Hi guys! SO um...y'all have no idea how sorry I am for taking a billion years for finally updating! Honestly, I started writing Chapter 10 right after I updated Chapter 9, but I got so many writers blocks and stuff. I like, wrote this chapter at least four times!
Also, my life has been pretty hectic and busy lately so...

Anyway, I wont be doing shout outs for this chapter because I really want to get on with the story but I am so, so, so, sooo grateful to all my reviewers and followers and favourite(ers?) and even the people who just simply read my stories. You guys are the freaking bomb!

Also, some things I kind of stole from the book The Power if Six so if anything you read is familiar...that's why. DON'T OWN IT!

DISCLAIMER! I REPEAT I DON'T OWN THE GALLAGHER GIRLS SERIES OR THE LORIEN SERIES! I JUST LOVE EM!

IMPORTANT! If you read the AN at the bottom, it will clear some of your questions I frequently got. If you don't...well that's your choice!

SO yeah, enjoy :)

No. This can't be happening. Not to Cammie. Please not Cammie.

Zach's legs buckled underneath him, no longer having the strength to hold himself up. He sunk to the ground feeling the heavy weight of panic; grief and sheer anger push him down by the shoulders like an anchor sinking from a ship.

He reread the note, bringing forth a fresh wave of anxiety; the thought of his innocent blond haired angel-face being tortured almost sent him into a fit of hyperventilation.

Bex and Grant were swearing beside him. He was so angry at both of them, at Bex for causing Cammie to run away and at Grant, for being a Celostan and not protecting her, but he knew that this was unjust, that this was just the result of the strain his brain was in.

"How could-how could Jimmy -"

"I couldn't get a read on him." Bex said quietly. "I was suspicious, but no very concerned. I'm so sorry Zach, I should've looked into him harder, I should've not-"

"Bex it's okay," Zach amended, "We can't dwell on the what should've been."

Normally, Grant would've laughed at his 80s choice of word: dwell. But right now Grant was too worried to have the heart to be playful.

Having the most experience on Earth, he was assigned to Cammie after her father died, knowing she would be in danger even if she was just a Half-Blood. It's been just the first day and he lost her. Nothing screamed failure than that.

"We have to call the police!" Liz shrieked in the background.

The three Elorics whipped around, looking surprised at the sight of Macey and Liz. They've totally forgotten about the two mortals who were the ones to find the note in the first place.

"No!" Grant yelled lunging from the pink glittery phone in Liz's hand.

Her jaw dropped. "What do you mean no? Cammie just got kidnapped and they left a freaky note! We have to tell the police! They can decipher what it means and take fingerprints and-"

"Calm down Lizzie," Macey interrupted.

She was watching Grant, Bex and Zach suspiciously.

"What were you talking about?" She demanded, turning to Bex. "About not getting a read or some shit like that?"

Bex didn't answer. She glanced at Zach in question and he shrugged not knowing what to do.

Macey narrowed her eyes at them. "You know what the note means don't you! There's something you know that you're not telling us!"

Zach fought the urge to roll his eyes. You don't even know half of it.

She glared at them crossly, turning to pierce her blue eyes at each one of them in turn. He fought the urge to flinch.

There was something powerful about Macey's eyes; maybe it had to do with the vividness of the color.

"Liz give me your phone," Macey barked. Liz looked quizzical, but handed it over quickly.

"Tell me everything you know or I will call the police right now!"

Grant couldn't help it. He chuckled at her weak threat.

"What?" Macey demanded. "What's so funny?"

He shook his head with amusement, trying to keep a straight face but failing terribly.

Macey looked at each one of them again, hoping for some wavering but the three Elorics kept expertly blank faces.

Her fierce expression suddenly turned into one of pure desperation.

"Come on god damn it! What will it take?" She screamed slamming the phone into the ground. The little device split into pieces at the impact.

Liz wasn't thinking about her two hundred dollar phone- smashed. She couldn't help but feel her friend's extreme anxiety as well.

"Please," Liz stepped in, her voice breaking. "We've known Cammie since we were in diapers. We have the right to know – to know anything that you know. Please. We love her more than you do."

She looked up at Zach pleadingly, her face nothing but utter innocence, with her platinum blond hair curling around her heart shaped face, big brown eyes wet and beseeching, lips trembling. Liz radiated goodness and purity and Zach felt himself crumble under her watery stare. It was like looking at a wounded kitten.

