After Kasparov came back into the house, everyone was silent.

He looked at my dad with a panicked face. "She's gone."

My dad nods solemnly. "Where did she go?" He asks, his voice barely a whisper.

Kaspar shrugs. "I guess I'll never know. She got a weird phone call and now she's gone."

Kaspar pulled a chair out from under the kitchen table and sighed. "Let's focus on Fiona. She's in danger. Connie is fine."

My mom softens her eyes. "It's alright, Kasp."

Zachariah runs up to me like he just noticed I was there and threw his arms around me, clutching on to me like I was his life source.

I hugged him back, picking him up. "Hi bud." I cooed.

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not six, anymore."

I shrug. "Pshh. I don't care. You're still my little bud."

I set him on the floor just as Dallas wraps me in a hug. "I though you died." He muttered into my hair. "I was so scared."

I closed my eyes. "I'm fine. And I killed Colin Gold, so... that's something."

Why was I still defending him? His family killed Felix. While I believe he had no part in it, it still was his family.

But he said they weren't up to anything. Maybe he didn't know? Maybe he did know and he was lying to me.

I'll have to ask him tomorrow.

Dallas nods, releasing his hold on me. "Yeah. That's good."

My dad sets his hand on Kaspar's shoulder. "Me and you can go to Ireland tomorrow morning."

"How do you know it was Clay?" I ask, feeling stupid just asking the question. They have to have some way of knowing.

Kaspar shrugs, surprisingly. "We don't. But he's the only one I can think of who would do something like that."

"But we helped his family. With... Colin." I say.

Kaspar sighs. "I mean, you killed his son."

I bring my eyebrows together. "Yeah, but there's no way he made it to Ireland that fast."

My mom wipes her eyes, sniffling. "I'm not letting you guys go to Ireland by yourselves. Whoever took down Felix, Moira, and Fiona has to be experienced."

"Send me." Dallas says, taking a deep breath. "I'll go with them."

"I was gunna go with Terrance and Connie but Connie isn't here so... yeah. Come wi—" Kas was interrupted.

My dad cuts off Kaspar. "No. No, Dallas. You are not coming. And neither is Connie. Dallas you need to stay here to take care of Everly and Zach. Miranda, I know you want to go with us. Connie will come back and when she does nobody will think of attacking this household."

Kaspar glares at my dad. "Brother. That has to be the worst idea you've ever had."

My dad nods. "Miranda is right. Whoever this is, whether it's Clay or not, they're obviously strong enough to take down Felix, Fiona, and Moira. We'll have a better chance if we have a third person go with us. But I will not take my son, or my daughter, or my niece."

Kasparov sighs, deflating. He knows my dad's right.

"I don't want to leave our kids. Get somebody in Europe to—"

"Miranda. This is on us. This is our daughter." My dad looks at me and smiles. "They'll be fine."

My mom shakes her head slowly. "I'm calling someone." She insists anyways.

"Do not. They can take care of themselves!" My dad yells, gesturing to us. "Everly killed Colin Gold!"

My mom narrows her eyes. "Exactly! You think that doesn't have repercussions?" She slaps her hand against the counter, creating a large dent. We'll have to fix the counter. Again. "I'm not leaving them alone. I'll go with you two, but I'm calling someone to stay here with them."

My dad rolls his eyes. "Fine. But I'm just saying, they'd be fine."

My mom's eyes water but she doesn't cry. "That's what I thought about Fiona."

***

My parents and Kasp left later that night, an emergency one way ticket to Dublin, Ireland.

They called in a family friend, Kora, to come stay with us.

Apparently, she's be bringing her two year old daughter with her and her human husband.

Great. A Baby-sitter.

It's not like I'm twenty or anything. But then again, 20 seems like a two-year old compared my dad's 200 years.

I didn't wake up bright and early the next morning like I normally did. Although, that wasn't the only odd thing, I saw Zachariah sleeping on the floor next to my bed with Dallas sleeping next to him. I smiled at them, shaking my head.

"Wake up goofballs." I said, chuckling to myself.

They groaned as they got up, shaking their blonde head. "What time is it?" Dallas yawned.

"Nine am." I said, laughing.

They both looked at me like I was asinine. "I'm going back to bed. Wake me up when hell freezes over." Dallas throws his blankets over himself, laying back on my floor. He never was a morning person.

Zach, however, was. He stood up and wobbled himself to the kitchen. I followed him into there, ready to get something to eat.

My phone began ringing once I got there and I quickly answered it, a spark in me hoping it was Colin.

