Makaela's feet were killing her.

She was still tired from the day before and trekking through miles of forestry was only increasing her fatigue. Everyone else seemed to be exhausted as well. Even the two Nightling siblings were slowing down. They kept moaning and grumbling about being 'starved for human flesh'. 

Apparently, they needed it to replenish their energy.

Makaela had always thought Nightlings just fed on humans because they could. She hadn't thought they actually needed it. She wondered what other things the siblings could teach her about herself.

As they moved through the forests, Amora jokingly told the Nightlings they would feed them the bodies of any magician hunters they came across. Emile scolded her every time. Makaela didn't even want to think about them. While she had never had an altercation with hunters before, she knew what they were like.

They called themselves the Children of Eden, but they were the opposite of heavenly.

They were the real monsters. Hunters killed innocent magicians and magical creatures across the world, inspired by their own irrational fear and hatred for things they didn't understand.

Makaela wasn't opposed to having Adair and Sybil eating them if they did come across a few, but she feared none of them were in the right state to fight off any hunters.

Dorian was the only one who didn't seem to be dying of hunger or exhaustion. She figured it was one of the perks of being a werewolf. He seemed to have boundless amounts of stamina.

But even he wouldn't be able to take on a whole platoon of hunters should he have to.

Makaela was certain it wouldn't come to that, though. They were close to Vashara, one of the largest magical cities on the planet. There was no way any Children of Eden would be anywhere near them.

The group walking through the dense foliage, panting and wheezing as they went on. Makaela thought Brazil was hot, but the South American country had nothing on the forests of South Africa. Her black Shade robs had been shed hours ago. It was currently wrapped around her waist, collecting droplets of sweat falling from her nose.

Amora and Emile had done the same. The escaped Nyghtmir prisoners kept on their tattered jumpsuits, as they had nothing else to wear.

Ahead of them, Adair chased after a flock of birds. He barked and screamed at them as they tried escaping his wraith. He managed to snatch one into his claws and began eating its tiny carcass. Feathers and blood decorated his mouth once he finished.

Makaela stared at him in a mixture of awe and disgust.

"Animal." Sybil turned her nose up at her brother.

"What?" Adair asked while wiping his lips. He tossed the dead bird to the ground like it was a piece of trash. "I was hungry."

"Shut up," Amora ordered. "Who knows who's in these forests?"

Makaela arched an eyebrow at her. "You don't really think there are hunters out here, do you?"

She shrugged. "You never know. They've got people all over. We can never be too careful."

"She's right," Emile said. "It would be in our best interests to move as quiet as possible."

Makaela nodded slowly. She then decided to ask the man about the Children of Eden. She never understood how they were able to fight—or even kill—magicians without possessing any magic themselves.

"No one really knows how," the man started, "but along time ago, they discovered a way to siphon vitalae from artifacts, or even magicians themselves, and repurpose it for their own weapons and items. Whether it be armor, swords, or even guns, they're all enchanted with magic."

Makaela shook her head in disbelief. "That makes no sense. How are they able to that?"

"Hunters have been around for centuries," Dorian said from next to her. "My pack has come across them multiple times. They're as ruthless as we are. And that's saying something. They're crafty. Resourceful. Members of my pack once said they captured a magician and tortured them until they revealed a method of repurposing vitalae for their own needs."

She shuddered at the thought of one of her own being tortured by those heathens.

He glanced at her, his brows furrowed in concern. His red eyes focused on her as they walked. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

He didn't look convinced.

Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze from him. He seemed to be able to see her moods—almost like how she was once able to view people's auras. His dog-like senses were going to make it impossible to get anything past him.

Maybe I should get him some treats or a toy to distract him.

The thought made her giggle.

Dorian shot her a skeptical look, probably wondering why she was laughing at nothing. If he asked, she would just blame it on muggy jungle air getting to her head.

"We should kill these hunters," Sybil said suddenly. "They have caused everyone too much pain."

Amora chuckled darkly. "Didn't you and your brother murder an entire village?"

Sybil barred her fangs at the girl. Nearby, Adair wrapped his arms around himself and squeezed his eyes shut. Quiet mumbles left his lips as he trudged forward.

"You know nothing," Sybil insisted. "Only what others have told you."

"Then enlighten us," Amora said.

"Our parents were murdered by hunters. We were peaceful there, only living off of animals and the occasional criminal," the girl explained. "We tried our best to stay hidden and out of the way. We weren't a threat to anyone."

