The Next Generation

by S. C. Stephens

  As it clanged to the floor, Nika started to sob. She pulled at Dad’s shirt as he tried to soothingly pat her back. “Please, Daddy…don’t let her hurt him. Please… Let’s just leave…go back to California.”

  Dad shook his head, tears in his eyes now too. “I’m sorry, Nika. We can’t just ignore this.”

  Ben was conversing with Halina on the phone. Well, sort of. All he said was, “We need you here.” The line disconnected, and we all felt Halina’s position shift toward us—fast. She’d be here in minutes.

  Nika looked over at Ben, then back to Dad. Her face was as pale as our undead grandmother’s. “Please, Daddy. Hunter doesn’t know. He doesn’t know about our family.” She pointed over to Julian. “We’re not in danger. He thinks we’re human.”

  Dad looked over at me, and I nodded. From all I’d seen, that was true. He didn’t suspect us…for now. “He thinks we’re normal, but…” I eyed my sister nervously, “…he thinks Nika is protecting a vampire, and he wants to know who.” I averted my eyes from my sister as she twisted to glare at me. I’d had to say it though. Now wasn’t the time for half-truths.

  Nika’s wide eyes went back to Dad as she tried again. “Please don’t let her kill him. I…I love him, Daddy.”

  Dad sighed and hung his head. “She has to know, Nika. She has to know…everything.” He looked back up at her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

  Nika tore away from Dad. Zipping upstairs, she slammed her door shut. I flinched as I heard wood breaking. As her sobs filled the sudden silence, Dad looked over at Mom. She walked up to him and nodded. “You’re doing the right thing, Teren.” She looked over at Ben walking back to us and nodded at him. “Halina has to know about this.”

  Ben nodded back, his face all business. Casting Dad a meaningful glance, he added, “This might have something to do with our problem, Teren. We’ll have to talk to Gabriel.”

  Dad bit his lip and shook his head. “How did I miss this?” he muttered.

  Mom patted his chest as she leaned into his side. “Because, like I keep telling you, you’re not omnipotent.”

  Dad gave her a half-smile and started chuckling. I crossed my arms over my chest as irritation flared in me. Nika had just confessed something hard and heartbreaking, and here they were, referencing a secret they still wouldn’t talk to us about. A secret they thought might be connected to Hunter and his dad…somehow.

  Fueling my fire with Nika’s pain, I snarled, “I think it’s only fair if Nika and I know about this ‘problem’ now. Especially since Nika’s boyfriend is probably going to die because of it.”

  My words and tone stopped Dad’s laughter. It stopped Nika’s tears too, as she paused in her grief to listen. The adults in the room turned to stare at me, and I straightened, trying to look equally as adult as they were. “What’s going on?” I asked.

  Dad looked down at the ground as he debated with himself. Nika left her room. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes bloodshot, she whispered, “Did Hunter do something bad?”

  Dad looked up at her, his face softening. “I don’t know, Nika. I don’t know if he has anything to do with this.”

  I raised my chin. “With what?”

  Dad looked between the two of us, then over to Mom and Ben. Ben frowned, but Mom nodded. Dad returned his gaze to mine. “Did I ever tell you how Gabriel’s old nest gets blood? Human blood?”

  My eyes widened. I hadn’t realized that Gabriel’s old nest drank human blood. I slowly shook my head. Nika walked into the room, equally silent, and grabbed my hand. Dad sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t think I’d ever mentioned it.” He contemplated a moment, then told us, “They don’t kill humans, but there are some who prefer small sips of people to draining an animal. To find humans willing to give up a pint or two…” he swallowed, pausing, “…they place ads in the classifieds.”

  I immediately thought over the stacks of papers Ben had been going through, the hours he’d spent on his laptop. “Are vampires placing ads here?”

  Ben nodded. “Yes. It’s a simple enough way for vampires to find feeders.”

  Nika stepped forward, shaking her head. “I don’t understand what any of this has to do with Hunter.”

