"I just want to feel safe in my own skin;
I just want to be happy again
I just want to feel deep in my own world
But I'm so lonely I don't even want to be with myself, Anymore.
On a different day,
If I was safe in my own skin, Then I wouldn't be lost and so frightened
But this is today and I'm lost in my own skin
And I'm so lonely I don't even want to be with myself anymore
I just want to feel safe in my own skin
I just want to be happy again." (Honestly Okay [#7], By, Dido - No Angel)
Looking out into the river I see the currents sway every which way. I want to hunt but I fear I might run into someone. I sometimes chatted with Caryn. But going to SingleEarth right now was NOT what I needed. Running into Dominique, Adianna, or Sarah Vida was NOT what I needed. The three witches who thought I was an abomination. Although I know that Dominique or Adianna would rather die than be caught in SingleEarth, I feel that going in that general direction might make me run into them anyway. I may be half Vida Witch, but I was certainly not treated that way. I was treated like the leeches they hunted. A vampire.
And just WHAT was Jessica doing back here? It was bad enough that I had to deal with all the shit that "supposedly" was decided years ago. But now I have to deal with the one bitch that might get in the way of me actually making a decision? Oh no. I most definitely did not need this.
Maybe Sarah Vida may understand. I mean Kristopher DID have her changed and all. It was for the sake of her life and Kristopher loved her. Adianna, Sarah's own sister, had even turned her head when the decision was made. But then she ran home to her family to be human again. How could she run away from the one any probably the ONLY one of the many fierce vampires that could have loved her unconditionally? Although I had in fact been out with Kristopher before, Nikolas stole me away without much effort, it had been the one and only time he ever went against his own brother and that excited me. It intrigued me to the fullest. Where Kristopher was sweet and gentle, Nikolas was cocky and passionate.
Yet Aubrey was what I wanted. And now I had no idea what to do about it. Nikolas would be angry but we both know that I'm not the one for him. Kristopher is still has and always will still have an infatuation with me, yet what we share is so much more important. Friendship.
For me to be a Vida Witch the witches of the council would have to accept me in order for me to become one of them. Now the fact that my father is a vampire, making me half vampire, does not help my chances of survival in that court between all those witches. At this moment I don't think I would fight for my life. What life do I have to protect? To live? I wish Aubrey were here. I wish Risika were here too. But having those two in the same place at the same time is rare. Risika still has not forgiven Aubrey for Tora. I have, although Tora was my blood half mother I feel no anger towards Aubrey. I'm actually in a way glad. At least now my mother can run free, and be with my real mother. My human mother.
My eyes sting with tears yet again and I scrap at my face to remove them. I need to talk this out with someone. And tat someone I knew would be waiting for my on my bed when I returned home. Risika.
I transport myself home.
"You okay?" She crosses my room and envelopes me into a great hug.
I nod. How do I start this? "What am I going to do?" I whimper. Damn it! I sound so weak!
"What do you want to do?" Risika asks me.
"I don't know, I truly don't know." I shake my head and collapse on my bed. Burying my head in the mounts of pillows. "Why is she back?" I say in the pillows.
I feel Risika come and sit beside me. I do not lift my head from the heap, "I think Epione sent her. But I'm not sure. I don't think I'm the one to be asking about that asshole anyways Thalia. You know how I feel about him." Risika shrugs.
I shift around to face her. "You really think Epione sent her?" I think about the possibility of it. "It would be like her to sent something- or someone to come and meddle in between things when she knows I have to make a choice."
"I don't know Thaila, you may be just jumping into conclusions. Are you going to school tomorrow?" Risika combs her fingers through my hair.
"Yea, I'll ask Kristopher to take me."
"Do you think that is such a good idea?" Risika suggests.
"Why not?" I look at her weird.
"Does Nikolas ring a bell?" Risika says.
"Does retard ring a bell?" I laugh.
"I'm gonna beat you!" Risika hits me in the head with a near by pillow.
"Risika!" I scream playfully.
Risika is about to hit me again but stops dead and stares behind me instead.
"What is it?" I ask worried. I turn around. "Shit." I curse the world.
"Is that from-"
"Siete." I answer before she could ask.
"Why would he bring you a dress?" Risika rises from my bed and walks across the room to my closet. The jade dress is hung from a hook and flows down to the floor. A single note tells us that it IS in fact from Siete. "It's beautiful." Risika says stroking the fabric.
"Happy early birthday Thalia. Hope you enjoy immortality -Siete." I read the note allowed to Risika. I snort, "What the hell? How does he even know I will choose immortality?"
"Won't you?" Risika asks me, wariness in her voice.
