Nyx took a deep breath as she stared at the Harris home. With Andromeda meeting the Morelands, Nyx insisted that she could do this alone. After all it made sense, the Harris family weren't as hostile to vampires as the Morelands. As she slowly proceeded to the front door, she only hoped she was right.
Gently rapping on the door, Nyx waited nervously. Maybe they weren't home. The sound of footsteps barreling towards the floor immediately told Nyx otherwise, along with a heavy thud. Unsure what happened, Nyx raised an eyebrow as the door opened revealing a young Asian woman with shoulder length black hair.
"Haley," Kari sighed. "This is why mom tells you not to run in socks. You're lucky you only busted your ass and not the China cabinet!"
Kari shook her head, now turning to their visitor. Looking over the young woman, Kari didn't recognize her. Who was this young woman with black hair and sunglasses?
"I'm sorry are you a friend of Haley's?"
"N..no," Nyx stammered. "I'm...I'm Nyx. Nyx Tepes...Aaron's...um girlfriend."
Kari's eyes went wide, her jaw hanging open slightly. She had heard that Nyx would be visiting, she just had no idea what she looked like. Looking past Nyx, the young Asian woman now spoke.
"It's okay Abolith we've been expecting her."
"Abolith?!"
Nyx turned quickly, noticing the woman standing behind her. Dressed in dark blue assassin’s garb with a mask and veil, the womans eyes now glared at the dhamphir.
"Holy shit," Nyx gasped. "You're...you're Abolith!"
"I see my reputation proceeds me." Abolith replied coldly.
"Yeah," Nyx whispered breathlessly. "You're one of the most feared assassins throughout the realm. You're probably almost as dangerous as Ann."
"The child vampire?" Abolith scoffed. "My skills are far more elegant and far more dangerous than the Tepes family's personal guard dog. Comparing our methods is like comparing a surgeon to a school nurse."
"Abolith," Kari groaned, rubbing her eyes. "You can argue about who the better killer is later okay?'
"Um sorry," Nyx interrupted. "But what is an elf assassin doing lurking around your house?"
"My nieces and nephew are in need of protection," Abolith stated. "Things have been...unsettled since the incidents within the kitsune and vampire realm. I've been watching you since you entered the neighborhood."
"Shes your aunt?!" Nyx exclaimed looking to Kari.
"Yeah," Kari sighed. "And while I appreciate you looking out for us Abolith, we've been expecting Nyx. She's okay."
Abolith simply shrugged, leaping onto the air and vanishing once more. Nyx simply gaped at Kari, wondering if coming alone was really such a good idea.
"Please," Kari said softly. "Come in."
Nyx nodded, slowly stepping inside the Harris home. As she did, she took a moment to look around. The Harris home was quaint, appearing almost stereotypical in its decor. Several pictures of the entire family hung on the walls, a couch and cushioned chairs positioned near a large TV. The home even sported a fireplace that now quietly burned.
"HI, I'm Haley!!"
Nyx turned, glancing at the petite Asian girl standing in front of her. Haley was not what Nyx expected. Standing at maybe 5' 2" either thin frame and multicolored hair, the young woman was all smiles as she rubbed a sore spot on her head. It appeared Haley had taken a spill in her excitement of answering the door.
"Hi," Nyx said slowly. "You must be Aaron's twin Haley."
"Yep that's me," Haley said excitedly. "You must be Nyx."
Nyx nodded, curiously studying the petite, energetic girl carefully. "Yeah I am," she replied. "Aaron told me a little bit about you, but...I thought you were...bigger."
The smile on Haley's face grew wider as she began to change. Quickly shooting up to over 6 feet in height, the woman's body began to take on Amazonian proportions as jade green fur covered her body. Haley's face now shifted, becoming broader, her teeth elongating into fangs. Now, instead of an energetic pixie of a woman stood a brawny, Amazonian tigress.
"This big enough?" she growled.
"Sorry about Haley," Kari sighed. "She's um....special."
Nyx nodded, a small smirk spreading across her face. Haley was obviously the comedian of the family and probably the one that gave her parents fits. She could relate to that, after dealing with all of Duncan's antics over the years.
"Haley why don't you get the others?" Kari stated.
"Okey dokey," Haley grinned, her voice high and cheerful as she raced towards the stairs. "Moms! Mason! Aaron's girlfriend is here!"
Kari sighed, inviting Nyx to the family room before offeriing her a seat.
"Sorry," she apologized again. "Everyone is just a bit on edge. Especially after everything that's happened. We are happy to finally meet you though...even if Aaron is MIA."
"It's fine really," Nyx replied. "Trust me. I have four siblings. Your sister Haley kinda reminds me of my brother Duncan." Kari smiled, thanking Nyx for understanding. Nyx now fidgeted slightly. She was hoping that the Harris family had some idea where Aaron was.
"Has anyone heard from Aaron?"
"No," Kari said sadly. "We were kind of hoping you had. My moms have been worried sick...we all have honestly. Aaron's never gone this long without at least letting us know he's okay."
"I'm sorry," Nyx replied, the dhamphir's head hanging low. "Its my fault."
"No," Kari said firmly. "This isn't your fault Nyx. Aaron...Aaron has always been really hard to read. He kind of has this mystery man MOJO forever, but deep down...he's really sensitive. The whole thing with Caleb freaked him out...but if I know my brother he doesn't blame you. He blames himself."
Nyx smiled, thanking Kari asked the two began to exchange small talk. The sound of an animal entering the room caught their attention. Nyx watched as a wolf hound now approached, taking a seat in front of Nyx.
"Cool dog," she said. "What's his name?"
"My name is Fenrir," the dog replied. "Are you the one coupled to my master's brother?"
"Wait, the dog talks?!" Nyx exclaimed.
Kari simply chuckled, flashing Nyx a comforting smile. "If there's one thing you need to understand Nyx," she said. "It's that our family is anything but normal."