“Blair, Blair, Bair, fucking Blair. She’s really everyone’s favorite, isn’t she? I didn’t ask for this. But this skin suit is meeting its expiration date.”
I watch as Blair’s irises turn black. She looks like a demon with her eyes changing to that color. Smoke billows from her fists. Mara grins at Blair.
“Perfect, you’re perfect,” she nearly coos at Blair. She’s so distracted that she isn’t paying attention to Stevie. Who stomps hard on Mara’s toe and runs into Kas’ arms. Kas immediately portals Stevie out of the club, while I’m standing with Asmo next to me.
“Portal her to Hell, and I’ll portal Blair out of here,” I whisper to Asmo. He looks irritated that Kas ditched us, but nods his head in agreement. Mara watches in fascination as little embers of flame crinkle from Blair’s skin. It’s clear that Mara thinks she would be the perfect vessel, and what’s terrifying is, I don’t think she’s wrong.
“Blair,” I say gently, trying to get her attention. I’m a little concerned if she’s fully present and takes her magic out on someone besides Mara. “Fuck, all right. On the count of three. One, two, three.”
At the same time, Asmo and I lunge. My arms wrap around Blair, her touch burning my skin, and I wince. I watch as Asmo attempts to grab Mara, but just as he grabs her, deep inky black smoke shoots from Paige’s mouth. I watch as it spirals through the air toward Asmo. Without even thinking, I portal us to the front yard of her house.
We land roughly on the grass as Blair heaves and I stroke her back. My skin repairs quickly from the burns she left on my skin, and I hope that they’re healed before she’s completely back to it.
“What the actual fuck? Can I have a normal fucking day?” she says, standing up on her own and looking over me, easily seeing the char marks on my shirt as my skin heals the burnt flesh. “Did I do that?”
“It’s fine. I heal fast.”
She comes over and picks up my arm. And she gasps. “Where’s Stevie?”
“Kas portaled her out before anything could happen. I really need to see where she is and if Asmo got out of there.”
She nods her head. “My wards are strong. I should be safe here.”
I look at her and the house, not liking leaving her by herself one bit. “As soon as I know that they’re okay, I’ll come right back.”
“The black smoke. Was that her true demon form?” she asks.
“Yes, Satan doesn’t hand out meat suits freely. You have to prove yourself if you want to travel to other dimensions and fit in.”
“So you think she’s an older demon who came to earth, to what? Find the right vessel?”
“No, I think it’s more complicated than that.”
She walks and winces. “You all right, babe?”
“My ass hurts, and so do my hands.” I look down at the skin and watch in awe as the skin grafts itself back together from the flames she conjured. It’s not the same as my own. My own flames don’t burn me. “This has never happened before,” she says, looking up at me, her brown eyes full of concern.
“Go inside, shower, get cleaned up. I’m going to find everyone and bring them back here.”
“Okay,” she says, I can see that there’s a little tremor in her hands as she goes to walk away. Blair always tries to be strong. I sigh as I wrap my arms around her and hold my back to her chest tight.
“Daddy’s going to take care of everything, okay?” She nods her head against my chest, holding back tears, as I give her one more squeeze before stepping away and portaling to the bungalow.
I open the door and scan the living room and luckily find her cousin and Kas. I watch as Stevie straddles Kas’ lap. Kas’ hands wrapped around the long red locks as Stevie cups her jaw as they kiss.
“This is fucking sweet and all, but where’s Asmo?”
Kas pops her mouth from Stevie’s quickly and she looks at me like I’m hiding the blond-headed dumbass in my pocket. “He’s not with you?”
“No, I had to portal Blair out when Mara left Paige’s body.”
“Fuck,” Kas groans.
“Is Blair okay?” Stevie asks.
“She’s worried about you, and I think she’s a little freaked out about what happened.”
“I’ve never seen her eyes go black like that before, only other colors,” Stevie says.
