I'm sorry for this taking so long! I've been crazy busy and have been sick, so hopefully the bulk of this makes sense. Sorry again! Thanks for your patience! xx

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There is just something so, satisfying about driving with the windows down, a warm breeze with the sun high above and a catchy tune on the radio. I start to sing along and Logan takes my hand, placing a kiss on my knuckles before setting it on his knee. Cruising down the highway in our borrowed SUV, our problems seem to be miles behind us. We could really be driving anywhere, another holiday, the city... just away.

"Wind up those fucking windows!" V growls from behind us.

Or we could be cruising down the highway, in the middle of the day with a vampire in the back who has a rather lethal sun allergy. He'd been so quiet back there, I had kind of forgot about him.

"Fine." I mumble, hitting the button the windows are soon firmly up.

Logan turns on the air con instead, but the cool air doesn't have the same appeal as the window. I glance back to where the rear of the car has been turned into a tomb, making it suitable for vampire travel during the day. The dark tint keeps the light out, but V has a blanket of plastic tarp set up over the back space to cover himself with as well. If I could be killed by sunlight, I would be a little paranoid too.

No one says anything as we keep going, and eventually I fall asleep too. When I wake, I'm not sure how long I was out for because we are not anywhere I was expecting. For a second, I think we've gone backwards and with the grassy meadows either side, think we've gone back to the Academy, but then I see the building on the horizon.

"Where are we?" I ask Logan.

It's late afternoon, and V is still out of it. Logan checks his watch before deciding to answer me.

"One of the Council's locations. The vamp has to drop something off apparently and there is a Kasha demon waiting to take us to our next destination."

"Demon Express? Damn, I was actually looking forward to getting on a plane for once."

"While you were doing a bad impersonation of Sleeping Beauty, V got a call. Our plans haven't changed, and we should be able to travel lighter soon enough." He glances to the back and I know he means V.

"Sounds like you have a plan Mr. Murphy?"

He only winks and turns his attention back to the road. When we announced we were moving on, no one could stop us, well stop me, from leaving. Dad and Zane had a private meeting while I was packing a few things and giving Alfie my orders. It was declared that in order to let us go, we had to bring along Count Complainer as extra muscle. Too bad if something had happened today, because he would be toast, literally and so would we. I also have a feeling, well had - before I napped that we were being followed. Looking behind us now, there wasn't a car in sight.

"Pretty sure it was Penny and your brother." Logan tells me without me even saying a word. The look on my face must say enough. "Come on Bunny, give me a bit of credit!"

"Wouldn't want to inflate that ego anymore than it already is." I tease.

"You love it when my ego is inflated."

"Oh sure, who-"

"Kill me, please, before I have to hear any more of that!" V once again interrupts from the back.

I can't stop myself from laughing, and even Logan smirks a little. We go quiet again though, and I can't stop myself from feeling nervous as we reach the gates. Then again, I doubt anyone ever feels completely comfortable with walking into what is essentially a prison. Logan picks up a card that sat in the empty cup holder and waves it over the panel. A grinding crunch makes me jump as the silver poled gate starts to open and looking around us, the gardens remind me of the Academy. Instead of an old brick building, it's all concrete and void of any signs of life.

Logan pulls the car up into one of the parking spots off to the side and it's not like V can get out now. I'm about to say so, when the ground begins to vibrate.

"Logan?"

"We're using a vamps access card to get in and since it's daylight, we get to go in the underground way." He tells me as we begin to lower.

The ground passes us as our car moves down the elevator and once all signs of light vanish, V pushes back his cover and sits up, stretching his arms out with a loud yawn. I hate being underground and instantly my heart begins to race as fears I didn't realise I had start to take over. We finally stop in a carpark, no different to one you'd find underneath a shopping centre and Logan finds a vacant spot.

V is first to get out and Logan grabs our bags before we follow him inside. After going in another elevator, we enter a room that reminds me of the underground hideouts. A large hall is before us, and combat mats fill the area towards the back, as well gym equipment and the faint stench of chlorine tells me there has to be a pool nearby too.

An assortment of our kind are training, all in the Treaty Keeper, guard uniforms and not one looks in our direction as V leads us up a set of stairs. He doesn't slow down, walking so fast he's almost jogging and curiously looking around, this passage runs along another; full of daylight and views to the outside world.

No wonder he is walking quickly.

He stops abruptly and I nearly end up walking into him, but he doesn't say anything. No one is saying anything and the silence of this place is starting to get to me. The murmur of voices from the other side of the door instantly stop as V knocks, and he doesn't wait before going in. I go to follow, but Logan is blocking my way.

