Chapter Ten: The Necessary Evil
(Derek's POV)
I carried Lyra back into the loft while she slept quietly in my arms. She had fallen asleep the other night after we had finished talking, once we had left the mill to walk in the woods. We had found ourselves out by the cliff side, where she had curled into my arms and nestled herself against my chest, falling asleep. I had been surprised with her personal display of affection; she had never seemed to really be a cuddling type. But with everything that was happening, we both needed the comfort we drew from each other.
I laid her on my bed gently and she sighed, curling up against the pillow I used. I smiled a little and pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaving the room. I walked downstairs and saw Cora sitting at the table by the window, looking outside, her expression a little forlorn.
"You okay?" I asked. Cora looked up at me and shook her head.
"I just don't get how you can sit here, especially after what they did to Boyd," she growled, her sadness morphing into anger. I frowned and rested a hand on my sister's shoulder.
"Being angry isn't going t bring him back," I said. Cora jerked out of my grasp and stood, glaring.
"Well it's sure as hell better than doing nothing!" she cried, storming out of the loft. The door slammed harshly after her retreating figure. I sighed, shoving a hand through my hair.
"Derek?" I looked up and saw Lyra standing at the top of the stairs, her expression concerned. She walked down and walked over to me but glanced over to the door.
"Just give her time," Lyra said. Her blue-violet eyes looked up into mine. "She just needs to adjust."
"I wish I knew what to do," I muttered, shaking my head. "I can barely deal with it but Cora… she and Boyd had gotten close." Lyra sighed and rocked back on her heels.
"I know," she replied. "It's been hard on her, just like it has with you. Eventually she will be okay, we just have to keep an eye on her." I nodded in agreement.
"I'll follow her to school," Lyra said, her gaze shifting back to the door. "You Hales don't have good grips on your temper." I scoffed and she grinned.
"You should sleep more," I said. She just rolled her eyes at me.
I pulled her close and kissed her softly. I smiled widely when I saw her blush slightly. The thought of Lyra blushing was funny, but I knew if I laughed, she'd probably tear me a new one. She just shoved me away, giving me a look from under her lashes before she strode out of the loft.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
I called Isaac as I drove to school. He picked up on the third ring.
"Hey, Lyra," he said.
"Isaac, can you do me a favor?" I asked.
"Ah, well, I would but… Scott asked me to go check on Allison for him…" I frowned.
"Why?"
"There was another murder last night at the school. Allison didn't show up for class and Scott's worried about her so I said I'd go over and make sure she's okay. Scott and Stiles are going to try to talk to Ethan about Deucalion." I stiffened.
"Do they know what they're doing?" I hissed. Isaac sighed loudly.
"Probably not," he admitted. I growled a little.
"Keep me up to date on things," I requested.
"Will do."
I hung up and rolled down my window. I sighed and then froze. There was something wrong, something in the air that had my wolf immediately on edge. What was that?
Feeling wary, I scanned the distance but saw nothing as I pulled up to the school. Class hadn't started yet and students were still parking and filing into the school. I pulled into an empty space and got out of the car, eyes narrowed.
I walked to the side of the building, noticing how quiet it was on the other side of campus. The wind stirred oddly, kicking up leaves and debris. I couldn't even hear any birds or animals in the trees, which made me walk with more caution.
Then I heard it, the strange drum beat that sent my heart pounding inside my chest. I could hear the calls and rising tempo and when a shudder ran up my spine, I whirled around. The Darach stood right behind me, its white eyes blazing into mine as it gave me a chilling smile. It emitted a high pitched screech, which made me cry out, before it shoved me back against the brick wall of the building.
"You think I'm weak," the creature hissed. "How wrong you are."
When I looked up again, the Darach was gone. I grimaced as a trickle of blood fell from my lips and I clenched my side. The Darach had hit me with something other than its hand, which burned me on the inside. I felt an ache in my ribs and back and knew it had something to do with its magic.
"Damn it," I cursed, wiping my mouth with my sleeve. I lifted my shirt and saw a large, blackening mark- not quite a bruise, not quite a burn- lying along my stomach where the Darach had touched me. Apparently I had pissed it off. I hissed under my breath before tugging my shirt in place.
