"Nyla! Baby are you okay!"

"I'm okay! Yvette-damn it! I'll take the group back to Cruel-Mane! Don't you dare die Gian!"

"Never love."

"Khalia! Khalia, snap out of it!"

"Man, talk to your girl after you knock her ass out!"

"Alpha, duck!"

"I see her! Fuck, she's fast!"

"Oh ho! What have we stumbled upon here ladies?"

*~*~*

What?

Opening her eyes, Khalia stared dejectedly into the night sky. Humming buzzed around her and soft chatter was heard. The smell of smoke tickled her nose and soon a soft yellow glow swept over her eyes. It flickered, pulling her attention back to earth, back to those around her.

"Lia, you good? You zoned out for a bit?"

Furrowing her brows, she inhaled sharply at the warm hand that touched her thigh. Their thumb drew small circles on her legs and continued while they continued their chatter with the man next across from them. Her vision had to be deceiving her.

"Jay? Marcus?"

They stopped talking and turned to her in unison. Jay arched a brow and Marcus gave her a soft smile.

"Yea?"

Where's Diem? The others...Parasita?

She got no response from her counterpart. Her mind feeling oddly empty. A weight eased off her shoulders, and she studied those that surrounded her. A look of wonder and shock seized her features. The fire they sat around crackled loudly causing Alexa to jump. She leaned into her, breaking in a fit of giggles. Tentatively, she reached out and ran her fingers through the long black strands that dangled across her shoulder. Alexa flinched before nudging her.

"Ow! Whatever you're into I'm not so stop."

Normally she'd goad her on until she's frothing at the mouth. This time, she couldn't contain the excitement, wrapping her arms around her and squeezing.

"Awe, Lia baby, did you miss me? Don't worry we have all the time here."

"Here?"

She looked around at where exactly here was. They were back in the clearing, situated around a campfire. The cabins looked just as she remembered, except the Tahoe was now a Suburban. Unease prickled her skin, and she shifted on the log under her. The lights were on, and someone was moving around inside.

"Is-is Theo in there?"

"Who?" Trinity arched a brow at her, taking a sip from her solo cup.

Khalia's stomach dropped and she rose quickly off the bench.

"Parasita! Para can you hear me? What's going on?"

Still nothing. A squeak from one of the screen doors caught her attention. As the door began to open, she leaned down and grabbed a large rock from the edge of the firepit.

"Whoa sis! What are you doing?"

Ignoring Jay, she winced at the burn that encased her palm but sprinted up to Theo's cabin. There was no deplorable odor as she graced the porch, only charred wood and a hint of wetness. Raising the rock, she waited as the person came into view. When her eyes fell on the dark brown hair and golden eyes, she flinched violently. Dropping the rock to the wayside.

"How did you get here? Diem, what's going on."

She stared at his as he came to stand on the porch. The bags under his eyes aged him and she couldn't keep her eyes of the new injuries that decorated his arms. Near his neck she squinted at the fresh scar that disappeared under his shirt. Diem looked past her, scanning the others as they began to walk over to her.

"You need to come with me."

"Why? Look, they're all here. They're alive."

A small smile graced her face. Everyone was here, and the content that spread through her at this revelation began to warm her. Diem's jaw clenched.

"Khalia who is that?"

Marcus spoke, giving Diem a once over before coming up behind her. His arm snaked her waist, causing a gasp to slip. Immediately a growl filled the area.

"This isn't real Khalia. Come with me. We have to go now! The coven-"

"The coven? Bro you good? How do you know my sister?"

"Jay stop. He's...he's-"

Fumbling over the words, she inhaled sharply when Marcus pulled her back. Looking over her shoulder he had a sharp pointed gaze on Diem. Who happily returned it. Diem's jaw clenched again, and she watched his eyes flick between her and Marcus. Sighing, he looked at the ground, before returning his gaze to hers.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"I'm sorry Khalia. I'm sorry I failed you both."

Before she could question his odd phrase, he snatched her hand, yanking her forward. Jerked from Marcus grasp, her eyes widened when something smooth and cool wrapped around her wrist. As soon as it touched her flesh, it stung. A red light emitted from the golden bracelet. Wind billowed under their feet and Diem wrapped his arms around her securely.

"Mavi! I found her!"

Mavi?

"Wait!"

Grabbing his arms she tried to pry them from her waist. Looking up she saw dread spread on her friends faces. Jay sprinted back to his cabin.

"Lia!"

Running forward Marcus reached out for her. Their fingertips brushed but that was all as Diem raised his foot, landing it square in Marcus's chest.

"Diem! Diem what the fuck! Let me go!"

Clawing at his arms she switched to hitting his chest.

"Look!"

Letting her go he placed his hands on her head, forcing her to look back at the group. Marcus teetered on the first step, before falling backwards. He tried to catch himself by flailing his arms. Reaching out Khalia missed him by inches. Cursing, he hit the ground, and that's when her brain imploded. As his body hit the ground, it burst. Literally. Her eyes widened, trying to process the phenomenon. His body burst into tiny speckles of light. The orbs whipped around in the air, spinning upon themselves like a murmuration. Their aerial display elegant and bright. Soon, they swirled in a tight circle. That grew tighter and tighter until it looked strangely human. With one more sharp burst of light, she shielded her eyes, and there he stood once more, Marcus.

"W-what what?"