"I don't know." I look away from her gaze.
*¤ ~ *¤* ~ ¤*
"Good Morning Thalia." Kristopher greets me as I hope into his jeep.
"Thanks again for the ride. I just didn't feel like driving." I explain.
"It's alright. I love being around you anyways." He smiles and we start off towards school.
"So why are you riding this old jeep instead of a brand new car that we both know you can afford?" I tease, poking him in his side.
He shrugs, "I don't know? I just want to be like any normal kid."
"Kristopher, you are anything but a normal teen age kid." I state. "So where's Nissa?" I add.
"She didn't study for the government exam today." He answered.
"Shit!" I yelp.
"What?" He's alert.
"I forgot to study for it too! Dammit!" I smack my hand against my forehead.
"Well, I could tell you the answers, telepathically of course. Or we could." He lets the sentence trail off.
I smile, "Do something drastic?"
He turns the corner sharp and we both lean to the right.
"You just passed the school." I stated.
"Yes. I did." He smiled guilty.
"Is the goodie, goodie Kristopher actually about to gasp! Ditch school?" I tease.
"Looks like we just did." He grinned.
"You surprise me Kristopher." I smiled back.
"So where to?" He asked pulling over.
"Why are you stopping?"
He shrugged, "I dunno it's not like we have anywhere to go."
"There are plenty of places to go Ni- uh, Kristopher." I grimace at my mistake. I almost called Kristopher by his brother's name!
"It's alright Ri- uh, Thalia." He teases.
"Ha, ha. So where to little one?" I joke.
"I'm older than you Thalia." He grins mischievously and guns the Jeep back to life. Peeling out of the curb, we pass fast by the school where I see a couple of girls stare in envy at me. They all think that Kristopher is the hottest guy at our School. Do they all have no lives?
"I have to get something from my locker." He says as he pulls into the school's parking lot.
"Wha? What are you doing Kristopher? They're not going to let you back out if you go in!" I shout.
"Relax! Sheesh Thalia, since when did you become so oblivious to Vampiric powers of persuasion?" He chuckles light.
I smile as he takes my hand and pulls me out of the Jeep. We walk to the school and just when I think we're headed towards his locker he takes a sharp turn left and drags me along with him. I almost lose my balance in the process. That's never happened before, I mean think about it. Vamps don't lose balance. Never. Shit. I DO have to make a decision. And soon.
"Hey Thalia. Lookin good today baby. Why don't you come with me and I can show you the back of my White, Lincoln Navigator honey." A muscular cheesy jock says when he walks past me and Kristopher with a couple of his jock friends. I feel this is a good time to play around with them.
"Go ahead Kristopher. I'll be right there." I smile, licking my fangs. Kristopher knows I won't hurt them. Much. He simply nods and moves forward to wherever his original destination was. "So, baby." I smile at the jock, what was his name again?
"Hey Mike. C'mon, we're gonna be late to practice." Another meat boy says.
My eyes dart in his direction, he slightly shudders. I recognize him, "Johnny?" I mutter aloud.
"No, I'm Conner, I think you may be thinking about my older brother." He looks away sadly, "He's dead though."
"Oh, I'm sorry." I say sympathetic. I remember now, the night me and Risika got to crazy with blood lust and lack of feeding from humans. We went to a high school football game, just as it had ended and football players were leaving their locker room. We couldn't resist them, with the sweat dripping down their necks, fully exposed skin. I could feel my fangs grow and my thirst itch at the back of my throat.
"So what do you say sweet cheeks?" The jock boy, Mike, smacks my butt.
"Nah, maybe later though, I'm kinda busy with Kristopher right now, but when I'm done I'll come a looking for you okay babe? Oh and stop taking those steroids baby, they really give me upset stomach kay?" I say walking off.
My day with Kristopher was actually fun. We went to art museums; we drank annoying teenagers and shared a strawberry milkshake afterwards. All in all it was a wonderful day. I never expected Kristopher to make boring stuff like art museums seem fun. I'm tired from the day we had.
*¤ ~ *¤* ~ ¤*
(School Lunch, Next Day)
I see the usual so-called "popular" group migrate my way and I smile in mock enthusiasm. "What brings you tasty morsels my way?" I tease. Sniffing the air.
"I saw you Thalia, I saw you leave school yesterday with Kristopher." A short blonde with bouncy curls tries to be bold with me.
"So?" I shrug.
"So, I thought you and Winston Becker were an idem." She snaps back.
