Chapter Eight

"First things first." My dad was having way too much fun with this, "Who's in charge of this little club?"

"I am." Eli replied immediately. My dad looked to him and snorted, chuckling a little at first.

"You're kidding?" He muttered, "Him? You're letting him.. I expected the big guy, but him?"

"He's a good leader, dad." I told him, "Stop picking on him."

"Okay, okay." He shook his head, "Alright, pipsqueak. You got a phone or something? Anything to contact the others with? Because they kind of need to know this first thing if they're gonna stay alive, and I'm gonna keep my head."

"Yeah." He grumbled reaching into his pocket, "So where are they?"

"Give me that." Dad muttered, yanking the phone from him, already starting a text massage.

"What the hell?" Eli barked, "Give it back."

"We're doing this my way." He replied sharply, "Sit down, and shut up. They don't need to know it's me giving these possible locations, and I'm not telling anyone else where they are. Insurance." He grinned at the last word, "Which ones?"

"Which ones, what?" Eli grumbled.

"Which ones, stupid?" He grumbled back, "Which ones need to know?"

"Carlisle and Cole." I answered, and he nodded, "And they're probably gonna know it's you anyway, dad." He looked to me, "Leandra and Alice's gift, remember? If Keegan isn't blocking you, they can see any decision you make."

"Fuck." He sighed, "Oh well. Then shit. They can see I'm telling the truth, can't they?"

"I don't know." I replied as honestly as I could, "I never asked if it went that far."

"It doesn't." Esme answered quietly, "Their gifts only work on decisions, not intentions." That was a lie. I knew that immediately. I recalled Leandra specifically telling me her gift included seeing intentions, and where someone's true loyalties lied. I looked down as I realized she must have seen how hard I fought with my loyalties, but I hadn't ever really settled. Esme was lying to him.

My dad looked to Esme, and smiled.

"I've always had a soft spot for you, you know." He told her, and I started to get nervous. I liked Esme.

"Keep your distance, or all bets are off." Dess spoke up, just loud enough to be heard over Emmett's growl.

"I'm only pointing out the obvious." Dad replied, chuckling, "So touchy."

"Leave her alone, dad." I murmured, "Can we just-"

"Did anyone fucking ask you?" He gripped me hard by the back of my neck.

"Watch it." I growled up at him, "Don't push me, asshole." He jerked me away from him, releasing his hold, "I mean it, dad. Leave her alone."

"You've gotten soft." He grumbled, shaking his head as he turned away. I took a breath, before looking to Esme. Once more apologetically. I didn't want her to have to deal with this. I knew she could see that, as her eyes grew sad.

"Speaking of soft and pathetic," Dad muttered, turning back around, "How is my dumb-ass stepdaughter?" Now, that was a subject I wish he wouldn't have brought up. I crossed my arms, turning away. It made me uncomfortable.

"Don't mention her." Emmett warned immediately.

"I'm only asking how she is." Dad chuckled, "Last I saw her-"

"It's none of your business." Esme's tone was firmer, closer to a warning now as well.

"Well, now." He was amused, immediately taken. I didn't need Leandra or Alice's gift to know this would probably go badly. He just had to keep pushing buttons.

"Dammit, dad." I growled, "Shut the hell up, would you?"

"Everybody cool it." Eli, surprisingly, was the one to speak up, "Come on. Just ignore him, and everything should go fine."

"It's not easy ignoring someone who has such a large death wish." Emmett growled in return. My dad smirked, chuckling as he came up behind me.

"Do it anyway." Eli told him firmly, "Nobody likes this situation, but-"

"I'm having fun." Dad spoke up, "Why? Aren't you?"

"This is pretty damn daring." Emmett pointed out, "Even for you."

"What can I say?" Dad replied, "I had to come save my stupid offspring." He hugged me again, despite how I tried to avoid it. I hated when he hugged me like this, because it was never genuine.

"Would you rather I have stayed with Darren?" I snapped, looking up at him, "They were my best choice."

"They made sure of that." Dad chuckled, but let it go. He shook his head and turned, slowly wandering through the living room, looking at all the stuff.

Well, I wasn't going to be uncomfortable. I turned, sitting down with a heavy sigh. If we were just passing time at this point, the tension would be enough without forcing myself to be uncomfortable.

"Dad?" I spoke up, and he looked to me, "I'm still not against the cave idea. I can handle it." He scoffed.

"And get yourself killed for them?" He asked, "Right."

"I wouldn't." I shook my head, "It probably won't even get to that."

"Just shut up." He sighed, continuing to look around. I shrugged a little, and looked down. I'd tried.

To my surprise, though, Eli took the open spot on the couch beside me. Sitting there with me as if I weren't the worst person in the world.

"By the way," Dad noticed as well, "I remember you, Eli." If Eli could have paled, he would have, given his expression of uneasy surprise. Dad turned to come back over, "And you, and all of you." He looked at his coven near the wall, who all looked down as well, "Such a big disappointment."

"I-I.." He obviously didn't know what to say, "It wasn't my fault, I-"

"Excuses." Dad snapped lightly, which shut him up, "You're pathetic."

"No he's not." I muttered before I could stop myself, "He's not. He's awesome." Eli looked over at me sheepishly.

"Turned his back on his entire coven, for what?" Dad continued as if I hadn't spoken, "Betrayed his coven leader, and all of its members, for what? A chance on the winning side?"

"What you were doing was wrong." Eli stood back up, "Even someone like me could see that, Jack." I decided then to stay out of the conversation. This was obviously between them, and long before my time.

"Wrong, according to who?"

"Leandra has never wronged you." He replied, "She's never done anything to you. Are you that conceited that you could never see that?"

"All of us could see it." Dess backed him up, "And it wasn't even just about Leandra."

"Have I stumbled upon that little bitch's fan-club, or what?" Dad frowned, "You all are so fucking full of it."

"Says the one who set up an entire army against one little girl." Eli snapped.

My dad was back across the room within probably record time, backhanding him hard enough to knock him right off his feet. He hit the floor hard, rattling the furniture in the general area. I yelped quietly, looking down at him.

That got the group riled briefly, and it took a few cool-headed ones to stop the others from coming forward.

"Don't you ever say that again." Dad growled down at him as he pushed himself upright. I stood up, and kneeled beside Eli, unable to help it.

"It's okay." Eli told the others, standing up, "I'm fine." That seemed to help calm them down considerably, but they really weren't happy.

Suddenly breaking the tension, the phone in my dad's hand rang, and it was instantly tossed to Eli, who caught it easily, Eli's glare only calming slightly.

"Not a word, you little shit."