"You're right," he found himself saying.

Macey's head shot up from where she was glaring at the ground as did everyone else's in surprise.

Bex sucked in a sharp breath. Grant gaped at him.

Are you out of your mind?

He jumped and glared at Bex. He would never get used to that.

No you get out of my mind. Zach thought to himself, not knowing Bex would hear him.

Zach, this is serious. They are MORTALS. HUMANS. We can't expose ourselves to them.

Baxter's right. Grant boomed.

Zach blinked. How the hell…?

I let him in. All I have to do is touch his hand and it's a threesome.

Threesome. Grant chuckled. Let's get it on baby.

OH MY GOSH GRANT SHUT UP!" Bex screamed and it was like her voice was going to blow their brains to bits. The boys winced.

Look, they already know too much. Unless any one knows how to erase memories or something then we're going to have to tell them, or risk having the police know. Zach argued.

It seems as though he was winning.

Bex sighed. Fine…but if they run away screaming Eloric, I swear I'm going to kill you and hand you over to a Cavan myself Goode.

Zach gulped. He wasn't sure how they would react. They are weak-hearted humans after all.

Deal.

"Um hello? Anybody going to talk or are you going to stare at each other like you want a threesome all day?" Macey snapped snottily.

Liz was looking at the three of them suspiciously, trying to figure out what just happened. Her highly advanced brain raced through different options and combinations, but they were all ridiculous and nothing that science could prove.

"Actually, that was Bex's exact words," Grant chuckled.

"Just ignore him," Zach said. He stepped closer to the girls. "You want your answers, you'll get it. But not here."

"Fine." Macey pulled out a pen and paper from her bra and scribbled something down. "Meet Liz and I here in five minutes."

Zach took the paper. "Why do you have that in your bra?"

"Boys always want my number," Macey bragged, smiling stunningly. "So I thought I might as well be prepared and bring it everywhere."

"Hot." Grant said, almost drooling. "Are you prepared with a condom in there too? Cuz you can come with me and bring it in my car baby."

Macey smirked. "Maybe later."

Bex scoffed and rolled her eyes. "And she calls me a slut."

"I at least I go after single men unlike someone who's a homewrecking skank! Speaking of which, how could you have cheated on Cammie with her?" Macey demanded, poking Zach's chest.

"I didn't." Zach said quickly. "We'll explain in five minutes. Come on guys let's go."

"Holy shit." Bex gaped from the passenger's seat at the looming building in awe. "I bet this is even bigger than Bill Gate's mansion!"

"Obviously. She's the Senator's daughter." Zach explained, pulling in her long, long driveway. His shabby Chevy Joe had let him borrow stood out like a sore thumb in this opulent, exquisite atmosphere.

Beep. Beep.

Zach and Bex looked to where Macey was standing in front of her Mercedes, reaching through the window to honk the horn impatiently.

"What is with you people and staring! Ain't nobody got time for that! Get your ass out of the car and in here!"

Geez, the girl was cranky.

They quickly got out of the car.

"Macey are you home?" Someone called from somewhere in the grand mansion as the five teenagers stepped in the pristine, polished manor.

"Mom?" Macey sounded genuinely surprised.

There was a sound of clicking heels and then a woman emerged from one of the many corridors. Zach watched her in awe, feeling as though he was witnessing Barbie come to life.

Her bleached hair was elaborately styled, not a lash out of face was long and elegant, portraying big blue eyes and cheekbones sharp as a knife; just as Macey seemed to have inherited. But that was the only similarity between them.

This woman seemed fake as can be. Her face was abnormally smooth and flawless, obviously layered with powder and paint, eyes popping with makeup, lips surgically plump and pink.

The tight suit and skirt she was wearing hugged her figure, made to show off her slim waist and large breasts and butt. A thick real diamond necklace hung from her dainty long neck. Seven inch heels made her long, fake tanned legs prominent.

Zach fought in a grimace. So this was the Senator's wife.

"You're home early, and you brought some friends!" Her rich blue eyes turned to each one of them. Zach felt uncomfortable, feeling too male and dirty and real for such a home, only seen in magazines.

"Hi Mrs. McHenry," Liz said.

She smiled, displaying surgically whitened and perfect teeth. "Lizzie! It's been such a long time! You've grown so much!"

"Erm yeah," Macey cut in. "So we're just going to go to my room…"

"Why introduce me to your attractive friends!" Her expression brightened as she took in Bex's beauty and Zach and Grant's handsomeness. It seemed as though she only wanted faces that fit the perfection of her home.

