Derrick growled and shook his head. “If she thinks she’s going to just leave, she has another thing coming. Jasper and I will bring her back. You all stay here,” he ordered and blurred out of the room with Jasper.
Once outside, Lucie’s fawn-colored lycan pushed off the ground with all her might. Her wounds were opening back up, but she didn’t feel them. Pure adrenaline kicked in while she headed in the direction of her parents’ scent. As their scent got closer, another scent hit her nose.
Blood.
CHAPTER 20
“You move well for an old man.” Chasen laughed, shifting back into his human form.
“Old man? You’re older than me!” Hunter chuckled and then looked over at Freja, who was wiping her daggers clean. “I think she still managed to outdo us both.”
Jin swirled the bodies together, gathering them in a whirlwind and stacking them up. “Ready to be torched … and what the heck were they?”
Hunter frowned as he walked toward Freja. “That’s what concerns me the most. But I think we know what’s causing those attacks now.”
“Someone is coming!” Freja said, snapping her head to the side. She immediately relaxed and smiled. “Seems like our girl doesn’t need to be rescued after all.”
Lucie jumped through the bushes and was shocked to see her parents, aunt, and uncle. She was expecting a battle. Thoughfrom the pile of bodies, it looked like they didn’t need any help. She quickly shifted back to her human self and could see her father studying her attire. She was wearing Derrick’s shirt and pants.
“Lucie!” Freja said with outstretched arms.
“Mom! Dad!” Lucie jumped into her parents’ arms. They held her tight, squeezing her between them.
“Let me see you. Are you hurt? What happened?” Hunter knelt down as he got whiffs of the fresh blood from his daughter. He lifted her pant leg slightly and saw the blood trickling down.
“I’m fine. Those reopened on my way to get to you. A messenger fairy told me you were fighting?—”
“Why do you still have these wounds?” Freja asked as she bent down to investigate.
“The dark elves attacked with a liquid silver and vervain mixture. The silver didn’t bother me, but the vervain did,” Lucie watched her mother analyze the wounds.
“Dark elves dared to attack my daughter?!” Hunter snarled. His eyes began to darken as Chasen growled in anger.
“Did you get my message?” Lucie asked.
“Yes, and we’re going to deal with that little witch,” Freja said in annoyance.
“And you know your mom and dad aren’t about to just sit around even if you say you’re fine.” Jin giggled as she leaned into Chasen. “So here we are to bring you back. Ta da!”
Freja looked at Lucie and frowned. “It’s odd how the vervain is affecting you. It’s just as severe as it would be for a full vampire. How long ago were you injured?”
“It’s going to be dark soon. We need to get set up somewhere and then we can talk,” Hunter said, looking up at the fading sky.
Freja suddenly raised her dagger and narrowed her eyes. “Come out or die.”
“Nice, Freja! I’m impressed.” Jasper chuckled as he hopped down from the tree above them. Derrick landed behind him, his gaze fixed on Lucie.
“Oh, Jasper! So, you already found Lucie.” Freja put her dagger away and looked at her daughter, confused. “Why are you by yourself then?”
Lucie leaned into her father’s side, and he kept a protective arm around her. She smiled smugly at the two vampires. “I was annoyed with them, that’s why.” She looked at her mother and gave her a sweet smile, then flicked her gaze back at Jasper and Derrick. “What are you two doing here?” she asked icily.
“We heard you shifted and took off running, so we came after you.” Jasper shrugged, a small frown on his lips.
“So? What if I was running home? Were you planning on stopping me?” Lucie asked, quirking a brow.
Derrick sighed loudly. “You aren’t getting away that easily.” The moment the words left his mouth, Hunter and Chasen released a low growl.
“I don’t like the way you’re looking at my daughter.” Hunter snarled as he stared at the stranger.
