CURSE OF THE MOON REBORN

“Oh.” Scarlet realized that she had taken his statement out of context.

“What did you think I meant?” Stephan saw the look of relief on her face. “I am not going to leave my family if you think that’s what I meant.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything. When do you leave?” She avoided eye contact as much as she could, and his height helped her. She looked at his chest, not raising her eye level to his chest.

“As soon as Mathias gets here. We need his help. Ric has too many men for us to fight alone.”

“Uh-huh.”

“We leave as soon as tomorrow.”

“Ok.”

Stephan stared at her, wondering how she could be so distant to him at a time like this. Her two-syllable responses to everything he said annoyed him.

“I won’t be taking SJ with me.”

“Good.”

“I trained him to fight, just in case Marquis comes back and I am not here.”

“Cool.”

“Scarlet are you going to respond to everything I say with a word or a sound.” Stephan took a step towards her and she took one back.

“Yep.”

“Why are you so hell-bent on making me angry?” He took another step towards her but grabbed her arm before he could get away from him.

“Whatever. Let go of my arm.” She pulled her arm free.

“I’m going to bring her back Scarlet.” Stephan stood close to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Who?” Scarlet was waiting for the response he couldn’t give her the previous night.

“Don’t start with this again.” Stephan dropped his arm and stalked past her.

“I just want to make sure, you know who you are bringing home.”

“Of course I know her.”

“Who?”

Stephan spun back. “I know who she is. So quit it.”

“Who?” Scarlet was determined to pry her name put his lips one way or the other.

“My daughter. The baby, who three days ago was swimming carefree inside you, safe and protected. The baby who would have long conversations with SJ about God knows what. The baby that I would sing to when you were asleep. That baby.” He turned around and left her.

“Say her name, Stephan.”

“When I’m ready.”

Scarlet moved in front of him, blocking his way.

“Why won’t you say it?” she stared at his face, “You won’t say it because you think she’s dead.” Scarlet finally realized.

Stephan walked past her, not confirming or denying her theory. That was what he thought but he wasn’t about to voice it out, and for Scarlet’s sake, he hoped he was wrong.

“That’s it isn’t it? You think she’s dead, don’t you.” Scarlet shrieked, making everyone ran out of the house to the lawn.

Stephan watched as they all poured out to witness the debacle. He walked past them and only stopped to hug SJ.

Scarlet watched, speechless, as he walked away. Stephan knew Marquis better than any one of them and he thought that she had killed Christina they had no hope.

“What’s wrong?” Kayla asked when Scarlet’s knees gave out and she dropped to the ground.

“He thinks she’s dead.” She stared blankly at the space between her and her husband.

“Did he say it?” Kayla asked, “Did he say the actual words.”

“He thought it.”

“Scarlet neither Solara nor I can read his mind. You are just assuming.”

“He is my husband. I know him more than I know the back of my hand. I don’t need to be a mind reader to read his face. That’s what he thinks and that’s why he won’t say her name.”

“Come on Scarlet.” She pulled her to her feet and guided her to the house.

***

“So what’s the plan?”

From the kitchen, Scarlet could hear voices. She made out Stephan’s and Solara’s voice but not the third one. There was a mixture of scents in the house and for the first time in three years, Scarlet felt like she could sneeze.

She went to the living room and found it was filled with Vampires and beasts. Confused she looked around the familiar faces weaved in with the unfamiliar ones.

“There is the beautiful Mrs. Jeraldi.”

Scarlet didn’t get the chance to find out who the voice belonged to when she found herself crushed to a solid man’s chest.

“Mathias?”

“How comes I wasn’t invited to the wedding?” Mathias kissed both her cheeks then held her at arm’s length from her body. “You look very beautiful and slender for a woman who popped out two babies. It may be because you are a vampire.”

“I was just as small after having SJ. But I am sure you aren’t here to discuss my physique.”

“No, I am not, I am here to help your husband bring back your baby. What’s her name?”

“Christina. Why are you helping us?” Scarlet whispered as she looked straight at Stephan.

“Because Marquis is not my favorite person, Ric is back in the game. You need the numbers if you are going to get your daughter back. And finally, I don’t like people who snatch up babies.” He groaned.

“Thank you.” Scarlet was sincere, this was the first time she felt the hope that she would one day hold her baby in her arms.

“Don’t you worry Stephan has a plan, and tomorrow morning we will be off to Rio,” Mathias reassured her.

“We are leaving right now.” Stephan put in.

“What?” Everyone said in unison, but the look on Stephan’s face silenced them.

“That’s cool,” Solara mumbled.

“Don’t pack much, we won’t be there for long,” Stephan instructed.

With that instruction, the guys dispersed in different directions getting ready for their trip.

“Dad I want to come.” SJ stood at the top of the stairs with his suitcase in hand.

“No.” Stephan had already made up his mind. He wasn’t going to risk his life especially since he didn’t know whether his sister was alive or not. Losing two children would destroy Scarlet and he wasn’t going to risk it.

“But-,”

“No buts the decision has been made. You are staying here with your mother.”

“So what was all the training for?”

“For you to defend this household when we are all away.”

“What’s going on?” Scarlet interrupted the heated debate. Her eyes fell on the bag SJ had in his hand. “You told me you weren’t taking him.”

“And I am not.” Stephan marched out of the house and headed for the garage.

SJ ran after him, his bag still clutched in his hand. “But I want to help.”

“You can help by staying here with your mother.” Stephan could sense Scarlet’s presence and he was determined to say and do the right thing. And at that moment the right thing was not taking her son away from her.

“Out of the question SJ, you are not going to Rio.” Scarlet roared.

“But I’m not a child anymore.”