Author note: Another chapter finished. That means we are now on 7 of 10. I'm not sure what to do when it's finished. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, please let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing that is recognizable in this fanfiction story. The Midnight, Texas series belongs to Charlaine Harris.
Chapter 7 – Angel Heart
It was two days after Connor's death and Winnie was ready to pull her hair out. Something was coming and it was going to be a problem for the town soon. A sense of anticipation had been building in her bones since the night they saved Creek, and it made her skin crawl.
The redhead was just glad that her brother hadn't noticed her anxiety. They could read each other like a book, and Manny didn't need to worry about a new threat while he was still concerned about his girlfriend.
"Ugh, I can't stand this," Winnie announced loudly as she paced the RV.
"What bee crawled in your bonnet?" Xylda asked her granddaughter as her ghost appeared, watching Winnie from the passenger seat.
"Stupid empathy is giving me the heebie-jeebies!" she almost yelled.
"Well then, you need to do something to take your mind off of it. Get out. Go find that man of yours. I'm sure he can scratch your itch," she gave the girl a smirk, "Goodness, Honey, don't stay cooped up in here with my old ghost."
"You're not so bad, Grandma. Having you around saves on air conditioning," Winnie told the ghost jokingly.
"Why you," Xylda laughed. "Get on out of here, Silly Goose."
"Hey Mr. Snuggly," Winnie said as she passed the gate to Fiji's shop/house.
"Hello, Girly, headed over to the church, huh?" the cat replied as he bumped his head against her leg and then slowly rubbed the rest of his body against her jeans.
Winnie snickered, "No, I already called, Emilio's busy. Actually, I come baring a gift for you." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a can of tuna. "I hope you like tuna fish. I made sure to get the good stuff," she said as she opened the can and knelt to place it down, the strong smell of fish in the air.
"Oh," the cat replied as he quickly started to devour the offering.
Stroking his back as he ate, Winnie spoke, "You enjoy, buddy, when you're done just leave the can on my porch. You don't want Fiji finding it."
The redhead stood up and headed back down the street and to the pawn shop. She found Bobo taking inventory and sorting out new acquisitions.
"Need any help?" she offered coming to lean on the counter beside the owner.
He smiled at her but the expression wasn't up to its usual luster. "That would be appreciated. Work might go faster with two people."
They split the job and when it was done, Winnie turned to the brunette, "I couldn't help noticing that you and Fiji aren't talking."
"She's upset that I didn't tell her about my family," Bobo admitted.
"If that's how she feels there's nothing to do about it," Winnie told him with an apologetic look, "But hey, things change, and feelings definitely change. I mean, I used to hate onions, but now I love grilled onions on my burgers. It's going to take her a little while to realize that an onion is an onion, no matter how you slice it." She placed a hand on his arm and finished quietly, "You're still my friend, and a good man."
He gave her a tight-lipped nod.
"Hey, how about we have some fun?" she suddenly asks with a pat to his shoulder as she eagerly bounced on her toes.
"What kind of fun?" he asked puzzled.
She grinned impishly. "The kind of fun that involves us going to Davy, buying the largest cooler we can find and filling it with sodas, beers and premade pizzas. Then we need to grab stuff for s'mores and buy a portable fire pit. Plus, all the other little stuff that you need when having a campfire."
After they got back Bobo offered to put the fire pit together while Winnie put the pizzas in the oven to bake. There was two of each kind of pizza she could find; veggie, supreme, three meat, cheese and even Hawaiian.
Bobo headed into the shop to pull out a long folding table and ten chairs from his storage closet. Then he came back with a pile of wood, slow burning coals and starter fluid for the fire. Just as they got everything together Winnie started calling the others.
It was finally dark, and the fire pit sat blazing in the middle of the 'yard' between the RV and Trailer. The table had been set up next to the RV and all of the pizzas had been set out, along with paper plates and napkins. The cooler sat on the ground beside the food, and was full of ice and different beverages.
Emilio was the first to show up. He had changed before arriving, and was dressed in casual clothes.
"Hey!" the redhead woman greeted the weretiger with a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hello. So we're having pizza," he observed as he wrapped an arm around her waist, eyes scanning the yard.
"Yeah, I wasn't sure if you ate veggie pizza, or you would just want cheese, so I got both," she paused and turned to him with a worried look, "You eat pizza right?"
He chuckled, "Yes, I eat pizza, and either one is fine."
"Good, I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of left overs, so it will be cold pizza for breakfast. Come on," she tugged him over to the table and handed him a plate, happy when he didn't hesitate to grab several slices.
After that, Manny and Creek emerged from the house. Lem and Olivia came from the pawn shop. Fiji seemed a little hesitant and stayed on the opposite side of the fire as Bobo. Joe came last and trailing behind him was Mr. Snuggly.
The cat came up to the gypsy girl and meowed loudly.
"Mr. Snuggly," Fiji reprimanded.
Winnie just laughed, "What would you like? Cheese? Or three meat?"
He gave a meow at the second option so she grabbed a slice and put it on a plate for him, which she sat under the table to make sure he didn't get stepped on.
"You're spoiling that cat," Manny told her from his seat next to the fire.
She heard Mr. Snuggly hiss as she admonished, "Hey now, you worry about you dear brother, and leave my guests alone."
They all sat around the fire enjoying the food, except for the vampire of course. Winnie sat next to Emilio, who was beside Fiji. Olivia and Lemuel were sitting on the other side of the witch. Bobo sat between the vampire and Joe, and the angel was next to Creek, who was leaning into Manny's right side. There was a chair between the two psychics that had a medium sized box sitting in it.
"It's been a while since I've been camping," Bobo said with a lopsided grin, "Sitting out her, like this, kinda brings back memories."
"It's also been some time since I have enjoyed it," Lem admitted.
"Sometimes, when we'd stop for the night, Grandma would make a little fire pit and burn old newspapers so we could eat s'mores," Winnie told them.
Manny scoffed, "And you would toast your marshmallows for ten minutes."
"I like it when they're all gooey on the inside and not burnt," she shot back.
"They taste better that way," he playfully argued back.
Conversation flowed after that, as the atmosphere became lighter. Later, after everyone was through eating pizzas, Winnie opened the box beside her.
"I hope you saved room for dessert," the redhead said holding up a bag of marshmallows while the other hand contained collapsible skewers. She passed along the box which also included graham crackers and chocolate bars.
Laughing, when Mr. Snuggly ran off with a dropped marshmallow, Winnie leaned back into Emilio's shoulder with a content sigh.
"Grandma used to tell us stories," Manny said wistfully before addressing his sister, "You remember the one about the gnomes?"
The redhead suddenly started laughing so hard she snorted. With wide-eyes, she covered her face to stop any more noise as her cheeks turned pink, before she buried her face in the neck of the dark-haired man beside her.
"I can't even think about it without laughing," she said her voice muffled buy Emilio's collar.
"Gnomes?" Olivia questioned with a smirk.
Manny returned the smirk, "Oh-ho, this one's good. So, a long time ago, our ancestors were passing through a small village…"
Near the end of the story almost everyone was chuckling or laughing. Creek gave a small smile.