  As we felt Halina almost at our door, Dad said, “Some hunters have caught on to this little trick. They’re answering the ads.” Dad looked between the two of us, his expression as even as he could make it. “They pretend they want to be fed on. They even let the vampire take a bite.” His eyes got a faraway look. “Then their partner stakes the vampire while he or she is distracted.” He shook his head. “The vampire doesn’t even realize he’s in danger, until it’s too late.”

  Nika stepped up to Dad, her eyes sad and soulful. “You think Hunter is answering ads? Killing vampires?”

  “Possibly…” He stroked her cheek, then pulled her in for a hug.

  Ben stepped forward. “We’ve been looking through the ads, trying to spot any that might be from a vampire…so we can warn them…but they’re tricky to spot. Vamps use puns and word-play to find feeders.” He sighed. “It’d be so much easier if they just asked for a neck to bite.”

  I was about to ask to see some of the ads they were looking through when Halina arrived at the house. Everyone but Ben turned to look at the door seconds before she opened it. Long, dark hair streaming behind her, she was the picture of confidence as she strode into the room. Even though fall was in full effect, and it was nippy in the evenings, Halina was still dressed like she was heading to a party, or a club—her dress was short, tight, and as black as her pile of loose hair.

  The four-inch heels of her thigh-high boots clicked on the floor of the entryway as she sauntered into our circle. “You rang?”

  While Halina appeared to be just a year or two older than Nika and me, she wasn’t. She was the oldest person in the house. Well, for a few seconds anyway. Gabriel stepped into the house after Halina. The truly ancient vampire gave us a brief nod of greeting as he closed the front door that Halina had left open for him. Stepping up to his girlfriend, he seemed the exact opposite of her—sandy blond hair, jade green eyes, and a modest wardrobe that would have passed for a casual Sunday brunch attire at any country club across America.

  His youthful face curious, he turned to my father. “What is it, Teren?”

  Dad ran a hand through his hair, then pointed at the silver stake resting on the ground where I’d dropped it. “We might have an issue.”

  Halina followed his gaze. When she spotted the object near Dad’s foot, she hissed and backed up a step. I understood the reaction. Even as only a partial vampire, I wanted to get away from the cursed object.

  Her head snapped up to Dad’s, her pale eyes fiery. “Where did this come from?”

  Gabriel beside her bent down to pick up the stake. He stopped when he noticed it was pure silver. He didn’t have as much of an allergic reaction to silver as a pureblood vampire, but as a second-generation vampire, it was still an uncomfortable sensation for him. Alanna said it was like a never-ending bee sting.

  Seeing his dilemma, Dad reached down and picked it up. It didn’t affect him anymore than it affected us. One of the perks of having diluted blood. He held it up to Halina, who hissed at it again. “Nika met a boy who has an…unhealthy interest in vampires.”

  Halina snapped her head around to Nika. “A hunter?” Her fangs dropped as her lips curled into a sneer. Even for me, who genuinely loved and cared for her, the sight was unnerving. “It’s been a while since I’ve hunted a hunter. Where is he?” she growled.

  Nika stepped forward, her face pale and her heart beating fast. Grabbing Halina’s forearms, her tone came out with a touch of command to it. “You can’t hurt him.”

  Halina narrowed her eyes at Nika as she jerked her arms away. She wasn’t used to being talked to in that tone of voice. I had to believe she didn’t much care for it either. “Actually, dear, I can.”

  Nika’s voice softened as her eyes moistened. Through our bond, I felt
her struggle to wrangle her emotions, to remain calm and impassive, but she was wildly swinging from panic, to fear, to anger. It made me nauseous. “I know you can, but please…don’t.”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Halina stared Nika down. “Why on Earth wouldn’t I?”

  Nika looked around, feeling small and alone in a room of adults who didn’t understand her. Silently, I grabbed her hand. She was never alone, not with me here. She clutched me tight. “Because I care about him. Because…I think I’m in love with him.”

  Mom frowned as she reached out for her daughter. “Honey, you haven’t known him long enough to know—”

  Nika whipped her brown head to Mom’s, cutting her off. “How long did it take you to know with Dad?”

  Standing right next to each other, the similarities between mother and daughter were unmistakable. Especially when Mom’s face softened into a love-filled expression as she glanced back at Dad. Nika’s face looked the same when she talked about loving Hunter. “I think a part of me knew that first day,” Mom whispered.

