Ilena

12

Eight frustrating hours later I was finally setting foot on Scottish soil. Two hours after that we were entering the trees and hiking into the forest.

"It's a three hour hike from here, but I've been informed that it’s fully stocked and has hot running water, oh and it's dust free." Evan said smiling but frowned when he stepped in mud and I laughed when he acted offended by the substance. "I'll catch up in a sec." He called as I forged ahead. I was more than ready to be hidden from the eyes of so many men, at least half of which don't like me.

I heard running water off to my left and veered off the path, it’s been a long time since I had experienced nature and would love to do so again. About twenty minutes of walking later I found myself standing before the most beautiful waterfall. I knelt down on the waters grassy edge and set down my bag as I splashed the cool water across my face and neck. Fresh flowers grew along its edge and moss grew on rocks that protruded from the cliff side. I would love to call a place like this home, I'd never leave if it was mine and someone that was mine stayed with here with me.

"Hello Princess." I heard a venomous voice spit out just before I was flung backwards, my back smashing hard against a nearby tree. My vision blurred as I looked up and identified Theo instantly even if I hadn't from his voice, as he was slowly stalking towards me.

"Seriously, how stupid are you mother fuckers to keep coming for me? How many people are going to have to die before you all realize that I won’t die without fighting with everything that I have, for everything that I am?" I spit at him, power is coursing through me now like nothing I've ever felt before and it’s so strong it feels like it’s controlling me. Pulling at me from the very core of me. I can visibly see the fear in his eyes, but instead of running he quickens his pace slamming into me before I can send a charge at him. Instead I grab the sides of his face and let my power flow into him. He goes ridged in my hands just as he gets them around my neck. Unfortunately for me my defense is helping him choke me. But I can see its having an effect because his eyes are rolling back in his head. I let him go and try to push him off but he won’t let go even in his damaged state and he's squeezing even more now. Great, I've essentially killed the guy but the last thought in his head was to choke me to death, I basically just killed myself.

I wheeze against the pain and use everything I have to push against him, to break his hold on me. Great I can kill a man but still can’t save myself, I'm the one everyone is trying to protect and I'm useless. I should just die now and save everyone the hassle.

Suddenly he is being ripped off of me and I'm being tucked away into someone's chest, its Charles, his scent enveloping me, but I don't need comfort. I can feel my throat is nearly closed so I can’t tell them that his brain is already dead and only his body lives. I turn to see Evan and 'Fox' pinning him to the ground, I pull Charles's gun from his shoulder strap and take five deliberate steps toward the body and aim, placing two bullets where his fried brain now sits. I could feel tears brimming on my lids but wouldn't let them see. I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder and walked over to Charles, placing his gun back in its holster and walked off in the direction we were supposed to be going in the first place. It was then the tears fell but no one was in front of me to see them. I will not be a victim. I will not be useless.

Cara comes up beside me but doesn't try to stop me, "The guys are worried about you, what happened back there?" She asks quietly.

"I'll..." It’s still hard to talk, so I'm struggling to make the words come out, "explain..." damn this hurts, "Later." I say and rub my throat showing her that's why I have to explain later. She doesn't seem to notice my tear stained cheeks or is doing well to ignore them, of which I'm thankful for.

"Ok, I'll tell them." She said thoughtfully and left my side, I immediately wipe my face and right my clothes. But something is wrong with my hands, electricity was sparking all around them and I couldn't seem to make it stop. I shake my hands and look at them, I couldn't control my own power, I really am useless. I balled my fists and tried to disperse the energy, when that didn't work I stop walking and closed my eyes taking deep breaths, I have to calm down and let the spark go. But it wouldn't lessen, instead I could swear it was growing and not only that it was becoming painful, sparks of pain shooting up and down my spine. I'm trying to hold it in, trying to keep my composure, deep breaths Ilena, deep breaths.

"Hey, what's wrong, how can I help?" I vaguely heard someone ask but they seemed far away, like they were down a long hallway and all I could hear was a faint echo. Deep breaths Ilena, in through the nose, out through the mouth, it helps, I have to tell myself that it helps. My ears are filled with a ringing sound and I can’t hear anything else anymore, I feel myself sinking and cold seeps into the fabric on the knees of my jeans. I can’t fight it as hard as I try, I can feel myself let go, I cry out but can’t hear the sounds, I can feel the tears, it’s all I can feel against the pain. I can’t think, I can’t breathe, I can’t tell them what's wrong. I open my eyes to see them staring down at me, genuine concern on their faces, Cara and Sarah seem to be panicking. I can tell I'm not

screaming because the others are not frantic. Focus on the details, bring yourself back.

I can’t see him, but then suddenly I'm being lifted upwards and then his beautiful face is so close to mine but his is like stone, I think he's afraid but he can’t show it. I let his scent wrap around me, why is he doing this, he doesn't know, so why.

The pain spikes forcing me to arch my back in his arms and he grips me even tighter, it lets me know some of my senses are returning to me. Another spike has me arching the other way and I wrap my arms around his shoulders and neck to try and maintain stability. Focus on the details, god he smells good.

"I'm sorry." I whisper and I know only he heard me, he turns his head into my hair and I can feel his warm breath on my skin as he breaths me in.

"There's no need for that, I've got you now, I will keep you safe." 'Fox' says with soft determination, his deep voice rumbling in my chest. I can feel myself start to drift, stop, focus on the details, pain shoots through my arms and legs forcing me to grip him even tighter, it’s not even a choice. I tighten my jaw to keep from crying out again, I force myself to breathe, deep breathes Ilena.

"Is there anything we can do?" Sarah asks sounding worried.

"We can only be here for her while she rides through the pain, it’s her body taking full control of itself, of her power. It should have happened...well naturally but since her father curbed her power it wasn't able to. The attacks that have been pretty constant must have brought it to the surface." Charles explained.

"She needs rest." 'Fox rumbles out.

"We're not too far from the cabin, it shouldn't be long. Do you need me to take her?" Evan asked, I'm sure he was just trying to be polite but it made 'Fox' growl quietly deep in his chest and I'm sure I'm the only one that heard but his grip got tighter too.

"It's fine." He says and pushed on towards the cabin.