Lyla mused that the information, while correct, was incredibly lacking. It was also marked that she was to be sent to Fielding Hall. Turning the page, she read about the vampire beside her. Troublemaker but not a threat. The list of known hangouts and residences consumed most of the page. Lyla cast a glance at Lennon. He merely smirked and shrugged.

She continued on, noting that his known associates were limited to Adley, Ris and curiously, a woman named Gina. This time he did not get a glance. Lyla looked at him with a burning curiosity.

"Gina's gone." He said softly. "But when she was alive, she was also known as my twin sister. Older by ten minutes, apparently. Not having known my parents, I wouldn't know if this was the truth or even if we were related."

"You were," Carson muttered tersely.

"Shut the hell up about her," Lennon yelled.

"Look, I said that I was sorry."

Lennon sighed heavily as he took the book off Lyla and flicked the pages to the letter G. Gina was still in there with a long line through the notes. At the bottom, Carson had written accidental death.

She didn't want to linger in Lennon's painful memories, but she didn't want to discard them by turning the page. They weren't inconsequential, but Lyla worried that she'd just reopen the wounds that were clearly still festering. Looking up at Adley and Ris wasn't much help either.

"Gina and Carson were a thing, not that long ago. Rival town came through and shot up the place. Carson's job was to get the boss man out of there and keep him safe, but apparently, he couldn't be bothered to include the woman he was supposedly in love with. They got revenge but that didn't seem to go all too well considering Chad lost his fangs for it."

"Oh," Lyla said softly. "I'm sorry,"

"Yeah, me too."

Lennon reached over and flicked the pages back to the letter E. Eloise had her own entry, and Lyla was surprised at the notes. The first entry was over a year ago. Carson had written that she appeared at the club with a group of friends. Her entry into the notebook was because Nironsa showed an immediate interest, and Gamichee was not impressed. Lyla wasn't impressed either.

"Fifteen and at a nightclub." she muttered tersely. "Were they aware of her age?"

"No," Carson called out. "It was her only time in the club."

Lyla rolled her eyes and continued to read about her wayward daughter. The bonus of Carson's notes was that he dated everything, and because Eloise was involved with Nironsa, the notes were quite extensive.

It was how Lyla knew that Eloise was not at her father's. It appeared that she hadn't stayed with her father in a few months. Sleepover at friends' houses was a lie, and the school camp was too. It made Lyla's stomach curl. She'd not paid enough attention. Eloise always seemed to be well behaved and gave the appearance that she was just a quiet young lady. It was far from the truth.

"Well, this is like a really large view of what it takes to be a bad mother."

"This is not telling you that you're a bad mother, Lyl's. If you keep reading, you're going to find the same thing over and over again. I told you, remember? He offers the world; he tempts them into his web. Besides, we know what he was after, and there was no way that he was going to let go of her. If anything, this should show you what you need to be aware of. They will do anything to get their hands on you."

"Babymaker." She breathed quietly.

"Yep."

Closing the notebook, Lyla tucked it into her bag and then looked across the table. Adley and Ris hadn't said a word.

"What now? It's only eleven am."

"Well, we can't exactly get out of here easily, and I'm guessing that you don't want to leave Carson with your friends."

Lyla watched as Adley turned to Ris. She desperately wanted to understand him, finding her inability to be frustrating.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"What?"

"Adley said that boss man's going to turn up the second the sun is low enough. It doesn't even have to be fully set, and he'll send someone in. That means we have no idea when he'll be here."

"Or his friends," Ris added. "Is there another way out of here?"

Lyla thought about the layout of the bar and the buildings around it.

"Yeah, kind of. Adley won't be able to make it, but you're fine for the sun, right?"

Adley nodded.

"Alright, give me a minute."

Oscar and Diego exchanged glances as Lyla made her way over to them. She didn't look like a happy woman, but there was something resolute in her face.

"Okay, so we're leaving, and we're not taking them with us. His boss or whatever bit of nonsense he sends will turn up here at any time between now and sunset. I would recommend that you put a closed sign on the door and go home."

They looked at each other again, both men wondering if Lyla had lost her mind.

"Why are you associating with vampires?" Oscar asked.

"Because she is one."

Lyla scowled at Carson. He shrugged in response.

"I'm not a vampire, but they seem to think that I am a hybrid due to the possibility that I was bitten by one as a child. They also seem to think that hybrids are their way of having children."

"Eloise?" Oscar said softly.

"I don't know if she was pregnant. We knew the cause of death, so there was no need to do an autopsy."

Pressing her lips tight, Lyla began to back away.

"Go home, please."

They nodded. Oscar turned to the bar to begin closing down. He was grateful, it had been a long time since yesterday afternoon, and he hadn't slept. Most of the staff had gone home at two am which was standard, but Diego remained behind and kept the bar open for Lyla and her friends. Not one to miss out, Oscar declared that he was staying until he couldn't stand upright anymore.

Then the new vampire turned up with his mini posse of imposters. It had been a long night and early morning hours. Diego was out of coffee and was now depleting the energy drinks used in the mixer drinks. Naturally, Diego was eager to sleep. With the contents of the till in his bag again, he waited by the door.

Lyla wandered into the women's restroom, showing Ris and Lennon the only shaded path out of the place.

"Adley's borrowing a car," Lennon murmured as he stood on the toilet bowl. "But maybe you should drive it."

"Sure."

Opening the window, he poked his head out and looked around the alley. It was a drop to the ground, but they'd be fine. Once they were through, Lyla closed the window and went in search of the werewolf that could drive but shouldn't.

When Diego finished locking the door, he turned to the sound of a crash.

"That's my car." he snapped.

"Damn, sorry." Lyla huffed. "I'll drive, okay, Adley?"

The werewolf frowned at her.

She waited, tapping her finger on her wrist. Time was evading them. With a huff, Adley got out.

"Hey Diego, can I borrow your car? Sure thing, Blue, anything for you. After all, I've just shut my bar knowing that a group of thugs are about to break into the place to retrieve the vampire that we've got locked up in there."

Lyla tilted her head, offering a smile.

"How about we borrow it until we can find something better to steal?"

"Sure, whatever. Just don't let him drive it."

Adley growled at the human, making Diego jump slightly.

"I'll message you with the address. Bring your spare key. I'll leave them under the seat."

Diego removed the car key and gave it to Lyla.

"Try not to scratch it."

As Lyla and the werewolf got into the car, Diego looked at Oscar.

"You're never going to see that car again."

Diego groaned as his shoulders slumped. Oscar chuckled, giving him a hearty slap on the back.

"Come on, you can buy me lunch."