A New Hope
YEARS LATER, MAKE THAT 10.
***CHAPTER 2***
"Uncle," Janelle whined, "Why do I have to wear this big heavy trench coat? It's the middle of summer and it's too thick!" Her uncle only sighed.
"It's to keep you safe. When you stand in sunlight you sparkle, just like all vampires do. And shush, you musn't strain yourself – and besides, you're hurt from our last run-in with humans. So keep quiet and relax on Maximus for a while." He smiled, gently patting the white stallion's side. Janelle grunted and pouted a bit, but still was submissive to her uncle's command. It was true that she was still injured. She had a huge gash from where a human villager had gotten a jab at her with a spear, whilst she was trying to feed on what she thought was a WILD sheep.
Janelle relaxed her aching muscles and was soon asleep, wandering off into the deep reaches of dreams.
FLASHBACK
"Uncle Romano, I smell blood," Janelle sniffled, rubbing her eyes. "Why does it make my tummy hungry? Uncle!" She cried, curling into his warm arms. He gently ran a hand through her soft blonde locks.
"Don't worry piccolo, every thing will be ok", he murmured, gently bouncing his small niece.
She looked up at him with bright golden eyes.
"Uncle what am I?" she said, the most serious look on her face. Romano froze, unable to speak.
"Well, you're not human. I can tell you at least that much," he sighed. "Your madre and padre never told you, huh?"
"Told me what?" she said becoming nervous, "What do you mean, 'I'm not human'?!" Janelle yelped. Romano strengthened his grip around her and held her pressed firmly against his chest.
"Your madre was a werewolf from Germany and your padre was a vampire from Italy. You are a mix, which has always been forbidden," he said calmly, gently rocking her.
"Why am I forbidden?" she asked, dumbfounded.
"You are forbidden because the Volturi are unable to kill or control you. They have certain abilities over vampires, but you are a hybrid of werewolf and vampire. They cannot control you, so they don't allow werewolves and vampires to mate. Hybrids are said to be dangerous! But I'm glad you are one," he laughed a bit.
"Why's that?" she asked, a little confused.
"Because I know you're on my side!" he chuckled, rubbing her little back. "Now how about you travel with uncle for a while? How does that sound?" he smiled. Janelle's four year old brain couldn't comprehend much, but what she did understand is that she would be spending a lot of time with her Uncle Romano.
END FLASHBACK
"Janelle, piccolo! Wake up." Janelle was roused from her sleep to find her uncle standing over her worriedly.
"Piccolo, you lost too much blood!" he said, voice strained. She struggled to keep her eyes open against the light of the sunset. It hurt her eyes. Romano picked her up and moved her closer to the fire so she could warm up.
"You rest up, piccolo, I'll be back soon," he said giving her a small kiss on the forehead.
"Yes sir," she mumbled, feeling helpless. Her wound was really starting to hurt and her entire abdomen was throbbing. Her head hurt too. It felt like the trees around her were spinning.
Janelle slowly pulled herself to a standing position when hearing rustling in the bushes.
"Who's there?" she growled, holding her still throbbing wound. She smelled werewolf, big strong werewolf, maybe even a pack leader. Janelle stumbled forward, trying to puff herself up, to seem intimidating.
"Ciao?" a voice came from in the darkness, "Chi è?" The voice was very hoarse and hard to understand. But she knew the language: her native tongue, Italian.
"Sono Janelle. Chi sei?" she asked, calmly.
"Desideirio..." the voice said.
"Sei un tizio?" she asked. He replied with a slight grab to her butt. Now she new where he was and socked him over the head.
"Don't go grabbing random girls' butts." she growled. She grabbed a stick from the fire and held it up so she could look at him.
His skin was pale. He seemed extremely clammy and was covered in blood. His eyes were glazed over and his left eye had a huge gash over it.
"Porca-! Cosa ti è successo?!" She yelped, falling back onto her haunches. She always spoke Italian when nervous. She could feel her fangs coming out at the sight of him, but she didn't want to hurt an innocent. Janelle turned away, shaking slightly.
"I'm ok..." he said softly, sitting up. "Drink the split blood, if you must," he mumbled. She stared at this stranger who smelled like wolf. He seemed so foreign, yet his eyes were such a mesmerizing red, like her father's.
She leaned forward, tentatively perched over his shoulder, mouth slightly open, showing her sharp teeth to the other. He shuddered a bit as she sunk her teeth into his flesh.
She drank her fill quickly, pulling away, face reddened slightly. This man smiled at her.
"Nice to meet you." he smirked. She slowly stood.
"We need to get those injuries treated," she mumbled, slowly pulling herself to a standing position. Janelle stumbled a bit, almost falling.
"Hey, looks like you're more beat up than me," he said worriedly, grabbing her arm, helping her to stand. She smiled at him slightly before passing out. Maybe this guy was okay.
"Piccolo! Piccolo!" she slowly opened her eyes,
"Uncle?" she said hoarsely. "Where's that werewolf guy...Desiderio?" Her side started to throb.
"Ughnn..." she groaned.
"Everything's fine piccolo, just rest. That Desiderio guy is resting by the fire. He's pretty beat up, but he'll be okay." He huffed. "I hate the thought of you passed out with this shady character," he pouted.
She chuckled softly,
"I'll be fine Uncle." She winced at bit as she smiled.
"The cut on your face still bugging you?" he asked, getting out a small jar of salve. Janelle nodded slightly, moving her long hair out of the way for Romano to rub salve on the nasty cut. He frowned as he did so.
"It's becoming infected. On such a pretty face too." he sighed.
"Cut the crap Uncle," she growled, "My face is fine. I don't care if I get a scar, it just makes me look tougher." She smirked. Romano gently patted her head.
"Whatever you say, piccolo, whatever you say."