Whew, that took a while. Even though I warned you that updates would be slower in coming from now on, I hadn't quite realized how quickly that'd come true. My move's scheduled for July but I'm already drowning in things I have to do and unfortunately, it's not going to get better. I HATE it. With the passion of a burning star. There's nothing like stress to stifle creativity, ugh. ?

I hope you guys are hanging in there and staying safe!

Chapter 84

"Can you believe that I've lived here my whole life and I've never been to this place?" Heather asked as Isaac led the group along a narrow path through the preserve. Wide-eyed, she took it all in; the tall and majestic trees, the lances of light spearing through the slightly swaying canopy, and the utter absence of wildlife activity in the presence of so many predators … not that she knew about that. "I barely remember that this lake exists, to be honest."

"You always liked the public pool better, because slides," Stiles reminded her. "Aaand … here we are! Behold our tiny piece of paradise!"

Before them, Isaac and Boyd broke through some shrubbery and there it was, a surprisingly large lake in the middle of the forest, its water glittering in the sunlight although most of the small beach area was lying in the shadows of the trees. It was perfect for having fun and resting.

"You built a grill!" Heather exclaimed, walking over to the brick construction a bit away from the water and examining it. "This is amazing."

"In this weather, we won't use it for safety reasons," Lydia said, "but yes, once it's cooled off a little, we'll definitely make good use of it."

"Who of you built this?" Heather asked as she opened the small door to the pizza oven. "It looks like it comes from a catalogue."

"I helped Derek with it," Boyd replied.

"And I took care of watering and feeding them while they were at it," Erica added, grinning impishly.

"I was banned from both for having two left thumbs," Stiles admitted, "but Isaac and I were doing the running for more material once the initial load was used up. Let me tell you, the weight of that pizza stone was no joke."

"Worth it, though," Isaac said. "The first pizza out of that oven is mine."

"We promised," Derek agreed with a clap to Isaac's shoulder.

"Tell me how it went," Heather asked Stiles. "I need to know."

"Sure thing," Stiles promised. "But now it's time for some world-class relaxation. Blankets out, guys!"

Everyone followed Stiles' lead and soon they had made a huge area for lounging, their coolers, full of drinks and snacks, strategically placed around them.

"We're gonna go in," Isaac told the group, already stripping down to his swimming trunks.

Stiles could barely contain his laughter when it wasn't just Danny staring at his abs. While Erica was unabashed as always and Heather did some heavy-duty ogling as promised, even Lydia gave Isaac a long, long look of appreciation.

Thankfully, the other four enhanced members of their group shed their clothes as well, Jackson smugly presenting his now even more cut body for everyone's perusal.

"I'm so glad you asked me to come along," Heather declared in a stage-whisper that fooled absolutely no one. She grinned. "It's not often I wish I were a lesbian, but damn Erica, you're looking hot."

Erica winked at her and posed prettily, letting her curled hair cascade down her back. "I know."

In a show of silent possessiveness, Boyd curled his strong arm around Erica's trim waist. "You ready to jump in?"

"Always, boo. Lemme get up on your shoulders!"

Boyd knelt, allowing Erica to perch on his shoulders, and rose without even a small sign of strain.

"One second," Stiles said mildly. At his tone, Erica's head swivelled so fast to look at him that it was almost comical. "Take it easy in the beginning, yeah?"

"We'll watch over her," Isaac said with a nod.

Jackson nodded as well in brisk acknowledgement.

"Woohoo!" Erica crowed and gesticulated grandly. "Into the water, then, my sexy steed!"

Boyd followed the order and ran at full speed into the calm lake. Derek, Jackson, and Isaac followed with wild howls, upsetting the waters even more as they collectively pounced on Boyd and caused all of them to dive in headfirst. Erica's gleeful shriek as she sailed into the water reverberated for a moment and then a huge tousle began.

"Children," Lydia huffed. She dropped her loose top, leaving her in a polka-dotted bikini, and put on a huge pair of sunglasses. "Wake me in an hour for coffee."

Heather shook her head at Lydia's attitude but Danny just grinned and shrugged.

