Chapter Ten....Scene Seven

If Athena’s mind had a voice of its own, it would have told her she was overworking it. A thousand scenarios had popped up in front of her since Alistair had left. Athena was desperately trying to translate what his little “thank you” message had meant.

She had foolishly invited him inside the house and now, he could come and go as he pleased. But he had looked so innocent and honest! Athena thought that perhaps she was reading too much into it. She couldn’t have been fooled, not even by a vampire. Nonetheless, you could never be too cautious with these blood suckers. She would have to move her plans up drastically. They were leaving town tonight.

Athena’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her sons bundling down the stairs. She breathed deeply. Here goes.

“Good morning,” she said, busying herself by the stove. “I hope we’re all feeling better.”

“More or less,” Eric said.

“Yeah sure,” Tristan added.

“Well then pull up a chair and let’s get some food into you.” They obediently sat down at the kitchen counter and waited patiently as Athena put a plate of scrambled eggs and toast before each of them. “Bon Appetite!”

Nobody spoke for a few minutes, everybody pretending to concentrate on their plates. Athena was thinking of how best to broach the subject on her mind. Tristan and Eric were thinking of how best to confront her. Somebody was bound to speak up soon. It was Athena.

“I’ve got something very important to talk to you about,” she begun. “Now I know we’ve only been here a couple of weeks and you guys were just beginning to settle in.” She let out a deep breath. “Unfortunately we----”

“---are moving.” Tristan finished.

Athena looked at him in surprise. “Well that wasn’t what I was going to say next but yes. We are moving.”

“Do you know why?” Eric asked.

“Or would you like us to tell you?” Tristan said.

Athena looked from one to the other, a confused expression on her face. “What are you two talking about?”

Eric answered her. “We know about this town Mom.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Oh jeez,” Tristan said. “You can stop your pretending. We know you know about the vampires and werewolves in this town. That’s the whole reason you’re moving us isn’t it?”

Athena could have argued or even played dumb but she was just mentally exhausted. She’d been keeping these things a secret from them for eighteen years now and sooner or later, this would have happened. Perhaps them knowing was actually a blessing in disguise because now, they wouldn’t have any objections to leaving town. Besides, there was a silver lining to all this. They still weren’t aware of what she was and that she was determined to keep hidden.

“Yes it is,” she answered.

“So why all the lying?” Tristan asked.

“I was just trying to protect you,” she replied. “I thought that maybe if you didn’t know about it then you could just continue living a normal life without being afraid of your own shadow!” Worn-out, Athena came round and flopped down at the dining table.

Running a hand through her hair, she continued. “I know you’re both hurt because we’ve never kept secrets from each other but I swear it was for your own good.”

Eric slowly nodded. Just one more test to see if she was telling the truth. “Fair enough,” he said. “Just one more question. Who brought me home last night?”

Athena thought about lying for a second but the truth quickly tumbled out before she could stop it. “I did.”

Tristan came and sat down beside his mother. “What were you doing out there in the woods on your own?” He asked.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” Eric said, walking to the refrigerator and getting a carton of juice. Coming back, he almost jumped out of his skin at the bloody figure standing just outside the glass door on the porch. The open carton of juice dropped out his hand, spilling its contents onto the floor.

“Oh shit!” Eric exclaimed.

Athena and Tristan quickly looked behind them to see what was going on. It was Raven. She was wearing the same clothes as yesterday; black jeans and a blue tank top and her chin was covered in blood. She had a chaotic look in her eyes as she grinned at him.

“Hello Eric,” she said softly and rushed at him.

It was the fastest Athena had ever moved in her human form, managing to push Raven as she rushed past. Raven crushed into a display cabinet in a corner of the room, sending glass shattering everywhere. Unperturbed, she recovered but Athena, without any hesitation, was already halfway through her shift.

The past twenty four hours flashed before Eric and Tristan. First Ramona and Raven, Jade and Bryce and now their own mother! Now this certainly must be a dream!

Raven rushed at Eric again but now in her werewolf form, Athena was ready for her. She charged at Raven, trying to sink her teeth into the vampire but Raven twisted around at the last moment. They flew into the kitchen, sliding across the floor into the cupboards.

Raven quickly scrambled up and again went for Eric. Her sole attention was focused on him. She had no regard for the werewolf behind her. Athena caught Raven’s leg and tripped her. She pounced on her, snapping and snarling viciously.

“Mom don’t!” Eric shouted.

Athena momentarily lost her concentration and Raven used the distraction to throw her off. This time though, she couldn’t go for Eric as strong hands got a hold off her and whisked her out of the house.

Athena roared her frustration and turned to the two people staring fearfully at her. Eric and Tristan could hardly believe this monster before them had been their sweet loving mother not five minutes ago. After eighteen long years, it seemed they still knew nothing about her at all!

Athena eyed them cautiously, careful not to make any sudden movements that would frighten them. Finally the cat---or dog in this case---had been let out of the bag. She suddenly regretted all those years of lying to them. They hardly seemed worth it now.

As he looked at her, Tristan remembered Jade with Bryce the previous night and decided to try it out. He whispered in a voice he barely recognized as his own, “Mom? Is that you?”

“Can she hear you?” Eric asked.

Neither of them had known what to expect but the voice that echoed in their minds calmed them down. It was certainly their mother’s voice.

“Yes it’s me. Don’t be afraid, I’m not gonna hurt you.” Athena relaxed and sat on her hind legs, her actions very much like a dog’s. “You finally know about me and I think it’s time you knew about something else. It’s time you knew the truth about who you really are.”

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