“Is everyone good?” Jane asked, fixing the collar of her big coat.
I nodded and so did Elane.
“Alright, let's go downstairs to meet up with the others then,” Jane said.
I went over to Elane and took her arm, then Jane took my arm.
“Sisters?” Jane asked.
“Forever,” Elane and I both agreed.
Jane opened the door and we walked out into the hallway, then we made our way to the stairs. Me taking one last look at every painting and artefact around me, just memorizing what the Archer house looked like. I made it down the stairs with Elane and Jane still on either of my sides. The first person I saw was Sam; he was wearing black jeans, black boots and a black winter coat, looking unruffled as always except for his naturally messy hairstyle, which was always ruffled.
He offered me his hand when I got closer to him, then he pulled me closer to his warm hard body. This was killing me, he knew that there was a chance something could go wrong, I could see the uncertainty in his eyes and that made me worry.
“Are you ready for this?” he asked me intently, his magnificent green eyes boring into mine.
I nodded and he pecked me on the lips softly.
“Everyone, let's head out,” James called from the stairs.
I assumed every coven and outsider knew the plan, which includes where to go, who to follow, and so on.
Sam wrapped his arms around me and pulled me though the crowd to get to the door which led to the garage.
“Wait, where's Rosetta?” I asked Sam, panicked.
“It's okay, she's outside,” Sam reassured me.
I nodded and we carried on, making our way to the garage to get to the Hummer. Sam helped me in then he shut the door behind me. I watched him walk around the front of the car and jump in the drivers side. He started the Hummer with a loud reeve and then we drove out the open garage roller door, following patiently behind many different types of cars with few people inside them.
“Here we go again,” I said to myself in the quiet car as we drove out onto the street.
Sam squeezed my hand in his quickly before he had to change gears and I looked at him questionably.
“I won't let anyone hurt you,” he vowed to me.
“I know,” I said with a little smile.
The whole drive I focused on Sam. I imagined that when this had passed, our lives would go back to normal for us. It would just be me and him and our families, everything would be better and there would be none of these life threatening catastrophes.
I felt the Hummer start to slow and pull over to the side of the road, then all the red taillights in front of us turned off, meaning we were here.
I gulped and my heart thumped abnormally. I gripped the door handle and stared straightforward into the trees ahead like they were a dark abyss with no point of return.
I took my seat belt off and stared ahead stiffly.
“Layla, this is very important, you have to listen to everything I say no matter what, please,” Sam said, cutting into the silence.
“No matter what,” I promised with a nod, not meeting his eyes.
I heard him get out of the Hummer but I didnt move. I was thinking through every possibility of this bargaining going wrong. In my head the odds were pretty even, thats until I see their numbers, then well see how even the odds are then.
My door opened, nearly dragging me out with it. I forgot I had a tight grip on the handle. Luckily Sam had great reflexes when it came to my safety and he caught me when I half landed in his arms with an exhale of breath.
“Are you alright?”
“I'm good,” I answered nervously, looking into his green eyes glistening in the late afternoon light.
He helped me the rest of the way out and put me down so my feet touched down on the ground softly, letting all of me go except for one hand as he shut the door and locked the car with a beep. I clung to his arm as we walked towards the Rafire coven, watching more and more cars pull up.
“Do you know where Peter is?” Sam asked them.
“He's over there,” Andrew answered, gesturing with his thumb to Peter and Summer.
We walked over to Peter and Summer, then Sam whispered something in Peters ear. I saw Peter nod his head and then whisper something in Summers ear. She nodded towards Sam and then he turned both of us around to face the covens and outsiders.
“Attention,” Sam called, and the crowd started quietening down.
“My friends, we ask for you not to pick a fight, but if they decide to attack first then go right ahead and fight them. Again we thank you for your support and we have gratitude for it. You do not know how much we appreciate your kindness, it has helped us plenty already in protecting our family, our beloved ones.
“Now let's stick to the plan, we go first since we have the trading token, all we ask of you is to just back us up. If you choose to fight then you choose to fight, but if not, we thank you for being here anyway. So thank you,” Sam spoke.
His short speech was inspiring like Peters, and Id never really picked someone like Sam for a speech giver, but yet again I was wrong, he really was good at literally everything. Everyone in the crowd was silent, thinking through Sams options I suppose, until Steven yelled out.
“For the Archers and their friends!”
The whole of the covens and outsiders went into an uproar and started cheering and clapping. I could clearly imagine them holding swords up above their heads like barbarians, but this was good, we were off to a good start.
“For the Archers and their friends!” everyone was yelling.
I looked around and every one of the Archer members were smiling appreciatively, so I did too.
“James, bring Thora,” I heard Sam say to James.
He nodded solemn and disappeared, a cloud of dust behind him.
“Let's go,” Sam announced when the cheering and applauding quieted.
Leading the way through the trees was Peter and Summer with Thora. Sam and I followed behind them with Jane and Hunter, then Fredric and James, and Elane by our sides. Then behind us followed Rosetta, the Rafire coven, the Fengral coven, the Resah coven and the outsiders.
