Chapter 22
Mrs. McCall rushes to her ex-husband bleeding out on the floor. Scott transforms and sends a menacing growl towards the dark figure. I extend my claws and feel the familiar coolness overtake my eyes. But before I can do anything, the front door flies open.
The stalker, aka Derek, jumps into action. Fully transformed, he growls at the figure. His eyes glow a cool steel blue.
He always liked making his dramatic entrances.
Scott begins fighting the figure, "Mom, the ash!" He yells, narrowly missing a swing of the sword. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a black mist appear behind a wide-eyed Kira. It keeps its eyes leeched onto her.
"Kira!" I yell, running to her aid. She turns and sees the menacing figure behind her. I slash at the figure as it turns its attention to me. I duck as it slices the air where my head used to be. I use this to my advantage and slice at its legs. But it's too fast and kicks me out the way. I fall on my back and watch as the sword inches towards my chest.
To my luck the window shatters. Ethan and Aiden jump through the window and growl at the figure. I use this distraction to slip out from under the sword and get back on my feet.
We continue fighting the figures, dodging swinging swords and werewolf claws. Ethan and Aiden throw a figure out the door, while Scott and I toss one out a window.
"Mom now! Do it now!" Scott yells with urgency. Derek pushes the last figure out the door just seconds before Mrs. McCall throws down the vial filled with ash. Mountain ash, as it forms a perfectly straight line in the doorway. I hold my breath as one of the figures steps towards the barrier but doesn't make any attempt to move past it.
It worked
"What? Scared of a little mountain ash?" I taunt, earning a few glares from around the room.
"All the baseboards are ash-wood?" Derek questions, looking away from me.
"Uh, yeah. It was Deaton's idea." Scott replies. His face suddenly morphs into confusion. "Where the hell did you come from? Did Nina tell you?" He says turning to me.
"Nope," I say walking over to Derek as I put a hand against my aching head. "This guy's just a stalker. Isn't that right, sourwolf?" I put my other hand mockingly on his shoulder.
"What?" Scott questions, even more confused.
"I've been following you," Derek says shrugging my hand off his shoulder.
"For how long?" Scott questions, squinting his eyes.
"All day." We say at the same time.
Scott's eyes widen at me. "You knew?"
"Of course, I knew. I'm not blind." I point towards Derek who walked away from us. "And he's not subtle."
"I heard that."
"Yeah of course you did," I mutter
"Scott! This isn't good!" Mrs. McCall calls from upstairs. Scott gives one last look at the figures outside before rushing upstairs. I cross my arms over my chest and look around the room. Everyone seems tense and quiet. I turn my gaze back to the figures as they stare at us with soulless eyes.
"Not so tough now are you," I smirk at them. They, as expected, don't respond. "What? Werewolf got your tongue?"
"Cut it out." Aiden scolds, yanking me backward from the window.
"What? It's not like they can actually hurt us now?"
"We don't know that." He responds, turning me around to face him. "So if they kill us, that's on you." He gives me a stern look before walking away. I roll my eyes as I massage my temples.
Why do I keep getting headaches?
"It's Kira, right?" Aiden asks from behind me. "You gonna tell us what you are?"
"What? What do you mean?" She asks taking a step back. Aiden glances towards his brother, who is watching the scene unfold. Aiden then grabs her wrist bringing it up towards the mountain ash barrier.
"Aiden..." Ethan scolds moving towards them.
"Watch." He replies, louder as he puts her hand against the barrier, but she can't go through it.
"See that?" Aiden says triumphantly as he lets her wrist go. "She can't go through it either." Ethan moves in front of her with a suspicious look on his face.
"That's enough," I say stepping forward, uncrossing my arms from over my chest. "Leave her alone."
"You know what she is?" Ethan asks turning towards me.
"Maybe I do," I say taking a step towards them. "It's not your concern."
"What is she?" Aiden questions sternly, taking a defiant step towards me.
"She's a Kitsune, Idiot," Derek states walking into the room.
"Thanks for stealing my thunder," I mutter under my breath.
"Use your eyes." Derek continues. "You can see it all around her. The younger ones give off an aura. She just hasn't learned to conceal it yet. She probably doesn't know what kind she is either."
Kira looks unnervingly around at the four of us. I don't blame her. I know what it feels like to be afraid of what's inside of you.
"Come on, Kira. Let's go somewhere without dumb and dumber over here." I glare at the twins before taking Kira to the area by the kitchen. "Don't worry about them, they're all 'attack first ask questions later'." It's quiet for a moment as I stare at the figures before turning my gaze back to her. "Kira, can I ask you something?" She nods. "Back when you told Scott about what was happening to you, why didn't you want to tell me?" She looks to her hands before meeting my eyes.