"...So there was our ancestor, naked, covered in mud and grass, cuts all over—some in not very nice places—standing at the old woman's door with the stick he had used to beat back the gnomes.
"Seeing him like that, the old woman thought he had gone crazy and was going to attack her, so she slams the door in his face just as the last gnome bites him on the ass…" he pauses for theatrical effect and to let the laughter quiet down before finishing, "When he's done with the gnome, the woman won't even let him in to collect the payment for getting rid of them, and he has to walk home in the dark. Of course, his wife thinks the worst when she sees him. He then spends the rest of the night trying to explain that he was fighting an army of little creatures who had torn off his clothes and drug him through the rosebushes, and not having wild sex in the forest."
A raucous of laughter went up again. Winnie could even feel the vibrations of Emilio's amused chuckle from where she was pressed against his side.
Things quickly wound down after the story and the others started excusing themselves one after the other.
Creek and Manny headed back inside with the leftover food, while Bobo and Winnie moved the table and chairs back into storage. Emilio smothered the fire before using the handle on the fire pit to move it to the side in front of Winnie's trailer, and then let the cooler drain out. When the redhead woman and brunette man got back from the shop all three of them started carrying the drinks in by the arm loads.
Winnie sighed as she closed the door to the fully stocked fridge. "Thanks for all the help today, Bobo, and feel free to take some of this home with you."
"No problem, it was a lot of fun," he told her with a kind smile, "I'll let you hold on to the food though, but maybe I'll stop by for lunch tomorrow." Then the man left.
Emilio came up behind her and wrapped his arms around the psychic's waist before gently dropping his chin to rest on her shoulder. The weretiger's natural earthy scent filled her nose as the warmth from his higher than normal(human) body heat wrapped around her.
He had taken his jacket off and rolled up his sleeves before helping clean up, letting Winnie placed one hand on his bare forearm as the other rose to gently brush across the weretiger's cheek. His stubble scratched her fingertips and she smiled affectionately.
"Have you ever had a beard?" she wondered.
"More frequently than you would think," he told her.
Winnie giggled softly and leaned her head against Emilio's shoulder. He shifted his face to press his nose against the skin at the juncture of her neck and shoulder before breathing in her scent, eyes closing in contentment.
The feelings coming from the man behind her washed over her, making her breathe hitch. There was only one interpretation behind the emotions she was receiving. Winnie could only mouth the words, 'I love you too,' afraid to speak out loud, knowing she would mean what she said and neither she nor Emilio were ready to hear them.
"It was a nice thing you did tonight," he commented, "Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, I even saw Creek smiling." She shifted her hands to thread their fingers together, and he briefly gave her waist a gently squeeze.
"Good. It started out as a way to keep my mind off of things, but I think we all needed time to unwind. I keep getting the feeling that something bad is coming," turning in Emilio's arms to look him in the face she finished quietly, "and it's just the beginning."
Then the redhead pushed away with a mirthlessly chuckle as she raised both hands to rub harshly at her temples. "Would you listen to me, I'm such a bad omen. I don't know why you even like me with all the doom-and-gloom I keep spouting. If it's not vague visions, it's bad vibes. I mean, it's frustrating me, so it must be annoying the hell out of you."
"You are not a bad omen," he said taking her hands before gently kissed the abused skin. "Your gifts provide forewarning, they're invaluable. And I find you too delightfully quirky to be frustrating."
Winnie laughed and seemed to light up with a beatific smile. "And you are a charmer," she teased lightly, "Who knew?"
"Not many," Emilio admitted, "I find it difficult to open up to people, only after coming to Midnight was I able to. With you it is easier."
She forewent a verbal response, instead crashing their lips together passionately, an action the man was quick to reciprocate. The kiss deepened, and for a long moment they were swept up in the feel and taste of each other.
Only when her lungs burned with a need for air, did Winnie pull away. She was a little breathless as she spoke, "I'm a lucky girl."
"I'm the lucky one," Emilio replied his voice husky, before drawing her back into another kiss, gentler this time but equally passionate.
Sunlight streamed in through the RV windows. Winnie let out a groan as one unrelenting beam hit her in the eyes. Caught in the haze between sensible and insensible, she didn't want to wake up, hoping she could continue to dream and avoid whatever baddie was setting off her psychic radar.
"How many times have I told you? Avoiding something, doesn't mean it will magically disappear, so you might as well get up, Honey."
"Grandma, you need exercise," the redhead mumbled as she turned over and tried to go back to sleep.
Xylda cackled uproariously before speaking again, "I think you mean, exorcise, which still doesn't make much sense. Get up and get that brain in gear, girl!"
She groaned as she sat up and her grandmother snickered at her passable impression of a zombie.
After making her way from the RV into the house for a shower, Winnie finally started to come around. She was dressed and leaving the bathroom after finishing up her after shower routine when she almost bumped into Creek.
The words, 'I Don't Run And If You Ever See Me Running You Should Run Too Because Something Is Probably Chasing Me', were printed in bold black across the neon pink shirt Creek was suddenly staring at.
"Sorry," the brunette said.
Winnie shook her head dismissively, "No, it's my bad. I'm feeling a little out of it this morning. How about you? Feeling any better?"
"I'm fine," Creek said trying to smile but it was gone too quickly.
Winnie pursed her lips and raised a brow. "You don't have to lie to me, Creek," her tone became even gentler, "I'm an empath. I know exactly how you're feeling, so when I ask, it's more courtesy than curiosity. You can be honest with me."
"You were right, my life is turned upside down," she replied tears shining in her eyes but not falling, "and I don't know what to do. I just want to do something other than wallow. I need to get out of the house for a while."
"That's reasonable," Winnie nodded, "Just one more word of advice, and I know you really don't want to hear it but…don't push yourself too hard," she finished and suddenly pulled the other girl into a hug which Creek returned eagerly.
They clung to each other for a moment until the sharp spike of pain began to ebb away. Creek pulled back and whipped her eyes while Winnie did the same.
"Thanks," the brunette whispered before they shared small smiles and the redhead quietly left.
At the restaurant where Winnie would be meeting Emilio for breakfast, the redhead was a little surprised to see Fiji in the Midnighters' room. The dark-haired woman seemed to be working on something and had a bunch of materials spread out on the table in front of her.
Winnie stopped at the bar to get some coffee and place her order. The waiter filling the cup chortled at the size of her 32oz mug.
"Do you think it's big enough?"
"Ask me after my second cup," Winnie replied as she walked away, and added under her breath, "I'll need it today."
The psychic entered the back room and took a seat a few chairs away from the witch. They enjoyed the companionable silence that feel over them.
It was a little while later, that the psychic started to hum to herself, and then she began to sing quietly, her voice low. The words to the song came easily and she made it through "Cups" twice before she felt a warm hand fall on her shoulder.
"That sounded lovely," Emilio complemented as he placed a kiss on her temple, and then took the seat beside Winnie.
