Chapter 70

"I don't think I get the concept of blood oath," John admitted, frowning. "I don't get how you can cross over Roman, and it impacts Seth. If he CAN'T and it's not by choice, he's still on the hook?" Because if so, that explained why they couldn't take Seth out now. Claira would still be on the hook. This was why he left the thinking to Mickie.

"Exactly, babe." Mickie smiled sadly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "A blood oath is an unbreakable binding contract. Crossing Roman over screws Seth, but as long as Claira fulfills her end of the bargain, which is opening the dimension, she won't die. It's dark magic…and it's incredibly dangerous. Now, if Seth were to go after anyone, he would also violate the oath, so we at least have that." Claira was smart enough to add that in the stipulations, thankfully. "But Mark made a good point Seth is both human and Demon, so only his human side will likely die. Brooklynn had the right idea about using the bone from Seth to stab them both with her blood to kill them. Two birds, one stone."

"You guys got this all figured out and make it sound so easy." John didn't trust that. It was like they just automatically knew what to do and how to do it. He knew that they had found the solution in the library, but everything was falling in their lap. "If it's this easy…" He shook his head, sighing. "Then why are we all freaking out?"

"Stress is a great way to lose weight." Glenn was getting just a hint of pudge in his advanced age and grinned when Mark rolled his eyes.

"We know this isn't easy, John. It's anything but easy."

"Considering it's going to take time, we probably won't have, to extract a long enough bone from Seth's body and dip it in Brooklynn's blood, before stabbing them both…our chances of pulling this off are slim." Mickie wasn't a fool, but at least they had some kind of plan and wasn't going in blind.

"Not to mention, we have to keep the fact Roman crossed over from Seth at ALL costs or this will all be for naught." Claira's life depended on it and Brooklynn trusted every single person in this room, even Trish.

"Just curious, what happens if he does discover that information?" Randy asked curiously, rubbing his hands together slowly. "He won't open the dimension?"

"Something tells me he won't if he knows he's going to die."

"Good point."

Seth had been able to slip a letter past his wards. Not physically come through them, but he had been able to get something in. Mark had to wonder if the Demon spawn was able to do other things. Frowning, he gestured for Mickie to join him.

"Let's take a walk, darlin'." He didn't give her a chance to say anything, just guided her outside, beginning to walk the perimeter and explained what was going through his head.

For the next hour, Mickie listened to Mark and they decided to work together to put up powerful wards. Light and dark magic combined would ensure NOTHING could get through the warding. Not even spells. They weren't taking any chances. Once the warding was up and they were satisfied with the shields, they walked back inside to inform everyone what they did.

"Nobody is allowed to leave this house without our permission. We didn't want to do it this way, but…safety first." She smiled wanly. "If anyone needs to leave, we can guide you through, but it HAS to be either Mark or me. Or you won't be leaving, and you'll be…zapped." More like they would feel like they'd been struck by lightning.

"But we live in the city, we don't have to stay here…" Trish argued, not liking the thought of having all 10 of them cooped up in this house.

Seth wouldn't harm them because of the blood oath, so Mickie felt comfortable enough to let them leave. "If anyone else wants to go with Trish and Steve, now's the time." They all shook their heads, wanting to stay here just in case something happened and Mickie didn't blame them. "If you want to come back, call first."

"Sorry." Steve muttered, following his wife out the door, with Mickie's help, and drove off moments later.

"Good thing I went grocery shopping the other day. Who's hungry?"

"Man, Beth did you have to spill that? Poor Steve and his balls…"

"He should be used to it by now. She's always kept them in her purse." Mark snorted derisively, shaking his head. That wasn't a marriage, that was a hostage situation. He had never seen someone more cowed by a woman than Steve fucking Austin. He was so glad he was on the same page with Brooklynn now because those bitches had been buzzing in her ear for years about marriage and planting doubts in her head. They would not be taking any relationship advice from a man-eater and a whipped pussy ever again.

"I'm starving. Need help?"

"Sure, come on, sweetheart." Brooklynn winked at Mark on her way to the kitchen with their daughter, beginning to pull food out to make.

"Mom…what if this plan doesn't work?"

Brooklynn hated hearing the fear in her daughter's voice while she pulled out pots and pans, sighing heavily. "I honestly don't know, Claira. I wish I could tell you not to worry and it'll work, but…it's all we've got. I'm not going to dwell on it. I'm just going to focus on the good and hope for the best." It was really all they could do at this point as she began pulling food out of the fridge.

Nodding, Claira helped, not wanting her mother to cook for 9 people by herself. "Oh crap!" She whistled out as Sonya came barreling from downstairs. "Almost forgot to feed her. Here you go, girl. Sorry." Sonya just sniffed at her and began devouring her food.

Melina, sadly, had to call her husband and inform him that she would be staying for at least another week. She didn't tell him what was going on because she didn't want to worry him. Having a normal husband, normal children… and they were all at risk. She was crying when she hung up, wishing she was home with her babies right now. This was all so messed up.

Mark hated the scent of tears. Things might've been fine right now, but he knew people were not going to be as time dragged on and the reality really sat in. The 'what ifs', and those with families like Mickie and John, Melina… they were going to start wanting their children as potential end times rolled closer.

"Mel, go home. Go home to your babies and your husband." Brooklynn ordered softly, finding her crying on the couch later that night in front of the fireplace and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We won't be mad at you if you get the hell out of here. Your family is more important."

"But you're my family too, Brooklynn. All of you are and I want to help…"

"You feel like you're being torn in two different directions." Brooklynn summarized, knowing how that felt and stared into the fire for a few minutes. "You have no idea how much I appreciate what you've done for us and for the circle, but things have changed. You have a beautiful baby girl waiting for you, along with your other kids and David. I won't let you walk into danger sacrificing all of that. Please, go home to your family."

