Chapter 24 - Redemption

Lilith:

“Bree hates me,” I whisper to Cain as I gather several gift bags laden with things I bought my granddaughter, Lisette. Bree gave birth last week to my granddaughter. I wanted to be there after her birth, but Fallon asked me not to, citing that Bree was very weak and needed time to adjust. However, I have seen pictures of the beautiful child.

I didn’t argue, but I knew it had to do with the fact that Bree hates me. Though Fallon and Lucifer have forgiven me, Lana and Bree still kept their distance once I was granted the throne in hell.

Cain arches a brow and kisses the top of my head, “These things take time, luv. However, I’m sure Fallon will appreciate you checking up on his mate and child while he’s out of town. Just go in and be your usual assertive self. Don’t let her push you away.”

I swallow hard before I straighten my spine and give him a confident nod, “Alright, I’m ready. Are you coming with me?”

He shakes his head, his blue eyes twinkling with reassurance, “I can’t, luv. I have Council business to take care of now that Lucifer and the others have left town. Just go. You’ll do great.”

I take a deep breath and kiss him back before I flash myself to Fallon’s house. For a moment, I reprimand myself for not remembering that it’s after eight in the evening in Arcata. I consider going back for a moment, but I quickly change my mind when I see that the lights in the house are on.

My breathing is erratic as I walk up to their front door and ring the bell. While I wait, I adjust my ponytail, white t-shirt, blue, fitted jeans and shift awkwardly in black all-stars. I tried to dress as comfortably as possible.

Bree opens the door a moment later, the baby gurgling happily in her arms. Her smile dims slightly when she sees me, and her eyes grow cold, “Lilith,” she states firmly, “What are you doing here?”

I lift the gift bags and manage to stutter, “I-I apologize for stopping in without notice, but I brought some gifts for the baby—Lisette.”

She gives the bags an appalled look. You’d think I was handing her a snake rather than a bag with teddy bears and onesies.

After a moment, she hesitantly steps back and reluctantly waves me in, “Um…yeah…come in.”

Giving her a tentative smile, I slip into the foyer and uncomfortably stand there until she closes the door.

Lisette releases a yawn at that moment, her eyes gazing into mine as soon as her mother shifts her for me to see.

It’s the first time that I’ve seen my granddaughter, and as soon as my eyes meet her similar ones, I fall in love. “She’s beautiful,” I mutter, my voice heavy with emotion.

Bree’s brow furrows as if she’s unsure how to proceed. I want to ask if I could hold the baby, but I hesitate. I don’t know if she wants me near her, and I fear she will boot me out of the house if I try.

Gazing around, I place the bags on the side of the foyer and carefully approach the duo. Bree stiffens but doesn’t move away when I glance down at the child and smile. As if sensing my emotional turmoil, Lisette raises her little fist toward me and smiles back.

A stray tear falls from my eye, and my eyes blur as I carefully touch her tiny fist, “You are perfect,” I whisper.

Bree seems to thaw slightly as she backs up and mutters exhaustedly, “How about you join us in the drawing-room? Lisette is about to have dinner.”

I nod and follow them into a comfortable living area with large sofas laden with fluffy pillows. Bree takes a seat and gestures to the cushion beside her, “You can sit down here.”

I nod and slowly take a seat, trying not to startle her or break the moment. Bree sighs with exhaustion and reaches for a bottle before she places it against her daughter’s bow lips.

Lisette instantly accepts the bottle and commences drinking.

For a moment, quiet reigns. I don’t know if it’s uncomfortable, but there’s a bit of tension in the air.

Bree exhales deeply before she gazes into my eyes, “Look, Lilith, Fallon told me that you made your peace, and I’m glad, but...” she gives me a cautious frown, “When we met…when we met, you were…horrible. You hurt Fallon and me, and it’s going to take me some time before I can trust you around my daughter.”

