CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

After a while things began returning to normal, or as normal as things would ever be for them. Beth began to sleep more, which was a relief to her, Mori and Van Helsing. She was even getting stronger. She got back into her training again. It was always Beth against Mori. She had even come close to beating her. She was constantly improving in body and mind. Mori was glad to see it. She knew Bethany would one day have to beat her, but she had no idea when that day would come. It was only a matter of time, however.

Jen, however, seemed to become more troubled as the days passed. Something was always on her mind and it was obvious to Beth and Mori. They were worried about her, but since Jen didn't say anything, they didn't prod. If Jen thought she could handle this on her own, they wouldn't interfere unless she asked for help. About two weeks after getting Mori back, she and Jen were in the library alone. Mori was reading. So was Jen, but her focus and concentration was clearly not with her. Finally, she shut her book. Mori noticed, but didn't even move.

"Mori?" Jen asked. The half vampire didn't look up from her page as she replied.

"Yes, princess?"

Jen bit her lip as Mori turned the page of the book. This was hard to ask, but if anyone would have advice on this subject, it was Mori.

"Do you…" Jen paused just long enough for Mori's icy eyes to fall on the young Valerious from over the top of her book. Jen began again.

"Do you think I should tell them about my…condition?"

Mori hadn't expected this question from Jen. She slowly closed her book and set it in her lap as she thought about how to respond. It wasn't as simple as 'yes' or 'no' and here's why. It really depended on the situation.

"It's a delicate question," Mori began. "as is the situation. It's really up to you. What are your reasons for keeping it a secret, what are your reasons for not and so on. I chose to keep it a secret for…obvious reasons. You, however, are free to do whatever you want."

"But with what happened to you…" Jen tailed off, knowing that that subject was probably not the best one to bring up. "I just think…"

"You can tell them when you are ready." Mori interrupted her, feeling sorry for the girl. She was far too innocent to be a vampire.

"Anna is going to kill me." Jen said and cradled her head in her hands. Mori raised an eyebrow at her.

"Anna will not kill you. She'll kill me." Mori said. Jen raised her head and looked at Mori questioningly. Mori sighed inwardly. Yup, definitely too innocent to be a vampire. "Think about it for a moment, princess. Who will she blame?"

Jen was silent. Mori was right. Anna would blame her for not being able to protect Jen. Then again, Bethany was there too. Would she be putting blame on her two best friends if she revealed what she really was? Oh Lord, why was this so complicated? Jen sighed as Mori got up. She hated to leave Jen like this, but she had too.

"I have to go help train Bethany. She's gotten a bit more powerful since I…well…died." Mori told her and sighed. "I will never get used to saying that."

"Bye Mori."

---

Beth and Mori walked around the forest silently. Beth's gun was out and ready.

"You sure that the guy at the bar said there was a werewolf, Mori?" Beth asked her. "I haven't even seen a trace of one."

Mori's only answer was a sideways glance at Beth with one of her eyebrows raised. Beth saw it and sighed as she smiled slightly.

"I should know better than to question you by now." Beth told her.

"I should hope so." Mori answered. "Otherwise, well, I don't know what I'd have to do to you in order to get the point across. I do know it would be nothing all that pleasant."

"Got it." Beth said.

The two then heard a low growl to their left. They whirled around to face it together, Beth with her revolver out, aimed and ready to fire. Nothing happened, and nothing moved. That is what worried Bethany. Usually there were at least a few birds out. The silence of the forest was only another sign that the girls had to be even more alert than usual. It was a sign that whatever they hunted was close by.

In a flash, a werewolf had jumped from the brush and pounced on Bethany. She dived to the side, barely missing it. Faster than anyone man could blink, Mori had her own revolver out and was unloading her barrel at the monster. The wolf roared in pain at the poisonous silver tore into it's flesh. Finally, Mori's revolver clicked empty. The werewolf stood on it's hind legs and roared at Mori, the other girl on the ground behind it forgotten. Mori flung her gun to the side as it ran at her. The dark girl locked eyes with the beast as they flashed a curious shade of ice blue that was much colder than the usual color of Mori's eyes.

"Stop." She said.

To Mori and Beth's complete and utter surprise, the wolf stopped in it's tracks. The beast then sat on the ground and waited for orders like an obedient puppy. Bethany's jaw had fallen to the ground by now, where Mori had only raised an eyebrow. She had no idea that she could control werewolves. When did this happen? Didn't she know everything about herself yet?

"Go. And don't come back." Mori told him.

The monster then got up and scampered away like it was told. Mori put her fingers to her forehead and shook her head. Since she was doing this, she didn't notice Bethany standing up. Beth walked over to Mori as she put her gun back in her coat.

"Mori, that was amazing." Beth told her as she picked up Mori's revolver off the ground. She then handed it to the dark girl. Mori moved her eyes from Beth's face to the gun, and then back to Bethany again. Sighing, Mori took the gun from the girl's outstretched hand. Silently, she began to reload it.

