The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 168

"I'll dump the dirty water, Echo, you go up and get Victor warmed up. I'm sure he'll love seeing you there when he wakes." He said. "Thank you, Gray." I replied and gave him a kiss on the cheek before I hurried out the door.

Clinging to Victor, I put my head on his chest and closed my eyes waiting for the moment when I would hear his heart beat a little faster and he would wake up. I willed him to wake up sooner, but I knew there was every chance of him waking up later because of how late the sun went down now. When his heart beat increased, I felt him stiffen. Victor's arms went around me and he held me tightly.

"You smell like strange wolves. What's happened while I was sleeping?" Victor asked.

"Trent sent a team of elite warriors over to help guard us. He said that the hunters were gathering forces and it looked like they were going after a big target. Bellamy should be calling to update you soon." I told him. "Get out of the bed, princess. I need to get dressed and find out the threat to our territory. Talia, did you hear that?" Victor said.

"I did. Come on, Finn. We need to get moving." She commanded.

I got out of the bed and they rushed around to dress. It didn't take very long. I was grateful for vampire speed.

Victor pulled me with him to the office. We were met there by Soren and Gray. I was glad Gray had gotten Soren so I didn't have to try and hunt him down.

"Master Nightshade, I'm Soren Thompson. I'm the leader of the second highest ranked elite warrior team in Hallowed Moon. I'm here to help keep your people safe." Soren said.

"Thank you for coming so soon. I'm sorry I wasn't awake to greet you." Victor said, shaking Soren's hand.

Victor sat behind his desk and indicated the chair in front of him. Soren sat in one and Talia took the other. Finn stood by the door while Gray and I sat on the couch.

"It seems the hunter threat was more than we'd thought. What do you know?" Victor asked.

Soren told him what Trent had gone over. They pulled out a map of the property and Soren explained the places where they'd found 'instances of incursion'. He also told Victor what the person could have seen.

Because the windows are all tinted, there wasn't much they could see in the house, but I knew that Sean would open the windows to the library while he was reading sometimes. Goodness only knows what they could have seen.

The phone on Victor's desk started ringing. He glanced at the caller ID before answering it on speaker.

"Queen Bellamy, calling to let me know about this hunter issue?" Victor asked.

"Yes. It seems it was more severe than just one family. My guys just called me and another RV full of hunters has arrived. That takes our working estimate up to almost thirty. I worry that they're planning to come for us. It's only a few hours to get from there to here. I want to arrange a coordinated attack on them. Your vampires, my rogues, and the warriors of the pack. These hunters need to die." Bellamy growled.

"What have you got in mind?" Victor asked.

"I have someone working on infiltrating the hunters. Derrick has already said he's going to try making inroads tonight. Trent got my guys into the house across the street and my second team is on their way. They will start the process of moving into the house across the street. If the hunters are still gathering their forces, that means we have time to figure their plan of attack out." Bellamy said.

"I can claim the title of Master of the territory again once we deal with the cat. Do you think we have a few days?"

"Yeah. I'd say this wouldn't be fully pulled together for a week or two based on where they seem to be. We'll know more once Derrick gets in there. He can report back to us on where the hunters are with their plan." She replied.

"This is Soren Thompson, head of the second elite team in Hallowed Moon. We met when you were touring the pack, Queen Bellamy. My team is on-site to watch over everyone here. There is no need to worry, this property is safe." Soren added.

"Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I appreciate you taking care of our allies. I'll keep you up to date, Victor. I want you to call me once you have your title back. We can't afford to wait on this for too long." Bellamy warned.

"I understand the danger here. I'll inform everyone in the house about the issues we're facing and we'll stay away from the pack and our allies so no one can track us to them. The last thing we need is to lead them right to the fae or the pack lands. Grayson, that means you will have to call your family and let them know you won't be able to attend your family dinner." Victor said.

"I already texted my mom and let her know. Trent talked to our dad earlier, so she already knew about the hunters. Movements in and out of the pack lands are limited and we have the patrols stepping up." Gray told him.

"I'm going to call Silence and Talon. I need them to organize the vampires so we can get ready for the attack." Victor said. "Talia, Soren, I need a few moments with Grayson and Echo. Would you mind?"

"I'll go see to my men. We're working on arrangements out in the guesthouse. Luckily, most of us are accustomed to sleeping on the ground." Soren nodded and left.

"I can go fill everyone else in on what is going on. It would be best if everyone knew the danger so they don't make a mistake that could cost lives." Talia replied and closed the door behind her.

Victor got up from behind his desk and sat on the other side of me on the couch. He and Gray wrapped their arms around me and held me close to them. It may have seemed like they were trying to comfort me, but I was relatively calm in all this now. Both were strong and effective. They really seemed like they knew what they were doing. I was impressed with both of them.

I could feel in our bond that both of them were worried. This cuddle was more for them than it was for me. I let them hold me without wiggling or trying to talk to them. They needed me and I knew I was able to do this for them. "Don't be scared, Echo. We're going to keep you safe." Victor murmured and kissed my temple.

"We're going to make sure those hunters never get anywhere near you." Gray promised and kissed me too.

"I know. You're both amazing, intelligent, and brave. I'm not afraid because I know I have you with me." I told them.

"Promise you'll use your ability to travel to get as far from here as possible if things go wrong." Gray whispered. "I don't want to lose you."

"I can't promise that, Gray. I love you and Victor too much to let you fight on your own. I'll be by your side. I'm stronger than I look." I replied.

"I trust that you can hold your own, princess, but, if Grayson and I... if we aren't able to protect you anymore, I want you to go to Bellamy or Marius. I don't want you to try and avenge us. I want you to be safe." Victor said softly. My blood ran cold. The idea of losing both of them hurt my heart. I would be lost without them. They were my entire world now.

