"What did I say about eating fries in the car?" Hylla demanded as she tried to look annoyed. Her gaze moved to look at Reyna. Her sister had half a fistful of fries in her hand, and the other half was in her mouth. She gave Hylla a sheepish grin. "You're going to choke on it too if you're not careful."

Hylla didn't care that Reyna was eating in her car. She had also seen Reyna eat bigger bites without hurting herself. The only thing that really mattered was Reyna eating something. Sleep would be the next hurdle.

As for Hylla, she didn't feel like eating. Nor did she want to sleep. All she wanted to do was find this monster and wrap her hands around her neck.

There were all kinds of horrible things that Hylla wanted to do. She could just imagine how great it would feel. How much of a lesson that beast would learn. Right before Hylla snuffed out her miserable life.

Hylla pulled up outside the house, and her eyes shot around. She recognized most of the cars but not all of them. Hylla parked the car and grabbed her phone, pretending to look through it. Instead, she looked for anyone watching them.

When she was sure there were no prying eyes, Hylla got out of her car. Reyna followed behind with an arm full of food. The two walked toward the door, and Hylla grabbed her keys to unlock it. She tested the knob just ever so slightly. When she was sure it was still locked, she unlocked the door.

"My stuff is still in the car," Hylla began as Reyna walked toward the table. "Try not to eat all the fries."

Reyna rolled her eyes as she sat the bags down. Hylla stepped back outside and grabbed her phone. She called Thalia as she made her way to her car.

"Miss me already?" Thalia teased. Hylla took a few moments to think of her following words. A sigh left her. She wasn't used to having anyone to rely on. In Exterminata, everyone was trying to find out how to use her.

"I need a favor," Hylla began. Reyna had told her about that Nico boy. She could use that.

"Is it a legal favor?" Thalia questioned.

"Yes," Hylla answered. Though, it could turn very illegal depending on her mood. "Just don't tell Reyna I told you about this. Or anyone else. There is a monster that marked my sister years ago, and she's back."

"What are you thinking of doing?" Thalia asked after a moment.

"Nothing yet," Hylla replied. "But, she knows people at the bar and is friends with Chiron. She also bought that vampire boy from Lycaon."

Thalia drew in a sharp breath. After a moment, she spoke, "Do you have proof?"

"Nothing other than Reyna's words and a shitty sell log from Lycaon's successor," Hylla replied. "I'm not looking to bring Circe in at the moment. I just want you to be aware of the threat that is there. Reyna told me that Circe threatened to kill everyone in the bar."

"When did this happen?" Thalia demanded.

"I'm still working through it, but I wanted you to know about this. If we're careful, Circe won't dare to go through with her threat, but I don't want her to hurt Reyna anymore."

As if that bitch could. She already took so much from Reyna.

And it was Hylla's fault.

"We'll make sure she doesn't," Thalia promised. "I can-"

"Keep this between us for now," Hylla stated. There was no room for argument, and it was evident in her tone. "Reyna said that Circe paid her a visit at her place, so I need to see if we can find her on camera. I'll get an exact date for you."

"Just keep me updated," Thalia said after a few moments.

"I will."

"And, Hylla? Don't be rash."

Hylla didn't reply, and she hung up the phone. After pocketing it, she grabbed her bag out of the car. Hylla locked the car and did one more sweep over the neighborhood. Then, she turned and walked back inside.

Reyna's eyes shot up as Hylla walked, and she visibly relaxed. Hylla locked the door behind her and placed her bag down. Her eyes started to dart around as she wondered where the monster violated her sister. Anger boiled in her veins again.

It wasn't hard to blame herself for everything bad that happened to her sister, and she wasn't wrong. She was the reason Reyna had been put through so much hell. Hylla ran Reyna out of their childhood home, and she spent years hating and hating and hating her sister. Years of brainwashing made her think that her only remaining family was nothing more than a monster.

The only monster there was Hylla. And when she found Reyna again, she tried to kill her. She was almost successful with it.

"Hylla?" Reyna asked in a quiet voice. Hylla turned to look at her sister. Reyna had already polished off two burgers. Her head rested on a closed fist, and her eyelids were drooping. Despite her apparent exhaustion, Reyna was completely tense.

"Yeah," Hylla said softly. She walked toward Reyna and wrapped an arm around her. Just like that, the tension in Reyna's shoulders disappeared. Instead of answering, her sister relaxed against her.

"You should get some sleep," Hylla suggested. Reyna shook her head. Hylla rubbed her shoulder. "Hey, I am right here. I'm not going anywhere. I promise you."

"I'm scared," Reyna admitted in a quiet voice. Hylla gently pulled away and knelt in front of Reyna. She grabbed her hands and studied her. Reyna slowly met her eyes.

"You have nothing to be scared about," Hylla said in a soft voice. "I am here for you, and no one is going to hurt you."

"W...what if she hurts you?" Reyna whispered. Hylla pulled her close.

"She won't," Hylla promised. She hugged Reyna tightly. It felt like Reyna was trying to melt into her. "She is not going to hurt me, and if she tries to hurt you, I'm going to make her pay."

"Hylla," Reyna began. Hylla gently shushed her.

"I have spent my entire life hunting monsters," Hylla said in a soft voice. "Exterminata trained me in how to kill all manners of beasts, and while I was misguided before, I'm not now. I know exactly what monsters to look out for."

"Just promise me you'll be safe," Reyna mumbled.

"I will," Hylla swore. "You should get some sleep."

"I don't want to sleep alone," Reyna whispered. Hylla nodded and kissed her head.

"Go get a blanket. We'll watch something until you fall asleep," Hylla said. Reyna nodded and slowly stood. She trudged away. Hylla grabbed her food and drink. She walked it to the couch, putting it on the table next to the couch.

As she sat down and turned on the television, Reyna appeared at her side with a blanket. It didn't take long to settle in with Hylla sitting back against the couch. Reyna sat next to her and leaned on her. Hylla stole half her blanket and received weak protests. All she could do was smirk.

Hylla turned on the television. She wasn't even halfway through her fries before she heard Reyna's soft snores. Hylla shifted slightly to make sure her sister was as comfortable as possible. Then, she focused on eating. A scowl settled on her face.

Then and there, she vowed to herself that she would not rest until Circe was out of her sister's life. Most of her wanted to just find the monster and put a bullet in her head, but she knew it wouldn't work. She had to be smart about it to protect her sister.

Hylla leaned forward and kissed Reyna's forehead. Her sister seemed relaxed against her, but it wouldn't be hard for nightmares to take hold. Hylla would be there, though. She was going to be there this time.

That was why she had to be smart about this. She could not let her sister act recklessly and get herself or someone else hurt. Reyna cared about the people at the bar, so they needed to be protected. Hylla focused back on her food, despite the swirling in her stomach.

Victory would lie in preparation. Hylla needed to learn all that she could about this monster. Then, she would take her down. One way or another.