Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or the world in which this story is based.
Author's Note(s): Hey, guys :-) As always, thank you for still reading and reviewing! I'm glad everyone is enjoying the mystery that is Sugar but at this point I can neither confirm nor deny your theories! I hope you enjoy this chapter :-)
No Rest for the Wicked
Chapter 12
When Santana wakes for the second time that day it's in the early hours of the afternoon. Sunlight streams through the inadequate curtains and the sounds of heavy objects being thrown and dragged around somewhere outside fills the room. It's probably people working in the lumber yard across the road if the deep male yells are anything to go by. All in all, it's not the best motel Santana has ever slept in; nor is it by any means the worst. No, that particular honour goes to a little place in Louisville that came with its own little ants nest living in the cracks of the window frame and more than one peephole in both the shower and the bedroom. Santana had stayed there for maybe fifteen minutes before spotting a disgustingly suspicious yellow stain on one of the sheets, prompting her to steal her money back (with a little extra for good measure) from the cash register and get the hell out of there.
She groans lightly and squirms under the sheets, trying to stretch her muscles and limbs with as little movement as possible. Apparently she had been more tired than she'd realised. She must have been running on pure adrenaline and it wasn't until a light disagreement with Brittany last night...or was it this morning...that Santana had realised she was on her second night of no sleep at all and that it probably wasn't conducive to solving wide-scale demon problems. The woman had even had the nerve to throw Santana's own words back in her face about needing rest to function to the best of their abilities. Of course, Brittany had been paraphrasing because she's confident she's never once used the words, "'cause that's how girls end up dead."
That hadn't been the only disagreement she'd had with Brittany either. After much deliberation and careful consideration both Sugar and Brittany had decided, without Santana's consent, that Sugar would be sharing a room with them for 'safety reasons'. Brittany had been struggling through a haze of exhaustion but that hadn't stopped her from being incredibly forceful about her views on the subject. She'd told Santana that she was too tired for 'sweet lady kisses' anyway so what did it matter if Sugar slept in the bed next to theirs? For her part, Sugar had looked positively mortified by this conversation but Santana had also seen her wipe away a few tears with the back of her hand and Santana wasn't sure if they were tears of misery or tears of happiness because Brittany was fighting her corner. It's a little sad but frankly, Santana has bigger fish to fry right now to concern herself with the feelings of a random, clingy teenager.
In the end, Santana had agreed because she wanted to and not just because she felt compelled to cater to Brittany's every whim, no matter what Sam had half-jokingly suggested before they'd left Artie's house.
Then there's the fact that she wants to keep an eye on Sugar anyway. Something about her face as she'd sobbed against her car had struck a chord and Santana struggles to grasp what it is that bothers her. Sometimes when she looks at Sugar something in her mind clicks and she knows exactly what it is that niggles at the back of her tired brain, but then it slips away like the tide on the beach and she's left with dull confusion.
It's like the kid reminds her of someone. Somebody she hasn't seen in a very long time.
She tries to banish these unsettling thoughts from her mind and reaches over to the bedside table to retrieve her phone. A quick glance at the screen tells her that Brittany hasn't text her yet and she purses her lips in disapproval. She's beginning to regret her decision to allow Brittany access to her car keys so she could take Sugar shopping earlier this morning. Thinking on it, she's also not sure how Brittany convinced her to financially support it either. An image of Sam from last night as he acted out the sounds and actions of a whip flashes through her mind and she grumbles to herself unhappily.
Or at least she likes to pretend to herself that she's unhappy with her little arrangement, but the fact is that after only a few weeks Santana already can't even imagine her life without Brittany. If she has to sacrifice some of her worldly goods to make sure things stay the way they are now, then so be it. She knows she'd give anything to keep hold of the warm, fuzzy feeling that hugs her body whenever Brittany smiles at her.
