Owen

"You realize Isabelle is going to give birth soon," I asked Nate as he held his son. Connor was the spitting image of his father, and he was fiercely protective of him and his sister. Mab had explained that his cú sídhe nature was one of the most feared in all of Faerie. The creatures were able to track almost anything - living or dead. He had resumed his human form a few hours after the twins' birth, and with the help of some other cú sídhe, he had now learned how to shift upon demand. Those who knew their powers had been actively practicing them. Silas and Brandon were frustrated that they just had to wait for their visions. Forcing them could lead to false predictions, Mab told them.

"It isn't my child, so why should I care now?" Nate almost growled.

"But neither she nor Chloe know we have discovered the truth. I'm concerned that if we stay away completely, they will come after Avery even more. Not to mention we have no idea where Olivia is and if she's even human. That could be a whole different danger that we know nothing about."

He frowned as he pondered my words and then hummed when Connor reached up to tug at his scruffy beard. "Fuck, you're right," he sighed. "So what are you suggesting? I don't think it's a good idea to bring the babies back yet. They're safer here."

"I agree. I think some of us should go back, maybe even in groups, but at different times to avoid suspicion. Kota needs to submit his paperwork for a leave of absence for next trimester anyway so that would make for a logical trip." I smiled as Avery came into the room with Victor and Aine. "Hello, my hope, how are you feeling?"

She gave an exaggerated grin, "Like I pushed two St. Bernard puppies out of a small pet door." Nate made a choking sound and gaped at her. "Oh hush, I didn't mean it that way. You try pushing babies out and tell me how you feel afterward. Not to mention it was all pain med-free."

"And you did a wonderful job, love," Victor said as he kissed her softly. Aine made a few fussing noises as they sat and I noticed Connor's eyes seemed to instantly shift.

"Did you see that?" I asked.

"See what?" they replied.

"Connor. When Aine fussed, his eyes shifted to the amber color Nate's did when he shifted. He can't shift already, can he?" I wondered. The three exchanged concerned looks. "Might want to check on that. I'm thinking having our son turn into a puppy in the middle of school might be a problem."

"Well if he's a cú sídhe like Nate, then it makes sense he would be protective of his twin sister," Victor offered. "But you have a point about him shifting without warning. Looks like you get to go back to school after all," he teased Nate.

"Man, with our school experiences, I think homeschooling looks good," Nate snorted as we all agreed with him. Avery's eyes lit up and Nate tilted his head, "I know that look. What are you scheming, Cariño?"

"Well, I do have a doctorate in education," she said, drawing her words out, "So...it would make sense to open my own school. We can't be the only family with Fae heritage trying to make it in both worlds. What if we turned one of the houses into a school for kids like ours?"

"That's an amazing idea!" I told her, leaning forward. "Do you know which house you would want to alter? If we plan on staying in Drogheda then both homes will need alteration to accommodate all of us, plus kids."

"May I suggest using my place for the school?" Victor offered. "My grandfather always did his best to help and take in kids who had nowhere else to go. Creating a school out of the place seems like a natural fit, and I'm sure my grandmother would be pleased as well."

"Are you sure?" she asked him.

"Absolutely. You spent your entire life in your house, Avery. Not to mention, we already spend more time there than at the manor. It just makes sense," he told her.

She leaned against his chest and sighed, "Thank you."

Kota

Although he was reluctant to leave Avery and the babies, Nate and Owen accompanied me to Dublin. Chloe had contacted the firm to inform Owen that Isabelle had given birth. Marc and Axel had come along also to keep surveillance of the area as well. None of them had met either Chloe or Isabelle. Of course, we weren't sure about how much Chloe knew of all fourteen of us considering she was some kind of primordial shadow creature. I had just returned to the hotel from my meeting with the Chancellor's office.

"Any problems with the sabbatical?" Owen asked.

"None. I think between what Ward tried with Avery and the whole kidnapping incident, they were more worried about a lawsuit than anything. I'm fairly certain I could have asked for a raise and gotten it," I chuckled.

"Good. Well, Chloe and Isabelle will be here soon. Marc and Axel are in the area, keeping an eye out. They spotted them with the baby about twenty minutes ago. So far nothing unusual," he replied. "Nate's been a bit on edge. I bought him hot chocolate."

We both grinned. I have to admit, a chocolate addiction was never something I expected from my closest childhood friend, but then again, it's far better than alcoholism. He was standing with a large mug, looking out the window. "Hey, how are you holding up?"

