''I could never do that. No one's death is worth my happiness,'' she whispered and shook her head in denial.

She took her hands away from the witch and let her fall to the ground.

''You have killed hundreds of people. One more death on your list. Kill the right person and say those words. . . .''

Laurel could hear the voice of the witch as she was telling the spell that would end her misery, but she didn't want to. How could she kill someone she loved? Why could she not be happy without consequences or more death? She was tired of seeing people die around her. She was sick of eating with death every day, and yet, her fate was tied to it.

''Laurel, we can't do that. It's not right. Maybe there is another way.''

A tear escaped from her eyes.

''I don't know what to do, Lyra. I feel so tired. This stupid bond is becoming stronger every day. We are preparing for a battle. What if I die? What if he dies because of me?''

More tears started running on her cheeks, and her lips parted slightly in sorrow. Her hands were trembling, and she felt paralyzed like a statue.

''One step at a time. Let's get out of here. You will find a way. I believe in you,'' Lyra tried to soothe her, but it was pointless.

The wolf understood that Laurel was right. The two of them observed every day their body. At first, it was a few scratches. Then, they would get every hit James had. When Charles shot James, Laurel had felt the impact of the bullet, but only had a small wound. What would happen if someone tried to kill her?

''You are right. One step at a time.''

She wiped her tears and glared one final time at the elder witch.

''Leave, Huntress. I don't want to feel your pity. And I don't need your help.'' She had stopped trying to cover her ears.

Was she accepting her death? Or was the guilt too much to stop it?

''I will take care of your people,'' she responded and looked at her for the last time.

The path till the door was clear from the fire with a switch of her wrist. The house was ready to come apart and turn into a tombstone. Physically and emotionally exhausted, she started walking. Suddenly, she had felt her shoulders heavier than before, the burden in her heart growing and tearing her apart.

She got outside moments before parts of the ceiling crashed. A hole was made, and soon the whole building would collapse, only for a memory of it to survive.

''Oh, Laurel! What happened?''

''What are you doing here, Asher?'' she asked with furrowed eyebrows.

The young vampire stood a few meters outside the house, dirty and full of ashes.

''Tyler picked me up. He texted me about the fire, and I told him I wanted to help. But that's not important.'' He waved his hand as if trying to shoo a fly.

''You shouldn't be here.''

''Laurel, what happened?'' He put his arm on her shoulder and tried to make her look at him.

''I'm stressed. Don't worry. I have handled worse than a fire.'' She faked a smile. ''Come on, let's find the rest of the pack.''

A couple of hours passed when the fire started subsiding. Laurel had used James and Asher as her power sources and had gained enough energy to put out the greatest part of the fire. Out of 560 witches, according to a witch high in the hierarchy, only 45 were saved. Most of them died in their sleep or were trapped under the wreckage. A few, unlucky women burned alive, and their burned flesh mixed with the burned wood and created a sultry feeling.

''I don't know how many years it will take for the woods to be revived again. I can feel the earth crying. I found a few burned animals. It's a shame, what rage can do to innocent souls.''

Laurel was in James' arms, silently watching their pack helping the witches and bringing water from the river. He was hugging her tightly, soothing her, and murmuring soft words in her ear. That was all she needed: his hug and his calmness.

''We will do everything to revive the forest. I promise.'' He kissed her on the hair and tightened his hug, trying to take away a part of her sorrow.

Finally, the sun rose, filling the sky with shades of heliotrope purple, cornflower blue, and magenta. The zephyr blew gently, sending the charcoal ashes away. A new day had come radiating hope.

A woman in her late 40s neared Laurel and James. She wore a pine, green dress and her velvety cinnamon hair fell wildly on her shoulders.

''Huntress, Alpha,'' she greeted them and bowed slightly her head in a sign of respect. ''My name is Ada, and from this day on, I'm the leader and the ambassador of my people. We will always be grateful for your assistance, and I want you to know,'' she said and looked at Laurel, ''that I don't agree with any of the beliefs of the previous leaders. I want us to live peacefully. I have no intention to perpetuate an animosity established centuries ago by ancestors with obsolete convictions.''

A faint smile appeared on Laurel's face.

''We share the same wish. We should focus on our similarities and our love and duty to this earth and its people.''

It was Ada's time to smile. Her eyes shimmered and lightened her dirty from the ashes face.

''In new beginnings and,'' she hesitated, ''to a prosperous friendship?'' She extended her hand toward Laurel.

She considered for a few seconds the proposal. Ada seemed reliable and honest. Her eyes reflected her soul, and her soul looked pure.

Laurel extended her own arm and shook Ada's firmly.

''You are welcome to stay in our pack until your village is built again. Our people will welcome and help you,'' James offered.

''Thank you, Alpha. I appreciate your offer.''

James was about to add something, but Alan stopped him. He was running holding a mobile phone that ringed unstoppably.

''Luna, your phone was in the car. One of the men heard it ringing, and I was afraid it might be urgent.'' He handed it to her.

''Thank you, Alan. Excuse me,'' she said to Ada and, taking the phone, walked away. James rushed to help a werewolf that tried to lift a trunk too heavy for his young age.

Laurel stared at the screen. Tim's name was bright and clear on it. She tilted her head in confusion. What would Tim want so early in the morning? He knew that she wouldn't attend any classes that week. She touched her forehead and, following a tiny voice that whispered in her head, picked it up.

''Hey, Tim. What happened? If you are wondering about the classes-''

''Laurel, listen! Sara's missing.''

''What do you mean. . .? She must be somewhere. Did you check our room?''

''Yes. And before you ask another thing, listen to this. We searched the library, the café, the common rooms. . . She's nowhere. Maggie texted her, but she hasn't replied to any of our messages since yesterday. On top of that, she's not answering the phone. You were my last hope. Have you seen her since yesterday?''

Laurel tried to think. Many things happened in the past days. She hadn't seen her since the dinner night in the pack.

"No, I haven't seen her since the day before yesterday. I had a busy day, and we didn't talk yesterday either.'' She shallowed in uneasiness. Was Sara in danger?

''Is there a chance she's with Asher? He's not here either, and lately, they were spending time together,'' a small hopeful voice said.

Laurel looked up and saw Asher in the opposite direction lifting and carrying wood.

''He's here with me. Tim, I'm worried. Sara doesn't do those things. She doesn't leave without informing.''

''I know. We can't go to the police yet. They'll say it's normal for a woman of her age.''

She smiled. Of course he knew that. The detective side of him knew every detail about police and its protocols.

''Okay. I want you to keep searching. Maybe she went to help someone and forgot to send a message. You know Sara. She wants to help everyone. I'll see what I can do. If any of us has news, then we call.''

''Sounds like a plan,'' he agreed and ended the call.

She didn't have time to gather her thoughts or get scared of Sara's disappearance when her phone buzzed again. Zach's name appeared on the screen.

''Zach, it's not the right moment.''

''I don't care what you are doing at the moment. What I have to say is more important.'' His tone was stern and imperative. He rarely used it.

''Okay.''

''You need to come here. Now! I figured out what your mother wants. I know her plan.''

''How?''

''Not important at the moment. Come to Thomas's house now. I need to show you something. Laurel, she wants to do something terrible. Death is coming, and I believe that she has already picked her targets.''

Small dots of thoughts lightened in her mind. She hoped that they never linked.

''She's going to sacrifice four people. One for each of the pillar species. Vampires, werewolves, witches and-''

''Humans,'' she ended his sentence with wide-opened eyes as the realization hit her.

The dots had linked. Sara was abducted.

Who was next, and who would survive?