"You all went?" He sounded surprised.
I shrugged. "My parents like big gatherings. I would have brought my roommate too but she had plans with her family."
"And you just left and drove home even with the weather?"
"We thought there was more snow coming, and wanted to make sure we got back before it hit." That was true enough. I could feel the storm building. Somehow. I wondered if that was left over from the demon. She had left me with quite a bit of knowledge and power. So much so that I wasn't even aware of everything I knew at this point. I had been free from her for maybe 24 hours, and it was already starting to become obvious that she had changed me.
The deputy nodded. "Smart, if a bit of a rough drive."
I nodded.
"Well, be careful. We'll be in touch with Mr. Cassidy. He has my card if you think of anything, or something else suspicious happens."
I frowned. "What do you think happened?"
"It's too soon to tell."
He shook my hand and then Ed and Allan's before heading back to Doc and Nikolai. They spoke for a few minutes and the deputy got in his car and drove off. The firefighters had finished as well, and one spoke with Doc for a minute before they also got in their trucks and drove away.
Once we were alone, I went over to Doc and slid my hand into his. He sighed. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. After a moment he returned my hug, but without his usual strength. Nikolai put his arms around both of us.
"We should get some rest," I said. "You're exhausted. We're all exhausted."
He nodded, still holding me. "I guess we should head back into town and see if we can find a hotel." I could tell the idea of driving anywhere didn't thrill him.
"What about crashing in my grove? It's comfortable and safe, and I bet I can adjust the temperature for us."
Doc's shoulders sagged and he nodded. "That sounds fantastic." He glanced around us, and then his gaze landed on his truck.
"I will ward your truck," Nikolai said with a pat on Doc's shoulder and headed over to the silver diesel.
Nikolai gathered his magic and it tugged at me. Mine rose to the surface in response and he glanced over his shoulder at me before gesturing for me to join him.
Doc gave me another squeeze before releasing me, so I went over to the mage.
"It is good practice. Blend your magic with mine, and I will guide you through process."
Warmth filled me as I blended my lavender motes with his dark blue ones. As with other times when I had used magic around Nikolai, my awareness of him increased until I wanted to be pressed up against him, needing to touch him, as much as I needed to feel the magic flowing through me.
This time, Nikolai stepped closer until his chest was pressed against my back. He kissed my hair before turning his attention back to the truck and our magic.
"You are much stronger now," Nikolai said as he guided me. We wove the energy into complicated patterns. A few months ago, this would have exhausted me, but now exhilaration washed through me.
"The demon changed a lot of things."
"She did," he agreed. "Now, lay energy over truck."
We dropped our net of energy over the truck and it snapped into place.
"We will feel it if anyone disturbs truck. Grove is close, and they won't undo this before we can react." Nikolai wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. I rested my cheek against his shoulder and took a deep breath, reveling in our physical and magical connection.
"Doc's exhausted, let's go." Nikolai released me from his hug, taking my hand and pulling me back toward the others. Allan had his arm around Doc's waist and Ed stood close to them.
"There is some good news," Ed grinned. "They didn't touch the boat."
Nikolai glanced over at the old jon boat and nodded. "Seems unharmed."
Doc laughed. "That would have been easier to deal with."
"Small things," Ed argued.
"True." Doc patted his shoulder and we all headed toward my grove.
My feet were dragging wearily by the time I made it the short distance to the circle of trees I had created the first time Doc helped me access my magic on purpose. I could close it up completely and I thought it might actually take a nuke to damage it. The pine trees welcomed me back and my shoulders unknotted when I stepped inside. Here, I was safe. We were safe.
Once everyone was inside, I sealed up the entrance. As if anticipating my needs, the temperature rose to something I considered comfortable and the moss—certainly not native to Colorado and a variety probably found only in my grove—cushioned my footfalls as I headed toward the center of the small space. There was enough room for all of us to lay down, but not a whole lot more.
I pulled on Doc's hand and he let me guide him to the ground. He wrapped his arms around me and his breathing slowed as he fell asleep almost instantly. Nikolai curled up on the other side of Doc, his arms around the vampire. Ed curled up around me and Allan pressed up against Nikolai.
Though it wasn't quite the homecoming I had hoped for, we were safe, warm, and together.
Chapter 2
Sofia
Waking up surrounded by my pack, feeling safe and warm, was the best feeling ever. Doc tightened his arms around me and buried his face in my neck.
"You okay?"
"Better now," he mumbled against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
He clearly wasn't in the mood to start anything, though. Ed remained pressed up against my back and his hands tightened around my stomach. Nikolai reached for me over Doc, pulling us together and Allan's hand found my arm. I sensed contentment from everyone through the pack bond.
Doc hooked a leg over my thigh, as if he could
