Chapter 107:

Pythia POV:

I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep until I heard the front door slam open. Tye and I were on our feet in seconds and when my eyes adjusted Jasper and Jenson were standing in front of us. "What time is it?" I asked. "It's almost 4 in the morning. They are on the move, we need to get to our places." Jasper said. "They'll be here just at sunrise. Alley wants us all to meet real quick before we get set." Jenson added. "Alright let's go, when we get done we will come back and grab what we need." Tye said, rubbing his eyes. "Delilah, stay here. I'll keep the link open so that you can hear what is going on." I said looking at her. She nudged me forward and laid her head back down. She looked oddly calm, maybe she was just mentally preparing herself or maybe she was already ready for it. We practically ran out of the door, we had Ember looking out for anyone that might arrive any sooner and with the shield still up Alley and Stephen could feel anyone outside of it that was close. 

A large crowd of all our packs were already gathering around, they started to split as we started to push our way forward. When we got to the front of the crowd we started walking up the stairs to stand next to the others. When I turned to face the crowd everyone looked determined and on edge. "I am going to hide us, so that they can't see what we are doing but I need all my witches to keep it until the last second." I announced. All I had to do was think about concealing them and I felt the air shimmer. When they do get close they will think we are all sleeping in our homes and let them think they have the upper hand on us. "We want you all to remain in your groups. We all need to stick together no matter what." Alley said. "Here in just a moment you will be released to grab what you need. Keep it simple and then meet with the leading alphas." Ambrosia added. 

Everyone started shifting slowly to work their ways towards their groups. "We want you all to stay together, if you don't have a mate take someone with you, no one is to be walking around alone at all." I said, the last thing we needed was for someone to get hurt or be seen. Even though we have ourselves cloaked we still don't know if they will be able to see us or not which meant we needed to stay in the shadows as best as possible. "We have been training for this, we are ready for this. All of us standing here are so incredibly proud of each of you. You all have gone above and beyond to prepare yourselves." Alley said calmly. "They will be here in a few hours at sunrise. We all need to be ready in our spots by then. If you hear anything or see anything, notify us immediately." I added. "Let's get started, we don't have much time." Ambrosia said, I watched everyone run in different directions to go and get what they needed. 

I took a deep breath and turned to look at the others. "Are you all ready?" I asked. "More than ready. I miss my babies, Rose has been mad as hell." Alley grumbled out, that explains why she busted in our house the way she did and just looking at her I can tell something is pissing her off. She is fighting to keep her aura in line so she doesn't scare anyone. A few seconds later images started flashing in my head. I could see all our children with the adults sitting around with baby wolves and they were eating. Some of the children were chasing each other in a small field. I could see Apollo sitting next to Lucinda. Next to her was Ari and Artemis, the twins and Jessie were sitting next to Athea. They looked happy and carefree. The images slowly started disappearing and I looked around and noticed that I was not the only one to receive those. 

It put my mind at ease knowing they were happy and content. "I guess that is Athea and Lucindas way of telling us to stop worrying." Ambrosia said with a smile. "Lets get what we need and get in our spots. The faster we get this over with the faster we get our babies back." I said. "Sounds good, we will meet back up in a little while." Alley replied. I walked down the stairs with Tye on my heels along with the twins. "We can't read what people are thinking so I think Lucinda filtered them out." Jasper said. "So when they get close we should feel what they are thinking." Jenson added. "Good. That is really good and we can use that. Just pack small things like knives or something." I replied. "We also need to make sure the humans are not working on the other house for a few days." Tye said. "Already taken care of, we sent them home after we were done training." Jasper replied. 

We walked through the door and I ran upstairs. I had tucked away the outfit I wore in the last fight in the back of my closet. I never wanted to bring this back out but here we are. It had the convenience of hiding the knives that I would take with me, typically I would pack a few bags but I didn't have time to do that. I quickly changed, feeling the familiar leather of the suit and I could feel the adrenaline start to work its way through my veins, I grabbed my boots and walked out to sit on the bed. "You know, that outfit would be sexy in other times." Tye smirked. "Don't start goofy, we don't have enough time." I giggled. After I got my boots on I walked to the bathroom and quickly double braided my hair to the sides pulling it back tightly so it wouldn't come loose. The last thing I needed was to have my hair in my face. 

