Erin POV
I woke up later on, and Kale had somehow managed to crawl upwards, laying on the ledge of the bed. His head was over my chest, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say he had laid there to listen to my heartbeat. He'd done that before, years ago. Kade's face was buried in the space between my neck and the pillow and I couldnt help the utter happiness that soared through me. I had my family back.
I wrapped my arm around Kale, running my hands through his hair, singing quietly, picturing the faces of my family.
I remember the times we spent together
All those drives, we had a million questions
All about our lives
And when we got to New York everything felt right
I wish you were here with me,
I remember the days we spent together,
Were not enough, it used to feel like dreaming
Except we always woke up,
Never thought not having you here now
Would hurt so much
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I remember the time you told me
About when you were eight
And all those things you said that night
That just couldn't wait
I remember the day you were last seen
And the games we would play
All the times we spilled our coffees
And stayed out way too late
I remember the time you sat and told me
About your Jesus, and how not to look back
Even if no one believes us
When it hurts so bad, sometimes
Not having you here
I sing
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I sing
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I opened my eyes and Kale and Kade were both well awake, just listening staring off into space. We missed the rest of our family. Now it was just us. Us against the world. The door opened and Christophe appeared, a tray in hand.
I was pretty sure he had been outside, because I didn't hear anyone walking. I thought I'd heard voices, but I wasn't sure. "I'm not hungry," I said instantly, uneasy as I stared at the food.
"I brought you whatever I thought would be easiest to eat, and even if your not hungry, your eating," giving me a no room for argument tone.
I frowned, and then Kale jumped off of the bed and went trotting to the door, sniffing Christophe a little. I edged towards the table, sitting down on the chair indian style. I stared at the tray of food, a little nervously.
"Just one or two things, just so we know what you may or may not like, as I'm sure you can't remember," I nodded once and then picked up a muffin thoughtfully. I pulled off a piece, popping it in my mouth. It tasted good, but as it reached my stomach, I felt my insides burn up a little.
I took a drink of the water, setting it down after a long gulp. I saw a bowl of fresh red strawberries and I picked that one up next. The taste was explosive and I blushed at the sudden swell of excitement that rushed through me. I finished the strawberry and ate a second one, but quickly had to stop there when my stomach began to twist. It wasn't painful as it had been with the muffin or the soup last night, just unaccustomed to it.
"So mój anioł like's strawberries, that's a start," he said relieved and smiling. "You should shower, do you feel well enough to talk to Dru, the other Svetocha?"
"Um, who will be there?" I asked, trying not to tense up. The idea of being in a crowded room full of strong easily angered vampires was not appealing.
"Just the Council members, Hiro, Bruce, myself, Dru and her loup garou," he said honestly.
"Will Jake be there?" I asked hopefully.
"He has classes to teach, I can see if they can be postponed if you wish," he said nodding to me thoughtfully.
"No, it's okay," I said in a rush, "but Kade and Kale can come right?"
"Of course, where you go they go, correct?" he asked, a little teasingly. "You all looked rather cute late night, I thought about taking a picture."
I blushed and he chuckled at me amused, "have you always slept together?"
"Sometimes, if we got into trouble or one of us was away or hurt we do, it happened a lot, we just get scared of losing each other and with the others gone, it's just us," I said a little sadly.
"How many people were in your family?" he asked curiously.
"Um, the family that adopted me or the people I deem family?"
"Both," he said without hesitance.
"There were twelve of us, but only eight of us lived together, the others lived on another side of the city. But um, I left my human adoptive family when Carson had found me, he knew I was different and he knew I would belong with them. So he brought me home," I said remembering the odd day.
"Do you think your adoptive family are looking for you?" he asked curiously, but with a hidden look in his eyes.
"I dont know, there probably dead, I mean, if those suckers found us in Detroit, they must've tracked me down from somewhere," I said logically.
He nodded once, "when your dressed, we can visit the council, perhaps your brothers would like to change forms, can they speak?"
"I dont know, I've never been with them in another form," I said glancing at them. "Can you change?"
Both of them shared looks, and then Kade made a huffing sound. I turned back to Christophe, "I guess we'll find out."
I grabbed a dress, a white lace one, it was a spaghetti strap, and was a little higher then my knees. I stared at the material a little oddly, "I've never worn a dress," I really hadn't. Not since I'd ran and lived with Carson and the others.
"I'm sure you'll look just as beautiful aniolek," I frowned a little, and then just went into the bathroom to shower and change.
When I got out, both of my brothers had indeed changed. They looked just as they had all those years ago, only, with scars all over them. I smiled at them, both of them looking as relieved as I felt. Even Christophe looked a little impressed.
