Adley flipped through the magazine one of hundreds spread across Athena's lounge room. They'd kidnapped her from Marcus at dawn. He was being pulled to go spend time with his brothers. That's what they said anyways. She'd gotten a few sensations there was more than what was being said. She didn't want to pry though, she had Marcus to herself for the last few months they probably missed each other.
Athena was looking through wedding dresses in a thick book from a few designers. Sully was looking at locations on her desktop Macintosh computer.
Adley wasn't too sure where she wanted the wedding to occur but somewhere remote preferably. There would be a lot of vampires in attendance according to Sully. Something about a Royal wedding not occurring in quite some time. It'd also been a while since they had allies and friends come to a celebration party. Modern times made it harder upon them to have such large gatherings.
"Do you know what season you'd like?" Sully asked interrupting her thoughts.
Adley glanced up from the current magazine. It wasn't wedding themed at all, only a Halloween cook book of sorts. She was practically drooling over the few treats she could whip up. Food had become her focus the last week or so. She blamed the twins knowing it was her body requiring energy. Blood was becoming more of a staple in her diet.
"How about Fall? It's then not too hot, and not too cold. We could do it in the Italian country side… I could test these recipes, what a great idea I should go make these…" She stood taking a step towards the door.
Athena looked up from her magazine catching Adley's gaze. "If you want cookies, I can get the cook to make them."
"I want the cookie dough." Adley sighed.
"Not advisable dear, not while pregnant." Athena turned back to the magazine.
"I know."
"Only so many weeks. When are you due?" Athena questioned.
"Uh two weeks? We've been here what since mid-September… what's today's date?" Adley tapped her chin.
"October 24th," Sully called over her shoulder.
"We're a week from Halloween." Adley murmured.
"All Hallows' eve? What of the day?" She pressed.
Adley raised a brow crossing her arms. "Do you not host Halloween here in the castle?"
"Why would we celebrate a pagan holiday turned Christian holiday?" Athena questioned looking back up.
"It's no longer a religious day. It's more of a party day. You can't be nearly thousands of years old and not know."
Adley looked between both of them, who had confused looks plastered on their faces. She poked at their auras. There, the mischievous glint showed itself. She shook her head.
They laughed. "Of course, we know of it we just don't do much for it. Most of the time we watch some horror movies with our husbands and that's it."
"That's a crime. Well Marcus and I are here for another two weeks so we're doing something! Next year there will be two babies that will need to be entertained." Adley gestured to her stomach. "So, I have a few ideas. We can come back to wedding planning at a later time. We have sometime for that. We only have a few days until Halloween."
"I don't get why it is such a big occasion." Athena said.
"You are literally looking for a reason for a giant celebration with friends and allies of the Coven under the cover of a wedding. This is another reason for partying and celebrating. We are literal supernatural creatures. This is your day. Vampires, a giant castle? Come on. You never put together a haunted house as a charity event? You can't deny Aro would have a blast dressing the castle up and pretending to be a ghost. Ibrahim can turn invisible with people the amount of scares we could record."
"We haven't really given the night much thought. It's more of an American tradition. It's become more popular recently here but not to any extent of that."
"Athena you wound me, you promise such a wonderful wedding. How can I expect spectacular when Halloween is too much for you?"
The blonde stood up flashing in front of Adley, she caught her chin tilting it up. Her words caused cool breath to wash over her face. "Are you challenging me?"
"I thought I just did?" Adley exhaled.
"Fine, tell me what you're planning."
Adley looked through her list while sipping on her afternoon smoothie. She was currently commandeering Athena's study. This one was her third of the day, her daily consumption was totalling two pints. The metallic taste no longer left a tang on her tongue that required to be blended down and hidden.
"Alright for prizes along the way, we have five hundred euro gift cards in the first two boxes. After that the locked boxes become increasingly harder to find and will have one thousand, then five thousand euros. The places the clues are to be hidden include almost every major city in the country. Verona?" Athena came up beside her with the many gift certificates and cash. A few boxes with lock and were stacked in her hands.