"She makes the best coffee after Derek and his uncle so we forgive her," he said. After some tapping on his phone, he added, "I set an alarm."

"Can I ask what that bit with Erica was about?" Heather asked hesitantly. "Why does she have to take it easy? Is something wrong with her?"

"She's got epilepsy," Stiles explained easily. "The doctors say that she's in the process of growing out of it to some extent but it's better to be careful. All of us know basic first aid, of course, but I, Derek, Isaac, and of course Boyd, are also her epilepsy buddies. You've met her, you know how lively she can be so it's better to err on the side of caution."

"Yes, wow, I'd never have guessed," Heather admitted. "She didn't tell me … I hope it wasn't because she doesn't trust me with it or anything."

"Nah, it's probably not that," Stiles assured her. "It's just gotten better a lot recently and I guess she doesn't really want to be reminded of the shitty time she's had with it."

"Plus, she knows that she can trust us," Danny added. "We're looking after her."

They all looked at the lake where the five supernaturals were engaging in some serious-looking water wars. Jackson had joined Erica and Boyd against Derek and Isaac, although it did the two new werewolves not much good since the kanima had to hold back a lot as long as a mundane was watching. Additionally, Derek's far greater experience gave him and Isaac the upper hand a lot of the time and Isaac was no slouch, to begin with. Peter's drills had seen to that.

It was still funny as hell to watch Erica, Boyd, and Jackson trying to get the better of their opponents and get thrown about like dolls for their trouble.

"What I don't get is … how is this taking it slow?" Heather asked after a bit in bewilderment. "She's practically leading her forces."

"Eh, Erica knows what she can and can't do," Stiles replied, hollering, "Isn't that right, Catwoman?"

"I'm good, Batman!" Erica hollered back, shrieking when Isaac grabbed and dunked her.

The rough-housing did slow down after that and the troops were returning to the blankets well before the one hour mark Lydia had set for coffee.

For a while, they all lounged around and just talked easily among each other. Derek and Boyd were the quietest, not that Stiles had expected any differently, but both were visibly content with the company and that was everything to Stiles.

It got even better once Lydia had worked her magic with the small electric coffee maker and distributed the pie Danny had bought at the diner.

Or rather, the pies. Because in no time flat their group of nine had demolished three whole pie dishes plus real whipped cream from a loaned dispenser and the wolves among them were still looking for more.

"Incredible," Heather said, amazed, as Jackson and Isaac fought for the last crumbs of the rhubarb pie.

"And not at all subtle," Stiles muttered. "Guys!"

"What?" Jackson snapped.

"We've got polite company, you jerk," Stiles said. "Cut it out now, you two."

"Yes, mom," Isaac huffed, but he let go of the crumpled aluminium dish and went for another cup of coffee with an obscene amount of creme in it instead.

Jackson, to everyone's amusement, wasn't above straightening out the dish again to lick the crumbs off the bottom.

After a while, Stiles, Danny, and Heather went into the water for a sedate swim. They were all so full that no one wanted to risk an accident and Lydia had no desire at all to get herself wet. Derek went with them to make sure that any cramping due to overeating wouldn't end in a fatality, much to Heather's enjoyment. His presence also diverted her attention from Stiles wearing his dark T-Shirt to hide Lou's presence. While very calm so far, Stiles didn't want to take any chances and thankfully such behaviour wasn't out of the norm for him.

"This has been a great day," Heather said to Stiles as all four of them were floating on their backs. "Just like they always show in those eighties kiddie movies."

"Yeah." Stiles smiled up at the sky. "I know what you mean."

She grabbed his hand and squeezed. "I wish we could have more days like this before school starts again."

Stiles turned his head so he could look at her. "Me too."

"We can have other days," Danny chimed in from Heather's other side. "We can visit the Beacon Hills Fall Fair together, or meet up for the annual Christmas charity event at the hospital. Or just go for a coffee whenever we've got time."

"If you want," Stiles tacked on.

Heather's brilliant smile was almost blinding. "I want. Thanks, you guys. We'll definitely do that."

