Hello, sorry for the cliffhanger followed by a bit of a wait for a new chapter, I'll be able to update more hopefully over the next few weeks because I'm on uni holidays now :). Thank you all who left a review I love reading them so much and I always get really excited to see those notifications. Daughterofwar03 thank you so much, unfortunately I have only read 2 Rick Riordan books but I think I know which cliffhanger you are talking about anyway!
"Tamlin? What are you doing here?" Feyre asked astonished.
She kept trying to peer past Cassian's shoulder but Cassian could sense her trying to get around him and kept his body directly in front of her. Rhys stood next to Feyre, hands in pocket, a disturbingly calm look on his face and a smug smile.
When Tamlin noticed that smug smile he bared his teeth, completely ignoring Feyre to focus solely on Rhys.
Lucien moved in to the store to place a warning hand on Tamlin's arm which he angrily shrugged off. Sighing, Lucien took up a defensive position next to Tamlin, eyes dancing between Azriel and Cassian, as if sizing up which one he would take down first if it came to a fight.
Feyre tried to catch Lucien's eye, panic building her way up her throat like bile. Lucien was decidedly ignoring her, chancing a glance filled with hatred at Rhys every now and then instead.
No one spoke or moved, like alley cats before a fight.
"Cauldron boil me." Feyre exclaimed, shoving Cassian by the shoulder so he would move aside.
Like a spell was broken, everyone relaxed a bit but when Feyre took a step forward, Rhys moved with her.
"Tamlin if you don't tell me what you're doing here I'm calling the cops." Feyre threatened.
Blinking as if in a sudden bright light, Tamlin's eyes flew from Rhys to stare longingly at Feyre.
"You weren't returning any of my calls or texts. I was worried." Tamlin said, trying to keep an edge out of his voice.
"I told you we were done. You don't have to look out for me anymore."
"I will always look out for you." He snarled.
"And by that I assume you mean by doing whatever she asks you very nicely to do?" Rhys drawled.
Tamlin looked wary as he looked between them.
"The Illyrians." Feyre prompted.
Understanding dawned. "Feyre we've been over this. A deal is a deal. I can't go back on my word… Unless you were to return to me."
"I'm sure Hybern would understand you double crossing him as long as you got your girlfriend back." Cassian scoffed.
Lucien bristled and moved a step towards Cassian. "Don't talk about things you don't understand." He warned.
Cassian's eyes glinted viciously as he took in the threat and appraised Lucien as if he was looking for his weaknesses already.
Instantly Azriel was at Cassian's side as they both watched Lucien and the males took fighting stances again.
"Enough! This is ridiculous. Tamlin I'm not going with you so you need to leave. Now." Feyre said, glancing worriedly between the two groups.
"I'm not leaving you with him Feyre. Come with me now and this will all be over." Tamlin held out a hand expectantly like she was a dog he had trained.
Indecision gripped Feyre. She didn't want anyone fighting over her or getting hurt. And if she just went with Tamlin she might be able to convince him to leave Hybern and save the Illyrians.
Rhys seemed to sense her thoughts and he ever so slightly shook his head at her, eyes wide in fear.
The look cost him.
As one, Tamlin and Lucien surged forward.
Cassian and Azriel collided with Lucien with fists and pure strength.
Tamlin moved so quickly Feyre barely had time to shout a warning before he was upon Rhys. He tackled him in the torso and the two went sprawling as Rhys's head connected with the back wall.
Plaster showered the two as the wall where Rhys had taught Feyre to read was destroyed.
Azriel and Cassian continued to grapple with Lucien who was wise enough to keep out of arms reach of the two deadly Illyrians, effectively keeping them busy.
Feyre rushed over to where Rhys was lying, blood running from his forehead where it had hit the wall. He looked dazed but otherwise unhurt as Feyre tried to staunch the blood flow with her apron.
Tamlin roared when he saw Feyre helping Rhys and before Feyre had time to turn, he had grabbed her from behind, wrenching her away from Rhys.
Feyre panicked as Tamlin gripped both of her wrists with one hand, using the other to draw her to himself. Feyre dug in her heels refusing to get closer, yelling in pain as Tamlin redoubled his efforts to drag her into the circle of his arms.
Cassian looked over at her cry and didn't see Lucien's fist fly into his nose. A horrifying crack came from his nose as blood gushed. Azriel drove Lucien back and away while Cassian righted his nose.
Remembering her training with Cassian, Feyre moved her arms up and out, quickly driving them down to break Tamlin's grip before kneeing him in the groin. Tamlin doubled over as Feyre danced out of his reach.
Before long Tamlin was rising to his full height as he slowly stalked towards Feyre again.
"Feyre, I've gotten better I promise, just please come back to me." He pleaded with arms reaching for her.
"Somehow I find that hard to believe when you come here looking for a fight."
"I wasn't expecting him to be here. I thought it would just be you and me and we could talk."
"You don't get to talk to me ever again Tamlin. Not after all you've done." Feyre whispered in fear as her back hit a wall.
She kept a table between her and Tamlin but she had no where else to run. As if Tamlin knew it too he made a quick lunge for her arm by darting around the table. Feyre flipped the table, dodging his hand.
Tamlin threw the table aside and made to go after her when a fist flew into the side of his face. Tamlin landed on a table dazed as Rhys prowled towards him shaking out his hand.
"I believe the lady told you to leave. Didn't your mother ever teach you manners?" Rhys said casually.
Tamlin only laughed. "You would know a lot about mothers, wouldn't you Rhysand?" He taunted.
Feyre saw Rhys go rigid as his calm demeanour was replaced with a lethal rage.
"Smile one more time, just so we remember what your teeth looked like before I knock them all out." Rhys growled.
Tamlin pulled himself to his feet as he smiled mockingly at Rhys before he moved to swing at his head.
Feyre watched in mute horror as Rhys dodged punches while sending out quick jabs along Tamlin's back and stomach. But something was wrong. The knock to Rhys's head must have been hurting him more than he let on. He was downright sluggish at times, only just managing to avoid some of Tamlin's quicker hooks.
Feyre got out her phone to call the police when she heard Rhys yell out in pain when Tamlin managed to sweep his feet out from underneath him. Tamlin was upon him in seconds, punching every part of Rhys within his reach.
Feyre yelled out for help and Cassian stormed over to pull Tamlin off.
Rhys rose to a kneeling position on the floor, a hand clutching his head. When he looked up and his eyes met Feyre's across the room, they were lanced with fear.
Feyre took a confused step forward as Rhys opened his mouth to yell out a warning, but it was too late as a strong pair of hands pinned Feyre's arms to her side and began quickly dragging her to the door.
"Shh. Just come with me and the others will follow. Feyre please don't fight me." A male voice said close to her ear.
Feyre was too shocked to react, staring at Lucien who was still fighting Azriel across the room, and Cassian as he occupied Tamlin nearby.
Rhys tried to surge to his feet but slumped down after losing his balance.
Feyre twisted so she could see the face of whoever was holding her. She recognised the face as one of Tamlin's friends, Bron. He made an apologetic face when he saw her staring at him with betrayal and continued to guide her firmly to the door.
Bron must have come in after the fighting had already started, come to investigate when he heard the breaking of tables and people running from the café.
Rhys yelled out to Azriel as we passed him and Lucien. Azriel tried to get to Bron but was blocked by Lucien who drove him back.
"Feyre!" Rhys called out in desperation.
Feyre locked eyes with him as she was dragged through the door and towards a waiting car.