This is a very fast update :P penultimate chapter!

"What are we going to do?!" James cried, shaking Carlos' shoulders. "She's taken him!"

"This is your fault," the boy of the other pack snapped, shoving Jett. "If you hadn't interfered we would have killed him in time!"

"We didn't want you to kill him, you fucking ass—"

"Jett." Lucy pulled him back. "Look," she addressed the whole group. "It's pretty obvious that this isn't what any of us wanted. And since your plan tanked your next best option is to help us stop Ms Collins once and for all and save Kendall. And the rest of her potential future victims. Okay?"

The other pack glanced at each other. Finally, they nodded in slow unison.

"Good." Lucy placed her hand on her chest. "I'm Lucy. That's James, Jett and Carlos. James is a kanima under the control of, I guess Ms Collins. We're not too sure. The rest of us are wolves. Whichever one of you attacked Camille, she's our druid."

"The black-haired girl looked away sheepishly.

"And Logan is a human with weird insights who just tags along," Jett added with a shrug. "Now you."

"I'm Tad," the taller boy said. "This is Tyler, Heather, Peggy and our druid Stephanie."

"Great, now that we all know each other it's time to take action, what are we going to do?" Carlos demanded. "We have no idea where to find the nemeton, that's bound to be where they are."

"We need to meet Gustavo and Kelly, we're going to need their help," James said. "And, guys . . . I think we need my mom too."

"What?"

Seeing the fear in their eyes, he quickly added, "She's not like the others, remember? She was defending you against her sister, she doesn't agree with hunting unless you're harming others. And right now Ms Collins is sure planning on it. I won't tell Jo, I promise. Just her."

Lucy bit her lip. "Okay. Let's go back and get Camille and Logan, you get your mom and we'll meet at my house. It's still night, we have a few hours before the new moon can be seen. We have to hurry."


When Kendall came to, he felt dizzy and uncomfortably stiff. He was lying on something hard, something that smelled of the earth. Slowly his eyes blinked open and his blurred sight took in the faint outlines of trees against a grey sky. Coming back into focus, he sat up slowly and felt hard wood splinter beneath the palms of his hands. Wait – wood. Fuck. FUCK—

He looked around, finally seeing where he was sitting; a large, round flat stump. Around the edges were sprinklings of black powder that he immediately recognised as mountain ash. Sure enough, when he pressed his hand forward and tried to touch it, he met with an invisible resistance and couldn't push beyond the outline of the stump. He jumped onto his knees and straightened up, turning all around. He had no idea where he was; nothing looked familiar. Nothing but trees. Trees and Ms Collins, leaning her back against a birch. His jaw dropped. "You."

"None of you figured it out?" she sneered, straightening up and walking to him. "You and your team of little teen detectives?"

"But, Hawk—"

"You were right, in a way. But he was never the one pulling the strings. I hid myself pretty well, hmm?"

"You—" He cut off, swaying on his feet. "You . . ." He pressed a hand to his head, squeezing his eyes shut. His chest felt strange, tingling and warm and his cheeks heating unbearable for a moment. He felt the breeze rushing through his hair, but his eyes met Ms Collins'. Her hair lay still, and she was smiling. "What's happening to me?" he asked hoarsely, feeling his voice vibrate in his chest, echoing around the small space that trapped him.

"Your power is reaching its peak," she told him, stepping closer. "Once the new moon comes into sight, we'll be ready to perform the ritual."

"They won't let you," he tried to protest. "They won't. They'll find me."

"Oh? How?" She smirked. "This is a vast wood, Kendall. And they're running out of time. As are you."

"You killed Katie." He felt such a strange sense of rage build up inside him, a strange sense of grief. "She was only a kid."

"Don't pretend you cared for her," Ms Collins snapped. "You barely knew her. Though of course, I had the misfortune of discovering that after I'd killed her. But I don't believe in being wasteful, I wouldn't kill another child if there was another way to use you."

Kendall folded his arms and listened.

"I see the way you're looking at me. You think you would have any of this power if it weren't for me?"

"We were sure it was Hawk," was his response. "Until he died and the danger didn't go away. So how did that happen, hmm?"

"George . . ." She sighed. "George was a good companion. He was helpful, he did as he was asked. But in the end her started to get twitchy, he started to back out. And it's not possible to take a master's place while they still live . . . I had no choice."

So, that explained it. "You really are cold."

"I've done what I have to." She stepped back. "Soon the moon will rise. And when it does, the girls and I will return. I'd recommend you enjoy your last few hours."

"On a stump, huh?" He put his hands on his hips. "What am I supposed to do?"

She smirked. "Think about your anchor." And, laughing, she disappeared into the trees.


When James got home, his mom was in her study with the door open. He walked in immediately, glancing around and seeing that the room was otherwise empty. "Mom," he said quietly. "We need to talk. I need your help."

