70. Rain

**Rain**

She grips Tristan’s jacket before relaxing. “Yes. I never thanked you for what you did back in the Palace. If not for you and Caleb, I would still be a slave for Sinn and not with Tristan,” Emma says.

I shrug. “I wished I could have killed the Queen and sent the Demon King back through the portal, but I can’t remember what happened after he hurt Caleb.” I frown because each time I try to remember about what happened after, nothing comes to my mind.

“How about you come to the cabin and tell us about Bucharest,” Tristan says, and Emma nods.

“Oh, I don’t want to bother you,” I reply.

“Nonsense,” Tristan says. “Besides, two noisy females are already at the cabin, making food for Emma, my knights, and me. Xenos and Zeke are playing rummy with Jordan and Kevin. I am sure Emma will appreciate making friends in the pack. Right, my little Bride?” he asks her, his tone full of love.

Emma leans her head on his shoulder. “Yes. I have been in the Vampire Palace for a long time and have forgotten what it is to have friends or be free. I would love to have you over. Besides, Tristan told me you are the Luna of this pack, and while I do not expect the werewolves to be on good terms with the vampires, I hope that one day, the world will see that not all vampires are like those that followed Sinn or the Crimson Queen.”

I blink because I never expected Emma to be such a wise person, not after what happened to her. But I think we will be friends. “I would gladly pay a visit to your home,” I say.

“When you say noisy females, you mean Sarah and Viki, right?” I say, and Tristan laughs.

On the way to the cabin, I tell Tristan and Emma about the situation in Bucharest. Tristan is as worried about the situation as Caleb is.

The cabin is about two miles away from the Rogue Village. I must admit that I thought the cabin was a small place. Maybe a small room and an improvised kitchen, the loo behind the tree, but boy, could I be more wrong. It had four bedrooms, bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, and a big living room.

In the middle of the living room, Kevin, Jordan, Zeke, and Xenos are playing rummy at a big table. They seem to have a great time, drinking beer or blood, depending on personal taste, while joking around. The males greet us, and I wave. I remove my jacket and put it on a coat rack.

Sarah and Viki are making chili, and oddly enough, I can tolerate the smell. I hope I can eat as well. Emma and I join them while Tristan goes to play rummy with the others. I try not to think about what Hannah told me about Kevin because I am sure he doesn’t like me anymore. 

“You always seem to get into trouble!” Viki says and hugs me tight.

Sarah is next to hug me. “I am so glad you and Caleb are safe. And congratulations on the baby! I hope I get pregnant next. Jeremy and I have been trying for a while now, but companions always have a harder time conceiving.”

We finish making the chili and cornbread when the cabin starts shaking violently. I grab the counter and think about what is happening because earthquakes are not common in Romanian when I hear a loud roar outside the cabin. My blood chills, and my heart pounds in my ears. The shaking stops after a few seconds.

“We have to go!” Tristan says, rushing into the kitchen. “A portal appeared next to the cabin,” he says, grabbing Emma by her hand and dragging her to the front door.

Viki, Sarah, and I run after them.

The others are already there. Zeke and Xenos have their swords in their hands. Kevin opens the front door. “Let’s go! Rain, stay close to me and Jordan!” he says, and I nod.

We run outside, and to our left, we see the portal. Humans are getting out of it, weapons in their hands. They run after us. Their eyes are dull, and I use my magic on them, but even burning, they keep running after us. Whatever the Demon King did to them, they are not human anymore. Zeke and Xenos join the fight, cutting the humans in half with their swords. Kevin shifts, and his wolf, Kale, takes control while Tristan guides Emma, Viki, and Sarah away from the portal.

“Rain! We have to get to the Rogue Village and alert the others!” Jordan says while I put my hands in front of me, letting my Fire free and trying to burn as many humans as possible. But no matter how many I turn to ash, more come out of the portal. “Rain!” Jordan yells and grabs me by my arm.

