{ Mia }
I sat by the window, watching the rain blur the city lights.
I felt... empty. Like a stranger in my own skin. The fear still lingered,' what if next time, I couldn't stop?' I thought the thought sending shivers down my spine.
Then, suddenly a sharp pain shot up my leg.
" Ah! " I screamed holding my leg tight. My vision blurred for a second as more pain shot up my leg.
"Stop! Stop!" I screamed.
Then, a voice, not mine, but someone else's rang through my ears.
" You'll have to get rid of Hunter for that angel..."
" W-who are you?" I winced as my leg felt like it was going to fall of.
" You don't need to know that angel..."
" Stop calling me that ! " I yelled.
He just chuckled.
" Finish the task and then I'll see about getting rid of the pain. If you don't it will increase by the hour."
" No I won't! Aaaaaace!!!" I shouted loud enough for him to hear.
Suddenly Hunter and Cole came rushing to me.
" What's wrong cupcake?"
" T- there's some creepy voice in my head it's —" " Ahhh!" I winced grabbing my leg.
Hunter rushed to my side. " Tell me what's wrong." He urged concern evident in his tone .
" My leg—" I gritted my teeth as another jolt of pain spread through my leg.
Hunter quickly lifted my pant leg his eyes widening.
" What's, what's wrong?" I asked trying to take a look.
" Cole get me an ice pack. Pronto."
Cole nodded rushing out.
Hunter turned to me his smile flattering. " This might hurt a bit but I can help you, do you trust me? "
" With everything I have..." I whispered preparing for the pain.
Cole rushed in with the ice pack.
" Good, now set it on the table and wait until we need it." Hunter said, then, he turned to me his eyes softening. " Ready?"
I nodded.
" I'll start slowly, tell me when it hurts..."
Hunter exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders as he lifted his hand. The air around him seemed to shift, growing heavier, charged with something unseen.
Then, with a sharp flick of his fingers, black and purple energy crackled to life, dancing between his fingertips like living lightning. The glow pulsed, flickering like a shadow caught in the wind, tendrils of dark energy curling and twisting as if eager to be unleashed.
I swallowed hard, gripping the couch as another wave of pain shot through my leg. Hunter's gaze locked onto mine, steady and reassuring.
"Hold still," he murmured.
He lowered his hand toward my leg, and the energy slithered down like ink in water, seeping into my skin. A sharp sting coursed through me, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. The device buried beneath my skin began to react, glowing faintly as if resisting him.
Hunter narrowed his eyes. "Gotcha."
With a precise motion, he pressed his fingers around the area, his energy surging. The device flickered, the pain spiking for a brief second—then, with a small snap, the energy wrapped around it, forcing it loose.
Cole stepped forward, handing Hunter a pair of tweezers. With one swift motion, Hunter gripped the tiny metallic object buried in my leg and yanked it free.
The pain vanished instantly.
I gasped, my chest heaving as the relief hit me like a crashing wave. Hunter crushed the device in his palm, the black and purple energy consuming it in an instant.
"That should stop the pain," he said softly, his fingers brushing against my knee as he checked for any lingering damage.
" Ice. " He said extending his hand while Cole rushed to give it to him.
He gently placed the ice pack on my leg rubbing it gently.
I looked at him, dazed. "What... what was that thing?"
Hunter's jaw clenched. "A control device. Someone planted it on you." His voice darkened. "And I have a damn good idea who."
I swallowed hard, my pulse still racing. The pain was gone, but the phantom sensation of it still clung to me like a shadow.
"A control device?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hunter nodded, his expression grim. "Yeah. And whoever put it there wasn't just trying to hurt you. They wanted to manipulate you. Push you into doing something you'd never do on your own."
A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the voice, the cold amusement in his tone, the way he called me angel like I belonged to him.
My hands clenched into fists. "He wanted me to kill you," I admitted, the words tasting like poison on my tongue.
Cole stiffened. "What?"
Hunter's eyes darkened, but his voice remained steady. "And you didn't."
I looked at him. "Not yet."
Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken fears.
Cole ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "Okay, so let's say someone planted that thing on Mia. When? How? We've been with her the whole time—"
"Not the whole time," Hunter cut in, turning towards me. " When we went after the cat..."
My breath hitched. The fight. The chaos. That's when they did it.
My stomach twisted.
"They wanted to see if you'd obey...."
I shivered. "And if I don't?"
Hunter's jaw tightened. "Then they'll try something worse."
A tense silence filled the room.
Cole exhaled sharply. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to make the next move."
Hunter nodded. "We won't." He turned to Me, his expression serious. "We're going to find out who did this. And we're going to stop them before they get another chance to mess with you."
I swallowed, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. The storm inside me hadn't settled. If anything, it was getting worse.
But this time, I wasn't going to let fear control me.
I lifted my chin, determination hardening in my chest. "Then let's find them."