The Rightful Heirs

18 years ago.

Sprinting through the corridor, Saoirse dove into a hidden doorway as Cassius rushed past in the passage up ahead. Golden curls towering above the hunters following on his heels, stopping only to bark orders. Each door they reached; they broke off into pairs. The entire camp searching for her.

Not clear how long she'd be able to keep this up. At this point, unsure whether she would escape this castle alive. Along with her children, Marius wants her dead. Which would only delay things. The twins must survive. Need to be part of their family's purpose. Claim their place and figure out what she uncovered.

Hunters searched for and destroyed all non-human entities for centuries. Everyone used to coexist peacefully. Fear, jealousy, and a select few humans' belief in their superior existence turned everything into a war. The Collective recently became a new discovery, previously hidden from the supernatural world. Always disagreed on how to rid the world of magical beings. Apparently, they created their own council. How no longer being an argument; long as they were seeing results.

Each member of The Collective represented hunters specializing in hunting specific creatures; Marius' focus is vampires. Saoirse is a witch, but her husband is the vampire king.

Out of the doorway, she hurried down the hall in the direction information suggested the exit would be. Quickly turning back at the sight of Raven; another one of Marius's followers. Vampires always endured enemies. An impressive rise of them in the past few hundred years

Every hunter joining the cause is trained for years before being given a target.

Marius and his faithful four are the most lethal. Once capturing a witch, enslaved to grant eternal youth to whomever they needed. So, although they might appear young, they were well over two centuries old. Must find a way out of the castle if she wanted to survive.

If she failed to escape, her death is imminent.

Knowing what her family has been doing since the early 1700s, he decided to take matters into his own hands. The Constellation's Alliance only discovered him about fifty years. The alliance formed between the monarchies of each magical species and the Sacred One; the origin of all magic. Royals gathered to create a bond of protection over all nonhuman kind.

Concealed a little secret of his own he does not want the Sacred One to uncover. Why he wants Saoirse and her children destroyed. Powerless in the castle, Saoirse stood no chance if she came up against any of The Four or Marius.

Continued her way down the hallway as Raven's beanie-covered head disappeared from the path ahead. Down the long corridor, slowing at the corner to make sure the coast was clear. Safe, she raced to the stairs. Paused to listen, hearing nothing, and began to ascend to the main floor. Once reaching the top, she darted behind one of the giant columns off to the right as she spotted Ambrose rushing in the opposite direction. Soon as he disappeared, she hurried to the end of them all, keeping close to the walls at all ties.

The front gate of the castle, and as expected, was swarming with Followers, but she was not heading towards it.

The army weakened since the last time they kidnapped her. Saoirse's husband, Gavril, was indomitable. That was why he was the Vampire King. Unstoppable when he learned of the man who stole the woman he loved. Wanting Marius, Gavril destroyed everything in his path, wiping out most of Marius's army. Failed to capture the fiend.

The army, now since been replenished, and they were all new recruits. However, Marius's head adviser, Max, most likely trained them well.

Turning down a small hall, she rushed to the door at the end. Unlocked; perfect. Inside she ran to the tapestry on the far wall hiding a small door to the stables. Relieved to have an insider, someone to help her. Behind the door, lay something unplanned. Rounded the corner, there at the end of the tunnel, stood Marius.

No longer knowing where to go, she raced through the complicated system of tunnels as Marius began to reduce the distance between the two of them. Closing in on Saoirse, he grabbed her by her long, beautiful, auburn hair, and pulled her crashing down to her knees.

"Why, Marius?" Saoirse demanded as she stared into the face of the man continuously chasing her for three years. The man who hunted down anyone she spoke to.

"You would never understand why." His face displayed no emotion. No happiness. No anger. No relief. Nothing.

"Explain it to me" she demanded.

"And give you more pieces of the puzzle you already so cleverly put together? Never," he spat.

"Where did you hide the twins, Saoirse?"

"You'll never find them, and if you do, you will never be able to kill them," she screeched. "You will never be able to touch them. Everyone will be watching them and you."

