Chapter 13: Secrets

The days following the botched celebration should have been relaxing—I had survived my third vampire attack this year—yet I found myself more nervous than ever before. Since I had started spending time with the McRaes, there had been three instances where I had been in first was when I had first visited their home, the second was when I fell off the balcony, and now my altercation with their family messenger. You know what they say? Three strikes, you're out.

Sighing heavily, I took the turn off the highway and wondered if anything would change between the family and me. Would the McRaes up and leave like the Cullens had? Disappear like they had never truly existed? The hole in my chest blazed and I sucked in a deep breath, waiting for the searing pain to recede and the numbness to return.

"No," I choked out between deep inhalations. I told myself that Ary would never do such a thing. She had seen what Edward's leaving had done, and I was positive that the memory would prevent her from leaving. My brow furrowed as I began to think more about it. Although Ary and I had grown extremely close, she was still shut off—like there was a permanent wall surrounding her.

I groaned deeply as the dull ache radiated through me. I did everything I could to push my speculations of the McRaes' departure, knowing it would only hurt me more. I softly rubbed my chest, now numb, and grimaced at the feeling.

As my mind abandoned the idea of Ary and her family leaving, it rested on the memory of Rochester's remarks about Eric. I grimaced as I remembered the vast amount of women Rochester described and felt a lump form in my throat. Is it true? Could Eric really be a playboy and want me for nothing more than a distraction? I didn't have much time to think about it as the school came into view.

A horrified expression tore across my face as I noticed Ary's car was missing, and none of the McRae family was visible outside. I shuddered as the acidic hole in my chest ripped open and almost forced me to stop the truck. Did they do it? Did they leave and not even tell me? My bottom lip quivered, and a sob escaped my mouth. However, as I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted the SUV—driven by Dante—parked in its normal spot.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I headed to English, moving faster than I normally did this time of morning. Despite seeing the car, I was still unconvinced. I needed to see one of them, and knowing that Skye and Eric were in my English class made me move swiftly. I maneuvered my way through the sea of student, and before long, I found myself standing outside the door to my English class. Taking a deep breath, I moved inside the room and glanced at my seat. I released my withheld breath quickly; Skye was sitting in her usual seat, hunched over her notebook.

"Hi, Skye," I said eagerly as I took a seat next to her, trying my best to smile. I was so happy to see that she was still here, but noticed something different about her demeanor. As I shifted in my seat to face her, I took in Skye's body language and expression. Her face, usually teeming with life and a broad smile, was covered with seriousness and a frown.

Her grim appearance didn't wane as she turned hesitantly to acknowledge me. "Hello, Bella." Even her voice was bored and empty. "How are you doing today?"

"I'm fine," I said and narrowed my eyes at her. "How are you? Are you okay?" She shrugged and began writing in her notebook. Glancing at the clock, I noticed that class was about to start, and Eric was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey Skye," I asked as my eyes trailed across the classroom, wondering if he had taken a different seat. "Where's Eric?"

"Hunting with Argos," she said idly, not even bothering to look up this time. I peered over at her notebook, curious as to what she was scribbling, and marveled at the strange matrix of numbers before me. It was a series of strange combinations of ones and zeroes.

"What are you doing?" I asked curiously and moved closer to observe her. Skye anxiously pulled her hand over the page, blocking my view, and stared at me suspiciously. "What is that?"

"Binary," Skye said, moving her hand so that I could see. I remembered that Ary had said Skye was a "terrifying little hacker".

"Can you understand that?"

Skye sighed heavily, but kept her attention on the paper in front of her. "Of course I can."

I sat in silence for a few seconds, watching her write ones and zeroes in no particular order, until I spoke up. "So, where did Eric and Argos go?"

This caught her attention, and she raised her eyes to me. "Southern Canada, I think," she said with a familiar sparkle in her eyes. Her lip curved upward into a grin as she giggled. "It's really funny to see Argos chase down a moose."

I briefly let my imagination run wild and thought of Argos running after a gigantic moose through the Canadian wilderness. "That does sound a little strange," I said with a grin. Skye nodded, and the smile faded as she returned to her previous position.

