I glanced at Star. "You told her, didn't you?"
She nodded, not looking at all apologetic. Made my life easier, so I wasn't going to be mad about it.
Nikolai hugged my mom back and held her while she sobbed. He shot a desperate look at Doc, who shrugged, clearly not sure what to do, either. After a minute, she got a hold of herself and hugged Doc.
"Thank you both for saving her," Mom got out around her tears.
Star showed me her phone. The text she had sent stuck with our story that Doc was a mage.
I was grateful that Mom didn't even bother to ask why we hadn't told her.
Dad and the others stared at everyone, a little wide-eyed. Except George, who was glaring at Doc. His expression told me he really wanted to have it out with Doc and find out what he really was. That did not need to happen. I wracked my brain for some idea of what I might be able to do with my new powers should he try and start something. Doc could hold his own, but it would be better if I distracted George from a fight.
I glanced at Doc, who had noticed George's interest. No one else paid any attention to them for the moment, maybe Doc's doing. He straightened his posture, and his eyes darkened. He curled his lip just enough to flash fang and growled almost sub-audibly. The werewolves would be able to hear, and my senses were still tuned up from the demon's presence, so I also heard.
George's eyes widened, and he blanched sheet white. I thought he was going to wet his pants. He dropped his gaze and hunched his shoulders, immediately completely submissive.
I looked back at Doc, who continued to glare at George until the werewolf shifted his stance and bared his throat. I really hoped that was the last of George's issues with Doc. I also really hoped he didn't say anything to my dad.
Doc looked away, completely ignoring George after that. At least outwardly. I doubted he actually took his attention away from the werewolf.
Ed and Allan traded wide-eyed glances with each other. I guessed they probably weren't used to Doc behaving like that.
I had lost track of everyone else, but Bobby ran into the room and threw his arms around Doc's waist, hiding behind him. Matt and Eric followed after, though they slowed when they saw everyone else in the room.
George gauged Doc's reaction to the kid's attention, but all Doc did was put his hand on Bobby's shoulder and ask him what was wrong.
The kid shook his head, though tears streaked his face.
George sighed, grabbed both Matt and Eric by their arms, and dragged them back to their room. He wasn't their parent, but I suspected he was going to have a discussion with them they wouldn't forget any time soon.
"We have enough food for everyone. We hope you'll stay for dinner," Mom babbled, not completely oblivious to George's actions, but ignoring them for now.
Rick and Donna shared a worried look before they apparently decided that the kids deserved whatever George dished out and instead went to rescue Doc from Bobby.
Dad hadn't said much in the chaos, and I hoped it stayed that way.
∞ ∞ ∞
They had enough food for everyone, but for once, they wouldn't have weeks of leftovers.
Nikolai's presence diverted most of the attention from Doc, especially once he finally just told everyone that there was no way he could be this communist thing since it hadn't even been invented when he had been born. He managed to weave a story that somehow made it seem like he had known Doc for quite some time, and also made it clear that he was just catching up on current events.
Then he regaled everyone with war stories for several hours.
I sat in the armchair, in Doc's lap, and listened to him talk. Ed and Allan both sat on the floor, touching my legs with their backs.
"If we're going to leave tonight, we should probably get going," Doc interrupted one of Nikolai's stories.
"Tonight? It's already late," Mom protested.
"We need to get back," Doc said tiredly.
"You sound tired. Are you sure you can drive safely?" Dad asked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"I will keep him awake," Nikolai insisted. "He hasn't heard all of my stories yet."
"Honey, be careful. Those Andersons…"
Nikolai waved his hand dismissively. "Will not know what hit them."
"Be careful, Sofia." Mom hugged me tightly.
"Yeah, I don't think they can hurt me now. I know all sorts of interesting things."
"There are ways to hurt people that don't involve actually hurting you physically. Be careful," she cautioned again.
"Thanks, Mom."
I hugged Dad and then Star.
"You be careful." She shook a finger at me. "Call me."
"I will. You, too. I hope they can get your car out soon."
"Yeah, I need to actually see my parents." She laughed. "The car is a rental, though, so I'm not as worried about it. I didn't drive all the way from Florida. Just from the airport."
I hugged her again. "I'll see you soon."
"Yeah, maybe I'll visit for Christmas."
I beamed. "I'd like that."
We said goodbye to the others and headed out into the cold evening.
"So, did you figure out what he is?" I overheard Dad asking George.
"Yeah…" George hesitated.
I stopped and glanced at Doc. He was listening through the closed door also. Having super hearing was weird, but it didn't seem to be fading.
"Definitely a mage. Not sure why he smells different than the other one, but he's a mage."
We both sighed in relief and headed for the truck. I didn't hear what my dad replied, if anything.
Everyone piled into the truck. Doc driving, as always, and Nikolai in the passenger seat. I crawled into the back with Ed and Allan, and we headed home.
I couldn't wait to get back so we could all snuggle in Doc's large bed. I wanted to see the snow covering the pine trees of my grove, and maybe, just maybe, I
