by Marcus Brown
Amina’s eyes glazed over. “Yes, I was scared. I wanted my Mommy.”
“Good girl, now let your memories be your own again.”
Selena was worried. What if Amina still failed to recognise her? What spell could I use to restore somebody’s memory, she asked herself.
“Amina,” she said quietly. “Do you know where you are?”
“Mommy,” she whispered, almost childlike. “I couldn’t find you.”
Selena pulled her daughter back into her arms. “It’s okay, my darling. Mommy has you and you’re safe now.”
“What’s happening? I don’t understand any of this.” Amina looked at her mother.
“I’ll explain everything,” Selena answered.
“How touching,” Kane interrupted. “As sickeningly, heart-warming as this is, we have more pressing matters to deal with.”
“Right now?” Selena asked. “Surely this can wait until morning? I’ve just got my daughter back.”
“And it is just as easy for me to take her away again, Selena,” Kane threatened.
“Don’t threaten me. You might be my father, but I won’t think twice about ending you, once and for all.”
Amina looked up. “Your father, but that would make him my…”
“Grandfather,” Kane revealed. “Isn’t this nice – a proper family reunion.”
“We can talk about this another time, Amina, but I made a promise. Let me do what I need to do and then we can start our lives again, far away from this place.”
“Ah, but it’s not as easy as that, is it Amina? We have to prepare for Empusa’s arrival.”
“That you can attend to without my daughter’s assistance. I will not allow it.”
“Mom, it’s okay. I’ll do what I have to do and then I’m free.”
“Where is the boy, Selena? I will ask you just once.”
“The boy is no longer here – that’s all I can tell you. He left with the girl and their mother…”
“What is it, Selena?”
“There was another of your kind, but I cannot see who he is.”
“Another, that’s not possible.”
“Possible or not, he’s with them, I can see them, but I cannot see his face.”
“Find the boy, Selena. All of our fates depend on it.”
“It will be easier for me to track the girl, she’s only human after all.”
“I have somebody in the car who might just be able to help all of us,” Amina added.
Amina headed out to the car and stepped inside. She appeared moments later, pulling a young girl with her. The girl was blindfolded and gagged and her arms were bound behind her back.
“That’s Bethany Anderson,” Selena said, shocked to see the young girl in such a state. “What have you done to that girl?” she asked.
“Nothing, yet,” Kane replied.
Amina dragged the girl into the hallway and pulled the blindfold down. Her face was covered in purple and blue bruises. She pushed the frightened girl toward Kane.
“Are you ready to talk?” Amina asked Bethany. Pulling the gag down, leaving it to hang around her neck.
“Please, don’t hurt me anymore. I don’t know anything, I swear to you.”
“Silence,” Kane ordered, and with a flick of his finger, the girl was once again gagged. “Time is against us.”
“Kane, listen to the girl, she doesn’t know anything.” Selena tried to help the girl, but Kane paid her no mind.
Selena watched as he seized hold of Bethany, and held her gaze. The red pupils disappeared and rolled to the back of his head as his fangs elongated.
“If you won’t tell me what you know, you’ll show me.”
Bethany shook her head and tried to scream, the gag muting the sounds she made.
Kane opened his mouth and clamped down on her neck, his teeth piercing the jugular vein.
Amina stared, seemingly mesmerised, a sinister grin on her face, whilst Selena turned away, not willing to watch him take the innocent young girl’s life.
Bethany’s whole body shook and her legs twitched as he drained the blood from her.
He dropped her to the floor, her eyes wide open and her head twisted at an awkward angle.
“The girl knew about Kyle, I could see that much, but that’s all she knew.”
“You didn’t have to take her life – she was just a child,” Selena protested.
“Her life means nothing in the grand scheme of things.
“You break your own covenant, demon – is nothing sacred to you?”
“And so, it falls to you, Selena. Find him, or Amina will be next.”
With that, he walked to the door, beckoning them to go with him.”
Selena followed, and stopped, looking back, the body of the young girl disturbed her.
“Come, Selena, there is no time.”
“Wait, I wish to offer a prayer before we leave. I will not disrespect this poor innocent girl any further by leaving her without so much as a prayer to send her on her way.”
“Amina, come now, we will wait in the car,” he said, sounding bored. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
Kane and Amina left the building and walked to the car as Selena crouched down beside Bethany’s body.
“I’m so sorry for what he did to you, child. I warned you what would happen, but it wasn’t your time.” Selena bent down and kissed Bethany on the forehead.
“Despertar.” She whispered into the dead girl’s ear, then gently blew into her partially open mouth. Anxious not to keep Kane waiting any longer and fearful as to what he would do to enforce his authority, she jumped up and rushed toward the front door.
“Seal this place,” she muttered. “Nobody shall enter, but all will be free to leave.”
She rushed toward the waiting limousine as the door closed behind her.
*
Lara’s screams echoed into the night sky as they dropped several hundred feet in a matter of seconds.
“I won’t let you go, Lara.” Eduardo reinforced his grip, careful not to harm her. Nightwalker’s had untold strength and he wasn’t used to dealing with humans.
