Will POV

I doubted either of us could take any more stress at this point. As it became clear the helicopter was hovering overhead, the chances of it being Vick seemed to become slimmer with each passing moment. Neither of us had even noticed Elisavet come into the room with a man until a door slammed. I jumped, hurting my wrists further. Elisavet approached me first and put a hand on my arm.

'Unless you want to forget your every memory from the last decade you should not make a fuss as Vol reties your hands.' She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head to the side. 'Clear?'

'Got it,' I muttered, hating my compliance. But while I was loathe to admit it, this person's 'gift' caused me to forget the most important person in my life. I had looked across this dark, damp, cold room at the most beautiful girl in the world with no idea as to who she was. Clouds of blonde hair and wearing what looked like for the world to be something you would sleep in was someone I never thought I could forget. Ever.

So was I going to comply for now? Yep. It was deeply unnerved me how easily a strong gift in the wrong hands could spell disaster. While this girl was no Contessa Nicoletta, the savant who had nearly taken Zed's, Yves', Trace's and my father's soulfinder links in Italy as revenge for the imprisonment of her son, she was not too far off either.

Elisavet's crook 'Vol' worked on my ties first. Using a pair of pliers, he snapped open the ties, my arms dropping in relief. But even if I had thoughts of escape, the speed he managed to re-tie my hands left little room for rebellion. The same thing was repeated with Willow before we were hoisted up and led though the levels of the boat.

'Where are we going?' demanded Willow. Looks like neither of us had given up all hope yet.

'Shut up,' Elisavet snapped, prodding me in the back to keep walking. My legs were weak from a lack of use and it took most of my focus to stay upright as the pins and needles worked their way out. I longed to turn around and check how Willow was coping but no way was I risking it right now.

It took a good five minutes of trawling through the boat, décor growing more luxurious the further up we went, to reach what looked like the main level. Metal floors that had echoed and rattled turned to glossed hardwood floors and plush cream carpets while the bare walls began to host paintings I doubted were acquired through legal means.

Stopping abruptly at a door that seemed to lead to a utility closet, Elisavet wrenched it open and let Willow and Vol take the lead before she pulled me in, slamming the door behind us. Inside was a narrow curved staircase, footsteps already ringing through its thin frame. The sound from earlier was now definitely a helicopter, unmistakeable as the sound reverberated all around us.

'Up, now,' Elisavet ordered, all business. The weak stairs shuddered under my weight and without my arms for balance, it was difficult finding the steps in the dark before a sharp shoot of light illuminated the room.

'Are they ready to go?' Elisavet yelled, the helicopter now whipping gusts of sea air down towards us.

'All set. They only have three seats though. Christophe said there were no bigger ones available on such short notice,' Vol said.

'Whatever,' Elisavet said. 'Alright, you two up now. Hey Christophe, what ya doin' up here?'

I turned as much as I could to see Willow's brother walking up to us, hands in pockets and while he had that shit eating grin I hated, a layer of nervousness seemed to simmer below the surface.

'Ah, I just have a message for that miscreant there,' he said, tilting his head in my direction. 'Load Willow up Elisavet. Vol head back to command.'

With a curt nod, he left and Elisavet pulled Willow over to the helicopter. Christophe returned his focus to me. He waited until Elisavet and Willow were by the helicopter before speaking. 'My father, Colin, intends on meeting with you both again soon after you hit land in Cork and I doubt it will be pleasant. Dad runs everything.' He ran a hand through his hair and glanced over at the helicopter, seeming to decide something. 'Look, you need to run with my sister as soon as you hit land because I doubt my father intends on letting either one of you live. And keep your expression neutral.' He snapped. He seemed to have become quite out of breath over the course of this conversation.

No matter the horrible, sly guy I though Willow's brother to be, I had to ask 'Are you ok?'

He wiped a hand across his forehead where I saw sweat beading. 'Yeah,' he grimaced and coughed, rubbing at his throat. 'Funny thing about my father's gift is fighting it is like trying to stop yourself drowning with ankle weights on. His control loosens with distance, I think, but fuck it hurts. Bastard.' He muttered before coughing again.

'You ready with him?' I heard Elisavet yell over the sound of the helicopter.

The smirk returned though, from where I stood, the orders from his head were still hurting him. 'One more minute love.' He called back with a wink. He visibly relaxed a fraction as he relapsed into the Christophe I thought I knew. 'Look, get her away as soon as you can.' He said, returning his focus to me. 'You should be meeting with two of our men on land, one of which can track you if you leave so much as a watch behind so... Be careful.' He paused before glancing at the helicopter again. 'And… Once we hit land I will probably be no more help.'

