The Inferno

Chapter 10 The Problem

“I need your help.”

Alexis frowns with a spoon between her lips, her body dwarfed by a large hoodie that I know isn’t hers, her lilac eyes assessing my face for any clues whilst I shift uncomfortably on the sofa beside her.

It has been five days since I was last visited by Julien and Sai.

Five days of staring at the shadows, glancing over my shoulder and tensing at any sudden noise.

Five days since I was given that order.

Of course, my family had noticed my skittish behaviour but only Louise was bold enough to ask, eloquently phrasing her concerns on the first day, with: “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Again, I fed them another partial truth. I told them over breakfast that I thought I’d felt the enforcers return last night (true) and my powers were on higher alert than normal (partial truth).

“I’m sure I’ll be fine after a few days.”

Wrong.

So, so wrong.

Sure, the jitteriness decreased. But I still glared into the shadows like they would begin murdering anyone who got too close. My power remained just beneath the surface, urging me to look at and feed from any powerful creature which entered just in case.

But there was another reason my body remained tense. Why I was struggling to sleep at night or watch Alexis and Javier’s more public signs of affection. One I was completely unwilling to admit, until now.

The very reason I was asking Alexis for help, right now.

The reason why my cheeks burn as I stutter and splutter whilst trying to explain.

She watches me, her eyes going from narrowed slits to wide orbs. “You want me to get rid of your horniness?”

Alexis beautifully summarises, her spoon now stabbed into the tub of chocolate ice cream as she stares at me.

“Pretty much,” I reply, dropping eye contact to pull at the frayed edges of my jumper.

“Is this because of August? I didn’t think you two had— ”

“No.” My voice comes out in an angry blurt. I don’t even want to think about August right now and Alexis’ eyes soften at my reaction. “No, we didn’t sleep together after that last time. It’s not that. We haven’t even spoken since… well, you know.”

Alexis moves closer to me on her knees, moving the ice cream to her lap as she does. “Sorry, I won’t mention him again.”

I nod, grabbing her spoon and taking a large heap of chocolate ice cream into my mouth.

“Have you tried, you know, masturbating?” she murmurs.

I close my eyes and inhale; how do I even respond to that? “Well, I’d love to, but a dark fae has threatened to inflict unbearable pain upon me if I even try.”

My mind goes back to two nights ago, when, during the night, my hand had begun to run along my torso and down. A sharp zap ran through my fingers before I even touched my underwear. I stared at my traitorous fingers and forced myself to take a very cold, very uncomfortable shower.

“Yes.” I sigh, stabbing the ice cream harder this time. “It’s not working… what about the rune you put on Javier when the succubi came?”

“Sorry, I can’t risk putting something like that on you. We don’t know what it would do to your mark.”

I simply nod along, twisting the spoon in deeper.

“I’m sorry, really. I mean, there’s so many spells and potions that do the very opposite .” She hums and begins counting off her fingers. “You have ones that increase an infatuation, ones that instantly get you in the mood, there’s even one that…”

She takes in my expression as I continue to murder the ice cream with quick stabs and seems to suddenly realise this isn’t helping me at all. Then her eyes sparkle, her small mouth curls up into a cat-like smile and she rips the spoon from my grasp like a victory trophy.

“We just need to get you laid,” she says triumphantly, taking a chunk of ice cream into her mouth.

I just stare at her.

It sounds like a simple plan, that is, when you have someone to actually sleep with. I’d had a few sexual partners over the last five years, August being my most recent and last. I didn’t keep contact details for the others .

“I don’t know anyone,” I state, my eyes greedily watching the spoon, ready to steal it back.

I also don’t want anyone and can’t have anyone helping me either. I just need this ache gone.

Alexis rolls her eyes at me, now pointing the spoon directly in my face. “Are you freaking serious? You ‘don’t know anyone’ ?”

I don’t appreciate the way she mimics my voice by dropping hers an octave lower and creating a more formal accent.

She notes my scowl and grins, pointing the spoon closer to my face. “You’re an idiot, Jasmine. A wonderful friend and a fierce fighter, but an idiot.”

I snatch the spoon from her pinched fingers and point it back at her. “Brave of you to call me ‘fierce’ and ‘idiot’ in the same sentence.”

I mimic her voice back, exaggerating the high pitch lilt and softness, she scowls back at me and swats the spoon away.

