Don't touch them.

Chapter 10

Three weeks later

   I've started work at the resteraunt. I'm a bus boy, and make good money. They gave me a uniform with long sleeves to hide all my scars, per my request. I have blood. A bag everyday has been keeping me healthy. More healthy than I've been in a long time. School's been good. I haven't been sleeping through my classes anymore, not that it affected my grades anyway. Rather I've been able to help Anna and Sam with their own work.
   Jermy is a single father after the death of his mate at the hands of a hunter. His son seems to be his reason to live. He puts on a good show but I know better. He and Amanda bring Del over every weekend, and we've all become good friends. No one has asked anymore questions regarding Aspen and I's scars.
   I've taken to doing dishes and laundry whenever possible. It gives me something to do and makes me feel better about living here. They don't really aprove, but they don't argue either. I wake this morning to find both Aspen and Del in bed with me, as has become routine.
   "Dain! Come here!" I roll out of bed. My body isn't healing as fast as it should be. I'm still covered in bruises, and my throat's still sore, but it's not as bad as it was. My internal wounds have mostly healed, and my relationship with Sam has progressed amazingly. As with Anna. I don't bother pulling a shirt on. Sandra won't let me go without the bandages, despite my healing ribs, and they keep the house warm. I can't sleep without a blanket though, and it's too hot with all three layers.
    I limp out, making sure my hair is in front of my eye. Among all the small scars, and the bruises littering my torso, arms, and back and even my neck... That's the one I won't expose.
   Aspen follows me out. He seems more nervous that usual. Del follows me too, staggering along sleepily. It can't be any later than 8 or 9 am.
   I walk into the living room to see Heather and Sandra, side by side, grinning. Amanda and Jermy are also grinning, from the couch. And two new people. One man. One woman. They both have black hair. The woman has bright blue eyes, and the man's are deep brown. They're both pale, tall, toned, and flawless. They're absolutely gorgeous. And they aren't human.
   Del stumbles over to his dad, still sleepy and disoriented. The two look me over, their smiles quickly falling as they take in the damage that litters my body. Aspen steps in front of me growling. I can feel both our hearts racing with anxiety. Since I've gotten stronger, so has our partnered bond. We made a pact I think, subconsciously, when we first found eachother. That's what a familiar is. A goblin or spirit one (generally a witch) makes a contract with. Protection and love for protection and love. Understanding.
   "Dain!" The girl steps forward, arms open, and I step back.
   "Heather?" I look to the two of them. They don't seem to find anything wrong with the situation. Who are these people? Why are they here? Why do they know me? Someone grabs my shouder and I spin around to see Sam standing there, looking concerned.
   "They won't hurt you." He says softly, grabbing my arm to turn me around. "Dain, this is Eve and Ace." He grabs a cup of coffee from the table, black with extra sugar, like every morning, and hands it to me. "They're you brother and sister." I nod slowly, sipping the hot drink.
   "Why does he look so angry?" Eve whispers to Sandra.
   "Oh, he always looks that way. I guess he just doesn't have much motivation to smile. Heather says she's seen him smile twice, and only at Aspen." I reach down and rest my hand on Aspens head, feeling his soft fur, still sipping my coffee, watching them. He too has become healthier recently. I won't deny that I feel some odd connection, but it isn't strong or anything. Just a vague sense of... Knowing. I set the coffee down and turn away.
   "Dain?!" Heather sounds confused. I go to my room and grab my long sleeved black shirt, slipping it on with my black sweats as I go back to the living room. I can't deny my curiosity.
   I grab my coffee and follow Sam to the couch, where I sit at the far end. He sits beside me, and Aspen in front of me. Like a little protection squad.
   "Dain? Honey, you okay?" Sandra asks cautiously.
   "I've been worse." I sip my coffee. Eve and Ace look a bit startled, but sit on the other end of the couch. Heather and Sandra take up residency in their respective recliners. This is normal for them. The lack of emotion. I cross my legs as I wait for someone to explain, nursing the black liquid in my mug.
   "Um, these are your siblings. And your mom and Dad will be here tomorrow." Heather says, clasping her hands. I put my hand over my mouth to keep my self from accidently spitting out my coffee, choking. I end up coughing. Badly. Sam rubs my back and holds my shoulder, but when I finally stop, my eyes are full of tears. I wracked my whole body, and it hurts.
   "M-my Dad's dead. And my mom's a bitch." I rasp. Eve and Ace's eyes are wide.
   "Not... Quite no..." Ace mumbles, still looking me over.
   "Take a picture it'll last longer." My voice isn't as raspy now, just hoarse.
   "Sorry..." He mutters, turning red.
   "Dad's alive, and that woman isn't your mother." Eve says. I raise my brows. "You were just a baby, but there was a hunter who had infiltrated the clan. He was targetting the small ones, thinking once the older vampires had nothing to lose they'd be more reckless and easier to kill. We couldn't figure out who it was. We split up the clan but they were still being killed. So Dad took you to stay with the mortal." She explains. I sip my coffee, still trying to keep my face hard.
   "By the time you could return, she had set the house on fire." Eve has tears in her eyes. Everyone turns to me, eyes wide. "She told Daddy you died... You and Aspen. And until recently we believed it. Until Sandra called some people a couple weeks ago looking for a steady blood supply, and word got around... Well the clan called. We're kind of known for taking in misfits. But when we figured out it was you..." She wipes away some tears.
   "We thought you were dead. And then you showed up and they invited us to come see you. We live in the Colorado Mountains. We raced down as soon as we could but Mom and Dad had to settle some things in the clan first, so they'll be here tomorrow morning." Ace explains. I nod slowly, still sipping my coffee.
   "What fire?" Sam whispers. "Is that where that scar came from?"
   I guess I should tell them, considering the role it played in all this.