Tristan's Peace - Chapter 19
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that you may recognize from King Arthur. Nor do I own any that you may recognize from the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I am merely playing with them for a time. So please don't sue me, I have no money. Nada, zippo, zilch.
isn't-someone-missing-me - Here's your update. I'm glad that you like it and continue to do so.
Kat - I'm happy that you think it's original. That's what I am striving for.
KnightMaiden - Don't worry about our pair. Have faith. (grin) And yes, more twists and turns.
C.J. - I'm glad that you feel like you are right there. That's what I aim to do. And as to how Ash will handle all this... Any ideas?
Cardeia - I hope your competition went well yesterday. And Ah Huh. To much partying that you had to stay home today. I see how you are! (grin)
Ash's P.O.V. on the daimons is something like it as to be done. He harobrs no ill will. I'm sure he can be bitter, but he chooses his fights. And I hope you like this part where the men are being men. I'm working on the big Victor/Tristan/Teagan action scene. I swear, I do better with smut.
op - Here's more for you! And I am so happy that you continue to like it.
June Birdie - I'm happy this is interesting to you. Just as yours are to me. Work and school. Been there, done that. Now I only have to deal with the work and family.
blu-waffle - Twists and turns, that's me alright. And your review had me grinning ear to ear.Iloved it.
2005
Every pair of eyes were fixed on Teagan as she walked toward Acheron. Her thick, leather biker boots making soft thuds as she moved. The tiny chain on her right ankle tinkling. Her long braid swinging with her movements. As she walked, she rotated her shoulders, her neck. To the men, it looked as though she was working out the kinks of a long day.
Each man was thinking something different as they watched her walk away.
Acheron was looking in the Jeep's side mirror, picking at his teeth. He looked up as he heard her approach. She looked so very tired to him. Like she hadn't had a proper night or day's sleep. He wonder briefly if Tristan had been keeping her awake.
Probably not. If he had, she would look happier. Right now, as he got a better look at her, she looked as though there was something troubling on her mind. To Acheron, she looked so fragile, like she was holding the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders. She looked as though she needed to be held. Soothed until her troubles melted away.
Acheron straightened, waiting for her to approach. As much as he loved her, he was not the one to that could help with her troubles. As much as he loved her, he wouldn't embrace her.
Acheron didn't embrace anyone. Willingly.
He hadn't wanted to bring her here tonight. He was hoping that Tristan would come alone. But where one was, the other would not be to far away.
So maybe this would be a good thing. Teagan's memories were coming faster now. This would just speed things along.
Each man watched her in silence for a few minutes.
It was Spurius who was the first to comment. "She sure is a pretty one." Her jeans looked like they were painted onto her legs. Not so tight that they would split should she bend over, but the worn softness that came with many years of wear. The deep green shirt she had on was overlarge for her, covering up what was a black tank.
Tristan gave the Roman a malicious look. "She's unavailable." His arms were crossed over his chest, his jaw clenching. He wasn't in the mood to listen to the Roman try and get into her pants.
No. He wasn't going to let Spurius get close enough to even smell her. Teagan belonged to him. And he would be damned if he would lose her again.
"Teagan's nothing but a cold fish." Adamo muttered absently under his breath as he was picking at his new wound. His face was a mask of disgust, he hated anything to mess up his tailored silk shirts. They cost enough money, that it was a shame when one was ruined.
He liked Teagan well enough. She had saved his ass from the sunlight more times than he wanted to count. And she never said anything about his many escapades with the human women he enjoyed.
But, she was a cold one. Not one time did he see her with another man in any intimate way. She had done nothing but turn down his advances as well as those of that Were, Shay.
Adamo shook his head, thinking about Shay. 'Now that man must have blue balls.' He thought as he pulled his shirt sleeve up, checking his arm where the blade had caught. The wound already healing. His thoughts about Shay were pulled away as Spurius spoke again.
Spurius shook his head, his dark eyes full of laughter. "I doubt that, my friend."
