Chapter 3- Talvin's POV
I tried to take all of the anger out of my voice when I spoke to my mother. I really tried. "The problem is," I must talk myself down from screaming at my mother in her current state, I urge myself. My anger has me seeing red, and I must try and control myself, but I knew that I now needed to tell her something. I made a mistake and lead with some form of words, letting her know something was, in fact, happening. "There is more." These few words were all I could give her at this moment. I couldn't continue without my anger bubbling to the surface and taking over. If that were to happen, I would break more than the trust my family had in me. I must keep quiet for now. I need to think about everything with a clear mind. I can not let myself jump to conclusions in this situation.
Sitting back in my chair, I waited for what felt like hours for Fulton to come back with the Doctor. All I could do was stare at my mother in disbelief. Never did I think that my mother would stoop to such a level and seek out a Vampire. I thought we were enough for her, were we not? I knew what was happening, and I had the answers that she so desired. I knew who that man was the moment that I saw him. I had sought him out two years ago for help. He helped me with more than just my anger and anxiety. I made a deal with him that would make me his soon enough, a deal that would help children in desperate situations much like mine. A deal I never have and never will regret. He saved me that night, and maybe he saved Mom too? I question myself, but I dismiss it quickly, knowing there is always more to the story. A story that I want all the answers to, whether I must demand answers, is another question.
I thought he was here for me when he showed up on our front lawn. I have seen that look in his eyes before when he is looking for his mark and demanding it to come forward. When he looked at Mom the way that he did, I knew how bad off Mom was. I knew we were all in trouble if he is looking at Mom the way that he was. She clearly made a deal with the man and is refusing to admit to it. I'm curious, though, why can’t she remember? Why is she not admitting to what she has done? Mom has always been the first to announce the truth to any of us. Whether we like what we are hearing or not. She believes in the truth first and asks for forgiveness later. She says that she does this to make herself a better person. Why would she now choose to start lying about what is happening to her? In the hospital of all places?
Considering the unbelievable, I ask myself one final question. “What if Mom truly doesn’t remember?” She could be telling the truth. It would explain her confusion and demanding questions. I have seen her confused before, and it looks much like it has in the past. Maybe I should give her the benefit of the doubt. I conclude. I was calming myself more with my new conclusion.
Closing my eyes, I slide deeper into my hospital chair and recall the memories from this morning. Mom had woken up with infected bites on her neck. Thinking back to how they looked and how they look now, I knew they were in no way infected by mosquito bites. They were bites I have seen numerous times before. How did I not notice it? How did I not connect the dots on what the bites were? I question myself mentally.
My mind shifts to the Doctor's visit that I had eavesdropped on, and by the concern in the Doctor's voice and what she was asking to see, she had to know what she was looking at. She just was not positive in her findings. Who would voluntarily announce that it looks like a vampire bite and a Doctor at that?
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I revisit the image of when I spotted Mom's blood-filled band-aid on the porch that she had somehow misplaced. If it were soaked that badly and outside, there was only one thing it could be. My mind had begun to wander as Mom went into the house to retrieve towels for us.
Then he was standing there like I remembered him doing in the past as he waited for me. "Mom," I called out. I was not sure why I was calling my mom. He could be here for me, not her. Maybe I just wanted her to know what happened to me if he were to take me. I would never allow him to take her or my siblings. I made that split-second decision the moment his eyes fluttered over my own. "I’m not here for you, boy” His voice sounded in my head. He was giving temporary relief, followed by a volcanic amount of fear. Moving inside, I watched him disappear around the side of the house. He may be fast, but I can see him move; I know where he was going, and no one will find him where he has gone. Not unless I lead the way to him; after all, my blood will open the door for our family. The binding contract that I had entered into gave me access to his Kingdom when I need it.
Hopefully, granting access to the Kingdom is not something I will need to do again anytime soon. If I have to access his Kingdom to retrieve my Mom, I will. I will risk my life and make any new deal necessary to protect her.
Sighing, I make a painful realization as I look upon her. She is all I have left besides my brothers. I hope I do not have to make a new deal to protect her.