"My dear, you underestimate my abilities," Marius tugged on her hair. "I've caught you, haven't I?"

"I expected this," she snarled. "I knew, as long as I was in this place, I was powerless against you. My children will kill you, and when they do, you won't be able to do a thing to stop them."

"Maybe not, but I can kill you," he unsheathed his dagger. "Now, where are they? Not in the mood for long, drawn-out deaths." Hysterical laughter echoed off the stone walls.

"What's so funny?"

"Do you honestly think I will give up my children? My own flesh and blood? Wouldn't give up the vampire you tortured me over. What information have I given you? Nothing." laughter rang out again as she continued. "My children will know everything, and The Alliance will reign down upon you, but next time you won't be so lucky. All of your favorite little followers, including The Four, will be against you.

Continuing to laugh, she pulled a gun from inside of her boot and stuck it to her right temple.

"Goodbye, Marius."

Hadn't expected her to pull the trigger, but her laugh still echoed through the tunnel, and his shirt was now stained with her crimson blood.

That had not been the plan. Supposed to die after the children's recovery, not before. Now it would be harder to find those stupid twins. Saoirse was a smart woman. Those children could be on the other side of the world. Understanding this, grasping he would need to rouse the entire army to go search for them.

His secret must not be found out, so they must find those children.

"Lyla."

"Yes, sir?"

"Find Ambrose, Cassius, and Raven. Then you all must go find those children," he ordered staring at Saoirse's dead body lying on the floor in front of him. "They escape, there will be a long journey ahead of us.

"Yes, sir, should I inform the rest of the army?"

"Tell Max what happened, instruct him to brief the followers and direct them to move out," Marius directed. "We mustn't waste time; we must find them."

"Yes, sir." Looking down at Saoirse's body, she turned back down the tunnel hurrying back into the castle.

"You are wrong, my child," Marius hissed, kicking the corpse strewn at his feet. "I will find them."

Hurrying toward the stables where his horse awaited. Climbing into the saddle, he rushed off in search of the children who were now his only threat.

Now.

Genevieve's POV:

Awoken by the sound of her alarm clock blaring AC/DC's Highway to Hell, she groaned, pushing her long red hair out of her face.

"Yep, that's what I'm on," she hissed, slamming the snooze button. The soft tap on her door told her it was true. The day she had been dreading finally arrived. Today, November 12th is Genevieve Blackwood's eighteenth birthday and she is the only person in her life unhappy about that.

"Good morning, birthday girl," her mom's overly cheery morning voice rang in her ears as she entered the room. "What are you going to do now you are legal?"

"Sleep," she said as she threw the blankets back over her head. "Forever."

"No, no," her mom laughed, walking back to the door. "Going to get up and ready for school, then come downstairs."

"Wait, what did you say? What am I going to do," she asked sarcastically. "Get up, jump out of the attic window, and die?"

"A tad bit overdramatic and morbid" Genevieve Blackwood stated walking back towards the door. Now, y can if you truly wish. Do however want you to know we have a surprise downstairs if you decide not to jump out the window," her mom said, closing the door behind her.

Why did they spoil her the way they did? The only thing she wanted to do was see Seth. Hadn't talked in two days. Missed him since he went off to college back in August. Most of the time they talk on the phone all the time. This week they had hardly talked at all and the quiet was starting to bother her. Got lonely sometimes as an only child and her parents worked almost all of the time. Mom was a doctor and her dad was a lawyer so they spent most of their time away from home. Usually around for breakfast in the mornings before she went to school, then she wouldn't notice them come in until around midnight.

Thinking about the day ahead of her and her friends wishing her a happy birthday every time she turned around. Any luck she would be passed over and not present her AP history project due today. Mr. Warner was one of her favorite teachers and her easiest class.

"Okay, guess I won't jump out the window," groaning, she threw the blankets off and sat up.

Genevieve crawled out of bed and walked into her bathroom to start her morning ritual of getting ready for school.

"Why couldn't today be a Saturday," she dreamed lazily.

