Well, hello there! See? I'm not dead...yet. This chapter was so hard to write, even though it's short. I had to get the scenes and timing just right for everything that I wanted to happen. This chapter is just the fight, so we won't know who died until the next chapter. Well, I know who died. And I want to promise that I won't be gone for another month, but I really don't want to make promises I can't keep. However, I can promise you that we will have quite a few more chapters left in this story. The fight was only the climax of action, but the drama must continue! Also, I'm really contemplating what to do with Cole. I can't leave him human and live with myself. Everybody has to have a happy ending because I said so. Remember when I killed Seth? Yeah he was supposed to stay dead. Aren't you glad guilt got the better of me?

Anwhozzle, on with the show!

Please Enjoy!

JulesPOV

I woke to silence and darkness. But it was that kind of darkness that spoke of early morning, just before sunrise. The silence was what bothered me. Not even the birds were chirping.

Light flashed overhead without the scent of ozone. It was probably what we called sky lightning. It wasn't actually striking.

Swallowing, I closed my eyes and sighed, listening to the patter of rain on the tent.

Beside me, I felt Bray roll over onto his side. I didn't know he was awake until I felt his fingertips on my cheek. I turned my head into his touch.

"You wanna hunt?" he asked softly.

I shook my head a little. "No, but I probably need to."

"We should run to the river and clean off before anyone sees us. We're still bloody."

Lifting the sleeping bag, I looked down my body. My breasts and sternum were smeared with blood, both mine and Bray's. Then I looked over to Bray's chest. He was likewise smeared with the red stuff. My teeth marks in his throat were scabbed over but looked raw, like an animal had gotten hold of him. There was dirt around the wound from where he'd moved in sleep and had laid on the ground. I noticed the back of the sleeping bag was shoved down around my shoulders. I'd moved, too, and would bet that there was dirt on me as well.

I smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Quietly, we both gathered up some clothes and shoved them in a smaller bag. I wrote a note to explain where we went if anyone came looking for us while Bray poked his head outside the tent to make sure that we weren't being watched. When he nodded, we both went out and phased into the early morning chill.

It felt good to stretch out on all fours. During the fight, I'd have to stay human to keep the connection with Mara. We'd tried with me phased, but it just hadn't worked.

Mentally, I had to work to open my line of communication with Bray.

Let's drop the bag at the river and then hunt.

You wanna hunt naked?

As we ran, I looked over before bumping my shoulder with his. Who's gonna see me besides you? It's only us out here. And Grampa won't follow because he can read your thoughts if he's running nearby. He'll stop anyone else from coming near us.

He rolled his eyes both physically and mentally. Whatever you say.

The river was a ways out but we made it in good time. Bray dropped the bag on the bank and we jumped the river, our noses working in the breeze. When we both caught a whiff, we took off. We came to a fairly large clearing with a lot more deer than I'd expected.

The buck is good size. It would take both of us to take him down.

I shook my huge wolf head. I don't want the buck. I'm not hungry enough. Let's pick a small female.

It took a moment of quietly circling the herd before I found the one I wanted. She was older and sick. I could scent the pain coming from her.

Let's put her out of her misery, shall we? Bray asked kindly. Then he looked at me. Let me get her, Jules. You need to save your strength.

I gave him a look.

He just shook his head. You have a more important job than I do. I promised I'd be careful in the fight but you have the critical job. Now hush.

Huffing, I did as he said and hung back. After almost losing him to my stupidity, I was ready to give him whatever he wanted to keep him from getting mad at me.

Bray circled the herd and found the best angle at which to pounce. The doe put up little fight and Bray expertly snapped her neck quickly. He was a pro at doing it in wolf form after having helped hunt for me and my brothers since he'd phased. Bray was careful as he brought her over to me. He was still respectful of the fact that she'd been a living being, and I loved that about him.

While I phased back and sat down, he nipped off the hair in large area on her neck. I pulled the doe into my lap, said a silent thank you, and fed the vampire inside me.

#######

Overall, our time away from the camp had only been about an hour before we were walking back into the clusters of tents.

Most of our group was already up and milling around while some were still emerging from their tents. My and Bray's families converged around us solemnly.

Mom smiled and cupped my face, her thumbs stroking my cheeks. "Did you have a good hunt?"

I gripped her elbows and nodded. "It was enough."