"Let him have a minute, we can go get ready." He tells me.

"Okay?" I try to look inside, but V shuts the door. "What's that about?"

"When we were out at the mansion, he found some of the items Selene had used in one of the rituals to start the portal opening. He destroyed them all, but one. He gave it to Ailin for safe keeping. Now he's being questioned, again, over the other things destroyed."

"What was it?" I don't know why he didn't just destroy everything.

"Maybe a black diamond, I didn't see it. CJ did, and that's what he said." Logan shrugs. "Don't worry, I think he would have got rid of that too, but he couldn't. I don't get why they're pissed at him though, I think he did the world a favour."

"You a mind reader now Logey?"

He stopped walking and stared at me, much too seriously for my liking before rolling his eyes and grinning like an idiot. "Stop imagining me naked. There will be time for that later."

"Ha. Ha." I mumbled sarcastically, and as we ended up in what looked like a hospital waiting room, he dumped our bags. "So, what are we doing?"

"Ditching the vamp."

"How?" It wasn't like we could really go anywhere, and I had a feeling he would be able to find us quick enough here. Something changed then, my body tensing as a shiver ran up my spine and turning around, there was nothing there.

Logan stepped a little closer to me, taking my hand and as I opened my mouth to ask him what was going on, we weren't alone anymore.

"Hello Hunter!" The Australian accent wasn't easy to forget, and this time when I turned around, the surfing incubus had joined us.

Not who I was expecting to see.

"Gason?"

"I'm flattered you actually remembered my name. Then again, I do have that effect on ladies." He grinned, opening his arms as if he intended to hug me. "And some men."

Whether he is using his gifts or not, I do hug him. His skin is damp, but warm with his tan and he smells like the ocean. I close my eyes, taking a second to think of the beach, of summer and when I go to take a step back, I freeze. I'm at my house. Looking around everything was how I left it too, and as I go to speak, Gason vanishes.

What the-

"Thanks for that." Logan says instantly as he appears beside me, bags in hand.

Gason nods. "I hope you know what you're doing. Both of you. Until next time."

He bows slightly and disappears, so it's just Logan and I in my living room. I hadn't sold this place, it would have been a good investment if I bothered to lease it out, but all of our kind know the importance of having a safe house. Explaining to your tenants that you need to access a stash of weapons you've hidden somewhere, or the fact you look like you got in a fist fight with Rocky Balboa and should be in hospital can also be rather awkward.

"Explain." I demand.

"He owes me a few favours, some of that trouble we ran into involved him and his girlfriend; that fallen angel chick. As soon as we knew V was coming with us, I texted him as a way out. Simple."

Nothing is ever, simple. "Fine. So, wouldn't V suspect we're up to something?"

"No. You really were asleep weren't you?" Logan sighs. "He gave me his card to get in and told me what he had to do. He is expecting us to go hang out in the food hall or something until he was done because didn't think it would be a good idea to let you go into that meeting."

"Why not?" So I may be getting a little defensive now.

"Why not, what?"

"Logan."

"What?" He snaps, picking up his bag and heading towards the bedroom.

"Why wouldn't it be a good idea to let me into that meeting!" I huff, stomping after him.

"Fine. Tom was in there."

"What?" Now I was pissed. "Take me back. I'm going to-"

Logan put his hands on my shoulders, shaking his head slightly.

"No, you're not. One, they're his people so you'll be in deep shit. Two, you've got more important things to worry about. Focus Bunny, he isn't worth it."

Pretty sure it was. Violence doesn't solve everything, but it has its time and place.

"You're right and I hate that!" I sigh.

He kisses my forehead and goes to the wardrobe, feeling around in the floor for a few seconds before he lifts the panel that hides my own collection of weapons. Jordan did this while we were in Fiji since I had lived, practically normally here. He starts to pass out the good stuff, as opposed to the nothing we had been travelling with and after a search around in the rest of the wardrobe, we change and get ready to start our real mission.

) O (

The portal Logan took us to was once again practically in the middle of suburbia. It didn't help I sensed vampires the second we stopped moving and by the time he had stored the bike in a nearby shed, they were even closer. We barely made it the end of the street when the group of six appeared, looking like nothing more than a group of teens out to cause some mischief. I guess they kind of are, only it went beyond underage drinking and pointless graffiti on public property.

"You two lookin' for trouble?" The oldest looking girl sneered as they started to space out around us.

"Just passing through." Logan answered.

"Good." She flashed her fangs our way, like a dog growling in warning. "We're not doing anything that requires any of your attentions."