Grabbing her bag and jacket, she sauntered down the stairs towards the kitchen and the rising aroma of breakfast.

"Now what is this giant surprise you said is here for me so early in the morning on the worst day of my life," she asked throwing her stuff on the floor next to the stairs.

"Surprise" a familiar voice responded.

Nearly fell over when she finally glanced up. In the chair in front of her sat Seth.

"Oh my gosh, what are you doing here" she squealed as he swept her up in one of his giant bear hugs. "Missed you so much."

"I missed you too. Sorry I haven't been up here lately" he explained. "With things being so hectic, made it impossible visit. But it is your day and I thought coming up here to witness my girl turn eighteen was important."

"At least you can cheer her up," her dad remarked sitting down to eat the mountain of pancakes on the plate in front of him. "Been trying for weeks to bring a smile out of hiding."

"Well, I would be a little down about turning eighteen if I had amazing parents like you" Seth responded as he too sat down to eat. "Especially if I got treated like this."

"Aw, thank you sweetheart" Genevieve's mom beamed sitting down more pancakes in the center of the table. "I made them because they are her favorite."

"Thanks, mom, I love them" she replied sitting down next to Seth.

"Oh, the surprise I told you about" her mom exclaimed, rushing into the living room,

"Wait, you mean Seth wasn't my surprise" Genevieve questioned.

"No, not from them" Seth smirked. "No clue I was coming until I rang the doorbell.

"This is your surprise" sitting a silver antique jewelry box down in front of Genevieve. Appeared to be something belonging more in a museum or someone's royal collection. rather than her kitchen table Not sitting on her parent's kitchen table.

"Wow," Genevieve exclaimed. "This is beautiful. Where did you find such a unique piece?"

"Figured you would like the box but there is something inside as well," her mother answered, finally sitting at the table with the rest of them. "Family heirloom we kept for today."

"Open it" her father urged.

Inside laid an amulet much older than the box. A golden oval-shaped pendant with a sizeable onyx stone set in the center surrounded by words from a language she didn't recognize. Easily the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"Put it on," her mother said.

"No, I don't want to break or lose my new favorite necklace" Genevieve responded closing the silver box. "I should head out. Don't want to miss my first class. Thank you for my gift,"

Quickly got up and walked to rinse off her sticky plate. Parents exchanged a knowing look with Seth.

"Let me give you a ride to school" Seth interrupted her thoughts, adding his plate to the other dirty dishes. "Gives me an excuse to pick you up later."

"You don't need an excuse" Genevieve smiled. She was so glad he was back.

"Leave those, I will finish them," her mother said. "Your father is still eyeing more pancakes."

"Only because you made so many" he laughed, adding a second serving to his plate.

"Thanks, mom. Will you guys be here later?" picking her stuff up off the floor to leave. Unlikely she will see them later, she thought.

"Possibly. Your dad is still working overtime on a case and I'm on call tonight" her mother sighed.

"Won't be sure of anything until later."

"Hopefully, you both won't be too busy. Love you both" hugging both of her parents, she headed out to the white Tesla Roadster sitting in her driveway. "I don't think I will ever be used to you having this car, babe."

"Guess I need to bring it around more often" he replied

"I'd like that" she smiled looking up at the man she hasn't seen much of lately. The job which afforded him the fancy car keeps him busy. Mostly keeps him away. "I've really missed you."

"Missed you too" he replied guiltily. "Sorry, I'm not around much lately. Between school and this job, free time is nonexistent. Not seeing you is the hardest part."

"Your job is important to you" Genevieve tried to sound more positive than she felt. "I understand why you need to be away so much."

"Maybe time for a different job" Seth mumbled.

"What?" As far as she could tell, he loved his job. Something he has been doing since before they met. Didn't ever talk about what he did for security purposes. Genevieve had no idea what he did. Never once talked about quitting before.

"I'm not sure I enjoy things anymore" he answered. "The things we do don't line up with what I want now. Think I outgrew the job."

