Needing is One Thing

Chapter 13. Oh Baby, your time is running out

  Andrew grabbed James by the ankles and dragged his body off the driveway. No need to have him found too quickly. There was little enough time as it was. Satisfied that the demon was out of view from the house, he crouched down and looked the incubus over.

"You just had to do this, didn't you? You couldn't just leave her alone." Andrew reached down and pressed his fingers to James' forehead. He muttered a few syllables and a rune bloomed and sunk in. The smell of sulfur permeated the air. It made Andrew frown, his back stiffening.

"And so you take another step towards me," the sly voice slid out of the shadows behind Andrew, a hiss in the darkness. Andrew refused to turn around, his expression cold. "You know he's going to kill you when he remembers."

He'll definitely try, Andrew thought to himself. He looked down at James and his fist tightened, his knuckles cracking. The darkness laughed at his anger, delighted.

"Leave me," Andrew ground the command out, dropping his head to the side to look at the shadow out of the corner of his eye.

"I will, this time." It was amused. "But only because it's so much fun to see you fight this so hard."

A ruffle, leathery wings, and then silence.

Exhaling, Andrew stood and brushed himself off. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small slip of paper and discarded it. It was true. He was using way too much hell-borne magic. It's too easy, way too easy. But he couldn't see a way around it, yet.

He took one last look down at the unconscious incubus. "Thanks for the energy."

He was going to need it.

*

Mika hesitated outside of the dining room. She was nervous about seeing James, nervous about how he would act or if he had seen her with Andrew last night. She resented having it matter so much to her. Andrew was sweet and wonderful. She should be happy, excited, dreaming about him. Instead, her mind was filled with dread over the eldest incubus.

Mika peeked through the doorway. James wasn't there. Damien and Sam were serving up breakfast while Erik and Matthew were going over a map of the city they had spread out over half of the table.

"We should start here." Matthew pointed out a region of forest preserves, circling it with his index finger.

"I agree," Erik nodded. "They were there for a reason."

Mika stepped into the room and the boys all paused.

"Oh hey, good morning!" Matthew smiled at her.

"I trust you slept well?" Erik asked as he slowly looked her over.

"Yes." Mika met Erik's eyes then looked away. He was trying to hide it, but she saw the disappointment.

Still, it was better than Damien. Damien wouldn't even look at her, keeping his head down. Mika tried to suppress the guilt that welled up inside her. She grabbed a piece of toast and sat at the table.

"We're going after Malix and his gang," Matthew explained, trying to keep the mood light. He indicated the map, highlighted with his tactics. "Sam thinks we're ready."

"We'll have you safe soon," Erik agreed.

Mika nodded sadly. Their agreement was that the boys would stay until they defeated Malix. She wished they could stay forever. Each of them had become a part of her life but she had messed things up so badly with James. She couldn't blame them for wanting to leave and it was so hard for her to be around the eldest brother now.