Chapter 12
Eric's POV
Russell Edgington will regret tonight for the rest of his days, if I allow him to live. As I rest my hand on Aurora's shoulder to shimmer to Texas, I feel my Viking blood coursing through my veins. Arriving at Stan's throne room, I see my old friend eyes widen to the view of another death dealer at my command as well as our new markings.
"Northman, do my eyes deceive me or do you have in your possession another creature of death?" asks Stan.
"My nest is blessed, old friend. Not only do we now have three death dealers, as you can see, we have been marked by the gods themselves," I reply.
I move forward with Pam and Sookie at my side and Bastian and Quinn following behind. Aurora, Stark, and Yannick bring up the rear with their black wings extended and swords in hand ready for battle.
"I see your angel is no longer an angel. What have you been doing Viking to bring this power to your command?" asks Stan.
As I chuckle at his question, five of his guards come storming through the rear doors of the throne room. Before Stan can halt his vampires, Aurora, Stark, and Yannick burst into flames and move towards the approaching vampires. Raising my hand, I halt their advance and Stan's second, Drake, quickly moves the guards back. Stan brakes into laugher, as his second stammers for words for the sight in front of him.
"Drake, did I not tell you our alliance with Area 5 was a powerful one?" asks Stan.
"Your majesty, how is it possible?" Drake asks.
"Simple, Drake. My old friend, the Viking here, nests with gods," says Stan.
Laughing with Stan, I move to the seat at his side.
"So where are our friends from Mississippi at the moment?" I ask.
"My scouts viewed thirty in total moving on the west side of the compound. Russell is not with them, but his lap dog Lily runs the advance," Stan says.
"What is it you require of us, Stan? You must be aware if I turn Aurora, Stark, and Yannick loose on them, there will be no survivors. And you will forever be aligned with my nest," I say.
"I understand everything you've said, Northman, and it is as it shall be. Texas and Area 5 will stand together."
"Then let's go meet your guests. My death dealers are hungry."
Looking over to the three dealers, I am proud of their snarls of compliance. Following Stan and his guards down the corridors, I give Sookie a nod and, as if she can anticipate my wishes, she pushes to Aurora to connect us all.
"Well, Viking, how did you like our performance?" asks Stark.
"Angel, as always you have served your nest proud," I respond.
"Ah, Viking, I'm no longer just an angel. What witty nickname shall you bestow me now?"
"Sorry Stark, but an angel you will always be to us," I say.
Getting the attention of Stan's guards with our laughter, Pam and I snarl at their probing eyes. Not wanting to make eye contact with the death dealers, they quickly look back in the direction we are walking.
"So are we ending this quickly or can we all have some fun?" asks Aurora.
"What did you have in mind Aurora?" I ask.
"I'd love to see what my little sister's like in battle, and before you say no, Viking, Yannick, Stark, and I will keep her safe," suggests Aurora.
I look to the burning eyes of my lover and I can see blood lust coursing through her veins. Giving my nod to Aurora, I notice Yannick slowing and staring straight at Aurora. They stop and lock eyes with each other. I know they are connected and talking silently, but quicker than even I can register, Aurora lunges at Yannick and they smash to the corridor wall. It brings everything to a halt. Stark spins and blocks anyone from approaching the two intertwined death dealers. Yannick may have the height on Aurora but she has knocked him off his feet and they now lay of the floor with her positioned on top of him while they snarl at each other. Their eyes ignite with black fire and they extend their fangs Yannick and Aurora are engulfed with furry. I watch as Yannick struggles to move Aurora but it just heightens her rage and she plunges her fangs into his throat. The monstrous death dealer roars and shoves Aurora harder but she digs her nails into his shoulders, holding herself in place while she drinking deeper. Realizing there is no point to struggling, Yannick releases his grip on Aurora's body and lies still. Acknowledging his submission, Aurora releases her fangs from his neck and stares into Yannick's eyes before climbing of his body. Standing over him, Aurora keeps eye contact but Yannick doesn't move until she offers her hand to him. Now standing face to face, Yannick bows his head to Aurora. Lifting his chin, Aurora exposes her neck. Grabbing her waist, he lifts her so she can wrap her legs around his body. Yannick lowers his head to her neck and licks before biting. Aurora moans and grips the back of his head violently. Only allowing him to drink for a short time, she pulls him from her neck and he lowers her to the floor. Stark moves quickly to Aurora's side and licks the still trickling blood. Seconds pass but the tension is broken when Stark mumbles, "yummy," and winks at us.
