Andy looked Ryon over before doing some scans. She ran a few more tests before finding a spell from her mothers book and reciting it. It seemed the damage his body took wasn't healing as well as she'd hoped which was causing him to stay out longer. She hoped with this new spell he'd be up in a few hours.
She headed to get changed before heading out to her car. She made her way to the clinic, smiling as she entered. She hated to admit how much she missed it, but she wouldn't trade the team for anything.
After heading back to her office, she met with Akasa.
"Andy, it's good to see you."
"You too. I was surprised to hear you were a victim. I didn't know you knew about that kind of thing."
He reddened. "Tried to stop them. I hid who I was from you. Sorry."
"It's alright. I understand. I didn't know I was a witch until the clinic got attacked by hounds... And since then it's been a crazy life. That's why I'm not here at the clinic anymore, I'm working with a group of shifters, porters and vampires."
His eyes widened. "Wow. Your first experience was with hounds? I would have run screaming to another country." He paused and held out a large book. "I have a favor and a question to ask."
"Hounds are nothing compared to what I've dealt with since," she chuckled. "What's up?"
"Would you hold on to this? I don't trust anyone but you. And I need a job. My last one fired me for disappearing for so long."
Andy looked thoughtful, "Do you want a normal job at the clinic or a dangerous job with the military fighting monsters?"
"I'm tired of hiding. I want to make a difference." He gazed at her steadily. "I promised myself for the last three months that if I got out alive, I wanted to help our kind somehow."
Andy nodded and picked up her cell phone. She quickly dialled Tsukasa.
"You're not in trouble are you?" The dragon said solemnly.
Andy rolled her eyes, "No I'm fine. I was wondering if we could hire a nurse. I know someone interested."
"With how often you're in a bed, it's probably a good idea. By the way, guess who opened their pretty green eyes finally?"
"Oh good, he's up? I'm glad the spell worked."
"Bring whoever wants in to the base later. Tet wants to know if you're still meeting him for lunch?"
"Yeah, I'll be there."
"Alright. Have some fun, you earned it." The phone clicked.
Andy smiled at Akasa, "You have a job. We have at least a few teleporters, a few dragons, a tiger, and a wolf, and a few vamps. And then there's me who's a bit of everything... You might want to learn a bit about animal anatomy in your free time."
He took a deep breath and disappeared. In his place was a king cobra.
"Nice," Andy smiled. "I'm a snake, panther, and hawk. And vampire.. Branch really screwed me up."
He reverted, his eyes tense. "They still exist?" His words were laced with intense rage.
"Not sure.. I've taken them down twice now.." She sighed as she tried to push away the memories.
Akasa suddenly looked at her. "Andy, is your boss a big black dragon who has a vampire aide?"
"Yeah... You know him?"
"He pulled me out of Branch when I was a kid.."
Andy nodded, "He's nice. His name is Tsukasa, though the others just call him Boss. Daiki is his aide."
Akasa was staring at her. "Are you telling me you're part of the group that took out that lunatic Seltain?!"
"On top of what else I said I was, I'm also a necromancer... He was after me so I kind of got sucked into all of this. And yes, I took him out."
"Holy shit… my friend is a legend." He shook his head in amazement.
Andy chuckled softly, "I don't know about that." She wrote down an address, "Come by the base later and we'll get you all set up."
He took the paper, looking at her. "Believe me, you're a legend among us. You all are. And I'll be by as soon as I get released."
She nodded, "I'm going to lunch but then I'll be back there." She smiled and headed out to her car. She started it up and quickly headed off toward the place she was meeting Tet. Her car sped up quickly, continuing to do so even when she took her foot off the gas. She pressed the brakes but nothing happened. She tried to avoid hitting anything as her car got up to dangerous speeds. She saw a large brick building and she looked to see if she could avoid it but there were people in the way. She quickly said a barrier spell to try to protect her before the car slammed into the brick.
Tet growled as he called Andy again. Where could she be? he wondered as it went straight to voicemail. He resisted the urge to slam the phone down, instead just angrily jabbing the disconnect button. He had just laid it on the table when it rang.
