Opening my eyes, I reach for Logan to find the space behind me cold and empty. The cave wall isn't what I'm expecting to see and lifting myself up from the dirt, a sharp pain runs from my shoulders down my spine. I guess that's to be expected after falling into a pile of bones and as the hazy fog lifts from my still sleepy mind, I kind of wish I had stayed that way. A large fire pit crackles away in the centre of the room with its smokey tendrilsg snaking up to the roof where it's able to rejoin the world away from this place. After another quick look around, that tiny smoke hole also looked to be the only way out.

"Elise? You okay?" Hunter asked and turning behind me, I managed to give him a nod.

It was then I noticed the chain around my ankle - it matched his and the other two who had yet to wake up. Amelia had a real horrible looking cut on her forehead, and TJ looked okay; well as okay someone can look while being chained into a cave with a human eating god. Speaking of...

"Where is he?" I ask, giving our new home another look over.

"I don't know, I've only been awake for a few minutes before you. I think we're alone in here though."

Hunter groaned as he made a move to stand, one arm stayed limp at his side. "Dislocated?"

"Yeah. Think I got a few broken ribs too, I decided to break TJ's fall." He sighed, and moving closer to him he braced himself as we popped it back into place. "Got any weapons left on you?"

I quickly touched my waist to find my belt gone, which also meant Apollo's dagger was too. Checking my boots, I still had a knife tucked in there and a few throwing stars. Everything else was gone, but it was a start. Inspecting the cuff, the band looked completely sealed with no lock for us to try and pick and following the chain, it was fastened to the ground and wasn't going to budge. We tried though, two pulling one chain, then just on our own. It was no use, but we had to try. The other two finally woke up and after giving each other a once over for injuries, most of what they had was already healing.

"I guess the bee water was legit." TJ thought out loud, slumping down beside Hunter as he too gave up trying to tug the chain free.

"Shame super strength couldn't break these!" Hunter shook his leg.

"Maybe I can?" We all turned to look at Amelia who lit her palm up with a bright blue light and placed it against the metal. I nearly cried with relief as sure enough, it was like slicing through it with a block torch and she was free. Five minutes later we all stood, stretching as we started to spread out around the fire. We had to have been brought in here somehow, so how did we get out?

"That was a good plan you had, creating an illusion of us to draw him out." I told Amelia as we ended up just standing by the fire. The rod that sat over the fire pit made me uneasy, as it was easy to imagine rotating some chicken on it; or people.

"Clearly not good enough." She huffed. "My plans always work!"

"It's why I don't make them, less chance of being disappointed when they fall through." I shrug.

"So what was your plan by keeping us around and sending your friends home?"

"To keep them safe. The rest, well you guys come up with something new, and I'll either go along with it or if I hate it, work out what to do on my own." This doesn't amuse her.

"You know you can't keep your friends safe forever. I've seen you fight before, I've seen how much you care. That is only going to end up getting you killed first and them second. We're a team, but we all know it's still each to their own. We value our own lives over anyone elses and know when to stay together, when to run and to fight and-"

"Tell me that you could sleep at night, knowing you had a chance to save them and you didn't? How do you work so well together if you're just willing to abandon each other when needed the most?"

"Want to know why our rules aren't actually an issue for us? We keep to ourselves and don't pick battles that we can't win.  That is until now." She says bitterly.

That makes sense I guess, Zane and Reece had been the same when I first met them, but they cared about each other. It's a human thing, no matter we may do or feel otherwise, it's hard not to connect to the people around you on some level.

"You're kidding, if that thing comes back and gives you an out, you'd take it and leave us?" I don't believe it.

The fact she hesitates is answer enough and as the temperature drops to near freezing once more, despite the fire we regroup over by our chains without a word. Safety in numbers right?

"Anyone got a plan yet?" I ask hopefully.

"Just don't look him in the eyes." Amelia whispers as the flames disappear and the shadow like figure of our target appears. At his side, is Sobeks sword and twirling around in his other hand is the dagger.

"What I want to know is, where does someone get prizes like these?" The gravelly voice asks, before he turns around and starts to walk towards us. Instantly the fire returns to the pit and I'm guessing that's our way out. Easy.

