Carlisle had been really nervous asking Miles and Lilith to go along with this plan that he, Mary and Violet had devised. The big issue was he needed a trap to get Amanda in and Lilith, Miles and Himself were the bait. He had texted the duo to meet him in the coven dining room, he had also asked Mary to be ready on standby just in case things were to go south. He knew convincing Lilith would be hard, and normally Miles would be down for it, but with Lilith being pregnant, it's going to be a tough ask.
Carlisle was sitting on the same chair he was at all the way back in early September, as he awaited to see if Lilith or Miles would show up. He had asked Violet to not be involved as to be honest, Carlisle could barely stand her and having her around would just make this much harder than it needed to be.
It took a bit of convincing but somehow Miles managed to encourage Lilith to come along to the meeting with him. In truth Miles was unsure if that was the right call to make but that was a potential problem for future Miles. Instead he loaded Lilith into his car, muttering about the fact he'll have to trade it in for a 7 seater in the near future but absolutely refuses to get a minivan, and took off for the coven house. He'd made an effort in recent days to be more careful when he drove with Lilith in the car. Not that he'd become the perfect road rule follower but he'd ease at the curves while shooting his girlfriend glances here and there.
After parking the car and slipping out of it the pair wandered up to the coven household hand in hand. He'd enter the mansion then hold the door open for Lilith to step through before making his way to the dining room.
"Afternoon, Car," Miles would greet his friend as he dragged out a chair for Lil before taking the spot next to the head of the table, strategically sitting between the pair.
Carlisle gave off a meek smile as they entered. He was happy to see Lilith again, even if the pair hadn't really talked after the party a few weeks ago. Carlisle had been extremely busy dealing with coven things. Plus he didn't really know how much Lilith could deal with him, and he didn't want to get shouted at and chewed out.
"Thank you both for coming. I promise I won't keep you for long. I know you have alot more important things to do"That’s a very polite way of putting it, Lilith thought, taking her place beside Miles. Resting her hands on her ever growing stomach, she couldn’t help but notice how there was another presence near - just not in the room with them. It didn’t take long for her to decipher that it was Mary somewhere close by. Rather that was because she was here on Coven business or because Carlisle had called her here to plead his case, only time would tell.
”So what’s up,” the brunette asked, clearly having no time for sugar coated words or beating around the bush.
Hearing the directness of Lilith, Carlisle could feel his stomach sink. This was going to be tricky. He pulled the edge of his collar as he figured out how he was going to explain all of this. He then took a breath before starting again.
"So well, I am not sure how much you know, so let's start from the top. Turns out I have an older sister. And she wanted to kill me and take control of the Coven herself. Well now she has gotten involved with mother, and my mother wants all three of us dead" Carlisle started. He sighed as he rubbed his arm.
"However, Violet has had a change of heart and now wants to help us deal with mother. The only issue is that we need to make a trap for her. And we need to be bait"Miles shot Lilith a small glance as she sat down before retraining his eyes to Carlisle as he spoke.
"Absolutely not,” Miles replies almost instantly. The word fell from his mouth before he really processed that that was his first thought. He taps the table a couple of times before speaking again.
"You and me, sure. I’ll go be bait but we’re not sending LiLi in there with us.” He shoots her another glance, sure that speaking for her might land him in hot water later. Miles had decided that he was making himself president of the ‘attempt to keep Lilith from doing stupid things’ club. He knew the irony in that considering he was by far the more reckless of the two of them but he also knew Lilith would be deadset on being as independent as possible for as long as possible.
"I don’t know if you noticed, Car, but she’s pregnant. I can’t be letting her put herself at risk like that right now.”Lilith watched as Carlisle fumbled with the collar of his shirt for the hundredth time, unable to ignore the waves of nervousness that projected off of him. She listened quietly as he spoke, a mixture of emotions flashing across her face. How many people knew of Carlisle's sister? Why was she not one of the first to know? What sort of plan did Amanda have? How was Carlisle planning to go against it? What was his sister like?