Eli answered it with a tense, "Yeah?" and a glance my way. It was Carlisle, and I couldn't help finding myself listening even closer. I hoped they were all alright.

"Eli." Carlisle spoke over the phone, "Put him on." So they did know he was here. That meant, at very least, that Keegan wasn't protecting him. Keegan wasn't protecting him, but was that really proof enough of his lack of affiliation with them?

With a sigh, the phone was thrown back over to my dad. Who caught it easily as well, grinning a little at how unhappy Eli was with him. I couldn't blame him. My dad could hit hard, and it looked to me like that had hurt.

"Carlisle." Dad greeted happily, "Yeah, I'm taking good care of your wife."

"Stop it." I immediately said.

"Now isn't the time for games, Jack." Carlisle replied evenly, "Why are you there?"

"I came for my daughter." He answered, "Why else would I willingly put myself in the middle of-"

"Simple answers are best." Carlisle didn't like this any more than I did, apparently.

"Yeah, yeah." Dad muttered.

"That explains why you showed up," Carlisle continued, "But not why you're still there."

"I told you." He replied shortly, "My daughter. You know. The one you tried to turn against me? That one." His tone had taken on a slight growl, which worried me, "Just like old times, huh?"

"All we did was provide her with the truth." Carlisle's tone was just as tense.

"And that's another thing. Using someone else to get to me? That's a little low for you? Have you sunk to my level, Carlisle?"

"We never used her." Carlisle replied instantly.

"I was just an added bonus, right?" Dad chuckled, "Right."

"Jack-"

"Now, before we get too far into the wrong side of this discussion, tell me." Dad turned, pacing a little, "Which location was it? If you're calling now, it means you found them." Hesitation from Carlisle's side, before he answered.

"The third one." He answered.

Dad laughed, "I knew it. Good job, Carlisle. See? I knew you had it in you."

"Why would you want to help us?" Carlisle asked.

"Avery wanted to help you." He corrected, "I'm with her, and who could pass up a deal like this?"

"What makes you so sure they're willing to stick to the deal?" Carlisle asked in return, "With the major threat out of the way?"

"Well, with you constantly preaching about consideration and fairness, I highly doubt those associated with you would be comfortable with ripping me to pieces right in front of my dear daughter." Dad replied simply, "That wouldn't fly well, would it? Especially when you've tried so hard to gain her trust."

I looked to him, frowning a little.

Dad continued, "It's just business, Carlisle. You all get to live, and so do I." I narrowed my eyes.

"Wait a minute." I mumbled, stepping forward, "I get it now."

"You shut up." Dad snapped at me. I glared, but did as he said. He took a breath, getting back to his phone conversation, "So when can we expect you here?"

"Soon." Carlisle replied, and I saw the shock in my dad's expression as Carlisle ended the call.

He laughed a little, "He hung up on me."

"You were being an asshole." I muttered, "I wouldn't talk to you either."

"Oh, you." He chuckled, hugging me tight into his side again.

"She definitely has a point." Dess grumbled, and dad looked to her.

"Okay, Miss Bitchy-Bad-Attitude." He replied, "What the fuck is your problem?"

"I don't fucking like you." She snapped in reply, "That's my problem."

"Well, solve it." He growled, "Because I'm not going anywhere."

"That's where you're wrong." She countered, "You'll be getting a first class trip straight to Hell, so I wouldn't count on anything different."

I grunted, finally escaping out from under his hand with a glare up at him.

"Right." Dad chuckled in response to Dess, "Tell me, cupcake. Let's work this out."

"Fuck off."

He grinned, "Oh, I like them feisty."

I shuddered and moved forward, in time to follow Emmett out the door. Esme followed me, which surprised me. I knew this would probably be coming, but not so soon.

"Don't go running off, now." Dad told me, "Stay where I can see you."

"You mean stay where she can see you." Dess corrected, "You're sick."

"Thank you, sugar." He chuckled.

"How the hell can you stand him?" Emmett growled once Esme shut the door behind us. I stayed right there where he could see me, knowing he'd want me to stay where I could see him.

"I was raised with amazing tolerance." I muttered, glancing back at him, "Look, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean-"

"We don't blame you, Alex." Esme cut my apology short, "We know how he can be."

I sighed, "Leandra is going to hate me."

"Why?" Emmett frowned, "For him using you?"

"He said the same thing about you all." I admitted quietly, "That you were all just keeping me around, hoping to lure him in."

"No, honey." Esme denied instantly, "We'd never do that. Not to anyone."

"It crossed my mind." Emmett said honestly.

"Emmett." Esme scolded heavily. At least he was honest. I had to give him that.

"But that's not why I voted to keep you around." He replied, "You gotta understand, badger. A long time ago, I promised shorty that he'd pay for everything he ever did to her." Emmett was getting edgier, "And he's just right there. Do you have any idea how tempting that is?"

"You can't do anything yet." I reminded him as quietly as I could, "Pace yourself."

"What the hell am I even waiting for?" He snapped, "To let him get away again?"

"He's not going anywhere without me." I murmured, "Especially if he thinks he's in control of the situation. Now, if you rush in there, he won't think he's in control anymore. Get it? You want lots of back-up for someone like him, even against you. Just.. Wait."

He growled, wringing his hands.

"He doesn't fight fair." I continued, "And I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want any of you to get hurt, okay?" Inside, we both looked over as he started to move. Crossing the room toward Dess. I looked to Emmett again, "Stay."

I stepped back inside just as Eli stepped forward.

"Dad." I called his attention, away from Dess, who honestly stood ready to snap his head off. Even I could see that he was about to poke the cornered animal. She hated him with a passion, and I didn't know enough to know why.

"What?" He snapped, and I hesitated, glancing to Emmett as he stepped back inside behind me.

"I missed you." I eventually murmured after a few seconds of silence, "A lot actually."

"Even after I'm sure they tried their damnedest to turn you against me?" He chuckled, turning away from Dess to move toward me. I couldn't help feeling like I'd just saved his life for a short while longer.

"Even so." I agreed.

"She's really hard-headed." Emmett grumbled, glancing down at me and moving away. Subtly, carefully moving across the room to stand with Esme without my dad getting mad.

"She's my daughter." Dad replied, "What'd you expect?" He looked to me, "What do you say, kid? When we get the fuck out of here, where do you wanna go? Anywhere."

"Anywhere?" I asked, surprised. I usually advised him on where to go, but he made the final decision. My surprise quickly faded, however.

"Aw, dad." I mumbled, shaking my head and looking down. He and I both knew he wasn't making it out of here alive. I sighed, "Isn't this hard enough?"

