Outrunning Her Past

Chapter 34

Talon

I couldn't believe my eyes.

They were dead - both of them, Leo and Wyatt were dead. I couldn't tear my eyes off of Wyatt's body as that bastard stood over him. I let out a fierce roar and began to charge when I felt a sharp stab in my side and looked down to see a dart sticking out of me. "Don't fight this, Talon," my mother said. "I promise it will all be okay."

"You fucking bitch," I growled, my words slurring. "I hate you. I'll never forgive you for this." Her face looked shocked and hurt, then she quickly masked it as she ordered others to grab me and Dean alike. They'd tranqued him as well. A large portal opened and we quickly found ourselves in Nate's packlands. I shook my head, trying to focus when I heard Nate's voice.

"Talon, Dean, thank the goddess they found you. I was afraid I'd lost you too."

I blinked rapidly. I noticed a small girl who seemed to be glued to his side. "Who's that? Where's Dani?"

"In the dungeon where she belongs," he sneered. "This is my mate, Sarah."

"Nate, what the hell have you done?" I gasped as he proudly introduced a mousy-looking girl to us as his mate. "How could you do this to us, to Dani?"

"Don't say that name in my presence," he growled. "She's a filthy murderous witch who had us all under her curse and thrall. The bond was never real." He pulled the girl against him, humming happily, "This...this is real. The moment Kvia removed the curse I was able to meet my true mate. Hopefully, the same will happen for you and Dean."

"You've lost your fucking mind, Nate," Dean snapped, "Dani is our mate. She's the only mate we have or will ever have. I don't know who this chick is, but she sure as fuck isn't your real mate."

Nate growled, baring his teeth, "I'll let that slide this time because I realize you're still under that witch's spell, but if you ever disrespect my mate again, Dean, I'll rip your throat out."

"I could say the same for you," Dean hissed. Well, damn, this was escalating quickly.

"How can you possibly defend her after what she did to Leo and Wyatt?" Nate shouted. Dean and I exchanged a confused look. "It's her fault they're dead! She killed them!"

I choked, "What are you talking about? Dani wasn't even there, you and she were gone when the others attacked. It was your damn father that put the sword through Wyatt's chest! I saw it, Nate! I watched him fall because of your father and your pack. As for Leo, that was my mother and Dean's father. They went after Xavier along with Leo's parents, and he tried to defend them." I stepped closer to him, my dragon pushing forward as my wings ripped free, forcing the wolves who held me to the ground. My roar shook the ground, "You abandoned us - all of us, and your family murdered our friends, not Dani!"

Nate's face paled as he flinched back, but Kvia's voice sliced through the air before he could speak, "Enough!" Her magic wrapped around me like invisible chains, slamming me to the ground.

Hecate

What in all the realms had just happened? How did they break the barrier to the demon realm, and where were Dani and Nate in all of this?

"Will they wake?" Xavier asked what the Jennings were too afraid to ask. They clung to one another as Samuel cradled the remnants of his severed arm.

I looked at the two who had fallen in battle, my magic shrouding them as they clung to life barely. "I don't know," I answered honestly. "With your permission, I'd like to use Wyatt's connection to Dani to try and see what is happening with them."

Xavier gave a hesitant glance at his son then nodded, "Go ahead. He'd never forgive me if I didn't try to save her no matter what happens to him."

I patted his hand with a half-smile, then laid my hands on the mark Dani had given Wyatt. Closing my eyes, I sifted through the bond until I reached her. It took me a few moments to realize the dark room was a cell. Daniella, can you hear me? I spoke into her mind. What has happened? Can you break free?

Tell me they aren't dead...tell me I didn't get them killed, she cried, but her body remained still.

I could feel her pain coursing through the bond as Wyatt moaned slightly. Leo's breathing seemed to falter as well at her pain. Daniella, I need you to focus. Wyatt and Leo are injured, but not dead. Talon and Dean were taken. Are they with you, and what has happened to Nate?

She sobbed, He hates me. Kvia broke the bond and they all say I murdered Wyatt and Leo. I haven't seen the others.

I started to ask her another question when I heard a familiar voice. "Ahh, Dani, aren't you just so compliant? Such a waste of power if you ask me." The witch they called Kvia came around in front of Dani. "Ahh, what have we here, a passenger? I wonder who would be spying on you so eagerly, hmm? Oh well, it's no matter. After all, why not give them a show, shall we?" She grinned evilly as she appeared to be unshackling Dani.

You've got to fight, Daniella! I screamed at her. I watched through her eyes as she moved like a robot without free will. She was led into a small clearing where the others stood. Nate had a glassy look as he held a small female tightly. Talon and Dean thrashed against their bonds to no avail. Again, I felt her heartbreak as she was led forward.

I choked as I saw the pyre they had created for her. They meant to burn her alive and I could do nothing to stop them.

Open the bond for me, Hecate. I cannot free myself, but at least I can say goodbye. She asked me, her voice resigned.

Opening my eyes, the tears rolled down them. I didn't even attempt to explain as I placed a hand on Leo's mark, then chanted, reaching across the divide to tether them all together - even Nate. Closing my eyes again, I witnessed what came next, my screams echoing hers as the flames climbed higher.

Xavier and the Jennings began to scream and cry as their sons vanished along with Dani, and I fell to the chamber floor.

Author's Notes:  I warned you about tissues...