"No?" I asked, narrowing my eyes her way.

"No."

"Great to hear." Logan nudged me, and went to keep moving when a young boy blocked our path. He was barely fifteen, and I hated seeing vampires made so young.

"Just you two, Tracker?" He asked, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. He wasn't dressed like the others, his clothes more dirty and tattered than the jeans and hoodies the others wore.

I looked at Logan, and felt his hand bump against my arm as he reached to where he had a stake strapped to his belt.

"We're meeting some friends."

The tall, slim girl just behind him giggled and I hadn't failed to notice we were completely surrounded now.

Stupid vampires.

"No, you're really not." The boy snarled; the second he launched himself at Logan he was dust in the air as Logan staked him.

One of the girls screamed while the one who had spoke first simply stood there with her mouth open.

"Have a good night." I smiled at her, following Logan as he kept walking.

"Ready?" He whispered. "They're going to come after us."

"Why can't we all just get al-" I didn't get to finish as footsteps pounded on the road and pulling out a stake of my own, we couldn't risk using guns around here. It would be bad enough if someone happened to look out a window or decide to put the rubbish out and see us fighting - which I also hoped wouldn't happen.

Six, well five, managed to turn into nearly double that as these kids started to appear at the sound of the fighting. Some were more skilled than others, older too, and after three more turned to dust they abandoned the fight and ran.

"You okay?" My rush was short lived as I saw Logan holding his arm.

"Bitch scratched me." He groaned, the sleeve of his shirt torn and bloody. "Eh, I'll live."

I looked at the wound, it really was just a scratch. "I should hope so Princess. We should report them."

"Yeah, but not right now. We'll give out our location."

"Oh. Right."

We keep walking and turn at the park, and follow a small path that went to a pond. A few ducks fled to the water at our approach, while the smell of stale water made my stomach churn.

"Wait here." Logan disappeared near some bushes; his steps loud as he walked over sticks and crunchy leaves.There was a splash sound and then nothing. Finding a park bench that didn't smell of urine I took a seat and waited.

And waited.

Just when I was thinking of following him, crunching came from behind me and turning, I was rewarded with Paytah standing there. His smile was positively wolfish and the hulk like figure of the werewolf dominated even the shadows of which he stood amongst.

"Hey wolfman!" Getting up, I stepped onto the bench so I was actually taller than the creature.

His grin turned into a smirk, and before I could protest, I was thrown over his shoulder.

"Nice try." Paytah all but purred as I didn't bother fighting him. There was no point. "Why do you smell of, vampire?"

"We met some locals on our way here." I choked out as his shoulder dug up between my ribs before he shifted me slightly. I felt the blanket of magic as we stepped through the portal and heard Logan groan as we stepped into the realm.

I was set down with more care than you'd give something like him credit for, and he looked more than pleased with himself. His nose twitched slightly and looking at Logan, he reached out to grab his arm.

"Do I need to send out my pack to destroy those creatures?" He snarled.

"No, we took care of them." I assured him.

More of the pack came closer, each holding a torch like some kind of medieval mob. Of course they were all men, these werewolves had one of the most backward societies I'd ever seen, not including my little visit back in time.

"You are looking healthy again. I am very happy to see you Hunter, both of you." Paytah declared a little too dramatically, and all the werewolves pounded their fist over their heart. "Though I do not understand why you are here?"

"Can't we just come and say hi?" I smile, making him laugh.

"Of course, yet I do not think that is the only reason as to why you are here."

Clever werewolf.

"She's in trouble, again, and we're hoping you might know something that could help us" Logan started and Paytah's grin vanished. "It's about Cain."

All the creatures around us growled, their teeth bared in obvious disgust and hatred as the flames from their torches sent shadows to cover their faces making them look completely terrifying.

"Malsumis." One of them whispered.

"You said he was different now. We fought with him!" Snarled another.

Paytah seemed to grow even taller as he now glared at the pair.

"Back to camp." He muttered, striding forward leaving the rest of us with no choice other than to follow.

"That went well." I said to Logan, who only shook his head.

The camp was closer to the river this time, and I ignored the memories that kept trying to remind me of what happened the last time I was here.It was just one of my many near death experiences and my hands linger over my stomach; the pain of Alfies life saving bite unforgettable.

Werewolves all stop what they're doing, a few women disappear into tents with their young cradled against their hip while the men come closer. Their leaders rage affects us all and Paytah paces by the fire pit, looking into the flames as if all the answers to the questions we haven't even asked yet are there for the taking.

I feel sick.

"What has he done?" Paytah finally asks and all eyes turn to us as Logan gives him a brief run down.