"Two and two on that one." Adley shrugged pink tinging her cheeks. "It's corny I know but also why it's one of the first places."
"How are you planning on making this scavenger hunt last until midnight?" Sully questioned coming in with a few more wooden boxes stacked, she set them on the table Adley was sat at.
"While the few questions may seem simple once they have been figured out. The clues aren't going to be straight forward. Where's the fun in that? Question, how many languages do you two know without needing a translator or dictionary?" She looked to both of them.
"It's a shorter list of languages we don't know."
"Perfect. I love immortals. Makes this so much fun. We'll need copies of dictionaries for them to translate. I want the last two questions in ancient languages not well known to the average vampire." She rattled off. She flipped to the names of all the elite guard and some middle guard. "If everyone we suspect to participate, does we can have enough for five teams of six. To make it even more fun we are placing their names in a hat. Fate can decide who is on which team."
"You think that many will be interested?" Sully asked beginning to grab a few papers and scissors.
Athena was already writing out the names of the guard on the papers.
"Maybe. It'd be ideal with that many. However it's probably going to be twenty of the guard. Bree is what just over a year now? She'd certainly like to partake since she is American. She's apparently good at finding patterns and solving puzzles. The twins are a no brainer. Felix likes to gamble with Demetri and Afton when he can from what I've overheard. Ibrahim and his husband is a fifty-fifty split. They are really enjoying the away time."
"The whole guard enjoys gambling. Betting on something is a sport to them. They place large sums on the most absurd things. Vampires aren't immune to addictions." Athena said.
"Then they'll love a challenge." Adley grinned. "Do you think our husbands would take part?"
Sully paused a large grin breaking out on her face. "Husbands?"
"Yes?" Adley hesitated.
"She called him her husband," Sully cooed pulling her into a side hug. "The wedding bells call you so clearly."
"Well he is to be my husband! Just because the paper isn't signed yet. The man has already claimed me clearly,"
"Lighten the scowl young one, she merely means to tease you. We know you and Marcus are mated, which is the definition of marriage to vampires." Athena assured her. "To answer your question, Caius does enjoy a challenge to his intellect. Aro will if he doesn't read the mind's of his wife or either of us. Marcus, most likely won't leave your side. Not while you're so close to birth. It's probably best you sit the scavenger hunt out in your condition."
"As we are planning it, it wouldn't be fair for us to partake anyways." Adley agreed.
"Let's get writing these riddles and hiding them. We can use some of the guard that doesn't wish to get involved to hide them all." Sully began to write out a few in ancient greek from the looks of it.
Adley took a piece of paper and began to script a few. Ideally they would be typed and hidden. "Do they know Korean?"
"Only Yawen is well versed in all languages. She is our coven linguist." Athena replied.
"She could make a good resource… Awesome."
"You've been up to something," Marcus whispered against Adley's ear before kissing her temple. "I have yet to see you beyond your evening meals, in the morning, and of course when you are in bed beside me."
Adley turned to the side reaching up to cup his face in her hands. "Have you been missing me?"
"Always," he breathed taking her left hand to kiss her wrist. The engagement ring sat in place.
He lifted her up with little effort he strolled over to the couch in the sitting area of his bedroom. He sat down sitting her side way on his lap.
"I've missed being by your side as well. I thought you were enjoying time with your brothers?" She leant her head on his chest a low purr began.
"Aro and Caius have been my companions for millennia. Separation is rare for the five of us, but alas I find it all falling second to my desire and need to be with you. Especially the closer these two are to birth." He ran his hand over her stomach.
She sighed letting her eyes close.
"You are evading my question, Little one." He reminded. "What have you been up to?"
"You're too smart sometimes." She sighed. "We've been planning some Halloween fun for the guard and us. All of it will be pregnant woman safe of course."
"Good girl, I would hate to impose on your fun." He hummed.
