Hybrid

TWENTY-FOUR

⫷ ARIA ⫸

The car door crashes open in a blur. Hands pull me out and haul me into the a familiar set of arms. James nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent.

"Aria." His arms tighten.

I blink back the tears that threaten to fall as I wrap my arms around his neck. So caught up in stopping my tears, I nearly miss the fact that something wet drops on my neck. James is crying.

"Did they hurt you?" He murmurs into my skin.

"No. Not me. They hurt Carlos."

"Don't worry too much about it, chica," Carlos says from a few paces away.

"You're okay?" James asks me.

"Yes. I'm fine."

He runs his fingers through my hair. "Your parents?"

My lips tremble. "They weren't here," I manage to whisper.

"Don't worry about that either," Carlos reassures. "They're just fine."

I glance behind James' shoulder to see Brea and Finn. Finn wiggles his fingers at me, while Brea refuses to even glance in my direction. "Shotgun," Finn breaks the silence.

"Get in, then." Carlos jumps into the driver's seat and waits for the rest of us.

I sit in the back in between Brea and James. James, who clutches my hand in his as though I will somehow disappear. To settle the beast that forces his quick heart rate, I rest my tired head on his shoulder.

Carlos fiddles with the radio. When it turns on, a yodelling song blares, making everyone inside jump. "What the hell do you listen to, Jack?" Carlos mumbles as he continues his fiddling. He finally settles on a station in another language. Despite being the only one who understands it, he sings along to his own tune.

Brea growls. "Would you shut up?"

"Well, well, Brea. Haven't changed much since I last saw you. Still daddy's favourite shining star? Though, I suppose you wouldn't be, considering you ditched the old pack for this new one."

Brea rolls her eyes and turns her attention to the window.

"Tell me about what you saw," James says in a quiet voice.

"Not much. I woke up in a cell and Carlos was there. They took him away and... tortured him, I think. It was a while after that when this guy let me out."

"Let you out? Who?"

"He said his name is Dominic."

"Dominic," James repeats. "Never heard of him."

"They only tortured me to get my magic out," Carlos explains. I can hear the strain in his voice "It worked."

"So they do want to use you guys as weapons," Brea confirms.

"They sure do." He pauses. "They did a little talking during my torture session. They'd planned on torturing the magic out of Aria after they caught her mom and forced her to watch it all."

I flinch and feel James' hold on my hand tighten. "They won't get to you again," he whispers.

I give him a small smile. "I know. I just wish I could see my parents."

"We'll find them."

"No. You won't find them," Carlos intervenes; he ignores James' growl in warning. "No need to get hostile, Jamie. You see, her parents don't want to be found."