Adair's expression soured. "But then the bad men came. They called us demons. Monsters." He angrily wiped his eyes. "They're the monsters." He angrily wiped his eyes. "They're the monsters."

Sybil rubbed his back lovingly. It was the first time the girl had acted like a big sister to her brother.

Makaela shifted her gaze away from them, suddenly feeling extremely awkward and a little sympathetic. She hadn't even considered the fact that, while they were monstrous demons, they had feelings as well. And by the sounds of their story, whether true or not, they hadn't been terrible people.

"They broke into our home," Sybil continued. "Our parents made us hide beneath the floorboards so we wouldn't be seen. We did as we were told. The hunters demanded to know where we were, as they had received word there were supposed to be four of us. Our parents told them nothing.

"They were outnumbered and couldn't perform magic. I still remember the sounds of their bodies hitting the floor. Their blood spilling on the floors." Sybil wiped her own black eyes. "They set our house on fire. Burned it to the ground. We barely escaped."

"So much fire. So much fire," Adair whispered to himself, his eyes wide as if it all were right in front of him.

Makaela fought off her own tears. Their story sounded too similar to her own.

Thorian had murdered her parents just like how those hunters murdered theirs.

Weeks ago, she would've done anything to bring him to justice. And, deep down, she still wanted to. Even if she was on his side, he would never be forgiven for his actions.

But she knew her parents forced his hand. If they hadn't been in the way of his progress, they might have lived that day.

They died for nothing.

She wouldn't make the same mistakes they did. They couldn't see the big picture; her father wasn't willing to make the hard decisions Thorian was making. That was why she had joined him.

He was going to save magicians everywhere. He was going to make this world better for them all.

Scowling, Makaela refused to let her welling tears fall. Dorian watched her quietly.

"Well...that was depressing," Amora finally said.

"Next time, don't assume," Sybil told her coldly.

She held her hands up with an air of sarcasm. "My mistake."

The group continued to walk, now moving in silence as an uncomfortable quiet settled around them like a thick, sticky fog. It enveloped Makaela, pressing against her chest and amplifying the swirling thoughts in her mind.

When the sky started to darken and the sun set over the horizon, she nearly cried tears of joy. It was still warm, but a nice breeze was beginning to seep through the leaves of the trees. It caressed and kissed her dark skin.

The day was quickly fleeting. Soon, the distant stars began populating the night sky. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight.

"You like the stars," Dorian told her.

She nodded.

"Me too. Your eyes remind me of them. Bright and golden."

"Those stars above are white and blue, Dorian. I don't see any gold."

I guess you're right." He pursed his lips. "I was trying to give you a compliment."

"I know." She smiled at him. "I'm only teasing."

"Oh." He shook his head at her. "Haha, very funny."

Ahead of them, Adair whined about how his legs felt like lead. He kept asking Emile for a break, but the man simply replied with "we've already taken three breaks". The rest of the group laughed as the young Nightling sulked like a child.

Makaela turned to Dorian, as he had gone quiet over the past couple of minutes. He had stopped behind them, his features scrunched together. His brows were furrowed, and his nose twitched every few seconds.

"What are you doing?"

"I smell people in the area. I can almost hear them as well. They're close."

Her heart dropped.

She faced the rest of the group, who were leaving them behind. "Guys!"

Amora and Emile stopped first. They turned around, the former appearing to be extremely annoyed.

"What?"

"I think there's—"

Her warning was cut short by a bolt snapping followed by two screams.

She and Dorian bolted over to where Adair and Sybil were. The Nightlings were no longer standing on the grass and fallen leaves of the forest. They had been strung up into the air by a thick, mesh net. Twigs fells to the ground as the snare swayed in the breeze. The twins tried using their sharp claws and teeth to tear through it, but the net wouldn't break.

"What the hell?" Amora gawked at the trap.

"This isn't good," Emile said, tone cautious. "This is a hunter's trap."

Makaela's heart raced at his words.

"That's what I was trying to tell you," she said. "Dorian smelled them in the area."

The werewolf nodded. "They're close. We need to get out of here. Quickly."

Emile thought for a moment. He then gestured above them at the Nightlings. "We've got to get them out of there first. Amora and I will work on cutting the net. You two, watch the area for any of the hunters."

Makaela and Dorian nodded at the man.

