I am so sorry for the wait on this chapter. I just couldn't think when I tried to work on this story. After NaNoWriMo, I just wanted to take a break from writing for a few weeks and then after that a bunch of story ideas popped into my head and I had to start those. Hopefully I'll be able to get back on this story as well as the other ones I have put off. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed. I really appreciate it.

CHAPTER 23

Selene stood up and backed away from Matthew and Abigail. She struggled to get her breathing under control; to her it felt like she was hyperventilating. None of this seemed at all real. How could it be that her parents were on the Council? It just couldn’t be true. She had always fantasized about what her parents were like but…the Council? No, it had to be some kind of trick

And how had they managed to sneak up on her that easily? It didn’t seem like they were capable of sneaking up on anyone. Then again, she had been lost in thought when they had encountered her. The shock alone had caused her to recoil but nothing had escaped her lips, no scream, no cry for help, nothing.

But as she looked into the woman’s eyes, the woman’s brown eyes, she saw the anguish that had been building up for years. Selene could tell that the woman was a lycan; it was obvious by her stance and the way she carried herself. The man she identified as a vampire. Selene began to notice little details, like the man’s ice blue eyes, and the woman’s brown hair, and even the woman’s small nose, features that Selene had seen many times in the mirror. All of it combined made her realize that maybe they were speaking the truth.

“Why should I believe you?” she asked, continuing to back away from them.

“Selene, it is of utter importance that you leave now. The Council is hunting for you and your friends. The only safe place is not in America; we need to get you out of the country,” Matthew stated.

Sensing that Selene wasn’t convinced Abigail added, “If we came here after you, you would already been in The Council’s clutches again. Matthew and I have been working for years on trying to prevent the Hybrid war.”

“They’re telling the truth,” Hunter commented. Selene turned to look at him. “Well at least about trying to prevent the war. Before the party at Landon’s house, my father was ready to start the war but Matthew asked for more time to see if the Hybrids really existed and if they were truly dangerous. They’re the reason why we have all been safe this long.”

Landon and Frankie had hobbled into the room in the middle of Hunter’s speech and were staring in shock at the Council members standing in the living room. “It’s alright,” Abigail said. “We’re not here on Council business. We just want Selene’s safety.”

“I’m not going anywhere without my friends,” Selene responded, stepping back and grabbing Hunter’s hand.

“Then we will get you all out of the country,” Matthew stated.

“I refuse to run.”

“Selene…”

“I’m done running. I’m tired of letting the Council control our lives. Some changes need to be made and I will fight to the death if I have to so that the changes will occur. The Hybrid war is going to happen and the Hybrids are going to fight with everything they have.”

“Most of the Hybrids have been captured or killed already though,” Abigail answered. “Your numbers are dwindling.” She looked over at Matthew for a few moments then turned her gaze back to her daughter. “Our forces will join you.”

Matthew nodded. His forces would join as well. The war would happen soon and they all knew it.

A tense silence enveloped the house as its occupants stared at each other. After several minutes Abigail stepped forward and held up her arms. Selene looked at her for a moment before walking up to her and embracing her mother for the first time. As she hugged her, Selene inhaled, taking in her mother’s scent, that of vanilla.

They broke off the embrace and Selene turned to look at Matthew, for the first time understanding why she had grown up in foster homes. The supernatural community looked at Hybrids as a disgrace as it was, but a Hybrid borne of two Council members was practically the worst kind of disgrace there was.

Matthew hugged Selene and as he did so he said, “Audra, get in touch with as many vampires as you can. If Willus and the Council want a war, they will get one.”

He released Selene and reached for his cell phone. He dialed Jason and Emily’s number. They picked up after a few rings. “Jason, it’s Matthew. I’ve found Selene and she is safe. She knows the truth now. The Hybrid war is starting and the Council will lose. I need you to get all of the vampires you can to meet me at our cave.”

They all sat down and began to work through what their best options would be when taking on the Council.