Chapter 4- Elnora POV
Merrick and Talvin are refusing to speak another word until Fulton comes back with the Doctor. No matter how hard I beg them to talk to me, they will not. They are only giving me a look of pure disappointment. The look made my heart sink, wondering what I have done that hurt them so badly. What can I do to fix the situation at hand?
“Hello Elnora, my name is Doctor Kent; how are you feeling?” His voice is soothing over me. “I feel a bit drained and confused. Other than that, I think I am fine. What happened?” I watched the flash behind his eyes when he realized I had no idea what was going on. “From a medical standpoint, I will tell you what I know.” He mentions as he casually walks to the foot of my bed to keep me from straining my eyes to the side. “When you arrived, we drew your blood and did a full lab workup. Everything else was fine except for one thing.” “What was the one thing?” I interrupt him. “We needed to do an emergency blood transfusion. We are unsure why you were missing as much blood as you were, but if you waited any longer to come to the hospital, the outcome would have been much different.” “Did I get cut or something to lose that much blood?” My question sent Talvin flying to his feet. “Or something is more like it, Mom!” He barked before storming from the room, confusing me further.
“I think it would be best for your boys to explain the severity of the situation.” Doctor Kent announced. “Actually, Doc, I think it would be best if you explained it. None of us are really up for the task to announce exactly what is happening.” Merrick mumbled. “As you wish. Would you please allow me to collect Doctor Harken? She did your Mother’s Online visit this morning. She may be able to explain this from a different point of view. I will be right back.” He announces before leaving the room.
“What did I do to mess up so badly?” My desperation for an answer directed to Merrick. “I tried to get ahold of dad. I noticed that you sent him a few messages this morning about your neck and that man. I also saw that he read them and didn’t reply. I tried to call him from your phone and mine, and he ignored my calls on both. So, I called the office. I figured that his wife being taken to the hospital in an ambulance was worth the call at work. It turns out he wasn’t at work today, or the rest of the week for that matter. He has been working from home, from what they tell me. I don’t know where he is or how to get ahold of him. Any ideas?” Deflecting my original question was easy for him. The whereabouts of Brogan was a new problem for me to handle. “What do you mean he wasn’t at work and is working from home? He has been going to the office every day. That is where he said he was going anyway. If he isn’t at the office and we can’t get ahold of him, where is he?” My voice is beginning to crack as I watch Merrick shake his head in defeat. “Ok, let me know if he calls, please.” I muster, trying not to upset Merrick any further.
I close my eyes and let my thoughts drift to today’s events. I come up short time and time again as I think of what I have personally done to end up in the hospital and upset my boys. I did something that I don’t remember doing, and they refuse to tell me what it was, and now we cannot get ahold of Brogan. A thought runs through my head. “Whatever it was that upset all of you, did it happen after Officer Orion knocked on the door?” I ask. My eyes flutter to Fulton sitting in the corner sobbing. Realization hits that I must have fallen asleep again. “What is wrong? Come here.” I call. He makes his way to my bedside and leans in for a hug. “What is it? You can tell me.” I assure him as I squeeze him tightly. “This isn’t your fault, mom. I just announced to Merrick and Talvin what is really going on. Unfortunately, all of us have something to do with the man you cannot remember. You do, in fact, know who he is. Once his name has been given to you, you will know everything. Your life is going to change as much as all of ours will. I want you to know one thing, though.” “What’s that?” I ask him as I hold his face in my hands so I can see his eyes. “We all want you to be happy. Stop being unhappy and just take the facts and decide for yourself. Trust me, Mom. It will be worth it. The three of us will go with you to any depth of earth. I am going to get my brothers and the Doctors. We have much to discuss.” Leaning forward, he kisses me on the forehead before walking out of the room. “What does any depth of earth mean?” I call to him as the door behind him closes me into silence.
