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"And," Roarke added, "I think we've also learned that too many of us in one place is a problem of its own. If we spread out across Iowa in smaller groups, it should work better, right?"
"We'd need a communications network," Cain pointed out. "Some way to stay in touch, and I don't think social media would work."
"They watch that," Thane admitted. "Can I ask how you did it before?"
"I keep a blog," Cain explained. "The blog changes, but it's always something about prehistoric Africa. I always put a picture of myself as the author. My name changes, and I make sure the image is different enough to not raise questions. But a search will find it, and the right phrase will get me to reply."
"That's how I found him," Dahlia said. "We make contact and he asks a question to verify us. It's always something that only an eidolon would know."
"And that means I tend to have a few people I can reach at any one time," Cain continued. "They usually know one or two more. We've been carrying cell phones long enough that everyone has been trading contacts. Most of us keep some generic email address for emergencies."
"You too?" Thane asked Dahlia.
She nodded. "I used it in case Mei and I got separated. Cain and a few others know it." Then she reached up to rub at her face. "Ok. There's nothing else we can do tonight, and I'm not going to let us spiral. I want all of you to think about where we can go, how we can split this group up to keep everyone safe, and how we can convince those who just dropped a month's worth of rent that it makes sense to do it again."
"Or," Cain suggested, "we just don't. Inquisitors are in the area because the ghosts had to break the rules. We're moving. They can do what they want, but they've proven that they can't come with us."
"We'll need the help with the Church," Nikki reminded him. "Can't completely cut ties. Still, I'll work on it."
"I have a TV," Roarke told her, making it sound like an offer. "I also just bought a futon like this because I keep having company. Fuck, but I like company."
Nikki laughed. "I'll come watch your TV with you."
"I'm going to sit alone and read a book," Cain declared. "Only because it might be the last time I get that luxury for a while. Night, Dahlia. Night, Thane."
And just like that, Nikki and Roarke hopped up, following Cain to the door. Thane waited for them to all make it outside, and then he locked everything up behind them. Dahlia was still sitting in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face, but what she said next wasn't at all what he was expecting.
"So, you kissed Nikki too, huh?"
Immediately, he wanted to apologize and make excuses. Instead, what he said was, "I did. She hadn't fed in five days, there were inquisitors close by, and I hate the idea of her getting staked because she's not strong enough to fight back."
"Do you like her?" Dahlia asked next.
Thane moved to stand before her, deciding to face this head on. "Like is a bad word. It gets guys like me in trouble. Is she pretty? Yes. Is she fun? Also yes. Did I mind kissing her? No. She's just a friend, though."
Her next question was even worse. "Would you fuck her?"
Thane just hung his head. "Yeah, probably."
"And Roarke?"
"No," Thane said, then realized he had to clarify that. "I'd let him suck my dick again if he needed it. I didn't hate tag-teaming that girl with him, or whatever we did. Um, I'm not really into fucking guys, but if it was that or letting him die? I'm pretty sure I could figure it out, but he doesn't turn me on. I'd really prefer not to, though."
She laughed. "And what about Cain?"
"He scares me a little," Thane admitted. "Mostly because I'm not convinced that he wouldn't be offended somehow and decide to eat me. I'm also pretty sure that he's at least as terrifying as you are."
She just ignored that last part, lifting her eyes up to meet his. "I'm asking because if you live with us, it will probably happen."
"And you'll probably fuck them too," he pointed out. "To get a date, because it's fun, or whatever other reason works at the time, right?" He nodded to show he could accept that. "You'll definitely fuck other people - just because you need to survive. I know that. I do. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, and I keep thinking I should be either jealous or hate it, but the truth, Dahlia? I don't hate this. I don't know what I'm doing, and I feel like I'm in over my head, but I learn fast."
"Yes," she agreed, "you do. But you're ok with what happened with Roarke?"
"I am," he promised. "Truth be told, he's good at sucking dick. I also refuse to think there's anything wrong with it. I'm not less of a man. He certainly isn't, so how can it be bad if you're not pissed? Because you aren't, are you?"
"I'm not," she promised. "I just like those three. I like it even more that you want to help them. I dunno. It makes me feel like we're working together to keep them safe."
So Thane offered her his hand, encouraging her to get up. "I'm an inquisitor. They are eidolon. We're supposed to be enemies, but instead they are the first friends I've had that I don't need to lie to. It's a new experience for me, and I will fight with everything I have to protect them. I will fight even more to protect you, though." When she placed her palm in his, he tugged, pulling her right up into his chest. "And Nikki has a crush on you. I think you need to know that. She's not going to make a move, but it seems that our favorite topic is how amazing this blonde Amazonian warrior is that I happen to have married."
