The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)

I get out of the car and stretch my legs on the familiar driveway.

Up front, the driver says. "We've gotten confirmation from Intelligence. We can begin our journey back."

One of the four guards in the car walks out with a duffel bag.

"Princess, I will be in the house across the street with the other guards. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks." I walk up the front steps and knock on the door.

I try it and it opens.

"Cassandra?" My mom runs out of the kitchen with an apron. "I thought it was you."

"Hey, mum." I drop my duffel bag on the floor and close the door.

She laughs. "Mum. You're starting to sound British."

I shake the smile off my face and give her a hug. "Where's Dad?"

"He's sorry he can't be here. The bowling alley is hosting a party this afternoon. He had to stay to help out." She pulls away and tucks a loose strand behind my ear. "You look very lovely. And very mature."

A polite word for depressed. "Thanks, mom."

"You can help me in the kitchen." We walk back in. "So, how's Tristan?" She wiggles her brows.

I bite my bottom lip. "He broke up with me. Last night."

She stops walking. "What? Why would he do it? Is he stupid or something?"

I manage a small smile. "We just...wanted different things. It's for the best."

"So that's why you're sad." She sighs. "Trust me, honey, first breakups are never easy."

I sigh as well. If only my sadness were that easy.

At 6 pm, dad walks in through the front door and tackles me with his hug.

"Look at you. You look so grown up." He pulls away and gives me an appraising look. "What's wrong?"

"She's sad over her breakup with Tristan." My mom says.

My dad scowls. "I knew there was something wrong with him. Remember how he just barged into dinner, half an hour late."

I sit at the kitchen island. My parents go back and forth saying mean things about Tristan.

"And his hair." My mom rolls her eyes. "It was so tacky."

"And that suit. Looked a bit ill-fitting, didn't it?" My dad nods.

"And his accent. He was all, pardon me, Mrs. Flores. And, that's a lovely watch, Mr. Flores." My mom exaggerates her British accent.

"Good riddance to trash, right?" My dad sits next to me.

I look away from both of them. I still like Tristan, a lot. And I feel like I'm betraying him by letting my family go off on him.

"I should go up to my room." I get up.

"Wait, honey. We have a surprise for you." My dad says. He and my mom share a look.

"We invited the rest of the family for Christmas." My mom reveals.

"All of them?" I ask.

"Just the ones in the state. They're all very excited to see you again."

"That's really great, mom. I can't wait for Christmas."

She frowns. "It's alright, honey. A day with your family and you'll be asking, Tristan who?"

I nod. "Yeah."

I go up to my bedroom and think about my parents family. It will be nice to spend Christmas with them.

A small smile appears on my lips. There's something nice to look forward to.

***

On Christmas day, I wear one of Lena's dresses. It's green and red and stops at my knees.

"Cassie, I need help with the pudding." My dad's yell comes from downstairs.

"I'll be right there." I get my hair straightener and start work on my hair.

The front door slams shut and my mom says. "It is freezing out there."

I tune them out and select another strand.

"Cassie," my dad yells.

"I'll be right there." I select another strand.

The next sound I hear is a vase crashing on the ground.

I switch my hair straightener off and drop it on my dresser.

"Mom, dad."

No response.

I walk gingerly to my door and open it.

"Mom, dad," I call again.

"We're fine, Cass." My mom says. "Stay upstairs."

My breath gets cut in my throat. I run downstairs and see my parents at the front door. My dad is lying on the floor. A pool of blood is gathering around his head.

My mum is crouched next to him.

She looks up at me. Tears are running down her cheeks. "I said stay upstairs." She yells.

"What happened?" I ask.

Before she can answer, I hear the growl. It sends shivers down my spine.

I was so preoccupied with my parents, I didn't see the Ryppers in the corner.

"Cassandra, move away." My mom yells.

I produce a burst of flame and throw it at the first one.

It lands on its chest and dies out.

"I'll take them to the kitchen. Use the front door and take dad to the hospital." I stare the Ryppers down.

"You're crazy if you think I'm leaving you with those...things." She's crying again.

"I'll be fine. Leave. He's bleeding."

I throw another ball of fire at them. Once again, they're unaffected.

"Cassandra!"

"Go," I yell. "Please, mom."

She whimpers and grabs my dad's wrists.

I throw more fireballs at them and run into the Kitchen.

As expected, they follow me.

I pick a knife, heat the blade, and throw it at one.

It pierces its skin and dark blood oozes down. It howls in anger.

The other jumps on the kitchen island and reaches down for me.

I jump out of the way and my back collides with the fridge.

I send a powerful burst at it and it catches fire.

Instead of dying, it absorbs the flames.

I groan in fear and frustration. Of course this is happening to me.

A part of me thinks I deserve this. To die like this. After what I did to Collete. Did to my friends. Did to Tristan. Arin.

This attack is everything I deserve.

