Thank you so much to everyone for all the encouraging reviews on my last chapter. It was especially great to hear from all of the guest readers. They really pumped me up to write this chapter. I hope you love it! If you do follow my story I promise more good stuff! I have been asked many times when I'm going to update. I usually update once a week on either Paris or Mason's POV. Now that summers here I hope to spend more time to writing and less time as a taxi driver. I really do appreciate everyone reading my story. Enjoy!
I stood stalk still. I knew the look of horror on my face was telling them more than I could possibly say. Poor sweet Quinn was laying on the ground, a small trail of blood leaking out of the crease of his forehead and down his face.
Two sneering faces took a step toward me as the sun fell the rest of the way out of the sky. The small alleyway wasn't lit, but there was enough light from the dim streetlamp to make out the two Strigoi eyeing me like a juicy steak. Two former men. Their very tall thin frame led me to believe they could have been Moroi in a former life. One of them was hovering over Quinn like he wanted desperately to rip into his throat, but needed permission from the other before he finished him off. They both had on dark jeans, and despite the frigid air, one had a dark red polo and the other lime green tee shirt on. It was obvious to me that they weren't trying to hide in the shadows, just wait out the remaining sunlight.
We couldn't have stumbled across just one of these vile creatures, no it had to be two. I had never faced two before, but I knew with my abilities I could get out alive. This was going to be about playing it smart. Mason's lesson on Strigoi echoed through my brain. He wanted me to run, but no matter how fast or far I ran it wouldn't save Quinn. Running now wouldn't free me, if I abandoned Quinn it would haunt me.
The small white jewelry bag slipped from my fingers and made a slight thump on the ground. It jerked me out of my stupor. My hands fisted on reflex and I could feel the energy beginning to pulse through them. My heart took off like a jet engine as I looked up to met their ruby red eyes.
"What do we have here?" Mr. Red shirt stated not so cleverly as he continued to eye Quinn.
"It's a two for one deal," Mr. green shirt added taking a large step toward me. His head snapped abruptly back to the other man, "Don't touch him! You know the deal, we have to move them and then dispose of them."
Great, if the shop owner was in on this there would be no one coming to my rescue.
"What are you?" Mr. Green shirt asked returning his attention to me, "You sure are a pretty thing. Kind of a waste. Don't you think?" He looked back to his partner questioningly.
"I don't care if she's Miss America. I'm starving." Mr. Red shirt exploded, "Grab her or I'm going to! We need to get out of here." He looked down angrily as Quinn let out a low moan. He probably wasn't waking up, but the impatient man leaned down and gave him another brutal slap.
Little red sparks were starting to form between my fingers, but I needed to wait. This was about taking my time and being smart I reminded myself. I couldn't waste all of my energy or both Quinn and I would be in jeopardy.
"What's the matter sweetheart, cat got your tongue?" Mr. Green shirt asked tilting his head to the side snidely, but not making any moves toward me. He was probably older and more careful. He wasn't sure what skills I had and he wasn't anxious to lose his head.
"We don't have time for this!" Mr. Red shirt grumbled menacingly and moved lightning fast toward me. Giving me a wicked smile he swung at my head. I barely moved my head out of the way of his fist as I let out a small red ball of energy straight toward his face. It wasn't enough to kill him, but it stunned him enough to cause him to stumble backward into the brick wall. Unlike my mother's well formed large blue blasts my smaller red orbs were weaker. Usually against one Strigoi this wasn't a huge problem. My abilities always caught them so of guard that the fights ended before they started.
Having to fight two of them was going a problem. By the time I was able to deal with the first Strigoi the second one would be ready for my attack. My element of surprise would be compromised.
Mr. Red shirt's face was still burning as he fell to his knees and I sent a second larger red ball to the same spot in the middle of his face. My aim was slightly off and as he tucked into a ball his red shirt caught fire. He began to scream and flail around on the ground dramatically.
A deep throaty laugh came at me from Mr. Green shirt. I was temporarily stunned by his reaction, but quickly switched my offense toward him. He was bent over and slapping his leg in amusement, "Go on girl finish him off. I can't wait to see what you do next."
Mr. Red shirt was still burning unconsciously and although he was already healing I couldn't send anything more at him. I needed to conserve my energy. Fighting Mr. Green shirt was going to be a lot harder than the cocky guy writhing on the ground.
