The Hybrid Royal

The Aftermath

      Gwendolyn's POV

I am covered in blood. The blood of the Vamwolfs who attacked us. Half vampire and half werewolf. I have finally shifted back and am slumped on my knees exhausted. I have no energy left in me it feels. I take a look around and I am in a field. I see the fresh and dried blood stuck to my flesh. The smell is making me gag. I don't remember much of what I just did as I let my vampire side take total control. Probably for the best, I tell myself. I can feel that my hair is matted together with blood, dirt, leaves, and grass.

"Gwenny! Chan!," a familiar voice yells from the darkness.

I see my older brother Jake in the distance shouting for us and all of a sudden I feel my second wind kicking in and run towards him.

"Jake! Jake! They…they… they ki..lled Noni," I manage to get out between sobs as reality has come crashing down on me.

"What? Are you sure? Noni can handle herself. I'm sure she's fine Gwen. Maybe a little worse for the wear but nothing too serious," Jake tries to comfort me with his soothing words.

 " I saw it Jake!" I yell trying to get him to take me seriously.

All of sudden it was like he was really looking at me. He had a weird look on his face and I'm sure he was a little taken aback by my appearance as I imagine I looked a bit wild.

"You… ascended," he finally spoke still looking at me strangely.

"Well… yeah but that's not what's important right now Jake," I replied tugging on his hand trying to go back to our cabin.

"They attacked while Chandler and I were ascending and we couldn't help Noni! I could only listen to her screams," I sobbed out pulling him.

"Okay. Okay Gwenny let's go back to the cabin and find Noni and I'm sure she has pulled through and then we can find Chandler and everything will be okay," Jake started rambling lost in his own thoughts but trying to put a plan in place.

Finally we were getting somewhere! We started towards our cabin whenever I finally saw Chandler. He was just standing there too as if taking everything in.

"Chandler!" I screamed running towards him feeling a bit relieved that at least my two brothers were alright.

"Gwen, Jacob," he called out meeting us halfway there.

"Chand do you know what happened?," Jacob questioned as we continued on our way.

"Noni knew when they arrived because she hid us behind some secret wall just as we started to transcend. We tried to make it go as fast as possible and while we were going through the process we heard Noni fighting and talking to the invaders. They said they were here per some wizards command," Chandler started.

"Titus! Titus was his name!" I interjected.

"Yes Titus and that they were here searching for the children Noni was telling us about. By the way where did you go," Chandler asks looking at Jake.

" I got a mind link that some group was spotted by the border and was called to check it out. Whenever I realized it was a distraction I came back for you two," Jake responded seeming to study us both.

I hadn't even taken a moment to notice Chandler, but you could definitely tell he had ascended. He looked bigger and stronger. His jet black hair had streaks of silver almost as if he had aged and his blue eyes seemed brighter. I didn't take much more in as I noticed that we had reached the cabin.

"Noni! Noni!" I shouted as I burst in the door heading straight for the living room where she had been attacked.

"Noni is gone!" I yelled racing to where just a large puddle of blood had pooled on the floor.

"Maybe she is alive and has gone out to get help or search for us," Chandler said hopefully and started searching the house.

"Help Chandler search the house. I'm going to search around outside and see if I can track her or spot her," Jake commanded as he headed back out.

I ran through the house hoping she would be here. Maybe in the bathroom cleaning her wounds?

No such luck. Chandler and I searched everywhere. Jake came back and we all reported that Noni was not around here.

"Maybe somebody came and took her to the doctor," I said aloud while racking my brain thinking about where she could be.

"Okay Gwen you go to the hospital and see if she's been checked in. Chandler go around to our neighbors and see if maybe she went for help. I will check the woods by the house," Jacob ordered.

"Please don't go into the woods! That is where they retreated," I begged as I got scared thinking maybe this time Jacob wouldn't be back.

"Gwenny I'll be okay. I will levitate. No one will be looking up, okay?" Jacob tried to comfort me.

"Okay I love you. Please be safe," I whispered back giving him a peck on the cheek.

