Twisted Blood

Sleep didn't come easy. Ridley was restless all day. She decided she wouldn't sleep. Perhaps she was really dead and didn't know it. When she sat up, Ankh was gone. She was likely with Sayeed. Ridley slid out of bed and descended to the hallway. She could see that there people in her sister's room and it made her go pallid. Slowly she trudged towards the open door, only to find Clarke and Esmeralda boxing up Ryan's belongings. Clarke was packing up her desk when he saw Ridley. "Hey. We're donating everything. Is there anything you want us to keep?"

Ridley barely noticed Esmeralda kneeling to empty out the bedside drawers. She was too taken aback by a realisation. "I've never been in here."

Ryan's room was layered with posters of Ateez, NCT Dream, NCT 127, Seventeen, BTS, EXO, Yu-Gi-Oh, Bakugan, Fire Force, Dragonball Z and One Piece. On her vanity frame were pictures of Carson, Moonbeam and Alex. Her bed was black, white and purple.

The wall by her desk had her jewellery pinned to the wall over the fairy lights. There was a small bookshelf above her bed, lined with Stephen King novels and the Harry Potter series. On her desk was a pot of well-nutured mini roses, a vase of peonies and white lilies, the Lord of the Rings tome and a deck of Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards. There wasn't a trace that Ryan Axel was ever a hunter.

Most of her belongings were already boxed up and it was only her bedspread and posters left. The books were being piled into the box Esmeralda was also filling with Ryan's bedside drawers' stuff. The boxes were everywhere and the last things were remnants of the dead huntress.

Ridley teared up from taking in all the pop culture around her. "I didn't know she was into any of this," she admitted.

Esmeralda stood up and rounded the bed ro collect her daughter into her arms. "Ridley..."

"It's easier to kill someone, it's not easy to know them." The huntress looked between her parents then went on. "I'm sorry I did this. I never thought about how this would impact either of you. You knew her better, listened better. Loved better." A heavy silence filled the room and Esmeralda combed through Ridley's hair. "I'll see you at the briefing," the young huntress concluded.

Ridley left the house to take a breather while Clarke and Esmeralda returned to the heavy task of clearing out their dead daughter's room. The smell of blood drew the huntress to the dining hall. In broad daylight, the only ampyras who were allowed to stem were the hunters. Both Sayeed and Dane were there, live stemming from the same cougar.

Her lipstick was bright pink and her breasts were pushed up to her ears. She wore a leopard print coat with bright red boots that had bright red fur on them. Both ampyra boys were buried in her neck and the woman clearly didn't mind. Her blonde hair was voluminous and streaked with terribly done extensions.

Ankh perked up from laying at the foot of the woman denist-type chair. She let out a soft howl to Sayeed who ignored her. Ankh turned to Sayeed and barked angrily at him. "Don't bother," Ridley stated casually, alerting the two hunters.

They both broke away from their milf in surprise and Sayeed cleared his throat. "We were just..."

"Powering up," Ridley suggested.

Dane wiped the tendrils of red blood from his lower lip. "Are you okay," he asked. Ridley turned to the woman and tilted her head. "Hungry?"

The huntress hummed uncomfortably then stepped away from them. She left the dining hall and exhaled heavily. She was perkish but living solely on blood was starting to be gross. The huntress left for the main school building. It was still late in the afternoon but clearly the student body was really gearing up for the ball.

"Ridley," Dane called and the huntress turned away from the music blaring from Danielle and Sibyl's bedroom. "I... just..." The Danish hunter turned bright red while taking a steady step backwards. His arms were folded and his shoulders were stiffly raised. "I know we're on duty tonight but," the hunter chuckled nervously, "do want to be my... my..."

"Is that really a wise idea?"

"You never go to these things and this's our last year of high school. I just... thought..."

"Okay."

"Really?"

Ridley shrugged lightly. "We might die tonight so..." Dane replied with a weak laugh. "No flowers, no dancing."

The Danish young man lessened the gap between them and gently gathered Ridley in his arms. He rested his head on top of hers. "Just weapons and and fighting," he finished for her. "For freden," he stated in Danish.

"Pour la paix," she translated in French. The parted to look each other in the eye. "For the peace," they stated together. "I never said sorry," Ridley began. "For how awful I've been to you all these years. You're the only person who ever put up with me." She leaned and kissed his warm cheek, making him redder than ever. "Thank you, Sorensen," she concluded then left. He watched her walk away then jumped around like a lovesick puppy.

While the entire student body boarded the limousines the school rented every year, the excitement grew more tangible. The Christmas ball signified the start of winter break. In hand with that, other than the senior farewell, the Christmas was the only other social gathering at Dunon Academy.

