How Not To Abduct a Banshee

Episode 5

As Cody finished stacking Lady Caelin’s purchases into a neat, precarious pile by the door, he adjusted his grip on the last box and stepped outside. He glanced toward the street, his trained eyes making a quick scan for potential threats—or, more commonly, nuisances.

Cody paused mid-step, blinking as though the scene would make more sense if he looked at it twice. It didn’t. There was a gangly, nervous-looking guy sliding into the driver’s seat of Caelin's car. He almost smirked at the sheer audacity.

This kind of thing wasn’t exactly uncommon. Caelin drew all kinds of attention, from starry-eyed nobodies to scheming social climbers. She was a magnet for attention—between her striking looks and the unparalleled weight of Arlie's name and the power that came with it—people were always vying for her favor.

But this guy? Cody almost pitied him.

This was bold. Stupidly bold. You didn’t just climb into Caelin car. Not without an invitation, and certainly not unannounced. There was a distinct difference between approaching Caelin and inserting yourself into her space. Caelin was like a cobra: elegant, captivating, and lethally unpredictable. She might smile sweetly at you, or she might slit your throat without a second thought. It all depended on her mood. Admire her from afar, and you might live to tell the tale. Get too close, and you were gambling with your life. And this poor smuck had just climbed right into her lair, probably thinking he’d charm his way into her good graces.

Cody shook his head, adjusting his grip on the bags. He wasn’t worried about Caelin. Anyone dumb enough to pull this kind of stunt was more at risk from her than the other way around, and it wasn’t like it was a mistake. Everyone knew her car. It was a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, custom-built down to the air freshener. This guy knew exactly who was in the car and what he was doing even if it was foolish. No, Cody’s only genuine concern was the cleanup afterward. Blood was a pain to clean up and if things went south, he’d be the one stuck cleaning out of the car. And that was a hassle he could live without.

He was almost at the driver’s door when the unimaginable happened.

The car roared to life, and its tires screeched against the pavement as it launched forward like a bullet, vanishing around the corner in the blink of an eye. Cody froze, bags still in hand, as the scene registered.

Cody froze, his mind grinding to a halt. His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. He stared after the car, blinking as if the scene might change if he just looked hard enough.

It didn’t. The car was gone. With Caelin.

His jaw dropped, and for a moment, he just stood there, dumbfounded. Did that i***t just steal the car? With Caelin in it? He scanned the road as though expecting the car to reappear, half-hoping he’d hallucinated the whole thing.

But no, the tire marks on the pavement and the faint whiff of burnt rubber in the air told him otherwise. Cody muttered a curse under his breath. Unbelievable. He’d have been less surprised if a unicorn had trotted up and impaled him. Stealing from the Arlie family was already a death wish, but abducting Caelin? That was a whole new level of stupid.

Cody muttered a curse, his eyes scanning the street for another vehicle, anything he could use to give chase. But even as he considered it, he knew it was hopeless. That car was a one-of-a-kind machine, built for speed. With the head start it had, there wasn’t a vehicle in the city that could catch it.

Which left him with one horrifying option.

He was going to have to go back and tell Lady Arlie what? That her daughter was just abducted and their car stolen at the same time while he stood there holding a tower of pastel bags?

Cody groaned, running a hand over his face as the weight of what had just happened sank in. “Hell in a handbasket,” he muttered. “I’d rather get shot in the foot.” This was so not his day. With a resigned sigh, he headed back to the shop in order to borrow a car from Madame Tolley. While mentally preparing for the storm that was about to follow.

As Cody speed back toward the Arlie mansion, his mind raced. He rehearsed the upcoming conversation in his head. Lady Arlie, good evening, slight hiccup… someone abducted your daughter… No, I didn’t stop them… Yes, they took the car too. Would you like me to dig my grave now, or should I wait for the formal execution?

One of the pink packaged slid across the seat as he took a corner sharper than he intended. It’s frilly ribbons and soft pastels mocking him with its oblivious cheerfulness. The sight only fueled his frustration. He should’ve reacted faster. Should’ve stopped it. Should’ve… done something.

But how could anyone have predicted this? People avoided inconveniencing the Arlie family they definitely didn't try to upset them, especially Caelin. You’d have to be spectacularly stupid—or just plain suicidal—to think this was a good idea. And yet here he was, proof that the unthinkable had happened. An i***t stole her car with her in it.

As the imposing estate came into view, Cody felt his stomach twist. The mansion loomed like a fortress, its grand arches and sprawling grounds giving off the kind of vibe that screamed power—and consequences.

Reaching the front door, Cody briefly considered leaving the packages and disappearing into the night, but he dismissed the thought just as quickly as it came picking up speed instead. Best to get it over with.

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“We are honored to tie someone of your lineage to our family, especially Lady Caelin,” Baskov said, his voice smooth as he scanned the thick contract before him. “I believe this alliance will be highly beneficial for both parties.”

