Chapter Nineteen: Bullets and TeaTowels
Ella was divided. Her human and feline parts were telling her different things. He feline part wanted to hunt. It wasn't just normal feline DNA Manticore only used the best. The Queen of the cats, tigers, lionesses, leopards… That part of Ella felt in danger. There was a strong male here. He had killed her mate and would now go after her cubs.
That part Ella's human part knew as well. There a reason she'd fled New York, Jon had tried to kill her daughter. Ella's human part was angry. As she moved towards the fallen Alec she got angrier. How could he! She looked down.
She was stood in a pool of Alec's blood. She felt her eyes begin to fill. NO! she told herself. Get him help and then go after Jon! Protect your daughter.
'El?' Logan stood in the doorway. Max was with him.
'Get a doctor quick! Jon shot Alec!' Logan turned and ran. Max moved forward her face as grim as Ella felt.
'Why?'
'Manticore.' Ella looked again at her husbands bleeding form. 'I have to go after him.'
'Not alone. You've got two kids to think of.' Max said. Ella glared at her. It was a look Max knew. It greeted her in the mirror sometimes.
'I am.' Ella left after Jon. Dark jeans and lose shirt flapping in the wind. It a good job X8's healed quickly.
Jon wasn't just Ella's brother. He was genetically identical to Ella. Other than the fact he had XY DNA and she had XX they were the same person. Also he's insane Ella thought. Jon thought everything taught to him at Manticore was true. She remembered them well…
X5's are scum! You are superior.
If you come across X5's you are to kill on sight!
Understand me soldiers! KILL ON SIGHT!!!
He didn't even believe White had been trying to kill him. He was blind to the truth. But at least Ella wasn't blind to him. She felt out with part of mind designed to hunt. She caught his sent and followed it.
'White male. Gunshot wound to the chest…' Logan faded out as those words were said. Alec was dying in front of him. Bleeding on to the table. Alec was dying. Logan sat down oldest niece in his arms. Where's Ella. Alec won't get through this without her
Max watched them begin to operate and turned away. She couldn't lose him now. he meant to much and she'd never said it… He wouldn't even see his littlest daughter named. This wasn't fair. He's got so much to live for
O C stared at the wall. Alec, golden boy, shot. He couldn't die. He couldn't up and leave her Boo and two Lil Boos could he? Don't you dare Golden Boy. Don't you dare. She needs you
Ella found him. Stood above her baby. Holding the same gun he'd used to… to… to… murder your husband She thought bitter grief flowed through her.
Not even an X5 survives a bullet to the heart.
'Do that and you die. In fact. You die anyway.' Ella's voice was Manticore steel.
'Poor older sister. Lost her lover?' Jon taunted. Manticore didn't make loonies like that. They just turned innocents into them
'Get away from my daughter.'
'Make me'
The fight that followed was shocking. Ella and Jon were perfectly balanced, each blow was blocked and each punch missed. Like it had be prepared that way. Then Ella struck out. She raised her knee hard and Jon was thrown off…
'Forgot that lil trick did we?'
'No.' Jon threw a punch that knocked Ella down. Unconscious.
It was black,
Alec was alone.
There was a light.
Ella wasn't alone.
Alec?
Ella?
I'm here
You're dead Ella's mind, spirit…. Ella stated.
No.
I saw you shot in the heart
No. You saw me shot where my heart should be.
I don't understand
Manticore messed me up babe. My organs are reversed.
You're alive?
Yes
Jon…
Why are you here? Because of him?
Yes
Wasn't worth it.
I don't know where I am
Neither do I, kid. Neither do I
I love you
I love you. But kido you gotta wake up
Am I asleep
No. I am
Alec's eyes snapped open.
Ella's eyes snapped wide.
Jon turned and ran. Ella stood and followed him. She caught him at the door.
'I should kill you.'
'I know. Mother defending her child.'
'I won't. I won't kill again because of you. I have some pride.'
'Then I kill you.'
'No.' Ella slammed her hand down on his shoulder blade. Knocking him senseless. She pushed him on to the bed and wheeled it into the hospital ward. Leaving him there. She ran towards the operating room.
'El!' Alec said weakly. He couldn't say anything else his mouth was smothered in his wife's.
'You're alright!' Mathew cried, and they all grinned.
'Yeah I am.' Alec said and hugged Ella again.
Both Alec and baby Bethany were home and safe. Ella had sorted out somewhere Jon wouldn't bother them again. Everything was ok. Everything was good.
'Have you and Logan ever shared a dream Maxie?' Alec asked wondering…
'Err.. Maybe.' She said smiling at her husband.
'Why?' he asked.
'Cause we think it's weird.'
'Love's weird.'
'I know.' Max smiled. Realising that both she, Ella and Alec had realised that and exactly what love was…
'What's Love Anyway?' Ella asked grinning. Max threw a teatowel at her.