The Ambush

The explosion threw Lena against the back wall. Her head cracked against the stone, and the world spun.

Through the ringing in her ears, she heard the snarl of wolves.

The Jersey Rogues poured into the small room. They were in half-shift—claws out, teeth lengthened, eyes glowing red.

"Found the rats!" the Alpha Rogue roared.

Roman, Silas, and Kian scrambled to their feet. They tried to shift.

* CRACK.*

The sour bond lashed out. They fell to their knees, screaming as the magical feedback paralyzed them.

"Don't!" Lena screamed, trying to crawl toward her bag.

A boot slammed into her ribs. She gasped, curling into a ball.

"Stay down, witch," a Rogue sneered.

The Alpha Rogue grabbed Roman by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Roman clawed at the hand, human and helpless.

"The mighty Cerberus," the Alpha laughed. "Look at you. Pathetic."

"Let them go," Lena wheezed, blood in her mouth.

"Oh, we're taking them," the Alpha grinned. "But we aren't killing them here. We’re taking them to The Cloisters. Neutral ground. We’re going to execute them in front of the Council representatives. Show the city the new management."

He dropped Roman. "Bag them."

The Rogues swarmed the brothers. Silas tried to bite, Kian tried to kick, but they were overwhelmed. They were beaten, bound in silver chains, and dragged out.

Roman looked back as he was dragged away. His eyes met Lena’s. There was no command in them. Just an apology.

The Rogues didn't bother killing Lena. To them, she was nobody. Just a hedge witch in a basement.

They left her bleeding on the floor of the empty room.