"What?" She looked up. "What is it, sweetie?"

"I know about our family. I know the secret, I know it all. Mom . . . I've been involved."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't know what you're talking about . . ."

"Mom, I know you do! I . . ." He groaned, running his hands through his hair. "I'm a kanima, Mom. I've been killing people. I killed Mr Bitters and the school caretaker. Ms Collins from the general store where I work has been running the whole operation. She killed Jenny Tinkler and at least nine other people, she killed Katie Knight. Now she's going to kill Kendall too. I need you, Mom. There are a lot of us but we don't know what to do, we don't know how to find the nemeton—"

"Stop." She stood, gripping his shoulders tight. He stared at her, biting his lip when she said, voice heavy, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"They told me not to," he mumbled. "Because . . . you know . . ."

"Oh, sweetie." She hugged him tight, squeezing him against her chest. "I would never hurt you. Or the rest of them. You can trust me, you should know that."

"We need to go, Mom. Please. Will you help?"

"I will. Hold on." Walking to the closet, Brooke grabbed her keys and unlocked it, sliding back the bolt and opening it up. James watched in bafflement as she pulled out a long tube, a jacket, a revolver and what looked like a large, springy bow. "What is that thing?" he demanded as she loaded her jacket pockets with ammunition.

"It's a compound bow," she told him. "It was always my weapon of choice. Now, are we going or not?"

James nodded and they hurried out the door, jumping into her car. He directed her to Camille's house, seeing that the lights were on in the living room when they pulled up, the curtains drawn to keep out the night. Going to the house they walked straight in, seeing the others crowded around some on chairs and some on the floor when there just wasn't enough space. Gustavo stood up when Brooke walked in, eyes on her bow.

"I'm sorry," was all she said. "James asked for my help. And I'm not responsible for the death of your family . . . though you have my sympathies."

Turning away he sat back down, scowling to himself, hand on his chin.

"Any progress?" James asked the group.

"No," Kelly sighed. "Though I've bandaged Camille's leg, so at least that's something. We just don't know how to find the nemeton. The forest is so big. For all we know we could search in the wrong direction completely."

"There must be something we can do," James protested. "That can't be it. Something."

"Maybe Kendall can protect himself," Carlos suggested in a small voice, as Logan looked at him and squeezed his hand. "His powers were getting stronger . . ."

"But strong enough to defeat Collins and her cronies?" Tad said, eyebrows raising. "I know you guys have faith in him, but . . ."

"I mean, I did have that dream about him," Logan said with a feeble shrug. "Maybe there's some truth in it. Maybe . . . maybe . . ." He frowned.

"Logan, what is it?" Carlos asked, touching his knee.

"My dream," he said softly, looking around. "My dream about Kendall. It was like, a dream inside a dream."

"Like Inception?"

"I don't know, I never saw that, I guess so? But listen, I dreamed that Kendall attacked me when I was showing you guys a drawing of what I dreamt in the dream. I was in the woods, running and I came across this huge stump, and the shadow of a person on it but I guess that's when my dream self woke up and went to school . . ."

"You dreamed about the nemeton," Camille exclaimed, eyes widening. "You can help us find it, can't you?"

"I don't know, I can't remember very well," he said with a sigh. "I wouldn't be able to tell you where to go . . ."

"There is a way," Heather said, sitting up straighter from where she sat cross-legged beside Tyler. "A technique to retrieve memories and revive them."

"I remember hearing about that," James realised, sitting beside them. "What do you do?"

Heather smirked, raising her hand and growing her claws out. "You stick your claws deep in the back of their neck. It's pretty tricky, often inaccurate . . . but when you aim right, it works."

Logan gulped. "O-Okay . . ."

"No!" Carlos argued. "I don't want him hurt."

"Do you want Kendall dead?" Stephanie asked, folding her arms.

"You could kill Logan too, what if he bleeds out? What if you cut something vital? It's just not happening, okay!"

"Carlos, I want to do it!"

"You'll get hurt, you can't—"

Suddenly the air was filled with a terrible sound; a long, shrill scream. Everyone in the room doubled over with their hands clamped over their ears, groaning and rocking back on their heels. The scream lasted for how long, they didn't know. Logan was the only one who shut his eyes tight and listened, head raised to the air. As James felt ill and the scream went on, he knew he recognised something in the voice.


Kendall could see it in the sky. The thin, minute sliver of a pale moon. His eyes felt heavy and tired, but now as he saw it appear from behind the clouds, he felt his heart pick up and his breath quicken. The sun hasn't risen yet, but the sky had started to brighten up. And through the trees he saw them coming; Ms Collins and the Jennifers. Shaking, he tried to kick out and jump from the stump, but the barrier forbade him. He slammed his hand against it, wincing as it pushed him back.