"Surviving with my vices," he chuckled. "Honestly, I don't know. My skin feels like it's crawling and I have a really bad feeling about all of this." His eyes shifted, "Something's coming, Kota."

"Should we call this off?" But it was too late as a knock came to the door. Nate let out a low growl, then took several breaths to regain his composure, his eyes resuming their brilliant blue shade. We could hear Owen greeting the two women as we moved toward the sitting area. The suite was large enough to hold a full meeting, so we had plenty of space for just the five of us. I noticed Isabelle clung to the child and seemed off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Her voice shook as she stepped closer to Nate. "Do..do you want to see our daughter?" I could feel his anger coming off him in waves as he stiffened. "Nate?" she whispered. Her voice was laced with fear and when her eyes met his, they were terrified.

His shoulders dropped and he stepped to her. "How are you feeling?"

"I...I'm okay. The delivery was a bit difficult, but we made it. I didn't know how to reach you..." She started to hand him the bundle of pink when a hissing noise came from inside the blankets. Her eyes darted to Chloe and she began to visibly shake. Nate pulled back quickly, his eyes instantly changing and he gave a warning growl. "Nate...what...how?" Isabelle sputtered. "Nate, please, please, just hold our daughter, you'll see she really is yours," Isabelle begged.

Nate growled loudly, "That thing isn't mine. It's a cait sídhe, Isabelle. Did you know this entire time?" Her face blanched.

"Well, fuck me, I guess the cat's out of the bag, literally." Chloe's laughter filled the room. "Of course, she knew it wasn't yours, she just didn't realize what it actually was until now. When I found her she was knee-deep in debt, fucking me to stay off the streets. Imagine my surprise when I realized she was connected to you. It was simply too good of an opportunity to pass up, and then, of course, she led me to poor Olivia." Chloe flicked her wrist and suddenly Olivia appeared next to her. She looked like she was heavily drugged. When her skin seemed to move and ripple I had to suppress the urge to vomit.

"What the hell have you done to her?" I demanded.

"Exactly what she asked for," Chloe snorted. "Humans are so vain and greedy. Olivia wanted to be wealthy and beautiful forever. The shadows who control the Academy saw her as the perfect way to control Victor. His sídhe nature provided a nearly endless food source for us - you all have, and many like you over the years. Hidden sídhe, never realizing who or what you are. Sure you are recognized for your exceptional talents and long-lasting youth, but until that barrier is broken, you never fully access your powers or knowledge. But of course, you already know that, don't you, Nate?" Her eyes blackened to hard agates as she stared at him.

"What do you want, Chloe?" he barked.

She laughed and snatched the bundle from Isabelle's arms. "Well, if I can't control you with this little kitten, then perhaps I'll show you what is awaiting your banshee and her damned children." Grabbing the infant by the back of its neck she spoke words I didn't understand and a fine mist of black smoke surrounded it. Then she dropped it to the ground as Isabelle screamed.

The thing shifted instantly. Instead of a child, it was now a large cat-like creature, but as big as a large breed dog. It stalked closer to Isabelle making hideous growling and gurgling noises, then lunged. In an instant, Nate shifted and attacked the thing, but the damage had already been done. Isabelle stumbled backward, clutching her throat as she choked. Owen and I rushed forward, trying to stop the bleeding as Chloe and Olivia vanished. I ripped off my shirt, pressing it tightly. Her eyes met mine as she mouthed, sorry. "No, just hold on Isabelle, please, just hold on," I said knowing how hollow my words were.

Behind us Nate had the cait sídhe in his jaws, snapping its neck. Still in cú sídhe form, he came up to the couch, his nose nudging Isabelle's hand. Her fingers grazed his fur and I swear she smiled, then her eyes went blank. A choking sound caught in my throat when her spectral form appeared in front of us. Nate stood next to her as she held his neck. "I really am sorry," she said softly. "I was so desperate to hold onto you that I didn't think about the damage I was doing." He whined then spoke in a deep voice I wouldn't have recognized if he wasn't right there before me.

"It is not for me to judge you, Isabelle. We both made mistakes. I hope you find peace." He turned to us, "I need to take her soul to the after. Marc and Axel are on their way. They will know what to do next. I'll meet you back in the Unseelie Court. We need to prepare. Chloe isn't going to stop."

"O...okay," I stammered while Owen just looked like he was about to pass out. Then both Nate and Isabelle vanished.  Seconds later, her damaged body also vanished.

Author's Notes:  Yes, I know I made several horrible puns...I blame the ice and snow...

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