It was Jordan who made me stop screaming, CJ who took my hands to stop me digging; the pair were soon helped by Dad who ended up holding me against him as I couldn't remember how to stop crying. The next time I blinked, we were back at the house and it was Raya who fussed about in the kitchen, putting a glass of bourbon in front of me as Penny washed the dirt from my hands and Mum gently patted my back. I could hear Zane, V and Ailin talking in the lounge room. Cain's presence was everywhere and once Penny it was done, it was Artemis who held my shaking hands steady and forced me to take a drink.

I couldn't taste it.

There was no burn of the alcohol as I swallowed.

"This will help calm her. Put her to bed and be there for her in the morning when she wakes." Artemis told Mum.

"Wait I-" I tried to say, yet the words got stuck in my throat.

The next time I blinked, morning light poured in through the window of my bedroom and I found Cain sitting on the edge of my bed. The night was hazy, but one thing that was crystal clear was those bastards had taken Logan and they would pay for that. Unable to stop my yawn, he was soon aware that I was awake. He didn't say anything for a few moments and I rolled onto my side to look at him better. Alfie's head was beside me, Annipe next to him and I lazily dropped a hand over to pat them.

"Before you say anything-" Cain started.

"I already don't care. I'm going to get him back Cain."

"I know and I will do everything I can to help you." He promised and I waited for the but that would surely follow. "But, we need to be smart about this. Who knows what they have waiting on the other side."

"I'm not stupid. This was clearly done on purpose. I need to shower, get everyone ready."

Cain hesitated. "Demons come with me. I don't want you to disappear in the meantime."

Rolling my eyes, I nodded at the duo and I was soon left alone to get ready. Yet once I was, I couldn't go and face everyone.  As I neared the backdoor, I stopped to instead hide in the shadow of the curtains and wondered how long I could stay there for. This was real. It wasn't a trick or a vision that some deranged asshole was trying to use against me. Logan is missing and I thought I knew the fear of not knowing where someone was. My brother had been gone for months, but it had been different. He traveled a lot already, and more importantly, I had no idea of what kind of monsters really existed. 

I do now and they have Logan.

It was then Zane walked in and I stayed sitting on the floor as he went by, heading towards my room. He paused before reaching the corridor and turned, his eyes instantly finding mine. He looked different today; bigger, scarier and yet he smiled. 

"You okay there Sunshine?" He came back over and casually sat on the floor in front of me.

"I can do this, can't I?"

"If anyone can, it's you."

"What makes you so sure?" I ask.

Zane shifted his position slightly, and moved to sit beside me. One heavy arm was dropped over my shoulders and as I hugged him, praying I could control my tears this time, he let out a big sigh. 

"Because you, Miss Bunting, are the most infuriating human being I have ever come across. When we first met, I thought you were just some spoiled brat. Remember that? You've got fight in you kid, you've been pushed down a hundred times and yet you still get back up. This, all of this,  will become a memory that maybe we could even laugh about  given enough time like we do about when I helped idiot brains hold you hostage."

"We don't really laugh about that yet." I pointed out.

"We will." Zane assured me.

"It's kind of fucked up that practically all of my friends have at some point kidnapped me."

He laughed. "Maybe it's a prerequisite?"

I didn't answer him and we sat in a comfortable silence for a few more minutes.

"What are we doing, I need to go find my jerk Tracker and put an end to all of this." I quickly got up and offered a hand to Zane, which he took and nearly crushed as he pulled himself up.

"Finally sunshine. I've been waiting to hear you say that." 

"Your pep talks suck by the way. You should get some pointers from Ailin. She's all, don't look at the rock, look at the water and shit. It helps in situations like this." I tell him as we walked outside and towards the group gathered around our godly allies. For a second I scan the crowd and look for Logan so I know where to go, but he isn't there and neither is that, I'm glad you're here but you're late, again, look that's always on his face.

"Please, we can laugh about it later when we're not dead is great advice."

Zane guides me towards Jordan who is standing near the Van Helsings, and with a light slap on the back, he heads over to some of his team leaders. My brother gives me a once over, probably trying to gauge my mood, but instead I simply hug him as I had done Zane, making my Mum smile from where she is sitting across the group from us.

