Chapter 8: Back Plus One
It was a weird sensation. It felt like they were being stretched in all directions yet being squeezed. In a flash, it was over.
Dakota was the first to open his eyes and recover. "We're back!" He gasped. His brothers rolled on their floor groaning as they slowly got their bearings. "Great... Let's never do that again..." Luke mumbled getting to his feet. "Diana!!" He cried, seeing her limp form sprawled out next to Marc and Victor who were also awake.
His cry got the attention of the rest of his brothers and they stumbled over. Sean knelt next to her, taking some vital checks. "North, my medical bag. I need it." He instructed face pinched in concentration. North nodded jerkily, and ran to get the bag.
"Her pulse. It's weak. Vic, Marc you okay?" He asked hurriedly. "Yeah, we're good. She saved us..." Marc mumbled. "And now; we save her." Owen said determinedly, staring at her bleeding form, a spear in her side.
North returned with the bag and Sean rummaged through, grabbing some vials and tools. "Right. I'll need you to heat this up till it is red hot. " He instructed passing his scalpel to Raven. "I need wet warm washcloths. A basin, with hot water. A pillow for her head so that she doesn't choke and I'll need one of your belts for her to bite down on. Gabriel, hair tie, to keep her hair out of the way. Marc, Victor, I want you both to rest, so drink lots of water till I can come over and check you out!"
The boys moved quickly intent on saving Diana. With all the required items on hand, Sean nodded. "Now you'll need to hold her down, okay? She'll thrash and because I don't know how she'll respond to anesthetics so I'm not giving her any. Owen, I need you to link up with her. Communicate, soothe her, calm her." Owen pressed his fingers to her sweaty temple and closed his eyes in concentration. "Ready?" He asked. Everyone nodded in concentration.
With steady hands, he pressed the scalpel to her side. Her body arched and she let out a choked gasp. Her eyes frantically searched her surroundings and found the men surrounding her. You were hit Diana, by one of the spears. Sean's working to take it out of you right now.
Hm. She snorted mentally. Not worth it... She told them all, before passing out from the pain once more. "Sean?" Owen asked, worried. "Almost....." His brother responded absently, his focus on Diana. With a sigh, he tossed the spear aside and began stitching her up. A few tense moments later, he snipped the thread."There, I've done what I could. She's lucky that it didn't hit any vital organs or arteries. Now, recovery's up to her really. We've done the best. "
"Are none of us seeing the.... scars?" Luke spoke up
The other guys watched in shock as a sort of glamor dissipated from her skin exposing some scars on her arms and torso. "She must have had some sort of skin glamor on this whole time...?" Axel mused, eyes dark with anger.
"Oh, enough with all your bimbo moments" Gabriel scolded, placing a thick blanket over her. "Give the girl some space. She saved all our sorry asses and almost got killed during it. Does that warrant all your questions and stares?" he asked raising a brow. He rolled his eyes "Don't answer, okay. C'mon let's not crowd her okay?"
"Y'all should go sleep. It's been a long long day" Sean commented.
"Da. I will be sleeping next to our beauty". Raven said, shucking his shirt.
"JESUS, Raven, don't strip! I guess I'll stay here too, to watch them." Brandon decided, his hand half over his eyes.
"I guess that I'll sleep here too...too lazy to move up" Victor said, settling on some blankets.
"In that case-" Nathan started
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "OKAY we get it. Everyone's gonna sleep here with her, since no one seems to want to leave." He eyed his brothers who avoided his eyes and started settling themselves around her.
A series of "good nights" went around and the brothers settled in. Gosh it was good to be back.
---------Next Morning-----------
Diana's POV
I knew that there was something wrong with me. I'd been injured somewhere, somehow. I blearily blinked open my eyes, trying to gauge where I was and what had happened. My side felt a little numb, and weird, so gingerly I lifted a hand to my side. I cringed when I felt the thick bandage around the area, and the slight twinge of pain when I poked it. "Ah-ah. Don't do that" A gentle voice scolded. A blond curly haired head popped into my vision."Hey sleepyhead." He chirped quietly.