Although she's still not entirely happy about allowing that kid to hang around with them. Far too much mystery for Santana's liking. Brittany seems to trust her though and Santana trusts Brittany. Maybe Sugar will even turn out to be helpful. Maybe. Santana isn't holding her breath on that one. It could be worse though. At least it isn't Rachel Berry determined to latch herself onto them with that eerie glint of determination in her eyes that Santana has often found more frightening than any of the monsters she's fought in her lifetime.
Ugh Rachel Berry. Now there's a horrifying notion.
Before Santana's thoughts can turn down an even darker road, the phone in her hand starts to buzz. Without looking at the screen, she immediately accepts the call and brings it to her ear.
"Hey there, Britt-Britt," she says, her voice scratchy from sleep. There's a light cackle over the phone and Santana smacks her hand to her forehead.
"Not quite, girl," replies Mercedes with amusement. "Britt-Britt? Really?"
Santana sighs. "Well we can't all be psychic." She knows that's not what Mercedes was laughing at.
"We do all have Caller ID though," Mercedes points out.
"Yeah yeah," Santana mutters under her breath. She wriggles underneath the blankets on the bed, trying to get more comfortable. It's hard with a pointy spring digging into her back. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Cleo?"
Mercedes clicks her tongue in irritation. "That's offensive. You're lucky there are state boarders between us right now 'cause they're saving you from a smack upside the head. Is that all I'm getting from you? 'Give me your information and then leave me alone'?"
"That's about the gist of it," says Santana mutinously. She can practically hear Mercedes rolling her eyes.
"Rude," replies Mercedes. "In answer to the questions you should have asked me, I'm fine, thank you. The business is still doing well and Kurt is keeping himself busy. How are you, Santana?"
Santana hates small talk but she knows Mercedes has a reason for calling and that she won't be getting that information unless she plays along. But then... "I'm absolutely peachy," she says in a jovial voice. "Fantastic. Never been better! I fucking love it when super angry, super-powered serial killers are roaming the Earth looking for my friends and colleagues with murderous intent. Me and the guys had a good old laugh about it last night after we sang a rousing chorus of 'She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain' and made s'mores over the giant Roadhouse campfire."
There's an unamused pause. "Are you finished?" Mercedes asks.
"Yes," says Santana with a sigh.
"So how are things going with Brittany?" continues Mercedes. Santana cringes, hearing the wry grin in her voice like the woman already knows the answer to this question.
"Um...Fine. I haven't scared her off yet if that's what you're asking," she says.
"Is that your way of saying I can expect wedding bells soon?" Mercedes probes. "Stop rolling your eyes at me!"
"I wasn't!" Santana protests. She was. "We've been a little too preoccupied to sit around listening to vagina music and discussing making lesbabies in case you haven't noticed."
"That's not what I've heard."
"Fucking Trouty Mouth can't keep his trap shut for ten minutes!" Santana sits up in bed in anger; like Sam is somehow going to be sat a arms length so she can beat the shit out of him.
"Okay, you need to relax, Satan," Mercedes says. "Sam didn't tell me anything. Not verbally anyway." Santana rolls her eyes. "And Trouty Mouth, Santana? Really? I expect a higher level of creativity from you. Besides, have you and your lips looked in the mirror lately? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
"Thanks for the after school special, grandma. Did you pick that one up from your nightly readings of the Beeble?" she replies scathingly. But she still raises her fingers to her lips rather self-consciously.
"Very funny," says Mercedes dryly. "Now do you want my information or not, you ungrateful bitch?"
"Yes," says Santana promptly. She crosses her legs and switches the phone to her other hand; it's starting to feel a little warm against her face.
"Well then maybe if you ask me really nicely I'll consider it," says Mercedes. Santana grits her teeth. "You know you should really see a doctor," Mercedes continues after a few moments of silence, "your blood pressure must be through the roof."
In her head, Santana counts down from ten and exhales slowly. "Oh, Oracle of Unfettered Omniscience, please grace me with your bountiful knowledge so that I may continue to do your work," she says as sincerely as possible.
"That's better," Mercedes says seriously, but Santana knows her mood has lightened considerably.
