Page 69 of Anger

“No more than you deserved,” she hissed.

“Are you okay?” Mac demanded, sliding over to her.

“I’ll heal whilst I’m in this form. What do we do now? Simon Clare is still out there,” Lamia asked.

Mac wrapped his arms around her and drew her in close. “We’ll figure that out,” Mac reassured, raining kisses down on her face.

“Lamia!” Vampire shouted as he rushed down the stairs.

“I’m here,” she called, laying her head on Mac’s chest.

“Thank God, sister. I was worried,” Vampire admitted as he slowed down.

“Well, now, time didn’t do him any favours, did it,” Swamp Creature said, looking at Alainen’s head.

“All the cameras have been destroyed, and the laptop smashed to pieces. The footage did cut off when you escaped Clare,” Dullahan explained, his head twisting around.

“That’s good because I was terrified one had continued recording,” Lamia replied. “But I wasn’t going to let him harm my babies. I couldn’t, even if it risked exposing us.”

“I understand,” Vampire soothed, and Lamia knew he did. Vampire had Amari, his precious daughter.

“What do we do now? This is going to be hard to explain,” Mac demanded.

“Burn it,” Ranson suggested.

“No. I’ve an idea. Listen…” Vampire said.

He explained what he’d done to Simon Clare and how they’d left him injured for the police to find. Vampire laid out the last of his plan.

“That’s going to take some manoeuvring,” Mac stated.

“Not really. Lilith can magic a body, I can hypnotise those we need to, and Mac can play the grieving fiancé.”

“Let’s do it,” Lamia said, and Vampire nodded as he called for Lilith.

Lanie/Lamia

“In a shocking turn of events, the world mourns the loss of Lanie Cross this evening. For three days, we all sat mesmerised and prayed for her escape or rescue. Tonight, the sad news was revealed that when Miss Cross escaped her kidnapper, she was recaptured and tortured to death. The suspect, Simon Clare, then fled the warehouse and was involved in a car accident. This led to him being arrested by local police.

“While no details have been announced, it’s been noted that several officers who entered the derelict glass factory were seen to be physically sick. A source has reported that Miss Cross was horrifically tortured and has even announced her unborn babies were cut from her stomach.

“Her fiancé, Mr Joe McIntyre, has been informed and has identified the body. He is said to be highly distraught but thanks everyone for their prayers and well wishes. Mr McIntyre will be arranging Miss Cross’s funeral and that of his children. This is a tragic day for the world who watched and prayed, and gatherings have been held across Miss Cross's hometown and England. Candlelight vigils are being planned and held in respect of what happened.

“The new station is also investigating how Mr Clare was able to hack in and stop them regaining control of their satellite. This allowed him to control the media and not let them block his filming…”

???

Mac turned the TV off and dragged Lanie on top of him.

“Bored already?” she asked as she straddled his hips.

“Of you? Never. Of the news? Yes. But everything’s going to be fine. We’ve a plan in place, and you’re safe once more,” Mac soothed.

“But I can’t go out into the world again. I’m either constrained here or Refuge. I’ll miss my freedom,” Lanie complained.

“Baby, I know,” Mac said and rubbed her arms.

Lanie’s likeness had been plastered everywhere. Nobody would be able to walk past Lanie and not recognise her. Lanie bitterly regretted losing her freedom and knew it was permanent. Her human shifter side had been bust wide open. Even if a hundred years should pass, Lanie would be recognised by photographs. Her future in the world was over.

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