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She finally spotted Williaainst the far ith his o and arrows Aria tossed the bow over her shoulder, grabbed the quiver and bolted onto the top of the table Some of her dread and queasiness eased as she lanced briefly at her before focusing on the group of soldiers being restrained by Braith and the others Landing beside hiers entwined with his and he pulled her close for a hug Aria fought back tears as she eood to see you," he told her

"You too"

He released her and fell back against the wall to turn a watchful eye back on the crowd "Don’t do that again"

"I’ll try my hardest not to"

He smiled at her as he lifted an eyebrow "You do have a habit of being vampire chow"

"Ha ha," she an’s head as she wordlessly thanked the wolf for watching over her brother "Are you ok?" She warily eyed the bloodstained bandage that Daniel had hastily wrapped around his thigh

"I’ll survive"

"That’s reassuring," she told him

"Are you ok?"

"Yes" His eyes ran over her as he tried to judge the truth behind her answer It see to see what had been done to her, who she was now, and if she would ever be the sas that would never change "I’ed clawher arms, collarbone and neck "Really"

His eyes, so siot Aria"

He knew her so well, so unbelievably well Caleb had deserved what he’d gotten, he would have done far worse things to her and Braith, but she couldn’t rid herself of the feel of his body lurching beneath hers Aria braced herself as she turned to survey the survivors It was nearly over; she should feel more excited, she simply felt sick and desperate to see her family

"Where are Daniel, Max, and Xavier?" she asked

"They went to help in the fight"

"Have you…" She had to s before she could continue "Have you seen theave a s it difficult to breathe as she blinked back the tears burning her eyes and focused on the group before her Jack and Ashby had joined Braith in front of the re’s men had dropped to their knees at Braith’s approach but a few re out of sheer defiance For the first tiainst Ashby’s side, she looked alainst hihters on the other side of the massive doors that opened into the hallway Aria held her breath as she took a step forward That here they had to be, her dad had been near the doors, and the othersto oversee things in the hall

Calista and Gideon appeared froestured toward the doors as Gideon solemnly bowed his head A frown creased her forehead as Jack turned and bolted toward the doors Seizing hold of her arm, William halted her as she took another step forward Dread curled through her sto aside fallen bodies Braith was at his side in an instant; they shouted so to each other that Aria couldn’t discern above the roar of blood pulsing through her ears

Aria’s gaze flew over the crowd; she spotted Saul and Frank, but where were her father and Daniel? Where were Max and Xavier?

Her heart was ha at her insides, so that made it difficult to breathe as Jack tossed aside another crumpled body Jack froze; his hand stilled in midair as a look of despair crossed his and Braith’s faces Aria shook off Williarasp as she took another s at, there were still too ht

Aria’s hand moved slowly to her ly William leaned heavily on a spear for support as he stepped beside her Daniel burst free of the crowd in the hall, Max and Xavier were close on his heels as he shoved past soed in Aria’s throat; her paralysis broke as she bolted forward Williarasp hold of her as she sprinted toward Braith and Jack

Braith’s head shot up as she heedlessly charged through the crowd Braith ju to meet her as she raced at theh The cry that she had been unable to release before finally ripped from her throat

"Daddy!" she screauish burst free

Her arms stretched out as she reached for the body Daniel had fallen beside Braith’s hand wrapped around her head, he pushed her face into the hollow of his neck as he clutched her He refused to let her look again as she sobbed against hi to protect her, but she’d already seen enough to know that her father was gone

Chapter 15