Chapter 5- Fulton’s POV The moment I looked into the eyes of the man in the rain, I knew who he was and why he was here. I could feel Talvin tense up next to me, and I knew he had dealings with this man in the past. This man wasn’t here for him this time, nor was he here for Merrick. Merrick had dabbled a little more into reading than he thought. He was on the verge of finding out about the hidden side when he finally gave up. I could feel his uncertainty of the man through his stance and how the air changed around us. I, on the other hand, knew it all. For the past six months, I had been eavesdropping on my father’s late-night phone calls. He would wait until Mom was asleep before slipping from bed and making his way out onto the porch. I, on the other hand, would hear him and took to my computer. I would pull up the surveillance cameras and
Chapter 6- Fulton’s POVThe decision was easy. I knew that if anything happened to me, Mom would never forgive him. He would be done forever, and at this moment, I wanted him to be out of our lives forever. Stepping over the threshold was more complicated than it had ever been. Fear radiated from my body, and I could feel my body shaking as I took my place in front of the man. “You are a courageous young man. We need more men like you in our ranks.” “Thanks, but I don’t think I would want to do that.” My voice is betraying my emotions. He nodded curtly at my words before choosing his following words carefully. “This is simple. You will take my hand. I will give you my word. Once I finish talking, you can either accept or decline my word for any reason. You may state that you would like anythin
Chapter 7- Fulton’s POV“Go to bed, son,” Dad calls from the kitchen. His eyes are burning into me as he looks upon my skin. “I will as soon as I know that Mom is ok.” I give a half-smile in return. “I think you should go to bed now.” His voice is more eager to have me go to bed than before. His eyes are darting to the front window. “Ok, promise me you will make sure mom is, ok?” “I will.” “Night then.” “Yeah, Night.” His reply chipped as the floor creaks under his footing. I immediately open my laptop when entering my room, followed by putting on clothing. “You are late” I am just in time to see what is happening between Dad and Lawler as Dad nags at him. “I am certainly not late. You were the one who overslept. Please note the time and your attitude.” Dad opens his mouth to
Chapter 8- Elnora’s POVFulton’s words are on repeat in my mind. “We all want you to be happy. Stop being unhappy and just take the facts and decide for yourself. Trust me, Mom. It will be worth it. The three of us will go with you to any depth of earth. I am going to go get my brothers and the Doctors. We have much to discuss.” His eyes are full of understanding for the situation.Two of my children refuse to talk to me and are angry with something I do not understand. My husband is missing and unreachable. Now Fulton is giving me confusing words, and he seems hurt. What in the world is going on?Just as the idea of leaving my bed to track down my children and demand answers flutters through my mind, they walk in the door, flanked by the Doctors.“Hello, Mrs. Tuffin.” Doctor Harken addresses me formally with words of worry. “Don’t call her that,” Talvin bellows. “Call her Elnora or
Chapter 9- Elnora POVThe second the door closes, questions burst from me. “What does this have to do with your father? What lineage do you have? What Kingdom has better care? What is happening?” Pulling my feet from Fulton’s hands, I demand the answers. “We will tell you in the car,” Merrick announces, removing my shoes from my bag. “Why not tell me now?” “The walls have ears,” Talvin responds. “Promise you will tell me in the car?” I verify. “We will start the conversation in the car, yes.” Merrick agrees. “Start it?” “Yup! Get dressed,” Fulton calls as they all leave my room. They have closed me in my room with nothing but the sound of the machines beeping and my frantic nerves. I sit upon the side of the bed and look out at the darkening day. Something in the parking lot catches my eye and g
Chapter 10- Elnora POVBrogan is running full speed towards our car. I am not the only one who can see this happening. “Step on it,” My voice taking on a new tone of hatred on its own as I sit back in my chair and close my eyes to the man nearing my window. I don’t want to see him, and I don’t care to hear him. I just want to go home. Home, it is no longer home. It is the home he wanted, close enough to work yet far enough from everything important to me to stay put in the house. As we pull from the hospital parking lot and get a few blocks away, Merrick slows down. “I am so sorry, Mom. We tried not to let you see that.” His voice is caring and soft. “How long have you boys known?” I ask through my tears as I look out my window. “Fulton told Merrick and me a little while ago. I was under the impression of something else,