"What?" He asked.

"You know when the others get here, you're not going anywhere, right?" I asked, "You have to know that."

"Actually, that's where you're wrong." He chuckled, "Nope. Not ready to cash in my chips just yet, baby girl." I looked down.

The tension stayed around, and even increased. With me constantly playing shield between the others and my dad, my patience was thin. The increased tension was only added to by the fact that about an hour and a half had passed without word from either Carlisle or Cole.

Staring at my hands, intensely bored and irritable, I finally looked back up at one of Eli's coven moving forward.

"Incoming." He moved for the door, everyone following. Dad and I stood up, and I let him take my upper arms in his hands. He smirked.

"After you all." He muttered, nodding toward the door. They glared, but did as he said. I half expected to see Carlisle as we got outside, as he'd promised to be coming soon, but instead, it was Darren. He only had two others with him. Caleb, and Conner. Both looked deeply upset. As upset as Darren was.

Darren's eyes weren't on anyone else, however. Just my dad standing behind me.

"Jack, you son-of-a-"

"It's nice to see you again, Darren." Dad chuckled, "Amazing job babysitting, by the way."

"Do you even realize what you took from me?" I only then noticed that he was alone, aside from the two with him.

"Fully." He replied, chuckling, "Now. You all, do your job. Kill him."

"This is low." Darren growled, "Even for you."

"I've heard that a lot." Dad nodded, shrugging.

"Hold on a minute." Emmett spoke up, looking to Darren, "What do you mean by that?"

"Does it fucking matter?" Dad snapped, "Just kill him."

"Shut up, you." Emmett snapped back at him.

"This was his idea." Darren answered incredulously, "This whole fucking thing was his idea. The whole reason-"

"Are you seriously going to tattle on me?" Dad laughed, and I picked up a hint of nervousness in the sound.

"The whole reason he left that fucking brat with me is because he wanted to figure out a way to take you all out." Darren continued as if my dad hadn't spoken.

"Hey." I glared, not appreciating the name.

"He told me he was going to find Omar, who for some strange reason, let him live." Darren ignored me just as thoroughly as he'd ignored my dad, "Still willing to help him out, but now that most of his fucking coven has been taken out, that's completely changed, hasn't it?" Dad chuckled, obviously proud of that, "He found Omar, telling him to get his ass here, because I obviously couldn't handle that brat. A whole lot of my members were there too, Jack. Did you know that?"

"I was hoping for it, actually." He replied simply.

"Congratulations." Darren growled at Emmett, "You've all played right into his plan."

"Dad?" I muttered, looking up at him.

"Yes, even you." Darren muttered, "He hoped you'd be running off. Just like he knew you'd do."

"Would I do that to you?" Dad asked.

"I don't even know." I grumbled, "That's the problem. You didn't bother denying what you did to Leandra."

"Why would I?" He asked, "That fucking bitch deserved every second."

"You don't even know her." I argued, "What did she do to deserve any of it?"

"She was born."

I glared at his reply, and I had no possible way to deny the fact that it rubbed me the wrong way. It bugged me.

"That's hardly a reason." I snapped, "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"You have no idea." He chuckled.

"Can we sort this out?" Darren growled, taking our attention back to him.

"Where are the rest of you?" Esme asked him.

"Gone." He replied immediately, "We're all that's left."

"Wow." Dad laughed.

"Omar caught up to the coven south." Conner answered, "Omar's group managed to get a few, but were unsuccessful in their escape."

I felt the tension almost echo in the group at that information.

"Give me that." Dess suddenly snapped, ripping the phone from my dad's hand on her way back into the house. Cole must have been in that group. Esme looked to Emmett, worried now. Alice, Rosalie and Mikah were also with that group, Jasper having to go with Carlisle since Leandra refused to leave him.

"And now," Dad spoke up, "Every single one of you are distracted. Good job."

"If anything happened to any of us.." Emmett rounded, striding closer.

"What?" Dad muttered, standing his ground, "What are you going to do about it?"

I didn't even see the punch coming. Just barely managing to follow the instinct to duck in time for Emmett to slam his fist in the center of my dad's face, sending him back to hit the side of the house with a force that threatened to send it to the ground. I stared, wide eyed back at my dad. He was dazed, surprised.

"Cheap shot." Dad growled, righting himself.

"Wow." I muttered, looking up at Emmett, "Remind me not to piss you off."

"He had it coming." Emmett growled, not taking his eyes off him.

"And I don't, right?"

"No." He finally looked to me, "You haven't done anything wrong."

"As entertaining as that was to watch, can we get back to my problem?" Darren was getting impatient.

"What do you want us to do about it?" Eli snapped, "It's your own fucking fault for agreeing to help this dumb-ass. Not ours." He gestured back at my dad, "Far as I can tell, you've also had this coming."

"Yeah." Another of Eli's coven agreed, "We've had nothing but problems from you. Deal with it."

"We're not going to feel sorry for you just because you trusted him not to screw you over." Eli added, "And sure as hell not if you've hurt anyone."

"That was Omar's idea." Darren replied, "Not mine."

"But you still went along with it." Eli countered, "You should be happy we let you talk at all."

I jumped a little, looking back at my dad as he took the open spot behind me as Dess stepped back outside. The look in her eyes was something I hadn't even realized I dreaded. She had news, and I just had to listen in.

"Everyone survived." She reported quietly to Esme, "Quite a few were hurt, but they all lived. Mikah is the last of them mending now." I looked down. That news saddened me. She continued, "Carlisle is with them, and he's sure Mikah will be fine, but Leandra is taking it hard."

"Leandra." Esme murmured, looking to Emmett, "We have to go to her."

It wasn't fair. Hadn't she been through enough?

"I'll go with you." Dess offered, gesturing for the two of her coven to follow. Without a glance to me, they all were off.

"Now you know how we feel." Darren spoke up, taking everyone else's attention.

"Never in a million years would you understand how she feels." I replied before anyone else could, bringing all the attention to me, "So don't pretend to be the victim."

"Big words, coming from the one responsible." Caleb muttered. I fell quiet, "You had every opportunity to stay away from that coven, but chose to run to them instead, and brought all this on them. Like Shawn told you. You're selfish."

He was right, of course. In the beginning, I could have just stayed away. It was my own curiosity that got me into this mess.

"That's bullshit, and you know it." Eli actually defended me, "Her choice had nothing to do with your choice, so back off that. The only thing that did have to do with your choice is standing right there." He looked at my dad, and I looked up at him too. He looked to me.

To my, and everyone else's surprise, Emmett returned. Suddenly coming from nowhere to tackle my dad from the side. I jumped forward, startled into moving. Eli moved passed me to help Emmett, two of Eli's coven following just in case.

