X • Chris' POV • X

Once I got Angelo into the light, I could see the nasty gash on his head. Some of the guardians' servants took him to be treated. I was scared to leave his side though, after already losing him once. I'm not afraid to admit I might even be paranoid of it.

And now, I've lost Ricky too. What kind of man am I? I can't protect the one thing more previous to me. I'll do whatever it takes to get him back. For Beau's sake, Ricky better be returned without a scratch. There's so many things I'd like to do to Beau... Things I would never do to anyone else, but that fucker deserves it. At this point, I suppose I should be grateful they only got Ricky, and I'm assuming that's what happened to Devin as well.

As I sat next to Ange, with a servant treating his head and burning incense to wake him, he started to come back around. He was groggy, and I wan't sure what he remembered from the attack. I softly put my hand over his to comfort him. Angelo started to sit up, but the servant told him to stay laying down.

"What happened?" He groaned, taking a look around.

"We were attacked by Shadows. The west wing of the mansion caught fire, Ricky was kidnapped and Devin is missing. That's the extend of the damage. The Shadows went after you, but the Guardians protected you." I replied. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a bus." Angelo took his hand from under mine and set it lightly just above his belt buckle. "Has anyone checked on the baby?"

"She's doing just fine." Frank said, walking into the room. "Would you like to see Lydia while you're both here?"

"Of course.. but she still doesn't know Chris is her father." Ange responded, with a sense of sadness in his heavenly eyes.

It was my choice not to tell her quite yet. I just didn't feel like it was the right time. Angelo was overly anxious for her to meet me, which I didn't understand. He never told Lydia of my existence! Yet, now, he so badly wants her to know.

"I know." Frank sighed. "Maybe it would be a good time to tell her."

"We can't, in the midst of all that's going on." I said.

"Let me rephrase that. Gerard is forcing me to make you tell her because he's afraid after the other two are born, you won't have any time with her. Also, we now know where Ricky and Devin are, but Gerard won't let me tell you until you do this."

I sighed, forcing a smile as I looked at Ange. "It's okay. I'm ready."

No I wasn't, but for fuck's sake, I need to know where Ricky is! At least I know Lydia and Angelo, along with the baby, are all safe. Ricky and our baby are not okay! Biting my tongue is a small price to pay to save them.

Angelo slowly sat up. "I'm not sure if she is."

Frank set his hand on Angelo's shoulder. "I'm not sure you are. I'll help, okay?"

"Alright." He muttered.

Frank left the room. We sat in silence as we both waited. I guess it had to happen eventually, huh? I've been around the guardians palace before, but I hadn't seen Lydia in that time. This was going to be a new experience.

Outside in the hall, I heard Frank start talking to Lydia. "Sweetie, did Angelo ever tell you about your daddy?"

"He is my daddy, silly." She responded.

She was so cute. Ricky and TJ told me about her. Mostly, because I was too scared to ask Angelo directly. It is a bit of an awkward topic.

"No," He giggled. "Your other daddy. You know, how Gerard and I are both Bandit's daddies?"

"Ooohh, I don't think so. I didn't know I had another daddy."

"Well you do, but he was busy being a hero. That's why he had to leave you and Ange, so he could go protect other people. But he's here now. Do you want to meet him?"

Little white lie there, but fuck it. It's easier to say that than try to explain how Angelo faked his own death to do experimentation behind my back and protect the coven from people wanting him killed. That's all a little too heavy for a five year old, so we'll stick with the hero story.

Frank walked in with Lydia by his side. She quickly rushed up to Angelo, crawling up on the bed to see him. He seemed so happy to see her. They shared a hug, which made me smile very widely for some reason. Lydia looked at me, seeming somewhat intimidated. She was gorgeous. Every bit of her, looked just like Angelo. She was practically his mini-me.

"Sweetie, I want you to meet your father, Chris." Ange said to her softly.

She stared and tried to smile. I understand this is difficult for such a young one. I offered her my hand, which she was reluctant to take.

"It's okay." Angelo whispered to her.

Lydia grabbed my finger. She was so sweet and small.

I smiled. "You're such a beautiful little lady."

"What do we say?"

"Thank you." She sheepishly replied.

"You're welcome. You look just like your beautiful mother." I snickered.

"Hey!" Ange snapped.

"What? The mother is the one that carried the baby."

"Don't listen to him. He's a trouble maker."

"Like uncle TJ." She said.

