Maya's POVPure terror gripped me as my eyes darted around the small cubicle for some kind of weapon and once again landed on Theo’s lifeless body.Was I going to be next?Helpless tears streamed down my cheeks as I scratched, bit and kicked, thrashing against the vicelike grip on my mouth and arm. I used all my might but it was fruitless.Behind me my captor— a male if I were to guess from his body— tightened his hold on my arm and I groaned in pain. Still in this position, he steered us out of the restroom and into the café.In there, I begged with my eyes for someone, anyone, to interfere but the few gazes that met my pleading one quickly flickered away. A new paralysing fear kicked in and I shook with the realisation that I was truly on my own.No one here was going to help me. This was the neutral zone where people minded their business and stuck to their lane. I could be dead by sunrise and nobody would give a shit.I tried to shift but my captor sensing this twisted my arm fur

Maya's POVToday was filled with a lot of firsts for me.It was my first time questioning an accidental informant.My first time seeing Wolfbane.My first time accusing and punching someone I suspected of murder.And my first time ransacking the pockets of a dead person.The last one topped the list.With nausea rolling in my stomach, I hastily turned out Theo’s pockets. My newly found hope quickly dwindled with each empty pocket I checked.Chase remained frozen by the door, gaping at me as my hands rummaged in search of the card. His trancelike state was broken when Ashton joined him at the door.The impudent Shadow said–“It won’t be there.“At the same time, Chase whispered “Stop.”Instead of doing that, my search became desperate as I searched her pockets again.I could have missed it the first time, I had to be sure.“Maya, stop!” Chase yelled and ripped me away from Theo. “Stop it!”Beside him, Ashton looked away, his throat working.I shook my head and with power I didn’t know

Chase's POVI was unable to move for the duration of the video, afraid that if I did, I would miss a part of their conversation. Yes, it could be replayed but logic had escaped me so I didn’t think of that.My heart slowed to a stop in some parts. And in other parts, it broke all over again.How ironic was it that I could actually visualise Theo bounding down to the kitchen in search of a bottle of grape juice? It was one of the very few things which she and Aubrey disagreed on. My sister could drink anything else but the thought of grape juice made her gag. I still remember how hilarious Theo found her hatred for the drink.Listening to Theo made Aubrey’s loss feel raw once again.Further into the conversation, I heard how it had all gone wrong. The root of the problem which we had searched so hard for but couldn’t find.‘Later on, I realized that among the things I had told her, was the name of the road which Aubrey was to travel on.’A burst of air left me as I exhaled sharply in d

Chase's POV“I'll come back and get you all when your time is up.” Sylvanus mumbled his announcement as we stepped into the control room and then he scurried off.I scoffed.“Was that necessary?” Maya asked. Ashton was already heading to the countless rows of screens which went all the way up to the ceiling and displayed the live feeds of all the surveillance cameras placed in the zone.I turned to Maya. Those were the first words she had spoken since we left the cafe. The only light in the broad room came from the screens and it cast a blue light on Maya making her skin appear gaunt.“It was the most effective way considering the little time that we have on our hands.”She acknowledged this with a disgruntled sound. Before she could walk past me, I caught hold of her hand and gently lifted her chin so that her eyes met my worried ones.“How are you holding up?” I asked softly. “Don’t hide from me, sweetheart. We’ll weather this together.”For a split second, almost like it was an ins

Chase’s POV“Chase what the hell happened yesterday?” Ron demanded as he stormed into my office the next morning. I glanced up at him from working on my laptop and whatever he saw in my eyes gave him a pause.He frowned. “Are you okay?”At his question, a burst of laughter escaped me. It was dry, empty and almost manic— everything a laugh should not have been.“Do I look okay to you?”“Okay, stupid question. My bad.” The frown carved between his brows didn’t alleviate as he lowered himself into the chair across from me. If anything, it deepened as he studied me. “You look horrible. Like, really horrible.”“Gee, thanks.” I drawled and sent off an email.Given, that I had not slept a wink last night, it was expected.“Jokes aside. What happened, Chase?”“I wasn’t aware that we were joking.” My reply remained as superficial and this riled up Ron.“We aren’t, dude. One minute we were together fighting off rogues then the second we’re done you sprint off to who knows where without a word o