KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery sat on his bike, staring at the wall while Caden reemed him out. Part of Avery wanted to lash out, but another part knew he deserved this. Eventually Avery climbed off his bike and stared at Caden.

”I keep replaying that night over and over in my head.”

”You need to let that night go, Zain. And you need to let Kimiko back in.”

”No. I can't protect her. It's better this way.”

Caden growled and Avery's eyes snapped down to the ground.

”Better? You're killing her. You're hurting her worse than your words ever could. Tear down the wall, Zain,” Caden ordered, the strength of the Alpha laced his voice.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cass watched Nic continue his work in caregiver mode. She smiled softly as she watched him, wondering if the act of caring for someone else was helping him process things with his dad. She mouthed the words thank you to him when he found the blanket for Kimiko.

Cass tucked the blanket around Kimiko while she spoke freely.

”I'm sure there will be plenty,” she said in agreement. ”As for why, you'll have to ask him why but I don't think he's handling things as well as he says. Also, he's a werewolf. They have this thing with control and an overly righteous sense of protection, and duty.”

Cassiopeia brushed her fingers through Kimiko's hair, scratching the fox’s head slightly.

”Remember he doesn't know you like Caden and I do. He hasn't seen you in action yet. He doesn't understand you've been on your own, looking after yourself for years. He only has one image of you in his head, and it's a really fucking shitty one,” Cassi said bluntly. ”Mix that image with the werewolf and you get a territorial overprotective man-hole,” Cassi said with a smile. That statement was quickly becoming her favourite.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery glared at Nero, debating on what would happen if he threw Nero. In the end he heaved a heavy sigh and stared at the ceiling. Avery shut the bike off and hooked his helmet on the handlebars.

”What do you want, Nero?”

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden followed the sound of his mate's voice and the motorcycle noise to the garage. He stalked inside and stood a few feet away.

Avery looked at Caden and immediately looked away. Caden's eyes were yellow as he stared Avery down.

”Give me one good reason why I shouldn't snap that precious bike of yours in half and then kick your ass across this property.”

”She can't–”

”No. She can. I've known her longer than you, Zain. She knows how to protect herself and she knows how to fight. If you were surrounded by an entire wolfpack, you wouldn't have made it out either. This is supposed to be training. You are making it seem like she is going to war. She knows she is safe and learning. She's also a fox, if you forgot. Foxes are playful by nature. It's training but it's also play.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia was ready to answer Kimiko but when Nic picked Kimiko up she decided to wait. Cassi paused to watch Nic take Kimiko from her. She smiled slowly, falling just a little more in love with him.

She got up from the floor and saw Kimiko's red face.

”Ya, he does that,” Cass said and patted Kimiko's arm.

When they walked into the hallway, Cassi scanned the area to make sure Avery didn't decide to come back inside. The last thing they needed was Avery attacking Nic because he was carrying Kiki.

Cassi followed along behind and shut the door behind them once they were in the greenhouse. She lit the candles from earlier and grabbed some lavender to burn as well.

”The mate bond is important and stronger than any marriage contract. It's binding and unyielding. It is all consuming and exhilarating,” Cassi started to say, teaching both Nic and Kiki. ”If a bond is blocked it can be detrimental to the relationship and the individuals. If it is blocked for long periods of time, the bond could be severed. But that would have to be years and years. Caden and I had started the process before I backed out. I set up a block against him and over time our ‘contract’, if you will, with each other was ended. For you and Avery as your bond is complete, that missing link would be like missing half your heart, half your soul. If it goes on for too long, well… I've heard of wolves dying,” Cassi said truthfully. ”But what Avery has done is cruel and unfair. If you are two made into one, he is forcing you into two again and that can be painful. He's being a complete selfish prick and Caden is going to kick his ass,” Cassi said before she sat on the couch next to Kimiko.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery had turned to grab his helmet and when he turned back, he found Nero perched on the front of his bike. Avery frowned and sat on his bike.

”Your teleportation isn't accurate. Get off my bike and go bug Caden,” he said.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia looked at Nic, surprised he seemed to offer them his place to use as their training grounds. Cassi debated if it would be a suitable location when Kimiko revealed the next bit of information.

Cassi's face paled and she looked at Caden who had gone still.

”He blocked you out… Caden you have to do something before I need to.”

Cassi had experience with blocking and getting people unblocked, but her way wasn't pretty.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Kimiko's news didn't settle well with Caden. Blocking a mate out was never the answer or the solution, and it could be detrimental to the bond if left unattended. What the hell was Avery thinking?

Caden stood after Cassi spoke. He nodded. ”Stay here. Don't come outside, even if you feel the bond come back. Okay?”

”I got her. Just go,” Cass said, her attention split between holding Kimiko and watching Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery stomped around the garage until he found a spare shirt and threw that on. In the distance he heard Nero calling for them and frowned.

