"Please let me explain Briar."
"No!" She stepped from Fangs when the strength came back online. "You have known all along that you had a piece of my freedom in your possession!" She was shaking in absolute rage.
"And was safe with me until I knew you needed it."
"I needed it three days ago when Belle took her own life hoping Beast would keep the contract safe!" The heaviness in her chest was overwhelming to the point of pain. The cost was too steep, just too steep. "She died thinking that I was doomed when Fil sent those demons after it." She turned and looked at Fangs as if to say, 'it was under our noses the whole time.' Fangs look was pure hatred and said 'I’ll kill him here and now just say the word'.
"Belle made the decision to take her own life Bri and honestly, she only needed a reason and any would do." By the end of that fan fucking-tastic statement Ash stepped back turned and bitch slapped Peter pan.
Bri felt a tremor roll through her body as she placed shit in its rightful place. Then it was before her in plain sight, with a florescent sign saying 'look here'. "The other night at Denny's…Lola called to you on an intake set for a day away. You knew didn’t you? You knew she was going to do it."
Ash slapped him again splitting his lip.
"I did know… yes." Pete said as he used the back of his hand to catch the blood from his lip. "But I am not omniscient. I cannot see the future and I sure the fuck can’t change it Briar. Belle wanted to take her life and her reasons as messed up and confusing as they are, were hers. I can’t change their mind once it is set."
"You could have told me, any of us and we'd have changed it for her!" She roared her voice cracking in the end because... she was too raw.
"I handled it the best way I could." Peter said stepping forward his hand on his chest, voice rising. "I did everything I could to ensure your safety. You have no idea the lengths I have gone to."
"Like what? Letting an innocent girl die in the name of love and protection? Or perhaps you enjoyed watching me run around getting my brain scrambled in fear and wasting my time and Fangs with a Chaos demon when I. Should. Have. Been. Here, protecting what was mine!" Tears rolled free from her eyes at the knowledge that while she was sitting in a pointless meeting with Delkon the Chaos demon, her friend. One of her soul mates had been planning her death in hopes of saving Bri.
"I couldn’t let you have the knife until I knew I had Fil by the balls."
She jerked her head toward Peter, having not been able to stomach the sight of him since he dropped the guess who bomb. Now her stare was a deep red glow like the fire raging inside of her. Oh yeah, she wanted to dish some vengeance now, in the worst way. Looking at Ash she was down for a little destruction of the Neverland Leader as well. "What do you mean?" Her words were barely audible as she spoke through clenched teeth.
"Fil had no idea that I am Weaver. He called on Tiny, who is Lola by the way, and asked for a contract with me."
Her stomach dropped like… a million feet at that little bit of info.
"You accepted a contract on her?" Ashess asked nothing but utter shock in her tone. The low rolling growl from Fangs was a terrifying chaser.
"I did, but only because I knew he couldn’t keep my terms. I demanded your safety or the deal was off."
"Not Belles though and that is no different than an attack on me."
"I knew he would want to renegotiate. So I bought my time and in doing so I did let Belle die." He stepped forward nothing but regret in his eyes. "It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I had to. I knew what he would negotiate with because I demanded he do so."
"And?"
"What’s that?"
"Well?" The three of them asked in unison.
"I had Lola drop a hint at how I loved collecting rare and valuable things, hence the knife. When Fil sent Lola back with a list of demands I showed up and altered his stipulations. Ownership of you in trade for the knife."
Next thing you know, Fangs was fangs deep in Pete’s neck.
*
Chapter Nineteen
Not wise to say you owned the lover of a Vampire. Fangs had a claim on Bri and when Peter dropped that bomb Fangs lost his mind. It took Ashess and Bri to pull him free, using every ounce of power they had combined, learning in that instant just how deadly a Vampire was.
Up. Close. Personal.
Pete was now sitting on the floor in Fangs kitchen with a paper towel pressed to his neck. Bri had to force Fangs to spit in her hand so she could use his saliva to close the wounds. Gross and...just gross.
Nobody spoke for a long time, just sat- Bri and Fangs on the couch, Ashess stood by the fireplace, one arm resting on the mantel and Peter on the floor in the kitchen. Dead silence, the kind you need when there is a lot to process.
Like learning someone owns you.
"The ownership thing, what does that mean exactly?" Bri asked breaking the silence.
"That if I give him the knife you become mine. It will be my job to protect you and make sure that Fil can no longer hurt you."
"You think that you have that kind of power Fairy?" Fangs asked, not believing a word of it.
"I am extremely certain that he won’t harm her. I have way more power than Fil, and protection wouldn’t be an issue."
"You are aware her father is the fucking Arch Demon of hell correct? He can’t even keep her safe so what the hell makes you think you have any power in the matter?" Fangs made it clear in his tone that this was not a request and that Peter better have answers.
Peter stood from his crouch on the floor to toss the paper towel in the trash. "I think that if you are willing to hear me out, look at it from a completely different angle you might see that what I did, though it had consequences, will prove worth it."
