Author's Note: Hey guys, first of all, thank you to my reviewers for reviewing so quickly, it means a lot. And to my anonymous reviewer, there was a story with the same, it was an old story I posted but then deleted, so the title is completely mine, not stolen. Anyway, thanks for reviewing and enjoy the chapter.
Maya's POV:
"A vampire council? Please tell me this is one of Rory's jokes that I don't get" I begged, holding the note in my right hand.
"Nope. They're real, and seriously cranky" Maya shrugged, crossing her arms as we walked down the hall.
"You met them?" I asked, balling the note and throwing it into a nearby bin.
"Yup, last night. Their leader is a little girl, Anastasia" She shrugged, rolling her eyes.
"So why did you have to meet them anyway?" I asked curiously. She sighed.
"Well, they wanted to discuss our species problem" I narrowed my eyes in confusion.
"Species problem?"
"Azeman's are an older breed of vampire, and much more powerful. So technically when I reach full age I'll be more powerful than them, even though they're like two hundred years old. They just wanna make sure I don't plan on trying to take over the council, so it's more Anastasia being worried than the rest of them" She explained. I nodded in understanding.
And did you find out about Ethan's problem?" I asked hopefully.
"They wouldn't tell me anything, something about not being able to trust newcomers" She sighed. I nodded, a disappointed expression on my face.
"Great, and do they know about me?" I asked. She nodded.
"Yup. They told me to keep you on a leash"
"Keep me on a leash?! Assholes!" I exclaimed, shaking my head angrily.
"Calm it, I told them that you were in complete control. But they said that if you do lose it then we'll both be forced to leave Whitechapel. Personally, I just think Anastasia's cranky with a more powerful and younger breed of vampire around" Maya shrugged.
We turned the corner and I noticed Rory, Benny and Sarah stood near the lockers. Ethan wasn't with them, which I found a little strange considering he would never miss a group meeting. Plus, he hated being alone, so he was always either with Benny or Sarah, hardly ever alone. So them together without my brother was a little concerning for me "Hi guys" Maya greeted as we reached the trio.
"Hey beautiful" Rory smirked, immediately placing his arm around her shoulder. Maya smiled shyly, wrapping both of hers around his waist.
"Where's my brother?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Yeah I'm looking for him too, the council wants us to 'bring him to justice'. Whatever that means" Rory shrugged, a look of complete confusion on his face.
"Psst, it's true. There was a green mist. I saw it" My brother's voice said. The only problem was that I could hear him, but couldn't see him.
"That's Ethan, but I don't see him" Sarah said, glancing around the hall.
"I'm right here!" Ethan exclaimed, his voice leading straight into the locker to Maya's right.
"Wow, d'you know what this means?" Benny asked excitedly. I shook my head "I've perfected the invisibility spell without even trying!" He exclaimed. I rolled my eyes and his face fell "Or he's in that locker" He added. Benny walked towards the locker, slamming his hand against it.
"Ow! Yes Benny I'm in the locker!" Ethan exclaimed, slightly irritated "If the vamps come for me here at school at least I've got back-up"
"You can count on me!" Rory said cheerfully, slamming his fist against the locker door.
"Ow!"
"After I bring you to justice. Do you know if that's around here?"
"I can't help you Rory, I need time to prove I'm innocent. But the halls are full of fangs" Ethan replied.
"Those aren't real fangs. It's 'Dusk' day at W.C High. In honour of Erica's new pet movie star" Sarah said amusedly, moving forward until she was close enough to the locker "Gotta go, just sit tight and don't let the vampires bite"
"Same to you, and remember, bite your tongue not their face" Ethan said. She nodded before disappearing down the hall.
"Yeah, I gotta go too. I need to find out where 'Justice' is" Rory said, his eyes narrowed in confusion. He quickly pecked Maya's cheek before heading the same way Sarah had.
"Okay so, locker boy..." Benny moved forward, leaning against the locker Ethan was hiding in "...I get beat up all day because they blame you. And then you blamed the green mist, and I bet the mist blames the unicorns"
"The mist was real Benny, almost alive. And it had a smell, it smelt like...evil" Ethan replied. Benny's eyes narrowed in thought.
"Evil? Okay, now I'm intrigued"
"Good for you. Look bro, come out of the locker and we'll figure this 'green mist' stuff out" I sighed, leaning against the wall behind Benny.
"I can't!" He whined. I rolled my eyes.