A click to her right made them all swivel their heads as Jay pointed his pistol at Diems skull. Growling he grabbed Khalia again, before falling back into the cabin. A shot rang out, and she could feel the air of the bullet whip by her face. Waiting to connect with the ground, she panicked when it never came. Diems' arms stayed securely around her. She could see the cabin door above, see her brother look down into the darkness that they fell.

"Jay...Jay!"

A startling knock echoed in the cerebral abyss around them, seemingly flipping a switch. Soon she found herself in a dimly lit room with Diem nowhere to be found. Around her the room bore a boring beige, sprinkled with little furniture. A small square glass table with a chair tucked in the corner under a large window. Another chair was seated close to her bed. A black gym bag rests on top the table, clothes spilling out of it. She recognized the sky-blue tank top peeking out. Three bookcases took up the remaining walls.

Peering at the books she logged the strange titles, and their damaged bindings. Some were made of leather, and some looked unusually like scales. One had an eye etched into the binding and she swore it was blinking at her. Fidgeting on the plush mattress she squinted at the IV pole that stood bedside and the strange iridescent blue liquid it held. The bag resembled a slow beating heart, making it more unsettling that it was flowing into her bloodstream.

Another rapid succession of knocks. Then the door flew open clattering against one of the bookcases. Khalia didn't know who to expect, but it sure wasn't Mavi. Strutting inside the click of her heels danced off the walls. Her face was glowing, and hints of apricot wafted off her and her water wave styled hair. Smiling, Khalia tried not to swoon.

"Ah! You're awake! It worked! That makes my prediction the closest. Pay up dog."

Face dotted with confusion she watched Mavi beckon to someone in the hall. A deep rumble replied, one that made Khalia straighten up. Walking into the room Diem slapped a few crumpled-up bills into Mavi's hand, grumbling about witches and greed.

"You didn't have to take the bet, freewill in all. Don't be upset my streak is better. Now you dear. Did you rest up well? Have any dreams involving me? Do tell."

She smiled coyly at Khalia, who returned it bashfully.

"Thank you Mavi. I'm feeling okay, I can't say I recall my dreams at the moment."

"Ah good answer. Wouldn't want to upset the only man here. "

*~*~*

Diem's gaze narrowed before it softened once finding Khalia. The knot that had tangled in his chest loosened. Muddled thoughts grew concise as he watched her chat with the witch. For days he paced the room waiting, hoping. He was sure she had questions, as did he.

Shuffling over to the opposite side, he sat down in the metal chair that he placed there the first day. The two quietly mused while they stared each other over. His disheveled hair and wrapped ear, her bandaged cheeks and grateful expression. When he leaned closer, her eyes drifted to his chest, and she gasped. Finally seeing her handiwork.

"What- what happened?"

Rubbing her throat, Khalia frowned at the brittleness. He gave Mavi a quick glance.

"Fill her in Diem, I'll wait in the hall."

Nodding, when the door shut he turned his attention back to her. She wasn't looking at him, instead she had noticed the golden charm bracelet on her wrist. Marquise diamonds wove into the gold band in a cross-hatch pattern. A single charm, an emerald with red inscriptions engraved, dangled freely. Its beauty left her breathless.

"Who's is this? I don't think I can afford this."

He smiled but it never reached his eyes. He didn't ogle the band either like she, looking upset rather than marveled.

"It's a sigil."

"A sigil?"

Her face bleed confusion and he stopped smiling. For once, he avoided her gaze. Extending a hand, he glided his fingertips across the bracelet.

"After Yvette killed Theo...you killed Yvette. A Feral was born that day. It took a while for Gian and I to subdue you. Luckily or suspiciously, Mavi and her coven where near the area."

Diem ignored the sharp inhale she took, still glued to the bracelet. Picking up the emerald, he stared deeply at the red inscription. It hummed in his hand.

"Ferals can't be reasoned with. They don't accept bargains, and they don't care for those around them. Eat, sleep, survive. Nothing else matters."

Suddenly she yanked her hand from his and rubbed the center of her chest. Tears fell from her eyes, and she looked dejectedly miserable. Quickly he pulled back, a more stern look settling over his face.

"I apologize, you weren't supposed to feel that. It was quick, her death. She didn't suffer...she didn't even fight back. If that makes it any better. She just stood there. Mavi, and her coven helped us subdue you. We brought you here to the Cruel-Mane clinic. They enchanted the room so you wouldn't cause harm. You and that shifter, Elaina, have been unconscious for four days. She's next door with Rescue Ranger."

*~*~*

Quiet, Khalia rifled through what he just told her. She swallowed the jagged rocks of sadness and wiped at the tears as they fell.

She killed someone.

Not just anyone. A fellow victim of that wretched demon. Diem pursed his lips.

"The first kill is always the worst. More so when you had no intention or recollection. Yvette...was hurting deeply...don't drown in that guilt."

"...What happened back there? I was with, I was with my friends and Jay. Then...you.."

Diem looked away, rubbing the back of his head, he sighed.

"What Caleesi doesn't know; she can't tell you. Ferals can come back to their senses but with bindings."

"Bindings?"

"Yes. With the covens help, we figured out a spell that would help. Every spell requires balance. You can conjure yourself a million dollars, but where that money comes from will structure the balance. Say a life insurance policy, or a settlement. To take, you must give. To give, one must take."

"Can you just spit it out please?"

"I gave you pieces of my soul."