It was into the afternoon the next day when someone knocked softly on Ember's door, waking her from a sleep filled with cruel smiles and the faint smell of blood.

"Ember?" Adrian asked softly. "Are you awake?"

Her body was sore and still exhausted from the confrontation with Donovan the night before, but still, she dragged herself from the cozy blankets and stumbled to the door in her chemise.

Unlocking it, she peeked through the opening with bleary eyes.

"Yes, I'm sorry. What time is it?" she asked groggily.

Adrian gave her a humor-filled smile. "It's a little after noon."

Rubbing her eyes she nodded, "Ok, I'll get ready and we will go."

"I can have some food and a bath sent up before," Adrian suggested helpfully.

"Would you?" Ember asked with a sigh. "Adrian that would be amazing."

"It's no problem," he said with a toothy grin.

"Thank you," Ember said with her sleepy smile.

Adrian nodded and walked down the hall towards the stairs while Ember made her way back to the bed and flopped onto it, curling back into the covers for a few more minutes.

It wasn't long before there was another knock on the door, but instead of standing to answer she hollered from her prone position on the bed.

"Come in."

A young maid stepped in with a platter of food. Ember sat up slowly rubbing her eyes.

"Thank you," she said, stretching her sore shoulders. "I'll take it here."

The maid nodded and placed the tray on her lap where Ember had indicated, but did not go to leave.

Ember was distractedly grabbing the hearty slice of bread and spreading freshly churned butter on it before taking a huge bite. Only then did she notice that the maid was watching her curiously.

"You… you're the woman who was at Count Reign's manor, are you not?" she asked in a sweet voice.

Ember looked up into her soft brown eyes fringed with dark locks.

"I was," Ember said, swallowing the bite of bread. "Why do you ask?"

The girl shifted on her feet, messing with the hem of her apron before she answered. "My mum was a servant there, she saw you many times during your stay. In the early hours this morning, she came home in such a fright. Said things about Count Reign, that he was a monster… I couldn't hardly believe my ears."

As the young girl spoke, Ember remembered how Donovan had cradled her in his arms and drank from her. Her hand lifted involuntarily to the place on her neck where he'd pierced her skin.

"What your mother said is true," Ember said softly, her voice far away. "It is imperative that neither you nor anyone for that matter go to the manor again. You mustn't go outside after dark. Especially when you are alone either."

The girl's eyes widened as she stared at Ember. "Truly?"

Ember nodded solemnly.

A few quiet moments passed between them as the girl contemplated her words.

"Thank you miss, for letting me know," the maid said with a curtsy. "I'll go fetch the water for your bath and let you eat in peace."

As she watched the young girl leave the room, Ember toyed with her food, her appetite suddenly gone.

Where had Donovan disappeared to? And would he come after her after all that had happened between them?

About an hour later, Ember was bathed and dressed, making her way out of the inn and into the blanket of golden sunshine. While she did feel guilty for keeping the group from departing earlier, she knew it was a good idea to travel during the night and sleep throughout the day. This would keep them safeguarded when they were most vulnerable.

Everyone was at the coach waiting for her as she drew nearer.

Turner held open his arms as she approached with an affectionate smile. She embraced him before doing the same to Malcolm.

Ember ignored William's distasteful look as he watched them.

"How are you feeling?" Turner asked, genuine concern in his voice as his dark hazel eyes looked her over.

"I'm a little weak, but aside from that, I am fine." When he gave her a suspicious look, she laughed and added, "I promise."

"You put up a good fight last night," Malcolm said appraisingly. "The bastard was half done in when we got there."

Ember gave a weak laugh, "It sure didn't feel like it at the time. I'm so grateful that you all came when you did." She couldn't stop her gaze from flickering to Adrian who was watching her carefully. "I would have been dead if you hadn't."

A moment passed before William cleared his throat and spoke. "That brings up a good point."

Ember did not like the tone in his voice and turned her eyes to him cautiously. Turner and Malcom shifted slightly, looking uncomfortable.

Already on the defensive, Ember crossed her arms and pinned William with her stare.

"What is the problem?" she cut out.

"To be quite frank, you are the problem," William said without hesitation.

Ember lifted her eyebrows and scoffed. "And why is that?"

"I won't try and sugarcoat it," William started before Ember interrupted him.

"Like you have ever sugar-coated anything in your life, William. You're the biggest crabapple I have ever met," Ember snapped, feeling heat rush to her cheeks.

To Ember's complete fury, William turned to Adrian and said, "You see? This is exactly what I'm talking about-"

"Do not speak to others as if I'm not here," Ember said dangerously.

With a huff, William turned back to her and watched her for a moment with his narrow yellow-green eyes before he spoke again.

"Woods, I have never approved of your position here in the Kresniks. In my opinion, this is a man's job and a woman has no business butting in."

"You are right, you have never hidden the fact that you despise me," Ember said heatedly. "So what is your point?"

"My point is, that the team has voted that you are to be dismissed from the Kresniks," William said bluntly.

Ember felt like the air had been knocked out of her and could do nothing but stare at William's cold face.

Of course, she had always known that William, the misogynistic pig that he was had never been comfortable with Ember in the picture. But the thought that the rest of the group had agreed with him on his decision made her feel sick to her stomach.

Slowly, Ember turned her gaze to each one of the other three who were all staring at their feet; ashamed.

That is when she realized that what William was saying was true.

The Kresniks had voted her out.

Ember's eyes landed on Adrian whose fists were clenched and she watched him until he finally brought his eyes to meet hers.

"You too?" she asked softly, trying her hardest not to let her voice crack.

Adrian's eyes were full of regret, but his chin was set determinedly.

"Yes," he said simply.

The blow to Ember's stomach doubled as she fought hard to catch her breath and remain stoic.

"But why?" Ember asked the shock and hurt turning quickly into anger.

Adrian of all of them knew how much this meant to her, how without this group she would have no purpose.

"Ember," Adrian started, going to take a step toward her before stopping himself. "After what happened last night, after almost losing you…"

Now it was Adrian's turn to collect himself as he took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. He opened them again and looked into her eyes.

"I just cannot let you get hurt," Adrian said simply.

"This is my choice! You do not get to decide my fate, Adrian. In fact, none of you do!" Ember snapped, gesturing to the rest of them.

Ember could see the genuine hurt and regret in Turner and Malcolm's eyes and couldn't even bear to look at William who was looking cold yet satisfied.

Ember's emotions were swirling inside her like a dust devil as she turned back to Adrian.

"You know how much this means to me," she said through gritted teeth. "You, out of anyone, know how important this work is to me."

As much as Ember had tried to stop the desperation from seeping into her voice, it came through anyway, making her feel indignant.

"I know," Adrian said softly, "Ember I am so sorry."

"Us too," Turner said from beside her. Ember glanced up at Turner who put his arm on her shoulder. "But after we found you last night, we knew that we should have never sent you to that monster in the first place."

Ember wanted to shrug off his gesture, but when she saw the haunted look in his eyes, she decided against it.

"We just want you to be safe," Malcolm said gruffly, his eyes on the pocket knife that he was fiddling with.

It was clear that the decision was unanimous and anything she said was not going to change their minds.

With a sigh and a bitter laugh, Ember nodded. "Ok."

With determined steps, Ember made her way to one of the mares and began to synch her belongings on its back.

No one said a word as the sun started to set and the team started their journey back to their home in Bucharest.