The seconds ticked by and I knew, unless I wanted to stay in silence, I would have to ask her what's wrong. Sighing heavily, I leaned and tapped Skye on the shoulder.

"Skye," I said softly as she peered at me from the side. "Won't you tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Bella," she said with the same emptiness as before filling her voice.

"Skye," I insisted and leaned forward. " In the time I've known you, I've never seen you so sad. I can tell that something's wrong."

She sighed heavily and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Bella, I can't."

I leaned back into my seat, a look of horror on my face. "Is it me?" Skye's head snapped in my direction. "Is it because…of Eric's party?"

Skye shook her head. "No, no, Bella," she said. "This isn't your fault at all."

"Then what is it?" I asked desperately.

Mr. Marks walked through the door, and Skye threw me an apologetic look before turning her attention towards the front of the class. I leaned forward and tugged at her shirt, not wanting to let this go, but she quickly pulled her arm away and hissed softly. "I said no, Bella."

I retracted, but the menacing look in Skye's eyes did not wane. She continued to stare at me with a threatening glare until Mr. Marks started his lecture, then she shifted and faced forward. My stomach trembled all throughout class as I wondered what was going on. Despite all my attempts to dissuade it, my mind continued to wonder if the McRaes were leaving. Maybe that's why Skye's so upset. The hole in my chest ripped open and I hunched over, arm wrapped around my midsection as the pain consumed me. My arms began to shake, and I could hardly hear the teacher begin the lecture; my hearing was too muffled.

"Miss Swan?" I recognized my name and lifted my head to find Mr. Marks and the entire class staring at me. I immediately flushed bright red as he gawked at me with a sort of shocked concern. "Is everything all right, Miss Swan?"

"I…uh…I…" Stuttering heavily, I glanced around while my face flushed furiously. "Y-Yes."

Mr. Marks nodded with an unconvinced scowl, but turned and continued with his lecture. I turned back towards Skye, who refused to look at me, and made my resolve. I was going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what.

Time ticked by slowly as I passed from one class to another. My anxiety over my missing friend and the continuance of my curiosity were driving me insane. By the time lunch rolled around, I all but ran to the cafeteria looking for any sign of the McRae family. As I passed through the twin doors to the lunchroom, I sighed as I saw Ira, Dante, Skye, and Melena sitting at their normal table.

"Good afternoon, Bella." Melena smiled broadly as I took a seat next to her. "How has your day gone?"

"Fine," I mumbled and glanced at Skye, who was feverishly typing on a shiny blue laptop. "Are we allowed to have laptops at school?"

"Avarice told the principal that Skye is a budding genius," Ira giggled and poked her finger at Skye. "Forks High School is simply thrilled that they might have a chance to host a Rhodes Scholar."

"Oh hush," Skye grumbled and pushed Ira's finger away. "I've already turned that award down; I don't want it."

"What are you doing, Skye?" I inquired, but she didn't respond.

"Don't pay her any mind, Bella," Dante gushed beside Ira. "This is a game that she and Avarice play."

"Game?"

"He gives her favorite laptop a virus, and she has twenty-four hours to get rid of it," Dante's smile stretched across his entire face. "From the looks of it, he might actually win this time."

Skye hissed before refocusing on the screen of her laptop. I watched her for a few seconds, but my attention quickly meandered to the busy lunchroom. Across the space, I could see my old group of friends. I hadn't spoken to any of them for a while, and it really bothered me, but since I met Ary everything seemed different.

"Oh," I exclaimed as I was reminded of Ary's absence. "Melena, where's Ary?"

"She's not here," Skye spoke with abrupt harshness which caused a shiver to run through me. She stared sternly at me, and a low rumble flowed from her chest.

"Skye Lei!" Melena's voice was shocked and appalled. "How dare you growl at Bella—apologize at once!"

Skye lowered her head apologetically and exhaled heavily. "I'm really sorry, Bella," she mumbled. I could tell that her apology was sincere.