“I can have a list of names like that.” She clicks her fingers, and the action brings back horrific memories. I manage not to flinch, just, and take another stab of ice cream to keep distracted.

“Names for what?” I mumble over the freezing spoonful.

“Goddess’ sake, Jasmine. Do I really need to spell it out?” She sounds exasperated as she watches me swallow. “Names of people who want to fuck you.”

I stare at her wide grin, spoon hanging from my mouth. I’m too distracted by her words to stop her stealing it from me. “Like who?”

I watch her lips pull to one side and her eyes look up, over my head, as though she’s making a mental list as she speaks, “There’s the mage bar hand on level four… No, wait, it can’t be someone from work, too complicated… Oh! I know, the shifter from level five? He’s a beta so could definitely handle you in the…” She stops talking when she sees my expression. “No, right, OK… What about the warlock on level five? Y’know, the one who always stares at your ass when…” I must make a noise of disapproval because her eyes drop to mine and she quickly moves on. “Or there’s—”

“Stop, Alexis. Just stop,” I interrupt, sighing as I take another bite. “I shouldn’t have asked. Tonight’s a big night, we need to be focused upon the queen, not who I should or shouldn’t be— ”

“Hugo!” Alexis suddenly shouts; the sound makes me drop the spoon into the tub. Her shining eyes are locked on mine, a large smile filling her pretty face.

“The queen’s head of security? You’re joking,” I say, frowning. Her smile only grows as she nods, strands of long, purple hair falling from her bun. “We speak once a year, if that.”

“You spoke quite a bit last year, remember when he ‘accidentally’ knocked that statue over? Y’know, the one you just happened to be stood by?” Her eyebrows somehow get higher and higher with each word. “ Oh, I’m so sorry, how clumsy of me, let me just hold your hips whilst I check your bare legs for any injuries. ”

I can’t stop laughing at her impression of the burly guard or her completely incorrect re-enactment of what happened. “Shut up, we both know that did not happen.”

She grabs my foot which I playfully try to yank away as she continues her act. “ Please, e xcuse me whilst I get on my knees and check your foot, oh wait, I can see right up your dress.”

I’m crying now, tears of laughter rolling down my face at how ridiculous she is and soon Alexis joins in. When we catch our breath, I shake my head at her. “For the record, Hugo definitively doesn’t see me in that way.”

Her eyes roll back so hard I’m shocked they’re able to come back down. “I’m honestly surprised you’ve ever managed to have sex,” she mutters with the soft shake of her head. “You’re blind, blind I tell you!”

I jokingly scowl at her before adding, “Not him. Not when we’ll be working together tonight.”

“Exactly,” she practically squeaks. “It’s perfect. He’ll be here anyway and you’ll have a genuine reason for talking to him. We just need to make sure he knows you’re actually interested, which, with your track record, will be the main problem, and then ‘ bang ’! Well, you’ll be ‘banging’.”

I stare at this wonderful creature in a combination of awe, disgust and shock. I’ve never met anyone quite like her and she beams at me like she knows it, like she’s a genius that no one is truly able to understand.

“This is ridiculous, you’re ridiculous, forget I ever asked.” I slide off the sofa, stretching as I stand and instantly feeling the ache in my calves. I’ve been working out overtime recently, another way of ignoring the burn between my legs.

She jumps up with me, gripping me in a quick hug causing her soft bun to hit me in the mouth. “No, this is great. Don’t even think about it, leave everything to me and you just be you… Well, maybe a little friendlier version?”

I don’t even have time to comment on her jibe, she grabs the tub of ice cream, gives me a wink, and bounces all the way out the door.

I remain standing in the middle of my living room, running a hand over my face at the implication of what I’ve just done, before groaning and heading to the shower.

It’s now three pm, the queen will be arriving for her annual birthday party at eight pm, which means I need to be ready for five pm to finish final preparations. When it’s the queen’s birthday, we close the rest of the club. Only level six is open and only to those who have received official invitations. It’s a huge event, greedy paparazzi line the gold carpet, security triples and all sorts of creatures arrive. Especially tonight, the Fae Queen’s 100 th birthday.

A milestone.

Her security team have been in touch over the last week but they went through Brutus, who then spoke to Javier, who then ensured we had all the messages we needed. Brutus didn’t once contact me directly and that knowledge stung more than I’d ever admit.

