Seeker (Completed)

Epilog

In the morning Thorn wasn't there. Typical. I continue walking towards the bridge; I should be there in about an hour – two tops. I'm deep in thought when I hear footsteps behind me; I twirl around in a fighting stance but Thorn is just casually leaning against a tree. I sigh and continue walking but when his voice rings out ordering me to stop I do.

"This is something I should've done a while ago," he starts and his tone has a hard resolve to it. "Layla, I know you don't understand this world that you've been thrown into so I'm going to make this simple: All you have to do is say 'I accept'. I Thorn Reaper... what's your surname?" I'm not exactly sure what is going on but I reply nonetheless. He gives a short nod and continues. "I Thorn Reaper reject you Layla Winters as my mate."

 Something insides me deflates or maybe I'm just being dramatic, maybe the hollow feeling that is wiggling it's way through my heart is just my imagination. We're mates? I know he's hot but I thought that was where the attraction ended. I don't even believe in soul mates or destiny or fait and this guy – who is on the opposite side of the war I might point out – is "made" for me? Maybe he's got it all wrong. Either way what he is doing is setting things straight, making the universe right again but I still feel like my throat is starting to restrict – like it does right before I cry. I shouldn't react this way – I'm not the type of girl to cry over a guy. I'm also not the type of girl to let anyone – let alone a boy – have the satisfaction of showing that they've hurt me. So I keep my face blank and say, "I Layla Winters accept your rejection." There was once a quote I heard: Smile, it confuses people. So I do, I flash him a smile. He looks baffled and a wiggle my fingers at him. "Have a good day Thorn." I tell him in a pleasant tone. As I leave I try not to think about the way his chocolate hair is tussled in a sort of sexy way or how his eyes make me want to melt or the way the light catches his – okay, stop it Layls. I silently chastise myself as I make my way back to the bridge...but every step I take feels like it's in the wrong direction.

I arrive at the bridge and am crushed by Nick's hug. "Where are the others?" I ask. His face glazes over with sadness. "Layls, they're at Sam's funeral."

"Oh. Right." Sorrow washes over me. "Well I would like to go say my condolences."  After cleaning up Nick and I make our way to the funeral procession. Zack comes and squeezes my hand reassuringly; Justin just gives me a nod of acknowledgment. I go over to Sam's weeping parents.

When his mother catches sight of me she embraces me. "I'm so glad to see you well. The boys told us the whole story: how you were attacked by a raid of thieves and that Sam died a heroic death defending you and how you were pushed into that ghastly river. Sam would be so heartened to see you alive and well." And with that she burst into a fit of tears again. I tell her I'm so sorry and compliment her son and say all the things I am meant to say at a funeral but I can't even begin to describe how horrible I feel about this. It's too dark and everyone is too exhausted to go back to the bridge so we decide to stay another night and depart in the morning.

We thank them for their hospitality and head off to the bridge. The scene is surreal: the morning brush of sunlight casts a warm glow; the birds begin to sing to the rhythmic water in the background. It's hard to believe that this was a place of bloodshed. I walk across, step, step, step, creek. "Nick do me a favour and remove this plank." He furrows his eyebrows but doesn't question me. He unclasps his – my – sword, pushes it between the gaps and levers it up. Sure enough the plank came loose and fitted on the underside was a pentagon shaped piece of wood with diamond shaped engravings in three corners and square shaped engravings in the bottom two as well as the middle. Justin pops it out. "Ready to return home?" I ask. We all grab hands and I grab hold of the wood.

*With a blinding white light Thorn and Erik emerge in a dark room. In walks a woman and although Thorn hides it well this woman has an effect on him. Her eyes are a piercing blue and a thick tumble of brown hair falls down her back. "Hello, Robiana." Her eyes remain hardened, her voice cold as she replies, "Hello Thorn, I trust you two were unsuccessful. And with the number of people that have returned with I believe that one girl was able to overpower 17 of us." She looks at us condescendingly. "Actually there were four of them, same as last time." Erik replies trying to lessen his failure. "Ah yes, the Wood boy, the merman, a little fairy and an untrained seeker. Yes, that was quite a challenging force." Her sarcasm drips from her voice. God they do have similarities...Thorn begins to think but forces himself back into reality. Erik starts to say something but she cuts him off with a wave of her hand. "I don't need to hear anymore of your incompetence. Michael wishes two see you."

They enter the Throne room and kneel before their King. With slicked back oily hair and menacing features Michael sits in a giant stone throne. It is a chilling sight but only one thing had every really scared Thorn and he had just dealt with that - even though his wolf was raging inside. "Rise!" His voice commanded and the three if them rose. Robiana went to stand on the side of his throne while Erik and Thorn were left to withstand Michaels scrutinizing stares. "Why is it you return empty handed yet again? We know that one of them must be carrying Tristan's stone – most probably the seeker herself – is it really too much to ask for you to capture them? Are you that idiotic that you can be beaten by a girl?". "Your majesty, they are all fairly trained but even so I don't understand how the girl evades us. It's like someone on the inside is protecting her, throwing us off her trail while I try to track her down." Erik tries to justify, knowing what the punishments are for failure. Thorn does not blink, look away or do anything to draw suspicion to himself. Now that he has rejected her he won't jeopardize the mission again – he has his priorities straight. Even though when he looks at Robiana his wolf whimpers a little inside. His wolf is usually strong, ruthless – just the way he needs to be but he desires her, Layla, and is acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum for a toy he was told he couldn't have. He couldn't really blame his wolf – she's so feisty and threateningly intelligent and deadly and beautiful. He could see why she was so alluring.

Michael glances at Robiana. "You know the penalty if you were involved in this." Her face is blank. "How could I have been, my Lord? It was in another time and another place. I have sworn my allegiance, I hold no love for the girl."

"She is your daughter, it would be a natural thing to do." He prompted but her face held its resolve. "I gave up any connections with her the day I gave her away and joined the Titans. My loyalty belongs only to you, my Lord."

"Very well...Erik, the girl only needs to collect two more stones to cement my ruin. You have one more chance. Shall you fail me...well your partner here will suffer a dreadful fait. You will bring her to me or die trying!"*

*Second book out: Behind Enemy Lines