Ah! Sorry my dear readers for not updating sooner! I've been stuck between two points…this chapter being the in between point. But I hope it will be worth the wait (: Enjoy! Review if it's worth it ;)
"Can you please stop dragging me?" a groggy and annoyed voice sounded. I looked down behind me and saw Steve looking at me, sleepiness not quite out of his features yet. I rolled my eyes and continued on, dragging him across the field we were in. "Excuse me? I'm talking to you!" he snapped. I sighed. "Steve, I carried you for a full day, without stop. You can deal with this." I replied, looking up at the setting sun.
He sighed. "I cannot believe I'm saying this, but Vanessa, stop. Right now." He demanded. "No." I said immediately. "Vanessa, you're going to get tired, and then you're going to die from exhaustion and lack of blood, you need to stop and rest." He said. I shook my head. "What I really need to do is keep following this trail so I can find Tommy. And I'm not too worried about blood." I looked down at him through the corner of my eyes. "I can't say the same for you." I snorted.
He glared at me and stayed silence. We were right in the middle of the field where there was a clearing, and that's when the scent trail ended, becoming extremely stronger. I looked around, confused. They couldn't have vanished from thin air, could they? Steve started sniffing the air too, and then he stiffened before laughing loudly, like a maniac. I pulled Steve to his feet, now aware of the strong smell of the Vampaneze, and pressed my sword flush against his throat.
"Come out where I can see you! Make one wrong move, and your Lord is dead!" I called out. I heard rustling and saw purple men emerge from the tall grasses and into the clearing, some of them dragging Tommy, Laura, Brandon, and Lily with them. I felt my eyes widened in fear. Gannen came out last, a look of sympathy on his face. I stared at him.
"Gannen, what's going on?" I asked. "Let Tommy and his family go, this is between the clans, humans have no need to be part of this." I said, trying to be regal like Paris Skyle. Gannen shook his head slowly. "We wish to make an exchange." He said gently. I stared at him. "Steve for Tommy and his family?" I asked. Gannen looked at me with more sympathy. "No, Vanessa. Steve for one human." He said quietly. I stared at him, gaping. "Are you kidding me? He's your Lord! Doesn't he mean more to you than just one person?" I gasped, taking a step back.
The unoccupied Vampaneze troops raised their weapons, ready to fight if I tried to run. Gannen shook his head. "Vanessa, we have to eat." He said, staring hard at me. I started shaking. This wasn't fair! This wasn't supposed to happen! I was supposed to find them, and then take them to the Cirque where Mr. Tall could protect them! This does not fit in the plan. Steve laughed.
"What's wrong, Vanessa? You seem a little shaky." He sneered. I pressed the sword tighter against his throat, drawing a little bit of blood. "You're not in a position to make jokes, Leonard." I hissed into his ear. He lapped into silence then. I looked at Tommy, uncaring of the tears that were coming to my eyes. Three people were going to die because I couldn't save them. "Tommy." I whispered, my voice shaking.
Despite all that he had heard, he seemed tired and calm, but I could nearly feel the deep sadness he had within his soul. "Vanessa, it's okay. Just take Lily, please." He whispered. I stared at him, shocked. "Tommy, how can you play favorites in this situation?" I cried out. He stared at me, hard. "Vanessa, its Laura and mine's job to protect our children, and Lily is the only one they will hurt." He said. I stared at him, confused. I looked at Brandon and it registered then… Brandon wasn't being held against his will. I fought the bile rising in my throat as I realized what they had done.
"He's just a boy." I whispered, my voice hoarse. Gannen looked at his feet, before returning his gaze to mine. "It was done at our Lord's request." He said. I dropped my sword then. Steve really meant what he said about blooding him… I walked out and in front of a wobbling Steve so that we were face to face. I started shaking like crazy, out of anger. "You fucking bastard!" I screamed as I pulled back my fist and punched him in the face, sending him flying a few feet. I jumped onto him and started wailing away on his chest.
"How can you live with yourself? He's just a boy!" I cried out, tears streaking my face. He ripped free of the ropes and duct tape and rolled over so that he was on top of me, holding my wrists next to my head as I continued to release a stream of profanity. He was silent until I burst into tears. The look on his face made me cry even harder, he looked so vulnerable and like the Steve I used to know.
"Vanessa, you don't understand—" he began, before he was cut off by the look on my face. "I don't understand your reasons, and I never will. But I hope you know that you just ruined that beautiful boy's life. Do you know what it's like? Being a Vampire or a Vampaneze as a child?" I whispered. He frowned down at me. I really don't think that your experience counts here." He snorted. I glared at him.
"Yes, I had an almost normal childhood. I could walk outside, I aged like a normal person…but I still drank blood, I still had to fight, to prove myself to the clan. I had to endure years of training, all starting when I was five. My life was hell, Steve. Now with that said, imagine what you just did to Brandon, the son of one of your best friends." I said quietly.