There were wary glances when Javier was the one leading all the communications. I remember sitting unbearably still, my teeth clenched as I nodded away at his voice. Brutus and August had completely abandoned me and I had no idea why.

The one piece of information we were given, which made the entire staff team groan, was the costumes for this year.

Every year, the queen made us wear an ‘outfit’ of sorts. It ranged from fairy pirates to sea creatures, every year the entire theme of her party was based upon the costumes only our staff had to wear. This year, the theme seemed almost too tame: ‘Ethereal’.

Until we found out what we had to wear.

I twist in the long mirror, staring at the short, white fabric and feeling the soft silk caressing the tops of my thighs. Soft, white feathers line the hem, pale white stockings paint my legs and white stilettos with golden soles clad my feet .

The liquid fabric dips into a low cowl neck, much lower than I’d normally appreciate, which reveals the swell of my breasts.

So impractical.

My blood red hair contrasts vividly against the brilliant white, it lays in soft billowing waves around my face as the queen specified we wore curls. My pale face is highlighted by golden flecks of glitter dotted all over my cheeks, my nose and collarbones.

I turn again, seeing where the large, white, feathery wings rest between my shoulder blades. The straps are practically invisible and strangely lightweight. The tips are gold as are the edges of every feather.

I grimace.

They’re annoying and hinder my movement but without them, I wondered if anyone would know what I was.

I’m just not angel material.

My pale red gaze scowls at my image, they’re emphasised by golden liner in a soft graphic shape. My long lashes are curled and feathery with the addition of a few extensions, some golden ones threaded in. I don’t mind the makeup as much as the outfit.

When Alexis bursts into the room, I catch her reflection in the mirror and I turn to openly gawk.

She is the epitome of an angel.

Her soft, lilac skin was made to compliment the gentle cream of her tiny dress. It wraps around her waist and is secured by an intricate, gold clip. Her small, elegant features are accentuated by more golden freckles, adding to her natural ones. Her wings are tinged a slight gold too.

She looks ‘ethereal’ and I feel like even more of an imposter.

Alexis helped me with my makeup, but she hadn’t seen me in the full piece, until now. We stare at each other until she lets out a low whistle.

“Do not say a word,” I warn, glaring as I walk towards her and grab my earpiece from the side. “I hate this costume.”

“Why?” she asks, sounding genuinely shocked. “You look absolutely insane.”

“Yes, I know, I look like a crazy person,” I agree, passing Alexis’ earpiece to her, she rolls her eyes and takes it. “You look beautiful though,” I add .

Her cheeks tinge darker at the compliment and she beams, her smile makes her look like a goddess. “Wonder what Javier will think.”

I can picture his reaction immediately, clearly so can Alexis as she giggles like a teenager. I feed from her positive emotions; Goddess knows I need them.

Although dressed like an angel, I storm around level six shouting out demands and orders like a tyrannical dictator.

The decorators have arrived and are currently trying to add golden barriers which block vital exits, exits needed for emergencies, which I have now explained for what feels the thousandth time. Then, I’m interrupted by another who is asking if we really need our earpieces and if so, can they be painted gold because they ruin the ‘look’.

I have to race away before I lose it at him. Javier sees this and starts heading towards me and for once, I feel like the men got the short straw for their outfits.

Javier is completely shirtless, his defined stomach and pectorals highlighted by streams of golden glitter. He’s wearing soft cotton pants, white shoes and large feathery wings threaded with gold beads. He looks incredible and I begin to wonder if this is what Alexis sees because when he opens his mouth, it’s ruined.

“Someone seriously needs a shag.”

My vicious glare makes him back up, a wide, goofy grin on his otherwise handsome face. Alexis fucking told him.

“Don’t be mad at her, you know she’s shit at keeping secrets.” His grin twists into something more mischievous. “Especially with hands like mine, you can’t even imagine what—”

“Anddddd we’re done talking,” I mumble, turning from him and heading in the direction of a fae carrying a ridiculously large, golden vase of flowers towards a very private back room.

Luckily, Louise gets there first. She grabs the vase, her clipped tone enough to send the disgruntled fae away, and quickly places it onto the nearest table.

“Nice save,” I say, taking a moment to note how lovely she looks in the ivory dress. Her ice-blonde curls are half up in a complicated twist and her narrowed, blue eyes glance over me.

