Chapter Sixteen: A New Apprentice and Kidnapping.

Hudson:

Pinning her to the bed, she gazed up at me happily. A knock on our bedroom door interrupted us, a snarl curling on my lips. Why is that every time I wanted to have sex, someone always interrupted me. Opening the door, James looked distraught. His lips opened to speak, nothing coming out. My anger melted to fear, this was the first time I had seen him like this in a long time. Evie popped up behind me, a curious look on her face. Alarm widened her eyes, her leaping over both of us. Launching herself out of the window, dirt flew all around her. Following her, the two of us called out to her. Why did she just run off without asking for help? Running to her car, she jammed the key into its hole. Tires squealed as she peeled onto the street. Running back for my bike keys, James tossed me my keys. My bike roared to life, James hopping on at the last minute. Her car squealed to a stop at Grayson's house, orange fire devouring his home. Her engine died down, tears streamed down her cheeks as she called Latia's name. Dashing into the trees behind his home, branches scratched her cheeks. Screams echoed in the night, panic gripping my mind. Chilly night air lashed my bare skin, watching Evie skid to a stop at an open circle. Grayson was laying still in the center, Latia crying over him. Tears flooded from her eyes, her head shaking. Evie brushed past her, a dark energy running away from the scene. Launching into the trees, she hopped from branch to branch. James and I could barely keep up. Her long hair flowed behind her, her bare foot slamming into a cloaked figure. The two of them bounced into the shadows, her speed twice that of mine. A small cry of pain tumbled from her lips, a foot smashing her into a nearby tree.

"Get the fuck out!" She wheezed, clutching her ribs. "What is your deal anyways?" Crossing her arms into an x, the cloaked figure kicked her arms repeatedly. She must have been hurt really bad, blood dripping from the corner of her lips. Attempting to get to her, an invisible force knocked us back. Shit, this was a witch of some sort. Stomping her foot on the ground, green vines shot in the cloaked figure's direction. Vines knocked the hood off, a blonde haired petite teenagers with red eyes scowling back at her. Snapping her fingers, orange flames devoured her vines. Fear widened Evie's eyes, my heart pounding out of my chest. A sharp rock towered behind her, her palm sliding across a sharp edge. Blood ribbons swirled around Evie's arm, her blood blade forming. Blood dripped from her nose, her opponent cutting her palm. Blood ribbons swirled around her arms, blood fans spanning from her palms. Flicking her wrists, flaming petals of blood shot in Evie's direction. Vines curled down her arms, blocking every petal.

"How dare you try to kick me out?" She snapped hotly, her temper matching her power. "I am Soleil Sunsmorth, your worst enemy." Evie rolled her eyes, water spinning around her blade. Fire swirled into the water as air combined all of the elements into a single ball above her head. Blood poured from her eyes, Soliel turning to run.

Will the four elements give me their powers to destroy my enemy?" She began to chant, Soleil dropped to her knees. Bowing her head, her fans faded away. The ball above her head died down, a dark look flashing in Soleil's eyes. A silver dagger was pressed to her palm, she swung at Evie. Shock widened her eyes as her foot knocked it out of her steady hand. Getting down to her level, her fingers wrapped around her neck. Pinning her to a tree, the stupid girl spit on her face. Looking unimpressed, Evie tossed her to the ground.

"I have had assassination attempts on my life since I was born, so do you want to tell me who the fuck ordered it?" Vines shot from the ground, her vines wrapping around the blonde girl's body.

"It was my idea!" She blurted out, tears streaming down her face. "I needed to avenge your family for mine. Your family of witches killed all of my side, more specifically your grandfather." Evie's face softened, offering the girl her hand. The vines decayed, curiosity twinkling in the girl's eyes. Cautiously accepting her hand, Evie pulled her close to her chest. A miniature blade shimmered in the girl's hand, her fingers catching her arm mid swing.

"I apologize for my piece of shit family." She apologized softly, lifting up the girl's chin. "You can stay with me and master all four elements as my grandmother taught me. How does that sound? I promise that I don't bite, it is the least I can do. You are sixteen, right?" Soleil stood there stunned, the blade dropped to the ground. Clearly no one had ever been so kind to her, the nice words probably breaking her brain.

"Why are you being so kind?" She questioned anxiously, looking around. "I set your friend's house on fire." Laughing to herself, she embraced the trembling girl. The invisible energy died down, Evie lifting up her arm. Water swirled above her head and onto Grayson's skeleton of a house. Grayson sat up, an irritated look making him look like his old self. Struggling to his feet, soot and ash covered his face. Latia kissed him feverishly, his t-shirt barely going past her knees.

