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Josef glared at Lance, who was contently sipping his Cognac. Lance was early and his smug and arrogant attitude was already getting on Josef's nerves. He was sure Lance was up to something, and it was going to be contrary to what was already agreed. Josef had already given in too much. It was time for the Duval's to concede. Josef poured his own cognac and walked carefully to the couch across from Lance. He paused before sitting, trying to judge his next move, Lance's next move. He was officially back in the game, and he was determined not to lose. There was so much more at stake, Simone, Mick, Beth, all those he held dear, all those he considered family.
Lance carefully watched as Josef seated himself across from him. Josef's face was blank but his body language said it all, he was nervous and on edge. A fleeting smile crossed Lance's face as he leisurely took another sip of his cognac. He loved it when he had Josef at a disadvantage. He lifted his head, giving Josef a smug grin as he set down his glass.
"Where is Beth?" Lance asked quietly. Josef's eyes narrowed on Lance. Here it comes…
"Safe… And I'm sure being thoroughly pampered. Why?" Josef returned the same smug grin that Lance had given him, determined not to tip his hand further.
"How quickly can she be ready to leave?" Lance finished his drink and stretched out his long arms along the back of the couch, waiting for Josef's response.
"Why would she leave?" Both men rose slowly from their seats, looking for the source of the voice. Lady Wallace stood tall, her sword already drawn and hanging low in her hand. Her tall frame was covered in a dark hooded cloak making her look much more ominous. "Answer the question, Duval, why would Turner need to leave? She has returned to St. John, unharmed.."
Lance looked from Lady Wallace to Josef, he was obviously startled by her appearance. He buttoned his jacket and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets, his attention turning to Lady Wallace. He walked to her slowly, going over his options in his mind.
"She's property, and I keep my property close." A deep chuckle rumbled from Lady Wallace as she removed her cloak, laying it on a chair next to her. Again she was in a long white gown, her shoulders and arms bare but her neck covered. She weighed the claymore in her hand as she stepped away from Lance then suddenly she turned, cutting him along his belly and kicking him back against the wall. She was on him quicker than a blink, her sword pressed tight against his neck. Lance was in shock that he was actually struggling against her, desperate to get up.
"She, Miss Turner, belongs to no one. Humans are NO ONE'S PROPERTY! This war ends NOW! IF you go near her in ANY WAY, I will make it my personal mission to wipe you and your entire family from the face of this earth! You have provoked this war." Lady Wallace eased the sword from his throat and for the first time in his vampire existence, Lance Duvall was spooked.
"All of you live because I allow it. Good cannot exist without Evil, Evil cannot exist without Good. But the balance needs to be regulated. Figure out a way to police yourselves. I'm tired of killing and watching people's lives being destroyed. It ends with Turner and St. John." Lady Wallace again strode back to Lance, her glance grazing Josef as she went. "I have watched over the innocents that have been taken against their wills. Your Bitch of a sister did that to St. John. He was an innocent man dealing with the effects of a Man's war, wanting what all Mortals want, peace, family… Love. None of which your Dear Sister is capable of. Then she steals a child…" Lady Wallace paced away from Lance, stopping between him and Josef. She looked out over the city before she continued to speak. "Steals a child for you and your Cure... The feud between you and your sister that has become an infection and spread. Keep it within your own blood.I want no more innocents lost." Josef eyes were wide as he listened to Lady Wallace. He wasn't sure what to make of her. Was she Mortal, Vampire.. Angel, GOD?!
"You.. You're dictating to me?" Lance was disgusted by the thought but the protest died in his throat as he felt her blade again.
"Yes, Duvall, I am. For you and for Josef." She lowered her blade and made her way to Josef.
He popped his neck and swallowed quickly, fighting back his own fear. "You are now the head of the LA Tribes. Use your power wisely, Josef. Use St. John to help regulate what lawlessness you have. She gave them no chance to protest, Lady Wallace walked to her cloak and carefully put it on. After one last look of warning, she opened the door and disappeared.
Mick listened in disbelief as he stood just outside of Josef's office. He had felt a strong rush of air pass him, but didn't actually see Lady Wallace leave. He had been manipulated from the beginning, but not by Josef, only by Coraline. He sucked in a breath and stepped through Josef's door, his anger and disgust raking over Lance. He charged at him only to be grabbed by Josef forcing him back.
"I know you heard, so remember what she said. It ends… It ends, Mick!" Mick held Josef's gaze, his body shaking with rage. He gave a short nod and pulled from Josef's grasp, straightening his duster. Lance leered at Josef and Mick. He gave a short growl and stormed to the door taking his leave, sorting through the threatening demands of a woman he had previously dismissed as a legend... the Legion had never before threatened the immediate Duvall family so personally.
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Beth sat up on her bed, their bed, trying to work, to keep her mind occupied, trying to avoid thinking about the emotional rollercoaster she seemed to be on. Mick was going to Josef's to see if he could get more information about the deal, the deal that was made about her life only a few days before.
