“Angel.” Rayna was walking towards me. I turned back to look at the Vampyre, and he was gone. “Angel, are you alright?”
“No. I am certainly not alright. This cannot be happening right now. They don’t know what they have done!” I exclaimed.
“Maybe he will be good for the tribe.” Scarlet’s voice came up behind Rayna.
Rayna spun around. “You don’t know him very well. He’ll tear this tribe apart and destroy everything that Caleb worked so hard for.”
“Maybe he will change.” She said.
I stood looking between the two of them knowing that Rayna was speaking my frustrations so I wouldn’t have to.
“Scarlet, I don’t want to be a bitch but you don’t know James. Or anything about this tribe or what we’re about for that matter. James is a young punk that throws a tantrum every time he doesn’t get what he wants. He will dissect this tribe and tear us all apart. He’s about power and control. Without that he’s nothing. I’m sorry, but with your positive ‘maybe’ stuff,” She paused. “It’s all bullshit and you have no idea what you’re talking about. You can’t just show up here thinking you’re one who knows all about our kind.”
Rayna’s words went on, but all I heard was the drums and cheerful people of the village surrounding the fires. James was loving this and Rayna was right; he will tear this tribe apart and ruin everything that my father worked for.
I stood there speechless as I watched Rayna walk away and Scarlet stand there looking at the ground.
Angel.
35.
Exile.
Present Time.
“Thank you all for coming and listening to me. As Chief I’ll do right by this tribe.” He almost bowed his head, “Except there is one thing, however.”
I was standing over by the tree’s with Rayna and Micah listening to the bull coming out of his mouth. “Here we go.” Micah snorted.
“First order of business,” He looked over to the Elders and they nodded, which meant whatever he was about to say, they agreed with him. “Angel. As Chief I hereby exile you from this tribe and village. You have two days to leave or you will be removed. You’ve brought enough danger to these people already.”
I stood there in shock not really understanding what was just said. Then I got angry. My breathing sped up and I felt like I was paralyzed. Everyone just looked at me as if I should reply or fight for my rights. I didn’t. The three of us just sat there in disbelief. Everyone started to get up and leave, after listening to the rest of what James had said. Again, I wasn’t listening. I was in my own world, trying to contain my hatred.
Daddy I need you. I have never felt so lost and frustrated in all my hundreds of years of being alive. James had to be joking. He once said he loved me, and now he was banishing me.
I found myself later, sitting on my front porch in silence. Kane, Aden, Scarlet, Rayna and Micah were all with me.
Kane jumped up quickly in anger and flew down the steps. I looked up just in time to see James. Kane’s face not even two inches from James’ face. Both growling at each other.
“Enough!” Aden jumped over the railing, landing inches from Kane, pulling him away. “He’s not worth it peace keeper.” Aden said as a reminder to him.
“Angel, can we talk?” James looked up at me with those innocent eyes he used to look into mine with.
I didn’t say anything, but I stood and opened the door and waited for him to walk up the stairs and come inside.
“Stay.” I put my hand up to everyone as they wanted to follow. I walked in shutting both doors so James and I could talk.
“What?” I asked finally making real eye contact with him.
“I’m sorry it had to be this way.”
“No you’re not James. You know a Chief is sworn to honesty.” I crossed my arms looking deep into his eyes.
“And that is why you weren’t named Chief.” He through back at me, mocking my arm crossing.
“No. It’s because I am a woman and can’t be Chief, and my father never had a son.”
“He was too occupied with loving a ghost of a dead blood sucker to ever have another child.” He spat at me.
“Watch it.” I growled.
“Or what Angel? You can’t threaten the Chief.”
“Oh, I’m not threatening. I’m promising. And if I remember correctly, I’ve been exiled so I have no Chief.”
We stared at each other for a moment. Neither of us moving.
“I didn’t ask for this Angel.” He looked away from me while running his hands threw his hair and pulling at it in frustration.
“To hell you didn’t. The Elders saw it from day one.”
“What are you talking about?”
“They saw how controlling you were and how you kept trying to take charge within the Six. That clued them in.” I accused.
“Angel…” He paused. “You’re so full of it. You’re just jealous that you weren’t chosen.”
“Jealous?” I hesitated. “Not even close. Why would I want to be held down in one place? Being Chief doesn’t give you very much freedom.”
“Your father seemed to have plenty of freedom. Sneaking around with that parasite.”
That is where I draw the line. I wasn’t going to listen to anymore of his comments about my father.
I swiftly ran up to him with my half changed arm in the air and slashed my claws across his face cutting him. There was blood dripping down his neck and onto his white shirt. He wasn’t expecting it. I knew that much from the look in his eyes.
My arm went back to human form.
“The temper of a Vampyre. That is where your heart truly lies.” He put his hand up to his face and looked over at me. “Why don’t you just go join them in there mansion. That is where you belong.”
“Where is this all even coming from?”
