Chapter 9
Larten signalled for me to be silent, and we very quietly made our way closer to the voices. I could hear Darren and Evra, and the vampaneze.
Larten and I shared a look, and moved forward slowly.
I looked into the room to see Evra and Darren tied up to the ceiling with numerous cuts and scratches all over them.
Evra even had some of his scales missing.
The vampaneze had his back to us. I made eye contact with Darren for a split second, holding a finger to my mouth, making sure he wouldn't utter a word.
Suddenly, Larten shot forward and tackled the vampaneze.
It was too quick for me even to realize what happened.
Quickly, I went over to Evra and Darren and untied them. I heard the unmistakable snap of the vampaneze's neck. I flinched slightly at the sound, but was over it completely in a second.
"Are you two all right?" I asked softly.
They nodded shakily.
"Good." I said. "He's gone now…he won't be able to harm anyone ever again."
They nodded.
"Thank you for saving us." Darren said quietly. "I tried to be a hero and save Evra while you two were asleep. We got separated earlier and I couldn't find him again. and then I followed the vampaneze through the sewers…and he tied me up."
"How did you two get separated in the first place?" I asked.
"I think that young Darren was in the company of Ms. Hemlock." Larten supplied.
I saw the blood rush to Darren's cheeks. I tried to mask my smile, but didn't succeed at all.
I was going to say something, but I figured it wasn't the right moment. I could make fun of him later.
"Can we get out of here?" Evra asked softly. "This place gives me the creeps."
Larten nodded. "You three go ahead, I just have some…finishing business to attend to."
I led Darren and Evra outside.
"Come on, let's get you guys something to eat." I said, pulling them into a café. They ordered what they wanted and sat down. About ten minutes later, Larten joined us, taking a sip of my coffee.
I glared at him and he laughed at me.
"So, next we are going to Vampire Mountain." Larten said.
"I have to take Evra back to the Cirque." I said. "I'll meet you and Darren at the mountain."
"Are you sure that's not a problem, Sam?" Evra asked.
"Of course it's not, Evra. I'll probably beat them to the mountain, anyway." I said.
"Okay, thank you." He mumbled.
"We will depart tomorrow night." Larten said. "Now, let us go. Evra and Darren need their rest, and Samantha and I need some blood." This confused me. Larten and I just fed last night.
We dropped the boys off at the hotel, and snuck around the town.
"We should go and say goodbye." Larten said.
My throat tightened. I knew exactly what he was talking about.
I nodded. "I know."
"Come on, Samantha, let us go." He said, leading the way.
I took a deep breath as we stood outside the house.
Larten walked up to the front door, and unlocked it. As we walked inside, I heard a sound in the kitchen.
Slowly, I turned, to see Elizabeth bracing herself against the counter, clutching a wooden spoon. I saw the relief seep into her as she realized who we were.
"What are you two doing in here?" she gasped.
"Well, Elizabeth, we have come to say goodbye." I said softly.
"What?" she whispered. "You're leaving? No, you can't leave…you just got here."
"Elizabeth?" our mother called. "What's all the commotion…" she trailed off when she saw Larten and I.
She ran up to us and hugged us tight.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked.
"We have come to say goodbye." Larten said quietly. "Unfortunately, we must depart tomorrow night."
Our mother's face fell. "Of course, I understand."
"We'll be back." I promised her. "I promise, we'll visit next time we're able to."
"Well, your father is asleep. I won't wake him, but I'll tell him you came to say goodbye."
"Thank you." Larten said.
Elizabeth yawned.
"Go to sleep." My mother instructed. "You're tired."
She nodded, and began to walk up the stairs. I couldn't help but follow her. I needed to have a one-on-one conversation with my daughter.
"Samantha." Larten hissed.
"Five minutes." I said, looking back at him. He nodded, and I walked up the stairs with my daughter.
She led me into her bedroom, and I looked around. This had been my room when I was a kid living here.
She bit her lip, looking up at me shyly.
"I know it's weird." I said softly.
She nodded.
"Elizabeth…I'm sorry I left you…" I said quietly. "I had no choice. I…I wanted to come back, but I couldn't."
"I understand." She whispered. "I don't blame you for what you had to do. You had to save yourself. I get it."
I pulled her into my arms. "I'm sorry I have to leave you again."
She shook her head. "Don't apologize."
I smiled down at her. "I promise I will come back to visit."
"Okay." She said, taking a deep breath.
"Goodbye, Elizabeth." I whispered.
"Goodbye…mom." She said softly, climbing into her bed.