Chapter 11- Elnora POV“So not only do we have the fullest level of protection available, no one, including the vampire in question, will be permitted to harm us. If a breach ever were to occur, we would receive guards. The reason we must go to their Kingdom is for two reasons, they want you to gain your strength and courage to move on from Dad, and because they are going to help you support us for the next ten years.” “Why would they help us?” I ask in wonder. “He has labeled the three of us Human Prince’s, and you are the Human Princess. I don’t know what all that will mean for all of us, but it is better than him just taking us as your husband had arranged.” “That is a big honor.” “There is something else you should know.” “What is that?” “The vampire in question” “Yes?” “He is the King of Northern Vampires; his word is the law.” “You
Chapter 12- Merrick’s POV My mind has been reeling all afternoon. Everything that I had suspected and had known to be true is, in fact, true. I still remember the day my father had cornered me in my room and demanded all my books and research. I begged and bartered to the best of my ability to change his mind, and each passing word only fueled his rage and hatred. I watched in horror as my father took my items to the backyard and tossed them into our burn barrel. I thought I would rummage through and save what I could later, that was until he came out with lighter fluid and a lighter. He lit a single sheet of paper and watched it engulf in flames. His wicked eyes turned to lock on me. At that moment, I had lost all respect for this man. Everything I did became between my mother and myself. I did not need him to teach me to drive or do homework. I wanted nothing from him.That was eig
Hello wonderful readers!It has been a privilege to write for you these past months. Your continued support brought me joy and the strength to bring you this book. This book has allowed me to show my children how determination looks. I am going to tell you a secret that I told my children and my family while writing this book- "I am writing for the one person reading right now. If they read for a day or read all of the chapters, I will finish it for them." This gave me the push I needed to continue. When I felt like I was slowing down or getting tired, I thought of you. Thank you for being there on my feed showing me that you were reading. I needed that support, and you gave it to me even if it were only a few moments.As it has ended I have decided to ask you, my reader, if you would be interested in reading a shorter sequel. You can let me know in a short comment, and I will happily begin working on one for you. Stories are a wonderful way to escape the world a
Chapter 171- Elnora POV Everyone has taken their seats and turned their attention to us. “We have learned within our Kingdom that for every problem we have, there is a silver lining. Once again, our King and Queen prevailed, and with their victory, we gained a new King and Queen in training. A gift to our Kingdom that we all thank you for granting to us.” Sabastian bows to all of us before continuing. “When Lawler began seeing you, Elnora, in the human world during the cover of night, he started changing for the better. He started becoming the King he had always wanted to become. Then when you entered our world and completed your mark, you granted him the strength needed to be the best version of King he could be. A gift he has granted your son and our future King. It is my honor to welcome you into our Kingdom not only as our Queen and friend but as the wife of my best friend.” &nbs
Chapter 170- Elnora POV Blow after blow; we watch as the pair of them struggle. "How is he still standing?" I link with Harmony. "Magic, they have witches on his side that are keeping his strength up.” "Can we break it?" I beg. "No, not unless we find the witches and the magic is not coming from here." Harmony sounds defeated. "I cannot live on without him.” "You will have to, for your children." Harmony moves to my side and takes my hand as we watch in horror. Lawler is beginning to lose, and I have had enough. How can I stop this? I ask myself. We watch as his father lifts his hand one last time, and as he does, I know this will be the blow that knocks Lawler unconscious. "STOP!" Tavin demands as he walks forward. My attention doesn't leave Lawler and his position, but the command stops the blow. "You are to remove yourself from his bo
