Once Upon a Midnight: Wanted

Chapter Sixteen

"What?" Kristianna squeaked, a look first of surprise and then disbelief crossing her features. "Why would he be with the Council?"

"We have to move." Claudia said, running in the opposite direction than what they'd been walking in.

Aeryn and Kristianna followed close behind, Kristianna cursing under her breath as they ran.

"I can't believe-what could he possibly be--when I get my hands on him--"

They ran, right into the forest. Aeryn's hood wasn't on anymore, and she glanced over to see Claudia and Kristianna both had their hands gripping their hoods to their heads. It was starting to get light out, and they both risked getting hurt by running like this.

Aeryn could feel the guilt eating at her again, but she couldn't let herself focus on that. Right now she had to focus on running.

"They are getting closer." Claudia growled.

Kristinna stopped running suddenly, and the other two skidded to a stop.

"I will try to hold them back. You two keep running."

"Kris--"

"Aeryn does not deserve to get caught. And you are too important to get killed. Go. Go!"

Claudia hesitated for just a moment more before continuing to run.

"Go, Aeryn." Kristianna said softly, before turning and running in the direction they'd come from.

Aeryn nodded, muttering a thanks knowing Kristianna would hear her before running to catch up to Claudia.

It didn't take her long, and once she reached the other girl she asked, "Where are we going?"

"The Wall." Claudia answered, glancing at Aeryn before picking up speed. "If nothing else we must get you to the human side. They cannot touch you there."

Aeryn slid to a stop again, and Claudia, though she didn't want to, stopped as well.

"Aeryn what are you doing? We have to keep moving."

"What about you?"

"What?"

"What about you? We get me over the Wall and then what? You can't exactly come with me, and if you stay here you'll get caught and possibly killed."

"We cannot worry about that right now. What is most important is your safety."

"Why is that most important? Who decided I was more important than anyone? None of this would have happened if you hadn't met me. It isn't right!"

"Aeryn, what is not right is you being put to death simply because of what you are. Do you think if you stay here, and they learn you are only half human they will suddenly change their minds and allow you to live undisturbed?" Claudia paused, but didn't give Aeryn a chance to answer as she continued talking, "No, do you know what they will do? If they do not kill you outright they will do experiments on you trying to figure out what went wrong. They will be ruthless and relentless until either they get their answers or you die. The Council is not kind. They are not forgiving. They will destroy you. I am trying to prevent that." She paused again, tilting her head. She could hear shouting. They were getting closer. "Aeryn, I do not wish to see that happen to you. I could not live with myself knowing that was the outcome. So please do as I say and run!"

She pushed at Aeryn until the girl began moving once again.

They didn't run very far before the sounds of the Council caught up to them.

"Claudia!"

She didn't look as if she were going to stop, but eventually she slowed to a jog.

"Aeryn." She said. "No matter what happens, do not stop. Get to the Wall. Get to safety."

"Claudia...."

"There is no use running." Aeryn turned to see Casper standing just a few feet away, two men standing slightly behind him.

Two looked to be Shifters; one what Aeryn thought to be a tiger. He was tall, and had huge arms that looked at if they could crush her. His hair was white, but had black streaks in it, and he had tiger ears poking from his head.

The other Aeryn couldn't tell what he was. He had large wings sprouting from his back, and long nails. He held a grin, which showed very sharp teeth. And he was holding Kristianna.

"Kris!"

"There is no use running anymore. You cannot outrun us." Casper said, smirking. "Although you got a lot further than I anticipated. You almost made it to the Wall. I underestimated you."

"Why are you doing this?" Claudia asked, flexing her fingers.

"Why else, sister? It has always been my dream to be on the Council, like father. Discovering Aeryn is the best thing that could have happened to me."

"You used her?"

"I thought you were my friend!"

"Friend?" Casper laughed harshly, causing Aeryn to flinch. "You think I could be friends with someone like you?"

"But—"

"It is because of someone like you my mother is dead! I decided then and there that no human should be permitted to live, not as long as I do, and what better way than to join the Council?

"But father and the other Council-members would not so much as glance in my direction. I was too soft. Or perhaps they thought I would turn out to be like mother. My chances of joining were growing slimmer every day. And then I happened upon Aeryn. Bringing in a halfling would surely garner me the attention I needed, and guarantee me a spot on the Council."

"So why bring me along?" Claudia cried. "You got angry when I refused."

"So that you could see first hand the danger humans bring us! Aeryn has been nothing but trouble since day one, do you not see that? You have spent all this time with her and yet you would chose her side over your own family?"

"She is more family to me than you are."

Casper faltered a moment, and then his face hardened. "Get them."

The Tiger-Shifter growled and began charging toward them, and Claudia cursed. "Aeryn, remember what I told you. Run!"

This time Aeryn didn't hesitate. She turned and began running as fast as she could, trying hard to ignore the yelling behind her.

She was nearing the edge of the Wall, she could see it approaching fast. There was no turning back now.

"Aeryn! There is nowhere you can run. Do you think you can survive out there, on your own? Your own people do not want you! Where do you think you will go?"

Casper was right. Aeryn knew that. But she wouldn't let Claudia and Kristianna's sacrifices go to waste. She would get out of Jyn, alive.

"Aeryn!"

She ignored Casper's screams, preparing herself for the edge of the Wall.

"Aeryn! Stop!"

She took a deep breath and leapt off the edge, the wind whipping her hair around her face as she fell towards a patch of trees.

She tried to latch onto one of the branches but they broke under her weight, causing her to crash onto the ground hard.

Aeryn looked to see Casper standing at the edge, an angry look on his face. She scrambled to her feet, brushing her hair out of her face.

"You will not escape me, Aeryn! I will find you! Even if I have to leave Jyn, I will find you!"

Aeryn watched as Casper turned and stalked away, running a hand through her hair.

She'd gotten out of Jyn like Claudia wanted, but she couldn't very well leave Claudia and Kristianna captured without trying to help them. The problem was, she had no idea how to get back into Jyn without help.

She couldn't worry about that right now though.

Right now she had to focus on where she was.