Chapter 9: All The Things She Said

Spade shifted into park in front of Aurora's house. The two girls sat in silence, neither wanting to say aloud the things that they had seen that day. Hoping that maybe, by some act of grace, they could fall asleep and awake the next morning; everything all just a horrid dream.
But no mercy would be bestowed on them. No amount of wishing, hoping, even praying would erase this day.
"We have maybe four days before this makes the news." Spade finally spoke breaking the deafening silence. She peered at Aurora from the corner of her eye, to weak to turn her head. "We just need to act surprised when it does happen, until then we'll just pretend everything is normal." her voice was cold and distant; commanding in a way.
"And the truth?" Aurora whispered, her eyes focused on her hands in her lap.
Spade took a deep breath, exhaling softly.
"We tell no one, not yet at least." her voice was calm. Too calm. Aurora lifted her head to look at her cousin. Her face was as it always was, stoic, holding a mature beauty. Her eyes had gone back to their icy silver, leaving  her looking truly as though nothing had happened. Aurora could still see it though; focusing in on her eyes; behind the calmness of her eyes, behind her perfected stoic expression. Pain, unlike any she had ever felt. But this was Spade, by morning, she would have it fully concealed.
Aurora felt her shoulders drop, nodding, holding back any further discussion. She reach her hand over to Spade's, squeezing it lightly before getting out of the car.

Aurora took the steps to the front door two at a time. She heard Spade’s car engine rev as she reached out for the doorknob. It was ice cold beneath her fingertips as she turned it and opened the door. She stared into her home without stepping inside. She could hear her mother’s laughter, Moon-Moon’s barking, her Father’s groaning and her brother’s video games.

It was home, but it was the same. Unchanged, untouched by anything that had happened. The world continued to turn. She stepped inside, determined to leave everything in the cold.

“No!” Kitty exclaimed from the kitchen. Aurora chuckled softly as she made her way towards her mother’s voice.

“Oh come on Kitty-Kat, it’s just a dead bird.” Takado laughed, leaning against the counter to hold him up.
“It’s just like chicken, or turkey."

“It is most certainly not just like Chicken or Turkey!” Kitty hissed, lifting herself onto a counter.
“It was a wild bird and a fucking stupid one at that if Moon-Moon of all dogs was able to get a hold of it! We are not cooking it!”

Takado laughed harder, and Kitty crossed her arm’s over her chest. Aurora leaned against the doorway, watching the two bicker. She smiled softly until she caught sight of the mangled bird lying on the floor in front of the dog. The large black raven, head turned unnaturally, and it’s still opened dead eyes felt as though they stared at her.

She ran as fast as she could. She collapsed on the tile floor of the bathroom floor, her chest heaving. Her hands shook against the cold of the tiles floor, almost as cold as the door knob had been.

“Aurora?” She let out a startled yelp at the sound of her father’s voice from the other side of the door.
“I saw you run upstairs, is everything okay?”

“I’m fine Dad.” Her voice shook as she spoke. She punched the tiled floor, cracking it.

“Come on, Princess. Talk to me.” The door flew open, startling Takado slightly. It slammed against the wall and almost swung back shut. Aurora stood in the doorway, her eyes on the ground and hand holding the door.

“Do you remember... When I was eight years old? I’d read a story at school. It was about a king who killed his queen, because she had been torturing and killing prisoners  Aurora’s voice and legs trembled as she struggled to speak.

“You asked me why it was okay for the king to kill his queen, but not for the queen to kill prisoners."

“Do you remember what you said to me?”

“I said it wasn’t okay. It’s never okay to kill someone, but sometimes you have to do things even when it isn’t okay. Sometimes you have to be bad, to stop something even worse.” Takado’s eyes fell to the floor, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Aurora what is this about?”

“Did you mean it?” Aurora finally looked up, her eyes meeting her father’s matching ones. Her eyes began to water and her nails dug into her hands. “That sometimes you have to be bad to stop something worse?”

“I do.” Takado stiffened, and inhaled slowly.
“Aurora what happened?”

“I was kidnapped my first day of school.” Aurora blurted out. Her knees felt weak, as though they would give out at any moment. She released the door and took a step towards her father.
“I know, it’s stupid. I’m your daughter of all people; I should have been able to fight them off. I don’t have an excuse. It doesn’t matter that I was outnumbered, I wasn’t paying attention and that’s my own fault.”

Takado’s face was colder than she’d ever seen it. Aurora stared at her father for a moment unsure if he was even breathing with how little he moved.

“I wasn’t hurt that bad. A couple of scrapes and a nasty bruise in the back of my head, but I was fine. There was a guy, Dagger, I guess he’s like their leader or boss. He didn’t saved me,” Aurora paused for a moment, her hands warming as she recalled meeting the crimson eyed boy. “But he did get me out unharmed, and then Spade kicked his ass.”

“And?” It was the only thing Takado had said, but Aurora could feel tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“And none of that compares to the fact that Abigail is dead,” Aurora whispered. She covered her face with her hands, forcing her eyes shut. “Abigail is dead and Spade killed her. She’d killed four women, and countless other small animals and it was all part of some twisted ritual to bring her mom back from the dead.”

Takado stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his daughter. “Where are the bodies?”

“In this stupid Indiana Jones of a labyrinth inside the morgue downtown,” Aurora could feel herself steady as her father’s grip tightened around her.
“I didn’t think of it at the time, but I think it was the one you had been buried in.”

“Did Abigail know about me?”

Aurora nodded hesitantly. “I think I mentioned it in passing in front of Spade once, after we discovered that Abigail was a witch.”

“It makes sense for her to target that cemetery then. Even though it was almost 30 years ago now, magic strong enough to bring a person back lingers. Did she ever ask more about it?” Takado loosened his grip on Aurora, and took a step back. She shook her head and he responded with a curt head nod. “Okay, I’ll go take care of it. I imagine two teenage girls were not the best at covering their tracks.”

“Daddy please don’t tell anyone.” Aurora reached for his hand, her fingers wrapping around his pinky.
---
Spade parked alongside the curb in front of her house, the drive way full with Elijah's Mustang, Hamish's motorcycle, and both her parent's cars. She sighed heavily, killing the engine. It wasn't as late as it felt, glancing at the time on her phone, 8:51pm. She gently ran her hand through her hair, taking another deep breath before exiting the car; grabbing a shopping bag from her back seat, thankful she made sure to stop at the store on the way home.

She paused upon reaching the front door, breathing in deeply one last time, slowly exhaling away the day. Her eyes holding their usual dim glow, smiling as she was greeted by their six dogs when she opened the door.

"Hey, your home!" Spikes announced walking up to Spade who was couched down petting the smallest of the six dogs. Spikes smiled crouching down next to her, Damon immediately under her arm.
"Helios has gotten big, huh?"

"You won't be the runt much longer." Spade smiled rubbing noses with the pup. She looked over to her mother, both of them standing back up. "Sorry I was gone all day," she apologized, picking up the bag with party supplies. "you know how shopping with Aurora can get."

"I've heard your battle stories," Spikes laughed leading Spade toward the living room. "don't worry about it.  We have pizza, and we're about to start watching V for Vendetta!" Spikes voice held excitement as it often seemed to now that Spade had left to college. Spade could feel an ache pounding in her chest; Elijah was sitting on the recliner, Hamish on the couch lying across all the cushions. Both hand snacks, there were drinks on the coffee table.

"I was about to make some popcorn." Vincent said happily approaching them from the kitchen. He smiled at Spade giving her a quick tight hug. "Wanna join us little moon?"

The ache turned into a stab, her pulse pounding in her ears. She looked up at her father, expression remaining calm, happy; eager to join her family.
"Absolutely Dad, do you guys mind if I take a fast shower?" She asked her focus now on her brothers.
"Sure that means we can make caramel corn!" Hamish barked happily, pulling himself up to pear over the back of the couch; quickly ducking as Spikes threw a couch pillow at him.
"We better mean you helping this time you little asshole!" Spikes shouted from the love seat. Spade laughed softly, shaking her head before looking back at Vincent.
"Go shower, we'll have caramel corn and hot chocolate ready when you get out." Vincent smiled lightly patting her head. Spade smiled before making her way to her room, throwing her things on the floor and quickly walking into the bathroom.
The bathroom quickly filled with steam and Spade stepped into the shower. The water was scolding, and if not for her skin being tougher than a human's would probably leave her with minor burns. She had her back to the water, reaching up and gently rubbing her neck. The memories of just hours ago started to flash in her mind.
She hadn't called Aurora back, she didn't want her to have to see her best friend freshly dead.

Chapter 8: Here's To Us

Ravens cawed loudly outside the window of Spade's room, the sound seeming to fill all four walls. She reluctantly opened her eyes, pupils slits as a soft growl escaped her lips. It had been too long since she last had a peacfull night's sleep, being back in her own bed allowed for her to sleep like a kitten. She grogilly made her way to her window, narrowing her eyes at the birds outside her window.

"You are lucky it's so cold." she hissed as they continued to caw. She could feel her body, trying to shift but easily kept human. It was rare she felt so in touch with her primal side, but after last night's brawl it would be odd if she didn't still feel predatorial.

Spade began her morning routine; stretch, 15 min morning work out, and off to take a shower. She stood in the water, letting the higher pressure relieve the tension in her sore limbs. Threw on a simple long sleeve black shirt and grey jeans, with only dark eye make up.

Spade went to grab her ring from Abigail off her nightstand, but was pulled away by the sound of steps approaching her room.

"Hey kid, I've got coffee." Spikes said cheerfully from outside her room, knocking as she spoke. Spade opened her door smiling at her grinning mother, "And your dad is almost done with breakfast."

"Great, I'll join you right now." she smiled closing the door behind her. They made their way into the kitchen where Spade was suprised to see both of her brother's sitting at the table.

"Good morning little moon." Vince said cheerfully as he set serving plates filled with food on the table. "Sleep well?"

"Great until those birds woke me up." she grumbled slightly as she grabbed a cup of coffee.

"At least that's one thing you cats and us dogs have in common," Spikes chuckled sitting down at the table, "we all fucking hate birds." Vince laughed with his wife, taking his seat at the table, the kids chuckling along.

"Rats too." Hamish added, happily suprising his family. Spade smiled at him softly, locking eyes with him as he nodded at her.

"Don't get me started on rats.." Elijah growled, "We have some in biology, long term experiment."

"Yeah, they have some at the science lab on my side of campus-" Spade paused abruptly the world around her suddenly spinning, she could her the squeeks of rats, her nostrils filling with the scent of blood and wet stone, a musty unsettling smell.

"Spade!"

Spade blinked vigorously, suddenly back in her parents kitchen, being stared at by both her brothers and parents.

"Sorry.." her breathing was only slightly labored, she brought her hand to her forhead running it back through her hair as she took a deep breath.