"Go on finish him off I won't stop you." Mr. Green shirt encouraged flicking his hand in my, "Truthfully that guy has been driving me nuts ever since I changed him."
"How long ago was that?" I spoke for the first time. I needed to buy myself enough time to figure out another way to finish the first guy off. I didn't have stake as I'm sure they expected. Quinn did, but there was no way I was willingly going to corner myself in the alleyway.
Mr. Green shirt eyed me with interest, "I'm not sure. I don't really keep track anymore. It was before the leaves fell off the trees, maybe September or October."
At least the poor man hadn't suffered in this state long.
"I can't," I admitted turning my palms face up for his view. The phone in my back pocket began to vibrate and I took a nervous breath. There would be no calling for help.
The remaining man shook his head, "What no stake? I thought you were a little young to be out here. I'm surprised they let you out of that prison they call a resort."
I shrugged emotionlessly with my chin proudly in the air.
"You are a brave thing aren't you? This is your last chance," he warned me as the flame went out on the man chest and he began moaning, "it's either going to be him or you. If he gets up there's not going to be much chance for you."
I lunged toward a large covered bucket that had been placed near the small dumpster in the corner of the alleyway. I knew I was making myself more vulnerable, but my choices were getting limited. The bucket smelled strongly of industrial solvent or possibly some kind of clean supply. Ripping fastener off the lid I splashed the remaining liquid on the now stirring Strigoi. I sent a small prayer to God that this mystery liquid was flammable and let another small ball leave my hand. It landed directly on his chest and burst immediately into flames. I stumbled back the smell of the dark billowy smoke making me choke and gag.
Mr. Green shirt clapped broadly and took a few determined steps toward me, "Well done. Now darling things are going to get very interesting."
"How's that?" I asked panting and slumping over in exhaustion. My only reassurance was that I could see the small rise and fall of Quinn's chest. At least he was still breathing and with a little luck he wouldn't be vegetable when this was over.
Mr. Green shirt grabbed my arm with such force my head snapped back with a yelp of pain. "If you leave with me now I'll let your friend live." He motioned with his free hand as if he was being exceptionally generous, "Free and clear. If you fight me I will go snap his neck before I drag you off. It's up to you. Either way my pet you will be reborn tonight."
"Reborn," I said hearing the waver in my own voice.
He let out a disbelieving laugh, "You didn't think that I would let you kill him and not take something in return did you? Miles was my companion. An inept annoying companion, but he got the job done. Don't fight this, immortality is a true gift. "
My eyes were growing wider with each of his words and a shudder went though my body. I couldn't disgrace my family by becoming one of these creatures. It was my deepest darkest fear come to life.
"These beautiful Ivashkov emerald eyes will look just as lovely red," he told me running his pointer finger down the left side of my face, "like shinning rubies."
My mouth gaped open in fear and amazement.
"Yeah, I've been around a while," he nodded at me. "I've had a few of your lot. Strong and cocky just like you. Never seen a Dhampir like you though. You are something special and my guess is that you taste amazing." He bent his head a took a long drag up my neck. It felt slimy and unnatural just being close to him. He smelled gross and even over the burning heap of his friend, he smelled rotting, like a pile of old moldy leaves.
He pushed me back in the direction of my car. "Get in," he commanded picking the keys up off the ground and spinning the key ring around his pinky finger.
I was well and truly torn. Getting in the car almost certainly guaranteed that Quinn would live. Someone would notice the smoke soon and hopefully find him. However, I knew my chance of survival would drop drastically. The statistics on abduction were fact, and that was against other humans/ This was a scary sad statistic. I really didn't want to end up a statistic. My only saving grace would be the anti theft lojack in the car.
I stumbled my way to the passenger side door and paused. If I got in this car there would be no guarantees, but Quinn would have a shot. If I turned and ran now he would go back and kill Quinn just to spite me. I could feel my knees getting weaker and I wasn't sure I had it in me to fight this thing.
The phone in my back pocket began buzzing again. There was no way I was walking away from them. Quinn and Mason wouldn't want me to give up and get into the car. All the time my mother and I spent practicing and scouring books for spells to help with our protection. She would be ashamed of me for getting in this car and not fighting. I stepped back away from the car door and took off running over to Quinn. I leaned down and just as I pulled the stake out of his inside coat pocket Mr. Red shirt had a hold of my neck in one of his ridiculously strong hands.