When I walked out of the bathroom I saw Tye standing next to the dresser and he had my knife set out already. I slowly walked over and started tucking my knives away in all my hidden spots. "Remind me to never ever piss you off." Tye grumbled, making me laugh. "That would be wise. Are you taking anything?" I asked. "No, I will most likely be in wolf form." Tye replied. I looked up at him and noticed he was staring at me. "Everything is going to be fine one way or another. Just remember to believe in yourself, you can do this. We will all be there for you. You are so strong and no matter what he says or does don't ever forget that. Don't let him get under your skin." Tye said, kissing my forehead. "I honestly don't know what I would do without you." I sighed. "Oh you would definitely be lost and a complete mess." Tye laughed. I shoved him playfully and rolled my eyes. "Come on, I need to hide Delilah and we need to get in our places." I said, kissing his cheek. 

I rushed downstairs to find Delilah already on her feet. "It's time." I whispered. She bowed her head and I reached up and wrapped my arms around her neck. "No matter what, know that I love you okay?" I whispered. "I love you too, my queen, know that yourself. Make me a promise?" Delilah replied softly. I tilted my head to the side. "What promise?" I asked. "If something happens to me don't stop fighting him." Delilah said. I looked at her a little surprised. "I have to protect you too Delilah I can't just leave you to die." I replied. "Just listen Pythia, we stand a really good chance but if I go down it will be up to you to end him do you understand? You can't focus on me. I'm strong, it'll be fine but I just need to know that you will end it if I fail to do so." Delilah replied. There was an edge to her voice almost as if she was begging me and I hated this. "Okay, I promise. As long as  you make the same promise." I said. She didn't say anything, only nodded her head. 

I held her a little tighter before the word left my mouth, "Invisique." I looked up and knew I would still see her so I looked over my shoulder at Tye, "Can you see her?" I asked. He looked around me and scrunched his face together. "No, I can't." Tye replied. That was good, that means no one else would be able to see her either. "Okay just stay away from the crowds so no one bumps into you okay?" I said, smiling at her. My nerves were beginning to be on edge as we walked out of the house, our small group was already waiting for us outside. "You look like a badass." Jasper smirked. "Well we already know she can kick all of our asses." Jenson added. "Yes, I can but right now I need to focus on kicking Bartholomews ass." I replied walking down the stairs. "Let's go. Everyone is already getting in their spots and Ember is keeping Alley up to date on where they are. Sun will be rising within an hour or so." I said. 

We practically ran to our spots, I saw our people hiding around our maze while the others set up top waiting. I knew I was supposed to be at the front so Bartholomew would see only me at first. I needed to get him to the cage, Isolate him somehow which I was confident I could do because he has been so focused on me. "Everyone get in your place and stay there! They are closing in, all of them are coming to the front!" Alley yelled out. Well crap, I didn't expect that. We figured they would at least spread out a bit but I guess they changed their plan. "No they haven't, they are waiting until they get closer and then they are going to break off in to three groups." Jasper said. I knew he figured out what I was thinking and I also knew that everyone had heard him. We created different entry ways at the last minute so we could make sure we got most of them inside of the maze. 

I looked back at the twins and I could tell they were concentrating hard. "What is it?" I asked. "They were right, I've got Bartholomews thoughts, you are clouding his mind." Jenson growled out, his growl echoed by everyone else's. "Quiet everyone, we don't want them to hear." I said looking over my shoulder. "Is everyone ready?" I asked. "As we will ever be.'' Alley replied. "Please watch over us." I thought quietly. "We are always with you." Lucindas voice whispered through my head. I knew they would be but I guess I just needed to reassurance that they were. Everyone was getting anxious, I could feel all of their emotions rolling off of them like a huge tidal wave as we waited. Everyone stood still and it had gone completely quiet. I didn't have Delilah anymore so my hearing wasn't all the best but I knew she was standing beside me with Tye to my right and the twins behind me. I started hearing movements in the woods and I could feel the tips of my fingers getting cold. 