"Dude, you'll be safe with us. We'll be your body-guards for the day, and believe me we're more powerful than any vampires around. Just come out Ethan" Maya begged.
A few seconds after her suggestion, the locker door flew open, revealing a very scared-looking Ethan "Are you sure?"
"Positive. Now, Benny looks curious about something, which could be both good and bad" She said, gesturing to his best friend.
"I may have an idea, but I need to grab something from home first" Benny said.
"Well we still have a few minutes left until the next class, why don't Emma whizz you home to get it?" Maya suggested, nodding towards me.
"Can you do that?" He asked, turning to face me.
"Well, yeah. Azeman powers are the same as full normal-vampire powers. I could fly you home and get you back in five minutes" I shrugged. He nodded.
"Sounds good. But what about you? You gonna hide in the locker again?" He asked, gesturing to Ethan.
"No, he's not" Maya said, shooting my brother a warning look "I'll baby-sit him"
"Are you sure? I mean, there's one of you, and like, a dozen of them" Benny said. I bit my lip nervously as Maya glared at him, her brown eyes turning a golden-yellow colour.
"Are you saying I'm not strong enough?" She asked, her voice deepening.
"Nope!" He exclaimed, backing up until he was next to me. Maya smiled, her eyes returning to normal.
"Great! Let's go" She said cheerfully, turning to Ethan. He nodded hesitatingly, letting her lead him down the hall.
"So, my place?" Benny asked, turning to face me.
"That sounds like a line" I chuckled, shaking my head as I started down the hall, knowing he was close behind.
"If it was, would it work?" He asked, catching up and walking beside me.
"I think you know the answer" I sighed, smiling slightly as he laced the fingers of his right hand with my left.
I strolled down the street with Maya, our arms once again linked.
School had ended about an hour ago, and I hadn't seen either of the boys since lunch. Benny had picked up three jars from his house, what they contained I had no idea, but they smelt awful. And according to Maya, baby-sitting my brother was easier said than done; He was a whiner. Though neither of us could really blame him, he had vampires on his ass, and a smelly green mist to find. He wasn't having the easiest first week back.
"So, second day back, what do you wanna do tonight?" Maya asked, her eyes lit up.
"Well, we're immortal and all powerful. So, nothing too high profile" I shrugged. She chuckled, shaking her head.
"You worry too much, life's short, live a little" I rolled my eyes in response.
"Okay, one; Our life, is anything but short. And two; We're dead, we can't 'live a little'" I pointed out. She pouted.
"Okay, so we die a little. But that sounds pretty weird" She sang.
"Yeah, I think 'live a little' sounded better. But seriously, I just wanna act normal now that we're back" I admitted, shrugging my shoulders.
"Alright, little miss normality, what normal things do you wanna do?" She asked curiously.
"Well, this may sound a little stupid, so don't laugh. But I actually have a bucket-list back home" I said. Her eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. In my defence, I didn't think I'd turn into a vampire the next month. It was when we knew about the supernatural, so I wrote a few things down in case I actually got out of Whitechapel. Now that I'm an Azeman, I guess I have enough time to get them done. What about you?" I asked. She sighed.
"Well, I don't have a bucket-list, that's for sure" She replied, shaking her head.
"Maya?" I asked, pausing. She turned to face me "How were you turned?"
"It's..." She paused, staring at the floor in thought "Complicated"
"You don't have to tell me, I won't push" I reassured.
"No, I want to tell you. Rory doesn't even know, but you're my best friend, I trust you. And, since we're literally bff's now, I guess it's time you found out" She sighed, shaking her head. I nodded, listening intently when a sudden whizzing noise reached my ears.
"Wait, did you hear that?" I whispered, my eyes narrowed as I listened out for the sound.
"Hi there" Maya and I spun around, only to find two buff eighteen year olds staring down at us.
"Hi" Maya greeted hesitatingly. My eyes widened as the boys' eyes flashed gold, their lips parting to reveal fangs.
"What do you want?" I asked, shaking my head confusedly.
"You two" The blonde haired vamp stated.
"Why?"
"You're being put on trial, well, Emma here is" The brown haired vamp shrugged.
"Why? I haven't broken any of your bullshit rules, so back the heck off" I snapped, my eyes also turning gold from anger.
"No can do short-stack. Vampire council won't allow it, sides, we have Sarah and Erica already" Blondie replied. I sighed nervously, glancing at Maya.
"We'll come" She reluctantly replied. My eyes widened as I shot her a questioning look.
"What?!" I exclaimed, shaking my head.
