Author's Note: Sorry it took a while for this update! I rewrote this chapter about a million times since I couldn't figure out how I wanted the finale to play out. But I hope you guys enjoy what I have in store for you…
After this, my story is going to continue the way I want it to so I don't have to wait until January to keep going.
Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!
Chapter Thirteen: The Simple Request
(Lyra's POV)
Derek was out for hours. I kept slowly taking his pain away until I felt his body begin to heal itself, even though he was still very weak.
Cora rested as she healed herself with the strength Derek had given her. Peter tended to her since I barely let him near Derek without growling.
Eventually Cora managed to convince me to let her near her brother. I grumbled, ignoring Cora's knowing smile as she opened up a bottle of water. I watched as she lifted it to Derek's lips and he drank it slowly.
I breathed a soft sigh of relief when his eyes opened. They landed on me first and I smiled. He blinked and looked at his sister, his eyes filling with relief.
"You're okay," he said softly. Cora smiled down at him.
"Not much better than you are right now," Cora said. "All because of you and Lyra."
"Hopefully not all for nothing," Peter muttered, leaning against the table. "The moon is rising, Derek, and despite Lyra's help, you drained your battery all the way to the red and there's a fully charged Alpha on her way to rip you limb from limb."
Cora ignored her uncle as she smoothed Derek's hair back from his forehead. I looked up at Peter, who was frowning at me with an accusing look in his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at him as well.
I knew what he was thinking- or at least I thought I did. He had wanted me to help Derek more, so Derek wouldn't have lost that spark inside him. I felt guilt tear at my heart, because I knew he was right. I didn't do enough.
"I'll be fine in a few hours," Derek said, leaning against the wall beneath the window again. I exhaled and crouched next to him again, resting my hand on his shoulder. He looked up at me and I gave him a small smile. He didn't return it, instead he just stared into my eyes, like he could sense something was wrong.
"I sincerely hope so because a few hours is all that you have," Peter said grimly.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I stood up and walked out of the room and into the kitchen. I heard the sound of quiet footsteps behind me and resisted the urge to sigh.
"What is it, Cora?" I asked, opening the fridge to pull out another bottle of water.
"What's up with you?" the teenager asked. I looked at her from over my shoulder evenly.
"Nothing," I said, turning to face her. "Nothing I can't fix."
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
Peter helped me onto the bed when Cora followed Lyra into the kitchen. I heard them quietly talking and found myself tensing at what Lyra said.
What was she going to do?
Grimly, I waited until her and Cora walked back into the main room. Lyra avoided my gaze as she walked towards the staircase. Cora watched her with an anxious expression before glancing at me and Peter.
"Going somewhere?" Peter drawled as Lyra ascended the stairs. Her eyes flashed over to him.
"Maybe," she said shortly. I frowned at her as she turned her back at us and continued up towards the bedrooms.
"This can't be good," Peter said under his breath.
I closed my eyes briefly and leaned my head back. I felt a cool cloth press itself to my forehead and opened my eyes again to look at Cora. She gave me a small, reassuring smile.
A loud bang had me jerking upright. We all turned to see Lyra walking towards the bed with a silent, determined look in her eyes. She walked over to the side of the bed and Cora slipped away to give us space.
Lyra sat down and stared at me for a long moment. I looked into her eyes, trying to figure out what exactly was going on behind those violet depths. She didn't say anything to me at first, she just took my hand and squeezed it tightly. I felt a piece of paper brush my palm and I closed my hand over it carefully.
"Be safe," she whispered. Her voice was anything but gentle. It was harsh in its quietness, heavy and demanding like an Alpha's command.
Then she grabbed my shirtfront and hauled me up so I was sitting up straight. Her eyes were now blazing with a fierce onslaught of emotions, causing her eyes to go from a dull purple to a brilliant red violet color.
She kissed me like it was a matter of life and death. Maybe it was, I don't know. I didn't think, I didn't even breathe. All I did was hold onto her and kiss her back with equal fervor until everything else burned away, until there was nothing but us.
It took me a moment to realize she was gone when it ended. My eyes opened to see Peter and Cora staring at me, Peter with a look of mild disgust while Cora's nose wrinkled. I blinked.
"Well now that that's over…" Peter sighed, walking towards the window again. I barely acknowledged him while I looked down at the small, folded up piece of paper in my hand. I opened it and read the two words written on the page.
Trust me.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
My mind was whirling with thoughts as I went upstairs to change. I slid out of the t-shirt I had stolen- err, borrowed- from Derek as well as my yoga pants. I slipped into a tight pair of jeans and an old cut up blank tank top sporting a gold skull on the front. I sat down on Derek's bed as I yanked on my black boots.
On the dresser, I heard my phone buzz. I didn't recognize the number as I read the message.
We need to talk. Meet me at the peak in twenty.
I frowned suspiciously before replying.
How do I know this isn't a trap?
A reply came within seconds.
Because I want to help you stop my brother and Kali from killing Derek.
Well that narrowed down the list of suspects considerably.
Opening the dresser drawer, I plucked out a torn piece of paper and a pen before writing a quick note. I nearly crumpled it in my hands as I felt the tension mount in my body. Making my way towards the staircase, I vaulted over the edge and landed on the hard ground below with a loud crash.
The next thirty seconds was a blur for me. I had one thought on my mind now, and that was to protect Derek, no matter what the cost. So I gave him the note. And I kissed him- simply because words had failed me.
Then I left, exiting the loft without making a sound. Peter and Cora didn't question me as I went through the window instead of the front door. I just gave them a brief nod before leaping over to the roof of the next building.
Less than twenty minutes later, I was walking through the woods, heading towards the peak. Ethan was already waiting for me there, his arms crossed over his chest as his dark eyes scanned the distant lights of Beacon Hills. The sky was a dark, dismal gray as the threat of another storm lingered over our heads.
"You came," he said without turning around. I had a feeling he wouldn't appreciate any sexual retorts that were on the tip of my tongue, so I chose to walk over to him until I was standing beside him.
"What's up, Anakin?" I asked casually, looking over at the younger werewolf. Ethan's lips twitched before he looked at me.
"We have to warn Derek about Kali," he began.
"I don't think that'll be necessary, I think he's quite aware of her ultimatum," I interjected, making a face. Ethan's eyes softened briefly with sympathy.
"Then we have to find someone to help us," he suggested. I shifted my weight back so I was leaning on one leg. I tilted my head at him.
"You have someone in mind?" I asked. Ethan looked away from me, his gaze latching onto the high school.
"Lydia," he said quietly. I arched my brows at the Alpha, but before I could reply, the sound of a snapping twig had us whirling around.
Jennifer smirked at us, lifting her hands in a gesture of peace.
