Chapter 2
Tori sat in her room, leaning her head against her headboard, deep in thought. Sadly, however, her room wasn't helping. Tori's room was furnished with things you would expect, a bed, a dresser, and a bookcase. However the color scheme was off. Her dresser, bookcase, and the walls were all lightly colored, while her TV cabinet and bed was a nice shade of black, with red sheets on the bed. Her floor was a dark hardwood and her ceiling was a dark cherry. It only reminded her she had to chose. Tori knew no one was rushing her and she could take her time. She knew her parents would still love her if she chose evil, after all they still love Trina.
Before her dilemna could make any progress, Beckett Oliver came in. Beck had been her best friend since kindergarden. He was born good and had to be one of the nicest guys she knew. Everyone thought thtey had a thing, but they never did. Beck was like her brother.
He dropped onto the foot of her bed, "How'd it go?"
"I'm still neutral, Beck."
Beck looked around at her room, "I could've told you that."
Tori shook her head, "You don't get it Beck. I'm not supposed to be neutral! Everyone has chosen before they graduate and I haven't."
"Look, you're special, Tor, you always have been. Your powers have always been stronger than all the other neutrals. You'll figure it out when you're ready." Beck said, patting her ankle.
"What if I don't, Beck? I can't livie my life as a neutral." Tori pulled her legs under her, sitting cross legged and staring at Beck. Her eyes were filled with worry. "I've got to pick."
"Calm down, breath. It'll all work out. I'm sure you will figure it out soon. Didn't they help you?"
"I was told I should go see Caterina Valetine and Jadelynn Wayne." Tori told him.
"You should do it."
"Seriously?"
"It can't hurt. And it may help."
"What if I go evil? Will you still be my friend?"
Beck chuckled, "Of course. But if you killsomeone, then I can't."
Nodding in understanding, Tori ran a hand through her hair. "I think I'll go see Caterina at the Order first."
"Good. Want me to go with you?"
"No. I have to do it alone."
"You know where I am if you need me."
"I know. Thanks, Beck." Tori pulledhim into a hug.
Tori expectedthe Order of Light to be in a church, however, she did think it would be bigger than it actually was. There were two guards at the door both wielding swords, which confused the Latina, as the cop shad guns. The guards were wearing white clothes underneath what looked like a silver vest with an insignia of the sun on it.
As Tori walked ot the door, both guards blocked her path with their swords, "What is your business at the Order?"
Tori gulped and looked at them, tempted to push them aside with her powers, "I-I'm Tori Vega. One of your members told me I should come talk to Caterina Valentine."
The guards looked at each other and nodded before moving their swords. Tori quickly hurried inside before they changed their minds. The entrance lead to three doors on each side of the room.
There was a woman behind the desk, who Tori recognized as Amanda. When she approached the desk Amanda gave her a warm smile, "I see you decided to come."
"Yeah. Where do these doors go?" Tori's curiousity got the better of her.
"The door on the wall behind me goes to, I guess you could call it a throne room and the Valetine's bedrooms. The door on your left goes to everyone elses rooms and the Grand Library. The door on your right leads to our armory. I'm sure you saw our sword equipped guards." Amanda explained.
"Not much room huh?" Tori joked.
Amanda chuckled, "You'd be surprised. You're here to talk to our youngest Valentine huh?" Tori nodded. "Go down the hallway there," she pointed to the left door, "and enter the double doors at the end of the hall. She's in the library."
"Thanks." Tori entered the oakwood door and walked down the hall. It was a good length and Tori assumed the doors on either side of the hallway lead to the different bedrooms.
When she entered the library Tori was amazed at thesight. On each wall there were huge bookshelves on each wall, all filled with books. In the center of the room there was a tall statue of a man in the same attire as the guards, with a sheild and sword in hand. There were also tables and desks spread out across the room, some with people wearing radint white robes.
One girl, however, was not in the robe. She wore a white shirt, with the insignia on the chest, a frilly pink skirt that went to her knees, and white and pink sneakers. She had brought red hair and brown eyes. Immediately Tori found herself staring. The girl caught Tori staring and motioned her over.
