[S.C, Bloodlines. CH 15]

[Jayden’s point of view]

“Having done this before, I convinced myself that nerves were unusual but not unexpected “ Jayden spoke, watching Sampson looking to find the hunters trail again.

“You have always been a great tracker. Don’t forget what you learned from Haricot, and don’t underestimate your opponent. I’ve never seen a human move so fast, he’s gifted for sure”

“Your right”

“Watch out for his guns”

Sampson heard a far off rustle and was off. Zipping through the tree’s; bushes, rocks. Like he didn’t walk everywhere with a cane.

Sampson was right behind the hunter. Chasing him off into the woods. This man was quick for a human for sure. Not just quick, he was smart and knew the territory and terrain.

Jayden had nearly taken him down twice, each time nearly getting tagged by the black flame pistol. Now he was a few feet behind Sampson. Chasing this man towards civilization.

“Stop” Sampson shouted as Jayden slipped between two tree’s, stopping just short of a thin line of wire.

“Trip wires?” Jayden looked back at Sampson, thankfully.

“Stay alert “ Sampson was scanning the tree line for any more.

“You two shouldn’t have followed me in here??” The hunter spoke loudly. “By now my son and his friend will have taken down most of your vampires.”

“The bow kid is dead…. The other one, your son. Will be our prisoner.” Sampson kept scanning the tree’s, bushes, and anything else for any movement.

“Very sorry to hear. His mother will be heartbroken. My son has the blood of our line. It would be wise not to drink from him.”

“We don’t want to kill you. We have enough other problems. Let’s make a deal. Your son for your surrender.” Sampson spoke again, Jayden just stood still listening for anything out of the ordinary.

“He has siblings. Keep the boy, not much use to me anyway”

They stood for a few moments then Sampson relaxed a bit. Letting his cane stick into the soft ground on the forest floor.

“He’s gone for now” Sampson started back towards the sanctuary, at normal pace.

Footsteps came from the clearing a second before Sapphire burst from the tree’s. Her small body, matted with blood. She looked like a warrior princess.

“Guess he got away” She groaned, slamming a fist into a nearby tree.

“Patients young one. He will be back” Sampson walked past without another word.

“He knows I’m older then him right?” Sapphire looked over at Jayden.

“Guess not” Jayden laughed a bit.

“So any chance you know why your sister left?” Sapphire stepped closer to Jayden, hardly even coming up past his chest. “Or why Amelya is protecting the hunter boy?”

“She’s protecting him?” Jayden and Sapphire continued behind Sampson.

[Amelya’s point of view]

A few more hunters had fled the clearing. Newt stood next to his friend for a while in silence. Tears hadn’t stopped.

Warren was gone, that was for sure. Monticello on the other hand was sitting in the grass. Staring off towards the woods where Jayden has entered.

“Does it hurt?” Amelya asked, getting closer.

“Weirdly enough. No it didn’t hurt at all.”

“So what’s next?” Amelya questioned, watching Newt from afar as she sat across from Monticello.

“The Ruby sanctuary is probably the most reasonable. Maybe we stop along the way to see a witch I know. Might be able to give me a new arm or something close”

“A new arm sounds good” Sampson stepped into the clearing, ignoring the boy and walking straight to them. “Your more aerodynamic now, might actually be able to beat me in a race”

They both shared a hearty laugh. Jayden and Sapphire followed, but Jayden glared at the boy for a second before meeting Amelya’s gaze.

“He’s not to be trusted” Jayden looked at Sapphire for back up.

“We’ll all agree boy hush. Let him morn his friend” Sampson was pointing at Monticello’s shoulder. “Took that hit pretty well”

“Not like I had a choice “ Monticello shook his head.

“Let’s get back inside and plan our trip” Sampson looked around. “Where’d the wolves go?”

Amelya scanned the clearing and caught sight of Nela’s wolf. Laying down, her fur covered in blood. She wasn’t moving.

“Nela” Amelya thought and the wolves head wiped around.

“Wait you can put thoughts in our minds too” Nela was just staring at the vampire girl from across the clearing.

“I guess so”

“Well I lost both of my accomplices” Nela’s wolf stood and Amelya could make out the two bundles of fur next to her.

“I’m sorry”

“We only have one wolf…. Other two died” Amelya voiced to the rest of them as they started across the field.

“Darn. Those staring contests were just getting fun” Jayden blurted out.

“Quill!” Sapphire shouted as the man just appeared close to us.

“Yes Mistress”

“Help get these bodies cleaned up” Sapphire looked back at the boy. “Burn all the hunters except for the boys friend, and bury the rest”

Amelya nearly had to carry Newt down into the sanctuary, afterwords he just sat around the table silently. Everyone else seemed to be annoyed by his presence anyway.

“He shouldn’t be here” Jayden hissed, tossing a blood bag to Amelya.

“They know where the sanctuary is anyway.” Amelya shouted back.

Sampson just stood between them.

“Fight nice kids” Monticello laughed, stepping into the room with his shoulder in bandages. “Doc says the burns won’t heal. Nor the arm”

“Funny, you gonna be the first vampire lizard?” Quill said stepping in behind him.

