(AIDEN'S POV)
ONE HOUR EARLIER...
Althea and I share a look before looking back at Alaric and his group of friends.
"We'll do anything. Just please bring us to him."
Alaric grins.
"I'm glad we could agree on something, Aiden."
The way he says my name sends chills down my spine, and he teleports in front of us, unchaining us.
He looks at me for a moment.
"Hmm...come with me."
"What?" Althea and I say at the same time.
Althea shakes her head.
"Oh no, Alec's evil twin! You're not taking her!"
"Taking her? Silly goose! Simply just for a chat...you can talk to them."
"Huh?"
Me and Alaric disappear into thin air and Althea looks at the rest of them.
"Oh no."
*******
We reappear in a bedroom, and I look around.
"Uhh...what's this?"
"A bedroom..."
I hear a small chuckle.
"My bedroom."
I turn around from the door to see him on his bed. Shirtless.
"What the—"
"Shh..."
He appears in front of me, placing his finger against my lips.
"Let me do the talking, bella."
As his mouth stretches in a grin my eyes widen.
Fangs.
He isn't planning to—
"You aren't going to bite me...are you? I have this irrational fear of being bitten and you aren't making it much better, sir."
Alaric chuckles.
"Of course not, toots. Only if you want to see Alec."
His eyes glow red before he speaks again.
"It's simple. You let me bite you and drink some of your blood...I take you right to him."
I brace my hands against his chest with a mortified look.
"I'm scared. Is that going to do something?!"
"Not really...I'll just feel less deprived. Oh...and the mark of a vampire means you'd officially be mine."
"Yours?"
I brush my hair over my neck awkwardly, looking into his mismatched eyes.
"But I do want to see him again...would it hurt?"
He smirks.
"Only for a moment...just imagine I'm kissing your neck instead...it'll give you a different feeling."
"Kissing my neck...yeah...okay...?"
I drop my hands by my sides, shrugging.
"Do what you gotta do...I really hope there isn't any strings attached, sir. Belonging to you is scaring me enough."
"Of course not, I'd tell you. I haven't had god blood in a good five years."
My eyes widen slightly and he teleports us back to the bed, laying me down gently.
He lifts my arms above my head, holding them there.
"This seems way more sexual then it should be."
"You might try to smack me...it's happened before. Go with the flow, darling."
"Yeah, yeah."
Alaric then softly tilts my chin up, facing my head towards the wall.
"Don't look, sweetheart."
"I...umm...okay."
I switch my eyes to the side, freezing up slightly when I feel his lips against my skin, then his fangs sinking into my flesh.
My eyes widen, and I feel myself slowly being drained.
Like a bathtub.
Don't ask why I used that as an example.
After what seems like forever I feel his fangs leave my skin, and I release a breath, switching my eyes to the two holes in my neck.
"Ouch."
I grimace at the small amount of blood that drops from his mouth.
"Next time you're gonna have to find another bitch. That was horrifying. And I feel lightheaded."
"Sorry, doll. But might I say..."
Alaric grins at my fearful face.
He then licks the small bit of blood dripping from my neck, smirking when he feels me shiver underneath him.
"You're blood tastes sweet...sweet like honey. I knew you'd taste good once I caught your scent."
He slowly lifts himself off of me and I sit up, lifting my hand to wipe off the blood that's still dripping down my neck.
I look down at my hand, watching it slightly shake.
I stand up, looking back up at Alaric.
"Does it look bad?"
He looks at my neck again.
"A bit bloody."
I sigh, before giving him the side eye.
"That was painful. You said it wouldn't hurt!"
"At least I don't want to rip you to shreds and eat you anymore."
My mouth drops open in shock.
"Oh...umm...wow, yeah, no."
I cross my arms over my chest.
"Are you going to bring me to Alec now?!"
"One last thing I want from you."
"Yes...?"
He backs me into the wall, grabbing my face in his hand when—
"Alaric!"
I jump and Alaric flips around to see Ace in the doorway.
"What is it? Can it not wait?!"
Ace's eyes move from Alaric's extended fangs to my open-wounded neck, before he continues.
"It's important! There's an execution! It's your brother!"
"What?" We both say at the same time.
"We don't have much time! Come on!"
