THIRTEEN (RUBY POV)

"Well, Ru... can we sill call you Ru?" The vampire asks kindly and the angel nods, smiling while I keep staring at her in disbelief. I can't believe this gorgeous creature with white wings is my dog, the same pet that sleeps in my bed, that follows me everywhere, that begs me to give her a piece of my breakfast toast... that has seen me walking out of the shower naked. "Sit down, please. Do you want a drink? A slice of chocolate cake? Shrimp tartlets?" My puppy obeys but she flops down on a pillow on the floor next to Charlie and Chance instead of sitting down on the couch like any normal person would do. I guess she's used to this...

"No, thank you, angels don't eat or drink."

"That's a boring life," Iselen answers quietly. "But you don't have to worry about the sin of gluttony. And what do you feed on?"

"Good vibes and laughs, I guess. Demons don't eat food either, the real ones that live in hell, I mean, I'm not talking about them." Ru points at Raven and her sister that are standing near the table, feeling obviously awkward because they've realized they're the center of attention suddenly while holding a drink and a canape in their hands. Lilith looks at the angel with suspicion but Ru bows her head kindly to greet her. "They feed on negative energy and lost souls."

"A disgusting diet, no doubt," Terra sits down next to me and sighs. "Okay, so according to your bosses the door must be in Los Angeles. Does anyone live there and has noticed anything weird?" The magical creatures present in the room look at each other quietly, shaking their heads and shrugging. "I know, most of us don't get closer to big human cities and that makes things a bit difficult now."

"There's one of our people living there, I think," Lilith grimaces and moves a step back, flinching when we all turn our heads to look at her. I guess she regrets having speaking without thinking twice. Raven raises an eyebrow in disbelief but her sister nods firmly. "I swear I'm saying the truth this time. I don't know why but our father gets phone calls from Los Angeles, I thought it was weird because we live in the north of the country and we have no business or relatives in California, as far as I know."

"Is our father involved in this? Has he gone crazy? Pure breed demons never keep their word and have fun betraying their partners, this is going to end badly..." The young demon asks concerned and her sister seems to think about it for a few seconds before shaking her head.

"I don't think so, whoever this is, they've only phoned dad twice or three times and the conversation wasn't that long. I just remember it because I thought it was weird. You know how our parents are: they despise humans, are obsessed with pure blood and how to get good marriages for their children and they tend to focus on the problems that involve our clan and village, ignoring the rest of the world. Getting a phone call from Los Angeles is something that's outside of their normal routine and it grabbed my attention, I don't know what they talked about but dad didn't look particularly happy later and told mom something about staying out of other people's problems."

"Yes, that sounds like him: for better or worse, we turn our backs to the world and let others fix their problems alone." Raven sighs wearily and Maeve looks at her with pity in her eyes before pouring a glass of juice for her. "All right, let's assume that one of our people, a hybrid, is the acolyte who's working as an intermediary between this side of the door and the hell where the pure breed big shot who wants to escape to wreak havoc lives. He must be a powerful half demon because..." Lilith nods and shakes her dark purple wings although she stops immediately when she realizes that Ru is staring at her with curiosity, smiling. "Exactly, he knows how to manipulate human minds so they don't notice the horns and wings, he doesn't need to live in a cold city to hide them under a thick coat."

"Is there any way we can find out the name of this half demon who lives in LA?" Iselen asks and Raven turns to look at Lilith.

"You could take a quick look at the documents dad keeps in his desk, let's try to find a phone bill with a list of numbers..."

"Why should I do that? I'd get into a lot of trouble if he catches me, it's bad enough that I'm here talking to you... You aren't popular in the village right now, you know. You've never been, to be honest, but you're living in the Wind Rose, get on well with stupid fairies and druids and you knew where the key was but never told dad... He's not happy with you at all."

"It would be very kind of you if you could take a look at the desk," Ru answers softly and smiles when Lilith looks back at her in disbelief. "It'd be really helpful... Your wings are gorgeous, seriously. Angels don't usually have the chance to talk to half demons but it's really nice to meet you... Well, I know Raven likes dogs and she plays with us often so you don't seem to be as bad as my bosses told me up there."

"Well, down here it's said that angels talk too much and they're a pest, all that kindness and ridiculous good wishes make me want to puke..." Lilith answers bitterly rolling her eyes hard and I frown, angrily.

"Don't speak to my dog... angel... whatever... like that," I complain.

"Please, can we go back to the important subject?" Raven sighs tiredly shaking her head. "You know pure breed demons hate hybrids and they'll turn us into their slaves if they're successful and rule over this world so it's crucial to stop them before they open the gates. Can we work together for once instead of being a pain in the ass?"

"Oh, okay. I'll check dad's desk... but that's all I'm going to do to help you. I don't want to be punished because of you." Lilith grumbles upset.

"Thank you, you're really kind," Ru smiles again and the demon snorts.