"It's only a trial, we'll find out what it is you did and then prove your innocence. Besides, fighting when you know you'll win isn't that fun" She replied, smirking at the vampire-boys.
"Follow us" The brown haired vamp snapped, both him and his partner shooting up into the sky.
"You so owe me if this goes to hell" I told Maya, shaking my head in annoyance before flying after the vampires.
Maya and I entered the old abandoned lodge, the two vampire boys close behind.
The building was on the other side of town, and judging by the outside state, I'd say it hadn't been used in a while. Though the inside was anything but used and abused. The carpet was soft and a dark-maroon colour, while the walls were dark-brown and wooden. And instead of lights, there were large lit candles illuminating the hallways. It had a very uncomfortable feel to it, though I guessed it was mainly because of the vampires in the building.
Maya pushed open the large double-doors, leading me into another room. And like the rest of the building, it was dark and creepy. It looked like a very large courtroom, but an older eighteenth century version. To be completely honest, it would be an awesome setting for a vampire movie, but considering the circumstances, I tried not to think about the possible movie-shooting locations. And instead tried to focus on the task at hand.
As we walked further in, I noticed Sarah slowly pacing. And in front of her stood a long wooden desk, with four vampires occupying the seats on the other side. Three were men, obviously in their twenties-ish. But the fourth, one in the middle, was a young girl. They all wore very old clothing, obviously from one of the earlier centuries. And from the weird vibe I got, and their showing fangs, I knew instantly that they were the vampire council.
"Ah, you've finally arrived" The young girl said, her hands clasped on the table in front of her.
"Not by choice" Maya muttered, crossing her arms as we stood next to Sarah.
"You aren't the one on trial Maya, she is" The girl shrugged, nodding towards me.
"She hasn't done anything Anastasia!" Maya exclaimed.
"Enough!" Anastasia demanded, her eyes flashing gold "Sit over there. You are not the one on trial" Maya pouted, reluctantly settling down on one of the arm-chairs.
"Okay, why am I here?" I asked impatiently, crossing my arms.
"You know of your brothers crime I assume?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I know of his accused crime, yes. But he hasn't done anything" I shrugged, tilting my head slightly.
"After a very long discussion, we've decided that you both stand accused" She declared. My eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?!" Sarah exclaimed angrily.
"We've sent four of our strongest guards to retrieve your brother, yet they all die mysteriously. You've recently become a new-born Azeman, am I correct?" She asked. I nodded in confirmation "Then you may have taken our these guards, attempting to protect your brother"
"But two were killed the night before I came back, you can't explain that" I pointed out.
"Of course I can. Your brother murdered the two, and when you returned you helped kill the other two we sent. It makes perfect sense" She shrugged.
"You're just making up pathetic crap to kick me out of Whitechapel. All because I'm more powerful than you are" I smirked. Her eyes turned gold, her face scrunching up in anger.
"Look, Emma's done nothing wrong! And neither has Ethan, if anything you need his help!" Sarah exclaimed, shaking her head.
"Oh, give her a break!" We all turned our heads, and I found Erica had entered the building, a familiar looking guy close behind "So she doesn't come to meetings, she's never been much of a joiner. She even quit the 'Dusk' fanclub and I was president" Erica shrugged, coming to her best friends defence.
"Your best friend did that? No way" The guy with Erica exclaimed.
"Sorry sweetie but it's true, now pipe down before you get eaten. Sarah's always done her own thing, and sometimes she's not any fun. But she's my friend, she's one of us now, and she's no threat to us. And neither is Emma" Erica said. My eyes widened slightly; I'd never expected her to stand up for me, Sarah yes, but not me.
"Sarah may not be, but Emma and her little stake-wielding friends are" Anastasia sighed, standing from her chair and walking around the table to stand in front of us "Deliver them to us as a sign of loyalty. Or, if you'd rather side with them, you can accept our punishment on their behalf. But we will have blood, yours, or theirs" She shrugged.
"So bring it princess, coz I've been itching for a fight all day" Sarah said, hissing threateningly afterwards.
"Let them go!" Groaning loudly, I turned to see my brother enter the room, Rory and Benny following "I'm the one you want!"
"What are you doing? I've got this, why are you here?" Sarah asked, sighing in annoyance.
"We're here to protect you" Ethan explained.
"Well I'm here to protect you"
"Well, we're protecting you too" Benny shrugged.
"Look, I didn't touch your friends, and neither did my sister. They were attacked by a spell called 'the breath of death'" Ethan sighed.