She blushed. Somewhere between sitting down and starting to sing she had forgotten there were others in the restaurant.
"Thanks. I croon along with the radio ever once and awhile and Manny even joins in when he feels like it. We haven't managed to make each other's ears bleed yet, always a good thing," she admitted jokingly, but her smile was absent its' usual brightness.
"It seems the members of your family have a variety of talents," he said in his reserved, amused way.
Wincing, the redhead looked at his guiltily. "You're referring to the watch aren't you? Which technically doesn't count as stealing," she saw his expression and tried again, "Okay, I did steal it, but with no intention of keeping it! I would have giving it back," Winnie stated honestly before finishing quietly, "As soon as the lesson was learned."
The dark-haired man chuckled before replying, "I'm sure you would have."
"Here you go," the waiter said as he placed their plates on the table. He eyed Winnie's empty cup with surprise, "Still need that re-fill?"
"Trust me," she said staring him in the face, "I'm going to need the caffeine, and for the same reason you should consider taking the day off."
The waiter backed away slowly, an almost startled look on his face. "I'll be right back with the coffee."
She turned back to her plate and sighed. Emilio clasped her hand in his, and began gently rubbing circles into her skin with his thumb.
"I wish I could help with what you're feeling," he told her quietly.
She gave a soft smile, "Just you being here helps a lot."
"Then know that I am here, and will continue to be as long as you want me to stay."
She leaned over resting her head against his shoulder and squeezing his hand as she silently questioned if forever would be too long.
A few minutes later the waiter returned with a carafe full of steaming coffee. When the sever left, the room stayed quiet only the clinking of silverware and the shuffling of materials on Fiji's side of the table could be heard.
They were done eating and Emilio was up stretching his legs, when Creek entered and began speaking to Madonna. The older woman was equal parts happy and concerned to see the younger.
"She's pulling away," Winnie observed as the younger girl walked away, speaking so only the weretiger could hear her, "we'll need to keep an eye on her."
Madonna approached the Midnighters in the back room.
"She's back so soon?" the reverend questioned the owner.
Winnie frowned. "She needs more time."
Shaking her head, Madonna answered, "She asked to come in. But I agree with you. It doesn't feel right."
"Sometimes it's good getting out of the house." Fiji piped up and the others turned to look at her, "Being out in the world could be a good distraction."
"This isn't out in the world. This is inventory," Modonna replied tersely. Then the dark-haired owner moved to take the dishes away and was gone.
Winnie sighed before nodding silently at the young witch beside them. "I'm going to get a glass of water I'll be back in a minute," she leaned in to kiss his cheek, "You got this, Tiger."
At the counter she turned around to see Emilio talking to Fiji. It was the same bar tender as before who brought her a glass of water and he spoke as he placed in down. "So, was your coffee mug big enough?"
She gave him a quizzical eyebrow raise.
"You told me to ask again after your second cup?"
The redhead snickered. "Not really," she replied, "It's just wiser not to drink coffee too late, or beer too early. I'm still suggesting you should take the day off."
They looked at each other and one corner of his mouth pulled down into a frown, "Naw, my shift ends in three hours, but thanks for the concern."
Picking up the glass, Winnie silently salutes him before taking a sip and heading to the back room.
Emilio had finished speaking with Fiji and was on his feet when Winnie joined them. "Are we ready to go?" the psychic asked cheerily.
"Go?" he quietly asked, "Is there something you have in mind?"
"Just a lazy stroll before you get too busy," she shrugged and held up the empty mug she was carrying, "We could drop my mug off at the house and keep going around the block."
"That sound like a good idea," he said setting his empty mug down on the table.
"Yeah, I get them every once and awhile," she joked back as they turned toward the door. Winnie took another gulp of water before placing it down on an empty table on their way out.
Outside, he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow as they meandered down the sidewalk.
"I couldn't help noticing what you called me earlier," he told her.
"What, 'Tiger'?" she questioned, "Do you not like it?"
"Actually, I do," he replied with a smile, "More specifically, I like the way you say it. I just find it curious that you would be so blatant."
"Is that because you're assuming I have a problem with it?" she probed.
He didn't answer and she sighed. They had reached her house and Winnie saw the curtains in the RV windows were closed which usually meant her brother was inside talking to ghosts. Making up her mind, she tugged Emilio in the direction of the house.
"Come on, we both need to have this conversation."
Once they were inside the girl continued to drag the black clad man over to the couch and gently pushed him down onto the cushions before following him to straddle his thighs. Then she leaned her petite frame against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned the embrace by winding his arms around her waist.
"You could crush me," Winnie stated.
"I would never hurt you," he quickly reassured.
"I know," she told him taking his face in her hands and smiling affectionately, "but you could, and that's what makes you so amazing. I know the tiger is a part of you, Emilio. You possess that pure power and animal instinct, not just during the full moon, but all the time." She placed a hand on his chest. "Every day you keep it at bay. You're so strong."
He cupped her cheek in the palm of his hand. "You are just as strong," he told her. "I see the way your powers affect you and how you try to hide it. The headaches you take medication for when you thing no one is looking. The way you use caffeine to calm your nerves, or when you move slower and try not to flinch at loud sounds. But you're still optimistic, even when others find it hard to be, and when I'm around you everything is lighter."
Her heart swelled, she closed her eyes to hide the emotion behind her lashes as she surged forward to crash their lips together; pouring every ounce of feeling she had for Emilio into that kiss as he returned it with equal fervor. His taste on her tongue, scent in her nose, and warm hands caressing her made her moan softly into the kiss.
When they finally pulled apart, both their eyes were shining with fondness. He rubbed the pad of his thumb across her cheek as she leaned into his touch.
"You are truly extraordinary and so beautiful," he whispered, placing a light kiss to her lips.
"So are you, inside and out," she responded. She smiled as she looked into his eyes. "Your eyes change color. Usually they're a deep and warm brown, but sometimes they turn gold."
A hint of worry flashed in his eyes, he knew that the color was a sign of the tiger.
She gave a quick shake of her head. "I'm not scared. You would never hurt me. That's what you said," she reminded him with a smile, "and I trust you."
"Unbelievable," he said. She gave him a confused frown and he chuckled, "Even as a reverend and a man who holds a fervent belief in the divine, I sometimes question if you are a dream."
"Well don't," she told him firmly, "I'm pretty sure this is karma. All the shit life's thrown at us—we deserve to be happy, especially you." She leaned her forehead against his and laughed, "I don't know if my crazy self is what's good for you, but I'd like to find out."
"Then we should finish our walk." He ran warm hands down her sides and took a firm gentle hold of her hips to ease her back. "The sooner we start our work today, the faster we'll be done."
"Smart man," she commented getting up and offering a hand to help him stand "Maybe later we can finish our conversation. I liked the direction it was heading." The smirk on the redhead's face was all mischief and lust.
Winnie helped gather the hymnals, and gave a smile as she handed then to Emilio.
"How do you do it?" she asked playfully.
He gave her a curious look, "Do what?"
"Be so amazing all the time," she answered, "It must be exhausting."
