This is a book of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

Kindle E-book First Edition

Copyright © 2011 by Constance Sharper
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permissions.

Dedicated to all of those who made my life and this book so much easier: Sandy, Bill, Devon, Rebecca, Nichelle, and Judyta -- you guys rock...

Grounded

Constance Sharper

One

The warehouse burned hot with thick billows of black smoke crawling along the ceilings and red sparks bursting from the corners. Breath

held tight, she struggled forward. Her feet felt like lead but her painfully slow progress still brought her to a door. With no other exit in sight she
reached for the scolding metal knob but never got the chance to turn it.

A sound suddenly alerted her to someone approaching from behind. She whirled around to face the intruder. The person’s figure remained

distinctive even against the flickering shadows. Splays of dark hair hung over his black eyes that fixated on her retreating figure. The man’s sturdy
shoulders showed faded scars and bulky muscles, and his bare chest sufficiently revealed the sharp blade strapped to his side. Massive grey
wings affixed to his back made his already tall stature barely fit within the crumpling hall.

He was calm, as if the building collapsing around him could topple everyone else but leave him unscathed.
“I trusted you.” He hissed, darkly intent on his focus. “I trusted you and you betrayed me.”
“It’s not like that. You don’t understand.” She held her hands up but the platonic gesture did nothing but put her at a disadvantage.
“Don’t make me fight you.” She warned but he continued to advance towards her. The building let out a guttural moan, the red flames licked

their way closer, and the berth between them rapidly disappeared. The knife freed from his belt, he came ready to attack. She had to make the
choice. It was either him or her who got to live. And she was going to choose herself.

The shocking cold suddenly woke her from a dead sleep and Avery Zane shot up in her bed. The real world returned to her and she found

herself in her dimly lit dorm room. The last fragments of her confusing dream rapidly slipped away before she could grasp them. It was then she
noticed the figure standing in the shadows.

“Mason!” She gasped, eyes taking in his tall lanky form pressed into the dorm room corner.

She noticed the open window next—no doubt where he’d climbed through—that let the snow and cold wind blow in. She sprung free from her tightly
wrapped sheets, fought with the blowing curtains, and slammed the window shut.

“Are you nuts?” She whirled on him next. “What if someone sees you?”

Mason came forward, eclipsed in the moonlight and looking as stunning as ever. He dropped his thick parka to the ground allowing his massive
white angel wings to shake out freely and strode up to her bedside.

“Your roommate is gone. I watched her leave.” He said unconcerned.
Avery cast a quick glance across the room where the other twin bed sat empty. Usually her best friend and roommate Leela would have

been there and long asleep by midnight. Recently though, Leela had been out most nights.

“No excuse. Someone could have seen you climb in!” Avery hushed her voice and scooted so he could sit on the foot of her bed.
Mason shrugged. “Don’t care.”
She was sure he didn’t either. Mason was a harpie that was a race of creatures known for being prideful and vicious. Thinking he was above

“being caught” wasn’t farfetched behavior on his part. Rather than complaining, she only huffed quietly. Mason, on account of being banned from his
own society, had been staying with her the past few months at her boarding school. Avery knew it couldn’t be easy for him. Humans like her typically
didn’t know about mythological creatures like him so he couldn’t exactly spend much time socializing or even risk being on seen campus. Even with
his disguise, Mayweather Academy wasn’t big enough for him to exist inconspicuously. He was stuck hiding out in the forest and waiting around for
available time just like this.

“Are you cold?” She asked but naturally Mason only shrugged, usually undaunted by the temperature.
She had grown chilly though, thanks to the window trick earlier, and pulled the rosy comforter up on her bed to crawl underneath it.
“So what’s up?” She prompted him after finding a comfortable spot.

Green eyes focused on the distance, he took a moment of silence before saying anything.

“Avery.” Mason said suddenly. Not looking at her, he then continued with, “We have to leave your school.”
She went still.
“What?”
“We have to leave soon. This place isn’t safe.” He reiterated.
Avery let out a slow, practiced breath before she could overreact.

“It’s the last semester of my senior year. I can’t leave. I’m not.” It sounded too much like begging, and even though Avery knew he couldn’t

control the danger she wasn’t above pleading with the universe.

The first semester of her senior year—over four months ago now—Mason had shown up on her doorstep outing his entire race. It had turned

out that she’d picked up a magical harpie amulet and added herself to the hit list of every harpie thief in existence. The mere fact that they’d
survived the escapades that followed was miraculous but they didn’t exactly do it without making any enemies. Enemies that Avery and Mason both
knew would come back one day, but five months later seemed a little early for it. Plus, if she was uprooted again, she might never graduate and
Avery wouldn’t give that up willingly.

Mason didn’t squash her protests immediately. He sat quietly while wringing his long fingers together. After a moment, he leaned back onto

her bed even though all six foot seven of him wouldn’t quite fit. She stretched out next to him and had to ask the necessary question.

“Why do you say that now? What’s changed?”
“This place has never been safe. It’s unpopulated and in the middle of nowhere. They could attack us and no one would know the difference.

They’ve done it before.”

By them, Mason referred to two harpies named Mikhail and Eva. Both of who had been in a group called the Band of Thieves and were

notorious criminals. Mason didn’t use their names because Avery would shudder when she heard them. Just the thought of those two had been
giving her nightmares lately, but she still argued with Mason’s logic.

“That’s not why you brought it up now.” She sighed, knowing that he was avoiding talking about it.
Mason had the habit of knowing something that Avery didn’t.
The conversation lulled and Avery’s mind slowly began to drift. She could hear his steady breathing next to her and felt the heat radiating off

of him. The hint of feathers tickled her cheek and the musk of his grassy scent wafted over her. She rolled onto her side. Propping herself on her
elbow, she looked down at him.

The move was brazen on her part. Not only did it put their faces mere inches apart, it made her camisole night gown cling to the outline of

her body. She did it casually of course, knowing that she could feign innocence on this one. Mason wasn’t exactly “fair game” in the dating world,
but she wasn’t above giving him an opening. A few months ago they had made out and the sexual tension still lingered. Lazily watching her, Mason
didn’t seem bothered by the sudden closeness. Encouraged, she stayed put.

“How long can you stay?” She asked, really inquiring when Leela would be home.

He gave a sideways smile.

“Why, will you miss me?”
He reached out and touched her, the movement catching her momentarily off guard. It was only a friendly gesture but she blushed anyways

when he brushed her chin lightly.

“I’m not the one that crawled through the window and then into someone else’s bed.” Avery countered.
“Uh huh, tell me to get out then.” That shut her up quickly. She let out a frustrated groan, knowing he was just teasing her now. Maneuvering

back some, she gave up on pushing the situation and changed the subject.

“What do you think Leela is up to?” She asked.
“Not my friend. Don’t know and don’t care.”
“Don’t be like that. I’m worried. She said they were going to a party but she’s been acting strange ever since she got back. When Mikhail

bespelled her, did...” She tried to find a way to describe what exactly happened to Leela. She had been taken hostage by Mikhail a few months ago
and the harpie had used magic to snare her mind.

“Did she forget everything?” Mason finished the question for her, obviously knowing where the comment was going.
She’d been concerned about it for awhile. She’d never really been bespelled like Leela had and couldn’t understand how a week’s worth of

memories could just fade away. It didn’t seem realistic. Mason had repeatedly assured her that Leela wouldn’t remember what a harpie was or
anything that Mikhail might have done.

“Yea.” Avery nodded finally.
“I wouldn’t worry about it. Even if she remembered faintly, she’d write it off as a dream. People see what they want to see after all.”
He leaned forward and brought them significantly closer. She could feel his breath on her cheeks. Avery’s mind threatened to go blank. The

situation was tempting. She’d had a crush on Mason for quite some time now but never had the audacity to act on it. He added to the fiery
confusion by giving her mixed signals and she often wondered if he wanted her to act on the pink elephant in the room.

Avery finally decided to give it a shot but before she leaned in to kiss him, Mason said something unexpected.
“Adalyn called me.” He said abruptly.
Moment shot, Avery sprang back with no regard.

Adalyn was technically Mason’s fiancé even though the relationship was on a temporary hiatus. Avery had thought that the relationship

between Adalyn and Mason had begun to dissipate, but apparently the harpie woman was still contacting him. Feeling gross now, Avery backed off
completely.

“And what’d she have to say?”
His eyes were downcast, reminding Avery that he was still hurting about this.
“She wanted me to come home. She said they’d lift the charges.”

A wash of complex emotions swarmed through Avery when she heard that and unable to hide them from her face, she sprung off the bed

and paced across the room. While this was good news and something she should be happy about, that also meant Mason would be leaving her. If
he returned back to his kind, there was also a good chance she’d never see him again.
Avery stalked up to the sink and splashed cold water on her face, hoping it’d help get control over her emotions.

“Is that why you wanted me to leave? If I go somewhere more populated then you wouldn’t have to worry about me?”
It sounded selfish, asking him to give up his life to be a body guard in hers, but she couldn’t help it.
“I should at least see...”

She sighed while dabbing her face dry with a fluffy red towel. If he really wanted to leave, he wouldn’t have been running the idea by her.
“You’re right. When are you talking about going?”She asked.

“Tomorrow.”
She whipped around to look at him.
“Mason, even if I could leave, I couldn’t leave by
then. And flying out tonight isn’t an option.” She’d at least need time to form a cover story.
“I know.” He slid off the bed and crossed the room to stand beside her. “I’ve asked one of my friends to drop by while I’m gone and keep an eye on
things.”
“What? Who?”
“You wouldn’t know him but he’ll at least have the wherewithal to keep you out of trouble.”
“I’m not worried about the danger. I don’t need a babysitter. And another harpie no less? Didn’t the entire harpie government just try to kill me not
too long ago?” It wasn’t a question since she already knew it was true, but Mason got the message.
“Not every harpie is out to kill you, Avery. And this is a personal friend of Adalyn’s so I know he’s cool.”
Avery’s mouth dropped and she struggled to find the appropriate response. She’d rather take her chances with Mikhail than one of Adalyn’s
friends. Adalyn had not so subtly threatened her life if Avery continued speaking to Mason. During the time Adalyn made that threat, everyone was
making blatant threats on her life so Adalyn’s bullying went mildly ignored. In fact, everything Adalyn did went completely ignored by Mason. It wasn’t
fair.
“No--No way!”

Whether or not he had something to add, Avery didn’t get the chance to find out. The door lock jingled and Mason turned, opened the

window, and slipped outside. Avery rushed to shut the window but Leela had already entered the room. The cold breeze slipped in and the room’s
heat slipped out. Avery froze, unsure if she should move after being caught in the act.

“What are you doing?” Leela’s eyebrows shot up.
“Nothing. Just letting out some of the stuffiness ya know.” Avery slammed the window shut and whirled to face her friend.
Leela was usually a mousy girl, petite with big brown eyes that spelled kindness. Lately though, she covered her eyes with thick black

makeup and lost the kindness in them. It was probably just the thing to do in senior year. Leela was big at the campus parties and maybe it was
expected of her. Avery just couldn’t help but see it as a red flag.

“I thought I heard someone talking.” Leela said.

Avery shrugged.
“I was on the phone a minute ago. Just Chase checking up.”

Whether or not Leela believed it was unclear but she nodded. The girl then crossed over to her bed and hopped on the mattress. It was well

past midnight and if they both didn’t sleep soon they’d regret it. Avery headed to fix her own covers, mildly annoyed to find that Mason had left a few
feathers in her sheets. She swept them under the covers quickly.

“Hey, I have a question for you.” Leela said after awhile.
“Shoot.”
“Do you ever have strange dreams?”

Avery flinched more than she should have. Forcing herself to act casually, she grabbed her pillow and stuffed it under her chin. Crossing her

legs like she was at a sleep over, she watched Leela.

“What about?” Avery asked lightly
“About a man and a book?”
Avery’s brow pinched. That didn’t sound like Mikhail. That sounded more like Jericho and his journal, but Leela wouldn’t know about that. It

was yet another harpie-related incident that should have long since faded from her friend’s memory.

“No. Why do you ask?”
Leela shrugged.
“Just wondering.” She said. “By the way, I’m going out with Nathanial on Saturday for whatever movie they’re gonna play. You should come.”
Avery, dumbfounded, agreed absently.

Two

“How about this?” Avery tilted her head while she examined her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Leela stood behind her and gave her a

thorough examination as well.

The blush Avery applied made her cheeks rosy and the gloss made her lips shiny and pink. She’d spent all afternoon beating her curly hair

into submission and with Leela’s help, weaving it into a high bun on her head. Bangs dangled to frame her face and her eyes looked huge from the
combination of black mascara and liner.

She wasn’t dressing up for any reason in particular but for some well needed bonding time with Leela. Since class took up her days and

Mason ate up her nights, she hadn’t gotten much of a chance to touch base with the girl. So far things had been running smoothly. After a little
gossip and makeup drills Avery’s fears about Leela began to fade away.
“Hmm. I like it.” Leela finally gave the thumbs up. “But you should lose the jacket. It’s ruining the outfit. It’s not even cold out!”

Avery rolled her eyes and pulled the black cotton snug around her arms. Inside the warm temperature didn’t exactly warrant layers but that

wasn’t the reason she’d taken to long sleeves. Awhile ago when she’d picked up the harpie amulet, it left a tattoo-like decoration up from her palm,
over her shoulder, and down to her waist. Though the mark had faded significantly, it still visibly marred her skin and would beg an explanation from
anyone who saw it. Avery had taken pains to hide it.
“I don’t know why I’m dressing up. I’m not trying to impress anyone.” Avery pointed out after one more look at the mirror.
“Your boyfriend?” Leela suggested, still on the track that Mason—someone she’d never even met—and Avery were actually dating.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Avery corrected quickly. “Besides, he’s not here.”
“Did he leave town or something? You should invite him. I don’t understand why you won’t let me meet him.” Leela whined.
She hovered next to the door, blocking the exit and jiggling from foot to foot.
“You can when you break up with Nate.” Avery offered, knowing it would end the conversation quickly and it did.

Leela gave her a short look.
“Nate’s waiting for us so be nice.”
“I will.” Avery said reluctantly. Nate may have been Avery’s least favorite person in the world-- even compared to Adalyn and Mikhail-- but she

tolerated him for Leela’s sake. They’d just begun dating last semester and despite Avery’s hopes, it seemed to be going well.
Leela opened the bathroom door and they both walked out.
As a boarding school, Mayweather Academy came equipped with everything that six hundred students sixty miles north of nowhere would need to
stay entertained. A decked out movie theater with stadium seating, surround sound, and free popcorn were some of those things. A recent
blockbuster would be showing tonight and the theater was packed.
It took considerable weaving to maneuver through the jittery crowd. They slipped through the tiny lobby and snaked around a cream colored hallway
to where the thick line began. Leaning against the wall, lingering in a wide empty berth, was Nate. He wore his classic leather jacket, short and
slicked back hair, and sideways smirk. His brown eyes lit up immediately but he didn’t let his facial expressions change.
“Leela.” He grinned to his girlfriend but only sent a passing glance Avery’s way. Walking up immediately, he wrapped his arms around her waist
and drew her in for a sickeningly wet kiss. After a minute, they finally broke apart.
“I thought it was date night. Why’d you bring her? I never see you anymore,” He asked Leela while holding onto her. Leela rocked backwards,
holding his hands but putting some distance between them to stop the overload of PDA.
“She sees you plenty.” Avery injected, though she’d asked her friend the same thing when Leela invited Nate.
“Bull crap. I haven’t seen her all week and I don’t like being ignored.” Nate snapped harshly.
Avery opened her mouth but hesitated when unable to find a quick retort for that. While any other time she’d relish the idea that Nate and Leela
failed to spend time together, she couldn’t understand where Leela’s time got burned up either. She never considered who Leela was going to all
those parties with but apparently it wasn’t Nate. That was probably the problem with being so high on the social hierarchy. Leela didn’t explain.
Rather, she squeezed Nate’s hands and gave him a careful, small smile.
“Tonight will be fun okay? Just chill out. Anyways, I think I’ll get us some popcorn. I can’t stop thinking about it with the smell in the air.” Leela said.
The atmosphere was thick with buttery popcorn and hot mozzarella sticks. A few breaths of it and Avery’s mind couldn’t think about anything else
either. Stomach churning with emptiness, Avery added, “I’m down.”

“Okay. I can get it. Stay in line or we’ll get busted for cutting again.”
Leela didn’t give room to argue, turning and disappearing into the colorful crowd without a look backwards. Avery wrung her hands for a moment
before inevitably having to face Nate. He gave her a dark glare when she did.
“You know, I put up with you because you guys are roommates but stay out of my life. I don’t need you telling Leela to stay away from me anymore.”
He stood at his full height, only five inches over
Avery and not that intimidating, but the body language was clear. She heard a hush fall over the other people in line. Despite knowing the crowd
could overhear, Avery didn’t forfeit the escalating argument.
“I can’t help it. You’re a jerk off, and she may not realize it now, but you’ll end up showing her your true colors.” Avery had once been with Nate
herself and knew it never ended well.
“No, I only treated you badly because you were a bitch.” His words cut deeply and Avery backed off for a second.
The crowd had fallen into silence, no doubt listening to their show down in the middle of the hallway. She didn’t pay attention to that. Memories
triggered, she recalled when she’d been with Nate. Granted it wasn’t as official as Leela and Nate, they still had something. Avery fell for the pretty
boy hard and he shoved it back in her face when he went out with somebody else. Eyes burning, she still remembered the heart twisting, heavy
emotion. Avery honestly had moved on, but hearing him disregard her like that wasn’t easy.
“Drop dead Nate.” She said, unable to conjure an appropriate retort to voice her rising frustration.
Nate opened his mouth but paused. Eyes darting behind her, he watched someone.
“Yea, I think the movie is going to blow too.” He said abruptly, his tone dropping into something polite but forced.
Avery only understood once she realized that Leela had returned.
“What are you guys talking about?” Leela asked lightly, offering the popcorn around with a circular motion.
“Nothing. Just about how pretty little Avery looks today.” Nate said, sarcasm dripping so heavy in his voice, it was painful to hear.
“You know, I told her to lose the jacket.” Leela said. Then in a second, it happened. Leela yanked the jacket straight backwards and it slid off of
Avery’s shoulders before she even had time to react. Shoulders and arms bare, Avery wrapped her arms around herself but the damage had been
done. The graying magical mark stood out predominantly against her lily white skin.
“Ugh, that’s hideous.” Nate spoke first and most harshly, his tone twisting with palpable disgust.
Cheeks reddening, Avery backed up, twirled to face Leela, and held out a hand to retrieve her jacket.
“Is that a tattoo?” Leela asked. Her brown eyes were glued on the mark and she dangled the black jacket absently in her arms. “Was the ink always
that light?”
“No and no. I mean yes. It’s just stupid. Gimme please.” Avery finally nabbed the jacket and immediately covered up her arms before she could
bumble more. That wasn’t a rumor she wanted getting around.
“You never told me about that! You’re supposed to tell me everything.” Leela insisted.
One look at Leela’s wide eyes and Avery knew her friend wouldn’t let it go.
“I’ll explain it later, okay?” Avery said. Well, she’d explain something.
The line finally began to move, a slow progression inside the dark theater. Avery backed up, about to walk when a body smacked into her from
behind. She whirled, ready to tell someone off when she froze. Before her stood a harpie. He was tall with wide shoulders—the biggest give away
about the species—and he wore a heavy trench coat to hide his wings. He had gold skin that shone too much to be normal and dark black eyes.
His hair was trim and short around his ears but it complimented his thin angular face. He looked over her and then gave her a blindingly white smile.
“Hey, you are a sweetheart. And here I thought I was getting roped into a crappy favor. This could work.”
Dumbfounded, Avery struggled for words. Finally, she caught on. Mason had said someone was coming to protect her. During Avery’s momentary
hesitation, Leela pushed around her and faced the stranger.
“Are you Mason?” Leela asked eagerly.
His dark eyes danced over Leela next, taking her in so blatantly that even Avery was embarrassed. Ready to end the situation, she didn’t let him
speak.
“No, he’s not.” Avery said and pushed him backwards-- no easy task when he didn’t want to move, but she managed to isolate him in a corner. The
line had continued to file inside the theater leaving the hallway mercifully desolate.
“Rough and pretty.” He grumbled when she gave one last shove that sent him smoothly into the drywall.
Bright pink now, she shook her head. Avery had managed to put a hearty gap between Nate, Leela, and themselves. Able to talk more freely, she
spoke quietly.
“You’re the new-- you’re Mason’s friend?”
The playfulness drained from his face and was replaced by a more serious and bored look. He folded his bulky arms over his chest and shrugged.
“Adalyn’s friend,” he pointed out. “But yes. I was sent here to be with you.”

Luckily he didn’t use the word “babysit” but he didn’t need to since it amounted to the same thing. Avery cast a quick glance backwards.

Nate, clearly uninterested, already began to walk for the movie’s red entrance doors. Leela hovered between the doors and the hallway, looking
between the two. Surround sound booming, the vibrations of the movie already beginning reached into the hallway.
“Look, I appreciate it but you can’t be here. People can’t know you are here.” Avery said.
He wasn’t a member of the high school-- in fact, he looked much too old to be in high school.
It wouldn’t take long for her classmates to put the pieces together and start asking questions. His eyes slid around like he was looking for a visual
explanation.
“How am I supposed to watch you if I can’t be here?”
“Look.” Avery stopped herself. “Just give me a second and go stand outside. Just outside.” She pointed out the window where a few benches
rested underneath a large pine tree. White snow piled on the concrete pavement but the weather had warmed and sitting outside wouldn’t be a
burden. His black eyes followed her index finger to where she’d indicated.
“I don’t want to. And you can’t make me.” He said shortly.
Avery let out a frustrated growl and the pressure behind her eyes grew.
“Please.”
He seemed to consider that. After a moment he smiled slyly.
“I’ll do it for the pretty girl then.”
Avery gratefully watched him go. Her headache had grown and her cheeks burned when he kept dropping the pretty girl statement. He wasn’t like
Mason-- that was for sure. Unable to mull on it, she turned and caught up with Leela.
The small girl vibrated with excitement and the dying need for a good bit of gossip. Brown eyes wide, she looked between Avery and the door

outside. Avery could hear it open and shut with a firm clack, indicating that the harpie was officially out of earshot.
“Who was that? And what was up with him?” Leela demanded to know.
“He’s just a friend that’s visiting for awhile.”
“While Mason is out of town? Wow, what are you doing?” She pressed a hand against her painted lips but Avery could tell she was grinning.
“It’s not like that. Anyways, I’m going to have to skip out on the movie. Nate will appreciate it.”
Leela shrugged, uncaring. She kept pressing for
answers.
“Okay. But will you tell me more about the new guy? I’m in the need-to-know.”
Avery glanced behind her. Outside the doors, he hovered by the benches. His wings twitched making his trench coat shake conspicuously as he
paced around the giant trees.
“I don’t know much about him myself. He’s just visiting while Mason’s out of town.”
Leela pouted but fell back a step.
“Okay, fine. Talk later?”
Avery nodded and then split off, hurrying outside to where the new harpie hovered. Luckily, the courtyard remained desolate. The air was chilly but
not too cold. Avery drew her cotton jacket around her shoulders.

He’d finally settled in the corner of the courtyard, head tilted upward toward the sky. The Northern Lights, vibrant colors, danced and twisted

in the dark sky. Usually too polluted by city lights to be visible, it was the first time they’d shown up in awhile and likely the first time the harpie had
seen them.
“This place is strange. It’s strange to really be outside again after so long.” He admitted after finally dragging his eyes away.
“It’s different, but you’ll get used to it. Look, I didn’t mean to make our first meeting awkward but humans aren’t too keen on the whole harpie thing.”
She stuck a hand out. “My name’s Avery.”
He eclipsed her hand in his own and squeezed.
“My name is Patrick. It is a pleasure to meet you.” He dragged out the word “pleasure” a bit too much. Swooping down, he shifted her hand and
kissed her open palm. In romance books, that gesture was endearing but in reality it played out a bit creepier.
Avery finally took her hand away and quickly stuffed it into her pocket.
“I didn’t have high expectations for this job. But now it seems like a shame that I won’t be able to stay here longer.” Patrick said.
Avery tried to ignore the continuous undertones. Rather, she focused on the first part of his statement.
“How long are you going to be here for?”
He shrugged.
“Two weeks tops.”
Relief washed through her body.
“Mason’s coming back in two weeks?”
A shadow flashed across his face but was gone before she could study it. His posture suddenly altered and he shifted foot to foot. The entire
change was small and virtually unnoticeable but something about it caught Avery’s attention. Concern mildly piqued, she waited for him to answer.
“I don’t like the snow.” He said, changing subjects. The white flurries falling from the sky had increased in number. Avery let the bad feeling go.
Instead, she jerked her head towards the center of campus.
“Come on. We’ll go inside.”

Three

Avery crossed the campus in a hurry with Patrick by her side. The wind picked up and the temperature had inevitably dropped. Students still

lingered by the marble water fountain and the wrought iron gates of her dormitory, Crepuscule Hall. Patrick already stood out and she didn’t like
attracting more eyes. Drawing the hood of her jacket up, she pointed him down the long staircase that led to the entrance of her home.
“Down there, to the left. The staff shouldn’t be around so we can warm up inside.” She said though strongly suspecting that Patrick didn’t care either
way.
Since they’d left the theater, his eyes picked out every aspect of the campus. He particularly seemed to enjoy the massive mountains in the back
drop and the green ivy that crept up the walls despite the frosty season. The place was extremely different from the harpie home base-- a place that
Avery had the pleasure of seeing a few months back. Where Mayweather Academy had bomb shelter worthy brick buildings, the harpie island had
tropical huts and little roofing to block out the sky. Where the harpies valued openness, Mayweather Academy harvested gates and locked doors to
keep them cut off from the world.
They made it down the steps in a hurry. Patrick’s long strides made Avery jog to keep up. They crossed over the lawn and reached the door. Inside
the halls remained silent and thankfully empty. Avery snuck in quietly but Patrick couldn’t manage to keep his mouth shut.
“What’s the deal with the gates? Are you guys locked in here at night?” His voice cut sharply through the silent halls.
“It’s not a prison.” Avery said while jimmying the knob. Patrick fidgeted oddly, despite what she’d said. Trying to force a reassuring smile, she finally
opened the door to her room, ushered him inside, and hit the light. The room illuminated and the heat pumped through the vents. Avery gestured to
the desk chair but Patrick sprung onto her bed. Folding his legs, he sat contently.
Avery knew Leela would be at the movie for at least a few hours so they had time to chill. Letting him have the bed, she sat by her desk.
Patrick suddenly spoke.
“So, what is Mason to you?”
Taken off guard, Avery double took.
“What?” She spit out as an instant reaction.
“Don’t stress. I’m not going to tell Adalyn.” He held his hand to his heart and gave her a sideways smile.
“I’m not worried about that. Mason and I aren’t anything.” She said immediately. She managed to keep her tone down but didn’t care to look at
Patrick anymore. Eyes floating toward the right, she spotted some overdue homework. Grabbing a pen, she began to write out a few absent
thoughts-- honestly anything to keep busy. She could feel his dark eyes flutter over her form and see his broad shoulders draw into his body.
“So you’re telling me he stays here with a pretty girl like you and you guys are just friends. Really really?” His tone remained high with some hint of

amusement and intrigue weaved into his voice.
Avery refused to look at him, hoping he’d stop if she continued to ignore him. She’d had people ask her a million times about her relationship with
Mason. She hadn’t grown used to it, just sicker of it. Scrawling on the paper, she gave the weakest and most unconcerned shrug she could.
“Really really.”
“Are you sure you’re not holding out to be something more?” He abruptly got off the bed and inched closer. So close, she couldn’t ignore him. Avery
finally looked up at his towering form.
“Why won’t you get off this?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to embarrass you, girl. I’m just trying to see if you’re available. I’ve been out of the game for a long time and now I’m testing
my options. Interested?” He smiled again, more slyly. Lowering his eyelids and giving her a stare that cut all the way down to her bones, he posed
his body forward until every one of his muscles became apparent against his tight shirt.
She didn’t need a psychology degree to do a quick evaluation of his character. Patrick didn’t know her but hit on her relentlessly. He even eyed
Leela in the theater with the same appraising look he gave her now. Major playboy, Avery decided, and she wouldn’t go for that type.

“Look, I think you’re getting the wrong idea here. I’m not, this isn’t-” Avery forced herself to stop and take a breath before she could stutter

more. “No thanks.”

“So you just don’t date. Saving yourself or just crushing on another guy?” Patrick was quick to question her logic.
More flustered than she would have liked, Avery turned away and kept at her paper. The black pen she wrote with began to dry up. Knowing

it wouldn’t last her another second, Avery stood and trashed the pen.

“Hey, I don’t know you well enough to have a moment here! Anyways, it’s neither!” She said to him, having to maneuver swiftly so she

wouldn’t bump into him.

Reaching for her desk, she dug around for a pen. Her desk had been stacked high with paper, broken pencils, and empty soda cans. Hands

shaking, she shifted chaotically through the mess. Cursing her luck, she backed up. Her eyes shifted toward Leela’s desk and she acted on it
without thinking. Leela’s wooden desk remained spotless. Papers had been filed carefully with blue and purple paperclips to divide up the stack.
Avery couldn’t spot pencils on top so she went for the drawer. Grabbing the handle, she yanked.

“If you can’t give me a good answer, then I don’t have to leave you alone about it.” Patrick said childishly.
Avery didn’t answer, frozen. Completely forgetting about Patrick, she stared before her. Inside Leela’s drawer, dead set in the middle of the

organized paper, rested an amulet. It had an iridescent blue fog twisting just below the glass surface. Avery finally twitched. Reaching out, she
gathered the warm amulet in her hands.

“This-”she stopped short, unable to finish that thought.
He peered around her shoulder, reached out, and fingered the angled glass.
“It’s a communication amulet. Why are you freaking out?”

Moving stiffly, Avery dropped the amulet back into the desk and shut the drawer with a firm click. She backed into Patrick, the impact helping

her stir from the daze, and then twisted around to face her bed.

“You don’t understand.” She said, face white and body cold. “Leela shouldn’t have that.”
Patrick looked around the room for some clue. Finding none, he looked back toward Avery.
“Why not?” He asked carefully.

Avery let out a gasping breath. Pressing her hand to her heart, she forced herself to breathe. Blood still pounded in her ears and her

shoulders trembled.

“Look, a few months ago harpies kidnapped Leela. She was compelled and she shouldn’t have any memory of it. She shouldn’t even know

what harpies are! So why does she have a harpie amulet? Who could she be talking to?” Avery was trying to whisper but failed when hysteria crept
into her voice.
Leela hadn’t mentioned anything to Avery and it seemed like harpies would be a big detail on her mind. Avery couldn’t grasp the idea. Patrick, on
the other hand, didn’t look as surprised as he should have.

“Did you ever consider the chance that they left it with her but she doesn’t know what it is?”
Avery wrapped her arms around herself.
“Maybe.” She admitted after a moment. “Why would they want her to call them? Especially if she doesn’t know how to use it.”
“Then why are you whining? Confront her on it.”

Patrick’s tone dropped and he strolled to the corner of the room next to the half open window. His muscles tensed and his smile had long since
faded. Avery knew she may have ruined the moment, but this was more important.
“I should call Mason. He’ll need to know.” Avery decided.
Patrick suddenly turned and was on her in seconds. Towering above her, he snatched Avery’s phone from her fingers before she had a chance to
react.
He held the metal tightly until it squeaked in protest. Talons now visible and full height intimidating, he looked down on her.
“No.” He licked his lips. “No, no calling Mason. I don’t need trouble.”
Thrown by the abrupt change in events, Avery held her hands up as a sign of innocence.
“Hey, I’m not saying that it’s your fault or you failed. I just need to talk to him.” With quite a bit of effort, she kept her voice at bay. Harpies had
notoriously bipolar tempers and she wouldn’t bait him.
“Have you ever considered that he doesn’t want you to call him? He’s a fugitive in our world and he doesn’t need any attention drawn to him while
he’s over there. Consider that girlie.”
“Okay.” Avery measured her words carefully, and her hazel eyes kept studying his ever changing posture intently. “I won’t. Please just let me have
my phone back. You’re going to break it.”
His eyebrows lifted an inch.
“I’m not stupid. The second I leave, you’ll dial him.”
Avery stayed immobile. The atmosphere had already filled with thick tension and she was witnessing a short fuse. His hand still held her phone
tightly, far above where she could reach it. Her hand twitched and she felt the familiar simmer of magic beneath her skin. A few months ago, after
she accidently gained the magic of the Willow amulet into her body, she could actually use the magic as a powerful weapon. She’d taken out
harpies twice Patrick’s size and with practice, survived an all out harpie massacre. Times had changed since then. The magic still pulsed beneath
her skin but it hadn’t grown much inside of her body. Mason also harvested half of the magic-- if not more. Avery knew using it was risky at best.
Options raced through her mind, but none of them good, she didn’t fight.
“Okay.” She whispered.

Patrick smirked and twirled the metal device in his hands. In a quick motion, he dropped the phone into his pocket and the device disappeared.
Avery watched it go. She knew Mason’s number by heart. But that wasn’t a detail she’d mention to Patrick.
“I’m trying to be nice to you.” He said after a moment. “I’m trying to be friends with you. Shoot doll, I wouldn’t mind being more than friends with you.
But I cannot, I will not, fail at my job because of a human girl’s stupid actions.”
Avery nodded. Throat closing, she backed up a step. The tiny and slow motion didn’t make him react. Clenching her fist, she forced the magic
simmering beneath her skin to calm and dissipate.
“Fine. Just... there’s always a possibility that I’m in danger, here and now. Leela having this amulet...it can’t be good news,” Avery bit out. There was
one more possibility on how Leela had acquired that amulet-- a darker and more horrifying one that Avery had yet to consider and one she didn’t
want to face.
“You don’t trust me?” He asked the painfully rhetorical question.
Avery jumped when a sudden knock came at the door. She whirled to face the wood. They didn’t have peep holes so she couldn’t peer into the hall.
Either way, any human meant Patrick had to go. She danced around him, slipped to the window, and lifted the heavy glass open. A cripplingly chilly
gust met her face and froze her fingers. She backed up, dusted the powdered snow off of the sill, and looked toward him.
“Please go. I have to answer that.”
He frowned but didn’t argue. The loud knock came again, except this time more persistent.
“Fine.” He said shortly. “I’ll see you around.”
She maneuvered out of the way and watched him crawl through the gap. The harpie even had some height on Mason so the fit wasn’t an easy one.
Once he cleared it, she happily slammed the window shut. The door came next and Avery composed herself before opening it.
She blinked when the bright hallway lights reached her. At first her guest resembled a blurry shadow before her eyes finally adjusted. She
recognized Nate.

“How was the movie?” Avery asked automatically.
Nate rocked back on his snake skin boots and earned her attention again with a grunt.
“I didn’t watch it. Leela bailed early.” He made a face and changed the subject. “Look, we don’t need to do the chit-chat thing. Leela still has

my jacket and I need it back.”

“She’s not here.” Avery opened the door wider to reveal the rest of the room. Leela’s bed, up against the wall closest to the door, remained

made and empty. Nate took a half hearted glance.

“She said she was coming to see you half an hour ago.” He made a gesture to his silver wrist watch. “The campus isn’t that big.”
Avery agreed but that’s not what had her at a loss for words. She’d already been panicking about Leela. This wasn’t a good update.
“Did she call you?” He asked prompting her to snap out of the trance.
Patrick had taken her phone but Avery doubted that there would have been a call anyways--especially if Nate and Leela left the theater over

half an hour ago.

“No. I haven’t heard from her since we split in the theater.” Avery wrapped her fingers around the door frame and squeezed. Nate bit his lip.

Face red and green eyes cast down to the garish carpet, he folded his arms and asked the inevitable question.

“Is she out with another guy?”
Avery sputtered out a quick answer.
“No, Nate, chill--” He interrupted her before she could finish.

“Don’t tell me to chill! She told me she’d be here with you. How many times has she told you she was hanging out with me but lied? She’s

telling us both that! Get it dumb girl? That’s why neither of us see her at all.”

Avery shut her mouth. Digging her nails into the wood, she held herself up. Feeling light headed, she thought it over. Leela had a real racket

going. Avery would never talk to Nate to confirm her location. Nate wouldn’t expect Avery to tell him anything either. The idea had been thought out
and thought out well but it wasn’t fool proof. Avery had gone quiet during her thoughts only letting the sound of her pounding heart fill up the room.

“Say something.” He growled to finally stir a reaction from her.
“I’m not sure what’s going on with her. But let me talk to her first, okay? I don’t think she’s cheating at you.” Correction, Avery didn’t think it

was as easy as that.

She mumbled a few more reassurances to Nate and then sent him off. Closing the door and sealing the room in darkness, she let out a long

breath. One thing was sure. Leela was lying. And it couldn’t have been over anything good.

Four

Avery shut the door and leaned against the smooth wood. The night dragged on and fatigue weighed heavily in her muscles despite her

active mind. Her eyes skirted the room. Leela’s desk attracted her attention. She maneuvered over to it and popped open the cabinet, heart racing
as she was unsure of what to expect. Multicolored high lighters, notebooks, and thick texts lined one corner. The other had a few tightly wrapped
bags of candy and crackers. Avery scoured the corners, pulling everything else onto the floor. Nothing out of the ordinary. She began to shove them
in, ready to go onto the bed next, but stopped when she heard something.

The door knob jingled. A key slid into the lock and the bolt twisted. Avery dove for her bed. Grabbing the fluffy blanket, she pulled it over her

shoulders and then buried her head into the pillow facing away from the door. Black hair falling over her face, she closed her eyes and forcefully
slowed her breathing. The door slid open and a wash of yellow light spilled inside from the hallway lights.
Leela walked in and paused. She stayed quiet but Avery could hear her steady breathing, a few footsteps and the door click shut. Without the
hallway lights, the room returned to complete darkness.

“Avery, are you awake?” The girl asked softly.
Avery refused to even budge. The lack of light worked in her favor and Leela didn’t stare.

Avery listened to the girl walk across the room. Her desk drawer slid open and with a barely audible clatter, Leela plucked something out. Then the
girl quietly crept back for the door. Hallway lights visible again and room temporarily illuminating, she slipped outside and clicked the door shut in
her wake. Avery wouldn’t move until the door locked loudly and she couldn’t hear anymore footsteps in the hall.

