Page 1 of Retribution

Chapter 1

LIBERTY

The pain searedthrough my body as we fell through the portal; the agony clawed at my insides, shredding at my aura, and still, I didn't let go of the man. I had no fucking clue who he was, and if he wanted to die under a ton of boulders, crushed to death with no salvation, I should have let him. But I couldn't. Something told me he was useful. Needed. We were still trying to piece together a part of the puzzle, and that puzzle may never get solved if he died.

I clung to Sterling with the hand not on the man's shirt, my nails digging into him for dear life as the wind intensified and swirled around us. The world disappeared, tossing us into a state of purple and black before the wind pushed us toward a light. Sterling stumbled through it, the man trailing behind.

Our bodies stumbled to the cement floor of the warehouse as the portal snapped closed. Sound, so loud it nearly hurt my ears, returned to me as I looked up, searching for Michelle and Oak, spotting them close by.

Relief. The sense of relief was indescribably vast, knowing that they were okay. That they had made it to the other side of the portal unharmed despite the risk. Oak smiled down at me crookedly while a stray kid clung to his neck, and my heart nearly melted. How did I get so lucky? Like seriously. My entire life, the myths and legends taught me vampires were dangerous, foul creatures. Yet there stood Oak, the most protective of the bunch, coddling a kid without an ounce of fear for himself.

"Mo chuisle, are you planning to get up?" He reached his free hand down toward me, offering help.

I reached up, the mere movement causing electricity to shoot through my bones, my body too sensitive to handle the jarring motion. Still, I took his hand, my limbs shaking and feeling like jelly as I pulled my body to stand. All eyes surrounding us were locked on me, and I didn't want to – no, I couldn't – appear weak among all these bodies surrounding us.

Sterling stood next, his arm finding my hip to wrap around, disguising it in a caring way when in reality, I knew he realized I was weak and needed the help. I could barely stand. I was on borrowed time and about to faceplant back to the ground. I swallowed hard, my throat dry, the movement feeling like sandpaper scratching me raw from the inside.

"Did- did everyone make it out okay?" My voice was a harsh rasp.

Maggie stood from where she sat on the ground, looking completely exhausted and worn out. I owed her; I owed her big time. I doubted her, and my trust was minimal, but she came through, and she saved us all.

She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "They are all rattled, neglected, but alive."

I blinked a few times; even the slightest movement was painful. I nodded once, my eyes locked on hers. "Thank you."

She waved it off like it was nothing when in reality, her chipping in was everything. We literally couldn't have survived without her, couldn't have rescued so many people, freed so many souls without the help she lent. She made this mission possible, and she didn't have to do a damn thing.

But I let her dismiss it, my body too weak to argue. "What's the next plan?"

Oak looked around in wonder before replying, "Well, we've got this warehouse for them to stay for now, which I guess is better than the cave."

"I’m already working on food deliveries,” Sterling announced, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him. He was so damn proficient with a phone in his hand like that alone was his source of magic.

“There are four restrooms, two on each floor, so I’ll start by showing them the locations.” Oak added, “From there, we have tents and blankets against the wall; they are going to have to figure it out and set up themselves. Those who choose to stay, that is. This isn’t their prison; they are more than welcome to go as they please.”

Oak spoke loud enough that even though his words weren’t directed at them, they knew their options. He bent over and tried to put the girl down on the ground. Her fingers clawed into his skin, her legs tightening around his waist, refusing to leave.

It was cute but a complication. “Does anyone know where her parents are?”

The man I pulled through the portal spoke. I had forgotten all about him. “Either dead or in one of the other camps, most likely. She came in alone. Most the kids do.”

Orphans weren’t something I thought about and definitely a complication I hadn’t wanted. Thankfully, Maggie stepped forward, practically prying the girl’s hands away from Oak’s neck and holding on to her. She reluctantly let go, allowing Maggie to take over so Oak could take control.

The moment Oak was free, he went into action, ordering, directing, coaxing the people into comfort, while Sterling began unloading more food than I thought possible. How the hell did he do it? It had been less than thirty minutes, and he already had at minimum water in everyone’s hand and a granola bar. Yeah, that didn’t seem like much, but I knew more was coming.

During this time, I refused to sit. Instead, I opted to keep Michelle at my side, being my support if I collapsed. I couldn’t, of course. I couldn’t be weak. Not when I needed to rule, needed to show strength, needed to be strong. But right now, my presence would have to be enough because I was weakening by the moment. Oak and Sterling both noticed, their glances my way full of worry.

“You didn’t have to do that, you know.” I swung around, dizziness overwhelming me.

“And let you die?” I asked, eyeing up the man. His hair was shabby, his jaw covered in untrimmed hair. He looked half-dead, but his eyes, a deep auburn color, were very much alive.

“It wouldn’t have mattered.”

“And why not?” I straightened my stance, ready for a challenge if issued.

“Greta is too strong, even for time.” He paused. “But you just might be strong enough to get the job done.”

“Is that a compliment?” I gave him my most challenging look.

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