Levis's POV
I went from fuming mad to stunned. When the boy climbed out from under the bed my heart skipped a little. This is why she was fighting so hard. If I didn't have enhanced reflexes I'd be dead right now. She had tried to shoot me in the head and she almost did it. Now the dead would be hear soon. Aiden and the boys had probably been making noise and bringing them close as well. We'd be lucky to get out alive. I watched as they packed up their things. I was planning on taking the girl and doing what we usually do, put them in the camp and force them to trade or work for food and shelter. Now I didn't know what I was doing, if I brought them they would be my responsibility. They could obviously take care of themselves, I almost laughed out loud at the boy when he stared me down with his little knife. He had the same Grey eyes and light brown hair as his mother.
They were standing in front of me both looked ready for war, they both had backpacks with wattle bottles hanging off them and spears made from small trees. The woman was beautiful, long brown hair with reddish tips, sharp features her eyes were so light a grey-ish blue color the same as her sons. She wasn't more then 5'4 and It was clear she hadn't been eating enough. I could use that I thought. I was busy staring at her, so when I didn't move right away she started walking for the door holding the boys hand. I jumped into action realizing I hadn't been moving. I'll lead the way I told her, I started down the hallway I could hear their soft breathing behind me and the smell the lavender coming off them, it was intoxicating. I could also hear and smell the other things that had entered the house, the dead were here. I was hoping for only a few I could easily handle less than 10 any more and itd be tricky trying not to get bit.
I hadn't been bit again after my change and I'd heard some changlings had gone with the dead after being bit again some had even gone crazy or feral. I didn't want to test those theories. As we approached the stairs I knew there were more, to many to handle on my own. We rounded the corner and I stopped in my tracks, I felt the woman bump into me but I didn't turn around. They were already climbing the stairs and there were at least two dozen in the house. I had scanned the layout of the house as I'd come up the stairs so I knew there was room almost directly across the from the staircase. I pointed to it and started backing up towards it. She was already ushering the boy into it. We will have to fight our way out I said. Technically it was only the second floor but the house was huge and had vaulted ceilings. So taking the window would be like jumping out a third story window and if we broke anything we would all be dead for sure. I started looking around the room. She was already looking and walking around seeing what she could use, she grabbed a twin mattress off a bed and started dragging it to the door. Um that's not going to keep them out ya know I said. She looked at me but kept moving and stuffing the mattress behind the door without closing it. I know but it will slow them down, less in at one time. I didn't know if that would be enough to help us, but I pulled out my machete.
What's your name I asked her. I'm Riley she said walking past me and that's Jacob she did as she pointed to her son. I'm Levi I said back, Riley didn't turn around or acknowledge me at all she picked up her son and put him on the dresser, it was only waist high but it made him close to the height of his mother. She turned and took a defensive position in front of it taking out her knife, her spear was at the ready. I could hear the dead just outside the door. I went to the door, I killed the first one as it came in and the second. I had to back up as the third and fourth were pushing in together. By the time I killed those two I had backed up another foot or two and now they were streaming into the room. I killed any that got close and took a position somewhat opposite Riley and Jacob. I was closer to the door hoping most would come my way. I killed them easily as the approached me not letting them get to close. I saw the first to approach Riley she killed it easily with her spear two more were right behind she didn't have time to raise her spear so she kicked one back with more strength than I thought her small body had and quickly stabbed the closest one in the head. She quickly took out the one she kicked as well. There were three more coming now. She speared the first and didnt have time to pull it out. Abandoning her spear she stabbed the second in the head the third ran right into her pushing her back into the dresser. She was holding it off as it snapped at her another was almost to the dresser, it was going for the boy. Instead of using her knife hand to kill the one holding her, her arm shot out as the dead reached for her son. She held the one off her and held the other by the neck at it reached for the boy. Riley was going to die I could see the see the dead heading for her outstretched arm I started to panic there was to many between us I wouldn't get to them in time.
Suddenly Jacob sprung into action he speared the one reaching for him and ripped the spear back out. Without hesitating he reached over his mothers shoulder and stabbed the one she was holding in the top of the head. I saw Riley pull it close so he could reach as she felt Jacobs hand on her shoulder. She pushed it off her into another that fell when it was hit. I had gone into overdrive trying to get to them only to be shocked and awed at how they worked together, neither of them had hesitated she had pulled her spear from the one she left it in and killed another. There was only two left and I killed them quickly coming to stand in front of her. Riley was looking down at her clothes they were covered in blood and other foul things. She looked up and right into my eyes. These were brand new clothes she said looking distraught. I couldn't help but chuckle a little. Nobody even women cared how they looked or smelled they especially didn't care what they were wearing anymore. Again I was a little taken aback at how clean she was especially her hair. No blood had gotten into it I could see it was still a little wet and had just been cleaned that was where the beautiful lavender smell was coming from.
Come on both of you we have to go before more come. She waited as Jacob climbed down and followed her. They both followed me as I led the way back to the Trucks. I was tense as listened to there footsteps, hoping they didn't try to make a run for it. As we approached the trucks I saw Aiden and the boys waiting for me. I saw Aiden's look of relief when he saw me. I also knew the exact moment Riley saw them her footsteps stopped. I stopped and faced her, I tried to look as sincere as possible I looked her in the eye and told her they are not going to hurt you, I promise you. She did not look convinced, I took her face in my hand, she didn't pull away she was looking right at me like she was trying to measure me. "Your mine" I told her and No one is going to touch either of you. I was surprised at myself, at how possessive I actually felt, I meant it she was mine. Riley seemed to believe me she shook her head and I let go I started walking again and I heard them as they started to follow me.
We approached the truck and I could see everyone eyeing Riley and especially Jacob. There were no children in our camp. They guys didn't say anything so I introduced them all. Boys this is Riley and Jacob then I pointed to everyone in turn. This is my brother Aiden
And this is Danny, Jaimie and Trevor.
Hey Aiden said giving them a slight wave the other three just nodded in their direction and kept staring. I didn't like the staring so I added on. They are Mine I said looking to everyone In turns, They are going to ride in my truck can you ride with Aiden I asked looking at Danny. Yea no problem he said.
We all loaded up into the trucks and headed back to camp. I expected Riley to be asking all kinds of questions it was a long ride, it be Nightfall by the time we made it back and I was prepared to answer her questions. Neither of them said a single word after a hour or so Jacob fell asleep leaning on his mother. I thought maybe the questions would come now, they didn't she just stared out the windshield. Eventually she fell asleep to leaning her head slightly on her sons. I had no idea what I was going to do with them but I knew they were going to stay with me, I'd claim responsibility and I found them so they were Mine. I just wasn't sure what I was going to do after that. I let my mind rest and focused on the Job, getting back to camp. I looked in my rear view mirror the light from Aidens truck helped me to relax. Everything was Ok, for now.