Monsters & Demons

Rated M

Genre: Drama & Adventure

Summary:

When Tori arrived at Hollywood Arts, she knew things wouldn't be the same. Little did she know that she and her friends would find themselves wound into more than teenage drama. Jade thought all she had to worry about was her status being threatened. Does Trina finally have a true friend? A trio of newcomers shows up, bringing along more than the gang bargained for. Homework and plays don't sound so bad anymore.

A/N:


Chapter 22: You Think You Know Me


"What do you want me to do?"

The voice on the other end of the phone began screaming, forcing an already frustrated Travis to pull the device away for fear of losing his hearing altogether. It'd been several hours since Trina's return to the group. While many were busy focusing on the elder sibling's newfound maturation, the warrior was more concerned with an unfortunate realization.

Liam was here in New Orleans; he knew this but it bared repeating to build on.

The question he couldn't gather was whether to do anything.

After he left the school it was believed that he would no longer be a thorn in their side and yet, he was plagued by the emergence of the wretch. Even worse, Jade had been missing since the night before and not answering his calls, further exacerbating the boy's worry.

"Are you listening to me, Travis?! Hello?"

"I'm here... Just stop shouting, Ahrya!"

"Listen, I need you to find someone. A certain bruja who I'm certain can increase our chances for success. I know you'd rather fight the guy, but I need you to take the diplomatic approach and find the woman capable of keeping things in check until you return."

Travis's brown skin paled at the mention of such a fate. His silence was picked up on by the girl he considered his family, a troubling sign.

"Travis?"

"No way!" he erupted abruptly. "I am NOT going to meet that witch! I swore that I'd never contact that witch for anything after what she did!"

"I know but..."

"But nothing, Ahrya! She left us to fend for ourselves and I won't have anything to do with that neglectful..."

"Travis..."

"Self-Righteous!"

"TRAVIS!"

"What?!"

"Take a deep breath and listen, please?"

Battling his feelings, silence reigned supreme, allowing Ahrya to cut in. She knew how much her 'sibling' despised the person in question, but she knew better than to deny the power wielded by her.

"I understand your reservations, brother, but I need you to find and inform her of our plight. She'll bring our issue to the council and ensure that things remain as they should be. Mention the sacred phrase and she'll know that you are ready to claim her blessing. Unless you want to continue with this tug-of-war with Liam. I'm sure that àgbere is more than delighted to be with a coward like him..."

"Fine... But after that,"

"You'll take your rightful place as the heir to Esu's crown, paving the way for our dominance of the others. I have no doubts that Liam is preparing to challenge you for your throne. We must be prepared to defend what is rightfully ours should he or anyone else attempt to tear down what we've worked so hard to attain."

"Right. My rightful place..."

"If you must, keep things brief so you don't aggravate yourself too much," Ahrya cooed through the phone. "Just remember that sometimes we must make a deal with the devil if we want to reach heaven."

The line clicked off, leaving Travis to mull over things.

His gut churned at the thought of facing the target, but it seemed that there was no choice. He would have to confront a ghost of his past if things were to remain to his liking. His warrior spirit flared with rage at the idea, protesting his decision with every step taken. From the privacy of the bus to the hotel room, no amount of rationale could quiet the outcry.

A quick talk with Sikowitz allowed him the opportunity to find the one he needed.


Cecilia sat in her study, trying her best to channel the whirlwind of emotions as if she was preparing herself for something. A heavy wrathful spirit loomed closer, like an impending storm approaching from the horizon. She would be a fool to deny its trajectory, sighing when a tall mahogany woman entered the room with news of a person with scorching violet eyes.

"Thank you, Omo Aburo..." she smiled bitterly. "Be a good niece and inform your mother and brother of this young man. Leave through the back and don't worry about me, understand?"

Every in Lucille wanted to protest her aunt's choice to confront the visitor alone, but she was powerless to dissuade the woman from such a decision. After disappearing behind the back door, Cecilia lifted her hands, silently chanting. A small light rose from her palm, shrouding the area around the two.

To the naked eye, anyone outside of the shop would believe that it was closed for lunch.

