On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

Weeks later, after injuries were healed, Leonus and I had the much debated confrontation that I had accepted, however, the Scotsman arrogantly thought that I must have forgotten, but he was at a great surprise when I approached the training yard with Zanzabarr and Abraxas accompanying me, and Anthony of course, who made the promise to never leave my side again, but not in an obsessive manner.

“Are you serious?!” Leonus mocked, gesturing at her, “I am not, and will not, fight a little girl that I can stomp out with my boot.”

“Why, are you afraid?” I mocked in returned.

“Of what?!” he leered at her, “You?! Oh please, don’t make me laugh!”

“The only laughing today is me when you’re on the ground and your face in the dirt.” I groaned.

“Is that right?!” Leonus growled, “No…” he shook his head, then as he turned, he suddenly felt a blast of an fiery Aura burn swiftly along his back and shoulders, almost singing his red hair.

“I wasn’t finished!” I demanded firmly.

“Are you sure about this?” Anthony worried, “I know you can fight, you’ve knocked me on my a** more than once, but this is Leonus.” he watched as the Scotsman eerily turned, “You haven’t sparred with him before, you don’t know how he fights.”

“He fights like any other power-hungry bastard.” I looked up at him, “Trust me.” my hands reached to my belt, removing the shackles that hung through a loop, “Please.”

“Always.” he nodded.

“You dare…strike when my back is turned?!” Leonus growled, “You have no honor.”

“Hear we go again about honor when you have none!” I veered along the boundary of the training yard, making my way toward the cabinet displaying all of the weapons, “Derek.” I nodded toward the Samoan that reached for cartridges of practice blank bullets.

“Yzavela.” he returned the nod, then glanced toward Leonus, “You are really going through with this?” he wondered, looking back at her.

“I swore I would, and I’m going to enjoy it.” I reached for a set metal Escrima sticks, giving them a brief twirl as I turned to Leonus.

“With those?” Derek wondered, then nodded in approval, knowing they could do quite a lot of damage if struck in the right places on the body.

“This is ridiculous!” Leonus mocked as he turned, beginning to walk away and as he focused on the path ahead of snow and gravel, he did not sense a presence coming up from behind him until it was too late. Feeling a blunt strike across his back, he stumbled forward until his bulky balance gave out, falling face down in the snow and gravel. He spat a mouthful of the snow then quickly turned, seeing the young woman standing above him, twirling the weapons in hand.

“Look at that, on the ground with your nose in the dirt.” I mocked.

“What the f*ck do you think you’re doing, you little twat?!” Leonus raged as he quickly shuffled to his feet.

“I told you!” I groaned, “I also know about the plans you had made to have my killed in the Boar-wolf caverns, you sick bastard but guess what…here I am!” I managed to the strike him across his left arm.

The Scotsman growled, feeling the sting from the metal sticks, and as he took a shuffling step backward, gaining his balance, he sneered at her with his eyes flashing red. Grunting, he lunged toward her with a clawed hand that missed just above her head.

Crouching down, I turned to my right, hitting the sticks against the back of his knees, knocking him to the ground once more. He was many things, but a reckless warrior he wasn’t. so I knew I had caught him off guard but it wouldn’t last, I knew that.

Suddenly, one of the Scotsman’s loyal Lycynians pushed Derek out of the way, reaching into the weapons’ cabinet retrieving one of the swords with a blunted ledge. Turning, he tossed it forward but felt a foot trip, making the exchange more awkward; the sword fell into the snow, away from his alpha’s grasp. As the man turned, there stood Derek with his arms folded.

“You should be more careful.” the Samoan mocked.

“Piss off…” the man barked then glanced over his shoulder toward Leonus who shuffled to his feet, reaching for the sword.

The Scotsman charged toward, her swinging the sword fiercely, and yes he was powerful and skilled far beyond than the young woman had realized, but he didn’t take the time to see that she too, became a skilled warrior in her own right. Backing away after feeling her kick him hard in the stomach, he held his hand to the cramping area. He raised his gaze, watching as she panted and paced, keeping both of her weapons gripped tightly. Knowing he needed to disarm her, he lunged forward once more, but she dodged his strikes and plunges, parrying and blocking his blade and within a matter of certain swift turns and strikes, she struck his weapons hand, disarming him with one of the sticks, then swept the other at his ankles, knocking him backwards to the ground. Staring that sky, he watched as she hovered above him, pressing the sticks to his throat in a crisscross movement, engulfed in steam before it turned into her red fiery Aura.

