B1)A Wanted Love

13) Hunters Attacked

Tiara-

"One month of school completed!" Salome sat at the table working on a scrapbook. She had been writing down everything she had done for a month at school. There are photos and dates. "Here, Bunny, I'll show you how to start one."

Veronica has been living with them for the last couple of weeks. She's a calm child and always helps with the laundry.

She did start school, and it has been going great. But they'll need to be cautious at all times, not just because of the hunters but the students. They aren't so fond of having vampires in school. They don't mind hybrids, but vampires are a different problem.

Either way, the child seems unbothered by the whispers and gazes.

"Salome, an hour more than you'll have to clean up."

"Yes, Mommy!"

Tiara turned back to the kitchen and checked on the cornbread. It still needs a few more minutes.

"Hey," Drake glanced at the girls. He looked worried. "I need you to keep the girls occupied."

"Why?"

"Hunters," he whispers. "I'll have to go and deal with them. Sebastian and a few of my men will be here to guard you and the girls."

Tiara placed a hand over her tiny belly.

"Do not worry, I'll handle them," he kissed her forehead. "Eat without me, and keep the girls in one room, make a sleepover."

She bit her thumb; she was anxious and fearful. It's bad enough that she has to worry about Clay, the curse, and her obsessive brother, but now she has to worry about the hunters.

"Please be safe out there," she kissed him passionately.

"Hey girls," Drake spoke with them. "I'll be home late. Don't wait for me for dinner."

"Aw," Salome pouted. "But it's your turn to read us a bedtime story."

"Ask Sebastian," Drake glanced up at Sebastian. "I'm sure he's good at telling stories."

Drake kissed the girls goodbye and left, never glancing back. Tiara knows if he looks back, he won't be able to go peacefully.

Tiara stood by the door, watching Drake disappear into the woods with a few of his men. She jolted as the sky lit up with lightning. The sky is so dark that there isn't even a slight gap for the moon to shine. She shivers and closes the door, locking it.

She did her best to ignore the worries cursing through her body. She had the girls sleeping in Sebastian's room. It's more secure, farthest from the stairs, and has access to the attic. Tiara now understands why Drake picked this room from Sebastian. Not to keep him away from Salome, but because there's a place Sebastian can take the girls to safety.

The girls watched TV for a while, and Sebastian read them a book. They were asleep soon after, with Sebastian keeping watch on the chair. He sat there working on homework.

Tiara took the couch and knitted. Knitting is distracting her from the outside.

At around midnight, Tiara had climbed into bed with the girls and fallen asleep. She woke up to movement and cursing.

She sat up and yawned. "What's going on?"

Sebastian was standing by the window, staring at something. She didn't wait for an answer and joined him.

She covers her mouth. "What?" In the distance, she could see a red light among the trees and smoke rising to the already dark sky.

"That's not a good sign," Sebastian said.