Chapter 306

Logan handed the object to one of the men and while they set up, he teleported to stand right in front of Mrs. Simeon, taking hold of her chin between his thumb and fingers, ignoring the wince and holding her face in place, as a light beamed from the object he handed off. “He didn’t do it? That’s what you all think? He wouldn’t hurt a child?” he sneered, his voice cold, the murmuring continued and I watched with awe as Rainy glanced at the screen, before going turning her attention to Brian Simeon, face void but her eyes, black, choleric. Mr. Simeon began shouting, “Don’t speak unless I tell you,” I snapped at him his jaw clenched shut against his will, he stared at me bug eyed. And from the light, a picture formed against the white screen, a younger looking Brian, a room – dirty walls, four post bed with a young child – Rainy, “Ohhh god,” Hope wailed, her body sinking in on itself, fat tears flowing, sobbing down to her knees as the man she idolized, loved with all she was, approached the small child, rocking herself. Five minutes later no one was watching that screen, growls were everywhere, thoughts raging, wanting to rip Brian Simeon to pieces. Hearts breaking, respect building for Rainy as she stared him down, she was shaking, vibrating, Chris holding her hand, “Daddy?” Hope cried shaking her head back and forth, shouldering rising and falling quickly, her cries nothing on Rainy’s in that video. The only one still watching was Jasmine, she sagged almost going down to her knees, but Logan held her up, keeping her face on it until he just let her fall to her emotions on the ground, and the video shut off. I tuned out thoughts, knowing Gabriel had it covered and focused on this animal in front of me, his face absent of all emotions, tears rolling down his face, shouldn’t have seen me like that – how – wasn’t supposed to – how many others, he thought biliously. On and on – not once – not a single thought of regret of his actions, just getting caught, anger that he had been lied to by Seth – Rainy’s captor. Shane glanced at his father darkly, turning away, scooping his sister in his arms, carrying her crying form away in the direction Andre had gone, “Why? How long? Our kids?” Mrs. Simeon asked brokenly, “Answer her, you can speak now, truthfully!” I commanded him. With total audacity, “I would never hurt our children Jasmine, never,” he swore actually meaning it, “Why Brian? Wasn’t I enough?” “No you weren’t – you never were Jasmine,” her eyes widened, face went ashen, going to her bum, using her feet to push away from him, and her eyes flew over to Rainy. “Chelsea I need to take Fabian to work on this,” he pointed to the ankle with his chin, “inside,” Marlon said dryly, I nodded he and Leland lifting the boy. Jasmine scrabbled to her feet, “I’m going with,” she followed without a look back. Chelsea what are you going to do with him? Gabriel asked me, I looked out at the faces of the people on this island, well the ones over eighteen. Making my mind up instantly, I turn to face Brian. “Anything you want to say to him Rainy?” “You didn’t break me,” she said to him, her voice strong, unwavering, “Make sure his death is painful,” she took one last look at him before turning around, walking away numbly, not here – don’t let him see you cry – inside – get inside, she thought walking with her head up. My heart ached; movement was fluid like I was the owner of this gift for years and not just weeks. Blasting flame at him, his shirt and clothes burning against skin, smoke. Throwing his body around, shouting as he was engulfed in flames I watched, as the fire moved to his legs, before projecting towards him, throwing his burning body still screaming into the salty ocean water, the water burning his open flesh. “Lux take him from the water and place him where he was, and until he dies I want someone throwing salt water on his wounds,” I turned to face the shocked faces, the people that would either be loyal to me or against me. I stood with my back straight, “If anyone here puts him out of his misery out of pity, your life will be taken. I didn’t want to meet all of you this way, but I wanted you all to see just who I was, and how I protect those I care for. I don’t know any of you and I’m not sure as to why the Elders wanted you all dead, but from now on, that ship has sailed, tomorrow you will all go to the hotel area, and you will meet with Remington. One by one, you’re each going to tell her the true reason you were targeted by the Elders. Many of you probably think I’m not worthy of your trust, or your loyalty but for those that think that you can go fuck yourselves. You have to earn my trust. You all need me. Not the other way around. Your family on the outside – they need me, everyone I care for is on this island and I don’t mind saying that because if anyone so much as touches one hair on them, I will end your life.” I paused making sure this was all being digested. “There is a war coming and if I’m going to be fighting for us, for our loved ones to be free and safe you’re either loyal to me or you’re against me. And those against me are going to die just earlier here on this island. I’m not telling you to be loyal, I want that choice to be yours but you need to remember what your priorities are.” “You see that monster? He isn’t the enemy because he’s human and we are shifters, vampires aren’t our enemies because they aren’t shifters. My enemies are the people that want to treat us as though we are lesser than we are.  That wants to take away our rights and use us as they see fit. The people that hurt mercilessly, that think we are to be used as guinea pigs in experiments, or used to build armies to save humans. Those are my enemies, those are the people I’m fighting, and while you all are fighting me, questioning me? You’re not even on my radar and because you aren’t I will be killing first, asking questions later.” “I will say one last thing, and that is I’m willing to fight for each and everyone of you, making sure that none of you suffer, that your family is safe, I’m not fighting for power or making decisions lightly so remember that when you decide whether you’re with me or against me,” I finished taking Gabriel’s hand in mine and heading to the house.