Panting, I leered down at the Scotsman that attempted reaching for the sword laying nearby.

“Don’t even think about it…” I warned, “or better yet, please do.”

Growling, feeling the sticks pressing against tighter against his throat, Leonus held his hands in surrender, knowing he lost a round in his battle against her, once more.

Anthony, Derek and other onlookers, including Guardians that had appeared to watch, making bets and cheering on their Keeper, eagerly roared and in support, then remained silent as he laid on his back, beneath her stance.

“Marxus was a bloody fool, choosing a woman who can’t control her own emotions.” he mocked her, “You’re nothing more than a pretty, stupid little girl.”

“At least I have emotions!” I leaned in, “I heard about what you did in the caverns, killing all of those women and children as if you loved it, so what does that make you? A monster like those we killed?!”

“I will not justify what I did to you!” he growled, leaning against the sticks, pressing his throat tightly.

Seeing he was trying to call my bluff, hoping I would withdraw the sticks, I didn’t, keeping them in place.

Pulling his head, needing to gasp, he leaned his head back, staring at the sky, before laughing loudly.

“I’m already damned for the things I’ve done, so I don’t need your bloody judgement.” he moaned, feeling the stings left behind from her fierce strikes, “So go ahead, strike me down!” he held his head up.

“And make you a martyr?!” I scoffed, “I’m young, not stupid.” I then slowly withdrew the sticks, stepping back, “I’ve made my point, and I suggest you remember that.” I warned. Lowering the sticks, glancing toward Anthony and the Guardians, as well Zanzabarr and Abraxas, I grinned then continued walking away.

Leonus knelt on his elbows, then struggled to his feet, reaching for the sword. Pushing the Lycynians away that rushed toward him, he glared over his shoulder toward her vulnerable back, contemplating.

“Don’t…” Derek moaned, unfolding his arms.

“What!?” Anthony looked at him, “What is it?!”

“Leonus, he’s going to…” Derek frowned, then shouted, “Yzavela!”

Hearing his voice, feeling a shiver run down my spine as my demonic sense picked up a presence behind me, I turned just in time, watching as Leonus swung the sword gripped in his right hand; the blade had just grazed the tips of my hair as I crouched down and around out of the way. Spinning on a smooth patch of snow and gravel on one knee, I turned, slamming the sticks against his stomach then lower back, and this time, as he buckled forward, I swung both sticks upward, like a boxer’s uppercut punch to his jaw. As I screamed a war cry, my Aura brightened, releasing faint blast waves that frightened all of the figures cheering.

As Leonus fell backwards, falling unconscious with a bloody jaw and lip, his arms fell limp stretched out as if he were pinned to a cross in an awkward thud against the packed snow.

Zanzabarr and Abraxas rushed forward, growling and hissing but as they grew closer to the man’s bulk, they paused seeing the fierce and dominating piercing stare with her dark eyes that flickered with flame.

I panted, standing to my feet as Anthony and Derek rushed forward, careful not to touch my fiery shoulders, then glanced down seeing the scratches from his claws that grazed my arms and stomach from a few of the moves that didn’t quite dodge his claws. Leering down at the man ’s bulk lying still, I removed the shackles from the loop off my belt, the knelt down, slapping them on his wrists. Stepping back, I watched as they glowed momentarily, before the locks sealed and disappeared, leaving no seams or ways of tampering with them or the locks that weren’t existent. Searching the crowd, I spotted Wyatt in the front.

“They work.” I muttered telepathically, offering the Demon a nod.

“Told you they would.” he answered her quickly.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Erik appeared, pushing his way through the crowd.

“It’s Yza, she fought Leonus.” Nick praised.

“What?!” Erik worried.

“Yeah, and she won!” Caleb smiled.

“What?!” Erik’s gray eyes widened. Pushing his way through with the two Wraiths, the three of them stood in the front, watching as she stood above the Scotsman that lay unconscious.

Derek knelt down, watching as the shackles glowed before the magic faded. Reaching out wanting to touch them, he felt one of the sticks press against his hand. Glancing upward, he gazed upon Yzavela.