"Um…this is Daniel and Bex and Grant," Macey introduced awkwardly. Why was her mother being like this? She wondered in frustration. Cammie was out there, being tortured and her mother was wasting their time, being all fake cheer and smiles. It was grating.

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Macey's mom, Mrs. McHenry and Senator's wife."

As if they could forget that.

"But you may call me Cynthia," she walked closer, hugging them as if she knew them. She reeked heavy expensive perfume.

Zach felt her stiffen after she pulled away from the hug. He narrowed his eyes at her slightly uncomfortable expression. Who knew what she was hiding? This place seemed full of surprises.

"So what are you all doing?" Cynthia McHenry asked, skill-fully rearranging her face into the jolly, bright smile.

"Just talking. Can we go now?" Macey snapped, her patience snapping. Growing up as a spoiled only child, she never was one to wait for anything.

"Macey, don't you remember? We have a gathering with your father and the Winters family this evening," Cynthia said in a genuinely shocked tone, like she couldn't believe her daughter would forget.

Macey blinked. "What? No we don't. I checked my agenda. I was free today."

"Well you must have read wrong," her mother replied smoothly. "Now say bye to your friends, we must get ready. You don't want to keep Preston waiting do you? You can talk tomorrow."

"But this is important!" Macey exclaimed. "You can tell Preston to go -"

"Macey Anastasia McHenry," Cynthia scolded but in that same creepily breezy calm tone. "You must go and that is final."

"Mrs. McHenry -" Liz started.

"Ah Lizzy. You're welcome to stay and help Macey get ready. We'll drop you off on the way," She turned to Bex, Grant and Zach and something flashed in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but you must be leaving. Maybe we can schedule another day, perhaps a rain check?" She asked kindly, flashing a dazzling apologetic smile.

But Zach could see behind it. She was a very skilled woman, lying flawlessly. But of course, being a politician's wife, this wasn't surprising.

"Honestly this is Macey's fault. She never acknowledges how busy she really is, being the Senator's daughter. It's quite embarrassing."

"Mom-"

But Cynthia McHenry was already ushering them out.

"It was so nice to meet you; I hope to see you again!"

Zach, Grant and Bex stood outside the shiny oak doors speechlessly.

Grant satisfied himself with calling Macey's mother with some very creative, vulgar words.

"I think she knew who we were," Bex said as they walked back up the extensive drive way.

"Really?" Zach asked, astonished. "Does everyone here know?"

Bex rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a drama queen. Rachel only knows because she fell in love with one. It's different with Cynthia. She was scared of us. I couldn't see why…"

"It doesn't matter," Grant interrupted. "This is for the best anyway. It got us out of telling mortals about us," he shuddered dramatically.

"They deserve to know," Zach argued.

"Nah, Zachy just melted in a puddle under they're sexy stares. You've got to make up your mind dude. Liking all three of them with NOT turn out well."

Zach glared. Like he needed relationship advice from a walking bag of testosterone.

"Man shut up. All you want is to get in Cammie's pants. Well she's MY girlfriend and if you ever flirt with her again-"

"Okay we get!" Bex exclaimed, throwing her hands up with exasperation. All they ever did was fight over Cammie. Everyone fought over Cammie. Cammie this, Cammie that.

It was giving Bex a massive headache.

Or maybe it was the massive jealousy churning inside of her. The only person who has ever loved her was Grace and she's been dead for years. She's never had any close friends or boyfriends.
And this Cammie person had it all, wonderful friends, caring mother, two incredibly hot guys head over heels for her, every girls fucking dream. It just wasn't fair.

"We don't have any time for fights okay? We need to focus on finding her fisrt."

"So what now?" Grant asked. "Go to Rachel and tell her daughter has been taken by a group of ancient Martians?"

Zach gulped. Telling your girlfriend's mom the said girlfriend got kidnapped because of you is defiantly not the best impressions.

"Nope," Zach replied. "We go to Joe. He'll know what to do."

Turns out, Joseph Soloman's reaction was most disappointing.

He was waiting for them at the porch.

"Joe?" Zach asked a little anxiously skipping up the steps. He glanced at the two emergency duffel bags at his feet.

"Get back in the car Zach. There's been Circle activity in this area."

"That's why we came," Zach explained watching Joe pick up the bags and hurry to the car.

