I dropped Ren off at her car, which was located about a mile away from my house. I had not asked her about the thing going on between her and Jimmy and she did not volunteer anything. Neither of us had said a word the entire ride. I was angry, thinking deeply about what Frank told me. Ren had just been sitting there, staring out the window. I wondered, as I always did, what she was thinking though knew she would never tell. Ren was a book of mysteries and secrets that even Stephen King would not be able to figure her out. If it had not been for Raine, I would not even know about her past.

The woman in question opened the door. "Ren," I said before she got out. She looked back at me, expression blank. "That werewolf, Jimmy." She raised a brow, waiting for me to continue. "It seemed like you have a history with him." I stared her straight in the eyes.

All she said was, "You never know what history is unless you live it," before she got out and went to her car, a black 2008 Chevy Impala that was parked on the side of the road. I looked closer and saw four deep scratches in the passenger side door. Looks like I'm not the only one who had an encounter with a supernatural that likes to fuck up cars. I did not wait for her to start up her car. I drove toward my house, thoughts scattering through my mind. A ringing in my ears made me shake my head. What the hell? Oh, yeah. I pulled out my cell and checked the caller ID, eyes widening. It the restricted caller. I flipped it open.

"Hello?" I said, cautiously.

"Hello, Arra," the person said in a very deep, unrecognizable voice. It sounded like they were using one of those phones with a voice modulator installed inside.

"Who is this?" I asked, betting they would not tell me.

"That is a question that will be answered in time," they said. "I have been watching you and you are in a very tight situation, aren't you?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked, pulling into my long driveway. I parked, cut the engine and the lights but did not get out.

"You will find many turns on the road you are going down but which will you follow?" Jeez, this person was starting to bug me. I hated riddles.

"Look, if you called for a specific reason, get to it or I'll hang up."

A laugh and then, "You would never do that. You spent hours trying to trace the restricted number yet could not find anything." My eyes widened. How did they know that? "I have my ways, Arra. But I will tell you this; your son is in danger. An assassin has been hired to kill him." My blood ran cold. "The same thing has been said for you. I know who it is and I know who hired them. It would be best to be alert at all times."

"So are you a friend or foe?" I asked, hand tightening on the steering wheel so hard that my knuckles turned white.

"Sometimes I can be both. We shall find out soon enough." I heard a click.

"Hello?" No answer. "Hello?!" Nothing. That mother fucker hung up on me. I clicked the phone shut, shoved it in my pocket along with my keys and got out, walking to the house. What the hell was all this about? Someone was hired to kill Damon and me? I nearly growled. It seemed as though I had a lot of work to do tomorrow when I got to work. Great, just more crap to add onto the never ending pile of shit! I opened the door, hearing Damon snoring in his room. Sighing, I took off my jacket and tossed it on the couch. I guess I should call it a night. I could pick up tomorrow where I left off. This time, I had something more to go off of. I would check the system for all other assassins, hunt them down and torture them until they told me who was trying to kill who and what idiot hired them to do it. Oh my, it was going to be an even longer day. I had to really find out who my stalker was, see if they were on my side or not then get what I could out of them. I hated this shit. Could I not get a moment of peace? That was a rhetorical question so do not answer. I already knew it.

Snarling, I stalked into the house. The phone was ringing and I shouted, "Damon!" He did not answer. I checked the house. He was nowhere to be found. Panic consumed me and I ran to the phone, not even checking the caller ID before answering. "Hello?"

"Hello, Arra," the sickeningly sweet voice cooed.

I growled. "Where's my son, you bitch?!"

Elizabeth laughed. "Last time he was tied to a chair."

"You'll be tired to a silver cross if you do not stop fucking with me. How the hell are you still alive?"

She laughed again. "I told you I am perfect."

"No, you're a bloodsucking leech."

"You will never know of my nature for you will be dead before sunrise tomorrow." I looked at the clock. There were five more hours left before the sun gave way again.

"You know how many people told me I'd die and instead ending up getting killed themselves?" My voice was full of irritation.

"Well, I suppose I will go down in history as the one to murder the great Arra Griffith."

"Why don't you say that to my face, slut?"

I could hear her snarl over the phone. Apparently, Black Widow did not like being called that. Oh, well that just sucked for her, didn't it? "I do not have your son, I promise that, but by sunrise I will have your heart in my hand."

"Oh, I'm scared," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "We'll see about that, whore." I hung up the phone and slammed it onto the counter, surprised when it did not shatter under the strength I used. I needed help with this and even though he was PMSing, Edward was my only hope. I dialed his number, cursing when no one answered. The answering machine picked up and I left a message. "Edward, if you're there, pick up. It's Arra and I need your help. Call me as soon as possible, OK?" I hung up, running a hand over my face. Where the fuck was Damon? I paced back and forth in the kitchen, thinking hard about what my next plan of attack would be. Should I call Raine and ask him for assistance? No. He had his own shit to deal with and I did not need my boyfriend's help. Independent was me. Ryder? Hell no. He would probably stay long enough to get Raine's number, track him down and strangle him. Dammit! Toby was out of town, Ben was no use to me. The Pack could assist me but I put them on temporary vacation until the full moon where Damon would take his place as Alpha. I was their Alpha still, though, and I could definitely call for their help if I wanted. Something told me not to. I could not endanger them anymore than they already were. Shit. I went into my room and got my sword and throwing knives, which I stuffed into my boots, within easy access of course. My Sig was already strapped to my side. I never went anywhere without it. I walked out of the house and back into my car.

