(DAPHNE'S POV)
I jerk my head up from the stone ground when I get a bad feeling in my stomach.
I look around in the darkness of the cellar, realizing the whole room is windowless.
I'm trapped in the dark.
I blink a few times, my X-ray vision activating as I scan the room.
There's a body above me and beside me.
I stand up, crawling up the side of the wall before jumping onto the platform, hearing a hiss.
"Ow! Daphne!"
"Ace?"
I hear a groan, and when the person sits up my eyes adjust.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry...I just thought—"
"What did I tell you about the damn night vision, Daph?!"
"It's X-ray vision you dimwit!"
"Shhh!"
We both snap our heads around to see Raven hanging upside down from the ceiling, her luminescent violet eyes glowing in the pitch darkness.
"Raven?! You're here too?"
"We all are!"
My mind goes blank when I realize something, gripping onto Ace's wrist before throwing my finger over my lips.
We all go quiet, and I hear light tapping.
A knife against the door.
I open my mouth, speaking in a hushed whisper.
"I-I just realized you guys are invisible in my powers."
Raven makes a face.
"So?"
"I saw two bodies. One right above me and one on the ground over there."
They follow my finger to the corner, and I get the same dreadful feeling.
Ace's face pales significantly.
"That means—"
"That we aren't alone."
"That's right, firefly. Now keep your mouth shut."
I hear a giggle, but it seems to be coming from all angles.
"We don't want them to hear you screaming..."
*******
(CARDEN'S POV)
Rylan takes my hand, pulling me up.
"Your hands are so cute and dainty."
I look down at my hands then up at him.
"I'm not a whole ass giraffe like you if that says anything. But thanks. If that was meant to be a compliment?"
He grins down at me and I frown out of confusion.
"I'm imagining things, right? I thought the leader of these reckless and malicious deceivers would be just as nasty. You're way too innocent...and cute looking. You're supposed to be scary."
A small and somewhat unnerving smile spreads across his face, and he releases a chuckle.
"I'm just being nice to you, bella. I'm not as easy on the darn bastards."
"You don't say? It makes my knees weak that you could have the ability to...to dominate me. I'm just a small girl...and you're a big, tall, man."
He gives me a look from the corner of his eye.
"You aren't trying to flirt with me in attempts to get me to let you go, right? Because it's not working."
"You said it yourself! That you wanted to taste me...I can assure you I taste like a nice, juicy, strawberry."
He looks away from me.
"Juicy? Well I'll be blowed."
I rub my hand up and down his arm, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"Yeah...juicy..."
"That's just outright—"
"Mister mister!"
I immediately break away from Rylan and we both turn around to see a girl with bright purple hair and black eyes.
"014, what is it?!"
I make an odd face.
Why the hell does he refer to her as a fucking number?!
014?!
"I found this super secret letter in your mailbox..."
She grins creepily and he takes the envelope from her between two fingers, tearing it while looking at her strangely.
"You didn't open this, did you?"
Her eyes widen.
"No? I did not!"
He hands me the envelope and I look at it before back at him.
"Excuse me?! I'm not your envelope holder, bitch! Hold it by—"
He presses his finger against my lips, smirking.
"Hush, diamond."
I look down at it and when I look back up he's in front of miss grape, holding a vial of some sort.
"Remember how easily I could end your existence, Davina? I can trap you in this and crush you. Do not open my things."
"Sorry, mister! It won't happen again!"
The vial vanishes between his fingers, and she releases a breath when he smiles.
"Thank you for the mail, 014."
"Yeah. No problem. But..."
She grabs his ear, dragging him to her level.
"What about the plan?"
"Don't worry. I know everything we need to do. You'll get your blood soon...or kill whoever you want. Not around her, okay?"
Davina's black eyes snap on mine, and she smiles grimly at me.
"Right...see you soon!"
She disappears, and I snap my head towards Rylan.
"What was that all about?!"
"What?"
I stiffly hand him back the envelope, pursing my lips.
"Don't play dumb, bitch! That whole...whole thing! The vial, you calling her a number, the fact that you said she would get her blood soon? Is this a cult?!"
