The Cold ones. Part 2 - Rise of the hunters

Ellie's POV: "Eww, you've got it all over my lips!" I laughed as my mother playfully dabbed some of the facemask on my mouth. "But it's honey flavored Ell's". She giggled. "It tastes nothing like honey!" I tried to stifle my laughter, every time I opened my eyes and saw how ridiculous she looked in her own yellow facemask. "This gets you back for pasting it onto my eyebrows!" "I was giving you a hair removal at the same time!" "Well, looks like I'm giving you a snack at the same time then, doesn't it!" She beamed. Just as she wiped the mask off of her fingers, a loud pinging noise came from the kitchen. "Oooh that'll be the cake! It should be ready now!" "Good! I need something to get rid of the horrible mask taste in my mouth!" I replied as I hung out my tongue in distaste. "I have to go Ell's". She suddenly said as she stared at me. "To get the cake?" "No Ell's". "Mum, what are you doing?" I asked as she got to her feet. And without another word she was gone. I blink

Kyan's POV: I sat at the table as everyone began to gather around and take their places. For the first time since the attack, we were finally dining together once again. I felt a flare of irritation as Magnus chose the seat next to me. The last two days he's been here, he's done nothing but put both me and my father on edge, making us suspicious of everyone, questioning the loyalty and trustworthiness of the ones we have come to call family. I could already feel him grinning whilst he eyed everyone suspiciously as they tucked in at the table waiting for father to take his seat at the head of the table. "It warms me to see everyone here, with the exception of Vaughn, but I know we all understand why he doesn't feel ready yet to dine with us all. We are facing hard times". Father announced to the table, his face etched with noticeable worry and guilt. "I regret that I cannot reassure you, we are through the worst of it. I won't hide the fact nor pretend what my instinct tells me....

Kyan's POV: I stretched in the chair and tried to wake myself up after nodding off. I scooched over closer toward her and took her soft hand in mine, once again watching her sleep, wondering what she was dreaming of. All night she had been shaking, sweating, her hands were flinching and her breaths were erratic. I tried to speak to her, I tried to calm her, but it was only the last hour that she had finally calmed down and was resting silently. "Please wake up Ellie!". I sighed as I looked at her soft innocent face. Her eyes suddenly flashed open, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling as if in shock at her surroundings. "Ellie!" I spoke softly as I quickly stood and hovered over her so she could see she wasn't alone. Her eyes darted to me, but still wide with fright. In one quick second, her hand slammed against my neck as her fingers wrapped around and began to squeeze, her face contorted into one of anger. "Ellie!" I choked against her grip as I pried away her fingers and pinned bo

"I'm so glad you're ok!" Kiko cheered as she enveloped me in a hug the moment I stepped into the training room, she didn't hesitate to rush over to me. "Yea it was a close call, apparently!" I chuckled as I happily hugged her back, a hug that was needed as I felt the comfort of a friend that I felt like I had known forever. "I can't believe you ran in front of that arrow! Honestly, we were all just so shocked! You seemed to have run out of nowhere!" "Well, i'm fine now". I shrugged as we pulled away from our hug. "I'm so glad you're ok too, but then I knew it would take more than just a few hunters to take the mighty Kiko down!" I giggled. "Too right! They didn't see me coming, did they?" She smiled back. "Did you hear about Vivian though and Hyvan?" "Yes, Kyan's told me everything. He said Vaughn is struggling". "He's.... it's like all that's left of him at the moment is rage". "It's understandable. But if they're still out there, maybe he'll have the chance to take that r

One week later: I had spent every day training with Kiko, Kyan and Del. Each of them teaching me their own fighting skills that I was starting to master a little bit more. After each session in the gym, Kyan would make me practice getting myself onto his back and I was getting closer and faster each time. Not only was it benefiting us all and a necessity, but it was also a good distraction from the constant meetings and decisions on how better to protect ourselves, how to improve the searches and most of all... how to bring the town and the cold ones together. I found my connection with Kyan was growing more comfortable and stronger with every moment we spent together. If we were laughing, training or just discussing our lives before, things had changed so much and I noticed he had opened up a bit more with every conversation. He told me how much he used to hate being here and would leave every chance he got as the memories of this place only reminded him of his mother and his grandf