She shuddered cheeks heating. "Marcus, I'm getting too close for sex. Please don't try and get me too hot and bothered."
"I merely said you were a good girl, taking precautions to protect our young ones. You will be such an amazing mother. I do love when you listen." He said softly.
She bit her bottom lip. "You know all too well what you do. Sweet talker, using my praise kink against me. While I can hardly handle the reward."
"I believe there are a few activities that do not require penetration. If you are too sensitive down there."
She opened her eyes, meeting the near pitch black gaze of his. The iris was nothing more than a small sliver or merlot. She leant up catching his lips with hers. He carefully cupped her head guiding her to him.
"You offer the forbidden fruit satan." She said against his lips pulling back. "I think that silver tongue of yours, is better used for other arts." She replied running her hands down his chest lightly scratching through his button down as she went.
He shuddered. A soft growl fell from his lips before his desire crashed down upon her. His aura throbbed as did the building lust causing an ache to burn in her core.
"Is that a command, mistress?"
"Yes."
He scooped her up bridal style, flashing over to the bed. She blinked landing with him over her. The cool air around them, hit her at once as shreds of clothing fell away. Her nipples pebbled and goose flesh broke out across her body. He let his hands trace down her sides hands wrapping around her knees he spread her legs open. Despite the wild look in his eyes he was gentle as he maneuvered her.
She bit her bottom lip propping herself up on her elbows to get a better look. He descended peppering kisses as he went from her stomach down her pubic mound. Jumping her wanting core to her thighs. He rounded back up lightly kissing her clit before running his cool tongue over the engorged numb.
"Ah!" She fell back to the bed.
Adley looked over her morning schedule on the daily planner she'd gotten herself. The date circled in red marker. Halloween morning arrived before she'd realized. They'd only just returned late the last night. She was showered and dressed simply knowing she'd be getting dressed up shortly for the evening. Over the passed few days she'd gotten Ibrahim and Max to agree to help her decorate the whole entirety of the main throne room on the first floor. The one where they held the celebrations and parties. There was an upper level where people could talk and mill about mingling to gather drink and 'food' also watch over the railing at the floor below. A large grand stair case that opened to the dance floor below.
She'd let Sully speak with Jacque the head cook of the castle about the menu selection. That'd been a bit of a shock that they'd been able to create more than just fancy blood drinks. Jacque completely blew her mind when he had gone through a list of what he could create. He'd been a culinary mastermind in his human years. At fifty he was now a vampire and still creating art in the kitchen. Adley had based that off of her own meals she'd been treated to while here, not the vampire menu.
A knock echoed from her door. She picked up her first smoothie of the day. The door opened revealing Athena.
"Morning gorgeous, are you ready?" The older woman asked.
Her long blonde hair was in loose curls around her, a dark crown of a few spikes with fake black and red roses attached, her dress a deep burgundy satin spaghetti strap dress that hugged every curve. It stopped only at her thighs while she balanced on six inch black red bottoms. Her make up was a blown out black smokey eye that surrounded her bright merlot gaze.
"I believe those should be my words to you, the morning gorgeous part. Athena, you're supposed to be in a costume that will keep you present not that Caius will rip off of you." Adley looked the woman over.
Adley reminded herself mentally she was an engaged woman to a wonderful man. Yet here her sister in law was dressed looking like a goddess.
"You're sweet," Athena walked over kissing her forehead. "Caius can learn control for a few hours."
Adley laughed shaking her head. "On the other note, you asked if I was ready. Not for a party just yet. I know we had a few more things we wanted to do before the evening. I'm the type of immortal who creates sweat."
"That is alright, I meant if you were ready to exit your bedroom or if I needed to toss you in the shower. You've been sleeping longer and drinking more blood. According to your Aunt we're to be careful as you approach your due date. Alas I wasn't sure you were up."
"I've always liked to sleep if I could. The mere act of a lazy day in bed was a rare occurrence saved for sick days and when I broke my leg when I was thirteen."
"If you're still tired you can go back to bed." She hesitated.
