CHAPTER 2 , THE BIRTHDAY ATTACK
2640 Words
PART 1
“Isla, wake up.”
Isla opened her eyes slowly and looked toward her grandmother.
“Grandmother?”
“Yes. Wake up.”
“Why?”
“Because today is your birthday.”
Isla smiled.
“I know.”
“You're twenty-one now.”
“I know that too.”
Her grandmother did not smile.
Instead, she stood beside the bed with her hands clasped tightly together.
“You're acting strange.”
“I am only tired.”
“You look frightened.”
“I am not frightened.”
“You're a terrible liar.”
Her grandmother sighed.
“Get dressed.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“It is the only answer I can give you.”
Isla sat up.
“What happened last night?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you behaving like this?”
“Please, Isla. Just do as I ask.”
Isla watched her carefully.
“Fine.”
“Promise me something.”
“What?”
“Stay close to the house today.”
“Why?”
“Promise.”
“Grandmother…”
“Please.”
The fear in her voice made Isla soften.
“Fine. I promise.”
“Good.”
Her grandmother turned toward the door.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
“Is my birthday making you sad?”
“No.”
“Then why do you look like you're expecting something terrible?”
Her grandmother stared at her for a long moment.
“Because some days are more dangerous than others.”
“What does that mean?”
“You'll understand one day.”
“I hate when you say things like that.”
“I know.”
Later that morning, Isla stepped outside.
Ravenshade was unusually quiet.
She looked down the road.
“Where is everyone?”
Her grandmother followed her outside.
“Inside.”
“Why?”
“It is early.”
“It isn't that early.”
Isla looked toward the road again.
“No travelers.”
“Perhaps they took another road.”
“That rarely happens.”
Her grandmother said nothing.
Then Isla noticed something in the grass.
“Grandmother.”
“What?”
“There's something there.”
She moved closer.
Her grandmother caught her wrist.
“Don't.”
Isla looked down.
A dead bird lay beneath the fence, its feathers scattered around it.
“It's dead.”
“I can see that.”
“Why are you afraid?”
“Come inside.”
“It's only a bird.”
“Isla.”
Her grandmother's voice trembled.
Isla followed her inside.
“Have you seen others?”
Her grandmother stayed silent.
“Grandmother?”
“There were three yesterday.”
“Three dead birds?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't want to frighten you.”
“You're frightening me now.”
Her grandmother looked away.
“What is happening?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
“Everyone is acting strange.”
“People are nervous.”
“About what?”
“I don't know.”
“You do know.”
Her grandmother did not answer.
Isla stepped closer.
“Please tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes knowing too much can be dangerous.”
“You've said that before.”
“I meant it.”
“You also told me never to let anyone see my blood.”
Her grandmother's face changed.
“Don't talk about that.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“Why is my blood so important?”
“Because I want you alive.”
Before Isla could continue, someone knocked.
Her grandmother opened the door.
A neighbor stood outside with a nervous smile.
“Happy birthday, Isla.”
“Thank you.”
“You're twenty-one now.”
“Yes.”
“You've grown into a beautiful young woman.”
“Thank you.”
The neighbor glanced toward the sky.
Her smile disappeared.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Why did you look up?”
“I should go.”
The woman hurried away.
Isla watched her leave.
“Everyone is afraid.”
Her grandmother closed the door.
“Come inside.”
“Again?”
“Please.”
The afternoon passed strangely.
People visited briefly, offered gifts, and left.
Nobody stayed long.
As evening approached, Isla stood beside the window.
“Grandmother.”
“What?”
“Look.”
Her grandmother came closer.
The moon was rising.
It was red.
Deep red.
Her grandmother stopped.
“Close the curtains.”
“Why?”
“Now.”
Isla obeyed.
“What is happening?”
Her grandmother's hands trembled.
“I was afraid this day would come.”
“What day?”
“Your twenty-first birthday.”
“Why?”
“The moon has turned red.”
“What does that mean?”
Her grandmother looked toward the covered window.
“It means something has found you.”
A strange sound came from outside.
Isla turned.
“Did you hear that?”
Her grandmother grabbed her hand.