The veteran hunters were scattered between guarding the students and patrolling the whole of the Mirage Rouge country club. The Guardian Program, however, were gathered in the dining room of the headmaster's residence. The excited atmosphere of the students contradicted the tension in that room. It was so thick, the room was filled with the compressed air from an aeroplane.

Sayeed was dressed in a suit that was a mix of purple and wine with a plain black tie. He was drinking a bottle of icy water from a bottle while Calista was dressed as anything but his mother! She was wearing a black leather pant with her studded whip rolled at her side. Her top was black sheer, revealing the black midriff she wore underneath. If anything, Calista looked like she was Sayeed's litte sister.

Clarke gathered then at the table, between Sayeed and Dane. "Listen very carefully to me," the principal began squarely yet underneath was a gave fear. Fear for the safety of his warrior-students. "You three are all that's left of the Guardian Unit. If we had to send in anymore transfer requests, The Hunt will get suspicious. The last thing we need are Archangels turning the school into a bloodbath."

"That's why, when the fighting starts, you three need to take cover with the other students," Esmeralda added. Sayeed, Dane and Ridley were appalled! Especially Sayeed; he was forty-five, after all. Before any one of them could get a word in, the burgundy-haired ampyra went on, "we'll have evac buses in the southwest parking. You three are in charge of your agemates. You're only to draw arms if the situation demands it."

"You're benching us," Dane replied in disbelief. "This's what you trained us for. With all due respect, Clarke, we're hunters now. We all have our gradus and we know what's at stake," he added looking longingly over to Ridley.

Calista sighed then unfolded her arms. She took in the remnants of the Guardian Unit. "This is not a negotiation," she stated softly and Sayeed huffed at her. "We all agreed to this," she gestured to Esmeralda and Clarke. "Yes, you're hunters. Skilled, experienced hunters and we won't ever take that away from you," she went on, "but you're also our children. We don't want anything to happen to you."

"So what now," Sayeed voiced. "We go to Christmas ball to go to Christmas ball?"

"You're on lookout," Esmeralda stated, "but for the most part, you're also there to ease the suspicion any of your classmates might have. If you're acting like them, they'll assume that everything is fine. The last thing we need is a hundred and twenty screaming teenagers. People do crazy things when they're afraid."

"Don't you think it will be suspicious if the one person everyone knows never goes to these things, is suddenly there," Ridley asked.

The young huntress wasn't as dolled up as her male counterparts. Instead, she wore a grey corset with black jeans and a leather jacket. Her karambit was sheathed in the black garter that was visibly around her thigh. In an attempt to dress up, Ridley wore knee length lace up platform boots that nine centimetre heels.

"In other words, I shouldn't be inside."

"She's got a point," Sayeed directed to Esmeralda.

Esmeralda wasn't going to the ball; her pregnant state was too risky. She wore purple plaid pajamas underneath the matching robe. Her slippers were black and her burgundy-died hair was tied into a flawless ponytail, for no specific reason.

"Not. A. Negotiation. In conclusion, blend in," Clarke stated. Slowly his eyes sailed to Ridley. "That also means you can't go looking like that."

Suddenly all eyes were on Ridley and what she wore. She looked too much like a hunter than a girl going to a Christmas ball. She too took in what she wore. "It's not like I can wear what I wore last year," the huntress stated nonchalantly. "There's a reason why I never went to these things."

Clarke glanced at Esmeralda and Esmeralda pursed her lips and looked down. "None my clothes will fit," the secretary stated, "I've got more to love than you do." Calista wasn't an option because she was too short and too slender. "All I can think of is what Ryan bought."

"No," Ridley declared.

"Then you've got thirty minutes to make a dress with the sewing skill we know you don't have," Clarke countered. "Go get dressed."

Ridley sighed defeatedly while Esmeralda led her upstairs. Esmeralda detoured to Ryan's room while Ridley went straight for her room to strip off her weaponry. When her stepmother reached her room, she unbuckled her belt, which was actually her bow's body. The redblood ampyra's eyes went wide at the amount of knives Ridley managed to hide on her person.

"Whoa," she replied. If that was awe enough, Ridley took off her jacket to take off the katana and the quiver of arrows slung over her shoulder. "That's terrifying," Esmeralda pointed out. Ridley shrugged mutely then reached for the garment bag. Esmeralda sat on the edge of the unnaturally neat bed. "Want me to do your hair and makeup?"

"Maybe in the next lifetime," Ridley replied then stripped off the garment bag. She raised an eyebrow then turned to Esmeralda. "You can't be serious."

"What?"

"Were you really going to let her parade around in public, dressed like a tramp?"

The ampyra chuckled lightly while the huntress took off her clothes. "You're being dramatic. It's not that bad."

"I can't hide my bow, my arrows or my sword in this," Ridley replied then stepped into the dress. "There's no room for the imagination in this thing. It shows everything."

