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CHAPTER 7 Escape

Tabitha

The wolves scattered, trying to find a place to shield themselves. I followed the wolf who had the child. He took cover near the SUV while the child whimpered in his arms.

"Give me the child, Wolf. None of us will survive if the Marquess finds us," I told the wolf who was Gamma to Alpha Turner.

"No! He promised he will allow me to return home to the United Kingdom," he argued. The gunfire suddenly stopped. In my mind, I could already picture the guards lying on the cold hard pavement...all of them, dead.

"This is an annihilation. Whatever promises the Marquess has given you are empty promises. He has no plans to allow any of you to escape. The Turner descendant as well as all of his pack members are destined to die. That includes you." I pointed to the small jet in the hangar. "Take the plane and leave. Just give me the child and I will make sure the plane leaves the ground. You can go home if that's what you want or anywhere your heart desires."

He looked at me and then at the little girl in his arms. Her blue-velvet eyes were weary and mournful. I lifted my hands to coax her into my arms. She surprisingly leaned forward so I could take her, as if she understood that she was meant to leave with me. The wolf saw that the little girl trusted me and with a regretful sigh, he let go of her, allowing her to situate herself into my arms. I took a look at her innocent face and smiled at her to put her at ease.

"Go, Wolf. Take as many men with you. Taxi unto the runway and fly out as fast as you can," I instructed. "I will make sure all of you will fly out of here as I have promised."

"Men, into the plane now," yelled Alpha Turner's Gamma. All of the wolves ran towards the plane and hurried up into the aircraft cabin. The pilot was already seated in the cockpit, waiting for everyone to board the plane. As soon as the doors closed, he taxied the plane onto the runway. All I needed to do now was keep the pilot alive so he can fly that bird out of here.

Gunfire erupted again from the neighboring hangar. The vampires had caught the scent of wolf blood, but my husband's men were having difficulty pinpointing the correct hangar. The wind had picked up and was blowing in all directions, confusing them.

"There!" I heard someone say. "That plane is about to leave!" Shit!

"Sweetheart, I need you to hide here and cover your ears. I just need to take care of something." I placed the little girl on the floor beside a box as a shield. "I'll be back, I promise." She nodded her small head and I sped out of the hangar, taking my gun out. I had the element of surprise in my favor.

I ran towards each of the men, shooting a stake into their cold, black hearts. One by one they turned into ash, disappearing in the swirling wind. After I was done, all was left of them were their weapons on the ground. I turned around to look at the plane and saw that it was already speeding up for take off.

I ran back to the little girl who obediently stayed where I had left her, covering her ears. She had raven black hair, pale colored skin, and was wearing light blue pajamas. A wolf toy sat on her lap while a necklace with a small blue sapphire pendant hung around her neck. I bent down and lifted her chin so she could look at me. She slowly lowered her hands from her ears and raised her blue eyes to meet mine. Two entirely different beings brought together by one common goal.

"Are the bad men gone?" The little girl asked, hugging her stuffed toy.

"Yes, love. It's time for me to take you to your new home," I said. I picked her up and looked around the hangar. Sadly, I noticed Alpha Turner's Beta was left to die alone in this hangar. I walked up to him, carrying the child in my arms. He gestured for me to come closer. I bent down cradling the child on my hip.

"The necklace is proof she is a Turner. When the time is right, she can claim her birthright. The baby bag inside the car has the things she needs. In the mother's bag is her passport and other documents she may need in the future. Please, protect her with your life," he said.

"I intend to, Beta," I answered.

"Now go. L-leave me. I want to die near my Alpha and if the Moon Goddess permits, be buried beside him," he uttered, blood trickling down the corner of his mouth. He coughed, making a horrible gagging sound, then suddenly his head fell limply to his side.

I closed his eyelids and whispered, "May the Moon Goddess guide you in your journey."

"We have to leave as quickly as we can," I told the little girl, standing upright with her in my arms. I bolted towards the car and took her bag and her mother's bag. Then I dashed towards the last hangar at the far end of the aviation ramp where my pilot and plane were waiting. My pilot was human and was paid handsomely to keep his mouth shut, so all he did was open the door and instructed us to fasten our seatbelts.

"You're really fast and you have red eyes. I like the color red," the little girl said.

"And I like the color blue," I told her while fastening her seatbelt. "I am your Aunt Tabitha. What is your name, my little one?"

"My name is Sapphire."

"Sapphire...such a pretty name, but people mustn't know who you are. How about if we call you Fire for short?" I asked her. She nodded her small head, agreeing with me. All of a sudden, she yawned. I picked up her bag and took out a bottle of milk. "Do you want some milk?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "I just want to go to sleep," she said wearily. "Will you be here when I wake up, Aunt Tabitha?"