"Good." He turned to Bex and Grant. "You two must come with us. We Elorics have to stick together." He disappeared behind the car.

"Actually Joe, we're going after the Circle."

His head popped up. "You're going to WHAT?"

Zach winced. Okay maybe the wrong choice of words. He glanced at Bex and Grant who were standing awkwardly at the side. They just shrugged, offering no help at all.

"They kidnapped Cammie." Zach said in a low voice, stepping closer. "So we were hoping you could-"

"There's nothing I can do," Joe interrupted, still staring at Zach with horrorstruck eyes. "There's nothing any of us can do if she's in the hands of the Circle. Now get in the car everybody. The faster we get out of here the better."

"Joe."

Zach couldn't believe how he was behaving, void of any reaction.

"Cammie got kidnapped." Zach repeated, hoping it sunk in. After all, Joe knew how much she meant to him.

"She's being tortured right now," his voice wobbled. "The least you can do is just come up with some strategy to save her-"

"Cammie is as good as dead Zach," Joe said without looking at him. "There's no saving her."

Zach's jaw dropped. Rage flared inside of him. "How can you say that?" He yelled. "Doesn't she mean anything to you? She's one of us!"

"She's a half," Joe corrected nonchalantly. He kept his himself behind the trunk of the car so no one could see his stifling gasps and lone tears. She was his best friend's daughter, mortal or not. She looked exactly like him. How could that not mean anything?

Taking a deep breath and hastily wiping his face, Joe rose to face an enraged Zachary Goode.

"Elorics suffered a lot and sacrificed plenty. But the most painful thing we had to do was learn to move on. I'm sorry Zach. I know how hard it is, believe me I do," Joe said thinking of Abby. "But we have to move on. We have to get going quickly."

"No."

Joe turned stopped in his tracks and turned around slowly. "What did you just say?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. Zach has never said no to him, not ever. Being his Celostan, it was a general unspoken rule that you couldn't, because all Celostans wanted was to keep their subject safe.

"I'm not going without Cammie," Zach replied, just as surely and dangerously.

"Zach-"

"I don't care what you say. I am not leaving this place without her right here. She is not Abby and I am not you."

Joe felt as if someone just punched him in the gut. He felt his face coloring a deep purple. "ZACHARY JARED GOODE! GET IN THE DAMN CAR RIGHT NOW-"

He was cut off by an invisible forcing knocking him off his feet and flying in the air, guided by Zach's outstretched palm. He hit the bark of a tree, pinning him almost forty feet off the ground.

If Zach wasn't so angry and distraught, he might've laughed at the expression on his Celostan's face. But all he did was raise a cocky eyebrow and say, "make me."

Joe swallowed staring at the boy he knew since he was just two years old. He hardly recognized it as the boy he knew now. "What has gotten into you?" He whispered more to himself but Zach heard with his superhuman hearing.

"Love Joe. Love has gotten into me. And I know this is crazy but you were right. Love makes you think up is down and wrong is right. But I don't care.
I'm willing to die for Cammie. I'm willing to sacrifice all the Eloric lives for just one tiny girl. Why? Because I'm in love. And it doesn't matter how strong you are, you won't be able to take me. Not now. I have too much strength than even the strongest Eloric."

Even Grant couldn't have beaten him now. He was filled with such passion and fire and zeal he could've burned down the whole state with just one breath, yes he could.

Everyone was speechless, especially Joeseph Soloman.

Something was taking shape inside of him, something was overpowering the fierce anger and embarrassment he was holding for Zachary Goode for the moment. It was pride.

No one knew better than Joe what it was like to love so fearlessly and fervently. He wanted to be furious but he knew if he was in Zach's shoes and if Abby was in Cammie's, then he would've done the same thing.

He would do anything, could to anything in the world, if it meant getting Abby back.

"Put me down," Joe said hoarsely.

Zach narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but did as he was told. After Joe's feet hit the ground, Zach felt like falling to his knees from lack of energy. Not that it took up all his stamina, almost telekinesis was as easy as breathing, it was due to the fact he just stood up to Joe.

Holy shit, he just stood up to Joe.

The man he respected and feared and loved his entire life. He had never even gave a peep to his orders and right now he just threatened his guardian, which scared the crap out of both of them.

Zach was started to feel a little guilty, but didn't regret what he had done.

No way in hell would Zach leave without Cammie. He would rather die.

