"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 over her face. "You've been tasted, and marked."
Sera took a step back, Liam turned so that he faced Beth. "I can smell it on you. I can smell him on you." Her eyes were filled with unbridled wrath as she focused on Liam. "I never thought that I would see it happen, did you boys?" She began to circle the room as her gaze moved over Mike, Doug, and Jack. "I never thought that 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 clear, 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 that I don't want too, 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 really like this place. I could live here."
"That's good to know," Kathleen said. "But, I don't care. As a matter of fact, I would really 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 that she was very close to losing it. "I'm not ready!" she spat. "I think I might even stay awhile, now that I've been invited. Know what I mean?"
Fury boiled inside of him as he clenched his fists. "I know what you mean. I think you had better figure out what I mean when I say that it's time for you to leave."
"Do you boys want me to leave?" she called over her shoulder.
"We didn't leave you because we wanted to be around you," Jack replied.