”Go away, Nero,” he said before he started his motorcycle. He revved the engine loudly, the rumble not soothing Avery like it usually did.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia sighed, exchanging a look of annoyance with Caden before she focused back on Kimiko. She could feel Nic's questioning eyes on her, and kissed Kimiko's head.

”Avery's an ass. A really really big territorial, overprotective man-hole. And he definitely shouldn't have yelled at you or thrown that in your face.”

”The mating bond is still new for the two of you… Whatever one is feeling, it'll be amplified in the other until both of you are consumed by it. It'll take some time to understand what's yours and what's his,” Caden explained briefly.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden smiled briefly at Kimiko. ”If it helps, I think he was more fearful than angry… Seeing you in that cage was hard for him.”

”It was hard on all of us,” Cass restated.

”Yes, but Avery's wolf already knew who you were to them. I think he still feels guilty and responsible for what happened to you. He likely thinks if he can't teach you to protect yourself, he's failed you.”

”Territorial overprotective man-hole,” Cassi repeated which made Caden chuckle.. ”Maybe I should take over Kiki's training. I mean, if you want Kiki.”

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden walked into the main portion of the house. He looked to the front door and nodded. "That would be helpful, thank you. I'll check on Kiki then be along." He turned and kissed Nero deeply before he pulled back. He smiled lazily at them before he turned to find out what had his household upside down today.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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As silly as it seemed, Nic making Cassi the 'guardian of his blood' brought a smile to her face. She wiggled her nose, to keep tears from forming because of how sweet he was being.

The conversation they had just had, however, shattered like the mirror Kimiko broke. Cassi stared down at the fox curled in on herself and she raced over.

"Bloody wolf," Cassiopeia cursed. She laid her hands on Kimiko, and was stroking her back when Caden walked in.

Cassi looked up at him, glaring slightly. "Your wolf had a temper tantrum."

"Kiki...my girl, what happened?" Caden knelt down, but kept some distance between the two of them to not overwhelm her.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery remained kneeled on the ground, staring at nothing while he continued to reel from the fact that he just blocked Kimiko out and had no idea how to get her back. He felt himself panicking but on the outside he looked dazed. Of course, an easy solution would be to walk back into the house, but Avery couldn't bring himself to move in that direction. Instead, he pulled himself to his feet and moved towards the garage.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"I've always had a way with cats," Caden commented. "I think it's because we are similar in nature. Curious and crafty. A survivalist. Playful," Caden said and tickled Nero's side with a grin.

Caden kissed Nero's cheek, ready to take them into the bedroom when he heard a door slam shut followed by stomping feet and angry muttering. A sudden rage filled Caden before it tapered off with the slamming of the front door.

Caden frowned and set Nero down on the ground. "Something happened between Kiki and Avery. I should go check on her."

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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After she cursed him out, Avery took a step towards Kimiko. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. Shake her, kiss her, yell at her some more. His rage was an ugly thing rolling around inside him, seemingly endless.

"Can you? You can't even sleep through the night without me." His voice turned deep, a cold rage laced his words.

Avery didn't bother to stay to hear Kimiko's response. He walked out on her, slamming the door behind him and headed for the front door. Once he was outside, Avery yelled and cursed. He glared at Caden's car, ready to punch it but headed for the trees instead.

Avery found a medium sized pine tree with a wide base and started punching it. Bark flew at him, nicking his cheeks and leaving cuts that quickly healed. As he punched, Avery built up stones in his mind. Everytime he punched and a new stone went up, the anger receded. Avery kept punching and building until the pine tree exploded and Kimiko was gone from his mind.

Avery sagged with relief, his knees hitting the ground and he sighed. He looked up at the sky feeling...nothing. Avery suddenly felt void, empty of everything. Not only was his anger gone, but so was his joy, so was his love, his reason for living. Avery shut his eyes to find the stone wall he had built in his rage was solid, impenetrable. In front of that wall lay his wolf, whimpering and pawing at the wall that refused to budge.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia fidgeted under Nic's gaze. She glanced at him and away again. "Well, nothing I suppose. You're just here so it would be easiest, but I still don't like it."

Cassi knew Nic, loved Nic. A random human was just that, she had no ties to them like she did with Nic.

A door slammed while Cass was lost in her head, and her focus shifted. She watched the wall shake after the force of the door slamming. She dropped her eyes to the door that separated them from the training room.

Cassi scrambled to her feet and walked quickly to the door. She opened it and walked back into the training room.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden chuckled and stood with Nero secured in his arms.

”I was attempting to exercise some restraint, as well as give you the option not to join me if you wished for it. However, I'm happy you decided you'd rather join me,” Caden said, nuzzling Nero as he walked through the hall.

