VICTOR POV
I paced the room again, waiting for Xav to hurry up and heal my face already! I didn't want to have to explain a black eye to my colleagues - or my family. And Xavier was really good at not asking questions.
Except now.
"Dude, what the hell did you say to that girl to make her hit you like that?"
"Why is it that you always know it's a girl?" I scowled.
"Because, dummy, I know you, and that makes it a near certainty!" he ducked as I threw a cushion at him.
"My Soulfinder thinks I'm a total ass. Happy now?"
I left him to it, storming away and slamming the door shut behind me.
Victor Benedict, come home this INSTANT!
Ouch. Mom didn't know about my Soulfinder, but I was willing to bet Xav had told her something about what had happened earlier that day. I rolled my eyes before jumping into my car, speeding along the road.
Alright Mom, I'm coming!
Well hurry it up, you bad boy, we're all waiting for you!
Oh dear. That meant Phee and Yves were back from their honeymoon. Such fun it would be to be tortured by their Soulfinder-ness. Especially considering the fact that I had practically forced my other half away.
Mom opened the door, beaming up at me. "Oh, Vicky, you've grown!" she gasped. I grinned at her.
"No, Mom, you've just shrunk," I told her sarcastically, as Sky and Zed appeared in the hallway.
"Vic!" Sky flew at me, and I enveloped her in a huge hug.
"Hey, Sky, what's up with you?" Sky scowled and pouted as Zed laughed hysterically.
"I won't make her a hot chocolate," he said, gasping for breath. I flinched in mock-horror.
"Oh my, you are cruel!" I told Zed as Sky nodded seriously. "I guess it's up to me then, to provide your lovely girl with some grade A hot chocolate!"
I lifted Sky up and span her around, and she squealed happily. I let her down, dropping her onto her feet gently.
She frowned slightly, narrowing her eyes. Why are your colors so guilty, Vic? They're almost…sad. What's up? She asked me, and Zed looked curious.
Later. I told her. I'll tell you later.
But I had a sneaking suspicion she already knew.
SERA POV
I bawled into Ren's arms as she held me gently, rubbing my back soothingly.
"It's OK, sweetie, every thing's gonna be fine," she murmured. The doorbell rang. My father got up to answer it.
"Can I help you?" I could hear the puzzlement in my father's voice. Thanking god my complexion did not blotch easily, I got up and came up behind him.
Two people were at the door. The smallest one, a girl of around 16, had a mane of blonde curls, and looked worried. The boy, around the same age, Hispanic and vaguely familiar looking, wore an expression that was inscrutable.
I tapped my dad on the shoulder once. Papa, I'll handle this. I told him silently, and he nodded. I offered the pair a weak smile. Might as well get off on the right note.
"Hello there, I'm Sera, what can we do for you?" I asked politely. The blonde looked delighted.
"I'm Sky Bright, this is my soul - I mean boyfriend, Zed Benedict." she said, scrutinizing my face, gauging my reaction. I made sure my face was expressionless, though the surname of the boy made me want to run.
"I see." my voice was cold, and I saw Sky wince, before saying,
"What on earth did Vic do to make you so sad?" I jumped back in shock, before glancing around nervously.
"Come inside," I told them, and I turned and headed back towards the lounge. Papa and Renee looked up as I entered, and I offered them an apologetic smile. "Is it okay for Sky and Zed to come in? They know the boy who - you know." my voice was flat, and Ren looked alarmed.
"Sera are you -" she cut off as Sky entered the room, and I quickly filled Ren in telepathically. She smiled at the petite blonde with genuine warmth and I relaxed, sinking into my favorite, albeit old fashioned, armchair.
"Make yourselves at home, guys, sit anywhere you like." I worked to keep my voice polite, and Zed shifted uncomfortably.
"No, we can't stay long, we have to go soon." he said firmly to Sky as she looked at him pleadingly. Sky, Vic knows where we've gone. We either leave, or subject Sera to his wrath again. And she doesn't deserve that.
I couldn't keep it together; the mention of Victor sent my control levels plummeting. "You're savants!" I gasped, and Ren looked at me, worried. As a genuine rule, I did not gasp things. Or blurt things out.
Sky shrugged sheepishly. "Yes, we are. And you are too?" I nodded tersely, making my way over to my sketchpad.
"Does the Vic you're talking about look like this?" I held up my artwork from this morning, a perfect replica of Victor Benedict's face. Zed looked amazed. "Is that a photo?"
I shook my head. "Nope, just my gift." Yet another knock on the door sent me back into the passage. "Won't be a moment," I called over my shoulder, opening the door. I turned, Victor's image still clutched in my hand, and faced him.
The real Victor Benedict.
My heart pounded.