'You can fight too you know.' I replied. Christophe barked a laugh, sharp and dry. 'You know deep down you can fight it.'

'Listen up, my father has messed with my head so much every part of me is screaming at me to shut my mouth. Eventually Mr. Benedict, it gets to the best of us.' His eyes fixed on me, a drip of sweat trickling down the side of his face as he fought for control. It looked agonising. 'Keep her safe.'

'And you fight for you.' I said back. He gestured for me to head over to Elisavet. With a curt nod, I hurried over to the helicopter. As she locked me in and closed the door, I looked out towards Christophe. He wore his smirk again as his body relaxed. He saluted us off and turned.

All I could hope for was that Colin's Christophe could fight his way out of this and that we could too.

It was pitch black as we landed in what I presumed was Cork in the south of Ireland. As the helicopter blades slowed down and the helicopter settled, beams of light shone through the darkness. A minute later, two near identical large men carrying torches approached Elisavet's door and helped her out.

Girl got it bad for them big boys Willow drawled in a terrible American accent. Sure enough our Elisavet was flicking her hair and laughing with the men who were grinning back.

Well they certainly seem charmed. Terrible American accent by the way.

Like you could do an English one any better. You know Xav sounds like a seventy year old British granny when he tries it. Crystal loves it though but…

It grates on any sane person's nerves. I smiled. Well your accent sounds fit to eat a hotdog at a Yankees game wearing knee length shorts and a fanny pack.

It does not! Willow whipped her head around to look at me but her face broke into a grin. It was a beautiful thing to see and considering how quiet she had been for the flight, it really warmed my heart. Her grin dropped suddenly and she turned to face forward in her seat again. Amadán a haon and Amadán a dó are coming.

What?!

Irish. Means idiot one and two approaching. A language I learnt just to impress my mother's relatives here. Get with the program Benedict.

Because that makes sense.

I could sense her smirking before one of the men yanked opened my door, unlocked me and checked to make sure the zip ties were secure while the other did the same with Willow. My heart was pounding hard in my chest knowing we would be seeing Christophe's father Colin soon and… Hold up.

Willow… Christophe mentioned his father runs this. Is he…

Yes. She replied curtly, as one of the idiots walked her around to our side of the helicopter. With Elisavet taking the lead, we left the helicopter behind us. I suppose being sent away from him was a good thing. I met him in all his glory a little while ago and well, it was a surprise. When Christophe said I was related to a… a criminal… I could see Willow's internal struggle to put words to her feelings as we were led away from the helicopter.

Just know you are not defined by your blood but who you choose to be and those who love you.

'So Bossman will meet us tomorrow at this set of co-ordinates he sent,' Elisavet was telling one of the men, 'And he sent me the address too. You guys might recognise it.'

Our feet hit road and Elisavet pulled open the back door of an SUV. The first man pushed Willow in and I was un-ceremoniously shoved in after her, the door slamming behind us. They continued talking outside.

'Boss no like moving across the pond to us lads, no?' one man said in a thick accent. He looked nearly jovial through the window, his reddish hair only adding to his Irish man image. His friend seemed far more stoic.

'Not at all. He wants to meet at a warehouse he has on the outskirts of this city, for,' She shook out her hair, 'Obvious reasons.' She dropped her voice and pulled the guys a little further from the car. 'Where the fuck are we?'

'Not too far from Cork city itself. No more than five minutes. The warehouses are on the far side though.'

'Of course they are,' I heard Elisavet murmur. 'How are things going here?'

I tuned out and turned to Willow. 'Listen we have to escape. Christophe…'

'What about him?' Willow muttered, turning her face away.

'No, no! Listen,' I tried to keep my voice down, 'He said we have to escape before we meet with your father and that, that one of those two,' I moved my left shoulder in their direction, 'Can track us by our possessions. We need to get as far from here ASAP.'

'So what do you want me to do Will?' Willow sighed, tilting her head up and blinking rapidly, 'Because frankly I am so tired of this. I have not changed my clothes in days, I want a shower more than escaping and these ties keep rubbing off my wrists.'

'Then you really might hate my plan…'

'Will…'

'Ok, just, can you burn my ties off, I can deal with it.'

