Sorry this took so long. I was finishing up a short story. I know this update's length doesn't make up for it, but it's just a filler. The next will give a nice, should-be lengthy explanation. And of course, my final plot twist. I think. Bwhahaha.

Here's to hoping this doesn't totally suck peaches. And if it does, blame peaches.

Ch 16: The Hand that Feeds

This is just my luck. I can see ghosts; I fell in love with a dead guy; a shifter who "loves" me tried to get rid of my 'boyfriend,'twice; I find a way to bring said boyfriend to life (well, accidentally); I'm finally happy, and then someone comes along and messes everything up.

Why am I not surprised? I mean, I was at first. But now that I think about it, I shouldn't be.

After the incident with Maria and Diego, I should've figured out that I'd never have a peaceful moment.

Realization sucks.

I wistfully looked over at Jesse, only to find him staring at me intently. He'd been quiet since we had gotten in the car, but I hadn't really thought anything of it. Maybe he's tired of being drug into my messes. Especially now that he has a life to live. Maybe he would be better off without me...

Hector turned around in his seat abruptly, as I began lightly tracing the picture of the dagger in the book with my finger.

"Don't," he hissed at me in a low voice. I yanked my finger off the dusty page, but refused to meet his searing gaze. My eyes remained on Jesse, who had turned to look at his alternate self, confused.

He looked handsome when confused. Not that he wasn't handsome all the time. I know other women think he's gorgeous–some have told me. He'd probably be better off with someone like them. Someone normal.

"Susannah," Hector's voice growled again. "Stop it."

Jesse's eyes averted back to me, as did Father Dominic's, to see what I was doing wrong. My finger slowly began tracing the serpent on the dagger, gently brushing the ragged texture, as I cautiously drug my eyes to Hector's face.

He was still staring down at me, a hint of red shadowing his dark eyes. He nodded in Jesse's direction, indicating what he'd meant. How had he known what I was thinking?

Shaking my head at him, I looked down at the book and turned the archaic page. The next depiction was Egyptian. It was of an armor clad warrior with the dagger one hand and a door knob in the other. Stars littered the sky behind the figure, though he stood on a golden floor.

No, wooden.

I closed my eyes and envisioned the place. It was eerily familiar. So why couldn't I—

"Damn!" I yelled as a sharp pain shot up my back. I opened my eyes only to find myself flat on my butt on a wooden floor. Dense fog surrounded me. Stars shimmered above me in the black night sky. Doors lined the pale walls next to me.

Oops. I didn't know I could still shift.

Sudden thunderous Spanish cursing interrupted my thoughts.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Hector demanded as he grabbed my arm and jerked me to my feet. While his grip was solid it wasn't painful.

Not physically anyway.

"I didn't mean too," I snapped back, wrenching my arm away from him.

'You shouldn't be here," a deep voice boomed from behind us. Thank you, Captain Obvious–I had no freaking idea.

But I didn't say that because I could tell it wasn't Hector. I'd have to save obscenities in my head for him later. Or not since he seems to be able to read my mind.

"Adias," Hector's tone was lighter than it had been moments ago.

"Oh," the gladiator look-alike said monotonously. "You again. What do you want?"

What did he mean by again? Still, it's pretty clear that these two are close. It's like a bad made-for-tv movie for kids. I bet these guys have sleep overs all the time.

Eww. Sorry. The mental image of Hector and Adias having pillow fights while wearing frilly pajamas isn't pretty.

"We need to find the Dagger of Rhibera," Hector said, and glanced at me, looking amused. Oh right–the mind reading crap.

"That is a forbidden part of νεκρός. I cannot disclose it to you."

Adias's (haha, ass) face was stony as he spoke. Someone grab the stick out of his ass already (haha, ass again).

"We must have the dagger. Two spirits have gotten out of control."

"I'm sorry," Adias replied without remorse. "You must mediate as usual."

"Oh for crying out loud," I rolled my eyes and stepped in front of Hector.

"Look, dude. We have something you want, you have something we want. What do you say we work together here?"

Adias stared at me blankly. "You have nothing of value to me."

I smirked to myself. "So Saben and Qain mean nothing to you? Okay. Come one Hector, let's go," I turned around and grabbed Hector's arm, pulling him along with me dramatically.

"Wait," came a resigned voice from behind. I released Hector's arm like it was a hot coal, and pivoted around to face Adias.

"Yes?" my voice was sickeningly sweet.

"The dagger for their souls," Adias replied, low and harsh. I grinned triumphantly at him.

"Well, that was the plan. We need the dagger to capture their souls."

Adias raised a thin golden eyebrow at me. "No."

I sighed loudly, becoming frustrated. "Saben and Qain are residing in stolen bodies–one of which is mine. I refuse to kick them out without a guaranteed way of getting rid of them."

"Exorcism won't work alone," Hector stepped up beside me. "They'll just reclaim the bodies again. We need to contain them. We need the dagger."

Adias looked at both of us doubtingly. "Fine," he hissed. "But should you fail, your souls will be forfeit."

"What?" Hector snapped beside me, furiously.

"An eye for an eye," Adias smiled at us as though it were a pleasant thought. Maybe it was to him.

Jackass.

"Deal," I said to Adias, getting his attention. He nodded his tawny mop at me and disappeared into the fog.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Susannah," Hector murmured to me bitterly.

But that was just it–I did know. And I was ready to dive into this head first, knowing I might fail.

Why?

Because there was no other choice. At least this would give me a snowball's chance in hell at getting my body back.

And Jesse's.

Hector's shifting abilities will be explained next. No worries. As will how Qain is sooo brilliant at disease manipulation. Yeah.

Sorry for the odd and random humor. I'm mildly hyper. Review if you want, or bobble in space. Woot woot.