CURSE OF THE MOON REBORN

“So how are you, big brother? I know your father and I have been preoccupied with the baby. We don’t mean to ignore you.” She frowned.

“I know.”

“Two more weeks and you will have someone to take care of.”

“I can’t wait.” The genuine gleam of excitement soothed Scarlet’s guilt.

“I love you. Do you know that?” She hugged him as tightly as she could, considering the barrier between them.

“Yes mum, you tell me every single day. I love you too. You too.”

“Huh?” Scarlet looked at him puzzled.

“I’m talking to Christina.” SJ patted the top of her belly.

“Oh, I still haven’t gotten used to that. SJ may I ask you something, why do you always call her Christina?”

“Because grandmother’s name is Christina. It’s only fair she had your mother’s name since I have your father’s. I was also thinking of naming her after Dad’s mother, Paulina.”

SJ had taken upon himself to name his unborn sister. He spent most of the two weeks in his parent’s bedroom lying by his mother’s side and would only leave when his father pleaded with him.

“Christina Paulina Jeraldi? That does sound like a Latina name. I think your father would like that.”

“Chrissie likes it too.”

“Who’s Chrissie?”

“That’s short for Christina.”

“Oh! So how far do you want to walk today?” They had gone into the forest and Scarlet hoped that they would meet the other boys soon. She wanted Stephan to take SJ out, he hadn’t hunted for a while and she didn’t understand why he left him behind.

“Why are you already tired?”

“No, I feel a lot better.”

“Mom, tell me how it feels to drink Dad’s blood.” SJ couldn’t get it out of his mind since he had accidentally walked into his father draining blood in a cup for Scarlet.

“I try not to think about it. I just tell myself it’s what’s good for Chrissie.” She made sure to use his pet name.

“When she was in pain, Dad’s blood helped her?” SJ was never allowed in the room when his mother suffered an episode. Scarlet didn’t think it was good for him, and how he would perceive his sister.

“Let’s just say your father’s immune system is stronger than mine or hers. So she needed the blood to make her stronger.”

“That makes sense.”

“Yes, it does.” Scarlet’s hand flew to the side of her belly where the baby kicked her. It didn’t hurt as much as it used to.

“She’s hungry. We better head back for the house.” SJ took his mother’s hand and began guiding her through the forest.

“He is a beautiful boy you should be proud of your-,” Marquis glared at her belly in shock.

Scarlet pulled SJ behind her and held him there even when he protested.

“You are dead.” Scarlet’s statement sounded more like a question. She was stunned, Stephan had told her that Marquis was gone.

Gone not dead.

“What is that? Who owns that?” Marquis pointed an accusing finger at her belly. “I can assure you that I am very much alive. Now answer me WHAT. IS. THAT!” She took a step towards her.

SJ moved in front of his mother as soon as Marquis got closer. He shielded her behind his back. “I would advise you to point that finger somewhere else.”

“You are exactly like your father. Handsome, bold, strong, and brave. You could have been mine you know.” She lifted her hand to stroke his cheek but a snarl from him made her pull away.

“I remember you. You are the crazy bitch you took me.”

“Language. I’m surprised your mother lets you talk to a lady like this.”

“Ladies Marquis and you don’t fall under that category.” Scarlet spat.

SJ stood firm his mother shielded at his back, he let out a feral snarl that was backed up by his mother’s. He wasn’t going to let her get any closer to his sister or mother.

Scarlet felt a nudge on the side of her belly, followed by a kick then another. Her hand flew to her belly as she stooped in pain.

It’s ok Christina she won’t hurt you.

A soothing shhh sound lulled from SJ’s lips. Scarlet knew that he was trying to calm his sister down. “She’s scared.”

“She better be, considering I’m here to kill her.” Marquis spat.

“Leave my mother alone.” SJ advanced for her, but Scarlet grabbed his arm holding him back.

“Or, I could just take you. Seeing you are the exact copy of your father, you could be his substitute.”

Scarlet couldn’t bear the thought of losing her son to the devil. If she died SJ and his father could still have Christina.

“No, you are here for me Marquis. SJ, go to the house.” Scarlet ordered.

“I’m not leaving you, Mom.” SJ’s eyes were still fixed on Marquis.

“You aren’t leaving, you are just going to call your Aunty for me.” She lied.

SJ gave his mother a worried look, it was not a good idea to leave her alone. But he couldn’t take on Marquis on his own.

“I won’t be far.”

“That is because you won’t be going anywhere.” Two men immerged at her sides when she spoke.

“SJ run.” Scarlet shrieked as panic rose in her. She knew she had to save her children but at the moment she could only help SJ.

“Run,” Scarlet screamed once more and this time SJ took off as fast as he could.

One of Marquis’s men started after him but was called back.

“Let him run, I’ll come back for him later. Take her and follow me.”

Scarlet struggled as they dragged her to the other end of the forest, near the shallow stream. They tossed her under one of the trees.

“Honestly I came here to kill you and take your son. With you, dead Stephan would want to be with his son and if he was with me, Stephan would come to me.” Marquis ran down her plan and couldn’t help the excitement that radiated from her voice.