Chapter 58: Chapter 58 THE HUNT

“Why are we running through the forest?” Mathias broke a branch in his way.

“Because we don’t want to alert anyone,” Xavier answered.

“That makes sense.”

Stephan sniffed a familiar scent in the air and stopped. Solara ran past him then fell back when he realized that Stephan wasn’t running anymore.

“What is it?”

“I smell something.” He raised his nose then took another sniff. “It smells like Marquis.”

“Do you think she came through here?” Solara tried catching the scent he did.

“I think so, but it must be recently if it’s still so potent in the air.”

“Do you think she is still around?” Solara took a few paces to the north then to the south.

“Maybe. But Marquis isn’t that stupid.”

“It’s more to the west.” Solara took a few steps towards it and Stephan came up behind him.

Stephan’s nose flared as the scent got stronger. He took off running towards its direction.

“What’s going on?” Xavier and Mathias flanked them as they ran.

“It’s Marquis’s scent it’s close by,” Solara informed them.

“Then shouldn’t Xavier fall back just in case he masks the scent?” Mathias asked.

“You are right.” Xavier halted and then waited.

Stephan ran deeper into the forest following the trail of the scent. When they got round the bend Stephan stopped, the scent was gone.

Victor and Vincent emerged from the trees.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“Victor stumbled on a scent so we followed it. But it’s gone now.”

“That may be because you brought the beast with you.” Mathias pointed out when Eric emerged from the bend.

“Eric.” Vincent moaned.

“What?”

“You masked the scent.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“So what do we do now?” Solara turned to Stephan for a solution.

“I doubt she would be around her, so let’s head for Rio.” Stephan turned back and led the pack towards New Jersey.

****

“You better keep your little pink lips buttoned up.” Marquis pointed her finger at Christina.

Christina blew through her lips, spraying Marquis with spit.

“Arrghh! I hate you.” She wiped the saliva off her face.

“What are you doing?” Ric watched her as she balled fists at the little girl.

“She spat on me.” Marquis snarled at the baby.

“Can you blame her? You were in her face.” Ric made faces at the girl in the box.

“What happened with Stephan?” She moved away from the baby.

“He was just passing through. He has an army with him. Where did he get them?”

“Stephan has become a very likable person, and he has formed friendships. Powerful friendships.”

“I’m glad we are not going up against him now. We aren’t prepared.”

“Then you better get prepared. We won’t be hiding out for long.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am going to leave the baby here with you and ask Stephan to meet me in Rio.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Ric stared at the cooing baby in the brown carton box.

“She likes you. That’s more than I can say about myself. You don’t have to do much. Feed her, change her and entertain her.”

“I thought you said I wasn’t here to babysit.”

“You aren’t but there is no one else to look after her. By the way, I will be taking some of your men with me.”

“When are you leaving?”

“As soon as one of your men delivers a message to the house, I know that they will be able to contact Stephan and ask him to meet me.”

“Do you think there is anyone left in there?”

“The black girl must be there, mourning her friend. Call one of your men, I need to leave here as soon as possible.”

Ric called one of his men and let Marquis give him the instructions she wanted to be carried out.

“So are you ready to play daddy for a day or two?”

“A day and that’s it Blondie.”

“Two. Your minion has instructions to deliver the message tomorrow evening that gives me time to get to Rio and set up.”

“Two days max.”

“Make it three just in case Stephan and I have make-up sex.” Marquis pleasured herself with the thought of her and Stephan rolling around, with the white sand sticking on their sweaty body.

“What if he kills you instead.”

“Then kill the little brat.” Ric had burst the bubble her little fantasy was dancing in.

“I don’t know if I can kill her. She’s too cute for death. Maybe I’ll let her grow up and breed her.”

“I would like to remind you that Stephan and his children are the only ones of his kind. So if you do try and breed her he will know it’s you and he will find you and kill you.”

“What do you mean by children?”

“Stephan has a son. He grew from a baby to an adult in three years. Didn’t I tell you all this?”

“No. And if you didn’t I wasn’t paying attention.” Ric was intrigued, he saw the possibilities of having both Stephan’s children with him.

“Don’t even think about it. Salvatore had the same idea and he lost his head because of it.”

“I’m not Salvatore. Besides what makes you think that I want the boy too.”

“I don’t know, it maybe this little talent of mind reading that I have.” Marquis scowled, her voice thick with sarcasm.

“Oh!”

“Do not do anything until I call you. Do you understand me?”

“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.” Ric knew that he would now have to be selective with his thoughts whenever she was around.

“You better start getting cozy playing mommy I am about to leave.”

“I have been with this baby for almost four days. I think I know what I am doing.”

“Whatever.” Marquis turned and left.

“We don’t need meanie hanging out with us, do we. What we need is your big brother and once we have him we pray that daddy doesn’t find us.”