This story is Post TIS. I wanted Hopper involved in the story, lol. So here's the story (in 1st POV). Hope you guys like it. :)
I groaned and rolled over in my bed. I was feeling terrible; not like I was getting sick. It wasn't a physical feeling. It was mental. I was mentally fatigued and I could feel a headache coming on. I got out of bed and headed towards the shower. Nothing like a shower to ease the tension out of me.
As I stood in the shower, letting the water cascade over me, I thought of everything that had recently happened. And a lot had happened; sometimes it felt like it was all a dream. But I knew it wasn't. I felt changed, a different person. I scrubbed shampoo into my hair letting myself succumb to the lathering feel of it.
When I got out of the shower, I began my daily routine of fixing my hair. Everything was the same except for one little detail; my sister. She was still sound asleep and I took a moment to look at her. She was lying on her right side so I could see the newly inked tattoo emblazoned on her left cheek. The sunlight that came through the window made it glitter; almost like it was mocking me.
Hey, look at me, it seemed to say. Look at how you couldn't save your sister from the Alchemists. Now she's as trapped as you are.
I turn away and look at the mirror hanging above my drawer. I looked exhausted; I felt exhausted. I automatically begin the process of blow drying my hair. I hear my sister get up out of bed and groggily make her way towards the shower. I hear her turn the shower on and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
Zoe had arrived yesterday and no one knew that she was here yet. It was going to be a shock to Jill, Angeline and Eddie, that was for sure. It was already enough with Neil, the new guardian, being here. But another Alchemist? And my sister, at that.
Thinking of the gang made me think of Adrian and our wonderful day yesterday. It was spectacular and I should have known that it wouldn't have lasted long. I just thought we'd have longer than a day.
My phone rang drawing me out of my melancholy thoughts. I brightened, though, when I saw who the caller was.
"Adrian!" My voice sounded all breathless and excited, nothing like me at all. He chuckled on the other line.
"Hey, Sage. Missed you too."
I blushed, but otherwise ignored it. I had to tell him about Zoe. The thought brought a frown to my face and I glanced towards the bathroom. It was still closed and I could hear the water running.
"Adrian, we have a slight problem." I had my professional voice on, which made Adrian groan.
"What problem? You're not having second thoughts about us are you?" I was mildly offended that he thought I was backing out, even though it was understandable. I did spend the majority of these past few weeks pushing him away and giving excuses as to why we couldn't be together.
"Of course not," I said. "It's my sister."
"Your sister?" he asked. "Is she alright?"
I laughed bitterly. "Yeah, she's fine. She's actually here as an Alchemist."
There was a stretch of silence on the other end of the phone. I was beginning to worry he wasn't going to answer, or worse, hang up when he finally answered. And he sounded concerned.
"Are you alright?" It touched me that he was concerned about my well being.
"Of course I'm not," I told him honestly. "I didn't want this for her, Adrian. I did everything I could to protect her from the Alchemists. Guess it didn't matter in the end."
"I'm sorry, Sage," he said earnestly.
We stayed quiet and I suddenly remembered something.
"I was actually gonna call you. Hopper needs to stay with you since Zoe's here. And I was wondering if I could keep all my magic books and material at your apartment?"
I waited anxiously for his answer, fearing he was going to say no.
"Of course," he said causing me to sigh in relief. "I've missed our darling love child." That brought a smile to my face.
"Yeah, I think he's missed his father too. He was crying all night; thank God Zoe's a deep sleeper. I still had to turn him into a rock, though."
"I actually think it's the pie he misses," said Adrian in mock hurt.
"I think you're right," I replied seriously causing him to shout, "Hey!"
The bathroom door slammed open and I jumped.
"Gotta go," I told Adrian in my Alchemist voice.
I heard him sigh sadly over the phone and felt my heart clench in response.
"We're going to have to be extra careful, aren't we?" he asked.
I almost laugh, or cry, I don't know. Instead, I just say, "We'll be at Clarence's this evening."
"I'll be there. I love you." I don't know what to say, so I just hang up. I look at the phone and groan.
"Everything alright?" asked Zoe changing into the Amberwood uniform.
"Yeah, it's fine."
"Who was that?" she asked. She didn't suspicious, but then again my social cues were nonexistent.
"Adrian Ivashkov," I said, making sure my voice sounded nonchalant. "He just wanted to know if we were going to Clarence's after school today for the feeding."
I was putting on my makeup and saw her flinch out of the corner of my eye.
"Why would he care?" she asked with more of a bite in her voice than she probably intended. I think the mention of "feeding" put her on edge.
