Chapter 9: Attacked

They walked in silence; Sebastian, Aurora and her mother. The night was far spent and their only companions were the night birds and the distant groans of the wild animals who dwelt in the dead woods.

"I know you have many questions, dearest Aurora…"

"Only I shall call her by that name," he pronounced firmly.

Lydia eyes turned in his direction but she merely smiled.

"I guess she is no longer my little girl."

"The little girl you tried to kill," Aurora blurted out with suppressed anger, "where were you all this time, mother? Why appear now?"

"Your father banished me if my old head remembers correctly."

"Because you tried to kill me." She accused.

"I didn't… it was never my intention, dear… my child. I was a budding vampire, hungry for food and I didn't have the sense to fight it."

"And where have you been all this time?"

"Hiding, of course," Lydia shot her an exasperated look, "with the entire Jaresh empire soldiers after us, blood suckers," she snorted, "I had to hide to save my own