[h2]Esme[/h2]
Esme stood close and quietly at Duke’s side, just trying to be of some comfort while also trying to keep herself together. She had wrapped an arm around him to place her hand on his back, while the other rested on his arm. Part of her worried that Duke would bolt at some point; on the other hand, she could tell he couldn’t move as they watched Cason finish the pyre. The loss of Mika weighed down on him, just as it was on everyone else, and kept him rooted to his spot. She wished there was more she could do to help, but knew the best place for her was at Duke’s side. To be there for some comfort, along with Natalia, whom she was sure Cason had asked her to stick close to Duke. Esme welcomed it, since she wasn’t entirely sure she could keep him somewhat grounded alone. All the emotions around her were already pressing down on her, causing her chest to burn and ache and become tight. Out of them all, she felt that Dean and Natalia were the most likely to bolt after the pyre was lit, as that would be the final bit of closure.

Esme pulled her gaze from the pyre when Cason was finished and sighed heavily at Cason’s words to Sam. She knew that Dean wouldn’t be able to carry Mika’s body out. She knew it would be far too much for him. Her thoughts were confirmed when he came out, as if summoned, and told Sam he couldn’t do it. Esme couldn’t blame him for not being able to; she wouldn’t either if she were in his place. An image of her being in Dean’s shoes and it being Duke’s funeral flashed before her eyes, followed by thoughts of how close she came to having to do this for him. She forced the images and thoughts back and put her focus back on the matter at hand. She couldn’t let her mind wander off and get the better of her now. When Sam left to get Mika’s body, she turned her attention to Duke to focus on his well-being. She gently squeezed his arm, silently reminding him that she was there for him and that she wasn’t going anywhere. How much he was aware of what was around him, she couldn’t be sure, but she still wanted to make the effort. 

When Sam returned with Mika’s body, Esme took in a sharp breath as she soothingly rubbed Duke’s back. She could feel the tears she had been holding back stinging her eyes as she watched Sam carry Mika’s body to the pyre and place it on top of it. She echoed Natalia’s thoughts about this feeling wrong. It felt terribly wrong, even if she didn’t fully understand why. Esme kept her thoughts to herself as she rested her head against Duke, as Sam went through the motions of lighting the pyre. As soon as the pyre ignited, tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks, and she pulled herself closer to Duke, if that was even possible. Esme watched the flames engulf the pyre, and Mika, not being able to pull her eyes away, even with the need to. The sounds from the fire were the only thing in her ears as she silently watched and hung on to Duke. Suddenly, the flames seemed to take on a life of their own as they rose even higher, whipping around the pyre and Mika’s body, forming the shape of a bird. At that moment, the whole atmosphere of the area changed for Esme. 

“What the hell?” she said a little louder than a whisper as she pulled her head from Duke’s shoulder. Esme’s body went rigid, and she gripped Duke a little tighter as she started into the flames, feeling how this wasn’t normal. Something other than Mika’s body was in the flames, and it soon became evident as she saw a figure appear in the flames and walk towards them, making her eyes widen. It clearly wasn’t human if it could withstand the flames. Did something take control of Mika’s body while they weren’t looking, or was it something else? Only two creatures came to mind at the moment that could withstand fire, Dragons and Phoenixes, but did those creatures really exist? She had never come across them, only heard stories of them, so she didn’t know the answer. However, it was looking like the stories and myths could be true at that moment, but she felt crazy for thinking it. When Mika’s form came out of the flames, Esme couldn’t hold back the gasp that escaped her lips, but it wasn’t Mika. Something about her was different, she could feel it and see the slight differences as she watched her walk out of the fire.

Mika’s hair was a different color, and so were her eyes. Esme almost stepped in front of Duke protectively when she smiled at him. It was obvious to her that that wasn’t Mika but something else in control of her body. “That’s not her.” she whispered to herself. She watched her in confusion as Mika walked to Dean, not feeling any hostility from her. The words that came from Mika’s mouth confirmed what she was feeling. Something was in control of Mika’s body, and it sounded as if they were acting as some sort of guardian to her, and it was old with the way it spoke. Was something like that even possible? Esme was pulled from her thoughts when Mika collapsed to the ground after backing away from Dean, watching as her hair faded back to its original color and the flames dissipated. She felt the need to run up to her and check her, but she was rooted to her spot after what she had felt. Confusion was slightly taking over her ability to feel that Mika was back in control of her body, even after she called out to Duke and Dean in her voice.

Esme held on to Duke, to keep him from rushing forward, fearing this could be some sort of sick or twisted trick to catch them off guard. Doing her best, she pushed through all the emotions around her and focused on Mika, feeling the fear and confusion coming off her; it truly was her. She was somehow back from the dead. Closing her eyes briefly, she sighed heavily, then looked up at Duke with a soft expression as she slowly released her grip on him. “It’s her.” she told him softly in a tired tone. “Go to her. She’s scared and confused.” Esme gave him a little push toward Mika to get him moving.