The next few days were a weird rotation of people through the house. Phobos would only leave during the days and be back by evening so that Deimos could keep more of a direct eye on Stef and Jenna at the same time while he was awake. And Phobos couldn't sleep without physically touching Stef to make sure she was still there and OK.
Stef and Phobos started to find enough comfort to sleep side by side. Though, nothing moved farther than that physically.
Stef felt bad for Jenna who ended up sleeping alone every night as Deimos rested in the Vanishing Isle, though she never complained.
Ramsey could not walk around the house at all during the day, but he was out and about every night. Now the windowless bedrooms on the first floor made sense. He mostly played games and wandered around outside to check the perimeter. There was always a wolf there from the Kattalakis pack at night that kept Ramsey company.
Vane was usually there in the day. As Vane was a wolf that was primarily human in form, he was able to be there during the day in full strength. His brother, Fury's wife was also a human base form, so she stopped by a couple times during the days when Vane needed to go home for a few hours. The Were's had a difficult time maintaining a form other than their base form during the day. It was draining. So, they split their shifts accordingly. So, Fang and Fury were both wolves in their base, so they took the night shifts.
Zeth was there most days, though there was one that he had to duck out for. Something to do with a Skotus who needed to be tracked down. But, every night, he was in Stef's dreams to train her. He mostly taught her self-defense and had her practice controlling her dreams. Stef was enjoying the time to get to know him.
Styxx and Urian did not really keep a specific schedule. Though, usually when one needed to leave for anything, they sent Cadegan down to cover for them.
Jenna's family stopped by periodically. Samia and Athena came over for dinner on Wednesday. Samia's brother-in-law from her mortal life, Ethon, was also a Dark Hunter. That made him Jenna's great, great uncle? Ugh, so confusing. But, he stopped by a couple times. He did not stay long as Dark Hunters drain each others powers. And though Ethon was strong enough that it did not affect him much, it did affect Ramsey. Apparently Ethon and Ramsey had built up a pretty good friendship over the phone and through online games over the few months since they had first met.
Then there was the Egyptian side of the family. Styxx's wife Bethany is half Atlantean and half Egyptian. She came with her father, Set and Maahes, the Egyptian gods of chaos and war. OK, those guys made even the other badasses in the house a little nervous when they were there. That said a lot. Apparently, the goddess Ma'at and Bethany's half brother were planning on stopping by at some point. They all wanted to help keep Jenna safe, but because of inter-pantheon politics could not directly get involved in any attack on the Norse gods and demons that were hunting Stef.
Even Essie was still staying at Amanda's. Stef insisted that she stay safe, just in case. Though, they talked on the phone often.
Jenna only left for her two exams. Dev came to the house to pick up the bread that she made in her cabin fever style need to do something with her hands. Though, admittedly, Sanctuary got much less than normal since the various other members of the household enjoyed it too.
Jenna also taught Stef how to make bread with her. Stef agreed that beating on the dough really was therapeutic for her antsy nerves. Between the work in the kitchen, the dancing and singing to the music that played around them and all of the conversations, Stef was almost settling into a level of comfort at her new social circle. She asked lots of questions that they all answered honestly and without judgement. They really were good people.
Acheron and Zarek stopped by often. Zarek even brought Jericho with him on Tuesday morning. The men mostly talked together, gathering information about Skoll and Hati. They were preparing for an attack on The Holt.
It made Stef nervous. Her mother was there. Women that she grew up with. She didn't want anyone hurt. But, as Phobos explained. It could be the only way to get Skoll to leave her alone. And having the information ahead of time was always better than being caught with their pants down.
"Wulf has been able to get out there and scope the place out. He has also offered to let us use his house as a base of operations." Ash said to the group.
Stef was learning a lot. Apparently, Wulf was a former Dark Hunter who was never really a Dark Hunter. Anyway, there was this Dark Hunter named Morginne who tricked him centuries ago into giving up his soul to the Norse god Loki and taking her place amongst the Dark Hunters. The worst part was that Morginne cursed him as she left, so that no mortal would remember anything about him five minutes after they leave. That is just plain cruel.
Artemis and Acheron gave him the powers to work as a Dark Hunter even if he technically wasn't one to begin with. But, eventually, he met Cassandra, the last surviving Apollite of Apollo's direct bloodline, and sort of the key to keeping the world from ultimate destruction. Stef was getting the distinct impression that there were several keys and attempts at ending the world lately. That has to be super stressful. Seriously, these people have some screwed up lives. But, then, Stef's was not much better.
Well, one thing led to another and Wulf and Cassandra are married with children and living in Minnesota. So, not only does Wulf have a personal grudge against the Norse pantheon, but his home is the closest place to set up a secure base. Even better as Wulf is super into having a large home with insane security to protect his family.
