Chapter 13
Three weeks passed by relatively peacefully. Except for Relena being told firmly to stay the hell away from Serena. Not to mention the few pranks that had happened around the house and at college.
Now it was the beginning of October. Raven was sat in the study talking with Harry when Serena and Hotaru walked in.
"So is this the architect we've heard about?" Hotaru asked.
"This is my cousin and sister. Hotaru and Serena." Raven said, doing the introductions, "This is Bond…"
Hotaru interrupted her.
"The names Bond." She teased.
"James Bond." Serena finished off.
"Actually my names Harry." Harry stated.
Serena and Hotaru both pulled sad faces and sat down on a sofa.
"Anyway Harry you were saying?" Raven said, carrying on their conversation.
"Yes, the builders are doing a great job." Harry told her, "The buildings are almost complete. The decorators will be allowed in to do their jobs in a few days time."
"That's great." Raven smiled.
The door opened and Evan walked in.
"Just wanted to ask if you wanted your drinks now." He said, "And to ask what drink Master Bond would like."
"Martini!" Hotaru chirped.
"Shaken! Not stirred!" Serena giggled.
Evan stared at them.
"Just a coffee please. Black, no sugar." Harry sighed.
"Ignore them Harry. Their only teasing you." Raven assured him.
Evan shook his head and left the study.
"Any particular reason you're in here?" Raven asked.
"Just bored." Sere answered.
"Then go study." Raven suggested, "You both could do with it."
Hotaru and Serena got up and walked out the study. Leaving Raven and Harry to discuss their plans further.
Tobias eyed Raven as she walked away from the mats, after she'd performed a double summersault. Something didn't seem right. He walked over to her.
"Sohmara is something wrong?" He asked, quietly, "You didn't seem as agile as you normally do."
"My back is hurting for some reason." Raven answered, "I must have strained it or something."
"Then leave. You are dismissed from the lesson." Tobias told her, "And you won't protest. If you carry on you may well damage your back badly. Just let me know when you feel better."
Raven nodded and headed for the changing rooms. Hotaru and Serena saw her. They also saw her hand resting on her lower back. A clear sign something was wrong.
"Hey Trowa!" Serena called, as she and Hotaru walked into the living room with Duo and Wufei.
Trowa stopped in the doorway.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Who drove you guys home?" Serena answered.
"I did." Trowa replied, "Raven didn't feel too good."
Evan walked into the room.
"Sere, Taru I need to speak with you now." He said, "Follow me."
He then left the room. Serena and Hotaru followed him. Leaving the others slightly puzzled as to what was going on.
The door opened, and in walked Hotaru, Serena and Evan. Raven smiled at them.
"We have more family surprises." She told them, "Evan has managed to find a book that records what the Hells Angels Gene can do to us, as well as what it can enable us to do. It also speaks of the Pure Hells Angels Gene. Which only one has ever been recorded after the 10th century."
Serena and Hotaru sat down.
"Before we get a lecture, we wanna know what's up with you." Hotaru demanded, "We saw you in gym, clutching your back."
"Evan show them." Raven sighed.
Evan placed a large old book on the table between them all. It was open to a page showing a picture of a young man. Notes were written at the bottom of the picture.
"This is our ancestor, Alexander the third. In the 10th century his family discovered he had certain talents. Some were afraid and believed a devil had possessed him. However they tested him, and gained insight into what was happening." Raven told them, "Alexander at the young age of twelve saved his family from a large scale fire. He foresaw it and warned everyone. No one believed him. But he didn't give up. When the fire raged through their house, he managed to get everyone out. His family then believed his talents may have been gifts for him to aide others with. Yet his family were cautious. One slip of tongue and Alexander could end up dead. Trialled as an evil warlock."
"On his twentieth birthday Alexander felt enormous pain in his back. So much so, his family believed he may be dying. It was however the purity of the Hell Angels Gene about to be shown." Evan continued, turning over the page.
On the next page was another picture of Alexander the third. But this one showed he had angelic wings unfurled from his back. And his eyes had changed to a golden hue.
