Author note: hello all, ok so this is might be a little sad but it's the last fight chapter. I thought I would draw it out longer, but there no need for it to be. Some might think this chapter is sad...and so im suppose to issue a tissue warning. I'll see you at the bottom i suppose.

Chapter 31- Battle of the Sisters: Adoptive vs. In Law

In Law—

I'll kill you! I snapped trapping the little green-eyed assassin beneath me. Her trying to kill me I could forgive. But she broke into my house, took my sister from me, and hurt my brother. That I couldn't forgive.

I scratched at her, but instead of clawing thorough her skin my nails screeched against nothing. What the hell is this?

Zach never told you Reenie's family has special abilities? Her father can read minds, her mother can produce shields, her aunt can see the future, and her uncle can manipulate emotions. Ray explained still fighting to keep the wolf and two vampires away from me.

I wasn't letting her up, I didn't care if she was hiding behind a glass wall. Yeah, he told me all of that, but what about this girl?

Apparently she's the total package, and can do all of them. He explained still fighting.

I rolled my eyes, Great.

"Asima!" A vampire that somehow managed to throw my husband called out to her. The three of them coming to assist her. "Get off of her!" He snapped pushing me aside, unnaturally strong. But then gently extending his arm to help her up. "You okay?"

I glared at them both. That didn't make sense. He had red eyes, he shouldn't be so close to her let alone so soft. Nina, are you alright?

I'm fine Ray, I breathed getting up looking him over to make sure he was still alright. A brief glance their way told me the other three were doing the same for her. Looks like they're set on fighting with her.

And I'm set on fighting with you. Ray promised putting his back to me once we were surrounded.

My eyes trailed into the direction of the cliff where Reenie watched us, and Ray could feel my longing to go to her. Run with her, and keep her safe until this fight was over and my family was whole again. They can't have her Ray…she's the first complement I ever wanted to be my sister.

We'll get her back, Ray promised softy, but straightened up when the snarl of the sand colored wolf snapped us out of our moment. We just have a small matter to attend to here first.

Together… I breathed taking one more look before focusing on the fight.

Together… He promised before breaking off.

—

Adoptive—

"I'm okay guys," I promised apologetically. I know I must have scared them, even though she didn't put a scratch on me.

"Which one is that? Can you tell?" Jabril rasped not taking his eyes away from the two werewolves deep in communication. No doubt as frustrated as I was that we couldn't get in their heads.

I looked hard at the wolves, one of them was covered in a dirty russet color a bit brighter than Jacob's, the other you could see a hint of midnight in the black fur that ran along his back. It didn't take a genius to figure out the werewolves after that. "Based on the venom in the red ones eyes and the support of the black one. I'd say that's Zach's sister and her mate."

"Then we take them together," Phil demanded, red eyes blazing.

I shook my head, "No one is to kill Nina but me."

Now isn't the time to choose players, Seth refused, not understanding my reasoning. We'll fight them together.

"I can take her Seth—" I attempted to argue.

Seth couldn't help but snap back, worry in his angry words, I don't care. I won't risk your life over a pissing match, you aren't doing this without me.

God why did he have to love me so much that he couldn't understand what I was trying to convey. Nothing has ever been about doing this without them, it was about protecting them because I loved them so much. But he was right— I couldn't argue right now, I needed all of them.

"Fine—together, but when the time comes. Let me kill her myself." I requested turning back and preparing for the fight before us.

Phil linked his arm with mine and crouched just as low. "You're fighting for you place in Nessie's heart too?"

"She's my sister. My actual sister." I growled with hatred. "Fifteen years of friendship has proven that, raising a family together, and the fact that we'd do anything for each other was proof enough. A few weeks of bewitchment isn't going to outshine that. She's deluded."

Jabril scoffed once linking my free arm with his, "I can feel territorial all over you."

I would have argued, but both of them sprang at us. Jabril and Phil pushing my arms up, out linked formation supporting me enough to push both of my feet into Ray's chest and send him crashing into Nina.

Separating ourselves Jabril and I shielded the others, dodging blow for blow, Seth ducking to let Phil jump on his back and send a fist crashing down into Nina's side.

Nina's teeth caught him before he could give her enough distance. Locking onto him and swinging him side to side, and eventually right into me.

I'm shielded, just go. I told him mentally before he could break concentration to check on me. And he snapped on, ramming into Ray, Jabril using the distraction to climb up his back.

—

In Law—

The sound of my Ray's howl when that other hybrid bit into him was enough to make me howl with him. I had to stop him.

I swiped a claw across his back, the sound echoing around us, thankful that his shield wasn't up. He was definitely a half vampire, the marble scrapings under my claws were covered in blood. There was a much sweeter smell than the rusted iron aroma of human blood.

