Chapter 8

**DISCLAIMER: not my property**

"Oh thank gods you are safe," Jade heard the second her mirror connected with Marcus, similar expressions from the others rapidly followed.

"Have you been waiting at the mirror this whole time?" Asked an amused Jade, despite already knowing they had been.

"Of course," replied Lee and Neville as one. "You are our sister, you are in another country, and you were meeting with assassins without backup," Neville finished.

Marcus cut Jade off from whatever she was going to say. "I will see you in tomorrow Jade. If I don't see you by three pm, I will use the tracking charm you finally agreed upon and hunt you down. Understand?"

"Relax, Brat I promise to be there. I probably will be accompanied by my father, possibly Xanxus, but I am exhausted. I had to tell my dad and then the Vongola my past, and I just need to sleep.

"Luna, do you have anything to say?"

"Don't let the babbling humdingers get to you. Use the dream catcher we wove last month," she dreamily spoke. "Now get some sleep. Rest well, sister."

With that said, Luna deactivated her mirror, leaving Jade with three overprotective self-proclaimed brothers staring her down. "Dobranoc!" She quickly said before they could say anything else.

"Siostra, proszę at least ward your door," Marcus begged. "We cannot protect you currently, so proszę, do it."

"Tak, Brat, I will, now, idź spać, dobranoc," she said before cutting the connection.

Having completed her call, she pulled out her untraceable wand and threw up some basic protective wards. For one night she did not need the multitude of wards her brothers would prefer. Falling onto the sinfully soft bed, she drifted off immediately.

Despite briefly waking at three for her usual flame lighting, she woke feeling rested, yet quickly felt disoriented at the unfamiliar surroundings. Relaxing as she felt the bond of her father and of Xanxus, Jade rose from the bed and figuratively dressed to slay. If she was going to be in a house of assassins, she was not remaining unarmed.

Like every Black, her lessons prior to attending Hogwarts included multiple forms of combat training. Before even reconnecting with her true family, Jade had studied at a local dojo, where she excelled in the various forms taught at her young age. Having enjoyed her unofficial lessons, she continued to learn any technique she could. After reconnecting with the Black Family, she began to study the art of blades, excelling with daggers, and gained proficiency with the use of a sword after four years. With no less than fifteen knives, the use of protective jewelry seemed overkill, but she slid the enchanted bracelets, rings, and necklaces on regardless. Securing her hair in an elaborate updo, she smirked as she slid the deadly hair pins in place.

Taking a final glance in the mirror, she studied her appearance. She was dressed in what could only be described as battle robes, yet fashionable. While if ever in a true fight, she would preferably wear a different top, but the corset design in a deep purple, embroidered with black and silver lace, was enchanted to stay in place. Her pants, today a black leather, had multiple protective wards stitched in that they were capable of withstanding dragon fire. Opting for her dragon hide boots with a sturdy heel, she picked up her bag and exited the room.

Opting to follow the light pull in her chest, she went down the hall, locating her father in the kitchen with Xanxus and Squalo. Softly greeting the trio, the coffee pot gathered her immediate attention; if nectar was the drink of the gods, surely coffee was the mortal equivalent. Looking up, she was stunned at how amused her Father from her actions.

"I see you have the same habit as your father," Squalo spoke in his loud voice. "If you had not said anything prior to grabbing the pot, VOI, it was just like him in the morning."

"Flattering description Squalo. That will be 5,000 Euros for the insult," snarked Mammon, as he added, "it isn't like you don't do the same thing every day."

"VOI!" Jade half listened as Squalo snarked with her father, as she slowly drank the first of many coffees that day.

"Jade?"

"Hmm?" She looked up from her cup and blushed, her eyes locking on Xanxus. "Oh, my apologies. What was that?"

A soft smile flashed across the VARIA Sky's scarred face. "I was wondering what you needed to do today. You mentioned appointments."

"I have an appointment at the Venice branch of Gringotts at one o'clock, and having known him for seven years, Marcus is probably going to be at the Alley waiting for me. Depending on the fallout due to the distraction I arranged at the Platform, I may be needing to retrieve my Fiends from the hellhole called the Burrow. Aunt Cissa ordered me to Tea," Jade said, pulling a notebook from her bag, "let's see... ahh. We are ordered to Tea. You both are to come on Wednesday, I am to let her know if any of your friends are joining us."

Xanxus looked at Jade, was he seriously being ordered by someone he didn't know to attend Tea—he could hear the capital letter— with his Cloud and her Father? He wanted to spend time with her, just sitting at the table together soothed his Wrath, but to be ordered to Tea? What had his life turned into?

Regulus nodded. "I will Owl Cissa now that my identity is public. Any other meetings scheduled?"

"You will be arranging one with the Goblin Nation. They are expecting you," Jade's sweet smile was almost evil as Regulus dreaded his upcoming trip. "Aside from weekly check-ins at the Sanctuary, and bi-weekly conferences with Marvolo, I have a free summer. Testing concluded last week, scores due to be released any day now. Aside from visiting friends and other family members, I was planning to spend the summer with you."

Regulus' eyes sparkled in delight, his daughter wanted to be with him. It was perfect in his mind. Sure, he would have to work some, but his daughter was there!

Xanxus was glad, Jade was going to be remaining close, preferably staying with him. Despite knowing her for less than a day, he didn't want her far, not until they completed their soul bond.

Having read the Medical Reports, he understood due to the soulbond being forcibly suppressed, past compulsions, and various potions, Jade struggled with understanding her feelings, and that it would take time for the two to bond. That was okay. He was the Boss. He would be sticking with Jade—as much as she would let him—instead of taking missions.

Brat: polish for brother

Siostra: polish for sister

Idź spać: polish, go to sleep

Proszę, polish, pleasd

Dobranoc: polish, good night.

Tak: polish, yes

Hi all,

I apologize for my long absence. In January my grandfather's health began to fail, and he spent the past four months in pain, alternating between home and hospital. He rallied for his eighty-first birthday in the middle of February, hoping to also celebrate mine the next day, but went to the hospital early that morning. As a result, the family spent the past three months preparing to say goodbye, traveling cross country multiple times to be with him and my Grammy, while fulfilling responsibilities at home.

His final hours were peaceful, he held on until his children were present before he passed, no longer in pain.

I hope to resume a semi regular posting schedule, but it might take a few weeks.