In the Dark 6 part 2

After a few minutes past my bottom started to go numb from sitting on the ground. I wriggled a little, but the feeling didn't subside.

"Let me help you with that." Whispered a very unwelcome voice. I really did not need this complication right now. I opened my mouth to call in the cavalry. "Stop. Please, I just want to talk, to explain myself." I again drew in a breath to vocalize a smart comment. "No if you talk, they'll come. Please give me a chance. I am begging you. I want to make amends. Just nod and I'll take you to the tree line and no farther. You have my word." My heart throbbed with his sincerity. I really wanted to believe this was the brother that I knew. All I had to do was listen then I can scream bloody murder and end it. I nodded my head to Conrad. In one agile movement, he swept me off my bottom and used his vampire speed to carry me to the trees. Once there I found myself engulfed in his embrace. "Sis." He whispered as he breathed in my scent. Surprisingly, I hugged him right back.

"Conrad." I murmured. In that moment all the years of loneliness disappeared. My brother was alive (well not really, but you get my point) and by my side.

"Sis, I am so sorry for yesterday." He held me at an arm's length away. Conrad sounded ashamed.

"It's okay. I didn't get hurt that badly." In reality I did, but he didn't need to know that.

"I hurt you! Oh my God I am so incredibly sorry! I really did not intend to. I only wanted to get you away from that idiotic fairy. Where?" I showed him my limp right foot. "I did that?" He sounded horrified.

"Only partly. A werewolf did a good portion of it though." I meant it to be joking, but his face was murderous.

"Those bastards! I'll kill them for this!" Wow anger management issues.

"No, no. Please don't. No killing. Um if you could somehow heal my foot, that would suffice." Again I was joking, but Conrad's face was totally serious when he spoke.

"Okay. No problem." What?!

"Um, wait, no, you don't have to. I was just kidding." Conrad turned his face away from me in shame. He really just wanted to help. The last thing I need is supernatural healing, but on second thought it would help. "Fine, but first you have to tell me where you've been all these years." Conrad marginally perked up and nodded.

"As I said I am a vampire. I got turned on that last night at our cabin. After that I got sucked into the bloody war between supernaturals. That is all there is to it."He looked like he had something more to tell, but kept his mouth shut.

"What about Mom?"

"I shouldn't be the one to tell that story. You'll know soon enough though." His eyes were filled with a pain that made me not want to ever know that story, but somehow it will bite me on the butt sooner of later.

"So how does this healing thing work?" Conrad grinned.

"Please don't be repulsed, but you have to drink a small amount of my blood." My eyes went wide and my stomach churned. "Before you speak, you said you would let me heal you. Just let me take care of you." This would be totally gross and disgusting, but Conrad is my brother. I would do almost anything for him. Plus his eyes shown a deep sincerity that involved no ill intent. It would make him happy. That is all that mattered. I smiled, and nodded. Conrad put his wrist to his mouth and bit down Blood flowed freely from two twin puncture marks. He held his wrist to my mouth. Blood started to drip drop by drop onto my tongue. I didn't think; I just swallowed each mouth full. A minute passed and the blood stopped flowing. A looked to his wrist and found it perfectly intact. No wound or blood. I gazed into Conrad's eyes. "I'm a quick healer." Conrad again gave me a carefree grin. Suddenly a wave of dizziness over took me. I felt my something in my chest flare, but that didn't compare to the pain being brought upon my foot. I crumpled, but Conrad's arms came around to hold me up. He made soothing noises in my ear to try to get my mind off the pain. It didn't help. It was like my foot was being singed, total agony. The pain in my chest was getting worse. It was as if something was trying to claw its way out of me. My body was one big vessel of pain. I couldn't take any more, or else I would surely pop. As quickly as the pain came, it was gone. The flare of life in my chest was doused. I felt normal again. Conrad slowly let me bear my own weight until I was standing on two feet!

"Oh my God! I can walk! Conrad!" I did a my happy dance in a circle. "Conrad! I love you. You are the best brother ever!" I was glowing with happiness.

"Now that's what I want to hear. I love you too Sis. Now you better get back to your fairy friends before they call in the national guard." I started to lope back to cabin. "Sis! I'll come visit you soon. I promise!" I smiled back at Conrad. Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.

When I was done dancing around outside the cabin radiating delight at my gained freedom, I plopped back down beside the door. I hoped they wouldn't be long. I was hyped up and could barely sit still. Aidan would be so happy that I can walk! Whoa. That thought made my mind an absolute train wreck. He doesn't approve of my brother, so how would he react to me drinking his blood? He nearly beat Conrad to a pulp when he carried me off. Aidan would have not just a cow, but the whole damn farm. I pictured his murderous face and trembled. As if in line, Riley, Kade, and Aidan strode out of my cabin. The first thing they did was lift their noses to the wind and breathe in the night.

