"Little bastards are like cockroaches," Jule growled. "Chat later."
Dusty pocketed the phone. His brothers weren't any closer than they had been, but the sound of their voices made him realize how alone he'd really felt the past two weeks. And how fortunate he was to have people who cared for him. His eyes found Bianca, who stood shivering in the rain, staring towards the fire, as if waiting for Jonny to reappear.
"Jenn, looks like we need a ride. And communications to Ohio. I need to know if the infected town is still under lockdown. Looks like Darian took out everyone's power but Damian's."
"I'm on it," the pissed Guardian replied and tugged a phone free. "If I wanted to be a fucking mortal, I would be!"
"I think I can Travel," Darian said as he pushed himself up.
Dusty looked at Bianca, not wanting to send her away before talking to her. His gaze caught the movement of a few vamps that had escaped gathering around the edges of the fire.
"Take Bianca home then come back for us," he said.
Bianca didn't respond to his words. Darian moved sluggishly towards the shivering woman. Dusty watched her until they disappeared. Jenn met his gaze, and he looked again towards the fire.
"I think you need to be somewhere else," she said. "Why don't you let me take care of Ohio?"
He clenched his jaw, torn between his heart and his duty. He reached into his pocket to wrap his hand around the orb.
"I am capable, you know," Jenn said and crossed her arms.
"I've never walked away from a battle," he said with some difficulty.
"You have a reason to now."
He said nothing, one hand going to the chest wound Bianca had healed.
*****
She hoped Dusty's direction wasn't as farewell-ish as it sounded. When she opened her eyes, she was distraught to see the cozy living room of her father's apartment. It was where she belonged, now that she'd helped those that needed it and lost her brother. She felt crushed.
"Maybe tomorrow … would you … you know," Darian said.
"Peanut butter?"
He nodded, concerned gaze on her face.
"Sure," she said, forcing a smile. "And maybe you can bring Sunny back, too."
"Yeah."
"Thanks, Darian."
He waited. When she moved woodenly towards her bedroom, he disappeared. She paused in the hallway to gaze at a picture of Jonny and her from the previous summer. He'd been wearing his vampire gear and refused to smile, but she'd wrapped her arms around him and beamed. Even then his gaze was haunted, as if he somehow knew his fate.