The sun barely started to break through the city landscape as I sipped my first coffee of the day. I had a feeling it was not going to be my one and only because I shouldn't be awake right now. Coming home to my bed did not mean I was going to get the sleep I craved after all. I'd never really come out here before, it was normally too windy or too sunny, or something. How Cain didn't wake up as I opened the door was beyond me, the clunking grind of the rollers proof how often it was used and loud enough to wake the dead. I was enjoying the alone time.

"You're awake early." Portia mused, sitting beside me on the small outdoor sofa.

And now I'm not alone.

"You'd have to have gone to sleep first to be awake early. I'm still just going from yesterday."

I could feel her concern, and looking at her now, she only frowned. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I think I'm too tired to sleep. It's been a long twenty-four hours. Week. Year?" I sighed.

Portia closed her eyes, and I turned back to the golden light that peeked around the corner of the building opposite ours. The light on the road was patchy thanks to trees and balconies casting their shadows our way. What was odd was the way she gripped the armrest, and the way her face screwed up as if she was in pain. It was over before I could I asked her about it; I guess she didn't like what she saw.

" I just caught up." She whispered, the perkiness to her voice disappearing.

"Did I really pass the test?" It was something that had been on my mind since around two am.

"Test?"

"You were worried about me, about the path I'd go down when there was an eclipse, and I nearly lost my mind." I sipped my coffee and hugged the blanket tighter around my shoulders.

"I remember, but why ask me now?"

"I think I enjoy it too much. The killing, and fighting. Am I lying to myself, by thinking that all I want is some normality and peace? That we're going to do right by Blueberry because we're better than the monsters we've defeated?" I stared at my coffee, expecting the answer to appear there. "Did I choose the wrong path that night or was it already too late? Nieve, well all of you seem quick to point fingers at Cain. That he is corrupting us all, but I think I already was."

"It's war, Elise. It's survival, and it's all you've ever known since the second they could put a gun in your hand and tell you where to shoot. You don't enjoy it and it's why you fight so hard against what is expected of you." Portia said so sincerely I wanted to believe her.

"I didn't fight against any of it last night. I wanted it. I enjoyed seeing them die."

"We all enjoy the victory. It's the regret of what it took to claim it that keeps us awake at night."

Maybe she had a point. "Do you stay awake at night too?"

"More than I'd ever admit." She whispered.

I lifted my arm, extending the blanket to her and she inched closer on the cushion beside me with a tired sigh.

"Adala is losing her control over Nieve. We all seem to be playing a different game and no one is sharing the rules. I don't know how to fix this or how to help them. If something doesn't happen soon, I can feel the uncertainty of the future. My visions are distorted like I'm on the wrong channel and my eyes burn with each one I have. I even considered ripping them out it got that bad earlier tonight."

I rested my head on her shoulder as her arm went around mine.

"We need to find the fourth. She controlled the three once before, and she will have to do it again."

"That's all I can think about," Portia admitted.

"I think it was Hecate, but Cain thinks she is just a Seer who knows a few tricks," I confessed.

"Hecate is many things, but I feel he is right on this one. Why do you think it is her?"

I shrugged. "She denied it. My instincts tell me she's lying."

"You shouldn't have told me. The other two are unpredictable, and it's a struggle to keep them away from what I know as it is."

"Too late for that Portia. Our news is semi-public now, and Nieves actions divided you three more than anything anyone else could have. Can we rely on Adela or will she stay at team Nieve?"

"I honestly don't know at this point. Anytime I try to see, it's like my eyes are being set alight." She frowned.

"I wish I could help you, but without the fourth, I don't see how this will end." I felt my own headache coming on now. "Why did you come here, Portia?"

"You. I caught a sense of how conflicted you were feeling. I'm glad it ended how it did, and Kara's role in it all will go as you wanted." She squeezed my shoulders before standing. "I should go. Try and get some sleep. I'll keep trying to see what I can find out about this fourth."

"Me too. Stay safe Portia. No visions, okay?" I shivered. "I remember the vision I had of you getting those eyes, no should ever go through any of that. Again."

