And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Deep inside me, though, had that answer, and as much as I wanted to ignore it, I had learned from the goddesses and also Priscilla to listen to the voices and to take my gut instincts seriously. Because at the end of the day, they would give me the answers I needed. "You don't think that they're possibly coming here, do you?"

I watched as both Hale, Talon, and Kate sat quietly, glancing between each other before looking back at me. "Honestly, Ivy, there's no point in lying. I was just trying to protect you before, and I do apologize for the things that we have done. However, that doesn't mean that I'm going to let the barrier down, because keeping you protected is the most important thing to me right now. You and the children."

I wanted to argue with him, to tell him he was incorrect in his statement, but I chose a different path. "I understand, and even though I'm not happy with it, I'll accept it for now."

Lies. It was all lies. I wasn't going to sit idly by.

"Good," he replied before he stood to his feet. "I have a feeling that they might come here, Ivy, to get you, and that is another reason why the barrier was put up. Because we can protect the house, but not if you try to run out and give yourself up in order to protect one of us."

He knew me too well, and as a small smile tried to force its way onto my lips, I held it back. I didn't want him to see I knew very well what he would do if they came for me. Each of those men would turn around and lay their lives on the line to protect me and the children from whatever forces tried to take me. But what they didn't realize was I was prepared for that game should the Council come seeking to take me.

It would honestly make things one hundred times easier if they came here because it meant I had fewer miles to travel. I needed to seek the guidance of the Goddesses to speak to Frigga and make sure what was coming was what I had thought I had seen before. "Well, I'm feeling a little tired after everything from last night, so I'm just gonna go take a nap. Is that okay with you guys?"

Talon snorted at my comment as he laughed, knowing full well what l was referring to. James pushed past me though, entering the living room and did not find amusement in what

I said. "It's not funny."

"Of course it's not James. Nobody's laughing. Talon simply seems to have lost his mind this morning, I replied as a twinkling glint of amusement loomed within my eyes ast glanced over at Talon

"Am I missing something?" Kate asked as she looked between all of us.

"No, nothing too serious, but I'm sure the guys can fill you in. Anyway, I'm going to go take a nap. You guys try not to get into too much trouble and wake me up if anything happens?"

My hanging question in the air

caused them all to nod in agreement. But as I made my way up the stairs, I sent a tantalizing directly towards Talon. He had been a very naughty boy, laughing at his brother in his stressed-out situation.

Perhaps it was time he had his fill of me.

Or was it I'd have my fill of him?