I turned away, not wanting to see what they'd do to him. He was certainly giving them a fight, but eventually, he couldn't fight four. Esme came to my side, and I looked up at her briefly, before watching as Emmett and one of Eli's coven hauled my dad to his feet. He chuckled, obviously amused.

"I changed my mind." Emmett told him, "You're coming with us."

"All you had to do was say so." Dad replied, "Let's go see the little bitch." Before the last word was even out, Emmett punched the back of his head. Drawing a growl of pain from him.

Dad, a lot less amused, growled as he tugged at his arms, "Was this fucking necessary?"

"Hell yes." Emmett replied immediately, "Oh, and one for Mikah.." He trailed off with an angry chuckle, punching him again and shoving forward with him in his grip. Passed me, as I turned.

"What the hell?" Darren demanded, watching after them.

"Follow if you have to." Eli snapped, pausing beside him, "But I suggest you get the fuck out of here while you still can. Be happy you're allowed to live."

Gently, Esme moved me forward. I wasn't sure I liked this situation, but there wasn't much I could do about it.

"Be careful, Eli." I murmured on our way by, "Don't piss him off."

"Trust me." Eli replied, "I know all about him and his gifts. I used to be part of his coven, remember?" That's right. I had forgotten. He added, "Unfortunately."

"Come on, honey." Esme urged, and I knew she was eager to get to Leandra. Eli had back-up, so I allowed myself to move. I looked to her, letting her take the lead first. Following as fast as I could, and when I started to fall behind, she took my hand. Pulling me forward, which was actually pretty effective in speeding me up.

Up until then, nobody had helped me along like this. They'd just adjusted their speed closer to mine, but I had to admit. Even though the situation sucked, it was nice to hold someone's hand. I'd never done that before.

Despite the help, though, it still took us several minutes to get there.

I could instantly smell when we made it. All the scents around the area that I both recognized, and hated to smell. The smell of burning remains. It was thick in the area, and it bothered me. Deeply.

It was a tiny, very small clearing between the trees of a vast forest. Though all the people inhabiting these trees probably made it seem smaller.

"Hi, mom." Mikah's chuckle even told me he'd be fine. He sat upright, his back against a tree. One hand putting pressure on his other arm at the shoulder, "I'll be good as new soon. It's just taking awhile."

Esme released my hand, and moved forward. Taking my attention straight to Leandra sitting beside Mikah. Nobody else around her seemed to matter, even as Esme kneeled beside her. Dess wasn't lying. She really was taking it hard, even if he seemed unphased by it. That had to hurt.

Although, I had a pretty good feeling Leandra's mood wasn't exactly helped by the presence of my dad just feet away from her. Her tension was unmistakable, despite the way she never even looked his direction.

"About time you showed up." Dad spoke up from the other side of the tiny clearing, still restrained by Emmett and now Cole, "Still haven't worked on your speed yet, have you?"

"Fuck off." I sighed, rolling my eyes, "I got here as fast as I could." I gave a look around at all the groups, now back together as they eyed him closely. I had a feeling I'd have to do some fast talking.

Off to the side, Mikah started to attempt to stand up, but immediately, Leandra pinned him back down, back against the tree.

"Stay." She muttered quietly, but they'd both gotten my dad's attention.

"Bet that had to hurt." He chuckled, "See what you caused, bitch?"

"Don't do that." I mumbled before anyone else could say anything. Emmett even paused mid-punch, "Leave them alone, dad."

"Oh, you're on their side, are you?" He laughed.

"It's not about sides." I argued, "It's about knowing when to leave well enough alone. You're pretty fucked at this point. Are you really going to make that worse?"

"Might as well." He replied, "I don't fucking see why I shouldn't."

Shaking my head, I sighed and looked down. Suddenly, with no one expecting it, he gave a jerk and a twist, freeing himself from Emmett and Cole's grip. They fought to regain their grip, but he made it to me first. Yanking me off my feet and holding me up before they could reach him. Somehow, oddly enough, him holding me made them stop. As if they were actually worried he'd hurt me.

He didn't go far. Standing in the only open area of the group, which was probably a very stupid mistake. He stayed.

My eyes found Leandra again where she kneeled, and knowing the reason behind all her suffering was holding me made it different. The reason why she stood in silence, even in this life, just to deal with the way she grew up held me. The reason why she'd probably never move forward with Mikah like she said held me, and the reason she still had problems held me. Tight around my stomach, facing everyone else along with him.

She made no move, but her eyes were on me. Mikah's injured hand in her own, as if looking for just one source of comfort. I could read it in her eyes. She couldn't make herself move forward.

Her hand smoothed gently over his hand, as if that would be enough to heal him. Other than that small movement, they both sat still. Not moving, not speaking.

"Let me go." I finally muttered, giving a struggle. He held me tighter, however, refusing to release me.

"We had a deal." Dad barked at them, "I help you-"

"We let you stay." Emmett snapped in return, "You had your fun, but if you think we're letting you leave, you're insane."

I could feel it in his tension. He knew as well as I knew he'd made a very stupid mistake by showing up. He wasn't thinking about what would happen when they were finished with Darren and Omar's covens. He wasn't thinking about what would happen when they were the ones that won.

Showing up, right when he did because he couldn't resist causing stress and taunting them, was the equivallent of stepping head on into a train. The train was coming, but he was out of time to move. The best he could do now was watch it come closer.

He moved to turn, holding me even tighter, but stopped mid-step.

"Darren unfortunately had a little accident." Eli blocked his path, along with the rest of his group, "He tripped and fell off a cliff. In flames. Oops."

I felt the slightest pang of sadness at the thought of Conner joining their unfortunate fate, but not near as much as I felt for Leandra. It certainly looked like Eli could handle himself.

"No." Emmett spoke up again, "You're not going anywhere."

He'd just lost his chance the second Eli showed up. Completely surrounding him. I was being held by a sinking ship. I looked to him, and he looked to me. My dad stayed silent for a moment, obviously thinking very hard about what he faced now, and it surprised me after a moment as he finally let me on my feet. I fought free, but didn't move away.

"Next time you do that, I'm gonna bite." I muttered.

"You." He told me, "Over there."

"Huh?" I muttered, confused.

"Get the fuck over there." He repeated. He was telling me to move away from him. I was having a hard time doing as he wanted. I'd always been protective of him, and that was hard to deny now. Growing up, watching his back the best I could because he always watched mine.

Even a sinking ship needed someone on their side now and then, right?

"No." I replied, looking around myself.

