Streak of Black

When I get out of the shower, the battle is over—the war is done. All of those men who had spent countless hours training and working for the Dupont father and son are free to leave and lead lives that have some real meaning. About half of them stayed behind to fight, but the rest slipped away, either tired of violence or not willing to fight anymore for a cause they don't believe in. The ones who stayed behind had to be killed.

Andre slipped away unnoticed.

I feel like I was too easy on Damien's father. That man stole my childhood and took away so much from me and my family. He deserved so much more than what he got. To me, I was merciful. Monique agrees.

Cannan sealed his fate. He didn't fight the war on either side. As soon as the fighting broke out, he slipped away. I feel no sorrow or remorse—it's hard to after he plotted against my Pack—my family—and me. Whatever happens to him no longer concerns me—he isn't worth my time.

But when I get downstairs, the second part of Monique's prophecy is coming true before my eyes on Lunette's couch.

Life is bleeding from a huge, deep gash in my aunt's stomach.

An eye for an eye—a life for a life. A parent for a parent.

I fall to my knees by my aunt's side. I want to cry, but I can't. I again consider that this may be more of my bond to Monique strengthening.

Louna is sobbing into Kenley's chest as tears stream down his cheeks. Lovett is by himself in the corner, stricken. My Pack doesn't know what to do. They're all either crying or just look numb, unable to comfort each other. This is the woman who took them all in without knowing who they were. Despite their dark pasts, she gave them a place to sleep, provided them with nourishment, treated them like family. Charlette and Gabrielle aren't here, but I don't really notice their absence.

I close my eyes and shake my head. This is my fault—I know it now. I made a deal with Death, and now he's come to collect. A hand grabs mine, and I look up at my aunt's face. She coughs, and a bit of blood sputters out. I grab a tissue from the table and wipe it away. Tears still won't come. I'm completely numb.

Her mouth opens, and she tries to say something. Everyone stares at her in anticipation. She swallows and tries again. She wheezes. "Louve…" She coughs again. "Don't give in...to the darkness... You are...stronger than...it. Remember...that. I...love you all." She coughs one more time, wheezes, and closes her eyes, allowing my master to have her. A whole new roll of sobs encompasses Louna, and Kenley embraces her again.

I stand, take Ryder's hand, and lead him out of the house and to the forest. I vaguely notice a few bodies scattered here and there on the ground. Once we're behind a few layers of trees, I stop and look him in the face. He knows what's coming, but I have to tell him anyway.

"I'm leaving Ryder. I have to find that village—it's my only hope."

That pained look crosses his face again. "Please let me come with you. I'll help you find it, we'll stay together."

"We can't, Ryder. What happened back there happened because of me and this screwed up head of mine. If I get to that village, I might be able to find another way to get rid of this thing. I might find a cure." I pause and look up into his sad eyes, tears still avoiding me. "I love you more than anything, Ryder. That's why I have to leave. I have to keep you safe. I'll be fine on my own." I reach up and press a gentle kiss to his lips. "Get Charlette and Gabrielle somewhere safe, and then take care of yourself and the Pack." I swallow. "If I can find a way to get rid of this thing, I'll come back for you if you still love me… If I get rid of this thing, we can be together. But there are already so many deaths on my hands, and I won't be responsible for yours, too." I stand on my toes and press another kiss to his lips, this one slightly longer, before pulling away. "I love you, Ryder."

"It's kind of funny," he whispers as I begin to leave. His words are choked and forced. "You said before all of this, back at the cabin, that if we still wanted to kick you out, after everything was said and done, that we could decide then." He almost looks angry. "But you aren't even giving us the chance."

I bite my lip. "I'm sorry, Ryder."

"I wouldn't ever let them send you away. And I would follow you if they tried."

"I know."

"Then let me go with you."

"I can't, Ryder." I kiss him one last time before he turns away, unable to look at me any longer. "I love you." And with that, I turn and walk back to the house, leaving him alone in the forest, crying for the first time I've ever seen Ryder cry. And it's all my fault

I almost have to physically grab my legs and make them keep walking as I hear him murmur behind me in a tortured voice, "I love you, too."

God damn werewolf hearing.

I don't respond to him, but before I walk around the house to go back inside, I glance behind me at my mate. He's still in the same spot that I left him, kneeling on the floor. He looks up at the trees as if seeking some explanation for why I'm leaving him. Finally he just shakes his head and buries his face in his hands. I sigh and walk away.
* * * * *
In the house, I go upstairs immediately. I grab my passport and Rudi's card—it doesn't have as much money as Eyulf's, but we have it there for emergencies. This is as good a time as any.

I sigh and turn away from Lunette's room, depressed but still not crying. I stuff everything in my pockets and place my hand on the door knob. Before I can turn it, the door slams open, practically smacking me in the face. Louna stands in the doorway, a folded piece of paper in her hand and anger and grief marring her pretty face.

She hands me the paper. "Mama knew where you'd go. She said that in case something happened to her, she wanted me to help you. These are the coordinates of the place that you have to go. I didn't look at them, and I don't want to know where you're going. I hope that whatever you're looking for, you find it, but don't come back unless you do. I don't want you to kill Kenley too."

I'm shocked that she would say that. "Louna—"

She turns on her heel and begins to leave the room. "Just go, Louve. And, please, don't come back."

I watch her turn down the hall, walk into her room, and slam the door behind her. I sigh and round the corner to go down the stairs, nearly running straight into Lovett.

"Jeez, can't a girl just leave and be left alone?" I ask bitterly.

"No, because I'm coming with you."

I look up at him. "No, you aren't, Lovett. I won't drag you into this too." I think we're both a little shocked at that—I've never outright said no to my brother; I always go along with what he says.

He doesn't let it deter him. He crosses his arms and stands in my path so that I have nowhere to go. I huff at him, but he ignores it, looking annoyed. "Look, I don't want you to go, and I don't want to go either, but according to that voice thing, I'm just as dangerous as you are."

I lean against the wall, not willing to let him come but wanting to hear his logic. "Look, even if you can get this thing out of you without severing your soul, it might just jump to me. For all we know, it really might if it comes down to being bored or dying. I think that if you're getting some kind of special treatment to get rid of this thing, I should do whatever I can to avoid getting it myself."

As much as I hate to admit it, he has a point. The last thing we need is for him to become Death's own personal slave, too. I don't know if not being Death’s slave will still apply if I'm not around to take the job. I sigh. "Fine. But I'm leaving now so it's now or never."

"Just let me get my passport," he says bitterly, slipping past me. His arm barely brushes against mine as if he considered shoving me in his annoyance but thought better of it at the last second.

I lean against the wall and close my eyes, a headache coming on. I've never spoken to my brother like that. I've always been very respectful of him. Who am I?

What's happening to me?

'As you feed Death, you fall deeper and deeper into his clutches. As his hold on you strengthens, you become less like yourself until you are completely different.'

The tears finally streak down my cheeks.