She tried to think of a way to respond before Miles had done it for her. The young woman shot him a look of ‘hell no’ in response to putting himself at risk. Most people's assumption would be that she was glaring at him because he had spoken for her, but Lilith had actually enjoyed Miles being the mouthpiece for the pair of them over the last few weeks. On the other hand, she was mildly upset with Carlisle already. The young woman had gotten a lot better at rationalizing her emotions and trying to not respond to situations as quickly. That still didn’t help the disappointed expression she looked at Carlisle with.
”No,” she responded cooly to them both.
”I won’t have any members of my family puttin’ themselves in harm's way. If my situation was different, we’d be having a completely different conversation, but I digress.” Sighing and rolling her eyes, she continued.
”I know I said to call on me for help with Coven matters - and I’m glad that you did - but I’m also disappointed that the thing you’re asking for my help with is putting all of us in danger. Including you. Just because I’m mad at ‘chya doesn’t mean I don’t care if you’re runnin’ around tryin’ to get yourself killed. Besides, we don’t know your sister. I know your mother, and that’s going to be one hell of a fight. Who’s to say your sister isn’t on Amanda’s side?” "We don't. I don't trust her. I have a plan, but Mary is convinced she will be okay. It was Mary that kicked all of this off. She just wants me to run with it, cause you know. It's my problem and I am supposed to be in charge now, even if it doesn't feel like it." It felt nice but also awkward talking to Lilith again. After he moved out he went out of his way to give her and Miles the space they needed to adjust to their new lives. He had taken on pretty much all of the Coven responsibilities for the whole council, and while he might complain about it from time to time, he knew that at least he was helping take the load off in some way.
"I didn't want to put you two in danger, but My mother wants us all dead. I can't do it alone. This is the plan: we have a little birthday party in a couple of weeks, just us three. Violet and Amanda will strike. Violet will attack me to make it look real and while that happens, Lilith will spring a crystal trap we would have prepared to trap mother forever. It's a stronger version of my mental prison spell, and it doesn't require any upkeep on my end. But I need the power of a second abjurer to seal it, otherwise it always breaks." At speaking of his lack of ability to do it on his own, there was a sense of both sadness and frustration at himself for not being good enough to do it on his own.
Miles couldn’t help the sigh that escaped his lips as Carlisle brought up his mother. He should’ve known she’d get involved with Violet somehow. As much as he wanted to say it changed things it didn’t. Not one bit. His hand closest to Lilith finds its way onto her stomach until it finds her hand. He slips his over hers before responding.
"Well we’re gonna have to make a new plan then, aren’t we? Have Lil hid outside or abjure from afar or, even better, not there at all. I’ll come with you-” he shoots Lilith a stern look before turning back to Carlisle,
"-but I’m not letting you put her and our kids in danger like that.”Wrapping Miles’s fingers through her own, Lilith began to rub the back of his hand with her thumb. This plan was sounding more and more sketchy by the second.
”I don’t care who came up with it, or why - I don’t think it’s a smart plan,” she stated sternly. Returning Miles’s look with one of her own, she couldn’t fight it as the anger seeped into her words.
”I’m not letting you put yourself in harms way either,” the young woman retorted.
”I might be pregnant, but my opinion still counts, but there’s no way I’m letting you use yourself as bait in a plan where part of it is to be attacked by Amanda. You’ll be right where she wants you. She might have disdain for Carlisle because she views him as a disappointment - but she just outright hates you, Miles. I’m not okay with any of this.” Miles gave a sigh. Lilith was right, she usually was.
"We just need a different plan then.” he mutters, squeezing Lilith’s fingers gently.
"Why don’t we just kill her? I mean, if she’s going to try and kill us anyway we just return the favour.”"I don't know if I can do it" Carlisle responds meekly. He hated his mother, but she was still his mother.
"Violet wants to kill her too, but Mary thinks trapping her will be a better idea. According to her divination the plan will work so long as I get some help" The color had escaped parts of Carlisle's face as he spoke, clearly he wasn't comfortable with outright murdering his mother.
”I know it’s a big ask for… permission to kill your mother, but none of us are asking you to actually do it yourself, Car. On one hand, isn’t being trapped in a tiny cage for the rest of your life, all lonely and goin’ batshit crazy and even worse fate?” Miles looked between his two friends. He knew it was a hard thing he was asking of Carlisle, even if the man didn’t have the same connection to his mother and he and Lilith had with theirs, but he couldn’t help but think it was necessary.
