Married to Darkness- Chapter 25

Theo paced around the tiny holding cell that he knew far too well for his liking. When Parrish brought him in earlier in cuffs, the deputy searched him and confiscated his cell, keys, and wallet but missed the tiny slip of paper that rubbed against the inside of his arm in the cuff of his sleeve. He glared at the camera, with the tiny little red light, and yelled, "Don't I get a phone call? Or are you just going to hold me here forever?"

After a moment of silence, he yelled again, "What are you waiting for Stilinski? Isn't this the moment you were waiting for?"

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, he heard a familiar set of tapping on the floor with a footfall he couldn't mistake. Another deputy opened the door to the holding area and Gran stepped through the imposing metal door. Theo sighed and rolled his eyes as she shuffled towards the bars. With frustration straining his voice, he asked, "What are you doing here Gran?"

She clicked her false teeth before she gently smiled and answered, "Why Theodore, I am here as your attorney."

The chimera ran his fingers through his hair in frustration as he walked away from the bars and faced the interior wall, "After everything you just want to waltz in here as if nothing happened?"

Gran looked towards the deputy standing watch by the door, "Officer, I would like a few moments with my client, so either step out and turn off your surveillance or escort us to a private room."

The deputy droned, "Mr. Raeken is staying in this cell, Sheriff's orders."

Gran's face shifted from grandmotherly concern to harsh coldness as she replied, "Then I suggest you step outside and turn off the audio. And If I hear one iota of my conversation with my client then I will destroy you DA's fragile case on the grounds of attorney/client privilege, do I make myself clear?"

The deputy sighed and nodded as he stepped out. Gran looked to the camera and after a few minutes, watched the lights to it and the microphone go out. She looked back to Theo, "Theodore, I'm not just here as your attorney."

The chimera shot back with anger in his voice, "I had a feeling it wasn't just because you wanted to help. Why are you here?"

Gran gently smiled as she asked, "Can you at least turn around and look at me?"

Theo whipped his body around and glared into the old woman's face. His cold, grey eyes cut into her as he venomously replied, "Happy, Gran? What do you want?"

Gran took a deep breath and stated, "They are holding you here because of the hunter, a man killed days before you were found over his body. Their case against you for that is flimsy at best since his van was found with your truck there. Unless they plan on arguing that you drove him, in his van, after you killed him to the diner and placed his body there and then walked back to school to retrieve your truck and drive back, all during a school day when you work at the school. No, that will easily be dealt with. I can have you released almost as soon as I step outside of that door."

Theo smirked, "Then why haven't you? You are my attorney."

Gran nodded and spoke softly, "I needed a chance to speak with you first. Monroe has Erik. I know it and not just because it is likely, but she sent me a message."

Theo's anger softened as he asked, "How do you know that she hasn't killed him yet?"

Gran smiled and matter-of-factly stated as she tapped her cane, "This does more than control him. I can feel the thrum of his heartbeat and get a general feeling of his emotions. Up until today he was scared but unharmed. Things changed earlier, not long after I received her message."

The chimera assessed the old woman as he asked, "What was her message?"

She answered, "Monroe wants me to turn over your pack. I set up a meeting with her and she agreed. She wants to take out the forces that have killed her hunters and stopped their plan."

Theo laughed sarcastically, "Then she should know that you are the one killing her people."

Gran's smile twisted into a bitter grin, "I think she knows that."

Theo quickly replied, "Then you know that she is going to kill you."

Gran answered equally as quick, "Which is where you come into play, Theodore. I want you to accompany me for the meeting."

Theo furrowed his brow as his hackles rose, "Why? To save your life so you can continue your rampage?"

Gran shook her head and looked away from the chimera, "No. You were right in what you tried to point out to me so long ago, that my quest for revenge could cost me Erik."

Theo shook his head slowly and stated, "I don't understand. She's trying to kill you."

Gran shrugged, a bit of sadness melted with her words, "You can smell it. I'm dying and even faster than I originally thought. So, what if she's trying to kill me! Time and illness have beat her there. I want you to go with me and save my grandson. I know she is going to try to kill me and if I can buy you enough time then he stands a chance at living. But that's where the real favor comes in."

