Episode 6: A Matter of Chemistry - Part 2

Stiles adored his Nana and she was exactly who he would want in their corner. He hugged her hard grateful for the appearance. He needed to know the most important thing, "Where has the list come from?"

Mab had been keeping an eye on her grandson. She didn't like to interfere in his life but she would lend aid when necessary. This annoying coward of an assassin in town was too big a risk. She could not risk Stiles to the idiot. She didn't hide any of her disdain. "Severo Calaveras initiated it using the hunting council as his patsy."

"Damn Hunters!" Stiles knew that not all hunters were the same. If he was being honest, he only cared about two of them. "Are Chris and Ally safe?"

He noticed that the Argent names were not on the list. Stiles was glad of it as he worried about the pack hunters. The more fanatical hunters would not make a distinction for sympathetic humans. He'd found that in hunter's minds you were either with them or you with the supernaturals. If you were with the supernaturals then you were just as bad and fair game.

Derek snarled, "Figures it's him. He is a snivelling pathetic asshole. He always did seem to tuck in behind his mommy's skirt."

Mab snorted, "Oh don't worry dear. He will get what is coming to him. Now how do you want divide the fronts?"

Lydia was taking mental notes. She was a genius and would succeed in whatever she wanted. There was never any doubt in her mind, her sheer stubbornness would see to it. What she wanted to do was be able to do it with the sheer effortless malice Mab could exude. It was something else that she could aspire too.

Stiles looked to Derek, "How do you want to play this?"

Derek rested against Stiles, he needed to think. The threats towards the pack; there was the Council; the assassins and Isaac's illness. He couldn't leave his beta alone. He also needed to take care of current threats. His instincts were running close to the surface. He was glad Stiles was with him as he wasn't too sure he wouldn't shift. His primal feelings were telling him to do a full shift and rip out the throats of his enemies.

"The pup needs protecting Danny and Lydia can do that we trust them."

Stiles felt a twinge at the idea of having to leave Isaac. He didn't like it but he knew it was necessary. The rest of the pack were still in danger. After all, several had their tests this afternoon. Stiles was lucky that his sitting was with Lydia and Danny last year. Lydia's mom had arranged it as a way to keep them all out of mischief.

In fact, Ms Martin did it every year. The testing guy was new this year. He was weird, like he didn't quite fit. Stiles never liked to judge a book by it's cover. He knew better than to underestimate potential enemies. Could the substitute teacher be the one who unleashed the virus? What was the purpose? What had he weaponized? It was something to go on at least.

Someone clicked their fingers in front of his eyes. He shook off his thoughts. "Sorry I was thinking."

Mab knew that look well enough. It reminded her of her husband. "Talk it through ... Explain it to us."

Stiles took a deep breath, "Okay so this is not a natural sickness someone has taken a virus and made it nasty. That means the infection is deliberate and the person is waiting to take advantage."

His Dad and Derek knew where he was going with this. Derek was the one to voice it, "You think they are at the school?"

Stiles nodded, eyes glittering dark with anger. "The external tests would make a perfect cover, don't you think."

Mab nodded, "Yes but with the bounties this big ... The little weapon maker will not be the only one."

John put his heads in his hands. The situation seemed to be getting more complicated every minute. There was no point dwelling on what was happening. They had to focus on actions to defend the pack and the town. "So we have the potential of multiple unknown killers all with multiple targets."

Mab looked to the Alpha couple, needing them to understand what she was saying. This was not a time for petty human ideals and morals. "They will continue unless you send a message that it is a bad idea to pick a fight with you."

John had a feeling that Mab's idea of a message was one bathed in blood. He didn't agree with it as a Sheriff but if it meant his son got to live in peace. He would learn to make peace with his conscience. In his mind there was nothing more important than Stiles.

Stiles knew what would be a good idea. "Nana would you like to go after the source. I like the way you and Grandpa send messages."

Derek was in total agreement. "Yes please. Stiles can go back to the school and I will hunt the others."

Mab looked like all her Christmases had come at once. "You give me the best gifts."

She popped back out of the ward. Lydia watched her go and snickered, "If it wasn't for the fact that they wanted to kill us. I would almost feel sorry for them."

Stiles snorted, "Nah they brought this shit on themselves. We need to let Chris know what is going on."

His Dad sighed, "Think he will accept a Deputy's badge to give him legitimacy for a few weeks?"

Derek thought about it as it was a good question, better yet it was a solid idea. Chris was a hunter with too many weapons. Yes, he had the job as a legitimate arms dealer but that didn't cover having to use them. "I'm sure Peter can persuade him if he doesn't see reason."

It didn't take long for Mab to meet up with her husband and for them to hatch a plan. He'd traced the money whilst she had gone to check on Stiles. Her husband looked bored, "It was too easy. The boy lashed out because his mommy got caught."

Mab rolled her eyes because at least Rosa had faced her death in the end with some dignity. "Has he used the Council?"

Edward smirked because this was the fun part. He'd been looking for an excuse to go after that pathetic body for a while. They'd been a few Fae harmed by that idiot hunters. The Hunters had not been targeting the Fae but they got caught in the crossfire. "Would you like to know the best part?"

Mab snickered, "Please tell me they are having a meeting?"