He chuckled softly and said with a smirk, "I don't know. Perhaps someone as incredible as you are, could tell me."
She giggled, and then gave him a one-armed hug as she snuggled into his side. "We're so sappy," Winnie remarked, "Think it will ever wear off?"
"I was actually contemplating writing you poetry," he teased and squeezed her lightly.
"Don't let me stop you," she replied with a laugh.
Suddenly, a sensation hit that chilled her to the bone and she shivered as her focus was suddenly drawn to the chapel entrance.
The weretiger instantly became aware of the redhead's change in mood. "What's wrong?"
"Something's here…," she whispered, "right outside."
His eyes went from the doors to Winnie and he gripped her shoulder's, forcing her to look him in the eyes as he spoke, "I'm sorry," and with that he easily grabbed her and threw the gypsy into the air, all the way to the rafters.
It was so sudden that she almost screamed, but instead her jaw tightened and she caught the nearest beam to pull herself up before her momentum could change. Emilio leaned back over to nonchalantly start sorting the books again. Winnie had just stabilized her balance and was tucked in the elbow of two ceiling beams, when the doors to the church burst open.
Emilio straightened to address the figure that walked into the building. Winnie could see the hints of worry and fear in his eyes, more than likely for her and not himself.
"Can I help you?" the reverend asked the woman in the long red trench coat.
"Oh, I'm counting on it padre," the woman said as she waltzed closer, "I'm looking for a man. I think he's hiding here in Midnight. Joseph. Blonde," She drew out the last word as she gestured toward her own hair and paused several feet away from the man.
"If I did know him, he would be a parishioner, and I could not disclose any information."
The look in the strange woman's eyes grew dark and she stalked a few steps closer, "You know, once a man of the cloth realizes who I am, they cooperate without much fuss."
Two beats later Emilio roared as he grabbed the pulpit behind him with one hand and launched it at the stranger. It shattered into pieces around the red-dressed woman but she was unaffected by the impact.
Swiping her nose absently the stranger spoke, "But there's always an exception."
Emilio's shock was visible and Winnie's eyes grew wide as the woman launched herself at the weretiger. The stranger grabbed the reverend and pushed him against the wall before placing a hand against his forehead, a light starting to glow from her palm.
"Where is he?" the scarlet robed woman demanded.
Emilio seemed incapable of saying anything as he began to slump down and finally fell to the floor.
"I was wrong about you," the stranger said as she pulled him to stand, "You're not a man of the cloth. Not human. Not animal. You're nothing."
She suddenly twisted and the reverend gave a surprised shout as he went spinning through the air to crash into the window frame spraying broken glass all around. When he landed on the floor, Emilio was unconscious. Winnie felt sick as she continued to hide, whoever the stranger was she was dangerous and the gypsy girl had no idea what they would do to stop her. Joe was in a lot of trouble.
Winnie jumped down once the woman had left and crouched beside Emilio. She swept some of the glass off his face and shook his shoulder, calling out as she tried to wake him.
"Come on, Emilio, you've got to wake up," she tried again but he wouldn't open his eyes.
"Shit," she cursed, rocking back on her heels and looking towards the now closed doors. Winnie was torn, she didn't want to leave the injured weretiger, but she had an angel to warm about an incredible strong and crazy woman who was looking for him.
Winnie turned back to Emilio, only finding some bleeding cuts but he was still breathing. "Please, be okay," she pleaded before forcing herself to leave and find Joe.
Emilio's first priority had been her safety, so she would make sure to be careful. But, she also knew that the weretiger would want to keep the others safe.
Winnie was outside and about to cross the street when Manny caught her by the arm and dragged her towards their place.
"What's up with the Matrix reject?" he asked as they walked.
"She's looking for Joe," Winnie explained, "She came into the church asking where she could find him. Emilio tried to fight her but she did something weird, light came out of her hand, and then she threw him across the church. He's unconscious and won't wake up."
"I called Joe when I saw her heading to the shop. He should have made it out in time," he informed her as they reached their house.
Watching through the windows, the siblings saw the stranger leave the tattoo shop.
"She's heading to the Gas & Go," Manny told Joe over the phone, Winnie was pressed against his side watching the street and heard Joe's reply.
"Get over to Olivia's as soon as you can, and whatever you do, avoid Bowie."
"What if I don't? Eternal damnation?" the male psychic questioned.
"Angels can read minds, so she'd use what I just told you to find and kill Chuy and me."
Manny nodded even though Joe wasn't in the room, "Well, in that case, I'll try to avoid her. Should we tell Creek? Madonna?"
"No. Angels guard humans. She won't harm them. The less they know, the better."
"And what about supernaturals?" he quickly asked.
"Oh, she hates supernaturals."
"I'll be there when I can," Manny stated but before he could hang up Winnie grabbed his wrist and pulled the phone so she could speak into the microphone.
"Joe, you tell your husband that I'm upset he didn't call but glad he's back, and stay safe," she told him.
"I will, Winnie," was the angels reply, and then the line went silent.
The twins left the house and quickly headed to the pawn shop, only for them to simultaneously turn around and head back the way they came when they spotted the female angel.
They got into the RV and Winnie turned around to face Manny.
"Grandma?" Manny called as he turned trying to spot the ghost, "Where the hell are you?"
"What?" Xylda asked as she appeared between them.
Manny turned back around. "Grandma, I need your help. And uh, I truly hate that I'm about to ask this," he told her.
She gave him a puzzled look and he quickly explained his plan. Once their grandmother had possessed Manny's body and covered his milky eyes. They took up their positions. Winnie at the table and Manny waiting to answer the door, not surprised when there was a knock.
"Why'd you hide?" the strange angel asked the medium when he answered the door.
"I didn't. I was going for a walk, decided against it."
"Joseph Strong. You know him?"
"Not well. Seems nice. But I just moved here," the possessed man said.
The angel barged her way inside as she spoke, "Do you mind if I ask you some questions?"
"Sure. Come on in." Manny said as he closed the door.
The angel took in the RV and saw Winnie at the table clutching her stone pendant as she chanted under her breath, eyes also hidden by dark shades.
Bowie picked up Creek's locket off the table to examine before asking, "What, are you a fortune teller?"
"I prefer medium. Psychic. Even the Great Bernardo," he replied with a scoff. "And you are?"
"Looking for Joseph Strong," she told him as she continued to look around, "And I'm getting impatient." Then she lifted a hand and did the same thing to the male psychic that she had done to the reverend.
Winnie struggled not to react. She wished she could pluck the angel like a Christmas goose. And with the power suddenly surging through her, she might have a decent shot.
"Ugh!" the angel exclaimed as she pulled away, "Ugh, what's wrong with you?"
Manny stood straight. "I don't know what you mean."
"Your head."
Manny started to talk, "I take pills. Sometimes—actually, no, a lot of times, I—uh—hear voices, see things, some of which turns out aren't really there. I can't always tell what's real and what's not. Now is one of those times."
The angel grabbed him under the chin and thumped his head against the roof. "It's real," she told him before looking over at the girl in the booth, "What about her?"