He laughed. "Exactly. We need to talk about some grown up stuff, okay, Sweetie? I promise we'll both spend time with you once we're done."

Lydia agreed to leave. She said she'd go play with Bandit some more. It's a good thing they're close in age, since she spends so much time here now. Frank dismissed the servants in the room, closing the door once they were gone. He stood on the other side of the bed, trying to find the right words I assume.

"You were right. Beau took Ricky. He hasn't hurt him, he's just being held against his will. They're at the Wolfsbane Garden." He informed us.

"What in God's name is he doing there?" Angelo questioned.

"We did destroy his compound. He had to retreat to another hideout." I replied. "What about Devin?"

"His mind is like a rubber band, you know. It gets stretched far, but always snaps back. Even a rubber band can break though." Frank said. "He's stuck in a labyrinth. I assume he teleported there out of necessity. Some labyrinths have healing crystals in the walls, or it might just be because he needed the silence."

"Or his mind just snapped to the point he couldn't control his abilities and he has no rhyme or reason for it." Angelo suggested.

"That too." He replied. "Chris, I'll give you the locations for both. Ange, you're staying here. Gee's orders."

"But-"

"Don't argue." I interrupted. He gave me a pouty look, to which I just laughed and kissed his forehead. "You can't be in harm's way, Sweetie."

X • Ricky's POV • X

My head was spinning as I started to come around. My first instinct was to raise my hand to my temples, but I realized that wasn't an option. Metal restraints kept my hands tied to the chair I was in. At least I wasn't trapped in a coffin again. I raised my head from where it hung, feeling a rush of pressure.

In front of me, was something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. A table a mile long, adorned in a tea set, with empty chairs. I looked around some more to realize I was in a garden. Where's the Mad Hatter? Because I think he's the only thing missing.

Spoke too soon! At least, on the "Mad" part of the Mad Hatter. Beau walked in the room, smirking. He always had that damn smirk plastered across his face. He stood in front of me, between the table and my chair.

"Good morning." He flashed his fangs.

I turned my head towards the sky. The sun was up, blazing. How the fuck is he even standing in front of me? Any other vampire, even a shadow, would be in flames and gouging their eyes out from pain.

"What are you, even?" I muttered.

Beau chuckled. "I am the definition of power, my sweet Angel." He leaned forward and tried to touch me, but I turned my face away. Beau made a tisking noise, forcing his hand on my cheek. "I'm not trying to hurt you. Just trying to get rid of this pesky thing."

He grabbed the crystal around my neck. I was honestly shocked when he pulled it off my head. Why would he want to give me my strength back? Beau dropped the necklace onto an empty butter dish on the table. He grabbed the tea kettle, pouring himself a cup.

I was still a little taken back. "Why would you-?"

"Tea?" He asked, but I just shot him a dirty look for ignoring me. "No? Oh, alright. I just want you to be comfortable. That's why I took the crystal off as well."

"You call chaining me to a chair comfortable?" I sneered.

Beau sighed. "You are still a hostage, no matter how beautiful you are."

"I'd appreciate if you stopped hitting on me." I replied.

"It's hard, when you're so magnificent." He said, taking a drink from his tea cup. "But, I do want to make you comfortable. We have nothing better to do than talk, so might as well, hmm?"

"What? So you can trick me into giving you information?"

"No, so I can get to know you. If I decide you aren't a loose canon, I'll undo you from the chair. So, tell me about yourself. How'd you end up with the coven?" He asked.

I sighed and slouched a bit. "The angels didn't think I was very... angelic, I guess. They tried to kill me. The coven found me abandon and dying. They saved my life. How'd you end up excommunicated from the coven?"

"Chris is a little... Possessive."

I snit. "Yeah, but it's kind of sexy."

He frowned. "Not when he tries to kill you. So, you and Chris?"

I blushed. "There's nothing between us."

"Now, would be a good time to tell you I can sense lies. I'll ask again. You and Chris?"

I lowered my head in defeat, muttering, "He's my boyfriend and we're having a child together."

"You're pregnant?" Beau questioned, sounding somewhat taken back. I nodded, and his response was to unlock my restraints. He put a band around my wrist, saying, "If you try to leave the garden, this will zap you. Other than that, you're welcome to roam. I don't want to keep you pent up."

"Why are you being so nice to me? I mean you tortured the coven, literally."

Beau sighed. "You don't deserve it. They do."