19. The Hunt

They emerged one by one from the edge of the forest. The first was a blonde, handsome man who stepped back immediately, allowing the second—tall, dark-haired, and clearly the leader—to take the front. The last was a woman, her long raven hair striking against the backdrop of the darkening trees. They moved cautiously toward Becky's family, their respect for the unfamiliar group palpable, like predators encountering another pack. While they were undeniably beautiful, they seemed ordinary in comparison to the Armstrongs. Their eyes were a deep burgundy—a color that felt wrong, sinister.

The dark-haired man, still smiling, stepped toward Robert. "We thought we heard a game," he said in a laid-back tone, thick with a southern accent. "I'm Mike. These are Mile and Devikah." He gestured to the vampires beside him.

Becky's hand slipped around Freen's waist, pulling her closer, staking her claim.

"I'm Robert. This is my family: Song, Billy, Richie, Irin, Rawe, Becky, and Freen," Robert said, his tone deliberate as he pointed them out, not making special mention of anyone. Freen felt a shock as Robert casually referred to her as part of his family.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Mike asked, his voice friendly, but there was something more beneath it—an underlying tension that Freen could feel. The way Becky's hand tightened around her waist only confirmed her suspicion.

Robert matched Mike's friendly tone. "Actually, we were just finishing up. But we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?"

"We're heading north, but we were curious to see who was in the neighborhood. Haven't run into any company in a long while," Mike said, his words smooth, but Freen caught the lie.

"No, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves," Robert responded coolly.

"What's your hunting range?" Mike asked casually, a probing tone in his voice.

"Please don't take offense," Robert continued, "but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand."

"Of course," Mike nodded. "We certainly won't encroach on your territory. We just ate outside Seattle, anyway. Heading toward California," he added with a laugh that sent a shiver down Freen's spine, a casual mention of lives lost.

"We'll show you the way if you'd like to run with us. Billy and Irin, you can go with Becky and Freen to get the Jeep," Robert said, his words meant to ease the tension, but Freen could sense the unspoken fear in the air.

As Robert spoke, three things happened simultaneously: Freen's hair stirred with the light breeze, Becky stiffened beside her, and the second male—Mile—suddenly whipped his head around, scrutinizing Freen. His nostrils flared.

They know I'm human!

A tense silence filled the air. Mile took a step forward, crouching slightly, his gaze never leaving Freen. Becky bared her teeth, crouching low in defense, a feral snarl ripping from her throat. It was nothing like the playful sounds Freen had heard from Becky that morning; this was the most menacing sound she had ever heard.

"She's with us." Robert's voice cut through the tension, firm and unwavering. Mile hesitated but didn't back down, his eyes still locked on Freen, nostrils flaring.

Mike, though less affected, looked at Freen and then back to Robert. "You brought a snack?" he asked, incredulous. A thin smile formed on his lips as he took an involuntary step toward her.

Becky snarled again, fiercer than before, her lip curling high to expose her glistening teeth. Mike took a step back.

"I said she's with us," Robert reiterated, his tone sharp.

"But she's human," Mike protested, his voice not aggressive, but filled with disbelief.

"Yes," Rawe spoke up, standing beside Robert, her eyes fixed on Mile. Mile slowly straightened from his crouch, his eyes never leaving Freen. Becky remained tense, a protective lion in front of her.

Mike glanced at Freen, then back at Robert. "We'd like to take your offer. We won't harm the human girl. We won't hunt in your range," he said, his words polite but still tinged with that undercurrent of danger.

Mile shot Mike a frustrated look before turning back to Freen, his expression hard to read. Devikah, still tense, flicked her gaze from face to face, uncertainty in her eyes.

Robert gave Mike a long, deliberate look before speaking. "We'll show you the way. Song, Richie, Rawe?" he called. They gathered together, closing ranks and blocking Freen from view as they formed a protective circle around her. Billy moved to Freen's side immediately, while Irin lingered, her eyes sharp, watching Mile closely.

"Let's go, Freen," Becky murmured, her voice low and filled with an emotion Freen couldn't place.

Freen, still processing everything, stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by the raw energy in the air. Becky grabbed her elbow, pulling her sharply from the trance.

Irin and Billy were close behind them as they moved toward the forest edge. Becky's impatience was palpable. They moved at a human pace, though the tension between them felt unbearable.

Once they were in the trees and out of view, they accelerated, plunging into the now-dark forest like wraiths. Freen glanced at Becky, whose face was now consumed with fury.

The Jeep came into view almost immediately, and Becky wasted no time pulling Freen into the backseat. Billy was already in the front, with Irin sitting next to Freen. Becky started the engine, and they sped off, the tires screeching as they took a sharp turn.

Becky was growling something under her breath, and Freen could feel the wave of anger emanating from her.

"We're going south," Freen said, her voice anxious. "Where are we going?"

No one answered.