"You know what my ma is like, Car. She’s gonna wanna go with the safest option that spares everyone, I just don’t know if it’s worth all that. You don’t have to be there, we can work around that.” He turns to Lilith as he runs his thumb down the back of her hand. He then purses his lips before saying,
"Honestly, babe, I don’t think you should be there for it either.” He then turns to face the wall before him, not facing Lilith nor Carlisle as he presents his final conclusion, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It’s gonna have to be me.”" I have to be there. If there is anyone who can protect everyone it is me. It's what I do. I can counterspell my mother and cast enough barriers to protect anyone else there" Carlisle said, trying to power through his emotions. He wasn't comfortable with it, but he would have to power through.
"I will do it. I will kill her. I have to. It's my family. It's my problem. You two don't have to be there. You can be away from everything in safety somewhere" ”I understand everyone’s concern,” Lilith began, trying to choose her words wisely.
”And I’m not saying that I want to be there, but I’m also an abjurer, Carlisle. My shields may not be as strong, but they project. And if I’m not mistaken, I do have the strongest defensive spells. I want to help. Being there is no worse than sitting at home and stressing myself sick over the whole situation.” Miles bit his bottom lip thoughtfully for a moment. He already didn't like this idea but even less so did he like the thought of Lilith being involved.
”Li… please.” he begs gently, turning to the woman ever so slowly.
"You're right, Amanda straight up hates me. If I know the way that woman works, and unfortunately I do, she works more to torture those around her. If we're both in that room and she's aggressive I don't think I'm the one she's aiming to kill. It's the people I love most and by walking in with her you're presenting most of my family on a silver platter.” he tries to meet her eyes before continuing.
"I can't let you put yourself in danger like that. Especially now. The doc said you're meant to be taking it easy, not rushing into battle.”The man turns to Carlisle with a sigh.
"I'm not asking you to do it. I know it's a lot, man.” Miles once again bit into his bottom lip with his teeth. He was sure he hadn't thought so much in his life, at least not in recent years.
"Would Violet help?””Violet doesn't want to break her cover, she wouldn't turn against Amanda incase she comes back” Carlisle said with a sigh. He didn't want Lilith to be in the line of fire, but she was right, she was a bloody good abjurer.
”I can cast barrier around Lilith, and I have been working on a stronger version. If she wants to be there I will make sure she is safe.””I said no, Carlisle. You're a good abjurer, sure, but I've seen your spells fail too. And wear you down too much. I just- it's not a risk I want to take.” He squeezes Lilith’s hand once more. He knew he was risking trouble talking about her as if she was fragile and breakable. Lilith was a tough woman, she always had been, but right now she was more fragile than ever. He knew she was still strong but he'd also seen how much the pregnancy beat her around between the fatigue and the morning sickness. What if she needed to vomit halfway through a spell? Not to mention the 3 kids were the most fragile of them all.
He turns to face Lilith again.
"You know as well as me that in any other situation I wouldn't care. You're a strong woman, Li. I know that. But you gotta save a lot of your energy for them. You're capable of surviving danger but they're not. I just-” he expells a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I just don't see a situation where you're completely safe.” Lilith’s facial expression told on her once again, going from sour to disappointed in mere seconds.
”No, I get it,” she sighed.
”My duty right now is to be a human incubator.” Her eyes shifted from Miles to Carlisle and back again.
”I’m not trying to be a bitch,” the young woman continued, her voice as soft as she could manage.
”But I don’t understand why I was talked into coming here if I was going to just be told I couldn’t help anyway.” With a roll of her eyes, the brunette finished saying her piece.
”A Montgomery witch reduced to… this.” Waving her hands vaguely, she sighed again.
”Cordeila is laughing her ass off right now.” Carlisle ran his hand across his forehead as he listened to Lilith.
”I am not doubting your ability at all. Far from it. I need you here. Just. Well… I am not going to go behind Miles back to do that.” Carlisle let out a soft but frustrated sigh, he was being asked to balance a really big responsibility, and while he was trying to take Mary’s advice about asking others to help with things and trying not to just do it all on his own, he remembered why he didn't like asking people for help. Miles and Lilith both meant well. Carlisle himself was apprehensive about putting the duo in danger. He could protect them, but against his mother, that was all he could do. He couldn't attack. He needed someone else for that.
