Chapter 180
Beau
Within Bri lay the power of the moon, pure and clean and good. Their cruelty had created something far darker and more sinister within her. They didn’t anticipate how that darkness would protect the light. How Bri’s mind would find a way to survive everything they put her through, and how the mysterious girl would fuel the light with hope.
Andrew smirked as the crowd gasped in awe. He bowed low.
“I, Andrew Carlson, offer you my allegiance and my loyalty. I bid for your place as high priestess of the North American Council of Witches. I am a son of both the eastern house and the western, may they see the strength you have borne in your oppression, and the vengeance I know you will cast as a testament to the tides of change. ”
He stood and his eyes locked on Sug’s, she held that stare. “Brianna has shown me the world of witches her father sought to join together. I for one share that dream, that all sects of our kind and humans can preside alongside each other in a natural harmony. Lorraine's vision of the future is asinine. We may be gifted, but we are not gods. At least we should put the proper authorities in power, the ones who cannot be afflicted. Silas often put Bri through tests and she passed everyone. It was only because she was faking it, that he thought he prevailed in testing her strength. It's obvious now how well she hid it. She also has a kind heart and protects the ones who have earned her love. She should have left years ago, she tried twice before, and Lorraine almost succeeded in killing her the last time… I don’t want to imagine how that felt. Being bitten by rattlesnakes. Just knowing they were under the same roof gave me nightmares. I can’t imagine what pain Brianna endured alone, in the entresol.”
“When they finally dragged her up you couldn’t tell how long she had been under there and I for one, had tried not to monitor her movements like the rest. She was covered in vomit, as well as her own filth. She glared at them all, though she couldn’t even stand. They dumped her in a shower and left her there. I was a coward and too afraid to intervene. If they could do that to her, what would they do to me?” He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and looked out at the crowd.
“But when I saw her forcing herself to go to school the next day I knew, this little bird had a soul that refused to be stomped on. It thrives on the wrath of the turmoil she has borne with the injustice bestowed upon her. Her heart still beats for what is good and right in the world. I will follow her through the depths of hell if she asks me. If only because I owe her for my silence and my cowardice. We should have been allies, not enemies.” he stood his hands clasped before him now expecting the worst.
“Get behind me or beside me” Would he stand up to his word? He simply nodded and solemnly exited the dais. Strode down the short set of steps and took the place at my left a few steps away from me.
“I promise not to try to kiss you again,” he whispered. Collectively Bri, Wyatt, and my gaze gave him a chilling glare. Wyatt snarled and Bri placed a hand on his chest, “You can decide if he is worth eating later,” Bri murmured. My wolf insisted I hang back waiting for Bri’s words.
“At the time I did what was necessary, these assholes,” he said looking up before him “Had me and mine as captives.” His eyes resting on Trent, he seemed hopeful and resigned.
“They will pay,” Brianna promised. “Trent, take your place, you did as I asked and your testament would only be more of the same,” she commanded. The boy glanced once at those around him before descending the stairs and joining his lover.
“I for one never wanted anything more than for them to pay when I knew the truth.” He mumbled while linking hands with Andrew and both young men visibly relaxed. I found myself snapped back into Sug’s orbit. I clasped her forearm as did Wyatt as she stared down the three remaining.
“Draven,” her face was a cold facade, as she looked at him. “You were friends with Lorraine before she murdered my father. Did you help her?” Silence.
“Speak, and know I have someone present who can read your intentions, so don’t bother lying to me.”
“It was Lorraine’s idea, all of it was, I just helped her carry it out.” he stammered.
“Not so confident now are you Dean? When you can't press a cowering girl into the corner and have your way with her? Tell me, was it you?” Draven glanced out at the crowd and resigned to his answer.
“That was the deal, I helped her off him, and I got to share you with the others. But you were more than any of us bargained for,” he said, glancing at Beckham’s cold form prone on the dias. “So I punished you the only way I could in the meantime for being the little slut cunt you were. All you had to do was stick around and lay there and take it when the time came. But you always fought and insisted on going against us anyway you could. Then you tried leaving and I attempted to break you the only way I could without affecting what was to be done. You were so good at faking it, I really thought we had you for a while. Then you left, and I knew we were dealing with exactly what we had hoped for. I should have insisted we just take you from the get-go. I see now we never would have had a chance once you came of age.” My skin bristled with the urge to shift. Brianna had this, but the outrage and need to defend her for all the sickening things that went on under this roof by his hands.