She grunts in response, sending a sudden stream of water into the vase from her fingertips. “I hate this. ”

Louise is a stickler for routine. She likes to know what was happening, when and for how long. She hates the unknown and tonight was certainly that.

I watch her tug the hem of her dress down. She’s wearing white, fishnet tights which reveal hints of her smooth, dark skin and ivory heels detailed with white gems.

“You look lovely, Lou.” I smile. Her eyes glance to me and I see a slight lift of her lip. “And if the sprinklers accidentality go off on level one later, I’m sure the queen would understand your temporary absence.”

This time she gives me a genuine smile, her normally narrowed eyes finding mine to check for any hidden meaning. When I smile back, she visibly relaxes. I correct her lopsided ivory wings with a soft smile and then head towards the bar to check the time.

Lewis is currently assisting the decorators by lighting various fires upon ornate, golden torches. It’s a hazard to have fire this large inside but I feel comfortable knowing he is the one generating them.

The fire makes his skin glow a golden brown, providing a subtle highlight to his muscles if they weren’t smothered in more glitter. When he notices me, he smiles, his face framed by strawberry curls which make him look like a real-life cherub.

I quickly let him know the plan for Louise, he nods enthusiastically, his amber eyes flickering between the bright fire and his twin who is currently sulking behind a large fountain.

“She’s already doing much better than last year,” he says gently, and I nod in remembrance.

Last time, we struggled to get Louise to leave the back room dressed in an elegant, long, blue dress. That was until Javier promised to take her to the sea the next day. We all ended up going, the picture on my fridge being a fond memory for us all.

“You know her best Lew, I’ll leave ‘ code sprinkler’ to your discretion.” I smile and he laughs whilst we watch the flames pulse under his palm.

“Picture time, guys!” Javier’s loud voice now echoes around the transformed floor.

Thick gold and cream drapes hang from the ceiling, large statues adorn each corner with water gushing from angelic figures. Javier is stood beside a huge, stone statue of some important winged fae, shouting at us all to join him.

Ferne sighs, we’re currently behind the bar together. I stand up after tightening the strap on her heels and she takes a few steps to check it’s comfortable, turning to me with a small smile.

Ferne isn’t someone who likes to dress up, opting for jeans and a nice top over a dress any day. But she looks elegant in anything she wears. That isn’t to say she doesn’t look stunning tonight.

Her curves are hugged by a soft white, short sleeved dress which tightens in all the right places. Thick, brown curls frame her face whilst the other half is piled in complicated braids like a crown. Her tanned skin is dotted with beauty spots of gold which seem to make her hazel eyes glow.

“Grab my phone Jas, it’s under the bar!” Javier shouts.

Ferne spares me a look that screams ‘let’s get this over with’ and heads towards him. No one will admit how much we appreciate Javier saving these moments together. We have quite the collection from the past five years and nearly all have been down to Javier’s intervention.

But this year would be the first with only six of us. The stinging that brings is only emphasised when I grab Javier’s phone and see his name upon the screen.

“1 Missed called: August.”

I glance up from the screen towards my family, they’re following Javier’s instructions as he places them all in different places before the statue. My chest tightens and I see his name there, again, my breathing stops all together when it begins to flash.

Stepping into the back room, I answer the phone.

“Hey Javier, how is everything going?”

His voice drenches me like ice-cold water. I slouch against the table, feeling the need to catch my breath and unable to speak.

“Javier?”

A sudden anger begins to brew, replacing the cold with a burning heat which has tears blurring my vision.

“It’s me.”

There’s a pause. The silence of the room punctuated by murmured background noise and my heartbeat.

“Jasmine.” When he says my name, the sting turns into a vicious stabbing. I pull the phone away for a moment. Only returning it to my ear when I hear him continue. “Can you put Javier on the phone, please.”

Is he fucking serious?

“Are you fucking serious?” I hiss into the receiver. “That’s all you can say to me? That’s it? You can’t possibly think of explaining why you’ve been ignoring my messages or why Brutus has decided to take part in operation ‘abandon Jasmine’?”

He doesn’t interrupt and that makes my anger flare. I feel the turning of my eyes, the power within beginning to stir and the need for justice of some type.

“Brutus hasn’t been well enough to—”

“That’s bullshit, he’s been speaking with Javier all week about the party.”