"Nothing will be worth Belles death but please explain yourself." Bri wanted to laugh because there was nothing he could do to change what he already had done. Sometimes, no matter the intentions, some things were simply unforgiveable.
"The contract states that ownership of you, to me, is to take place before I allow Fil to have the knife. I stated that you were to be handed over, unharmed and aware of the deal between us. Only then would I give up the Blessed Knife. He was aware that in signing the contract, in blood, that he would be punished to the death if he broke the contract. It also stated clearly and to his understanding that any harm to you caused with his knowledge, self or any of his men he would be punished to the death." Peter stepped into the living room and took a tentative seat across from Bri and Fangs. He looked at Bri, pleading for her to understand.
"See Briar, nothing is ever free. Not happiness, not sorrow and not ownership of anything. I could not get him to sign the contract without a price of my own and that should I not abide by the contract I too would be punished..." He trailed off and dropped his gaze to the floor, knowing that what he was sacrificing this instant was... overwhelming but all in all worth it. He loved Briar Rose and their friendship spanned centuries. He hated hurting her but did it to save her.
"What price do you pay if you break the contract?" Fangs asked and looked at Peter with what appeared to be respect. He knew, both Bri and Peter thought. Fangs knows the price and wants Peter to say it.
"Unaware to Fil that I am Peter Pan, he only knows I lose anything of value. As he believed I was a Contaca Soul and could not be killed for any reason, he allowed the stipulation that should I break the contract I will lose everything of value to me. Neverland included."
The gasps from Bri and Ash were echoes in the room, neither one ever expecting him to bargain his reason for being. Perhaps she realized Peter did have the best of intentions all along.
"Wouldn’t she be handed right back over to Fil along with the knife the instant you break the contract?" Asked Fangs and what a good question indeed Bri thought. If she caused Peter to lose Neverland and Belles death, she didn’t think she would overcome it.
Peter pulled the contract from his jacket pocket, along with another set of papers. "This
is the contract of Princess Briar Hubert’s release from her mated husband by demon law and human, Fillip Quintana the III.”
“Bloody demon divorce papers.” Fangs mumbled but Peter continued as if he didn’t hear him.
“I hereby declare as the owner of Princess Briar Hubert, free to do as she wishes. You are not bound to me or Fil any longer. He signed the contract in blood," Peter tapped a finger beside Fil’s signature on the contract. "I went there to finalize the deal before I came here."
He waved his hand in the air and closed his eyes. The energy shifted, sparked and then settled as his personal fairy Lola appeared, and in her hands was the Blessed Knife.
*
Peter Pan was a busy boy. Bri learned that in the passing days while she and Fangs were on a wild knife chase Peter Pan was busy setting up shop for Belles arrival, providing her a spacious room to rest in while she awaited her judgment. He never demanded she dream and allowed her the freedom to do as she pleased. He signed Neverland over to Lola before he signed the contract with Fil that he had ownership of Briar. He also initialed the line that stated he would be providing Fil with the Blessed Knife in twenty-four hours after he ensured the safety of Briar and that she was unharmed and of sound mind. He had covered all the bases to ensure he did have Fil by the balls. Bri had the contract and the Blessed Knife… and her freedom to boot. No more summoning in her sleep which meant no more beating, biting whipping or feedings. She was free.
Seven hundred years she had prayed for this, waited patiently for it, fought for it. Now that she had it she wondered if it was worth it. The sacrifices made would forever weigh heavy on her soul. Pete would never be allowed to gain Neverland back unless Fil died. Bri was going to make sure that happened.
"Who gave you the knife?" Bri asked while Ashess was in the kitchen calling Winter and getting no answer no matter how many times she left messages. Each call was kicked to voicemail after the first ring. Fangs was on the horn getting as many members of his Posse together that he could because it was time to add muscle and a lot of it.
"You know who did Briar. Please do not ask me to betray him; I need to keep a little piece of my dignity." She looked at Peter and for the first time in all the years she knew him, he was sad. Sad didn’t cover it, this was devastation and his words were enough. She knew who gave him the knife. Her father made them and only he would have thought to have them protected.
"Why did he only give you the Blessed Knife? Why not the contract as well?" That was the other question she had been trying to wrap her head around.
"He said that the contract was entrusted to another and I didn’t ask questions."
Bri was going to be sick. There was only one reason Peter had the knife and that was because the contract had been hidden and her father knew it when he had Peter take the knife. Adams words came rolling back like thunder. “'Let’s see, the next line of business, and this I tell you was burr-ied. In an attempt to help her father gain power in hell, as a new demon she accepted the deal of maturation to become a “vengeance demon” and allow Fil the full five hundred years all mates are demanded to give. I don’t think she even remembers the deal, yet I can see it clearly taking place. She begged him to release her, to help her but he demanded your servitude didn’t he Briar?'”
