Amanda

I sit on a bench in a secret room in the basement. It's cold in here, and the air is stale. It's like a bare minimum mini suite. There's a small toilet and sink around the corner. Cots are lined up at the far east wall. There's a mini fridge and hot plate in the area behind me. To the side there are cupboards, a desk with a computer and a small flat screen.

Rosa paces the floor a slight trace of darkened veins line her skin. Tally is in the corner hugging her knees. She looks terrified. I get up, walking over to her and wrap my arms around her. I'm relieved when she leans in, accepting my embrace.

"It's going to be ok." I tell her,

"you don't know that!"

I snap my head to Rosa, giving her a shut the hell up look.

"What? It's true, you have no idea what happened, just like the rest of us. Coddling her won't do her any good."

What the hell is her problem?

"We've always been safe here. Nothing like this has ever happened."

Tally's pleading voice guts me, I hug her tighter at a loss for words, thanks to Rosa. I shoot her another glare over Tally's head, and she rolls her eyes, continuing her steady pacing.

"I'm sorry. I've been so bitchy."

I pull back, looking down at Tally. Her tears break my heart. I give her a small smile,

"You're forgiven. "

She beams at me, and I chuckle. Rosa lets out an annoyed sigh and my patience wears exceedingly thin.

"you guys don't know the first thing about problems."

Okay, that's it! I've had enough I stand up facing her,

"Like you're the only one with problems?"

She balls her fists pushing forward, her veins darkening ,

"oh boohoo, she's mooning after your boyfriend and you need to have sex to survive like the rest of the female population. Yeah, real colossal problems there."

"He's not my boyfriend." I growl.

She laughs, nodding her head; I don't know why I clarified that point? I think I just wanted to yell at her.

"Awe, did he reject you? Is that why your so sad?"

She pouts and drags a finger down her cheek to mimic a tear falling. I haul back my fist. Just as I'm about to connect, it comes to a dead halt. Austin stands over me, holding my fist back. He looks surprised and agitated all at once,

"Stop this! Both of you. Whatever it's about, is not important... were safe now and Jacob needs us in the library, let's go!"

I yank my fist away, leaving before my anger turns to hurt and I do something stupid like cry. I think the reason it got me so mad is that I may have feelings for Austin and I do think he would reject them. I picture last night, a few points during I caught the disgusted, almost painful look on his face... and when he pushed me off of him. My cheeks heat with embarrassment. God, I was such a horndog. I'd be disgusted by me too. He probably said all those nice things just to keep me in the mood, doing his part to keep me alive.

Jacob shows up not long after and deals with the commotion. We're all gathered in the library and the room is silent. When Jacob walks in, I see his expression. I know the news is going to be grim.

"I'm sorry I failed you all, it's my fault."

The painful statement gets my attention. I discreetly look at Austin as he hangs on to Jacobs every word and action.

"I set a meet today to tell you all, I uncovered the identity of the organization and a foggy picture of what they're doing, or I guess intend on doing. I also unearthed the head of the snake, so to speak."

He looks at me, Rosa, and Jace.

"You three are a true species in a manner of speaking just with a few genetic tweaks. On a side note, due to current circumstances, I've sent a team out to locate Everest. He's not safe alone."

Okay, I kind of already figured that on both accounts.

"They're organization is an undercover agency gone unnamed but funded by UNPF. For those of you that don't know what that stands for, I'll spell it out. United National Paranormal Forces: I dug up that dirty little secret. Which means I can eventually find more information. Think of it like an area fifty-one situation, the highest of top secrets. They gather species and replicate them in hopes of creating useful robots to do their bidding. Weather it be a spy, decoy, soldier. You name it. I was supplied with a name, Robert Hume. I'm told he's the big shot that makes the calls. There's more, the big guy with the scar, his name is Cain Boyd and he's on their team, Voluntarily... This is a big operation guys were going to have to tread lightly and do our research before we retaliate."

That I wasn't expecting. I guess that's why we couldn't find Cain. Austin is the first to talk,

"So this was them?"

"Yes, this was a warning. I believe they are telling us they know that we've found them and to back off."

Austin looks angry, and I can see him plotting.

"So you know where they are?." He continues.

"Yes," Jacob stares him down with an unspoken warning. "But that is useless at the moment. We can't walk into something prepared without knowing how to prepare. We need more, solid and detailed information. Numbers, backgrounds, layouts, schedules, as much as we all want to even the score and put a stop to this. We need to know who we're fighting. In this situation we've only got one shot."