She smiled and hugged me. "Good."

"So how is this going to work?" Dox asked. "Is it going to be like a movie where both sides just run for each other?"

Dad shook his head. "Doubtful. This won't be anything like it was with the Volturi. We won't just stare at each other waiting for the other to make a move. Something tells me we're on the honorable end of this fight." His eyes kept scanning the woods and the open field behind him.

He was waiting for an ambush.

And that made me worry.

"I'm gonna go find Mara," I said, zipping up my leather jacket. Mara had advised that we wear leather because it helped to deter some magicks. "We should start getting prepared now." I looked at the family. "Spread the word. Fast."

After Dad's wariness, I walked quickly through the packs, my eyes on everything.

When I reached her tent deeper into the woods, I flicked the cloth. "Mara. We need to start now."

"Come in."

Unzipping it, I coughed when some smoke filtered out. But I went in and knelt beside her. She was meditating. Sitting down, I copied her pose and centered myself. Mara reached out to put her fingers against my temple. I knew everything that needed to happen without her instruction now. So I concentrated and brought my natural mental walls down to let her mind connect to mine.

Her voice whispered through my mind, different from the pack telepathy. You're scared.

Nervous, I answered. Something tells me we're running out of time.

We are. The storm will start soon.

Is she here?

Yes. It's only a matter of time before she attacks.

What's she waiting for?

I don't know. You should get to your family. All you need to do to activate the communication spell is to touch them. It will work in their wolf forms as well. You will be connected to them in your human form.

Opening my eyes, I gently disengaged so as not to disturb her and quickly left.

On my way back to my family, I gathered all the other leaders and brought them with me.

"Jules?" Piper asked as we joined them.

"We're running out of time."

"The spell?" Dad asked.

I nodded.

"What do we do?" Ash asked.

Rubbing my hands together, I stood in the middle of the circle. "I just have to touch you. With the spell, we can all still communicate whether or not you're in wolf form."

Not surprisingly, Dad was the first to step forward. Reaching up, I touched his cheek. Only a small click in my head let me know that he was now connected. Around and around I went, touching my brothers, Mom, Piper, Jason, Walker, Christa, Fiona, Seth, and Shelby.

Overhead, thunder rumbled as the clouds darkened. Lightning flashed in them but still didn't strike.

Suddenly, there was a crack followed by a bright, white light.

We all ducked and looked around.

The crack was followed by a scream.

And then a cackle echoed in the air, all around us.

She's here, Mara said.

I walked out away from the group and looked out at the open field.

With the next gust of wind, the laugh flew by and Eleanora was there, her people behind her. She was dressed in leather and painted for battle. Her hair was braided down her back. Her people behind her were likewise dressed.

She laughed again and held her arms out, tilting her head back. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and lightning flashed again.

When those eyes opened again, they were blue fire, her pupils and the whites eaten away. She studied us. "Such a force you've brought with you." Her hands sparked at her sides. "But are they enough?" she said softly.

I stepped forward, my head held high. "They will be. This is your last chance, Eleanora. Stand down."

Her expression flickered from haughty to vulnerable. And then was wiped away with an evil grin. "No."

Lightning flashed and finally struck. Eleanora cackled as it hit her, the field exploding into white light.

Close your eyes! Mara shouted.

I slammed them shut but not in time. I was seeing stars behind my lids.

All hell broke loose as people all around let out battle cries.

I could feel the rush of people around me as the fight broke out and the thunder was a continuous rumble overhead, lightning striking continuously.

Get up, Jules! Get up!

I could feel Mara's presence fill me like a cup as her power coursed through me.

Suddenly my head was yanked back by my hair.

"You little brat," Eleanora spat.

I struggled not to open my eyes. If I did, I'd be totally blind and disoriented. Instead, I reached out to put my hands on her torso and gathered the power inside me.

"I might be a brat, but at least I'm not an evil bitch!" Shouting the last word, I shoved the energy toward her.

She was shoved away from me. Opening my eyes and blinking rapidly, I saw her fly back before she landed and rolled through the dirt. She rolled into a crouch and stared at me with wide eyes. "How-?" Then her expression turned venomous. "Mara," she spat. She straightened up and sneered. "What? She can't face me herself? She has to let some little girl die for her?"

