I muse, fiddling with the cello a bit.

---

---

---

---

I’m making a final lap when I hear Nero shout…from above? I flip over and stare up in shock as Nero plummets into the pool. I yell, freaking out and swim to the edge.

”JESUS FUCKING CHRIST ON A CRACKER JACK BOX!!” I hold onto the edge of the pool, looking down to make sure Nero’s not dead, but also I’m seething. I pull myself from the pool when I know they are fine.

”What the hell was that?!” I demand from Nero as I stop around looking for a towel. ”WHERE DID ALL THE BLOODY TOWELS GO?!”

---

---

”Sounds good to me.” I say, letting her pull me along on her quest for the gift shop. I don’t think I’d be okay with the death of my mother if it wasn’t for Cass. Thinking about it, she really is the piece I felt missing from my life after Kiki died. She’s nothing like my sister, but if Kiki was the sunshine, Cass is the rain that brings the plants to life and covers everything in green life.

---

---

---

---

”I like your little imp.” I tease him a little before I shrug. Just then, I hear shouting outside and a huge splash followed by more yelling. ”I especially appreciate their craft in practical jokes.” I grin wickedly when I say this.

---

---

---

---

I make quick work to get to somewhere I can sit or stand in the pool before peals of laughter start escaping. I don’t even both answering Avery’s questions - I’m dying of laughter. Then he realizes the towels are gone and I start roaring with laughter. “Oh, I needed this, thank you.” I say once I’ve finally calmed down and pulled myself out of the water.

---

---

---

---

I take a couple of laps through the gift shop before deciding on a book with all the pieces in the museum and a ghost book. I flip through the book showcasing the museum pieces, and it has the sculpture I was looking at, plus the art piece Nic’s family made.

After paying, I retake Nic’s hand. As we walk out to the SUV, I squeeze his hand again. I want to ensure he’s okay, but I also want him to know I’m here.

---

---

---

---

I can't help but grin, my eyes twinkling mischievously as I look towards the back window. I set the cello aside and stood to go look out the window, chuckling with delight when I saw Avery stomping around, his frustration bringing a smile to my face.

”I told them Avery doesn’t like jump scares. Seems Nero capitalized on that.” I return to the couch, resting my hands on Kimiko’s shoulders. ”I’ll talk to Avery. He hasn’t been happy since we came to Chicago. The werewolf pack here is one of the founding families, and they are highly territorial. I allow them to hunt on my lands as a sort of truce, but it drives Avery up the wall.” I kiss the top of Kimiko’s head before walking around and sitting beside her. ”If you go out again, let me know. If the Chicago pack is out and sees you, they won’t stop to check if you are supernatural or not,” I say seriously.

---

---

---

---

I slowly turn to look at Nero. Amusement is hiding in my eyes, but I’m also mad because that was terrifying. ”Oh, you think this is funny, do you?” I walk over, making giant strides to where Nero sits. ”We’ll see about that.” I grab them up and launch the two of us into the pool, cannonballing into the deep end.

---

---

I smile at her choice of gift shop items as she pays before we leave the museum. I make a silent vow to keep the once a month trip promise we made when I feel her squeeze my hand. I pull her hand up to my lips and kiss it. “I’m really grateful to have met you.”

---

---

---

---

The thought of Nero scaring the crap out of Avery brings a grin to my face, but Caden’s next words make me frown. “They wouldn’t try something like that again when their arses were handed to them, would they?” I ask incredulously. Now it made more sense that Avery would beat them up - he wasn’t defending my honor, he just hates the guys.

”I’ll try and shoot you a text if I go downtown again.” With my line of work, it’s necessary to be able to move discreetly. I hope Caden’s not planning to appoint me a body guard.

---

---

---

---

“Yeah, I do.” I chirp at Avery. Then I immediately regret my choices as Avery quickly makes his way over to me.

I try to scramble onto my feet and run, but he’s too fast. “Wait - no-“ I manage to plug my nose with my hand and keep water from going up it as we submerge into the water.

---

---

---

---

We stand outside the SUV for a moment, and Nic kisses my hands. I blush at his words, looking down.

”Despite the circumstances?” It wasn’t exactly the typical meet-cute people dreamed about.

---

---

---

---

”They run by their own sets of rules. They know I am close to the Marrok, but I’ll have a better idea once I meet with Levi.” I wasn’t concerned with the wolf pack and their petty territorial disputes, but I had to stroke everyone’s egos to make sure we all got along while I was here. I debated sending Avery somewhere else while I was here but ultimately decided against it.

”Please do. Just be on your guard as well. There are more supernatural creatures here than anywhere else because of the treaty.”

---

---

---

---

We eventually resurface and I release Nero before I splash them. I’m laughing now, feeling settled and more comfortable than I had in a long time.

---

---

I grin lopsidedly. “Despite the circumstances.” I assure her. I want to tell her how much she means to me, but I hold back, assuring myself that there’ll be time for that after we’d gone on some more dates.

”Alright, let’s go get you some deep dish pizza.” I say with a chuckle before helping Cass into her seat. As I walk around to get behind the steering wheel, I pull up directions so that we can get to the place quickly. I was starting to feel peckish and I knew all too well about how easily irritated my hunger can make me sometimes.

---

---

---

---

I’m a little shocked that Caden hasn’t met with the faction yet, but after meeting just a few of them last night, I think I can understand putting it off as long as possible. Caden’s definitely right about the treaty though - the English sect of the Men of Letters was known for having eradicated almost every monster in the United Kingdom. It’d been a long time since the last human died to supernatural causes. “I could tail Levi if you want, get some idea what you’ll be up against.” I offer. I’m sure he’ll say no, though. He’s not one to put others in danger often.

---

---

---

---

I try to block the water assault with my arms protectively in front of me before I slosh a wave back at Avery. “I’m telling Caden you manhandled me.” I warn, but with a smirk as I laugh too.

“Oh, right, I’m supposed to tell you that the towels missing are courtesy of Kiki - she said something about you throwing a sweat rag at her?” I tilt my head, not liking the word choice there but also not knowing how to phrase it any better.