10 years earlier Part 1

The sun was painting the sky magenta to fade into orchid and violet as the stars began to appear. Inside an old manor, a beautiful teen aged girl sat in a lavender silk dress at an elegant white vanity as her grandmother brushed her long firy red hair. She smiled as she handed her grandmother each rhinestone hair pin. Normally, she would've just pulled her locks back into a simple ponytail, but not today.

"You look gorgeous, Violet." Her grandma Rose said as she put the last pin in place. Rose then fasten a black velvet chocker with an amethyst cross dangling in the center around Violet's neck. "Let's finish your make-up. I have to check on your sister."

Next, came the powder. It was the annual Parent Student dance. Every year since she graduated junior high, her dad made sure to be there. Her father, Hunter was the leader of the local Hunter's Guild, a group that monitored supernatural beings and creatures. The work had often kept him away from soccer championships, basketball tournaments, softball, track meets, and girl scout meetings. Violet even become a junior hunter to spend time with her dad. This dance, however, he had never missed.

Violet painted her lips pale pink as her grandmother left. There was no way her father would miss this one. He wouldn't disappoint both his daughters, not after buying their dresses behind their grandmother's back. Three months working at Andra's Cauldron and she had been a hundred dollars short. Hunter took them to the Sophia's dress shop last week and while the girls were trying on gowns, he slipped his credit card to the sales clerk to finish paying her dress layaway.

"Violet! Elizabeth!" Her dad called. She smiled and grabbed her beaded clutch. She opened the door and there stood Hunter . . . in his hunting gear. Her smile instantly disappeared.

"Dad, why aren't you ready? The dance starts in an hour." Asked Violet. He had never been one for formal attire, but this was ridiculous. He was never this bad.

Elizabeth peeked out of her room next to Violet's. She looked confused as well. The younger sister was wearing a sage green dress that barely hit her ankles. Her hair was still a tangled auburn bird's nest that their grandmother was still trying to tame.

"I'm sorry, but something came up. I asked your uncle Chase to take you in my place." Answered Hunter. He tried not to look her in the eyes. Those blue eyes had always been his weakness any time she wanted something.

"Daddy, what happened? We've been planning this for months. You promised. " Violet tried her best to hide her anger, but her voice gave it away.

"I know. Believe me, any other time I would trade off with someone. " Hunter explained. "This one . . . Is pretty bad."

"Then let me change and . . . " Started Violet. Elizabeth winced as Grandma Rose brushed out a tangled.

"No! Not this time." Interrupted Hunter. He put his hand on her shoulder. "It's against Guild rules to take a junior hunter on this type of hunt. This is a very dangerous beast. Besides, why deny the boys a look at the most beautiful girls in town? Go! Have fun! Keep your uncle away from the Principal! If everything goes well, I'll be there before you know it."

"Or show up the last five minutes like you did at regionals. Or half an hour after the soccer championship last fall." Countered Violet. She stormed down the old oak staircase.

"Are you sure Chase can't handle this? Or Sam? Or anyoneelse? " Asked Grandma Rose. "You're going to have a very angry teenager when you get home. Maybe two by the time the night's one."

"I know." Hunter sighed. He couldn't bring himself to look his own mother in the face. Something was wrong. "But, this one is personal. Elizabeth, please be sure to keep an eye on Chase. Jokes aside, I think last time he went to the school, Ms. Casper nearly gave him detention."

"Yes, dad." Elizabeth answered timidly. She gave him a hug and followed after Violet. One moment she stopped dead in her tracks until Violet shouting her name snapped her out of the trance.

Grandma Rose ruffled his red hair. "She has a point. You never used to miss any game or club or whatever for either of them, but the last couple of years . . . Hunter, what's going on?"

"Mom, I just want them to be safe. To be able to live their lives." Hunter turned away from her and started down the stairs. "I would rather of her angry than see her in the clutches of a beast."

"The attacks are targeting teen girls?" Asked Rose. Her eyes widened.

"They're looking for a specific girl. Dénes Vadás is looking for a bride." Answered Hunter. He started down the stairs without another word. Rose made the sign of the cross and went to her own room to pray. Very few went up against Dénes Vadás and lived.