Kyla

I stand up and face the man I haven't seen in over a month. Every time he and my older cousins get back, they are only around for a couple of days before they are back on some expedition. Usually, I don't ask too many questions on those either, but I won't be doing that anymore. Questions need to be asked, and I deserve the answers.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" I ask incredulously, as I mirror his stance. I bring my arms up and cross them over my chest. Only, I bring my own special attitude into my stance. By jutting out one hip to the side. Showing just how aggravated I am with him because of all of this.

My Uncle Broderick looks down at his feet for a moment. I stand there watching him kick one foot back and forth. He's quiet for what feels like a long time before he looks up at me. There are tears held within his eyes. "I was hoping I never had to if I'm being honest." With one hand he rubs the back of his neck. Showing just how uncomfortable he's feeling.

My uncle has never been much for talking. Always the man of few words, but wise beyond all his other peers. I'm not sure what it is, his words, or the truth behind them that make me feel more defeated. "How did you find out?" My words come out in a low whisper.

"Why don't we take this to the shelter? It's not smart being out in the open like this, being so close to the vampire territory." My older cousin Jeremiah speaks up.

Bringing my eyes to him I ask, "You knew as well?" He stares at me, not saying a word. Forcing me to look to our eldest cousin Jordan, "You too?"

Sadness fills their eyes, as disappointment mars their faces. Causing them to look a lot like their father right now. As the years pass, they grow looking increasingly like him, with their dark hair, brown eyes, and jutted chin. The only one that took after my late aunt is my cousin Lucas.

I turn towards him now, looking to see what he thinks about all this. His blue eyes meet mine, and he gives a solemn nod with his head. "They are right Kyla, we need to go to the caves, it's not safe here right now." He walks up to me, takes my hand, and pulls me closer to his father and brothers.

"Is that thing coming with us?" My cousin's friend Luca asks. Before he spoke, I hadn't realized he was even here amongst us.

We all turn facing Satine, and his words not only enrage me, but they make me release my cousin's hand and walk back toward her. Placing her hand in mine, I drag her behind me, walking us towards the small group.

"Her name is Satine! She's not an "it"," I quote with my fingers of my other hand. "She is a person and more importantly a close friend of mine." I jut out my chin, square my shoulders and glare Luca in the eyes. Daring him to say another word.

When he opens his mouth to speak, my cousin Lucas steps in front of me, his sword in his hand by his side. "You sure you want to keep talking Luca? You know what I'm capable of." His voice comes out deadly. "You might want to rethink whatever you're about to say." He stares him down.

Luca goes to take a step in Lucas' direction, when my uncle places a hand on his shoulder, "let's not do this." He sighs out loud. "We need to save our energy for the ones that truly need it." When Luca looks at him over his shoulder, my uncle nods his head in the direction of my older cousins. Who have started in the directions of the mountain's caves.

Luca gives us one last look of disgust, knocks my uncles hand off his shoulder, and turns to follow his friends. The three of them walk ahead, leaving us behind. My uncle turns his eyes my way, "She can come, but know if you try anything..."

"She won't." I cut his words off.

He gives her one final look and turns around to begin walking towards wherever they have the hide away now. We follow them, staying a few steps behind. Just in case if anyone gets any ideas, we can have a good enough head start to run in the opposite direction.

Approximately, fifteen minutes later, we make it to the bottom of one of the cliffs and I can see a hidden cave behind some trees. My uncle, cousins and their friend Luca make their way inside. I stop dead in my tracks. My hesitation has nothing to do with not trusting my uncle, but everything to do with the darkness and confinement of the cave itself. I am usually one to stay within the trees, staying hidden amongst them closest to the caves. So, I can still be out in the open, not feeling so claustrophobic.

Someone takes my other hand into theirs. Looking down at our joined hands, I know who it is without having to look up. When I do, my cousin Lucas is smiling down at me, "it's all right, I'm right here beside you. I won't allow anything to happen to you." He looks over my head at Satine, "either of you." He gives her a genuine smile. Making my heart burst with joy. For at least one of my family members trusts my judgement when it comes to my good friend Satine.

"Neither will we. We have your back always." Lilly says, drawing my attention behind us.

Looking at her and Isabella, standing there looking ready to defend us in any way brings more joy to my heart. "I know you're here for me, for both of us." I squeeze Satine's hand relaying to her that she's safe with us.

"I just don't know if I'm ready to hear everything" I look down a moment, gathering my thoughts. "To hear what my uncle has to say. With how he found out." I sigh in thought, "To know when he found out. Then, I'll know for certain how long he's been hiding the truth from me." I look to my cousin Lucas with the last of my words.

His smile drops, as he looks down at me, "I know. It's going to be hard, but I'm here for you. Just know I love you no matter what. And no matter what is said, what we find out here tonight, I will stand by your side always." He says determination and truth within his voice.

"Even if it would mean going against you brothers and father?" I know it's not a good question to ask, but I need to know. I think I need to know that as much as I need to know everything else. Because Lucas has always been by my side, and if it comes to fighting a war against Diedrek, being on my uncles and cousins' side, I already know whose side I will fight on. I just need to know if Lucas will stand by me, and fight with me.

"Always." He says firmly.

With that one word, I know no matter what happens now. No matter how my life is about to change. He will be with me, and that helps me so much more. It makes me feel a little lighter in a way. Less stress held onto my shoulders.

"We will as well." Isabella cuts in. I turn to her with a smile on my face. "I appreciate that, but I want you all to know you don't have to do that. I know how you feel about vampires."

"Yes, but out of everyone in our lives we trust you the most. If you say these vampires are good and trustworthy, we believe you. We will fight beside you always." Isabella and Lilly walk up to me, place a hand on each of my shoulders and give me a squeeze.

Tears build behind my eyes with their words. "Thank you." I look back at Lucas, "All of you. With you by my side I know in my heart we will be okay. I can face this world no matter what I find out here tonight, if I have all of you with me." I look at Lilly and Isabella with so much gratitude. Turning to look at Lucas, I give him a genuine smile, showing my cousin how much his support really means to me. Lastly, I look at Satine with all the love and devotion I am feeling at this moment.

Holding my head high, I tell them, "Let's go in there then. We will find out the truth of who I am, and what my life is all about." Looking at each of them with determination in my eyes. I say one last word, "Together."

With that we walk into the cave. All of us ready and prepared for what is to come. We may not know what to expect, but we have a lifetime of expecting the unexpected. I know within my heart my life is about to change forever. I also know I am a strong enough person to handle it.