"I'm up, today is a big day."
"Yes, well we have a surprise for you. Come see the throne room."
"Oh, the decorating is done?"
"You'll see when we get there. Mind if I carry you?"
Adley opened her arms. "Please. If I waddle down I'm looking at an hour walk. This castle isn't the most human friendly sized."
"Best kept that way, humans aren't the best free roaming these halls."
She agreed mentally while Athena scooped her up bridal style and flashed down the hall. She kept her eyes closed at the fast motion. In time while clinging to her smoothie she was placed gently upon her feet. They had stopped before the high arching wooden doors elaborately carved of the throne room.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, yes open." She waved her on.
Athena chuckled right as the two doors opened inwards. The large throne room was unrecognizable. The three thrones that were usually present were moved.
"Holy shit!" She gasped.
Ibrahim appeared before her. Beside him a man she saw was none other than Maxim. His dark blond hair was styled back from his face, broad shoulders, and dimpled chin. Permanent stubble showed on his chin and cheeks. His crimson eyes settled on her.
"I take it by the reaction, we did good?"
Above from the high ceilings in the arches overhead many candles were alight with what looked like flame, but no wax melted down from what she could see. Many other dangling lights were between them as well. A few grey clouds of fluff were all over lighting up here and there. In the middle was a large ball creating the illusion of the full moon. Around the sides of the hall of black were many trees giving the eerie feel of being in the woods, along with many bats and spider webs around certain pillars. She paused on a few coffins spread around the room. In one what looked like stuffed werewolves? She turned back to the two smug looking men.
"Better than, how in the hell did you manage all of this? We didn't even buy this many decorations…"
"Lady Athenadora provided us with access to the storage rooms on level two and three in the basement." Max answered.
"I really don't know whether it's a good idea or not to ask why the Volturi has fake trees, coffins, dangling lights that look like fake candles?"
"The lights are actual candles attached to the dangling lights. Giving it the 'Hogwarts great hall' look, or so Ibrahim said. I am not familiar with the movies. The trees are borrowed from the opera house we fund, they aren't performing with them until next year. The coffins were a gag from a few decades ago The werewolves just some fur on mannequins and a mask…"
"You two out in a lot of work, thank you."
"Of course Lady Adley, I knew this meant a lot to you so we put in the effort for you."
"Lady Sulpicia paid us fifty grand." Maxim added.
"I did it for both reasons." Ibrahim shrugged.
Adley laughed. "I love it regardless. The cobwebs and bats and the giant ball looking like a full moon that's commitment. Are those cotton clouds?"
"Yes. Athena said it was for her costume later…" Max answered.
She looked over to Athena. "A costume change?"
"A bit of fun," she murmured.
Adley looked to both men. "Is she going to dress as a werewolf?"
"Yes."
"I'm beginning to realize just how devious Athena can be…"
"You have no idea." Ibrahim sighed. "I swear if we weren't dead she'd give us all grey hair and send us to our graves."
"Someone had to keep you on your toes these last few centuries." Athena stuck her tongue out.
"Lady Sulpicia is worse than Lady Athena." Max rebutted.
"Lady Sulpicia didn't bring in an actual chupacabra into the castle that she got from some smuggler. Damn Warlocks." Ibrahim sneered.
"Back that up, chuacabra's are real?!"
"While rare, yes they are beasts infected by the vampire venom and the disease which creates werewolves. They were an accident created by a lab a few odd decades or so back." Athena replied. "It was also for research purposes, the damn thing wasn't supposed to escape. How was I to know they were that strong and that it was drugged."
"What else did you guys create that fell into urban legends?"
"A question best suited for Aro to answer."
The doors opened to the hall as many of the guard began to fill the room. Adley stood to the side with Athena fixing her wrapped bandages on her shirt.
"You look beautiful, no need to be nervous." Sully whispered taking hold of her shoulders giving a gentle squeeze.
Sully's dark hair was curly around her a pirate hat on top. She wore a loose white peasant shirt with a deep emerald corset lined with black. The skirt she wore was multiple levels of green and black that fell to her knees. High heeled boots were met by the material. Athena had disappeared a few minutes prior to hide in a coffin.
Adley was thrilled to see the guards had dressed up in either all black and white, or in the costumes provided to them. The guard had gone upstairs to enjoy the blood jello shots or flutes of blood that were spiked. Jane came to the Dias in an orange shirt, a dark brown wig with blunt bangs, she had the red skirt to her knees with orange socks with red Mary Janes. Square large glasses with no lenses.
"You went with the group costume, nice!" Adley wrapped her in a hug.
"Bree's been binge watching Scooby doo where are you with us. Saying we've been deprived." She shrugged. "I was voted to be Velma."
Bree came into site face painted, a choker with the little S tag. She was in a jumper and hair tied in two pony tails while she wore ears. She smiled. "Scooby doo here,"
"Is Alec…"
"Shaggy,"
He came up beside her dressed in the green shirt and brown pants. His wig was mused and messed. She opened her mouth to ask when two more vampires stepped up dressed as Fred and Daphne.
"This is Santiago and Chelsea, our other two members." Jane introduced.
"Lady Adley, we are eager to begin this scavenger hunt." Santiago bowed.
He was a large man with box braids she realized were done with blonde hair in with his darker hair. The orange ascot in place.
"Ibrahim and Max said it was quite the challenge," Chelsea revealed looking around.
"It's already looking like to be a spectacle amongst us," Santiago mirrored her actions.
Adley saw that the room had filled with a few guards beginning to join in. There were a few groups forming on the floor. While a few of them would be out on the scavenger hunt a few remaining she'd thought with Athena and Sully may enjoy a bit of the treats and trivia and such. The growing numbers made her thankful they'd put together a few more fun activities.
She watched the doors open once more as Marcus entered. The crowd divided as he came through them, towering over the majority of the other vampires. She blushed seeing his costume. He was dressed in an golden armoured breast plate over the white and red toga. The helmet and sword not in hand. The sandals and leg covers.
He reached her leaning down kissing her head. "You've been up to quite a lot this week from what the whispers reveal."
"A bit of fun, it's an absolute crime you all neglect Halloween. A holiday just for the supernatural you merely over look it." She shrugged. "I like the throwback outfit, authentic or replica?"
"Replica I fear, my real uniform is on preservation in the basement of the city museum. It is too delicate for such fun."
"You still have it," she questioned. "I'd like to see it before we leave."
"A date then, I shall show you the Volterra museum and what in it was once worn or owned by us."
She turned back in time to see Aro entering. Her jaw dropped. His hair slicked back in black grease, she didn't think it was possible for the man to get any paler. He was painted white. His eyes lined in black, lips rogue covered. He smiled showing off two elongated fangs. His nineteenth century vest was dark red with gold swirling floral pattern. His V on display, his cloak black on the outside with bright red inside if satin. The popped collar. He stepped as if he was floating. His cape swirling with his flouncing steps. He bowed to Sully, then to them.
"Good evening,"
"The accent Aro, truly?" Marcus sighed.
"Merely living up to Adley's request."
"I merely provided the costume list…" she couldn't hide her laugh. "Thank you Aro, this is just amazing. Can I get a photo of you in the coffin over there?"
"Brother, a vampire, really?" Caius questioned exasperation on every word.
She glanced over to where he stood. "I asked him to, sir Phantom."
"This is a one time thing." He warned, red eyes glaring from the mask.
"Works for me." She turned seeing something flash to the front.
"What of you sister, what are you?"
"A mummy," she chuckled.
"A mummy?" He said bemused. "She is his complete match, horrible puns."
She stared seeing fur and snarled mask sneaking up on Caius. She said nothing as the clawed hands took hold of his shoulders pulling him back. A snarl ripped through the room.
"Gah!"
Caius flashed away screaming he jumped back right onto Aro's back.
Her hands flew to her face. In vain she covered her laughter as a few of the other guard began to laugh along with her. Athena took the mask off bending at the waist with her own laughs.
"Woman," he sneered. "I could have killed you."
His aura radiated pure fear and anger, before it stifled off with annoyance.
"A little hard from Aro's back dear," she winked taking off.
"Pardon me, I have a few words for my wife." He flashed off after her.
"I am surprised he has not burned that costume." Marcus murmured pulling Adley to him. "I would not be surprised if she had multiples."
"Shall we announce the scavenger hunt?" Sully asked. "They may be a bit."
"Alright," she stepped forward on the Dias.
The room silenced.
"Evening all, Happy Halloween. Welcome to the first Halloween party in Volturi castle. I'm sure the few of you want to get started on the festivities. First we will begin the scavenger hunt it'll take a while. A few rules. You must collect all the clues along the way. No cheating. You must bring back each of the clues and the boxes. You have until the stroke of midnight to bring back all thirteen. There are five teams of six. The rest of you will be able to partake in other activities here, once midnight happens the ball will begin. You are only allowed two hints. Resources of languages are here in this room in the texts."
A few whispers occurred.
"How is this a challenge to vampires?" A hand raised.
Adley smiled. "The clues have been hidden well that only vampires should be able to hide them. None by the same person. The territory is not just in the castle or city itself. You have all of Italy to search."
She watched the few give small gasps as excitement grew amongst them all.
"Teams have been assigned and you may ask Yawen to make sure the riddles are translated right however only eight times." She smiled.
"We're ancient vampires, we'll figure it out." Felix scoffed.
"Alright, then by all means Felix you may begin with your team without the first clue reading." She rattled off in Korean.
He stared. "What?"
"Proficiency in Italian and English won't be enough."
"Oh…"
"Ibrahim, can you distribute the first hints?" She asked.
Each group sent a member up. They took the clue on the paper back to their teams.
"Clock begins now, good luck." They were gone with that. "Alright who wants to partake in the trivia game for the grand prize of one hundred thousand euros, and four week vacation?"
Many came forward.
Trivia was just finishing when Caius came over to her side as Sully continued going through with the group. He looked from the corner of his eye to her drink in hand.
"Trivia, is this it?" He drawled.
"No, there are a few more games." She looked over to him. "There's bobbing for apples, twister, Ultimate Duck, Duck, Goose…"
His brows furrowed. "I've never heard of these."
"Alright, the winner is Alonzo with two hundred ninety eight out of three hundred."
"Which do you want to do first?" Adley asked turning to Caius.
Aro came to them "what are the options?"
"Bobbing for apples, twister, Ultimate Duck Duck Goose…"
"Bobbing for apples, surely that isn't a challenge for vampires, we can breath under water." He questioned.
"Bobbing for apples it is." Adley smiled motioning them forward. "Next game everyone follow me down to the next level in the gym so we don't ruin the decor up here. Please partner up in teams of two."
Athena scooped her up and flashed down to the gym, where a giant inflatable pool was set up. The few vampires paused seeing it full of many floating tennis sized balls. Many were partnered up. There were two pully systems with ropes and harnesses ready to go.
She was on her feet again addressing everyone. "Okay this isn't the traditional bobbing for apples. That'd be too easy. So in fairness and challenge I've modified it. Two teams will partake, you will have twenty seconds to get as many 'apples' as you can out of the water. One partner will be tied back and harnessed, you may only use your mouth to grab. You will have a partner on the ground controlling the rope, they will be blindfolded. Not only do you need to work together you've got to be gentle with your bites. You don't want to rupture those apples."
"Who's first?" Athena asked.
"Us," Ibrahim and Max stepped forward.
Aro stepped forward with Sully. "I guess we will."
Athena secured the blindfold on Sully, Aro was bound and hooked up. Ibrahim took to the control and Max harnessed and bound.
"How many times do you think Sully will dunk him?" Adley asked.
