Chapter 13: The Nomads

After a few weeks had gone by, I decided that I wanted Riley to meet my mom officially. He was coming over today to take me out anyway, so I felt it was the best time. I paced my room, thinking of how I was gonna break the news. I already knew that she'd be happy, but as a judge, she would be protective too. I went downstairs and saw her working on her weapons collection. I sat down beside her on the couch.

"Wow, someone likes to play with guns." I said as I turned on the T.V. She smiled at me.

"Well, I have my reasons. You never know if that killer might come here one day or catch us off guard while we're out. Oh, I have something for you." she said while pulling out a bag from behind her. I took the bag and opened it in surprise.

"A Taser?" I asked with my eyebrow raised.

"Yes, I'd feel safer if you and your sister had one of these." mom said and continued to work on her gun. I sat the Taser down.

"I'm going out with Riley Stavros." I said quickly. She stopped working on the gun and looked at me.

"Okay. But I thought that he was older than you." she said.

"Nope, he's 17 like me." I lied smoothly. "I kind of thought you liked his family."

"Right. I'm confused. What happened to not liking anyone in town?" she asked as she started on her work again.

"Well to be precise, he doesn't actually live in town." I said. "He's almost here. He wanted a more formal introduction." She sat her gun down again.

"How nice of him." she smiled. I was just about to leave when a thought occurred to me.

"Mom, please don't go all Judge Park on him. He's like really imperative to me." I said.

"Don't worry. Mama Bear is under control." she said and folded her hands in her lap. She must really be loving this. I thought to myself sarcastically. I opened the door to see Riley in a rain coat and gloves.

"What's with the getup?" I asked.

"I'll explain it to you later." he said. I closed the door and we walked into the living room.

"Hello, Judge Park." he said with ease. My mother stood up and checked Riley over.

"Hmm, very handsome. I like you, for now. But if you break my Zane's heart…"

"Mom!" I interrupted.

"Oh sorry. I'm just really protective of my kids." she said.

"It's okay. My mother is the exact same way, considering the circumstances of the murder investigation." Riley said.

"Oh good. So what're you guys doing?" she asked. I put my face in my hands. Why did she have to know everything? WHY?

"We're going out to play football with my family." Riley said. He immediately had our attention.

"Football?" My mom asked. She stared at Riley and then at me. All of a sudden she busted out laughing. I mean not the usual giggle, but full on laughter.

"What's so funny?" I whispered to Riley.

"She thinks it's hilarious that you're going to play football." he chuckled. Once she settled down, she got off of the couch and faced us again.

"Whew, I needed a good laugh. You're alright with me Riley. But seriously what are you two going to do today?"

"Mom, we're actually going to play football." I said

"Oh okay. Well best wishes with that." she said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

"He'll be safe with me." Riley said as he smiled his crooked smile. I could see my mom nearly faint. I rolled my eyes and led Riley out. Mom grabbed my shoulder.

"Um, don't forget your Taser." She said as she held it up. I took it and grabbed my coat. I got into Arabella's Hummer 3. Man, this family had some nice vehicles.

"Okay, seriously. When the hell did vampires start playing football?" I asked as I put my seatbelt on.

"Well, I felt that it would be a great family activity. Besides, I want you to see how we have fun." Riley said as we drove off.

"Wait, why are you wearing gloves?" I asked.

"Because, I didn't know if I was gonna have to shake your mom's hand. I didn't want her to feel how cold my skin was." he said as he took off the gloves.

"Oh." was all I said. I looked up at the sky and saw dark rain clouds. "Isn't it supposed to rain today?"

"Yep." Riley replied.

"Then why are we going to play football in the rain?"

"So many questions with you." Riley chuckled. "It's quite simple really. We need the thunder in order to play. And timely for us, Langston saw a storm today." We pulled into an open field outside of town. I got out of the truck and saw the most stunning waterfall.

"That's beautiful." I said. Riley smiled and led me over to the rest of the family.

"Alright guys, I've decided that Zane should see how we have a good time." Riley said as he held my hand. I looked over and saw Adonis staring at me with a sneering expression. That made me hang on to Riley's hand tighter.

"Great, I was looking forward to a family game." Adonis said putting emphasis on the word 'family'. Riley snarled at him.

"Easy, Riles. Adonis give it a rest." Lysander said austerely. Adonis snorted and kept quiet. Elena came over to me and held my hand also.

"We need another referee." she said.

"Only because she thinks we cheat." A.J. said with a smile.