I snarled, flashing my teeth. "No, I can turn into a giant dog and rip your throat out. She can't."

Eleanora let out a very vampire-like hiss.

Going into a crouch, I growled and snarled.

Lightning flashed again as we ran for each other.

BrayPOV

As soon as the light flashed, I lost Jules. I was ripped away from her in a rush of bodies and chaos. The moment I got oriented again, I phased.

Witches and wolves were everywhere. Sparks of any color you could imagine were flying. People were screaming, the cries and roars of animals calling out into the morning air.

While I ran, I took the opportunity of helping out our people by distracting witches as I passed them. I nipped and bit at them, tripping them up.

Going through and dodging, I searched for Jules or the twins. I was close to the spot I'd saw them last when a witch stepped into my path.

Skidding to a halt, I raised my hackles.

She grinned. "Well, hello, Brayden."

I growled.

She pouted. "Aww, but we had so much fun together. I wouldn't mind tasting you again."

Digging through what I could remember of the time I'd spent with the coven, I could vaguely remember that she was the one that Eleanora had made me make out with in front of Jules. I wasn't sure how she recognized me in wolf form but I growled and snarled anyway.

"Now, now, love. That's no way to treat an ex-lover."

I knew that we hadn't slept together. Eleanora had kept me on too tight a leash except for that one night. But I lunged at the witch anyway.

Grinning, she pulled two wicked daggers from the holsters on her hips.

Not expecting them, I yelped when she slashed my side open as I dodged her too late.

Turning, I watched her, wary now.

She spun them expertly in her hands. "Not all of us have defensive magick, lover. But anyone can learn a weapon."

Are you alright? Dad asked in my head.

Fine. You?

He showed me the image of him ripping apart one of the male witches, blood pouring from the man's mouth.

Mentally smirking, I tuned back in to the witch in front of me.

Using two fingers, she motioned be forward. "Shall we?"

Snarling, I started running for her. Mid-step, I phased back into human form and tackled her. Clashing, we fell back into the mud and rolled, throwing hits and slashing at each other. My claw caught her arm, opening a long, deep furrow into her flesh. Blood poured from the wound and I knew I hit something important. One of her blades caught me along the lower stomach.

Instead of fighting back once I managed to get her pinned, she laid under me, pressing her body to my naked one.

"Mmm," she murmured. "I like this. You know, she was going to give you to me when she finished with you."

Baring my teeth, I let out a growl. "I'll only ever belong to one woman, and you are most certainly not her."

And then I slashed her throat open.

My chest and neck were splattered with her blood as I stood up and watched her die. For a long minute, she choked on her blood, her hands spasming close to her neck. As another streak of lightning flashed across the sky and cracked in the woods, the life left her eyes.

Shaking my head, I turned away and phased once more.

CecilyPOV

Running through the writhing mass of bodies, I tried to find my siblings, but there was too much blood flying. Faces flashed and then were gone. The lightning as strobe lights didn't help either. Every time I thought I caught a glimpse of Arden, she was gone. Jason, too. But I wasn't as worried about my brother. He had Piper stuck to him like glue, and she was a healer.

Out of nowhere, rain started to pour down on us. The ground, soaked through with blood, became even slicker. I slipped and tripped over bodies that I didn't want to look too closely at just in case I knew them, which was a decent probability. But despite the rain, I kept hold of my knives like the lifelines they were.

Knowing it was stupid to stop, I still did and looked around. Our people were holding their own, the witches dropping like flies at the end of their lives. But just as many of our people were going down. We just had more fighters so it didn't seem like we were losing as many. I briefly had a thought for my father, but the anger that bubbled up at the thought of him made me force it away.

Lightning flashed again, and I caught a glimpse of Dakota.

He was losing a fight against an elemental witch. My guess was that his element was earth because he kept slinging mud and tree branches at him. Dakota's talon-like claws were barely keeping up with slashing the branches away from him.

Baring my teeth, I growled and shoved through the fighters.

I barely made it in time.

Dakota had been slammed onto his back and the witch had brought the ground up to chain the weretiger to the ground. Dakota struggled against the bonds, but the witch was strong with his power. He was grinning maniacally as he picked up a broken branch with his power and was positioning it over Dakota's body.

"We should rid the world of you," the witch was snarling. "You should be eradicated, and I'll be more than happy to start with you."