"No where near it."
His eyes scan the words before he rolls his eyes, crumpling the paper before throwing at someone's head who's passing by.
"Ouch!"
I let out a small gasp, glaring at him.
"That was rude! If I had my bow and arrow I'd shoot one right up your ass! You don't do that!"
"Like I care."
I narrow my eyes, before crossing my arms against my chest.
"I will sew your mouth shut, you leech!"
He laughs at my attempt to be scary, and my shoulders slump.
"How about—"
I let out a small gasp when I'm suddenly on the floor, looking into two swirling irises.
Rylan grins at my helplessness, fangs lengthening in his mouth.
"If you wanted to stay alive, diamond, you'd learn to keep that little mouth shut around me."
********
(AIDEN'S POV)
My face and Alaric's face pales.
"Don't kill them!"
Alec shrugs nonchalantly.
"Kill them for all I care. Dumbasses tried to murder me at least three times."
We all turn to look at him and he rolls his eyes.
"What? You'd do the same if it was me."
I elbow him.
"Shut your mouth for once, cat!"
"Make me, sugar lips."
My eye twitches and Athena, Alaric, and Hecate gag.
"Stop this now! Repulsive little children!"
We both snap our eyes on Athena who then smiles.
"Good...I'll have you know that you three will be staying in a house together."
I give her a look.
"You're joking."
"Nope. In order for us to do what we need...you teenagers to stay in a house in Duskmire Woods in order to get closer to the pack's cave. Since Alec is a shapeshifter I believe you'll all have an advantage."
"Which is? To not get eaten as fast?! Don't those shits have super smell?!"
Athena rubs her temples.
"Aiden...please don't start with this. We will be in contact with you guys through your minds."
I nod silently, and Hecate opens a portal to our left with her hands.
"Go now, children. That portal leads to the house so you'll be fine. Stick together, and don't get lost! Have fun!"
She uses her powers to shove the three of us through the portal.
I start screaming when I realize we're free falling, and Alec and Alaric look at me like I'm crazy.
"Is she okay?"
Alaric looks at Alec who shakes his head quietly.
"I never know."
They both land on their feet and I land on my ass, letting out a yelp.
"Ouch! My ass!"
I look up, and they both stand there, staring at me blankly.
My shoulders slump.
"Why are you two the dream brothers?! You do everything perfectly."
They look at each other than me and Alaric gives me a bored look.
"Har-har. So funny."
"Thank you, Captain Obvious, for the wonderful insight."
I drag myself off the floor, looking at both of them.
"You guys look so much alike."
Alec raises an eyebrow.
"No shit, Sherlock. We're twins."
I glare at him, crossing my arms.
"If your let me finish, cat, then maybe you'd understand. As I was saying...you guys look very alike. Besides the fact that you has green eyes and he has blue and red eyes."
They both shrug.
"I was born with brown eyes."
"So was I."
"So why the hell do you guys have different colored eyes?!"
"When I got older and I became a shapeshifter mine turned green."
"You're saying that you weren't always one...?"
Alec grins.
"Yes! I was a puny little mortal like you."
"Hey!"
"I got bitten by a vampire so my eyes turned blue. But when I got cursed by Aberdeen one of them turned red."
I make a face.
"Who the hell is Aberdeen?! That sounds like a cheese factory."
Alec smirks.
"A cheese factory, babe? That's really random."
"I know...but don't judge me!"
I stare at them again a moment longer, smiling at Alaric.
"I love the eyeliner...it makes you look sick."
"Umm...thanks?"
"I find eyeliner on boys attractive..." I grin at Alec. "Get some tips from your brother, cat."
Alec scoffs.
"As if I need tips from him...if anything he needs tips from me. We all know I'm the hotter brother."
"More like the cockier brother. Your siblings seem to come out of nowhere. I feel like you have seven."
Alec shrugs and I yawn.
"I'ma go take a nap...I'm sleepy."
"Sleep tight, sweetheart. Don't let the werewolves bite."
I back into a different room, slamming the door shut.