"Jabril!" The girl snapped rushing to his side.

I didn't have time to rush her because the red eyed pest jumped at me. My claws stared tearing for him. He ducked, and weaved all of my attempts to reach him before his teethed slashed downwards against my arm.

Vampire poison hurt like shit, but thankfully the moon helped me recover quickly. He went for another snap, but I sidestepped to the right and his teeth passed, a hairs breath away from my face.

I needed to see how Ray was doing with the others, but I couldn't' afford to look away. I wouldn't lose this fight, my family was at stake.

I'm alright, just stay focused… Ray assured but his thoughts were strained.

Quickly, before the red eyes could follow up, I backhanded him in the solar plexus, using the brief seconds to steal a glance in Ray's direction. He was taking on the wolf, and the male hybrid.

Ray took what little opening he had, using his surroundings to his advantage, lowering himself to all fours, and rolling in the dirt—sending the hybrid flipping into the wolf. Thankful that he was holding his own, I turned back around. But not soon enough, the red eyed vampire had Asima by the arm, swinging her, and sending her scissor kicking into my ribs.

It knocked the wind out of me sending me doubling over only to meet the impact of an uppercut sending my head snapping back.

—

Adoptive—

This ends now!I thought to myself putting all of my strength into my fist meeting her face.

I trapped her into the shield looking around for Benjamin. He already had fire dancing in his hands disposing of as much werewolf carnage as he could. "Ben!" His head snapped in my direction. "I could really use a light over here!"

Grinning, compressed his flame, tossing it my way. "Hot potato all over again."

Phil went to go help Seth and Jabril with the other one, realizing it was pretty much a good idea to stay out of my way.

I kept my wrist rotating, waiting for the flame to catch hold without lingering long enough to burn me. A frustrated Nina snapping at the invisible wall holding her hostage. When I opened the barrier to cast the flame, in a creative tumble, Nina used her momentum in a creative way. Instead of rolling away from the flame, she rolled into it, jerking right before swinging around me.

Putting herself directly behind me, she wrapped her arms around me, locking mine at my sides. My legs kicked, but she curled her legs into her body absorbing the blows lowering me to the ground. Changing the direction of our fall she squeezed tighter, burying herself on top of me, causing me to lose my flame altogether.

She squeezed the hell out of me, making it more difficult to breathe. "Gah!" I let out at loud cry when I felt my arms cracking under the pressure. My teeth sank down into my bottom lip when I felt my rips protesting as much as they could. I could almost hear the whining of the bones, but I didn't want to distract the boys from the fight. They were actually winning.

I had to stay conscious. I couldn't let her beat me. Nessie needed me to win this. Darkness started to cloud my eyes, and I fluttered them quickly trying to fight it.

Then—like a miracle— a silvery shimmer pierced the sky. The moon helping it cast glistening rays over us. It wasn't a lot, but enough to get Nina's attention. Her deadly grip, and hostile breathing slacking ever so slightly.

It was enough of a distraction for me shimmy and fall out of her hold rolling away from her, but staying crouched low. Nina looked back down at me, realizing what happened and growled going to all fours.

I moved on all fours pacing a small circle maintaining my distance trying to five my body a brief time to heal. Thankfully, it didn't take long to recover and I coiled into myself securing my shield.

Attempting to launch herself at me first, she fell right into my trip. My arms opening to accept her, hugging my arms around her neck. Her teeth snapped at my neck, and the force of her jump sent us sliding across the dirt, but I didn't feel any of it.

"Let's see how you like being squeezed…" I grunted tightening my hold until I felt her neck crack.

Not wanting to waste any time I rolled her off of me, using my foot to further the break. "Ben—light!"

"Don't drop it this time!" Ben growled preoccupied, but not angry with me.

I caught the compressed flame holding my hands together to light both of them rotating my wrist the same way.

Nina righted herself faster than expected coming at me, but I planted my feet firm preparing myself. This was going to hurt me as much as it hurt her…

—

In Law—

Bad idea, was my only thought when I tried to rush her again.

She ducked low forcing both fists into my body. Once heat covered hand striking chest while the other hit me just at my ribs. Like an EMT using a defibrillator. What kind of move was that? I wondered feeling my insides ripple making me fall backwards.

The heat seared through my fur straight to the flesh, the two spots burning raw underneath. Hastily she flipped me over, yelling for some random vampires to help her. Two of them grabbed my arm snapping them behind my back and as much as I fought, the only access I was granted was a view of Ray's fight.

No! Ray was no better. The red eyed vamp and hybrid had him pinned into submission just like me. Ray! I howled into his head wanting to see him.

