"Anger is an acid that can do
more harm to the vessel in
which it is stored than to
anything on which it
is poured."

~~Mark Twain

****************

~Nova~

Anger sparked in my chest as I glared at our once-upon-a-time enemy who seemed completely nonchalant about the fact that his psychopathic father was coming after him. I couldn't help but question if our trust was misplaced in this man.

"Wait… what do you mean he knows where you are?" I asked, doing my best to keep my anger in check.

Torch opened his mouth, but it was Michael who answered.

"It was a possibility with the ritual but I wasn't positive it would happen," Michael said, guilt coloring his words.

"What was a possibility?" August asked pointedly. 

Michael sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face.

"With magick like that, a ritual that powerful, it can leave a trace," he explained, squinting his eyes at Torch with uncertainty. "It doesn't always but it can. I don't sense anything but if Balthier has a witch powerful enough, it's possible that he or she was able to trace the energy, especially if they started at the site."

"Of course, why wouldn't that be the case?" Nevada grumbled sarcastically with a shake of her head. "Is there anything this guy can't do?"

"He can't raise the dead," Torch responded with a shrug. "Well, he can turn people but that's not the same."

"Oh, well, as long as he isn't fluent in necromancy," I retorted, irked at the entire situation and how quickly everything continued to escalate. "Okay, so Balthier is on his way. What do we do?"

"First, we need guards in the woods," Reyne answered as he pulled a large map onto the table and spread it out. "We need them in every direction, even the Braelyn border because we don't know where he'll be coming from."

"I would say at least half of them to scout the woods and the other half can stay back to help prep the second wave," Robbie added as he leaned on his hands to study the map.

"You guys will need to get new gear," Elijah informed us, eyeing the weapons strapped to our bodies. "The weapons are fine but I've got some tactical stuff that will really come in handy."

"Alright we'll take care of that after we leave here. What else do we know?" August asked.

"I sent someone days ago to search for anyone that may have survived the attack," Alana answered, sadness clouding her violet eyes. "I haven't heard anything and they haven't returned either so…"

August nodded but words weren't necessary. We all knew what the most likely outcome was whether we ever found out what truly happened would be another story. The whole territory was most likely a war zone especially without anyone to keep them at peace.

"We have everything he wants," Torch announced, arms crossed over his chest as he looked at Nevada and I. "If he actually comes, we have all of his demands in a neat little bow."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Michael asked defensively. 

"It means, we have the prophetic children and the pieces of the God Stone," Torch explained slowly as if we were dense. "It means that everything he's been searching for is right here, easy for the taking."

"The hell it is," I snarled, my distrust growing stronger.

"Relax, young prince," Torch drawled. "I didn't say we would just hand you over. I only meant that if he knows it's all here, he'll try that much harder to get it."

"Wait, we don't have everything," Nevada cut in, brows furrowed. "All we have is Nova and I, and the two quartz pieces."

Rosalyn spoke up for the first time as she shook her head. "That's not true. We have four stones and Balthier has the main talisman."

"Four?" August inquired with a frown.

"I have one," Torch said as he revealed a necklace hidden beneath his shirt. It was a jagged green stone attached to a thin, black cord by wire twisted into celtic knots. "It's the moldavite and I took it from some panthers years ago. My father never knew I had it."

Rosalyn held up her left hand where a small silver ring decorated her ring finger. In the center of the band was a polished black stone. "And I have the Onyx."

"Isn't that your wedding ring?" Robbie asked skeptically. 

"Yep," she acknowledged with a sigh. "Your grandfather gave it to me thinking it was just a family heirloom, nothing particularly special."

"How romantic," Elijah drawled, clearly disinterested. He quickly veered away from the story. "So, the apocalypse has come and we hold the triggers in this shitty little room? Great."

"Sarcasm isn't going to help," Dominic growled. "We need a plan, and more than just scouts."

