"Here you go," Lucius spoke quietly, offering me a steaming mug of coffee.

I inhaled deeply and felt bliss radiate through my body. After another sleepless night, it was like was like the nectar of the gods to me in that moment. I couldn't imagine anything which could taste so good or revive me so thoroughly.

"Is he still sleeping?" I asked, my eyes drifting up to the ceiling as if I could actually see through the layers to see the man resting in Danny's bedroom.

"It appears so."

Groaning loudly, Lucius settled himself beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. His fingers casually stroked down the exposed skin of my arm while he leant his head back on the sofa. I shivered at the casual touches. He had been doing it all week, sneaking in kisses and touches every chance he could. And when he thought I wasn't looking, he stared at me with fear. It was as if he was scared. Seeing him vulnerable was terrifying. He was always my source of strength even if I didn't tell him that very often.

"I'm worried about him. We escaped but I think he will be trapped in that hellhole for a long time." I murmured, my eyes staring blankly ahead.

"Are you talking about him or you? He's the one who is sleeping right now, you haven't slept since you were found."

I laughed darkly. "How can I? We're no closer to finding out who is behind it all. It's someone with money and they have other operations going. Yes, we have the public at the moment but the story will die all too soon and I'm sure the kidnappings will start again. What is to stop them taking us all again? We need to stop them and while we are doing that we need to ensure that they're all safe."

Turning to face Lucius, I hated the burden on his shoulders but there was no other choice. If we didn't, who would save them?

"I know, and I'm not arguing with you. But you are no help to anyone like this. Maybe I should get a witch in to send you into an enchanted sleep. Maybe that would help you?" He said it in a teasing tone, his hand carefully tickling my ribs but underneath it all I could sense that he was perfectly serious.

Shaking my head, I smiled softly up at him, placing a hand on his cheek as I did so. "Thank you."

"For what?"

Pressing my lips against his, inhaling his scent as I relished the warmth the simple contact caused within me. I could feel his surprise. Despite the easy way we had been touching and holding each other since out big moment earlier in the week, it was the first time I had initiated a kiss in the long week since our public display of affection.

"Thank you for being you." I whispered against his lips. "Thank you for caring about me."

"As if I could do anything else," he said with a laugh, pulling me closer to his body. "You're stuck with me and my caring for the rest your life and your afterlife too. I call dibs on that."

I laughed and buried my head in his chest. "You're an idiot. You know that right?"

"Maybe so, but I'm your idiot." He replied tiredly. "And you are mine."

I didn't usually like being treated like a possession but there was something primal with the way he growled those words, his arms tightening around my body as he did so. It felt right. I didn't question it. I already knew with we had been fated for one another but when someone complimented a person so well, completed their soul so wholly, it was petty to hold anger at the fate I had been assigned.

"Am I interrupting?" A quiet voice murmured.

I startled, lifting my gaze up to meet Caspar's. He looked better than he had a week ago and then so much worse. The swelling to his face had finally disappeared but the bruising had now transformed from dark purple, taking on a green tinge as the wounds started to heal. Big bags had now settled under his eyes and the damage wrought by the captors was obvious now that he was clean and in clothes which now fit his malnourished form.

"No, not at all." I replied instantly, leaning my head away so that Lucius was unable to kiss me again. "We thought you were sleeping."

Caspar shook his head, his hand coming up to scratch at his newly shorn white blonde hair.

"I tried but the dreams."

I nodded my head. "I understand. Me too." I held up my coffee cup in answer. "There's plenty in the kitchen."

"Thanks." He replied, turning on his heel and disappearing into the kitchen as quietly as he had come.

"Of course," I murmured but the young man made no sign that he had even heard me.

"He'll be okay. It will just take time."

"I hope you're right. I hate seeing him this way."

Pressing a kiss to my forehead, I soaked in the comfort of Lucius' hold. Our peace wouldn't last for much longer. Castiel and the rest of the Fallen were due to arrive at any moment. Our search for the one responsible was still in the early stages. Other than knowing the bank balance behind it all had enough spare cash to run and equip several torture sites, I only knew that the man words a gaudy ring. It wasn't a lot to go on.