Silently, Joe walked to the house, without his usual swagger and every heavy footstep the handsome man made Zach feel double guilt.

He looked anxiously at Bex and Grant again. They pretty much mirrored his expression.

A few minutes later Joe returned.

Zach's back straightened as if giving himself a mental kick in the butt when Joe walked towards him, his expression grieve and dangerous. If it came down to another fight, then he would fight.

Nevertheless, Zach's breath increased as he stopped right in front of him. Joe was still much taller than his six foot stature and the beat up leather jacket and two day unshaven face made him look like a person you did not want to mess with.

The only reason why Zach had managed to do what he did was because he had the element of surprise and caught Joe off guard.

Now, he had a mere chance. Even so, Zach raised his chin, staring defiantly into the eyes that matched his own.

Joe raised his hand. Zach braced himself. And then felt something press into his palm.

He looked down to see a an old folded wrinkly paper. He regarded Joe curiously.

To his astonishment, Joe smiled slightly. "Go on. And be careful."

Zach nodded mutely, still shocked. After what he had done, and said he expected the wrath of a hurricane – literally.

He gestured for Grant and Bex to the car. "Joe?" Zach said, spinning around. "I'm sorry for what I said and did. I didn't mean it."

Joe nodded. "I know. Remember to be extremely careful Zach. No stupid chances. You better come back alive. With Cammie."

Zach smiled. "I will. Keep an eye on Rachel won't you? Keep her distracted." He jokingly wiggled his eyebrows.

Joe rolled his eyes, and if Zach didn't know better, he would've thought he was blushing. "Hurry up and go be the Knight in Shining Armor won't you?"

Zach laughed and hurried to join the waiting Elorics.

Six hours later of Grant's annoyingness and Bex's crazy driving does Zach manage to spot a sign that says Amsted, six miles ahead.

Even Grant manages to fall silent as Bex makes the turn and navigates a precarious two-lane road that twists up the mountain until they pass the town's border. They drive through it and turn left at the only stoplight in town.

Zach's fingers involuntarily twitches. He could feel the power and tension between the three of them as thick as smoke in the small little car.

"Hawks Nest, right?" Bex asked, her voice shaking a bit.

"Yep, a mile or two down the road," Zach manages say, glancing down at the map Joe had drawn in his lap. He didn't want to think about how or why he knew about the Circle of Cavan lair.

They reached a tree with E6 deeply carved into its side. From there, they left the trail, taking thirty steps past the tree to the right. That's followed by a hard left turn, and then, a tenth of a mile away, there's a tree that towers over the others.

In the small gap at the base of its twisted trunk, safely tucked away in a black plastic box, is the map that leads to the cave. After that they drove another fifteen miles, ultimately pulling down a muddy, deserted road.

"It's the closest any road can get us, five miles due north of the cave." Bex explained.

Zach held the map in his hands while Bex and Grant huddled around him.

At its right side Joe has drawn a heavy X. A winding path five miles long connects the X with where they are now, marked on the map's left side. Along the way they skirt a riverbed while passing various landmarks noted for their physical descriptions, all of which are carefully marked to keep on track.

Turtle Rock. Fisherman's Pole. Circle Plateau. King's Throne. Lover's Kiss. Lookout Point.

"Look," Grant pointed a rock a quarter mile away with an uncanny resemblance to a turtle's shell.

"I guess we know which direction to head first," Bex said.

And off they go, following the path set by the map. There's no trail, nothing that might allude to these mountains having been trampled by beings of another world, or even by beings of this one.

Once they reach Turtle Rock, Bex spotted a fallen tree that hangs over the cliff side at a forty-five degree angle, and thus looks like a fishing pole patiently waiting for a bite. And they hike on, following the trail as the sun lowers in the western sky.

Each step taken is another chance to turn around and walk away. But no one does.

After passing King's Throne, which is a tall slender rock that looks like a high-back chair, Zach immediately spots two tall trees leaning against one another at slight angles, their branches appearing like arms wrapped around each other in an embrace.

And Zach couldn't help but smile, for a brief moment forgetting how terribly scared he was.

"Only one more to go," Bex said, pulling him back into the clutches of reality.

They reach Lookout Point five minutes later.

All told, the hike has taken an hour and ten minutes, and the shadows are long and stretched as the last light of dusk drains away.

"Fuck," Grant whispers softly.

Bex, Zach and Grant drop to the ground and lay on their stomachs, staring across the small valley at the cave's almost indiscernible entrance.