"Andy?" His heart froze as Tsukasa answered.
"No, it's me. Are you sitting down?"
Tet swallowed hard before answering. "Yeah, Boss. What happened?"
"Andy was apparently in an accident. She hit a brick building at a high rate of speed."
"Oh god...is she alive?" Tet forced his voice calm.
"Yes.. but the doctors aren't optimistic. She's at Metro Hospital. You have been listed as fiance so you can be in the ICU." The phone clicked off as Tet finally let the tears out. After a few minutes, he ran for his car.
Andy felt a warm comforting light shining on her before she opened her eyes. She blinked in confusion as she saw her parents. "Mom? Dad?"
They gave her matching smiles. "Hello Daka."
She tried to remember what she was doing before but was having trouble. "How are you here?"
"Daka, you have a choice right now. Come with us or stay."
"Stay?" She asked in confusion. "I don't want you to leave again."
Her father looked at her gently. "Do you want to come with us or stay with your tiger?"
"Why do I have to choose? I miss you so much but I don't want to lose him either."
Her mother spoke. "You are hovering between life and death right now. I'm sure you can figure out what I'm saying. You've always been so smart."
"I don't want to leave you... but I know he needs me."
Her father nodded. "He's near breaking, Daka. He hasn't left your side in the week you've been here. I fear he is about to try to join us."
Andy nodded slowly, "I should probably get to him then..."
"Be happy, Daka. We'll be waiting when it's your time." They slowly receded into the light.
Tet's voice broke through the haze. "Her brakes were cut? Goddammit! I know who did this!" The sound of something shattering rang loudly. "Andy, wait for me. I'm going to make those bastards pay and join you wherever you are."
The sounds of beeping sped up as her heartbeat picked up speed. She let out a whispered, "Tet?"
"Andy?" His voice was raw from crying. "Please say I'm not hearing things…"
"I'm here," she said just slightly louder. She struggled to open her eyes, finally getting them cracked to try to look at him.
His eyes were red, stubble covered his face. He started to cry as he saw her eyes open. "Thank god..the doctors said it was a matter of time before I lost you.." He grasped her hand gently as he kissed her forehead. "I was terrified.."
"Saw my parents.." a tear dripped from her eyes.
He sighed, looking at the bed. "I took you away from them, didn't I?"
She tried to shake her head, confused when she found it difficult.
"You're in a neck brace. You sustained a nasty fracture along with head trauma." He smoothed her hair away, his eyes glistening with tears.
"Sorry.."
"What did I tell you about apologizing?" A faint smile flitted across his face. "It wasn't your fault. Your car's brakes were cut and the engine was tampered with. We suspect Branch. We're getting ready to hit them."
"Is everyone else okay?"
"Everyone's fine. Just worried about you. Met your friend. He's fitting in nicely."
"That's good," she said, struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Sleep, Andy. I'll be back soon. One of the others will be here if you need anything." He kissed her lightly on the lips before leaving.
She fell asleep quickly, the medicine dragging her under.
When she woke again, she tried to move even though she knew she shouldn't. She weakly pushed herself into a sitting position before looking around.
"Feeling better?" Daiki asked dryly.
"Can't feel much of anything with the meds they have me on..."
"Been there, done that. Nice to be having a conversation for a change though." He stretched his body before resuming his seat. "The doctors are pulling their hair out trying to discover how you cheated death."
"You don't have to sit here and watch me, you know."
"Tsukasa's orders. You are not to be left alone. It's not safe yet." He rubbed his face, staring into the distance.
She sighed in response, "What's happening?"
"Tsukasa is trying to figure out how to get you out of here. At least if Branch retaliates, we can somewhat protect you. At the same time, we're trying to find a weak point since the first try didn't work." He covered his face and closed his eyes wearily.
"Once I'm better I'll take them down. I've done it before, I'll do it again."
"That's our Andy. Positive even when the world is ending. Tet loved that about you."
Andy's eyes narrowed, "Where's Tet?"