Tucking away one of my knives, I brought out my shiny new gun and shoved the barrel against that temple. "Not today, motherfucker." I turned my face away as I pulled the trigger.

There was a blowback of brains, blood, and bone as the body fell to the ground. It slid down my face and onto my neck but I couldn't worry about that. Dakota was screaming in pain because the jagged end of the branch was lodged into his side from where the witch's power had slipped. Hands freed from the cage of the earth from the witch's death, they were hovering around the wound.

I went to my knees beside him, tucking the gun back into its holster. "Shh, calm down."

"Calm down?!" he growled. "There's a fucking tree stuck in my body!"

Using one hand, I gripped his face and turned him toward me. "Will you shut up for two seconds? Listen, if you don't keep still, it will do more damage. Now, I'm going to pull it out, but you have to keep still. Do you understand me?"

He swallowed hard as blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. Dammit. Something vital was punctured. He needed to shift.

"After it's out, you have to shift." When he didn't reply, I tightened my grip and leaned over him. "Do you understand me?"

Swallowing again, he nodded.

I put my hand on his throat gently. "Good man," I said softly.

We shared a moment of intense eye contact and there was a connection there, one I couldn't read. Shoving the emotions down, I went up on my knees and carefully gripped the branch.

I looked down at him. "Ready?"

He nodded.

"Count of three. One…two…," I yanked it out before three. It was better if he didn't tense up.

Screaming, he rolled onto his side and vomited. Blood poured out of his mouth. I threw the offending piece of tree away and knelt at his back. The branch had pierced through and through. His shirt was torn apart and his blood was mixing with the mud and rain.

Leaning over his shoulder, I brushed his hair back. "You have to shift, Dakota. You'll die if you don't. Please."

He coughed before giving me a small smile. "You act like you care."

"Everyone deserves to be cared about no matter how obnoxious they are."

He smiled again, and this time, there was blood on his teeth. "Step back. I'm going to force it. It'll be violent and I don't want to hurt you."

I didn't like the thought of him hurting. Leaning in, I kissed his cheek before forcing myself to my feet. I traded my remaining knife for both guns as I made sure nothing came too close to us. I knew how weak forcing a shift could make someone. Been there, done that, didn't buy the t-shirt.

In moments, there was another explosion of sorts before I was covered in a thick goo. Before I knew it, there was an orange tiger in front of me. Showing no sign of weakness, he ambled to his massive paws and stretched, digging black dagger claws into the mud. Then he was circling me protectively, letting out calls and hisses.

Stopping beside me, his tail wrapped around my thighs as he let out a warning call. In animal form, his back reached my hips. I reached down reflexively to pet him. Instead of hissing, he purred.

"Shall we?" I asked.

Together, we dove back into the fight.

JulesPOV

I blocked another punch of energy and threw one back at Eleanora, which made her stumble. We were both covered in mud and blood. I had a busted lip and various cuts on my throat and cheeks. She had a busted nose from my knee. Both of us had bloodied hands, and I could swear a couple knuckles were broken in mine. But I kept going. Broken hands were better than being dead.

Breathing hard, we circled each other. I had my fists up just in case.

Eleanora grinned tiredly. "You can't win against me."

"Oh yeah? And why is that?"

"Because, even though you're using another witch's power, you aren't using all of your own."

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Her grin was evil as though she knew a few things I didn't. "It means that I have embraced all that I am. You have not."

My brain tried to follow, but I couldn't make sense. It was a distraction, and exactly what she wanted.

Her evil laugh echoed around me as another bolt of lightning struck nearby, white light flashing in the clearing.

When I finally stopped blinking and straightened up, I saw that she was gone.

"Eleanora!" I screamed. "Fuck."

Spinning around, I watched the meadow surge with fighters. I couldn't see my brothers or parents or Bray. My eyes wouldn't focus on any one face.

Watching my surroundings, I tapped into the mental connection. Where is she? I demanded of Mara.

I could see her in her tent, sitting with her legs crossed and eyes closed. I don't know. My connection isn't with her.

I growled in frustration. Does anybody have eyes on her?

There were negatives from all those I was connected to.

It's possible she needed a moment to recoup, Mara said. You have prolonged training. She doesn't, and her body is human.

What did she mean that I haven't embraced myself?

