Chapter 142 Leaving Eron

Chapter 142 Leaving Eron
LYRIANNE

The silence following Finn's words is almost stifling as we all wait for the humans to respond to his statement. 

The fact that these men are human makes me realize that everything I thought I knew about them was founded on a fantasy. I always knew that we looked alike, at least on the outside, but apart from the fact that they don't really have a scent, I wouldn't have known that they were human. 

"This one here, you say?" the speaker suddenly says, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Pick her up. Let me take a good look at her face."

I'm raised to my feet and forced to look the man in the eyes. He studies my face for several seconds, then huffs and nods. "Well, I'll be damned. She sure does look like Lyrus' girl."

"You bet it," another guy says. "Never seen a kid look so much like their daddy." 

"Bring the other one here. We need to make the swap."

While Zorah is being brought over, nobody says a word. The guys keep looking at me, but though it's uncomfortable, I try not to think about it. I hear Zorah's screams of protest before I even see her. 

"There she is." After turning to Finn, the first speaker asks, "The arrangement was that you'd be with her and you'd both be taken to Cassea. The others would stay."

I look over at Finn as anger explodes in my chest. This bastard!

"Finn, you asshole!" Zorah says, reading my mind. "I can't believe you were going to leave with Lyria and leave us here! What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you even bring us along?"

I look back at Lorcan, who's still being held against the ground, and he looks like he's about to lose it. I have to figure out what happens now, but I guess my question is answered when one of the guys says, "Alright, let's get moving. The rest of you haven't decided whether or not you're going to live."

"No," I say quickly, cutting him off. "We're all going!"

"No can't do, sweetheart," he claims. "That's not the agreement."

"But what about what Morian said?" I question. "All four of us are supposed to—"

"Morian had his chance," he interrupts. "The deal with him no longer stands. You should know that."

"But he's the only reason why we're here," I say before glancing at Finn. "Isn't he?"

Finn looks away, seemingly embarrassed. I can't believe this. What has he been doing, honestly? 

"Not since the first time he let us down on his promise, no," the man answers before jerking his chin in Finn's direction. "The only deal we have is with this guy here. He's the one who told us he would bring you to us. There is no deal with Morian Zicco, not that I'm aware of."

I suck in a breath. Zorah does the same. How could Finn have been lying to us about this whole thing? 

"Finn... you told me... How could you?" Zorah asks. "Were you really going to take Lyria and leave me here? What sense does that make? I'm your sister! Did you just drag me along to make your story more believable?"

"But I don't get it, Zorah. You didn't know about this? Where's Morian?"

"He hasn't been home," she claims. "And I won't sit here and pretend that we're still close after what he did to me. Pulling me out of the academy and whatnot just so I can stay away from you during this difficult time. But then Finn told me that he's been talking to Dad, so..."

So, this is truly all his doing? I should've known. 

“Well, I don’t care about who told what what,” the guy says abruptly, which makes the others laugh. “We’re taking Lyrus’ girl and that’s final. The rest of you are free to do whatever the fuck you want, but if you follow us, we’ll fucking kill you.”

“No!” I yell. “I don’t want to go anywhere unless they come with me!”

“You don’t have a say in this, girl,” he grits out, pointing the gun in my direction just to intimidate me. “Orders are orders.”

I straighten my spine. “No. If they don’t come with me, then I’m staying here.”

He tilts his head to the side. “I think it’s funny you think you have a choice, girl.”

“I’d like to see you try to take me out of here against my will!”

He exchanges a look with the others, some of whom shake their heads. The tension thickens considerably. Nobody says a word. 

Then, the speaker sighs and says, “Alright, alright. You’ll all come along. But that’s only because the boss wants us to do everything smoothly. No fights. No drama.” He gives everyone a pointed look. “If one of you rabid animals tries to cause any trouble, I’m going to—”

“HEADS UP!”

I whip my head around and, to my horror, I see a large group of Bitten running right toward us. Fear washes over me, and ice courses through my veins. My body reacts before my mind fully catches up to what’s happening right in front of me. 

I start to run along with the humans, who start shooting at the Bitten to no avail. The bullets don’t stop them. They just keep coming. 

“Lyria!” Lorcan yells before he appears at my side in a flash. 

“Go!” the speaker yells. “Follow these two to the car! Go!”

We start to run, following two of his companions. Finn has an arm firmly around Zorah’s waist, keeping her upright, and we run fast and away from those creatures as our legs can carry us. 

The shooting continues, and we head further and further away from the scene. The sound of a scream reaches our ears, but we still don’t stop. 

“Over here!” one of the men running ahead of us says. “The car’s this way!”

I see it up ahead, and we all rush to get inside. The car speeds off, leaving the Bitten and the whole of Eron behind.