I run back into my room and change into some sweats and a long t shirt then head out the door to make my way to the hospital. I realize I hadn't even taken a minute to inspect myself before heading out. Just an hour earlier I had been so concerned with what I may look like after my ascension. I shake my head feeling guilty that I was even thinking about that right now. What kind of selfish granddaughter am I? As I'm walking I see a lot of familiar faces also on their way or coming back from the direction I am heading in. Most surprisingly seem unharmed and clean. I can see the way their eyes are piercing into me that I must seem like a monster. They look alarmed or scared and not one person says anything to me. Well at least I'm glad not a whole lot look like they've been hurt. As I reach the entrance I see someone I recognize. Mr. Valkov! My history teacher and Sadie's father! I don't see Sadie anywhere and I hope that she is okay. Mr. Valkov is struggling a bit with a wound on his right leg so I swiftly go up behind him and put his arm around my shoulder giving him some extra support.

"Oh thank you Ms….. I don't think I know you," Mr. Valkov says studying my face.

"Hi Mr. Valkov. It's me Gwendolyn," I reply to which his face switches to puzzled.

"Ahh Gwendolyn!" he exclaims." I see you have ascended, but still it looks like something else may have happened." He retorts still studying me hard. He must be confused and maybe disoriented from the fight.

" Where is Sadie? Is she okay," I ask genuinely concerned.

"Oh my Sadie is just fine. She handled herself like a warrior and I am super proud. I imagine right now she is still checking on and helping others." He replied smiling and I could see that he was indeed super proud of his daughter.

" Yes she is very tough in training. I admire her a lot. She probably did a lot better than I did," I say and his expression turns worrisome.

"Is everything alright? How is your family," Mr. Valkov questions stopping himself from limping and looking directly at me.

"My brothers are fine, but Noni was attacked and I can't seem to find her now. Have you seen her come in? Or maybe heard something?"

"No I'm afraid I haven't. We are almost to the front desk now. We can ask there."

"Hello how can I help you," the receptionist at the front desk asks us as she takes a look at our faces.

"Well I just need a little tending to, but this young lady is looking for her grandmother Noni. Has she perhaps been checked in," Mr. Valkov answers for me, and I am grateful because I would probably start crying and not make much sense.

"You can have a seat right over there while we get you checked in. It might be a bit of a wait as I see you don't have any life threatening wounds. As for Noni let me check our system real quick," the receptionist responds putting her fingers to the keyboard and typing lightening fast.

" No I'm sorry I don't have Noni in our system at all. Hasn't been here and hasn't checked in," the receptionist smiles sadly at me. " Maybe she is out helping the others," she offers with a gentle smile.

I help Mr.Valkov to a chair in waiting and slowly sink to the ground. I feel like I've been crushed. She's not here! The smell of blood is bombarding me while I sit here. I feel my emotions welling up in me. Pain courses through my chest.

"Gwendolyn everything is going to be okay. We will find Noni," Mr. Valkov tries to comfort me and pats my shoulder.

My shoulders feel heavy. I'm starting to be crushed from the inside with the feeling of helplessness and despair.

"She's not here. What if they took her? What if she's dead? What if I never find her," I start to mumble incoherently to myself.

" It will all be," Mr. Valkov starts but is interrupted by lightening striking the ground three times right outside of the hospital doors.

The overwhelming sensation of my feelings lessens a little and everyone stares outside in shock. Then I hear the rain start pouring down hard outside. The smell of blood instantly decreases and I feel like I can breathe a bit better. I look at Mr. Valkov who is staring back at me. His eyes as wide as saucers. His mouth hanging open and it looks like he is trying to form words.

"Gwendolyn," he starts, but I am back to being focused on task.

"I have to find Noni Mr. Valkov. I'll see you later," I respond and fly out of the door.

I take a moment and just let the rain wash over me. Washing away the stench of blood and sweat. My heart is still breaking but I feel a little hopeful again and decide to run home and see what my brothers have figured out or found.