Finally budging, Avery freed herself from the tangle of sheets. She’d dove underneath them with jeans, boots and all, leaving a trail of slush and dirt
across the bottom half of her bed. Avery didn’t grumble. Hyper focused on the situation at hand, she looked around. Leela had left nothing and
taken nothing. The perfectly made sheets still sat starch and smooth. Avery went for the desk next and slid open the drawer slowly.
A few folders and papers sat neatly. Avery rustled through them. The harpie amulet was gone. Heart skipping a beat, she shut the drawer and
backed off.
A sudden tap at the window nearly made her heart stop. Glancing over quickly, she spotted Patrick. Hunched over and clinging to the sill, his
massive white wings encircled half his body. She rushed to open the window, slamming the glass too hard with the quick movement. The result was
a nearly deafening crack that only added to her anxiety.
“What do you want?” She hissed. Her eyes jumped around him, peering into the night. Her window faced away from the school, towards the woods
and one of the emergency fire exits. The rustling trees and the snow covered ground stared back at her.
“You’re worried about your friend?” He asked.
“She’s up to something. She’s calling a harpie. I’m sure of it!” Avery cursed. That wasn’t the worst part. Leela had taken pains to hide it from her as
well.
“I saw her walk outside, into the forest. On the left hand side of the dormitory.” He pointed with a thin finger and indicated the area just hidden by the
building’s curve.
“Should I follow her?” Avery stared out toward the visible part of the woods. Inside the trees, the visibility would drop to zero and the temperature
would fall with it. Twigs and branches covered the ground making any sneaking impossible.
“You said you wanted to find out, right?”He quirked an eyebrow-- a light hearted expression that Avery didn’t think justified the situation.
She cast him a crooked look.
“Don’t you get it? There’s a chance she could be talking to them-- the Band.” Avery paused momentarily to swallow the thick lump in her throat.
“They kidnapped her a few months ago. They compelled her. They made her do all this horrible stuff! They made her try and kill herself.
“Mikhail has this way of getting into people’s heads. What if he brainwashed her? What if everything she’s done since she’s been back has been
an act? Mikhail brainwashed her and sent her here to watch me or something!” Breathless, she recoiled into the room and lowered her voice.
Patrick inched in, now just outside the sill, and he gave her a long look.
“Why just watch you?” He asked skeptically.
She didn’t want to admit the Willow magic idea to another harpie she didn’t entirely trust, so she avoided the subject.
“I don’t know, okay? But if the Band is involved it is bad news for me.”
“So assuming that’s the case, why don’t you follow her out and find out for sure?”
Avery’s shoulders shrunk when she let out a deep breath. Tense muscles beginning to ache, she breathed until some calm returned to her and with
it came a more rational mind set.
“I could but if it is the Band then they might kill me. Leela knows Mason is gone, she might be calling them here! And then I’ll really be screwed. I
can’t go out in the open.”
The plan came together in her mind. Mason knew the area and knew the Band. He would have known if they moved a feather into the area. But
Patrick was younger and more reckless. They wouldn’t fear him. Leela would update them and then Mikhail would come for his revenge. Avery had
no protection either. The magic that lingered in her body was at an infancy stage and would need to grow before being usable. Her eyes connected
with Patrick’s.
“Do you think you could help me if I needed it?”
He gave her a thin smirk.
“I think I could do a lot of things,” was his final answer.
Gathering up her nerve, she nodded.
“You said there?” She pointed to the area and made a mental map in her mind. There were two ways to get to those woods, one more dangerous
than the other. The more inviting path was a short walk from the pavement and entrance of the dormitories. The more treacherous path involved
weaving through the massive trees uphill at least twenty feet.
Reluctantly, Avery held with the latter option. Just the fact that it was a perilous path made the idea of someone sneaking through it all the more
unanticipated.
“Okay, help me outside and then take off. Your wings are too big and they’ll attract attention.”
Patrick nodded. She flicked her wrists to send him back an inch. After balancing himself, he opened his arms. Avery reluctantly embraced him,
looping her arms around his neck and pressing her body into his warm, hard chest. His arms circled her as well and tightened.
“Go already.” She said when his wings failed to immediately open.
“Okay okay. Just had to tell you that I’m proud of you, girlie. Doing this is brave.”
Only Patrick would find the situation as another way to hit on her. His fingers flickered over the small of her back and threatened to push up her shirt.
Before she gave him another verbal shove, his wings snapped open. He dove backward, the extreme movement sending them upside down. His
wings corrected and while Avery’s world kept spinning, Patrick landed them with all feet on the ground. Releasing her before the vertigo had
dissipated, his wings snapped open and he took off. She didn’t see where he flew, only that it was opposite of her desired direction. Patrick wasn’t
planning to be anywhere nearby apparently.
Avery regained her senses and moved quickly. Snaking up the side of the brick building, she reached the line of trees and shuffled in. Snow free, it
made the movements easier but she had to carefully step over high roots and animal potholes. The noise wasn’t as severe as she’d initially thought
as the sound of her movements got lost under the loud wind and creaking branches. She forced herself forward, occasionally nailing her boot toe on
a stump or getting a few steps off path.
She slowed when she saw a flicker of artificial blue light. The main school lights didn’t share the blue hue. Taking a few more cautious steps, she
slid behind a tree and pressed against it. Just visible, Leela stood in a tiny clearing. Her body had been eclipsed in a dense blue mist. Avery knew
the mist belonged to the communication amulet. Unlike phones, being in the mist allowed you to both speak and hear someone who had a
matching amulet. Avery didn’t know how it worked but she knew what it did. Someone was on the other line with Leela.
The light came from Leela’s phone which she absently held to keep the area illuminated. Watching it, Avery’s fingers twitched with a subconscious
need to be holding her own phone-- her only life line to Mason. After this, she’d have to fight Patrick to get it back. If her fears were confirmed, he
should at least listen to reason then.
“That’s what I said.” Leela said to seemingly no one. Avery strained to listen. She wouldn’t be able to hear the other side of the conversation without
being in the fog, but she could hear Leela.
“I asked her if the mark had been like that forever. She said no but she wasn’t really saying much about it. She freaked out.”

Avery’s brow pinched and she paused, confused.
“It’s just a darker grey now. I never saw what it was like the first time but I definitely wouldn’t define this as black or even dark.” Leela said, this time
taking Avery’s breath away.

They were talking about the magical mark on Avery’s arm. The coloring, obviously important, probably proved the magic had mostly left her

body. Mind spinning, she didn’t know how to react. It’d be good news if the Band didn’t think she had the magic anymore, seeing as they’d once
tried to carve her open to get it back. On the other hand, the Band’s leader, Mikhail, was absolutely sharp and little escaped him. He might know
that some of it lingered. Feeling nauseous, Avery pressed a firm hand over her mouth.

“I know that wasn’t the point but I figured I’d tell you. She’s not really onto me so it’s easy to check on those things. More importantly, Mason

skipped town. I’m almost sure of it.”
Avery went cold. Unable to hear much more, she pressed her eyes shut and tried to keep her composure. Leela continued.

“There’s someone else here. Another harpie I think. Mason is still expecting something or he wouldn’t have left her with a body guard.”
Avery shifted, desperate to get a closer look. Unintentionally, her foot slipped and the heel end of her boot came down hard on a rock. The

crack sounded loudly. Leela stood suddenly and looked out. Avery squirmed behind the tree and pressed her back against the rough wood hard.
She couldn’t glance back without the movement giving her away. Shrouded in shadows, she stilled and held her breath.
Leela stayed quiet.

“Sorry.” She said finally. Avery only moved when she was sure the girl was speaking into the blue mist. “I’m not sure where the new guy is but

I don’t think he’s near me. I know, I know. Make it quick. Okay, anyways, I mentioned the book to Avery. I asked her if she ever had dreams about it.
She didn’t say so but I think she recognized it.”

Avery drew her arms around herself. Mind finally crystal clear, she understood fully. Jericho’s journal detailed every step of the procedure he

used to capture the powerful magic of Willow. Falling into information like that may have meant it was entirely possible to repeat. Avery absolutely
knew they couldn’t let that happen. The Willow amulet had been bad enough and stronger magic would be absolutely lethal.

A gap of silence indicated someone on the other line saying something. Leela whimpered.
“They aren’t onto us. I’m sure of it.” Leela went on but having heard enough, Avery readied herself to sneak away when Leela said one last

thing.

“Oh, and Mikhail? Whatever you do, you have to promise not to hurt Avery. It’s Mason’s fault that she’s even involved.”
The blue mist finally dispersed, leaving the line dead and Leela standing in the woods alone. Avery watched her gather up the glass shards

and then bury them in the dirt. At last her friend turned and walked back toward the dormitories.

Avery began to shake. Eyes burning, she hugged herself tightly. The new information struck her worse than a lightning bolt. Not only shaken

by it, she was absolutely horrified. Leela had been Avery’s best friend forever—even when no one else gave Avery a second look. For years, they’d
sat in the back of Chemistry class and transformed an experiment into a smoldering mess. They’d huddled together and shared scandalous
secrets while watching some fuzzy chick flick on TV. They’d grown up together. They’d faced middle school, the sweet freedom. They’d faced high
school with the nasty whispers, rumors, and heart wrenching emotions. They’d faced the vicious social hierarchy of high school trying to pull them
apart. They’d even faced dark looming death on a burning rooftop during a harpie massacre.
They’d done it all together. And now, for the first time, that together was gone.

It made the idea of Leela as the enemy excruciating and unbelievable. Avery bit her lip to control her rapidly plunging emotions. Her options

were limited, but she knew her next step. She had to find Patrick. She had to call Mason.

Five

Avery charged into the patch of dark woods where she’d seen Patrick fly. Adrenaline kept her moving and she searched for a hint of white

amongst the canopy. The Northern Lights continued to flow in the sky making it difficult to spot movement.

A crunch of twigs sounded out behind her and Avery turned to see Patrick land. His black eyes connected with hers and he offered his

trademark cocky smile. She didn’t appreciate it.

“Give me my phone!” She demanded, stressed for time. “It’s exactly what I thought it was. Mason needs to know. This is above our heads.”
“I disagree.” He said simply.
Flushed and furious, she held her hands out persistently.
“What’s wrong with you? It’s my phone, now give it to me!” Her eyes caught the outline of the small device pressed against his chest pocket.

Without another thought, she reached for it. Mid-motion, he suddenly caught her wrist and twisted. Another one of his hands grabbed her shoulder
but it wasn’t a friendly touch. He dug his talon worthy fingernails into her skin sending a surge of pain through Avery’s shoulder blade.

She flinched and tugged, adrenaline flooding her veins, but trying to break the grip only made the talons do more damage.
“Stop it!” She squealed. The grip on her shoulder began to shoot sparks of pain down her back.

His black eyes turned to slits and he didn’t let up the pressure.

“I said no.” He said sharply.
“Okay, fine. Just let me go.” She kept her tone carefully neutral. She could call Mason from another phone, Avery just needed to get away

from Patrick but he seemed to read her mind.

“Sorry. I guess I can’t do that now. I know you won’t stop until you hear from him.” He frowned but the expression didn’t carry real sadness.

Rather, he mostly looked annoyed. He kept talking, despite her whimpers. “I wanted to have a vacation. A pretty human girl, a few days away from
Adalyn and maybe have some fun. But I can’t have Mason come back.”

She tore backwards. His grip broke but electric pain surged through her body. Driven by it, she backpedaled. His hand slipped into his shirt

pocket and he jimmied the phone free. He chucked it toward her hard enough that the metal made contact with her knee and shattered. She
stumbled and fell.

“I don’t understand.” She said.
“What don’t you understand? Stupid girl, I wasn’t sent here by Mason to protect you. I was sent here by Adalyn to kill you. She wants you out

of the picture.” He kept walking toward her. Her shoulder bled and she felt the sticky liquid snake down her arm. The wound didn’t appear too

severe but she felt some energy escape and her muscles weaken.

Her mind spun. She considered springing up but that would leave her more vulnerable to attack.

When she stood, she had to be ready to fight. Avery struggled to feel the magic that resided in her body. Though weak, she felt a flare of energy. If
she could summon a little more then she could use it as a weapon.
“I was told to do it inconspicuously. So when I saw some signs that the Band was sneaking around, I figured hey, they’ll do my job for me. I got you to
chase Leela out, hang out in the open. But nothing. So now I have to kill you myself.”

He advanced another step. Anxious, Avery struggled to concentrate and make the magic work. She had backed herself up until she sat just

beside the dramatic incline where the hill began. Hazel eyes quickly glimpsing, she looked toward her side. She’d unwittingly trapped herself
between the harpie and the treacherous hill.

“Mason will know it was you.” She pointed out and pled. He seemed to consider it for less than a second. Shrugging, he said, “Not

something you’ll ever have to worry about.”

He abruptly lunged and Avery rolled to her right. She hit the tip of the incline as expected but didn’t realize how quickly she’d fall. The hill

making her reel, she slid about five feet. She grabbed at the grass, digging her fingers in until she got a sturdy grip. Slowing her fall, she stood. He
had gotten to his feet as well. Not waiting for him to chase, Avery whirled and dashed for the campus using gravity as propulsion. Her boot hit the
pavement and she caught some speed. She didn’t think. Seeing the emergency exit for Crepuscule Hall, she hit the stairs and darted up the steps.

Patrick took to the air. The ability to skip steps allowed him to catch up in seconds. Spinning, she used her weight and shoved his chest. It

worked just for a moment. She turned, wrenched the knob, and cracked the door open. The lights hit her, momentarily blinding, but she sprinted in
anyways. Avery collided with something hard. Staggering, that something bounced off. Avery blinked to clear her vision. Before her stood Nate.

His usual composure was lacking. His typically smooth hair was rumpled and his jaw was slack. His green eyes widened and he opened his

mouth to conjure an ugly set of words but then Nate froze. Eyes trailing over Avery’s form, he paled significantly.

“You’re bleeding.”

His words making her remember the injury, she immediately reached out and clasped her hand over the open wound. Due to her activity, the blood
came steadily but the puncture wounds weren’t as deep as she’d originally thought.
The emergency exit door crashed open and smacked the wall with a loud pop. Avery twisted to face it. Every inch of her body demanded to keep
running but Nate still hovered in the hall.
“Nate go!” She screamed at him but he remained dead still. His eyes glued on the open door and the six foot harpie just outside it.
Patrick’s wide white wings weren’t immediately visible, unable to fit through the doorway, but Avery didn’t wait. Catching Nate’s immobile hand, she
yanked. His feet finally gave and she pulled him down the hallway. Feet thundering over the carpet floor, she dragged him through the building.
She whirled toward the door at the opposite side of the building and the door that faced campus. Hand tight around Nate’s, she yanked the boy
forward out of the exit. Standing outside, they faced the initial entrance—a long paved pathway that wound up
another hillside and sat behind a wrought iron gate. The path was scenic but long and out in the open.
Without many other options, Avery ran. Nate managed to keep pace but his head kept twirling to look behind him. If he’d intended to say anything,
she never took the time to ask. They skidded to a stop just outside the gates.
The school had been designed as a square with few exceptions. Around the square were a few separate brick buildings for classes, dorms, and
faculty lodges. In the middle sat a shimmering fountain and the main office. None of those looked like good options. Avery’s eyes trailed to the left
where a few steps led into the parking lot.
“You have a car.” She whispered the realization and then turned on him. “Let me have your car. Give me your keys.”
Few cars were allowed on campus with the limited parking, but Nate had one of them. In particular, he owned a shiny black Lexus with a massive
engine. Nate’s eyes widened.
“Are you nuts?” He sputtered out.
The door of Mayweather hall slammed open and Avery glanced in time to see a flicker of white take to the sky. For a brief moment she considered
leaving Nate, but if she knew anything about harpies, she knew they played dirty. Leaving Nate in the open might give Patrick the idea to use him as
bait. Unwilling to take that chance, she urged Nate to move.
“Come on.” She hauled him again. Halfway running, he scrambled through his pockets digging for his keys.
They scurried through the grass and down a gentle slope. At the bottom of the slope waited a slick black top parking lot filled with a few dozen cars.
Even among the designer brands, Nate’s compact stood out with its own designated spot at the front of the lot. Nate finally produced the shining
silver key. The car lights blinked and the doors unlocked with a click. Nate took the driver’s side and Avery slipped inside the passenger’s door.
The interior didn’t disappoint. With leather lined seats, wooden dash and console, and digital instrument panel, it spoke money. A spicy musk that
was a mix of masculine cologne and hot leather also clung to the interior. Avery didn’t admire the car too much, focused on staring outside. Patrick
had taken to the skies but he wouldn’t leave it at that. She hurried Nate to start the car and the engine sparked to life with a boisterous hum.
Suddenly a flicker of white plummeted from the sky and crashed into the hood. The entire car lurched and popped. Patrick landed on the hood,
wings opens, and talons out. Tearing forward, he swung at the glass. A scream ripped out of Avery.
“Go!” She shouted. Her eyes flickered to Nate. He’d frozen stiff, green eyes wide and glued on the windshield. The windshield cracked, threatening
to break. Avery dove for the wheel. Pushing by Nate, she yanked the gear. The car groaned, slamming into reverse.
“Back up!” She kept screaming. The windshield splintered with a thunderous pop. Knowing they precious seconds left, Avery dove over Nate’s lap.
Her hands scrambled to reach the pedal. Catching the gas with her palm, she drove her arm down. The car shot backwards. The abrupt momentum
knocked Patrick clear off the hood. His body hit the pavement and rolled.
Nate finally snapped out of the daze. His foot nailed the brake sending them to a screeching halt. Avery propped herself back upward and shifted
the gear for him. He grabbed the wheel and turned it free. The headlights landed on Patrick. The harpie staggered to a stand. His wings had gone
askew but his posture fixed itself instantaneously.
He crouched, ready to leap again.
“Just drive! Drive!”
Nate hit the gas. The car exploded forward. Patrick charged straight. His talons were out. One more impact into the window and it’d break. One
more impact and it’d be over. The car sped and Patrick didn’t move. The two collided hard. His limbs flailed like he’d been prepped to jump but his
wings didn’t open right. He bounced off the hood. The ear splitting impact lasted only for a second. His wings went up and he fell off.
Nate slammed the breaks. The car grinded to a halt. Avery leaned against the window. Patrick wasn’t moving but he couldn’t have been dead. His
body twitched a bit. Avery didn’t wait to see more.
“Keep going.” Avery told him.
Nate depressed the gas pedal and the engine roared. The Lexus rumbled through the parking lot. Nate cut a left and reached the exit road. He

slowed but didn’t stop. On the road, the car gained some speed. Within a minute the school disappeared in the distance.
The fog out here thickened until the black stretch of road disappeared. The Lexus’ high beams did nothing to pierce the fog and Nate eased off the
pedal. The car gave a guttural moan, trembled, and finally slowed as it slid into the correct gear. The car continued chugging calmly and there was
no sight of Patrick anywhere.

“Are you okay?” She spared a glance toward
Nate. His pale face didn’t betray his emotions but it had frozen in an indiscernible expression.

He’d lapsed into a prolonged silence, which was expected, but Avery felt the need to interrupt it. She may have hated Nate, but now she was
worried about him. How do most people take a life changing experience like that? She had more time to cope with the idea that
harpies existed before they ever tried to kill her. He took awhile but jerking to life, he pushed one hand through his black hair and let out a hissing
breath.

“My car is destroyed.”
Avery blinked, thrown at first, before she put it together. The hood of Nate’s pride and joy had been torn up. The shiny black was now tattered

and scraped with distinct claw marks. The window had been cracked in several places so severely that chilly wind penetrated the inside of the car.
Most likely, further inspection of the outside of the car would only reveal more damage.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Yea, sorry. Listen, I can help pay for that when we get back.”

He shook his head in immediate disagreement.

“Okay, for one minute pretending your boyfriend didn’t just try to kill us, where exactly do you think we’re going?” He asked sharply.
Avery’s mind whirled with possibilities while her eyes continued to scan through the fog outside.
“I’m not sure.” She admitted after a painful moment. She wasn’t even sure where they were, much less where they were going. “I think he’s

only after me. We should probably split up.”

“You think? Probably? Don’t be dumb, girl. Don’t you ever watch the horror movies?”
“What?” She snuck another glance at him. He’d animated quite a bit and leaned into the wheel.
“We can’t split up until we get rid of whatever that bird was is gone or dead. If we split up he can pick us off one by one. Or worse, catch one

of us and have the other come running!”
Whether or not she believed Nate would come running for her, he made a good point and Avery had to
give him credit for it.

“Okay. Well, I think we should hit up the next city. It’ll be harder to find us there than at school. And I have a friend that can help us. I just need

to call him.”

“A friend?” Nate questioned immediately.

Avery worded herself carefully.

“A harpie too. But he’ll help. You’ll just have to believe me.”
“You are insane. Stop making friends with monsters. We should go to the cops.”
“And tell them what? They’ll think we’re insane!”
He grumbled.
“Well at least scoot.” He said. “I don’t like you sitting on my lap.”

Avery flushed, finally realizing that she’d still been pressed close to him. Squirming towards the opposite door, she separated from him. Her

back still stung, prompting her to finger the wound. Sticky blood met her fingertips when she did. The blood had slowed but a sinking feeling in her
stomach made her wonder if she needed stitches. Clasping her hand to put pressure on the injury, she looked back toward Nate.

“Where are you driving? We’ll need to get to a hotel or something.” She needed to get some clean towels and a few make shift bandages.

Actually, she just needed a phone and she needed Mason here ASAP.

Nate drummed his fingers on the wheel, a contemplative look stealing over his angular facial features.
“Moose Pass.” He said suddenly.
“What?” Avery looked outside for a visual clue.
“Moose Pass is close to here but it’s woodsy as hell and out of the way. I know a lodge there. I used to go there as kid.”

Avery thought it over. It was sure better than a few more hours in a car, especially since she was hurt. Her eyes trailed over Nate next. She’d

had quite a bit of negative dealings with the guy and the unprecedented change in their relationship left her a bit mystified. Her feelings for him were
complicated to say the least. A year ago she’d thought she loved him, falling for the smooth talking bad boy. A day ago she’d thought she hated
him. The jury was still out on what she thought now.

“Okay.” She finally responded. “Moose Pass it is.”

Six

Referring to Moose Pass as woodsy would have been a drastic underestimation. Nate pulled off the interstate and took them down a dirt road that
was difficult terrain for his low clearance Lexus. The pathway had a thick canopy of ancient trees that leaned in to make the fit a tight one as the
road wove farther into the forest. Just as Avery began to wonder if they were heading in the right direction, the car rumbled into a clearing.
A two story log cabin sat across from a massive blue lake. The scenic picture could have belonged on a post card or a vacation advertisement. The
trees, warm green and brown, mixed with the coloring of the fluffy white snow. Little technology disturbed the country style lodge. With only two cars
outside, Nate cruised into an open spot near the doors.
“Will they even let us get a room if we’re not eighteen?” Avery finally broke the silence in the car.
Since they’d decided their location, they’d done very little speaking. She’d expected a barrage of questions about harpies but surprisingly he didn’t
ask anything. She figured that Nate still resided in the disbelief stage. She knew it would take a fine amount of brain rewiring to believe in
something that was supposed to be fictional.
“I know people here.” Nate said with a pretentious laugh.
“I guess I forgot the rules were special for you.” She said halfheartedly. Her eyes scanned the skies before she popped the car door open.
Nate slinked inside and she trailed after him. The hotel had a woody musk and a huge main room. A fireplace was built into one wall and was

surrounded by cushy red chairs. An old man stood behind the desk and he immediately perked up to stare at them through thick rimmed glasses.
“Can I help you kids?”
“We need a room for a night.” Nate said smoothly, taking quick strides up to the desk.
The desk attendant gave them the up-down look.
“We don’t typically take minors without a credit card and parental consent.”
Avery bit her lip, ready for the man to turn them away. Nate apparently had other ideas.
“Usually I wouldn’t come without my parents but you see, I was driving to Anchorage and we hit a moose. The car is still running but it’s pretty torn
up. I know my parents wouldn’t want me to try and drive it to town.”
“Oh my.” The man screwed with his glasses. Outside, just enough of the Lexus’ torn up hood supported the story.
“I have a credit card, an extension of my parents account. There won’t be any problems.” He pulled out a slick platinum card and waved it around.
The hotel clerk didn’t hesitate twice. Within minutes, they had a key in hand and a room in the back. Avery and Nate just made it inside, the door
clicking shut, when he turned on her.
“Hurry up and call your friend before someone else tries to kill us.” He said sharply.
All composure rapidly left his posture and his face. Panic showed.
“Yea. I’m right on that.” She took one look around the room to locate the cream colored phone in the back.
“And you’re still bleeding. You’re bleeding everywhere!” Nate noticed next, his voice still twisting.
Avery tried to wave him off but she knew that the wound needed attention. Snatching a towel on the way over to the phone, she pressed the white
cloth up to her back. Picking up the phone, she dialed and pressed the cold phone receiver to her ear.
“What is it?” Mason answered on the very last ring. Refusing to jump into the bad news immediately, she tested the waters.
“How is harpie-ville?”
“I know that’s not why you’re calling.” He answered quickly and his voice sounded raw.
Avery swallowed the growing lump in her throat. Fingers twirling into the phone cable, she admitted everything.
“Caught me. Look, that harpie named Patrick just tried to kill me. Like really tried to kill me.”
A prolonged silence took over the line. Before Avery could conjure another appropriate explanation, Mason finally spoke but this time his tone
sparked with distinctive anger.
“Where are you? Where is he?”
“I’m in some hotel in Moose Pass. It’s near Seward. I don’t know if he followed me here but I haven’t seen him. I think his wings are torn up so I’m
hoping he won’t show back up.”
“Did he say why he wanted to kill you?”
Mason’s tone had twisted with a cold fury. Avery was afraid to answer and instead she attempted to change the subject.
“I’m not sure. Can you make it back?”
Mason cursed darkly.
“Fine. I’ll call you when I’m in the state. Stay hidden and don’t be stupid!” He snapped just before the phone clicked dead.
More unsettled than ever, Avery cradled the phone for another minute. A clock glowed its red digits, reminding her that it’d take Mason at least a
day to arrive. The thick mix of emotions rising in her chest didn’t make the wait feel better.
“Is he coming?”
She’d almost forgotten Nate was in the room until he spoke. Avery twisted to face him.
“He is. Then we’ll take care of the Patrick thing and you can go home.”
Nate studied her for a full minute.
“Did you name the harpie that tried to kill us?”
“No!” She protested weakly. “He already had that name. I just happen to know it.”
“And you’re not planning to go back to school then? Is this the same reason you disappeared a few months ago?”
Avery liked to think of Nate as a dumb jock but he was sharper than that and she owed him some credit. His brown eyes lit up when his brain
connected the pieces.
“Guilty as charged.” She said, waiting for the Q and A to take on a new level. It never did. Nate suddenly held his hand up.
“Okay, you know what? I don’t want to know. I just… I don’t want to know.” He shook his head, a clear sign that the clash of the believable and
unbelievable in his head was making him uncomfortable. He clearly wanted to move on, but what he added next took her off guard. “And you should
take off your shirt.” He said.
Avery choked on her own spit.
“What?”
He rolled his eyes and made a vague motion towards her shoulder.
“Take off your shirt and I can bandage it right. There’s a first aid kit in the bathroom.”
“Uh… I guess that’s okay.” She answered after a lag but Nate had already taken the liberty to bring out the white first aid box and set it on the bed.
Inside was gauze and medical tape.
“Just face the wall.” He ordered. Avery hesitated, fighting with herself before finally tugging the cotton shirt off. The chilly air immediately crawled
over her skin and gave her goosebumps. She wrapped her arms around herself, faced the corner, and reluctantly blushed.
She heard Nate come up behind her with the kit but didn’t turn to watch him. The situation was too awkward for her to handle maturely. A long time
ago, she’d been intimate with Nate and being shirtless in front of the guy stirred conflicting memories. He touched her back with a cloth. The thick
scent of alcohol wafted into the air and the cloth he drew over the wound burned. The pain momentarily distracted her and she recoiled.
“Chill out. I’m not making a pass at you. I have a girlfriend.” He said misinterpreting her pained reaction as skittishness. “Well, I had a girlfriend.” He
amended himself.
Hearing the downturn in his voice, she couldn’t help but point out, “For the record, I don’t think Leela is cheating on you.”
“And you know that how?”
“I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you. It’s complicated, like harpie complicated.”
Nate growled.
“Great, more bad news. Why do freak shows always follow you around? Now I should be more worried about Leela.”
He roughly pressed the gauze up to the puncture wounds on her back and began ripping up the tape.
“Why do you care so much? It’s just...unlike you.” Her curiosity brewing, the words slipped from her.
“You don’t know me.” He finished and recoiled. She used the opportunity to replace her shirt and turn towards him again.

“I know you better than Leela does.” She pointed out brazenly.
Clearly pissed, he stormed across the room. The display of anger wasn’t harpie worthy but it got her attention.
“That doesn’t count.” He growled, a threat to end the conversation but Avery wasn’t intimidated.
“Then tell me that you’re not going to use Leela just like every other girl you’ve been with!” By every other girl, Avery meant herself. He must have
known that too.
“I don’t need you to remind me what my reputation is. But Leela is different and people change.”

“Wow, I’m glad to hear the change in heart.” She said sourly.

She knew the sarcastic shot was immature, but she also couldn’t help the surge of anger and jealously that twisted in her heart. She’d honestly been
over Nate but even now, hearing him dismiss her like nothing still stirred bad feelings. She hadn’t been different. She hadn’t been worth it. But Leela
was? The girl he’d just met and started dating? Something about that didn’t sit right with Avery.
Nate let out a groan and beat his hands into the air like he needed something to vent his frustration.
“You don’t have to tell me that I've been an asshole to you. I know. And I know I should probably apologize.” He said, his words forced and short.
“But it's hard when you're still trying to get between me and Leela.”
“Then apologize! And treat her nicely. Then you and I will be fine!” She shouted back, surprised when she heard herself. Of everything she’d thought
about saying to Nate for years, this wasn’t it. She didn’t want to give up Leela to him or to give him to Leela. But saying it now, she suddenly felt
okay with the idea.
“I’m sorry, okay. I’m sorry for being an asshole, you didn’t deserve it. But I’ve changed since then and I think I’ve found someone I really care about.
Besides, you and I both know we would have made a terrible couple. Are we done with this moment now?”
Avery let the words sink in and her heart calm before answering.
“Yes.” She agreed and nodded.
Her eyes trailed back toward the clock. It’d be good to get some rest before Mason arrived. She’d suspected they’d have a long journey on their
hands once he did arrive. Thinking about that brought back all the pressing concerns about Jericho’s book and the Band trying to snag it.
“Will you be able to stay here for an extra day and then drive home in your car? Everything should be fine but you’ll still need to keep a low profile.
Try and stay inside with other people. Just in case.” She said, the change in subject coming automatically. “I’m also going to need you to keep your
mouth shut. Particularly around Leela. She doesn’t need to be any more involved than she is now.”
In fact, as far as Avery was concerned, she’d find a way for Leela not to be involved at all. Before another wave of concern could take over her
thoughts, Nate spoke up.
“Not a word to Leela.” He echoed. “I’m fine with pretending this never happened. Especially that bonding crap.”
Avery smiled, knowing they weren’t planning to repeat the occasion. Nate prompted something else then.
“What are you planning next?” He quizzed.
“Right now, I’m planning a nap.”

Nate didn’t press for more answers. Rather the expression on his face agreed with her line of thinking. Without asking, he chose the bed

closest to the door.

The tension filled evening was simmering down but that didn’t let rest come easy. Avery snuggled into the sheets of her own bed, struggling

to find a painless position. The bed kept squeaking with every movement and the sound grew obnoxious. She tried to relax. Shutting her eyes, she
let the world around her disappear, but another one replaced it.

She was standing in a warehouse, hurrying through dark hallways. Fire burned up the edges of the building. The entire building was shifting

on its foundation and the shaking was deafening. She didn’t know where she stood, nor where she went but Avery kept running. She finally spotted
a door at the end of the hall and some part of her recognized it. She’d seen it before. It was always the same door.
Avery ran for the exit but just before her fingers could grasp the handle, someone appeared behind her. She whirled to face him, and that’s when
she woke up. She rolled in the bed, the loud squeaking of the springs drawing her from the rest of her dream. She blinked at the ceiling,
uncomfortable. Her shoulder still stung and she rolled again. The noise she made finally had Nate growl in complaint.

“What’s wrong?” Though dark, Avery could tell his eyes jumped between the window and the door suspiciously. Maybe he was expecting

Avery to be psychic now or something. It would have seemed plausible, seeing as he’d just gotten a crash course in the supernatural, but Avery
lacked that ability.

“Nothing. Just having bad dreams.” She whispered, finding her voice coming out weaker than anticipated. She pressed her hand to her

forehead, trying to recall the images before it faded away from memory.

Avery could recall something about hot fire and suffocating smoke. Along with that came the undeniable feeling that she’d seen the images

somewhere before—perhaps even in another dream. The images finally slipped away and disappeared into oblivion, leaving Avery’s eyes heavy
again and her body exhausted.

She wouldn’t ignore the coincidence. She’d known magic too long now to ignore a repetitive dream, but what little she remembered of it

didn’t help her. Avery lay down and tried to set her mind to rest. She’d need all her strength in the days to come.

Seven

Avery woke up to a bang on the door. It took her a moment to recognize the starch sheets of the hotel room and the woodsy smell of Moose

Pass and another moment to remember how she’d gotten there. Heart jumping into her throat, she quickly pushed the sheets away and cast her
eyes onto the wooden door. The banging continued, growing louder. Though the room only had one dim light on, she saw Nate start from his bed
and whirl to stare at her with wide eyes.
“Who is that?” He spit out in a hurry.
At least two AM in the morning, Avery would be willing to bet the visitor wasn’t housekeeping.
“Did that guy find us here?” Nate asked secondly, mirroring Avery’s thoughts. She pressed a finger to her lips before Nate made more noise.
“Stay here.” She whispered and made a gesture for him to lay low.
Slipping free of the polyester sheets, she walked silently across the carpet in bare feet. The door didn’t have a peep hole, making the situation

difficult. Her mind slid between the options. If she opened the door and Patrick stood on the other side, she’d be defenseless. On the other hand, it
could be Mason and she couldn’t let him leave.
Fingers wrapping around the cold knob, she leaned forward and pushed her ear against the thick wood. The banging stopped and she couldn’t
hear anything. Taking a breath, she readied herself before she heard his voice.
“Avery, it’s me. I know you’re in there.”
Elated, Avery yanked the door open and found the familiar face of Mason waiting on the other side. Without thought, she launched herself forward
and gave him a tight hug around his thin torso. Before he reacted, she pulled away and caught his green eyes. Though flushed from physical
exertion, he’d held up well for making such good time. His wings had been tucked behind a winter parka that bumped up awkwardly around the
shoulders. His brown hair had been thoroughly messed up but the frenzied look actually complimented his strong jaw line.
“You have no idea how glad I am to see you.” She said, letting the door swing shut behind her and seal Nate in.
“What happened?” He asked without hesitation, giving her the look over.
She’d put her shirt back on to cover the shoulder bandage but the distinctive red splotches still marred the white cotton. Avery waved him off before
he gave it further examination.
“I’m fine now. But that Patrick guy? He just flipped out and tried to kill me. I managed to get to a car but he jumped on the hood and bashed it up to
get inside so I just kinda hit him with the car. He rolled off the hood but I don’t think he’s dead.”
In fact, Avery was sure that he was alive. That thought wasn’t comforting though.
“That was at Mayweather?” Mason asked, his eyes sliding around the empty hallway.
“Yea.”
“I searched that place first but he wasn’t there. He’s definitely up and moving again but if his wings are injured, his options for getting around are
limited and that’ll help us predict where another attack would come from.” Mason said, his lips thinning and face darkening with shadows.
Avery tried to control her reaction. If Patrick had moved, she reasoned, he’d have caught up to them by now walking or not. She’d like to assume
that he would have left after he was injured but harpies had the tendency to be blindly vengeful. Worse, she reasoned that without using the magic in
her body she’d be defenseless for another attack. The kind of luck she’d experienced a day ago typically didn’t hold up twice.
“That’s just…comforting.”
“That’s if he’ll have the nerve to come back while I’m here. Damnit, I knew something like this would happen!” Mason hissed and suddenly spun to
march down the hallway. His muscles tightened and fists curled until his own talons drew blood.
Feeling the thick anger radiating off of him, Avery let him pace and stayed quiet. Only when he paced back her way did she have the nerve to ask.
“You mean you knew Adalyn might try something?”
“Yes...because every time I give her another chance, she does something stupid. She always thinks she knows better.” He growled and suddenly
turned and swung at the wall. His fist made impact with a resonating crack and Avery jumped. He shook out his fingers. The wooden wall had held
up well against Mason for the most part but still showed off a new dent.
After the punch, Mason finally managed to calm. Looking up, his eyes connected with hers. Mason still had every bit of harpie anger but his face still
softened when he looked at her. Almost acting embarrassed, he curled his hands into his chest.
“I’m sorry.” Avery admitted carefully. “But why does she have to kill me to make your relationship work?”
She regretted the words after she said them as the simple question made the atmosphere instantly change. Avery knew she’d accidently treaded
over to a very sensitive subject: their relationship. Mason and she had never made any effort to address the pink elephant in the room, and Avery
wasn’t ready to do it now either.
Avery swallowed the lump in her throat, diverted her eyes, and changed the topic a bit.
“It’s your trial that’s the problem.” She said, reminding him of something that had happened during last year’s escapades.
Mason couldn’t re-enter harpie society without going to trial for the murder that Adalyn had committed and pinned on him. Not that Avery pointed out
that last detail.
The anger had completely washed out of Mason’s face leaving his expression stoic and immobile.
“Well, to be fair Adalyn and I could be together without me being in society, I mean assuming we could ever manage to get along. We couldn’t get
married under the law but there isn’t anything to stand between us meeting up.”
Avery didn’t know how to answer so she didn’t. She’d gotten used to no Adalyn in the picture. The original assumption about the trial standing
between the two harpies gone, Avery could very well picture them together again. Feeling sick, she wrapped her arms around herself.
“And she’s right. You are a factor standing in the way.” Mason said in carefully measured words. His voice had dropped until she could barely hear
it and his expression had altered into something indiscernible.
“Why me?” Avery made herself ask.
Mason abruptly crossed the room and stood before her. In a fluid motion, he caught her chin between his fingers and lifted her head up until their
eyes connected. The sudden closeness startling, Avery’s nerves crawled and her throat went dry. She licked her lips and forced herself to stand her
ground. Something in his green eyes had changed and he watched her with more intensity.
“Why do you think?” He asked quietly.
Avery’s heart pounded. She knew at that moment that she hadn’t been mistaken when judging his feelings but the quickness of the revelation left
her mind whirling. Hands shaking, she reached out and curled her fingers into his shirt. He made no motion to recoil.
“Maybe I’m spending far too much time with the human girl. Maybe I’m a bit too attached to her.” He said slowly.

Avery’s heart fluttered and she let out a shaking breath. His lips had inched closer and yet she hadn’t moved away. Tilting her head up, she

finally leaned forward and kissed him. The heat between them exploded. Mason pushed forward, pinning Avery back against the wall, and
consuming her lips fully. His hands dropped to her waist and he curled his fingers just beneath her shirt. The feel of his calloused hands made her
shudder. Her mind blanked in favor of enjoying the way his body felt pressed up against hers and she drew him closer with her fists knotted in his
shirt.

Mason separated so suddenly, Avery gasped and fell back. It took a moment for her to recollect her head and only then did she realize they

had company. Mason had already directed his eyes toward the boy leaning into the hall.

“Nate.” Avery said, recognizing him.
“Should I even ask why he’s here? I’ve been gone a week and you’re shacking up with old friends now?” Mason commented and turned.

Without an explanation, he marched toward the lobby clearly flustered.

Avery waved Nate off.
“Get inside, I need to take care of this.” She demanded before taking off after Mason. With long strides, he’d already made it over to the

fireplace and dropped into a red chair.