"What now you want to fight?" he growled. "If you want me to drain you here I'm happy to do that. You'll thank me when you wake up."
He pierced my neck so quickly that the crippling pain sliced through me. Everything started to feel fuzzy and I started to wonder why I was fighting. This felt like being the good kind of drunk, just when the buzz was good, but you weren't puking yet. I felt tingly like when I was with Mason. Mason. I wasn't going to see ever Mason again.
Something snapped in my consciousness and I raised my free hand to try to beat him off of me, but he wouldn't budge. I could feel the rumble of his laugh against my chest.
That just pissed me off. I gathered everything inside of me all the hate, want, anger, resentment, and love I could feel in my body and pulled together one last red orb. Reaching my hand toward him I grabbed his throat and instead of pushing him away I send the ball right at him point blank range.
I felt myself fly backward landing harshly on my butt. I was relatively sure the phone in my pocket was smashed on impact because it stopped buzzing at the same moment.
There was a huge whole in Mr. Red shirts neck and I could see deep red tendons and parts of broken bone peeking out of the gash. This guy was strong and his body was knitting its self back together right before my eyes. I needed to move quickly. I knew what the stake was and where it needed to pierce to end this nightmare. I had some good general knowledge of anatomy, but I no experience. Pulling the loose fabric away from his chest I found his heart and with every measly bit of strength I had in me I struck. Hard and deep in the heart. Bullseye.
I bent over bracing my hands on my knees for support. Pulling my phone out of my pocket the shattered screen confirmed that my phone hand been smashed. I lunged for Quinn and kneeled beside him. He was still taking steady shallow breaths and his skin was cool. Blood was still seeping out of the wound on his head making a small puddle on the cement. I checked his pockets and tried my best not to jostle him.
Digging through is front pants pockets I found his cell phone. Fortunately, he hadn't fallen on it. In a fog of frustration and exhaustion I fought with the droid nightmare until I pulled up Quinn's contact list.
"Rose," I squeaked. She picked up on the first ring.
"Paris what's going on?" Rose asked quietly, "Why are you calling me on Quinn's phone?"
"Rose," I pleated.
She let out a few quick breaths. "Paris you're scaring me. Mason just busted in my room and told me he hasn't been able to get a hold of you. Why did you turn off your phone? Wait listen I'm going to put you on speaker phone. Mason's here."
"No, I need an Alchemist and a medic quickly Rose," I tried to explain.
"What's an Alchemist?" I heard Mason shout through the phone.
"Paris where are you?" Rose said in a new ultra-calm voice.
"I am sitting in the middle of three bodies here Rose. If I don't get an Alchemist out here soon no amount of compulsion is going to help me."
"Okay Paris, you know what the Alchemist is going to want to know? You have the codes?" Rose asked succinctly.
"Yes," I told her confidently. I'll text you our address I need a medic for Quinn. He's stable for now, but he has a bad head wound that going to need some attention."
"Paris listen to me for one more second. How many Strigoi?"
"Two."
Someone cursed loudly and I heard something smash on the other end."You need to get away from them. Even if you have them injured they'll regenerate," Rose explained, "they play chicken Paris. Stay on your toes."
"It's okay I'm confident they aren't getting back up," I tried to reassure them as I glanced back over at the crispy fried Strigoi. My green shirted attacker still laid on the ground with the stake buried deep in his chest.
"The alchemist isn't going to want to move in until the sight is secured. They need you to be absolutely sure that they are dealing with only dead Strigoi here. You know Alchemists are prizes for them."
"I know, one is burned almost completely and the other has a stake buried in his chest."
Rose let out a long breath."Good, you are doing really good Paris. Dimitri and I are moving through the lobby right now. We need that address. You need to call the Alchemists. I'm going to hang up now, but if anything happens call me back."
I could clearly make out Dimitri and Mason arguing in the background. There was a shuffling sound like Rose dropped the phone and Mason yelled distantly. I wouldn't want to be the one to have to tell Mason he was staying at the resort.
"Okay, I will and Rose be careful the roads are all black ice."
She let out a small laugh, "Don't you find it a bit strange that you are telling us to be careful right now."
