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Lucinda texted Tabitha and Garrett to meet them all in the living room, that there was something important for them to talk about. Piper and Grant were there and Andrew was with her too.
Tabitha sighed softly, glancing to her phone, a little put out that their small measure of peace was broken yet again. Reading the message, she frowned, before she climbed out of the hammock smoothly, barely setting it to swaying, and said
"It seems important" She just hoped she wasn't going to be expected to play nice with that wolf. She trotted off towards the house, assuming that Garrett was following, she did glance around them, a little perplexed, but after a moment, Tabitha dismissed it, and continued on.
Garrett looked at his phone and sighed. He didn't think Lucinda was still upset but if she was texting him then it must be urgent. Garrett watched as Tabitha received a text as well and assumed it was was from Lucinda as well. As he was walking with Tabitha he texted Piper, telling her to go to the house with Grant.
When they arrived in the living room Lucinda grabbed Andrew's hand for support a moment.
"Please sit I need to say some things." She looked at Piper and Grant and Andrew and she stood up, pacing a little nervously. She took a minute to decide how to say it.
"You know I love you both and you both know that for a long time I was in love with Garrett." She looked at them and then at Andrew and smiled.
"I think I was holding onto a love that doesn't exist anymore. I was afraid to let myself get past that. Truth be told I don't want Garrett. I love Andrew. Last night I was vulnerable and pissed at Garrett and so when Samuel took advantage of that I let him. I'm sorry for that I know it hurt you both."She was looking directly at both of them but mostly at Garrett at the end.
"You already know that I forgive you, a temporary lapse in judgement is more than forgivable." Andrew responded with a smile.
Tabitha was sure that her small frame was vibrating with anger, or annoyance. She didn't actually know which, but she knew she wasn't, right then, happy. Andrew's reasonable attitude merely made her more so, and she barely managed to stay where she was.
"So you demanded that we accept Samuel, that we "respect" him, and that what was, was, even though he wasn't worthy of you, all based on a whim?" She shook her head, exasperated. She didn't think the reasons Lucinda gave were valid, reasonable. It was one thing to sleep with the werewolf, another completely to demand that they accept him, and Tabitha was frustrated, once more, at Lucinda's whims.
Garrett barely noticed a word anyone said. He got he key point, but he was mainly focused on Grant. He did indeed have a few of his facial features, and he could see Siranna in his face. He was upset because had he known he would have been there for Grant. It saddened to know that he failed as a father. Grant snapped back to reality as Tabitha finished speaking and he held her hand. He looked at Tabitha.
"I......agree with Tabitha, but I'm just happy that you came to your senses. Samuel is obviously a sociopath bent on ruling so the farther away you are from him the better. I'm glad we are a family again. Or at least we can start to be again. This isn't the first time something like this has happened."Grant scoffed.
"From what I've heard he is simply acting out of alpha instincts. Werewolves will be werewolves."Piper looked at Grant and shook her head slightly and smiled slightly.
Lucinda looked at Tabitha and sighed more frustrated with herself than anyone at that point.
"I'm truly sorry Tabitha. We do have other problems that we need to discuss." "Samuel wants to take over all supernaturals and put them under his rule. He is talking about vamps, wolves, witches. Everybody! He wanted me by his side because I am an Original and he figured that would make it easier for him to get the vamps under control. I saw him and his wolves in action. They were out to kill a group of younger vamps. I couldn't let him do it. I started throwing wolves and ran the vamps off." She let out her breath.
"Needless to say he is going to consider me an enemy from now on.""I think we all agree that anyone who threatens our family has a deathwish. This isn't the first time someone has tried to conquer all three factions and it surely wont be the last." Andrew said as he took Lucinda's hand.
Tabitha didn't need the apology. She knew Lucinda was sorry, but that didn't mean her anger would abate. It wasn't simply what she'd done, it was the fact that, to Tabitha, it had seemed, for even just a few moments, that it was them, or Samuel, and she was more then a little hurt on that. She sighed, glancing over to Grant briefly, she said
"There are plenty of werewolves, and alphas too, that don't go killing a powerful vampire simply to make a point As Garrett took her hand, Tabitha let herself be soothed just a little bit.
