Page 5 of Anger

“Lieutenant Colonel.”

“Impressive. Welcome, McIntyre,” Lanie said as she rose to her feet. “It’s time to call it a day, Ranson.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Mac will be driving you today.”

“Whatever you think is best, Ranson,” Lanie responded as they walked out of the office. It was already six o’clock.

Once home, Ranson handed over to the night team, and Lanie instantly headed for her bedroom. No cameras or recording devices were allowed in there. When she entered, she hit a button and a spell by Lilith killed any bugs that might have been placed. Lanie crossed to her full-length mirror and passed through. The air from the valley always tasted and smelt different to her. It was cleaner than clean.

Marie stood waiting as Lanie walked through. “Good day?” Marie asked.

“Yes, I accomplished my goals. And got a new security guard. I’ll have Achere run him, but I think he’s okay. How about you?”

“Found some disgusting individuals for some of you tonight. I’m uneasy, like a change is coming,” Marie said.

Lanie paused. “Another mate?”

“I don’t know, but it’s a great upheaval, I sense,” Marie answered.

“Damn. I wonder who this time!” Lanie mused.

“No idea, but I think we better buckle up.”

“Wonderful,” Lanie commented and headed to her quarters. She passed several of her siblings as she did.

“Willow!” Jase bellowed from somewhere in the castle, and Lanie smiled. That man would never be quiet.

“Vladimir!” Emmaline shrieked. “She bit me!”

Lanie slipped into her room, amused. Castle life had never been peaceful. There were too many of them living here. However, with the two humans in their midst, it was now chaos. Try as she might, Lanie couldn’t help but be a little jealous of Vladimir and Jase. Vampire and Poseidon had both found their true mates and were sickeningly happy.

Lanie headed down to the great hall after changing into some loose clothing. Tonight, she’d have to shift to Lamia and sate Anger. Her Sin was shoving at her skin, and Lanie knew better than to ignore it.

The evil she kept inside had a mind of its own, just like all the Sins, but its thought processes were simple. It needed to eat, sleep, and grow. Lanie had long ago learned to control it, and she killed people who acted in pure anger. And not those who had mere temper tantrums. Lanie hunted the dark rage harbourers. Those who destroyed in fury, people who used ire to justify cruel and unforgivable actions.

She wasn’t bothered about someone getting outraged over a football match. No. That did not sate her Sin. Anger fed on those who betrayed innocents in sheer, unmitigated, boiling, unthinking rage.

They might have killed, robbed, stolen, harmed, tortured; it didn’t matter as long as her Sin was the driving force behind their actions. Sabotage, theft, and rape, if driven by anger, they came under her remit unless they clashed with another Sin. But Marie always found the correct person to feed each Sin.

It was a task Lanie did not envy Marie for. Looking in the mirrors at the thousands of images of people doing bad stuff. It was a wonder her sister was sane. Marie’s Sin was Voyeurism, and it fed like a glutton each night as Marie spied on individuals through her network of mirrors.

“Lanie!” Lorelai called.

“Hey!” Lanie replied and headed towards her. Lorelai hadn’t shifted to Medusa yet. She sat with Hans, Noah, and Sela, respectively, The Phantom of the Opera, Rumpelstiltskin, and Sphinx.

“Is anyone hunting tonight?” Lanie asked, sitting next to them. No sooner had she sat than Luke joined them. Surprised looks were swapped between them. The man who held Deception and turned into the fierce Minotaur had mainly kept himself apart until now. Being held, tortured, and experimented on had harmed Luke in many ways, not all just physical. Everyone had an eye on him because they didn’t want him going the way of Basilisk.

“Are you okay?” Lanie asked.

“Am I not welcome?” he replied.

Lanie reached out and leant against his arm. She squeezed it tightly and kissed his scarred cheek. Those evil hunters had scared his monster form so badly it had carried over to his human self. For that to happen meant the wounds had to be repeatedly reenacted.

“Of course you are, but you’ve been rather solitary. We’ve worried,” Lanie responded gently.

“I’m aware, and I won’t harm myself. The Hunters may have messed with my mind, but I’m strong enough and seeing Achere. I am trying to regain my place,” Luke explained quietly.

“You’ll always have us. You’re our brother,” Hans said.

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