By the time they made it downstairs, the electricity had gone out. Kathleen had already placed candles around the house, and they followed the light of them into the kitchen.

"So, what do you guys want to do?" Mike asked when they entered.

Sera glanced around. Mike, Doug, and Kathleen were sitting around the middle island and smiling knowingly at them. Jack and Danielle were sitting at the table arguing over the same crossword puzzle from earlier. "How about strip poker?" Doug suggested with a mischievous grin.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Jack said eagerly.

"Count me in," Mike said. "Girls?"

"I'll get the cards," Kathleen volunteered.

Liam's stance was rigid as he took a step closer to her. "I don't want to play," she said.

"Of course you will!" Kathleen retorted as she held a candle above the kitchen drawer she was pawing through. "It will be fun! Right Danielle?"

"Sounds good to me," she answered.

"You're playing, right Liam?" Jack asked.

"No," he replied.

"Oh, come on man, lord knows when you'll get a chance to see another girl naked."

Kathleen laughed loudly as she continued to fumble through the drawer. "Who said I wanted to?" Liam retorted.

"Ugh, you guys are sickening," Kathleen closed the drawer and held up a pack of cards. "For crying out loud Sera, you need to see more than one naked man in your lifetime."

Sera shook her head. She could feel the anger radiating off of Liam and she knew that this was not a good idea. "I don't want to strip," she said.

"Don't worry," Kathleen said as she grabbed hold of her hand. "We're going to win this game."

"No," Liam said.

"Come on, it will be fun!" Kathleen urged.

"Yeah," Mike enthused.

"I know I wouldn't mind seeing some fine female flesh!" Jack cried eagerly.

Liam was so fast that she never even saw him move until his arms were locked securely around her waist. "I said no," he said.

Even Sera was astounded by his behavior as she turned to look at him. Kathleen gaped at him as Danielle froze in the middle of standing up. Doug, Jack, and Mike all turned to look at him.

"Liam," she said soothingly.

The set of his chin, and the twitching muscle in his cheek let her know that he would not tolerate this. She recalled his words in the bathroom, and she knew, without a doubt, that he would attempt to kill everyone here before she ever removed an article of clothing. She would not allow that to happen. Besides, she didn't want to play. The idea of seeing Liam stripping was more upsetting to her than having to remove her own clothes. A spark of anger shot through her as she thought about Kathleen and Danielle looking upon what was hers.

"I don't want to play," she told them. "Why don't we play rummy, or something else?"

Kathleen stared at her, and then back up at Liam. "Fine, can I talk to you for a minute, Sera?"

She knew Kathleen almost as well as she knew herself, and she knew that what Kathleen had to say was important. Her mind instantly shot to Mike. If there was any way that she might be able to help her friend from being hurt, then she was going to do it.

"Yeah, sure."

"Good. Come on Danielle."

She squeezed Liam's hands reassuringly. They eased upon her waist, and finally released her. She cast him a small smile before following Kathleen out of the kitchen. She didn't head to the living room, but veered sharply to the left. Sera lifted an eyebrow, but followed her down the hall. Kathleen swung the door to Sera's room open and stepped inside. She waited for both of them to enter before closing it.

"What's going on?" Kathleen demanded instantly.

"What are you talking about?" Sera inquired.

Kathleen planted her hands firmly on her hips. "I mean, what is going on?"

"Kathleen..."

"No!" she cut off abruptly. "Okay, you don't want to play strip poker, I understand that. I've known you for three years now, and I know that's not your kind of game, but what just happened in there?"

Sera's mouth dropped further with every higher pitched word that Kathleen shouted. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

Kathleen's nostrils flared as she inhaled harshly. "What am I talking about?" she sputtered in disbelief. "What am I talking about?"

"Kathleen, calm down."

Kathleen took a deep breath and closed her eyes before opening them again. "Sera, he's so possessive of you! He's so... oh I don't know. You didn't see the look in his eyes. For a second I thought they were red!"

Sera's heart leapt into her throat but she managed to keep her face completely impassive. "That's crazy, and I have no idea what you're talking about."

Sera worried that Kathleen was going to start screeching again. Danielle headed her off. "I thought I saw the same thing, but it was only the candlelight. However, I think that I know what Kathleen is talking about."

Sera cast her a glance. "And what would that be?" she asked.

"Has he hit you?" Kathleen demanded.

