[Allister’s POV]I wake up feeling like I was hit by a Mac truck. Frowning, I sit up and slowly look around my room before settling on Vanessa and Marie, who are asleep on either side of me."Fuck!" I growl, rubbing my temples as my head pounds. “What the hell?”Frowning, I try to think of what exactly could have happened to leave me feeling like this, but come up short. The last thing I remembered was fucking Tabitha during the blood moon and then the awakening ceremony, but after that, everything was blurry.What happened after that? Did Tabitha awaken, and if she did, where the fuck was she? Was she with my father since he was her lover in the past, or was she somewhere claiming her place?Sitting up, I continue to try to remember everything, but I continue to come up short and realize that the only way to truly know what happened was to find my father.Grimacing, I begin to untangle myself from the two women who are clinging to me and then get up while they curl into each other.A
[Atticus’ POV]I toss and turn as images of that woman who came to find me with Vance keep appearing in my mind. She insisted that we were acquainted, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember her, and even Vance seemed confused by this fact. Was it me that was forgetting something, or was it some elaborate trick to try to do something? I didn’t know, but by the time the sun began to rise, I gave up on sleep and decided to go pay August a visit.Maybe he could concoct something for me to take to try to stir up memories, but would he be willing to help me this early after a long night in the club?Deciding it was worth a try, I quickly get dressed and then head downstairs. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, I take in my living room, which is still in complete disarray, and debate whether or not I should attempt to clean it before going anywhere, but in the end, I decide against it.Kicking aside a lamp, I make my way out into the bright day and then make my way to Morte Diem while
[Atticus’ POV]For the rest of the day, I roam around town, and when night finally falls, I make my way to Morte Diem, where August’s apprentice should be waiting for me.When I arrive, I spot her behind the counter chatting with the last two people that I expected to see, and for a moment, I wonder if I should leave and come back another time. However, when her eyes come to rest on me, I know that I couldn’t.“Hey!” Morgana calls, causing both that woman and Vance’s eyes to come rest on me. “August told me you were coming.”Remaining in place, I meet the woman’s gaze and feel something in me shift as all the hatred and hurt that she is feeling slams into me like it is my own emotions. It is weird, and I’m not sure how to take it, but maybe this meant that she was actually telling the truth earlier on.“Atticus,” Morgana pushes when I continue to remain in place. “Are you just going to stand there?”“No,” I finally say, snapping out of my daze.Brushing off all the unpleasant feelings
[Tabitha’s POV]I watch Atticus’ retreating form as he lets the pretty bartender that had been speaking with us earlier lead him into a back room. Despite knowing that it was none of my business what was going on between the two, I couldn’t ignore the sudden thrum of possessiveness I feel while the urge to follow hits me.Beside me, Vance is quiet, but I can feel his gaze burning into me, and I don’t dare look back to see what expression he is wearing. Our current situation was strange, but I couldn’t deny that there were some sort of feeling there. However, this could simply be because of the fact we were connected by his mark that still sat on my wrist.“If you’re so curious, you should follow.”Tensing, I tear my gaze away from the door that Atticus and that woman disappeared into and fix it on Vance. Instantly, I feel my insides beginning to churn from the emotion that I find in Vance’s eyes.“I don’t care what he’s doing,” I say, even though I know I’m lying. “He is an adult, and
[Tabitha’s POV]I adjust the mask that is sitting on my face while Vance hands an invitation card to the large orc that is standing in front of our destination. When he suggested that we hunt down August, I didn’t expect us to have a location within a day, but here we were standing in front of a large mansion where a supernatural ball was being held.“Are you that nervous?” Atticus asks, not missing my fidgeting. “Keep it up, and you’re going to break that mask.”“It’s irritating,” I grump, stopping my actions.Even though this wasn’t a masked ball, the masks that we wore hid our true identities from those around us. Since we were hunting August, we couldn’t be seen before we managed to get to him.“You’re acting like a child.”“Then ignore me,” I snap.Fighting the urge to beat the shit out of Atticus, I turn my attention to Vance, who is watching Atticus and me with an unreadable expression.“Shall we?” I ask, wrapping an arm around his and then glaring at Atticus. “The sooner we fi
[Tabitha’s POV]I run a finger along August’s chest while he lets his fingers tickle my exposed thigh.“You’re becoming a thorn in my side, woman.” He husks in my ear. “But since I’m in a good mood, I’ll humor you. What exactly is it you want from me?”Flinching, I try to remain calm as I realize that he may be testing me. Either he was actually able to see through the glamour that surrounded me or he was pushing to see if I would give myself away.“Not here,” I whisper, pressing myself closer to him. “Somewhere more private.”Deciding to go along with my request, August stands while continuing to cradle me in his arms. Giving me a wicked grin, he begins to move through the crowd, carrying me out of the main hall and up the stairs toward the rooms. When we reach, he steps inside and then closes the door before making his way to a large round bed covered in black velvet pillows and comforter.“Now,” he says, depositing me on it and taking the flutes of champagne I still carry. “Why don
