I  stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror as Adira combed my wet hair. No matter what was happening around me, I couldn’t grasp to the present. My mind kept bouncing from happy memories to the tragedy that accured in which ripped all hope from me. My mother's agonizing scream kept echoing in my mind.

   "Hey" Adira softly said, placing her hands on my shoulder, as she slightly leaned in closer to the mirror in order to catch my attention. "You're all done. You look beautiful".

My eyes gradually blinked as I met her gaze. "Thank you". She took a step back and I brought myself to my feet. A section of my hair was pulled up neatly and held by a single earthen coloured clip. The rest fell elegantly down my back. My dress was a white upper lace body sleeves with a pleated skirt.

  I turned to face Adira. "You ready?" She asked and all I could do was smile and nod. We intertwined our arms and she led us to where the funeral was taking place.

My body instantly stopped as if an invisible force was blocking me from moving further. At the distant I saw Cyan, Lars and Duncan, all dressed in white. In between them, laid my mother on her makeshift wooden bed. A part of me wanted to avoid this all together. I couldn't, I didn't want to see my mother again and in the state she was in. But I had to say my final goodbye.

"You okay? We don't have to go through this if you don't want to" Adira suggested.

I shook my head. "No. I do want to". We both then proceeded towards them.

We followed a trail of white lit candles that led the way to my mother. The candles ended in a circle around her. We had finally stopped but my eyes couldn't look up at my mother who lie on her bed. My eyes were glued to my feet. The pain took over a portion of my brain. It was the emotions of loss.

"Hey" Adira said as she gripped to my hand tightly. My head turned up towards her and she lightly smiled as she gestured towards my mother. Taking a deep breath in my eyes finally met my mother's corpse.

   For a minute, it robbed my ability to speak. My mind had been creating a terrible presentation of my mother when in fact she looked beautiful. She wore a flower crown. Flowers of a deeper blush of pink and flowers of golden petals radiating around my mother's head. Each petal so perfect.

Adira leaned in towards me and whispered. "I made that for her".

I smiled and nodded gently.

Her skin was almost has perfect as it was before her attack. That of a smooth light honey skin with aging dark spots that dusted around her most visible sun calling spots.

"She- how?" Was all my mouth could uttered as my eyes shifted to Adira then towards Duncan. Cyan took a step forward just as he said. "Me". I turned to face him.

"I have the ability to heal as well" He said while he lifted his shirt, showing the area Jax had cut through. It revealed a small scar. "Since- well your mother is no longer alive, this is just her corpse, the wounds didn't heal completely- I tried my best".

"Your effort is much appreciated Cyan. Thank you" I said as I turned to my mother once again. Her opened wounds have enclose to small cuts.

"I will like to say a few words before- before we proceed" I said. Everyone nodded, bowing there heads. 

  "My mother was a women who loved her children deeply. When father died she had no clue how she could protect  and care for two children all on her own during this terrible war. Despite of the fear she pushed forward. She made time for us in every single way. Surprisingly she had a sense of humor too". I smiled as memories flushed through my mind.

"She was an amazing mother and doctor. She motivated me to pursue in the medical field". I placed my hand over hers. "She will never be forgotten".  I leaned in planting a kiss on my mother's forehead. "Goodbye mom". I stepped back and nodded towards the guys.

They each took a torch and lit  the wooden bed on fire, spreading with ease. The flames were louder than I expected, roaring as they consume my mother's corpse.

We watched the orange flames burn for about five minutes before I decided I had enough. I turned and proceeded my way back into the building. Everyone else, close behind.

After the blackness of night, the sun rose on the horizon. The invitation to a new day.

  Cyan had told us he had a place we could shade away to until we decided our next steps. Going back to my old home wasn't an option.

"It's been a long time since I've moved to any where else other than here", Adira stated as we both threw our bags over our shoulders.

"Consider it a new adventure" I replied. We both began to make our way to the roof top for a final farewell of the place that stripped everything from me.

"Sienna". The voice was unexpected. It was low and gentle. Adira and I turned around quickly. Seeing her made my blood boil and all my mind could whisper to me was to kill her. I stepped forward ready to attack but Adira held to my arm, pulling me back.

She shook her head at me. "Don't".

"What do you want?!" I shouted.

Megan's mouth trembled as her eyes moved from me to Adira. She held to the sleeve of her sweater, fidgeting with it as she tried to form her words.

   Megan was the cause of Lars and Adira's need to run. If it wasn't for her, non of these things would of happened.

"Speak" I told her.

"Your brother he's alive" she said.

Kaden! For a moment my mind had convinced myself he was dead too. I couldn't think of a possibility of his survival during the invasion at my house. And seeing how brutally my mom was killed yesterday, I was so sure he met the same fate.

"Where is he?!" I said stepping forward.

Megan's frail body trembled as she took a step back. "I don't know. When Jax invaded your home. Your brother wasn't there, only your mom".

Did my mom know they were coming?

  "You need to find him before- before she does". 

"Before who?" I asked.

"Darla" Megan said in no more than a soft whisper.

Adira and I both looked at each other.

"She wants revenge for what you guys did to her brother. She's going after yours... she will kill him".

"Why are you trying to help us now?" Adira asked. "You snitch us out. My boyfriend and I had to run away in fear!".

  Megan looked down as she shook her head. I can tell how the sadness and guilt drained through her. " I regret my actions deeply. But you guys don't understand how afraid I was. Enslaved by Jax for many years. Receiving Mental and physical abuse. I wish I was as brave enough to escape him like you did, Sienna".

A big part of me was still angry at her and would never forgive her for what she had done but I understood her pain and fear. I was exactly in her shoes.

  "Everyone deserves redemption right?" Megan asked.

Adira and I slightly nodded.

"I really hope you guys can forgive me for the pain I have caused you someday. I also hope you can find your brother soon".

I gave her a small smile and I receive one in return. Megan then, quickly vanished. 

"Come on Adira. We must let the guys know my brother is alive".

"What took you guys so long?" Duncan asked as they caught sight of us.

"Megan came back" I said.

   "Megan?" Lars questioned.

"Why was she here?" Cyan asked.

I sat my bag down on the floor as I approached them. "She warned us about Darla" I said.

"Your crazy girlfriend is on revenge mode" Duncan told Cyan.

"She ain't my girlfriend anymore" Cyan stated in a mutter.

  I rolled my eyes. "She's after my brother".

"Your brother is alive?" Lars asked.

I nodded. A part of me was coming to life again. I had a reason to live, I had someone to fight for.

  "We must find him before Darla does" Adira said.

"Right. He must be scared and confused. Out there all alone with no one to guide him and protect him" I said. I was able to imagine my baby brother, roaming the unsafe streets.

"Don't worry Sienna we will find him" Duncan said as he embraced me in a hug.

We all turned to face the sunrise.

The greens and blues rising into a new and vibrant glow. We bathed in warmth rosy hues as golden light dribbled over the city.

The sky was all the colors I've been yearning for. The perfect flame.

The promise of a new beginning. 

This is the end to book 1 of Blood & War. I really hope you all enjoyed reading this book and thank you for making it this far.