I started to sit up and he helped me do so. I noticed that there was a mass of bodies around us, still in slumber. "W-what h-appened" I rasped. "Well the rest are gonna be on your case for injuring yourself like that. We made it back to our home, thanks to you...So, welcome to my humble abode, I guess" He rambled. "Shut up, Sean, we all live here." A pillow was tossed at the blondie's head. He ducked effortlessly. "Freeloaders" Sean muttered jokingly.
He stood, offering me his hand. "Let's get you cleaned up?" He offered. I nodded slowly, taking his hand in mine as I stood gradually. Sean was staring at me."What?" I asked slightly defensive. "For someone who should be in serious pain, you're acting pretty normal" He observed, leading me out of the communal room, cautiously stepping over bodies and limbs.
"Oh, this is just a scratch," I muttered, walking into the bathroom that he'd shown me to. He raised an eyebrow. "There was a spear inside of you. You're lucky to be alive!" He ranted. "Am I?" I snapped, and shut the door on his face.
I tugged at the gold cuff on my hand. "Motherfucker," I cursed quietly, trying every destruction spell that I knew. It wouldn't budge. And I knew that the gleaming gold, and it's other 14 replicas were here to stay for a long while.
I got into the shower, and thoroghly cleansed myself of all the dirt and grime. Judging by the movements and sounds coming from outside the bathroom's door, I could tell that more of the brothers had awoken. Surely, they couldn't be related by blood. Has to be some sort of team of men, that were close enough to be called brothers., I mused. I conjured up an oversized t-shirt, with some new underwear and booty shorts. I wouldn't wear that cursed outfit if I could help it. The shirt and undies combo made me feel more at peace and calm, given the situation.
"Diana" I jumped at the sudden voice in my head. I was so not used with people talking to me like this. "DON'T fucking scare me" I sent back, facepalming when I realized that I'd broadcasted my thought to all of them, instead of just Owen. "Well, Diana, you can't hide in the bathroom forever!" Luke? whined. "Watch me." I snarked, playing with my hair.
The door clicked open. I gaped, as Luke smirked peering in. "Aw you're all dressed up," he pouted. His head tilted down, as Jorth?Morth? smacked him on the head. "Thanks for the help, Morth, but I can handle myself." I said, walking by both of them. Luke fell onto the fall, clutching his stomach as he laughed. "M-morth! She just called you MOrth!" He guffawed. Morth-whose name was not Morth- glared at his brother and then me. I shrugged and continued to the kitchen. I was hungry. "Give her some space" I heard Owen's voice somewhere.
I took some potatoes, sliced them using my magic and heated up a pan of oil. "Whatcha doing?" A blue eyed cutie asked over my shoulder. "Seriously, where are you all coming from?" I grumbled, placing the slices into the hot oil. "Where's your salt?" I asked, blue-dude. He handed it to me." Name's Brandon" he offered. I nodded my head.
Honestly, given the amount of pain I was in, I really couldn't care less if they decided to punish me for disobedience. Maybe then, I'd finally be left to die. Frying up the chips, I tossed more into the pan, uncaring as some of the hot oil, splattered on my hand. "Oi be careful!" Gabriel yelled. I turned my gaze to his. "Seriously? You and I both have experienced pain worse than hot oil splatters." I drawled, rendering him speechless.
I turned back to my chips, watching as they browned and turned crispy. I took a random plate lying around (boys) and transferred the fries over. I took a handful and stuffed the salty treats into my mouth, uncaring that it was kinda hot.
I took pity on Gabriel who was staring at my fries longingly. "Have some" I offered, rolling my eyes a little. He lunged forward and took one, slowly munching on it. "This is pretty good..what is it?" He asked, taking another. Brandon had come forward too, and helped himself to a couple. "This is good," he agreed. "Wait, you've never had fries??" I asked. "Fries? Is that what these are" Gabriel muttered in fascination, holding one up. The plate was almost empty. And Brandon's mouth kept moving.
