I asked out loud, “A party for me? You shouldn’t have… really. It’s a plan one could call… bad. How long have I been out?” Moses answered, “Twenty-four hours.” Perfect. The Conners could plan like they like and everyone would’ve had time to get to them. The Ring was in for a bad night.
Patrick and I were led upstairs. Booker was practically carrying him because his muscles had atrophied. Ok… Patrick…. wasn’t in good shape at all, but we’d get him back to his full health. Haley or Xander could heal him.
Patrick looked at me sadly and… in that instant, I knew what he was thinking by that look alone. Patrick thought I’d leave him behind, but he was wrong. I looked around the room where the party was. I spotted multiple cameras.
I shot a wink at them knowing Charles and Xander were watching. I nearly winced when Freya pointed out, “So are our family and every other ally. I bet our family is mad and not in a fun way.” My wolf was right.
Freya added, “Ok, I take back. They are in fact mad and all their wolves are contacting me. Along with a lot of Red Run wolves.” I stopped walking when I spotted Slade. He came?! My rage box rattled, ready to spring free and the let carnage fall where it may. I snarled at him with Freya mixed in.
Moses had a firm grip on my arm, so he squeezed gently. Freya reminded me, “This isn’t the plan, Melanie. You can’t attack him.” I gritted my teeth, because… I could attack Slade, but I needed to wait for the signal that everyone was in place and ready.
Xander linked me, “Breathe, Lovebug. You will get Slade. You just have to wait a little longer.” I felt him sending me calm in our bond. My husband was right. I needed to know exactly where Sherman was…. and I needed to know… what he looked like.
Moses led me away while Slade looked at me in confusion. If that man didn’t remember me, I was going to be so pissed. That was so insulting! Slade had absolutely better remember me. He did not just ruin my life and forget who I was. That was not a thing. No. I rejected that entire concept completely.
I was led to the center of the room and chained to a chair. I looked around and saw many of those in the Resistance. I saw Kingsley standing beside a Vampire. He was who she was working for, another of Charles Vampire children. My friend’s eyes held a bit of annoyance with determination.
I kept scanning the room but stopped when I saw the massive fireplace. I nearly rolled my eyes at the irony. Vampires and their grandeur. Then something caught my eye above the fireplace. Something that absolutely stunned me. No way.
Freya cheered, “Yes way.” I replied, “That’s just too easy. It’s just right there!” The sword, Ormr, was proudly displayed over the fireplace. Freya said, “Technically speaking the only people here who would know about it would be anyone who read the same book we did. Which is likely no one. They used a charm to conceal these books. They have no idea what they have here.”
I studied the fireplace, seeing that I could easily get to that sword. No… I would get to the sword and get it to Kingsley. My attention was drawn away by a deep chuckle. Freya sighed, “Isuppose we should focus on the main plan and not the side one that we just formed.” Fine.
The Vampire King of Missouri stood in front of Patrick, but the King was smirking at me. The King greeted, “Ahhh Melanie Conners.” I growled, “Luna. I’m a Luna, thank you very much… as well as a Duchess. It’s also… McAlister Conners… so, you’re very wrong on your greeting.”
The King frowned. Another Vampire sped in front of me and slapped me in the face. I spit out blood as that Vampire demanded, “Respect our King!” I said, “Gosh… you know… for being centuries old you really haven’t mastered slapping.”
The man gaped at me. I pointed out, “That’s just… well… sad. One could say tragic. As far as respect, well… I respect people who deserve it. Your King disrespected me already. So, if you don’t want to be… a hypocrite…. use your weak backhand on King Frederick.” The Vampire slapped me again. I said, “Mmmk… well no improvement… on the second slap. It’s still weak.” Dad linked me, “STOP BAITING A VAMPIRE!” Well… I was probably not going to follow that advice.
