"Wait just a minute" Jake said, apparently shocked. "You have a brother?"
"Yes"
"And he's the Huntsmaster?"
"Yes"
"So he's responsible for kidnapping our daughters?"
"Yes" Rose repeated exasperatedly.
Jake blinked, unable to get over the new bit of information. "Say what?"
The blond sighed. She knew he would be surprised but couldn't he have at least expressed it more mildly? "Yes, Jake. I have an elder brother whom I never told you about. You see, while I was an apprentice, he went away to, well, deepen his training. When I left, he contacted my uncle. I don't know the events in between except that he became Huntsmaster after my uncle retired." There was a slight pause then her voice changed. "That… that was the night we broke up"
"Or you did with me" Jake muttered.
Rose looked at him, a little indignant. "Jake, tell me the truth. Would you have wanted me to stay?"
"Of course I would! I love you!" was the immediate response. "And… I thought you loved me too…"
"I do! But… do you really feel that way? After I told you what I had done?"
Jake now refused to return her gaze. "I… why did you do it anyway?"
"It's… complicated…"
"Rose, it's been twelve years! Can't you make it not complicated?"
"There's no excuse for what I did, Jake! You loved your grandfather, I know! There was no way you could have lived with me after that!"
"Yes, there was!" Jake responded, startling Rose. "I know you. You wouldn't do something like that. I didn't believe it then and don't believe it now. Why should I? There has to be an explanation, I know there is!"
Rose POV
I stared at him. How can he say that? I killed his grandfather! I killed him! How can he say he loves me after what I did?! Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Do you really believe in me that much, Jake?" I whispered.
He pulled me into his arms and said to my ear softly, "Yes. Yes, I do"
After that, I could no longer control myself. I cried in his arms. I couldn't understand him! Why was he acting this way? He was supposed to be angry! Furious! Enraged! Why isn't he? That was the only reason I had left! Because I thought he'd hate having me around! And yet, now…
Was that really the right choice? It seemed so right then… It was my fault, after all… But… Jake doesn't think that way… Why? Why not?! I knew he loved me, but I can't figure out how he could stand being so… so considerate and accepting! I just can't understand anything anymore!
And then, there's the problem with the twins. At least I'm sure of one thing; it wasn't the right decision to separate them. They're acting like they hate each other, no, they really do hate each other. Knowing their true colors so abruptly must have been so much of a shock. And no doubt they'll find out that they're also meant to be mortal enemies, one being a dragon and the other a Huntsclan member…
What has become of everything? Why can't life ever be simple?
"Rose?"
It was Jake's voice. I left his arms slowly and looked into his eyes. He was smiling! I can't believe he was smiling at a time like this!
My face must have showed some of my thoughts because the next thing he said was, "You look miserable. Do you really think it'll help you feel better if I sulk?"
I smiled too as he wiped my tears with his hands.
Jake POV
Rose, I loved you so much. I know who you are. And I know you wouldn't kill my grandfather without a real reason. That's why… I still love you. I will always love you.
"We've had problems in the past, a bundle of them in fact" I spoke to her. "So what makes now different from then? You're still you, aren't you? And I'm still me"
"Oh Jake…" she replied. "What about the twins?"
"We'll find them, no doubt about it" I said. Of course we'll find them; I'm not going to let my daughters down. Same way as I'm not going to with my wife.
"I still don't know what happened during that night. But I do know that I missed you all these years we've been apart. We've still have a lot to take care of. But right now, our daughters are our first priority"
Rose nodded. "You're right" she replied, returning back to her old tone and old self. I smiled inwardly. It felt so good to have her with me again. We stared at each other's eyes for awhile until-
"Ahem"
We both blinked and turned. Fu Dog! I… I completely forgot about him! And from the look he's giving me, he does too.
Normal POV
Fu was rolling his eyes. 'Love sickness… now that's a disease I'll be sure to avoid' he thought when Jake and Rose finally remembered his existence.
"Fu" Jake said.
The dog shook his head. "Forget it, kid. We've got more important things to do, don't you think?"
The dragon turned to the blond who nodded.
"Let's find the twins"
"And I think I know where to start"
--
Roxanne POV
Oh, no. Oh she did not just say what I think she just said. That… that twisted little- Hold on, what's up with me? Of course she'd say yes, she's part of the Huntsclan! Why am I so surprised? Because I knew there was a chance that she could be a dragon like me? Pft, as if. She's just as unfeeling and cruel as any other Huntsclan freak when it comes to magical creatures, even if she's a magical creature herself.