"I came here to help," she told us.
"Like hell!" I snarled. I lunged towards her, ready to rip out her throat, when Ethan grabbed my arm tightly.
"Lyra, wait," he said quickly.
"Excuse me?" I nearly shouted, turning to glare at him. Ethan shrank a little under my look but he focused his attention on Jennifer.
"My, my, the plot thickens," Jennifer laughed. "Lyra Peterson working with the Alphas who helped kill her family. How far off the rails you've gone."
"What are you doing here?" Ethan growled.
"I've come to make a little deal with the pair of you. See, I still need Derek's help with stopping Deucalion, but I can't do that if he's got his hands full with Kali. So, if you help me stop her, I'll kill Deucalion and everyone wins."
"How do we know if we can trust you?" Ethan demanded. Jennifer's eyes narrowed.
"You can't," she replied sharply. I snarled at her and she quieted down.
"I'll help you on one condition," I stated.
"Which is?"
"Derek walks away from this unharmed. If you need his help for your little showdown, fine. But if he gets hurt or worse... don't think that your magic will be able to stop me from taking your head off."
"We have an accord then," Jennifer replied. She smirked one last time before quickly disappearing.
"Lyra, are you sure about this?" Ethan asked warily, looking at me. I exhaled and shook my head.
"No, because she's not going to get what she wants, not on my watch," I said firmly. Ethan's brows furrowed and I smiled slowly.
"So this is the plan…"
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
I kept Lyra's note in my pocket as the final few hours I had slipped away. She didn't return but I knew- I knew- somehow she would, like she always did.
So I did what she asked. I trusted her.
Once I managed to find the strength to get out of bed, I found myself watching the rising moon warily. I knew what it meant for everyone- Lyra included- and I couldn't help but wish she was here with me.
But those thoughts had to be shoved aside when the front door opened, revealing Lydia and to my surprise, Ethan. I narrowed my eyes at the younger Alpha, who was carrying faint traces of Lyra's scent on his clothes.
What the hell?
"What are you doing here?" I asked in a low voice. I walked to the middle of the room and crossed my arms as Peter and Cora shadowed me.
I watched Lydia looked over at Ethan uneasily before he shifted to face me.
"We know about the lunar eclipse," he began. "So don't think Kali's going to sit around waiting for it to level the playing field. She's coming. My brother's coming with her."
"Good enough for me," Peter said from behind me. "Derek?"
"You want me to run?" I challenged.
"No, I want you to stay and get slaughtered by an Alpha with a psychotic foot fetish," Peter said sarcastically. "Of course I want you to run! Sprint! Gallop! Leap your way the hell out of this town."
"If you want to fight and die for something, that's fine with me, but do it for something meaningful," Cora said firmly. "Think about what is meaningful to you now, Derek. Are you willing to lose that?"
I didn't have to ask who she was insinuating with that statement.
"How do you know I'm going to lose?" I asked softly.
"We don't, but I'll bet she has an idea," Peter said, turning his attention to Lydia. "Don't you, Lydia?"
"I don't know anything," she protested in a trembling voice. Peter's eyes narrowed slightly as he approached her slowly.
"But you feel something, don't you?"
"What do you feel?" I asked. Lydia's green eyes darted over to me before flickering over to Peter.
"I feel like… I'm standing in a graveyard," she said with quiet vindication.
"Great," Cora huffed. "Just…great."
"Look," Ethan said, stepping forward to shield Lydia from us. "We have a plan."
"We do?" Lydia asked, her eyes widening. Ethan shook his head at her then looked at me.
"I can't tell you what it is, except she told me to tell you this- trust me. Well, her, not me but you get what I mean."
"Ly-,"
"Yes," Ethan said quickly, his jaw tightening. "Yes. All right? So right now, you need to get the hell out of here." Ethan's gaze shifted from me to Cora.
"Derek…" Cora trailed off hesitantly. I allowed myself a few seconds to mull it over before I nodded at Ethan.
"All right," I said.
It took us less than ten minutes to grab whatever it was we needed before Cora, Peter and I went out to my car. Ethan had instructed us with what to do and had told us what his and Lydia's role was in all of this.
I pulled out my phone one last time as I opened the car door. When the call went straight to voicemail, I cursed to myself quietly.
"Damn it, Lyra, where are you?" I muttered under my breath. Cora got inside the car, breaking my train of thought and I saw Peter approach the passenger window.
"Don't call until you're at least a hundred miles away," he ordered. He looked at Cora then back at me.
"Go!" he shouted.
Gritting my teeth, I slammed the car out of park and took off into the night, wondering why the hell I was running away from everything and leaving Lyra to fight alone.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
"So this is the plan," I said, turning around to look at the view of the town. "Your part is simple- get Lydia and go to Derek, warn him about Kali. I'm willing to bet Peter will convince Derek to get the hell out of dodge, so you and Lydia are going to have to hold off Kali and Aiden- at least until Jennifer and I get there."
"I don't know if Lydia-,"
"Convince her," I snapped before calming myself. "Look, nothing is going to happen to you or her. The second Jennifer and I get there, I'll let her believe I will help her with Kali-,"
"You mean kill her."
"If I must."
"You're going to kill her?" Ethan asked with disbelief. I looked up towards the rising moon and smiled sadly.
"A great deal of my power has always been suppressed, Ethan," I explained quietly. "After I killed half of Deucalion's pack, I became powerful, more powerful than you and Aiden combined, I imagine. I just haven't allowed myself to go full throttle because… well."
Ethan nodded, not asking me to elaborate.
"Once I've taken care of Kali, I'm going after Jennifer. Or she'll go after me," I amended, pursing my lips.
"And Deucalion?" Ethan asked, glancing over at me. My hands lowered, clenching to fists at my side.
"I'm still figuring that one out," I growled.
Once I was back in town, I took to the rooftops, heading back towards the loft. I could smell Kali and Aiden's scent leading up to it, along with Ethan and Lydia's.
Glancing down, I noted with relief that Derek's car was gone. I crouched on a nearby rooftop, using my heightened sight to see into the loft. I could make out Ethan and Lydia standing inside, along with the sound of the alarm going off.
A gust of wind alerted me to another's presence, but I didn't acknowledge it. Jennifer stood next to me, her eyes locked on the two teenagers.
"Looks like it's almost time," she said. I stood up as well, crossing my arms. The emissary glanced my direction.
"You do realize what you're going to have to do if you really want to help me stop her, right?" Jennifer asked. "No more half ass shifting, Lyra."
"I know," I snarled.
I knew once I shifted, I was also opening myself up to the possibility of losing control. Power was a very addicting substance, and my thirst for it hadn't been quenched in years. I didn't know what would happen if I couldn't hold onto my humanity.