Elijah studied the screen on his phone, his jaw clenching slightly before he spoke. "It's nearly dark which means we'll have my vampires to help as soon as dusk falls."

"We'll do the same with them," Reyne informed him with a nod, looking back at the map. He pointed to several locations and said, "We'll send them here, here, and here. The others will watch the areas between while the rest stay behind and help gear up."

"Fine, but don't expect them to behave," Elijah conceded, ignoring the irritated look from Reyne. Elijah switched his attention to Michael, dismissing the Alpha without a second thought. "Warlock, I have a handful of witches that you can work with. Maybe between your magick and theirs we can set some traps or something."

"You want me to work with witches?" Michael asked incredulously. "That sounds like a horrible idea."

"Why?"

"Because witches aren't particularly fond of warlocks," Michael answered as if it were obvious but Elijah just smirked.

"Don't worry, my witches love everyone except humans and they don't necessarily hate humans either. They just think they're boring." Elijah smirked again but there was no warmth in his eyes, only carefully banked anger. "They're friendly enough, don't worry."

"If you say so," Michael replied nonplussed.

His eyes met mine, a kaleidoscope of colors swirling together as he attempted a small smile. I felt my own lips quirk when I realized how uncomfortable he was and I could almost see his desire to flee. 

My own nerves were chafed raw, everyone's emotions crashing together in a chaotic jumble and I could only imagine the thoughts pouring into my friend's mind as the group continued to argue back and forth. Michael glanced erratically around the room, his gaze switching repeatedly to the door as his fingers tapped on the table.

"Holy fuck, would you stop that?!" Reyne snapped, startling everyone into silence as he glared at Michael from the opposite end of the table. 

Michael froze mid-tap and stared wide eyed at Robbie's twin before crossing his arms and mumbling a halfhearted apology. A frustrated growl left Reyne before he took a deep breath and looked at each of us.

"Is everyone clear on what's happening and what their job is?" he asked impatiently. 

"My father won't stop until he has what he wants," Torch told us all before any of us could depart. "He'll use every resource at his disposal to get his hands on these pieces to complete the talisman and will stop at nothing until the two of you are under his thumb."

The anger that had been simmering in my veins burst to life once more at the remainder, burning like acid as it roared back to the surface. My eyes met Nevada's and I was momentarily taken aback by the blazing fury that resonated in the emerald pools.

"I dare him to try," she gritted out, the calm but vicious tone calming my own inner storm as I watched my baby sister in awe.

When she looked back at me, I smiled. "He'll never survive the glitter bombs, little sister."

●●●●

We were an hour away from sunset and the camp was growing restless. It was only a matter of time before the vampires joined the rest of us, waking from wherever they went to ground. With each minute that passed, we knew that the danger continued to grow closer. 

Robbie had gone with his brother after the newest brand of our war council had ended while August had gone to help Dominic with… whatever he was doing. Honestly I had zoned out during part of that, knowing my main concern was not dying or getting captured. 

"I smell food," I commented as Nevada and I walked towards the collection of tents stationed behind the cabins. "I'm starving."

"I think I see a table over there," Nevada replied, changing direction and leading us through a close batch of tents. "But you're always hungry, Nova."

"Not lately," I admitted, briefly acknowledging my appetite hadn't been up to par as of late. 

"I know what you mean." Nevada shrugged as she glanced at me with a grimace. "Better to have something on my stomach if I end up puking, right?"

The sound of a crying child drew our conversation up short as we got closer to our destination. At the front of a table filled with plates of sandwiches and bags of chips, among other quick to eat items, a blonde woman had her back to us as she knelt in front of a little girl. The girl couldn't have been more than six or seven, dark brown hair and dirt streaked across her face. She sniffled as she listened to the woman speak, tears leaving tracks in the dirt on her small cheeks.

"Don't listen to those boys, Sasha," the woman cooed in a soothing voice. "They're just jealous, baby."