He lapsed into silence at this and stood up, pulling me to my feet. He walked over to the Vampaneze that had Lily and stooped down to her level, whispering to her. He told the Vampaneze to let her go and he picked her up, turned around, and carried her to me. He gently laid her in my arms and stared at her for a long while.
"She's beautiful." He said quietly. I nodded silently. He then looked at me. "Vanessa, I had no idea…" he trailed off. I stared numbly at him. "I know you didn't. You've been pampered by the Vampaneze. Have you even started your real training?" I asked him. He raised a brow. "The customs? The fighting styles?" I pressed. He shook his head slowly. "I know some of the customs." He whispered. I nodded. "Learn them." I said, then bended over to pick up my sword and push it into my belt loop. I stared at Tommy and Laura, sadness seeping into my bones.
"I'm sorry…this is my entire fault." I whispered. Laura spoke to me this time. "It would have happened sooner or later. But you've saved us, Vanessa. Without you, Lily wouldn't be safe." She whispered. I nodded weakly and looked down at Lily, who was staring at me with large eyes. As I stared into her eyes, I realized that I was all she had left. I pulled her closer to me and looked back at Tommy and Laura.
"I'll protect her, no matter the costs." I whispered, giving them the sign of the Vampires. Tommy and Laura seemed confused. "Even in death may you be triumphant." Gannen whispered. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I turned and began walking away, Lily screaming and crying in my arms. "Mommy! Daddy! Brandon!" she screamed. I held her tighter. "I'm so sorry, Lily." I whispered. She cried. "You were supposed to save us!" she wailed. I started shaking again. "I know, I know I was. But Lily, I swear on the honor of the Vampire clan, I won't let any harm come to you." I said. she nodded wordlessly.
"Close your eyes, Lily." I whispered. She closed them and buried her face into my shoulder. I felt a tickling in my mind and heard Mr. Tall's voice in my head. Go north a hundred miles, and fifty miles east. I will be expecting you home by breakfast. He said. I nodded and started to flit away, off towards the Cirque.
Hours Later at Sunrise…
I stopped a little ways from the camp and walked, just as if I were traveling with Mr. Crepsley and Darren. I could hear the rustle and bustle of the camp inside. I smiled and shook Lily, who had fallen asleep. "Lily, wake up. We're here." I whispered. She yawned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked quietly. I smiled. "We're at the Cirque du Freak, baby." I said.
I set her down on her feet and she took my hand, keeping close to my side as we walked into camp. By then, everyone was around the morning breakfast fire. I grinned. "I hope you guys saved some for me!" I called out. Everyone turned and broke into cheers and grins. "Vanessa!" Evra shouted. He jumped to his feet and ran towards me, picking me up in a swirly hug. I laughed. "Evra, my beloved Bubba!" I giggled as he set me down. I looked down at Lily, who was gaping at Evra.
"Who's the kid?" Cormac Limbs asked, taking a bite of sausage. Everyone turned their attention, who squeaked and hid behind my legs. "I turned around and squatted down in front of her. "It's okay, Lily. These are good people. They won't hurt you, they're like my family." I told her she looked at me too. "Are you their auntie too?" she asked. I froze, and stared at her. She just called me auntie. I shook my head slowly. "No, they're my aunties and uncles." I smiled at her. She nodded and took my hand.
I turned to the Cirque members. "This is Lily Jones." I told them. Hans Hands raised a brow. "Well, what's she doing here? We haven't had a kid that young here since you and Larten came to us." He said. "That is a matter for another time, Hans." A voice said from behind me. Lily turned and her eyes widened as she gaped at the tallest man she had ever seen. I smiled and turned to Mr. Tall, grinning. He stared at me.
"Welcome back, Vanessa. I have placed a bed in your trailer for Miss Jones and yourself." He said. I smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Tall." Evra walked up to Lily and smiled. "Hi, Lily. I'm Evra Von." He said gently she stared at him for a long time before saying, "Von what?" he smiled. "Just plain Von." He said. she giggled. He held out a scaly hand. "Are you hungry Lily? We can get some breakfast; we're having, bacon, egg, and sausage." She nodded and took his hand. I looked after her as Evra took her to the campfire, introducing her to the rest of the Cirque.
"I take it that Darren isn't here?" I said quietly. Mr. Tall nodded. "I already sent him off." He said. I sighed. He smiled a little and put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't fret, Vanessa. All will be fine…for now." He said with a sigh. I nodded. "I know, I'm just worried about Lily." I muttered. He smiled. "She will be fine." He leaned over and whispered into my ear. "She will be a great vampire." He said. I stared at him. "Surely not now." I said, shocked. He shook his head. "No, in the future, once she is ready." He said. I nodded and we lapsed into silence, thinking of the future and what would happen.