Whatever that thing was, it was dangerous and it was strong. The feeling I had before it had shown up was like nothing I had ever felt and I knew somewhere deep inside me, part of it was fear. This was something unfamiliar and it posed a threat on not only myself but those I cared about.
Scott. Cora, I thought immediately. I dashed into the school, following the other's scents. I tracked Scott, Stiles and Lydia down, and sighed when I saw they had just sat down in class. I turned and nearly collided with Jennifer.
"Oh!" she gasped. "Sorry!" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her.
"It's fine," I said evenly. Jennifer's brows furrowed as she studied me.
"Why are you here?" she asked. I glanced back over at Scott, who then looked up and caught my gaze. He looked confused for a moment but I shook my head infinitesimally and he relaxed.
"Just checking on things. I heard about that deputy's body being found here last night," I said, arching a brow at the slender brunette. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
"No, but that poor woman! Who could do such a thing?" Jennifer asked sadly. I pursed my lips.
"A coward," I replied. "Or someone who gets kicks out of sacrificial killings." I moved forward and was surprised when Jennifer's hand shot out to grip my arm rather tightly. I looked up, raising my brows at her. She gave me a tight lipped smile.
"A coward?" she chirped. Even though my skin had chilled under her touch and I felt a warning ringing in my head, I gave her a slow smile.
"Murderers are cowards if you ask me. Killing someone is just an easy way of getting what you want," I said, jerking out of her grasp. Jennifer's head tilted to the side.
"Is it?" she asked, her voice dropping several degrees. I didn't miss the underlying And how would you know?
"That's just my opinion, Jennifer," I stated. I narrowed my eyes at her. "Thank God neither of us are cowards, hm?" Jennifer's eyes went half-mast as she eyed me. Then the expression disappeared as she smiled a little too brightly.
"I can't imagine we are," she said before walking into the classroom. I looked at Scott again, who frowned. I just looked at Jennifer again and mouthed, Don't trust her. Again, he nodded and I walked away.
My expression went grim as soon as I was far enough away from the classroom. I had meant what I had said to Blake, murderers were cowards. The Darach and Deucalion were cowards, hiding behind killings to gain power that wasn't theirs to gain. There were other means of gaining or receiving power. I closed my eyes briefly. I wondered if I had said "coward" because that was how viewed myself for killing part of the pack that had killed my family. Did killing all of those wolves really make me a hero?
Revenge wasn't a hero's motto. I shook my head. No, revenge was never for those who had the strength to move forward and see clearly past all the blood.
I paused and leaned against the lockers. I looked back over to the classroom. I wondered if that was why I had an odd feeling when I was around Scott. Did I sense the good in him, the good that made him different from everyone else? Scott was the only one who never sought revenge, who never planned an attack and who had never killed anyone. Scott's heart was pure and true, which made me and even my wolf respect him…kind of like one respect their Alpha.
I frowned. But Scott wasn't an Alpha…was he? There had been a change in him when he had come back from the big fight with the Alphas and the cross country meet. Was he meant to become an Alpha then? It wasn't impossible; my mother had told me once about Alphas who had been simple Betas, who didn't have to take a life to become the true leader they were meant to be…
Tucking that thought away for later, I went to find Cora. I found her slinking around the school corridors, her eyes a mix of human brown and wolf gold. Her aura was dark, full of anger and remorse, which explained why she had been snappish the last few days. Derek was right- Cora and Boyd had shared some sort of bond, though we never could tell how deep it was…
"Cora," I called, walking briskly towards her. The girl turned and rolled her eyes at me, her jaw clenched.
"He sent you to watch after me, did he?" she asked in a bitter tone. I frowned at her and crossed my arms.
"No," I said firmly. "I wanted to see if you were okay."
"Do I look okay?" Cora demanded in a loud voice. Not wanting to draw attention to ourselves, I took her arm firmly and lead her down the hallway and nudged her into an empty classroom. She plopped down into one of the desks with her fists clenched.