I haven't noticed Stan move to my side with the turmoil, but I'm sure the little show Aurora and Yannick put on worries him immensely.
"Northman, I hope all is well with your death dealers?" inquires Stan.
"Of course, old friend. They just get a little sexually driven before battle and show their dominance. I know you can understand," I say.
"Oh, that I can, Viking. It's nice to see your female holds the other two at bay. She must be quite a treat in the bedroom."
Bastian and Quinn both smirk at Stan and move forward. I watch Aurora and Yannick closely. Stan may have believe my story, but I need to know what the hell just happened. Yannick rests his hand on Aurora's shoulder and they move from the demolished wall towards us.
Yannick waves his hand as they approached and the wall is as new. We all turn and continue to follow Stan and his men.
"Aurora what the hell was all that about?" I ask.
"All if fine now, Eric. Yannick and I just had to come to an understanding," Aurora says.
"May we know of this so called understanding?" I ask.
"Eric, I just needed to make it clear to Yannick that when I give an order it will be followed. He was under the impression that we are equals. But it had been resolved and we are fine," says Aurora.
I look at Yannick and he nods to acknowledge that what Aurora said is true. Turning the last corner, Stan stops. Two vampires stand at the ready, weapons in hand.
"Northman, this door will lead us to the west wall. I have been informed that Lily has already moved inside the compound and awaits my surrender," says Stan.
"Then let's go see your guest. Aurora, Stark, and Yannick, keep hidden until I call you. But clean up any intruders you may find moving around the compound," I command.
Giving me a nod, Aurora turns to Bastian and Quinn, kissing them both on the foreheads before shimmering out with Yannick and Stark. We walk tall from the house straight into Lily and her horde. I can see twenty-five, including Lily, so somewhere around the compound we have snipers. I almost feel pity for the dead fools. Stan gives me one last look, before stepping forward with his guards in to to address the Mississippi vampires.
"So nice to see you again, Lily. You know the front door is much easier?" says Stan.
"Stan, it is always a pleasure. Let us not waste this beautiful night with games. Do you surrender to Mississippi or are we cleaning house before we move in?" asks Lily.
"You can always clean my house if you wish, Lily. Good help is a bitch to find. But as to surrendering, I think I'll give that a miss tonight if you don't mind," says Stan.
"A fool as always. You think your little royal guard can hold us. We will only take pleasure in giving you your final death."
"Ah, but, my friend, Texas does not stand alone. I may have only my personal guard with me at the moment but to my fortune my guests this evening are also my alliance."
"I can see the Viking and his bonded was well as my King's tiger. This is not a concern of mine. It only saves me the trip to Area 5 to claim her and the tiger back. And my King has informed me of your winged fighter, I have brought a gift for her if she's still around."
What did Lily have that could stop Aurora? Moving through Stan's guards, Sookie, Pam, Bastian, Quinn, and I come completely into view. Nodding to Lily, I decide to do a little fishing.
"So we were to expect you in Louisiana next, were we, Lily?" I ask.
"Oh yes, Viking. Taking my King's tiger was a foolish mistake you'll pay for," says Lily.
"But it was your King that bet the tiger, not I asking for it, so I think he should be looking in his own house for blame. But my true interest is in what the mighty King of Mississippi thinks he has that can stop my guard."
"We know what she is, Viking."
"Really? Please do enlighten me for I still am looking for the answer of what she is myself."