“No, that was me,” he responds, his tone hard and low. “I told him to say it was Brutus.”

There’s a crack in my fury then, it makes my eyes flicker and my power halt.

“Javier lied to us. You’ve made him lie to us. Why?”

“Why isn’t important right now, right now I need to speak to—”

“If you think I’m going to give this phone to Javier after what you’ve done to me, you clearly do not know me at all,” I snarl, my fists clench and I hear the sudden darkness tinging my voice.

I can almost imagine August now, his dark brows furrowed in frustration. “Brutus’ health has deteriorated rapidly.” My breath catches, I’m sure he hears it but he carries on. “My duty lies with my pack, if… when Brutus dies, I will have to take over as alpha immediately. There’s no slow transition into something like this. Packs must have a strong leader or they’re open to attacks from rival packs. Part of being a strong leader means making the pack, my pack, my only priority.”

I hear the clear inference he’s making there, what he’s not yet said, we’re not his priority— especially me.

“I also have to take a Luna,” he finally says it. There’s a subtle change in his tone when he does and the stinging sensation returns. “Which is what I’ve been trying to do whilst running the clubs, managing communications with packs, stopping possible threats and desperately trying to not think about— ”

He cuts himself off and my heart pounds as I close my eyes. I imagine the word he was about to say and it causes another painful stab.

“I can’t do this right now, Jasmine.” His level voice is softer now, it eases the burning of my anger. “I can’t speak to you. It’s too hard.”

I close my eyes when I feel the tears beginning to form, even through a phone, I can feel August’s emotions. I heard the pain he was trying so hard to hide in that final sentence.

“But why can’t you?” I ask, almost pleading. “I know you have to find a Luna, I want you to, I want you to find your mate and—”

“You know how rare that is—”

“I know,” I interrupt and wait before I carry on. “But let me be there for you. I can’t imagine the pressure, what you’re going through. As an empath and your friend , you know I can help you and Brutus. If he’s as bad as you say, let me help remove the pain, you know I can—”

“No.”

The finality of his voice makes me pause; I frown. “I can help, you know I can help. Why are you pushing me away?”

There’s a heavy silence now, one I wish never ended because his next words almost kill me.

“You’re not pack, you’re not family, you’re someone we found and kept for too long. We don’t need your help.”

I stare aimlessly ahead; I feel the tears build and grit my teeth in an effort to keep them at bay.

“You don’t mean that August, you can’t. Not after all we’ve been though, after all—” I have to stop talking because I can barely breathe, a few stray tears escape and roll down my face.

“I’m sorry, Jasmine.” More tears fall when I hear the hurt in his voice, his breathing sounds heavier than before.

“I hate you,” I lie. It’s an awful lie, and I’m sure the crack in my voice is evidence of that, but I say it anyway.

The doors to the back room open and a smiling Javier appears, his face instantly transforming into one of concern when he takes me in, quickening his pace to reach me. His markings suddenly appearing in blaring white lines.

I hold out the phone for him, unaware if August has spoken again, and leave the room .

Everyone is still around the large statue but I go in the other direction, heading towards the stairwell, desperate for some time alone to process these intense emotions, until I’m intercepted by a large body.

My power pulses out and knocks into him, making the man stumble back and enabling my eyes to meet his.

I instantly suck my power back, coax it into tight coils and widen my eyes. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking.”

“You seemed to be in a rush, I wondered if Javier had driven you insane before the party even began.” A large grin and handsome face, accompanied by a deep voice and huge body, summarises Hugo. The queen’s head of security.

Muscles piled upon muscles, clad in hard, black amour with the queen’s insignia adorned upon the front in iridescent white. His large frame makes him appear more like a shifter than a fae, but the silver lines which trace his forearms and lick up the sides of his thick neck indicate otherwise.

I forgot how handsome Hugo was until this very moment, black hair peppered with grey and clipped short, barely-there stubble outlining his square jaw and silver eyes like steel, a large scar cutting through his left. Even my power feels interested as it slowly slips out of its tight coil.

“Everything OK?” he asks, his large hand landing upon my shoulder.

My power halts and seems to assess his touch before deciding it isn’t completely repulsive.

“Yeah.” I force myself to smile and use my fingers to dab at the trail of moisture upon my cheeks. “Make-up just irritating my eyes… How have you been?”