“Just don’t do thaaaaaat…” she screamed as they dropped through the air again, before levelling out. “… And I’ll be fine.”
Eduardo chuckled. “You were always scared of rollercoasters.”
“This is way worse than any rollercoaster I’ve been on,” she yelled across the wind.
“Just relax, we’ll be there in no time at all.”
“Chloé,” she said, sounding worried. “Where is she?”
“If you opened your eyes for even half a second, you’d see them just in front of us.”
Lara peeped, and he chuckled to himself as she breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank heaven for small mercies.”
“Oh, I’ve missed you, Lara, your absolute faith in God never wavers.”
She didn’t know how to answer him.
In the five years since he’d supposedly died, he knew she’d gotten used to life as a single woman, watching from afar as she enjoyed the odd dinner date. Nothing ever came from the dates, and he knew why -- her heart still belonged to him.
How many times had he wished to be holding her in his arms again? Wishes did come true, but he couldn’t help the feeling of unease.
He may still look like the man she fell in love with, but he was something different altogether, and a part of him was afraid of getting too close to her again.
*
Chloé kept a tight hold – no longer scared to be soaring through the skies, but more worried for her mom.
“Is Mom okay, Kyle?”
Kyle glanced behind him. “She’s fine, don’t concern yourself.”
“You haven’t said much,” Chloe added.
“I don’t really know what to say if I’m honest. A part of me wishes I’d never found you. If I hadn’t none of this would be happening and you’d be living your life without being dragged into my mess.”
“You
r finding me was the best thing that’s ever happened.”
“Wow – you honestly think so?”
“I’ve got my family back together, and granted, it could give The Addams Family a run for its money, but it’s mine all the same.”
“You really had no idea Eduardo was living so close to you all this time?”
“No, but I suppose Daddy kept himself pretty well hidden and in a creepy undead kind of way, it’s neat he was close by and keeping an eye on Mom and I.”
“He didn’t do a very good job where you’re concerned, Chloé.”
“Well,” she replied defensively, “all that’s in the past now. We just need to focus on what to do next. How long ‘til we get to Grams place?”
“Any minute now. Do you recall what the place looks like?”
Chloé turned as she heard Lara scream behind them. “Mom…”
“She’s fine – she just doesn’t like it when we drop.”
“Kyle, now. Just below us,” Eduardo called.
“Got it,” Kyle replied.
Chloé’s stomach lurched as they dropped. She watched, amazed, as the ground got closer and closer. Pleasantly surprised not to land with a bump, Kyle steadied her and she turned to watch as her father stepped onto the ground with her mother in his arms.
“You can open your eyes now, Lara, we’re on the ground.” Chloé looked on as Eduardo dropped Lara’s legs and let her feel the ground for herself.
“Gracias a Dios,” she said, making the sign of the cross.
Chloé tittered. It wasn’t often Lara spoke in her native tongue. “Wow, Mom, you really must have been scared.”
“I’ve never been so frightened.” Her mother held her arms open. “Come here, baby.”
Chloé rushed into her arms. “We’ll be okay here, won’t we?” She needed reassurance.
“I’m not sure we’ll be safe anywhere, but this is as good a place as any to plan what to do next.”
They walked toward the sprawling stone property, surrounded by acres of land.
“It’s good to be back here,” Eduardo said, catching up to his wife and daughter.
“Kyle, come on.” Chloé held her hand out, aware he was lagging, feeling out of place.
He caught up and took her hand.
For the first time ever, the Beck family seemed reunited as one, but for how long?
Chapter Twenty
As it was Chloé’s house, she was the first to enter. Flicking the lights on, she was surprised the power company hadn’t disconnected the supply.
“Wow, it’s pretty grimy in here.” She looked around and pulled a glum face.
“Nobody’s lived here since Grams passed away, darling.” Lara walked in and picked up an old family photo of Eduardo, Chloé and herself huddled together and smiling. “It’s bound to be a bit…” she blew at the frame, “…dusty. We’ll have it liveable in no time, if everybody mucks in that is. We all know how fond your father was of cleaning.”
“How come the power is still on, Mom?”
“I’ve been paying the bills, honey. I knew we’d make it here eventually but didn’t realise it’d take so long – time just flew by.” She looked at Eduardo and noticed the change in his facial expression. “Ed, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Lara, I understand… you both moved on, what else could you do?”
“We need to sit down later. I need to know exactly what happened that night. I keep replaying it over and over in my mind, but you were dead. I know it.”
“Dead to you,” Kyle commented as he walked through the door. “Actually. He was dead, well his human body had died, but the change can take a few days in some people. If I’m not mistaken, Daddy dearest here, woke in his coffin and had to crawl his way out.”
“Oh, God. No.” Chloé couldn’t bear the thought of it – being buried alive was her worst nightmare. “Is that what happened, Daddy?”
“We’ll talk about the how’s and why’s later. Kyle and I need to feed, we’re not safe around you until we have.”
“Speak for yourself, Eduardo.” Kyle snarled at his father. “I have more self-control than that, Nightwalker.”
“Ah, yes, the half-breed isn’t as reliant on blood as I am, isn’t that right?”