I sighed. "He's shadowkissed to Jill and they have to be around each other for the bond to..."
I trailed off and hoped she didn't question it any further, which she didn't, to my relief. We finished getting ready and headed to the cafeteria. The closer we got, the more nervous Zoe became. Even though I was furious that she was an Alchemist, my anger wasn't towards her. It was at the Alchemists, especially our father. I gave her a reassuring smile which she ignored looking around with wide, frightful eyes.
I led her towards the table that Jill, Eddie, Angeline and Neil were currently occupying. Jill Mastrano was a Moroi, the alive and good kind of vampire. Not like the undead Strigoi who were evil and had red eyes. She had the lean figure that all Moroi had, and big green eyes that seemed wide on her face. Eddie, Angeline and Neil were dhamphirs, half-vampire half-human, and they protected the Moroi from the Strigois. Eddie played my twin brother and we actually sort of looked alike with our light blonde hair. He had hazel eyes though, whereas mine were light brown. Angeline had long auburn hair and had the hard physique of dhamphirs. Neil, the newcomer, had black hair and blue eyes and was strangely tall for a dhamphir. They smiled at my arrival, except for Neil who kept that stoic guardian expression, and they turned towards Zoe curiously. They couldn't see her tattoo because I made her cover her up which of course made her pout and whine until she gave in.
"This is Zoe Sage, my sister. She's been assigned here as another Alchemist. She's going to be our cousin," I said, keeping my voice and expression neutral. Eddie's and Angeline's smiles vanished as they took in my sister in that guardian way of theirs. Jill didn't react, except for a small frown, and I suspected that she already knew through the bond.
"Zoe, this is Jill Mastrano and her guardians Eddie Castile, Angeline Dawes and Neil Raymond," I said pointing to each one, glad I remembered Neil's last name. Zoe gave a stiff nod and didn't make eye contact. I frowned; she could at least be polite. Her reaction reminded me of Keith's.
I sat down and Zoe sat next to me closely, too closely for comfort. Eddie noticed and raised an eyebrow in my direction. I shake my head slightly and mouthed 'later'.
"Why'd they send another Alchemist?" asked Neil, to my surprise. "Is she replacing you?"
I knew he meant it curiously, but I felt myself get angry at his words.
"No," I said sharply. To soften the blow, I gave him a polite smile. "No, I'm still the Alchemist in charge. She's just here for her internship."
Neil nodded and then surveyed the cafeteria. Jill and Angeline were talking about some teacher and were trying to coax Zoe in their conversation, but Zoe made it abundantly clear that she was not interested by blatantly ignoring them. I was shocked; Zoe was the kindest person I knew and she was brushing them off coldly.
Eddie, along with Neil, was silent but unlike Neil, he was observing my sister. He knew her presence here wasn't good, but thankfully kept his observation to himself. The bell rang and everyone went their separate ways, except for me and Eddie. We had the same class but he was thankfully quiet on the walk to the class. We headed towards our first class, which was ancient history, and I sat in my regular seat. Eddie sat by me. Trey Juarez, a friend and former Warrior of Light was already in his seat by the front of the room. He was the teacher's aide and was usually filing papers. The Warriors of Light were a savage group that were once a part of the Alchemists but had broken off from our group in the Middle Ages. They were much more brutal in their attempt to... help the humans than the Alchesmists. Where the Alchemists were civilized, the Warriors were not.
Trey gave me a nod but didn't look at me. I frowned before remembering; he and Angeline had had a secret hook up which resulted in Angeline's and Eddie's breakup. I didn't want to think how awkward that must be. And how painful. Eddie hadn't seemed upset over breakfast, but the arrival of my sister must have distracted him.
Ms. Terwilliger strolled into the room in that grandiose way of hers in her hippie attire. As she started the lesson, I let my mind wander. Zoe being here definitely complicated things. What I wanted to know is why Stanton sent her and not an experienced Alchemist? It didn't make sense. When I had called Stanton I had to lie and tell her that I didn't think Jill felt safe enough, which explained Neil's presence. And then I had to go and open my big mouth and say that it felt like too much sometimes.
Which was a lie, of course but Stanton had delivered. I just didn't understand why my sister.
Eddie nudged me with his elbow causing me to jump slightly. I glared at him and he pointed towards the front of the room where Ms. Terwiliiger was looking at me with a expectant expression. I flushed slightly.
"Well, Ms. Melbourne?" she asked. A few of the kids snickered around me and I felt like cowering in my seat. Instead, I drew myself up to full height and asked her to repeat the question. She did and I answered but she continued to watch me with an unreadable expression.