"Stay safe, Elise." Portia smiled and then was gone right as the wind returned, with dark clouds filling the sky full of the promise of rain.

I didn't bother opening the door this time, going back inside quietly as the morning light disappeared behind me. Maybe I should try to sleep, only before I reached the bed Cain sit up on his elbows to look over at me.

"Did she have any news?" Of course, he wasn't asleep.

"No, nothing more than Adala is losing what control she has over Nieve and it's getting worse between the three of them." I yawned, climbing back beside him as he lifted the blanket.

"Good news then," he sighed, before yawning as well. "Are you okay? You've barely slept."

"Body is tired, mind won't switch off." I instantly found the most comfortable position at his side; Cain's warmth chasing off the outside cold. "Her visions are hurting her now. She can't get anything clearly. Do you think they could be like that because they're not united?"

"Maybe. I'm guessing she hasn't asked them and that's probably her best source of information." Cain's hand ran up and down my arm, giving me something else to focus on. "Try and sleep, Elle."

"I can't." Though my eyes were feeling heavier than they were before.

"Wanna hear about my chat with Ares?"

"Why not, I'm too comfortable to move now."

"He is of the mind that to take him up on his offer and overthrow Kara would be most beneficial to no one other than Blueberry. I found him in the armoury, already taking stock of what they had, what they needed-" Cain spoke in a slow, calming way; the steady movement on my arm following at a similar pace. "Elle, stop looking so happy or I will burn that pillow."

"What?" Opening my eyes, Cain was kneeling beside the bed, his hand holding mine and looking around, I was curled around the body pillow Raya got me. "I fell asleep."

"Before I even got the part where I found out you were missing." He smiled.

"I do want to hear about that." I yawned, slowly rolling over and abandoning the pillow.

"I'll save it for later when you can't sleep again."

"Thanks. Why am I awake?"

"A couple of reasons, the first one being-"

"Is she up, cause she will be in like thirty seconds!" Penny's high pitched voice made me freeze.

"Oh no." I groaned.

"Oh yes," Cain smirked. "Have fun!"

He disappeared as Penny came running in and jumping the bed, she grinned like a maniac down at me before collapsing into a hug.

"Surprise!".She squealed. "Miss me?"

"Of course, what are you doing here?"

"You've been so busy with your god friends, I just wanted to come and say hi and you need to do your thang and take us to Raya's in like ten minutes." She smiled, sitting back on her knees so I could move again. "Cain said you've had a lot going on, what does that mean exactly? He wasn't big on talking about it."

"Got kidnapped by Thor."

Her smile vanished. "I'm going to need more than that. You just name-dropped Thor like he's as unimpressive as Chris down at the local cafe."

"He's dead now." I shrugged.

"Wow. You've reached this level of no fucks given." Her nervous laugh matched the uncomfortable look on her face as I remembered I was back in my world. "Well I mean, Apollo is your ex, Hades was your own powered up personal trainer, you killed Zeus and I'm sure if, um, I dunno, Gaia or Ganesh walked by you'd be like, oh hey!"

I wasn't sure where she was going with all of that, but I also couldn't resist biting back.

"Gaia? Yeah, I met her like a week ago, you shouldn't have missed the family dinner." I saw the exact moment her brain exploded. "Don't worry, she wasn't there but you could have been first to hear all about it."

"Oh." She swallowed awkwardly. "We should, ah, go see Raya. She's waiting."

Now I felt bad, I shocked her into using her inside voice.

Sure enough, we're soon at Raya's place. Our sudden appearance did nothing other than delight Olivia who ran straight to me, arms up and ready to be cuddled.

"Boo!" She squealed excitedly, covering my eyes as I knelt down to grab hold of her. "See, Boo!"

I pretended to bite her little hands as they explored my face, keeping an eye on Penny who went and sat on the sofa as if in a trance.

"Liv, not the eyes," Raya warned, right as I nearly got a finger or three in mine. "Penny, you okay?"

Raya shot me a worried look and I gave her a little shrug before scooping up Olivia. "What's your Mum done with my baby! Where is baby Olivia?"