“They’re not for you.” I warned.

“What the hell did you do, what are those?” Derek stood, gesturing downward.

“Exactly what they look like, modified for a specific purpose.”

“And that is?” he wondered, raising a curious brow.

“That’s not for you to know.” I moaned, then turned to Guardians that approached, including Nick and Caleb, “Get him out of here.” I spat at the ground, “And I want you…” I turned to Derek, roughly and bravely, placing the sticks against his muscular chest, “to do it.”

“Me?! Why?!” the Samoan wondered.

“Because I know you had something to do with the rat that was sent to Erik as a threat.” I warned, “Now do it, or I put in the cage next to him with a set of shackles of your own.”

“Prisons?” Nick leaned over her shoulders.

“Prisons.” I affirmed bluntly, slowly withdrawing the sticks.

Derek grunted, and glancing around seeing that he stood surrounded by Wraiths, Demons, the half-breed, her wolf and dragon, he nodded.

“All right.” he agreed bluntly, respecting her orders. Turning to the Scotsman, he pulled him forward then up and over onto his shoulder, moaning from the man’s 6’6 bulk but he managed. Walking away, he paused, watching as the Demons created a portal to the prisons; his dark eyes could see the center courtyard on the other side.

“After you, mate…” one of the Demons gestured forward.

Watching as the Samoan stepped through, I shook my head then just as I lowered the sticks, holding them in one hand, I was immediately bombarded by Erik’s questions, and praises from Nick, Anthony and Caleb.

“Whoa, whoa…quiet!” I argued, “Stop shouting at me already!”

“Why didn’t you kill him?!” Erik grunted in demand.

“For what, Erik?” I looked at him, “Rats?”

“No, but…” he mumbled, “what about his plans to kill you, Nick said he heard him talking to Derek when they were waiting for us by the pit.”

“Whoa, hey…don’t bring me into this, man.” Nick hissed, “I already told her what I heard, I’m not getting in the middle of this, so can we go?” he looked at Yzavela.

“Yes, Nick.” I nodded, “Thank you.” I watched as he and Caleb had teleported, returning to their duties and tasks around the island.

“What were those shackles?” Anthony stood behind her, listening to her heartbeat beginning to slow its race.

Briefly, I told them what they were, but kept Wyatt out of it, because I knew it was difficult for him to perform the task as it was, I didn’t want him being harassed and pestered with questions.

“I’ll tell you more later.” I turned to Anthony, giving a warm smile.

“I hope you’ll tell me someday about this, cause none of it makes any sense.” Erik argued, shaking his head, “Marxus wouldn’t have been so soft.”

“Excuse me?!” I reached out, grabbing his arm.

“Marxus wouldn’t have been so soft.” he repeated.

“Erik, that’s not fair.” Anthony barked with a frown.

“Why not?! I mean, it’s true isn’t it?” Erik glanced between them, “I am sure I’m not the only one around here who wants to see him dead and gone.”

“I’m not a killer!” I raged, beginning to steam, still feeling all of the lingering emotions from the skirmish that ended moments ago, “And no, I’m not Marxus…and I won’t pretend to be, I’m not a man and I am not, and will not, handle things recklessly so if that means…that that son-of-a-b*tch rots in those cells bound and unable to shift…I paused, realizing that I was revealing too much, “nevermind, cause it’s done.” I leered at Erik, “Please Erik, I know he threatened you, I know that, but you have to think and always be a step ahead of him.”

“She’s right, Erik.” Anthony supported.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Erik groaned, leering at him.

“I know, but nonetheless…” the Italian stepped forward, standing in front of Yzavela protectively, “if you have a problem with me, you and I settle it but you will show Yzavela the respect that she deserves because she has far more important things to do than worry about your boyish tantrums and wants, or needs.” he clenched his jaw.

“Don’t you worry about my wants or needs, you have her to care of.” Erik mocked disrespectfully, gesturing at her standing behind him.

Growling, Anthony swung a fist, punching the young man, knocking him to the ground.

“Anthony!” I shouted, lunging forward, standing in front of him.

“Are you crazy?!” Erik shouted, wiping blood from his lip, “Bloody hell…” he swiftly stood, “this is what you love?!” he gestured at the Italian as she turned to him, “He is who you love, a man that can just lose his temper at any moment and kill us all after he shifts?!”

