Crimson Heir

Chapter Eight

Helsing led me out of the carriage first and Levi followed out footsteps closely behind. There weren't guards or any huge castle in sight. A soft white cottage home resided beyond the fancy luxury and sat near a lake. My eyes squinted as I was utterly confused and unsure why we came all this way for a small, cute home.

Helsing motioned me to move forward by a soft graze of his hand against my shoulder. I picked up my pace after shooting a glare at him.

We walked up to the door along the cobblestone pathway and the windows were shut. I wondered if anyone was home. I didn't see a car or a driveway for one. Helsing knocked on the white wood door and stepped back. My heart picked up its pace and my fingers dwindled with the end of my shirt.

Cautiously the door opened, and I saw her green eyes. Her hair streaked with silver. The one person I resemble with like a twin. Nothing about her changed but her smell. She didn't radiate the same energy she used to. My heart crumbled. My mouth loosened up as words swelled in my throat, choking me out.

"Anastasia," her voice caught, surprised. "Why are you here?"

Her eyes met with Helsing, I could see the linger in the gaze and facial features that this was not planned.

"Are you kidding me right now?" I choked out. Emotions were knocking on my shield. Rocking me out of focus and I turned my back, pushing through the two body pillars standing stiff.

"Wait!" her voice called out. "Let me explain, please!"

Halting in step, I turned around at my waist and held the stare between the both of us. "What is there to explain? You are living in hiding, worrying everyone at home, your family. Your other family," I spat out. My fingers gripping the fabric now, "I would rather you spare me whatever excuse you have for this very reason. I can't wait to tell dad where you've been residing."

I turned back towards the carriage and fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me to stop. "Miss De'Neer, let her explain herself." Levi's voice was the only thing to pull me from the brewing anger in my chest. A deep sigh is what I needed before I could face her again.

"Fine," I grumbled and slipped my wrist away, walking back to the door and my mom stepped back, pushing the door open for us two. And us two only. I walked inside and was greeted by the smell of just plants. She had plants everywhere and anywhere. The place was small and not full of light. Candles were sporadic, lit in various places on tabletops and counters. Even holders that hung from the ceiling. She walked past me and motioned towards the couches.

"You may sit wherever, or not. Do you want something to drink before I start?" she asked as she walked to the kitchen. I shook my head silently and remained standing, even though the waver of my heart was faint. My head was feeling quite heavy, but I wasn't short of an anxiety attack. Hold your fucking senses, Ana.

My mom looked nothing different but maybe her fashion sense. The home looked identical to how she had her new home. Just smaller and less bright. I couldn't see a fraction past the living room and kitchen. My mind thought of the worst but her eyes weren't red. She couldn't be like one of them. Is she dead in that body? Is this a decoy?

My mom returned back to the living room with a hot mug that she held in both hands, carefully sitting on the recliner in the middle of the room. Amber shades hitting her face as the flames flickered softly. "I won't ask for any forgiveness for any of this. I just need you to understand and listen to me, carefully."

I nodded and crossed my arms, "Go on. Mother." If that's who she even is.

She pulled in a deep inhale before letting it go with a tremor in her body. "Everything isn't what you seem it to be. Our names aren't what we were born with. De'Neer isn't our true last name. I am your full-blooded mother, Asena. Your father and I named you Anaya but hid your identity with Anastasia. We don't come with last names as you're the descent of Lririe. A wolf created by the gods and goddesses above. Our bloodline is the purest and most potent in the wolvenhood. If you shifted, you'd be Anaya of Lririe." She took a sip of her drink, taking another deep breath. "Klein and Kevin aren't your family by blood. I married Klein to hide from the other brotherhoods that wanted our bones and blood."

I felt a whoosh of emotions tumble like tremors and indeed, I had to sit. Plopping down on the seat nearest, I kept my eyes low. The back of my eyes burning and a sting in my throat.

I am more than just a human.

I am more than just flesh and bones.

"Ana, you needed to be kept safe. We had no choice. Your father, Reav, was taken captive by those monsters and was used for what he is- what he was. You know the difference in your brothers and father's eyes? Their pristine blue eyes? How would they burn in the sun unlike you did? How would you win nearly every race in school beyond your peers?"

I held my hand up to hush her so I could process, my chest caving in with each word she spoke. "That doesn't help... None of it does. Why was I never told this sooner? Why are you here? What the fuck is all of this brotherhood, wolvenhood bullshit?"

She cleared her throat and sat up straighter, "We had hoped you'd never shift. That was supposed to happen when you were sixteen but your father- Klein, he had to hold you back." Her lips met with the mug and then she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "You go through your shifts every full moon until you've reached a peak age. Depending on your strength, bloodline, and durability, it can be between a year or ten. After that, your awakening is when you get to shift on command. No more unnecessary transitions every single full moon."

My eyes lowered down as I fidgeted with my pants fabric. I had nothing to say as I lost my chance either way.

"I am here because I am safe here. Helsing's father, Aleksander, was the only understanding vampire at the time and guaranteed by the Holy Order that he'd never harm those like us. I only get to leave once a month by the guard of Beholder's army. Out here, I am far from anything and anyone. But the brotherhood and wolvenhood are two branches of a deadly umbrella of subspecies like us. The Brotherhood is a cult of mortals who want to kill vampires and wolves. Wolvenhood is for the wolves who want to protect their pack through ridding of vampires, but by justice and honor."

My head hurts now. So much to process. So much to try and believe. To make sense.

"I don't know what to say-" I stopped as Asena quickly walked over to me and kneeled by my side.

"My dear Ana, I need you to find a way out of here. I need you to go back to Klein before anything happens to you."

"Mom, I can't, I've tried, I-" she shushed me and looked back to the door. Her eyes fixated like a wild animal. "Mom?"

She got up and held her finger to her lips before sneaking in the hallway, in the darkness. I turned to the door, but it was shut. I stood up and waited for her, full of questions still but maybe today wouldn't be the day for more answers.

Asena came back with a small weapon. She handed it to me, and it was dark, sharp, and light to hold. It looked like the sword Helsing had but not silver.

"That will paralyze a vampire temporarily as long as it stays in their flesh, it won't kill but it'll help. Calculate your timing just right and you will have a chance."

I looked at her confused as to why she was even helping me. Was she in danger too? I put the blade under my sock and rolled my pants back over it, securing it for now.

"Don't run to me when you get out. I can't be of aid other than that blade and knowledge. Remember that my dear Ana," she brushed a strand of my hair back from my face, the one I purposely pulled out. We pressed our foreheads together and I felt a shiver through my skin and flesh when we touched. She pulled away and admired my face before she led me to the door. I looked back at her one last time, seeing her smile fade as I left the cottage. Helsing and Levi stood there and stared at me in two different ways.

"Thank you for your time, Asena," Helsing said dully before we all left for the carriage.

I looked back one more time and my mom closed the door with a soft wave. My heart crumbled all over again.