"If I give you a way in, I'm also giving them a way out. I don't have enough power of my own to keep them from passing through." Hermes argued.

I wasn't quite over the being taken away thing just yet, and meant what I had told Cain. I wasn't sure if trusting him, them, whatever - was a good idea. Did they really have anything to worry about when they were going to leave me; the chains seemed a little over the top and I hadn't forgotten the way he had happily made them hurt either. Subtly glancing around, Portia, well Huntington wasn't here and as I met Artemis's gaze, she seemed more at ease staring at the ground or the sky, or at Cain's head. Anywhere other than me.

"What are you thinking?" Jordan whispered as a Hunter with Zane kept the argument going with Hermes.

"Artemis is up to something."

"You think?" He asked, turning slightly to look her way easier. "She keeps looking at you."

"Yeah, but if I look at her, watch this." Again, she looks away awkwardly.

"Oh. You're totally right."

"Ask her then!" The Hunter snaps, and Jordan and I pause as all eyes turn to us - except for Artemis.

"Ask me what?"

"Do we risk Hermes opening a portal for us to go through." He repeats impatiently.

My attention goes to Cain and he barely gives a little shake of his head. "No. I have to agree. Unleashing, them, here would be a mistake."

Almost instantly, everyone starts to talk. It's like my contribution opened the gates for it to be a free for all and moving to Cain, Jordan sticks close behind me while the other two seem to shrink off into their own little corner. I don't like that and it does nothing for my paranoia. Have we let the wrong ones close this whole time?

 What really happened when I was passed out after they arrived to make Cain suddenly okay with them joining us?

"Talking is wasting time. We need to make a decision, and tell them what is happening. Diplomacy is over rated." Cain huffed.

"Wow. I can't wait for you to be charge of a whole realm." I say sarcastically. "What happened to make you open to the idea of those two joining our side?"

"What?" I only stare at him, knowing full well he heard me. "We talked. They told me about home and I believed what they had to say."

"They told you about home, but no one had any idea at all, Cronus was behind it until now? Does that not seem just a little odd?"

The curiosity disappeared from his face, and he glanced at Jordan as if he had the answer to the my question.

"Why bring this up now?" Cain asked instead.

"Who opened the portal last night?" As soon as I finish speaking, he has grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards the house. Jordan rushes after us, and we stop just inside the lounge room.

"You think, Hermes is working against us?" He demanded.

"I don't know what to think, but a few things aren't adding up and that seems the most likely. Did the Fates really go and see Portia and him, or is that just an easy lie to tell? He never even mentioned we had visitors and for someone is supposed to be the guru on this stuff, you would think he'd know when someone was travelling around."

"Like what happened to the fae?" Jordan asks.

"He would have known. Portia knew, she had those pictures." I remind Cain. "They don't just appear and slip away so easily ,without knowing what they were doing or being helped by someone who does."

No one spoke for what felt like for ever and finally Cain gave a little nod. "You're not going to like this."

"Like what?"

He left us and headed back outside, whistling to gain everyone's attention as Jordan and I moved after him. 

"After much consideration, I have made my decision." He started and I rolled my eyes. He made a decision? Tyrant. "For now, we will not be making a move to locate the Tracker. It is war they want and we will not be-"

"You're kidding!" I shoved past a couple of women I recognize from the Council and stand before Cain. "You promised me we would get him back!"

"We will. Just not now. This is what they want and I will not fall for their tricks." He snapped. "Stay alert, and otherwise, return to what you were doing. Sorry for calling you all here."

"No! I don't accept this. You are not the boss, you don't get to make these decisions!"

"You can not stop me, Hunter. I am making the right decision, you are just too close to see this for yourself!" Cain yelled back. "Do you want to sentence all here to their death, because that is what will happen if we attempt to attack with some half thought out plan now."

I didn't hear what he said next. I was beyond furious and as everyone did as he said, moving off to go back to their day, the urge to punch something, or something was unbearable. 

"Elise?" Raya asked hesitantly and turning to look at her, I refused to cry again. "It'll be okay."

"Sure it will." I snapped back, already feeling guilty and like the teenager I was I stormed off into my room and slammed the door behind me.