I flinched with a yelp as he gripped my face in his hand, between his thumb and fingers, glaring down at me.

"Are you really this stupid?" He growled, "Move it."

His grip was actually hurting me. I whimpered until he shoved me back, hard enough to have me hit the ground with a grunt. Emmett growled, the sound blending with the others in the area and Eli even took a step forward.

"I'm not scared of you." I growled, pushing myself back up. My eyes on my father, "I'm probably the only one here that doesn't want you dead, so cut your shit." My voice was sharper than I even meant to make it.

"I've had this coming a long time." He snapped back at me, "You not wanting me dead isn't going to make a damn bit of difference."

"You're not fucking dead yet, are you?" I snapped right back incredulously, and I knew by the way he glared with no reply that I had a point, "Yeah, it does make a fucking difference."

"Alex.." Alice muttered, uncomfortable, "I wouldn't provoke him like that." I turned a little to look back at her.

"Trust me." I replied, "This is normal conversation for us."

My dad chuckled a little, "She's right."

"She's right about more than just that." Emmett murmured, taking his attention again, "She's the only one who doesn't want you dead. I'm still not sure what we should do with you, to be honest."

"Lock him in a basement?" Eli suggested, "Of course, we can't starve him to death, but I think after enough time, he'll be wishing for it."

"But don't kill him." Jasper added.

"Definitely don't kill him." Rose shook her head.

"The possibilities are endless." Alice agreed, "This opportunity doesn't come along everyday."

They meant every word.

"Leandra?" I muttered, looking to her. She slowly shook her head, but she didn't speak. She wasn't about to help him. Not that I could blame her any, but it still bothered me.

"I'm not scared of you fucks." My dad finally chuckled, "I know this game too well. This is my fucking game. You don't have what it takes."

"I wouldn't bet on that." Alice growled, "Like you said. You've had this coming a long time, Jack."

"Besides." Jasper had started to move, the group behind him spreading out to better surround my dad. Every pair of eyes on him told me they were all on the same page. They made me nervous, "Getting rid of you can only benefit us."

"Then why hesitate?" Dad asked, smirking.

"Because believe it or not, we don't want to hurt her." Jasper replied, "She's done nothing wrong. There is just one thing I'm sure we're all curious about. Why did you leave her in the first place? If you're so protective of her, what would make you leave her behind?"

"She was safer here." He answered simply.

"He's lying." Edward spoke up immediately, and I glanced back at him, "Try again, Jack." I hadn't even noticed he was here until just then.

"Right." My dad grinned his way, "You're the mind reader."

"Don't change the subject." He replied.

"Exactly why do I need to answer to you?"

"Just answer, dad." I muttered.

"And I sure as shit don't answer to you, little girl." He looked to me, "I have my reasons."

"You're probably going to die anyway." Alice told him, "You might as well answer."

"If I'm probably going to die anyway," He countered, "Then I see no reason to tell you anything, bitch."

I couldn't help it.

"Watch it." I snapped before Jasper could. Dess stepped forward from the right, growling quietly.

"Oh." My dad chuckled, "Did I press a button?"

"Stop it." I told him, "They took care of me, dad."

"They used you, sweetpea." He corrected sharply, "Look around you. Tell me you're not that fucking stupid."

"No we didn't." Emmett snapped immediately, "That's not why-"

"You shut the fuck up." He growled his direction.

"My God, are you lucky she's standing there." Emmett growled, and for a moment, I was scared stiff. Honestly. I looked over at him, wide-eyed.

"I told her ass to move, but I think she might be a little slow." My dad replied, "She gets that from her mother."

"Fuck you." I snapped, and I tried biting back my laugh, but I couldn't help the smile. That was a good one. He smirked at me, and I had to return it. It seemed I was the only one besides him that got his humor. It was an aquired understanding.

"I am sorry," Carlisle spoke up, "But we cannot let you leave." That surprised me. Wasn't he the one that had the most consideration for other's lives?

"What?" I mumbled, "You're still gonna hurt him?"

"Damn straight, badger." Emmett replied, eagerly watching my dad beside me, "You have no idea the things we'll do to him."

"He's only here to get me." I reasoned.

"Even I recognize this opportunity, Alex." Carlisle murmured, "I'm so very sorry."

"What'd I tell you?" My dad asked me, and I looked to him, "They used you." I was fully aware when he moved closer to my side, but my accusing gaze was on Carlisle. It sure seemed that way.

"They knew having you here would eventually bring me." My dad continued, "Now, the fact that I was alone was something they never anticipated. That just makes it better for them."

I looked down.

"Dad.." I muttered, before I looked back up, "I need to know. Did you do the things they say you did?"

He sighed, smoothing the hair from my face in a much more caring gesture than I'd ever received from him. I knew he was watched closely, and every word he said was listened to just as closely.

"What did you do, dad?" I murmured, "What did you do? Please tell me they were lying."

He looked over, straight at Leandra, and given the way the others moved to block his gaze from her, they noticed.

"Dad?" I prompted again, "Tell me they were lying to me. Please."

He looked back to me, and I didn't miss the smile on his face. I'd seen it many times before, and it was a smile of pure happiness. Amusement. Pride.

"You didn't really do all those things to her." I muttered, "You didn't. You wouldn't, right?"

"Oh, my daughter." He sighed, shaking his head as he chuckled, "If only you knew." My hopes fell as I looked up into his eyes, "If only you knew what I was capable of, you wouldn't care in the slightest about what's probably going to happen here."

"You're wrong." I replied, and he smirked, "I'd still care." His eyes softened, his smirk fading a little, "I'd still care. I do still care."

"I'm not here to deny anything." He finally told me, and that was as much of a yes as I needed, but he continued, "Yeah. I tortured the little bitch." I looked back at her, the accusation in my eyes lessened significantly. She didn't move as my dad wrapped his arms around me, sighing with another chuckle.

"It's okay, though." He told me, "It's alright, because she deserved it. She knows she deserved it, but she denies it because she's made it her entire life goal to get me into trouble. Isn't that right, bitch? Didn't we have some good times?"

"Stop it." Edward growled.

"Remember your mom?" My dad asked her, "I'm sure she sends her regards."

"Shut your mouth." Emmett spoke up this time. My dad's arms held me tighter to him, but I kept my eyes back on Leandra. She had yet to move, or even acknowledge his words. He was trying to press her. To hurt her even more than she already was hurting.

"Dad." I muttered, "Don't."

"She fought hard for you." My dad continued, "Once she realized I was beating you. She sure tried, and once, she did get away, but she had nobody to go to." He laughed, "Stupid bitch thought she got away, by going to my sister's house. She took her in, but it was only too easy to find her. Unless she was out hiding in the woods, which she wouldn't do because you'd get cold, she'd be there. If only she'd used her brain, and stayed away."