Ugh, this is stupid. First, that woman who claims she's my mother now this. Why are all these things happening to me?
I watched as the Huntsboy approached the cell towards Jasmine.
"I'd expect so" he said. "I'll tell my master." He turned to me.
"You might still have a-"
Oh please, there is no way that I'm gonna listen to any more of his blabbering. "No" I talked over him. "I don't care about your stupid chances, you heartless psycho. Never will. Got that?"
He glared at me which I gladly returned it with interest.
"You just lost your third and last opportunity at life" he jeered.
"And you just lost your mind" I retorted. "The moment you joined the Huntsclan"
He scowled and left.
Silence embraced the room… or dungeon, more like, when he did. I refused to stare at Miss Prissy beside me. Why should I? She's the one finishing off all the creatures I protect. I busied myself with other stuff instead, such as finding a way out. I'm gonna have to find the perfect time to dragon up. Dad and Fu must be on their way. Hopefully, rid of my mo- that woman.
Normal POV
Jasmine gazed at Roxanne who was looking around the room. It was awhile before she spoke, "Hey"
The American dragon didn't reply, of course.
Jasmine sighed. She was being stubborn… again. "Will you talk to me?"
"Give me one good reason to"
"Because I'm…" She paused, wondering if she should mention it. "Because I'm your sister" she said finally.
There was a slight pause, then a snort.
Roxanne whirled around, scoffing. "Don't think for even one stupid second that I would actually think of you as my sister!" she replied hotly. "Especially after what you just said to the Huntsboy! You expect me to forgive you after that? You think you're so-"
"Will you stop?" Jasmine intervened. "Look, I know you're upset but haven't you learned that things aren't always what they seem to be?"
Roxanne looked at her, lost at what the other girl was saying. "Excuse me?"
Jasmine made sure no one was listening. "I know I said yes but I didn't mean it"
Roxanne blinked. "Alright, you have my attention"
"Look, I know we've had our differences. But…but what you said earlier about magical creatures… it, well, it did something to me, ok? I know my mom and I are part of the Huntsclan but we never really participated in hunting creatures. We're more part of the underground trade happening between members. But enough of that, I… I want to help" Jasmine finished, rather lamely.
Her twin was staring at her. After recovering, she said quietly, "Why?"
"Because of your speech, ok?! So will you stop? I'm embarrassed as it is already!"
Roxanne struggled with a smirk… (or was that a smile?) before she regained herself. "How can I be sure I can trust you?"
"I told you, because I'm your sister"
"What makes you think I feel the same way?"
"I don't think you do, I know you do. And you know it too"
Roxanne met her gaze. Two pairs of black-colored orbs stared at each other.
"Alright, you got yourself a deal"
--
Jake and Rose stood by the rooftop of a building overlooking Rose's uncle's house.
"Here?" Jake said.
"It's my guess. No one has lived there since my uncle left. It's the perfect place for my brother to stay" Rose replied.
Silence dawned for a while.
The blond sighed. "You're still not used to me having another sibling, are you?"
"Nope" was the dragon's reply. "What's his name, anyway?"
"Dylan. He's two years older than me"
"What about the Huntsboy? Is he his son?"
Rose shrugged. "I'm not quite sure. But from what I've heard, my brother never married. I don't know the boy actually; I've never met him nor have I seen him"
"I see" Jake responded. "Well then, we've had enough chatting for now. We better hurry and rescue our daughters"
"Got it"
--
Alex was walking around his room, pondering on something… or rather, someone.
'Just who does that girl think she is?' he thought to himself, rather furiously. 'Why does she say those things? Magical creatures are beasts that don't deserve the right to live. They run around doing as they please, not caring if they hurt anyone. They're monsters'
He stopped at his bed and sat down. 'So why? Why does she care so much for them?'
He placed his hands to his head. 'And why am I so disturbed by her? So what if she feels that way? It's none of my business… But…those eyes…' He distinctly remembered how fierce they were and how they flashed when she spoke. It showed that she truly did mean what she said. 'But why?'
"I've learned never to trust them. It's what I'm taught" he spoke to himself, trying to be convincing. "They're nasty beings who know nothing but to destroy and hurt innocent people." His doubts lessened.
'That's why I'm going to get them first. I'm not going to let anything that happened to my parents happen to anyone else. I'm going to rid this place of every mythical being if it's the last thing I do!'
He stood up. 'Huntsclan member or not, I will destroy anyone who sides with those filthy wretched creatures!'
With that last thought, he left his room.