Van

"Wait, that's not how that works, right?" Van's expression turned pensive as she struggled to recall everything she'd been told about vampires. Strange to think nearly a month had passed since talking about them at the Delta's hideout. For her, it felt as if it had happened two days ago.

"It's not how it's supposed to work, no," Luca admitted, angling his body so curious eyes couldn't see her.

"Dean and Isaiah were both dead or dying, which means they couldn't have gone through the rites."

"Precisely," Xandra said, drawing their attention back to the back of the room. She stood next to Nancy and tapped her ears. "For those of you without super hearing, my daughter and Luca bring up the part of all this that worries me the most."

"Something worries you more than a spy?" Luce asked, lifting her pierced eyebrow.

"For years, the biggest threat we've faced has been the Slayers. Their policing and the vampires' inability to grow their ranks quickly because of the very specific requirements that had to be met meant we didn't pay the vamps much attention. Dean is proof that the vampires have found another way to turn people."

"Awesome," Scott growled. "Just fucking awesome."

"First things first," Nancy continued, pointing at Luce, "Can you get in touch with the Northern Coven and request additional help. Nothing long term. We need new wards designed. The ones we have now are specific to the current makeup of vampires."

Luce chewed on her lip and peered closer at Dean. Then she nodded. "I can do that, but they're gonna need samples. Gotta get him on ice, ASAP."

"Gross," Hailey muttered.

Van leaned into Luca. Her lashes fluttered over her bright eyes as if she fought to stay awake. When she caught him watching, she opened them wide and stood up straight.

"Nice try," he said. "Maybe it's time to get some rest?"

"I literally just woke up," she grumbled even though nothing had been restful about her slumber. The void pushed in on her now as if sensing her weakness, and she didn't think she would ever sleep well again.

"I think Luca is right," Xandra said, having the grace to at least look contrite about eavesdropping again. "We have our priorities. The wounded and the wards. Once we know we're protected, we can reconvene and discuss offensive measures. Nancy, do you agree?"

Nancy nodded, and Van marveled at their rapport. Neither woman chafed against the other. There was no cattiness or struggle to be viewed as more powerful than the other. Just two women working in tandem in a way the world refused to believe they could.

"Hailey, can we talk?" Livy asked.

"It's late," the former Slayer hedged.

"It won't take long."

Hailey sighed and nodded, looking so much like her mother it was uncanny. "I'll catch you two later. So good to see you up, Van."

"What's that about?" Van asked as she allowed Luca to lead her back to her bedroom.

She stepped over the vampire she'd staked with her arm and tried not to stare at the hole. That was a conversation for later.

"I don't know. Haven't really been around either of them all that much. I guess I missed them becoming friends."

She wisely kept her mouth shut despite wanting to apologize again for keeping him away from his family and the fight. A big part of her whispered she wasn't worth all this trouble, but Luca made his thoughts very clear in the bathroom.

"Luca?" she asked, grabbing his arm when turned to leave her at the door of her room. She knew there was much that needed to be done, and they could use his help. That's what she told herself when her heart cracked a bit at his willingness to run off so quickly.

"Yeah."

"Stay with me until I fall asleep. Tell me what I've missed."

He cupped her face and smoothed back her red hair with his other hand. His expression was torn, but she knew it wasn't about staying or going. So, she decided for him and wound her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

She stumbled backward as the door opened behind her, but he kept her steady with an arm around her waist. Their bodies never separated as they walked across the room, but their mouths came together again and again, searching and seeking for something they were both desperate to find.

When the bed struck the back of her legs, they fell. Luca held himself above her with his elbows while one knee slid between her legs. The new sensation made her moan, and he responded with an answering growl as he deepened the kiss. His hair felt like silk between her fingers, and on his skin, she could smell night air beneath the coppery tang of blood. The beard scraped against her face, no doubt leaving marks on her pale skin, but its rough texture thrilled her. It was like kissing him again for the first time.

He kept his hands safely above her clothes, but she wanted them on her. Everywhere. For so long she'd been burning in the void, but now, she wanted to feel a different heat. The one that made her feel alive.

"Van, wait. Wait," he gasped when she raked her nails down his back.

"No more waiting," she replied.

This had not been what she'd meant when she asked him to stay with her, but a sudden frenzy swept over her. Her fear of closing her eyes and never waking mixed with her hormones in a dangerous cocktail. It whispered she may never have this moment again. Something would take her away from him again- or worse, next time he would be gone.

"Don't you want this?" she asked when he caught her roving hands and didn't return to their kiss. "Is it because of how I look right now?"

