Scratching under Alfie’s chin, Reece keeps glancing up from his phone to watch me. Needing to break the growing tension, I leave Alfie to sit beside him at the table. The chair groans under my weight and much like the whole room it desperately needs to be upgraded to something from this century. Logan’s taste in hotels and any kind of accommodation varied greatly to my own preferences.

“So, I was thinking.”

“Should I be worried?” Putting down his phone, Reece looks at me expectantly. Everything about him is guarded. It’s almost as if you looked hard enough you could see the wall he hides behind.

“You, Me, Logan – a Slayer, a Tracker and Hunter…”

“Please don’t try and come up with another lame bar joke.” He smiles, and as casual as we interact with each other – I cant help but wonder if we’re both brilliant at faking it.

“Nope. Not a bar joke!” He groans and I laugh, it’s like once we break the initial piece of ice, we’re fine. “Us three, we’re like the three musketeers!”

“We’re not like the three musketeers.”

“Do you even know who they are?” I quiz. Of course we’re like them. There are three of us for a start and after last night helping each other out, all for one and one for all seems fitting.

“Do you? I’m older than you remember, I was-“

“If you say watching three musketeers before I was born I will punch you.” He laughs and it’s good to hear. He is always so serious and thinking back to the night we first met, I can’t believe he got up on a table to dance with me. “I take that as a yes.”

“Hungry?”

“Great way to avoid being hit. You should know by now I’m always hungry!”

We’re on the moldy smelling sofa with Alfie, eating junk food when Logan comes back.

“Hey, here he is – the third musketeer!” I call out before throwing Alfie another chip. Something is wrong and not because I have my legs stretched out over Reece’s lap. “Logan?”

“I got a call from Kieran. It’s not good news Ellie.”

Jordan.

“What? What happened?” I can hear my pitch rising with each word as panic takes over. Alfie looks at all three of us and as I stand, he coils around my body and his tongue flicks towards Logan, trying to work out of there is a threat or not.

“The fae were outnumbered and out powered. They were ambushed with no warning and the underground was compromised.”

“What about Jordan!” I scream, glad Alfie was holding me. I would have either started beating him for answers or fell down in a hysterical fit if wasn’t. “Logan, what about Jordan!”

He looks at Reece and the pair move closer. Alfie doesn’t like it, rising to strike he hisses at them both. He can do what ever he wants if it get them talking quicker.

“It was a full moon, demons, werewolves – vampires. They were ambushed and they got him Elise. Kieran and Raya were only a couple of the handful of survivors. They must have been attacked when we were.”

“It wasn’t a full moon last night, that was the night before!” He was lying, he couldn’t even get his facts right. Now I was just getting pissed off.

“The fae did something. It was overcast where we were – we wouldn’t have known.”

“You’re lying!” I yell again and as he steps forward, Alfie snaps at him.

“Elise, I’ll call Kieran back. Calm down, you both need to calm down!” He puts his hands up innocently and steps towards Reece who mimics his actions.

They have Jordan. After all this time they have Jordan. I shouldn’t have left, I should have made them listen or warned him sooner. Why didn’t I work it out before now?

Falling against Alfie, I don’t cry. I just get angrier. That stupid Alpha bitch needs to put into her place.

“It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have left.”

“Don’t be stupid. If you didn’t, you’d both be caught. We still have a few weeks, we can work this out!” Reece rallies the cheerleader in him to start boosting our hope, but it wasn’t going to work.

“He’s right. Either way his luck was bound to run out, you can’t blame yourself.” Logan agreed.

Looking up at Alfie he lowered his head down to me and nudged my shoulder, almost like he was trying to agree with them too.

“I tried calling your Dad, but he didn’t answer either.” Logan throws into the mix.

“It doesn’t matter. He is fine.” I hug Alfie and giving him a nod my snake barrier it taken down.

“How do you know, if they’re not waiting around anymore they could have-“

I hold up my hand silencing him, “No. He is useless to them. She would have taken him already. It makes sense now. Jordan and I have both lines in us. We will be enough. She would have only used Dad to draw out Jordan, me? I’m not an issue. I can just be picked up any old time because I’m not like Jordan.”

“Elise, you can’t still think that. You are better than any other Hunter, you’re probably smarter than Jordan. You worked this out before they did!” Logan warily steps closer, keeping his eyes on Alfie.

“I know. It’s all so fucking obvious!”

