Our Last Hope

"What the Hell Was That?"

The party was breathtakingly beautiful. Mama definitely outdid herself. There were twinkling lights everywhere you turned. Fresh flowers flooded all major areas. Delicate fabric hung from the ceiling which softened the mood to a more romantic one. Mama had a tent erected in the backyard for extra space. The double doors were wide open and led out to the fantasy land that had taken over our once dreary backyard. There were easily a dozen tables strewn about the tent with a hard wood dance floor in the center. There was a stage at the front of the tent where the band was still setting up.

I caught a glimpse of mama across the room, she was talking to one of the coordinators that helped her pull all of this off. Gregor was pulled away shortly after we entered the tented area. Mama excused herself when she saw me approaching.

”My heavens baby, you are stunning in that shade of red. Here, let me take a look at you.” She pushed me back a little and made me twirl in front of her. “Don’t I have impeccable taste?”

I giggled at her confidence and nodded my head.

“Yes mama, this dress is incredible.” We exchanged a smile, “Now, do you need help with anything?”

Mama took a minute to look around at her handiwork and shook her head.

”I don’t believe so my love. But, your guests should be here soon. We should head to the front of the house. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

Mama placed her hand on my lower back and steered me into the lanai and through to the foyer.

“So mama, how many singles did you say were coming? Daddy had mentioned that it would be a small handful.” I took a moment and looked around as we walked. “Yet, it looks like we invited the whole community.”

Mama paused for a second, she had a look of guilt on her features. I c****d my eyebrow at her, she wasn’t telling me everything that she was up to. She shrugged her shoulders as we reached the staircase.

“There might be more in attendance than I originally led on.” We finally came to a stop at the front door.

“Mama, how many?”

“Only 50 or so.” I shook my head and tried to stifle my smile. It looks like I have more work ahead of me than I thought.

It wasn’t long after that the cars started pulling down our long driveway. One by one, I would watch these hopeful singles step out of their cars and watch the wonderment and excitement dance across their faces. Everyone was dressed to impress, in the hopes that they would catch their mate’s gaze.

It was a long parade of bachelors and bachelorettes, mama and I would greet them and then direct them towards the tent, where they could find their table and some refreshments. One of the major requirements for going forward with the matches was there was a minimum age limit. In the past, it was normal to get matched as soon at 17 years old, but most of those individuals weren’t ready for such a commitment. Our minimum age for our matches would be at least 18 if not older.

Once we welcomed all of our guests it was time for the ice breaker and announcements, followed by dinner, dancing, and general merriment.

Mama was first to take the stage. “Hello everyone! I want to thank you all for joining us tonight! We are so excited about this evening's festivities. As you can see, you have all been randomly sat at your tables. We want tonight to be fun and for you to mingle with as many people as possible! Now, before you all meet each other, I want to introduce to you our Matching Advisor, my daughter, Edwina Harrington!”

The spotlight followed mama's gesture in my direction. I beamed at the crowd before noticing Gregor standing on the other side of the stairs with an extended hand. I smiled at him and let his hand guide me up the stairs. Once I was in the center of the stage, Gregor quietly made his way up and stood near the back of the stage to flank my right side. There was a wave of “awws” that echoed through the crowd. Once everyone quieted down, I took a deep breath and began my introduction.

“Good evening everyone! I hope you are all as excited as I am for tonight! I cannot wait to help you find your matches. My main goal is to be your guide to finding your happiness. There are so many things that go into a long-lasting relationship. I have seen the good and bad sides to this process. It can be nerve-wracking and scary, but my job is to make it as easy as possible. I will make sure that you match for the right reasons. Being a part of our community is uplifting and empowering, and that needs to continue to be the center of all our life decisions. Now, in a couple of minutes, we will begin our ice breaker and the party can really start! I want to thank you again for entrusting your hearts to me. I promise that I will cherish them and help you find the one that it truly belongs to.”

There was a brief pause before the applause pounded through my ears. There were so many people clapping and smiling, I wish that I could bottle it up and keep it forever. Gregor stepped forward and took my elbow and led me down to the bottom of the stairs. He kissed my cheek and spontaneously spun me, making me shriek in delight. Gregor pulled me to his chest and planted a tender kiss on my lips. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I looked up into his beautiful icy eyes.

“Alright Mr. Romantic. Enough showing off, we have work to do.”

