Hey guys, I hope you like this chapter. I'm mostly happy with it, but the flashback took forever to write. Depending on what you guys think, I might go back and try to rewrite it, so if you have any suggestions please let me know. I hope none of the characters are too out-of-character, but if they are and, again, you have suggestions let me know. II put up links on my profile of how I imagine Slavica's inn looks like and how I imagine Shea's house. don't plan to make this story very long, probably just a few more chapters, but we'll see.

I worked out the ages of the Dubrinsky siblings based on the books. Savannah is 57yrs old, Alexandru (Sandu) is 30yrs old, and Cristian would have been 8yrs old. Hopefully that helps. Savannah was 25 when Alexandru was born. Alexandru was 7 when Amelia was born, and Amelia was 15 when Cristian was born.

As always, please read and review.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the recognizable characters from the Dark series by Christine Feehan. I do own Amelia, Emmaline, and Kaleb though.

-One Week Later-

I'm sitting on the bed in our room just staring at the two suitcases by the door. Our plane leaves in two hours and we had to leave soon, but the terror of seeing my family again pulsed through me. What if my aunt was wrong? What if my parents still blame me? Taking a deep breath, I reach out to touch my children's minds. Kaleb is playing contentedly in his play pen while Emmaline helps Tariq put the suitcases in the car. I know technically we have the ability to create our own clothing, but having familiar things with me while on this trip is a comforting thought. I shake my head, grab the two suitcases sitting by the door, and carry them downstairs. As I walk into the living room, my two-year-old son, Kaleb, looks over at me and starts gurgling in that jumbled toddler talk. I smile at him and place a small kiss on the top of his head before continuing out to the car. "Emmaline, would you please go make sure all the lights are off upstairs?" I ask my daughter, wanting to gain a moment alone with Tariq. She nods her head and skips back into the house.

What is wrong sίvamet? I walk over and hug him, just wanting the contact, before answering. "What if they still blame? Are we making a mistake in going back? It would hurt if they rejected me again, but it would kill me if they rejected Emmaline and Kaleb." He rests his chin on the top of my head and says nothing for a moment. "I think you won't know until you try and if they still blame then they don't deserve to have you or our amazing children in their lives. So, regardless of how this trip goes please know that I will always love you and our children will always love you." A tear finds its way down my face. "I love you too, Tariq, and I always will." With impeccable timing, my daughter comes skipping out the front door. "Momma, I made sure all the lights are off, and I even made sure that the fans were off too." I smile at her. "Thank you darling. Why don't you go get in the car and we'll leave, okay?" She nods her head and scrambles into the car. I chuckle and head back in the house to grab Kaleb.

-The Next Day-

We finally reach Slavica's inn on the outskirts of town. I look out the bay windows of the lobby, watching as the sun begins to rise in the sky. Tariq chastely kisses the side of my head before speaking. "I'm going to go check us in, okay?" I nod my head and find an open spot for my children to sit. We had been on a plane for the past 18 hours and my children are absolutely exhausted. I eventually find a bench that Emmaline can curl up on until Tariq comes back. "Sweetie, why don't you lay on the bench and try to go to sleep. Daddy will carry you up to the room." She nods her head, eyes already closing, and curls up on the soft bench. I lay Kaleb down next to her before sitting down in front of the bench. I can feel my eyelids drooping and the next thing I know someone is tapping me on the shoulder. My body jerks as a rush of adrenaline runs through me. I look to see who tapped me and find Tariq smiling at me. "I'm awake, I promise. I was only resting my eyes." He rolls his eyes as he helps me up. "Sure you were, sίvamet, sure you were." I giggle, playfully shoving him before reaching down and picking up Kaleb.

"What room are we in?" He hands me the key and picks Emmaline up before answering me. "Room 215. Slavica's husband Mirko is bringing the luggage up for us." I smile and dramatically sweep my free hand outward. "Lead the way oh fearless leader." A few minutes later, we reach our room and enter. I lay Kaleb down on the second bed and place a kiss on the top of his forehead. Seconds later Tariq does the same thing with Emmaline. "I'm gonna go shower." I run a finger along Tariq's collarbone. "You're welcome to join me if you want." A deep growl emanates from his chest as he sweeps me into his arms and carries me to the bathroom.

-A Few Days Later-

I'm standing on the front porch of my aunt's home, trying to gather my courage to knock. Emmaline pats my hand as she hugs my hip. "It's okay Momma. I'll always love you no matter what." I smile down at her and take a deep breath. I'm once again questioning why we're even here. It'll be okay, Sίvamet. No matter what happens, it'll be okay. I mentally shake away the nerves, giving Emmaline's hand a squeeze. I raise my hand to knock on the door when it suddenly opens and my brother-in-law Gregori is standing there. It had been eight years since I last saw him. "I was wondering when you were going to knock." He looks over at Tariq. "It has been a long time Tariq." Tariq inclines his head. "Yes it has been Gregori. Yes it has." Gregori's gaze momentarily shifts to Emmaline and Kaleb before coming back to me. "Why are you here Amelia?" His callous statement makes my stomach drop. "Aunt Shea wrote me a letter, asking me to come for the Christmas celebration, but it's obviously a mistake. I'm sorry for disturbing you. We'll just go." I start to step backwards when Gregori's hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. "You should come in, everyone's inside. Your mother would love to see you." Trepidation floods my body. Am I really ready to see everyone? We can always go home. We will not love you any less if you decide that you cannot do this. I look over at him and smile weakly. You really think I can do this? He nods his head. There is a reason you wanted to come home, Sίvamet. I turn my attention back to Gregori and motion for him to lead the way.