It wasn't Mara to answer, but Bray. Your vampire side. You've embraced the wolf and have connected hunting deer with that. Last night, you were nervous that you drank from me because you were scared of what I'd think. But that wasn't all of it. You were scared that you liked it. But this is what you are, Jules. You're part vampire. You and your brothers drink blood for a reason. It makes you stronger, faster. Combine that with your wolf and you should be as fast as the Children.

He's right, Dad chimed in. We haven't been concentrating on training you in vampire speed, or teaching you to tap into that side of yourselves. Your mother can usually always beat me when we race during a hunt. From what I've seen today, you and Eleanora are too evenly matched. You need to try to tap into your mother's side. Don't fear it. It's who you are.

I took a deep breath. There wasn't time to be scared anymore. Bray was right; I was scared I'd end up as cold and still as the Cullen side of my family if I were to give in to my genes. Okay, but I have to find her first.

Before I could move, pain flooded my body. Going to my knees, I screamed. But there wasn't anything happening to me to cause it.

It isn't you, Mara said.

Maddox! Mom screamed mentally.

Panic flooded me. My brother was in trouble and I was near paralyzed with his pain. If this was what I felt secondhand, I couldn't imagine what he was feeling. The pain was so bad that I couldn't get up no matter how hard I tried. My brother was going to die and I couldn't do a damn thing to stop it. The connection between us was damaged and I had no way of seeing what was happening.

Not to mention, I was unprotected-

Wait.

Something furred and heavy rubbed against me. A heavy purr and growl vibrated around me.

"We got you," Arden said from somewhere. "Just do what you have to. Maggie and I won't let anything happen to you."

With that reassurance, I went back to trying to focus on my brother.

I got it, Bray growled.

Through my tie to him, I saw him running toward Dox as fast as his paws could carry him. There was a moment of slow and shock when he finally saw Dox. I screamed in despair at the sight of my brother. He was on his hands and knees, blood covering his body as if he'd just swam in it. The witch standing over him was making pulling motions with her hands and more blood poured from him even though there were no wounds to see.

She's a blood-puller. He needs to phase and soon. She'll bleed him dry without ever breaking the skin.

Bray's anger was fierce as he pushed himself forward with a vicious growl. Once he was close enough, he lunged, paws leaving the ground. Taking the witch down, they rolled. When they stopped, I watched through Bray's eyes as his head snapped down and his jaws crushed her face. She never had a chance to scream.

Ash was lowering Dox to the ground.

He's not phasing. He's too weak, he thought in a panic. Come on, big brother. Don't do this to me now.

Through his eyes, I saw Dox. He was drenched in blood. His eyelids fluttered as more blood coated his lips.

She broke him, I thought. His insides were broken.

Kneeling there in the rain, mud, and blood, I cried because there was no way he was going to come out of this.

For a moment, all the thoughts, the people, in my head went quiet.

And then…

Get up, Dad ordered. Son, get the hell up. Now. Phase.

It was the Alpha tone and he was aiming the full force of it at my brother.

Maddox Charles Black, I said get the fuck up! Now!

We all watched as Dox's eyes flew wide, his body jerking out of Ash's hold. He rolled over into the mud.

Phase! Dad yelled.

In the next instant, Dox's body exploded and fell back to the ground in wolf form. We all held our breaths as we waited for him to breathe or move.

I'm here, he thought tiredly as his big body moved with a breath.

Letting out a sob, I collapsed into the mud.

"I really hate to be the bearer of bad news," Arden said, "but the wicked bitch is coming back."

Anger – nay, rage - pulsed through me. Digging my fingers into the mud, a growl came out with each breath I took.

RenesmeePOV

Maddox stood up and shook out his fur. Beside him, Ash phased and the two of them ran off together. My son had almost died right in front of me and there I was still kneeling in the mud.

The air became thick, making it hard to breathe. My lungs struggled to catch and hold any oxygen.

But my subconscious didn't let my other senses dull.

Just as I heard Jacob shout my name, I felt the presence behind me.

Nessie! he screamed mentally and out loud.

Moving with vampire speed, I was up and out of reach. I felt the passing of the pulse of power thrown at me as it sailed past my back and ruffled my hair. With a hiss, I spun and ducked, grabbing the knife holstered at the witch's hip. Faster than he could comprehend, I buried it in his back, severing the spine. He dropped like a stone.

