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Simon Pov

Simon was nervous but he didn't want to show it. Marie on the other hand looked fearless. She stared down Talon with a bravery he didn't expect. Still he worried for both their safety. With everyone else gone, they had next to no chance taking out the vampires alone.

"Why don't you just walk away Talon, while you still can. And take your pet too" Marie bit out. Talon folded his arms and a sly grin covered his face. The smile was unnerving.

Kim however hadn't spoken a word. Since they popped up she didn't really even pay them any attention. Instead she continued to stare at the palm of her hand as if something were there..

"I'll go little girl if I can take you with me" Talon replied with a wink. Marie balled her fist.

"Over my dead body" Simon shot out before he could think about who he was talking to. It didn't matter because there was no way Marie was leaving his side.

"That can be arranged" Talon snipped. The vampire looked around curiously before stepping closer "Missing some of the bunch are you?" he asked already knowing the answer. Marie glanced down at her bag again and this time Simon understood why. There was a gun inside; a gun filled with platinum bullets. A gun they desperately needed.

Suddenly something in the ocean sprung out into the air. Simon watched as the large fish flailed in the night sky.

"What the.." he began but stopped short when he realized the fish wasn't a fish at all. The arms and legs flying through the air were very human like. Unknowingly he slowly stepped toward the water. That's when a huge shark broke through the surface hell bent on capturing the person. "Holy crap!" he blurted shocked by the scene taking place. Talon and Kim turned around to see what the commotion was about giving Marie the second she needed to discreetly take the gun from her bag and stuff it behind her back.

"It's Jace" Kim whispered. Apparently her vampire vision allowed her the ability to make out who the person is.

Simon dove in the ocean just as the shark missed Jace's body. Gravity began to pull Jace back toward the water but lacked grace. Jace skidded across the surface like a rock before finally halting and sinking below. Simon felt awful leaving Marie but at the moment Jace was in more immediate danger. He swam as hard as he could. Pushing away thoughts of how cold the water was and how it felt like thousands of needles piercing his body.

Luckily the momentum Jace was going caused him to land much closer to the shore. Simon reached his friend in record speed, for him, and slowly guided him back to the beach. Once they made it safely back, Jace immediately began throwing up the salty water. Aside from some cuts and bruises he seemed to be okay.

Simon bent next to his friend to help him and question the whereabouts of the others but realized during his swim the tables had turned. Marie was being held by her neck against Talon's chest and Kim had the gun. He didn't know how it happened but it was bad..

"Ah! You found one! Just another for me kill" Talon taunted "You smell so good" he added sniffing Marie's hair. It was disgusting and boiled Simon's blood.

"Let her go!" Simon ordered. Talon only laughed.

He looked to his witch friend for help but Jace was still puking and completely dazed from his recent traumatic event. At this point Simon didn't know what to do. They were alone. Unarmed and practically outnumbered. He would be happy to see Lily and Bobby right now if only to even the playing field. Although knowing those two they'd probably cause more trouble than was needed.

"If I can't kill Ana then I'll just kill her best friend. Say bye bye loser" Kim spoke pointing the gun in Simon's direction. He turned to Marie and held her gaze.

So much he wanted to say but never would..

And then she pulled the trigger..

Ana Pov

Seb and I finally reached the shore a little ways from where we originally came in at. There was no need for talking as we both ran full speed towards our friends, all the while checking the coastline for Jace's body. Oh gosh I hope he's alright . Throwing him may not have been the best idea but when a huge shark is closing in it makes it pretty hard to think straight.

We rounded the big boulder and stopped suddenly. A few yards ahead Talon had Marie and Kim was pointing a gun at Simon. Jace was there too but his body lay on the ground unmoving. Lily and Bobby are missing. Overall my friends are in serious trouble.

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Like before, I didn't have time to assess the situation long for the best solution. Seb and I gave each other one look and then took off towards them. I was running so fast everything was a blur, yet still I could read Kim's lips. "Bye bye loser" she said. Those were her ending words and I knew I had less than a second before she killed my best friend. Not a chance is that happening. I didn't come this far and battle a freaking shark to only watch my best friend die at the hand of my sister.