This is a conversation not to be had aloud Willow said telepathically, glancing out the window. Ok quickly, just say what you need.

Right, my gift is not too much help right now but I can bring what growing up with six brothers gave me: how to kick some ass. Can you… Like taser them? And do you have to touch them to do it?

I knew Willow would want to think this through a bit more but there was no time. She chewed on her lip. Yeah, I think I can control it enough. Bit tired but nothing bad enough to impact control.

Elisavet and the men were finishing up their chat, laughing like old friends. Funny, she looked nearly normal. Ok, improvise, Willow melt my ties! Now!

What? Shit!

I shifted as much as I could so she could see the ties. Shuck it off as soon as you can she warned before the burning started. I hissed in pain as Willow concentrated currents as carefully as she could to create heat and melt the ties. One of the men opened the driver door (on the right side of the car instead of the left) while Elisavet took the passenger side. It was now or never. I shucked off the ties, every part of me longing to scream out in pain. But I had no time as one of the men opened my door to get in. Before he knew what hit him, I lunged, knocking him back onto the road. He let a roar from him before I managed to land a blow.

I could sense Willow had her ties burnt off and had jumped out behind me. She was going for Elisavet, our biggest threat gift wise though it was soon clear the girl had a few moves too. But I had to focus on putting this guy out, his considerable bulk making him difficult to keep down. I grabbed at his neck as he pushed back on my chest. Pinning him down as much as I could, I used my right arm to swing another punch at his jaw but it only half connected and he used this to shove me off. I grunted as I was shoved into the wet muck going back into the field.

Watch out Will!

Sure enough, the other goon had come. Shit. 'Come here you bloody Yank!' the man spat as his comrade tried to get to his feet. Willow was still circling Elisavet, both trying to take the other down with as little contact as possible. Looks like she knew Willow was her own type of Pikachu.

Knowing it was only a matter of time before the other man got up, I jumped past my second attacker as he reached to grab at my arm and swung a hefty kick at the other man's back. He coughed and collapsed just as my other attacker grabbed around my midsection.

We crashed into the ditch, his weight pinning me into the dirt and grass. He wasted no time and put his two meaty hands around my neck. I let out a gurgled grunt as I clawed fruitlessly at his thick fingers, panicking as black spots began to cloud my vision. Great, my last sight would be of dark, dirt and this tool's face. Would he know to stop when I passed out or would he keep going until he killed me? Christophe basically said we were here to be killed anyway so was this just my death sentence a day early? And Willow. I renewed my effort with the last of my strength, thrashing as much as I could until voomph!

The impact threw me face first into the disgusting soil, the weight of the man no longer pinning me down. Was that... Willow!

'Willow,' I rasped, pushing myself up onto one arm. Dazed and dizzy, I scanned the surroundings blinking to try and see through the dark. Back out on the road, lightning flashed before fizzling out just as quick. In the quiet, I heard her laboured breath as she took a moment for herself. She had gone down on one knee, utterly exhausted.

'I tried to shock just him but I could barely see you guys! Are you ok?' she panted, slowly getting to her feet and stumbling over to me. I felt more so than saw her pat down my face, lingering a little as she checked as best she could for injuries. I wanted to kiss her in relief but who knew how that would be received.

'Yeah, I just need a minute,' I croaked, coughing what felt too loudly despite the distant sounds of traffic. 'Though how…'

'Well, Elisavet is not getting up for a quite some time and tasering the crap out of them will probably help keep them quiet,' She rooted in her pocket, 'As will these zip ties that fell out of Elisavet's jacket.'

I laughed, though it came out like a small dog choking which caused Willow to laugh alongside me. 'So what now?'

'Like you said we run. And probably find a way to call Vick. Hold up,' she cautioned, she bent down to zip tie our three 'friends', tugging on the ties before straightening up. 'Ok, good. I say we get the first bus or train out of here and head north.'

I smiled to myself before replying. 'Well, Ms. Lovell Woods, how opposed are you to breaking and entering?' And sure enough, even in the dark, I could see a cunning glint light up her eyes. Tonight would be interesting.

Author person here,

I am actually so happy right now! Just looking at cute printables on pinterest and having a lovely chilled day! I hoped you liked another fight scene too.

Please favourite, follow or review (or all three!) and thanks for those of you who have. I read every single one smiling :) You make my email so much more interesting :) :)

Ok hint time! As it turns out, Willow can fit through a bathroom window and Xav has 'interesting' taste in rescuers ;) See you soon.