”Mary is confident that we should succeed as long as we all go in on this. And I can't think of many chances where her divination is wrong. I am sorry that I have called you into this. I didn't want to put anyone in danger, but I will look after you. I promise”Miles gave a deep sigh as Lilith spoke. He expected this, at least he should have.
”I'm not saying you can't do anything, Li. I just didn't expect Carlisle's request to put us in a firing line like that. I just-” he gives another sigh, clearly defeated.
"What would you have us do?” he asks vaguely, unsure himself who he was asking.
”I’m not trying to be difficult,” Lilith reiterated.
”But if it’s not me, can you guys at least have someone there that has more defensive powers to aid you?” Brow furrowing, she looked at Miles.
”I’m not mad at either of you, I’m just worried. And if I’m not there, I can’t guarantee any of you are going to be fine.” "So who would we want there? Your ma's abjuration, right? What if she came? Unless you can think of a way that guarantees you'll be safe.””Mom would be a good choice,” Lilith began, trying to strategize and come up with a plan.
”She can help Car abjurate, and she also has necromancy like gramps and I. If all else fails, she can just fry Amanda from the inside out.” Her eyes shifted to Carlisle, realizing what she had said only after it was out in the open.
”No offense, dude.” Running her spare hand through her hair, the young woman huffed.
”There’s one loop hole that I’ve thought of, and that’s Astral Projecting myself into the battle - but my astral form still takes damage, and I haven’t tried going into any other dimensions since being pregnant. So I guess if the sidelines is where you want me, that’s where I’ll be.” Carlisle listened and gave his own huff. He was going to have to prove his point. He got up from the table and walked over to the kitchen, coming back a moment later with a blue leatherbound book that was covered in golden circles and symbols. Both Miles and Lilith had seen Carlisle's Grimoire before, but he rarely used it. Flicking through its pages he looked at the various incantations and motions he had scribbled down.
”I can make you both invulnerable. I am not making this shit up. I can” Stepping back he began to perform an spell unknown to the others, creating a large cube in the entrance between the dining room and the hallway. The cube flickered the colors of the rainbow, shimmering between each of the colors.
”Ironically it took getting Claire’s memories to help me figure out the piece I was missing. I call it a prismatic cube. A force field magnitudes stronger than the Tanner barrier. It is resistant to every field of magic and even an antimagic field won't shut it down. With you two in there. No one can touch you”"This Astral projection- does it taking damage hurt you?” he asks Lilith earnestly, fiddling with her fingertips.
"You know I wanna fight alongside you, I just want you to be safe. Especially now.” It was soon after Carlisle came back with his own solution. It was in that moment Miles was reminded how powerless he was in comparison to his friends. While he wasn't the weakest magic user he knew in the trio he was. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd have any cooler tricks up his sleeve had he been trained as an enchantment magi rather than a warlock.
"But can we touch them? Honestly I'd really like to clock Amanda in the face- uh no offense Car.”””None taken. I can move the cube if you want to walk upto mother and smack her in the face. But I can do this. No need to Astral Project. Worse case scenario was can Astral Teleport you into the Astral plane where you would both be safe” Carlisle rubbed the back of his head
”If you do see a guy there, with white hair, glasses. Calls himself Charon, you haven’t heard of me””Projecting is…. complicated,” Lilith tried to explain to Miles as Carlisle slipped out of the room.
”I assume the kids' consciousness would stay here. But any damage that my Astral form takes, I would to - it just wouldn’t affect me until I came back to the human realm - and then it would hit all at once. So in a way, it could just be worse.” Sitting there looking at Miles, she was struggling for words once again. What sort of situation had they landed themselves in this time? It was a redundant question. Lilith knew full well what was being asked of them both, but she couldn’t help but wonder how much more weight Miles could carry on his shoulders.
She watched and listened quietly as Carlisle explained another part of his plan.
