Just like Lukas promised, it doesn’t take long at all for people to start arriving. The first to show up is Julian. He slips into the room looking a little more tense than usual, like he’s been waiting for this visit for hours. Actually, probably more like days. I keep forgetting how long I’ve been asleep for. It doesn’t FEEL like it’s been nearly a week. Surprisingly, my brother isn’t alone. Uncle Lance trails behind him, hovering awkwardly just inside the doorway like he’s afraid stepping further might violate some unspoken rule.
“Clare, how are you?” Julian asks, his voice warm but clearly strained.
“I’m pretty doped up on painkillers.” I reply honestly.
“Aaaaaand I’m a little foggy on the details for, like… The last week? But Lukas assures me I have nothing to worry about, and I’ve decided to just embrace that.” I say cheerfully. Everything is kind of looking up. My brother is here, Lukas is here, none of us are dead and it looks like our demon problems are over. Sure my ankle is fractured and my head kind of hurts, but things could be an awful lot worse. So I’m feeling pretty good about things. Julian raises one unimpressed eyebrow.
“That’s one way to look at things.” He grumbles. I tilt my head at him.
“And what’s YOUR way of looking at things?” I ask.
“That my sister almost died.” He says, bluntly.
“And I feel completely useless.” He adds, his tone a little sad.
“Useless?” I blink at him.
“You’re not useless. I’m counting on you to deal with our parents. I don’t know what’s going to happen when Mum finds out, but I do NOT want to deal with that circus while I’m stuck here in this bed. So you are now officially on damage control duty. Running interference is your new full time job.” I announce dramatically. Julian laughs, some of the weight on his shoulders easing just slightly.
“I suppose you can’t be feeling that terrible if your biggest worry is Mum.” He says with a smile.
“Oh, I have plenty of worries.” I say sweetly.
“I’m just prioritising the ones that cause me immediate emotional damage.” I clarify. There’s an awkward cough from the doorway.
“Uh… I don’t suppose I could help… with that.” Uncle Lance says quietly.
“I know that Daisy and I are… Separating. But… You guys are still my family. If you’ll still have me?” His last words come out as a question. I glance at Julian. He doesn’t say anything, but he gives a tiny nod. Looks like while I’ve been unconscious, they’ve been making peace. Or at least trying to. That’s… Kind of amazing.
“I mean, of course you’re still family.” I say, smiling softly.
“I always liked you better than Aunt Daisy anyway. If there’s anything you can do to keep Mum chilled out, I will absolutely take it. Bonus points if you manage it without bribery or blackmail.” I joke. Uncle Lance’s expression crumples like he’s about to cry, and for a second it’s so awkward I don’t know where to look. Thankfully, the moment is saved by the sound of the door opening again.
“Alright, alright. Who told Clare she was allowed to fight demons without supervision?” Eli calls out as he strolls in.
“I think technically Lukas was supervising…” Damien adds as he walks in behind him, arms crossed but eyes full of concern and disapproval. Eli tosses himself into a visitor chair like he owns the place, and Damien leans against the wall beside Julian.
“Let me guess, Lukas gave you that look, and suddenly you were like, ‘Yes, I will try to fry a centuries old demon with my bare hands.’” Eli grins. I can’t help but laugh. Eli’s way of making light of awful things might not be for everyone, but it definitely makes me feel better. So, I just smirk.
“Honestly, that’s not far off.” I say teasingly.
“Why is everyone so weirdly supportive of your bad decisions?” Julian groans.
“Because I’m charming.” I reply immediately.
“She’s got you there.” Eli says with a wink. And just like that, the room feels lighter.
I’m really starting to think Eli has nothing to worry about. If Damien didn’t like him, he wouldn’t put up with the fact that they’re basically glued together at the hip, right? Then again… Maybe Damien just thinks they’re really good friends. He’s impossible to read. Stoic, quiet, and maddeningly inscrutable. Why can’t he have some obvious tell, like blushing or stammering when Eli’s around? It’s getting dangerously tempting to ask Lukas to take a quick peek inside Damien’s head. Not like, a full scan, just a polite toe dip into the romantic section. But that would be wrong… Probably. Maybe I just need to get Damien drunk. Really drunk. Like, accidental confession and oversharing about his entire dating history drunk. Would he come if I invited him to girls’ night? I mean, it wouldn’t technically be girls’ night if Damien came, but maybe that’s a sign we need a proper party instead. A freedom party. A ‘we’re not dead thank goodness’ celebration. Okay, yes. I’m going to plan that. Maybe Eli can help. It sounds like something he would be good at. As soon as I’m back on my feet. Literally. I’m mid internal guest list when the door slams open and Wren bursts into the room. Before I can say a word, he throws himself at me in a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around my ribs. I try not to wince as he jostles my shoulder and leans awkwardly into the side of the bed. Behind him, Richard and Laura appear, and Richard quickly steps forward to peel him off me with practiced ease.
“Hey, kid, careful. She’s still a little delicate right now.” He says gently.
“Oh!” Wren pulls back immediately, wide-eyed.
“Sorry, Clare! I was just… I was just really relieved to see you’re okay.” His voice drops into a whisper, a little hoarse.
“Thank you for coming to get me.” He says softly. My chest tightens, and I reach out to ruffle his already messy hair.
“Of course I came to get you. I’ve been worried about you, too.” I say firmly. And it’s true. Seeing him, alive, safe and generally okay… Well it brings a surge of emotion so intense it nearly knocks the breath out of me. After everything, after that room and those chains and the way he looked at me like a trapped animal… I’m so, so relieved.
“You had us all really scared.” I tell him.
“But you’re here now. That’s what matters.” I add softly. Wren nods, clearly trying to hold it together. His lip wobbles slightly, and he steps back to stand beside Richard, who drops a hand onto his shoulder. Laura crosses the room and squeezes my hand.
“Nice to see you conscious for once.” She teases, her eyes suspiciously shiny.
“Nice to be conscious.” I reply, grinning weakly.
“Though honestly, I think I might miss the part where Lukas handled everything and I got to nap through the chaos.” I joke.
“Please don’t make that a habit.” Laura deadpans.
“I don’t think my blood pressure can take it.” She pleads.
“It’s pretty crowded in here… Mind if we join?” Rina asks sweetly from the hallway. Torin is standing behind her looking uncomfortable. Huh, I never expected them to visit.
“The more the merrier.” I answer happily. I think I have more friends than I thought I did. It’s just… Really, really nice.