"So, what would you do instead?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure" the concern showing briefly in his eyes. "I'm not entirely sure my boss will let me go."

"They can't make you stay" she replied. Yet Seth seemed unsure. "Can they?"

"Let's not worry about this now" he shook his head. "It's your birthday. Today is about you. So how are you enjoying your last year at school?"

"I'm not" Genevieve answered quietly.

"What do you mean?" he asked surprised. "Most people would be excited for their last year of high school."

"Yeah, along with their eighteenth birthday" she mumbled.

"I never understood why you hate your birthday so much. Hated this since you turned sixteen. Why?"

"Cuz everyone expects you to be something even if you aren't ready or don't want to" she answered. " Ever since high school started, everyone treats me like I am supposed to be some important person. I don't enjoy the pressure of having to live up to or living with everyone's disappointment when I don't live up to their expectations."

With a sigh, she looked out the window at the familiar roads she's seen her entire life. The center of attention was never her desired place and now was almost like she couldn't escape the spotlight. Parents' friends all want to discuss school, what her career plans are, and if she and Seth had plans to marry. All want to ask her questions. Never only one person.

Whenever anyone was at the house, they were always there by the dozen. Work parties and meetings. Not that she couldn't speak to a lot of people at once. Always believed someone more interesting were they could be talking to.

"Gen, I don't think you could disappoint people if you tried" Seth replied. "Success is in your blood."

"Yeah, I wish that made everything better," offering up a small smile as he put his arm around her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. She knew he didn't like seeing her sad when he couldn't offer her any kind of solution. But he is always there to try.

"Can you do me a favor today? At least try to enjoy today? Don't think of today as your birthday or anything else. Just another day."

"I will try. No promises though" she replied.

Saber's POV

Life stopped being fair a long time ago. Didn't want to leave, and he didn't want to move to New York. Saber Collins liked his life the way things they were. At 18 years old, why did they need him to move with his family as if he were still dependent on them to survive? Worked almost a full-time job. Plenty of his friends' parents would let him crash with them. Probably find a place of his own. Plus, he despised change. Especially the kind that changes everything at once.

"We love you, which is why we're doing this" his mother, Eleanor Collins, sympathized next to him in the seat across from him. Saber ignored her, rolling his eyes, continuing his staring contest with the clouds outside of the private jet. Another one of his father's luxuries he doesn't care about. Although he stared at the clouds, he didn't pay them any attention.

The only thing he cared to look at was Sara's face. Came to say goodbye to him at the airport when they departed, but he missed her. Entirely his parents' fault he might never be with her again. No, he would after he graduates as long as she's not with someone else by that time. Most beautiful girl to ever give him the time of day. Wouldn't be hard for her to find someone different.

"You will get used to the new place," his father said with a smirk from the seat next to his mother. "You will forget all about California by the end of the week."

"You have no clue what will happen by the end of the week" Saber yelled. How can he sit there all smug? This should count as kidnapping. Transfer him to a different school like he's still a kid with no means of his own. What gave him the right? "I might hop on a plane back to California."

"Please stop yelling, Saber" his mother pleaded. She always sided with his father. Convinced they are wrong this time. Saber's hot temper always caused problems, but the entire situation was unreasonable. They flipped his entire life upside down in less than a week with no heads up. No warning. No real conversation. Just, hey pack up your things, we are moving to New York. Screw your senior year and your life.

"No, you won't" his father answered, not looking up from the never-ending list of emails on the laptop in front of him. Couldn't have a proper argument with him. Always distracted by something. One of the many reasons he despised the man. Work before everything. Including family.

"Don't talk to me like you give a shit about what I do, Alan. You're not my father." Never once did the man act the part, either, only ordered him around. Mom wanted the kids. Guess Alan gave in to her, so she would be occupied while he went to work and keep her out of his hair.

Now he needed to learn a new house, a new school, a new job, and make new friends all over again. For what? All because Alan decided they needed to relocate again? Without talking to the rest of the family, again? Been aware of being adopted his entire life. No reason he shouldn't be able to stay in California by himself.