"My sister," Manny said, a drop of worry seeping into his voice, "She's worse than I am. She talks back to the voices. Doesn't always hear people."
The angel grunted and went to leave, "Oh, I hate this town," she remarked before she was gone.
Xylda's spirit left Manny's body and there was an awkward silence for a moment. Both siblings removed their glasses and looked at the ghost.
"Well, at least it worked." Xylda commented.
Winnie scoffed and got out from the seat at the table.
Manny sounded uncomfortable as he responded, "I'm gonna go, and I'm gonna try to forget that ever happened."
The twins quickly left the RV after that and headed to the apartment above the pawn shop. When Manny knocked on the door, Olivia was quick to unlock and open it.
"Sorry I'm late," the brunette said as they entered. He found Joe waiting for them and informed the artist, "She came to my RV."
"She didn't get in your head?" he questioned.
"She did," Manny told him, "but my grandma was already in there."
Everyone gave him confused looks so he went on, "She couldn't read much. It was too crowded, too confusing."
"As is this," Fiji said.
"The Rev still isn't picking up, and I'm done waiting," Lemuel said as he gave Joe a pointed look.
Winnie bit her lip as her eyes teared up remembering that she had left Emilio in the church.
Joe sighed and gave the others some distance before he responded, "Chuy and I need your help. There's an angel named Bowie in Midnight, and she's hunting me."
"An angel? We're scared of an angel?" Olivia questioned disbelievingly a sarcastic smile on her lips.
"Well, angels not only protect humans, they also kill demons," Joe said, "Bowie only liked the killing part of the job."
Bob was the next to voice a question to the blonde male, "You know her?"
"Yeah, she's a mentor and a friend. I walked away from that life without a word and I'm sure she's still angry and hurt and..." Joe licked his lips, "wants me dead."
"So, she's made because you left?" Manny wondered.
"Leaving the fold, being fallen," Joe began to say as he started to make his way to Chuy on the other side of the room, "she might've forgiven that. But it's who I fell in love with she can't forgive."
That's when it clicked for Winnie as she asked herself, who could an angel hate more than a fallen angel? The answer was so clear when the gypsy girl took into account Chuy was also being affected by the veil.
"Oh. A man?" Fiji questioned the angel.
Joe and Chuy let out humorless chuckles before the former went on, "No, not a man. Um…" Joe hesitated looking at Chuy who nodded, and Winnie heard the words that she had been thinking, "A demon."
"I'd like a little bit more of an explanation," Lem said from his place in front of the bookshelf.
Joe nodded in silent response. The others shifted around the room.
Fiji got up and headed to the back, placing herself farther away from Joe and Chuy, while Bobo moved to sit down directly between the male couple and witch. Olivia moved to stand in front of the couch beside the pawn shop owner, and Manny moved to the side where he leant against the door frame leading into the bedroom. Winnie noticed how everyone subconsciously selected their places based on how they felt about Chuy's newly revealed status as a demon.
Winnie stood across the group from Manny, the closest to Chuy, and wrapped her arms around herself, mentally fighting back the emotional bombardment.
"The first time I saw him was in this marketplace," Joe began, looking at his husband as he spoke, "haggling with some pretty sketchy guys."
"Silk Road traders," Chuy elaborated, "I wanted this porcelain. They asked for more than I had, so I left."
"And I followed. Saw the traders beating the crap out of him," he said glancing at the rest of the room. "So, I showed a little wing and scared them off. I went to help Chuy up and…saw that he was covered in black blood."
"Demon blood," Lem clarified.
Joe continued, eyes only occasionally leaving Chuy's to glance at the others, "They not only beat him—they also stole his sandals. I asked him why didn't he just tear them apart, and he said maybe they needed the sandals more than he did. And that changed everything. Bowie told us we were superior, that demons were evil, and angels killing demons was doing a service—Chuy disproved all of it."
"I still can't get over it," Bobo spoke up, "You're a demon?"
Chuy sighed and gave a half shrug, "Half-demon, My mom was human," he told them with a small smile at the mention of his mother.
"Parents were another forbidden love?" Fiji asked.
"It wasn't love," Chuy stated and both he and Joe looked to the ground at that moment. "My mom and I were close. She taught me to control my demonic side. She said that our connection would keep me strong. Now I have this connection to keep me strong," he finished taking ahold of Joe's arm.
"Yeah, but you should've told us," Fiji said her voice sounding condemning with a spark of betrayal. She had come to stand in front of Lem.
Olivia, who had taken a seat, glanced over her shoulder to the brunette woman. "They're telling us now," she stated looking at the couple.
"Yeah, now there's an angry angel in Midnight," was Lem's caustic reply, "They're immortal. Fiji's right. This shouldn't be the first time we're hearing about this."
Manny spoke up, "Look, Joe saved Creek. I'm willing to return the favor. So, angels—how do we deal with them?"
"Well, they're tough," the blonde male stated, "Angels can read you mind, use your secrets against you."
"Great. And, uh, immortal," Manny said.
Joe corrected him, "No. Almost immortal. Humans can't kill an angel, and I'm not tough enough to take on an angel like Bowie."
"But demons can, right?" Fiji asked reading between the lines.
Chuy took a deep breath and Joe became even more worried, like the thought was scarier than the real threat Bowie posed. "Oh, that—that is not an option. Last time he changed, it took three years to get him back. If Chuy turns, we're all in danger."
"I can't," Chuy told them, "I'm sorry."
"Okay, if we can't kill her maybe we can send her somewhere else, where there are demons who can take care of her," Manny began, used to thinking fast during a high risk situation. He turned to Fiji and went around the couch to stand on the witches other side as they talked. "The exorcism at my house—the mirror acted as a portal."
"And we saw over to the other side of the veil," she finished.
"What if we created a portal and trapped her on the other side of the veil?"
"Are you suggesting we send an angel to hell?" Bobo asked skeptically.
The male psychic looked over to the blonde angel. "Will that work?"
"I think it just might," but the angel's face showed a lack of confidence in the plan.
"Then we should get started," Fiji spoke up.
Manny glanced at his sister, "Winnie?" their eyes meeting was the only acknowledgement the redhead was listening, "You alright?"
She looked down at the floor before speaking, "I would be if I didn't feel so guilty."
"I'm sure he's fine—" he started to say but she cut him off with a sharp look and cutting words.
"Don't patronize me, Manny. He protected me, and I left him there unconscious and alone."
"Because you had to warn Joe," he defended.
"Left who?" Olivia questioned.
"The Rev," Manny said quietly.
Winnie continued, "He and I were in the church when Bowie showed up. She went there first, trying to get information on where Joe was. Emilio wouldn't tell her anything. She attacked him and threw him into the wall."
"Did she hurt you?" Chuy asked worriedly.
The girl shook her head. "He helped me hide before she came in," her mind played out what happened and she paused to swallow a lump in her throat. "When she was gone I left to tell Joe and Manny found me."
Chuy brought her into a hug and she felt like she was seconds away from crying. "Thank you," the half-demon told the psychic, "Thank you for protecting us, and I'm so sorry."