"What?" Sera was so aghast that the word barely squeaked past her throat.

"Has he hit you?" she almost screamed.

"Kathleen calm down, please," Sera said.

"Don't tell me to calm down!"

Danielle turned to her. "You need to calm down," she said calmly.

For a moment Sera was afraid that Kathleen's head was actually going to explode off her shoulders. Then, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and seemed to gain some control of herself. "I'm calm," she said. Her clear blue eyes landing upon Sera again. "Has he hit you?"

"Of course not."

"Sera, I am not kidding here. You're my best friend and I love you. I don't want to see you hurt."

"Kathleen..."

"No!" she snapped. "He was acting like he owned you! He was acting like you didn't have a mind of your own. You two love each other, fine. But what happened in there was not normal, and you know it!"

What happened wasn't normal, she knew that, but she also knew that Liam would never hurt her. He would die before he ever harmed her. She knew that, as surely as she knew she needed air to live. She also knew that she had felt the same way as Liam about the idea of anyone seeing him naked. Maybe it wasn't normal, maybe it wasn't right, but it was the way that it was. He was different, their relationship was different, but there was no way that Kathleen, or Danielle, could understand that.

"Kathleen, I think you're misunderstanding..."

"No I'm not!" she yelled. "Has he abused you?"

"Never!" Sera cried.

"Because if he has I'll kill him!" Kathleen continued as if Sera hadn't spoken.

"Kathleen..."

"Has he? Has he hit you?" Kathleen was close to screaming like a banshee again. Sera winced against the shrill tone.

"No!" she yelled. "He would never hurt me. Now calm down!"

Kathleen began to pace as she mumbled under her breath. "Sera," Danielle said serenely. "We're just worried about you."

"There's no need to be."

Kathleen took a deep breath and spun to face her again. "He was acting like the men you hear about," she said. "The ones that think that they own their wives, or girlfriends. The one's that beat them. If he's doing anything wrong, please just tell us."

Tears bloomed in Kathleen's eyes as her lower lip began to tremble. Sera crossed to her and hugged her. "He's not," she vowed.

Kathleen hugged her back as sobs rocked her body. "Would you tell me if he was?"

"Yes Kathleen, I promise I would tell you if he was."

"You didn't tell me before," she whispered so quietly that Sera barely heard her.

"This is different Kathleen."

She took a step back. "He really hasn't?"

"No. I wouldn't stay with someone like that. But Liam would never hurt me. He would chop off his own hands before he ever raised one against me. He really would Kathleen."

Kathleen's stare burrowed into her. "If you say so. But if I ever see one unexplained bruise on you, or if I ever see him mistreat you, I will beat the shit out of him, agreed?"

The idea of Kathleen trying to beat Liam was even funnier than the idea of Liam hitting her. "Agreed," she vowed.

***

"What is the matter with you?" Mike demanded.

Liam turned to him as Sera, Kathleen, and Danielle disappeared down the hall. "What do you mean?"

"You didn't see yourself. Are you trying to get us all killed? Are you trying to give us all away?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Your eyes were red," Doug said. "For a second Liam, your eyes were red."

Liam frowned as he folded his arms over his chest. "What is going on?" Mike asked.

"I don't know," he admitted reluctantly.

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Jack demanded.

"I mean, I don't know."

"But there is something going on?" Mike prompted.

Liam ran a hand through his hair. "She's mine."

"We all know that she is your girlfriend, now what is your point?"

"My point," he grated. "Is that no one else is going to see her."

"It's only a game," Doug muttered.

"Not to me!" he shouted.

"Liam, I think you need to tell us what is going on because it's pretty clear to me that you're close to losing it," Mike said.

Liam's jaw clenched as he stared at them. "I don't know what's going on. All I know is that I can't control myself when I'm around her."

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"Exactly what I just said."

They exchanged bewildered looks before turning back to him. "I think you're going to have to be more specific," Mike insisted.

"I don't know how to be. I've never felt like this. I've never acted like this. I've never lost control like this. You're trying to get me to explain something that I can't. All I can tell you is that I will kill anyone that tries to harm her. I will kill anyone that tries to take her from me. I will never let her go."

"Yes, we understand that, but there's more going on here Liam," Mike said. "That doesn't explain your lack of control."

"Didn't you hear me?" he spat. "I can't control myself when I'm around her! At all!"

"Are you afraid you'll hurt her?" Doug asked.

