“Bunny, wake up.”

“Bunny!”

“God dam it Elise, wake up!”

“No!” Groaning, I rolled over as the pestering voice of Logan didn’t seem to be going away any time soon.  The pillow was so soft and comfortable, I hadn’t slept this good in a long time and refusing to open my eyes, I could easily keep sleeping. Then it hit me. Logan. “What the hell?”

Sitting up quickly I pulled the blanket up with me, and it took barely a second for my eyes to focus on the moron who woke me up.

“Morning princess!” He sang a little too chirpy for my liking.

“What are you doing here?” Looking around, I was still in the guest room of the coven’s home, so how was he here?

“I’m a Tr-“

“No! Don’t you dare say that!” I snapped, covering my mouth as I yawned.

“-acker!” He did and I lazily reached out to slap him. “Sonia did a locater thingo for you and luckily these gals remembered me from the pub too!”

“Of course they did.” I mumble.

“So how’s going after Jordan in the morning working out for you? You know it’s nearly eleven?” He took a seat on the edge of the bed and I flopped back down amongst the pillows.

“I said tomorrow, not the morning. Attacks always happen at night.” My eyelids get heavy again and just when I think I could still go back to sleep he keeps talking. My brain also kicks into gear and what Oz had told me about the ring hiding me comes back. I guess I was hiding for the wrong reasons from Sonia and Logan for her to have been able to find me or maybe my will had weakened after our phone call last night. It would be nice to have him come lay beside me for a few minutes…

“When the vampires are out. Brilliant idea!” God I hate him.

“Shut up.” I had been pushing myself too hard these last couple of days, so clearly the sleep was needed. “Go away.”

“You know, you could at least pretend to have missed me?” He mumbles sarcastically.

“Like a hole in the head Loges.”

Knocking on the door interrupted our moment and groaning again, I pull the blanket completely over my head and snuggle back into bed. If  Logan found me, who next? Was Selene going to waltz on in or maybe the Kasha decided to try knocking instead of doing their zappy in and out thing.

“Hunter?” Hazel comes in and I act invisible. “You may want to come out here.”

There was something in her voice that made me get up and the fact I had been sleeping in a t-shirt and underwear didn’t matter. Good thing no one seemed to care as I went out into the main foyer area and looking around cautiously three of them stood by the front door.

“What is it?” I ask, nothing seemed out of place or a threat.

Hazel waved her hand over the door and the trio moved out of the way as it opened. It was an overcast day, the clouds were a violet grey and sitting low to the earth. The shrubs that lined the main path to the door all shook with the gusty breeze and as I took a step to go outside, Logan grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

“Let me,” he offered and standing out on the porch, the wind didn’t seem to touch him or even come into the house. “What are we seeing?”

“It’s safe to go outside Hunter.” Hazel nodded, and I walked out beside him. Sure enough it was like the doorway was in its only little bubble despite the storm that started to rage in front of us. The rain came first, in large heavy drops increasing to the point that nothing a meter or so in front of us was visible and looking to my right I felt my mouth drop. Taking another couple of steps out the funnel forming in the clouds didn’t seem natural. The pink lightning that cracked open the heavens only emphasized the point that there was something magical about this.

“What is it?” I ask weakly, already knowing. It was a portal.

“What are you looking at?” Logan followed my gaze, but didn’t seem able to see it.

“He can’t see it Hunter. It’s for you.”

Logan picks me up by the waist and carries me inside. The door shuts behind us and he doesn’t let go.

“Me?”

“They’re testing the portal. Checking to see if you are still alive.”

“That doesn't make sense. I thought they had to wait for the Blood Moon and what does me being alive have to do with it?” Now I was confused.

“The Blood Moon is needed to get the two monsters they want out. This was a test. Since they have Jordan, they were seeing if you are still alive. If the portal opened, you would obviously be dead and who knows what would have come out with it being left open until the Blood Moon!”

“Like the other demons, that’s why it’s been happening all over the world. Tests, not distractions.” It was starting to make sense now.

“Probably, especially if they were going through your any with the right blood and breeding. The others would have given them the energy to open but not sustain the portal. Definitely long enough for a demon or two to slip out.” Hazel reasoned and Logan looked confused.

“What is going on now then? Have you noticed how busy the Hunters are being kept? The vamps, shifters and werewolves are practically non-existent at the moment. Everyone is running around after demons!” He added to the conversation.