"It looks just like the HQ in London, only a lot bigger," Bex whispered, visibly shuddering.

Zach's never seen one, but it was far larger than he had imagined, probably twenty feet wide and tall, but also much better hidden.

There's something covering it, a net or a tarp maybe, making it blend in with its surroundings; you'd have to know it's there to be able to see it.

"Perfect location," Grant whispered.

"Totally." Zach agreed.

His nervousness quickly turns to full-blown terror. As mysterious as the cave is, one thing I know for sure is that there'll be no shortage of things—weapons, beasts or traps—that could kill them.

"All right," Zach finally said, sitting up. "Everyone remembers the plan?"

Bex and Grant nodded mutely.

There's no time like the present."

Together they take our first step, then a second, and then their hiking down the trail that may very well lead to his and his friends imminent doom.

"Shh!"

"You're the only ones that talking!

"Ouch, my nose!"

"Stop trying to touch my ass!"

Zach sighed to himself. Being a six foot, muscular, grown boy does not help in situations like these, being squeezed in a suffocating tunnel.

If anything, Bex is the one that got it easy, being all slim and curvy. He tried to feel bad for Grant, who was like the freaking hulk but he was making so much noise that it was impossible to feel anything other than sheer annoyance.

"Chill guys we're almost there," Zach assured them peering through another vent. "Bingo," he muttered, prying it open easily with his massive strength.

"Weapons," he whispered behind him before dropping down silently. Bex followed nimbly immediately while Grant had a tad bit of trouble squeezing his large frame through but soon enough they all stood there in attack positions, Eloric daggers poised.

No one was there.

"Grant, watch the doorway. Bex, I need your help on finding the sneak suits."

Bex nodded and followed Zach deeper into the room.

It's cluttered with odd things, things that were obviously not from Earth, things humans would sit up and beg for.

After searching from nearly fifteen minutes Zach began to lose hope. "Maybe it's not in this room," he said gritting his teeth with frustration.

"It has to be," Bex said searching frantically. "It has to be."

"Um guys?" Grant called. "You might want to hurry up? I hear voices."

"How long?" Zach asked.

Grant cocked his head, calculating the distance his superhuman ears can hear. "I'd say you've got about seven minutes."

"Great," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

"Maybe their activated so no one can find them unless they know exactly where it is." Bex offered.

Zach froze, contemplating her theory. They both turned to look at each other. "Think Zach, if there's one place you would hide an invisible suit, where would you put it?"

"In plain sight," he replied.

She nodded. "That's what I was thinking. Let's go back to the front."

Zach and Bex started clawing the air and walls, scourging for a hint of fabric in the seemingly transparent aerate.

"Four minutes," Grant warned, gripping his dagger tightly.

"I think I found it!" Bex whispered loudly, clutching something no one was able to see in their hands. She fumbled for a minute before stepping into it and being completely unseen except her face, looking like a creepy floating head.

"Come on guys!"

Zach and Grant hurried to put them on too.

"Hold hands so we can stay together," Zach whispered before pulling on his hood, just as the door opened.

Two Cavans stepped in holding silver small canon-like weapons, scanning the room.

He could feel Grant tense beside him.

No, Bex said with her mind. They'll be missed.

The Cavans were soon satisfied that no one was in here and moved on to the next rooms.

Zach let out a breath before moving towards the door, feeling Bex and Grant follow him in perfect synchronization.

He'll never admit how grateful he was that two of his Elorics were here with him at his back –literally.

There was a cool breeze coming from a ventilation system and the air is oddly fresh, which Zach hadn't expected considering it's laced with poisonous gas. The gray walls were polished smooth like flint; electrical conduit connects dim lights evenly spaced twenty feet apart.

They passed several more scouts and slither by undetected. They jog, sprint, tiptoe, walk.

And when the tunnel narrows and declines steadily, they sidestep down it, nimbly as cats. The cool air grows hot and stifling, and a crimson glow at the end of the tunnel comes into view.

Bex, Grant and Zach shuffle towards it until finally reaching the cave's beating heart.

The cavernous hall is far larger than he'd imagined. A long, continuous ledge runs along the circular walls and spirals all the way, from top to bottom, giving the overall appearance of a beehive; and the place is every bit as busy as one, too—there are literally hundreds of Cavans in sight, crossing the precarious stone arched bridges, entering and exiting tunnels.