Ray was grunting and fighting just as bad. I'm alright Nina, don't look…

I didn't know how to tell them that they got me too, but I wanted to look into his eyes one more time. No— this wouldn't be the last thing I wanted him to see. The pain of one of us dying was torture enough for me, there was no reason for both of us to go through it. As much as I want to scream for him. I'd be strong. I'd let him think I kept fighting.

"Emmett, Jazz, I need you." My soon to be executioner yelled interrupting my moment.

Ray heard it, his head snapping in my direction, my thoughts holding an apologetic wince. Nina…No! He sounded like his life was already over. The pain in his voice was enough to kill me right there. Why didn't they just get it over with?

I tried… I apologized.

Ray was probably thinking of everything that he wanted to say, but I mentally shook my head, not letting him. Carpe noctem… I mentally reminded.

'Seize the Night'… That was a concept that only a werewolf could fully understand. It didn't just mean that we could do whatever we wanted, without consequences. It was actually the opposite. We lived our lives, seizing every moment, because we knew how short life was no matter how long we lived it.

We loved hard, played hard, lived free, and didn't make excuses all with the knowledge that it'd come to an end one day, but there'd be no regrets. So we didn't need to think about the good times, and though no sane person wanted to die, we didn't wish we could have done anything more.

And with a look, Ray felt the same way. Carpe Noctem. He echoed in my head, but it sounded like a choking whisper.

A full minute didn't pass, but it felt like a year. Then I felt the push of Asima's foot digging into my back arms snapping back my head giving me a starless view of the night sky as my last sight.

Another shimmer of silver twinkled across the sky captivating me. I used to always laugh at the idea that werewolves shied away from silver because the truth was it was exactly the opposite. We loved it— the luster, the coolness, the way it caught the moonlight— it soothed us.

And in this case, the silver shimmer that pierced the sky was my chosen star, guiding me wherever I was going next. So with a deep breath, I exhaled, talking to Ray one more time. I love you…

I love—

—

Adoptive—

"You okay?" Phil breathed roughly coming back over with Jabril, and Seth anxiously looking down at my hands.

I nodded ignoring the smoky color of my palms. I wasn't any worse than last time. "I'm good."

A loud set of howls pierced the fight around us, and I looked up at the sky wondering if they knew the exact moment one of them died. I shook off the morbid curiosity and turned back to the others, taking a moment to make sure they were okay.

We're better than okay… Seth breathed excitedly. Look, they're getting more fatigued. The moon is setting. It won't be long now.

I looked around and he was right, werewolves were falling left and right, and though our numbers had taken a bit of a hit as well we were definitely winning. "But we can't win this way…"

"What do you mean?" Phil stared at me like I was growing two heads. "A wins a win."

Jabril understood though. "No, if we don't kill Zach we'll lose Nessie forever. We don't have a win until he's met his demise. They'll most likely retreat before they change back and we can't afford that."

We've got to kill him. Seth agreed. We stick together, find him.

Another loud howl echoed through the night making all of us turn on our heels. A large black wolf on the other side of the field stood on his hind legs, an echo of agony in noise. Zach.

"He knows." I breathed.

"What's Nessie doing down here, she's supposed to be up top with Merit?" Phil wondered aloud.

My head shot up at him feeling the horrible sense of Deja vu, "What did you just say?"

"Nessie…she's with Zach." Phil repeated.

My mind involuntarily connected what was happening, my conversation with Merit coming back to mind.

"But if anyone can understand that it's you,

You've been running and eluding things your entire existence."

"But we all stop running eventually…" I breathed remembering my words.

Jabril's eyes cut to me in confusion. "What?"

My eyes were on the large black werewolf, and I could feel him scanning the crowd searching until his eyes landed on me. There was no doubt he knew I was the one responsible for Nina. I didn't answer my nephew, too lost in my recollection.

"Even if it's not fair?"

"Even if you don't deserve it?!"

"Who's to say what we deserve and don't…" I echoed with wry humor feelings my eyes get wet. "Of course…" I muttered to myself.

I knew this was going to happen, even though I hoped it wouldn't. Jake couldn't kill Zach because for the moment, he was a part of Nessie. He loved her too much to cause her pain. Everyone did. So she needed me.

Blood related or not I Nessie was my sister, and I loved her enough to hurt her. If it was for her own good. And she needed to be back with us. "At any cost…" I breathed again.

"Asima what are you taking about?" Phil hissed grabbing my arm snapping me out of my haze.

I quickly explained, "Zach, he's knows I killed his sister he gonna fight me."

Then a fight we'll give him. Seth growled watching him stalk though the other fighters.

"No!" I snapped harsher than I meant to turning to him. "Turn back."

What…

"Turn back… now…" I insisted in a beg. He confusingly complied and when I had all three of my boys in front of me I explained. "I'm going to do something that is going to make Nessie hate me and I don't want any of you to be a part of it."

