Chapter 74 Danica
Danica
Istep into my apartment, ready to collapse on the couch, binge-watch some trashy reality TV, and stop dead in my tracks.
"What the hell?" I whisper, my eyes widening as I examine the scene before me. It looks like a tornado, a hurricane, and a pack of wild animals had a rave in my living room.
Rhyland stiffens beside me, his nostrils flaring. "Smells like fucking dog."
Lucian and Erik both give a quick nod, their faces set in grim lines. It's like watching a synchronized brooding routine.
Shit is everywhere, from overturned furniture to shattered glass, and I'm pretty sure that stain on the carpet is going to require some industrial-strength bleach.
I run, searching around my apartment for Emily and Sable.
"Emily?" I shout, my voice echoing in the eerie silence. "Sable?" I know she said they had this place locked down tight with more magical wards than Hogwarts, but from the looks of it, that didn't do jack shit.
We portaled back and walked into this shitshow. Was it Azrael? Did that asshole finally make his move?
"She's not here," I tell everyone, my voice shaking. "I—I don't know what to do..." Panic is rising in my throat like bile, threatening to choke me.
Rhyland is at my side in a heartbeat, his strong arms wrapping around me. "Calm down, baby," his voice low and reassuring. "Don't go jumping to conclusions. We'll figure this out."
But I can't calm down. The thought of something happening to Emily is like a knife to my gut, twisting and tearing me apart. She's my rock, my best friend, and if anything happened to her, I'd never forgive myself.
"Hey, check this out." Lucian's voice cuts through the fog of my panic, and I whip around to see him holding up a familiar object—a cell phone, a shit-eating grin on his face. "Looks like our little Velma left us a clue."
I practically teleport to his side, snatching the phone out of his hand. A message from Emily on the lock screen—I unlock it with shaking fingers.
We were attacked. Had to move. Call me when you get this.
Relief floods me, so strong it nearly brings me to my knees. "She's okay," I whisper, clutching the phone like a lifeline. "She's okay."
But how long ago did this happen? I quickly check the date on the message—two days ago. Shit. Panic starts to claw at me again. Emily, the clever bitch, left this knowing I'd find it when I got back.
I quickly call her, not wasting a second. She picks up on the second ring, and I practically shout into the phone. "Emily, thank god. What's going on?"
"Well, shit, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," Emily drawls. "Took you long enough, bitch. I was starting to think you'd eloped with Aquaman and left me high and dry."
I can't help but laugh; the sound is borderline hysterical. "Please, you know I'd never leave you, Em. You're Bonnie to my Clyde." As I kick a broken plate across the floor.
"Damn straight," she quips, but I can hear the tension in her voice. "But seriously, we've got a major fucking problem. Those werewolf bastards attacked us—they were after the Soul Stone."
Goddamn werewolves, more than likely working for that shitstain, Azrael. I suck in a breath, my mind racing. God, please tell me they didn't get their mangy paws on it. I had that thing locked up tight in my safe.
No. No, no, no. This can't be happening.
I sprint to my bedroom, my heart pounding in my ears. I throw open the closet doors, and my worst fears are confirmed. The hidden panel is ripped from the wall, the safe torn from its hiding place like it was made of tissue paper.
"Goddamnit," I scream, slamming my fist against the wall. "Those bastards! They got the stone, Em. It's fucking gone."
I can hear Emily's sharp intake of breath, the weight of the situation hitting her like a ton of bricks. "Shit, Dani. I...I don't know what to say. We tried to stop them, but there were too many. We barely made it out alive."
Just then, water bursts from the pipes in my adjoining bathroom, reacting to my emotional outburst.
Shit—Just what I need right now.
Rhyland comes rushing in, quickly turning off the water.
I close my eyes, forcing myself to take a deep, calming breath. Losing my shit isn't going to help anyone right now. "Where are you, Em? Please tell me you're somewhere safe."
"We're at Sable's grandma's place in Olympia," Her voice strained. "Laying low until we can figure out our next move. God, Dani, I'm so fucking sorry. I should have done more, should have—"
"Stop," I cut her off, my voice firm. "This is not your fault, Emily. You did everything you could. I'm just glad you're okay. You are okay, right?"
There's a moment of silence and then a soft, humorless chuckle. "Yeah, I'm okay—a little banged up, but I'll live. Can't say the same for those furry fuckers, though. I may have set a few of them on fire with my mind."
Despite the gravity of the situation, I can't help but snort.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair, needing to calm down. "Couldn't you have scheduled the werewolf home invasion for next week? I had plans to binge-watch The Bachelor and eat my weight in ice cream."
Emily lets out a choked laugh, the sound somewhere between a sob and a snort.