"Thank you, Jewel of Kansas and Goddess among insects."
"So, I had a very interesting dream last night that I think you should know about. You guys aren't the only people lurking around in Sioux Falls." Santana grips the phone a little tighter.
"Demons?" Santana asks, suddenly feeling nervous. She's sure the prickling sensation at the back of her neck is all in her imagination but she still twitches uncomfortably and glances around the room. She may be the most badass human to have ever walked the Earth but even Santana knows when she's outgunned. Or at least she does now after some gentle persuasion.
"Just one as far as I know," Mercedes tells her. "I don't know where he is now but I know where he's going to be in exactly six hours and twenty-four minutes."
The cogs in Santana's brain begin to turn. "And where might that be, oh Font of Wisdom?"
"In your motel room," Mercedes supplies. "Creepin'."
Santana feels a thrill of fear and immediately suppresses it. Hunts haven't frightened her since she was a teenager so she's not sure what's wrong with her now. What's changed? "How do you know it's my motel room, Empress of Infinite Knowledge and Insight?"
"I don't know anyone else who keeps a cheap-ass unicorn toy around them," says Mercedes. Santana purses her lips as her eyes fall on 'Hermione' perched on the foot of Sugar's bed. "Seriously, Santana, buy your girl something nicer."
"How do you even know about that?" Santana says unhappily. She has a reputation to uphold for Gods sake.
"When are you going to get it through your thick skull that I'm a psychic?"
A beat. "Brittany told you didn't she?" says Santana, knowing the answer.
"No!" Mercedes counters. "She told Kurt...who then told me."
"Of course," says Santana under her breath. Her eyes continue to scan the room until they land on the digital alarm clock with glaring red numbers on the table next to the bed. "And you know the exact time because you saw the clock?"
"Santana," says Mercedes with warning teasing voice.
"Right," says Santana rolling her eyes. "Oh Magnificent Prophetess, have you any further pearls of wisdom to share with this lesser mortal? What did the demon look like?"
"You can't miss him. Jew-fro, black framed glasses and will probably be the dude sneaking around your room," Mercedes says. "Oh, and black eyes."
Santana nods her head even though Mercedes can't see her. The soulless, flickering black eyes have always creeped her out. She remembers the first time she saw a demon; she and her father had it cornered with pails of holy water in their hands. It had blinked, replacing the normal, human eyes with inky blackness and Santana had very nearly dropped her bucket in shock. The distraction had almost allowed the demon to escape. Her father had not been happy with her that morning.
"Right. Thanks for letting me know," says Santana. She feels the sudden need to get Mercedes off the phone so she can call Brittany and make sure she's okay.
"No problem," replies Mercedes. "Be careful, okay?"
"I'm always careful."
Mercedes snorts in disbelief. "If you say so. Tell your girlfriend to text me when she's got a minute."
"Sure thing," says Santana, knowing she won't. She can't deny the small jolt of happiness at hearing somebody else refer to Brittany as her girlfriend though. She loves the way it sounds from someone else's lips.
"Later then, Satan!" Mercedes says. "Keep me updated."
"Yeah. Bye."
The phones disconnect and Santana has to take a moment to absorb this new information. They aren't ready for the demons yet. They still have no way of killing them and certainly no way of eradicating so many at once. But then, Mercedes had only said one so maybe they still have time. Maybe this demon is working alone.
She uses the phone in her hand to send a quick text to Brittany to ask if everything is okay before pushing herself out of bed and heading to the bathroom to shower.
If the demon is working alone than maybe he can actually be of use to them. They've been stumbling around in the dark since they started this investigation and maybe having someone on the inside around could work their advantage. She'll have to tread extremely carefully though; demons have an unparalleled sense of self-preservation but Santana also knows she can't trust a single word that comes from their filthy mouths no matter what the circumstance is.
