Chapter 96

Chapter 96
Mae PoV

Mihai was waiting outside, just like me and Dren knew he would be. He thought he’d cornered me, he thought I’d cave when I realised, he wasn’t going to let me go alone. But I already knew he would try this, we both did.

He smiles that deadly smirk I know all too well, but I don’t flinch. Dren follows me out the door and into the late afternoon air, holding the small devices that we’d conceal. That I’d conceal.

Mihai didn’t know what was coming, he wants to come with me, but if the council see him, we are all dead. I needed a way to bring him with me without being noticed. The devices my brother brought will let us do exactly that.

I hold up my hand before Mihai can speak, “Before you start, I have something to say.” I step forward, pointing to the earpieces in my brother’s hands. “WE know you are coming, but you can’t be seen, so we brought these for us to try.”

Mihai frowns, his whole demeanour changing. “What are they?” he asks.

“You’ll have one, I’ll have one and so will Luthor. It’ll connect us all together and you’ll be able to hear everything that happens with the council.” I say, straightening my spine, “I know you want to keep me safe, but I need to do this. You know that as much as i do.”

“You think you can broker peace, but they won’t just let us go, not after everything we’ve done.” Mihai says, and for a moment, I don’t think he’ll let me do this, but then he sighs and shakes his head. “I must be crazy, but I know you can do this. Even if we don’t get peace, it’ll put us in a better position to know what we are up against.”

I smile, running and jumping into his arms, “thank you.” I whisper in his ear, kissing his cheek.

“Don’t thank me yet.” He warns. “Because one word I don’t like from them and I’m coming for you. I don’t care if it causes war, I’ve survived enough to know when a threat is being made.”

I turn to Dren, “Prepare the men you said you’d bring, we might need them to mobilise in less than five minutes.” I turn back to Mihai in time to see my father approaching. “Luthor.” I call, “I hope you’re ready for this.”

Dren walks away, pulling out his phone and calling his men. He doesn’t act big and tough, but from what I’ve heard, he’s very capable of protecting himself and those around him. He’s just not one to brag. It makes a change from the brothers I grew up with. They always wanted to compete, and they hated it when I won.

I didn’t go to easy on them because they were my brothers, there father taught me that emotions lead to death. He told me all I needed to worry about was loyalty.

I still have nightmares about those lessons.

Luthor smiles coldly, “I’ve been ready for this since they killed your mother and took you from me.”

That’s all the answer I need.

Mihai takes my hand and squeezes it gently, “You can change your mind, no one would blame you.” He whispers, but clearly not caring who hears us.

“I want to do this.” I say, “I have to, I have to give them the chance to back down.” I shake my head and sigh. “They know what I am, they always have, and I have a feeling that they want me back.”

“You are never going back there.” Mihai growls, grabbing my shoulders. “I don’t care how many hunters they throw at us; I’m not letting you become a weapon for them.”

“They’ve spent my whole life trying to control me.” I tell him in a quiet voice. “And they have failed at every turn, that isn’t going to change now.”

“You seem very sure about that.” My father says, his voice careful, “keep reminding yourself of the strength you feel when they are threatening you, because they will, and you need to be ready for whatever they throw at you.”

“I know what I’m dealing with.” I say, “I’ve spent my entire life around the council, believe me when I say that I know what to expect.”

Dren walks back over to us, “are you ready?” He asks, “if you don’t leave now, you won’t make it to the meeting place in time.”

I take a deep breath, turning to Mihai and handing him and Luther an ear piece. “Put these on.” I tell him.

Dren makes sure we are all connected, it doesn’t take long and then he surprises me with a tight hug. “Be safe, little sis.”

I’m frozen for a moment, trying to remember how to breathe properly. I’ve never been overly affectionate, none of those I lived with were, but since coming here, I’ve been showered with nothing but love and acceptance.

It’s so strange. But also, very welcome.

I walk over to Mihai, placing my hand on his chest, “don’t interfere unless I ask you for help.”

Mihai’s jaw twitches, but he nods.

“I mean it.” I say more sternly, “I don’t want you to ruin this, I might get us a good deal.”

“Don’t let them demand too much.” He says.

I walk over to luthor next, pleasantly surprised when he opens his arms for me to walk into. “Keep him in line for me.” I whisper with a small laugh.

“Heard that.” Mihai grumbles, but smirks.

“Just make sure you come back to us, I can’t lose you again.” Luthor says, his voice strained with emotion. “And be strong, don’t let them smell your fear, they’ll swarm.”

“Don’t worry about me.” I say, trying my best to sound confident. “I’ve dealt with them enough, I know how to act.”

“I believe in you.” He says, and my heart almost stops.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard those words directed at me before.

But I don’t have time to savour them, it’s time to go.