"It's okay Lenore, is everything okay?" Spikes said gently, concern deep in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was a small vision, not quite sure what it was about though." she furrowed her eyebrows, the stagnant scent still thick in her memory. "Eventually I'll learn how to control them." she chuckled softly in an attempt of reassurance to her family. Spike and Vincent shared a glance before both retreating back to their seats in defeat.

It didn't take long for the small family to get back into a conversation everyone could join in on. Work, school, college, music, the recent litter of pups; it was never difficult for them to find something to discuss. Spade remained involved despite the storm brewing inside her, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach.

---

Spade fell backward onto her bed, pillows falling softly around her, silver hair sprawled. She closed her eyes, the vision from breakfast repeating over and over through her mind. This was the second time she had a vision of blood and wet stone, but the meanings it could hold were infinate. She growled with frustration, grabbing her phone from her pocket and quickly pulling up her cousin's number.

She held the phone to her ear, waiting for her to answer.

"Hey. I'm coming over." she hung up before Aurora could make any protrest; grabbing her keys and jacket, quickly exiting her room.

"Where you off to?" Hamish questioned as he approached her at the end of the hall.

"Shopping with Aurora, for the New Year's Eve Party." Spade responded blandly, too focused on leaving to stop walking. "Tell mom and dad I'll be back later, I have my phone on me if you need me."

She was out the door by the time she finished her sentance.

~~~~~~~

"So tell me again what the big deal is?" Aurora questioned with a raised eyebrow. Spade sighed, leaning into the pillows beside her across from Aurora on her bed.

"I just can't shake this feeling." Spade spoke coldly, eyes focused on the blankets, "I can't place it, I feel like something is wrong and off." she furrowed her eyebrows, "Something bad, a sinking pain in my stomach." she looked over to Aurora who seemed a bit put off, trying to remain skeptical.

"And you said you heard rats, smelt blood, and wet stone?" Aurora questioned, receiving a confirming nod; "Weird, hey where's your ring you're always wearing?"

"Fuck, I must've forgot it at home." she growled burrying her head in a pillow. Aurora sat silently for a moment, furrowing her brows as she contemplated her question.

"Hey, you always get weird like this when you aren't wearing it," she began trying to form the next part of her sentance. Spade tilted her head, eyes meeting Aurora's, "I'm just saying, it's kinda weird." Spade's eyes drifted back down and she couldn't help but nod once in agreement.

"It's probably just psychosematic." Spade muttered as she sat back up. "You want to go with me to get it? We can actually go take care of the shopping I said I was going to do." Aurora stretched her arms above her head, nodding briefly mid yawn.

"Sure, let's go do this."

They left her room, choosing to take Spade's car to go retrieve the ring and run the errands.

Spade backed out of the drive way, quickly taking off down the street. She was silent, focused on the morning's vision. Desperately trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach.

"So what do you want to do about this?" Aurora asked breaking the stillness. Spade shifted her eyes momentarily to glance at the other feline. Fingers tightening their grasp on the wheel.

"I first need to figure out whatever this is before I can make a plan." She sifted through her memories, trying to find anything. Anything to give her a clue to what was going to happen.

Snow lightly began falling as she turned off the main road toward the residential roads. A small flake gained Spade's focus, suddenly a burst of light flashing.

"Spade!" Aurora screamed reaching over and grabbing onto the wheel. The car swerved violently as she desperately trained to gain control, she reached down punching the brake. They skid to a stop, barely missing the cirb.

Aurora quickly threw the shifter into park, starring at Spade who's hands seemed frozen to the wheel; eyes rolled back.

This wasn't her normal vision, she could feel herself walking but the room seemed to be spinning. Her vision coninued to go in and out with each step she took. Cat skulls and bones hung from the ceiling, half melted candles on an old wooden table. And a book. A bowl was placed in front of it, bones beside. The scent was all to clear.

Human!

Spade inhaled sharply, gasping for air as her body jumped. She was shaking, noticably, sweat beading down her face.

"What the fuck Spade?" Aurora questioned, starring at Spade, eyes filled with confusion, worry, and anger.

"I'm sorry Aurora." Spade managed to get out as she tried to steady her breathing.

"What happened?!"

"Vision..I was in the place that smelt of wet stone and blood... It was dark, only lit by candles." She turned to look at her cousin, unable to hide the fear in her eyes. "There were cat skulls and bones arranged and hanging, a table with candles a book and," she hitched her breath, forcing herself to get the words out. "And a bowl with bones next to it, human bones."

Aurora stared at her with wide eyes, fear, uncertainty, questioning. Spade didn't have to read her mind, she knew the questions she desperately wanted to ask. Spade herself had the same thoughts, but she couldn't bring herself to say it outloud.

"Spade," Aurora finally spoke, "I'm driving."

Spade nodded, finally releasing her grip from the steering wheel. She frowned slightly at the new indentation but quickly ignored it getting out of the car. They both were silent as Aurora started up the car and continued on the way to Spade's house.

"What do you think it all means?" Aurora finally asked.

"You mean do I realize this looks like the work of a witch?" Spade retorted coldly. She sighed heavily, shifting in her seat bringing her hand to her face. She roughly moved her hand up and through her hair, exhaling an exasporated growl.

"It doesn't mean it has anything to do with Abs." Aurora spoke forcefully, almost trying to convince herself.

"It may not be her, but it could have something to do with her." Spade's voice was low, "She's never been clear with me on why she left the French Quater," she paused, panic starting to set in with the sinking pain in her stomach. "It could be someone trying to hurt her."

Aurora bit her lip as she pulled up to the Caine house, but quickly felt warm relief not seeing either her aunt or uncle's car in the driveway.

"We should go and see her then, find out if she can give us any answers about what you saw."

"She's out with her family today, but this is important, they should understand." Spade nodded, getting out of the car.

She quickly made her way into the house, focusing on the vision. The place did seem to hold a familiarity to it, the walls had small ledges. Past the table there was what she assumed was a hallway that split.

She opened the door to her room.

The musky smell she couldn't place, she couldn't help but feel it was a smell she should know.

Her eyes feel on the ring on her nightstand, a small smile forming as she reached for it.

THUD

She was back in that place. Lit only by candle light. But this time was different, everything was clear; too clear. She looked around the stone walls with little nooks containing long burnt out candles. Rusted gates covered in cobwebs covered some openings in the walls. The hall way she had seen before brought a breeze that would not be noticable to the human ear. It brought a freshness, covering the heavy stench of fresh blood.

Her body felt cold and tense as she began to look to the source of the smell. Her eyes widened as she starred into glazed over dim chartruese.

She fell to her knees, suddenly back in her room. She could hear screaming, one she didn't recognize. Her body was convulsing, sweat dripping off her face, only to finally realize the screams were her own.

~~~~~~~~

"Spade where the fuck am I going?" Aurora questioned harshly as they sped down the city streets.

"I-I don't know!" Spade snarled punching the dashboard, leaving a fist shaped crater in it. She hit the dial key on her phone for the 56th time, taking every ounce of control she had not to crush it in her hand when she was greeted by Abigail's voicemail again. "She's still not answering." she growled throwing her fist into the dashboard again. "Fuck!"

"Spade- Spade!" Aurora hissed, "Focus! What was the place you saw?"

"A stone building, I don't know where! It was dark, dirty, had iron gates covering-" she paused placing everything together. "A mausoleum."

"Well that narrows it down." Aurora growled sarcastically.

"You think I don't realize that!" Spade snapped back

"I know I know, I'm sorry." Aurora growled again; "I just-"

"I know, she's your best friend." Spade clenched her fists in her lap, throwing her head back. She was tirelessly searching through her memories, trying to see anything she may have missed. She could feel a lump forming in her throat, fear causing the tears to threaten to form. "We can't let her die alone."

"No! Stop that shit right now!" Aurora snarled, barely breaking her focus on the road. "She is not going to die!"

"She was DEAD Aurora!" Spade hissed, "I saw it, I could smell it-"

"I don't give a fuck! You can be wrong, the future is set in stone."

"You can't change fate."

"Well you don't see fate, you see the future." Aurora hissed, slamming her foot on the gas as she saw the upcoming light switch to yellow. Spade scowled, biting the inside of her lip to prevent her from arguing further. This wasn't the time to fight.

Spade looked forward, she could feel her body tensing and heart race. The were nearing the same cemetary she was told her uncle had been burried in, every fiber of her being drawn to it.

"There." she said firmly. Aurora nodded, quickly manuevering through the lanes to pull into the cemetary. She parked the car as they drove up to the giant stone mausoleum, turning to look at the older demon. Spade's eyes were focused on the building, a faint glow in her gaze.

"I don't know what we're going to find in there, you might need to use your fire." Spade was stern, her pupils starting to slit. "Are you ready for that?" Aurora smirked lifting her hand, a flame forming in her palm.

"Don't worry, I've got this."

Spade nodded once in response, getting out of the car. They made their way into the building, breaking the lock with ease. It seemed normal, well kept. Most definitely not somewhere one could get away with witchcraft. Aurora looked over to Spade who was focused on the hallway leading further into the building. She quickly made her way through the winding hallways until they wound up infront of a dimly lit family tomb with a clean iron gate.

Spade could feel her limbs pulsing with need to go to the tomb. The gate let a high pitched squeak as she opened it, the sound only adding to her anxiety. She placed her hand on the wall infront her, lightly grazing across the name plaque, trailing her fingers down to a stone that seemed out of place among the others.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me." Aurora huffed. Spade wiggled the stone until it came out of the wall. A fake holding a key inside. She looked around for anything else out of place, her eyes falling down to the stone bench, a seem running along next to it on the floor. She slid it aside, opening the revealed wooden door.

"No, this would seem to be really happening." Spade whispered, inhaling the faint familiar musky scent coming from the hole.

"Well, let's do this." Aurora said sharply, the rapidly rising beat of her heart starting to pound in her eardrum.

Spade carefully lowered herself into the hole, she released her hanging grip on the stone, landing only about a foot down. She quickly moved out of the way as Aurora dropped down next. They began observing their surroundings, noticing the ceiling was less than a foot above their heads.

"What is this place?" Aurora whispered looking around at rough stone hallways. She could see tombs in some of the walls, covered in cobwebs, some containing elaborate gated coffins.

"Probably the old mausoleum, it's not unheard of for people to build over old cemetaries." she looked around her, the halls extending further than the size of the building above them. She looked to her left, the familiar pull at her limbs. "We need to go this way." Aurora nodded, sparking a flame in her palm as she followed the older demon. Left. Right. Left. Left. She was begining to question whether Spade knew where she was leading them, until she caught a small flicker of light 20 yeards ahead of them against the wall on their right. She quickly put out her flame, crouching against the wall on their left as Spade turned around to signal her.

"Stay behind me, we'll hug the wall; I'll check the corner see what we're up against." her voice was almost inaudible. She waited briefly for Aurora's quick nod, inhaling deeply and exhaling silently before closing in on the corner. Back against the wall, she slowly turned her head to the left, leaning over to get a look at the source of the light.

