“Breanne—”
“Hush,” Aunt Breanne said. “I’m not done. Just tell them that you’re worried about them. You’re scared that something might happen. The thought of losing your boys terrifies you.”
Patton stared at her, his face contorted in anger. His eyes darted to Thorne and Archer waiting. Suddenly, the look in his eyes shifted from angry to fearful.
“Of course I love them,” Patton said. “And yes, you want me to say it? I’m scared. I already lost their mother and their brother Remington. What would I do if something happened to them?”
Patton sat down on the couch. I could see the fear and heartbreak in his eyes in the moment before he closed them. Archer was seeing his father in a new light.
“Dad,” Archer said. “We both love you, but I have to be here.”
“Why?” Patton said. “For her? I thought you were with that other girl now?”
I could see Archer get angry all over again, but he took a look at Seth and forced himself to calm down.
“No,” Archer said. “Not for her. I love Bristol, but not like that. This is about Seth and the man who I want to be. I promised Seth that nothing would ever happen to him. And nothing will.”
Patton sighed and took a long look at his son. I think he was seeing Archer as a man for the first time.
“Fine,” Patton said. “But your brother’s too young.”
“I agree,” Archer said.
“No,” Thorne said. “I can fight. I can— I don’t know. I’ll do something.”
Thorne threw his hands up in the air in frustration. My impression was that Thorne had no abilities, but he was determined to pay me back for helping Archer. He wanted to make his brother proud and to stand with him.
“No,” Archer insisted, keeping his voice calm. “I need you to go home. Thorne, please. If you’re here, I’ll be worried about you. I won’t be able to do what I need to do. I’m proud of you for coming to help. You’re more of a man than I was at your age, but I need you safe. Please.”
Thorne looked mutinous, but he nodded.
I saw Payne go to answer the door again and this time, it was Varick himself. He walked in and every single conversation in the room stopped short. He was followed by Hunter and Ian.
They came straight to us.
“Seth,” Varick said. “You have my word, you will be safe. Believe me. All right?”
Seth nodded, a little more confident this time. I was hoping that Seth was starting to believe it himself. I did, but that was because I refused to accept any other possibility. Varick glanced over at Thorne. Patton quickly explained his younger son’s presence, and how he’d agreed to go home.
Varick smiled and put his hand on Thorne’s shoulder.
“I’m very proud of you,” Varick said. “It takes a brave man to want to stand for someone. It takes and even braver one to step aside when that’s what is best for those you love.”
Varick turned to Patton.
“I am making preparations for sanctuary for the family,” Varick told him. “With your permission, I would like to put Thorne in charge of some of the younger children. They’ll be frightened, and will need someone they can trust.”
After a moment, Patton nodded, just as Uncle Mark came into the living room.
“Everyone should relax a little,” Uncle Mark said. “Agent Williams was killed less than an hour ago. It’s going to take Jack’s family a while to get here, assuming that they’re coming, but we do need to prepare.”
“How do we do that?” Grandpa said as he walked across the room. “If you’re planning on arresting them, you may want to consider that they’ll probably just escape again.”
“I have a few thoughts,” Varick said first.
When I tried to listen to Varick’s voice, I felt something cold and vicious in the air, as if I’d been thrown out in the snow while soaking wet.
“Brissssstol.....”
I froze at the sound of my name. It seemed to come from all directions at once.
“Did anybody hear that?” I asked.
Everyone listened and then shook their heads.
“Brisssstol.......”
“I hear it,” Seth cried. He began trembling again and grabbed on to me.
It was them. The Shadow Creatures, calling my name. A chill ran down my spine.
“Brisssstol,” I heard them hiss again, giving me the shivery nails-down-a-chalkboard feeling. “Come to ussss. We sssssshall ssssseee you.”
They were getting louder, closer. I could almost feel their breath on the back of my neck.
Seth was shaking his head and was holding on to me for dear life.
“Bristol?” Payne asked.
I realized that I had just shown a whole room full of people that I had some sort of ability; people like Chase, Toby and my cousin Phillip that I had never told about me. They were all watching me with horrid fascination.
I was mortified and felt this need to apologize, but I didn’t have time. I pushed it out of my mind and talked to Payne.
“They want me to come talk to them,” I explained.
“What?” Uncle Mark asked. He pushed his way towards me. “Why?”
I shrugged.
“Bristol,” Payne said. “They’ve never talked to you before. You’ve heard them, but they’ve never talked directly to you before.”
“I know,” I said. “But now they—”
“Brissssstol,” They called again. “We sssshalll sssspeak about the boy!”
“They want to talk about Seth,” I said.
Grandpa came limping over. “Tell them to shove it. You got nothing to say to them.”
I shook my head. “But if they know something that can help keep Seth safe...”
“Let them call you,” Grandpa said. He held up the cell phone. “If I can use one of these contraptions, why can’t they?”
I listened as they repeated their summons. I realized their voices were no longer getting louder. Just scarier.
“Brissssstol,” they said again. “If you fear usssss, bring four others. You may have one extra if you are sssscared.”
