Chapter Text
-You need a ride home?
Lydia glanced at Malia who was calling Stiles to pass the news to the rest of the pack.
-No, we’re fine- she replied trying to sound as natural as it was possible in the current situation.
Parrish nodded his head, disappointment running through his features. As he closed the door Lydia released a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.
It was so close.
Lydia opened her laptop, rereading the second part of the dead pool.
JOY WALDROP 250
CHERYL CALIX 250
JORDAN PARRISH 5
It wasn’t a phantasm she had hoped for. Deputy was on the list.
She did not expect this.
When Lydia Martin found out about the existence of werewolves, werewolves hunters, banshees and kanimas she had also decided that expecting the unexpected was the only way to say alive. However, like with most things, it was easier said than done. Even though she tried to brace herself for each and every possible and impossible events, nothing could have prepared her for seeing Stiles being possessed by an evil Japanese spirit (also known as Nogitsune), feeling Allison and Aiden dying from the hands of the Nogitsune’s underlings (also known as the Oni).
Discovering Parrish was a supernatural, even if it wasn’t half as painful and traumatizing, belonged to the same category.
No matter how unexpected it was, that was the truth. And Deputy couldn’t be some bunny-like creature who’s biggest power were good looks.
Magical bunnies weren’t worth 5 million dollars.
If Kira’s mom’s head was also worth 5 million dollars, and she was a force to be reckoned with, Parrish had to be something big.
“Just not a homicidal lizard”, Lydia begged in her mind as she took the laptop and headed towards Malia, who was giving her nosey signs which probably meant “Come on, we have to go” in werecoyotes’ language.
As the two girls were leaving the station Lydia glanced in Parrish’s desk direction. He raised his head, like he was waiting for her to do this. His pale green eyes locked with the strawberry blonde’s darker ones.
Lydia forced herself to put a smile on her face, knowing it would be a weak one. The deputy answered with the same gesture, his smile kind and supportive,
“Please, don’t be a homicidal lizard”, Lydia prayed as she pushed the door, “Please, please, please”
***
-Now, I gotta admit I didn’t see that one coming- Peter was the first one to speak after Lydia, with the assistance of quite many Malia’s interludes, told the story of the code-breaking- Though he has the good looks of a supernatural.
Lydia couldn’t stop from wincing, at the former alpha’s words. Of course he was making a joke out of it. Of freaking course.
They weren’t at Derek’s loft because of an emergency crisis. Absolutely not. They were here to entertain Peter Hale.
-The other asshole of a deputy yes, but the nice young one? I haven’t felt anything when I was near him- Derek’s brows furrowed , giving him the typical broody Hale look.
-May have something to do with the fact you were more of a puppy than a wolf then- Malia shrugged nonchalantly, like she didn’t know saying things like to her in so facto cousin was never a good option.
Luckily for her, Scott started speaking, stopping the possible outburst.
- I would’ve smelled something- Scott looked Derek in the eyes, with one look reminding him of the fact Malia had spent most of her life running as a coyote in a forest.
-My dad’s been working with him and he’s another monster?- Stiles exclaimed his arms flying around , making Lydia sure he was suffering from late reaction syndrome. She expected him to be the first one to react. Then again, she expected him to do a lot of things lately. And he didn’t exactly live up to the expectations- Sorry- he added realizing how inappropriate using the word “monsters” was in a room full of…, well monsters. -We have to find of who or rather what that ass is.
-Is chasing another supernatural our biggest priority now? May I remind you someone is trying to kill us all- Peter asked, again channeling or the attention in his room on his person.
-Technically, you’re not on the list- Lydia glared at him, wondering why they kept him around. If it depended on her, he’d be given to the assassins all wrapped up with a ribbon plastered on his mouth.
-Yet sweetheart, yet- Peter answered forcing Lydia’s eyes to go for another 360 degrees journey.
-It wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for the fact he had been hiding which means he could be working with the benefactor- Scott stated as a matter of factly.
-Or be the benefactor- Malia added, clearly this day being a brilliant one for her brain.
Stiles send his girlfriend, or whatever Malia actually was for Stiles, a proud smile which did not escape Lydia’s attention. This meeting was making her nauseous.
-She’s right, he could easily be the benefactor. He has access to all needed information and he’s inconspicuous- Derek supporting the theory, which despite its probability, seemed impossible to Lydia. It was one thing, being a homicidal monster but being a homicidal monster and the brain behind a supernatural slaughter? Impossible.
The appearance of that word convincing Lydia that maybe Parrish could be the benefactor. Expect the unexpected it was.
-How do we get the truth out of that lying piece of crap?
-We could kidnap him and force the confession out of him- Scott answered Malia’s question with an idea most people knew he’d come up with at some point.
-No dude, no more kidnapping- Stiles patted the alpha’s back, shaking his head, scared of how another kidnapping party would go- We need to outfox him. Pun not intended- he said to Kira who still hadn’t spoken. To be honest, Lydia had forgotten the girl was even there.