There's something about him that's just so damn creepy.
Whatever.
I turn over to go lay down on the bed when I freeze.
"Who the hell are you?!"
The woman jumps up, turning around to face me.
My hand flies over my mouth, and I see the human arm in her hand. Ripped up. Like she ate it.
She drops it before cocking her head to the side, grinning.
"Don't you have a cute face! Like something I'd carve into a pumpkin!"
I back away into the door as she comes closer, desperately trying to open the door.
But it's locked.
From the inside?!
"Who the hell are you?! Get out of here! Alec?! Alaric!?"
"Did you miss me? And...they won't hear your screams, baby girl...just lay down...and go to sleep."
She guides me onto the bed, gently pushing me down.
I lay there stiffly and she smiles at me, blood dripping down her face and the axe behind her as she strokes my cheek.
"You won't feel a thing."
********
(STELLA'S POV)
I land on the floor with a thump, looking up to see a deep violet and gold room, with a crystal orb in the middle.
I approach it, staring at it in wonderment before wandering over to an open glass case, a pendant with a heart with snakes around it sitting right in the middle.
I pick it up despite myself, opening the clasp when I hear a voice.
"Don't. Been there, done that. Not a good look, Stelly Welly."
I drop the chain necklace back into the display, turning around to see a woman, her face covered by the shadow of the room.
But I see her body, clad in a tight red corset with black leather leggings and red boots.
One of her arms is crossed against her chest, while the other is suspended slightly in the air with a small cigarette.
"Who are you...?"
"I happen to be a friend of Carden's, Stell."
"Who do you know my name? And why are you smoking?"
"Everyone asks...and I always have the same answer. It fits my style...my kink if you must...a sort of cowgirl with tight clothes and cigarettes. And besides...I like to think red is my color."
"You aren't wrong about that one...but what's your name?"
"I'll have you guess. I like mysteries. Tell me what I look like to you..."
She comes out from the corner, grinning.
Dark eyes, black and red hair...scarlet lipstick...I have no fucking clue who this is.
"I don't know."
"Guess...or I'll whip ya!"
My eyes widen and she produces a whip from thin air, winking.
"I use this specific one to punish naughty people..."
My eyebrows furrow.
"You're starting to scare me."
"I'm only kidding...unless you did something that needs punishment?"
"No!"
"Good..."
I make a face.
"But is your name Scarlett? Claudia? Chanel? Darcia? No...is your name Akila?!"
She takes a drag from the cancer stick before looking back at me slyly.
"All the names I could've had...nice ones. Exotic. But no, babes, my name's Ryder."
"Ryder..."
My mind goes back to what Carden said.
A girl named Ryder would be waiting for me.
This is her.
"You're the one Carden wanted me to meet here?"
"Yep!"
"I'm truly surprised."
She throws the cigarette and I watch as it disappears into thin air.
Ryder leans back against the table as three loud bangs are heard at the shop door.
I snap my eyes on hers.
"What was that?!"
Ryder immediately stands up completely, looking at me from the corner of her eye.
"Hide. And don't come out until I tell you it's safe."
"What?! What's happening?!"
"They're here for you...Carden warned me about this. Go! Hide!"
I run into a small cabinet, locking it shut behind me.
I watch through the small cracks as Ryder gets thrown back by a sort of explosion, pulling herself out of a pile of debris.
I see four bulky men run in with large black rifles, pointing them at her right when they see her.
"Where is she?!"
"I don't know!"
"Don't lie to us you little fox!"
He fires a shot and she glided quickly out of the way, holding out her hands as they start to move closer to her.
"Don't come closer. I'm telling you."
"What're you gonna do?! Give us that witch, now!"
She backs away until she's against the wall, her eyebrows furrowed.
"I warned you."
"What?!"
They start to inch away when her as her eyes glow red and fire shoots from her hands, smacking one of them in the face.
The man goes flying from the force, banging into the opposite wall while the flames grow.
"She's...she's a monster!"
They start shootings at Ryder and I struggle to get out of the cabinet.
I need to help her.
