Cut by Danielle Llanes

happen.”
    “You didn’t know or you didn’t care?” He looked to his father as he shrugged,
    “She said she didn’t care who was there. She was tired of being in the house.”
    “And her sister?”
    “Cate? She’s at her hotel room. We dropped her off at the Ponchartrain and headed to the Quarter. Look, I thought she would be cool. There were people everywhere that saw this. They fought in the alley below and Aerin…she staked Chloe. It was like she had been doing it all her life. There was no hesitation.”
    “Rent, did you teach her this?” I shook my head, I had stayed silent up until now.
    “No, I mean anyone could know that from watching television or movies.”
    “She knew what she was doing,” said Marc as he paced the room with his hands on his forehead.
    “Yes, this is going to cause quite a stir with Klaus.” Said Octavius. I could hear Marc cursing as he started for his room,
    “Can you leave my name out of this?”
    “He already knows,” I said as I looked into his dark eyes. I peeled myself from the chair as I pulled my phone from my pocket. I dialed a number as I said,
    “Is it ok if I stay with you tonight?” I refused to return home as I headed for the door. I waved to Octavius and stepped out into the night. I didn’t want to be near her anymore.
    “Sure, are you coming over now?” Her voice was almost indistinct with the music playing in the background. I knew she played her music loud in her place. It was what I needed to drown out the tomb like silence of my home.
    “Yeah, it’s been a long night and I really don’t feel like going home.”
    “Well, you’re more than welcome here. I have to study for an exam but you’re cool to stay here. We can order take out if you want.” I laughed, she really knew me well without having spent any real time with me.
    “Thanks Nina.” I hung up as I got into my car, I settled in my seat as I headed out of the drive. I sped down the road past my house. I could see her shadow in the window as she paced the living room. I didn’t slow down enough for her to catch my scent. I didn’t want her to know I wouldn’t be home tonight.
    “We have rules,” it was the low sort of voice filled with anger. I stood in the corner watching him staring down at her. He leaned on his cane as he stood at the stairs in my house. I could hear the rain beating on the roof, I wondered if it would cave in. I looked to Aerin as she sat with her legs crossed before him. She wore a grin now as she looked around the room. She was taking in the people standing before her,
    “Are we not monsters?” Klaus groaned as he shook his head in disgust. His age was unknown but he still followed the rules of sleeping through the day. He shunned the light and asked that all electric lights be removed before he entered the room. He was a fan of Jean Lafitte’s and the shun of electricity. It was little wonder that he lived in the California desert. He wore a dark suit now, the cane was not for show. He had battled with a slayer once and lost his Achilles tendon, yes there were some things that could still harm us. He had aged since the attack and now wore his hair gray and short. His skin was like leather from the desert air,
    “Monsters! Ha…you’re father is a monster. Oh yes, don’t be so shocked my dear. We know all…his blood is my blood.” He gestured to me now as he smiled. It was a lie, the blood in his veins was my own. It was a fog in my memory but yes he was my sire. I smiled knowingly as he looked away.
    “I didn’t ask for this…he obviously was still in love with her. I just cut out the competition,” she said in a low voice. He shook his head,
    “Then you will always be in an epic battle with the women he keeps. Don’t look so shocked my dear. Be honest with her, Rent.” I stepped out of the shadows as I looked into her face,
    “It’s true. I’ve been seeing other people.”
    “How many?” Her voice was strained as she fought back tears. I