Before his answer would have been a resounding no. Now, he wasn't so sure. "I might," he reluctantly admitted. "I don't want to, and she's sure that I won't, but I can't stop myself."

"Stop yourself from what?"

"From tasting her! From having her!" he cried.

"Maybe you should get away from her for awhile, at least until we can figure all this out," Doug suggested.

"That is not an option."

"Liam..."

"No!" he cut Mike off forcefully. "That is not an option!" His teeth began to lengthen as his hands clenched at his sides.

"Jesus," Jack muttered. "Okay, it's not an option, just calm down."

Liam ground his teeth and took a deep breath. What was the matter with him? He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall as he rubbed at his temples. Maybe he should get away from her before he hurt her, or someone else. But even the idea of leaving her brought the beast forth again. Bloodlust, and a wave of possessiveness burst through him, it seized his muscles, and shook his control.

"Okay, we'll figure this out," Mike said. "But you need to control yourself Liam. You're going to lose it, and you can't afford to do that in front of Kathleen and Danielle."

"I know."

"You will lose Sera if something happens to her friends."

His eyes flew open and they all took an involuntary step back. "Nothing is going to happen to them, and I will not lose her!"

"Hey guys! Come on!" Kathleen called. "Let's play cards!"

Liam glared at them before turning and leaving the room. "What is going on?" Jack demanded.

"I don't know," Mike said.

"What are we going to do? He's snapping."

"I don't know."

"You're not being helpful!"

"I don't see you putting forth any ideas!" he retorted.

"We're not going to figure it out now," Doug intervened. "And he will shred us to pieces if we even try to interfere."

"Yes, he will," Mike agreed.

"Maybe it just needs to work itself out," Jack muttered.

"Well it's going to have to, or he's going to lose it, and the consequences of that will be devastating. Come on, let's go."

They followed Mike out of the kitchen and into the living room. Candles had been set out around the room. Their tiny flames cast shadows over the walls and added a cozy aura of warmth to the room. Kathleen and Sera were pulling the cushions off the couches and plopping them around the coffee table. They settled in as Danielle began to shuffle and deal out the cards. "Five card draw," she announced. "Nothing wild."

Sera poured herself a glass of peach tree schnapps and orange juice. Everyone gathered drinks and sat back to stare at their cards. Liam slipped his hand onto her leg and squeezed her thigh.

Liam stared at his cards as everyone laughed and joked around him. His thoughts were tumultuous; he couldn't get a handle on himself. Sitting this close to Sera, he could smell her temptingly sweet blood; hear it pounding in her veins. He had always been able to smell blood, and hear it, but not like this. Before, he had always been able to shut it out. Before, it had never pulsed inside of him in an answering rhythm that enhanced his hunger. It had never called to him like this.

It took every ounce of control he had not to take her again. Not to brand her again.

Time seemed to drag at an excruciating pace. Every second was pure torture. His hands clenched upon his cards. Sera placed her hand on his thigh. He shifted as he instantly became erect. Seizing hold of her hand, he forced it to remain still. The smile she sent him was completely knowing, and utterly enticing.

"Witch," he murmured.

"Yep," she agreed happily.

"Okay," Kathleen announced. "Let's see what we've got."

He laid his cards on the table as a knock on the door resounded through the living room. "I'll get it," Sera volunteered as she hopped to her feet. She had already lost most of her change, and she knew that she stood no chance of regaining it.

"Who could that possibly be?" Kathleen pondered as she scooped her winnings up, again.

Liam turned to watch as Sera disappeared into the foyer. The minute she stepped out of his sight, he wanted to go and make sure that she was safe. "Hi," she greeted. "Sure, come on in, you must be freezing. Have you been out there all day?"

"Yeah," a girl replied. "I got lost. I just found this place again."

"That's awful," Sera said. "Come on in, we were just playing a game. I'll introduce you to everyone."

Liam frowned as he stood. There was something familiar about the girl's voice. Mike, Jack, and Doug rose as Sera entered the room, followed by a small girl. Liam's heart began to jack hammer rapidly, the breath froze in his lungs as he gaped in disbelief at the beautiful woman behind Sera. "Guys this is..."

"Beth," Mike breathed, silencing Sera in mid-sentence.

"Hello everyone," Beth said, a sly smile on her face. "Am I interrupting something? Dinner perhaps?"