"It was I, in fact, that found the text to decipher her origins. With the elf taking his life instead of attacking, you made it far too easy. All you have at your side, Viking, is a interbreed elf and fairy. My witch can block her powers, making her unless and taking your bonded so much easier. It just sorrows me she is not with you tonight. My King wishes to use her with his tiger in the pits."
"Let me save you a trip, Lily."
I snap my fingers I know Aurora will love my signal. We all hear the rustling of feather as I follow the Mississippi vampires' eyes to the roof above us. There, four stories up, stands Aurora, Stark, and Yannick with their wings spread wide, staring down at us. Throwing themselves off the roof and twisting in mid air, the three land in front of us with a thud. To my joy, Aurora clutches the lifeless bodies of two vampires with Stark and Yannick holding one each of their own. Throwing the corpses aside, they nod to Stan. Lily growls at us, but Aurora just snarls and nods towards the roof they'd just launched themselves from. There, hanging by the neck on the corner of the roof like a wind chime, is vampire number five. Stan steps forward and insists that before we leave Aurora is to remove her decoration as it doesn't match with his decor. This little banter enrages Lily and the Mississippi vampires. Waving her hand, she calls her witch forward.
"I don't know how you can to be in possession of three of the interbreeds, Viking, but my witch will disable them and you will pay for allowing them to kill my scouts," says Lily.
As a small woman comes forward, I can see the magic twisting its way around her body. She raises her head and looks directly at Aurora, Stark, and Yannick. She chants under her breath and a smoky haze swirls around the witch and drifts towards the death dealers like a winter's mist. Reaching their feet, it coats their bodies like a second skin. I can see Lily itching to attack. All she requires is the confirmation from her witch that Aurora, Stark, and Yannick have been immobilized.
Two minutes pass and nobody moves. There, in front of me, stand the death dealers as still as marble statues. I am about to move forward to give the command to attack, but I notice Quinn and Bastian smiling as they move backwards. Aurora takes a step forward, leaving the mist behind her and stretches her wings up into the night sky. Closing her eyes, she lowers her head and begins to take slow steady breaths. Stark and Yannick proceed to take steps forward but they move away from Aurora, allowing a good two meter gap between each of them. The witch increases her volume and starts to throw a dust about, which she is pulling from a bag attached to her hip. I begin to move backwards at the sound of rumbling. The ground begins to shake gently as Aurora, Stark, and Yannick begin to glow white and levitate from the ground. Aurora lifts her head and begins to whisper.
"Come to me, gifts of my father,
Come shake the ground with hooves of steel,
Wash my view with strides of strength,
Come to me gifts of my father."
The witch has moved forward from the Mississippi vampires, throwing her dust in the air towards us. She is having trouble keeping her balance as the rumbling becomes louder and the earth shakes as if to split apart.
With an ear splitting crashing, the boundary wall confining Stan's mansion comes smashing down as five wild horses made of nothing but water crash through. With huge lunging strides, the horses bear down on the death dealers. With each strike of their hooves to the earth, they grow in size. Reaching Aurora, they slide to a stop in front of her, rearing high into the night sky. Their eyes are pools of smoldering red fire and with every snort of air, steam courses around Aurora. Stretching her hand towards the water horses, Aurora begins to whisper again. "Gift of my father, remove that which deems to harm the daughter of Poseidon."
Turning, the horses let out a blood curdling scream as the gallop towards the witch. They crash into her body with the force of an ocean's wave against a cliff face. Blood sprays towards the Mississippi vampires and the horses become mist in the air. All that remains of the witch is a crushed pile of bones and flesh spread across the ground in front of them. Aurora, Stark, and Yannick drift down from the sky, twisting their wrists to bring their long silver swords that sparkle in the moon light.
Their angelic white glow morphs into a violent red flame as they take their first strides towards the vampires awaiting their final deaths.
"Stop this now, Viking, and we will leave in peace," says Lily.