“That would be distraction.” Hazel looked thoughtful for a moment.

“If I can see it now, why not the others?” It would have been handy to have seen the portals being opened before and remembering the caves near the shifters territory I wondered if Jordan had seen something which is what made him go there.

“Your brother has the same energy, the same blood and-“

“How did you know?” I interrupt.

“Know?”

“That portal was made because of Jordan. As a test. How do you know allof that? You told me I could see it because it was made for me, us…” Feeling the gun on Logan’s waist, I prayed it was loaded and swiftly reached over to pull it out and pointed it directly at her. Her face paled, more than normal and her eyes glowed red at the threat. “Is this a set up?”

“No. We can sense these things, the air out there is alive with his aura which is the same as yours. Elise, we do not want them succeeding.” She raised her hand and I flicked off the safety. Logan stood right behind me, though not sure what good he would be as back up if they got their witch on.

“Don’t even think of magic-ing your way out of this one!” I warned.

“They do not need to do that Elise.” Ailin?

“You motherf-“ Bringing the gun back against me, I turned to find my bodyguards in their own demon form behind Logan.

“Enough!” She roared, silencing all of us. “Thank you for your assistance High Priestess Hazel.”

Ailin bowed slightly dismissing Hazel and her followers. The four of them left so it was only Logan and I with the Kasha. Looking up at him for some kind of support, he looked as guilty as Hazel just did.

“You too?”

“Come on Elise, they want to keep you safe! Your parents are working on saving Jordan, just stop making this so god damn hard!”  He yelled and instead I pointed the gun at him. “Don’t be stupid. Put it down.”

“Did Sonia really find me or were you all working together?”

“She did it, then they used me to find you. I was going to wake you up and bring you down, then that happened.” He confessed.

Ailin chose that moment to grab the gun and wrestling with her was kind of pointless. I refused to let her get a good grip on me to move us out of here and using her own teachings back at her, got free and started to run up the stairs. Lily and Toyo blocked the top and I really don’t know why I went that way in the first place. Turning back to foyer Ailin was there and grabbed my wrist like an impatient mother does to her child. So I played dirty, screaming as if she had just broken my arm and fell to the stairs. It worked and she let go, clearly confused.

“Stop!” I screamed, now I had their attention. “I’ll go. Willingly, but I want him to come too!”

“What?” Logan and Ailin asked at the same time.

“If I have company, I might be less willing to try and get out again. So Mum, can I bring a friend?” I  ask sarcastically, smiling up at her as sweetly as I could and the trio looked perplexed at my request.

“Elise, if I go missing what will…” Logan didn’t get to argue as Lily went and grabbed his arm. The pair disappeared and seconds later I found myself surrounded by concrete in a small cell like room. The paper walls and Japanese inspired décor was non-existent and turning, the thick silver bars in front of me looked heavy duty. A gasping Logan appeared at my side seconds later and I only smirked, remembering the first time I had travelled that way. Going to the gate, I wrapped my hands around the bar and shook it. I couldn’t see much else apart from more gated doorways and just as I was about to scream out, Logan stumbled beside me.

“Where have they put us?” He choked out, still not recovered. Wimp.

“Jail?”

“I think you’re right. This looks like the Council’s place. I came here once with a werewolf just after I left the Academy.” He gently banged his head against the bars, “What have you got us into now?”

“Just think of all the quality time we will get to spend together!” I nudged his side playfully and ignored the glare he sent my way.

“This place hardly has room for one person, not two and-“ We turned and stopped dead. The tiny cell had expanded. A TV was against the back wall that was now a pale blue colour and in either corner a double bed sat, complete with lamp and bedside table. A door was on the left and walking curiously over, I opened hoping for a way out but instead it was a bathroom. It only got better as our bags appeared on each bed and a phone took its place beside the TV as we watched in awe.

Then it rang.

“It’s probably for you.” Logan pointed out, moving to sit on the bed beside his bag.

“Probably!” I walked over and picked it up, answering rudely which only made him roll his eyes. “What?”

“Miss Bunting, welcome back.” Of course, Ronaldo.

“Oh hey Ron, sup?”

‘Ron?’ Logan mouthed at me.

“Hang on, let me see if this thing has speaker.” It did and hanging up the handset, our Presidents less than impressed voice had Logan hanging his head in hands. “You’re good to go.”