I glance around the foyer as we enter. It's strange how it looks exactly the same as the last time I'd been here, but so much had changed. Tariq takes my hand as we follow Gregori deeper into the house. Emmaline runs up to Gregori and grabs his hand. I smile at the two of them, but it quickly drops as the voices coming from the living room become clearer. I take another deep breath. It's now or never. We round the corner of the living and faces I hadn't seen since I was fifteen years old stare at me in shock. Nothing had prepared me for this moment. Memories of that horrific night come rushing back.

-Flashback-

My brother, Cristian, is asleep in his crib. My mother and father had left about twenty minutes ago because Dimitri's lifemate, Skyler, is in labor. I look out the French doors leading to the backyard and watch as the final traces of the sun disappear. I sigh and go back to the assignments that Gary had given me earlier this week. We had started working on chemistry last week and my brain greatly detests it. I understand the principles but the math is a pain in the ass. Shaking my head, I force myself to concentrate. A few minutes later a shiver runs down my spine. I glance around trying to find the source of my trepidation. I half expect to find glowing red eyes boring out from the thick brush. Mentally chastising myself for being paranoid, I decide to go and check on Cristian. I reach the top of the stairs when I feel the first ripple of disturbance in the protective barriers Papa had put up before leaving. I stand still, waiting for more ripples. Nothing happens for the next several moments. Must have just been an animal I suppose.

I continue to Cristian's room and just reach the when the sound of glass breaking downstairs reaches me. My heart starts to beat wildly in my chest. I wrench open the door of Cristian's bedroom and quietly close it, muttering several of the protection spells Papa had taught me. I grab Cristian from the crib and hide in the closet. I try calling for Papa but am met with silence. Panic courses through me, choking me, and I reach out for someone, anyone along the common path but, again, I'm met with silence. Soft, worried whimpers reach my ears as Cristian begins to wake up. I quietly bounce Cristian, praying that he won't cry and alert whoever had broken in where we are. A path of tears line my face. I try to control my panic and reach out again. Silence. I choke back the sob rising in my throat. The sound of footsteps come closer and closer to the room. More silence. I silently sob and continue to rock Cristian. The bedroom door opens. "I know you're in here little one. Trying to hide. Such a shame your father left you so unprotected, but I suppose it's all the better for me. I wonder if he'll learn from his mistake when I kill his youngest children." I reach for Papa, for anyone really. Silence. The closet door is wrenched of its hinges and thrown across the room. A tall grotesque man stands in the doorway. His skin is pulled tightly over his skull and marred with deep jagged cuts. A vampire.

I had heard Papa describing them to Sandu, but I had never seen one before. Sheer terror freezes me place when he smiles down at me. A mouth full of serrated, pointed teeth remind of just how much damage this creature can do. He grabs my arm and yanks the two of us out of the closet, tossing us. I clutch Cristian to my chest in attempt to protect him. "Who are you? What do you want?" I ask, slightly surprised by how even my voice is. "Forgive me. I am Santiago. As for what I want, from you personally I want nothing, but from your father I want everything. I want to eradicate him but in the mean time I will suffice with his suffering." I hunch my body around Cristian. "You won't get away with this." His smile returns. "Oh, but my pretty, I already have. My mage has blocked your ability to call for help and by the time they realize something is wrong you'll both be dead." A sense of hopelessness swells deep inside me. No one is coming. "Your father has been lulled into a sense of safety, but Sergey waits in the shadows for the perfect moment to strike. This is just the beginning." I had been slowly scooting back during his little speech, trying put as much space between us. He grabs me by the hair and hauls me up. A scream rips through my throat. I struggle against his hold, trying to place as much space between Cristian and him. Talons suddenly spring from his hand, creating deep, jagged cuts across my right arm and back. Excruciating pain knocks away any breath. My knees give out and the only thing holding me up is Santiago's hold on my hair. The pain courses through me at an alarming rate and with every heartbeat I can feel myself growing weaker. My eyelids begin to droop as exhaustion sets in. Cristian's cries become fainter and fainter, eventually giving way to silence.

-End Flashback-

A tight squeeze on my hand pulls my mind away from that night. I glance over at Tariq, silently thanking him, but quickly revert my gaze back to the people in front of me. My family. My mother muffles a cry and my father stands up. "Amelia?" I weakly nod my head, waiting for the hate, the anger to rise.