I questioned, “Improvement? Are you serious?” Alpha Eric replied, “She’s not in the shower rubbing her skin raw, so yes it’s an improvement.” I told him, “She doesn’t have to do this.” Alpha Eric said, “I already told her that. So did her brother, but she’s not going to leave.” One of their sons popped to Haley. She smiled at him, “Hi Alexander, mommy is ok. Go home and go back to sleep little man.” The pup frowned at her. Aiden spoke in Fealish and the pup sighed and popped away.

The realization that she’d saved my life hit me hard. Somehow that just sunk in. That knife still lodged in a tree would’ve taken me away from Lexi and our pups. Haley answered Alpha Jackson’s question, “I was told all about how my family rose to power. That knife is a key part of the story. It’s why our people, even though they hated Fabian, allowed our family to stay in power so long. Removing the previous family from power was huge for Faerie.”

Aiden said, “Not that it would have mattered if they’d removed us. Once Haley and I realized we were the promised siblings we would’ve taken back over from anyone who’d removed our family from power.” I pointed out, “Your father is why the fire fairies didn’t rise up against your family’s rule.”

Aiden nodded, “It was all in the Fairy Goddesses’ hands. She knew our family needed to remain in power. Innocent Fae lives would’ve been lost in another family's rise to power only for our family to rule again. Rising to power in our realm always brings blood to our streets and lives lost.” I knew that.

I questioned, “So, what about the knife? Does it disappear back to its owner?” Aiden laughed, “No, whoever gave it this warlock does not understand all they should about the knife.” Matt instantly asked, “What should they have known?” I linked him, “Thank you. I’m tempted to hit him for his vague answers.”

Heath added, “How would they know of its existence? I’ve never heard of this knife.” Aiden said, “They must know a demon.” Heath snorted, “I know many demons.” Aiden smiled, “None you would trust implicitly though. They must know one they do trust implicitly which is, well short-sighted.” Haley snorted.

I groaned, “Haley, can you please explain about the knife before I lose my goddamn mind?” Aiden laughed. Haley explained, “Where fairies cannot lie, demons can. They trade in lies and half-truths. They are easily bored and look for fun. Trusting a demon wholeheartedly who’s not your fucking mate or your family is not smart.”

She smirked then gave an example, “Not unlike trusting a fairy to give you the whole picture of something. Like Claudzilla did with her fairy charm. She didn’t understand how it worked and neither did this group. The demon took their money and their soul. Demons thrive on souls. To be given one willingly is their dream. They’d do anything for a willing soul. This knife is basically Betty Newcome’s soul.” Aiden shook his head. Why?

Haley added, “She should’ve guarded it closely because now we have it. We aren’t going to let her get it back. Her soul was taken from her physical body and transferred to the knife.” Heath surmised, “So, she’s now separated from her soul.” Haley nodded, “She’s going to slowly go crazy. Like batshit fucking crazy.”

Matt piped in, “How long would that take? If it’s tomorrow, then Heath would know who she is.” Haley turned to her brother. She asked, “Aiden?” Aiden huffed but answered, “It will not be that quick. They will work to retrieve the knife. The closer it is to her the more balanced she will feel. When we destroy it, she’ll drop dead. I’d say she’d be completely crazy in six months, but she will start behaving oddly fairly soon, especially since it will be so far away.” I groaned.

Matt asked, “How long will it take you to gather the supplies?” Aiden admitted, “I do not know. I need to barter with several other supernatural’s for the necessary supplies. A few months at minimum.” My dad growled, “What do we do with it until then?”

Aiden smiled, “Leave it Faerie of course. My sister and I can cast a charm so no one but myself or her can take it.” Cameron cleared his throat, “How about just her? No offense, but you could betray us.” Haley argued, “No he can’t, and he wouldn’t even if he fucking could.”

Aiden smiled, “My little sister is right. When we perform magic together to betray you would be a betrayal to her. The magic would call out to her. The object we were protecting would be conjured to her. The same thing would happen if she tried to go against the magic. She is also right on her other point. I will not betray her. Ever.”

King Aiden turned, “I promise you, little sister, I will never betray you.” Haley’s eyes widened as a glow passed between them. Matt linked me, “He fairy promised her that.” I noticed. Heath, Prince Bjourn, and Prince Marcus looked surprised. Alpha Eric didn’t though.

I questioned, “So, the knife will stay in Faerie, and only the two of you can get it?” Aiden nodded, “Yes, that’s the gist of the situation.” He turned to Haley, “Sister, you and your wolf need to come with me to perform the charm in Faerie. I’m sure you’ll insist on popping yourself back here so you can help them get their answers.”