”My only worry is what happens with the spell if something happens to you. If Violet is lying and doesn’t fake her attack, will the barrier still stay up with you under fire?” ”Well, in theory the cube exists even if I was killed as it is a transfer of energy rather than me constantly projecting it. So once it is up you are safe enough. Only issue is that I can’t stand inside it. Otherwise it shatters” Carlisle laughs nervously.
”If Violet betrays us I will counterspell as best I can to give you time to get out and retreat. I need you Lilith, but at the same time, I am not going to put your future children in too much risk. If I can’t protect you both, I will find a way to get you out of the area.”Miles purses his lips as Carlisle and Lilith conversed for a moment. He wasn't so keen on the astral projection plan, he was sure all attacks impacting her at once would be worse for both her and the babies in the long run.
”If you can't protect us both, you save her. Okay? No arguments. No ifs and buts- from either of you- you get Lilith out of there as fast as you can. Mental prison her or something until you can get her somewhere safe.” Miles instructs.
He didn't like the risks, not at all, but what risks were they posing by staying idle? Surely Amanda may try to kill them in their sleep or of the likes. Miles was never a strategy man. Hell, if this situation were different he'd have happily run in guns blazing to Carlisle's plan but there was so much to consider now it was near nauseating. Is this how all council family members felt? He couldn't help but recognise if it came to it Miles could do little to protect Lilith despite stall for time by disarming someone temporarily, taking attacks meant for her and grabbing the woman and running. He'd have to rely on others for that.
Lilith wasn’t trying to be cocky, but she knew the extent of her powers, as well as their limitations. Things had slowed down a little magically as of late, but that didn’t mean that she still couldn’t help her friends. Regardless of the fact she knew that she could protect them both, the young woman couldn’t help but notice the look on Miles’s face. Listening to him speak her face grew red hot, unable to describe the exact emotion she was feeling at the time. Lil knew it was futile to try and argue against him, and she didn’t need to speak to let him know she felt the same way. Even still -
”If Miles says no, then the answer is no,” she stated firmly, gripping on to his hand for dear life.
”I don’t want to say no, but at this point it seems like me bein’ there would be more of a distraction than it would be a help.” Watching their confused faces, she sighed.
”I can astral project there and shield you from the outside of the house. Amanda wouldn’t know I was there. Or the most responsible thing to do would be to go home and make you both potions to use.” Silence filled the air as they all tried to think of what to say next.
”If I get word that anything has happened to either of you, I’m kicking both your asses,” she tried to joke.
”And after this is all over, we’re throwing you a proper party Carlisle.” Carlisle listened to them both and quietly nodded. In reality he didn't want either of them there with him. He would prefer that the pair stayed at home on the ranch than risk their lives, but Mary had been adamant that the divination magic stated Carlisle needed help. Though that was to capture Amanda, not kill her.
”In that case I want you both to stay away. I am not going to be responsible for splitting you up. Miles stays with you. Me and Violet will deal with this. Just. On that day. Please stay at the ranch. Don't go out anywhere. I don't want you becoming targets” As Lilith gripped his hand tighter, Miles couldn’t help but look down at their hands clasped together. He watched as Lilith’s knuckles became a whiter shade of pale. He rubbed her fingers with the palm of his other hand as she talked. As Lilith mentioned not wanting to say no he opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. It wasn’t that he wanted to take away Lilith’s choice, he was just concerned. But he knew she knew that better than anyone, she could feel it coming off of him. In truth Miles had been finding it almost too easy to slip into that protective role. He forces a laugh at her joke.
”I think you’ll find a way to kick our asses regardless,” he jokes, giving her hand a small squeeze.
That was when Carlisle spoke up. For as much as Miles wanted to follow his instructions and pour his energy into caring for Lil, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t also concerned for Carlisle.
”Honestly, man, I can’t let you do this alone. What if Violet’s working against you? Or even if she’s on neutral ground your mum is powerful, I can’t let you face her alone.”Lilith's expression softened as she looked at Miles.
”I hate to say it, but I agree. I'd like for you to have some sort of protection, Car. At least we'll all know Miles has your back. I'd recommend finding a third person somewhere - my mom, Serena, literally anyone else you think you might be able to trust.”Carlisle sighed as everyone replied. Tapping his fingers against the table.
