During my twenty years of life I have seen some horrible things. I've seen demons that survive only only by feasting on newborns. Demons that rip their victims apart limb from limb while they are still alive. Demons that keep their victims alive for weeks, just so they can watch them suffer. I have seen things that would send any normal person over the edge. Shit, things that have caused even some of our most skilled hunters to turn ship and leave.

     Now, with that being said, it is safe to say that the man standing before me is one of the few things left on this planet that actually scare the living shit out of me.

     Aryn Weathers. Founder of the New York quadrant of The Movement. Demi and Marcus's father. The man who once told Kristoff to "put a blade in its heart for the safety of everyone around." It being me of course.

     To cut him a bit of slack, I had almost just drained the life out of his only daughter. The situation had gotten out of hand real fast. I was five at the time and barely in control of when and who I pulled from.

     It was an accident...the whole almost killing Demi thing. Aryn, Marcus and Demi had just gotten back from a trip to Europe and were unaware of my being there. Kristoff, having been too busy trying to console Aryn over the loss of his wife, had forgotten to mention my situation. He had forgotten to warn them that, should I have a nightmare, no one was to come near me.

     Demi had wandered into my room, drawn there by the sound of my crying. She was only trying to comfort me. I wasn't aware that I was even pulling from her until Aryn jammed a flaming hot iron poker into my shoulder. He had shown up just in time to stop me from killing her. Marcus had healed her but the damage had been done. When it came to me Aryn would never see anything more than the creature who almost killed his kid.

     Being the amazing person that she was, Demi had forgiven me almost instantly. Kristoff had explained my situation, and who he believed my father was, and Demi had brushed the entire thing off. She was the first person to suggest to Kristoff that he train me. That he turn the horrible thing I was into someone who could be used for good.

    Marcus avoided me like the plague for years. The fact that he went with his father back to Boston had made that plan easy for him. He returned years later, still golding that same old grudge. It was ultimately that which lead to the start of our relationship.

     Kristoff was determined to make us work as a team. Between my ability to kill anything I wanted and Marcus's ability to bring me back from the brink of death, it made hunting down rogue demons a simple plan. He sent us out one night after a fire demon who was terrorizing a hospital. Three hours, two broken ribs and the warm touch of Marcus's healing...there was no more anger left. Friendly lunches turned into quiet dinners which turned into late night visits to my room.

    Too bad things are a wreck now. Which probably explains the stone cold looks I am getting from Marcus as he stands next to his father, hands behind his back like picture of perfection Aryn expects him to be.

     "Makenna," Aryn greets. "Nice to see you are still with us."

     He does not extend a hand to me as he has the others. In fact, Aryn always makes it a point to stay as far away from me as possible.

     "Aryn," I return. "Nice to see you as well. I hope things in Boston are going well."

     He scowls. This is how his visits here always go. Uncomfortable silences and Aryn trying to pretend he doesn't want to light me on fire.

     "If they were I wouldn't be here," he replies harshly. "Now, if you do not mind, I have a meeting to attend. One in which I assume you will be joining?"

    I give him a quick nod as he moves past me, making his way towards Kristoff's study. I make sure to stay a good few steps behind him. I may be a bit on the rebellious side but, when Aryn visits, I always make sure to watch myself.

    "There were three more murders in the city last night," Aryn announces as we all take our seats. The small room seems crowded even though it is just Aryn, Marcus, Kristoff and two additional hunters. Jacob and Irie, Kristoff's second and third in command.

     "I was assured that the demon problem had been taken care of," he continues. "Demetria spoke with me over the weekend and informed me that her and Makenna had located the demon behind these murders. That he had been taken care of. Imagine my surprise when not even a week later there are more dead girls. I spoke with the coroner, the murders were carried out in the same manner. All were tortured and their hearts removed. Care to elaborate?"

     "We believed the problem was taken care of. Demi...umm...Demetria and I followed protocol. We stalked the demon and found a connection to each of the victims. He was present at the scene of each one and was seen with them hours before they turned up dead. We returned to Kristoff with the information, were given order and carried them out."

     "Then why have the killings continued?" he demands. "Is it possible that you were wrong?"

     "No."

     Aryn frowns, turning a concerned eye to Kristoff. Kristoff clears his throat and begins to read through the paperwork Aryn has places onto the desk.

     "This paperwork states otherwise."

     "We were not wrong," I argue.

     "Kristoff, your thoughts on this?" Aryn probes.

     "I trust Makenna's judgement," he replies. "She and Demetria were very thorough. I reviewed all of their evidence before making the call to terminate the demon."

    "Then we have a bigger problem," Aryn says. "This means that the increase of demon activity in the city is no coincidence."

     "You think they're looking for someone?" Marcus finally breaks his silence.

     "Yes," Aryn confirms. "I have spoken to my men in Boston and they confirmed it. We went through all the murders in our city over the last few months. We reached out to the others and they did the same. It has been happening in cities all over the US. Same type of victims killed in the exact same manner. Only now it seems they are now only focusing their efforts here, which leads up to believe that whatever or whoever they are looking for is here."

     My stomach turns and Ash's words from this morning swirl in my head. Me. They are looking for me. All these people, these innocent people, are being killed because of me. Because of what I am. What I am supposed to do.

     "How do you suggest we approach the situation?" Marcus questions.

     "I will be returning to Boston tomorrow. I will return on Monday with some of my best hunters. We will double up on patrols. From this moment on protocol has changed. All rogue demons will be captured and brought back for questioning."

    "Is that safe?" I ask.

     "Are you questioning me?" Aryn asks suspiciously.

     "No sir." I correct myself quickly. The last thing I need is Aryn deciding to take a special interest in me. "I am just worried about the safety of the others. Some of these demons can be dangerous."

     "I believe my instructions were clear. For now we will put a halt to all patrols and raids. Kristoff, pull whatever men you have out there. Bring them back. Focus on training. Make sure everyone is caught up on their demonology. We will start begin our search when I return."

    This is not good at all. If Aryn starts bringing in demons how long will it be before one of them tells him what's going on? Even worse...how long until one of them recognizes me.

"You two are dismissed," Aryn addresses Marcus and I. "Oh and Makenna, I think it would be best for you to stay as close to the house as possible."

"I'm on lockdown?"

"No," he replies. "You are free to come and go as you please. But should you have to leave, take Marcus with you. I am assigning him as your protection. You will be a valuable asset in this fight and I would hate to see something happen to you."

Marcus grits his teeth next to me, obviously just as unhappy with the news as I am. I give Aryn and Kristoff a quick node before exiting the room, now even more desperate to find a phone than I was earlier.

A/N: hey guys! And welcome new readers! Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to vote, comment, follow and show this chapter some love! Also, never hesitate to send me a message. I've gotten tons this week and have officially responded to them all!!!