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"I did?"

"I got the feeling off your energy. What's up?"

Shadow sits casually on the floor.

"Do you know anything about demons and the souls they take? I don't mean to bother you, I debated asking Lucian. I thought you'd know more since you're more so a spiritual creature."

It made sense to her, but she hoped she was right.

He hums thoughtfully, "I know more than I probably should, honesty," He sighs, "What did you want to know?"

"What happens while a soul is in limbo? Is it possible for one to take control of its technical host?"

"It is, actually. People, or other demons, don't believe that it's possible. Why?"

"Did Lucian explain the situation in the kitchen?"

He shakes his head, casually laying back on the floor, "No, he went to talk to Damian and said he'd tell me after."

"I see, "She hums thoughtfully before explaining.

She includes her theories on the situation as she explains hoping he's be able to either confirm or deny them. Her and Shadow have also grown closer, he was like the younger brother you didn't ask for. Except, he is older than her by a long shot. He just looks young.

"Hm, this is odd behavior for Damian. It confuses me as to why he would just stand there and let himself be stabbed. Especially, by ice. It doesn't particularly affect him, but still. I'd hate being stabbed by ice."

"Do you think maybe she was trying to reach out?"

"What did his eyes look like?"

"I didn't look at his eyes, do they change when someone else takes control?"

"The eye color changes to that person's, and the look may be softer or colder depending on how that person is. What color are Natalia's eyes?"

"A darker shade of brown. Almost black."

"Damn, same as his. So, it won't be easy to tell by the eyes. What is her tone usually like, with you?"

"Gentle, loving, even. She's a tad hardheaded and intimidating to others, but she's gentle towards me."

"His tone has been gentle towards you lately and his eyes have had a softer gaze to them. That's out of character for him. Usually, he'd play games or try to get under your skin. Even with the situation, he'd still be an ass, he wouldn't be gentle. If anything, he'd be even worse. He'd try to play mind games with you. That way, you'd just ask him to get the deal over with. We'll all keep tabs on his behavior, though. We'll let you know what we find. Use your senses and ability, as well. You may find that you can pick up on her energy yourself."

She thinks to herself as thethe conversation becomes a little more light-hearted. Even with everything feeling chaotic and unsure, she begins to feel better knowing she had two people to trust. The conversation comes to a halt as the door opens. She feels relieved that it was only Lucian, noticing Shadow relax, as well.

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation, "Lucian speaks quietly as he closes the door, "I noticed you were in here and thought I'd update you two."

Lucian grabs the beanbag chair and sits himself near the two," He feels confused, he keeps losing track of time. He feels as if something or someone else is taking control over his body."

Cassandra and Shadow look at each other knowingly, this confirming both of their suspicions.

"What did you find out?"

"He has Natalia kind of in a limbo state, right?"

"Yes, or so he says. I don't necessarily trust his words."

"Well, "Shadow adds, "Natalia may be showing herself through him."

"How?"

"Taking control of his mind, which explains his strange attitude towards Cassie. Have you noticed he's been more affectionate and gentle lately?"

He nods, "I have, I just thought it was because of the deal."

Shadow shakes his head,"No. A demon such as Damian wouldn't be sweet, even with cooperation. He'd play mind games, yes. But, he's the kind to more so drive someone mad and make them beg for the deal to happen sooner."

"True, I didn't think of that. It would make sense, but how can we tell if it's her or Damian just playing us for fools?"

Shadow doesn't hesitate to begin explaining, and in detail. Cassandra listens intently, even if she already heard about it before.. Shadow begins explain more than he had said before. He explains how demons are naturally, how they operate. The ones he has dealt with, anyway. She almost wants to laugh at the situation. Not about having to save Natalia, but the conversation. She doesn't find it odd anymore, living with two vampires, a skin walker, and a demon. Temporarily, of course. The thought of leaving them, in any manner, causes her heart to ache a little. She knows they'll both be upset and miss her, just as she'd miss them. But, she can't stay there forever.

"So, we could use his weak point and distract him?"

"Yep."

"But, what happens to Natalia's soul?"

"It, or she, returns to her natural body."

Cassandra's hope falls short, "What if the original body is no longer there?".

Shadow pauses, thinking momentarily,"That, I'm not sure of. I haven't dealt with that before or witnessed it. I believe she could find a new body, maybe someone who's in a coma or recently passed."

"That feels wrong, in all honesty."

"What if she kept Damian's?"

"Would you really want to see that face every day and feel anxious, knowing that was his body? I'm not even sure that's an option, I'll have to contact the others and find what they know."

"Are all of...you like yourself? With such a distinctive personality?"

"What kind of personality?" He asks sassily, sitting up to give her a look.

"One of a caring, yet annoying little brother," She ruffles his hair playfully.

He smiles briefly before looking serious again, "I wish I could say that we all have personalities such as mine, but not all are like me. We're generally taught to deceive and play with humans or any other creature, that is."

Lucian nodds, adding his own experience, "Shadow's the only...genuine skinwalker I've met. We met through a friend he had gone to for help," He looks at Shadow for approval.

Shadow waves him off playfully,"Go ahead. I know how you love to tell stories."

"Of course, of course. I'm just an old man with my old stories," He says grumpily.

Cassandra smiles as they burst into laughter. The kind of laughter old friends share when they're sharing an inside joke.

