The King, The Enemy, and the Wars[Sequel to The Slayer]

Chapter 16

"What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t going to be here until later!" I said.

"I wanted to surprise you. Hey Luke, how have you been?" Greg asked.

"Good, thanks, and you?"

"I've been good as well, thanks." Greg said.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you Greg got here Violet, sorry." Alex said as he came in with Emily.

"No problem Alex, you guys can keep playing." I said.

"Anyways, I just wanted to be down here when you got home so you wouldn’t wonder who was in your house upstairs." Greg said.

"Yeah, um, Alex, can you show Greg his room please." I called to Alex.

"Yeah, follow me." Alex said as he picked up Greg's back without any struggle.

"So should I go so you and Greg can catch up?" Luke asked.

"No, you can stay, you are always welcomed here." I said smiling at him.

"Okay, um I guess I'll start some homework then." Luke said grabbing a book out of his bag.

"Thanks for standing up for Trace and accepting him." I said.

"No problem, I could tell he was really thankful. What's he like?" Luke asked.

"Well, he used to be very hot-headed, and defensive. He always wanted to prove he wasn’t weak and was strong enough to fight me. I actually admired the fire he had, but then he came here and it was gone. He seemed vulnerable. But that's all I really know." I said.

"Oh, um, I'm sure he can't be that vulnerable right?" Luke asked.

"You would be surprised." I said as I looked at my book.

                Greg eventually came down once he was done unpacking. While we did homework he told us about what he was up to since we left. Vince was under house arrest for two months after I left and Jesse was happy about that. He told us that once people knew that Ben was his dad things changed, people started to try and be his friend so they could meet Ben and get free tickets to concerts, which is why he took the GED to graduate early. He also told us that he really wants to meet Andy.

"I can't believe he is the ruler of the vampires, it's just, such an odd thought." Greg said before the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." I said and walked to the front door and saw Trace, who was bleeding.

"Trace! Are you okay?" I asked stupidly.

"Do I look okay?" Trace said jokingly, with pain in his voice.

                He staggered in holding his arm. I led him to the kitchen and he immediately put his arm in the sink and washed the gash in his arm. Greg and Luke looked at me, and I shrugged.

"It was Vlad, I got home and the door was cracked open. I heard my dad scream, so I ran and found Vlad with a knife, I jumped him and he cut me on my arm. He got up and proceeded for my dad so I grabbed a huge dictionary and hit him on the head which made him fall to the ground but he was going to get up again so I …I …" Trace struggled to continue tears rolling down his face. I looked at his arm and saw an old burn. He burned himself that day that is why he cringed I thought to myself. Luke saw his burn and the scar on his wrist and I knew he made the connection.

"Trace, just sit down and relax and I'll take care of the wound." I said as I went to the first aid drawer.

                Trace sat down in a chair and I wrapped his arm up as tight as I could, but the gash was deep…he would need stitches, I knew from experience.

"While Vlad was down I grabbed my dad and pushed him into the car, and got in with him. He started the engine and sped off, but I jumped out of the car, and went back to the house knowing Vlad would not be satisfied. Vlad saw me and cursed me. He said he would kill me and my father for my betrayal… He came at me and I ducked and kicked him to the side and he crashed into our glass table… He was alive when I left him, but he has some serious wounds…" Trace said.

"Where's your dad now?"

"In the drive way…he is really shaken." Trace said starting to cry again.

"Trace it's going to be okay. I'm glad you came to us for help." I said putting an arm around him.

"Luke, tell his father to come in." I said, and Luke obeyed.

"I am sorry." Trace said.

"For what?"

"I know you hate Vlad, but he is still family and I hurt him badly." Trace said.

"Hurt him all you want, I don't care. If he is going after people now too then he is dangerous." I said.

                Trace's father entered with Luke looking fragile. He saw Trace's arm clearly this time and tears fell from his eyes.

"Trace…"

"I'm okay dad, it's not that bad." Trace lied.

"Look, I'm going to take him to go get stitches, Luke you're in charge until I'm back." I said helping Trace up.