"Okay, and you all..." Terra waves her hand pointing at the crowd scattered around the winter garden. "Be alert in case there's an increase in demonic activity near your houses or dens. If you know someone who lives close to the city, ask them if they have any relevant information and send it to the Wind Rose... This is all we can do for now. Ruby will stay here and we'll protect her, at least till her vacation is over and we'll have to make decisions about her future... Enjoy Maeve's food tonight."

"I get the impression that this meeting is a failure," I sigh sadly looking at the vampire who's leaning her arm over my shoulders. "I don't know what we're going to do..."

"Of course not, babe, we have new avenues to explore, a bunch of allies and you have a guardian angel. I'd say this was a productive evening... Now can we talk about my amazing idea? You, naked, lying in my bed, covered with diamonds..."

*****

"What is she doing?" Iselen asks confused watching the garden while sitting on the cornice, swinging her legs over the edge while sipping wine, as usual. Maeve and Raven are training again, fairies are fluttering over the pool, the necromancers are debating about the right moment to go back to Mexico or if they should stay in the Wind Rose, the witches and nymphs are picking apples to bake some pies and my dogs play on the grass. An ordinary evening in the refuge for supernatural creatures...

"She's chasing squirrels," I answer while watching Terra, mesmerized by her skills that allow her to walk on the sloping and slippery roof nimbly carrying a blanket and two hot cups of tea. "Thank you, babe."

"My pleasure. Put the blanket over your shoulders and wrap it around your neck tightly, it'll be too cold to come here after having breakfast soon. Iselen doesn't care and comes to sit on this cornice even when it's snowing but you're human and could get sick..."

"My blood can heal everything," the vampire answers proudly.

"I know, but I don't want Ruby to feel exposed to..." My dogs cut the wolf off barking loudly and she haves a sigh, leaning over the edge to take a look at them. Ru and Charlie are staring at the trees and barking excited while Chance drags her butt over the grass to follow them. "I don't understand how an angel can have so much fun chasing squirrels."

"Because she's not an angel, she's a dog, at least for now," I answer before drinking my tea. "Her bosses ordered her to change and keep her animal form as long as possible. Apparently, angels aren't allowed to stay on earth for long periods of time keeping their original form, even if they're guardians of humans... I always knew my pets were special and Ru was something like my... soul mate. But watching her turning into a celestial being with white wings it's been a shock, I admit it."

"Hey, wait one second... I thought we were your soul mates," the vampire complains outraged and I stare at her with my mouth wide open, blushing but not knowing what to say.

"Iselen, what did I tell you about being subtle?" Terra whispers leaning over my shoulder to punch the vampire's arm gently although she's obviously upset.

"What's wrong? What did I say?"

"It's too soon for Ruby to admit we're her soul mates and this is a serious and stable relationship that will last forever. She hardly knows us... it'll take time for us to gain the human lady's trust. She won't tell us she's crazy for us right now, it's hard for humans to understand their feelings usually and they need to muster the courage to show up vulnerability, she won't admit that she loves us... yet." I turn around to stare at the wolf in disbelief and my cheeks turn even redder. "Sorry, do you feel pressured?"

"A little," I answer out of breath.

"See? She feels pressured and that's not good," the wolf whispers leaning towards Iselen again and the vampire nods looking at me out of the corner of her eye. "We better stop talking about feelings and soul mates at least for a few days till she gets used to us."

"Thank you," I whisper shaking my head, dismayed.

"You're right, it's weird for an angel to have so much fun doing dog stuff." I can't help smiling at Iselen's awkward attempt to change subject and I fix the blanket over my shoulders.

"That angel is the most spoiled pet in the entire world, believe me: she has a comfortable house, delicious organic food every day, heating in winter and air conditioning in summer, appointments at the best dog grooming in Beverly Hills, she can sleep all day long and runs happily chasing balls in a park while the human follows her picking up poop. I'm basically their slave and work to earn money to pay for their toys."

"Sounds like a dream life," Terra chuckles and the three of us remain silent, watching the starry sky above the trees and enjoying the smell coming from the forest. I understand why they chose this place to live, it's peaceful and beautiful.

"How was it?" Both women turn their heads to look at me, bewildered. "You killed your blood father, Terra accepted to work with you in order to build up a refuge, you chose this place and came here alone because you didn't have support, everybody thought you were crazy because it was impossible to end the war... I guess it wasn't easy and you fought a lot at the beginning before reaching an agreement to live together peacefully, giving up some things and negotiating others as couples usually do..."

"Yes, that sums it up well. Some arguments were epic..." Iselen chuckles. "There were blood and punches, if I remember correctly. Wolves are too temperamental, above all when they believe they're the alpha of the pack and we should obey them..."

"Please, vampires are arrogant assholes who believe they're always right..." Terra answers bitterly. "Absolutely unbearable."

"But what I don't understand is how you went from insults and punches to... you know... How was your first time together?"