His sharp eyes flicked toward Lady Arlie, gauging her reaction. “As you’re aware, we are nearly as certain of Dmitry’s position as a candidate for the upcoming trials as you are about Caelin’s. Together, this union significantly increases our chances of securing control of the next Obitus.”

Lady Arlie leaned back in her chair, her expression betraying nothing. “Baskov,” she said, her tone cool and measured, “I must admit, I find your confidence… endearing. But let me give you a piece of advice. You have clearly never met my daughter.”

She leaned forward slightly, her smile sweet but sharp. “No one controls an Arlie. Certainly not Caelin. If you expect her to be compliant—or worse, obedient—you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Your life will go much smoother if you abandon any delusions of directing Caelin to act against her will—whether she ascends to Obitus or not. Gods help us all if she does.”

Dmitry’s lips tightened, but Baskov recovered quickly. “Of course,” he said, inclining his head. “We understand and respect Lady Caelin’s… independence. Our aim is collaboration, not control.”

“Wise words,” Lady Arlie said, her smile returning.

“Speaking of Lady Caelin,” Dmitry interjected, his voice low and deliberate, “where is she?”

Lady Arlie glanced toward the window, her gaze calm. “She had a few errands to attend to before dinner. Cody is with her, and he’s very good at keeping her punctual. They should arrive any moment.” She raised a delicate hand to gesture toward the driveway. “Ah, I believe that’s them now.”

All eyes turned to the drive as a car sped toward the estate, the sound of screeching tires cutting through the tranquil evening. As the vehicle drew closer, Lady Arlie’s brow furrowed. It wasn’t Caelin’s car. Instead, it was an ordinary sedan, the kind one might rent in a pinch. The sight of it filled her with an uncharacteristic unease.

The car screeched to a halt, and the driver’s door flew open. Cody emerged, practically sprinting up the stairs.

“Please excuse me, gentlemen,” Lady Arlie said.

Without waiting for a response, she swept out of the parlor, the soft rustle of her gown trailing behind her like the warning hiss of a blade unsheathing. She moved with purpose, her head held high as she entered the front foyer. There, Cody waited for her, his face pale, his composure fraying at the edges. He was clutching a pile of pastel-wrapped packages like a man holding a lifeline. The cheerful ribbons and glossy paper looked absurdly out of place against his strained expression.

“My Lady,” he began, the words spilling from his mouth in a tangle, “there’s… there’s a situation. A problem. I don’t even know how to—”

“Cody,” Lady Arlie interrupted, her voice cutting through his panic like a blade. “Where is my daughter?”

Cody hesitated, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “Caelin… Caelin’s been abducted.”

Lady Arlie’s steps faltered, a rarity in her otherwise unshakable composure. She tilted her head slightly, as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Come again?”

“A man,” Cody said, forcing the words out. “He got into her car. With her. And then he just… drove off.”

Lady Arlie stared at him, the disbelief etched into her features both regal and deadly. “Drove off,” she repeated, her tone carefully controlled. “With Caelin in the car?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Lady Arlie blinked once, slowly, her mind processing the absurdity of what she was hearing. “Are you certain she didn’t simply decide to take a joyride?”

Cody shook his head. “Positive. I saw him approach the car. He looked nervous—like he didn’t belong—and then he just got in and took off. With her still inside.”

A short, humorless laugh escaped her, sharp as shattered glass. “You don’t just abduct Caelin,” she said, her hands settling on her hips in a stance that would make lesser men quake. “Do you have any idea who this man is?”

“No, my lady,” Cody admitted, his voice steadier now.

Lady Arlie’s lips curved into a cold smile, her eyes narrowing as her mind began to work. “Insane,” she murmured. “Or desperate.” She turned abruptly on her heel, her gown sweeping the floor as she ascended the staircase. Cody followed at a distance.

When she reentered the parlor, the Baskovs straightened immediately, their earlier ease vanishing at the sight of her steely expression. Without preamble, she said, “I require your best tracker. Caelin has been taken.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a thick fog. Baskov senior exchanged a startled glance with Dmitry before the latter stepped forward, his face a mask of confusion. “My apologies, Lady Arlie,” Dmitry said carefully, “but did you say… Caelin has been taken? Surely, you meant someone else.”

Lady Arlie’s gaze locked onto him, her tone icy. “With your werewolf hearing, Dmitry, I am certain you did not mishear me. My daughter has been abducted, and I require your pack’s tracker to locate her.”

The Baskovs exchanged another round of incredulous glances, but Lady Arlie’s patience was clearly waning.

Dmitry straightened, his posture rigid as he nodded. “Ava of the Wild Fire Pack is the best tracker in our alliance. If she’s unavailable, I will take the lead personally. Rest assured, Lady Arlie, we will find Caelin.”