Emma Frost and MaryBeth weren’t with the group. I asked, “Where’s MaryBeth?” Melinda smiled practically squealing, “You’re talking to me?” I raised an eyebrow replying, “You are the only one here who probably knows the answer to my question. So… yes.”
Melinda answered, “You’re right. It’s not shocking, but you are. MaryBeth went to the bathroom with Emma. They will be right back.” I linked Sierra and Addison, “Go check the bathroom.” Without missing a beat Addison asked, “Where is the bathroom? I need to go visit the lady’s room myself.”
Melinda said, “Oh there’s one upstairs and one in the back here.” Crap. We didn’t know which one Emma and MaryBeth would go to. Addison and Sierra left. Sierra linked, “They aren’t in the downstairs bathroom. We are going to check the one upstairs.”
I knew there was another bathroom in this club they hadn’t mentioned. It would be the safest one for them to use too. I asked Melinda, “Is there another bathroom? I’m sure there’s a private bathroom since Emma’s dad owns this club.”
Melinda waved her hands, “Oh we only use those if the bathrooms are crowded. Or for post fun times if you know what I mean. That’s only if our men come along.” I nodded, “I got it.” Melinda told me, “I’m mated to Landon Lyons.” I hummed, “I know.” Freya snickered in my head. What? I did know that.
Melinda asked, “Are there things you don’t know?” I nodded, “Yes, I had no idea my family wasn’t dead. Or that any of you didn’t disown me… or wish me dead… several times over. Is there something I don’t know about you… and your life outside of those facts? Not really.”
Everly inhaled sharply. Someone whispered, “Did she just say wished her dead?” Someone else answered, “Uh huh.” Well, I thought they had….and someone forging their handwriting and imitating their voices said just that. Melinda shakily asked, “Was it really awful in Black Path, Ladybug?”
Cassie joined us and said, “That’s not really a fun topic, nor were the things being discussed ten seconds ago. Tonight is about having fun and giving ourselves a break.” A scent I’d smelled many times around Hunters filled my nostrils. Cassie’s drink was drugged by a Hunter.
Without a second thought, I knocked her drink out of her hands. Cassie frowned saying, “That was my water. Why did you do that?” I argued, “It’s not water and don’t drink anything given to you from anyone other than Adlee right now.”
I looked around the club, searching for who would’ve touched her drink. My gaze narrowed on a guy watching Cassie who was standing behind her Guard. I nodded to my sister in law’s Guard and mouthed, “Behind you.”
Ghiza, Cassie’s Guard, had him by the throat in a second. The Hunters hadn’t anticipated Cassie’s Guard being here. It wasn’t out that she was pregnant. Sierra linked, “Emma nor MaryBeth are in the bathroom up here.”
I saw one of the guys who was hiding from me going for the front door. I shouted, “Adlee… do you have a bat back there?” Paige linked, “You know they do.” I did… but I wanted Adlee to throw it to me. It would save time.
Adlee immediately threw it to me. I ran behind the guy and knocked his knees out from under him. Cassie asked, “What’sgoing on?” Elise said, “Umm I have the same question, Ladybug. We have no clue what’s going on here.”
I turned the guy I knocked onto his face over. I groaned, “Deter, where are they? Where are the girls from our group?” Deter laughed, “You won’t get them back.” I heard a car outside peeling off and ran out the side door.
I heard a motorcycle revving behind me. I gripped the bat and swung as hard as I could. I knocked the guy leaving off his bike. He was going to follow the van, but now I was. I ripped his helmet off. I snorted, “Hey Sal, long time no see. Are my aunt and Emma Frost in that van?” Sal winced, “Damn, Melanie. God, that hurt. Yes, they are.” He’d only ever called me Ashley before.
I glared at him, “So you knew my name the whole time. Jerk.” I threw Sal back inside and picked up his bike. I gunned it and took off after the van. Freya linked, “This was not the right outfit for a bike.” I looked down realizing she was right. My skirt was definitely showing off part of my butt, but I couldn’t focus on that right now though.
I was gaining on the van when I heard a car coming up behind me. Sierra linked me, “It’s us. We are with you.” My old friend and new friend groups were definitely merging, and the old one was seeing how my new one worked together.
I changed gears, zooming forward. I recognized where the group in front of me was going. In an attempt to stay off the main roads, they were going to pass briefly through the Conners territory. That was a bold move, and a seriously bad choice. Freya scoffed, “A horrid choice.”
Exactly. That didn’t make sense. They weren’t bold. CRAP! There had to be a holoport they were aiming for. I had to get closer to the van. So, I gunned it. I felt Xander nearby and heard yelling. I ignored them though… MaryBeth wasn’t going to get hurt… she just wasn’t. Nor was Emma Frost.
The Hunters had to be close to the holoport. I stood onto the seat and jumped. Paige screamed, “MEL!” I grabbed the handle on the back of the van and held on for dear life. I used my momentum to slam my elbow into the window. Freya said, “I’m throwing my strength into this hit.” Good.
The window shattered, cutting my skin, as we went through a holoport. I instantly felt sick. We must be in Red Run. Great. I unlocked the van and threw the door open. I stopped a punch and headbutted the guy coming for me.
I grabbed MaryBeth and Emma and jumped out of the van. I put them both down and turned to fight the guy who had jumped out with us. I threw up all over him. It wasn’t black tar this time, but it did have a black tinge to it.
The Hunter started dry heaving. I hit two buttons on my watch. I had small, miniscule doses of MDTJ that would help MaryBeth and Emma. It would get them out of here. I quickly gave it to them which made Emma groan.
I threw up again and picked Emma up and got her on her feet as the others began to pile out of the van. I ordered Emma, “Get out of here.” I pointed her in a direction and gave her a shove. The Beta Female of Blue Moon stumbled but she was going.
I picked up MaryBeth next. My Aunt giggled, “LADYBUG!” I nodded, “Uh huh… run. Faster than you ever have.” MaryBeth frowned arguing, “No… we were going to spend time with you tonight. It’s our turn. I’ve missed you Ladybug… you and your smushy little face.” Huh. Maybe saying smushy ran in our family when drunk. I said that too.
I told her, “Yeah… ok… I’ll catch up to you…but you need to catch Emma.” MaryBeth laughed, “WE ARE PLAYING TAG! Just like when we were pups. TAG! You’re it, Ladybug. You’d better catch me because I know you can… you’re so fast.”
I rolled my eyes as she took off then threw up again. Gosh this sucked. I turned to face the Hunters. Maybe someone was closeenough to throw up on. I asked, “Freya, how come we aren’t as sick as we were last time?”
Freya answered, “One, I am at full power. Two, you stopped wearing the rings.” Well, yay for me. One Hunter threw a knife at me. I snorted saying, “You’re new.” I caught it and threw it back, killing him.
I was fighting the driver when I got sick again. I guess I could use that. I took his gun and shot the other three guys. I stumbled and threw up again. I used my speed to catch up with Emma. I picked up MaryBeth on my way.
My Aunt giggled, “Damn! You caught me. You’re faster than you were when we were pups. That’s hardly fair. I should’ve been able to get a little further away.” I dragged MaryBeth and Emma into the hospital while several people gaped at me.