"Oh, well, excuse the fuck out of me, your highness.
Next time, I'll be sure to clear my calendar of any pesky supernatural attacks before I pencil in your pity party.
Wouldn't want to interrupt your crucial self-care routine. "
"Damn right," I shoot back, forcing a grin even though she can't see it. "A girl's gotta have her priorities, you know. Saving the world is important and all, but so is maintaining my flawless complexion."
Emily groans, and I can literally hear her eyes rolling through the phone. "You're a real piece of work, you know that? I'm over here fighting off werewolves and trying not to piss myself from fear, and you're worried about your fucking skincare routine."
"Hey, if we're gonna go down in flames, I'm gonna do it looking fabulous," I quip, yanking clothes off my hangers. "Besides, someone's gotta keep up morale around here. Might as well be the resident hottie with the killer sense of humor."
Emily snorts. "You're impossible, you know that? But I love you anyway, you ridiculous bitch."
I feel a surge of warmth in my chest at her words, a reminder of our unbreakable bond. "Love you too, Em," my throat tight with emotion."Okay, you two stay put and keep your heads down. I will round up the cavalry and figure out our next move."
Emily laughs, the sound a little more genuine this time. "Got it. Just...be careful, okay? I have a feeling this is just the beginning. And Dani?"
"Yeah?"
"I know you've got your vampire beefcake and his merry band of misfits watching your back, but still. I can't lose you."
A sense of foreboding settles in my gut. "I know," my voice barely above a whisper. "But we'll get through this, Em. We always do."
"You all should get the hell out of there and lay low until we meet," Emily warns, her voice turning serious. "There's no telling what those fury pricks might do."
"Got it."
I hang up and grab my bag. Time to play a game of 'How much shit can I fit into one suitcase?' I start throwing things in haphazardly—clothes, shoes, my fun little rose vibrator Rhyland got me. You know, the essentials.
Lucian and Erik burst into the room like they are auditioning for an action movie. "We heard everything," they say in unison.
"I knew it was those werewolf fucks." Rhyland starts helping me pack, his muscles flexing in a way that's totally unnecessary but greatly appreciated.
Seraphina floats in, all angelic and concerned. "What can I do to help?"
Lucian turns to her, cupping her face in his hands like she's the most precious thing in the universe. "Nothing, baby girl," planting a kiss on her lips that's sweeter than a unicorn's fart. "Your presence is enough, beautiful."
Seraphina practically melts, a goofy smile spreading across her face.
I smirk at the two new lovebirds, "Hate to interrupt, but we've got a slight problem. Where the hell are we supposed to go?"
"I know where we can go," Lucian says, turning back to us with a smirk. "I've got a place that's so secret, even the CIA doesn't know about it."
I raise an eyebrow, skeptical as hell. "I don't think Karma will cut it this time, Luci. We need somewhere completely off the grid, somewhere that—"
"I know, I know," he cuts me off, waving his hand like he's swatting a fly. "Like I said, I've got a place. It's my super-secret, ultra-exclusive bachelor pad out on Mercer Island. It's got everything we need—a hot tub, a fully stocked bar, and a view that'll make you cream your panties."
Rhyland's head snaps up, his eyes narrowing. "Since when do you have a fucking house, dickwad?"
Lucian grins, all smug and self-satisfied. "Since I bought it years ago, dumbass. What, did you think I spent all my money on hookers and blow?"
I snort, shaking my head. Only Lucian could make a safe house sound like a fucking frat party.
"Alright, enough with the real estate chit-chat," I say, zipping up my suitcase with a flourish. "We need to get out of Dodge before the wolf pack returns for round two."
As Rhyland finishes packing up my belongings, I survey the wreckage of my apartment, my heart heavy with memories. Every shattered piece tells a story of the life I've built here, the love that has seeped into these walls.
But now, amidst the ruins, I realize that the warmth and comfort have been stripped away, replaced by a hollow emptiness. The werewolf attack, the theft of the Soul Stone, the violation of my sanctuary—it's tainted everything.
I run my fingers over the splintered remains of my favorite armchair, the one where Emily and I used to curl up with a bottle of wine and talk shit about our exes.
I trace the jagged edges of a shattered picture frame, the smiling faces of my family now distorted and fragmented, like a twisted funhouse mirror.
The weight of what I'm leaving behind hits me like a punch to the gut. This place has been my anchor, my port in the storm of my crazy, fucked-up life. It's where I've laughed, cried, screamed, found love, and forged unbreakable bonds.
But I know, in the end, that home isn't a place. It's not four walls or a collection of possessions. Home is the people you love, the ones who stand by your side through thick and thin, who fight and bleed and die for you without a second thought.
Lucian rubs his hands together, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I call shotgun!"