13 Wait A Minute

Legaxy

I am not careless.

I was just a bit… distracted, at that time.

Yeah, that's right. 

That's the ultimate reason and in fact, it's the most honest one I got.

After that phone call from Ms. Dawn — more like demanding me to deal with her mates who will be arriving this Wednesday, at the Hotel, to spend a holiday, I was quick to realize that I'm not holding any VIP invitation.

I do recall setting it on a flat surface, one I do believe was a storage cabinet. However, being preoccupied with the idea of answering the call, I never really paid much attention as to where I had placed the card.

What's worse about the situation — apart from not paying attention to what I was doing and misplacing an important thing, specifically the invitation card — was the idea that I may have laid the invitation on one of those cabinets.

Not that I don't like those fancy-looking entryway storages, it's just that it's also GOLD in color. This means, I have to have a keen eye to spot the thin — and also gold in color, invitation.

However, before I could even finish inspecting all of the said cabinets — I've only checked four, and it's twenty in total — and thoroughly ransack each of them, evening came and I have to stop entirely since Mum asked for my assistance in cooking dinner for the family.

In the meantime, my priority is set on the big glass bowl in front of me. Carefully mixing a huge batch of chicken salad while standing behind the kitchen island.

Of course, Mum left me with chores that are not too heavy — or should I say, not including the element of fire or the obligation of using a knife.

Typical.

“Lily? Can you pass me the pepper, please?” Mum instructed, snapping me out of my reverie. 

“Oh, sure Mama, ” I stated, quickly grabbing the tube from the spice cabinet that was near me and give it to her. 

“Thank you, baby.” She sprinkled a few on the gravy she was planning on pairing with the roasted chicken. 

“Don't you think this is too much, Ma?” I asked, my eyes started scanning the cramped table.

Four whole roast chicken were resting on the right side of the dinner table, while two bowls of mashed potatoes on the left. And there's the big bowl of vegetable salad sitting in the middle. 

Not to mention, I still have these two bowls of chicken salad and Mum's apple pie, three pans to be exact, that was baking away in the oven.

Yup, this is too much.

Mum, seeing me apprehensive, only laughed.

“You do know your brothers' appetite, Lily. Men as old as them have a higher metabolism, making them digest their food easily. That's why they need plenty of food to satisfy them.” She explained. 

“Oh,” I paused and wrinkled my nose, “I just hope they don't ask for seconds. We don't have reserves for each dish, you know.”

Mum laughed at that and was about to respond when we both heard car engines stopping in front of our house, followed by our front door swiftly opening. 

Recognizing who it was, I quickly turn around and when my eyes landed on the entrance of our kitchen space, I saw — just in time — my brothers entering the room. I noticed there were only two of them though.

Now, where's Seth?

Before my eyes could roam any further, the two boys found where I was and all started racing towards me.

“Hailey!”

“Flower!”

Both Howard and Axel yell.

Frozen on my seat, I just watched them boys compete their way towards me. Then, it was Howard Martin Dyme, the big and muscular brother of mine, that got to me first. 

He quickly picked me up from the floor with one swift of his broad firm arms and started spinning me around. 

“Oh my goodness! I have missed you so much, Hailey bear.” He said gleefully, still spinning around.

“I miss you too, Howie,” I muttered, a giggle came out of my throat. 

As he put me down and was about to talk to me, Axel David Dyme — my tall and lean brother — popped in front of me and engulfed me into a long, bone-crushing hug. 

“Hey! I was here first!” I heard Howard complain but Axel ignored him as he tightened his embrace around me. 

“I miss you, my little Flower. Haven't you bloom so well and,” he sniffed my hair, making me blush on his arms, “you still smell sweet… very sweet.” He continued in a gentle, quiet tone. 

Why the nickname now?

Since Axel sees me as a fragile and delicate sister, apart from the reason Mum calling me Lily, he thought it would be suitable to nickname me as ‘Flower’. 

I know, too cute... Let those eyes roll.

“I mi — miss you too Axel,” I stuttered, trying to cool down my burning cheeks.

Though, it wasn't fast enough. Axel, after freeing himself from the embrace, chuckled when he caught sight of it.

“Still hating the compliments, Flower?” He asked while gently caressing my redden cheeks. 

“No. Ju-just the sniffing,” I replied shyly, my eyes averting his delicate stare. 

“Oh, just old habits.” He chuckled again, “My apologies though.” He's now scratching the back of his neck. 

I smile upon seeing that. 

“It's okay Ax. Just don't do it again.” 

“I'll try, Flower.” He uttered and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead.

And there goes my blushing again.

“Dude, stop. She's getting red again.” Howard laughed while grabbing Axel on his collar, pulling him away from me. Then, in Axel's place, Howard stand and gave me a formal hug.

“So, how's my Hailey be — oh wow, you look cute in pigtails. Did Mum do this?” Howard asked, feeling him touching the braid.

