ONE AND A HALF WEEK LATER

I wake up peacefully since it's a Saturday and I don't have to go anywhere. My peace is broken by the ringing of my phone, I groan in annoyance before looking for my phone. I feel it on my bed and answer it, "Hello?" I ask as soon as I answer. "I've been calling you for an hour." I hear Ares's voice shout through the phone and pull it away from my ear before sighing and sitting up. I look at the clock to see its only 9 o'clock. "Why? It's a Saturday Ares, let me rest." I say a little annoyed and grumpy. "Well I'm sorry for the inconvenience but I need you to get here now." Ares orders. "What? Come on Ares I just woke up, I haven't taken a shower or eaten yet. It's only 9, do I really need to come right now?" I ask Ares while lying back on bed. "Yes you do. You can shower and eat here. Be here in the next 15 minutes or I will... just get here. Now." Ares says sounding worried and tensed and cuts the call before I can reply. I sigh before getting out of bed. I look down and see that I'm wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, so I decide against changing and take my phone and head towards the door.

I reach the penthouse within 10 minutes and go to the kitchen. "Hey Noah." I greet and hug him. He smiles at me, "Hey Elle, looking good." He says sarcastically. "Funny. Where's Ares? And what are you making?" I ask him while sitting down on a chair. "Right here." Ares says as he comes into the kitchen and glares at me. What did I do? "Hey Ares." I greet him with a smile. He just glares. I turn to Noah with a questioning look. "I'm making French Toast. Ares is stressed because the award function is today." Noah answers while setting down plates. I get up and hug Ares who does not return the gesture, "I'm sorry, I forgot. What do you need help with?" I ask him as he finally hugs me back and sighs. "I need you to eat and shower first, till then I'll get Noah ready. After you're done we'll get you ready." Ares tells me and I mentally groan knowing Ares is going to go full out. I pull back and sit back down on my chair. "So I really have to go? And wear a dress and makeup?" I ask them. "Yes to both." Ares answers with a smile. "Fine." I say and start eating my breakfast.

I go to my room as soon as we finish breakfast and take a nice long shower trying to prolong the inevitable. I step out and am surprised to see a Jumpsuit on the bed instead of a dress and feel relieved not wanting to spend hours in a dress again. The Jumpsuit is black and full length, the sleeves are off shoulder and there is a silver belt in the middle. I put it on. I take a small clutch which is silver and has two stakes and two vervain darts like all my wallets, clutches and bags do. I go towards Noah and Ares's room and knock and wait, Noah opens the door and gestures me in. He's already dressed in his suit with his hair already styled. I go in to see Ares already dressed and putting finishing touches to his makeup. "Doesn't the event start at 12? Why are we getting ready so early?" I ask Noah. "It takes an hour to get there and it's already 10. Also we have to reach at least half an hour earlier." Noah explains and I just nod. Ares finishes and gestures me to sit. After about 15 minutes we're done since I didn't want too much makeup. After Ares triple checks everything we finally leave. I sit in the backseat and check my phone since Jer didn't answer my call yesterday and hasn't replied to my texts either.

"What's your assignment this week?" I hear Ares ask. I turn towards him and smile. "I'm supposed to sketch anything that catches my eye. Not really sure what that means but I'll try." I tell him while trying to ignore the urge to call or text Jer till he finally answers. "I think it means that you should sketch whatever you find beautiful. Don't worry too much, I'm sure you'll do great." Ares tells me and I smile at him. "Can we go somewhere tomorrow? I'm bored and I haven't even seen much of New York, just the places we went to on the first day." I ask Ares. "Sure. Where do you want to go?" Ares questions. "I don't know. I read that there is ice skating in Rockefeller Center. Can we do that?" I ask Ares and Noah. "Of course we can. Do you know how to ice skate?" Noah questions while smirking a bit. "No. I still want to try though." I tell him. "Well then ice skating tomorrow." Ares declares.

We reached there in an hour like Noah had said. After a few formalities we were led towards a table. While I went and sat down Noah and Ares went to meet a few other people there. I check my phone again to see there were still no notifications. I decided to call him and wait but he didn't answer. I tried again and one more time before Ares and Noah came back and sat down. I decided to call him later and instead focused on the event. "Everything okay?" Noah asks. "Yeah. Everything's fine. What award are you getting again?" I ask him instead. "I don't know if I am getting an award. We'll find out though." He tells me and I smile at him. The host starts by introducing himself and welcoming everyone. He then announces all the awards that are going to be distributed. The event is apparently international. I look to see Ares glaring at some guy at the opposite table and nudge Noah. "Why is he glaring?" I ask Noah curiously. Noah looks over before replying. "His name's Jackson. He owns one of the biggest hotel chains in USA. He tried to 'woe' me last year, went as far as insulting Ares's choice in clothing. Ares nearly punched him but refrained and instead retorted by saying, 'My choice in clothing might not be the greatest, but my choice in a life partner is phenomenal, don't you agree?' Then took my arm and strutted off in the other direction while muttering under his breath about how his suit looked better than the piece of clothing the jerk was wearing." Noah replies while laughing lightly. I laugh with him and imagine Ares actually saying that with his head held high and sass dripping from his tone.