"At the time, you were my only friend. The only person who really spoke to me. I didn't want to scare you off." She lets out a breath. "I wouldn't blame you if you were scared of me now."
"I'm not scared of you, Kira."
"I am."
"There's no reason to be, there's nothing evil about you."
"Have you thought about what I asked you?" I cross my arms as I approach Derek.
"If you're talking about what I think you're talking about then no."
"Come on Derek. I just want to talk to her."
"I told you it's dangerous." He crosses his arms over his chest.
"But you said I could and you also said we need answers about what's happening to me. Maybe mom knows." He doesn't say anything. I let out a huff of air as my eyes move around the room. I stiffen as I see Kira and Scott talking by the stairs.
"-what I saw around you, it didn't look evil," He says to her.
they seem awfully close...
"Nina." I break out of my trance and turn to Derek.
"What?"
"I said, I'll let you talk to her."
"Seriously?"
"But only this once, okay?" I nod my head before glancing back at Kira and Scott.
"I've seen the bad guys. And you're not one of them." Scott says.
"Um, Nina." I roll my eyes and turn back to Derek. "A word." He simply states walking into the kitchen. I look back at them before grudgingly following Derek into the kitchen.
"What."
"You wanna tell me what's wrong?" He asks crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm fine," I respond, turning back around to the hall.
"Then explain this." He grabs my wrist and holds it up to my face. My claws stare back at me.
"It's nothing." I frown, pulling my wrist from him. Derek opens his mouth to respond but is cut off by the house shaking. "What the hell?" I mutter walking back into the living room. The figures are slamming their swords into the barrier.
"What are they doing?" Scott questions, walking into the room with Kira.
"Testing for weaknesses," Ethan responds as the house continues to shake.
"See what happens when you taunt them?" Aiden angrily turns to me.
"They can't get in. It's Mountain Ash." I reply, confidently.
Right?
The house continues to shake. Plates crash in the kitchen. Furniture starts moving...
"Guys?" Ethan pipes up. "We have a problem." I turn to where his wide eyes are fixed to see one of the figures almost has their hand through the barrier.
It's found a weakness.
Scott quickly pulls out his phone, "Allison, please tell me that you have something," He says urgently. "They're here. They're trying to get in and it looks like they're going to be able to."
"Okay, okay listen." She responds."They're Japanese demons. They're called the Oni. They're looking for someone possessed. Someone with a dark spirit attached to them." My head snaps up.
possessed?
"Derek." I turn to him, panic in my eyes. "It's me they want. Deaton said I'm possessed, remember?"
"It's not you Nina. It can't be." He reaffirms me, but he doesn't look too certain. "I won't let them hurt you."
"A Nogistune," Scott says, looking at me.
"How did you know that?" Allison questions. "Scott?"
Scott snaps his eyes away from me. "Just...uh tell me what else?"
"They won't hurt you." She continues. "They know you're supernatural but once they do this check, once they realize that you're not carrying with you this dark spirit, then they won't hurt you. I promise."
"Only if you don't have it," I mutter running my hand through my hair.
"All they're looking for is the Nogitsune."
Scott ends the call and turns his eyes to me. "I'm right aren't I?" Kira pipes up. "They're looking for me."
"They're looking for a dark spirit and I know it's not you," Scott says.
"How can you be so sure?" She whispers.
"Because it's me. I'm the one they want." I state. All eyes in the room snap to me.
"It's been you the whole time?" Aiden growls stepping towards me.
"It's not her." Derek insists, taking a step forward.
"We don't know that." I counter. "Deaton said-"
"That was his opinion. Not a diagnosis." Scott states.
"We're going to have to do something." Derek motions towards the window. I follow his gaze just in time to see the barrier shine blue before returning to its invisible state.
It's broken
One of them takes a step inside. Scott takes an instinctive step in front of me as one by one they all file into the living room. Derek begins to take a step forward.
"Don't do anything," Scott commands.
"Is he serious?" Aiden chides. The figures start walking towards us.
"I said don't do anything."
"Scott..." I whisper. He turns around towards me. He slowly grabs my hand.
"It's not you." He turns towards Kira. "And it's not you. Trust me." Kira nods and takes a step towards Scott. I glance wildly at Derek. He slowly nods.
I take a hesitant step forward. I hope Deaton was wrong. I hope it's not me. I don't know what's going to happen if it is. Three of the Oni approach us. Their piercing yellow eyes stare right into my soul. One by one the Oni reach for us. One reaches for Scott and puts its hand behind his ear, causing him to jerk back. The same happens to Kira. But the one in front of me tilts its head to the side as if trying to read me.