I hung up and immediately retrieved the white bag with Jill's soon to be engagement ring inside. Printed neatly on it in delicate gold lettering was the address of the store.
Calling the Alchemists was not a fun job. I had only done it once before when my mom couldn't get to me fast enough. I carefully dialed the number and put the proper codes in when prompted. This was for their protection. The alchemists only wanted to be called out on legitimate business, the last thing they wanted was to be part of a cover up of an actual murder.
A woman answered the phone and after giving her a brief run down of the situation she assured me she would be there in minutes. For the first time since I saw Quinn's body lying on the ground I let out a relieved breath. This wasn't over, but I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I found some blankets in the back of our rental car and wrapped them around Quinn. He was starting to shiver and I was hoping it was because he was cold and not because his body was going into shock.
I grabbed a bottle of water and began to chug it. My hair was starting to smack me in the face as the wind swirled around me. Sticky red blood streaked my blonde hair and spread through my pony tail. I probably looked like an extra from a horror movie. I was still bleeding, but I didn't have anything to push against my neck wound.
My head snapped to the side as a cobalt blue 1960 Ford Starliner pulled up along side of the alley. A thin blonde woman made her way out of the driver side door with a large tan leather bag.
She stuck her hand out and gave me a firm hand shake. "You must be Paris." She said with a smile.
I was slightly taken aback. I had always been told Alchemists were cold and distant, but there was no fear in the woman's eyes.
"Yes, hello," I said cautiously, "pleasure to meet you." My words hung in the air.
"Zoe," she finished for me.
I gave her a small nod, "Nice car. Thanks for coming so quickly."
"Nothing like a classic car," You need some help?" the woman asked glancing at the slice on my neck.
"I'm okay it's just a flesh wound," I told her cupping the right side of my neck with my hand. I moved over to Quinn and crouching down beside him again. Reaching down I ran a soothing hand over his cheeks. A large SUV similar to our rental came screeching down the street and stopped so quickly the tires whined and skid to a stop. Turning toward Quinn I began to panic, "My friend Quinn here took a couple of bad blows to the head. He needs to be moved before hypothermia starts to set in, but I didn't want to do anything until his neck is secured."
"Well, that explains how you took care of two of these creatures," Zoe said surveying the bodies. "You don't even have your promise marks yet," she gasped glancing at the back of my neck.
"Paris is still in training," Rose said vaguely. "Rose Hathaway," she spoke again, "medics are on their way for Quinn. Can you take care of these bodies for us please?"
"Zoe Sage," she beamed up at Rose and again stuck her hand and briskly shook hand with Rose. "Your girl here did good, especially for a newbie. These two have been reeking havoc all over the county. I've been called out on a dozen murders just this week. They were sloppy," she motioned to the pair, "Paris saved a lot of lives tonight."
Rose's mouth hung open in an uncharacteristic silence. My head snapped up at the mention of her last name and for the first time during the ordeal I wanted to cry. I wanted to sob and flail around like a baby.
"Since Paris is still new could you please confirm this one dead for me," Zoe gestured toward Mr. Green shirt the stake still pointing out of his chest.
Rose snapped out of her stupor and moved toward the Stigoi. "Paris come here a second," she motioned at me to join her. "You did a great job putting it in the right place. That's where most of us mess up. Next time you need to make sure you really get it in his body," Rose pushed forcefully on the stake and I heard a loud unnatural crunching sound come from his chest. "Not much chance of him regenerating in this state but, you don't want another Strigoi to come along and pull it out." Rose turned the Strigoi's head to the side and revealed the gaping whole in his neck. She let out a long breath, "if you could have found something sharp it might have been possible to get his head the rest of his head off. It's the only sure way to know they're dead."
I nodded still completely dazed.
Dimitri moved the medic team swiftly into place. Within moments they had him on a stretcher and into a warm vehicle. A skinny Dhampir man that I had never seen before asked me a few questions about Quinn. I told him about his blows to the head and how long he had been unconscious. Quinn was getting help and I could finally breathe. He was going to be alright.
Zoe took several different solvents out of her bag and completely dissolved Mr. Green shirt. Moving over to the former Mr. Red shirt Zoe shook her head and covered her mouth, "No need to confirm this one." The smell still billowing off of the body was foul.
Rose glanced at the body and looked up at me and spoke hesitantly, "Quinn take care of this one?"
