Chapter 7: Unwanted Visit

"Come sweetie. Say mommy." I encouraged Crystal. After our little "free falling" incident this morning, Crystal spoke her first, and only, words: Mommy, and Daddy. Iggy didn't believe me, but I proved him wrong. We tried to see if Tiara could talk yet too, but it seemed that only Crystal could.

"Mommy" she responded to me. I was so happy.

"That's right!"I said holding her tight in my arms.

"Now it all makes sense." Iggy said as he and mom sat on the couch. Tiara was still flying around through the air. How she had this much energy, I don't know.

"What does?" I asked as I sat next to him.

"Tiara paid more attention to us when we flew, where as Crystal paid more attention to us when we talked." He explained to me.

"So that's why Crystal can talk, and Tiara can't?"

"Yep. That's also why Crystal couldn't glide. She doesn't know how cause she didn't pay as much attention to our flying. If she had, she probably wouldn't have fallen through the air."

"She did what!?" Mom shouted.

"Oops.." we both said. So after tem minutes of explaining the situation, mom's face was completely red.

"How could you two be so irresponsible? I told you take it slow, and then you nearly kill your daughter!?"

"Sorry, but we got caught up in the moment. It was just really amazing to watch them fly." I said in our defense.

"You guys have to be more careful. They could have seriously-" she was cut off by the doorbell. We all looked at each other with confusion.

"Mom, were you expecting someone?" I asked.

"No. Are you?"

"No." I said. She walked over to the door, and look through the peephole.

"Oh god no! Why is he here?" she said. "Nudge, I want you and Iggy to take the girls into the back. Now." I nodded my head, and took Crystal with Iggy and Tiara right behind us.

As we hid in the back, I heard the door open. "What the hell are you doing here?" I heard my mom ask.

"I just stopped by to see how the flock was doing. I haven't seen the in a couple of months, so I thought I would stop by and see them." I knew that voice from anywhere. It was Jeb. That's why she had us hide. If he saw the twins, he would probably try to take them to the School. Just the thought of that happening made me angry.

"Mommy…" Crystal whispered to me. I looked down at her in my arms. I hugged her tight.

"Don't worry sweetie. Everything's gonna be ok. I promise."

"Jeb, get the hell out of my house. The flock isn't here, and you shouldn't be either." My mom yelled.

"Look Valencia, I know we've had our problem-"

"Gee, ya think?"

"But Max is my daughter, and I care about her and the rest of the flock, so I think I have a right to know where they are."

"Why? So you can take them all back to the School?"

"No. I told you, I'm not like that anymore. I just wanted to visit them. But I can see this is getting me nowhere, so I'll be on my way. Let them know I said hello." I then heard the door close.

We walked back into the living room, and walked over to mom. "Everything ok?" Iggy asked.

"Yes. He was here to "visit" all of you. I don't trust him."

"Neither do we." Iggy said. Then, Crystal and Tiara started to yawn.

I giggled, and took Tiara from Iggy. "It's getting late, and it's way past their bed time."

"We should all get to bed. I could really use a good night's sleep." Iggy said, stretching.

I rolled my eyes as we climbed the stairs. "Yea Ig, cause your really do a lot here."

"Hey, it takes a lot to make bombs and be a master chef."

"Make bombs!?" I shouted.

"Oops…" he said. He ran up the stairs, and tried to hide the bathroom. I put the twins in their cribs, and ran to the door.

"Iggy! I thought I told you to stop making bombs!?"

"You did." He said from behind the door.

"Then what the hell are you doing making bombs?" I told him he had to when the girls were born, and I thought he had. He and Gazzy never said anything, so they must have been doing it in secret cause he knew I would disapprove of it.

"I know you did, but I can't help it. It's in my blood." He tried to say in his defense.

"Well I guess you can sleep in the bathroom tonight cause the bedroom door is gonna be locked."

"What!? Come on Nudge, don't be like that. I don't wanna sleep in here." He pleaded.

"Good night Iggy. Have fun sleeping in the tub." I said as I walked into the bedroom. I locked the door, and went to check on the twins. They were so cute when they were sleeping. I stroked their little cheeks, and walked over to the window.

I look out the window at the moon. It was as beautiful as always. I wanted badly to go for an evening flight. I would have, but I couldn't leave the girls alone in the room, and since I locked Iggy out of the bedroom, I had to stay.

Then, I had an idea. I ran out the door and into mom's room. "Mom, I need a favor," I said as I jumped onto her bed.

"Sure Nudge. What do you need?"

"I need you to watch the girls while I go for an evening flight."

"Ok, but what about Iggy?"

"I banned him from the room because of the whole bomb thing."

"Ok sweetie. Have fun." I smiled and gave her a quick hug. I ran back into the room, and put my jacket and shoes on. As I opened the window, I heard a little cry. I turned around to see Tiara standing up in her crib.

I walked over, and bent down by her. "Hey sweetie. What's the matter?" she quickly smiled and started fluttering her wings. Then it hit me. "Oh. You wanna go with mommy on a midnight flight?" she giggled and started jumping up and down. "I don't know if that's-" I stopped when I saw her eyes. I recognized those eyes anyway. "Where did you learn to do the Bambi eyes?" then it hit me. "Angel. Darn. Ok, you can come." She giggled with excitement, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Did I mention how much I love them?

I put her in a jacket, and we were off. I held her tight in my arms as she laughed with excitement. Boy did it feel good to be flying again.

After about an hour of flying, I stopped on a little path by the forest. I looked down at Tiara, who was shivering a little. I smiled, and said "Don't worry. You'll get used to it."

"Oh really now?" said a deep voice from behind me.

I whipped around to see a tall, dark, muscular figure standing behind me. He slowly walked out of the shadows, and into the moon light. "Who are you?"

"The name's Devon, and I was sent her to make you an offer."

"What offer?"

"You hand over the babies, and we won't have to hurt any of you."

"What? You're out of mind if you think I'm gonna let you hurt anyone of my family members. Who sent you?"

"The School of course."

"So you're a hybrid?"

"Why yes. I'm part human, snake, and bull. Which means," he pulled a tree out of the ground with one hand, "I'm strong" he then ran from one side of the field to the other in seconds. "I'm fast," then, as a deer ran by, he pounced on it, biting down on it neck. As the deer slowly stopped struggling, he broke its neck. "I'm deadly. You're out of league Nudge. I'll be back in one week for your decision. I'd advise you make a good one. You will meet me here at the same time. If you don't, I'll come for you." He laughed an evil cackle, and disappeared into the shadows.

I stood there for a couple of seconds before I realized what had happened. I flew home as fast as I could, with only one thing running through my mind. Call the flock.