Elijah's son Chapter 1

I smiled as I chased Hope around the garden before skidding to a stop when she fell. When she started to cry I quickly picked her up and took her inside to Uncle Nik but Aunt Hayley saw me first and grabbed her from me. When she glared at me, I looked down and heard her footsteps as she walked away.

Sniffling, I wiped at my eyes as tears gathered in them before looking up when I feel Uncle Nik's hand on my shoulder. Smiling down at me softly he wipes my tears before shaking his head and picking me up. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes as he rubs my back walking into the living room.

Gasping, I woke up and ran my hands through my hair. realizing that I wasn't in any danger I sat up against the bed as I thought about the dream I just had. That event or at least ones similar to it had happened a lot when I was younger. Aunt Hayley making me cry and Uncle Nik comforting me, assuring me I hadn't done anything wrong.

Looking at the time on my phone, I threw my covers back before walking into my bathroom. I stretched as I stood infront of the mirror before placing both my hands on the edge of it and leaning forward. As a vampire-witch hybrid, I didn't rely on blood as much as full vampires but by the grey-ness of my skin and itching in my throat I could tell it was time to feed.

My eyes wandered to the birthmark I had on my shoulder, at least that's what Uncle Nik calls it to me it looks more like a tattoo. I hop in the shower and after about 15 minutes get out. Throwing on a random shirt and pants, I grab my backpack and jog down the stairs.

I enter the kitchen and grab an apple from the fruit basket, throwing it up and catching it multiple times until someone else grabs it before I can. Looking up, I smiled and said,"Hi, Uncle Nik." My Uncle smirks as he twirls the apple in his hand and said,"Hello, Joshua." I groan before correcting him,"It's Josh, Uncle Nik," He shrugs and answers,"Joshua's better," before throwing my apple at me which I catch.

Taking a look at my watch, I go to leave before he whistles and I turn back around. Sending him a worried look, he smirks before throwing my water bottle at me. Except, instead of water it had blood and I smile before nodding my head in thanks.

"You should get to school now," he says and my eyes widen before I actually run out the door and vamp speed to school. As I stop just on the edges behind a tree, I release a breath before fixing my hair and clothes as I enter the school close to 5 minutes before the bell. I navigate through the cramped hall before pooping my locker open.

I'm so focused on grabbing the right books while managing to balance an apple in my mouth, I don't hear my best friend as she jumps on my back. I barely stumble as she holds herself up and giggles into my ear. Before I could say anything, she hopps off and begins to grab her own books out of my locker as she asks,"How was your weekend?"

I shrug as I lean my shoulder against the locker next to me so she can stand in front of the locker and get out what she needs,"Same as usual," Putting her unneeded books inside she slams the locker shut before starting to walk backwards as I follow her,"So horse-back riding and your Aunt glaring at you."

Smirking at her as she turns around so she's facing forward, I sling my arm over her shoulder and smile as I whisper,"You know me so well," in her ear. She rolls her eyes and we both began to almost run as the warning bell rings for first period.

Chapter Break

As I came home again, I throw my bag onto my bed and change into looser clothes that I could wear while horse-riding. I jog down the stairs as I tighten my gloves before stopping when I see Hayley and Hope on the couch, knowing they could hear me come in. Making a detour, I walk into the living room and smile at Hope as she says,"Hey, Josh."

I nod at her before looking at Hayley and loosing some of my mirth as I say,"I'm going out for a ride." She doesn't answer and I look down but Hope steps in as she says,"Okay. I'll let Dad know f he asks." Thanking her, I walk into the stable before opening the gate and entering the space where my horse Fortem was waiting. His name meant brave in latin which I had been forced to learn by Uncle Nik as a kid, but looking back it hadn't been so bad.

Walking him to the riding range, I step onto the stirrup before flinging my leg over so I can settle on his back. I wait for him to settle down as I rub the side of his mane before gently walking him forward. After a few warm up rounds on the range that Uncle Nik had built for me I begin to get bored.

Wandering out of the range, I flick his reins and push against him until he goes from a small run to a full gallop. I smile as I feel the wind hit my face and laugh as he jumped over the stream on my count. Noticing the sun setting, I frown before turning us around and we run back to the stables. Once we reach the entrance, I hop off and lead Fortem inside before brushing him down and feeding him.

He uses his nose to nestle the side of my face and I smile before taking him over to the water basin and letting him take his fill as I gently stroke his back. Once he's finished I lead him back to his stable and help him inside before locking the hatch and testing it to make sure it won't accidentally open in the middle of the night. Had it happen once, wasn't very fun.

I brush my clothes off as I enter the house and catch sight of the glow coming from the living room. Walking in, I smile as I see Uncle Nik on his usual one-seater drinking wine or blood from a wine-glass. Walking over to him I ask,"What's up, Uncle Nik?," and he looks up at me before smiling and then replying,"Nothing is "up" with me." I roll my eyes as I could basically hear the patronizing tone in his voice.

Snapping his fingers at me he scolds,"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me, young man," and I have to suppress a laugh because Uncle Nik isn't really the strict, disciplinarian type but when he gets into it, watch out. Putting on my most apologetic face I mutter,"Sorry, Uncle Nik," but can't help the teasing smile on my face.

He puts his wine glass down on the table next to him as he sarcastically says,"Then I do not know why you are smiling." Biting my lip, I shrug before sitting down on the floor next to him and putting my head in his lap. I feel him put his hand on the side of my head as he gently plays with my hair.

I close my eyes as I settle into the peace and quiet but it isn't long before I hear Uncle Nik move around as he says,"Some people are coming tomorrow and I want to give them a good first impression of you. So, please be home right after school." I nod and we lapse back into silence as I ponder my own thoughts.

I had always had a very close bond with Uncle Nik as I had no real father-figure in my life. All I had was a picture that Uncle Nik gave me, but other than that i had always relied on Uncle Nik for everything and he never disappointed me. He always treated me like his own son.