Alaric disappears into thin air with a stream of curses escaping his lips, and I stand there in shock.
Ace motions with his hand.
"Let's go!"
I run out after Ace, not paying attention to the fact that there was a small camera recording the whole time.
********
(STELLA'S POV)
People usually blame you for things they did.
Or maybe they try to blindside you to the point that you don't know right and wrong.
We call those people manipulators. Deceivers.
Most of the time they aren't even people. Aren't even humans.
And guess what?!
Good old Stella Lunara gets herself mixed up with far too many of them.
Alec Walker as one of them. Alaric Walker as one of them.
Those twins are trouble.
Know how to manipulate you with their looks and soothing voices.
He'll get what he deserves.
Exactly why I faked my death and framed him for it.
But to me...from the cameras I set up secretly around Alaric's house...this girl will get in my way.
Aiden Weiss will get in my way of revenge.
And you know what they say...kill anyone who gets in your way.
********
(AIDEN'S POV)
I take his shoulders, pulling him into a hug which he weakly returns with a small smile.
"Hey, sweetheart...what're you doing here? How did you find me?"
"Shh...not now! We—we have to get you out of here!"
I stand up, pulling him up as well before teleporting back to Althea and Alaric, who are with the rest of the group.
"What do we do now?! How do we get him out of here?!"
"Get them you fools! What're you waiting for!?"
I hear Athena's angry voice, and then hear multiple shots.
We duck down as we run, hiding behind a large wall.
My heart thumps in my chest as they run past, and we all look at each other.
"Everyone's here? We're all okay?"
I ask, and Althea makes a face.
"Guys?! Where's Alec?"
My heart drops.
"Fuck."
********
(ALEC'S POV)
I feel something hit my neck, and grimace.
"Fuck...what was that...?"
I slowly pull the thing out, my heart dropping.
Great.
A fucking tranquilizer.
I fall forwards onto my knees, feeling someone grab my hair and pull me backwards.
"You've been bad, Alec...and bad people get punishments."
Rowan places both of her hands against my head before I can say something, using her powers and watching as I go silent, falling back onto the floor.
"Sweet dreams, bossman."
********
(AIDEN'S POV)
I look over and see him on the ground, with a icy blue haired chick over him that has strange gray looking powers.
I stand up, and Alaric stands up too.
"Where are you going?!"
"To knock her out! It's the only way!"
"Do you see how many people are over there?! You'd get yourself killed."
"Fine, lover boy. Come."
I throw myself back over the edge of the wall, throwing a orb of paralyzing magic at her.
She freezes, and her eyes snap on mine as I run over.
"You'll pay for this, bitch!" I say, my eyes sparkling blue and black with anger.
Her eyes widen as Alaric sneaks up behind her, stabbing her through the stomach.
The spell wears off and she falls onto the floor, gasping for air as blood spills from her stomach.
"B-Behind you—"
"What?!"
Someone knocks the back of my head and I pass out right next to her.
Alaric gets attacked by three men at once, getting taken down with the rest of us.
*******
I feel something wet drop on my head and jump up from a restless sleep, banging my head loudly on the wall behind me.
"Ow!"
I hear a groan, and look over, seeing someone laying down next to me.
On the floor.
Wait a minute—
I realize I'm in a cell, with two other people. Two other guys.
And by their similarity and muscles it's most definitely Alec and Alaric.
I try to stand up, only to be yanked back by the chains in my wrists.
I'm always locked up with chains nowadays...jeez.
"Psst! Wake up!"
When they don't budge I roll my eyes, kicking both of them.
"Ow!"
"What the fuck?"
They both jolt up, and now I'm stuck staring at two annoyed twin brothers who look like they can crush my skull with their bare hands.
"Is there something you need?"
Alaric looks at me expectantly, and Alec groans.
"My head hurts. I don't know what the fuck Rowan did to me but it wasn't pleasant."
"I mean, yeah. Someone want to untie me so I can get us the fuck out of here?! What even happened?!"
"I have no clue."
"You guys are no help!"
Alec rolls his eyes.
"Sorry, babe, but the little rats disabled my powers. There's nothing I can do for you."
"You're strong. Both of you. Just snap it. The one around my neck is bothering me."
Alaric snaps the chains on my legs, then my wrists, then my neck.