Cain was already there waiting. "Listen to me. If what we talked about is true, I don't want anyone giving them a warning of what we are planning."

"What are we planning then?"

"You're going to tell me where this gateway is, and I'm going to take us there."

"Just us?" He nodded. "Pretty sure we could be needing some back up Cain."

"That gateway exists because they don't know about it. Unless it opens in the throne room, I'm pretty sure it'll be okay. You will need to do as I say, blend in and once we know what we're up against, go from there."

His idea was tempting.

Very tempting.

"Hold still." He ordered, and his hand began to glow blue before he waved it in my direction. Pins and needles through my whole body made me shiver, yet nothing else happened. "That'll do it."

"Do what?" I asked, as did another voice. Turning I gasped, the other me copying my actions. "What did you?"

"We go now. This way, no one will know you're missing." He sounded rather proud of himself.

I didn't like there being two of me. It had happened once before and Zane had been able to tell the difference, so leaning forward, my double did the same thing and we sniffed each other. She smelt like my perfume too so that was clever, but would it work? 

"What will happen to her?" We asked in unison again. "I don't want an evil body double running around the place."

"It's no more than a reflection. Once you leave this realm, she will vanish. It will buy us some time since you've decided to lock yourself away in your room." He said. "Her thoughts are your thoughts, so tell her what to think."

"You want to stay in this room because everyone out there is an idiot. They're not really, you could be tempted out by Mum, but only if she cooks lasagna and makes that garlic bread with cheese on." I tell her. "Don't talk too much. You're sulking. Tears could help if anyone mentions Logan."

I look at Cain and he nods, giving me the thumbs up. 

"Can't I tell my parents I'm going so they don't worry?"

"They will worry. Probably do what they can to get their own way there too." He mused. "I can do something about that."

"Like what?" Why was I even considering all of this?

"It's like what Portia has done to hold her position at the Academy. No one thinks about the fact she has been around since the beginning, hasn't aged. I can let them do the same, only with you off on this mission." Damn him. It was tempting, but I could I do that to them?

Yes.

The worry was horrible and I wasn't putting them through it again. It was easier this way, for all of us.

"Fine. Do it."

Cain smirked. "As you wish. Get ready to go, I'll be back once it's done."

He disappeared leaving me with my stunt double as we just stared blankly at each other. I wasn't sure she was even breathing until I moved a little closer; it was weird. Very weird. Yet the more I looked at her, I saw my thoughts reflected on her face.

"Don't judge me." She said nothing. "Oh, so now you're quiet."

"I'm sulking." Other me answered. "Everyone is an idiot."

"I'm the idiot." I sighed, and went to my wardrobe to change into something more suitable. I'd just finished tying up my boots, and was planning on what I'd need to take with me, when other me put Sobek's sword on the bed beside me. "Thanks."

"I want lasagna."

"Sure you do."

"I'm an idiot. Everyone is an idiot." She mumbled, sitting beside me.

"Pretty much." I agreed. "We are doing the right thing."

"We are doing the right thing." Why didn't she sound as convinced as I was hoping for?

 "You done talking to yourself?" Cain interrupted.

"I wasn't- whatever. I'm done."

"Good. Where are we going?" He asked eagerly.

"How do I know you're not just going to ditch me and go alone?"

"I went to a lot of effort to make your get away easy. Why would I now leave you?" He had a point.

"Fine. Australia."

"Where in Australia? I need specifics."

"Uluru." He thought about that for a moment. "Big, red, rock."

"I know. I just find that, strange. It's been a very dormant area for magic for a very, very long time."

"Guess that's why they hid the gateway there then huh?" In the blink of an eye, my bedroom had gone and a warm, evening breeze replaced the fan. "Woah."

We stood on top of the world. Miles of nothing spread out around us as the final strip of burnt orange gave in to the murky ink of the night sky. Within a few minutes of standing there speechless, it vanished and one by one, a million stars began to appear overhead in constellations I'd never be able to name. 

"This is, beautiful." I whispered breathlessly, completely forgetting the why of our visit. I'd never felt so small and insignificant, only I soon realised I had. It was just like when I had been swimming in the ocean, that vast space of nothing all around. 

