xxiii.

I woke up to the feeling of Rain licking my face while whining loudly. I groaned and cracked an eye open. The sun was still up – I could feel it – so why was he waking me up? I shifted myself a bit to see him standing on top of Marko, though none of the others had woken up yet. I wasn't surprised. They rarely woke up before the sun set.

"Rain," I mumbled, my voice hoarse and my vision still blurry, "what are you doing?"

Rain whined again and pointed his face to the door. I sighed and listened as hard as I could, and I could make out the sound of voices in the hall, though they were a bit a ways away. I blinked quickly and turned to shake David. He groaned in response and shook his head. "Baby, the sun's still up."

"David, someone's here," I mumbled quietly, trying to keep my voice low so they wouldn't hear.

"No, there's not. Go to bed, sweetheart."

"David, I'm not kidding," I whined out, my voice going up an octave. David opened his eyes and listened like I had before, sitting up quickly when he heard the voices. He let out a territorial growl that immediately woke up the other boys, though Paul and Marko took a bit longer to wake up completely compared to Dwayne who immediately shot up, his eyes bright yellow.

"What is it," Dwayne questioned, looking around the room.

David stood and pulled on his pants and shirt in less than a second before moving to the door. "Someone's here."

The other boys rose from the bed and pulled on their clothes easily, moving faster than I had ever seen them. I sat in the bed and brought my knees up to my chest as the voices grew nearer. "I know those voices," I mumbled quietly, climbing out of bed with a blanket wrapped around me.

"What's that smell," one questioned.

"Vampires, my friend, vampires," the other responded.

I pulled the blanket tighter around myself and turned to David. "That's Sam Emerson and the Frog brothers." Marko moved to stand beside me, wrapping his arm around me. "Maybe you can scare them off, y'know. Get them to run off before they see you."

David snarled and turned to me. "I'm going to rip them limb from limb if they hurt Laddie or Star."

I nodded quickly and turned to the door. The boys were getting closer, almost too close. "Growl at them, like really loud. Get them to turn and run. That way they won't see you guys. We can get them later."

Marko smirked and David opened the door. He paused for a second, listening, before he let out a deep, guttural growl that resonated through the halls. The boys' footsteps stopped, and I heard their heartbeats pick up. If they could see anything at all, it would be David's eyes glowing against the darkness.

"Edgar, what was that," Sam questioned.

David let out another growl, this one louder. Dwayne joined in, inching closer to the door as he let out a growl. I bit my lip and stared at the two.

"I don't know, Sam," Edgar responded. "The comics don't say vampires can growl."

David let out a vicious roar, and I inched myself closer to Marko just a bit as David's face changed completely to his vampiric form.

The boys all let out loud yells and began running the other direction. I heard one of them drop a flashlight, and it went silent as they fled from the cave, yelling loudly for someone to start the car. I pulled myself away from Marko and inched my way to the door, listening carefully to make sure they were gone before opening the door.

"Where are you going," David questioned, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"I need to go out there, see if Laddie and Star are still there." My voice was frantic, and David let go of my shoulder and let me hurry down the hall, still clutching the blanket to me in case someone was still there. I stepped into the main cave and flinched at the light but continued walking. I scanned over the area quickly before bounding over to the beds where I let out a small growl. Star and Laddie weren't there. I felt tears gather in my eyes as I worried about where they were. I ran to the steps of the cave and flew up, though I was a bit wobbly with it.

I peaked over the ledge to see a car in the distance, and I let out a loud yell, clenching my fists and hitting the cliff's edge. I dropped back down to the ground and stumbled into the cave, weak from the sun. I let out a loud sob and stumbled back to the boys, falling into Dwayne's arms immediately. "They took them! God damn it!"

I felt Dwayne tense up, but he rubbed my back soothingly, placing his chin on top of my head. "It'll be okay. We'll get them back."

"They could be dead for all we know," I cried out, wrapping my arms around him tightly.