My mother appears at the kitchen entrance. She throws a vase at the one closest.

It turns to her and lunges at her.

"No."

I use all my energy and throw as much fire as I can muster.

My mother jumps away, narrowly avoiding the bright orange flames, and the monster falls to the ground, an ashy mess.

The other growls and reaches for me.

I throw the same burst of flames, this one brushes it off. It seems to be the stronger of the two.

It lunges at me again and I fall on the ground.

It stands over me and gets ready to deliver the final hit.

I raise my hands and send everything I have at it.

My crown materializes in my head and I draw power from it. A yell escapes my throat and my whole body tingles.

The feeling I get is similar to the one I felt in the cave, when I officially took the pledge. I open my eyes and gasp at the fire. It's white.

The monster thrashes, attempting to claw the skin off my chest. My scream intensifies and I pour all of my emotions into my magic. I roll out of the way and it falls forward.

My mother runs in and hugs me.

"Mija, are you okay?" She's rubbing my hair.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," I assure her.

"You...you. It was so bright, Mija."

"Mom, where's dad?"

She gasps. We both get up and run out the front door. She gets in the driver's seat and I get in beside my dad. His blood is soaking the seat cushions and I'm scared he won't make it.

Lucky for us, it's Christmas and the roads are mostly clear. That doesn't stop my mother from driving like a madman and getting us to the hospital in no time.

My dad is rushed to A and E and my mother and I are left waiting for him.

When we're both done crying, she takes my hands in hers.

"What happened?" I ask her.

She sniffs. "They just appeared. I didn't know what they were. Your father tried to fight them, but they hit him. And I...I didn't want you to get hurt." She sniffles. "Is that what attacked you earlier this year?"

I nod. "Yeah. They're a serious problem in Illyria."

I can't believe Ryppers sent their monsters here. And to my home. Who told them I was here this week? And who told them where I lived?

"I have to call Seb." I remove myself from her embrace. "And our family. They can't see the house like that."

She nods. "I'll tell them there's been an emergency. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

"Thanks, mom."

She kisses my cheek and stands up to make the call.

***

Three hours later, Seb, Kat, and Grey rush up to me.

Kat hugs me first. "Cassie, are you right?" She examines me. "We heard what happened and came as soon as possible."

"Yeah, are you alright?" Grey runs a hand through his tousled hair.

I sniff and nod. "I'm fine."

Seb looks angry. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how this happened. The guards are investigating." He squeezes his fists. "The guards that were meant to be protecting you, did you see them before or during the attack?"

I shake my head. "It was just me and my parents."

He curses. "We'll get to the bottom of this, and we'll..." His phone goes off. "It's Officer Lanewell." He steps aside to take it.

Kat and Grey sit at my side. "Are you sure you're okay?" Grey asks.

"I don't really wanna talk about it," I answer honestly.

A few minutes later, Seb gets back. "The officers are all dead. That's why they didn't defend you. This was a carefully planned attack. The Ryppers had highly classified information. They couldn't have done this without it."

"More people are dead because of me." I sniff. "Wonderful."

A nurse passes us and eyes the three of them suspiciously. I didn't even notice what they were wearing. They must be coming from an event.

They're all decked out in their usual designer clothing. Grey and Seb have expensive watches and Kat is wearing a diamond and sapphire jewelry set.

Seb follows my eye and clears his throat. "This place isn't safe. Our location is compromised. We shouldn't risk another attack."

Kat and Grey nod. "We should be getting back home," she says.

They both stand up and look at me expectantly.

"You don't actually think I'll leave my parents right now," I say.

Seb looks remorseful. "We'll protect your parents. I'll talk to your mom now and ask her if she wants to move."

"Move?"

"They know where she lives. This town isn't safe anymore. It's for the best."

I cover my face with my hands. "No matter where I go, it will never stop. And as far as someone knows or cares about me, they won't be safe either."

They all say nothing.

I get up. "I'm going to see him." I walk away from the three of them and towards his hospital room.

The nurse checking his vitals frowns. "He's not ready for visitors."

My eyes fill with tears again. "I'm leaving soon. I just wanted to see him first."

Her face softens and she slowly nods her head. "Please make it quick. You're really not supposed to be here."

I walk closer to the bed. His face is alright, but there's a big bandage at the top of his head.

I adjust his hair and I bite my lip so I don't cry.

"I'm sorry I did this to you," I whisper. "It's all my fault. If I never came home, they wouldn't have attacked. And you'd be happy, celebrating Christmas with your normal family."

The nurse clears her throat.

I kiss his hand, sniff loudly, and walk away.

I get back to Seb, Kat, and Grey and the latter drapes his suit jacket over my shoulder.

We leave the hospital and get in a black car.

I lay down on the seat and say nothing.

We soon stop and Kat rubs my arm. "Grey and I will get your stuff from your room."

I don't respond. I close my eyes and force myself into a hollow sleep.