They are plotting to return to the surface to eat your flesh. Only then will they be able to roam free again, correct the mistakes you have made with bringing the beasts here. Lunette stood still; a thick blanket draped over her.

            “Thank you again for taking care of her. We should have been paying attention.”

            “No problem, err–Jerrard was it? Keep safe now. And keep her warm!” The captains large finger pointed to her damp figure. “See you around kids.”

            Jerrard smiled and gave a small nod, watching the man walk off back to his ferry boat. After the man was out of sight, Jerrard’s smile vanished and was replaced with a clenched jaw. “Let’s go.”

            Silas followed immediately, stopping only to look back at Lunette as she hesitated in joining them. Only then will they be able to roam free again. The woman’s voice continued to echo throughout Lunette’s head, distracting her from any other sounds. Fix what you have done. Lunette gripped the blanket tighter as she entered the vehicle, expecting to be brought home, ready for the day to be over. While terrifying, the woman in the water seemed distressed, almost pleading with Lunette to fix something she wasn’t even aware of. The woman was anything but clear, a trait Lunette was noticing with supernatural creatures.

            “Where are we going?” She questioned, watching the view of her storefront pass away as they drove into town.

            “Back to the estate.” Jerrard answered quickly.        

            “Why? I want to go home.” Lunette groaned with limited energy.

            “We can’t, you were taken by the spirit of the whirlpool. I’m sure he said something to you, otherwise he wouldn’t have bothered to take you under.”

            Lunette rubbed her eyes, her hands still ice cold in temperature. “Is that who that was.”

            Nodding, Jerrard continued driving until he reached their estate. Though wary, Silas led Lunette into the library once again, allowing her to sit down at a table while Jerrard hurriedly rummaged through scrolls, eventually finding one that suited his needs.

            “The spirit of the northern whirlpool.” Jerrard then unraveled the scroll onto the table, inscribed were characters similar to the writing on the bookcase they used as a door. “He has been around for centuries, guarding the waters around here as his territory.”

            “It’s a she.”

            “Is it?”

            “Mhmm. Well, from what I saw. Long flowing hair, womanly voice, looked like a girl too. Doesn’t matter I guess.”

            “Interesting.” Jerrard rubbed his chin but continued. “What did she say to you.”

            Lunette stared down at the scroll with foreign symbols. What did she exactly say? “She told me that I did something bad. I think. She said I needed to fix what I did otherwise they would be free again and eat me.”

            “Who is they?”

            Lunette shrugged her shoulders and bit her lip. “She said if I didn’t fix whatever I apparently did, that they would be free in the water again. They’d eat me, or she’d eat me if I didn’t do whatever it is I’m supposed to.” Lunette rubbed her temples.

            The three stayed silent, mulling over the strange request from the spirit. “Maybe it’s the leviathans?” Silas offered, trying to avoid eye contact with Lunette.

            Jerrard cocked his head, eyes focused on the scroll. “Perhaps, but it wouldn’t make much sense as to why it would be Lunette’s doing. It’s not the Wendigos, those impure spirits should be gone now that Lunette is with us.”

            “She caught the attention of the first leviathan.” Lunette’s eyes darted to Silas angrily. The blonde spotted this and shifted his stance.

            “Yes, but that was juvenile. They’re essentially stupid and break away from the packs to do their own will.”

            “Why wouldn’t the others come?’ Lunette rubbed the base of her neck.

            “Well, the packs are run by king leviathans, the biggest of them all. Think of it like a hive mind. But, as I’ve said, the juveniles are quite stupid and risky, they don’t listen and can leave to do whatever they want on occasion.”

            “But didn’t you say there was in increase in these things before? You said that’s why you came here.”

            “Yes, but that essentially disappeared after Silas killed the juvenile.” Jerrard’s posture suddenly straightened. “Silas, you did kill it, didn’t you?”

            “Yes, of course.”

            “Did you burn it?”

            “No, I took care of her.” Silas motioned towards Lunette, folding his arms across his chest. “Vera was the one that took care of it.”

            Silas and Jerrard mimicked each other’s movements, their faces brightening up at a revelation. “What?” Lunette pressed for answers.

            “Could she?” Silas’ voice was quiet.

            “Knowing Vera, yes.”

            “What? What did Vera do?” Lunette’s voice rose.

            Jerrard turned to Lunette. “When a leviathan bleeds, it attracts other leviathans, especially the blood of a juvenile. That’s why you burn the body.”

            “But,” Silas added, “if you’re anything like Vera, you do the easy route and dump the body in the ocean.”

            The three finally seemed to meet on the same page, all realizing the severity of the situation. “So, you’re saying there will be more of those things here? Just one of those killed two people.”

            “Yes, and much bigger too. If the king leviathan approaches, it could mean the whole town will be massacred. It may even come for you if it realizes you’re here.” Jerrard thumbed over the scroll, and in one flick, rolled it back up again. “I will have to tell Walter and see what he thinks we should do.”