Everyone looks dire, and I get it. This is the beginning of a long battle. My problems do feel small at the moment. Which doesn't make Rosas treatment any more acceptable, but her statement is true. Maybe a part of me is jealous of the time they spent together. Even in the kitchen they seemed close. Are they an item? Am I the intruder? Is that why she's so angry? Shoot, here I go again focusing on petty problems when I've got a doozy right in front of me.

Grayson has been talking to Jacob, and I missed half the conversation off in my own head. He and Elliot are on recon again with Austin and... and me?

"What? Are you sure I'm ready for this?" I squeak. Jacob smiles reassuringly, but I'm not feeling it.

"Absolutely, it's just simple stuff, no danger, I promise. You will be watching Cain from a secured location, completely undetectable. If he leaves, you can place these nifty little things inside."

I gulp, so the guy that ripped John's head off, the same John that kept me captive, easily overpowering me and I'm going to be spying on the guy that popped John's head off like the head of a dandelion from its stem? The guy that is on an opposing team and probably wants me dead or something worse? Yeah, no biggie!

I'm not liking this!

Grayson reaches across and rubs my shoulder,

"Don't worry if anything goes wrong we'll protect you."

I hear a snarl on my opposite side, Austin is staring at Grayson, his hand jumps back immediately and I give Austin a confused look that he ignores. What was that about?

Jacob clears his throat,

"Okay guys, we got a lot of work ahead of us, get busy! Tally your with me I'll meet you in the data centre, I need your computer skills. Austin? A word please? You too Rosa. The rest of you, I'll see you at dinner."

I walk out last, looking back at Rosa and Austin. I have no right to be nosy, but I can't help wondering if there's something more going on. My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. I shut the door and answer it on the way to my room.

"Hey"

It's Katie I'm surprised she's calling me I just saw her a couple of hours ago. Boy, do I have news for her.

"Is Jacob close by?"

"Sorta, but he's busy at the moment."

She makes a frustrated sound,

"you have got to talk to him! He sent two really creepy guys to our house to protect us and it's hurting Michael's ego, which in turn is giving me a headache."

Man, how do I say this so she listens?

"We got bombed! There is some serious shit happening I would take the help."

"Bombed?"

"Yeah like blow up bombed."

"Oh! I didn't know that... ok hold on, I'm going to go get Michael and put you on speaker."

"Wait! Katie?" oh God, I don't have the patience for this today. I laugh at her self-absorbed demeanour. No, glad your ok? Or that's terrible news. Was anyone injured? After ten minutes of silence, I start to think she forgot about me.

"Don't worry Amanda, it's all good they filled Michael in and now they're having a beer. I wish I could have stayed and helped out, but with the baby... and Michael needs his solitude, he was going crazy being around that many people. He says he's dangerous when he's irritable. Those guys Jacob sent? They're kinda creepy, their eyes are... weird. They seem nice, though. Michael says to tell Jacob thank you."

I almost tell her not to look at their eyes. I remember the night in the club and shudder. No need to think about that, they're there for protection. This is one of the times I'm grateful for Katie's narcissistic tendencies. The way my life has been going, there's nothing I want to dwell on.

"Oh Amanda, it's so nice here! I want you to come visit me soon and ugh, I got morning sickness today. It was terrible... How are you? Are you doing good with your... changes?"

"Yeah, I'm great! Never better. I've actually noticed I've gained like super strength." It's not a lie, technically it's all true. I just omitted my emotional state and the physical pain getting to this point. I tell myself she's pregnant, no need to stress her, but I know I mainly just don't want to think of anything that's happened in the past couple of weeks. Katie never gets stressed.

"That's great Amanda I knew everything would work out. I'm sorry I've been such a scatterbrain, I know I've been pretty self absorbed. Everything changed and I feel like I can barley keep up. Now with becoming a mom... I just want you to know I love you."

I can't help it, tears spill over my pooling lids. I really needed to hear that. There's so much I want to say, but I just can't say it.

"Don't worry about it, I get it. I haven't been myself either. I love you to Katie. You take care of my niece and don't stress about anything."

"Easy peasy! Talk to you soon?"

"You bet!"

I message my mom and let her know I'll be busy with my new job, but I'll come visit soon...