Eternal

Undeadly

Chapter 15: Undeadly

“And what exactly has this got to do with anything?” I grumbled, wondering if he was just trying to distract me or what.

He sighed, hand tugging at his hair again to display his agitation, “Everything, actually. For you to really understand what’s happening now you have to know how we got here. I’ll give you the brief version but I know you and you won’t stop asking questions until you have every little detail engrained in your memory.” Keegan chuckled, reaching over to ruffle my hair.

I smacked his hand away with the book, adding on a glare for good measure earning a chuckle. “Fine, I’ll settle for the damn book. Brief version now, please.” I poked his chest with the book for emphasis earning another chuckle.

“Really short version?” Keegan puffed up his cheeks and tipped his head up before letting out the pent up breath and jamming his hands back into his pockets, “If my family dies there’s going to be full out war.” His lips tipped up in a self-depreciating smile as he said with enthusiasm, “I’m afraid that means I’ve dragged you into a whole boat load of trouble.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “Please, just knowing Levi is a boat load of trouble. This is more like being tossed in with the sharks. Want to tell me exactly why war would break out if you, you know, died died?”

He ducked his head, “Promise to hear me out till the end?”

I cocked an eyebrow at him, “We’ll see.”

Keegan smiled and relaxed some as I settled into a defensive stance, ready to hear it. “There’s one thing you need to understand about Vampires and pretty much every paranormal race you’ll come across: tradition and the Old Ways are like law. Thankfully there are those like my parents who have decided to adapt with the world rather than sticking to what was done five hundred years ago. There are a group of Rogues that detest the idea. They want the world to return to what it once was – total Paranormal Supremacy. I’m talking human slaughter, witches hunted, whole species wiped out in a matter of months.” The smile disappeared as he spoke. Instead, a sullen glint settled in his navy eyes.

“My parents are the American Coven leaders. That means they control all Vampires on the continent – with that comes more than a few enemies. The Rogues are dead set on seeing the Le Roi’s wiped out as soon as possible in order to achieve their goal and if they succeed…all hell is going to break loose.” Pure anger started to creep up, visible in his clenched fists that started to shake, the black tint that covered his eyes and the deadly glare he was aiming at the table right then.

I hated seeing it – it was a complete contrast to his usual sunny demeanour. Never able to stay at a distance when he was upset I cross the kitchen and wrapped him up in a hug. I buried my face in his chest and squeezed his waist tightly. “You could have told me, you know.”

I felt the tension leave his shoulders after a moment as he returned the gesture. He pressed his cheek to my hair and settled with his hands on my lower back, rubbing small circles there with his thumbs. “I didn’t want you involved. I still don’t. You’re not going to like hearing this but if I had it my way you’d never know.”

I pulled back a little at that, taking in the complete sincerity shining through his features. “Keeping things from me has never ended well, Keeg. You of all people should know that.” I tacked on a smile at the end in hopes of lightening the mood.

He sighed softly, unable to help the little upturn to his lips, “Well, as you love to keep reminding me, I’m as stubborn as a mule.” Suddenly a true smile spread across his face, “Come on, my dad’s back.” I barely had enough time to open my mouth before Keegan was pulling me down the stairs again and into the living room where sure enough the tall imposing figure of Jonathon Masters – well, I suppose it was really Le Roi but that was going to take some getting used to – sat nestled in a flower-printed chair.

The sight was just so odd and yet so familiar that I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. He looked dead tired as he rested in the cream chair with copper hair sticking up in every direction, light purple circles framing his eyes and at least two days’ worth of stubble on his chin. His eyes flashed open a second later to land on Keegs and I standing there smiling at him and instantly he was standing with massive arms outstretched, his fatigue momentarily forgotten.

“Lisbeth, I’m glad to see you finally awake, my girl!” I accepted the hug offered with a chuckle.

“Hi Mr Masters.” I grinned up at him when he let me go, watching as he shook his head.

“I still cannot believe how much you’ve grown.”

Keegan chipped in by rolling his eyes and slinging an arm over my shoulders, “Well it has been over a decade, Dad.”

Jonathon sifted a hand through his messy hair, “Yes it has. I wish it was under better circumstances that we were meeting again, Lisbeth, but needs be needs must I’m afraid.” He ruffled my hair fondly before walking out the room, “I suggest the two of you get ready. Your mother is expecting us there in little under ten minutes.”

I raised an eyebrow at Keegan, “Where?”

He groaned unhappily, looking thoroughly put out. “Another thing you need to know – Paranormals like to party hard and every chance they can get. This time it’s my ‘welcome home’ bash. Come on, you better get changed into something comfortable – it’s going to be a long night.”

It's been a while. sorry! hehe. let me know what you think! is it terrible? Good? IDK, you tell me! i'd love to hear it!

AndUCallMeWeird