He asked, "The real favor?"

Gran looked back to Theo and met his eyes. Her face was devoid of any masks and lies as she asked, "When you save him, take him into your pack. When I die, he'll have no one. I can't bear the thought of him being alone in this world."

The chimera read her genuine concern and solemnly asked, "You want me to take care of your grandson, to bring him into Liam's pack? I'm not even the alpha. I'm not even a real wolf."

Gran smiled softly, "It has to be you, Theodore. You are more of the real alpha wolf than you think. So, do we have a deal?"

Theo smugly grinned, "My freedom to save your grandson and finally hit Monroe where it hurts? I think I can agree to those terms."

Gran nodded, "Thank you, Theodore. You really are the kind, sweet, young man I thought you were."

Nolan held Alia's hand in the vet clinic. The girl was still unconscious, but she was breathing normally, and Deaton checked her vitals before he left the clinic for the evening. Liam, Corey, and Mason went back to school to meet up with Theo and tell him what they found out. The nervous teen thought about how much they must trust him now, to be left at the clinic with a spark that works for the hunters, alone. He rubbed her hand lightly as she slowly stirred.

His face twisted with concern and worry as her eyes began to flicker open. His eyes were welled with tears by the time Alia's flickered open and met his. She gasped as she reached across towards his face, gazing at him with concern, as she croaked, "You're worried. About me?"

Nolan hiccupped out a laugh which caused a tear from both eyes to break free and streak down his face as he said, "Of course I am. I thought we might finally be able to talk about everything, get it all out in the open and then you started screaming and collapsed. Then you started fading in and out of existence like you were just skipping death and becoming a ghost. I was worried- we were worried about you."

Alia struggled to clear her throat before she responded, "How? Erik's insurance."

Nolan weakly smiled, one torn between happiness and dread, "Deaton. Doctor Deaton broke the spell. But why? Why were you risking your life for him?"

Alia's face creased with pain as she struggled to formulate the answer, "I had to help them capture him. I owed him. He's so innocent."

Nolan squeezed her hand as he argued back, "And you aren't? He's an alpha and if they want information from him, they won't kill him. They will kill you just to get what they want."

She took a deep breath and replied, "I know they will. My Uncle said the same thing. I'm not innocent, Noley, I must follow whatever my Uncle says, and he works for Monroe. I don't have a choice but even if I did, my family must come first. I'm sorry."

Nolan tilted his head slightly, "But, Alia, we can help you and your Uncle. You don't have to live in fear. And why are you apologizing?"

She softly smiled as she caressed his hand and looked into his blue eyes. Her eyes glowed silver as she whispered, "Sleep."

All the stress left the teen's face before he slumped forward, on top of Alia. She shifted on the table and pulled him up to take her place. He quietly snoozed as she walked to the back door and pulled out her phone. She whispered, "Once we finish this job, I won't have to do that again." She placed a call as she opened the back door and walked out.

After several minutes asleep, Nolan slowly sat upright. He looked around curiously before he eyed the metal cabinet in the back of the clinic. His eyes clouded with the darkest black as he threw his feet off the side of the table and walked to the cabinet.

He threw open the doors and skimmed the titles within, as if he knew the texts that were there. He pulled two books from the shelves and closed the cabinet.

His face wore a neutral expression as he walked out of the clinic back door.

Theo drove his truck in the direction of the address that Gran gave him. The roads were dark, and his headlights blazed down the almost deserted streets. He glanced at the woman in the passenger seat and stated, "We need to wait for Liam and the rest of the pack."

Gran shook her head and argued, "We cannot. I know you've messaged them with the address and they can meet us there, but time is of the essence Theodore."

The chimera nodded as he began to make out the compound, "How do you want to handle this Gran?"

Gran clicked her dentures two times as she mulled over the question and answered, "I want you to park outside the compound and I will approach her for the meeting. While I am doing that, I want you to free Erik and then take him to safety."

Theo asked with a hint of concern, "What about you? Shouldn't we find and bring you back after Erik is safe?"