"And I thought that you jocked the hell out of him so I let him free, besides, he don't taste that well. Always drugged up with speed or coke. I swear that boy would do me a lot better sober." I grunt. The aftershocks of his doses hit me bad after a long meal on him. It always amused me to see how oblivious people can be to my thirst comments.
The girl's eyes widened.
"What's you name anyways? I don't think I even know you." I snorted.
"My name? My NAME? How can anyone NOT know who I am? I'm Jossline Bernen! For crying out loud! And Winston Becker is WAY too good for the likes of YOU." She spat.
Now usually I never let things that humans say to me go to heart. But today I was feeling restless and this Jossline girl was getting on my last nerve. I stood tall and got in her face all in one swift move. "Just who the HELL do you think you are?" I snuffed.
"Get out of my face Thalia." She sneered.
"Or what?" I challenged. This chick was really starting to get on my LAST nerve.
"I don't have time for this. Look, just stay away from us and we'll be off your back got it?"
"Got what? I will talk to who ever the hell I want. I will be with who ever the hell I want and I will even FUCK who ever the HELL I want and there isn't a thing you can do, say, or think about it. You got THAT?" I angered.
Jossline just stood right back in my face with the same amount of rage I was carrying towards her, she had the same amount towards me. It was then I finally realized that she was a bound human. No doubt to Nikolas, I could tell by the long sleeves she wore on a scalding hot afternoon. This chick really thought that just because of her blood bond with a vampire that she was safe. Well actually she WAS in fact safe from any other vampire touching her but I was. In fact not officially a vampire yet. I laughed. I laughed really loud and heartedly.
I glared straight into her eyes, "You think you're some tough cookie huh? Well let me tell you something Jossline." I spat her name out like a bad taste, "Nikolas doesn't give a rats ass about you or any other girl that he has come across. He cares about me. Me and ONLY me. And if you think for a second that he would choose to save you because I have chosen to fuck with you than you have another thing coming. Nikolas will never cross me honey." I roll my eyes and walk away, running into Kristopher and Nissa.
"Tough day?" Nissa asks sweet.
"Does it show?" I say.
Kristopher rubs the back of neck with his strong hands, "Don't waste your time worrying about the likes of them." He tells me.
"I don't, it's just that, that Jossline chick thinks that Nikolas has her back no matter what."
"Nikolas wouldn't care if she fell off the face of the earth, he probably just drank from her to piss you off Thalia." Nissa stated.
I snort a laugh, "Piss me off? Now that is hilarious, I could care less." I say as I lean into Kristopher's hands on my back.
"Look here comes Sarah." Nissa says and slaps at me and Kristopher.
"Ah f*ck." I curse. It seemed as though all the people that I didn't ever want to see again were all flooding back into my life. Fala, Jessica, Epione and now Sarah Vida.
"Nice to see you too Thalia, Nissa. Kristopher." She nods her head and looks away.
I look from Sarah to Kristopher, "Do you two need a minute?" Why am I always such a bitch?
"I'm here because my mother wants to talk to you. NOW." She tells me.
"Is that a request or an order? Cuz I'll kill myself in the worst possible way before I start taking orders from your low life mother."
"She could kill you before you could even gain enough sense to realize what the hell was happening." Sarah scowled.
"Is that a fact Sarah? Tell me is this the same mother you speak of that disowned you when you were changed from witch to vampire? Did she or did she not let you starve out the blood lust until you thought your soul was leaking out threw your ears? Is this not the same woman who was on the side of the Vida's council to have you destroyed? And are you or are you not STILL trying to prove yourself worthy to your own MOTHER?" I smile. Taunting can be so fun if you say the right words I realize all to quickly, watching the tears sting Sarah's eyes. "Oh honey I don't say these things to make you all teary eyed. I only say it to make you SEE what your mother really is. And that's no mother at all."
"At least I have a mother." Sarah whispered.
Now I must say that out of all the things this bitch could have said -that was a LOW blow. I mean. OUCH.
"Is that all you've got?" Although I was tore up inside by Sarah's last comment I remain rock hard.
"Look, I didn't come here to fight you. I came here because my mother asked me to and if you refuse her request than the Vida's will automatically out you on their most dangerous asset list."
"What?!" Was all I could manage to say.
"I' sorry it has to be this way Thalia, truthfully."
"But my father said-"
"I know what your father must have said but to be honest with you Thalia, the Vida's are not fond of the idea that you are half breed and they still cannot forgive the betrayal made by your mother several years ago."
"Well, shit." Was all I could manage to say.
"Are you coming or not?" Sarah stood before me.
*
Epione.