Esmeralda chuckled then collected Ridley's long hair in her hands for her stepdaughter to pull up the zipper. "Say one nice thing about what you're wearing. Just one."

"It's black." Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "This is a swimsuit with sheer; I wouldn't wear this if my life depended on it."

"I think Dane will appreciate it," Esmeralda commented and Ridley froze. "How is he?"

"He's fine, despite the obvious. It's just weird," the huntress stated. "Knowing he has a crush on me. I'm not exactly crush material. Dane is someone who is like a brother... I guess. He's the only person I'd dare call my friend and-"

"And you don't want to ruin that? You won't. If I know you two, the only thing that can get between you is death. You were always as thick as thieves!" The ampyra chuckled then picked up the brush to do her stepdaughter's hair. "Remember when we lived in Asteria, that one Easter, you two collected so many chocolates and hid them in a pillowcase?"

"You were furious when you washed it."

"I could have exploded," Esmeralda went on. "And when I asked who put them there, neither of you would rat out the other." The ampyra started pinning the lush black hair into place. "Not even when Clarke and I threatened to never invite Dane to another Easter again. You were ten years old and even back then you would've gone to the grave for each other." Ridley looked down at her hands. "All done!"

Ridley circles around to face her mother. Slowly she gathered the woman in her embrace. "Thanks, Mrs Axel."

Esmeralda kissed her temple before taking a step back. "You look so beautiful. I always wanted to do this with you. I just wish it were under less hunt-involved circumstances." Ridley shrugged with one shoulder. "Sure I can't do your makeup?"

"I don't want to look more like her than I have to."

Ridley strapped her garter on before putting her knee length lace up platforms back on. "Won't you at least wear ankle boots?"

"Where would I put my knives?"

"Never mind." Ridley slung her quiver - with the bow's body in it - over her shoulder before putting her leather jacket over. She tied the bow string around her wrist then tucked her knives into her boots, bra and the back of her top. "I hope you won't have any use for those tonight."

"Me too," Ridley replied coldly. She kissed Esmeralda on the cheek then squeezed her hand. "Thank you for everything you done. For me, for Ryan. For Axel, for our family."

The redblood's lips parted in surprise. "You sound like you're saying goodbye. You better not be."

Ridley shook her head with pursed lips then backed out of her room to rejoin her armada. On the staircase, Dane looked up at her with wide eyes and his jaw on the ground. Ridley nonchalantly bounced down the stairs while Dane stared spellbound at her.

Clarke swallowed hard but nodded squarely at Ridley. Esmeralda followed behind and Clarke cupped her at the waist. "D'you know where the backup rifles are," he asked softly.

"She'll be fine," Calista stated firmly. "I brought reinforcements."

The petite woman whistled so loud, it echoed outside. It took a minute before the front doors open but in came a grown man, tall and so beefy that he looked like he was about to blow up. The man wore a white jacket over a red shirt with a pair of black pants. He was the splitting image of Sayeed!

With him was a young looking woman who had no resemblance to him, Sayeed or Calista. Her chocolatey hair was cut in a bob that laid over her black coat that was lined with grey fur along the hood. There was what looked like red war paint on her neck. Two large strokes running from her collarbone around the right side of her neck. Her green eyes had a familiar glow to Ridley; one she couldn't place.

Sayeed gasped when he saw them then turned to his mother accusatory. Calista didn't notice and instead went on, "everyone, my husband, Ahmed, and our daughter..." Calista cleared her throat "... Nailah."

"Is this really necessary," Sayeed directed to his mother.

"Nice to see you too, jerk," Nailah replied.

"You two shouldn't be here," Sayeed protested, "especially you," he specified to his sister. "Are you crazy?"

Nailah ignored him then turned to Ridley. "Wow! I didn't think you look so... not grim!" Ridley raised an eyebrow at her. Sayeed gestured Nailah to Calista wordlessly. "Sorry. It's just that... um... we... well, Sayeed's told me a lot about you so I feel like I really know you. Ridley Dominique Axel." She turned to Dane. "And you, Viggo but everyone calls you Dane because when you were in grade four, you were the only Danish kid."

"I only ever told one person that," Dane pointed out, turning to Ridley.

"Don't look at me, I don't talk to anyone."

"Excuse our insufferable Ms Know-It-All," Calista jeered. "She used to get out more." Calista gave Nailah a cold side eye and the girl shrivelled where she stood. Something about that felt familiar to Ridley but she couldn't quite place it. "Despite that, she's skilled in the field."

"That's why Nailah will go with you. Calista and I will stay with Esmeralda," Ahmed stated and clearly Sayeed disagreed but. His voice was thick with his Egyptian accent. He turned to Clarke reassuringly. "I know that feeling and rest assured that we will do everything we can to ease it."