"No baby, in tum tum." She patted her belly before wriggling free of my arms and rushing to Raya. "My Mummy."

"She killed Thor," Penny said simply, pointing at me.

"Thor?" Raya gave a similar nervous laugh as to the sound Penny had made earlier. "God of Thunder, Thor?"

"Kara killed him, not me."

"How could either of you?" Raya gasped. "I only watched the second one a couple of nights ago too."

"First up, real Thor not that great. Secondly, kidnapped me with plans to do a bit of your death is my death may we never part marriage thing, and thirdly, really not up to the movie standard at all." I pointed out, taking the book Olivia now handed to me. "Oh, a Hungry Caterpillar. Aunty Elise is a bit like the hungry caterpillar. I'd like a bite of cake, and a litre of any alcohol, and a cheeseburger, and that pear looks nice."

Oliva led me over to her tiny baby sofa and sat down, patting the space beside her.

"Why doesn't she ask me to read to her?" Penny pouted, snapping out of her trance.

"Because, and I say this as nice as possible Pen, Elise is her favourite." Raya sighed, rolling out a fit ball to sit on as she rubbed her belly. "Just, let it be. Now, tell us what's been going on since I last saw you and leave nothing out. My life is as exciting as the next Dora episode so come on, I want the blood, the gore, and whatever else you're willing to share."

"Is this my future?" Penny looked between us. "Stay at home Mum while fighting for favourite Aunty status?"

"It's kind of your present, minus the baby." Raya smirked, only her tone softened slightly as Penny glared at her. "It is? You're hardly out anymore. You were saying before how few missions you and Colton have been doing lately. You've got your own place to make into a home now, that takes up a lot of time. Face it, things are different for all of us now, and I know Keiran is out more than he has to be to make up for it. Ailin isn't assigning him anything for a reason, yet he's still out there. His life is changing again, with two, I won't be able to handle as much as I did on my own with just Liv. He is trying to hold onto that part of him for as long as he can. It seems like you two are more willing to let it go."

"We're just being picky with who we work with and taking it slow post honeymoon." Penny defended. "Ailin isn't blocking work from us. Why would she?"

Raya looked surprised for a second. "You're right. She wouldn't do that, it's probably just quiet at the moment and all the good stuff gets picked up before you get to see it."

"The Van Helsings seem quick to get their name stamped on everything too." Penny rolled her eyes. "Fuck the Van Helsings."

"That seems a little, hostile?" I ask, earning a growl from Olivia. "Sorry. On Monday, he ate through one apple."

"Michael and Nigel had it out a couple of weeks ago. Colton broke them up and got a black eye in the process." Raya quickly filled me in.

"One sausage, one cupcake and one piece of watermelon. Mmm, yummy!" I pointed at the watermelon, and Olivia did the same. "Who's Michael?"

"Colton's best friend?" Penny huffed.

"Oh, isn't his name Daniel?" I tried to think about him, remembering more details about his suit at the wedding than anything else until I saw Penny's face. "I'm kidding. Relax. Have some watermelon. Down with the Van Helsings."

The plate of watermelon that appeared on the table earnt a big oh sound from Olivia and storytime was replaced by snack time instead. That was how the rest of the afternoon went, Raya watching Penny and I fight for Olivia's love, as we caught up on everything that we'd all been missing the last few weeks.

"Once we stop the Furies, I promise I'll be a better friend." I sighed, gently stroking Olivia's back as she slept on my lap a couple of hours later. "I'm sorry we missed Coltons' birthday party, and I wish I could help you more while Keiran is away."

"Don't worry about us. We got this all handled, just look after yourself." Raya ordered.

"Yeah, so you know, you actually do come back to us when it's over. I reckon Kara will be putting up a good argument for you to stay in their world though. She is already isn't she?" Penny hid the tension in her voice terribly. "But this is your home. We're your people. This is where you belong."

I nodded, forcing a smile. They were my people and this is my home, but there was no denying, the other realm was calling and I had a feeling it always would now. I was of two worlds, but which one did I truly belong to?