Just how could I describe this cold-hearted bitch without gagging? She was beautiful in every way, shape and form. She was one of those types that could still look wonderful on her worst day. Her legs were slender as was her waist. Her hair was long and wavy past her shoulders. It shined like gold in the sun, she was one of the few who obtained the ability to walk both night and day without discomfort. Her voice was smooth as silk and her walk was the perfect mimic of a run way model. Her eyes were a hypnotic blue and constantly captured anyone who looked into them. Human or not, you were sucked into her abyss.
Epione always wanted my father. Her brother, Siete, always wanted my mother. Both were used to getting what they wanted. So when my father and my mother were married. Epione and Siete hit the roof. Apparently, now this is based on word of mouth, Epione stirred up a curse that would forever haunt me. So far I've yet to figure what my curse is but I have a feeling that since the silver line and head Vida council have decided that I need to make my decision of what I am to be. That my curse will turn up soon.
It occurred to me just as I was walking down the hall of the Vida councils secret layer, my heels tapping and echoing against the walls, that I didn't belong here. I couldn't kill my friends and family. I just couldn't thrust a stake into their black hearts. No. This was wrong. This was wrong in every possible way. Remembering the night my mother des in battle with Epione, I stopped in my tracks. Caryn urged me forward and I shook my head violently.
Flashes of the nightmares I endured during childhood hit me like thunder bolts. They flashed so bright in my mind that my eye sight went out. I grabbed for the walls and cried out in alarm. I tried to calm my nerves by ignoring the deathly pain in my head. I tried to block out the painful memories of finding my mother dead and drained dry. I tried to push out Epione's face after she had tossed my mother aside like a rag doll. I screamed out when I felt the sting of Epione's touch against my skin, she was the only one who could make my skin feel as if it were on fire and melting from my skeleton.
"Thalia! Thalia!" I heard Caryn's concerned voice.
But it was too late, I was already sucked into the past. To a time when I was 6 years old and crying into the night.
*
12 years earlier.
"I told you I didn't want a celebration Ephyra!" I heard my fathers voice boom from the next room, "It is not safe!"
I heard my mother snort in disgust, "When will it EVER be SAFE Jager? I will NOT live my life in fear, and I will be damned if my daughter doesn't enjoy her birthday today. What has happen to you? You used to eb so compassionate. You used to FEEL. Lately you make me wonder if leaving my faith behind was such a good idea." I heard the slamming of a door and I ran out into the livingroom.
"Daddy! Daddy!" I screamed out the open door, I saw him jump into his expensive Jaguar and speed off into the sunset. It was 3 hours before all my friends from school and family from both my mother and father's sides would come together -the one time out of the year that they wouldn't fight.
"Honey come back inside, he just went out is all." My mother dragged me back into the house, wiping away tears. I knew he wouldn't back, not for my party anyhow. It was that day -the day he left my mother alone when she needed him most that bitter hate replaced the respectful love I once held for him.
It was after my party, when the last guest was leaving that THEY came. Siete with all his debonair grace and chiseled good looks, and Epione in all her glory. My mother was in shock, she hadn't seen these two in years. My father wasn't there to protect her from whatever they had in store.
"Don't worry pet. We're not here to hurt you." Siete calmed my mother.
"Yet." Epione has sneered.
"Baby go on to your room and play with all your new toys." My mother ushered me away.
"Ah but not before I give her MY gift." Siete stopped me with a hand, "For Thalia." He had handed me a wrapped box, I took it with me to my room and tore it open.
There lay a wonderful evening gown, much too large for me to wear at the mere age of six but beautiful yet still indeed. I was so transfixed in the gowns shimmery jade color that I hadn't heard my mother cry out. I hadn't heard Siete bellow in remorse and I hadn't heard the loud fight break out. But what I didn't see would haunt my dreams for all eternity. Epione has snapped my mother's neck when my mother refused to give up my father and Siete had banished his sister afterwards in anger. The two actually had agreed to no violence, but Epione was such a conniving bitch that she even lied to her own brother. Siete left without another word in fear that my father would be back and cause hell, but Epione had left only to return moments later. She drank my mother's blood, every last ounce and I watched terrified from my room. I ran to the box where the gown was and threw it out my window. When I turned around, Epione was waiting.
*
"Thalia!" I felt a slap across my face and realized that I was 17 again, I was about to be 18 and make the hugest decision of my life.
I sat up quickly, "I shouldn't be here. This only proves it." I shook my head.
Caryn looked confused, "What? Thalia what just happen? You were talking aloud in Latin. I didn't know you spoke your native tongue." She said worried, helping up from the floor.
I looked at her wide eyed, "I don't." I whispered more terrified than ever.