"Talk to me," I requested. Cora exhaled.
"You know, when I was stuck in that vault, Boyd and Erica were the only ones who helped keep me together. Even during the full moons and when we wanted to rip each other apart, even when the Alphas pitted us against them, we held tight for each other." Her eyes focused back on me. "Do you know what that feels like? Then to lose them, well, it sucks. When Erica died, I thought Boyd was going to try to kill the Alphas himself, but I managed to get him under control. Then when you and Derek showed up, I thought to myself, now I get to start over. I got my brother back, I got a friend I knew I could rely on… and now he's gone. All because of those smug bastards who are walking down the halls and walking around the town like they own the place and they know they do because we can't stop them! Now we aren't even trying! We're just sitting here, making up half assed plans instead of taking action." I walked over to her and placed a hand over hers, meeting her gaze patiently. I sat in the desk in front of her.
"I know it hurts, believe me, I do. I lost everything because of what Deucalion did and who he became. But you have to remember, we have to look at the bigger picture here. It can't just be about going after the Alphas, not with this Darach raising hell and killing people. We have to take into consideration that Deucalion will be ten steps ahead of us, even if we're at the top of our game. He's extremely clever, Cora, even in his madness for power. The only thing we can do is stick together and have each other's backs," I said.
"I can't do that!" Cora cried, pushing away from the desk, pacing. "I don't care! He killed my friend and those asshole twins are walking around my school like nothing happened!" she began heading for the door but I smoothly blocked her. She growled at me but I just raised a brow at her.
"And what are you doing to do, huh? Go after them by yourself?" I demanded. Cora eyed me for a moment.
"That's exactly what I'm going to do," she snarled. Suddenly, her fist went smashing into my cheek, causing my head to snap to the side. I stumbled one step but whipped around quickly, but she was already gone. I sighed and rolled my jaw as the shallow cut and bruise healed on my cheek.
"Nice right jab," I muttered before running after her.
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
When I got out of the shower, I noticed I had a few texts from Lyra.
Something's wrong. Checked on Scott, he's fine.
You better come to the school. Cora went after the twins.
I sighed and ran a hand through my drying hair. I tugged on a gray shirt and jeans before grabbing my keys and heading for my car.
When I was driving, I got a call from Lyra. I frowned briefly, knowing if she had texted and called me, something was definitely up.
"She's fine," Lyra said in lieu of a greeting. "At least she looks fine. She got into it with Aiden and he took a weight to her head. She's bleeding a little but I can't see any other damage."
"I'll be there in a few minutes," I replied.
"Wait!" Lyra said quickly. "Look, I didn't catch up with her until Ethan and Scott had gotten a hold of Aiden. Take it easy, they're gone now. Stiles just told me he was going to take her home. I want you to meet me outside, I have to tell you something." I didn't like the sound of her voice when she said that.
"All right, I'll save ripping into the twins for another day," I muttered. "But are you sure Cora is okay? What's wrong?"
"Just get here, all right? I mean… can't you sense it?" I hung up and brooded over her final words as I pressed the accelerator down.
Can't you sense it? There was something off about the day but I couldn't put my finger on it. I figured it had something to do with the Darach or whatever, but I hadn't given that much thought since I had been wrapped up in the problems with the Alphas.
Once I reached the school, I parked by Lyra's car and walked towards the passage that led to a side entrance of the school. I could sense Lyra's presence close by but I paused briefly when I heard her talking with someone.
"Look, Jennifer, all I'm saying is everything is under control-,"
"Lyra, two students got into a fight at school and with them being, well, you know-!"
"I get it, all right," Lyra snapped. "And I'm grateful you've kept your mouth shut about these things but right now, we have more important matters on our plates."
"How could you be okay with those twins walking the halls like nothing happened? I know what they did!" I peered around the corner and saw Lyra's impatient face as she stood facing Ms. Blake with her arms crossed. I saw her fingers tapping against her arm in a rapid beat.
