MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 362: She hates blades

The ancient stone walls of the vampire city faded into the distance as Blake, Reggie, and Randall set out on their journey home. Their satchels were heavy with the hard-won ingredients for the ritual - each item a testament to their determination and resourcefulness. As they passed through the city gates, a pair of smoldering red eyes watched from a high tower window, radiating malevolence.

Inside the castle, a figure shrouded in darkness seethed with rage. His voice, barely more than a whisper, carried centuries of bitterness and contempt. "This isn't over," he hissed. "You may think you've won, but you'll soon learn your place. Humans... vampires...

all of you will come to understand that you are not the apex predators you believe yourselves to be."

The dark presence retreated deeper into the shadows, his laughter echoing through empty halls. "Run home, little vampires. Your struggles only delay the inevitable."

Meanwhile, on the winding road leading away from the city, Blake's group pressed on with renewed urgency. Dumphries, the aged vampire blacksmith had insisted on accompanying them, his curiosity about Rose's condition overriding his usual reclusive nature.

As they traveled, Blake's mind raced with worries and regrets. 'What if we're too late? What if the Nemisis has already taken too much of Rose?' His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag, feeling the weight of their precious cargo. 'And Celena... I've been gone for so long. How is she coping?

Does she resent me for leaving?'

The forest thickened around them, the familiar scents of pine and earth filling the air. It should have been comforting, but Blake couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him.

Reggie nudged him, breaking his reverie. "We're making good time," he said, his voice low. "We'll be home before you know it."

Blake nodded, grateful for the reassurance. But as the trees whispered overhead and the shadows lengthened, he couldn't help but wonder what awaited them at the end of their journey. Would they find Rose as they left her, or would they be facing something... else?

'Hold on, Rose,' he thought, pushing himself to move faster. 'We're coming. Just hold on a little longer.'

The group pressed on through the gathering dusk, each step bringing them closer to home - and to a confrontation that would determine not just Rose's fate, but perhaps the future of their entire kind.

The car wound its way through the familiar forest path, the ancient trees seeming to whisper secrets as they passed. As they neared the cabin, a palpable tension filled the vehicle. Blake's heart raced with anticipation and anxiety.

Suddenly, the car jerked to a halt. There, in the middle of the path, stood a small figure, her eyes glowing an eerie red in the twilight. Blake's breath caught in his throat.

Without a word, he exited the car, leaving his pouch of hard-won ingredients behind. His footsteps crunched on the gravel as he approached the little girl, his daughter, Celena.

As he drew closer, the red glow in her eyes began to fade. For a moment, there was silence. Then, a heart-wrenching wail split the air. In a blur of motion too fast for human eyes to follow, Celena launched herself at Blake, tackling him to the ground with surprising force.

"Oof!" Blake grunted as the air rushed from his lungs. Despite the impact, a smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around his daughter.

"Daddy!" Celena cried, her little fists pounding on his chest. "Where were you? You were gone forever and ever!"

Blake stroked her hair, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Daddy had to go away to help Mommy. But I'm back now."

Celena's lower lip trembled. "You promised you wouldn't leave. You promised!"

The guilt Blake had been carrying intensified. "I know, baby. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to go, but it was very important. Can you forgive me?"

Celena's angry expression softened slightly. "Did you bring me anything?"

Blake chuckled, relieved at the shift in her mood. "As a matter of fact, I did. But it's in the car. Want to go see?"

As they started to stand, movement from the cabin caught their attention. The front door swung open, and familiar faces began to emerge.

As they started to stand, movement from the cabin caught their attention. The front door swung open, and familiar faces began to emerge.

Nana, her silver hair gleaming in the fading light, rushed towards Reggie. "My love!" she cried, throwing her arms around him. Reggie swept her up in a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair.

"I've missed you so much," Reggie murmured, his voice thick with emotion. They shared a passionate kiss, the relief and joy of reunion evident in their entwined figures.