-Someone has to finagle him, maybe you’re dad Stiles- Derek’s idea making wince almost as much as Stiles did.
However the next idea made her even more terrified.
-Or Lydia- Malia offered making everyone including Lydia stare at her with eyes wide open. Some at the fact she dared to say that, some at the fact she thought the only of the supernaturals in the pack who couldn’t heal was the right person to finagle the deputy. Lydia belonged to both of these groups.
-His scent changes when he’s around you- the werecoyote continued this time looking at Lydia, as if changing scents were a good excuse-That means he likes her, right?- she snapped her head towards Stiles and Scott looking for confirmation.
-It does- Stiles mumbled, his chestnut eyes locked on Lydia, his face coloring with emotions she couldn’t quite name.
-Splendid- Peter exclaimed clapping his hands so loudly the redhead banshee felt something twisting in her head- Means we have a plan.
-No, we don’t- Scott growled getting ahead of Stiles.
-Can someone explain again what is happening- Kira asked having trouble with catching up due to her slightly late arrival. All she really got was that Lydia unlocked the second part of the list – And who is this Perrish guy?
-Parrish- Lydia corrected automatically, her mind still analyzing Malia’s words.
Parrish liked her. Deputy Parrish, the new bad in town had a soft spot on her. If that wasn’t a déjà vu, she didn’t know what was.
-One of the deputies, he questioned us after Allison…- Stiles froze up still not being able to pronounce the words “died” or “was murdered”.
-Oh- Kira whispered quietly cursing her brain’s inability to think.
-Coming back to Parrish…- Derek ended the full of pain silence that had fallen over them at the mention of the huntress’ death- If what Malia says is true…
-It is- Malia interrupted.
-Lydia’s the best option we have- he finished, struggling not to answer Stiles’ crude girlfriend.
-Plus you do have experience in dealing with monsters pining over you. What was that Kanima’s name. Jackson?
-Shut up Peter- this time Stiles’ growl filled the air in the loft. The former alpha snorted but remained quiet.
In the meantime Lydia was trying to think all the options through. There weren’t many of them. She either agreed to be the bait or someone would get hurt. It was a painfully familiar choice. The last time she chose wrong. She couldn’t make the same mistake again. She simply couldn’t.
-Lydia?- Scott suddenly appeared in front of Lydia, looking at her, worry written all over his face- What do you think?
-It’s the best option we have- she repeated Derek’s words as she raised her head looking the alpha in the eyes- It’s the only option we have- her voice more defined this time.
Scott looked at for another moment, searching for some hints of lies.
-Okay- he said when he made sure it was a decision Lydia was alright with. Well, as alright as one could with this kind of plan.
Lydia nodded her head, avoiding Stiles’ eyes stare. She wasn’t the one to be angrily looked at. He could thank his girlfriend for that.
-So, it’s official. You’re the bait- Peter said a bit too joyfully for everyone’s liking making Lydia regret even more opening that list.
Maybe he was right. Maybe she was destined to do that.
***
-So Parrish’s supernatural? What is he like a werewolf, banshee a kanima?- the concern in Sheriff’s voice matched the one in Lydia’s mind.
-We don’t know really know yet- Stiles shrugged in an awkward manner.
-But you know he’s something- the man kept repeating his son’s words.
Lydia’s thoughts flew back to the time when she was the unclassified “something”. They used almost the same plan on her. Needless to say, it wasn’t the pack who figured out the banshee thing. It was the Darach, when she tried to strangle her.
Hopefully there wouldn’t be much strangling involved this time.
-Are you sure?- Stiles’ dad asked hoping the answer would somehow changed.
There were few people in this town who could be trusted. That small circle falling apart? He didn’t know if he was ready for that.
-He’s on the list, dad. He has to be something.
Sheriff buried his face in his hands as Stiles’ answer reached his ears.
Lydia could swear she hear a muttered “fuck” leaving Sherriff’s mouth. She knew how much Stiles’ dad liked the deputy . Lydia would risk saying Parrish was more of a younger brother to him than subordinate. She still remembered his worried face after the fight with the Oni at the station. When you fought evil like this together, deepening all relations was inevitable. She knew something about that.
But Lydia was pretty sure everyone under any circumstances would grow some affection towards Parrish. It might’ve something to do with the fact he was the epitome of kindness wrapped in an extremely good looking package.
Not really a monster material.
Lydia glanced at Stiles. Worry spread all over his face outnumbering even the moles covering his skin. If Parrish was lethal the person who was in biggest danger was the Sherriff.
She gave the brown-eyed boy a supportive smile, for a second forgetting about the feelings that had accompanied her for the last two months.
The strawberry blonde couldn’t express how glad she was, her mom’s biggest issues were their financial problems and not the fact her daughter and her friends were a worthy target for professional assassins. Miss Martin wasn’t a person who could deal with the supernatural world. In fact nobody was.
-Okay so Parrish is… something- the Sheriff first reaction wore off, leaving the typical skepticism reserved for supernatural events in its place- And Lydia is supposed to hang around him to discover what monster he is?- his brows furrowing, clearly not liking the idea of using the strawberry blonde as a bait.