Breathing hard, I grabbed the knife from his body and spun around, staring at the battle.

Jules was going at it again with Eleanora. I was pleased to see that she was using more than her wolf side. The witch could barely keep up with my daughter's movements. But the real moment to strike hadn't come yet. The two would just be sparring until the lightning could get close enough or until Eleanora called it to her. Jules and Mara had to take it from her directly because it was her power in use that was the key to take her and the coven down.

Looking out, I searched for Jacob. He was throwing hand to hand with an impressive-looking male with blades. It seemed that all those who didn't have defensive magick used blades. Hell, even those with magick used weapons. But my mate was holding his own. If a few cuts were all that he sustained today, I'd consider him lucky.

"Just going to stand there?" a voice said behind me.

I turned to see a female witch, purple flames in the palms of her hands.

"Even standing here, I'm faster than you," I said, going into a crouch.

Her grin was sly as she stood still. I studied her in my peripheral vision, getting a sense of her body's movements. I saw the twitch just before she moved, throwing a hand out. I twisted away from the purple flames.

She whirled around in surprise.

I grinned. "Come and get me, witch."

PiperPOV

I had long since given up trying to keep an eye on anyone but Jason. We both had agreed to stay in each other's eyesight.

He was close by, playing with a female witch. I was facing off with another, dodging throws of power. When she threw her power upwards, I ducked and sliced my claws at the back of her knee. The knee collapsed and while she was still screaming, I stabbed my claws through her breastbone.

"Jason!" I yelled over the sound of the heavy rain falling as I spun around. "Quit messing around!"

I could practically hear his eyes roll as he did as I asked and dropped the witch with a couple slices of his claws.

The coven was dwindling fast. In our little area, we were alone and now away from the rest of the battle.

Jason, his bare chest covered with blood that was washing down into the tops of his rain-soaked jeans, came over to me. His blonde hair dripped water down his face. Reaching out, his thumb rubbed over a cut on my cheek. "You okay?"

Squinting up at the sky, I pushed the heavy weight of my hair out of my eyes. "I'm alive. Better than the alternative, I guess. You?"

"Wish it would end," he said, his eyes capturing mine. "I want to take you home." He leaned into me, his lips at my ear. "You're beautiful covered in our enemies' blood."

I let out a laugh. "Alright, that's enough, stud. It's not over yet. Jules and Mara are still waiting for their moment. We have to hold them off until that happens."

He huffed. "Yeah, I know." His lips brushed my jaw. "I still want you."

"All the more reason to survive," I suggested.

Going up on my toes, I kissed his cheek.

And that's when I saw it. Over Jason's shoulder, I saw a witch sneaking into the woods in the direction of Mara's tent. The witch was watching her surroundings, and I hurriedly turned my gaze away.

"Jason," I whispered.

He turned slowly. A low growl slipped from between his teeth. "I'll take care of it."

I gripped his hand hard. When he turned back to me, I said, "We go together."

Side by side, we snuck in behind the witch.

JulesPOV

My boots slid in the mud as our energies clashed and I tried to push her back.

Gritting my teeth, I shored up my strength and shoved. Eleanora stumbled back, breathing hard. She was clearly exhausted at having to try to catch me.

She grinned with bloody teeth. "There she is," she hissed. "The vampire princess."

I shook my head as the rain beat down on us. "Give it up, Eleanora. Your people are dying."

"And so are yours," she yelled back.

"True, but if you win, what then? You can't settle here. We have allies all up and down this coast. They will rain holy hell down on you until you fall. And you will lose. Cut your losses, take Genevieve, and go." And that reminded me that I needed to know where she was.

Eleanora shook her head. "It's not about territory. It was never about territory."

"I know. It's about what Mara did to Devon." I held my arms out. "All this because your lover killed himself?"

"Over her!" she screamed. "He killed himself because she made him love her and then just turned on him like it was a game. He was always fighting for the monogamous couples in the coven, and I loved him. That bitch never did."

Without my permission, Mara's presence pushed through mine, taking over and speaking with my mouth. "Yes, I did," she said. And I could feel her pain. "I cared for him. Maybe not as much as you did, but I could have. But it was time for me to leave and I knew he couldn't come with me. I didn't know he was dead, Eleanora. I thought that you had put him aside in favor of a new lover."