He's different to how he was before, not as transparent or ghoulish - still terrifying, but again, it felt different. He wasn't showing off now, toying with us like he had before. Others who have come have been killed, so was he prolonging our fate because of my weapons or is this still part of some stupid game.  Long black dreadlocks hung limp over his shoulders, while his cartoon image hadn't been a decent indication of what he looked like. His nose wasn't quite the size of his head; sure it was bigger your standard nose, if there was such a thing, but it wasn't out of proportion with the reste of him. Shadows kept the rest of his features hidden, with only the whites of his eyes obvious and I tried to avoid looking at him like Amelia instructed. Wasn't that hard once I noticed he had blue skin - cause that's normal.

"Did the little bee god give them to you?" He mused.

"No, someone much more powerful." I answered, and I felt a hand on my wrist. Glancing back, TJ shook his head. Since they didn't have a clue as to what to do, I figured I may as well try and get something out of this.

"Ah, so he has been busy making friends has he?" The stench of decay and smoke smothered me as he stopped in front of us. "Clearly not, powerful, ones if you four are all that came."

"Don't underestimate us." My warning makes him laugh.

"Why is that female?" I froze as he leaned down and licked my forehead. "You taste like something I'm going to enjoy. I'll save you for last."

Before his words could register in my mind, I was on the other side of the room as he threw me with ease. My already sore spots were happy to remind me that they were there and scrambling to my feet, I could only watch as the guys were chained to the wall by an invisible force, and Amelia was dragged closer to the fire pit.

"I've always liked the fae, you shall be first." Buluc mumbled excitedly as Amelia started to cry and begged him to stop - but wasn't actually fighting him. As she was turned my way, her big blue eyes were glassed over and only held fear making me realise that she had made the mistake of once again looking into his eyes.

If he noticed that I was up and inching closer, Buluc didn't show it and pulling out my knife, I took my time in taking my shot. It was when the pole over the fire was moved through the air to hover right above Amelia that I knew it was now or never. Throwing the knife at his arm, I found my target in his neck. He let out a howling screech as black liquid poured from the wound and the pole fell with a thud beside Amelia. She looked completely confused over what just happened, snapping out of the trance and looking at me, I waved towards the others. If the chance came to escape, they needed to be able to move, not be stuck to a wall.

"Get them down!" Instantly she did as I said, running back to the guys while I went for my sword and dagger. I skidded in the dirt as Buluc turned his full attention my way, trying my hardest to get to my weapons first and as he threw the knife I barely managed to dodge it as my fingers grazed over the handle to the dagger. All to soon I was being pulled back and out of reach by my foot. Rolling onto my back, I used my free leg to kick at his hand holding me which only made him hold my ankle tighter.

"You. You're not like them. You tasted, different."

Snatching up the knife as we passed it, I ignored the black gunk on the handle and kicking out again, managed to hit his knee. He let me go and I quickly stood and pointed to my sword. "Yeah, yeah, like I haven't heard that before! Give those back, please!"

Snarling, Buluc began to circle me - clearly not appreciating my attempt at using my manners. and daring a look at the others, TJ was down and he was trying to help Amelia with Hunter.

"Oh, they are yours are they? I felt they had a connection to something. What are you human? What are all of you?"

"You don't know?" Not looking at something like him in the eyes was really hard, especially since I knew I shouldn't. "I'm a Hunter. The others you've come across have been Slayers, that guy over there is a  Tracker."

"Interesting. What realm do you come from?" He actually sounded interested.

"This one. We protect it from things like you!" Not expecting my attack, I charged him and the pair of us fell awkwardly into the dirt, yet with the knife in my hold I managed to dig it in, up under his ribs. The smell that came out of him was enough to make me gag and despite hurting him, nothing I did now was going to really stop him. I needed to get the sword back.

Doing his shadow man trick, Buluc vanished and seemed to be everywhere in the room all once. I thought about that cavern I had been in with the mermaids, and remembered Cain doing practically the same thing. It was a presence, not an overly physical one, but a sign that you weren't alone. It was stupid to think that he'd give me a chance to get to the prize without more of a fight, and now that the Trifecta were back together, we could take our chances to get out - leaving my weapons behind. I really didn't like that idea.

"The fire pit guys, I am positive he came in here through that." I tell them, quickly regrouping.

"Fire is one of this things, along with the whole war and death thing. " Amelia sighed, acting as if I should know that.

"Back off Mel, I'm pretty sure you'd be barbecue by now or worse, we'd all be dead if not for her." TJ snapped in my defense.

"Can you put it out?" Hunter asked her hopefully, ignoring the glares that were passed between his team.

"I can try, but I don't want to get close to it in case-" She swallowed nervously.

