It’s the howling that wakes me up and as I attempt to move to try relieving the ache in my shoulders and arms, I can’t. Opening my eyes, I take a quick look around and find Jordan beside me, still unconscious. Our arms are tied together above us over a small stone bowl. The whole alter seems to be made of the same stone and its no wonder I can’t move as looking down, we’re both strapped to a pillar.

“Jordan! Jordan!” I start to scream, trying to wake him up and looking around, the area in front of us is a mass of black moving lumps. As they all sit up, their chanting becomes a little clearer and I realize it’s all the dark fae. Behind them, the witches stand swaying as they all hold hands and it’s the forest area behind them that I realize the howling is coming from.

Instantly I look up to the sky to find it dark with storm clouds rolling ridiculously close to the earth. The glimpse of a full red mood seems to tease me as the clouds move quickly by, the wind picking up within seconds. Looking back over the fae, I can’t seem to work out where the light is coming from. It’s almost as if someone has their headlights on full beam – behind the rock.

“I really need you to wake up Jordan!” Slapping his hand with mine, the pain has me crying out and as I try to pull my hand down, blood drips onto my face.

That can’t be good.

Jordan finally groans, waking up in seconds and seeing me his eyes widen in fear. “Shit!”

“Nice to see you too!” I snap, wiggling against my restraints. They only seem to tighten around my body and it’ then I realize I’m in a dress. “What the..?”

The light only gets brighter and looking at my arms, I pray the lines covering me haven’t been permanently etched on. The same marks are all over Jordan’s shirtless chest, only on him I can see the symbols and random lines a little clearer.

That really can’t be good.

“Love the pants.” Gone are his jeans and combat boots. The white cotton linen was something more along the lines of beachwear, not end of the world chic.

“Like you can talk, going to a toga party?”

Looking down, he had a point. The dress looked like a glorified sheet, and any other time I might have actually liked it. “Can you get out?”

“No. You?”

“Clearly Jord, which is why I’m still here.”

Before we can keep up with our friendly chatter, lighting strikes the bowl above us and closing my eyes I try and turn away from it with no luck. My screaming is drowned out with the zap of the hit, yet I don’t actually feel it hit my hands. Instead a burning sensation makes my arms come back life and daring to open my eyes; Jordan is looking up with pure shock on his face. I’m too scared to look, but I do.

I wish I hadn’t.

“Jordan!” I scream and we both start to twist and fight our restraints. Just like I had seen from Hazel’s home, a tornado like cloud fell from the sky right above us and purple lightning danced across the sky as if the heavens themselves were opening.  I wish it was the heavens.

“It’ll be ok! Help will come!” He yelled back, the wind picking up to the point I was certain my hair would be getting ripped from my scalp as it flew around me.

It became nearly impossible to breath and the cracking of the rock had us both screaming as it felt like we were about to be sucked into the storm. If that was all it had been, I would have chose that option and as the wind dropped off, the cracking had me opening my eyes. The fae and witches were still in place, still chanting as if nothing was happening and then the wolves began to how again. Their excited yaps and growls sounded more like a pack of hyena’s were waiting in the shadows.

“Are you ok?” Jordan calls out.

“For now! What’s happening?” I didn’t expect him to know, but I had to ask.

The wall beside us suddenly crumbled as lightning struck the stone again. The fragments fell backwards and I couldn’t have screamed or moved if I wanted to. The portal hovered beside us, meters from where we were strapped up. I could feel the energy of it calling to me and I wondered if Jordan felt the same. The look on his face told me he did.

“You should have stayed asleep, might have made this less painful for you.” Selene’s voice snapped into my thoughts and looking away from the swirling golden portal, she spread out the pelt of the Lord Alpha on the stairs below us. “But I’m glad you are awake. I can’t wait to hear you beg for you life.”

“What are the vampires going to do when they learn of your lies?” I have no idea how I managed to sound so confident.

“Doesn’t matter. Once our Lord has returned, we will be untouchable.” She smiled and again I struggled against the restraints. What I wouldn’t give to wipe that smug look of her face.

“If he returns!” Jordan challenges and she only laughs, tilting her head back we watch on in disgust as she morphs into the werewolf. The human becomes disfigured as she twists and cracks into the hairy monster, saliva dripping from deadly canines as she snaps her jaws towards us.

“God I hate werewolves!” I groan, unable to keep moving, as the ropes are so tight now it hurts to breathe and I can feel them digging into my flesh. Jordan is the same and thanks to his bare chest I can see the red rope burns on his skin. If help didn’t come soon, we were doomed.