Jennifer and I listened as Kali snarled at Aiden about loyalty, and Lydia was whispering nervously to Ethan. Jennifer looked at me once more and jerked her chin, motioning for me to follow her.
The sky suddenly exploded with sound as bolts of greenish yellow lighting struck down from the churning, dark gray clouds above. The wind picked up considerably, howling loudly.
Jennifer and I leaped towards the roof of the loft. I began to slowly shift. First, my nails and teeth elongated, and then my face became more angular, more wolf-like as my ears became larger and more pointed. I felt the beast rise to the surface, consuming my body, shifting its shape further to suit its needs.
I felt a rush of electrifying air sweep around Jennifer and I as she used her magic to lift us into the air once more. Then together, we went crashing through the glass roof, landing on the hard ground of the loft below.
Kali and Aiden stiffened at the sight of me and Jennifer while Ethan pulled Lydia away from the line of fire. I snarled gutturally, baring my long fangs at the other female Alpha.
"So, who wants to go first?" Jennifer asked with a smirk.
Kali darted forward and Aiden went straight for me. I struggled for the upper hand over my wolf as Aiden slashed his claws, aiming for my exposed stomach. I whirled to dodge his blow, fighting the growing urge to kill. It felt like I was an alcoholic, swimming in a pool of booze. If I opened my mouth once, I wasn't sure if I'd ever stop.
Jennifer engaged Kali, avoiding Kali's attacks with relative ease. One of Kali's movements sent her in my direction and I lowered my body, swinging low with my foot, knocking her ankles together so she toppled to the ground.
Kali roared and got back to her feet, and I heard the twins roar at Jennifer. I saw out of the corner of my eye as they ran towards each other and began to merge. I didn't have time to watch as Jennifer stopped their morphing, since Kali was at my throat again, snapping her fangs inches from my face.
I gripped her forearms and roared, and for a moment, I saw Kali shrink back, her red eyes full of shock. I threw her back into a wall, which caused it to crack and crumple. I heard the sound of the twins smashing into another wall before I turned to see Jennifer staring down Kali.
"That's right, Kali, look at me," Jennifer demanded. "Look at my face. Do you know what it takes to be able to look like this? To be able to look normal?"
"I don't care," the female Alpha snarled, standing up. I looked over my shoulder and saw the twins crawling towards each other. My head rolled to the side a little when I smelled their blood and I felt the primal urge to go towards them, to finish the kill. I clenched my fists and reached down, rolling up my pant leg and drawing out a small needle from the inside of my boot.
As I battled to keep hold of my anchor, I looked at the vial of cinnamon colored liquid, remembering briefly how I came to get it.
A few weeks earlier, I had gone back to Deaton at the clinic, this time alone. The vet didn't seem surprised to see me, in fact, he looked like he had been expecting me.
We had just discovered what Jennifer really was, and what she could really do. My instinct had taken me back to the other emissary, the one who never strayed from the path of light.
"I've been waiting for you to come back, Lyra," Deaton said. I arched a brow at him.
"What, are you psychic too?" I asked with a good natured smile, which Deaton returned.
"No, I just knew you'd be returning to me to ask what's been on your mind," he replied. he turned around and opened a drawer, extracting a vial containing some sort of liquid.
"I already gave some to Scott to have on hand," Deaton explained, facing me again. "He'll be needing it soon, I imagine. But you, I imagine you're going to need this for future battles." He handed me the vial and I turned it in my hand.
"Mistletoe," Deaton said when I glanced up at him. "She can use it herself, but it also can be used against her."
"It takes power. Power like this," Jennifer was saying to Kali as I jerked back to the present. I gripped the needle tightly in my hand, thumb poised on the plunger.
Jennifer's hand lifted, which caused the fallen glass shards to rise into the air and point towards Kali. I stepped forward until I was directly behind Jennifer, who remained unaware, since her attention was solely on Kali.
"I…I should have… I should have ripped your head off!" Kali screamed.
The moment I saw Jennifer's hand move, I whipped the plunger forward, slamming it into the side of her neck. Jennifer's cry died in her throat as she gurgled. I injected the mistletoe directly into her bloodstream and she collapsed.
Kali stared at me for a moment as Jennifer fell to the ground at my feet. In a flash, I had her pinned against the wall again. I could feel the whirlwind inside my body, the overpowering urge to kill, kill, KILL…
I bared my teeth and snarled directly into Kali's face. The other Alpha struggled against my hold, but she didn't stand a chance. I snapped her forearms with ease and she cried out. I bared my teeth in a chilling smile.
"This is for Matt," I growled. With one quick move, I twisted her arm, ripping her shoulder from the socket, which caused her body to flip around so her front was pressed into the wall. Kali screamed again and thrashed, snarling viciously.
I slammed her head into the cement wall multiple times, and I felt the darkness inside myself swallow me whole. I relished in the sound of Kali's bones breaking before yanking her head back, baring her throat.
Opening my mouth slowly, I snarled and sank my fangs into her throat, ripping it to shreds. Kali cried out but it ended in a bloody gurgle as blood poured down her throat and her chest. I stepped to the side and grabbed either side of her head.
And with one jerk of my hands, I ended Kali's life, thoroughly snapping her neck nearly into two. And I felt it, I felt it.
The insane rush of power entering my body, and I stood on shaking legs, absorbing it like a flower absorbs sunlight. It filled me up, burning through my veins, through every fiber of my being. I threw my head back and roared as my eyes changed from a bright red, to a deep, blood red.
When I turned around, I saw Jennifer walking towards the twins, who had morphed as I killed Kali. In a blink of an eye, Jennifer had dodged a blow from their claws and had reached up, snapping the massive wolf's neck with a sickening crunch.
"What's the line the coach likes to say? The bigger they are…" Jennifer said mockingly, looking up at me. She sneered at me.
"Looks like you got exactly what you wanted, Lyra."
"No, not yet," I said before lunging for her. Jennifer disappeared in a flash of black fog and I heard the keening of her Darach form.
Unbalanced, my eyes went to Lydia, who was cowering against the pillar by the stairs. I stared into her green eyes and tilted my head to the side. I could hear her heart beating furiously against her ribs and I could smell her fear leaking from her pores. I continued to stare into her eyes, transfixed.
Even from a distance, I could see his eyes, which were large and green.
Green…with a touch of gray.
I stumbled back a step, blinking as reality came screaming back to me. I gasped and shuddered, holding onto my anchor desperately as I felt myself get back into control.
Derek, remember Derek.
Hissing under my breath, I shook my head as I shifted back. My eyes cooled off, my nails became short again, my face softened. I sighed as I felt the beast return to the dark recesses of my mind.
