CHAPTER THREE
Back Off
We got back to the house and pulled Helen aside. She didn’t seem shocked by the revelation that we threw at her. In fact we pretty much had to stop her from tearing off into night on the hunt for an ambulance with a demon inside. After some coaxing we convinced her that we needed to get with my parents in hopes of coming up with a plan.
We found them sitting at the kitchen table talking. They looked up smiling. Then once they saw our faces their smiles fell and a look of concern took over. My mother had taken the boy in and dressed his wounds even given the mother a change of clothes and a warm meal. I felt grateful that I had fulfilled my promise to the family but I hated telling my mother the theory I had over what had just happened that night. They took the story line by line and didn’t bat an eye at the stunning conclusion.
“So you think that when the man shot the boy the mother bit the man and a demon came in for his soul?” My mother asked trying to make sense of it.
“It’s not too farfetched.” My father said pointing at me. “Quite a few times in the past I would hunt the hunters. Sooner or later something was going to get them. Either a vampire or a were left their meal behind to die. Someone has to accept the soul.”
“That’s what Reapers are for.” My mother pointed out.
“Reapers appear when a person is dying or will be dying. Half the time they don’t even know when it will happen. If there is no Reaper then there is no reaped soul.” My dad said as my mother raised an eyebrow.
“You demons sure did things weird.” My mother shook her head at him.
“You know it’s funny, we said the same things about you.” He laughed and patted her on the shoulders.
“What do you want us to do?” I asked getting annoyed by their job comparisons.
“There is nothing we can do honey.” My father shook his head. “You did the right thing not getting involved. Coming between a demon and its meal is not the best idea.”
“You make it sound like you suck their souls straight from their body.” I said making a disgusted face.
“Well in a way we do.” He gave me that chilling smirk that made my skin crawl.
“I really could have gone without that image.” I grimaced.
“What? You did it.” He grinned at me again and raised his eyebrows at the same time.
“When?” I demanded tapping my right foot in annoyance.
“The night you killed the were-vamp.” He laughed rolling his eyes in the back of his head.
“Huh?” I could remember feeling more power but I didn’t bend over my prey and suck the life from them like I was the Chupakabra.
“You absorbed its soul and power.” My father looked hysterical at this point like he was revealing a really big demon secret.
“Oh god that’s what that was.” I whined feeling icky all over.
He nodded at me any mother looked at him appalled. I believe that she would have been fine without knowing that as well. My father was still acting odd until my mother slapped his arm and he popped out of it. Sometimes I think he gets caught up in his demon ways he forgets that he plays a human on Earth.
“So we just wait and see if she comes back?” Krista chimed in. She had been quiet this whole time, biting her nails and mumbling to herself.
“You know I would find this hunt quite fun. If you would trust us enough to make the right decisions.” Helen pouted crossing her arms across her chest.
Out of the three of us Helen was the biggest risk taker. She had come out to humans, saved lives, freed souls from savage beasts as well as provided food and care for those in other countries. When it came down to it Helen was the only one that truly knew what being a Warden was.
“You are not ready.” My mother said sternly.
“With all due respect Angie,” Helen started stepping forward towards my mother. “I have been doing this for the last six years, I think I know when I’m ready and when I’m not.” She puffed up for a second. “I’m ready.”
My mother looked at her and stepped forward as well her eyes were flaming. Helen had unleashed the Kraken! I looked around trying to find somewhere to hide after Helen’s head exploded. They were eye to eye and toe to toe when my mother spoke again her mouth moving but her facial expressions unreadable.
“I don’t care if you have been doing this for six years. I have been doing this for millennia.” Helen flinched. “So when I say you are not ready to dive head first into a bloodbath I suggest you listen to me. Otherwise it’s going to take an act of God and Lucifer to place your shard in another offspring’s core since it is forbidden for the one to be with the other.” My mother’s voice did not crack it was straight and monotone her eyes never leaving Helen’s.
“And look where you are. Banished from your post.” Helen bit. My mother did not still did not flinch.
“I admitted to my responsibility and did not push my child to be raised by others. Which is more than I can say about yours.” Helen blinked, I could see the tears forming in her eyes. Had my mother actually managed to make the girl cry?
“What is that supposed to mean?” Helen asked blinking again.
“That means that I don’t see your parents standing here sticking up for you, protecting you. If you have a problem with living by my rules then the door is right behind you. However, it’s your funeral.” My mom said calmly. I wasn’t sure if I should step between them I was conflicted and yet I was quite attached to my head. Thankfully my father took it upon himself to step in.
“Angie take a step back, you’ve made your point.” My father took her hand in his and was trying to coax her to look at him but my mother’s gaze did not falter.
“I don’t think I have.” She said to him.
Helen’s eyes moved as she broke the contact and took a step back. My mother smiled satisfied. Helen’s gaze turned to me and she spit daggers at my face. I smiled slowly un-phased by her reaction. It seemed to irritate her even more and she stormed off away from us. I had a feeling I was going to pay for it one way or another.
“Does anyone else have anything to say?” My mother questioned making it obvious she wasn’t messing around.
“Nope.” I said quickly.
All Krista could do was stare back wide eyed.