"Vampire." All three of them said at once. They scanned the trees for a few minutes trying to spy their stalker. After a while I guess they deemed it was safe for they all turned on me at once. Or not. "What the hell did you do?!" Kade raged.

"N...... Nothing!" I stammered out. I looked to Aidan for help, but he looked infuriated. With speed like lightning, he came over, hauled me up, and stuck his nose to the bend of my neck. I tried to swat at him, but he held my hands captive in his. He breathed in a deep whiff of me. Aidan held that position for a moment before meeting my eyes. If looks could kill, I'd be vaporized.

"The smell is you!" His voice practically dripped with menace.

"But you should be happy. My foot is healed." I gave a small hop. That's it. I just need to look on the bright side. At that Aidan quickly stepped away from me with a look of horror. His jaw was clenched, muscles strained, and his frame shook with anger. Maybe the bright side wasn't so bright after all.

"What. Happened?!" He said this using the last bit of control he had left. Fine if he wants to play this game, then so will I.

"No." I stated. My voice smart and cocky.

"WHAT?!"

"Getting angry doesn't help the situation. If you're gonna be this way, then I refuse to tell you. You'll just yell at me, go murderous, and then brood like all the other guys in the universe." There. If he doesn't like it, he can go sit in a hole.

"Aidan calm down. As Blair already stated this doesn't help. You know what she is now. You know how to act. Now if you can't settle down, leave." Riley spoke calmly. He stepped forward putting every one else on the back burner to simmer down. He turned his head to Kade and spoke in an archaic language probably never heard by man. Apparently Kade understood, for he put an arm on Aidan's shoulder and started to lead him away from us. To me he said "Come. We will talk." Riley started to move human speed to the opposite edge of the forest. Hmm. Vengeful fairy or a fairy with a hidden agenda. I chose the later and reluctantly followed. Once we were under the cover the trees provided, Riley stopped and faced me. "For starters, I am sincerely sorry for what happened. I do not mean to send pity where it is not welcomed, but we wanted you to know that we are all stricken by what happened. We, I, will not prod at you for any more information on that subject unless you come to us." He stopped to gauge my reaction. To his surprise, I smiled.

"Well isn't that a big load of crap." I met Riley's eyes, and to my surprise, he looked totally serious. I considered my words this time. "You're serious?" I spoke tentatively.

"Yes I am." He seemed taken aback. "Why would you think otherwise?" He seemed genuinely confused. I guess they never lie centuries ago.

"You are the first one to understand what I went through, and you don't, or actually won't, constantly bug me about it and try to reopen that wound." That satisfied him.

"Now on to more pressing issues. I want to completely understand why you smell of vampire. Keep in mind, I won't press you to tell me. It's your choice. Also, if there is something you want to keep from the others, then I will try my best to leave it between us. I will not judge or look down upon any word you say. You are free to tell me whatever you like." Wow. This is the first fairy without anger management issues. A real Kodak moment. Riley waited while I searched his bottomless green eyes for some sign of deception, and found zip. He was true to his word. Something that I should cherish.

"I was with my brother." I looked away from his face. He said nothing. "Conrad is a vampire. Something that I already knew about from when he whisked me away in the forest. Conrad was broken up about hurting me. Well it was really the werewolves, but that didn't help him any. As recompense he offered to heal my foot. I drank a few swallows of his blood, and I could magically walk. Aidan hates him though; he tried to kill him, but I interfered. I don't understand why Aidan did that." Tears glazed my eyes. "Even though Conrad is a vampire and dead, he is my only family. I don't want to loose him again. I can't." This time tears fell from my eyes. Riley's arms engulfed me and held me while I cried.

"I understand. Have no worries." He made shushing noises to calm me down. That just made me cry harder. No one had ever held me when I cried; they always gave me space instead of the comfort I craved.

"But Mom is still dead and Conrad is..." Riley stayed quiet and started swaying. It was a touching gesture.

In the middle of my pity party, Riley suddenly froze. I looked up from his soaked shirt to see him staring at the black nothingness of shadows. I was about to ask what it was, when he drew me behind him. A rapier materialized out of nowhere in his hand. I stared at the gruesome sword. You don't see that happen everyday. A menacing growl cut through the shadows. Okay. That is even less common. I was scared for all of maybe a minute.

"Step away from the girl." A familiar voice ordered. Finally a welcome surprise. When Riley didn't refused to move, I stepped in.

"It's okay Riley. It's just Conrad." I came out from behind him. Conrad materialized from the shadow he was covered with. A smile planted its self on my face. I ran to him with my arms out wide. He swept me up using superhuman strength. "I am so happy to see you!" I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him. He did the same.

"Sis, did I ever tell you to keep some strange company?" He mused.

