The next few hours fly by as I leave campus to get dressed.

I drive back to oversee the setup of the booths and the quad.  Leon is gracious enough to get in touch with a few of his students to help with setting up the booths and decorating the quad. My nerves are settled after the booths and information are clear.

Besides the booths, the quad is decorated with hanging purple streamers and fairy lights. The group made a banner with the name of the course, The Occult Audit, which took a hell of a lot of arguing to get approved.

When the decorations are set and I thoroughly thank the students, I dismiss them. They inform me that they will be staying for the demonstration. It reassures me that the event may turn out better than my worst fears.

I've long feared Dean Jaffe's faith may have been a little misplaced.

People arrive in droves. Dean Jaffe and I greet as many people as possible before the sheer amount overwhelms me. The quad is packed to the brim with visitors and students. Dean Jaffe is overjoyed with the turnout.

The dean suggests I take a break and mingle to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Mingling leads me to a booth about Djinn, where Leon is pouring through the informational booklets. He congratulates me again and informs me that he had no idea there was such lore attached to Djinns.

We are joined by Eric, Diego, Sierra, and Mori. Each of them offers their own congratulations. It fills me with a warm feeling to have my closest friends with me to share in the moment.

"So, your freaky knowledge of the supernatural is finally coming in handy." Eric jokes.

"As opposed to all the supernatural situations it's helped out with before?" Sierra asks.

"All of this is real, isn't it?" Diego asks. "Mermaids and vampires? The chupacabra?"

"Afraid so. Look on the bright side, there is no longer a demon feeding on the fear of innocent people. I'd say that's a mark in the 'win' column."

"That's--something. I guess you're right. It's just strange knowing that all of this stuff is real."

"Welcome to our world." Sierra laughs. "Aud sends her best. She got stuck on a new project at work."

Mori suggests we 'soak up some knowledge' as she leads us around the booths. Seeing people taking an interest in all the information we have laid out gives me a great feeling. Every person seems genuinely interested in what they are reading.

Leon is the only one in our group not buzzing from booth to booth. He lags and I stop to join him. It takes him a whole minute before he looks up at me.

"Sorry, it was--something that couldn't wait."

"Right. Something."

"But it was nothing that should supersede your big night."

"It's okay. It seems really important to you. You were completely zoned out."

"It has to do with my research into Theogony. The hidden text I found a couple of months ago. Well, I was having trouble deciphering some of its texts but something in one of the booths reminded me of a cypher used in studies with dead languages." Leon buzzes.

"One day, someone should study your brain."

"Yes, well. In the text, it mentions the resurgence. I'm guessing a revitalized portion of the war of the gods. It states that the remainder of the war will be fought via proxies, but it gives only scarce details on who or what those proxies will be, just that they are lesser. But what's lesser to them?"

"To Gods? Everyone."

Leon points to the booth with literature on demigods. "The Gods thought everyone was below them, yes, but only some were decidedly lesser. Lesser denotes they are still of some importance."

"So, you think the next time on Dragonball Z, it'll be demigods versus who exactly?" I ask.

Leon purses his lips in frustration. "That is another portion of the text I have yet to decipher. I apologize. This is your big night. I didn't mean to bring up my research.

I squeeze his shoulder. "This is important to you. And I love hearing about mythology, though it's a little scary when you start talking about Godly wars and dead languages."

Leon smiles brightly. It might be the biggest smile I have ever seen from him, and it is contagious. We are interrupted when someone calls my name.

Nanoki passes Leon and runs into my arms. She squeezes me so tight I black out for half a second. Small particles in my vision corroborate my lack of oxygen. Her roommate Sarah trails behind her.

Leon politely excuses himself back to the group, who are at a booth about werewolves a few feet away.

Nanoki launches into a series of questions quickly followed by a recap of her life since our escape from Anarch's realm. The list includes reuniting with her family and friends as well as catching up on schoolwork. Sarah watches silently as Nanoki rattles on.

"Don't worry! I told Sarah everything." Nanoki says without breathing. "Well, what I can remember."

"I did not believe her at first. The more she repeated the story, the more it started to make sense. When she mentioned you, it sparked a memory of us talking in the quad."

"Yeah, about that--"

"It's okay. I understand."

"I'm glad you're both alright. Sounds like you're thriving. You're actually one of the first people that was stuck there that I've met since we got out. Have you talked to any of the other survivors?"

"Of course! We meet a couple of times a week. It would be awesome if you could stop by one of our seshes. Everyone thinks you're a superhero. You did fly, if I remember correctly."

"David said as much, too."

"David? The blonde guy? He doesn't really come to the meetings. I don't really remember running into him a lot in Hell. That's what we call it. But there were a lot of us there and we were all pretty much divided and preoccupied."

"You'd never met David? He would have been there for at least three years."

"Yeah, weird, right? Poor guy. Maybe he'll come to a sesh. Hopefully he's talking to someone. I think it's important that we talk about it." Nanoki says.

"You're right, Nanoki."

"I don't want to monopolize you. Besides, after being held captive by a demon for months, I want to soak up all the supernatural knowledge I can in case I have a run-in with a vampire that doesn't sparkle."