            “We have to stop them!” Lunette rose from her seat.

            “And how do we do that?” Silas uncrossed his arms and stood firmly across the table. “Leviathans aren’t really the talking type. We can’t negotiate.”

            “We have to do something! We can’t just let them come up to East Port. People live here, my family lives here. You guys are supposed to do something when this happens…right?”

            Both men remained silent, and Lunette swung her arms down in disbelief. “We’ll figure something out.” Silas finally reassured.

            “I will see if Walter has returned, for now, stay here until we figure out what the plan will be.” Jerrard then made for the exit, not bothering to move at the speed he had been for Lunette, and instead vanishing within a matter of seconds.

            Lunette sighed and sat back into her seat. How were they supposed to protect an entire town from an invasion of monsters like leviathans? Lunette wasn’t even a match for the first one, and now the numbers and sizes were supposed to double. Her inability to control her powers didn’t seem to help either. Her hand instinctively reached for her necklace, thumbing it over relentlessly as the anxiety piled on and on.

            “I’m sorry.”

            Lunette broke from her trance and glanced to Silas. “What?”

            “I’m sorry I didn’t take your hand.” Lunette eyed him suspiciously. “I’m still trying to figure out how you humans handle social cues and commands. I thought when you meant to not touch you, it even meant to not even save you.”

            “What do you mean? Jerrard seems fine with humans. It isn’t hard.”

            Silas’ gaze drifted downwards, and his posture shifted. “It’s different. He’s been around a lot longer than I have.”

            Lunette combed back a few strands of hair out of her face and scratched her neck. “He doesn’t look much older than you. What, have you been living in a box?”

            “Yes. And no.” Lunette’s eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes widened slightly. “He’s about 100 years old.” Lunette started to choke on air.

            “He’s what?! And how old are you and Walter?”

            “Walter is about 500,” Silas then shifted more, his body swaying. “And I’ve been told I’m 23.”

            Lunette’s curiosity grew. “What do you mean that you’ve been told? Why don’t you know your real age?”

            Silas’ eyes darted between Lunette and the floor. “It’s because I’m a dhampir.”

            “A what?”

            The boy sighed and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Jerrard is back.”

            “Jerrard?” Lunette cocked her head to the side, following Silas’ line of sight to behind her, jumping at the sight of Jerrard standing just to her left.

            The 100-year-old smirked at her reaction. “Walter will return in a few days; he is caught up in the nether. But I suggest we continue to do surveillance round the clock for any signs of an attack.”

            Lunette yawned into her hand ignoring what Jerrard could have meant by the nether, “I don’t think I can do that. That’s all you two.”

            “You have to contribute too, Lunette.”

            The girl frowned and glared at Jerrard. “And what am I supposed to do?”

            “Be prepared.”

            “For what? To have a fist fight with a monster?”

            Jerrard hesitated, stealing a few glances to Silas before continuing. “From now on, you will spend everyday training to control your power. At the very least you should be able to summon a barrier to protect yourself. We’ll look into ways to help you control your power.”

            Lunette cautiously eyed the two, unsure of what was to come. “For now, bring me home. I’m sure my family is worried.” Jerrard nodded, motioning his hand for Lunette to follow, leaving Silas to remain alone in the library. Though she was opposed to the entire idea of the supernatural, if she were to be a part of it, she might as well try to learn to control some aspects.

            The routine home remained the same, almost comforting. Though the family could move without the need of cars, they continued to use the vehicles to transport Lunette. Which based on her previous experience riding on Silas, it was a smart decision. Lunette exited the vehicle and placed the blanket on the seat, replacing it with her book bag. The girl gave a small nod to Jerrard, walking to her family’s store door and pushing it open with great strength.

            As if with Pavlovian training, the sounds of footsteps vibrated from upstairs. “Lunette?” Tatiana’s voice called.

            “Yeah, I’m coming up.”

            “Where have you been?” Tatiana’s voice seemed to shake the house. Lunette reached the apartment space above with wide eyes.    

            “W-with my club.”

            “We were worried sick! Mom said – No that doesn’t matter. How dare you.”

            Lunette’s eyebrows knitted together, and she dropped her bag from her shoulders. “What do you mean? I told you all I was going to my club.”

            Tatiana placed her hands on her hips, tightening her grip on the thin bones. “Well, you didn’t call. We were so worried.”

            “Why would you need to be?”

            Tatiana’s anger seemed to melt into something worrisome. “Do we need a big reason? We’re family Lunette. I’m responsible for you and I want you safe.”

            Lunette exhaled noisily. “Yeah, but there was no reason to worry. I’ve been going to the club and coming home around the same time every day.”

            “What’s this club’s name.”

            Lunette froze, unsure of what to say. “College…”

            Tatiana scoffed, “College?”

            Lunette rubbed her nose “Yeah, students for the future…college. It’s weird.” She continued to spin lies.

            “Uh-huh.” Tatiana nodded slowly and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t want you going there anymore.”

            “What?!”