"It's okay, Skye." I smiled reassuringly

"You'll have to forgive her," I turned to Dante as he spoke, "she's got a short fuse."

I nodded but couldn't understand why my questions about Ary had made Skye angry to begin with. My brow furrowed as I tried to envelop myself in their conversation, however my mind was too preoccupied. The absence of Ary had heightened my curiosity, and I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate until I knew exactly what was going on.

"Melena," I said, breaking my silence. "I'm sorry, but I have to know."

She knew what I was talking about—I could see it written on her face.

"Bella," she spoke hesitantly, throwing anxious glances to the others. "I'm sorry, I…no, I can't."

A frustrated groan slipped out, and I ran my hands through my hair. "Can't you tell me anything?" I asked, exasperated. "She's my friend. I just want to make sure she's okay."

The McRaes sat in silence, briefly exchanging glances. I was about to give up when Ira spoke.

"Lazarus contacted us," she said evenly and shrugged. "If you know what that means."

I didn't, in fact, know anything about Lazarus—aside from his relation to Avarice, that is. I was even more confused than I had been, which wasn't a good thing. My mind began to move a mile a minute, wondering why Lazarus would have such an effect on Ary. Briefly, I remembered the first time I had visited the McRae house. Ary had cringed whenever his name was mentioned. Just what was going on?

The McRaes had begun speaking amongst one another again, while I pondered what they were hiding. What was going on with Ary? Why did she stay home from school? As more and more questions mounted up, a realization dawned on me. If I wanted answers, I had to find them myself; I had to go to the McRae house and ask Ary directly.

Without stopping to think, I left the table and traveled toward my old group of friends, who were laughing and carrying on. Their carousing halted and changed to awkward silence the moment I tapped Mike on the shoulder.

"Hey Mike," I said trying to feign a smile. "Is there any way you could cover my shift tonight? I'm not feeling that well. I think it's a cold."

"Uh," Mike stammered for a minute before finding his voice. "S-Sure, Bella."

"Thanks, Mike," I said with a gracious sigh. "I owe you one."

Forty-five minutes later, I found myself driving up and down the highway, looking for the hidden turn-off which would lead me to the McRae house. I had only ever visited with Eric or Ary, although I remembered the route pretty well. I groaned and pulled to the side of the road to think. At this pace, I would run out of gas and be forced to hike back to Forks.

I groaned deeply and rested my forehead on the steering wheel before putting it back into drive. As I pulled forward, I let my eyes idly scan the forest, looking for any sign of an entrance. The trees passed slowly and continuously, like a lush green wall. I was strongly considering heading home when I slammed on the breaks, a triumphant grin on my face. A few yards away I saw it—a wide hole in the foliage, big enough for a car to go through.

Moving quickly, I pulled my truck in and disappeared into the greenery. The path was a bit bumpy, but nothing my old truck couldn't handle. I drove for a little under five minutes before I found the open gate and the house that lay beyond it. With a satisfied sigh, I shut off my truck and climbed out just as the rain started to fall. I covered my head as best I could, but the rain was swiftly seeping into my clothing. When I glanced up toward the house, I noticed the front door was wide open and Avarice was motioning for me to hurry inside. I dashed across the yard and quickly found myself wrapped in a warm blanket and perched in front of the fire place within the house.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, Bella," Avarice mused beside me with a humored grin. "Your visits are usually a bit later."

"I know," I said apologetically and lowered my head. "I'm really sorry, Avarice. I don't mean to intrude."

"You, intrude? Never," he remarked and shook his head as he stood up. "You are always welcome here, Bella. However, by my knowledge, it's still

within school hours."

I nodded sheepishly and sighed.

"You're here about Aryana, aren't you?" he asked, his voice losing none of its humor.

Raising my eyes, I stared at him curiously. "How did you know?"

He shrugged and stoked the fire before answering. "I had a feeling."

I glanced back at the staircase, wondering if I should just head up and find her room, but as my eyes trailed back to Avarice, I caught a glance of Lazarus's picture hanging on the wall.