  Nika grabbed Mom’s hand. “Then you understand.” Her eyes went back to Halina’s, imploring. “Wipe him, wipe his father…but don’t hurt him, don’t kill him.” Her voice warbled on the end of her sentence.

  Halina twisted her lips, clearly not liking the complication to her simple remedy. Sighing, she muttered, “Fine, I’ll let the little murderer live…just for you.” She raised her eyebrows. “Now where would I find him?”

  Her face finally relaxing, Nika nodded in the direction of our neighbor’s home. “Hunter and his dad live just a few blocks away.”

  Halina blinked. “Wait, your vampire hunter boyfriend is named…Hunter?” Her lip curled into an amused smile. “And you didn’t find that the least bit suspicious?”

  Nika frowned as Halina turned to Dad. “We failed somewhere, Teren.” Chuckling, Halina spun on her booted heel. “Now one of you come show me where he lives.”

  Nika immediately released herself from Mom and started to follow Halina as she made her way to the door. Dad grabbed Nika’s arm, stopping her. “And where do you think you’re going?”

  Eyes wide, Nika shook her head; determination bubbled up as her top emotion, just edging past fear and relief. “If she’s going to raid my boyfriend’s house, I’m going with her.”

  Halina paused at the door and looked back. “I said I wouldn’t kill him.”

  Nika raised her chin, her eyes still locked on Dad’s. “I’m going with her.”

  Dad raised his chin, his eyes equally determined. “You’re too emotional about this, Nika. If something goes wrong…” He shook his head. “I’m not letting you be a part of this. It’s too dangerous.”

  Nika’s face flushed with color as her temper rose to the surface. Feeling that maybe I could subdue a father-daughter battle of wills, I stepped forward. “I’ll go instead.”

  Nika had been about to speak. She stopped and stared over at me. Dad did too. He shook his head. “Julian…we’re not talking about teenagers with overactive imaginations. We’re talking about hunters…vampire hunters…who might be expecting a visitor tonight, since they believe Nika is protecting someone.” He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous, son.”

  Nika brushed past Dad, again heading for the door. Dad blurred in front of her, stopping her. Palms pushing his chest, Nika snapped, “Either he goes or I go, Dad!”

  Looking anxious and irritated, Halina crossed her arms over her chest and started tapping her foot. She obviously wanted to get this over with. Gabriel waited patiently beside her for the outcome on what family member would be accompanying them; he didn’t seem to care which one of us it was. Dad looked between Nika and me, clearly not wanting either of us to go. Seeing that I was calmer than my sister, on the surface at least, Dad finally pointed at me.

  “Okay, Julian, you can go.”

  “Teren! No!”

  Dad looked back at Mom after her outburst. Shaking his head, he told her. “It’s fine, Emma. I’ll go, too, make sure he’s safe.” He pointed at Nika. “You and Ben stay here with her.” His pale eyes narrowed as he looked over at a glowering Nika. “Make sure she stays put.”

  Ben nodded at Dad’s command, although, he looked like he wanted to go too. Mom didn’t seem happy with the idea, but grudgingly nodded as well. Blurring to me, she gave me a swift hug, then kissed my cheek. “Stay with your father. And…stay safe.”

  I swallowed and nodded, wondering why the hell I’d just agreed to this. Leaving me, Mom blurred over to Dad. Cupping his cheek, she murmured, “You be safe too. I can’t…I can’t lose…” She swallowed, not able to finish her statement.

  Dad smiled as he removed her hand from his face. “I’ll be fine, Em. I promise.”

  Tears in her eyes, Mom nodded. From the door, I heard Halina tell Gabriel, “Their faith in our abilities is inspiring, isn’t it? Should we say our goodbyes now, love, in case we’re staked in the next twenty minutes?”

  Gabriel chuckled, and I looked over at him. Bowing, he grabbed Halina’s hand and kissed it. “Should I die tonight, know that your presence warmed my cold heart.”

  Halina gave him a seductive smile as she cozied up to his side. “You warmed me as well.”

