Adie slowly became aware of her surroundings. The bed was so cosy and warm; it smelled of comfort and safety. She didn't want to open her eyes to shatter the dream and let in the nightmare that her life had become.

"No point trying to hide from the problems, they'll just sneak up and bite you on the ass when you're not looking," she mumbled.

A deep chuckle startled her from her reverie. "I wouldn't mind a bite of that ass myself."

Her eyes flew open with her squeal of shock. She pulled the blanket up to her chin to cover her modesty and took in the dishevelled form sitting opposite her. Her gaze flicked quickly around the room in an attempt to determine where she was. The room was bare but for the bed she lay on, the chair he sat on and a shelf full of books. Her gaze landed back on him, defiantly meeting his stare.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"My room," he answered with a husky, sleep-filled voice that made him sound almost like he was purring.

Rick yawned and stretched lazily in the seat. His arms reached high over his head, making his T-shirt ride up to reveal the undone buttons at the waistband of his jeans. As he stood, his jeans fell low to ride his hips.

Adie gasped and stared at the bulge forming before her eyes. Maybe she even drooled a little at the sight. A quick look under the blanket told her she was still fully clothed and she breathed a sigh of relief. Or maybe disappointment, an inner voice mocked.

"How did I get here?" she asked, throwing the cover off. "And why am I here?"

He reached out his hand to help her from the bed. "I carried you because you were exhausted after healing Sam."

She placed her hand in his and let him pull her up to stand. The force of the pull sent her into his hard chest and his arms closed around her waist to keep her there. He lowered his head to her neck and inhaled her scent. When he smelled her arousal, he literally started purring. She could feel the vibration of it where her hands rested on his chest and she couldn't help but notice how right it felt.

"Shall we go find something to eat? The thought of biting your tight little ass has given me an appetite."

*****

Sidney and Irene were already seated at the huge kitchen table when Callie walked in. "Hey guys!" she called, pasting an overly bright smile on her face.

"Supper is in the fridge, pull up a chair and join us," Sidney chirped.

"We were just discussing our friend and we've decided to call him Scaly. It's quite fitting don't you think?" Irene joked.

"What's fitting?" Adie asked as she and Rick joined the others in the kitchen. Her hand was securely tucked into his elbow.

"Ssscaly, the nickname they gave to the demon, whose name cannot be mentioned," replied Callie, sucking the dregs of blood from the bag she'd poured into a glass. "Where can I find some information on him? I doubt the local library would keep stuff like that." She directed this at Irene.

"Hmm, I know my coven doesn't have anything more than you already know, but the Circle of Fire may have something. I'll ring Elizabeth and get their contact details. Can I borrow someone's phone?" She left the room after catching the one Callie tossed at her.

Rick pushed Adie into the seat next to her sister and set about making them food. He moved around the kitchen with ease, grilling bacon and scrambling eggs. He smiled from ear to ear when he caught Adie staring at his butt on more than one occasion.

"I've been thinking," Rick said out of the blue.

"Is that where the grinding and squealing noise was coming from? The rusty wheels in your head actually getting a bit of use?" Sidney couldn't help but tease.

Rick rolled his eyes at her. "I know someone who might be able to tell you about him or get you access to information about him anyway."

They waited patiently for him to continue, when he didn't, both Callie and Adie asked at the same time, "Well, tell us who?"

"She's the Shaman of my father's pride. From what I understand, there are books passed down through each generation of Shaman. They're kind of like diaries and if this demon is connected to any of the legends then there may be something written about him."

"Great. So will you ring after breakfast?" Callie asked.

"No, there aren't any phones where she lives. I'm afraid it's a long road trip and a plane trip to Colorado."

Adie stared at the food set in front of her. For some reason she'd lost her appetite. "How long until you leave?" she asked quietly.

"Felix and I have our flight home already booked for tomorrow. It's only a matter of getting an extra seat arranged and that shouldn't be a problem."

Everyone had a confused look on their face, except Sidney, who grinned. She'd read Rick's mind and knew what was coming next.

He looked at Adie with a lopsided grin, his eyes pleading for her to agree. "You'll need to pack for warmer weather. And bring hiking boots, it's a long trek once we reach the trail. You'll probably need sun cream too."

