Beast, Blood, & Soul

* 53 *

When we returned to the cabin, to my surprise I found my parents waiting for me.

"Daddy!" I ran to my father and gave him a hug. I'd missed him the last couple of times I'd been in town. "What are you doing here?" I ask as I gave each of them a hug. Ceren followed us, carrying in my bags from our shopping trip.

My mother gave me a look and then critically looked at my friend. Ceren smirked at me and excused herself and took my bags upstairs.

"It's the 3rd door on the right!" I yelled after her. Didn't want her going into the wrong room. Who knows what she'd do in one of the boys' rooms.

"Good grief, girl, look at the size of this bed?" I heard Ceren exclaim from upstairs. I scrunched my face knowing I was going to hear it from her later. "You could have sex with a circus in here!"

"Oh no," I grimaced as I turned six shades of red. My mother laughed at the look on my face.

My father humphed and then started to laugh, "You are marrying a zoo." he teased.

"Just kill me now," I moaned.

My dad chuckled, "I have those boys' word that they will keep you alive. Shame to waste all those promises," he squeezed me in a gentle hug.

"Dad," I whined. "Tell me you weren't difficult?"

He took my face in his hands, "It's my job to be difficult. Only the best men deserve my baby girl," He folded me in his arms and I snuggled into my father. He gave the best hugs and suddenly I was feeling a lot better now that I had my dad with me. I felt safe like nothing could hurt me.

"Now, why are you guys here?" I ask them.

My mother looks at me, "Your boys are planning something and we wanted to be involved. Now, let's go get you ready. Show me the dress you got." she hurried me upstairs and shoved me into the shower.

"You really can have sex with a circus in here," I heard her say as I closed the door. Ceren laughed loudly.

I'm never going to hear the end of it.

After the shower, Ceren and my mother fussed over my hair and makeup. I kept them from overdoing the makeup but it was close. When I changed into my dress, I had to admit, the effect was nice. Oh, Who am I kidding, they were going to drop dead. My eyes were lined so my lashes looked thick and my eyes shimmered, I had rose lipstick and pink cheeks. My hair was soft and wavy.

"That dress won't live to see the sunrise," Ceren promised.

"Good thing you bought her enough lingerie to fill a truck," My mother quipped, joining in the fun. Their teasing had me blushing which added a rosy glow to my skin.

"There, now you're perfect," My mother said, noticing my blush. She quickly excused herself and Ceren helped me into my shoes that matched the blue in the dress.

When we went downstairs, my dad was now sporting a suit, looking dapper. "Dad? What are you wearing?"

"Had to match my baby girl on a night like tonight." My dad said. I looked at him carefully. When my mom came down the stairs, also dressed to the nines, I had to wonder what was being cooked up.

Ever since the witch had told me that she created me specifically so I could trap my men and take the strands, I had been battling depression and a deep-seated fear. Fear that I was going to damn them to hell. Fear that I was a creation of evil. Fear that all the love I held for them was going to be worth nothing in the end. If I'm just a tool, then do I have any power at all? Can I even hope to stop this?