"You end up as a pig on a spit?" I finish with a smile, and end up getting three sets of angry eyes on me. "Fine. Look, you two watch our backs. I will stand by you and be a, distraction?"

"It'll have to do." Hunter nodded. "Why don't you just pick them up? He's gone, right?"

"He isn't gone. He's watching and waiting for us to do exactly that." I just know he is.

Taking Amelia by the arm, I half drag, half lead her to the fire only she stops abruptly and refuses to move. "I'm sorry, for how I acted. This is all, out of the ordinary for us and you're all I have to blame."

"Um, apology accepted?" I tell her, not sure what to say; especially as she then hugs me before we end up beside the flames.

Hunter has the knife and TJ has a small switchblade he remembered he had in his pocket - not the greatest tools for fighting off a god, but it'll have to do and using what fae magic she has, Amelia let her palms glow orange as she tried to put out the fire. Nothing happened, and after her third try Buluc started to laugh. Terrified, she turned and ran into Hunters back, before all three put as much space between themselves and the fire as possible. Me? I'm not that smart and stood there as the smoke stopped rising and game down to form his figure once more.

"I heard what you said earlier, Hunter. So how about this. I let you save their lives, in exchange for yours?" Licking his lips, a thin trickle of blood started to trickle down his chin before he smiled a very toothy grin.

"Elise, no!" Hunter instantly called out.

"No." I wasn't just going to give in like that.

"What?" Amelia gasped.

"Then you all die!" He hissed.

"No." Taking a deep breath, I took my chances and looked him in the eye. "That's not what is going to happen."

I was almost disappointed that all I was met with was very un-human, completely black eyes. Long dark lashes gave them a rather beautiful look, that every magazine ad for mascara tried to sell as possible if you use their brand, and the anger that had been on his face vanished.

"You're brave, Hunter. Or foolish." He sneered.

"Again, heard it all before." That makes him look a little confused, but I carry on - all while taking a few slow, purposeful steps in the direction of my sword. "How about this, you and me, fight. Winner is who ever isn't dead!"

"Elise, what are you doing?" Hunter storms over and grabs my arm, the same look on his face that Zane often wore when ever he was around me.

Suddenly the three of them vanished, with Amelia's screaming instantly coming from behind me. Turning around, the three of them now hung over the fire by a rope and the very ends of her white ponytail barely missed the highest peak of the flames.

"Just us. No cheating." Buluc smiled.

"Higher, if you hurt them before you defeat me, you forfeit." I demanded.

"Of course." He clicked his fingers and looking back at them, they were still strung up as if they were part of some bad pirate movie, but at a relative safer distance from the fire.

"You're awfully accommodating." Maybe I was pushing my luck, but it's just how I rolled.

"I haven't been in this realm for sometime and you human female of the hunter species, amuse me. Perhaps I shall stay here a little longer and seek out more company of your kind." He mused.

"Why did you come back?" Again I started towards where the dagger just sat there in the sand.

"Something was happening here, the pull of magic was too strong to ignore!"

"You've been back since the Warlocks?" I wonder, nearly where I wanted to be.

"Those creatures once ruled this realm. I was disappointed I missed them."

"Over rated. A bit of magic here, some death and destruction there. No big. I'm sure you did worse in your day."

"You have no idea!" As Amelia screamed again, Buluc charged. I barely managed to dodge the punch he threw my way and rolling towards the dagger, groaned as they flew further away towards the very edge of the cave. "Perhaps I can show you?"

"No, I'm good." I ducked again and staying low, got him in the knee before going for the wound on his chest from earlier. It hadn't quite healed yet and the groan he made told me it was still very tender.

I managed to get into two good hits after spending the bulk of the time dodging his attacks and when it took him a second to start getting up, I ran for the sword. Of course, a god can cheat - zapping himself in front of me. "Nice try."

Expecting that, or something at least, and pushing myself of the ground I wasn't going to knock him over this time and reaching my hands up onto his shoulders, I flipped over him and set on his back, grabbed at his neck and with a yell put all my effort into snapping his neck. A sickening crack was followed by him slumping forward and getting up I wiped my hands on my pants to try and remove the sensation of feeling bones crack underneath them. It didn't help.

"Fuck, yes!" TJ called out, while Hunter made a whistling sound and even Amelia was laughing in relief.

Ignoring them, I finally had the dagger back in its place at my side and the sword firmly in my hand. While I may have won this round, it wasn't over until Buluc was dead. Slowly I approached his limp form and just as I raised the blade, ready to finish him completely, he was gone and instantly in front of me. Rolling his neck, the cracking of his bones resetting gave my goosebumps and this time when he looked at me, his black eyes were turning white.

