Chapter 25

That night they had gone back to the same sleeping arrangements as the night before. Lauren rolled over to Dani and tapped her on the shoulder. 'Dan.' She said gently.

'I'm not asleep.' Dani said, opening her eyes. 'What's up?'

'I just wanted to ask you what it was like? Having an active power.' She asked curiously.

'I don't feel any different.' Dani too her. 'I can't make it work all of the time yet either.' She admitted. 'And now I know what Christina has been going through all these years.'

'What do you mean?' Lauren asked.

'Just the feeling of constantly having to protect everyone.' She said. 'I feel like I should be doing more.'

'You will.' Lauren assured her. 'It's going to take a little time to get used to the power.'

'I know.' Dani sighed. 'I also know that I definitely do not want to break another bone, ever. Too painful.' She sat up and looked towards the window. Rain was pounding on the glass from the outside. 'Who can sleep with that racket?'

'I think there's a big storm coming.' Lauren said.

'Sounds about right.' Dani agreed.

xxxxxx

Christina's eyes opened as her breath caught in her throat. She was shaking and sweating. She slid her hand slowly across the bed to reach Amy, gently grabbing her hand to get her attention. 'Aimes.' She said as loud as she could manage.

'Chris?' Amy mumbled. She opened her eyes and rubbed the sleep out of them as she turned over to look at Christina.

'Amy.' Christina whispered. 'I think…..' She stopped, her teeth chattering.

'Damn.' Amy said, realising what was happening. She turned on the bedside lamp and reached over for her jacket, rummaging around in the pocket for another syringe. 'Hang on.' She said as she removed the end of the syringe and crawled over to Christina until she was kneeling beside her. 'This is going to hurt.' She apologised.

'Do it.' Christina confirmed, closing her eyes as Amy positioned the syringe. In one swift movement Amy brought the syringe down, piercing Christina's chest and injecting the liquid. Christina grimaced and held on to the bed sheet tighter whilst the potion took effect. After a moment she sat up, coughing a few times, but she was no longer shaking.

'You okay?' Amy asked, sitting next to her.

'Yeah, thanks.' Christina said. 'I'm wide awake now though.' She smiled.

'Well, I'm happy to keep you company.' Amy said, snuggling up to her side.

'Aimes, can you do me a favour?' Christina asked.

'Anything.' Amy agreed.

'Can you not tell the others about this?' Christina pleaded.

'Chris, they'd want to know.'

'I know, but they don't need to. Not right now. I'm fine, you know what you're doing. And it would only distract them and make them worry.' Christina said. 'We don't need any more distractions right now.'

'Remember what you said to me, after the reptile demon attacked you?' Amy asked. 'You said that I would never be a distraction because I'm your sister. That goes both ways.'

'I promise I will tell them everything when this is all over.' Christina said. 'Trust me when I tell you I'm fine,I will come to you if that changes but I want everyone to stay focused on the task at hand.'

'Alright.' Amy said. 'But if it happens again any time soon, I'll tell them myself.'

'Deal.' Christina said, resting her head on Amy's.

xxxxxx

The next morning Christina and Amy were the last ones to make it downstairs. Christina immediately went for the coffee whilst Amy sat down between Dani and Katherine. 'How did everyone sleep?' Amy asked.

'Better than the night before actually.' Lisa said.

'Really? Dani and I slept worse.' Lauren told them.

'How could you sleep through all that rain?' Dani asked.

'We must have been really tired I guess.' Katherine said. 'How about you two?' She directed the question back at Amy and Christina.

'We slept fine.' Christina answered for the both of them. 'Anyway.' She changed the subject. 'I thought I could try putting the amulet back on today.'

'So soon?' Dani questioned.

'We are a little pressed for time here.' Christina reminded them. 'And we don't really know what we're up against so I'd like all the power I can get.'

'Alright, if you're sure.' Katherine said. She got up to get the amulet from her bag.

'Oh this is exciting isn't it.' Wendy smiled from her seat at the table.

'Exciting's not the word I would use exactly.' Christina said as Katherine handed her the box. 'Thanks.' She said. She put her coffee down and opened the box, revealing the amulet inside which began glowing as soon as she looked at it.

'Fascinating.' Wendy said, rising from her seat. 'It recognises you.'

'Here goes nothing.' Christina said as she took the amulet out of the box and put it over her head. As soon as it hit her chest she felt a surge of power go right through her, so much so she stumbled backwards into the kitchen sideboard and had to grab hold of it to steady herself. She let out a long breath and closed her eyes.

'Christina?' Lauren asked nervously. 'You okay?'

'I think so.' Christina said, opening her eyes. They were glowing blue again. Wendy stepped towards her and gestured to the amulet.

'May I?' She asked.

'I wouldn't if I were you.' Christina warned her. 'The last demon who tried to take it whilst I was wearing it got an electric shock.'

'I'm not going to take it, I just want to touch it.' Wendy said. Lauren and Dani exchanged a look. 'Creepy' Dani mouthed, Lauren nodding in agreement.

'Okay then, go for it.' Christina said. 'But don't blame me when you get zapped.' Wendy reached out to touch the amulet and, sure enough, she received an electric shock.

'Damn it!' She complained, withdrawing her hand and stepping back.

'She did warn you.' Amy reminded her.

'It's very strange.' Wendy said, confused. 'I've never seen it act with anyone like this, god or evil.'

'How does it feel Chris?' Lisa asked.

'It feels good. I feel strong.' Christina confirmed as they watched her eyes fade to their normal colour.

'Great, that means we can go and check the school today then?' Dani asked, eating her cereal.

'Yes, we can.' Christina confirmed.

'Wendy, can you give us directions?' Katherine asked. Wendy was too focused on the amulet to acknowledge her question. 'Wendy.' Katherine repeated, snapping her out of her trance. She turned to Katherine.

'Yes dear, what did you say?' Wendy asked.

'I asked if you could give us directions to the school?' Katherine said.

'Of course, let me see if I have the address.' Wendy smiled and left the room.

'Weird.' Lauren said.

'It does seem to have a strange effect on demons.' Dani said.

'At least we know demons still have trouble taking it from you.' Lisa said.

'And hopefully it'll power me up enough to take on Abaddon.' Christina added.