"And now for we have to be quiet about this! These murders are overshadowing the Alphas right now; these are innocent people who are dying! Colleagues of yours, Jennifer! What if you're next?" Lyra demanded. Jennifer paused, her face a little pale.
"I don't feel safe," the other woman said quietly. "You know I organized this recital to honor the losses of the school, now it just seems stupid…" Lyra's face gentled slightly but she made no move to comfort her.
"No, it's exactly what we need. We just have to stay alert, all right?" Jennifer nodded and the bell rang shrilly. I winced at the noise.
"Some days I just want to take a sledgehammer to that bell," Jennifer joked. Lyra gave her a slight smile and nodded, just made me smile, since it was a nod of dismissal, like an Alpha would give to a low ranking wolf. Jennifer walked off and I saw Lyra's posture remain tense as she watched Jennifer like a hawk.
I stepped forward and her gaze whipped over to me. I saw her eyes fill with relief and to my surprise, she walked over to me quickly and threw her arms around me. I paused before wrapped my arms around her firmly. I felt a bolt of shock when I realized she was shivering, not from cold, but from fear.
"Where the hell have you been?" she demanded in a low voice. "And don't say you dare come up with the worse excuse ever, I texted you." I pulled her back so I could look in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked quietly. Instead of answering, Lyra stepped back and lifted her shirt. Along her stomach laid a blackened handprint, which made me inhale sharply. It looked like a horrible, painful bruise and I lifted a hand to trace it gently. Lyra shivered at my touch and even whimpered softly when I pressed my forefinger to it more firmly. My gaze shot up to her. She never whimpered, not even when she was torn into ribbons by the Alphas.
"When I showed up to the school, the Darach came after me," she said. My eyes widened as I looked at her. She sighed and lowered her shirt, hiding the strange mark again.
"It said I had called it weak and that I was wrong," she continued. "Then it shoved me against the wall. At first, I just thought it had broken a rib but it burns Derek… it's worse than wolfsbane." I opened my mouth but she lifted a hand, shaking her head.
"There's more," she said. "When I went to check on Scott, I ran into Jennifer." She told me about the tense conversation with the teacher and how the teacher had acted when she had mentioned cowardice.
"What, do you think the Darach is Jennifer?" I asked doubtfully. "She hardly looks like a stone cold killer." Lyra's jaw clenched.
"I don't know, Derek, but no matter how innocent she looks, anyone is capable of murder," she replied. I nodded a little, knowing she had a point.
"Murderers are cowards," I repeated softly. Lyra shot me sharp look.
"Don't," she snarled softly. "Don't you dare clump yourself in that category. Murderers are people like Deucalion and the Darach, they plan and kill for their own gain. Derek, you've-,"
"I killed Paige," I said softly. Lyra froze, the blood draining from her face.
"She was already dying," she whispered.
"And that justifies it?" I demanded, crossing my arms, glaring. "I'm a killer, Lyra."
"Well, guess what, so am I! I killed ten wolves because I wanted revenge and look at me! Look! Every day I struggle with my wolf, I struggle with this craving for power, with the temptation that if I kill just one more time, I will get stronger, faster, deadlier… If you want to call yourself a murderer, fine, then what do you call me, Derek?" Her eyes shot violet sparks of fury at me.
"Paige was innocent!" I bellowed, clenching my fists by my sides. "Those wolves knew what they were doing when they were killing your family but Paige was just a scared little girl! And every day I have to live with knowing I killed her because of who I am!"
"She died because of Ennis!" Lyra shouted back. "He gave her the bite and her body couldn't take it! You showed her mercy by snapping her spine, Derek, or she would have died choking of her own blood!"
"Oh, well, now I'll finally be able to sleep at night! Thank you! I never thought of it like that, it's so much better!"
Suddenly both of our phones started buzzing.
"What?" we snapped together.
"Derek! It's Cora!" Stiles said.
"I'm going with Allison, she thinks her father might be the Darach," Isaac was telling Lyra. She ended the call while I shoved my phone in my pocket. She stormed by me but I quickly snagged her arm. She whirled, growling in warning, her eyes going red-violet.