"Not all witches were subdued by Jackson, Callie was removed from her coven because she wouldn't conform. It will be the same with the wolves, and its going to be the same with Samuel. He won't get them truly united, no one will, because they are all separate groups. The best he can hope for his to inspire enough fear not to be challenged, and we've certainly let him run rampant, haven't we?" Tabitha knew that that was a bit petty of her, and yet she couldn't help herself.
She sighed, and looked away from everyone. She was certain now that there would be war, and that supernaturals who didn't deserve to die would be killed, one way or another. All because they didn't deal with the issue as it first arose. And now she was distracted, her anger, for the moment, leaving her in the face of the problem. Maybe she'd simply forget that she was angry, but eventually she'd come back to it.
Garrett spoke.
"We may be originals but we can't just rush in an take out Samuel like a snap of our fingers, not now anyways. If we had taken care of the problem when it first arose then yea but by now he is sure to have the witches and werewolf big hitters on his side. We are the vampire big hitters so I doubt he would have any vampires hidden for attack. "Grant rolled his eyes.
"Way to state the obvious Garret." When he spoke his fathers name he said it with an obvious amount of venom.
"But please don't let anything stop you. Charge right in, get slaughtered."Piper pinched Grant on the arm.
"Don't be disrespectful to him!" Lucinda looked at Grant.
"Young man, we may not always get along and we have to deal with each others mistakes but we don't get disrespectful so please don't do it."Tabitha glanced to Grant once more, frowning.
"Perhaps if you didn't have such a prejudice against your father, you might have heard Garrett say we can't just rush in. If you're just going to throw your voice around to get in digs against him, then don't speak. This is important stuff, watch and maybe learn a thing or two" She said, weary with all the conflict all of a sudden, she gave a heavy sigh. And she was oddly perturbed at the...
motherly tone that slipped through, something she reserved for her newly turned spawn. It unnerved her, and she grimaced, looking over the group.
"There are unknown big hitters in every species. Maybe we can bring them over to our side" the thought of war, of having to slip into that mind set, disturbed her, and Tabitha just wanted to be anywhere else. She just wanted even a day of complete happiness, but things kept on happening. Not even a day. Just a few hours.
"I believe our best course of action is to begin with finding those who were disatisfied with the previous set up and attempt to negotiate alliances. I have a few connections myself that could help with weaponry and the like." Andrew didn't like fighting but was always prepared for it. Conflict comes with being a creature of the night.
Alex came around the corner.
"What the hell you guys are louder than a three ringed circus." He scanned the room and found the new guy, Grant.
"Grant...Shut the fuck up or I'll shove your attitude up your ass. Your father is a great man and you will show him respect. You will also treat Piper right or again I'll show you the darkside of your ass....and.." he looked at the rest of them.
"If we take out the higher ups such as Samuel and his right hand men it will cut them off at the knees the rest will slink into the background effectively ending the problem. Now if you guys don't mind I'm going back in to see my girlfriend. Unless you have anything else to say...." Piper laughed so hard she fell off the couch.
Grant laughed shortly. Grant thought to himself this was quite the colorful group. Grant stood up and put his hands in his pockets.
"I litterally couldn't care less about any of this or any of you. I came here to kill Garrett, and I still haven't decided if I should show him mercy."He looked at Garrett.
"I don't care if you didn't know Or not, your a sad pathetic excuse of a man if you were willing to treat my mother like a queen and then leave. If she was still alive..,"Grant said choking on his words as his mother was brought up. He cleared his throat and spoke again.
"anyways talk of alliances all you want, in a week the strongest family of warlocks and witches will be powerless. So your heavy hitters for magic are going to be gone soon." Grant flipped off Alex and began walking out of the room.
The entire time Garrett held Tabitha's hand, externally calm. It inwardly shaken. He couldn't help it, everything Grant said hit a cord with him. But something he said bothered him more.