The memories of that day she made the deal with her father were coming back piece by piece. He promised her the weapons to kill Fil, swore that he would see to it immediately so that they would forever be hers should anything happen to him, said he would make sure they were safe. Then Fil’s words hit her, the ones he spoke when she entered her castle four days after her "death".
"He informed me of the deal, and thus I shall allow it to pass. I will not acknowledge you as my mate and you shall do as you please, however I am the Master of this Kingdom and I will do as I please. But know this..." He had said as he stalked toward her. "I will never allow you to set eyes upon the tools of my destruction and nor will your father."
"My father will make sure of it Fil, it is his desire to watch as I slay you."
His laughter echoed through the room sending razor blades of fear through her blood, oh how she craved vengeance in that moment. "He wouldn’t be so foolish to plot my death when I rightfully own you. It would result in his death. He was placating you Briar. He will never risk his Pantheon for you."
"You lie because you fear."
"And you will see I am right. Count on it."
Bri stumbled as the memories flashed, all those years he had guided her, prepared her and now she knew. He made certain the contract was lost all while protecting the knife never ever planning for her to use them.
Fangs was watching her closely she knew, could feel his eyes on her like a brand. Ash was as well and Peter and between the three of them she realized she must look as bad as she felt. "We need to see my Father..." she kept her eyes on the ground, her words no more than a mumble.
"That’s the next stop... as soon as a few of my guys are here and Winter." Fangs voice was calm and collected, everything she was not.
She raised her head and stared him down as the anger inside threatened to erupt. "Fuck. That." She reached for the knife and looked at Ash. "Get Winter here, I don’t care how and make sure she brings me my contract." Eyes back at Fangs she didn’t ask but demanded. "Now Fangs, we go now." And walked out the door.
*
It had been a very long time since Bri had gone to the Dark, but she knew damn well where her father was hiding out at. Especially if he knew she had the knife now. By the time she made it to his chamber her anger was palpable. She didn’t bother knocking, they were well beyond pleasantries and heading long in to fuck-off-and-die territory.
Ezek was reclined on a black leather couch when she stormed in to his den, Fangs at her heels. The room was cold naturally, the walls were stone and corroded over the years. Ezek had it decorated similar to his downtown Seattle office, this one was meant to intimidate. Unlike the Seattle office, there were no photos of her and the girls with him, no soft touches. It was cold and made to terrorize.
Looking around the room now, she saw what she had refused to see before. He was the Arch Demon; he was made to control and torture if his demands weren’t met. The shackles hanging from the walls and the hooks from the ceiling, the old wooden table in the corner of the room all had been used repeatedly by her father.
None of it fazed her. She had a small spot inside her soul that he hadn’t yet tarnished that assured her that he would not hurt her no matter how hard she pushed him. It was what gave her the fuel to approach him, unmasked and writhing with fury.
"Look what I got!" She held the Blessed Knife up and waved it around, using her best look-at-me-daddy voice. Ezek seemed unaffected by her new found treasure.
Which naturally pissed her off more.
She tossed the knife toward him not caring if it hit him right in the head.
Ezek was fast as his arm snuck out and caught the damn thing. The fact it weighed over twenty pounds didn’t matter. "I can see..." Now his voice had registered and perhaps he was a little taken aback.
That or the fact that she was shaking, her eyes burning red as she watched him rise slowly from the couch.
"Guess where it was?" Her voice had distorted and she saw Fangs wince from the corner of her eye. She didn’t want to know what she looked like in that instant. If she could make a Sire Vampire flinch than she was possibly about to snap.
Snap, in a room that was full of torture tools.
Score one for Sleeping Beauty.
“I am perfectly aware of where it was." He was looking over her shoulder at what she only assumed was Fangs. A look of complete understanding in his eyes. "Let's get on with it then, attack if that’s what will make you feel better but know that I did it for you."
"Bullshit." Said Fangs from right beside Bri. The growl in his voice did not go unnoticed by Ezek.
"This doesn’t concern you Vampire." He said the word Vampire like piece of shit and looked ba
ck to Bri.
Fangs spoke anyway.
"It concerned me the minute I met her." Fangs took a predatory step forward.
"Yet less than a week ago, you were ready to throttle her." He gave a hard chuckle as if Fangs were no threat to him, when in reality Fangs was a threat to anything... everything.
"Tell me something Ezek," Bri caught the wince he gave when she called him by his name. "Why send me on a wild chase for a knife that was in Neverland all along?" She flung her arms in the air and walked around the room, anger so completely consuming she had to keep moving to avoid breaking apart at the seams. "Have you any idea what Adam Cane did to me, what sort of hell he put me through?" She looked at Fangs, "Had he not been there Ezek, I'd have been in serious trouble and yet it all could have been avoided." She stepped forward, "Years of my life spent in a Hell you created not Fil!" She roared the last part. “You constructed this entire waste of time to what? Keep me from learning the truth? Did you think that if all roads lead to nothing that I would give up?”
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