"Is it an earthquake?" someone cried.
"No, you fool! It has to be magic!"

Magic... Witches. Were they here?

I looked around at all the fallen glass that coated the floor. Florence was crouched by Leopold and Robert, Alfie still at the table, and Alex nearby. They were safe, but everyone had cuts speckling their arms, faces and legs. No-one came out clean — even myself.

Someone sniffed.

Those that healed unnaturally quickly were already standing, eyes swirling into a deep, coppery red. These vampires were newly turned, feral and foaming at the mouth as the drops of blood spotted around the room switched on their animal instincts.

I held my breath. One wrong move...

"Ambrose, keep your ferals at bay!" yelled The Collector. Glass fell from his golden hair and a single strand fell out of place, hanging over his forehead.

Ambrose, the clan leader, had paled, even for a creature of the night. His blonde brows knitted together in confusion as the ferals crept towards the humans in the room. Swift movements or false footing would have them charge.

The Collector sensed this too. "Ambrose. Do something!"
The vampire looked up from his daze and shook his head. "No."

The ferals charged.

Screams erupted as fangs dug into the necks of terrified human party guests. The Collector's eyes turned wide as he dodged a vampire – afraid and holding Horizon's Edge... and my crossbow; my chance at escape.

As chaos fell around us, The Collector snarled. "This is all on you, Lupine!"

I ran for him, ready for a fight as he raised my crossbow to eye length. I had to be quick. "How do you—? How does this open... argh!"

I smacked the locked bow from his hands and dragged an arrow from my purse along his cheek as Horizon's Edge fell to the ground. I dropped to my knees and scrambled for it. As I reached for the hilt, The Collector's hands grabbed hold of mine and squeezed.

"That's my artefact!" Blood from his scarring face poured on our locked fists. I clenched my jaw as we tugged for the knife but he would not give up. "You have... no right!"

He was pulled to his feet by the scruff of his neck. Ambrose glared down at him, mouth already dripping scarlet.
"Vampire! Let go of—"

Ambrose's eyes darkened to a controlled, deep red as he bared his fangs and sunk them into The Collector's artery. He screamed and thrashed as I backed away, Horizon's Edge in my white-knuckled grip.

Ambrose dropped The Collector's limp body to the ground, a smile playing on his lips.
"I'll have that artefact now, my dear."

I grabbed and opened up my crossbow. Everyone was after this stupid dagger.
He sighed. "Disappointing. But nonetheless—"

I fired a bolt that struck him in the neck and darted out the door through the bottlenecking crowd. The wound would not kill him – I missed his chest in the frenzy – but that wasn't the goal. I had to get out of there and find my family on the way.

The Collector was dead. For all his so-called friends, not one tried to save him, or even retrieve his body from the slaughter. Their loyalty only ran skin deep. More people feared than cared for him and the vampires wanted him dead. Whatever shattered the windows had given the creatures a chance to strike at The Collector and they took it without a second thought. Ambrose wanted Horizon's Edge from him, just as we did, but why?

I spun around and pointed the blade as the back of my dress was yanked from the crowd. Leopold's eyes widened.

"Erika, it's me! You have the blade?"
I looked down at the red-encrusted knife, completely breathless and in shock, and nodded. "Good," he said. "I know another way out. Let's go."
He pulled me across the grass but I resisted. There was no way I would run from a fight without Florence, Alfie and Alex. "Where are the others?"
"The twins were the first out and Alex is with Robert. They're safe, come on!"
"I'm not leaving without them!" The twins were untrained, and I did not know Robert well enough to trust he would not be a weight on Alex.

He tugged on my arm, moving me out the way of a flying boulder. Dirt circled around us and as I glared through the curtain of dark blonde hair in my face. A tall, thin figure with deep orange flowing behind her stormed in our direction.

I knew exactly who she was.
"It's Kate." Leopold hit my shoulder. "Let's go!"

I obeyed. As much as I wanted to put an arrow between her eyes, she would have the chance to take Horizon's Edge from us. I wouldn't take the bait. I followed Leopold inside through a window. Party guests screamed and scrambled as vampires unleashed horror. I slipped on the kitchen floor, dropping to my knees among broken glass and blood.