Tori felt her cheeks heat up as she walked over to the redhead. When she approached the table she said, "I'm looking for Caterina Valentine."
The girl smiled, "She'sright here and she goes by Cat. You must be Victoria Vega. Cherub William told me you might stop by."
Tori nodded, "It's Tori actually,but what's a Cherub?"
Cat giggled, "Oh, I'm sorry. We have ranks here and William is a Cherubim. It means he's a record keeper. That's why he tests people." Cat waved her hand at the chair in front of her and Tori took a seat.
Cherub William had told Cat that he believed Tori was the chosen one. She knew full well that she could not influence Tori's decision and if she did then fate would chose another chosen one. She had to be careful, but Tori was just so attractive to her that she didn't see the harm in maybe trying to get a date with the Latina.
"What rank are you then?" Tori inquired.
"I'm a Throne. Basically I go after bad guys." Cat explained.
The brunette looked at her bewildered, "Don't the cops do that? My dads a cop."
"You really don't know anything about the Order?"
Tori shook her head, "They only teach the good son's the details now. Since I'm neutral they just told me the Order was a force of good."
"Why wouldn't tehy tell you? What does being neutral have to do with the Order?"
"Because I could go evil and have all your secrets."
"There's no harm in telling you that we go by ranks. Angels are our soldiers, like the armies privates. Arch-Angels are like generals, ordering the Angels. Principalities are our lower manage while the dominions are middle management. Our Saviours help the poor and helpless. My parents are the Saints, they run everything. And finally there's the Seraphs. They mostly protect the Saints, but when their needed they help us Thrones, but I'm the only Throne right now."
"Why?"
"They were killed. Most people think I rose through the rank so fast because my parents, but I earned it." Cat shook her head.
"William said you were once neutral?" Tori looked at the redhead, stretching her leg. She blushed when her foot rubbed against Cat's ankle and quickly pulled away.
Cat grinned, helplessly thinking of how cute Tori looked when she was embarassed, "I was. That's why I moved up so quickly. I'm extremely powerful."
"Really?"
"Yep." Cat giggled, "Wanna see?"
"Um, sure."
Cat heled her hand in front of her, palm up, and focused. Her eyes turned fully white as all the bookcases in teh room lifted into the air just as she raised her hand. A girl who had reached for a book, which was now out of her reach, turned to glare at Cat, not that the redhead noticed. After a moment she slowly lowered her hand and the bookcases slowly lowered to the floor. Her eyes shifted back to their natural brown and Cat blushed as Tori stared at her, obviously impressed.
"Holy chiz!" Tori gaped.
"Let's see what you can do." Cat said.
"I-I don't know." Tori stuttered nervously.
Cat reached over and gently squeezed Tori's hand, "C'mon Tori. I know you're good. A nice girl like you has to be a natural." Grinning as Tori's cheeks flushed again, Cat gently puolled Tori's hand up, palm up, and let go.
Tori nodded slowly, took a breathe, and left eye turned white, while the right eye turned black. She raised her hand slowly and all the bookcases, tables, and the statue started to rise.
Cat's jaw dropped as the table she sat at rose. It stopped just below Tori's hand. She is the chosen one Cat thought.
"Oh, my God, Tori!" She cried excitedly.
Tori slowly lowered the objects and when they were on the floor her eyes returned to normal and she looked at Cat shyly, "Well?"
"You're so much better than me!"
"I'm not relaly."
"Don't be hard on yourself! You're amazing!"
"I-thanks."
Cat took Tori's hand in hers, "How about tomorrow we spend teh day together. We can get to know each other and I can teach you more about good."
Tori smiled, "Okay."
"Yay!" Cat danced in her seat, causing Tori to laugh.
"You're adorable." Tori said to her.
"Thanks." Cat turned a light red, "Are you flirting with me?"
Grinning, Tori quirked an eyebrow, "What if I am?"
"I'd say I'd love to get to know you better first."
"Then get to know me." Tori put her hand over Cat's.