Family Ties Read online

  Elena smiled. “Good. I’ll have a plane ready for you tonight.”

  “Fine!” Mom agreed.

  “Oh, one more thing, I want you to take my daughter, Sasha with you. It will be excellent training for her to see you all in action!” Ms. Elena said.

  I gulped. Sasha and I did not get along at all. The thought of going on a mission with Sasha made me want to barf big time. Surely my mom and dad wouldn't agree.

  “Of course,” Dad said. “It will be good training for her.”

  “I didn’t think you could send any of your people!” I said hurriedly, sweating a bit.

  Elena looked at me. “Sasha is under eighteen; she does not officially work for us. She will go as, let’s call it... a school field trip.” Ms. Elena picked up the phone. “I will actually call the school now and make arrangements for Sasha, James, and Nina to go on this field trip.” She paused. “Would you like your son, Frank to go too? The boy is strong and a gifted fighter.”

  “Of course,” Dad said.

  “Excellent,” Ms. Elena replied, “Have a pleasant and fruitful journey!”

  Nina Note: Looks like we were off to Transylvania. I guess my dream or my vision, or my whatever, was right. I was just glad we could help. I felt sure we would find Jimmy’s mom and bring her back safely. After doing that, she’d have to like me. Right?

  Plus, by traveling with Jimmy, my mom would get to see what a cool, nice guy he is. Right? Right?

  They say it’s important to think positively. When you think positively, positive things happen. Right? Of course, they do. We had this! The thought of my family working with Jimmy and his mom made me smile. I just hoped I wasn’t thinking too positively. Is there even such a thing?

  Chapter 4: Another Visitor

  When we arrived home, I felt glad to see Ruby sitting on the porch waiting for me.

  “I hear you’ll be taking another trip!” Ruby said with a big smile.

  “Yeah,” I acknowledged. “How’d you know?”

  Ruby grinned. “Jimmy texted me. He’s so glad there is finally going to be action to save his mom. He actually wanted to know what he should wear.”

  “I just wish you could come. But Ms. Elena wants Sasha to go instead…” I groaned.

  “Well, I can’t go on the trip. But I will just be a Skype call away if you need me. Plus, with me here, I can take notes for you at school and stuff. School is almost as fun as going on an amazing adventure to T-Van. When this works out, you’ll not only have Jimmy’s mom, but you’ll possibly have opened up a path to peace between the vampires and the vampire hunters, which is great.”

  “But Sasha…” I said sticking my finger in my mouth. “That girl makes me want to barf!”

  “Well, if you do, make sure you turn towards her,” Ruby joked.

  “Do you think Ms. Elena did this so Sasha will get more time with Jimmy?” I asked. “Maybe she’d love to see her daughter with a vampire hunter like Jimmy?”

  Ruby nodded. “That and also Jimmy is way cute. Any mom would love him!”

  “Except mine!” I told Ruby.

  “True, true,” Ruby said. “But this adventure gives your mom a chance to see how great Jimmy is.”

  “If she doesn’t turn him into a toad, that is. Or make him think he’s a chicken…” I groaned. Yeah, I’m groaning a lot today. I need to work on that. I guess I should be happy I’m going on a cool trip with my family and Jimmy. I’ll get to meet relatives and ancestors who I didn’t even know existed. Plus, it’s all free, and I get to miss school. I forced myself to smile. “At least I’ll miss the math test.”

  “But you’re really good at math!” Ruby said. “And Mr. Oats will make you take the test when you get back!”

  “True, but I feel a bit special taking the test alone,” I told her.

  “Yeah, I’m glad taking a math class in an empty room makes the world’s only royal vampire weretiger feel special,” Ruby said, batting her eyes comically.

  “You know what I mean,” I told her. “I like normal special just as much as supernatural special. More perhaps.”

  Sure, sometimes I felt cool being the world’s only royal vampire and weretiger. I had powers and abilities most people only dreamed of. Plus, Mom and others kept telling me I was only scratching the surface of my power. But being half vampire and half weretiger made me different from anybody else. Sure, different is good. I don’t mind being different. But at times, I wouldn’t mind being a nice normal girl. “I still wouldn’t mind being a regular person now and then,” I told Ruby.