“Damn straight, but if things were different, there’s no way I’d harm my own family.”
Chloé noticed it even if nobody else had. It was the first time Kyle had referred to them collectively as a family. Maybe there was hope for us after all, she thought to herself.
“When you two have finished marking your territory, we have more important things to do.” Lara didn’t seem to be in the mood to listen to their constant sniping.
“I don’t take orders from you, Lara.” It was plainly obvious to all in attendance the emphasis on her name was meant to remind her he didn’t consider her his mother.
“Whatever your feelings, show more respect to my wife, or I’ll knock you on your ass, boy.” Eduardo squared up to Kyle. “You get me?”
Chloé jumped in between them. “Come on, this isn’t the time. I can’t handle anymore tonight, and if either one of you care for me, you’ll put this aside for now. We’ve got some vampire King after us, did you forget that, cos it’s all I can think about.”
“I’m sorry, Chloé,” Kyle offered.
“Me too, honey.” Eduardo held out his hand. “Truce.”
Kyle reached out and shook his hand. “For now.”
“Now you two have come to an understanding, take this list and get everything on it.” Lara handed Eduardo her credit card. “You remember how to use one of these?”
“I’ve been gone five years, not five decades, Lara.”
“Right, so there’s no excuse, oh and the approval number is still the same. You and Kyle sort the list out whilst Chloé and I make this place more presentable, but be careful, and if you see anything suspicious, forget the list and come straight back here.”
“Did you enrol in the military while I was gone?” Eduardo asked.
“No, but when you…left,” she said, “I had to learn how to take charge. Otherwise, our daughter would’ve run roughshod over me.”
Chloé stood and observed the interaction between her parents. It was weird seeing them together again and she couldn’t wait to tell Bethany everything.
“Mom, I need to go to the bathroom, will you have a look in there for me and check for any creepy crawlies?”
“You’re kidding me. right. Have you heard this, Ed? Your daughter is quite happy in the company of vampires, but runs screaming at the sight of a spider. You couldn’t write it, you really couldn’t.”
“Just check, please. I’m gonna have an accident otherwise.”
Lara strolled down the hallway and into the downstairs bathroom. “All clear, scaredy-cat,” she called out.
Chloé grabbed the rucksack. It was only small, but she had to carry it on her back and could only fit a few things in – her cell phone and charger were the most important items.
She needed to call Bethany – she’d be worried sick by now.
Locking the door behind her, she pulled the phone out of her bag and scrolled through the call log. Finding Bethany’s number, she pressed dial and waited for her to answer.
The line clicked. “Hello,” Chloé said.
“Miss Beck, how good of you to call,” the strange voice replied.
“Who is this?”
“My name is Kane. I’m sure by now you’ve been well versed in who I am and what I want so we’ll dispense with the pleasantries.”
“Where’s my friend? If you’ve done anything to her, I swear I’ll…”
“You’ll do what, exactly?” Kane laughed at her. “Well?”
“What have you done to Bethany?”
“I simply used her to find out the information I wanted. Nothing more, and most illuminating it was too. Seems you're already acquainted with a friend we have in common.”
“My brother, yes, and you�
�ll never find him. You took him away once, but I won’t let you do it again.”
“Brave words indeed, but tell me where you are, Chloé? Let us meet and discuss the way forward. There’s no reason anybody else should die, is there?”
Chloé tried to stop herself, but let out a sob. “Beth…” she cried.
“Now, now, don’t be sad, your friend didn’t suffer too much in the end. Her death may have stopped me from destroying your whole town. Now, I’ll ask you once again, where are you. And where is Kyle?”
The bathroom door flew off its hinges. Chloé screamed with fright and dropped the phone.
Her father was standing in the doorway, hands tightly gripping the door frame. His teeth were bared and for the first time ever, she felt scared of him. “Who the hell are you talking to?” he demanded.
Chapter Twenty-one
“I-I was trying to call Bethany,” she stammered.
Lara and Kyle appeared behind her father in a flash.
Eduardo picked the phone up from the floor and put it to his ear. “Who is this?”
He gasped, obviously not expecting to hear the voice on the other end.
Chloé couldn’t hear what Kane was saying to her father, but she could tell by the expression on his face, it wasn’t good.
His eyes glazed over, and he ground his teeth together, just like he used to when he was alive.
“Yes,” Eduardo said before ending the call.
Dropping the phone on the floor, he crushed it underfoot. “What were you thinking?”
“Beth’s dead,” Chloé sobbed, her heart breaking. “Mom, she’s dead.”
“What? No, sweetheart, you’re mistaken.”
“Kane told me,” she said, her chest heaving as she sobbed.
“You spoke to Kane.” Kyle pushed into the room and grabbed his sister’s shoulders. “What did he say to you?”
“He wanted to know where we are.” She grabbed an old piece of toilet paper and wiped her running nose. “But I wouldn’t tell him.”
“Come on, all out of here now. Come and sit down, Chloé.
I’m sure Bethany’s okay – he’s just using her to get a reaction from you.”
“He had her phone, Mom,” she said frantically. “Why would he have her phone? We need to call Beth’s mom and see if she knows anything.”