Leopold took me through a small door at the back of the kitchen. "These are the old servant's quarters. I told Robert to bring everyone here when the window's broke."
My heart threatened to burst through my chest. "Kate is here."
"I know."
Nothing made sense. "If she orchestrated this, why are the vampires killing people?"
He shrugged. "There's a lot of newbloods here. She might have known the blood from the glass would have turned them mad."
They would snap out of their daze full on blood and guilt. "What about Ambrose? He's a clan leader. He can't be—"
"I don't know! Alright?" His voice broke. "I don't have a fucking clue what is happening right now so just keep moving."
I sighed. I was asking too many questions. "I'm sorry."

He nodded quietly and led me on.

As we walked, he said, "Can I see the blade?"

I handed it to him carelessly and he let me go in front. He twirled it around in his hands as he walked and gulped rather loudly.

"You alright back there?" I asked.
"Hm? Yeah. Fine."

He led me through another door. The room was small and empty without a single window or door, completely metal and slate grey. I walked to the centre and circled around with a frown -- there was no way to leave. "Are we meeting everyone here or..."

Leopold's eyes turned glassy and he bit his lip. My chest tightened and I slipped a hand into my purse to subtly grab an arrow.
"No-one's coming... are they?"
He shook his head. "No, Erika. No-one else is coming."

A scuffle behind the door had Leopold darting for me. I lifted my crossbow but Horizon's Edge was armed at my neck faster than I could load it. Kate rose a steady hand from the doorway as Leopold's headlock grew stronger, arched brows scowling and furious.

"Take another step and I kill her!"
Kate did not flinch. "We had a deal. Now, Viviane is dead. You failed."
"And I'm making up for it." The blade scratched my neck and I choked. "You can have her. Robert has the others. Just let me keep the blade." Robert had my family -- Alex too.
Her lip quirked. "Your human debts don't mean anything to me. Our cause is far greater than anything so mundane as money."
"You're doing this for a debt?" I croaked.
"It's not money I'm trading this for."

Leopold's eyes were sad, pleading her to let him go. Kate chuckled.
"Do you think that I would actually let you live? You have no heirs, Leopold. You're all we have. We need you dead."
"Then... then I'm taking her with me!" He pressed the blade further into my neck.
"What would Chris say?" I wheezed.
"Chris wasn't there for me when I needed him. He didn't help me when I had to turn to—"
He clamped his mouth shut then swore. "Turn to what?" I growled.
His grip tightened. "I owe the vampires a debt."
"And our queen," said Kate. "Let the girl go. Let her see her father again."

Not on her terms. With Leopold distracted, I dug the tip of the arrow into his abdomen and broke free, snatching the blade as I went. Kate raised a hand but I was too quick. I threw Horizon's Edge towards her with trained precision, forcing her out the way. She tried to block the exit but I aimed an arrow for her chest; it caught her shoulder when she dove away. As I picked up the blade, I turned to finish the job but her magic threw me and the artefact down the hall. It was too much of a risk to go back and give her a chance at stealing it. I had to run.

Leopold's voice tugged on my mind. Robert has the others, he said. Robert had my family.

I called their names as I ran around the house. I checked every body, followed every scream and cry of anguish, taking down four feral vampires on my way back outside, burying down the guilt. They didn't know what they were doing. They were crazed, trapped in the darkest parts of themselves. But they were out for blood. I saved three people looking for my family.

The first thing I saw through the masses of running people back in the garden was Alex on his knees, bleeding from his eyes, nose, mouth and ears as Robert stood over him with a clawed hand.

A witch. Another witch. Robert was watching over Leopold this entire time.

He needed Alex alive but I would not let him harm him for another second. I raised my crossbow and fired between his eyes.

The arrow stopped before it touched his skin and the old man tutted. "That was impolite."

He lifted a hand and the ground beneath me shook. I struggled to balance as Alex cried in pain. I had to get to him but the ground was knocking me to the floor. A crooked root from the dirt wrapped itself around Alex's throat and torso.

The witches were taking him as a spare for the ritual.

Not on my watch.

I kicked off the ground and charged for Robert, swinging an arrow at his throat. He jumped back and threw me away with the force of his magic, then reached for Alex once more but the spell had worn off. I cut Alex free of the weakening roots and he leapt for Robert. He dug the blade down his sleeve into the witches throat, watching him choke on his own blood that dripped from his lips as Alex's blade retreated into the gauntlet.

