Three days later a celebration was held at the compound. Amber and Sam brought everyone together for a celebration of life, friendship, and love. They stood watching their friends and family. Hunter and Gem sat with Gina and Ava and they seemed to be getting along for the moment. Hunter and Gina never seemed to last long before they snapped at each other. Tris, Taylor, and Mya were huddled together. Taylor sat on a chair with Tris and Mya at her feet. Taylor had a hand in each women’s hair and they seemed as content as three people could be. Pax, Addi, and Dylan were running between the gathered crowd. They’d made a friendship pact with Pax and it seemed to help him settle back into the friendship. They’d found out that his mother had been taking money from a vampire and feeding said, vampire. That had been stopped in its tracks. She’d been told that if she wanted to be a blood supply to move away. But she’d opted to stay when Pax had declared he wasn’t leaving. Everyone else was just
Mya burst through the tree line. All she could see was Paine. The bitch stood with a smile and her arms spread wide in welcome. She pushed her body harder and rushed at her. A scream, Gem, took Paine’s attention off Mya for a second and she dove with her whole body, she hit Paine in the center of her back and they flew through the air before landing hard. Mya was on her feet, ready to lunge again, but Paine lifted a hand and she felt her throat being squeezed. She ignored the sensation and lunged anyway. Paine screamed and shoved her back, Mya felt the power as she was shoved back into the tree line, she thought she saw Hunter and Sam, but ignored them and rushed back toward Paine. She’d kill her. Today, she would get justice for Jane.“Come on, can’t we have a little chat first?” Paine whined.Mya saw Hunter slowly make her way to the cave entrance where Gem was on her hands and knees. “Chat?” Mya spat. “You will die today, Ruffian.” Mya swore. “I will rip you to pieces.”“Oh, darlin
Tris watched Amber pace in her wolf form. She could feel the frustration pulsing from the agitated wolf. And anger. At Tris and Taylor. Was it her place to explain? Or should she just let it go? They’d done nothing wrong, and Amber had no right to judge them. “I don’t appreciate people taking advantage of a situation to get to my friends.” Amber shot at her. “I didn’t take advantage of anyone,” Tris said. “Were you not kissing Taylor?” Amber hissed. “We were kissing each other, and it’s none of your business,” Tris said. “I understand she’s your friend. And Mya too. But what we share, or how, is for us to figure out.” “Then Mya should be privy to the discussion or lack of discussion,” Amber grumbled. “That I’ll give you,” Tris said. “We never planned for it to happen.” Tris felt her ears prick when a stick snapped not far from them. “Did you hear that?” “Yes,” Amber said her eyes fixed on the trees behind Tris. “Look, let’s focus on what’s happening now. I will just say, please
Paine paced up and down the cave entrance. She knew she had run out of time. She could feel the witch’s locator spell pinprick her skin. It would only be a matter of time until they found her. What could she do? She looked back toward where Gem sat with her head leaned back against the cave wall. She could use her, maybe set a trap, if they come too close, it could trigger and kill her. But she didn’t really want to kill Gem. She wanted Mya. Or she could just kill them all. She knew they were coming. She had the upper hand.“You seem worried.” Gem said. She was weak, Paine hadn’t fed her in hours. “Did something go wrong?” Her voice cracked and she coughed. “Did you make a mistake?”“No, but your friends did.” Paine snarled. “I know they’re coming. I am going to set traps, and guess what? I will kill them all before they get to me. Except for Mya and Hunter. I want them to suffer. Hunter will watch you die! Mya will take your place.”“Mya will never be taken. She has too much to live
Sam, Amber, Hunter, and Tris fought their way through the thick woods. Amber led them, her nose picked up the faint scent Mya left behind. Sam, Hunter, and Tris pushed themselves to the limit to keep up with Amber. Fear, anger, and hope pushed them hard as they tried to get to Mya before it was too late. “Amber, you need to slow down.” Sam huffed in her mind. “I know time is of the essence, but it won’t help anyone if you lose us.” “Sorry.” She slowed and they all caught up. “I just don’t want her facing this fight on her own, we have Gem to think of too.” “I know,” Sam said. “Tris?” “Yes?” “When we get closer, I want you and Hunter to circle around to her back. We are not letting her get away this time.” “Okay. But will Hunter follow?” “If she doesn’t Amber will go with you.” “I may be a Vampire, but I can make out what your plan is. Don’t even think that I will stay out of this fight.” Hunter told them. She could almost taste how close she was to Gem, there was no way they wo
Amber walked into the conference room with Taylor on her heels. Sam stood with Addi who was still talking nonstop. “What do you mean she went after Gem alone?” Taylor demanded. Addi answered. “She found us in the woods, as she was leaving, she said to come straight here and tell mom she’s going. And that we are missing Pax.” Addi added more quietly. “We need to go after her!” Taylor said. “Where is she going?” “We plan to go after her, Taylor,” Amber said. There was a cool note in her voice, but Taylor ignored it, Amber only had half a story anyway. “We’ve already coordinated who goes where. We need you here with Diane, for any of our own that need medical treatment. Sam, Hunter, and I will go after Mya. The rest is going to stay here and find Pax, he’s just a kid and if he falls into the hands of the wrong people, he could be lost to us.” “I’m going with you,” Taylor said. “There is no way you’re leaving me here when Mya is out there!” “We don’t know what we’re walking into, we