Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4)

Natalia felt relieved to get home. The laneway was cleared of all debris and cement. The limo was now the only vehicle in the laneway.

“Looks like Uri moved cars,” Zena said.

“Let's hope we get a good nights sleep and then a relaxing day at the lake tomorrow.”

“I hope so, too,” Zena said.

The house was quiet. Uri stepped out of his office when they came in. Zena headed for the kitchen. “Done for the day?” she said to him.

“Yep. Tunnel is through the garage. We'll pour the new pad on Monday.”

“A different cement truck, I presume?”

He nodded and laughed, then leaned in to kiss Victoria's cheek.

"How's my girl?"

“Wonderful. Quiet when nothing's going on, she’s not hungry or needs a diaper change.”

"How's Corean?”

“Regretting the fact that she didn't get with Grazie. Otherwise, fine. Alaina looks just like Grace.” “I told you. When Grazie took over Sherri's children, he'd become the man that every woman desires.”

“Not every woman,” she said with a yawn. “I'm tired.”

“Early bed,” he said.

“Are you on watch tonight?” she said, yawning again.

"Yes, but there's enough of us so we can get some sleep.”

“If nothing happens.”

“If nothing happens,” he said with a nod.

After dinner, Natalia was more than ready to surrender Victoria to Mag. She could hardly keep her eyes open. After a quick shower, she slipped into bed. It felt odd that it was still light out, but she was so tired it didn't keep her from falling asleep.

Natalia bolted upright. The sun was full up.

"What?" Uri said, hardly looking to be awake.

“It's morning.”

“U huh.”

"Victoria slept through the night?”

“No, I brought her to nurse twice.”

"Oh, I don't remember.”

“Milk bar works whether you're awake or not,” he mumbled.

She settled down beside him, but knew he was already back to sleep. Now she felt it was too light out to sleep. With care, she slid out of bed and went in with Victoria.

"You're awake, little girl.’

Victoria blinked. Natalia picked her up and settled into the rocking chair.

“Such blue eyes.’

Mag stepped in.

"Oh, you're awake.”

“I didn’t have to stand watch and apparently slept through the feedings.”

“Quiet night, thankfully. Let me check her diaper.”

Natalia handed her over.

The morning progressed peacefully. There weren't any workers. The only activity was Mag, Zena, and Kate moving furniture back into the other house. The cleaning crew were there, finishing up cleaning the main floor and the basement. Natalia was amazed at the transformation when she went over to look. Uri was glad to find nice hardwood floors under the carpet.

“We don't have to do much but give them a polish,” he said.

"We?"

“Not top priority just yet. Painting first.”

"We?"

Uri smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"Yes, the ladies will get it done. I've authorized Mag to get whatever help she needs.”

“Good.”

"Are we packed for the lake?”

“I am, but I intend to lounge on the deck with Victoria and Francie. You river rats can boat and swim. So, are you packed?”

“Lake, not river. Yes, I'm packed.”

“Water. Same thing,” she said.

There was some excitement in the air. Natalia found herself looking forward to going as well. She realized how much everyone else was looking forward to it when promptly at eleven-thirty, Mag herded everyone toward the limo. There was little need for herding. Everyone was ready to go. “Let's go. I'm not being late,” Mag said.

“There's no being late,” Natalia said when she settled into the limo.

Uri strapped Victoria into the car seat. She fussed a little, but he let her hold his finger, which seemed to sooth her.

“Noon sharp,” Mag said.

“Need to maximize our time in the sun,” Zena said.

There were no check points, but traffic was heavy.

"Everyone is out,” Natalia said.

“Beautiful day,” Uri said.

At exactly noon, Bonnie pulled the limo up to Moralis's house. They weren't the only ones arriving. “Tia and Grazie,” Natalia said. “I see they are still using two cars.”

“Out,” Uri said. “Bonnie has to move the limo to make room for all the cars.”

"Hi, girls,” she said when she was out of the car.

“Hi,” the children said in quick greetings.

They immediately headed around the house toward the dock. Francie stood at the door waiting for everyone else.

“You look ready to explode, Francie.”