The curse had begun.
I just want to be happy again
I just want to feel deep in my own world
But I'm so lonely I don't even want to be with myself, Anymore.
On a different day,
If I was safe in my own skin, Then I wouldn't be lost and so frightened
But this is today and I'm lost in my own skin
And I'm so lonely I don't even want to be with myself anymore
I just want to feel safe in my own skin
I just want to be happy again." (Honestly Okay [#7], By, Dido - No Angel)
Looking out into the river I see the currents sway every which way. I want to hunt but I fear I might run into someone. I sometimes chatted with Caryn. But going to SingleEarth right now was NOT what I needed. Running into Dominique, Adianna, or Sarah Vida was NOT what I needed. The three witches who thought I was an abomination. Although I know that Dominique or Adianna would rather die than be caught in SingleEarth, I feel that going in that general direction might make me run into them anyway. I may be half Vida Witch, but I was certainly not treated that way. I was treated like the leeches they hunted. A vampire.
And just WHAT was Jessica doing back here? It was bad enough that I had to deal with all the shit that "supposedly" was decided years ago. But now I have to deal with the one bitch that might get in the way of me actually making a decision? Oh no. I most definitely did not need this.
Maybe Sarah Vida may understand. I mean Kristopher DID have her changed and all. It was for the sake of her life and Kristopher loved her. Adianna, Sarah's own sister, had even turned her head when the decision was made. But then she ran home to her family to be human again. How could she run away from the one any probably the ONLY one of the many fierce vampires that could have loved her unconditionally? Although I had in fact been out with Kristopher before, Nikolas stole me away without much effort, it had been the one and only time he ever went against his own brother and that excited me. It intrigued me to the fullest. Where Kristopher was sweet and gentle, Nikolas was cocky and passionate.
Yet Aubrey was what I wanted. And now I had no idea what to do about it. Nikolas would be angry but we both know that I'm not the one for him. Kristopher is still has and always will still have an infatuation with me, yet what we share is so much more important. Friendship.
For me to be a Vida Witch the witches of the council would have to accept me in order for me to become one of them. Now the fact that my father is a vampire, making me half vampire, does not help my chances of survival in that court between all those witches. At this moment I don't think I would fight for my life. What life do I have to protect? To live? I wish Aubrey were here. I wish Risika were here too. But having those two in the same place at the same time is rare. Risika still has not forgiven Aubrey for Tora. I have, although Tora was my blood half mother I feel no anger towards Aubrey. I'm actually in a way glad. At least now my mother can run free, and be with my real mother. My human mother.
My eyes sting with tears yet again and I scrap at my face to remove them. I need to talk this out with someone. And tat someone I knew would be waiting for my on my bed when I returned home. Risika.
I transport myself home.
"You okay?" She crosses my room and envelopes me into a great hug.
I nod. How do I start this? "What am I going to do?" I whimper. Damn it! I sound so weak!
"What do you want to do?" Risika asks me.
"I don't know, I truly don't know." I shake my head and collapse on my bed. Burying my head in the mounts of pillows. "Why is she back?" I say in the pillows.
I feel Risika come and sit beside me. I do not lift my head from the heap, "I think Epione sent her. But I'm not sure. I don't think I'm the one to be asking about that asshole anyways Thalia. You know how I feel about him." Risika shrugs.
I shift around to face her. "You really think Epione sent her?" I think about the possibility of it. "It would be like her to sent something- or someone to come and meddle in between things when she knows I have to make a choice."
"I don't know Thaila, you may be just jumping into conclusions. Are you going to school tomorrow?" Risika combs her fingers through my hair.
"Yea, I'll ask Kristopher to take me."
"Do you think that is such a good idea?" Risika suggests.
"Why not?" I look at her weird.
"Does Nikolas ring a bell?" Risika says.
"Does retard ring a bell?" I laugh.
"I'm gonna beat you!" Risika hits me in the head with a near by pillow.
"Risika!" I scream playfully.
Risika is about to hit me again but stops dead and stares behind me instead.
"What is it?" I ask worried. I turn around. "Shit." I curse the world.
"Is that from-"
"Siete." I answer before she could ask.
"Why would he bring you a dress?" Risika rises from my bed and walks across the room to my closet. The jade dress is hung from a hook and flows down to the floor. A single note tells us that it IS in fact from Siete. "It's beautiful." Risika says stroking the fabric.
"Happy early birthday Thalia. Hope you enjoy immortality -Siete." I read the note allowed to Risika. I snort, "What the hell? How does he even know I will choose immortality?"
"Won't you?" Risika asks me, wariness in her voice.
