Chapter 85: Chapter 84

Chapter 84 – The Survivors

“It will cost you a colossal defeat, if you wanna keep playin‘ god with me!” – “Deviations” Detroit: Become Human Rap by IT Music

Osiris

A war raged on.

Wolves versus hybrids.

Mutts versus crossbreeds.

It was interesting. Just to see, hear, and smell how much a bunch of dogs would risk their lives for two females. Did I know they were here for Kiya and the witch? Of course. Dogs such as them wouldn’t care if they were ordinary avatars.

That’s how I knew my Little Moon was special. To have an army rally behind her for her safety. Was she aware of her influence? Her power? She was greater than any wolf. If she wanted to, she could bend these mutts to her will. Bend anyone to her will.

I know she wanted too. Deep down, buried underneath all that good and morality, she wanted power over those who hurt her. I could taste it in her blood and see it through her memories like a movie reel of the worst moments of her life and how she triumphed over them. It was a shame she forced those dark feelings down, pretending they didn’t exist.

But, as I know, darkness had an interesting way of impeding in one’s life.

Crashes and screams continue to echo below and around me. If those hybrids and traitors cannot defend themselves against a couple of horse–sized pooches, then they aren’t worth my time. They were never worthy of being part of my organization, anyway.

Speaking of traitors…

I knew Nadia was behind all of this. Weak humans don’t last long being surrounded by darkness. Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard from Lucien in a while. He doesn’t answer my mental links, either. Could it be that I have two traitors in my midst?

My fingers run through Pepi’s scales, him hissing in delight. One might wonder why I was so calm about this. About my facility being raided. Well, tools were disposable. It wasn’t like I care about what happens to these fools.

Calmly, I left the fallen facility in a billow of darkness. The sunlight was bothersome, but not to the point I must hide like those stereotypical vampires the humans love. Cerberus would take care of the traitors.

But my Little Moon? I’ll come for her again. After all, I marked her as mine.

Kiya

“You’re a werewolf?”

Chapter – The Survivors

“Yep.”

“Since birth?

“Yes.”

Violetta grinned with a spring in her step, squealing like a child high on sugar. “That is so cool! I knew werewolves were a thing, but to have one next to me? Holy crap! I have so many questions!”

“And I’m sure I can answer them, but could we save this interrogation for later?”

“Right. Sorry!”

It was not that I was annoyed at Violetta’s line of questioning, but it wasn’t the right time for it. Everywhere we turned laid a hidden danger, blocking our way from meeting the wolves at the bottom floor. Phoebe and I, desperately, wanted to reach our pack, but with the added risk of encountering hybrids or their allies with guns, it was impossible. We couldn’t afford to get captured again, and I sure as hell didn’t want bullets in me. I had enough scars as it was.

So, the three of us advanced towards the top floor for our escape. I handed Femi off to a couple of avatar escapees a while ago We should expect this place to turn into

and Nadia and Cadmael went to do their thi a fiery dome soon, which was why we needed to get the hell out of here.

The scents of Anthony and Neron were strong. They were fighting hard. I could also smell Jackie and others. Even Mom and Dad! So many people were here for us, and it warmed my heart with happiness. Confidence rippled through me as the three of us ran up the stairs, hopped over crates, and fallen bodies to our freedom.

We will meet the others, but not in the way we expect. It was too late and dangerous for us to turn back, especially when this place would blow up.

We abruptly heard the rapid clatter of metal, then Phoebe fell to the ground in a scream. Violetta and I turned around to see that some hybrids caught up, pointing their guns at us.

“Don’t move, bitches!”

“Guys, go!” Phoebe yelled, clutching her leg. “Don’t worry about me!”

We had a choice. Leave Phoebe behind and save ourselves or risk our lives so that the three of us to escape. together. Both had their pros and cons, and every choice had a consequence.

I chose the latter. I refused to leave my friend behind. A pack sticks together and fights for each other, and Phoebe’s freedom was just as valuable as mine and Violetta’s.

Thunder rumbled and lightning struck the ground where the hybrids were, forcing them to jump back from the impact. Behind me, I see Violetta with her hand outstretched, conjuring up an electrical storm out of mid- air. Phoebe, despite her injury, used her magic to summon water for her, who manipulated it in a way I

couldn’t describe.

Water bent to her would like a dancer. Water became her weapon, and it mercilessly tore through the hybrid males who dare to threaten our lives. Fixed with electricity, it made for a deadly combination that snuffed their lives out in a heartbeat.

“Fucking pricks.” She muttered, settling her hands down. “If they were in the seas, I’d do much worse. Thank

goodness Amphitrite is a goddess who doesn’t screw around,”

“Thanks.” I smile, slinging Phoebe’s arm over my shoulder to help her up. “Although, I have a feeling we’d see

more if we don’t hurry.”

“Ditto.” The dark–haired woman came over and slung Phoebe’s other arm over her shoulder. It somehow. worked because she was taller than both of us. “The room shouldn’t be far away now. Honestly, I thought your wolf pack would be here by now.”