”I am not going to be responsible for the fact that your kids might end up fatherless. No. I agree that I need to find someone else. I will look around and possibly ask your mother a Lilith and maybe Lucas and his skills would help. Heck, you are right I could ask Serena, or even Kolby” Carlisle visibly shuddered at the thought of having to ask Kolby for help.
Miles sighs as he looks over at his friend. Why was he so resistant to all attempts to help?
”I'm tough, Car. We're gonna make sure that that's not going to happen. You give me the time and the place and I'll be there. Someone's gotta make sure Kolby attacks the right person,” he replies, finishing in a half joke.
”Just- we need to make a final decision.”Finally - something that Lilith was good at and could actually accomplish at the moment. She couldn't make the decision for Miles or Carlisle either one, but she could look at it from a diplomatic and well rounded problem solving sort of view.
”As if you both don't know I already have fail safes for Miles in place,” she half joked, waving her hand dismissively. Lilith continued speaking without missing a beat.
”If the plan is to stage your birthday party, it would make sense to invite people that it looks like might normally be there. The whole town knows you and Kolby have beef. You can play some of the connections off by saying it's your right to build bonds as a Coven Leader - but no one is going to believe you invited Kolby or any likes of him to anythin’. Ever.” ”Fine, fine. I won't invite Kolby. Sadly I am not exactly liked by most of my coven mates, so convincing people to show might be an issue. I could make it a open party a bit like at we had in September” Carlisle said with a shrug. Having it open would mean anyone could turn up and it would boost numbers if things went bad. It just meant more people in the firing line.
”It’s your decision,” the brunette responded, shrugging her shoulders once more.
”Just keep in mind that more people means more that you can’t control. Meaning that we’re leaving more room for error.” ”More people makes it more believable, but it also means that more people could get hurt. I don't think anyone could want to help my mother, but I get it.” Carlisle gave a small smile. He was grateful that his friends were hearing him out and not just leaving him on his own. He did want to protect them though, and putting them in danger never sat well with him.
Miles bit his tongue on the first thought that floated to his head. Would more people actually be believable? It was no lie that Carlisle was at odds with a lot of people in the coven, and somewhat distant from more. He toyed with Lilith's fingers as he thought through his words, more out of habit than anything else.
”What about Willow?” he asks.
”I think a party of you, me and her is somewhat believable. We'll just say Lilith is sick or something, maybe keep my ma around for good measure?” he suggests.
Carlisle shifted in his seat somewhat as Miles mentions Willow.
”It could do, but I don't want to put her in the firing line for the same reason I don't want you or Lilith in danger” Carlisle ran his hand along the table while he thought a bit more.
”I can make it an open party. If we get anyone else we will just have to keep them to the side, plus if things go south, at least we will have witnesses that it is all self defense””Would your mum attack us in front of an audience though?” Miles points out.
”She's not that stupid is she?””Depends if she thinks the odds are in her favor or not. She knows that I am not well liked, I am guessing she is banking on no one trying to help me, and she can get you both in the crossfire” Carlisle said with a shrug of his shoulder. He didn't know exactly how ballsy his mother was feeling now. She was normally fearless of anyone, so he was pretty confident she would attack regardless.
Miles didn't like that answer, not at all. Less of what it'd mean for this whole planned event but just the weeks to come. He squeezed Lilith’s fingers as his stomach dropped. In the past month Miles had felt more weight drop on his shoulders than he ever had before and this now just felt like one more.
”So what's to stop her attacking now?” he mutters, his voice barely above a whisper.
”What's to stop her from breaking into the Ranch or your townhouse?” Miles swore could feel himself become pale as his mind flicked through all the possibilities. He wasn't used to this, being so deep in fear, thoughts and worries. He missed not having those burdens though they seemed to plague him now. He bit the inside of his cheek waiting for some form of reassurance.
”Honestly nothing. If it's any help, I seem to be the more important target. She thinks she can install my sister by removing me. The ranch would be safe as she wouldn't want to risk a direct confrontation with the rest of the Montgomery clan” Carlisle calmly remarked.
