Kierra

I smirk, something in my head clicking as if coming together. For good or bad though, has yet to be seen.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised. Just be aware, you try anything, I will kill you without thinking twice."

He inclines his head like he would expect no less, but requests that we stop at his hotel room for his things. Being the nice person I am, we go get his things. My backseat is already full of stuff, so he'll have even less space. Not my problem.

Hell, he should be glad my jeep can even hold him with his tall ass. He only has maybe an inch of clear space above his head when seated. Not much leg room either. I hope he hits his head. On second thought, nevermind, I don't need any more dents in this thing.

Takes him only a few minutes, and with the amount he comes out with, I'd be willing to bet most of that time was spent talking to the lady clerk at the desk. She opens her shirt anymore and she'll be letting it all hang out. I'm suddenly glad Asher can't take human form.

I've seen pictures of him when Faline and I snooped in what turned out to be his garage, but presence is something altogether different. I can just imagine what his wife went through. Makes you wonder though if that Vamp was after his wife or him. Hmm.

When Xavier finally pulls himself away from the busty clerk, he comes back to the vehicle. A guitar case in one hand and a duffel bag strung across his back that reminds me of the ones you see army guys with. Just not quite as big. The short hair around his head blows every which way as he looks around, taking in the area one last time.

Once he folds himself back in, I can't help but laugh at how he has to position himself to get everything in. I pull away and begin the drive home, bursting out laughing each time I look back. He doesn't look too happy with it, but I'm having a ball.

I eventually take pity on him and have him hand up his guitar for the kid to hold onto. Both are more than happy with the exchange, as the boy looks at it with fascination. We make it back to my home with no more mishaps, Xavier talking to Bastion about music and some of the books he'd grabbed.

Turns out the playboy is actually learned in a great many things. Who knew. The snow has slowed, only a sprinkle-flurry now. Which is a good thing, means the delivery guys should be able to find the road without too much trouble.

Grabbing all the mail from the overstuffed box as I go by it, most of it's junk that the mailman loves dumping on me just because I ask him not to. Well, seeing as how I'm the only one living down here now, I can sorta understand his ire. Sort of.

I pull up on the other side of my walkway so the delivery dudes can pull up and have plenty of room. As long as they don't hit any trees, we'll be all good. I'll make some hot chocolate for them, be all nice-like.

We all grab bags and head in. No sight of Asher, but that's not surprising from what Bastion told me before we left. Most of it gets set on the kitchen counters or table. Xavier had brought in his guitar, standing it against the wall next to the desk after glancing around real quick.

"Careful where you put that, I have a cat that can be an asshole. Can set it on the desk as long as you're careful."

He inclines his head as he does so. I toss the gloves, masks, twine, garbage bags, and plastic sheeting on the island counter. He looks at them curiously. Looking at the ensemble myself, I guess it does look like a murder starter set, might explain some of the weird looks I'd gotten. Hah.

"Got the perfect serial killer set up right there. Just missing the ax."

"They didn't have any in stock."

He snorts and looks around. Bastion is handed his art supplies while I take the paints and new pencils I got for myself to my room, tossing them on my bed. Going back out, I almost run into the tall menace.

I glare up at his height as I step back.

"How tall are you anyway?"

"Last time I bothered to check I was six foot seven inches."

"That is too freakin' tall. Jus' sayin'."

He puts a hand to his chest and gasps, acting all hurt with a dejected look on his face. I roll my eyes and walk around him. Looks like he'd put a shirt on when he grabbed his things from the hotel. Good. Last thing I need is a half-naked man in my house.

"Closet is over there if you want to hang up your jacket, but I'll be opening the door and leaving it open soon."

I go for the kitchen, looking over all the new books and Bastion's puzzles. Glancing over my bookshelves, I pick a spot over by Tigger's cat tree in the corner. Cleaning out all the random knick-knacks that got put there as well as a stuffed toy that I have no idea where it came from, it's ready.

I point it out to the boy as I find a box to put the stuff in. The smile he flashes melts my heart. Remembering what Benjamin said, I approach it carefully, or try to anyway.

"Hey, Bastion? Remember when I asked you if you had any family?"

He freezes and looks over to me. His eyes guarded as he motions his head slowly.

"One of the things Benjamin, who turns out is a Vampire, told me is that there's a man claiming to be your uncle. The information he's supposed to get for me is everything on that man he can find. Are you sure you didn't forget about anyone?"

Instead of automatically nodding, he does actually take the time to think about it before shaking his head. A look of worry on his face that's making its way to fear has me thinking he knows who this person is.

"Bastion, you have to tell me. I try to make sure you know everything that's going on, I need you to do the same."

