Kyla

I'm awoken by a hand shaking my entire body. Once my eyes open up, and I get a clear view of my surroundings, the memory of last night plays back in my mind. A smile grows along my lips, as I stretch my arms, giving my muscles the much-needed reprieve.

Once I rub my eyes, and sit up, all the happy feelings go out the window. Lucas sits before me. Not who I was expecting at all. Looking around there is no sign of Diedrek in sight. With my eyes furrowed in confusion, I look at my cousin with a question on my tongue.

The look of worry and sadness in his eyes, brings my body to a pause. The feeling of loss held deep in my heart. Why? I do not know.

"What has happened?" I know whatever he is about to say isn't going to be good.

"Diedrek, Darius, Constance, and Satine are all missing." At his words my world comes to a complete stop. My head falls into a deep spiral of despair.

It takes me all of a minute, before the sadness dissipates, in it's place anger and the feeling of betrayal. I stand from the makeshift bed, walking to the pile of clothes on the ground, getting my pants on, leaving my long t-shirt on. Turning away from my cousin, I snap my bra on and get it into place.

As I turn to face him, he takes a step back, seeing every emotion I'm feeling apparent on my face.

"Are the witches awake?" I grumble the question out, not waiting for a reply. Opening the flap of the tent, I walk out into the darkened night, with a feeling of determination deep in my bones.

"Yes, they are waiting for us by the outer shield near the trees. Without giving him a backwards glance, I stomp all the way to where the three sisters clearly are. Once I make it to them, I nod at each one. "I need you to take a part of this down, so I can go after them." I don't say any names, in case wandering ears are listening.

Bunny steps closer to me, nervousness taking hold of her face, as she bites her bottom lip. "If we do this, we cannot go with you. We must stay here and stay on course." I expected that answer. Still, it doesn't discourage me. She must see my answer in my eyes, as she doesn't say another word.

Instead, she turns to face the shield, holding her hand out to her side. Once both sisters take hold, they whisper the Latin words I still don't understand. When I see a part of the shield opening up, I don't overthink what I'm about to do. I simply walk right to the other side.

I know Lucas follows close behind me. My erratic heart calms down a bit, knowing no matter what happens my cousin has my back. The sound of feet falling, two sets running in our direction has our heads turning. We see both Isabella and Lilly heading in our direction fully dressed. As they get closer, I can see swords sheathed in the belt of their pants.

Once they run out from the shield, I open my mouth to discourage them, but the look in their eyes tells me I'd be wasting my breath. Each are resting by bending at the waist, hands placed on their knees, as they take a moment to catch their breath.

"Are you certain this is what you want to do?" I ask, tone laced with worry. I'm not sure what we will walk in, who will all be there, and what powers will be thrown our way. I'm not even certain any of us will make it out alive after today, but this is something Diedrek felt he needed to do.

The only thing I know is I need to be there for him through this. If any of us die, I want to be beside my mate through it all. Isabella lifts her head, a look of anger held there. "The two of you are going and let's face it you could die. I will not be left in a world knowing that I could have gone on this adventure with you, and I didn't. What kind of coward could live with themselves knowing that?" She asks in return.

With tears welling in my eyes, I walk up to both women, my best friends, and hug each one of them. I begin with Lilly, holding her tightly against me. As I feel the first of her tears fall. When I hug Isabella, I bury my head in her neck. "What if you two die with us?" I ask quietly, the thought breaking my heart. She pushes back, so she can glare into my eyes, "Then we die together. The way it's supposed to be. How we've always talked about since we were children."

Her words hold so much conviction, I know this is what they both need. Just as much as Lucas and me. Without a word, I wipe my tears with my shirt, as I look out into the woods.

"Kyla," The sound of my name has my head turning slightly to the side.

Bunny walks closer to me, holding something close to her body. "Use this to lead the way." She hands me a compass, leaving me feeling perplexed. In all honesty, I haven't a clue how to use one. "It's enchanted just for you. I had a feeling your stubborn mate would pull something like this." She gives me a slight smirk.

"Learning how you are as a person these last couple days; I knew you would go after him no matter what. I could try to talk you out of it, but there would be no reasoning with you. So, take it, this compass will lead you right to him no matter what dimension he is in." With those parting words, she wraps her arms around my shoulders in a hug, shocking me.

She pulls away, with one last squeeze of her hand along my shoulder. As she turns and walks away. "We will give you as much time as we can. Distracting your uncle, other cousins, and all the men and women here. I'm not certain how long you have. So, make every second count." With her final words she closes the shield back up. I don't turn around to watch as her and her sisters walk away from us.

Instead, I focus on the darkness of the woods up ahead. Reaching out with the compass in the palm of my hand, I close my eyes and think of who I'm trying to find. I feel it shake my entire arm, as it comes to life, and begins to light up. Within seconds it lights a path, showing us right where we need to go.

Looking back at my best friends, the closest ones I have in my family, I look at all three in their eyes. They all nod their heads at me, telling me no matter what's to come within the next few hours they are with me. Knowing all that, I take the first step into the danger we are about to walk into.