  Dad cleared his throat. “Okay, let’s just go and get this over with.”

  One by one, our hunting party exited the house. Still wondering what I was doing, I left last. Gratitude flowing from her, Nika whispered, “Make sure they don’t hurt Hunter, and…” Turning, I locked gazes with my sister. A tear fell from her eye, splashing onto her cheek. “Stay safe, Julie.”

  Nodding at her, I closed the door.

  THE BLUR TO Hunter’s house took ten seconds at most. I spent all ten of those seconds wishing things were different. My sister had never been one to settle. She’d found unacceptable faults with every guy she’d ever been introduced to; Grandma Linda called her an old soul. She hadn’t been content with lazy, video-game-playing teenagers. She’d wanted more, and she’d found it in Hunter.

  And now, she was going to lose him.

  Halina would never let Hunter remember Nika. She’d wipe him clean, just to be on the safe side. She’d probably send him and his father packing, too. By morning, the man who made Nika grin brighter than I’d ever seen would be on the other side of the country. I think that was the real reason Nika had wanted to go with Halina. Well, one of the reasons—she definitely wanted to make sure Halina didn’t drain her boyfriend—but she also wanted to say goodbye. It broke my heart that she wasn’t going to get that moment.

  Halina was faster than us all, and I felt her presence stop at the edge of Hunter’s neighbor’s yard. Dad was with her when I got there, pointing out Hunter’s house. Slowing beside them, I glanced around the dark yards. Standing next to a bushy tree, still clinging to most of its golden leaves, we were protected from most of the neighbors’ views. Odds were good that no one had seen us materialize out of thin air.

  Listening, I could hear that most of the neighbors were absorbed in blaring television shows. The neighbor in the yard we were standing in was watching one of my favorite crime shows. I’d much rather be home watching it right now than skulking around a stranger’s yard, preparing to obliterate the memory of a couple of armed and dangerous vampire hunters. Hell, I’d rather be back at school, watching Russell and Raquel make out than be doing this. Okay, maybe not.

  Crouching, Halina began to make her way over to Hunter’s place. Lights were on, but I couldn’t hear any sounds from inside. She crept around to the secluded backyard, her bright, phosphorescent eyes leading the way. Gabriel was a pace behind her, his glowing eyes sweeping the yard for threats. Dad stayed back by me, protecting me as promised.

  What we were doing started ringing a warning bell in my head, and the darkness around me started closing in. My vision narrowed, and Halina and Gabriel’s glow-in-the-dark eyes dimmed to pinpoints. My breath increased, my heart following. I tried to control the panic attack forming—my family needed
me, I couldn’t afford to break down—but lifelong fears were hard to push back.

  The pitch-black yard started to feel just like the tiny, cramped trunk that I’d spent endless hours in when I was younger. Rationally, I knew it didn’t make any sense, we were in the wide-open outdoors, after all, but my mind was using my nerves to play tricks on me. I wanted to help my sister more than anything, but at the moment, I wasn’t sure if I could even keep walking.

  I felt Nika’s concern rise higher as my anxiety shifted to fear. Just when I started shaking and my knees felt like buckling, Dad placed a hand on my shoulder. His chilly touch shattered the illusion of isolation I’d been feeling. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t locked up. I was free…I was safe. And I was about to partake in something really, really stupid.

  Our group paused on the back-porch step. Halina and Gabriel flanked the slider, peering through to see if they could spot any movement inside. It all looked quiet to me. Dad waited with me in the yard. His other hand came up to my shoulder, and he twisted me to face him. Tilting his head, he listened to my thudding heart. “You okay?” he whispered.

  Feeling weak and moronic, I nodded and straightened my shoulders. Old memories were not what I needed right now. I needed to be strong and alert. I needed to protect my family at all costs. I needed to be…my dad.

  Seeing strength in my eyes, Dad nodded back. Just as we turned to the porch steps, the faded boards not even creaking under our stealthy feet, Halina blurred the slider open. It ripped from its lock against the wall, partially tearing the frame from the metal. With the force she’d used to open it, the glass door shattered when it hit the other side of its track. I flinched, but that was all the reaction I had time for as everyone was blurring into the house.