Five came far too soon, just like Stiles knew it would, though Peter didn't call before it was nearly half-six. The grace period was much appreciated by all.

"I've got to head home," Isaac announced for Heather's benefit after ending the call. "The parental figure demands it so I can make a list for my school supplies."

"Eh, I should do that, too," Erica said. She ran a hand over Boyd's head in her lap before urging him to get up. "I haven't even looked at the book list yet and I think there might be a summer assignment still waiting for completion."

"To be fair, our newest principal did decide to change things up," Danny explained at Heather's slightly appalled expression. "We didn't get our info until two weeks ago or so."

"I heard what happened to the two principals before the one you've got now." Heather shuddered. "Hopefully she won't get hurt as well."

"Well, good riddance to that Argent dude," Isaac said. "He was an asshole."

"Ms Hicks is cool, though," Stiles told her. He began folding their wet towels into small packets and carefully stacked them into a canvas bag. "She's invested in our school careers."

"Stiles," Derek said and held out dry shorts and a fresh shirt for him.

"Oh, thanks." Stiles stood and pointed at a nearby tree. "I'll just get changed. Be back in a second."

Everyone took turns throwing on dry clothes and together, they then packed up their stuff in less than ten minutes. No one was really looking forward to the hike back to the parking lot as the heat of the day was becoming oppressive now, the sky tinged with a hint of yellow that promised hail later.

"Looks like trouble," Derek murmured, too quiet for Heather to hear.

Stiles sighed. Underneath his thin shirt, Lou was restlessly wandering over his skin and making the hairs on his arms stand up. "Yeah. No idea if it's gonna be a normal thunderstorm or some darach bullshit, though."

As if summoned, Lydia pushed up against him, head lowered. "My throat is tingling, Stiles. It's not gonna be good."

"Fuck." Stiles furtively waved Jackson over, which wasn't hard because the guy nearly always had an eye on his girlfriend. "Jackson, I need you to keep watch tonight. Make sure your parents are safe and support Lydia if she's got that urge. That asshole darach seems to be after their third virgin sacrifice."

"Fuck," Jackson cursed.

"I guess we can consider ourselves lucky that the darach's not moving faster," Lydia muttered, voice a little hoarse.

"But they're getting there," Derek said stiffly. "First animals, now virgins. Every sacrifice makes them stronger … strong enough to go after more defensive prey."

"Healers," Jackson said. At Stiles' surprised look, he snapped, "I do pay attention when you talk about shit like that. It's not like I can afford not to, now."

Heather, who'd been walking with Erica, Danny, and Boyd, turned around at Jackson's outburst. "Is everything alright? You all look so worried."

"Nah," Stiles replied with false cheer, forcefully pulling the straining mountain ash back under his shirt. "We just realized that the weather forecast failed again." He pointed at the darkening sky. "We'd better get you home quickly, in case it hails tennis balls later."

They piled into their cars and left, Jackson, Lydia and Danny speeding off in one direction and Isaac and Derek in another. Stiles took the rest to Erica's street and made sure that the girls got into their homes safely.

Then, it was just him and Boyd.

"You sure it's the darach?" Boyd asked, eyeballing the ever-darkening sky.

"From the looks of it, yeah," Stiles said, drumming his fingers on his steering wheel and glancing up as often as he could. "You heard Lydia and I believe her. Death is sort of her area of expertise."

"Okay, but how?" Boyd sat back and eyeballed Stiles now. "I thought your wards took care of that?"

"Yeah, no, unfortunately, that's not exactly how it works. My wards will keep new nasties out, true. But they can't do much against a nasty that's determined to stay inside."

Boyd's eyes flared for a second and he snarled as he spoke, "That bitch is in town."

"I'm pretty sure, considering what's brewing right now," Stiles said and bit his lip. Lou's agitation was making his hands sweaty and he felt wired in the worst way. "I wish I could just kick them out but then they'd be someone else's problem and that'd be just as shitty if not more. They wouldn't even know what hit them."

"Yeah," Boyd agreed after a pause. "Though kicking them out would at least let me sleep a little at night."