I tried Edward's once more but, again, no answer. I drove towards his house. It was damn near two in the morning! Where the hell was he? I did twenty over the speed limit down back roads, no cars in sight for miles. When I finally made it to Edward's ten minutes later, I screeched into the driveway and got out, running up to the door of one story blue house and pounding on it with my fist. His car was in the driveway. "Edward!" I yelled, pounding harder. "Edward!" I cursed, spinning away. The door opened and I turned back around to see Edward in nothing more than a pair of jeans. He looked exhausted with black bags beneath his eyes, red lines crossing around his pupils and a pale complexion. "I've been calling you. Why didn't you answer?"

He sighed. "Now is not the best time, Arra," he said.

"Edward, I see that you're tired but I need your help," I said in a softer tone. "I just need a little help and that's all."

He stepped to the side and let me in. I walked into the living room and sat on the gray couch he has had forever. It was in good shape surprisingly. Instantly, I explained to him what was going on as he took the matching recliner. When I finished, I stared at him. He was in deep thought, leaning forward, elbows on knees and fingers laced in front of mouth. He was staring off into space. I scratched above my left ear and waited longer until I got impatient. "Well?" He did not say anything. "Edward?"

His gaze snapped to mine. "Hm?"

I practically gaped. "Were you not listening? I know you've been in a bad mood lately but that never stops you from-"

"I'm going to die, Arra," he burst suddenly in a tone that said it was not that big of a deal. But his eyes...I do not believe I have ever seen Edward's eyes sad before but I did now.

I froze, mouth open. "Wh...What?" No. This could not be true. Not this, of all things, God, why this? On top of everything else, my best friend was dying? No! He was a weretiger now, dammit, and he was immune to all diseases or sicknesses.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "That's why I've been grouchy lately. Something has come up..."

"Edward, no," I said, tears choking me but I did not let them fill my eyes to fall down my face.

"I wanted to tell you but thought it would put you endanger."

"Edward, what is going on?" My hands started shaking.

He looked me right in the eyes as he told me the story. "I need you to watch over Nikeeta for me. Some people, old friends, I guess you could call them, paid me a visit. They said..." His hands clenched into fists, a tic starting in his jaw. "They said if I don't give them what they want, they would rape and torture Nikeeta. They said that unless I died, they would take her away."

"What people?" I asked, concerned.

"I won't let you get into this, Arra," he snarled. "This time, it's my fight."

I stood up so fast that it might have seemed like a blur to him even with his heightened senses. "Oh, bullshit! It's always your fight!"

"She's my daughter, Arra," he said, narrowing his eyes. "It's either her or me and I know that you'll take care of her. These people are insane and sadistic but they are good on their word. If I die, they'll leave her be."

I lifted a hand then let it fall. "Wha..." I sighed, shaking my head. "What are you going to tell her? That daddy isn't coming home this time?"

"It's my fault she's in danger in the first place," he confessed. "If I had been more cautious in my thinking..."

"Oh, bull fucking shit!" I yelled. "You're Edward, the fierce assassin who everyone in the world fears! When were you ever known to give up?"

He looked away from me. "Arra, please, understand. You would do the same for your son. Nikeeta..." I gasped. His eyes...they were watering, which made mine to the same. I have never seen Edward cry let alone ever come close to such a thing. "She is the only real thing I have ever loved. The first day I saw her, held her in my arms, it was like a part of me, the part I always thought had died came back. I couldn't believe I had made something so beautiful, so innocent. Please, Arra..." he looked at me with those sad eyes and a tear fell from mine.

"Please, Edward," I said, choking on my words. "Don't do this to me right now. I can't handle it."

He stood and came to stand in front of me. "That's just it, Arra. You can handle it. You can handle anything and not look back. I would much rather die before burying my daughter. She has just begun to live her life. Please...do this for me." I shook my head. "Arra..." he grasped my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. "Don't let her die."

I sniffled then in defeat, I nodded. "OK." He hugged me and I hugged him back, so angry and hurt and sad that so much was happening at once. My son might die and my cousin is going to die because if he doesn't his daughter pays the price. Where did I truly stand in the middle of all this? Was I being punished for the bad things I have done? It seems as though when I thought things could not get any worse, they always did. For once, I wanted some peace in my life, a time where nothing bothered me and it was only me in a safe little world. I wanted be like those people who had no emotions so they could not feel pain. I was sick of feeling, sick of crying, sick of all the damned pain! Every other day, someone was trying to kill me or someone I loved. I do not want to live this way anymore, not if it cost me the ones I love. I had so much going on right now that I could hardly stop to think of anything else at the moment. Only one thought crossed my mind.

God, please help me.