As she lathers shampoo into her hair, she tries not to worry about that fact that she and Brittany have now been singled out by the demons. What are the chances that they'd just happen to be in the same place as them for a second time? Have they been followed somehow? She knows Artie will probably be a target purely for his research into the supernatural so maybe it's just a coincidence that he would be the demons' next stop.
It's a strange feeling. She's been targeted by evil creatures before but that's been when she only had herself to worry about. Now she has Brittany and she knows that she'll do anything to keep Brittany safe.
With that lingering uncomfortably in the back of her mind, Santana finishes washing herself as quickly as possible and sets to work. She has things to do and a very short time in which to do them.
By the time Sugar and Brittany return, shopping bags in hand, Santana has completed her preparations and is lying back on the bed with her laptop resting on her stomach. She's been researching exorcisms but as far as she can tell every single one she's looked at so far has been fake. Apparently hunters aren't very internet savvy. Maybe she'll suggest to Artie that he set a website up in the future. It would definitely come in handy.
"Honey, I'm home!" Brittany announces as she struggles through the door with Sugar bouncing in behind her. Almost unwillingly, Santana smiles at the domesticity of it.
In that second, she decides beyond a shadow of a doubt she isn't going to tell Brittany about her phone call from Mercedes.
"Hey, Britt. Sugar," she greets.
"Hi, Santana," says Sugar cheerfully. Her cheeks are rosy for exertion and her teeth are on full display. She seems to have recovered from her earlier fit of tears.
"How did the shopping go?" Santana asks, eyeing the number of bags in Brittany's hands. They were only supposed to be buying a couple of new outfits for Sugar.
"Awesome," says Brittany. She beams and puts down her packages on Sugar's bed next to Hermione the Unicorn. She rifles through them for a moment as Sugar flops down with a weary groan. "We brought you some food." Brittany pulls out a Subway bag and Santana puts her laptop on the floor to sit up.
"Thanks," she says; accepting the food with a smile. She's actually really hungry so she quickly unwraps it.
"Sugar picked it for you. She said you'd love it," Brittany tells her.
"It'll be your favourite," Sugar agrees with a nod. "Promise."
Santana side-eyes the girl dubiously but shrugs and takes a bite of her sandwich and..."Oh my God this is amazing."
Sugar claps her hands together jubilantly. "I told you so!"
"Sugar has a good eye," Brittany adds. She starts to unload the contents of the bags and folds them neatly on the bed. The first thing Santana notices is how ostentatious everything seems to be and she smiles just a little despite being deeply unimpressed. This would be the exact opposite of what she had given them permission to buy. Not even the costume department of Game of Thrones needs this much faux fur. "We bought you a present too."
"You bought me a present with my own money? How kind," Santana says dryly. "Do you know how much hustling I had to do to earn that?"
"Shh," says Brittany. "You're spoiling it." She finds whatever it is she's looking for and pads over to Santana with a small bag in her hand.
Santana smiles despite herself and reaches in to pull out a pair of thick, fluffy red socks. As she holds them up, bits of material sparkle in the light. Not exactly part of her usual attire. "Um...they're..."
"We picked them because you're always cold and you could wear them in bed because your feet are always half-frozen when you sleep," says Brittany hopefully. "And red is your favourite colour."
For a few moments, Santana is speechless. This might be one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for her.
"Thanks, Britt," she says quietly when she becomes aware that Sugar and Brittany are both staring at her, waiting for a response. Her heart swells in her chest like a balloon and she swallows against a lump in her throat. Ew. Why is she being so sappy? It's just a pair of freaking socks. "I love them."
A delighted smile captures Brittany's face and she leans forward and kisses Santana softly on the lips. It's only Sugar's presence that stops Santana from grabbing her girlfriend by the shoulders and throwing her on the bed to show Brittany just how appreciative she is. Over a pair of socks. They linger maybe a little longer than they should because Sugar groans loudly, causing Brittany to pull away.
"You two are so gross," Sugar announces, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm too young and awesome to be subjected to this. I'm going for a shower!"
"Well don't let me stop you," says Santana with a roll of her eyes.