"Why didn't you leave me in California with my life the way things were" Saber sighed, putting on his headphones. Unable to listen to them anymore. Couldn't let him stay in one place long? If possible, he would never talk to them again. So close to having his own life, needing only to graduate. Less than eight more months to survive them. Then he will go find a job in a country on the other side of the world. With the hell they put him through, never would come soon enough.

Searched through his playlist until he found the perfect song. Music; the only thing nobody could take from him and his only escape. Finally, closing his eyes, he drifted asleep to the loud bass pumping in his ears, vibrating his skull slightly from the volume. Slowly, he recognized the face.

The red-headed woman with fear in her green eyes stood mere steps behind the tree line of a forest he only ever seen in these dreams. Far enough the sun couldn't reach her. Never able to view past her into the trees. A vast nothingness behind her, filled with, what he imagined, every monster from every nightmare . Long gray dress blew in the wind, trying to wave him over. Desperately trying to capture his attention for him to come closer.

Curiosity pulled him towards her. How is he not to help her?

A thick fog rolled in as he got closer . Thicker and thicker by the second, making it impossible to figure out where to go until he lost sight of the tree line and the woman completely. Blindly walking in one direction, hoping he would eventually walk to her, but that didn't happen. Almost as if the forest disappeared.

Tried to move forward, to spot anything but the white fog, slowly beginning to lessen. As he walked out of the white abyss, he found himself standing in front of a lake. Turned back, the fog now gone, and again stood the dark forest. Back in the spot he started, looking at the terrified woman trying to get his help.

"Saber" his mother demanded shaking him awake. "Grab your stuff.; we landed."

Didn't seem like the hours he had been asleep, though the dream never did. The repetitive dream he turned fifteen. Never able to reach her to help or to find out what she's so afraid of. Something about the woman was familiar, though he never saw her before the dreams started.

Groggily, he quickly got to his feet, jumping off the plane and away from them before another argument started. Made his way to the car waiting to take him to his new school. New state, new school, new people, new friends. Again. At least he had two friends stuck in the same situation he counted on.

When his father relocates, his manager relocates right along with them. The two kids also shared the bad luck of having to move frequently. At least he had someone who understood. Opening the door, he witnessed Theo looking how he figured he did himself. Theo and Davina got to New York the day before but started classes with him today.

"How's it goin' Saber?" Theo asked as Saber slammed the door shut.

"How do you think?" he growled, throwing his bag on the floor.

"This is the farthest thing from fair" Theo responded. "Why are we continually dragged across the globe? Next time you're with Alan, hit him. Hard."

"No problem." Most likely would end up with him grounded, but he didn't know places to go or friends to go with.

"Both of you need to chill out" William, the boys' bodyguard, commented from the front seat. "No matter what you do, the situation won't change."

"Always wanted to come to New York, and now I'm here" Davina chimed. "Guess I don't care as much about moving as you guys do."

"Can we go now?" Saber sneered.

Glared out the window as his parents came out of the plane. The car leaped forward, headed towards the beginning of his new life he didn't want.

"You know, you are able to call them. Fly out for holidays and stuff" Davina continued from the seat across from the boys. "Will only be a year. Not the end of the world."

Davina was Theo's step-sister. His mom married her dad about six years ago. Kind of scary how much the two looked alike, though, with bright blonde hair and intense honey brown eyes. Nothing alike in any other way. You name it, they disagreed. Yet they rarely fought. Got along better than any two people he ever met. Saber got along with them similarly.

"Must have sucked being on a plane with the guy for hours on end" Theo ignored his step-sister's commentary.

"Fine, whatever. Sulk." Davina retorted. "I'm done trying to appeal to your tiny little brain."

"Thanks for the permission" Saber sassed. "Yes, it did suck."

"Girl, stop, doesn't matter what you say to these boys, they are going to complain" William spoke up, shaking his head in the front seat. "They complain to annoy you, let alone a real reason. Let them stew in their little bubbles of annoyance."

"Thank you, William" Davina laughed.