Daiki avoided her gaze. "Hopefully Tsukasa has gotten you discharged. I should go see." He stood and headed for the door.
Andy frowned before attempting to move more.
He stopped, spinning on his heel to face her. "You stay there until Tsukasa says so. You're nowhere near healed."
She sighed and stopped moving, then waited.
Daiki gave a nod, then exited. Ten minutes later, he pushed a wheelchair in. He had a bag of her belongings and new clothing. "You've been sprung." He tried to joke, but it rang hollow.
Andy got up slowly, legs weak as she leaned on the bed. She shakily pushed herself away from it and took a few steps.
Daiki moved towards her. "Why don't we get you in the chair and worry about the clothes later?"
She sighed before nodding, moving into the chair.
The vampire wrapped a blanket around her, then pushed her out of the room. Tsukasa was waiting, his eyes tired and sad. Without a word, he led them out to a jeep.
Daiki quickly got her settled, returning the chair as Tsukasa clicked his seat belt.
Andy stared out the window, eventually closing her eyes to rest.
Daiki watched her as the dragon drove silently. "She's going to go nuclear.."
Tsukasa gripped the wheel harder. "I know. We need to be prepared."
They fell silent as they drove through the base gate and parked.
Andy woke feeling the car stop. She pushed her eyes open and looked around, noticing they arrived at the base. She opened the door and tried to push herself up.
"Andy, stop. Let me help you." Daiki swept her into his arms and carried her into the infirmary, laying her on a bed. She noticed a few beds full, the occupants all unconscious and seriously injured.
"Where's Akasa?"
"Getting some sleep. He wore himself out." Daiki clenched his fists as he surveyed the room.
Andy took a deep breath, "How many have we lost? And don't avoid the question."
"Four." The word was whispered, the vampire's face falling.
"Are they in the freezer?"
Daiki nodded reluctantly. "You're in no shape."
Andy sighed, "Who are the four?"
"Kiba, Yamae, Kenji.." Daiki's voice broke and he shook his head.
Andy nodded slowly, wincing as she remembered her injuries. She laid back and stared at the ceiling for a while.
Daiki composed himself. "Try to sleep, okay?"
"Yeah," she said quietly, eventually closing her eyes and falling asleep.
When she awoke, she looked around, struggling to turn her head.
Akasa moved to her side. "Didn't realize the job was so insane." He gave her a sad smile.
"Yeah, a bit. You'll get used to it." She tried to look around more, "Is anyone else conscious in here?"
"Jack. Don't expect much conversation though. His throat took some damage. Everyone else is still out. We were damn lucky."
"How many healing spells do you know?"
"Only the basics. Enough to fix most light damage, some that can be used to keep serious injuries from becoming fatal." He sighed. "Barely in a few cases."
"Go to my room. There's a purple book of shadows on my dresser. It has a bunch of healing spells in it."
He nodded, heading for the door. Five minutes later, he was back. His eyes widened as he flipped through the book. "Amazing.."
"Page 18 will help Jack. I don't know what's wrong with the others, but pages 40 and 82 have decent general healing spells."
"Got any good ones for burns and dragon bites?"
Andy looked thoughtful, "203 for burns. 66 for bites I think?"
Akasa sighed in relief, turning to the pages specified and heading for several beds.
She watched him for a few minutes as he worked, praying the spells helped.
An hour later, he moved back to her side. "So glad you had these. I was worried we were going to lose Jade and Ryusei."
"When you're up to it, I have something I want you to do. Consider it more training."
His eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"
Andy looked down, "Healing a few dead bodies..."
"That's possible?"
"Well yeah, they have to be healed a bit more before I can revive them.."
"I just thought.. It would be too difficult to do something like that. But then I'm not experienced." He frowned. "They've been in the freezer since they were returned.."
"I mean, if you don't think you can do it, I understand. I just thought you might want to try." She tried to shrug before wincing again. "If you want to try, you can help me get in a wheelchair and I'll help tell you what spells to use?"
