Maybe it isn’t the elements that you hate or fear; maybe it is your own death or the death of the one you care deeply for that terrifies you.  If this is what fills you with dread and despair, then you will watch that loved one die over and over again in the most gruesome of ways.  You will try to help them, reach out to them when they call your name, but it will be in vain.  For though everything that you see and feel in the In Between appears so real to you, it is only in your mind that it is happening.  All the while you are actually stuck in your mind with no means of escape.

Those places were there to hold those waiting their next assignment by the demons, or other evil supernaturals that needed some sort of assistance. Sometimes it was simply delivering a message, other times it was a little bit nastier. The best thing for a supernatural to do was just pay the toll. The In Between was not a place for the light weight evil beings and definitely not a place for the ones pure of heart.

Mona had seen many suffer here. She herself had never experienced it. The evil that filled her was even darker than what lay here. Nothing the In Between could use to try and torture her would be effective. There were times, though very few, when she wondered at what point the evil had completely consumed her. At what point did she completely sell her soul? She never thought about it long because the power that came from the darkness was what she needed and she had a lot of it.

Now here she was, pacing, thinking, scheming. Her power was great, but possessing the blood of two healers would make her the most powerful supernatural this side of the demon realm. There would be no wolf, no Fae who wouldn't fall at her feet. A smile stretched across her face, so wicked that the darkness around her reached out to touch her, and she imagined the great Vasile kneeling before her. She would have her revenge; she would take what she deserved. But her power was waning. She could admit that she was going to need an army to go before her and weaken those who would stand against her. Damn those Fae for taking her sisters from her. As much as she hated to admit it she was going to have to go see him. At one time he was very powerful, as were his people. Now, circumstances had begun to weaken him. It wasn’t his strength she sought; it was his knowledge. She needed information that only he knew. She would do whatever she had to do in order to get that information from him.

~

"Before we head over to the new Serbian pack mansion, there are some things we need to discuss," Vasile announced to the two packs that had assembled per his request.

"I always hated it when my parents wanted to discuss -" Jen whispered to Jacque, making air quotes, "- something. What they were really saying was sit your ass down because we're fixing to rip you new one."

Jacque held her fist up for a fist bump, adding the slang they were known for: "Word."

"Hey, what have I missed?" Sally asked as she took a seat next to her two friends.

Jen cut her eyes at Sally and then raised her eyebrows suggestively. "And where exactly have you been this morning, Sally? Do tell."

Sally blushed even though she really didn't have a reason to.

"Costin was teaching me how to pour drinks the cool way bartenders do."

Jacque laughed when Jen acted aghast. "Is that what they're calling it these days? I'll have to let Decebel know that we aren't supposed to say we were looking for my contacts."

"Jen, you don’t wear contacts," Sally pointed out.

"Well, what exactly do you want me to say? That he was trying to find my -"

Jacque slapped her hand over Jen's mouth. From across the room she saw Decebel scowling at his mate, Fane laughing, and Costin looking very confused.

"Why must your sex life always be the topic of conversation?" Jacque whispered in Jen's ear.

"Because it's so freaking awesome it would be a crime not to share the greatness with the world!" Jen grinned and waved at Decebel. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning back against the wall with the scowl. The broodiness he was famous for was plastered on his handsome face.

"Look how cute he is when he pouts." Jen giggled.

"That's his pouting face? It looks more like his 'quit talking about our sex life, you crazy ass female' face. I'm just saying." Jacque shook her head.

"Nooo," Jen drawled, "his eyebrows would be scrunched a little lower and his lips would be in a straight, tight line." Just as Jen finished talking Decebel took on the face she had just described.

Jacque and Sally laughed. "Oh, he's good, Jen. He totally has your number."

Jen growled. "He may have my number and he can dial it all day for all I care, but I'm not answering. Put that in your cherry pie and cook it."

Jen looked over at Jacque and Sally when she realized what she'd said. There was a pause before all three girls fell out laughing.  .

"Jen, you are an Alpha female, don't you think you should maybe tone it down?"  Jen heard Decebel ask.

"Most definitely not," Jen said, slicing her hand through the air. "As the Alpha female it is most definitely my job to make sure our girls are educated in every way. Sexual innuendos included."

Decebel sent her an image of him rolling his eyes at her. She promptly returned with a less than lady-like response.

“Why do you never feel the need to talk about our sex life? Is it not awesome enough?” Jacque heard Fane’s voice in her mind.  There was humor behind the words, but also a hint of insecurity.