"What are the benefits?" she crossed her arms to still the shakes. Like a dream, she thought, or a nightmare, or both.

"You're stronger, faster, and you won't age," Clay smiled, but it faded, when his gaze went to the back window. "We can still die, thought we are harder to kill." He saw Leah's face fall a little.

"You'll be able to become what YOU want," Red added, and then looked to Tracy, "not what everyone else desire." She held up a petite hand, and fingernails grew to a wicked length, just so any doubt of their nature would die.

"I don't know," she looked at the woman, and then to her mother.

"The decision needs to be considered," Clay nodded, but he kept eyes on the headlights behind them. "You're very young."

"I have to think about it," Leah sighed. Always best to say no, she thought, when I feel pressured.

"That's fine, Countess," Red said, and tucked Leah's hair behind her ear. "We have all the time in the world."

"Her answer is NO!" Tracy wailed. "And, stop tucking my daughter's hair behind her ear!" She rolled her eyes, "It'll just show her plain face."

Red turned on Tracy, rage sent tremors through her. Hellfire red flame blazed in her lovely eyes. Her fangs were a long and wicked. The broad smile held no cheer or laughter, but a furious hunger on the edge of madness. Tracy let out a low, long toot.

"We have followers," Clay nodded behind them, "at least three vehicles."

"Some people are suicidal stupid," Red growled. "Rangel morons were always a pack of fools."

Hemi looked into the rearview mirror, 'We can't use the booster on such a curvy road."

The three trucks rushed forwards. Horns blared, as they drew closer to the custom, vintage car. Hemi laughed, and Clay sighed. Red tried to cover Leah with her body, but Tracy tried to use her daughter as cover. They slammed into the muscle car, but Hemi laughed, before slamming into them.

"All this is because YOU dressed like a SLUT!" Tracy screamed at her daughter.

"Mom," Leah cried.

"That's it!" Red slammed an elbow into Tracy's face, and she fell back. All fell silent for a second, except Hemi who chortled. She looked at Leah, "I couldn't listen to her insult you anymore!"

Leah blinked. No one has ever stood up for me, she thought, and stared at her mother. "Just…uh, don't do it again," she gaped about the interior, eyes blinked. Her mouth opened, though nothing else came out.

"I won't," Red held up her hands.

Two trucks slammed into the muscle car on both sides. The other vehicle slammed into the back. They jerked forward. Men leaned out of windows, and opened fire. Bullets and buckshot bounced off the glass and metal, and Leah screamed. The cacophony was deafening. Hemi laughed, and Red covered Leah. Clay's placid mien hardened and an oath passed between fangs. The muscle car went off the road, but the Rangel brothers and cousins still shot. Guns clicked empty, and the trucks raced away.

Hemi slammed a palm against the steering wheel. Red asked Leah if she was fine, and she nodded. Clay stared at the trucks' tail lights, until they disappeared. The Bliss family stared out at the night. A charge thrummed through them, hunger and rage. The charade of humanity departed in their fury.

"We can't leave this transgression unaddressed," Clay said, tone empty.

"They tried to kill Rosalie…Leah!" Red growled.

Clay turned to Leah, "There are different rules for us, those outside the laws of man. We're our masters. We are our law."

"What are you going to do?" Leah shivered.

"Our code is simple," he turned to Hemi then Red. "We will defend ourselves, our family." Clay looked at the night, and knew it was better to stay the course. Violence led to blood. Blood became madness. They had been transgressed; yet, it was harder to reign in his family.

Red looked at Leah, "We should just go up to the Lear family estate." Clay looked at her, a hell storm stirred under his placid calm. Hemi grumbled, but sighed at his wife. Red smiled, though squeezed hands into fists.

They pulled back into the road. The muscle car's headlights cut through the darkness. Every member of the Bliss family was silent, so their blood would cool. Rage burned inside them, flames swirled in their eyes. Leah wanted to get out, if only to stop, until her head cleared. Tracy snored beside her. The thrum inside the car was stifling.

Leah watched the Bliss family. Like pirates, she mused, they're free. I don't think most people are free, if it is really a thing. How will I feel? Does it hurt? The questions whirled in her head. Image of Red busting Tracy in the face played over. To answer any of the questions, she should have to experience it. Nothing can ever be explained fully, she knew. Heaven to one is hell to another. She shook her head, but the wild bedlam of questions made answering them impossible.

She rubbed her eyes. What do I want to be? The question echoed about the mind. How can I decide my whole life in one car ride? I can't, she thought, and looked at Red.

"A car ride isn't," Leah said and blushed.

"It is okay," Red smiled. "Take this," she had a card with a number on the back. She tucked strands of hair behind the teenager's ear.

"I don't know what to decide," she pleaded. Leah always detested kindness treated poorly, for they had helped her, despite their dark natures.

Red leaned forward, but her eyes went past her to the window. Headlights blazed. Hemi muttered a curse. Clay braced himself with a hand. Leah was pulled close to Red, as the muscle car was rammed by the large truck. Leah screamed, but the thick armor withstood the blow. Tires squealed, but the truck had locked into them.

Hemi laughed, "They really are tired of living!"