Under the Blood Moon

Chapter 9

         As I look around the table at everyone sitting and enjoying each others company, I realize that this is the last time that we will all be together. Sadness hits me suddenly and tears begin to fall from my eyes and hit my plate. Travis turns to me and places his hand atop mine. “What is the matter, why are you crying?” I turn to him and try to smile, “This is the last time I will have breakfast with my parents.” Asclepius turns her gaze to me, “Who told you that you couldn't see your family anymore.” I look confused at her and whip my tears away from my eyes, “Renee.” She looks up into the air and scoffs,”It is your choice. You can either bring them with you or they can keep their mortal lives. Renee prefers to have them keep their mortal lives, I think that is why she didn't give you the option.” I don't fully understand why it matters if they choose to come with me or not. “Why would she not want them to come with me?”

               “Well humans are not allowed in our world. You have the choice to bring them or not, but they will have to give up the life they have now completely and they can never return, just as you cannot return. Since humans are not allowed in our world, there will be subjects that don’t condone you bringing them. They might try to...eliminate them.” I guess that Renee has a good reason for everything but I think that in this case the risk isn’t outweighed by the benefits. There would be nothing that is more amazing than to continue to have my parents in my life. I could not imagine not being able to see them ever again. I look to my mother who is listening closely. “Mom, would you want to come with us?” She looks to my father and I also turn to look at him. “What do you think honey?” He finishes chewing his mouth full of food and swallows, “Well I dont know. Give up everything? That is a lot. Are you sure that you could never come and visit, Renee came to Niki didn’t she?” Asclepius jumps in, “She came to the human world with the intent of never returning to her own. The only reason that a Royal would come to the human world is for emergencies that involve our own kind. Traveling back and forth isn’t recommended because of danger. Of course a majority of our kind lives in the human world, but the Royals must stay in the Realm for their safety. Just like in the Human world, back in the days of old, your Kings and Queens would stay mainly in the castles.” I think that this is too large of a decision to make over breakfast. I can see my fathers anxiety level rising and I decide to end the conversation. “Why don't we discuss this later.” Mom and dad both look to me and nod their heads in agreeance.

         The rest of breakfast is spent in silence, but as the day grew towards the afternoon the mood changed. Ascelpius can’t stand to stay quiet. She was the first to start, “So are we just going to sit around all day or can we do something now?” My mother glances to my father and giggles. We all have been lounging in the living room in silence and I agree that it is time to change the tone. This is my last day as just Niki and this is not how I plan on spending it. I look over to Travis who is leaned back in the black recliner in the corner of the room. His arms folded on his chest and I can’t help but to get a small butterfly in my stomach. It almost makes me mad the way he can change my feelings in an instant. That is one thing that I never thought would happen to me. I think the main reason it upsets me is because I love it so much. Sometimes I forget to remember how amazing it is that I found that one person in the world that I was ment to be with. So I cannot be too upset about the hand I have been delt. I begin to sneak over to him, tiptoeing past the coffee table. I look to my mom and dad that are sitting on the couch, and motion for them to be quiet. My mom winks at me and I move closer to Travis. I get to the arm of his chair and take a breath in. I lean over the chair and I glance up to the window above his head only to see Ares and two other large men and one girl...Aaren. I jump back and Travis sits up qucikly grabbing my shoulders, “What is it!?” He pushes me back and I lose sight of Aaren and the three men she was with. Travis puts his hand to the side of my face gently turning my head to face him, “Niki… what is it?” I stay silent for the moment and just try to slow my heart beat. If Aaren and Ares are here again and now there are two men with her, one must be Khan. It’s not even night yet, I have not even awakened. Renee told me that he wouldn’t come until after the awakening. Fear begins to crawl up my spine. Travis waits patiently staring down at me. “Niki please say something.” I take a breath and respond as calmly as I can. “I saw Aaren, Ares and two men standing outside.” Travis drops his arms to his side and I can see his anger growing stronger. He looks to my mother and father on the couch and practically screams at them, “Get up and move to the bedroom! NOW!” They don’t ask question and hurry from the living room. As much as I see the pain in my fathers eyes to leave me with Travis, he knows nothing of this world and until we can find out why they have come early and where they are, its best he stay hidden. He cannot help me if he is beaten or dead.