“Goodnight my little darling.” Autumn whispers, snuggling our eldest child close to her.

I smile at the two. Guinevere snuggled close to her mother in her swaddled cloth. Our youngest daughter, Arabell, cooed in her crib. I walk over to her and pick her up, cradling her in my arms.

Arabell and Gwen were the sweetest babies I’ve ever known. Gwen was a born a witch like me. She is fiery and strong, figuring things out by trying over and over until she gets it right. Arabell was born a vampire like Autumn. She’s always quiet and learns from watching instead of doing.

Arabell coos quietly up at me, a tiny smile on her face. I rock her slowly back and forth, then kiss her softly on the forehead. I smile at her as I set her back in her crib and look to my beautiful wife.

“Time to get as much sleep as we can before Gwen wakes us up.” I say, wrapping Autumn in my arms.

She leans into me and nuzzles against me. I hold her gently and breath in her scent of coconut and lotion. I’ve never been happier than I am now, with Autumn as my wife and mother of our two daughters. We were living our dream here in this house, up in the mountains.

We turn out the light to our daughters’ room and walk to ours. We climb into bed and relax, knowing we won’t get much sleep before Autumn hears Gwen begin to fuss.

***************

I wake up to Autumn shouting my name. In seconds I’m out of bed and grabbing my wand from the side of my desk.

“The children.” Is all she says before she disappears, the door falling shut.

I sprint after her, reaching the girls’ room as quickly as my human body can move. As I open the door I hear a cry rip through the house, inhuman and broken, but with a hint of familiarity. With a spell ready I push the door open.

“Gwen!” Autumn shouts, jumping for the window. “You won’t get away!”

She jumps though the open window and disappears into the night. I stand in the room with Arabell, whose shrill cries fill the air. I’m not sure how long I stay there, wanting to go after Autumn and whatever took Gwen but knowing I have to stay and protect Arabell or she could get taken too.

After what seems like hours, Autumn comes back, stumbling through the door. I rush to her and she falls into my arms, tears pouring down her face.

“She’s gone.” She whispers so quiet I can barely hear her. “The vampires…they…” A sob rips through her words. “They took her.”

My heart rips in two at her words. I want to break down and cry with her, but I can’t afford that luxury. I need to be strong for our family or I’m afraid it will fall apart.

“Shhhh,” I sooth, swallowing a lump in my throat, “We’ll get her back Autumn. I promise, we’ll find her. We’ll do whatever it takes, but we’ll find out where they took her and we’ll get our baby girl back. I promise you.”

Autumn doesn’t respond. Her body heaves against mine in ever growing sobs that rack her figure. I wrap her tightly in my arms and let my tears come quietly so she doesn’t know I’m breaking inside too.

“We’ll find her.” I repeat over and over again, for both our sakes.