KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I nod in understanding. I pat Nero’s hands while we walk. ”It’ll take some getting used to. Once we renovate, it’ll seem more like home for you, too,” I said.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

I look around, confused. I was usually pretty good at directions, but when Nic turned I was worried one of us was lost until he pulled into the hardware store. I grinned when he mentioned we could find a sign here. I unbuckle my seatbelt just as he asks if I want to come in.

I smile at Nic. ”Of course,” I said, and hoped out with my bag. I rummaged for my wallet while we walked up to the front door.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I laughed when they teased me repeatedly. I smile brightly when Nero wraps themselves around my arm, and I glance down at them as we resume our walk. ”So eager to see what is now yours, are you?”

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

”That would be very helpful. I just need ten minutes, fifteen at the most,” I said. Of course, I could move faster if I needed to, but I didn’t want to screw anything up.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I smile and close the distance between Nero and me. I kissed them deeply, shifting my hands from their face to wrap my arms around their waist. I picked Nero up and spun them around while I kissed them deeply.

Everything would be okay, I tell myself while we kiss. I wanted Nero, as well as my dragon. After the failed engagement with Cassiopeia, I had been hoping for this moment, but I wasn’t sure it would happen. However, it was happening. Nero chose me. Wanted me as much as I wanted them.

I stopped spinning, setting Nero back onto the ground, and I pulled back from the kiss. ”I love you,” I said again.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

”That’s the theory,” I say, tucking my notebook back into my bag. ”We’ll have to move quickly though. I can’t create an illusion like I did yesterday. It was easy because no one else was in the fountain, but today, I’ll need that whole area. Maybe I can talk to the people who maintain the temple…” I say, trailing off as I think.

Ω Heroes of Olympus: The Next Age of Heroes Ω Officially Done

Ezekiel Kel

Location: Lotus Hotel Basement ---> Outside The Lotus Hotel – Las Vegas
Skills:

---

---

Ezekiel breathed a sigh of relief when Nancy didn’t take the oath yet. She would remain with him and the camp for a little while longer then. Zeke knew Nancy’s end goal was to join their aunt, but he guessed she wanted to pass on the mantel of praetor properly.

Ezekiel stays with Demetri as they walk through the Lotus Hotel. He looked around, seeing the hotel differently as they were left untouched. It seemed less vibrant, less daunting. Ezekiel squeezed Demetri’s hand when they reached the Las Vegas streets. The sun was blinding after so long in the dark, but it was comforting, too.

Ezekiel took a deep breath in, not caring if his lungs were filled with pollution. He was outside. They all made it out. Blinking several times, Ezekiel glanced around at the group. Alexios offer was appreciated, and it meant they would all get back to camp quickly. Still, he had a party bus. Unless they could turn off the lights and music and have a calm drive back to camp, Ezekiel didn’t think that option would be viable. He would travel back to camp with his half-sister. Zeke had to make every minute count with her.

”What do you think, Nanc?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

That brings more of a smile to my face. I turn my head and kiss Nero’s neck. ”Not unless you ask me to,” I say.

Nero’s right. I wouldn’t intentionally hurt them, and this was different. It was a unity mark. My mark. I loosened my hold on Nero and pulled back. I brushed my fingers down their face, and cupped their cheeks.

”I really do love you.”

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I stick my tongue out at Nic. ”Dancing in the kitchen or in the garden is just as good,” I declared. I pulled my hand back from Nic’s leg and rummaged through my bag for my notebook.

”It’s a fun little ceremony, actually. I have to bless the space with some dehydrated jasmine in the water, sand for grounding, and light a few candles for the four corners of the earth, plus a fifth for the direction India is in. Then, I have to say some words while putting the stone in place,” I explain while reading from my notes.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I relaxed my face when Nero smoothed out my wrinkles. I sighed, pulling Nero in close and hugged them tightly. ”I love you so much… I don’t want to be responsible for causing you any pain.”

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I laugh, my eyes dancing with amusement. ”Why? I like dancing. If you know how, that’ll be one less thing I have to teach you,” I tease.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

As I hold Nero’s hand, I can see it’s healing, just at a much smaller rate. This fact doesn’t ease my worry about branding them. I look up at Nero, worry creasing my brow. I try to smile and laugh with them, but I can’t.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Ooo, so you can dance?” I ask, growing more and more curious about Nic. I liked these long drives. It meant I had more time to get to know Nic.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I end up being put to work building more garden boxes. The work is repetitive and mind-numbing, so I’m able to drown out the thoughts and my wolf’s needs. I felt that if I didn’t have a predator sharing half my mind, body, and soul, I would have better control of my emotions. I hated how the wolf enhanced all my human emotions.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I stand, watching Nero spin, and I chuckle. A demon with such life in them. It didn’t make sense even though I knew demons not to have a care for life, but Nero seemed to have an appreciation for life despite how they devoured it.

They suddenly stop and look at their hand. I step forward and see they haven’t healed like I have. I take Nero’s hand in mine, examining their palm. ”Answers what question?”

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”That makes sense with how layered it sounds,” I said, nodding in agreement. I tap my fingers on Nic’s leg while I listen to the music play over from his phone through the vehicle’s speakers. ”So I take it you’re a fan of Enya then?”

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Once I was in my room, I felt like I could finally breathe properly. I stripped out of my leathers, tossed them onto the bed, and walked into my bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror.

”Get a grip, Zain. She was yelling at you earlier because you insulted her. You just need to go out. Blow off some steam with someone else. Someone who isn’t Caden’s ward.” I splashed some cold water on my face before going to check in with my friends.

I knew we had been angry at each other earlier, and Kimiko had this way of absolutely infuriating me so quickly, but I couldn’t get the sensation of her arms around me to go away. I couldn’t get the image of the way she boldly leaned forward to yell in my face out of my head. It was such a turn-on for me. I had a serious problem.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I chuckle. ”Yes, you can still prank the puppy,” I said. ”Shall we keep waking?” I asked.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”A synthesiser isn't it?” I asked, looking back at Nic. I wasn't well versed with Enya. I just knew her music was played in every human owned mystic shop as well as the holistic care places. It got old really fast. I wonder if Kimiko was involved with Enya’s fame somehow. If she was, I'd have to tell her to drop her as a client.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I chuckled darkly in response to Nero's biting comment. I leaned in, brushing my nose along the inside of Nero's neck. ”I can still bite you if you want me to,” I whispered.

I kiss the soft flesh of Nero's neck before I nip the bottom of their ear in a teasing manner.

Nero's next question made me pause and I shook my head. ”No my little imp. You mustn't exert your power over Avery like that. To use your alpha ability on him would take away his control to respond or react to anything. The pull of the alpha over their pack is a call that must be heeded. It can cause pain if ignored. When I've used it on Avery it has been to keep him from losing control. Shifting form for Avery is different than it is for me. I can shift whenever I desire and it causes me no pain. For Avery to shift, every bone in his body breaks and is reformed. The shift is not easy. I have been able to stop Avery from shifting when he loses control, and my powers have helped to make his transition easier and less painful, but there is still pain. However, if you are in distress or if you have need of us, you can pull on the pack and we will come to you. Avery and I can teach you how,” I said.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Oh, Nic. Why Enya?” She was so overplayed. I take the opportunity however to flip through the music on Nic's phone. Thankfully, I found something other than Enya to play. A nice violin fills the speakers before singing bowls join the long notes. I sigh, smiling and set Nic's phone down.