"Ten," Caius smirked.
"Fifteen," Marcus concurred.
She barely saw the flashing of exchange of cash.
Adley took out her stop watch from her pocket.
"Alright, hoist."
She watched both men go flying upwards.
"Ready, begin!"
"A little left,"
"a little right, forward, stop… stop…"
Aro was smacked into the water. A few laughed watching around.
Max was dunked four times as he bit grabbing a few. The 'apples' landed in the baskets on each side. It was sort of in sync in the blurring motions followed by a few audible splashes. Her watch went off.
"Pull up."
They were removed from reach.
two vampires began to count out the 'apples'.
"Twenty eight for Ibrahim and Max,"
"Twenty for Lady Sulpicia and Master Aro."
"Well done, who's next?"
She sat down with Marcus in the family sitting room off the side of the throne room. Music could be heard from the room behind them all. Her legs stretched across his lap, he was wordlessly messaging her feet that had become swollen from hours on them.
The door opened as Aro came in cape now off, he had a platter of a few chalices of blood, along with a smoothie and straw for her. Sully was sat down taking a chalice. Athena and Caius were cuddled up as Aro handed the drinks to them.
"Thank you," Marcus nodded taking his.
"You pulled off quite the hunt," Aro complimented sitting down with Sully.
"We have not had such a party in years. If not this fun in a long time." Caius commented. "I would be willing to do this again."
"You proved surprisingly good at bobbing for apples." Adley chuckled.
Caius had been dropped quite a few times by Athena in the beginning until the last few rounds where they'd beaten half of the remaining guard. She had to give it to him, it was strategy and that was one of his fortes.
"Though I do not believe Ultimate Duck, Duck, Goose will be played again." Aro looked to her.
She blushed. "I didn't think they'd destroy the walls in my defence it's supposed to be a quick pass or until they tackle the person down and steal their spot. It wasn't capture the flag at least…"
"Let us keep the violent games to a minimum while you are in the vicinity, yes?" Marcus suggested.
"Agreed."
She'd almost gotten trampled by Alonzo and Yawen, such a small woman at four foot ten, she'd taken the brick wall of a vampire down. He was only fifty years old and gifted with strength. The issue was Yawen was his mate and she took the challenge to heart. She'd planted his face into the floor, the wall, and ended up in the pool soaking both of them and ultimately ending the game.
The twister game was quite fun on multiple inflated mats. Challenging vampires to be gentle as they could be while stretching onto many circles. She relaxed onto Marcus' shoulder stifling a yawn.
"I believe it is almost bedtime love,"
"Yes, agreed." She let her eyes close.
"I really enjoyed Italy," She murmured settling into the passenger seat of her Jeep.
"It was good to see everyone once more, after these passed few months. Are you still worried they may not like you?" He teased.
"No, confidently I can say they already feel like family."
"I'm glad to hear that Little One,"
"I'm glad to be back in Seattle though as well. We get closer and closer almost each day." She ran a hand over her stomach.
They pulled off the main highway the familiar site approaching of the cabin. The afternoon light overcast. She paused, hair on her neck standing to attention. A shock ran up and down her back.
The cabin. She stared wide eyed. Her heart jumped in her throat.
The large windows were coated in dry dark red liquid. Many Xs and upside-down pentagrams. A few runes over the top windows as well. The door on a spike a rabbit was hanging. She covered her mouth, a few written words in the same dark liquid.
"Beware," She trembled. "Marcus… they know where we live?"
"Not for long." He reversed from the drive turning back out onto the highway.
Adley grasped at her stomach. "Ah!"
"Adley?"
"It's time."
A/N: Apologies for the long absence, I've gotten a bit behind due to work and personal life. I'm currently in the process of tests to see if I've had a reoccurrence of Cancer, so if I am late in posting it could be due to tests and my anxiety. I have not forgotten the story merely had life catch up with me. I love all you who have read this far and will continue to read this story. :) Patience if I am not on my every Saturday or other Saturday schedule