“Sure, Craven.” I quickly leave him gobsmacked in the doorway and take up my spot before the fire.
“Well, I guess congratulations are in order for all of us,” Levi starts as everyone gets settled while pulling out drinks and food. “According to the paper we found, we have three hours before the next trial. Does anyone need or even feel like sleeping?” Looking around the room, the consensus is a resounding no. “Does anyone want to start off sharing, or do we want to talk about the next trial?”
“I want to start,” Moni states before squeezing Chester’s hand and flying in front of the fireplace with her drink. We listen as Moni shares her story of her time at Camp Tanglefoot and how JP was the one who saved her. Yes, she loves coffee, but it’s not only an addiction. It’s something that changes her makeup without it. Knox and Lynx interject and make Moni laugh whenthey tell her what they noticed and comment on how strong she is, and we end up in a big pile on Moni, hugging her to death.
“I have a confession first,” Zeke admits, “and then I’ll tell you my trial.” My breath hitches, and my heart goes out to him as he stands where Moni once was hovering.
“I lost one of my best friends because I’m a vampire. It was before I opened up to you all, and it was a time when I was in myshut-inphase. Her name was Trin, and I had once thought I killed her.” A pin could be heard as he lets those words out. “That was the trial I had to face.”
As Zeke tells his story, I once again start crying as I hear the pain in his voice. The loneliness he felt and how scared he was that he ripped his friend’s life away from her so early. I’m relieved when Levi and Chester speak up and add in what they noticed, and I point out the differences I could see. Together, we helped solve his trial, and even though he’s still perplexed, he will be able to move on in time.
Zeke goes to sit by JP, but JP shifts away from him with tears in his eyes.Oh shit.All eyes are on the couple, and dread hits my stomach like lead.Please tell me JP didn’t have a trial that involved Zeke.With tears in his eyes, JP slowly stands up and takes Zeke’s spot in front of the fireplace. He looks over the room, and as his eyes hit Ryker and Knots, they give him encouraging smiles, but that doesn’t alleviate his tear-stained face.
“My trial was one I never thought I would have to face,” he begins as he looks at Zeke. “Before I was truly accepted into your group, I hung out with a bad crowd where I did horrible things to fit in, try to be accepted, and make a better life for Moni and me. I’m not making excuses, but you deserve the truth.” He bows his head in shame and allows the tears to fall from his eyes without wiping them free. He looks up at Zeke and wets his lips.
“The first night we hooked up, it was originally supposed to be an opportunity to humiliate and get blackmail on you,” he states, and the room audibly gasps. “My friends showed you the office, made sure the TV had limited access to shows, and told everyone the office was off limits that night…so we could be alone. You had offended Reed’s family with one of your pranks, and since I lost a bet, my job was to get you in a compromised position and take pictures of you so they could use them as they wished.”
My eyes travel to Zeke to get his reaction, but he’s a blank slate as he listens to his lover’s words. I don’t know how long they’ve been together, but this has to be a blow.
JP tells us about this trial and how they almost didn’t go through with it. He had to rely on Knots and Ryker’s encouragement and provoking just to approach Zeke. JP’s words are jumbled so much that he’s probably speaking another language.
“I’m so sorry that our first time started with false pretenses, but in a way, I’m glad it did because I was terrified to approach you on my own, Ezekiel. You were so much more than just a man or a vampire when I met you. You are the most honest and pure soul I have ever met, and I didn’t…I still don’t deserve you.” JP drops to his knees before Zeke and bows his head. “I meant what I said, Zeke. I have never given anyone my promise before. You have been the first, and since then, all I’ve given you is my love, just as I was making love to you that day. I didn’t know then that you would be the only man for me, but if anything, I’m grateful that I looked back. I realized that you were my anchor, that you have become that for me.” He finally wipes at his eyes and looks up to find Zeke mirroring him on his knees.
“Please. Please don’t hold this against me, Zeke. I don’t know how to move on without you in the world that’s made to tear me apart at my lowest,” JP pleads and sits back on his haunches.Before he can bow his head, Zeke cups his face and wipes away the last of his tears.
“JP, I would be worse than the Princes of Hell themselves if I didn’t forgive you for being as strong as you were to face that to be with me again.” He fiercely pulls JP’s mouth to his own and deepens the kiss, and my heart melts into a pool of goo as I wipe my own stray tear away.
“Oh my God. That’s so sweet, but eww. Take it to another room,” Moni yells, making the others laugh.
“How do you feel about having one less sister,” JP asks against Zeke’s lips.
“I only have one sister,” he replies, chuckling.
“Sweet. Then we are in agreement. We don’t need her,” he says, sending a burst of water flying Moni’s way.
“Eeek!” Moni shrieks, rolling into a ball, but the water hits a glittery force field before falling to the floor. All eyes swing my way, but I shrug my shoulders with a smile before taking a drink from my water bottle.
“You are getting way too good at that,” Levi mentions as Lynx laughs outright.
After resting for a few hours, we decide to get ready and go over what we know of the next level, which turns out to be very little. We can only go off of what Knots knows of him, which just means more hell for this group.
“Okay, so Beleth,” Knots begins. “I have no clue what type of Demon he is, only that Azazel’s rage is nothing when compared to Beleth’s cunning wits where courage, respect, and perseverance are needed to survive.”
“So take a licking and never give up. Sounds like we’re up for a beating,” Lynx adds, and I hate to admit it, but he’s probably right.
“Or another rage level but with more cunning enemies where we need to use battle tactics,” Knox adds, popping his knuckles.
“Another battle royale?” Knots grunts as his feathers ruffle in agitation.
“Okay, so maybe we should all come at this with a different approach. Does everyone feel comfortable in different roles?” I ask, pulling shit out of my ass. The only thing I can think of is playing World of Warcraft. In that game, you can play different roles depending on different sets of clothes, tanking, healing, and DPS. So, if we all have different equipment, we might be able to play different roles as well.
“What are you talking about?” JP narrows his eyes at me with confusion.
I take a deep breath and try to explain as much as possible, but when Zeke chips in, they easily understand. Who knew he could make a group of Neanderthals understand better than I could?
“Oh yeah, I can do defense and medic, I think.” Moni raises her hand. “I know my herbs, and I have them in my S.I.N. box. I’m not as well equipped as a warrior, even though I would like to think so. My boom is a great defense,” she admits.
We go around the group and dedicate healers/medics, attackers, defense, and DPS.