"L-Lyra?" Lydia stammered. I looked at her again and she relaxed a fraction.
"Sorry," I whispered. I looked down at the twins crumpled form. "So sorry."
"I need you to do something for me," I told Lydia once I ripped my gaze away from the still form.
"What do you want from me?" Lydia asked fearfully. I looked at her sadly, apologetically. I need one last thing, but it was currently driving away from Beacon Hills. I needed him back and cursed myself for what I was about to do.
"I need you to scream," I said softly. Lydia's eyes widened and I roared, taking an intimidating step towards her. Lydia flinched and unleashed a loud, high pitched scream with reverberated throughout the room and out into the night.
I turned my back to Lydia as she leaned heavily against the wall, still watching me with terror in her eyes. I moved to the twin's morphed form and felt guilt pierce through my heart.
"So you'll just…let us go?" Ethan asked. I looked at him patiently.
"Yes, of course," I said honestly. "I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
I made a soft sound of distress, covering my mouth with my hand. I flinched when I felt that my chin was warm and sticky. I looked down at my hand and saw it was covered with blood, Kali's blood.
"No," I moaned, staring at the red streak. "No, no, no."
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
"She'll be fine, Derek," Cora said to me as I sped farther and farther away from Beacon Hills.
"You don't know that," I snapped. "I shouldn't have left her alone."
"She can handle herself!"
"No!" I snapped, slamming my hand against the steering wheel. "I know she's going to do something, and it's to protect me. God only knows what she'll do."
"Why do you automatically assume the worse?" Cora demanded.
"Because she could do anything to protect those she cares about," I said in a low voice. I glanced at Cora. "And I would do the same thing."
Suddenly, a loud, resounding scream echoed through the night. I yanked the steering wheel to the side, pulling to the side of the road. I listened to the scream's echoes and felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"What the hell was that?" Cora asked, looking at me with wide eyes.
"Lydia," I said. Dread creeped through my veins. If Lydia was screaming like that, something was wrong, very wrong.
"We have to go back," I said quickly, whipping the steering wheel to the left as I executed a fast U-turn.
In the pit of my stomach, instinct told me something had happened with Lyra. I only hoped I could get back to her before anything else happened.
Clenching the steering wheel tightly, I gritted my teeth.
Damn it, Lyra, I thought furiously. I should have stayed with you.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
Jennifer reappeared when I came back from the kitchen. I had managed to remove the blood from my skin, but my clothes were a lost cause. Kali's blood as well as my own stained the tank top and jeans I wore, and I could only be slightly grateful that I had decided to wear dark colors today.
Jennifer was staring down at Kali's body as I stepped into the main room. When she looked up at me, I saw the hate burning in her eyes. Before I could take my next breath, she was in my face.
"Did you really think I believed you for a second when we made that deal?" she hissed. "I knew you weren't to be trusted and well…" She gestured to the twin's body. "Look at what happened. Pity, I didn't want to kill them but since you decided to poison me, I figured, an eye for an eye…"
"Ethan and Aiden had nothing to do with this!" I shouted. "They were innocent!"
"Oh, no, Lyra," Jennifer said, shaking her head. "You see, from the looks of it, they were protecting you when I woke up from that nasty shot. They got in the way. Who's fault is it, really?"
I knew what she was doing. She was playing towards the unlimited amount of guilt that weighed down on my chest every day, which grew every passing hour. She knew my weaknesses, and she knew how to even play against my strengths.
I looked away from Jennifer, back towards the window. The moon was at its peak and the eclipse was closing in on us. Every second that ticked by, I could feel my power weaken. And for once, I was grateful to become powerless.
Outside, I heard the slamming of a car door, which caused Jennifer and I to freeze. The sounds of footsteps going into the building had my heart nearly stopping.
No, I thought with horror.
My fears were confirmed when Derek and Cora burst into the loft, breathing heavily. I turned around to look at them with wide eyes. My heart clenched as Derek took in his surroundings slowly.
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
When Cora and I reentered the loft, the smell of blood slammed into me right away. I looked around, taking in the sight of broken glass, and Ethan and Aiden's still body…as well as Kali's. My eyes finally met Lyra's and I stared at her. Cora dashed over to Lydia to comfort the shaking girl.
She appeared to be trembling- from fear? No, that couldn't be right. But something was different about her and when she stepped to the side, blocking my view of Kali's body, I felt my blood chill.
"Yes, that's right, Derek," Jennifer said silkily. "Looks at what your precious girlfriend did."
"You did this for me?" I asked Lyra softly, looking into her eyes again. Lyra's expression crumpled and her gaze lowered.
"I- I…" she stammered. Jennifer snorted and stepped forward.
"Little Lyra here made a bargain with me to help me stop Kali. Which, of course, didn't work out since she took it upon herself to poison me long enough so she could kill Kali. As for the twins, well, they were…collateral damage. But look, Derek, they're died. I did it. For us. For anyone who's ever been their victim."
Ripping my gaze away from Lyra, I pinned Jennifer with a heated glare.
"Stop talking to me like a politician!" I shouted. "Stop trying to convince me of your cause!"
"Fine. I'll convince you of someone else's. Scott. You can save his mother, Stile's father…" Jennifer trailed off, arching a brow.
"How?" I demanded. Lyra finally looked up at me, her eyes round with surprise.
"No," she mouthed. I ignored her.
"I need a guardian," Jennifer said, approaching me slowly. "That's a role that can either be filled by the three parents I was forced to take or by you."
"I can't help you, I'm not even an Alpha anymore," I snapped, crossing my arms.
"All I need is for you to help me get Deucalion in the right place at the right time."
"You just killed two of them on your own, what do you need me for?" I asked, my eyes flickering back to Lyra, who was hanging her head.
"You haven't seen him at his strongest. I have. And if he's got Scott with him, I don't stand a chance, unless I have you," Jennifer explained.
"Derek, don't trust her!" Cora cried out. I looked at my sister and motioned for her to be quiet.
"I have the eclipse in my favor but the moon's only going to be in the Earth's umbra shadow for fifteen minutes that's the extent of my window, there's no decision to struggle with! Help me kill him and the others live! Just help me!" Jennifer yelled.
I looked back at her, clenching my jaw.
"Derek," Lyra whispered, her eyes hollow. "Please don't."
"You asked me to trust you," I said quietly. "Now I'm asking you to do the same thing for me."
"Derek, if you go with her, you might die!" Lyra cried, stepping towards me. "She doesn't care about you, all she wants is power!"
"Well I guess you and her aren't so different then," I snarled. Lyra flinched.
"You don't know the whole story," she whispered. I shook my head at her.
