Chapter 18- The Aftermath

Feyre's POV

To put it short-Cassian, Azriel, and Mor were a whirlwind. Cassian was pacing about with his hands behind his back, looking very inclined to murder a certain someone. Azriel was his usual quiet self, but I wouldn't mistake his aura to be anything but deadly.

And Mor… I didn't know the slight girl was even capable of the hatred that seeped out of her. With a start, I realized that they were acting this way because of me. They cared for me. The thought alone brought a stinging feeling in my eyes.

When it came to Rhys, I didn't have words to express what I was feeling at the moment. Strangely, despite the situation, I felt almost relieved. His hand was a steady reassurance, wrapped tight around my own. Everytime his eyes flicked back to me (which was quite often), it took every fiber of my will to not implode at the very spot. The gentle strokes he made on the back of my hand sent butterflies in my stomach, and I had a feeling he was thoroughly aware of the fact. My lips still burned in memory, and I fought a hysterical laugh at the expression on Cassian's face when he'd walked in on us. God, I really was going crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if this whole encounter was a terrible, or amazing, dream.

It was Cassian who voiced what we were all thinking, "what are we going to do?" He said it with enough menace that told me that if I asked him to gut Tamlin and turn him inside out, he'd do it.

"We-" before Rhys could answer the jarring sound of my phone brought me back to life. I fumbled for the phone in my pocket, nearly dropping it a few times. When I saw the name on the screen, I froze. I stared at my phone for what was probably a few seconds.

"It's not-?"

"Elain" I breathed.

"Who?" Mor asked inquisitively. She stopped her pacing for a moment as she examined my face.

"Feyre's sister that she hasn't talked to in a long time," Rhys told Mor with his eyebrows drawn in confusion, then turned back to me, "why is she calling?"

I shrugged my shoulders and muttered an 'I don't know' as I clicked the button to answer. "Hello? Elain?"

"Try again."

I dropped the phone on the floor and stared straight ahead.

I didn't believe it. I was hallucinating. I was going mad.

This couldn't be real.

Because it wasn't Elain's voice coming from the other end of that connection. It was Tamlin's.

Rhys picked up the phone, knowing exactly what was going on by the panicked expression on my face. "What do you want?"

I could hear his voice faintly, and tears started streaming down my face.

"It's time to settle this, either Feyre comes with me or sweet little Elain does."

"No one is going anywhere with you," Rhys looked at Azriel, who nodded back and opened up his laptop. I could feel myself shaking. My fingers curled into fists.

"But that's where you're wrong boy toy, I'm leaving tomorrow night at midnight. Tell Feyre to come alone to the park on Maple, or live to know that she's the one who did this to her sister."

I heard the line go silent, and Rhys quickly bolted to Azriel's side. "Did you get it?" he asked.

"I almost didn't, but he stayed on just long enough to get a good hit," he turned the computer to Rhys. "He's on campus, a mile East." Rhys looked up at me, still panicking, and motioned for me to go to him. He nodded at the three others, and they all nodded back. I felt myself wondering how close they were, to have formed some sort of secret language between them.

I watched as Mor, Azriel, and Cassian walked out the door and clicked it shut behind them. "Look at me," Rhys said. I turned to meet his violet eyes and waited for what he was about to say. I gently put his hands on both sides of my face and kissed my forehead. "We're going to take care of this, I promise you. Cassian has already called a few police on his payroll, and they're on their way now with a whole squad. The three of them know exactly what to do to get your sister, but I want you to have a say in this. You and I can stay here while they retrieve Elain and put Tamlin away. We would have constant connection with Azriel through an earpiece, and we would know what was going on at all times. Or if you choose, we can go with them. But if we go, I want you to know that you will be part of the plan," he was silent for a few seconds, looking more sorry than he had ever been, "as bait."

"I'll do it, it's time for this to end."

Rhys looked at me, a bit of pride in his eyes. I couldn't help but think how I was even a bit proud of myself, for choosing not to be scared anymore. I knew with every ounce of me that I wouldn't be alone this time, I had all my friends watching my back. It was as if he'd read my mind, because he said, "You won't ever be alone, not for one second," and held my hand as we walked out the door.

(Still Feyre POV)

"Spotted, behind a tree ten yards to the West," I heard Mor say in the earpiece. She was in one of the highest towers of the university, searching the expanse of land for anything out of the ordinary. And she'd just found exactly what she was looking for. He had to have known that we tracked him, had to have known that we'd come for him tonight.

Oh god. He was so close.

And I'd shot him.

I could only imagine how pissed he was at me. I found myself taking shaky breaths at the thought of what he'd do to me if this plan didn't work.

I thought my knees might give out until Mor said, "Rhys, now."

I whirled around to find Rhys walking up to me, a playful smirk pulling at his lips. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world, but I knew he did. He'd told me on the way here how much I meant to him. He told me of my first night at his house when I fell asleep in his arms, how he knew then that he would do anything for me. And then he smiled when he talked about all the times he watched me painting with Amara when I didn't know he was there, and how he remembered wondering if it was even real, if I was real and actually in his house and spending time with his little sister. He showed me a picture he took of one of the times, and I had smiled so hard as I looked at that picture. An innocent selfie of him smiling as Amara and I had our backs to him, painting away. I looked at that picture in silence, that picture of the man and the little girl I loved more than anything in the world.