"That I will not do, Lily. But, when you're final death is handed down by my guards, I want you to think of what they will do to your King when we thank him for your lovely visit," I say.
Turning to run, the horde of vampires freezes as the three death dealers shimmer back and forth. One second the dealers are in the front of the vampires, the next at their rear. Aurora makes the first strike, bringing her blade down on a young blond male vampire. Nothing stops the sparkling silver blade as it splits the vampire in two. Yannick dances, twisting both his blades, cutting down three vampires in one move. It is true beauty watching them move from one victim to the next.
Quinn moves to my side as Sookie, Bastian, and Pam's eyes wash over with fire and move towards the blood bath before us. Stark slices through a female vampire before grabbing a middle aged male and throwing him towards Sookie. My lover launches into the air ripping the head of the hurtling vampire before his body hits the ground. It becomes a game to my nest mates. The death dealers cut down fifteen of the twenty-five vampires within seconds. They now play with their victims, herding them towards Sookie, Bastian, and Pam. My child rushes to Stark's side and, with a bush of his hand, she is engulfed in flames. Ripping through three vampires in a matter of seconds, Pam turns to watch my brother, Bastian, and Sookie blasting bolts of power into the last five vampires, turning them to dust. Looking quite pleased with themselves, Sookie, Bastian, and Pam move back to my side. Aurora, Stark, and Yannick have someone pinned between that is begging for it life.
"Master, we have a gift of your friend, Stan. If you'd like to bring him over," says Stark.
I turn to see that Stan and his guards have moved so far back from us they are now pressed against the mansion wall. Looking directly at my old friend, I can see horror and disbelief plastered on his face. I know he thinks Aurora, Stark, and Yannick are powerful, but witnessing them cut down the Mississippi vampires with such ease horrifies him.
"My old friend, we have no intentions of harming any of you," I say.
"Eric, what has your nest become? There are no words for what I have just witnessed. They do not battle for life. They play with our deaths," says Stan.
"Stan, they consider you a friend. Do not fear them. Come see the gift they have for you," I say.
Taking a steadying breath, Stan moves forward but his terrified guards remain in place. They know there is no point to their presence, if Aurora, Stark, and Yannick wish Stan dead there is nothing in this world Stan's guards can do to stop them. Stan walks towards Aurora, Stark, and Yannick while we watch them turn to face us, stretching out there wings to block the view of Stan's gift. Smiling like children at Christmas, Aurora, Stark, and Yannick bow before Stan as Stark stretches out his hand. Lying in his palm is a long platinum chain encrusted with diamonds. As Stan takes the chain from Stark, they move out of the way to reveal the gift. There before Stan is Lily hobbled on all fours by silver shackles and around her neck is a silver collar with diamonds spelling out the words "STAN'S PET."
Any reserves my old friend has about the death dealers falls away as he bursts into laughter.
"Viking, this will always be the best gift ever bestowed upon me," laughs Stan.
"I'm sure the dealers are glad you like it. Let us move inside and give your friend Russell a call, shall we?" I ask.
We follow Stan and his new pet back to his throne room. I almost smack right into Stan's back as he freezes upon entering the room. Roaring with laughter, my old friend turns to me, gripping my shoulder. I can see what has brought him to a standstill. There, sitting next to his throne, is a ceramic pet dish with little vampire fangs and a name plate that reads "LILY."
"They are remarkable creatures, your death dealers, Viking," says Stan.
"That they are, old friend, that they are," I say.
Turning to look at Aurora, Stark, and Yannick, I have to hold in my laughter as they all raise their brows to me and smirk. watching Stan take his throne with his new pet sitting beside him, brakes my control and I laugh with joy, moving to the seat beside him. Stan wastes no time in calling the King of Mississippi. Not letting us miss any of the fun, Stan puts his phone on speaker.
"Edgington."
"Russell, my friend, how does your kingdom fare on this beautiful evening?" asks Stan.