Her howl is earsplitting and I never knew a sound like that could exist. Even in wolf form she is smirking and from the shadows, the others start to come forward. Some are werewolves, others are actual dogs and the humans who walk amongst them are vampires. 

“Hey Selene, when I get down from here – you die first.” I promise.

She ignores me and the chanting stops as one of the witches come over, shaking a bowl of something in her hands. Scooping out the contents, she throws it over the pelt and everyone stands up so they can start to move back. The mutts take their place and as they swap positions, they start screeching. Kasha demons all appear in the space between the species and they are able to quickly start taking down the fae and witches, not giving them a chance to regroup or recharge.

If they were here, surely others would be too?

Selene is growling like a rabid animal, pacing around the pelt ready to defend it as her pack and the vampires suddenly seemed to have tripled in numbers – more are coming from all sides and the twenty or so Kasha need some help.

Ailin appears beside Jordan, her claws cutting through the ropes that bound him. He falls to his knees, blood staining the white pants and he stumbles over to me, trying to work out how to free me as Selene pounces on Ailin.

The pair started to fight and Jordan is nearly in hysterics. “It won’t budge, I can’t get it to loosen!”

“Go, find a knife or something!” I urge him and movement near the portal has me looking over in fear. Had it actually been opened? I expected a rush of demons to come pouring out, but nothing so far. Who was that over there?

"Yeah, I'll just pop down to a seven eleven and grab a pair of scissors!" He mumble sarcastically, but I'm to distracted to answer.

The red glint of eyes in the dark meet mine as the shadow starts to form into a man. His black hair blends into the darkness ruined by the lightning that dances above him which shows off the face of a vampire. There is no doubt for a second who he was. V – the vampire from Francis’s diary.

He waves before extending his arms, looking up into the sky as if he was about to start dancing in the rain and then he was gone.

“Jordan, get me the fuck out of this!” If he just came out, who knows what is next?

We don’t have to wait long. A dragon of all things came stumbling out, standing barely inches from me as it looks around. Spreading his wings, he takes off into the sky and a pink flame shoots up from the forest turning him into a burst of blue sparks.

I guess our cavalry had arrived.

“Did you just see that?” Jordan stops his attempt to free me and instead stares into the portal.

“Jordan! Focus!”

“Right!” He nods, getting up he runs towards two vampires and takes the first one out easy. Before he can do the same to the other, the crowd starts to turn on him and I watch helpless as I think my brother is about to be killed in front of me.

The sight of Alfie appearing beside the altar has me screaming, and spinning around, his tongue flicks out in my direction. “Elise!”

“Alfie, help Jordan!”

I want to hug that reptile until he makes me stop, but we have bigger issues going on right now. Alfie leaps forward, taking out the ones closest to Jordan with his tail spikes and screaming at Jordan not to hurt Alfie, my brother finds a dagger that one the vampires had and comes running back.

“That’s your snake?”

“Yeah, so you better be nice to me and him – he just saved your life!”

Jordan is hacking away at the ropes, but they’re not budging.

“What are you doing?”

“I can’t cut it, the knife isn’t working!” His hands start to tremble and dropping the knife, a witch appears, kicking it away from him.

“It’s magic boy, only someone magic can break it!” She cackles and with a swift wave of her hand, Jordan is sent flying into the crowd. Alfie instantly goes to defend him.

Thankfully Ailin comes back over, and her claw is sliced through them with ease. Finally free my wrists are throbbing. To my horror and disgust, she grabs my hands and lifts my arms to her mouth, her tongue flicking out over the wounds they soon disappear. I stare in shock for a moment and as the witch goes to take out my guard, Ailin turns and with her claws still extended, sends the witches head rolling.

Our victory is short lived as Selene’s growling bursts of sound that I think are laughter have us looking over at her before the wind picked up and blasted all us back from the altar. I don’t touch the ground as Alfie has his tail around me, and smiling up at him he instead looks towards the portal and hisses.

Everyone stops.

Alfie puts me down beside Jordan and reaching out Jordan takes my hand as my free one holds Alfie. His body coils around the pair of us in protection as we watch the black smoky curl of a spirit emerge from the portal. The air seems to be sucked out of the clearing and still no ones moves.

It hovers over the pelt before diving into and taking a step forward, Jordan pulls me back. Before our eyes the fur rises up from the stairs, stretching around invisible shoulders and slowly, the transparency of the spirit ended as a figure took its place. The pelt was once again attached to its owner and as he spun around, a series of gasps and whines rose up from the crowd.