The rest of the period passed with no incident and before I knew it class ended. I gathered my things and walked to the door but before I could escape, Ms. Terwilliger called me to stay behind.
"I have to get to my next class, ma'am," I said, smiling but I think it came out as more of a grimace.
"Nonsense," she waved. "I'll give you a pass to excuse you. I need you to run an errand for me."
I was shocked. Ms. Terwilliger was a persistent and demanding woman who usually grated on my nerves, though I knew she was only looking out for me. She always sent me on errands- usually for coffee- but that was during my own time. Never during school!
"Ma'am, school is still going on. I can't just drop everything because you need your coffee fix!" I didn't bother hiding my irritation.
She merely scoffed and said, "I am not sending you on a coffee errand. I need you to go to the public library and pick up a book for me that I have requested. It finally came in after weeks of waiting. Honestly, the wait for that book was so long I nearly forgot about it. I should send in a complaint," she added as an afterthought.
"Can't it wait until after school?" I asked. It would make me a few minutes late to Clarence's but it was better than ditching school. Even though I had permission.
"I'm afraid not," she said gravely. The tone of her voice sent me on edge. "I heard that your sister was here, another Alchemist, and I'm guessing it's going to be difficult to meet and practice. So, you'll have to practice on your own, which is why you need to get the book now and start practicing as soon as you can."
How she knew my sister was here, was beyond me. Instead I grudgingly accepted the note she held out for me and left. I headed towards the student parking lot, after showing Ms. Weathers my excused note, and headed towards my new car. The Alchemists had acquired it after the unfortunate passing of Latte. It was a murky orange color and it was a van. Nothing special, just a regular honda. It made me miss Latte even more.
After starting the car, I headed to the public library which took all of fifty minutes. Almost an hour! Cursing Ms. Terwilliger yet again, for making me waste gas on this rather pointless trip, I got out of the car and headed in. It was a small, yet comfy, library. The air conditioner was on, which cooled me down considerably. I walked up to the front desk and told the guy that I had a book on hold in the name of Ms. Terwilliger. As I waited for the overly helpful college student, I looked around.
When he came back, with a huge friendly smile on his face, I grabbed the book and headed back. At this rate, I'll be back at school by lunch. Hopefully.
As I drove back to school, I couldn't help looking at the book. It was titled "Magia" which was in Latin. In English it meant Magic. It wasn't impressive, but on the receipt it said it was "The Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. I wondered if there was some sort of concealment charm that made it look like that to normal humans.
I made it back to school right as the school bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. I didn't want to walk to my dorm room to put the book away, so I put it in my bag. I strolled towards the cafeteria and searched for the group. I found them at the same table from this morning. Zoe was already there looking miserable. I sighed; I guess it was too much to ask for a change in attitude.
I was intercepted halfway there by Kristen and Julia ,however, and they dragged me to another table. I gave an apologetic smile to Zoe, but to my surprise and annoyance she got up and walked over.
She set her tray down and gave a smile towards Julia and Kristen.
"Who's this?" asked Julia curiously.
"My cousin," I said remembering our cover story.
Kristen whistled. "Your family's taking over the school." I rolled my eyes at her teasing.
"I'm Zoe," said my sister giving them an earnest smile. Of course; they're humans. They keep up a constant stream of conversation that I couldn't bring myself to listen to. I looked back at the group and wished I was there. I loved the crazy random topics we would talk about. And I would have liked to get to know Neil better, seeing as how he was going to be part of the 'family' now.
The bell rang, dismissing us to the last class of the day. I entered my last class and it passed by in a flash. I ran to my dorm room and grabbed Hopper's cage, making sure the blanket covered him. I also grabbed a few of my books -magic books- and leave the dorm.
I walk towards the student parking lot and find everyone already there. Eddie helps me with the books and Neil offers with the cage. I refuse but thank him. We all gather in and the drive to Clarence's is a awkward and quiet affair. It's a relief to be at Clarence's and I hop out of the car-which I still have yet to name- and I see that Adrian is already there. His yellow mustang- which I proudly named The Ivashkinator- was parked. It was a beauty and I'm not embarrassed to admit that I was completely smitten with it.
As a group we head to the door and there he is, looking too good to be true, opening the door. He has a green button down shirt that makes his eyes impossibly greener. He has black jeans on that look a bit worn that look snug and comfy. His hair is in complete disarray, of course.