“Care to share with the other musketeer then?” Reece jokes and Logan just looks at him like he has grown three heads.

“I will once I know I’m right. Just taking a guess, did Kieran mention Alison Winters being one of those few survivors?” Going to our weapon bag, I pull out a few things and start to load the gun.

“Yeah he did actually.” Logan admits.

Tucking the gun in the holster around my waist, I take of the axe next and like the feel of it in my hand.

“Guess those Winters just love a scandal.” That bitch is going to wish she had stayed in hospital once I’m through with her. “And fuck even thinking about ‘saving’ her sister!”

The guys said nothing as Alfie rolled into the demon to follow me out. I didn’t even care if anyone saw him and seconds later they were running after me with our bags.

Game on.

-x-

Getting to the corner store, I was hesitant about going back down there. The second we made it down the stairs, those in the room all stopped and stared. As far as epic entrances went, we just made one. Alfie had returned to his snake form and posed behind the three of us as the guys stood either side of me. All we needed was a theme song; something catchy and hardcore like Eye of The Tiger or Back in Black.

My thoughts went dark quickly as I surveyed the room. Blood still covered the walls, bodies were laid to the right in black bags and the stench of death was worse than what came from the Apophyt. It wasn’t supernatural though; this death was from our kind. The slayers, hunters and trackers down here hadn’t stood a chance. Most had some kind of injury or weakness that led them to hide.

“This safe house is closed until further notice. Leave.” The cold voice demanded and as the vampire came forth, I noticed his uniform. It was a good thing too considering I was one step away from taking my axe and slicing off his head to get rid of the smug look on his face.

The Treaty Keepers had sent some of their minions to do clean up.

“And here I was thinking you were simply redecorating; is this the latest from Vampire Vogue?”

“These are your kind Hunter, show respect.” He growled, clicking his fingers two others came over; another vampire and a Slayer. “The Keepers have declared what happened here a crime against the treaty and I would hate for you to be caught up in the crossfire.”

“Is that a threat? Because I already am. Where is the hunter Kieran-”

“Silence! We will not be spoken to in such disregard!” The second vampire spoke up.

“You’re glorified cleaners. How-“ This time Logan cut me off.

“Our apologies. This is Elise Bunting, Jordan – her brother was taken in the attack. I am sure you can extend some empathy her way over the loss. She is very upset over the matter.”

“We left barely a couple of days ago. Our colleague, Kieran, phoned to tell us and we came as soon as we could. If there is anything we could do to assist, please tell us!” Reece joins in the suck-assery and the Hunter with the vampires doesn’t stop looking at Alfie.

The cleaners all looked at each other before nodding and turning they went back to doing what ever it was before we arrived.

“Stay close Alfie, I don’t trust or like them.” He took it literally as we started to go in, constantly bumping against my back.

“Seriously Elise, do we need to have another discussion about not pissing off everyone you meet?” Logan growled, reminding me of when we went to Selene’s for the first time.

“I thought that’s what you loved about me? Isn’t an endearing yet quirky trait?”

“Not the words I would use.” He mumbled, before covering his mouth as we saw the dining hall better.

The tables seemed to be in one piece, yet amongst the knocked over and broken furniture bits of, things, littered the space. For cleaners, they sure took their time.

“Over here!” Kieran waved at us from behind a curtain near where the library had been. Walking over, they had cleaned the bulk of the mess away from this side and I shivered seeing the claw marks dug into the walls as we passed. Now I had noticed them, I saw them everywhere and remember Logan had said the werewolves had been able to attend the party too.

A handful of survivors was an understatement. Kieran went back to Raya, both had red eyes and bruises. The library space had been transformed into a make do sleeping area and two other Slayers sat in the corner not paying us any attention.

I gasped seeing Tristan on the bed over from them with his arm in a sling. Opening his eyes, he smiled and stiffly got up. I ran over to hug him, careful of where I touched. That’s when I realized who was missing.

“Kieran?”

“He…” Raya put her arms around his waist and the pair started to sob once more.

“Oh Kieran, I’m so sorry!” Grants death hit me at the same time I looked around and saw no Chris, Jodie or even Zane. “What about CJ?”

“They left with us, only they had other things to do.” Reece spoke softly and trying to keep myself together looked around and saw her, talking quietly with two Trackers I didn’t know.

“Alison!” A few tears slipped out the more I thought of Grant, but it only helped my cover now. “I’m so glad you’re ok!”

