I shake as I sit behind the barrels. I can hear him getting closer. As I glance up at the barrels stacked up all around me, I get a sudden idea, placing my feet up against the barrels closest to the door as I back myself against another stack and wait. Wild determination glows in my eyes as I wait for him to get directly behind the barrels, aiming to kick the stack down on top of him. It could just bring the whole warehouse full of barrels down and bury us both but at this point, that's a risk I'm willing to take.

Right when I'm about to kick, I smell something new and I hear the hunter suddenly move away. My curiosity has always outweighted my common sense so I peek around the corner of the barrels, eyes widening in shock when I see none other than the blonde from the masquerade party facing the hunter. He hardly looks concerned but I know of his powers by now so I know why. I've never seen someone able to control the elements of cold like he can. I didn't like seeing Raven so helpless that day and I almost fear for the hunter now as he pulls his bow up and takes aim. I bring my hand up to my mouth in a gasp as the boy waves his hand and the hunter goes down, his bow seemingly forgotten as he starts colvulsing on the ground. I stare, horrified at the sight, only looking up when Frost's shadow looms over me.

I look up at him, meeting his gaze but there's no mistaking the quiet fear still hidden in the depths of my eyes. His questions are like a slap, my head jerking back as my jaw tightens in a small show of courage.

"I had a plan. I can't guarantee it would have worked but no, I wasn't going to just sit there and let him shoot me but thanks for the concern."

Sarcasm laces the last words as my eyes narrow up at him. I slowly get to my feet, a little embarrassed by how shaky my legs still are. He says something in a language I don't recognize, telling me the meaning and I cross my arms, acting like I'm not impressed though everything about him intimidates the hell out of me. As he holds out his hand, I step back instinctively, glaring at the hand as if it might bite me. His words make my whole body quiver, the undertone of authority almost overpowering. I glance sideways over my shoulder, knowing there's no other way out. Biting down on my bottom lip, I slowly put my quivering hand into his, almost expecting it to be as cold as the power he wields.

He pulls me over to the hunter and thankfully releases my hand. I glance toward the door, considering bolting for it but when I hear the whimpers of the man below me, I'm reminded of his power and my feet freeze to the floor as I slowly look down at him, already dreading what I'm going to see. His words are like he's bragging, calling the convulsing hunter a pleasant thing. I contin ue to stare at the man, feeling helpless. I speak softly, almost a whisper but there's no mistaking the displeasure.

"There's nothing pleasant about it."

My whole body stiffens, almost expecting him to retaliate physically. I don't know this man but I've seen him shove Raven against the wall by the throat. I don't put anything past him. As he starts speaking, my eyes widen but my gaze doesn't move from the convulsing man on the floor. I'm as if entranced, watching his writhing form as if watching a dance but there's no fascination in my eyes, only a sick sense of horror and revulsion. When he flicks his hand, I jump a little, my eyes only widening more as the man starts screaming, his skin blistering in mere seconds. I bring my arms up to cross my chest as if I have to hold in my own body heat. As Frost crouches, I turn to watch, one brow raising as he grabs the bow and arrow before they're suddenly thrust in my direction.

I grab them by reflex, looking up at him in silent question. When he comments on me not liking him, I hold my tongue but my eyes narrow a little, the answer I'm sure he can read without words. As he circles me, I stiffen, my knuckles turning white from how hard I'm clutching the bow and arrow. His words are a challenge but my mouth goes dry at the thought of taking this man's life. I glance down at him, my eyes softening in the mercy I'm sure he'll hate to see. But his last words make my jaw tighten, my gaze unable to lift from the man on the floor. I know he means every word, that he'll torture the man before he gives him the peace of death. I glance at the bow and arrow in my hand and I swallow.

Finally with trembling fingers, I notch the arrow in the bow and hold it up, giving away evidence that I've used a bow before. Unbeknownst to many, even Raven, we didn't always hunt in our animal forms in my home pack. When we aimed to take down fresh prey instead of scavenging as we did in hard times, we hunted in our human forms. I got quite good with a bow and arrow. It is that part of myself that I try to find now in this moment. I feel like my stomach is doing somersaults as I aim the arrow right at the man's chest, aiming to pierce his heart and give him the decency of a quick death. I feel like I'm about to be sick but I hold my resolve, my features softening only for a moment as I whisper.

"I'm sorry. May your soul find peace in the afterlife."

Closing my eyes for a second, I open them and release, the arrow finding the man's heart as if it was meant to be there. The man goes still instantly, his eyes forever staring at the ceiling now as I let the bow drop with a clatter and turn to the man at my side. My face is stoic, my eyes hard as marbles, my voice soft as a whisper but cold as ice.

"I hate you."

The words drip from my lips like venom as I turn and walk out of the warehouse. By this point I don't care if he uses his powers on me and I don't care if he follows. Let him torture me. I've never taken a human life until now and I've never felt such loathing for a single being as I do now. He can thank himself for that.

alexis wilde