*back to Sera*             I had pulled up every article I could find on Barima's phone. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I gather the things I need to try to contact her. I need to tell her sorry, and set things right so I can sleep again. I've been studious as a college girl, desperately cramming information in before a final exam. Martha Stewart would be proud of the things I've whipped together using the potion books. I know I'm royally fucking up somehow, but I feel more in control learning these things and at least trying to implement them.        I grab the salts, ouija board, crystals, my protection necklace and a partridge in a pear tree as I prep the livingroom floor. I scoot furniture to the walls and lay everything out on the rug in center. I've heard this typically takes two people for better success, but I am o

      I stand in the doorway of my home, Axar behind me as I tear my way through. The house is wrecked, obvious signs of a struggle. I hardly talk the damage as I ascend the stairs, stooping at the top not to scratch my my horns on the ceiling. Death. It's overwhelming in here. I turn to Axar and have him close his eyes as I direct him up. I do not know what we will find, or see. All I know is that someone is dead. Barima's presence is strong here, Samael's is not. Barima is dead, I believe.          The first room I check is my own. I immediately spot Seraphine's body missing and I curse and search the room. I check the guest rooms and Barima's. Samael's too. Samael had packed his things. Barima had not. None of these rooms were disheveled like the main house. I lead Axar back down, allowing him to open his eyes and remain in the living area. Dining room is messy, but the kitchen is where it gets interestin

     As expected, everyone left as soon as I went to pack. Going as far as even to take Barima's body. No matter, I will be shortly behind them. It only takes moments to appear inside grandfather's home, in his study. I am stealthy as I slink through the house to find him ordering around human servants to fix a room for Sera while she protests and tries to stop him. She's in a pair of jogging pants and a snug sweatshirt, a sliver of belly poking out. I lick my lips. I notice her room is beside his, and that he has scratched a square in the wall big enough for a door. No doubt conjoining the rooms.          "This will be cut out and left open for now. The nursery will be in there. I'll send one of you out for clothing and necessities for both of them. Other guests can pick rooms down the hall. Leave at least one spare room between our three and theirs. Nobody across from them."      &nb

*Seraphine's POV*I got my wish, he took me back 'home', at this dusty decrepit old prison. Be careful what you wish for. It's been a couple days, and I hardly speak to him unless I have to. Mainly when he drags me into the town to eat. He brought bottled water back last time, and a pack of breakfast biscuits that taste like sand.I keep noting everything though, trying to stay at a distance that he can't read my mind. I'm afraid to sleep, afraid he'll mess with my head or discover I am onto him. I need help. I need the others. I need to tell them about his unusual behavior at times, about his eye. That red eye. It was like staring straight into Yeomorah's.I am roaming the first floor, snooping through everything like a burglar. Searching for books, information, weapons, entertainment, a secret portal to get me the Hell out of here. Anything. I find antiques, old knickers...ew. I find disintegrating papers, old tape

*Sera's POV*I awoke in Nomias's bed, with a sleeping Nox against my back. He rarely sleeps, so it was a rare sight. I study his peaceful features as he rests, and I scan my surroundings to find Nomias at the bed's edge lost in thought. I don't want to spook him, but since I have awoken unscathed, I'd like to know what he found."Did you see it?" I ask softly, and he turns his eyes to mine."Yes. You were right, he is certainly possessed. He's also an asshole in his own right, I apologize for some of what I've witnessed." My face tingles like fire as I look away."He is definitely an asshole." I concur. A slight smile spreads across Nomias's mouth. "Thank you, by the way. For everything. I'm pretty sure I'll be in your debt until I die again." He snorts."Give me my great grandchild, and we'll call it even.""I'll owe you the next nine months then. Are you certain you'd want it