The Death of The Family

The stars shone down from the sky, heedless of the earth below. Theirs was the only light that night, the moon had hidden her face. That was good. Stealth was needed, and for that we needed darkness. Still, shadows did dapple the lawns and hedges of the grounds, and two men patrolled the gardens. The hulking figure next to me sniffed the air and grunted, “Humans.”

“Yes,” I whispered back, “the fodder of my parent’s defenses. Should they yell…”

“They won’t have the chance.” His name was Troll, or at least that’s what he called himself (Pro-Tip: As a matter of fact, his birth name was Terrance). Troll slithered forward with all the stealth of a charging gorilla, but the guards were still oblivious when he struck them. They fell without a word, a broken neck and a quick drain did for them.

“Proceed.” I commanded the others behind me, they crept forward into the gardens, and still the stars glowed upon their ebony field.

The plan, in the end, was a simple one: distraction and swift infiltration. Stefan and Demelza were cavorting around a bonfire not far from the main gate of my parent’s estate. Certainly, their revelry would attract the attention of the nearby guards, who would capture them and bring them in for questioning. While this loud arrest was occurring, Stefan’s forces and I would enter the house and be waiting for the returning guards. Once all were inside, we then would fall upon them together, and proceed to take the house.

But first, I needed to effect entry into the mansion. We swarmed up and over the perimeter gate, and dashed from shelter to shelter across the lawns. We huddled against the base of the house, while I listened carefully.

“What we waitin’ for?” Troll snarled.

“The signal,” I murmured back, peering beyond the corner of the house to the main road. It was not long in coming. Demelza has healthy lungs, and suddenly her screams rent the quiet countryside, setting my teeth on edge.

“Climb.” I ordered, and we scuttled en masse up the side of the house. When we reached the second floor, I called a halt. I clambered onto the sill of the nearest window, and struck the edges of the pane. The whole pane fell forward, and threatened to smash onto the floor, but I snatched it before it could do so. I crouched on the threshold, and scanned the room. It was empty, and so I jumped inside. Instantly, I felt a blow behind my knee, and I crumpled to the floor. I twisted as I fell, and caught a glimpse of raven hair.

Selena leapt out from underneath the window where she had been concealed, and began brutalizing my face before I could recover. She opened her mouth to yell, only to have a giant, meaty hand clamp itself over her face. Troll stepped in through the window, and gripped the squirming Selena around her middle, pinning her against him. He winced as she bit down on his hand, sucking at his blood. I did not hesitate.

“Spine.” I barked, and Troll bent Selena backwards until there was a loud snap.

“Should we finish her?” Troll asked, a sheepish grin on his face, like a child who has just broken a toy, and not on accident.

“No!” I said, a little too loudly. “No, that is Stefan’s decision.” I picked up Selena and tried not to meet her eyes. They were wide and full of fear, something I’d never seen Selena express before. I steeled myself, and ignored my guilty conscience. I loved my parents, and I loved my brothers and sisters. But I had to protect my new family, no matter the cost.

As we filed out of the bedroom, sounds of a scuffle could be heard below. Looking down from the second landing, I could see Stefan and Demelza being menaced by six guards, though only two were human. Father and Mother stood at the foot of the main stairwell. Stefan was shouting, Demelza was screaming, and Father was looking on in grim satisfaction.

“I told you when we last met that you were no longer welcome in my house, Stefan.” Father’s voice was strong and clear, and he was impressive despite his garb (Pro-Tip: Clearly awakened from sleep, Father was wearing a deep red bathrobe, somewhat less striking than his usual attire). “Now, you will pay the price.” He reached toward Stefan with his big strong hands. Then, my men dropped down from the second floor, and fell upon the guards in a frenzy.

In no time, my Father and Mother were pinned on their knees in front of Stefan, and Demelza was crowing in victory.

“At long last!” Stefan cried, exultant, “I have come into my own. This house is mine, this clan is mine, and these people are mine.” He gave Demelza a possessive squeeze to emphasize his point. “The hunting grounds of my clan are yours!” Stefan said magnanimously to his followers, who cheered wildly. “But you,” Stefan said, turning back to my parents, “you are trespassing on my property. And now you will pay the price.”

I did not look away when he twisted my Father’s neck, or when he tore at my Mother’s throat. I had loved them too much to look away. Selena’s eyes never left mine, and they were burning with hatred. Evangeline. I thought to myself. The stars were glowing more brightly than ever, I could see them through the large windows on either side of the door. Stefan rose from my parent’s bloody bodies, both now shriveled with age.

“This is just the beginning brothers. We will treat with some clans and march on others, but one by one they will join us or die, Demelza, you will be a queen, and I a king!”

“And what of me?” I called from the top of the stairs, Selena still in my arms. Stefan turned, all smiles.

“Brother!” He exclaimed, “What boon would you ask of me?”

“Nothing.” I said quietly. “Nothing but your word. As agreed.”

“No lands? No women?” He asked, feigning surprise.

“I have all I want. Just let me keep it.”

Stefan sighed. Then, in a calm, loud voice, he called out “Selena.”

Instantly, Selena came to life in my arms, and raked her claws across my face. Blinded, I could not see, but I felt a blow to my stomach that sent me sprawling down the stairs. Something pierced me through my leg, and I tasted blood in my mouth. I looked up, and saw Troll grinning, and twisting a spear in my thigh. I strained against the spear, the floor, anything, desperately trying to break free, but I could not move. Stefan knelt before me, still smiling.

“We had a deal!” I spat, blood in my mouth.

“Did you really think I’d let you run free?” He sniggered. Then, he pulled a cell-phone out of his jacket.

“No.” I moaned at him.

He pressed a series of numbers and held it to his lips.

“No!” I screamed.

He spoke three words.

“The blonde lied.”

Outside, the stars were covered by clouds, and all of their light was gone.