Instead of being comforted, Eleanora shook with rage. "How dare you talk to me?! Through a child's body! How dare you tell me you loved him?!" Her voice fell into a seething whisper. "The day I found him swinging from the rafters of our home was the same day I was to tell him I carried his child. I was so overcome with heartbreak and grief that both my body and the baby couldn't handle it; he was born still. I have lost everything!" she shrieked. She pointed at us. "And all because of you."

Mara was so distraught about that news that she was paralyzed so I had to push her back. Mara, get it together. Please. We can't win this without you. No matter what, she still has to be punished for her crimes. The rest of the coven must die. Please.

"I told you, girl," Eleanora continued. "I don't want your sympathy. I want your blood to mix with the mud and the rain. I want it to flow like a fountain from the gods, and I want to watch the light leave your eyes. I'm past saving. So either way, one of us isn't leaving this field alive." Her eyes slid to a spot just over my shoulder as an evil grin stretched her bloody lips. "And," she said just as Piper screamed Jason's name.

I whirled around.

Instantly, Eleanora was wrapped around me, holding me to the spot to watch. "I have a feeling I'll get to watch you suffer."

All I could do was stare in horror and grief as Piper struggled to get to Jason through a line of witches. He was standing there, gaping in surprise as what looked like a spear of ice protruded from his sternum. To add more damage, the witch, whose element I was guessing was water, walked around to face Jason with a grin. Jason was pulling the spear of ice out of his chest just as the witch was gearing up to deliver a blast of power. Piper was still struggling against the others in order to get to her mate. With her power, it was completely possible for her to heal him. But if this witch got in a couple energy blows, he was dead.

I struggled against Eleanora to get to him. But even if I got free, I'd never get across the field in time.

Just as the witch was about to throw power, I saw a streak of color fly past Piper.

It my mother. And I knew what was about to happen.

It was just like a movie. Mom was going to protect Jason by taking the blow for him. The only problem was, this was meant to be a killing throw of power to finish him off. It was going to be made of everything this witch could muster up. Jason was strong. Not just physically, but also metaphysically. It would take an awful lot of power to take him down.

And my mom was about to take all of that.

I struggled harder as I watched it all play out.

"NO!" I screamed as Mom took the hit.

Her body flew back against Jason, who surprisingly caught her and held his own. Shock was written all over his expression as he carefully lowered her achingly still body to the ground.

"Nessie!" Dad yelled as he ran over, barreling through fighters, slicing and dicing his way through them to get to Mom.

As he was sliding on his knees toward her, Jason looked up at the witch from over Mom's body…and I knew the woman was going to die.

His blue eyes had turned to amber and his teeth had elongated into fangs as he snarled at her. When Dad was close enough, Jason lithely leapt over Mom's body and lunged at the witch. He put her flat on her back before she could even twitch in his direction and tore at her with claws and fangs. Her screams were high and loud as he ripped her apart. And then they suddenly cut off. But he kept slicing her up.

I hadn't seen anything so vicious from our side this entire fight, but I was too pissed to be shocked.

Growling, I broke free of Eleanora and sliced out with my own claws. I caught her across the cheek.

She let out a shriek before pushing me away. "Enough of this!"

Stepping back away from me, she held her arms out and lightning flashed over and over.

Now, Mara! Fucking now! I yelled.

You have to touch her. When the lightning strikes her, you need to touch her.

That sounded like something I didn't ever want to do. But when Eleanora's head snapped back, I moved closer to her.

Not yet, not yet, not yet, Mara chanted softly.

And then, I couldn't believe what I saw. The air around me tightened so fast and hard that it was difficult to catch a breath. And Eleanora? Well, she started levitating. She held her hands out and her feet actually left the ground.

She's fucking floating.

It's the power she's calling. It's a lot.

You think?

Concentrate!

Shaking my head, I braced myself to move at the exact moment Mara told me to move. Lightning was flashing like a strobe light at a rave, lighting up the trees and various movements of the fighters.

My body went absolutely still as I waited.

A blinding flash lit up around me.

Now!

I had to blink several times just to see where Eleanora was even though she hadn't moved. Bolts of lightning were striking her over and over. Her body was getting higher off the ground.

And I was terrified to touch her.