Avery understood the chaotic feeling. They’d gone from zero to sixty in less than a second—hopped an invisible barrier that couldn’t be

undone. More than flustered herself, she only managed a few thoughts at a time. After checking the lobby and finding it empty, she lumbered into
the other seat.
“It’s not what you think.” She started. Her hands were sweaty and she kept rubbing her knees. She didn’t have anything to hide with Nate but she
knew this wasn’t quite about Nate.
“I didn’t tell you what I thought.” He said but there wasn’t force behind his words.
“We took his car when Patrick tried to kill us. Actually, I have more bad news for you than that.” The grim reminder allowed her to clear the raging
emotions from her head. Mason’s attention back on her, she went on to explain.
“So a few days ago I found a harpie communication amulet in Leela’s desk.”
His eyebrows shot up but he remained calm.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
“More than sure.” Avery took a breath to reorganize her thoughts before she could spew them all out. Even thinking about Leela left a knot in her
stomach and she was almost afraid to tell Mason. “I followed her out one night and found her talking to Mikhail. She was talking about the book—
Jericho’s book. I think they want to recreate the magic of the Willow amulet. I should have seen it coming. Leela had been asking me about
everything.”
Thinking about it, Avery put together the pieces. Leela hadn’t just asked about the book. She’d asked about Avery’s magical tattoo and its coloring.
She’d asked about Mason and his location. She’d quizzed her on Patrick. Horrified, Avery realized that every single one of the seemingly
nonchalant questions was a careful and systematic investigation.
Mason had leaned forward and began quizzing her with more intensity.
“Does she know that you’re onto her? Did she see you follow her?”
Avery shook her head both times but Mason still scowled.
“Then Leela’s the enemy now. She’ll have you kidnapped or killed next.”
Hearing the coldness in his voice made Avery over react. Springing up from her chair, she protested vehemently.
“Hey, you can’t treat her like a criminal! Mikhail’s making her do it! You know he has that allure amulet and can compel people to do things.”
Mason’s expression didn’t change. Keeping the same voice, he reasoned with her.
“We both have seen her in the past few weeks. Did she look like she was being compelled to do anything?”
The logic was developed well but Avery refused to listen to it. Eyes burning with wetness, she folded her arms and let out a frustrated growl. The
weight of cold fear landed on her shoulders and Avery was ready to buckle under it. She protested, more weakly.
“Stop it! I won’t let you hurt her. She’s a good person okay, but Mikhail still managed to get his frikkin’ hooks into her somehow. Who knows what he
told her? Besides… she asked him not to hurt me.”
“Don’t be foolish Avery, Mikhail will skin you alive once you outlive any purpose to him.” Then he added in a drastically different tone. “I can’t let you
die.”
Mood changing again, she dropped down into the chair next to him. Her shoulders shook but she didn’t cry. Everything had been happening so
quickly and she didn’t have time to keep up. Mason’s arm carefully snaked around her shoulder and she leaned into him. They’d held each other
before but now the gesture was different. In fact, the relationship was so different now that Avery would need some time to get used to it. Mason
probably would too.
Wringing her hands, she stared at the burnt logs in the fireplace and focused on the present.
“I know. But how do we help Leela? What do we do?”
Mason took a few minutes to think about it. By the time he answered, most of Avery’s hysteria had faded away.
“One thing at a time. We need to get the book back from Samuel’s storage before Mikhail can break in and steal it.”
Samuel was an older harpie, Adalyn’s father, and had once been the servant and friend to Jericho. It wouldn’t be surprising that he alone kept
Jericho’s journal.
“Is that off the coast of California again? We’re both banned from there. It’ll be almost impossible to sneak in.” She pointed out. Samuel resided in
the harpie court, an official island off of the coast of California. Avery had been there last winter and before they left, the officials of the island had
politely told Mason and Avery to never show their faces there again. Well, politely may not have been the word for it.
“No, he has a home in Portland Oregon now since his service to the Prince is over.”
Avery’s mood lit up just a bit. She’d never been in Portland but she knew the place as being urban and green, different and welcoming. Over two
million humans lived in the city so the harpie population must have been discreet.
“Do you think Samuel will let us have the book? Or will we have to do another break in?”
Mason’s eyes dropped to the floor and he unraveled his arm from Avery’s shoulders.
“It’s more complicated than that.” He admitted.
“Adalyn will be there, won’t she?” Avery asked.
It made sense considering that Samuel was Adalyn’s father. Mason had flown from Portland instead of California which explained how quickly he’d
arrived in Moose Pass. Before Mason could even get the idea, she commented, “Don’t ask for her help. She just tried to kill me.”
Mason scooted away to break their closeness and pushed his hands into his hair.
“She’ll know we’re there. Even if we do cloak and dagger, she’ll feel the magic from that close.” He pointed out.

The magic in their bodies, Mason’s more than hers, did have a way of radiating out an energy signal. Though weak, select harpies could

sense it a mile away.
Especially those who had spent time with them-- especially harpies like Adalyn.
Avery groaned, thinking of the dooming complications. Mason and her relationship aside, she refused to even acknowledge Adalyn after the
Patrick hit man experience.
“What do you plan to do about her then?” Avery asked but her question came off harsher than intended. Mason still had feelings for Adalyn and at
the end of the day, those feelings would ultimately skew his better judgment.
“I can go without you. I never told her why I left so I can go, sneak in and get the book.”
Avery took a breath to resist going overboard. She suffered through with logic.
“What if Patrick comes and kills me while you’re gone?”
Mason shot her a calculating look.
“We’ll both go to Portland. You’ll house up somewhere not far away and wait. It’s our only choice. If Mikhail gets that book, then there’s nothing
stopping him from making another amulet and coming back at us full force.”

He stood up and went for the doors. Avery bit her lip and managed to stay quiet. Though she still had a number of discrepancies to work out, Mason
had a point. They needed to move quickly and she’d pick apart the problems later. Avery headed back for the hotel room. She needed to tell Nate
she was leaving. She needed to tell Nate to cover for her and protect Leela. He would do that, he had to. He was at the edge of Harpie world, and
she was being pulled in deeper.

Eight

Avery let out a deep breath. Only ten minutes in Portland and they were already having problems. It wasn’t the current situation that had her

on edge. She was still unsettled from the choppy flight into the city, the lack of sleep, and the pain medication sitting in her empty stomach. Her
wound still stung but she had it properly wrapped and hidden underneath a jacket.
Though Moose Pass was barely a day past, it certainly seemed far away now.

“I’ll need your identification with the credit card.” The hotel clerk across the wooden bar got her attention. For the second time in two days,

she was trying to get another hotel room. This time, she wasn’t with Nate and she absolutely lacked the confident swagger he had. Worse, Mason
had also picked one of the classier hotels in Seattle, located near the very edge of the city and immersed in a more rural, wooded area. To Avery,
that meant only one thing: more scrutiny to her identity. She was waiting for the clerk to call her out on being under-aged.
“This isn’t going to work.” She hissed to Mason when her harpie companion strolled back to her side. His eyes were on the crimson carpet and his
mind clearly clicked over something else. He did focus a bit more at her words.
“It will. I’m not under-age.” He mentioned. Avery wasn’t entirely sure how old Mason was but this wasn’t the time or place to quiz him on it. She
rubbed her arms, despite not being cold.
“Then cough up some harpie ID with a picture and a number or I’m gonna be busted. Or worse, my mother will find out and that means my brother
Chase will kill me.” She hissed. The clerk had disappeared into the back room with her driver’s license and her credit card, presumably making
photocopies. Every second the clerk lingered was another second he had to figure it out.
“If we picked a cheap hotel I wouldn’t be having this problem. They’d take ten bucks and shoo me off. But nice hotels care about age.” Avery
reminded him of the logic. While the interior of the hotel was beautiful, equipped with a fireplace and golden chandelier, Avery would have gladly
given it up to feel more comfortable.
“It’s the only hotel close to Samuel’s compound. I can’t put you across town in case I need to get to you quickly. Patrick would have had enough time
if he decided to come straight here. We can’t take that chance.”
Avery opened her mouth to respond but the hotel clerk finally shuffled out of the backroom. He gave them a long look.
“Avery Zane.” The clerk slid her identification card back over the desk. “And Mr. Zane,” He nodded toward Mason, “Enjoy your stay.”
“Whoa, wait. Mr. Zane?” Mason lifted his eyebrows. Avery elbowed him before he could get out another word. She hit his ribs hard enough to earn a
gasp. Reaching across the table, she snatched the papers from the hotel clerk and grabbed Mason. Giving the harpie a rough shove, she sent him
down the hallway.
“Trying to bust our cover?” She griped. Her face still burned pink and she couldn’t help but be more embarrassed than mad. It wasn’t an unfair
assumption for the hotel clerk to make when two people showed up renting one room. But knowing Mason, he wouldn’t let it go.
“Mr. Zane? Is that some human custom? Like we are married?” He said as expected.
Even though Avery knew the awkward onslaught was coming, she couldn’t deal with it. It felt like all the air had been sucked from the room and
Avery struggled to breathe right. She’d have given anything to have Mason leave the subject alone. She needed a distraction and she needed one
quickly.
“You know what, we should get food. I’m hungry. Food. That’s right.” Her eyes went to the rotating glass doors of the hotel and she hurried for them.
She remembered a coffee shop across the street.
“Even if we did get married, I wouldn’t be taking your surname. That’s not how it works with harpies. Besides, you would be Mrs. Mason--”
“Are we really talking about getting married right now? That guy just made a stupid assumption.”
“We’re not talking about getting married. But it was better than focusing on the assumption that we were shacking up. And you have to learn not to
be so jittery about things. It’s a compliment if he thinks you’re actually my wife.”
He cracked a cocky smile and Avery couldn’t look at him any longer. Mason got too much enjoyment from messing with her head. Cheeks still on
fire, she refused to look at him.

“I hate you.” She shot at Mason, sticking her tongue out for a fleeting second, and then she turned her attention back to the street
A cozy coffee shop sat on one side of the street. Hopping jazz filtered from the shop’s speakers along with the rich scent of coffee and

cinnamon. Despite her vertigo, Avery’s stomach grumbled and called out for sustenance.
“There. Let’s grab something.” She didn’t ask but told him and pushed him into the coffee shop.
Eyes bigger than her stomach at the moment, she ordered the biggest muffin on the rack and settled in at a table in the back. Mason slid in next to
her.
“I can’t wait too long or our cover will be blown. And I’m afraid Patrick will likely be looking for you.”

“He’s probably still looking for me in Alaska.” Avery paused mid-thought and stared down at the table. “Did you take my muffin?”
The table was empty. Her eyes went straight up to him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried to defend himself, but by doing so, condemned himself. When he opened his mouth to

speak, Avery caught on immediately. Mason hadn’t just snatched her food but he’d done it quickly and nearly swallowed it before she realized.

“You totally snatched it from me!” Her voice hit a higher pitch than she’d intended and her stomach churned violently. “You’re such a- a--

you’re such a harpie!”

When Mason’s only response was half a smile, she sunk back into her seat and glared daggers. The harpie’s face sobered up and he

directed her back to the topic at hand.

“Seriously Avery. I have to go now. I need to meet Adalyn again before she realizes I’m with you.” He said slowly, doing well to carefully

measure his words.
It didn’t matter how nicely he said it. His comment brought back up a sensitive subject. Avery found herself afraid to approach it but unable to stop

herself.

“I thought you were just going to steal the book and get out. Why do you have to buddy up with Adalyn? Are you still... are you still in love with

her?”

Mason didn’t lift his head to look at her. He didn’t answer right away either. The atmosphere thickened with agonizing awkwardness. After a

full minute, Mason answered softly.

“You can’t possibly understand.”
That one hurt. Avery tried desperately to control her emotions and go for the rational approach. Despite what Mason wanted to believe,

Avery was involved now and Adalyn in the picture very much affected her.

“Try me. I’d rather know what I’m dealing with.”

He groaned before answering.
“I do love her. It’s not a choice of mine, Avery. And despite what I continue to do, I continue having to deal with her again and again.” He looked up
and held both hands out in a helpless gesture.
Mason’s emotions, though usually guarded, played over the shadows in his face. Avery bit her lip.
“So I did interpret that kiss the wrong way then. If you’re not ready to move on, then don’t. I’d rather not get stuck in the middle of this if you can’t pick
one of us.” She pled through a whisper.
Mason pushed back into his seat
“It’s not like that. I’m not trying to be with Adalyn. It’s not about me choosing. I already did that when I stayed with you. But until I can break it off with
Adalyn for good, you and I are just a side note. She was here first and I have to do what’s right by her. And then by us.”
Avery couldn’t have asked for much more of an answer, pleasant to hear or not, so she accepted it with a tiny nod. If he broke it off with Avery again,
she wasn’t sure how low her heart could sink into her stomach. She let the conversation die. It wasn’t hard when Mason had lapsed into a deep
thought.
Avery jumped when her pocket rattled and the unfamiliar cell phone jingle rang loudly. She scrambled to jimmy the phone from her pocket and hit
the silence key. Since Patrick had destroyed her phone, she had to buy a contract free replacement to recover her number and finally receive the
missed voicemails. Mason hadn’t agreed with her on the importance of such a thing, but he also didn’t understand the human world. If she went
missing again, the police would be called. Or worse, her brother Chase might find out. Chase, the single most over protective guy in the world,
would be hunting Mason down with a gun if he thought she might be in danger. He’d already threatened Mason more than once. Unwilling to risk the
trouble, she’d gotten the phone and was still getting used to it.
The screen lit up blue displaying a text message from an Alaskan area code and she clicked read. In blocky blue digits, the text said one line:
“Where r u??” Avery’s eyes flickered to the number only now recognizing it. The text was from Leela.
“Alright, I gotta go.” Mason suddenly said and stood from the table, drawing Avery’s eyes up to meet him.
Shoving the phone back into her jacket pocket, she stood to walk him out. The coffee in her hand had already gone cold but she clasped it
anyways.
“Have fun on your date.” She said but her mind had already gone elsewhere.
Mason gave her another sharp look.
“Don’t be like that. You’re worse than a harpie sometimes.”
Knowing she had to amend herself Avery shrugged and tried for a carefree tone.
“For the record, your race can’t have dibs on being bitchy. But do what you got to and don’t get caught.”
Mason finally smiled slyly and actually reached down to hug her. The embrace was quick but the reluctant flicker of elation in Avery’s chest jumped
up anyways.
“You shouldn’t lecture me on attracting trouble. Anyways, go straight back to the hotel.”
He gestured toward the glass entrance doors across the street. Unable to stall much longer, Avery gave him another nod and headed off. He
trekked down the street the other way and she headed inside. Once she knew that she was alone, she pulled the silver phone from her pocket and
stared at the text message from Leela again.
The message brought up more questions than Avery was willing to consider but she did think about one fact. Leela hadn’t known about Patrick and
hadn’t known why Avery disappeared. Also considering she didn’t even know Avery was on to her, the question was probably innocent probing.
Avery’s fingers hovered around the keys for a full moment. After an agonizing mental debate she texted back, “Family emergency. Had 2 skip town
but will b back.” The yellow envelope icon disappeared before Avery could regret sending it. Part of her knew that she wasn’t ready to treat Leela
like an enemy but she knew Mason would consider this dangerous and stupid.
Slipping by the front desk, she made her way for the room in the back. The phone buzzed again and Avery clicked the message open.
“Omg! R Chase and ur mom ok? I tried calling u yesterday but ur phone was out of service 4 some reason.”
“Yea we’re all fine.” Avery had been so focused on her phone, she almost missed her room. Jingling the knob with her free hand, the door gave
surprisingly easy and Avery never broke her focus from the phone screen. Walking in, she only looked up when she heard the sharp female voice
speak up.
“She would be dumb enough to book a room under her name.”
Avery backpedaled but her feet got tangled and Avery smashed into the door hard. Before her sat both Adalyn and Patrick splayed out on the bed.
The damage done to Patrick during their early encounter was painfully obvious. His left wing didn’t stand up all of the way and the feathers were
frayed and torn. Bruises marred his face and his lip had been split leaving a bloody reminder. He held himself up right but Avery could tell that he
wouldn’t put all his weight down on his legs. His black eyes stared straight through her.
Adalyn sat next to him, her long legs folded and her curly blonde hair expertly tied up behind her head. She looked just like Avery remembered with
the body tight black and white clothing, stiletto heels, and hot red lips. Though Adalyn had the looks of a movie star, the danger never quite escaped
her features. She tapped her deadly sharp talons on the bed side. She watched Avery like a predator watching its prey.
“How’d you know to look for me?” They’d only just arrived in Portland meaning Patrick or Adalyn had to be following them from minute one. Adalyn
corrected the theory when she coolly said, “I figured you’d come down here to find Mason. So we waited for you to show up. Called the nearby
hotels and when the clerk confirmed you were booked, we showed up.”
Avery’s mind spun and she looked between the two. They thought that she was here to find Mason and that Mason hadn’t ever picked her up.
Though they were on the wrong up take, Avery didn’t correct them. She kept her eyes forward but her hand slipped behind her for the knob.
“He already knows that Patrick tried to kill me. If I show up dead, he’ll know.” Avery attempted to distract them as she struggled to find the knob.
It didn’t work. Suddenly Patrick stood and crossed the room in a flash of movement. Avery sprung to avoid him but only successfully put herself
farther away from the door. Patrick spread out against the wooden exit and gave her a lazy smile.

Heart pounding now, Avery’s mind went to her phone. She could call Mason but she’d never get the chance to explain. Her luck would be better set
with utilizing the magic in her body as a weapon but that was a long shot too.
“Well if he’s already going to be mad at me then I might as well get something out of it. Double jeopardy. Besides, dead girls tell no tales.” Adalyn
said coldly and stood up.
The room was barely ten by ten making Avery confined close to the two harpies. Her eyes slid between the two when they advanced a step forward.
She clenched her right hand, willing the magic to stir in her chest. A cold wash of fear slipped through her when the attempts continued to fail and
Avery backed against the night stand.
Adalyn offered a show of her brilliantly white teeth.
“Patrick,” She called out to her companion. “Be a dear and make this problem go away.”
Patrick suddenly kicked into motion. Launching himself forward, he swung for Avery. A scream ripped out from her throat and she jumped
backwards. Tripping over the desk behind her, her body lurched backwards and she dropped into a ball. Patrick came around the side of the desk
and Avery wildly kicked at him. Harpies didn’t have strong bone density and usually could be taken off their feet, but a few kicks didn’t do that.
Patrick grabbed her ankle and dragged her out to the center of the room.
Avery rolled to her feet but he caught her just before she stood. Long arm roping around her neck, he yanked her back into his hard chest.
Squeezing the arm around her neck, he managed to cut off her air.
Avery’s world became fuzzy around the edges and she clawed at the arms that held her. Patrick was stronger than most harpies, built more like a
man than a bird, and his grip never loosened. He pressed his free hand up against her back until she could feel the distinctive sharpness of talons
behind her spine.
“Sorry girlie, but this will be quick.” He almost sounded sorry when he whispered into her ear.
Avery swung her body, desperately clinging to her remaining energy, and managed to get a gulp of air. In the moment of absolute panic, she finally
felt the spark of magic in her chest. Forcing it out through her hands, the energy escaped her body and gave Patrick an electric shock.
He stumbled back, but the magic hadn’t done enough damage. Before he could charge at her again, she held both hands up.

“Wait! Wait! You can’t kill me. Mason’s life is depending on what I know.” The plea went out to Adalyn but Patrick scoffed it off.
“Come here.” He hissed and launched at Avery again. In the second before he made contact, Adalyn’s hand swung out and intercepted the

blow.

“Wait!” She shouted at Patrick before her blue eyes slid back to Avery. “Let me hear what she has to say.”
“She’s just stalling.” Patrick complained but obediently backed up a step.

Avery took in a grateful breath and curled her arms back around herself. Adalyn’s piercing gaze still on her, Avery sputtered out an explanation.

“You know Mikhail is out to kill Mason, right? After we got Mikhail arrested and all that?”

Adalyn cracked a humorless smile.

“If I remember correctly, it was you that got Mikhail arrested.”

Patrick stiffened again.

“Fine, can I kill her now?” His body shook with readiness and his talons came out.
“Stop, just stop! You know Mikhail is out to get Mason even if he didn’t have much of a part in it.” Avery’s words were a jumble of hysteria but

somehow both harpies seemed to understand.
Adalyn’s facial expression rapidly changed from boredom to sharp interest.

“You mean you put my fiancé in grave danger.” She growled. “What do you know? What’s the plan?”
Earning more time, Avery took a breath and readied the most critical explanation she’d ever have to give in her life.
“He’s after the book. Jericho’s book that detailed how to create the amulet of Willow. If he gets it and recreates it, all of the Willow magic in

Mason’s body wouldn’t be able to fight him off. And then when Mikhail kills Mason, the magic will jump from Mason’s body to Mikhail’s and only
make him stronger.”

“Imagine the shame that neither of you girls could have Mason.” Patrick piped in but his sarcastic whine went ignored.
Adalyn’s brow pinched together and she drew back, no longer ready to lash out.
“Jericho’s book is in my father’s library.” She said slowly.
Taking a breath, Avery mustered as much confidence as she could manage. In two words, she implanted the doubt in Adalyn’s head.
“Is it?” She asked.
Adalyn’s brow pinched tighter and then Avery added, “They are called the Band of Thieves for a reason.”

The female harpie’s face couldn’t have possibly grown pinker. She clasped her fists together and glowered. Her blue eyes left Avery and she glared
at Patrick.

“Patrick, pick her up and take her with us. We’re going to my house.”
Avery didn’t even have time to process the words when Patrick made a grab for her. He caught her waist and threw her over his shoulder

like a weightless doll. She struggled but couldn’t break free. She was trapped again.

Nine

The short flight to their destination was more uncomfortable than anything Avery had ever experienced. The harpies had taken to an unusual

flight pattern, specifically soaring through the cloud coverage, which left the wet and smoggy taste of puffy fog in Avery’s mouth.

“Ease up girlie.” Patrick purred in her ear reminding Avery of how uncomfortably close he held her. “I’ve got you.” He said. She swatted at

him when his hand glided over her backside.

Despite the proximity, she wouldn’t fight when they were in the air. He’d propped her over his shoulder and facing down, she watched the

sight of the distant green ground speeding by. She’d dug her fingers into his shirt until her knuckles turned white. The combination of anxiety and
pressure on her stomach had left her ragingly queasy.

Face hot, she sputtered an appropriate gripe seconds before he dropped them and her stomach jumped back into her chest. They finally

began to descend with a rapid change in altitude until the ground approached in a hurry. Patrick slammed into the ground with a jolt that left Avery
rattling. In a swift motion, he rolled her off his shoulder and set her on the muddy ground.
She straightened herself up quickly and her eyes darted to take in the area. Avery wasn’t sure what she was looking at. The building in front of her

didn’t resemble the Harpie Island she’d seen last summer when visiting Samuel. Where that island had praised green garden life, wide spaces,
and open blue skies, this dull place had tightly blocked off quarters and boarded up windows.

High walls surrounded the compound where Adalyn and Patrick had touched down. The grey walls blocked them off from the rest of the

world, which made sense, but also gave a touch of claustrophobia. Three stories tall, the building looked like an abandoned factory and still warded
off visitors by the looks of the desolate place.
“This is it?” She asked, mildly disbelieving.
“No, this is where we kill and bury you. Of course this is it.” Patrick said, arm snaking out and grabbing Avery’s elbow. She let him, not planning on
running. Mason had left for Samuel’s place over an hour ago and that would put him in the immediate area. All she had to do, Avery reasoned, was
wait.
Patrick’s grip tightened until his talons pinched her and brought her back to reality. He dragged her forward and they tromped over the bare ground,
wet from recent rain, and slid around the side of the building. Bright red warning signs had been posted up on the door to halt entrance but Adalyn
yanked the heavy metal door open anyways. Motion detector lights flickered on overhead illuminating the surprisingly chic hallway. Polished hard
wood made up the floors and a thick layer of crème colored paint covered the drywall. Framed paintings of miscellaneous classy scenes lined the
walls and soft music floated through ceiling stereos. The harpies in Portland may have been living in secrecy but they apparently were still living in
style.

The door shut behind them and Avery stole a last quick glance outside. She’d buy as much time as possible but with no sight of Mason just

yet, Avery was playing with fire.
“There’s no security here. What’s to keep the Band out?”
“You act like we’re not used to dealing with them.” Adalyn said sourly, tilting her head up. She did well to convey assurance with her overconfident
tone but the mere fact that they’d come indicated some shadow of doubt.

“Patrick, keep her here. I can’t let my father see her.” Adalyn added.
Patrick’s sudden posture change indicated a change from boredom to alertness. Wide eyes glinting, he clarified. “You’re leaving me alone

with her?”

“Whoa, wait up.” Avery interrupted when the implications hit her too. Adalyn just arched an eyebrow, spun on the heel of her white boots, and

walked off.

Patrick abruptly gave Avery a tug that sent her back into the wall. Looking directly up at him, she had to tilt her head back. The height

difference was obvious, even worse than with Avery and Mason. Patrick not only hit six foot ten but his wings arched up more radically as well.

“Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I’d like to clarify some of the bad things that have happened over the past few days.”
“You mean trying to kill me, me hitting you with a car, and then you trying to kill me again?” She said but it wasn’t funny.
He rolled his eyes.

“I have to do what Adalyn asks me. I owe her big time. And I would have killed you quickly, though you may not have appreciated it. I wasn’t

kidding when I said I was interested before.”
Avery grit her teeth, keeping her defiant resolve despite his intimidating posture.

“Did you miss it when I said not interested the first time?”
“Don’t be like that girlie, it’s a good thing.” His hand slithered out and propped her chin up with an index finger. A playboy worthy smile

crossed his face with the single arched, inviting eyebrow. He’d leaned over, arching his body until their faces hovered mere inches away from each
other.

“Go away.” Avery growled but couldn’t muster the appropriate force behind her response. Her heart hammered making her voice wane and

her hands shake. He kept pressing closer. Too close. But then Patrick’s body disappeared. The moment happened so fast, Avery barely realized
why.
In an explosion of movement, Mason had come from the hallway and lunged for Patrick. The two collided with a deafening pop. They smashed into
the dry wall and broke through it with a hurricane of dust. Thrashing, they hit the floor and rolled.
Avery dove backwards, clear of the fight but another arm snaked around her neck. Recognizing the female harpie, Avery fought back. The surprise
worked on Adalyn’s side but Avery, a human built stockier and studier, cut off the choking movement prematurely. Stopping Adalyn from moving her
back, she twisted around and kicked. Her foot met Adalyn’s abdomen and the harpie gasped. Grip broken, Adalyn fell backwards and Avery
sprung back into a crouch.

“Stop this!” Samuel thundered, bringing attention to his existence at the very end of the hallway.

Avery froze and in seconds, the rest of the fighting died. Mason reeled, breaking free of Patrick’s hold, and hopped to his feet. His clothing had
been disheveled and his brown hair tousled in front of his face. Faint red marks marred his cheek bones and his knuckles had discolored purple.
The damage didn’t look remotely serious seeing as the boys had resisted going for more cheap and dangerous shots.
In the moment, Avery slipped to Mason’s side and slid behind his white wing that hung partway open. Samuel, the old harpie and former servant of
Jericho’s, shot Avery and Mason a harrowing look.

“Of all the people in the world that should not have resurfaced, you are them.” He said sharply, no humor creeping into his hoarse voice.
Age had significantly worn his body since they’d last seen him. His posture was hunched making the once tall harpie seem short and frail.

His wings had gone grey and began to bald along the column of the bone. Face etched with frown lines, his scowl seemed at home.
A few months ago, Avery had saved Samuel’s life and he allowed them to walk away from the harpie government in return. He did leave them with
one strict warning not to resurface and they’d just done that. Avery hurried to explain.

“You don’t understand. We’re not here to cause trouble. We need help. We need Jericho’s journal.”

Samuel’s expression didn’t change but his eyes did sharpen.
“Perhaps you do not understand. I cannot risk my position here with allegations. I am not here to help you or associate with you. I will not.”
“Sir,” Mason cleared his throat and ran a hand to straighten out his hair. “We didn’t come on a social visit. We think someone, Mikhail specifically,
may be out to steal my father’s journal.”
Careful calculations flashed over Samuel’s face and his frown grew.
“Those are dangerous assertions Mason. And I suspect unsubstantiated claims. That book is in my personal collection and I would know of its
whereabouts.”
“He thinks we’re here just to take it again.” Mason whispered for Avery’s benefit. She reached out for the side of his wing and nervously curled her
fingers into his soft feathers.
Adalyn took over the situation next.
“Dad, they’re with me and you can’t stop us.” Adalyn pointed out blatantly. She’d propped her chin up and held her stature with a threatening

disobedience. Samuel’s gaze shot to his daughter. “They just want to see it. Show them the damn thing and they’ll be off. Well, at least the human
girl will be.” Adalyn added.
Samuel’s mouth opened but he held his tongue. After a moment of thought, he turned in a slow motion and led the procession down the hall. One
corner and two doors later, Samuel opened up the door to a quaint library. Smaller than the one at the harpie island, it still held several shelves
worth of leather bound books and reeked of musty paper and coffee. The group bumbled into the room, which was a difficult task considering the
wide berth between Mason and Patrick. The two harpies hadn’t attempted to finish the fight that they’d started but the tension of it remained thick in
the atmosphere.
Samuel swept forward as quickly as his short legs and curved posture would let him. Digging straight into a cabinet built into one of the oak book
shelves, he searched.
“It’s gone isn’t it?” Mason said after a minute had passed. Samuel never looked up but his face had paled. His wrinkled hands still scrambled to
overturn the desk’s contents.
“It was here.” Samuel heaved.
Mason shot a steely look over the quiet audience. Adalyn and Avery’s faces dulled with realization.
“When was the last time you saw it?” Mason said, still managing to keep a calm head.
Samuel turned from his work and leaned back against the wood. Adalyn broke from the crowd and appeared at her father’s side. Supporting the
shaking man’s weight, she helped him over to a group of lounge chairs. When Samuel dropped into a seat, Mason and Avery sat next to him.
“I’m not sure.” Samuel finally answered, hand pressed to his forehead. “It wasn’t long ago. Of that I can assure you. But whoever stole it did it
inconspicuously.”
“They call them the Band of Thieves for a reason, right?” Avery offered. Her words earned an incredulous look from Samuel.
“So you came here knowing that it may be stolen by the Band. Obviously there is a reason for that.”
“We got word.” Mason explained carefully. “But we thought we’d have more time. Mikhail sought the amulet of Willow once before, it’d be no
surprise that he’d like an instruction manual on how to recreate it.”
“We’ll have to get the authorities involved. You’ll have to tell them everything. You knew to come here. You knew to look for the book. Those details
are deathly important now.” Samuel said.
Avery couldn’t help but panic. She knew that details about it would lead to Leela. And after dealing with the harpie government once, she knew they
would treat Leela as an enemy that needed to be killed. Refusing to even drop the name, Avery took a different approach.
“We don’t know much. Hearsay. But we’d have more luck following it than the police. Besides, if the police get involved then Mason and I will be in
danger as well.” Avery said so smoothly, she was proud of herself.
“It’s a risk we have to be willing to take. This is out of your hands already.” Samuel replied, shooting her down just as quickly. Rubbing his temple
hard, he shook his head. “If Mikhail is truly in possession of the book, then he could use it to make a weapon so strong that the entire monarchy is in
danger.”
“Avery, you don’t understand the extent of it.” Mason took up where Samuel left off. Though he spoke softly, directed toward Avery, everyone
listened. “He’s not just a petty theft. Mikhail never was. He’s different from the rest and he used to be the Prince before my father’s family came to
power.”
“Whoa. So how’d he end up in the Band?” Avery asked.
“Yea, you should ask Jericho. It’s his fault, right?” Patrick piped up, apparently desperate to get one last jab in at Mason.
Mason’s fists clenched but he didn’t let the other harpie bait him. It proved to be a testament about how much Mason had checked his harpie anger.
“Reasoning aside, he broke from the society and became an outlaw. He’s not just a thief but an entire anarchist. We cannot allow this to go
unchecked.” Samuel ended the conversation for both of them.
Mason’s lips thinned but he didn’t up and panic. He continued to formulate his words with admirable thought.
“Would they have any idea where to find Mikhail?” Mason asked politely.
“If they did, he’d be in custody now although I dare say they’ll find this as reason to intensify the search.” Samuel answered.
“Fine.” Mason stood up abruptly and waved at Avery to follow. Avery immediately grabbed for Mason’s hand to slow the harpie down from storming
out. “Its fine Avery, let them do it.” He said.
Her eyes caught his, trying to grasp his reasoning. Mason saw this as an opportunity to walk away. Though she would have lingered and protested
more, she grudgingly trusted her companion.
“I strongly advise you to keep that initiative.” Samuel warned before they left.

Mason gave one more firm nod, squeezed Avery’s hand, and led her out the door. Mason walked quickly leaving Avery to jog to keep up.

They burned down the hallway, heading straight for the door from which they’d come. They made it halfway down the hallway before Adalyn
followed.

“You’re going Mason?” Adalyn’s voice stopped them in their tracks.

Mason’s grip tightened on Avery’s hand until it hurt. Wings twitching with seeping anxiety, Mason twisted to see Adalyn.

“You know I can’t be here.” He said convincingly, but his voice still waivered. Avery couldn’t see his expression from where she stood but she

knew it wouldn’t be a good one. In the history of Adalyn and Mason’s tumultuous relationship, this had to be the darkest point. Avery squeezed his
hand, willing some strength with it. She couldn’t relate-- not even close, but she knew that despite what Adalyn had done Mason’s emotions still
weren’t in the clear. Watching the frown on the girl’s face didn’t make it any easier.

Adalyn took a long, deep breath.

“You said we needed to talk. So let’s talk.”

Adalyn commanded.
Avery already knew what Mason was thinking. Not here and not now. This wasn’t right for them, not to do “The Talk” in front of everyone. But

Adalyn wasn’t wavering.

“Adalyn, it’s over.” Mason started. “We can’t do this anymore. So let’s cut our losses and move on.”
“You’re serious about this? All this over a stupid human girl?” Adalyn kept her composure but not by much.
“It’s not over Avery. It’s because we haven’t been working for a long time now and you know it. It just took me too long to say it.” Mason’s

voice actually grew with strength. But then so did Adalyn’s.

“Mason, you’re not thinking about the consequences. You and I were supposed to be married for a reason! You’ll lose everything.” The

harpie woman nearly screamed.

“That’s fine.” Mason agreed blankly. Suddenly animating again, he squeezed for Avery’s hand. Though momentarily stunned, Avery allowed

the harpie to lead her outside. A stiff silence lingered in their wake. His wings opened and he pulled her against his chest. The rush meant little

though. Adalyn never followed and they took off into empty blue skies. Only after they’d cleared the compound and Portland did Avery have the
nerve to stir Mason from his thoughts.

“Are you okay?” She asked, regretting how bland that sounded. Shifting her cheek against his shoulder, she didn’t look at his face afraid of

what she might see.

“Yea, I’m better than I’ve been for a long time.” Mason said quietly.
“Good.” She blurted.
“Of course, except now the government is involved in the Mikhail conspiracy, your friend and you are in danger all over again, now we have

no place to start fixing things. That I’m not so okay with.”

“Actually,” She maneuvered her head and gave him a half smile. “I have an idea on where to start. Thing is...you might not like it.”

Ten

“No way in hell.”

“Come on Mason, you can’t stop me.” She pointed out and reached for his shoulder. Mason danced away before she could and pressed himself up
against the opposite side of the grey brick wall. Despite the cold and snow coming down overhead, he stubbornly stayed put and glared downward
at her. Avery regretted giving him so much time to think about it but here and now there wasn’t much he could do to stop her.
Avery glanced backwards, looking over Mayweather Academy towards her dorm in the distance. They’d flown straight from Portland and arrived
overnight. The temperature had plunged and the wind weaved through the trees and beat on the campus. Avery wrapped her arms around her body
and turned back to Mason.
“You thought it was a good idea a few hours ago.” She said.
He shot her another harrowing look, the shadows underneath his eyes growing and his hands curling into fists. He hadn’t even bothered to wear the
heavy trench coat and hide his massive wings. There wasn’t really anyone out during this time at night but he was still playing with fire.
“I never said the word ‘good’. I said stupid.” He corrected.
“Yea but you also said possible.” She stepped closer.
Mason kicked the ground but didn’t budge when she slid next to him. Truth be told, her nerves were screaming in protest and her muscles burned
with
anxiety. She hopped boot to boot, trying unsuccessfully to keep the jitters at edge.
“Look, no one else knows where the Band is besides Leela. And she doesn’t know I’m on to her. If I could just meet up with her and act it out, she
might have me taken to the Band’s headquarters to help them decipher Jericho’s journal.” She reiterated the plan she decided earlier, step by step.
“Then we can not only find the journal but get it back.”
“I don’t think you understand. You’ll be walking straight into Mikhail’s hands and this time, he isn’t too interested in keeping you alive.”
She pouted but he did raise a point. She’d run into Mikhail once before on Hatcher Pass last year. He’d kept her alive specifically because he
didn’t know how to harness the magic that was in her body. If he believed, like everyone else, that all the magic was gone then she meant nothing to
him now. Rubbing her frozen hands together, she shrugged off the possibility.
“I’d rather do it before he creates another amulet than after. Besides, you’ll be there to back me up.”
“Thanks for the confidence but I’m not a miracle worker, Avery. We can’t take on the entire Band at once. There is a good chance that we could
both die.” His voice dropped and she didn’t disagree.
Acting without much thinking, she reached out and caught his warm hands until he grudgingly opened up his fists. Unfazed by the attitude, she
clasped his hand and used it to draw him closer. His green eyes dropped to meet hers. The expression on his face hurt to see. Lips tilted
downward with a helpless frown, the light had gone from his face and had been replaced by darkness.
Despite the situation at hand, the close proximity
to him made her mind wander. Adalyn was officially out of the picture. That meant there was finally a “them” as a couple. And though Avery had
been thinking about it for months, seeing it happen still left her mind spinning.

His mind must have followed the same track.
“You look like you want to kiss me.” He said lazily.

“Stop being so full of yourself.” She rolled her eyes for drama’s sake but didn’t move away when he leaned down.
“It’s hard to when you follow me around with those puppy dog eyes.”
She opened her mouth to protest but he leaned down and caught her lips before she even got a word out. His lips were soft but he pressed into her
mouth hard. The kiss was wet but passionate and she could taste spiciness on his tongue. She let herself slip back into the wall and he pinned her
against it. She tilted her head up and arched her back forward giving him easier access and Mason took full advantage of it. Arms looping around
her back, he pressed his body against hers until she could feel every inch of his rippled chest. Nerves hypersensitive, she shuddered when his hand
slipped beneath her shirt and she felt the gentle touch of his calloused fingertips.
Mason moved his mouth away and shifted his attention to her cheek. He trailed kisses down the side of her face, underneath her chin, and to the
hollow of her neck while leaving a burning sensation in the wake of each kiss. He stopped just before her collar bone and suddenly looked up to
catch her eyes.
“What?” She asked, breathless. Her cheeks burned red hot and she licked her swollen lips.
He quirked an eyebrow.
“Puppy dog eyes.” He said with a devilish smile.
Pushing him off, she groaned.
“Shut up, Mason.”
His smile only grew wider and refusing to look at him any longer, Avery turned away and composed herself.
“I should be going.” She said when the sight of the Mayweather campus reminded her of the real situation at hand. “It’s better if I get to it while no
one else is awake.”
Combined with the fact that she’d lose her nerve waiting any longer, Avery was ready to jump right into her plan. Mason cut off her path though.

