Wait a Minute...

Legaxy

Maybe I am just assuming stuff.

Besides, I clearly don't know what they were talking about — or if it was related to me, because somehow their demeanor still looked calm and collected as their discussion continued.

‘Must be a casual talk,’ I assumed.

Shortly after, Seth caught my staring and flashed me his signature full smile — the one that shines like a diamond ring. He then excused himself from Dad and approached me.

Unlike the two boys, Seth only greeted me and we made small talks about our day — no, I didn't tell him about the invitation being misplaced.

It was my fault so I have to redeem myself by searching for it on my own.

Then, when I was about to ask regarding the plan on how to announce the truth to everybody, Mum called us for dinner.

As expected, everyone talked to everybody during the meal; All laughing and chit-chatting to update each other about the missed time.

I was barely participating in the conversations because one, I was more of a listener than a talker, and two, I just love watching everybody enjoying themselves.

The boys didn't give up on me though...

They kept on asking me some random questions to make me talk until they came upon topics regarding my work. They were truly pleased with the success of their attempt because I, eventually, opened up about my hotel industry life.

“Hotel work sounds hard Hailey,” Howard commented after a long discussion about the overall work I do at the resort.

Not to mention the errands I fulfill for Ms. Dawn.

“And brain wrecking too,” Axel gently interjected.

“Though, Flower, it never really occurred to me that you have that kind of job; one that requires you to become a follower.”

I frowned at that.

“Well, what did you expect a Personal Secretary does, Ax?”

“Don't take my words as a mock, Flower. Though, if it does sound like one, then I am sorry.”

He paused and sighed.

“Yet, I did expect you in a higher position. One that allows you to lead and lets you make your own decision.” He admitted.

“I'm actually doing that, you know. It's part of the responsibilities.” I reasoned.

“Still, you work under supervision,” Axel argued.

My frown deepened and was about to defy him when Mum interrupted us.

“Okay, stop. You two” — she glared at me, then Axel — “quit it. Not in front of grace.” She stated sternly.

Both of us instantly shut our mouths.

“Still Ax, you should be glad.” Howard started, “Hailey's work sounds better, SAFER than the other jobs she mentioned in the discussion earlier.”

“Howard's right, Axel.”

Dad seconded.

“You don't want your sister to go through that task of getting on into argument after argument with guests. Specifically with them werewolf guests... pure headache son.”

He ended with a scoff.

I eyed Dad after his declaration and he made a fake innocent face as if asking me the ‘what did I do’ question — I could even hear it in Dad's childish tone.

Axel, on the other hand, was convinced and didn't further question me.

Even so, I got annoyed.

“You guys are unbelievable.”

I finally muttered and they all started laughing at my sour face.

Well, all except Seth.

I instantly noticed his absence, that I tilted my head in wonder at him.

I was about to ask what was bothering him when Mum got to him first.

“Seth, sweetheart, is something wrong?”

Mum inquired, causing everybody else to quit their laughing and turned their puzzled gazes at a serious Seth.

My big brother didn't say a word at first and me realizing it might be related to the secret he was holding up to himself, I swallowed hard.

Oh god, he's gonna declare it... Though, would he really announce it?

Particularly, in full details?

Knowing Seth, he's not really good at relaying a whole message towards us.

Most especially, one that is dangerous and involves the whole family or one of its members.

He kinda has this quality that wants to keep the danger part to himself and tries to solve it quietly on his own. So, when you finally heard about the problem, it was already fixed.

I know, and as I said before, he was becoming selfish.

Or just scared?

With all eyes on him, he finally let out a heavy sigh and started talking.

Regardless, and thinking that he may be spilling the truth on the spot, I held my breath and listen attentively.

“I'm sorry to say this but canine aggression is the least of our worries right now.”

Seth stated in a rough, husky voice.

“We have rogue vampires and black witches to address to.”

Oh.

That was it.