"There."
"Thank you! You're the more superior brother."
"I knew I was."
Alec sits up, whacking both of our heads.
"We all know I'm the better twin. At least I'm not a bloodsucker."
"And at least I'm not a pussycat. So there."
I bang my head against the wall and they both stare at me.
"Are you okay...?"
"No! Not at all! Althea and the rest of Alaric's little fun group are gone, Althea's mother is a fucking psychopath, Alec was framed for murder, you guys are a bunch of toddlers, and now I belong to Alaric because I let the bastard bite my neck!"
Alaric goes silent as well as Alec, who's eye twitches.
"You let him bite you, Aiden?"
He stares at me with a sort of forced smile.
"I mean...yeah...it was the only way he'd bring me to you!"
Alec smacks his forehead, sighing.
"Oh no, Aiden. You're really a fucking idiot."
"But—"
He gives me a look from the corner of his eye.
"Sweets, you're aware that him biting you gives him full control over you? What you do, what you say, anything?! He can basically dominate you like a puppet?"
My eye twitches.
"No...?"
I turn my head to Alaric with a fiery glare.
"You little bastard! You said there was no strings attached! Do something!"
Alaric grins.
"Too late, babycakes."
I slide against the wall and onto the floor in a heap of my own self disappointment.
I look at Alec from the corner of my eye.
"Does this mean I'm stuck?"
"If he wants to do something with you, yes. If not, no. Knowing him it's probably yes."
"Argh!"
I stare up at the ceiling, before looking back at them.
"Do you guys no where we are?"
"Where I was at the start. One of them should be coming soon."
"One of who...?"
"One of Hecate's daughters."
*******
(PANDORA'S POV)
Carden holds out her hand.
"There's some things I need to tell you...but first I wanted to show you something."
She gets up, hurrying to a little cabinet where she pulls out a small package.
"This got delivered to me earlier today...and I haven't gotten a delivery in ages. It's from someone with the initials SL, and I don't think I've ever met anyone with those initials. It came with a letter and a black dagger. In the letter the person said—you know what? You guys just see for yourselves."
She drops the knife and letter in front of us, and we peer over it.
Dear Carden,
It's been a while, hasn't it? I've seen how you've grown up...and I really believe you're ready. Take this dagger and meet me at the waterfall. You know which one I'm talking about, butterfly. We'll have a nice, long chat, and maybe even a little more? And remember, the stars align where the lies meet.
- SL
Hazel and I look at Carden worriedly.
"And you've never gotten anything like this before?"
"Well...I have in the past, but this is the first time they're being forward and blunt about it."
She tucks the dagger into a sheath on her belt, shrugging.
"I'm going to go. The only thing I don't get is how the stars align where lies meet. That isn't making any sense."
Hazel frowns.
"I've heard that before somewhere...in a textbook. The stars align where lies meet. Oh no. Carden...that's a call for help. Someone is saying they're going to die tonight underneath the stars."
Her eyes widen and I make a face.
"What the...? That's not good. But they're in trouble. Look here."
Carden turns back to the crystal ball, moving her hands around it.
It starts to swirl and glow, showing the animated images of Aiden, Alec, and Alaric.
How did they find Alec?!
My eyes catch on the two marks on Aiden's neck, and I shake Carden's arm again.
"Carden! What is that?! On her neck?!"
"A vampire's bite. I think I know where they are. I can bring us there, we'll just need more people."
Me and Hazel nod and she releases a breath.
"They're in the Sinners Realm."
********
(STELLA'S POV)
Help me.
Please help.
He has me. I can't escape.
I think he's going to kill me.
I don't know what to do.
I'm sinking.
The oxygen is leaking...
********
(ALTHEA'S POV)
We still sit behind the wall, frozen in shock.
I turn to look at them.
"What in the hell are we meant to do now?! I'm panicking."
"So am I!" River says, rubbing her head.
Daphne shrugs.
"Get caught."
"What?!" We all stare at her like she's crazy.
"No, really! We get caught...it gives us a better chance to reunite with Alec, Alaric, and Aiden."
Elias nods.
"That's actually not bad, Daph."
"Yeah! That's what I thought...now who's ready to get caught?"
