Rain slams against the windowpanes violently, shaking them in their holding. Mona lays curled on her side, her hands clenched into fists in front of her chest. Her breathing is slow and she seems to struggle with it. The new scales shine even in the dull light of the room. Mona has been sleeping for two days, and for two days it's been storming.

Nero sits quietly in a giant leather chair: his eyes never leaving Mona's body. He's not slept since the night she nearly died. As a result, his eyes are red and puffy, and dark circles mar the skin under his eyes. A deep scruff seeds up from his jaw and makes his face itch. It bothers him that there haven't been any attacks made on her yet. Normally by now they've killed at least a dozen demons and monsters, but nothing yet. It makes him nervous and he hates being nervous: it makes him feel weak. And the face in Mona's body scan helps to keep his mind occupied as well. Doge still isn't able to tell them exactly what it is, although they all suspect it's Matrem. Nero's mind races with how she could have gotten to Mona. The ballet studio keeps making an appearance in his deductions, and he can't help but to think that it's probably the place.

Mona's quiet whimper jerks Nero out of his thoughts. She curls up tighter as she cries, wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Nero," she gasps.

Nero moves quickly out of his chair and kneels next to the bed. His hand reaches out and brushes hair off of Mona's face; her skin is so hot, it feels like it's on fire. Her hand reaches out and grabs his in a light grip. His eyes find hers in the darkness, and he gives her a small smile. She returns it, only to have it replaced with a grimace. Nero returns to his usual frown as of late. It's like she's been in constant pain for the last two or three days. Softly, Nero slides her over to the middle of the bed and gets in beside her. Within seconds Mona has her arms wrapped around his waist, and her head in his chest. Nero lets his hand stroke her back comfortingly, lulling her back to sleep.

~/~/~/~

Dante continues to make his rounds on the outside of the house. Trish, Nero, and his-self decided that it would be a good idea to put up protection spells twice a day. Both Nero and Trish decided that today, it would be Dante's job to put up the spells. So, here he stands in the cold rain putting up protection spells. He does it without verbalizing his annoyance only because he's grown fond of Mona. Dante makes note to call Doge later and find out if he's discovered anything new for him.

Trish has been scanning ancient texts and religious works trying to find any mention of this Matrem, but so far, nothing she's not made an appearance in them. She certainly seems powerful enough to be at least mentioned once. Especially considering how old she has to be. If she knows Sitri, she has to be extremely well connected in the realm of demons, not to mention powerful. Still, Dante can't figure out for the life of him, why she would pick Mona. Normally, the ones who are troubled by the kind of thing are the ones who have serious enemies, or they're very devote and pure in their beliefs. As far as Dante can tell, Mona is an atheist. In fact, he's pretty sure he remembers her telling him that she was an atheist. Then again, that might have all changed by now. It wouldn't shock him if Mona has become a devote Christian. Thunder claps loudly over his head, making him grumble under his breath. Calling it quits, Dante trudges back inside the warm office.

~/~/~/~

With slow determination, Mona forces her eyes open. The two lids don't seem to want to separate from each other. Her body feels numb now since the pain has stopped. It still rains harshly outside, but now it does so by moonlight. Mona wiggles backwards, pressing herself closer to the sleeping Nero next to her. His chest feels pleasantly warm against her chilled back. His arms feel heavy around her waist, holding her down to earth. Now that her fever has broken she's freezing.

"Good evening," Dante whispers quietly.

Mona gives him a smile, trying to comfort him. She pats the side of the bed in front of her. With a sigh, Dante gets up from his seat by the window. Mona stops him before he can get in.

"Coat, boots, and guns off please." She stares him down until he complies with a sigh.

Dante tosses his coat on the chair. His guns he keeps on the nightstand beside the bed. Dante plops his body down on the bed, jostling the other two on it, before he starts taking off his boots. Mona lets her eyes roam over his back, taking notes on the little silver scars. Dante finally spins around before he lies down beside Mona. Her hand reaches out and takes his lightly and it feels warm. It always feels warm. That's one of the things Mona loves about these boys: they are always warm, even if they've been out in the cold for hours.

"How long have I been out?" she questions quietly.

"About three days. Going on four right now," Dante answers while looking at her.

"I'm sorry I keep trying to kill you," Mona whispers as she pulls Dante closer.

When he's close enough to her, she puts her face into his chest and one of her arms over his waist.

"I'm used to it. People are always trying to kill me. How much do you remember?"

"Enough," she mumbles. "I kept…I kept screaming in my head. I knew what was going on, what was happening to me, but," Mona trails off.

Dante lets out a long and heavy sigh. His lips gently place a kiss on her forehead.

"I know what she wants," Mona begins, but Dante cuts her off.

"Let's not do this right now. It's three in the morning, and you need sleep."

"I've been asleep, Dante. I don't want to sleep anymore," Mona can't help but to snap at him. "She can't possess me right now. She tried, and I think it nearly killed us both. That's why the others are coming for me. She's getting them to break me down, to make me weaker. I don't know why she wants me, but she does. I think…Dante, I think I'm the only one she can possess. I think I'm the only one strong enough to hold her or destroy her." Mona avoids looking at his face when she speaks.

Dante slides an arm under Mona's head and scoots even closer to her still. Mona feels Nero's arms tighten around her waist and his breath stirring the hair on her head.

"She's going to try and hurt you two, Dante…She knows I love you."

"She can try," Nero answers from behind her. Mona was not aware that he was awake. "Dante's like a cockroach. It's going to take an atomic bomb to kill him."

"And Nero's stubborn as a pit stain on the world's white shirt. Not to mention he's not as pretty as me," Dante says with a nod.

Mona gives a weak laugh and places her forehead back on Dante's chest.