The Hunter: Book Two In The Hunted Trilogy

Chapter Ten

The morning of September 1, 1796 found Domonic kneeling by the edge of the road. A red rose sat in his hand. His eyes still read from tears that had overflowed all night.

"Mother," Domonic called, "I know father and I always come to your grave on your birthday and I plead that you will forgive me for not going there. Its to dangerous."

"Hello sweetie!" Sally's silver tinted ghost appeared before Domonic closely followed by Eric.

"Hello son," Erics voice sounded raspy like her was still choking on the smoke, "who survived?"

"Twenty-five children," Domonic replied, "Twenty of which are orphans, four adult Banshees, No vampires, grandma, but the only pack that survived was with me!"

"Oh my," Sally face fell, "So many lost! And I thought the count was bad before you and I were werewolves Eric!"

"What happened after you found us?" Eric pushed for information.

It took Domonic all morning to explain. Each word fell sour off his tongue as the ghosts of his pack circled around wanting to know of their families. He explained everything not buttering up at all. The last ghost to appear was Sharren, her once red hair still smoking in her ghostly form. Domonic again explained, but only to Sharren, what happened with Josh and Emma to which Sharren simply nodded and disappeared again followed by the rest of the group.

"I've got to go!" Domonic said at last, "the pack will wonder where I've gone! I love you both dearly!"

"We love you to Domonic," the twos voices faded as they left Domonic by the road once again alone.

Sighing, Domonic walked away from the road and back threw the over-grown path to Lilly's. Though the birds sang a sweet toon Domonic could not find the light, all he saw was the dark. This being so caused him to be surprised when he reached the cabins yard. Children's laughter filled the air, the sun had gone down enough that even the vampire fledglings were out playing. On the porch Luke sat kneeling next to Marabell who was sitting on a bench her head facing the ground. Ace and Suzan were also watching Marabella as if she might explode. Quickly Domonic ran toward the porch, fearing the worst.

"Is everything okay?" Domonics frantic voice seemed a little to loud for his normal composer.

"Everything is perfect!" Luke sang, "Marabell is expecting a little baby!"

"Oh Luke I'm so happy for you!" Domonics serious face stretched into a smile.

"So am I," Suzan spoke, "even one good ray of sunshine can light up a whole room in times of darkness!"

"Oh grandma!" Domonic chuckled, "but now, since we are all here, we need to discuss the rebuilding of our pack-"

"I will Not attack the village!" Ace growled, "they don't know that what they've been told is all lies!"

"I wouldn't even think of it Ace!" Domonic reassured him, "For one my mom would kill me if I did! Two that's just dumb going into Sampsons home turf!"

"I've heard stories," Luke spoke up, "that Sampson came from a village on a mountain top, his father killed the whole village, all but one boy! They say that the boy raised a new village! That they are still there, a village of werewolves!"

"But those are just stories," Domonic said, "to give us hope that someone might one day kill Sampson."

"But there not just stories," Suzan said, "I met the mountain wolves twenty-five years ago! When I was still trying to keep away from the village!"

"Will they fight for us?" Domonic, no intrigued, asked.

"Like Luke said," Suzan smiled, "Sampsons father killed most the village, I have a feeling well have no problem sitting them to attack the school with us!"

"Then we go to the mountains!" Domonic growled.

"What of the children Domonic?" Suzan asked, "No one can stay here! Its to close to Sampsons! He knows were it is, he almost caught Sally, Mandy, Sharren and I when we were looking for Eric!"

"All of the pups are able to shift even if this next moon will be their first." Domonic began, "They can walk along side the carriage and well cove the vampire fledglings with the wagon tarp so the sun doesn't touch them."

"Domonic," Josh said, "What about Emma?"

"Emma will sleep in the wagon with the vampire fledglings." Domonic explained, "Now lets start getting things around so we can pack up."

Everyone began rounding up the kids explaining that they would need to get anything the had brought and put it in the wagon. Not much was saved from the village embers as many had left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a blanket some not even a blanket! Suzan went into the kitchen to get dinner and Domonic went to their room to plan. The smell of raw meat and some cooked meat floated threw the house making mouths water. Soon the group all gathered around the dinning room table which fit them suppressing well, not to close but not far away. Domonic went into the kitchen to help and was nearly hit by a flying platter.

"Darn wicth magic!" Suzan cursed, "I defiantly didn't miss that!"

"Hi, grandma," Domonic laughed.

"Oh," Suzan gasped, "Hello Domonic. How may I help you?"

"Grandma," Domonic began, "when we get to the mountain, I want you to stay in the village there!"

"What," Suzan scoffed, "and miss all the fun!?"

"I don't want to lose you!" Domonic cried sounding like a child, "you're all I have!"

"I could keep up if it came to Bacau!" Suzan replied, "I'm old not useless!"

"You know that's no what I meant!" Domonic growled.

"Yes," Suzan admitted, "I do."

"Grandma I can't lose you to!"

Seeing the fear of being left alone glowing in Domonics very being Suzan sighed, "Fine, I'll stay behind!"

"Thank you!" Dominic hugged his grandmother and followed her out as the last platter flew out to the dinning room. Everyone was already seated at the long table when they entered.