With an evil aunt set on taking what is owed to her and a prophecy telling of the Original family's downfall, Ellie, Hayley, and the siblings must fight for their family and their lives. See how it all goes down in book five of 'The Original' series...
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As Elijah helped me place the last of the presents under the tree, Hayley and Jackson came down the stairs with Hope. "You said you wanted a happy family Christmas, and the family's all here," I heard Jackson say to her.
"Merry Christmas, little one," Elijah muttered, pressing his lips to Hope's forehead.
Letting go of my hand, Nik moved over to Jackson, holding a glass of wine out to him, "thank you for helping Freya. Unfortunately, we're all out of mason-jar moonshine."
"Well, Nik, you are positively merry tonight. All that therapy must be paying off," Rebekah commented, coming into the room.
"Oh, no." Rebekah turned to see what he was looking at. She had set up a makeshift bonfire out in the courtyard.
"Yes, I know it's not exactly a bonfire, but I improvised. Come on, it's tradition."
"Tradition?" Cami asked.
"They write their wishes and then burn them for luck," I explained.
"Strangely, I don't recall wishing for an influx of enemies, and yet, year after year," Nik commented.
"How odd. Forever on Santa's naughty list," Elijah joked.
***
My face lifted in a smile as I watched Hope giggle at Elijah. Rebekah came into the room, a suitcase in tow. "Oh, Rebekah. So soon?" Freya asked, standing from her seat.
"Take care of our brothers, Freya. God knows they need it," she told her, hugging her sister. Rebekah moved over to Elijah, kissing Hope on the head. She apologized to Hayley, giving her a hug before turning to me.
"I can't believe you're leaving again," I commented sadly.
"I know, but I have to. I think I'm going to miss you most of all, though." I let out a chuckle, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "And I hate that I won't be around for the birth of this little one," she stated, gently pressing her hand against my overgrown stomach.
"Never say never. We may deal with all of this and have you home before the birth."
"Well, if not, make sure you tell him that his auntie 'Bekah loves him."
"I definitely will." Wiping a tear from my cheek, I pulled her in for a hug, holding her tight. She pulled away as Nik came into the room.
"You're always leaving," he commented.
"And I always come back," she replied, hugging him.
"Run far and fast. Stay on the move. And should you happen to meet some handsome fool, know your weaknesses." Rebekah chuckled, looking back at the group once more before walking out of the room and out of the compound.
***
A glass of water in hand, I made my way towards the bedroom I shared with Nik. As I passed Hayley's old room – the room Cami was currently staying in – I saw that Cami was lying on the bed, blood covering her chest. Dropping the glass, I rushed in, calling Nik's name. "What's going on?" He questioned, coming into the room seconds later.
"Oh god. There's blood everywhere," I stated, starting to panic.
"What the hell happened?"
"I don't know. I was passing by and I found her like this," I explained, pressing my fingers to her throat in an attempt to find a pulse. It was useless. She was already gone. All of a sudden, Cami gasped, sitting up and looking around. My eyes widened in shock, "Cami?"
"Tell me what happened," Nik demanded as I wrapped a blanket around Cami's shoulders.
"Aurora. She did this to me," Cami began to cry as she spoke, "I died, I'm dead."
"You will not stay dead. She will pay for her actions. I swear to you."
Cami let out a groan, hunching over, "what's happening to me?"
"You're in transition," I told her, wrapping an arm around her.
"You need to feed on blood soon or you will die again, this time for good," Nik added.
Another short chapter.
My character and her story are of my own imagination. They belong to me and nobody else. Please do not steal. Copyright 2018.