I let out a gasp when a large fire blows towards me, heating up the cabinet door to the point I have to press myself against the wall to not get burnt.
I hear screams.
The deep ones of the evil men and the high pitched ones of Ryder when I hear a loud shot, and then a sickening thump.
"The girl isn't here! Let's go!"
I hear running footsteps as the people run away, and my eyes pulsate a bright silver when I bust the door down, putting out the fire with my powers before running through the ashen room.
I drop down next to her, seeing a growing black pit in her stomach.
"What...what happened?! Ryder?!"
The black hole seems to swallow her, and I shake her.
"Ryder?!"
She groans, her eyes fluttering open.
"Black magic..."
"What?!"
"Black magic is banned in the underworld...they just used it..."
I start to panic when the parasitic black pit in her stomach starts to grow faster, and I hear voices.
"I heard a voice! I think she really is here! Go! Go!"
"Ryder...wake up!"
Footsteps come closer, and Ryder grabs my hand.
"Listen to me. I'll be fine, I'm stronger than an average person. Run, people will find me, but not you. Go now, Stella."
"But—"
Ryder grips my wrist as the blackness starts to devour her lower half, her grip slowly getting weaker.
"Go."
I start to get up when someone grabs me by the hair, dragging me backwards.
"Ugh!"
I get yanked up, being turned around to be face to face with a man in a black mask.
"Got you...now you're coming with me, you little witch."
*******
(ALTHEA'S POV)
I lay on Myra's lap, my chest moving up and down as I sleep.
She strokes my hair, staring up at the sky as the moon starts to come into view.
She lays me down gently, trotting over to the open field where she howls, transforming into a gray wolf with bright white eyes.
She trots back over, nestling herself next to me.
Soon I wake up to the loud crunch of leaves, looking around, disoriented.
I stare up at the sky, the moon shining down.
Full moon.
That must mean—
I turn myself around, seeing a pretty gray wolf laying on the ground.
"Myra?"
The wolf jerks its head up, staring up at me.
"Where are your friends?"
"Are you talking about us, darling?"
I turn my head around, jumping slightly when I see a tall man with a group of wolves behind him.
His yellowish gold eyes are enchanting, and the more I look into them the more entranced I get.
"Myra. Over here."
The gray wolf trots over to the man, and he holds out his hand.
"Give me your hand, child."
"But—"
"Your hand."
I reach out my hand, and he takes mine, lifting me up.
"You're coming with us to our cave."
"Cave?"
"Yes...the coyotes come out at night...they like to feed on us. Come now, child."
He brings me with them to the end of the brush it seems, until he places his palm against it.
An invisible wall vibrates, opening a sparking hole that we all go into.
It morphs back together, closing shut.
I look around, at the sort of camp.
"This is where you guys live?"
"Yes...and now where you live too."
********
(AIDEN'S POV)
I wake up on the bed, my head spinning.
I feel like something happened...but I can't seem to remember?
I rub my forehead, staring at the wall across from me that seems to vibrate and pulsate through my vision.
I hear voices coming from outside the room and stand up, stumbling my way out the door.
I fumble into a living room where I see Alec, Alaric, and—
Who's that?!
I stagger closer, and Alec looks over his shoulder.
"Hey. How was your rest? Did the werewolves bite you in your sleep?"
He grins and I frown.
"Who's that?"
"Who?"
Alec and Alaric look over to where I'm pointing then back at me.
"Babe...there's nothing there?"
"No...no there's a girl...with bright purple hair. You don't see her?! At all?!"
Alaric makes a face.
"No. There's nothing there but a fireplace."
"No. I know. She's sitting on top of it. The one with the axe?!"
Both brothers give me a concerned look.
"Are you okay?"
"Are you sleep walking?"
"No. No. Just something isn't right...there's a woman there."
"Hello!"
My eyes widen, and they both stand up.
"What?! What happened?!"
I peer past them, seeing her literally waving at me.
"Hey, Aiden! Did you miss me?"
My mind goes blank, and I remember a girl hovering over me.
"Did you miss me?"