"But Johnny said my eyes were ugly, momma!" Sasha cried, fresh tears running down her face. 

"Wanna know a secret?" the woman asked in a conspiratorial tone. Sasha nodded eagerly and immediately calmed as curiosity took over. "Boys pick on the ones they like."

"Ew, gross!" she squealed, slapping her hands over her ears before running away.

The blonde laughed as she stood to watch the girl's retreating form, still unaware of our presence behind her. Normally, children wouldn't catch me off guard because I'm aware they exist, obviously. What was strange was the fact that we were all here and on the verge of battle, and there were kids present on the sidelines? What the hell was going on?

As the woman turned and revealed her face, a gasp of shock came from Nevada.

"Oh my gods!" she exclaimed, gaping at the woman. "Mia?!"

"Nevada, hey!" the woman, Mia apparently, replied with a wide smile as her face lit up. "Wow! Jazz said you would be around somewhere but I wasn't sure if we would run into each other or not. I mean, it's a bit crazy right now."

"Yeah… not exactly the ideal time for a reunion."

I looked between the two women, aware that the name Mia sounded vaguely familiar but I couldn't place it. I suddenly felt like I was completely lost and out of place as I struggled to figure out what was happening. Who was this woman and how did she know my sister or Jazz, Reyne's beta? And why the fuck were there kids here?! Looking at the woman again with narrowed eyes, I realized another unique and dangerous aspect.

"I'm sorry," I interrupted, not remorseful in the least, "but who are you? Also why are you here if you're pregnant? And what the fuck are kids doing here?"

I fired off questions like word vomit, ultimately uncaring if anyone was offended or if I came off as rude. It didn't matter because I knew my points were valid and if I was expected to protect these people with my life, literally, I felt that I deserved to know what was going on. Maybe my temper was shorter than necessary but, again, I didn't care.

Mia looked from Nevada to me and back again with wide eyes, shifting uncomfortably on her feet as a hand unconsciously rested protectively atop her belly. Did she think I would attack her or something? I fought the urge to roll my eyes and crossed my arms instead, lifting a brow as the silence dragged on.

"Mia, what's wrong?" Nevada asked with concern.

The woman sighed and ran a hand through her hair before letting her eyes wander the camp around us.

"Packs are either falling entirely or breaking down," Mia finally answered, her voice so quiet that we had to lean in to catch the words. "The kids are refugees and under my care. I'm only here because Jazz doesn't trust my safety when I'm too far from him."

"I didn't know you already had a daughter?" Nevada commented, looking in the direction Sasha had fled.

"She's not mine," Mia replied, shadows haunting her hazel eyes.

The drone of a helicopter silenced anything else she had to say, their conversation disappearing into the background as I watched the machine descend. Without a goodbye of any kind, I left the two behind and quickly made my way back towards the parking area. I rounded the corner of the first cabin as it landed in the gravel, all the vehicles removed earlier to leave plenty of empty space. Just as I suspected, Robbie was already there, standing beside his brother with a hard expression as he eyed the helicopter with distrust.

Rocks crunched under my feet and the air whipped around me as the blades spun. Under any other circumstances, I would have envied my mate but as it were, I couldn't help but think that he shouldn't go up. Our luck hadn't been the greatest lately, disaster seeming to lurk around every corner. Pushing it seemed like a horrible idea, but the decision had been made and I knew he had to go. It was war and we weren't supposed to like the things that went along with it.

"Where's Torch?" Reyne shouted over the thundering machine. "Bastard better not have tucked tail!"

"He's with gran," Robbie shouted back as I stopped beside him. "I just saw them."

Reyne shuddered and shook his head. "Well, he better hurry up! We need to get this done!"

The sun was nearly set, darkness quickly falling which meant they should have already been in the air. It would be dark before they got back and hopefully it wouldn't be for nothing. The anger that seemed always present these days, threatened to come to the surface as I imagined every worse case scenario. Just the possibility that Robbie may not come back, or that we could be separated for any length of time, it twisted my insides and ate at them like acid.