The rest of the ceremony is actually very boring. Noah's hotel wins an award for being the Cleanest and Most Hygienic Hotel in New York. His hotel also won an award for having Friendly and Helpful Staff. After the ceremony was over and the after party started and I glared at the two even though I should have expected it. I go and order a non alcoholic drink and sit down on a stool. I take a sip of my drink which tastes like strawberry but before I can drink anymore Ares is taking the drink out of my hand and dragging me away. "Ares, what are you doing? And when are we going to have lunch? I'm hungry." I tell him with a glare. "We can have lunch after you provide me moral support. And we are... How do I look?" Ares suddenly stops us and asks looking nervous which is unlike him. I look back to where he keeps glancing and see Noah talking to Jackson. Oh, poor Ares."You look amazing Ares, if anyone thinks otherwise then they're obviously blind." I tell him while giving him a hug. He visibly relaxes and smiles when he pulls back before straightening and holding out his arm for me. I take his arm and we walk towards Noah who looks towards us and smiles when we get close enough.

We reach and Noah wraps his arm around Ares's waist as I let go off his arm but stay next to him. He mouths a thanks and I smile back at him. "Ah Ares, wonderful seeing you again. I see you haven't changed your style or your life decisions unfortunately." Jackson says. I wonder if Ares would cast a spell on him right here if he went too far or even if Noah would. I don't know why he was even saying anything about Ares's clothes when he was wearing a black suit with a bow tie that made him look like a butler. "It's not a big deal. I mean you should be worried about yourself." I tell him while giving him a sympathetic smile. "Excuse me, you are?" He asks while looking me up and down while licking his lips. "Well I am a minor for one. And for two, Noah and Ares's friend, Arielle." I tell him. He clears his throat and gives me a smile that makes me want to punch him repeatedly. "Ah, my name is Jackson. Pleasure to meet you. And whatever do you mean? I have nothing to worry about." He tells me while still smiling in a very pervert and arrogant way. "I would say it's a pleasure to meet you too but it's a sin to lie. And I mean that all Ares has to worry about is changing his style, not that he needs it. He would look amazing in what you're wearing too and that's saying something. You on the other hand would need a plastic surgery to actually look good in anything." I tell Jackson while smiling a bit and trying not laugh out loud as his face turns a bit red with anger and the fact that Ares is not even trying to suppress his laughter. Jackson glares at me and says, "Mind your tongue, little girl. If I wanted I could do whatever I want to you and no one would be able to help you. No one would be able to find you... well your body." He says with a sick smile and I clench my hand as I feel Ares about to take a step forward. I stop him before turning towards Jackson, "I don't need someone to help me, I can do it myself. And you know what I take that back. Not even plastic surgery would be any help to you." I tell him with a smile while trying my hardest not to punch him. He just glares before leaving and I know that it wasn't the last of it. I smile at Noah and Ares when they look at me worryingly. "Food?" I ask them. They both laugh and lead me to a table.

We had finished eating and were now taking to people which I found boring. I nudge Ares and whisper, "I'm going to the restroom." He smiles and whispers back, "It's right through there. Be careful." I smile at him and nod before going towards the direction he had pointed towards. I stand in front of the mirror debating on wether or not to call Jer before I decide to call Care instead and take my phone out of my clutch. I call and wait but it goes to voicemail I sigh before deciding against leaving a message and sigh before shoving my phone back in my clutch. I run my hand through my hair and try not to worry too much to avoid giving myself a panic attack. I breathe deeply once before grabbing my clutch and heading back towards the ceremony. I crash into someone when I'm almost to the door and sigh in frustration before apologising. "It's not a worry." A vaguely familiar voice but before I can look up I'm slammed into a wall. Seriously? Do vampires have a thing for slamming people into walls?