"Hello?" I asked. I didn't recognize the I.D and a little part of me screamed at me for answering.

"Is this Everly?" A man asks with a heavy Australian accent.

I nod. "Yes, this is her. Who is this?"

"This is Noah," He responds. "I'm Kora's husband."

"Ooh, okay. Yeah. Do you need a ride from the airport?" I ask.

"Eh, yeah. Would you mind?" He asks.

"No, no. Not at all. When will you be here?" I grab a pencil to write down the times.

"Well, according to this ticket, we'll be there around 19:10." He's silent for a moment. "It's a long flight." He adds.

19? Oh, twenty four hour time. "That's fine. I'll meet you down there tonight then, yeah?" I ask. What is 19... seven?

"Sounds good. Thanks mate." He hangs up the phone leaving me chuckling to myself. Mate.

I set my phone on the counter next to the dent that hasn't been fixed yet, and begin making breakfast.

The entire time of waiting to go meet up with Colin killed me.

I just needed to see him. Just to get our plan together so I could deal with not seeing him. Because right now, not seeing him was killing me.

I took a deep breath and finished up the bacon and eggs.

Dallas swooped in and stole a piece of the bacon, chuckling as I slapped his shoulder.

"Don't touch my bacon!" I yelled, glaring at him.

"You're telling me? Look at Zach!" I spun to see Zach shoving three pieces in his mouth. I slapped his hand away but it was too late, the little heathen ate it all.

I turned back to eat what bacon I could when I realized there was no bacon left. Save for the one piece in the pan. Dallas grabbed it, holding it between two fingers.

I glared at him and suddenly he wasn't laughing anymore.

"Run?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Fast as you can."

He smirks as he raises his fists. "Come at me little sis. We both know I don't run from an easy fight."

I hold my fists, mirroring him, and smile. "Yeah. It'll be easy for you to lose."

He snorts, eyeing the last piece of bacon. "Winner gets bragging rights and bacon?"

I nod. "Sounds good. Loser gets their ass kicked?"

He nods. "Better call 911."

"Oh my god, just punch each other already." Zach said, sitting at the counter looking bored. "I need my daily Keeping Up With The Dawns."

I rolled my eyes, smiling and felt a hard punch hit my jaw, knocking me side ways.

I looked up, gripping my cheek. "Did you just."

Dallas nodded, smiling smugly. "Yes. I did..."

"Point one Dallas." Zach said.

"Oh you wait, little bro. I'll be laying into your ass soon enough." Dallas said, sniggering.

Zach rolled his eyes. "Okay."

I swiped at Dallas's face but he dodged it, swiping his body to the side.

He tried to hit me once more, but I ducked down and grabbed his leg, pulling up, knocking him onto the floor.

I kicked his rib cage, earning a laugh mixed with a groan.

He grabbed my leg, pulling me down next to him.

He rolled on top of me and hit my jaw, clicking his tongue at me.

"I was down, sis, don't let your anger overwhelm you. Stay back, attack smartly." He said, putting his arm to my neck.

I threw my arm up and pressed my thumbs to his eyes, making him jump off of me.

I stood once more, squaring my fists.

He faked a punch to my face and kicked my ribs, knocking me into the stove top. I spun and hit the side of his head, but right after doing so he grabbed my hand.

He brought me down and kneed my stomach, sending pain all through my abdomen.

He did it again before I could gain the upper hand by biting into his thigh and pulling.

He rammed me forward and pushed me up against the wall, his arm on the back of my neck.

I struggled to move and I even tried to kick behind me in hopes of kicking any part of him but it was useless.

I used all my strength and pushed backwards, practically kicking myself off the all and ramming him into the counter behind us.

He wrapped his arms around my neck and I started seeing black spots immediately. I twisted my head to the side, allowing myself small breathes.

I grabbed his arm and threw myself forward, throwing him over my body and onto the floor once again.

I pressed my foot on his throat and leaned down quickly to get ahold of his arms.

"Check mate, big bro." I say, releasing his arms and giving him one last punch to finish it off.

I stood up and brushed my hands off, reaching for the last piece of bacon, only to realize it was gone.

I looked at Dallas who shrugged painfully. "That was good sis. You're just lucky I woke up early." He didn't have the bacon.

I looked at Zach who swallowed the last bite of his bacon. "A wise man once said, 'Be so subtle that you are invisible. Be so mysterious that you are intangible. Then you will control your rivals' fate.'" Zach smiled at us. "C'mon now, don't get mad at he who stays silent and gains the prize. Be mad at he who fights you and takes your attention away from the real threat."