"Time to show you what I am capable of!" He roared, and unable to block it - his hand shot out around my neck while my body was slammed into the rock of the wall. "For that, I will not only kill your friends, I will kill all you hold dear. Every person you have ever met will suffer at my hand!"

I was powerless to close my eyes, to look away as his eyes found mine and I did exactly what Amelia said not to do - I looked him in the eyes. Everything vanished with a familiar wave of electricity flowing over me as I stepped onto the oval at the Academy again. I was bound, new chains tight around my wrists and ankles and with a single tug, I was down and being dragged across the grass towards the main building.

"You think you can beat me?" Buluc roared and with a wave of his hand, the building exploded.

Debris fell all around us as the heat of the explosion scorched my skin. The chains heated so they burned into my skin while my ears were ringing from the bang. Piece by piece my hearing returned, a wail of sirens - the shrieking of alarms and worst of all, the screams from the kids that came rushing over from the gym towards us and the ones who had managed to make it out. It hurt to breath, the smoke had a mind of its own as it seemed determined to make me suffer even more.

"They all died because of you. How do you sleep at night now, knowing if you had just done what I asked, none of this would have happened?" He spat into my face; bloody saliva mixing with ash and dirt.

"No." I cried, struggling to stand.

My legs felt like jelly and as using the tension in the chain to help get me up, I froze as Alfie and Anni came rushing across the grass. Buluc paused, turning to look at what I was and a quick look between the three of us, had him smiling once more.

"Alfie, no!" I screamed, trying to rush him away only to watch another ball of flame was sent to destroy them.

"Is there more? I feel you have a deep connection to this place." He wondered, looking around.

I couldn't answer, falling to my knees I didn't want to get up anymore. It was hard to know if I was crying or not, every part of me felt too broken to care and as the demons stopped moving in their fiery graves, I started to scream.

"Elise, is that you? Are you okay?" Mum came rushing over with Dad right behind her. "These chains, what are-"

My mouth dropped as hers did and Buluc appeared behind her as three of her own arrows stuck out from her chest.

"Mum!" I barely managed to form the word and as the bang of a gun followed, the thud of my Dad falling beside her had me close to fainting.

Everything was happening so fast. I couldn't breath in enough air, or think a single thought of what needed to happen, of what I needed to do as one by one, the people I cared about were destroyed all around me. Except for someone who kept calling my name, but it was so vague, so far away, I was positive I was imagining it.

"You see, you can not beat me! Stupid mortal!" Buluc growled, his hands wet and red with the blood of the Van Helsings who were now still on the ground beside him.

Everything became a blur, unable to hold back my tears I couldn't get them out fast enough. The pain that tore through me was unbearable; my heart beating much to fast it threatened to break free of my chest... yet somewhere deep inside, I knew I had felt this all before. How, I didn't know. I'd never had to watch them all die like this before.

Only I had.

More times than anyone should ever have to.

Opening my eyes, the grass was now just dirt, before being grass again. The world was losing focus, to realities that seemed to be fighting for freedom in my vision. Then I saw it, just sitting there - that golden handle to the sword I knew could stop everything. A foot connected under my chin and I was thrown backwards. Blood; bitter and metallic filled my mouth and rolling onto my side, I spat it out.

"Elise, get up. You can do this!" A woman's voice called. "Get up!"

Amelia floated above me like an angel, with a bright orange light taking over the space behind her. Her stupid big, blue cartoon eyes seemed to smile at me as I met her gaze, because she knew like I did - I was going to kill him. That was right before something hit me hard in the stomach and I was moved away from her. Opening my eyes, the sword called to me, and as Buluc threw Penny in front of me, her screams piercing to my already sensitive ears, there was no denying that I had won this fight.

Reaching out, it took me a few goes to find it, but as the cool metal found it's way into my hand, I held it with everything I had and stood up. My chains were gone and just as quickly, so was the Academy and the bodies of those I loved. It was just me, and Buluc on the oval.

"What are-" He spun around quickly, noticing the change. "How? This isn't supposed to happen!"

Screaming I charged at him, and the blade happily slide into his abdomen, before I lifted it up higher and pulled it out. That disgusting black gunk he called blood frothed from his mouth as his hands clutched his chest, and the look of surprise would be forever stamped onto his face.

"Nothing you put me through, can compare to what I have already survived." And with a final blow, his body turned to smoke as his head fell to the floor and disappeared in the same way.