I stayed quiet.

"But you see?" He walked us closer, his arms still tight around me, "I owned her."

"Emmett, don't." Edward muttered, "Stop." I looked over, nervously spotting Emmett a few steps closer, but he'd stopped, "That's exactly what he wants." Edward looked to me, "Alex, move away from him."

"I can't." I replied honestly. Not only was he holding onto me, but I didn't exactly want to see what would happen when I did move away. I was being stubborn, and I knew that, but being placed in the middle of this situation like this was confusing me. Every instinct I had told me to stay with him. That's how it'd always been, and trying to fight it now was harder than I thought.

"I owned her." My dad continued on at Leandra, "She had nobody else. Nowhere else to go, because I made sure your dad couldn't come back. He never even tried. He left, and he never looked back. Do you know why?"

She stayed quiet, her eyes on Mikah's hand. I knew she was trying so hard not to listen to him, but she couldn't help it. The way I couldn't help it.

He answered for her, "Because he never wanted you. You were the one that came between them, Leandra. By being born, you split them apart. You ruined his life, and you ruined your mother's life. Eventually taking it, because you just couldn't remember how hard she'd fought for you.

"She wanted to take the punishments I gave to you. Once she found out about them." He walked us even closer, "She wanted to take your place, but I wasn't stupid. I told her whatever I had to do to her, you'd get double of. Her only option was to stay away, because leaving wasn't an option for her. She knew that. I owned you both." Each step he took, each word he said, Mikah's glare darkened deeply. I could see that if he hadn't been hurt, he'd have gone for this throat by now.

"Stop it." I spoke up, hoping he'd listen, "Dad, it's not right."

"It was right." He replied, looking down at me, "It was so right what I did to them. Like I said. If you knew what I was capable of, you wouldn't mind it so much. You're a good kid, Alex."

"Then let her go." Emmett growled from the side, "Stop using her as a shield."

"Is that what you think I'm doing?" My dad chuckled in response, "No."

"I know that's what you're doing." Edward muttered, "You're disgusting."

"You have no idea." I looked back up at the smile in my dad's tone, his eyes on Edward, "You wanna see what I did to that little bitch over there?"

I looked over as Edward shook his head and looked down, as if an unpleasant thought had come up. My dad was doing that.

"You can't turn it off, can you?" My dad asked, chuckling.

"I've seen her thoughts." Edward snapped. His demeanor a lot more tense.

"You've seen hers." My dad agreed, "But you haven't seen mine. You thought her memories were as bad as it got. Someone who probably shied away from the memories like they burned her every time they crossed her mind, but for someone like me, who completely enjoyed each and every moment I spent with my stepdaughter, you're in for one hell of a home movie." He looked to Leandra, "Where should I start? I'll be nice."

Nothing. Not a word from her, but she finally did look to him. I couldn't read the expression in her eyes.

"How about Christmas Eve?"

"No." She growled, finally responding to him.

"So you do remember." He smiled.

"He's provoking us." Edward muttered to Carlisle, "He wants us to finally have enough and kill him instantly."

"You wanna go again?" My dad chuckled at Leandra, and I despite the way I didn't understand what he meant, I was fully aware of the fact that it was nothing good.

I yelped as I was suddenly ripped away from his arms, hitting the ground yet again with a quiet grunt as I was shoved roughly away. It took me a moment to realize what had happened.

"Emmett, dammit." Jasper darted forward, "Stop!" Esme helped me to my feet, but I was too surprised to do much of anything but watch the struggle. Several others had joined in the fight, and for a moment, I worried they'd kill him. I whimpered, trying to move forward, but Esme stopped me. I didn't want to hurt her, so I didn't snap or fight.

The struggles ahead of us were intense, and the growls actually scared me.

"Don't kill him." I heard as the group suddenly dispersed.

"Fuck!" Emmett was clearly hurt, holding his wrist tight in his hand, and it took me a moment to spot why. He'd been bitten, and I winced. Turning away a moment. Considering he was the first one at my dad, I was shocked he didn't lose anything. The others had moved forward at just the right time, taking him down.

Rose moved forward. She got to Emmett's side, whimpering quietly as she looked over his wound. He hid his pain the best he could, murmuring to her. He'd be fine, but it had to cause him a great deal of pain.

"Dammit, I want to." Emmett snapped toward Dess, "At least let me rip off an arm or something."

"Keep your temper." Alice told him firmly, "Stand him up."

Cole and another member of his coven both had a hold of my dad, who chuckled as he was hauled to his feet. He was perfectly fine. Unscathed it looked like.

"We'll take him back to Denali." Tanya offered, "Hold him there until you have time for him."

"Shorty." Emmett's tone softened considerably, "Any final words to him before he disappears forever?"

She shook her head, and I knew why. She'd already lost so much. No amount of closure with my dad would fix that. I knew what that expression meant now. She just wanted him gone. They all just wanted him gone. Now was the time for fast talking.

"No." I spoke up, gaining the entire group's attention. I felt a little unnerved with everyone's eyes on me, but I didn't let that stop me.

"Alex," Carlisle murmured, "Please."

"Isn't what you all have planned for him just as bad as what he's done?" I asked, stepping forward, turning to look at Carlisle, "Don't stoop to his level."

"You have no idea what's he's done." Edward told me, gaining my attention, "If you did-"

"He's still my dad." I reminded him, "That's not my fault, it's true, but that ties me to him."

"Some ties are best broken." Carlisle replied softly, "If only for your own safety."

"Who are you to tell me what's safe for me or not?"

"You tell him." My dad chuckled.

"You shut up." I snapped his direction, "I'm talking."

"You tell him." Eli chuckled next.

"You shut up too." I snapped again, before turning my gaze back to Carlisle, "He'd never hurt me."

"You don't know that." He replied evenly, "I'm sorry, Alex. We cannot let him get away again."

"So you're what?" I muttered, crossing my arms, "Going to torture him? How is that any better than him? You think just because you're not the one doing it that makes you any less guilty?" He looked down.

"I'm not proud of it." He finally told me, "But it's the way it has to be. His crimes far outweigh the benefits of releasing him."

"Oh, come on." I snapped, "Would you rather live with yourself, knowing you killed someone and separated a daughter from her father, than let him live?"

"I would." He murmured gently, "I'm sorry, but in this case, I would."

That didn't go the direction I wanted. It was time to up the game.

"Please?" I whimpered, pouting a little, "Please don't kill him."