"Yeah, well, right now I have more important things to do then to listen to you justify this," I replied, turning my back to her.
I didn't look back as I walked out of the loft with Jennifer right behind me.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
I closed my eyes as the door slammed shut. I called for whatever patience I had left in many tired body, knowing I needed it right now.
Derek was stubbornly refusing to me the other side of the story. He knew I would do anything to protect him, but without listening to me, all he saw was me taking advantage of the situation of protecting him by killing Kali for her power. I wanted to go after him, scream in his face for being so stupid but I didn't. I still had the rest of my own plan to work out before I could deal with Derek.
I turned to look at Cora, who was eyeing me cautiously. My shoulders slumped and I opened my arms a little in a gesture of peace. Lydia was still looking at me like I was a monster. And maybe I was.
Cora finally urged Lydia to her feet, helping her to the door.
"We have to get going, Lydia, we can get help," Cora said quickly, giving me another look.
"From who?" Lydia asked.
"I don't know, but we can't stay here," Cora replied quietly.
"Wait," I said, which caused the girls to stop. They turned to look at me as I glanced down at the twins. As we watched, they pulled apart, becoming two again. I crouched swiftly next to them. Cora and Lydia darted to my side.
"They're alive," I breathed as I pressed two fingers to Ethan's pulse. I looked up at Cora with relief.
"Take them to Deaton," I instructed, standing up. I strode to the window.
"Where are you going?" Cora asked. I looked at her from over my shoulder.
"To help," I said simply.
I didn't dare tap into the new power I had. I didn't know what would happen if I opened that door again…and I didn't want to. I was afraid of what was going to happen, but mostly, I was afraid of myself.
Running through the woods, I ignored the wind and the rain. Branches ripped and tore at my clothes and my hair and the fog made it difficult to see, even for me.
The smell of gasoline caught my attention as I neared the Nemeton. I could make out the faint scent trails of Allison, Scott and Isaac, which filled me with relief. That last they were all right, for the most part. But why did I smell gas?
Hesitating for a moment, I darted in the direction where the scent blew strongest. It was up the road when I came across Stiles's Jeep, which had crashed into a tree, and was leaking gasoline and smoking dangerously.
"Fuck!" I exclaimed, hurrying over to the wreck. Stiles was unconscious in the driver's seat with his head bleeding from a gash. I ripped the door open and grabbed his shoulder, shaking him.
"Stiles! Stiles, damn it, wake up!" I hissed, shaking the teenager harder. His head rolled to the side and I couldn't tell if he was breathing.
"Damn it!" I cursed again. Ripping his seatbelt in two with a claw, I pulled him safely away from the smoking car. Lying him flat on his back, I pressed my ear flat against his chest. I could hear his weak heart beat but he wasn't breathing. Steeling myself, I pinched his nose and pressed my lips to his, breathing air into his lungs. I did it again and again until he finally began coughing. I leaned back on my heels with relief.
"Huh, wha-?" Stiles asked, his eyes bleary and unfocused. When he saw me however, they widened.
"Lyra? What happened?"
"You were in a crash. The weather's getting worse, Stiles. Where are the others?" I asked, helping him up.
"We- we found out where the Nemeton is, we're going to get our parents. Well, Isaac and Allison are, I think Scott went off with Deucalion again-,"
"Stiles," I said, interrupting him. "Go help the others, make sure they're okay. I'm going to find Scott and Derek."
"Wait, Derek? Why Derek?"
"Because Jennifer convinced him of her cause," I muttered, shaking my head. I helped him across the empty street then glanced up at him.
"Do you know how to get there from here?" I asked. Stiles looked around, leaning against a tree for a moment.
"Wait, Lyra, can you get something for me?" he asked. I arched a brow when he told me to get the aluminum bat from his trunk, but I didn't question it.
"Be safe," I said when I handed him the bat.
"Yeah, you too," he replied before jogging into the woods. I watched him go before I realized something. If Jennifer wasn't at the Nemeton, then she and Derek were somewhere else.
The mill! I thought, my eyes widening.
Of course, I mused as I took off into the fog. I always found it funny how endings had to close where it all started.
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
Watching Deucalion shift into the Alpha wolf he really was was utterly terrifying. It reminded me of Peter and how powerful he had been before I had taken his power away from him. Deucalion's power was so much more than Peter's had ever been. I could feel it in my bones, which caused my wolf to almost cower in fear.
But I knew I couldn't give into that fear. Calling my own beast to the surface, I met Deucalion's attack halfway, snarling.
When I flashed out my claws, Deucalion's hands whipped around and grabbed both of my forearms. I grunted as I felt the bone begin to slowly break under his strong hold.
Jennifer came to my side, her hands raised and she sent a powerful blast of magic directly into Deucalion's chest, but nothing happened. Deucalion nearly chuckled before he had both of us by our throats, lifting us in the air.
A loud familiar roar ripped through the air, causing Deucalion to pause. I struggled against his hold but stopped when I saw Lyra emerge from the fog, her eyes glowing a deep, ruby red. They met mine briefly but slid away, refocusing on the other Alpha.
"How nice of you to join us, Lyra," Deucalion said in a deep baritone. Her eyes cooled to a bright blue-violet, which were sparking with anger. She growled deeply.
Suddenly, Deucalion dropped Jennifer and me to the ground. I lunged at him again but Deucalion simply threw me across the room, and I slammed into a pile of crates painfully. I crumpled to the cement ground, clenching my fists.
I felt a pair of hands touch my shoulder and I looked up at Lyra. She stared into my eyes for a brief moment, as if she was unsure of what to say.
"Trust me," she beseeched so quietly, only I could hear her. Then she looked over at Deucalion, who had hit Jennifer with such a force she had skidded across the ground. Scott locked eyes with me but I coughed, spitting up some blood.
Lyra's hand, which had been resting on my shoulder, moved down to my arm. She gripped it tightly and I watched as she took some of my pain away. I looked up at her again, but her attention was on Deucalion, who was ordering Scott to kill Jennifer.
"Kill her. Do it," Deucalion told Scott. When the Beta didn't obey, Deucalion roared so powerfully, it caused Scott to fall to his knees and even shift. I shuddered at the demand, feeling my wolf's urge to obey the Alpha. Lyra's hand let go of my arm as she urged me to sit back. Her eyes met mine and in that moment, I felt Deucalion's influence as an Alpha melt away. Lyra's deep purple eyes held no command…just a simple request.
"Now kill her," Deucalion snarled. "Your parents are dying, that storm you hear- she's burying them alive. It's her connection to the telluric currents, kill her and it ends."
"It won't end, not with me," Jennifer gasped, struggling against Deucalion's hold on her. "He'll have you kill everyone you love, it's what he does."