I liked it.

"Where was the gateway?" Cain asked, unaffected by our view.

"Somewhere at the base."

He disappeared and I sat down, happy just to take a moment to get lost in the stars. The sand and rock was warm, unlike the temperature which was getting colder as each minute went by. Boldly I got up and moved closer to the edge, spying a light in the darkness below me; miles away though. It's orange light made me think it was a fire, the white lights around it probably from a car. Campers mostly likely. When this was over, I'd make sure to bring Logan here and-

"Hey!" I screamed as for a second I thought I was falling. I wasn't. Cain had just grabbed me and now a light of our own lit up ancient red walls that had been covered in equally ancient drawings. "Is this it?"

"You tell me."

I looked over the walls and paused as I saw the three white circles. Closing my eyes, I thought about what I had seen. First the big red mound, then the cave and looking again, I knew I was right. "This, I saw these circles."

Cain came closer and looked over all the cave paintings as if he could actually read them. "The Anangu people, aborigines of this land, believed that by touching the rock, they could communicate with the dream time and receive blessings from their ancestors. It was once very powerful, magical place, but I feel nothing coming from it now.  No wonder the Fates chose here, only someone with their abilities would even know of its existence. Are you sure this is it?" 

"Yes. Though, I feel like something is missing." Looking around, the cave wasn't very deep. The drawings covered nearly every inch of the walls and even parts of the roof.

"It is, Elise the Hunter." An old, familiar voice said behind us.

As I spun around, I bumped into Cain who had moved to stand in front of me. So much for personal space and stepping to the side, the two cloaked figures folded back their hoods. It was all rather dramatic and a little bit spooky; dark night, old wall paintings, women in robes who look like their ready to sacrifice something.

"Nieve." Cain greeted coldly, looking at the old lady. "Adala."

"Oh, they have names?" I spoke up, yet they didn't even glance my way.

"It's been some time Fallen One." Nieve answered with just as much enthusiasm as Cain had used. "Give us the girl."

Say what?

"Give me my portal!" He demanded, stepping towards them.

"Your portal?" I went to move past him, yet as his hand shot out to stop me, I found myself against the wall with a rather large cobweb hanging in front of my face. Not that I could move to get away from it or you know, get away. "Cain!"

He continued to ignore me, and the trio started their stare down which ended as Nieve gave a slight nod and walking towards the circles I had first seen, Adala held her hand up to them and a silver light began to appear. No one said a word as the earth trembled, and more circles began to light up around us.

"The girl." Nieve said again.

"Are you serious?" I shouted as outside, lightning lit up the darkness. How could I really have been that stupid and blind as to what was going on? "You bastard!"

"Someone isn't happy with you Fallen One." Adala sung out as she continued to do what ever it was she was doing to the wall.

"What's one more?" He snapped. "Open the portal. You have your third, that was our deal."

Nieve came closer; whiskers sprouted out from around her chin and eyes there were completely white met mine. "She isn't one of us yet, are you girl. Is your answer different now you know all the facts?"

I didn't know all the facts and remembered the first time I met her. She had told me they would be all I had left, that I would follow Cain into the other realm. I still had a lot left to lose, but until now, I had been prepared to follow Cain.

"I don't know all the facts." 

"No? I thought you were smart, and that you would have worked it all out by now. I don't think she knows!" Nieve called to Adala.

"Knows what?" I ask, more scared than angry now. "I do know someone is a lying, good for nothing traitor. So what now then, are you going to threaten to kill me so I join your little group? My answer is still no."

She laughed. "Not quite. I'd leave you alive so you could learn your lesson. Between us, him going back will change little and the Powers who come to your realm will claim it as their own and begin again. Do you think the God Killers kin will be safe from their wrath?"

I swallowed nervously and glanced towards Cain who merely watched Adala like nothing else mattered. I guess it didn't. He was getting what he wanted, what he had been waiting for, no matter the cost.

"And he who has your heart." Nieve whispered, coming so close we were practically cheek to cheek. "He will suffer the most. Too bad you couldn't save him."