Her eyes started on the floor, to the far right she could see four bodies laid out on the floor, her eyes quickly traveled left. She easily recognized the table legs as the table from her vision, but the ankles behind the table.

She stood, mindlessly walking out from behind the corner, Aurora's harsh whispers nothing but murmurs to her ears. Her eyes focused on ginger hair falling gently over pale freckled shoulders. Eyes following down to her hands; her soft delicate hands; one grasping a handfull of herbs, the other with finger extended trailing across a page of the book. She watched tentatively as the herbs fell from her hand, sprawling across the table and floor. She lifted her eyes, watching her curls flow around her face like a flame, meeting those chartruese eyes. Those eyes she loved.

"Cher?!" her voice broke through Spade's shock enduced deafness. "W-What are you- Aurora?!" Abigail stuttered, bracing her self against the table, knocking a few bones and feathers off it.

"W-What the fuck?!" Aurora nearly screamed. Her jade eyes wide taking in the entire room. She brought her hand to her mouth as she felt her stomach start to convulse, her mouth filling with saliva. She forced back the vomit, coughing briefly.

"Au-Aurora ay can explain."

"The fuck is this!?! What the fuck is there to explain!?!" Aurora screamed, both hands cover in flames, scoldering heat radiating off her body. Her body still shook, vomit still threatening to make its way out. "Spade! Spade!" she screamed looking over at the silver haired demon.

Spade was still, her head slowly moving to look at the four corpses. All women, each seemingly in their forties. They each had a different symbol carved into their foreheads, a language she didn't recognize. The musty scent from her vision finally she could name. Death. She brought her head back up, finally meeting her eyes with Abigail's.

"Abigail." Spade's voice was barely above a whisper. She furrowed her brows, opening her mouth to speak; desperately trying to find the words to say. She looked deep into her eyes, searching for answers without having to truly read her. "This...can't be you..." she could barely speak as she looked around the room. There were thirteen cat skulls in total hanging, and too many bird corpses for her to count. She looked over at Aurora who looked as though she would be on the floor sobbing if not for her forest fire rage. "Tell me this isn't real.."

"Lenore, mon cher, you know I wouldn't do something like this" Abigail slowly began to step toward Spade, cautiously reaching out her hand. "I just had no other choice." her eyes welling up with tears as Spade flinched, pulling away from her.

"No other choice?!" Spade barked, she pointed over to the corpses; "Nothing can excuse this Abigail! Nothing!" her voice was starting to crack and she clenched her teeth, shaking her head violently. "How can you justify this!?" she straightened her posture starring at the witch across from her.

"I lost someone cher, I couldn't live with out them." she pulled her arms in close to her, "I needed them back..." tears starting to stream down her face.

"That doesn't give you the right to play god Abigail!" Spade snarled, "We all lose those we love-"

"She's my mother Lenore!" Spade stiffened, the glow leaving her eyes. She starred in disbelief, mouth gapping as she found herself unable to speak. "The woman you known as my mom is only my step mother, my real mother passed three years ago. She was a witch too, had her own shop an everything where she sold herbs, gave readnings an such." She paused trying to steady her voice between her cries. "One night, a stranger came in robbed and killed her. She didn't deserve to die Lenore, she should have had a long life." her cries started to turn to sobs.

Spade starred into her mate's eyes. She was torn, torn into what felt like shreds. This was the woman she loved, the woman who she would be proposing to in just two days. Her heart rapidly pounded in her ears. These women didn't deserve to die either, they should have had long lives. Her chest tightened, and she could taste copper in her mouth; only then realizing she had been biting the inside of her cheek. She couldn't couldn't keep her eyes away from Abigail's as she tried to comprehend everything she felt.

Spade finally turned around and walked over to Aurora, signaling her to walk with her to the far wall of the hallway. They stood in silence for a few minutes, neither looking at the other.

"You know what I need to do." Spade finally spoke. Her voice was distant, faint.

"Are you sure you can live with this?" Aurora asked softly, taking her eyes off Abigail to look at her cousin. She frowned upon seeing the older demon. Spade's eyes were glowing completely white with an almost unnoticable black slit for a pupil. Her facial structure seemed sharper, taking a slight feline appearance. As her lips parted to speak, her fangs had extended.

"It's what has to be done, just-" she inhaled sharply exhaling silently again, "just can you go down the hall?" Aurora nodded silently, gently resting her hand on Spade's should. Spade nodded once softly, patting Aurora's hand before she removed it and took down the hall.

Spade inhaled again, deeply this time, closing her eyes and exhaling heavily. She slowly turned around, keeping her head down. This was what she had to do, she needed to take care of this. She looked up walking back over to Abigail, locking eyes with her.

"Cher..cher please." Abigail began to beg, her body shaking more violently with each step Spade took.

This was the one person she had ever loved, the person she was supposed to spend her life with. Spade's heart was now a steady drum in her ears, the impossible steps forward being willed possible by her drive to do right.

"Lenore! Lenore please don't, don't do this!" Abigail sobbed, dropping to her knees with Spade only a few feet from her.

Spade stopped and looked down at Abigail, still gazing into her chartruese eyes. The eyes she loves. She crowched down slowly, reaching her hand to cup her face.

"Lenore please...I love you...please don't." Abigial's sobs were almost inaudible, her cheeks and nose burning red, face stained with tears.

Spade lifted her head slightly, gently pressing her lips against Abigail's forehead. She held them there for a moment; she knew this was it, this was her future, this woman was her entire life.

"I love you too Abigail." Spade whispered as she stood up, her hands still lightly on her face, eyes still locked.

"You promised you would stand by me always!" Abigail cried out in a last attempt to stop her. "You promised!" she screamed. Spade nodded softly moving her hands to cup Abigail's face. "Lenore!"

SNAP

Abigail's body dropped to the ground at Spade's feet. Her eyes lifeless. Spade crouch down, gently closing the lids.

"You were right Abigail, I can't change fate."

Chapter 7: Guys Don't Like Me

Aurora walked briskly down the steps of her home and into the living room where the whole family had gathered. Aurora grinned as she stepped closer. They gathered every year Christmas evening and watched movies and drank hot chocolate and talked about the gifts they’d received.
Her mother was half asleep on Takado’s lap, dressed in her new cat onesie. Damien was on the couch beside the white haired Luna. Spikes and Vincent were holding hands. Spade and Abigail sat on the floor with a blanket over their shoulders.
Aurora frowned seeing Elijah alone off to the side, and her other cousin was nowhere to be seen.

“Where the hell is Hamish?” Aurora’s aggressive tone startled most of the people piled into the living room and cause each of them to turn to look at her.

“He’s scarcely been home since the mustang incident. I honestly didn’t expect him to show up.” Spikes shrugged her shoulders, her attention returned to the TV.
“He’ll come around when he’s ready. I know better than anyone that you can’t force this stuff.”

“I’m sure that’s not the opinion you would have if you were in his shoes.” Aurora hissed at her aunt. She ignored the look she got from her father and stormed into the kitchen.

“What the hell was that?” Spade glared at her cousin, arms crossed over her chest.

“Hamish should be here.” Aurora mumbled; her fingers tapped rapidly on her phone’s screen.
“It’s Christmas, and he should be here. And if I am the only person who cares enough to drag his ass home then so be it.”

Spade stepped closer as Abigail stepped into the kitchen. She placed a hand on Aurora’s shoulder and sighed.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think my mom is right on this one. This might be something he needs to work out on his own.”

“How would you know, Spade?” Aurora’s jade eyes glowed softly. She shoved Spade’s hand off of her shoulder.
“If no one has seen him then how can they know he doesn’t need help?”

“Aurora, it’s Christmas. We shoul get back to yer family.” Abigail spoke up; she took Spade’s hand in her own as she spoke.

“Hamish is my family too,” Aurora hissed. A smirk crossed her lips as her phone received a text message.
“It’s not like you’re obligated to come with me.”

Aurora shoved past Spade and Abigail and stormed out the front door.

“I know you’re worried too.” Abigail said as she squeezed Spade’s hand.
“Why not go wit her?”

“He’s a teenager, Abs. It’s just a little rebellion. We’ve all gone through it and he’s always been the wilder of the Caine children.” Spade pulled her closer, pressing her lips to Abigail’s forehead. “It just seems silly to ruin a perfectly lovely holiday with my brother’s drama.”

“What if it’s not just some teenage rebellion, Cher?” Abigail wrapped her arms around Spade’s waist.

Spade bit down on her lip; she glanced at her family in the living room and sighed softly.
“You’re right. Let’s go help bring my idiot brother home.”

The ride back to the Caine house was silent, tension so thick it was suffocating. Aurora had brought her own car, leaving the house party like a bat out of hell as soon as they forced Hamish into Spade's. Spade kept her focus on the road, both hands gripping the wheel. Her bloodied knuckles were already healing, along with the other injuries she managed to obtain through the brawl. The pain was there, but she couldn't feel it; not with her mind in a whirlwind of disaray.

Abigail's hand gently rested on Spade's thigh, temporarily taking her out of her own head. She glanced over to the ginger haired girl, sighing softly as she averted her eyes back to the road. She didn't need to read her mind, it was clear on the witch's face her concern and worry for the demon.

She pulled into the drive way of her family home, throwing the car into park but still sitting silently.

"Am I going to have to drag you to the door, or can I trust you to go inside on your own?" Spade finally questioned looking at Hamish through her rearview mirror. She could feel the heat radiating off him, it was enough to make the heater unnecessary despite it being the middle of the night at the tail end of December.

"I'm not a fucking child Spade." he growled lowly reaching for the door handle, he stiffened as it didn't open when he pulled, "Seriously? Fucking child lock?"

"No one has seen you since christmas and I had to force you into my car, of course I put the child lock on." her voice held a tone of aggression despite her efforts to remain collected.

"Just unlock my fucking door." he locked his eyes with his sister through the rearview mirror, his illuminating the car. Spade shook her head softly before getting out of the car to open his door. He attempted to push past her but she quickly had him by his wrist, preventing him from moving further. "What the fuck do you want Spade?" his voice was raising as he ripped his arm from her grip, quickly facing off with her. "If you have something to say then just fucking say it! If you want to fight then lets fucking fight!" he was snarling, shifting his feet apart and lifting his arms to a fighting stance. "Aurora got to have her go, you must be dying to!" he continued to snarl, eyes wild and glowing.

Spade stood still, eyes tired; tired from worry, tired from stress, tired from being torn between loyalties to both brothers. She watched the demons in his head at war, could see that he had been lost for so long; but above all she could see this had gotten to far out of hand.

"Well?!" Hamish was shaking, snarling like a wild animal. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he bared his fangs; shaking his head. "Fucking fight me!"