"They're not," David grumbled. I turned to see him running his hands through his hair as he stared up at the ceiling. "I can still feel their bond. They're alive, and they're not hurt." He turned to face me as he said that.

I nodded slowly and reached my hand out for him. He stepped forward and carefully took my hand, placing it on his face. He gently kissed my palm before placing it on his cheek. "So we can get them back?"

David nodded and let out a soft sigh. Dwayne was slowly relaxing a bit, but his shoulders were still squared up like he was prepared to fight.

"I guess that mutt actually saved our lives, huh," David mused, staring at Rain who was sitting next to Paul who was hugging Marko tightly.

I laughed lightly and nodded. "Told ya so."

David let go of my hand and moved over to us completely. Dwayne silently let go but kissed my forehead. David pulled me into his arms. I let my head rest on his shoulder as he took deep breaths. "When the sun goes down, we're going to get them back. If any harm comes to Star or Laddie, I'm going to kill the entire family." I nodded. "But for now, we need to sleep."

And we did. We fell onto the bed and slept for the remaining few hours. It was a restless sleep filled with much tossing and turning, and when the moon rose and we felt energy fill our bodies, we were immediately on the move. Dwayne easily grabbed me, knowing I was the worst at flying, and we flew over the city.

As we approached the Emerson house, I broke off from Dwayne and flew on my own. As my boys descended upon the brothers, I moved to the back of the house, knowing Star and Laddie would be put in one of the rooms. Michael, no matter what he had done, wouldn't allow her to get hurt. I waited for a few seconds, listening and my siblings were thrown into Sam's room. Once the door was shut and I heard one of the Frog brothers threaten them, I flew up and slammed through the window, growling as I stood in front of Star and Laddie.

"Mom," Laddie yelled.

"Evangeline," Star breathed out, listening as I growled loudly at the boys. The brothers froze up at the action and looked like the didn't know what to do. Their painted faces were set in shock and the once confident demeanor they had on before dropped to a scared expression. I took a slow step forward, and the boys ran to the bathroom where I heard Paul slam the door shut.

I took a deep breath and turned to the two behind me. I lifted their arms and inspected them, making sure they hadn't got hurt. "Are you okay? They didn't do anything did they?"

"We're fine, I promise," Star reassured me. "Michael took us from the cave. I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to do. God, I was so worried the boys had done something to you guys." I pulled Star into a hug and felt Laddie wrap his arms around my legs. "I promise I didn't know he was going to do that. He kept telling me how he was going to save me, how he was going to reverse everything. Eva, he's going to hurt David. They're trying to kill the boys!"

I growled lowly and pulled away, staring at the door as I heard Paul yell. I pulled away from them and ran toward the door, throwing it open to see Paul with a slightly burnt face and a dog staring him down. I growled at the dog as it jumped to knock Paul into the tub and pushed it away, watching it fly against the wall. The Frog brothers let out yells and grabbed at each other.

Paul stepped forward and grabbed Alan while I grabbed Edgar and pulled them out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. We threw them down on the ground and watched as they scrambled to try and get up. "What did you think you were going to do, huh?" I sent a sharp kick to Edgar's stomach. He curled into himself and groaned lowly, closing his eyes.

"We were going to kill you scum," Alan stated, his lip curling up.

"Look where that got you," I sneered and kicked Alan this time.

Paul wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck, staring down at them. "What do you want to do, baby?"

"Let's take them to the boys, figure this out together," I mumbled before turning and pressing my lips to his. Paul grinned against me and bent down to pick up Alan while I grabbed Edgar. Star and Laddie followed up as we walked out of the room. We descended the stairs to see Marko holding Sam to the ground with his boot while Dwayne and David stood next to Michael who was growling lowly as he sat, his hands tied behind his back. I threw Edgar to the floor and watched him groan in pain. Paul did the same.

"You guys okay," I questioned, looking over all of them. Dwayne was bleeding from his stomach, but the rest seemed to be okay. "What happened, Dwayne."