“Who I love is none of your business!” I frowned as I turned to face him, holding out my arms keeping Anthony from lunging forward a second time, “Stop it…” I looked up at him, “NOW.” I groaned, then glanced back at Erik, “And its takes one to know one, gets me.” I steamed profusely, “Now go home Erik…”

“Don’t pretend like you care anymore.” Erik mocked, backing away.

“Fine, I won’t.” I hollered after him, then turned, facing Anthony, “I can’t believe this, what’s wrong with you?!” I roughly pushed him back, “Hmm, what the hell was that?!” I pushed him back again.

Anthony growled, feeling her hands push him back.

“I have had it with him, and everyone here, treating you like you’re a child that doesn’t know what she’s doing, that’s what I’m doing.” he argued, grabbing her wrists firmly as she attempted pushing him back again, “And stop…” he leaned in, staring into her wide dark eyes, with his own that turned yellow, “pushing me. It’s turning me on…”

“Well, you and your…” I stuttered, “turn ons can just sulk.” I gently pulled my hands free from his grasp, then knelt down, retrieving the two Escrima sticks. Veering around him, I continued quickly over my shoulder, “You can’t go around, punching anyone and everyone that protests against the things that I say and do, you know that.” I placed the sticks back in their place among the other weapons.

“Yzavela…” one of the Guardians called out, “is everything all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” I nodded toward him.

The Guardian bowed toward her, then offered Anthony a nod before he turned, teleporting quickly in his supernatural Wraith black mist.

“You weren’t finished.” I muttered, looking at Anthony.

“No, I wasn’t.” he turned, slowly following after her, “Now, you can call me a bit old fashioned but I’m doing what a man does when he loves a woman, his woman.” he reached out, grabbing her by her waist, pulling him close, “And I just can’t tolerate seeing, or hearing people disrespect you in such a way that they do, that’s all. And I’m sorry if that might include punching people…” he chuckled in her ear, receiving a soft giggle in reply as he tickled her, “but I can’t help it.” he turned her to face him, “It’s in my nature…being an Italian and Lycynian.”

“Yes well, Italian of mine…” I ran my hands down his arms, “please control your temper, I don’t need or want, people complaining that you’re out of control, how do you think that would look for me, if I can’t even keep my…” I paused, trying to find the right words that wouldn’t sound offensive.

“Yes?” he smiled, looking down at her.

“How do you think that would look for me, if I can’t even keep you, my husband-to-be in check, hmm?” I finished softly, slowly veering around him, beginning to run across the training yard with Abraxas and Zanzabarr chasing after me playfully, “Italian of mine?!” I called out flirtatiously, “Are you coming?!”

Anthony growled, turning slowly. Closing the cabinet, he sprinted in fast athletic strides, chasing after her. Grabbing her by her waist, they tripped over the packed snow, landing on the cold ice, laughing and managing to share a few kisses in the process before her dragon and wolf jumped into the snow around them, scattering the ice.

“Jonathan please…” Sarah pleaded softly.

“Why?!” he turned to her, “Tell me why I should believe you?!”

“Because I love you, that’s why!”

“Do you?!” Jonathan argued bluntly, approaching her, “Really?!”

“Y-yes…” Sarah muttered, rushing toward him, placing her hands on his chest, then wrapping them around his shoulders, “and maybe it took being in the cellar, thinking I was going to lose you see that, but I do and I want to be with you.” she pleaded softly, “Don’t…” she sniffled, “don’t you want to be with me?”

“Sarah…” he took her hands, holding them against his chest, “I love you, I do but…” he shook his head, “I can’t do this back and forth, I won’t out myself through that. And yes, I almost died in that place and it made me realize just how precious life can be, any life, and if I am going to spend my time being bounced around here and there, it’s not worth and I might as well have died.” he gently pulled away.

“What are you saying?” Sarah whimpered, watching him.

“You and I have been friends for a long time…” he turned to her, “I think we should leave it there because you and I as a couple? It’s just not working, not the way either of us want or expect. We got caught up in the idea of it, that’s all this is, that’s all it ever was.”

“No…” Sarah grumbled, stepping toward him, “I don’t believe that, I refuse to!” she waved her hands around expressively, “You and I can never be friends, we’ve slept together for god sake and that isn’t something that friends can walk away from!”