[Tabitha’s POV]“....vaga…”“Eve…line…”The words drift in and out of the darkness that surrounds me while the smell of smoke reaches my nose, threatening to gag me. Soon, the sound of wood splintering and glass shattering reaches me, along with the feel of hands on my arm shaking me with so much force that it is impossible to stay in the comfortable darkness.Gasping, my eyes fly open, and I find myself staring up into two bottomless pools of darkness, but instead of being scared, I feel nothing but comfort.“Evangaline!” The owner of the eyes is a woman whose face resembles mine so much. “You have to get out of here!”“But mama,” the words leave my lips on their own, and I realize that this isn’t a dream. It had to be one of Evangaline’s memories, but what exactly was she remembering? “What is happening?"“The hunters!” The woman, Evangaline’s mother, responds. “Now come. You have to get out of here.”“But what about you and papa?”“We will come after you.”As she speaks, she pulls
[Tabitha’s POV]I sit back and watch as Atticus continues to kneel in front of August. His excitement over getting to torture the trickster fae man is clear from the aura that is radiating from him.“Now, are you going to cooperate?” Atticus asks.“I’ve said it before; I don’t fear death,” August counters. “You can do what you want; I won’t interfere with fate's plan.”Fates plan. This was the second time he said something like that. Did that mean that he knew what the future held? If he did, then he would be a big help in taking down Titus and his clan, but from the way he was acting, it was clear that he had no interest in helping.“Then let’s start here.”As Atticus speaks, he grabs August’s thumb, and in a flash, it turns to ice. Smirking, Atticus pulls, shattering the thumb, so bloody chunks crash to the floor.A hiss of shock and pain escapes August, but he continues to remain silent, spurring Atticus to repeat the process with two more fingers. However, when he finishes, August
[Tabitha’s POV]“Then we have tonight.”If you asked me if this was the outcome I was expecting after taking down Titus and ending one threat, I would say no. I wasn’t an overflowing fucking optimist, but to know that in the end, the ones who stood beside me through this time would disappear one by one was a punch to the gut.Atticus would be leaving to go to the unseelie court, Vance would need time to calm his clan and gain control, and Anthony was gone and would never be back.“I think the lady wants you,” JD chuckles, breaking the silence that had fallen around us. “Why are you just standing there?”“Shut up,” Atticus growls, reaching out and grabbing me.It doesn’t take long for us to arrive back at Atticus’ home, and the minute we step in the door, my clothes are being ripped off along with his. Once they’re out of the way, Atticus is dropping to his knees and burying his face in my folds.“Atticus,” I gasp, spreading my legs wider. “The door.”“Fuck the door,” he growls, contin
[Atticus’ POV]“His help doesn’t come easy.”The words leave my lips as I take Tabitha in, waiting to see if her resolve will quake. Maybe this was the reason that I fell for her, or maybe it was the undeniable draw that I felt. Whatever it was I knew, with or without my memories, I would choose her again and again because of the strength she radiated.“I don’t care,” she says, beginning to move. “And if you’re just going to stand here and argue, you can..."“No,” I sigh, hoisting Titus as he begins to slip. “Let’s go.”I begin to move, heading into JD’s domain, and then lead the way to his room, where he should be waiting. When we arrive, the door swings open, and a broad smile rests on his face.“Did you succeed?” He asks, eyeing the wrapped-up lump on my shoulder. “Or did you bring me another gift?"“No,” I chuckle, throwing Titus on the ground. “It’s what you want.”“But before that,” Tabitha adds, making her presence known. “There are some things that we would like to ask him.”“
[Tabitha’s POV]I wait until Atticus disappears out of the room and the sound of his steps grows distant before turning my gaze to Vance, who is watching me curiously. I was sure that he was curious why I was still standing here. I wanted to speak with him alone. And probably, what the hell was I even doing?“Promise me,” I begin, deciding there was no point in beating around the bush. “That you won’t disappear.”I knew I was asking a lot, and I wouldn’t blame him for denying my request. Technically, it was because of my existence that his brother and father are now gone. And that his clan was undergoing something so serious. But I didn’t want to lose the one solid thing I had beside me.“I know I'm asking a lot and that you don’t owe me, but..."“Shut up.”Leaning forward, Vance grabs my chin and then presses his lips against mine. Immediately, the world and all the fucking problems we are facing disappear, and all I can feel is him. Is it because of his mark on me? Because of everyt