“Let’s get serious “ Sapphire was sitting on the table across from Sampson, on the table legs crossed. “Cleo is gone stolen away by Onyx….. We need to hurry and revive Ruby before our older brother”

“Why’s the older brother so bad?” Jayden questioned, sitting down on the table across from them.

“Garnet is not only the first of Onyx kids but he’s a chip of the old block. A tyrant.” Sapphire spoke and Amelya just watched Newt. “He will kill without remorse and without a care”

“So where is the Ruby sanctuary?” Jayden spoke.

“The mountains, about a days way north” Monticello spoke up leaning against the doorway. “My witch will be a bit before we get there”

“So what about the hunter boy?” Jayden questioned, not trying to meet Amelya’s gaze.

“He’s coming with us. That’s that” Amelya stood up, grabbed Newt by the arm and pulled him off towards Sapphire’s bedroom. “I’m gonna get some sleep.”

[Jayden’s point of view]

“This is bullshit!” He pounded his fist on the table. “For all we know his father has a tracker or something on him. We’ll just be inviting them to the other sanctuary’s “

“Amelya is in pain…. She lost your sister to Onyx. We don’t know when we’ll see her again. Or if she will even be herself “ Sapphire’s eyes pleaded with him. “They saved him, so it’s like a piece of her….. let her have that”

“If something comes out of it. We’ll be ready. But stop bringing it up.” Monticello was serious. “What’s more of a problem was all the power she released.

Nela stepped in, fully clothed in jeans and a hoodie. Passing Amelya in the hallway she’d gotten a big hug. Which made it all feel a bit easier.

“Sorry about the goons” Jayden tried to sound caring.

“Thanks. So did anyone else know Amelya could put thoughts in someone else’s head?” Nela sat down a table away from everyone.

“Wait what?” Jayden’s jaw nearly fell off.

“Yeah after the fight she said my name and I heard it in my head”

“We all seen the bubble and how she brought everyone to their knee’s…… her power seems to be growing “ Sampson looked over at Sapphire. “Any idea’s why her blood brings you all back?”

“I have a guess but it’s not possible….” Sapphire looked around the room, wondering if they were gonna think she’s crazy. “I think her family has witch blood….. my mother could have passed to her…. She was the most powerful witch to ever exist.”

“We all know the story” Monticello shook his head. “Question is, will she fight with us. Or will she be on Onyx side” Sampson held his face in his temples.

“She died before Onyx became the tyrant he is now. She’ll be with us on the witch side” Sapphire shuffled a bit on the table. “You think your witch could communicate with her, when we get there?”

“I don’t see why not?”

“How about wolves? In our time they were servants to us…… well they were protectors” Sapphire looked over at Nela.

“I was part of a single pack. I’ve never met a wolf outside of them” Nela mumbled a bit. “No one’s left of them either.

“Every just calm down. We’ll head to the witch, hopefully sort out stuff with Amelya’s power and get Monticello a arm” Sampson just stood up. “Everyone relax till then. Let’s not fight amongst ourselves.”

“I’ll check on Amelya” Nela said moving off the table.

“Hopefully she’s fine” Jayden fazed off nearly out the door when Sapphire grabbed his arm mid stride. “No human girls and don’t leave the sanctuary “ Sapphire’s eyes blazed, knowing full well he was reckless.

“I’m not that stupid.”

“If you leave, don’t bother coming back” Sapphire let his hand go, and he was off.

“He’s a spitfire for sure. But he’s got a good heart” Monticello stepped over toward Sapphire. “He’s just a little lost, and overwhelmed by it all. And he’s confused about himself”

“Sounds like you know much about the boy” Sapphire’s eyes dug in to Monticello’s soul, until she seen it. “Your partly to blame for it.”

“He’s finding himself. Being set in a thruple for your first real relationship isn’t helping”

“Keep an eye on him if he leaves. The head guy might still be out there waiting and watching.” Sapphire and Monticello watched Sampson head off down the hallway.

“I’ll watch him”

[Amelya’s point of view]

Exhaustion had long set in, Nixole power came at a high price. She was dragging walking up the stairs to Sapphire’s room. Knowing dam well Newt was close behind her. His mind blank, yet she could feel the distance and grief.

“I’m sorry for your loss” Amelya pushed open the door and felt the boy lunge at her. Knocking her onto the bed.

“He was my best friend…” He cried out.

“I know” She rubbed his back, peacefully.

“Our fathers knew each other since birth…… we were the same.” He continued.

“You are not the same…. He tried to kill me, when I disarmed you. With an arrow to the back.” She tried hard not to sound harsh. “It will hurt for a while…. But eventually it will get better.”

Crying into her chest and stomach. The boy needed a mother, his was not here. Maybe they should had let him go back, but his father might have been a worse fate then seclusion.

“It’s gonna be alright Newt. Get some rest.” Tears started to form in her own eyes.

He wasn’t the only one missing a mother. Hers was off in hiding, not that she’d been active frequently or really showed much care or initiative towards loving them. She was a busy woman, was.

“It will all be ok” She whispered to him as she felt Nela slip into the room. She heard her shift, then lay on the floor.

Sleep came effortlessly.