The deep floor and the vast ceiling are separated by a half mile, and they are situated very close to the middle. Two massive pillars sprout up from the floor and reach all the way to the ceiling, keeping the whole thing from caving in. The number of passageways around endless.

"My God," Bex whispered in awe, taking it all in. "It'd take months to explore this entire thing."

"We don't have months," Zach whispered back eyeing the lake of glowing green liquid down below. Even from so far away, the heat off of it makes it hard to breathe. But despite the near roasting temperatures, twenty to thirty Cavans work around it, retrieving carts full of the bubbling stuff and quickly taking it away.

"I think we can put a big X through all those dark narrow tunnels that look obstructed." Grant said.

"I agree. We should start with the one directly across from us," Zach said looking at what appears to be the central room's main artery, wider and better lit than the others, the one with the greatest number of Cavans coming and going.

The bridge over to it is just a long arch of solid rock that, at most, is two feet wide.

"Think you can make it across that archway?"

"We're about to find out," Bex replied.

They go slowly, shuffling side-ways for the first forty feet or so. Since they couldn't see their feet, Zach was more focused on not slipping, almost not noticing Bex stop ahead of him.

Thanks to his fast reflexes, Zach was able to stop in time but sadly that was not the case for Grant. He stumbled into Zach, nearly pushing them both of the bridge.

"What are you doing?" Grant asked. "A Cavan," Bex whispered, staring ahead of her with wide eyes. Racing towards them is a Circle of Cavan.

He's charging across in a jog, and he's already so close there's hardly time to react.

"There's nowhere to go," Zach whispered.

The soldier continues forward and when he's close enough Bex has her dagger out in a flash, plunging into his heart and pulling it out swiftly while and pushing him over the edge.

The Cavan lets out a guttural cry before he drops through the air, splattering far below with a sickly thud.

"There," Bex said calmly.

"Nice one," Grant congratulated.

But every single Cavan in the area has stopped in midstride, staring at one another with confused expressions. There too far to see the dagger and Zach prayed that they believed what just happened was just an accident.

Bex hurried forward and squeezed Zach's hand with relief when they make it across.

The next corridor is wide and busy, and it doesn't take long to realize that this was the wrong direction; the rooms look exclusively private, and the entire wing seems to be where the Cavans live: caves with beds, a large open cafeteria with hundreds of tables, a shooting range.

They rush down a nearby corridor to a winding tunnel deeper into the mountain.

Several tributaries lead away from the main drag, and they randomly turn down them based on nothing more than gut feeling.

Aside from the main hall we entered, the rest of the mountain is nothing more than an interconnected network of damp stone corridors, off of which various rooms' hold research centers with examination tables, computers and shiny, sharp instruments.

They pass several scientific laboratories and probably run a mile or two, with each new corridor that turns up nothing.

Stress floods through Zach veins.

"Come on, come on, come on!" He chants to himself, directing to the next turn and rush up a steady incline, before Bex stops in midstride and keeps a firm grip on Zach's hand, causing me to stop as well.

"The prison cells," Grant whispered.

Bex nodded. "We're here."

Twenty to thirty Cavans guard more than forty cells, all lined up in a row, with heavy steel doors.

"Look at all those cells," Bex said.

"Cammie's got to be in one," Zach said determinedly, this time taking the lead.

"Oh my gosh," even though he couldn't see her, judging by her choked up voice he can tell Bex is teary at the sight of the prisoners in brutal shape behind the steel doors.

Zach felt his heart constrict as well, but he kept on pulling them along, solely focused on finding his precious Gallagher Girl.

"Zach, hold on."

"What?" Zach hissed. His adrenalin was going haywire. Cammie was so close. He just had to see her, to hold her in his arms.

Bex had her eyes closed and was concentrating deeply, which was a hard feat, considering all the noise the Cavans were making.

"Cammie's not in the cells," she said.

Zach jerked towards her. "How do you know?"

Bex rolled her eyes. "I can sense it. I can't feel her presence. She's not here. I'm sure of it."

"Well if she's not here…" Zach trailed off.

"She's at the Torture rooms." Grant finished.

Zach's heart thundered, his breath becoming forceful just hearing it. "Well then let's go!" He choked. "It can't be far from here."

Through another door is a long corridor, this time with doors on both sides. Surprisingly, there aren't any Cavans in here but judging by the blood stains everywhere, he knew they found Torture chamber.