“Stay beside me.”
“What is happening?”
Her grandmother's eyes filled with fear.
“I don't know how much time we have.”
“Time for what?”
Her grandmother looked toward the door.
“For them.”
“Who?”
“I cannot say.”
“You have to.”
“I have spent years hoping you would never have to hear this.”
“Hear what?”
“The truth.”
“Then tell me.”
Her grandmother reached up and touched Isla's cheek.
“I wanted you to grow up believing you were ordinary.”
“I am not ordinary?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because there is something inside your blood that others have been searching for.”
“Who are they?”
“Those who should never find you.”
“Are they coming?”
Her grandmother swallowed.
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
“Because the signs have begun.”
“The dead birds?”
“Yes.”
“The empty road?”
“Yes.”
“The red moon?”
“Yes.”
Isla's heart began to race.
“And my birthday?”
“Your twenty-first birthday is the day I feared most.”
“Why?”
“Your protection is weakest tonight.”
“What protection?”
“The one I placed over you when you were a baby.”
“You did that?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because if you knew, you might have searched for answers.”
“Maybe I deserve answers.”
“You do.”
“Then give them to me.”
“I will.”
“When?”
Her grandmother looked toward the door.
“After tonight.”
“Why not now?”
“Because I need to know whether we survive it.”
Isla stared at her.
“You're scaring me.”
“I know.”
“I don't want to be afraid.”
“Neither do I.”
Another sound came from outside.
This time it sounded like footsteps.
Slow.
Heavy.
Approaching the house.
Isla turned.
“Grandmother…”
“Do not move.”
The footsteps stopped.
Silence filled the room.
Then came a whisper from outside.
“Isla.”
Her blood ran cold.
Her grandmother's face went white.
“Do you know that voice?”
“No.”
“You must not answer.”
The voice came again.
“Isla Hart.”
She stepped backward.
“How do they know my name?”
Her grandmother grabbed her hand.
“Because they have been looking for you.”
“For how long?”
“Longer than you know.”
A knock struck the door.
Isla jumped.
Her grandmother pulled her behind her.
“Stay behind me.”
“Grandmother, who is outside?”
Her grandmother stared at the door.
“I was hoping you would never have to meet them.”
“Who?”
Her grandmother whispered the word.
“Vampires.”
PART 2
“Vampires?”
Isla stared at her grandmother.
“You're serious?”
“I wish I wasn't.”
Another scream tore through the village.
Isla jumped.
“What was that?”
Her grandmother pulled her away from the window.
“Stay here.”
“Someone screamed.”
“I know.”
“We have to help them.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because they aren't here for the villagers.”
Isla stared at her.
“Then who are they here for?”
Her grandmother's eyes filled with fear.
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know how much they know.”
“You knew this would happen.”
“I feared it would.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I wanted you to have a normal life.”
“You lied to me.”
“I protected you.”
“You kept me ignorant.”
“I kept you alive.”
Another crash shook the house.
Isla flinched.
“What is happening?”
Her grandmother whispered,
“They've come.”
“Who?”
“Vampires.”
Isla shook her head.
“You told me they weren't real.”
“I never told you that.”
“You told me the stories were warnings.”
“They were.”
“Then why didn't you tell me they were real?”
“Because knowing would not have kept you safe.”
“Then what will?”
Her grandmother grabbed her shoulders.
“Your blood.”
“My blood?”
“Yes.”
“What about it?”
“Never let them see it.”
“Why?”
“Because they came for it.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I've spent twenty-one years hiding you from them.”
The front door shook violently.
“Grandmother…”
“Listen to me.”
“I am listening.”
“If they get inside, you run.”
“What about you?”
“You run.”
“I'm not leaving you.”
“You must.”
“No.”
“Isla, please.”
Another crash sounded.
The door broke open.
Several figures rushed into the house.
They moved too quickly for Isla to follow.
She screamed.
“What are they?”
Her grandmother pushed her backward.
“Run!”
One figure turned toward Isla.
“There.”
Another voice answered.
“Find her.”
“Grandmother!”
“Go!”
Isla ran toward the back door.
