”Mmm, typical,” I said and started to check the oil and top off the fuel with a Jerry can we had. I then took a rag and started to shine up the bike, getting rid of the carbon from some areas.
”Did you meet these celebrities from your PI work?”
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL Skills:
If I wasn't blushing before I definitely am now. My mind races to all the different things I would do if Nic was on his knees before me. I open my mouth to say something but I can't. Instead I flutter my hands around my hair and quickly head into the station without another word.
I clear my throat once I'm within the walls of the precinct, and approach the front desk. I ask for Detective Costa, and I'm led immediately to his office to relay the information Nic and I gathered on Mr Scott.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills:
”No. I can place the physical mark wherever you desire,” I stated. My eyes finally shift from their face, and I watch Nero stare at their left hand.
I sway my head from shoulder to shoulder. “Yes and no. I think being associated with a ‘shadow government’ just means those with power and influence are able to find me easier by word of mouth. Most of the celebrities use me as a glorified gopher, sending me to retrieve any number of things that are more on the ‘occult’ side. For instance, with Sparkles, he asks me to get him potions and tonics that help him with his career.”
I kick out my leg a little so I can cross it over the other. “He’s one of the more tolerant clients.” I look up at the ceiling as my mind drifts to some of the other clientele I deal with.
Nicholas “Nic” Wu
Location: Police Station - Chicago, IL Skills: Fit
I try not to laugh at Cass as I see her reaction to my comment. That might have been a little too forward of me to say to her on only our ‘third’ date, but if she ever did want me on my knees for her… Well I wouldn’t mind it at all.
I run my thumb over the mottled scar, the memory of how it came to be fresh on my mind. “I think I would want it here then.” I say softly as I clench and unclench my left fist. My thoughts drift to Mundus and the chain he kept me on, how that was his way to display me as ‘his’. If I let myself be marked by Caden, even if the son of Lucifer and Lilith manages to enslave me again, I would have the sign on my hand to remind me of Caden and that we belong to each other.
“Yeah, I want it on my hand.” With a nod, I finally look up from my hand to peer at Caden, gauging his reaction.
I laugh at the information she divulges for me. ”Wow. Suddenly his rise to fame makes sense,” I say nodding. It was ridiculous to me that humans bought that kind of stuff. If only they really understood the hell we all have to go through daily. We lived in the shadows while they got to abuse what we have for their own gain.
I scrub a spot on the engine angrily as I think about it.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills:
I feel my heart falter and I find it hard to breathe when Nero not only agrees to be marked by me, but wants it over a mark that caused them so much pain previously. I search their eyes, wondering if they are serious about this.
”I'm not sure how that will feel if I place it there. It might be more… intense,” I tell them.
When I look at Avery again, I can see some anger in how he’s scrubbing a spot. I give myself a pat on the back for not mentioning some of the other clients. “I’m sure there’s someone stateside that does the same for celebrities here, but usually those quick rises to fame are because of our world.”
I hop down from the bench to crouch close to Avery. “I think you missed a spot.”
I stare calmly back in Caden’s eyes. “I’d prefer that.” I say honestly. “I feel like it’ll leave a bigger impression on my mind and maybe even replace the memory.” I glance down at my hand for a moment before meeting Caden’s eyes again. “If nothing else, we can ask Cassi to like, numb me all up, right?” I crack a smile saying this, hoping to alleviate some of the worry between Caden’s brows.
”Probably. Doesn't make it any better. We have to hide in the shadows, or worse, live in places no one in their right mind would while humans get to profit off of us,” I say.
I'm hyper aware of when Kimiko hovers next to me, telling me I missed a spot.
”Oh, here?” I ask, while wiping the rag on Kimiko's nose.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills:
I intertwine Nero's left hand with mine and hold it tightly. ”I vow to protect and honour you everyday. I vow to be your blade and your shield, to be one with you, heart and soul.” I lift my other hand and the dragon within me comes forth to shift my hand. Claws extend from my fingers and I release Nero's hand to cut my palm, I look at them, waiting for Nero's consent to cut their palm.
I grin and pull the rag back and out of her reach. ”Literally the worst? That seems a little much, don’t you think?”
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills: Shapeshifting
”You may freestyle if you wish. The portion I say in Gaelic you have to repeat word for word, but English or German will work just as well,” I assure them. I cut Nero’s palm before I join our two bloody palms together. The claw on my hand fades as I look into Nero’s eyes. ”Is tu fuil m'fhuil-sa, agus cnàimh do m' chnàmhaibh. Tha mi a’ toirt dhut mo chorp, a‑chum gum bi sinne le chèile nar aon. Tha mi toirt dhuibh mo spiorad, gus an bi ar beatha deanta.”