When we arrived, he told me that that picture was what kept him going when I wasn't around. In times when he couldn't remember if I was real or just some dream, he'd look at that picture and remember that I had been there, and I had been happy. He'd said to me, "I looked at it for hours, hoping you were as happy as I was this day and asking whatever god was listening that maybe, just maybe, you would choose to come back to me." He'd bowed his head, "I'm sorry I didn't fight for you then, but I'll be damned if I don't fight for you now darling."

I thought about it now as I walked down the sidewalk to where Tamlin was hiding. Rhys was doing this for me. He was putting himself and his family in danger because he loved me.

I couldn't let them get hurt.

You know what to do, you know what to do, you know what to do.

Time went in slow motion as I acted out every part of the plan.

Smile. I threw Rhys the most natural smile I had, considering the fact that I was fighting to keep myself from shaking. I beamed at him as he closed the distance between us and he reached out to grab my hand, reciting the script of conversation that we had agreed on in the minutes before. It wasn't hard to feign the smile that was tilting my lips as he spoke. He enunciated every word, and although I knew he was saying it loudly for show, a part of me swelled that he was saying it to me.

Kiss. I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his, a totally real smile now playing on my lips. Everything that he had done, everything that we had been through-he was a solid reminder that there was hope for me. I could feel the reassurance on his lips, giving me a new wave of confidence. The kiss, of course, went far longer than necessary, not that I was complaining. I found it physically straining to pull myself away. Something flashed in his eyes as he let go of my hand.

Leave. After a few parting words, I waved goodbye to Rhys and started to walk in the opposite direction-towards where Tamlin would be. With each step, warning bells went off in my head but I forced myself to keep walking.

For Amara.

For Mor and Cassian and Az.

For Elain.

For the other victims.

For Rhys.

For me.

"Cass, now," Mor's voice-the slight nervousness laced in it-sent a tidal wave of fear through me. What if Cassian didn't get to me in time? What if Tamlin knew his face and knew this was a set up? What if he hurt one of Rhys's friends-my friend?

Even with the doubts tumbling around in my head, I knew I couldn't turn back.

I tried to look normal as Cass came closer, looking to pass me exactly where Mor said Tamlin was.

Azriel was at the building that Tamlin was hiding Elain in, which he'd found out after a few phone calls to some 'friends of his,' he'd called them. He said they were solid sources, and they said that Elain was not harmed. I had full faith that Az would get her out safely.

Five steps away. I looked to the trees with a blissful smile on my face. With a bit of discreet searching, I could see the faint outline of his shadow in the grass. The blacks and greys of the last year, following him around, casting themselves on the ground for the world to see.

Four. I kept walking, trying to be normal and glancing at Cassian only once. I didn't want Tamlin to think I knew him.

Three. My smile faded at how close I was getting, and my breathing became labored and fast. The day before, Rhys had given me a taser and told me, "don't ask where I got it." I didn't know why I couldn't know where he got it, but I took it anyway and gave it a part in our plan. I reached for that taser now, nonchalantly slipping my hand in my jacket pocket and slipping the small device behind my leg so Tamlin wouldn't see.

Two. In an instant, there was a hand reaching for me, aiming to grab my arm and pull me into the woods. I couldn't believe he had actually come. I'd expected him at least be a little smarter, to realize that what he thought was his trap, was actually our trap. I was the bait, but not anymore.

One. I felt his fingers close around my wrist and my whole body froze. I caught a flash of blonde hair and angry eyes before I was jolted back to reality. I noticed Cassian rushing towards me, trying to help. But this was my fight.

I fought his grip and once I was far enough away to not electrocute myself, I shoved the taser into his neck. He jerked and spasmed in front of me, his eyes going out of focus before they squeezed shut.

Cass was suddenly beside me, backing me away from Tamlin as his gold hair hit the ground with a thud. A flash of red hair passed in the corner of my eye, and I looked to see Lucien fastening handcuffs on his wrists.

"Feyre, I'm sorry. He threatened my family too," Lucien said when he looked at me. I could see the regret swirling in his eyes. I was too stunned to see him that I couldn't say anything.

"What-why are you here?" I sputtered, suddenly confused.

"You didn't think I wouldn't call in backup, did you?" Rhys said from behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I told you you would never be alone," he added, pressing his face to my shoulder.

He kissed the side of my head as we watched at least five policemen drag an unconscious Tamlin to the patrol car. The lights flashed for what seemed like days before they pulled off the campus.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you before," I said quietly, only for Rhys to hear. The police cars took to the streets and disappeared from view.

"I'm sorry I didn't see right through you, I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed," he said.

"You're here now," I said, turning and resting my forehead on his chest. "That's all I could ever ask for."