It didn't hurt, she had taken punches to the face countless times. Hitting the floor was nothing new either, especially when she hadn't bothered putting up any defense. She spit blood out beside her; even in the dark the red stood out, crip, tainting the fresh snow. She got back up to her feet, gently wiping the blood from her lips; eyes lifting to meet her brother's.

Hamish stood still, eyes wide, hands shaking as he looked from them back to her eyes. Fear? No, not of her. This, this was new; fear of himself, of what he had done, what he was capable of.

"Spade-Spade I'm s-"

"Are you done?" her voice was soft, gentle, weak almost. She locked her silver eyes with his gold, refusing to hear his screaming thoughts. He finally broke the stare, his eyes falling to the floor as he nodded once in defeat. Spade took a few steps toward him, reaching up to hug him softly. "Go inside, we can talk tomorrow." she said quietly as she released their hug.

She watched her brother enter the house and close the door behind him, looking back to her car and nodding to her girlfriend.

"Thank you for staying in there." Spade sighed, holding her arm out as Abigail rushed to her from the car, huddling against her.

"Of course cher, I know how your and his fights go." She paused for a moment, observing the slight swelling and cut at the corner of Spade's mouth, "I've never seen him actually put you off yer feet though."

Spade chuckled softly, nuzzling her face into her firey hair.

"Sometimes he get's lucky, but I gave him that one." her voice quieted, mind buzzing with a million thoughts. One imparticular, though, stood out among the rest; "I should've been here." her voice was barely above a whisper.

"What are you talking about cher?" Abigail questioned, pulling away just enough to look her in the eyes.

"I should have chosen the university out here, if I had stayed close to home I would have been able to see this coming; prevented it from ever happening." she pulled away from Abigail, gently running her hand through her silver hair. Abigail gently reached for her free hand, rubbing the the ring on the demon's finger.

"Cher, you an' I both know you can't change fate." she reached up and cupped Spades face with her free hand, "You're here now Lenore, you've caught it before the point of no return." Spade lifted her eyes to meet her's, resting her hand over Abigail's on her cheek.

"I hope you're right." she leaned forward, resting her forehead against Abigail's. She lightly kissed the other girl's nose gaining a giggle that she quickly surpressed, tilting her head slightly for her lips to meet the other girl's. She smiled against her lips; chai, Abigail's favorite winter tea; the flavor still fresh on her lips. "I love you Abigail." her voice barely above a whisper as she broke their kiss.

"I love you too Lenore." Abigail responded sweetly. They stood in silence, embracing on another, the cold winter are still around them. Abigail hesitantly pulled away, looking up at her. "I should probably head on home cher." she slightly groaned.

"I know," Spade whinned, hand firmly holding onto her's; "It's probably somewhere around 3 by now."

"And I have plans with my family tomorrow." Abigail sighed, checking her watch. "3am exact, even without trying, still psychic." she giggled shaking her head at the demon. Spade smirked, quickly pulling her into her by her waist; she lifted the girl's chin softly, tenderly kissing her. Abigail looked up at her with flushed cheeks after breaking the kiss. She starred up into her eyes, smiling softly and the glow of her mates eyes, pupils dialating with desire.

"I should stop before I keep you any later." her voice was hushed and heavy as she pulled away. Abigail nodded reluctantly in agreement, hand still entwined with the feline's as she walked toward her car.

"Drive safe and let me know when you get home, winter nights can be quite dangerous." worry evident in her voice as she reached up to gently brush Abigail's firey locks from her face. "I honestly don't know what I would do if any were to ever happen to you." Her eyes never leaving her mate's.

"Don't worry cher, you won't get rid of me that easy." Abigail teased, gently kissing her cheek. Spade sighed, rolling her eyes before smiling back at Abigail.

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart cher."

Chapter 6: Uh Oh

Aurora opened her eyes, her vision blurred slightly. She lifted a hand to her head, closing her eyes for another moment before moving her hair aside. She was surrounded by noise and music, people shuffling around where she sat at a table across from-
She looked up, a quiet scoff left her lips as she rolled her eyes. Her date, who had been so boring she had actually dozed off for a moment. He had seemed charming, and it amused her to watch his brown eyes travel downward and shoot back up as he surveyed her.
"Are you okay?" His voice was soft, brows furrowed with concern. Her jade eyes glanced him over before closing once more as she stood from the table.
"I am just fine, but I've had enough." Aurora grabbed her wallet from her purse, dropping a fifty dollar bill on the table.
"No, you are not leaving with me. No, you will not be hearing from me again. I'm sure you're plenty nice, but I am not interested."
His eyes flashed between confusion and hurt as she tossed her hair over her shoulder and made her way out the door. She hardly noticed the cold as she made her way around the building to where she had parked her car. Her eyes widened at the sight of orange hair leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he glared at the man speaking to him.
"It's almost time. I can't go home right now. You know that, Da-"
"Dagger?" His eyes were almost as wide as her own at the sound of his name. He tilted his head in confusion, his hand lifting to his head as he ran it through his hair.
"Scourge? What the hell-"
"I have to go kid. I'm serious though, Rapier has been getting- well you know how she gets." The other man patted Dagger's head before stepping into the car they had been standing beside.
"Who was that? Who's Rapier?" Aurora questioned as she stepped closer to him, resting a hand on her hip. Her brows furrowed when he stayed silent. She reached out,  her hand resting against his forearm.
"Dagger, what the hell?"
"Sorry." His voice was low, eyes at his feet. He ran his hand through his hair again as he glanced around them.
"That was my dad, and Rapier is my little sister. Apparently she's been harassing him about my absence lately."
A small smile crept onto Aurora's lips, sighing softly as she lowered her hand from Daggers arm.
"You don't look much like your dad."
"Yeah, apparently I take really heavily after my mother." He laughed slightly, his eyes meeting hers.
"Am I going to meet her too one day?"
"You'll have to get in line."
Aurora froze, her mouth agape. She struggled to find the words to respond, and he laughed softly running a hand through his hair.
"That was stupid. I hardly know you. I shouldn't have said that," He reached out, fingertips against her arm.
"Hope you don't need a ride this time, Scourge. I don't have my car on me."
He winked at her, grin on his lips and turned to walk away. She stared at his back as he walked away, her heart began to race and despite herself she ran after him, grabbing his hand. He looked startled as he glanced between her eyes and her hands.
"I just had a really lousy date, and was going to get some sushi. Come with me?" His brow furrowed, but he nodded. She grinned, tossing him her car keys as she made her way back to her car.
"I pay, you drive."
Dagger rolled his eyes, a small grin on his lips as his eyes fell on her car.
"Damn Scourge, you never told me you were rich."
"You didn't need to know." She sat down in the passenger seat, smiling at him as he opened the door.
"And if you damage my car you will pay for it in cash or blood."
"Do you take those payments in pints or quarts?" He laughed as he stepped into the car.
"Where to, Scourge?"
"There's a place a couple miles from my dorm, but-" She hesitated glancing at him.
"You know what, whatever. Let's just go there, get food to go and go back to my dorm. I don't really feel like being out."
"You're actually going to let me into your dorm?" He raised an eyebrow at her as they sped down the road.
"I don't see why not. I know you pretty well compared to anyone else in this town." Aurora scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"I'll just give you a ride back to your shack when we're done."
"Aurora..." Her name on his lips startled her. She glanced over at him through a curtain of ebony and scarlet hair.
"Just drive criminal," She scoffed, leaning back int her seat.
"And before you get too excited, I'm paying. So this is not a date."
"So if I pay, would that make it a date?" Dagger smirked, his eyes still on the road.
"You wish."
"I know. That's why I'm asking."
Aurora laughed at his quick retort. She shook her head softly, her jade eyes meeting his crimson ones.
"You're an idiot and this is still not a date."
"Guess I can't complain about free food then." Dagger grinned at her, returning his eyes onto the road.
"I'm sorry about interrupting your discussion with your father." Aurora's voice was soft, her eyes on the passenger window.
"Don't worry about it, Scourge," Dagger sighed softly, his grin still on his lips.
"It's just my old man, not like I'll never see him again."
Aurora smiled softly. Her thoughts traveled to her own father who she would be seeing again in a short week,
"By the way, you know I'm just driving in circles right?" Dagger interrupted her reminiscing.
"What?" Aurora hissed, her sharp gaze turning on him.
"You didn't exactly give me a direction to head in," He chuckled almost bashfully.
"I don't exactly know where to go."
"You're an idiot."
...

Aurora inhaled sharply, sitting up from where she had been laying on the couch. She rubbed her eyes for a moment surprised with herself for having fallen asleep on the couch. Even more surprised that she had not received a rude awakening from Spade.
She swung her legs off of the couch, and was met with a loud hiss. She peered over the couch at the floor to find crimson eyes glaring up at her.
"You know I figured falling asleep was unplanned, but you don't have to go kicking me," Dagger complained as he sat up.
"What the hell are you doing here? I was supposed to take you home. What the hell-" Aurora whispered. She ran a hand through her hair, biting on her lip as she glanced between Dagger and the doorway to Spade's room. She glared at him, venom in her voice.
"I'm so fucking stupid to have let you into out home."
"Will you calm down, Princess?" Dagger growled back, gesturing towards both of their clothed forms. "It's not like we fucked or anything."
"That's not what I am worried about, Dumbfuck." Aurora stood up, quickly straightening herself.
"What is it then-"
"Aurora?" Spade voice made both of them jump. Aurora lifted her leg slightly, shoving Dagger onto the ground and her heel into his chest.
"What's up Spade?" Aurora asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She bent over to pick up her phone of the couch, Spades eyes watching her every movement.
"Why are you up so early?" Spade raised an eyebrow at her cousin.
"I just fell asleep on the couch. Believe me, I have every intent of going back to bed."
Spade's raised eyebrow lowered, her expression shifting to a glare. "Anything else, Aurora?"
"What? Of course not," Aurora scoffed, glancing down at Dagger. "I mean Dagger's here, but that's not important."
"Why the fuck is he here?" Spade hissed,  walking around the couch. Dagger sat at, returning Spade's glare.
"Spade relax." Aurora sighed, grabbing her cousin's shoulder. "I brought him here and fell asleep. Nothing happened."
"You let a stranger into our home."
"Okay, seriously what is with the two of you?" Dagger stood up, towering over both girls.
"I'd hardly consider myself a stranger at this point."
"No one asked what you considered."
"Spade enough." Aurora crossed her arms over her chest. She stepped in between Spade and Dagger.
"He hasn't even done anything stupid yet."
Spade's glare shifted between the two felines. She inhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing simultaneously with Aurora's.
"I'm sorry I didn't mention it first, okay?" Aurora stepped closer to her cousin, grabbing her forearm.
"I'll get rid of him now."
"It's fine," Spade's voice was soft. She shrugged out of Aurora's grasp, pulling her hair over her shoulder. "However you're no longer allowed to be mad at Willow for wanting to set the two of you up anymore."
Spade laughed at Aurora, whose cheeks were almost as red as the tips of her hair. She turned on her heel, finding Dagger grinning smugly at her.
"So your other cousin-not-cousin wants us to date?"
"Willow is a naive optimist that doesn't know any better," Aurora hissed, crossing her arms again. Dagger stepped closer to her. His hands hovered over her waist for a moment before he shoved them back in his pockets.
"You have to admit you like me. At least a little bit."
"You wish, criminal," She scoffed.
"Yeah I know. That's why I keep asking." Aurora's cheeks reddened once more. She shoved him lightly away from herself.
"You're an idiot and have overstayed your welcome." She glared at him. She turned around and made her way towards the door.
"Hey can I drive again?" Dagger asked, trailing behind her. Neither feline aware of Willow and Spade watching them from behind the curtains.