"I appreciate it," Clarke replied though his face was untelling. "Let's move out." Ridley glanced over at Esmeralda for the last time. The ampyra stepmother had a hand on her womb while watching her family leave. Sayeed and his sister mounted a motorcycle while Dane and Ridley did did the same. "Disobey an order and I'll have your head," Clarke warned. He took in each of them with a scrutinising eye. "No heroics."

Ridley pursed her lips then wrapped her arms around Dane's abdomen. She rested her chin on his shoulder and saw the shivers run down his spine from her touch. He shifted uncomfortably before starting the engine. Clarke took off before the rest with Sayeed and Nailah right behind him while Dane and Ridley tailed behind.

The Mirage Rouge country club was pulsating with deafening music. Throughout the venue hall, sun and moon students were integrated for one of the few occasions where they interacted. Mekhi was deejaying and she was clearly good at it; the music was incredible.

Unsuspecting hunters were lined along the outside walls and sparsely populated inside. There were Christmas decorations lining the gantry's barricading and a huge wreath hung behind Mekhi. The speakers were strategically placed around the dancefloor and the seating are was laid around the dancing space.

"Whoa," Nailah replied dreamily while her brother took off her thick coat. Underneath she wore a bright red knee length dress that made her green eyes stand out. "Maybe I should go to high school."

"Focus," Sayeed jeered. He handed her coat to the greeter, who also scanned their tickets.

"Everyone online," Clarked directed into their earpieces while he rounded the hall for the teachers' cornered off area. "Sound off."

"Check," Ridley stated with Nailah.

"Check," Dane confirmed.

"Check," Sayeed concluded. "We should fan out," he went on while they crossed into the party. "We'll have more eyes everywhere."

"Good, I need a drink," Nailah groaned then went for the table of finger foods and the alchol.

Sayeed rolled his eyes then pressed a finger into his earpiece. "Stay sober."

"Yes, mommy," she jeered back.

The Egyptian senior shook his head in annoyance then turned to his comrades. "I'll cover the back. You two take the dancefloor. There's more people there; easier for someone to be hiding."

Dane turned to Ridley who exhaled her disdain and still he offered her his hand. She flung her hand into his and he led the way to the dancefloor. Needless to say that there was whispering on their route. Some were surprised. Surprised that the Ridley Axel was a social function and dressed the part. Others were still raving about the video of her sororicide.

It was getting harder to ignore them, especially when it felt like every laugh; every whisper; every pulled face; and every eye roll was directed to her. She clutched Dane's hand tighter and he saw the insecurity register on her face. There - on the outskirts of the dancefloor - he gathered her free hand in his.

Dane rested both her hands on his shoulders before cupping her just under her ribs. It was kind of hard to slow dance to Ed Sheran's 'Bad Habits'. Deeper on the dancefloor people were jumping rhythmically to the pounding beat. Ridley avoided looking at him by scowering passed him. She had to be sure Renee would keep her word.

Her date wasn't in favour of eye contact either; he looked everywhere but at the young woman in front of him. "Could you two be anymore obvious," Nailah jeered from her perch at the table with a glass bottle in her hand. "Serious? It's like watching the blind mice. If the blind mice were rhythmically challenged."

"Nailah, we're working," Sayeed cut in.

"You two aren't fooling anyone," she went in, ignoring her older brother. "If anything, you're making it obvious."

Dane cleared his throat uncomfortably then looked over Ridley's shoulder at Nailah. "We are working," he said, siding with Sayeed.

'On It' by Jazmine Sullivan and Ari Lennox started filling the speakers. "This is a sign," Nailah stated pointing to her nearest speaker. "Get closer." Ridley - with her eyes still beyond Dane stepped closer to him. "Good. Now, Danish Cookie, lower you hands; the only woman you should ever hold like that is your mother."

The hunter let out a shaky breath then looked to his date for consent. Ridley only pursed her lips and continued scanning passed his shoulder. Slowly his sweaty, shaky hands sailed down to the curve between Ridley's waist and hips. She pursed her lips then rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Good," Nailah commented then sipped her drink.

"That beer is so gross," Ridley stated.

Sayeed furrowed his eyebrows from his seat in the middle of the sitting area. Ridley's back was towards Nailah. "How do you know she's drinking beer?"

"I can smell it," Ridley admitted in disgust. "Unfilted and bitter? India Pale Ale." Nailah looked down at her bottle while Sayeed was just stunned. "I can actually taste it."

The siblings exchanged unnerved expressions from across the room. Sayeed's quickly turned to a tough contorted scowl. "I told you," he mouthed to Nailah. She waved him off then searched the table and hogged down a pineapple cube on a toothpick.

They immediately turned to Ridley. The huntress gagged to herself. "Pineapple," she mutted with her head still on Dane's shoulder.