"Everyone is in danger here, Brooklynn. Mickie and John have their babies waiting for them too. Beth has her husband waiting for her. Glenn has his wife and children waiting. We ALL have something to lose here and this is OUR responsibility, the circle's. I'm not leaving until the task is done and, if I die, my kids will be well taken care of by David."

Brooklynn wanted to send everyone home to their loved ones, the guilt eating away at her insides and didn't know what to do to ensure they would all survive the upcoming showdown.

Mark was having similar issues and it was not helped by the fact that his idiot daughter, with way too much heart, had fallen for a deal with a Demon. Half or not. Dealing with Demons was a BAD idea, he would've thought she had learned that from him. It had cost him his Familiar, started this whole goddamn thing, AND nearly cost him Brooklynn. She had definitely one-upped him; now it was everyone at risk. John wasn't helping. He was drinking with the men out in the backyard, showing off pictures of his and Mickie's adorable kids.

Walking outside, after cleaning from dinner, Brooklynn saw everyone was out here and let out a whistle with her fingers, gaining their attention. "I need to say something to each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, and I know I speak for Mark and Claira when I say this, thank you. You're away from your families and loved ones because of us. We don't take that lightly at all. We appreciate every one of you and love you like family, even the ones who decided not to stay tonight. And if any of you leave to go back to your families before the week is out, we'll understand."

"You were our family first, Brook. You and Mark both. I'm with you until the end, you know that." Randy held his beer up with a small smile, feeling more complete than he had in years.

"I second that. You can't get rid of us that easily, Brooklynn. I'm with you until the end too. Adam understands and supports this decision and I will make it home to him or die trying." Beth did the same thing Randy did, clinking her bottle with his.

"Let's face it. You'd be up shit's creek without a paddle if we weren't here, even with a Warlock." Glenn smirked, nudging Mark and reached over to squeeze Brooklynn's hand. "You always got my help."

"I miss my babies so much, but…I would never leave my first family hanging and you should know that. I made it clear what I want to do and it hasn't changed." Melina was steadfast in her decision to stay.

"Exactly. John and I miss our babies too, but this is also our home and our responsibility." Mickie piped in, feeling him take her hand to entwine their fingers together. "We're going to see this through to the end, no matter what. And EVERYONE is surviving."

Claira couldn't believe how much love she felt from these people towards them, despite what she did. "They really are family, aren't they?"

Brooklynn was teary-eyed and nodded, brushing a few away from her cheeks. "The best family anyone could ask for."

Personally, while the sentiment was appreciated, Mark thought they were all a bit stupid. They were the first family… seriously. Some of them had kids and putting Brooklynn, him and Claira first because they had been there first. "Fair warning, any of you ever try to nag at us about marriage, or anything else again, and I'll cut all your tongues out." Obviously, he and Brooklynn were definitely the non-idiot ones of the bunch. About the only two who got a pass were Randy and Beth and that was because Randy had no family and Beth didn't have children.

"We will definitely be minding our business from here on out." Old Mark may not have done it, but merged Mark… Glenn's eyes narrowed in on those still long and razor-sharp fingernails.

"You might wanna relay that message to Trish since she was the one who badgered Lynn the most," Mickie informed him, smiling as the razor sharp long nails suddenly disappeared with a wave of her hand. "You don't need to threaten us with your nails either. We got the message, Deadman."

"I'm guilty of doing that too, but I only wanted you guys to be happy. I realize marriage doesn't make happiness and won't mention it again." Melina and Trish spoke often, though not as much as her and Mickie due to having kids and more in common.

"We're committed in our own way and I'll leave it at that." Brooklynn touched her side briefly before hugging Mark around the neck and began massaging his shoulders, wanting to relieve some of his tension.

That wouldn't happen. Not until this stuff with Seth and Nemesis was taken care of. Though… he was never one to turn down a massage. They were definitely committed, his mind moving onto her hip and the rose and vines that had grown would continue to grow. It would be interesting to watch and Mark smiled slightly, tipping his head down as her fingers moved up the back of his neck to the base of his head.

"Roman's funeral is tomorrow; can you make it?"

Claira shut her eyes, talking to her boyfriend up in her room on the phone and could hear the pain in his voice. "Dean…if I could…" There was no way her parents would allow her to go, would they? "I'll have to ask if I can. I can't promise anything."

"What the fuck is going on, Claira?" Dean demanded, trying not to sound angry, but he couldn't help it. His best friend, a man considered his brother, was dead and he STILL had no idea who did it or why. "What aren't you telling me?"

The last thing Claira wanted to do was put Dean in danger, which is why she'd kept the truth of what was going on away from him. She wanted him to stay out of this completely and would explain everything once Seth and Nemesis were dead. "I wish I could tell you…" Her voice cracked, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Open the front door."

Her emerald eyes widened. "What? What do you mean open the front door?" The realization dawned on her on why he was asking her to do it. "You're HERE?!"

"Yeah, now open the front door, Claire Bear."

Bolting downstairs as fast as she could, Claira opened the front door and stared into those beautiful blues of Dean, suddenly remember the warding Mickie and her father had put up. "Hold on, don't go anywhere." She rushed to the backyard, looking somewhat crazed and saw Mickie and John were already in bed. Tents were set up in the backyard and they were one of them. Randy and Beth were sharing the guest room since they'd slept together in the same bed before. "Dad…Dean is here. Will you let him in please?"

Mark FLEW into the house and Brooklynn had to wonder if Dean had a brain in that skull of his to actually leave his protected house to come here.