“True, but every time we were together…you were so far away, as if I wasn’t where you wanted to be, or wanted to be with.” his tone softly spoke, “I’m a passionate man, Sarah…maybe it’s the demonic senses, but I can’t help it and having you lying there, going through all of the emotions, isn’t enough for me, because I’ve never felt the love in return.” he shrugged, “I know that sounds stupid but…it’s all fact.”

Whimpering, Sarah bit her lip, knowing he was right, because every time they slept together, she felt the love he gave but always found a way to escape elsewhere and into someone else’s embrace.

“I don’t know if maybe there’s someone else in your life but…” Jonathan added, “I’m not going to be the other you come running to when things get bored with the other, you know what I mean?” his words were harsher than intended.

“No…you’re right.” Sarah wiped her tears away, then looked around, “There, uh…is someone else.” she rasped truthfully.

“And there it is, the truth at last.” Jonathan grinned, “Finally.”

“I’m sorry, Jonathan…” she cried softly, “really I am.” she rubbed her arms, “I didn’t mean for this to happen, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, because when I told you two years in ago after Yza came, do you remember in the dining hall, after telling you that I liked you, that wasn’t a lie. I did, I do and I do love you but…”

“Hey…” Jonathan approached, holding her close, “it’s good we find out now before we get too involved, hmm?” he held back his tears, “I, uh…” he looked around, “I think you should go now.” he backed away.

“C-couldn’t we just hold each other for a while?” she pleaded softly.

“No, lass…” he combed her blonde hair back.

Sarah nodded, biting her lip, once more, then backed away. Grabbing her coat, she scampered toward the door and just as she reached for the door knob, she turned to him once more.

“I do love you, Jonathan.” she muttered.

“I know.” he smiled at her, “And I you.” he nodded, then turned, for he didn’t want to watch her leave.

Nodding, she swung the door open, then stepped out into the hall. As she closed her eyes, she felt as if someone stabbed a dagger to her heart.

“SARAH, WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU’RE SO STUPID...” she thought to herself, as she scampered down the hall, ignoring all of the faces that stared at her wandering down the stairs, swiftly leaving the dwelling.

Days later, the tension in the Lancaster household exploded.

“You lying bastard!” Heather shouted, throwing glasses and plates at Leonus, shattering them against the wall, “How could you, how?!”

“What are you talking about?!” Leonus growled, dodging the debris.

“I heard about what you did to Erik, and what you had planned for Yzavela!” she raged, “Tell me…how could you?!” she threw another plate, ruining their dishware.

“Mother, what the hell is going on?!” Liam rushed through the front door, hearing the shouting from outside.

“Tell him…” Heather barked, gesturing at their son, “tell him.”

“Tell me what?” Liam wondered curiously.

“No?” Heather mocked the Scotsman, “Fine, I’ll tell him.” she took shuffling steps around the kitchen table toward her eldest son, telling him what his father and her husband had done, “And I’m sure that’s not all he has done, or planned.” she sneered.

“Wh-what?!” Liam stared at his father, “Is that true?!”

“Yes, so what if it is?!” Leonus argued boisterously, “No one died!” he waved his arms around before slamming his hands on the table.

“No one died?!” Liam mocked, “Luke and Jeremy died, they were my friends!” he frowned, “They might have been mortals but they were good men, unlike the man standing in front of me, a coward hiding behind his status as alpha.” he stood tall.

“What did you say to me?!” Leonus stood, leering at his son that was just three inches shorter.

“You heard me.” Liam claimed his ground, “And you’re lucky…” he groaned, clenching his fists, “that having those shackles put on you were all that Yzavela did, because I know she hates you as much as I.”

“William Augustus Lancaster!” Heather shouted, managing to push the two bickering men apart, “That’s enough, I’m getting sick of this, all of this fighting!” she huffed, managing to contain her Irish temper and magical practices that she kept from Leonus, but as she glanced around the kitchen, items rattled in their places before remaining still.

“I am, and will not, stick around here and have my own family stand against me.” Leonus groaned deeply.

“You’ve done that all on your own.” Liam moaned, leering at him.

“ENOUGH!” Heather shouted powerfully, and as her voice echoed, the lights of the chandelier hanging above the kitchen table shattered.

