Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Meeting of Leaders

Hudson:

The mattress creaked as she jerked awake, her eyes wet with tears. Collapsing into my arms, her fingers gripping my t-shirt as teardrops soaked my shoulders. I had no clue what went wrong, but she was really shaken up. Leaping out of our bed, she crashed into the hall. Chasing after her, Gabrielle ducking out of the way as she crashed into Peony's room. Leaping onto her bed, it was Peony's turn to be annoyed with the clingy side of Evie. Protesting to no avail, her face shoved into her chest. Gabrielle chuckled softly to himself, his eyes never leaving them. Something had gone down, the bond between them had grown stronger than before.

"Thank you for saving her." He thanked me graciously, bowing in my direction. "Give her this special map. It will tell her where all of the death stones are. Where would we be without Miss Evie? She is the glue that binds us all together, but I must warn you though. The commander of the hunters has declared war on her, and that isn't good. She is a bloodhound once she catches a scent. So the more of the death stone weapon holders you gather, the better chance of your survival. Also I took the liberty of arranging a meeting with the other alphas. Since we all associate with her, the targets are on our backs as well. Also, we should crush Marie while we can. Then we can begin talks of a treaty among all parties. That is what she wants right." His ocean blue eyes twinkled with a new sense of purpose, his blonde hair laying slightly skewed. Passing me the map, Evie was still smothering her. Seeing her like this gave me hope for her broken heart.

"Did you really think that I wouldn't be affectionate back?" She taunted cruelly, her wicked grin growing wider. "How does it feel to be smothered with love and attention?" Flipping her over, Peony clutched her close to her chest. Her wicked grin matched Evie's defiant smile, discomfort apparent on Evie's face. Scarlet burned her cheeks, the bond between them quite apparent.

"If you think I will let my girlfriend down for one minute then you are wrong. Please let me smother your frozen ass." She teased lightly, poking her in the nose. "You are adorable, but you shouldn't worry about me. I will get over it eventually, but then you became my knight in shining armor. You were amazing. You stayed calm and collected when the reapers tore that girl apart, even begging them to spare her. Then you stood up to that royal bitch. It was like you heard my words about how we had become friends, so you did everything to save her." Smiling warmly at Peony, Evie shook her head.

"You killed her even though you liked her. You saved me, so consider your debt paid off." She chirped cheerfully, ruffling the top of her head. "You are my friend after all, aren't you? Hell, you even tried to kill me. That might seem a bit odd to hear, but most of my friends have tried to kill me." Fresh tears welled up in Peony's eyes, her grip on Evie growing stronger. Gazing up at her with tears pouring down her cheeks, an anxious look twinkled in her eyes.

"Do you mean it?" She asked sweetly, Evie wiping away her tears. "I would love it if you really mean it. People have always run away from me, and you were the first person to call me that. I don't deserve you." Cupping her face, shock rounded out Peony's eyes. Gabrielle shifted uncomfortably, his gaze intensifying in their direction. Evie was about to teach her a lesson, Peony's trembling hands gripping the blanket.

"Stop talking like that!" She shouted irritably, wiping away the steady stream of tears. "You are my friend, so don't you ever forget that. My whole childhood I was you. Everyone was mean and cruel to me. So please stay my friend no matter what. I care about you." A broken wail exploded from Peony's painted lips, her forehead resting against Evie's. Watching her comfort Peony warmed my heart, Gabrielle nudging my shoulder.

"Has she always had that ability to take down someone's walls that fast? It is almost as if she is an angel of some sorts." He commented gently, his quiet smile telling me that he had meant it. "What do you think?" My breath hitched at his words, Hell probably freezing over. Not once has he ever asked such a thing.

"I know she is an angel. She takes care of everyone no matter what, and hates to kill people." I admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. "She is the kindest person I know, the tragedy in her past haunting her like a shadow. When we were growing up, she would comfort me when her parents would abuse the shit out of her. She would wipe away her own tears and take care of mine. She even buried her parents like they had honor left even though they hurt her the most. Then when she had to kill her grandmother, she still hung out with me. She always says that she doesn't deserve us, but we don't deserve her. We never will. I just wish I could have been there for her, but I was a coward." Gabrielle shook his head, his hair dancing with each movement.

"People like her hide everything so the more fortunate can be happier. It is wrong that we all just move past it. The mask they wear is so thick that the best of us can't see it." He explained calmly, the serenity on his face settling my nerves. "You can though. The trick to catch them when the pressure causes the jar to explode. People like her don't break that often, but when they do it causes a fracture. Now that she has a reaper's eye, her life will only be harder. Before you put that eye patch on her eye, she was seeing the age of death over everyone's head and hearing the tortured screams of Hell itself. I could hear them too, and it was Hell. No one needs to hear them. Promise me you'll take care of her for me." My lips parted to speak, his boots clicking into the bedroom. Peony glanced up, her body smashing into his arms. Swinging her around, the love between the two of them proved to be rather apparent. Evie rested on her haunches, her tired smile never leaving her pale face. Resting her hands on her bump, silent tears slid down her cheeks. Gabrielle was right, she would never be completely healed. The cracks would remain, her exhausted gaze falling on me. Curling into a ball, gentle snores told me that she went back to sleep once more. Sitting down next to her, white feathers only remained where Gabrielle once was. A golden note drifted into my palm, the meeting was tonight at the diner. Watching over her, Grappy knocked on the door. Black bags hollowed out his eyes, his hair styled perfectly.