Then all hell broke loose.

From behind us, the Council’s army poured out from the trees. The fae instantly began to fight each other and werewolves, wolves and vampires set upon our friends and colleagues.

“Jordan, we have to kill him!” I point back to the Lord Alpha who stood on the stairs watching with delight as Selene and five others crowded around him. He wasn’t unlike anything I had seen before. Typically werewolves were still kind of human. They bulked out; they grew a snout – extra hair, a mix of human and monster. Wolf shifters turned into the animal completely and he, well he wasn’t like either side. He did transform, but rather than still show human attributes, he was only animal.

He stood on two legs that were purely mutated canine; his claws were more like something from a dinosaur than the typical extended sharp nails of the wolf. He was truly made of what nightmares came from. Then he showed us something else that separated him from both species - and that was he could talk.

“Bunting. I can feel him here!” The werewolves looked out over the fighting mass and I turned to Jordan.

“We need weapons, pronto!”

He only nodded and as we climbed over Alfie, the ground began to tremble as if there was an earthquake. Turning we looked back at the portal and a demonic army of their own came to join us. I had never seen any of these things before, not even in ancient history and clearly the fae had expected this as anything that flew out was shot down in pink flames.

I wasn’t really worried about those. No they were fine compared to the ones that walked, crawled or slithered their way out.

“Lots of weapons. Maybe a tank?” Jordan mumbled, in just as much shock as I was.

“Alfie, I love you ok. We need to stop them, I need you to fight for us.”

He easily knocked down the vampires that lunged for us and tearing the gown so it was now above my knee, I tied the remaining fabric around his neck just below his head. Hopefully that would protect him from friendly fire.

“Elise!” Mum came running over, stepping back as she sized up Alfie.

“Mum!” I turned only to have Alfie nudge me as his tail shot out and stabbed a wolf about to attack Mum.

“This is Alfie! Don’t hurt him, tell everyone!”

She nodded, coming closer to hug Jordan and then me, “I love you both, just know how much I love you!”

Spinning around she loaded her bow and had a vampire turning to dust. From her side she pulled out a sword and handed it to Jordan while I went and raided the body of a guard, taking his gun belt and dagger.

“Keep Elise ss-afe?” Alfie was back with me.

“Alfie, there are so many people who need your help. I need you to help them too, as best you can ok? But stay safe, keep Alfie safe too!”

“Yes Elise!”

Seeing the demon was working with us, made our group a target. Instantly we were forced to become part of the battle and every attempt I made to break out and go see the giant wolf thing was ruined.

Until I saw him circling Dad.

Running back to Alfie, I held onto him tightly. “Alfie, take me over to the Alpha!”

He obliged and stumbling down from him he quickly started to fight something resembled a horse, if horses had crocodile like jaws and tail of fire.

Ditching the dagger, I found a machete nearby on another fallen guard and going back to help Dad, Selene returned.

She only growled savagely, stalking towards me. “This is some welcome back party you’ve put on! Sorry to have to crash it!”

My taunting wasn’t appreciated as she leapt forward, barely giving me time to dodge her blow. I lost my newly acquired weapon and kicking her in the jaw, I quickly got back up. Pulling out a gun, the shot to her shoulder did nothing to stop her and after dodging another couple of blows, kicked her in the ribs. Two wolves came, the shifters so much easier to take out with a gun and then the stupid bitch managed to pin me down. Her rancid breath made breathing impossible as she hovered over my face, her eyes burning with delight as she had me in prime position to take me out. After everything, was this really how I was going to die?

I couldn’t move from underneath her and looking up, I could see Alfie in the distance fighting more of those horse things and Dad was struggling to keep up with the Lords’ attack.

“No!” I screamed, more with anger than anything else and managing to get a hand free, poked her in the eyes. She stood up, holding her face and it was then I saw Logan come running over. His shirt was torn and blood and who knows what else covered his skin, but the look of determination was admiral.

His grunt of effort tore through the air as he put all his effort into moving his blade through her, yet she managed to block the worse of it – loosing an arm instead of her head. Her howling was full of pain and agony, and seeing Logan she got really mad.

“Are you ok?” He called out, circling around her as she tried to ignore the fact half of her left arm was gone.

“I had this!” I yelled, quickly standing to retrieve my weapon.

“Looked like it!” Selene lunged for Logan and he was ready, daring to smile as he took the liberty of removing her head. “Fuck you!” He screamed at her carcass, kicking her in body with his and her death had the werewolves nearby all stopping.