‘Okay, not the one I was expecting to hear,’ I thought to myself as I slowly exhale the held breath.

Nonetheless, the air in the room became heavy as I caught a glimpse of Dad becoming dead serious.

He was always the cheerful one in the family and seeing him like this made me believe that the subject was far more important yet dangerous to ignore.

I gulped, while everyone else around me tenses up.

“Is there anything that we can do at the moment, to stop them?”

Dad consulted Seth; sounds like he knew already about the matter.

‘Must be the casual talk I saw earlier,’ I thought once more.

Seth, who was very uneasy at the second, shook his head in a NO.

Dad sighed heavily.

“The Vampire King and Witch Queen will not gonna like this news,” Dad mumbled while pinching the bridge of his nose, a sign he was stressed out.

Well, for a family like ours that solemnly works to protect the community in any way we can, who wouldn't be stressed out about this?

Especially when the issue was causing disarray on the Coexistence Law — a law that keeps the peace between mankind and supernatural beings.

(The same ones being regulated at the Mallow Hotel).

So, if this continues, them rogue vampires and black witches running around freely — causing mayhem, I will not be shocked if another war comes out of this.

I'm not a negative here, but seeing Seth and Dad's reaction, there can be a possibility…

Much less, another war means another ticket for extinction for the mixed-race — a total ANNIHILATION.

I swallowed hard at the thought.

“I heard their numbers are adding up, making the neighborhood unsafe for everybody,” Howard announced, making me uncomfortable now.

“Stupid creatures. When will they ever stop?” Mum snarled.

“I just don't understand,” Axel's forehead wrinkled, “from all the time in the world, why now make a scene?”

He questioned, currently eyeing Seth.

“They heard about the Ball.”

Seth looked upset saying this.

“They will be hunting at the occasion and because it's their season, expect a massacre to happen.”

His aura grew dark from here.

“What?” I asked, alarmed now.

“No Seth, that's not right. Does this mean will have to cancel the ball then?”

Dad took my left hand, encouraging me a smile.

“Afraid so princess. We can't afford any casualties to take place at the event.”

So from bad to worst...

I bit my lip hard.

Everyone around me became silent after hearing that, especially my brothers.

In my head, I know it was for the best because we wouldn't want anyone to be hurt but in return, my brothers — and all the REDless out there — will have to suffer.

They will have to wait for the next ball to occur, which will be next year.

Poor them.

My eyes moved around the table and one by one, I looked at my brothers' faces.

Just looking how the HOPE in their eyes faded, especially with Seth, breaks my own heart.

All I could think of then was them and how to help them...

Though, how exactly am I going to do that since I don't know anything about the RED matching?

I don't even know how it works.

“The important thing we should focus on right now is how to keep things manageable and lowkey to avoid panic upon the residents. Not to mention, and the most important one is, how to stop this once and for all.”

Seth declared, sounding his signature Vampire husky, dark leader tone.

Everyone nodded, except me.

I was currently on a deep level of thought; pondering on the intensity of how serious this mess was, to the disappointment of the Ball being canceled, and to the point of finding solutions for each case.

I know it is not my battle to fight, but I am thoughtful enough to offer my help because that's how I am.

That's how I function as a human and the family knows that, that's why they didn't question my silence.

So, I kept on deliberating with myself.

I know there must be some kind of a way to address all of this...

I just know...

“Wait.”

Axel let out, breaking the silence that engulfed us, as he glanced at Seth — He looked baffled at something.

“Why will they hunt at the Red Moon Ball when all the attendees there are Vampires and Witches? Do they mean suicide brother?”

Upon hearing this, I noticed Seth's jaw ticked, while the others looked dumbfounded.

As for me, I completely wondered at the question.

Axel has a point.

If they want to hunt for food or a ritual sacrifice, they should rather go to a place or event where HUMANS exist.

They basically can't do any of the feeding or rituals to their own kind, even if it means for survival -

Wait a minute...