185
“Morning,” I said to Nova as I walked into the kitchen. It was two days later and I felt more at peace.
“You okay? You’re usually up a lot earlier,” she said with a smile as I kissed her cheek.
“Late night,” I said and sat down as she started making more coffee.
“Have you talked to Luca?” she asked me.
“He’ll be here at lunch time,” I said and she smiled even more. “Might take a few days to hand everything over.”
“We’re finally going home,” she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
“Listen …” I stopped talking as Nova gasped and I stood up as I saw her put down the newspaper on the counter, her hands shaking.
“He’s dead, I can’t believe it,” she said almost breathlessly.
“Who’s dead?” I asked her and grabbed the newspaper.
“International French businessman, Marshall Covington, found dead in his room in Illinois.”
I scanned through the article and it described how they found his body in his bed and his head in a nearby dumpster. Police had no leads, there had been no forced entry into his room, no fingerprints and no disturbances.
“We can breathe Ryder, he won’t be coming for her anymore,” Nova said with a smile and then looked guilty as it hit her that she was happy about his death.
“Don’t feel bad, he wasn’t a good person,” I said as I hugged her.
“I just feel kind of sorry for the person that killed him,” she said as I let go of her.
“Why?”
“The King will send his trackers to trace Marshall’s last breath, it sticks to you for life,” she said and I stared at her.
“What the fuck do you mean it sticks to you for life?” I asked her.
“It’s a fae thing Ryder, what does it matter anyway?” she asked.
I didn’t answer her but she must’ve seen the answer in my eyes because her hand flew to her mouth and she gasped audibly. “You didn’t,” she said with wide eyes.
“He was in Illinois and I saw my chance because enough time had passed,” I said to her and raked a hand through my hair.
“You need to run Ryder, today. Run and don’t stop running,” she said to me visibly afraid.
“I don’t run, ever.”
“They’ll execute you, you killed a royal prince, in his sleep!” she practically screamed.
That afternoon I stood by the front door as Luca pulled up in his truck and I smiled as I looked at my brother’ son. He looked like both his parents and I was a bit dismayed that Melissa hadn’t joined him.
“Uncle Ryder,” Luca said with a smile as we hugged.
“You look good kid,” I said as I released him from my embrace.
“Thank you for doing all this for me. Mom couldn’t be here, she hasn’t been herself since Dad died,” he said and I could see the pain in his eyes.
“I left a folder for you on your desk, names of all your enemies, business partners and people you can trust. Robert McDaniel was the man responsible for their deaths …”
“But he’s already dead right,” he said.
“We haven’t received any backlash for his death, but you never know what can happen in the future. I’d advise you to keep tabs on the McDaniel family,” I said.
“I have a friend that can do that,” he said.
“Welcome home Luca, tonight we’ll do the transfer ceremony,” I said.
“If you ever need anything, anything at all, call me please. I owe you so much,” Luca said.
“You don’t owe me anything,” I said. “There’s nothing on this earth that I wouldn’t have done for Chase.”
“Thank you Uncle Ry.”
“Luca!” Wynter and Milo said simultaneously as they barged through the front door.
“Holy shit, look at you two!” Luca said as they sized each other up.
“Look at yourself, Sire Luca,” Wynter said mockingly and bowed his head.
“Piss off Summer,” he said as they all hugged each other and I chuckled as I left them outside.
I headed up to the guest room where I’d had all our stuff moved so Luca could have the master room, as he should. Tonight I’d transfer the lair to him and we’d be free to go back to Georgia where Mary-Joe and Simon had kept looking after the farm.
“The ceremony is set for tonight, if you’re up for it, we can leave tomorrow,” I said to Nova.
“We need to talk about Marshall,” she said.
“I killed him Nova, there’s nothing else to talk about,” I said.
“They’ll find you,” she said.
“Then they find me, Wynter and Milo are grown up and you can handle the girls,” I said.
“Don’t joke about this Ryder, they will kill you!” she said angrily.
"I’d do it again Nova. I’d do anything to keep those girls safe, at least now Ally has options. She can live her life,” I said.
“A life without their father,” she said.