"I heard," she hissed. "You go, I have to go to Isaac." I gritted my teeth.
"I-," I began but Lyra jerked out of my hold. Her eyes were still spitting with anger.
"I have to go," she snapped before walking away. I watched her go, clenching my fists tighter, trying o keep my claws from exploding from their nail beds.
I need you with me was what I was going to tell her. My shoulders sagged. Despite this fight, I needed her by my side. This was Cora, my baby sister, but Lyra was already gone, speeding out of the parking lot.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
"Fuck!" I screamed in frustration. With Derek, I felt like we took five steps forward only to be shoved ten steps back. I regretted my words, just like I had when I had said them to Jennifer. If Jennifer was the Darach, I had just opened up another invitation for her- it- to attack myself again or worse, Derek. I had regretted putting that hurt look in Derek's eyes by reminding me of the skeletons in his closet.
Murderers aren't cowards, Lyra, you are, a voice in my head whispered. But that's what you really meant all along, wasn't it?
I punched the steer wheel again, feeling my skin crawl with self loathing. The voice was right, I had denied that though being about myself, but it was right- I was a coward. I called murderers cowards because I was a cowardly murderer myself. I might have killed those wolves out of revenge, but I had run away with my tail tucked between my legs. I had left a trail of dead bodies after me, and now more were piling up because of this Darach, and because of the Alphas.
I choked, slapping a hand over my mouth. I knew Kali had gone after Derek because of Ennis, but she had gone through me, using our weakness for each other. She had attacked me then forced Derek to kill Boyd to destroy Derek. Kali wanted Derek to suffer like she did, so she would continue to go after me, which meant others might die because of me. I closed my eyes briefly at the thought of someone else- Scott, Isaac- dying because of this battle waging between Derek and I and the Alphas.
I was a coward for hiding behind these innocent people. I use to fight alone, fight for myself, now I had gone soft because I had let myself grow attached to a pack. After five years of being a lone wolf, I had fallen into hiding behind the barriers of the pack, and no matter what I did, they fell like chess pieces while I came out with just scratches and bruises.
The mark on my stomach heated up, searing my flesh and I yelped in pain. The amount of self loathing and guilt swimming through me seemed to make the pain worse and I clenched the wheel tighter, trying to breathe.
I pulled over quickly when the pain doubled and I managed to yank my door open just in time to puke up blood. I retched again, barely realizing how the blood was black. I groaned and let myself draw in ragged breaths. I leaned heavily against the door, my heart knocking loudly against my ribs.
When the bout passed, I took off again, driving to where Isaac's call had come from. I saw Allison's black Camry along with Chris Argent's smaller SUV parked in front of an old building. I stiffened when I heard the sounds of gunshots.
Running into the building, I saw the shadow of the Darach taking off. I looked and my gaze collided with Isaac, who looked startled to see me. I barely took the time to jerk my chin at him- get out of here- before I sprinted after the creature.
Snarling, I lunged for it but it whirled like a cloud of black mist. Its white eyes burned in the night as it gave me that icy grin of its. I growled and roared loudly, unsheathing my claws and baring my fangs. The creature flew forward and knocked me over and I found myself pinned to the ground, unable to move.
"Weak, weak coward," the creature purred. "Killing everyone around you."
"Get off me, you son of a bitch," I spat, struggling. I screamed out when the Darach dug what felt like talons into my stomach, into the mark, causing waves of pure agony to rip through me.
"Isaac!" I screamed. The Darach laughed maniacally.
"Your precious wolf friend can't hear you," it hissed. Its claws jerked and I gasped, spitting up blood as its hand ripped upwards. If it jerked up again, it might disembowel me. I tried not to struggle as I bit back any sounds of pain.
"You call me weak, a coward, when you know it's really you that is weak, Lyra," it said, pushing the hair away from my face. I jerked my chin away from it and snarled as it slammed a clawed hand down on my arm, pinning me down again.
"Don't you see? These murders, they are a necessary evil," the Darach said. I glared venomously up into its pure white eyes.
"Necessary evil, my ass," I growled. The creature titled its head, its teeth bared in that horrible smile.