Patrick looked at me like I was crazy while Kingsley clenched her hands tightly into a fist. Booker said, “King Frederick, I told you Melanie is just like this.” I stuck my tongue out at him. King Frederick laughed, “I like you.” I sarcastically replied, “Well…. now I can sleep better at night. Also, that’s… very unfortunate for you…. because I do not like you.”
King Frederick sped in front of me and grabbed my chin. The Vampire King called over his shoulder, “Sherman, does this one not remind you of the Fairy Princess?” I waited to see who would answer. Sherman stayed out of view of all the cameras but answered, “She does, my King.”
I studied him, knowing I would never forget his face. His eyes briefly showed interest before he went back to a cool mask. I turned to Frederick, “So… you’re not good with names… titles…or people. Because you’re wrong again. My mother in law is…. a Fairy Hackura Princess Luna. You forgot two of her titles. How odd, since your subjects here demand people with titles be respected.”
King Frederick let go of my chin commenting, “Take care, young wolf. Or I won’t find you interesting anymore.” I disagreed, “Yeah… that’s not true. Also… I’m still a Luna…. and a Duchess. You either find someone interesting or you don’t. They can’t interest you one second and bore you the next. You may not like what I have to say, but you’ve already decided I’m interesting.”
King Frederick laughed, “I bet your blood tastes divine. It smells quite good for a Werewolf.” I shot back, “You’ll never know. Though… there are some who could tell you.” Moses, for example, could. I’d saved him once too.
King Frederick whirled questioning, “You’ve given a Vampire blood before?” I said, “Not that it’s any of your business… but yes.” Booker growled, “That’s a lie!” I said, “Uhh Booker, recall all the times I’ve lied to you. It was obvious… and you knew. You got red faced mad that I dared to lie to you.”
King Frederick hissed at Booker, “You missed that she knows a Vampire!” I chimed back in, “To be fair, he missed a lot. That’s what happens when you work with self-absorbed, tunnel vision jerks. It’s the price you pay. Accept it and move on.”
King Frederick asked, “Do you ever stop talking?” I answered, “No, not really… most people do tell me to shut up eventually. I’m actually surprised no one has yet. I think that’s a record. Especially when I’m annoying people. Someone has usually told me to shut up by now. Oh well, if I’m on a roll then I guess I’ll keep going and say…”
Booker snarled, “SHUT UP, MELANIE!” I grinned saying, “Ah, well… there it is. It’s always good to hear the classics.” Booker growled at me. I winked at him asking, “Why does yourgrowl… sound so weird? What’s wrong with your wolf?” Booker started to turn red.
Whatever… his time was up. One look at Kingsley told me who was first on her kill list. Booker might actually want to hope Kingsley just killed him… and didn’t have someone take him outside… to chuck through a portal… to the Hackura realm.
Booker must have been hidden until tonight or he’d already be dead. I told Booker, “Ohh… and uhhh Trevor says hi… he’s not doing so well.” Booker lunged for me but was caught by King Frederick. The Vampire King threw Booker away from me.
King Frederick sighed, “The young fall for all the tricks. You let her bait you, Booker.” Booker snarled, “She has my son.” I interjected, “No… I do not. The Hackura have your son… that feels like a very important distinction.” Booker stiffened. King Frederick asked, “Did you have to say that?”
I answered, “No, but it’s true. I don’t have Trevor… they do.” Freya snickered in my head. My wolf asked, “Why are you getting the entire room angry?” I answered, “Well several reason… nostalgia … because upsetting these people… makes me happy.”
“Mostly, it’s to give Paige more time. If I say nothing, Mason will give the signal sooner because no one will be talking. Paige is going to be working on taking the spells and everything down with Katie, Dustin, Ryan, and their coven. Probably Corbin too. This way makes everyone outside happier because they get to be involved in the takedown.”
Freya said, “Yes, I know our mate is outside with our family and the allies you wanted. Those that you wanted further back, are. Most have been missed but some have been found by Fang. The question is, why don’t these people know that massive group is outside?”