"Crap, I gotta run. Elise, can you do your magic thing to get me home, please? I told my husband I'd be home by five to help him prep for dinner. We have his Uncle coming over tonight, while he's in town." She blushed slightly. "Elise, don't get killed. Raya, talk to your daughter about why I should be her favourite."

"Bye Penny," I did my magic thing and she was gone. "I forgot how exhausting she can be."

"She's bored. The jobs she's been doing are super basic, but I think it's Colton not Ailin behind it. He seemed so paranoid last time I saw him. At the moment, the less he knows about the Other Realm and the gods, the better." Raya frowned. "Penny is at least able to have a conversation about it all, but it freaks her out sometimes. I can't talk to her about it though. She just gets on the defence."

"Subtle request I do it?"

"No, it's their issue. I'm sure it'll work out." She brought over two cups of coffee and sat beside me. "Being kidnapped is pretty intense"

"It was. I have Deimos to thank for most of it. He is the prime example of how arrogant they can all be. He refused to train with me one on one once because he is never without his power and has no use for a weapon or to practice. Super magical, power blocking cuffs, but can get the locks picked with the right tool. They didn't stand a chance once I had my powers back."

"I bet it would have been amazing to see."

"That's what Cain said."

"And he's okay, after everything?"

"I guess. We haven't really had a chance to talk about it all. He slept while I couldn't and then I finally went to sleep, when he was awake. Now here I am." I sighed, sipping the coffee. "Are you okay with it, I'm okay if you're not. I can tone it down if you need me too."

"No, never do that. Not with me. I'm completely fine. Do you think I'd be so chill with you guys around Olivia if I had an issue? It's not been easy, but I just kind of see it as another faction in our crazy world. Vampires. Werweolves. Demons. Gods. Just another day." She smiled, patting my shoulder. "You're looking different though."

"Is that a nice way to say I look like shit?"

Raya laughed, shaking her head. "You look older. Calmer. The usual anxiety that you carry is missing. Maybe getting rid of Thor was the purge you needed?"

"I don't think so. Had a five am chat with Portia that might have helped.We need to get the Furies sorted out, and the Fates. I just want to sit here with you and be a hungry caterpillar, until Blueberry arrives." I adjust Olivia slightly, which makes her twitch and stretch so shes now got her head on my lap and her little body spread out between me and Raya. "Is Keiran okay, are you good with everything?"

She rubbed her hands over her tattooed arms, her jaw clenching slightly as the Hunter within made a rare reappearance.

"I love where I'm at, honestly. These babies are my life. They were Keiran's idea and yet, where is he now? I liked our life before this too. Being on the road, the travel, the hunting. I miss it, I just guess that our priorities are different now. I'm different now. You grow together, or you grow apart. It's hard, but change usually is."

"Whatever you need Raya, I'm here for you," I promise, not knowing what else to say.

"I know." Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes and it breaks my heart.

"And you've tried talking to him?"

"Apparently I don't understand. I'm just as much of a Hunter as he is, we've spent more of our lives together than apart, but I don't understand." She shrugs, leaning down to push back Olivia's hair from her face. "I know what I am missing out on, not being out there with him. I don't think he has a clue what he is missing by not being here."

I held her hand, and we just quietly for a few minutes until there was a knock at her door. Raya slowly got up, careful of Olivia and cautiously I felt out for any risk or danger. Sensing Cain, I was confused as to what he was doing.

"Come in, what are you doing out here?" Raya asked, her words matching my thoughts.

"I wasn't sure if I was interrupting anything. I can come back?"

"No, of course not." Raya was smiling now as she came in, Cain looking out of place behind her.

"Why didn't you just, come in?" I asked. It wasn't like he hadn't before.

"It felt heavy in here like you needed the privacy." He stood awkwardly by the sofa as Raya sat back down.

"It's getting late, did you guys want to stay for dinner?" Raya offered.

The question was all over his face and I nodded. "We'd love to."

Olivia chose then to wake up and at seeing Cain, she climbed back onto me to glare at him. Only as he moved his hand from behind his back, and a snake teddy that looked an awful lot like Alfie appeared, I was forgotten as she couldn't get to him quick enough to take it.