“Miss Bunting. Once again you have been detained in an undisclosed location for your safekeeping…”

“We’re in the council jail.” I pointed out, hoping he didn’t want to this be a big secret.

“Undisclosed location!” He growled back, “You are not permitted to leave. Doing so will be pointless as we have the room monitored and guards all exits.”

“Ron, you don’t need to say anymore. I get it. Challenge accepted!”

He ignores my comment. “You have been given a companion and your quarters have been upgraded. This should make your stay more manageable and I hope Mr. Murphy has more sense than you do and will ensure you both remain there.”

“Yes Sir.” Logan answers instantly and sighing I look around for camera’s but don’t see any.

“So we are currently being filmed?”

“Yes Elise.” He answers impatiently.

“All the time?”

“Yes.” Now an inch of unease breaks into his otherwise scolding tone.

“So let me get this right Ron. You put me in a cell, with my boyfriend for company and you’re recording us constantly? What kind of perv-“

“Miss Bunting!” He yells down the line and Logan drops down into his bed, proceeding to scream out his frustrations into the pillow. I try not to laugh as the awkwardness takes place of his anger. “We, I understand, should, if you feel the need to ah?”

“Relax, I’m not camera shy. Logey?”

“You should have shot me.” He mumbles and lifting his head up slightly, his face is bright red.

“I bet my Dad is listening to this.”

“Sir, permission to be removed from the cell requested?” Logan quickly asks.

“Denied. Should you need to, fornicate, during your time here, we will turn the camera’s off. You still have your right to privacy.”  Looking at Logan I smirk, and fear takes over his expression. He knows I’m up to something.

“Mighty kind of you el presidente! And the bathroom?”

“There are no camera’s in the bathroom.” He hangs up without another word and I feel more than happy with myself.

“Are you fucking insane? What was that!” Logan screams at me as he gets up.

“That, was part one. Didn’t you just hear what he said?”

“Part one?” He asks dumbly.

Getting up I realize I am still only in what had been my sleepwear so rolling up the hem of my shirt, Logan struggles to swallow as I walk seductively towards him. He doesn’t stop me as I climb over his lap and throw my hair over my shoulder, blocking us as I kiss his cheek, his neck and put my lips to his ear.

“How else am I going to get us out of here?”

“Elise! No! You can’t even think of leaving!” He snapped back, nearly pushing me off him.

“Of course I can, because after that little stunt at the house – you’re not part of any plans I have for when the camera’s go off.”

I get off him and go to rummage through my bag which the Kasha never thought to bring for me and finding my clothes, I need to take a shower. Spying Bob I wonder if Logan has had another look through, but don’t really care. I decide to put something in there next to mess him up and without a word go into the bathroom, locking the door. There is no exhaust fan and the room turns into a sauna thanks to my hot shower. There are no windows and I’m in there for nearly an hour searching every nook and cranny for a clue on how to get out.

“Elise, they say you’ve been in there too long!” Logan knocks on the door and I quickly get dressed.

“But I haven’t used all the hot water yet!”

I can hear him talking, but not very clearly and trying to open the door quietly fails. A guard stands at the bars in front of Logan and they both shut up as I come out and a second later, the guard leaves us.

“Want to watch TV? The guard was just telling me they’ve got a database with anything you could possibly thing of on.” Logan asks, sitting on the bed he fiddles with the remote for a minute making it come to life.

“Sure, what was that show where that guy is in prison and he goes in planning to break out or something like that?”

“Prison Break.” He answers dryly, not liking my sarcasm. “Why are you being so stupid about this?”

“What? I thought it was a good show!” I argue, getting out Bob I wonder what I can write to mess with Logan’s mind when he peeks next, because I know he is going to.

“No, about the whole wanting to be out there and in danger? You didn’t want to be a Hunter, you didn’t want the risk – you’re such a typical girl! Tell you not to do something and of course you want to do it!” He starts to rant and maybe bringing him along wasn’t such a good idea. I should have asked them to bring me Reece, he looked like he really needed to have a chat and this would be the perfect time for a D&M. By the time he shuts up about all the things I should do and could be and god knows what else, I really regret my decision.

“Done?”

“Yes!” He snaps back.

“Feel better?”

“Kind of.”

“You’re an idiot.” I can’t help but smile at him as he still stands there worked up.

“So are you! Did you not just hear anything I just said!”

“No, I tuned out after the first why can’t you. Logan, relax. I got this!”

