Corey's POV
I leaned against Raven looking at the stars. Fairie was like being on another planet. The sky was crystal clear with what seemed like millions of bright stars. The air seemed clean and had a sweet fragrance to it. Yet, despite all the beauty surrounding us, none of us could relax. Every twig that snapped, animal that moved, or tree that rustled set us on edge. We had no idea what we were up against with King Rion, not to mention the fear that neither Victor nor Dreamgirl had awakened.
Raven and I turned around as we heard a commotion in the back of the cave. "Sean, wake up," Nate hissed as he kept a watchful eye on Victor who was now sitting up. We all came closer as Sean and the others woke up.
Sean eyed Victor cautiously. "Victor? Is that you, well, I mean is it, oh fuck are you the crazy Victor or not?" His tired state had him too disoriented to speak clearly.
Vic gave a sarcastic laugh, "Damn Doc, that's the most undoctor-like thing I think I've ever heard you say." He looked around the cave and then back to Gabriel and Eveleen still lying unconscious. "How long has Gabe been asleep?"
"Why? Did you do something else to him, to them?" North asked in an accusatory tone.
He visibly winced at his words and lowered his gaze. "No. Phineas was attacking Jewel again in her dreams. Somehow she called out to Gabe for help, and he pulled both of us into her dream pocket. I woke up when I left, I think."
"Is she still in danger?" I asked. He shook his head slightly. "Then why haven't they woken up?" His cheeks flushed bright red.
"Gabe has to finish the spell to stop the shadow from spreading," his voice was hoarse and low.
"Are you fucking kidding me!" Silas roared. "Wake them up now, dammit. You have no right, he has no right to hurt her like that!"
Victor stood quicker than I imagined he could move and got in Silas's face. "I know exactly what I was forced to do to both of them! But don't you dare say Gabriel is doing that to her. He's fucking saving her life and soul right now. If she doesn't absorb the dragon fire, then the stone will shatter by this time tomorrow - it's splintering." His shoulders slumped after his burst of anger, making him appear small. "His magic is untouched - for that matter, it's fucking untouchable, pure. Odin is helping him to keep her safe. They will wake when the spell is finished."
"What do you mean Odin is helping him?" Owen asked, stepping closer to Victor.
"I can hear them. He asked me a question a moment ago and I couldn't answer all of his questions, so Odin came and told him about his magic. About how he can complete the spell without harming her. Jewel has agreed to this. She isn't being forced, I promise."
"Uh, how did you guys stop Phineas?" Luke asked.
He chuckled, "I ripped him in half." Luke made a choking sound as several of us gasped or coughed in surprise. "What? The son-of-a-bitch had it coming." Vic said, holding up his hands in an innocent manner.
"You didn't answer, Sean. Is it you or are the shadows still there?" Axel said, wrapping his hand in Marc's.
"It's me, but the shadows are still there a bit. That's why I came back. I didn't want to risk the shadows coming back while the spell was being done. I told them both I would stay here so that Brandon, Corey, and Nate could contain me if needed." He sighed. "I don't blame any of you for worrying or not trusting me. I can't apologize enough, but I can tell you I wasn't in control. It was like watching a movie of myself. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I had no way to stop or even ask anyone to stop me."
"So what we do now?" Raven asked. "Malen'kiy voin not safe in Fairie. How do we move them like this?"
"We stick to the original plan," Owen said, "We start our second shift watch and leave in the morning. Hopefully, they will be awake by then. Nate, you rest, and Victor will take your spot. I think our brother has slept long enough."
We all started to disperse when we heard Eveleen softly whisper, "Mate," then shift closer into Gabriel's arms. I chuckled, "I take it that's a good sign?" I asked Victor.
He had a forlorn look in his eyes as he replied, "Yes, their bond is completing, I can feel some of it." I gave him an understanding smile and led Raven to a spot not far from Gabe and Dreamgirl, then drifted off to sleep.