Lana decided to explore the library looking for more journals, maybe some books of interest while everyone else was busy. She was missing her friends and brother more and more each day. The problem with Sil letting Vorden control the body meant she didn't get to spend much time with Sil. Vorden had his own friends and goals.
She knew when she got this light crystal it would be handy but never dreamt of being on a planet where it would get so much use. She managed to find some blank journals but also found some science books on herbal potions. She took 4 journals and the herbal books she found and went and sat on the bottom step of the stairs. She was hoping to intercept Edward when they came back out. She needed to know if he could train Shalt. She began writing an update on everything that has happened in the past few days. She had used up the last of her journals right before going on the hunting trip. Of course, if they did wipe her memory, the tree in the back yard knew everything and the ones in the forest could fill her in on the hunting trip but she was hoping something more would happen. These journals would be full of interesting tales that her children would one day know about.
Quinn and his knights came to the front of the castle to go upstairs. Lana stood up, closing her book. Quinn was about to go upstairs, "Lana, you're not in the garden?"
She shook her head. "Shalt went to get his things. I found some books in the library, is it okay if I borrow them? Also, I ran out of journals and was hoping you wouldn't mind if I helped myself to a few."
Quinn chuckled. He was tired, he'd had so much on his mind for so long and Lana felt really bad for even bugging him but she had to. "Quinn, can Shalt be taught the vampire martial arts? If we are ever allowed to return to earth, he will need to bring as much training with him as possible."
Quinn responded, "Let me ask you something. Do you still want to create the Plantwell Family?"
"Of course! His presence won't change that. I'll just have to help him keep his secret, that he's a vampire."
"Can you keep it from your brother?"
"I can keep it from anyone I wish to keep it from, that includes my brother. There's a reason I'm scarred from our childhood and he is not, Quinn. I have always protected him. You also need to understand that if you ever need our services, you need but ask. Shalt will always be part of the tenth as well so if you need to recall him, you can. I think he might get bored after a while anyway. For now, consider it a special assignment."
"Vorden doesn't like this."
"He needs to deal with it. I plan to discuss it with him later. He's at your side predominantly. While I can protect myself, quite frankly, I can't help but think would Pucket have been able to get me in the dungeon if I had someone like Shalt at my side?"
Quinn smiled and nodded. "I'll be in my room. Edward will begin Shalt's training as soon as he's settled."
Lana exhaled, "thank you."
Quinn resumed climbing the steps to his room.
"What's troubling you Lana?"
She took a long pause. "there are many terrible things going on here. The vampire families are not as they seem. I don't want to be here any more, Leo."
She sighed then shook her head. "Edward, how do you do it? You have to know how slimy some of those leaders are…"
"My dear, why do you think they could not entice me to leave my dear friend Vincent?"
Lana half-smiled. The door then opened and Shalt walked in with his trunk. It wasn't very big. It seemed he just brought clothes and a few personal items. Edward clapped him on the shoulder, "Good news, your training begins the minute you get your things stowed away in your room!"
There was a shocked look on his face and he hurriedly ran up the stairs with his trunk and ran back down. There was an excited look on his face as he descended the stairs.
Leo sat down next to Lana as they watched Edward spar for a few minutes with Shalt to see if he had grown any since they last fought over the cooler of blood. He had learned some new moves while out in the woods. Leo whispered to Lana asking if she was responsible as Shalt threw out a kick and a punch that could only have come from Leo's class.
Lana chuckled softly, "well, there is no such thing as having too many tools in the toolbox. There is such a thing as having too small of a toolbox."
"Quinn always finds such remarkable people to have around him."
Lana chuckled again, "yes, he has you now as well. Accident or not, he needs you more than he needs me but I will still be there if he does need me."
Leo responded, "I would say you have already. You healed his team. Based on what I see in front of me, you may even help heal his tenth family one person at a time. You didn't need to give this man the chance to turn himself around but you did."
"The tenth's people are a product of their circumstance. No matter what the other leaders or families say, they would never be considered part of the other families. They are being manipulated to play these silly, sick games." Lana sighed again. "Part of me was hoping the vampires were actually a superior species. That they could teach the humans how to love one another, live in peace and harmony. It seems they are no different from us, just superior bodies. The tenth were always the smart ones. From what I was able to gather. And the last tenth left."
They talked together quietly so as not to distract Shalt and Edward. Leo then asked, "What do you think Quinn should do?"
"Protect his people, of course. Here and there. It will be hard but he's needed in both places. He can't get stronger here. They will eat him alive. He absolutely must return to the human world and come back here once he's stronger."