I feel the beginning of a shift in my soul and with my dragon as we seem to come to the surface together, eager to hear the words repeated back to us. The final step would be the branding, but I would wait for Cassi’s help if Nero wanted the pain to be numbed.
You are the blood of my blood, and bone of my bones. I give you my body, so that we both become one. I give you my spirit, so that our life is done.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL Skills:
I sat in Costa’s office, digging out all of the gems — including the yellow sapphire — the gun and the other papers I took from Mr Scott’s safe. I explained what happened at the Hindu Temple with the fountain and how I learned it had been tampered with. I also spoke to Mr Scott’s excitement with wanting to design a fountain and add the yellow sapphire to the fountain.
”By the looks of all these gems and his assault record, Mr Scott isn’t used to being told no and likes to go after what he wants. He shows no remorse. I’m worried for his wife, but he couldn’t keep doing this and destroying people's heritage. You may take a picture of the yellow sapphire for your case, but I taking it back to the temple now since I know what to do.”
I can tell Costa wants to protest as much as he wants to praise me, but like Caden, I’m not easily pushed around. We speak a bit longer until he finally asks.
“And when will Nicholas Wu be in to give his statement?”
”I can record a statement for you if you want it, but he will not be coming to the station for quite some time. I’m sure you understand,” I said, giving Costa a look that begged him to try me.
Instead, Costa shifted uncomfortably in his seat and nodded. “We’ll be in touch then.”
I smiled before I stood up and left the office with the sapphire gem back in my bag. I exited the precinct and looked for Nic.
“What about pig Latin?” I joke before I swallow the lump in my throat and take a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into the right words.
“Ich verspreche, dich zu lieben, zu beschützen und dir zu vertrauen, dir das Beste von mir zu geben, denn ich weiß, dass wir gemeinsam ein Leben aufbauen werden, das viel besser ist, als es sich einer von uns beiden allein vorstellen kann. Ich wähle dich.”
“Du bist das Blut meines Blutes und das Gebein meines Gebeins. Ich gebe dir meinen Körper, damit wir beide eins werden. Ich gebe dir meinen Geist, damit unser Leben vollendet ist.”
I promise to love, protect, and trust you, to give you the best of myself, for I know that together we will build a life far better than either of us could imagine alone. I choose you // You are the blood of my blood, and bone of my bones. I give you my body, so that we both become one. I give you my spirit, so that our life is done
Nicholas “Nic” Wu
Location: Police Station - Chicago, IL Skills: Fit
Leaning on the wall, I wait for Cass to re-emerge, trying not to think about what being back at this police station felt like for me. I pull out my phone and pull up some articles on new medical innovations and where they’re at in the studies for them while I wait. When Cass walks out of the door, I find myself grinning widely and pulling her into a hug right away.
“How did it go?” I ask as I release her and walk her back to the car.
I laughed, wrapping my arm around Kimiko's waist and pulled her back from the rag. ”A clean rag would probably be better than a dirty one.”
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills: Shapeshifting
I repeat the Gaelic in English for Nero to repeat in the language they chose. I shake my head, smirking, when they suggest Pig Latin.
When Nero finishes I feel the bond between us strengthen. I press my forehead to Nero's, keeping a hold of their hand for now. ”We just have to do the branding when you're ready, and then the bond will be complete. Do you feel anything?” I ask curiously.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL Skills:
I hug Nic back before we start walking back to the SUV. ”About as well as I thought it would. I could tell he didn't want me to go, but I didn't give him much choice. He also wants a statement from you. I told him I’d record your statement if you wanted to give it.”
I struggle a little bit against the arm he has around my waist to reach for the dirty rag still. “I’m not trying to grab it to clean my face! I’m trying to pay you back!” Accepting that he won’t let me steal his rag, I wipe my palm down my nose before running it down Avery’s cheek. I smirk a little gleefully when I see some grease streaks on his face.
I feel something different deep within me, like a warm ball in the pit of my stomach. “I don’t know how to describe it… it feels like I just had warm soup or something… Does that make sense?” I would tilt my head, but I’m enjoying the sensation of our foreheads touching.
Nicholas “Nic” Wu
Location: Leaving Police Station - Chicago, IL Skills: Fit
I glance at Cass before opening the door for her. “I mean, how much do I need to tell him? I don’t really want to be on the record when I explain how we found his home address.” I have no idea if Costa would be more lenient about breaking laws just because I’m now associated with the supernatural world.