Kale and Kade were brothers, and considering how much alike they had always looked, were often mistaken for identical twins. They both had dirty blonde hair, which now seemed golden with highlights. They had the same bright blue eyes and their trade mark smirk. They were tall and muscular with heart stopping looks, and both of them couldn't have looked happier.
I couldn't help it as I closed the space between us, wrapping my arms around Kade and he pressed a soft kiss to my cheek and forehead. He held me for a moment, all of the relief flooding out of him in the touch. Then I pulled Kale into an embrace, one he returned just as enthusiastically. It was like being together all over again, I suppose in a way it was.
"You look beautiful," Kale said quietly, smiling at me as he let go.
"Yes," Kade said. Both of them looked at each other oddly, unused to the sound of their own voice.
"Indeed, let's join the council," Christophe said, opening the door.
We walked through the corridor and then Kale and Kade both dropped. We watched them change, ripping the clothes in half. I frowned, and then Kade whined a little. I guess they couldn't stay in their human form long.
Christophe had to lead us through a gym, "my apologies, I had thought the gym would be empty," he said quietly, taking my hand. Even Kade and Kale looked tense.
Someone had a bow and arrow, and no one seemed to notice our prescence. But as they went to take the shot, we had been standing right in front of the target. I reached out grabbing the arrow, as Christophe went to do the same.
I stared at the arrow, which had been a foot away from my forehead just a second ago. It got pretty quiet. Christophe gave the kid a lethal stare and Kale and Kade looked angry too. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," he said in rush.
"I-it's okay, just took me by surprise," I said awkwardly, handing the arrow back to him.
"I'm really sorry Milady," I frowned in disdain.
"Dont call me that, I'm Erin, just Erin," I said to him, giving him a small smile.
"Christophe, what are you doing in here?" A man asked, coming towards us, a teacher I assumed.
"Vincent, I hadn't realized the gym was occupied," was all he said, in clipped tone. I frowned.
"Yes, we were about to go out onto the field," he said glancing at me. "You must be the hybrid."
"Well aside from Dru, I am the only other chick here," I muttered, and Christophe chuckled.
Even the teacher seemed amused, "yes, perhaps you'll be joining a class with us one of these days."
"No," Christophe said instantly, "she'll be taking private lessons, as any other svetocha has. She certainly wont be joining a class with you on weapons training."
"What if I want to?" everyone turned to me, and I realized I had said that. Whoops. "What if I want to be in the general population? Why should I get singled out?" I said next, a little shakily under eveyones scrutiny. Jesus, everyone in this room was staring at me. I blushed.
"it is unwise, you could be hurt, your taught one on one for your own safety," Christophe said, getting that, 'listen or else' voice.
"That's bullshit, what happens if I'm alone with some half cocked teacher and were attacked by a few dozen suckers. You think you can come to the rescue before I get ripped to shreds?" I retorted, and Kade and Kale just grinned at each other. "I didn't think so."
I wasn't sure if it was because I finally getting a back bone around everyone or the fact that I really did think that was a crap rule. It helped that there was a skyline window too right above me. I could be fast when I wanted to be.
"You wont be in a class full of other dangerous dhampir, especially so close to blooming," he said next, as if that would end the argument. "A sparring match could escelate quickly."
"Great, bring it on," I said grinning now. "All the better, the more real the fight, the better the practise right?"
"Your not helping your case," he said in a cold voice.
"Put it this way, you want me here, fine I'll stay here. But by God, I will not follow your rules or anyone else's. I spent years trapped in that hell hole with nothing but a cell and the only comfort in there was the screams of other prisoners. So tell me again how I'll behave like a good little girl?"
It was eerily quiet now and even Kale and Kade seemed edgy with the silence. No one knew what to say. "This is the safest place for you Erin, anywhere else and you'd be dead in days. If you want to survive I suggest you obey the rules set out for you and everyone else."
"No, the safest place for me is with my brothers, family, you know what that word means Christophe?" everyone reeled, and he looked as if I'd just slapped him. "No you dont. Because I know exactly who you are. I dont trust anyone that isn't family and I certainly dont rely on anyone else. Because it's all I've got, despite you continuously saying you'll protect me, I needed protecting when we were attacked, not anymore. I can guarantee that if I'm pissed enough I can take on this entire room full of people without the help of my brothers. So dont try and lecture me on what is and isn't safe."
Again that wild unbelievable silence. I turned, and walked out of the gym, and my brothers trotted along happily beside me. But as I left the stunned crowd I heard the words, "I like her."
