When my eyes flutter open, my head is a bit fuzzy, then I notice I'm lying in my mother's arms, and it all comes slamming back into my mind.

I scramble out of my mother's embrace and turn to face Samira.

"You still invaded my mind," I say quietly, then take a few deep breaths, and continue, this time more confident "You STILL invaded my mind when you knew that i was your neice, your sister's daughter?!"

"I-" Samira starts to say but my mother interrupts, once again.

"S-Sami, is that true?" She says in a frail voice.

"Yes, I did annoy your daughter for a small matter of two years," she begins.

I go to interrupt her, but don't get to.

"But," she says, "I didn't know it was Ash, I thought it was just some random youngling."

"But why exactly would you do that to random children?" I ask.

"I already told you! It's a habit!" She defends herself.

"What kind of person invades a child's mind?!" I shout.

"I-" she starts to retaliate, until Mari intervines,
"Enough!!" She yells, and me and Samira freeze where we are, which is me about to throw another punch at her, but my fist freezes in mid air, but not of my own free will, I let out a shout of frustration, and bring my hand hand back to my side again.

"Will stop arguing!!" She yells,"You're family for goodness sake!!"

"But-" I say.

"Yes, I know, she invaded your privacy," Mariella replies, more quietly this time, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"If you would all be quiet, we have a matter to discuss," Aurelia from the corner of the room, where she is sitting in a plush armchair.

"About the hunters," she says, with a cold voice, her face is hard as stone.

The air in the room suddenly feels chilly, due to the adults in the room, who have visibly stiffened.

"The children shouldn't be present for this, Carly, you should probably go home with Nicole," Aurelia states, my mother doesn't object, walks up to me, and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodbye, sweetie, sorry for leaving, but I'll see you again soon, I promise."

She starts to walk towards Nicole, but I grab her arm, halting her in her tracks.

"Wait, why are you leaving, and so soon?" I ask, with a soft whisper.

"Because I have to, it's to dangerous for Nicole here," she replies.

"What about me??" I ask, hurt.

"I know you're big enough to handle yourself, you're strong, in more ways than one," she says, in a soft voice, she brushes the back of her hand against my cheek, which is now set with tears.

She walks away, towards my sister, who is huddled against the far wall, with a scared expression on her face, probably from me and Samira's shouting match, my mother crouches down to Nicoles level, and whispers something in her ear, I see tears well up in my sister's eyes, and my feet automatically make their way to my sister and engulfing her in my arms.

"B-but I don't want to leave you again," she blubbers into my shirt.

"Hey," I say, stroking down her dark brown curls, "I'll see you again soon, okay??" She looks up at me and nods her little head, her curls bouncing, I wipe away her tears.

"Now go to mummy," I say, give her a small kiss on the forehead, and let her go.

My mother gives my dad a quick peck on the lips, then takes hold of my five year old sister's hand.

She gives us a small smile and whispers a quick goodbye to us all and we all say goodbye back.

The last thing I hear from them is my little sister's thrilled squeal, before they disappear in a flash of white.

***
A/N

HellOo people!!

Another short chapter, but I'll update as soon as I can.

Okayyyyy QUESTION TIME **Jazz Hands**

Why do you think Cade wasn't a part of Ashlyns life??

Where do you think Ashlyn is from??

Feel free to comment 😀
Don't be a silent reader!!!

Lots of love,
Erin💖💝