“Hit me Angel. You know that you want to.” He came closer to me. I could see the blood dripping from his face.
“No. You’re not worth it anymore.”
He nodded, “I see.”
“Where am I supposed to go?” I almost started crying.
“You’ll survive Angel. You always have.”
“This has been my only home James. You’ve exiled me from the only place that I have been accepted.”
“Accepted? Is that what you think? Your father was the Chief! Who is going to argue with the Chief about his daughter. That is the only reason you were accepted.”
“Lies.”
“Just admit if to yourself.”
I cut him off, “Stop talking to me James. All you have ever done, and will ever do, is dig yourself a deeper hole. You’ve said enough, you can leave my house.”
“Your house?” He questioned.
“Yes. This house and the piece of land it sits on was left to me. It will not be touched and my friends will be staying here and you will leave Rayna and Micah alone as well. They are a part of this tribe.”
“Oh? Will I?”
“You know they can tear you apart.”
“I’m not afraid.” He moved closer to me.
“Anything happens to them or the three that will be staying here, I will know about it and I will come back.”
“All empty threats Angel.”
“Don’t push me James. You’ve never seen me angry. It’s not pretty.”
“Leave today or I will take you out of here myself.” He was in my face. His hot breath on my mouth.
“No James.” I turned away as he leaned in to kiss me. “No goodbyes like that.”
He stormed off towards the door. “Your friends can stay. But if they start any trouble, they’re gone.”
“Fine James. And by the way all these thousands of acres are in the Fowler land. Legally, they all belong to me.”
“You ruin everything Angel! Always something to say!”
“Always. Now please leave.” I walked towards him.
He opened the door with
me on his heel. He jumped all the steps and took off towards the woods. Everyone was standing looking between me and James.
“What did you do to his face?” Rayna asked. Everyone’s gaze was upon me.
“That. That is what happens when you piss me off.” I shrugged.
Angel.
36.
Nowhere to Run.
Present Time.
“You can’t just leave. Let me talk to him.”
“Huyanna, it won’t do any good. You know how hard headed he is.”
“There’s got to be a way to get through to him. This is your home.”
“And the rest of the world is an adventure waiting to happen.” I gave her a re-assuring smile. “I will be fine. I’ve done it before.”
“Will you at least keep in touch?” Her look was full of worry.
“I’ll try.”
“Try? Just say you won’t and I’ll have to keep tabs on you.” She finally smiled.
“You’re right you will have to watch over me. But its all going to be fine.”
“I’ve seen some of the future child, and I’ve got to tell you that it won’t be fine.”
“What have you seen? You know you never did tell me the truth all those moons ago like you said you were going to.”
“Well, things got a little crazy around here. No worries, the truth will come to you. That much I promise.”
“Huyanna…” I sighed.
“Child…every path you are put on will lead you back here.” She hugged me. “Have you packed?” She asked.
“Yea. A few bags, and the trunk is full of weapons and things I will need.”
“You going into battle?” She smiled.
“You never know. I left everything else in the house. All this land is in my family’s name. He can’t touch the house.”
“We’re not greedy people Angel.”
“I know that. But James…well, something tells me that he won’t last very long in his position.”
“Oh?”
“It’s his hard head.” I pointed to my head.
“Angel?” Kane came up behind us.
“I’ll leave you two alone. But first, another hug. It’ll be a while before I see you again.” We hugged. “Blessed be Angelica Victoria Fowler. Follow the paw prints in the stars.” She ran her fingers over the black paw print on my forearm and winked.
“What’s up Kane?” I turned to him.
“Please don’t leave, or let me come with you.”
“No. I need you here, peace-keeper.” I smiled.
“Damnit Angel. Stop being so stubborn! I didn’t come all this way so you could just leave me again.”
“Leave you again? No one asked you to come here Kane. And what choice do I have? I am asking you a favor Kane, please stay here. These people are going to need you.”
“Fight for what you believe in Angel. This is your land. What right does he have to push you away from here? What right does he have to push you away from me?”
“Um, he has that little title in front of his name now. Chief.” The wind blew through the trees and made the glass wind chimes from the porch rattle. “Kane please. I can’t handle this.”
“So you’re just going to run away right? Because that is what you’re good at?”
“Stop. Please. Just. Stop.” A tear fell from my eye.
“Angel. I’m sorry. You just, you shouldn’t run away from this.”
“I have to. Have you ever had a feeling that you just needed to be somewhere because something was going to happen?”
“Everyday since you left, and that’s why I came here.”
I sighed, and smiled at him. “Kane. You hold my heart. Know that. And know that one day I will return and we can be together. For now, this is something that I have to do. I have to leave.”
“What is the point of us staying here if you’re leaving?” Scarlet walked over to us.
“Because these people, and this land, need to be protected while I’m gone. And I can’t think of anyone better to do it.”
“Isn’t this all protected by magick?” She asked.
“Magick isn’t enough now. A way will be found around it.”