"Hey, Jailbait," he said, giving her a quick hug. " Castile, Angel." He nodded towards them and then looked at Neil with a confused expression. I almost smacked myself. I had forgotten to mention him to Adrian.
"This is Neil Raymond. Neil, this is Adrian Ivashkov," I said quickly introducing them.
Neil nodded and said, "I'm sorry to hear about your Aunt. She was a great Queen."
Adrian's smile faltered for a bit before he stuck out his hand. They nodded and then Adrian turned towards me and my sister who was almost cowering behind me.
"Sage," he said giving me a smile. Then he turned towards Zoe.
"You must be Zoe Sage. You're as beautiful as your sister. Must run in the family," he said winningly. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. I heard Eddie scoff and Jill giggle.
Zoe didn't look moved by the compliment. Huh? She seemed unfazed by Adrian's charms. Probably the only person to ever resist him. Instead she gave him a considering look and walked inside without saying anything. I sighed, dismayed, though I didn't really expect any better.
"I don't think my charm have ever been ignored before," said Adrian in mock dismay. This time I did roll my eyes and pushed passed him, mainly to get out of the heat.
He followed and we all gathered in the living room. I didn't see Jill, so I assumed she was already with Dorothy... feeding. I felt a slight shiver run through me at that. I may be dating a vampire, but the thought of feeding still kind of scared me.
Clarence was a pleasant old man and he struck up a energetic conversation with Neil. Neil looked understandably uncomfortable and it was the most expression I had seen from him since his arrival. Eddie was listening into the conversation with amusement. Angeline was on the other side of the room wondering around, and I had a inkling that it was too be as far away from Eddie as possible.
Maybe she felt guilty? Or embarrassed? It was hard to tell with her sometimes. Zoe was on the recliner next to me absorbing our surroundings with wary eyes. And Adrian...
He was across from me, lounging lazily on the couch. He was watching my sister cautiously. Then, as if he could sense my eyes on him, he turned and winked. I glared at him pointedly, to remind him to behave, and he laughed. Then he pointed towards the kitchen and left.
I looked at Zoe but she was staring at Clarence. I got up and she snapped her head towards me.
"I have to talk with Adrian," I explained feeling slightly guilty. "I'll be right back." She didn't ask to come, thankfully.
I walked through the kitchen door and was immediately wrapped in Adrian's warm embrace. I sighed, letting myself bask in his steady presence before pulling away.
He let me go but brought his hand up to my face and cupped it in his hands.
"Hey," he said gently.
"Hey," I said quietly. He chuckled and brought his lips down to mine for a brief, yet consuming, kiss. I should have pushed back- Zoe was in the room next door- but I let myself be irresponsible for a few minutes. Wasn't that what normal eighteen year old's did with their boyfriends?
Normal teenagers wouldn't have to hide their relationship in the first place, reminded a voice inside my head. I sighed and pulled back.
"I brought Hopper and the books. They're in the car," I said.
"Okay," he said giving me another brief kiss before pulling back. I walked out the room and he followed. I told Zoe where we were going and went and grabbed the books and Hopper with Adrian. We brought the stuff over to his car and he put it all in his trunk.
"Don't forget Hopper when you get home," I reminded him.
"I won't," he smiled. "But you should probably uncharm him so I could feed him."
I'd almost forgotten that I had turned him into stone. I quickly chanted the spell and Hopper unfroze and began crawling around his cage. He looked up at us and began clawing the bars. He looked up at us with huge, pleading eyes.
"No," I said sternly.
Adrian chuckled. "Don't be so stern, Sage. He just wants his parents."
"I know. Don't spoil him." I walked back towards the house and heard Adrian close the trunk and catch up with me.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied. We entered the house and I saw that Jill was back. We hung around for a while before heading back to the school before curfew. I was surprised that Zoe had refrained from saying anything rude considering how she'd been this morning.
Everyone headed towards their dorm rooms and Zoe walked with me, silently. I couldn't take the silence any longer and asked her what was wrong. She didn't say anything until we reached the room.
She put her hand on the handle, looked back at me, and said, "They act so human. Like they have a right to be around humans. And that makes them worse than I thought. It gives me new appreciation for our job. We're helping the human race from that evil. It gives our life purpose. " And with that declaration that left me stupefied and infuriated, she walked into the room and left me standing in the hallway.
Where did my little sister go? The one who saw the good in people and who was so kind and nice. I shook my head and entered the room.
Seems like I wasn't the only one who had changed.
Please read and review. Please give me honest feedback. I know that not much happened here, but this is just the structure of the story. (: