Elisabeth

by Liviania

Chapter One

Static Future

Anna frowned at her own reflection. Night after night, Ian went out to hunt. Hours on end he was gone, leaving before the other hunters and getting back later. It was making Elisabeth stir-crazy, to be left alone with their daughter. The impetuous witch didn't see it as more time to spend raising her beautiful child, but time to dwell on the fact she wasn't yet deemed well enough to hunt. If Ian kept up his grueling schedule, it would drive his wife out to seek danger before she was again capable to handle it.

"Vidas. You're all hopelessly prejudiced idiots."

All the men in the posh bar were staring at the beautiful teenaged girl talking to a stranger. She wouldn't notice them however hard they stared. It was information she wanted. Her brothers had been in this town, she knew it. Her only hope was that the man she was talking to knew where they had gone, where they lived now. "Please," she asked, her voice strained. "I would never hurt them, you know that Kaleo."

"I also know they don't want to be found by you, Nissa."

Smiling at the girl's flinch, the handsome man leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. In that position, he whispered an address in her ear. He left the bar quickly afterwards, intending to tell the twins to move.

Elisabeth leaned against the nearest wall, her breath unsteady for a moment. Why can't I just get over this? She knew it had been a serious wound, but she wanted to be better already.

Where is Ian? Elisabeth thought as she wandered through their house. Hearing her daughter cry, the mother turned back the way she came with a sigh. She loved her child dearly, the most emotion she felt for anything in the world, but she longed to once again feel the thrill of the hunt. She also longed to never feel the deep worry that lodged within her while she waited for Ian to return. It was insistent and pervasive, taking all her Vida control to ignore.

The house was garish. Nikolas wondered why they had chosen to purchase the monstrosity. Not a single square inch fit with their style.

"It's in need of a paint job," Kristopher commented bluntly.

Nikolas turned to his brother. "Yes, that would improve it greatly." Once they had gone over it with a couple of layers of paint, maybe the vampire could look upon his home without shuddering.

"I wish we didn't have to move so hastily. If we don't cover our tracks properly, and blend in, Nissa is sure to find us. She is too determined not to."

"She will find us eventually, but with any luck we can delay that meeting awhile. Maybe even by staying here in Massachusetts. She is sure not to look for us here." Nikolas stared at his brother. Kristopher was frowning, as if he didn't agree with something Nikolas said. But what could that be; they always trusted each other and spoke if something was wrong. If something is wrong, he'll tell me. We don't hide things from each other. It would be like keeping a secret from yourself.

Nissa stared up at the house that belonged to her brothers. At least, according to Kaleo it did. He wasn't the most trustworthy person around.

She stepped through the doorway, looking about herself. If she had any doubts, they were gone. The black and white decor was definitively Nikolas's work. She had finally caught up to her brothers. It had been an impossible amount of years, but anything would be worth seeing them again. Going upstairs, she noticed a distinct lack of inhabitants. It is still early. Why aren't they here? Oh, please no. Please, it's too cruel. Nissa stopped her thought. They had moved. Once again, she was too late. Once again, she wouldn't get her deepest wish. "Why do you run from me?"

Sinking despairingly into a corner, blood tears ran down the face of a girl. Loud sobs filled the empty house, as Nissa cried for her lost family.

As the tears running down her cheeks slowed, Nissa reached out with her mind. But either they were too far or she was too weak. She couldn't feel them at all. It had been so long since she had, but she knew she was getting closer to them. We will be together again. A family, as we are meant to be.

Ian ducked around a corner, familiar with the terrain. Silly hunter, the vampire's voice echoed in his mind. 'Silly parasite,' he thought to himself, holding his dagger firmly. The instant his pursuer came around the corner, the witch planted the knife firmly in the leech's heart.

Pulling out the weapon, a bit of light glinted off his watch, prompting him to check the time. Elisabeth is going to be worried, the man thought. She hadn't ever done such before she was hurt, but now it seemed it was almost all she did. He had always been better at taking care of himself than she was. Ian didn't get what his wife was making a fuss about.

Elisabeth stared at the clock. Every tick sounded as if it was mocking her. Mocking the worry she was allowing herself to feel. Where was Ian? Their daughter had gone to sleep long ago, and was not going to wake up for awhile yet. Babies weren't supposed to be left alone, but surely she would be okay. I'm not going to sit here waiting for him to come home. That isn't who I am. Resolute, she stopped her clock vigil and walked straight to her closet. Arming herself with a knife in each boot as well as her Vida knife, she only needed a coat to be ready to go. It would slow down her access to her back sheath, but it was cold and she wasn't looking for trouble. She was looking for her husband.

Nikolas frowned at his brother. He was obviously hungry, but he hadn't gone out yet. "You need to feed."

"I know, but you seemed busy," Kristopher replied with a smile for his twin. "I was waiting for you."

"Let's go out and get some food then," Nikolas replied, rising from his painting. In an instant, the two vampires had disappeared and were out on the hunt for a willing victim.