“Oh Elise, they took your brother! It was awful. I tried to get out from the hospital but this place went into lock down. I couldn’t help and when I did get in, it was too late!” Well that explains why she was unharmed. If anything, amongst all the sadness and chaos she seemed to look like an absolute pillar of strength.

“It’s alright. We have him safe. They didn’t get far. The guys convinced me to come back and good thing we did. It took us a couple of days to get here after we got him somewhere safe. I was so worried about the others!”

“What?” Her tone was too surprised, more like shock than relief.

“Jordan is fine!” I smiled, patting her shoulder. “He was so worried about everyone we had to promise him we’d check it out to stop him from coming back!”

Thankfully no one said anything to reveal my lie.

“He, he is fine? They didn’t get to take him away?” She repeats slowly in obvious disbelief.

“Nope, we’re all safe. Is something wrong?”

“No I’m glad. Just a surprise!” She looked around our group and her smile was fake. Her hands trembled slightly and stepping away, she moved towards the break in the curtain. “I’m just going to get some water.”

“Oh Elise, I’m so glad your brother is alright!” Tristan sighed relieved and everyone else nodded.

“You know, I’m feeling parched. I think I’ll go with her.” The second I moved to leave, Logan, Reece and Alfie all went to follow me. “Stay, all of you. Alfie, keep them here.”

“Yess Elise.”

The duo looked up at him as he slid behind me to block the curtain.

“Elise, don’t you dare leave right now!” Logan snapped and I only winked at him.

“Don’t know what you mean. I’m just getting some water!”

 The lights were all off down in the kitchen and bar area. The living room was much the same and looking around, the cleaners were focusing on what was left of the dining area. No one noticed me leave and going into the darkness, I kept silent. Each step was thought out and going along the wall, I ignored the odd sticky wet patch. There was no one in the bar area, and closing my eyes walked on blind using my other senses.

Down from the living area was where the phone boxes had been set up and pulling out my gun, got ready just incase she tried anything. Instead I heard her hushed whispers and peeking around the corner, she was using a tiny torch to light up the phone booth.

“She’s here now.”

It was hard to hear the majority of what was being said, but after a few minutes I heard enough to tell me I was right.

“I saw them get him in the van.”

“Rescued him.”

“I don’t know, but get your witch down here and you can… Keep her here as long as… not my problem!”

By the end she just sounded pissed off and as she hung up the phone I stepped out into the passage and as her torch-light landed on me, she squealed.

“Oh Elise, you scared me!”

“Cut the shit. What’s in all of this for you?” I demanded.

“What are you talking about?” She asked uncertainly, probably trying to work out how much I had heard.

“Your deal with Selene. The whole attack that got you in the hospital was faked, as you knew Jordan was with the guys and coming down here. You needed to keep an eye on him and you never expected that I’d get away when I did!”

“That’s a very big accusation. How did you come up with all of that? Elise, I think you’re misunderstood. If you’re jealous of the chat I had with your brother that day you ran away, don’t be. We are just friends and…”

“I would hope so cause otherwise that is some fucked up shit since you know we are, albeit distantly, related!”

If this was a game of poker, I’d just gone all in with my big reveal and she couldn’t fake it anymore. So instead she turned of her torch and ran at me. Prepared for her tackle, I blocked the first hit and grabbing her hair pulled hard to have her scrambling to get free.

“How did you find out?” She screamed, turning it into more a girl fight but digging her nails into my arm so of course I let her hair go.

“It’s called the network! All birth deaths and marriages are recorded on their idiot!” She seemed to keep her hits limited to slapping and throwing the first punch, my message was clear.

As we went at it, it took me a few minutes to work out that I could actually see her clearer now and that the lights had been turned on. Shoving her against the wall, I wasn’t satisfied with making her bleed. I wanted her to hurt.

I sensed Alfie before he appeared and as Alison managed to get free and trip me over so I was on the floor, I saw him charging at her.

“Alfie! No!” I screamed and amazingly he stopped, hissing at her as his head danced from side to side-in agitation. If he attacked even defending me it wouldn’t end well for him, especially here.

“You control a demon?” Alison gasped and with the distraction I bought my boot up to kick her in the knee and as she stumbled, I rolled to get up and pinned her down.

“Yeah I do, so enough wasting my time. Where did they take Jordan?”

“What is going on here?” All living, well some kind of living, beings down here had joined us and formed a circle to watch what was happening. The vampire who greeted us pushed through and instantly glared at me seeing the hold I had Alison in.