“So nice of you to notice, Uri," she said with a laugh. “Come on in. Moralis is down by the boats.” Natalia followed Francie out to the deck which proved to be a good vantage point to see everything.

A maid stepped out to set out a pitcher of iced tea and cups.

“This is Stacia. My savior since I can't do too much. This is Nattie and her daughter Victoria. She's only a few days old,” Francie said.

"Oh, my word,” Stacia said.

Her demeanor changed from friendly to terrified. She stepped away.

“Stacia,” Mag said in a stern voice. “She's just a baby.”

“Yes, maam,” but she left the deck, retreating back into the house.

Natalia looked quizzically at Mag and Francie. Mag rolled her eyes.

"Stupid beliefs,” Francie said. “Just ignore her.”

"What's the problem?” Natalia said.

"Stacia, come out here,” Mag said, going in after her. “Come see.”

“No,” came a frighten voice from the house. “It's a Specter. Can't you see?”

Her voice quivered.

"What exactly is a Specter? I've heard this a few times,” Natalia said.

“It's just a stupid belief,” Francie said.

“What's with Stacia?” Bonnie said when she arrived.

“Specter,” Francie said.

"Oh, my word. Stacia. Don't be an idiot,” Bonnie said.

Mag appeared dragging Stacia with her.

“Just touch her,” Mag said.

"Are you out of your mind?” Stacia said, pulling back.

Mag reached out and touched Victoria.

“I touched her. I've changed her diapers. I've bathed her. Am I dead? Am I cold? I'm holding your hand. Is it cold?”

"N-no."

Stacia looked cautious.

Francie stepped up.

"May 1?"

“Sure,” Natalia said, handing over Victoria.

"Oh, no, Miss Francie,” Stacia said with horror.

“She has lovely coloring, just like her mother.”

“Thanks,” Natalia said.

She explained the blonde genes from both sides.

“Bound to happen,” Francie said.

“Touch her,” Mag said.

Francie stepped over close to Stacia who was held firmly in place by Mag.

"Grow up,” Mag said. “Specters are just a story.”

Stacia tentatively reached out to touch Victoria through her blanket.

“Sh-she’s warm,” Stacia said.

She moved her hand and touched Victoria's cheek.

Victoria pursed her lips.

“She's a baby. A Viperian baby,” Mag said.

"What exactly is a Specter?” Natalia said again.

Francie handed Victoria over to Stacia, who look somewhat startled, but reflexively took her. "Here. You need some practice,” she said.

"Oh, my word,” Stacia said. “She's alive.”

Natalia looked at the others with confusion.

Mag gave her a look that said to wait.

"Of course, she's warm and alive,” Francie said.

Mag stayed close to Stacia

“Have a seat, Nattie,” Francie said.

There were umbrellas set up to create shade. Francie sat looking tired.

“I can see why families want boys,” Natalia said, taking a seat in a lounge chair. “They're done sooner.”

Francie chuckled.

Stacia now seemed entranced with Victoria. Bonnie took over the duties of pouring iced tea. After some time had passed, Mag gently took Victoria from her and sat beside Natalia.

“In Viperian households,” Mag said, “stories are told to keep children in line. Stories are used to help children understand and control their emotions.”

"Specters are bad,” Stacia said, sitting with them.

“When children reach about two years of age, they get full of themselves and they don't quite know how to control their emotions.”

“We call it the terrible twos,” Natalia said.

Mag nodded.

"Same thing. So, we tell stories to help them. For example, children at this age tend to get angry, throw things, and hit people. We don't hit or spank our children. We help them by telling stories. One story is about the Specter. If you hit others or your parents, the Specter will come and steal all your heat. Specters are white and cold. When they steal your heat, no one wants to be with you. The sound of someone saying “ouch’ calls the Specter.”

"Sounds kind of scary,” Natalia said. “I know Viperians don't like being alone.”

“The story runs deep,” Francie said. “Some people still believe in Specters.”

“It's hard to shake,” Stacia said, looking somewhat meek while she watched Victoria.

“So things that are white tend to be viewed as cold and scary,” Mag said.