"He's not gonna die right away, badger." Emmett grumbled from behind me, "He's going to feel the pain he's had coming to him for several years now." He growled a chuckle, "Little. Bits. At a time." Each emphasized word, he tapped his finger against my dad's forehead.

"He's not perfect." I turned to him now, "It's true. We've all done some-"

"Don't even try." Edward replied, "If only you knew. If only you had any idea how bad-"

"I saw the pictures."

"I'm not talking about pictures." He snapped, "I'm talking about memories. The actual events that happened. One less sociopath out there. The world will be a far better place."

"Says who?"

"Says everyone." Emmett countered, "We'll probably get an award or something."

"Yeah," I muttered, "Biggest dick of the year." My dad chuckled, "What the hell am I supposed to do? You think I'm really going to want to stay with the fuckers who tortured and killed my father?"

"Just let them." My dad finally rolled his eyes, "If they really want to soil their spotless record, that's on them. I actually kind of like the knowledge that I dragged them down to my fucking level. No skin off my nose."

"Shut the fuck up." I snapped back at him, "You're not helping."

"They'll never do it." He replied sharply, "They're too much of a pussy. Carlisle would never stand for it, even knowing what I did repeatedly to his daughter-"

He cut off with a loud shout of pain. It took me a moment to notice why. Edward, striding forward, had removed one of his fingers. Just ripped it off his hand like tissue paper. I shut up then, my eyes wide at my father's loud curses echoing in the yard. The situation had just gotten even more serious.

Beside me, Esme even moved forward, coming to my side again. I wasn't sure why. I wasn't the one in trouble, given the way Edward strode around to face him straight on. Taking a tight hold of his hair in his hand when he tried to turn away, Edward's glare wasn't an easy one. It was a dark one, dangerous.

"She was six years old." Edward growled, "Six years old when you decided-"

"Oh, she was much younger than that when I made the decision." My dad chuckled.

"You ruined her life!"

"I know." He replied simply, chuckling a little, "Don't you think I know that?"

"As a father, you sicken me."

"I was never a father to that filthy slut." My dad growled in return, "That's insulting. She was only my property."

"How would you feel if the same thing had happened to Alex?" I hesitated, not sure how their conversation had turned to me.

"What?" I muttered, frowning.

"I'd kill them." My dad replied simply, "Easily."

"I'm not quite sure if I want to ask this," Edward murmured, "But please. Enlighten me. What in the hell is the difference between Leandra and Alex? You married Leandra's mother, knowing she had a daughter."

"Exactly." My dad chuckled in response, "That's why I married the stupid bitch. She's been worthless her entire life. If you can't see that, you all must be really fucking blind."

"Just because Leandra wasn't created by you, does not make her worthless."

"Oh, but it does." Dad countered, "That just meant I could do whatever the fuck I wanted to her without having to feel the slightest bit of guilt."

"Admit it." Edward growled, "You feel guilty over what you did to her. Otherwise, you wouldn't have released her ten years ago."

"I owed her." Dad's smile faded.

"And you still owe her." Edward replied, "She's the one that decided to befriend your daughter. Keeping her safe, and giving her a place to go. Even after knowing who she was to you."

"I didn't ask her to-"

"You didn't ask her to save your son's life, either." Edward countered sharply, "Leandra is a wonderful, warm-hearted person that does not deserve the pain of knowing you've taken another breath. She doesn't wish you harm, but she has no idea how badly I've wanted to kill you from the moment I first heard her thoughts."

"You're just jealous." Dad smirked, "Take her if you want her that badly. She's not a bad fuck. I would know." Edward's teeth clenched audibly, "Though, given Leandra's record with daddies, that right should belong to Carlisle-"

The punch came too quickly for me to follow, leaving my dad dazed for a moment. I winced, turning away. I had to admit. He did deserve that one. Edward had delivered that one himself, unable to help it.

"Edward." Alice murmured, calling his attention once more.

"Gross, dad." I muttered, shaking my head.

That took Edward's attention to me. He turned, striding for me. Confused, I watched as he took my wrist in his hand and pulled me over. Closer to where my dad stood restrained.

"Tell her." Edward demanded, "Tell her everything."

"Fuck off." Dad chuckled.

"Can't admit it to her?" Edward asked, "Don't tell me you're ashamed?"

"Fuck no, I'm not." He replied, "I don't know, Leandra. Was I ashamed at any point?" Emmett delivered a good punch this time to the side of his head, causing his knees to weaken. I'd never seen that before, and his growls of pain from this close scared me, but I was glad Emmett shut him up. Each new word he spoke was starting to disgust me even more. It made my stomach hurt.

"You don't speak to her anymore." Jasper joined Edward's side, completely blocking my dad's view of Leandra now, "You don't speak to her, you don't even look at her. You're addressing us now."

"Fine." Dad growled now, his joking tone long gone, "Then let her go." He nodded to me.

"I think I'll keep her around." Edward replied without missing a beat, "I think she deserves to see this. Don't you?"

Jasper spoke up again, "How does it feel knowing that once you leave here, you'll never know what happens to her?"

Dad growled again, "If you touch her-"

"Oh, does that bother you?" Edward asked, "Does that get to you? A weak point in your flawless armor?"

"Hey, wait a minute.." I muttered, looking up at him. I didn't appreciate being used against my father like that. My dad gave a struggle, growling quietly. I tried to free my wrist, but Edward wasn't letting me go.

"How would it get to you if she were to be the one having to pay the price for everything you've done?" Edward asked, "Would that bother you?"

"You wouldn't dare." Dad growled in response, "You don't have it in you." Edward's other hand came up, gripping the back of my neck. I yelped in surprise, but he wasn't hurting me. That yelp was enough, though, to piss off my dad.

"You threaten my sister, you threaten my daughter and my family. You threaten me." Edward growled right back, "Name one good reason why she shouldn't be the one to pay the price for all you've done, and all you stand for?"

"She hasn't done anything." Dad replied, "That's why."

"Oh, the irony." Edward rolled his eyes, "If I were to kill her right now, that'd kill you. Wouldn't it? Knowing she died because of you."

"Hey.." I whimpered again, forcing a fearful laugh, "Joke's over. This isn't funny."

"Edward, let her go." Alice came to our other side, and for the oddest reason, she seemed worried. Would he really do it?

"He's not going to do shit." Dad narrowed his eyes, "Don't even worry."

They stared each other down, both glaring deeply at the other. I felt Edward's hand wanting to squeeze, to tighten. I felt the tension in his grip. The tension increased as my dad smiled a little, and I knew he was thinking things he probably shouldn't be thinking.