I laugh and let her go. ”Ack, hey! I’m in charge of your training routine. You better be nice to me,” I warn her. I’m grinning, though, and go to find a clean rag.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills: Shapeshifting
I chuckle at the description Nero gives me. ”That’s our bond forming. Once we finish the process, you should feel it move through your body. After that, we’ll be more connected. It won’t matter where I am or where you are; I’ll always be able to find you. We’ll be connected emotionally as well as mentally, but we can put blocks in place so we aren’t constantly feeling or hearing what the other is feeling or thinking,” I tell Nero.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL Skills:
”You don’t need to go on the record saying that, but if you’ve treated his wife, you can mention those things. I can write out some things for you, but you could talk about how we visited the Hindu Temple and came across the discrepancies and did our detective work to find Mr Scott. You also don’t have to. Costa has all the information from me anyways,” I said.
I climb into the SUV and set my bag at my feet again. I double check the yellow sapphire is safe before I put my seatbelt on.
I laugh, despite missing the feel of his arm around me already. One mental slap later, and I’m in the right mind again. “I ain’t afraid of no big bad wolf.” I say in the most southern states accent I can muster. It sounds nothing like it though to my ears.
“When you start the process, can you stop or pause it? Like if it turns out I can’t handle the pain, would we have to keep going?” The idea of being able to find each other anywhere intrigues me the most.
I nod slowly. “I can do the rest, but it’s not our hospital that treated Mrs Scott.” I gently close her door before walk around the car to get behind the steering wheel.
“You sure you don’t want a drink for on the way there?”
I snort as Kimiko’s British accent attempts a Southern accent. I shake my head and wipe the grease off my face with a clean rag before I toss it at Kimiko. ”I suppose you wouldn’t be after knowing a dragon,” I state.
I start to clean up the tools I used to work on the bike and put them away. I gather my bag, helmet and gloves again. Now I had to figure out what to do for the afternoon.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills: Shapeshifting
I pull back from Nero, and look at them sympathetically. I shake my head. ”Once the branding starts, it has to be completed. To stop would be worse. It would be like ripping a piece of you and me away. Once the bond is in place, though, nothing can pull it apart.”
With the dragon still close to the surface, hyperaware of Nero --- its mate --- being close, my eyes flash into that of the dragon, and my hands start to itch, wanting the claws to be released again. It was a rather strange feeling, but I didn't feel out of control. If anything, my dragon felt curious and playful.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Police Station —> Driving – Chicago, IL Skills:
I smile at Nic once they are back in the car, and I shake my head. ”I’m okay, honestly. Let’s go restore a fountain,” I said and rested my hand on Nic’s knee.
I flip him off for laughing at my attempt, but I find myself laughing too. “Would anyone be scared of anything else after a dragon?” I ask with a grin before I swipe at my nose with the clean rag.
I nod slowly, still mulling it over in my head. It’d be one thing if I knew I could withstand the pain, but they don’t exactly teach you what you are or aren’t vulnerable to as a white-eyed demon. I worry my bottom lip again, shifting so I can place my ear over Caden’s heart again. “Cassi’s coming over later anyway, right?” I ask to make sure.
I return the smile before I start the drive towards the Hindu temple. Placing my hand over the one she’s placed on my thigh, I feel pretty calm despite everything else. “Oh, should we contact Mr Singh to let him know we found the gem? Or do you want to wait until after we’ve restored the fountain?” I pull onto the freeway.
”Mmm, some of the supernatural creatures that go bump in the night can be pretty terrifying,” I admit. I take a step closer to Kimiko and chuckle. ”Not quite.” I take the rag from her after setting my stuff aside, and I place one hand on the back of Kimiko’s head while the other wipes away at the grease from her nose and cheek.
I finish and inspect her closely without really thinking about it. ”There.” I meet her eyes and realize how close I’m standing to her. My eyes flicker to her lips before I immediately step back to gather my things.
”So, what will you do now?” I ask, my voice sounding loud in my ears.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills: Shapeshifting
”Yes, she and Nic will be coming for supper. We can talk to Cassi privately after supper,” I say. My arms wrap around Nero, my hand already healed from cutting it, and I hold them close.
Their touch feels different to me, more sensitive. Their smell envelops me, and I feel secure in a way I’ve never felt before.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Driving – Chicago, IL Skills:
”I think we should wait until after. We can give him the good news. Then he can return to the fountain and feel the change for himself,” I said. I fiddle around with the radio, trying to find a decent station.
”What sort of music do you listen to?” I ask Nic while I hunt for something. Caden has satellite radio, so the possibilities are nearly endless.
Avery’s hand goes to the back of my head and my mind goes blank, suddenly very focused on his fingers in my hair. I don’t even remember what we were just talking about. When he leans in to inspect his work, I hold my breath, my eyes going a little wide from how close he is… How close his lips are. As if he read my mind, his eyes flicker to my lips for the briefest moment. When Avery jumps away from me, I also take a step back and look away as I feel my cheeks and ears burn.