"And what makes you think that?" Adamo wasn't paying much attention to the Roman Hunter, but he hated being left out of any conversation.
His lips started twitching. "Because with all that red hair... Rowr!" His hips did a little thrusting motion, causing Adamo to laugh.
"Spurius..." Seaghdh's voice was low, full of warning. He had been watching Teagan also. Watched the way she reacted to Tristan. The way she moved when she was next to him. There was a comfortableness in her actions with the scout. The was a softness to her that he hadn't noticed before in her.
And Tristan was acting just like the jealous lover. Protective of her to the point of possessiveness. His body language spoke volumes. And the looks he was giving him and the others were enough to warn off a weaker man.
Seaghdh wasn't one of those weaker men. He knew he could hold his own with the scout. But, he wasn't one to push on something that obviously wasn't his. And, he didn't want to get into fists with Tristan. He cared for Teagan to much.
The Roman put up a hand toward Shay. "No. I mean, here you are saying that she's shagged him. How the hell did you do it? Huh old man?" He stepped toward Tristan. "I'd like to know how you deserved to have that little hottie saving your ass."
Tristan's eyes narrowed, his silent steps bringing him closer to the Roman Hunter. "I would leave off if I were you." He growled, los in his throat.
"You've known her for what...two days? She must me hard up to shag an old man like you." He said with an annoying smile. This was the way it was for them. Spurius teasing, Tristan doing his damned best to stay calm. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't.
Spurius actually liked and respected Tristan. He even envied Tristan in battle, having seen him in action many times. Some men were restless. Tristan was not. He had a calmness that was almost chilling. A noisy and restless man was often easy to defeat. But those that were calm were the most dangerous. You never knew what they were thinking until it was to late.
This was part of the reason that Spurius enjoyed teasing Tristan as much as he did. To try and break through that stony exterior, to crack that facade he kept up. To try and get a reaction, any reaction, out of that man.
Tristan's jaw started twitching again. His eyes darkened at the Roman Hunter. Fists were opening and closing at his sides. His patience was about to hit it's limit.
This just may be one of those times when Tristan's calm failed him.
Spurius snorted, his eyes full of merriment. "Maybe when you're gone, she'll share what she's got." His dark eyebrows waggled. Tristan was starting to loose it, he could feel the scout's anger emanating from him in waves.
"I'd stop if I were..." Adamo didn't get any further as Tristan's quickness brought him before Spurius before anybody could see him. It was also to late as Tristan's fist connected with the Roman's jaw, sending him backward.
0o0o0o
"Hey T? You better go see to your man."
Teagan turned watching as Tristan threw a punch into Spurius' face, sending the Roman Hunter backward. He landed with a loud grunt on the concrete of the parking lot. Snorting in laughter as he sat on the damp concrete, his hands on his knees.
"Tristan." Was no more than a whisper, but obviously he heard. He straightened, his body turning to face her. His face a mask of both jealousy and anger.
Spurius straightened his tall frame up, his hand clutching his jaw. "What? Is that all you've got old man?" The Roman sniggered. Trying to get more out of Tristan, frowning when he couldn't. Seemed as though Tristan just gave up.
Tristan ignored the Roman, moving away from the small group, shaking his fist where it smarted. In that one word, Teagan had asked him to stop. So he had. His mind and body willingly granting her request. He couldn't have denied her even if he wanted to.
Tristan looked at Teagan, his look saying that he wasn't sorry for what he'd done, that he'd do it again if provoked.
Lightly, she put her hand on his cheek, trying to read his face. The only thing she could see in his face was possession. Jealousy. He pulled her into a kiss, his teeth slightly sinking into her lip when she responded.
Teagan slightly stiffened at the sharp pain in her lips, but immediately relaxing as her endorphin released, sending a sense of pleasure right to her belly. Deepening the kiss, she felt herself pressing against him, wanting more.
With a groan, Tristan pulled away. His eyes still locked with hers.