All of us united against Dark, it was unbelievable. If you saw us all from a distance I think it would have looked cool, we were all perfectly set out in walking positions, you would have thought we had rehearsed it. I actually felt like I belonged right here, with the Supernatural beings that fended for Light. I felt like I belonged with Sam like I always have, but this time there were no doubts, we were different in so many ways yet so alike.
As we walked further into the trees I couldnt hear any animal life, just the sound of our footsteps. The Warrigal coven were already here. I guess the animals knew to get far away from here and I wouldnt blame them either, if I was an animal I would too.
We walked further and further in our formation. I started getting worried that maybe we were lost, but then I saw the trees start to thin out and they opened up into, of course, another clearing of some sort. Where the hell do these clearings come from, they just seem to pop out of nowhere when it comes to any confrontation.
As I looked around the clearing or field, I saw on the far side a small group of people, all facing our direction.
“They are here,” Sam said in a hard voice.
“Now what?” I asked since we had all stopped walking.
“We wait,” Peter answered, the wind blowing around us slightly.
We didn't have to wait very long for something to happen, we saw Tommy signal with his hand for someone to come up from behind him. Then, I couldn't believe it, around fifteen people appeared from behind the Warrigal coven. I tried to count them all up from where I was and our numbers looked greater; we still had the upper hand.
As my hope was rising my mobile phone rang and I fumbled around for it, but I finally pulled it out of my pocket and slid it open.
I didn't bother saying hello I just put it on speakerphone and listened.
> “What do you want for Thora, name your price,” Tommy said from the other end of the line, sounding more hostile rather than his usual friendly tone.
“In exchange for Thora we want you Tommy, how many times do we have to explain that,” Sam said, keeping his eyes forward.
There was silence on the other end of the phone but someone finally spoke.
“We have already broken laws just by keeping her in our possession instead of turning her over to the council immediately, but we'll give you a chance to get her back,” Sam continued. “A trade for a trade.”
“How do you want to do this?” a female voice asked; it sounded like Christein but I couldnt be sure.
“We meet halfway through the clearing,” Sam said.
“It sounds too risky for us. How about Peter comes halfway through the clearing with Thora and I come halfway through the clearing with Tommy?” Christein suggested.
I looked at Sam and shook my head. He took in my expression and knew as well as I did that that was very risky for us. Three to one odds, they could all turn on Peter in an instant.
“No, it's too risky for us. I will come with Peter and Thora, you come with Tommy,” Sam bargained.
I heard murmurs from both the phone and from behind us, everyone was debating whether it was a good idea so obviously we were on speakerphone as well.
“Alright, we agree,” Tommy finally said after silencing everyone on his side.
“We will meet you out there,” Sam said, closing my phone in my hand.
I looked up at him in panic. What if he doesnt come back unharmed? I couldnt bear to lose him, not now.
“I will be fine,” he reassured me, answering my unspoken question and taking my face between his hands.
I felt a frown rise to my lips. “I love you,” I said, grasping his shoulders.
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes but couldnt stop them, not this time.
“I love you too babe,” he said, trying to make me laugh.
I did laugh but it sounded more like a cry.
“Hey,” he said softly.
He leaned forward, pressing his perfect lips to mine very softly and I felt a warm salty tear escape my eye. “I won't be gone for long,” he reassured me between kisses while wiping my tears away gently.
“Hurry back to me,” I said.
He pulled me in for a final hug and I squeezed myself closer, taking in as much of him as possible.
“I will. But no matter what, we will always find each other... I promise,” he whispered.
When he let go of me he pulled me over to say goodbye to his family. Well it wasnt a goodbye so to speak, it was more of a good luck thing.
While I hugged Peter good luck, Sam hugged his sisters, mother and brother. This wasn't right though, it's like they were leaving us for good, I know everyone else will take it as a good luck-goodbye thing, but not me, I knew what it truly meant.
“You will always be apart of our family Layla, know that,” Peter said to me as I let go of him.
“Thank you Peter, for everything,” I said.
I really am lucky for what I have, even if its not perfect.
Sam let go of my hand after he had hugged me again and walked over to help Peter who was leading the blindfolded Thora next to him. When he left me I started to feel empty and the feeling in my stomach became worse, turning into a raging fit.
Jane wrapped her arms around me and started murmuring soothing words in my ear while Elane took my hand, taking my mobile out of my hand and putting it in her pocket. James, Fredric and Hunter stood very close to me, their warmth and comfort surrounding me as they had their eyes peeled on Sam and Peter, and Summer had my other hand. At this moment I had never been so grateful for the family I had, even though we weren't blood related, our bond was as strong as those who were, possibly stronger.
“Lays,” I heard someone say from behind me.
I looked to see Rosetta and her expression was saddened.
“Yes, Rosetta,” I said, trying to dry my tears away with my jacket sleeve.
“I am still sorry,” she said sadly.
“Thanks,” I said.