"Awkward," the werewolf and vampire answer at the same time, laughing amused.

"There was also blood involved, I seem to remember..." Iselen smirks mischievously and Terra winks at her. "It took some time for us to admit something weird was going on, years in fact. At first, we thought that the odd feeling was a consequence of our past: we had been enemies, we had hurt each other physically and psychologically, so every time the wolf got closer and I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I thought I was disgusted... However, we were able to work together, laugh and joke at the same time. I was really confused and didn't understand that I wanted her, actually."

"You should bear in mind that we were brought up to hate each other, centuries of hostility between werewolves and vampires where a heavy burden on our shoulders," Terra puts her cup of tea on the cornice and smiles sadly. "I thought that my feelings for Iselen were unnatural and felt embarrassed. And the situation got unbearable. We worked pretty hard for two years despite some arguments, we have chosen this area of the forest and built up the foundations and one wing of the house, we had progressed a lot but, later, there was a palpable tension in the atmosphere and we started fighting more and more surrounded by the scaffolding, piles of bricks, sacks of cement and tarps that covered windows without glasses. I even thought that this wasn't worthy and we'd never finish the Wind Rose."

"What happened?" I ask with curiosity and the vampire chuckles next to me before drinking her last sip of wine with a dash of blood.

"Picture this: a spring night, a storm was coming but we didn't pay attention while arguing about something stupid... the color of a wall or some curtains, I don't remember. We were screaming loudly, I was livid and thought Terra was behaving irrationally, I wanted to slap her to shove a little common sense in her pretty head... I guess she was feeling the same way about me..."

"Damn right," the wolf confirms.

"It started raining heavily and the crystal dome was not here yet, there were tarps covering paintings and plaster moldings on the walls of the new living room but the wind ripped them off and Terra was freaking out because the water could ruin her beloved rococo decoration. She screamed at me and I insulted her rudely but we managed to cover the walls again to protect them, we were standing down there on top of the mosaic, fighting and growling, with our clothes drenched in rain... I just wanted her to shut up to have a little peace so I leaned forward suddenly... and kissed her. I thought that way I could close her mouth at least."

"I slapped the hell out of her... hard."

"But not immediately, it took at least one minute for you to react while I was kissing you," Iselen smirks cockily and the wolf shrugs.

"You caught me off guard."

"Sure, babe..." the vampire smiles smugly and Terra raises an eyebrow.

"I pushed her away so hard that her back hit a half-finished wall... and jumped on top of her to kiss her too. I still don't understand what got into me to do such a stupid thing," the wolf admits frowning before smiling again. "We made love on the mosaic floor, ripping off our clothes under the rain..."

"Romantic," I whisper dreamily.

"You're calling that make love?" Iselen cuts me off leaning closer to my body to look right at the wolf's face. "We were still fighting while kissing, you slapped my cheek again when my hand sneaked under your shirt to touch your breast..."

"And you bit my neck when I dug my fingertips into your buttocks and scratched the skin on your back..." Terra answers angrily, leaning forward to look at the vampire's eyes.

"Oh yes, and you enjoyed it... every single minute of it..." Iselen answers frowning. "You love fighting for dominance, alpha girl."

"And you have a weird fetish with blood," the werewolf growls getting so close that their mouths are almost grazing each other and they're breathing heavily.

"Weird? What the hell that means? I'm a vampire, that's normal."

"Are all vampires so kinky and they like drinking blood while their preys chain orgasm after orgasm? I thought you hypnotized them and that was all."

"You'd be surprised," Iselen whispers sticking her tongue out to lick Terra's lips slowly while I watch them mesmerized, the wolf gasps and leans closer, seeking further contact, till they're both kissing passionately in front of my face. I swallow hard but remain silent while Terra cups the vampire's cheek and the kiss turns sweet and slow till she manages to tear a moan from her throat. "That was one of the most wonderful nights of my life."

"Even if we felt terribly awkward the next day and avoided each other for weeks because we didn't know what to say?" Terra asks amused rubbing her jaw with her thumb. "We didn't fight again till months later..."

"It was worth it," the vampire admits. "And you, Ruby Rose, what's your fetish?"

"What?" I ask surprised when both women turn their heads to stare at me closely. I lean back slightly but there's not much room to move away from them on the roof unless I jump on the glass dome. "I'm boring and conventional, I'm afraid."

"We don't believe you," the wolf whispers. "I've got you in a bed, precious human, and felt you writhing under my body, digging your nails into my back and biting the lower lip of this vampire here while she was working your pussy with her fingers nonstop. You're a passionate woman... far from conventional."

"That doesn't mean I'm interested in playing with handcuffs, ropes or leather riding whips..." I reply out of breath and they blink, surprised. Fuck, I shouldn't have said that, I bet I'm giving them naughty ideas.

"You're my soul mate, definitely." Iselen smirks mischievously.