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Manticores tend to live in caves,

With tall ceilings to fit their scorpion-like tail.

Their ability to hurl javelin-sized spines allows them to attack from afar.

All spines regrow after a long rest.

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"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Wyatt called out in a taunting voice.

I slipped the pocket knife into my jeans and pulled Pedro's arm over my shoulders.

Using my remaining strength, I hoisted him up and urged him across the path. We sidled between two grave mausoleums, disappearing into the dark alleyway.

The tiny gap was enough coverage. A temporary hideout for the meantime.

I cautiously sat Pedro down against the monument. The full moon cast a shimmer of light over his form. Pedro lay on his side, his breathing ragged as he shuddered like he had a fever.

Rows of mausoleums stretched on all sides. An advantage on my part. Wyatt will have to look between every monument to find us.

It was enough to buy us time. Clouds rumbled a few miles away.

So close but yet so far.

Maybe I could reach Zion and Liam in time if I ran.

But what if Wyatt interferes before I get there?

I touched Pedro's forehead. The skin warmed significantly beneath my fingers. His eyes continued their rapid twitching underneath his close eyelids.

Guilt washed over me knowing I couldn't relieve his pain. Then I had a crazy idea.

Two, in fact.

Chances are if my first plan doesn't work, I'll be forced to work with the second, which could leave me injured.

I knelt beside Pedro. At the moment, he was half-conscious, but I spoke up anyway. "Hang in there. I'm getting Wyatt as far away as possible. Just sit tight."

Leaving a kiss on his heated forehead, I pulled to my feet and walked towards the edge of the alleyway. I took deep breaths.

I guess it's now or never.

Before I could think twice, I dashed down the path, heading towards the storm clouds ahead. My ankle boots slammed against the graveled ground, disrupting the still night.

That was the first plan; make it to Zion and Liam before getting caught. But a part of me knew I would fail.

The second plan was to bait Wyatt; convince him to pursue me and hopefully draw the pendant away from Pedro.

Like clockwork, something with the weight of a truck slammed against my side. I plummeted to the ground, my skin marred from the impact.

I winced from the pain and felt something warm trickle down the side of my head. Getting to my elbows, my gaze met a partially transformed manticore.

Wyatt grinned, clearly amused. "You must be extremely stupid or pretty funny. Did you actually think you could outrun me?"

I guess plan A failed.

But the first part of plan B worked. I got Wyatt away from Pedro. Maybe he could reach Zion and Liam in time.

Wyatt's tail swung from behind as he took a step forward. "You can't hide Zion's brother for long. Tell me where he is and I'll spare you."

I pushed to my knees, my hand closed around a huge rock. "If you want to hurt Pedro so much, why don't you hurt me?"

He smiled and stepped forward. "I don't hit girls."

When he was close enough I shot to my feet, the huge rock ready to slam his head.

Of course, that failed too.

He grabbed my wrist inches from his face. I sent a fist and he caught it. I struggled against his grip, his claws digging into my inner wrist.

I released my fingers, letting the stone fall. It crushed Wyatt's toe. He cursed and grabbed his injured foot, hopping on one leg.

I took a run for it but he grabbed my shirt and tugged me back. I slammed into him, my weight tipped his balance and we fell to the ground in a heap.

I shook my head and found myself on his chest. He pushed me off and flipped to his feet. Then his phone rang.

He froze in confusion and rose a finger. "Excuse me." He reached to his side and pulled out a phone from his jeans. He turned his back to me, and answered the call, hissing in a low tone. "Not now, mom."

Mom?

Seeing a hairy Wyatt making a phone call with clothes and a tail was...weird.

"I'm busy. I'll do the dishes later....No, I can't come home now."

My eyes found the shackles hooked to his belt. The one we need to save Gwen's dad.

Not to mention the pendant in his other hand. I needed to get them. That was the second part of plan B.

Wyatt was still on his phone. "You can't ground me...I'm 18! I'll be home soon. Happy?" He swiped his phone and turned to me with a frown.

I stared back, gradually crawling to my feet.

"Um..." He scratched his neck. "Moms." He managed a nervous laugh. "Can't go a day without them. Am I right?" 

When I didn't respond immediately, he cleared his throat and pulled a straight face. "This..." He gestured between me and him. "...stays between us."

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you--"

He moved. A hand curled around my neck, crushing me against the nearest mausoleum.

Pain seared through my head and for a moment, I lost focus. He pulled me to my toes, his nails digging into my throat.

I was choking.

His face filled my vision as he pulled an aloof expression. "Now where was I? Oh yes. Where's Pedro?"

"Buzz off." I rasped.

"If you insist. Don't blame me for what happens next." Before I could think, his clawed hand pierced my abdomen. My scream was stifled by his other hand.

"Shhh." He cooed, his yellow eyes animalistic. "You sacrifice too much for the Petersons. It makes me wonder how they earned your loyalty."

He twisted his hand, the pain screamed in my skull.

He continued in a hushed tone. "I'll find Pedro no matter what and I'll have my revenge. Tell Zion that."

He tore away from me and I slumped to the grass. His footsteps receded until I was engulfed once more in silence.

I coughed, dragging to my knees but failed miserably. At least most of plan B worked.

My hand reached forward and clutched the blue pendant a foot away, cautiously tucking it in my back pocket.

Wyatt had ignorantly released the pendant when he used both hands.

I rolled to my back and stared at the night sky. The taste of copper filled my tongue. My vision waning by the second.

I couldn't feel a thing. The only assurance I was still alive was my struggled breathing. I didn't know how long I lay there, maybe an hour, couldn't really tell anyway.

I was a goner.

Right then, I heard something. A faint voice.

A part of me recognized it as some sort of imagination to cope with my loneliness.

Hallucination is a funny thing.

The voice drew closer and it was desperate.

"Gem! Where are you?"

Liam?

I tried to speak but it came out as a gurgle.

"Penny!" Zion's deep voice broke another silence.

My eyelids grew heavy, as they pulled shut. The only reliance was my hearing. Footsteps trudged closer, getting quicker and louder.

"Gem?" Arms grabbed my shoulder, pulling me into a warm chest. Warm hands touched my cheek. "Gem, talk to me. Please."

Why does his voice sound so distant?

A forehead touched mine as Liam shifted me closer. I suddenly felt a tingle on my tummy and knew he was using his healing ability. "Please open your eyes." His frail voice sounded defeated.

I hesitantly looked up -- using every ounce of energy -- and met his glowing cat gaze.

He sighed with relief and gave a small smile. "You're okay."

More footsteps drew closer. Zion came into view with Pedro hoisted to his side. He sucked in a breath when he glimpsed at my abdomen. His brown eyes met mine and they were filled with regret.

He turned to Liam. "You're not healing her fast enough."

"My strength is waning from the rider's attack. It'll take some time."

Zion gritted his teeth and glanced at his brother. His features softened. "Pedro, you alright?"

There was a slight nod but barely noticeable.

"We need to leave now," Zion said. That's when a noticed a long cut on the side of his head.

I guess they too had troubles.

Liam looked down at me. "Can you make a portal?"

I wanted to tell him 'yes' but knew it would come out as a garbled mess. Instead, I stretched out my hand and in the next few seconds, a portal began to form.

Funny how it disappeared when Wyatt attacked.

I was slipping out of consciousness, finally letting go after completing the warp gate. Darkness engulfed me.

My last thought...

Star-crossed inc.

Hey there!

Just want to know how you guys are doing. Hope everything is good?

What do you think about Wyatt?

Let me know in the comments and please don't forget to vote.

Sending love from your wannabe author, Belinda Rose💜✌