Almost like my thoughts had conjured them, Caspar has only just returned with his mug of coffee before the doorbell rang. He waved me back down when I attempted to rise from the chair.

"I'll get it."

A few seconds there were greeting and then my house was overly full. Lucius and I would need a mansion with an open ballroom if our home was going to be big enough for everyone. Especially as we seemed to have a knack for adopting every orphan and stray we came across.

The delicious scent of pizza filled the air making my mouth water and my stomach ache. I had been on a light yet high calorie diet all week in an attempt to regain what I had lost during my week of captivity. The smell of cheesy pizza with meat sprinkled on top almost had me drooling.

"There better be pizza there for me."

"Of course," Castiel stated, setting the boxes down onto the coffee table before taking a seat on the floor. "We even brought some for your guest."

He lifted his gaze to Caspar and gave a nod of greeting. And then he paused, a frown forming between his brows as he stared up at the pale skinned your man. The look was there for a few moments before he shook his head and scratched at the back of his neck.

Looking as Lucius, I gave him a look but he just shrugged. He was just as clueless as I was.

Every grabbed a slice of pizza before finding a place to sit.

There had been no meetings since Caspar had arrived on the scene and I hadn't explained what the rest of them were to him. It felt wrong to share information about the others but I knew that the young man wouldn't go running for the hills and share all of our secrets to the press. It was why I hadn't asked him to leave the room. I was just following my instinct. He needed to be here. He was a part of this. I had no idea how but there was a destiny yet to unfold and it was going to come to pass sooner rather than later.

I bit into the cheesy, meaty pizza and sighed in delight. It was beautiful. My taste buds tingled in happiness to be given something other than bland and nutritious.

"So where do we start?" Castiel asked as he removed the pizza boxes from the table and placed sheets of white paper on to the table.

"We know whoever it is funding this has money. I was wearing a blindfold but I managed to see his ring. If I saw it again I would know it." I cut in first before the men could start talking battle strategy.

"He's associated with the government t in some way." Casper added quietly, his pizza long forgotten in his hands while his mind took him back to the place. "He's got friends in high places."

"And there are at least two other sites where captives are being held."

"There were three others initially. They were forced to shut one down when the prisoners revolted and set fire to the buildings. It killed them and their guards. There were no survivors." The fair haired man added while his eyes were dark and haunted. "The Doctor wasn't happy. His brother was killed in the blaze. He was bad before but after the death of his kin he was mad. Things got a lot worse after that."

Binah came to stand at Caspar's side and without a word took the pizza from his grasp and set it back in the empty box before slipping her hand in his. He glanced over at her and nodded his head before setting his gaze back on to the paper.

"We need to look for links to the shelter. That's how some of the victims were taken. The doctor ran it and we may be able to find out if any of the others have been taken."

"No contact from the police yet about the guard then."

I shook my head. "Shipper said that the guard was in a coma. Someone had shot both of the guards at point blank range. It's a miracle the bastard even lives." I hated myself from even thing it and hated myself for uttering the next words. "I hope he dies. He doesn't deserve life. Not after what he did to the women. What he tried to do to little Keir and Miki. He was a revolting man who deserves nothing more than to be rotting in Tartarus like the Mad Doctor is. I hope Hades gives him the hell he deserves."

"Hades?" Caspar asked casually, his hand still wrapped around Binah's. she was a grounding presence and I hoped that she could do something to help the poor guy.

"You know, Lord of the Underworld and all that jazz." I replied, waving my hand through the air casually.

"Hey, he's not the Lord you should be caring about. I'm the only Lord of the underworld you should be paying any attention to." Lucius pouted from my side.

Rolling my eyes, I laughed at him. "I'm sorry, My Lord."

"Much better."

I shook my head as the others laughed at us. The only human in our group just looked bewildered.

"None of you are human, are you?" Caspar asked, his eyes showing the truth even before he got his answer.

"Got it in one."

His mouth dropped open but fortunately he didn't start screaming and run for the door. He ran a hand through his hair and before dropping it back down to his side as if he was not too sure what to do with it.

"Wow, even though I suspected it I wasn't expecting you to just come right out and admit it." Casper exclaimed, his eyes roving over each us and then shaking his head in disbelief.