I nod, “I understand your hesitation, Bree. I know there’s a lot I have to repent for, and I accept that. I just want to tell you that I’m truly sorry for all I have done to you and Fallon. I was a monster, and for some reason, I’ve been given a second chance,” I rise from my chair, “I also understand why you won’t trust me around Lisette, but I also appreciate that you put some of your animosity aside long enough to at least let me get a glimpse of her. I’ll…I’ll go now,”

Before I can leave, loud thumps resound above us, and the door begins to rattle. Bree rises, her eyes open with alarm, “What’s going on?”

Stepping in front of her protectively, I search the room for a threat. Just then, the glass patio doors shatter, and a group of armed men rushes in. I try to flash us out of the room, but nothing happens.

One of the men aims his weapon at Bree, but I quickly push her down and cover her and the baby with my body. A shot hits my back, but I don’t let it stop me from kicking the coffee table across the floor, flipping the couch over Bree and the baby and attacking our intruders. Before one of the men can shoot, I grip the weapon's muzzle and tear it from his hand before I shoot him in the head.

A cry escapes my lips when another male stabs me in the stomach. Turning back, I kick his legs out from under him and shoot him. Lisette’s cries hit my ears, but I don’t let it distract me as I shoot the legs of another approaching male before I shoot another in the chest.

Once the men are down, I turn the couch over and help Bree up from the floor, “Are you alright?”

Bree’s face is pale when she nods and says, “I’m fine, but you’re bleeding.”

I look down at my wounds and hiss, but I don’t let them hinder me when I hear the sounds of more footsteps approaching above us.

Looking back, I see that the patio is clear and usher a trembling Bree through it, “Go!” I croak out, holding tightly to the wound on my side.

“Can’t you just flash us out?” she whispers, panicked.

I shake my head, “I can’t. They must have put some kind of dampening spell.”

Just as we move past the pool, gunshots ring around us. Once again, I find myself using my body as a shield. My thigh burns, and my head pounds, but I manage to push them into the foliage until we reach a private path.

Bree seems to sway with exhaustion as she clings to me, “Hold on!” I mutter encouragingly as I tightly hold her to me and maneuver us down the hill until we reach a densely forested area. The sounds of men’s voices and rushing feet behind us reach my ears, making me hasten our descent. Seeing that I need to hide Bree and my granddaughter, I find a fallen tree trunk and tuck them beneath it. “Stay here. I’ll lead them away,” I mutter through my harsh breaths.

“Are you out of your mind? You don’t have any powers, and you’re bleeding all over.” I shake my head and kiss the top of my granddaughter's ebony hair before I look at Fallon’s mate. “Keep her safe, Bree. I’ll come back once I’ve disposed of our unwanted guests.

Before Bree can argue further, I rush away and make as much sound as possible so the men will follow me. Thankfully, my plan works, and the males fall behind me. I look forward and pretend to call out to Bree, “Run! They’re right behind us!”

Once we’re a good distance away from the house, I turn and face the interlopers. They sneer as they surround me. Jaw tight, I close my eyes and call my power until whatever spell was dampening it breaks. Power rushes through me, extending my claws, sharpening my fangs and making my eyes turn the color of night.

My wounds instantly heal as I stretch my arms and open my eyes. The men gasp at my transformation and take a step back, but it’s too late. Using my power, I rush to the men and tear them to pieces until all that’s left are pieces of flesh and bones. I leave only one man struggling between my claws as I grip him by the neck and flash him to the dungeon inside my fortress before I send out a message to my lover, my son and Lucifer.

“A group of military men just attacked Fallon’s home. Bree and the baby are alright. I’m taking them to the fortress.”

As soon as I send the message, I flash myself to Bree and the baby to the fortress. Bree is in shock when she gazes into my eyes and throws her arms around me. “You saved us! You saved Lisette. Thank you.”

I give her a watery smile and almost choke when she hands me Lisette and whispers, “This is your grandmother, Lilith. She’s a hero.”

I kiss the top of Lisette’s downy head and smile. “Hello, my princess. I’m going to spoil you so much.”

From then on, Lisette and I became inseparable, and Bree and I made our peace. It was a terrific ending to a horrid night.