Red Dyed Eyes (Dead Blood Series: Book 1)

Chapter 9

 Ivy's ponytail whipped through the wind as she rushed at full speed after Andy. He flew only five or six feet over her head, just far enough ahead of her that she couldn't jump and pull him down. The two raced through the forest and Ivy kept her eyes on Andy as he tried to lose her. But suddenly and before she knew it he had swooped down and grabbed her, ducking into a thicket of large bushes.

 He held his hand over Ivy's mouth and wrapped his arm around her as if he was guarding her from something. The air around them was still and silent but Ivy could clearly sense that something was wrong.  Andy peered around thick branches and quickly crouched as a pair of black boots came into Ivy's line of sight. She tried to get a better view of the person they belonged too, but Andy refused to let her go. The person was far enough down the path that Ivy could barely hear their boots touch the ground, even with her vampiric hearing, when Andy finally loosened his grip.

 Cautious, Ivy stood up and peered down the path to try getting a good look at the person walking away. She could see the outline of a figure but no real details. She decide to become invisible and investigate. Walking silently down the path, Ivy began to see a little more detail of the person. The person was wearing a leather jacket and a tight black hat, and a sword was strapped around the person's belt.

 Jogging threw the tree line, Ivy came around in front of the path and gazed on the woman's face with shock. Her mother was walking through the forest, most likely on a hunt.  Her red hair was tied up and stuffed into her hat and her face was shrouded by a black bandana, but there was no doubt that this was her mother. She had the same pale green eyes that Ivy had once shared.  Her mother slowed to a stop and gave a slight sigh as she put her hand on the hilt of her sword.

 "I know you're out there, you animal." her mother whispered, though Ivy could hear it clear as day. Ivy crouched and grabbed a rock, throwing it to the left. Her mother did not hesitate to draw her sword and strike a combative stance, facing the left . "Face me you coward!" her mother shouted, hostility in her tone. Although Ivy knew her mother was caring a blessed iron sword, which may be the death of her if she made any wrong moves, she stood and revealed herself.

 "Mother." Ivy said, trying to keep her voice calm. Her mother whipped around and held her sword in front of her defensively. Without lowering her weapon, her mother's eyes filled with sadness.

 "Ivy, where have you been? I haven't seen you in almost four days." her mother said with a worried tone.

 "I can't say." she replied, attempting to calm herself.

 "Well why not?  Is it the people you're with?"

 "I-I can't tell you that either." Ivy replied, stuttering a bit.  Her mother and her stared at each other in sadness.  

 Tightening her stance her mother replied, "You know I can't let you leave sweetie.  You stand for everything the family is against." Ivy quickly took a fighting stance, holding her body together tightly.

 "I know, but I just have one thing to say before we do this." She paused, preparing to bolt. "Why did you never tell me about Katerina?" Her mother dropped her sword and her face turned white in horror.  Ivy turned invisible and ran for the victorian. -

 Ivy ran through the woods, pushing her legs as hard as she possibly could. Holding back the urge to slam her fist into the nearest object, she came to the Victorian and rushed through the door, slamming it behind her. Sliding down the door she sat on the ground shaking. Standing, she paced around the room, anxiety pulsing through her veins. The door flew open and Andy searched the room with a worried expression. He came in, shutting the door and moving toward Ivy.

 "Are you ok? I saw you talking to that woman and then you bolted for the house." Ivy looked up at him, anger and sadness clashing in her mind.

 She wasn't ok.  Her mother was ready to kill her.  She would surely alert the family which would put the rest of the house in danger. Her mother knew now that Ivy and Kat had met and probably figured out that they were living together. She had just found her and now she put her and everyone in the house in an unfair and dangerous spot. She twisted loose hair around her finger and took a deep breath.