**Vincent’s POV**
Bael pisses me off perhaps more than my brother and Sam combined. Eric went back to help Morgan get Rick and Kia to my house. It has to be my house because it is protected by sacred magic. When I had it built, I had various different practitioners of magic bless and enchant it so that even a powerful witch like Raven couldn't find it. She was only scouring the town below and the surrounding area, but Morgan found it. However, it was because she was tracking Eva. I never anticipated a goddess to grace my home let alone my life. I won't let her down now. I will find Derek, but what if Vlad or I must either turn him or bind him as Vlad did Brandon? Could Eva live with either Vlad or me having to make that choice without consulting her? I hope that she can, but I also hope that it doesn't come to that.
Vlad says, “I don't like not being able to see what we might walk into.”
“I don't either. Eva should have killed Dalton when he challenged her.”
“Wait, he challenged for Alpha and they let him live?” Brandon asks.
I sigh. “Fucking wolves! Eva could have killed him or banished him to another realm but she didn't. However, Dalton does know some of her powers.”
“Does he suspect that she's a goddess?” he inquires.
“No, but he does think that she's The White Wolf returned.”
Brandon sighs, “That has to be why they want Eva now. Raven needs Sam's soul because he has enough of The White Wolf in him to make Raven eternal or so she thinks.”
“When in reality it is my wife that she needs.” Brandon raised his eyebrow. I glared at him. “I said what I said. She will be my wife.”
Brandon shrugs, “You better hope that she doesn't hear you say it like that because she might just kill you.”
“Good thing that she can't.”
“We are close,” Vlad says.
“Yeah, the hairs changed colors and have grown very hot.” We made ourselves invisible and masked our energies enough to make us appear as wildlife. It was a bit difficult to do the illusion on Brandon. Perhaps I should have had Vlad do it since they were bound, but time is of the essence. As we were approaching a dilapidated warehouse, I got this odd feeling that something happened back home. It wasn't a bad feeling but one of transformation. Something has changed. My brother looked at me and I knew that he sensed the same.
After we surveyed the warehouse, we concluded that Raven and Astaroth were not there. They likely had to acquire more souls to gain energy because in order for Astaroth to inhabit a body, he would need fuel. Raven might too unless she consumed enough before she met with Dalton, but based on the fact she is not here it tells me A, she needs to refuel, or B, Astaroth doesn't trust her. I am betting on B because demons trust no one. I chuckle to myself, no one but Eva. I communicate telepathically to my brother and Brandon. I tell them that we will appear with Brandon but we will be in the guise of Sam and Eva. I want to fuck with Dalton before I kill him.
Once we were all ready we ported to the door and dropped our cover. To the guards who we just ambushed, we will appear as Brandon, Eva, and Sam. Vlad and I gave Brandon the hairs hoping it could serve as extra protection. We are also using some of our powers to try and prevent any injury, especially death. If something happens to him or Derek Eva might never forgive me and I think that I won't be able to forgive myself either. Does Brandon having feelings for the woman who will be my wife and is the mother of my son bother me? Yes, but she is amazing so I can't fault him. I wanted her before I knew that she was my mate.
We made quick work of beheading the guards. They won't be returning to this life. We heard some radios crackle as Dalton's voice bellowed for an update. Vlad mimicked one of the dead guard's voices and told him it was a damn raccoon. Vlad shrugs. Methodically, we made our way to where Dalton is. Vlad busted down the door.
“Sam! Fuck! I can explain!” Dalton yells in a feeble attempt to save his ass. Vlad only growled in response. I noticed Dalton attempting to use his mindlink to call for backup. Appearing as Eva, I had a lightning bolt strike him. It won't kill him but the current will prevent his mindlink from working.
Dalton puts his hands up, “Don't I can explain.”
“Enough!” I yelled as we dropped our disguises which frightened Dalton even more. Good, good little puppy piss yourself before you die!
However, I was so preoccupied with my vengeance that I didn't notice a witch hurtle a dagger at Derek. Vlad intercepted the witch, but the blade flew towards its target. Dalton jumped me and I fought him. When I had him incapacitated, I saw blood flow from Brandon's chest.
He saved Derek but mortally wounded himself. “Fuck! Vlad get something from Dalton and that witch before you extinguish their soul.”
“Gladly,” he replied with a smirk. Derek was unconscious as Brandon was barely clinging to his.
“Your debt to my brother is complete. You bled to save a piece of Eva. For an ethic is not an ethic, and value not a value, without some sacrifice to it. Something given up, something not taken,
something not gained. We do it in exchange for the greater good, for something worth more than just money and power and position. You sacrificed out of love and I won't be selfish and allow it to go unrewarded.” I did the only thing that I could do. I gave him nearly half of my blood.
A larger portion of the night was drenched in blood but we did what we had to do but not without suffering some unforeseen consequences. I hope that Eva can glean information about what we are returning with and also not torture me for what happened to Brandon.
“She will have to accept it,” Brandon says.
“I recall you warning me about my tone.”
“Shit happens,” he retorts.
I glare at Vlad. “You binding him likely caused this!”
Derek rubs his head, “Can someone explain how you all got here?”
“You are safe now and Eva can tell you everything when we get home.”
“Home?” he asks as the other guys stare at me.
“My home which will be yours until Eva says otherwise.”