I took a seat next to Aiden on the sofa, shuffling further away from him just as I realised we may have seemed too close. My mother eyed us warily, taking the hint and seating herself opposite in one of our armchairs.

I cleared my throat, ''Mum, some things have happened since I've been gone that I think you should know about.'' I scratched my arm nervously and swallowed, Aiden sitting as still as a statue.

''These are things you should discuss in front of your Master?'' Her eyes focused on me alone, ignoring Aiden and addressing solely me.

''Mum, please. Aiden's not like the others, I keep trying to tell you that.'' I sighed, giving her a look that I hoped conveyed that my news was quite serious, ''Anyway, the news is about Dad-''

''What have the vampires been drilling into your mind about your father? Let the poor man rest in peace for goodness sake.'' My mother interrupted, jumping to yet another conclusion.

''Mum, he hasn't been resting in peace. In fact, he has been doing the total opposite.'' I held back my emotion as the thoughts of my father's secret new life and the final moments it came to, drifted back into my thoughts.

''What do you mean?'' My innocent mother looked truly baffled, confirming that she had no idea what her husband had gone off to do. It made me even more furious at my father, thinking he could leave the woman he loved to live out a life alone. His apparent death must have torn her apart the first time; this was only going to reopen those scars.

But, it had to be done.

''It's a long story. But, dad was a part of the rebellion, a leader of it in fact. I met him again recently.'' My words seemed awkward, but my thoughts were so jumbled that I couldn't seem to form the right sentences.

My mum, at first, gave little reaction. Then it seemed that my words began to register and her eyebrows scrunched together in what I assumed was confusion, ''You're positive that it was him?''

''I'm absolutely certain.'' I stated, anxious to deliver the next blow, but it had to be said. Before any wisps of hope could embed themselves in my mother's mind, I said the words that would surely tear her apart as much as the event had me, ''I watched him die.''

My mother didn't react as I'd thought she would. There was no wailing or crying; just silence and acceptance.

She stared at me, as if waiting for further explanation and for me to elaborate further on my words. Instead, I remained quiet in an attempt to stop myself from saying anything that would trigger her sorrow.

Aiden's presence was a constant support that I desperately needed. Although he too didn't speak, I knew he was there for me. Even if we did have a very peculiar relationship.

''How did he die?'' She finally asked, her voice virtually stone cold and emotionless.

I paused before answering, grasping at time for me to think of how to speak it, ''He was murdered by the Queen.'' I closed my eyes, wanting to wish the words weren't true and to avoid seeing the anger as well as deep sadness that I myself felt.

It would be worse to see it reflected in her eyes.

''And you still trust him?'' She asked accusingly, shocking me with her bluntness and the disappointment in her tone. It was scary how fast she had glossed over the fact that her husband had lied to her, but I knew that behind her outer shell, it must have been tearing her apart inside.

''I do.'' I confirmed, not addressing her hostility.

She nodded slowly, sitting bolt-upright in her chair, as if contemplating. Meanwhile, I was just waiting for the imminent loss of control of her emotions. If she were anything like me, then it wouldn't take long.

Before I could begin to admire my mother for her hold on her emotions, there was a loud commotion that interrupted us, coming from outside the house. One that made me jump and Aiden tense. My mother remained unmoving.

Suddenly, a feeling of uncertainty hit me, doing nothing to help my already frazzled nerves. With the vampires now on high alert, it was only a matter of time for the murder and chaos to erupt in the human settlements.

I looked to Aiden who was already staring out of our front window, my gaze then followed his. Outside, the sky was dark, but the streets weren't empty.

There seemed to be several figures gathered in the road, splitting off and approaching different houses on the street in pairs or threes. The moment one of the male figures turned towards my mother's house, the light from the living room glinted off of his eyes.

Red eyes.

My mother finally reacted to that threat, snapping her out of her daze. She hopped up and rushed to pull the curtains, blocking the vampires from view. However, the vampire had obviously seen us and that meant we weren't safe.

''They must be on some sort of man-hunt for rebels. I guess it makes sense to search human houses.'' Aiden stated matter-of-factly, the epitome of calm as he continued to lounge.

My mother hurried past us towards the kitchen, her usual demeanour shattered to the point that she seemed to be in a panic. She systematically opened the fridge and rummaged around, making me wander if her sanity were in tact if she was searching for food in the situation.

Just then, a banging sounded on the front door, alerting us all to the fact that they were about to enter.

''Mum, what are you doing? We need to leave!'' I was whispering as I approached her in the kitchen, hoping that the vampires wouldn't hear us tactfully escape, ''Aiden, how can you be so calm at a time like this? They're going to rip us apart!'' My own emotions were frayed, running away with me.

He just smiled lazily.

I turned to calm my mother before she drew more attention to us, but instead she slammed the fridge door shut having gathered a rather large pile of food on the counter, "This stuff is perishable but together with some canned food, it should last us. Violet, grab some bottles and fill them with water. We can find somewhere that sells more later on."

I finally realised what she was doing. She was preparing... to run.