This made them easy targets for their opponents and that was kind of a good thing as more creatures began to emerge from the portal. We all got caught up in fighting as we were surrounded again and Logan was back at my side. We fought back to back and when Jordan joined us, I actually felt like we were making some progress. We worked as a team, most of our kind had started to do the same. It didn’t stop them from being killed though and I prayed we wouldn't meet the same fate. I lost sight of my Dad, I had no idea where Mum was and if Logan was here, was Reece – our friends?Getting distracted by looking for others, something with three heads separated me from the guys and again Logan came to my rescue.

“You’re welcome!” He muttered sarcastically, and raising my sword to take off the vampire’s head that had just been about to bite him, I smirked.

“So are you!”

The only thing I knew for sure was that we had to close that portal. The fae couldn’t keep their pace up forever - blasting the beings before they made it the main swarm was tiring them. The dark fae seemed to have changed sides, or at least were looking after themselves when the big and bad got too close to them.

It was chaos.

“Look, about everything –“ Logan stopped as what ever he just killed had a spurt of green slime covering him arm, “I need you to know that…”

Now he wanted to do this?

“Logan, right now I am imagining your face on everything I'm killing. I advise you to shut the fuck up before I accidently end up stabbing you instead!"

“Elise, please!”

Turning my blade on him, we were both getting tired and his eyes widened in surprise, not sure if I was serious. Breathing heavily, I didn’t want to listen to his excuses when the apocalypse was on it’s way to becoming a reality and the tremor that shook the ground again, was just one more sign another demon was about to escape. “No Logan! What ever it is, my answer will always be no. This is all we are, two guardians trying to defend the fucking world against these monsters. Try not to get yourself killed, that’s all I have to say to you!”

Turning, I saw my break to get over to Dad and I didn’t look back as I ran. I didn’t have the time to think about it as much as he clearly was. The arrow that shot past me and into the giant wolf arm did make me look back and Jordan ran with Mum as we went to help Dad.

“Buntings? A whole tribe of them!” The creature sneered. No one else seemed to come over here, which was good for us. “Do you weak mortals think you can stop me?”

“As if you need to ask!” I answered, slipping closer to Dad who was beaten on the ground. “What are you anyway? Did Daddy actually get it on with a wolf or what?”

“Your words confuse me, girl.”

“Oh your Lordship, what are you for my eyes have never seen such a creature as unusual as you are!” I drawled sarcastically, feeling just a little intimidated as he towered over me. He had to be at least seven foot high and my mind went blank over all the information I knew about him.

“Elise!” Mum cursed under her breath as she spread out with Jordan as we now blocked Dad from further harm.

“Do they not educate you girl? I am the Lord Alpha!” He growled, puffing his chest out like a gorilla.

“Yeah, but I haven’t seen a werewolf like you before! Was your Mum an actual wolf and something went wrong with you?”

He moved quicker than a vampire, his blow sending me flying backwards as pain exploded in my side and across my chest. Instantly he was above me and all I could do was stare at those sharp canines as he looked down at me.

“My Mother was a wolf shifter, my sire a werewolf. I was born under a cursed moon and you Hunter, shall die under one!” He never got to get that far as Jordan attacked. Mum had an arrow sticking out of his neck and fumbling back towards them, I couldn’t move, as the pain was too much.

So when the vampire appeared above me, I regretted pushing Logan away.

“So you’re the one who let me out?” He purred, his eyes lingered a little too long at my bare legs before making their way up to my face.

“What?” I gasped, not quite hearing him as my heart pounded in my chest.

“A Winters girl? Without you, I never would have been able to leave, even with the portal opened due to the magic that sent me there.” He laughed as I realized who it was; he was the first to get out and he didnt actually leave.

“V?”

“I prefer Aaron and you’re a Hunter? That is peculiar, I never expected anything other than Slayers in her family.”

“I prefer Elise.” I sucked in a breath as he helped me stand and looking around, the sounds of the fighting came from somewhere nearby. I wasn’t there any more, instead surrounded by forest with V. “Where are we?”

“I thought you’d appreciate me moving you Hunter, you were unconscious and rather vulnerable to a werewolf mauling.” He ran his hands through black hair, the outdated suit possibly what he had been wearing when they sent him in. There was defintely a devilish charm to him, and I wouldn't like to see him angry.

“Why? Why help me?” I held my side, slowly trying to move.

“You just gave me back my life, the least I could do was save yours so there is still a chance at ending this.”

“Do you know how to close the portal?” This was surreal, I had to still be unconscious. The vampire was helping me or was it a trap?