"I can't lie," blonde Jennifer said with a coy smile as she stepped towards him. "It feels kind of good to see you there. How does it feel to be helpless, immobile?"

"Shut up, bitch," was all he could retort. He knew it was useless. He knew there was nothing he could do. He had no vials, no stones. And even if he did it didn't matter. He didn't know how to use them to escape, he had no fire. He was helpless. Please find me. James, please find me.

"We're going to begin," Ms Collins said with a sneer. She pointed to the girls, who began to gather twigs and leaves and gather them together in a small pile. Ms Collins held her hand over it, murmured something under her breath, and lit them with ease.

He started to tremble. "Pl-Please . . ."

"Join hands," she instructed the Jennifers, standing in front of the fire. Her eyes met his and she grinned, the others joining her in a circle. She began to chant, at first in runes, words he didn't understand, followed by, "Join my circle. Power of the nemeton, feed from their will."

"Feed from our will," the Jennifers chanted in response, as the fire flickers and roared.

"Let me go!" Kendall roared, cheeks red with shame but his eyes wet, his heart hammering in terror.

"Gather the powders," she said to the Jennifers, producing a handful of vials from her pocket. She opened the first and poured some into each of their hands, adding some to her own before they held them all out. "Gebo," they chanted, dropping the powder and watching the fire swish higher into the air, turning white in a brief flash. They poured out their next handful. "Kenaz." The fire continued to flash.

Ms Collins looked at Kendall again as they poured their third handful. "You may as well stay quiet," she said softly. "No one can save you. If they haven't found you by now, they never will." And she and the Jennifers turned to the fire. "Eihwaz."

"And Kendall, tears gathering in his eyes, did the only thing he could do. The only thing he thought might have any chance of working. Foresight. Awakening. Enlightenment. He opened his mouth wide, threw his head back, shut his eyes and screamed.


Eventually, the scream died down and they uncovered their ears, raising their heads slowly. Logan was sitting still, eyes shut but stance relaxed now. All eyes in the room fell on him.

"I saw it," he mumbled. "The scream . . . I saw the nemeton . . ." He sounded strange; he sounded wise.

"Logan," Carlos said softly. "Can you take us there?"

He opened his eyes. He looked around, bit his lip and nodded, getting to his feet. "Let's go. We're running out of time."

"Tyler, stay here," Tad instructed and jumped up too.

"You too, Cam," Lucy said. Camille groaned in response.

"I'll stay with her," Kelly said, arm around her. "Now go."


Ms Collins uncovered her ears, snarling. "You brat!" she shouted. "What have you done?" She strode towards him.

"Tara!" Brunette Jennifer grabbed her arm, tugging her away from where Kendall stood. "Don't harm him, let him be healthy for the ritual. We must continue."

"You're right. There's no time to waste." She turned back and quickly poured a handful of powder into each of their hands. "Dagaz!" they shouted, the fire growing, glowing sand twisting in pale green and darkened red.

Kendall shut his eyes, clasped his hands together and prayed. Please. Please. Please let them have heard me.

"Fehu!"

He saw something when he shut his eyes. Running footsteps. He opened his eyes.

"Laguz!"

He saw them.

"Kendall!" James roared, sprinting towards the fire. Kendall's eyes met his and for a moment he felt so relieved. But they weren't close enough yet.

Gritting her teeth, Ms Collins turned back to the Jennifers. "Finish the ritual!" she shouted, pouring some powder into her hand and throwing the vial to the closest girl. "Hurry!"

Kendall slammed his hands against the barrier. "COLLINS!" he shrieked, voice echoing over the woods, across the ground. James winced, hand on his head, but kept running.

But it wasn't enough to faze Collins; she was too determined, too angry. She ran to the fire and the Jennifers followed suit, doubled over in pain. "OTHALA!" she roared and the Jennifers followed suit, the fire towering above them.

She produced a knife with a long, pointed blade and held it into the fire, turning to Kendall and smirking. "When this blade is channelled with magic, I will cut your throat open, and your blood will give me the strength to take over. Understand?"

Kendall bit his lip, fighting back a smirk. "I understand . . ."

The knife fell from her hand and she screamed as Jett tackled her to the ground, the two flying across the ground and landing in a heap. They reached the clearing and curly-haired Jennifer dived for the blade. Lucy swung her leg and knocked her to the ground, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her away.

James skidded to a stop in front of the nemeton, trying to reach to pull Kendall off the stump. His hands were met with resistance and Kendall gave a small smile, pressing his hands to the barrier over his. "Stay safe," he said softly. "Thank you for coming."

James grinned. "Did you really think I wouldn't?" Then he saw a trace of movement behind a tree. His eyes widened as he saw her emerge, holding a rifle.

"Jo . . ."

"Just step back, kiddo," she said, pushing a glinting silver bullet inside. "And let me take care of this."