Grandma Autumn smiles at us as we walked up to her, the large house looming above her. She had run outside of the cars, following the scent that was apparently all over the place. It seems the Weres had been keeping tabs on me for a while. I look at the house, dark against the Bridgeport lights across the water. Ash is in there. Ash and the brother she’s given up almost everything to protect. I glance at mom and Ari, wondering what it would be like to have a sibling, to share that bond.

“Ready, Cole?” Grandma Autumn whispers as my dad sends me a reassuring smile.

I nod, looking at all of them one last time, ready for battle like it’s just a part of their lives. None of them look nervous or scared. They all just have grim determination and reassuring smiles for me. I look back at the house and take a deep breath.

“Ready.” I say.

We move forward, Grandma and Ari sticking with me while mom and dad move around to the back. I listen carefully as we silently make our way to the door. My hearing isn’t as good as an actual vampire’s is but it’s better than a humans. I hear nothing. Ari walks up to the door and pulls it open. We look at each other. Where are the Weres? Grandma goes into the house and up the stairs first. I follow behind her while Ari follows behind me. We step into the open room to find it empty…almost.

Ash lays curled in the center and it doesn’t look like she’s breathing. My heart drops to my stomach and I push past Grandma, rushing to her side. Mom and Dad come in from the patio as I do, dad already making his way towards me, as I’m sure Grandma and Ari are too.

“No, Jayden! It’s a trap!” I hear my mom yell but I don’t care. Nothing matters but Ash.

Just as I reach her I see a white blur jumping towards me and hear growls fill the room. I scoop Ash up and brace myself for the attack I know is coming. But…it never comes. I look over my shoulder to see my mother throw a spell at a white wolf-dog and watch it collapse and change into a young man with white hair.

“Stop!” My grandma yells, coming up beside my dad. “We are not your enemy, Whitecoat. We mean neither you nor your sister any harm. We came to rescue you.”

I turn from them and look back at Ash. She’s breathing, but barely. I brush her hair from her face and shake her softly. “Ash, Ash, please wake up.” I beg but she doesn’t move. “Gnome, Ash wake up. Please, please wake up.”

The young man comes to stand by my side, looking down at us. “She won’t wake up that way. Lance gave her Elderberry. She’ll need an antidote.” Elderberry? What the hell is that?

“I can make one.” My mom says quickly. At least she knows what the hell elderberry is. “Let’s get back to the apartment. I’ll throw one together there.”

My dad comes to my side. “Come on, son. Pick her up and let’s get her into the car.”

I nod and stand, keeping Ash close to my chest. I’m never letting her go again. As we walk from the house towards the cars I don’t realize how easy this whole rescue was. I’m just thankful that I have Ash.