Chapter 01: The Family Business

Snowdonia, Wales
June 5th, 1941

I jumped in the back of our Packard Sedan. The car had two back seats with the windows darkened with curtains on the inside.

Mother was in the passenger seat, Anthony was driving. I looked behind me in awe as two pale creatures stared back at me as if drinking me in. A young man with blonde hair and a woman next to him. I had never seen vampires this close before, I was never allowed near Anthony's business. I didn't know what he did exactly, but I knew it had to do with vampires. We moved from house to house at least once a year. I must have seen every city in the UK by now.

"Hi," I said with a smile.

Their eyes never left me as their mouths were slightly open. I couldn't help but notice the male vampire was handsome. They both had a chain around their neck and feet.

"Right, I guess you two don't get out much with the whole aversion to sunlight thing." I joked.

"We can't do this with her!" Anthony said.

My trance was broken as Anthony took off his hat and threw it in my mother's lap. Mother looked at Anthony but didn't say anything.

"She can't come with us, she's just not ready. It time we change that. Come on, get out you're staying here." Anthony said.

I looked at my stepdad not wanting to leave. I looked at mother who simply made a noise and looked away. It's amazing how you can be around someone your entire life but never know anything about them.

I sighed heavily and finally got out of the car. I followed him, not sure what to expect. Wait, were we going into his office? The very room I have never laid eyes on and was forbidden from entering? We went inside as I gazed around the room. There were two locked doors. Just above each one was a green and red light. A small table decorated the corner of the room. A sofa was shoved against the wall.

The light turned from red to green as a dark-skinned woman came out of one of Anthony's locked rooms. She stared at me curiously for a moment as she inched slowly towards me.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

The woman's face turned from curious to grotesque as she made a growling, hissing noise.

"What are you doing? Help me!" I pleaded.

"You handle things from here," Anthony said. He watched with interest with his hands behind his back, making no effort to aid me.

I grabbed a large pillow from the sofa and placed it in front of me, a lame attempt at defense. What did Anthony expect me to do? I don't think I could ever kill anyone or anything. I definitely didn't want to stake this creature.

The vampire lunged at me as I fell to the sofa. Before it could reach me, Jacob was behind her, staking her from behind. The woman turned to a pile of ash as Jacob sighed with relief and turned to Anthony.

"What was that?" Jacob demanded.

"It was time she learned the truth," Anthony said.

Jacob's hands balled into fists. "You put her life in danger!"

"It was time she grew up," Anthony said.

"I'm not doing this anymore. You're on your own." Jacob said.

"Fine. Stay here and babysit Lyra." Anthony smiled and left.

I got up, rushing to Jacob, and threw my arms around him.

He hugged me back, "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "I can't believe he did that! How did you know how to do that?" I asked.

"Let's get out of here. I'll make us some tea and sandwiches" Jacob said.

I smiled gratefully, letting Jacob lead us out of Anthony's office and into the living room. I sat at the table watching him busy himself in the kitchen.

"How much has Anthony told you?" Jacob asked.

"He only told me he deals in business and it's not for girls like me to worry about." I mimicked Anthony's voice. "I only found out it had something to do with vampires when I spied on their conversation. I got grounded for a month when I asked about them."

Jacob shook his head and brought over the platter of sandwiches. I got up and helped bring over the teapot and cups.

"We've known each other our entire lives, when did you start working for Anthony?" I asked.

Jacob smiled, preparing my tea. He didn't need to ask how I wanted it, we knew each other too well. "Your stepfather trained me as a fellow vampire hunter. For a while, we hunted vampires to protect people. That's how it started anyway. Then a wizard named Arcturus Black approached us with an offer. Anthony realized he could make a steady profit selling vampires to dark magic shops."

"Dark magic shops?" I asked.

"Yes. There is an entire magical community of witches and wizards in the world. Dark magic is illegal, so don't go thinking they all deal in dark magic." Jacob said.

"So he sells them like.. like slaves?" I asked.

"Or their body parts, but yes," Jacob said.

I stared at my best friend in disbelief. "Wow, magic. Wizards really exist. I can't imagine being one. How long has this been going on?"

Jacob nibbled on the corner of his sandwich. "I've hated it since he started. I just wanted to protect people, but I didn't want him to do this alone. He'd get himself killed. Kill the vampires and be done with them I say."

"Do you know anything else about the magic world or vampires? Do you think unicorns really exist?" I wondered.

Jacob smiled and shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe. I don't know much else I'm afraid."

I got up smiling and pulled Jacob out of his chair. "Let's run away! We don't need them anyway."

Jacob smiled at my enthusiasm and began spinning with me in circles. "Where shall we go then? Paris? I've always loved France!"

"Just us two! No more uppity Anthony or cold-hearted mother to deal with," I said. We both laughed.

There was a loud noise from the office and Jacob put a hand to my lips. We listened intently for a moment, neither of us moved.

"She's out," Jacob said.

There was another vampire? Jacob grabbed his wooden stake off the fireplace mantle and tiptoed towards Anthony's office as I clutched his arm. I pulled at him and shook my head.

He turned and hugged me, then whispered in my ear, "Anthony must have forgotten to lock the door. Stay here."

I stood helplessly outside the office, watching as time seemed to stop. I wanted to help him but didn't know what to do. It was too quiet. Why didn't he come out already? There were no extra stakes and I didn't know if I could use anything as a weapon.

Jacob finally emerged with a dark-haired woman behind him.

"Jacob." I cried.

He stood there staring at me. He didn't smile or say anything.

"Jacob?" I asked. I took a step towards him. "Is she the vampire?"

Jacob was breathing heavily and spoke with an effort. "I'm... doing everything I can... to keep myself... from ripping you apart."

Then I noticed the bite marks and shook my head. "No."

He simply stood there, shaking. The woman watched with a strange smile.

"We can find a cure," I said.

The woman spoke, making me jump. "There is no cure."

Hot tears escaped down my cheeks. I didn't care if they killed me, I just wanted to be with Jacob. What would happen if they turned me? Would Anthony sell me to some magic shop or as a slave? I won't let him hurt Jacob. I don't care if he's a vampire.

As if the woman read my thoughts she let out a laugh. The edge of the stake poked through Jacob's chest. He looked down curiously.

I collapsed to the floor as Jacob turned to ash in front of me. The female vampire threw the stake across the room in my direction, as if taunting me.

My grief turned and I screamed in rage at the creature in front of me. The stake shook for a moment then flew through the air, landing in the vampire's chest.

The woman looked stunned before turning to ash.

I sat on the carpet, sobbing uncontrollably. I didn't hear the owl come in through the window as it hooted softly.

A Hogwarts letter was tied to its feet.

I was alone and my entire world was gone.