"Damn," he gasped, touching his hair. His skin drained as blood dripped from his fingertips, eyes transfixed and nauseated.
"Alex, we have to go." I nodded to the door. "Where are the twins?"
"We got separated."

I turned around on the spot. The twins could not defend themselves here. Everywhere was so cramped and enclosed within the building they could have been backed into a corner as fast as I was, especially if they didn't know about Leopold's betrayal.

Alfie called my name from across the lawn, waving and sprinting as fast as his skinny legs could work. Apart from a few specs of blood, he was fine. I sighed.

"We're here!" Alex shouted. He smiled and picked up his pace to a jog. I kept my crossbow raised, eyes peeled for any vampire or witch prepared to take a shot at him.

The twins had no weapons. All we had between the four of us was my crossbow and Alex's gauntlet. It wasn't enough. We had no choice but to get out.

A vampire charged towards Alfie from behind but got nowhere near him. An arrow pierced his chest before he even touched his collar – the wood it was made from would have killed him.

"On his left!"
I followed Alex's eyes and fired at the frenzied vampire. She was struck down instantly and Alfie remained untouched.

Florence emerged from the house, followed by Nathaniel. She was safe, only speckled with blood like her brother. Nathaniel had fared worse than her and had a shallow claw mark running down his neck. I wondered if he had let himself be jumped, or chose to defend my cousin.

A flash of red at the opposite end of the garden made me turn: Kate. Leopold followed her, wrapped in chains held together by magic. The coward had given up... but I hadn't. She was the head of the cult. And if you cut off the head of the snake...

Alex snatched my hand as I ran. "Let go!"
"Just leave it, Erika!"
I shoved Horizon's Edge at him. "You take the blade. We get her, we get the cult."
"No!"

I fought his grip. He snarled and grabbed both my wrists, holding them in front of me, so tight I almost winced. "Let go!" I yelled.
I was almost touching his face when he pulled me towards him. His eyes had darkened, face contorting in anger. "You're not getting yourself killed for this. We'll get her later but now we need to leave."
"She's—"
"Getting away. And so are we."

I glared as he let go but did not take another step towards Kate. She left with Leopold; one of the few hunters free of the cult's clutches. They were close now, so close to their goal of unleashing the Witch-Queen. They were winning... and we were failing.

A roar made me turn around. A dark-haired witch had casted at the running Alfie as I was watching Kate, sending a ball of fire storming towards him. I was too far away to stop it — too far for my crossbow to even reach. He needed to move.
"Alfie!"

I ran for him but someone else got there first. Florence pounced for the flame – the flame she had no power against, no magic nor defence – and shielded her brother.

The fire struck her in the abdomen and she screamed. Alfie's face turned white, the rest of him completely frozen on the spot. The witch was marched towards him, ready to attack. Alex and I were still too far.

Calling his name, I fired an arrow at the ground near him for a weapon. It wasn't much, but it offered some defence for him and his sister until I got there. It landed at his feet but he did not pick it up, no matter how much I shouted at him to grab it. "Do it!" I cried. "Just pick it up!"

The witch advanced on Florence instead. Nathaniel stood over her and was tossed aside like a doll. Alfie was all that was left standing between the witch and his sister and, instead of attacking, he backed away.

My stomach turned. Freddie never backed down from a fight. He would have been ashamed to witness this.

I cursed and bolted. The witch was only an inch from my cousin, but I was now near enough. I fired an arrow for the witch's heart. It pierced with a spine-shivering crunch and Florence was safe.

I crouched down and she winced as I turned her over. The fire grazed her torso, singeing her clothes and burning the skin to a dangerous, blistering red.
"It hurts," she whimpered.
I nodded. I could feel the heat as my hand hovered over the wound. "I know. But we have to go."
"I'll carry her," said Nathaniel. Alex held up a hand.
"No chance. I'll get her."

She cried as Alex picked her up. He apologised over and over as he stood up straight, carrying Florence's petite frame effortlessly. A nod told me he was ready to go and our small group made a break for the house, running out the way we came.