“This bitch was behind it all. She is working with the mutts to bring back some big bad Alpha and a vamp her dear old grandma had a fling with! Put her to trial for crimes against not only the treaty, but her own kind too!”

“Is this, is what you say true?” The vampire was at a loss for words. Even the undead had issues with the charges she’d be facing. So did everyone else and a pissed off Alfie ended up having Alison stuck in his gaze.

“Ansswerrrr.”

“Yes. It was my idea to save my sister and I. If they had the Buntings, we would be able to live.” She spoke flatly yet as she blinked, something didn’t seem right. All around us, everyone went silent. Looking away from Alfie, she looked directly at me. “So Bunting, enjoy a trip to hell.”

“What?” This time when she punched me, she wasn’t holding back. Alfie hadn’t been able to hypnotize her so that explained the blinking.

As she stood, Reece, Logan and Tristan went to take her down, which would have been fine except she now moved quicker than I had seen even a vampire manage. Reece was thrown hard into the wall and when we fell, he didn’t get back up. Logan was the same and grabbing Tristan’s already broken arm, she twisted it behind his back and then knocked him onto the ground. He was to busy screaming for his arm to do much else and the cleaners moved in next.

Alfie grabbed me and took us down the corridor; since I had told him no to attacking her he must think getting away was the solution. “Alfie go ba-“

I screamed as I was suddenly flung to the side, his grip weakening as Alison appeared. Turning on her, I was scared for him. Something wasn’t right about Alison now and the fact no one was coming down after her only filled me with dread.

“You just had to ruin it all didn’t you?” She yelled at me. Alfie went to attack and as she held up her hand, he stopped. “They told me there was a chance of running into one of you. Sleep.”

Instantly Alfie dropped down, closing his eyes he fell right asleep. At least I hoped that’s all it was. Looking back at her, that’s when I saw something on her wrist, the white stones of her bracelet not quite right. Not thinking, I grabbed the gun from my side and fire a shot into her leg.

She looked down and laughed, coming over and snatching the weapon from my hand I was speechless. She didn’t seem to even acknowledge it and the bloody hole seen through her jeans disappeared.

Now that was not right.

“Be a good girl and come with me! I’m sure you’ll make your family proud!” She taunted.

“I think our definitions of impressing family differ, but that’s understandable considering.”

Perhaps Logan was onto something about being nicer to people, as all I got in response was a sharp slap across the face. Stretching my jaw, the sting was brutal and I had taken a few slaps in my time. Penny in particular for all her flaws, had quite a good technique and it was nothing on that. Returning the gesture, she didn’t expect it so quickly and with a second spare I managed to knock her over.

My victory was short lived. The next few hits were pointless as she took them all without flinching and I was left disorientated. As she raised her fist to strike again, I made a grab for her wrist. Ripping the bracelet off, the white stones scattered all over the floor and forgetting me, she tried to grab them back up.

“No, no, no, no!” She started chanting, tripping over herself to collect them.

Picking one up, the curve of the stone didn’t look right and as I realized what it was, I threw it away. “Vampire fangs!”

She didn’t hear me, or if she did she didn’t care. Getting up I stomped on her hand as she reached out to grab more, and finally she cried out in pain. Grabbing her by the hair, I pulled her backwards and this time when I punched her nose, it bled like it should.

One more hit had her falling down unconscious and standing over her, I was struggling to get my breath back. Wiping my nose on my sleeve, a line of red stained the grey fabric of my sweater and sniffing, the metallic taste of blood was all I could taste.

“Elise?” Reece called out and running over he leapt over Alfie’s still sleeping form and stopped as he took in the sight.

“Don’t worry, I got this.” Wiping my nose again, the blood wasn’t as bad and looking back at Reece, all my paranoia came to the surface as his blue eyes were stained red like a vampires. Gasping, I stepped back and as he blinked his eyes were normal again.

“What? Are you alright?” He asked quickly, stepping closer I stared at him for a moment before shaking my head. She must have hit me harder than I thought and now I was seeing shit.

“Yeah, vampire fangs.” I pointed at the pile next her as Alfie lifted his head and yawned. Looking around he smiled as he saw me and then taking in his surroundings, he gathered himself together and his eyes turned red.

“Elisse.”

“I’m safe Alfie. It’s ok.”

Or was it?