I shake my head and she disappears, along with the awful feeling in my stomach.
"You good?"
"Umm...yeah, yeah. I'm fine."
Alaric makes a face.
"I'm leaving."
Alec and I look at him.
"What?!"
"There's no food here, you dimwits. And besides...I want to check out the place."
"Okay...bye."
"Bye!"
He grins before disappearing, and Alec shrugs.
"Would you be fine here for a moment? I have to go out back to get wood for the fire. It won't burn by itself."
"Yeah, of course. I'll be here. Be safe."
He plants a kiss on my forehead, smiling.
"You're too cute."
"As if."
He walks towards the door, before throwing his shirt at me.
I catch it with wide eyes, and he smirks.
"Here's your friendly reminder of me while I'm gone...we all know you'll miss me."
He disappears out the door, and when he shuts it the same silence rings in my ear.
I sit there for a moment, the fireplace in front of me vibrating and pulsating in my vision again.
I start to hear manic laughter in my head, then the steady drip-drip of water. Or blood.
"Blood...isn't it pretty?"
The same purple haired girl appears, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"It's such a nice day...to die...isn't it?"
"W-Who are you?!"
"Your worst nightmare and your biggest dream, baby."
"What're you doing?! Get out of here! Get out of my head!"
"Hmm..."
My face contorts in fear as she melts away, turning into...me.
My eyes widen as I look down, my skin and self fading away.
"What're you doing?! Make it stop!"
"Taking your appearance...so I can be you. And you'll be the annoying little spirit in my head."
******
AN HOUR LATER...
After around an hour a man comes through the back door, immediately going to the bathroom.
I stand up, walking over to the drop of blood he left behind.
I swipe it onto my finger, sucking on it.
Yummy.
A feeling of bloodlust goes through me and I ultimately feel the need to kill.
Kill that feline little bastard...feel the thick red liquid all over my hands...I want to see more. I want to see more blood splattered on this dirty floor.
I stand up, slinking seductively towards the bathroom I'm sure he's hidden inside of.
I start to whistle creepily, tapping my jagged dagger against the door.
"Oh Alec!"
"Aiden? Is there something I can help you with? Or are you sleep walking again?"
I hear his voice farther away, and make a face.
"You aren't going to the bathroom...are you?"
"No. I have wounds on my body I need to wrap up. They look pretty nasty."
"So does that mean I can come in?"
"I'd rather you wait out there...it's not a nice sight. But if you'd like to, sure."
I hear the lock I click and slowly pull open the door, hiding the knife underneath the flap of my jacket.
The door clicks shut behind me, and I stare motionlessly at his back muscles flexing and in flexing as he does something.
My eyes spark.
Hmm...interesting.
"Aiden? You're just gonna sit there?"
He turns his head over his shoulder and my eyes widen a little in surprise.
"What happened to you, Alec?"
I need to play nice...
"Nothing, Aiden. I'm fine."
I stand up from leaning against the counter, approaching him slowly.
I reach up and he flinches back from my touch before relaxing, and I stroke his cheek softly.
"Poor kitty..."
I wipe blood from his lip with my thumb before licking it.
"You good?"
"You should be asking yourself that, mister."
I bop his nose before giggling.
I bend down, grabbing some gauze and rubbing alcohol.
"I'll help you clean up. Turn around."
He looks at me suspiciously and I raise a dark brow.
"Come on now, big guy. I just wanna help!"
"You're acting weird. I don't know if it's the fact that you ate my blood and likes it or the fact that you're being so weirdly nice. It's making me nervous."
"Aren't you a silly one...you're the one acting weird!"
I pull him around towards me, my eyes running across the four deep and oozing cut marks across his chest and abdomen.
Like a scratch from an animal.
Oozing cause they're infected.
"Is this hurting you?"
"I feel a dull ache but not necessarily pain. I will start to feel it if I don't fix it soon."
I begin to dab the alcohol onto a cotton pad.
"Interesting...where is this from?"
"A werewolf. But I'm okay."
"Right..."
I turn him around so that he's against the counter, motioning for him to sit.