Both Leonus and Liam jumped in place, fearing the sudden outburst.

“You…” the Irish woman turned to Leonus, “leave, I want you out!” then she turned to her oldest son, “And you, I want you to leave too, go cool off somewhere, you’re old enough to know better than this!”

Leonus huffed, feeling there was no sense arguing about the matter, so stomping across the home, he slammed the front door behind him.

“Mother, I…” Liam whispered, reaching for her.

“Do not…touch me!” Heather pulled away, “I said…leave.” her left hand pointed the toward the door, “Now.” she demanded once more, “I won’t say it a third time.”

Liam gulped, then shuffled around her, making his way toward the door. Standing outside, staring at the barricade, he listened as Leonus argued on the phone nearby as he strolled down the road, leading to the village. Glancing to his right, he rushed down the path then made his way down the road toward Ravenstone Manor; he could see the tall black slate wall in the distance growing closer upon his approach. Making his way through the tunnel with the gates left open day and night, now that the Boar-wolves had been defeated, he walked along the path toward the manor and just as he entered, he wiped the snow off his boots before ascending the stairs toward the study, where the door was left open a crack; feminine and masculine laughter erupted from within. Unsure if he should interrupt, he gave a soft knock.

“Y-yes, come in!” a woman called out, followed by a faint giggle.

Slowly pushing the door open, Liam looked around the study then glanced to his left where Yzavela and Anthony sat on the couch with wide smiles as they adjusted themselves in a professional manner.

“Liam, hello.” the smile faded from my face, “This is a surprise.”

“Sorry, I know I should’ve called to make an appointment but…” he turned, gesturing at the door, “it was open.”

“It’s all right.” I stood, “When it’s open, it’s open.” I glanced around, then down at Anthony.

“That’s my cue to leave.” the Italian stood, adjusting his belt, “I’ll see you later.” he leaned in, placing a soft kiss to her cheek, then walked around her, “Liam.” he nodded toward the young man.

“Anthony.” he returned the respectful nod. Watching as the Italian left, closing the door behind him, the young man gulped softly as he then heard Abraxas and Zanzabarr by the fireplace to the right of the room.

“What can I do for you?” I wondered, walking over, leaning in front of the desk, resting my hands against the ledge.

“My father.” Liam answered.

“Ah…” I sighed, “figured that would come around to bite me in the a** sooner or later.” I folded my arms, “Let me guess, he came home and threw a tantrum about being thrown in the prisons, again, and how he got his a** kicked by a girl?” I mocked sarcastically.

“From what my mother says, yes.” his blue widened, “How did you?”

“This is Leonus, it’s not much of a surprise.”

“No, it isn’t.” Liam walked, over, sitting in one of the chairs, “But I want to know what you’re planning to do with him, what are you going to do to punish him for what he did?” he slowly and cautiously rubbed his hands together, hearing the wolf and dragon nearby, “He isn’t the greatest father, or husband but…”

“Liam, I…”

“But…” he interrupted her, “he is my father and I think my mother and I have the right to be the ones to judge the crimes he committed against you and others here, it’s our right.” he looked at her.

“Liam…” I sat in the other chair next to him, “I’m not going to treat you like a child, because you’re not so I’ll speak freely and bluntly.” I received an agreeable nod, “Okay.” I leaned back, “It’s not secret that your father and I hate each, it’s certainly been shouted enough times, but even though Leonus has done the things he’s done, he luckily did not succeed.” I sighed, running my hands through my hair, “I’m sure you know there are many types of fathers in the world Liam, ones that plant the seed and are there for you every step of your life, or the ones that come and go whenever they feel like belonging somewhere.”

“Which one was yours?” Liam snapped bluntly.

“Excuse me?” I frowned.

“Which one was yours?” the young man repeated, “I don’t see yours.”

“My father came and went until one day it killed home.” I snapped in a deep, aggressive tone, “Literally, and one day Liam…” I stood, “your father is going to wind up on the wrong side of the scale and it’s going to cost him everything. That goes for you, Heather and your brothers. Everything that he holds dear.” I sat once more, “I’m not your enemy Liam…” I shook my head, reaching out taking his hands, giving them a gentle squeeze, “so think about that before you barge your way in here and judge me.” I pulled my hands away, and straightened my posture, “Leonus for the time being, is bound and is being monitored closely.”