"Avarice," I said curiously and moved to stand by the family portraits. "Can I ask you something?"

"You may ask me anything," he said happily as he stood beside me.

I raised my eyes to him, marveling briefly at how the light from the fire danced on his skin, and took a deep breath. "Well, I was curious about Lazarus."

Avarice's calm demeanor went rigid and his stare became skeptical, however his tone was still pleasant. "And what causes you to wonder about my brother, Bella?"

I turned back to face the framed picture of Lazarus, which was now more illuminated by the fire. "Well, I've never met him," I said and marveled at the image of Avarice's brother. I could see the family resemblance, but there was something else that set them apart. While Avarice smiled broadly in his portrait, Lazarus wore a haunted and secretive grimace that sent a shiver through me.

"That's because he doesn't live with us." Avarice brought me back to reality with the abruptness of his answer.

"What's he like?"I asked as Avarice turned and made his way back toward the mantle of the fireplace.

Avarice sighed heavily and took a seat on the couch, gesturing for me to do the same. "My brother's very…unique, Bella. One of a kind and very genuine. He's very good on the inside, but some find it difficult to relate to him."

"Why is that?"

"He's extremely gifted," he said with a smile. "Many are afraid of him for it—I can't say that I truly blame them."

"When you say gifted," I said eagerly and leaned closer to him. "Do you mean he has a special ability?"

Avarice's eyebrows rose, and he chuckled softly. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you're aware of enhanced abilities. Yes, Bella, he is blessed with special gifts. There's a running bet among the family on who is stronger: Lazarus, Aryana, Argos, or myself."

The air caught in my throat, and I coughed softly. "You have a gift, Avarice?" He nodded his head and smiled at me. "What is it? I mean, what can you do?"

"Well, the Italians' name for my gift is schermo, however the English translation is simply: a shield."

"A shield?" I asked curiously and shook my head.

"I can protect myself and others from physical and mental attacks." As Avarice spoke, I remembered the attack at Eric's birthday party. Avarice had wrapped his arms around me, and Rochester appeared to stop in his tracks.

"So, at Eric's birthday party," I said slowly. "That's why Rochester couldn't attack me?"

"Very good, Bella," Avarice raised his eyebrows, obviously impressed with my insight, which made me blush.

"So," I continued, trying to make the red on my cheeks. "What about Lazarus?"

Avarice grimaced and lowered his head. "My brother is quite the opposite," he said gravely and looked at me. "While my gift is a means of protection, his is not. He was blessed with certain telekinetic abilities."

"Telekinetic?" I spoke with an awed expression. "You mean he can move things with his mind?"

"Yes," Avarice nodded. "Among other things."

"Other things?" I narrowed my eyes at his curious comment and the grimace that followed it. As I took in his deepened brow and troubled expression, I could only assume that Avarice was a little put off by his brother's abilities.

"Don't worry about it, Bella," he finally answered in a strained voice and attempted a grin, which didn't fool me at all, but judging by the stern expression that followed, I decided to drop it.

"Hmm." I grinned awkwardly and stood up. "Well, I should probably let Ary know I'm here." I was startled as Avarice bent over and laughed loudly, holding onto his stomach tightly. "What is it?"

"You," he said in between chuckles, "thinking that Aryana doesn't already know you're here." He made a slight twirling motion with his fingers and whispered, "Turn around."

Turning around slowly, I was greeted by Ary, who was standing in the middle of the stairwell, arms folded across her chest. Her face was covered by the shadows, but I was pretty sure she looked surprised.

"Hi Ary," I muttered and approached the stairs.

"Bella," her voice was tense. "You shouldn't take so much after Erickson."

"Huh?"

She took a few steps down, and the light revealed her disapproving stare. "Skipping school is bad."

I smiled softly and shrugged, approaching the base of the staircase. "You're one to talk."

"True," she agreed ruefully before descending the stairs and grabbing my wrist. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get this over with."

Author's Note: I'm not entirely sure what happened. I checked this chapter twice before posting it. I suppose we have our wonderful ffnet staff to thank for that mishap.