...

Aurora's heels clicked loudly against the cobblestone leading up to her home. Spade and Willow had been annoyed with her decision to fly home two days early, not that either of them believed they could make her reconsider.
"Mom? Dad?" Aurora called out as she stepped into her house. The quiet was unsettling in her childhood home which was always filled with noise.
She sighed, picking her suitcase back up and took the steps two at a time up into her bedroom. She tossed her suitcase down in front of her dresser, and fell onto her bed. Her eyes watched the driveway, frowning at the absence of her father's and brother's vehicles.
Her phone's buzz startled her from her thoughts.
-Hope you got there safe.-
She raised an eyebrow, quickly unlocking her phone. She'd forgotten she even told Dagger she was leaving. She closed her eyes, ebony and scarlet hair sprawled around her. The longer the silence went on, the heavier her chest felt, the harder it felt to even breathe. Her eyes shot open at the sound of tires on the pavement, her lips breaking into a grin at the sight of her father's truck. She ran from her room, sliding down the banister to the living room on the first floor.
She chuckled softly, hiding behind the couch as the front door flew open.
"You need to watch where you're going Tako," Kitty glared at her husband as her narrowly avoided stepping on the new dog.
"It's not my fault Moon Moon is an idiot." Takado grumbled, tossing a bag he'd been holding onto the couch. "All of Carissa's dogs are smart enough to know to avoid people's feet."
"He has the most personality. You love him and you knot it." Kitty poked at his chest, smiling up at him. He grinned back, leaning over and briefly met his lips to hers.
"Yeah whatever."
Kitty took a step backward, as Aurora stood up and took a seat on the armrest of the couch.
"Hi Mom," She chirped. Kitty Squeaked as she turned around, her sapphire eyes wide as they fell on her daughter. Moon Moon yelped and jumped on top of Takado, knocking him to the ground.
Aurora burst out laughing as Kitty threw her arms around her. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to be home for another two days."
"I missed you, and honestly I didn't feel like being in the damn car for over 14 hours so quickly after the last time," Aurora replied, tightly embracing her mother.
"Your brother is going to be so happy to see you. Oh, and you can meet his girlfriend. Her name is Luna, and she just moved in last week. Just so you're not surprised, she is pregnant. Your brother wants to move out though and now you can help me convince him to stay. Oh, and Hamish is still avoiding everyone and-"
A loud yelp interrupted Kitty's rapid news updated. Kitty hissed as Takado attempted to shove Moon Moon off of his chest, only to have the dog attempt to crawl back on top of him.
"Moon Moon," Kitty cooed, patting to side of her leg and the dog raced to her side, tail wagging so hard that his whole body shook.
"You alright there, Dad?" Aurora chuckled, looking over her mother as Takado pulled himself off of the ground. Takado rolled his eyes, pulling his daughter into his arms.
"It's good to see you princess." Takado's jade eyes were soft when he pulled away, brushing a strand of Aurora's hair behind her ear.
"Wait, so where is Damien?" Aurora glanced between her two parents as her father sighed and Kitty frowned.
"We were actually just out looking at apartments with him and Luna." Takado responded, moving to Kitty's side and pulling her into his arms. "Your mother is clearly less than pleased with it."
"Mom, you didn't react this badly when I left for college," Aurora chuckled, taking her mother's hands. "What's the big deal this time?"
"You're coming back though." Kitty shook her head, obviously holding back tears. "I don't want you or Damien leaving before-"
"We'll always be around, Mom. It's not like we'll never come visit."
Kitty shook her head, sighing softly as she pushed away from her husband, "I was going to say, I don't want either of you leaving before you're ready. Your brother is not."
Kitty leaned down and pat Moon Moon's head softly. Aurora frowned, crossing her arms. Her mother had reached point where she wouldn't say another word on the matter to anyone but her father.
"Please tell me you guys haven't eaten yet," Aurora smiled at her father. "I'm starving and I have missed your cooking so much."
Takado smiled, patting his daughter's head. "Sure thing, anything in particular either of my girls want?"
"Fish?" Kitty and Aurora said in unison, turning to grin at each other. Takado laughed, kissing Kitty's cheeks as he passed her on his way into the kitchen.
"I'm happy you're home." Kitty smiled, hugging her daughter once more. "I can't stand it when the house is quiet."
"Me too." Aurora's voice was soft as her mother skipped into the kitchen.
...

"Fancy finding you out here," Tobias laughed as he took a seat beside Aurora at the pool's edge. She smiled softly at him before returning her eyes to the water before her. "I'm used to you being in the center of the crowd."
"Even I need a break from people from time to time." Aurora scoffed. Tobias nudged her shoulder with his.
"Not from your family. What's going on?" His hazel eyes searched her. She squirmed when his hand touched hers, Her cheeks reddened, she pulled her hand away and reached out to touch the water's surface with her fingertip.
"There's a guy." She laughed when he gasped dramatically and clutched his chest.
"Isn't there always a guy with you though?" Aurora shoved his shoulder roughly and he laughed again. "What happened to my sweet little Aurora who wanted to grow up to marry me?"
"She grew up and realized you're actually an ass." Aurora stuck her tongue out at him. "That and even though my mom wasn't able to adopt you, you're still like a brother to me."
"I didn't need the whole story again," Tobias rolled his eyes. "So why's this guy different?"
"He's different." Aurora took off her heels, and set them beside herself. She stuck a foot in the water and watched the water ripple. "He's rough on the edges but he has this warmth to him. He's a criminal though, and you know how my dad is."
"I'm almost positive that Takado wouldn't give a damn who you ended up with as long as they treated you right." Tobias took his shoes off, and stuck both his feet into the water. Aurora scowled as water splashed her leg. He leaned back, his eyes on the sky above them. "It's going to snow tonight. You can tell if you look at the clouds, but people are not so easy to read. A criminal could have a heart of gold just as easily as a seemingly good and quiet kid can lose it and murder his whole family."
Aurora frowned, her hand reached for his. "It was David's birthday two weeks ago."
"Yeah." Tobias laid down on the cold concrete, his legs in the water and eyes on the sky. "Apparently even after twenty years, they won't let me escape. I love my family, at least what's left of it, but it sucks that they always watch me as if I'll snap like he did."
"David was sick, Tobias. You're not him, and you never will be." Aurora's voice softened as she rubbed his hand with her thumb.
"You say that as if he knew he was going to murder his family one day." His brows furrowed and his voice seemed to growl, "Except of course for the little brother he left alive to spend the next five years wondering why he'd survived and feeling guilty for it. I don't think your mother will ever realize how grateful I am to her for telling me what happened."
"My dad was pissed though." Aurora laid down beside him, her eyes searching for whatever he saw in the sky.
"Yeah, he thought I'd grow to try to get revenge," Tobias lifted his hands in the air and made a mock gesture of air quotations. "It was David that did it, not your family. Honestly, maybe it's not the worst thing that he did either."
Aurora's head turned to face him as his hazel eyes finally left the sky and landed on her jade ones.
"My mom and dad murdered your grandfather because he wasn't human. By how great your family is, it leaves me to assume he wasn't a bad man." He reached over, and ran his fingertips against her jawline. "What David did was by no means right, but I can't sit here and pretend it wasn't a risk they ran for us since the beginning. If it wasn't David, then it could have been anyone else."
"It's the soul that makes the monster, not the species." Aurora whispered. "Do you think he was talking about himself?"
"Everyone says he was sick," Tobias sighed and pulled his hand back. "I don't believe that. I think he loved his family, but he couldn't let them continue as they had. They only way to do that was to kill them, and he knew he couldn't live with himself."
Tobias and Aurora sat up. He ginned, taking her hand in his. "I mentioned my brother because even now I still love him.. I still believe he was a good person at heart."
Aurora tilted her head to the side, the tips of her hair grazed the water. "What does that have to do with-"
"Don't be like me. Don't hide how you feel just because you're afraid of how the world will look at you." Tobias reached over, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Don't cage your heart. That's the one thing that should always be free."
"Tobias-"
"So if I can still love the brother that murdered my family, you can ask the criminal on a date. Deal?" He grinned and reached his hand out. Aurora rolled her eyes. A soft sigh left her lips as she placed his hand in his.
"I'll consider it."
"Aurora! Tobias! Spikes and everyone just got here!" Kitty exclaimed, stepping out the kitchen door. "It is freezing out here, how the hell do you two have limbs in the water?"
"We'll be right in, Mom." Aurora laughed. She pulled her foot from the water, ignoring the ripples it left behind.

Chapter 5: Take Your Time

"Willow!" Aurora snarled as she marched down the stairs. Her heels tapping rapidly on the wood floor before shoving the reaper's curtain open.

"Who the fuck said it was okay to pull this sort of bullshit?"

Willow popped her ear bud out, sighing softly as she glanced up at Aurora from her seat on the floor where she had been unpacking her things from home.

"You're going to have to be a little more specific Aurora." Her voice was soft, playful even as she laid back on her bed.

"There's all sorts of pull shit I could have pulled in who-know-what time span."

Aurora kicked Willow's nightstand down, spilling pens, papers, and books flying onto the floor. She crossed her arms over her chest, the smallest of smirks playing at the edge of her ruby lips.

"What the hell, Aurora!" Willow shouted as she stood up, glaring at the cat.

"What was that for?"

"What was what for, you'll have to be more specific!" Aurora hissed, knocking over more of Willow's stuff.

"What is the matter with you two?" Spade barked as she stepped into the room.

"This dumbass gave Dagger my phone number!" Aurora hissed, glaring at Willow herself.

"Oh come on, you are so into him. You're just too proud to admit it." Willow stomped her foot, her eyes on Aurora's.

"I was trying to help you take a step that you never would take on your own."

"A step that isn't meant to be taken, Willow." Aurora groaned, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she made her way toward Spade.

"He's a criminal, Willow. He's not only in, but in charge of a gang which is inevitably responsible for all kinds of drugs and violence. He's a threat to society, and I could do infinitely better."

"Wasn't your dad a murderer before he met your mom?" Willow spat back.

"And he fucking died for it, Willow!" Aurora ran a hand through her hair, sighing softly as she calmed herself.