“Yes, it’s quite simple really.”

“Then care to share or is this just pretend?”

“Oh no my lovely girl, as I said, I just got back here – I don’t want see this world ruined by that one!” He stepped closer to me and moving back I had no weapon, no help and didn’t like my chances in fighting him. “To close it, you need to die in it!”

“What?”

“You opened it, you close it. The sacrifice of a life must be made and your blood must be shed.” He grinned, his fangs not hidden. If I had died out there, it wouldn’t have worked, my life needed to be lost too. I didn’t want to be a Hunter because I didn’t want to die. Now it seems like I didn’t have a choice. I wasn’t going to let my brother go and I wasn’t going to tell Aaron there were two of us either.

“How do I do it?”

“Simply walk in. You’re not being sent there like I was, with nothing to protect you through the passage to the Other World, you will simply cease to exist.” He took my hand in his, the pain is his eyes making my heart ache. “Did she grow old, what was she to you, a great grandmother? I can tell times have changed, great great grandmother perhaps?”

“Francis?” I ask dumbly and he nodded. “Um, she, well - yes.”

“Do not lie to me!” He roared, instantly changing into something much more than a heartbroken man.

“No. She died weeks after she sent you away, a werewolf attack of all things!” The irony wasn’t lost on me considering what he had just saved me from.

He went still, his face hardening and as he looked at  me, running into a portal right now seemed like a better option.

“You wont be able to kill that thing without the sword Alistair Bunting used. It was blessed an assortment of good creatures, fae, angels – they all did their part to end the evil.” He spoke without emotion and I kind of wished I had been able to tell him more positive news about Francis.

“How do I get it?”

“I don’t know, but you have more important things to do right now.”

Before I could say anything, I was being carried over his shoulder. The ache from where the Lord Alpha had hit was nearly killing me as the curve of his shoulder dug into the same spot. Screaming, I knew what he was doing the second we arrived back on the clearing. He was going to put me in the portal.

In a moment of clarity, I saw Mum and Dad still fighting a pointless battle with the Lord Alpha. Jordan defended Chris who had Jodie in his arms and my pain was forgotten as I realised she wasn't moving anymore. To my surprise Penny was with them and so was her Father. 

Logan was with Alfie, taking down something else snake like and as if sensing me, they both turned to look our way. It gave the vampire an opening and I watched hopelessly as Logan was stabbed in his side and as he fell to his knees Alfie killed the vampire, but his fellow reptile thing took this as it’s chance and bit him.

“No!” I screamed hysterically, ignoring my own pain I had to get to Alfie.

Instead I was thrown to the steps of the altar.

“Go, do what has to be done!” Aaron urged.

“My friends need me! Alfie!” I tried to scramble to my feet and instead, Aaron’s kick had me tumbling down towards the portal. I can’t go yet, I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

“They need you to do what must be done more!” Bending in front of me, he looked into my eyes, “Do what you know is right.”

His compulsion was strong, but he must have forgotten that it doesn’t work on my kind.

“Fuck you!”

A beam of light beside us had us both turning to see Sonia appear with Reece and she sent a blast of white light against Aaron, sending him flying across the clearing - back into the trees. In seconds Reece was beside me and that’s when I saw the sword in his hands.

“Are you ok?” He was down beside me in an instant, slowly helping me stand.

“Sonia, Logan and Alfi-“ I didn’t finish before she was gone and Reece guarded me back to the altar, making me sit. “Reece, tell my parents I love them and I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye. Jordan too!”

“Why? You’re not that injured!” He teased, gently checking out my bruise from the tear in the dress.

“No, but I have to go into the portal to close it.”

“What?” He asks in disbelief and as some troll looking thing steps out, he takes out his anger on it, dead before it even got a chance to take it’s first steps away from the doorway. “There has to be another way!”

“Aaron said, a life and my, well mine or Jordan’s blood because we opened it.”

“Elissse!” Alfie appeared around the edge of the stone, and looking me over I was quickly picked up. Opening my mouth to scream as he held my sore spot, he instead spat into my mouth.

Gagging, I nearly threw up and putting me down I started coughing. “Alfie! What the fuck?”

Reece had the nerve to laugh and Alfie only looked confused. “Save Elise.”

Sure enough, the ache began to disappear and standing up straight I looked down to find the bruise disappear.

“He healed you before, clearly this was more internal?” Reece piped up, still amused and I had forgotten about that ability.

“A bit of warning next time Alfie?”

