Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea and Layla.

For truth is always strange; stranger than fiction.
- Lord Byron

Valentina was reading through some files when a knock sounded at the door. "Come in." She said without looking up.

"I have the information you requested." Daniel her fellow Mai announced. She put the folder down and folded her hands on her lap focusing all her attention on Daniel.

"Go on."

"The rumors are true. The hybrid lives." Valentina sighed.

"Is there still time or has the Order located her?"

"My sources say their still looking."

She nodded, "We must find her before the Order. What's her name?"

"Layla Chamberlain."

xxxx

"Alek. Jasmine. I need the two of you to check something out for me." Valentina said walking into the living room.

"What do you need us to do?" Jasmine asked standing up.

"I think there's a new Mai in town and I need to get to her before the order."

"Why do you need to get to her first."

"It's just important that I do."

"What about Chloe?" Alek asked.

"I'll look after her. Anyway I need to see how her training is coming for myself. Can I count on you?"

"Yes." Jasmine nodded.

Alek sighed but nodded as well. "You can count on us."

xxxx

Alek and Jasmine scanned the school grounds for the description of Layla Valentina have gave them. "Why do you think this girl is so important? Alek asked.

"I don't know, but if my mom thinks she is then she probably is." Alek rolled his eyes at his cousins blind faith in her mom. She was always trying to get her approval. Just when Alek decided they should give up they heard someone call 'Layla'. The cousins followed the voice to see a man and a teenage girl taking, and the girl looking very uncomfortable.

Layla was walking out of school when someone called her name. She turned around to see a man in his early thirties dressed in a suit, with brown hair and eyes walking towards her. Thinking he was a teacher with the way he was dressed she waited til he stopped in front of her. "Yes?" Layla asks securing her bag on her shoulder.

"I'm Cater Razzano. I was a friend of your mother's." Says the stranger. Layla's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, she didn't remember this man growing up or at her mother's funeral. Just as she was about to voice it another person called her name but this time the person was British. Layla watched as a well built blonde guy and a pretty dark skinned brunette girl came their way.

Alek and Jasmine stopped so they were standing close to Layla just in case the man tried anything. "Are you still coming over for dinner tonight?" Jasmine asked.
Alek noticed the confusion in Layla's blue eyes as he checked her out, 'Please play along' he thought.

Layla's eyes widened, "I completely forgot that that was tonight." She hit her forehead. "Of course I'm still coming." Layla played along. "Mr. Razzano you really should talk to my father. I honestly have no memory of you."

Mr. Razzano nodded, "Of course. It was nice seeing you." He held out his hand to her.

She looked down on it and didn't take it. She tucked some of her brown hair behind her ear and looked back up at him, "I'd say the same, but to be honest you kinda creep me out." Jasmine held in a laugh and Alek smirked amused.

The man smiled fakely, "That's quite alright. Good day." And with that he walked away.

xxxx

"Thanks for the save. That guy." Layla shuddered when Mr. Razzano is out of ear shot.

"It was no problem. I'm Jasmine and this is my cousin Alek."

"I'm Layla," she paused, "but you already knew that."

"We'll explain everything but first you need to come with us." Jasmine said stepping closer causing Layla to take a step back.

"Give me one good reason why I should trust you?"

"We're trying to protect you." Alek said grabbing her arm. Layla looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity in them.

She sighed then questered with her hands. "Lead the way."

xxxx

'This place looks more like a museum then a home'. Layla thought as she followed Alek and Jasmine further into the apartment. "Sooo, how about that explanation?" She asked as she turned her attention away from the weird art they had to them. Alek, Jasmine and an older women Layla didn't hear come in were all standing there. Like she was some animal at an zoo exhibit. Staring at her. Waiting for her to do a trick. "Hi." She waved. "Please tell me this isn't the part where you chop me up into tiny pieces?"

The women smiled, "We're not going to hurt you. We're here to help you."

"Okay."

"Please, sit. We have alot to discuss."

xxxx

Layla and the women she now knew as Valentina sat on the couch, Jasmine had left saying she had to be somewhere but she hoped to see her again, and Alek casually lent against the wall. She really wished Jasmine hadn't left she felt more comfortable with her around. Valentina was kinda intimating. And Alek well, he seemed like a cocky bastard. "So basically what your saying is my family isn't really my family and I'm part cat?"

"Basically." Alek smirked teasingly. Layla rolled her eyes, 'Yep, definitely a cocky bastard'.

"I know this is hard to accept-"

"Yeah no shit." Alek snorted, impressed at how brave she was to talk like that to total strangers. Both women turned their glares on him and he backed up holding his hands up in surrender.

Valentina said turning her attention back to Layla, "But it's the truth."

She grabbed her bag, "Okay as much fun as story time was," she said standing up. "I really should be heading home."

Alek grabbed her arm stopping her from leaving, "This isn't some fairytale. Your in danger."

"My dad's the sheriff. If I'm in any danger I'm sure I can handle it." She snapped yanking her arm back.

"You have no idea what your up against."

"I know exactly what I'm up against. Three crazy people who think their descendants of cats. If your part cat where's your tail, hm?" Alek smirked and extended his claws causing Layla to take in a sharp breath. Valentina stood up seeing the panic in Layla's eyes.

"Layla."

"No. Stay way." She said holding out her hand to keep them away. "Just... Stay away." Layla turned and ran out the door.

xxxx

The taxi came to a stop in front of Layla's house and she handed the driver money. "Keep the change." She said as she exited the vehicle making her way to her front door. Quickly she let herself in and locked the door once she was safely on the other side. She turned around still leaning against the door and took a deep breath, 'I'm home, I'm safe now'. Sighing she dropped her school bag by the door and proceeded to make her way up the stairs.

"Layla?" Her dad's voice called from the living room.

"Hi dad."

"Are you just getting home?"

"Yeah I was out with Devon." She lied.

"Okay, but next time call me if your going to be getting home late."

"Alright." She was about to go to bed but a thought occurred to her, "Hey dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Did mom have a friend named Cater Razzano?"

There was slience, then he answered, "No, I don't think so. Why?"

"No reason. Night."

"Goodnight." Her dad called after her. Entering her room she kicked off her gray boots and pulled her blue sweater over her head leaving her in a white tank top. Layla opened her dresser and pulled out her blue plaid boxers before shimming out of her jeans and throwing them in her wash basket. When she had her boxers on she pulled back her covers and crawled into bed. Unaware of Alek sitting watch on her roof.