“It did look nasty, but it’s one of my favorites.” Lana grinned, but then looked away from his knowing stare.
“This is going to end now, Lana.” Sid turned, but she grabbed his arm.
“Please, not now,” she pleaded, looking toward Nicole then back at him. “I’m not ready.”
“This is affecting you and it’s my responsibility to protect you.” Sid took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. “It ends now.” Before Lana could protest further, Sid turned to get everyone’s attention.
“Please.” But her plea went unnoticed.
“Listen up, brothers.” Sid’s tone took on a rare seriousness, which captured the attention of every Warrior present. “Lana has some…” Sid stopped, not really knowing how to explain what was going on.
“Some what?” Jared looked between Sid and Lana, putting his spoon down.
Lana stood up, her face pinched with nervous energy. “I have messages for you.”
“Messages?” Jared asked, his brow lowered in confusion until his eyes popped open and a ‘holy shit’ expression flashed across his face. “You mean…”
Nodding, Lana held her hands together. “I know this is strange to you all, but they have been with me from the very beginning and…” Her eyes fell on Damon, “have become very persistent.”’
Standing quickly, Damon walked away from the table to put his bowl in the sink. “I don’t need to hear anything from my past.” He reached down to help Nicole from the table.
“But—” Lana began, but he cut her off.
“The past is dead to me.” Damon’s golden eyes turned hard. “I don’t need you digging it up.”
Sid watched the pained expression cross Lana’s face before she hid it. “Go into the game room and wait.” He turned Lana around, leading her toward the door. “We’ll be right there.”
Everyone watched as Lana walked out the door, shoulders slumped. Then their eyes focused on Sid who looked mad enough to tear out throats. “For her to be told to leave without giving me shit is a clear indication something is not right.” Sid pointed over his shoulder. “She is not eating, sleeping or bitching me out for ordering her around, because dead people are wanting to talk to you assholes and they won’t go away.”
“She doesn’t look good,” Nicole spoke up, glancing at Jared, Duncan and finally Damon. “I think you need to talk to her.”
“No.” Damon’s voice was final.
“I’m not asking, brother.” Sid took two steps and was in Damon’s face. “I have no clue how to protect her from this. Jesus, I’m a damn vampire and this shit freaks me out. But I do know one thing, you will walk into that room and listen to her, because as far as I know, that is the only way to get them to leave her alone.”
Damon and Sid stood staring at each other, neither giving an inch.
Jared stood. “I’ll go talk to her.” He smacked Damon on the back. “If it was Nicole in there, you’d feel the same way Sid feels, so I suggest you do it and get it done.”
Nicole nudged herself between Sid and Damon. “Sid would do it for me, Damon.” She reached up and touched his cheek, waiting for his eyes to meet hers. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Oh, you do?” Damon’s eyes crinkled at the corners, softening his scowl. “And what is that?”
“That I will be hurt if she is the one wanting to give you a message.” On her tiptoes, Nicole reached up and kissed him softly on the cheek. “But your concern is the reason I won’t be. Maybe if she is the one with a message, you will find the closure that you need. I’ve never even asked for her name, Damon.”
“Rose. Her name was Rose.” Damon stared down at her for a moment longer before pulling her to him. “I don’t deserve you.”
Sid, who had been standing silently, snorted. “You got that right.”
“Shut up, Sid.” Nicole’s voice was muffled by Damon’s massive chest. Finally looking up, she smiled at Damon. “Go find your closure with Rose so I can have you all to myself. I’ll be here when you’re finished.”
“I want you with me and you have always had me to yourself. Never doubt that.” Grasping her hand, he pulled her past Sid. “Let’s get this over with.”
Sid stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks, my brother.”
“Nicole was right.” Damon nodded at him. “You would have done it for her.”
“Without a second thought.” Sid followed them out hoping that this would work. Never in his many years did he think he would have to protect someone from the dead and not have one damn clue how to do it. Even though most considered his race dead, this was a whole different dead, and for once in his life, he was at a loss.
******
Adam, Jill and Steve found an empty table at Spare Time Diner. A few customers gave them uncomfortable stares, but they ignored them, used to the disgusted or frightened glares from others.