"Do it." Dad dared him, "Go on. Hurt her."

"What the fuck?" I snapped, "Shut up, dad."

"Do it." He repeated, "If that'll make you feel better about all the shit I did to Leandra, and all the shit I would have done to your daughter, do it. Ease your anger, you stupid little shit. Take it all out on her. Make her pay for everything I've done, which you can't deny is a lot."

"Shut up!" I snapped at him again, wincing a little as I felt Edward's hand tighten.

"Remember the basement?" Dad goaded, "I sure do. I should have killed your little bitch back then. Just ripped her fucking throat out-"

"Stop!" I growled, "Goddammit, dad!"

"Do it!" Dad shouted at him.

I yelped as I was suddenly pushed away from him, landing straight in Alice's arms. Unharmed. I rounded as she caught me.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snarled, but my eyes weren't on Edward. I shoved against my dad's side, pissed beyond belief, "You stupid mother fucker!"

"Oh, calm the fuck down." Dad snapped back at me, "I just called his bluff-"

"What if he hadn't been bluffing, dad?" I countered, "You don't gamble with someone else's goddamn life!"

"I knew he was bluffing."

"How?" I demanded, "How the fuck could you know he was bluffing? After all you've done to these covens, you think he wouldn't do it? After all you've done to piss them off, you think he wouldn't want to get back at you? I sure couldn't blame him if he did. He could have killed me right there."

"But he didn't." Dad growled at me, "You're just fucking fine. No thanks to you."

"What?" I growled right back.

"You had every opportunity to rip him limb from limb, but you didn't."

"That's not the point!"

"That is the point." He countered, "How can you stand there and blame me, when you didn't do a damn thing to help yourself? You selfish little cunt."

"I've made my point." Edward spoke up, breaking up our arguing, "Take him to Denali. I'll be there shortly." Emmett grinned, chuckling at those words, "But be careful. Don't let him out of your sight for a second, and surely don't let him loose."

Cole and the other holding him back gave a nod, and turned with him.

"Let's rip off all extremities." Emmett suggested, following.

"Well, that's no fun." Cole replied, "Then what'll we do?"

"Reattach them, then rip them off again." Emmett answered honestly, "Everything that'll come off without killing him. Hey, does anyone know what'll happen if I peeled off skin? Will that heal too, or..?

"I'd imagine so."

Emmett's responding chuckle was the darkest thing I'd had to have ever heard in my life.

I stopped listening at that point. Turning my head away briefly as they left. Wincing, I glanced to Leandra who had about the same look of disgust as I had. Truthfully, I did not envy him.

I sighed, watching after them, even moments after they were gone. Knowing full well I'd probably never see him again, and that bothered me. Yeah, he was stupid. Yeah, he was an asshole, but he was my dad. That made me contractually obligated to forgive how stupid he was, and overlook how much of an asshole he was.

I hated him, but he was my dad. That meant more than some debt on his part or some decision on my part.

Edward turned to me with a sigh, "I'm sorry. I deeply apologize for that."

"It's okay." I muttered, watching off in the direction everyone had gone, "I'm alright. I mean, you didn't hurt me, so why should I care? I see your point now." I took a breath, continuing to watch. I couldn't look at him.

Honestly, I didn't know how to feel. I wanted to ask them not to hurt him, but I also knew he had it coming to him. He'd had it coming to him for a very long time before I was even born. I just got the shitty end of the stick.

"He should have thought about it." Edward spoke, probably answering my thoughts, "He should have considered the price he'd have to pay for his actions."

"I know." I replied, and it was true. I did know.

"All the people he's hurt, manipulated." He continued, "If only you had any idea-"

"I won't ask you to not hurt him." I muttered, looking to him and Jasper beside him, "But I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least ask you to spare his life. I know he doesn't deserve it, and I know it'll probably just hurt you worse to extend that amount of mercy, but.. He's my dad. Torture him, tear him to pieces. Cause him all the pain you want, but just.. Let me have what's left of him when you're done, and I'll put him back together."

"And let him come back for revenge?" Alice asked, and I looked to her, "I don't want to give him that chance."

"I won't let him." I argued.

"You can't control him any more than we can." She countered, "Nobody can. I'm so sorry, Alex, but we want this over. For good. Leandra deserves that much, at least."

"He's my dad."

"This is my family." She shook her head, "We have a lot more to lose, Alex."

"That's hardly fair."

"It's true." She replied, "I'm sorry, but it's got to be this way."

"What about me?" I asked, "What'll I do?"

"You know the answer to that."

"I told you already." I argued louder now, "I'm not made for a coven. I never have been."

"Think about it." She insisted, "What have you been doing the last week or so?"

"T-That's different." I muttered.

"No, it's exactly the same." She replied, "That's what life in a coven is all about. Everything you experienced, the safety and company, is what it's all about. We protect each other. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy that, because I know you did. Otherwise, you wouldn't have kept coming back."

I stayed quiet, crossing my arms as I turned away. She was right, and we both knew she was right.

"Even if you don't want to stay with us, there are others." She gestured to the other leaders watching from various locations around the yard, "I'm sure Dess would take you in if you weren't comfortable changing your diet."

"Oh, in a heartbeat." Dess replied easily, "She'd definitely be welcome here."

"You have options, Alex." Alice spoke up again, "It's not all about Jack anymore. I know it's been that way since you've been alive, but not anymore. The only thing you have to do, is let go."

I looked down, feeling more vulnerable than I ever had before.

It wasn't that I didn't understand. Not at all. I understood completely, but that just made it harder. Why did he have to be such an asshole? I was the one paying just as much as he was. My entire life turned upside down for what?

I looked over at Leandra again, who slowly stood up.

I sighed as she sighed.

"I tried." I shrugged a little.

"He's not worth the breath you wasted trying, Alex." She told me. Beside her, Mikah carefully stood up as well. Gently testing out his arm, which wasn't lost on her. Stretching it out and moving it around. I watched, standing there as he smiled a little at her, and stroked her cheek.

I couldn't help it, even if I wanted to help it. I had to be happy for her. Of course Alice was right. She did deserve to know that he was never coming back for her, but I also couldn't help feeling like I'd gotten the worst end of the deal.

A/N: This is as together as it'll be. A lot of talking/conversations, I know.
THANK YOU to my beautiful REVIEWERS! You've been so awesome! I should be ashamed of myself. :(

Next chapter, however, will not be taking two weeks to come out. I promise you that.
AS FOR my other projects, I have not forgotten about them. They're coming along. Slower than this one is, obviously, but they're coming along sure enough.
But anyhoo. I honestly hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Until Chapter Nine, my friends! :D