"I was you, angry and alone." She replied sadly, kicking some dirt around. "People hated me for what I was. You have talent. You could master all four elements. You are so special that your level of power is incredible already. You can be with me on the condition that you don't burn down my house." Letting her go, Evie pounded towards Latia. Soleil sat there numbly, touching where Evie held her like a sister would. Relief washed over her as Latia wrapped her arms around her shoulders. My muscles relaxed after seeing my sister smile again. Sniffing the air, a piece of glass whizzing by her head. Two hunters sprinted at her, a wild grin lighting up face as flaming petals narrowly missed them.

"How dare you attack my home?" She growled through gritted teeth, blood ribbons swirling into her curved blade. "Are you ready to die?" Stomping her feet, vines whipped in their direction as her blood coated them.

"We are here to kidnap you." A disguised voice ordered, his black blade slicing down her vines. "He insists on you having a relationship with him." Rolling her eyes, she leapt into the air. Popping up behind them, she sniffed them. Confusion twisted our faces, the sharp edge of her blade pressed against their throats.

"You smell dead, oh so rotten." She whispered creepily, shivers dancing up my spine. "You need peace, so how about I send you off? Moonie, please guide these souls to the light after I kill them." Horror widened our eyes, blood dripping to the ground as the blade sliced off their heads. Swaying slightly, her blade faded away. Tears flooded from her eyes, their bodies decaying into white rose petals. The petals floated into the sky, Soleil landing gracefully behind her. The two of them looked majestic, the remains of magic drifting off of their skin.

"I am so sorry that you have to keep killing people." She apologized next to her, ripping the hem of her cloak and wrapping Evie's palm. All of us stood in disbelief, the two of them hugging each other. Maybe it was a witch thing I thought to myself. Evie struggled to her feet, brushing past us all. Horror gripped her face, the numb look scaring me. Attempting to hold her, Soleil stopped me.

"She just saw how they died the first time, and it was really graphic." She explained cautiously, her arms folded across her chest. "She mumbled something about werewolves devouring their whole family." Chasing after her, my hand reached for hers. Slapping it away, her hair danced in the breeze. Intensity burned in her eyes, rage boiling in her veins.

"Your father was a monster." She wept softly, her body trembling with fear. "He killed a whole family without remorse. Those hunters were the only survivors. I am approaching this all wrong. We need to find a way to get along, so this endless bloodshed stops flooding our pathways with blood. I will kill all of the dead ones, but I will only kill the living ones if I have too." Grayson held Latia tightly to his chest, tears flooding from his eyes.

"How could you let the monster who burned down my house go and live with you without punishment?" He demanded hotly, Evie spinning on her heels. "I thought you were better than this." Clenching her fists tightly, a snarl curled on her lips.

"How dare you ask me why I spared her!" She roared with authority, playing with the hem of my shirt. "She is sixteen years old, and was raised in a hostile environment. I am giving her a second chance, just like I did with you. I am sick of killing over and over again. I just want peace where we can kill the evil monsters alongside the hunters. I am sick of the endless cycle. Both sides are guilty, always clawing at each other's throat. So shut the fuck up! Bring Latia to my home until your old one gets rebuilt." Her eyes fluttered, her body swaying. Catching her by her waist, she passed out in my arms. Jerking awake, she burst out of my arms. Stomping ahead, I let her go and cool down for a moment.

"She's right, you know?" I spoke sharply, Grayson stepping back a couple of feet. "We are always under the threat of hunters even though we haven't harmed a civilian human in centuries. Yet we kill them without thinking either. We are both guilty, maybe she could be the one to end it all." Grayson mumbled to himself, a scream shattering the knight. Dirt flew around us, all us skidding to a stop. My Evie was hurt, a silver blade quivering in her leg. Wincing in pain, her grandfather held her to his chest.

"You must know that I have nothing to do with the hunter's society, and their pathetic attempts to kill you monsters. If I said anything, then I lied." He laughed evilly, his hand hovering over her stomach. "I just want to talk, perhaps I am having a change of heart. Trust me, she would be dead by now. I also want my other granddaughter back. Soleil, there you are. Please come home." Pride swelled in me, her teeth sinking into his arm. Howls of pain exploded from his lips, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Her body collapsed in a heap on the ground, an invisible force smashing us back. Attempting to crawl away from him, his fingers wrapped around her ankles. Snapping his fingers, a black puff of smoke swirled around him as they disappeared into thin air. Fury boiled in my veins, an incredible roar exploding from my lips. My chest puffed up and down, spinning around to face Soleil.

"You are going to take me to her." I barked venomously, tears welling up in my eyes. "She needs to come back home. She is my wife, and if my pup is harmed at all you will be killed." James touched my shoulder, his wrist cracking as I held it. Wincing in pain, my face softened at the terrified looks around me. Rubbing his wrist, he could barely look at me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, Theros popping up behind me. Nearly jumping out of my skin, he leapt just out of the reach of my punch.

"Let's go bring her home." He growled through gritted teeth, his red eyes glowing brighter. "No one hurts my best friend." Nodding, we all began our rescue of our beloved Evie. Just stay alive until we get to you.