"I know, dude. I know." Stiles smiled weakly. "I'm working on it. Until I find a solution I'll just have to live with the guilt of letting yet another person die."

"Okay, stop that," Boyd demanded. His sharp tone provoked Lou enough to let Stiles' eyes go hot for a moment. "You're not letting that bitch do anything. You're working harder than anyone else to stop them."

"It still feels like a failure," Stiles muttered through clenched teeth. "Especially since it won't stop there. Healers are next and after that guardians. You know what that means. Scott's mom. My dad. All their colleagues. If the Argents were still here even Allison's dad might've qualified as a guardian. I can't let this happen."

"It's terrible," Boyd agreed, eyes keeping up a faint glow. "But whatever that bitch is gonna do, it still won't be your fault."

Stiles swallowed. "I wonder if that's what … what an alpha feels. This crushing sense of responsibility."

Boyd inclined his head. "Might be."

"How do people live like this?" Stiles blurted. "How is Peter so calm and collected all the time? I'm a mess."

"You're a mess with a pack, just like Peter," Boyd said calmly. The glow in his eyes faded away and his tense shoulders relaxed a fraction. "And just so we're clear: Peter might've turned us, but if you've got jobs for us, you tell us and we'll see it done. You get me?"

"I couldn't … you're my friends," Stiles stuttered. "Seriously."

"You've got exactly zero problems bossing Isaac around even though he's your friend," Boyd countered. "He's cool with it and so are we. We'll know if you cross a line, Stiles."

"And you'll let me know?"

Boyd nodded firmly. "We'll let you know if you don't realize it yourself."

Blowing out a breath, Stiles got his red eyes under control again. "Okay."

A first raindrop hit the windshield with an ominous sound. Slate grey clouds rolled across the sky, the sickly yellow hue still there and amplified by the few lances of evening sunlight breaking through here and there.

"The wind is picking up," Boyd reported, seconds before it became visible in the trees lining the street. "You feel that?"

Stiles shuddered as the subtle tremors in the air touched his overly sensitive skin and riled up Lou. "Thunder. It's coming. Cover your ears!"

He'd barely finished speaking when something like a cannon blast tore through the relative silence. Nearly deafened, Stiles somehow managed to bring the Jeep to a halt by the curb. Flashes were going off in front of his eyes although there hadn't been any flashes in the sky, yet.

"No, go!" Boyd shouted, eyes once again glowing amber. "Hail's next! Go!"

Cursing, Stiles gave his hurting ears over to Lou's care and floored it. They weren't far from Boyd's house and thankfully said house, while on the economic side, had a carport that Boyd's grandma never used because it wasn't convenient for the old lady.

As he drove, broken tree branches and ripped off leaves splatted against the windshield. Left and right, the electricity in the homes became wonky, giving out and jumping back on. Overhead there were a few sparks as the storm tore at the power lines.

"Shit, that darach must be pissed," Boyd growled out as hailstones began coming down.

"Yeah, super pissed!" With squealing tires, Stiles raced out of the hailstorm and into the garage but not without two golfball-sized ice bombs smashing into his windshield and cracking it despite the runic reinforcements Stiles had implemented.

For a few minutes, they both caught their breath in the somewhat eerie silence inside the car while the storm was raging around them.

"I think it's personal," Boyd growled. He took off the seatbelt and rose, his teeth long and sharp. "There's more hail coming."

"The fuck it is," Stiles snapped and got out of the car in such a smooth move that it defied his comprehension for a second. "Men! Wardstones!"

At once, the mountain ash on his body and in the sealed baggie in the trunk of the Jeep rushed off and raced back with Stiles' carrier bag.

Stiles distributed the colourful stones and sent the ash off with them to create a perimeter around the house.

"Thanks," Boyd said through his mouthful of murderous teeth. "My grandma doesn't have the money for good insurance."

"Don't even mention it," Stiles replied, scowling. "I plan on annoying that bitch so badly that she'll completely forget about killing someone."

Boyd stared, only to nod shortly. "Understood. Tell me how I can help."

End of chapter 84