I shook my head softy, "No, they knocked him out first." The words were stuck in my throat. I wanted to lie and tell them all that Quinn was a great hero that saved me, but I wasn't sure how much Quinn might remember. I really didn't want to be caught in a lie. I didn't want the look of approval and acceptance Rose was beaming at me either. Each time she talked to me or moved around me she seemed cautious, like I might spook at any moment.
"What did you use to burn this one?" Dimitri spoke to me for the first time and rubbed his hand reassuringly across my back.
Zoe picked up the white bucket that I had spilled on Mr. Red shirt. She turned the bucket and pointed at the letters NuBCR. "Industrial solvent used for cleaning jewelry and jewelry machinery. Extremely flammable. Bright girl you got, glad she's on our side." The deep purple liquid ran down the side of the bucket, but Zoe dropped it before it reached her hands.
Dimitri eyed me with interested, but I couldn't meet his gaze.
"Dimitri," Rose interrupted, "this is Zoe, Zoe Sage. She's been very helpful."
Dimitri's head jerked up, but he quickly recovered. "Thank you Ms. Sage for all of your help. We need to get out of here before we attracted anymore attention. It's been a pleasure," Dimitri said diplomatically.
"You are welcome," Zoe reached into her bag and pulled out two white business cards. She handed one to Rose and one to me. "If you are in this area again call me directly. It's so much faster than calling the hotline. The passwords can be a pain in the butt."
I looked down at the card and saw my aunts number on the card. I tucked it safely into my pocket.
"Take care of yourself Paris," Zoe said with a small wave as Rose steered me toward the two SUVs.
"I don't have the keys," I said distantly. I beginning to sway on my feet. Soon I wouldn't even be able to stand.
"We got them," Dimitri said reassuringly and turned toward Rose. "Do you think that she needs the medics?"
"No! I just need some orange juice," I told him and climbed on my hands and knees into the middle of the backseat of my SUV.
I wasn't sure who was driving their car back and I didn't ask. I just curled up in a ball and sunk into the warm leather. Someone had started the car and given it a chance to get toasty. My fingers were so cold they started tingling when the warm air hit them.
Dimitri pulled out of the alleyway and stopped at the first gas station that we came across. While he jumped out Rose pulled the backing off of a large bandaid. "You are going to want to cover that up. When we get back I'll make sure you get some of our special disinfectant we use for bites." She paused, "I'm sorry about Zoe."
"She was kind though," I said a twinkle of a smile across my face,"Not like the rest of them."
Rose returned my smile, "Yeah, and pretty too. Just like your mom."
"Dad!" I yelped.
"It's okay," Rose turned around in her seat and grabbed my hand,"Dimitri called him when we got to you. He knows you're alright. Even if he wanted to come the resort is on lock down. He'll be waiting in the lobby for us. You can call him if you want to."
I let out a long breath and sunk back into the seat. "I got pushed backwards and landed on my phone," I said holding up the cracked remnant of my iphone.
"Geez you sure you didn't break anything? Sometimes the adrenaline masks the pain at first," Rose asked as Dimitri hopped back into the driver's seat.
"Wow it's cold," he shivered and handed the large plastic bottle of Tropicana back to me. "Wasn't sure how much you wanted so I just got the big one."
"Thanks," I said cracking it open and gulping down a quarter of the bottle without stopping.
"Mason!" I shrieked remembering the hollering I heard earlier on the other end of the phone.
Rose and Dimitri exchanged an uncomfortable look. An awkward silence fell between them that seemed heavy with meaning.
"He'll be waiting too," Rose nodded at me. "Mason wanted to come with us, but we weren't sure what kind of shape you were in."
I sighed taking another swig of the magic yellow liquid, "I understand." They didn't know what kind of shape I was in and it makes sense that they didn't want to bring him into a dangerous situation.
We pulled back up to the gate guard and Dimitri leaned out of his window with his ID. Dimitri parked the car in the lot instead of pulling up to the door. He turned around in his seat and asked, "You need a second Paris or are you ready to go in?"
I took a chug of the sweet orange nectar and met his eyes, "I'm okay. I think I'm ready to go in. I'm sure Dad's waiting," I said cautiously and looked toward the lobby doors. What I really meant was Mason and Eddie were probably losing their minds with worry, "The juice really helped. I needed some sugar."