It was then the portal opened. The markings on the wall acting as a guide for the dimensions of the doorway and the bright light had us all squinting to look at it. Nieve licked her thin, upturned lips and went to stand by Adala as Cain came before me. I could move again, the pressure of his magic gone - not that it mattered.

"I truly am sorry about this. We've been through so much you and I, and now we are to part ways." He frowned, before leaning in close and kissing my cheek. I should have rammed my sword through his stomach and twisted. "I told you, you weren't going to like this. I should have told you about this too, and also the fact only immortals can pass through here."

He stood, ran a hand through his hair and winked. "Until next time, Elise the Hunter."

Turning, Cain nodded at the pair and then he was gone. The opening remained and I wondered if he was telling the truth about being immortal to go through. Was that for all portals, or just these ones as I'd never had an issue with passing through to Paytahs. Did I risk it?

Adala snapped me out of my thoughts by clapping her hands. "Oh I am so excited!"

The bitch was crazy.

"As I said, we are all you have left. Join us." Nieve offered, extending her hand.

"What if I jumped?" I took a step towards the portal.

"Then you will die. You're not protected now he's gone." Adala blurted.

"How can I believe anything you've said?"

"Because we tell you the truth." Nieve came closer, her hand still out. "It is time."

Maybe I was the one who was crazy, because I took breath and put my hand in hers. Nieve's hand felt like cotton wool, but the softness seemed to melt as her fingers curled over mine in a way that made me wonder if I'd ever be able to let go. Before I could protest, Adala was taking my free hand so all three of us stood connected.

"It's is time!" Adala screamed in sheer joy and glancing down, I gasped as I saw we were levitating.

"What are-"

I saw the lightning coming. It was if time slowed down to a complete halt and the burst of electricity was aimed straight for me. I turned to look at Adala, wanting to yell at both of them to move - to let me go, but the words didn't come. Red dirt floated up from the earth, each speckle of sand so clear to me from where I stood. The shrubs outside shook back and forth sending random bits of leaf and twigs towards us and the light from the portal froze, so all that was there now was a shimmering blue pool that begged you to jump right on in.

I didn't do that. No instead I felt the shock and heat of the bolt hitting my chest and from above, I watched my body fly backwards as the duo let me go and fell too. I bounced onto the hard ground like a rag doll, unable to do anything to stop my fall. No one moved. The wind vanished, the lightning stopped and the eerie light of the gateway was all that remained. I pushed myself to move closer to my body, feeling completely detached as I had done when I died only as I stared down at myself, my eyes opened looking as white as Nieve's had and in the same instance, I was simply staring up at faint yellow and red lines on the cave wall.

"So if I disagree, tell her no?" Cain asked, clearly pissed off.

My neck felt stiff as I rolled my head towards where the voice had come from. Somehow I'd ended up back in Huntington's office and from the looks of it, they weren't discussing anything good. Portia looked terrified, carefully rubbing her neck.

"She will die and you will not be able to bring her back." She said.

"What of me?"

Portia took a few deep breaths before answering him. "The only one you have to fear, is her."

Is that what happened, did I just die and because he left this world, this is it? Slowly I made a move to get up, and my head felt as though it was made of concrete. Groaning, I struggled to stand and as soon as I did, I stumbled backwards as visions of things I couldn't even process played in fast forward all around me. 

"Stop, p-please. Stop." I fell to my knees and curled up against my chest, until finally the pain and visions cleared. Cautiously I looked up, and seeing the limp body of Nieve closest to me, I crawled towards her. "Nieve?"

She smiled, showing crooked yellow teeth. "Did it work?"

I helped her stand as Adala got up too. The woman stretched her arms up over her head and rolled her neck. "I hate that part."

"That part? What just happened?" I demanded.

"There have always been three." Nieve smiled up at me as if I was her most favorite person in the world.

"How do you feel?" Adala asked, resting a hand on my shoulder.

"Fine. Same as I did before?"

"That's a good sign The knowledge didn't kill her obviously. Now, we need to start your training-" The old woman started to ramble and looking at the portal, it was exactly how I had seen it in my little day dream with Ailin.

"I have to go and finish this." And also have a chat about permanent this was all going to be.