Dwayne glared at Sam as he spoke. "Fucker tried to shoot me with his bow and arrow."

I moved toward him and hovered my hand over the wound. "You're going to be okay, right?"

Dwayne grinned and leaned forward a bit. "Nothin' a little blood couldn't fix up."

I nodded and kissed him before stepping back over to Paul. Michael had fallen silent as he stared at Star. "Star? What are you doing?"

"What do you mean? I'm standing here."

"Why didn't you try helping us, Star? We could have found a way out of this." Michael's voice was pleading, and he leaned forward a bit from his place on the ground.

Star frowned and shook her head, her eyes watering. "I told you, Michael. This is my family. It's a fucked up family, but it's the only family that's actually cared for me. I'm not giving them up. I thought you were on board with us – with joining us, with being with me forever." Her voice cracked at the end, and I silently grabbed her hand to reassure her.

Michael shook his head and brought himself – after some struggle – to his knees. "I do want to be with you, Star! I do! Sam was just – his friends found a way for us to be together as humans. I- I just jumped on the opportunity! I didn't know what I was doing! I'm so sorry!"

"How do you not know what you're doing? You literally took me out of the cave and almost killed my brothers and sister. How do you – what do you mean?" Star was angry, the wet kind of angry that made her feel weak. Tears rushed down her cheeks as her voice rose a few octaves. "Michael, you could have hurt some of the only people that matter to me."

"I'm sorry."

Star shook her head, and a sob racked her body at the statement. "No, you're not. You don't even realize what you tried to do."

"Maybe not, but I hurt you, Star, and that hurts me."

Star shook her head again, and she turned to me, wrapping her arms around me and sobbing into my shoulder. I shushed her quietly and glared at Michael, though I couldn't for long. Even I couldn't deny the sincerity in his eyes. "Star, go sit over there with Laddie, okay," I mumbled, motioning to the kitchen with my head. Star nodded quickly, and Laddie hugged me before rushing to the kitchen with her.

I let out a sigh and growled at Michael. "Now look what you did. Jesus! And I was rooting for the two of you."

The boys chuckled at my words, and I turned my head to David. "What are we going to do with the Frog brothers," I questioned, staring at the two who were still holding themselves, groaning every now and then. I guess I might have broken a rib or something.

David stared at them and growled lowly. "We can't really just let them go, and they did help kidnap my siblings." David bent down and gave them a slow once-over before his eyes turned to mine. "What if we made them their first meal? They would be fully turned, and we can get your first later tonight."

I stared at them and then Michael and then I looked over to the kitchen. "If she agrees, yes, but only if she agrees."

David nodded, and I moved to the kitchen. Star sat on the kitchen counter with Laddie right beside her. Laddie was humming quietly, a tune that Star would always sing to him when he was homesick or sad. Star looked up as I entered, and I knew she had been listening.

"I'll do it," she stated quietly, "but don't make Michael if he doesn't want to. I'll – I'll kill one of them because they almost hurt you guys."

I nodded, and she jumped off the counter easily. "I'm proud of you, Star," I mumbled as we entered the room. I made eye contact with Sam as I did so from where he was lying on the ground, and I moved to him as she moved to the Frog brothers. Sam's eyes widened as I approached him, but I shook my head, trying to tell him I wasn't going to hurt him. Marko watched me come over, and he easily bent down to kiss me when I finally reached him. I rolled my eyes but complied, giving him a short kiss. "Can I take Sam into the kitchen? He shouldn't see that yet."

Marko nodded, and he lifted his boot. Sam easily scrambled over a few inches and stood up. "Go to the kitchen, dude. Don't try anything, please. Don't waste our time." Sam nodded quickly and practically sprinted to the kitchen.

David began talking as Marko wrapped an arm around my waist and Paul came over to wrap his arm around my shoulders. "Now, Michael, you can choose to feed from Alan or someone on the beach, but either way, you're going to have to at some point. There's no getting out of it."

