Sean

It had been three weeks since she'd vanished - and she really had vanished. Not a single trace of her could be found anywhere in the world. The only thing holding Luke together was Erin. As for the rest of us, we were spiraling badly. Despite the Toma men not having fully started a relationship with her, they too were broken. We had taken to keeping watch over Nate who was struggling to stay away from alcohol. His guilt had begun eating at him more and more the longer she was gone.

"She won't do a DNA test until the kid is born," Owen growled as he flung himself onto our bed. "Oh and if things weren't suspicious before, get this, Chloe is her fucking lawyer!"

"What?" I shouted, almost cutting my damn neck as I dropped the razor from shaving. "This can't be a coincidence. How the fuck do they all even know each other?"

"I don't know, and I don't even know who to hire now that Marc can't dig around for me," he groaned. He dropped his hands from over his eyes and looked at me, then laughed, "Um, love, you might need to even that up."

I raised my eyebrows, then looked in the mirror. Apparently, when he startled me, I had taken most of my beard off. I sighed, "Guess I get to look like a youngster again."

Owen came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me, "Good thing I've loved you since we were young." He nuzzled my neck, kissing me softly as his hands traveled lower. I let out a quiet moan when his hand began stroking my length through my pants. Without a word, his hand dipped inside, gripping me firmly.

"Owen," I breathed as he used his other hand to lift my chin. His steely grey eyes held me as he pumped faster.

"Don't look away," he said, then pushed his pants down, nudging my legs further apart. "Hold the counter, my love." I did as he asked, watching him all the time as he began to press deep inside of me as he continued to stroke my cock. My whole body was at his mercy as he watched me with such love and passion that I felt my heart swell. "I love you," he whispered, "Now cum for me."

I cried out as I spilled into his hand, my knuckles whitening as I gripped the counter. His sounds filled the room as he came inside of me. I sagged as he held me. "I love you, Owen."

Corey

I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try something. I couldn't handle watching us all shatter and not knowing if she was safe or not.

Old enemies have reared their heads and taken our queen. We are boxed in and cannot search for leaks in the ship. Targets include the captain, the warrior, and the prince. All others are collateral damage - even the birds.

I sent the encrypted message hoping the channel was still viable.

Search started for targets. No info for queen, but will update.

I let out a loud holler and Raven came running into the room with Brandon hot on his heels. "What's wrong?"

I grinned, "Nothing is wrong, I just called in reinforcements." I turned the screen to show them.

"Is that little bird?"

"Wait, are you telling me you reached out to Sang?" Brandon gaped, "Are you sure the Blackbornes are going to be okay with that?"

"Right now I don't care. She helped when Sean went missing, and this involves her too. Those bitches didn't just threaten us, they pulled her back in as well. Hell, I'd reach out to Phil if I thought he wasn't compromised," I retorted. "Besides, she and Cliff have more resources at their disposal."

"Yeah, well you're still the one that's going to tell them," Brandon smirked. "I'll just stand back and watch them yell."

Avery

"You can't hide forever, My Lady," the small creature spoke quietly as she poured more tea. "Those babes aren't meant to dwell in this world forever, and neither are you."

"I know, Clara, but I still don't know what to do," I sighed.

"Well hiding isn't the answer," the Morrigan snorted. "Not to mention, your grandmother is getting a tad combative about you staying here."

"I know, but where else was I going to go? Fuck, now I know exactly how Victor felt all those years ago." When I found myself in Gairloch I just knew what to say that day. I knew the Ghillie Dhu would bring me to Tír na nÓg. It was the one place they couldn't search, or so I hoped.

Marith put her hand on mine, "You have to face this, child. You are a banshee, not this frightened girl I see. Find your magic, your strength, and face them." Over the weeks, the Morrigan had become more of a friend to me than I thought possible. She had begun teaching me how to access my sídhe magic and to control my gifts. I'd spent hours scrying and checking up on them. I suppose it shouldn't have surprised me to learn that the blonde was Olivia, but the redhead being Owen's ex from over two years ago did surprise me. Guess she can hold a grudge.

I sighed, "I know. I just need a plan first. I'm going to lie down for a bit. These two have been restless." Marith and Clara nodded as I pushed myself up from the chair and headed to my room. I let the warmth of the blankets comfort me as I dreamt.

I was startled when I felt a hand on my stomach. My eyes flew open meeting Victor's fiery ones. "H...how are you here?"

He smiled, "How are you? I don't even know where we are. The last thing I knew I was sitting in the office trying to find you. I guess I fell asleep." He ran his hand over my stomach, "They're getting bigger."

I felt a kick and he chuckled, "I guess they recognize your voice," I said quietly. "I miss you."

"Come home," he begged, moving closer until his body was pressed against mine. "Come back to us, to me."

I fought to blink back my tears, "I...I can't. You know that better than anyone. They won't stop until they hurt you if I come back."

"Avery," he breathed, his lips tracing over mine. His hand kneaded my breast, gently tugging at my sensitive nipple before moving to the other. "None of it matters without you. We need you." His mouth closed over my protests as I felt my body respond to him. I need you, fuck, I need you more than I need air - his words filled my mind.

Please, please make love to me - I begged as our mouths continued to move in tandem. I don't even know where our clothing went, but I moaned when I felt his skin against mine. His mouth left mine as he placed me on my hands and knees with a pillow to support my stomach. His strong hands gripped my hips as he plunged inside of me. I cried out, feeling him move rapidly as my body shook. I couldn't stop the tears that streamed down my face.

"You are mine, Avery, and I won't let you go," he growled as he slammed into me again before pulling out and flipping us over. He bucked his hips up as I straddled him, penetrating me deep. "I can't lose you." Tears streaked his face, his amber eyes almost glowing as he spoke. "Cum for me, my beautiful wife."

I held his gaze as my body obeyed his command. My sobs broke free, "Victor." We both came violently until I fell onto his chest as he held me, our tears mingling. When I finally regained my breath I asked the question I feared. "Is it Nathan's?"

He grimaced, "We still don't know. She refuses a paternity test until the baby is born."

I frowned, then grinned wickedly. "Sean will know. All he has to do is touch her and he'll know. At least then Nathan would have some sort of closure and not be fighting with his demons. Please tell Erin I love her and I'm sorry."

"Tell her yourself," he said, cupping my chin. "I won't drag you back yet, but know this my banshee, you can't hide forever. We won't let you. We will keep digging for a solution, but you have to fight back. The truth is our pasts are questionable at best. Olivia, Chloe, and Isabelle may not be the last ghosts we face. Please don't give up on us."

I leaned up and slapped his chest, "How dare you suggest that! I'm not giving up, I'm trying to protect you! I love you - all of you, ya fecking idiot!"

Victor laughed loudly, "And there's my Avery!" 

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