"You don't need to apologize," Winnie told him squeezing him back. "Bowie is going to be sorry she ever stepped foot in Midnight and threatened my friends. We'll make sure of it."
"Damn straight," Olivia said.
"Sounds like we have work to do," Lem stated and everyone nodded splitting up to get ready to send an angel to hell.
When she was done helping Fiji clear out a spot in the pawnshop to work, Winnie watched Joe and Bobo bring in a standing mirror.
"So Bowie—she can read everything inside your head?" Bobo asked as they sat the mirror down.
"All angels can," Joe informed him with a nod.
Fiji whipped around, "Wait—you can read our thoughts?"
The angel tried to reassure the witch. "Only if I choose to, which I don't. I won't abuse that power. I haven't used it in centuries. But Bowie—she won't hesitate to use what she reads to get her way...or humiliate you."
"Sounds like a lovely person," the witched replied.
"More like a demon," Winnie observed before informing them, "I'm going to see if Manny needs me."
"If you'll excuse me," Joe said to the witch and brunette man as he followed the gypsy into another part of the story.
"These relics are useless," Winnie lamented as she went through the collection of family relics Manny had sold to Bobo not long ago. Manny picked up the severed finger and Winnie rolled her eyes.
Joe walked up to the twins asking, "Is that a, uh—"
"Finger. Yeah," the male psychic said, "Belonged to an ancient relative of mine, Uncle Roland. Legend is he pushed a demon back to hell with it. Soon as he touched the demon, his finger fell off."
"You certainly have a colorful past," the angel said.
"I used to think they were just stories my grandma made up," the brunette remarked his tone turning sarcastic, "The Great Bernardo Clan and the evil they battled."
Winnie smiled weakly and bumped shoulders with her brother who responded with a soft nudge back.
Joe spoke his next words hesitantly, "You ever think it's not a coincidence you're here in Midnight right as the veil frays?"
"It's a coincidence or really bad luck."
"I think it's something else," Joe remarked with a knowing look.
Winnie narrowed her eyes, she knew that look. "What it is Joe? You have the classic 'I know something you don't' face."
"There's a prophecy," he explained to the siblings. "It says—When the veil starts to tear, a hero will rise. He will lead an army to fight the evil that emerges and seal the veil forever."
"Wow, we should call this person," Manny tells him.
"A man with the gift of vision, who can bridge the worlds between the living and the dead," Joe finished and looked at the brunette meaningfully.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Joe rose and lowered his brows in a facial shrug and nodded at Manny.
The medium scoffed, "You're joking."
"All the signs point to you," says the angel, "meaning now you are leading the move against Bowie."
"It's—It's a pretty big leap from one plan to stopping the apocalypse," Manny said incredulously. He circled around the blonde, physically retreating from the conversation but stopping when Joe spoke up.
"Well, I believe it's you."
The brunette faced the angel. "Then you're insane."
It was after that statement that the brunette's phone rang, and he was quick to answer. "Creek, you okay?"
The reply must have been bad, as Winnie suddenly watched her brother's face turn worried. He glanced at Joe before putting the phone on speaker.
"She's sad," a female voice they all recognized as Bowie said over the phone. "Oh, yeah, just a tad depressed. Where's Joseph?"
Winnie was suddenly hit with a vision; two winged bodies, not birds, fought in the air. Crashing, punching, kicking and pews being tossed around. Then there was snarling, blood and a burst of light. She was back and shook her head almost losing her balance from the split second of disorientation.
"I don't know," Manny said.
"You have thirty minutes to find out, and then I'm gonna start killing people."
"I-I thought angels didn't hurt humans," he stated eyes on Joe as if questioning the male angel in front of him and not the female on the phone.
"Yeah, not normally, but today has been a very frustrating day," said the angel before the voice changed and they heard Creek.
"I love you," the waitress stated her voice sounding strained.
Manny's eyes went to the phone and he spoke quickly, "Creek, you're gonna be all right."
"It's gonna be her body I toss out first," Bowie stated and they could hear laughter before she shouted, "Bring Joseph!"
The line went dead and Manny's eyes went to the two standing with him.
"What do you want me to do?" The angel asked openly, ready to agree to whatever plan the psychic came up with.
"I want you to surrender," the brunette told him with a nod.
"We need to get her away from the hostages and the best way to do that is to lure her out," Winnie explained and Manny nodded as she figured out his plan.
The male sibling finished, "And we set up an ambush, so that when she comes out we can throw her through the portal."
'Except the mirror obviously doesn't work, if Joe and Bowie end up fighting,' Winnie thinks as she remembers her vision.
"It's a little scary how fast you two came up with that plan," admitted the angel.
The twins smirk at each other before Manny speaks, "We need to tell the others."
Winnie looks at him with worried eyes. "I can't stop thinking about Emilio."
Her brother gives her an understanding look, before he sighs and says, "Okay, I know I couldn't stop you if I tried, just be careful."
Winnie took the alley to the street, crossed, and avoided the streetlight as she crossed Witch Light Road on the other side of the church near the playground equipment. Her heart sank to the soles of her feet when she looked through the broken window and didn't find the reverend.
"Where'd you go, Emilio?" She quietly asked the air, as panic rose in her chest.
Creeping around the corner of the church and behind the pet cemetery the gypsy peeked through the windows of Home Cookin'. Finding the group of people inside, Winnie's panic was drowned out by anger when she spotted Emilio. She stomped on her building negative emotions with the firm will she had gained over her lifetime as an empath.
Once she was calm, the redhead went back the way she had come. Calling her brother, she warned, "You might want to open the door before I get there."
She hung up and was only a few feet away when the door swung wide, Manny standing clear as he held it open.
Finally safe to loosen the control on her emotions, Winnie seethed and her jaw clenched. The others stared at her as she stood in the middle of the room, every muscle tensed.
Manny was the first one to ask, "What happened?"
"That birdbrained bimbo has Emilio," his sister replied, voice deceptively calm. She folded her arms, squeezing her own body hard, the leather of her riding jacket groaning under the strain.
"Breath, Winnie," the brunette psychic cajoled as he stepped into her space. They had done this routine before. Winnie's empathy was dangerous when her control of her emotions became compromised.
Manny made sure that Winnie's focus was on him and his voice was calm. "Arms above your head-don't grab your hair," he told her, and waited for his sister to follow his instructions, only continuing when she finally complied, "and take deep breaths."
It took them a minute of breathing in sync before Winnie appeared to calm down. "How do you feel?" The brunette asked his sibling.
"Like I could pluck out that bitch's feathers one-by-one and turn her ass into a pincushion," she hissed with narrowed eyes.
"Now there's an image," Olivia commented.
"And a side of Winifred we haven't seen yet," Lemuel noted dryly.
"Okay, one more time. In," he held it for seven beats before releasing, "and out. Better?"
Winnie let out a sigh and sagged. Her brother caught her by the shoulders and kept her on her feet.
"We're setting up at Fiji's place, right?" The redhead suddenly asked her brother.
