Page 101 of Beyond the Temptation: Vol 2

“Who turned you?” Shadow asked Ava.

“Orvis did,” she replied.

“Against your will?” Viper followed up.

She nodded. “And others. Some as recent as last week.”

“You know one of his cronies did the same to me,” I reminded them.

“I don’t think he’s going to keep his word, boss,” Face commented.

“We should just destroy him. He doesn’t deserve immunity,” Phoenix commented, playing with a ripple of fire around his fingers and palm.

“Church,” Viper said into his phone after pushing a few buttons.

We, the Nighthawks, and the other prospects gathered into the Cobalt Room, where again, human employees were setting up for the evening.

“Leave us,” Viper told the employees, who all filed out a side door. “Colt, Ava, please step up.”

We did, and were instructed to tell our stories.

Once we were done, and after both of us included stories of other people he’d had turned against their will and the physical abuse Ava endured, Venom said, “This is the prick who was just here yesterday? He did this to both these kids?”

I cringed at the kid comment.

“Yes,” Viper responded. “I know we voted to let him and his clan live peacefully under our watch here in the city, but I think we need to take another vote after hearing this. He wasn’t exactly forthcoming yesterday under scrutiny. Remember, this is just business. No feelings involved, but what’s best for the supes and humans of New Orleans.”

I was glad he told them to leave their feelings out of it. Nobody should vote based on that, it should be what is best for everyone.

“Here are our choices: One, boot him and permanently ban him, letting clan members with clean records stay under our protection if they wish. Two, let him stay and keep watch. Three, kill him.”

Wow. Kill him. Not that I’d mind watching him turn to ash. In fact, I hoped I could do it myself.

“All in favor of one.” Half the room’s hands went up. I watched Face mentally count and input it into his electronic tablet.

“All in favor of two.” No hands went up.

“All in favor of three.” The other half of the room’s hands went up, including mine.

Face showed Viper the tablet.

“It’s been voted 11 to 10 to let him live but boot him from the city.”

Dammit.

“He’ll just sneak back in,” I said to Viper.

“Then we’ll kill him,” Shadow commented with a shrug.

“Yes, we will. Meeting adjourned.” Viper slammed the gavel onto the podium.

“Venom, Shadow, escort Colt and Ava to go get her shit from that POS,” he instructed. “Then tell him to beat feet out of town and not come back.”

“Yeah, boss,” they replied.

We piled into a grocery getter and Ava gave directions to the house.

“Don’t be nervous,” I whispered to her, squeezing her hand for comfort. I sensed the tension coming from her.

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