Archive of Our Own ^beta

Shelby knew she didn’t seem like the most pressing threat to the Humans; she’d known that.

She’d known that Owen and Pyro didn’t see her as much of a threat either; they were too busy keeping an eye on Scott and Cleo to realize

Shelby knew Owen didn’t fear her, didn’t consider her a threat, didn’t see beyond her rather passive personality and strong loyalty to Scott. He didn’t think she was much different from Pyro, who, despite being the one killed and turned her, had passed responsibility to Scott because he himself was a Fledgling.

Shelby was glad he’d passed her onto Scott, though, because what she was gonna do to him once the Beacons were no longer an issue. She was pleased she didn’t have much of a Bond with him as she did with Scott.

Shelby was heartbroken when she felt Avid die. She was his Dame, his Teacher; she shouldn’t have left him alone. She should’ve been with him; she’d gotten too comfortable, too soft, that he’d chosen to stick around Scott, and that maybe he’d been safe.

Shelby never blamed Scott; she’ll never blame him for Avid’s passing. She’d seen what Avid’s death did to him; she saw the grave, and she’d placed flowers there with Drift.

Shelby turned her wrath into planning with Scott, as long as the Beacons were turned, she was free to Hunt, to Kill, to Remove the issue.

Shelby planned, she’d schemed, she’d waited patiently for this moment, Owen didn’t even consider her a threat, and she was banking on that fact, a fact she knew because that was how she presented herself as, she’d presented herself as someone who didn’t immediately jump to violence, the Vampire who tried reasoning and peace before striking back. Shelby knew how to play her cards, and she played them correctly. Because now Owen had his back turned to her, and she held a Stake in her offhand

The fight was laughably easy; he didn’t consider that one day she’d want revenge for her lost Fledgling, that Scott would want revenge for the Love he’d lost before he could realize what that emotion was. Putting the Stake through his heart wouldn’t bring Avid back, but she’d gotten justice for him.

Shelby knew Scott was dealing with Pyro, was making him wish he’d stayed in line, wish he’d kept his head down; had he not killed Avid, he’d still be considered part of Scott’s Coven. But he did, and now Avid was gone, and all that was left were two heartbroken Vampires who both knew how to play the long game.

Shelby watched the stake fall to the ground as the body it was lodged in disintegrated into ashes. She felt nothing but empty as she watched.

Owen was dead, and now Shelby could focus on trying to heal from Avid’s death.