"Dammit, Becky! Where are you taking me?" Freen demanded, panic creeping into her voice.

Becky glanced briefly at her, her expression grim. "We need to get you away—far away—now."

The speedometer shot past 105 mph as they raced down the road.

"Turn around!" Freen shouted, her voice rising. "You have to take me home!"

"Irin," Becky called, her voice steady. Irin immediately held Freen back, tightening her grip when Freen tried to move forward.

"No! Becky, you can't do this."

"I have to, Freen. Please, be quiet." Becky's voice was worn, exhausted.

"I won't!" Freen shouted. "I can't leave my mom."

"Calm down, Freen." Becky's voice turned colder.

Irin's voice broke through, trying to calm the situation. "Becky, pull over."

Becky shot her a hard look before speeding up. The tension in the air was thick as the car flew down the highway at over 110 mph.

"I don't care what you say, Freen. We're leaving tonight, with or without the tracker seeing us. You tell your mother whatever story works. Pack quickly, and then get in the truck. Fifteen minutes—do you hear me? Fifteen minutes."

The Jeep roared back to life, and Becky swerved them around, tires screeching again.

A few minutes passed in silence, the only sound being the engine's roar. Then, Becky spoke again, her voice low and determined.

"When we get there, if the tracker's not there, I'll walk you to the door. You'll have fifteen minutes. Billy, you take the outside, Irin, you get the truck. I'll stay inside with you as long as you're there. Once you're out, you two can take the Jeep and tell Robert."

"No way," Billy cut in. "I'm staying with you."

Becky sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Think it through, Billy. I don't know how long I'll be gone."

"Until we know how far this is going to go, I'm staying with you."

"If the tracker's there," Becky continued grimly, "we keep driving."

"We'll get there before him," Irin said confidently. Becky seemed to accept that. Whatever her reservations were, she didn't doubt Irin now.

"What about the Jeep?" Irin asked, her voice still calm.

"You'll drive it home," Becky said with a cold edge in her tone.

"No, I'm not." Irin's response was calm but firm.

"Yes, you are," Becky snapped.

Freen's voice was small. "We can't all fit in my truck."

Becky didn't seem to hear her.

"I think you should let me go alone," Freen said quietly.

"Freen, please just do this my way, just this once," Becky pleaded, her voice taut with frustration.

"Listen, my mum's not an imbecile. She's a cop, for God's sake," Freen argued, her tone rising with determination. "If you're not in town tomorrow, she's going to get suspicious. She'll think you took me somewhere."

"That's irrelevant. We'll make sure she's safe, and that's all that matters." Becky's voice was firm, but Freen could hear the tremor of anxiety beneath her resolute exterior.

"And what about this tracker? He saw the way you acted tonight," Freen pressed. "He's going to think you're with me, wherever you are."

Billy frowned, his surprise tinged with reluctant acknowledgment. "Becky, listen to her," he urged. "I think she's right."

"Yes, she is," Irin agreed, her calm voice carrying a weight of reason.

Becky shook her head, her voice colder than before. "I can't do that."

Her eyes locked with Irin's, then darted to Billy. "You think I should let her go alone?" she asked incredulously.

"Of course not," Irin replied. "Billy and I will take her. Between the two of us, it'll be rather safe."

"I can't do that," Becky repeated, but this time, the faint edge of defeat softened her tone. The logic was beginning to take root, despite her instincts screaming otherwise.

Freen leaned forward, her voice gentler now, coaxing. "Hang out here for a week—" Becky's sharp expression in the mirror made her amend quickly, "—a few days. Let my mum see you haven't kidnapped me. Lead this Mile guy on a wild-goose chase. Make sure he's completely off my trail. Then come and meet me."

Becky's eyes flickered in the mirror, her expression troubled. Freen could almost see the gears turning in her mind as she mulled it over.

"Meet you where?" Becky finally asked, her voice low and hesitant.

"California," Freen sighed, relief laced with her words. Then she added, as if it were an afterthought, "Also, when you come, bring Gemini with you."

Becky turned her head, her eyes flashing with sudden anger. "What does he have to do with any of this?" she snapped.

"I'm not sure. But he might know why they're after me."

Becky's gaze darkened. "He knew you were in danger and didn't say anything?"

"I insisted that he speak with me with you present," Freen explained. "He wouldn't tell me everything."

Freen sighed, her voice gentle as she placed a hand on Becky's shoulder. "Stay here. Don't confront Gemini. Just stay out of this, and when the time comes, meet him and bring him with you. Come back to me, and we'll figure it out together."

"I don't know if I can stay away from you," Becky murmured.

"I'll be fine," Freen reassured her, giving her a smile. "We will be fine."

"Fine," Becky finally relented, her voice weary. "But if you let anything happen to yourself—anything at all—I'm holding you personally responsible. Do you understand that?"

Freen smiled softly, nodding.

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