Lucedale, Mississippi

July, 1987


After James had scared the life out of Raven, Victoria began planning their escape. All the while, making him think everything was fine.

There was no way they would be able to leave without leaving a trace. James was a tracker.

He knew her scent more than any other and Raven was his singer. Even if they vanished, he would eventually find them. He was obsessed with her scent and would follow it to the ends of the earth. Simply disappearing wasn't an option.

Victoria wanted, needed, Raven to be safe.

Not for a while, but forever.

One day, while James was out hunting, Victoria decided to ask for help.

"What is on your mind," Laurent asked, looking at her in concern. She had been more quiet than usual. Even the little one had noticed.

"I need to get Raven somewhere safe. It's only a matter of time before he tries something again," Victoria said quietly. Raven was nearby and she did not want her to hear.

After she found out what he had done, Victoria had been hysterical. Many trees were uprooted in her wrath.

Laurent sighed, nodding solemnly. James had began to lose control. Many of the things he said while alone with him would have Victoria ripping his head from his body. It took copious amounts of restraint to keep from doing it himself.

"I have a place in mind, but I need your help."

"As I've told you, I have your back."

Victoria placed a hand in his and squeezed. Laurent was shocked. She had never shown him affection. He knew this was her way of saying thank you. The way to her heart was helping her little human, it seemed.

Victoria and Laurent quickly and quietly went over what she needed him to do before James returned.

Laurent was to lure James away with tales of a family of humans that smelled like nothing he could imagine. He was to keep him busy for as long as he possibly could, and when James decided he was going to return he was to restrain him. She asked him to kill him if he could.

Laurent could tell it pained her to ask for help. It hurt her pride to ask him to bring her meals. It was a lot to ask, he could not lie. James had been his coven mate for many years.

However, he owed this to Raven. The little girl showed him unconditional love and affection that only a child could. She made him feel human again.

She called him her uncle, and he would protect her like one.


Three days later, Victoria gave Laurent the signal.

Today would be the day that she and Raven made a run for it. She just hoped they had enough time to get to safety.

Victoria had just finished feeding Raven dinner when Laurent lured James away. She made it a point not to act differently. Any small change in her normal demeanor would tip James off.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Victoria got to work.

"Alright Ray, we're about to go on a vacation," Victoria said, trying to sound lighthearted.

"Where are we going?"

"I have some friends in Alaska. I think we'll like it there."

Raven watched with wide eyes as Victoria flitted around the shack at superhuman speeds. When she finally stopped and placed her bright yellow backpack on her, she realized it was her clothes.

The vampire went to pick her up, but she would not have it.

"Will you grab my journal? I can't leave without my journal," Raven pleaded. Victoria growled to herself but conceded.

After shoving the leather bound journal into Raven's bag, Victoria picked the girl up and ran for the nearest airport. Her feet moved toward safety on their own, as they always had. It took everything not to run at full speed, but she didn't want to scare the little girl. She was already extremely confused.

Once she could no longer run under the cover of the forest, she stole a car. Raven sat in the passenger seat looking out the window in deep thought. She could see the questions brewing.

"Who're your friends in Alaska?"

"They're a group of animal feeders. You remember me telling you about that lifestyle," Victoria said casually, trying to distract her.

Raven nodded. "Yeah, but you don't like animal feeders."

Victoria cursed her perceptiveness and struggled to find a rebuttal, all the while watching out for James. Raven was right, she didn't like them. In fact, they weren't her friends. She simply knew them in passing.

"They weren't animal feeders when we became friends," she replied matter of factly. This seemed to placate her.

Once they arrived at the airport, Victoria ditched the car in the long term parking. As she walked with Raven, she realized that her human pace was slowing them down and they had a ton of ground to cover. She couldn't really do anything about it though. It would look strange for her, a 5'6" woman, to be carrying a 5'0" ten year old for an extended period of time.

"My legs hurt," Raven complained. She stopped to rub her sore calf muscles.

"No, no slowing down. We don't have much time."

Once inside the airport, a familiar feeling that was more of an instinct pooled in her gut. Victoria pulled Raven along faster, not daring to turn around. She knew he was there, but she also knew he would not attack around humans.

They made it, but she worried about Laurent. She hoped her friend had managed to escape unharmed, but something told her that was not the case. She felt remorse for asking him to help.

Victoria allowed herself to relax once they boarded the plane. They were safe for now, but James knew where she was headed. Hopefully, he would be afraid to encroach on a coven's territory, unlike her.

Raven's rapid heartbeat had her grabbing the girl's hand in her own.

"What is it, Ray?"

"I've never been on a plane. What if it crashes," Raven said in a shaky voice. Victoria ran her thumb over the back of her small hand.

"You know I won't let anything happen to you. Just try to get some sleep, love."

After an hour of fretting, Raven finally fell asleep on her shoulder. She kept the girl's hand in her's, reluctant to let it go. They did not have much time together.

With time to think, Victoria's mind began to run rampant.

They had made it, but what was next? She would have to find the Denali Coven and convince them to take care of Raven. The thought caused her heart to ache in her chest. The girl was sleeping so soundly, not knowing they would soon be separated.

For how long? There was no knowing.

However long it took to kill James. However long it took to ensure Raven could live free of his pursuit. Victoria would stop at nothing to make sure Raven was safe. Even if that meant she would have to leave her.

Even if she died trying.