"You have your own stories of the past, and you were the one to tell me about our creation. What realm did he come from? Do you know what the tattoo could mean?" I ask when he finishes.

"He can't come here if he is Earthbound. To be banished from all the realms means his deed was unforgivable. I do not know anything more that may assist you."

We're offered drinks and a platter of food is shared around, but I don't touch a thing. This wasn't good news, well not entirely. If we stay in different realms, Cain can't get to me so I'll be out of reach. If he wanted my attention, all he'd have to do was threaten or hurt my family and friends, so we're not exactly at an advantage - yet.

"Do you know where he comes from?" Logan keeps talking, though he seems a little tense now but I guess the Paytah and Co can have that affect on people.

"Who knows. The legends of his creation vary like all gods."

"So he is definitely a god then?" It seems like a stupid question, but I had to ask it.

"Yes. Though he isn't like the ones you may know of."

"I had a vision, there was a god in it. Apollo. Cain called him brother and he said he wasn't."

Logan choked, coughing loudly before waving to us to continue as he grabbed the cup offered to him.

"You have visions of the gods? I am not very familiar with, this, Apollo, but Hunter, you do not want to be involved with whatever they may have planned. That is something I am positive of." Paytah sighs.

"No shit." I mumble.

We all fall silent, lost in thought while the flames dance and crackle in front of us. Eventually some start to ask us questions, unlike last time when they were curious of our world, now all they wanted to hear was our retelling of the great battle. Like Paytah and his companions would have upon their return, we told them again how brave their fallen warriors fought. We told them they should be proud, just like we were to have fought beside them and now to call them allies.

They started to tell tales of other battles in the past, some amongst their own kind - the packs that roam this realm miles from their territory. Is this how it will be years from now when we are nothing more than a memory. Will Hunters of the future sit back and talk about the great battle, about me? What would they say?

Eventually it's declared time to rest and we're shown to a place we can sleep. This time we don't have to share a place with a vampire, and with just the two of us on the fur blankets, it gets warm quickly. Logans asleep as soon as he's unstrapped his holsters and kicked off his boots, but I'm still wide awake.

Hesitantly, I get up and walking through the silent temporary village, I head down towards the water. Night insects chirp as if everything is right in the world and the water is like a mirror, reflecting the moonlight and the shadows of the trees that surround it. Tiny pebbles crunch underfoot and spying a decent looking branch that hangs out over the water, I climb up onto it. A few deep breaths later, I finally start to feel better and try to think about what to do next. Hiding out here until I'm forgotten sounds like a decent enough plan and-

The tree wobbles slightly and the rustling of something moving in the dark sets me on edge. Luckily I still had a dagger down near my boot and if I screamed, I wasn't too far from camp. Werewolves would hear me easy.

"Who's there?" I demand, sitting up as I control my balance. "Show yourself!"

Everything stops.

"I know you're there!" I call out, only able to sense werewolf.

I see her then, smaller than the other females with her back and shoulders hunched over with age; in her left hand a large stick helps her stay upright. She acts unbothered by my presence as slow swaying steps take her to the waters edge. The silver moonlight makes her grey hair shimmer, her skin practically translucence and the small toga she has wrapped around her body didn't hide a lot of it.

"It is rude to stare, child." She growls, sitting herself down on a boulder I hadn't noticed before. Her feet lack the more human appearance the others have, instead they're long and more like the werewolf paws with claws as nails. No wonder she had so much trouble walking, it was like she was stuck mid-change.

"Who are you?" I ask, leaving my dagger in its sheath.

"Taini. Come down, I do not appreciate raising my voice!"

I obey.

She pats the space beside her and I take a seat, unable to stop myself from staring at her hands. The top is covered in a thin layer of fur the same colour as her hair, while her fingers are long and claw tipped. Finally looking at her face, she has that ancient look the others do; high cheekbones, wide nose, but where as they can hide their canine teeth with ease, only showing them when they want you to see them, it's all I can see.

"You are staring again."

"Sorry, I've never seen someone like you before."

Taini laughs. "Old you mean, someone as old as I am."

"Are you, or did you get stuck mid change?"

"No dear. We do not age as gracefully as your kind." She chuckles to herself again and it's then I see the few odd whiskers reaching across her cheeks from her nose. "I hear all about the Hunter not like the others. How brave she is in battle. How selfless she is in defending her pack. She has allies in vampires, defeated mighty werewolves and gives demons heart. Yet, here you are."

Great, another critic.

"I did not expect someone so strong to be so young." She glances my way, smirking. "The Alpha Paytah is rather fond of you, I think we all are. You spoke of our warriors as if they were your brothers, your friends. Tell me, how many of them did you know?"

