Nikolai stared at Adriana for a moment before opening his mouth to say something that probably wasn't complementary.
"Just pretend we actually manage it. It's our lives to risk, right?" Sofia interrupted. "Should we contact you, or handle them ourselves."
"You should contact us," Donna answered. "It would be better if we could handle this with as much legality as we can manage. Otherwise, we could simply provide more evidence that those of us in the supernatural community simply can't be trusted."
Nikolai muttered under his breath again.
Doc put his hand on the mage's shoulder and Nikolai fell silent.
Adriana handed Sofia a card and Donna did the same. "Our phone numbers. If you change your mind about relocating, let us know and we'll help you with the details and help you find a safer location."
"Thank you," Sofia said politely. "Is there anything else you can tell us that might be useful?"
Donna shook her head. "Lay low, don't get discovered. If you do and it causes problems, we'll support you of course. That's what we do right now."
Sofia nodded, but that wasn't new information and Ed thought it was fairly useless.
"Roy, I would enjoy a chance to catch up. I must admit, I hadn't thought I'd ever see you again," Adriana said.
Doc shrugged. "I'm pretty hard to kill. Glad you made it out okay."
"You as well."
They had clearly helped as much as they could for the moment, so everyone stood.
"Thank you for coming down to see us. It has been interesting to meet you all. If we can be of assistance in the future, don't hesitate to contact us," Donna said.
They both thanked Jasmine and Xavier as well, then Jasmine walked them to the door.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Nikolai let loose with a bunch of what had to be Russian cursing. Sofia laughed.
"Nikolai, we did warn you," she said.
"Modern mages," he said in disgust. "Useless."
"Hey." Sofia put her hands on her hips and glared at Nikolai.
"Present company excepted, obviously." He pulled her into a hug.
"Well, I hope that was at least somewhat helpful," Jasmine said quietly.
"Yes," Doc answered for all of them. "It was, actually. Despite Nikolai's attitude," Doc smiled fondly at the mage, "we know a lot more and once we rescue Ash, we can get help."
"Do you really think you can?" Jasmine asked.
"Of course," Nikolai replied. "We rescued Sofia, didn't we? Will be similar."
"What exactly do you mean by modern mages being useless?" Xavier asked.
Nikolai glanced at Doc, looking a little embarrassed at his slip in words. Doc shrugged.
"Eh, I am from a different time. We used magic constantly. Makes a difference."
"How did that happen? Am I even allowed to ask about that?" Xavier asked hesitantly.
Nikolai shrugged. "My student stabbed me in the back and locked me in a dimensional prison. Sofia let me out."
"Oh."
Jasmine and Xavier didn't seem to know what to say to that, so they fell into an awkward silence.
"Why don't we take Nikolai out for a drive since he's never been to Denver before. We'll come back this evening," Doc offered.
Jasmine brightened. "That's a fantastic idea. Do you know the city well?"
Doc shook his head. "Well enough, but I'm open to suggestions if you have any. You're both welcome to join us."
To Ed's relief, Jasmine and Xavier declined to join them. They offered a bunch of suggestions and Doc led everyone out to the truck with the promise they would be back in the evening.
Chapter 9
Sofia
"Well, that was interesting," I said once we had all piled in the truck. Ed took the passenger seat and Allan and Nikolai had gotten in back with me. I sat between them, hooking a leg over Nikolai's thigh, and leaning back against Allan.
"They certainly don't think we can actually handle Ash," Ed added.
"It will not be easy," Nikolai said. "I have a plan. Should rescue him soon."
"I think that's our next course of action," Doc said. "I want to say we should do it tomorrow, but this week is exam week. He can probably wait until next weekend." Doc's tone of voice made it clear waiting was not his preferred option, but he was right, there were only a couple of weeks left in school and getting the exams taken care of was important. Maybe not as important as rescuing Ash, but it would give me a little more time to practice with Nikolai if nothing else.
"Do you think they'll actually help with the Andersons if we can save Ash?" Allan rubbed my hip as he spoke.
Nikolai traced random patterns on my thigh with his finger as he stared out the window.
"Yes." Doc answered.
"We're not going to be able to disappear off their radar after this, are we?" I asked.
"Radar?" Nikolai said absently.
"Um, actual radar is, well," I hesitated not actually sure how to explain it. "A way ships keep track of things at sea. And, well, airplanes and stuff. Technology. The saying means we won't be able to stay out of their notice now."
"Ah." He glanced at me. "No. Not likely. This Adriana is far more interested in Doc than I like and I suspect I'm interesting to them, as well."
I glanced at Nikolai. Was that jealousy I heard in his voice? His brow was furrowed as he looked at our vampire.
Doc shook his head. "She thinks I'm a mage. She was interested, many years ago. I was never about to get involved with her. Not safe. Not interested."
Nikolai's expression lightened a bit.
"Convenient that everyone thinks you're a mage," I said.
Doc nodded. "Even if something changes in the next few years and it becomes safer to be known as a supernatural, I doubt it will ever be safe to be known as a vampire. We're too dangerous."
"And difficult to contain," Nikolai agreed. "How many do know?"
Doc shrugged. "A handful of my mother's people know what I am. Sofia's dad's friend. The Andersons. Which, basically, once we take Ash, I bet a lot more people are going to know." He sighed.
"We will deal with