Edward grinned at his wife, sharing her amusement. "Oh but they are in New York ... I think we should gate crash!"

It was too good an opportunity to miss.

The Council meeting was occurring in a business office in Manhattan. The leaders of several hunting families were at this meeting. Their only guests was there trusted seconds. It was ironic. There were protections in place such as wolfsbane bullets. There were wards to protect against demonic energies and even Vampires. There was not one single iota of a defence to stop a Fae attack. Well, that was just stupid.

Mab would enjoy showing them the error in their ways. Edward was with her. "With a bang?"

Her husband snorted, "We wouldn't know any other way love."

Severo Calaveras was attending the Hunter's Council for the first time as the Head of the Family. It was definitely a different experience. He'd accepted the condolences of the other families for the passing of his mother. He was nervous. He couldn't explain it but he felt there was someone sinister watching him. It wasn't guilt for the hit list. He didn't regret it so why this feeling?

A gavel banged on a table. "Let us call this meeting to order."

It was Susan Van Wylder calling the meeting to order. The Van Wylders' were the ruling hunting family of New York. She was a fierce woman who didn't tolerate any rubbish. "What is the first point on the Agenda?"

Edward and Mab took that as their cue to reveal themselves. They allowed for some dramatics as they appeared with a crack of thunder, not trying to hide any of their power. "You can convince my husband and I of a good reason for why I shouldn't rip your skin from your bones."

Edward smirked with his teeth showing. Whilst he may not be a wolf every hunter felt like they were prey. They did not like the turnaround that was for damn sure.

Mab would give the leader something ... She didn't cower. "Who are you to interfere with this council?"

Brave but stupid.

"I'm Queen Mab of the Winter Court. I rule the Unseelie court alongside my husband. What is more pertinent is the fact that I want to destroy you all for what you have done to my grandson."

The hunters paled. All had heard the stories of the Fae. There was a rule between the hunters when it came to the Unseelie Fae. Don't tangle with them. After all, you could only call something a battle if both sides had an equal chance of winning.

Calaveras knew exactly what was going on. It was the Alpha's bitch. Hale's boy toy was a Fae! Of course right now he was keeping his mouth shut. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to himself.

Susan Van Wylder had to think quick. This could go bad, quick. She like the others had heard all about the tempers of the Fae. "I know of no action that could affect the Fae."

Mab snorted, "Well that just implies you are easy to dupe. It has no bearing on if it is true in reality."

A stupid man with more testosterone than sense jumped up to interupt, "Now hang on a minute."

Edward reacted before Mab. He motioned with his hands a zipping motion. As a result the upstart who thought he could interrupt now had zipped-up lips.

Mab snorted, as she adored her husband's style. "Who gave you leave to interrupt your betters?"

Van Wylder could see the big picture. It may be galling but the Hunters are not in control of the meeting any more. She bit out, "For Godsake no one speak unless I tell you too!"

The other Hunters and people in the room were so scared that they were only too happy to let someone else take charge. Edward relaxed, glad for no more potential rudeness. "Oh goodie." His glare didn't lessen as he looked around the table. He found himself wondering a loud. "So which one of you was stupid enough to offer a bounty against my grandson and his pack."

He could see the look of dawning realisation in their eyes. Mab took it a step further,

"Yes you were recently convinced to unleash a dead pool list in Beacon Hills. It was a mute point ... Rosa Calaveras died due to crimes against my family. I authorised the Wild Hunt. If anyone wishes to express their displeasure at me ..." Mab paused looking around the room, "Well you are welcome to take your best shot."

Edward smirked, "Now love, be fair. You should warn them what you did to the last hunter who hurt one of the family."

Mab grinned, fond of the memory. "It was one of his idiot cousins. They threatened to skin my niece Cora Hale. ... So now he is a rug in my hallway."

Every hunter was glaring at Severo starting to get a picture of what had happened. The Fae queen was right. Severo had duped them all and made them look stupid. That was bad enough but now they could end up dead. The runt had the temerity to use their money to get revenge. They had a code and this was unacceptable - Severo had broken faith with the council.

Severo looked around the table. If he was expecting support from anyone then it was not forthcoming. The glares he was receiving were glacial at best. He knew he was in a precarious position. Right now Severo was not sure who would like to take his chances with as both sides were pretty pissed with him.

Susan Van Wylder had a choice. There was a brotherhood of Hunters but there was a reality check. Severo Calaveras had angered the Fae Royal family. He'd angered them to the point they were looking for active retribution.

Susan had to check as she would never forgive herself otherwise. "Would you allow us to take care of the business in House?"

Mab and Edward shared a look debating if they were willing. The answer was a resounding NO. She shook her head, "You have a choice as a Council to make ... I can take Calaveras back to my realm and deal with him there. Or, I can take my displeasure out on every last hunter until I feel better about the situation."

Edward wanted to nip any hope in the bud. Humans could be a fickle bunch. "I should mention that my wife and I are not going to forget the threat against our heir anytime soon."

There was never a question in any of the hunter's minds. They also made sure to pass a resolution - the Hale pack and territories were off limits. If any hunter hunted there, then death would follow soon after.

Mab did kind of hope that they hadn't been so reasonable. Still she had a prisoner to play with to get over her displeasure. She hoped Stiles ran into less disappointments.