Mama, Gregor and I divided and conquered. We fanned out the entire tent and went table to table to personally introduce ourselves and explain the ice breaker. We decided to go back to the early 1800’s and use a dance card. Each young lady would have a small piece of card stock with five empty lines on the front of it. As the night went on, the young ladies would write down the name of a gentleman that had asked them to dance. At the end of the evening, the young ladies would decide which gentleman they would want to further pursue. They would take the time to actually communicate and connect on a deeper level. We planned to keep it light hearted and fun. Falling in love is not supposed to be hard. All of the tables were excited by the idea and couldn’t wait to get started.

Gregor and I decided to hang out near the bar and watch the magic happen. We were distracted by the whimsy of it all. I was mesmerized by the swirling skirts across the dance floor. Everyone was dancing, laughing, and just having a great time. Mama came gliding over to me with a bright pink clipboard in hand.

"Here is the roster my love!" I looked over the crowd and could pick out most of the names on the list. It was no surprise that some of the couples looked like they didn't need my help after-all. However, that doesn't mean that they won't require my attention. Especially since love can be very blind.

After dinner wrapped up, I decided to make my rounds and take notes on my clipboard. I was able to pick out the couples that I would have to touch base with and who still had been lost in the crowd. I was halfway through the room when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around and was met by Gregor's lips. He slipped the clipboard out of my hand and placed it on a nearby table for safe keeping.

"I know that you are hard at work, but your mate requires your love and affection, even for only a moment." He placed his hands on my lower back and leaned in for a kiss. "May I have this dance, Ms. Harrington?"

I gave him a loving smile and let him escort me out onto the dance floor. He spun me once and pulled me back into his arms. We swayed carelessly to the music. It felt like we were the only ones on the dance floor. We were silent for a moment longer, until curiosity got the better of me.

"Gregor, can I ask you something?"

"Sure baby." He leaned down and kissed my forehead and we moved further onto the dance floor.

"Why do you think that our eyes haven't changed yet?" He looked down at me puzzled.

"I hadn't really thought about it. I mean we've done stuff, fun stuff". His curiosity was replaced by playfulness. I shook my head. I was trying to have a serious conversation and, of course, he had to fun. "In all seriousness though, I don't think that will happen until our baby is born." I looked up at him confused, so he explained further. "The mating ritual is when your two souls become one. Normally, for a female, it's supposed to be her first time being with a male vampire. Since you can only experience that once, our souls have to find another way to bind to one another." He paused and looked down at my mini-baby bump. "Our soul binding adventure hasn't arrived yet."

It made a lot of sense. He was probably right, we just have to wait and see. When the song ended, the room erupted in applause at our spectacle. he kissed my hands and we took a bow before he excused himself.

"Thank you for the lovely dance, Ms. Harrington. But, I'm afraid duty calls." He kissed my cheek and disappeared from sight. Mother fluttered over with my clipboard and it was back to work.

Around 10:30, my feet were swollen and wobbly. I was fading fast but I wasn't going to call it a night until most of our guests had left. In the mean time, I slipped off my heels and left them behind the bar. I would have to finish out my work barefoot. When Gregor finally returned, he clung to me a little closer, he noticed that I was drifting.

"You doing okay baby?" I nodded my head and signaled to the bar where I had stashed my shoes.

"I decided to give my feet a break while I wrap things up."

"Okay, well I'm going to run and grab you some blood, you need some of your strength back."

He kissed my temple and disappeared momentarily. He passed me a cocktail glass garnished with a celery stick. I eyed him suspiciously. "I ordered a bloody mary... get it?"

I shook my head and smiled, he is such a cheeseball.

Mama finally came by to scoop me up for our goodbyes. I couldn't wait to get my throbbing feet on the cold, tile floor in the foyer. The line moved a little quicker this time around. I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that they were now exiting two by two. Gregor snuck up behind me as the line was dwindling and linked into my mind.

Your father needs me. It sounds urgent. I want you to go upstairs and STAY there. Is that understood? Try to stay calm, don't raise any alarm. I'll explain everything later. Go now please.

Gregor kissed my cheek and disappeared down the hallway. I squeezed mama's hand just as the last of our guests were filing out.

Apparently, there is an emergency and we must make ourselves scarce.

Mama sent out a mass link to the staff and drivers. Moments later, I saw them all scatter, then mama linked me.

Go and check on the twins. I will meet you in your bedroom.

Despite my feet throbbing, I took the stairs two at a time. When I reached the top landing, I looked down over the railing into the foyer to see the guards bolting the front doors. I scurried down the hall to the twin's room and linked the nannies.

I need you ladies here in the nursery please. Now.

Within seconds, they came in through the secret passage way in the corner of the room. Daddy had made sure to add a couple extra panic rooms when the twins were born, just in case.