This is it.
My claws extend, getting ready to fight for my life. "Derek-" I whisper, but am cut off by the Oni swiftly placing its hand behind my ear. My head jerks back as I feel my soul being drained from me. I fall down to my knees. All I can do is gaze into those piercing yellow eyes. But soon those piercing yellow eyes fade into black, as darkness takes over.
"Nina! Nina." A distant voice calls. I open my eyes to Derek's wide ones.
"What happened?" I ask slowly getting up. "Where are they?" I dart my eyes expecting to see the Oni but it's just us.
"You blacked out." Derek grabs my arm and helps me to my feet. "And after they checked you, they left." I rub as I slowly look around the room. Kira is sitting down on a chair, Scott beside her. Ethan and Aiden are standing next to Scott. I catch his eye and he smiles, rubbing the area behind his ear.
"I'm okay?" I question, not sure if I believe it. Derek checks the skin behind my ear.
"You're gonna be okay, Nina." he breathes. I sigh in relief. I really thought it was me. But I'm grateful that I was wrong.
if I'm not possessed... then what am I? Who is that man?
After a few more moments, Kira and the Twins leave. "I'll see later, then?" Derek says before he too walks out of the house.
"You see, I knew it wasn't you," Scott smiles as he walks over to me.
"Aren't you a smart one?" I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands instinctively wrap around my waist. He smiles his broad, goofy grin, but it falters. "What?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Scott. The Oni just marked me-"
"I'm not talking about the Oni." He states. "You've been acting weird lately."
I purse my lips. "I'm fine Scott." He gives me a look. "Really." He still doesn't look convinced. "Fine, if I wasn't okay, then I wouldn't be able to do this." I lean forward and connect our lips. He kisses me back as he pulls me closer to him. I slowly pull away from him but linger my lips near his.
"Okay, I believe you." He mumbles, brushing his nose against mine. But the smile drops from his face. "Shoot, I'm supposed to be at the hospital."
"Oh, right," I say, pulling back from him. "Your dad was stabbed."
"We'll continue this later." He smiles giving me one last peck, before walking away.
"We better," I mutter under my breath. I look around the room before walking outside and getting on my motorbike. I haven't slept properly in two days so I'm really looking forward to having a nice rest. I make my way to the Argent apartment block and park my bike outside. But as I get off my bike I notice a familiar car parked outside.
I roll my eyes, "You know I was joking about the whole stalker thing, but maybe it's not a joke at all." I turn around to Derek. "Why are you here?"
"Deaton said Argent might know what you are. I wanna find out if that's true." He says walking towards the building.
"Is that the only reason?" I question, a smirk on my face. "There wouldn't happen to be another one, would there?"
"Nope." He answers with a monotone voice, pressing the button for the Argent's floor.
"Oh, so you didn't come along to make sure that I packed my stuff so I could move in with you again?" I ask. "Cause the big bad sourwolf wouldn't miss his little annoying sister, now would he?"
He turns towards me and gives me his signature glare. "Shut up."
"You know, it's okay to admit that you missed living with me." I pat him on the shoulder. "I won't tell anyone."
"I'll admit... I missed hearing your snoring." Now it's his turn to smirk.
"I don't snore." I defend putting a hand over my heart.
"Sure you don't." He smirks.
I turn my head and smile at him. "And just for the record...I missed living with you too." The elevator dings. Derek and I enter the apartment and walk into Argent's study, only to have a gun pointed at our heads.
"It's just us," I say pushing the gun away from my head.
"Sorry, it's been a rough day." He replies, holstering his gun again.
"Tell me about it," I mutter sitting down in one of the chairs.
"We need to ask you something." Derek starts, stepping forward. "I don't know if you heard but we think there's something wrong with Nina."
"Thanks," I mutter.
"I remember her transforming during the night and ripping up her bedsheets... if that's abnormal." Argent states.
"We were hoping you might know what's wrong or what she is."
"We went to go see Deaton," I add. "He said I was probably possessed or something."
"Nogitsune?" He questions crossing his arms over his chest.
"No, it's not that. Thankfully." I reply rubbing the area behind my ear.
"What else has been happening?"
"I... um, have shifted into a 'dark' form. Uh... I lost the ability to shift for a while, but it's fine now," I say flicking out my claws. "Oh, I lost control again the other night. But that same guy from my nightmare. I think he caused it."
Argent glances at my claws before returning his gaze to my face. "Any mood changes?"