I look at Dallas who nods and together we run at Zach and grab his arms.

He screams and kicks, but it's not doing anything. My body was sore, yes, but not sore enough to stop fighting. I'd always have energy for a fight.

We pushed him against the wall.

"You're just mad because you guys got outsmarted by a twelve year old." Zach says, rolling his eyes.

I smile and nod. "Yes. Yes we are."

I wet my finger and smile at his scared face. I shove my finger in his ear as he squirms, crying and groaning.

Dallas pulls up his underwear, giving him a wedgie.

We drop him on the floor as he cries and wipes his eyes. "You guys are mean."

"Never hate the one who beats you in battle, hate that you joined it in the first place." Dallas says, tipping an imaginary hat. "Now, I have to go to work, but I'll see you guys when I get home." He hugs me goodbye and then looks sadly at Zach. "Love you little bro." He ruffles Zach's hair and Zach smacks Dallas's hand away.

"I hate you guys." He mutters, storming to his room and slamming the door.

I shake my head at him, feeling bad for how I treated him. I walk quietly to his door and knock on it. "Did you quote The Art Of War?" I ask, finally realizing where I head his quote from.

"Yes, but only the first part. Second part was all me." He says, sniffling.

I smile against the door. He was so smart, especially for a twelve year old. Our mom always said he would think with his head and win with his strength. He and Fiona took after mom while Dallas and I took after our father. All violence, relying on others for strategy. Bad, I know, but I couldn't help being who I was.

"Ya know, mom says you think with your head and act with your strength. For me and Dallas, she says we think with our strength and use our head as weapons. Literally. I'm surprised we don't give ourselves concussions from how much me and Dallas head-butt." I chuckle to myself.

I look at my watch noticing I still had an hour before I had to go meet Colin.

"Okay. Do you want me to admit that I'm the weakest one in the family?" He asked, opening his door. "I get that enough from Uncle Kasp."

I sigh, shaking my head at him. "That's not what I was saying. Uncle Kasp is an idiot. As of right now, you're weaker than us. But only because you're twelve, not twenty. Uncle Kasp is like four hundred years old. He doesn't remember what it's like to be small. But I do, I remember Fiona kicking my ass when I was your age. I remember Connie hanging me over the balcony of a four story house by one ankle. Zach, you're weak now because you're young."

Zach shakes his head. "Dad even said he was stronger than I was at this age."

I bend down to his level and bring him to my chest, hugging him. "I get it. You're mad because all of us went on our first observation hunt when we turned twelve and you didn't. I'll take you sometime, how about that?" I ask.

Zach's happiness level raised a hundred bars. "Really!?"

I nodded. "Oh yeah."

He hugged me tighter. "Thanks, sis."

I ruffled his hair and he smacked my hand away, like he always has. "Anything for my favorite little bro."

I looked at my watch and pursed my lips.

I couldn't leave Zach here. Not alone. "Wanna go hang out with Connie?" I ask, raising my eyebrows and giving him a wild smile.

He shakes his head wildly. "No! She's going to want to bully me into doing something I don't like or want to do! Last time she painted my nails and did my makeup!"

I smiled at him. "Please. What if I gave you ten bucks?" I ask.

He scoffs. "You better make me rich if you want Connie to watch me. And I have question I want answered. One, where are you going. Mom said we couldn't leave the house unless we were dying and even then see if we could stop ourselves from dying here. And two, didn't Connie go AWOL last night?"

I grab my phone. "I'll give you forty. That's ten bucks an hour. And I'm calling her right now."

I dial up her number and she answers almost immediately. "Can't take this call right now, in the middle of something. NO!" She yells to someone. "They didn't call me yet, it's just my little cousin! Yeah, Miranda's daughter!" She sighs. "What?" She snaps at me.

"Can you take Zach for an hour?" I ask.

"But you said fou—" I placed my hand over Zach's mouth and glared at him, shaking my head.

He nodded and I let go of his mouth.

"No. Where is everyone else?" She asks, intrigued by the convo.

"Dallas is at work, Kas and my parents are in Ireland, and Kora is coming to babysit but she doesn't get here until seven. Look, I just need you to take him for an hour." I bite my lip, wondering what I would do if she wouldn't take him.

I would leave him with the neighbors, but we're in lockdown and I definitely don't need Zach being taken on my watch.

My family would never forgive me.