"I heard her calling for help, and came to her rescue. I am sorry for that curse getting worse." He apologized sincerely, plopping down next to me. "Her plan is the best plan. She wants to round up all of the cursed weapons users and hide them under her wing. All of them are scattered. I can't forget what she saw. She saw reapers tearing a body apart. Those are scary fuckers, and you can't not see them. Humans believe death to be warm, but it is too cold now. Although you have to give her props for standing up to Death itself. Hell, she managed to make a deal with him." Dusting off his black dress shirt and dress pants, he leapt to his feet. Playing with his ring, pride swelled in his eyes. Walking over to the door, he paused for a moment.

"I will be ready to escort you at five. We can't have you two wandering the streets without protection." He informed me happily, his smile never leaving his face. "I am going to get in one last session with my husband before I go. And yes I said husband." Chuckling warmly to myself, he was so adorable. Waiting patiently for Evie to wake up, James passed me some work to do in the meantime. Checking my watch, Evie's eyes fluttered open. Reaching for me, her hands cupped mine. Clutching her close to my chest, her scent sent my wolf into a frenzy. Snuggling into my chest, Grappy popped in with a scarlet silk cocktail dress. Her eyes narrowed, her eye patch protecting her from her reaper's eyes. Snatching it from him, the heel of her boot knocked him into the hall. Peeling off her clothes, a tender blush rose to my cheeks. Her black lace bra emphasized her much larger breasts, my hands wrapping around her waist. Brushing my lips against the nape of her neck, my fangs broke her skin. Goosebumps popped up, the sensation of me marking her as mine caused my chest to swell with pride. Of course she was mine, her body melting into her arms. A satisfied sigh escaped my lips the moment I stopped biting her, her finger wiping the blood off the corner of my lips.

"You do know that you marked me a long time ago." She teased tenderly, pulling the dress over her head. "I don't know why they insist on me dressing up so much." Turning around, the zipper slid up with ease. Spinning her around, her beauty left me breathless. The silk hugged every curve of her, her boots barely going with the outfit. Hiding my hard cock underneath my hands, Grappy called for us to hurry up. Grabbing her black purse on the way out, her real smile melted my heart. Hopping into my car, she clicked her seat belt. Grappy piled into the back, Bloodswoth squeezing in next to him. The engine roared to life, her head resting on the window. Something was eating at her, an unimpressed look dawned on her face. Sliding deeper into the seat, her back turned to me. Falling asleep again, concern flashed in all of our eyes. Not usually sleeping this much, the trees turned to the highway. Pulling off of the exit, the diner loomed in the distance. The tires squealed to a stop, Evie snapping awake. Hopping out of her seat, Evan, Blake and Lucian waved us in. All of them wore black expensive Italian suits, my t-shirt and jeans making me feel a little out of place. Theros smashed into her, spinning her around. Hanging off of her shoulders, his black Victorian suit had golden embroidery all over it. Grappy walked in with Bloodsworth on his arm, Gabrielle already waiting with Peony attached to his side. Sliding in next to everyone, confusion twisted her face. Everyone held a shiny box in their hands, her brow rising in suspicion. My heart swelled at the sight of them all celebrating her, bitter worry haunting my mind as the look in her eye told me that she wanted to run.

"I thought we were meeting to discuss the current situation with Marie, not sit here with a bunch of presents." She snapped hotly, getting up to leave. Grappy and I slammed her back down onto the vinyl booth, Gabrielle rolling his eyes. Evan cleared his throat, his hand running through his short gray hair. His eyes twinkled with joy, his calloused hand sliding a present over to Evie. A strange huh escaped her lips, his hands crossing. Accepting it cautiously, her leg bounced wildly. Her nerves began to fray in front of me, tears welling up in her eyes.

"We all thought we would celebrate you, especially since you just went through a major transformation. I like the eye patch by the way. It makes you look bad ass. Might I ask what happened?" He babbled on incessantly, sticking his tongue out. "I am simply curious. That is all." Embarrassment burned her cheeks, the proper words forming on the tip of her tongue. Tapping her chin, her polite smile dimmed her face. Fighting the tears took everything from her, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress.

"I kind of used a reaper's blade, and now I have a reaper's eye." She explained calmly, everyone crying out. "It's no big deal. I promise that I am still the same." Slamming his palms on the table, Lucian's wild hair flew around his face. Getting really close to her face, he lifted it slightly before Evie slapped his hand away. A sharp silence poisoned the air, her discomfort growing evident on her face.

You are an absolute legend." He exclaimed excitedly, sitting back down. "No one ever survives using a reaper's weapon, but of course you are strong enough for it. I bet you even made a deal with Death himself." A rush of hot air lashed all of our skins, a tall slender man with slicked back black hair, his red eyes glistening as he pulled up a chair. Spinning it around, he leaned lazily over the edge. His scarlet velvet suit put everyone else to shame, his black lips parting into a wicked grin.