The fear will get you killed. I'm here, Jules. If you don't do this now, your people will die.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered what courage I had left…and reached out to grab the witch around her throat.

Instantly, I felt the charge move through me just as Mara's spell took effect. My body vibrated with each bolt that hit Eleanora, a buzzing sound starting in my ears.

Eleanora screamed in rage. With one arm, she broke my hold on her and shoved me away. Disoriented, I flew back and rolled into the mud. It took a good minute to get the world to stop spinning before I could make it to my feet.

Mara was in my head again. You can't let her use the power. Take her down, Jules. You need to incapacitate her! Now!

Getting to my feet, I glared at the witch as she stood still, her arms held out again. This time, I knew she wasn't going to call the power. She was going to use it.

Letting out a scream, I dug my heels in and ran for her. She was too drunk with the power to react in time as I made impact with her torso and tackled her down. We slid back in the mud with me on top of her. She shrieked as we stopped at the roots of a tree. Her movements were slow, sluggish as she tried to fend me off, but it was no use. I was beyond pissed off and more than ready for her to die. I just wanted to go the fuck home.

Gripping the hair at her roots on the top of her head, I picked it up and slammed the back of her head into the ground. I did this a few times until she was dazed and unmoving.

Breathing hard, I stumbled up from her body to back up into the field. As soon as the rain hit the top of my head, I knew what I had to do. I had to call the lightning to me. Eleanora had done all the work a moment ago. My touching her had been only to steal the ability. Now I need to take the power.

Holding my arms out, I tilted my head back and concentrated on that buzzing feeling, on the smell of ozone, and the white-hot flash. It wasn't long before I was struck. I felt the zip through my body, and now I was helpless to do anything until the power was done charging. My eyes rolled back into my head and I could feel my own feet leave the ground. I felt my heart pound the blood through my veins, but also a faint sizzle to move with it.

"No!" Eleanora screamed.

Jules!

My head snapped up, and I stared at Eleanora.

Somewhere in the distance, I could hear my brothers and Bray and others running through the fighters, telling them to back off their opponents. Now. That was wise. I was about to light all of them up like their own personal bonfires.

The witch and I stared at each other.

"Goodbye, Eleanora."

"Wait-!"

I aimed all that power at her.

She screamed long and loud as it hit her. And after a moment, the others screamed, too.

There was no telling how long the drainage of power lasted, or even if it was working. As soon as I felt the last of the power leave me, I was thrown back onto the ground as the world stopped flashing and went black.

DoxPOV

The field was absolutely silent.

All the witches were dead on the ground or had exploded into the dust.

Jules was on the ground and I couldn't tell if she was breathing. Bray was running over to her.

Beside me, Ash was still in wolf form. We both stared out at the carnage. Piper was healing Jason. Dad and Grampa Edward were worrying over Mom. Others were gathering together to help each other up.

And then I noticed movement near Bray and Jules. Eleanora was still alive. It did and didn't make sense at the same time. All I knew was that she was slowly, painfully getting to her feet, murder written on her face.

Ash and I shared a look before we both started running.

"Bray!"

Bray curled his body protectively over my sister's as Ash leapt over them and pinned Eleanora to the ground, snapping and growling close to her face.

I slowed my pace and walked over to them, my eyes on my sister's still body. It wasn't until I got closer that I could see that she was breathing, but a trace of white smoke was lifting from her skin. Every time Bray touched her, a spark would flare between them, but he didn't seem to care as he held her.

With a cold rage, I put my gaze on Eleanora. She was struggling under my brother.

"Ash," I said.

He backed up a little, enough to let her sit up.

I crouched down and then looked back over my shoulder at the meadow. "A lot of people died because of you."

When I looked back at her, she spit in my face.

Ash snapped again as I wiped it off.

Moving so fast she never saw it, I gripped her jaws.

We shared a moment of intense, hate-filled eye contact…

Just before I snapped her neck.

Ash and I watched her body fall, lifeless, back into the mud.

Standing up, I said, "Let's go the fuck home."

Then my twin and I went to take care of our family.

Badass family, right? I adored Jules and Dox in this chapter. So, so very much. Dox killing Eleanora is actually incredibly important in what's coming for him in his story because of how this one is going to end. You'll understand when we get there. But please tell me what you think! I love, love, love your reviews, thoughts, and questions! Love y'all! xoxoxoxo