“Said the girl being kept in a high security prison?” He taunted.

“Minor detail.” I hate that he looks so good angry, it takes of that soft edge and I pat the bed beside me. “Come here?”

With a sigh he lays down beside me, resting his head in my lap as he hugs my leg. I idly stroke his back from his face and take the moment of peace to look around the room.

“Stop trying to work out how to get out here, I can hear your brain thinking!” He rolls over slightly so now he is looking up at me.

“No that’s my stomach because I haven’t eaten anything for ages.”

That finally makes him relax and laughing, he takes me hand in his. “Two weeks Bunny, just wait  two weeks.”

“Fine. Two weeks!” I agreed, but I had no intention of sticking with that. Annoyingly, he guessed that was the case too.

“No, I don’t believe you. Promise me!”

“I can’t. That’s my brother, clearly my parents are doing a great job if they tried to open the portal! Maybe because you don’t have close family doing this stuff, you don’t understand.”

“I don’t need close family or a brother or whatever. I have you and that’s why I am not giving in with this!”

I didn’t know whether to throw up or go all mushy at that. Luckily food arrived and with that distraction I also saw my way out.  The lower left corner opened up separate to the main gate. It would be big enough to step out of and now it had been pointed out to me, the bars didn’t look as solid either. “You really know how to be a suck ass sometimes Logan.”

“I know, did it work?”

“Yeah, kinda.” I leant over and kissed his forehead before we got up and took the tray of food. I watched closely as the lock was turned and looking up the guard had been watching me too. “Hello.”

“Miss Bunting.” He grunted, turning to stand against the wall beside us. It would be a very bold, possibly stupid move to reach out for his keys and as Logan looked over what we had been given for lunch, I pushed against the bars to try and see out.

“Do we get yard time like in human prison?”

“No.”

“Why not? It’s not healthy to be cooped up inside for too long.”

“We can turn UV lights on if that helps you?” I was getting the impression he didn’t like talking.

“Why are there UV lights in here?”

“Torturing vamps. Not high enough to kill em, but hurts like a bitch.” This he liked to about and tilting his head down to talk to me, he even smiled.

“Interesting. Speaking of vamps, are we near that Alison Winters?”

Shouldn’t have bought that one up and the smile turned into a look of disgust. “No.”

“What are you, Slayer? Bet that pisses you off. Did know I was the one to stop her?” Come on, take the bait…

“I did hear that rumour. So it’s true?” He moved to stand in front of me and I kept against the bars, lowering my hands to his waist height.

“Yup, ask that one if you don’t believe me. Then again he got knocked out cold for a few hours, so maybe don’t ask him.” I turned back to find Logan already shoving pizza into his mouth, glaring at me.

The guard only laughed, and reaching out I managed to get the loop holding the keys. Problem with that was, it was on an extender that wasn’t attached to his belt, but made as part of it.

“Well, I better get some lunch before he eats it all. Trackers!” I roll my eyes and as he laughs again the sound of the keys jingling back into place don’t stand out too badly.

I just sit down and the phone rings again. Looking at Logan he shrugs, and I’m the one to answer. “We saw that Miss Bunting.”

It wasn’t Ricardo, but whoever it was sounded amused. Looking around I hang up the phone and before eating lunch stick up my finger, hoping they enjoyed that.

Next time they won’t see anything.

--

Four days later, I managed to talk them into letting us have exercise time in the corridor. Surrounded by empty cells, we couldn't really go anywhere and I got nothing on how we could actually get out. I tested it a few times. A voice would instantly come over the speaker to remind me to behave an I couldn't actually work out where the camera's were. 

Sitting back in our room, i decided to try and work it out a different way. Picking up the phone I pointed at it, waiting for them to ring since I couldn't call out. 

"Yes?" Came the bored voice on the other end.

"Any chance of getting a bottle of tequila and a few hours of private time?"

"Certainly Miss Bunting."

Logan came out of the bathroom, looking at me suspciously as I hung up the phone.

"Now what are you doing?"

"What are we doing?" I winked, slipping off my jacket.

"Can we go in there instead?" Logan points back to the bathroom and I roll my eyes.

"No. Oh look, refreshments!" The guard passes through the bottle of tequila, "Thanks, no lemon? salt?"

"Deal with it." He grumbled, turning back to his post by the door.

"Ah no, move on."

"I'm not leaving."