"That's cheating!" I pointed out.

"You should know I don't like to play fair." He taunted, a not so subtle wink sent my way.

Jerk.

We ended up by the pool, eating burgers and talking about trivial things like the use of technology and guns, over swords and then powers. Raya told us about Ailins recent visit, and the highlights on the Network such as the mention of a break-in at a remote, archiving site that had been previously kept off the books. We discussed the Bachelorette and the severe lack of right matches, while Cain entertained Olivia with basic magic tricks and pulling bunnies out of hats.

"Thanks for staying." Raya refilled our glasses of lemonade before sitting down to watch Cain and Olivia. "This has been so nice, and by the way. If those rabbits don't magically disappear the same way they appeared, it won't be happening again."

"Wow, something smells great." Keiran greeted as he came down the stairs.

"What are you doing home?" Raya didn't hide her surprise, and Keiran pretended not to notice as he gave Cain a wave.

"Hey Bunting." He smiled, before leaning down to kiss Raya. "Sorry babe. I was going to call but decided to surprise you. Is that okay?"

"Well yeah, of course." She kissed him again. "There's plenty left over."

Keiran looked over the table and nodded. "Looks like my timing was perfect then."

"How was it?" I asked him.

"Easy. New wolf pack trying to set up a bigger territory. Guess the days of the leeches and mutts working together are over. Thank the gods for that!" He laughed. "I'll be back, one sec."

He headed over to Olivia who forgot all about the rabbits and instead started to cry as she saw her Dad. She stopped quickly as he planted a bunch of kisses all over her face, and as the three of them joined us, he was all she could focus on. Keiran being there felt right, and a peace settled over Raya that had been missing earlier.

"We should go," I decided a little while later.

"Thank you. I really needed this." Raya whispered as we hugged.

"Please don't think I'm ever too busy for you."

"I know, Take care of yourself."

"You too."

Cain took my hand as we walked up the stairs, and as we went inside, it was our home we entered. I turned to face him, instantly stepping into his arms.

"Did you have a good afternoon?" He asked, my answer delayed as his mouth claimed mine.

I didn't want to answer as I pulled him closer. The smell of the smoke from the grill lingered on his clothes, which distracted me for a second as my stomach flipped with unease. The burning house flickered to the front of my mind, and his shirt had to go. Now Cain smelt clean, the slightly spicy, woodsy scent of his body wash mixing with cologne was hot on his skin and with my nose against his neck, I breathed it in.

"I hate what you do to me." I managed to get out, hungrily reclaiming his mouth as I find myself suddenly sitting on the kitchen bench. My legs wrap around his body, not giving him the space to move away; not that I thought he would.

"What do I do to you?" He asked, the husky edge to his voice making me shiver.

"Own me."

I felt his smile against my lips before I gasped at the shock of the cold stonetop on my now bare back. It lasted barely a second before it was replaced with the familiar softness of our bed, and an hour later we worked out the feeling was completely mutual.

"You said there was a couple of reasons for waking me up earlier, what was the second part?" I asked, completely melted beside Cain and nearly asleep until the question decided to pop back into my brain.

"Oh. Yeah. That" Cain yawned, "Hermes came just before Penny. Kara was waiting for more information, but Artemis's huntresses may have found something."

Now I was awake, my earlier endorphins dying at record speed. "What did they find?"

"I don't know, Art had gone to join them. No one knew anything more than that." He yawned again. "Sleep."

"But-"

"Sleep."

"You went over there?"

"I went back with Hermes, yes. Kara was planning on joining Art if it turned into anything. When we go tomorrow, they'll tell us everything then." Cain sighed, his lips on my forehead as I could feel him looking at me. "Please Elle, get some sleep. Rest. If you are awake, we can continue what we just started. I'll never get enough of you saying my name when-"

"As much as I'd love that, I don't think I can move. Even if I wanted to go there right now I can't. So, you win. Sleep. Then we go, after breakfast."

"As you wish."

"You agreed way too easy." I pointed out, my eyes already closing. "If it were the other way around, I would have thrown in more requests or something."

"What can I say, you own me too."