Hedgesville, West Virginia
Caspian Residence
Tuesday, August 27, 1996
2:15 AM

With blankets wrapped around her securely, Jennie opened her eyes and blinked. The room was dark, but she could easily sense the warm body lying next to her. As her eyes adjusted, she saw Reiyl’s back while his hair seemed to be wrapped around his neck.

Sitting up, her attention turned to the bed on the other side of the room. It was vacant.

He never came to bed? Or…maybe he’s sleeping somewhere else.

Glancing toward the door, she eyed it for a moment then peered back down to Reiyl. A somber look was on her face as she eyed the cat demon.

When did I go to bed? I don’t remember.

The last thing she could recall was being curled up on the couch while watching a movie. It was possible she had simply dozed off and was carried upstairs.

Finally, she reached her hand and nudged Reiyl’s sleeping body. His response was a simple grunt as he rolled onto his back, sprawling out his arms above his head. His hair still bound around his neck.

Jennie frowned, but again shook his shoulder. “Wake up,” she called out.

“Hmm?” Reiyl mumbled as he turned over, opening a glowing eye. “What’s wrong?”

She looked down at him with a drained gaze. “Should you be sleeping here?”

“Hai,” he answered while sitting up. He scratched at the top of his head for a moment then began to pull his hair from around his neck. Running his fingers through his mane, he peered toward her. “Nick asked me to.”

“Oh,” she whispered, watching him continue to stroke his ponytail.

“Basically,” he said, “to keep an eye on you while Rem is out of commission.”

Her eyes dropped to the blanket as she peered at her hands that clutched at the sheets tightly. When she felt a warm touch against her cheek, she abruptly withdrew and glanced quickly to Reiyl to see him staring at her with a wounded appearance.

“Sorry,” she said, frowning slightly, “I’m just a little…”

A chill danced down her spine. Tugging at her blanket, she pulled it closer to her.

“I don’t understand what’s wrong with Rem,” she said, “or maybe I do.”

“Howzit, bra!”

The bedroom door had burst open and standing inside the doorway was Nahele. He stood with an amused grin on his face while he wore a simple pair of swim trunks. Jennie stared in awe at the sight while Reiyl seemed a bit miffed.

“Here to give the cat the axe,” Nahele said while pointing to the door.

“Excuse me?” Reiyl asked as he stiffened.

“Chill, broskie,” Nahele chuckled, “just relieving you for the night.”

“Right,” Reiyl whispered, shifting off the bed.

Both met in the middle of the room where Reiyl caught the bird demon by the bicep. He stared directly into Nahele’s eyes forcefully.

“I do not give you permission to sleep in the same bed as her,” Reiyl stated through clenched teeth. His voice was harsh while eyes were dark.

“Quit being nitchen, bra,” Nahele mumbled, “I’m not snaking your wave. She’s not interested in a beach bum like me anyway.”

Peering up at Nahele, she nodded, feeling a little guilty for being blunt. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“That’s cool,” Nahele said with a smile. “You rather a ninja than a surfer with no ocean.”

As Reiyl neared the door, Nahele whipped around to look at the cat. “Dude.”

Peering over his shoulder with an aggravated look on his face while his tail swished back and forth frantically, Reiyl eyed the blond boy. “What?”

“The littlest ninja,” Nahele called out, “is having some problems. Not sure if you’ve noticed it or not, but the kid is getting pretty frustrated. Most of us can see it pretty clearly. You and the Seraph are hooking up. But Kasei…”

“I’ll deal with him” Reiyl whispered, looking past Nahele to Jennie. “Don’t worry.”

“Everyone knows?” Jennie asked after Reiyl left, “How? I didn’t even know.”

“Guess that would be a snag in a relationship,” Nahele chuckled as he took a seat on Rem’s bed. He extended his arms into the air then began a strange regiment of stretches. “But this afternoon, Reiyl made an announcement that he would protect you.”

“He did” Jennie questioned.

“Yeah,” he whispered, “even if it meant taking you to Nekomura.”

“Seriously?” she asked in a look of confused doubt.

“That guy has no ability to joke,” Nahele mumbled. “He loves you. I mean, we’re all attracted to our Seraph, but he seems more that just attracted. He’s gone to the point of putting his life on the line for you. Don’t get it wrong, I would, too. But he’s more gung-ho about it.”

“I don’t want anyone dying for me,” Jennie replied.

“Get some sleep,” Nahele replied. “I’ll sleep over here. No need to get Reiyl pissed at me.”

“Sure.”