"Victoria has white hair,” Natalia said, understanding.

“Like a Specter,” Stacia said.

“But she’s warm. I wonder how people dealt with Mirren’s father. He said Victoria has the same color hair,” Natalia said.

“I'm not sure,” Mag said

No one else seemed to know.

A boat took off.

“Moralis is showing Uri the boat. He's done something with the engine,” Francie said.

“Guy thing,” Natalia said.

Everyone nodded.

Natalia could see that the children were swimming. There was a rope attached to buoys that seemed to define a swimming area. There were a number of inflatable toys and floats.

Tia came up from the dock. She was carrying Grace.

“Hi. I had to make sure everyone was good with the water,” she said.

“They can all swim,” Francie said, watching the group.

“Not that. We needed to establish that they know who they are watching. Grazon is down there and at least two of them must watch him at the same time.”

“You're a good mother, Tia,” Francie said.

“Yeah, they like it when I don't make them watch both Grace and Grazon. That's too much responsibility.”

Tia settled into a chair. Stacia jumped up to serve her iced tea.

“Thanks, Stacia,” Tia said. “How are you doing, Nattie?”

"Good, considering the construction.”

“Grazie told me.” She rolled her eyes. “Just doesn't surprise me that Uri would do such a thing. A new baby is home and he is tearing up the house.”

"Everyone but Victoria was mad at him,” Natalia said.

"Sounds about right,” Tia said with a laugh. “He was always getting into trouble growing up. Why change now?"

Everyone laughed.

"Here, Mag. Give me Victoria. You girls can go down to the water,” Natalia said.

She could see that Zena was already down with the children.

Mag didn’t refuse and was quick to hand over Victoria. Tia, Natalia, Francie and Stacia were the only adults that remained on the deck

“This is relaxing, Francie. Thanks for the invite,” Natalia said.

“You're welcome. I figured you would need to get out of the house for a while.”

“Your sensibility is missed on the Council,” Tia said in a low voice.

“I've heard somethings,” Natalia said.

Tia rolled her eyes, but that was as far as she took the conversation.

A boat of Viperian teenage boys pulled up. Tracy went over to talk with them for a while then waved them off.

“She's getting a lot of attention as of late,” Tia said. “But she's not liking it.”

“Good or bad attention?” Natalia said.

“Boy attention. She's not ready.”

The boat with Uri, Moralis and Grazie returned. They tied up the boat then stood in the water with the children. Tracy, who had been playing with Grazon, handed him over to Grazie and headed up to the deck. She grabbed a towel to dry herself before she headed into the house.

“There is a lot of boat traffic,” Francie said. “We had to rope off the swimming area because people weren't following the rules about staying so far off the bank. Now, they are complaining about the ropes in the way.”

“They need to increase the patrol,” Tia said. “Unfortunately, that's an A'ppollo issue. We don't have any influence on the lake council group.”

Tracy came out and sat with them.

"Tea?" she said.

Stacia poured her a glass.

“Thanks. Who would think you'd get thirsty playing in the water.”

The sun was full on her face.

“Tracy,” Natalia said, taking notice. “Are you getting your mark?”

Everyone's attention flew to Tracy, who smiled shyly.

“I think so.”

"Are you?" Tia shifted to look closer. “Damn. I see you every day and didn't notice.”

“It's just of late,” Tracy said

"About time you matured,” Tia said. “You've had the figure for some time.”

Tracy was curvaceous like the typical Viperian woman.

“Thanks. I'm glad that having Grace around isn't suppressing it.”

"Only your mother’s hormones were suppressing it,” Tia said. “Just having Grace around won't.” “I'm also glad you didn't decide to have another baby,” Tracy said.

“I promised I would wait,” Tia said with a smile.

“Mother was so mean to have had Grace,” Tracy said. “She did it because she didn't want Anna to grow up. She told me that Anna needed more time, but that it would also affect me. She said she was sorry for it.”

Tracy didn't look like she believed or liked her mother's words.

Tia just nodded.

“I'm glad we all did the Rage Room," Tracy said with a peaceful smile.