I don't want to wake them, and I don't want to alarm you. Stay in here and bolt the door until I come back. It's all very secretive and I don't know exactly what's going on, but I will not take chances with them.

They both nodded back at me and I rushed over to kiss the twin's before sneaking out into the hall. I heard the familiar click of the deadbolt on their door as I walked down the hallway. The house was eerily quiet, as if the party had never happened. I found mama sitting on the edge of my bed. She was already in her matching silk jammies. She was staring into space, picking at her nail beds. I sat down next to her and put my head on her shoulder.

"I'm sure everything is fine. I knew that life had been too good for too long."

Mama didn't show any kind of response, her mind was somewhere else. Either that, or someone was linking her.

I felt her soften suddenly and melt into my contact. We sat there and held each other for a few minutes before mama suggested that I get changed. I reluctantly pulled away from her and walked over to my closet.

Mama was already snuggled up under the covers by the time I came back into the room. She threw the left side of the comforter aside and I slid in next to her.

"Well, leading up to this point, I would say that tonight went well."

Mama half-heartedly giggled at my attempt to break the tension.

"Yes, I would say that it was quite eventful. I hope everyone had a great time."

A yawn escaped me just as I tried to respond. "Why don't you try to get some rest my dear. I'll wake you if I hear anything new."

I nodded my head once more and quickly drifted off to sleep.

A couple of hours later, I was jolted awake from a nightmare. When I finally came to, I noticed that mama had fallen asleep. I sat up in bed and couldn't shake this gut feeling. I slipped out of bed and tip- toed over to the door. I peered out into the hallway towards the twins nursery. I was startled when I saw a dark shadow at the end of the hallway. It looked like a spirit floating through space. It appeared to be looking for something, or someone. My heart sank and I realized what it must be looking for. I gulped the knot from my throat and tried to take a step further past the door.

It took the silhouette a moment to realize that I was there. It whipped around suddenly and I was met with harrowing, electric yellow eyes. I felt my heart stop dead and I was frozen in place just for a split second. It bounded towards me, it was closer to the nursery than I was. I took off towards the door, but it anticipated my move.

I felt it's long, claws dig into my shoulders before it threw me down to the ground. Thanks to my agility and speed, I was able to land on my feet and charge at it as quickly as it threw me. I heard yelling from down below and thunderous footsteps coming towards the commotion. I tried to fight back as hard as I could, but it was too fast for me. It was one step ahead of every swing. I felt every slice of its razor tip nails. I knew I had a gash on my cheek as well as claw marks up and down my back.

Just as the footsteps reached the top of the stairs, there was a purple flash of light that nearly blinded us. The light force was enough to blow the nursery door off it's hinges. I heard the creature shriek and try to conceal itself from the beam of light. I didn't understand what was going on, but before I could lay another hand on the creature, it flittered through the air and broke through the window at the end of the hall.

Everyone stood in stunned silence as they all tried to comprehend what had happened. I picked myself up off of the floor and sprinted in to check the twins. Henry was still fast asleep but Lilly was standing up in her crib. She was staring past me intently, I reached for her but was burned by her touch. Her hands felt like hot iron and she was radiating a purple aura. It only broke when I called her name a few times and she made eye contact with me. She reached for me as tears started to fill her eyes. I swooped her up and clutched her to my chest. I tried to conceal her sobs against my shoulder as I swayed her back and forth.

I don't know what she did, but it was unlike anything I've seen before. Gregor rushed into the nursery to find both Lilly and I weeping in each other's arms.

"What the hell was that?"

I quietly shushed him, there was no need for more alarm.

I don't think Lilly knew what she was doing or why it was happening. But I have a feeling that's why that thing was here. It was here for them.

Mama and daddy stood in the doorway flabbergasted, none of us knew what to make of any of this. I motioned for Gregor to grab Henry out of his crib and to follow me.

Neither of them are to leave my sight, grab Henry and bring him into my room.

***

I was finally able to get Lilly back to sleep around 3 AM. Gregor never left my side the entire night. He sat next to me on the bed as I watched my children sleep.

"There has to be an explanation for what happened. At first light, we will head down to study and research everything we can find on hybrid vampires. I think there's more to Lilly that meets the eye. Whatever she is, that thing wanted."

Gregor leaned closer and kissed my temple.

"You need to get some rest, Winnie. I'm not going anywhere. I won't let anything happen to you or the twins."

I reluctantly agreed and slid in under the covers. Henry and I slept on either side of the twins, nothing and no one would touch them.