Green eyes finally serious, he gave her a last lecture.
“You can’t be stupid about this, Avery. You have to be very careful and if anything at all seems wrong, just leave. We can find some other way to deal
with it.”
Avery tried not to let the comment get her down.
“Come on, you don’t trust my acting skills?y an She asked rhetorically. The joking tone didn’t quite lighten the moment as much as she’ intended.
“You’re more of a magnet for trouble than anyone I’ve met in my life. At least tell me you’ll be smart about it or I won’t let you do this at all.” When she
nodded he added in a hushed tone, “Avery, do not die. If we’re going to be together, then I don’t want a dead girlfriend one day into the
relationship.”
Avery offered him the most reassuring smile she could muster. The confidence in his face never bolstered but he did step aside and allow her
access to the sidewalk. Before she could back out, Avery hurried down the open pathway towards the entrance of Crepuscule Hall. She heard the
sweeping sound as Mason took off in a gust of wind and flew somewhere into the woods. He’d probably create a perimeter and scan the dark
skies. Feeling much more alone, Avery rushed down the stairs and through the entranceway.
Inside the hallways were dim and only the flickering emergency lights illuminated the building. The usually boisterous hall stayed quiet this late at
night and Avery could hear every single one of her footsteps loudly. Her hazel eyes trailed around fanatically at every nook and cranny, though she
recognized her own behavior as overkill.
She reached the last door on the end, 1128, and hesitated outside. She paced her breathing and shook her limbs loose. Leela would most likely be
asleep and not even stir when Avery went inside. But grabbing the cold knob, Avery knew she couldn’t be sure of that either.
Finally unlocking the room, she pushed the door open. The lights from the hallway spilled into the room and bathed it in a yellow glow. Leela’s bed,
closest to the door, sat empty. Avery took a cautious step in and that’s when she heard the voice pierce through the darkness.
“Avery?”
Avery stopped, searching blindly until her pupils became accustomed to the darkness. Sitting on her desk was the petite form of Leela. The girl
looked up, her face white and startled.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were awake. I just- I just got back.” Avery tried to sound realistic and took another slow step in to let the door slide shut
behind her. The light outside disappeared and with it, Avery’s courage dwindled. Leela shifted a bit and reached out for a desk lamp.
The bulb clicked on and she was able to see well again, Avery looked over Leela’s form. The girl still wore jeans and a hoodie but swung her bare
feet. Hands closed and in her pockets, she didn’t ever reach out for the typical hug.
“What are you doing here?” Leela asked.
“Huh?”
The question made Avery flinch, and she immediately whirled to face the bed. Mason had told her to get out immediately if something went down,
but Avery refused to leave so early. It was an innocent question she reminded herself.
“I just, like just got back. Overnight flight.” She struggled for the words. “Why? Did I interrupt something?” She asked casually and headed for the
bed, her movements too jerky and uneven. Forcing herself to breath, Avery walked slower and put thought into every tiny movement. At her bed, she
slipped off her boots and let them hit the floor. Then she turned to face Leela.
“Oh, nah, I was just talking to Nate.” Leela gave a sly smile and jumped off the desk. “Welcome back. How’s Chase doing?”
Leela’s brown eyes never gave away any detection or suspicion. Taking it as reassurance, Avery put in the best act she could.
“He’s okay now. I love ‘em but I can’t miss any more school or I’m never going to graduate.” She made a gun out of her thumb and index finger,
mimicking blowing her brains out. “It’s just my week has been insane thus far, ya know?”
“Shoot. I wasn’t planning to sleep for awhile.” Leela crawled onto her bed, and folded her arms. She tilted her arm to specifically avoid leaning on
her jacket’s left pocket. The movement was tiny and virtually inconspicuous but Avery noticed it anyways. Leela’s jacket was small, like her body
frame, but tight it outlined something round inside the fabric. Avery squinted to see the outline but it certainly didn’t look a phone. Her breath sped
up when she finally recognized what it was. Leela had another harpie amulet in her pocket.
“Uh, I don’t know where to start. Um...” Stumbling over her words too much, Avery mentally kicked herself until she focused on the conversation.
“Mason and I broke up.”
The words slipped from her lips and came without thought, but Avery found a way to act on them.
“He got all jealous over the Patrick thing and took off.” She swallowed, willing Leela to believe it.
The girl seemed to, her eyes widening and her body leaning closer now piqued with interest.
“Whattt? That’s insane. I mean, I’m sorry but boys are worse drama makers than girls. Is Patrick even around anymore?”
Her chest fluttering, Avery realized the plan was working better than she thought. If Leela thought Avery was absolutely unprotected, she’d certainly
pass the information along to the Band. That would make the Band more likely to come and take Avery to their hideout. Acting, Avery grabbed a
strand of her curly hair and twisted it around her finger while she cast her eyes toward the speckled tile floor.
“I don’t know what happened. Like, we fight over very few things so why he’d snap over the Patrick thing I don’t know... Actually...” Avery looked off
into space like she was trying to grasp a distant thought. “So this sounds crazy but he was also upset over my opinion about his father.”
Leela suddenly leaned forward until the springs squeaked. Perched at the very edge of her bed, she peered at Avery with distinct interest.
“Wait, you met his father?” She asked.
Avery shrugged lightly and let go of her hair.
Avery’s heart threatened to beat its way out of her chest. Hands sweating, she fiddled with her jacket. This was going into uncharted territory. She
didn’t know if she could bring up the subject without it being blatantly obvious. Unable to stop now, Avery kept the conversation light and her
attention on the floor.
“Well, for all intents and purposes I did. I couldn’t explain it if I wanted to. But I just know...well I know everything about the guy.”
She could hear Leela lean back on the bed but still Avery refused to look up. She should have listened to Mason, she told herself, her acting skills
sucked.
“Isn’t that great. I love how stuff works out like this.”
Avery’s head snapped up and her heart nearly stopped. The masculine voice didn’t belong to Leela but Rafael, a huge male harpie who cracked
open the bathroom door and leaned through the doorway. Rafael, a Band member, wore his identifying bronze insignias with his wings out and half
open. He hadn’t changed much since Avery saw him last, his scrappy brown hair framing his sharp eyes. Avery couldn’t find the correct words to
muster her confusion. How long had Rafael been standing in the bathroom? For the entire conversation?
“I’m sorry, Avery.” Leela said suddenly, getting off the bed. She was frowning, lines marring her ivory skin, and reaching out for Avery.
“What’s going on?” Avery sputtered. She wasn’t acting. She didn’t need to. The sight of Rafael driving panic deep, she immediately scrambled
back up against the wall.

“She doesn’t look happy to see me.” Rafael complained to Leela. “I’m so hurt.”
“Avery, please calm down.” Leela approached the bed, warning hand held out into the air. “It’s not what you think.”
Rafael swiftly approached the other side of the bed. Due to Avery’s location, she was boxed in against the wall. Rafael blocked the window and
Leela blocked the door. She eyed her exits but didn’t fight to escape. Suddenly reminding herself she needed this to happen, Avery stayed in one
spot.
“What do you want?” Avery asked as they edged closer.
No one answered but Rafael suddenly lashed out. Catching Avery’s arm, he tore her off the bed. She went tumbling into the wall but he yanked her
upright.
“Don’t hurt her.” Leela shouted but Rafael didn’t listen.
Seeing his right arm swing back, Avery prepared herself for impact. She didn’t know when he finally hit her. Her world went black and Avery didn’t
remember anything.

Eleven

Avery came to with her head throbbing and blood pounding in her ears. She opened her eyes and saw nothing but swirling shades of grey

for a solid minute. The wound incurred on the back of her head from Rafael’s strike made itself known by sending electric jolts of pain down her
neck. Hand moving before her brain thought, she fingered the injury. Her curly hair had knotted into tangled thickets but she couldn’t feel any blood
below it or anywhere on her skull.
The room surrounding her finally straightened itself out in her vision and Avery blinked at it. First, she noticed the king sized bed she’d been placed
on. Satin ivory sheets had been casually tossed over her and she hurried to kick off the fabric. Beyond the canopy bed, white carpets and gold
wallpaper decorated the room. A glass desk and a white wooden bookcase sat against the wall. Her eyes skipped over the minor details and
landed on the door directly across from the bed.
Avery didn’t hesitate. Ready to bolt the room, she jumped off the bed and went for the door. A man’s voice stopped her.
“Going somewhere?”
Going cold, Avery froze. She followed the voice to the window. Perched against the sill stood Mikhail and his black eyes glinted when she met
them. His thin lips twisted into a smile and his sharp white teeth showed predominantly.
“Didn’t think so. Go ahead and sit right there. Yes, there.” He said carefully.
Her breath escaped her and she couldn’t think rationally. The sight of the older harpie brought up every memory of fear and distress from a few
months ago just as palpable and real as the day she’d first experienced them. He’d nearly cut out her heart to get the amulet’s power and swore
revenge just as she’d gotten away.

Avery shot a fleeting glance toward the door. Five steps away were five steps too far and Avery knew she couldn’t run for it.
She’d planned on finding the location, getting Mason here, and stealing the book. She hadn’t planned on getting knocked out or finding

herself standing right in front of the most dangerous harpie on Earth. Realizing how irrational her plot had been, her heart dropped. Now Avery
would be happy if she got out of this alive. She reluctantly dropped back onto the edge of the bed.
“You know it’s funny, I remember you being more of a talker than this.” Mikhail said with an almost humorous expression creeping up on his face. He
looked more regenerated than usual. The grey in his hair and feathers was almost unnoticeable. Avery knew that he was in his own element now.
She’d be willing to bet the place they’d brought her was his home.
“What do you want me to say? Let me go? Better yet, let Leela go.” Avery said finding her defiance, even though her hands trembled.
“I’m not holding your friend here against her will.” He said matter-a-factly. He glanced toward the door, a very subtle hint that Leela was somewhere
in the building. More horrified than before knowing her friend had been taken here too, Avery overreacted.
“Look, I don’t know what you did to her or what you told her but she’s not part of this! You got me, fine, leave her alone!” Her voice had shot up and
echoed off the small room’s walls.
Mikhail’s face lit up.
“Now that’s the attitude I remember.” He crooned. Wings shutting, he crossed the room and killed the distance between them. Avery recoiled but it
didn’t matter. In half a second, he leaned before her. This close, she could smell the smoky sulfur scent that clung to him. She cringed, watching his
talons curl at his sides.
“You know, of all the foolish humans I’ve dealt with, you’ve been the most interesting.” His tone had dropped significantly. Able to feel his breath,
Avery snapped her head to face away. He was trying to do this to intimidate her, Avery knew. He was trying to get into her head. She refused to let
him. Steeling her resolve, she forced her face to be stoic.
“I’m so glad.” She harped sarcastically but regretted it when his eyes narrowed a bit.
The silent warning taken, his attention then turned away from her face and ended on her arm. Unhidden, the silver mark from the Willow magic
showed clearly. Its loops and twirls designed her skin like an artistic tattoo and Mikhail’s eyes glued to it. The mark had lightened substantially and
as far as anyone else knew, the magic had gone. If Mikhail found that some of the magic lingered, she knew he’d attempt to kill her in order to
acquire it.
Mikhail’s fingers snaked out and brushed her elbow. She twitched uncomfortably at the feel of his touch, but Avery resisted the urge to lash out. If
she let it turn violent, that tiny veil of safety that stayed between them now would be gone. She held her breath. Mikhail kept talking.
“You are brave for a human, surprisingly cunning, and actually dangerous. It’d be a mistake to underestimate you. Now those are the kind of
entertaining enemies I like to have.” The words were simple and clear but Avery wasn’t sure what he meant by them. “Because of this, I’m sure you
know why I brought you here. So let’s cut to the chase then, shall we?”He arched his eyebrows and waited for Avery to answer.
“You stole Jericho’s book.” She said slowly, still hoping that he’d gesture towards the journal’s location somewhere on his glass desk or in his
wooden bookshelf. He didn’t. Instead his black eyes fixated on her, leaving her to shiver. She kept talking, hoping to break his stare. “You’re trying
to make another Willow amulet… possibly a stronger version. I’m not sure yet.”

His smile indicated that he approved. Avery swallowed, ready to keep going. She could hold her own. She could control the conversation

too.

“You want me because I have Jericho’s memories. You want me to help decipher the book for you.”
“Wrong.” He barked suddenly, the sharp noise ruining the false sense of calm. “I don’t need a human to tell me how to create magic.”
His expression twisted and before the anger could ruin his poker face, Mikhail spun and faced the opposite wall. His shoulders heaved but

he managed to stand otherwise still. Before Avery could look for another exit, Mikhail spoke again.

“Jericho would like everyone to think that he was the only pioneer of the Willow magic, that no one could understand it without him. But I

taught Jericho much of what he knows. We worked together on this magic.” Mikhail finally faced her again. “But then, when we got close to cracking
the code he had me banished and sent away. I was unable to work on the amulet, so yes, Jericho was able to create it first. And yes, I could use his
journal but I do not need help understanding it.”

Avery swallowed with difficulty, repeating the words in her head to confirm she’d heard them right. This wasn’t what she expected. Avery had

come to the idea that Mikhail would have her translate the book and for that reason, keep her alive. Now she wasn’t so sure. Body going cold, she
sat perched on the edge of the bed and kept her muscles alert.

“Why do you need me then?” Avery quizzed, feeling for some ground to stand on.
“Why? Because you’re an anomaly. I’m sure you noticed that fact.” He gestured toward the mark that curled up Avery’s arm, and though it

hadn’t changed, Avery felt compelled to look at it too. The same silver, curling spider’s design greeted her. Avery knew she had probably been the
first to have the magic absorbed into her body but she hadn’t given much thought to how it got there. She had only cared about how to get it out.

“So what?” Avery prompted next.
“I was once told by Jericho that absorbing magic into one’s body was impossible. I stopped my efforts and I consoled myself with stealing

his amulet instead. Then you showed up. The girl that wasn’t supposed to be possible. Now I think Jericho was just trying to dissuade me. It is
possible to absorb the magic. And you’re the test run.”

Mikhail’s words were no longer directed to her but into the distant, empty air, probably as he recalled lost memories about the other harpie.

Avery didn’t care to follow his thoughts, more focused on his current explanation. Her mind, somewhat fuzzy since the concussion she suffered
earlier, took a moment to think it over.

“If it works with me, you plan on doing it to yourself.” Avery gasped when it all finally clicked in her head. She may not have been on top of

things but she wasn’t stupid. Mikhail kept her alive and brought her here because she was an example for how he would absorb the magic himself.
Coming here just brought Mikhail closer to his goal. The revelation left a cold feeling raking down her spine.

“Great.” Avery whispered but her words were hollow. Screw the book, she had to get out.
“So you understand why I have brought you here. And you may also understand why I choose not to kill you yet. But here’s something you

should know. I’m allowing you to live like this-- nice, quaint, and in one piece,” He made a disturbing gesture to her neck, “if you cooperate. I don’t
want trouble from you or I’ll revoke my offer. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” Avery parroted.
“Then make yourself comfortable here.” Mikhail then did something she hadn’t expected. He gestured toward the door. Though surprised,

Avery stood automatically and didn’t bother to respond. When given the opening, she ran for the exit, yanked open the wooden door, and took off
into the hallway. Avery didn’t hesitate and never slowed. The hallway twisted around and she kept running, waiting for the inevitable exit. It broke into
a large living room fit for a mansion. Harpies lingered in the room and Avery slid to a halt. All of the harpies wore the bronze chest plates with the
identifiable swirling symbol of the Band of Thieves. She waited to be intercepted. But to her shock none of the harpies so much as shifted.
Heart jumping to her throat, she proceeded forward slowly. Two glass window doors presented the exit. Through them she could see a tropical
environment, grass sprouting high with open blue skies and palm trees. No other infrastructure clearly showed leaving the place mostly unidentified.
Avery reached the door, and pivoted. Her hands sought out the metal doorknob blindly while she watched the harpies.
A number of dark eyes crawled up to watch her. Catching the knob, the lock clicked and the door opened. Everyone in the room remained painfully
still. Her chest burned, breath held in. The stillness seemed too dangerous to break. Finally, with a last flicker of anxiety, Avery opened the door and
dashed through. She escaped through some tall grass and her feet hit sand. She slid to a stop. Before her were the lapping blue tides of a salty
ocean. The sun beat down on the area. Sparse shrubbery offered little shade.

Avery spun, eyes rushing to take in the area. For the first time she could see that she was on an island. Her breath left her and her attention

turned again. Rafael had posted himself against a few of the palm trees. He watched but never greeted her. Avery turned away and paced down the
beach.
The situation sunk in slowly. They’d let her go because she couldn’t escape. And though no one had her in cuffs, they were watching her all the time.
She didn’t know where she was and couldn’t call Mason. Just looking at the skies told her he may not have followed them here.

Before Avery could fully react to the revelation, another figure surfaced on the beach and approached. Avery squinted in the bright light until

she made out the figure.

“Leela.” She whispered.
The girl approached quickly, her figure becoming rapidly clear.
“Hi.” Leela gave a beaming smile that died less than half a second later. Avery’s face hadn’t changed, dull expression transfixed on Leela’s

figure. The girl looked fine, well kept, and absolutely calm. The odd sight left Avery at a loss for words. Leela shut her mouth, for a minute clearly
contemplating her words, and then she cast a quick glance around.

“Guess we should talk.” Leela said slowly.
Avery’s mouth felt like it was full of sand, but she did manage to nod.
“Follow me.” Leela offered. “We should stay inside. Stay out of…” Leela’s words dwindled at the end, and though keeping her voice light, her

brow pinched and face told the rest of the story. They should stay inside and stay out of trouble.

Avery fingered the back of her head, suddenly reminding herself of the hematoma that had formed there as a result of Rafael’s strike. It

seemed like an odd thing to trust the girl who had brought the collision. But Avery’s body was growing weak and her knees shook with exhaustion.
Leela seemed like the only safe one, and despite recent circumstances, Leela was still her best friend and Avery stayed determined to rescue her.

“Okay.” Avery agreed and then Leela walked away, leaving Avery to follow.

Twelve

Leela led them down the shoreline with a leisurely stroll, only stopping occasional to playfully kick up the waves that swept up to their feet.

The girl’s behavior wasn’t bizarre enough that Avery suspected magical influence in her mindset, but Avery couldn’t understand the exuberance in
her personality either. She studied Leela intently until they turned towards a building just at the other end of the island. This building wasn’t concrete
like Mikhail’s place but was stitched together out of bamboo with an old cottage feel. There were large, glass free windows that were open to the
shoreline and revealed some of the house inside.

It looked ordinary and harpie free so Avery didn’t resist following Leela inside.
“Okay, I know you have questions.” Leela tossed her sandals in the corner and filed through the room to reach a wooden table. “So go

ahead.”

The girl gestured toward a seat next to her but too disturbed to sit, Avery hovered in the corner.
“How long have you been talking to the Band? How long has this been going on?” Avery asked first and foremost.
“Not very long. A few months maybe? He was looking for me before then. He really wanted to see me.” She looked a little too dreamy when

she said that.

“He’s lying to you, you know. You can’t believe anything Mikhail says.”
The dreamy look left her and was replaced with a heavy scowl. Leela’s narrowed her brown eyes and she protested loudly.
“Don’t talk to me about lies. You never explained to me once how I ended up at Mayweather with a two week hole in my memory. You never

told me about harpies or what they’d done. You didn’t even let me meet Mason and lied to me six ways from Sunday about his true identity!”
Avery snapped her mouth shut, too surprised to even respond. A mix of emotions spun through her head but Avery could only pinpoint the ugliest
feeling—guilt. Some part of her knew that lying to Leela had been exactly what had gotten her here. Rather than continue to muse on regret, Avery
forced herself to stay calm and go to the next logical approach.

“I should have told you.” Avery said, needing a surprising amount of nerve to stutter out the words. “But I was trying to protect you, not hurt

you.”

The tension had grown thick and uncomfortable, the air hard to breathe. The beauty of the beach cottage was lost to the painful conversation

and no amount of focusing on the water made it easier. Leela broke her gaze and looked toward the ground. Wringing her hands, she shrugged
lightly.

“Mikhail was the first one to come to me and tell me anything. When he brought it up, all these dreams and feelings I’d been having clicked. I

remembered it. I remembered the harpies, their world, their frikkin’ island!” She then spoke more quietly. “I remember what their government
wanted to do to you... to us.”

Avery wouldn’t deny that the harpie government was fairly shady, but Mikhail was just using that to influence Leela.
“Did you remember when Mikhail compelled you with magic to jump off a roof?”
Leela visibly stiffened but still held her chin up persistently.
“He knew that I wouldn’t die.”

Groaning loudly, Avery pressed a hand to her temple. For the first time, she took a scrutinizing look around the room. She’d initially thought

the place was a spare house but the cottage was loaded with tidbits of Leela’s personality. Half empty coffee cups sat by the sink and chocolate
wrappers were stacked up in the trash. A bottle of red wine sat near the cabinets and was adorned with a pretty red bow. This wasn’t a spare room,
Avery realized. This was Leela’s guest house. She knew then that every break from school and weekend trip that “Leela went home” Leela hadn’t
gone home. She’d come here and Mikhail had clearly been working her over for awhile.

“Okay, you’re not going to change your mind no matter how much I warn you. You never do.” Avery voiced the foregone fact but didn’t end

there. “And it doesn’t really matter if you like him. But this is bigger than us. Mikhail is attempting to make an amulet that he’ll use not just to kill me
but Mason too.”

“I know all about it but Mikhail agreed not to hurt you. He’s not a bad person.”
“You don’t know him! He’s a murderer and an anarchist!”
“I know him a lot better than you do!” Leela shot back. “And he’s the good guy. He’s the one battling the corrupt government—the same

government that sentenced you to death once upon a time. He’s the one taking back what belonged to him before Jericho stole it away! You know
Jericho backstabbed him! Everyone knows it!”

Avery opened her mouth to shout back but something stopped her. A glint of silver reflecting the fading sunlight caught her eye. Avery

recognized Leela’s flip phone and forced herself not to gasp. The Band had kept Avery away from a phone but didn’t take the same precautions
with Leela. Avery put her attention back on Leela before the girl could notice Avery’s revelation.

“What do you mean?” Avery prompted this time keeping her voice very calm.
“You know that Jericho and Mikhail once studied that magic together. And then Jericho got greedy and wanted Mikhail banished to keep the

Willow magic for himself.”

That didn’t sound like the Jericho that Avery knew even a bit. Avery made a face, not willing to believe it. She wasn’t there a hundred years

ago, so rather than debate the hearsay history, she went for a different approach.

“It doesn’t matter. He’s evil now, Leela. And he’s going to kill me.”
“He’s not going to kill you. I’m not going to let him. Avery, I did this to protect you because you put yourself on the wrong side! You’ve allied

yourself with Jericho’s children and Mason’s cause.”

“I’ve allied myself with Jericho’s children? What about Eva? Does she not count now?” Avery urged, waiting to see if any of the

discrepancies clicked for her friend. Listening to harpies was like listening to the most jaded news reporters in the world. Leela only shrugged.

“Eva will be moved out soon. Mikhail doesn’t see her as in our best interest anymore. But maybe she doesn’t even know that.” Then Leela

made a pleading face. “Please Avery. This is the point at which you can come across the veil. Get on the winning team. Get on my team.”

“You shouldn’t even have a team! You’re not a harpie, Leela. You’re not even magical. You are just a plain human and you shouldn’t be here.”

Avery shouted back when the anger that had seized her chest got the better of her attitude.

The lashing remarks clearly landed hard and likely harder than intended. Leela wrapped her arms around herself and sent a chilly gaze to the

floor. Realizing she might have locked Leela out for good, Avery hurried to remedy the situation.

“Look, I’m sorry alright.” Avery said suddenly. She needed Leela to cooperate if they both were going to get out of there, even if Leela didn’t

know she’d be cooperating. “I just don’t know how to take these rumors that everyone is spreading about Jericho.”
It seemed to work and after a moment, Leela glanced back up.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow, I know. We’d like to think our heroes are good people but there is a reason we never meet them.”

Avery didn’t open her mouth for fear of contradicting her. Mikhail, who they’d both met, was openly violent and what kind of hero was that?

Avery wouldn’t buy into the propaganda about the older harpie.

“Okay. I just need time to think. I don’t...I don’t feel so well.” Avery said and it wasn’t a complete lie. Carefully calculating her movements,

Avery buried her face in her hands.
She heard the chair scrap across the floor as Leela stood up and came to her side.

“Do you need something?”
“Do you have... do you have water?” Avery croaked.
“One second.” Leela left her side and hurried out of the room.

Seeing her opportunity unfold instantly, Avery stood and made a grab for the phone. She got it and jammed it in her pocket half a second

before Leela returned to the room. The girl offered Avery a cold bottle of water that Avery accepted half heartedly. The rush had made her heart
jump into her chest. Squeezing the bottle before her hands could visibly shake, Avery thanked her.

“And a bathroom? Do you have one in here?”
Leela rolled her eyes over dramatically and pointed down the hall. Avery made a bee line that way. The cottage was actually beautiful upon

further inspection. Though small, it was quaint and though warm, it was cozy. The smell of salt and sand was thick inside and the overhead twirling
fans gave the room a gentle breeze.

She reached the bathroom. The door was created to leave a gap between the ceiling and the door top, probably for better wind circulation,

but it also allowed someone to hear inside.
Avery shut the door slowly, freed Leela’s silver phone from her pocket, and slammed in Mason’s digits. The phone rang for an agonizingly long time
before Mason ever picked up on the other line.

“Hey.” She whispered and pressed the metal close to her cheek. She’d made a cup with her palm but still had to be careful.
“Avery! Where are you?” Mason’s voice ripped loudly over the line and she moved the phone away from her ear.
Lowering the volume with a few clicks, she whispered into the mouth piece again.
“Island. Like small island.”
Mason let out a breath that hissed across the line.
“Where? I lost you outside of Alaska but there are hundreds of islands in the Pacific. I need a hint. Any hint.” He demanded.

“I don’t know.” She shot back, blood pounding in her ears. She knew how frustrated he felt but she couldn’t do anything. The fact that she’d

even been able to call him was miraculous.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly, tone changing dramatically for concern.
“Yea, for now.” Avery admitted, watching the door. She knew she was taking too long—at least five minutes had passed since she enclosed

herself in the room. Leela wasn’t a suspicious girl by nature so Avery would have some time but every extra second was risking it.

“Whose phone is this? How did you even get away from them?”

Avery suddenly heard footsteps outside the door. Flinching violently, she fumbled with the phone and finally shoved it up against her chest. The
footsteps had stopped but Avery couldn’t be sure if they passed the door or hovered in front of it. She waited, holding her breath.
There was nothing outside the door but silence. Avery slowly brought the phone back to her ear.

“Hey.” She croaked but it came out barely audible.
“Look, I know you can’t talk but I can’t find you unless I get some hint. Can you call me back when you get a detail? It’s absolutely imperative.

You need to find a way.”
The bathroom door snapped open and it happened in a flash. Before Avery could even drop the phone, a hand caught her shoulder and yanked her
outward. Losing her footing, Avery slipped into the hallway wall. She slammed into the plaster with a crash. The phone dropped from her fingers and
skidded across the floor, ignored. Avery whirled to face her attacker head on but she wasn’t expecting to see Eva.

The female harpie lashed out for Avery again, her long limbs and agility an advantage in the tight hall, and she knocked Avery sideways. The

crippling blow sent Avery onto her backside and she slid into the living room. Her cheek burned but the pain only made Avery move quicker. She
sprung to her feet but Eva had turned away.

Leela came from the kitchen during the fight but stood immobilized in the corner. The female harpie snatched up the disregarded phone with

one swift movement.
Turning her jade green eyes back on Avery, she pressed the sleek metal device to her ear.

“Hi Mason.” She purred into the phone.
Eva was Mason’s sister but the two siblings were estranged as best, enemies at worse. They’d viciously fought the last time they’d seen

each other and Avery knew that kind of harpie resentment didn’t fade. Mason didn’t answer on the other line, probably unsure if he’d blow Avery’s
cover. It didn’t matter.

“I know it’s you, idiot.” Eva said.
She cradled the phone with one hand while she prowled around the room. Feeling the sharp eyes on her, Avery shifted uncomfortably. They

waited for Mason to make the next move. His smooth voice finally floated over the line.

“Eva, it’s not like you to hide from a fight.” His baiting taunt didn’t work. Eva snapped the phone shut and then crushed the phone beneath her

boot heel. She shifted her flaring anger on Avery next.

“He hasn’t gotten any smarter has he? Why he was Jericho’s favorite I’ll never know.” She sneered.
Avery couldn’t think of an answer so she stayed quiet. Her eyes shot around the room, sizing up her exits. She could get away—it was easy

to out maneuver a harpie when their bulky wings made them ungainly—but she had no where to go. The island was tiny and ridden with harpies.

“And you,” Eva’s snapped at Leela. “Get out of my house.”
Leela stiffened, recoiling into the fridge.
“Mikhail said I could stay here.” Leela protested but her words fell short. The coldness in Eva’s stature obviously making her reconsider,

Leela dashed for the door and disappeared onto the beach. The door slammed shut in her wake sealing Avery and Eva alone in the room.
Eva took the opportunity to turn the full weight of her stare back on Avery. The cottage suddenly seemed tiny and the berth between them
disconcertingly tiny. Avery backed toward the wall, a small effort to put space between them but the few feet were not far enough. A few months ago
Avery could have summoned the magic in her body and destroyed Eva. But currently, she grasped at the feeling of magic in her chest and came up
empty. The magic wasn’t apparent and this time, Avery found herself at the harpie’s mercy.

Eva paced, making a predator’s circle.
“So…Avery…” She started. “Word has it you have all of my father’s memories. Do you remember how he feels about his children? Do you

see why Mason truly gets under my skin?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Avery said but some part of her did.

After having the amulet of Willow magic infused in her body, she gained some of Jericho’s memories. Particular to those memories was the
vividness of Jericho’s children. When Eva’s name was mentioned, she could remember Jericho’s anger. Avery never thought about it but she
couldn’t deny it either. Eva continued raging.

“I hate Mason. I hate how he reminds me of my father.” She shouted and the raw emotion in her voice was startling. But then Avery saw it, just

for a second. She saw an opening.

“You think Mikhail is better? Have you seen the way he’s cozying up to Leela. He has you playing second fiddle to a human. This is your

place isn’t it?” Avery gestured to the cottage.

She was stepping on thin ice now but Eva’s commitment level wasn’t where it should be. It could be shaken. Determined to do just that,

Avery’s mind spun with ideas and she kept her chin up persistently. “They’re already talking about moving you out. You know for the record, Mason
still wants to help you. He’s afraid Mikhail will kill you when his use for you is up.”

The lie slipped into the air before Avery could regret it. A lull of thick silence followed, Eva’s face failing to betray her emotions. The harpie

woman’s wings shuddered and drew into her body before she answered shortly.

“No. My brother never cared about anyone but Adalyn.”
“He’s changed.” Avery snapped back.
“He’s not. He’s just like my father!” Eva lost her composure. She lunged for Avery, her talons making contact with the human’s shoulders.

Avery backpedaled, sending them both off balance and they collided with a shattering force into the wall. Eva’s talons were deadly sharp but didn’t
make their intended target. Bringing her knees up into the harpie’s chest, Avery fumbled the attack.

Eva naturally corrected but Avery didn’t let her have the upper hand twice. With adrenaline kicking through her veins, she felt a flair of the

magic spark in her chest. Grabbing for the tight internal sensation, she summoned the magic. The rest was practice. She forced the crackling
sensation through her arms and out through her hands. The Willow magic manifested itself as an electric current. Avery lunged back for Eva this
time, and the magic made contact. The harpie gave a shriek of outrage but the magic wasn’t strong enough.

Eva recovered from it and stood, half crouching, in a warrior’s posture.
“Don’t do this! I’m not here to fight you!” Avery shouted, trembling with the energy and anxiety.
“Why, because you’re here to save me? My dear brother wants to help me?”
“Why is that so hard to believe?” Avery asked and the female harpie flinched.

Her cheeks were red and her chest was heaving too fast. Avery knew her point had landed hard. The harpie just didn’t seem to know what to do
with the revelation. Avery didn’t expect lovely dovey knowing Eva’s cut throat lifestyle but the harpie girl surprised her with a single, probably
insignificant statement.

“Don’t call him here. That magic you’re using will lead him here and Mikhail will cut off his head. There, that’s my sisterly advice.” She

snapped and then abruptly stormed for the door.

Thirteen

Avery had to be crazy. She had to be, because otherwise she couldn’t explain what she was doing standing in front of Mikhail’s door again.

She had a plan and she tried to remind herself of that while her white knuckles hovered an inch from the varnished wooden door. She’d been
hesitating for awhile now and a few more rays of sunlight crept in through the window to light the hallway with an orange glow. Night had passed
fairly quickly after the encounter with Eva and unable to sleep, Avery sat herself under one of the palm trees to think.

Sucking in a deep breath, she finally rapped on the door with a few short, loud knocks. It sounded harsh in the otherwise silent hallway and

Avery backed up a few steps. There was no immediate answer and Avery’s heart dropped into her stomach. Just when she was about to give up, a
few shadows crossed over the light at the bottom of the door and the knob rattled. It swung open. Mikhail stood on the other side.

He surprisingly stood bare-chested and his hunter green pants hung from his hips. His black hair had been tousled and windswept, his eyes

remained half shut.

“Maybe I should come back later.” Avery whispered. She knew that day had just broken, but Mikhail didn’t exactly seem like a person that

slept. Seeing him half dressed was shocking. Mikhail almost looked vulnerable.

“No, it’s quite alright. I simply didn’t expect you.” He said smoothly. His eyes finally opened and the last of his dreamy stupor had dissipated.

His sharp and calculating look returned.

It would seem odd that Avery would show up here to see him, especially considering he had not forced her to show up. She didn’t want to

raise his suspicions too much or her plan would fall through. Mikhail’s mind appeared to click over the options but he hadn’t called her out on it yet.
Trying not to lose her nerve, Avery stood by it.

“I have a few requests to make.” She tilted her chin up and kept her voice steady. “I’ll help you. I can show you how to use the magic. You’re

trying to study it right? There isn’t a better way to learn.”
His eyebrow arched with surprise but he did agree.

“Yes.” He said. “Observing it in its natural form would be best.”

Avery swallowed, clearing the knot in her throat. It was working so far. She went on with the next part.

“But I’ll only cooperate under two conditions. Leela walks. And I don’t want to hear you say that Leela’s here by choice. Don’t give her a

choice. Send her back to Alaska and never speak to her again.”
Both eyebrows had now risen and he took a step back to clear the doorway.

“I’d expected that was a given. Any other demands?” He asked.
“You send her home today.” Avery added.
He rocked back on his heels, folding his arms and shaking his wings out.
“I don’t think she’ll be very happy. She’ll try and find us again. But if you know this, then I’ll arrange to have it done.”
“Last thing. I want three harpies to take her. Rafael included.”

Mikhail’s eyebrow shot up. Before he quizzed the odd request, Avery forced an answer.
“I want her to be safe. There is a harpie named Patrick that might hurt her.” She said slowly. It wasn’t exactly true but she knew that three less
harpies on the island meant her plan would play out easier. “That’s all. Then I’ll help.”
“Well then if you’re quite done with your conditions,” He gestured for her to go inside.
“Uh okay.” Avery reluctantly shuffled into the room. The sheets on the bed had been torn up but the rest of the room was exactly as pristine and neat

as she remembered it.
She had to be insane, she told herself.

“Sit.” He indicated a red chair in the corner. Brushing by her, he snatched up a blue amulet from the nightstand and in seconds, smashed it

open on the ground. The mist of a communication amulet filled the room.

Avery sat.
“Eva dear.” Mikhail’s voice purred into the mist, a disturbing mix of politeness and threat. “Send Rafael, Jackson, and Tamara off to take the

human home now. You stay here.”
Mikhail never waited for Eva’s answer. He smashed the amulet again with the heel of his boot and the fog immediately dissipated.
“So,” He prompted, strolling back in front of Avery. “You have something to show me?”
Avery knew this part was inevitable but still had to gather her nerve anyways. She just had to summon the magic and make a mini-lightning show
like usual. That was the easy part. It was the next part of the plan she’d been dreading.
“Is Leela gone yet?” Avery bought herself a minute.
Mikhail gave her a flat, almost threatening look, but obediently went to the window. Opening the shades, he revealed the bright blue sky in the
distance. As promised, four silhouettes were in the sky-- Leela’s being the most obvious.
“I have no reason to want to keep your friend now that I have you. I don’t need her to make you keep up your end.” The words were sharp and cold
but Avery remained unfazed.
“Then forgive me for not being very trusting.” She responded half heartedly. Her eyes remained fixated on the disappearing figures in the sky. They
were heading North and reaching a high altitude.
“You’ve gotten smarter.” Mikhail suddenly cracked a smile. “But my end of the agreement is complete.”
“You won’t be able to call them back?” Avery pressed the last question, knowing she was aggravating him into dangerous territory but she needed
the answer.
Mikhail’s lips pinched together.
“No,” He said.
Satisfied with the answer, she stopped stalling.
She looked down at her arm and pulled the sleeves up until the majority of the Willow burn mark showed. She concentrated on the faint tug in her
chest, willing it to budge-- something she hadn’t done since Patrick and Adalyn, but something that also came fairly easily. The tug in her chest
pulled easily, and soon she felt her blood heat up. She pushed the sensation of prickling needles down through her arm, her hand, and her fingers.
Just above the web of her hand, a flicker of electrical white flashes started up.
The magic flared with pure energy. With it, the aura around her body changed. At least, that’s what she’d been told. Mason had noticed this once
and Mikhail studied it now.
“How much can you pull?” He quizzed, his voice low with intrigue.
“I’m not sure. It hurts after a point.” She tried anyways and the magic lit up the room like a fire cracker.
“It’s because you’re weak. But then that magic in your body is growing.”
Avery suddenly dropped the magic, letting the light show dissipate in the air, and cast him a shocked look.
“It’s expanding.” She tried to correct him but Mikhail cut her off with an open hand.
“It’s growing. Stupid human, you think that magic is static? But it won’t grow very much in you now will it? Not as weak, human, and small as you
are.” He drew out the words cruelly.
Avery cast a quick glance toward the window. She had to stop stalling. Launching into the plan she shifted her hand and grabbed his wrist. Then
she used the magic.
The electrical current hit Mikhail like expected. The old harpie let out a deafening screech of rage. He broke her grip and freed himself. Though she
had the advantage of surprise, he rebounded quickly.
He lashed out and caught her throat. His long fingers wrapped around her neck and his talons drew blood. Avery struggled but his grip tightened
and her thrashing ceased. He leaned forward and narrowed his black eyes. This wasn’t part of the plan. She was supposed to have knocked him
unconscious with the initial blow. Plan unsuccessful, Avery’s thoughts scrambled.

“Get off.” She gasped.
His lips peeled back with a feral growl. His fingers suddenly tightened and Avery’s world blurred. Black creeping up at the edges of her

vision, she buckled and thrashed but oxygen flow slowed, she grew weaker by the second.

Unable to think of any other options, her hands reached into her belt. Her fingers met the firm handle and she gripped it tight. Freeing the

kitchen blade she’d hidden in case of emergency, she swung blindly. The knife made grazing contact and Mikhail released her out of shock. She
jerked backwards, but crashed into the nightstand. The wooden desk went sprawling and Avery fell to the floor. Mikhail let out a roar of outrage and
sprung to his feet instantly.

He dove for her but Avery swung the knife again. She’d only meant to use it against his wings but she didn’t have time to summon the magic.

The kitchen blade made contact again and blood splattered. He rolled off of her and Avery scrambled to her feet.

Blood splattered over the floor, making it slick. Avery didn’t want to fight. She didn’t know how. She just wanted to take out his wings, use the

magic, and take off. Mason would be here soon—he’d have to be. If he followed the magic, he could find her.

“You are not leaving!” Mikhail hissed but before he could get another swipe in, Avery let out the last burst of magic. This one was decidedly

stronger than the rest and the electrical charge it manifested as lit up the room. Mikhail’s grasp broke and Avery scrambled to a stand. Her heart
was pounding and adrenaline flowed through her veins.

He’d been floored, but still awake and aware, he struggled to stand. Her eyes caught on the kitchen blade on the floor and stayed. Some

part of her mind urged her to take it and land a swift blow to the downed harpie. But she stayed immobile. Avery shook her head, eyes burning with
tears. She couldn’t kill him. She couldn’t.

Turning, she ran from the room. Her heels clacked loudly in the hallway and she desperately summoned the magic in her chest. It had wound

in her chest and pulsed through her blood. She reached the last door and broke it open. Outside the bright sunlight was blinding. Avery looked
toward the sky.

“Come on, Mason. You can’t get a greater call of magic than that.” She hissed.

A glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye sent her running. She needed Mason to show up now.

The Band members started appearing. Hands out, she got ready to fight.
The first harpie came at her. Ready to fight, Avery met him while he was still in the air. She grabbed one of his arms and yanked. Gravity and

weight on her side, the harpie went plummeting into the sand. Now on the floor, Avery went for him. Magic bundled in her chest, she readied to give

him the shock of his lifetime. That’s when the other harpies came in. One caught her from behind, tearing her backwards. The movement was harsh
but not lethal. Using the surge of magic, she shocked the harpie that had yanked her. The electrical magic made contact. The harpie screeched and
fell away.

The other rushed her and she kicked up at him. Her foot made contact and he let out a grunt. Harpies’ bone density was light so brute

strength was a good way to go, and Avery did just that. She kicked again, her heel knocking the harpie hard. Then she threw the last harpie off of
her.
Running across the beach line, she kept moving. Any place the harpies couldn’t fly was just where she’d go. The island lacked forests but it did
have a thicket of palms dense enough to do the same. She slipped through them.

A harpie landed nearby and she whirled to face him. Her eyes lit up upon contact.
“Mason.” She gasped. Eva had been absolutely right. He’d followed the magic right to her. Cheeks red and brown hair tousled, he’d

probably flown straight over. He didn’t smile when she greeted him but he grabbed her open hands. Swinging her behind him, he ordered, “Stay
there.”
Avery understood why in the next second. Mikhail had resurfaced and stood before them. Avery had cut him badly and the wounds bled steadily, but
he stood at his full stature. His face had twisted with anger and his body radiated with a thick aura of danger. The sight nearly made Avery’s blood
freeze over.

“Mason, let’s just go.” She hissed, desperately tugging him.
The great escape sounded perfect but Mason didn’t budge. Mikhail approached a few more steps and the berth between them grew

smaller. Apparently concerned that Mikhail could make a grab for them upon takeoff, Mason stayed on the ground and kept his defenses up.