"Mori?" Beth asked. Mori was acting a little weird. She seemed, well, upset. Why would she be upset about sending away a werewolf.

"I'm fine, Bethany." Mori replied once she had finished loading her gun. The half vampire sighed as the gun vanished beneath the folds of her cloak. "I'd just think that after two hundred and ten years that I'd know what all my powers are."

Beth's eyes grew wide. How old did she just say she was?

"You're two hundred and ten?"

Mori looked up at Bethany and shook her head.

"Of course not, Bethany. Don't be silly." Mori told her.

"Oh." Beth replied and breathed out. Of course Mori wasn't that old. I mean, she looked sixteen. How old could she possibly be? Mori then sprung it on her.

"I'm two hundred and thirty four."

"What?" Beth exclaimed, shocked. Her eyes were wide at this news. Mori was over two hundred years old? How did this work?

"Didn't we have this conversation already?" Mori asked Bethany sounding as calm as ever. She acted as if Beth already knew this.

"No." Beth answered as she shook her head.

"Oh." Mori replied. She paused to think about it for a moment and then gave a single nod as she looked back at her friend. "Well, now you do."

Mori began walking off, leaving Bethany standing where she was in shock for a few moments. The young huntress turned to look at the back of her friend and then ran to catch up. Once she did, she walked beside her. She had some questions that she wanted answered.

"Mori, you look sixteen! How can you be two hundred and thirty four years old?" Beth asked her, very confused.

"Bethany, I'm half vampire." Mori answered. "Vampires don't age, you know that. Since I'm half human, I do age, but I most likely won't age appearance wise past twenty five or thirty. I'll then go on living forever like any normal vampire would, I suspect."

"Suspect?" Beth asked.

"You see, I don't plan on living long enough to find out with my current occupation and family history being what it is." Mori answered calmly.

"Mori." Beth half scolded her.

"Do you plan on growing old with monster hunting being your job of choice, Bethany?" Mori interrupted her before Beth could scold her anymore.

Beth thought about it a second. She really didn't expect to survive this job, that never stopped her from trying too. Still, trying wasn't a guarantee that you'd live.

"No." the young huntress answered.

"Exactly." Mori said and then sighed. "Frankly, I'm surprised I've survived this long."

"Especially since you got stuck with me as a partner." Beth pointed out.

"Yes." Mori answered. "When you put it that way, both of us being alive at this age is quite shocking."

Beth just laughed. Mori then looked at her from the corner of her eye.

"What are you laughing about, Sunshine? You still have combat training with me."

Beth's laugh quickly vanished.

---

Bethany and Mori walked into the manor after their little training session. Beth was exhausted since it had run extra long. She had come very close to beating Mori with both of them using their powers. Still, it had drained a lot of her energy and Beth was looking forward to a nice, long, nap that was long overdue.

"Well Bethany, you gave me quite a run. I hope you weren't holding anything back." Mori said, a smirk in her eyes. Bethany then heard in her head Tired?

Yes! Beth replied on their mind link before speaking. "No Mori, I can't hold anything back if I even want to get close to beating you.

Mori nodded, but remained silent. When giving her all, Bethany still couldn't beat her? That wasn't good to hear. Mori just hoped that she could beat her, if the time came…when the time came. Mori was brought out of her thoughts when she saw Van Helsing come around the corner. He saw the girls and moved toward them.

"There you two are." He said. "I've been looking everywhere for you. We are having a meeting the library."

There goes my nap idea. Beth grumbled in her mind, aware that Mori probably still had the link up. She did and a smirk formed in her eyes when she heard it.

"Thanks dad."

"Welcome midget." Van Helsing replied smiling and then vanished from sight. Mori looked over at Bethany, one eyebrow raised.

"Midget?" she asked. A small smile of embarrassment formed on Beth's lips.

"It's something he's started calling me. I get to call him Gabe in return through."

"Gabe?" Mori asked, raising both eyebrows.

"Or Gabby if I want to embarrass him." Beth's smile was now one of mischief.

Mori sighed and shook her head at the girl and her father.

"I have no idea how I even know you." She mumbled.

Beth smiled. "Well, about three years ago in London…"

Mori's quickly put her gloved hand over the girl's mouth. Yup, that thirteen year old was still in there somewhere. She had just about showed herself.

"I vividly recall when we met, thank you Bethany." Mori then lowered her hand. "My gosh! You were annoying."

"Hey!" Beth said defensively and then thought about it for a moment. "You know what, I probably was, so I'll be quiet."

A smile formed in Mori's eyes. "You're learning. Good."

When the two reached the library, they found that Jen, Carl, Van Helsing and Anna were already there. Jen was pacing the room with Anna watching her as she sat on the couch. Van Helsing was next to one of the many book shelves and Carl was happily seated behind the desk. Mori took an empty chair and Beth took the other couch. She sat down and crossed her legs.

"Well," Anna began. "why are we all here, Jen?"

Jen took a deep breath. It was obvious that she was nervous. Beth saw that her hands were shaking.

"I have to tell you something."