“Nope, I did,” I respond casually.

“Oh, and where did you learn that?” He inquired after releasing me from the hug.

The question caught me off guard, making my forehead wrinkled.

“Actually, I don't know. I just… well, I felt like I could do it. So, I did it and here it is.”

Hearing this, I noticed Howard giving Axel a bothered look which Axel returned with a concerned gaze.

Then, both of them stared at me weirdly.

“What?” I blurted out.

“Hailey, don't you think it's part of your memory?” Howard suspected and when my silver-gray eyes landed on his cyan ones, I saw he was uneasy.

“I'm” — I licked my lips — “unsure... I only felt it. Does that count?” I sounded upset now and my brothers noticed that.

“Shhh Flower, it's okay.” Axel assured, pulling me into another hug, “We just wanted to know if it's still happening… the flashbacks. Any episodes this past few days?” He asks, feeling his lips on top of my head.

I shook my head in a NO, explaining, “My last was a month ago. Still the same voice, the same scene in the woods.”

They didn't respond after that, giving rise to my anxiety.

I honestly don't like remembering the past. Not that it hurts to recall, it's just unfamiliar memories to me. I don't have any idea about it, let alone certain if it's mine or not.

I don't even recall the time or the reason why I have amnesia in the first place; I just have it.

I've asked my parents regarding this, and like me, they don't know either. All they could tell me, three days after they adopted me, was that I came to the Hue Kingdom by myself. I was covered in a mix of my own and someone else's blood while walking mindlessly at the feeding grounds — that's where I met Seth.

Correction: where Seth almost killed me.

Anyway, they also told me about my imprisonment. They thought I was some kind of spy, that's why they locked me up. I was proven innocent a week after when they discovered I have amnesia. 

Not knowing what to do with me, the Hue Kingdom, together with the Mixed Council, decided to give me away for adoption. And that's how I end up being part of the Dyme Family. 

“Don't worry, Flower.” Axel cooed, his blue-green eyes were apologetic. “We were just… disturbed, that's all. We didn't mean no harm.” He added.

I only nodded and from there, Mum called the boys for help in setting the table. I didn't miss Mum's wink once the boys came to her side as if saying she tricked them into doing the job and that I needed a break.

Finally.

I let out a sigh, feeling relieved since I didn't just get away from the blushing and last-minute table set up, but also from the interrogation of my worried brothers on my unnerving flashbacks. 

Mum knew how I felt for those recalls and as quickly as she can, she tries to avoid me from any conversation that relates to that.

Thank Goddess for that.

All of a sudden, I caught a glimpse of Seth with Dad — both having a serious conversation while standing on the threshold. Then from serious, Dad became upset, which made my mind suspect something was wrong. 

Though, I don't know what it was or if it was related to me because somehow they looked all calm and collected while discussing.

‘Must be a casual talk,’ I thought.

Momentarily, Seth caught my gaze and flashed me a smile. He then excused himself from Dad and approached me. 

Unlike the two boys, Seth only greeted me and we made small talks. I was about to ask regarding the plan on how to announce the truth when Mum called us for dinner.

As expected, everyone talked to everybody during the meal. All laughing and chit-chatting to update each other with every ounce of missed time. 

I was barely participating in the conversations because one, I was more of a listener than a talker, and two, I just love watching everybody enjoying themselves.

The boys didn't give up on me though...

They kept on asking me some random questions to make me talk until they came upon topics regarding my work. They were truly pleased with the success of their attempt because I, eventually, opened up about my hotel industry life.

“Hotel work sounds hard Hailey,” Howard commented after a long talk about the overall work I do at the resort, plus the errands I do for Ms. Dawn. 

“And brain wrecking too,” Axel softly interjected. “Though, Flower, it never really occurred to me that you have that kind of job; one that requires you to become a follower.”

I frowned at that.

“Well, what did you expect a Personal Secretary does, Ax?”

“Don't take my words as a mock, Flower. Though, if it does sound like one, then I am sorry.” He paused and sighed, “Yet, I did expect you in a higher position. One that allows you to lead and lets you make your own decision.” He admitted.

“I'm actually doing that, you know. It's part of the responsibilities.” I reasoned.

“Still, you work under supervision,” Axel argued. 

My frown deepened and was about to counter him when Mum interrupted us. 

“Okay, you two enough.” She glared at us. “Though Axel, honey, Lily's work sounds better than having the all-day argument with the guests. You already heard how dangerous front office work is.” Mum pointed out. 

“Especially with those werewolf guests, pure headache son,” Dad added with a scoff. 

I eyed Dad when he said that and he made a fake innocent face as if asking me the ‘what did I do’ question. 

Axel, on the other hand, was convinced and didn't further question me. 

Even so, I got annoyed. 