Gunther stepped out onto the porch, his weathered face breaking into a relieved smile. "Welcome back, boys," he called out to Blake, Reggie, and Randall. "Glad to see you all in one piece."

Dr. Martina leaned against the doorframe, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she observed the reunions.

Just as the tension began to ease, another figure emerged from the car. Dumphries, the vampire blacksmith, stepped into view, his curious gaze taking in the scene before him.

The effect on Celena was immediate and dramatic. Her giggles cut off abruptly, replaced by a low, menacing growl. Blake felt her small body tense in his arms.

"Celena?" he asked, alarmed by the sudden change. But she was already wriggling free of his grasp.

In an instant, Celena's fangs elongated, her eyes once again glowing that eerie red. With a snarl that seemed far too ferocious for her tiny frame, she leapt from Blake's arms and landed on all fours.

"Blade," she growled, her voice deeper and more guttural than Blake had ever heard it. "He has blades to kill my forest buddies!"

Before anyone could react, Celena was charging towards Dumphries, moving with inhuman speed across the clearing.

"Celena, no!" Blake shouted, scrambling to his feet. But she was too fast, too focused on her perceived threat.

Dumphries stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock as the vampire toddler barreled towards him. The others watched in horror, torn between the instinct to protect the child and the need to save their guest.

As Celena closed in on Dumphries, time seemed to slow. Blake could see the determination in his daughter's eyes, the fierce protectiveness that drove her. In that moment, he felt a confusing mix of pride at her bravery and terror at what she might do.

"Stop!" Gunther's commanding voice rang out, but it seemed to have no effect on the charging toddler.

Dr. Martina stepped forward, her hand outstretched as if to intervene, but she was too far away to reach Celena in time.

Reggie and Randall moved to intercept, but they too were too distant to make a difference.

As Celena leapt, her tiny fangs bared and claws extended, Dumphries finally snapped out of his shock. In a move that belied his aged appearance, he sidestepped at the last possible moment.

Celena sailed past him, tumbling onto the ground with a surprised yelp. Before she could regain her footing, Blake was there, scooping her up into his arms.

"Celena, stop!" he said firmly, holding her tight as she struggled. "Dumphries is a friend. He's here to help Mommy."

Celena's red eyes locked onto Dumphries, who was now cautiously approaching. "But... but I smell the blades," she insisted, her voice wavering between a growl and a whimper.

Dumphries, to his credit, knelt down to Celena's eye level. "You have a very good nose, little one," he said gently. "I am indeed a blacksmith, and I do work with blades. But I promise you, I'm not here to harm anyone or anything in your forest."

Celena's growl subsided, but she still eyed Dumphries suspiciously. "Promise?" she demanded.

Dumphries nodded solemnly. "I give you my word as a vampire and a craftsman. My blades are tools, not weapons against innocent creatures."

Slowly, Celena's fangs retracted, and the red glow faded from her eyes. She looked up at Blake, confusion evident on her face. "Daddy? Is he really here to help Mommy?"

Blake nodded, relief washing over him. "Yes, sweetheart. We all are. That's why I had to go away for a while. But now we're back, and we're going to make Mommy all better."

Celena's lower lip trembled. "Can... can I see Mommy now?"

A heavy silence fell over the group. Blake exchanged glances with Gunther and Dr. Martina, uncertainty written on their faces.

Finally, Dr. Martina stepped forward. "Celena, honey," she said softly, "your Mommy is still very sick. We need to be very careful around her. But now that your Daddy and the others are back, we're going to do everything we can to help her."

Celena nodded slowly, burying her face in Blake's chest. He could feel her tiny body shaking with suppressed sobs.

As the tension of the moment began to dissipate, Gunther cleared his throat. "Well, now that we've all been properly introduced," he said, with a wry glance at Dumphries, "perhaps we should head inside. We have a lot to discuss, and not much time to do it."

The group began to move towards the cabin, the weight of their task settling over them once more. But as Blake carried Celena inside, he felt a glimmer of hope. They were together again, and they had everything they needed to save Rose.