“Back up, Avery.” He hissed.
Reluctantly she obeyed, casting her eyes toward the sky. It was then she noticed Eva lingering nearby.
The harpie woman had taken to one of the palms. Her green eyes stared downward but she kept still. Avery’s muscles tightened and she

turned back towards Mikhail.

“You know what I see every time I look into the faces of Jericho’s children? I see the throne that was stolen from me. I see the life and the

knowledge that was taken from me. And I remember why I have to take everything by force.”

Mason cautiously watched him.
“My father stole nothing from you.” Mason answered.
“Mason, look out!” Avery screamed but her companion didn’t turn in time. A harpie dropped from the sky and hit them from behind. Mason

and Avery went sprawling into the dirt. That’s when Mikhail came at them. He went for Mason first but Avery never got to see it. The other harpie
yanked her sideways. His grip was agonizingly sharp and the radical sideways movement left Avery defenseless. She thrashed but couldn’t get a
good grip. Sand was kicked up everywhere, blinding her.
She lashed out at the harpie but he held her firm. She was trapped. Her eyes drew up suddenly when she heard Mason gasp. Mikhail had him in a
bone breaking grip.

“Now,” Mikhail growled, “You will understand exactly why the government should fear me.”

Fourteen

“Mason!” Avery screamed but her voice did nothing to pierce the tension of a stalemate. The harpie that had her around the neck tightened

his grip until Avery stayed reluctantly immobile. Avery watched on horrified.

Mikhail still had Mason pinned in the dirt and his grip around Mason’s throat grew tighter until it was nearly fatal. Mason couldn’t even fight in

this position—any sudden movements would drive Mikhail’s talons deeper.

“I’m done with you both.” Mikhail seethed. “Remember Jericho’s descendants. Remember this is what you made me do.”
Avery screamed as he tightened his grip. It happened in slow motion. Avery only saw a blur of black dive from the sky. Mikhail was thrown

backwards in an explosion of sand. It took half a second for the chaos to clear. Only then did she realize that Mason rolled free.
It was Eva who had knocked Mikhail back. Attacking with jerky, chaotic jabs, Eva landed on Mikhail. The flurry of battle ended swiftly. Eva jerked
backwards, taking to flight, and separating herself from the downed Mikhail.

An arm abruptly snaked around Avery and pulled her to the side. Recognizing Mason as the one grabbing her, she latched onto him so they

could take off into flight. Mason’s wings pounded, putting as much distance possible between them and the island. The island and Mikhail
disappeared fairly quickly.
Mason’s flight pattern was shoddy. By the time they approached land, they spiraled and slowed.
Mason’s feet touched the ground, and Avery broke free and turned on him.

“Are you okay?” She gasped. The weight of used adrenaline suddenly hit her shoulders and her body trembled. Exhaustion made her knees

weak but fear kept her upright. Her eyes immediately went to his wounds. The skin on his neck and chin had been smeared with blood. Before she
could examine it, he waved his hand.

“Get inside.” He ordered while closing his wings. Desperately trying to regain her composure, Avery nodded.
Avery glanced to where he pointed, taking in her surroundings. They’d flown from Mikhail’s island and landed somewhere on the West coast.

The grey beach was cold and breezy with rocks and twisted stumps blocking most of the land from view. Perched just at the edge of the beach,
beaten by waves, was an old concrete building. Maybe an abandoned Coast Guard or oceanography building, it was built sturdy but small.

Doubling back to take Mason’s hand, she led him inside. The door gave way easily and Avery trudged through an explosion of dust. Light

flooded in to illuminate the room. Ancient furniture cluttered the place and tarp covered tables lined the walls. Swatting cobwebs aside, she led him
inside. He lumbered to the first seat and collapsed into the cushions. His long limbs splayed out awkwardly and his chest heaved. Avery was too
afraid to approach.

“It’s too late to stop him now.” Mason admitted slowly.
Avery pressed her lips together before they could quiver.
“I’m sorry.” She gasped. “This is my fault.”

If Mason heard her, he didn’t let on verbally. His head rolled back onto the top of the chair and he folded his arms.

“I could have killed him. I had the chance. I just didn’t. I froze.” Avery raked her hands through her curly, tangled black hair. “It’s my fault.”

She turned and paced from one side of the small place to the other. Through a dirty window, she could see outside. Her eyes focused on the sky
above the thrashing blue ocean. She didn’t see any oncoming flickers. Still shaken, she turned and focused on him. Mason’s dull green eyes finally
settled and he shook his head.

“It’s not your fault. You’re not a murderer, Avery.” He sighed.
Avery rubbed the wetness off her cheeks.
“What’s gonna happen now? He’s gonna absorb the magic and come after us.” She stuttered.

Mason pinched the bridge of his nose and shrugged. A sudden sharp popping noise at the door grabbed their attention. Just outside stood

Eva. Her raven black bangs covered her face, making the green eyes and expression indiscernible. Unsure of how to react, Avery stood still.

“Yes, Mason. What’s your brilliant plan now?” Eva asked pointedly. Her tone was calm, controlled, and absolutely curious.
Mason perked up and leaned forward in his chair.
“Why are you here, Eva?” He asked darkly.
Eva’s face scrunched up and she glared his way.
“That’s not a lot of enthusiasm for someone who isn’t a pile of bloody ribbons right about now.” She snapped.

“And you’ve just decided to help, why?” Mason didn’t ever get up from his seat but his talons came out to tap his knees. Muscles tightening,

Avery knew he would be ready for anything.

“Don’t get all sweet on me with thank yous. This isn’t really related to saving your ass.” She leaned against the frame and her expression

changed. “If you must know, I misjudged Mikhail’s intentions.”

“What, you didn’t think he’d be a vicious murderer?” Avery posed bravely—something that earned her a harrowing glare from Eva.
“Simply that his intentions now run counter-course to mine.” Eva hissed.

Leela had once said that they were “moving Eva out”. Eva might have been picking up on it too. It somewhat justified Eva’s actions. Avery did
consider the possibility of Eva’s actions being a trap. It wouldn’t have been the first time the Band was absolutely underhanded. But considering
she’d just saved Mason from untimely death, Avery trusted her. Backing up a step, she let the girl into the building. The metal door swung shut
behind her and the room got substantially darker. Being so close to Eva felt awkward. Trekking across the room, Avery perched on the side of
Mason’s chair.

“You mean Mikhail suddenly remembered that you still are and always will be Jericho’s child?” Mason suddenly harped at his sister.
“Shove it or I might finish where Mikhail left off.” Eva stood, apparently ready to go through on her threat but Avery intervened.
“Hey wait up!” Avery held two pacifying hands out. “We can’t fight each other! Or did you guys just miss the part where Mikhail swore to kill us

all and is going to fill his body up with Willow magic? The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Whether or not the two siblings wanted to agree, she had a point there. Eva leaned back, her attitude sliding from anger to apparent calm.

“So start thinking dear brother. What’s the next step?” Eva quizzed with the rational approach.
“We tell the police about Mikhail’s location.” Mason said first off.
Eva broke down that option quickly.
“He likely won’t be there, but if they can track him they might find him.”

“Will the police be able to hold him this time?” Avery asked next. A few months ago, Mikhail had broken out of prison and escaped. He’d

taken out dozens of harpies just to do it. And now with the magic of Willow, he’d be harder to contain.

“It might slow him down.” Mason answered. “But they wouldn’t be sending enough police to stop him. They’re going to be holding down the

fort. They know where Mikhail will go.”

“What do you mean?” Avery interrupted, feeling out of the loop. During the conversation, Mason and Eva sent silent glances to each other

sharing some unspoken understanding.

“Mikhail’s going to take back his throne after he kills everyone standing in his way.” Eva snapped out. Avery knew without asking that the

harpie woman was wondering if she’d allied herself on the losing side.

“I guess we should just pick a place, hunker down, and get ready for the attack.” Mason said.

Avery looked between them, only finding matching scowls. They weren’t waiting for an attack, Avery realized. They were waiting for an execution.

“You guys aren’t talking about giving up that easily, are you?” Pacing through the small room, she wrung her hands and thought. “Even if he

makes an amulet following that book’s directions, then it’ll be no stronger than the Willow magic, right?”

“What are you getting at, girl?” Eva turned the full weight of her stare on Avery. For the first time, Avery had earned their attention and she

went on.

“That means we can fight him on an even playing ground. We can win.” Avery’s voice spiked with a fresh wave of energy.
Eva didn’t share the enthusiasm.
“Are you insane? You can’t fight Mikhail.” The female harpie said blatantly. “Believe me on this one, human. He never loses.” She put

particular emphasis on the “never”.
More defensive, Avery wrapped her arms around her chest and debated.

“There’s a first for everything. He’s not invincible. And there are more of us.” Avery then gestured to all of them.
Mason shifted in his chair and his hand snaked behind Avery’s back.
“Avery, you’re not compensating your theory for the rest of Mikhail’s associates. We don’t know what we’re up against.” He pointed out,

tracing his fingers lightly beneath the bottom of her shirt.

Determined to stay focused, Avery shook her head.
“Yea, we do.” Avery then pointed at Eva. “And with the police, we can win. It’s that or prepare to die. I’m not willing to die.”
Avery shifted her attention to Eva, waiting for the woman’s reaction. The plan would be pivotal on her agreement. After a minute, Eva nodded

stiffly.

“You think you know how to fight little brother? Because I’m in now whether I want to be or not.” She threw the ball back to Mason’s court.

Mason’s eyes clouded with debate. Hand continuing to trace over Avery’s bare skin, he clearly thought about it.
“Maybe. No, it’s a yes. I guess it’s a must.” He clearly struggled with the answers.
“So what would be Mikhail’s first stop on his revenge on society thing?” Avery quizzed Eva this time.
The woman thought about it for a second but answered fairly quickly.

“A year before Mikhail was cast out, his fate was uncertain. The counsel was divided. But then one harpie—the harpie who was later

Jericho’s assistant—came on board and swayed the vote. Considering that he doesn’t live within the secure borders of the Court anymore, I

imagine he’ll be the first target. His name is Samuel.”

Avery’s let out a breath of disbelief.
“Small world.” She whispered after it fully sunk in. She didn’t relish the thought of Adalyn and Patrick again but pushed those worries aside

for later complication.

“What about Leela? I know they took her back to Alaska, will she be okay?” Avery asked the next.
“The popsicle stick?” Eva frowned but obediently answered. “I imagine. They wouldn’t have any contact with Mikhail until they returned to the

island.”

“Good, I can call her later and have her go somewhere safe.” In fact, Avery rapidly realized, she could use Nate to do that. She hadn’t talked

to the boy since the encounter at Moose Pass, but she knew he’d be in on keeping Leela safe.

“Fine, but you,” Mason pointed toward Avery, “Should disappear into a human city too. You can still slip away. Mikhail will be distracted by

searching for us.”
Avery’s jaw dropped before she could properly construe a set of vicious protests. Eva beat her to it.

“The white horse thing, Mason? Really?” Eva rolled her eyes like a teenager.

Finding it just as unfunny, Avery spoke up.

“Are you serious? I’m not leaving. So don’t try to protect me either.” Avery started and then felt more strength return as she kept on. “That

aside, you can’t do it without me. I have some of the Willow magic so if we’re using the magic to fight, then we need to be together. Mikhail wants
me dead so this is my fight too.”

Avery smirked, having found her own argument convincing. Eva even piped in.
“She’s so much like a harpie isn’t she?”
“Avery is a human. Avery is not a harpie.” Mason shot up from his seat the second his voice began to rise. “Avery is not a killer. And Avery

shouldn’t be involved.”

Apparently sick of sitting there, Mason stormed for the door. Before he could get away, Avery hurried to follow.
“What is wrong with you today?” Avery shouted.
“It’s not me, it’s you.” He finally turned but she didn’t expect the blank expression he wore. “You shouldn’t be like a harpie. That’s not a

favorable thing.”

Avery’s brow furrowed but she couldn’t muster an appropriate response.
“Says the harpie.” She pointed out.
Finally, Mason paced back. When he got close enough, he snaked his long arms out and caught Avery in a hug.

“You don’t understand. I’ve had a lot of time to think about my life, Avery. All while staying in Alaska with you.” He whispered into her hair. “I

like you because you’re brave and ready to fight for anything, but you’re not a killer. I don’t want you to be like a harpie. I don’t want you be corrupted
into being nasty and violent all of the time. Why is it such a bad thing that I can trust one person to not be a damned murderer?”

Pressed against his body, she arched to place her lips on the nape of his neck and took in a breath of his peppermint scent.
“It’s not going to be like that. I don’t plan on changing, I just plan on fighting. And to be fair, as much as Adalyn drives me up a wall, I don’t

think I could even kill her.”
Although, Avery wouldn’t mind hog tying Adalyn and ditching her in the forest. That comical thought wasn’t something she’d mention in the serious
moment. His muscles relaxed under her touch and she tilted her head up until their eyes connected.

“Now you, you’re acting like a human. You’re being so sweet and modest!” She curled her voice at the end and gave him a mocking, brilliant

smile.

One of his eyebrows arched.
“Human? Sappy? I think not. I’m too awesome to be lowered to the level of a human.” He said.
She swatted at him playfully and he squeezed her more tightly.

“You are absolutely acting more like me. I’m so rubbing off on you.” She said and something in her words made his face take on a more serious
tone.

“Maybe. Maybe I got some of your personality mixed in when I took the magic from you.” He suddenly made a gesture to the magical mark

on both of their arms. "I didn’t know how to find you earlier. At the island. I just kind of… did and I can’t explain it. The magic was giving off an aura
but it shouldn’t have been strong enough to summon me across the pacific.”
She didn’t know how to answer, but her heart chose to skip a beat in response. A sound caught their attention and Mason’s jade green eyes
escaped for a second, trailing back toward the building.

“Eva’s reminding us that we should hurry.” He said after his eyes fixated on the origin of the noise. The subject had rapidly changed, and

feeling her throat open up again, Avery asked, “Are you okay with Eva being here?”

She knew the moment it left her lips that she wouldn’t get a clear answer. Eva and Mason had a complex relationship at best. His

disconcerted expression confirmed her theory.

“Eva’s only in it for Eva. We can’t forget that. But for now we’ll have to tolerate her.”

He propped his chin on top of Avery’s head. Avery didn’t want to move on from the moment but knowing time was pressing, she didn’t stall.

“I guess Portland, Oregon it is…”

Fifteen

“He couldn’t get a place with roof cover?” They’d barely been at Samuel’s compound for less than a minute and Eva was already sizing up

the place. Her sharp green eyes crawled over the muddy ground, grey walls, and cloudy sky.

“We’ll be at a disadvantage if they can come from the sky. To stand a chance, every harpie needs to be grounded.” She said.
Mason’s eyes swept over the same key points but he didn’t stare as intensely.

“Then go map the place and find any strategic points.” He said to Eva.

The harpie girl gave a half frown but obediently took to the sky, leaving Avery and Mason alone in the courtyard dirt. Avery’s eyes went to the

door. The place hadn’t changed much in the past few days but Avery was certainly dreading it more this time. Adalyn and Patrick were probably
waiting inside and the disconcerting feeling left her stomach in knots.

“You think Samuel’s going to believe us?” Avery asked, taking only one step forward when Mason stopped her with an arm.
“He’ll believe me. But sorry, you should wait outside.”
“Whoa, why am I waiting outside like a dog?” She immediately complained.

The temperature was chilly in Portland and she wasn’t wearing the proper size jacket to deal with it. Tugging her hoodie tighter around

herself, she scowled.

“It’s not exactly like we left on good terms. And this sort of situation will take some careful treading. Having you there won’t help.”
Rolling her eyes, Avery agreed. Having Adalyn stare her down the entire time wouldn’t help the conversation. Nor would it help Avery’s

health.

“Go ahead. I’ll be here.” Avery gestured to the two walls she’d be pacing between. Mason gave her shoulder a squeeze and offered her a

parting smile.

He entered through the set of steel doors and disappeared when they swung shut. Alone, Avery curled her arms around herself. She focused

absently on the cloudy sky and smelling the hint of coming rain. Just as she paced to the end of the building, she heard a murmur of sound. Poking
her head around the side of the building she stole a glance.

Hunched over the blue mist of a harpie telephonic amulet was Samuel. Face white and thin hands running through his balding hair, he

trembled.

“I’m well aware.” He spoke into the mist.
Avery fidgeted, caught hesitating between giving Samuel his privacy and spying a little bit. Before she could even decide, Samuel’s head

shot up and his hazel eyes spotted her standing there. Avery froze in place and curled her fingers around the building’s edge.

“I will.” He said into the blue mist just before it fully dissipated. He then stood and dusted the brown dirt off of his white pants.

“My, the human girl again. You just can’t seem to stay away.” He spoke, breaking the minor silence that developed.
Remembering her manners, Avery quickly amended herself.
“Sorry, I just heard talking and didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

Samuel didn’t even look like he’d heard her speak. His eyes dropped and trailed to Avery’s right arm. Though hidden by the jacket, on it was

the silver curling mark. It showed more predominantly now since she’d begun using the magic, but the lines were still not thick and black. Seeing his
interest change as if he could sense it, Avery subconsciously tugged her jacket tighter.

“You’re not good at staying out of trouble either.” He said. They both knew he wasn’t referring to the eavesdropping or even the current day’s

visit, but rather to the magic’s aura. Avery wouldn’t bring it up. Instead, she changed the subject while she could still remember how to form words.

“We’re not trying to bring trouble your way. Things have just…changed.”
His eyebrows rose, quizzically and daringly.
“I imagine. Are you here to tell me about it?”

Avery opened her mouth but hesitated. Stealing a quick glance backwards, she searched the outside area for Mason. The sky and ground

remained empty. The entrance door remained shut.

“Well…” Avery turned back to face him. “It’s about Mikhail. He’s making an amulet like the one that Prince Jericho had and is going to use it

to-”

She stopped, lacking a delicate way to put it. She didn’t need to because during her hesitation, Samuel finished the thought for her.
“I know.” His voice was tired but his tone was light and he didn’t seem nearly as concerned as expected. Confused, Avery searched for a

visual clue. Her eyes went up and down the walls looking for any type of security, sharp blue suits of police, or hints of magical wards. Samuel
sighed and slumped his shoulders a bit. Wings shifting to fold behind him, he leaned against the nearest concrete wall to support himself. “Mikhail
has always wanted to create magic to absorb into his body. He will and then he’s going to come after us all. This was not unforeseen child.” He
said.

“We have a plan, we can fight.” She declared.
“Perhaps.” His eyes crawled over her again but this time the softness on his face was startling. “Walk with me child.”
He turned and began moving down the side of the building. Avery followed and in only a few feet they passed through another wooden door.

Inside the fluorescent lights and warm cinnamon smell strikingly contrasted the overcast sky and smell of rain. Soft jazz music played overhead and
the heating hissed through the vents.

Samuel led her into the first room on the left-- a living room bearing a few sofas and tables. Samuel whirled to face her just as the door shut

and sealed them in.

“You should know something in case I don’t make it, Ms. Avery.” He said.

She didn’t get the chance to chide him on the negative thought before he continued.

“As you know Mikhail’s family were once rulers. When he was cast out and his father the king died, their family lost the throne. Jericho and

his family would take the crown.”

Avery nodded. She’d heard that once before.
“Jericho died and he is no longer heir to the throne. That means that only one person is. A male child and an heir to his bloodline.”
“What are you talking about?” Avery asked, suddenly suspicious of where the conversation was heading.
“It’s Mason. Mason has as much, if not more, claim to the throne than anyone else. He will need to one day step up into his father’s place.”
Avery’s heart picked up pace but she forced herself to take it in stride. Licking her lips wet, she replied while moving onto the next logical

idea.

“But what about the allegations with Adalyn’s fiancé and all that?”
Samuel gave her a long look.
“Because of his important position in society and in light of Jericho’s death and the anarchy that has followed… Well those issues are no

longer important to the authorities. Not even the Willow magic inside of his body will dissuade them now.” He surmised finally.

Avery thought about the implications. Mason would have found out about this when he’d visited Adalyn. He hadn’t told Avery and she quite

frankly didn’t know what to make of it. She didn’t know about this development but she did know that Mason didn’t plan to take the throne. He didn’t
ever seem to be the dutiful civil servant.

“I know what you must be thinking, child. There are no places for human mates for the harpie on the throne. But--”

A click at the door summoned their attention elsewhere and she saw the other harpies come in. Patrick filed into the room first, keeping his

wings open to take up an obnoxious amount of space. He shot her a crooked, cocky smile instantly. Behind him came Adalyn, the girl Avery was
too afraid to face straight on. Finally Mason walked in the door and Avery immediately maneuvered the room to be closer to his side.

“So pops, I hear we’re all going to war.” Patrick was the first to speak.
Samuel’s face suddenly showed more age lines and he shot Patrick a dull expression.
“Not war, Patrick. Not yet.”

“I don’t care, I’m not afraid of Mikhail.” Patrick snapped back but Adalyn held out a hand to interrupt him.
She moved forward, her stiletto heels clacking loudly on the tile.

“How do we prepare for this?” She demanded primarily of her father. Adalyn had one thing going for her—she wasn’t a coward. And Avery

was sure that she’d support her father and probably even Mason until the last fight.

“How much time do we have?” Samuel quizzed. Oldest and likely wisest it fell to him to draw up the battle plan.
“Awhile. It would take at least three days.” Mason said.
Samuel nodded, eyes glazing over with thought. Avery couldn’t attest to knowing anything about battle plans or about harpie battle plans. The

old history text books from Mayweather wouldn’t help her here. Feeling out of the loop, Avery edged toward Mason, curling her fingers over the
edge of his wing. The familiar softness didn’t comfort her.

“We need to control the skies, use amulet magic detectors to see him coming, and prep ourselves. One of us should be on look out.”

“Eva’s already on it.”
Samuel’s face blanked instantly. It took a full, tense minute before his face reanimated.
“Your sister Eva?” Samuel clarified in a stale, quiet voice.

“Mikhail’s out to kill her. She is, at the end of the day, one of Jericho’s children. So temporarily, her allegiance is to us.” Mason’s cool voice

worded it convincingly but Samuel’s face stubbornly didn’t change.

“Mason, as much respect as I’ve had for your father, I do not think you’re right in doing this. Eva is not like you. She’s never been like you and

that’s why Jericho could never favor her.”

“Daddy, we need her. We need him. And then when this is over, we can deal with it.” Adalyn pointed out brazenly. The enemy of my enemy is

my friend idea. And only her whiny voice managed to break Samuel’s concentration.

The old harpie shook his head and then refocused.
“I should have a word with the police about Mikhail-- staying connected will give us the number advantage.” His eyes swept over the four

people in front of him. “So we’ll all have to get along.”
He said the last one for everyone’s benefit. It made Avery look up. Adalyn had been staring at her. The sensation of eyes making Avery’s skin crawl,
she shifted uncomfortably. Avery had a hard time meeting the gaze. She wouldn’t feel guilty over going steady with Mason but breaking up an
engagement was still breaking up an engagement. The whole concept already disconcerting, Adalyn’s glower only made it worse.

She shifted her attention to find Mason and Patrick matching similar ugly glares. The situation wasn’t one to promote friendship but Avery

did agree with Samuel.

“Of course.” She agreed when no one else said a thing.
“We should rest then.” Mason changed the subject.
“I’m sure I have two guest rooms in the back.” Samuel said. Avery hadn’t seen a bedroom yet but the compound was certainly big enough to

have a few. In fact, the mere mention about sleep made Avery’s body begin complaining with fatigue. Muscles exhausted and brain shutting down,
she was ready to fall into the sheets and pass out cold.

Mason’s arm slid over the small of her back, surprising her out of her trance.
“We’ll only need one room.” Mason said.
The room went silent and Avery’s jaw was the first to hit the floor. Whirling on him, she whispered harshly.
“What are you nuts? You’re trying to get Adalyn to kill me, aren’t you?”

Avery was already too afraid to look back and find the harpie woman glaring daggers. Mason didn’t even offer her a smile. Setting his hands

on her shoulder, he replied.

“Adalyn already wants you dead and I’m sure she’s waiting to get you alone to drop the axe. If you stay with me, she won’t get that chance.”

His tone was almost irritated, like he’d already been over it before. She didn’t care. Mason’s reasoning seemed to have nothing to do with them
being alone, close, and possibly intimate but that’s exactly where Avery’s mind ended up. Swallowing with difficulty, she gave a numb agreement.

There were more pressing issues than sleeping arrangements. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t complicated.

Sixteen

The room Samuel offered them was modest by harpie standards. A standard bed with starch blue sheets reminded Avery of her dorm room.

The walls were plain white and the dinky shades on the window barely kept the sun out. To the left of the bed was a door leading to a bathroom and
a pressed wood nightstand. The humble digs helped Avery feel at home and the knots in her stomach loosened. Shutting the door behind her, she
shifted her attention to Mason.

He followed her inside but lingered by the door, sliding the dead bolt into place with a click. The image itself was comical-- them hiding away

from their supposed allies, but Mason wasn’t laughing. And if Mason was worried then Avery knew full well she should be flat out panicking. She
couldn’t accidently run into Adalyn or Patrick alone.

Noting it, she changed the subject on her own dismal thoughts.
“They took the Mikhail thing well.” She said dryly.
Mason offered a half smile.
“Harpies are used to fighting. It goes hand in hand with the race I guess.”

He paced toward the window and the bathroom, doing a calculated and careful examination of the place. Watching him, Avery perched on

the edge of the bed. The mattress was unusually wide and long, accommodating for harpies’ height and broad shoulders. But even with the excess
space, two of them on the bed would be a cozy fit. Avery’s heart threatening to speed up thinking about it, she stammered to keep herself
distracted.

“So do you think we’re safe here? Like should we even be sleeping?”
Mason finally turned to face her and gave a casual shrug.
“Right now, we are. And we should rest because we aren’t going to be any good tired.”

“Can I get the phone first? I need to call Nate. Warn him about the harpies.” She held her hand out and acquired the metal device.

Momentarily turning away, she pressed the metal to her ear and heard the buzzing on the other side as it called out.

“Who is this?” The masculine voice spoke on the other line.
“Hey Nate. It’s Avery.”
Nate’s voice changed dramatically.

“Great,” He growled with no force, “Maybe you can tell me what’s going on because I apparently can’t keep up with this crazy bird crap.”

Avery clenched the phone harder and leaned forward.

“Is Leela there?” She asked first.
“She showed up last night.” He said but it wasn’t comforting. “She’s holed up in her room now and she isn’t answering the staff and

especially not me.”
Avery let out a breath. Of course Leela would be pissed and Avery had no doubt that she’d try to contact Mikhail again.

“Do you know if there are any harpies lingering around?”
“Around here? Why would they be around here, Avery? You said they’d be after you, not her!”
“Yea I know but now they might be after Leela too. But you have time, I’m almost sure of it.” Avery’s mind went to a battle plan and she stood

to pace the length of the small room. “I need you to do something.”

“Avery, what are you on about? Is she in danger?” He asked. The rawness in his voice when Leela came up was always striking, but today

Avery had to brace herself for it.

“Yes. Probably. I’m not sure about when but I’m sure she is.” Most likely Mikhail would come after Samuel, Avery, and Mason first. The

concept was logical but not foolproof. The Band had kidnapped Leela once before to use her against Avery, and Avery wouldn’t put it above them
to repeat that.

“I need you to get her and take her away from Mayweather. Somewhere you guys can hide. A big city would be best. You think you could get

out of Alaska?”
Nate let out a breath of disbelief.

“So kidnap my girlfriend who doesn’t want to go with me, leave school without a car, get a plane ticket, and surf around the lower forty-eight

for a few days? Yea, sounds sooo easy.”

“Not that I’d ever want to compliment you Nate, but you can figure it out. I need you to find a way. This is serious.”
“I bet it is.” He hissed but his sarcasm really wasn’t thick. Avery could somewhat attest to what he was going through. Coping with the

existence of a mythological race was never made easier when that mythological race was trying to kill you. And Nate didn’t have the personality to
make it easier—stubborn and proud.

A momentary silence developed on the line until Nate finally responded.
“Okay. I’ll try.” He said.
“Call me on this number if you need anything. And please, stay away from Portland.” She said, bidding him a last farewell before clicking the

phone shut.
Mason waited by the bed, shaking out his wings and running his hands through his mop of brown hair. From the place he stood, she could fully see
and admire the pretty boy for what he was. His scrapes and bruises from the attack earlier only helped his appearance. But then he caught her
staring. Forgetting how to think, Avery stayed dead still when he strode across the room towards her.

“We can do this you know. I’m sure we can.” Mason said, but Avery wasn’t thinking about the Mikhail thing much anymore. Edging forward,

she reached out and touched his shoulders, her fingers curling into the soft cotton fabric of his shirt. His arms went around the small of her back and
he tilted his chin down so their faces were closer.

“I believe you.” She said.
He leaned down and kissed her. Though they’d kissed before, the instant warmth always was shocking and she’d never get used to the

wondrous sensation. Lips pressed together, Avery leaned into it. Her heart pounded in her chest and she was certain Mason could feel it. His
hands weaved into her hair and he pushed her mouth into his.

The bruising kiss suddenly moved. Mason shifted his attention to her neck just below her ear. Avery shuddered at the feather light sensation

that left a burning hot trail in its wake. She licked her swollen lips and shifted her head to allow him better access.

Mason, no saint, kissed greedily. His hands swept just underneath the hem of her shirt, shooting up her back and massaging just between

her shoulder blades. Avery’s face was burning pink but she didn’t fight the rapid situation. She’d crushed on Mason long enough.
Legitimizing their relationship a little bit was well needed. But then Mason suddenly stopped them.
“Wait, shut up.” He pressed his hand over her lips. Before Avery could struggle, Mason had moved. Quickly heading for the window, he unlatched
the glass and leaned out through the sill. Now visible on the other side was Eva, basking in the darkness. Rain had started and outside, rare flashes
of lightning occasionally lit up the distance. The thunder still remained silent.
“Hi dear brother.” Eva cracked her harrowing smile.
Mason didn’t return it.
“What have you found?” He quizzed going straight to business.
“It’s all quiet on the front line. He’s probably perfecting the magic as we speak using that bloody old harpie’s journal. As if the man couldn’t be
dumber--compacting the information in one single place.” Eva showed her teeth with venom.
“That man being your father?” Avery couldn’t help but ask. She’d known there had been bad blood in the family-- not surprising considering that Eva
contributed to Jericho’s murder, but hearing it so callously thrown out there was still shocking.
“That man was a vicious traitor and a liar.” Eva snapped, sending a dirty look Avery’s way.
“Eva stop,” Mason warned, maneuvering to somewhat stand between them. Though Eva technically remained outside, it wouldn’t be a far stretch for
the woman to lash out. Mason obviously worried about it.
“Why do you hate him so much? What’d he do to you?” Avery asked, undeterred. Mason may have tried to shush her but Avery wanted to know.
This family drama remained at the center of the conflict.
Eva didn’t avoid the subject.
“Jericho was a horrible man. He was only out for himself and he made no bones about putting me second.”
“That was a long time ago, Eva. You likely don’t even remember it right with Mikhail chatting in your ear all of the time. And Mikhail...was he even
any better than Jericho? Did he act like he was ever on your team?” Mason asked in all seriousness.
She debated the words for a long moment. The shadows on her face showed a side of the girl that Avery had never seen before. Eva had always
seemed like the relentless, sharp, and bloodthirsty harpie. She always seemed like she had no heart. Though Avery still knew that to be true, it
didn’t seem to be wholly true anymore.

“No.” Eva whispered.
“Do you ever regret it?” Avery didn’t know what possessed her to talk but she suddenly wished she hadn’t. Both harpies in the room turned

and shot her a solemn look. Avery’s question wasn’t just about Mikhail. It was about Jericho too. Did Eva ever regret killing Jericho? Avery almost
went to apologize but never got the chance. Eva stiffened up for both herself and Mason.

“Maybe I deserve Mikhail’s coming to kill us then, don’t I?” The harpie woman still put on a crooked, bitter smirk.
“We’re gonna be okay.” Avery interrupted. “We are a team now. We have the advantage and we’ll get out of it alive.”
“Advantage? Have you looked around at these people who are working together? My bloody alienated brother, his furious ex-fiancé... and the
harpie that calls himself Patrick. No, best of all is the human with harpie magic growing inside of her body...”
Eva’s words were sharp but Avery didn’t take the bait. She stood her ground firmly and Eva finally turned her attention away.
“I’ll be on look out but stay alert.” She ordered Mason before disappearing out the window.
“Cheerful that one.” Avery grumbled in Eva’s wake. Mason turned to face her but didn’t make eye contact.
“She’s right. About the danger I mean.” He clarified but Avery could tell her probing questions about Eva still remained in his mind. He continued to
change the subject. “Adalyn I believe will stick by us but I really don’t know about Patrick. Actually,” An idea seemed to strike Mason and his eyes
connected with Avery’s. “Did you hear Adalyn ever say anything about Patrick? Or did Patrick ever say anything about her?” He asked.
Avery made a face, struggling to think about it. Of the time she spent with Patrick, she really only remembered when Leela had the amulet and
Patrick had attempted to kill her. It wasn’t a good weekend to remember details. It wasn’t a good weekend period.
“I don’t know. Why does it matter?” Avery asked.

“He just seems strange to me… I don’t really know who he is.” Mason turned and paced away as far as the small room would allow.

“Originally Adalyn had told me she’d met him through Samuel, and Samuel through Jericho… but that fell through when I got here and had everyone
in one room. She won’t talk about it and a mysterious harpie is never good news.”
“Whoa wait!” Avery suddenly caught on, and the realization was harrowing. “You don’t think Patrick is like in the Band or anything, right?”

“No.” Mason denied quickly. “We’d know if he was in the Band. I’ll just look into it. And you… well, just keep in mind what I said. And focus on

Mikhail now. He’s the one we have to worry about paving us down to take back his throne.”

Mason unintentionally reminded Avery about what Samuel had said.
“Do you know that Samuel is saying you are the rightful heir to the throne? That you’re supposed to take it next.” She said off hand, idly

thinking of it. She didn’t know what she expected from Mason, but his reaction was not it.
“I know.” Mason answered quietly. The firmness in his voice and the expression on his face caught her interest and Avery looked up to meet his
eyes.
“You’re not going to do it, right?”
“Avery,” He reached out for her but she backed up. Suddenly feeling cold, she wrapped her arms around herself.
“You’re actually going, aren’t you? When did the abrupt change of heart happen?”
Mason clearly debated his answer.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think lately, Avery. I’ve had enough time away from my kind to see them as they really are. And they need a leader. I’m not
ready to fly out tonight but I think I’ve decided...”
Avery faced the opposite wall when she felt her eyes begin to burn. She knew it wasn’t about the throne or Mason’s sudden decision to grow up. It
was about something personal and she voiced just that.
“If you go back to court, then I can’t come with you. A human can’t.” After initially saying it, she found the rest of the words slipping from her. “So
why’d you bother to start things with me if you knew you couldn’t end them?”
“Would you rather I had just stayed with Adalyn?” Mason asked. Though his soft voice didn’t convey sarcasm, it only infuriated Avery more.
“Adalyn?” Avery scoffed while her sorrow quickly channeled into anger. “Of course. That’s what Adalyn was talking about when she referred to your
arrangement. You’re screwing up everything. How did I miss that? You’re going to marry her because she’s a suitable bride for the throne.”
“Don’t take it like that Avery, I’m not planning to dump you off.” Mason tried to defend himself but she didn’t buy it.
“Shut up, Mason. You knew this and you still did everything to mislead me! Err...” Avery growled and stormed toward the bed. He was about to find
out about the cold shoulder from a teenage girl.
Mason let out a deep, practiced breath.
“This is not a good time to fight.” He nearly lectured but she cut him off.
“Fine. It’s not a fight. It’s over. Now all we have to worry about is getting out of here alive and going our separate ways.” She snapped.
He stayed quiet for a long moment. Avery refused to glance back and see how hard her comment had landed. After a moment, she heard his quiet
voice speak up one last time.
“If that’s what you want.”
She didn’t respond. She was too afraid her voice would break. After nearly an hour of silence, she fell asleep. Avery dreamed of fire.

Seventeen

Avery brushed the beads of sweat off her forehead before letting out another groan. Her day hadn’t been treating her well. Since the

morning, she’d been trying to teach up Mason how to use the magic. She knew that just because they were fighting, the danger of Mikhail’s
rampage didn’t take a back seat. They both needed to be alive to bicker with each other and that meant they had to train. The morning had slipped
away. Half way into the afternoon, the sun beating down in Samuel’s courtyard was giving way to the shadows of looming night. That left the area
hot and humid with mosquitoes, and left their patience wearing thin.
She watched Mason pace around the courtyard’s trampled grass. He’d lost the shirt to reveal the magical tattoo-like mark on his right arm. It’d
coiled up to his shoulder but wasn’t very active. Avery had once seen the progression of the Willow magic tattoo on herself. The darker and longer it
appeared meant the magic had expanded and seeped in deeper. Mason’s tattoo wasn’t very dark or very long, and the progression was slow.
“Are you okay?” She asked him reluctantly. Mixed feelings still lingered. She couldn’t stop liking Mason but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be
pissed either. Dangerous combination. The interaction that ensued was stiff, awkward, and irritating.
His mood was only as sour as hers but leave it to a harpie to blow the frustration out of proportion.
“This is ridiculous! You’re teaching it wrong.” He growled.
“I’m not. Maybe it’s just time you get your head out of your ass and use it.” She shot the snide comment without remorse.
Mason kept a purposeful berth between them.