“Safe Elise!” I quickly looked him over, he didn’t actually seem damaged either and feeling better, I turned to Reece.

“I have to go help my parents, we can’t kill the Lord Alpha unless we have-“

“This. Sonia found some old text thing that had it in there when she was trying to help Alfie.” The sword he had arrived with was passed over. It was heavier than anything else I’d fought with and without any more discussion, I ran back over to my parents. Mum was unmoving on the ground and Dad was struggling to stand. He was cut up and covered in blood, I have no idea how he lasted this long.

I didn’t have to wonder much longer as the claws made contact with his chest, dragging down his torso. The sound that he released made my blood run cold and from beside me I heard Reece say Zane’s name.

“Go, I got this!” Reece hesitated. “Go! He needs you more right now!”

Getting closer, I picked up a smaller dagger, throwing it into the monsters back to get his attention.

“Back the fuck off.”

“You, Bunting!”

“Yes. Me Bunting. You? About to die.”

He only laughed, and then charged. Thanks to Alfie, it was like I was on steroids. I had never felt this good, this new. Fighting my parents had done nothing to tire him out and I each cut I gave him healed instantly. Clearly coming back from the dead left you with some perks, but so did eating snake spit.

I don’t how long our fight lasted for. I was vaguely aware of some fae near the portal and I hoped they were trying to close it. The demons now seemed fewer and far between and I doubt it was because they ran out of things over there. All I do know is once the blade went through his heart; it was over. So did all the werewolves, shifters and vampires who stopped and then ran away.

“No!” The monster cried out, and pulling out the blade he turned as I was about to go for his head, his eyes were wide with surprise, filled with agony as he clutched his chest. “You!”

“I know, Bunting right?!” Then I killed him.

He shifted before our eyes, turning back into the human he had once been only his skin shriveled up to that of an old man before turning to dust. He was dead; for good this time.

Breathless, I dropped the sword. My adrenaline gone, my legs were shaking from the effort of standing and looking around, it was the fae who were taking out the demons. Bodies of shifters, werewolves and my kind littered the field. A few demons had bypassed the fight, but I knew they’d be caught. Running over to my parents, they were both unconscious, but they had a pulse and as a light fae appeared to help them, I left them in her care.

“Jordan?” He looked like he was about to collapse as I went to him. Holding him tightly, I felt the blood wet the fabric of my dress and looking down gasped at the gash he had in his side.

It was then Alfie found me, nudging me gently with his head I wondered if he could help as I  remembered what Alfie’s creator had said before I killed him. “Same blood Alfie, can you help Jordan?”

Alfie’s tongue flicked out above Jordan before licking at his wound. Nothing happened and seeing the gashes on Alfie, forgot about Jordan for a second. “Are you going to be ok Alfie?”

“Yes Elise, safe.”

“Good boy!” I rubbed under his chin and the tip of his tail began to wag.

Jordan gasped and looking over, his wound began to heal. It only made my decision easier.

“Alfie loves water Jordan, look after him ok? Don’t keep him stuck at the Academy forever. “ I hold him tightly, knowing it will be for the last time. “Make sure Mum and Dad know how much I love them, and you. I love you so much!”

“Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?” His voice broke a little at that, searching my eyes for answers I couldn’t hide my tears.

“Because I am.”

“What?” He quickly wiped his own away before anyone could see and ignoring him, I turned to Alfie.

“Keep Jordan safe now Alfie, he is your master!”

“Alfie stay with Elise.”

“Alfie can’t. Now stay with Jordan!”

“Elise! What are you on about!” Jordan ran after me and as we passed Logan and Sonia, she stopped me.

“You don’t need to do this. We are all working together to close it!” She knew and Logan groaned as he stood, the healing she was doing to him not finished.

"And how long will that take? Do we even have enough magic here for that?"

The look on her face told us the answer and looking away, her shoulders shook as she began to cry.

“I forgive you Logan, for everything and-“ I stopped as another tremor shook the ground and we all looked over towards the portal fearfully. The second what ever was coming took a step out more pink flames appeared to stop it.

“And the magic won’t keep working. There is only one-way, trust me – I’ve been over there for a while. You learn things.” Aaron was bold enough to join my farewell party and I was positive I saw a bit of regret on his face.

“You’re going in there? Elise, no! I will! I have sucked as a big brother so far, let me do this!” He yelled, and looking at Alfie I nodded. Sure enough, my brother was wrapped up in his tail and I was positive I saw him cry. I didn’t know snakes could be so, human.

Avoiding Reece and Zane, Aaron walked with me towards the portal. Thanks to the scene Logan and Jordan were causing, I didn’t escape their attention for long.