He nodded, heading for a storage room and returning with a wheelchair. He helped her into it, then crouched to look at her. "I'm going to warn you..it's not pretty."
She sighed, "I figured."
He stood, wheeling her to the freezer. He opened it, pushing three gurneys out. He unzipped them, standing close as she got a look inside.
Each of the men had been butchered, the only undamaged parts being the faces.
"From what we understand, they were kept alive until they couldn't be.." The words were spat venomously.
Andy sighed, "Show me what spells you know. How would you go about starting this?"
He recited a spell, some of the lacerations vanishing.
"Try this one," she recited it aloud for him to hear as she performed it on the nearest body.
His mouth fell open as most of the wounds disappeared.
She raised an eyebrow, "Go on."
He snapped his jaw shut, then recited the spell himself. He looked on in amazement as the bodies began to look human again.
She said one more just to make sure everything was doing well before she looked at Akasa. "Please show me Tet. What did they do to him?"
Akasa froze, his eyes darting around nervously.
"What? Will you please tell me what happened to him?"
"He's not here. Branch kept him.." Akasa took several steps back in fear.
Andy took a deep breath, closing her eyes to try to keep calm. She then opened her eyes and focused on the three bodies, gold light shining around them.
Akasa almost fell when all of them began breathing steadily. "My god.."
"You might want to get them to the infirmary now so they warm up." She pushed the wheels down the hall to her room. She said a spell to try to give herself more energy before she got up out of the chair and changed her clothes. She then grabbed her pistol off the table before saying the teleportation spell to get her to Tet's location.
There was a cry of alarm as she appeared inside a testing room. Several scientists began advancing on her as Tet looked at her through glassy eyes.
Andy pounced at them, turning into a panther. She ripped through them with her claws, sinking her teeth into a couple and draining them. She took a few hits but kept on moving, taking down all the scientists in the room. She looked at Tet with concern, "Tet? Are you in there?"
"You found me.." His voice was almost inaudible, his eyes starting to dilate.
Andy grabbed onto him and teleported him to the infirmary. She looked at Akasa, "Keep an eye on him for a few minutes. Make sure he doesn't hurt anyone or himself, okay?"
The nurse nodded, quickly moving to his side.
Andy teleported back to the building, this time in front of it. She recited a spell to rain fireballs upon the building. She saw some scientists exiting, a few guards with weapons as well. She started taking them down, back in her panther form. The guards started shooting. She was glad the pain meds were still kicked in to dull the pain from the few shots she couldn't dodge. She finally took out the rest of the guards and scientists outside, and watched the building burning. She finally focused on the infirmary and teleported back there, collapsing onto the floor as she fell unconscious.
Akasa glanced sadly at her, then gently picked her up and laid her on a bed. Then he wheeled Tet out of the infirmary.
Andy woke to pain racing through her. She moved to sit up and tried to stretch, causing more pain.
"You want medication?" Akasa's voice was subdued.
"That would be great. How's Tet?"
Akasa hung his head. "I'm sorry.. I couldn't- I tried but I couldn't.. He said he loved you and to tell you sorry.."
Andy's eyes filled with tears as she tried to push herself out of the bed.
The nurse gently pushed her down as he gave her a shot.
Andy continued to try to move even though the medicine was starting to kick in.
"I'll take care of him, I swear." Akasa's voice trembled.
Andy sighed as she gave in to the medicine, falling unconscious.
When she woke again, she remembered she was trying to get to Tet so she pushed herself to her feet, swaying on the spot.
Akasa appeared silently, helping her to walk to the freezer. He opened it, pulling the bed out. "I used the spells you taught me."
Tet looked peaceful, all evidence of trauma gone. His hair lay in his eyes and she brushed it back gently.
She focused on him, gold light shining bright.
His chest began to move, his eyes flickering rapidly. They shot open as he began to yell. "You can't have her! I'll kill myself so you can't revive me!"
Andy spoke gently, "Tet, you're safe. I'm safe. Everything is alright."
His eyes met hers. "Safe.." He reached for her, shaking as the adrenaline wore off. "They tried to get me to tell where you were. Over and over again.."