Sugar huffs. "When I'm done I don't wanna see you two making out and you'd still better be wearing all your clothes!" Then with that, she pulls out a large purple towel from one of the many bags and storms into the bathroom, but not before turning around to point sternly at the two women as though scolding them.
Once the bathroom door has been slammed closed, Santana turns her head to gaze at Brittany with a sly smile. Her heartbeat picks up the pace when Brittany smiles back and takes her outstretched hand, allowing Santana to pull her down onto the bed. With a light chuckle, Brittany rolls onto her side so they're facing each other and up close, Santana can see a tiredness lingering in her face with faint, dark lines under her eyes.
"So did you miss me?" asks Brittany, twirling a piece of her hair around her pointer finger.
With a smile, Santana nods her head and tries not to think how embarrassing it would be if anyone could see her now. "Of course."
"I don't blame you," Brittany tells her seriously. "Sometimes I even miss myself. I'm great company."
"The best," Santana agrees.
"What did you do while we were gone? Did you learn anything?"
Santana pauses and licks her lips. She's a seasoned liar so this really shouldn't be an issue but something holds her back from an immediate response. Maybe it's Brittany's wide, trusting eyes looking at her like she can see all Santana's faults but cares for her anyway. It makes her feel like she's capable of so much more in life but all she wants to do is use it to make Brittany happy. "I um...just looked on the computer for anything that might help us. No luck though."
Guilt weighs heavily on her shoulders and she finds that for a moment she can't even look Brittany in the eye. It's crazy because Santana's whole livelihood revolves around lies and deception. One tiny little white lie to keep the woman she...likes quite a lot safe shouldn't make her feel this terrible. Deep down she knows it's better this way.
"Oh well. Maybe Puck or Quinn or Sam will have something," says Brittany. She places delicate stress on her friend's name and Santana narrows her eyes at the inflection.
"Don't you like Sam?" she asks curiously. It's a silly question, she thinks, because everyone likes Sam. What's not to like? Apart from his bizarre comic book obsession, his need to emulate Sean Connery at inconvenient moments and his lips the size of east Africa that is.
Brittany's cheeks turn pink and she looks away. "Um...Of course I do. He's fine. Why wouldn't I?"
Now Santana's interest is really peaked. "Yeah? 'Cause it kind of sounds like you don't. What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing's wrong with him," Brittany protests, but she's starting to look remarkably flustered. "I like him okay and I didn't even speak to him all that much."
"Hmm," says Santana dubiously. "You're not really selling this to me, Britt. I'll let it go though." Brittany looks relieved. "For now."
"Fine," Brittany grumbles.
"So did you have fun shopping?" Santana asks, her hand finding Brittany's hip and squeezing in gently. As much to take as the last few days have been for Santana, she knows it's been ten times more overwhelming for Brittany. As she does at least once a day, she questions her decision to ever allow the woman to accompany her on her travels from one dangerous situation to another. It had been incredibly selfish.
"Yeah," replies Brittany. She reaches forward and kisses Santana's nose. "It would have been better if you'd come with me though."
Santana blushes. Do people kiss people on the nose? "Um..." She clears her throat and tries to ignore the way her body instinctively reacts to their proximity now they're alone. "Did you get any more info out of Sugar?"
"Oh yeah, totally," says Brittany seriously. "Okay, so she says she's from New York...or at least she was...but she isn't anymore because her mom wanted to move." Santana nods. This could be useful. "She says her mom is a hunter but I don't think she's ever been hunting. She really loves shopping and her favourite colour is pink." Okay, less useful. "She has a cat called Charity. Oh, and her mom's favourite band is Fleetwood Mac even though they're super old." For a moment, Santana stares at Brittany who looks rather pleased with herself. "We're friends now."
"I see," says Santana. She's not sure what Brittany thinks she's going to do with this information but she's still kind of impressed. "Her mom has good taste at least."
