Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

fifty.

We'd packed a couple bags for me and the twins – Ava grabbed her elephant to take with her to stay with me at Ray and Aria's. They sat in the car as I said goodbye to everyone.

"I don't like this..." I said. "I don't want to come back to some shit news."

"I don't want you to get hurt," Val said.

"I'm a vampire, Val. I can take a couple hits."

"Physically, yes. But this thing likes to fuck with you and what happens if it gets to you?" She had tears forming in her eyes. I put my hand on the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. She pressed her head into my chest. Chris and Zane put their arms around the two of us.

"You're right," I said. "I still don't like it..."

"No, neither do I," Zane said. "But we can't risk you and the twins." I let out a deep breath and gave them all one last squeeze before heading for the door. I got in the car and locked the door, making sure the kids had their seat belts on. I pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.

"Momma?" Noah asked, half asleep.

"Yeah, baby?" I asked, clearing my throat, trying to sound like I wasn't about to cry.

"Where are we going? It's the middle of the night."

"We have to go to Aunt Aria's house for a few days."

"Why?" Ava asked.

"There are some things happening at home that we shouldn't be there for. But we'll be back home soon."

"Does this have to do with Odie?"

"Uh, yeah, honey. It does."

"Shouldn't we help?" Noah asked.

"You two are too young. We don't want you to get hurt." We were nearly halfway to the house when the car stalled. It stopped in the middle of the road. I put the car in the park and hesitated to step out. I opened the hood of the car and the little that I knew about cars told me it should be fine. There wasn't anything obviously wrong. I checked the gas before we'd left – the tank was three-quarters full. I got back in the car and hesitated calling Chris or to just take the twins and walk the rest of the way. I sat in the car, looking for my phone when I saw a light out of the corner of my eye. I looked back to see Ava's hand lit up with magic. "Ava. What are you doing?"

"Take us back home."

"Seriously? Ava, stop this!"

"Momma. I can help!"

"You're too young! I need to keep you safe and keeping you safe means we need to go away..."

"No. They need us," Noah said. "We can help them!" I faced forward, contemplating what to do. Am I really going to let my kids tell me what to do?

"Ugh! Fine! Will you let me drive then?" Ava dropped her hand, and I was able to turn the engine over and turn around. I was upset that they'd done that, but I understood – I didn't want to leave either. I can't even lie about how impressive that was... I thought to myself. I pulled back into the driveway and parked the car. The twins got out of the car, and I grabbed their hands as we walked towards the woods. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Momma," Ava said, placing her elephant on the table in the backyard. "I have to..."

"Honey, no you don't." I knelt down in front of them. "Why do you think you have to help?"

"Because this is our family!" Noah said. I took a deep breath realizing that they were more like me than I'd have liked at that moment. I took both of their hands in mine.