At the last second I heard the gunshot ring through the air. Instead of attacking Kim, I dove in front of Simon and tackled him to the ground. Seb did the same thing to Talon causing them all to fall as well.

I wanted to make sure Simon was okay and the bullet missed him but time wasn't on my side. So I flew to my feet with lightning speed going right for my sister. The shocked look on Kim's face was priceless. Someone clearly wasn't expecting to see me. That'll make this beat down even better. Before she could even open her mouth I punched her in the face.

She flew to the ground with an oomph. I towered over her expecting her to fight but she surprised me. Kim hopped to her feet and then ran away into the darkness of the night in vampire speed.

That's strange. I've never known Kim to run from me. Part of me is tempted to chase her down and snap her neck but my friends need me more. Seb and Talon are still fighting but they've somehow maneuvered away from group almost out of sight. I want to help him but this is Seb's fight. For years all he wanted was to kill Talon for destroying his family. Judging from what I could see of the fight Seb was getting his long awaited revenge.

Simon and Marie are kneeled next to Jace and I quickly join them.

"Jace?" I say softly moving his wet hair from his face.

He doesn't respond or open his eyes causing my worry to increase. Something else however does happen. A tiny green ball spiraled in the center of Jace's hand. We all watched as it floated in the air adding light to the dark before disappearing into Jace's open mouth. His face lit up briefly and slowly the eyes that mesmerized me for years were staring at me again.

"Ana.." he whispered and it was like music to my ears. Relief flooded through my whole body.

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"Hey you guys are back!" Lily shouted finally making an appearance.

Bobby trailed behind her and they both looked disheveled. Lily's cheeks were flushed and Bobby had light smudges of lip gloss on his lip. What have these two been up to? Something tells me they weren't in need of rescuing. "Oh crap! Is he okay? What'd we miss?" Lily added noticing Jace still lying on the ground.

"Ana? Are you hurt?" Jace asked voice filled with concern.

His question threw me off. Of course I was okay, why would he ask. Even so I followed his line of sight down to my chest. To my shock there was a small hole near my heart and blood was freely flowing out.

Oh my goodness! The bullet!

With everything thing going on I assumed the shot Kim fired just missed everyone. That is everyone but me.

I was hit.

My adrenalines combined with the need to protect my friends mush have shielded me from the pain. Too bad that moment was lost the second I acknowledged it. The cold burn began to spread with a fury I couldn't bear. I clutched my hand to my chest trying to will it to stop.

" Seb.." Slipped from my lips before my body collapsed to the ground..

Seb Pov

When he saw his sister being held by Talon he exploded! This was the breaking point. Talon had taken so much from their family already, he wouldn't take Marie too. Seb charged Talon at full speed, while Ana went for Kim. When he reached the vampire, he wasted no time taking him down. Unfortunately Marie also hit the ground but she was trained well enough to roll out the way.

"So good to see you again!" Talon teased once he was back on his feet.

Seb didn't bother replying and instead tackled him yet again. They rolled and rolled all the while landing blows against one another. First Talon would get the upper hand and then Seb. The fight carried on for several minutes with each fighting with all they had.

Seb finally gained the advantage by landing a powerful punch to Talons face, knocking him back against a tree. He kept his lead by using a large branch to whack the vampire repeatedly as hard as he could. It felt good to finally take him down after all these years. While the vampire was hunched over hurt and bloody, Seb pulled a sharp platinum knife tucked behind his waistband and pressed it to Talons bobbing Adams apple.

"I'm going to take this blade and rip your dead heart out" Seb threatened in a deep serious voice.

He used one hand to wrap around Talons throat and rose the other preparing to end the existence of the vampire that destroyed his family. The satisfaction he felt at Talons wide black eyes wasn't nearly enough. Seb wouldn't fully feel justice until the threat of Talon was over once and for all.