I felt kind of bad just snapping at him, but I didn't like all of these orders. People trying to tell me what I can and can't do. No. I was going to do this my way because my way was the only plan that I trusted. Simple. If they wouldn't let me do it my way, then we would leave. Also simple.
We walked down a corridor and found ourselves in front of a library. I kind of felt watched, but tried to think nothing of it, I hadn't felt that way since we detoured a few minutes ago. "This place freaks me out," I mumured to my brothers. I pushed open the door, but it was locked. "You think they have anything on my parents?" I mumbled as quietly as possible.
Kale nodded enthusiastically. I glanced at Kade, who was looking down the corridor subtlely. "Is anyone close by, can you sense anyone?"
Kade shook his head and then I knelt down, I lifted a bobby pin from my hair. One of the many things I'd found in my room. Probably Dru's doing, she left me with all of the basics. I was glad I'd pulled my bangs together, twisted them and then pinned them down at the top of my head. I hadn't done that in years, kind of felt good.
I worked the lock perfectly, "like riding a bike," I said grinning at Kale. I heard footsteps and all of us bolted for the room and I locked it behind us.
We all paused for a moment and I stared up at the huge seemingly endless library. Kale gave me a look saying, 'this is going to take forever.'
"Not neccessarily," I said, sitting down indian style. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I imagined Kerboros, his eyes, his form, how he spoke of my mother Amelia.
I felt my breath pick up and my body jolted and then I was standing. I looked down at my body, which was as still as a statue. I turned back to the library, and saw a sort of blue light. I raised my eyebrows, but followed it nonetheless. That was the fastest I had ever astral projected.
I followed the light, all the way up into another locked room. Luckily, I just walked right through the door. Cool.
A shelf was glowing, and I knew I'd found exactly what I had been looking for. I went back to my body.
We all stood in the small locked room and I scrolled the books. "These ones," I said to myself, and lifted them off one by one.
One was on the royal families of the Maharaj and another was on the Legions of Kerboros and his own family tree. "Well this should be interesting," I mumbled, and sat down with my back to the window, I'd pulled the blinds closed when we entered.
I began to flip through the pages on the Maharaj. It was a fascinating read, but it had only five pages on Amelia. Who was the daughter of the pervious king. Apparently they thought that Amelia had been murdered by someone in the Order, which was one of the reasons they'd joined Kerboros in the first place. One of the few reasons. There was even a picture of her. I stared at the page, eyes watering a little.
"This is my mother," I whispered, and Kale came over to me. He licked my face slightly and then nudged my cheek in a comforting way. "Look, she's beautiful," I whispered, taking in a shaky breath. She even kind of looked like me. Slender, a soft warm look in her eyes and a bright smile to reach it. It was a black and white picture, but it still sent a pang of hurt through me. I never got to meet her.
I read through everything on her. There wasn't a single entry of me in it, though apparently Amelia had told a friend of hers that she had been pregnant, and then she later went missing. There are no accounts on whether or not the child was born. There was a date in which she'd gone missing, and the date of when her friend had been told.
It was about two weeks before she'd disappeared, which was roughly six months before I'd been born. I had been adopted when I was six weeks old, and her body had been found three weeks before that by the Order. But there were no records of a baby being found with her.
Had she hidden me or something? There was no way the Order would just leave a baby svetocha behind like that. So where had I been when she died? Maybe she had known Kerboros was looking for her and she took me and ran or something. Would the Maharaj kill me for being his daughter? It would make sense. By the sounds of it, they'd all been enemies, big time enemies too.
I closed the book and then picked up the next one. It was mostly things I'd already known. He'd ruled all through Europe, and when Sergej was killed, he came to America to take over here. A lot of the Order was imprisoned or tortured for information. But it doesn't say what about though. Nothing did. Just that he clearly wanted something. Probably a list of things, like a non existant Order. It also mentioned that there hasn't been a svetocha who lived past a week in Europe in centuries. Ever since he came to rule. So he was gunning for Dru. But that was a given.
Kade tensed and then growled a little. I stood as I heard footsteps in the library and grimaced. I grabbed the books shelving them and then jumped as the door was kicked open. I stared at Graves, Dru, Christophe and a few other people wide eyed.
"You dont knock?" the words tumbled out before I could stop them I cringed again. I really needed a brain to mouth filter. Though I was starting to sound more and more like my old self.
"What are you doing here, the library is off limits," Christophe said suspciously.
"Oh," was my amazingly smart response.
"Let's join the Council," Dru said glancing around the room, everyone probably wondering why I was in here.
"Okay," I said, following them out.