"My father was not a good man in his first life. I have no illusion's about that. He died and my mom brought him back with his dead mother's help.

He was a shit person and look at how wonderful and kind he became thanks to my mom?"

Spade took a step closer to Aurora, resting her hand against her arm. "Maybe it's time we drop this-"

"If he could why not anyone else?" Willow shouted crossing her arms over her chest.

"Where is you faith in what love can do?"

"Because my father is one of the strongest beings on this planet." She sighed, her eyes distant as she glanced out a window.

"His and my mother's story is a fairy tale unlikely to repeat itself anytime soon."

Spade shook her head, grinning at the inner workings of Willow's mind as she got up and apologized to Aurora, who in turn helped pick up all of what she had knocked over. Aurora exited , Spade right on her heels.

"She was trying to help Aurora. Admit it or not, you are attracted to him"

"It doesn't change what he is Spade. I don't look down on him for being poor, for being half human. I deserve better than some wanted criminal though." Aurora stood before the steps of her loft, turning to face Spade.

"I have been just fine on my own. I don't see why you keep pushing this especially with how you seemed to dislike him after the last encounter."

"Just because he annoyed me doesn't mean I automatically shun the idea. It's you're life, Aurora. As long as you're happy and unhurt, you know I try to keep out." Spade said softly, her eyes dropping to the ground.

Aurora smiled softly, stepping forward and pulling her cousin into a hug.

"Thank you." she whispered softly before turning to walk up her stairs.

"He's really not as bad of a guy as I'd like him to be." Spade commented. She brushed a strand of raven and silver hair behind her ear, a soft smile on her lips.

"Because he'd be dead by now if he were."

Aurora grinned, rolling her eyes as she continued up the steps, letting herself fall onto her bed next to where she had left her phone.

She glanced down at her phone. Her eyes looking over his text, again and again it ran through her head.

-Hey Scourge-

Of all the things he could have chosen to call her, why that.

...

"Not that I'm complaining, but we've been here for over two hours now and you haven't once even hinted at wanting to go home." Aurora's tone was filled with skepticism as she casually browsed through the clothing rack of the department store in the mall.

"Well Christmas is soon and I have to buy gifts for everyone." Spade spoke softly, analyzing a shirt she pulled off the rack.

"That doesn't explain why you're not bitching. I thought you hated being in crowded places." 

"I'm finally able to fully control when I hear thoughts, so it makes being in public easier." Spade sighed gently returning the shirt to the rack, she turned to her cousin, hesitant to continue speaking. 

"Hey, lets get out of here, I'm not really liking their selection." She ignored the feline's questioning as she made her way out of the store, easily evading the sea of people. 

 It was true, usually she hated being in crowds like this; too many people, too many voices, too much energy; but she was on a mission.

"Look Aurora," Spade began as she felt the presence of her cousin next to her; 

"I need to talk to you about something." She looked up, noting the sign directing to the food court. 

"Let's get some food first." Aurora raised and eyebrow suspiciously, searching for answers she was more than aware she wouldn't get until the canine chose to give them.

"Okay." Aurora's voice trailed as she followed her, "Let's get-"

"Mongolian barbeque? I'm craving the same." Spade stated more than question. She quickly widened her eyes, turning to face her cousin; 

"I did not mean to read your mind just now." she began to stummble over her words; 

"I'm sorry, I just have a lot on my mind today."

"Dude it's fine, just, what the fuck is going on with you?" Aurora folded her arms over her chest, preventing her cousin from walking past. 

"You do realize now you definitely owe me some answers." 

Spade sighed, nodding softly as she attempted to avoid eye contact.

"I'm going to ask Abigail to marry me." her words were gentle and slow, her shoulders dropping gracefully as though a weight had been lifted. 

 Aurora stood still, eyes wide, mouth gaping and searching for words. Spade felt her muscles start to tense as the silence drew on; she was expecting her usual reaction, blowing up, yelling, scolding; anything but silence could she prepare for. 

She began to open her mouth to speak but the silence was broken by a voice that held slight familiarity.

"Spade?" the rugged voice was barely above a whisper behind her, but enough to cause her to swiftly spin around to face him. 

He stood as he did the first day they met, hands securely tucked in the pockets of a battered dark brown leather jacket, facial expression almost completely lacking emotion; if not for a slight softness in his golden eyes. 

"I thought that was you." the corners of his lips barely curled, almost unable to be called a smile.

"Yeah, Ezekiel, right?" Spade was somewhat hesitant, their last encounter was brief, but she rarely allowed people to see her in such a state of weakness; much less a stranger. 

"Who the hell is this kid?" Aurora immediately interupted, stepping forward, quickly assesing the man. Spade sighed gently, shaking her head at the feline's outward approach.

"Oi, Zeke!" Spade raised an eyebrow observing the white and lavender haired girl running toward them. 

"Who the fuck is this?" Aurora quickly questioned, folding her arms in front of her chest again. 

Her glare was focused on the obvious canine, she had a short bob cut and stood at about 5'10; only a couple inches shorter than Ezekiel.

"Me-ow looks like this kitten's got claws." she retorted sarcastically, giving Aurora a quick glance over; 

"Who are these fine females Zeke?" 

Spade sighed again, gently taking a step ahead of Aurora before any real claws came out. She raised her eyebrow again, noting the sudden change in Ezekiel's demeanor. She could easily see the annoyance on his face as the female threw her arm over his shoulder.

"Anaiyah, this is Spade, as for that one how the fuck should I know since you decided to grace us with your ever so annoying presence." his body swayed as she cackled, arm still firm around his shoulder causing him to slightly slouch to her height.

"Oooh, goin' all big bad wolf in front of the pretty girls." she howled with laughter.

"Okay seriously, who the fuck are you bitch?" Aurora hissed gaining their immediate attention. Anaiyah raised an eyebrow, smirking as she finally realeased him from her grip.

"Geeze don't get your panties in a bunch, I'm Anaiyah, Zeke's older sister. Now, who the fuck are you?" she grinned playfully, clearly enjoying every reaction she got from the feline. 

Aurora however, was no where near as amused. Spade could easily feel the heat radiating off of the scarlet haired feline. 

She shut her eyes, rolling them behind her lids; breathing deeply, this was yet another reason she tended to avoid public places.

"Hello Anaiyah, I am Spade and this is my cousin Aurora-" She halted her sentence aburptly as a second familiar warmth approached. 

"Who is probably going to snap regardless of any of my efforts." she sighed quietly, aggravation thick in her voice. 

She shook her head briefly, for once unaware to the focus on her; without noticing golden eyes quietly analyzing her offhand mannerisms.

"Hey there Scourge." Dagger's confidence was clear in his voice, smirking as Aurora spun around to face him.

"How the fuck-" the feline began to hiss. She stopped, shaking her head with frustration, reaching out and grabbing him by his wrist pulling him away. 

"Ya know what, I don't give a fuck. C'mon, you and I are getting lunch, Spade, catch up whenever the fuck you're done with this mutt." she gracefully flipped her hair over her shoulder, leading the firey haired man away without even bothering to listen to a response. 

Spade shook her head again, torn between wanting to later scold the younger girl and being to focused on her current troubles to care about her expected rudeness to this complete stranger.

"Way to go Anaiyah, I think that was a new record for how fast you can convince someone you are a total cunt." Ezekiel's voice held slight aggression, his eyebrows slightly furrowing as he avoided eye contact with his sister; quickly focusing his gaze on silver eyes. 

"The fuck ever Zeke, stop trying to pretend you suddenly have a back bone to look good in front of this cat." Spade raised an eyebrow again, 

was that supposed to be some sort of insult? 

She ignored the thought, letting her curiosity take control; she knew it was wrong but she couldn't resist. She took advantage of their momentary bickering to attempt to read Ezekiel's thoughts again; nothing; but something different did occur this time. 

He quickly shot her a look; that if she hadn't known better; would believe held a tinge of amusement, as though he knew what she was doing. Her facial expression never faltered as she focused her abilities on the female; nothing.

"Perhaps I should be going." Spade finally spoke, interrupting the siblings.

"Yeah, maybe if we run into each other again I won't have her following me around." Ezekiel responded blandly. 

"See you around Spade." and just like their first encounter, he turned around and left with no hesitation; no looking back; genuine apathy. 

Spade frowned slightly, watching him walk away, her mind couldn't help but travel to thoughts of what lied inside that mind; more so, why couldn't she read either wolf.

...

"Can you fucking believe that stupid fucking mutt?!" Aurora snarled kicking a trashcan. She quickly shot a glare at a group of girls that had stopped to stare at her, all of them quickly averting their eyes and shuffling away. She growled again, sitting down at an empty table in the food court with a tray filled with Mongolian Barbeque.

"Well from what you've said she sounds like a grade A bitch." Dagger scoffed, starting to eat his food. 

"But I'm surprised you let someone so below you piss you off." He remarked sarcastically, smirking as he received an eye roll but matching smirk from her.

"Shut up, you're just some dude that keeps stalking me, you shouldn't know that." she couldn't help but chuckle as she spoke. 

"Ouch, I'm still just 'some dude'?" Dagger questioned, exaggerating a hurt frown that quickly turned into a smirk as she laughed aloud. 

"Really though, what gives, why did you let that stupid bitch get to you?" 

Aurora's eyes drifted to her food, she shuffled her fork around in the noodles and meat, furrowing her eyebrows as she contemplated giving him the truth. She sighed with defeat, looking up from her food into his crimson eyes.

"Ugh I don't even know why the fuck I'm going to tell you this, but Spade is planning on proposing to her girlfriend." she slightly growled, shaking her head. Dagger tilted his head slightly, his expression a mixture of what seemed to be confusion and humor.

"Well, what's the problem with that? They seem like they work in some weird freak sort of way." His voice trailed slightly, eye brows furrowing. Aurora couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter at his facial expression.

"Be nice, they aren't that bad." She choked out between spurts of laughter.

"Then what's the problem?" he questioned again with a raised eyebrow, smirking as he felt heat radiating off of her. She narrowed her eyes at him, slightly muttering as she took another bite of her food. She took a sip from her drink and sighed, contemplating the answer she should give him.

"I just worry that she might be rushing into this a bit fast, Spade is honestly the most level headed person I know; but this is her first relationship and she's about as bad as a middle schooler when it comes to love." she growled softly, running her hand through her hair; 

"I'm not trying to belittle their love, I know they do truly love each other; I just think it's better to wait more than just a year to propose that type of commitment." 

"Fair enough." Dagger nodded, balling his hand into a fist in front of his mouth as he continued to talk while chewing. 

"I guess you should probably talk to her about it, but I personally would say just let her know your worries and let her make her own mistakes." 

He reached over and gulped down some of his drink. 

"Or they may surprise you and it won't be a mistake." 

He flashed a grin as she gave him a quizzical look. 

She chuckled softly, shaking her head.

"I can only hope."

...