Thank goodness, there didn't seem to be anyone being totured at the moment, judging by the eerie silence.

Swallowing the bile in his throat, Zach carefully stepped past all the gore and guts – literally and rushed to the doors, pressing his ear against it briefly.

"Look!" Bex spotted to a trail of fresh blood.

Zach ripped the door off his hinges and before he can even step through Bex pushes past him. "There's someone here!" She cried.

A whimper replies.

Zach sparked fire from his fingertips so they can see through the dark, stale room but as soon as he spots the dirty and scared figure huddled in the dark corner it immediately distinguishes out.

"Cammie."

"Who's there?" A hoarse, frightened voice nearly shrieks and Zach suddenly remembered he's still wearing his sneak suit. Quickly pressing a button to deactivate it, he falls to his knees in front of her.

"Cammie, baby, it's me Zach. Were here to take you home baby."

She peeks out from behind her knees, brown eyes glowing gold in the heat of the fire.

"Zach?" She whispered. "Is that really you?"

She looks so vulnerable and scared Zach can't control himself anymore.

"Oh baby it's me. It's really me. I love you so much." He gushed scooping her in his arms and holding her tight.

Cammie held on just as hard, her tiny little hands clutching onto his shirt. Her head was burrowed in his chest and Zach could tell she was crying.

"I missed you Zach. I-they hurt me and I-" her voice wobbled and broke off in racking sobs that sounded as if she was choking on smoke, making Zach worry about her ribs.

But that was overpowered by the immense relief he was feeling that she was alive, and in his arms and now safe.

"I know Cams, I missed you more. You're safe now. We're here to take you home."

"We?" She looked up from Zach's shoulder at Bex and Grant who were standing behind him a bit awkwardly.

Bex waved awkwardly and Grant grinned.

She smiled back grimly. "Thank you," she whispered before looking back at Zach.

He smiled slightly. Even in her dirty rags, soot and bloody face and matted hair she still looked so beautiful. Thinking of how much he loved this girl in his arms made his heart literally hurt from the mental weight it was pressing down on it.

He looked into her deep eyes and they both seemed to say a million things without a trace of sound and Zach knew that his own priceless life is inevitably consumed within the rhythmic beating so her own very heart.

Their lives were interconnected and if one died, the other would die along as well.

"I love you," Zach whispered again. He hadn't imagined his first declaration of love to be inside a prison cell. He had expected a more romantic setting with moonlight maybe, or a sunset.

But the look in Cammie's face told him it mattered not. She smiled widely, and it lit up the dark room like rays of sunshine, before grimacing from the pain.

She took the frown of concern off his lips by kissing him passionately, trembling frail hands cupping his face.

"I love you too," she whispered against his lips.

Grant cleared his throat. "I really hate to break up this emotional-ridden moment, but we really need to get going."

Zach reluctantly pulled away. "You're right."

Wrapping an arm around Cammie's waist, he smoothly pulled her to her feet. "Do you need me to carry you?" Zach asked, furrowing his eyebrows with unease at the sight of Cammie wincing and taking ragged deep breaths.

"No-no I'm-" Her knees buckled and Zach immediately caught her. "Okay yeah."

"Okay, we need to get you into the sneak suit-"

"Um Zach?" He looked at Bex.

"You can see me right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well my sneak suit is activated…"

"Oh shit." Grant was staring horror-struck at the door.

They all turned and gasped. Zach felt the blood rush out of his face.

A woman stood in front of them, a dark cloak hiding her face.

Five Cavans flanked her, guns trained on each Eloric.

The woman lifted her chin slightly, the only thing visible from the hood was her red lips scarred and distorted.

Her smile was gruesome.

Wow! 7,247 words man! A LOOONG chapter for the long break I've taken. Again sorry!

TO CLEAR SOME STUFF UP!

- As I said in the description, this is PARTIALLY based on the I am Number Four series. It has some elements in it, but most of the things are my ideas.

- So I decied to take away the Number One, Two, Three, Four and so on. SO THERE ARE NO NUMBERS!

- In my story, there are more Elorics than just 10, and also, they have multiple powers, some alike and some different.

- Avenger. Why did I call Zach the avenger? He has a certain history that's why. He's not like the other Elorics. Kind of like Piccatus Lore ya know? SO yeah, you'll see why later in the chapters.

Hope that helped! And review!

Love,
Plain Is Prettiest!
(At least to Zach Good and I!)