"They're dying Scott. Your mother, the parents of your best friends, kill her now and it's over. Become the Alpha you're meant to be. Become a killer."
As I watched, Scott looked over his shoulder at Lyra. There was a brief understanding in the way their eyes met, as if they had had this planned all along.
"Scott will always make the right choice," Lyra said, her voice soft, but strong. Deucalion snarled at her and she didn't flinch as she met the demon wolf's red eyes.
"They're not dead yet," Scott said, facing him as well.
"Who's going to save them?" Deucalion scoffed. "Your friends?"
"My pack," Scott amended. I saw Lyra smile out of the corner of my eye.
Deucalion growled and flashed over to Scott, so quickly he blurred. He grabbed the younger werewolf by the scruff of his neck while the other hand gripped his forearm tightly.
"Maybe you just need a little guidance," Deucalion said, leading Scott towards Jennifer.
"I forgot to tell you something," Scot said, looking over at him. "It's something that Gerard told me. Deucalion isn't always blind."
In a blink of an eye, Lyra was suddenly shielding me as Scott threw down some flash arrows, which caused bright sparks of light to shoot up from the ground. Lyra crouched in front of me protectively as she shielded her eyes.
When everything cleared, I looked around, noticing how everything was bathed in a amber light.
"The eclipse," Lyra said, looking at me.
"They're close. It's started," Deucalion said under his breath. I noticed his power was gone, and he stood looking like a normal man once more.
"Scott!" Lyra cried out. Scott looked at her then at the spot where Jennifer had been, which was now empty.
"Oh no," Scott breathed.
It didn't take long for Jennifer to come back, this time as the Darach. Lyra stiffened and growled, and I felt myself tense at the uncertain note in the sound. We were all powerless, almost defenseless against Jennifer now.
Jennifer first attacked Scott, throwing him across the mill into some old metal barrels. Her attention quickly shifted to Lyra, before she grabbed her, throwing her across the room as well. Lyra crashed against the side of the mill, crumbling below the symbol Ennis had carved there so long ago.
"Lyra!" I shouted. She shifted, rolling to her side. Our eyes met and she nodded, signaling she was okay. I looked over at Jennifer, who had Deucalion in her grasp. She slammed the back of his head against the cement ground repeatedly, causing the man to cry out in pain.
"Jennifer!" I yelled. She stopped and turned her head towards me. "He doesn't know!"
"Know what?" she asked in that grating, high pitched voice that was no longer hers.
"What you really look like," I said, standing up slowly. "He knows the cost of bringing Kali into his pack, but he's never seen the price you've paid."
"No…no he hasn't," the Darach agreed. She crouched down by Deucalion and covered his eyes with her hand. My gaze went back to Lyra, who was staring at Jennifer with wide eyes. Her expression suddenly flooded with understanding as she looked at me.
"Trust me," I mouthed. Lyra blinked and she nodded slowly.
Deucalion began screaming and thrashing before Jennifer removed her hand from his face. She stood, hovering over the man.
"Turn to me. Turn your head!" she commanded. Deucalion looked at her, and for a brief moment, I saw something in his eyes I thought I'd never see. Fear.
But when Jennifer changed back into her other form and lunged, she nearly collapsed. I darted over to her and caught her.
"What is this?" Jennifer asked, sounding breathless.
"Healing him made you weak, just like healing Cora did to me," I told her. "You won't have your strength for at least a few minutes." Jennifer looked up at me and she smiled, almost encouragingly.
"Then you do it. Kill him," she said.
"No."
"What?"
"Like my mother used to say, I'm a predator, but I don't have to be a killer," I replied. Once again, I looked at Lyra, who had stood up to move to my side. She smiled at me, and it was real, one I hadn't seen on her face in a while. But it faded as her hand darted out to grip Jennifer's throat tightly.
"Let them go," she demanded in a low voice.
Jennifer's lips curled before she slammed her hands against Lyra's chest. Lyra screamed in pain and flew back, skidding but managing to remain on her feet. Jennifer looked at me hatefully before she shoved me back as well. I slammed into some crates before Jennifer was in my face again, slapping me.
"Derek…" she trailed off before looking at me with a dangerous glint in her eyes. I found myself in the air as Jennifer lifted me, slamming me against the boiler again and again. The blows were oddly familiar.
Boyd and Cora tore into my exposed stomach with their claws again and again. I took it, I took it all, barely keeping my grip on them. I could feel my body sliding into unconsciousness, before I heard one last sound- a chilling roar.
Then the blows ended, leaving behind the feeling of gentle hands running over my body, before cupping my face.
"Derek? You're going to be okay, damn it. Why did you go in here alone? Do you have a fucking death wish?"
Lyra.
"Derek, now!"
The sound of Lyra's voice had me snapping out of my revere. I saw the amber light fading away as my power returned to me in a rush. I felt my wolf remerge and my eyes glowed blue once more.
"Your fifteen minutes are up," I said to Jennifer, before throwing her back from me. Scott charged at her, but she quickly tossed up mountain ash so it landed in a circle around her. Scott skidded to a stop in front of the circle. I glared at her when she looked my way again. A gentle hand rested on my arm and I looked down at Lyra. The wound Jennifer had given her on her chest faded quickly.
"Like I told you Derek, either you or the parents," Jennifer called. "I guess I'll just have to take them now. In a few minutes, they'll be dead and I won't need a lunar eclipse even to kill a demon wolf."
I looked over at Scott, who was looking at the mountain ash with determination. He lifted a hand slowly, resting it against the barrier.
"You've tried this before, Scott," Jennifer said tersely. "I don't remember you having much success."
I stepped forward but Lyra stopped me, shaking her hand. She watched Scott with narrowed eyes, but her grip on my arm tightened for a moment. I looked back at Scott again and watched as he pressed another hand to the barrier, causing a bluish purple light to shine.
An odd, rumbling noise filled the air as Scott pressed himself against the barrier, his eyes beginning to glow gold. And as we watched, they melted away to a bright red before he stepped inside the circle. My eyes widened as Lyra gasped.
Jennifer watched the werewolf with utter disbelief. Scott stepped inside the circle with his other foot, causing the barrier to break, sending Jennifer crashing to the ground. She scrambled back, eyeing Scott with huge eyes.
"How did you do that?" Jennifer demanded.
"I'm an Alpha now," Scott said simply.
"A true Alpha," Lyra breathed.
"Whatever you're doing to cause the storm, make it stop or I'll kill you myself" Scott ordered. "I don't care what it does to the color of my eyes."
Out of nowhere, Deucalion strode forward, his eyes red and claws unsheathed. His lips pulled back to reveal his massive fangs.