"Mississippi is strong and proud as always. What can I do for Texas this evening?"
"I just wished to call and thank you for your kind gesture. It brightens my throne room perfectly."
"I'm glad you're happy, Stan. But you have me at a disadvantage. I not quite sure of the gift you're referring?"
"Come now, Russell, I speak of you giving me Lily. She heels magnificently. I cannot thank you enough."
Russell growls into the phone, fighting for control. I know he's used a lot of his resources to make this move on Texas and for it to fail must hurt him significantly.
"Now, Russell, before I forget, the escorts you sent with my gift have been involved in a little misunderstanding. When entering my grounds, they disturbed a few guests staying with me and unfortunately they have been given their final deaths."
"May I ask who they disturbed to be given such a server punishment?"
"Oh course, Russell. At the moment, I have the Northman nest staying in my compound and with your party was a foolish witch. Let's just say the Viking's guards do their job with extreme gusto. I have convinced the Viking you did not intend any disrespect and he is willing to forget the matter."
"Mississippi thanks you, Stan, and I will have to send my apologies to Area 5, but, if you'll excuse me, I have people waiting and I'm sure we'll talk at De Castro ball."
"Oh of course, Russell. I look forward to our talk. Until then and thank you again."
Hanging up the phone, Stan requests we stay the night, just in case Russell tries something else. Agreeing it would be best, I move over to my lover and nip at her ear.
Battle always did heat my blood.
Sookie's POV
Eric and I wake to yelling in the hall. Bastian and Stark are getting very heated over something to do with Aurora and Yannick. I am surprised to hear Stark at all, as it was decided he, Yannick, and Aurora would keep watch during the day. Stan and Eric thought there was a possibility the King of Mississippi may attempt a day assault after his failure during the night. Eric and I get dressed to see what is happening. Opening the door to look upon Bastian and Stark, I could see the toll that staying up all day had on Stark. Every time he blinks it seems to be an effort to reopen his eyes.
"Stark is everything ok?" I ask.
"No, Sookie, it isn't," says Stark.
Stark calling me Sookie is a bad sign. I am normally little sister or our little fairy, but he has never called me just Sookie. He turns and walks to a door leading outside pausing before he exits to look upon Bastian one more time. Once Stark leaves the building, Eric stops Bastian from walking away and drills him with questions.
"Bastian, what of Aurora?" asks Eric.
"We ask too much of her, brother. and give nothing in return," says Bastian.
"What has happened while we slept?"
"It is just not this day, brother. She needs to feed and recover from the tie with Yannick. She is confused if she made the right decision. All she has done since becoming part of this nest is put us before herself."
"How do you know this, Bastian? Has Aurora spoken to you?"
"No, brother, I can feel her confusion. Every time she looks at Yannick, she sees the life she lost with her brother, Val. She has not accepted him fully and until she does she will be in turmoil."
"Why was Stark upset if you show nothing but concern for Aurora?" Eric asks.
"He feels, as Quinn and I do, the feelings Yannick has for Aurora. What you may not understand, brother, is that Stark is not a full death dealer as Aurora and Yannick are. He has most of the strength and of course there are the new gifts bestowed him. But he will always be a vessel that holds a death dealer blood, not a true death dealer. He fears if Yannick and Aurora continue on this path, not even he will be able to stop them from killing each other."
"Bastian, it seems to me you both want the same thing?"
"No, brother, we don't. Stark wants to push Aurora into connecting with Yannick more. I feel we have asked too much of her already and believe we should allow her time to come to terms with the new situation."
Eric thinks over what his brother has just said and decides we should go see how Aurora is doing, before meeting with Stan. Moving outside, we see Stark and Yannick standing together looking up into the night sky. Following their gaze, I can see Aurora flying gently on the night breeze, twisting and turning. It truly looks like she is dancing with the stars.
"Eric, I think it's best if you go and finalize things with Stan so we can leave and I'll stay out here with Yannick, Aurora, and Stark. You know Bastian is right. We need to let them rest and come to terms with the new death dealer," I say.
