Together We Stand (Book 6)

Chapter 11

"But I promise there is a light at the end of this long ride. This time I know you'll be alright. 'Cause I'm standing at your side." - Valerie Broussard

--xxxxxx--

They were sitting in the living room that afternoon when Christina's phone rang. She saw Noah's name flash up and smiled before answering. 'Hey.' She said cheerfully. Lauren nudged Dani and they grinned at her. Christina shook her head and got up, leaving the room.

'How are you?' Noah asked.

'I'm okay.' Christina said.

'Really? You don't sound sure.' Noah said.

'We've had some close calls.' She said. 'And a demon came to my apartment earlier.'

'What? What happened?' He asked.

'Nothing really, he was after my power, the one I don't have any more.' Christina said.

'You're taking this awfully well.' Noah said. 'A demon invaded your home.'

'I mean, it's not like it hasn't happened before.' Christina told him. There was silence on the other end of the line. 'Noah? Was that too much information? Should I not have told you?'

'No, of course I want you to tell me.' He sighed. 'It's just all very new to me, and I worry.'

'I'm not alone.' Christina assured him.

'I know.' He said. 'And I'm glad you have your sisters.' She smiled down the phone at him. 'Speaking of sisters, I just wanted to check in before I go and pick mine up.'

'Is she excited about the play?' Christina asked.

'Oh, thrilled.' Noah said sarcastically.

'Not a Shakespeare fan?'

'No, but I told her it was free and dinner was included.' Christina heard a car pass as he walked along the street.

'Well I hope you have a good time.' Christina said. 'You can tell me all about it later.'

'I will.' Noah said. 'Be safe Christina.'

'Thanks, bye.' She said, hanging up the phone and going back into the living room. Lauren and Dani were still grinning as they whispered too each other. 'Okay enough with the gossiping.' Christina sat down in her original seat.

'How's Noah?' Katherine asked.

'He's good. He's picking up his sister.' Christina told them.

'I'm sorry you're missing date night Chris.' Lauren said sincerely.

'It's okay.' Christina assured her. 'I think I may be telling him too much, too soon about this witch stuff though.' She admitted.

'Don't you think he can handle it?' Amy wondered.

'No, I think he can. He just worries a lot.' Christina told them.

'Oh my God!' Lisa said suddenly, standing from her seat and looking around at them.

'What?' Dani asked, shocked at her outburst.

'I know where I've seen that brand before.' Lisa said.

'Where?' Katherine asked.

'Roger came into work a few weeks ago showing off his new tattoo. It was so small I just teased him about it, but it was the brand, right on the inside of his wrist.'

'Are you sure?' Katherine wanted to check.

'Yes, positive. I can't believe it's taken me this long!' She internally berated herself.

'It's fine Lise, we know now.' Christina assured her.

'Looks like you are going back to work after all.' Amy grinned.

'Not funny.' Lisa scowled at her. 'But come on, let's go. He's working today.'

xxxxxx

They walked through the back entrance to Lisa's funeral home and saw Roger sitting at his desk filing out some papers. He heard the door close and looked up, a little shocked when he saw them all standing in front of him. 'Hey Lise.' He said skeptically. 'What's up?'

'We need to talk to you.' Lisa said.

'Why do I feel like I'm in trouble?' He said, putting his pen down.

'Where did you get that tattoo? The one on your wrist?' Lisa asked him. They crowded around him where he sat. He puled up his sleeve and showed them the ink.

'This?' He queried. 'I went to a tattoo place  with one of my buddies and he got it. I thought it looked cool and wanted the same thing.'

'You have no idea what it means?' Christina asked.

'No. It's just a stupid symbol.' He said.

'It's far more than that.' Katherine assured him. 'We need to know the name of your friend.'

'Is it a demon friend?' Lisa asked.

'Yeah, Duncan.' Robert told them.

'He's been to lunch with us before.' Lisa realised. 'How did I not know he was a demon?'

'Wait, did you tell him Lisa was a witch?' Amy asked.

'No, God no.' Roger looked terrified. 'And he's not a bad demon, he's like me.'

'This symbol has been popping up in the attacks and murders of witches and demons.' Lauren told him. 'We need to speak to Duncan.'

'Is Duncan a shapeshifter?' Christina asked.

'No, he's barley even an energy thrower.' Roger said. 'It's why we're friends, we stay out of the demonic world for the most part. He does have an older brother who's a shapeshifter.' Roger realised.

'Blue eyes, dark hair?' Christina queried.

'Yeah, that's him.' Roger confirmed. 'He doesn't go out in public that much, I think he runs with a bad crowd.' Christina sighed and ran her hand through her hair. 'How do you know what he looks like?'

'We've met.' Christina said. 'And I want to have a word with him.'

'She's going to vanquish him, isn't she?' Roger whispered to Lisa.

'Yeah, I expect so.' Lisa confirmed.

'Then I can't tell you. I'm not getting Duncan's brother killed.' Roger said firmly. Christina was loosing her patience and lent on the desk towards him.

'This guy attacked me in my home.' She said firmly. 'I'm going to find him with or without your help. You can just make it really easy for me Roger.' Roger swallowed and looked to Lisa in fear.

'Just tell us where Duncan lives and we'll go from there, okay?' Lisa said, putting her hand on his shoulder. 'I promise Christina won't vanquish anyone yet.' Christina looked at her angrily. 'Yet, you can vanquish someone later.' Lisa assured her.

'Fine.' Christina turned and walked away, pacing.

'He lives in a flat above this hairdressers with his dad and his brother.' Roger sighed. 'It's called Sandy's.'

'I know that place.' Katherine said. 'I pass it on my way to work and it's always full of little old ladies. It's really cute actually.'

'Great, thank you Roger.' Lisa said.

'What's the brother's name?' Christina asked.

'Markus.' Roger said. 'And I'd watch out for the dad, Duncan has told me that he's not a good guy.'

'Thanks for the tip.' Amy said as they left the room. Lisa shot Roger and apologetic glance as she closed the door behind her.