"It won't change the color of mine, so allow me," he said gruffly.
And with one sure slash, his claws ripped across Jennifer's throat, causing her to gurgle and collapse. She grew still and so did the storm outside, revealing the late afternoon sky once more.
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
When Deucalion killed Jennifer, I turned to look up at Derek. He smiled down at me and lifted a hand, caressing my cheek gently. I smiled slightly, allowing myself to lean into his touch before I turned to look at Scott.
The teenager looked at me with wide eyes before he grinned. I felt relief seep into my bones and I sighed, shaking my head at him.
But there was one last thing to take care of. I looked at Deucalion, who was now watching me with wary eyes. I knew he could sense the new power within me, just like Derek had. I was nowhere as powerful as him, but I was still a threat.
I realized then that I didn't want my revenge anymore. I saw Jennifer's still body and I saw what revenge did to her, how it destroyed her from the inside out.
Me killing Deucalion wouldn't change the past. It wouldn't bring back me parents or my sister. It wouldn't bring back Matt or the rest of my pack. If I killed him, I would become more of a monster than he ever could be.
So I left it up to Scott. There was a basic level of trust between us now, which caused us to understand each other's actions. I learned a great deal from him, I suppose. Even with the darkness inside both of us, I didn't have a doubt that he would make the right choice- like he always did.
Scott called Stiles, making sure the others were okay. I held back a cry of relief when I heard Stiles's voice, along with Isaac's. When Scott hung up, he looked to me but I shook my head.
Derek and Scott exchanged a look before they stood side by side to face Deucalion. The older Alpha almost looked like a chastised child as Scott and Derek watched him, both of them with their arms crossed over their chests. I stood in between them, hands in my back pockets, my posture more relaxed than theirs.
"My mother told me you were a man of vision once," Derek began. His eyes drifted to me and we exchanged a smile. "We're letting you go, because we hope you can be that man again."
"But if you're not, then having your eyesight back won't matter, because you'll never see us coming," Scott warned. Deucalion didn't reply, he just inclined his head as Scott walked away. I nudged Derek with my elbow, encouraging him to go as well.
I stayed behind with Deucalion for a moment, waiting for his gaze to meet mine. When it did, he watched me uncertainly.
"And you, Lyra? Are you going to let me go?" he asked.
I looked over my shoulder towards Derek, who was standing by the trees, patiently waiting for me. I could see Scott standing a few feet behind him, hands in his pocket.
"I realized today that wanting revenge doesn't ever work out the way you want it to," I told him. I looked down at this man, the man who had torn my life apart. The man who I had obsessed over for the past five years of my life. It was then I realized what letting go really meant.
"I think I can learn to be a woman of forgiveness, someone who can let go of the past," I said softly. I began walking away but I paused just outside of the mill. I looked at Deucalion one last time.
"You should listen to him, you know. Scott. He might teach you a thing or two as well," I suggested. Deucalion didn't respond again.
Once more, I turned my back to him and walked away. I walked over to Derek, who smiled at me as I approached. I titled my head back once I was in front of him and he leaned down, capturing my lips in a soft kiss.
I sighed and wrapped my arms around him. Kissing him like this was like coming home, it was like a gentle reminder that everything I needed had always been right there in front of me. I held tight, not willing to let it go again anytime soon.
When Scott cleared his throat, we pulled apart. I gave the teenager a sheepish look before Derek's hand brushed along mine. I took it and locked our fingers firmly before we walked into the woods, heading out to find the others.
We found the Nemeton with relative ease. Scott and Stiles embraced as I rushed over to Isaac, nearly knocking him to the ground in a crushing hug. He laughed and hugged me back, dropping his forehead against my shoulder.
"You okay?" I asked when I pulled away. He gave me a cocky grin.
"I'm great," he replied. "You?"
"Well I don't know about any of you, but I'm starving!" Melissa called out, causing all of us to laugh. I smiled reassuringly at Isaac, squeezing his arm before walking back to Derek.
Everyone found their own way home and I helped Stiles when a tow truck came to get his Jeep. The sheriff thanked me and I found myself making little alliances with the parents, even Chris Argent. The quieter man had only nodded at me before he took Allison away, but I had a feeling we were an good terms, you know, for us being sworn enemies and all.
None of the other stuff seemed to matter though. When Derek and I got back to the loft, Cora all but attacked us. We embraced tightly before I left her to have a moment with her brother. I returned upstairs alone to change out of my filthy clothes.
Stepping into the shower, I washed away the blood and dirt that clung to my body. I tilted my head back and washed my hair thoroughly before I shut off the water. I wrapped myself in a towel and walked over to the mirror, wiping away it down.
I eyed myself for a long moment. Any evidence of what I had been through had healed, leaving behind nothing but smooth skin. I looked myself in the eyes and sighed.
There was a quick moment however, when I saw my eyes go from purple to that hellish red color. My skin melted into a dull black color and my body morphed into a beast I didn't even recognize. I saw myself as the monster I really was on the inside, the beast that would always be lurking under the surface.
I nearly screamed as I stumbled back from the mirror, smacking into the far wall. The illusion disappeared and I slid to the floor, covering my eyes with my hands.
"The horror! The horror!" echoed through my head tauntingly.
A knock on the door caused me to cry out in surprise. I stood up and straightened my towel before opening the door. Derek looked at me with concern.
"Are you all right?" he asked. I forced myself to smile.
"Yeah, better now," I lied. Derek eyed me for another moment before his gaze lingered over my body. I could smell his desire heighten and I shoved him, scowling.
"Cora's here!" I scolded him. Derek gave me a playful smile before he reached out to me. His fingers brushed along my sides before pinching my skin. I squealed and swatted his hands. Derek laughed as I shoved past him, dashing into the bedroom.
He caught me easily, swinging me through the doorway. He closed it behind us and had me pinned against it quickly. He ignored my half hearted protests as he kissed my lips, my neck, my shoulders.
The towel slipped away and I groaned as his hands ran over my sensitized skin. Within seconds, I ripped his own clothes off and grinned mischievously at him before shoving him back on the bed.
We rolled over the bed, teasing each other with our hands and lips, driving each other mad. Finally, I pinned him down and slid down his body, watching him as he watched me. He gripped my hips before I took him into my body, wrenching a groan from both of us.
Derek flipped me onto my back, hoisting my leg over his hip. He buried himself deep within my body and I cried out in pleasure. He murmured my name against my neck before we began moving together.
I wasn't sure how long we kept watching each other, our eyes locked as our bodies seemed to blend into one. All I knew was Derek, his eyes, the feeling of his body straining with mine, searching for some peak we kept climbing to until we fell apart in each other's arms.
