"So, what happens now?" Stef asked.

Zarek actually cracked a smile when his wife was not present. That was shocking. Until he spoke, then it was just creepy. "Now we hunt us some wolves and demons." He enjoyed the thought of the fight way too much.

Jenna rolled her eyes. "I hate to the be the logical one here. But, you do realize that it is probably bait to get everyone outside of the protection, right?"

Styxx looked around. "Are we sure that they can't get into the house? This could be just a ploy to get the attention else where."

Everyone quickly worked out a plan. Two thirds of the group would go hunting while the remaining third stayed in the house.

Phobos was angry at the whole situation. Thank the gods that there were so many already here to keep everyone safe. As much as he wanted to be out there hunting the bastards down and ripping them apart with his bare hands. He could feel Stef trembling in his arms. He couldn't bring himself to let her go for even a moment. She needed him more than his anger needed the blood.

It didn't take long before everyone came back in. A few people had a couple of scuffles with some of the Ice Giants. Fang and Dev caught the scent of both wolves, though they could only follow them for a few miles. Then it disappeared as they flashed somewhere else. They didn't have enough to follow from there.

All and all, the whole thing seemed like it was a test.

"No one came near the house. So, I don't know if that means that the protections are working or if they simply stayed away. But, it does seem to support the idea that you are safe here for now." Styxx told Jenna.

"I am not leaving here again." Phobos growled.

Deimos put a hand on his shoulder. "You are going to have to leave. Otherwise you will lose your immortality. And you are not going to protect Stef very well without it." So, why don't we take turns for the next few days. I will go and rest up while you stay to calm Stef. Tomorrow, you go and I will be here for you."

Phobos reluctantly nodded.

"But you had better keep an eye on Jenna for me when I am gone as well." Deimos punched him in the arm. Phobos gave a half laugh. "I always do."

Deimos walked over and gave Jenna a deep kiss before he left.

Fang called his brother Vane. "Hey Vane, we didn't find those wolves. But, I think it would be best if a wolf stay here at the house just in case they come back. Do you think we could all take turns? Yeah, thanks bro." He hung up the call. "I will call Aimee and let her know that I am staying here tonight. And, Vane will be over in the morning."

"Thank you Fang. Let me set up a room for you."

"Don't bother, I am nocturnal remember. I just need the game system." He smiled.

Ramsey chuckled. "If you want to play against me, you can. But, I was here first."

"Bring it Dark Hunter."

Jenna rolled her eyes. "Well, if anyone else wants to stay, we have two more beds free."

"Three more. Stef will move to my room." Phobos said.

Stef pulled back. "Oh really, since when do you start making decisions for me?"

"Yeah, really and since right now." They glared at each other. Then went back to their hug without another word on the subject.

Everyone watched the interaction with amusement.

Zeth was the first to break the silence. "You two are seriously freaking me out." He shuddered. "Like the twins, I can't stay all the time. And I am helping Stef during her dreams, so I won't be available to be of much help at night. But, if you need someone here during the days, I can be."

"Man up Zeth." Urian grumbled.

"Dude, he is my friend and she is my daughter! And they started this weird bickering soulmate thing before I knew she even existed. It's kind of a lot to get used to."

Urian shrugged. "Yeah, get over it. In this group, we all have our mindfreak moments."

Zeth glared at Urian. "There is something seriously wrong with you."

"Yeah, probably more than one something." Then he reached over to Phobos to offer his hand. "But, I will stay help you protect yours."

"I will as well." Styxx stepped forward. "Jenna is my wife's family. Bethany would kill me if Jenna was harmed in all of this." Jenna hugged him.

Zarek put his arm around Jenna and looked at Stef. "Well Stef. Welcome to this crack pot family. Between Zeth, Phobos and Essie, you are never escaping us now." Phobos glared at him. "Jenna, you know I would stay for you. But, I made an earlier promise to my wife."

"I don't have enough room for everyone anyway. Thank you for your help Zarek." Jenna hugged him back.

One of Dev's brothers, Remi, also offered to stay for the night.

Not everyone could stay, but their earlier help was much appreciated. Stef gave everyone a hug before they left. She could not believe just how many people had come to a party to meet her and cheer her up and even more came to help protect her. She knew it was really out of loyalty to Jenna and Phobos. But, still, she felt that sense of family.

And Stef was joining this crazy and intense family?

"Well, it looks like we have a full house." Jenna said and then showed everyone to some rooms while Phobos moved all of Stef's boxes and soaps to his room.

"Tell me something good." Thorn said as he answered the phone.

Ash didn't even sugar coat it. "The wolves found the house tonight. But, the defenses are holding."

Thorn let out several curses.

"Why don't you take the girl to Kateroterros or something?"

"Because that would put a kink in her plans to join the Oneroi."

Thorn paused. "Oneroi huh? Yeah, I guess her blood could be Oneroi."

Ash chuckled. "Oh, there is no doubt any more. Her father is having a difficult time coming to terms with being a daddy to a 29 year old woman who is in love with one of his best friends."

Thorn shook his head. "Yeah, glad I am not there for that. Did you tell him about your experience learning that you had a daughter, eleven thousand years after the the fact and oh by the way, in order to save her life, you had to help one of your friends blood bond with her including all of its sexual components?."

"Oh hell no. Urian is already teasing him enough. Let the man process. Where are you?" Ash asked.

Thorn looked around. "Well, right this second, I am looking down at the river Gjoll."

That caught Acheron's attention. "And?"

"Well, I did some digging, like I said I would. Damn it all, I actually can be reliable from time to time." Thorn stopped and rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyway, it turns out that Skoll and Hati are having their strings pulled by their aunt Hel. She is bound to stay in her world, like your mother. Why they named the world after her, I don't get. Same with Hades. Can't you people get a little more creative?" Thorn paused as he watched his footing on the river bank. "Anyway, I can't really just pop into another pantheons world since I don't know the first thing about the place. So, off on a trek into Hel I go."

Ash chuckled. "I thought you already lived in hell?"

"Yeah, yeah, smart ass. All of the jokes have already run through my head, including the sexual puns about entering Hel, and referring to the goddess."

"Do you have any idea where you are going once you get there?"

Thorn tilted his head as he talked. "Eh, sort of. There is some old story about some guy named Hermodr who travels down to try to bring his brother, Baldr, back. But, the brother chooses to stay. Go figure. I can't imagine a reason for anyone to choose to stay in any underworld."

"Yeah, rumor is that Baldr and Hel have a fling going."

"Well, that would explain it. Huh. So, I guess the story is pretty on point. Good. Hate to think that I am doing this completely blind. Just got to get over this guarded bridge, then over to the Gates of Hel, and into the goddesses Great Hall without being killed." He paused. "Good news is that once I am in, I can bring your sorry ass here for some Chthonian strong arming if she doesn't want to listen."

Actually, that is not a bad idea. "Did you give Effy a call? She is the Chthonian for underworlds now. She might be able to help with Hel."

"Yeah, I called. She's only met Hel once and things did not go over well. Some jealousy something. So, Effy was not sure her presence would help in negotiations. Though she is definitely on board for putting the Norse goddess in her place if it comes to it."

"Good."

Acheron wrapped up the call with Thorn and called Savitar.