There's been a slight delay in this fic, because I'm trying to strike the right balance as we build to the battle. Not too many chapters to go. So we'll be seeing this story end sometime between chapter 30-35. At least that's what I'm thinking. We'll see how things go from here.
Also, Toy Soldiers is up for Top 10 completed stories in January over at TwiFanfictionRecs, and I'm donating a one-shot to the Fandom for Hope and Relief. Links to both are on my facebook group and in my ffn profile.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 21
"Renata, stop it," I shouted.
Her shoulders slumped and she turned to me.
"It's okay, Dad, we're practicing," Marcus said.
"She shouldn't be using her powers against you."
"I'm going to talk to Aunt Alice." Renata skulked off, my involuntary shift a now common farewell between us.
It had been three weeks since their birth. Physically they were nearly three years old. But mentally they were adults, and my daughter was feeling more like a teenager than a toddler.
"Where's Renata going?" Bella asked.
"To see Alice."
"You're too hard on her."
"What? She was practicing her talent on her brother after I've told her not to."
"She isn't hurting him."
"It isn't like you've experienced her power to know. It seems I'm her favorite person to give a good shove."
"Maybe you need it." Bella turned and headed towards the door.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"That you are focused on Marcus. On his presentation, on the training he'll need to one day be a prince. But what about your daughter? She isn't worthy of your time?"
I don't know what I did to make him hate me.
That thought, coming from the other room, had me moving.
"Renata?" I saw her shoulders slump and I realized she did that a lot around me.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Come for a walk with me."
She stood and walked toward me, but didn't expect it when I scooped her up and perched her on my hip, walking out of the room.
"You know, I can read thoughts."
"Yes, Aunt Alice told me to stop blocking you."
"You were blocking me?"
"I clear my mind when I get upset, like I do before I fall asleep."
"Baby girl, I could never hate you. You're a part of me. A part of your mother. I don't know what would make you think that."
"Marcus is special, he's your prince. I'm what's leftover."
"You're my little girl. I'm still learning how to be your dad. Marcus is my prince so I lived his childhood with your grandpa. I need to figure out how to raise a daughter. Give me time. I'm sure I will screw up more than I get it right."
"Okay," she whispered.
"Stay here for a minute, I've got a surprise for you."
I went down to the basement and picked a Wanderer. The power that subdued them in the basement would stay within them for long enough to make it less traumatic for her first kill.
I brought the young man up and he stopped struggling at the sight of my daughter. She looked to me and I nodded. Renata walked up to him and he smiled. She held up her arms and he reached for her. Once his arm was in reach she grabbed his wrist and sank her teeth into him.
I covered his mouth until the venom did its job. He stopped struggling and I watched him for signs he was getting close to being half drained. Before that point I bit his neck and drank from him as well. Renata began to slow, but sealed the wound before watching me finish our meal. When he was spent, I sealed the wound in his neck and carried him to the incinerator. While it wasn't the most pleasant way to dispose of Wanderers, it was a necessity in the city.
"You did very good. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Daddy," she yawned.
"It seems you're ready for bed. Do you want me to read you a bedtime story?"
"Can you hum the song you did while Mama was pregnant?" I paused for a moment and Renata sighed. "It's okay, you don't have to."
"It isn't that I don't want to. But there were several songs. I'm trying to figure out which one you could be asking for."
"The one you hummed after she fed. We could hear it as we rested once our hunger was sated."
"I know the song, let's go to your room."
I carried her up to the room she shared with her brother and climbed into her bed with her. Once she was curled up in the blankets, I began to hum the song to her. The fact that the children would sleep until they were fully grown was something I knew from experience, but it was still a wonder. As for the future, that was all balanced on the outcome of this fight. Garrett had likely heard of the births and mounting up his people. Another two or three weeks would see them here and then we'd have another month and a half to prepare. It wasn't much time.
"Did you feed her already?" Bella asked from the doorway.
"We did more than that, she had her first kill."
"She drank from a human?"
"Yes, I thought sharing the experience with her would make her feel special. Now, if you want to teach Marcus, I've got a lullaby to finish."
Bella shook her head, but the smile on her lips told me she was pleased. "I'll teach Marcus, you stay here with our girl."
It seemed I had done something right after all.