Robert's car had been left where he parked it. I hopped into the passenger seat while Alex settled Florence into the back, Alfie climbing in after. Nathaniel reached for the handle but I slapped his hand away.
"I'll die here!" he begged. I shared a look with Alex, unsure of what to say.
"Get in," he said. The boy sighed in relief and dived into the back seat, slamming the door behind him.

Alex frowned at me sitting in the passenger side.
"I was drugged. I'll explain later."

His mouth gaped open but no words came out. He jumped into the driver's seat, started the car's engine and reversed halfway down the drive before spinning around and speeding towards the winding road we drove up on our way to the party.

I craned my neck to see Florence in the back. She was still lying down, arms folded across her abdomen, hissing through her teeth, Nathaniel whispering comfort to her.
"Not long now, Flo," I assured.

Alex took a left turn down a dark road – we had better cover there in case something followed us. If the witches were prepared to attack us so openly at one of the biggest parties in London, it was likely they would again, even if we were driving down a rammed main road.

"Did Leopold make it out?" Alfie asked. He maybe knew Robert was a witch, but had not yet heard of Leopold's own mistake.
"Leopold betrayed us," I snapped. "Robert was watching him this entire time and he tried to hand me over to Kate and steal Horizon's Edge."
Alex cursed. "We can't even trust hunters now."

I winced as my ears started to ring, vision turning warped. If there was a cure to the drink The Collector gave me, I wouldn't find it. I hoped that, like any other alcohol, the after-effects would be little more than a hangover. That, I could deal with.

"What's the plan, Erika?" Alex asked. I shook my head, my skull feeling as though it was being crushed. Leopold Hopkins was a terrible hunter, but I never anticipated him betraying his own. I was suspicious of Robert from the start – Leopold kept me from saying anything.
"We could maybe go back to Leopold's," I suggested. "He'll have supplies for Florence, food, shelter for the night. And we could fortify it better with the weapons from my car."
"Good idea. We all need some rest after tonight."
I actually agreed, and silently begged Leopold to have painkillers lurking around in his home somewhere. "You're right."
He whistled. "A rare occurrence."
"We're in more danger if we keep travelling." I glanced at the rear-view mirror. Nothing was following us. "We'd be stupid if we carried on."

I winced and pressed a hand to my forehead. The drink from The Collector was still taking its toll, even if I was conscious. There was no way I could have drove in this state. I'd pose a greater threat to all of us than the witches at the party.

The full beam of the headlights made my eyes sting. I took a moment to shut them and saw her face – the blue-eyed, black-haired girl from the hallway – and opened them instantly.

"Are you okay, Erika?" said Nathaniel from the back. He had the back of his hand pressed to Florence's forehead, concern written on his gentle features. Alex's brown eyes flitted from me to the road.
"I... saw a girl die tonight," I replied. "Before the vampires attacked. The Collector tied her up, tortured her and left her to die alone in one of the upstairs rooms."
Alex's brows raised. "Upstairs? Is that where he—?!"
"Watch the road."

He huffed and straightened the wheel, knuckles flaring white from the streetlamp.

"I tried to get her out," I told Nathaniel. "But she... she didn't make it to the stairs."
The boy bit his lip and looked down at Florence. He brushed a wavy fawn strand from her tear-stained cheek. "She will," he said. "She'll be alright."

She had to be. If Florence was seriously hurt under my protection then I failed her. I failed Diana. I failed my father. I... failed.

No. No, I couldn't think like that. We got her out. That was further than the poor girl in the manor had gotten. She had the bravery of a Mullein but the resilience of a Lupine. She would prevail because she was too damn stubborn to give into pain, just like her mother. Alfie was a different story. He allowed the witch to advance on his own sister. Diana would scold him, Freddie would lecture him but my own father? He would tell him that no Lupine blood ran through his veins; that he was a coward for running.

I didn't know what to do. Yell at him? Rant at him? Ignore him? I had so many words but none of them seemed right. Every sentence I mulled over was either too angry, too brash or too technical. Because I wasn't just shocked that he did it, or angry that Florence could have been left in that building just as the young girl was. I loved the boy – he was family – but maybe that was why I was so hesitant to snap.

I was just disappointed in him, and expected better.

Thank you all for reading! Be sure to vote, comment and share this chapter if you enjoyed it.
— Caitlin xx