Haley muttered, “You bet your Fairy King ass I will. We need to know what they know. The fucking Troll can’t have Lexi, and Hanshit can’t have Emma.” Aiden grinned, “I believe his name is Hanson, little sister.” Haley snorted, “I know but his new name is Hanshit.” Aiden laughed. Alpha Eric said, “We will be back, Alpha Chase.” He held Haley as Aiden grabbed her and popped them away with the knife determined to kill me.

Ted bewilderedly complained, “Inanimate objects having wills and shit. What is happening?” I said, “It’s fine, Ted.” Ted scoffed, “Really? Is it? Because some weird knife wants to kill you, or harm anyone you share blood with. That’s completely normal. An everyday occurrence even.” I snorted.

Heath asked, “Bjourn, has your guy dug anything up on the Newcome’s?” Bjourn answered, “We can't find the names they had plastic surgery under. We DID find the little brother’s name change. It appears he wanted nothing to do with his family. Everything we found said he knows his parents were murdered by his brother whom he hates.”

Heath questioned, “Who is he?” Bjourn said, “Supposedly he is now dead, but I doubt that. I think he is hiding from his brother and sister and faked his death.” Heath pressed, “Who is he?” Bjourn replied, “His new name was Terry Underwood.” Sally and Ted gasped.

That sounded good. I huffed, “What now?” Ted answered, “That’s Susanna’s father.” I groaned, “To sum up, we are now saying Susanna’s dad, who supposedly died on a mission, is Hanson and Betty Newcome’s little brother?” Everyone nodded.

I asked, “Could Susanna be working against us?” Ted, Sally, and Heath all answered simultaneously, “No.” I continued, “Does she know?” Bjourn said, “His name was changed before Heath was born. I doubt Susanna knows of her connection to the Newcome’s. She’s Lexi’s age.”

Heath postulated, “Hanson should though. He can’t be happy his niece was stabbed.” I agreed, “Noah is a loose cannon.” Heath nodded his head in agreement. I sighed, “Matt, get these fuckers downstairs. Cameron, take the ones from your territory and get your anger out. They probably know nothing about the attack on my area, but feel free to ask them. Derrick, you’re with me.”

My dad linked, “Where are you going?” I replied, “To call the damn Vampire King.” Heath called, “Where do you want me?” I stopped in surprise. He answered my unspoken question saying, “This is your territory, Chase.” So he was giving me respect. We really were making strides in our relationship.

I replied, “You can come in and call the Vampire King with me or start on getting us answers. Either is fine by me.” Heath smirked, “If you need me to speak to Susanna’s loyalty have someone let me know. I’ll be with the prisoners.” I nodded. I could link Matt if I needed him, but I didn’t think I would.

I called the Vampire King. His assistant answered, “King Arthur’s line.” I replied, “This is Alpha Chase. I need to speak to the King.” The assistant told me, “He’s in court and unavailable.” I argued, “He’s going to want to hear what I have to say. Get him.” The assistant sighed, “I will take your message to him. Hold please.”

After fifteen minutes King Arthur came on the line, “Alpha Chase, I have Robert and Susanna with me. I thought you would be happy about our success with the apartment. We are sure the next person will take something, and we can get the location of their headquarters.”

I admitted, “I didn’t even know about that. We were attacked tonight.” King Arthur responded, “It was my understanding that was not any of my people. If it was by vampires, they will die by my hand.” I assured him, “It wasn’t. It involved rogues, witches, and warlocks. Some ancient knife almost killed me, but Haley stopped it.” King Arthur audibly gasped, and I was certain Robert had too.

King Arthur shouted, “Ancient knife? The ψυχοφ?γος is in the earthly realm?” I sighed, “The what?” Robert answered, “It’s ancient Greek. It means the Soul Eater. That’s the knife's name. The last people to use it were….” I interrupted, “The Holloran family. So, I’ve been told.”

King Arthur said, “It’s a powerful object. It seems this was entered into quite lightly if you’re the target Alpha Chase, no offense.” I replied, “None taken. The fairy here thought it would’ve been Alpha Eric.” Robert interjected, “It’s supposed to help you kill super powerful people. Alpha Eric makes sense because that would kill the Princess. Who has it?” I answered, “King Aiden and Haley.” Robert laughed. I groaned, “What?” Robert said, “The King of the Fairies probably wants to kiss you, Alpha Chase.”

I looked at Derrick confused. I told them, “He didn’t seem that excited about it.” King Arthur said, “That knife is one of the forces that could kill him or Haley and you just handed it to him. He will keep it safe now until he can destroy it. I’m sure he’s been waiting for it to come into play.” That sneaky, smart bastard.