"I can see your concern, Lover, and I hate to admit it, but I agree. I will round up Quinn, Bastian, and Pam after talking with Stan and meet you back here within two hours," says Eric.
"Thank you, Eric."
With Eric walking back into the mansion, I move towards Yannick and Stark. As I approach, I see Stark's eyes flash red with fire. Nodding to Yannick, Stark shoots up into the sky to fly side by side with Aurora.
"Yannick, where is Stark going?" I ask.
"Aurora called him," says Yannick.
"Why?"
"She is uneasy and having Stark close calms her."
"If you want to join them, I can go back inside."
"She does not call me, young one. I will stay here until she does or we leave."
I look up into the night sky and watch Aurora and Stark circle around each other, brushing wings as they pass. Never leaving our view, they swirl in the sky above.
"Yannick, can I ask you a question? It's about something you said about Aurora," I say.
"You can ask me anything, young one, and I shall decided if I wish to answer."
"You said once you've always loved Aurora. How is that possible? From what Aurora has said, I gathered that death dealers never really spent much time together. It was like all you did was protect your creatures and go to war."
"It is true the sets of twins never really integrated with each other, but our fathers had council meetings that required all the gods to be present. After our creation, one hundred and twenty years passed before the next council meeting was called. We arrived and took our seats as the meeting began, but something keep catching my eye. It moved around the great hall like music on the air. It wasn't until I noticed Poseidon only had one child at his side that I knew the breeze must be his prized daughter. Watching Val smile every time the breeze swept through his hair, I knew the rumors that the ocean twins were special was true. You see, young one, I may have been part of a set of twins but that was all we ever were. There was no connection but that which our father had created amongst us. Val and Aurora had true love between them. Poseidon was truly blessed with children that loved him."
"So what happened at this meeting?" I ask.
"Nile, one of Hades's twins, decided to challenge Val. He hadn't noticed Aurora floating around the room and believed he and his twin could take the lone death dealer. Before he could rise from his seat, Aurora materialized and grabbed him by his throat, lifting him high into the air. Being a son of Hades, Nile didn't have wings to maneuver off of the ground, but Aurora decided to give him flying lessons anyway. Throwing his body around the room, never letting it hit anything before tossing it again, she laughed and mused at her fun. Val just sat there soaking in the pride that his sister was truly an amazing creature. It was at that moment I changed, young one. There was a pull in my chest that followed Aurora around the room. When her father put a stop to her fun Aurora placed Nile back in his chair and launching herself into Val's lap. I watched as he wrapped his arms around his sister and they laughed at her fun. They loved. It was something I'd never seen, let alone felt. Poseidon would pull strands of hair from her face and place kisses on both children's heads. They were a family and it was that moment she took my heart. I have loved Aurora longer than your world has existed."
"If you felt something for her, why didn't you do something about it?"
"But I did, young one. Have you seen Aurora's ability with lightning?"
"Have I? She split a tree in two at home."
"Only the sons of Zeus had the ability to control lightning. Around two hundred years passed after the council meeting and I was scouting a possible threat to my father's kingdom when I found Aurora doing the same. Not being one to shy away, Aurora approached me and asked my intentions. After deciding we meant each other no harm, we scouted the area and meet back where we first saw each other to discuss our findings. Not being able to control myself, I reached out and brushed her cheek. When her eyes washed over with black fire, I hoped like I'd never hoped before that she felt the same for me. Placing her hand on mine, Aurora closed her eyes and I took my opportunity and leaned forward and kissed her. When her eyes opened, I watched her body engulf in white light before she started stepping backwards. Giving me a wink, she shot two bolts of lightning into the night sky. I was frozen in shock. I'd heard she could absorb gifts, but to have it happen to me was surreal. Looking into her crystal green eyes, I knew I would give anything to be with her. We decided to meet alone at the next council meeting and I shimmered out of the realm," says Yannick.