"God no," he growled. His knee slid higher, creating a friction that had her arching her hips. "Van, you're not making this easy."

"I thought it was quite the opposite," she teased. "I'm being very easy right now."

He chuckled and rolled off her. His hand went to his chest as if he tried to slow his heart, and she took the moment to straighten her clothes. Then frowned as she found still damp patches of blood on her shirt and pants. Perhaps this wasn't the best moment for this.

"Are you okay?" she asked, when looked over and saw something that looked suspiciously like tears in Luca's eyes.

"I was really afraid you were gone. Even after you woke up, and it wasn't the eyes. But just now, you reminded me of the girl who told me I sounded like a fortune cookie."

"Was that right after you asked me if I thought boobs made you mean?"

He groaned. "Maybe we shouldn't talk about breasts right now."

She laughed, and something loosened in her chest. "You know, I thought the same thing that day, but I think it was for different reasons."

Luca turned his head and moved his gaze across her body, a feverish light forming in his deep brown irises. The pupils elongated, becoming feline, and then flashed bright blue before he slammed his lids shut and turned to face the ceiling.

"That's it," Van gasped, sitting upright, all amorous thoughts abandoned even as the boy beside her struggled to compose himself.

"What?" Luca's voice rasped like sandpaper.

"Shifter's eyes change when they shift, right? You all have brown eyes as humans, but then in your animal form, your original eye color is present, right?"

"Right. I don't... Van. Your eyes."

She nodded enthusiastically and jumped off the bed. Moving to the center of the room, she recalled the moment she killed the vampire. There hadn't been an awareness of change, not like when she called upon the Helsing Blessings. One second her hand was a hand, and then it was a tree limb. But it had also been a moment fueled by rage and desperation. Kill or be killed.

Closing her eyes, she stoked those same emotions, spicing it with all the anger she carried towards her father, the pain of the void, and the desire for the boy on the bed. Using him as her inspiration, she imagined her body changing. First the hair sprouting through her skin, then her bones twisting, and finally her eyes returning to their natural green.

Luca gasped and rushed to her side. "Open your eyes, Van."

She did, but she didn't look at him. Her arms and legs remained smooth. Her body entirely human. "I guess I can't do it."

"Look at me."

Exhaling, Van did as Luca demanded. She saw barely concealed amusement, but most of all she saw pure joy. He traced her eyes with his fingers, then moved down her cheek. Something was strange about the texture, but she couldn't figure it out.

"What do you see?"

"Green. Perfect, beautiful green." He turned her around to face a mirror hanging over a dresser.

A grin split her face. The strange white irises were gone, but... The grin fell. Short black hair sprouted all over her face, and two rounded panther's ears poked through her red hair. Frantically, she ran her hands over her face, willing away the hair. It didn't budge.

"Luca, stop. This isn't funny," she said as he snorted and doubled over.

"It's kind of funny. And don't think we're not talking about how you knew you found out you could do this. I just have to be able to breathe first," he wheezed between bursts of laughter.

"If we were still on the bed, I'd smother you right now."

Holding his side, he straightened, took one look at Van's face, and lost it again. She seriously considered attempting to smother him while he stood upright, but a knock on the door stopped her. Diving behind him, she pressed her face into his shoulder and invited the person inside.

"Is this a bad time?" Livy asked, freezing in the doorway when she saw their odd behavior. "Wait, are your eyes green? Has someone told Xandra?"

"Livy, wait," Van said, jumping away from Luca so Livy could see her entire face. "Don't tell my mother yet, but you may actually be the perfect person for this."

Luca's cousin gaped at her, then giggled. "If it makes you feel better, I couldn't get rid of a tail for two days last week."

"So, you'll help me?"

Livy chewed on her thumbnail.. Luca, finally in control of himself, gave her a pleading look. "Come on, Liv. I don't think we want this getting out to everyone yet. As far as they all know, Van may be half Protean, but she didn't inherit any of their shifting abilities."

"They're going to want to know what the potion did to her."

"And they will," Van promised. "I just need time to get a handle on it before they poke and prod me. I'll never learn under that kind of pressure."

"Fine," Livy replied. "I'll do what I can, but I'm still learning. I can't promise miracles."

"I'm not asking for one."

"Meet me tomorrow night. Luca will bring you to our spot. And Van?"

Van wanted to hug the girl, but clasped her hands behind her back. "Yes?"

"Pick something small for your first time. The panther was ambitious."

"Absolutely," she said with only a little disappointment.

"But absolutely no birds."