"I barely remember their names." I admitted awkwardly.

"You do not need to know their names, your respect is enough. I feel it is the same for the vampires, the demons and the creatures of light that all fought at your side." Taini pats my hand, her palms are rough like a dogs paw. "One day, you will be a leader and you will have great triumphs, greater than I feel you will be able to comprehend for some time."

"I doubt that. Everything I do seems to end up in disaster."

"Does it? That's not the way I see it. Are you alive? Are the mortals you protect any more aware of the fact their world is not simply their own?"

"It wasn't just me though. If Cain wasn't there, I, we, no one could have stopped the Warlocks from taking over. I didn't do anything. I died, kind of." Why was she making it sound like I was the hero in all of this?

"Ah, yes, Cain. Interesting, that one. Always has been." She mused, more to herself than to me.

"Do you know what the tattoo means or what the curse is?" I couldn't stop myself from getting hopeful.

"You're a warrior. They will call you Elise the Hunter, sitting around campfires and even in your classrooms. Like your father, the mischief of your youth will be forgotten and only the woman of legend will remain. Your battle will never be with Cain."

Hadn't Portia said that too?

"What are you?"

"Old." She cackled, finding herself hilarious. I guess we didn't share the same sense of humour. "They know about you now. You can solve his problems, but will you want to? If not, perhaps you two may have a few issues to overcome in the future after all. I'll be watching."

"Can you please just tell me what is going on? All I get is riddles and bits of truth. We came here for answers, please, help me!" I beg.

Taini thinks this over, clutching her hands together in her lap as the smile leaves her face. She stares out into the water, before looking up to the sky, at the moon with the same look of concentration on her face as what Paytah had when he stared at the fire. For a second there, I am almost positive her eyes turn completely white; the moon reflecting in them like it is in the river. A cool breeze comes by us, sending a shiver up my spine and looking around, I can't help but feel as though we're being watched and as Taini starts to talk again, the raspy tone makes me jump.

"He died, for you. A sacrifice, in your honour. Willingly. You have made a legend from your name; like all the greats do. Made from magic. Saved by magic. The girl who does not die." She shakes her head. "She already saw it. She knew what it would mean, so did they. It's why they watch you now. If you fight them, you will win and the Fallen could return. They tried to stop it. Stop him. Yet you're still alive. So is he!"

It takes a second for that to sink in, some of that I've heard before. "Who are they?"

"The Gods, Hunter. Keep up!" She scolded. "He upset the balance. The Fates have never been the same since he killed her. Can't kill him, isn't their way. Banished. Exile. Left to suffer, but he didn't. Not really."

Taini drifts off, mumbling something I don't understand.

"Who, who did Cain kill?"

"You will make a fine replacement. If you accept that is."

"What?" Standing up, I'm tempted to strangle the answer out of her. "What are you talking about?"

"Three, there are always three!" Extended her claw into the mud of the bank, she draws the same symbol as the mark had been. "Since then, there have only been two. A third never lasts, not like before. You are his offering to the gods, but will they accept you as their own? No. It's why they will try to stop you and next time, he won't be able to bring you back."

My mouth drops, and for a second, my mind goes completely blank. "I- but. What, what are you saying? Gods are trying to kill me so I don't let Cain go back home? He told me I was the key for him getting there!"

Moving quicker than I ever expected her to be able to, her claw was around my wrist and a nail curled under the bracelet Hazel had given me. "Smart girl. Ears see and eyes listen. Something like that! How did you know about this, I wonder. I wonder!"

She lets me go and picks up her stick, taking a few steps into the water until it was up to her knees. "I wonder!"

Her chant is forgotten as a rush of steps sound out behind me, and spinning around, Logan, Paytah and a couple of the others are rushing towards us.

"Elise!" Logan screams, just as I feel the cold around my legs and the muds hold around my feet.

Looking back out to the old werewolf, she is gone and it's then I realise I am the one standing in the water. Instantly I turn back and run to shore, only to be assaulted by Logan as he grabs my upper arms and checks me over, before crushing me in a hug.

"What are you doing out here?" He demands.

I don't get to answer, as Paytah and the werewolves sniff around. "Who was here?"

"I'm not sure anymore. It was a werewolf, I think, she was old. Her name is Taini." I manage to tell them, feeling dazed like I just woke up.

"What?" Paytah growled, while the other two sniff the air again. "Impossible!"

"Why?" I ask.

"That was my mothers name. She is dead." He tells me with a frown.

Of course she is.