Coveted [New/Revised Version]

EVERYTHING ENDS

INSPIRATIONAL SONG (for the Valentine + Anna scene): ALREADY GONE by KELLY CLARKSON

Iris felt numb and drained as Gregory drove them home in his Ford F-250. The cab was silent save for Sue's deep breathing next to Penelope and Mae talking to Lisa whenever she came to in the backseat. The only reason any of them had been capable of walking off that roof was because Mae graciously dispersed the energy she absorbed from Samael amongst them. If it wasn't for her, they wouldn't even be alive. Iris heaved a sigh, keeping her gaze on the external environment whizzing by as the car continued to cut through the night.

The Jayden brothers were, in all probability, right behind them.

They want to make sure Annabelle gets home safe. She thought self-loathingly.

No one should want to make sure she was all right. Not after tonight. She royally screwed up. She wouldn't be too surprised if they all secretly hated her because really, what had she done besides manipulate Samael's powers against him and exhausted herself beyond measure? Was that really worthy of praise?

She suppressed a snort as she recalled the suicidal thought process that drove her. She'd been ready to die and take Samael down with her. Her eyes stung as she further considered her reckless actions. In her selfish mindset, the thought of where that would leave her already grief-stricken family never even flickered through her brain. God, how could she be so stupid?

Iris' body gave a small jerk forward the minute they came to a halt inside their garage. Mechanically, she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out. She managed not to keel over as she shuffled behind her father with the others trailing silently behind. With a grunt, Penelope set the semiconscious Sue on the bottom step of the staircase. She plopped down next to her wearily.

Iris stood like a statue with empty eyes while Gregory helped Mae carry Lisa to the couch. She was out cold again. Her chest rose and fell irregularly but Iris couldn't bring herself to get worked up over it or to continue looking at the other girl to make further observations. She averted her attention elsewhere to keep from snapping because she could feel it.

Lisa was a liar.

She sensed it in her pitch when she tried to feed her that line of manure in the hall at Beckford. She knew exactly what happened to Valentine. However, when Iris tried to investigate beyond that, her second sight was clouded. The fact it was only that way in regards to Lisa made her suspect she casted a spell to block her from seeing what she was doing. Her mind raced as she tried to work out why and how long this had been going on.

Traitor.

Why keep something, anything, from one of her closest friends? Secrets weren't an option at this point. There was only do or die. Kill to survive. She knew Lisa. Maybe not Annalisa but she knew her friend. If she was hiding things from her, then they were major.

Her mind carried her back to the day they all went to Penelope's house. She recalled how her grandmother's first remark about Lisa was she drowned the last Coveted witch. Lisa answered she'd do any and everything in her power to keep Zairian from getting his power, even if it meant killing.

Mae distrusted her and they were thick as thieves. Sky was wary of her though he never voiced it. Then there was the memory she experienced via him. If she reflected on it, didn't it look like Lisa was threatening him? And where had she been the past weeks before the dance?

Distancing herself, she concluded.

What if Lisa lost hope like Iris did? What if the only out she saw was killing her? After all, Lisa made it clear her concern was for the welfare of all witches. One versus a nation—was there really a choice? If a sacrifice had to be made—