Liam's breath gradually returned to him. Jack and Doug remained frozen, staring in awe. Kathleen's eyes were wide as she looked everyone over. Danielle stood beside her, her eyes narrowed as she watched Beth. Beth scanned the room as she idly trailed her hand across the back of the couch.

"Lovely place," she commented as she moved closer to Liam. "How are you doing Liam?"

Liam glanced over at Sera. She was only ten feet away, but it suddenly seemed like a mile. She stared at him in confusion, her eyes startlingly violet in the candlelight. "You know each other?" Kathleen asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," Mike said. "We do."

"You could say that," Beth responded as she glanced around the room. "I see you four are back together, but where's David?"

Sera's hand flew to her mouth. Liam's head turned toward her as panic burst through him. He took an instinctive step toward her as Beth focused on her with gleaming eyes. "Who's David?" Danielle asked.

"Just an old lover," Beth replied nonchalantly. "Like everyone else in this room."

"Who are you?" Kathleen demanded.

"Oh, I'm just an old friend, long forgotten." Her eyes remained locked on Sera, her head tilted to the side as she studied her. "Oh my," she finally said as a grin spread over her face. "You've been tasted, and marked."

Sera took a step back, Liam turned so that he faced Beth. "I can smell it on you. I can smell him on you." Her eyes were filled with unbridled wrath as she focused on Liam. "I never thought that I would see it happen, did you boys?" She began to circle the room as her gaze moved over Mike, Doug, and Jack. "I never thought that Liam would settle down with someone, never mark his territory. But she does smell like you Liam, and her blood is very sweet. You reek of it."

Liam's hands clenched into fists. He could feel the beast fighting to rip free. Beth was a threat to all of them, but she was especially a threat to Sera. "What do you want Beth?" His voice revealed his barely contained temper.

Beth released a clear, tinkling laugh that would have been beautiful if it wasn't filled with ice. "I love it."

Liam glared at her as she smiled sweetly. She looked away from him and back to Mike, Doug, and Jack. "Hello boys, how have you been?"

Doug looked extremely uncomfortable, but Jack and Mike glared at her. "Fine Beth," Mike grated out. "You?"

"Oh, I've been better."

"I don't know what's going on," Kathleen said. "And I have a feeling that I don't want too, but I think it's time for you to leave."

"So soon!" Beth cried in mock indignation. "No, I don't think so. These guys owe me, and they're going to pay up. Especially since I'm so hungry."

"Well," Sera said as her eyes locked on Beth's. "There's chicken and rice in the kitchen. I'll get you some, if you want."

"You think you're cute, don't you?" Beth's eyes narrowed angrily. "Well, I don't. Don't push me sweetie, I won't be as gentle as Liam here."

Sera's chin tilted in indignation as her eyes flared. Beth let out a false, hateful laugh, and turned back to Liam. "You picked a live one, literally." She spun back around to Sera and forced a smile to her face. "You remind me of me, and I don't like that."

"Neither do I," Sera replied.

Beth started to move around the room again. "I really like this place. I could live here."

"That's good to know," Kathleen said. "But, I don't care. As a matter of fact, I would really appreciate it if you left."

"But I'm just getting to know everyone." Beth walked closer to Mike, Jack, and Doug. "Then again, I already know you three. Created you, made you what you are, and how do you repay me? How do you thank me? You leave me, that's how." She ran her finger along Mike's chest as she walked past him and moved on to Doug. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm not mean, and I'm not ugly." She trailed a finger across Doug's chest as she continued to ponder aloud. "Maybe it's just because of what I am. What do you guys think?" She asked Jack as her finger trailed over his chin.

"I'll agree with that," Kathleen said.

Beth turned to her and smiled. "Sweetie, you don't know what you're involved with here, but I would suggest keeping silent before I rip your throat out," she hissed coldly.

Kathleen took a frightened step back. "I think it's time for you to leave," Liam growled.

Beth laughed and walked back to him. "Oh Liam, trying to get rid of me again? Why? Is it because of her?" she asked as she nodded to Sera.

"It's time to go."

Beth's eyes flashed red; it was obvious that she was very close to losing it. "I'm not ready!" she spat. "I think I might even stay awhile, now that I've been invited. Know what I mean?"

Fury boiled inside of him as he clenched his fists. "I know what you mean. I think you had better figure out what I mean when I say that it's time for you to leave."