I let out a breath. I was finally rid of him; now that he was an escaped felon, he'd be facing prison for life. I could finally say I was free, not constantly looking over my shoulder for him.

Rhys laced his fingers through mine and said, "let's go, Feyre."

I looked up at Rhys, his violet eyes and black hair, and for the first time, I saw a future. A real future, without threats to our lives or covert operations.

We could just be normal, we could go to college.

We could get married.

We could live in peace.

I nodded, smiling, and we walked hand in hand back to his room to meet our friends.

But what Tamlin screamed stopped me short.

"The bitch shot me! She threatened me! I didn't do anything!"

It was Lucien who winked at me and said, "get in the damned car and shut the hell up." Rhys chuckled softly beside me and I leaned my head on his shoulder as we walked to meet Azriel, with Mor and Cassian falling into step behind us.

Elain POV

I was jostled awake by a set of hands undoing the ropes binding my own. I turned my head a bit to see who it was and if I should be scared or not, but I only saw black hair that I was not at all familiar with.

I tried to speak, but the sedatives that man had given me were still wreaking havoc on my speaking skills. My tongue felt like a balloon in my mouth, so I wiggled my hands to get the man's attention.

I was going to need serious lessons on reading people if this guy wasn't friendly, because when he looked up at me my first instinct was to trust him. I guess I'd hit the nail on the head because after he'd unbound my hands, he said, "I'm going to get you out of here, don't panic. Can you walk?"

I tried moving my legs but to no avail, the most I could do was move a few of my toes. I shook my head at him. He tapped something on his ear and said, "Rhys I got her," before he scooped me up and started walking to the exit. I could've sworn the corner of his mouth tugged up at the noise of protest I made at the sudden movement.

After all that I'd been through in the last 24 hours, I should've been panicked at the strange man taking me away to some unknown place. There was something calming about his presence that I couldn't get rid of, no matter how much my common sense was screaming at me, my instincts felt safe.

It may have been the fact that I was drugged, but I couldn't help but notice that I was hyperaware of every glance he made towards me. I also couldn't help but notice how attractive he was, but I was sure that wasn't the drugs. From the elegant planes of his face to the way his hair fell into his warm hazel eyes, it was hard not to stare.

After a bit of movement and a while of walking, I started getting more feeling in my mouth. I took a gamble, hoping I'd have full control of my words, and said, "thanks for getting me out." Surprisingly enough, I sounded normal.

The man glanced at me and said, "Feyre didn't tell me her sister was so lovely." Immediately my face flushed and I smiled, but then I realized.

"You know my sister?" I asked. He didn't answer for a minute. He was probably thinking of how obvious of a question it was, of course he knew my sister he just said her-

"Yes, she is a very good friend, and she will explain everything to you," he said, with a bit of an apology in his voice.

Feyre. I hadn't spoken to her in ages, hadn't thought of her for so long. I felt a bit of guilt settle into the pit of my stomach at the fact. I tried to picture her in my head, but she must've changed from the skinny little girl she was before.

He walked for a few minutes, both of us silent until I said, "I think I can walk now, but I might be a bit shaky." He stopped and set me down on my feet, letting me hold onto his arm until I could balance on my own. Even then, I didn't let go, and he didn't ask me to.

"What's your name?" I asked. I looked up at him, he looked like a James or a Christian, if I had to guess.

"Azriel, you may call me Az," he said, then added, "if you'd like."

I smiled a little when I heard a gasp from in front of me. I turned in time to see my sister's familiar face barreling towards me, and I felt her arms wrap around me in a hug. "I'm so sorry," she kept saying over and over. Now that I was safe, the events of late hit me and I started crying.

I pulled back from her and said, "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye." I thought back to all those years ago when our father died, and I didn't even stay with my sisters so we could work through it together. I just got on the next flight and headed off to college, not even saying goodbye. Feyre and Nesta had left me message after message, but I never answered. I was too broken up about our father; they reminded me so much of him.

She did this, she was the reason I was okay. I hugged her tighter. After everything I'd put her through, she still wanted to save me.

After a while, another man with black hair approached us. He put his hand on Feyre's shoulder and said, "Darling, let's go home." His violet eyes turned to me, "Azriel will drive you home, and give him a call if his services are needed again." Feyre's husband-I mean I hoped he was her husband, I liked him already-winked at me and took my sister's hand in his.

"I'll call you and we can hang out sometime," she said to me, and I nodded happily.

Azriel guided me to his car as Feyre and the man turned to go the other way. I looked over my shoulder after a few seconds to see that they had stopped on the sidewalk and were just hugging. Feyre had her arms wrapped around his neck and his face was buried in her hair.

She was smiling.

I had never seen her smile like that before.

She was happy.

I had a feeling I would be too.

Author's Note.

So it's been a while, huh? I'm not going to bore you with the "we were busy" talk, but that's exactly how it was. We kind of lost motivation, but we finished this chapter up for you guys, and I think this story is complete :). We hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading this far. We'll be posting new fan fictions this summer as well, so stay tuned. I might do some short stories as a spin-off of this fic (maybe) in the future just so you guys know where all the character's are in life.