Melanie said, “Charles tried to hunt down the rest of Desperi’s family. He killed five of them, but there are ten. I’m pretty sure this is Gerdishek.” The man laughed, “Oh, I do wish I knew you before now. I’ve been on the run from that Vampire and his family.”
Gage snorted, “This dude is stupid. If he knew Melanie, she’d have given him to Charles.” No joke. Uncle Aiden asked, “Who is your Ring contact?” Gerdishek laughed, “I don’t work with them, but it wasn’t hard to get them to offer what assistance they could by way of spells, charms, and getting around the visions of the young one.”
Angela growled and dad put a hand on her shoulder. Gerdishek continued, “Though, they were supposed to have her by now. I heard that it was foiled by some Werewolf girl. They are pathetic.” I growled, “Watch your damn mouth.”
Gerdishek asked, “Why? You’re not a girl.” Melanie snorted. Phil linked, “Gage is right, he’s stupid.” I warned the Fairy, “You will give my mate respect, or I’ll beat you unconscious, heal you, and beat you senseless all over again.”
Gage linked me and Phil, “Our Alpha has a plan, it’s not all bad either.” Phil snorted, “Next year Sierra and I are with you guys.” Gage replied, “Hey, Abigail and I have been here the whole time for this series of events.”
Gerdishek snorted, “It was her? That’s Melanie?” He pointed at my mate who nodded. Gerdishek muttered, “Damn. I shouldpay more attention then. I could’ve taken her for myself. It’s such a shame they left that job to Werewolves. I see they did a poor job of taming her, she seems quite wild.”
I punched him in the face which had Melanie wrapping her arms around me. My wife whispered, “I’m fine.” Fury filled me. I linked my Beta and Gamma, “The amount of people that knew my mate suffered just keeps getting larger. Even people Ring adjacent knew.”
Phil groaned, “They are the worst.” I demanded, “Put something into circulation that I will make them all regret it.” Gage replied, “I’d say they have enough common sense to know that, but they clearly do not.”
Uncle Aiden surmised, “So more of your family survived then.” Gerdishek laughed, “Not just them.” Melanie tensed. Aiylee asked, “What are you talking about?” Gerdishek stopped smiling and his expression turned quite sour. It would be comical if I wasn’t so damn mad on my own. Counting the bond, I shared with my wife there was no laughing happening anytime soon.
Gerdishek asked, “Who is keeping me here?” Mom snorted, “Take a fucking guess, you pretentious prick.” The man glared at her. Oden snarled, “Kill him.” My siblings and I snarled while Uncle Aiden moved to block mom from his view.
Uncle Aiden quietly said, “Eric.” Dad instantly moved to my mom’s side along with my Hackura family. Uncle Aiden said, “I am very aware of how your family feels about partial Fairies. In fact, I went back through our histories once I had access to the Royal vault here as the King.”
“Until you took over, partials were celebrated. They were just as powerful as some full blooded Fairies. There was even a partial Fairy who ruled with her husband, but in the books that I’ve discovered, that were hidden, it was always known partialseven with a small amount of Fairy blood could perform certain magic.”
“That is so long as they were taught about their spark. Your family fanned the flame that led to my sister’s treatment here. My cousins were tortured and hunted. Once of my cousins and her mate still do not come here because of it.” Cousin Maribella and Tucker hadn’t come here for anything so far.
Uncle Aiden continued, “You hunted those partials down and they didn’t even know why. Some of them had no idea of the powers they had. So, I don’t care about what delusions of grandeur you have here. You will not get near my little sister.”
Gerdishek snorted, “Some care for her, but I am not one of them. I think they should’ve killed her.” All of our snarls filled the room and Uncle Aiden’s wings came out. My Uncle flew into the air and his voice boomed, “No one would’ve DARED to kill my little sister.”
Lucinda popped in front of him, and he came down to the ground. Mom declared, “I’m fine, Aiden. This pathetic whelp can’t fucking hurt me.” Gerdishek retorted, “Again, I do not wish to or I could.” Melanie snorted.
After a few moments of silence mom declared, “Then I challenge you to a duel, Gerdishek. You can even use all the damn powers you have.” Dad growled, “NO!” I linked Melanie, “You gave mom that idea, didn’t you?”
Melanie answered, “Yes because he can’t beat her. Your mom can also goad him into telling her more of the plot he knows. She can force him to tell the truth, but he has some mental defenses. If they fight, and he’s not focused she won’t even have to try.”
“Plus… I know that your mom has read about the arena for fighting… and I think it would be good for her to see all of Faerie cheering her on… wanting her to win. I think this is something she needs, personally…. which is what I care about… also the realm will love it.”
Gerdishek said, “I’m already injured, that's hardly fair.” Mom sighed, “Then we can fight when you heal because I’ll be damned if my son or I heal you.” I would not even attempt to do so and would stop mom from doing it.
Gerdishek smiled as iron cuffs were placed on him. The man declared, “I’ll kill you, halfling.” Mom laughed loudly. Oden roared, “If you want to make it to that fight STOP TALKING LIKE THAT!” Brutus agreed, “Do.” Thor snarled, “I’ll get you before they do.”
Gage linked, “So, we don’t have enough Beta’s or Gamma’s here to calm ALL the Alpha’s down. So, you do you. I’ll be on clean up duty.” I shot him a look, and he just gave me a thumbs up. Phil drained a shot and bounced back and forth on his feet ready to act.
Gerdishek frowned, warning mom, “I am serious.” Oden asked, “Do you hear me?” Gerdishek answered, “I do.” Mom sent the emotion in the bond she had this. Mom spat at his feet and told him, “I am Princess Luna Haley Holloran Cambridge Conners.”
Mom looked him up and down, “Far more capable people than your pathetic ass have tried to kill me. Guess what? They are all fucking dead and I’m still here. You will be no exception. When I send you to the Beyond, you have fun with our other brother.”
“Arion will be fucking pissed off about this. I have grown accustomed to feeling his presence. So, I know he is here. When you die there will be no rest for you because Arion will be there to make your afterlife a literal hell.”
I looked around, but I didn’t know how my mom could tell Uncle Arion was here. I believed her though. She couldn’t lie, but I wished I could feel him. Melanie linked, “Far back corner, Xander. I mean… I think you’re looking for Arion… and that’s where he is.” My eyes darted there, and I briefly saw a spark.
Oden whispered, “He is here.” Phil linked, “You can sense your uncle? That’s new.” I replied, “No, Melanie told me where he was.” Phil snorted, “Right. Obviously. What was I thinking? Of course she told you.” I squeezed Melanie’s hand saying, “Thanks.” Melanie nodded.
Gerdishek paled. Mom rolled her eyes, “Typical male. You’re more afraid of my dead brother than of me. I’ll make you fucking bleed before I send you to Arion. I hope you choke on our inadequacies in the dungeons.” Mom flicked her hand.
A vine sprouted from the ground and wrapped around his legs which made Gerdishek scream. Mom told the man in a bland tone, “That vine taking you down to the dungeons, painfully, does not come close to my powers. Jackass.”
Gerdishek flew through the floor and hit his head. The floor was instantly repaired, but I could hear him on his way down. Uncle Aiden snorted, “Guards, do make sure that reprobate is in our worst cell.” They nodded and popped away. Other guards cut the rest down and led them down to the dungeons.