Nailah and Sayeed went wide eyed but Nailah started laughing. She pursed her lips but other than that, she let the matter go. She continued with her beer. Sayeed shook his head while Nailah did a round about the room. Sun and moon boys were cat calling her and she grinned menacingly at them as she passed them.

Dane laced his fingers around Ridley's lower back and leaned his head against hers. "You look incredible," he whispered into her ear. She nestled into his shoulder then relaxed into his hold. "I'm only sorry I never asked you to these things sooner."

"I have better things to do than bathe in a cesspool," she purred.

"'Better things' like what? Archery, horseback and slashing through gell dummies," Dane countered. "There was a time you could talk to me about anything. In the passed four years all we've talked about is hunting." Ridley sighed defeatedly while still scanning what she could see. "Talk to me, Ridley."

"Conversation was Ryan's specialty," she countered dryly. Dane sighed but still gathered her in a God-like hold. The sliding doors were parted by staff, revealing the balcony. A few students left the stuffy interior for the refreshing cool. Ridley straightened up then turned to her earpiece, "perimeter breach." Dane rolled his eyes defeatedly. "Cover me," she ordered him.

"No," Clarke bellowed. "Renee is after you. You can't be out on your own. Nailah, flank Ridley. Dane cover the main doors." Ridley sighed then stepped away from her date. "Twenty on Badr?"

"Still here, sir," Sayeed replied. "Covering the kitchen; something's off here." His line went quiet which sparked angst. "Weren't all the points of entry not in use supposed to be locked?"

"Pre-party patrol ensured they were."

"The back door to the kitchen isn't. Everything's clear but..."

"All of you stay alert and prepare for evac," Clarke warned. "Henry, I need a small unit ping on the kitchen."

Ridley and Nailah hurried outside to ensure the safety of the handful of students outside. Her bright red dress contrasted to Ridley's grim black one. Outside, there were fairy lights coiled around shrubs while lanterns lined the paths and were placed next to benches scattered across the venue's grounds.

A cold breeze combed through them and Nailah hummed her delight. A group of boys nearby continued with their cat calling at her. The red streaks on her neck - that previously looked like war paint - was actual war paint. There was also two black rings painted on her upper right arm.

The sleeveless dress showed that Nailah didn't have any hunter gradus, while Sayeed had both the entire Nonentity series as well as his Mana and two Marksmanship gradus. Marksmanship gradus were exactly that. Tattoos of weapons in which a hunter was above average skilled. Sayeed had a javelin Marksmanship and a whip Marksmanship.

Marksmanship gradus went on the right forearm, underneath the Scholastics gradus. Scholastics gradus were the school crests or the emblems of hunting institutions where a hunter acquired their skills and knowledge.

Since Sayeed started at Charter House but would finish at Dunon Academy, he would have the crests of both Charter House and Dunon Academy tattooed above his Marksmanship. Scholastics, however, were only allowed after a hunter graduated and/or transferred from the said institution.

There were exceptions to this, as was the case for Sayeed. His transfer was immediate so there was little time for him to get his first Scholastics. In accordance with Monteirian law, gradus certified tattooist can't tattoo a Scholastics that's not within their jurisdiction. Since Charter House is in Spain and not Monteiro, not even the legendary Morien Grey could tattoo Charter House's crest to Sayeed's wrist.

Ridley felt a shiver down her arm from how close Nailah was to her. There was a sensation she couldn't describe from that shiver. Nailah felt it too and shifted away from Ridley and towards the puff of citrus vape from one of the hunters who stood along the balcony. He nodded mutely at the two girls while Ridley noticed her hands were shaking.

She clenched them to fists before shaking them out. Another chilled wind pierced through them. This time, it sent Ridley's sheer waist cape blowing away. It revealed the full extent of her bodysuit. Her garter was revealed as were the daggers in her boots. Under her jacket - the strap across her torso that kept her quiver around - was also made visible.

The boys that joined the balcony also started cat calling the huntress. She need only shoot them her infamous scowl and the fell silent as death! Shock engulfed them and they stammered backwards. The early December cool felt more frigid from that scowl.

"Meow! I want to drop the temperature, like that, when I walk into a room," Nailah commented then shifted back towards Ridley but still kept a safe distance. "You know, that's a compliment. It means you're interesting."

"Disgusting."

"Compared to the boys I'm usually surrounded, you know nothing about disguting." Ridley wasn't buying it. "I know we only now just officially met but I know what you're going to do." The huntress turned to the young woman beside her that went very ominous very quickly. "You're not the only one who can read Ankh's mind. Please don't do it."

Ridley said nothing.