As he walked a pair of cats bounded through the hall and slipped around Caden's legs while he tried to navigate around them. Caden chuckled, shaking his head at Nero's cats.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery growled, his hands clenched into fists, and his eyes shifted to yellow. Rage and fear filled him so quickly he barely had time to think.

”You're my problem!” he yelled at her. ”A human threw you over his shoulder like it was nothing, and I just had to let it happen! Dammit Kimiko, I can't lose you and if you can't even defend yourself against a human, what the hell am I supposed to do?! Because I sure as hell can't lock you in your room, but I can't let you leave this house without my protection either!”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia frowned at Nic's teasings. She smacked his arm and crossed her arms.

”Of course not. If that was the case, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. But I don't know how much either… Nero didn't specify… but giving blood is serious Nic. I really rather you not,” Cassi confessed.

Her face heated from her request. She knew she couldn't command Nic not to, but she loved and valued him. Cass didn't want him giving more to this world than he already had.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Everyone and everything can be killed,” Caden said confidently. His thumb slid off their lips and brushed Nero's cheek again. Caden's hand continued on to gently hold the back of their neck.

”I should go shower. Do you want to bring your books back to our room? You can keep ready before we gather the supplies to summon Crowley.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Do you? You sure as hell don't act like it. I figured out your pattern in two rounds, then Nic, a human, did so a couple rounds after that,” Avery said, his irritation only growing more.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia watched Nic with amusement while he cleaned her feet. She wished she could enjoy the moment more, but her heart wasn't in it.

”No, it's readily available but I don't… I…” Cass sighed and hung her head. ”It's blood we need…human.” She looked away from Nic, staring at the grout in the tiles.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The image of Nero's lifeless body on the cold floor of that dark empty pit of a throne room filled Caden's mind. Even with his eyes opened, it was all he could see. He blinked several times, lost in his thoughts.

Nero curled into Caden and the man shifted his attention to their mate. Caden looked deeply into Nero's eyes, searching for the life he knew to be inside. That spark of lust and greed for more that Caden loved.

Caden brushed his thumb across Nero's bottom lip, watching how they reacted to him.

”I am not certain I will be able to allow you to kill Mundus, my little imp, if he is truly still alive. I fear I want the death blow more than you might. For you, for Cassiopeia, and the family I lost. The family I could have had.”

Caden looked into Nero's eyes again, confirming that they were real and with him right now.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery frowned at Kimiko's statement and pulled his hand back. ”You'll never be in a fair fight. It's better to learn now how to get yourself out so you don't die.”

Avery was on edge. Watching Kimiko get flipped on her back like that had triggered so many warnings in his head. He had to protect his mate because he would die if he lost her.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia sat on the cold tile floor and looked up at Nic. She leaned back on her hands and crossed her ankles.

”Are we to shower together then?” she asked boldly.

Mischief twinkled in her eyes, wondering if Nic would be so bold to have her in the showers. Her face faltered when he asked about Nero’s memories.

She looked at her legs, staring holes into them. ”I learned a small part of how trapped Nero was down there. They were treated like nothing more than a prized cow. Worse than a cow. And we got the ingredients to summon Crowley but one of them is a problem,” she said and looked back at Nic.

Cassi didn't want to tell him about her family. Partly because it was her burden to bear, and she didn't want him to know, but mostly because it was too close to Nic's situation with his father having made a deal with a demon. Cass didn't want to pull attention away from Nic and how serious and heartbreaking that moment has been.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden stared at the oak table while Nero spoke. His eyes roamed over the grain, imaging a fight scene unfolding while Nero ran over their concerns. He shifted his attention back to his imp and smiled softly. Caden didn't think Crowley's answers would bring them any comfort.

"I'm sure Cassi and I can share in your memories at the same time," Caden said and brushed his thumb along Nero's porcelain white skin. "As for the recent memories, show me when you're ready."

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery rose an eyebrow when Kimiko grabbed his finger. He looked her over, weighing his options when he noticed Nic had picked up Cassi and was carrying her from the room. He watched the pair retreat, noticing how red Cassi's face was and smirked. He looked back at Kimiko.

"How about now? Looks like you need a new sparring partner."

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassi is surprised by Nic's quick movements. One minute she's staring at his chest and arms, the next she is wrapped in those arms, breathing him in. She sighed, feeling the last weight lift from her shoulders and the buzzing in her head quiet. Nature used to do that for her. Now it seemed she had another way to still her mind.

[olor=#DB7093]"I know... I just needed a minute. They can be very annoying. And Nero somehow knows how to piss me off,"[/color] Cassi explained, feeling annoyance again. Thankfully, she didn't have to dwell on that feeling for long. Cassi exclaimed when Nic suddenly scooped her up, and her face instantly turned red.

"Nicholas! What are you doing?" she hissed. She peeked over his shoulder to make eye contact with Avery, who was smirking at them. Bloody dammit all.