book #3 DARK KNIGHT ***COMPLETE***

#19 traitor among them

Zara swam back to the shore and climbed out waiting to see Alana come back to the surface. it felt like an eternity waiting and watching and yet nothing happened. not even a ripple. she could hear the footsteps of everyone coming behind her. she didn't say a word. everyone stopped where she sat and just waited as their labored breathing returned calm. Zara stood up her wet clothes hung to her body. Leif was still healing but he was awake now and the group just watched the water barely breathing as they waited. Zara looked back at everyone." I don't think.." she paused swallowing hard at the tears that threatened to fall. "I don't think she made it." Zara could no longer hold back the tears and let them spill across her face. Leif reached for her holding her in his arms. "I thought I could save her! I was too late!"

she could feel avaly sit beside her wrapping herself around her back as both women sobbed their hearts aching for their friend. "do you think Michael is ok? I need to go back and find him."

Leif looked at Finn and Vlad then back to Avaly and Zara. "what do you mean you need to find Michael?" there was confusion in their faces.

"I mean we rescued all of you and now we need to get my mate also!" avaly was frustrated and hurt that they would leave him there to be tortured.

"princess Avaly, princess Zara," Leif looked at them both with worry and pain. he was unsure how to tell them about her mate. this would cause more pain and heartache that could never be undone. "prince Michael," taking a deep breath in before he finished. "he was who captured us. he was ordering Jonathan around and telling him what to do. I assumed you knew. I thought he was who caught you both." the silence became awkward as both women stared at the men looking between them all. It was as if the world had stopped and everything was still. Avaly could feel her heart stop beating.

Avaly began to shake her head. she was in shock and disbelief at what she had heard. she looked down her. head was pounding as pain shot through her. "No!" she yelled out to the air. the suns were beginning to sink down and the moons were beginning to rise. none of them noticed the waters begin to ripple and bubble as they sat there trying to console Avaly in her grief and Zara in hers. the day had been too much for them to process. "he can't be involved. what am I going to do? he is my mate!" she felt Vlad lneel down to her and wrap his arms around her. he held her rocking her in his arms.

"shhhh, it's ok warrior princess. cry it out. we will help you through this." his voice was soft and soothing as he spoke into her ear. everyone looked up surprised as someone else spoke breaking them all from their grief.

"someone want to help me out?" everyone looked up to the person standing at the waters edge.

Zara and avaly sprang to their feet flinging themselves at the figure. they embraced not wanting to let go. even through their grief and pain a miracle was given. "Alana! your alive! I thought...I thought you died!" Zara sobbed even more as she finally released Alana from her grip.

"I am indeed. it took me a while to rejuvenate but I feel great now. thank you." both women pulled away to allow Alana to come out of the water. "we need to deal with the prince. Avaly," avaly looked at Alana her eyes swollen and red." I'm so sorry but you have to reject him so his desth won't kill you. we have to kill him. he is behind all of this."

Avaly looked away casting her head down in shame. "I know. I know what I need to do. I can reject him and weaken him so you guys can kill him. we need to work fast in order to do it."

they all looked at each other. they each placed a hand on her shoulder in admiration and respect. they knew the courage it was taking for her to stand strong and not allow the pain to take her over. they allowed her a few more moments before heading back to the door they came from. they knew some of them may not make it out alive but they had to try. they had to stop the madness that had become this world and soon Earth if allowed to continue. they needed to restore the balance of this world. the door was still open. everyone stopped and looked at each other. it was too easy. Leif put his hand up and motioned for them to move away. they scaled the side of the wall one at a time not daring to enter through the door. Finn made it first up the wall then watched as Zara began to climb next. once Zara made it to the top she watched as Avaly then Alana climbed up. it was time consuming but they knew the open door was a trap. Finn and Vlad made it next. Zara helped them over the wall to safety then looked over to see if leif was ready.

panic started to prick at her body as she couldn't see him anywhere. " where is he?" she whispered to the others. she saw Finn and Vlad look away from her. "no!" she turned to climb over the wall back down to him but she felt arms pull her back and a hand over her mouth to keep her from yelling out. she struggled against Finn as he held her from moving until she stopped struggling in his arms.

he whispered into her ear once her body went slack."I'm going to release you. if you scream out then we will have to restrain you again. he sacrificed himself to distract Michael. he knew we needed this advantage. now it is up to us to get Avaly close enough to reject him so that we can weaken him." Finn let go of her and let her back on her feet softly. she slumped to the ground letting no sounds come out of her mouth as she silently sobbed for her mate. "are you ready Princess Zara? we are losing time." she knew Finn was right but she felt an aching in her soul that wouldn't let her move. she felt his hands help her to her feet. she nodded as she pulled herself together. she was a warrior and she had no time for her emotions. they pushed on towards another entrance to the castle in silence.

she knew she needed to clear her head and be strong. they made their way through the courtyard and ended up near a servants entrance. "we can slip through here mostly undetected. most of the time servants entrances are the least guarded. servants aren't well protected. it's a common weakness in packs on earth." Zara looked at the group as they all agreed. she showed no emotion. she had none to spare any longer. making their way through the door they were met with a set of winding stone stairs that snaked down. at the end of the stairs and into the kitchen. servants were preparing dinner not even noticing them sneaking one at a time through a door to another room. the room was large and on a stage sat two large golden thrones. "there should be doors behind the thrones where kings and queens enter this chamber." everyone followed Zara behind the thrones feeling the wall for the entrance.

there was a click that rang out and they all stepped back as a door popped open that once blended into the wall. Finn was the first one in as they all followed behind. they made their way through the hall attached to the door hoping to find prince Michael's chambers. by now Leif had no doubt been captured and in the cells. she pushed the thought of him being tortured out of her head so to stay focused on what they needed to do. they all stopped at a large door more intricately designed. "this is his chambers I'm sure of it." Zara slowly opened the door peering into it. it was empty. she let out a small breath of relief as she opened the door for them to enter. the room was extravagant. the bed in the middle of the room was made of gold with precious gems laid into it. the drapes were made from silk and the fireplace was gold with the same precious gems encrusted in it. it was over the top. there were two doors on the other side of the room. the one door that was open led to a marbled bathroom that screamed opulence. Zara looked at the group. "we need to find Michael and kill him but some of us should stay back in case he comes back here. Avaly you can't be the one to stay. you are his mate. he would sense you right away."

Alana stepped forward taking avaly by the hand sympathetic to what she knew needed to be done. she squeezed trying to lend her strength."I will stay behind. and Vlad can stay with me. Finn, Avaly, and Zara you all go. let's make this a night this traitor will never forget." Zara could feel her anger. she had trusted Michael. they all had and he betrayed them. he betrayed all of them but especially Avaly. she loved him and he threw her aside for the prospect of power.