Even if initially I thought she was acting slightly crazy, maybe overwhelmed by the news of my father, I still saw reason in her actions which is what drove me to follow her instructions. So, I opened one of our cupboards which I knew always contained our spare bottles, and proceeded to fill them to the brim with cool water.

Only a few minutes had passed since the banging had begun on the door, and Aiden had hardly moved. Although he did look on at what we were doing with a fraction of interest consuming his features, "Where are you planning on running to?" His words were slightly drowned out by the ruckus of sound that was continuing outside and becoming louder.

"It's not safe for us to stay here, thanks to your mother." I was almost proud that my mum was speaking so bluntly to such a powerful vampire, but it still worried me that maybe this would be too much for her.

"It will be safe for you once I've scared them off." Aiden stated and I paused.

"You're going to 'scare' off that many vampires? Aiden you might get hurt, it's probably best that we all just go! We could gather the others around here too-" I began, but his scoff interrupted me.

"They aren't a match for me, Violet. I would have thought that you would have learnt that by now." He said, but I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from mentioning how he in fact had failed against some petty humans as he would label them.

I noticed that my mother was listening carefully to our exchange, her mouth pulled tight.

''Violet,'' Aiden smirked, approaching me where I stood taking ragged breaths, ''calm down, everything's going to be fine.'' Looking into his eyes then, I knew he was telling the truth. After all, he was the Prince himself, other vampires had nothing against him.

I guessed that his arrogance was rubbing off on me.

The door suddenly let out the sound of splintering wood which echoed down around the room, startlingly me. I instantly grabbed the water, my mum also ignoring Aiden's confidence and collecting her supplies together into a carrier bag.

There was no time for her to gather anything from her room, and I knew that would bother her, but it was not worth risking our lives for a few sentimental belongings.

The door burst open, immediately to be filled with the massive form of the vampire who had spotted us from outside. His face was marred by a scar that tore down his cheek and half way down his neck, dragging his mouth down with it. That was his most noticeable feature, besides his stature, and my heart dropped.

His scar moved as he smiled wickedly, the usual beautiful features of a vampire being terrifyingly absent with him. His eyes raked up and down my body, instantly making me feel dirty and vulnerable, until Aiden stepped in front of me.

"I suggest you don't act on whatever sick thoughts you're having right now." Aiden said, his back muscles coiled as if he were ready to pounce at any moment.

I leant slightly to the side in order to see around him, although that may have been a mistake because as soon as the new face of the vampire was in view again, my stomach twisted with disgust.

"Well, who would've thought that the prince would be here defending the humans instead of fighting with his own people." It was strange to hear no fear or caution in the vampire's voice, and I was sure that Aiden must have been taken aback also.

I felt my mother grab my hand from behind me, tugging me back slightly and further away for Aiden and the other vampire. I knew that behind us was the exit to our garden that was just outside of our kitchen. Though we definitely wouldn't have been able to leave without anyone noticing. I was sure that Aiden would let us go, but there were also vampires outside and Aiden was only one person.

That's why I began to resist, until I understood that resisting and making a fuss would draw even more attention to us, so I gave in. We backed away slowly, my mother then beside me carrying a crinkling carrier bag full of food, and me lugging around several bottles.

I'm sure it was a ridiculous sight, but it wasn't the time to laugh about it.

"I am entitled to protect my own slave. She's my property." I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes, wishing that he didn't always refer to me as his belonging, simply a possession. But it was all a part of our act, we couldn't be seen as equals with witnesses.

"And the other one? I can take her?" The man's voice rumbled as he smiled cruelly at us both, his eyes landing on our hands that were still clasped together, my mum occasionally pulling us further away. His words lit a fire of anger inside of me, a protectiveness for my mother, and I hoped Aiden would defend her too, despite her hostility earlier.

He didn't let me down, "You aren't taking either of them." He growled, and I knew his eyes would be the deep crimson that spelled trouble, "Violet, take her and get out of here. Now." His voice was clipped, hands clenched into fists, back still facing us and I knew he would soon not be able to control it. It was definitely best that we left.

As soon as those words left his mouth, a feral growl erupted from the other vampire, probably alerting his vampire buddies outside to a dispute as well. It was only a matter of time before they all pounced on us.

Luckily, my mother reacted faster than me, dragging me backwards and pulling me through the back door, the weight of food and drink slowing our retreat. I could hear sounds that were almost indescribable coming from inside my family home, or what once was. It sounded as if a pack of wild animals had broken loose in a battle for domination, a truly terrifying chorus of cry's.

"Violet, hurry!" My mum exclaimed, snapping me out of my stupor.

We rushed through our tiny garden, the grass whipping at my legs as we ran through it, so unkempt that it rose passed my ankles. Out the back of my house there stood a small wood, a perfect place for cover, but also the perfect, stereotypical scene to be hunted.

My thoughts lay with Aiden and his safety, but were also torn between protecting my mother. I could only hope that all of us would make it through the first consequence of the rebellion.

The Hunt.

-*-*-*-

A/N Thanks so much for reading! I'm truly sorry that I haven't posted in a while, I've had quite a few problems in regards to my health recently which have been holding me back. I am improving though, and hopefully will be able to continue with regular updates! :)