“They might have gotten caught up.” I wondered. As the three of us walked slower than normal, I tried my best to mind–link Anthony. “Big bro?”

“Little Bit! You have no idea how good it feels to hear from you! Where are you and Phoche?”

“We’re heading to the top floor to escape out the window, the only place where an exit isn’t bordered up. There are so many hybrids behind us. We can’t take them all, at least not in the state we’re in.”

“Can you shift?”

“I can’t. They injected me with wolfsbane, and Artemis is weak. So much for being an avatar, huh?”

“Hey, wolfsbane affects the best of us. You aren’t omnipotent, KikiL.”

“Yeah, I know. How are things down there?”

“Neron is dropping bodies like rain, but these assholes are blocking him at all comers. Mom and Dad are tearing these bastards apart too. Everyone here is. We also got some avatars outside for safety.”

“Right! Tony, you need to get everyone out as soon as you can!”

“Why?”

“Because this place is going to-!”

The entire world

ked beneath our feet. Everything shook violently and the smell of smoke and fire rolled and undulated into the atmosphere from every path. Nadia and Cadmael completed their task. This place is going down in flames.

“Get out! Now!” I screamed into the mind–link before blocking it. The women and I picked up speed to our exit, mindful of the fire that was bound to hit us from behind. Once we found the room with the window, sunlight pecked through powerfully as if it is lighting our way to escape.

It wouldn’t open, no matter how hard I pulled from the ledge. Piles of junk littered the surrounding ground. A sizable plank caught my eye and without hesitation, I used it to break the glass.

One hit.

Two.

Three.

It shattered into a million pieces.

The escape was large enough for the three of us to jump through. With curt nods and silent agreement, the three of us broke into a run, leaped over the broken glass, and through the window.

Those climatic moments in movies were always my favorite. The suspense, the buildup, and the action. That was how this moment felt as the three of us plunged into the icy river below. Rivers symbolize the end of life. I ended my life as Halima by jumping into a river, shattering my body.

But not this time. The river symbolized our freedom from this hellscape. Freedom from the tyranny of hybrids who lusted for our power and submission. And freedom from Osiris.

I hope he burned.

I hope Nadia made it out unharmed.

In the chilly waters below, the three of us clung to each other. Phoebe’s injury made it difficult for her to swim, but thanks to Violetta and her bending of water, we swam towards the distant riverbank. Through my blurry vision, there was something that I could see as clear as day.

A fishtail. A bright, iridescent fishtail that replaced Violetta’s legs. With a powerful flap of her fluke, she pulled us towards safety.

I’ve seen many things in my life.

But a freaking mermaid!

Was life as an avatar exciting or what?

Neron

Fire. The destructive flames were like the ones that burned my territory. From every corner, the flames broke through the walls of the abandoned facility, enclosing us in a dome of suffocating heat. My eyes, as Onyx, darted around to search for a familiar head full of beautiful curls.

I couldn’t see it. He couldn’t see it. We couldn’t find Kiya anywhere! The billowing smoke blocked out her sweet scent, disguising her trail as if it didn’t want me to find her. With the avatars that ran past us into the safety of the outside world, none were the women we’re looking for.

I panicked. Onyx panicked. In alarm, Onyx howled loudly, hoping Artemis would respond. She didn’t.

Kiya, where are you?

“Neron!” Alpha Anthony shouted from behind me. “We need to leave! This place is going to collapse under these flames!”

Was he serious? I couldn’t leave without knowing Kiya was safe! The thought of her lying unconscious under burning rubble scared the shit out of me. What if I was too late? What if she was dying? My underdeveloped mate bond could not connect to hers as strongly as I’d like, and it led my mind to the worst possibilities of Kiya’s fate.

Things fell. Ceilings collapsed, and the flames roared with fury and anger as if the devil conjured them. No one was in sight besides the burning bodies of our fallen adversaries. I didn’t see the man who helped us lead

Chapter 81 – The Survivors

the stolen avatars to safety. Lucien, I think was his name, was nowhere in sight.

“Alpha, it’s getting very hard to breathe in here.” Valerian linked. “We can’t stay here. We need to leave!”

“No! Not without Kiya!”

“Alpha Neron, there’s nowhere to go!” Raina linked. “I can’t feel her. I don’t think she’s here.” Chunks of the ceiling rained down on us, some nicking my side. “Damnit, we need to go!”

It took effort. It took convincing, but they forced me to leave, but not without a heavy heart. All my men and women escaped. All Garnet Moon’s warriors escaped. As we watched the desolate facility swallowed in burning flames, my heart palpitated.

I couldn’t save her.

I failed her. I failed Kiya.

Tears burned my eyes like incinerators as I fell on my knees in my boxer shorts with mind–numbing pain rippling through me like a tsunami. All I could think about was her burning body inside that hellscape.

I thought I could do it. I thought I could save her. I thought…

Moon Goddess, please forgive me.

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