“Bound, what does that mean?” Liam stood, pestering softly, then he froze, hearing Zanzabarr and Abraxas release their threatening roars and growls for he stood too close to her, “Apologies, but I’m afraid I don’t understand, I…” he took steps back, raising his hands slowly, showing the wolf and dragon that he wasn’t a threat, “I’m confused.”

“When I say he’s been bound, that means that can’t shift.” I moaned, “He can only feel the effects from it, but can’t fully express it.”

“But…that’s not possible.” Liam argued softly, “It’s unnatural.”

“I assure you, it is possible and yes, I know it’s unnatural. That’s the point. I took away the one thing he uses against everyone here on the island, his status as alpha and the power it gives him. Now, he is just a dog with a shock collar so to speak, and while that might sound a little inhumane…I assure you again, it’s justified considering all that he’s done, and will soon see to do.” I leaned against the desk, “Now, I think this meeting is over, you know where the door is.” I held out my left hand, opening the door with my Telekinesis, “Please…”

Glancing behind him toward the door, he watched as he opened then froze in place, followed by Anthony’s head inconspicuously peeking in from the private lounge outside. Gulping quietly, looking back at her, he grinned.

“I’m sorry.” he apologized sincerely, “When it comes to my father?”

“Liam…” I approached, “I get it, there’s no need to explain. You’re the man of the Lancaster household now, and you’re doing what you think you have to protect your family and that I respect.” I nodded, “Tell your mother that I say hello and if you needed anything, don’t hesitate to come to me and let me know. Within reason, of course.” I finished firmly.

“Of course.” Liam nodded. Glancing toward the dragon and wolf, he quickly shuffled backwards as they released deep growls and hisses as they protected their mother, “Anthony…” he greeted the Italian that stood outside.

“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re stalking me.” I teasingly called out, catching sense of Anthony’s presence outside.

Peeking his head through the doorway, he offered a charming smirk. He glanced back down the stairs then entered.

“Poor kid.” he muttered, “Having to deal with a father like that.” he then heard Derek’s voice speaking on the phone as he ascended the stairs, “Another meeting?” he looked at her, stepping aside, allowing the Samoan to pass.

“Yes, unfortunately.” I spoke to the Italian telepathically, “I would like for you stay during this meeting, if you don’t mind? I’ll make it worth your while, hmm?” I purred, biting my lip flirtatiously.

“How can I say no to such a proposition?” he smiled, “Derek.”

“Anthony.” Derek greeted, then entered the study. Looking toward the desk, he questioned softly, cautious of the dragon and wolf that crowded around chairs, “Jes*s Chr*st did they get bigger?” his dark eyes widened.

“They do that.” Anthony patted the man’s shoulder.

“Ah…” Derek nodded reluctantly, “right.” he walked over, nervously sitting in one of the chairs while the dragon and wolf just intensely stared at him, “Can I…” he cleared his throat, adjusting in the chair, “ask what this is about?”

“You can, but that doesn’t mean I have to answer.” I taunted, “But I want you tell me exactly…how you know Leonus and what brought you here to the island because the story you gave?” I reached for one of the thin folders nearby, “We both know is a load of bullsh*t.”

Studying her, Derek grinned.

“Not entirely, but…I came up with something that was believable.” he shrugged then froze, hearing the dragon hiss and wolf snarl.

“Two you…” I snapped affirmatively toward the supernaturals, “it’s all right, back away…you’re making him nervous.”

Derek watched as the dragon and wolf adhered to her commands.

“One of these days, you’re going to tell me how you came to possess a dragon and a wolf, cause…” he shook his head with a smile, “they are quite something.” he watched as they scampered toward the large fireplace.

“One day.” I mocked, “Now, are you or aren’t you, going to tell me?”

“Depends on the question.” the Samoan played the situation.

“Nice try.” I grinned, raising my left eyebrow, then closing my eyes, I began peeking around his mind, seeing moments from his past before seeing the image of Leonus standing within the mouth of a dark cave before turning away. Opening my eyes, I watched as the Samoan had gripped the arms of the chair, feeling me squirming around his mind like worms through dirt, “Sorry.”

“Next time…” he growled deeply, shaking his head, feeling the ache and lingering pressure, “let me know you’re going to do that, all right? It doesn’t feel right…” he complained gruffly.

