Part Four: Blaze-Time Stopper

Chapter Twelve: Stop!

Blaze did return that night. The fear felt earlier clung to her like an awful stench.

Torrence waved to her as she walked into the room they had met earlier. Her hair was pulled back, and she was…not even dressed. All she had on was a sports bra and a pair of short shorts. Next to her stood a blonde with light caramel skin similarly dressed. She felt bitter at that. Charlie should have told her the dress code.

"Maria's sick, so you'll have to work with me. Come up here and stand next to Auriella."

Auriella smiled, and her sky blue eyes lit up. "Hi. You must be the fourth."

Blaze paused. "The fourth?"

Tor gave Ella a dirty look. "Excuse Pinky here. Come on. Get the clothes off."

"What! Girl, you crazy."

Placing her right hand on her right hip, Torrie gave Blaze an impatient look. "I don't have time to play around. It's easier to do the stretches if you can maneuver. There are only girls here."

Blaze narrowed her eyes, grumbled, but slipped out of her boots. She pulled off her jeans so that her black panties were exposed. Next came her see-through to that was over her spaghetti strap half-shirt.

Torrence examined the girl's torso from where she was. "Do you work out?"

"Sometimes," she replied as she climbed on stage.

"How old are you?" Auriella asked.

"Um, sixteen. And you two?"

"We're fifteen. So, are you serious about this?" Torrence asked.

"About belly dancing? Yeah, I guess so."

A sly smile slipped onto Torrie's face. "Good. There are a lot of things you'll have to do outside of class."

Ella chuckled. "You're in for it, Blaze. Trust me. She works me harder than the cheerleading coach."

"I do, too. I may be young, but I know how to dance. And I don't like my pupils to slack."

Blaze knew she was serious. She stood about two feet from Ella, waiting for Torrence.

"Okay, we'll start with the stretches. Just watch us, Blaze, then you'll understand how to do them."

Torrence raised up, supported by the ball of her foot, arms stretched high, her back arched and hollowed out. She held the position for a five count, relaxed, then went back to the stretch position. Blaze watched her for two five counts. She copied the movements, feeling a sharp pain in the back of her legs. She wobbled on her feet when trying to arch her back, but she maintained her balance.

They were rolling their heads next, loosening the muscles in their necks. Legs out, lunging. Stretch the muscles in your legs.

"You're good. Now, roll the hips."

Blaze tilted her head. "Roll the hips?"

Torrence demonstrated. Lifting her arms above her head, her body was straight. Her hips moved in slow, clockwise circles. Everything else on her body was still; her hips continued the fluid movement.

Blaze looked at Ella. The blonde shrugged.

"It's hard to do," Ella whispered. "I've been at it for three months, and I still can't do it properly."

Tor laughed. "It takes practice. Just do it on your own for a while. Also, do some crunches and the stretches we did today."

"Where did you two get those pendants?" Blaze finally asked as she looked at Ella's, then Tor's.

Ella sat down, smiling her perfect smile. Did she practice that smile? "We're glad you asked."

Tor sat down, too. She motioned for her to sit down. Blaze hesitated, then sat. Torrence began the story, "their" destiny.

Blaze laughed. "Goddess? You bitches are crazy!"

Auriella shook her head. Placing her hand in front of her, a spark lighted and a fire caught. It was a small flame and it was definitely burning, but it didn't spread. Tor touched the flames, and they froze.

"What the fuck?" Blaze hopped up.

"There's another Daughter. She can manipulate your mind," Torrence said.

Blaze's honey eyes remained wide as she clutched her amulet. Time stopped.

"These bitches are crazy!" She repeated.

She stared at the frozen forms of Torrence and Auriella. They didn't seem as crazy as she wanted them to be. Maybe she was just afraid.

Why go into the light when you can go into the dark? You like the dark, right?

Her brain froze. It had become so much colder. She feared being alone. The hands on her watch clicked.

Ella moaned and held her head. She really did give people headaches when she stopped time.

"Sorry…"

"What did you do?" Torrence groaned.

"I stopped time. That's my goddess power…"

That voice. It held so much temptation in it. Something had kept her from it. She was protected.

Auriella stood and hugged Blaze. "It's okay, Blaze. It's okay."

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Honey?"

Blaze looked up at her mother. She was sitting on the porch, staring up at the moon.

"What's wrong, Cammy?" Her mother sat beside her.

"Mom, how'd I get this amulet? I mean, I know it was at birth, but who gave it to me?"

Her mother smiled. "Well, it was a day after you were born, and we were alone. This beautiful woman walked in. I mean perfect white skin, flowing white hair, bright blue eyes. She smiled, and you calmed instantly. You were such a fussy newborn.

"Well, she looked at me and said, 'Your daughter is very special.' She took that amulet out of a pocket and placed it around your neck. 'Never let her take this off. It will protect her.' And I haven't."

Blaze nodded. She was special. And there would be things about her that would never be the same now that she knew the truth.

Thanks to all my reviewers. I am pressed for time right now, so I'm afraid I cannot answer you all individually.

Much love to the fans, Akhet.