James sat on top of their small home while looking out over the city. The girls were sleeping and Coral was sealed in her room, even though he knew she wouldn't runaway any longer. It was hard to determine if the sun had risen or set on the surface, and the crystal that would normally be over the city was missing. Only fragments of where it once rested were visible, surrounded by the cracked ceiling and crumbling stone.

"Dismal, isn't it?" Priest asked as he stepped onto the roof.

Grunting, James gestured to the spot next to him, and waited for Priest to take his seat.

"What troubles you, James?"

Rubbing his chin, James blew out a slow breath. "Many things if I'm being honest. I want to move through this nest as quickly as possible, but I know we need the strength from killing the monsters. I want to finish off the rents and destroy The Pact so they can't rise again and threaten my future family."

"That's not all of it, is it?" Priest asked softly.

"I miss her," James whispered. "She was always there for me when I needed her the most, and it's nights like this, that I really need her."

"Luna will be back. If you want to destroy the nests and rents faster, we can."

Rubbing his eyes, James shook his head. "It's not that easy. I selfishly want to rush through to each rent and nest before tackling The Pact, but that would mean backtracking more than is necessary."

Priest gave him a small nod before turning to the city. "When word gets around that you are hunting The Pact members, they will likely pull out of everywhere but the capital. That should speed up our time significantly."

"I hope you're right." Getting up, James brushed off his pants before crossing his arms. "I think it's time to wake the others. The sooner we can destroy the nest today, the sooner we can reach Norn. I want to be settled into an inn before the day is out."

"Start with Coral," Priest suggested before laying down. "She wants a word with you."

Nodding, James hopped down and entered the house. Waving his hand at Coral's wall, he created a door and carefully pushed it open. It didn't grind, despite being made from stone, and once he was inside, he found the pink woman sitting up in bed.

"Is it time?" she asked.

"Nearly." Moving over to her side, he sat down. "How are you feeling?"

Waffling her hand back and forth, she gave him a small smile. "I'm adjusting you could say. Thank you, James."

"For what exactly."

Pulling a lock of her hair around to her face, she said, "you didn't have to clean my hair last night. And I've never had someone clean my tail before. It was nice. Do you really take care of everyone like that?"

"I do," he said with a small laugh. "Anyone that wants me to, or looks like they need it. My family means everything to me, and my friends just as much. You're in my life, Coral, and even though I forced you to join us, that doesn't mean I don't care."

Letting her hair go, she frowned. "You know there are thousands that have stories just like me, right? We joined The Pact to save the world from the monsters. Valiants were only myths and scary stories they taught us to keep us in line. Most of us are just trying to survive and protect those we care about."

Bumping his shoulder against hers, he asked, "who are you trying to protect?"

"My sister. She's…not well. I send her as much money as I can, but the healers can't do anything else for her. They are just trying to make her comfortable near her end."

The happy atmosphere paled and James felt his body slump. "I wish I could do something for her. Where is she?"

"In a city near the capital," Coral answered. "I know it's asking a lot, but can we see her if we pass by?"

Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he said, "of course. Once I bring my family back to life, Mender might be able to help her. He's the best healer that I know."

Relaxing against him, Coral sniffled. "You'd do that for me?"

"You're part of the team, Coral. So, yes, I would do that for you. I just need your help to close the rents and kill the nests."

"You'll have it, James."

A throat cleared in the doorway before Amber spoke up. "May I borrow my mate, Coral?"

Pulling away, Coral blushed a light pink, nearly matching her fur. "Y-yes!"

"Thank you. I didn't want to interrupt…"

James got up and joined the nekorian. "What's wrong, Amber?"

"I just missed you," she admitted. "I also wanted to talk for a minute if you have the time."

Turning back to Coral, he gave her a small wave. "Get ready, Coral. We are going to help you level up a bit more before I destroy the nest." Turning back to Amber, he led her out of the house. "Did something happen?"