“Ah, uh, I don’t know actually.” I answer a little too enthusiastically. I shake my head, trying to clear it of the thoughts of kissing Avery. “I think maybe I’ll do some yoga to, uh, relax. Yeah.”
I close my eyes for a moment as I listen to his voice reverb in his chest. “I think I can hear your heart clearer?” I muse. My hand rests on his chest and I tap it in time to his heartbeat.
“So, what else might happen because of our bond now?” I ask, curious.
“Sounds good to me,” I say with a nod. My lips quirk up in a smile as Cass starts flipping through stations and I chuckle at her question. “It’s easier to ask what music I don’t like, but I enjoy songs that have a well-rounded sound to them. Just synthesized beats made in GarageBand don’t really appeal to me.” I tell her. “What about you?”
I clear my throat and lead the way out of the garage. ”Ya, that sounds good. You have all afternoon to yourself now,” I said, nodding. ”I’m just going to head back to staff housing. See if anyone needs a hand with anything. I’ll uh, see you at supper.” I smile briefly at Kimiko before turning to head to staff housing. I think I preferred it when we were yelling at each other. At least then, I knew what to do.
Caden
Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL Skills: Shapeshifting
I smile, feeling like I could hear their heart more clearly as well. Their voice sounded finer on my ears, and even their skin felt softer. My eyes shifted back as I settled back into the space around us. ”I’m not certain. It’s different since I didn’t bond with another dragon. I assume our mental and emotional thoughts will be heard, as I said before, but like with Avery, we can create blocks so we aren’t bombarded by each other's thoughts all the time. From what I understand of pack ties from Bran, and with you being my mate, you would be alpha to Avery as well. Although, I just let Avery do his own thing. I’ve only ever had to exert my power over him a handful of times. Avery and I can only speak mind to mind when we are in our wolf forms, so I don’t think you will be able to do that with him.”
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Driving – Chicago, IL Skills:
”Classical, and some new age. Avery is trying to get me to listen to more rock bands, but I don’t really see the appeal in all that noise,” I say. I keep flipping through the stations, not really finding anything interesting.
When Avery leaves, I take a step to follow before I realize what I’m doing. I can’t figure out what’s wrong with me right now. The sexual fantasies make sense to me, but wanting to kiss him or have him hug me? That’s weird. “Have fun!” I say in an overly cheery voice. I frown at myself before heading into the main house.
“Will I be able to speak mind-to-mind with you though?” I ask. ”Or do we need to revisit how I wish a bite from you would make me a shifter too?” Joking, I pull away to peer at Caden.
[color=#9B111E]“Wait, does this mean I can pull alpha pranks on Avery now?”[/color I ask excitedly.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and hand it to her. “I have every Enya album if you’d like to listen to that.” I tell her my passcode to unlock it.
“Also, Avery makes a good point on the rock bands - there are some really good ones out there.” I’m more teasing her than anything, but I would love to introduce her to some of my favorites.
I chuckled darkly in response to Nero's biting comment. I leaned in, brushing my nose along the inside of Nero's neck. ”I can still bite you if you want me to,” I whispered.
I kiss the soft flesh of Nero's neck before I nip the bottom of their ear in a teasing manner.
Nero's next question made me pause and I shook my head. ”No my little imp. You mustn't exert your power over Avery like that. To use your alpha ability on him would take away his control to respond or react to anything. The pull of the alpha over their pack is a call that must be heeded. It can cause pain if ignored. When I've used it on Avery it has been to keep him from losing control. Shifting form for Avery is different than it is for me. I can shift whenever I desire and it causes me no pain. For Avery to shift, every bone in his body breaks and is reformed. The shift is not easy. I have been able to stop Avery from shifting when he loses control, and my powers have helped to make his transition easier and less painful, but there is still pain. However, if you are in distress or if you have need of us, you can pull on the pack and we will come to you. Avery and I can teach you how,” I said.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Driving – Chicago, IL Skills:
”Oh, Nic. Why Enya?” She was so overplayed. I take the opportunity however to flip through the music on Nic's phone. Thankfully, I found something other than Enya to play. A nice violin fills the speakers before singing bowls join the long notes. I sigh, smiling and set Nic's phone down.
I squirm when Caden nuzzles into my neck and bites my ear, still confused about why the area is so damn sensitive. When he speaks on the alpha effect, I’m a little disappointed that I can’t use it to prank Avery, but it makes sense that I shouldn’t abuse the power. “Okay fine, I’ll just prank him in other ways then.” I say dramatically before beaming at Caden.
I laugh at her response. “Do you know how she makes her music?” Not that I’m well-versed in musical instruments or anything, but I still find a lot of the process in creating music fascinating. If only my parents had let me play violin or something as a kid.