"Yeah," Brittany agrees. "She's still being really vague and not answering my proper questions but I don't think she's dangerous, Santana. I think we should let her stay with us 'cause what if something bad happens to her because we sent her away? She won't hurt us."
Santana sighs and looks away. She really doesn't like the idea of babysitting a teenager on top of everything they have to contend with but she knows that with one look at that pout Brittany is undoubtedly wearing her resolve will snap like a twig. But then, what choice does she have? As she ponders her options, she doesn't even notice the way Brittany inches forward until their bodies are almost touching.
"We can keep her safe for a little while and then we can convince her to let us take her home," Brittany whispers. A gentle hand closes the small gap between them and toys with the hem of Santana's black tank top before pushing underneath it and resting on her abdomen. Santana inhales sharply, her stomach quivering under the touch.
"It's dangerous here," Santana mutters half-heartedly. People have already died. People a lot more equipped to defend themselves than a frilly, teenage girl who spends more time melting in a puddle of tears than anything else.
Brittany's light smile doesn't waver and her fingers start to tickle patterns on Santana's skin. "But we have you here to protect us," she says. There's such unwavering trust in her voice that Santana can't help but lean forward and press her lips to Brittany's.
They kiss slowly and Santana moves herself forward to completely close the gap between their bodies. She loves that she can just do this now. She's spent so much time during this last month trying to restrain herself and keep her attraction hidden that it feels incredible being able to touch Brittany and not have to worry. She still worries a little, but Brittany has more than proved that she wants Santana close. It's a good thing too because Santana doesn't think she's ever been so physically drawn to somebody before. It's completely overwhelming in the most amazing way.
Her body temperature starts to rise as Brittany's hand ghosts over her ribs until she presses down firmly, pushing Santana onto her back. Then with a predatory gleam in her eye that sends delicious chills down Santana's spine, Brittany raises herself off the bed to straddle Santana's hips. The blue shirt she's wearing dips forwards enough for Santana to see the orange tank top underneath it.
"Trying to top me again, Miss Pierce?" says Santana with a smirk. Despite her words, she keeps still as Brittany leans forward again, blonde hair falling in waves around her face, to capture her lips with her own. Brittany doesn't even dignify her question with a response; Santana loves it and they both know it.
As Brittany continues to kiss her with increasing intensity, Santana groans and runs her hands up and down the woman's slim waist. She stops when they reach just below Brittany's breasts and she can feel her heartbeat fluttering wildly against her fingertips like something is trying to break free.
They're so caught up in simply being with each other, that they don't hear the water being shut off in the other room. They don't even hear the small crash of shampoo and conditioner bottles hitting the floor followed by a muted curse word. They certainly don't hear the quiet click of the lock and the door being swung open.
They do hear Sugar's piercing shriek of horror though.
"Oh my God! What did I tell you about this?" Sugar yells, immediately throwing her hands over her eyes.
In utter shock, Brittany looses her balance and her full weight crashes down onto Santana, knocking the wind out of her and crushing her hand between their bodies.
"Do you even know how many years of therapy I'm going to need after this! I wouldn't even know where to start looking for a ritualistic eye bleaching!" Sugar rambles on as Brittany rolls off Santana and pulls her shirt down with shaky hands to cover her stomach. Santana really could cry right now. They were so close. "Why would you do this to me? Oh my poor, poor eyes!"
"All right, calm down," Santana wheezes out, clutching at her chest. Brittany looks at her apologetically but all Santana can think about is how hilariously red her girlfriend's ears are right now and the arousal intent on flooding through her body. Oh, and the howling Sugar is doing. She's sure that everyone in South Dakota can hear the howling.
"Calm down? Calm down? I feel like I might as well just end my life now!" Sugar peeks at them from between her fingers and once she realises it's safe to look again, she begins flapping her hands around. "How could you mentally scar me in this way? What did I ever do to deserve this? Oh God. This is going to haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life. I hope you're happy!"
"I'd be happier if you'd come in ten minutes later," Santana mutters as she brushes hair away from her face. Brittany fidgets next to her, still looking adorably flustered. "Maybe fifteen."
