Lyla stopped in the corridor. In the bag was the two containment chambers, both of which she didn't want. Lyla didn't want to be responsible for the decision about what happened to Aneska.

"I'll be out in a tick, okay?"

The trio waited as Lyla turned back into the room. Gamichee was surprised to see Lyla returning on her own. And, the door was closed, something that was even more intriguing.

"Lyla, is something wrong?"

"No. I've been thinking about Aneska since last night, and I have decided that I don't want to be responsible for her fate."

"What do you mean?" Carson said with a frown. "You released her."

Opening the bag, Lyla pulled out the two containment chambers that were closed. Both vampires looked at them with stunned silence.

"Let's be perfectly clear here. I knew that you were there. I'm not the idiot that you've tried to make me out to be. He is dead because he crossed me, and I'm sure you know what happens to those who wrong me. You are here tonight because Merissa said that I had to wait and see the real you. She is the only reason you survived last night because I promise you that I wanted to take you down. All three of you."

Their eyes widened ever so slightly. If Lyla knew that there were three of them in the shadows, then she really did know that they were there.

"The faked screams were only to get her out of there without you two intervening. I wanted to decide her fate, not have it taken from me. She is my leverage, yet again. This is what I'm offering to you. Shut down the black markets, and Aneska is yours. If you accept the offer and I find out that they're still operating, I'll be back and I promise that regardless of the past, I will have a bullet for the both of you. Even if you release her for your protection, I will still take you down. I am not afraid of her, you, anything. Do we have a deal?"

Gamichee's eyes slid to Carson, who was rooted to his spot, staring at Lyla. How did she know that they were there? They'd slipped into the estate, completely undetected by the guards and by the werewolf that was always running around. They'd watched from afar as Lyla became more and more irritated at the situation. Gamichee commented that she was right on track for his plan. She was going to raise hell in that place, and he was rubbing his hands together with pure delight.

Yet she knew.

Inhaling sharply, Gamichee smiled and slowly lifted from his seat.

"Deal," he said, holding out his hand.

Lyla gripped it firmly, making Gamichee squirm as she dragged him over the table.

"If you even dare send her after us, I'm going to show you the torture tactics that I used on Carson. You'll get a first hand view of what it's like to piss off the wrong woman. But you're a smart vampire, aren't you, Gamichee? You'd never do something so foolish as releasing the sorcerer to use against the one person that is desperate to make you pay for her daughter's death, right?"

"Absolutely," he said through gritted teeth.

"Good boy," she whispered.

Her defiant smile was back, domineeringly standing tall as he winced under pressure. Letting go of the now white hand, Lyla stepped back.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you."

Turning, Lyla sauntered out of Gamichee's office. As he stood upright, Gamichee looked at his hand that was now throbbing.

"If only there were more like her," he murmured. "I'd have every single one of them in my employ."

Carson chuckled. If there was even one more of Lyla, this world would be crazy and scary, perhaps a little fun and definitely wild.

Lyla closed the door and looked at the group that she now called family. They'd moved past being friends, and there was no way that she'd let a day go by without at least talking to them. As for that sinfully wicked creature that looked at her as if she was the only woman on the planet, it was better than it had been. It would take time. Lyla was not going to rush into anything, even if she had fallen into bed with him. And accepted a ring that was almost like an engagement ring, even if it wasn't.

Falling into bed with Lennon wasn't ideal, but it was needed. She wanted to start their return to the past rather than dwelling in the negative thoughts. It only led to angered words and hurt feelings. She'd had enough of them and wanted positivity from now on. Starting with these three, then moving onto her own mind.

Letting go of Eloise was not going to be easy. In fact, Lyla knew that it was going to be downright difficult. Cleaning her room was the first step. It was on the list that she'd created in her mind when life was back to normal. She was there, life was normal now, but she was not ready to even open the bedroom door. It hurt too much.

Lyla wanted to hold Eloise in her arms again. To soothe her when she was in pain. To be her guide in this dark world and to give her hope for tomorrow. That was never going to happen now. All she had was her painful conversations that were always one sided and almost always watched on by a human.

When they reached the crossroads, Lyla looked down the street and saw the cemetery. Her heart lurched, but Lyla knew it was the right thing to do.

"Just going to say hello."

"Okay," Ris said eagerly. "We'll see you in the afternoon. And I'll deliver the car to your friend. I'll drive."

Lyla nodded with silent gratitude, smiling at Adley, who looked rather put out. He wanted to drive the nice car again.