Chapter 57

Chapter 57

He wasn't thinking at all now. He was just doing. He was hurling himself, jumping at Cipher with his fangs barred, and letting all his reservations go. It was just a second. A piece of time that was so small that it was the past in an instant, but it felt like forever when he was in it.

He just saw Cipher's cocky smirk. Like he couldn't lose. Like he never would.

And then Ren's teeth were sinking into the soft flesh of Cipher's neck.

Cipher screamed out. His knife plunged into Ren's side, but it was nothing more than a pinch. Ren could barely feel it over the rushing of blood into his mouth and the pounding in his head.

He grabbed as much skin as he could between his teeth and thrashed. He ripped the skin from Cipher's neck, blood spraying upon his face. Cipher jerked for a moment. His grip on the knife that was jabbed into Ren's side weakened for a moment.

But when Ren met his eyes, he didn't see what he wanted. Cipher was almost smiling.

"You're a dumb kid," he weakly said. His voice was raspy, blood painted over his lips. His chest heaved as his body fought for another breath.

Ren dropped his hold on Cipher. Cipher fell to the ground, his hand going to his neck. His face turned white and he shivered. Ren's hand grabbed the hilt of the knife.

"Dad!" Darrien ran to Cipher's side. His hand was gripping tight to the gun and he kept glancing back at Ren, but he wasn't totally focused.

Ren stared at the two of them. His head felt clear now. He didn't feel as sick either. He didn't feel much of anything. Yet, this numbness wasn't tough enough to shield him from the intense look of hatred Darrien sent him.

There was something worse than malice of disgust in that look. It was distraught, contempt, and a promise of revenge. And as Cipher held onto Darrien's side though his grip was fading, Ren knew that he'd created an even bigger enemy for himself by getting rid of the first.

"Ren! Ren!"

Margret was pulling him. She grabbed his arm. "We've got to go!"

Her hand still as she saw the double edged blade still halfway inside of him. "Oh my god."

Ren pulled the blade out. He winced.

"Again? How many times are you going to get stabbed or hurt?"

"Shut up," Ren bit out.

He was being yanked again. Margret was steering him away and he caught a glimpse of Ashton's legs. He looked up. Ashton was walking with them.

"More are going to come." Margret's grip was like steal. Ren didn't try to fight it. He didn't want to stay here.

He couldn't stay here. While the police and the Society could have thought he was the killer of the girl before, they had a reason to lock him up now. There was no such thing as self defense when it was a vampire killing someone.

Margret was pulling him in a random direction. Well, it was random to him. She seemed to know where she was going, but Ren couldn't pay attention. He was too aware of Ashton running beside them and not aware enough of his surroundings.

The bloody bodies they passed by were a blur of faces. The Mantels were nowhere to be seen. Maybe they were inside, hiding, or maybe they were running like he, Margret, and Ashton were.

He didn't notice that Margret was actually taking him back inside the Mantel house until they were crossing the entryway.

He was doubly confused when the Mantels didn't look as worried about what had happened like he was feeling on the inside. Kai was the only one that looked slightly uneasy. He was standing behind the couch, his arms stiff at his side. When he saw the three of them walk in, he narrowed his eyes.

Mr. Mantel was standing as well. He leaned against the fireplace, his arms crossed over his chest. He was covered in blood, his once neat hair disheveled, and he had minor cuts on his face and hands that were healing.

"I hope you're happy, Margret. You've managed to fuck shit up again."

Ren was so struck by Mr. Mantel cussing that he froze. Margret didn't bat an eyelash. She nudged Ren to sit down and he did so, his movements jerky.

"Are we back to first names, Renin?" She gave him an annoyed look. She flopped down beside Ren and groaned. "I'm so tired of this."

She covered her face with her hands.

"We wouldn't be doing this again if it wasn't for you son," Mrs. Mantel said. She lounged across from Margret and Ren. She was also covered in blood, but she took the time to wipe it from her face. "We won't be able to stay here because of you two."

"Oh, shut up." Margret pulled her hands away from her face to send a glare at Mrs. Mantel. "This all started with your family."

Both of the Mantels stiffened. The couple met each others eyes and then looked away.

Ashton stepped forward. "What does she mean?"

Ren had perked up. He wanted to know as well.

Margret shook her head. "It's a long story. One I don't know if you're ready to hear."

Ren snorted. "I've killed people mom. What's the worse that could happen to me now?"

She paused. She turned to look down at her hands in her lap.

"Because it's not just a story that involves her," Mrs. Mantel snapped.

Margret sent Mrs. Mantel a death glare. "I'm the one that got the worst of it. What happened to you Antinette? What awful things were done to you that changed your life?"

For a fleeting second, Ren though Mrs. Mantel—Antinette—looked almost sorry. It was just a second though. She quickly covered it with a stone cold look that made Ren's skin crawl. He didn't know how his mom could be brave enough to poke a beast like that.

Ren had a perfect view on the couch to see all three of them—his mom, Renin, and Antinette. It was strange to see all of them in one room. Besides the fact that they had just killed a bunch of Hunters because of something he'd started, it was strange because Ren had never though these two worlds could collide.

The Mantels were the Mantels. They were a family of vampires with their roots firmly cemented on the wrong side of the war. They gave vampires a bad name because their family had wanted to enslave humans like cattle. How the hell did Margret cross paths with them? And when?

But as Ren gazed at them, their words becoming background noise as they argued about whose fault it was first, a picture started to form in front of him. He saw them younger, high school age. He didn't know why it took him so long to realize that they would be around the same age and if the Mantels had always been in Montis, there was no other school.

It wasn't impossible. Not at all crazy to think that they had known each other when they were teenagers. The same age as Ren and Ashton.

"Then tell them!" Antinette jumped to her feet and stomped out of the room. "I'm taking a fucking shower!"

Margret shook her head. "I can't believe you married her."

Renin didn't reply. He walked toward the middle of the room. "You knew it was going to happen from the beginning."

Margret scoffed. "You're such a spineless prick. She still walks all over you."

Renin thought it was funny. He didn't even try to hide his smile. "Not in front of the children. Your jealousy is showing."

Ren moved to get up, his blood boiling. Margret stopped him with a gentle touch of her hand. She stared at Renin with an intense gaze.

"I'm not jealous. You're angry that I'm not."

Renin's smile dropped.

"Sit down," she said. "We should tell them."

When she looked at Ren, there was pain and discomfort.

Ren shook his head. "You don't have to."

"You were right. You've gone through so much already and I need to tell you the truth. I've been lying for too long."

Renin sat down. He was still seething, but he didn't object. He waved at Ashton who had been standing at the end of the couch so still that Ren had forgotten he was there. Kai was like a shadow in the far corner, just as still as Ashton had been.

Ashton looked hesitant to sit by his father. Ren would be too if his father was Renin. Ren also didn't have to guess that they didn't get along. If Ren didn't know any better, he would say that the two hated each other.

When Ashton finally sat down, stiffly next to Renin, Margret started to talk.

"Nineteen years ago, my parents were witches employed by the Hunter Society to kill Renin's father."