“You guys are unbelievable.” I finally muttered and they all started laughing, except Seth. 

I tilted my head in wonder at him and was about to ask what was bothering him when Mum got to him first.

“Seth, sweetheart, is something wrong?” Mum inquired, causing everybody else to stop laughing and turned their puzzled gazes at a serious Seth. 

My big brother didn't say a word at first and realizing it might be related to the secret he was holding up to himself, I swallowed hard.

Still, would he really say it? 

In full details? 

Knowing Seth, he's not really good at relaying a whole announcement towards us. Most especially, one that is dangerous and involves the whole family or one of its members. 

He kinda has this quality that wants to keeps the danger part to himself and tries to solve it quietly. So, when you finally heard about the problem, it was already fixed.

I know, and like I said, selfish… or scared.

With all eyes on him, he finally let out a heavy sigh and started speaking. 

However, thinking that he may be spilling the truth on the spot, I held my breath and listen attentively.

“I'm sorry to say this but canine aggression is the least of our problems right now.” Seth stated in a rough, husky voice, “We have rogue vampires and black witches to address to.” 

Oh.

‘Okay, not the one I was expecting to hear,’ I thought to myself as I slowly exhale the held breath. 

However, the air in the room became intense as I caught a glimpse of Dad becoming serious. He was always the cheerful one in the family and seeing him like this made me believe that the subject was far more important yet dangerous to ignore.

I gulped, while everyone else around me tenses up. 

“Is there anything that we can do at the moment, to stop them?” Dad consulted Seth, sounds like he knew already about the matter beforehand. 

‘Must be the casual talk I saw earlier,’ I thought once more. 

Seth, who was very uneasy at the moment, shook his head in a NO. 

“The Vampire King and Witch Queen will not gonna like this news.” Dad sighed heavily while pinching the bridge of his nose, a sign he was stressed out. 

Well, for a family like ours that solemnly works to protect the community in any way, who wouldn't be stressed out about this? 

Especially when the issue was causing disarray on the Coexistence Law — a law that keeps the peace between mankind and supernatural beings.

Like the ones being regulated at the Mallow Hotel...

So, if this continues, them rogue vampires and black witches running around — causing mayhem, I will not be shocked if another war comes out of this.

I'm not a negative here, but seeing Seth and Dad's reaction, there can be a possibility. 

Not to mention, with another war means another ticket for extinction for the mixed-race — a total ANNIHILATION. 

I swallowed hard at the thought. 

“I heard their numbers are adding up, making the neighborhood unsafe for everybody,” Howard announced, making me uncomfortable now. 

“Stupid creatures. When will they ever stop?” Mum snarled.

“I just don't understand,” Axel's forehead wrinkled, “from all the time in the world, why now make a scene?” He inquired, currently eyeing Seth. 

  

“They heard about the Ball.” Seth looked upset saying this, “They will be hunting at the event and because it's their season, expect a massacre to happen.” His aura grew dark from here. 

“What?” I asked, alarmed. “No Seth, that's not right. Does this mean will have to cancel the ball then?”

Dad took my left hand, encouraging me a smile. “Afraid so princess. We can't afford any casualties to happen at the event.”

So from bad to worst.

I bit my lip hard. 

Everyone around me became silent after hearing that, especially my brothers.

In my head, I know it was for the best because we wouldn't want anyone to be hurt but in return, my brothers — and all the REDless out there — will have to wait for the next ball to occur, which will be next year.

Poor them.

My eyes scan around the table and one by one, I looked at my brothers' faces. Just looking how the HOPE in their eyes faded, especially with Seth, breaks my own heart. 

All I could think of then was them and how to help them.

Though, how exactly since I don't know anything about the RED matching?

I don't even know how it works. 

“The important thing we should focus on right now is how to keep things manageable and of course, how to stop this once and for all.” Seth declared, sounding his signature Vampire husky, dark leader tone. 

Everyone nodded, except me. 

I was currently on a deep level of thought; pondering on the intensity of how serious this mess was, to the disappointment of the Ball being canceled, and to the point of finding solutions for each case.

I know it was not my battle to fight, but I am sympathetic enough to offer my help because that's how I am. That's how I function as a human and the family knows that, that's why they didn't question my silence.

So, I kept on deliberating with myself.

I know there must be some kind of a way to address all of this.

I just know...

“Wait, ” Axel said, breaking the silence as he glanced at Seth, baffled at something, “Why will they hunt at the Red Moon Ball when all the attendees there are Vampires and Witches? Do they meant suicide brother?”

Upon hearing this, I noticed Seth's jaw ticked, while the others looked dumbfounded.

As for me, I completely wondered at the question. 

Axel has a point.

If they want to hunt for food or a ritual sacrifice, they should rather go to a place or event where HUMANS exist. They basically can't do any of the feeding or rituals to their own kind, even if it means for survival —

Wait a minute...