"I don't know." I look away from her gaze.
*¤ ~ *¤* ~ ¤*
"Good Morning Thalia." Kristopher greets me as I hope into his jeep.
"Thanks again for the ride. I just didn't feel like driving." I explain.
"It's alright. I love being around you anyways." He smiles and we start off towards school.
"So why are you riding this old jeep instead of a brand new car that we both know you can afford?" I tease, poking him in his side.
He shrugs, "I don't know? I just want to be like any normal kid."
"Kristopher, you are anything but a normal teen age kid." I state. "So where's Nissa?" I add.
"She didn't study for the government exam today." He answered.
"Shit!" I yelp.
"What?" He's alert.
"I forgot to study for it too! Dammit!" I smack my hand against my forehead.
"Well, I could tell you the answers, telepathically of course. Or we could." He lets the sentence trail off.
I smile, "Do something drastic?"
He turns the corner sharp and we both lean to the right.
"You just passed the school." I stated.
"Yes. I did." He smiled guilty.
"Is the goodie, goodie Kristopher actually about to gasp! Ditch school?" I tease.
"Looks like we just did." He grinned.
"You surprise me Kristopher." I smiled back.
"So where to?" He asked pulling over.
"Why are you stopping?"
He shrugged, "I dunno it's not like we have anywhere to go."
"There are plenty of places to go Ni- uh, Kristopher." I grimace at my mistake. I almost called Kristopher by his brother's name!
"It's alright Ri- uh, Thalia." He teases.
"Ha, ha. So where to little one?" I joke.
"I'm older than you Thalia." He grins mischievously and guns the Jeep back to life. Peeling out of the curb, we pass fast by the school where I see a couple of girls stare in envy at me. They all think that Kristopher is the hottest guy at our School. Do they all have no lives?
"I have to get something from my locker." He says as he pulls into the school's parking lot.
"Wha? What are you doing Kristopher? They're not going to let you back out if you go in!" I shout.
"Relax! Sheesh Thalia, since when did you become so oblivious to Vampiric powers of persuasion?" He chuckles light.
I smile as he takes my hand and pulls me out of the Jeep. We walk to the school and just when I think we're headed towards his locker he takes a sharp turn left and drags me along with him. I almost lose my balance in the process. That's never happened before, I mean think about it. Vamps don't lose balance. Never. Shit. I DO have to make a decision. And soon.
"Hey Thalia. Lookin good today baby. Why don't you come with me and I can show you the back of my White, Lincoln Navigator honey." A muscular cheesy jock says when he walks past me and Kristopher with a couple of his jock friends. I feel this is a good time to play around with them.
"Go ahead Kristopher. I'll be right there." I smile, licking my fangs. Kristopher knows I won't hurt them. Much. He simply nods and moves forward to wherever his original destination was. "So, baby." I smile at the jock, what was his name again?
"Hey Mike. C'mon, we're gonna be late to practice." Another meat boy says.
My eyes dart in his direction, he slightly shudders. I recognize him, "Johnny?" I mutter aloud.
"No, I'm Conner, I think you may be thinking about my older brother." He looks away sadly, "He's dead though."
"Oh, I'm sorry." I say sympathetic. I remember now, the night me and Risika got to crazy with blood lust and lack of feeding from humans. We went to a high school football game, just as it had ended and football players were leaving their locker room. We couldn't resist them, with the sweat dripping down their necks, fully exposed skin. I could feel my fangs grow and my thirst itch at the back of my throat.
"So what do you say sweet cheeks?" The jock boy, Mike, smacks my butt.
"Nah, maybe later though, I'm kinda busy with Kristopher right now, but when I'm done I'll come a looking for you okay babe? Oh and stop taking those steroids baby, they really give me upset stomach kay?" I say walking off.
My day with Kristopher was actually fun. We went to art museums; we drank annoying teenagers and shared a strawberry milkshake afterwards. All in all it was a wonderful day. I never expected Kristopher to make boring stuff like art museums seem fun. I'm tired from the day we had.
*¤ ~ *¤* ~ ¤*
(School Lunch, Next Day)
I see the usual so-called "popular" group migrate my way and I smile in mock enthusiasm. "What brings you tasty morsels my way?" I tease. Sniffing the air.
"I saw you Thalia, I saw you leave school yesterday with Kristopher." A short blonde with bouncy curls tries to be bold with me.
"So?" I shrug.
"So, I thought you and Winston Becker were an idem." She snaps back.
