Ryland swore and reached down to grab the snake. Something changed mid-movement and he held his own head instead with a wordless scream.

Adelaide patted Nils' arm, eyes as encouraging as the youngest girl could muster.

Ryland continued screaming, writhing and holding his head.

Butcher watched, full of pride in their children.

Chester watched as the tall vampire fell over and muttered to Zeke before setting Ryland's shoulder on fire.

Ryland looked like some kind of bizarre statue of a person caught in a war zone, mouth twisted in a scream and eyes clenched shut.

Reve clapped her hands and gave Josie a hug, and Chester made a contented sound before curling back up.

I'm glad they like me. Butcher closed his eyes.

Ryland hit the ground hard, and lay still in a heap.

"Good little monsters," Butcher said in a barely audible voice.

Adelaide reached out to pat her brother's and sisters in congradulations.

Ryland slumped more, groaning.

"Window," Butcher gasped, curling up.

Adelaide looked up at Mikey and Chase curiously.

Ryland started attempting to crawl away, the bones in his feet seemed to be broken and his shoulder was badly burnt aside from the fact that he had a pounding headache, bruises, and was soaked.

Butcher snuggled into Mikey, still trembingling slightly as he whispered, "Made me heal him."

Ryland sighed right before he blacked out.

Chase stared back at Nils with wide eyes, sticking his thumb into his mouth.
-
Butcher clung to Mikey as best he could, "Babies gave him a run for his money."

Butcher chuckled, "he likes it."
-
Chase smiled a gummy smile at his brother, unable to sit up himself like the other babies.

Butcher drank gratefully, looking up at Mikey over the bottle.
-
Chase's face scrunched up and he waved his little fists, wanting the poking to stop.