Gran shook her head, "Theodore, I wouldn't want you to waste your time or risk Erik. There is no way Monroe will let me live."

The chimera acknowledged her response as he parked the truck near the compound.

Liam sat in the backseat of Mason's car as they drove towards the school. The sun was beginning to set as the alpha stated, "We've got to find Erik. Those hunters can't get away with torturing him."

Mason glanced back in the mirror as he replied, "We don't know where to look but Theo should have an idea right?"

Corey laughed lightly as he acknowledged, "Yeah, as long as he isn't pissed at us for missing practice. You know Finstock was angry. At least we'll find out soon."

Mason asked warily, "What are we going to do about Alia? We know she's a powerful spark and that she is connected to the hunters."

Corey looked to his boyfriend as he commented, "Do we know how she is connected? Yes, Sophie Marie got her to acknowledge that, but it doesn't mean that she's a diehard follower or anything."

Mason argued, "But that doesn't exactly make her safe. What if following us is one of her jobs? She could be spying and sending information back."

Liam responded before Corey could answer, "I don't think that's the case. If she were supplying information, then Monroe would've moved against us."

The chimera looked to his alpha, "That's true. Monroe isn't exactly the one to play such an indirect game, especially with how her plans have been thwarted lately."

Mason shook his head and continued, "I disagree. She could still be feeding information."

Liam nervously rubbed the back of his head as he began, "I don't mean to be a dick Mase, but that's kind of impossible. What information does Alia know about us, and by us, I mean you, me, Corey, and Theo. Let's leave Nolan out of the equation since he wouldn't be their target unless it was to hurt him for defecting."

Mason fumbled on the argument, "Maybe meet up times and locations."

Corey continued Liam's point, "But what does she actually know? That we eat lunch in the cafeteria, that we go to Sinema and Theo dances there. That we practice before and after school with Theo as the assistant coach. It's all kind of easy to acquire information for the hunters. It certainly wouldn't need a mole sent to join us. I think she is being used for an entirely different reason."

Mason took a breath and commented, "You think it has to do with her abilities?"

Liam nodded and smiled from the backseat, "Mase, I think that's why she is here. Which probably means it has to do with her Uncle's job."

Corey continued, "And if I had to guess, he's the spark that needs that power to complete a ritual."

Mason took a moment to let the discussion sink in before he light-heartedly laughed, "Alright, when you frame it that way, it makes sense." His tone shifted more seriously as he continued, "And since you both figured it out before I did, no more complaints when we all have to work the research side of a problem."

Corey beamed a smile while Liam growled and responded, "Come on Mase, it's just this once."

The teen pulled into the parking lot and parked the car. As they stepped out of the sedan, Liam's phone notification went off. The wolf pulled out his phone and read it. He gasped and told the pack, "Theo is with Gran going to meet Monroe. He says they are going to need our help. He even sent the address."

The three darted back to the car and Mason plugged the address in and stated, "We've going to the party late. Any plans?"

As Mason started the car and drove, Liam stated, "I'm will charge in first while you two sneak in and find Erik. Monroe is probably going to make a show of her talk with Gran, so we can expect an ambush there. Hopefully it pulls enough attention away from Erik to save him."

Corey smiled as he responded, "That sounds like a sound plan, alpha."

Parrish stood in the Sheriff's office just after Theo and Gran walked out of the front door of the station. The hellhound grumbled, "How is he walking free? He was standing over the body. Severo was killed the same way as the other hunters. I thought we had him this time."

Stilinski shook his head, "I don't know Parrish. It was a good attempt to question him since his whereabouts are suspicious but ultimately it would be a stretch to charge him with the killing so far.

The deputy crossed his arms and turned away disappointed, "I know he's up to something Sheriff. If I look through the files, I am sure to find something."

Sheriff Stilinski stood up and acknowledged the deputy as he walked around the desk, "I get the frustration Parrish, but don't lose sight on everything we are facing." His demeanor lightened, and he put a hand on the hellhound's shoulder, "Now, I'm going to the diner off Main street. I could really go for a nice cheeseburger and curly fries; do you want me to pick up something for you?"