I look up to see is Jackson and gulp since my clutch is lying on the floor and my brain is very much scattered. "You shouldn't have insulted me little girl. Now you're going to pay." He whispers before tightening his grip on my neck. I take a shaky breath trying to come up with something, anything but can already feel tears forming. Even though my brain is too scattered to form a plan I glare up at him. "What nothing to say? I thought you didn't need anyone's help, how will you help yourself now?" He asks sarcastically before bringing his other hand to my waist and then my back where the zipper. My brain is screaming but it's as though all the screams are mute. I feel tears fall down as he kisses me and in that moment his hand is already working the Jumpsuit's zipper. He pulls away when the zipper is all the way down and smiles that sick smile again before pushing the top down and even though I still have my bra and the belt is still holding the Jumpsuit I have never felt so naked before. He smiles again before kissing me again as his hands roam around and I close my eyes tightly and try to remember everything Noah had taught me. I'm not going to let some sick guy do this to me. I can help myself. I finally get my thoughts together and open my eyes before kicking him and punching him twice not giving him the chance to recover before I have hit his knee hard enough to break it. He growls in anger and pain and I kick his back harshly and he falls down, before I can get to my clutch he catches a hold of my leg and pulls me down and I scream a little as his hand breaks my ankle. He climbs on top of me and I stretch my hand in hopes of getting my clutch as he holds my other hand above my head with which I had been hitting him. His other hand works on the belt a little more furiously this time and as he succeeds and smiles at me, I bring my hand up and punch his chest and watch as a golden glow appears and he flies back a little distance before gathering my clutch and grabbing a stake just in time as he comes towards me again. As he wraps his hand on neck while the other one is crushing my hip bone I bring the stake up and put it through his chest with as much force as I can. It's like in the movies, everything slows down and he breathes one last time before collapsing to the side as I hold my head feeling tears fall down.

I have already dressed and washed my face which is of no use as tears keep falling. I keep trying to stop my tears and get my breathing under control. After a few more minutes my breathing evens out and the tears have stopped. I get my clutch and call Ares while trying not to stare at Jackson's body. He answers on the first ring itself. "Elle, where are you? Me and Noah have been looking for you." Ares says through the phone and I hear Noah's voice in the background. "A...Ares I... I'm in a restroom. It... It's further back. Please come f... fast." I tell him trying my best not to stutter. "Of course Elle. We'll be there in a second. Calm down." He tells me and cuts the call and not even a few seconds later the door opens. I turn to see Noah and Ares, Noah is staring at Jackson while Ares looks towards me. "Elle?" He questions and walks towards. I want to cry and scream but I can't do anything but stare at Ares. He walks towards me carefully and wraps his arms around me and I do the same holding onto him tightly. "Its okay Elle, everything's fine." He whispers and I tighten my hold on him. "Ares take Elle to the car I'll handle this." I hear Noah say and let go off Ares a bit. He pulls back but keeps one of his arms around me. Noah hands him the keys and we walk out the door.

Ares is staring at me as we sit in the car waiting for Noah. "Elle? Are you... Do you need something?" He asks me and I just shake my head. Ares continues to stare at me so I turn to look at him. "I'm fine Ares. It was nothing. Don't worry too much I was just shaken up." I tell him while attempting to smile. He looks unconvinced and says, "Elle it wasn't nothing. Are you okay? Please talk to me." I clench my fist. "I told you Ares I'm fine. It was nothing." I say a bit harshly. He nods and takes my hands in his. "Okay. If you need anything or anyone just know that I'll always be here." He says and I smile a little and nod. "I know. Can I stay over?" I ask him. "Of course. Always." Noah comes back soon enough but thankfully doesn't say anything, he hands me a small glass of his blood and I drink without hesitation as I feel pain creeping up. He gets in and drives. We get back and I go to my room and take long burning shower while trying to physically scrub him off. Once I'm satisfied I change into some leggings and a t-shirt. I don't go downstairs instead try to think of something to sketch for this weeks assignment. But my thoughts start to wander off towards what happened and tears form in my eyes once more. I am snapped out of my thoughts by a knock on the door and look down to see the imprints of my nails on my hands, into which I had been digging my nails unknowingly. I whisper it's open but don't make any move to get up. Ares opens the door and comes in, "Come on sweetheart time for dinner." He says as he sits in front of me. "I'm not hungry Ares, besides we just had lunch." I tell him and he looks at me with pity and little confusion. "Sweetheart it's almost been 4 hours since we got back. Are you okay?" He asks. 4 hours? I look towards the clock and see it's quarter to 8. "Yeah I'm fine, just lost track of time. I've been trying to decide this weeks assignment. I'm not hungry though, I'm just going to watch a movie or something." I tell Ares while trying to smile. "I don't care if you're not hungry, please just eat for mine and Noah's sake. Please just a bit. Come on." Ares pleads while standing and holding his hand towards me. I sigh but take his hand knowing neither of them will give up and will force feed me if necessary. "Okay." I whisper.