“For one thing, Grandpa, they don’t have fingers. Look, I think I need to go hear what they have to say.”
Everyone exchanged looks of concern. Heads started to shake.
“I know what I’m doing,” I insisted.
Uncle Mark sighed. “It’s your call, but you’re not going alone.”
I nodded. “They offered to let me bring four people,” I said. “So we’ll outnumber them, five to four.”
“Four?” Payne said. “You’ve always said there were three of them.”
“Maybe they had a recruiting drive?” Grandpa said.
Seth was shaking his head.
“I’m guessing,” I said, looking down at him, “that the new one is Seth’s. The one I saw when we rescued him.”
I made a decision. “I’m going.”
“No,” Seth cried. “You can’t. Please!”
“Seth,” I said. “I have to.”
But Seth just held on tighter and tried to hold me back.
“No, no, no,” he said over and over again. “They’ll hurt you. You can’t go. I’m not worth it.”
“Seth,” I said sharply. Seth stopped fighting, but he was ghost-white. “Don’t you ever let me hear you say that. You are worth it and so much more. Look, they’ve never been able to hurt me. Not directly. I’ll be fine. I know what I have to do. I need you to stay with Aunt Breanne. Please.”
Aunt Breanne came over and pulled Seth to her. They sat on the couch. I watched as she held Seth as he shook. He didn’t watch me as I stepped away. His eyes were glassy as he just stared straight ahead. He looked catatonic.
Patton eyed Seth closely. Seeing the small child quivering before him made him even more ashamed of how he’d been acting. He tried to reassure Seth, but I don’t think Seth could hear a thing that Patton was saying.
“All right,” Archer said. “Let’s go. You stay behin
d me and Payne.”
“No,” I said. “You and Payne are staying here.”
Payne and Archer opened their mouths to argue.
“Shut it,” I ordered. “I know what I’m doing. I’m not going to go alone, but I want you two by Seth at all times. Please. Trust me.”
Both of them got quiet, but I could tell they weren’t happy about it.
“You have a plan?” Uncle Mark asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “At least, I hope so.”
I walked towards Ian and Hunter. Ian had been watching the families very closely all night. I knew that Hunter had confirmed her ability to him, and a few months ago, I’d spoken to Ian about his studies about our two families. He had come to some frighteningly close conclusions.
“Ian,” I said. “You surprised by any of this?”
Ian shook his head.
“Hunter’s told me some things.”
“You up to going?” I asked. “This isn’t your fight.”
Ian’s eyes drifted towards Hunter.
“Yeah, it is.” He placed a protective arm around Hunter. “I knew what it meant when I fell in love with Hunter, so I’m in.”
Hunter turned to look at Ian and thanked him.
“I want to be there with you,” Hunter said, gripping Ian’s hand tightly. “I’m just not sure how much help I’ll be if I can’t hear them.”
“Let me worry about that. I want you there.” I said as the Shadow Creatures called again.
Varick stepped forward next. “I insist you allow me to accompany you. I want to be by your side when you face these things.”
I smiled grimly. “Well, I was planning on asking you. I’m not sure what to expect. It might be like a negotiation. You’re the business genius.”
Varick seemed satisfied.
“Don’t even think about asking anyone else,” Uncle Mark said. “Last spot is mine.”
I didn’t argue. Uncle Mark was going to be my fourth choice anyway. I figured being a cop gave him a different kind of experience.
I knelt by Seth, who was in Aunt Breanne’s lap. His face was pale and he was shaking. I put my hand on his, but he didn’t even look at me. He just stared off into space with a glassy look in his eyes and a blank expression. I wasn’t even sure if he could hear what I was about to say.
“Hey. I’m going to be back soon. I know what I’m doing.”
Seth didn’t respond. He just stared forward, unseeing as Aunt Breanne gently rocked him back and forth. I wanted to hold him myself—to tell him that I wasn’t leaving his side—but I needed to go. I was terrified and far from certain that it was safe, but I knew what I had to do.
“Let’s go,” I said.
I saw Uncle Mark signal for Payne to follow us into the kitchen. When we were in the kitchen, my uncle turned to face him suddenly, clearing his throat before he spoke.
“In case something happens, tell your aunt I’d appreciate it if she looked after the boys for me.”
Payne mouth dropped open a little from the shock, but he nodded.
Before I could leave, Payne grabbed my hand. “I should be going with you. I should be by your side.”
I pulled Payne into an embrace. “I need you here with Seth.”
Payne whispered I love you and a warning to be careful into my ear before he let me go.
We headed through the yard together, heading toward the back gate that led off property. My uncle was on my right, with Varick in lock step next to him, while Hunter and Ian were on my left. Hunter gripped Ian’s arm while he kept twisting his hands. We made our way past the tree and swing set and headed towards the back gate of the yard where I often went for my walks down by the stream. It was the same place where I’d first met Payne over a year ago.
“Why can’t you just talk to them from the house?” Hunter kept asking me questions as we walked. “If you can hear them?”
“It’s not just a house,” Ian said. “It’s a home. Think of the old vampire legends. You have to invite them in.”
“These aren’t vampires,” I said. “Not even of the sparkly variety.”