"Anyway, Shadow was trying to escape his fellow 'friends' and family. They were targeting humans and trying to feed off really anything they could, causing chaos everywhere. Shadow became tired of it and fled. They barely noticed he was gone and didn't come back for him. He got lucky, or he was just feared among them. Shadow was quiet, then. Angrier, even."

Shadow nods in agreement, seemingly thinking of old memories as Lucian speaks. Cassandra listens intently as he speaks. Their friendship makes sense, it's almost like they're family. Lucian gave Shadow a way to escape his past and become someone better. Or, more so himself. And, Shadow gave Lucian a new friend. Someone to improve for, to escape his own tyrants and just be him. It gave off a wholesome feeling, knowing that these two were more "human" than they thought.

"And, that's how we became roommates."

He smiles as Shadow grins. The conversation becoming wholesome and content as time passed.

"Damn, it's already late, "Shadow speaks, yawning, "You should sleep."

He sits up from the floor, stretching, "Goodnight, Cassie."

"Goodnight, Shadow."

She yawns, feeling tired. Lucian stares at her sadly before standing up, "I know you should sleep, but I worry about Damian trying to kill you in your sleep."

"He shouldn't, he knows I will end him. I think today proved that," She smiles gently at him,"But I'm glad you care. It's nice to have people in my life who care again. Although this makes me question if my own friends are secretly something else."

"I never really had siblings, either. None that I was close to, anyway."

He coughs, seeming to notice her sympathetic gaze,"But, that's a conversation for another night. For now, you need sleep. Goodnight, Cas."

"Goodnight."

As Lucian walks out the door, Cassandra sighs in relief. Not because he left the room, but because she now had time to think. The plan had a chance to work, but the question was what would happen if it didn't. It definitely doesn't sound easy to find a demon's weak spot and use that against them. It would have to be a deep wound or something really...sensitive. But, this was to save Natalia. During the time there, she would find herself really missing Natalia. Natalia was always there for her when she needed it. And, now she is inside a demons digestion tract. She sighs to herself, laying back on the bed.

"Man, do I miss her. Is it her trying to reach me, to get through? Or, is Damian just playing games?"

As she lays on the bed, she heard her door open softly. Soft enough that normal senses wouldn't have picked up on.

"Are you there?"

"Yes?"

She noticed the wide open door, with Damian standing in her doorway. She wants to shove him out of the room, or tell him to leave but remains silent.

"You called?"

Something about his voice sounds different, as if he was trying to hide something.

"I didn't call for you, "She speaks coldly.

She notices a flicker of emotion in his eyes, but it lasts too short to determine what.

"Didn't you, женщина?"

Cassandra sit up immediately, recognizing that word fondly.

"How do you know that word means something to me?"

His eyes soften, "Because it's me, I missed you."

"Prove it's you."

"Easy," He smiles,"I remember when your parents found out about me. Your mother was so angry that she tried to push me to the ground, screaming how I ruined her perfect child. I told her that her child is perfect and that she should respect you for who you are instead of trying to change you," He answers before Cassandra even asks.

She wants to think this is Natalia, badly. The longing for her was driving her insane , and to have her just ripped away makes her feels so hopeless. She has a feeling that maybe Damian has access to Natalia's memories. Shadow hadn't mentioned if demons have access to souls memories. But, what if it is Natalia? What if it really is and this is a chance to talk to her again? Even for a short time.

"This better not be a trick."

"I promise, it's not."

She watches cautiously as he walks over to her, or Natalia did. "He" carefully lifts her into his lap, staring down at her directly.

"Damn, have I missed you."

"How do I know this is you and not some game Damian's playing?"

She looks at his eyes and notices the soft gaze and his eye color wasn't the same. Usually, the color was dark brown or maybe black. But, now they are gold.

"There are some things I neglected to tell you, "Now she notices Natalia's rough accent, "But, this man and your parents didn't give me the chance."

Cassandra can only stare at her partner as she speaks.

"I'm not human. I'm not a demon, angel or skin walker. I suppose you call me part 'lycan', hence the gold eyes. He wasn't aware of my ability. I don't become a wolf or anything, I just have strong senses. Better sense of smell, hearing," She poins at her eyes, "Better eyesight. But, I can also sense people's emotional state really well and back there-"

The look in her eyes shows pure worry, "You were stressed. I thought you had pushed me away like I did something wrong. I always sensed your energy was different, but it was suppressed. I thought you were just scared to tell me, and I was going to ask you about it until he took my chance away! That wasn't him in the kitchen, it was me. I thought I had done something, I was so worried-"

Cassandra hugs her close, ignoring what she looked like. She feels convinced, this has to be her love. It has to.

"I missed you. We'll figure this out, "Cassandra speaks between tears.

Natalia looks at her lovingly before kissing her head, "I know we will, and I'll find my way out before he tries to take your soul. He won't win this. We'll do this together."

Cassandra nods, smiling through her tears.

"I should go before he regains control. Please don't let him get to you, you're strong, мои подсолщнечник."

Natalia kisses her forehead one last time, leaning her forehead against Cassandra's. She casts the thoughts away of Damian, knowing that Natalia is stuck in Damian's body. After the small moment, Natalia stands up. Cassandra watches as Natalia leaves the room, feeling more hopeful than before. Joy enveloped her. Knowing that there is hope, that they are all working together in this feels like enough. She feels herself smiling as she slips into sleep, knowing that hope is there. That it will be okay.