Chapter 33 ∣  Alternative Resources

-Maverick

"Don't fucking tell me to calm down!" Ryker's white irises snapped quickly to me as he stood against the wall of my father's office, his fingers sinking into his upper arms that were crossed in front of his chest.

"Ryk-" my mother's voice broke through the heated anger, the tension in the room escalating.

"Stop trying to make this better!" He finally flew off the handle and pushed away from the wall, ready to storm toward the door, but Zak was quick to halt him, his hand pressing against his shoulder.

They eyed one another until Zak finally stated, "Don't be stupid."

It had already been three weeks since Eris' claim of taking Clover's life and Ryker hadn't simmered down for a single second. He knew their connection was gone, but he thought it was due to possibly their distance. Eris was the one to confirm that and by telling him that...

...what had she hoped to possibly gain?

"Get out of my way Zak," Ryker pushed forward, but Zak pushed right back and knocked him back a couple of feet. When Ryker recovered, he snarled, "Why can't you just let me b-"

"Because you'll do something stupid," Zak hardly waited for him to finish that sentence, my gaze shifting from the two hunters and quickly landing on my father.

He sat behind his desk, rubbing the side of his temple as he debated exactly what we were to do. It didn't appear that Micah would be fulfilling his promise, but that was to be expected. I know he doesn't like me in the slightest and I'm sure that stems from Tamsin, but his wait was taking way too long. Each time I dematerialized to just check on Eris, her body was practically numb, her eyes shut as she laid on the small bed in a cell...

I put her there.

I made the decision based on what Micah advised.

She's alone because of my choices.

I saw the look change in my father's eyes and it was only after I'd had to make this decision, did I utterly understand what it meant to be in his place. To be the one to make the hard decisions that not necessarily everyone will agree with, but what needs to be done for the safety and wellbeing of others.

I'm so sorry my little vixen...

Though my choice was made, it didn't make me feel any better.

"Ju-" right as Ryker was about to go off again, the doors to my father's office flew open, all of us turning around to see Arlynn's fiery red hair flow through those doors with my grandfather tailing behind. I was surprised though...it wasn't just my grandfather who arrived.

My grandmother was accompanied by Killian and Kenzie, all three of them filing in and standing in a semi-circle. Arlynn was the first to move forward, a letter in her hand was placed down onto the top of my father's desk.

He lifted his head away from his hand and asked, "Is this a yes?"

Arlynn nodded and waited while my father lifted the letter, her voice settling over us all, "The witch coven you asked me to search out has agreed to help with Eris."

"Tomorrow?" My father's eyes gazed over the top of the letter and she reaffirmed his response by nodding.

This wasn't a surprise...after everything we explained to my father about Micah being able to get Eris back to normal, we started searching for alternative resources. If he could help, then why couldn't others? Arlynn sought out the coven and with their acceptance, a small weight was lifted from my heart.

"Are we going to trust more individuals with magic?" My grandfather was cautiously watching for my father's reaction. He had none, except for letting the letter fall back down to his desk.

"Dad, we need to fix this," my mother stepped in, "This isn't just about saving Maverick's beloved anymore..."

I knew I'd have to accept this, but why is it so damn hard?

"If she gives control to that demon..." Kenzie's voice was hesitant and trailed off quite quickly, unable to bring herself to think of the future.

Killian however, stepped right in, "It's not just going to be the lives of our coven that are at risk. This world...I don't even know what she's capable of."

"You're all forgetting," my grandmother sighed, "we do have the ability to stop her-"

"That's the last resort," my mother eyed her own mother with a dangerous look, "we do have that ability...but it'll be final."

My father asked, "What if this doesn't even work?" He turned to me with concern and worry, everyone, trying to save my feelings. It didn't matter anymore because I had to come to the realization that I might never get my Eris back. "Maverick?" My father's voice cut through the chatter and everyone went silent.

It took me a few moments, but after I had collected my thoughts, I lifted myself from the chair I'd been sitting in. I looked at all of their faces and half of me was wondering why I was being given this choice. It would be easier on me if they'd just make it...then I wouldn't have to be consumed with guilt.

"If this doesn't work," I hesitated, and my mother's hands clenched into fists. How can I expect myself to do what's right...when I want to just run away and hide again. I breathed in and out before I continued, "I will end her life."