"I'm sorry. You're safe now though, okay?" She moved slowly and wrapped her arms around him.
"Don't leave me.." The words were slurred as he fought to stay awake. "Don't ever leave me. Promise me you'll take me with you…"
"I won't leave you, don't worry."
He sighed, eyes closing.
She kissed his forehead. "Just rest. Everything is alright." She laid him down on the bed before looking at Akasa, "Get him to the infirmary." She started slowly back toward there herself.
The bed passed her as Tet was transferred. A minute later, Akasa was picking her up and bringing her in as well. He laid her in a bed beside Tet's, making sure he was close enough for her to touch.
She watched Tet for a minute before falling asleep.
Andy woke slowly, first feeling a dull pain in her neck and head. She finally became fully conscious and remembered she was still in the infirmary. She blinked her eyes open to glance over at Tet's bed to check on him.
He was asleep, curled up in a blanket looking like a child. He had a slight smile on his face and as she watched he murmured her name.
Andy gave a small smile before adjusting. She looked around the room to see if anyone else was conscious.
Jack and Yamae wiggled their fingers at her with smiles. The rest of the room's occupants were asleep.
"Don't even think of breaking out. That goes triple for you." Tsukasa glared at Andy even as a smile flitted across his face.
She gave a sleepy smile, "Not going anywhere."
"Call the newspapers. It's a miracle." Ryon walked in and leaned over his brother with a relieved smile.
Tsukasa fought a laugh.
Andy chuckled softly in response. "Anything new going on?"
Tsukasa sighed. "The Council is pissed, but I don't fucking care. What I do care about is my vampires were called to Conclave. Waiting for them to return now."
Andy frowned, "What's going on at the Conclave this time?"
"No fucking clue. That's what worries me. After what's happened, it could be as simple as an apology to Tet or a declaration of war. I'm really hoping they realized their mistake and want to apologize because we don't need a fight right now." He reached for the aspirin, shaking a few out and chewing them with a grimace.
"Too bad I'm not feeling better or I'd go. Though they probably don't want me there after last time."
Jack chuckled. "Understatement of the century." He slowly sat up. "Boss, I'm perfectly fine. Maybe I should go?"
Tsukasa scowled, then nodded. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."
"So no nukes but everything else is on the list. Got it." Jack got out of bed and glided out as Tsukasa's jaw dropped open.
Andy gave a small laugh, "Definitely sounds like he's planning for war."
Tsukasa closed his mouth, glaring at the twins who were struggling not to laugh.
"He's definitely hung around Boss too long." Yamae managed to get out between chuckles.
Ryon faced the window, his shoulders shaking silently.
Andy smiled before rubbing her head. She wished her head would stop hurting, and the thought crossed her mind of looking through the book of shadows for a spell to help but she didn't think she had the focus for it. She'd have to remember to ask Akasa when she saw him.
"Andy?" Tet's voice was quiet.
Andy looked over and gave him a small smile, "Hey, how are you?"
"Confused. But I'm starting to think that's par for the course around here.. I distinctly remember you holding me?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what happened.."
"All I know is you guys tried to take down Branch and you got caught. I came and saved you."
"Don't worry Shere Khan. It's just a day ending in Y." Yamae's eyes twinkled.
Andy gave a small chuckle as she looked back at Tet.
He gave a rueful chuckle, then eyed Tsukasa. "Are you okay?"
The dragon shrugged. "Just a head.." A grimace crossed his face seconds before he collapsed to the floor. Ryon raced to his side, cursing as he touched Tsukasa's face. "He's burning up."
Andy pushed herself up, "Get him into a bed." She slowly followed and then began checking Tsukasa over. She said a spell to help with the fever and watched as his temperature slowly fell. "Looks like he's just sick. Could be from stress."
Tet let out a relieved whistle. "Not a bit surprised. He always takes the heat for us."
Akasa came in, shaking his head as he saw her up. "Why am I not shocked?" He muttered a spell as he touched her shoulder.
She felt the pain start to ease away. "Thank you."