I just needed to remember that even though Bartholomew is horrifying to look at, he is just a man that wants power. Power that I would not let him have. I am not some trophy for his taking and I damn sure am not some breeding tool for him. The smell hit my nose and it was hard for me not to gag. "They are here." Jasper whispered. I scanned my eyes around and still couldn't really see anything. As big as they are, it amazed me that they kept themselves hidden in the shadows as well as they could. "They are wondering where we are." Jenson whispered. They can't see any of us and I hoped they wouldn't catch on to that. "Bartholomew is at the front, he thinks we are all asleep." Jasper whispered. Perfect, that is exactly what we wanted. "Do they know about the shield?" I asked. "Yes, they are going to cause a scene to get everyones attention." Jenson replied. 

Okay so I needed to give the impression that I was in control of the shield to open it. "Alley and Stephen will listen in and will open the shield when you say to." Tye whispered. I nodded my head, "Okay thank you. I need everyone to stay hidden for as long as possible." I whispered. The ground started to shake and I knew they were about to make a lot of noise. I stepped closer to Delilah so I wouldn't lose my balance. "Bartholomew is going to send two betas to test the shield." Jasper whispered. "I have the link open so that everyone can hear. Alley and Stephen are prepared." Tye whispered to me as if he could read my thoughts. Just as the words left his mouth two huge beasts emerged from the shadows. I reached out and grabbed on to Delilah. I don't think I will ever get use to seeing those things. "Remember Pythia they are nothing but beasts. Cowards even." Delilah said. 

She was right, they are nothing more than cowards, I watched as they stalked closer to the shield and I held my breath. I wanted to be as still as possible and not make any noise at all. I could see their snouts pull back as they sniffed around and I watched them raise their hands and press against the shield. Tye tensed up because I knew he knew what this was doing to Alley and Stephen. This wasn't easy for them to handle right now but they were strong. They growled in frustration and I felt it rattle through me. "They are really mad." Jasper whispered. "Bartholomew is about to send two more." Jenson quickly said. "Alley is trying not to shift but Rose is becoming angry." Tye grunted out. "I'll handle it." Delilah said. I could tell by the tone of her voice that this wasn't the first time she has had to calm her sister down. 

"Bartholomew is about to come out." Jasper growled out. I looked back at Jasper and all the colors of the elements were swirling around in his eyes and I could tell something was off. "What is it?" I asked. "You don't want to know." Jenson growled. "Yes, I do. Tell me." I replied. "Bartholomew has some nasty thoughts about you." Jasper snapped. Instinctively I flung my arm out and held onto Tye, I knew that would set him off and I didn't need him shifted and running straight for the fight that hasn't happened yet. I could feel his body shaking. I looked over and saw his eyes were shifting back and forth. "Rex, keep calm please. For me please keep calm." I whispered. I looked back up to see a man emerging from the shadows. Bartholomew wasn't in his wolf form but his human form. He looked just like he did in the reflection in the pond. 

His eyes were scanning the area and I heard a growl rip from his body and I knew his patience was running thin. "Pythia! It's time to come out! I know you can hear me!" Bartholomew roared out as he pulled his fist back and landed a punch straight on the shield. It's now or never. I took a step forward when Tye reached out and grabbed my arm. I looked back at him with a soft smile. "It's okay." I whispered as I patted his hand. "Delilah, stay back please." I whispered. "Tell everyone to hand tight okay?" I said over my shoulder. The sky was starting to change colors as the sun started to rise. When I was a small distance away I made myself visible. My eyes locked on Bartholomews and fear isn't what I felt. I was flooded with warmth and I already knew what it was. "You make a lot of noise, you know. You called me here. What do you want?" I snapped. 

Bartholomews eyes scanned over me and I could feel the tension behind me. "You are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. I am here to collect you." Bartholomew replied. Anger coursed through my veins. "First off, that is gross. Secondly you can go fuck yourself seven ways to Sunday if you honestly believe I would go anywhere with you." I snapped. His eyes hardened at my words which is what I wanted. "Feisty little thing. I'll keep that in mind." Bartholomew growled out. It was almost show time and I was beginning to get really angry.