23. EZRA: AN ESCAPE

I had never killed someone without reason.
Luckily for me, I hadn’t been trained to kill like I knew most of the others had. My mind had been my own then just as it was now. I made the choices, not the humans who had created us.
Even though I knew that refusing his order would get me killed, there was no way I would be able to kill an innocent woman—one that might be related to Vanya.
My eyes locked with hers for a few seconds before they dropped to the bleeding wound. I used anger as fuel. Spinning around, I dug the knife into the first man I came into contact with. It sunk into flesh, his howl of pain filled my ears as his blood soaked my hand. Pulling the knife free, I swiped out with my claws and kicked him away as I spun around to fight the man who attacked.
They tackled me. Four against one.
I was thankful that Devrim and Obsidian had forced me into learning how to fight. If it hadn’t been for them I was sure that I would’ve been dead already.
Breathless, covered in blood and wounds, I clutched the knife tightly as I stared down at the pride members I had killed.
Their leader was nowhere to be found which could mean two things; he had escaped thinking that I would be killed or he had gone to get help. Either way, it meant that I only had a limited amount of time left to find an escape.
My eyes locked on the woman. I had someone else to think about now.
“P-please don’t kill me,” she croaked.
I growled at her. “I’m not the enemy.”
Stepping over the dead body, I made my way over to her. It took everything in me not to pull a face as her stench hit me. She had definitely been locked up for more than two days. My eyes locked on the chains for a few seconds and then darted to her wrist.
“Don’t run. I’m the only chance you have at getting out of here. You run, you’re on your own,” I warned her.
She nodded.
I wiped the blade on my jeans before I slipped it into my boot. Closing the space between us, I grabbed hold of the shackled around one wrist and pulled. The metal didn’t move.
“Fuck!”
The woman jerked in fright.
“Jesus, Ezra.”
I spun around and snarled at them as they entered. My stance slowly relaxed when it was clear that they were no threat. Orion nodded at me as he held up a set of keys. He threw it at me as his brother walked closer to inspect the bodies.
“Didn’t know you had it in you to kill,” Dorian muttered.
“I’ll fucking do anything if it means protecting my mate,” I growled.
*Almost anything.* My eyes locked with the woman’s for a second before I looked away to focus on getting the key in the lock.
“We have about five minutes,” Orion growled. “Your escaped route is already chosen. Betsy will be waiting for you.”
I froze. “You involved Betsy?”
Dorian straightened and turned towards me, eyes narrowing as they locked with mine. “We’re fucking outnumbered,” he hissed. “Right now we need all the help we can get.”
There was a lot I didn’t know and it was clear that they had the answers but there was no time. I unlocked the woman’s wrist and threw the keys to the ground. Pulling off my shirt, I handed it to her and then turned my attention back to the brothers.
“Explain,” I ordered.
We still had time. Not much but maybe it would be enough for me to get some answers and find a way to put a stop to this.
“They were convinced that everything that has happened the last few months is Vanya’s fault.” Orion ran a hand through his hair. “He wants them all off the island, the humans. If they don’t leave willingly then he’s ready to start a war.”
“Those who are against it are either killed or they just disappear. We learned quickly to play along or risk death,” Dorian muttered.
“How many is standing with him?”
“Too many.” Orion nodded towards the exit. “Rogue will show you the way.”
Reaching behind me, I grabbed the woman’s wrist. “If it comes to war, protect the humans. I know that not all of the pride is against them. Maybe if we stand together, we can end this before it begins.”
“We need Obsidian,” Dorian said. “I doubt that Devrim will be able to talk sense into them, but Obsidian has the skills we need if we want to protect the humans.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
I spun around and pulled the woman closer. Bending slightly, I threw her over my shoulder and took off towards the exit. It seemed like they had it all planned. I just hoped that Rogue wasn’t on the wrong side.

***

The woman passed out before we reached Betsy. On the ride to her house, I managed to stop the bleeding from her wounds but I had to wait until we reached our destination before I could really do anything.
While she was unconscious, I bandaged her wounds and cleaned the small cut she had on her skin. There was nothing I could do about the bruises.
My eyes lingered on her face as I stood. There was something familiar about her but I couldn’t place it. Shaking my head, I picked up the first-aid kit and left the room.
“Is she still sleeping?”
I nodded. “I’m sorry that they dragged you into this.”
Betsy waved her hand. “Vanya is like family and you’re together which makes you family. You must be hungry?”
“Starving,” I muttered.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
I followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. My eyes stayed glued to her as she moved around the kitchen. A few minutes later she placed a plate heaped with food down in front of me.
“Thank you.”
A sniff test proved that it was safe to eat. I took a bite and slowly chewed as my mind raced. We couldn’t stay here. I had considered leaving the woman here with Betsy but it would put her in too much danger. She could already be a target. Vanya would never forgive any of us if Betsy died because she was helping us.
“How’re her wounds?” she asked.
“It’ll heal,” I told her, “but some might scar.”
She shook her head. “Such a shame.”
Pushing the empty plate away, I leaned forward and lowered my voice. “What does the word cousin mean?”
“It’s a child of someone’s uncle or aunt,” Betsy explained. “An aunt or uncle is family. . .like a brother and sister.”
“Melanie had no brothers or sisters,” I muttered.
“She has a sister.”
My eyes snapped up to hers.
“Monica left the island a few years ago. Those two had always been close since their parents died when they were still young. Monica left Ottawa soon after Melanie got married to Reeves.”
“Why?” I asked.
Betsy shrugged. “Nobody knows. I know that Monica didn’t like Reeves but she always did her best to tolerate him because she wanted her sister to be happy.”
“Do you know if they might have had contact after Monica left the island?”
“No. Why are you asking?”
I shook my head, refusing to explain things to her. The less she knew the better. Pressing my palms to my eyes, I groaned. My head was starting to hurt. We already had enough problems and now a new one just popped up. Had Joy sent her? Why would she suddenly show up here after years and ask about Vanya right just as the trouble with the pride started?
She shared Vanya’s blood, but she looked nothing like her.
Siblings looked like each other, didn’t they?
I didn’t know what to make out of this. All I wanted was for things to go back to normal.
“I’ll make the spare bed for—”
“We’re not staying,” I interrupted her. “The longer we stay, the higher the chances of them coming after you. I won’t take that risk.”
“Where will you go?”
I hesitated. “To get help.”
“Will you take the girl with you?” Betsy stood and carried the dirty plate over to the sink. “The girl is injured, Ezra. How will she keep up with you?”
“She’ll have to because I’m not leaving without her.” I stood and gave her a stiff smile. “I appreciate your help, Betsy. Vanya doesn’t want you involved in any of this and I’m going to do my best to make sure that you’re not placed in danger. We’re leaving as soon as she eats.”
“I can handle myself, boy,” she said, pointing a bony finger to me. “I already told you; Vanya is family. We help each other. Leave it you have to, but know that I will not sit back and watch as her life gets destroyed. There had been nothing for me to do for Melanie, but I’m making that up to her by making sure that her daughter gets the happy ever after she wanted for her daughter.”