"Wait Grant! What did you mean by that last thing you said? About the warlocks?"Piper got up and made to go after Grant.
"Grant, please!" She grabbed hold of his arm and held on tightly.
Grant stopped an rolled his eyes.
"Piper these people are ridiculous. I've been here all of one day and I already know more of what's happening in the city than they do." "So why don't you tell us? They only got here day before yesterday. We only have a little information." Alex had crossed his arms and was peering at him with a look that was a cross between anger and amusement.
Grant contemplated his thoughts on this. On one hand, he wanted to show how little they knew. On the other, he was a successful assassin. The only orders he takes is from his master. Grant sighed and spoke to everyone. "
The most powerful coven in this city is the Novak Coven. They are a family of warlocks and witches that can trace their lineage very very far. Right now they are being pressured by Samuel, and so far they are saying no. But in one week they have to hold their ceremony of renewing. Basically for the weekend they will have no magic power to tap into. But if Samuel can get to them before they replenish their magic and rule over them he will be able to do almost anything. You cant truly block something when the attack is coming from half a city over."
Tabitha felt her anger stirring again, and she didn't like it. She never liked to be angry, and now it seemed like she had no choice in the matter. And a part of it was that she couldn't do anything, which just served to infuriate her more. What was it, that Garrett had said, the other day? that she was so tiny, she would fill up on one emotion? Something like that. She almost got distracted, trying to think on the right words, but stopped, pulled herself back.
She was going to berate Grant, but now it was for a different reason.
"You talk about being pathetic, but here you sit, when we are discussing something important, withholding this information? Because you are holding a grudge, that we had to leave? You don't know what we've had to go through over 1200 years. Sometim-"Grant held up his hand. "
Yea thanks but no thanks I didnt sign up to get berated....whatever you are to me. My aunt? My new stepmom? I didnt say anything because none of this effects me. And I couldnt care less. Garrett being here does not matter at all."
Being interupted was not something Tabitha liked. She glowered, not liking being angry one bit, she was a little thunderstruck. She tried not to let that show.
"You're an idiot if you think it doesn't affect you, do you really think Samuel will stop at this city? Knowing that the Novak family in particularly could be stopped from having their magic is a big frigging deal. The Novaks aren't the only magical family, the other witches and warlocks could do something if given the time to prepare, but you weren't going to share the information! What do you think Samuel would do, to a one in a gazillion chance vampire child like you? You don't think it affects you, but it does, so stop being an ass" She glanced around at the others, deciding it wasn't worth being angry at Lucinda anymore, when she really hated the emotion. And she knew that was ironic. Hating Anger.
"Does anyone else want to tick me off today, or can I stop being angry because I really really really don't want to be"Piper stood there not knowing what to do with this news Grant had.
"You were going to let us get slaughtered? Even if the Originals didn't die the rest of us could. You have to know I would be right in the middle of the fighting." Piper looked at him and looked away in confusion.
"Maybe our connection is some kind of crazy spell or something. How else could we be ....?" She looked from one person to the next and landed on Alex. She knew how much she and Alex had loved each other for over a century and this pull made that look weak.
"I..I can't believe you." Piper walked out the front door.
Grant looked at Piper, and he felt an unusual pain in his chest. He tried to shrug it off, but he simply sighed and ignored. There would be time for that later. Besides he was an assassin....he didnt have time for that.....right?
Grant looked across the room. "
Anyone else wanna bitch or am I free to leave?"
Alex walked over to Grant and punched him in the gut hard.
"I told you to be good to her. You are obviously an ass and she deserves better than you." The strength behind the punch was enough to send Grant falling backwards easily. He isn't called the enforcer for nothing.
"Call me if you need me." Alex turned and went back to his room.
Grant looked up, fangs out, and raced back to Alex. He zipped behind him, wrapped his arms around under his arms and locked his hands together behind his neck. This move effectively prevented Alex from being able to counter attack, a simple move but very effective. Grant opened his mouth and bit into Alex, slowly draining him of blood, weakening him and causing him excruiating pain.