“Logan!” I screamed his name and started running back down the corridor. The only cleaners still around were those not vampire and as I went past, one of the Slayers groaned. “Logan!”

Tristan was slumped against the wall, quiet now and Raya helped Kieran stand. I don’t know what happened, but the sleep effect didn’t seem limited to Alfie. At least it was only the vampires who died this time.

I froze seeing him motionless by the wall. Everyone else was waking up now, so why wasn’t he?

“Logan!” I slid down to his side and carefully rolled him over. The wound on his head was hard to miss. “Hey, Logan. Wake up, come on wake up!”

Tapping his cheek lightly, I checked for a pulse and with that still there, just needed him to wake up. “Stop being a jerk and wake up!”

The first aid training we had was intense, but I couldn’t remember a single part of it now. Cradling his head, I rested it in my lap as shaky hands brushed his hair off his forehead and it was hard to miss the way his skin was paling. I had to keep wiping my eyes as my vision became blurry with tears.

Reece finally came over and bending down beside me, his arm went around my shoulders. “He’s not waking up!”

“Ellie, you need to tell Alfie to let the doctor come over.” Reece spoke so softly and finally looking up, Alfie had cut us off from the others who had come to help. Even Kieran and Raya couldn’t approach - who ever tried was snapped at and I can’t believe I didn’t hear him hissing.

“Come on Elle, the doctor is there.” He pointed the Doctor out and nodding, I quickly called Alfie.

“Alfie, it’s ok. Move away.”

Reluctantly the snake did as I asked, moving behind me and watching everyone from there. Hesitantly the doctor came over with a nurse following with a stretcher. Reece, Kieran and the doctor moved Logan onto it and after a few quick checks, they started to roll back to the hospital.

“Is he going to be ok?” Reece pulled me against him and rubbed my back as Alfie lowered his head.

“Sure he is.” I could hear how uncertain he was.

“Alfie, Alfie fixed me! He can fix Logan?” Stepping back I looked at the snake and he shook his head as if understanding what I was asking. “Yes, you healed me! Go help Logan! I command you!”

I don’t think I’ve ever commanded him before and again he shook his head, nudging me. “Master. Only help Elise.”

“But I’m commanding you to help him Alfie, do it!” I screamed at him, pointing after Logan.

“Can’t. Will hurt Elise, cant!” This time when he nudged me, all I saw was black poison spreading through my body. Black veins bulged underneath the skin and as he moved his head away, I understood. “Can’t Elissse. Keep Elise S-s-safe!”

“I understand Alfie. Sorry for yelling at you.” His head went around my back, pushing me against him. I was forgiven. “Come on.”

Reece led me down the hospital corridor and Alfie followed closely, turning into the demon rather than the snake to move around the area better. Finding Logan, they had already bandaged his head and he looked even paler than before.

Tristan was bought in behind us and the doctor left us to see to his arm and all around sounds of the injured cried out. The small group weren’t the only survivors, they were just the ones still functioning and not on the way out.

Taking a seat by Logan’s bedside, I held his hand as if that alone would make him wake up and Reece took the seat in the corner with Alfie choosing to stand by him. Now we just had to wait for Logan to wake up and eventually I slumped over to lean against his side.

“Wake up Logan. Please wake up! I need you to wake up!” Kissing his arm and then his hand, I didn’t understand why he didn’t wake up when the others did. The doctor had told us the injury shouldn’t have been enough to keep him out for so long and the fact they then but an IV in his arm didn’t do anything to comfort me. I wanted to think he can hear me, and surely if he could he would open his eyes and mock me or tell me to shut up or more than that, say it back to me.

"I don't just need you to wake up. I need you. I hate you and I hate that I need you even more. You were meant to listen to me at the college and you should have just left me alone and instead I am here when I should be saving Jordan's ass!" Even after that - nothing.

I hated not knowing what was going on and when Reece took Alfie to find food, tried reading the charts left at the end of his bed. Nothing made sense, the nurses only smiled sadly as they passed and giving up ended up carefully positioning my self on the edge of the bed to lay beside him.

“You’re not funny Logan,” Yawning I looked up at his face. He didn’t move. “Did I tell you my joke about the Tracker and the werewolf? It’s a good one, you’re going to want to wake up to hear it.”

Sighing I dropped my head back down against his chest, comforted by the echo of his heartbeat in my ear. “Actually you probably wont want to hear it, the punch line is about how stupid you both are.”

 My waiting turned into sleeping, so I guess two can play that game.