“But with their mother,” I said. “If anything happens, go back to Georgia, raise the girls without fear of one of them being taken.”
My phone started ringing then, bringing an end to our conversation. I wasn’t a runner and I wouldn’t run now, even if it meant that I’d die. I wasn’t regretful of my choices, I’d do it again. Nova wasn’t dragonkin, she would never understand how I thought.
“Grey,” I answered my phone.
“It’s Rev. I’m at The Drake …”
“Spit it out Rev, you only have a few more hours then all this shit lands in Luca’s lap,” I said.
“McDaniel’s wife and brother is here,” he said.
“I’m on my way.”
I left the room just as Nova opened her mouth to say something and took the stairs two at a time. I grabbed my keys and spun out of the driveway as I headed to The Drake. I stopped at the back within fifteen minutes and walked inside.
“This is Greg and Lucy McDaniel,” Rev said and they both turned around to look at me.
“Ryder Grey, what can I do for you?” I asked them.
“Can we speak somewhere private?” Greg asked me.
I nodded towards Rev and they all followed me upstairs to the private office. I ordered coffee for everyone and sat down on the wingback chair that faced the couches. Rev remained standing near the door.
“Speak, I don’t have much time,” I said.
“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. We’ve come to discuss my brother’s lair with you,” Greg said as he looked me in the eye.
“What about his lair?”
“There are decisions to be made and you haven’t yet claimed Robert’s territory,” Greg said.
“All we’re asking for is safe exile for the Sire family, no more people have to die,” Lucy said softly.
“It’s been two years, why come to see me now? Why not just run?” I asked them.
“We’ve been in mourning, keeping the lair members calm and preparing everything for take over,” Greg said.
“It wasn’t a claim fight, Robert’s heir is next in line and if he’s not of age yet then you are the new Sire,” I said to Greg.
“What?”
“I’m not taking over his territory, never planned on it,” I said.
“You mean, it’s ours?” Lucy asked me.
“My battle’s not with you. He killed my brother and my parents and I killed him, I’d say we’re even.”
“What’s the catch?” Greg asked.
“No catch. I’m not interested in your territory, my vengeance was served, although, if any McDaniel member breaches our borders without permission, well then, blood will be spilled. The same will of course count for any thoughts of retribution. I could’ve had your whole lair disbanded, but that’s not how we do things. You’re free to leave and carry on with your lives and take your Sire’s death as a warning not to cross the Grey family,” I said as my eyes flashed yellow.
“Of course Sire. Thank you,” Lucy said.
“Rev will show you out,” I said and walked to the desk in the office.
Five hours later the top floor of The Drake had been filled with the Grey lair members and I stood on the raised dais with Luca and Rev. He reminded me of Chase so much that it hurt as I looked at him dressed in a suit and positivity emanated from him.
“Members of the Grey lair, tonight we celebrate the return of your rightful Sire, Luca Grey,” I said and applause echoed through the room.
“Luca Grey, do you swear to be an honorable Sire, to protect your lair and be a father to all of your people? Do you swear to rule with a steady heart and a swift fist, to conquer your enemies and to nurture those that follow you? Do you swear loyalty to them as they swear loyalty to you?” Elder Ryan asked him.
“I do Elder,” Luca said.
One by one the members of the lair took a knee with a fist over their heart as they accepted Luca Grey as their Sire. They swore loyalty to him and to the lair. Luca smiled as he watched the members accept him.
The three Elders took out two vials and handed Luca a knife. He cut his hand open and let his blood drip into the golden goblet. They mixed the vials with his blood and with cheers ringing out around us, he drained it.
Luca’s eyes flashed yellow and the male members returned his call by their own flashing eyes as he took over the reins from me and became their Sire. “Let your head and heart rule in equal parts,” I said to him.
“Thank you Uncle Ryder, for everything you’ve done for me. This lair will always stand behind you,” Luca said.
“You call me anytime you need to. I’ll be here,” I said to him as we hugged.
“Grey lair! Let’s celebrate our future successes!” Luca said loudly and the lair started mingling and celebrating together. Luca would do just fine. I had no doubts about that. He was, after all, a Grey.
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