"Go on now. You're too tall."
He sits down with a small grin, flicking my head.
"Shorty."
"Hmph."
I raise the cotton pad, grimacing.
"This might hurt..."
I press it down gently, feeling him flinch slightly.
"Guess you do feel pain..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
I smile before putting more alcohol, knowing damn well it's not what you're supposed to do.
But I want to see him in pain. I want to see him suffer.
After around three minutes of me dabbing alcohol onto his open wounds Alec holds out his hand.
"I think you've done enough, Aiden. I appreciate the help...but are you sure you're meant to put alcohol on it?"
He looks down and I do to, seeing how irritated it looks.
I smile.
"Oops."
Alec gets some water, dabbing it off before wrapping gauze over it.
"I'll be fine like this."
"But they're so...big...don't you need stitches?"
"I'm a god...it'll heal up on its own sooner or later."
I cock my head to the side, shutting the door somewhat harshly when he tries to open it.
"Don't leave so soon..."
"But—"
"We barely even got started..."
I turn the lock, my eyes moving smoothly back to his face.
I lean closer, gliding my hands onto his legs.
I stop, raising an eyebrow before moving my eyes to his chest.
"You got something there."
"Huh?"
He begins to look down and I flick his nose, grinning when he raises his head back up.
"Screw you. I thought there was something there."
"I've been a bad girl...I need to be punished."
He looks at me suspiciously at the sudden words, and I continue with a sick grin.
"Knowing that you can completely overpower me is making me feel some type of way, Mr. Walker."
Alec's eye twitches.
"Are you okay...?"
"Can you guess what color my panties are?"
He makes a face.
"Are you drunk?"
"Guess..."
Alec rolls his eyes.
"I don't know. Black."
"Wrong."
His eyes snap on mine then move down my body, lingering on my lower half.
"I wore red just for you...did you know that my legs get weak when you kiss me?"
Alec rubs his eyes.
"No..." he then grins. "But thanks for the info babe. You must be tired. You don't normally act like this. And you say I'm the fucking horny one."
"Pull my hair and slap me."
"Wha—Aiden?!"
I frown slightly at his face, his eyebrows raised and eyes wide.
"Hmm..."
I cock my head to the side.
"Do you not...like me anymore? Am I not slutty enough? Do I need to show more skin?"
When he doesn't answer a manic grins spreads across my face.
"I get it. I'll be your life sized doll. You can mess with me and screw me hard like I'm your little slut."
Alec gives me a strange look.
"You're making me nervous Aiden...is there something wrong?"
"There is, actually."
He gives me a questioning look and I grin.
"The fact that you're not kissing me right now is starting to make me upset."
I grab the side of his face, sliding between his legs on the counter to kiss him passionately, dragging his closer by his jet black hair.
"You taste like heaven..."
I murmur between breaths, when I suddenly feel a stab of pain in my stomach.
"Get back to work, Weiss! Do your job! Do what we asked!"
My mind seems to flicker between something that's mine and something that isn't.
Help. Please.
"I can't do it!"
I yell back from my head, and I hear the giggle of the other me.
"Don't worry, boss."
I move one of my hands from his face to the flap of my jacket, reaching for the knife.
I pull it out to stab him when I feel his hands on my wrists, slamming me against the farther wall.
His green eyes glow yellow, something I haven't seen before as the wounds on his stomach mold back together.
"Silly little girl...perhaps I should discipline you. You thought you could stab me and get away with it? I know you aren't her you little parasite. If you don't get out of her fucking head I'll snap your neck between my bare hands, Davina."
The knife clatters to the floor and manic giggling is heard as my cover melts away, and the girl with bright purple hair grins with a deranged look in her eyes.
"You're just so cute...I don't think I can take it! I want to squish you like a teddy bear until you pop between my fingers!"
My spirit comes out of her and I slump onto the floor, a dead spirit.
His eyes move to me before back to Davina.
"What did you do to her?!"
"Killed her! Took her blood...we'll need it!"
"Who's we?"
"Well...me, Sidero, Seth, and...Alaric!"
******