His eyes dart to Xavier then back to me, pleading in his face.

"Xavier? Can you go outside for a moment please?"

"Of course."

He hadn't gotten to the point of hanging up his coat yet, so he's able to go right out. I don't tell Bastion that he'll still probably be able to hear, but I leave him his illusions. Hell, depending on just who the man is, he could already know.

"Tell me hun, if he's someone I have to protect you from, I need to know now before he comes at us."

Tucking himself into the couch, he makes himself as small as possible, keeping his face pointed down and away. A knife digs deeper into my heart as I watch him. It takes a few minutes, but he does tell me.

"There was a man that always came by. Always asking Fred if he could buy me, that he would pay a very large amount. Fred refused, but would still give me to him for..."

I shake my head, letting him know he doesn't have to tell me that part.

"Did you ever catch his name?"

"No, they were careful with names. Everyone went by something else, like code names."

Great, aliases, this is going to be really tricky.

"You know what he looks like though, yes? If you see him you can tell me?"

He nods, looking up to me with tear-filled eyes.

"Don't give me to him. I'll do anything you want me to, just please don't give me to him. He was horrible. He was ..."

I hurry over to him, pulling his stiff form into my lap and wrapping my arms around his shivering frame. The outpouring of emotions coming from him are shredding me. His fear, anxiety, self-loathing, abandonment, and bone-crushing loneliness.

"You will never go to this man, my little Imp, he will have to kill me to get to you. I will talk to Asher and Ava about things, but I'm sure they will agree that if something were to ever happen to me, Asher's to take you to her immediately."

I rock softly, having no idea how to comfort him. Just allowing me to touch him is speaking volumes, even if his body is stiff. The tears flow down his face silently, and I let them for a few minutes before I wipe them away, making him look into my face.

"I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make you safe, even if I have to hunt this man down and kill him for you to have peace of mind. No one will hurt you as long as you are in my care."

My eyes roam over his face. A baby face that's only now starting to fill out. His blue eyes are wide and dark as I run my thumbs over his eyebrows. The stark terror within those orbs twists my insides, knowing that feeling myself.

"If you're up for it, I've been thinking of finding a way to get papers saying that you're mine. Not my child per-say, but that I'm your legitimate guardian. We'll find either your original documents or I'll pay for new ones to be made for you."

His face starts to lighten up. He doesn't smile, but his agony is less.

"I would like that."

I give him a smile, brushing my fingers through his hair before putting my forehead against his.

"We'll get through this. Our worlds will be much different than they were before evil touched us, but we'll make a life for ourselves. You'll be able to grow up safe and be who you want to be, and I'll get my sister back. You'll like her, she's a troublemaker just like you."

That gets me a small smile. Growls outside catch my attention as I raise my head.

"Oh shit. I think Asher is back."

I jump up as Bastion finds his feet, running to the door and yanking it open to lunge out. Asher's stalking across the front yard towards Xavier, who has his arms raised, leaning against a tree but standing slowly from a crouch, his eyes stay on the midnight wolf, expression unreadable.

"Asher! It's okay, I brought him here. No eating the guests."

Ocean eyes are livid, keeping his lips raised as he sidesteps towards me. His fur is standing high, making him look a lot larger than what he is, which is hella big. I walk to him with no fear, crouching down next to him, laying my hand on his neck.

I can feel the rumbles in his throat. Connecting my mind to his, I whisper to him to stand down. Showing him everything that happened today, including with the stranger and about the information that I learned pertaining to Bastion.

I even try to explain the feeling I got when I met Xavier, that he's important in some way. Asher slowly backs off. Just imagining the possible exchange going on between them makes me curious, but I don't ask. Getting annoyed at his snail's pace, I dip forward and nip his ear and start talking aloud.

"Back off cranky one, there's a little boy inside who could use you right now."

He shakes his head, glaring at me.

"You bit me."

"I'll bite you again if you don't get your ass in gear. Got some others dropping by to set up a shed slash garage for me so the jeep doesn't get buried."

He huffs, nipping my hand as I stand. I pull back immediately, but he's already let go and heading to the door. I shake my hand before rubbing it on my thigh, jerking it back with a slight hiss as it again reminds me it doesn't like textures.

Crouching back down, I stick them both in the snow. Instant relief. I damn near start purring. The heat of them melts the snow rather quickly, but that's nothing new. My hands have always been the hottest thing on me, even before becoming what I am now.

I can feel my guest coming towards me, his hands loose at his sides, but I catch a glint as his jacket parts. Standing, I turn to him, putting the fading sunlight at my back. My long hair ruffles in the wind as I feel my eyes change to wolf yellow.