The two Shades ran over to the intricate snare hanging in the trees and began casting a joint spell on the net, encasing it in bright, green light. Slowly but surely, the thick strands of string began to deteriorate.

Makaela stood with her back towards them, her eyes scanning the forest. Dorian did the same, his head on a swivel. Around them, the bushes began to rustle with movement. Dorian growled in the direction of the noise.

Uh oh.

More bushes moved, the slight outlines of people becoming visible in the dark. Makaela's entire body went rigid and she raised her hand, preparing to speak a spell into existence.

She was too slow.

Something whistled through the air like an arrow.

Shortly after, a sharp yelp filled her ears. Makaela turned around to see Amora collapsed on their floor, her body as still as a statue. A dart stuck out of her neck, the veins in the affected area turning black.

Another whistle sounded.

Emile dropped next, his hand clutching the metal dart protruding from his throat. His hand trembled as he pointed it at Makaela.

"Go!" he managed to shout. "Go!"

Makaela stepped towards him, opening her mouth to say no, but Dorian stopped her by snatching her hand and pulling her with him.

She reluctantly ran behind him. Tears stung her eyes as she watched people emerging from the shadows. Some of them took off sprinting towards them, which only made Dorian go faster.

They weaved through the trees, checking over their shoulders every couple of seconds. Makaela stayed right on Dorian's heels, making sure not to fall too far behind. By the sound of the thundering footsteps and shouts behind them, the hunters were still hot on their trails.

"Come on!" Dorian barked over the noise.

She didn't have to be told twice.

As she prepared to speed up, Dorian skidded to a stop in front of her. Ahead of them stood a man in a dark green shirt and heavy cargo pants. A malicious glint crossed over his eyes. A silver crossbow was poised in his gloved hands.

The hunter grinned. "I've got you freaks now. Don't move or I'll shoot you down."

Makaela froze. She quickly scanned him and spotted the brand on his neck. He was a hunter, a member of the Children of Eden.

Dorian stopped moving as well, but she could tell he was planning something in his head. He growled at the hunter, who had begun to approach them. Off in the distance, the sound of the man's compatriots grew closer and closer. If they didn't do something soon, they would surely be captured with the rest of their group.

"Boss is gonna love this," the hunter said while retrieving a pair of zip-ties from his pockets.

Dorian's lip curled into a snarl. His red eyes darkened. He kept his eyes on the man. "Makaela."

She arched an eyebrow at him.

"Run."

"I'm not running—"

"Run. Now."

The piercing glare he gave her nearly made her knees buckle.

Gulping, she nodded and slowly backed up. The hunter averted his aim to her, his finger dangerously close to the trigger of his crossbow.

"Not so fast." As he prepared to fire his weapon, Dorian lunged forward and shifted midair. The hunter cried out in surprise as the huge wolf landed on top of him.

Not wanting to see the man get mauled, no matter how much he might have deserved it, Makaela took off running with the notion that Dorian would be right behind her.

She had been right. After the echoing screams from the hunter had been cut off like a light switch, Dorian caught up to her in seconds. Blood dripped from his furry muzzle and his red eyes burned with hate. He dipped his head, motioning for her to get on his back. She did as she was told and climbed on.

They took off through the underbrush, hopping over fallen logs and skirting through narrow openings between tree trunks.

Dorian only stopped after she declared they were a safe distance away from the site where the hunters appear.

She dismounted from his back and placed her hands on her knees, her chest heaving. Her mind was buzzing with fear, adrenaline, and a million different, terrible thoughts.

Dorian transformed back and wrapped her into a hug. "Everything will be alright. Calm down."

"How can you tell me to calm down?!" She pushed him off, tears stinging her eyes. "They just ambushed us and captured our friends!" The tears spilled down her cheeks and she hiccupped, the panic constricting her chest and throat. She wrapped her own arms around herself and sank down to the floor, burying her face in between her knees.

Dorian let out a deep breath. "We will get them back. I promise you that. But first, you have to calm down. We can't make any decisions while you're freaking out. The only way they're going to get rescued is if we stop and think this through."

Sniffling, she wiped her nose with the back of her hand and nodded. "You're right." She nodded, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down. "Sorry."

She trembled slightly and Dorian took her hand. She squeezed it gently, giving him an appreciative glance.

"I have a plan," Dorian said. "But it's not going to be easy."

Makaela sighed and rubbed her glossy eyes.

Nothing was ever easy for them.

"Now," he told her. "Listen up."