"She did indeed." His deep voice thundered, Evie burying her face into her palms. "I am Death himself. She is going to protect all of my doomed children. I fancy her. She is so tenacious and amazing to talk to. Not to mention, she refused to back down. I killed all of the reapers who harassed you the other day, so don't worry about a thing." Narrowing her eyes in his direction, he slid her a black box. Opening it up cautiously, a pair of navy glasses spun in her fingers. Reaching over us, his black gloved hand took off her eye patch. Sliding on the glasses, a sigh of wonder escaped her lips.

"How does this work?" She questioned urgently, his crooked grin growing wider. "Wait, why are you being nice? I understand that everyone else is giving me something because I have helped them all at least once. Alas, I have never helped you." Resting his head on his hands, the warm twinkle in his eyes calmed my inner wolf down. So death could be warm as we believed it to be.

"I see great potential in you. I think that you are a wonderful person." He sang jovially, waving his fingers around. "Those are reaper grade glasses. They will stop the tortured screams from Hell and you will get to look semi-normal. What do you think?" Flashing him a bright smile, my heart fluttered at the sight of her in glasses. Now she looked like a sexy librarian, my cock stiffening.

"I love them so much. Thank you." She uttered in disbelief, Death looking pleased with himself. "I love them so much." Tears of joy flooded from her eyes, her hand wrapping around his. A rosy pink burned on his cheeks, the stunned look on his face causing everyone else to burst out laughing. Attempting to shake off his hand, she refused to let go. Even Death couldn't escape her spell, the two of them forming a magical bond.

"Why aren't you scared of me?" He asked oddly, snatching his hand back. "I am literally the only thing that can kill anyone with a single touch. You doomed children are the exception, of course." Biting her lips, her hands cupped his. A crooked grin danced across her lips, bloody tears welling up in his eyes.

"That is exactly why I need to hold your hand. Who else would do it when you are lonely or sad? I am not scared of you. I could never be. I have faced death so many times, someone must have been looking out for me. That must have been you." She promised earnestly, cocking her head to the right. "You are one of the sweetest people I have met, and yes I called you a person. I don't view you as Death, but a friend. So can we be friends? You can't have that many being who you are. So let me be your first friend." Silent tears streamed down his cheeks, a timid grin dimming his cocky face.

"Are you sure?" He stammered anxiously, tightening his grip on her hands. "I would love to have one good friend in this world. One friend is usually all we need. So I guess we can be friends. Don't go thinking that I am going soft, 'kay." Smiling warmly to herself, everyone else began to fawn over her. Opening up presents, she thanked them. The bell rang, a woman with a white pixie cut and cheap black business suit marched in.

"I told you that I would hunt you down, my dear." The pretentious woman threatened Evie icily, her head cockily. Leaping out from the booth, Evie landed gracefully in front of her. Folding her arms across her chest, the older lady towered over her with her six foot tall frame. Pulling out a gun, the cold muzzle pressed against her forehead. Not even breaking a sweat, her reaper's blade pressing against her throat. The rest of us watched with bated breath, Death stepping in between them. His determined face twisted into a sick grin.

"If you really declared war on her, then you will each have a neutral ground where you can't attack each other. I say the diner is ours, and our villages count as well." He informed her venomously, pressing the muzzle into his chest. "What do you say, Madame Marie?" Stepping back a couple of steps, her ocean blue eyes burned with intense hatred towards Evie. Refusing to back down, black flames flared up behind him.

"You have no right to lay down the rules of our war, Death." She barked with passion in her voice, her finger pulling the trigger. A pop echoed in the diner, Death freezing time. The bullet disintegrated on the surface of his skin, her gun crashing to the floor. Crushing it underneath his heel, clammy sweat beaded on her forehead.

"I have every right to. Wars used to be watched by a third party. Do I make myself clear!" He yelled inches from her face, the fatherly energy swirling off his back. "You get your places as well. The best wars are fought fairly, not with sneaks like you. Now get out of here if you can't behave." Sprinting out of the door, the bell clanged violently. Evie's head bowed in embarrassment, her trembling hand tucking her blade away.

"Sometimes, I feel like you think of me as a daughter." Evie joked tenderly, our food coming out of the kitchen. His hearty laughter thundered over the fifties' music, his arms embracing her affectionately. Forgetting themselves in the moment, jealousy flashed in my eyes. Clasping her shoulders, he lifted her chin up with her finger. Flashing her his genuine smile, the sharp teeth not throwing her off.

"I guess so." He admitted sheepishly, his kind eyes never leaving hers. "I wish you were my daughter in real life. Never before had I had someone stand up to me and beg for the mercy of others. Everyone is so selfish the moment before they die, but not you. My hands were wrapped around your heart, and you still begged for me to spare their lives. That is when you woke up something inside of me that had died a long time ago. I have to go. See you soon." Snapping his fingers, nothing remained of him. All of us said nothing as she sat back down, the rest of the evening flying by with ease. Only my Evie could tame death, a warm smile plastering itself on my face. Yes, she was mine and only mine.