The Tribrid and Her Reflection {Book Two - - Complete}

Always and Forever

Entering the hallway, Hope's eyes darted back and forth in the darkness, and she puffed out a sigh of relief when she spotted Newt leaning against the wall.

"Yes, I did exactly as I was told..." Newt trailed off, not quite meeting her eyes. She knew if he did, she'd see the hurt there.

Hope opened her mouth to retort the first thought that came to mind but thought better and closed her mouth. She'd forced him to stand back while she saved the man they both loved.

She'd be pissed too.

Unfortunately, she was drained and hungry, and her tongue broke its leash.

"I'm sorry," she tilted her head to the side, "did you want to die too? My mistake, you're right; I should have let you walk in and do the dirty deed of snapping necks and tearing out hearts."

Newt's eyes flashed to hers and blinked before casting his glance at Albus, who said nothing that disagreed with her statement. They exchanged a silent understanding, and Hope rolled her eyes and walked forward.

"Stop looking at each other like I'm not here," she sighed and took Newt's hands, "I didn't want your hands as red as mine. Is that a good enough reason?"

"Hope you're..."

"A monster," she finished, "but darling, I'm the monster you never knew you wanted." With a smirk, she squeezed his hands and then dropped them, walking around him toward the exit.

"Let's get out of here. I'm starving."

"Hope..." Albus started as he walked after her.

"Are you hungry?"

She didn't have to look to know the side-eye he was giving her as they walked.

"Hope." Albus tried again, a little firmer.

"Oh, sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of me changing the subject."

The tension in Hope's shoulders eased a little as she heard his deep chuckle. She knew they needed to talk about all of this, but not yet. The idea of it made nausea roll in her stomach. If they talked about it, she would have to discuss...that night.

They would know what she did.

Meeting Theseus at the top of the stairs under the stars gave everyone a chance to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Alright, let's go." Hope nodded, walking to the carriage.

"Where?" Theseus asked with a frown, looking over at Newt.

Hope turned to look at them. They all seemed utterly exhausted; it gave her heart a twinge, but they had to hurry.

"New Orleans."

Albus, at a limp, started for the carriage. Newt went to his side and helped support some of his weight with his own. He couldn't Apparate them to the nearest gas station, let alone across the ocean to Louisiana.

Gas station. They had gas stations here, right?

Yup, her mind was perfectly intact again.

"Why?" Newt frowned. "We found out who was behind everything..." It seemed Newt couldn't bring himself to say her name. Hope could understand that- having a friend betray your trust is one of the worst hells on earth.

"Sylvia was partly responsible," she said, opening the carriage for them and getting in after. She closed the door and continued, "She's likely the one behind the wolfsbane, but not who killed Lisette. I need to look closer at Lisette's body before they desecrate her."