"Do you boys want me to leave?" she called over her shoulder.

"We didn't leave you because we wanted to be around you," Jack replied.

Liam let out a snort of laughter. "It doesn't look like you're wanted Beth."

"I could have told you that," Kathleen said coldly.

Beth's eyes flashed again, and then she smiled. "Yes, but it was your lover that invited me in." Her head tilted back to gaze at him as she stopped before him and rested her hand on his chest. Hungry and ferocious, her gaze traveled to Sera. The sight brought the beast within him rushing to the front. "Ah, so it has begun," she whispered.

Her words managed to suppress the monster within him. She knew what was going on, knew what was happening to him. "What has begun?" She grinned as her hand stroked his chest. He grabbed hold of it and squeezed. Her eyes filled with pain as she fought to pull free. "What has begun?" he demanded harshly.

She finally managed to rip her hand free. Her jaw clenched as her eyes burned a brilliant, blood red. Then, she smiled sweetly as she took a step closer to place her hands on his chest again. "I'll never tell," she taunted.

Liam shoved her back. Beth stumbled, regained her balance, and came up spitting. He braced himself for her attack, but it didn't come. Instead, she took a deep breath, and smiled chillingly. "Get out of here!" he spat.

"Yes, I think I will go," she said. "But I will be back." She turned to walk away. Liam launched forward to block Sera before Beth could get near her. Beth's eyes blazed as he grasped hold of Sera's arms and pushed her firmly behind him. Mike and Doug moved forward to stand beside him, while Jack stood behind Sera.

"She's dead, Liam. I will get her," Beth vowed. "I'll get the other two too."

Her words ripped the beast out of him. His eyes blazed as his teeth instantly sprang forward. "I'll kill you if you ever come near her again Beth. Do you hear me?"

"I'm older and stronger than you."

"Not all of us though," Mike said.

Beth's eyes flickered toward him before settling on Liam again. "I will get to her, and I will drain her dry."

The room suddenly became a shade of red as the bloodlust tore from him. Sera's hand grabbed hold of his arm as he surged forward. "Liam no!" she cried as she pulled him back. "Not here! Please!"

Mike and Doug moved forward swiftly. They were certain that there was going to be a bloodbath, certain that in his rage he was going to go after Sera, as well as Beth. Mike had never seen him so incensed, so far out of control. Jack seized hold of Sera's shoulders, ready to rip her out of the way if Liam spun on her. They were all stunned when he froze in mid-launch, and took a shuddery breath to try and control himself. Beth's gaze flicked to Sera.

"Don't even look at her!" he shouted.

Beth's eyes flew back to his. "I'll see you soon," she vowed.

Liam's jaw clenched but he made no move to go after her. Sera's hand kept him grounded as it pacified the raging demon straining to break free. Beth turned away from them and headed to the door.

Liam waited for it to open and close before turning to Sera. Fresh anger blazed through him as he spotted Jack's hands upon her shoulders. "Get your hands off her!" he spat.

Jack's hands fell limply to his sides. Sera tilted her head to look at him. There was a wealth of confusion and love blazing out of her. "Are you okay?" he demanded.

"Yes." She stepped forward to wrap her arms around his waist and bury herself in the security of his chest. He enfolded her, drawing her close. Gradually the beast within him began to ease as he held her. After a few minutes he lifted his head to gaze at his friends. They stared at him in amazement, with their mouths open.

He knew exactly how they felt, because he felt the same way. His control was slipping further and further away. Sera could reach him now, but he wasn't sure that she would be able to reach him for much longer, and he didn't want to think about what would happen if he lost complete control.

What if next time he turned on her in his fury? He couldn't bear the thought of that happening, but even thinking about letting her go made him want to destroy everything around him. If the thought was enough to make him almost crazed, what would the reality do to him? He didn't know what was going on, what was happening to him, but he knew that he had to figure it out soon, before it was too late. And Beth knew the answer.

"I want to know who that was, and what is going on!" Kathleen demanded from the other side of the room. "And I want to know now!"

Sera rested her head on his chest. She wanted to bury herself in him and shut out the rest of the world. "You have to tell them something," she whispered.

"Doug, do you have your cell?" Liam asked.

"Yeah."

"Call David."

"I don't know if it's going to work up here."

"Screw the phone! Give me some answers, or get the hell out of here!" Kathleen commanded. "I'm sick of this crap!"

