Ashlynn

"So what does your brilliant self have as a back up plan?" I ask as we walk down the dimly lit sidewalk, the traffic of carriages and walking pedestrians minimizing considerably, leaving us four to near silence. He doesn't answer me, and I prod further with a mocking thread in my voice, "Are you telling me you don't have a plan B?"

"Ashlynn, do us all a favor and figure out how to be quiet." Elizabeth replies from beside Nickolas. I roll my eyes,

"Don't be grumpy now, little Lizzy." I say innocently, I feel a pain in my gut and I shoot a glare over at Donovan and he answers with a serious look. I shrug, and stay quiet getting lost in my thoughts as we walk. I know where we're going though, I could look at Nickolas and see. Just like I could see everyone's intentions, like they were a clear window and their thoughts were the outside view. I keep pushing back the haunting image of Melissa, the way she looked into my eyes her smile as evil as mine has ever been. She broke me, she ruined me, she's why I am the way I am. She's why I've killed so many.

She killed my sister. My own blood, the only person I've ever fully trusted, only person who had my complete and utter loyalty at the time. Lucy was the only one who kept me humane and Melissa had ripped her away from me, while I watched, completely helpless. God, I hated her for it. And to my disgust, scared of her because of it.

I stop abruptly mostly because of the tall back of Nickolas that I walked straight into.

With a glance back at me he says, "Did you forget how to walk for a second?"

I respond with a roll of my eyes as he opens the door of what looks like an old hotel. It was remodeled obviously, for the new furniture in what was the lobby was of comfortable leather and the hardwood so buffed and lacquered that it reflect the loveseats. Grand stairs ran up to the next floor, their marble glinting the light of the chandeliers that hung from the high decorative ceilings.

As I look around I hear Donovan's intake of breath at the sight. He was always one for sights, easily amazed, I always thought.

"Liz can you get these two settled in rooms for me? I'm going to go see her." Nickolas asks over his shoulder as his long strides take him to the stair case. My eyes find Elizabeth looking after him with a look of grief and regret that I can't help but to feel also over his situation, but I kept that to myself.

Nickolas

I make my way down the familiar hallway. I knew we reached a dead end with James, and I kicked myself for it. I had wasted time knowing time wasn't on my side, that Clare's life was dwindling quickly. I come to stand in front of the closed door. It kills me to see her like this and disgusts me to be so weak in this situation.

Opening the door quietly I lean against the doorframe looking at the back of my sister, her body moving with her breathing. Her unruly curls were lying in a silky stream down her dark pink pillow, same golden locks as our mom's, I knew, and she did too, but her gray eyes were all our father. Them both being dead now we liked to remember our similar traits as a pleasant reminder.

"Nick, I know you're there, how long are you going to linger at the doorway?" my sister's hoarse voice brought my attention to her as she turned on to her back. Her round eyes were nearly lifeless except for the tiresome defeated look that traced through them. I shrug and make my way over, sitting beside her on the bed.

"It was a dead end, I'm going to ask the hybrid about more family members and we'll hit up every one of them." I explain as she looks up at me.

"You know there's a good chance I won't make it, right?" she says softly.

"I'm well aware, but there's a chance and I'm taking it ." I reply.

"Well, I'm not going to say don't because the idea of living longer is a nice one." her voice joking as her seemingly colorless cracked lips turn up in a smile.

"Sixteen is way too young, you haven't even finished transition." I answer looking down at her. Always such a little thing, short and small. Fun sized is what I always called her.

"You can't always save the day, Nickolas, you are bound to lose sometime." Clare says as her now frail hand covers my own. I didn't answer, I couldn't acknowledge the fact that I might just lose her.