Stepping out, Cecilia couldn't hide the apathy pointed at the searing resentment mixed with betrayal; the eyes of a curious child. Through the silence, she could see the years of self-loathing, and shame told a story that no words could ever properly explain. His battles to become the young man standing before her were well documented as internal scars.

...wounds that may never heal...

Cecilia stared at the boy with a knowing and defiance that halted any element of surprise that he thought he'd have.

"Welcome to my shop. How may I help you?" An even tone, almost frigid and emotionless, finally pierced the stillness.

Travis, though slightly less feral after a time, still held his glare towards the woman who stood opposite him. His head, filled with so many questions, matched the beat of his heart. Fueled by a cornucopia of emotions, he didn't know what to say at first. No matter what he figured would be the best way to begin, the last thing on the list would spill out.

"Hello, Mother," his calm tone, a low simmering flame, struck back. "You know why I'm here, don't you?"

"Indeed..."

"Good. Just give me what I came for and I'll be on my-"

"No..."

"What did you say?"

The woman crossed her arms, her face still unreadable to the increasingly annoyed Travis.

"I'm running a business, not a charity, child. If you want to acquire something, I demand payment for each of my wares."

"Was my abandonment not enough?!" he slammed a fist on a nearby glass table, cracking it immensely. "Was banishing me as a child not enough payment for you?! All the blood, sweat, and tears I shed to one day prove my worthiness? Do you care nothing for your offspring? Answer me!"

Another wave of silence filled the shop, viscous tension threatening to smother them. Cecilia knew in her heart that this was no mere symbolism but a manifestation of one's projection of inner turmoil spilling over.

"If you think that your life being what it was is akin to monetary payment, then perhaps it was a mistake to have left you all those years ago."

"You mean...?"

"I was mistaken to believe that one with the blood of a warrior would be able to survive the perils of the world around them. If your ability to separate fantasy from reality is this skewed, then maybe I should've kept you under my wing to ensure that you would've at least had the good sense to tell the two apart!"

"You. Bishi [Bitch]!"

"HOLD YOUR TONGUE!" Her orbs glowed with the eerie violet glow that washed away any conviction Travis once possessed. "I am NOT one of your little friends, nor am I that foolish child of the spider god! Has she blinded you so much?!"

Travis, stumbled backward, his eyes shivering at the presence of a demented grin stretching her features. It was like looking into a mirror, a funhouse mirror that fed on his fear. Those eyes were like a demon's, a sinister spirit longing to drag his soul into the depths of the abyss. Ironically, despite such apprehension, the emotional fog began to lift from his mind, giving him a clarity long lost.

"Are... Are you going to kill me?"

"No, child..." she closed her eyes, dropping the horrific guise. "I have no intentions of killing the heir of Esu's Lion clan. However, I want you to think for yourself. The warriors of Esu were leaders, commanders of armies, and slaves to none. They were fierce men and women dedicated to victory and survival of our way of life. However, while you have grown, you still lack the most important thing; the source of our clan's heritage."

"And... What would that be?"

Cecilia didn't reply right away.

Instead, she strode toward a nearby bookshelf. With a single digit, she traced along the many tomes until she arrived at the one she'd been searching for. It wasn't the largest book, but when it was placed into Travis' hands, he could feel a force radiating from it. It was cool but also retained a warmth that felt comforting to his spirit.

"Going against my policy, I'm inclined as your mother to do what I can to assure the best possible life for you. I'm gifting it to you under three conditions."

"Three conditions?" his skepticism oozed like a leaky faucet.

"First, you must abandon your petty need for revenge. Aganju was not responsible for the fall of our people but one who looked like us. One who called themselves our ally was a venomous beast poisoning us from within."

The faint glow behind Travis' gaze returned to their terraform as he took a steady breath.

"What are the others?"

"The second is that you do not show this book to anyone, ESPECIALLY the one you've been working with. That person is not what they seem and while I cannot see what they look like, their stench is all over you. The stench of Anansi. Finally, I suggest you distance yourself from that person as much as you can. The words of a deceiver, even if they are in your favor, can still lead you astray."

Contemplating the woman's words, his mother's words, Travis found it hard to combat her logic.

