To The End

Chapter*6

Once the car pulled into the driveway, Ryan opened his door quickly, not allowing the driver to do so. Ryan held out his hand to Lexi as she smiled weakly at him. Lexi took his hand and got out with a little spoken "Thank you", she looked into his head for just a moment before looking away and moving her hand away slowly. The look of sadness was etched on Ryan's face when she moved away from him, but he grabbed her hand again as they both walked to the porch of the vintage cottage-looking house.

Soon Charles, Mike, and Vivian were on the porch with them. Mike was unlocking the door, so everyone could go inside. The soft unlocking sound echoed and Ryan sighed, looking down at Lexi who was biting her lower lip. "Hey, You okay sunflower?" Ryan whispered, which was pointless around vampires, but he liked to still do it. Lexi smiled her warm sweet smile and nodded "Yes, I--I'm fine." Lexi said, taking a deep breath knowing this conversation was going to go pretty badly. Was it another attempt at making her stay? Did they know something she didn't? Lexi soon would find out as everyone went into the house except for her. She slowly walked in.

Ryan was already on the stairs when she walked in and looked very defeated. He must have been talking to his parents about him staying for this conversation, and from the looks of him walking away like a child that just got told no, led her to believe their answer was no. "Lex?" Mike spoke, which made her turn her attention back to the people who raised her, and the random man she met tonight. "The reason Charles is here, is because he had information that could help with your mother." Mike said sadly as Vivian took a deep breath. Lexi's eyes went wide with surprise. "Wait really?!" she asked happily, "It's not good news." Charles stated harshly, "and why would you want to find her? You have a couple of fine people right here that have raised you. This is all you've known for how many years?" He asked a bit darkly. Lexi took a step back as he stood up. "That's not the point, she promised she would be back." Lexi said softly, trying to sound strong, which didn't work. "No, you just want--" Charles was cut off by Vivian "Do not tell her, or us what she wants. If she wants her real mother, then just tell her." Vivian looked at Lexi with the same warm look she had always given her. Lexi was shocked by the outburst. Most of the time Vivian just went along unless it was about something she felt strongly about.

Charles looked shocked, but began once more "She's dead". He said blankly, which made Lexi giggle, "You're just saying that because-" She was cut off when Charles took the phone out of her back pocket and showed Lexi her mother, or what looked like her mother. Blood was everywhere. Her head was inches away from her body and had scratches, bite marks, and what looked like a symbol carved into her arm. "Wh--" Lexi felt her eyes tear up "But." Vivian noticed and went into 'Momma Bear' mode quickly, "CHARLES!" She said standing up about to reach for Lexi who was seconds from crashing to the ground but Ryan who had witnessed it all caught her before she hit the floor, but he sat with her on the ground. "The hell! You guys are doing this on her birthday!" Ryan's eyes were black. "You said you were going to tell her to be safe, not that her mother was a sacrifice." He said as Lexi began sobbing into his chest.

Vivian walked over to them as she touched Lexi's arm. Lexi pulled away, which made Vivian feel worse. "I didn't think she would believe me if I didn't show her." Charles said softly, putting the phone away. "Still, there is another way to show proof. Not by showing a beheading." Ryan snapped, rocking a sobbing Lexi softly and rubbing her back, "But there is more news." Charles said softly, sitting down as Lexi shook her head,, "No more news please." she begged as she sighed, "It's best you know now, than later" Mike spoke which earned a hiss from, Vivian. Vivian wanted to slap both men at this point, but was holding her anger. "What other news?" Ryan asked, rubbing Lexi's back as her sobs became hiccups and sniffles.

Mike started this time, "Lexi's father." Mike began and paused." Real father" He corrected his mistake, since he felt like he had grown to be Lexi's father. "Lexi's real father is the one behind it. He found out about Lexi's birth." He said softly "Okay? Shouldn't he be happy about that?" Ryan asked, his arm going around Lexi like a child holding a teddy bear. He was protecting her once more. "You would think, but he'd rather have her dead. That's what happened tonight." Mike said softly, looking down as Lexi peaked out from Ryan's chest. "What?" she whispered, knowing they heard her. "Sorin Markov" Charles said as Vivian and Ryan both sucked in air and jumped. "Are you sure!?" Vivian asked as she looked at Lexi "Positive." Charles said quickly "Who's Sorin Markov?" Lexi asked as everyone looked at her. "The most vile, powerful, and hateful vampire king of them all." Mike said looking at Lexi's eyes "He, he r***d your mother which brought her to us. Then she had you and everyone fell in love with you. But, now he knows you are around. He wants you dead, because that means there is a spawn of his who could over through him and kill him." Mike said strongly but not loudly. "I can't even kill a fly, let alone someone." Lexi said, looking spooked. "Markov's powers are like no others. They get stronger the other you get. Being able to read minds was a first in decades for a normal vampire." Charles answered "When you were 10 years old and had the Barbie birthday party, you lit your own candles with your eyes." Vivian added "And a little bit of my hair." Ryan added.

Lexi looked around the small circle. "How do I keep you all safe if he is so bad?" Vivian looked at her proudly and she felt the grip on her tighten from Ryan. Charles and Mike looked at each other "You don't." They both said "What do you mean I don't?" She said a bit louder, "Unless you start harvesting blood like a normal vampire, and working on your abilities, you won't keep them safe." Charles said harshly. "But if I die?" Lexi asked but was soon interrupted "That's not an option." Ryan snapped taking one hand from her back and putting it under her chin to look at him. "You will not harm yourself to protect us." He said in a demanding way just looking into her eyes which got his point across. "Okay." Is all she said "So, who knows how to take out a vampire king?" She said looking at Charles who smiled "Good question. We start tomorrow." He said and stood up "Charles will be staying with us until your training is done. In the guestroom," Mike stated as he nodded "Have a lovely night." He said like they hadn't just changed everything in Lexi's life. "Go get some rest dear." Vivian said, kneeling over her and kissing her head as Mike patted her head and took his wife's hand and began walking upstairs leaving Lexi leaning on Ryan. "You don't have to do this, I can keep you safe." Ryan said almost begging her for something she couldn't control. "I will not lose the best people in my life. If Markov wants a fight, he will get one." Lexi said as Ryan smirked. "I guess the old saying is true." Lexi looked confused. Ryan's smile grew. "Not fragile like a flower. Fragile like a bomb" He let her go for only a second to get up and held his hand out once more. She grabbed it, getting up as he leaned closer, kissing her softly on the lips. Both eyes closed for a second when he pulled away smiling "Happy Birthday Sunflower."