The rest of Blaine's pack froze. Diana's eyes went wide. Luna took a step back. Tyler helped Tiara up while Shawn sat up, resting his back against the tree he'd been thrown into, his hand on his side. Tony stared at the mega wolf in fear. Bryan stared at Blaine's unconscious body.
The mega wolf stood and turned toward the other werewolves.
"It's your turn now," they echoed, their voices layered and wrong.
As the mega wolf advanced, a drone flew in from nowhere. It stopped above the mega wolf's head and began pouring liquid from above.
The mega wolf sniffed. "Isn't that gasoline?"
Before anyone could speak, arrows tipped with fire rained down from the forest. The mega wolf caught fire. They roared in confusion and pain, beating at their burning bodies.
Hudson and three hunters appeared, shotguns raised, targeting the mega wolf's head. When the flames became too much, the brothers separated. They were still burning, but their healing fought the fire. Hudson and his hunters adjusted formation. More arrows rained down. As the fire weakened them, bullets tore through their skulls. They fell. They didn't get up.
Hudson sighed. Other hunters emerged from the forest, bows in hand – including Miles. They joined the ones with shotguns beside Hudson.
"Sorry we're late." Hudson knelt beside Blaine and checked his pulse. "He's dead."
The werewolves bowed their heads in regret.
"Wait – aren't Blaine's brothers supposed to be four?" Tiana said weakly.
Everyone froze. The realization hit like a second blow.
"It's not possible they know about Lillian's whereabouts, right?" Bryan asked.
Miles's face went pale. "Lillian." He ran, bow still in hand, to his car and sped off. Some hunters followed.
---
Meanwhile, at Hudson's mansion, Lillian paced the living room, wringing her hands. She sat down, leg shaking. Her writer's mind conjured horrible images. She stood, drank water, returned to the window. Checked again. Then, the last time she looked, she saw two shadows outside.
A loud growl echoed.
She stepped back in fear. A bang on the door. The werewolves were trying to break it down – but the door held. Then a window shattered.
Lillian flinched and ran upstairs. The two werewolves – Aiden and Caden – followed.
She climbed the long stairs, desperation pushing her. She reached Hudson's study and locked the door.
A loud bang. She moved back. Another bang. Her father's face flashed in her mind. The door splintering. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Then she heard a voice – her younger self.
"Have you forgotten? You have to survive. It's like a deal we made ten years ago when they were burnt to death. If you let them kill you because of Father, you've lost against him. If you want to die, fine – but remember the promise you made. You promised you would come back."
Lillian struck herself in the face three times. She looked around frantically.
"There must be a weapon here. Or a secret room." She searched. A large closet. She opened it. Guns. Bullets.
"He didn't even try to hide them." She grabbed a shotgun, loaded it, and cocked it silently then closed the closet.
The study door burst open.
Aiden and Caden entered, furious. "Come out, you cheek!" Caden shouted.
A growl. Then the sound of a car arriving. Aiden signaled Caden to check it out. Caden left.
Aiden smashed things in frustration. Gunshots rang out from below – sounding like the bullets weren't hitting the target. Seconds later, the last shot gun was heard.
Aiden moved closer to the closet.
"Have you heard this phrase before?" Lillian's voice came from inside. She raised the shotgun.
Aiden smirked. "What phrase?"
"The phrase that says: when weaker power meets a strong power, the weaker power must bow."
Aiden laughed. "And who is the stronger power?"
"It is I, Lillian Silver."
As Aiden grabbed the doorknob, she fired. The bullet tore into his shoulder. He groaned and staggered back.
She cocked again and fired – but he dodged, vanishing from sight. She spun, searching. She didn't see him.
He was behind her.
As he raised his claws to strike, a bullet tore through his skull from behind. Lillian flinched and spun. A hunter stood in the doorway.
"Thank you." She ran past him to the living room.
There, she found Caden's body. A few hunters stood around, including Miles.
"Thank God you're here." Lillian hugged him, then pulled back. "Is the fight over? Is Blaine okay?"
Miles looked down.
"He didn't die, right?" Her voice cracked.
"He's dead."
Lillian stared at empty space. Then she snapped back. "Where are your car keys, Miles?"
He gave them to her without question.
She rushed out, reversed, and sped off. The hunters followed. Miles jumped into another car.
---
She arrived at the forest. She parked and rushed to Blaine's lifeless body. She stared at him, then turned to the pack, rage in her eyes. Gandulf and Herakim Healer had just arrived.
"You killed him! I told you – you're not enough! But you told me it was Gandulf's decision! You don't deserve to be saved by me – if you don't follow my advice, how will I save you?" Her voice rose. "You stand here like there's something you can do to bring him back! You stubborn, unfortunate set of werewolves!"
Tears fought to escape, but she held them back.
Then she heard a whisper. "What if I told you, you can bring him back?"
"What do you mean?" she asked. The others stared, confused.
"Go to him. Kneel. Hold his hand. I will take you to where he is – so you can call him back."
"Are you sure?" The voice didn't answer.
Lillian knelt beside Blaine, took his hand, and held it tightly.
"What are you doing?" Miles asked.
She didn't answer. A windstorm swept around them. When it stopped, Lillian collapsed.
Miles rushed to her. "Lillian!"
She wasn't waking.
"Take her to the castle," Bryan said.
"No." Miles lifted her. "This happened because of you. Take care of your own." He carried her to his car and drove off.
---
In the spirit realm, Lillian stood by a river. A wind blew. The banshee stood beside her. In the middle of the river, Blaine walked away from her.
"Blaine!" she called. He didn't look back.
"If he crosses that river, he will never return. Call him like a banshee does." The banshee extended her hand. "Hold my hand. Scream as I do."
Lillian took her hand.
"Blaine!"
They screamed together – a screeching, otherworldly cry.
Blaine turned back.
---
In the real world, the werewolves stood over Blaine's body, debating what to do. Then Blaine gasped. His eyes opened. Everyone stepped back in shock.
But in the backseat of Miles's car, Lillian's eyes opened – yet she didn't move.
---
Later that night, Herakim was called to check on her. Lillian lay frozen, staring at the ceiling. She breathed, but she didn't blink. She didn't hear them.
"She's stuck in the spirit realm," Herakim said. "If she doesn't wake in three days, she will die."
Miles and Mr. Hudson stared at him in shock.
---
The Banshee's price is revealed. Drop a Power Stone and add to library – Chapter 21 is coming fast.