Origins *Book 3 Of The Hunted Series*

Chapter 22: The Aftermath

I don't own any of the Twilight characters or events

Silence.

That's all you hear in the clearing.

Silence.

A sob rings in all of our ears.

Alice holds her hand to her mouth, eyes watery with tears that'll never fall.

A loud pain filled roar causes the birds to fly from the trees.

"Malik, baby, it'll be ok." Chey whispers, holding the distraught boys head to her chest.

He whimpers and holds Chey tighter to him, his mate bond severed.

I stand up and walk towards him, tears clouding my eyes.

"Malik, we gotta go. You're bleeding out."

Malik growls and looks up at me, the eyes of his hybrid bright against his caramel skin.

"I can't leave her." He says, looking around me at the souless body of Natalie.

"We're not leaving her here."

Kira steps forward and sinks to her knees, stroking the drenched curly hair of her hunter.

Her shoulders shake at the thought that she failed to protect her.

With a sniffle, Kira lifts her up, cradling her to her chest, walking to the winding entrance of Olympus.

Malik lifts himself up with a hiss, following the lycan and his mate.

I look around at the shocked God's, meeting the eyes of Lorelei.

"Now you've lost them both. I hope you're happy."

I blur after my coven, meeting them at the bottom.

"Come. There's a cabin outside of Greece. We'll wait there." Apollo says, motioning for us to follow behind him.

Ice cold air covers me, causing me to shiver.

I open my eyes, looking around at the pitch black ceiling.

I sit up and look around, noticing humans staring at me.

A hand reaches out for me. I look up into the glowing eyes of Malia, a sad smile on her face.

I grab her hand and wrap my arms around her waist, her arms tightening around my shoulders.

"Malia."

She sighs and leans down, kissing the top of my head.

I look under her arm, noticing the people staring at me. Some with curiosity, others with hunger.

"Why are they looking at me like that?"

Malia looks down at me and then around the hall.

"Because you can see them." She says, holding me tighter to her.

I look up at her, frowning.

My eyes widen with realization.

"I'm sorry." Malia whispers, rubbing my cheek.

"I'm dead?"

She nods and ushers me to the entrance of the long dark hallway.

"Where are we going?"

"To see Hades." She says, wrapping an arm around me.

I watch as Malik stares at Natalie's body on the bed, his fist clenched, body shaking.

"It's like I can still feel her." He whispers, knowing everybody can hear him.

Alice whimpers at the loss of her covet. She still feels the bond. It's slowly breaking with each passing minute.