"What happened to being given privacy? How do I know you creeps aren't even going to watch?" I snap and from behind me Logan sighs and lays down on the bed.

"Fine. It's not like you can get out anyway!" Thats what he thinks.

He looks up above the door and waves his hand across his neck, the ultimate kill it sign. I wait until the door closes at the end of the hall and slide open the bars keeping us in.

"Are you serious?" Logan whines, getting up he follows me into the corridor.

"He didn't lock it after lunch. Not my fault he is incompetent."

I stop walking, looking around. Nothing. No voice overs, no rush of guards. There is always two exits, sometimes more. I just had to find the other one. if the designers of this were anything like the ones who did the Underground or Hospital, it wouldn't necassarily be obvious.

The door handle rattled and freezing, the muffled sound of voices had us running back into the cell. I'd just slid the door closed when it opened.

"Oh yes, oh yes!" I called out, trying not to laugh as Logan started to bang his head against the wall. "Did you hear something?" Walking on the spot I pushed my head against the bars and looked out. "Seriously?"

"Sorry, how long do you guys need?" Came the answer. 

"An hour!" I called back.

Someone whistled followed by laughing and as the door closed, I threw out a few more ohs incase they were still eavesdropping. 

"Can you just-"

"No, coming? I wouldn't want to be you when they find me gone." I teased.

"Of all the Hunters, no of all the girls in the world - I came across you. Life was so much easier when it was a love em and leave em. Instead I get insulted, threatened by stupid snake demons, knocked out and will end up in jail for real for going along with this." He complains the whole way and manage to keep my mouth shut.

The door is located at the other end of the corridor behind a fake plastic palm tree. It's too easy, but I'm desperate to get out and I don't even get to step out into the next room before Ailin is there with five guards. "Nice try Hunter. If your whole scheme hadn't been so obvious, I'd be impressed."

"I'm not getting out of here am I?" 

"No. Amongst those of your kind are also demons - our allies. We dont need their camera's to know what is going on in here. You are smart, but we are smarter."

"So what are the chances, I can just go back to my room and forget this ever happened?" I ask hopefully.

"High, just one tiny thing before you go." She smirks, and I feel the metal around my wrists before the handcuffs actually appear. "Back to your room."

The guards surround me and start to guide us back down to the cell. I study each one closely, trying to see if she was lying about the other demons and as the dark skinned man caught my gaze, his skin broke out in black spikes before they quickly retracted as if nothing had happened. No idea what he is, but looks can be decieving.

It takes me an hour to get the cuffs off thanks to Logan not helping at all. He ignores me when I get up victoriously and seizing the bottle of tequila, I take a big gulp. It burns the whole way down and putting the lid back on, I leave it alone. I watch him for a moment, his face set in concentration as he scribbles in his diary. Now something is bothering me.

"Logan?"

"What?" At least I got an answer.

"Did you mean what you said before?"

"About?" He stops writing, closing the journal and puts it down on the floor beside the bed.

"Me? Regretting being here and you shouldn't have wanted to start a relationship and all that other stuff.  I kind of tuned out for a while there." I shrug, wondering if I actually wanted to hear his answer.

"No. I just don't know what to do or say when it comes to you. Your stupid actions lead to me saying stupid shit!" He shifts over slightly and opens his arms. He doesn't need to say anything now and moving to curl up against his side, something peaceful takes over.

It's nice.

"You drive me crazy," He whispers and looking up at him, we kiss. A simple, beautiful kiss that has me glowing from the inside. "And I can't get enough of you."

"I won't try to get away again." I think I might even mean it this time. 

"Good, because I think that demon chick will probably end up tying you to the bed next. Not that I would mind doing that for her..." He kisses me again, the gentleness gone this time. I'm left hating that I don't hate him, not one stupid little bit. 

Then again, maybe they planned it this way? Our first time together comes back to haunt me and I would definetely not be drinking any coffee anytime soon.

"Dream on dog boy!" Relucantly I get up and go to lay on my own bed, leaving him speechless. "Maybe after this is over?"

He shakes his head, grinning like a maniac. "Yeah, when this over Bunny. I'll be waiting for you. I'm always going to be waiting for you."

I blow him a kiss and pick up Bob, glad he has the TV on to distract him from possibly realising I have a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I know they're there thanks to the stupid way he has got under my skin and into my heart.

As if I'd ever tell him that.

Not yet anyway.

Stupid Tracker.