Robbie met my eyes, instantly sensing the shift in my emotions and I couldn't help but fall a little harder when he pressed a gentle kiss to my temple and rested his lips beside my ear.

"Nothing will keep us apart, Nova," he promised, the world around us seeming muffled and far away as I closed my eyes. "The gods gave you to me for a reason and not even Hades can destroy us."

I forced myself to nod, hoping it was a promise he could keep because I knew in my bones that I would die before I lost him.

"I'll burn the world if that's what it takes," I whispered in reply, unsure if he would hear me. The smile I felt against my skin told me he did, filling me with warmth even as he stepped away.

"Alright, let's go boys," Torch shouted to the twins as he walked past us to the helicopter. "Burning daylight!"

"Says the guy that was late!" Reyne yelled back angrily but followed nonetheless. 

Robbie sent one last smirk my way before climbing inside and strapping in. I watched until it was almost out of sight before I turned away, nearly walking into Rosalyn in the process. 

"Ah, what the hell?" I yelled, unsettled by her unexpected presence. She didn't answer as her gaze stayed on the retreating helicopter. Scowling, I stepped around her. "Okay, be weird then. I need to find Michael and my sister."

"Take this," Rosalyn spoke up, halting me in my tracks. I turned back to see that she was holding out two walkie talkies. "Michael and August have one, but you'll need to keep this one on you at all times and Nevada too. We need to be able to stay in contact with each other no matter what happens tonight."

"This is going to end in disaster if we aren't careful, Rosalyn," I growled, snatching the two devices from her hand. "There are innocent lives here, not just fighters. I saw children and a pregnant woman and I don't know how many of either are actually here. We can't go to battle and be here to protect them at the same time!"

"Then, I guess we'll have to win," she answered coolly as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Gods, you're delusional," I said in disgust. "This isn't a game or a party of all your dead friends, or at least we aren't dead yet. Lives are at stake, Rose, and no one even bothered to mention the fact that children were here! They're running around like it's a vacation while we get ready for war. It's bullshit and you know it!"

I spun on my heel, unable to look at her any longer. She wasn't an ignorant woman by any definition but she was completely irresponsible and so was Reyne when they decided not to tell us. If I'm laying my life on the line, I need to know everyone that will be behind me if I fall. I was no older than Sasha when my hands became drenched in blood, forever altering everything and destroying precious innocence I would never get back. And now these kids, these babies, were in front of me and could very possibly be forced to make the same decision if I failed.

Nausea roiled in my belly as I stormed through the camp, unsure of where I was going but knowing I needed to do something or go somewhere. Spotting Nevada, I dropped the walkie talkie in her hand and kept going without bothering anything more than a demand to keep it on her. I heard her call out to me but I ignored it. My mind was racing and I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up or explode.

I stomped past a storm cellar, the doors wide open and a man I didn't recognize standing beside it as if on guard. Another nameless woman was herding children from a small playground down the stairs, Little Sasha among them, their soft giggles and young voices filling the air and echoing off the underground steps. It did nothing to calm me, only increasing my anger and the knots in my stomach. 

Violence was coming and these tiny people were going to be in the middle of it if we failed to protect them. My mother hadn't protected me all those years ago, only encouraging the darkness slithering through my veins. That wouldn't be their fate, not if I could help it.

Night had fallen, stars peppering the sky as a cool breeze spread through the camp. I climbed the small plastic tower, my long legs stretching down the slide as I tried to reign in my emotions. Shadows zipped through the camp, sporadically at first but then became more regular and it took me a moment to realize the vampires had come at last. 

With all parties now present… the countdown could begin.

********************

A/N: The end is nigh! So so close to the end of Book 3!!!! Who else is ready?

It's going to be a heart stopper if I have my way, or so I hope.

Let me know what you think!

XOXO🖤❤🖤❤

~SM~