Ahrya was abrasive at times, even during their earlier conversation. Things had been different since his rival's departure from Hollywood Arts and often, it wasn't for the better. He missed the competition while the girl savored her place at the top of the mountain, unopposed.

"Why should I trust you?"

Cecilia expected such skepticism. After all, they didn't have the best relationship and the accused had a stronger emotional connection, that much was evident. She could not express the hurt she felt. There was no time for sorrow though, not when there were other things far more critical. Such raw emotions

"I am not asking for your trust... It is merely a warning for you to seek the answers yourself instead of relying on someone else. Do with it what you will."

Not another word was spoken as Cecilia pivoted on her heel, her braid swinging to a halt along her neck as she left through the curtain. Travis spared only a moment to gaze at the unassuming book before turning to leave. As he neared the door, he peered over his shoulder, taking a deep breath of relief upon his departure. Each step somehow had the opposite effect, his heart yearning to return and say more, but it was not to be...

...at least not today.

"Thanks... Mom."

The word felt foreign and yet a strange peace hovered over. A ghost of a smile found its way to the surface, motivating Travis to evaluate his current position. Hearing that Liam, a descendant of the treacherous tiger tribe was innocent, as were his predecessors. Such a revelation was enough to shatter his competitive resolve, even if he only knew what was fed to him since childhood.

Ahrya, his beloved sister, wasn't who she appeared to be...

Talk about a bitter pill to swallow... he groaned to himself. Maybe mom... er... Maybe she was wrong. I'll have t keep my eyes open, I guess.

Then his mind rushed to his romantic life.

Tori & Jade.

Deep down, Travis knew that he and Jade were not for each other. While they had a civil union, it became evident that their encounters were only that. On the other hand, he cared deeply for his girlfriend, Tori. Contemplating the two girls, his heart swelled at the thought of Tori while with Jade...?

Nothing...

The truth lay before him; Jade's heart belonged to someone else.

Jade was connected to Liam.

So, why were they not together? Travis couldn't piece that puzzle together until she disappeared their first night. However, with Tori, there was potential for something greater than what they already had. Still, with their attempt at a polyamorous relationship, their bond felt more like a competition than a relationship. The more he wondered, the more questions he had.

With their trip winding down, he'd have to gain his answers once they returned home.

"Guess mom was right..." he scoffed humorlessly.

Little did he know that Cecilia had heard his gratitude before the boy left. Even as the moments passed, she couldn't remove herself from the wall she was leaning on, a hand placed over her chest in a futile attempt at soothing the aching organ. She was glad that her niece was gone as it allowed her to mourn in peace. Stinging tears forced their way through her weakened defenses.

Damn... That boy's grown into a strong warrior!

She chewed her lip, fighting fruitlessly against the pressure in her throat, guilt, and remorse cutting through.

"I'm sorry, Travis... Please forgive this foolish woman someday."


Various buildings passed the duo of Liam and Jade as they traveled in silence down the many streets. Jade's eyes were fixated on the road ahead while Liam would cut his gaze between the streets and the agitated goth. This wasn't the first time they'd found themselves sneaking off from their peers, but there was something different about this time.

After hours of the goth having her curse removed, the two found themselves spending moments throughout the days catching up. Talks about their past occupied their travels but whenever the subject of their future was brought up, Liam would get suspiciously quiet. The tension continued to eat away at them until they finally arrived at the former's home.

"Ma?" he called, receiving no answer. The pair explored the house, finding no signs of his family. "I guess nobody's home."

When they entered Liam's room, a surge of pressure knocked him to the floor. Tumbling and wrestling, he'd gain the upper hand by slipping his arm beneath the small of her back. Once he was on top, her fate was sealed when Liam pinned her arms above her head. Unable to scramble out of her predicament, she'd finally speak up, a giggle tickling her throat.

"Smooth move, Tiger."

"I wasn't too rough was I?"

"Nope. But, you can get from on top of me, unless you're prepared to do something naughty."

Jade's assumption proved amusingly correct when her best friend slowly rose to his feet. However, instead of the usual reply of irritation, Liam plopped onto the bed with a gloomy disposition.

"So, we're doing this now?"

"Doing what?" he rolled his eyes.

