Laylah had taken her time walking to the gazebo. Her gaze took in everything. The garden was lit by soft night glows that did not interfere with the moonlight from above. To the left of the gazebo was a small fountain with the figurine of a little girl at its center. The attention to detail was amazing.
Looming beyond the gazebo and the flower gardens was the forest, surrounded by darkness. She could barely make out the outline of the trees. She was almost to her destination when she heard her name called.
She sighed, turned and was surprised to see Donil's sister, Mya, jogging toward her.
"Hi. I saw you come outside and thought you might like some company," said Mya.
Laylah played with a strand of hair and tried to be polite. "Well, that was nice of you, but I…"
"…would love to sit with you inside the gazebo." Mya looped her arm through Laylah's.
Surprised by Mya's aggressiveness, Laylah allowed the older girl to pull her along. "This really isn't necessary."
Mya gave her a hurt expression. "Oh, I see. I'm not good enough to be around because I'm a Silentshadow, right?"
She was wary now and came to a stop, forcing Mya to halt and look at her. "What does your last name have to do with anything? I don't play the "I think I'm better than you" game. I've been on the losing end of that all my life. I didn't mean to come off as rude. I only wanted to have a few minutes alone, clear my head and relax. I'm not used to such a large crowd."
Mya put her hands on Laylah's arms. "Apology, not accepted."
"Excuse me? Mya, what do you mean?"
"You Le Croix are all the same. You speak with a sweet tongue to weasel your way out of everything when you know you deserve to be punished for your sins."
She yelped when Mya's hands tightened into a bruising grip on her arms. "Please! Stop! You're hurting me!"
"Good! Maybe now you'll consider the agony I feel every day knowing my father died needlessly saving your worthless life!"
"I don't know what you're talking about! Let me go, please!" The pain was too intense and she felt close to fainting.
Mya continued speaking as if Laylah had not interrupted. "Tonight, I'll make my father proud by getting rid of the abomination!"
"Abomination?" Laylah's eyes were wide with fear. She could feel it. Something evil was coming.
Mya whistled twice, paused, and whistled a third time.
Sensing the approaching danger, she struggled to get free, but the other girl only tightened her hold again.
"Even now you're being such a nuisance." Mya gave her a hard shake before calling over her shoulder, "Hurry up, Gerard! We haven't got all night."
"Keep your shirt on, Miss Uptight."
Gerard stepped from the shadows and Laylah knew she was in big trouble. It was the same man from two months ago.
"You!" She struggled as disbelief hit her when she glimpsed Mya's satisfied grin. "But, why? I've never done anything to you."
"Your whole family is filled with liars. And you're really great users, too. You take, take, and take, until you're done and then you toss a person aside like last night's trash. I refuse to let my brother get involved with you people again!"
Again? What did Mya mean? Was she talking about when Donil had rescued her? But he wasn't hurt then! Only Laylah had been! Besides, Laylah hadn't used him, he was already there.
"My dear Mya, I do believe you shocked her into silence. Of course, from what I hear, that's easy to do," Gerard sneered. He moved closer and leered at Laylah as he used his forefinger to trace a line from her cheek to her lips. "I do understand the appeal though. Bright green eyes that glow like emeralds. Then there's that innocence and naiveté — such a turn-on to a man with power. Too bad I can't sample you, but my boss would gut me if I mark you."
Gerard leaned in and kissed Laylah before she could turn her head. "Let's take our prey home! Alexis." He waved a large man forward.
"Play time," the summoned man purred.
Alexis' eyes seemed to glow and Laylah was beyond afraid. When three more men stepped onto the lit path, despair hit her hard. She recognized them as the Weres who had helped Gerard chase her.
"Hey, pretty girl, time to sleep."
"No!" She watched Alexis pull an injector from his shirt pocket. "Please, don't do this!"
Alexis laughed mockingly. Mya remained silent and Laylah gave up. There were no allies nor Britta near enough to save her. She closed her eyes and hoped that whatever was in the needle wasn't too painful.
"You know, I don't think Britta invited you to the party."
Laylah's eyes flew open and she almost collapsed in relief. She knew that voice!
"Donil, if we'd wanted you in attendance ,we would've had your lovely sister bring you outside as well."
Laylah was staring at Gerard's furious expression. The other men seemed eager and waiting. She knew then that something was wrong.
"Donil!" He was to her left and to the side of her would-be abductors placing his back to the house and keeping the entire group in his sight.
"It's all right, Laylah. I promise it'll be okay."
"That's right, Big Brother, lie to her. Being a Le Croix will help her believe your false words," Mya sneered.
"Mya, when this is over, you and I will have a long talk about family and loyalty," he drawled.
Laylah felt Mya's rumbling laughter vibrate through her as she was pulled closer to the older girl's body.
"Looking forward to it, Brother. Right now you should worry more about your own hide."
Mya's words chilled Laylah. Something moved in the bushes. Then a giant panther shot out and charged Donil.
"Donil, watch out!" Laylah realized her warning was too late as he was bowled over by the giant feline. "No! Oh, heavens, no! Donil! Donil!"
"Shut her up, Alexis, before the humans come to investigate the fuss she's making," Gerard ordered.
"Gladly."
"No, wait! Don't!" She yelped as Alexis jabbed the needle in her arm and injected the liquid. "Ow! What did you give me?"
Her eyes widened in fear. Her words sounded slurred to her ears. She blinked, trying to make her eyes stay open. The jaws of unconsciousness closed around her and she knew no more.