Eden's First Daughter

Chapter Eighty-Five

 "More than just a leader, an Alpha to my Beta... Cyrus Patrick was my best friend." Shauna said solemnly as she stood before the fire where they had collected the lives lost in the fight last night "When he approached me about merging our communities all those years ago, and I didn't even have to think twice; I instantly respected his ideas. He was... a visionary more than anyone I've ever met, and I suppose he proved that when he went to not only work under Lilith's advisement but grew rather close to the Vampiric Patriarch Dimitri Morozov as well." she smiled as she looked at the two of them in the crowd "He always saw the best in people, and I see so much of him in you, Sophie." she said, turning to his daughter who was holding Rachel's hand "You share his excitement and sense of wonder, but even this little... I can already see that you're a chip off the old block." she smiled, and Sophie tried her best not to cry "Lilith, you said you wanted to say a few words," she offered, and Lilith nodded, letting go of Adam and Samael's hands as she stepped forward, taking a deep breath.

"Cyrus was only my friend for a matter of a few weeks, but it felt like lifetimes," she sniffled as she looked across the crowd "When I first came here to meet him, I was afraid of being judged for who I was... for what I was, but when we met, he was overwhelmingly kind, and then I realized... that he was the perfect visionary for the world that I've desperately wanted to see for such a long time." she explained solemnly "Just like I've been seeing almost everywhere, these ancient grudges are starting to melt away, and humanity is the thing that's holding us back anymore and doing heinous things like... like the tragedy that came and took thirteen of your people last night." she sighed as she started to cry.

"Lilith," Shauna said warmly as she approached her "If you all hadn't shown up when you did, we wouldn't have survived. Between Isis being a damn good healer and you all knowing your way around a fight, it leveled things out well. They were just... one step ahead of us." she sighed as she gently rubbed her back.

"I'm sorry things have gotten this out of hand," Lilith sighed defeatedly.

"That's not your doing," Shauna shook her head reassuringly "We took far more than we lost, and those we did lose died defending this Caravan, and I can tell you they chose to go down fighting." she explained confidently "We stick together, we defend our own. Cyrus was doing just that when that shot went off, and just like everyone else, he didn't go down without putting up one hell of a fight. We lost our bravest warrior in this battle, but that doesn't change how many he conquered victoriously before this. His fight may be over, but his legacy will live on through the lives that he saved," she stated with determination, and everyone started clapping, and Lilith and the other order members started to look around curiously "My name is Shauna Cox, and as is our tradition, I will be stepping forward where he left off and assuming the role as the Alpha of the Yellowstone Caravan," she said confidently as she took a deep breath, and everyone began to cheer.

"What does this mean for the New Order?" Samael asked quietly as Lilith walked over.

"What do you mean?" she asked, seemingly distracted.

"Is she taking his place with us?" Adam asked curiously.

"I... don't know." Lilith stated bluntly "And I don't know if now is the right time to ask." she sighed as she watched everyone talk, starting to crowd around Shauna and Sophie.

"It has been a hell of a few days, hasn't it?" Dimitri said as he and Coventina approached them "How are you holding up?"

"I'm alright," Lilith sighed as she rubbed her shoulder, and Dimitri shook his head.

"You're a terrible liar, my dear." he forced a smile.

"I just... I keep thinking about the witch that left the warning for them last night," Lilith said worriedly as she looked over her shoulder at the pentagram on the tree "Even trapped on the inside, she risked everything to try to help us out here."