Everything was packed. Of course we couldn’t bring everything. We were all only allowed to bring one suitcase. That didn’t bother me that much. But Diana grumbled constantly about that fact. It was so easy to forget that she and all the Pulmers were vampires they tended to act so human.
Gabriel, Benji, Vivian, Viola, and Balthazar were all waiting outside. Benji jumped around in excitement, Gabriel stood broodingly, Viola was making random items appear and then her sister, Vivian, was making them disappear, and Balthazar was helping Patrick load the vehicles.
Jonathon, Joseph and I were going in a brown Infiniti QX56 and Gabriel was going to be riding with us. I shuddered at the thought. The guy gave me the creeps but Jonathon promised me that there was nothing to worry about. Benji was going to be riding with Danny and Mason in Danny’s Hummer H3. Those three would get along great. All of them were pranksters. I was sure Jonathon was relieved that Benji wouldn’t be riding with us since Jonathon always seemed to get the brunt of whatever Benji’s prank or joke was. Amelia, Patrick, and Balthazar were going in Amelia’s Mercedes GL500. Diana, Vivian, and Viola were going in Diana’s Lexus.
Patrick, with Balthazar’s and Joseph’s help, finally managed to get Diana’s trunk closed.
“Diana, I thought I said one bag. There’s six here.” He said trying to look mad and fatherly but failing utterly because he couldn’t help chuckling at Diana’s pouted lips.
“Uncle Patrick. I brought two bags and so did Vivian and Viola. We are girls. We have to have our accessories,” she said with a smile flicking her pale blond hair over her shoulder.
“Diana, we are fighting an evil immortal being no one is concerned with how you look,” said Patrick shaking his head.
“Uncle Patrick, you never know when fashion might come in handy. You have to be prepared,” she said giving him a ‘duh’ look.
Patrick just shook his head once more and moved on to loading the next car. Diana, Vivian, and Viola all high-fived in victory.
It was starting to get dark out. Which was the plan, let it get dark, and then we’d leave, the Coven would meet us later as would Luigi. I looked up at the mansion that had become more like home, and said my silent good bye. It felt weak to let her chase us away. But Jonathon kept reminding me that we weren’t running away. We were playing the game now too. We would lead her to where we wanted her to be. And then destroy her once and for all.
I didn’t tell him my worries, that I thought his plan would fail; I just didn’t want to worry him more. He had enough stress on him without me adding doubt to the list of them.
The loud snap of the last trunk snapping closed made me jump. I was so frightened that Selena would come out of the bushes and slaughter us all. I shook my head trying to shake the thought away like an etch-a-sketch.
Jonathon’s cold hand grabbed my wrist. I shivered and wrapped my jacket more tightly around me. He let go. “I’m not cold. I’m just scared,” I said grabbing his hand back.
“Don’t be. We’ll protect you,” he said and his silver eyes glowed in the darkening sky.
“I’m not only scared for myself,” I whispered.
“Silly girl, are you worrying about vampires?” he chuckled and brought my hand to his lips pressing a small kiss there before letting our hands drop again.
“Yes,” I breathed. How could I not worry? They were my family. Not only that but there were random vampires that I didn’t know willing to die for me. Was there something I was missing?
“Don’t. It will take more than one sadistic vampire to kill all of us,” said Jonathon with a cocky grin. I knew he was right. It would take more than one sadistic vampire to kill all of them. Key word being all. I knew deep down that some of us wouldn’t survive. Selena wouldn’t go down without a fight and Jonathon knew it too but he just wouldn’t say anything.
“Then what’s with the vampire guard? And the Coven? If it’s not such a big deal why are so many people, and vampires, involved?” I taunted wanting to catch him in his lie.
“Better safe than sorry,” he whispered in my ear as his arms wrapped around my waist pulling my back against his chest. I leaned my head back against his shoulder. The fight instantly went out of me. I hated arguing with him.
I tilted my head back to look up at him. He was looking at his house, saying goodbye I assumed, like myself. Feeling my gaze upon him he looked down. I kissed his cold chin lightly. If anything happened to him or the others, surely, I would die. My heart wouldn’t be able to bear the loss of any of them, even Gabriel, because it would be my fault. Everything always seemed to be my fault.
“Jonathon, dobbiamo andare,” said Patrick, standing by the driver’s side door of Amelia’s Mercedes. Jonathon, we must go.
Jonathon sighed and put his nose against my hair, inhaling my scent. “Alright,” he said softly but Patrick heard him. Patrick’s car started as did
Diana’s and Danny’s. The headlights momentarily blinded me. Jonathon led me to the Infiniti QX56. Gabriel and Joseph were in the front with Joseph driving. The windows in this car were so tinted that no one would be able to see who was driving or who was in the back. It was a miracle you could actually see out the windows they were so tinted. Despite the increasing darkness everything already looked dark thanks to the glass.
Danny’s group took off out of the drive way. Then we left behind him. Diana was behind us with Patrick behind her.
That’s when I realized what this was.
This was an escort.
An escort of vampires.
With the precious cargo in the middle.
Me.