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“Nathan, I stopped when the Kaltons made it obvious that the perpetrators of the crime would go unpunished. How can we consider Kaltons as part of our community after their treatment of us? Worse than they treat our namesake. Our namesake would have been killed humanely. We were denied that choice, so let Kaltos and its biased assholes rot,” Li’zel said, standing and spitting in the fire. Her beautiful face was twisted with hate.

“Them why are we helping my family? Li’zel, why were you searching for the children?” I challenged. “Is it possible that you hope that one day, the Kaltons might overcome their prejudices and accept us?”

“What, with open arms and a fanfare?” Li’zel shot back sarcastically. “Jacques, I’ve no wish to return here. Of course, I’ll help the kids and your family. They are among the few who have shown us respect and kindness. No, I would not turn on them, and I would kill any who hurt them. Bear that in mind, Marel.”

We turned around in surprise and noticed Marel was standing behind us. No one had noticed him enter the villa.

“How much have you heard?” Eduardo asked.

“Most of it, and you are correct. None of you have been treated fairly by your people, and I think your diagnosis of Kalton emotions is correct. Kaltons are inexperienced in confronting something of this nature and are unsure of how to manage it. Kaltons are emotionally repressed. In time, they will grasp the necessary lessons, but not immediately.”

Father inquired from the doorway, “Why are you here, Marel?”

By his expression, I guessed he’d heard most of it, too.

“Marcus, I came to warn you to leave now. There is a crowd gathering, threatening possible danger. I would not see any of you hurt.”

Mother gasped, and her hand flew to her throat. Just entering the room, she had no knowledge of the previous discussion. Devastated, Mother clung to the doorway for support.

“No… I didn’t want to think… to believe they meant…” Mother broke off, the strain too much for her and collapsed in a heap.

With a cry, I rushed to her side and lifted her into my arms. Mother was as light as a child. I was saddened even more, unable to accept that I had not seen the warning signs.

“Here is medicine for her. Now you must go. Your blood will be ready as usual,” Marel said, passing Marrin a bag.

Marel pushed Marrin none too gently towards the entrance of the villa. The other Vam’pirs had gathered the children amongst themselves. Father and I were the last to leave. He looked around, hurt and sad.

“To understand our people would do this…” he broke off, unable to continue.

Sadly, I took Father’s arm and led him out, and we glanced back together. So many joyful memories mixed with some tragic ones. All gone, no more would we see our home.

In the distance, I could notice firelight. I sensed the threat the people approaching offered. It was not a crowd, as Marel had delicately put it, but a mob. As I dragged Father away, the group let out a roar and gave chase.

“Move!” I yelled. My heart pounded in fear, as they seemed to close. I couldn’t cope with pulling Father, as I still held Mother.

Pal appeared, taking Mother out of my arms, and I grabbed Father up in them instead.

“Teleport yourselves!” Pal cried as he disappeared before my eyes.

In panic, I found myself unable to do that. My mind wouldn’t focus. I slung Father over my shoulder and ran. I could run faster than the mob (even carrying him) and raced towards the dock, where a flurry of activity surrounded our boat.

“Run, Jaq, run!” Inka screamed in fear as another crowd appeared to cut off our escape route.

I pushed myself harder, desperately trying to outrun them, and soon, I could see that I wouldn’t reach safety.

“Leave me. Save yourself. You’ll make it if you let me go,” Father panted over my shoulder. Instead, I tightened my grip and forced myself to go faster. We were running parallel, the mob and I, and I knew it was just a race to determine who reached the dock first.

The baying crowd did, and I paused, not knowing what to do. Panic was completely in control, and I realised there was to be no escape.

Some of the mob attempted to board the boat as it departed, but were stopped. Inka was screaming that they couldn’t leave me. Kaltons shot flaming arrows, trying to set the vessel alight, and Vam’pir’s flinched in fear.

Kaltons surely meant to kill us.

Then suddenly, arrows of fire flew back towards the mob. Anton and Taran fired repeatedly in defence. The boat was pulling away from Father and me. I dithered until Pal appeared. He had returned for us! Pal snatched Father from my arms.

“Jaq, you have to ‘port!”

“I can’t concentrate!” I cried, full of fear.