"And I thought that you jocked the hell out of him so I let him free, besides, he don't taste that well. Always drugged up with speed or coke. I swear that boy would do me a lot better sober." I grunt. The aftershocks of his doses hit me bad after a long meal on him. It always amused me to see how oblivious people can be to my thirst comments.
The girl's eyes widened.
"What's you name anyways? I don't think I even know you." I snorted.
"My name? My NAME? How can anyone NOT know who I am? I'm Jossline Bernen! For crying out loud! And Winston Becker is WAY too good for the likes of YOU." She spat.
Now usually I never let things that humans say to me go to heart. But today I was feeling restless and this Jossline girl was getting on my last nerve. I stood tall and got in her face all in one swift move. "Just who the HELL do you think you are?" I snuffed.
"Get out of my face Thalia." She sneered.
"Or what?" I challenged. This chick was really starting to get on my LAST nerve.
"I don't have time for this. Look, just stay away from us and we'll be off your back got it?"
"Got what? I will talk to who ever the hell I want. I will be with who ever the hell I want and I will even FUCK who ever the HELL I want and there isn't a thing you can do, say, or think about it. You got THAT?" I angered.
Jossline just stood right back in my face with the same amount of rage I was carrying towards her, she had the same amount towards me. It was then I finally realized that she was a bound human. No doubt to Nikolas, I could tell by the long sleeves she wore on a scalding hot afternoon. This chick really thought that just because of her blood bond with a vampire that she was safe. Well actually she WAS in fact safe from any other vampire touching her but I was. In fact not officially a vampire yet. I laughed. I laughed really loud and heartedly.
I glared straight into her eyes, "You think you're some tough cookie huh? Well let me tell you something Jossline." I spat her name out like a bad taste, "Nikolas doesn't give a rats ass about you or any other girl that he has come across. He cares about me. Me and ONLY me. And if you think for a second that he would choose to save you because I have chosen to fuck with you than you have another thing coming. Nikolas will never cross me honey." I roll my eyes and walk away, running into Kristopher and Nissa.
"Tough day?" Nissa asks sweet.
"Does it show?" I say.
Kristopher rubs the back of neck with his strong hands, "Don't waste your time worrying about the likes of them." He tells me.
"I don't, it's just that, that Jossline chick thinks that Nikolas has her back no matter what."
"Nikolas wouldn't care if she fell off the face of the earth, he probably just drank from her to piss you off Thalia." Nissa stated.
I snort a laugh, "Piss me off? Now that is hilarious, I could care less." I say as I lean into Kristopher's hands on my back.
"Look here comes Sarah." Nissa says and slaps at me and Kristopher.
"Ah f*ck." I curse. It seemed as though all the people that I didn't ever want to see again were all flooding back into my life. Fala, Jessica, Epione and now Sarah Vida.
"Nice to see you too Thalia, Nissa. Kristopher." She nods her head and looks away.
I look from Sarah to Kristopher, "Do you two need a minute?" Why am I always such a bitch?
"I'm here because my mother wants to talk to you. NOW." She tells me.
"Is that a request or an order? Cuz I'll kill myself in the worst possible way before I start taking orders from your low life mother."
"She could kill you before you could even gain enough sense to realize what the hell was happening." Sarah scowled.
"Is that a fact Sarah? Tell me is this the same mother you speak of that disowned you when you were changed from witch to vampire? Did she or did she not let you starve out the blood lust until you thought your soul was leaking out threw your ears? Is this not the same woman who was on the side of the Vida's council to have you destroyed? And are you or are you not STILL trying to prove yourself worthy to your own MOTHER?" I smile. Taunting can be so fun if you say the right words I realize all to quickly, watching the tears sting Sarah's eyes. "Oh honey I don't say these things to make you all teary eyed. I only say it to make you SEE what your mother really is. And that's no mother at all."
"At least I have a mother." Sarah whispered.
Now I must say that out of all the things this bitch could have said -that was a LOW blow. I mean. OUCH.
"Is that all you've got?" Although I was tore up inside by Sarah's last comment I remain rock hard.
"Look, I didn't come here to fight you. I came here because my mother asked me to and if you refuse her request than the Vida's will automatically out you on their most dangerous asset list."
"What?!" Was all I could manage to say.
"I' sorry it has to be this way Thalia, truthfully."
"But my father said-"
"I know what your father must have said but to be honest with you Thalia, the Vida's are not fond of the idea that you are half breed and they still cannot forgive the betrayal made by your mother several years ago."
"Well, shit." Was all I could manage to say.
"Are you coming or not?" Sarah stood before me.
*
Epione.