“If you can do it, I should be able to do it better!” He pointed out blatantly. The frustration escalated rapidly. Mason added more fuel to the fire. “I’m
certainly more qualified than a human who doesn’t understand anything about harpies but continues to act like she even has a clue.”
“A human can understand enough. She can understand that harpies always think they’re right even when they aren’t. She can understand that
they’re stubborn and irritating, and ignore what’s right in front of them.” She huffed.
He glared, clearly upset. Mason suddenly moved, stepping closer until he towered right above her. Personal space abruptly gone, she stiffened but
refused to back down. This close she could feel the heat radiate off him and the wiry magic of Willow curl into the air like a faint electrical current.
He leaned down until their faces remained just an inch away.
“What is right in front of me, Avery?” He asked quietly, his breath close enough to tickle her cheeks.
Avery only grew more annoyed until her fists clenched and stomach knotted. Refusing to give in to the tears of frustration, she kept the charade up.
“Your hand. Force the magic out of your finger tips first. Stop trying to make stuff explode. You’ve done enough of that already.”
“Why not? Couldn’t imagine it could get any worse.” He grumbled but did as he was told and moved away from her.
Fastening his hands around the nearest tree branch, he focused in on the bark. Avery could have shattered the wood with that much concentration
but Mason had no luck. She opened her mouth, ready to offer another suggestion but never got the chance. Someone beat her to it.
“Just give it up. It’s like watching a baby with a water gun.” The recognizable male voice rang out.
Avery turned to find Patrick walking over the lawn. Mason went stiff behind her and Avery took the daring move to stand between them.
“Why are you here?” She asked, transferring her bad mood onto Patrick.
He gave her a mocking, blinding smile.
“Just checking out how the cavalry’s workin’ it up.” Patrick said, his eyes crawling over the scene.
“You mean you’ve come to be target practice.” Mason hissed.
Patrick had come outside in baggy slacks and a grey undershirt ripped for his harpie wings. Though he didn’t seem like he was ready for a battle, a
long knife had been stashed in the back of his belt. His eyes kept steady on Mason.
Determined to control the situation, Avery spoke up.
“We’re supposed to be getting along. Not fighting. Not now.” The plea was a simple but firm reminder of the situation.
“I’m just trying to help.” Patrick crooned. “And it’s not just producing the magic that you’re dealing with. It’s learning how to fight with it. And the best
way to learn is to practice. It’s a friendly challenge.” Patrick said but it didn’t sound that friendly.
“Fine. Bring it.” Mason stepped forward but Avery pressed an open hand to his hard chest keeping him in the spot.
“How about a friendly wager, a prize for the winner?” Patrick quirked an ugly, crooked smile.
The mood in the courtyard changed rapidly and the tension made the air grow thick. Avery did her best to stay between them but the hairs on the
back of her neck stood up. Something drew Avery’s eyes back toward the building. Adalyn had posted herself up against the second story
balcony’s railing. Wings half open and long legs stretched out behind her, she leaned against the bar and stared down at them with her red lips
pouted. Great, Avery thought when she noticed the girl. They couldn’t add more fuel to the fire.
“What’s the wager?” Mason quizzed, drawing Avery’s attention back to the courtyard. Mason had sidestepped her at some point until the two male
harpies stood a foot apart. Mason had a few inches on Patrick but he was also thinner and less muscular.
“If I win,” Patrick started out, the irking smile on his face growing wider. “Then I get to take Avery on a date. A real date.”
The next moment happened in a flurry of motion. Even though Mason jerked backwards, Avery protested first.
“No way. I’m not a prize. I’m a person. And no way!” Her exclaimer was a bumbling streak of slurred words and her face burned hot.
“Like I could trust you anywhere near Avery.” Mason said.
Patrick rolled his brown eyes in an over exaggerated gesture and held his hands up innocently.
“It’s not like I’d be taking her into a dark alley. And plus, Adalyn told me to leave her alone so I have no reason to kill her anymore. And you can deal
with the safety precautions later, after I win of course.”
Mason let out a deep growl in his throat.
“You won’t win.” Mason insisted.
Patrick took another step forward.
“Then name your price,” Patrick said, “and let us settle the wager.”
Mason’s green eyes went foggy for a moment and he turned his attention into space. Several emotions weighed on Avery during the wait for him to
speak but she couldn’t reconcile them. Avery usually didn’t doubt Mason’s fighting ability. He’d fought the Band before and succeeded under fiery
conditions. But the fact that he’d wager Avery didn’t go over well with her. The mix of emotions only got worse from there. Mason answered.
“Okay, if I win... if I win then you have to stay away from Adalyn.”
Avery double-took, unsure she’d heard it right. While Avery’s face washed out white, Patrick’s face lit up with excitement. Bringing two long fingers
up into the air, he gestured the “come on” motion. Mason obliged. He charged in a quick flurry of movement. On the offensive, Mason succeeded in
landing the first blow-- a sharp popping jab on Patrick’s jaw. The wounded harpie recovered and fixed his stance. Straightening up, he launched
himself at Mason.
Wings open, the two met with another crippling blow. The explosion of motion and roaring noise sent Avery to the opposite side of the courtyard.
Reaching the corner and pressing herself up against the wall, she watched the chaos of swinging strikes and tearing of talons.
Feathers went spiraling but the fight stayed mercifully grounded. The grapple took them to the floor, Patrick going down on top. His weight was
superior but Mason’s fury clearly kept him moving. Lashing out, he beat on Patrick. The jabs couldn’t catch enough momentum to do real damage
and that allowed Patrick to keep the upper hand.
“The magic.” Avery yelled before her throat could close up.
The fight wasn’t looking like a harmless struggle anymore. Mason already had open and bleeding gashes over his knuckles and his forehead. The
sticky crimson had caked his face and grew worse by the minute. Patrick’s wounds were unclear and though he held the right side of his body up at
an awkward angle, it didn’t slow the attack down. With Mason pinned down, he slammed elbows downward. The half grip Mason held on the harpie
would slip soon and if it did, Patrick could land a lethal blow.
Luckily Mason finally reacted. He latched onto Patrick’s shoulders. The magic surfaced as a blue cackling shot of electricity. The magic had an
immediate effect. Patrick let out a gasp and wrenched backwards. His advantage broken, Mason was able to throw him off. They both tumbled
apart and rolled to their feet. Mason’s hands were out and his palms were open. Avery knew the stance. He’d figured it out. She let out a breath of
relief. He could do this.
Patrick stood with a berth between them and swatted the blood off of his cheek. The magic had clearly given him a shock but he didn’t look ready to
give up.
Eyes alert and lips tilted upward, he readied himself to go again.

Mason saw this too and when Patrick charged, he was ready. Patrick attempted a sideswipe but Mason dodged. He kicked at Patrick’s back and
made contact. Patrick stumbled forward into the oak tree. His talons dug into the bark, and when he whirled, he’d ripped off a large chunk of wood.
He threw the wood hard except it missed Mason by three feet.
Avery screamed, narrowly ducking in time to avoid the wayward branch. The wood went skirting over her head and cracked on the compound’s
wall. Her heart had jumped to her chest but she was otherwise unharmed. Glancing up, she sought out the battle again only to find that Mason’s
eyes had connected with hers. Her scream had earned his full attention—too much attention. That single moment of hesitation sent the situation into
a downward spiral. Patrick came at Mason from behind. By the time his presence was apparent, it was already too late.
Patrick threw Mason to the ground, digging his nail into the portion of back between Mason’s wings. Mason’s face hit the dirt and he was
immobilized. The second happened so fast, no one reacted for a moment.
“Looks like I won.” Patrick finally yelled, triumphant. His hands still lingered above Mason’s neck, an unspoken gesture that he could kill Mason with
one blow. Patrick had stopped but in the real world, Mason would be dead.
The realization was stunning and Avery’s blood ran cold. Only after a full minute when Mason had stood and dusted himself off did the other
implications ever sink in. Her hazel eyes flickered up to Patrick only to find the harpie staring back her way. His eyes glinted with clear amusement.
Avery’s stomach did a flip and suddenly feeling ill, Avery backed towards the door. Mason had lost. That meant Avery was the prize end of the
divvy.
“No way.” She shook her head immediately. “Not happening.”
“Sorry girlie. That was the deal. Next time don’t underestimate my determination.”
“Not fair! Mason was distracted. That’s the only reason you had the drop on him!” Avery’s voice spiked and her panic rose—mostly because she
knew Patrick was probably right.
The harpie boy continued on.
“Not my fault. That’s the way the real world works. And look, I might have saved him. He won’t do that when he’s in a real fight now.” Patrick had
lurched up a few steps until he stood close to Avery.
“You tried to kill me once! This is an excuse to try it again.”
“Oh boo hoo. I told you once I liked you.” Patrick said but even Avery knew that meant he only lusted over her. “And I didn’t want to hurt you either but
I was doing a favor for Adalyn. Things changed. So not doing it anymore.”
The mention of the harpie woman’s name sent Avery’s attention back to the balcony where Adalyn had been perched. She was gone.
Avery let out a pent up breath. She could keep arguing but she didn’t see it going anywhere. She certainly wasn’t accompanying Patrick on the date
tonight. He was covered in dirt and caked in blood.
Reluctantly holding in anymore protests, she nodded vaguely. “Fine, go.” She said and shooed him off with a flick of her wrist. Patrick blew a kiss
into the air
and shot her one last smirk.
That left only Mason and Avery in the courtyard. Mason had since stood and straightened out his feathers. But his green eyes wouldn’t immediately
meet hers. Avery wasn’t sure she wanted him to either. Looking at him now, all Avery could do was remember what he’d said about Adalyn. The
hint of fuming anger rising in her stomach, she clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white.
She couldn’t bring herself to say a word to him. So she didn’t. Avery turned and walked inside, leaving the courtyard in stiff silence.

Eighteen

Avery walked forward blindly. She only wanted to put as much distance between herself and Mason as possible. She’d passed their room

and weaved though the floral decorated hall. She stopped at the last room and rattled the doorknob to open the door. Inside the overhead lights
were off and the majority of the room was cast into shadows, but Avery recognized it.
She’d arrived at the library in which they’d been before, back when they’d found Jericho’s journal missing. Her eyes slid over the cushy red chairs,
and she’d decided to stay in the silent room just when her phone ring jingled.

Wrenching her phone out of her pocket, she checked the number on the front blue screen. Avery recognized the blocky digits instantly, but

unsure of what to expect, she took a moment to answer.

“Yea- yes? Nate?” She cleared her throat and wiped at her burning eyes when she pressed the warm metal device to her ear.
“Avery?” Nate’s voice answered but the tone was indiscernible.
“What’s up?” She quizzed immediately. “Is everything okay?”

She had left the boy with a seemingly impossible task, but she didn’t expect it to go wrong so quickly. Pulse quickening, she anxiously

waited for Nate’s reply.

“So I got Leela out of the house. Out of the school. And I definitely got her on the plane.” He said but his voice still wasn’t reassuring.

Avery twisted the phone in her hands and urged him on.

“So is everything good?”
“She’s heading to Portland.” Nate said shortly and Avery hissed.
“Portland? As in Portland Oregon? As in the one Portland I told you not to go to?” She asked but didn’t want to believe it.
Nate confirmed the fears in the same frustrated, hopeless voice.

“Hey, this isn’t my fault. She found out where you were and jumped on a plane to go there! How was I supposed to even see that coming?”

He blurted. “She left overnight and she could be anywhere by now. It was you, Avery, who told me Leela wouldn’t get hurt in all this!”

The seething panic on his side was clear but Avery certainly couldn’t reassure him. Pacing over the tan carpet, she shook her head.
“Portland’s a big city. I don’t think she could show up on my doorstep.” Avery rationalized aloud but that train of thought didn’t help either. At

least if Leela was here, they could protect her. Out there, she could run across Mikhail and be killed.

Avery cursed her luck and blurted a shaky goodbye to Nate. Talking would do no good now, Avery decided. She needed help. Her eyes shot

up to find the nearest exit. There was a door on the opposite side of the room, next to the only lamp that illuminated with a yellow glow. Avery stuffed
the phone into her pocket and hurried for the exit. Just as she passed the lamp, something caught her attention. In the reclining chair rested Samuel.
His knuckle propped up his chin but his eyes were closed and his chest rose with slow, rhythmic breaths.

“Samuel,” She called him, suddenly desperate for the wise old harpie’s help.
He didn’t stir at first so Avery crossed the room, up to his side, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Samuel suddenly snapped to life.

Launching forward, he wielded a rusty blade. Avery dodged backwards, slamming into the coffee table and sprawling toward the ground in an
explosion of movement. Samuel stopped after Avery fell. The knife in his hand lingered and his hazel eyes stared downward. Abruptly, he dropped
the blade and fell back into his seat. Raking his trembling hands through his hair, he shook his head in an erratic motion.

“I’m sorry child.” He cried, “I’m sorry.”
Avery, struggling to regain her composure and get her heart out of her stomach, propped herself up.
“Are you okay?” She asked.

Avery had known she startled him but the violent outburst wasn’t warranted. The old harpie seemed disturbed by it too. He took a few long

minutes to regain control of himself. Hazel eyes drilled into the floor, the lines on his face suddenly seemed all too apparent. Cheeks hollow and
shadows under his eyes heavy, he let out a gasping whine.

“I suppose I’m a little too jittery.” He finally spoke clearly. “I do fear that Mikhail will be coming for me any day now.”
“Yea, but that’s why we’re here to fight.” She said but the reminder did nothing to calm the old harpie.
He shook his head radically.

“I’m sorry child but we won’t win. You don’t know him. You don’t know how persistent Mikhail is. He won’t stop. He won’t ever stop until you’re

dead or he is.” Samuel blurted. “He took over fifty years to hunt Jericho. He waited until Jericho made the amulet, stole it, and had him killed. Mikhail
never forgets and those who encourage his wrath will never be safe.”

The grave words were unsettling and Avery swallowed thickly. She didn’t know how to answer. Samuel took a moment to regain his regular

composure.

“So you came to talk to me?” He prompted, simply looking tired again.

Remembering the original purpose of it all, Avery stood and explained.

“Yea, so I kind of have a problem.” She started. “One of my friends is coming to Portland to find me. Except I have no way of contacting her. I

need to find her or she’ll be in danger.”
Samuel absorbed the words quickly and shook his head just as fast.

“You cannot leave these walls. You will be a target and it would be extremely foolish to give the Band that kind of opening.”
“Please, she’s helpless out there. And I need to find her. Can’t someone go?” Avery pressed more frantically.
Samuel kept his emotions in check and the conversation rational.
“You, Mason, I-- we are all targets. And I certainly won’t allow my daughter to go out there. Who does that leave?”

Avery had a fleeting thought about Eva but that went as quick as it had come. Eva already hated Leela and the harpie woman was also on

guard duty. She was the only one watching the outside walls and they needed that in case of surprise attack. So who did that leave, Avery asked
herself.

“Patrick.” She whispered when it dawned on her. “Can Patrick do it?”
“He certainly can. But the question is, will he?”
Avery bit her lip and considered it. Patrick was a vicious killer, but at the same time, he was a playboy who had a thing for Avery. And she

did have a date with him-- possibly the perfect time to win him over. If she could get him to find Leela then Avery had to take that chance.

“Thank you for the idea.” She told the old harpie, and with a brief nod, turned and hurried away.

She backtracked towards the door but never made it a step into the hall before she collided with something tall and heavy. Avery’s head shot up
and she recognized Mason.

“Hey.” She untangled herself out of habit. Taking a step back, she got a clear look at him.
Dirt and blood still marred his cheeks and clothes, his wings were frazzled and his brown hair stuck up in a mess. Purple bruises over his

knuckles and jaw line stood out against the pale white of his face. The old anger that lingered for the harpie dissipated some while looking at him
so Avery didn’t give into the sneaking urge to run away.

“Are you okay?” She asked mechanically.
“We should talk, Avery.” He answered, and though she’d been expecting to hear that, she wasn’t ready for it.
“Let’s go back to the room.” She said. And patch him up, she added only mentally. Mason didn’t look quite right, and though standing, he

swayed.

They returned to the room in silence after that. Once the door shut, sealing them in, Mason spoke up.
“Patrick’s up to something. I know it. I just don’t know what.” He pressed his wings back against the door. “His request wasn’t funny, Avery.

This is a red flag.”

That wasn’t exactly what they needed to talk about but Avery let it sit. She wasn’t exactly rushing to talk about their relationship yet.
Avery strode straight to the bathroom to retrieve a few fluffy white towels. She checked in the cabinets but found no medical supplies. At

least Mason’s wounds weren’t deep and his immune system was top notch. She twisted on the knob and waited for the water to get hot.

“How can he be up to something worse than killing me?” Avery asked. Her fingers danced under the stream of water but it was still cold.
“Because he’s not.” Mason amended himself when she shot him a look. “The way he acts, its strange. Harpies aren’t forgiving Avery, he

doesn’t just decide not to want you dead suddenly.”
Avery made a face.

“That’s…great…” She still didn’t know what to make of it. Maybe he wanted the Willow magic now but realistically, he still needed to kill

Avery to get it. The magic would only jump from her body when she was dead. And that still put them at step one.

“Everything about Patrick is strange. I’ve been looking into his background. You know what I found? He has no background. Nothing. He has

no residential history, no last name, no work… nothing. It’s like he dropped off of the face of the Earth for a few years.”

“So what? He could have been living with the humans.”
“Then why wouldn’t he just say that? Avery, he’s hiding something. I just don’t know what it is. I would think Adalyn did but she only met him

that night we were at the harpie court—the night Mikhail escaped and you almost died.”

It was also the night that Mikhail had blown up a prison and a courtroom, while swearing revenge on them. Avery remembered clearly and

didn’t need reminding. Instead, she tried to focus on the issue at hand.

“Patrick seems pretty obsessed with Adalyn. He keeps saying he owes her and that he was trying to kill me for her. So what exactly did she

do for Mr. Shady?”
The tone was childish, maybe, but the closer they got to the subject of Mason’s ex-fiancé, the worse she felt.

“I don’t know. I can’t talk to her. I’m not as close to her as I used to be.” Mason said slowly but Avery suddenly snapped.
“Not close to her?” The water for the towels grew hot but Avery didn’t act on it yet. “What was up with that wager then? Why did you want

Patrick to stay away from her, her and not me? Stop lying. I’m not that stupid. It was bad enough I found out you were planning to leave for the harpie
community without me. Now you’re still stuck on Adalyn?”

The steam twisted in the air. Unable to keep her hands still anymore, Avery ran the towel under the scolding water. With the towel wet, she

wrung it out until it was damp. Her hands shook as she twisted.
“I told you yesterday that Adalyn has nothing to do with it. I’m not trying to get back with Adalyn… I’m just trying to get her away from Patrick because
again, he’s up to something.”
“You’re throwing me to the wolves instead then.” She snapped back.
“Look, I didn’t think I’d lose, Avery. And besides, I only risked it because I don’t have to worry about you being stupid. You know he’s dangerous and
I know you’re smarter than Adalyn. Right now though, you’re not acting like it!”
She whirled to face him. Picking up the wet cloth she beamed it at him. Mason snatched it out of the air before it smacked him in the face.
“How should I act then, Mason? Should I be happy that you’ve had an epiphany to go home? Should I be fine with us going back to being just
friends? God, maybe that’s my problem. I don’t know what I should do.” She rubbed her temples, forcing her rational head to remain intact. “Better
yet, what did you expect me to do when I heard that?”
Mason was quiet for a long moment and though tempted to look at him, Avery didn’t. Finally the harpie let out a breath.
“I don’t know…” He admitted.
She didn’t know what kind of answer she’d expected but that wasn’t quite it. His words only left more of a sinking feeling.
“That’s fine. We don’t need to fight. We just need to get through this.” She said but she wasn’t sure which one of them she was trying to convince.
“I won’t let Patrick hurt you, you know. You may have to spend time with him but I won’t be far away.”
“Yea I know. I have to get ready to do that.”
Mason stiffened and suddenly standing, he maneuvered for the door. Just before he reached it, he babbled some excuse about needing to get air.
Avery knew what he needed. He needed to get away from her for awhile. She couldn’t say she blamed him though. It was going to be a long two
weeks.

Nineteen

Avery stared at her reflection while smoothing out the black blouse that she’d newly adorned. The fabric was satin and smooth, doing well to fit her
body despite the obvious problem with size. It had once belonged to Adalyn and she’d gotten it on permanent loan from Samuel. Considering she’d
never brought any clothes, it’d have to do with a pair of tight jeans. A fresh shower left her smelling like strawberries and a fight with a comb left her
curly hair somewhat straightened. The freckles on her cheeks stood out but accented by the dim light, they looked endearing.
Reluctantly approving the reflection, her eyes scanned down the hall again. Her time with Mason earlier in the day ruined, she’d taken to getting
ready. Patrick would be expecting her in only twenty minutes and the knot in her stomach grew worse. The door to the hall was quiet and the air was
still, but Avery knew Mason would be lingering just out of sight. She may have been mad at the harpie, but she hoped he’d come through for her.
The phone stuffed in Avery’s pocket buzzed and she wiggled out the device. Flipping open the screen, she scanned the letters. Nate had texted her
back.
“Flight 74, arriving Portland 7PM.” It said.
Quickly running the numbers through her head, Avery nodded to herself. Nate had managed to track Leela’s flight using the information on his credit
card. Leela would be arriving within the hour and finding her at the airport would be easier than finding her in the city. She put the phone away, took
one last breath, and approached Patrick’s door.
Her knuckles didn’t meet the wood before the door opened. Grinning brightly, Patrick greeted her from the other side. Since earlier, he’d brushed
his hair back with a glob of gel, and he’d left the style spiky and purposely disarrayed. He’d also adorned some type of musky cologne that smelt far
too strong and threatened to make Avery’s throat close up.
Swatting at the air, she greeted him in return.
“So what was your plan for this date?”
“Sweep you off your feet and make sure you enjoy yourself.” He said.
She certainly didn’t like the way he hit the accent on the word enjoy. Knowing Mason wasn’t out of ear shot, Avery didn’t worry about it. And even if
Mason may not have known how to use the Willow magic, Avery certainly did.
“We should be out of here. Get some fresh air.” He went on.
Avery’s eyes scanned the lines of his face and watched his posture. Nothing about his body language spoke danger.
“Lead the way.” She said after a second and stepped aside to leave the hallway clear. He offered her an arm and she reluctantly took it. Together
they headed down the hallway and for the exit doors.
“I’m glad you showed up. I thought you’d be too prudish, worried about your boyfriend and all that. I figured you’d try to find a way out of it.”
Even though she’d once considered that, Avery took offense to it anyways. Propping her chin up, she complained. “You put me on one track don’t
you? I do have different segments to my personality.”
Patrick’s expression changed a bit, mirroring something like surprise. Keeping his composure, he countered her statement.
“You put me in a box too, don’t you?” Patrick said.
Mean and violent? Yes probably, but Avery wouldn’t apologize for it. Patrick had tried to kill her before and his reasoning behind it didn’t quite
matter. Keeping their relationship moving in the right direction, Avery forced a smile and shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m sorry. Consider this our starting over.” She thought about batting her eyelashes like Leela always managed to but wouldn’t risk that the gesture
would turn out forced. Instead, she just squeezed his arm.
“Deal, girlie.” He agreed genuinely.

He walked in front and held open the door. Once outside, Avery’s eyes immediately scanned the world. It was quiet and calm. The sky was overcast
and atmosphere damp, but rain seemed at least a few hours away still. Deeming it safe, she allowed him to lead her outside.
“It’s better than being trapped inside all the bloody time. I’m not afraid of anything enough to stay inside that long.” He boasted when the metal door
swung shut with a clack behind them.
Patrick had been right about one thing. The fresh air was a good treatment but it made her miss the moist woodsy smell of Mayweather.

“Is there somewhere you intended to go in particular?” She quizzed, careful to keep the dirt off of her strappy shoes.
“Just wait up, I’m here to impress after all.”

“Okay, okay. Not doubting you.” But she could at least wonder what he was up to. Outside was one thing but going far away from Samuel’s
compound was just dangerous.

They crossed around the building’s side and reached another door that led outside the outer walls of the compound.

Just outside the door was a garden. Though not as spectacular as the ones Avery had seen in the past, the sight of deep green and brown came as
a welcome break from the grey muddy mess inside. A few seats sat around a tiny, man-made pond. Potted plants grew sparsely around the place,
far too early in spring to bloom in color. Surrounding the tiny pond, there was a packed thicket of medium sized trees. The night helped conceal its
full size but it was not quite big enough to be considered a forest.
“Romantic, huh?” He quipped, gesturing to the place.
Avery tried to smile but only managed to smirk.
“Better than a bedroom.” She said to herself and followed him to the benches, her sandals crunching over the twig covered ground.
He dropped into the metal bench and patted the seat next to him. Patrick hadn’t left much room for her to sit and she reluctantly found herself tucked
up close against him. His arm immediately went around her shoulders and squeezed.
Patrick was warm and his feathers soft, but the embrace didn’t feel great. Rather, Avery found herself drawing away from it. She didn’t want to wait
longer to go through the pleasantries.
“I have a favor to ask you, Patrick.” Avery started. She caught his hand and squeezed, willing it to appear affectionate. “Do you remember Leela?”
Patrick perked up and even though typically one-minded, his eyes did a surprisingly careful calculation of her face.
“Leela?” He asked for clarification.
“My human friend. You met her while at Mayweather.”
He nodded.
“So what’s the favor?” He asked next, leaning forward until their faces were just mere inches apart.
“Um.” She swallowed thickly. This close and this intimate with Patrick, she struggled to remember how to speak. “She’s-- she’s...”
Avery let out a breath. Patrick’s hand had crept up her back and lightly played with the tips of her curls.
“Yes?” He prompted.
“She’s coming to Portland trying to find me. I can’t leave here. I need someone... I need someone to find her on my behalf before she gets lost in the
city. Or before she gets hurt...” It was difficult but Avery finally got her shaky point across. She never stopped being aware of exactly how close
Patrick was.
“You want me to find her for you?” He asked.
She nodded.
“And I imagine you’ll know of a place to start to looking?”
“I do.” She whispered.
Suddenly a smile crept up on his lips.
“You know it’s very very dangerous out there right now. Who knows who I might run into?” Patrick crooned.
Avery cursed herself mentally. She wasn’t sure where he was going with this but she already knew he was manipulating the situation in his favor.
Avery lacked the real choice to fight it though. She pushed forward.
“You just said that you weren’t afraid of anything. You can’t be afraid of a little thing like this.”
She answered.
“So I’m not afraid. But it is a risk. So I’m just wondering if this risk is worth it.” He shifted closer until his cheek brushed hers. The butterfly sensation
sent chills down her spine. Clenching her fists in her lap, she kept her reaction in check.
“So, will you do it?” She asked more impatiently.
He moved his face again, this time tracing his lips down to her earlobe. Every tiny movement he made had Avery’s body involuntarily reacting. She
squeezed her eyes shut and tried to ignore it. Patrick was a playboy, and jerk off or not, he was good. And she was embarrassed. Mason had to be
watching this and it didn’t take Avery to know that he’d be angry.
“I think so. For you.” Patrick whispered into her ear.
He kissed her then, on the side of her face, below her hair. The trail of light kisses moved, just to the hollow of her neck. Something about the
attention was just too much. She broke away.

“Why are you fighting me? Are you still thinking about Mason?” He asked.
“No way. I’m not with Mason but…” She didn’t know how to word herself so she didn’t. She simply snapped her mouth shut and stared at the

floor.

“That’s a shame.” He said surprisingly quietly. “You’re hung up on a guy that’s inevitably going to leave you.”
Taken aback, Avery thrashed to break away from him. Before she could conjure a proper response, Patrick spoke again.
“He’s going back to the harpie court after this. You know that right? And the new Prince can’t have a human as a girlfriend.”

Patrick’s words landed hard. Avery averted her face. Patrick’s hand snaked out and touched her shoulder. She wanted to slap him away but

he only squeezed in some reassuring manner.

“I’m not the nicest person in the world but I wouldn’t treat you the way he treats you. You know he still talks to Adalyn. He’s never stopped and

likely, they’ll be together after you’re long gone.”

“He told me it wasn’t about Adalyn.” Avery countered but her voice still waivered.
“Avery, don’t be stupid. Did he really fight when you broke it off with him? Did he ever try to mend that bridge? And best of all, where is he

right now?”

“He’s--” Avery went to defend him immediately but couldn’t bring herself too. She looked around finding herself unable to feel the magic in

Mason’s body. Maybe he wasn’t as close as he’d implicated he’d be.

“He’s with Adalyn now. I know it.”
Avery wiped her cheeks only to find the back of her hand wet. Great, now she was crying. Spiting her faulty reactions, she took a deep

breath. Determined to keep her voice straight, she answered.

“Don’t act so sweet. You tried to kill me yourself.” She pointed out.
Patrick actually made a guilty face.
“I told you I was doing Adalyn a favor.”
“Why do you owe Adalyn so much?” Avery suddenly asked, reckless questioning fueled by mixed emotions. “Who are you?”

Patrick went quiet. Avery was too afraid to steal a glimpse at his face. Instead, she focused on composing herself. Patrick finally did speak.
“I just came out of a bad place. Worse than you could probably imagine. I didn’t know anyone really but that day, I happened to meet Adalyn.

She took me in like a lost puppy. She straightened things out for me. I owe her so much for that. So when she asked me to get rid of a human, what
do you think I’d say?”

His fingers reached out and caught her chin. Their eyes connected and suddenly Avery’s breath was stolen from her.
Then Patrick leaned forward and kissed her. It lingered for a few moments before Avery pulled back. Maybe she was being horrible, buying

into Patrick’s words about Mason leaving her. Maybe Patrick was right and Avery should be moving on. But that was the last thing she needed to
think at that moment. Avery’s thoughts shifted back to Leela.
“You’ll need to hurry or we’ll lose her in Portland.” She reminded him.
The moment dying quickly, Patrick followed her to a stand but he paced toward the pond. His wings twitched and opened, stirring up a cold gust of
wind.
“Where is she then?”
“She’s arriving at the Portland Airport at seven PM.” Avery instructed. “I’m sure you’ll recognize her but you can call me.”

Suddenly, movement caught her eye. Avery followed it instantly. A flash darted through the thick brush, behind the hanging moss and low

branches of the trees. She double took at the woods. She hadn’t imagined the shadowy figure but it had gone still and in doing so, had
disappeared into the darkness. Swallowing, she scanned the remaining area. It was probably Mason but the unease crept up Avery’s spine in a
raking wave of coldness.

Patrick still stood in the same spot, oblivious and caught up in preening his reflection off of the murky pond water. He was still talking but it

took a full minute for Avery to even tune back in to what he was saying.

“I’ll pick her up, drag her back here, and dump her off. Then we can plan the next date.” Patrick had whirled to face her. If Avery had paled,

she wasn’t sure.

“Okay. Please. Please find her.” She said.
Patrick’s wings snapped open and he began to flap. Dust stirred and the pond water sloshed. Patrick took off only a moment later, doing

half a twirl in the air to slow off his flight moves. Only after he disappeared into the grey sky did Avery take her eyes off him. Next she set her sights
on the forest.

“Mason is that you?” She headed for the tree line, waiting for the familiar face to surface. He’d probably be pissed but Avery still needed to

see him.

“Mason.” She called again when she reached the tree line edge.
It had gotten darker and the shadows between the trees had gotten thicker. The wind howled through the branches and the wood cried out

from the force. Avery blinked but couldn’t see much. Her hand blindly sought out the nearest tree and she fingered the bark.

The feeling of unease had returned full fledge and Avery found her stomach churning. Mason hadn’t answered her. No one had. But she was

sure she’d seen someone in the woods. Swallowing thickly, she backed up. Her shoes snapped a twig below her and the sharp sound made her
jump. Skin crawling, she didn’t hesitate anymore. Turning on her heel, she ran for the entrance door.
Suddenly the woods shifted. Twigs snapped and branches creaked loudly. The sounds too loud to be normal, Avery hurried more. She didn’t turn
around.

She opened the door, charged inside, and slammed the metal shut behind her.

Heart pounding in her chest, she closed her eyes and waited for the moment to pass.

“Stupid stupid Avery.” She told herself. People were out to kill her and she still put herself in danger. Opening her eyes, she examined her

surroundings.

Being inside the first wall of Samuel’s compound was comforting but not completely safe. The sky was open and empty, the wind had

calmed, and the place was quiet. Avery trekked around the building, reaching the courtyard.

The sight in front of her made her stop. In the courtyard stood three harpies: Adalyn, Mason, and Eva. The gathering didn’t seem like a social

visit though. Eva’s wings were open wide and her hands clasped a polished blade handle on her belt. Adalyn stood nearby but her attention was on
the sky. Mason was the first to notice Avery.

“Are you okay?” He asked instantly.
Worried her face might betray her, she wiped her cheeks. She felt shaken and panicked but ignored it.
“What’s going on?” She asked instead. She kept watching the others.

Eva shook the choppy black hair out of her face to reveal her scowl.
“We’re out of time, Mikhail’s on the move.” Eva said shortly.
“What do you mean?” Avery questioned for more details.
“I spoke with Rafael. Since he’s been in Alaska, he doesn’t know yet that I’ve defected. He’s returned to the island to find Mikhail gone but with
orders to form an attack.”
Mason cursed darkly.
“You think he’s coming here today? Like today today? We’re not ready.” Avery exclaimed. The true weight of the situation reached her. Mason
could barely manifest the magic, much less fight with it. They already had the disadvantage and this just made it worse. Her blood ran cold with the
realization. They couldn’t win like this. They’d get slaughtered.
Eva shot her a heavy look.
“From this moment on we need to be in battle mode. We need to set lines and be ready to fight.” Eva announced, voice ringing with the heart of a
true leader.
“We need to tell everyone.” Mason said. “We need to stay together.”
“Patrick just left, he’s not here.” Avery said aloud when the thought dredged up in her mind.
“Where’d you send him?” Adalyn suddenly snapped. “Or are you constantly just trying to get us all killed.”
Avery might have been used to the anger but her jaw still hit the floor. Adalyn’s outburst had the whole group on edge and her heavy scowl was
unmatched. Avery stuttered for an answer but Mason beat her to speaking.

“Not here. Not now.” Mason hissed. “We need to go inside. We’re waiting bait.”
“Mason,” Eva’s voice stopped him before he turned. “Don’t be stupid. Be careful. We both know that the Band is smart and Mikhail is dangerously
cunning. I’m going to the perimeter. Don’t forget.”
The harpie girl suddenly took off into the air in a flurry of movement. It spurred Adalyn to move as well. The girl marched inside in a hurry leaving
Mason and Avery to lag behind her.
“What’s she talking about, Mason?” Avery asked the second the harpie woman had gone.
“She’s warning us. She took the information about the attack on Rafael’s word but we can’t take it on face value.”
Avery squinted.
“You mean they might have lied? Rafael didn’t tell Eva the truth?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. The Band might be setting us up in a trap. But either way, we are in grave danger.”

Twenty

Avery didn’t expect the heavy weight of the wooden spear. She cautiously rolled it in her palms while she gave it the once over.
“I can’t use this.” Avery finally said, her eyes looking up to spy Mason across the room. He had taken to the corner holding another spear like

the one she had. They’d set up in the library, the most fortified room according to Eva and Mason. There were few windows and easily controlled
exits. The walls were difficult to collapse in, the roof held up by reinforced steel beams, so driving them out would be extremely difficult. The Band
would have to come in to get them.

“It’s an offensive weapon. It’s to keep the harpies from getting close to you and it’ll save you from some serious trouble.” He didn’t look up

from his menial task of sharpening the blades and straightening out the weapons.

Avery stopped complaining because she’d asked to be here.
Adalyn stood across the room, close to the other door, with her father Samuel. She already acquired a blade and held it by her belt. Adalyn

was ready to fight. Everything about her careful, crouching posture showed that she was probably even good at it.
Avery focused back on the spear and tucked it against the nearest wall.

“Another thing,” Mason said to gain her attention. “In case we get separated, don’t be stupid and come looking for me. Get out. And then if

we need to, we will meet up at the hotel in town.”
Avery scrunched her face, thinking of the idea.

“You really think that they are going to hit us that hard? It’s been really quiet.” She gestured to the nearest window. The yellow glow of lamps

couldn’t even pierce the dense darkness outside. The rain was pouring now and the water beat on the roof and glass windows so loudly it was
nearly deafening. As well, the temperature had dropped and the room went cold.

“It could be an hour. It could be a day. But we’re in the red zone now. We need to stay hunkered down.” Mason announced.

A gasp from across the room caught their attention. Samuel had keeled over in his red chair and heaved to catch a breath. The older harpie’s chest
rose and fell in shudders, and feathers shed from his graying wings.
Adalyn leaned over him, her tall figure covering his face.
“Is he okay?” Avery asked when Adalyn’s head shot up, frustrated.
“He’s scared.” Mason admitted quietly. “He’s been afraid of this day for a long time.”
Avery swallowed thickly, picturing it. Mikhail swearing revenge on anyone was frightening but to be afraid for decades? She couldn’t imagine.
“Can we do anything?” Avery asked next.
Adalyn had stood and paced on the other side of the room, apparently unable to console Samuel. He’d placed his head between his knees and let
out slow, rasping breaths. Mason’s eyes, however, were only on the blonde that paced by Samuel’s side.
“I should talk to Adalyn.” He didn’t meet Avery’s eyes when he said this, certainly purposefully. Avery scrunched her face up anyways.
“What do you need to talk to her about? Thanks for not trying to kill us for half a day?” She asked already annoyed at the thought.
“Look, you may not appreciate it but we owe her. She’s not part of this, not really, and she’s being incredibly kind by harboring us.” Mason pointed
out like she was a child lacking manners. He continued to steal quick glances the blonde’s way and the concern showed from the darkness in his
green eyes.
“How does that make sense? She’s protecting her father!” Avery reluctantly kept her voice low but she didn’t like owing Adalyn anything. The idea
left her nauseous and uncomfortable.
Mason pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a controlled breath.
“You don’t know anything about her or us. Adalyn doesn’t act like that for fun. She’s been burned before and she’s grown up in dangerous
situations. So at the end of the day, she’s going to fight to save our lives too and you should appreciate that. Understand?” He pointed out.
At best Adalyn’s kind actions now would only even out the times she’d nearly had them killed, Avery thought. Correction, Adalyn had never tried to
kill Mason. Only Avery. So Mason could be grateful, but Avery wouldn’t be. Folding her arms, she stuck her tongue out in a silent protest. But before
she could conjure another bitter complaining remark, a familiar voice in the hall caught her attention.
“Put me down. Put me down or I’ll rip out your feathers!” The voice was shrill, contrite, and absolutely Leela.
Avery didn’t think before reacting. Blowing by Mason, she burst into the hallway. Her eyes landed on the two at the end of the hall instantly. Patrick
held Leela over his shoulder like a child’s toy while the girl bucked. Her small hand had a snare of feathers in a fist and she must have pulled.
Patrick’s usual cocky smile was gone and his lips had twisted into a downward frown.
“Let her go!” Avery piped in and the harpie obeyed instantly. Wrenching Leela sideways, he dropped her onto the hard carpet.
“So I’m thinking they keep all the feisty girls at Mayweather now. And here I thought it was just your endearing quality my dear.” Patrick commented,
regaining his swag composure, but it fell on deaf ears.
Avery rushed to help Leela up. The girl was in disarray, windswept and wet. Scrambling to upright herself, she still swatted Avery’s hands away.
“I’m so pissed at you!” She made a vague swing Avery’s way. “What did you do?”
“What did I do? I saved your life by getting you out of there.”
Leela finally stood and threw her chin up to give a cold glare to Avery.

“I didn’t need saving! Now where’s Mikhail? What happened to him?” She asked desperately and her words were a jumble.
Avery pursed her lips. Leela had clearly missed the part where Mikhail had tried to kill them. But her heart still softened knowing that Leela was
safe, she didn’t buy into the stressed tones.
“Nothing.” Avery said shortly.
Leela sized Avery up, long and hard—checking for the truth behind the words. The girl finally calmed, her muscles going lax and her scowl dropping.
Leela turned to swatting the dust off of her velvet jacket.
“Where are we anyways?” She asked after a moment.
She scanned the hallway but there was little to see in Samuel’s place. They finally cut off the irritating jazz music that once floated through the
speakers and the glass frames were taken down from the walls. All that remained was the carpet and the polished wooden doors leading to the
library.
“Somewhere safe for now.” Avery started just when the library door clicked open.
Mason and Adalyn surfaced. Together. They didn’t hold hands but filing through the small door frame, they were very close. Avery’s mood soured
again and she pouted immediately. Adalyn’s next snarky comment made it worse.
“Is the human going to be trouble?”
Her painted lips tilted into a frown and she folded her arms. The blade on her side glinted in the open.
“She’s going to be fine.” Avery snapped, shifting to stand in front of Leela and using her superior height to hide the girl from view.
“I didn’t say she could come. This is my place after all.” Adalyn challenged after taking Avery’s defensive statement as bait.
“Adalyn.” Mason warned at her side but was ignored.
The harpie woman stormed in front of Avery and towered above her. The intimidation didn’t work. Rather, Avery felt the familiar tingling of magic
spark in her chest, reacting to the change in anxiety. Hand tingling, Avery curled her fists and kept her stance.
“I’m not going to ask your permission. I’m going to ask Samuel’s permission.” Avery spit. “And besides, if you want me to stay then Leela stays.”
“I don’t need you.” Adalyn’s hand went to the metal handle of her blade. Only then did Mason reach out and snatch her arm. His talons dug in but she
remained unfazed. All the air had left the room. Mason may have been saying something but Avery didn’t hear it.
“You need me if you want to keep Mason or your father alive. I am going to be the one that saves him.” The ‘him’ wasn’t specified but it was clear.
“Might I remind you, you’re the one that got him into this trouble. If you had just died like an ordinary human then life might as well be perfect.” The
hissing words were cold and sharp, and they hit hard.
Feeling worse than if she’d been punched, Avery backpedaled. A pair of arms wrapped around her. Off balance, Avery fell back into the person.
Patrick wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Calm down girlies.” Patrick said before either of them could react. “We don’t need to fight each other just yet. Remember?”
The words, thought surprisingly wise for Patrick of all people, went ignored. The situation declined quickly.
“I want her out.” Adalyn growled. “Mason, I want her out. Patrick, throw her out!”
The screams hit the walls and echoed, joining the sound of the roaring rain that pummeled the rooftop. Patrick’s arms, though unwelcome,
remained as the only stable part of the situation.
“Time and place Adalyn. Time and place.” Patrick repeated but the nonchalant voice had been replaced by something indiscernible.
“This is a joke! She’s a stupid human! She doesn’t belong here.” Adalyn was screaming.
Mason acted first, yanking Adalyn’s arm and drawing the blonde out of the daze. Concentration broken, Adalyn ripped away from him and flustered,
she bumbled for words. After a few false starts she cursed darkly.
“Fine, do what you want but I’m not going to be part of it.” She whirled on Mason. “And you—you know it’s not going anywhere with a human. But
when you finally accept this then come find me.”
Adalyn then stormed out of the room and disappeared out of sight. The tension in the room lingered long after she left.
Mason remained immobile much like before. His cheeks twitched but his face didn’t giveaway his feelings. Avery watched him, waiting for his
expression to show even a hint of reassurance. She waited for him to deny Adalyn’s words. He didn’t.
“What did I tell you?” Patrick suddenly whispered in Avery’s ear. “Let him go or you’ll get hurt. Or do you need me to do it for you.”
“Shove off!” Avery swatted at him, wanting to reach out and hold Mason. Patrick’s arm still stood in the way. As if Mason realized this at the same
time, he spoke suddenly.
“Let Avery go.”
Patrick defiantly squeezed her waist instead.
“Don’t be a sourpuss. She likes it.” He gave a snorting chuckle and pressed his lips into her hair.
Avery had half a mind to give him a nice magically charged shock but Mason reacted first. He strode up until the berth between them was tiny.
“She doesn’t. Let her go.” He raised his voice threateningly. Some purple bruises remained on his face from their earlier battle but everything in
Mason’s crouched stance told that he was ready to fight again.
Patrick shut him down with one sentence.
“That’s not what I thought when we were making out earlier.”