Manny nodded. "Right. Joe's going to stand in the street and draw her out. Lem will be in the restaurant parking lot, ready to push her into the portal once Fiji gets it open. The rest of us will be there to make sure everything goes smoothly."
She sighed and pulled away, giving a nod before she spoke, "Sounds like a good plan, but you know what they say about mice and men. Do we have a plan B?"
"Not really," he admitted and then turned to the others, "Hey, Fiji, are you done getting the mirror ready?"
"Yeah, for now, all that's left is opening the portal," she explained.
"Alright, then it's time to go," the medium said as he made to leave through the back and into the alley.
Winnie followed a step behind her brother and came up beside him when they were out of the building. She whispers to make sure the others don't hear, "Bad news, I got a vision earlier and it doesn't look like your plan works. You need to start thinking of a plan B. I'm going to sneak through the back and cover the hostages after Bowie leaves, just in case."
He huffed a dry laugh. "Great, your vision didn't happen to show you how we make it out of this alive, did it?"
"No," she informed him solemnly, "Nothing that helpful, it looked like a fight and the last thing I saw was a bright flash of light."
The brunette nodded his consent, "Go, and stay safe."
With a nod the brunette branched off to take the same route as before to the back of the restaurant.
Just before she was out of ear shot she could hear Chuy ask, "What is she doing?"
Manny simply responded, "She's Plan B."
Hearing those words had the half-demon simultaneously worried and relieved.
It felt like hours before everyone was ready and in position. Winnie watched through the window as the angel threatened to snap Emilio's neck. The vice grip that suddenly stopped her heart only lessened when the insane angel let go of the black-clad man.
Seconds after threatening the weretiger, the angel left, but it was little relief as Bowie dragged Creek with her. Winnie was quick to slip inside and made her way to Emilio first.
"Just tell me you're okay," the gypsy said as she crouched by his side, her tone more a plea than a question.
"I'm fine," he said though his words were strained enough for the redhead to tell he was in pain, "What's going on out there?"
"Joe's bait. Apparently only a demon can kill an angel. Chuy's half demon but he can't control his transformation, so they're going to try and send her through a portal into Hell," she said quickly.
His brow furrowed as he said, "You say 'try' as if you know it won't work."
The psychic shook her head slightly as she replied, "The portal doesn't work but that's all I know."
"Then I need to help them," he stated.
When the weretiger went to get up, the redhead gently pressed him back into the chair. "You need to stay right where you're at," she told him, "If you're that worried, I'll go, but you are in no condition to fight her again."
"No!" He whisper-shouted, gripped the hand she had placed on his forearm in a firm but comfortable hold.
She smiled wearily and placed her free hand against his cheek. "We can't both get what we want," she said quietly, "You'll have to compromise."
"Stay," he responded softly, "Watch from in here, and if it looks like they need help you can go."
"Alright," she agreed with a nod and kissed his uninjured temple. "Madonna," she spoke aloud drawing the older woman's attention, "can you take a look at his forehead."
"Sure," the dark woman replied, "I'll look after him."
"Thanks," she said as she made her way to the door to keep an eye on the others.
Her timing couldn't have been better, Winnie was just in time to see Bowie destroy the mirror and read her brother's mind. The redhead glared when the angel dragged him into the road.
Everyone was circled around and watching. Fiji followed behind the angel and psychic, stopping on the sidewalk behind them. Lem was standing under the streetlight in front of the church, while Joe seemed to disappear.
Olivia, Creek and Bobo stood on the restaurant's porch not far from where Winnie stood and the gypsy girl heard as the angel spoke to the waitress.
"Hey, Creek, come meet your superhero." Bowie chuckled, "Oh, yeah, she knows the truth about you."
"Please don't," Creek begged in a small voice as she fervently shook her head, but the angel payed no heed to the girls wishes.
The waitress turned her head away when Bowie continued. "You're a scam artist. I mean, yeah, you see ghosts but how are you helpful? You're not!"
Winnie had enough and raised her hand to the stone around her neck. A name slipped past her lips like the whisper of a breeze and the stone in her palm pulsed.
Bowie raised an accusing finger to point at Creek, "Oh, and your girlfriend? Oh, she's pissed. I mean, what is the point of screwing the town psychic if he's not even gonna give you a heads up that you're living with a serial killer? You failed—" Bowie was suddenly cut off by a tremendous roar as a hulking figure appeared behind the brunette psychic. Rage filled black eyes smoldering above a sharp toothed maw and for a moment the angel knew fear.
A split second later, Joe flew into Bowie and sent her sailing down the street and into the darkness, and the figure behind Manny was gone as instantly as it had appeared no one able to say what it had been. The male angel paused only a moment before advancing toward his former mentor and they clashed in the air. The angels wrestled before plummeting back to the ground and through the roof of the church.
Everyone outside the church could hear the two warriors battling it out inside. When Joe was thrown out and rolled across the ground, everyone gathered closer but none of them knew what to do.
"Ever see an angel die?" Bowie asked them with a smile, the look in her eyes was half crazed, "It really is something," she finished before kneeling over Joe with a raised hand alight with angelic power, ready to smite the male.
A growling snarl rolled through the air catching both angels attention, and they looked to the source of the noise.
"Chuy, no!" Joe called to the transformed figure of the half-demon who stood behind the group.
The half-demon ran toward the red-clad angel with a roar, and the group split trying to get out of the way. Barreled into Bowie, they fell to the ground, the demon pinning the angel.
"Get off me!" Bowie screamed as she fought to throw him off.
The others scattered, aware that Chuy was no longer in control of his demon half. Winnie finally moved from the door of the restaurant, circling close to the pet cemetery as she made her way toward the church.
Blood gushed and splattered as the half-demon tore out the angel's throat and then there was a bright flash of light like a firework. It was far from over though, as the half-demon snarled, head thrown back in triumph as it revealed in the bloodshed.
When the transformed figure of the man he loved turned around, Joe was quick to try and calm him, "She's gone now. Bowie's gone."
The only response was a threatening growl.
"It's time for you to come back to me," Joe said.
The half-demon threw the angel to the side as he ran to the vampire farther away in the middle of the street. Both supernaturals growled at each other as Lem caught the other by the shoulders.
The redhead gypsy helped the angel to his feet and told him, "You've got to keep trying! Come on."
When Lem was unable to stop the half-demon and was down, Manny threw the relic he had been carrying, which only ended up making him the new target and he ran toward the playground trying to escape.
The half-demon found the psychic and threw the man to the ground before continuing after him but was stopped when a shadow seemingly reached out and hit it in the chest, knocking it back.
Winnie pulled on the back of her brother's jacket dragging him away from his attacker and he scrambled to his feet.
Joe came up behind Chuy and pulled him away from the psychic before pinning him against the merry-go-round, angelic light coming from his hand. "I will kill you. Please don't make me have to," the angel begged the snarling half-demon, "It would destroy me. You said our connection would keep you strong. Please!"
The siblings watched, silently, as Chuy slowly changed back before clinging to Joe and sobbing, the angel holding his husband close.