"No, it because you do cheat." Elena countered. "Just say what you see. Almost like calling it as you see it." I smiled.

"Okay teams. Riley, Langston, and A.J. verses Me, Adonis, and Chloe." Lysander said. I watched as the game took place. A.J. had the ball and threw it so far that I couldn't even see where it went.

"Um, how is Riley gonna catch that?" I asked.

"Oh, my boy is very fast." Elena replied. I watched as Riley looked at the ball and then disappeared. All of a sudden the ball was thrown back from the woods and into Langston's awaiting hands. He ran to the touchdown mark, dodging Adonis as he ran. "Touchdown! " I said as Adonis tripped and fell. I couldn't help but giggle at that. He noticed it and growled at me. A.J. ran over to him.

"Relax, Donny." she said and kissed him. As the game went on, I realized why they needed the thunder. When they tackled each other it was like the sound of boulders being pushed together. Chloe had the ball and threw it to Lysander. But A.J. was already on the scene. With her cat-like relaxes, she dove under Lysander, stealing the ball away.

"Look at my Cat woman." Adonis said smugly. Suddenly Langston stopped.

"HOLD IT!" he yelled. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him. Then they all huddled by Elena and I.

"It's some nomads. They were almost out of town when they heard us." Langston said. Riley grabbed my hand.

"Let's move!" he said.

"Too late." Elena said. Riley thought of something.

"Adonis, give me your hat." Adonis scrunched up his face.

"Let's see…no." Adonis said.

"Look…" Riley said about to pounce.

"Guys, this isn't the time or the place. Adonis do it!" Elena said. Adonis took off his hat and threw it to Riley.

"Here." he said putting it securely on my head. I saw Adonis sniff the air.

"It doesn't work. I could smell him for miles." he said. Riley just rolled his eyes. I saw three of the nomads walk out of the foggy woods. And boy, did they look intimidating. I hid behind Riley.

"I really wish I wouldn't have brought you here." he said.

"Same here." Adonis said. Riley gave him a menacing look. We all walked up to the nomads. Riley and I stood a few feet behind.

"I'm assuming that this football is yours?" the African vampire said with a hint of an African accent. He tossed the ball to Lysander.

"Thanks." he said.

"My name is Vince. This is Jay." He said pointing to a black haired vampire. "And Alex." The woman looked pretty damn tough. All three of them had piercing red eyes. I pretty much knew what they fed on. Humans.

"Well, I'm Lysander and this is my family." Lysander said.

"Hello to all of you." They all said.

"Your um, hunting ways have caused sort of a problem for us. You see this is our territory." Elena said.

"My deepest regrets. We didn't know about the arrangements." Vince said. The woman, Alex, just stared at me. I had a bad feeling about this.

"Yeah, we have a residence nearby. We plan on staying permanently." Lysander said.

"No problem. We were just taking a short cut." Vince said.

"There were some humans tracking us, but uh, I led them east. So you should be okay." Jay said.

"Glorious." Elena said.

"Okay, so I was wondering if we could join the game." Vince asked. Everyone became uneasy. "Just one game. I promise."

"I don't see why not." Lysander said. "Some of our players were on their way home anyway. So there's some openings." I looked up at Riley to see that his face was hard again. Lysander tossed the football to Vince, but Jay caught it.

"I have the most lethal spiral." he said.

"Ha! I'd love to see that." Chloe said.

"Alright then, let's do it." he said. As they begun to walk away Alex just stared at Riley and me. Right when she turned around, a rush of wind knocked my cap off. I caught it just in time to see Alex sniffing the air. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head. She turned around and faced us.

"How kind of you to offer an appetizer." she said as she headed towards us. All of a sudden both covens of vampires were standing in front of me. Elena held me back from the group.

"He's a human?" Vince asked. I watched as Riley and Alex had a stare down.

"Yeah, he's with us. Maybe you should go." Lysander said. Vince looked upset.

"Alright, we'll go." he said as they backed up. "Alex!" She just stared at Riley and then walked off. Jay the same expression on his face too as he joined his mate. I was pretty scared.

"Get Zane out of here." Lysander said, but Riley just watched as the nomads walked away. "Riley move." Riley and I headed towards the Hummer. When I got in, he tried to fasten my seat belt.

"Dude, I'm fine!" I yelled in a panic tone. Langston got in the truck with us. "So what is she coming after me?" Riley started the truck and sped off.

"Yes." he and Langston both said.