"Look, I know y-- I mean, I know Ankh and she knows you. I've never seen anyone so committed to someone the way she's committed to you. Maybe it's the link you share, maybe it's something else. Please don't take her away from her family." Ridley furrowed her eyebrows and looked to Nailah for an explanation. "If you die, she dies. That's how the ajar link works, remember?"

"How is it you and Sayeed always seem to know what a wolf is thinking," Ridley deflected. "It's much deeper than common wolf biology. It runs deeper than the 'expendable canine hunter'."

"It's a family trait. Sort of." Nailah didn't elaborate further. "Please. I wouldn't be asking if Ankh wasn't the one brought Sayeed to terms with his condition," she pleaded while tearing up. "My family is all I have. We're... unnaturally closer than most. Please don't break it up."

Still Ridley said nothing.

"I can't ever imagine what it feels like to..."

"Nobody can. That's just my point."

"Ankh knows. She knows exactly what you're feeling. She can feel the full extent of it. The constant shaking, feeling Ryan's pulse through that knife, watching the life vanish from her eyes, hearing her heart fade out, the feeling of her hand letting go of..."

Ridley tore out her karambit! She flung Nailah into the glass door and cracked it from the force. The curved knife made a shallow cut into the youngest Badr's neck. "Don't for a second pretend to know anything!"

The group of boys that cat called Nailah chattered their lust of the scene. Ridley, with her eyes never leaving Nailah's, flung her karambit into the wall behind the boys. The veteran with them continued with his vape, unfazed by what was unravelling.

"Don't agitate me," Ridley warned, though who she spoke to was unclear.

She released Nailah then went to retrieve her knife. Ridley slid the knife back to her garter. The huntress exhaled shakily then stalked inside. She stormed straight to the table with drinks and the makeshift bartender who serviced it.

"Jose Cuervo. Straight up."

The bartender obeyed and laid the shot of potent tequila in front of the huntress. Before she could take it, Dane took her hand in his. "Calm down," he ordered. Ridley huffed then looked away. "Dance with me," he ordered then dragged her away.

Christina Perri's 'A thousand Years' filled the hall and Dane pressed Ridley into her chest. The first verse hadn't ended yet when her phone buzzed. 'It is time dearest. The Orchid Hall,' the message from Ryan's phone read. Ridley teared up then pursed her lips fearfully.

"Ridley?" She looked into his dark eyes as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She let out a sob then dropped her phone with a gasp. "Look at me! What's wrong?"

An otherworldly force took hold of her. She kissed him! Dane's eyes went wide but he cupped her cheek with a hysterical chuckle. Ridley reached into her ear to pull her earpiece and dropped it to the floor. She then carefully broke away from him, panting heavily. "I'm sorry," she whispered but he shook his head in delight.

Before the Danish hunter could register what happened, his date was off! Ridley sprinted out of the venue hall, ignoring the hunters around her. She bolted down the pathway that was lit up by lanterns and followed the signs to the Orchid Hall. The huntress gathered the sheer fabric into bunches in her hands whilst running in her knee length stiletto platform boots, against the gravel path.

Her pinned bun fell loose so her black hair bounced in her race while tears still streamed down her face. Along the way to the Orchid Hall, the lynx army formed ranks. Watching her race into the building. The hall was dead silent but not empty. Round tables were dressed in white cloths with tall vases of gorgeous peonies and foxglove flowers.

The only source of light were down lights on the ceiling that reflected the effects of the crystals on the candelabras and the chandeliers overhead. The candles were mostly unlit but Renee was by the bride and groom's table, lighting up the two candelabras on their table.

The eldritch was in a sparkling ballgown that faded from its pristine wedding white to a dark blood red. Gone was her youthful milky glow, replaced by wrinkled and blemished skin. Her black pixie cut was grey and thick as thatch. Her menacingly grin amplified the crow claws by her eyes and the frown lines around her mouth.

Ridley exhaled shakily while taking in her mother. "Ridley," Renee greeted with a small nod. "Strange," she went on, "I really thought this was a trap. I'm very surprised that nobody knows you're here. Unless you're stalling."

"We had a deal; no lynxes."

Renee sized up Ridley then blew out her match. "Remove your arsenal," she ordered. Ridley stripped off her leather jacket then took off her quiver of arrows that also housed her bow's body. "Archery? You're your mother's child." She ignored her and started pulling knives out of her boots and dress. The karambit was the last of Ridley's weapons to be removed. "My turn." Renee looked out the nearest window. A few moments later the army of lynxes were heard scattering.

"Give me your word you won't go near my family or my school," Ridley ordered. Mother and daughter started circling each other sourly. "Have whoever you want, just not them."

"That's even more surprising! You would protect the very people who judged you after that scandalous video of your hunt on Ryan was spread?"

"You mean the video you spread?"