"I can't ta—"

"Connie please. I really need—"

"No! I'm like seven hours away and I can't just— shut up back there!" I listened to the back and heard someone say Alpha. Wolves. And there's only one pack she ever talks too.

"You're in Sovereign Pack Territory aren't you?" I ask, smiling to myself.

She freezes. "No."

I nod. "Oh yes you are. Come get Zach or I will call your dad myself and tell him exactly where you went to."

She is silent before she groans. "I'll be there in thirty minutes. I'll have to bring him back here though. Make sure he keeps his mouth shut."

I hang up and silently dance in my place. "Connie's coming to get you." I say, nodding. Before he can reject me, I continue talking. "You're going to be spending some time with the werewolves. You can't tell anyone though. If you do—"

"And risk Connie's wrath? Heck no. Is it Arlis and Chleo?" He asks, drawing his own conclusions.

I snort. "Yeah. Who else?"

He bites his bottom lip. "Kasparov won't like this when he finds out."

I widen my eyes at him. "Do not say anything you little snitch."

He shakes his head. "I'm not. But Kasparov always finds everything out. Whether you want him too or not."

Sadly, he's right. Again. Why is this twelve year old always right?

"Are you okay with going to see them? Last time you met Arlis and Chleo you were a baby baby." I ask him.

He nods. "Don't tell dad, but I've secretly always quietly admired them. I met one once, with dad. It feels good being around them."

I nod, remembering the feeling that I no longer have around them. "Yeah, you'll grow out of it. Literally. When you turn twenty and you choose your supernatural you'll stop feeling that."

"What if I become a werewolf?" He asks. "I mean, I want to be one. That would be so cool!"

I shake my head at him. "That's not how choosing your supernatural is buddy, or natural if you're a human which you aren't."

He tilts his head at me. "Then how does it work?"

"From when you're born until you're twenty, you are nothing. You are an undecided body. You hold no species. And remember that those undecided bodies ache to be something. You have the chance to change your blood until you're twenty. We, are Hunteds, if we don't change then once we hit twenty we will always be Hunteds. If we try to change our blood type after, we become weak hybrids. If you're below twenty and you ask a werewolf, or a Hunted, or even a Hunter to change you into them, they can, and you'll be a full blood. When you go to meet the werewolves, your body will ache to be one of them. This will affect you around the werewolves more because they are more natural than us or the Hunteds. They will reject you of course, because they know where your heart really belongs." I say, nodding. That sounded good.

"So if I ask you to change me into a Hunted, I'll be strong like you and fully grown already? CAN WE DO THAT! Do i—"

"What? No. It just changes your blood type so when you become twenty that's what you turn into." I say, sighing. "Don't worry about it. You don't want to be a werewolf, that's just your undecided blood pushing you to want to be something. Even if a werewolf changed you, you would still feel like you don't belong anywhere. Trust me, buddy. Once you hit twenty and your family bloodline sinks in, because being a supernatural or a natural is still hereditary, you'll feel better about yourself. Even Dallas felt like he was weak."

"Really?" He asks, a little more hopeful.

I nod. "Oh yeah. I once caught Dallas crying because he didn't know what to do with himself."

Zach laughs just as the front door opens.

I spin to defend ourselves, but it was just Connie with a girl standing next to her.

My eyes narrow at the girl.

"Who's that?" I ask, nodding my head to the girl. She looked familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint where I had seen her before.

"You heard about the wolf attack, right?" Connie asks, bored.

I shake my head. "No. I was kind of busy killing Colin and helping to console my mom over Fiona."

Connie sighs. "Sovereign and Damarion are on rocky terms right now. Word got out that there was a teenage party and this girl happened to be saved by the Alpha of Sovereign. Great, right?"

I shrug. "I guess. Hey, do I know you from somewhere?" I ask her.

She nods. "School."

"Ah. I hate that place. Luckily we only had to spend thirteen out of our hundreds of years in that place, am I right?" I wink at her and when nobody laughs I sigh. "Whatever. Never mind. I just need you to watch Zach while I uh— I have a umm... thing."

Connie narrows her eyes at me. "I'm two hundred years old. I know when you have a secret, Everly."

I groan. "Okay, I'm going on a date. Can I go now?"

Connie wrinkles her face. "TMI. Wish I wouldn't have asked. I'll take him for an hour, but that's it. And you owe me, big time!"

I nod, smiling at her. "Thank you thank you thank you. I'll see you in an hour."

We wave goodbye and I leave the house, smiling to myself.