Chapter 27

I realize that it has been a very long while ever since the last chapter. And frankly, I wasn't planning on continuing with the stories. However, seeing that some of you wanted me to update and were still reading, I decided to change my mind. Without stretching this any further, let us continue...

The sound of branches snapping beneath quick paced weight etched itself into the previously undisturbed forest. The tops of the tree shadows outstretched upon the grassy plane that led up to the large, almost castle-like structure, that was the Abadeer's home. The infiltrators of the forest were now beginning to become seen through the openings in the trees as they circled the area. The setting of the sun wasn't going to be on their side since it was the perfect time for the Nocturnals, but they were no doubt aware of that. So what was it about their tactics that made their actions so bold?

As Marceline got to her feet from the bed in order to alert her father and brother, she heard rushed shuffling in the halls just beyond the door of her room. Picking up her pace, she got to the door and pulled it open. The guards and other residents of the place were all heading downstairs while others were preparing other arrangements if things got messy. She heard as Bonnibel walked over to follow. It would be best for Bonnibel to have stayed behind somewhere safe, but that would do no good at safeguarding her against their enemy if they were to sneak inside. Turning around, Marceline took Bonnie's hand and then tugged her along into the hallway.

"We should find my father first." She could practically feel the tensed and worried state of Bonnie through the slightly tight hold that the girl had on her hand. This time was going to be right. Aulak wouldn't be able to run this time around. Oh, no. That twisted little man was going to pay for what he's done.

"Marceline!" Marshall and their father were turning from around the corner when they spotted the two girls, silently relieved that they were safe. Hunson's facial features stiffened as he begun speaking. "It is believed that there are seventy of them out there at the bare minimum. Twenty of which are also vampires." Walking past everyone, he motioned for them to follow behind him as he continued the explanation while heading downstairs to the first level. "Our numbers are falling shorter than theirs. I'm not sure how well off we are to be facing them head-on. In the best case scenario, they will be tired from the journey and breaking inside of here, allowing us to deal with them more or less better prepared. In the likely case scenario, they still have reinforcements that may be coming in sooner or later. If that's the situation, we would need to cut them down before any more of them show up." Hunson then stopped abruptly in his tracks when they were almost at the back exit that led to the open plain area behind their manor. "Marceline. I know that you are capable of using the powers that you have managed to get ahold of, but please." He stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, looking into her own eyes with a brooding sense of unease. "Try to refrain from exploiting that magic. You haven't practiced it nearly enough to even call it ready for adequate usage."

Marshall looked from his father to Marceline. He knew how persistent his sister was, and that scared him a little. Even if their father advised her to stay away from magic, he wasn't convinced that Marceline would follow through with the advice. He was sure he wouldn't.

The sound of barking begun to rise up through the echoes of the forest. Their gnawing snarls were intensifying. And soon enough, people were beginning to move out from beneath the cover of the forestry, leashes in hands. The wildly vitalized hounds were raising upon their hind paws, pushing and pulling against their restraints, making it difficult for their restrainers to hold them back, so eager to be set running free.

The Abadeers immediately took note of the advancement. Marceline turned to Bonnie, leading her further back into the manor. "I need you to do something for me, okay?"

The men who hold back the dogs now gratefully let go of the leashes, stumbling back a bit while the animals took off, the leashes flying after them as if fabricated snakes. The dirt beneath the dogs' paws rose in the dust, creating a sense of tension that carried with the vicious animals.

Bonnibel didn't like where things were going. She didn't feel like it was safe for Marceline and the others to commence in a fight with Aulak. But what could she do? How could she ever stop something like that from occurring? When Marceline looked at her with soft pleading eyes, the raven headed girl didn't even need to move her lips for Bonnibel to understand exactly what she wanted.

"Stay here with James okay?" Marceline glanced shortly at a brunet vampire who had been not that far away from Bonnibel. "Whatever happens, stick close to him. I know you're worried, but I need to take care of this, alright? I know that James will keep an eye out for anyone that will try to bring harm to you."

Bonnie looked to the side uncomfortably, knowing that Marceline had to leave for a while even though she didn't want her to. "Try not to get hurt anymore, okay? It's a little redundant for me to always come to your side whenever you're all beat up." Offering a small smile, she looked back at Marceline, receiving a slightly smug look in return.

"You got it, princess." Marceline placed a small kiss on her forehead before taking a step backward so that she could get going. Before leaving, she gave a glance at James, nodding at him while he nodded understandingly in return at her, a silent conversation traveling across through the mute gestures. And after Marceline disappeared behind the wooden door of the exit, Bonnie thought it to be strenuous to look away and direct her attention at the brunet who was trying to talk to her. His request for her to follow on after him becoming blurred out by the sound of crying hounds and gunshots.