"Yep," she agreed happily.
"Okay," Kathleen announced. "Let's see what we've got."
He laid his cards on the table as a knock on the door resounded through the living room. "I'll get it," Sera volunteered as she hopped to her feet. She had already lost most of her change, and she stood no chance of regaining it.
"Who could that possibly be?" Kathleen pondered as she scooped her winnings up, again.
Liam turned to watch as Sera disappeared into the foyer. The minute she stepped out of his sight, he wanted to go and make sure she was safe. "Hi," she greeted. "Sure, come on in, you must be freezing. Have you been out there all day?"
"Yeah," a girl replied. "I got lost. I just found this place again."
"That's awful," Sera said. "We were just playing a game. I'll introduce you to everyone."
Liam frowned as he stood. There was something familiar about the girl's voice. Mike, Jack, and Doug rose as Sera entered the room, followed by a small girl. Liam's heart began to jackhammer rapidly; the breath froze in his lungs as he gaped in disbelief at the beautiful woman behind Sera. "Guys this is—"
"Beth," Mike breathed, silencing Sera in mid-sentence.
"Hello, everyone," Beth said, a sly smile on her face. "Am I interrupting something? Dinner perhaps?"
Liam's breath gradually returned to him. Jack and Doug remained frozen, staring in awe. Kathleen's eyes were wide as she looked everyone over. Danielle stood beside her; her eyes narrowed as she watched Beth. Beth scanned the room as she idly trailed her hand across the back of the couch.
"Lovely place," she commented as she moved closer to Liam. "How are you doing, Liam?"
Liam glanced over at Sera. She was only ten feet away, but it suddenly seemed like a mile. She stared at him in confusion, her eyes startlingly violet in the candlelight. "You know each other?" Kathleen asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Mike said. "We do."
"You could say that," Beth responded as she glanced around the room. "I see you four are back together, but where's David?"
Sera's hand flew to her mouth. Liam's head turned toward her as panic burst through him. He took an instinctive step toward her as Beth focused on her with gleaming eyes. "Who's David?" Danielle asked.
"Just an old lover," Beth replied nonchalantly. "Like everyone else in this room."
"Who are you?" Kathleen demanded.
"Oh, I'm just an old friend, long forgotten." Her eyes remained locked on Sera; her head tilted to the side as she studied her. "Oh my," she finally said as a grin spread across her face. "You've been tasted, and marked."
Sera took a step back, Liam turned to face Beth.
"I can smell it on you. I can smell him on you." Beth’s eyes filled with unbridled wrath as she focused on Liam. "I never thought I would see it happen, did you, boys?" She circled the room as her gaze moved over Mike, Doug, and Jack. "I never thought Liam would settle down with someone, never mark his territory. But she does smell like you, Liam, and her blood is very sweet. You reek of it."
Liam's hands clenched into fists. He could feel the beast fighting to rip free. Beth was a threat to all of them, but she was especially a threat to Sera. "What do you want, Beth?" His voice revealed his barely contained temper.
Beth released a tinkling laugh that would have been beautiful if it wasn't filled with ice. "I love it."
Liam glared at her as she smiled sweetly. She looked away from him and back to Mike, Doug, and Jack. "Hello boys, how have you been?"
Doug looked extremely uncomfortable, but Jack and Mike glared at her. "Fine, Beth," Mike grated out. "You?"
"Oh, I've been better."
"I don't know what's going on," Kathleen said. "And I have a feeling I don't want to, but I think it's time for you to leave."
"So soon!" Beth cried in mock indignation. "No, I don't think so. These guys owe me, and they're going to pay up, especially since I'm so hungry."
"Well," Sera said as her eyes locked on Beth's. "There's chicken and rice in the kitchen. I'll get you some if you want."
"You think you're cute, don't you?" Beth's eyes narrowed angrily. "Well, I don't. Don't push me, sweetie; I won't be as gentle as Liam here."
Sera's chin tilted in indignation as her eyes flared.
Beth let out a false, hateful laugh, and turned back to Liam. "You picked a live one, literally." She spun back around to Sera and forced a smile to her face. "You remind me of me, and I don't like that."
"Neither do I," Sera replied.
Beth started to move around the room again. "I like this place. I could live here."
"That's good to know," Kathleen said. "But, I don't care. I would appreciate it if you left."
"But I'm just getting to know everyone." Beth walked closer to Mike, Jack, and Doug. "Then again, I already know you three. Created you, made you what you are, and how do you repay me? How do you thank me? You leave me, that's how." She ran her finger along Mike's chest as she walked past him and moved on to Doug. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm not mean, and I'm not ugly." She trailed a finger across Doug's chest as she continued to ponder aloud. "Maybe it's just because of what I am. What do you guys think?" She asked Jack as her finger trailed over his chin.
"I'll agree with that," Kathleen said.
Beth turned to her and smiled. "Sweetie, you don't know what you're involved with here, but I would suggest keeping silent before I rip your throat out," she hissed coldly.
Kathleen took a frightened step back. "I think it's time for you to leave," Liam growled.
Beth laughed and walked back to him. "Oh, Liam, trying to get rid of me again? Why? Is it because of her?" she asked as she nodded to Sera.
"It's time to go."
Beth's eyes flashed red; it was obvious she was close to losing