Chapter 169- Elnora POV My spell is working. Lawler has a bloody nose as he stands, but nothing more. On the other hand, his father is bleeding profusely and has a broken nose. “What did you do?” He calls out. “I did nothing,” Lawler responds to him. His father struggles to his feet, and when he finally makes it, he throws another punch into Lawler’s stomach. I watch in amazement as Lawler hardly flinches and his father withers on the ground in pain. “Just toss him in the dungeon, and we will deal with him another day.” I request. “Stay back.” Sabastian pulls me from my waist backward towards the beach. I can see what he sees from this position, and people surround us we do not know. I lock eyes with Sabastian, and he nods his head. I look to Talvin and link with him first. “I am calling in back up; tu
Chapter 168- Elnora POV “You look beautiful,” Merrick announces as he enters the room and sees me standing on the dressing platform. “Thank you.” He offers his hand for me to step down after the last adjustment to my dress is made, and I take it. “Really, you are glowing. I am so happy for you.” He states as he walks with me to the door. “Are you sure you boys are ok with me getting married?” I ask him. “Mom, he already adopted us, and we took his last name. We signed off on that paper. Of course, we are ok with you getting married. Finally, we will all have the same last name again. You are the only odd man out.” He pokes fun at me. “I don’t want to upset any of you.” “This has been the best five years anyone could have ever asked for. Trust me, and we are all here for you. If you need me to make a distraction today, just say the word bab
Chapter 167- Elnora POV Vampires can drink a lot before feeling even the slightest buzz from consumption. Today, I am saying prayers to the porcelain gods of Harmony’s guest bathroom, or should I say my room at her house. I feel horrible. My bachelorette party was the best party I have ever been to in my life. Even the creatures that were invited had a blast and drank with us. A soft knock sounds on the bathroom door. “No one is home.” I joke. “I have some tea that will help you feel better,” Sydney calls softly. “Come in.” Granting her access, I wipe my mouth and sit on the floor. “Feeling pretty bad, I see.” “Yeah.” “Harmony said this tea will help you feel better.” “Will it, though?” I ask as I take it from her hands. “She made me some, and I feel completely norma
Chapter 166- Elnora POV Relief. That is the feeling that consumes me when Lawler announces that his father is alive. His face looks horrified and like he is waiting for me to bolt at any moment, but instead, I move to him and sit in his lap. “Oh, Lawler.” I hug him tightly. “I know you are angry.” He begins. “No, I am not. I am relieved more than you will ever know. This is honestly not even close to the things that I was thinking. This is the lesser of the evils that had gone through my mind. I wish you would have told me sooner so I could tell you.” “Tell me what?” “We had your fathers’ blood. We have put a barrier up in our Kingdom, and along with the portals for all the Kingdoms, he cannot get in. There is no way he will ever get you here.” “Spells can be broken.”“They can, but they are pretty good spells. We also have backup p
Chapter 165- Elnora POV Lawler has been distant this week. Not in the mental sense; when he is with me, he is with me entirely. Communication is on point, and he makes sure all of my needs are met, but physically, he is distant. Theo insists that he is working on something, and everything is fine. I know better, though; I can feel it deep down in my soul that something is off. Something has presented itself, and he is trying to handle it without me knowing. I have considered that it was information on Brogan, but Leon comes to me every day after he scouts with any information he has or doesn’t have. Looking out over the ocean from our balcony, I drink my tea in peace. I finally switched from coffee a few years ago when Tiffany insisted I learn the difference in taste and smell in herbs so that I would never fall prey to someone trying to drug me. Over the
Chapter 164- Lawler POV For five years, I have searched for proof that my father was alive or dead, never to find a whisper of the truth. Now I find out that he is alive and coming for me just as I have something important happening in my life. “Do you know when?” I ask as I rub the irritation from my face. “By the next full moon.” He replies. The full moon was the night before last; I have about a month. I begin to calculate what needs to be done before anything happens. “What do you know of the puddle?” I ask standing, producing the blade of grass. “Oh, right. About that.” He stutters. “Touch it.” I insist. “You already know your answer.” He counters. “I need to see for myself.” Holding it closer to him, I watch as he picks it up and peals it apart. Nothing happens; he is the