I lie so effortlessly now, quickly changing the subject as I force a hard smile onto my face. He doesn’t hear the lie, or if he does, he pretends not to.

“Same old, guarding the Fae Realm, protecting the Fae Queen, no big deal.” He smirks, folding his arms before him to mimic my own stance. “What about you? This place still keeping you busy? If you fancy a change, there’s some outer-realm roles I could—”

I zone out.

My thoughts are completely scattered and accompanied by the stinging sensation causing a thud at the back of my eyes— all thanks to August. I force myself to appear attentive, to digest Hugo’s rambling words and suggestions .

I’m about to reply with some pleasant, half-truth, when I feel a warm presence behind me.

“Hugo, my man!” Javier’s loud voice helps to ground me, as does the hand he’s placed upon my other shoulder. His emotions sink into me like liquid fire: anger, frustration and guilt. They help to clear my brain fog and my power latches onto them greedily.

Hugo and Javier share a very ‘ we are manly men ’ half-hug half-pat. Hugo’s hand falls from my shoulder and I stay somewhere awkwardly in the middle of them both.

“Someone’s been working out, your arms are like coconuts! Twice the size of last year!” Javier’s compliment rolls effortlessly from his tongue, you wouldn’t imagine the undercurrents of rage he’s feeding me, the rage he feels for me. My body naturally pushes back into his hand.

Hugo’s large grin is a nice distraction too, I stare at it whilst wondering why he’s staring at me and I realise he’s asked me a question about the celebration tonight, something about being ready…

“Yep, yes, everything is ready.” Another fake smile. “Sorry, I’m just struggling with this.” I gesture towards myself with my hands and don’t miss the heated flash in his silver gaze.

“Well, you look incredible. The queen did well with the theme this year.” His voice softens slightly at the compliment and the sincerity of it has my skin feeling warm.

“Thanks,” I reply, liking the way his eyes flicker over my face.

Javier coughs behind me. Hugo raises his brows before laughing and adding, “You too, man.”

I laugh too and feel Javier’s grip tighten slightly as he steps back. Good, I’m desperate to hear what he has to say.

“Maybe you two can catch up later?” Javier says, slowly pulling me with him as he takes another step back. “It’s tradition to get a pic before, you see.”

Hugo seems lost for a moment, his eyes struggling to leave mine. He gently shakes his head and his posture relaxes. “Of course, see you later.”

I give a small wave but I’m already turning with Javier and walking away, he bends to speak quietly, “I’m so sorry about August. ”

The stabbing pain instantly returns, cutting into my gut and causing my steps to falter. Javier stops with me, his face drenched in concern again, white lines zipping across his tanned skin.

“I’m OK,” I assure him, my power seeping out and wrapping me in warmth. It doesn’t understand the pain but it doesn’t like it either.

“I think he knew it would upset you, the team, if they knew it was him and not…” His eyes glance between me and our family still patiently waiting before the large fae statue. “Whatever he said to you, Jas, you know he didn’t mean it. He’s just saying it to make this whole situation easier for himself.”

I try to believe him, I really do, but the cold sensation keeps me from truly listening.

“It’s OK, Javier. He told me things I already knew, things I’d figured out a while ago,” I mutter, beginning to walk towards the statue again with Javier glued to my side.

“What do you mean?” he asks, his eyes hovering between dark grey and white.

I’m not really family. I don’t really belong. You all have lives outside of ‘The Inferno’ and I just stay here, like a pet, desperately waiting for you all to return.

When I look at Javier’s worried expression, and then turn to see the smiles, and scowl, of my makeshift family, I know I could never say those things to them.

But it’s what I felt.

It’s what August finally admitted out loud and part of the pain I feel; the cutting, slicing sensation, isn’t August’s rejection.

It’s the part of me that always knew I didn’t belong finally breaking away.

“Jas?” Javier’s voice is low and filled with worry, a tone I hardly recognise as I turn back to him.

I manage a half smile, placing my hand upon his which hasn’t left my shoulder, before gently pushing it off and making my way towards the others.

We take our photo, I ensure I put on my most natural grin with Lewis’ arm slung around me and his sister, my hand resting upon Alexis’ shoulder in front. Their happy emotions slide into me, soothe the cold and help to clear the fog.

For a while.