"I... I promise, Victor. I'll run away if I lose you both." My voice quivered as I spoke.

"I see now. All three of you are weak. Trembling in each other's arms. Hunters shouldn't be anything to fear now that you've faced down madness itself." Fenton scoffed.

"Keep talking, Aimes. You're dying soon. No one cares what you say anymore." Gray told him.

"You knew he was saying something bad?" I asked.

"It's in his tone. You can only spend so much time with a cat before you start to recognize the tone of the sounds they make and what they mean." He said.

I could hear the buzzer for the intercom in the entryway. The witches must be arriving. Gray was the first one to pull away, followed by Victor.

They stood and helped me up. Victor smiled and kissed me gently.

"You go greet our guests. I'll be there momentarily. Silence and Talon aren't up yet, but Dennis is and I want to talk with him." Victor murmured.

I nodded and took Gray's hand. We walked out to the entry as the front door was being opened.

Brian, Hope, and a girl who had to be Brooke came in. Brooke was taller than me. She had the same blonde hair and freckles as her mother and Sean, but she was actually a little thicker looking. Like she was athletic.

Sean stepped forward and hugged his sister. She hugged him back while scolding him about not talking to her more and not trusting her with his secret. Rosario leaned against the archway into the living room.

"So, which one of these guys is your sweetie, and please don't tell me it's the old guy." Brooke winked.

Rosario stepped forward and I watched her eye him appreciatively. She shook his hand and walked around him like she was examining him from every angle. Rosario and Sean were both in their human glamour. We felt it best for meeting new witches and for seeing Sean's parents again.

"Very nice. Are you related to Rosario Adair? She was in Sean's class ever since kindergarten. Real cutie. You look like her." Brooke said with a smile.

"I am Rosario Adair. I'm fae. I use glamour to look like humans. I was a... curious... child. I wanted to know what it felt like to be treated as a girl and made my glamour look like a female version of myself." Rosario explained.

"Wow, so you started dating a girl and she turned out to be a boy. Lucky you, Sean. That worked out." She giggled.

"Actually, I became friends with Rosario and we didn't start dating until after I found out he wasn't a girl." Sean told her.

"Are you happy? Does he make you happy, Sean?" Brooke asked.

He smiled and nodded. "He makes me the happiest I've ever been, Brooke."

"Good. I'd hate to have to kick his ass for not making you happy. Where are your glasses? Or do you not need them anymore since your change? Can I see what you really look like, what you both really look like? This is so cool. Real live fairies!" She squealed. I couldn't help but laugh. I loved Sean's sister and her excitement. She looked over at me with a grin.

"I'm Brooke. Who are you?" Brooke asked.

"I'm Echo, Sean's friend." I replied.

"Dad said you're like a cousin or something, so you have to be my friend too. Sean and I share pretty much everything." She winked.

Hope walked over to them and pulled Sean into a hug. He was stunned for a few moments, then hugged her back. His dad came over and put his hand on Sean's shoulder, making him look up at him.

"I'm sorry for overreacting. You were right. This is your life and you are old enough to make decisions for your own happiness. I just... I was afraid. As a witch with no affinity, you were safer. You weren't on the radar for the things and people who hunt supernaturals. I miss having you around and talking to you. We were always so close and this last week has killed me. Please forgive an old man for not having a more open mind." Brian requested.

"It's alright, Dad. I understand. It can be hard when you're thrust into these situations. I wanted to think of a way to tell you that wouldn't upset you, but not talking to you about it first was really not cool. You couldn't have talked me out of it, but it would've given you time to cope with it." Sean said.

His dad wrapped Sean and Hope in a hug. Brooke jumped on and joined in. I was happy that they'd worked it out. I wanted my friends to have good relationships with their families as much as possible.

"My goodness. What have I managed to walk in on?" Victor chuckled.

Everyone turned to look at Victor. Brian let go of his family and walked over to him, holding out his hand.

"I'm Brian Flowers. Sean's father." He said.

Victor took his hand and shook it firmly. I was proud of him for not looking at it and scoffing like he would have if a vampire had done that.

"Victor Nightshade, Master of the territory." Victor smiled.

"Another vampire? I appreciate you taking in my son while he's going through so many changes." Brian smiled back.

"Sean is a delight to have in the household. He and Rosario are both dear friends of ours. We enjoy having them around." Victor replied.

"Oh, wow! A vampire!" Brooke rushed over and bounced next to her father. "Do you sleep in a coffin? Do you really drink blood? Can you turn into a bat? Your eyes are purple! That's so cool!" "Brooke." Sean groaned.

Victor chuckled. "I sleep in a bed, I really drink blood, I cannot turn into a bat. Thank you for the compliment. I'm Victor."

"Brooke Flowers, Sean's big sister." She grinned.

"Let's move this into the living room. The other witches should be here soon and I want everyone settled." Talia announced.

We all started moving into the living room. Someone had rearranged the furniture a little. The second couch was pulled closer to the first and two of the armchairs were situated on either side of an ottoman. Talia indicated them. "Victor, Echo, Gray, I want you to sit here. The three of you are the heads of this household."

We sat down and everyone was finally settled when the buzzer for the gate rang again. I stood up.

"I'll get it. Why don't you all get started?" I said and made my way out to the entryway.

I hit the intercom button. "May I help you?"

"We're here from the coven. We were told we'd be expected." A familiar male voice said.

"I'll open the gate. Park in the front and come to the door." I replied.

I wondered who it was. I couldn't quite place where I'd heard that voice before. I knew it, but where from? "Echo? What are you doing here?"