Spade had chosen to give Dagger and Aurora a longer time together and looked through a few stores searching for the perfect ring. 

Her mind still was burdened with questions to why the wolves were impervious to her gifts; that, and the stress of Aurora's out of the ordinary reaction to her news had left her without an appetite. 

She heard the buzz of her phone in her coat pocket, a new message from Aurora.

-Still with the stupid mutts?-

Spade sighed shaking her head softly, quickly responding.

-No. I'm at the jewelry store next to the beauty supply place. Lost my appetite.-

-That bitch would make me lose mine too. I'll be there soon.-

Aurora walked into the shop, quickly spotting the silver haired demon being tended to by one of the sales associates. It was odd to see Spade smiling so brightly in public; wide with fangs exposed, eyes holding a light rarely seen. If she didn't know better, Aurora would think in that moment the psychic didn't even realize she was there. She couldn't help but smile softly, the doubt she had slowly dissipating the more she watched her older cousin.

"So, this it?" Aurora spoke up, leaning up against the counter beside Spade. 

"Yeah, I think she'll like it." to anyone else Spade would seem pretty calm about it, but Aurora could see the truth; this was Spade beaming. 

Spade nodded at the sales clerk as he offered to start ringing up item. Aurora watched the man walk away before continuing their conversation.

"So you're serious, you're really doing this?" Aurora questioned, clearly knowing the answer.

"Well, according to you it'd be out of character if I weren't serious;" Spade attempted to joke, gaining a chuckle from the other feline. 

"But yes, I'm sure. I love her more than I ever thought possible."

"I know you love her, but this type of commitment consists of more than just love." 

"I'm well aware Aurora, but she's the one and I'm ready to risk it all and take this plunge." Spade's voice was soft and gentle, she focused her eyes on Aurora, her matte black painted lips forming into a small smile.

"Is this because of some vision?" Aurora quickly questioned, Spade's certainty seeming all too familiar. Spade's smile faded and her eyes suddenly seemed far away.

"No," she said softly, 

"Honestly, when I do see the future, she's never in it." 

She inhaled deeply, lightly rubbing her thumb along the ring Abigail had given her. Aurora slightly furrowed her brows, eyes questioning. 

"It's not a bad thing, it really probably means nothing. My visions are still pretty sporadic, sometimes I can trigger them for specific people but not without strain; so it makes sense that I haven't had any involving her." she locked her silver eyes with the jade across from her, keeping her expression calm as always. 

Aurora sighed heavily, shaking her head as she chuckled reaching to put her arm around Spade's shoulder.

"Well, I guess I have no choice but to trust your judgement on this." She said happily, squeezing Spade closer to her gaining what was close to a giggle from the silver haired girl.

"It's me, when have I ever made a bad judgement?" Spade said confidentially, laughing with her cousin as she was being swayed side to side.

"I'll give you that, you're usually to boring to ever make a bad decisions!" Aurora howled with laughter, causing all eyes on them. 

This only proved to further the humor in the situation as Spade cackled along with her, both girls gaining looks from everyone around the store. But neither cared, they went about their way, giggling excitedly. 

After all, what was there not to be happy about?

Chapter 4: Where Did The Party Go

Spade slightly raised her eyebrows, noticing bright orange hair approaching the girls. Her eyes quickly shifted to Aurora who was oblivious to the obnoxious man walking up to them. She sighed, this was the last thing she wanted to deal with today.

"Something wrong Cher?" Abigail whispered, noting the sudden straightening of her posture.

"I'm fine love, but he might not be." she suppressed her urge to growl as he neared, eyes fixed on the crimson streaked raven head turned away from him. Spade kept her voice low, trying to keep out of earshot of her cousins; nearly praying he wouldn't be stupid enough to stop.

Well prayers aren't always enough.

"I thought that was you." Dagger's voice held a strange softness to it as he walked up from behind where Aurara had been sitting. 

 She quickly turned her head to look up at him, eyes widening. A black button up shirt, the top two undone exposing the definition of his collar bone, dark well kept jeans, even clean boots. She couldn't help but smirk as she scooted over, motioning for him to take a seat next to her on the couch.

"Wow you must really be trying to up your stalking game, huh?" the feline questioned sarcastically, giving him one last look over.

"Don't flatter yourself princess," he smirked, eagerly sitting next to her; "I had a meeting at the bistro down the street."

"I guess that's your excuse for being dressed somewhat decent for once?" her voice seeming to lack the same harshness as the times they had met before. Dagger chuckled, rolling his eyes as he opened his mouth to retort.

"Excuse me, but what the fuck do you think you're doing here?" Spade spat, glaring straight into his crimson eyes.

"What the fuck do you think psychic?" Dagger hissed, returning her glare. Spade's eyes widened as she felt her anger rise to levels only her brother could push her to.

"You think you're so fucking funny you pathetic waste of breath?" Spade hissed standing up, nearly knocking over the table between them.

"I do in fact;" Dagger retorted standing up, 

"The fuck you gonna do about it?"

"You!" Aurora intervened standing up pushing Dagger back; 

"Shut the fuck up! Spade," she turned to face her enraged cousin; 

"What the hell? You never snap like this, just try to calm down." she regretted her words as she received a quick glare that could kill from the silver haired feline.

"Shut up! Up until today you wanted nothing to do with him." She barely made eye contact with her as she kept her glare focused on Dagger.

"Well now she wants me around, so get the fuck over it bitch." 

"Mother fucker, I will throw you in that god damned fire if you open your mouth one more time!" Spade howled, her eyes glowing silver.

"Go ahead! Not like it'll hurt!" Dagger snapped back, sparking a flame in his right hand. 

"That's it, this is how you die!" Spade snarled lunging for him. She stopped dead in her tracks when suddenly face to face with chartreuse eyes.

"Alright Cher, I think that's enough." Abigail spoke calmly lightly placing her palms on the demon's shoulders. Spade stood still, lowly growling keeping her eyes fixed on the feline. 

 "Hey now, eyes on me." she reached up, lightly cupping her face. 

 "Calm down, just deal with him the way you deal with Hamish."

"I want to kill him too." Spade grumbled finally looking into her eyes.

"Come now Cher, we both know that ain't true." Abigail smirked finally getting a half smile from her mate. 

 "See, there ya go; now let's just sit on down and enjoy our drinks?" 

Spade grumbled slightly as she nodded, shooting a glare back at Dagger before sitting down.

"Yeah that's ri-" Dagger began only to be cut off by the witch.

"Meenoo, you'd be smart to bite your tongue before finishing that sentence. You get her riled up again and I won't be stoppin' her." she eyed him as she sat down next to Spade who flashed a triumphant grin. 

"Whatever, not like I'm here for her-" he paused for a moment furrowing his eyebrows slightly shaking his head, 

"The fuck did you call me?" 

 Abigail chuckled shaking her head.

"Don't worry bout it." she looked over at Spade who seemed to finally have regained her composure.

"Now that you two are done, hi I'm Abigail and you must be the man that managed to get to second base with grumpy over here." 

 Abigail teased pointing to Spade. Dagger's eyes seemed to nearly pop out of his head as his face quickly matched the color of his eyes.

"ABIGAIL!!!" Spade screeched, jumping out of her seat again. 

"What the fuck?!?!" her face burning a deep crimson.

"Oh come now Cher, it's okay, no need to be embarrassed." Abigail giggled, she glanced over at Aurora who is on the ground now, in tears from laughter.

"The fuck is this bitch going on about!?" Dagger yowled, 

"What the fuck freak?! What the fuck have you been telling your friends?!?!" 

He stumbled over his words, quickly looking down at Aurora gasping to catch her breath.

"Wait, Spade?" Willow questioned, finally contributing to the conversation, 

"I thought he was going after Aurora?"

"Oh- my- god!" Aurora finally managed to choke out through her laughter. 

 "Abs, this is why we are friends!" 

Her laughter finally dying as she pulled herself back onto the couch. She looked over to Dagger who looked terrified, confused, and furious all at once; causing her to immediately fall back into a fit of laughter.

"Exactly!" Abigail laughed winking at Aurora.

"Seriously, what the fuck!?!" Dagger finally screamed.

"Oh hush meenoo, I'm just teasing." Abigail giggled, "It's not very often that Spade intentionally touches someone to read them." she turned to look at her mate who was holding her head in her hands; clearly fed up with the situation.

"Who the fuck is this bitch anyway?!" Dagger continued to yelling pointing at the witch.

"Hey, that 'bitch' is my girlfriend asshole!" Spade growled looking up at the feline. 

"Wait? You...her...what the fuck?!" Dagger continued to yell, flabergasted.

"Dude, chill; just sit the fuck down." Aurora chimmed in, her laughter finally ceasing. 

"I'm surprised, you'd think someone like you would like the idea of two women being together." Spade scoffed, rolling her eyes at his shudder of disgust. 

 "STOP IMAGINING US ASSHOLE!" She stood from her seat, hair seeming to start to rise around her. 

A yelp escaped her lips as her body was pulled back down into her seat, slender arms wraping around her.

"Easy Cher, easy." Abigail's whispered soothingly into her ear. 

"No need to go being big ol' demon on the meenoo." she turned her head winking at the other's, 

"You know Cher here really is a big softy-"

"Abigail don't you dare." Spade began to growl.

"Hush, it's not like it's a big secret. Dagger, did you know she took ballet through out her entire schooling?" the witch finally released her grasp around the demon, reaching for her tea.

"What?!" Dagger choked, howling with laughter; "You?!"

"Which gave me the physical skills to strangle you with my feet, so I suggest you shut the fuck up." Spade began snarling, hesitating to close her fist that now had her mate's hand. She sighed, exasperated as her cousin joined the feline in laughter. 

"Well, now that we've all had a go at me-"

"Awe, but teasing you is so much fun Spade; we almost never get the chance to do this!" Aurora giggled, sipping her hot cocoa.

"Well what about you?" Dagger questioned, "Any embarrassing childhood extra-curricular activities?"

"Ha! None that you'll ever know about." she retorted curtly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. 

"Don't let this rare occasion get to your head street rat." 

Her lips curled to a smirk, slightly tilting her head to look at him from the corner of her eye. Dagger chuckled, returning the smirk.

"Fine, you win princess." he looked down at her, shaking his head slightly before returning his attention to the continued conversation between the other girls. 

He went along, chiming in where he could; genuinely curious to hear what they were willing to share of their lives back home. All the while, trying to hide his true interests; unwitting to him that silver eyes could see all.

...

"Lenore!!!! Oh my god! You missed it!!!!!" Spikes shreiked grabbing her daughter by her arms as soon as she opened the front door of her brother's home.

"Hi Mom, missed you too." Spade muttered, eyes slightly widened. Spikes paused for a moment, quickly releasing her grip.

"I'm sorry little one, it's just, you missed it!!!" she squealed again, quickly locking arms with the taller demon. 

 "Only one other time in all the years I've known your father have I ever seen his eyes go white!" 