Miles sighs, dragging his free hand against the grain of the wooden table. His other hand loosened it's grasp around Lilith's fingers. Maybe Carlisle was right, she might just get him and leave Lil and him alone. The idea of Amanda claiming the life of his friend wasn't particularly comforting but at least his family were safe. A thought crossed his mind, causing him to tighten his grip around Lilith's hand once more.
”And while she's so bold- what's the chance she goes after my ma?” Miles hated how much of a golden opportunity this sounded. He knew Amanda hated his mother, he couldn't help but wonder if his father coming back might ignite all of that. Not to mention her now living alone made her too easy a target.
”I couldn't rule it out… If I am being honest. She is more unhinged than ever. I think she sees my sister as a second chance to secure the family legacy and make up for her past mistakes. Really it should only concern me and her, but I am sure she will drag everyone else in with it” Carlisle let out a soft sigh. He wasn't comfortable with the idea of putting anyone else in danger himself.
Lilith remained silent, listening to the conversation around her as she watched Miles toy with her fingers. They had sat and discussed so many variations of this plan that she was lost on what path they had decided.
”The best thing would be for Mary to come and stay at the Ranch. I can’t force her into anythin’, but the offer still stands. It’s not a well known thing, but the house has extra protection - Amanda would have a hell of a time getting in there.” Silence fell over the room again while she tried to sort her thoughts.
”If you’re inviting the whole Coven, I’m not staying home. I’m not putting everyone at risk for some wack plan.” Her eyes flicked back and forth between the two of them, trying to read their expressions.
”Pregnant or not, I am a Council member, and I will not sit idly by while the whole Coven is put at risk for our issues.” ”You can be the one to have that conversation with her,” Miles replies with a light chuckle as Lilith discusses having his mother move into the Ranch. Miles' face seemed to suddenly harden as Lilith announced that she was going to join the group. He didn't have to tell her that was one of the last things he wanted to hear; he knew she knew that. Soon a sigh escapes the man.
”I'm not talking you out if this one… am I?” he asks, looking back at her. In truth Miles knew Lilith had skills that would serve the group well through this whole escapade but he couldn't shake the nervousness that came with the thought of her being there. If Amanda Aston was really out to torture him or his mother, Miles knew Lilith was her first target.
The brunette shook her head, a disappointed look appearing on her face. She didn’t want to hurt or stress Miles anymore than she already was, nor did she want to over insinuate her importance. However in Lilith’s mind, her sitting at home just didn’t make sense in either scenario. Carlisle had a target on his back - none of them could deny that - but they also couldn’t deny that Lilith and her children were the ones Amanda was truly after. Killing off Carlisle and reinstating her long lost daughter only did Amanda so much good when Lilith was about to give birth to so called ‘super babies’.
”No,” she responded quietly.
”You can’t.” She could have sworn as soon as she said the words that Miles aged five more years.
”I promise I’ll be careful, and I won’t put myself in harm's way - but you can’t seriously just both ask me to stay at home.” ”Wasn't really asking,” Miles mutters, running his free hand through his black hair. He knew regardless of what he said or did, Lilith would do what she wanted.
”By being there you're putting yourself in harm's way. Even without the whole hating me thing she knows you're carrying superbabies, I don't think that's something she'll take kindly to.” He sighs once more.
”Just get someone to turn you invisible or shapeshift you or something. And have some way to get out fast. Li, I can't-” he seems unable to finish his sentence, expelling a breath instead.
”I was fine with not being there until Carlisle decided to open it to the general public,” Lilith tried to explain, now feeling a little defensive.
”It’s not like you’d stay at the Ranch if I asked you to either, Miles. Believe me when I say that I understand the gravity of the whole situation, but you can’t ask me to be okay with putting everyone we know in danger. You, Carlisle and a few others that we all trust - I was willing to swallow that pill. But putting you both in a situation where we have no idea how everyone would react? Not to be a bitch - but am I the only one here who remembers that half the Coven basically hates Carlisle?” Despite her emotional state, Lilith managed to keep her tone level and full of concern. She didn’t want Miles to feel like she was mad at him, but she had and would always have responsibilities to the Coven - rather Miles and the babies were here or not.
Miles huffed at Lilith's response claiming he wouldn't stick back either. She wasn't wrong but their situations were vastly different, weren't they?