"I had to make sure I got my way," she admitted shamelessly. "Honestly, it's like you've never played chess a day in your life. If I remember correctly, you were quite the star in primary school chess. At least that's what the photos in your photo album suggest. Chess, drums, violin, horseback, archery, soccer, field hockey, swimming, capoeira, physics club, junior robotics. Anything to keep your mind off of Ryan, right?" The two continued circling each other and Ridley noticed her bow string was still around her wrist. "Well, you clearly don't have to worry about anymore."

Ridley stopped moving completely then lowered her arms from her defensive stance. "Give me you word," she persisted then combed her hair behind her ear.

Renee walked up to her and clasped Ridley by the shoulders. "Clarke made a promise to me, eighteen years ago. That he would never love anyone else. I could forgive him for breaking that promise if that gestating wench wasn't a redblood, of all things. Redblood and blackbloods are abominations. No. No I can't give you my word," she whispered. Renee bit deep into Ridley's neck, making her scream. "Shut up," Renee bellowed but her words were muffled from being buried in her daughter's neck.

The huntress fell silent on her mother's orders. Tears streamed down her face while a whimper escaped her. Ridley's hands gripped her mother's shoulders while Renee's hands were around her daughter's waist. The hall went mute and even Ridley's sobs were still.

Black started creeping into the young huntress' vision while her body weakened and her breathing grew heavy. The maximum limit for blood loss in the human body was 40%. Her heartbeat became irregular and consciousness was fleeting yet Renee showed no sign of slowing down.

Ridley's limbs finally gave in, her hands released Renee and her legs gave in. Renee flung her into the bridal party's table and continued downing her daughter. The 'scary' Axel passed out and at last Renee broke away. She took in how her daughter's eyes fluttered weakly.

Howling resonated inside Ridley's head but clearly Renee couldn't hear it. Ankh was in pain. Only then did Ridley realise that she had been feeling the grey wolf all night she just hadn't seen her. Where was Ankh? She would either be at Ridley's side or Sayeed's and she was neither. Ridley could feel Ankh's breathing weaken. A weak yap was the last of Ankh Ridley heard.

Renee wiped away the trails of gold and black blood around her dark pink lipsticked lips. A celebratory roar escaped her. Her wrinkles started fading and the grey in her hair tinted back to black. The milky youthful returned to her cheeks and the stretch marks on her breasts vanished.

"You are walking fountain of youth, my girl," Renee replied menacingly. Ridley moaned then fell off the table, making Renee look back at her. "For what it's worth, if I didn't need a biological relative for this, I never would have disrupted your life," she admitted. Heartbreakingly Ridley could tell she meant it. The eldritch looked to her daughter sadly. "It's not long now," she started then made her way towards her daughter. "You'll soon be out of your misery."

Ridley couldn't say anything.

Renee sighed then flung her daughter back onto the table. "Promise me something," she ordered, faintly disheartened. "Your aunts, Dominique and Aimée. You're grandparents, Allatu and Adrahasis. They're all on the other side. Greet them for me."

"Ridley," a distorted woman's voice growled more than called. "Fight back!" The young woman exhaled from Renee leaning over her. The goldblood still couldn't hear the voice. "I'm here! Fight!"

"Let me die," Ridley cried weakly. "I deserve it."

"No," Ankh barked then came charging into the hall. She snarled when she pranced onto Renee. Her strong jaws pierced into the eldritch's neck. "She won't stop!" Ankh flung Renee aside then leaped onto the table to sniff Ridley. "Look at me."

"Ankh... don't... let me-"

"What did Barbara tell you!" Renee stammered to her feet with her golden blood dripping onto her ball gown. Ridley shook her head at Ankh. "What did Barbara tell you! She said 'don't think about what you're ending'!" Renee groaned angrily while Ankh turned to her defensively. "'Think about what you're allowing to continue'."

"Stand down," Ridley ordered weakly. "Please."

Ankh snarled. "You're my friend! I can't let you do this!" The wolf pranced onto the eldritch. The eldritch smote the wolf aside.

"Dumb wolf," Renee hissed. "Give your master what she wants; let her die."

"She's going after your family! If she becomes immortal, nobody will ever be safe," Ankh persisted. She winced against the wall then shook off her attack. "She did this to Ryan!"

Ridley slowly tumbled off the table, only to use it to get to her feet. Renee sneered at the world before glancing over to the huntress. "Oh, no. Don't tell me you just grew a spine."

"No," Ridley replied, leaning on the table for support. Ankh's ears lowered defeatedly and she laid back down. "I always had a spine. Now? Now I have something worth fighting for: love."

"Sweetheart, I have someone I love. He doesn't want to see me until I become immortal. That was the agreement. I become immortal and I can have a relationship with my son." Ridley cupped her bow string around her wrist, carefully untying it. "You better lie back on that table before I lose my magnanimity."