Jenna couldn't fight with the men, but she was amazing with strategy. Even when they were not all talking about their attacks on the wolves, Jenna, Styxx, and Urian would chat for hours about military history and war strategy. Many times they talked in Ancient Greek. Talk about a whole new world compared to what Stef was used to.
One of the things that Jenna insisted on was giving the human women a fresh start. Stef was so grateful for the consideration and concern for the innocent women. The plan was to put as many women asleep as possible and then flash them over to a staging area at Wulf's house where Jenna could wipe their memories and give them new lives. Jenna had learned that not only could she absorb memories, but she could manipulate them. She had only done that once, but as memory usage was her strongest power, she was confident in this. And, they could not risk leaving the women brainwashed with unforeseen knowledge of the gods and demons around them.
As the plans were mostly solidified, pending some more information, Zarek and Jericho left for the Vanishing Isle. Vane stepped out to patrol the perimeter of the house. And Deimos went upstairs for a shower. Ash, Styxx and Urian stayed sitting at the dining room table as they chatted about the other tangents of their problems.
Acheron and someone named Savitar were trying to negotiate with Odin. They were trying to get the Norse gods to help lock Skoll and Hati up before serious damage is done. But, things were not going so well. They also called someone named Effy as extra support in dealing with the goddess Hel. Stef didn't understand it all, but apparently, Effy was a goddess that works more with various underworlds and their leaders. Though she was rather new to it.
Jenna and Stef were making more bread while they periodically interjected on the conversation.
Jenna leaned over. "Since Savitar is supposed to come over in a little bit, I suppose that I should break down some basics. Savitar is a Chthonian, a god-killer. He is one of the beings that was born human with god like powers that are supposed to help keep the gods from destroying the world and all of humanity. Styxx and Ash are also Chthonians. But, unlike Styxx and Ash, Savitar doesn't show his sweet side very often. It would be best if you just try not to piss him off."
"Hey, who says I have a sweet side? I could kill you just as fast as Savitar can." Styxx growled.
Jenna rolled her eyes. "And I know too much about you to be intimidated by you." She stopped and wagged a finger between Styxx and Ash. "Both of you."
"And that is why Savitar has refused to meet you before now. It's difficult to expect everyone to show the appropriate respect for our power or temper if you treat us like little brothers to be protected and scolded all the time." Ash glared at her.
"Yeah, well, be happy that I usually only do that in the privacy of our homes." She stuck out her tongue at them.
Stef was laughing at it all.
"See, you are even getting the new girl to laugh at us!" Styxx exclaimed.
Stef put her hands on her hips. "I am really working on not being so scared of everyone. Give me a break here."
"But, you need to learn who to still fear at some level. Once you unlock your powers, you will be able to sense just how strong others are. Trust me, we are a very lethal group. We have our moral codes and don't hurt anyone without a reason, but you need to learn how to sense that risk and who to trust." Urian answered.
Styxx proved the point when he started to stalk up to Stef in his warriors intensity. Stef audibly gulped and took a step back. But, before he could reach her, he was hit in the face with a heavily floured ball of dough.
He turned on Jenna in an instant and Jenna completely broke down in laughter, as did Ash and Urian. In the space of a heartbeat, the entire kitchen erupted into a childish fight of flour and dough being flung around and materialized by powers. It was the first time that Stef had truly laughed and felt relaxed in a really long time. God, she wished Phobos was there.
But, then he was. Right by her side. Phobos flashed into the room to protect his woman while Deimos joined in to do the same. Jenna must have called for them.
Phobos materialized a bowl for Stef full of dough and flour for her to throw while he stayed in front of her to protect her from others attacks. He was her hero. Stef's eyes sparkled in the joy of something so innocent and unexpected.
A ball of flour made it past her defenses and hit her in the face. Phobos laughed while he wiped it out of her eyes. They were both a complete mess of white powder and sticky dough. But, Stef couldn't help but notice just how unbelievably gorgeous Phobos was as he smiled so sincerely. His eyes bright with laughter. The world seemed to drift away as he dropped his head to kiss her deeply and passionately. Life couldn't get better than this.
Then everything stopped dead quiet for a few moments. Stef looked around Phobos to see a new man standing in the center of the kitchen with shoulder length dark hair and dressed in a loose cotton outfit that was perfect for sitting at a bar on the beach. Except for the splash of flour all over his clothes, face and hair. Stef guessed that this was Savitar.
Jenna couldn't help it. She erupted in absolute laughter to the point of tears. Ash barely held his own laughter as everyone else held their breath. That alone told Stef just how dangerous Savitar was. And the simmering rage on his face made Stef step back behind Phobos for protection.
