When Worlds Collide

Eighteen

"Phina this is ridiculous and that's coming from me," Brietta hissed as I tied my hair back out of my face in a low pony and donned my riding breeches and jacket.

I ignored her, "Do you think I should draw on a mustache?" 

Her lip curled upwards as though to smile before she righted herself and glared back down at me. 

"I'm serious!" 

I sighed, "I know Bri, but I told you, I have got to see if that really could have been Jessie. I will never forgive myself if I do not at least try." 

Brietta harrumphed and dramatically flopped herself down on the bed, folding her arms and crossing her legs. 

"Well then I'll have to come with you," She stated. 

"No! I need you back here to keep Callan distracted, he knows you would not let me into danger and so if he can still detect your scent then he will hopefully assume that I am safe and not come looking for me." 

Brietta frowned, "and what if he decides he wishes to speak to you? Phina I may be some things, but I cannot lie to the King." 

I frowned, "Then I will just have to hope that I find her before it comes to that. Look I am not stupid, I know this may very well go disastrously and I am dragged back here by a very angry Lycan, but at least I have tried," My voice went shrill, my desperation echoing through every fiber of my body. 

I had always held on to some hope that Jessamine was alive, whether some Lycan took her as his mate, or she was a slave or servant somewhere in the cities, but I could not let go of her. It seemed mother and father chose to never to speak of her, not to forget her, but that her memory was so painful it was deemed almost like cussing to speak of her. Lacing my boots, I was forced back into the memory of my sister being taken from us. 

*Four years earlier

"Jessie come on!" I shouted, not turning my back for I did not want to miss my Nanna's beaming smile as she waited by the front door. It had been a long three weeks without seeing her, the farm taking up all of her time, and I was excited for the delicious, steaming hot and creamy, cottage pie she had promised. We had just been to market for some new fabric for mother and Jessie had ended up speaking to her friends, causing us to be late.

"Phina!" My sister's loud cry stopped me in my tracks and I almost skidded on my dress skirt as I turned around to see what had made my sister so upset. I gasped as I took in the scene in front of me, there Jessie stood with her thin wrist clasped in the meaty hand of  a Lycan. He sneered down at her and with his other hand he twirled one of her curls around his finger. 

I was stood in shock, my feet rooted to the floor. I cried out for her, but it only gained the attention of another Lycan who had been stood next to a rather worn looking carriage. He smirked and rubbed his hands together, walking in my direction. 

"Phina run!" Jessie cried, snapping me out of the fear-locked statue I had become. I turned tail and ran, hoping father would know what to do. It was not far till home and I burst through the front door, tears running down my face and dripping onto the floor. 

"It's Jessie, they've got Jessie," I cried at my mother and father's shocked faces. 

"Who?" screeched mother, "Who has her?" 

"Lycans, they grabbed her and came after me, but I ran here, we have to hurry!" 

Father said not a word, instead he reached for his shotgun and readied it. I picked up my skirts and ran in front back towards where I saw Jessie.