Smiling, she shook her head. "No, James. You didn't cuddle with us much last night and I grew worried." Cupping his cheek, she held his gaze. "Like Coral, I want to thank you. Remind you that you've changed me, James. When we first met, I was stealing to survive and running a slums. I was hard, and callous. Always looking over my shoulder for the blade that was going to slit my neck. You saved me from that. Just like you saved Zenaria from a life of being used by those elders as nothing more than a plaything. You saved Luna from being eaten, and are helping her see the world. That's what you do, James. You save people. You give us a home and a family. No matter what you do going forward. No matter how many you kill. I'll always have my arms open for you. So thank you, for being you, and letting me share my life with you."

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Smiling, he pulled her into a tender kiss. "You're welcome. But Coral's right. How many people are innocent in The Pact, and can we spare them? You know I don't like killing those that don't deserve it."

"We'll all help you make the call, James. Let me do what I do best when the time comes. I'll get honest answers out of them, if you'll let me."

"I will." Holding her tight, he felt tension leave his body and she must have noticed the same as she started rubbing his back.

"Let's go see our kitsune, my mate. I bet she is fretting over not being cuddled last night."

Chuckling, he let himself be pulled away.

***

Luna hummed pleasantly as she watched the interactions James was having with the others. She was ecstatic that Amber had taken over the roll as his primary caretaker. Even if it was only temporary.

"Can I come out yet?" Grace grumbled from the doorway.

Beaming, Luna patted the chair beside her. "Have you learned your lesson?"

"Yes…"

"I'm not against you two being together," Luna stated offhand. "But talking to me first would have been prudent."

"I just wanted him to know where I stood." Plopping down in the chair, Grace watched the screen. "He really is going to have a lot of children, isn't he?"

Luna laughed. "More than he can possibly manage. It's a good thing he'll live forever."

"What about the rest of us?" Grace asked.

Turning her full attention to the skunk, Luna regarded her. "Our family will not be going anywhere. Those of us that are truly bound to him will live forever once he reaches immortal soul. That's one of the perks of being family with a god."

"Won't you be a god too?"

Smirking, Luna didn't answer. Turning back to the screen, she watched Jame pick up a sulking kitsune and carry her out of the house for a private walk. Zenaria was one of the most fierce women she knew, but she was so timid with James it was adorable.

Holding up her hand, Luna marveled at the violet color under her skin. Everyone knew that she shared a soul with James, but like her, they were still adjusting to it. The sheer amount of power that came with being one with James was intoxicating.

"You're doing it again," Grace grumbled.

Blinking a few times, Luna realized the air of the temple was growing thick. Wincing, she calmed herself and lowered her arm. "Sorry…"

"Sorry enough to let me see James again?"

Sighing, Luna nodded. "I suppose I deserve that. No climbing into his lap again."

"What if he pulls me into his lap?" Grace questioned.

"That's fine. We can't control his actions."

Grace smiled and pointed at the screen. "I want him to carry me like that."

Luna bobbed her head in an agreeable nod. "I think we all do."

Humming, both of them leaned back and settled in to watch James start his day. The others would join them soon enough, and hopefully they could watch him take down another nest.

***

The shadow clad leader drummed his fingers on his desk as he read over the message for the third time.

"What are we going to do, Sebastian?" one of his fellow chancellors asked.

Sebastian kept his shroud in place as he set down the message. "Nothing for now. We don't know why they haven't returned from the nest. With the collapse of the rent and Earth nest, ours might have weakened and Marco could have taken advantage of that to finish the nest."

"Is that really possible?"

Sebastian wanted to shrug. He honestly didn't know. But the fact that Coral hadn't sent a return message yet meant that she was likely being dragged along by Venice in search of stronger opponents, if not heading to another rent. Venice had always been like that. With one victory, she would immediately seek another. He almost felt bad for Coral.

"We will send supplies to Norn in order to reclaim the lost cities and towns," Sebastian stated after a minute. "Our cities are already overflowing, and we need the farmland. Make it happen."

