CURSE OF THE MOON REBORN
Chapter 49 TRAPPED

“Are you sure?” Stephan was getting frustrated. He was worn out, Scarlet’s pregnancy wasn’t going as smooth as they hoped it would and now there was a small army of vampires at the edge of his forest.

“I overheard Marquis telling Dido of her plan, and she said it was today. And here.” Victor put in.

“Then I guess we are at war,” Solara said.

“It’s a good thing I’m here then.” They all turned back to the source of the voice. Xavier and Sam emerged from the trees.

“Eric called. He said that you are under attack so I decided to come. We dropped by the house and they told us where to replace you. May I say Stephan your wife looks very beautiful and round.” Xavier grinned.

“New baby and I am glad that you are here.” Stephan was relieved, even though it was just the two of them, having the beast in this was an added advantage.

“We couldn’t let you have all the fun,” Sam said his face taut and serious. He always wore an intimidating look on his face.

“So what’s the plan?”

“We don’t exactly have one Xavier.”

“Are you serious? Eric says you have known about this for a while.” Xavier was stunned.

“That’s what we are coming up with right now.” Stephan groaned.

“Ric’s coven is large and from what I hear they are ruthless. They have caused havoc down south.”

“South where?” Xavier wasn’t acquainted with Ric.

“South Africa, Ric ran there right after Stephan took out his eye. Most of his coven is from there and they have come for a taste of the blood of the hybrid.” Solara put in.

“Wow, Stephan you know how to make friends.”

“That’s what I said.” Solara chortled.

“Xavier, Solara you are not helping. Let’s stick to the situation at hand. Ric and Marquis are somewhere in this forest and I intend to replace them before my wife hears about this.” Stephan said fear creeping upon him.

“Let’s spilled up in twos and comb this forest,” Solara suggested.

“We are only seven. Stephan should your boy join us, he is big enough and looks like he can handle himself.” Xavier had met SJ in the house and for a minute didn’t believe it was him.

“As soon as I want my wife to kill me, I’ll do that. But at the moment I want to stay amongst the living so I am not going to do that. I’ll go alone.”

“We meet back here in ten minutes, anyone replaces anything give us a yell,” Xavier instructed.

Just as they turned to go their assigned directions when they felt movements around the woods accompanied by a pungent smell.

“I have a better idea. How about we all stay here and get reacquainted.” Ric stood before Stephan his fire hair falling over his leather patch. “You are losing your touch, Stephan. Back then no one could sneak up behind you, but that’s what you get for becoming domesticated keeping pets around, they stink more.”

Xavier, Sam, and Eric snarled at the insult. He was no one’s pet and if Stephan let him he would prove it to the intruder. They were surrounded. The legion of mean-faced vampires dissolved the beautiful green cooler of the forest.

“I take this is Ric,” Solara said as he leaned into his defensive crouch.

“At your service.” Ric smiled then curtsied. “Stephan and I were best friends, just before he decided to borrow my eye.”

“Let me guess, you came to take it back.” Stephan stood tall, he was never one to quiver at the sight of danger. Granted, Ric had the upper hand but Stephan knew his weakness. His ego.

“You could say that. I am here for yours instead. Don’t you think that silver color would go well with my brown one?” Ric batted his one eye.

“Careful now, the last vampire with a sense of humor lost his head,” Stephan growled.

“I’m guessing they didn’t laugh to death.”

“What brings you to the united states? I’m sure you didn’t come all this way to visit me.”

“Nope. Marquis brought me here, something about revenge. Killing you and everyone you loved.”

“Ah, Marquis. When are you going to get it through your head that she doesn’t want you.” Stephan smirked, he didn’t let his last statement anger him that was what Ric wanted instead he decided to toy with his ego. The one thing he knew for sure that any and every plan that she came up with was a way to get him back and any male on the way was just a means to her end.

“Everyone knows it’s you she wants besides it was because of her I lost an eye. I only replace it fair for her to appease me by sharing my bed.”Ric grinned

“I don’t get it.” Solara was confused he never thought that Stephan would do anything on behalf of Marquis.

“Ric here has many talents. Besides being a failed comedian he is a peeping tom.”

“Ok, I get it.”

“Enough of that. Do you want to die first Stephan or would you rather I let you watch me kill your blind disciples.”

Stephan knew that he had to do something and fast. He took a quick look around and realized that they were surrounded. Ric had used his men to build a fort around them, there was no way for them to escape. There was no way that they could fight and win.

“How about, I give you a chance to take your eye back.” Stephan knew that with Ric distracted Solara and Xavier could replace a way out of the ring. He knew that Ric would not turn down a chance to go head to head with him.

“Ok, as long as your sidekicks do not interfere.” Ric was salivating at the thought of actually beating Stephan, he immediately accepted the duel. “Oh before I forget you aren’t allowed to use your other-self. Vampire against vampire.”

Stephan pulled his shirt over his head, and with one foot forward he crouched into an offensive position. With both hands raised, he used his fingers to beckon Ric.

“Let’s do this Shaka.”

***

Scarlet took her son out for a walk. It had been two weeks since she could spend any time with him, she had been spending it writhing in pain and strapped to the bed, disillusioned. But now she was strong enough to walk on her own.

“So my baby how have you been.” Scarlet pulled her son to her side.

“Are you asking me or her?” SJ poked her bulging belly.

“You, because your sister only talks to you.” Scarlet was glad that SJ and her unborn daughter already had a strong bond. The connection they shared ran deeper than blood and the fact that they knew each other’s minds was beneficial.

“That’s true. I like being a big brother.” SJ beamed.