Terror

Chapter Two

Zane kept his eyes on the dark road ahead, the truck's headlights slicing through the empty stretch of pavement. Jason sat silent beside him, staring ahead. They were headed for Simcoe, where Greyson and the other freaks waited.

From the backseat, Talia broke the silence. "Emma's insane for coming up with this."

"Emma's instincts have never been wrong," Zane said. "If we're stopping Ashley, an ambush is the only way."

The truck rolled to a stop in front of the old church. Its weathered walls melted into shadow, and the faint glow of River's light barely reached the cracks running through the brick. Only Emma and River waited outside.

Zane stepped out, boots crunching on frost-hard gravel, the cold biting through his jacket.

Emma started pacing, fists clenching and unclenching. Zane forced himself to focus, pushing down the dread curling his stomach.

Preston slipped out from behind River, followed by Greyson and Maverick.

"If we're going to stop Ashley from killing all of us, we have to set an ambush," Zane said firmly.

"My mutant child, you mean?" Greyson cut in, arms crossed.

Zane wasn't sure who had spilled the secret to Greyson, but he didn't want to waste energy on that. There were bigger problems than the mutant child—and whatever it was planning.

"I'm guessing Ashley's prime target is Sunny's, but she's not there yet," Emma said. "We'll need offence and defence teams."

Emma looked around the group.

"I know we don't all agree... but Zane's already made the call."

"There's one pairing none of you will like," Zane admitted, glancing between them. "But if we want a shot at stopping Ashley, Jason and Greyson, you're our strike team. You're the only ones strong enough to face her, even if you can't stand each other."

"No way," they said together.

Jason shot Greyson a look. "I'm not working with him."

Greyson laughed. "That has to be a joke."

"Ashley power has grown too strong. None of us can face her alone," Zane said. "If you don't work together, Scarlett and the child die first. And when that happens, we lose everything. Ashley will take us down, one by one."

Greyson held his glare, but Zane caught a flicker of unease in his eyes. If they wanted any chance against Ashley, those two were their best bet. Anyone else stepping in would be walking straight into danger.

"Jade, James, Stick, and a few others will hold core defence," Zane said, scanning the group. "The rest of us will spread out—find Ashley and her followers before they reach Sunny's. Esme and Angel take the east perimeter. They're fast and balanced enough to scout and pin locations quickly."

Greyson's eyes narrowed. "If we merge groups, two leaders won't work."

Emma stepped closer, fists clenched at her sides. "You and Jason will handle the field. Someone had to coordinate from here." She glanced at Zane. "One voice. One plan."

Greyson scoffed, crossing his arms. "Him? You've got to be kidding."

Emma bit her lip. "Without a leader here, the plan falls apart."

Greyson let out a bitter sigh and shook his head. "Fine," he muttered. "Do whatever you think keeps us alive."

Zane turned to Jason, already bracing the answer. "I need some of your people like Eden, Bryce, Maverick. Anyone who can actually hold their ground."