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Dear Amelia,

This is the part where I start to hesitate to tell you the rest of the story. Truth be told, I’d rather not tell you. But I won’t do that. I’ll tell you. Besides, I always knew this part would come up eventually.

Understand that the war I started isn’t why I hesitate. It’s what comes after, that gives me pause. What came after is still hard for me. But I guess I’ll save that part for the next letter. I’ll just pick up where I left off.

Grandpa attacked Katrina while Ryan was busy fighting Colton somewhere outside. I planned to find them and summon Jordan so we could take out both of them at the same time, but we ran into complications.

I found them. Ryan and Colton were both using magic during their fight. Colton almost killed Ryan, but he got away. I was ready to finish the job, but Gaia stopped me. We didn’t have enough people with us, and we were quickly getting out numbered by Colton’s army. We had to fall back, so I gave the order.

I saw Claudia appear as I retreated, and Devyn linked me letting me know Grandpa was with him. I also want to add that Miranda linked me to tell me Jason and Erica were not at the hide out. Not too long after that, Leon linked me and told me that Jason and Erica were unconscious on the pack house steps.

When we regrouped at the rendezvous spot, I told them what Leon informed me of. Then I healed everyone and told them we were going back to Black Forest. Sadie opened a portal and the warriors went through first. Before we stepped through, Colton appeared. Devyn, Alex, Grandpa, Sadie and I were face to face with him.

Sadie cloaked Devyn before we turned around since Colton would have recognized him. Even though I was disguised as a French woman named Simone, Colton assumed I was the queen based on everyone’s reactions. I assured him I wasn’t, but I don’t think that he bought it. He too, was disguised, and he introduced himself as Xander.

He said he needed revenge, and wanted to know where I was sending my team. I lied right back to him and told him we were just doing a job. We were pretending to be a group of hitmen. Can you believe that? Jordan was the only hitman in my inner circle, and he wasn’t even there.

My lie piqued his interest. He wanted to know who had hired us. I remembered that assassins always had a plan and contingencies. Jordan taught me a lot. And I came up with a plan on the spot. I’d give him the information. On conditions.

We told him we would only give him information for money. We “didn’t care” about secrets or keeping them. He seemed to believe that we were really in the line of work where money talked. He agreed. We told him that once the money was in our account, we’d meet, and I’d give him a name.

In an attempt to get information right away, he sent me half of the money I asked for. I told him I would only talk once I am paid in full. And then we left.

Amelia, there are definitely perks from being best friends with an assassin. Especially one whose family had an academy that trained other assassins. It worked in our favor. And it helped keep our identities a secret.

~Mom

MJ. B