"You don't have to be the one-"

"No, I do," I interrupted my grandfather, knowing they were sparing me. If I can't do it myself, then I'm a coward. I'd learned how to control my emotions for the better part of while Eris was gone, but something clicked inside of me the moment she came back, and I forgot everything. I wouldn't let anyone kill her...if she, the demon, after taking full control had to be extinguished, then I would be the one to execute her.

Arlynn stated, "I'll be meeting with the witches when they enter into our territory. I'll bring them inside after making contact, but I'd advise on one thing, don't startle the demon by letting it know."

We're referring to her as an 'it' now...

"Yes," my father agreed with her and then turned to Killian and mentioned, "you'll be accompanying Arlynn from the shadows, in case things go south."

Killian nodded and then my father turned to Kenzie, "Send out the message that we'll be tracking down the Alpha King to the other coven leaders. We are continually pushed into hiding to protect our own kind and avoid breaking the truce with the hunters-"

"What truce?" Zak scoffed and narrowed his eyes, "that truce ended the moment hunters started picking sides in this war instead of remaining impartial. There are no laws or rules anymore and there won't be any until one King falls," his gaze landed on my father with the final note in his voice.

My mother sighed, "Well then," her eyes scanned ever vampire in the room before saying, "I guess we'll send out that word as well."

"Evie?" Kenzie asked with hesitation.

"Lucca," my mother turned to my father, "I'll be accompanying Kenzie. This message will get out very quickly...there is no more playing nice with these wolves."

My grandmother and grandfather watched while my father rose from his chair. They were waiting for his decision, the only one a King could make for their species. He finally lifted his head and commanded, "Let the covens know...their orders are to kill on sight. If these filthy mutts won't give us the information we need, we'll take them out one by one until this King can no longer hide."

Kenzie nodded and gave a light-hearted chuckle, "Just you and me again, eh Evie?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way Kenzie," my mother returned her smile. My mother turned to my father; a brief kiss exchanged between the two of them before she moved away. She walked toward me and took me into a warm hug before whispering, "Have faith Mav."

She kissed my cheek, a quick goodbye to my grandparents and she was out the door before I knew it. Kenzie asked Killian, "What about Tamsin?"

"She'll be safe with the necromancers," he reassured her and after the way, things ended when she left, this was surprising, "She's safer with Micah then she is in this strife. The least of her concerns are wolves, but if we do get in contact with her while you are away, I'll let her know-"

"Don't tell her," Kenzie shushed him right there, "she worries too much, don't you dare tell her Evie and I are sending the word out."

"Kenz..." Killian was worried about her judgment, but she shook her head and continued to remain silent.

Once she took a moment to recollect her thoughts, she stated, "If she knows how deadly this war is turning, she'll leave the only one who has managed to make her happy."

Killian nodded and sighed, "Please be careful...please be safe."

"I always am," she smiled right before kissing him gently. Kenzie had followed my mother out of the office, leaving us all behind to prepare for when the witches would arrive.

Arlynn was the next to leave the room after saying, "I'll go scout and wait for their arrival."

Ryker asked, "What happens when this fails? What happens when we fall?"

"We won't," Zak chuckled, "you don't know Evie...not the way we all do. You may have grown to somewhat know her as the Queen of the Vampires, but she's also the bravest person I know who fights for what she believes in no matter what the odds are stacked against her."

"We'll need more than just a strong will," Ryker shook his head. He'd been falling apart since Clover went missing and now, he was only falling further into his grief after what was revealed to him.

My grandmother smiled, "Don't worry, we'll have more than a strong will," I saw the light in her eyes and I knew she'd be the one fighting with Zak and I if we needed to tap into our blood magic in order to come out ahead.

When I was about ready to leave, my father halted me and said, "Everyone leave...except for my son."

Shit.

What did I do now?

All at once and without a second thought, Ryker, Zak, and my grandparents left the office, closing the door behind them. When it was just my father and I left standing, he motioned to the chair behind me and said, "Have a seat."

I took his order and he sat back down in his own chair. There was something running through his head, but I just couldn't understand what he was thinking. Puzzled, I watched and waited for him to speak and when he finally did, I was floored.

"Maverick," he parted his lips, his eyes locking with my own, "You will ascend to the throne the moment Eris is taken care of...one way or another."

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To Seduce a Mortal by K. A. Young and Laisha C. Gardner

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