Alex gritted his teeth and before Lucinda could do anything Piper walked back in.
"I forgot my.." Seeing Grant and Alex she grabbed Grant by the hair and ripped him backwards. It effectively caused Alex to yell and be let loose from Grant. Piper blocked him as he was seething and would have undoubtedly torn Grant apart and she said
"Alex go back to your girl. I got this." Alex's fangs didn't retract but he walked away barely able to contain his rage.
Piper took off her necklace and crouched into a fighting stance.
"You want to fight? Come and get me Grant."Grant laughed and pocketed his hands. "
I dont fight people for no reason. He attacked me, I retaliated. If your so upset go comfort your boyfriend. I have better things to do."
Grant turned around. He gave a two finger salute as he passed the rest of the family and walked out of the house.
Piper ran after him and she grabbed his arm.
"Grant! Look at me!" Piper wanted him to see what she was feeling.
Grant looked at Piper and sighed. He understood perfectly what she was feeling. He looked at his arm and surprised himself in the fact that he hadnt removed her hand from it. He liked the way she felt. "
I told you I am not gonna fight you."
Garrett sighed, and looked at Tabitha. "
Its so hard not to look at things from Grants perspective. He doesnt see us as family, and the only person he probably loved was his mother. I am sorry Tabby. But what are we going to do about the Novaks? Do we have any contacts in touch with them?"
Tabitha frowned and shook her head,
"I don't think so. Not any that are alive anymore, at least. Maybe Callie knows some" She said, knowing it was important to at least tell the Novaks what would probably happen, but would they believe them? She didn't know. She was tired already of forcing herself to focus, and not get distracted, and she rubbed her eyes wearily.
Piper put her arms around Grant and hugged him to her.
"I need you to feel how much a family we are. Please, just try to feel it." When she kissed him she could almost see his feelings so she was hoping he could feel hers. She had noticed it earlier and she wondered what this connection was and where the hell it came from because it certainly was changing her life.
Lucinda watched from the doorway glad she didn't have to intervene. She walked back to Andrew and sat down and closed her eyes for a moment.
Garrett noticed her fatigue and in one swift motion he picked her up princess style. "
We should go to bed shouldnt we, I am just *fake yawn* so tired."
Grant closed his eyes, and gave in to his feelings. He kissed Piper once, then picked her up and ran them to her bedroom. He needed her, and he needed her now.
Piper giggled as he ran past the living room full of family and into their room. When Grant had her in the bedroom she smirked at him.
"What's all this about?" she wanted to hear what he would say as she stood where he had put her not six inches from him.
"
I need you, and I need you now. I dont know what it is about you but you just.....drive me up a wall." Grant closed the distance between the two and kissed Piper hard on the mouth.
Tabitha gave a nod, shifting slightly to be comfortable, she was grateful Garrett would, tired or not, look after her. She looked to him, and smiled softly, she said, very aware that it was perhaps the first time, and not caring that there was a houseful of people that could hear, if they cared to listen,
"I love youGarret's eyes flew wide open......and he smiled. He walked them up to his room, then placed Tabitha gently on his bed. He climbed into the bed next to her and leaned in close to her face.
"
I love you too Tabitha. And somewhere deep inside....I always have."
Grant's kiss opened something inside of Piper and as they quickly began exploring each other. There appeared to be more than just simple explanations. They both realized that the connection that they shared was much bigger and deeper than either of them thought. It was bigger than love or hate it was transcendent and virtually unexplainable. When they were done they lay together i each other's arms and she asked him,
"Can you please give the family a chance and help us? Please, for you and me."Grant shrugged, nearly passed out. "
Maybe. I still havent decided yet. I have work to do in the city, so maybe after I am done I will decide." With that said Grant shut his eyes and passed out.
Garretts words made Tabitha feel elated-certainly a much better emotion then anger, and not the least because they reflected her own feelings across the years. She smiled, and kissed him.
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