"Wait!" Talon screamed as Seb's blade began to descend "You-you can't kill me!"

"Oh yes I can" Seb replied and he repositioned his arm to strike.

"NO!" Talon yelled again trying to squirm out of Sebs deadly grip "If you kill me you'll never know the truth" he added.

Seb paused "What truth?" he questioned

"The truth about your mother" Talon replied

"My mother's dead. You killed her." Seb snapped tightening his hold around the vampires neck.

"No, I didn't kill her" Talon choked "I turned her" he confessed. Seb was stunned speechless. My mother, alive? It couldn't be true . This must be some trick Talon he's using to buy his life.

"You're lying!" Seb spat

"I can prove it" the vamp added "Inside my wallet is a picture" Talon tried to reach into his back pocket but Seb wasn't easy fooled. He quickly took the vamps hand and stabbed the knife through it nailing it to the tree.

"F**!" Talon hollered. Seb pulled out his second blade to warn Talon against trying anything else.

"Just so were clear" Seb said "If you're lying I'll make your death painful" and then he took the second platinum blade and stabbed it through Talons leg. The vampire screamed again. Seb ignored it reaching into Talons pocket ripping out his wallet.

With one hand he went through it, throwing the contents to the ground carelessly. Until, tucked away in a corner he found a folded picture. Slowly he pulled it open and nearly dropped it in shock at what he saw.

Sitting on a bench in a place unknown to him was a beautiful woman. Her long honey blonde hair shone in the sun; her pale blue summer dress flowed around her. Even though her face was frowning she still looked exactly the same way he remembered her.

His mother...

It was true.

Seb and Maries mother wasn't dead. Not in the human sense anyway.

"She hates me if that makes you feel better" Talon began "She hates what I turned her into amongst other things"

"I saw her die.." Seb trailed off still staring at the photo. It amazed him how much Marie resembled her.

"No, you saw me take her blood. Then I knocked you out and gave her mine. After that I handed you and your sister over to Marcos while I stayed and waited for her to change. I wanted to kill her but I couldn't. She's my mate even though she refused me; I couldn't let her go.." Talon spoke honestly for the first time in years.

"Why didn't she come for us? Why didn't you tell me?!" Seb snapped in Talons face. The shock wore off only to be replaced by rage.

"Because I told her you were dead! It was the only way I could get her to see me. I told her I'd kill Marie as well if she ever followed me or tried to contact her daughter in any way!" Talon explained. Seb's hate for him only grew. All these years he let them believe their mother and father were dead. Only to find out his mother is a vampire who believes her only son is dead.

"This only makes me want to kill you that much harder" Seb sneered. He yanked the knife from Talons leg and pressed it against his throat.

"Wait! Wait, there's more" Talon gulped "Once a year we meet at that place in the photo. I get a new picture of her, along with a kiss, in exchange for a new picture of Marie to prove I hadn't harmed her. Kill me and you'll never find your mother" Talon told him.

Seb could hear the truth in his words. Not to mention he remembered seeing Talon take pictures of Marie over the years. He just always thought it was some sick joke Talon was playing.

Now he knew the truth.

The question is what did he plan to do about it? Keeping Talon alive may cause more harm than good. That's proven to be truer over the years.

Just as he'd made the decision to end the vampire once and for all something came over him; pain. It clenched in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

That's when he heard it...

"Seb.."

His name being called by Ana. He knew without a doubt she needed him. Now.

"This isn't over. I will find you" he promised Talon before taking off leaving the vamp still stuck to the tree.

Seb knew the vamp would be long gone by the time he got back but that wasn't his main concern. Whatever is happening to Ana is bad. So bad he could feel her pain as if it were his own.

Seb pumped his legs as hard as he could and hoped he could get to her before it was too late..

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Marie Pov

Ana had collapsed to the ground shaking profusely. They all surrounded her trying to figure out what had happened.

