A to Z Challenge 2013 - Z is for Ziti

The last post for the 2013 A to Z Challenge.

It was so much fun! Thank you, everyone, for your comments and support.

I've been posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.
(Well, this one is a little longer than a snippet. But hopefully it's well worth it!)

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

Z IS FOR ZITI

Erik pounced on the monster's head and dug his fingers into its eyes. Both roared - each with their own sort of pain. It thrashed its head back and forth, but Erik held fast with hands deep into its eye sockets.

The tail unraveled, and Danielle gasped for air. She stumbled, righted herself against the dresser, and calling forth her blades again, she sliced her way along the serpent's body. It bashed Erik against the wall above the bed before she could decapitate it.

The monster's head rolled toward the closet, and Erik fell onto the queen-sized bed. Libby hopped up with him, crying and clutching her father.

Danielle stood ready for the serpent to reform. Her chest heaved and still burned from lack of oxygen. She'd do this forever if she had to. For Libby. For Erik.

The pile of ooze looked like over-baked ziti. It didn't even twitch. Not after three seconds or ten. Not even after a full minute.

Her glowing hands dimmed, the blades retracted, and the soft blue light winked out.

It's dead. What happened differently this time? Fenn's voice made her startle.

On the bed, Erik embraced Libby even as he winced. The girl wept as he murmured to her. "I have you, baby. You're so brave. I love you so much."

"Maybe he realized something that he was too blind with his own fear to notice before." Danielle pressed a hand to her bite wound. She gritted her teeth with the pain, but a smile turned up her lips. "I think they're going to be okay."

Perhaps. Several years of therapy won't hurt either. Make sure you suggest that. Fenn sniffed.

"Danielle." Erik beckoned to her. She hedged nearer, not wanting to interrupt their moment, but he grabbed her uninjured arm and pulled her into their hug. "Thank you. We owe you everything." He kissed her head, her cheek, and then her mouth. "Thank you."

Heat spread through her that had nothing to do with her wounds. Her lips tingled and her heart sped up again. Before she could say anything though, Fenn cleared his throat and Libby spoke.

"Daddy, did you just kiss her?" Libby gasped and then giggled. "You like Miss Sawyer!"

"Yup, I sure do." Erik tugged them both to him, and Libby reached out to place a hand over Danielle's.

I'm sure this is a deeply emotional moment for you, but shouldn't you be getting everyone to a hospital now?

A to Z Challenge - Z is for Zero

This is the end of an ongoing story throughout the Challenge.

If you're just joining me now, please start with A is for Abby.

Z IS FOR ZERO

"Are you sure you're ready?" Demetrius kept his arms firmly locked around her. Abby didn't protest. She'd stay in his arms for the rest of her days if she could.

"I'm fine. I need to work. I have to pay the bills somehow." She kissed him and ran her fingers along the side of his face. He needed to shave, but she wasn't complaining. She never thought stubble could be such a turn-on.

"I'm going to ask my cousin if I can work with him. He's a park warden not far from here. Then you can stay home--"

"And do what?" Abby kissed him again and smiled. "I want to work. I like tutoring kids. And the monsters aren't all going to disappear because I killed the one inside of Burrows' head. There're still children out there that need me to protect them." She wouldn't abandon her duty because she fell in love. She didn't have to hear him say it to know he admired that about her even if he wanted to fight every fight for her. It was going to be difficult to do without Tawa to guide her, but wouldn't let the monsters take one more child on her watch.

Dang right they need you. Tawa's voice was sudden and loud. How long have I been gone? You better have been out there doing your duty rather than lazing around in bed with that troublesome fae.

"Tawa!" Abby cried, freeing herself from Demetrius and turning around in a circle as if she could spot the stuffed hippo. "Where are you?"

"I've been trying to get her to laze around in bed." Demetrius smirked.

I'm in your backpack. Where else would I be? Get me out of here. Tawa demanded.

"I can't believe you're alive! When you were eaten by that monster, I thought you were gone forever." Abby snatched her backpack off the hook near her front door and bounced around with happiness. She unzipped it, but there was no hippo inside. She checked all the pouches. There was a pad of paper, pencils, and a calculator. She frowned. "Where are you?"

Right here. Tawa huffed and Abby could now pinpoint the source of her voice. I just needed to get situated into a new vessel after the last one was destroyed.

"My calculator?" Abby gaped. Demetrius burst into a fit of laughter.

Yes, how absolutely embarrassing for you and horrifying for me. Worse than that stuffed toy.

"Hey, I've had this calculator since I was in high school. I really love it." As Abby said it, she realized why Tawa now found herself in the device. Abby had few material objects she valued, and being a math nerd, well, this was one of them. Her cheeks went a bit pink, but she grinned.

I want you to get attached to a respectable object and then destroy this thing so I can move into a proper vessel, Tawa said with every ounce of her self that Abby knew and loved.

"You've lost..." Abby punched a few keys on the calculator. "Zero percent of your bossiness." She hugged the device as Tawa snorted. "I missed you. I'm so glad you're back."

Demetrius came up behind Abby and hugged her from behind. He kissed the top of her head, still chuckling. "I've a few objects that I can help Abby get attached to."

Oh no. No way. Tawa was the expert at vocally shaking her head. I told you he was trouble, Abby. Hey, what about the blood oath? Was it repaid?

"Yes, it was." Abby smiled and turned her head to kiss him. "And now he's working on repaying the second one which I'm determined to take a very long time."