"Soon you will understand," it replied, digging its talons into me. I bared my fangs at it.
"Then why are you going after me? If you're going to kill me, just do it," I snapped.
"I'm not going to kill you. You're not one of them."
"One of what?"
"A guardian…a virgin…a philosopher… a healer…a warrior," the creature said slowly. I stiffened and then lunged for the creature again, putting my face close to its, ignoring the ripping pain in my arms and stomach.
"You're not going to kill any more people, not when I'm here," I snarled. The creature's talons twisted and I cried out, jerking in pain as it claws dug deep inside me. It leaned close, so its odd mouth was by my ear.
"I can rip you apart," it purred. "In this form, I can do whatever I want, but I won't kill you Lyra, oh no. In fact, I'm going to heal you. Just like I did all those nights ago, when you and Derek were injured." My gaze snapped up and everything began falling in place.
"One touch and I could heal both of you. Of course, it took a while to take effect since your injuries were from other Alphas…come now, Lyra, what did you think healed you? Love?" the creature sneered. I glared and jerked against its hold.
"I'll kill you, I swear to God, I will kill you, you bitch!" I roared. The creature retracted its claws and brushed a hand over my torn flesh. I felt a surge of warmth as my skin knotted itself back together, leaving behind smooth, unmarred skin.
"Soon you will understand," the creature repeated. It disappeared in a swirl of black smoke and I gasped, lunging to my feet.
I looked around then unleashed a howl of fury. How could I be so blind?
I flashed to my car so quickly I blurred. I sped through the streets at breakneck speed; my hands gripped the steering wheel so tight it was beginning to bend under my strength.
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
I had got to the hospital as soon as I could. I had found Stiles, who explained again what had happened, and how Lyra had burst into the locker room right when Ethan had been dragging Aiden away.
"I don't know, man, she was fine one second then the next she was on my floor!" Stiles said, waving his hands a little. I shoved by him and went into Cora's room. She was lying on the hospital bed, her head wrapped up.
"I'll just…" I glared at Stiles from over my shoulder.
"Yeah, I'll just go," he said before scurrying off. I sat down besides Cora and gripped one of her hands, not liking how still and cold she was. I held her hand close to my lips, praying she would be okay.
"Derek?" I looked up and saw Cora's eyes open as she looked at me with confusion.
"Hey, hey I'm here," I said soothingly, moving closer to her, running a hand down the side of her face and hair.
"What's happening to me?" she asked, unable to keep the fear from trickling into her tone.
"I don't know…but I'm not leaving, okay?" I said firmly. "Not again."
Standing a little, I kissed her forehead softly and sat back down, gripping her hand again. Cora's eyes closed for a little bit again and I tried to soothe myself by listening to her heart beat, which was the only thing that seemed to show that she was okay.
Cora's eyes opened again after ten minutes or so, and I saw her gaze slide over my shoulder. She gave a nod and I looked over my shoulder. Lyra stood in the shadow of the doorway, her eyes dark and expressionless. I blinked, feeling my gut clench at the sight of her cold, blank look.
She stepped forward, moving to the other side of the bed, ignoring my presence. Cora looked at me then up at her. Lyra rested a hand on Cora's forehead and leaned down, kissing her forehead like I had. I heard Lyra inhale very quietly, as if scenting for any internal damage the doctor couldn't find. Her eyes briefly met mine, and they were a deep violet color, which were now troubled.
"Are you okay?" she asked Cora quietly, gazing back down at my sister. Cora looked up at her again.
"I feel okay, I guess," Cora said softly. Lyra ran a hand through Cora's dark hair, running her fingers over the bright blonde streak in the dark mass. Then she looked at me, tilted her head slightly before walking out of the room without another word.
"Go," Cora said. I looked down at her and saw her arch a brow at me. I sighed and kissed her forehead again and she shoved at me weakly.
"'Nough of that," she mumbled, turning her head away. I smiled a little, which faded as I strode after Lyra.
Lyra was standing in the quiet hallway, leaning against the wall with her leg braced against it, arms crossed. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, making her hair fall over one shoulder. It had fallen out of the sloppy braid she had yanked it in earlier.
