That question was going to lead into even more awkward ones, so I cleared my throat. "I think that's probably my decision. Anyway, I think he's more of a werewolf hunter than a vampire hunter. There aren't too many vampires around from what I understand."
Doc glanced at me, arching an eyebrow, before flicking his gaze toward George. "Really?" he mouthed.
Why the hell had I said that?
The demon chuckled.
I groaned.
Doc shook his head, probably guessing what had happened. He glanced back at George, who definitely had his hackles up now.
"Is that why you reek of werewolf?" George did growl now.
"I don't know, George. Why do you?"
Dad, Mom, and Donna's eyes were about as wide as I had ever seen them. Wind gusted, making the house shudder. The tension in the room swirled like the snow outside, filling the space and threatening to drown us all.
The lights flickered with the storm, but no one reacted.
George growled and surged to his feet.
Doc simply watched, arms loose, ready to spring if he needed to. He could be up and across the room before even a werewolf could get to us.
Did you have to? I growled at the demon.
Give me some credit, Sofia. We were trying to distract them from the Doc's a vampire line of questioning. They're distracted.
I'm not sure that helped.
He'll be fine.
George glared for another moment before stomping toward the door. A breath of cold air and then the front door slammed.
"It's storming," Mom exclaimed. "He can't go out there in this. He didn't even put on a jacket." She could see the entry way from where she sat.
"He'll be fine," Doc replied.
"Is that true, what Rick said?" Dad sounded mild, but I could hear an undercurrent of something in his voice that I didn't quite understand.
"Not exactly. My parents were quite dedicated to the cause. I'm a cowboy. The only supernatural beings I've ever killed were preying on humans, and the authorities weren't going to be able to handle them."
Rick shook his head. "I guess I've only heard rumors."
Doc shrugged. "You know how rumors go."
They all looked at me for a minute. I just shrugged. Clearly, I had known. What did they want me to say?
"You know, it's really late. No one is going anywhere. We should get to bed," Mom said after another long, uncomfortable silence.
Everyone was ready to escape the awkward conversation, and it took very little convincing to get everyone to head off to bed.
Rick grabbed a jacket and went after George.
Doc rose smoothly to his feet and offered me a hand. Simply because I wasn't going to do anything to undermine him at that moment, I slid mine into his and let him help me to my feet.
I hugged my parents, though Dad barely took his eyes off of Doc, before I dragged Doc off to my room.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered, knowing he would hear.
Doc came up behind me and put his arms around me, holding me tight, making me feel safe.
"There are worse questions they could have asked. Worse rumors Rick could have heard. Besides, it wasn't your fault." He nuzzled my neck.
"Mmm," I murmured.
"Let's get some rest. It's going to be a long few days."
I shivered as his breath tickled my neck.
You're not allowed to kiss him. It's gross.
You nearly started a damn fight. Shut up and let me enjoy my body while I still can.
Your mage will come through for us.
If you sounded more certain, I'd have more consideration.
Ignoring the demon's protests, I turned and pressed my lips to Doc's. He gripped me tightly, strong hands painfully tight as he clung to me.
Ugh!
You're starting to sound more like me.
Unfortunately.
I didn't let her protests distract me, and we kissed until I needed air.
Doc's eyes shone in the light from my bedside lamp. He brushed his fingers through my hair and hugged me to him.
I could only hope that Nikolai really would come through for us. We were running out of time fast.
Chapter 26
Sofia
The brain fog was real the next morning. Doc was already awake when I finally crawled out of a deep sleep. As was his normal custom, he had stayed in bed and held me until I woke.
Tears sprang to my eyes, and he tightened his arms around me, as if he could tell I was crying.
"He'll figure it out."
I took a couple of deep breaths and nodded. "I know."
He kissed my shoulder.
The demon had muttered last night when Doc pulled me into his arms to sleep, but she didn't say anything about his kiss. That worried me a little. She was playing nice right now, but I knew if Nikolai didn't come through for us, she wouldn't let me keep control of my body much longer.
If she even let me stay at all.
If I even could.
Those cheerful thoughts made me want to pull the covers over my head and hide, but my bladder and my stomach both chased me out of Doc's warm embrace.
The wind still howled, and a quick look out my window revealed blowing snow and almost no visibility.
"That's quite the blizzard."
Doc looked over my shoulder, hands resting lightly on my arms. "Wonderful."
"No kidding." I let the curtains fall back to help keep the warmth in and headed for the bag Victoria had packed for me.
By the time I was finished in the bathroom, Doc was in the kitchen. He'd found the tea kettle had tea steeping for both of us.
"I knew there was a reason I liked you," I mumbled as he handed me the mug.
Mom came into the kitchen a few minutes later. "Want breakfast?"
"Yes please." Mom made the best breakfast.
"I'm okay with tea," Doc answered. "I'd offer to help, but I'm a terrible cook."
"Not a problem. Thought you were a coffee drinker?" Mom glanced at the empty coffee pot before looking at me.
"Yeah, since Alex drugged my latte, I'm having a hard time with coffee."
"Oh." Her expression fell and she glanced at Doc, a great deal of