"Um..." My mind goes through all the events of the previous days trying to pick up something. "Maybe a bit more irritable?"
"Jealous." Derek pointedly looks over at me. "She loses control a lot more than she used to."
"When did all these changes start occurring?"
"I don't know...after the Darach."
"And now the Nogitsune," Argent adds. "Whatever it is it appears to feed off dark energy."
"Do you know what it is?" Derek questions, raising his eyebrows.
"Maybe." He gets up and walks towards the bookshelf. "But it definitely isn't possession." He pulls out a worn, leather-bound book. He places it on the desk and flips through it. He stops at a page in the middle of the book or rather where a page used to be. "It's gone."
"What was on it?" I ask standing up.
"Everything you needed to know about the Åkami."
"Åkami?" I mutter. "Åkami, that's what the guy in my nightmare called me."
"They're a native sub-species of werewolf." I exchange a look with Derek. "But I'm afraid that's all I can tell you. I didn't exactly spend my time studying them. They're very rare." I let out a sigh. So much for figuring out what I am.
"What happened to the pages?" Derek asks, examining the book.
"They were torn out." He states closing the book, his eyes hard. "But I think I know who took them."
After the talk with Argent, I pack my bags. I give one last look at the beautiful room before walking out into the hallway. My eyes spot Allison standing by her doorway with her eyes fixed on my bags.
Derek glances between us before stepping forward, "I'll take these. I'll see you at the loft." He pats my shoulder sending a nod to Allison, before walking away with my bags.
"You're leaving." It's not a question. She crosses her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, Derek is back so I figured-"
"Yeah, I understand." She says looking down at the floor.
"I'm going to miss staying here," I say looking around the apartment. "It was beginning to feel a little more like home." She smiles lightly at me. But her eyes look back down to the ground. I roll my eyes. "Look, can we talk?"
Her eyes jump to mine. "What about?" I walk past her into her room and plop down on her bed.
"What's bothering you?"
"Nothing is bothering me." She replies turning around to face me.
I roll my eyes again. "You know I can hear your heartbeat, right?" I smirk. She lets out a breath before plopping down next to me on the bed.
"Fine..." She trails off, staring at the ceiling. "It's going to sound stupid."
"What?"
"It's just you and Scott.." She confesses, crossing her legs on the bed. "It's not like I'm jealous or anything..." She plays with her fingers before looking me in the eye. "It's just... it's strange. It was first love, you know what that's like."
"No, I don't." I look down at my hands. "I've never been in love. I've never been with many guys period. After the fire everything was about surviving, making sure Cora was safe. I never had time for anyone else."
"It must have been hard. Growing up so fast."
"I'm a werewolf. I grew up pretty fast." I joke, laughing lightly at those fond memories of my first few full moons and trying to escape hunters. "But what about you? Anyone special in your life?" I nudge her shoulder.
"Maybe." She smiles looking at her hands.
"It's Isaac isn't it?"
"How did you know?"
"I'd have to be blind and deaf to not notice what's going on between you two." I laugh as her smile broadens. "You really like him, don't you?"
"I don't know." She sighs. "It's complicated."
"Well, he really likes you," I smirk. She looks down at her hands while biting her lips. "What?"
"We... um kissed." She confesses.
"Wha-" I breathe while letting out an amused laugh. "Didn't think he had it in him."
"I actually kissed him."
I turn to face her. "Then what's complicated about it? You like him, he likes you?"
"It's more than that." She breathes, shaking her head. "I don't know if I'm ready for that."
"You fall in love more than once, Allison." She turns her head to me. "I wouldn't know. I heard it somewhere." I laugh, nudging her shoulder. "But seriously, as my mother used to say: 'follow your heart. It will always guide you.'"
"Your mother sounds very wise." She smiles sadly. I know she's thinking the same thing as me. We both lost our moms. We both have that empty void left in our hearts, that nothing can ever truly fill.
"She was."
"Derek!" I call as I walk into the loft. He looks up at me with his eyebrows raised. "I want to speak to mom."
He furrows his brows before realization rushes over his face. "It's too dangerous."
"Derek, we've been through this. Multiple times." I protest, walking into the main room. "Remember that?"
"It's going to be the worst pain you ever felt."
"I know," I state, crossing my arms over my chest. "I can handle it." he opens his mouth about to protest, but I interrupt him. "You said I could."
"She's right Derek," Peter confirms getting up from the stairs. "You did promise her." He walks down the steps and furrows his eyebrows. "You never asked me. I'm hurt. Deeply." He puts his hand over his heart.