"The Hells Angels Gene gives us the power to use magic, but in different ways." Raven sighed, "The Hells part of the Gene gives us the ability to use the elements as well as any spells that can cause destruction of any kind. For example a spell to create fire, or a spell to dissolve a table. But the Angels part of the Gene allows us to heal. We gain a high immunity to all things, including poisons. But only the people who carry the Pure Hells Angels Gene gain wings."
"Lucky us then." Serena muttered, "They'd be hard to hide from anyone."
"Not really." Evan argued, "They can furl in and out of your back. But they are also coloured to your magic. You'd also be able to use them to fly."
Hotaru stared at him.
"Am I to understand that we three do have this Pure Hells Angels Gene?" She checked.
"Yes." Evan replied, "Raven's back pain is the first indication that her wings will be getting ready to unfurl shortly."
"Now I'm glad the eldest goes first." Serena grinned, "Sorry Rave."
"You haven't heard the worst of it yet." Raven stated, "Once unfurled for the first time, the wings have to stay unfurled to allow the feathers to dry. You're unable to move during that time."
"Which is how long?" Hotaru asked.
"Twenty four hours." Evan answered, "There's also the fact that you will have cravings for a few days afterwards. That will strengthen the cells in your wings which will allow you to fly. But that's all. I've checked this book from cover to cover, and that's all it says about it. So you're fully warned."
Hotaru and Serena glanced over at Raven.
"I think skipping college would be in your best interest for the next few days." Hotaru smiled, "Lucky you. You miss the history test."
"Oh I did forget something." Evan muttered, glancing through the book.
All eyes darted to him.
"As you two have the Pure Gene too, you'll follow Raven in getting your wings. It takes about a week for your wings to finally appear then about three days with the cravings." Evan warned them, "But it may vary. However with you three I advise you to be warned. Once Raven's wings have appeared, I expect Hotaru to start getting the back ache. And Serena will follow suit after Hotaru."
All three lasses rolled their eyes, and got up.
"For now I'm going to go lie down." Raven said, "And if you'll tell Heero I'm in my room when he gets back, I'd appreciate it."
Raven then left the private library.
"Why?" Serena puzzled.
"He went to get some pain killers for her." Evan explained.
Shrugging, Serena and Hotaru left the room, letting Evan hide the book.
Four days later, in the early hours of the morning, everyone was woken up by a cry of pain. Doors banged open as everyone darted out their rooms in alarm.
"What was that?" Sere asked, startled.
"It came from Raven's room!" Quatre gasped.
Evan was the first to reach her room. He entered and was allowed past Reba, Kane, Lela and Kolnu to reach her. Heero and the others tried to follow but all the dogs prevented them.
"What's wrong with her Evan?" Hotaru asked, "Seeing as we can't get near."
Evan glanced round and saw what the dogs were doing.
"Raven will be fine." He told them.
"That I don't believe." Quatre said, shocking everyone, "Rave isn't one for crying out in pain. She holds it in and hides it. Has done since she was young."
Evan nearly swore, realising Quatre was right.
"I'll be fine Quatre." Raven stated, pushing herself up, "I only rolled onto my back by mistake. It caught me off guard. Especially since I was asleep."
Evan helped her to sit up straight, and passed her one of the two full bottles of pain killers.
"I think we best let her rest." Serena sighed, realising like Hotaru what was happening, "We all need some more rest. Besides it seems we're not allowed to really do anything else."
Agreeing the others all backed out the room and headed back for their own rooms. Evan let out the breath he'd been holding.
"Do you think they'll appear shortly?" He asked, quietly.
"No doubt." Raven muttered, "Help me get to the floor. And please make sure the lads don't disturb me. Otherwise they may get a surprise."
Evan helped her to sit on the floor. He also brought over a large jug of water and the pain killers. He then fetched her, her laptop and a stack of plain paper and pencils.
"Just in case you want something to do." He said, as she looked at him, "If you need anything else send Reba to me with a note. I believe the dogs will stay with you."
Raven smiled as Lela leapt up onto her deserted bed. Kolnu followed her and laid beside his Mother. Kane laid next to the bed, whilst Reba laid near the door. Evan then left and locked the door, knowing Raven would lock it with her power as well.