“No, I suppose it doesn’t.” I moaned, then glanced toward Anthony who remained silent, just sitting and watching, “But now I see, and it explains a lot of things, again I’m sorry.” I stood, walking toward the small fridge, retrieving a bottle of water then paused, knowing that it wouldn’t be enough. Placing the bottle back in the fridge, I reached for a bottle of whiskey and a glass, quickly pouring one then turned, handing it to the Samoan.

“Thank you.” he accepted, raising it gently, then took a small sip.

“Derek…” I walked over, leaning on the desk alongside him, “there’s something I would like you to do for me, and if you agree, it would be greatly appreciated.”

“And that is?” he raised his scarred left eyebrow curiously, taking yet another small sip.

“I want you to be my eyes and ears inside of Leonus’ world, help me bring him down and win the fight that he’s declared against me. Can you do that?” I wondered, “Or are your loyalties going to interfere?”

Standing slowly, he glanced down at her.

“I have no loyalty to that man, he’s not my alpha and he sure as hell is not my friend, so…” he tipped the glass in salute, “absolutely.” he accepted the request, “I have my ways to make one believe that I am on their side, after all…” he gulped the remaining sip of the whiskey, “I got Leonus to believe didn’t I?” he reached forward, leaning past her, placing the glass on the table.

“Mmm…” I squinted menacingly, “thank you, but just know this.” I looked up at him, “If you betray this agreement, you will suffer far worse consequences than Leonus and in ways your past experiences, or skills, can’t prepare you for. Clear?”

“Crystal.” he gulped, wondering how she meant her warning.

“Good. I’ll leave it up to you to handle things.” I folded my arms.

“All right.” he nodded, then backed away, “And when this all over, I would really like to hear all about them.” he veered toward the wolf and dragon.

“We’ll see.” I smiled bluntly. Waiting until he left, I sighed heavily in relief then felt the weight of that worry lifted off my shoulders, “I did the right thing, right?” I glanced toward Anthony who stood.

Approaching her, placing one hand on her waist, the other lifted her chin, looking into her wide, dark eyes. Placing a soft kiss on her lips, he then leaned his head against hers.

“You, my darling…” he whispered softly, “are a strong and resilient young woman and you will get through this just as you always will, I will be there for you in any way that I can. Always know that, hmm?”

“I know.” I leaned in, holding him close, then wondered, “Um, there is something I would like to talk to you about too.”

“Oh?” he looked at her curiously.

“I’ve noticed that lately, you uh…you’ve been having nightmares.”

“Ah…” he nodded, “yes.” he took her hands, holding them gently.

“Do you want to talk about it, or them?” I asked softly, “If not, it’s okay but just know that I’m here for you too, in any way that I can.” I affectionately ran my hands up his back, before settling them on his waist.

“I know you are, and I appreciate that always.” he leaned in, “And I would like to talk about it, yes.” he took her hand, leading her to the couch, sitting gently. Watching as she sat next to him, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder she snuggled close, “Before I tell you, I ask that you please don’t think less of me.” he looked down at her.

“Never.” I argued, looking up at him.

Sighing regrettably, for hours, he told her about the conditions of the events that took place, watching as she gasped in shock, covering her mouth in surprise and fear. He continued, then took moments where he needed to regain his composure after shedding tears in a masculine manner that did not make him seem feminine.

Holding him close, I felt his anguish and for a moment, self loathing. He was always, and is, a confident man, but feeling him sinking into himself was heartbreaking; he wasn’t strong, he was vulnerable. As I gently ran my fingers through his hair, looking into his dark eyes that were glazed with tears, there was nothing that he could say or do that could ever make me think less of him, and it wasn’t just because of how much I loved but my empathy for him was unconditional and overwhelming. Leaning my head against his, I closed my eyes, quickly focusing on all of the memories that haunted his mind and seeing it all for myself, I understood where he was coming from, but softly, I whispered words that he couldn’t hear, words that calmed the flood of emotions running through his consciousness.

“Anthony, my dearest Anthony…” I whispered, looking into his eyes, “I love you, always remember that.” I smiled.

“And I you, always.” he rasped then leaned in, kissing her, and for that moment, all romantic thoughts and urges were put aside as he held her close, closing his eyes feeling her affectionate embrace.