I called Prophet. Thankfully he didn't feel the need to come over. He said he'd come over in the morning while I was at school and have a look around. While slightly surprised, I have to admit I was also really glad. I mean, I knew I'd have to tell my parents, but I didn't want to spend my whole evening bumming out about doom and gloom.

Mom called to say she and Dad were going to go to dinner and asked if I wanted to come. I told her no, that Warren was coming over. I told her about the delusion, and she freaked and said they'd come right home, but I told her not to. I assured her, several times, that since Layla was still there, and Warren would be coming over soon, I would be okay until they got home. She put Dad on the phone, for which I then had to reassure him a dozen times, but finally they agreed that if Warren was there I'd probably be safe enough. Then they assured me they wouldn't stay out too late, and told me to make sure Warren stuck around until they got home. Funny, Daddy was really starting to like the fact that I was dating Warren. You know, because every girl needs a big strong man to take care of them…gag me. Personally I thought that Layla and I had handled the jerk just fine. Of course I didn't mention that I had cursed. I was still slightly in shock over that. I know; can you believe it? Everything that's happening and I'm surprised I cursed. I just don't normally.

Anyway, I agreed to all the little rules they set and finally got them off the phone, and then Layla and I headed to my bedroom with Harley. She'd decided to play in my make up until Warren got there. Layla's idea of playing in my make up was using me as a mannequin head. "Hold still." She ordered for the umpteenth time.

"I am holding still."

"Marina, you're not holding still. You keep bouncing your right leg." She sighed.

I realized she was right and stopped instantly. She was after all working on my eyes, and I didn't want to end up looking weird…like I'd know either way. Well, Warren would tell me…right? Yeah, he'd tell me. "What time is it?"

"Seven."

That made me smile. Then I frowned. "Will never called."

She was busy using eyeliner on my eyes and her voice was soft as she spoke. "No, he contacted me mentally. I tell you what Marina; this telepathic link thing is amazing. I love it."

"It doesn't make you mad?" I asked hesitantly, finally voicing a fear I'd been holding onto. "That we're all tied together like this now? Because of me?"

Layla stilled. "No. It really doesn't. I mean, if I'd gotten stuck in a group with someone like Max, yeah, I'd probably be ticked off, but I didn't. I'm helping to build an amazing super group with my best friends. I've loved Will since I was like six years old, and the others have been my close friends since we were freshmen…and maybe you and I have only been friends for a few months, but I like to think of you as one of my best and closest friends."

I couldn't help but smile. "I feel that way too Layla. You're a great friend to have." Okay, I admit it, I had to blink away a tear.

"Stop getting me all mushy…" she laughed. "You're going to ruin your eye make up." The doorbell rang and we both stood up. "Looks like someone rushed to get here." She teased.

"Oh shut up." I grumbled good naturedly and moved quickly towards the front door. I could literally feel Warren on the other side. "Hi." I greeted him as I answered the door.

He stepped inside and threw his arm over my shoulder. "Hey." He told me softly then turned his attention to Layla. "Hey Hippie. How's it goin?"

I could 'see' her outline shrug as she responded. "Good. We've been having a good time. I swear that dog gets smarter and smarter every time I come over here." Harley had moved to Warren, plopped his haunches on the ground, and was holding up a paw for a shake.

"That's because he's a brilliant dog. Yes he is." Warren had turned his attention to the dog now and was fawning over him…uh huh, Warren sure is a task master. I keep remembering a claim that my dog might be vicious…yep I saw it more and more every day.

"Did you tell him?" Layla asked me.

"I hadn't gotten a chance to yet." I pointed out.

Warren stood and his aura began to show concern. "Tell me what? What's happened?"

We moved into the family room and it didn't take long to explain what had happened in the backyard earlier in the night. Then I explained that my Dad had asked that Warren stick around until my parents got home, to which he immediately agreed. Layla mom showed up to take her home. I finally had a chance to sit down, alone, with my boyfriend.

It felt really nice to sit there cuddled up against him with his arms wrapped around me. It made me think of Layla's earlier comments about the L word. Is this how Mom felt when Dad held her? Was I overthinking this?

Warren speaking broke me out of my thoughts. "I'm really worried about this guy Marina."

"I know you are. Your aura tells me you are." I remind him softly. "I don't know what to say to make you feel better. I'm worried too."

"In these illusions, or whatever they are, can you read his aura?"

I thought about that. Odd, I hadn't thought about it before. "No, I can't. You know what? I can't read Bleak's aura either. I mean I felt the hostility from Bleak, but I couldn't see any colors surrounding him like I can see them when I'm awake."

Warren was quiet for a few minutes. He was thinking so I just cuddled closer and let him think. "And Prophet is gonna come over tomorrow morning and take a look around?"

"Yes."

"Good." He seemed relieved with that answer and reached up and tugged at a lock of my hair. I looked up towards his face. Glad I did. His lips met mine as soon as they could.

At first the kiss was very gentle. That type always surprises me. Warren doesn't strike me, or probably anyone else, as a gentle person, but sometimes when he kisses me it's like he's saving that just for me. I deepened the kiss and moved to place my hands on either side of his face. It put me in a position where I was kneeling on the couch, and I was glad I'd taken my shoes off. His hair was still pulled back from work, and there was a whiskery feel to his cheeks that I enjoyed feeling. His hands moved to wrap around my waist and they tickled my sides a little as they moved past.

"You make me breathless." I told him as I pulled slightly away.

He grinned and moved in for another kiss. I pushed him backwards until he was lying on the couch, and I was on top of him. Warren's hands fisted in my shirt and I began to move my hands over his arms feeling the definition in his biceps. My heart was racing and my breathing was speeding up, and he was right there with me. This was really our normal make out routine, I mean just the kissing, we really hadn't moved into anything else. But I wanted more. Was that wrong? Was I too young? I don't know, but right then I didn't care either. Warren made me feel things; beautiful and powerful things.

Keeping my mouth on his, I moved one of my hands down to the edge of his shirt and then pushed up under it. Wow, nice abs. I began to explore his stomach, side, and up his chest. The only time I'd ever felt so much of his bare flesh had been when he'd been shirtless after gym and he'd kissed me. This was different and I liked it…a lot. Now his hands were moving. They were up and under the back of my shirt and his hands were warm and slightly rough. That certain something between us had kicked in and we were glowing bright enough to light the dimly lit room. I could actually see the brightness behind my eyelids. I really didn't dwell on it. His hands were roaming all over my body now, and his mouth had moved down my chin to my neck. He found this one spot above my collarbone that made everything zing.

"I want you to take…" Well, I was about to say take off your shirt, but that was interrupted by the sound of the garage door going up. Oh gee, my parents are home.