Ridley shook her head with conviction. "Bite me," she hissed. She looked over at Ankh who sat up. Through their link, Ridley directed the wolf to her quiver for her bow and arrows.

"Have it your way," Renee replied.

With her rejuvenated performance, the eldritch sped to her daughter. Ridley only held up a fist and Renee rammed into it. Ankh stealthily crept towards the quiver. Ridley slammed her head into Renee's while coiling her bow string around her hands. Renee groaned her rage! Ridley used the thick string as a garrote.

Renee smirked evilly, despite being choked. She grabbed Ridley's waist. Renee flung her across the room, to Ankh. Renee examined the bow string. "Hm. I hope this isn't important," she commented then tossed the string to the other side of the table. "It's out of commission."

Ridley untied the second bow string from her wrist while Ankh took out the bow. Renee's early victory was short lived. "Get her," Ridley ordered weakly. The blood loss was still affecting her. Ankh snarled then charged for Renee. Scrambling tiredly, the young halfritch tied her string to her bow. She notched an arrow. "Ankh!"

The wolf released Renee from being dragged about. The goldblood sat up in time to snatch the arrow aimed at her eye. "You're going to have to do better than that. Your blood did more than just return my youth. I'm faster, stronger and much more-"

Ankh ruffed her out with her paws scratching at her chest. Ridley dug in her quiver for a flying blade. Essentially, flying blades were thin razor knives in arrow silhouettes. They had U-shaped grooves on their ends. Ridley called to Ankh through their link and the wolf flung Renee forward. Ridley smirked then aimed slightly lower.

Again Renee caught the arrow! This time, it was aimed at her chest. More than that, catching the arrow cut through her hand. With her mother distracted, Ridley fired another flying blade. Renee caught that one too, as planned. Ridley fired a third into her chest. While Ankh backed away from the line of fire.

An arrow to the chest wouldn't stop Renee at this point, Ridley knew that. She reached for her retractable staff and karambit on the polished tiled floor before charging at her mother. The staff smote the goldblood backwards and the karambit slashed her across the face.

Ankh pranced to smite her paw across Renee's back, sending her forwards. "For my father!" Ridley punched her with the handle of her karambit. "Jakob!" Another jab. "My grandfather!" A third jab. "My mother!" She slammed her head into Renee's. "Threatening my shity school!" A free-hand punch. "And this is for using my own sister against me!" Ridley planted the karambit into Renee's neck. "You don't deserve to call her your daughter but me? I'm the monster you made."

Ankh let out a howl, calling to Sayeed. Ridley tore out the karambit, splattering the golden thick blood onto herself and her staff. "Ridley, I can end this. You can be reunited with..."

"The proper thing to do would be to let you live. Answer for your crimes." Ridley shoved her into table angrily. "I don't live by the hunter's credo anymore, I live by my own." The huntress dropped her karambit and her staff. "'Don't think about what you're ending. Think about what you're allowing to continue'. Knowing what you stand for, letting you live would be blasphemous."

Ridley bared her teeth then buried her face into her mother's neck. Ironically, Renee let out the same shriek she did earlier. Ankh hummed then turned away from the scene of the crime to leave her master to finish off her mother. Renee was already bleed so there wasn't much to finish off.

When Renee went limp and her pulse died out, Ridley ripped out her throat. She spat out the mouthful of flesh she gathered. The goldblood lifelessly fell to the ground. Tears pooled in Ridley's eyes and she turned away from the corpse with a sob.

She caved on the floor and Ankh settled beside and started howling again. This time, Sayeed did come running with Dane behind him. Dane slid across the floor on his knees to Ridley's side. "Ridley," he cupped her cheeks to wipe her tears with his thumbs. "Hey. Hey, I'm here."

"She's not," Sayeed stated from Renee's corpse. "Either Ankh is suddenly has teeth human or you have a really strong bite."

Dane took in the gold blood around Ridley's mouth. "Damn." She turned away from him. "It's okay. You did what you had to."

The Danish hunter gathered her in his arms then aided her to her feet. They wordlessly left the Orchid Hall. Ridley glanced over her shoulder to Renee's corpse. She couldn't help but feel she was selfish. That they were all selfish. That selfishness was the real cause of Ryan's death.

Had Ridley not been selfish, she would have let Ryan in. Their relationship would have turned out differently. Had Renee not been selfish, she never would have gone on her immortality search. Theoretically, she never would have left Clarke. She would have been a mother with a typical hunting family.

Ridley sniffled with Ankh joining her side and the grey wolf nestled into Ridley. The danger may have passed but the remnants of its destruction remained. Jakob and Richard were slain and Ryan was still dead. They may have returned to the Christmas party on a path lined with dead lynxes, but this was not a happy ending. Simply put, they didn't exist.