The next step

As Claude walked he spotted an old abandoned train station. This must be the spot they were looking for. Surprisingly there was a figure standing there waiting for them. As he got closer Claude saw that it was Rin that then waved him down and greeted him with a large grin.

"I see you have survived my friend." Rin said as Claude reached the building.

"I could say the same for you." Claude replied as he gently set Dakota down on a nearby bench. "Would you kindly explain to me how you got here before us?"

Rin just gave a wink. "We fey know how to get around."

Claude sniffed. "Fine keep your secrets." He then groaned as he sank to the ground and leaned up against the cool stone of the train station's wall.

"It looks like thanks to your niece we will have some time to rest before the enemy regroups. From the look of you both you will need it." Rin pointed out before they sat on the empty bench beside Dakota.

"Hopefully Berry will have arrived before that happens." Claude grumbled as he closed his eyes. At least the station had some shelter from the sun so it was a little more comfortable for them instead of just waiting along the side of the road.

After about half an hour, as Claude was dozing off they heard the sound of a car coming towards them. The vehicle was black with heavily dark tinted windows. As Rin saw this they stood and stretched before turning to look at Claude who was still sitting on the ground.

"It looks like our ride has arrived."

The car pulled up to the station and the window rolled down. A young man with curly black hair and pointed ears poked his head out the window.

"We better hurry boss. I saw some fey creatures heading this way from the wooded area nearby." Berry informed them.

Claude scrambled to his feet as he heard the news and gently lifted Dakota into his arms. He then made his way to the car where Rin had already opened the door to the back seat for him. The moment Dakota was settled into the car they heard the cry of more wolves in the distance.

"Looks like we are running out of time." Claude and Rin both jumped into the car and once the doors were closed Berry sped off.

"What is the plan here boss? We can't just keep outrunning these things. Eventually they will find us." Berry glanced over at Rin with a worried look on his face.

Rin sat there and thought for a moment. "Take us to the cabin. The barriers there are stronger and it will make it harder for them to find us. It is not a permanent solution, but it will give us some time to come up with something better."

Berry nodded and started driving away from the city and out towards the forests. As they drove the fatigue finally got to Claude and Rin and they both promptly fell asleep.

The drive was long and quiet for Berry as his three passengers all slept through the drive. The scenery was always beautiful and after a couple of hours Berry turned onto an unassuming dirt road that lead deeper into the forest. He felt the magic of the forest around him and felt safer as he crossed the barrier onto the lands that Rin called home. Barry was a half elf and lived his entire life in the human realm. He had hated to constantly hide his ears from the world and was never quite at home in the city he lived in with his adopted family. He was just glad that he was able to find a new family with both humans and members of the fey. He was just hoping Rin wasn't going to drag him into this fight of theirs. He had spent more than enough time running.

With a sigh Barry pulled up to the cottage, parked the car and turned the engine off. He then went to poke Rin in the cheek to wake them.

"If you value your finger Barry you will keep it away from my face." Rin opened their eyes and looked over at Barry with a smile.

"Awww come on, you're no fun at all." Berry whined as he undid his seat belt and stepped out of the car.

Dakota groaned as she opened her eyes. They were gritty and felt like sandpaper as she rubbed them. "Where are we?" She asked sleepily.

Rin walked over and opened Dakota's door. "Welcome to my home. We should be safe here for the time being, and I'm sure you want to have a proper bath and something to eat."

Dakota perked up at the thought of being able to get clean but then remembered that she didn't have any changes of clothes or even her toothbrush with her. "But I don't have anything clean to change in to." She pointed out.

"Not to worry little one. I have everything you may need." Rin smiled gently at her.

As Dakota took in her surroundings she heard another car door open and then close. She turned to see Claude dishevelled but unhurt. "I'm so glad you're ok." Dakota cried as she hugged her guardian.

Claude hugged her tight in response. "I am also glad that you are unhurt." He smiled as he pulled away and ushered the girl into the cabin.

Calling it a cabin was an understatement. The building was huge and was built around the trees so some walls were covered in bark. All the furniture was made from wood and there was a beautiful staircase that went up to a second floor. Dakota looked at everything in awe. She had never seen such a beautiful and magical house before.

"Allow me to show you your quarters and the washroom." Rin said with a laugh as they watched Dakota wander around the space with a look of wonder in her eyes.

"Oh, uh, ok." Dakota stammered as she blushed when she heard Rin laugh. She then followed Rin up the stairs and down a hallway. Rin then stopped in front of a wooden door with beautiful carvings on it and opened it for Dakota. The girl entered and saw a cozy room with a bed, side table, and small dresser. There was a wonderful handmade quilt on the bed and a window that had a nice view of the forest.

"Your house is amazing Rin! It feels like living in a dream." Dakota said as she walked around the bedroom and touched everything.

"I am glad you like it." Rin replied cheerfully. "There are clothes in the dresser for you. Your Uncle was going to introduce you to me once you had graduated high school and the two of you were going to spend some time here so I made sure there were some supplies here for you already. I hope they fit and are to your taste." Rin explained. Dakota thought it was odd to be prepared two years in advance but shrugged it off. Maybe it was a fey thing she thought.

After the short bedroom tour was over Rin brought Dakota to the bathroom which Dakota thought was also amazing as it had the biggest bathtub she had ever seen.

"Towels and wash cloths are in the cupboard and there are new toothbrushes and hair brushes in the drawer under the sink for you." Rin then left the room and closed the door behind her.

Dakota was really hoping nothing bad would happen this time. She really just wanted to get out of her stinky clothes and have a bath. She went over and started to fill the tub. Once it was half full she got undressed and got into the wonderfully warm water, all without looking at herself in the mirror. She wasn't quite ready to deal with that again just yet.

Rin was satisfied when they heard Dakota happily splashing in the tub before they made their way back downstairs. Both men were sitting awkwardly at the kitchen table when Rin walked in.

"Thank you for your help Berry. You may stay if you like or you can go back home. You should be safe and I am sure you do not want to be wrapped up any further in what has been happening." Rin smiled at their friend and driver.

"Thanks Rin. I wasn't sure if you still needed my services so if it's all good I will head out." Berry quickly got up from the table and made his way to the door.

"You will have your payment by tomorrow." Rin promised him.

"Thank you, and be safe my friend." Berry said seriously before he walked out the door and to his car.

Once the vehicle was heard driving away from the cottage Rin went and sat across from Claude.

"We need to talk about what we need to do next and Dakota deserves to know what is going on." Rin stated.

Claude rubbed his face. "I know, but I am worried at how she will react to the fact that she is next in line not just for the head of the family but for the vampire throne."