********
(AIDEN'S POV)
We hear the click of footsteps, and this time a orange haired girl is with the blue haired one.
They both make eye contact with Alec before talking.
"They want to talk to you."
"Who?"
"Athena and Hecate."
The blue haired girl opens the cell and the other one holds some sort of weird gun.
I figure it's a power disabling gun.
Alec grins.
"Rowan, Mabel, where's Sia? Did she chicken out? I'm surprised she doesn't want to see me."
The blue haired girl rolls her eyes.
"You almost killed her with a door when you opened it. She's still recovering."
"Funny."
She motions for us to get up.
"Come on now. Wouldn't want to keep them waiting. They want to see you guys right now. Especially the girl."
She moves her eyes to mine and I blink a few times.
"Probably to lecture me about 'hanging out with the wrong people.'"
I roll my eyes.
"It doesn't make any sense. But okay."
I stand up, and follow both girls to a large door.
They knock, and I hear a familiar voice.
"Come in, children."
Hecate.
The orange haired girl opens the door, and then proceeds to shove all three of us in.
I stumble forward, and they slam the door shut.
"Look who we have here..."
Hecate grins at all of us.
"My new least favorite niece and nephews."
********
(CARDEN'S POV)
"Here's what we're going to do. No. What I'm going to do. I'm going to teleport you guys to the Sinners Realm, so I can go and save this person, because according to Hazel that's a call for help."
Hazel nods and Pandora looks lost.
"Okay...? What are we meant to do in Sinners Realm?!"
"Ryder, Ryan, and Mal will know. They'll meet you guys there...are you ready?"
Hazel and Pandora nod.
"I guess so."
"Good. See ya!"
I throw an orb at them, watching as they both disappear.
I release a breath, securing the dagger in my belt before grabbing the letter and scanning it with my eyes.
The stars align where lies meet.
The waterfall, you know where it is.
I do know where it is.
I grab my arrow, making it invisible before teleporting to what I believe is the correct place.
I see the shimmering waterfall falling from the large black mountain, feeling its cold mist hit my face.
Something tells me someone is behind it.
I begin to walk closer when I hear something crunch underneath my foot, looking down to see another piece of paper.
I drop down, unfolding it before reading it again.
Hello, Carden.
I see you're here...come meet me behind the waterfall. You have an important decision to make.
- SL
I drop the letter, frowning before running towards the waterfall.
It's even louder when I get close up, teleporting into the small cave-like area behind it.
The secret grotto.
I look around, walking deeper.
I hear some muffled noises and flip around, looking left and right with my eyes.
"Hello?"
"Mmm! Mmm!"
I run further, shoving open a large door that leads to some sort of room in the cave, seeing a girl tied on a chair.
Her silver eyes are red from constant crying, her platinum locks drenched with water dripping from the cave.
She has bruises and lacerations on her body, a clean slip of duct tape covering her mouth.
"Mmm! Mmm!"
She seems to be trying to tell me something, and my eyes move to the small piece of paper folded in her shaking hands.
I take it, seeing the panic in her eyes as I scan the paper.
Carden,
You've made it to last stop! Isn't that exciting? You've found my little enchantress, isn't she a doll? The daughter of Selene, actually. I've been using her initials for these letters. Stella Lunara. Remember her? She's quite naive, agreed to come in order for me to get revenge on those twin brothers for her. I bet she regrets it now. Why don't you turn around? See who the damsel is looking at?
As soon as I move the letter down from my face, the girl's eyes are locked on someone behind me.
I produce my bow and arrow, flipping around with it pointed out.
"Show yourself!"
I hear a chuckle behind me.
"Wrong move."
My heart rate picks up as I turn around slowly, seeing a knife pointed at the girl's throat, then a man in a hood.
"Isn't that funny? You're too slow."
"What?"
I feel something press against my head, shivering from the cold metal of a gun.
"Drop the bow, Carden."
I drop it, lifting my hands.
"Aren't you stuck in a sticky situation? I will kill her."
"No! Don't! Whoever you are!"
"Really? I thought you'd remember me..."
I hear another laugh.
"Remember us."
The man drops the gun, and they both stand next to each other, pulling down their hoods.
My face pales and my heart stops.
"What the..."
"Did you miss us?"
"Bryson?! Blake?!"