The Demon King comes out of the portal, and I direct my magic at him. “We have to get to the bunker!” I yell.

Zeke, Xenos, and Kale come to Jordan and me. Jordan helps me get on top of Kale. “Hold tight!” Jordan says, and Kale starts running fast. I lean forward, circle his strong neck with my arms and close my eyes because the fast movement makes me dizzy. Jordan, Zeke, and Xenos run next to Kale and me.

Tristan returns to us. “Where are the females?” Jordan asks.

“I told them to go directly to the pack and alert Caleb!”

“Kale! Look out!” Jordan yells seconds later, and I feel a sharp pain in my left shoulder. Kale yelps and slows down.

I grit my teeth, open my eyes, look over my left shoulder, and see the end of a silver bolt protruding from it. Kale keeps running, but not as fast as before, and I know the bolt injured him as well.

“You are hurt!” I say to Kale. He shakes his head and keeps moving.

“Shit!” I hear Jordan say from behind me. “Zeke, Xenos, cover me!” he yells, and I try to see behind me, but the bolt makes it impossible to raise my torso.

Kale yelps again before stopping running and falling on his belly. “Kale,” I say, and he whines. “Help is on the way!” I say, tears in my eyes. He closes his eyes, and I sob in his warm fur. To my relief, he is still breathing.

I grit my teeth, inhale deeply, and I yank myself free from the bolt with a quick movement. Blood comes from my wound, but my eyes are on Kale’s front leg, the silver bolt deep inside it. I rise, stand next to Kale and look at him. Two silver bolts are in his rear legs and one between his ribs.

Jordan and the vampires are fighting humans, which, I must add, shockingly run as fast as werewolves.

The Demon King stands between two trees, a crossbow in his hands, and I know his eyes are on me. Tatiana told me I should hide the vines-like tattoos I received from the magic trees because they would give me away to the Demon King, but I think he already knows who I am.

The Demon King releases more bolts, but I melt them away with my Fire. He rushes towards me, more bolts flying in my direction. I melt as many as possible, but one hits me in my right thigh, and I fall on my back, on the snow, knocking the breath out of me. A low whine comes from Kale, and I turn my head to look at him. He has his brown eyes fixed on me. His gaze is filled with pain.

“You know,” I say, my tone low, “I always thought you were a beautiful wolf,” I say, looking at his grey fur. He closes his eyes. “Die on me, and I will kick your ass!” I say, and Kale lets out a chuckle that sounds more like a whimper.

Strange how I can see animal faces but not those of humans.

“You die today, female!” I hear a voice, and I turn my head to look up.

The Demon King lifts his sword over his head and swings it fast. I thought this was my end, but fate works in strange ways. Jordan and Zeke tackle the Demon King, and they start fighting. Zeke and Jordan are strong, but they are no match for the Demon King. I want to use my magic, but I am afraid I will hit Zeke or Jordan, so I wait for the right moment.

The Demon King cuts Zeke’s right arm in half—the vampire falls to his knees, grabbing what’s left of his right arm with his left hand. Next, The Demon King punches Jordan hard, bones cracking, and he falls to the ground. When Jordan is on his back, the Demon King holding his sword with both hands, ready to impale it in Jordan’s chest, I let my Fire free, sending the Demon King into a tree and knocking him out.

Tristan and Xenos finish killing the last human from the Demon King’s little army before rushing to us. They have injuries all over their bodies. 

Jordan crawls over to me. His jaw is at a strange angle, but he ignores his pain, removes his t-shirt and puts it against my shoulder, and helps me stand. “See how Kale is,” I say to Jordan.

Jordan stands, and my eyes go wide. I see the Demon King behind him, his sword in his hand.

“Jordan!” I yell as the sword cuts his back.

Safia howls inside my head.


*Hi! How is everyone? Next update should be Thursday or Friday! I am getting close to finishing and I am both exited and nervous!*