Okay this is chapter 18 and I no joke cried while writing this…Feel free to cry along with me.
Hunter's mouth opened slightly at the sight of his daughter. She was wearing black knee high leather boots and a long black skirt that grazed her calves carefully. Her top was torn slightly on the shoulder and her black hair was knotted with twigs and leaves. She looked like a jungle princess about to murder her prey, but instead Lily had her eyes on her father.
"Lily." Hunter breathed with a sigh, staring at his most trustworthy daughter. "What are you doing here?
"Something I should have done a long time ago." Lily said pulling out another stake, with a darkened tip.
Everyone ceased their fighting and turned to Lily and hunter, each holding their in anticipation for what everyone knew was about to happen.
Hunter raised his hands in defense. "Lily, please. You don't have to do anything hasty."
Lily laughed, even though she was extremely unamused. "I'm way past hasty. I'm furious."
"Why sweetheart?" Hunter asked softly. "What have I done to you?"
"What haven't you done?" Lily barked another unfunny laugh. "I've done everything for you father, I've tried to uphold the Redfern name, I've fought countless people to try to help you, and through all that, you disappear then I hear about this? She jerked her chin to where Cassandra was sitting on top of her tiger. "That is worse then being a soul mate to vermin."
Hunter sighed and took a step towards Lily, who stood her ground stiffly. "I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you but I wasn't sure if-"
"If I would be able to keep it a secret?" Lily interrupted. "If I would over react? I'm hurt that you would even think such things. She looked away fro a second then instantly back again as Hunter crouched. "Nice try, father. But there's a reason that I'm here." She smiled grimly at Mary-Lynnette who was staring with a silver dagger in hand in front of a large brown wolf. "Your little monster turned that girl, that vermin into a weapon, why? Because she was there and because she could, she ruined things and she couldn't bother to listen to simple instructions. She used her powers to get inside Mary-Lynnette's head, not to wipe the slat completely clean. She's a lying little weasel. And you," She turned her glare to her father. "Are the monster that created her."
"Lily, please." Hunter whispered.
"No, father." She yelled. "I'm here to do one thing, one thing I should have done a long time ago." She smiled her father's wicked grin and took a step forward and pulled the stake behind her head, and tossed it strait through the air.
Hunter shut his eyes and waited for the impact, he waited for the moment before he would run and dodge and attack his daughter. Or maybe he would just stand there, he knew he had done wrong and he should die, he knew if he had to die, it should be at his daughter's hand. But instead there was a squish sound, crisp and clear through the silent room, and a high pitched shriek of pain. Everyone turned to see Cassandra, lying limply at the feet of her tiger, the stake pointing strait out of her chest.
"Cassandra." Hunter screamed as he ran to his daughter, trying to reach of the stake without harming himself or her.
"It won't do you any good father." Lily said loudly. "That stakes tip was coated with iron powder. Witch and vampire weaknesses will kill her." She smiled unhappily. "Ironic isn't it?"
Hunter turned away from Lily for a brief second, his eyes blazing with anger, with betrayal, but a small and faint tug made him turn around.
Cassandra's brown eyes were nearly closed, looking far off into the distance, equally far away and unfocused. "Daddy?" She whispered hoarsely, coughing as she said it.
"Yes honey." Hunter whispered pulling her hand against his cheek. "I'm right here sweetie, Daddy's right here."
"Daddy," She whispered. "I'm sorry. I…I didn't do…Didn't do a…a…good enough job. I….I tried…I tried my hardest daddy. I really…really…did."
Hunter placed a hand on his daughter's lips to shush her. "It's alright, sweetie." He whispered, a tear escaping down his cheek. "You did a great job. You did what you needed to do and more."
Cassandra smiled her faint pink lips. "Thank you…Daddy? I'm…sleepy…really….really sleepy."
Hunter nodded, as more tears escaped. "I know, princess. You can go to sleep, now."
"But," The little girl whispered. "I…I don't want to. I want to talk to you…I want to hear about mommy…how….how is she?"
Hunter sighed. "She's fine, honey. She misses you."
"I…I…miss...her...too." Cassandra croaked. "Do you think…that…that we…could….visit…her…soon?" Cassandra couched on the last word and peered up at her father through hopeful and slowly fading eyes.
Hunter nodded, even though alone with everyone else that this was a lie. "Yes, Princess. Anything you want, we'll visit her." His breath caught. "Really, really soon."
Cassandra frowned. "Daddy, don't…cry. We'll see her….really...soon." She stopped again to couch heavily.
"It's time to go to sleep now sweetie." Hunter whispered, as more tears fell. "You need to rest."
Cassandra sighed and nodded. "Alright…but…Daddy? If...I…If…I go to sleep…will you...you be here, when...I wake up?"
Hunter nodded a slow and sad smile through his tears. "Of course, princess. I'll be right here."
'Thank you…daddy." Cassandra whispered, her eyes slowly closing. "I…I…love…you."
"I love you to honey, you're an amazing daughter…I'm…I'm lucky to be your daddy." Tears were now falling down freely as he kissed his daughters forehead softly.
Cassandra smiled, one last smile then closed her eyes as she took one last soft breath, before leaving this world and Hunter forever.
I didn't want to do it…..I really didn't. But it had to be done. I hope you all enjoyed this even if it made you cry. I'm with you if you did. :'( Review?