The chancellor bowed his head and hurried out of the room.

Getting up, Sebastian dismissed his shroud and stood in front of his mirror. His gray eyes were tired with deep rings around them. He hadn't slept in days as he hoped for word from Venice. His nephew should be dead, but if for some reason, he had won against Venice, The Pact would need to be prepared.

***

James set Zenaria down as she giggled and tried to cling to him. "You have to go fight…"

"I don't want to," she pouted. "Carry me."

Laughing, he forced her arms off him. "Don't be a naughty kitsune."

Folding her ears back, she sniffled as she brought tears to her eyes. "Do you think I'm naughty?"

Groaning, he picked her back up. "Don't cry…"

A single tear dripped down her cheek as she laid in on as thick as she could. "You called me naughty…"

Pulling her against his chest, he whispered, "you're not naughty. I'll carry you for a bit longer."

"Yay!" And like that, the tears were gone and he groaned a second time.

"Every time," he mumbled.

Burrowing her face against his chest, she hummed.

"Who is going with Coral today?" he asked.

"I will," she offered. "I can slow the monsters for her, but I think Amber should absorb the nest again. I'll get the next one."

"She'll reach level eleven," he stated. "Are you okay with that?"

"I am. She won't be able to reach level twelve easily. Once we are both eleven, we need you to absorb the nests to reach the immortal soul."

"You can't enter violet until then," he said softly. He knew it was true, but he didn't like it. It was something they hadn't talked about before, but it was also something that he assumed for a while. With how fast the others grew, Luna should have matched him but always seemed just behind.

"Walk me toward the city," she mumbled into his chest.

"Yes, dear," he teased.

Pulling back, she looked up at him. "James?"

Slowing his pace, he met her gaze. "Yes?"

"I love you."

It was the first time she had said it. His heart warmed with the admission and he smiled. "I love you too. Even if you know how to cheat the system."

"I would never cheat!" she gasped. "My charm is just that good."

Rolling his eyes, he settled in to carry her across the open road. It took a while to notice, but there was a worn path on the cavern floor that led into the city. Small ruts from wagons were present, if only barely.

Sighing, Zenaria pushed against him as they reached the city. "I'll get started. Make sure you take Amber to the nest."

Letting her down, he nodded. It didn't take long to find Amber's soul amongst the thousands that still dwelled in the ruins. The golden flames of his soulmate were already approaching the nest.

"Take care of Coral," he said before walking away.

Zenaria jogged off, her soul spreading out to find her charge.

Picking up his pace, James blurred through the city until he reached the nekorian. Amber jumped and hissed as he grabbed her tail, not expecting him.

"Dammit, James!"

Laughing, he pulled her against him. "Ready to kill a nest?"

"Yes, and then I'll help clear out the rest of the city. We should be done before lunch." Cracking her knuckles, she pulled away from him before stopping. "Did Zenaria pout again?"

"Yes," he sighed.

"Every time," she teased. "She really is a vixen."

"She's a kitsune, what do we expect?" Chuckling, he took the lead. Reaching the rent was trivial as the monsters actively fled from his presence. Amber grumbled a few times about it but within a few minutes, they were standing before the fleshly blob.

"Ready to Soul Shift?" he asked.

Shifting next to him, she walked toward the nest and touched its side, her hand slipping partially through it.

Reaching out with his soul, he guided her to the orb of energy deep within the mass of flesh. With excitement, she pulled it into her body and shivered as it all disappeared. Stepping back, she reappeared as the nest collapsed and turned to dust.

"It's so easy," she said softly.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Fantastic." Stretching out her fingers, she smiled. "I didn't gain a new skill, but I have a feeling when I reach violet all of them will change and I'll be a nightmare to fight."

"Good." Kissing her cheek, he pushed her toward the city. "Go kill what you can. We are leaving in a few hours."

Giddy with excitement, she ran off, leaving him alone. Rubbing his tired eyes, he turned back to the house. He was going to get a nap in before the ladies finished.

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