“No,” Ian agreed. “But I’m sure they have limitations.”
“Good,” I said. “Study them. Listen. Look for flaws.”
“Okay,” Ian said. “I can do that.”
We reached the back gate. I opened it and we all passed through. Listening carefully, I could hear the nearby rumble from the Shadow Creatures. It sounded like the approach of a thunderstorm. They knew I was coming. They could sense it.
I looked over at Ian. He was one smart cookie.
“Where are we going?” Uncle Mark asked.
I pointed down the path that bordered the stream. I’d walked it either on my own or with Payne on many occasions. Now, the four of us followed the stream until we came across the place I’d seen in so many visions. Large trees cast dark shadows over a small stream that passed in front of us.
We stood in a line, side by side and waited. I felt the chilly breeze and heard the trickle of the water. Where were they?
“Oh no,” I said. “I’m not playing this game.”
“Bristol?” Uncle Mark asked.
“Let’s go.”
I turned on my heel and started walking in the opposite direction, as the others followed.
“Sssssssssstop.”
I halted. Suddenly, the air was filled with the smell of rancid meat and the night got just a little darker.
“We are here,” they said. “Ssspeak to usssss.”
I nodded to the others and we went back to the foot of the stream.
“Fine,” I said. “I’m here to listen, but talk so my friends and family can hear you.”
There was a rumble of thunder. I could see them skirting around under the water, polluting it with their presence.
“We do not ssspeak to them,” one of the creatures answered.
“You’ve spoken to others,” I argued. “Either you speak so we can all hear it, or I’m leaving.”
I waited as they twisted around each other, trying to decide. After a few seconds, I took a step back, poised to walk away.
“We sssshall sssspeak,” they said.
Their voices became louder and harsher. They came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, a cruel growl that made me wince. There was an echo as they spoke and the air became winter cold. I looked at the others. By the stunned looks on their faces, I guessed they could hear them too.
“What do you want?” I asked.
Thick, dark shapes of semitransparent shadows that had a vague human like shape slowly formed in front of me. Instead of the shadows that I normally saw, these were their true form. Silhouettes of pure evil which reeked of malevolence and hatred. Glowing red eyes appeared as if they were windows into hell, and wisps of crimson smoke emanated from them. The smallest of the three was closest.
“The othersssss,” the smallest one said. “They want the boy.”
“They can’t have him,” I said.
“You musssst give him to them.”
“No,” I said.
They swirled again, this time more in frustration. Fumes of black smoke from an unseen inferno churned in the air, polluting the breeze. When they stopped, it was the middle one in front.
“You do not undersssstand,” it told me. “They will come for him. They will kill.”
Uncle Mark stepped forward. “We’ll defend him. There are more of us then there are of them. We have more resources. We’ll be prepared.”
“They are powerful,” the shadow said. “They will not care who they sssslaughter.”
“Why do you?” I said. “You’ve wanted me dead since I stepped foot in this town.”
They began to swirl again, faster and faster. The grass around us had started to die.
“Yesssss,” The largest and cruelest came forward. “We want you dead. But they will not kill jussst you.”
Ian pointed a finger in the air like he just figured something out. “You’re just afraid that th
ey’ll kill everyone to get to Seth. They can’t be that powerful.”
The largest shadow hissed and whirled until it was right in front of Ian. Ian stepped back, almost falling, with fear in his eyes.
“They are far more...brutal. Jusst give them the boy.”
“No!” Varick jutted his chin out. “That is non-negotiable. If there is nothing else—”
The largest shadow whirled and got into Varick’s face. He didn’t blink.
“We will defend him,” Varick said. “And we will win.”
They started to swirl again. They weren’t happy.
“They could defeat them,” another cold voice said. It was coming from a nearby dead tree.
“You were there at the house where we found Seth,” I told this shadow. “You’re connected to him.”
It slithered forward slowly. It was weaker than when I had seen it. Seth was right. It was dying.
“You can win,” it told me. “The boy hassss what you need. It issss buried, but it issss there.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
The weakened shadow moved towards me slowly. A cruel face of smoke and shadow with deathly red eyes formed in from of me. A churning fumes in the form of an emancipated face screaming in terror, it’s breath stank of death and decay. “It is in hissssss mind.”
I watched as the small shadow faded away.
“They are plotting.” The largest one moved forward. Its face appeared, like black lava from an erupting volcano, glowing fire burning underneath. It was a cruel face, with jagged teeth. Fumes billowed from it’s mouth and the wisps of smoke that surrounded it simmered as if tainted by blood. “And will be here sssssoon.”
“How soon?” Uncle Mark said.
The creatures began to swirl together again, and spoke as one voice.
“Two dayssssss.”
I had more questions, but before I had the chance to ask them, the shadows were gone.
Chapter Fifteen
Welcome To The Family
When we got back to my uncle’s house, five more McKnights and seven Blackburns were there, plus, the extra security that Varick had arranged for had finally arrived. Also, since word had apparently gotten out that something was up at the chief’s house, pretty much every off-duty police officer had showed up to investigate. There wasn’t room for everyone.
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