"I guess we are..." Jade jabbed her finger into his chest. "It's high time that you start talking about why you've been gone for so long."

"I don't want to talk about it. Just know that it's for the best right now."

"The best?! You signed a deal with that devil and you're trying to justify your actions!"

"Yeah! The ONLY thing to do was for me to give that bitch what she wanted so that she wouldn't hurt you all. She was willing to kill you and our classmates just to get what she wanted."

Jade wasn't going to accept that answer.

"So you thought you'd be my knight in shining armor and protect the helpless damsel?" she dramatically bat her eyelashes to emphasize her sarcasm. "Did it feel good when you woke up and left me to deal with having my memories scrambled and... and...!"

"Jade, I'm sorry that-!"

Without warning, Jade pounced on the boy, returning the favor from earlier. Her victory didn't last long as the pleas turned to a roar of defiance, followed by him flipping her onto her back. His eyes blazed that fiery hue, his sclerae morphing into a bottomless abyss.

"I SAID I WAS SORRY!"

"Where was this side of you back then?"

Her tone was nothing more than a whisper, yet, the venom was lacking. Only a glimpse of her heartache remained as she stared intensely into his own feral gaze. The essence of strength and rage would've been more than enough to fend off Ahrya's attack that fateful night. His grit teeth twitched like a wild animal, his features devoid of logical introspections.

He would've slaughtered her...

"I was stupid," he blinked away the demonic traits. "I hesitated and let you and everyone else down. I didn't want you getting hurt and I failed at that. There's no excuse for what I did. I let you down when you needed me the most and then left in shame. The only thing I have to show for it is the contingency of an exchange program but... I'm afraid, Jade!"

"Afraid of what?"

Liam rolled over and stared at the ceiling, inhaling sharply while attempting to gather the words to say.

"I was afraid of showing my face to you again."

"Liam..."

"Between Beck, Yerba, and countless other times, I stood ready to fight for you. Even if it meant risking my life, I didn't hesitate. But that night was different. I saw you and I froze. I couldn't think straight and I panicked! I fucking panicked and look where we are now. Having a discussion about how pathetic I was."

Before he could continue, Liam felt something hard connect with his cheek. The sound of her slap echoed throughout the room, leaving the boy stunned. Beside him, Jade smirked in such a way that he wasn't sure if he was going to crap his pants or engage in the third round of wrestling.

"What the fuck?!"

"If I hear you say another toxic thing about yourself, I'll do much worse!" she growled, smiling the entire time.

"But... But...!"

"Was I upset when you left? Yes! Did your absence result in me being put in an awkward situation with a guy that I didn't even find attractive? Of course! Was chasing you through the back alleys of New Orleans prove annoying? You bet your sweet ass it did! But, even with all of that, do you know what I felt when I managed to see you again?"

Liam couldn't hide his nerves now as he shook his head.

"Happiness, you bonehead!" she sighed heavily. "Seeing you after all this time was something I couldn't explain. You didn't try to pretend that you were someone else. You didn't make me feel stupid after I had that meltdown, either. You were the same Liam that I befriended and the guy that I still love."

"You... You do?"

Liam's retort came when Jade crawled toward him like a cat. He wound up pinned between her and the wall his heartbeat increasing so much that he wondered if he'd have a heart attack as her face inched closer to his. His nose picked up the scent of lavender and honey as she gazed into his eyes with an almost doe-like stare.

"J-Jade... This... This isn't funny...!"

"Who's laughing?"

"I... I... Well, it was just..."

"Just what? Were you scared of me?"

If this was a game, then Jade was winning. Her sweet tone lulled him into a deep trance, his face now drawing closer to her own. Soon, they would cross what little space remained and allow nature to take her course. Their lips felt like sparks firing into the sky, detonating louder and harder with each passing second.

Their hearts oozed with the confession that words failed to explain as he bit her bottom lip, earning a hiss of pain and lust.

How long they remained like this didn't matter as time stood still. Such a construct only returned when they were forced to pull apart, eyes flaring with a glow of manifestation.

Ice and Umbra stare back at one another.

"I'm sorry...?" he eked out, trying to find his breath and diffuse the spark that could ignite the dynamite.