  “Nah, regular people get zits,” Ruby said.

  “That’s a very good point,” a voice said from above. Turning and looking upwards, I saw a ghost ninja hovering above us.

  “Yes, but normal girls don’t have to deal with ghost ninjas…” I said.

  “Ninja ghosts!” the ninja ghost said.

  “Let me guess, there’s one here now,” Ruby said.

  “Yep,” I said to Ruby. Looking at the ghost ninja or ninja ghost, I asked. “Why are you here?”

  “Can’t a ninja just stop by and say hi?”

  “Nope!” I said, shaking my head.

  He pulled out a throwing star. He flung it at me. I used my mind to block it and deflect it back at him. He caught the throwing star in his hand.

  “What’s the big idea?” I demanded.

  “Just testing your reflexes!” the ninja told me. He made an okay sign. “They are A-okay!” he said. He pulled the throwing star out of his hand. “Glad I can’t feel pain or that would have smarted!” he told me.

  I looked at the floating Ninja. “Why are you here?”

  He pointed at me. “Well, first of all, Transylvania can be chilly this time of year, so bring a nice sweater.”

  “That is good advice,” Ruby said.

  “Wait, how can you hear him?” I asked Ruby.

  “No idea!” Ruby said.

  “It’s because we now consider the one called Ruby to be worthy of hearing us,” the ninja said.

  “Cool!” Ruby said.

  “And what else do you want to tell me?” I asked. “Please tell me you didn’t come just to say I need to take a sweater.”

  The ninja lowered himself to the ground. “We support the idea of you getting together with vampires and vampire hunters.”

  “Okay,” I said. “I’m glad you have approved.”

  “Any hints on what’s coming?” Ruby asked.

  The ninja shook his head. I swear I heard rocks clicking together. “No idea. We just know something big is coming!”

  The ninja disappeared.

  I frowned. “That was even less useful than normal.”

  “Actually, it was a bit useful,” Ruby said, sounding practical as always. “It’s good to know the phantom ninjas won’t interfere.”

  “Good point,” I admitted.

  “Plus, now that we know something big may be coming, I can do some research into what it is and how we can stop it!” she said. “Gives me a fun project to work on while you’re away.”

  Nina Note: That was so Ruby…always ready to help in whatever manner she could. That was also so Phantom Ninja, to give me information that was slightly useful but created more questions than it answered.

  Chapter 5: Saving the Day

  The next day, Mom invited Jimmy to our house for breakfast before we headed to the airport. I actually think Mom felt sorry for Jimmy. This meant that maybe, just maybe, Mom would learn to accept him as a part of my life.

  I now looked forward to our trip. I just hoped Mom wouldn’t turn Jimmy into a newt. She’s only done it once when my friend was acting like a twit, but still.

  Of course, I had to admit that it was a cool ability to have. Mom always told me I could develop it if I worked at it, but I was in no hurry. Though, man, some of my teachers might be in trouble if I could do that.

  After breakfast, we all got in the car and drove to the private airport just outside of town. Mom drove while Dad made calculation
s on his laptop. I sat between Frank and Jimmy in the back.

  “Thanks for having me over for breakfast, and thanks for helping me find my mom,” Jimmy said, pretty much to everyone in the car.

  “No problem!” I told him.

  “You’re a pal!” Frank said.

  “James, we are doing this for you and perhaps also the entire world!” Dad said.

  “Yes,” Mom said. “We are higher life forms, after all!”

  “We are?” Frank said. “Cool!”

  Dad looked at me with squinted eyes. “We’re not higher; we just have a few mutations that allow us to do different things.”

  “Better things,” Mom insisted.

  “Different things!” Dad said not backing down from Mom’s gaze.

  Mom sighed. “Okay, but better different.”

  “I really appreciate your help,” Jimmy said.

  “Let’s hope your mom does too!” my mom added.

  “I’m sure she will,” Jimmy said with just enough enthusiasm to show he hoped he meant it.

  “I’m sure she will too!” I said.

