UP IN FLAMES ➳ S. STILINSKI [02]

[24]

"What the hell else did I miss!?" I shouted into Scott's ear as we sped down the highway towards Beacon Hills National Bank. Being on the back of a Motorcycle was something that I usually enjoyed - in the past I had been shooting at supernaturals, so to be clinging for dear life onto the back of one was a surprising turn of events.

"Too much" His head shook, his voice muffled through his helmet. "Too confusing"

"We're heading to the Bank right? I saw a Vault, the same one that we were in with Boyd and Cora" I'm sure it was the same vault, it had to be.

"Me and Allison figured it out" He nodded and paused before speaking again. "What do you mean that you saw the Vault?"

"Too much" I repeated. "Too confusing"

Before I knew it we arrived at the Bank and quickly dismounted the bike. "Go!" I yelled at Scott, knowing that his wolf senses would be able to find Deaton far faster than my own.

As my feet tore through the eerily quiet halls of the dark Bank I could hear a faint grunting noise coming from the vault, as I approached the corner my hand flew to my mouth in shock, watching Scott try and break through the thick circle of Mountain Ash that surrounded Deaton, who was strung up by his hands, slowly suffocating him.

I was familiar with this form of torture, we had used it a few times to get information out of unwilling accomplices. It could go from painful to fatal in mere moments if the victim became too tired to hold themselves up and by the looks of it, that time was approaching fast.

"Scott" I cried out, helplessly watching as he tried and failed to get through.

"Ash" His eyes lit up with hope. "Can you break it?"

I already knew the answer, thinking back to when I wasn't able to break through it in this same vault a few weeks ago. My head shook. "I can't"

He stared back in disbelief. "But you're only a Hunter? Allison can break through Mountain Ash"

"Scott, there are things I need to tell you but now isn't the time. I can't break through it, I'm sorry"

His patience wore thin as he turned around and places his hands on either side of the barrier, pushing with all his might. Deaton stared down at him in a panic knowing that nobody here could help him escape.

Opening my mouth to speak again, it was quickly shut as the blue Mountain Ash barrier seemed to waver slightly under his touch, his hands shook with tension under the pressure and pain but continued to edge forwards slowly.

Bang!

I jumped as Deaton's lifeless body was cut free and now safe in Scott's arms. Turning around, I was somewhat relieved as the Sheriff stood in the doorway with his gun pointed high. "Thank god" I muttered, stepping over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. "Thank you"

"Don't sweat it, kiddo" His hand patted my own as Scott stood up, Deaton lay on the floor out of breath, but alive.

"How did you find us?"

"The vials" He nodded. "The ones in the clinic, with the Celtic symbols on them. I knew that one of 'em looked familiar" Pointing to the symbol on the floor of the bank, it reminded me how we managed to find this place in the first instance too - symbols.

Regaining some strength, Deaton sat up. "Sheriff, thank you for being one hell of a Detective"

"You bet. Now lets get you an ambulance" He patted the Vet's leg before pulling out his phone and walking out the vault to get better signal.

"Scott" Deaton whispered and Scott leaned in closer. "Your eyes"

"What?!" Scott rubbed his eyes in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"They were red" My heart picked up its pace as he spoke. "Bright red, when you were trying to get through the Mountain Ash barrier. They changed colour"

"That's not..." I muttered, shaking my head as Scott looked at Deaton in disbelief.

"How is that possible?"

Before he could speak Stilinksi came back around the corner. "The Paramedics are on their way, they should be here soon. I'll be back in half a minute"

Smiling at him, I whipped back around to Scott and Deaton. "But it's incredibly rare, it only happens every once in a hundred or so years, are you sure?"

"Yes" He nodded. "I saw them myself"

"Would somebody tell me what's going on please?" Scott looked between the both of us.

Still in pain, he spoke through gritted teeth. "Every once in a while, a Beta can become an Alpha without having to steal or take that power. They call it a True Alpha"

"A True Alpha?"

"Yes" I nodded. "I've never seen one before, only heard stories. It's an Alpha that rises purely on the strength of character, by virtue, by sheer force of will"

Scott was silent for a moment before looking up at Deaton. "You knew this would happen?"

"I believed" He stated. "From the moment I knew you were bitten, I believed"

I stood up. "What does this mean?"

"It means that Deucalion isn't here for Derek"

Pausing, Scott rose up beside me and took a deep breath. "He's here for me"