She bounced happily.

"Wait, what?" Aurora chimed in, walking past the two.

"Oh you'll love to hear this!" Spikes howled, 

"C'mon, let's go into the living room! The rest of the family is in there." 

She quickly pulled her daughter through the house. 

"There's my little moon." Vincent exclaimed rushing over to Spade, quickly pulling her into a tight embrace. 

"I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too Dad." Spade smiled softly, squeezing him tightly. 

 She let go and quickly glanced around the room, eyes quickly falling on her youngest brother who seemed more focused on the pink haired pixie next to him.

"What, no love for your big sister?" she jokingly pouted. Elijah shook his head softly before getting up to hug her. 

"Beth, its good to see you again; you're still keeping my baby brother happy?"

 Spade smiled reaching out her hand to the pixie after releasing her brother. The shorter girl smiled, pink eyes shining as she returned the hand shake.

"Likewise, and of course I am! I take it college is going well." she responded happily.

"It's going as well as it can, busy with classes and training as always." She let her voice slightly trail bringing her attention back to her quiet brother. 

"I hope Hamish hasn't been kicking your ass too much while I've been gone." 

She chuckled as she watched him take a seat back on the arm rest of the couch; Beth quickly at his side. She looked around, frowning slightly not seeing the violet streaked hair among everyone.

"He was still too pissed to be around the family." Elijah explained softly. Spade raised an eyebrow, only to be bombarded by her mother's exclamation.

"Your brother malatofed the mustang!" the canine shrieked, receiving a genuinely shocked expression from the psychic.

"Hamish, did what?!" Spade questioned, eyes wide. Hamish had always been the rebel of the Caine children, but this was by far the craziest stunt he had ever pulled.

"What the fuck would ever give him a reason to go that far?!" Aurora growled from her seat on the couch.

"He was upset that I chose to give Elijah the mustang for his birthday." Vincent growled lowly. It was a sound Spade had only heard maybe a handful of times in her life, and one of three things that truly terrified her.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Aurora snapped again. 

"I wish." Vincent growled again, bringing his forefinger and thumb to the bridge of his nose. 

I don't know what is going on with that boy." 

Spade stood quietly, studying her father's expression. She subconsciously mirrored his stance, shaking her head briefly before removing her hand from her face.

"Have either of you considered the fact that Hamish is 17 years old now?" her parents starred at her with confusion, gaining a frustrated sigh. 

"He's about the right age to be going through his demon maturity." Spade opened her mouth hesitantly, pausing before letting the words come out. 

"Why would that explain him taking it out on my car?" Vincent's slight outburst caught everyone off guard. He was always the first to be so understanding and logical in even the most chaotic of situations.

"No, I get it." Spikes finally spoke, sighing as she reached for her husband's hand in attempt to help him calm down. 

"We've always known that Hamish is 'my' son, and we knew with all three kids to be prepared for at least one to have the same trouble I did." 

Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. Spade raised an eyebrow, and shared a glance with her youngest brother. Their parents had always been open and honest with them, but only when asked questions. 

Though Spikes seemed to be the type to hold nothing back, she never went out of her way to tell her children about her life; but when asked detailed questions would never lie.

"This isn't the time or the place to ask what that's supposed to mean;" Spade began, her voice as calm and collected as her father's.

"But just, try to take it easy on Hamish. He may not even realize what's going on himself." 

Spikes starred at her daughter, she was definitely her father's daughter. Even through childhood, she was always the one to make sense of even the most irrational of situations.

Spade glanced over to her cousin who softly nodded in agreement. Her face remained stoic as she averted her gaze to her parents. 

She knew they had mixed feelings on her telling them how to handle Hamish, but more often than not she felt like she was the only one who truly could. She locked eyes with her father; his eyes betraying his usual neutral demeanor; but regardless, her point stood.

"We'll talk about this later-" Spade began, a quick glimpse of her mother's mentor flashing through her mind. 

"Blade's here." 

No one bothered questioning anymore when a knock followed at the door. After a near decade of simple visions, the entire family had grown used to it. 

Spikes was the one to open the door, still inhaling sharply as she laid eyes on the bat. Blade smiled weakly as she entered the house, despite her demon aging she wore the years less gracefully than the others. 

Scars, barely visible, but still there; one of the subtle reminders that lingered from that day.

Spade took a seat near her parents as they all sat in the living room catching up on the time that had gone by. She smiled as Aurora ran the show as she always did, her voice always finding its way above the rest. 

It was never out of spite; at least not to Spade herself; that was just her. The conversation led to Blade, who as the children had always remembered, was quiet; but this time was different.

"It's been almost nineteen years..." her voice had a slight rasp to it, tired eyes looking up from her feet. 

"I just don't think I have the strength, or sanity for that matter, to keep searching for Phoenix." Spikes and Kitty seemed in sync as they both quickly got up to be at Blade's side.

 Blade's body seemed to stiffen as she cleared her throat to continue speaking.

"I've thought long and hard about this; there's no way I'll ever find him if I haven't after close to two decades." her voice cracked, and she brought her hand up to the bridge of her nose; trying to pinch away the tears.

"I just hope that if he is still alive, he's safe and happy-" she chocked out the last part as the tears started to stream down her cheeks. 

"I'm horrible mother." She rested her forehead in her hand, shoulders shaking as she attempted to restrain the sobs.

"Blade, you aren't a horrible mother." Spikes spoke softly, resting her arm around her. 

"You've been searching tirelessly for now the better part of two decades, it's okay for you to move on." 

Kitty lightly placed her hand on Blade's forearm, gaining her eye contact.

"Nadine would agree, it's okay for you to stop looking. It will never mean you don't love him and miss him and her with everything you have." Kitty's words were gentle, her own eyes misting.

Nadine and Phoenix were missed by more than just Blade, everyone felt the pain of the attack corresponding with the day of Spade's birth. Nadine dead, 

Blade's own near fatal wounds, and barely two year old Phoenix being taken by the attackers and still missing to this day.

Blade bit her lip sharply, clenching her eyes as she nodded to Kitty's words. Aurora shared a concerned glance with Spade. 

Nadine and Phoenix were a topic that would only come up in happy remenicing between their parents and Blade; the darker aspects only came up when they were old enough to know, or at least when Spade started hearing everyone's thoughts.

...

Damien's footsteps were soft as he made his way up to his sister's room. The faint chatter between her and their cousin reaching him before he saw her. Aurora looked up at him, smiling as she stood up from her bed and made her way to him.

"I need to talk to you about something, Roe." He sighed, his eyes briefly meeting with Spade's before he looked back down at the ground.

"Spade can stay."

Aurora nodded, pulling him by the hand and sitting him on her bed next to her. 

"Dai, what's going on?"

"I went out drinking with a few friends a couple of weeks ago." He ran a hand through his hair. Spade's eyes widened, and he shook his head softly. 

"Basically I met a girl and she... she might be pregnant with my kid."

Aurora felt her mouth fall open as her eyes widened. She had no idea how to acknowledge the information that had been dropped into her hands. 

"I asked her to marry me so I could take care of her and the baby." Damien shook his head softly. His hands fidgeting in his lap, his eyes refusing to meet Aurora's. His breath hitched, biting the inside of his cheek.

"I haven't told Mom or Dad yet, so I would appreciate the silence Spade."

"Wait... might be pregnant with your kid?" Aurora shook her head, standing from her bed and stepping to her desk, leaning against it.

"Why is it a might?"

"She thinks it might be her late boyfriend's. I met her a night after he died." Damien sighed softly.

"There's no way to know for sure who's-"

"You're marrying some bitch just because she might be pregnant with your kid?" Aurora hissed, violently shoving items off of her desk.

"It might not even be yours, and even if it was that's a stupid ass reason to get married!"

"Aurora, I can't let her live on the street whether the baby is mine or not." Damien growled, his eyes finally meeting his sister's.

"I'm not saying let the bitch rot." Aurora snarled, getting to her feet.

"You know Mom and Dad won't have a problem with you wanting to help her. I'm just saying don't fucking marry her over this."

"You wouldn't understand, Aurora."

"Do you love her?" 

Damien's face fell, his shoulders slumped as a small sigh left his lips. Spade moved closer, resting her hand over her cousin's.

"No, but Mom and Dad don't have to know that." His eyes were pleading when they met Aurora's again.

"We all know their story. Mom brought Dad to life, they fell madly in love despite his prejudice, they got married and started a family."

"They complete each other. Two halves to a broken whole." Aurora sighed softly, her features relaxing as she approached her brother.

"All they want is for us to find happiness like they have."

"Except it's impossible." Damien scoffed.

"Their story isn't real life. It's somehow a fantasy come to life. It's like they don't realize that will never happen again. Their souls were practically calling out to each other before they ever met."

"We can't ever live up to that." Spade tilted her head at her cousin's whispers, both of their eyes far away.

It was true that her aunt and uncle's story had always sounded straight from a fairy tale, but she had just assumed that was how any story would sound when you're in love.

"I don't have it in me to tell them I might be a father with a woman I don't know, let alone love." Damien's eyes began to fill with tears, his hands against his head.

"How do I tell them I don't think can have the type of story that they do?"

"You don't." Aurora sat next to her brother, resting her head against his shoulder.

"They would understand... That's one they've always been good at, but it's harder to disappoint the people who believe the best in you no matter what happens. Even if they understand." Spade spoke up, watching the siblings nod.

"Help her, move in with her, I don't care Dai. Just please don't marry her." Aurora's voice was a whisper. She pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear as she looked into her brother's eyes.

"Don't marry someone you don't love. Lie to Mom and Dad about it if you have to, pretend to marry her, you know I have your back. 

But save marriage for someone you actually love, whether it's a story as good as Mom and Dad's or not."

He scoffed, wrapping an arm around his sister. Damien rest his forehead against Aurora's shoulder and she wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

"You win, Roe." His shoulder's relaxed as he spoke.

"No marriage. No real one at least."

"For now." Aurora grinned, running her nails through her brother's hair.

"If you fall in love with her, by all means go for it."

"You two are so fucking weird." Spade commented, raising an eyebrow at the two siblings. They both laughed, shoving lightly on the other.

"Our entire family is fucking weird." Damien stood from the bed, followed by Aurora. He bent down, wrapping his little sister in a hug.

"Thanks Roe."

Aurora rolled her eyes at him, a grin still tugging at her ruby lips.

"You don't have to thank me, Dai. I have your back, just like you've had mine."

"You too, Spade. Thank you, please don't mention this to anyone, okay?" Spade nodded briefly at Damien's request, watching him embrace his sister once more before he made his way back down the stairs.

She frowned, not understanding the sibling's extreme fear of disappointing their parents. She could hardly remember the two ever scolding either of them. They had the image of a perfect family.

Spade shrugged, grabbing a magazine and laying on Aurora's bed.

Maybe perfect wasn't all it was cracked up to be.