Allister rolled his eyes at his brother and patted him on the back. “Come on, Drake. Let’s go take a walk. Let the grownups discuss things.”
Drake shot a patronizing look at his brother. Then got up with him and left.
Wynn sighed and shifted out of his seat. “I should probably check in with Vincent. He has done nothing but pester us since Piper went underground.”
I scoffed and threw myself down on the couch, my arms going behind my head. “That’s a nice way to say it. Went underground. Not imprisoned by the vampire council. Not forced to stay away from her family because it’s for the safety of her and the baby. Oh, yea. She went underground.”
Marcus sniffed audibly, earning a look from Antoine.
“I am just as concerned as any of you,” Antoine began, tapping his face with his fingertips. “Unfortunately, this is not something we can rush into. We have pressure coming from all sides and all of them have to do with Piper. We have to be careful how we handle this.”
“Why don’t we just get Vincent to help us?” I pointed out, able to finally relax and hear my own thoughts after half the room left.
“What do you mean?” Darren stepped further into the room, stopping just behind Antoine’s chair. “Why would we tell Vincent?”
“If we tell Vincent where the council is then they will take them out and we can get Piper back,” I explained feeling a bit proud of myself.
Marcus shook his head. “That will not work.”
I dropped my arms to the couch and asked, “Why not? Vincent wants the council dead, we want the council dead, it’s a win-win.”
“Not for Piper it isn’t.” Darren explained. “Or for us.”
My eyebrows scrunched together. “Why do you say that? It’s not like they know about Piper’s pregnancy. And when we deliver them to the council, they will let Piper out of her deal and we are home free.”
“Pretty to think so,” Antoine mused. “You are assuming that Vincent is a man of his word. What makes you think he would give up his best hunter when he could keep her and then what will happen when Piper begins to show? I think he will notice a bulging belly.”
I shrugged. “We kill him too then.”
“That’s all good and well but the problem is that we are missing the how,” Antoine pointed out with a stiff lip.
He had me there.
I couldn’t think of a way that got us all what we wanted without getting any of us killed or Piper even further enslaved to the Guild.
Maybe there was something we were missing? Something that would make all of this better with a snap of my fingers. I just wish I knew what the hell it was!
“Anyway,” I sighed and pushed up out of my seat to stand. “I need to get out of this house. If I have to listen to the thoughts of you all for one more moment, I’m either going to stake you all or myself.”
“Actually,” Antoine stopped me with the word. “Piper did express concern about you in particular.”
I arched my brow. “She did? Why so?”
“Because of this very reason. Your gift may be causing you undue grief from the amount of stress we are all under. Perhaps you should take some time alone to sort out your thoughts? It may be prudent for you to keep your head during this strenuous time.”
I shook my head, the auburn lengths of my bangs falling into my face. I really needed to get a haircut soon. “I can’t just leave you all. I can handle it. I just need to practice blocking more.”
Antoine inclined his head. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. We only have enough room to worry about you as well as Piper.”
“Yeah, I think I just need a stiff drink,” I stepped between the couch and his chair. “And maybe a sharp piece of wood.”