"There was no point denying what you already knew." Lucius pointed out before putting on his Devil face. "I would highly recommend that you do not advertise the information you are now privy too. I can personally make certain your hereafter is more than a little comfortable."

He grinned malevolently at the younger man causing Casper to shift awkwardly from foot to foot his gaze dropping away as he nodded. I thrust my elbow into Lucius' stomach.

"Stop it Lucius, we want him to like us and you're just going to ruin everything." I chastised before smiling at the newcomer to our group. "Sit down and get to know everyone. I promise they don't bite."

Nodding his head, Casper perched on the edge of a chair. Binah released his hand as he did so, giving him a nod and smile before moving seamlessly around the room. Within a few moments she was standing at my side, smiling softly about the room.

"Is everything okay Binah?" I asked softly, taking her hand in mine when I noted the crease forming between her brows. There were too many frowns – far too many.

"Do you think I could speak with you alone?" she murmured, her eyes wandering for a moment before coming back to me.

She was dressed sedately today. Her beautiful, colourful and intricate saris had been replaced by a dark muted blue. It was no less beautiful and flattering on her form but it was like the fabric represented the mood within her soul.

"I have some matters to discuss with you," she said, lowering her voice so that only Lucius and I could hear. "Ones I would rather be kept between us."

I did not miss the meaning behind her words, nor miss the pointed look in her eyes as she did so.

"Sure, give me a moment and I'll meet you in the kitchen." I replied, giving her a smile. On the inside I felt sick.

There was no doubt what this would be about – her retirement. As it would result in her death, I was scared to face the reality that very soon I could be losing one of the few remaining friends that I had. Other than Kirsten, my only company were men. Calantha, as wonderful as she was, spent the majority of her life underground as she was quite literally a descendent of the earth and there were just some things she could not relate to.

Turning to Lucius, I smiled but it was somewhat strained. The beautiful man, who knew me so well, focused in on my fake smile and immediately frowned.

"Is everything okay?" He whispered, doing his best not to draw attention from the others.

Leaning forwards I pressed my lips against his even as I felt the guilt starting to resurface within me. "Just give me a few minutes. Binah needs me right now."

Kissing him once more, I held the contact as long as I could in an attempt to draw in all of the comfort and strength I could. When I couldn't put it off any longer, I pushed up off of the sofa and wandered through the house to the kitchen.

Binah stood at the sink. Her head was bowed and her arms were buried deep in sudsy water as she cleaned the dishes. I shook my head but picked up the tea towel and stood at her side.

With soft spoken words, she acknowledged my arrival without turning her head. "Sorry for taking over, I just needed something to take my mind off it all."

I shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Sometimes the only way to work through a problem is to do something which requires no thought just movement."

Binah snorted and it took a few minutes to register why. I giggled and swatted at her arm.

"You've been hanging around with Lucius too much. You're picking up his sense of humour."

"I don't think it's a bad thing." Binah replied before lapsing into silence.

We didn't say much more than that for a few minutes, the two of us just working side by side.

Finally, Binah broke the comfortable quiet. "He's the one."

I turned to look at her but the woman's gaze was locked on the world outside of the window.

"Who is the one?" I asked.

"The boy is the one. I can sense it within him. He is the one who will take my place." She finally pulled her gaze so she could bestow a smile upon me.

With that one look, I was undone. As much guilt as I felt for helping Binah with her problem and keeping it from Lucius, the look of hope and relief on her face made it real.

"Caspar?"

She nodded. "He's not ready yet. He needs to heal from his traumas first but he is the right one for the role. He has an inner strength to him born from his paternal bloodline."

"And what does that mean?"

"Do you not recognise the similarities in their souls? Him and his father that is."

I shook my head. "Now you have lost me – completely."

"You'll see soon enough if you use your eyes." She teased, her eyes twinkling as she nudged me with her elbow.

"Tease."

"I want to thank you for this. I know it goes against everything within you to keep things hidden from Lucius."

Dropping the sodden dish towel onto the counter, I turned and pulled the woman into a hug.

"Any time," I promised. In my soul I knew it was the truth. As much as I hated lying to Lucius, Binah deserved to be happy too.

My stomach churned. The moment my friend longed for and I dreaded was coming faster than I had ever hoped.