”You know I wouldn't be pushing this any other time, Lilith.” Miles argues back, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. This whole situation was frustrating. He swore he'd age 10 years in the past hour alone.
”Half the Coven might hate Carlisle but most of ‘em like me just fine,” he claims in turn. Miles was over this whole meeting and he knew it showed between his sour attitude and his scowls.
”I know you wanna be some big strong warrior and in any other situation I'd be all for it but you've got other things to consider right now. Namely them-” he nods toward her stomach.
”Just-” he gives an exaggerated sight.
”Just if you come, promise me you'll do everything- I mean everything to stay alive.”Lilith heard what Miles had to say - right up until the point she felt like she was being mocked. She didn’t have the desire to be a big strong warrior, she just wanted people to remember that she was a Montgomery witch. Over the years with their numbers dwindling and Claire being Claire - it was easy to see why some people doubted Lilith due to her last name alone, but she had worked hard to clear it. She didn’t want to run into battle with guns blazing, but she was tired of being written off as weak and fragile - tired of feeling like people had forgotten what she was capable of.
”Fine,” she nearly snapped.
”If what you want is for me to be locked up with potions and paper work for the rest of my life, then that’s where I’ll be,” the young woman stated, getting up from her chair.
”I have other things to consider, but you just get to run out there and get yourself potentially killed and I get to say nothing. Cool. Great. Fine. If what you two want to do is make me feel like I’m stuck in the fucking fifties, than you’ve succeded. Figure it out yourselves.” Pushing the chair back under the table Lilith stormed off to find Mary.
”That's not what I meant and you damn well know it, Lilith!” Miles growls after his girlfriend as she starts walking off. When she leaves the room the young man gives a frustrated growl, resting his head in his hands.
Carlisle was about to say something and protest about what Lilith was saying. But given her tone and the way Miles was reacting, he simply stayed quiet and keep his head down.
Miles eyes glanced at his friend as another sigh expels from his lips. John would have his ass for this one. In truth he didn't mean for it to fly so off the rails. He knew even while pregnant Lilith was far from breakable but the thought of putting her and their unborn children at risk unlocked a kind of concerned fear in Miles he'd never felt before, and he was quickly learning how things went south when that fear won. He tapped his fingertips on the table.
”I- I don't want her behind a desk forever. Hell, even for now. If it was werewolves or something I wouldn't care but Amanda- I know Amanda's aiming right for her,” Miles was looking at Carlisle as he untangled the thoughts at the forefront of his mind but even he was unsure.if he was actually talking to Carlisle.
”It's my fault. I should not have asked either of you to get involved and just solved this myself” Carlsie remarked as he stood up from his chair.
”You should probably catch up with her” ”Nah, man. I'm glad you asked for help. This isn't something you can’t do alone.” Miles gives a sigh, swinging himself around to face Carlisle.
”It's better I give her a moment to cool off. We'll be fine, it's just all getting to us. I feel like I've been hit by a truck the past few weeks and I don't think she feels any better.””You need to unwind a bit. I know it's not easy. But you two are going to be together for a very very long time, I know this isn't helping, but you are going to have to bridge it together” He didn't want to sound rude, but Carlisle knew that this relationship was going to take some work.
Miles couldn't help the dry laugh that came out of him at Carlisle insistence he unwinds.
”With what time? I get out of bed and John puts me to work until I go to my actual job and if there's daylight back when I get home I'm on the fields again.” As Carlisle keeps talking Miles shakes his head slightly. Carlisle was always a little too clueless and overdramatic for his own good sometimes.
”Couples fight, Carlisle. If you haven't figured that out with Willow you will soon. It isn't relationship over because we had a spat.””Thankfully me and Willow don't really argue or fight. We just vibe with each other. I get you can have arguments. But I am pretty much the reason for this one.” Carlisle took a moment to look around the room and then back at Miles.
”Look, I appreciate you both doing this. I know that you don't want Lilith to get hurt and neither do I, but she is capable and strong. Fairly sure she could floor the two of us… “ Carlisle gave off a nervous laugh.
”Go catch up with her, make sure she doesn't stress too much. I need to get back to work and continue unpicking all the crap my mother left behind”
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