  “Why are you so sure, Nina? How well do you know this woman who has hunted us in the past?” Mom asked.

  “Nina has a great sense for people,” Frank said. “I think she can smell their goodness!”

  I gave Frank credit for sticking up for me. That’s why I love my bro, he’s always willing to try to help, even if he has no idea how to help.

  Thankfully, we reached the airport before Mom had a chance to reply. There, standing near a big black limo, was Sasha Stein. She had her hands on her hips and was anxiously tapping her foot.

  We pulled up next to her. She looked at her watch. “You people are almost late!” she barked.

  Getting out of the car, I said, “Nice to see you too, Sasha!” I smiled at her, a smile so fake, she knew it was fake.

  Sasha rolled her eyes. “Look, I’m not any happier about my mom sending me with you people,” she choked on the word people, “than you are about having me here.”

  “Actually, I’m glad you’re here!” Frank said. “I find you to be cute and you have a lot of cool abilities.”

  “I’m glad you’re here too!” Jimmy said to Sasha.

  Dad walked over to Sasha and extended his hand. “As am I. We can use all the help we can get. And from what I’ve read about you, you are a very capable young girl!”

  Sasha shook Dad’s hand.

  Mom walked up to Sasha and pointed at her. “Just remember, you are a normal girl. You are here to help us. We don’t work for you or your mother!” Sasha held her ground and Mom’s glare. I gave her credit for that. I’ve seen angry tigers back down from Mom’s glare. Finally, she looked away just a little. “I get that. We’re a team…” Sasha raised an arm and said, “Ra! Go, team!”

  “Wow, I didn’t know you were a cheerleader!” Frank said.

  Sasha patted Frank on the chest. “You’re lucky you’re cute!” she told him.

  Frank grinned at her. “Thanks!”

  Sasha pointed to the plane. It looked shiny and brand new. “At least Mom gave us the agency’s newest and best plane. We will be traveling in style.”

  Mom examined the plane. “I must admit that it does look nice.”

  A red carpet covered staircase unfolded from the plane.

  “I guess they want us to board,” Dad said.

  A handsome dark-haired man and a pretty blonde woman dressed in blue suits smiled at us as we approached. “We are Kenny and Barb; we will be your android flight attendants.”

  Well, that explained why they looked so perfect.

  We boarded the plane. It only had a dozen seats, but they were big, soft, fluffy seats. Kenny and Barb had also prepared an entire host of snacks for us.

  Looking into the cockpit, we noticed there were no pilots.

  “Are we waiting for the pilots?” I asked.

  Sasha laughed, she was clearly laughing at me. “Silly girl, this is a self-flying plane.”

  “It’s very cool!” Dad said.

  “I’m not sure I trust a self-flying plane,” my mom said. She shrugged. “But luckily I can fly, and I’m pretty hard to kill, so I am fine with that.”

  “Ah, Dad, Frank and Jimmy can’t fly!” I noted.

  “We can always carry them,” Mom said, sitting down in a chair and kicking off her shoes.

  “I suggest you all sit,” Barb said. “The robot pilot likes taking off on time!”

  “Yes, please sit, humans and vampires and whatever,” the robot pilot voice said. “I am very anxious to take off. Since I go hyper-fast, flight time will be only two hours. The weather in Transylvania is 72 degrees with a touch of cloud cover. I expect an easy flight.”

  We all sat down. The plane glided along the runway and took off.

  As we cruised through the sky, I asked questions. “So, ah what’s the plan?”

  “I’ve sent a mental message to our relatives in Transylvania; they will send a car for us. It will be there when we land,” Mom said.

  “Have you asked them about my mother?” Jimmy asked.

  “No Jimmy. I’m a moron, and I haven’t asked that,” Mom said, rolling her eyes.

  “Mom!” I said.

  “It seems kind of silly that you wouldn’t have asked?” Frank said, sipping on a lemonade.

  Dad turned to Frank. “Your mother is being cynical, Frank.”

  “Mom, that’s not nice at all!” Frank scolded her. “I know I would feel terrible if you were missing.”