"You are paying for my psychiatrist!"
It's starting to get dark now and Santana's eyes unwillingly drift to her watch every three minutes. She needs to get her timing right otherwise her evening is not going to go the way she wants it to. Thankfully, nobody is really paying attention to her to notice the bizarre behaviour. They're all too busy listening to Artie ramble on about things they know and can work to their advantage when fighting a demon. He has yet to say anything that Santana doesn't already know so she isn't really concentrating. Brittany, however, is hanging on every word.
It had taken about twenty-five minutes of ranting and raving earlier before Sugar calmed down enough to stop visibly shuddering every few seconds. It would have been funny if Santana hadn't been so annoyed that she and Brittany had been interrupted. As punishment, Santana was forced to endure what Sugar had declared to be a 'fashion show' while she waltzed in and out of the bathroom in varying new outfits until both Brittany and Santana had selected their favourite. The number of accessories she and Brittany had purchased was actually ridiculous. In the end though, Sugar had chosen to wear the outfit Santana had picked, much to her surprise. It had been almost unbearable but it had distracted Santana from the guilt as it steadily built in her stomach. She hates lying to Brittany.
"...so we'll need to stock up on rock salt..." Artie drones on in the background.
Santana holds back a sigh and struggles to keep her face neutral. From the other side of the room, Quinn is making no such effort as she lounges over an armchair with a look of intense distain on her face. They're all back in Artie's library now and Santana is about ready to bash her head against the wall. It's probably been less than twenty-four hours since they arrived in this town and she already feels like she's climbing the walls. Research really is the worst thing ever.
"...and we should probably practice drawing as many Devil's Traps as possible..."
Rachel raises her hand to ask a question and Santana rolls her eyes when Artie smiles a little and pushes his glasses up his nose in a teacher-ly fashion before answering in the most patronising voice possible.
"...and holy water is a must..."
Santana glances at her watch for the millionth time. Before they arrived, she had actually reconsidered her stance to keep Mercedes' phone call to herself. Her plan would be a lot safer if she had somebody there to back her up. Her main issue is that maybe she'd have too much backup; too many cooks spoil the broth and all that. She knows that her plan can't happen without every single person occupying the room weighing in their thoughts and she just doesn't have that kind of time. It'll be better for everyone if she can just get this over with and bring back as much information she can. They'll be mad at her but it's a sacrifice she's willing to make.
"...I've made some calls and there are three different incantations we can use on the water..."
Oh God. She can't take any more of this. She stands up quickly and Artie trails off to look at her.
"I'm hungry. I'm going to pick up some pizzas or something," she says to the group.
"Awesome," says Finn lazily. Rory holds his hand up to him for a high-five but Finn just shakes his head.
Brittany looks up at her from the floor next to Sugar and moves to stand but Santana holds out her hands and shakes her head. "It's okay, Britt," she says, her voice not even close as nonchalant as she was hoping for. "You need to hear all this so you can stay and I'll be back soon."
With a rather disappointed look, Brittany nods her head and sits back down. Santana knows she's nervous about being left in a room full of strangers and she really does feel bad about leaving her, but it's for the best. At least she has Sugar to keep her company. Having said that, she'd feel a lot better about it if Artie wasn't clearly trying to hit on her girlfriend at every available opportunity. Maybe while she waits for the demon to arrive she'll look up the quickest way to disassemble a wheelchair. Just in case she needs it.
"I'm coming with you."
Santana looks around to see Puck getting to his feet. He stares back at her as though daring her to disagree.
There's an oddly determined look on his face and Santana has a feeling it's not just because he's getting sick of the sound of Artie's voice. There's no way she can say no without it looking suspicious.
So Santana just shrugs lightly. Having Puck with her might not be the worst thing. "Fine. You can split the cost with me then." Puck's face falls but he nods.
Author's Note(s): So we're about to meet our first demon. Exciting stuff. Thank you for reading!