Logan was downstairs in Mick's office working away or playing WOW she didn't know but either way just the simply and sweet minded vampire being here helped ease her mind. She knew she shouldn't be afraid, she was back home, safe. Safe as one could be when your life had been bartered on. When you are spending week after week never alone, Oscar always on theother side of a door wishing for some private time. The thought of being alone now frightened her. Even without vampire hearing she could hear the music Logan had blaring down in the office, his taste for some old school rock, helping her focus on what she was doing then and there.
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Mick paused in the doorway of Beth's room, quietly watching as she bent over her laptop, oblivious to his presence. Her outward calm demeanor was masking a turbulent swirl of emotions and fears; fears that mirrored his own troubling thoughts. They'd been struggling in this fog of uncertainty since Beth had returned and it had to stop before everything they had together crumbled away. As much as he dreaded to start, it had to be now. Mick took a quick breath and stepped into the room. "Hey."
"Hey." Beth's smile was cautious and she pushed the laptop aside. "What happened at Josef's?"
The question was casual, but Mick could sense the tension behind it and he moved to sit on the bed beside her. "Lance Duvall has been warned off with the promise of final death for himself and his family if he doesn't leave you alone. I don't think he'll be threatening you anymore."
"At least until they need my blood for their cure." Beth answered doubtfully. "Do you really think they'll leave us… me alone?"
"He wasn't given a choice." Mick rubbed his temple, remembering his own encounter with Lady Wallace and her claymore. "If he wants to keep his head, he'll do as he's told." He reached to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "According to Josef, the Legion has been told to back off, too. We won't have to be fighting against the culling anymore and you're safe from them both. No more running."
"Safe?" Beth sighed bitterly and she pulled her knees up to wrap her arms around them. "I know I was as safe as Oscar could manage, but I never felt safe with him, especially after Oklahoma. I learned way too much that day, Mick."
"I know you did and I'm sorry you had to find out about the allure that way." Mick ducked his head, urging her to meet his gaze. "I'd never use that influence on you, Beth, never. Coraline…" He rubbed his temple again, trying to choose the right words. "Coraline used her allure to get what she wanted. Even after all these years, I don't know if the feelings I had for her were because of her allure of if they were real; if I really loved her."
"So that's what you meant by a fever?" Beth loosened her hold on her knees, relaxing somewhat in relief. "You didn't have any control over what was happening to you, either."
"No, no control over how I felt or the situation." Mick drew Beth into his arms and rested his forehead against hers. "What happened to you wasn't your fault and I want to be sure you understand that I'd never try to use that power over you."
"I do understand." Beth leaned back a fraction and blue eyes met hazel. "I understand, but its still hard, Mick. Things have changed so much…"
"Not every thing has changed." Mick kissed her, his lips just brushing hers. "I still love you. I thought I was going to lose my mind while you were gone."
"I did lose my mind for awhile." Beth murmured before she kissed him back. "All I could think of was coming home to you. I'm sorry…"
"Sshhh! Don't." Mick put a finger to her lips. "Don't apologize. You're not alone in this, we can face it together. Okay?"
Beth nodded, her eyes closing as he kissed her again. Together... that sounded like a promise and it was time to reconnect, to accept and rejoice in the time they had together. Her breath caught with her decision and she smiled against his mouth. Mick scooted back on the bed to pull her onto his lap and the kisses continued, soft and exploring, filled with longing. There was no hurry, no frantic need, just an awakening, and a blossoming of love that had come close to being destroyed.
Mick turned to lay her gently on the bed, stretching his body beside hers, to continue the slow exploration of taste, smell and texture. Clothing was removed with unhurried hands, exposed skin caressed and worshipped, until there was nothing between them but a need that encompassed them both in its intensity.
Mick rolled Beth to her back, his lips stirring a whimper from her as he took a taut nipple into his mouth, teasing her with teeth and tongue. Beth arched against him, the mix of pleasure and pain making her ache to her very center. "Mick, please…" The plea came with a sigh and Mick lifted his head, watching her with vampire eyes as he moved to answer her prayer. Lifting her leg to encircle his waist, he stroked her need with cool insistence until she was quivering, writhing on the brink of release.
"Beth, look at me." He waited, poised at her entrance until Beth met his gaze. Taking her lips tenderly, he sank into her warmth. "I love you."
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Worries forgotten for the moment, still drifting in the euphoria of their love, Mick and Beth went upstairs, hand in hand, to the terrace. Mick held Beth tight, his heart finally full, no longer empty from their separation, and now here they were on the Balcony. Not so long ago, the very place was a token of where it seemed like their love would never be possible.
Mick embraced Beth, her head resting on his shoulder while they watched the sun rise on the LA sky for the first time. No words were necessary. They would seize every precious moment of this new beginning, together and with love.
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