We reach the kitchen and I see Noah setting the table. "Hey, just in time. Foods ready. Sit." Noah tells us well me mostly. I sit down on a chair and Ares sits next to me instead of the opposite side with Noah like usual. Ares sets a full plate in front of me and I absentmindedly start to eat. As I try to focus my mind on the food I notice Noah and Ares both staring at me. I sigh before saying, "I'm fine, please stop staring." They both look down to their plates. "What time will we go tomorrow to ice skate?" I ask after I get bored of just moving my food around the plate. "You sure you still want to go? We could do something else." Noah offers. "No, I still want to go. I'm not going to let one event control my life and I just want to forget and move on. So can we?" I ask them and they both smile and nod. "What am I?" I ask Ares after we ask just fall into a silence. "You sure you want to know?" He asks instead and I nod, "Yeah, today when... I couldn't reach my clutch for the stake and so I punched him and he flew few feet away. I want to know." I tell them. "We should move to the living room, it's more comfortable." Ares suggests. We all clean up the kitchen since dinner was over and then move to the living room. Once we are settled Noah starts, "Well you are a hybrid of sort. You are half a Traveler in simple terms, a witch with inferior powers. After a very powerful witch created an immortality spell, a divide was created. Half wanted to ban such powerful spells and the other half were inspired and wanted to do even greater spells. The ones who wanted to stay true are now known as Witches; who cursed the other half in the fear of what they might be able to do. The cursed ones became known as Travelers. While Witches draw from nature Travelers can't do that, they are also weaker. Even though they are weak alone if bought together the Travelers could perform great spells. The other half of you is a bit difficult to explain." Noah explains as I try to digest all the information. "So I'm a witch but not strong enough to perform a spell?" I ask a bit confused. "Of course you can cast spells with proper training, you can't actually take magic out of someone's blood." Ares tells me. "Okay. What's the other half?" I ask them.

Ares gets up and brings out a book from the shelf. It looks ancient and has writing on it in Greek. "The other half of the species you are doesn't have a name or title of sorts. When Witches started to become rogue and Werewolves came into existence it's said that a species was created by shamans. Even though created by a shaman they were believed to be God's Warriors by humans and later were known as machitís, Greek for fighter. The machitís killed witches that would tread into dark magic; and wolves who became too power hungry and killed their own. When vampires came into existence they were known to kill them as well, very brutally too. Machitís had powers superior to all three species and for years they were feared by all of them too. In the late 1500's the machitís killed a whole coven of witches, burned them for no reason; children included. It had scared everyone to know that they would go as far as that. So a group of sorts was formed of all three species and by the beginning of 1600's all of the machitís had been killed." Ares says. "When we first met you we only thought you were a Traveler, who are hard to come across too. Even when we found out that you were a machitís too, we couldn't believe it. While they were known to be ruthless you were like a polar opposite and the more we got to know you the more confusing it got." Noah continues. "But I don't get it. If they were killed centuries ago then how an I one? Does that mean my sister one too or that my parents were?" I ask confused and lost. "No, that's not how their kind or well your kind works. It's not about the blood but instead your kind are chosen at birth itself by the shaman himself. He is obviously dead but the magic he used was powerful enough to choose it's heir. And yes most of your kind were killed by the 1600's, but it doesn't mean that there weren't any more. Since it's not passed through blood anything's possible." Noah clarifies which just confuses me more. "Okay so, I belong to a very powerful and brutal species, but most of them were killed in the 1600's hundreds. So what? I'm supposed to kill people now? And I really am not that powerful." I ask while trying hard to make sense of it all. "No... no you don't have to kill if you don't want to. Your powers will develop the more you train but to get the actual full powers of your kind you would need to have a near death experience." Noah tells me. "Okay. How near?" I ask. They both look at each other then turn back to me. "Well your heart would have to stop for a few seconds before starting again." Ares explains. "Wow. Sounds fun." I tell him sarcastically.

"Do you want to know anything else?" Noah asks. "No I don't think my brain can process anymore. I think I'm going to go to sleep. Thanks for telling me." I tell them. "Of course. Good night." Ares says and hugs me. I hug him back. Noah wishes me good night and hugs me too. I go up to my room and settle down with my journal and start writing. After I'm done I take a book to read since I didn't want my mind to drift back like earlier again and start reading. After a while of staring at the same page I give up on reading and decide to listen to music on the zune that Ty gave me. I put it on shuffle before turning off the lights, closing my eyes and trying to sleep.

Please Read:

Hey guys sorry for the late update but I was sick and I couldn't figure out how this chapter should go. I know that Arielle doesn't really express herself in this chapter after the whole incident but she will in her own time and on her own terms. I hope you guys like the chapter and I will post a chapter about what Arielle is by tomorrow just to give a clearer understanding. Please comment to let me know what you think.

I also wanted you to know that I never planned the whole incident with Jackson it just sort of happened. But it will help make Arielle stronger and a lot more mature. I might change it because I don't know how to go about after this and I don't disrespectful to anyone. Please let me know if I should change it or not.