“What are you doing?” Zane grabbed my arm to pull me back, only to have Aaron punch him to let go.

“I’m sorry Reece, I am.” Going into his arms, I kissed him, softly, delicately and letting go, he was confused.

“What bullshit have you told her?” He pulled me behind him and faced off against Aaron. It was then I noticed his eyes matched the vampires and this seemed to surprise Aaron too.

“The truth. A life must be sacrificed with the blood of the one who opened it!”

“Reece, I have to go. Even Sonia knows the truth!” He didn’t let go.

“There has to be another way!”

Another tremor had him letting me go and running, I took off towards the portal.

“Elise! NO!”

Reece tackled me just as I got to the stairs. “Let me go!”

“No!”

Aaron reappeared and again blocked Zane’s attack as if he was fighting a child.

“Let me do it!” Reece growled slowly letting us get up, but not letting me go.

“You can’t!” I screamed, wanting to at least die with a scrap of dignity and not a blubbering mess. How did he not understand what was going on? 

“You said a life, right?” Reece asked, looking at Aaron who only nodded, looking amused. Something told me he he knew where this was going and this time when Reece spoke; it was gentle. “Elise, let me save you. This will work.”

“What are you talking about?” I couldn't hide the panic in my voice now.

“Reece!” Zane yelled, no longer caring about Aaron who grabbed my arms to hold behind my back, his leg coming around the front of my body so I couldn’t break away. He was strong, the strongest vampire I’d ever met. To my complete confusion, Zane didn’t argue with him. “Are you sure? If it doesn’t work?”

“Then at least you wont have to worry about killing me later.” The pair hugged, more than the awkward ones shared between guys and with a sad nod, he helped Aaron restrain me. This time when Reece looked at me, he wasn't there anymore. It was just like when we had him in our guest room, the demon and human were fighting for control and now the demon had it. Opening his mouth, fangs he had been fighting to hide for months appeared.

“No.” Now I understood and looking at Zane, was he going to let this happen? He looked down to his feet, shifting uncomfortably and that was my answer. “No. No Reece! Please, no!”

“It has to be this way Elise, don’t you understand?” His eyes changed back to that beautiful blue I loved so much. He was conflicted, fighting the vampire one final time so he could say goodbye.

“No, I don’t. Reece!” I begged. Did I love him? Yes and right now he was breaking my heart. It took me a moment to realize I wasn’t being held anymore and Zane stood cautiously beside me.

Aaron had disappeared.

“Elise, you don’t have to worry about me anymore.” I knew what he was doing, but I couldn’t stop it. “I want you to be happy. Be a Hunter, be a doctor or a deep sea fisherman, just live how you want. Don’t ever change who you are, you are an amazing person. Annoying at times, but I love that about you, I love all of you. I don’t want you crying for me, or blaming yourself or anyone. It’s for the best; you know it is. It will be ok.” His voice is like a lullaby, reassuring and despite telling me it’s going to be ok, he wasn’t that good. I knew it wasn’t.

Throwing my arms around his neck, I hold him like I’m never letting go. I don’t intend to either and sobbing I had no control left. “How can you say that? We don't get to be together! You promised me it was going to be ok! You lied, why did you have to do that?”

“Our relationship has always had an expiry date. There isn’t a cure. It will be ok. I didn’t lie about that.”

By now his shoulder is wet from my tears and taking a deep breath, he moves me back to once again try and take over my thoughts. I don't know why he was able to do that, but I was to aware of it now to work. “Give the Tracker a second chance, don’t hate him. I really do think it’s for the best.”

“You think jumping into a portal to die is the best idea, I don’t think we can judge your opinions right now.”

He smiles, I can’t breathe as my throat chokes up. “Well you were going to do it first. Just, remember me Elise. Don't forget me. Promise me that.”

“I promise.”

Our last kiss is tainted with tears and I can’t stop shaking as he lifts my hand. He looks at me one final time before Zane and the pair nod, having their own silent pact.

His mouth lowers to my wrist, a final whisper of a kiss that has my skin tingling and just for a second, I want to feel his bite, just like at the club. The pain doesn’t register at first and when it does, my first instinct is to fight. Zane steps into position and holds me against him as the ache goes from my wrist, up my arm to the point where even my heart is fighting to beat. I can’t cry out, I can’t move and slowly my eyes flutter closed.