"Do you mind, if I made more?" I asked slowly, not wanting to push my luck. "Babe, you don't gotta ask" Brandon said over a mouthful. I giggled, making both of them stare at me. I clamped my mouth. "So, I will call the rest?" I asked, lifting a finger to my bracelet. Gabriel nodded, him and Brandon staring intently at each other as they kept 1 eye on the last fry. "Gentlemen, your brothers would like it if you could join them in the kitchen, now." I sent out to the rest. Focussing back on the duo in front I grinned. I reached out, and grabbed the last piece, popping it into my mouth."Diaaanaaaa!" Gabriel whined. I stilled, turning my widened eyes to Gabriel. Fuck, had I pushed them? "I'm sorry!" I said, kneeling on one knee. "Oh, hey, um, he isn't upset, Diana" Brandon reassured, pulling me up.
"I'm sorrryyyyy" Gabriel pouted, pulling me in for a hug. "I want a huggg" Luke cried joining us. I wiggled until they let me go. "Right, so uh, more fries?" I said dazed. "Fries?" Luke asked puzzled. "Oh, you'll LOVE it. And North can't say anything, 'cause it is made from potatoes!!" Gabriel cheered. I huffed at their childishness, and watched as the others came trickling in.
Seeing that it would take too much time to make a new batch by hand, I used my magic to hurry the process along. Being around them strengthened my magic, I realized, eyeing my gold cuff. In a flurry of ingredients and plenty of salt later, there was a mountain of fries sitting in front of us. I took one, and munched on it, giving the rest the go ahead to have some as well.
In no time, almost, it was finishing. Even North, who I gathered was a health conscious guy, would grab handfuls.His brothers didn't mention it but I could tell by the amused looks they were passing each other, that it was something to be remembered.
"Uhm, so thanks, I guess, for this. " I started awkwardly, gesturing feebly to my side. "You really don't have to thank us sweetheart" The one with the accent rumbled. "Right, thanks,dude" I said gesturing to him. "Raaven" he said, grabbing another fry. Right Raven. God, all these names. How am I gonna like scream them all? Wait, Diana, WHAT! Bad thoughts, bad thoughts.
"So! I'm gonna get out of your hair. If you need anything all you gotta do is tap the cuff and say my name. It can't ever be removed, so don't try. And, uh, don't ever, tell people about me or the cuff." I said, ticking off the list on my fingers. I made to move out of the kitchen. "Whoa whoa Princess, we can't let you leave and be out there by yourself!" Nathan protested. "Uh, yes you can. And that's what I wanna do. I was being nice by not apparating out of here" I said rolling my eyes. "What's the cuff do?" Dakota called out. I stiffened. Great, now everyone's attention was on my reaction. "You're a smart man, Dakota" I said slowly. "But the cuff, is not of your concern right now. I'll do my best to get rid of it." I said, stroking the cuff we all had.
Suddenly loud knocking echoed through the house. I jumped, staring at them. "When did you have time to tell someone you're alive?!!" I hissed. "That's just it...We didn't." Sean said, looking cautious. "No one can know about me. Owen! I mean it! No one can know." I stressed, looking at the boys' leader. He nodded firmly. "No one will know, Diana. You have our word." Axel, gently pushed me in the direction of the stairs. "Go to the roof, Diana. Hide." He urged. "Any trouble and I will know. I will have to step in." I warned, tapping on the cuff to emphasize my point. "We'll keep it civil. " Axel agreed. "We'll try" Gabriel scoffed.
"Well, that's reassuring" I muttered, rushing up the stairs. The boys went to open the door. God damn it, who could it be!
-----CHAP 8------
AWH man guys hahah took me so long to get this one up!
Hope y'all are doing good!
CS <3
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