Midnight Mates

Shit Gets Real

Within a matter of days, shit got real. Eventually the whole gang planned to meet up in the hotel where I, and the rest of my group were staying. Money was no object because Xander is insanely wealthy. I knew that Kat was rich because being a doctor tended to shell out the big bucks, but Xander wouldn't talk about where all his money came from. I was convinced he sold drugs on the side. Or maybe organs? Technically he could just grow them back...

I was bedridden for a long time and honestly, I didn't remember 90% of what I said or did. It was scary. I could see the side glances Gabriel or David would give me, like they were scared I could blow up at any possible second. And I'm sure I did, but for a long time, I was merely existing in limbo, not knowing what was real and what wasn't real, and I remember crying out for help. I remember a hand reaching out, bold and warm and secure, and grasping mine.

I had convinced them to move me to the couch because I was sick to death of my surroundings (the white walls made me feel claustrophobic) and I watched as David and Gabriel sat down at the dinner table. Verity, of course didn't need to eat, so she settled in next to me on the couch, snuggling her precious five year old head into me. I laughed, and Verity stared at me curiously.

"You're like a cat. I had a cat once. Of course, he ran away one day, but he used to snuggle up to me just like this." I smiled fondly at her. Gabriel broke the silence, as he usually did.

"Hey, we do not use the c-word in this household." At that moment, the door was flung open and a cacophony of voices assaulted my ears.

"C word?"

"Cock?"

"Well, you wouldn't want to hear it, considering you're practically a dog."

"Wait, but seriously, what's the c word?"

"Guys, I told you to knock!"

"I think the word you're looking for is cunt."

"Shut up! This is the kinda shit that people call the police for."

"In the hotel room! In the hotel room! Good lord."

"I will murder all of you if you don't get inside right now. It would be easy."

"Goddamn it, I can't take you guys anywhere!"

I twisted my body around, and in the doorway was Alex, Daren, Xander, Luke, Viola, Kory, a girl I did not recognize wearing a flannel, Garrett, Isaac, and Steven. Trailing behind Kory and Isaac were two college aged girls, and behind them was another girl, dressed to the nines with unsettling bright orange eyes.

"Everyone's here! Yay, now heal me," I said, cutting to the chase. I couldn't find my sister in this condition. Hell, I could barely breathe in this condition.

"Wait... where's Kat?" I asked. Xander cleared his throat.

"She's at a conference in Nevada, but I guess Steven brought a healer?" Xander asked, turning to Steven, who in turn, turned to the mysterious girl in the flannel. Her stance was awkward.

"Oh yeah, I guess that'd be me. My name's Naomi- I'm sanguis-medicus," she said, crossing her arms.

"A what?" I asked, attempting to sit up straight. She uncrossed her arms, rolling her eyes and pulling a pendant out from where it was hidden under her shirt. A black and dull red stone sat on the string, waiting for action.

"A sanguimed. A blood healer. This is hematite, and combined with the energy in my own blood, I can use it to heal whatever the hell's wrong with yours."

"Uhhh... well okay," I said, not really having anything to protest about. The girl with the orange eyes cleared her throat.

"Alright, well I don't have to be here unless you're ready for magic happenings." She excused herself. Luke jumped to his feet.