"Give a girl plenty of notice why don't you," she replied with a grin.

Callie could feel her sister's elation flowing through the bond, but she wasn't so sure this was such a good idea. "Adie are you sure you want to do this? The Circle of Fire might know something."

"You worry too much. I'll be fine. Rick will look after me. You-know-who, won't be looking for me over there, so I'll be one less body for you to watch out for. Right?"

"I guess. I just don't like the idea of you being half-way around the world on your own," Callie replied, resigned to Adie's determination to go with Rick.

"I won't be alone," Adie reminded her.

"Great, that's settled then," Rick rejoiced, slapping his hands on the table. "I'll take you home to pack some things and get your passport. After you eat." He pointed at her untouched meal.

"I'll have to stop by the hospital and extend my time off. I need to ring Laura too, see if she'll cover my shifts again."

Irene returned to the kitchen with a phone in her hand and a pleased look on her face. "The Circle of Fire have agreed to meet with us tomorrow and maybe," she emphasized the maybe, "let us have a look at the archives. They're based in Cork so we can either leave now and rest up when we get there, or leave at 5am?"

Both sisters looked at one another before moving together for a long hug. Adie drew back first and ran her hand down Callie's hair to gently tug the end. "Look after you while I'm gone. And for heavens sakes don't do anything stupid."

Callie laughed, her tears streaming down her face as she pulled Adie back in for another hug. "Ditto. I love you, be safe." She sniffled and reluctantly let go of Adie to fix a glare at Rick. "If she so much as gets a splinter I'll hunt you down and castrate you."

He gave a short, sharp nod in understanding.

"Is this just a witch outing or can the vamps come too?" Sidney quipped, half hoping for an invite to join Callie and Irene's road trip.

"I think it should be just the two of us. They're not too keen on vampires. It'll be bad enough if they find out Callie's one as it is," Irene answered, quickly adding, "No offence."

"None taken, but keep in touch." Sidney looked at Callie and tapped the side of her head. "And if that doesn't work use the phone."

"We will," Callie assured her. "I'm just going to say goodbye to Sam." She hugged her sister again on the way past. "Love you."

"Whove oou hoo," came Adie's muffled reply around a mouthful of egg and toast, the crumbs flying as she spoke.

After getting directions from Felix, she found Sam in large lounge area, sprawled out on a black leather, two-seat sofa. He looked up as she entered, giving her a half-hearted smile of greeting.

"Hi," she said, testing the steadiness of her voice. "You know I haven't done a days work for you yet. I should probably quit and let you find an assistant who'll actually assist."

His smile widened before becoming serious. "Sergeant Blaine called. He's releasing the details of the eight bodies they found in the woods. We have the exclusive to do on that - interviews and such."

"Irene and I are leaving for Cork in a few minutes to see if some witches know anything about the demon. I'll be back in a few days, hopefully sooner."

He mulled this over for a few moments. "I can give the story to someone else to cover and come with you?" he suggested with an edge of hope to the question.

"Irene said that it's just the two of us. Apparently, they don't like vamps. I just came to say goodbye and I'll see you later." She started walking backwards as she spoke.

"Wait," he called, catching hold of her arm as she turned.

She froze with her back to him. He stroked his calloused hands down the sleeves of her sweater to take her hands in his. He pressed his lips to her neck and trailed a series of soft, butterfly kisses along the exposed portion of her shoulder. "Okay, just come back to me after you see them. Please don't go running off chasing some lead on your own just because you think I might get hurt or some other heroic notion you may have." She nodded. "Promise?"

"I promise." She pulled away and walked at human speed to collect Irene for the short trip home to pick up clothes and a few other things they would need. I'll have to ask Sidney for a list of places for me to eat too, she thought just before Sidney walked into the hall with a piece of paper in her hand containing the exact information she needed. "Damn, but you're good at this mind reading thing. You knew what I wanted before I'd even thought of it."

"Perhaps it was you reading my mind this time. Your shields are locked tighter than a nun's knickers."

Tension Callie didn't realise she was holding, left her as fits of laughter wracked her body. She was still giggling when she collected Irene and they set off on the next chapter of their adventure.