I chuckle before embracing her again. Her bubbly demeanor is infectious. As she and Sarah leave, her words stick in my mind. She had never seen David in Anarch's realm until the night of the escape.

How is that possible?

There is little time to ponder as the Teresos arrive with their coven, including Avarie and Nate. Archer waves wildly, as if I could miss him. I waste no time in burying my face into his chest as we embrace.

I love his smell.

The hug lasts long enough to make the others noticeably uncomfortable. Avarie coughs to signal it's time for us to part. I thank the coven for coming before introducing them to my friends.

Mori acts as if they are mythical creatures. She honestly cannot stop staring at Avarie.

My friends and the Coven hit it off well. Nathan surprises with jokes directed towards Diego regarding "what happens" at Shadowfield. We all get a good chuckle out of Diego's inability to form coherent words.

Everyone is having a great time when Archer asks to speak with me alone. I oblige and lead him across the quad to the Administration building.

We find a quiet spot along the East corridor. The crowds from the demonstrations can scarcely be heard from so far away. I waste no in pushing him against the wall and invading his mouth with my own. It takes him by surprise but he catches on quickly.

Sensing the kiss heading into dangerous territory, I pull away from him. He attempts to prolong the kiss by extending himself forward, pressing his lips against mine. I place my hand against his chest and push him backwards against the wall.

"Sorry, I get so lost in you."

"Let's hope that never changes." I say.

"Does that mean you're coming back to Shadowfield tonight?"

"Do you want me to come back--"

"Yes. Literally always. I'm not on call tonight, either."

"No interruptions? This may just be my lucky night."

"Mine's luckier. I got my brother back, a smoking hot and super smart boyfriend, and I don't have to work tonight."

"I'm glad you came. To the demonstration, I mean."

Archer grins. "I wouldn't have missed your big night. Besides, now you'll have no excuse not to come to Shadowfield with me."

"You're way too excited. Are you planning on using me as a human sacrifice."

"In a way, yes."

"Are you going to eat my heart?"

"I'm going to devour you, so yes." He says. "You're a strange man."

"And you love that about me."

"I do. Love you, that is." Archer stammers.

Silence follows his declaration. Neither of us is sure what to say. Archer has been hinting that he feels strongly about me and he's even hinted that he wants me to move in. It's too soon for that.

Isn't it?

"You don't have to say it back. I just want you to know that I do love you. I want to put it out there."

"Relax, Arch. I love you, too."

"Thank God. For a minute there, I thought I made a fool out of myself."

"Why? Because you said it first? I admire you for being brave. It inspires me to be brave."

"No, because it's an honor to be loved by someone like you. You're brave and smart and kind. You're beautiful." Archer says. "And there's still a lot of my past that you don't know."

"And we'll get there. Whatever it is, I think I can deal."

Archer pulls me close to him and rests his head on my shoulders, whispering "I love you" in my ear.

His words take me by surprise in the best possible way. His patience and gentility with me are admirable, even when I am holding back. I don't fear whatever's in his past because we both have a past. He's a good man. I can feel it every time I look into his eyes.

The truth is I am holding back. I would love to fall into his arms and move in with him. Preferably not the gothic mansion, but anywhere with him.

There's just one problem he doesn't see coming.

We are being watched. The two of us are no longer alone. I ask him to return to our friends while I use the restroom. He offers to stay and I tell him I'll be right out. He plants a quick kiss on my lips before exiting, making me promise not to be too long.

I wait to hear the door slam before I dare to breathe. A gust of wind causes a draft. I feel him behind me before I ever turn to him. My worst fears become reality when my eyes find him.

The bubble I have been living in for the past couple of weeks bursts and I am standing firmly in the real world again.

"Congrats on your big night, Park. You always laughed when I suggested you become a teacher." Ambrose says.

"I think this qualifies as stalking. I moved to get away from you. What are you doing here?"

"Has it been so long that you have to ask?"

"I guess I should refine my question. What are you up to? You've clearly been up to something for months."

"You know me better than anyone in this entire world, don't you?"

"Your new villainous monologues are a little too vague for my liking. But I suppose this is better than hiding in my closet for months. That's a new one for you."

"And what if I didn't? You would be dead, lover."

"Don't call me that."

"Dead or lover?"

"Why did you save me, Ambrose? What sick little game are we playing?"

Ambrose disappears in front of my eyes. The coldness against my back tells me he has pressed himself against me. His cool lips brush against my ear. "Because we are not nearly done."

"You can leave. Right now. We don't have to do this. I don't want to do this."

"Oh, Parker, I can't leave now. No, what fun would that be? You see, now that we live in the same town once again, we'll be seeing a lot of each other. I can finally make good on my promise."

"Your promise?"

"If you ever left me--"

"You would rain chaos down on everything I love. I won't let you do that."

"You won't have a choice."

Once again, he vanishes into thin air. But it is not his sudden disappearance that leaves me rattled. The scariest part of our entire encounter is the moment it hits me.

Ambrose is here, and whatever his trap is, I have unknowingly stumbled right into it.