I spotted Chase and Lexi Daniels in the crowd. I waved at them, and they waved back. My mom landed us on a cloud that was waiting for us at the top. I laughed asking, “Why didn’t you have the cloud bring us up here?” She shrugged, “Your dad thought me flying you would be more fucking fun.”
I agreed, “It is.” I conjured a knife and cut the cake while people cheered. I cut myself a slice and conjured a plate and at it. I moaned, “Damn this is good.” I heard someone mutter, “I wish I could hear him groan like that while naked.” Preston growled which had my family paying attention to my bond.
I linked Preston, “It’s fine.” He retorted, “It irritates you.” I chuckled, “Sometimes feeling like a piece of meat grates.” Oden grumbled, “Especially at an event mate didn’t come to.” That was true. I usually didn’t mind.
Mom asked, “What’s going on?” I replied, “The usual.” She snorted, “This party is brand fucking new so I doubt that.” I cut her a piece of cake and the cloud floated us back down. She spoke in Fealish, “Cut yourself Den send pieces Ze those yuiopl wish Ze Wer cake (Cut yourself and send pieces to those who wish to have cake).”
Everyone cheered as knives began to cut the cake and pieces flew on plates to the people with forks. I told mom, “You’re amazing.” She blushed. She pointed, “Don’t think that will distract me. What had Preston growling? Did someone say something? Not having your hearing pisses me the fuck off.” I laughed, “I know.”
I told her, “Sometimes hearing people make sexual reference to me gets old.” She growled, “Who the fuck did that?” I admitted, “I don’t know. It’s ok.” She replied, “No, it’s not. You have good hearing. So, unless they meant to say it your face, theycan keep it to themselves. Or say it when you can’t hear them. No one deserves to be objectified if they don’t want to be. Everyone here knows that.”
I told her, “People will say what they do. It’s not their fault I can hear them.” She replied, “So long as there is breath in my body people will fucking respect my kids and this family. I have killed people for less.” I asked, “You have?” She winked at me, and we landed on the ground.
I wondered why my uncle’s didn’t ask questions about her statement. When we landed back on the platform, I realized they weren’t close enough. EJ linked, “What the fuck did that mean? Does mom have some secret killing crusade thing going on? We are FUCKED if that’s true.”
I replied, “I think she does… or did.” Uncle Aiden popped to me, and I felt the wind at my back knowing Uncle Arion was here. Uncle Aiden hugged me, “Your Aunt Lucinda and I were here for your ceremony. We are so proud of you. I seem to have lost Aiylee and Exsis. I will be busy continuing not to think about where they went to.”
I chuckled. He added, “Za Er Dinko proud Fren Zu. Zu Sintra if Zu Sepl Tem position in Uise fae army Op Uy yours yuz (I am so proud of you. You know if you want a position in the Fae army it is yours too).”
I replied, “Let's see deft Freetra siblings Trew end oolo. Za will Kent anything Ze protect them. Dinko, if Za need Tem position in Uise fae army Ze Kent Dinko, Za will take Op (Let's see where my siblings all end up. I will do anything to protect them. So, if I need a position in the Fae army to do so, I will take it).”
Uncle Aiden raised an eyebrow. My mom linked, “Is someone trying to hurt my fucking daughter?! You did this for Cassie?” I replied, “Not physically.” She practically growled, “It’s that BITCH, isn’t it? I knew I should’ve killed her as a child. Ireally fucking considered it, but she was a child. She was so damn weird and obsessed with Cayden it was fucking creepy.” Interesting. I’d not known that.
I told her, “I’m here now. You and Cassie are more subtle sometimes.” My mom gasped, “You think I’m fucking subtle?! I am in people’s faces with Fairy Hijinks and fuckery! They ALL know it’s me and they know why.”
I replied, “Yet you just told me you killed people and I’m certain you mean ones I don’t know about. Maybe even other people, like my uncles who have never mentioned it, don’t know about it.” She winked again.
I reasoned, “See? Subtle. I am NOT subtle. I will make sure whatever is going on doesn’t go too far. I will have Cassie’s six, always.” She replied, “You’d better pull me into anything that needs my special brand of justice.”
I agreed, “I will if it’s necessary. Cassie has her own way of doing things that mirrors yours. She idolizes you, we all do.” She blushed. Uncle Aiden hummed, “What are we linking about?” My dad joined us asking, “Yes, what would that be?”
Mom answered, “Our brands of justice.” Dad threw his head back and laughed. He asked, “And who is getting hit with this brand of justice?” Mom grumbled, “Apparently we are waiting on mine.” Dad nuzzled her neck, “I feel how intensely that annoys you. You want to kill someone badly.”
The wind howled around us. I was pretty certain that was Uncle Arion being annoyed that we were waiting. Mom grumbled, “Letting your kids be grownups sucks ass.” My dad’s gaze narrowed on mine. He told my mom, “It definitely can.”
He linked me, “I know you decided to do this for your sister. If you need to make a statement, I’ll be there beside you.” I agreed, “Of course. You know I go big with my statements. I think my increased presence will calm things down.” He nodded and I felt he agreed.
I may not have my mate yet, but I would be the best damn big brother I could. Meanwhile I’d count down the days until Melanie was in my arms.
New Connections
Melanie is Fifteen Years Old
Melanie was waiting. I’d started the Resistance, but I’d been perfecting this filing at the Supernatural Council’s building for a while. A wolf came out, “Let’s go, Melanie.” I stammered, “Umm I said Ashley... uhh Griffen… that’s a thing…”
He snorted, “My name is Thurston.” I muttered, “I didn’t ask but ok… I still said that…” Thurston cut me off, “I am aware of what you said. I’m also aware of who you are. So is the Supernatural Council.” I wasn’t sure if that would be good or bad. I walked in with my file.
Herman, a Vampire and head of the Supernatural Council, was waiting. He said, “We will not hear your case, Melanie McAlister.” I faltered, “Umm but…” He waved, “We read it.” I pointed out, “I have several cases and folders.”
He hummed, “And we read them all. No one can pay for the death of your parents.” It was as if he sucked the air out of the room. Several people looked uncomfortable. He added, “Black Path passes our checks.” I said, “Umm but like I proved they are paying for that and…”
He interrupted, “Our people are above reproach.” I frowned saying, “Clearly not since…” He hissed, “You will show respect.” I wanted to cower down to him, I did. The things was, he was lying and he was wrong. He was yet another leader letting me down and it fueled my rage.
I said, “I see that the Supernatural Council is just a corrupt bunch of figureheads who will nothing about the suffering of people. You have a duty and you’re ignoring it. I will get justice for these people and my family. With or without your help.” Hesnorted, “What’s a pup going to do?” Everything. I was going to do everything.
I ran out of the room before I blurted out that I ran the Resistance. I needed to get back to my computer. I’d planted a bug while I was here in case… ok, I was going to use it either way. That’s a thing I was going to do. Now, I could get into their files. I still read Prince Gunner’s papers and followed them religiously.
I went through the holoport Paige had set up and let myself cry for five minutes. I jogged and went to the place I’d bought and put my parents and brother’s headstones. I told them, “It didn’t go well… that’s kind of putting it nicely. I will get you guys justice, I will. Alpha Peter just won’t…” I choked up then admitted, “talk to me about it. Everyone hates me and I miss you so much.” I touched their headstone.