Rose smiled, "I little sugar in your blood will help you not go into shock." Dimitri grunted in agreement. "I have to say Paris you are doing surprisingly well. After my first encounter with a Strigoi I was practically comatose. No one's going to think less of you if you break down. You might feel better," Rose encouraged.
I gave her a sad vacant smile.
"This wasn't your first encounter was it Paris?" Dimitri asked slowly.
I shook my head from side to side slowly and fixed my eyes on the calorie content of the orange juice I had just inhaled. I couldn't meet their gaze."
Flinging open his door Dimitri swore under his breath.
I opened the door behind him and stumbled a bit getting to my feet. Dimitri helped me steady myself and asked kindly, "Would you like me to carry you? It's been a tough night for you."
I paused a second to consider his offer, "I think I better if I go in under my own power. Don't you? It might scare everyone if they think I can't walk."
Dimitri nodded understandingly and offered me his arm. I slid my hand onto the inside crook of his elbow and the three of us moved uncharacteristically slowly toward the doors. The orange juice helped, but I was still feeling extremely weak.
Rose wasn't kidding when she told me the resort was on lock down. Two guardians stood outside each of the three sets of doors. No one appeared to be going in or out. There were no cars arriving under the carport and no valets were running baggage on carts.
I locked eyes with Myron, the annoying know it all guardian that had insulted me earlier in the day. An "I told you so" expression was written all over his face. His dark eyes followed us as we walked up to the door he was guarding. I couldn't met his face.
"Any word on Quinn?" Rose asked Myron as he opened the doors for us.
"No, he just arrived a few minutes ahead of you," Myron said gravely.
I stopped suddenly in place halfway into the entry way. "They brought him here," I asked suddenly incredibly emotional.
"It's the most secure place they had," Rose reassured me, "the roads are getting worse, it was the safest option. Quinn's going to need some rest, but he's going to be fine." She rubbed my back and pulled me gently out of the frigid air.
Myron didn't say anything more, but shook his head disapprovingly in my direction.
A terrible thing happen to Quinn. I had faced real walking, talking demons. Horrible things happened to people all the time. Even as I walked into the lobby weak and bleeding I still couldn't understand why this culture of people thought the solution was to lock yourself away.
The usually bustling lobby of the resort was eerily quiet. As the three of us came further into the building I could feel the eyes fixed on me and whispers swirled around us.
I expected to be met by my father or Jill, but the first face I saw was Mason's. He stood by the enormous fire place. The same place I had stood a few days before when I had seen him for the first time. Mason's incredible chocolate eyes pierced me the same way they had the day I met him and I wanted to run into his arms, but I couldn't. I couldn't run anywhere, I could barely walk.
Mason stood silently as I shuffled toward him. As he took in my appearance his eyes got huge and he gave me an anguished smile. I pulled my ponytail over my right shoulder self consciously and tried to hide the large bandage.
I expected a mixture of emotions from Mason. I thought for sure he was going to be angry with me for leaving the safety of the resort. I had a feeling he was going to feel guilty for not keeping me safe and I was sure everyone would be heartbroken that Quinn was injured. What I wasn't prepared for was the raw emotion that ripped through us both.
Without looking back I let the go of the security of Dimitri's steading arm and took a few steps toward Mason. He didn't say anything he just gazed at me like he wasn't sure I was real. The heat of the fire place in front of me hit me like a warm blanket. Mason reached out for me and grabbed the tops of my shoulders. He pulled me flush with his body and closed his eyes. Resting his forehead against mine his hands slowly slipped up the back of my neck and cupped my head possessively behind my ears.
"I'm okay," I said softly breaking the tense silence.
Mason let out a pained moan and I leaned further into his grasp.
"Really Mason, I promise, I'm totally fine," I slowly told him.
He pulled back away from me. A sudden look of terror striking his face, but he was painfully speechless.
I wasn't sure what to say to reassure him and despite the support Mason was giving me I could feel my knees getting weak.
Desperate to snap him out of his daze I spoke to him gently in Russian, "Nikolai I'm here with you."
Mason jerked me forward kissing me firmly. This wasn't a sloppy tongue kiss. This was a quick, hard, possessive statement of affection and it was incredibly romantic. Standing there with a dozen pairs of eyes on us I felt complete. This was bigger then both of us.