Chapter 13- Enemy Pns

  Jax

  It's still dark. Only the moonlight is guiding me as I walk slowly to the forest. I can't decide if I'm exhausted or buzzing with anxious energy. I just feel so tight. I don't want to be doing this right now, especially after st night. And after my st meeting.

  Sam's words still echo in my head. We'll be coming, Miles. Real soon. These monsters are finally going to get what they deserve.

  I can't stop the shiver that runs along my spine. What did he mean, soon? When?

  The forest is eerily quiet. No owls, no bats, no other animals or creature sounds. It's just...silent. The only sound is the crunch of my boots on the snow and brush.

  The Demilunes appears before me and I press a bloodied finger to the entrance. A soft glow emanates from the opening, throwing shadows along the walls. The light grows as I walk down the hall, holding my breath and praying that the hunter waiting isn't Samuel.

  I let out a small whoosh of air when I see her.

  Ariel. Thank the gods.

  When she hears my footsteps, she looks up, the hood of her cloak obscuring part of her face. A wisp of silver hair escapes, brushing across her face.

  Ariel has always been the kindest of the hunters, the only one to treat me as a person and not a monster. She was the one to pce me with my foster family, a group that has no connection or knowledge of this age long battle, and for that, I am eternally grateful. It allowed me to grow up somewhat normal, to have a free space to be away from all of....this.

  "Jax," she says, her voice light. She stands to greet me.

  "Ariel," I reply. She gestures to the chairs.

  We take a seat and she leans over the table, gripping both my hands in her delicate ones.

  "How are you?" She asks, cool grey eyes questioning and concerned.

  I shrug, looking away before she can see the worry in my face. "Fine, everything considered." She gives my hands a squeeze. "Did they find whoever murdered Gedrick?"

  She sighs, sitting back and pulling her hands from mine. "No."

  We sit in silence for a moment. "Jaxith..."

  I look up at her then. She's studying me. Her face is pinched tight with worry.

  "I have to tell you something," she whispers, looking around. I frown.

  "Samuel said they were coming. When? How? What do you know, Ariel?" I ask, my voice rising in pitch with each question.

  "Shh!" She gnces behind her. "I'll tell you everything I know. But you have to be quiet."

  I grit my teeth and clench my hands into fists. I take a deep breath through my nose and nod at her, biting down the tang of magic that rises with my frustration and exhaustion.

  "They're coming tomorrow when the sun is at its highest point. You know that they think that's when creatures are at their weakest. They're bringing the whole faction in this area."

  My eyes go wide. The entire faction? That's over 500 hunters! That's over double the students and professors at Dempsey. I swallow and try to calm my racing heart.

  "They're only bringing the central United States hunters? No one from the rest of America?" I ask, needing to know, needing to pn.

  She nods. "None of the other groups would join us. They think it's a suicide mission. Especially to attack the school with a creature who's powers are yet undefined."

  My mind is racing, trying to think of what to do, who to tell, how to keep Neo safe.

  "Are you going?" I demand, staring at her.

  She shakes her head and more strands of silver hair slip out around her face. "I've been commanded to stay behind and watch the new recruits. They don't want any trainees sneaking into the battle."

  I let out a small sigh of relief. At least there's that. "Okay. Thank you, Ariel. I know how dangerous it is for you to give me this information."

  She nods sadly and takes my hand again. "Jax...be careful. I don't know what else they have pnned...but I think you might be in danger."

  I grimace and stand. "I kind of figured as much."

  She gives me a hug and whispers in my ear "Your foster family is safe. No one knows about them but you and I. Run if you need to. Stay safe."

  I hug her back and kiss her gently on the cheek. Then I turn and start racing towards Dempsey. Towards home.