Allowing them a few minutes, Winnie came close when Chuy started to quiet. She placed a hand on Joe's shoulder and tilted her head toward the restaurant when he looked to her. "We should get cleaned up," she stated, smiling brightly when Chuy turned, "Thanks. You really saved our butts—that airhead was psycho—but next time you have a bad hair day, try not to get so grouchy."
Her joking tone startled a laugh out of the dark-haired male.
Manny wrapped an arm around his sister and gave her a half hug as he grinned at the other two men. "Come on, let's go."
Inside the restaurant the atmosphere was subdued. Olivia and Lem sat at one table, while Joe and Chuy sat at the table beside them. Winnie had helped Emilio to a table close to the others, before pulling up a chair beside him and took a better look at the gash on his forehead.
"It seems like, every time we turn around, there's another baddie walking into town," Winnie commented as she started to clean his wound. "The church is a mess, and the roof has a whole the size of two angels. You've definitely got your work cut out for you," she told him before backpedaling, "I mean, once you're up to the job."
"I'm sure it's nothing that can't be fixed," he assured her, "and I'll heal soon." When she placed her left palm against his cheek he turned his head to press a gentle kiss against her pulse.
"I was terrified when you wouldn't wake up. I didn't know what to do," she admitted in a whisper, "I knew I needed to warn Joe, but I left you. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. You did the right thing, and I'm very proud of you," he said as his eyes glanced at the male couple, "Protecting them was the best thing you could have done at the time."
The redhead gently ran her thumb across the weretiger's cheek as she dabbed at the dried blood with the alcohol swab in her other hand. She had just opened her mouth to speak again when Fiji came toward them a plastic bag of ice in hand.
The witch spoke as she knelt down and placed the ice to his side, "I really think you should go to the ER. Those ribs could be broken."
Bobo joined them, taking a seat one Emilio's right side.
"It's okay. Even if they are, they'll reset next full moon. The transformation can fix things," he explained.
Winnie furrowed her brow and ran a gentle finger along one of the scars on the weretiger's left cheek. He gave a half smile and his eyes silently begged her not to ask, so instead she leaned forward and placed a kiss on the scar.
The redheads attention was caught when she saw Joe and Chuy start to leave. Joe paused to speak to Manny and continued toward the door. Chuy stayed where he was and turned to face everyone.
"I am so sorry," the dark-haired male said, then he turned to leave with Joe.
The angel turned around coming nose to snout with a giant bear that seemed to take up the whole doorway.
"Woah!" Joe exclaimed as he jumped back shielding Chuy with his body as he guided them back.
The others rose out of their chairs and stumbled away, while Winnie put a hand on Emilio's shoulder to keep him in his seat.
The bear grunted as it's brown eyes started searching the room. When it spotted Winnie, the animal let out a grumble and came closer. Setting a heavy black paw on the floor that creaked beneath the wait.
"Easy, big guy," Manny cautioned as he stood and came closer.
Winnie rose from her chair too fast for Emilio to grab her hand and stop her from advancing toward the large animal.
"You're too big, buddy," she told the bear with a giggle as she placed a hand on the animal's giant nose and began massaging the dark-brown fur on the bridge of his snout, "Besides, I thought you were already asleep."
"Manny," Olivia hissed, "Where the hell did that bear come from?"
"Well," he began before taking a deep breath and applying the band-aid method of getting it over with quickly, "He's the Guardian Spirit of the Bernardo Clan."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bobo asked as he stepped around Fiji to place her behind him.
"It means that Zorba protects Manny and I," the redhead explained before giving a half-shrug, "Although, he was originally a Spirit Deity and not simply a Guardian."
Manny sighed and continued, "Story goes, he was born from the prayers of villagers that worshiped the god of the Mountains, who was believed to take on the form of a large bear. They worshiped bears for centuries until the villagers started blaming their god for the low birth rate and bad winters. They looked for ways to banish the god, and one day our ancestors came along and agreed to help. They made a bargain, in exchange for leaving the mountains, the spirit would get a new title as Guardian of the Bernardo Clan."
"He was just lonely," Winnie told them as she looked over her shoulder still petting the bears face, "People loved him for so long and then suddenly they hated him. He didn't understand, but was happy when our family agreed to take him in. Zorba left with our ancestors, his spirit housed inside a stone from the top of the mountain," she held up her pendant, "Sad to say, it was that same year the village was destroyed by a rock-slide, which was one of the things their god was supposed to protect them from."
The redhead held up the stone to the bears nose and said, "You should get some sleep, buddy. We'll hang out later."
The bear lifted his big paw and gently dragged her into the fur of his chest and nuzzled her head before pressing his nose against the stone and disappearing.
"You meant to tell me you've had that thing around your neck this whole time?" Fiji asked a note of worry in her voice, "That was the thing that just attacked the angel and Chuy. What if it had decided to attack one of us?"
Manny gave the witch a confused look and started to defend the spirit, "Zorba was only protecting me. All he did was scare Bowie and push Chuy away. He could have done worse. I've seen him shred steel beams like they were tin foil."
Winnie smiled sadly. "Man or beast, angel or demon," her eyes drifted around the room, "It shouldn't matter, you are who you chose to be and are defined by your actions. Good and Evil are the only distinctions that need to be made. My ancestors knew that and over the years I've learned it too."
"Wise words," Joe told her as he and Chuy stepped closer and pat her on the shoulder before announced, "I'm going to take Chuy home."
Olivia and Lem were the next to leave. Once Winnie retook her seat beside Emilio Fiji excused herself and headed home.
Bobo offered to take the Rev home, and Winnie volunteered to help get the injured man settled in for the night. Manny tagging along to lend a hand, helping Bobo get the weretiger home and then spending the night with his sister, who was going to stay there to watch over Emilio.
After sunrise, Manny was ready to leave and Emilio was able to convince Winnie to go with her brother, even if it was just to take a quick shower and grab a change of clothes.
When Manny stopped at Joe's, his sister continued on to their place, entering Winnie found Creek in the living room. Both women glanced at each other, nodded, and Winnie kept walking.
The redhead had just gotten dressed and was coming out of the bedroom when Manny returned. He held the door open for her and she looked at the other two people in the room hesitantly but nodded and left.
She was outside when Joe and Chuy exited their shop, neither man seemed to notice the girl as she watched them hurriedly get in Joe's truck and leave. Deciding she needed some place quiet. Winnie went to the church.
Inside, she sat down in one of the upright pews and took a deep breath. Thoughts and questions swam threw her head and she took the chance to short them, that is until she recieved a new vision.
She was standing in the middle of the town. A red moon casting a ruby glow. In front of her, his back to the redhead, was Manny and beyond him was a demonic horned figure staring down her brother, and to their right Joe stood in front of Fiji's fighting a group with a sword and every time he sliced one of the group they would turn into dust.
Winnie was suddenly back in the church and exhausted. Thinking that she should continue to give Manny and Creek privacy, the female psychic laid down on the wooden pew to rest for a little while, not knowing that when she woke up her brother and the RV would be gone.