Behind her, her grandmother shouted,
“Don't let them see your blood!”
Isla opened the door and ran.
Cold night air struck her face.
She didn't stop.
Behind her, voices echoed through the house.
“Find the girl!”
“She escaped!”
“Search the village!”
Isla ran through the darkness.
Her heart pounded.
Why were they hunting her?
What did they want with her blood?
She looked back.
Dark figures moved between the houses.
One suddenly appeared farther down the road.
Isla gasped.
She turned and ran toward the forest.
Her grandmother had warned her never to go there.
But there was nowhere else.
Branches scratched her arms.
Her dress caught on a thorn.
She pulled herself free and kept running.
“Keep going.”
Her voice trembled.
“Keep going.”
Behind her came footsteps.
Fast footsteps.
Too fast.
She looked back.
Nothing.
Then she heard a voice.
“We know you're there.”
Isla covered her mouth.
She moved behind a tree.
The footsteps stopped.
“Search the forest.”
Another voice answered,
“She cannot be far.”
Isla pressed herself against the tree.
She tried to breathe quietly.
Her heart beat so loudly that she feared they could hear it.
A branch snapped nearby.
She froze.
Someone moved between the trees.
“Find her.”
Isla closed her eyes.
Please.
Please don't find me.
The footsteps came closer.
Then stopped.
Silence.
Isla slowly opened her eyes.
A pale face stood directly in front of her.
She screamed.
The stranger grabbed her wrist.
“There you are.”
“Let me go!”
“You don't understand how long we've searched for you.”
“Who are you?”
The stranger smiled.
“Your blood will answer that.”
Isla struggled.
“What do you want?”
“Your blood.”
“Why?”
“Because you are the girl from the prophecy.”
“What prophecy?”
“The prophecy of the human whose blood can change the immortal bloodline.”
Isla's eyes widened.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You will.”
He raised her wrist.
“Your grandmother hid you well.”
“How do you know my grandmother?”
“We know everything.”
Suddenly, the vampire was thrown away.
He crashed against a tree.
Isla fell to the ground.
A man stood between her and the vampire.
Tall.
Dark-haired.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were cold.
“Stay behind me.”
Isla stared at him.
“Who are you?”
The man turned slightly.
“Adrian.”
“Adrian who?”
“Prince Adrian Valemont.”
Isla stared at him.
“You're a vampire.”
“Yes.”
“You're one of them.”
“No.”
The vampire on the ground growled.
“Prince Adrian, step aside.”
Adrian looked at him.
“No.”
“She belongs to the king.”
“She belongs to no one.”
The vampire rose.
“You know what she is.”
“I know enough.”
“You cannot protect her forever.”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“I don't need forever.”
The vampire attacked.
Adrian moved.
The fight was too fast for Isla to follow.
One moment they were apart.
The next, the vampire was thrown into the darkness.
Adrian returned to her.
“Are you hurt?”
Isla stared at him.
“No.”
“Good.”
“Why did you help me?”
“Because they wanted to hurt you.”
“Why?”
Adrian hesitated.
“Your blood.”
Isla looked at her wrist.
“My grandmother warned me about it.”
“What did she tell you?”
“Never let anyone see it.”
Adrian's eyes changed.
“She was right.”
“You know what my blood is?”
“I know that it is dangerous.”
“To me?”
“To everyone.”
Isla sho
ok her head.
“I don't understand.”
“I know.”
“Then tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because we don't have time.”
She heard movement behind them.
“More of them?”
“Yes.”
“What do I do?”
Adrian extended his hand.
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn't.”
She stared at him.
“Then why are you asking me to come?”
“Because if you stay here, they will find you.”
Isla looked into the darkness.
More footsteps approached.
She looked at Adrian's hand.
Then at the forest behind her.
She had lost her home.
She didn't know where her grandmother was.
She didn't know why vampires wanted her.
And she didn't know whether Adrian was telling her the truth.
But she knew one thing.
Staying alone meant being captured.
Slowly, she placed her hand in his.
Adrian closed his fingers around hers.
“Stay close to me.”
Isla nodded.
“Okay.”
Together, they disappeared deeper into the darkness of the forest.
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