"I am not amused." Savitar said between clenched teeth and then used his powers to remove all of the flour from himself while he glared at Jenna.
She had to breath to calm herself down from the laughter before she could talk. "I am sorry. Really I am. I just can't get a handle on this laughter." She broke down laughing again.
Savitar started to take a step toward Jenna, but Deimos stood between them and Ash grabbed Savitar's arm. All humor was gone from Acheron's face as he spoke. "She has less control over her emotions while she is pregnant, and she has been absorbing all of our laughter in the moment. Give her a minute to regain control."
After a few excruciating minutes, Jenna was finally able to breath enough to sober, her emotions under control. With a deep breath she looked up and turned her focus on Savitar. "Alright Savitar, let's get to know one another." Her voice was everything you expect from a military officer in control. She snapped her fingers and the entire kitchen was clean once again, including everyone in it. "Daddy, stop panicking. I am fine." She called out to her father who was trapped in the next room over. Then, in lower volume she continued. "I know enough about you to know you can react poorly when pissed off. And I am not one to beg, grovel or shake in my boots. So, I threw the flour. I was aiming for Urian. You just popped into the way. If you are going to come after me for that, that is your personality flaw. I can't even hope to fix that. Nor change what was done. But, that sentiment can be assumed for any other time I piss you off in the future. I did it, I might be sorry, please spare the family because I take responsibility for my own actions. Yup, that's it in a nutshell."
She placed a hand on her stomach and the other on her hip. Then, she stared the god-killer down. Then she broke into a smile. "Otherwise, as long as you are going to be a big boy and not go all nuclear meltdown on me, you are welcome in my home. I know how much you mean to the boys and the world as a whole. I have the stuff to make a pina colada if you would like one?"
Savitar finally cracked a smile. "Now I see why Styxx and Acheron talk so highly of you. Not that I am forgiving this."
Jenna covered her hands and arms with long sleeves and gloves. Then went over to give the Chthonian a hug. "You already have. And thank you." He stood there awkwardly and frowned, unsure of what to do with such a gesture or statement.
Then she returned to her prior clothing choice and started working on her bread once again, completely relaxed with the Chthonian in her kitchen.
He shook his head. "Damn, she almost reminds me of Simi. And she is your woman Deimos? How in the hell did you manage that?"
Deimos smiled. "It's all her fault." That actually succeeded to get a laugh out of the Chthonian.
"As for you." Savitar turned his attention to Stef. "Let's see what we can do to keep you safe, little one. I really don't like that these wolves are playing with armageddon. It has me pissed off enough to drag my ass off of the beach."
Everyone relaxed and returned to their seats to talk. Even Vane who had waited in the entryway through the flour fight joined back in. Though he kept his mouth shut through it all.
"No, that is not right. I got floured and you escaped clean?" Savitar shook his head and snapped his fingers. Then a pile of flour dropped above Vane's head.
Savitar roared in laughter as Vane growled. "Gee thanks." Then Vane cleaned himself up.
Phobos watched her process everything that just happened. The more that she joins his world, the more dangerous the entities that she interacts with, the more he is nervous that she will run.
Stef took several deep breaths. "So, he is someone that actually scares you?" She whispered in the corner of the kitchen.
Phobos shrugged. "Not so much scares me for what he could do to me, which he could kill me if I was stupid enough to give him a reason. But, rather, he makes me nervous because he does not come off of his private island unless there is a problem. And usually that problem can hurt the people that I care about."
"I am really starting to understand that difference. Kol scares me because I know what he could do to me. As bad as Jackson was, the only client that I feared was Big John. And I only faced him half a dozen times. Kol can be worse than Big John and he could beat me any time he wanted if he had his hands on me. So, anyone or anything that could force me to go back to him, terrifies me. Because it is personal. But, as much as I know that you, or Styxx, or Savitar, or whoever else in your world, are more dangerous than Kol. I see the protective sides to you all. I know that you would not choose to hurt me for your own pleasure. That makes it easier to trust you. Sure, the violence scares me still. And your brother definitely still scares me a little. But, it is more of a respect for what you are capable of, not fear that you would choose to really hurt me."
Phobos kissed her for her words. He was so impressed with Stephanie and her ability to hold her head above the water with everything surrounding her. The way she was coming to terms with her fear, and him. He joined in on the meeting for a little bit before he had to return to the Vanishing Isle for the rest of the day. But, when he left, he did so with hope that things would really go somewhere with Stephanie
Stef continued to help Jenna in the kitchen with bread and making pina coladas for everyone. Apparently, most of the men had never had one, so that was amusing to watch their reactions. No wonder Jenna loved them all so. They were dangerous, ancient, and powerful. Yet, they were oddly sweet and charming when they weren't trying to intimidate everyone.