"Get it to work!" His hands clenched on Sera as his patience began to fray. "Now!" He turned toward Kathleen. She stood with her hands on her hips, her jaw clenched as she glared at him. "Until we talk to him, we can't talk to you," he said more calmly. "So, you're going to have to wait."

Kathleen opened her mouth, and then closed it. He turned back to Doug. "Get him on the phone and tell him what's going on."

"Now you want to let everyone in," Doug muttered as he walked away.

"Mike would you go get some blankets, mattresses too. I think it would be better if everyone slept in here tonight."

"Yeah, I think you're right."

"Jack, would you help me bring in some extra logs?"

"Sure."

"You two," he said to Kathleen and Danielle. "Stay in this room and stay together."

"Whatever," Kathleen angrily threw herself into the recliner.

"Come with me."

He took hold of Sera's hand and led her from the living room. He almost went down to the bedroom, but quickly changed his mind. No matter what was going on, he knew that if he got her in there, he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off her. He led her into the kitchen and sat her at the island while he helped Jack gather wood.

"What are you going to tell them?" she asked.

"I don't know," he admitted. "We'll decide that when David gets here."

"There's a blizzard outside Liam. I don't think that David is going to get here."

"He will," Jack said. He stepped back into the kitchen with a bundle of wood balanced carefully in his arms. "Can I ask you a question?"

Liam straightened to look at them. "Sure," she said.

"Why are you doing this? You don't have to stay, you don't have to be a part of this, and you would probably be safer if you left."

"Safer from who?"

"From Beth, from..." his voice trailed off, but his eyes flicked toward Liam. Liam's hands clenched upon the logs as he stepped back into the kitchen. "From us. We don't exactly live a normal, safe life."

"I want to be here, and I am safe."

There was a scrutinizing look on Jack's face as he studied her and then Liam. "Yeah, I guess you are."

"I know I am."

"Liam," Doug said as he appeared in the doorway. "David's on the phone. I left it on the stairs, that's the only place I can get any reception."

"Okay. Here, take these." He handed the logs over to him. "And take her into the living room. Make sure she's safe."

He followed them to the foyer and watched as Sera followed Doug into the living room. He almost went after her to bring her back, he hated having her out of his sight, but he needed to talk to David, alone. He grabbed the phone off the stairs and sat down. "Hello."

"Hey." David's voice was distorted by static. "Sounds like you got a mess up there."

"You could say that. How much did Doug tell you?"

"Enough. I can't believe you told your girlfriend."

"Don't start David."

"I'm not. How did Beth find you guys?" David inquired.

"Same way she always finds us I guess, but this time she left a mess that we've got to clean up."

Another wave of static swept through. "Yeah, what do you want to do?"

"I don't know yet. Tell them the truth maybe."

"Have you lost your mind?"

"I don't know, maybe," he admitted.

There was silence as static crinkled over the line. "There's more isn't there?"

"Yes, we need you here."

"In a fucking blizzard?"

"Yes, if you can. Things are... I don't know what they are, not with me, not anymore."

David took a deep breath. "This doesn't sound like you Liam."

"It's not." He hated to admit it, but it was true.

"All right, I'll see what I can do. Guess I'm leaving school sooner than I planned. How do I get there?"

"I don't know, hold on. Kathleen!" he yelled.

"What?" she snapped.

"I need you for a second."

He listened to her rustling around in the living room before she stomped up to him. "What?"

"I need you to give a friend of mine directions to get here."

"No way, I've had enough of your friends."

"Kathleen, this is important. If you want any explanations then you're going to have to wait until he gets here."

Resentment was written all over her face as she snatched the phone out of his hand. "This is what you do," she spat. She rattled off directions from the main highway and threw the phone back at Liam.

She turned and stormed away. Liam picked the phone back up. "Got that?"

"Yeah, I managed to copy the rapid fire. Sweet personality. You want to tell that girl?"

"Maybe, I don't know. How long do you think it will take you to get here?"

"I can probably get a flight out tonight, but I don't know what airports are open in that area. Or how I'm going to get there from the airport. I don't know, hopefully tomorrow, maybe the next day."

"Just see what you can do. We won't do anything until you're here."

"All right. One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Do you love her?"

"More than anything."

David sighed. "All right, I'll see you soon. Bye."

"Bye."

Liam hung the phone up and sat for a few minutes as he tried to sort out his mangled emotions.