I smiled at the mention of my name. I took off her shoes and adjusted her seat. "Of course, love. I'll be right here when you wake up," I assured her. I pulled out a small blanket from her bag and tucked her in. "Good night, little one." She closed her eyes and fell right to sleep. I moved to the other seat across from her and took out my phone.

I dialed the number of a wolf I had been speaking to for the past few months. I found his number among my husband's things and saw the words 'FLAMING SWORD'.

"Your plane is ready for you at the tarmac," I said, once he picked up. "It will fly you to any destination you want. Do you have the sword?" I asked, hoping for confirmation.

"I have already left, Bloodsucker, and yes I have the sword. However, it is not hers to have," the wolf said. I paused. I've heard his voice before. He was speaking to Alpha Turner at the Temple just before the ambush. I realized I was speaking to a traitor. My eyes narrowed furiously.

"Wolf, she will have that sword," I said. He chuckled, obviously enjoying my frustration.

"The Flaming Sword may have been entrusted to the Enchantress, but it is not hers to have just yet," he argued.

"I do not know which dictionary you use, but entrust means to put in someone's protection, thus it is hers to have until the time comes when the person who shall wield it is found," I argued.

"She is not old enough to protect it, thus, the council has assigned me to oversee the Flaming Sword's protection," he explained. "Immortality should have, by now, taught you the value of patience, Bloodsucker."

"You speak of patience, but you have taken the sword before she is of age," I spat back.

"There are certain things in the wolf world that you do not know of, Bloodsucker. For now, the council has instructed me to protect the sword. In due time, it will fall into the hands of the one prophesied to wield it."

"I will find you, Wolf. Mark my words." He roared with laughter.

"An empty threat, Bloodsucker," he said dryly.

"That is not a threat, but a promise. AS I SAID, WOLF, SHE WILL HAVE THE SWORD. I SWEAR IT...'TIL MY LAST BREATH."


Oracle

Night had already fallen in Cebu when I arrived. When I stepped off the plane, the hot humid air hit me; a stark contrast to the cold weather of the United States. Once I finished with immigration and customs, I waddled outside, trying to fix my unkempt hair and disheveled clothing as I walked. There, I found a man waiting for me to bring me to the Temple. They apparently knew of my arrival.

Once I arrived there, Lorenzo, a young wolf priest was waiting for me. He was a protégé of the Elder Wolf Priest, maybe in his late twenties, with dark brown skin, dark hair and black eyes. He was wearing a robe and a customary hat. He ushered me into a room where food and drinks were set on a small table.

"It is customary in the Phiippines to offer guests food and drinks. I assume you are hungry after the long flight," he said.

I ignored the food. "Where is he, Lorenzo? I would like to speak to him," I said.

"The Elder Priest has left," he answered.

"And the family under our protection? Where are they, Lorenzo?" I asked.

He lowered his head so I would not catch a glimpse of his eyes. "They are no longer here."

"What do you mean they are no longer here?"

"I'm afraid you have arrived a day late. The family also left yesterday aboard a private plane." He kept his eyes to the floor, a clear sign he was lying.

"Then my trip was of no purpose." I stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality, but I'm afraid I will be on my way."

"Sister, I do have a letter for you from the Elder Priest. He has told me you will know what direction to take on your journey once you have read the contents of his letter," Lorenzo said, bowing. He then handed me a red envelope. "I hope you find what you seek."

I bowed my farewell to Lorenzo and without any assistance, went down the long array of stairs to where the car was waiting for me. I had already called a friend for accommodations. While I was here, I would conduct my own investigation.

Before I entered the car, I noticed something shiny near the curb. I bent down to pick it up, but I stopped. It was a small silver bullet.

I looked up at the Temple and noticed Lorenzo was watching me. I quickly went inside the car. Something terrible happened here last night. The driver quickly maneuvered the car out of the compound and into the street.

I opened the envelope and found the Elder Priest had only written one word...SWORD.

"Driver, you can drop me off there," I said, pointing to a restaurant.

"I'm sorry, but I have been instructed to bring you back to the airport," he said. I glared at him, but I did not fight back. I decided it would be best if I allowed him to drive me to the airport.

Once we arrived at the airport, he handed me a plane ticket courtesy of the congregation. I suspected there were spies inside to confirm my departure, so I checked in and proceeded upstairs to the departure area.

In the restroom, I reverted to my true appearance and changed my clothing. I was actually an Asian woman in my thirties, a descendant of a priestess who served under Huang, one of the last of my kin.

I handed my walking stick to the bathroom attendant. "I think someone left it," I said in Filipino. "You should keep this safe. Maybe she will come back for it."

I walked out of the bathroom and out of the airport. The Wolf Priest did not leave for China. He was here...somewhere.

But first I needed to know if the Enchantress had made it out of the country alive.

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