"Why the long face?"Rose's mother inquired Saturday evening in their penthouse suite."Your father and I have allowed you to attend public school like you asked.I'd had hoped that'd be enough of a birthday."
Pushed out of her thoughts,Rose stared up into the blue eyes of her mother in the vanity mirror's reflection.She wondered whether or not to even answer her now,after all she had discovered very recently.
Her parents had told Rose that her sister had died and yet just three days ago she had seen an identical person who'd had her sunglasses fall off appear on stage.Then there was that vivid memory yesterday.
After Bethany had helped stop the ogre,Rose had received a flash of memory from way back.The memory of her sister's abduction by the shadow figure,the memory of her sister's crib on it's side in the night.
Rose might have dismissed the whole thing had she not remembered the charm bracelet lying just feet away from the crib,the very one her parents had given her as a toddler to remind her always of her sister.
So now as Sandra was fading away,Bethany was materializing forth.
"Mom,"she asked in a steady voice."What happened to my sister?"
The woman's expression didn't waver."Why do you ask?You know."
"Yes,but I don't know how."
When she saw Rose wasn't going to back down,she sighed and said in a soft voice."Heart Hemorrhage.It happened so fast we didn't have time to reach the hospital after the first day...it was just too late,hon."
Honesty shone in her mother's eyes.She looked up further to the hair in which Mom had helped her put up for tonight before she went out that night.She only wanted to try and care for her daughter.If she had any idea that another daughter existed out there,well,she didn't know.
"Oh my,"she laughed when Rose hugged her."Whats this for?"
"Nothing,I'm just sure my sister would love to have known you."
x.x.x
"6:35."Jake said impatiently,glaring down at his cell phone."I thought we told them 6:30.Man,at this rate Club 18 is going to get over-full."
"Give them another minute or so,"Rose said,unworried."Everything is going so great lately.I've moved back and might have met my sister."
He shrugged at this mention."Sister,sister.Right."
"Are you all right,Jake?You've been acting so strange tonight."
Now he gave her his full attention,as though having wanted a chance to say something."The question is,are you?Don't you remember that granny-eating wolf she was paling around with just a few nights ago?"
"Her pack leader is strict,but Beth said she could get permission."
Jake gave her a befuddled look."Rose,the girl has bad business every which way.She even told us they have something against all dragons."
"You have something against her as well."
"And humans."He hastened to add.
"Jake,we don't know enough about her to pass judgment this early."
"Yeah,well.I know enough to know she singled out the Amdrag.She said that her pack wanted to meet the American Dragon,remember?"
"Well,a lot of magic folk want to meet you.You're pretty famous."
"Which brings me to my next fact,why isn't more people fondling over this girl?I mean,she's famous too right?Why doesn't she get stopped in public?"
"Good point,but neither of us know the answer to that question."
Although this accusation had a brilliant point,it still had no foundation.
"Does the fact that she threatened us that night mean nothing to you?"
"Jake,"she shook her head,annoyed."We we're stalking her,whatever she said at the time she had a right to.Will you just give her a break?"
"Sure thing,in the arms or legs?"
Rose gave him a flustered look."Oh,how mature!"
"Look,if this is how it's gonna be between us tonight,then maybe-"he caught himself and reached over to touch her shoulder."I don't want to see you get hurt if things don't turn out right.But...I'll give it a shot."
"If you feel this strongly about it..."
"No,it's fine.You're probably right,I should give the BOTD."
Rose smiled and gripped his hand."Trust me,Jake.Beneath her angry and insulting attitude is a kind and thoughtful person.Wait and see."
"You call four dollars a block fair cab fare!"Beth's yells caused them to stare up as she stood out of an open cab,handing over a very large jar of copper coins."Pennies for being thoughtless,have fun counting."
The girl slammed the car door with a wink over at Nigel who was by Jake and Rose now,before striding in total confidence up to them all.
"Nice to see you guys again,"she smiled."Sorry I took so long."
"It's cool,were just glad you could make it."Rose smiled back.
"Were you able to conjure the ID's?"Jake asked,his voice a little low.
"Right here,"Nigel presented the four lamented cards between four of his fingers and handed one to each of them."That's what held me up."
"ID's?"Rose sent them both a knowing look."All right,tell us how it is. How old do you have to be exactly in order to be allowed in there?"
Jake planted palm to his forehead."Me and my big mouth."
"You didn't tell them?"Nigel asked in surprise,then said apologetically to Beth and Rose."I'm sorry,ladies.I thought for sure he told you all."
Rose glared at the boys."We could be jailed for this."
"Guys,guys."Beth walked toward the entrance."As long as we all got here,that's what counts.We'll worry with the consequences later on if they happen.But believe me,I've been in these clubs before.It's fine."
"Well,I suppose,"Rose sighed."No use going back now."
She went to link arms with Jake and started into the building as night was falling lightly gray over the city.Nigel approached Beth,arm out.
"Ready for this?"He asked,his fondness for her beginning to show.
Ready for what,she wondered.Tricking him or dancing with him?She smiled at Nigel and linked her arm with his,how easy it was fooling all of them.Before the night was over with Beth would hand all of them over to Roger,nevermind just handing over that arrogant red dragon.
And before the night was over with,Beth would be allowed to once again rejoin the music world.She didn't care what happened to them.
Especially her so-called sister,Rose.She just didn't care.
x.x.x
As the sun sank westward,a figure watched them enter from above.
To be continued...