She gave him a small smile, running her hand down his arm as she passed. She felt an absence inside her as her fingers lost contact with his arm. Her fingers pressed to her lips where he had kissed her.
Turning her attention to the other three men, she gave them all withering looks. She wanted to know what they had done to get him to go off like that. He had been nothing but calm around her since he had come to her.
Now, she could see something different in his face. In it she saw an anger, possession and a sadness that she hadn't seen in so long. His eyes glittered with it.
0o0o0o
Tristan walked over to where Ash was standing. It looked like he was picking off pieces of the Jeep's red paint. As he walked, he absently pulled a toothpick out of one of the back pockets of his jeans.
He had just put the stick into his lips when Ash spoke.
"Well?" He didn't miss how Tristan was sucking on his lips, the faint smell of blood in the air.
"Well, what?"
Acheron's eyes swirled in momentary anger. He quelled it, knowing that he probably deserved all the animosity from these two. He leaned against the Jeep, giving the scout a level look.
He gave a weary sigh. "How is she doing?"
Tristan's eyebrow cocked. "You already know the answer to that. Why ask?"
"Don't be a smart ass, Tristan. You know that I don't."
If Tristan's eyes could get any darker, they would. He pulled the toothpick out of his teeth, pointing it at Acheron.
"No. I don't know that. You haven't told me a fracking thing."
"You're right. I haven't said much." He gave the scout a wicked grin, shrugging his shoulders. "But then, I never do. So why should I start now?" In truth, he had told them both everything they needed to know in order to get back their lives. They only needed to grasp that gift.
Tristan kicked a large rock that lay next to his boot. His face sullen. "Because I want to know why you brought me here. Now." His voice was weary, full of bitterness. It was a game he had no wish to play.
Acheron seemed to know this because he looked at Tristan levelly. "Because as much as you want to think you do, you have no wish to become a shade. Not now anyway."
"There's not a whole hell of a lot I can do. I know the rules. And I broke them. I have been judged. If I defeat Victor, you will only send Alexion." Victor was only the first round in this. Artemis had sent Victor knowing that he was the one man that Tristan feared. If it was possible to defeat Victor, then the task of annihilating Tristan fell to Acheron. And that was where Alexion came in. Alexion was the ultimate in the death machines. Nothing survived him.
Acheron smiled at Tristan. A genuine smile. "Alexion will not be paying you a visit." He pulled a small stone amulet from underneath his suede shirt. "Take this."
Tristan's hand reached out for the necklace, his fingers enclosing around its familiar warmth. "What is it?" He knew automatically what it was, he just wanted confirmation from Ash.
"Teagan."
Opening his fingers, Tristan looked at the bloodstone as is rested against his palm. The reds of it shining out, making it glitter. He looked up to the Atlantean, his eyebrow raised in question.
"You know what it is. And you know what to do with it."
"Why now?"
"Because I am tired of watching her be alone. And you." He stepped away from the jeep, his long arms outstretched against the door. His head was bowed with his long hair nearly touching the ground. "I've kept her with me out of pure selfishness." He lifted his head, looking at Tristan, the scout not looking at him, but the tiny red headed woman who was now glaring at Spurius.
"She's my blood kin." Acheron stood straightened, becoming taller than Tristan. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Does this life hold anything for you? Did it ever?"
"No." Tristan's one word answer told Acheron everything he needed to know.
"I can no longer hold onto her memories. She was going to remember anyway. I wanted you here to support her. She needs you. She always has. I've know that since the beginning. I..."
"Then why did you keep us apart?" Tristan interrupted.
Ash sighed. "Because of Artemis. She brought you over to spite me. Then she forbade me to tell you. And she used you. Just like she uses everyone. Including me." He ran a hand over his face. "I can see you, your future. The moment you go, she will too." He grabbed the amulet out of Tristan's hand before the scout realized he had done it.
Acheron held the bloodstone up. "Again this is pure selfishness on my part. I will not let her go. But, I am not that heartless. Give this back to her. And take yours."
"I don't want mine back."
"Yes. You do." He held the amulet back out to Tristan. "Take it and everything that was yours to begin with."
Sudden fear gripped Tristan as he took the bloodstone from Acheron. His eyes again found Teagan, the look on her face sending chills down his spine.
Teagan was grabbing at her shirt, pulling it up, her hands running along her body. He saw her lift her shirt, her face a mask of fear. Very faintly, he could see blood as it welled underneath her skin.
He took off running.
0o0o0o
Teagan took to glaring at each of the men. Her hands were on her hips. Her eyebrow cocked. "Okay, what is going on with you all?"
The Roman, Spurius looked as though he was about to fall over again laughing. His smile was so large. He could feel the energy crackling from her very skin.
"It's nothing but a bit of harmless fun."
"Fun?" Teagan glanced back at Tristan who was talking to Acheron. "I don't think so. He wouldn't hit you like that just out of fun." She shook her head, her thoughts running to the antics of teenaged boys. She licked her bottom lip, tasting the tanginess of her blood. "Why did he hit you?"
"He pretty much deserved it." Adamo muttered, causing Teagan to look at him.
Adamo was looking as though his puppy had died, he kept picking at the hole in his shirt sleeve. She knew that he wasn't happy about that, having once seen the cost of one of his silk shirts. He reminded her of a peacock, always puffing out his chest and trying to look good for the women.
She tried hard not to laugh at how silly he looked.
"He's a loose cannon. That one is. And what the hell was he doing kissing you?" He said the first thing that came to his mind. It was that damned scout that had sent that knife into his arm. And it was starting to hurt.
"Shut it Adamo." Shay said low.
The Italian Hunter turned to Seaghdh, hackles raised. "Alright. Alright. I'm going inside to get this washed off."
"Teagan" Shay moved closer to Teagan. "Do you know what you're getting into with him?" They didn't need to know why he kissed her. They didn't need to know that Tristan was the reason she had never taken a lover.
The reason she had never given herself to him.
It hadn't taken him long at all to figure out what those two meant to each other. It was written all over their faces. Humans had a hard time hiding scents from animals. Even humans that had been without souls for so long.
Teagan may have her soul, but it was written all over Tristan.
"I know Shay. I know what's going on."
Spurius' dark eyes flashed. He was interested in why Tristan had acted the way he just did. "I want to know why he kissed you too." He flexed his jaw, the soreness wearing off a bit. First the punch in the jaw, then the total animalistic kiss he had just given her.
Her lips were still bleeding a bit from where he had obviously bit her.
Spurius moved his neck, the bones giving a small crack as they moved back into place. "I heard that Artie's got a hit out for him." Rumors had spread of the DH site that Tristan had gone rogue. Rumors had also spread that he had ended in the care of Teagan.
But, no one knew exactly why.
From what he knew about her, she was a healer. And at times was able to protect or even try and save those that had been judged unfairly. But Artemis had already sent Tristan's punishment. He had all but confessed when confronted. So that meant Teagan had no say in his fate. And if he was already doomed from going rogue, she couldn't protect him either.
And here she was, snogging him in front of all of them. It was as if she was dooming herself right along with him.
Teagan broke into his thoughts. Her mind on Tristan's actions. She addressed Spurius.
"Leave him be, Spurius."
"Why should I?" His voice has taken on it's 'I'm better than you' tone. One that was so common with his nation of people. A tone Teagan recognized so well.
Teagan chuckled a bit. "He doesn't exactly like Romans. Especially ancient ones." Long forgotten memories were flooding back to her. Some of them not so bad.
Spurius snorted. "I don't know why. I haven't done a thing to him." He didn't tell her that this was how it was every time he and Tristan got within feet of each other. Tristan didn't like him and he knew it. It was just so much fun goading him.
"You exist."
"Excuse me?" He couldn't help the snort that left his lips. But he was willing to listen if it meant getting information on the ever silent scout.
"Do you know anything about who he is?"
Spurius shook his dark head, the action causing the golden cross around his neck to tinkle softly.
"Do you know anything about Sarmatians?"
"Only that they were defeated by us. We integrated them into our calvary."
Teagan nodded her head, her eyes taking on a far away look. "Yes. He was taken as a young man. Essentially a slave for fifteen years."
"I remember." He had always thought that what Rome had done to that proud nation was wrong. So many stories of the Sarmatians ran rampant through Rome when he was a child. How so many of them had given up their lives for something they did not believe in. He had always listened to his father tell tales of Arthur. The half-Roman who defeated the Saxons and calmed the Woads.
This he asked Teagan "Did he know anything about Arthur? You know, I heard something about a round table. My father saw it once." His father was once a legionnaire serving in Britain right before they pulled out. Spurius had grown up with the legends of Arthur and his knights. They had taken on the Saxons and survived. How Arthur became the King of Britain. His fame and influence had grown while that of Rome had fallen into despair.
Teagan smiled a small smile. "Yes." She pointed to where Tristan and Acheron were talking. "That's Tristan. One of Arthur's knights."
Spurius' lips formed and O shape. All these years he had known the man and come to find out that he didn't know him at all. Of course there were legends about a knight named Tristan. And the stories had him involved with some woman named Iseult.
He just never imagined that it would be this Tristan.
"So give him some space. He went from being indentured to Rome for all those years to having his family, his brother killed by a Roman..."
All present sensed a change in Teagan, her eyes starting to swirl, her breathing starting to come labored. Shay moved closer to her.
"Teagan..."
She held out an arm, seeming to try and steady herself. "Everything he held dear was taken by Rome... His brother, his wife..." Her face started to flush, almost like it was suddenly 100 degrees outside.
She sucked in a breath.
Pain. White hot blinding pain as a tiny knife ran over and under her skin. Taking just enough of the layers of skin to shave off the blue ink that once adorned her body.
Teagan straightened, her hands pulling frantically at her clothing. She pulled her shirt up, running her hands over her body, obviously looking for something. She could see the skin being lifted up from her body, a bloody trail that was left.
She looked around wildly while the others looked on.
Tristan turned sharply towards Teagan. He saw her lift her shirt, her face a mask of fear. Very faintly, he could see blood as it welled underneath her skin.
More pain as the sharp knife was pushed into her skin. It felt as though her body was opening up. Looking down, she saw what was her insides fall to the ground beneath her.
Her eyes started to close as her life's blood pooled underneath her. She started shaking with sudden cold, her ears barely hearing Tristan has he let out a strangled cry.
Teagan's eyes were huge, her chest heaving as she tried to take in breaths. It was so hard to breath. "Tristan..." She gasped. Her knees started shaking and she suddenly felt that she couldn't hold herself up any longer.
Tristan took off running to her, reaching her just as her knees met the pavement. He knelt beside her, pulling her close to him, her head resting against his heart.
Acheron ran a hand over is face. "Oh shit." He then jogged to the small group.
Teagan had just remembered the details of her death.
0o0o0o
Carrick and Joachim were sitting on the den's largest couch, playing a hand of poker. There were soda cans and water bottles scattered about them. 'Aliens' was playing on the large T.V. though neither were paying much attention to it.
Jac was about to put down his cards, beating her again, when he felt it. It was like a sonic wave had just moved over them.
"Oh." Carrick whispered as all the cards she had been holding slipped out of her fingers. "Jac?" She looked up at him, her face as white as a sheet. "I can't feel my fingers."
"Shit." He scooted next to her, taking her cold hands in his, trying to warm them up. "It'll be okay." He freed one of his hands an brushed a bit of her hair away from her eyes. Her eyes that were starting to look frightened.
Joachim knew something was happening with Teagan. Being her squire meant that he was privy to just about every part of her life. Past and present. He knew not only what Teagan had told him about herself, but what Acheron had told him also.
And as Teagan wasn't the typical Dark Hunter, if she even was one, Acheron had told him that something like this may happen. She was in possession of some different powers. Powers that she had never used, had never wanted to use.
Dark Hunter powers that were untapped and potentially dangerous.
So Joachim was slightly prepared when Ash had told him to bring Carrick into the house and stay there. He just hadn't said anything to Carrick yet, not wanting to frighten her.
He was figuring that something not so pleasant was happening and that Teagan was protecting them.
As gently as he could, Joachim pulled out his cell phone...
0o0o0o
Spurius was watching Tristan and Teagan. The woman was looking as though she couldn't breath, her chest heaving. From where he was standing, her eyes started looking as though they were filled with storm clouds. Tristan was knelt next to her, holding onto her as if he would never let it go. His eyes were closed, his lips resting in her hair.
"What the hell is going on, Ash?"
Acheron looked at Tristan and Teagan, the scout's eyes flicking up to him at Spurius' question. Ash took a breath, addressing the other three men. They needed to know at least a bit of what was going on if he expected them to help.
"They are about to experience their worst nightmare." Every eye was now focused on him. "Those Daimons that had just come through the bolt hole?" They all nodded. "They were sent by a thing called Victor. Victor was the one who killed them both. First Tristan's brother, then her, then him."
Shay was literally spitting. "I'll kill the man." For anyone to deliberately hurt her, it was something he didn't want to think about.
Acheron waved his hand. "You can't touch Victor. But his cronies are up for grabs."
"Why can't we get him?" Adamo's ruined shirt and wounded arm momentarily forgotten.
"Artie sent Victor after Tristan. And since only the target can defend himself against his attacker, you can't." That also meant Acheron himself, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.
"So. The rumors were true. He is a gonner then."
Ash glared at the two Hunters. "No. He's not."
Adamo straightened himself up. "Well. I for one am not going to let Teagan get pulled down with him." He was just about itching for a fight, it had been to quiet in his part of town lately.
"You have no choice."
"I do. I've known Teagan a long time. Longer than that damned scout."
"Adamo."
"No. I'm not going to stand by and let her be pulled down by some brooding fool."
"Adamo." This time from Seaghdh.
"Stop. Just because you couldn't score with her doesn't mean that anybody else wont. I mean if he can..."
"I'd watch your tongue if I were you." Shay started advancing on Adamo, his anger in full swing. His eyes starting to change into that of his hawk. The pupils elongating. It was common knowledge of his feelings for her. His animal didn't want to hear what was being said.
Acheron held his arm out against Shay's chest. Holding the young hawk back. "Look, wanting her is not the issue her. You know the rules Adamo." He also gave a warning glance to Spurius, having heard the whole thing with him and Tristan. The Roman only smiled.
"Sure I do. And so does everybody else here. If she can go with him..."
"Just leave them be Adamo. The rules don't apply to them."
The Italian snorted. "I'd like to know why the hell not."
"For one, she's not a Dark Hunter. Never has been. She's got her soul. And two..." Shay couldn't finish.
So Acheron did for him. "Teagan has known Tristan even longer than I have known him." All eyes swivelled to the Atlantean. He nodded. "She's married to him. And it's not her soul that she carries. It's his."
Now the eyes moved to Shay, who looked away. It wasn't that he was embarrassed, it was more like he was feeling an immeasurable amount of loss. So, she carried him within her. Her true soulmate. Her true life mate. No wonder she could never give herself to another.
Like any alpha pair, Tristan and Teagan had mated for life. Only death could break that bond. But in this case, not even death could tear them apart.
0o0o0o
"Dammit." Acheron muttered as his cell phone started to ring. He briefly thought about ignoring it, but saw who it was on the caller ID. "What?" He immediately felt sorry when he realized his tone was nothing short of pissy. "Sorry. Bit tense here, Jac."
"Is it that bad Ash?"
"Yeah. It is."
"Well, something is up here. I can't leave and neither can Carrick."
"Was Brody there at all tonight?"