Avery froze. Unsure she’d heard right, she replayed the words in her head. Patrick would go there. Patrick was trying to break them up.

Mason’s green eyes hit her. She couldn’t think and the lack of reaction only made things worse. Silence was the only confirmation that Mason
needed. Struck down twice in the same ten minutes, his face twisted and his eyes dropped. She’s hurt him, that much was absolutely clear, but she
wasn’t sure what he’d do next.

“Let her go.” He said consistently. “Let her go or I’ll make you.”
“Mason, it’s not like that.” Avery finally bumbled. This time, she used the magic stirring in her blood to break Patrick’s grip. The harpie gave a

shriek of protest when the electrical jolt hit him and he fell backwards. Free, Avery went for Mason.

She reached for his hands but he ripped backwards, away from her touch.

“Patrick of all people?” He spit out in disgust. The scandal on his face weighed just as heavily as the hurt.
“You don’t understand.” She insisted. “You weren’t there. And it’s not like you’re completely innocent.”
Maybe not the best approach but Avery didn’t deal well with the tightness of guilt. She didn’t manage to see Mason’s reaction.
The unmistakable shattering of glass rang out loudly behind them. Avery whirled, eyes first going to Patrick and Leela. The two stood in the same
spot in the center of the hallway. The origin of the noise caught herattention next. Only ten feet away, against the wall next to Mason and Avery, a
window had broken. Rain poured in and water already greedily soaked the carpet. The cold wisped in and with it came the howling wind.
Avery didn’t move, confused. But Mason did. He gave her a powerful shove in the center of her chest. Surprised and jolted, Avery went full force
onto her backside. She slid across the carpet. Mason had backpedaled and that’s when she saw why.

Letting out a gurgled scream she pointed toward the window.
“The Band-- run!”

Twenty-One

The wind ripped through the window and rain rushed inside. Lightning flashed, flooding the room with half a second of brilliant blinding light.

Avery hadn’t mistaken the shadow of harpies outside of the window. It had happened in slow motion. She’d screamed out to her companions and
struggled to stand.

Then something small and glass came skidding through the window. It bounced off the carpet with a sharp pop. There was a lag. Caught in

the moment, Avery looked on. It was an amulet, certainly, but she wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

It blew up. The ear splitting blare pierced the room. Green smoke exploded into the air. The room disappeared. Everything was smoky now.

Only hints of shadows could be seen rushing into the room in sporadic, nearly invisible motions. Eyes burning, Avery couldn’t keep up with them.
Disoriented and panicked, Avery attempted to stumble to her feet. But her limbs wouldn’t obey correctly. Hands clasped over her ears, her balance
refused to work. Staggering, her body hit the wall. Water splashed up under her feet and she kept slipping. The shrill noise from the amulet stopped.
But Avery could hear nothing. The amulet was a concussion bomb. And it had worked.

Her heart pounded in her chest sending the waves of adrenaline through her veins. Everything in her body worked at once, telling her one

thing: move. Using the new found energy, she did. She caught her balance on a wall. That’s when her hand nudged something warm and soft
nearby. Using her hands as seeing eyes, she grabbed for it. That thing was a person and that person grabbed for her in return.

“Leela!” She shouted with recognition but couldn’t hear her own words. Everything sounded stuffy and unreal. She struggled to hold on. The

girl’s face, mere inches away, was masked in the fog. The smoke was unbelievably thick and just as suffocating.

Still, Avery dug her fingers in and gave the girl a tug. Leela followed willingly. Avery originally intended to go for the hall, but now she wasn’t

entirely sure where the hall was. Her internal compass kept spinning off kilter.

The seconds blew by. Avery knew she shouldn’t hesitate-- those shadows had to be the Band. They had to move. But without any sense of

the world, it was difficult. Leela actually reacted first. The girl must have reached out and touched the wall because she gave Avery a tug. Following
in suit-- with the simple but brilliant idea-- Avery pushed them forward along the wall.

Knowing the place well, she knew it’d lead them to the hall. Just a short distance from where the wall turned and there’d be the doors to the

library, likely where everyone would meet. The short distance took an agonizingly long time. They had to do baby steps and swayed always one inch
away from falling. Leela’s hand dug into Avery’s and they kept each other balanced. They crossed the hall.
The ground trembled with a sharp crash. Avery couldn’t tell who or what was going on. Her eyes kept moving, but still at a visual disadvantage, she
forced on blindly. Avery’s hands out, she found the knob and opened the door. The green gas was sparse inside and the library offered a wonderful
breath of fresh air. Stumbling inside, Avery sealed the door shut behind them.

A head popped up from the other side of the library. Avery saw Samuel, hovering behind some shelves. The old harpie weaved out into the

open upon sight of them. But other than that, the library was empty. No Mason in sight. Avery bit her lip until the pain helped her focus on the
moment at hand.
The ringing in Avery’s ears finally ceased. She could hear muffled sounds again. It was sufficient to understand words and Avery found herself
unbelievably grateful for it.

“What’s going on?” Samuel demanded.
“They’re here.” Avery didn’t specify but didn’t have to. “Have you seen Mason or anyone else?”
The old harpie shook his head in a quick jerky motion.

“I don’t know. I don’t. But they did this. They separated us-- they have us on the run!” The old harpie was half way squawking. His eyes were

darting towards the doors, the ceilings, and the shadows in the corners. He held the wooden spear in shaking palms.

“Calm down. We’re okay.” Avery offered but she couldn’t be calm herself. Body running on high alert, her breath came fast and blood hurried

through her veins. She couldn’t have calmed down if she wanted to, but determined to keep a level head, she repeated it. “Calm down. We wait for
them. They’ll show up.”

“The Band might show up first.” Samuel countered immediately.
Avery pressed her hands into her hair. They’d had a plan to stand them off in the library but Mason, Adalyn, and Patrick weren’t even here.

They couldn’t hold the place alone. Avery scrambled to think of another plan.

“True. But if the blare hit them too, then they’ll be just as confused as us. We can use it to escape!” She decided.
She looked toward Samuel and the old harpie gave a firm, agreeing nod. Reassured, Avery waved them forward and went for the door. It

opened just before she got there. A harpie came in and their group slid to a stop. More human than bird, the creature was buff and heavy with wings
left folded behind his back. Eyes sharp and narrowed, he spotted them instantly.
Thundering forward, he charged immediately.

The group backpedaled but he was on them. He struck Leela first. In one swift motion, the small girl went flying backwards and collided with

a book shelf. The impact caused books and wood to rain down. Leela disappeared from sight.

Avery ran at him-- a stupid move but she needed to be close for the magic to work. Still taller than her, his long arms intercepted her first.

She never had the chance to get a grip on him. Before the magic even sparked in her chest, he dropped her. She fell onto the floor. The monster
raised his foot, ready to slam down. Avery rolled. The strike barely missed-- slamming onto the carpet with what could have been a fatal hit.

Avery rushed to stand but quickness wasn’t in her favor. Just as she crouched, the harpie grabbed her again. This time, he hefted her like he

had Leela and threw her into the collection of chairs. Avery didn’t take the spill gracefully. Unprepared to catch her landing, she smashed into the
wood furniture with an agonizing blow. Her world blurred.

She struggled to right herself but her head had taken another hit. The surrounding library kept bouncing around in her vision. Nothing

seeming upright and she couldn’t stand. That’s when the harpie grabbed for her ankle. Catching it, he gave her another heft. Dragged off the
wreckage, Avery flopped in the air. She needed to get a hold of him. Just a touch of her hands and she could zap him into oblivion. But that was
exactly what this harpie seemed to be avoiding. Everything he did was minimal touching. And now, strung up by her ankle, she still couldn’t reach
him.

The harpie freed a blade from his belt. Long and deadly, it glinted in the light. Avery saw it even through the distortion in her vision, and with

it, her heart skipped a beat. All that training. All that magic. And she’d die from a single harpie nobody.

Avery screamed when he swung. But the impact she’d expected never came. In the same second, the harpie staggered backward. His grip

loosened and Avery hit the floor. She straightened up, quickly realizing the attack had been interrupted. Samuel had jumped on the attacking
harpie. From behind, he jabbed the harpie with a spear. The harpie had gone staggering. Samuel had saved her-- he was fighting the harpie off.

But then it became clear that age and strength weren’t on his side. The attacking harpie broke free. He turned on Samuel and it happened in

a flash. Blade free, he stabbed. The knife made contact with a sickening crunch. It kept moving so rapidly, it landed three more blows to Samuel’s
chest before Avery could even react.

Rushing, Avery jumped on the attacking harpie. Snagging both wings, she tore back and released the full spark of magic from her body. The

electrical current surged downward and made contact with the attacking harpie’s body. He roared. The knife fell from his hands and he staggered
backwards. Beefy arms swung around, trying to free himself but his own wings were in the way.

Avery stayed back, pinned behind his wings and shoulder blades while laying the energy on him like a tidal wave. Finally it was too much for

him. The harpie let out an ear-piercing screech and crumbled to the floor. Avery fell back behind him. Heart threatening to beat out of her chest, she
corrected herself.

A clatter from the back of the room drew her attention. Swinging into a crouch, she readied herself for another attack. It was only Leela,

clearing the junk off of herself and struggling to stand. A few purple bruises now decorated her face but she moved without any clear pain.
Sputtering and coughing, she freed herself and stood.

“Did he just try to kill us?” Her wide brown eyes were glued on the harpie’s still form.
“He never stopped trying to kill us! None of them will.”
Leela’s face changed. Pale, shaking, and holding herself, it was clear that Leela finally believed her. Avery opened her mouth but a sick

gasp caught her attention. Remembering Samuel, she whirled.
The old harpie had collapsed not far from the place of attack. For the first time the extent of his injuries was clear. Four separate deep stab wounds
marred his chest and torso with splotches of dark red. His white shirt had been soaked with blood. He rasped. The half cough sounded wet.
Shaking hands held out, he reached for Avery.

She didn’t react at first, frozen and glued to the floor. His hands curled and cradled. Crimson spurts of blood trickled over his chapped lips

and his hand kept reaching.

“Avery!” Leela’s voice suddenly snapped Avery out of the daze.
Reanimating, she rushed to the harpie’s side. His crooked wings twitched behind him, his mangled legs splayed before him, and his arm

kept still over the wounds. Hazel eyes darting, she didn’t know where to start.

Finally moving, Avery yanked her sweater free. The itchy material wasn’t big but she wrapped it into a ball to apply pressure to the wounds.

But the damage was too much. She couldn’t fix this. Coldness washed through her veins. Avery couldn’t fix this and Samuel was going to die.
Samuel’s fingers snagged the cuff of her shirt and attempted to bring her closer. Avery leaned in, heart thundering and feeling sick.

“Please.” He coughed painfully. “Please. It’s up to you now. Mason is the only one left to take the throne. Get him to the island. Get him

home.”

She grabbed his hand and held it.
“I will. I’ll find a way.”
“He’s our only hope now. I charge you to keep him alive. And tell my daughter-“ He coughed again and then Samuel’s body suddenly

quaked. Trembling and writhing, he fell back. Wings giving out under him, his body hit the ground limply. The wounds kept bleeding and the crimson
soaked the carpet. Samuel didn’t move again. His pupils were fixed and dilated.

Samuel was dead.
“Avery, come on.” Leela had snuck up behind her at some point. “Avery, its time to go.”
The words went ignored. All Avery could hear was a loud buzzing in her skull. Avery still held the bloody sweater, hovering at the side of an

immobile corpse. She couldn’t react. She didn’t know how. Avery had never really seen someone die before. And not like this. Not to save her life.
He didn’t even finish talking. What was she supposed to tell Adalyn? Adalyn would never get to know what her father wanted now. Horror sinking in,
Avery shook and couldn’t stop. Tears jerked at her eyes but she didn’t cry. She was too panicked to cry, too panicked to think.

“Avery, he’s gone.” Leela said again but this time the girl’s voice ripped Avery from the stupor.
With it, Avery whirled on her, a flash of white rage hitting just behind her eyelids. Samuel had died because of Mikhail. Samuel had died

because of the harpie Leela was just so in love with. That rage tripled in seconds. But when Avery caught Leela’s eyes, all that rage had faded
away. Leela, small and shaking, blinked tears from her wet, wide eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Avery.” She repeated, “But we have to go or they’ll come for us next.”
The anger had dissipated leaving only a hole in her chest. Avery numbly nodded because Samuel was already dead and Leela was

absolutely right.

Twenty-Two

Covering Samuel’s body with a jacket didn’t seem like an appropriate funeral but giving the old harpie some type of closure made Avery feel

better. Having torn her sweater up, she’d closed his eyes and placed the thin fabric to cover his face. Limp and calm now, he could have been
sleeping. But the knot in Avery’s gut didn’t go away.

“We can come back for him.” Avery said more to herself than Leela, but the girl still nodded sympathetically upon hearing it.
“It’s okay. We can come back when it’s over.”

Swiping at her dry eyes, Avery nodded.

“Yea, I guess we should go.” Avery’s voice broke and suddenly eager to move, she hurried to the exit with Leela tailing her. They had to go

back into the fog as Avery knew no other way to escape in the windowless room. At least the green gas had dissipated a bit and only still floated in
thick, dark clouds around the ceiling. Avery pressed a finger to her lips for Leela to see just before she turned the knob. The lock slid out of place
and the door inched open.

The springs squealed. Avery slowed. Her blood pounded in her ears so loudly she could barely tell her own heartbeat from the noise outside.

It was absolutely imperative no one see them. The knot in Avery’s gut reminded her that they couldn’t fight their way out twice.
Door open, they crept out into the hall. The area seemed clear and remained quiet, but remnants of an earlier battle decorated the area. Wallpaper
had been forcibly torn off, carpets were spotted with dirt and blood, and talon marks marred the door frames. It had to have happened quickly—

immediately after the concussion bomb.
Avery’s lips pressed together. The fight already went down but where did that put Mason?
One hand linked with Leela’s they skulked down the hall weaving through the corridors. The only exit Avery knew about was at the very end but
she’d gladly jump through the first window to avoid the well guarded door.

Footsteps suddenly cracked down the hallway. Avery froze and forced Leela still. Hearing them coming up around the corner, Avery gave

Leela a shove towards the nearest door. Leela caught the knob and opened it swiftly. The room was dark and enveloped in shadows but they
slipped inside. Clearing the wall, they slammed their backs against it before staggering in blind.

“Close the door!” Leela hissed but it was too late. The footsteps were too close.
They stomped down the hall just outside and stopped. Avery stole a glimpse outside. Rafael stood nearby. The harpie wielded a blade but

his eyes weren’t set their way. He did a meticulous survey of the area. Heart skipping a beat, Avery slapped a hand over her mouth and muffled her
heavy breathing.

He lingered. Just when Avery thought he’d move, Leela suddenly did. The girl sprung up and made for the exit.
“What are you doing? No!” Avery hissed a second too late. Leela was already out there.

Avery pressed her back against the wall and held her breath. The tears kept threatening to come. Too much stress too fast. Avery couldn’t take this
now.

“Rafael! How are you?” Leela’s blurting voice came out bubbly. Rafael swung around, surprised by her appearance but the harpie didn’t lash

forward in attack.

His brown eyes sized her up and he double took.
“Human girlie? Still alive?” He quirked.
“No thanks to you! I can’t believe you let them take me off that island. I want to talk to Mikhail now.”

Avery leaned forward and stole another glance. Leela faced away and her expression was invisible. But the tone sounded sincere and it

stung badly. A pause lulled in the conversation after Leela’s demand and Rafael took his time considering an answer.

“Mikhail has better things to do right now little lady.”
“Yea, and what’s that?” Leela snapped back. The jolt in her tone didn’t bother Rafael. To talk to a killer like that was just insane. And then it

got stranger. “Avery and Mason are already long gone.” Leela added.

Rafael’s brows shot up under his black hair.
“Do you know where they’ve gone?” He quizzed immediately. His wings twitched with intrigue.
“Yea, they were going to the airport. And they actually wanted me to go with them to Florida. Can you believe that?” Leela hit every note

perfectly and said the lie so smoothly, it could have duped Avery.

“They left to go to the airport?” Rafael asked again but his face had lit up. Rafael fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
“Yea, I mean you better go catch them or they’ll be out of town in the next hour. Now can I talk to Mikhail?”
Suddenly preoccupied Rafael turned away from her. His attention went to the south hall, probably where the rest of the Band members

lingered, and he ignored Leela.

“Not now kid.” He waved her off and with that, took off down the hall in a hurry. After a minute, Leela slipped back into the room.

Avery had half a mind to slap her. Hand twitching at her side, she didn’t.
“What was that?” Avery demanded frantically. Standing up, she joined the girl’s side.
Leela’s cheeks reddened and she offered, “Me saving you as payback for being stupid?”

A grin stole over Avery’s face and Avery wiped at her burning eyes. She’d thought she’d lost Leela yet again and that emotion washed

through her before dissipating.

“He could have seen right through that.” Avery still pointed out.
To be fair though, Avery had barely seen right through that.

“He didn’t though. Now let’s beat it before they go to the airport and realize that I lied.”
Avery nodded automatically. Catching Leela’s hand again, the two continued down the hall. Each step farther, the green gas cleared but it wasn’t
comforting. With no fog, they were in the open. The halls had few alcoves to hide behind and though pressed close to the nooks, they weren’t
hidden. They were vulnerable.
“Quickly.” Leela pointed out. Stalling here wouldn’t help any. Avery picked up the pace, using day old memories to lead the way. At the end of the
hall was a polished wood grandfather clock-- there they took a left. Floral wallpaper and overly bright fluorescents followed them. Right at the first
corner by the glass nightstand. Only the metal exit door remained in the last hall.
Avery stopped when she spotted it, held her breath, and listened for sound. Her ears still buzzed and her hearing stayed fuzzy. But she heard
nothing besides the hissing of the heater and their heavy breathing.
Outside that heavy steel door were the grey muddy field and the perimeter wall. Almost a hundred feet outside of that was the first hint of asphalt
and road. No trees or coverage to be found, they’d be at a disadvantage.
“Let me go first.” Leela suddenly whispered. “If no one is there, then I’ll wave you out.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Avery held her back, digging her fingers in Leela’s jacket until her knuckles turned white.
“Look, I just walked passed Rafael, right? I can do it again. Besides, I’m not the one they’ll kill on sight.”
Avery pressed her lips together until they formed a thin line. She wasn’t willing to bet that every other Band member was as forgiving as Rafael, but
it did seem like their only option. Lingering here someone would inevitably sense the magic and follow. Like Mikhail. Avery couldn’t do that.
“Just a peek. Be careful and if you get a bad feeling-“
“Yea, yea.” Leela waved her off. They snuck to the door. Avery pressed her back against the dry wall to stay out of sight when Leela turned the latch.
The knob cried out loudly from rusted hinges. The sharp noise echoed down the hall. Leela stepped out fearlessly. The door swung shut in her
wake.
Avery let out a shaky breath. Her limbs were freezing and her muscles burned. She tried to keep the magic awake in her chest but doing so
continued to drain the strength from her body. She’d be running on empty soon and they needed to move quickly.
A minute had ticked by and Leela hadn’t resurfaced. Just before Avery could move, the door clicked. Frozen in place, Avery got ready for anything.
The magic surged down her arms and sparked in her hands. The door opened and Leela’s head popped in.
“I don’t see anyone. Like anyone anywhere. Not a trace.” Her eyebrows had vanished under her bangs.
Avery didn’t ask questions. Standing up, she joined Leela on the outside. The sky, still overcast, drizzled and threatened snow. The wind whipped
through the courtyard with a breakneck speed and the temperature dropped ten degrees.

Lacking her sweater, Avery curled her arms around herself while too distracted to do more. Leela had spoken the truth. The outside was

absolutely empty and unusually quiet. Mud heavier due to the rain, they sloshed forward and their steps couldn’t stay silent. Then Avery heard a
voice. Sliding to a stop, Avery caught Leela’s elbow and helped her whirl. That’s when she saw the harpies.

A group lingered on the rooftop. They all wore the bronze plated armor with the swirling insignia. Short spears and long blades dangled from

their hands but the group’s attention was turned away. Avery scanned the crowd for less than a second. Seeing no familiar faces, she didn’t lose
the opportunity. Hand on Leela she maneuvered the girl through the exit of the outside perimeter wall. The door fought but they opened it quietly.
Springing outside, they took in the new surroundings.
The pond and steel benches where Avery had gone on the date with Patrick sat waiting. The rich green forest rested behind that. Water falling from
the sky made it hard to pinpoint motion, but the area looked empty.

“It can’t be this easy.” Avery voiced her thought aloud.
“How was this easy?” Leela’s voice shot up with frustration and disbelief. Avery ignored her in favor of keeping her eyes sharp and

maneuvering them to the forest.

“It doesn’t make sense. They storm the place, nearly avoid killing us, and then just chill? No guards, no danger? Rafael may be stupid but

Mikhail certainly isn’t. He wouldn’t take your word on it and then turn his back to let us walk out of here.”

The logic rang so disturbingly true, it made Avery queasy. Leela stole a glance backwards before they reached the tree line.
“That’s the thing. I don’t think Mikhail is with them.” The girl whispered.

Shoving branches out of the way, Avery ducked and avoided the awkward forest clearance.

“How would you know that?” Avery asked as she marched forward.
The forest must have been built into uneven land. Combined with torrential rain, the area became mud city. Her shoes lost with each step,

Avery found herself trudging forward through sick smelling muck. She certainly hoped that Portland wasn’t home to any poisonous snakes.

“I don’t. It’s just when Mikhail’s around the Band doesn’t act like that. They don’t stand around. They fidget and stuff.”
“They’re afraid of him.” Avery piped in but let Leela continue.
“I just don’t know what the purpose of them coming was then.” Leela said.

Following the day light, Avery made way for the clearing. The forest wasn’t huge so the thicket of trees ended. Just clearing the last of the tree line, it
was visible what was out there.
A few cute, small houses sat in a cul-de-sac. The neighborhood was probably gated, and by the looks of it, had paid extra like Samuel to be far
away from the business of the city. Avery’s eyes were drawn to something more important. At the curb hovered a yellow and black taxi that was
probably one second past dumping off its prior occupants.

Their luck was unbelievable. Avery couldn’t grasp it. Her feet stayed glued to the ground when Leela rushed to the taxi. The driver had a

mouth full of mushy green and brown food, halfway in the middle of his lunch, and he looked up. Knocking a sub off his lap, the condiments
scattered on the rug of the cab.
He bumped a beefy finger into the ceiling indicating the unlit sign on the top of the car.

“Out of service!” His muffled voice yelled through the window. Leela didn’t back down.
“How much money do you want?” Leela answered smoothly. Suddenly, her hands were in her pocket pulling out a shiny black card that Avery

would have bet had Nate’s name on it.
The driver’s eyes went from her face to the card. Finally the car’s locks clicked up and he bumbled out of the door. Yanking open the back door, he
waved them in like an eighteenth century knight.

“After you.” He spit out the words with some crumbs from his lunch.
Avery happily slid in after Leela. Her shoes were muddy and soaked, and her jeans dripped but the taxi driver never noticed. Sliding into the

driver’s seat himself, he gave them one more look with saucer-sized eyes. The black card Leela had held his attention and after dusting spare
lettuce off the gear shift, he kicked the car into drive and offered to take them anywhere in the state., Avery sunk back into her seat. Outside the
overcast sky and rain killed the visibility but no harpies showed in the skies. The car kicked into gear and rumpled into a cruise. The woods and
Samuel’s compound rapidly disappeared in the rear view mirror.

“I know why he did it.” Avery suddenly said. Her mind had been spinning for awhile and now it made sense.
Leela’s head shot up and her brow knotted.

“What do you mean?”

“I know why he sent in the Band. Why Mikhail didn’t come himself.” Avery clarified. “You always send the pawns in first. He’s got us on the

defensive. Now it’s time for his next moves.”
Avery could only hope that they were ready for it.

Twenty-Three

“Here.” Avery said when she recognized the street.
It’d been harder to find than she’d expected-- there were about eight nearby streets and a dozen buildings with a similar wooden design to

that of the hotel. She squinted through the tree coverage and rain dashed window until she finally recognized the familiar coffee shop. Dim yellow
lights from the shop glowed through the storm and lit up the painted white mug on the glass.

Leela squinted through the window too.
“Aren’t we going to a hotel?” She whispered just out of the driver’s ear shot.
Avery shrugged.

“No use in making it easier for them to find us.” Avery said. It was wet and cold but they couldn’t get any worse off than they’d been at

Samuel’s compound. Avery scanned the sky and grabbed the handle while Leela paid.

“You girls sure are generous.” The driver plucked off a flimsy receipt from the machine and gave them a toothy smile. “If you ever need a ride

again, gimme a call!”

He slipped a business card in with the receipt. Ready, Avery opened the door. The rain soaked her before she even made a step, and

moving quickly she cleared the sidewalk and stood under the nearest canopy. Leela joined her side.

The cab driver left, tires squealing over the slippery road.
“Keep your eyes open.” Avery warned her.

Leela bit her quivering lip but Avery couldn’t tell if the girl’s reaction came from fear or the cold.

“Do you really think Mikhail will come chase us here? I mean, what did you do exactly?” Leela asked, turning her attention inward.
“I should clarify everything actually.” Avery mentioned, now thinking about it. Leela had only gotten one version of the story and it wasn’t the

right one. Filling Leela in on everything wouldn’t only put the girl on the right track but give Avery someone to vent to.

“Yea, you have a lot to explain.” Leela pointed out.
The rain slowed, clouds being blown through the atmosphere quickly. Using the opening, Avery beckoned Leela to run across the street

together. Puddles splashed up soaking their legs, but the water falling from the sky wasn’t nearly as severe. Hitting the sidewalk, they cut through
the lawn of some business to arrive at the hotel’s parking lot. They reached the brick overhead canopy and slid to a stop. A hotel valet stood by the
entrance. Perking up when they arrived, he gave them a long look.

“Checking in?”
“Uh, not yet.” Avery trembled, and wrapped her arms around herself. Sopping wet, her makeup had run and the black mascara now left

splotchy lines beneath her eyes. Blood still marred her clothing from the attack and she had bruises galore over her face. Combined with raggedy
hair and the radical tattoo on her arm, she probably didn’t look like the average customer. “We’re waiting for someone.” She added before the valet
could call the cops. “Can you tell me if he’s checked in yet?”
The valet’s face lit up and the young man strode behind a podium. A short amount of digging produced a white sheet full of printed text.

“We haven’t had anyone new arrive since eight this morning.” He surmised after scanning the list.
Avery shot Leela a sideways look and their eyes met. Mason didn’t make it yet. The Band had been on the rooftop at Samuel’s compound.

So where did that put everyone on Avery’s team? Either gone or dead. And if they were gone, then they should be heading here.

“It’s okay.” Leela said quickly. “The storm probably slowed them down. He’ll be here. It’ll just take a while longer.”
Wanting to believe that, Avery nodded. Leela suddenly stepped up and freed the shiny black credit card from her pocket.
“Alright, then we’ll get a room.” The girl headed inside and left Avery to follow.

They got a room disturbingly quick and within ten minutes, they were in a room with the deadbolt on and the curtains tightly shut. The room

had the heater blasting and while warming up, they dried off. Avery dragged a towel over her face. Her eyes kept burning and muscles felt the
weight of fatigue. Drying her face, she plopped the towel down in a pile at her feet. Her eyes went to Leela where the girl worked her hair into a
messy bun and fixed her ski cap.

Without a fresh pair of clothes, there was only so much they could do. Avery just looked like a soggy version of a college student.
“You should take a nap.” Leela mentioned. “You look like you’re about to collapse.”
Avery shook her head.
“I can’t sleep until Mason gets here. You know he should have been here by now. It’d take a harpie half the time to arrive.” She gestured to

the clock. An hour. A full hour since the incident, since Rafael and the Band members stood on the top of Samuel’s compound, and there hadn’t
been a single sign of Mason yet.

“I mean, you don’t think he ran into Mikhail do you?” Leela clearly didn’t intend for her question to blindside Avery but it succeeded.
“I hadn’t thought of that. Oh no.” Avery raked her hands through her hair. Eyes shimmering and cheeks red, the panic attack couldn’t be

stopped now. She let out a gurgled gasp. “What if he died? You know the last time I got to see him is when Patrick was talking about us making out.
What if that’s the last thing he ever got to think about? What if he thinks that I don’t care about him anymore?”

“Avery, he’s not dead.” Leela reached out and grabbed Avery’s shoulders as if anchoring her to Earth. “And he won’t think that. I’ve seen him

and you. He’s smarter than that, Avery. He knows.”
Avery sat down on the bed but didn’t calm down much.

“Yea, I guess so…” She tried to reason that Mikhail didn’t confront them at Samuel’s compound for a reason. Avery tried to remind herself

that they had time.
The minutes kept ticking by and Leela finally approached her again.

“Take a nap. I’ll be awake. And when he shows up, I’ll get you.” Leela offered. This time the offer seemed more tempting. So she gave in.
Moseying over to the bed, she collapsed into the starched sheets. The hot room combined with the soft bed worked her over. Her mind still

spun with heavy thoughts, but exhaustion won out. Avery fell asleep quickly but didn’t anticipate the vivid dreams to come.

She took a breath of smoky air and recognized the bitter thick stench immediately. She’d been here before. The world around her remained

the same. She stood in a warehouse, the barren building that rusted at the edges with decaying paint and splintered wooden floors.
The ice cold feeling of absolute panic followed. Every sensation disturbingly real, she let them move her. Feet pounding, she raced for the exit. A
door waited at the end of the hall but just as she made a swipe for the hot metal knob, a voice called her out.

“Jericho.” The voice hissed.

Whirling in place, she faced the harpie. Soot smudges stained his face and long wiry hair threatened to cover his narrowed black eyes, but Avery
recognized Mikhail. She knew at that exact moment she stood in one of Jericho’s memories again, looking through the man’s eyes to an incident
that played out long ago.

“I trusted you.” Mikhail hissed, darkly intent on his focus. “I trusted you, and you betrayed me.”

She backpedaled for the door but couldn’t turn her back to open it. Instead, she hit the wood and raised her hands.

“It’s not like that. You don’t understand.” Her words slipped from her, already scripted. “Don’t make me fight you. I don’t want to become a

murderer.”
The words fell upon deaf ears and Mikhail advanced. This time, for the first time, Mikhail’s knife became visible by catching the red light. The fire
kept roaring, smoke kept exploding, and Mikhail kept getting closer. Her time was running out. Reacting the only way she knew how, Avery lashed
out to protect herself. Bringing a leg up, her foot met his chest. The move was defensive, not offensive but managed to do both.

Thrown off balance Mikhail tumbled backwards and smacked the floor. The violent motion sent a vibration rippling through the building. The

roof gave and broken timber rained down.
Droplets of fire splashed and scattered. Smoke blinding, Avery didn’t hesitate. Whirling, she went for the door. The handle stung with hotness but
she still opened it and staggered outside just aware of Mikhail’s footsteps right on her heels.

She cleared the outside and glanced around desperately. Smoke billowed into the air but she forced herself to look through it. The place

was empty with no one around to help.
Swearing darkly to herself, she turned and faced Mikhail. He stormed out of the building after her, knife still wielded.

“I did this for you, Mikhail. You weren’t going to stop unless I did something.” She shouted again, ready to fight.

“I never asked for your help!” Mikhail took another swipe. She dodged sideways, the point of the blade barely brushing her but summoning a

stinging all the same. She kicked out again but Mikhail used the wider opening to avoid it. He danced around her, waiting for another chance to
strike.

“No but you needed it. Magic inside your body. Dangerous. Deadly.” She kept talking, pleading for some type of words to end this.
Mikhail gave her such a dark look, it was bone chilling. Turning the crimson decorated dagger upright, he readied to strike again.
“I don’t care.” He said in a deadly controlled voice.

“It would be dangerous to you, Mikhail. No one is meant to hold that much magic. Its overload and it’s deadly. I saved your life before you had

to learn on your own that it wasn’t possible!” Her last words didn’t work either. Mikhail made his last lunge.

The blade made contact with her shoulder. It sounded with a sick crunch and sent her sprawling into the dirt. She hit the mud before a gush

of blood surfaced. Writhing, she tried to move but her muscles didn’t react right. She couldn’t get up.

Forced to wait for another blow, she shut her eyes. But another blow never came. Avery looked up to spot Mikhail’s pale face. The dagger

still lingered in his hand but his arm dangled lax by his side. Black eyes wide, he stayed frozen.

Avery knew at that moment. Mikhail had never killed before. He had never struck out at his friend before. The first time shock gave her an

opening. Reflexes revitalizing, she sprung to her feet. Wings opening behind her she caught her balance and swung out violently. The impact
knocked the knife from Mikhail’s hand and knocked Mikhail back to his senses. They both dove for the weapon in the same moment but she got to
it first. Grabbing the blade, she turned and swung madly landing scarring blow after scarring blow.

Blood splattered and Mikhail fell back. Mikhail’s bone-chilling scowl would be the last thing she remembered before waking up.
“Avery, Avery, come on, get up!” Leela was shaking her when she snapped too. Blinking at the bright room, Avery took a moment to reorient

herself.
The familiar hotel room fell into place around her as well as the snug cotton blanket drawn up to her chin. She looked at Leela next and found the
tiny girl’s wide brown eyes glazed with concern.

“What’s wrong?” Avery found her voice and quizzed Leela immediately. The girl bit her lip and took a moment to answer.
“Well, Mason’s here.”
Avery shot up in the bed suddenly glancing around the room.
“Where?” Avery untangled herself from the mess of blankets and hurried to stand.

Then she noticed the front of the room for the first time. The carpet had been spotted brown, and crimson smeared the walls leading to the

bathroom. Avery’s heart threatened to stop. She didn’t ask Leela anything but ran for the bathroom. The door remained open and spewed halfway
over the porcelain tub was Mason.

“Mason!” She gasped, winning his attention.
Propping his head up, he looked at her. Bruises were apparent on his face.
“Whoa, stop with the water works crazy human. I’m okay. It’s not my blood. At least not most of it.” He offered her up a light smirk.
She smacked him and Mason flinched, his cocky smile disappearing.
“Shut up! I thought you were dead.” She wiped at her eyes and managed to sober up a bit.
“I’m glad to see you’re alright too. Really.” His seriousness and genuine concern returned as well and readjusting his back against the wall,

he pressed a hand to his shoulder wound.

She remembered how to react properly and went for the first aid kit under the sink. His wounds were shallow but still needed attending.
“Mason… about the Patrick thing.” She started but his hand suddenly came up. Touching the side of her face, he stopped her.
“I’m not stupid, Avery. I know it was Patrick’s idea.” His fingers traced over her cheek, her ear, and into her hair leaving a burning trail in its

wake. “I knew this would happen.”

“What?” Avery’s voice broke and her heart sped up a beat.
“You do know that none of this had to do with Adalyn. It’s not about me picking between you and Adalyn. I’ve already done that.”
“Yea, you said that.” She didn’t know where he was going with this but she did touch his hand that lingered in his hair.

“You know I was intending to go to home. But I was also intending to take you with me when I went.”
Avery’s breath left her. Forcing herself to speak, she answered. “Mason, what about the not being able to take a human thing? What about marrying
a proper bride for the throne?”
He made a disbelieving face.
“Since when did you ever care about being proper? You hid a harpie in your backyard for half a year.” Mason reasoned.
Avery cracked a smile. A new wave of exhilaration washing through her veins, she squeezed his hand.
“You’re dead serious. Then why didn’t you say anything until now?”
He took a painfully long time to answer. And when he did he slowly explained, “Do you remember when we were in Samuel’s library, preparing to
fight. You called Adalyn a few nasty names and I told you to get off her case. I had told you that Adalyn was like that because of what she’d been
exposed to her entire life.”
“So what?” She failed to see any connection between her and Adalyn.
“She was corrupted by her life. She had to become nasty and ruthless because of how unforgiving society is. Don’t you see it, Avery? Patrick trying
to get into your head was only the start. All of the harpies will go after you if you come with me.” His hand trailed over her hair and tugged absently at
the strands. “I don’t want them to corrupt you. I don’t want them to scare you, hurt you, or make you change.”
“I’m not afraid of harpies.” She snapped back but Mason still shook his head.
“I know you’re not. I know you have the personality of a harpie sometimes. But I don’t want the constant pressure to corrupt you. I’m afraid you’re
already letting it. You apologized for not killing Mikhail. You actually apologized for not killing another person.”
She opened her mouth to protest but his expression stopped her. Mason looked sad, not like he was mocking her. His hand kept brushing over her
hair and she leaned into his touch. An ugly feeling set in her stomach when she knew he was right.
A year ago the idea of hurting another person would have horrified her. Now it horrified her a little less. A tiny change but everything started with only
one step.
“You see what I mean. I didn’t tell you earlier because I’m not sure I want to bring you into that world.”
“You’re telling me now though…” She prompted quietly. The conversation was beginning to hurt and the uncomfortably dangerous topic made the
air thick. She held onto him.
“I’d have to protect you. I’d have to keep you sheltered from that. But then I’m not exactly a knight on a white horse.”
He dropped his hands and looked toward the floor. Her skin crawled with anxiousness and she sat on absolute edge.
“No. But then I can protect myself too, Mason. I’m not weak. And together, we’d be fine. We’ve survived worse.”

She willed him to believe her. Mason caught her eyes again.
“I’m not sure you would want to get into it.” He said.
“Well, isn’t that my choice?” She asked him.
“Do you know what It. Bd be asking, Avery? I’d be asking you to move in with me to the harpie court...” He trailed off, his face taking on a pinkish
hue. The air seemed hard to breath and Avery stared at the ground, certain her face was burning too.
She knew the implications before he said them. It’d gotten very serious very fast. But rightfully so. They’d been to hell and back together and still
stood side by side. She didn’t doubt her feelings for him either though she had yet to put them out on a silver platter. Mason inviting her didn’t leave
much room for confusion on his opinions either.
She considered laying out every bit of the pro and con list but it didn’t matter because Avery already knew her answer.
“I don’t intend to let other harpies tear us apart. I want a shot at a real future...” She managed to speak up. “...so maybe if you ask me nicely.”

Her fingers were shaking but she reached out for his hands. Mason took her hands and pulled her closer. Suddenly inches apart, he used a

single index finger to lift her chin up. Eyes meeting, he asked.
“So Avery Zane. Would you like to come with me?”
She licked her lips wet.
“Yea.” Her voice was light but he still heard it. Leaning forward, he sealed their lips together, only the kiss was fleeting. Mason’s head went up and
his eyes went to the door.
“Eva’s here.” He suddenly whispered. The moment lost, Avery snapped back to reality and the ugly memory of the battle at hand.
“Mason, we need to go to the harpie court now. It’s our only chance to outrun Mikhail.”
Mason’s attention redirected at her, he nodded firmly. If they wanted to be together, they’d have to live out the rest of the day first.