Jade simply smiled and giggled.

"Don't be. I'm glad you did it. That's my ẹkùn."

Her tiger.

Liam loved when she called him that, even more now that she spoke it in his native tongue. Jade couldn't help but blush when he hugged her, grateful for this encounter. Sure, they were only high schoolers and some would argue that neither was equipped for such a serious encounter, but they didn't care. As she enveloped her limbs around his strong back, joy filled her very being.

"I love you, Ayaba."

"I love you, Liam..."

The unfortunate truth of this moment would strike, almost as if on cue, when a cell phone buzzed on the floor near the bedroom door. There was no denying who it was but when Jade reluctantly answered, it was as if a dark omen was being recited. Her smile disappeared, replaced by her traditional scowl while the voice recited a bunch of incoherent words, at least for Liam.

When she hung up, it was clear that the damage had been done.

"Sikowitz is ending the trip early..."

"You're kidding...! But why?"

Jade shrugged, trying her hardest to hide her true emotions.

"The hell if I know! He said something about getting back before school starts but, I'm calling bullshit. It just sucks because we were just getting to the good part."

"Yeah..."

Liam approached the girl, snaking his arms around her waist from behind. This appeared to calm Jade a little, giving her a channel to calmly release as she turned to face him. Worry and regret coated their eyes, but something else was digging itself to the surface. Amidst the chaotic ending to this pilgrimage, this was enough to make them smile again.

Hope.

"When will I see you again?"

He kissed her again, this time harder and with more freedom than before. Jade melted into his gesture, refusing to combat him until he drew away once more.

"I don't know... But I promise you, Jade, I'm coming back."

"To take down the dickhead duo?"

"They're not my top priority. You are."

The two just stood there, one grinning like the Cheshire Cat and the other wearing stupor as if it was a fitted mask.

The only thing that broke this moment up was the distant voice of Lucille mentioning something about 'no nieces or nephews' which resulted in the pair erupting into a fit of laughter.

Jade held true to Liam's words, even after riding back home.

She had nothing to say to Tori or Travis, citing that she needed some space. Thankfully, they accepted her claim which allowed her to orchestrate an idea to solidify that Ahrya's spell was broken.


I'm dangerous, I'm warning you

But you're not afraid of me

And I can't convince you

You don't know me

The crowd of students danced and cheered to Jade's song as she poured her heart out. Such a tune was perfect as she laid out the groundwork for her break-up for all to hear. Travis was surprisingly okay with this as he and Tori watched with understanding as Jade whipped her hair from side to side.

However, unlike the pair, a certain 'queen bee' was none too pleased to see the lit flames that fueled Jade's passion.

And the longer that you stay

The ice is melting

And the pain feels okay

It feels okay (Hey)

Jade wasn't certain where this was coming from but she savored every second of this newfound energy coursing through her body. Her true self had finally returned after the shortened trip, a testament to the one person she truly loved unconditionally. Though he wasn't here, she envisioned his presence in the audience, cheering her on with a bright smile and encouraging words.

Suddenly, she caught the gasps of the students which momentarily broke her flow.

What's happening?

Opening her eyes, she noticed her friends watching from a distance. Across from them, Ahyra and Robbie looked at her in horror.

No. They weren't looking AT her... They were looking past her!

Unfortunately, she didn't have time to react as the music shifted.

The show must go on.

You push me back

I'll push you back

You scream at me

I'll scream at you

Louder, louder

Louder, louder, louder

Louder

Louder, louder

Louder

Reaching the climax of her number, Jade spared a moment but found nothing to her right and yet, the looks continued. Only when she followed the eyes of the masses did she finally see the cause for their shock.

There he was, standing on the side of the stage with the biggest grin he could muster. He had a guitar in his hand, playing along with the band as if he'd been rehearsing with them all of this time. Jade wanted to cry but instead fought to push her emotions through the melody while the backup singers shouldered the bulk of the load.

You push me back

I'll push you back

You scream at me

I'll scream at you

Louder, l-l-l-l-louder

As he approached her, still playing in concert with her notes, Jade's fire burned hotter, feeding off of the energy shared by her partner-in-crime. She dared to lean into him, sapphires locked onto his emeralds while she danced in rhythm.