She might have been a banshee but she still was just a seventeen year old girl. He remembered what happened to Allison. He didn’t want to write down another report about one of the kids dying.
-We’re as enthusiastic as you are- Stiles ran a hand through his hair, avoiding Lydia’s eyes.
-You’re okay with this?- the Sheriff asked Lydia making something inside of her swell.
Lately even the smallest amount of affection put her in that state. The Sheriff was more of a father to her than her own dad. He accepted the craziness in her, something her father couldn’t bear to do.
Not that Lydia blamed him. She, herself, hadn’t exactly managed to entirely wrap her mind around the idea she was a banshee.
-It’s the best option we have, the only option we have- she repeated the words previously directed at Scott, already knowing it sounded convincing.
Sheriff’s eyes lingered on her for about fifteen seconds then moved to his son.
He knew it was a lost cause. The Kids have already decided.
-Fine. What do I do?
-Keep an eye on Parrish and help us make sure Lydia doesn’t…- Stiles’ s voice trailed off, his fear of the “d” word showing again.
-Make sure I don’t end up being eaten or clawed or dead- Lydia finished, her voice cold. The sudden rush of anger washing through her body helped her keep her composure.
-I’ll do my best- he nodded in the voice usually reserved for his job.
He had a task and he was gonna make sure he fulfilled it.
-Time to start then- Stiles ran nervously a hand through his hair.
Like he had something to worry about. He wasn’t the bait. She was.
And that gave Lydia the right to freak out the second she heard Stiles’ words. Speculating about the plan was one thing, executing another.
With a deep inhale she stood up and flattened her pleated skirt.
First step seemed easy. All she had to do was talk Parrish into taking her to Meredith the next day. The pack , without being obvious about it, thought maybe the other banshee could figure out deputy’s breed.
Easy breezy.
Really.
Lydia was about to leave Sheriff’s office when the man spoke up.
-Take this with you- ha handed Lydia a black stun gun- Make sure you always have it with you kiddo.
She took the taser feeling a small smile creeping up on her face. She nodded, sent Stiles one more look before she caught the door handle and pulled it.
The banshee didn’t even have to look around, she spotted Parrish immediately. Apparently so did he.
The minutes her green eyes landed on the deputy, his head flew up.
With the corner of her eye she saw Stiles heading towards the exit.
It was time to play.
Lydia ‘s face expression changed, the anxiety replaced with confidence with a suitable level of irony.
She bounced up to Parrish, not letting her imagination get carried away. Imagining what he was, was not going to help.
-Everything’s alright?- Jordan asked standing up when the strawberry blonde reached his desk.
Seeing someone like Lydia’s on the station twice a day was hardly ever a good sign.
-Do I look like something’s wrong?- Lydia titled her head to the side arching her eyebrows.
-No, but you have a reputation- Parrish’s voice changing from cautious to challenging.
Lydia snorted remembering to let her eyes go up and down Deputy’s body. It wasn’t the hardest part of the plan, she had to admit.
-Stiles lost his home keys and he needed to take his dad’s- the banshee rolled her eyes, quite impressed at how easy lying was to her. Practice made indeed perfect- I accompanied him because I also had something to do here.
-At the station?- Jordan raised his eyebrows- and what was it that you had to do?
-Technically what is it that I had to- Lydia said matter of factly- I wanted to thank you.
-Thank me?- the deputy was clearly surprised. So was Lydia.
That the words she was saying were not a total lie.
-For what you did with Meredith. If it wasn’t for you… -Lydia stopped realizing telling him about the list wasn’t the best of all ideas.
Luckily Parrish treated the silence as a sign of her going speechless.
-It’s nothing really- he shrugged feeling suddenly a bit embarrassed- It’s what we do. Well most of us- Parrish added discreetly pointing out at his fellow deputy who’s newest nickname was “Deputy Asshole”.
Lydia looked at Jordan searching for some signs of evil in him. Whatever he was, he was good at hiding it.
She really needed to get to the actual point
-I also may have a little request- she started rather innocently.
Parrish lips twitched in the slightest smirk but he remained silent.
-I still need Meredith’s help and I might also owe her an apology- Lydia didn’t need to fake the embarrassment assisting her words. She really took it too far with the poor girl- Stiles’ dad can’t go with us so I thought maybe you could.
Jordan looked at her for couple seconds before nodding his head.
-I’ll go with you- he smiled lightly at girl in front of him, glad he could somehow help Lydia. The malaise feeling he got when she was breaking down in front of them wasn’t something he enjoyed. He might’ve not been a psychic like the strawberry blonde but he could be helpful.
-Okay. Eichen House at 12?- Lydia asked surprised it was that easy to convince him. But was she really, genuinely surprised? No, she probably wasn’t.
-I’ll meet you there.
Lydia send him a smile she considered as a grateful one before turning away and leaving.
“It wasn’t that hard”, she thought to herself.
But this was just the beginning.