“Rage Room?” Natalia said. “I've never heard of that.”

“You go in a room and break things... things that are there that are meant to be broken... and have a conversation. I told my mother all the things that upset me. I said it and now it's all gone. I don’t need to ever talk to her again.”

“It was nice you and your sisters did it together,” Tia said.

“It was good,” Tracy said. “We'd throw and break something then say what we didn't like with Mother. We all told Mother off.” Tracy smiled. “Then we had a funeral for her.”

Natalia looked at Tia, who shook her head, letting her know that Sherri was still alive.

"As far as we're concerned, she'd dead,” Tracy said. “If she's still around in ten years, she'll be a little surprised that none of us visit her.”

“Their grandmother even participated in the little funeral we had,” Tia said.

"Good to put things behind you,” Natalia said, surprised that even Sherri’'s mother was considering her daughter dead.

Everyone nodded.

"Any boys looking good out there?” Francie said.

Tracy looked shy and shook her head.

“I'm in no hurry. Besides, Grazon is too young.”

Tia choked and laughed.

“I'm just kidding,” Tracy said with a giggle.

Tracy then turned serious.

"We don't say anything about Mother, so please don't ask in the future.”

“I won't. Thank you for letting me know,” Natalia said.

Another boat of boys pulled up.

“I better go down, or they won't go away,” Tracy said, rising.

Natalia waited until Tracy was down by the water.

"Good to see that her mother’s actions aren't being held against her,” she said.

“No,” Tia said. “We tend to judge people on their own merits and not their parents. We might, though, look at some skills, like the knife throwing. So every time, Grazon throws something, people look to see if he has the skill of his father.”

“Like in the toilet?" Natalia said.

Tia laughed, then looked a little thoughtful.

“Tracy, because she survived unscathed by her mother's actions, is actually looking very attractive to the boys. I'm really surprised at how well all the girls have adjusted and put everything behind them.”

“They seem so happy,” Natalia said

Tia nodded.

“You have no idea how wonderful the chaos is in the house when everyone is home.”

“So, did I hear you want another?”

Tia laughed.

“We're going to wait. I'm not dealing with a youngster like Grazon and new born. Let Grace grow up some.”

Grace reached out her arms.

“She really likes you, Nattie.”

“I saved her. She must remember that.”

“It's amazing what newborns do remember,” Tia said. “Here. Let's swap. Let me take a look at Victoria.”

Victoria fussed a little.

“Auntie Tia, Victoria,” Natalia said to comfort her.

She still fussed while Tia held her.

"Oh, my. She is beautiful. She's going to have her choice of the boys,” Tia said.

A boat zoomed by with lots of yelling.

“Stupid Undent teens,” Francie said. “Oops, sorry, Nattie.”

“No offense taken. Yes, they were being stupid.”

Moralis, followed by Uri and Grazie, came up.

“Time to get the grills going,” Moralis said.

Grace touched Natalia's nose and smiled.

“You are a smiley girl. Nice to see you happy.”

Victoria fussed.

“I think someone is jealous,” Tia said. “I'd be hard pressed to say this is Uris child. She looks so much like you, Nattie.”

“Parentage was proven.”

"With your luck, she'll look like you and be like him. You have my apologies in advance.”

“Hey,” Uri said, coming up behind.

Natalia smiled and laughed.

Three grills were set up and started.

"Cooking?" Natalia said to the guys. “What happened to raw?”

"Somethings are meant to be cooked, like the hot dogs and sausages. We do have some raw kabobs,” Francie said.

“Francie. Stacia. Do we have everything?” Moralis said.

Stacia rose, then gave Francie a hand up. Both of them went into the house.

Grazie appeared.

“Come on down,” he said to Tia.

Tia and Natalia swapped children.

In a chaotic matter that seemed somewhat contrived, Natalia found herself alone with Uri and Moralis on the deck. Victoria was no longer fussing.

“Uri told me what's happened,” Moralis said in a quiet voice.

He sat sideways so he could keep an eye on the house.

“About Victoria's quiet voice and senses. Uri is correct. It is the pure sanguine tea. Are you still drinking it?”