[Tabitha’s POV]I stand up and take in the room in front of me. Atticus and Vance are both here, staring at me as if they’re looking at a ghost, and laying on the ground is Titus, and someone clearly beat the shit out of him.“Good job,” I say slowly, nodding toward the bastard on the ground. “I’m glad the two of you managed to take care of him.”It was probably ridiculous to say this after dying and then coming back, but the awkwardness was beginning to get to me.“How?” Vance rasps, moving forward.Reaching out, he attempts to touch me, but lets out a hiss when his fingers touch the sunlight and begin to burn.“Dammit,” he growls.“Here,” I say, climbing through the hole that was made in my cage while I was out of it. When I’m out of the sunlight and standing in front of Vance, I grab his wrist and bring his hand to my face so that he can feel it. “Better?”Growing quiet, I wait as he processes what is happening, and when understanding finally seems to dawn in him, he is reaching ou
[Tabitha’s POV]I feel like I’m floating. In the blissful darkness that surrounds me, I’m weightless. My body drifts in and out of what I can only assume is oblivion. Did this mean that I died? If I did, I could only hope by this point that Vance and Atticus would be able to defeat Titus, and if not... Well, there was nothing I could do at this point.Letting out a sigh, I try to drift away again so that the worry I’m beginning to feel doesn’t continue to haunt me. However, with each passing minute, I can feel my consciousness becoming clearer and clearer until I can’t remain oblivious, and it’s frustrating.Slowly, I begin to open my eyes, but I have to close them again as dazzling light attacks them, and when I open them again, I have to squint.Frowning, I begin to take in the area around me, trying to determine exactly what was happening and where I was. Was this the afterlife? But how could it be? As a sinner and a member of the undead, wouldn’t hell be the place to which I belon
[Vance’s POV]Shouts and snarls erupt around me as I burst into the mansion ahead and begin to look around. Why the fuck would Tabitha be stupid enough to go in alone when she knew that my father was most likely waiting for her?As this thought hits, two of my father’s men rush toward me. Growling, I lift my hands and connect with them. Once I’ve got control, I liff and throw them into the next line of men that are making their way toward me.Behind me, I can hear Atticus, and when icy bullets begin to erupt around me, I extend my senses until I feel Tabitha.“I’m heading up!” I announce, taking in the scene around me. “Can you handle it here?”“Yeah,” Atticus puffs, switching out the weaponry on his arms for something stronger. “Just don’t forget; I need that heart.”Nodding, I begin to move, only stopping long enough to dodge a sneak attack.“Nice try,” I grin, kicking out and sending the man crashing into the wall and then moving forward so that I can grab his head and twist until
[Tabitha’s POV]I keep my gaze fixed on the hole where the slowly-lightening sky can be seen. I had maybe twenty minutes at most before the sun was high enough to shine down on me. Shit, what the hell was I going to do?“Don’t look so afraid, my pet,” Titus murmurs. “This was always your fate from the moment you came into existence.”“Wouldn’t that mean it was the same fate for you?” I ask."No, because I wasn’t born a monster, I was turned, and in finally getting rid of you, my true love will forgive me and bring me and my people out of the shadows.”“Your true love?” I repeat as I feel my consciousness being tugged on.Gasping, I feel my eyes roll into the back of my head as images of a beautiful field with white flowers swaying in the breeze appear. Standing in the field are Titus and a woman with flowing blonde hair and bright golden eyes. She wears a white gown that is almost transparent, allowing the perfect view of her body beneath.Instantly, I feel a sense of familiarity and
[Tabitha’s POV]I can feel Vance’s hesitation as he tries to make sense of my plan. I knew that it was a suicide mission, but to see Allister suffering so fucking much because of his own father, I couldn’t stop the burning desire I felt to kill Titus.“You don’t have to join us,” Atticus offers, breaking the silence that was settling around us. “We don’t need you anyway.”“Do you really think you stand a chance against them?” Vance counters.“I wager I have a good chance at surviving,” Atticus chuckles. “I would just have to breakout the heavy ammo.”As he speaks, ice starts to wrap around his muscular arms and form into what looks like machine guns. Damn, he really was capable, wasn’t he? With his ice magic, Vance’s blood magic, and my combat skills, I was sure that we would be okay.“Fine,” Vance huffs. “But remember, my father is mine.”“I need his heart,” Atticus counters. "Therefore, I should be..."“He’s mine,” Vance repeats more firmly. “I’ll give you his fucking heart before i
[Vance’s POV]My gaze stays fixed on Tabitha as she stares in the direction that ice fae bastard disappeared in. As much as I tried to tell myself that I didn’t give two shits if they had something, seeing her so fucking hurt over his leaving left a bad taste in my mouth.“Are you just going to sit there?” I ask, unable to continue to watch her misery. “Don’t you think we should get out of here too before someone finds this?"As I speak, I motion to the pile of ice, flesh, and bone that covers the floor. It was only a matter of time before someone realized that August’s remains were up here, and I didn’t want to be present when that happened.The fae stuck together through most things, and to kill one of their own would make you all of their enemy. I couldn’t wait to see how things would work out for Atticus due to what he did, but for now, the repercussions would have to wait.“No,” Tabitha says softly, finally snapping out of her daze. “I’m not.”“Then let’s go.” I huff, pulling up