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Chapter Nine

Paul and Bella returned to the cave just in time. Paul dropped one quick kiss to her lips and disappeared into the cave where he had his brother slept. Bella didn't even change out of her clothes. She climbed onto the empty bed and fell asleep on top of the covers.

Bella was woken by voices in the cave. She knew it wasn't the guys because the sun had not set yet. She could feel that. Bella didn't move but she listened intently. "The rest of them have got to be around here someplace," Edgar said. "Let's find them."

She heard the three boys run off in the direction of Paul and the others. Bella could hear Michael try to lift Star who insisted he take Laddie first. Once Michael was out of the cave Bella rose from the bed and made her way after the Frog brothers and Sam. When she reached the cave Bella saw one of the brothers half way up the wall in front of Marko with a stake his hand.

She knocked Sam and Alan aside. Alan slammed his head into the wall and fell to the floor unconscious. Sam took one look at Bella's vamped out and face and scarpered back the way had come. "No," Bella shouted when she saw Edgar raise the stake.

Bella levitated into the air, knocked the stake from his hand and grabbed him by the collar. Bella didn't hesitate to rip into his neck and drink deeply, her mouth filling with his blood. David and the others were woken by the combination of Edgars screaming and the sudden full blown connection with Bella.

Bella had drifted back towards the ground as she fed and when her feet finally touched the floor Paul and the others were already waiting for her. None of them moved or approached her as she fed. Once she was done Bella released her grip letting his body slump to the floor. Bella wasn't done, hunger still burned in her throat. Dwayne quickly stepped aside as Bella moved grabbing the other Frog brother. She tore into his throat even more savagely, his blood spraying up the wall. She cast him aside too when she was done. Bella licked the blood from her bottom lip and let her face change back.

She turned facing the boys, her eyes finding Paul. He grinned holding his hand out for her. He pulled her in for a quick heated kiss. "Now I know how you felt when you watched me feed."

"How are you feeling Bella?" David asked. Bella laughed and floated up into the air, somersaulting at the top before she landed back on her feet. They all grinned at her enthusiasm. "Come on, let's sleep. We'll go after Michael and his brother when the sun sets."

Bella and the others woke once the sun had set. They didn't ride the bikes tonight, there would be no racing up and down the boardwalk. The Emerson's had helped the Frog brothers try to kill them. Max had to know.

David separated from the others to stop at Max's house and they continued onto the Emerson house. They dropped straight into a walk on the path leading to the house. Dwayne led them up to the door kicking it open. Sam jumped up from the sofa and his dog snarled at them. "Where's Michael?" Dwayne demanded. Sam stood staring but he didn't say a word.

"What on earth is going on?" Lucy asked as she followed David and Max into the house.

"Mom," Sam said, he darted passed them and ran for her.

"Where's Michael?" Lucy asked him. Max eyed all his children, that now included Bella, and once he was satisfied they were all okay he turned approaching the fire and removed his glasses. Lucy cut off what Sam had been saying. "I don't want to hear another word from you until I talk to Michael."

"I'm sorry, Lucy," Max said and Lucy stopped dead looking at him. "This is all my fault. David and my boys –" he paused smiling at Bella. "And girl misbehaved." Bella grinned at him and Paul slung his arm around her shoulder. Max turned back to Lucy. "But I told you children need a mother."

"Max what are you talking about?" Lucy asked.

"I knew it," Sam said. "You are the head vampire."

"Sam, don't start this again," Lucy said.

Star stepped out then from behind the wall then. "You are the secret David has been protecting," Star said looking at Max.

Max turned looking at her and nodded. "Who is this?" Lucy asked. "In fact who are all of you?" Her eyes traveled over the four boys and Bella.

"But you passed the test!"

"Don't ever invite a vampire into your house, you silly boy," Max said, Lucy's eyes widened at Max's words. "It renders you powerless."

"I didn't know that," Sam said sounding terrified.

"Has everyone gone crazy here?!" Lucy demanded. "What's the matter with all of you?!"

"It was you I was after all along Lucy," Max told her.

"What?"

"I knew that if I could get Sam and Michael into the family that there was no way you could say no."

Lucy pushed Sam behind her and began backing away from Max. "Where's Michael?" she demanded.

"It was all going to be so perfect, Lucy. Just like one big happy family. Your boys and my children."

"Great," Sam quipped. "The blood sucking Brady Bunch."

Max's face changed in his anger. "But then your sons tried to kill Marko. So in order to protect my family I'm afraid I am going to have to get rid of yours." Max's face changed and Lucy and Sam screamed. David flew at Sam and Max grabbed Lucy.

Dwayne staked Star before she could escape. Michael came flying round the corner to his family's aid but he was too late. Paul grabbed Michael and Bella drove a stake into his chest. They piled the bodies up by the fire and Max dropped a match starting a fire to hide what had happened. Dwayne took the stairs two at a time and came back with Laddie.

They left quickly, the house caught just as they reached the end of the path and they all looked back. Max still longed for a bigger family, a mother for his children but he would have to be much more careful. His endeavor had almost cost him his children. Max nodded at David and the other before walking to his car. Bella followed the others into the sky and they headed back to the cave that was now her home as well.

A/N: Posted on 01/10/2015. All outfits are on my profile. Violet x.