“Enough! Reece, enough!” Zane shouts and then there is release. A weird rush of adrenaline flows through me, tingling through each and every vein. It's different to Alfie’s spit and the thought of that  and this whole situation makes me laugh now. It's soon forgotten as I feel like I’m floating, yet something is keeping is grounded and I can’t quite remember why I feel so, free.

“Goodbye Zane, can you watch out for her for me?” Reece. His voice brings me back into the reality of what is happening around me and I can't move.

“Anything bud, I owe you that much.” Zane answers sadly, his own voice shaking as I feel him hold me tighter.

 What are they talking about?

Slowly my eyes start to flutter open, just as Reece steps into the light. The faint echo of a scream fills the space before it closes with a zap, causing a gust of wind to burst through the meadow sending the fae closest to the portal flying away. Still being held by Zane, he protects me as we are thrown against the stone of the altar, shielding my body with his.

Opening my eyes again, I'm soon taken from Zane by Mum who makes it even harder to breathe, her hold tighter than Zanes. I'm dizzy, I can't think and black spots appear to take over what I have of my vision. I know Dad is here too, I can sense him nearby as Mum starts to cry. "Her wrist, look! She is so pale! Elise, darling, look at me!"

"She's lost a lot of blood, but he had to do it!" Zane defends Reece as my head drops back. Jordan and Logan are there, all with the same scared look on their face before Alfie knocks them out the way. This wasn't something he could help with.

"Alfie, take them to the hospital!" Logan demands, knowing him better than anyone else here and what he is capable of. I never heard his answer as thats when everything went black.

-x-

Hearing Logan's question in my mind was what I woke up with and slowly opening my eyes to look around, I guess Alfie did it because I'm in a hospital. Once this is over, I am never coming back to one of these places. Ever.  

"How are you doing Elliephant?" Jordan is out of his chair in an instant, and looking around, the two by the window have Mum and Dad in with Alfie curled around the bed. I point at the water cup and he helps me take a sip. "We're in the Councils ward, you're safe. It's over."

It's over?

We won.

Instead of being happy, I burst into tears which wakes everyone up so I'm being surrounded by my family. Eventually I calm down, and their presence is more harmful than good. I just want to be alone and trying to process what happened is nearly impossible.

"You were so brave darling." Mum gently pats my hand as Dad gets up to get me some more tissues.

I can't talk.

"Ellie, it was for the best. I know you might not think that now, but your Slayer did the right thing." Dad puts down the box and a numbing sensation settles over me. Looking down to the bandage over my wrist, I know the scar there will for ever be a reminder of what happened.

"How about we leave her alone for a little bit?" Jordan suggests, and I look at him appreciatively.

My alone time doesn't last long though and seeing Logan walk in, I only groan and sink back into the pillows. The giant bouquet of flowers he has with him are impressive, but I don't want to see him.

"Why are you here?" I finally talk, hating how hoarse and broke my voice sounds. Not around him. He can't see me like this.

"To make sure you're ok." He says softly.

"I'm fine."

"Elise, please. Can't we just work on being friends again?" It's sad to see him beg.

"No. You ruined everything! I asked you in that hotel room if there was anything else! You could have told me and I would have helped. I would have understood, but no. Was it you who dragged Reece into it? Did you report back to Selene I was with him at the Academy?" My heart rate monitor started beeping like crazy as I got so angry I thought I might actually burst.

"No! No! Elise, I never did any of that. Anything I did was to throw her off your trail, I was always lying about when I saw you and your movements. Everything! I know you dont trust me and-"

"You're right. I don't. I have nothing more to say to you Logan, get out and don't ever talk to me again."

"I meant what I said Elise, I do love you and I will be waiting. We had something!" He sounds so sure of it, I try not to laugh. I can't deal with him right now. Or ever.

"No, you were a distraction. What we had, was nothing. Please don't make me get Alfie to throw you out."

Hearing his name, Alfie lifts his head to rest on my lap and glares at Logan who only opens and closes his mouth before shaking his head.

"Fine. You read my journal - nothing in there was a lie Elise. Think about that!" He sihgs in defeat and walks out. I know he will be back, but I don't want to deal with him anymore.  

Reaching over to the phone on the bedside table, I call one of my other favourite people.

"Yes?" The impatient voice answers, clearly not expecting any calls or at least not mine from his informal greeting.

"Ron, I mean, President Vinci. It's Elise Bunting."

Silence.

"Yes Miss Bunting?" He sounds interested now.

"I was wondering if your offer still stood, about college and stuff?" Fiddling with the cord, I waited for his answer.

"Come see me when you're better Miss Bunting. I'll see what I can do."