“Lily…” James started.
“What?” She snapped back at him. “So we should just let him go? Is that it? Let him continue to play God?”
James moved closer to her. “Look at her, Lily. Look at Tristen,” he said, keeping his tone soft. “What would it make you if you sacrificed her and her whole family to get to him?”
Lily growled as she looked at Tristen, shaking so hard it was probably only Xavier keeping her upright. “It’s not right! He shouldn’t be allowed to get away again! He just hurts people James! Lacy, Fluffy, Greg, Andrew, you, me, and so much more! He needs to be stopped,” she growled.
“We’ll keep him contained,” Lord Etienne said as if he expected that to soothe her over.
Idiot Vampires, James swore, glaring at him.
A cold, harsh laugh bubbled out of Lily. “Contained? You’ll keep him contained?” She repeated. “You’re a fool Etienne if you think that,” she told him, but James could see her deflate, and some of her anger was gone.
Thank God for small favors, James thought. He was really worried that Lily might lose it.
“No!” Vincent yelled. “You bastard! They’ll kill me if they catch me again.”
“And I should care why?” Xavier said coldly and with an angered shout, Vincent leapt at Xavier.
“Tristen,” Lily shouted, seeing her right in the middle but Lord Etienne jumped in and deflected Vincent’s fist that was aimed at the teen, but Xavier and used her to deflect.
In a blur of motion too fast for James to follow, he saw Tristen suddenly tossed to the side.
“Zander,” Lily yelled, “Get her and get out of here now!”
James had almost forgotten the boy was there, but Zander must have been waiting for the right moment because he had Tristen in his arms and halfway to the forest when Lily spoke. “No shit,” Zander shot back still running.
When they focus back on the vampires and Xavier, Etienne had Vincent out cold, and the doctor was looking smug. “So it’s a deal then?” Xavier asked.
Before the vampire could reply Lily took two steps towards them. “If you do this Etienne, if you deal with Xavier and let him keep breathing then we’re done. I don’t want to hear another word from you or the European vamps, do you hear me. You can take your sire crap and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!”
“That would be a mistake, Lily,” Lord Etienne told her. “The elders don’t like being brushed off.”
“I don’t give a damn,” Lily snapped, looking furious again. “Whoever agrees to keep that piece of crap alive is no friend of mine,” she told him then shouted, “That goes for everyone! Even you Dorin and Donovan. If you stand by him in this, then stay away from me because if I see any of you again, I will kick your ass. Is that clear!”
She turned, looking at James. “Call Nick, we’re done here. Anyone that isn’t Aequivalere should leave unless they want to join my shit list,” she told him.
“Are you alright?” James asked once they were well away from the vampires.
“I can’t believe it,” she said angrily. “I can’t believe they’re going to take him in. After everything that’s happened Thompson gets a get out of jail free card!”
James tried to take her hand in his, a little afraid she’d push him away, and when she not only took it but squeezed it softly, he couldn’t help but smile. She was going to be okay!
When they got back to the hotel, everyone split and went their own way for the rest of the night agreeing to meet up first thing in the morning. Lily went to their room, took a shower and came out looking like she’d been crying. James crawled into bed after her and took her in her arms, promising that it would all be okay. They did the right thing walking away. At least her family would be safe now.
The next morning everyone gathered to discuss what was next. Most of the visiting packs had left during the night. James was surprised to see his dad was still there. Lily became eerily quiet when she found the succubus’ room empty. All the Aequivalere people were gone. He hoped this didn’t mean they were siding with the vampires. He could tell by Lily’s shuttered expression that she thought they had.
The meeting was just about to start when Bill walked into the room. James stiffened as Lily growled. Nick stood up with a frown on his face. The human held up his hands. “I’m just a messenger,” he said walking up to them.
“Lord Etienne had a team run through your territory Alpha, and it’s clear for your return. He also has deposited into your pack’s account a million dollars in compensation for the loss of life and territory due to Vincent’s attack. He thanks you all for his cooperation in the capture of Vincent and Xavier Thompson,” he explained.
Nick looked ecstatic with the news but at a glance, to Lily, he tried to hide it. James couldn’t blame him. He and his pack had suffered a lot thanks to the vampire’s newly acquired captives.
“Good, great,” Lily said bitterly. “Everyone’s happy now you can go and tell him what a good boy you’ve been!”
“Lord Etienne has already taken a flight out to New York and then Europe. I won’t be joining him,” Bill replied.
All the snark left Lily’s face as she stared at him. James crossed his arms as he gave him a skeptical glare. “Why?” He asked suspiciously.
Bill didn’t look away from Lily as he said, “Because I can’t turn my back on my daughter again and because she’s right. That man, Thompson, is toxic. He will only bring the elders suffering. I thought they were old enough to grow out of their fantasies of walking in the sun again. I was wrong, and it won’t end well for them.”
Lily’s eyes narrowed at him “And he just let you walk away?”
“Not exactly. I’ve had to vow that I won’t move against him or the Europeans, actively or passively or my life will be forfeit,” Bill replied.
Lily still gave him a hard look then sighed. “You can hitch a ride with James and me on the way back. But you’ll have to get your own place, though,” she told him.
James wrapped his arm around her waist as a sign of support then looked to Nick. “Now that’s settled, we talk about a cover story for Triste. She’ll have to tell them something,” he said.
“I’m on it! When we’re ready, the Miami please are going to be notified that we found their missing teen. She managed to make a call from the cabin where she was being held, and we came to the rescue, sadly the disturbed man that took her died while we attempted to capture him. She’s in good health and Tristen will be returned to Miami as soon as possible,” Nick replied.
“That sounds about right,” Lily said. “I guess it’s time to start packing then…”
Lily smiled when she saw the black SUV pull into the hotel parking lot, and Donovan help Evan slide out of the large car. “Sorry we’re late,” the succubus said, sounding more than a little winded. “Dorin wanted to see if Etienne was really going to follow through with this deal of his and the doctor,” she replied.
“For a minute there I thought you’d joined forces with him,” Lily admitted.
The fairy made a rude snort and an even ruder gesture. “I may be the brawn of the team, but even I can see that making a deal with that psycho doc is a suck balls idea.”