June Summerfield

Chapter 8

The next day, Eli woke up before everyone else and headed down to the kitchen. As he passed the front door, he thought he saw something in the glass window. A black flash, far off in the woods.

Probably just a bird. He thought to himself as he yawned and continued walking.

Audrey was next to wake up and joined Eli in the kitchen.

Slowly, one by one, they all woke up and eventually they were all gathered in the living room.

June and Montana were sitting next to each other, on the couch, Montana with his arm on the back of the couch behind June, with her leaning toward him.

“We do need to do something about the food situation, though.” Daisy brought everyone’s attention to the now bare cabinets.

“Eli and I will head out today and see what we can find. We’ll probably do a bit of hunting, too.” Rufus announced.

Montana, Tobias, and Eli all stayed behind to protect the group from any dangers.

“I’ll join you guys,” Russell called out as he stood up. The three gathered up supplies and got ready to head out. Once they were gone, everyone started having their own conversations.

Everyone but Zoran, sat off by himself with his head down, taking a nap.

“I think I’m gonna go take a nap,” Montana yawned as he stood up. “Come get me if you need me.” he headed up the stairs, June following close behind.

Before they were able to shut the door behind them, there was a knock on the door, making everyone fall silent and freeze. As far as they knew, no one knew they were there.

Zoran raised his head, standing up. “I’ll get it,” he called out as he lazily headed toward the door.

All eyes were on him as he strolled over to the door and opened it, revealing a man, standing there smiling. Everyone stood up to see who it was and what they wanted, and they all noticed there was a large group standing outside. The man who knocked must have been their leader.

“Well hello.” He was about average height, with long blond hair and dark eyes.

“Hey, Martin,” Zoran responded with a sigh. “June!” He called as he stepped back and let the group in. Everyone started reaching for their weapons. “It’s time to go.”

“What the f**k do you mean? Go where?” she couldn’t hide the panic in her voice as Montana pushed her behind him, staring them all down. He noticed they were all wearing matching black outfits. They radiated power and strength, but Montana was more than ready to fight them all.

“The king demands your presence,” Zoran said plainly. “So you must go.”

“What king?” Montana spat, still holding June close behind him.

“King Maslin.”

“I’ve never heard of him, so he must not be that important.”

Zoran smiled at his response.

“King Maslin is the king of the country Coe, which is where we’re from. It’s made up mostly of vampires.” Zoran explained with his hands folded behind him.

“That’s a bunch of bullshit and you know it.” Montana still held his ground, somehow staring every member of the group down at once but also not singling one out.

“It’s not.”

“Well, she’s not going. Not without me, at least.” Montana made it clear. June was not leaving.

Zoran took a big breath and let out a deep sigh.

“King Maslin said you could come along if it’s the only way June would come along willingly.” he rolled his eyes as he let out his secret weapon. “I was also instructed to keep the deaths to a minimum to please, let’s keep that number at zero.”

“Well, that’s the only way I’m going anywhere.” June snapped from behind Montana who stood in front of her like a brick wall.

“Very well then, let’s go.” Zoran sighed as he motioned out the door. The large group walked outside, expecting the two to follow close behind.

June looked up at Montana who hadn’t moved an inch. He looked down and behind him at her, letting her make the ultimate choice. She gave a slight nod before looking down at the floor. What else was she supposed to do? She wasn’t going to let her friends, especially Montana, die over something so trivial. Chances are, they’d be back within a day or two anyway.

Montana grabbed her hand firmly and led her down the stairs and out the door, shooting Zoran one more hateful glance as he passed.

“So where is this King Maslin?” Montana demanded once they were all outside.

“Slow your roll, big guy. We have to teleport to him.” Zoran walked towards the group, who had gathered in a circle.

“Yeah, right.” Montana scoffed. He noticed June’s hand was getting sweaty and she was shaking ever so slightly. “Let’s just get this s**t over with.” he forced the words out, fighting back the urge to just try and fight them all off. But if they were somehow telling the truth, and they were all vampires, he knew he didn’t stand a chance.

“Alright, alright.” Zoran placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “Close your eyes, and keep them shut,” he instructed.

In a matter of seconds, they experienced a strong twist through their body and a flash of light overtook them. When June opened her eyes, they were in a village. Montana had to let go of June’s hand for a second to throw up in a nearby bush.

Zoran laughed slightly. “I told you to close your eyes. It’s not my fault you have trouble following instructions.” he walked past Montana looking back to see his hateful glare once more and started leading them through the village, twisting and avoiding various adults and children in the process.

The two followed close behind, June’s hand had returned to its place in Montana’s. He wanted to ask where they were going, but he figured the large castle in a nearby field was his answer. Once they reached the entrance, two guards opened up the dark metal gates, letting them through.

“Now, before we go see the King, must I remind you to be respectful.” He shot a glance over at Montana. “Remember, he only wants June,” he spoke slower as Montana stared holes through him. With a clap of his hands, he turned and started leading them through the field and into the castle.

Once they reached the large, solid oak doors which opened almost automatically, June sped up to stand right next to Montana.

“You know the worst part about all of this?” she mentioned, keeping her voice low so Zoran wouldn’t hear them.

“What?” he whispered in response

“We never got to take that nap.”