"Of course!" Adala smiled, before frowning. "Just, don't get yourself killed. We only just got you."

"Right. Because that was exactly what I had in mind." I told her sarcastically.

"Isn't she funny. We are going to have some fun with her!" Adala whispered rather loudly to Nieve who only scoffed.

"I don't see how putting ourselves in someone else's fight is fun. I forgot how the young ones are, and this one has war in her blood. I can see it now. We have merely doomed ourselves!"

Ignoring their talk, I didn't hesitate and went through the portal. It was no different to teleporting with Alfie and coming out on the other side, Cain stood there waiting. Grabbing my sword, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

"It is done then?" He asked, not looking at me.

"I guess, unless you were only kidding about mortals going through the gateway?" I hesitated. "Why are you on your knees?"

"Here, it considered rude not to show respect to one such as yourself." Slowly he stood and I had no idea what to make of it all. "Have you had any visions?"

Was the office a vision? "No."

"You won't believe me, but Inana told me of this. She said I would return to this realm with the third. and order would be restored. It's only why I did it Elise, if you try, you should be able to see it."

"Let me guess, she also said I forgive you for the sell out?"

"How else could I get you here? Even if Hermes had done it, I don't know how well you would have traveled through one of his slips."

My stomach sunk then. "What about Logan?"

"I'm sure he will be fine. Are we good, or did you want to linger around our way in so someone else can find it?"

"Can we close it? I don't want anyone getting out." I glanced back to the doorway, that lacked the lights and theatrics of the one on the otherside.

Instead he waved his hand over it and smiled. "Cloaked, so only you and I know about it."

"If I'm all, Fatey and stuff now, can I do tricks like that?"

"Maybe if given enough time. Most thirds never get to experience the full potential of what that really means." He shrugged. "Come on."

For the first time, I looked around us and had no idea where we could possibly be. It was a stone wall, and Cain expertly kept to the shadows, avoiding the bright moon light above us. The land looked as barren as the desert we had left behind and after a few hundred meters, he paused by something that stuck up out the ground. Getting closer I watched as he lifted up a wooden door and slipped in behind him. He closed it behind us and as we traveled in the dark, I realised that didn't matter. I already felt like I knew the way at a couple of spots, even led the way. It wasn't too much longer after that, that I could smell smoke, and as Cain took a few turns, we left the underground passages to step out into what looked like a set of an old Cleopatra movie.

"Stay close." Cain warned and glancing up at the sky, large black clouds glowed faintly red as the billowed across the stars.

"Look." I pointed up and he followed my finger. Despite the lack of light, there was no missing the fear that passed across his face.

As he took off running, so did I and the hum of voices was soon joined by the cackling sounds of fire. Smoke wasn't just in the sky anymore, but also filling the streets as the stone buildings changed to more elaborate styles. People ran around mindlessly as fire destroyed homes and frozen we both stood there and watched the disaster. 

"We have to help!" I decided, moving forward as I had no idea what I could actually do.

Instead Cain caught my arm and dragged me the other way, towards the buildings that had already been given up on saving. "This isn't our fight. We are trying to go by unnoticed, remember?"

I hated that he was right and after passing another block, he stopped in front of a large stone staircase where the building remains still burned. It was then I saw it in all its glory, potted trees sat either side of the grand entryway and as a little boy ran and tripped on the top stair, a girl not too much older grabbed the back of his shirt to help him up. The boy only laughed and the pair kept running.

Blinking, I shook away the vision and looked at Cain who simply stared, blankfaced while his anger radiated from him.

"What was this place?" I asked, despite already knowing the answer and because of this, I put my hand on his arm in comfort.

"Home." Was all he said, before turning and walking away, though this time I was fairly certain he had no idea where he was going.

____________________________

Ok... so just realised this chapter is kind of HUGE. Probably should have stopped it when she entered the portal, and in the next chapter if you read it again - it's because I did decide to move it. Anyway.... So they're there. In Cain's home realm.

Will they find Logan?

Will they stop the bad guys?

Will Elise be stuck being 'the third'?

So many questions and you've probably got even more! Does everything make sense so far? I hate endings... nearly as much as I hate beginnings. I hope you're still enjoying it, thanks for reading xx