Michael's eyes were trained only on Star as he spoke, his voice wobbly. "I'll do it now."

I bit my lip and pulled myself from the boys' hold. They went to protest, but as I watched Dwayne throw Alan to Michael, I knew I had to at least move to the kitchen so I wouldn't join in. I moved quickly, walking into the kitchen as I breathed through my mouth instead of my nose. I could hear their hearts pumping fast, knowing their death was near, and I wanted to join in so badly.

I moved and stood in front of Laddie, ready to restrain him if necessary. Sam watched me do so, and he looked at me with eyes filled with worry. "Evangeline," he began. I flinched as I heard one of them sink their fangs into one of the boys. Laddie wrapped his arms around me tightly. The scent of blood overpowered me, and I focused on Sam's words to calm myself. "You guys are going to hurt me, right?"

I shook my head. "Why do you always ask that? No. Of course, we're not going to hurt you. I think you're going to be joining us when you're eighteen, but that's a ways away."

"What about my mom?" The second person sunk their fangs into someone. "What are you guys going to do with her?"

"Sam, can you wait about, I don't know, an hour? Your mom should be coming home by then, and you'll get your answers, okay?"

Sam nodded, and he pursed his lips. "Do you think Star will forgive Michael? I don't think I've ever seen him so in love with a girl. I mean, I've watched him chase after girls because they're pretty, but he's never looked at a girl in that way."

I bit my lip and shrugged my shoulders, listening to the boys' heartbeats fall to nothing slowly but surely. "I don't know, Sam. I sure hope so. Star really likes him, too."

Sam nodded again and chewed at his nails. "This is crazy. I mean, I know why it's murder capital of the world now, I guess."

I chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, you figured it out, bud."

I heard one body drop to the floor and then a second, and I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as my fangs came out only to go right back in. I ran a hand over my face and moved from the counter. "Stay in here for a second," I mumbled to the two boys before walking to the living room. Star didn't have a drop of blood on her, but Michael had some falling down his chin. The two boys' bodies were slumped on the ground, and I sighed softly. "Can someone dispose of those so the mom doesn't freak when she gets home," I questioned. Marko bounced over and easily picked them up before flying out of the house. "Now, what's our plan, David?"

David turned to me and shrugged his shoulders. "Leave Michael, Star, and Sam here so they can talk to his mom and Max when they come back from their date. Find you a meal. Figure out where the hell they'll be living."

I nodded and turned to see Michael and Star staring at each other, both breathing heavily. I laughed quietly and smirked. "Hey, lovebirds." Their heads snapped to me. "Be back at the cave before sunrise. We don't need you guys to burn up on your first days, okay?" Star nodded, and I moved forward, pulling her into a hug. "His mom should be back in about an hour. Max will explain things. You two do need to talk things out, though. Don't come home mad at each other."

Star nodded again and smiled as I pulled away. "Thank you. You're the best sister I could've asked for."

I grinned and patted her shoulder. "Now, don't hurt Sam. Either of you."

Michael nodded quickly, and I moved away from the two of them. "Laddie, baby! Come here!"

Laddie bounded into the room and quickly jumped up and hugged me. "Mom!"

I chuckled and ruffled his hair. "We need to take you back to the cave. Wanna let Paul take you? You're going to be alone for a bit, but all your favorite stuff is out in the main room, and Paul can light some barrels." Laddie pouted but nodded, and he jumped over to Paul who easily pulled him onto his back, mumbling a 'come on, little dude.'

That left me with David and Dwayne who smirked at me as I grabbed their hands, leading them out of the house. "You guys need to find a meal for all of us once the others are done."

David gave me a bright smirk and nodded, pulling me into his arms. "Well, let's go find you a meal, baby." Then, we were off flying.

A/N: HEY! If anyone wants to be my best bud and buy me this fifteen dollar necklace I really want, fckin hit me uppp. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays. Only a few more chapters left of this bad boy :)