"Wow and you're one to talk." I laughed. I turned around in his embrace to face Riley. Riley was stone still with a restrained hostile look on his face. "Come on! How come every time anyone meets my brother, they want to kill him? Seriously it's really old now. I already have to put up with enough of it from Aidan. Even after your gallant speech and gave your word. Are you going to go back on it?" I popped my eyebrow up just to look serious. Riley mumbled something that sound like a string of curses in another language. After his episode, he hung his head down in defeat.

"I guess not." Riley grumbled. His eyes examined hoe Conrad and I were positioned. "He's not going to hurt you." It was more of a statement than a question. Finally the rapier vanished. "I come in assurance vampire. I offer no challenge nor harm. I mean not to endanger what is yours." He gestured to me. " Or your kind. All I may ask is that there be neutral terms between us now in this hour." Riley bowed low before us. It felt as if I was at a Renaissance fair, and somehow that really got on my nerves.

"I accept." Conrad said with a nod.

"Okay. Thank God we are finally out of the Middle Ages and on to more important matters." I snapped. Then gave Conrad my wrath. "What the Hell are you doing here?! Not only was it stupid, but it could have got someone killed you idiot! If it had been Aidan instead of Riley here, there would have been blood! It is a wonderful thing that Riley doesn't have anger management issues, unlike all the rest of the supernatural community! Plus I just saw you like an hour ago! Are all vampires stalkers, or are you just special?! You're a stupid thick headed vampire of a brother!"

"Are quite through? I don't think changing moods this quickly is normal, unless it's that time of the month. If that is the case, I need to go see a doctor. I think I'm getting whiplash." Conrad said with a lop-sided grin plastered on his face. I on the other hand was panting, and I swear I could feel steam erupting from my ears. I started to stutter as I looked embarrassingly toward Riley. He didn't seem to get the joke, thank God, but the look on his face told me he was going to ask later. Conrad brought my face to his. "Don't worry Sis. I just came to help break ice, aren't big brothers supposed to hold their crying sisters, not psychotic fairies?" He kept up that dazzling smile. "No offense."

"None taken." Replied Riley.

"I guess." My voice was tinged with laughter. "Wait. What do you mean break the ice?" It didn't sound all that good. Conrad looked at Riley for permission.

"She is your family, but keep in mind another has already put a claim on her." That was his weird way of saying yes. The claim part though was going to be debated later. Nobody spoke.

"What is it already? You both are going to kill me with silence." A thought came to me. "Is it about Mom? You said you wouldn't tell me about her. Is it?" Anticipation would surely be the death of me.

"Yes, Blair, we have news about your mother." Riley finally murmured solemnly.

"What is it?" I took a step towards him with big, hopeful eyes.

"She is alive." Riley paused.

"Yes. Where is she?" All he did was shake his head and gestured for Conrad to finish. My head whipped around in his direction.

"Sis." Conrad to a deep breath before he told me the shattering truth. "Mom is a werewolf." He hung his head down in defeat. I could feel all of my hope ruin. This could not be true. No, no. Tears budded in my eyes. No. I couldn't see the midnight of the forest now, only the scene of when a werewolf's claws delved into my leg. Screams filled my ears. The pain of that moment piled on top of the betrayal that now held residence in my heart. It couldn't be true. Next the image of the blood spattered living room from my childhood filled my vision. No. This could never happen. My sight returned to Conrad's somber face. My heart cracked into a million pieces. Then burst into sharp shards. They cut up my insides, and the pain wouldn't stop. I cried out. Huge wracking sobs shook my frame. Before I knew it, I was on my knees crying my heart out. This was too much for me to bear. Right now I wanted a black hole to open up and engulf me to save me from this pain. Instead I got Aidan's voice.

"What the hell happened?! Riley?! Is she hurt?!" That is all I heard clearly. I tried to tune it out so all I got was grumbling. Kade was at my side while Aidan finished interrogating Riley. After a few minutes of Kade trying to touch me and Aidan and Riley arguing, I just couldn't take it anymore.

"Aidan." I whispered because my voice was too horse from crying. With his abnormal hearing I knew he heard me. Aidan was at my side in a second.

"Yes, love?" His voice was gentle and caring. Plus he didn't try to touch me.

"Take me home." I couldn't say anything else. I was too numb.

"Yes, my sweet. Right away." Ever so tenderly Aidan rested me in his arms. He treated me as if I had a fragile label stamped on my forehead. I was so heartbroken that I probably should have. He didn't question which cabin I meant; he automatically ran to his. This time when Aidan ran, he moved with fluid grace. I didn't feel a single jarring bump. Time flew past along with the rest of the forest. Within minutes we were already walking through the door. Seconds later I was being placed on the bed. Aidan stepped back and let me decide what I wanted to do next. The only thing I wanted right now was sleep. Maybe I will wake up and find this all a dream. It was okay to hope, but it didn't mean it would come true. Here is to the former. I crawled up to the pillow and let waves of sleep take me.