To say the house was tense over the next couple days was the biggest understatement I could have ever made. Edie barely said much of anything to me, and even less to Sylvie. Speaking of Sylvie, she had made herself a tad scarce around the house. I knew it wasn't out of fear, Sylvie stood toe to toe with my parents when she was human. The thought brought a tiny smile to my lips. My ever-fearless love.
This time? I think she was more ashamed of her behavior, which I understood. That was the first time I had ever seen that side of Sylvie. I could appreciate her concern through all that anger, though. What she said rang all kinds of true, as well. I lost count of how many times I had had to risk my neck to keep Edie safe and out of the grasp of our darling parents. I did everything I could to teach her a peaceful way to coexist with humanity. I tried to steer her away from the murderous influence they tried to instill in her. Yes, her mind was broken and there were concepts I was sure she would never understand, which I was somewhat thankful for. That never stopped me from trying. I refused to let Damien and Nadine corrupt her like they did me. I thought I saved her. I thought she would be okay. Now, with this new and sudden change to her personality, her mind, everything, I wasn't so sure.
"Danny." The sound of my name jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up in shock to see it was my little sister. "What?"
It took me a moment to realize I was sitting there staring at her, slack-jawed. "Sorry, I just...you haven't call me Danny since-" I struggled to gather my thoughts. "It's just been a while. Caught me off guard is all."
Edie simply shrugged before continuing. "I'm ready to go."
I simply nodded and followed my little sister down the steps and out into the night. I didn't feel Sylvie anywhere in the vicinity, so I gathered she must have gone out on her own. I felt a bit melancholy knowing this. I had become so accustomed to hunting with my girls, that anything else just felt wrong.
We came to the beginning of our favorite street and I heard Edie let out an annoyed sigh.
"I'll wait for you at 100 Proof." I said. I didn't even have to look at her to see the shocked expression on her face.
"But I thought-"
"I'm close by." I finally turned to her. "I'm willing to let you prove that you've seen the error in your ways."
"Brother, you're the best!" Edie squealed, hugging me tightly. "Maybe Sylvia should learn not to be such a stuck-up bitch about it."
That shock from earlier hit me once again. I tried to continue without giving that away. "I wouldn't exactly call her a stuck-up bitch. She had her reasons to worry." I arched a brow at my little sister. "Also, be very careful how you address that next time, Edie."
"She completely overreacted!" Edie pouted. "There was no reason for her to do that!"
"Edie, you overstepped your boundaries." I countered firmly. "Plus, this is my and Mikhail's territory and our laws are clear."
"Yeah." Edie huffed with an eyeroll.
"Right now, it's one here or there, then it's two or three. Before you know it-"
"I've become just like Damien and Nadine." Edie finished, sounding more than done with my lecture. "I know, Danny. You've been drilling that into my head for decades now."
"For good reason, Edith!" I answered her with leashed anger, trying to keep my voice as low as I could. This was one of those moments I definitely didn't recognize my little sister and whoever this was next to me was about to catch holy hell in the next few seconds. "Now, I'm trying to be fair and give you a little freedom, but I'm swiftly beginning to regret my decision."
"Okay, okay." She put her hands up in defeat. "I get it. I'll be careful, I promise."
I studied my little sister for a moment, before nodding. Without another word, off she traipsed, blending into the crowds. I looked on after her, slightly shaking my head. I turned and made my way down the sidewalk toward 100 Proof, passing by Hamilton Street's usual drunk party goers, when a feeling of unease suddenly hit me. I felt like there were eyes on me and the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. I kept my leisurely gait, but my eyes and ears were on full alert. Whoever it was, was watching me intently and they were getting closer.
Instead of taking my usual left at the traffic light, I hung a right and made my way toward the river. I knew next to no one would dare to venture that way this time of night, unless they were very drunk, very stupid, or very shady. The closer I came to the docks, the closer the presence became. I stopped at one of the railings, nonchalantly leaning against a railing.
"If this is what you call stealth, you should be ashamed of yourself." I mused in a bored voice.
I turned from the river and looked my new stalker in the eye. Ana stood there, her stance giving the allusion she was ready for a battle. I squared my shoulders, staring daggers into this little pain in my ass.
"It would seem that I've ruffled some feathers." She said, her eyes watching me cautiously.
"You have no idea." I spoke with such calm, I could see the goosebumps raising on her skin. "You broke our laws, Ana. I'm sure you're old enough to know what the consequences are for that."
Ana smirked, shaking her head. "Such a stickler for laws. We're predators, Daniel. They're food. It's just the natural order of things."
"Last warning, Ana." I growled, feeling my fangs extend. "Leave my territory now or I make your eternity end tonight."
"You know, they talked about you like you were some untouchable Boogie Man that couldn't be killed."
"They?"
"You know exactly who I'm talking about."
"How do you know them?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Oh, I know a lot more about you two than you think I do."
Ana let out a hiss as she charged at me. Her claws swung with lightning speed, but I was more than capable of keeping up with her. I caught one of her wrists and twisted until I heard a loud POP coming from her shoulder. She screeched and dug her heel into my stomach, rolling away from me. I caught my breath just as she stood to her feet, cradling her useless arm to her body.
"Still interested in testing my invulnerability?" I smirked.
Ana's eyes flashed yellow as she reset her shoulder back into its socket. "I'm just getting started."
She backed into a shadow and suddenly I lost track of her. I listened all around me but heard nothing. I didn't realize she was anywhere near me until I felt the burn of her nails rake across my stomach. I almost dropped to my knees but battled to keep my footing. Another attack came for my left shoulder, almost dropping me completely to the ground. I calmed myself as best I could and tried to listen for her again. I knew that she would be going for a fatal strike, so I had to be ready.
The smallest sound from my right gave her away, and I struck out with my hand, burying it in her side. She let out a wail of pain and vaulted back, trying to stop the fountain of blood that came rushing from the wound.
"Leave." I warned roughly. "Now!"
Ana stared at me only long enough for her eyes to shift back to green. She hobbled away from me and into the night. After a few shaky breaths, I stood to my feet and surveyed my injuries. The claw marks were deeper than I thought, though not as deep as hers. I silently hoped that this was the last I would see of her. I shuffled slowly along the riverside as I surveyed my surroundings, thankful that I wasn't too far from Mikhail's place. I was in no shape to hunt anything and I was sure my dear friend would have something, anything, in stock.