The vampire glanced over at James at her side then back to her. “Alone, if possible.”
“No, it’s not possible,” James said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Lily leaned against James and gave Etienne a smug smirk. “What he said,” she told him.
Looking more than a little irritated, Etienne sighed loudly. “Fine. I want to discuss your father with you,” he told her.
“Andrew? Why?” She asked, assuming he meant her biological father, but she wanted to make a point.
“Not the lycan, but William. You’re true father,” he replied.
“My true father? My true father is Andrew. He was the one that clothed me, fed me, and more importantly, was there when I needed him,” Lily growled back.
“Is that so? Where was he when his brother had bullied you and turned the pack against you?” The vampire shot back, but before Lily could utter a word he held up his hand. “Forgive me, I don’t want this to end in a slinging of insults to see who was the better father. I simply wish to speak with you about William. I don’t think he deserves your anger, Lily. Not if you knew the whole story,” he explained.
“The whole story? I know the whole story,” Lily snapped.
James laid a hand on her shoulder. “Are you sure?” He asked, surprising her.
Lily huffed and rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. I’ll be nice. So oh great vampire lord, what is it you wish to tell me about my father?”
Lord Etienne wrinkled his nose at her. “You spit venom with the proficiency of a cobra,” he told her. “You believe that William abandoned you to search out his unworthy wife and in part you are correct. He did run off to find her after leaving you, but what he didn’t tell you is that after his incarceration I ordered him to return to Europe and at my side.”
“Okay, and?” Lily asked, adjusting the collar of her coat to shield against the soft, icy breeze. “He could’ve taken me with him or did you tell him to leave the dirty half-breed where she was?” She added, with bitterness.
“No, I didn’t, but he knew you’d be happier and safer with the Lycan alpha,” Lord Etienne said. “It pains me to admit that many of our kind hunger for the young and innocent. It would’ve been very difficult for William or even myself to have kept you safe. An innocent girl with the first touches of womanhood and a fiery spirit would have tempted many of my kind. You would’ve been hunted and charmed with empty promises that the young are so eager to believe. I have no doubts that if you reached adulthood, you would’ve been bonded to a vampire and be his plaything.”
Lily eyes widened with shock and disgust. She was really starting to hate vampires. Bianca, a vampire that once worked for Silvano, had boasted about how she adored the taste of children’s blood. It was disgusting and evil. “I’d rather die,” Lily sneered.
Lord Etienne gave her a cold smile. “As would be many others. Lycan’s protective nurturing of their young, or any young for that matter, has always been something that my kind tends to envy and hate of the lycans. It’s a reminder that even though we’re all monsters, some of us have fallen farther from grace that others. And it’s why your father decided that it was in your best interest to stay with the alpha.
It pained him. It still does, and you’re punishing for it is cruel. You have a son. What would you do in his place? It if was your son? Would you have allowed your son to grow among the vampires, knowing they crave to sink their teeth into his soft flesh?”
Lily didn’t say anything at first. “No,” she said slowly. “Yeah. Fine. Another point to you. Good for you!”
The vampire dipped his head with a slight smirk. “I would also like to know if you’ve considered allowing me to be your sire?”
“Nope. The jury is still out. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got an early morning. So ta. Come on James. I’m starting to freeze out here,” Lily said, giving James arm a tug.
“You alright?” James whispered as they walked.
Lily gave him a shrug. “Yeah, I mean that’s nothing new. I just wish people stayed out of my private life. I mean seriously?”
James chuckled, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her against him. Lily smiled, leaning into him, the warmth and the support more than welcome. She was sure it was thanks to him, she managed to get any sleep at all. His confidence that they were going to get back Tristen, safe and unharmed, almost had her believing it.
A fairy, a human, a werewolf, and a hybrid get in a car, Lily thought with a smirk as SUV raced down the empty road. Bill was driving, Zander was in the front seat, and Donovan was in the back with her. The meeting at Dawn had taken a few hours as Nick, and Bill made plans. Bonnie’s persuasion had been broken by Etienne, and she could now point out where exactly Vincent was holding Tristen.
It was nearing two now that they were underway. There was a tension in the car, thick and heavy. Even the fairy looked serious which was surprising. He usually always had a joke or crude comment on hand. Lily glanced out the window at the passing trees then back to Zander in the front. Maybe it was because there was so much on the line? It wasn’t just about rescuing Tristen.
It was about protecting the natural order of things. If Vincent succeeded where Thompson hadn’t, there would be hybrids popping up by the dozens and everyone would be at risk.
Lily sat up straighter as they pulled off the main road and onto the dirt road. They were getting close now. “Alright, we’re going to drive for about ten miles then ditch the car,” Bill said, noticing everyone’s renewed alertness.
“We’ll need to try to stay upwind of the cabin, just in case Vincent has more than humans doing day guard,” Lily jumped in.