"I don't care," I reply, rolling my eyes. "Just help me."
"What's the magic word?" He teases.
I give him a blank look. "Help me or I'll rip your throat out."
He looks at me before turning to Derek. "I think you're rubbing off on her. You're a bad influence."
"Just help her." Derek rolls his eyes, grabbing the wooden box.
"Fine, but don't say we never warned you." He takes the box from Derek and places it on the table. "What do you want to ask her anyway?"
"I need answers. Maybe she knew what I am." I look down at my feet, not wanting to meet anyone's eye. "Or maybe I just want to talk to her."
After much complaining from Peter, he finally puts my mother's claws on his fingers. "You ready?" He asks, walking behind the chair I'm seated on.
My hands tighten around the wood. "Just do it." I strain, the suspense killing me.
"Don't hate me too much." I feel him move closer behind me.
"No promises," I mutter, just before feeling a burning pain in my neck. My eyes squeeze shut. The pain suddenly turns into a white, hot sting. I gasp out as it spreads all over my body...before it stops.
I snap my eyes open. Trees and darkness surround me where the loft is supposed to be. I stand up from the chair and look around the forest. My eyes squint trying to focus on someone, anyone.
My eyes fall on a figure standing by the trees. "Hello?" I whisper, straining my eyes. The figure slowly walks out from the darkness. She has long dark hair and a warm smile. "Mom?" I breathe. Her eyes glow a crimson red. "Mom." I smile, running up to her. I wrap my arms around her. A tear slips down my cheek.
"Nina." She smiles as I break away from the hug. "Look how you've grown."
"I miss you." My voice cracks.
"I miss you too." She sadly smiles, brushing a stray tear from my cheek. "We don't have a lot of time. What did you want to ask me?"
"Maybe I just wanted to see you."
"Well, that may be true. It's only half the reason." She smiles knowingly. I take a deep breath, looking at the leaves on the ground.
She knows me too well.
"Did you know?" I ask looking back at her eyes.
"Know what?" She furrows her brows.
"About me being an Åkami."
She stands up straighter. "You found out about that." My eyes widen. It's true.
I am an Åkami.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I never thought there would a day you would need to know."
"What does that mean?" I frown.
"That part of you only gets awoken by darkness." She grabs my hands.
"What darkness?"
"The same darkness that changed your eyes." I instinctively close them. A sudden feeling of shame washes over me even though they aren't glowing. "You don't have to be ashamed, Nina." She rubs my cheek. "Open your eyes." I hesitantly begin to open them as I feel the familiar coolness coming to the surface. She looks into them for a while before she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "You were brave."
"I was... I don't know anymore-" I shake my head as the coolness fades.
"Follow your instincts. They will guide you."
I laugh lightly. "I thought it was your heart."
"Not for you." She smiles lightly, before placing a single kiss on my forehead. "You need to wake up now."
"What? No mom, please!" I beg as she removes herself from me. "Don't leave me again," I whisper as more tears roll down my cheeks.
"I never left you, sweetie." She gives me one last smile before walking into the darkness.
"Mom!" I run after her as it engulfs her. "Mommy!"
But it's no use.
She's gone.
My eyes snap open as I gasp for breath. I stand hastily from the chair, knocking it over in the process. My head starts spinning. My face is wet with a mixture of tears and sweat.
"Nina." Derek grabs my arm to steady me. "What happened? What did you see?" I can't answer. My chest hurts. Everything hurts. He brings me to the couch and sets me down next to him. "It's okay. I'm here." He reassures, wrapping me in a hug.
"She was there," I mutter, my voice coming out weak. I hate how weak I sound. How weak I feel. "Derek, mom was alive." It's then that I break down into tears. Derek tightens his grip around me as a sob leaves my lips.
I'm glad I was able to talk to her, but I know it wasn't truly her. I know I will never be able to see her again and that's what hurts the most. I didn't just lose my family that day. I also lost myself. I lost the life I was supposed to have.
And I can never get it back. I can never get her back...
Season 3B
Episode 5 (Silverfinger)
Part 2/2
State: edited
Hey guys! :D
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think!
I found this author's note back from when I first wrote this chapter (June 2020) and it made me realize how far this book has come:
'I can't believe 'I am a Hale' has 40k reads! That's insane! I never thought it would get that many! Thank you guys so much for all the amazing support! It really means the world to me. <3'
This book, at the time of writing this (January 2022), has reached over 90k reads which is more than double what it was almost 2 years ago.
Thank you so much for all the support it really means the world to me!
Stay safe and healthy! â¤
Until next time my fellow wolfies!! :D
-Nicole ^.^