Meanwhile, Ahrya now knew the source of Jade's confidence. Her crimes had become exposed and there was nothing she could do about it... at least not now. Tugging on Robbie's shirt sleeve, the two left the scene in disgust while her 'brother' watched the performance curiously. While he was happy for the inevitable reunion, there was still that competitive nature clawing at him.

Only this time, the animosity was missing.

I'm dangerous, I'm warning you

But you're not afraid of me

And I can't convince you

And I don't have to

I think you know me

As the crowd erupted into applause, Jade and Liam continued to stare at one another. The cheers and whistles fell on deaf ears as they shared a gentle embrace before finally giving the masses what they wanted. As they kissed, those sparks bore fruit, firing internally until their separation.

"When did you...?"

"I decided to surprise you!" he chuckled before being pulled into another quick kiss. "My mom talked to Principal Helen and I was able to come back early so that I'd have time to move in."

"Move in? What are you... Oh, fuck it. You're back and that's all that matters."

"You sure about that?"

Before she could answer, the cries for an encore began to fill the night sky. Being the entertainers they were, Jade grabbed the microphone while Liam saddled up his guitar. Neither was sure what to expect, but winging it was something they were used to doing at this point. All that mattered now was that something pleasant happened for Jade and as she stole glances at the enthusiastic young man, she knew one thing.

You know me so well...


"Why the hell is he here?!"

Ahrya screamed at her boyfriend from within the depths of the Black Box. To say that she was irate would be an understatement as Robbie ducked and dodged any projectiles thrown his way.

"Sweetheart! Please, try and calm down..."

"How is he able to come back?! We had a deal and he would have to audition in order to return. He SWORE that he wouldn't come back!"

"But you swore to not harm Jade, did you not, dear?"

"I... I...! UGH!"

Another round of small items was flung at the curly-haired boy as he frantically tried to avoid getting hit. His efforts were rewarded in the form of a small throw pillow smacking him square in the face.

"Ahrya, you said yourself that breaking an oath would void the agreement and you did just that! By your own logic, Liam is allowed to return per the details..."

"But, how did he find out...?" she huffed, finally sitting on the stage to catch her breath after her outburst. "My memory scrambling spell should've kept them from mentioning that without my knowing. Not even Travis knew the truth of that contract..."

"Maybe some sort of outside force triggered things?"

It was at that moment that Ahrya's eyes flared, enraged. Robbie squeaked in terror but found that short-lived when a realization struck the girl's features. Something did happen during the trip, an unforeseen variable that caused this outcome to appear.

"Trina..."

"Huh?"

"Travis called me and said that he ran into Tori's older sister just before Jade's disappearance! Trina was the only one in the group with untampered knowledge since she was gone. Nobody could've known that she'd be in the same place as them at that time. Her memories were unphased and thus..."

"She caused a ripple effect."

Ahrya tapped her chin for a moment, contemplating her next move.

"What's done can't be undone. For now, we'll have to watch as things play out before we make another move, Robbie-Poo. Jade and that coward can enjoy their little reunion, but if they interfere with my plans, then I'll cross any line to ensure my way remains the only way."

"But, sweetie! You don't mean that you'd..."

"Only if needed, baby," she giggled, eyes glowing a deep amethyst, those hypnotic orbs catching the boy in their snare. "You do trust me, right?"

"Of... Of course, beloved. I trust your judgment." he droned.

"And you'd follow me to the ends of the earth, my precious nerd?"

"Yes, darling..."

"Good boy," she planted a chaste kiss that solidified her hold on him. "You've served the spider clan well up to this point. I have no doubt that you'll continue to satisfy. Now, run along and get my Beck. I have a job for him."

Robbie dropped to one knee before rushing off and seeking out his target. Alone again, Ahrya frowned as her mind began forming scheme after scheme, weighing her options for what was to come. With Liam's return, things would prove to be difficult, but for now, she'd oblige her earlier plot.

"The Summer Solstice is approaching and that means the battle is soon to come. I must ensure that my alliances are set before anything else. One can only hope that the lion's fangs are still prepared to serve the spider."