Chapter 4- Elnora POV Merrick and Talvin are refusing to speak another word until Fulton comes back with the Doctor. No matter how hard I beg them to talk to me, they will not. They are only giving me a look of pure disappointment. The look made my heart sink, wondering what I have done that hurt them so badly. What can I do to fix the situation at hand? “Hello Elnora, my name is Doctor Kent; how are you feeling?” His voice is soothing over me. “I feel a bit drained and confused. Other than that, I think I am fine. What happened?” I watched the flash behind his eyes when he realized I had no idea what was going on. “From a medical standpoint, I will tell you what I know.” He mentions as he casually walks to the foot of my bed to keep me from straining my eyes to the side. “When you arrived, we drew your bl
Chapter 5- Fulton’s POV The moment I looked into the eyes of the man in the rain, I knew who he was and why he was here. I could feel Talvin tense up next to me, and I knew he had dealings with this man in the past. This man wasn’t here for him this time, nor was he here for Merrick. Merrick had dabbled a little more into reading than he thought. He was on the verge of finding out about the hidden side when he finally gave up. I could feel his uncertainty of the man through his stance and how the air changed around us. I, on the other hand, knew it all. For the past six months, I had been eavesdropping on my father’s late-night phone calls. He would wait until Mom was asleep before slipping from bed and making his way out onto the porch. I, on the other hand, would hear him and took to my computer. I would pull up the surveillance cameras and
Chapter 6- Fulton’s POVThe decision was easy. I knew that if anything happened to me, Mom would never forgive him. He would be done forever, and at this moment, I wanted him to be out of our lives forever. Stepping over the threshold was more complicated than it had ever been. Fear radiated from my body, and I could feel my body shaking as I took my place in front of the man. “You are a courageous young man. We need more men like you in our ranks.” “Thanks, but I don’t think I would want to do that.” My voice is betraying my emotions. He nodded curtly at my words before choosing his following words carefully. “This is simple. You will take my hand. I will give you my word. Once I finish talking, you can either accept or decline my word for any reason. You may state that you would like anythin
Chapter 7- Fulton’s POV“Go to bed, son,” Dad calls from the kitchen. His eyes are burning into me as he looks upon my skin. “I will as soon as I know that Mom is ok.” I give a half-smile in return. “I think you should go to bed now.” His voice is more eager to have me go to bed than before. His eyes are darting to the front window. “Ok, promise me you will make sure mom is, ok?” “I will.” “Night then.” “Yeah, Night.” His reply chipped as the floor creaks under his footing. I immediately open my laptop when entering my room, followed by putting on clothing. “You are late” I am just in time to see what is happening between Dad and Lawler as Dad nags at him. “I am certainly not late. You were the one who overslept. Please note the time and your attitude.” Dad opens his mouth to
Chapter 8- Elnora’s POVFulton’s words are on repeat in my mind. “We all want you to be happy. Stop being unhappy and just take the facts and decide for yourself. Trust me, Mom. It will be worth it. The three of us will go with you to any depth of earth. I am going to go get my brothers and the Doctors. We have much to discuss.” His eyes are full of understanding for the situation.Two of my children refuse to talk to me and are angry with something I do not understand. My husband is missing and unreachable. Now Fulton is giving me confusing words, and he seems hurt. What in the world is going on?Just as the idea of leaving my bed to track down my children and demand answers flutters through my mind, they walk in the door, flanked by the Doctors.“Hello, Mrs. Tuffin.” Doctor Harken addresses me formally with words of worry. “Don’t call her that,” Talvin bellows. “Call her Elnora or
Chapter 9- Elnora POVThe second the door closes, questions burst from me. “What does this have to do with your father? What lineage do you have? What Kingdom has better care? What is happening?” Pulling my feet from Fulton’s hands, I demand the answers. “We will tell you in the car,” Merrick announces, removing my shoes from my bag. “Why not tell me now?” “The walls have ears,” Talvin responds. “Promise you will tell me in the car?” I verify. “We will start the conversation in the car, yes.” Merrick agrees. “Start it?” “Yup! Get dressed,” Fulton calls as they all leave my room. They have closed me in my room with nothing but the sound of the machines beeping and my frantic nerves. I sit upon the side of the bed and look out at the darkening day. Something in the parking lot catches my eye and g
Chapter 10- Elnora POVBrogan is running full speed towards our car. I am not the only one who can see this happening. “Step on it,” My voice taking on a new tone of hatred on its own as I sit back in my chair and close my eyes to the man nearing my window. I don’t want to see him, and I don’t care to hear him. I just want to go home. Home, it is no longer home. It is the home he wanted, close enough to work yet far enough from everything important to me to stay put in the house. As we pull from the hospital parking lot and get a few blocks away, Merrick slows down. “I am so sorry, Mom. We tried not to let you see that.” His voice is caring and soft. “How long have you boys known?” I ask through my tears as I look out my window. “Fulton told Merrick and me a little while ago. I was under the impression of something else,
Chapter 11- Elnora POV“So not only do we have the fullest level of protection available, no one, including the vampire in question, will be permitted to harm us. If a breach ever were to occur, we would receive guards. The reason we must go to their Kingdom is for two reasons, they want you to gain your strength and courage to move on from Dad, and because they are going to help you support us for the next ten years.” “Why would they help us?” I ask in wonder. “He has labeled the three of us Human Prince’s, and you are the Human Princess. I don’t know what all that will mean for all of us, but it is better than him just taking us as your husband had arranged.” “That is a big honor.” “There is something else you should know.” “What is that?” “The vampire in question” “Yes?” “He is the King of Northern Vampires; his word is the law.” “You