Parrish looked to the Sheriff and lightly shook his head, "I'm good Sheriff. I'll stick around and look over these files."

Sheriff Stilinski nodded and replied as he opened his door, "Don't work too hard Parrish. I'm going to finish up my paperwork sometime after dinner so if you are still here, we can discuss anything you find."

The deputy smiled as he walked out of the Sheriff's office with Stilinski, "That sounds good. No need to rush back." The deputy motioned to the large stack of files on his desk just from the murdered hunters, "I've got quite a few to comb over before you get back."

Sheriff Stilinski laughed and slapped the deputy on the back as he walked towards the door, "I admire your dedication Jordan, even if those files are going to be the death of you."

Parrish laughed at the joke and waved to the Sheriff as he walked out of the building.

The deputy made it through a quarter of the files before he noticed that the sun had set, and the change over had happened for the night shift. He yawned as he stared at the picture of the first murder and Severo's. He looked to the claw marks and noticed that the spread was off and the size of the claws themselves were different, not noticeable so at first but after looking at them for a while they seemed different.

Eagerly, he opened the bottom drawer of his desk and searched. He retrieved a larger, conical, inspection magnifying glass. He ran it over the first picture and then compared it to the second. His eyes widened as he leaned back with the glass still on Severo's picture. He mumbled, "They are different sizes."

The deputy anxiously flipped through the case files and pulled the autopsy report from the hunter killed in the park. He read the size and depth of the claw marks, making sure to grab a highlighter and mark over that information. As he torn through Severo's file, he couldn't find the autopsy. He looked around the empty bullpen and yelled out, "Gonzalez? Is the Severo autopsy complete?"

He heard the desk sergeant reply, "Yes, Parrish. Is it not with his file?"

Parrish replied, "No. Do we have anyone still working in filing?"

She replied, "Karen went home already. Do you want me to see if I can get the ME to fax or email a copy over?"

Parrish enthusiastically replied, "Yes, please. Thank you, Gonzalez."

She laughed as she replied, "No problem Jordan. You owe me one for this though."

The deputy laughed as he opened the next file and pulled out the pictures, "How about I share the credit when I crack the case on these murders."

She laughed lightly to his comment as he checked the victims. He methodically went through ten separate pictures and autopsies and found multiple discrepancies. He found that there had to be at least two different murderers because of the claw size. He also noticed the most recent kills were all done by claws and the assailant only used his right hand.

He pulled up his computer email and saw that the file wasn't present. He shouted out, "Gonzalez, any luck with the ME?"

After a few moments of silence, the deputy called out again, "Gonzalez, are you there?"

Parrish slowly stood up and looked around the bullpen. He hadn't thought of it before, but he was the only deputy, besides the two working the desk, that wasn't out on patrol. He walked towards the radio room, which had one of the main entryways, and saw that the chair was empty. He stepped over to the main radio and looked around. He glanced to the security cameras and didn't see either Gonzalez or Myers. He called out, "Gonzalez? Myers? Where are you?"

He looked around cautiously after hearing no reply. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge and a pit formed in his stomach. He slowly took a step as the fax machine roared to life and began printing a document. He almost fell over but caught himself from his brief jump while attempting to walk.

He turned his back to the door as he walked to the fax machine and saw that his documents were printing off. A triumphant smile crossed his face as he read the section on the claws and saw the same discrepancies. He whispered, "I've got them." He barely had time to register the presence behind him as he turned around.

His eyes locked with a pair of purple tinted eyes as he felt claws tear into his stomach. The figure leaned forward as the claws torn their way up and he could feel the thing's fingers graze his heart. The deputy started to lose strength and his vision began to fade before he felt the fire surge through him. His eyes brightly reflected off the man's purple eyes as he pushed against him. He roared and fire engulfed both of them.

The man replied, "I've got you now, hellhound." The fire surrounded the figure and burned away his clothes but seemed to not touch his skin as the purple shifted and Jordan could see the flames burning in the man's eyes.

He gasped a "How?" before he felt the pressure of the man's fingers tighten around his heart.

The man responded, "Goodnight, Deputy", as Parrish felt his last heart beat crushed within the palm.