"I think she's been shot!" Simons panicking did little to calm the others.

"Cut it out then! Jace do something!" Lily ordered equally as afraid. Judging by Ana's reaction the bullet was platinum and it hit somewhere dangerous.

"I'm trying! My magic, it's weak right now" Jace replied as he held his shaky hands above Ana's chest but nothing was happening. Marie knew Ana didn't have long to live if something drastic didn't happen soon. She wished there was something she could do.

An instant later Seb burst onto the scene. Her brother rushed right to Ana's side and began assessing the damage, forcing Jace out of the way.

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Seb Pov

"Oh thank goodness you're here! Teen witch was no help" Lily threw in. Jace scowled at her.

"The bullet is in her heart" Seb informed them after he ripped her dress open to get a better look at the puncture. His eyes watered with unshed tears. Not one vampire ever has survived a shot like this. I can't lose you Ana.

He thought.

As if she heard him, Ana opened her eyes. The blues blazed so bright it was astonishing. It was like she was seeing inside of him, reaching a part of him he never knew existed. The moment took his breath away. But it also stirred something deep within him..

"I have an idea!" Jace said suddenly.

The witch started searching all through the sand until he found a piece of broken glass. Jace surprised them by using it to slice through his palm.

"I SACRIFICE MY BLOOD AS AN OFFERING TO MOTHER EARTH WHOM BIRTHED ME! I ASK TO SUMMON THE CRONE! GRANDMOTHER I CALL THEE HERE NOW!" Jace yelled letting his blood drip to the ground.

Suddenly the sand began to move and whirl. It twirled faster and harder until it formed a cone shaped tornado of blood, sand and wind. Seb took Ana in his arms protectively shielding her for all the chaos spinning around them. He wanted to remove the bullet but knew that would only cause her more pain and a faster death.

After what seemed like an eternity but was more likely five seconds the tornado died down. Standing in its place was the leader of witches herself; Helia.

"You summoned me grandson? You know I do have a cellular phone" Helia joked

"Grandmother its Ana, she's hurt" Jace rushed bringing Helia to where Seb was holding her. Ana was covered in a cold sweat. The platinum tendrils coated her entire body and she was still shaking.

Helia knelt down, touching her wet forehead and then sighed deeply.

"The poison is taking her. She doesn't have much time" the crone said very sadly

"Then save her!" Seb demanded

"I am a witch. This is not within my powers" Helia replied staring directly at Seb. Something inside him began to stir again..

"Ana can't die! No! It's my fault she got shot saving me!" Simon cried. Marie tried to comfort him but he turned away. Again something within Seb started to come to life; a strength unknown to him.

"Save her Sebastian. Only you can" Helia whispered cryptically touching his arm.

"Grandmother there must be something we can do!" Jace vented running his hands through his hair so hard he pulled a few strands out. At this point everyone was screaming and yelling except Seb. Calmly he bent down and planted a gentle kiss on Ana'a forehead.

" I will not lose you " he said softly to her.

Seb now knew what he had to do. He could feel it inside him all along but he never understood what it was.

Until now.

It all fit together; the dream, the enhanced senses and strength. All of it was leading up to this point. The moment when he finally realized he wasn't human.

Now the wolf in his dreams words made sense. "I want out" it said. And now he was ready to comply.

Deep down he always knew it was there.

Today everyone would know too.

Seb rose to his feet and took off his shirt. Closing his eyes he finally did the one thing he'd always been afraid to do... He let go..

...Then opened his mouth..

.....raised his head

........and roared..

"What's going on?" Marie asked startled by her brother's actions.

Helia smiled with pride "What you're hearing is the howl of the wolf. And the return of a beast the world should have never forgotten.. "

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#Tobecontinued

******

To those, anticipating about whom Ana will choose to be her mate,

Well, you won't have to wait much longer,

Did she eventually choose Jace whom she had intended at first?? Or changed her mind??

Was it Seb???

Or wait?

Could it be Prince Cassius?

If so, how come??