Afterwards, he held me as he dozed quietly. I stayed awake, staring up at his face. I traced over every detail; the curve of his lips, the shadow cased by his eyelashes on his cheek, the serious lines between his brows which were smoothed away as he relaxed…
I smoothed a hand over his chest before resting it right above his heart. I tried not to think about the incident in the bathroom, just like I tried not to think about how we would eventually have to discuss what exactly had happened here in the loft…
I closed my eyes and pushed aside those thoughts for another day.
Ooo0ooO
(Derek's POV)
The next day, I went with Scott and Lyra back to the distillery mill. We both exchanged worried looks when we realized that Jennifer's body had vanished.
"She was dead!" Scott protested. Lyra frowned and rubbed a hand over her forehead.
"Who knows what happened to her body," she sighed. She turned and nudged Scott so we could walk out of the mill and back into the sunlight.
"Go to work," she told Scott. "Maybe Deaton will know something."
Scott grumbled but eventually went back to his dirt bike. Lyra and I watched him ride off before she turned back to me. She offered me her hand, which I took as we walked back through the woods, heading towards the peak.
When we got there, she began to tell me everything that had happened yesterday on her end. She explained to me why she had left, leaving me with a simple note. She told me about her plan with Ethan, and her double crossing Jennifer. I listened patiently, watching her as she talked.
"It was never about power," she finished. "It was only about protecting you and everyone else."
"You can't protect everyone, Lyra," I said gently. She smiled sadly, looking towards the high school, where the distant sounds of cross country practice was happening.
"I have to try," she said softly. Her gaze met mine as the sun reflected in her eyes, turning them a brilliant purple color. "I didn't have anything when I came here. Now I have you…Cora…Isaac… I have a family again."
A tidal wave of emotion crashed over my head at her words. Unable to reply, I simply wrapped my arms around her and pulled her tightly against me. She rested her head against my chest and I placed my cheek against her hair.
"I think we should move out of the loft," I said after a few minutes of silence. Lyra pulled away to look up at me. I brushed her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear absently.
"There are too many memories when it comes to that place. I think we need a fresh start and somewhere new to stay."
"You want to leave Beacon Hills?" Lyra asked, her brows furrowing together. I shrugged.
"I don't know," I admitted. Lyra considered that for a few moments.
"Why don't we go stay at the cottage for a while?" she suggested. "It's still technically mine and it has enough room."
"And then?" I inquired. Lyra smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"Then I think we should start rebuilding that house of yours."
Ooo0ooO
(Lyra's POV)
It took a few days for me to convince Derek about rebuilding the Hale house. At first he was completely against it, not liking the idea of opening up old doors to the past- or at least that's what he had called it.
I had called it a healing process. I figured since we both had lost so much, it was time to build from the ground up, starting with that house. I convinced him it would be beneficial not only for himself, but for Cora as well. Peter was once again M.I.A.
Eventually, Derek came around and I got Cora on board with the idea. They had packed up everything in the loft one day while I went down to visit everyone to check up on things. My first stop was to the clinic, where I found Deaton tending to some stray kittens.
The emissary greeted me kindly, inviting me into the back room. We talked and he told me about how Scott and him had had a long discussion the other day about all the events that had happened days prior. I smiled when he told me how Scott had said he looks for his friends when he feels that darkness within.
I helped Deaton with giving the kittens their shots before I informed him about my idea of rebuilding the Hale house. Deaton agreed wholeheartedly.
"Even though you might have made peace with your past, Lyra, there does come a time when you will need to look to the future," he told me. "This town might become a beacon again, and once again, we might need to work together to protect those who need protecting."
Afterwards, I went to the high school. I visited Lydia and Allison first, who were eating lunch outside since it was a relatively nice, sunny day. I hung around the school until the bell rang, and then I headed out towards the locker rooms.
Isaac, Stiles and Scott were talking to Ethan, Aiden and Ethan's boyfriend, Danny, as they headed out towards the track to warm up for cross country. Isaac was the first one to spot me and waved. I made my way over them and greeted each of them warmly. I smiled at Danny after Ethan had introduced us.
Before I left, Isaac stopped me to ask how I was doing. It was no secret to any of them with what I did in the loft on that night. None of them, not even Lydia, looked at me like I was a monster anymore. Isaac had explained to me it was because they understood what it meant to sacrifice yourself for someone else, and they knew I had sacrificed so much for all of them. Not wanting to be placed on a pedestal, I had told them I wouldn't hesitate with doing it again.
"I've got your back if you've got mine," I told them.
Isaac hugged me before I left and I smiled at him, affectionately ruffling his brown curls. I walked away, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.
Even though I had lost so much, I had gained a lot in return. I know had a new family, which included Cora and Isaac as well as the rest of them. To me, they were all like siblings to me. Then there was Derek, the one person who chose to let me into his life after so many years of hiding in the dark.
Later that night, I returned to the cottage. I pulled up in front, parking next to Derek's car. When I got out, I studied the small house. It was painted a soft white, and had moss growing along the sides. I could see in through the front windows, one which lead into the kitchen where Cora was cooking something over the stove. The other one lead into the living room, where Derek was reading a book while absently scratching his chin.
I smiled at the sight. Allowing myself a few more moments of me time, I walked into the trees, towards the small stream that was by the house. I stood out there alone for a few minutes, staring at the forest across the stream before tilting my head back to look at the moon. The stars were glittering overhead, shining through the clouds, and I remembered something my mother told me a long time ago.
"See those stars right over there?" Mom asked, pointing. My six year old self gazed up at the stars, eyes full of wonder.
"Where, Mommy?" I asked, tugging on her shirt. Dad crouched next to me, pointing until I spotted them. He was holding Abigail, who was barely two, in his arms.
"That's the constellation Lyra," he said. I gasped and looked at him.
"My name's Lyra!" I exclaimed excitedly. Mom picked me up and perched me on her hip. She nuzzled my cheek and I giggled.
"That's right," she said. "And just remember Lyra, whenever you get scared or whenever you are alone, look at the stars. They will always guide you home."
I'm not sure if the stars guided me here, but I knew as I looked up at them that they provided me with a sense of safety and comfort. I liked to believe that my parents and my sister were up there now, with the stars that made up the constellation my parents named me after, and were watching over me.
I wondered what they would tell me if they saw me now. I could feel that ever present darkness inside my heart, that darkness that came with killing. I closed my eyes and turned to walk back to the cottage, where Derek and Cora were waiting for me to return.
As I walked into the trees, another line from The Heart of Darkness went through my mind. It was the line Scott had told me about, the line he had learned on his first day of class with Jennifer.
It was almost fitting now, I thought.
"The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed somber under an overcast sky—seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness."
Ooo0ooO