"We fight together!" Seth refused but I silenced him crushing my lips against his. When I pulled back for breath he protested. "You're not leaving me out of this."

"I never leave you out." I promised staring up at the sky for a brief second. Knowing we had only a few more minutes of moon. "I just don't want her to hate you guys."

Phil shifted, "She'll forgive us."

"I won't forgive myself." I snapped harshly knowing I only had seconds. "I need you all to trust me. Have I ever given you any reason not to?"

They didn't have an argument for that, but they were set on helping.

So I was forced to compromise. "Look…hang back. If it looks like I need help than by all means come running, but not unless you have to."

Jabril had a silent exchange with all the boys, but even though they were torn, I hurriedly kissed them all on the cheek when I knew I'd won out.

"If there's even a hint of a struggle—"Seth stated.

"I know." I nodded, smiling.

I finished the few hundred feet in a hurry shielded and ready. Zach didn't waste a second, lunging for me and I spun out of the way, wide eyed and still breathing hard from my last fight. His hated filled eyes pounced again, claws scraping against my shield but making no purchase on me.

Forcing me backwards trying to dodge his assault was giving him the upper hand, and in an attempt to regain the upper I let myself fall to the ground. Grabbing a hand full of dirt and throwing it into his eyes before he could cover me.

It was a dirty trick, but it worked. Trying to take the opening to crawl on his back, but thrashed too soon sending me elsewhere. It didn't hurt me, but I did get a chance to spot Ness in the crowd of fighters. She was looking at Jake, caught up in her own world. This wouldn't work if she couldn't see it.

I needed to draw this out, time it with the set of the moon. So I pushed myself forward planting strikes on his arms and neck, but they didn't have the same effect on him as they did Nina and the other werewolves I fought.

He stood straight, eyes building with rage, dragging his claws across my collar bone making me scream.

Seth's wolf form tried to spring forward but hit the dome I was holding around them keeping him out of this.

Asima…let me out now!

"Hey! Asima, seriously! Let us help you!" Phil insisted.

I felt guilty for lying, but this was my fight. They'd forgive me when this worked. Forcing myself to keep going, I landed another punch on him. But the blow was too sluggish and didn't do much. He maneuvered around it, and before I could even register the dodge he send another slash across my ribs sending a ripple of pain through my torso.

Asima! Seth whined, worried and angry.

It took all of my energy to keep their shield up through the pain. It was unreal, the pain in my chest and ribs…the general confusion. The fatigue from a night of fighting was wearing me down, but I had to keep going.

My moves were purely defensive, but I managed not to get hurt anymore. Jerking back aside, the slash meant for my face whizzed by in a blur of talons. From the corner of my eyes I could see his other arm swinging in an upward trajectory. I ducked in time.

Drop to the ground, roll clear, stand. Don't let him connect. I recalled the scene from my mind, mimicking the moves exactly. Block, shove away, back off.

Avoidance was simple, but it wouldn't last forever. Thankfully I only had to do it a little longer. Another minute passed with no contact. Zach was after blood, growing increasingly frustrated the more that it didn't happen.

Then his swing got a little slower—the moon.

Come on Asima! Seth encouraged.

Jabril did the same, "Just hold him off."

"She's got this." Phil snapped trying to keep them from drawing my focus. But he sounded nervous.

Feeling my second wind, I looked back over to where Ness was. Her eyes were searching and I knew it was for Zach—So I called for her.

"Nessie!" I screamed still dodging and ducking.

She saw us her eyes widening in horror, and took off in our direction. "Asima no, don't hurt him. Zach, stop fighting please!"

It was exactly what I expected, exactly what I saw. Knowing it was time, I switched into offensive, lashing out, and aiming for his center.

Everything slowed down and somehow sped up at the same time. Zach wasn't tired, it was just a rouse to bait me. He extended his arm, and even though I could have spun out of it, I didn't. This is what she needed…Something painful…

We connected…My vision changed as though I was looking through a kaleidoscope; seeing colors I never knew existed… Even though I felt my heart miss a few beats, I didn't feel the pain though he hit me with the force of a bullet. There was a tingling echo that surged though my body, the feeling in my legs gone in an instant, him holding me up. I didn't notice I had stopped breathing, nor was I aware that my eyelids were becoming heavier.

I wish I could say everything went dark, but instead, the things around me—they remained frozen, like an ancient scene on a tapestry, hanging on a cold wall till the end of time. A sudden chill rippled through me.

OKay, so YES. Now I'm sure you can understand why there will be no continuation to this story line. I'm sure some of you will hate me for it right now, but i told you this was alot darker than FD and loss is a part of fighting. There is only one chapter after this and then an epilogue. i am working on something very special for you guys with the last chapter, and I hope you like it and it isn't judged too harshly. But comment and let me know what you think. Until next time.