Instantly I fell to my knees, Sobek's sword set in my lap and I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. The fire went out then, leaving the cave in darkness which suited me just fine only when I opened my eyes, the trio had escaped their rope swing and now stood around me with a mixture of awe, concern and fear on their faces. Candle like balls of light floated around us - undoubtedly one of Amelia's little fae tricks.

"The sounds you made, and what I saw, I can't imagine what he put you through Elise. What did he show you?" Amelia asked softly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Wiping my eyes, I stood up - wincing as the pain in my chest exploded through my whole torso. "No. It's fine. Nothing I haven't seen before."

"You did it, you killed him." The praise was being laid on too thick and obviously TJ meant it in a good way, trying to lift my spirits and all that crap, but I didn't care.

"Can we, just go now. I want to go home." I snapped.

One step had me stumbling and Hunter moved quick enough to catch me. "We got this, you were right. The fire pit is his way in and out."

I must have passed out because when I did open my eyes, I was being carried by Hunter only now we were in the forest and the first signs of dawn where breaking over the horizon. I wiggled out of his grip, so he stopped and put me down, easily while Amelia hovered close by giving me a second to stop my head from spinning.

"We're nearly at the Bee Temple." She tells me quickly, and looking at her, I'm positive she looks guilty or something.

"Okay. Ah, thanks for the lift." I pat Hunters arm which he soon stretches a few times.

"Anytime. I think that bee juice is starting to wear off, otherwise you got heavier in the last hundred meters or so."

"Must have been all that chocolate I was dreaming about." I force myself to laugh, to play along and let them feel better now it was over.

We keep walking and I know they're all going slower because of me, but I don't care. I doesn't really matter anyway as t's not long until a drone appears and then another. Finally a worker squad arrives and we're given a lift back. Entering the throne room, Muz is looking ever bit bee king with full robes and a headpiece on. His subjects have gathered around each side creating quite a crowd andd upon our entrance, a buzzing rises from them all until he stands. With a wave of his hands they all fall silent.

The Trifecta stand in front of me, cautious of those around us and despite how much my body is protesting having to stand and act like there is nothing wrong with me, I do it anyway.

"Welcome back, friends of Ah Muzen Kab!" He greets warmly. "You return victorious?"

"We do." Hunter answers.

"Elise?" Muz asks, sounding worried.

"What?" I push between Amelia and TJ and glare up at the god.

He frowns, looking me over from head to toe. With a click of his fingers, a smaller version of a drone appears out of thin air and instantly brings me a goblet of the bee water. "You need this. All of you."

"I didn't before." I argue.

"Things change."

"Too bad." The trio awkwardly take their share despite my reluctancy. "Well, we're done here."

I give him a half wave, half salute and start to limp towards the way we came in. "Not so fast."

Groaning, I turn in time to see the Trifecta fall and instantly pull out my sword. The bees aren't bothered and Muz doesn't even flinch at the sight of it either. Holding his hand out, a black kitten appears and as he throws it up in the air, I watch as it suddenly stretches out in a full grown Kasha demon.

"Didn't want you to be getting any additional help." Muz grins as Toyo looks around confused before seeing me.

"Hunter?"

"Time to go." I tell her, stopping to check the other three.

"They just need to sleep it off, and will wake feeling as good as new." He assures me.

"Thank you, I think. Next time you're asked to play a part in something like this, it will be better for your health if you decline." I warn.

"Oh? And what-"

Without thinking the knife I had somehow kept hold of went flying through the air and landed dead centre of the bee symbol on his headpiece. The whole structure tilted back off his head and he quickly pushed it back into place, glaring at me.

"Because next time I'll be using this." I held up Apollos dagger. "And I'll be aiming a little lower."

If he says anything else, I don't hear it as Toyo has all of us disappearing and we end up at the Council. Ailin quickly stands from her desk, dropping her phone as she stands there for a second in disbelief. Instantly she is in front of Toyo, and pulls her into a hug. It's a touching moment.

"I've been so worried!" The pair speak in their native tongue, and I end up dropping into the small lounge in the corner of the room. Without the pair even stopping, two guards come in and I only watch as the trio are loaded onto waiting stretches outside the room. I fight the urge to sleep, and thankfully it isn't long before Ailin comes and squats beside my chair. Gently she reaches out to push my hair back from my forehead; the cut there making her frown only deepen.

"Lets get you home."

It's the best idea I've heard all day.