"He was. But he didn't have any trouble getting out of the house. I mean, I can open the doors, but something is keeping us in here."
"Shit." Since Joachim and Carrick couldn't get out of the house, it was safe to assume that he wouldn't be able to get in. Teagan's protection of the house would only let her and possibly Tristan into it.
Acheron bent over, looking into Teagan's face. Her eyes were swirling like a midsummer thunderstorm. She wasn't speaking. Nor was she crying. In fact, she was sitting as calm as could be. Her breathing had even leveled out.
"Ash? Is it what I think it is?"
"Afraid so." Teagan's safeguards were now in place. She was using her powers and her energy to protect the one's she loved. Joachim and Carrick were safe as long as they didn't leave the house.
He looked at the worried scout, even he was effected. She was protecting him. Some of her aura was surrounding Tristan. What once Acheron could see with him was now fading.
There was silence on the other side as Joachim was obviously thinking about what to do next. "What do I tell Carrick? She's a bit frightened."
"Tell her she's safe as long as she's in the house." He took in a big breath, letting it out slowly. "I guess you should tell her what's going on."
"Details?"
"Only if you want to. It might help. And between the two of you, you may have better ideas on how to help solve this problem."
"Will do Ash. I'll let you in when you get here. Just call."
"Right, Jac. Watch yourself." He closed the small phone, putting it in the back pocket of his leather pants.
Tristan, hearing everything, even what Joachim had said, looked up at Acheron. His eyes darker. His anger showing in his face.
"That boy knows?"
"Yes."
"Great."
Acheron watched as Teagan pulled herself slightly away from Tristan, her eyes going even smokier.
"Can you drive stick?"
"Of course." Did Ash think him that far rooted in his past?
Ash knelt close to Teagan, his fingers taking her chin. "T, look at me." She turned her eyes upward, the orbs a swirling mist. Her eyes were only on him for a second before they turned back to Tristan.
Ash pulled her back to him. "No. Teagan, love. Focus on me." He watched as she closed her eyes. When they opened, they were back to their brilliant blue. "Good. I want you to go home."
Silently, Tristan scooped Teagan up in his arms, his long strides bringing them to the jeep within seconds. He secured her into the passenger side, then climbing in the driver's side.
Starting the jeep up, he peeled out of the parking lot, dirt, dust and gravel flying under the tires.
0o0o0o
"So what do you want us to do?"
Acheron looked at each man individually. His mind coming up with some sort of a plan. He was hoping that their little action tonight was enough to put a dent into Victor's minions. The monster didn't have to many to begin with.
"Adamo, you work with Spurius. Split up the areas of the club and her property between you." Both men nodded. Ash continued. "Shay?"
Seaghdh looked at the Atlantean, his eyes now their normal green. "I can hold it. To protect her I will."
"Good. You'll have to act as go-between." He pointed at the Italian and the Roman. His remaining two Dark Hunters were starting to feel the strain of being so close to each other. Their individual powers were starting to fade. He could feel them weakening. They needed to separate. And right now, Shay was the wisest choice to act a liaison between the two. And Acheron was willing to bet that Seaghdh would protect Teagan with his life.
He glanced around the parking lot, pulling his sunglasses over his silver eyes.
"Remember, where you see either Tristan or Teagan, the other will not be to far behind. This is something they need to solve on their own. They deserve to get their lives back. You can't touch Victor, but get as many as his groupies as you can. Give them a chance to make it."
A/N: Okay folks. Here's the latest and I sure as heck hoped it made sense. Two plus weeks of fixing and changing it... ACK! Anyway, Alexion is mentioned. No. You will NOT meet him. He is the ultimate in judge and jury for the Dark Hunters. He's the one they all fear. He's mentioned because I wanted you to know that though Tristan is drinking from the humans, he's not gone so far as that. Ash knows that he would have, eventually. That is one of the reasons he's brought our pair together.
Make sense? I hope so. Anyone can e-mail me if they have questions. Or any suggestions.