  Mom nodded. She turned to Frank. “I’m sorry, son.” Mom spun towards Jimmy. “James. I’m sorry. My answer was not appropriate. I did ask my family about your mother. They heard that she arrived there, but they have no idea where she is now. They’re looking for her.”

  Wow, I had never seen Mom apologize before. I could sense Mom realized she’d answered Jimmy poorly. She actually felt concern. I could feel her feeling it. I liked it.

  “Thanks, I really appreciate that you’re helping me and telling me the truth,” Jimmy said.

  “Good job, Mom!” Frank said. “I’m proud of you!”

  I glanced at Sasha. I swore I saw her smile a little. Could she actually have a heart?

  “Don't worry, Jimmy,” Sasha said. “Now that I’m here, I’m sure we can save your mother. My mom has loaned me a couple of devices that I can use to make sure we succeed!” She actually flexed her muscles. “Once we save your mom then your mom, you, my mom, and I will all go out to eat! It will be fun!”

  I had very mixed emotions about that statement. I so wanted to save Jimmy’s mom, and I knew Sasha could be a big help, but I hated the fact that she was trying to put moves on Jimmy, especially in front of me. Now I really wished I could turn people into newts.

  The plane started to plunge downward.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Dad said.

  “Hello passengers, this is your autopilot. I’m just informing of you my intention to crash the plane. Feel free to keep your seatbelts on, but it most likely won’t help! Please have a nice crash! You’ll be happy to know I am crashing into the ocean to avoid hurting any innocent people. Plus, since we are over the middle of the ocean, even those of you who can fly will get tired out eventually and be forced to land in the water well before you reach the shore. I do compute that vampires can sink.”

  “Okay, sorry I asked!” I said.

  “I can’t believe this! That rat, Ms. Elena set this entire thing up just to try to get rid of us!” Mom said.

  Sasha shook her head. “No. My mom would never do that, even if I weren’t on the plane. I’ve heard her talk. She really respects you people and wants to work with you!” Sasha frowned. “Believe me…I don’t get it.”

  Well, I had to give Sasha credit for being honest.

  Mom quickly unfastened her seatbelt. Kenny rushed over to her. He reached down and grabbed her seatbelt. “Please, ma’am, the pilot wants us all to keep our seat belts fa
stened!”

  “Yes, but the same pilot also wants to crash the plane! My daughter and I can fly everybody off the plane,” Mom argued.

  I gulped. I’d never flown while holding onto anybody before. Plus, the thing the pilot had said about flying over the water did scare me.

  “Ma’am, the pilot knows best. No, I must insist that you remain seated,” Kenny ordered, actually trying to pin Mom to her seat.

  “Yeah, that’s not going to work,” Dad said.

  “Of course it’s not!” Mom said. She punched Kenny in his android head, sending the head flying off his shoulders.

  The head crashed to the floor across the cabin and frowned. “Now that was just rude!” the head scoffed.

  “You think that was rude!” Mom said. Pointing at Kenny’s body, she fried it with a bolt of electricity.

  Kenny’s android body dropped to the ground.

  “See honey,” Mom explained to me, “we’re from the first line of vampires, and that gives us all sorts of powers! Our bodies generate electricity. You just need to feel it and channel it!”

  Barb stood there, arms crossed, glaring at Mom. “Ma’am, that is not the way to treat a flight attendant!” she scolded. “If this plane did not happen to be crashing to your death, I would so report you.”

  Mom stood up and grabbed Barb by the hand. I saw electricity crackling around Mom’s hand. Barb started to shake and shiver and smoke. Barb became lifeless. Mom let the android drop to the ground. “I can’t stand androids!” Mom said. She pointed to the door. “Now let’s fly!”

  “I have a better idea,” Sasha said. “Let’s fly the plane!”

  “One, a robot pilot is crashing the plane, and two, I don’t know how to fly a plane like this!” Dad said.

  Sasha grinned. “Mrs. Thorn here can use her electric power to short-circuit the robot controls, and I can fly the plane!”

  “Now that would work,” Mom said. “But firstly, I prefer to be called Doctor Thorn, and secondly, I’ve pretty much drained my electric powers for the moment.”

  “Nina can do it!” Jimmy offered.