"Come on, Yannick, what the hell happened at the next meeting?"
"With wars falling on the realms, the death dealers were sent to clean things up. Over four thousand years passed before we were both able to attend a meeting together. As soon as I laid eyes upon her, I saw her shattered soul. She entered the hall alone and declared death to all of us. Before I could approach her, she was gone. Poseidon arrived minutes later looking for Aurora and divulging the loss of his son Val to Hades's twins. After she took their lives, Aurora started to change. She once had beautiful white lavender wings, but when we meet next she carried her blood red wings of sorrow."
"And the next time you saw her after that was when she killed your brother?"
"Yes, young one, and then she was gone. I have spent every day searching for her since."
I watch a singled blood tear run down Yannick's cheek as he looks back up into the sky to watch Aurora. He places his hand over the scar that now marks his perfect body. The scar is from the ring Stark had pushed into his chest. Not realizing the time, I am surprised when a huge Bengal Tiger comes bursting from the door and roars up into the night sky. With screams of laughter, Aurora swoops down and crashes into Quinn the tiger, wrestling in a mixture of stripes and feathers. Eric, Bastian, and Pam come forward shaking their heads at the sight before us. With Quinn staying in his tiger form, we quickly came together and shimmer back to Bon Temps. While Eric, Pam, and Bastian walk into the house discussing the next moves we should take in regards to the King of Mississippi, I stay in the backyard with Yannick and Stark watching Aurora play with Quinn.
An hour passes and I am starting to get hungry when Quinn comes backing out of the trees still in his tiger form with his, ears pressed flat against his skull, and snarling. I can see something moving along the tree line but not moving into the light. Racking his claws into the soil, Quinn springs back into the tree line and crashes into something, ripping a tree from the ground in the process. There are roars and snarls emanating from the tree line. With another crash, Quinn comes hurtling from the trees entangled with a huge cougar. Both big cats launch back from each other never braking eye contact. Quinn is much bigger, but the cougar moves faster and seems to anticipate his every move.
"Stark, you have to help Quinn! That thing is insane," I say.
Stark looks at me, lifting his eye brows and giving me a cheeky smirk, then he walks towards the snarling cats. I can't believe it when he runs his fingers a long the cougar's fur. Standing between the two enormous predators, he starts to laugh. Quinn lets out a huffing sound and approaches the cougar, rubbing his head against its head. The cougar increases their contact and lets out a soft growl. When the three of them turn towards me, I start to back away. Hybrid or not they are gigantic. Yannick steps behind me, blocking my retreat.
"Young one, look at her eyes," says Yannick.
I stare at the huge cougar, now only inches in front of me, sparking crystal green eyes stare back.
"Is she not truly amazing, young one? Even in this form my heart races for her," says Yannick.
Holy shit! I am staring at Aurora. Walking past me, Aurora lets her tail twist around my body. Reaching Yannick, she presses herself into him as she passes. Aurora shifts back into her normal form only a few steps further on. Yannick takes off his shirt, offering it to Aurora attentively. With a smile, she takes the shirt and put it on.
"Ok, roommate, can you please explain how you just shifted?" I ask.
"I didn't think I could, little sister. It's not as simple as absorbing supe powers. But after a few attempts, I was able to shift completely. If you could keep this from everyone else, I would be grateful," says Aurora.
"If that's what you want, but don't ever scare the crap out of me again. Why the hell where you and Quinn fighting?" I ask.
"We weren't fighting, Sookie. We were playing," says Aurora.
Shaking my head, I just let it go. Telling everyone I am heading in, I turn towards the house. Stark and Quinn shimmer inside. I guess so Stark can take Quinn straight to his room to get some clothes. Aurora grabs Yannick's hand, stopping him from moving. They look at each other and nod.
"Little sister, I needed to talk to Yannick alone. Please tell everyone we'll be in soon," says Aurora.
Agreeing, I walk back to the house. God, I hope this goes well.