I raised one of my arms to hug her and she hugged me back.
“I forgive you, you have proved to be good,” I told her which made her smile a little. “And I'm sure if we make it out of this alive we will be great friends,” I reassured her.
I went back to Jane, Elane and Summer and looked out towards Sam and Peter. They were nearly halfway out now. It went quiet around us, the only noises were of the wind as we watched what was ahead of us. The sky was an ominous blue now, the sun had set and the nights coldness was setting in so I could see my own breath in the air now. Peter and Sam were face-to-face with Christein and Tommy now. Tommy was switching places with Thora slowly, then… my heart stopped beating.
Everyone in the clearing had turned to face what was on their left. I couldnt see who or what was coming because we were in the cover of trees, but whatever it was, it made everyone react madly. Suddenly Sam stopped moving, but was tensed from one glance of Tommy; his glasses were off and light was being projected from his palms.
I looked to Peter and he was facing away from Tommys blinding stare. Christein was making her way back with a stumbling Thora and now I could see about ten people come into view.
“We have to get out there and help them!” I yelled, breaking free of Janes hold and sprinting out into the clearing.
“Layla!” I heard people yell from behind me, all in concern.
I kept going, heading towards Sam and Peter. As I did I heard everyone following behind me, coming out of the safety of the trees. Their feet made it sound like a stampede behind me. I could see there were eleven new figures now, not ten, and they all looked old for Supernatural beings, at least in their early forties.
“Sam!” I yelled, seeing him standing still ahead.
“It's the council!” someone shouted from behind me.
It was Rosetta.
“Watch her!” someone else yelled from behind me.
I recognized Hunters voice but it was louder, much more fierce.
I was almost there. Peter was in a one-on-one trance with Tommy and the eleven mysterious people surrounded them, eight male and three female. They were a few feet away from Sam but not close enough. I kept my eyes on him; he was frozen like a statue.
All I could think was not again, please no.
I finally made it to him and instantly placed my hands on the sides of his face. “Sam, please say something,” I begged, his eyes were a very pale blue, not like him at all.
I put my head to his chest and he was still breathing. Tommy definitely blinded him but he didn't look hurt, why wasnt he talking or moving.
I looked ahead towards the rest of the Dark covens and some of them had disappeared, but others were getting closer to me and some were falling down, it was almost funny.
“Layla,” I heard Sam say, his hands searched my face.
I looked to him straight away. “Sam, you're okay,” I said, relief flooding my voice.
“Run Layla, get behind the others,” he warned in an order.
“No, not without you,” I said sternly, disobeying his original orders and breaking our bargain.
I wrapped his arm around the back of my neck and started guiding us both towards the Light defenders. All I had to do was make it to safety behind the others. I saw Hunter, he was shouting orders along with James; everyone was defending me.
“Watch her back!” they both shouted.
There was yelling everywhere around me but I concentrated hard on making it to safety.
I kept walking fast, keeping an eye on Sam, my family and friends at the same time. It was such a rush around me. I looked to James and he was looking at us, and suddenly I saw his expression turn to alarm.
“Behind her!” I saw him shout, fear increasing in his light blue eyes.
“Hunter, one of them got through!” Jane yelled, distraught and in d
istress.
I didn't get time to turn around. Someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me away from Sam. James flashed to us but he was too late, I was already being hauled away by someone, James could only just get to Sam in time.
I started screaming. “Let me go!” I screamed, kicking my legs around.
I tried to absorb their energy, but as I gripped my hands around their forearms it wasn't working, they had some sort of alloy shield on their arms.
I panicked.
“Layla!” I heard Sam yell viciously.
“Sam!” I screamed. “James!”
I looked back for them but suddenly the lights went out and I couldn't see or feel a thing, all I could do was hear inaudible mumbles.
25. Hostage
“Layla Rose Atkins, I think I'm in love you.”
Another memory.
“Do you ever think I'll get better at this?” I asked.
Sam smiled slyly.
Sam.
“Run Layla, get behind the others,” he warned in an order.
“No, not without you.”
Memories were flashing through my head at the speed of light. I remembered that first kiss, the night he came back, the day he died in the forest, but most importantly... his face.
I couldn't figure out what happened. I remember James face, him shouting behind her! Then boom, nothing, I couldn't remember a thing.
I tried to drag my eyelids back and succeeded. I blinked a few times until my vision came into focus and I looked around me. I was in a bright white empty room, it looked familiar in a way, like I had been here before, but my memory was fuzzy. I remembered Fredric was in a room like this when we rescued him, but it wasnt exactly the same so its probably not the same place.
I stood up and looked around me; no doors or windows, no nothing, this wasn't good. My head started to killingly throb and I reached my hand up to feel where it was hurting, I felt there was a lump and winced. I stood up and went around the edges of the room and felt around with my hands. There was probably a secret door somewhere, they couldn't have built the walls around me, could they? Jeez, how many of these rooms in different buildings do they have?
The Hidden Revelations: First Light Page 48