"I'm sorry," she said softly when I stood across from her, hands in my pockets. I leaned back, mirroring her pose.
"For what?" I asked. Lyra was slow to meet my gaze.
"I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have gone off about the whole 'murderers being cowards' bullshit. I shouldn't have made you remember what happened with Paige… especially since I know you would never use what happened with Matt against me." I was about to protest but she lifted a hand.
"I got him killed, I lead the Alphas to him. No arguing. I just realized today that when I said that, I was talking about me, but I couldn't admit it. I was a murderer, and it doesn't matter if those wolves weren't innocent, I still killed them with the intent to kill. And I am a coward for running away and leaving my family behind to those monsters." Lyra's voice began to go hollow and it cracked.
"I…I'm weak, Derek," she said, looking down. Her shoulders even curled in slightly as if she was drawing herself inward.
"I failed to keep my family safe, I failed to keep Matt safe… now I've failed to keep you and he pack safe. Kali only wants to go after me, but she's going to use my weakness for you, and your weakness for me, to her advantage. She's going to destroy you, through me and I can't let that happen… I can't watch you die because of me-,"
"Lyra," I said firmly, cutting her off. She shook her head again, looking up at me sharply.
"It's not just me who sees this, Derek. The Darach attacked me again, telling me I was the true coward. It said I kill everyone around me…and maybe it's right."
"And you really believe this thing?" I asked in a quiet, shocked voice. Lyra just stared at me, the answer in her dark eyes. I shook my head at her this time.
"I can't believe you," I scolded. "Why would you think that even for a second you are any of those things?"
"Then what am I?" Lyra asked in a shockingly defeated tone. I took one step forward to rest my hands along her arms, running them up to hold her shoulders. I leaned down a little so my face was close to hers.
"You are an incredibly strong leader, Lyra," I said softly, lifting a hand to tilt her chin up. Her eyes met mine.
"You are smart and reliable," I continued. "You're unafraid and fiercely loyal and protective…not to mention beautiful." Lyra's eyes lowered and I nudged her chin again.
"Hey," I whispered. She looked at me again. "I mean it. You have your past and I have mine, okay? But I wouldn't change anything about you. You're perfect in your own way."
"How can you be so sure?" she murmured. I ran my thumb over the length of her chin before tracing her bottom lip.
"Call it instinct," I said. There, that made her smile a little. Her hand lifted to cover mine and she squeezed. Her gaze met mine steadily now.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For not giving up on me." I smiled, leaning closer.
"I could thank you for the same thing," I murmured before pressing my lips gently to hers.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
I didn't tell Derek about who the Darach was. When he had pulled away from kissing me, he had gone back into Cora's room to sit with her. I knew he was worried about her; we both were, since we didn't understand why she wasn't healing.
I felt bad from keeping this from him, but when I got a text from Isaac and Scott indicating the Darach had taken Stiles's dad, I knew its identity was known to them as well.
I stepped out in the hallway and managed to get a three-way call between Isaac and Scott, Isaac explaining how he, Allison and Chris had followed the Darach back to the school, and then Scott explaining how he had followed Lydia to Jennifer's classroom, where she had had Lydia tied up. He said how Jennifer looked normal, until the Sheriff had shot her and she had healed so quickly, then had moved into the monster she truly was. He said the Darach then had taken the Sheriff before Scott could heal and get to him and before Stiles could get into the classroom. I closed my eyes and told them to let me know if anything else happened. I hung up and went back inside the room.
I saw that Cora had fallen asleep and so had Derek, whose head was resting against Cora's side. His sister's arm was over his shoulder and I leaned against the wall, watching them. I rubbed a hand over my eyes, wondering when this nightmare was ever going to end for any of us.
Ooo0ooO
Author's Note: I knew there was a reason why I didn't trust Blake! Ah! I love the idea of Lydia being a banshee, though, since she kind of is an omen of death. Ah, well. Lots of drama and more fighting to come!
Let me know what you thought of this chapter, please!
