Our Powerful Family

Let The Games Begin

Eva POV:

We were eating. I finally got Leo to sit down and eat by me so at least he wasn’t flirting as much. He did this every day. He would always flirt with me but I never think anything of it. He flirts with every woman that breathes and I will not be his next ‘conquest’, so I playfully flirt back. It’s me trying to pretend like my heart doesn’t race when he smiles at me. He probably doesn’t even think of me differently than all the other females he has had in bed. I sigh internally. Damn crush.

“Eva? You okay?” I hear Leo ask me, making me jump. Before I have the chance to say anything, I notice Mercy tense up. Everyone else seems to as well because we all watch as Jorden touches her shoulder. She whispers something to him and he nods. All it takes is one look. An amulet. A new one. It’s near.

I stand up, along with Mahto and Max. “We will go check it out.” Max says, looking suddenly alert. Mahto and I nod in agreement. But Mercy shakes her head.

“Take Leo with you. Kelsey, go as eyes in the sky. Gary, Jorden, and I will follow shortly.” Mercy nods to us and Leo stands, Kelsey shifts into her adorable little American Kestrel form. White feathers with occasional black ones on her underside. And some red feathers on her head and back, her eyes are blue, which is strange. But pretty. She quickly flies out the door and into the sky.

Mahto and Max shift once we are outside. It’s a rule Gary has in place for the larger animals. Kelsey, Leo, and I are the only ones allowed to shift in the house. But right now, even outside, Leo and I are still in our human forms, following Mahto and Max. I can’t see Kelsey but I don’t worry too much. That’s why she is so good at being our eyes in the sky. She tends to go unnoticed and make it easier to go ask for backup or warn us of an upcoming threat.

Right after I think that, we hear her chirp, “danger!” To us. Leo and I exchange a look before advancing, moving in front of the massive bear and the snarling wolverine. They follow us now, my steps are soft and quiet. So are Leo’s. But I have to focus on the task at hand. I can’t think about him right now. But I also can’t help but glance over at him. And I’m shocked to see he was looking at me. I clear my throat. “Danger!” I hear Kelsey again, louder this time. 

I don’t have a chance to prepare myself before there is a blinding light and suddenly, vines wrap around my ankles and wrists, holding me in the air. I hear Leo yell my name but when I look, he’s held away from me by different vines. I look around, finding Max and Mahto in their human forms tangled near us. I start to struggle when a thorn from the vines punctures my skin and pain erupts in my whole body. I scream, then my body goes limp and I feel numb.

“Evangeline!” I can hear Mercy’s voice. But before I can get up hope they are here to save us... I hear the sound of struggling. I whimper softly, they are caught too... I want to sleep. But I can’t. I have to stay awake.

I hear a laugh. It’s evil. Like one of those ones from the scary shows Markus watches. Markus! I manage a glance at Leo and he nods. Then he yells. “Kelsey! Markus!” He never came home. But he will come to save us.

The laugh turns to a snarl. “Your little Stallion can’t help you. There is one of him. And one huge of me.” It doesn’t even sound human. It sounds demonic. I shiver, then yelp because moving hurt. But suddenly the pain recedes and I’m thankful, but I frown deeply when I notice I can smell Markus. He’s close. But I realize he can’t save us all. I’m happy that he at least came I guess. I whimper when I hear the sound of him neighing loudly and then the cracking of bones as he shifts back into his human form. “Now that you are all here... let the games begin.”

I’m about to question what she is talking about, when I hear it. “You are worthless.” My eyes widen. I look around frantically for the owner of the voice. But that shouldn’t be possible. I haven’t seen him in years. I look straight ahead and my eyes widen further. No. “I don’t love you. How could anyone love such a stupid little child like you.” 

“Father...” I mumble, tears coming to my eyes when I suddenly see Leo. But... why is he standing by my father? Why isn’t he helping me... I don’t understand. “Leo!” I practically scream his name. But the look he is giving me... why does it hurt so much? He seems disgusted. 

“I hate you, Eva. Why would I ever love you? You are weak and pathetic. No one will ever love you. Not even your parents or any of our family loves you. You get in the way.” I can feel my heart shattering. Tears are pouring down my cheeks as I look at Leo. I cry out when I see the rest of the family step over beside Leo and my father. 

“No!” I scream, trying to get out but I can’t. I’m too weak. My eyes don’t leave Leo. This hurts so much. I love him. That’s the truth. I can’t help it. I’m ashamed by how much I love him. Ashamed by how much the words I hear him say hurt. They cut me right down to the very fibers of my being. I want him to take it back. But he doesn’t. He just stares at me, smiling as he watches me break.