"I figured if you're going to be up, then you should at least be pain free for awhile." He glanced around with a small smile which disappeared as his eyes landed on the empty bed in the corner.
"Damn him.."
Andy looked around before realizing, "Kiba, isn't it?"
He scowled before nodding. "He had nightmares all night. I thought the sedative would keep him out but I guess not."
Andy sighed, "Don't worry, I'll find him." She gave Tet a small smile before she headed out of the infirmary. She started by checking his room first, and after finding it empty, she tried the shelter. She headed down the stairs slowly, "Kiba?"
"Go away."
"What's wrong? Why are you hiding down here by yourself?"
"I-I'm a monster.. I can't stop seeing what they made me do...the screams.." He emerged from the shadows, his eyes haunted as he trembled.
"It's not your fault," she said softly as she approached. She wrapped her arms around him, "I don't know what they made you do, but I know it's not your fault."
"Kenji. Yamae. I killed them. Branch kept reviving them, then making me do it again and again. They kept injecting me with something.. It made me lose myself.." He covered his face as he started to sob. "How can I face them?"
She held him tightly, "Branch was reviving...?" She said quietly before sighing, "They won't blame you. You didn't blame me or Tet when we lost control, why would any of us blame you? They were controlling you, it's not like you did it of your own choice." She ran a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know how hard it is to deal with those kinds of things."
He was sobbing so hard he fought to breathe. "They're going to hate me.. I should just run away.."
"They won't hate you," Andy assured before adding, "Please don't run away. Tet and I need you. The team needs you. We all care about you."
"How can you? How can you trust me?" He raised his face to look at her in anguish. "I could go insane and kill you all.."
"I trust you because I know the real you. You wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose." She gently wiped away some of his tears, "I trust you with my life. I know the team does as well."
He buried his face in her chest, the sobs beginning to turn into sniffling as he started to drift off. "I don't deserve it.."
"Yes you do. You deserve all the trust and love that we give you," she said softly. "We all care about you."
A snore answered her.
Andy gave a small smile before saying the spell to teleport them to the infirmary. She continued to hold him until she got Akasa to set him in a bed next to Tet.
"He okay?" Tet gave him a worried glance.
"He ran because of us, didn't he?" Yamae's voice was soft and sad.
Andy gave a small nod, "He thinks you'll hate him and thinks none of us should trust him. I hope I've convinced him otherwise.."
"What the fuck?" Tet shot up, his voice rising.
"It wasn't him. We know that." Yamae's eyes glittered angrily. "If I could get my hands on them…"
"At least they're gone now."
"What's happening?" Tsukasa asked sleepily.
"You got stress sick and your brother was having issues dealing with things. Don't worry though, everything is alright for now."
"He was really freaking out last night." The dragon blinked his eyes open and sat up slowly. "He even apologized to my parents for being a lousy son.." He clenched his fists in anger. "It was the other way around but he won't accept it.. Are the vampires back yet?"
Andy looked around, "Not that I know of?"
The radio on the desk crackled to life, Leo's voice grim. "Jack and Zal are back with an ultimatum from the vamps. Can Andy come out here?"
Tsukasa looked at her in alarm. "Where's Daiki?"
Andy frowned, "Don't worry, I'll figure it out. Just try to rest." She took a deep breath before heading out of the infirmary.
Leo was cradling Zal, his head bowed. Jack lay next to them, unmoving. The leopard looked up at her, his eyes blazing. "They want Tet. Or Daiki dies."
Andy growled, "I'm not letting either of those happen." She knelt beside him and checked over Zal, saying a few spells to work on healing him. She then moved to Jack and did the same. She stood and paced for a minute as she tried to come up with a plan.
Finally she took a deep breath before starting to focus. "This is a crazy plan, so if something happens, apologize to Tet for me." She suddenly teleported to Daiki's location, grabbing onto him and teleporting him out. She glimpsed a group of angry vampires in the process. She dropped Daiki back by Leo before going back to the Conclave. She prepared herself for a fight as she reappeared in front of the vampires.