Twenty Four

“Are you okay?” Leela called out, suddenly reminding Avery that the girl was standing there.

Avery drew her eyes away from the balcony and settled her attention back on the inside of the hotel room. Leela had cleaned up significantly from
the day before. Her brown hair had been brushed fluffy and she tucked it underneath her favorite ski cap. She’d adorned her black jacket again,
cinched at the waist, and the fabric hid the purple mars on her skin. She’d taken a real hit the day before but it wasn’t visible except for one thing:
Leela was still pale and antsy and she bounced from foot to foot.
“I’m fine. And you?” Avery used the question to open her own interrogation. She couldn’t pin what could possibly be going through Leela’s head but
tried to imagine.
Leela scrunched up her face.
“I’m not sure.” The girl admitted quietly and her voice only dropped more as she went on. “I feel like most of this is my fault. With helping Mikhail. I
don’t think I should just dip now. I should stay.”
Leela bit her lip clearly trying to control her emotions. Two of them still rose to the surface: guilt and fear. Avery nodded, able to relate.
“Thanks for the offer but you can’t help us from here. It’s easier for Mason to only carry one person and we need to make good time.” Avery said,
doing her best to reassure her friend.
She wasn’t quite upset at Leela, all things considered. Mikhail was smart, cunning, and most of all charismatic. He got people to follow him all the
time and he knew how to work someone over. The fact that Leela had sided with him wasn’t surprising and Leela never intended to hurt anyone.

“I guess so…” Leela frowned. “You know I never meant to hurt you Avery. You’re my best friend. It wasn’t me stabbing you in the back…I just

thought you were wrong.”

“I know…” Even Avery’s eyes began to water. She reached out and gave her friend a tight hug. Then pulling away, Avery quickly took another

approach. “Look, Nate is waiting for you and you don’t want to keep him up all night. Go take a mini-vacation with him and fix the relationship thing
up. Nate’s probably jealous about you running off anyways.”
Leela’s brows shot up so fast, they disappeared under her hair line.

“Is this?” Leela suddenly smacked both of her ears a few times. After a few sufficient pops, she kept talking. “Is this Avery taking up for Nate I

hear? I thought you hated him!” She exclaimed.
Avery made a sour face, and rotating on her heels she began to pace the red carpet.

“Hey, hey. Don’t take it out of proportion. I just hate him slightly less lately.” Avery stumbled over her words, desperate to defend herself.
She didn’t have to after all. A loud clack came from the window and earned their immediate attention. Just visible outside the glass doors

stood Mason. His wings were out and even though the area was woodsy and rural, it was a brazen move. He leaned over the ledge and his green
eyes studied something off in the distance. Nearby, perched on the white railing, was Eva.
The harpie woman wore her typical dark scowl and clenched her fists until the talons drew blood. Her
outfit though had been stripped from the usual bronze plates to tight fitting leather straps.
Eva’s focus remained on Mason and the girl swung her fist in protest to the inaudible conversation. Eva’s fist made contact with the railing,
repeating the sharp summoning clack. Watching the moment settle down again, Avery forced her eyes back in the room before she could be
caught staring.

“You know she’s only helping us until Mikhail’s out of the picture.” Leela suddenly said.
“I know.” Avery answered quietly.
“Maybe it’s good when this is over and we get out of their world.”

“I’m not completely sure I’ll ever be out at this rate.” Avery barely paid attention to what she’d said but Leela did. The girl suddenly perked up

and stared straight through Avery.

“What’s going on with you and Mason?” Leela asked the million dollar question.
They were moving in together of course. But Avery couldn’t repeat that. Mason had mentioned the problems that harpies would give them

about their relationship but he didn’t count on Leela’s reaction. Avery didn’t have time to ease the girl into it so she didn’t. A distraction came
readily.

The glass doors suddenly clicked and slid open. The cold air rushed into the warm room and the two harpies came in.

Mason came lumbering in, wings wide and twitching. His face had been cleaned of blood and bruising but the bad memory of it remained.
“So?” Avery prompted, her eyes subtlety darting to spy Eva in the back room. The girl had found a perch for herself and stood stiff and cold.

“The sun’s almost down. We go now.” Mason commanded the group. He didn’t ask but snatched up
Avery’s hand in a fluid motion. Giving her a yank, he gestured for the door.
“Now?” Avery squeaked, stomach dropping.

“Yes, we can’t hide because of the Willow magic giving off an aura but we can make better time. And you” Mason suddenly called Leela out,

“You should learn to disappear. I’m not sure Mikhail won’t come back for you but all I do know is that you won’t be his first target.”
Leela’s paling face was the only answer and Mason took it. Halfway dragging Avery, he went for the door. Avery barely had time to bid her friend
good luck before they were out on the balcony.
The temperature dropped significantly once outside and the wind bit at them harshly. The sky, just darkening, only had scraps of fading orange in
the distance and few stars to guide the way. The crescent moon remained half hidden behind clouds and offered little condolence.

They were supposed to be grounded to have a chance of against Mikhail. But here they were, already taking off into the sky again.
“Come on.” Mason squeezed her hand and beckoned her closer. Curling her arms around his neck, she leaned into his chest.

In moments, the three were in the air and Portland shrunk in the distance to resemble nothing more than weeds.

“Keep your eyes open.” Mason warned, squeezing her tightly.
Avery swallowed thickly and let silence be her answer. The raid on Samuel’s place hadn’t been very far away so if the Band was going to

catch up to them anywhere, it’d be here. She turned her eyes to the grey clouds, watched and waited. The minutes ticked by, slow and agonizingly.
The air, moist from threatening rain, was heavy and uncomfortable. Spots of rain pelted them but Mason only spun through it all the faster. His wings
pounded harshly keeping them high and quick but the movements were likely tiring. Avery kept her mouth shut. Then in her peripheral, she spotted
another figure spiraling in the air. It approached in a flash.
Eva’s face was clear.

“Ground!” She screamed, just piercing the deafening wind. Then she dropped in a spiral.

Mason’s grip suddenly tightened around Avery’s back, his talons pinching when they dug in.

“Avery, hold on.”He hissed in her ear. “And whatever you do, don’t scream.”
It didn’t matter what Mason had said because Avery didn’t even get the chance to scream. In half a second, her stomach was in her throat.

The abrupt drop in elevation came like a mass of confusing blurs. Mason stopped his wings completely and let them plunge.

Avery flailed, unable to stay still. The wind pelted them, tearing at them from every direction. Mason held her tightly but the plummet dropped

them to the ground at a breakneck speed. The ground approached in a spiral of green and only when the tops of trees were clearly visible did
Mason readjust his wings. Opening them wide, he tilted until the wings slowed their fall like a parachute had opened. Avery couldn’t grasp which
way was up. Still coming in fast, they ripped through the canopy of trees.
Twigs slapped them and branches tore at their skin. Avery barely felt the burning of impact with her eyes glued on the rapidly approaching ground.
Mason’s wings beat and they slowed, but the landing was still crippling. Mason’s knees bent to take the brunt of impact but they hit the dirt hard
anyways. Avery went sprawling away from him. Hitting the ground, she rolled. For half a second, the world was a blur of brown and green of forestry
and she blinked to clear up her vision.
“What was that?” She demanded of him as soon as she was able to speak. Mason could have killed them.

“Sorry.” He made a genuinely remorseful face, and added. “But we need to be on the ground to fight. You can’t compete in the sky.”
His voice came with the ill reminder and Avery finally turned her eyes back on the surroundings.

By the looks of the rural area, they’d made it out of the city but not by much. Certainly not far enough to be close to harpie island. This wasn’t good.
They couldn’t be expected to fight every step of the way.
Avery stood quickly, muscles tensing. Darkness stole the visual advantage and she stared down all the shadows collecting between the trees.

“What did Eva see?” She demanded of Mason, vaguely aware of his position.

Mason never answered. A figure dropped down from the trees and suddenly landed nearby with a heart stopping pop. Avery whirled to find Eva
again. The harpie woman brandished a knife by her side and held it ready.

Avery’s breath caught in her chest. Her eyes connected with Mason’s and he reached out for her hand. She greedily clenched it. The Willow

magic hummed between them, spiked by anxiety but also red flagging their position to the world.

“Where?” She asked initially.
“And how many?” Mason seconded Avery’s question.
Eva’s eyes flashed with something dark and dangerous. The woman scanned the scenery making Avery follow her gaze. They stood in a

small forest clearing. The thickets of trees made it easy for anyone to hide. The sky was dark and cloudy, the rain trickling down. Combined with the
natural noises of a forest, any snap or crackle wasn’t clear. They couldn’t have picked a more disadvantaged spot if they’d tried.

“All of them.” Eva said after an agonizing moment. “We’re not leaving, Mason. Here is where we have to make our stand.”

Avery’s jaw dropped.

“No way. We can’t fight all of them alone. Not here.” She made a wild and desperate gesture to the surroundings.
Mason squeezed her hand and gathering Avery’s attention, pressed a single finger firm to his lips. Then they heard it. Footsteps cracked

over the ground. Except the distortion in the sound made it difficult to pinpoint to one location. It sounded like the footsteps came from everywhere.
Mason suddenly used his grip on Avery to twist her, spinning her to face the opposite side of the forest. They pressed their backs together.

Avery spotted the harpie first. A bulky male appeared at the edge of the woods that she faced. The spilt second he was spotted, the harpie

rushed forward. Avery summoned the magic from her chest in a sudden burning sensation and held her hands out. The harpie must have seen it
and darted to the left, a weak attempt to come at Avery’s side. Mason moved first and disallowed this. Upper arm making contact with the attacking
harpie’s chest, Mason stopped the harpie’s charge. The harpie dropped back, attempting to get away but that’s when Avery was on him.

She sprung for the back of his wings-- the most open and vulnerable position, and let out a crippling shock of magic. The attacking harpie

went down. The scene never calmed. In the moment it had taken them to stop the first attacker, more Band members had surfaced in the clearing.
Avery whirled, ready to face them, but then her eyes actually scanned the faces. There were at least ten Band members to every one of their group.
And a few had already started in on Eva.
Eva was a skilled fighter-- it showed in every slide, stab, and block she did. But there were too many. The harpie woman kept letting out a screech
of rage every time another Band member succeeded in landing a hit. Ripped feathers soared in the air.

Avery couldn’t help. Another Band member came at her. The magic flowed through her blood perfectly but it did little when the harpie lashed

out with his talons. Avery couldn’t get a grip on him to use the magic, but the harpie’s talons made contact with her. The razor sharp claws grazed

Avery’s collarbone.

The swift motion didn’t sink in at first and feeling nothing, Avery corrected her posture and fell into a crouch. He came at her again. Avery

readied herself. When he built up a charge with his talons out, she waited. Then, an inch before he’d make contact, she twisted to the side. He blew
passed her, barely making grazing contact. Suddenly behind him, she used the opportunity to go for his wings. Just as her fingers made contact
with the rough feathers, he spun. The massive size of wings spinning threw Avery off balance. She hit the dirt and slid on her backside. Band
members appeared at each side. She scrambled to stand but a sudden pain struck her.

She glanced down, for the first time noticing the thick, hot crimson covering her shirt. One of the attacking harpie’s had made contact, but

until that moment, she never knew to what extent. Three deep red gashes covered her chest from collarbone to shoulder. Open and bleeding, they
stung with a fiery burn.

Avery gasped, choking. Her mind had blanked and left only one thought in her mind: she needed to get out.
Her opening came quickly. Mason slid by, fighting with one of the Band members. Leaning up and calling out, Avery summoned him. Mason

dropped the first harpie and ran over. The others were close behind but Mason held up his hands in warning. Avery staggered to her feet and
Mason slammed their backs together again. They all had been taught well to stay out of direct contact with Avery and Mason, and that could be
used as an advantage.
Avery’s eyes darted.

Two down, at least twenty left. The majority attacked Eva, invisible from where she stood, but audible with the violent sounds of battle. Five

more stood around them. Five too many. They couldn’t keep fighting like this. Mason voiced the thoughts.

“Avery, we have to run. Leave Eva, they’ll follow us.” He said.
“Right.” She answered.
Sucking in a breath, she steeled herself and went for it. Running forward, she charged two harpies.

The harpies readied themselves, but quicker with the magic, Avery made a grazing contact. The tiny shock didn’t down them but made them

move. Escape path wide open, Avery kept running. With Mason, she fled.

Twenty-Five

“Come on, Avery, we have to move.” Mason’s hurried words broke through her daze.

Avery looked up and blinked at him. They had been running, fleeing through the forest with the Band’s most vicious harpies on their tail. Eva had
long been left when they broke through the tree line. Avery let out a desperate breath.

“I am moving.” She snapped, picking up the pace.
Blood pounding in her ears, she could just hear the furious footsteps behind them. The darkness had allowed them a head start but it wasn’t

much of one.

Mason guiding her, they turned into another open field. Down a short hill sat a building. Once it might have been a construction base or a

lumber warehouse but now it resembled charred remains from a fire. With scorched black walls and a halfway collapsed roof on the east side of the
building, the structure had clearly taken a beating.

“There.” Mason suddenly said. “Roof cover. It’ll make it harder to attack us from all sides.”
Her eyes flittered to the skies. Tiny silver darts took to the air, and though her vision grew blurry, Avery recognized them.
“The sky.” She gasped. “Harpies.”
Mason’s eyes finally connected with hers and his brow knotted.
“Come on, Avery.” His voice twisted with some indiscernible emotion. “Only a little bit farther.”

They started down the hill when the harpies came from the sky. Mason swung out first, the violent motion forcing Avery to let go of him. She

collected herself and stood. That’s also when the harpies from behind caught up. They broke into the clearing. Avery whirled but wasn’t fast enough.
One came straight for her, talons drawn. She sprung back, lost her balance, and when sprawling backwards down the hill. In ten feet she stilled
herself. Hands descended from above her and she swatted at them. The magic in her blood wasn’t working quite right, thrown off by her ill
condition, and the swats were just plain strikes.

It didn’t work for long. One harpie grabbed her firmly by the arm, apparently unafraid, and lifted her straight up. Rafael. Avery recognized the

harpie.

“You should run faster than this.” He gave her a crooked, almost apologetic smile, and then swung out.
His strike made contact with her jaw and Avery saw stars. Before she could fall away, Rafael grabbed her bloody shirt and held her still.

Before he could swing again, Avery gripped his arm.
She could feel the magic at the center of her chest but it was dwindling. Frantically grabbing at it, she used the magic to let out an electrical shock.
Rafael screeched but she dug her nails in. Magic still surging, the harpie finally crumpled and she let go.
Someone hit her from the back. Only after a second did she realize it was Mason. Dirt and blood now caked his face. Loose, crimson feathers
littered the floor.

They finally hit the edge of the building where a slanted but shut door awaited them. Mason let go of her for half a second, and grabbed for

the knob.
He wrenched it but the old iron didn’t give.

“Use the magic.” Avery commanded but Mason just kept wrenching. She repeated herself. “Mason, use the magic. I know you know how!”
The problem was he didn’t. Not well. Avery had taken over a month to become proficient and that was without prior, conflicting ideas on how

it worked.

Mason stopped, stress etched clear on his face and he pressed his arms against the walls. Avery could feel the spike of magic from where

she sat but even that was a small simmer. It was taking too long. It was too late. And then something dawned on her.

“Where are they?” Avery suddenly asked. The harpies should have been on them by now. Mason turned his attention to the skies at that

moment too. The skies were now empty. The field was now desolate.

Mason let out a breath of disbelief but didn’t stall for long. Turning his attention back on the knob, he finally wedged open the door. Dust and

soot exploded from the inside of the building, but the dark and calm warehouse still seemed inviting. With Mason’s help, Avery lumbered inside.
Only when they cleared the door and shut it did Mason say something that turned Avery’s blood to ice.

“It’s a trap. Don’t you get it? Mikhail never intended the Band to kill us; he just needed them to separate us. First it was from Patrick and

Adalyn. Now it was from Eva. We’re in this alone.” Mason said.
Avery reached out for his hand and squeezed it. Before she was able to answer, a noise stole her attention away.

The door had opened. Mikhail was coming. Avery could just feel it. An overwhelming aura of the magic that made her skin feel watery came

closer.

“Come on.” She tugged him, slipping into the nearest room.
Timbers had fallen from the roof and wreckage from old, tarnished furniture littered the floor. At least the doorways remained clear. They had

to get the jump on Mikhail, not the other way around. The thoughts buzzed in her head but she struggled to think quickly enough. The aura was
moving closer. Before they could be caught like deer in headlights, Mason grabbed her hand and raced them through another door. The room
forked three ways. Mason raced for the first one, directly parallel to where they stood, but Avery abruptly stopped.

Something made her pause, a gut wrenching sensation that refused to be ignored. Avery’s eyes finally landed on the room. In the corner was

a steel door leading outside. It sat askew in the frame, showing a peek of the night outside. Soot and ash covered the floor and the ceiling leaned in
toward the floor. Mason hissed at her to follow but his pleas went ignored. She waved him onward because Avery couldn’t stop looking around.
Something about this place rang familiar. In the next second, Mikhail showed up in the door frame. His eyes on her, he came forward.

“You girl, who has Jericho’s lovely memories.” The harpie crooned. “Do you remember this place?”
“This place?” Avery parroted but was too caught up staring at him to process a more complex answer.
He stood in the frame, wings tucked in. The last time Avery had seen Mikhail, he had graying hair and a wrinkled etched face. Now his skin

had smoothed to porcelain and his hair, feathers, and eyes shone with youth. Avery spotted no amulet on his neck. The chill racing down her spine
told her Mikhail now held the magic in him. There’d be no wrestling an amulet away from him.

“This is the same place that I last saw Jericho alive. It was on the very same night he betrayed me and cast me into this hell of life. Or maybe

you know a little about that?”

Avery’s heart skipped a beat, for in that very moment, she knew she had. Those dreams about Jericho and Mikhail and this place weren’t

surreal images sporadically playing out in her sleep. It was a memory-- Jericho’s memory about that same night they were in this warehouse. The
night the warehouse was burning down.

“I don’t know.” She pressed a hand to her head, not feigning confusion. The dream kept coming back to her in flashes and the mental

displacement was nauseating.
For a second, she was in the memory again, on that night. Brilliant red flames licked the ceiling and tumulus black smoke crept through the hallway.
She stood in Jericho’s body, staring out at a young Mikhail.

“It’s not like that. You don’t understand.” Jericho’s thick, deep voice came out from her mouth.
Even after the memory faded and Avery found herself in reality, the words echoed with her. Mikhail had taken the moment to pace closer.
Pinned against a concrete wall, Avery couldn’t backpedal.
Mason still hadn’t showed. Avery knew he wouldn’t leave her but whatever plan he’d had kept her waiting. Avery’s stomach clenched. She

couldn’t keep talking much longer.

“It’s funny that you brought us here of all places-- to the place that Jericho betrayed me. Do you believe in fate, girl?”
“There had to be some reason he did it. Jericho was brilliant and he was a good man—not a traitor.” She let the words slip from her without

much thought. Any coherent sentence at this point was an accomplishment.

The aura of energy seeping off Mikhail pulsated with crippling strength.
“Jericho is dead.” Mikhail said flatly. “Rightly so. He turned me in and did everything in his power to ruin my life. And you know girl, I was

finally excommunicated over buying some artifacts for the amulet from a young Band of Thieves.” He sneered, still clearly bitter. “So when I left
society, I joined this Band. Where others saw petty criminals, I saw an army. And so I spent my years turning them from a band of children into
legend. My personal army to take back my throne.”

Then Mikhail suddenly threw his hands in the air with a flurry of movement. Avery moved before her brain even caught up. A wave of

electrical energy shot forth from Mikhail’s open hands. Crackling through the air, it smashed into the wall. Avery had jerked to the side but fell, hitting
the ground and rolling. In another flash, Mason resurfaced, lunging at Mikhail from behind. Avery struggled to stand, ready to get her hands on
Mikhail at the same time. She never got the chance. Mikhail turned on Mason and blasted him back against the opposite wall. Mason met the
concrete with a deafening pop.
“Mason!” Avery gasped.
Her companion crumpled to the floor. Avery began to run towards him when Mikhail whirled and met Avery mid-motion. Smacking her with magic,
she went sprawling back to the floor with a blow that left her bones rattling. She didn’t get up in time and he was on her again. Mikhail lashed out
and caught her arm, his talons drawing blood from where he held. Avery screamed when her arm suddenly felt like fire. Mikhail let a simmer of
magic flood right into her and her vision threatened to black out.
Though relatively familiar with the magic, she’d never realized it felt just like this. Her world blurred even though the moment lasted for only seconds.
Mikhail suddenly dropped her and turned. Mason had lunged for him from behind but again, the older harpie held the advantage. Opening his hand,
he used another blast of energy to send Mason sprawling.
This time he landed directly behind Avery. Though her world kept spinning, she regained a quick sense of coherency. Her left hand went for Mason,
fingers meeting his slumped form. Her right hand went into the air. The magic stirred in her chest, and Avery used it. She pushed the hot simmering
feeling out through her blood, to her finger tips, and to the open air with a flash of blue. It made contact with Mikhail as a blast to his torso, but before
he even fell back, he threw another blow at her. As if the stronger magic struck her straight out of the air, the blue flashed disappeared.
The building trembled, rubble shaken from the ceiling and year old soot exploding. The hallway quickly became a blur of dust. Avery’s left hand still
on Mason, she animated again. Grabbing him, she tugged.
“Come on,” She yanked again. Mason moved, staggering to his feet but he didn’t stand up right. Avery didn’t have to ask to know Mason had
broken something from his collision with the wall. Wedging herself under his arm, she grabbed him and pulled.
The dust storm allowed them the barest of seconds and Avery slipped into the next hall. Her world view was distorted but her feet kept moving. They
couldn’t run but began to trot. Mason let out a sick moan.
“Come on, please come on.” She begged him and herself.
She could feel the large shift of magic as Mikhail moved behind them.
“You can’t escape me!” He boomed in their wake but Avery kept moving.

She took a left, the maze of the building always giving her one more turn. Mason staggered more with each shift in direction. The magic in their
bodies helped them move but it wouldn’t make them invincible.
“We have to hurry Mason, please don’t give up.” She said again but her voice didn’t come out right.
The wound on her collar bone had opened again and bled more profusely. She felt the wetness coat her shirt and though the wound wasn’t large, it
still planned on draining her slowly. Mason’s weight suddenly seemed heavier and the next steps suddenly seemed harder.

She spotted a door on the right and went for it. The door gave way and she stumbled inside. They’d reached the main factory room of the

warehouse. Much of it had been destroyed and the rest covered in dirt, dust, and splintered wood. The massive metal crates that lined the room
had survived the fire, sitting rusted and abandoned. The only light that slipped in was from segments of the ceiling which had collapsed.

Avery stumbled forward, behind the first row of metal crates. Mason’s weight finally too heavy, she let go and the harpie crumbled into a

sitting position. His wings were crooked behind him and his face looked shallow and gaunt.
His eyes were open though and Mason struggled to move.

“Avery!” He reached out for her but she ignored it.
Spotting the nearest burnt piece of wood, she grabbed it and jammed it under the door. Though Mikhail could blow the entire things to

splinters, it would buy them that one extra second.

“Avery!” Mason called again and this time she dropped to his side.
“Are you okay?” She asked him but Mason didn’t answer. His eyes stayed on her blood soaked shirt.
“You need to run, Avery. You need to escape because I can’t.”

He sounded too weak and Avery’s heart skipped a beat. Shaking, she reached out and clasped his face, forcing him to look up at her.

“I’m not leaving.”
“Avery--”
“I’m not! Mason, he’ll just find me again. You know that. I’d rather stay with you and give it a last fight.”
He hissed, pushing himself up against the wall. His hands caught hers.
“I’m sorry, Avery. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me. You wouldn’t die if it wasn’t for me.” His voice broke.

“Shut up.” Her eyes burned and she squeezed his fingers. “Mason, we’ll live. We have to. We’re moving into together, remember? You’ll be

Prince and I’ll actually be some princess.” She laughed though it wasn’t funny. “You can’t give up. We have to have that future. Don’t you want to?”

Mason’s green eyes flickered with some light.
“I’ll fight for it. I won’t give it up.”
He gave a weak smile and Avery drew some confidence from his agreement. But they still needed a miracle. And Avery needed to think of

something.

Twenty-Six

“What do we know about the amulet? The magic?” Avery asked in a hurry.
Mason had stood, bracing the majority of his weight against the rusted crate. His shoulders didn’t open all the way and the bones in his

wings sat at an odd angle. Still his legs worked and he was using them. He maneuvered them around another crate, searching for a better spot.
Some of the stacked crates had shifted from excess weight and heat forcing them to bend dangerously towards the ground. A few had already
fallen, sitting sideways on the floor. These were big enough to hide behind and still small enough to see over them.

“What you see is what you get.” Mason answered her question but remained too busy to even look at her.
Mikhail’s pulsating aura was coming closer. Mikhail wasn’t stupid enough to run in blind and that bought them a precious second.
“Look, we have all of Jericho’s memories. There has to be something we’re missing. There was some reason that Jericho turned in Mikhail

all of those years ago to get him away from the magic.”

“Avery,” Mason finally turned toward her. “My father betrayed Mikhail plain and easy. You of all people know that a friend could do that to

another friend.”

His words were honest and short. Avery’s mouth snapped shut with a click. He was referring to Leela. She turned away. Her head was

spinning and she put a hand to it.

“That’s not true. Leela only tried to do what was best for me.” Then everything lit up in her brain. How had she not seen it before?

Dumbfounded, Avery whirled.

“Mason, this place. I’ve had dreams about this place from Jericho’s memories. Listen to me!” She maneuvered into his way and made him

stop. Grabbing his hands, she broke it down in a quick flurry of words. “That was the difference between them after all. Jericho wanted an amulet.
Mikhail wanted to absorb the magic. Jericho was telling Mikhail that he only did what was best for him because Mikhail’s plan was insane.”

Mason stole a quick glance at the door before returning his gaze to hers. “So what?”
“Jericho stopped him because he feared for Mikhail’s life. He said that absorbing magic like that would kill. Jericho saved Mikhail’s life

because the Willow magic in your body could kill you.” That finally earned his belief. Mason’s attention glued now, he quizzed in a firmer voice.

“If the Willow magic could kill its occupant then how did you live with it for so long?”
“Because I couldn’t use it like that.” She gestured toward the energy coming from the hallway. “And when I finally began to grasp the potential it
split between us.”
“I understand. He’ll kill himself if he uses the magic long enough. We just have to draw fire.” Mason smirked.
They didn’t have another second. The door burst into an explosion of splinters. Mikhail was here.

“Don’t hide from me. I know you’re here. Gather your petty bravery and face me!” Mikhail boomed, his voice echoing even in the massive

warehouse. The harpie suddenly threw up a hand. Before Avery or Mason could budge, he let out a blast of magic. It slammed into the metal crates
they hid behind and sent them sliding. They barely moved in time to avoid the collision.

“Avery, run!” Mason suddenly shoved her, springing in the opposite direction. Avery’s feet obeyed and she dashed behind the next crate in

the row. Mason didn’t follow though but dashed in the opposite direction. Before she could protest, Mikhail sent another harrowing blow of magic
her way. It smashed into the crate with crippling force but the more sturdy metal just budged. Mikhail whirled and sent another blow in Mason’s
direction. It smashed into the crate with a deafening thud. A few of the crates stacked on the top row shook disturbingly.

It clicked in Avery’s head. Mason kept moving in the opposite direction so she did the same. Separated they made for a harder target.
Mikhail stood in the center of the room so every time she ran for another crate she put herself in the opening. She also drew his attention as

a target. Avery dashed but Mikhail spotted her before she could disappear. He moved for her but never got the chance to attack.

It happened suddenly. One of the tilted crates stacked on the top of the pile had given and went crashing for Mikhail. The harpie turned and knocked
the metal object out of the air with an explosion of energy. The crate gave and went bouncing backwards in a pile of twisted metal. Avery stole a
glance to catch on with what was happening. Mason had thrown the crate, no doubt knocking it free with the magic of his own.

“Genius.” She whispered. He found the one way for Mikhail to burn himself out without being the target practice themselves. She didn’t

hesitate. Her eyes instead went toward the last row of crates. Another crate sat tilted on top of the stack. She instantly knew it was her turn.

Quick on her feet, she ran for the stack. Heart pounding in her ears, she slid through the maze. Mikhail’s powers may blow him out but at that

very moment, he was stronger than ever. And he was throwing that energy Mason’s way.

Avery reached the end of the stack of crates and looked up. Things always looked smaller in the distance. This had to be at least twelve feet

to the first ledge and fourteen more to properly reach the crate she desired.

“Why don’t I have wings?” She groaned. There were tiny ridges in the metal, dangerous but doable. She griped one, dug her nails into the

edge and tried to find a proper fit for her sneakers.

Mikhail’s attention must have stayed on Mason. Though she couldn’t see it, she heard the battle rage on. Mikhail’s magic hit the walls,

shaking the entire room. The crate she clung to trembled and she nearly lost her grip. Her nails bled but she forced herself up another step and then
another. Soon the ground threatened to disappear beneath her feet. She stole a glance downward. The floor appeared to spin.

Avery’s heart dropped into her stomach.
“Please don’t fall. Please don’t fall.” She begged herself taking one more step.
“I expected better of you! Cowards!” Mikhail yelled out. “Come out and fight!”

The aggravation in his voice was reflected in the angry pulsating aura. The magic he was using was spiking. Mason must have thrown

another crate because it blasted to pieces with a shattering boom. The room shook just as Avery reached the ledge. Her grip threatened to give.
Quickly she pressed a palm to the tilted crate.

She pushed the hot simmering feeling out through her blood, to her finger tips, and to the open air with a flash of blue. The crate shifted but

didn’t fly. It wasn’t working. Avery’s breath hitched in her chest. The power that she had known for so long had been cut in half. She’d need use
everything she had to even move the crate.

Avery was starting to sweat. The warehouse must have been over a hundred degrees and blood thumping hotly through her veins, she grew

more uncomfortable by the second. The wound on her chest continued zapping her strength and crippling exhaustion threatened to set in. Closing
her eyes she took a breath. The deafening sound around her finally faded away. She focused on her chest, on her blood, and on the magic.

It finally sparked and she pushed the magic out. The crate gave and flew. Avery leaned up just enough to see it clear the top. Mikhail still

stood in the center of the room and he turned to intercept the crate. He threw a hand up. The flash of magic lit up but just as the falling crate began
to budge from its collision course, the light flickered. The magic dwindled. Mikhail dove sideways to avoid the crashing metal. The crate hit the floor
and slid.

The harpie suddenly doubled. The aura of magic was spiking and falling. Unsteady, Mikhail gripped his chest. Avery gasped. They’d done it.

His body was starting to give.

“Mason!” She yelled. They needed to move on him now.
Mikhail suddenly reanimated. Jerking to a stand, his black eyes landed on Avery. Throwing his hand up one last time, he let out a weak flash

of blue magic. The crate Avery clung to trembled violently, but this time she couldn’t hold on. Her sweaty grip gave and Avery fell backwards. Her
hands grabbed for something to hold but she only slowed her fall. She let out a scream ten feet before she hit the floor. With nothing to brace her
fall, the impact jolted through her body with an agonizing spark of pain. The wind knocked out of her, she struggled to catch a clean breath.

“You brat. You bloody human brat.” She could hear Mikhail’s voice coming closer.
Panic surging through her veins, she struggled to move. Her body ached down to the bone and her muscles refused to budge. She rolled

and pushed herself up. Black crept up at the edge of her vision. She didn’t have time to stand before Mikhail trotted around the crate to where Avery
laid.
His black eyes flashed with cruel fury.

“How dare you even interfere? This is above you. This is beyond you. And I will not let you—a human—stand in my way.” He hissed.
His chest was heaving and his eyes were bloodshot. He lumbered forward instead of picking up his feet and his posture was bent at an odd

angle. Though seemingly unable to catch his breath, he still moved forward. She struggled to stand but every inch of her body ached and her
muscles didn’t help.

“Wait!” She put her hand out. The magic in her chest refused to react, like Mikhail, burnt out. But Mikhail didn’t need that much magic to kill

her.

“Wait for what? I’m done waiting.” Mikhail lifted his talons. Avery squirmed backwards, desperate to catch her grip.
“Mason!” She screamed. Mikhail caught her with one hand. She tried to knock his arms away but his grip was painful and tight. He dug his

talons in until they drew blood. Her vision threatened to go black, air supply cut off. The world spun. For half a second Avery saw the end.
Abruptly Mikhail’s grip broke away. Mikhail froze, twitched, and crumbled to the floor. Only when his body hit the ground did it become visible what
had happened.

Mason had returned but not alone. Mason had torn him away and Eva had come up behind Mikhail, impaling the harpie through the torso

with some unseen knife. Blood had splattered over her leather suit and hands.

“What did you do?” Avery gasped.
The harpie woman never answered. Her eyes stayed glued on her arms. She flexed her fingers. Though invisible, the magic still pulsed as it

sunk into to Eva’s body and then finally disappeared. Only after a moment did the harpie woman twitch to life.

“Will you look at that?” Eva whispered with the tone of her voice indiscernible and quiet. She flexed her fingers before she looked up, eyes

connecting with Avery’s. “You know what I was always told? If you can’t beat them, join them. Until you can beat them of course.”
Mason came up from behind and hauled Avery up and back into his chest. He still staggered himself but managed to stand.

“Eva, stop this.”He reached out to his sister while still holding onto Avery’s waist. “Whatever you’re planning, stop now while you’re ahead. If

you come back with us now, we can fix your banishment. We can get out that magic before it kills you too.”

Eva’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t want my banishment to be fixed. I don’t want the magic to be removed.”
“It doesn’t have to be like it used to. Our father is dead and gone now. I can fix what he didn’t. Please give me a chance.” Mason was

begging but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Eva shook her head. Dropping the knife, she backed up and disappeared from the room in a hurry.

Neither Mason nor Avery gave chase. The adrenaline finally quit their systems and left them both ragged. Avery cast him a sideways look,

swaying on her feet.

“Are you okay? Should we go after her?” She found her resolve. Mason didn’t though. Keeping his arm around her waist, he squeezed her

and buried his lips into her hair.

“No. Trouble may be coming with Eva but it won’t be today.” He said. “Let’s go home.”

Twenty-Seven

Avery had been to the harpie island once before, but seeing it with fresh eyes, it all looked new again. It was an island of flowers, waterfalls,

and sand. Stranger than that, it was the island Avery had agreed to live on. Her stomach floated either from the surge of emotions or the drop in
Mason’s flight pattern, but when they touched down on the beach her stomach was doing back flips.
Somewhere down the shore line, the sharp blue suits of patrol guards perked up and headed their way. Mason ignored them. Grabbing her chin, he
guided her eyes towards his.

“You still with me?” Mason asked.
“Only if you’re still with me.” She earned a smile from him. He leaned in for a fleeting kiss. They had witnesses but Mason didn’t seem to

care.

“It’s not going to be easy. They may be startled by the magic in your body but they won’t act on it when you’re with me. Just follow my lead.”

He warned, squeezing her hand. She had the strong urge to kiss him again but the harpie patrol guards were upon them. Mason turned and the
guard’s faces’ lit up with recognition.

“Mikhail’s not coming.” Mason said. “He’s been killed. The rest of the Band members escaped.”
The guards stiffened and stuttered. One finally took charge and stepped forward.
“You need to come with us. And the human-“
Mason squeezed Avery’s hand again even though she didn’t need the reassurance.
“She’s with me and she goes where I go.” He left no room to bicker. The guard obliged with the demand and led them forward.

In the center of the harpie island was a three story building made out of marble and granite, and it was adorned with insignias. The towering

structure was the Grand Central Station of harpie affairs and was just as dazzling on the inside as the outside. It was exactly like Avery remembered
it.
The majestic wooden doors were opened for them and inside, the guard made a ‘stop’ motion.

“We’ll need her to wait outside if you wish to speak to the council.” The guard ordered.

Before Mason opened his mouth to protest that one, Avery spoke up.

“That’s fine. I’ll be over here.” She gave a half smile and maneuvered off to the side. She had no desire to see the Council which had

essentially condemned her the year before. Things had changed, time and the people in charge were on her side but she still wasn’t comfortable.
Mason gave her a backwards look before being shuffled into another room. She went for a bench pressed against the nearest wall. It was marble,
stiff and uncomfortable but still somewhere to rest. She sat and wiggled her phone free.

The plastic had cracked on both sides and the buttons didn’t line up with the proper places. The ink under the screen had become blurry or

unclear from abuse. Still, a signal bar stayed lit up and Avery fought with the phone until it dialed out.

It rang for less than a second when a female voice picked up on the other line.
“Avery?” Leela’s voice flittered through static.
“Hey. Did you make it home alright?” Avery asked. The fatigue sounded in her voice and she slumped back against the wall. Her eyes trailed

around making sure the hallway was clear. The only thing nearby was a bulletin board on the wall with papers and pictures affixed. Avery gazed over
the wanted posters idly.

“Forget me! Where are you? Are you okay?” Leela answered on the other line.
“Yea. I made it to the harpie island.”
“And Mikhail?”
Avery spoke carefully.
“Gone.”
Leela let out a hissing breath on the other line.
“It’s okay. What about Adalyn and Eva?” Leela quizzed methodically.

“Eva took off like we expected. She stole the Willow magic from Mikhail. Mason told me that Adalyn bailed out after the incident at Samuel’s

compound.” After what happened to her father, Avery didn’t blame the girl. “She’ll show up though. She always does.”
“What about that last one-- Patrick?”
Avery opened her mouth but then paused. It hit her like a brick wall.
“Leela, don’t freak but I gotta go.” She let the phone fall to her side. Standing up, she lumbered forward. Her eyes had been on it for ten minutes but
she hadn’t really seen it until then. The bulletin board in front of her showed a familiar face. Though dirty and rugged with facial hair Avery
recognized one of the harpies staring out of the photo.
Her eyes dropped to the name.
“Patrick Smith.” She read aloud. Her heart skipped a beat. It was really him. Her eyes went to the text around the photo.
“Wanted Dead or Alive. Escaped from prison in September...”
Backing away, Avery pressed a hand to her temple. Everything Patrick had said came together at once.
“What’s the deal with the gates? Are you guys locked in here at night?” He’d said once, concerned.

“I just came out of a bad place. Worse than you could probably imagine.”

She remembered where Adalyn had met Patrick too, during the battle that brought the prison down. Patrick must have escaped and owed Adalyn
for saving him. It all made more sense than Avery would have liked.
She didn’t get to think on it long. The sound of her name had her glance up. Mason stood at the end of the hall beckoning her forward.
“Hey,” She glanced around the room. Harpies lingered nearby but all remained in deep conversation with each other. They wouldn’t even realize
Avery was there. “We might have a problem.” She said when she reached him.

“Yea, we have a lot of problems. But none of those have to happen right now.”
“Patrick--”
He cut her off with a finger on her lips.
“I know now too. But don’t worry about it today.” He reached out for her hands and guided her back outside.
“Did everything go alright with the Counsel?”
Mason made a face.
“Yes. I guess. I am the rightful heir. That won’t stop the bickering. But I’m awesome. No one can stop me. Not even Mikhail.” He offered a cocky
smile.
“I was there too!” Avery said, feigning annoyance. His smile was affecting her too much today. Matched with his green eyes, she was having a hard
time being mad. This was a totally new view of Mason and she wasn’t taking it on pace.
“I did ninety-nine percent of the work. But I think I’ll let you mooch some glory.” He leaned forward and kissed her, cutting off any retort she might
have had.
His lips were warm and his right hand slid over the small of her back pressing her closer. The height difference had her leaning back but the
position managed to be a perfect fit. They broke for air.
Avery’s cheeks were on fire. She let out a breath to calm herself but one alone didn’t work. She breathed again and again. Avery wasn’t the diehard
romantic but that also left her unsure how to respond without blushing and crying. She tried to maintain her reaction.
“I’ll have to take some time to get used to all this.” She admitted but Mason’s face didn’t change.
“You’ll have time. There’s going to a bunch of stuff going down first. Trust me. You have no idea what’s coming next.”