I closed the trunk of the car and looked around.
“We won’t leave here. At least not for a long time. This is our home.” Micah said.
“Yes, but how long is this going to be our home? James a Chief…he exiled Angel, who is a hybrid. We are too. How much longer before he sends us away?” Rayna said.
“He won’t.” I said. “With me, it’s personal. I got to him. He loves me and I can’t love him back.” I reached over and grabbed Kane’s arm squeezing it. He smiled at me.
“You’ll keep in touch?” Rayna asked pointing to her temples.
“As often as I can.”
“And you will let the rest of us know?” Scarlet asked Rayna.
“Yes.” Was her response.
I crossed my arms and leaned up against the dusty old trunk of my father’s beat up Camaro. He always wanted to repaint this car and give it a new look. Now it’s just a matte black with rust spots.
“Look,” I looked up at all of them. “I have a feeling that something big is going to happen. There’s been new arrivals over at the Vampyre mansion and more coming everyday. I don’t know how much longer everyone will be safe. You heard Draven. Yes, he’s a Vampyre, but you can trust him. Vlad is coming. Please do everything that you can to keep these people safe.”
“We’ll do our best.” Micah smiled half heartedly.
“You could always go over and just ask them.” Aden said.
“Aden!” Scarlet let out.
“Well, they are her best friends and new family.”
“No, they’re not.” I said.
“Then why was that blood sucker here?” He said through his teeth.
“You know Aden, why don’t you just let me live up to those rumors about me being a bitch. It’s none of your fucking business. And let’s leave it at that.”
“Are you serious?” He took a step towards me. “We don’t even have to be here right now…” He looked to Scarlet.
“There is nothing holding you here.” I said.
“Stop please. We can’t fight amongst ourselves if we’re all we’ve got.” Rayna said.
“She’s right.” Kane stepped closer to me. “You better get going.”
“Where will you go?” Scarlet asked.
“I’m not sure yet.” I took the car keys out of my pocket. They clanked against the other key chains.
“Be safe my friend.” Rayna hugged me. I hugged back. Then to Micah. He gave me a big hug with a kiss on the cheek.
I turned to Scarlet, put my arms around her and hugged her. She was surprised. “I’ll see you soon. Take care and be safe.” I whispered. “Aden.” I looked up at him. He just eyed me.
They all went up onto the porch, except Kane. He walked to the car with me and opened the door. “I really wish you would let me come with you.”
“Kane…”
“I know.” He smiled. Gods I loved his Australian accent.
His eyes were almost black, in color, looking down at me.
“Listen peace keeper…” I put my arms around his neck. He brought arms around my waist. “Look after everyone for me and don’t let anything happen to yourself. We’ll see each other soon.” We kissed. A deep, long, passionate kiss. The only reason we stopped was so we could come up for air. It made us laugh.
“Don’t let anything happen to you.” He kissed my forehead.
“You know I never promise anything.” I smiled.
“You’re such a pain in the ass.”
“It’s what I do best.” I took my arms away from his neck. His grip tightened pulling me into his hips. “Kane.” My voice was sad.
“I know.” He dropped his hands to his sides and then moved away from the car door.
I stepped towards the driver seat and
took one last look around.
I’ll admit that James was right about one thing. My father was always pre-occupied with other things. And looking at the house made me realize that. He could’ve fixed it up, fallen in love, and had other children. Had a son. He could’ve done many things. The past can’t be changed, and I know that. Growing up, I was taught that everything happens for a reason. I have to believe that there is a greater purpose here and that what is happening is for a reason that will be revealed in time. I’ve just got to go with the flow and keep surviving.
“Goodbye Kane.” I kissed his cheek and gave a half wave to everyone on the front porch.
The rest of the village was quiet, and the Six, or now the Five, was no where to be seen. I got into the car and closed its creaking door, put the key in the ignition and listened to the engine purr. I revved it up and put it in drive.
I looked at the rearview mirror, seeing my fathers dream catcher hanging there, then looked back at the reflection of what I was leaving behind.
It took me about ten minutes for me to reach Route 90. I stopped and put the car in park, looking at the sign. Where am I going? Where am I supposed to go?
My passenger door opened.
“Draven! Get out! Now.”
“You’re just going to abandoned your people?” He stared at me.
“Everything happens…”
“For a reason. That’s such crap and you know it. Stay and fight for your rightful position. Go to the Elders and talk to them. You have to stay. You have no idea what’s coming up.”
“Get out Draven.”
“You’re a coward. Constantly running and making excuses because you’re too afraid to face the truth.”
I shut the car off and got out slamming the door. He followed.
“What truth? I’ve never been told the truth. You know how I see things Draven? With visions that come into my dreams. I saw you there the night my mother was killed. You just stood there! You didn’t do a damn thing! And you knew that it was wrong!” I was almost hysterical.
“I could’ve never had stopped that Angel. We had an order and we followed them.”
Fate of the Blood Moon's Path Page 26