Just how could I describe this cold-hearted bitch without gagging? She was beautiful in every way, shape and form. She was one of those types that could still look wonderful on her worst day. Her legs were slender as was her waist. Her hair was long and wavy past her shoulders. It shined like gold in the sun, she was one of the few who obtained the ability to walk both night and day without discomfort. Her voice was smooth as silk and her walk was the perfect mimic of a run way model. Her eyes were a hypnotic blue and constantly captured anyone who looked into them. Human or not, you were sucked into her abyss.
Epione always wanted my father. Her brother, Siete, always wanted my mother. Both were used to getting what they wanted. So when my father and my mother were married. Epione and Siete hit the roof. Apparently, now this is based on word of mouth, Epione stirred up a curse that would forever haunt me. So far I've yet to figure what my curse is but I have a feeling that since the silver line and head Vida council have decided that I need to make my decision of what I am to be. That my curse will turn up soon.
It occurred to me just as I was walking down the hall of the Vida councils secret layer, my heels tapping and echoing against the walls, that I didn't belong here. I couldn't kill my friends and family. I just couldn't thrust a stake into their black hearts. No. This was wrong. This was wrong in every possible way. Remembering the night my mother des in battle with Epione, I stopped in my tracks. Caryn urged me forward and I shook my head violently.
Flashes of the nightmares I endured during childhood hit me like thunder bolts. They flashed so bright in my mind that my eye sight went out. I grabbed for the walls and cried out in alarm. I tried to calm my nerves by ignoring the deathly pain in my head. I tried to block out the painful memories of finding my mother dead and drained dry. I tried to push out Epione's face after she had tossed my mother aside like a rag doll. I screamed out when I felt the sting of Epione's touch against my skin, she was the only one who could make my skin feel as if it were on fire and melting from my skeleton.
"Thalia! Thalia!" I heard Caryn's concerned voice.
But it was too late, I was already sucked into the past. To a time when I was 6 years old and crying into the night.
*
12 years earlier.
"I told you I didn't want a celebration Ephyra!" I heard my fathers voice boom from the next room, "It is not safe!"
I heard my mother snort in disgust, "When will it EVER be SAFE Jager? I will NOT live my life in fear, and I will be damned if my daughter doesn't enjoy her birthday today. What has happen to you? You used to eb so compassionate. You used to FEEL. Lately you make me wonder if leaving my faith behind was such a good idea." I heard the slamming of a door and I ran out into the livingroom.
"Daddy! Daddy!" I screamed out the open door, I saw him jump into his expensive Jaguar and speed off into the sunset. It was 3 hours before all my friends from school and family from both my mother and father's sides would come together -the one time out of the year that they wouldn't fight.
"Honey come back inside, he just went out is all." My mother dragged me back into the house, wiping away tears. I knew he wouldn't back, not for my party anyhow. It was that day -the day he left my mother alone when she needed him most that bitter hate replaced the respectful love I once held for him.
It was after my party, when the last guest was leaving that THEY came. Siete with all his debonair grace and chiseled good looks, and Epione in all her glory. My mother was in shock, she hadn't seen these two in years. My father wasn't there to protect her from whatever they had in store.
"Don't worry pet. We're not here to hurt you." Siete calmed my mother.
"Yet." Epione has sneered.
"Baby go on to your room and play with all your new toys." My mother ushered me away.
"Ah but not before I give her MY gift." Siete stopped me with a hand, "For Thalia." He had handed me a wrapped box, I took it with me to my room and tore it open.
There lay a wonderful evening gown, much too large for me to wear at the mere age of six but beautiful yet still indeed. I was so transfixed in the gowns shimmery jade color that I hadn't heard my mother cry out. I hadn't heard Siete bellow in remorse and I hadn't heard the loud fight break out. But what I didn't see would haunt my dreams for all eternity. Epione has snapped my mother's neck when my mother refused to give up my father and Siete had banished his sister afterwards in anger. The two actually had agreed to no violence, but Epione was such a conniving bitch that she even lied to her own brother. Siete left without another word in fear that my father would be back and cause hell, but Epione had left only to return moments later. She drank my mother's blood, every last ounce and I watched terrified from my room. I ran to the box where the gown was and threw it out my window. When I turned around, Epione was waiting.
*
"Thalia!" I felt a slap across my face and realized that I was 17 again, I was about to be 18 and make the hugest decision of my life.
I sat up quickly, "I shouldn't be here. This only proves it." I shook my head.
Caryn looked confused, "What? Thalia what just happen? You were talking aloud in Latin. I didn't know you spoke your native tongue." She said worried, helping up from the floor.
I looked at her wide eyed, "I don't." I whispered more terrified than ever.
The curse had begun.