"Scary right? But what matters is, we can stop it" Benny explained.
"True! They made me go in a jar" Rory added. Grimacing, I shook my head at the trio.
"Quiet!" Anastasia demanded. I rolled my eyes, turning back to face her "Maybe we owe these boys a chance to prove their innocence"
"That's very reasonable, thank you" Ethan smiled, pocketing his wooden stake.
"I move the mortals to be devoured now. And you know what to do with her" Anastasia instructed, gesturing to me before settling back down in her seat.
"You can't do that!"
"That's so not fair!"
"That doesn't prove our innocence at all!" Ethan exclaimed, pulling out the stake.
"If the attacks continue after you were gone, then I guess you were innocent. Seems fair enough" Anastasia shrugged.
"I totally disagree with that assessment!" Benny shouted, aiming his holy-water gun.
"I guess I got my orientation after all, you taught me when to control myself, and when not to" Sarah snapped.
"Sarah wait" Ethan begged, placing a hand on the vampires shoulder "You call yourself a council, don't you have to take a vote?" He asked, facing the council members.
"I agree. Show of hands" She declared, raising her hand into the air.
Two of the members did the same, but the third man shuddered, his eyes turning a dark-green colour as a strange mist floated out of his mouth. He turned to face Anastasia, immediately lunging for her. Anastasia's eyes widened and she threw out her arms, pushing back the attacking vampire "Get him off me!" She shouted.
Ethan jumped in front of me with a small tin, holding it out towards the possessed-vampire. It stared at the tin, as though in a trance, before jumping over the table. Though unfortunately for Ethan, it moved towards him quickly, causing my brother to fall down onto his back, spilling the contents of the tin onto the carpet.
The green mist exited the vampire, causing him to fall to the floor, I wasn't sure if he was dead or unconscious, but I didn't care that much. The mist slowly trailed it's way up Ethan's body, soon entering through his open mouth. I grimaced at the smell, taking a few steps back "That's bad, and gross" Benny gagged. Sarah rushed towards Ethan, dropping to her knees.
"Ethan?! Are you okay?!" She asked worriedly. My brother suddenly shot up from the ground, wrapping his hands around Sarah's throat. She rose from the ground, pulling him with her while trying to defend herself, but also trying not to knock out Ethan.
"Destroy him! We command it!" Anastasia shouted.
"Back off!" I exclaimed, hissing at the smaller vampire.
"Where's the witch bottle?" Benny asked, dropping to the floor to grab the tin.
"Emma!" Maya exclaimed, rushing towards me "What the heck is going on?!"
"I have no idea" I squeaked.
"Rory, the jar needs something. D'you mind?" Benny asked. Without even waiting for Rory's answer, he tugged out a few of the blonde-vampires hairs, stuffing them into the tin.
The spell-master ran towards my brother, who'd recently been floored by Sarah, reciting a spell once he was close enough. As he aimed the jar at Ethan, the mist exited my brothers body, quickly floating into the tin. And once it was all contained, Benny slammed on the lid "Gotcha! Anti-vampire mist anyone?" He smirked, lightly shaking the tin.
"Still mad at me for defending the mortals who just saved your life?" Sarah asked, turning to face the council members.
"Erica was right, you are no fun. Fine, you're free to go" Anastasia sighed.
"Thank you, that's more like it" Sarah smiled, turning and following the boys towards the double-doors.
"Stop!" Anastasia shouted, causing us all to turn back to her "Before you go, I want Dirk's autograph" She announced, glancing towards Erica's friend.
"That's where I know you!" I exclaimed, realisation hitting me like a speeding-train; He was Jakeward from 'Dusk'.
"For a friend" She added.
"Vampire awkward" Benny sang. I chuckled, lacing my arm with Maya's as we headed towards the building exit.
"We're never gonna have a normal week in Whitechapel are we?" I asked.
"Probably not" She shrugged. I sighed, shaking my head.
I stared up at the bedroom window in thought, having an inward debate about whether or not to fly up.
It was quite late at night, around 10:00, and Sarah was baby-sitting at the house. So while my parents were gone, I'd decided to come and see Benny. Maya was busy with Rory, doing what though, I wasn't sure I wanted to know. So while my brother hung out with his hopefully soon-to-be girlfriend, and my best friend hung our with her boyfriend, I decided to come and see my boyfriend. We hadn't been alone much since I'd come back, with it only being two days since my return, we'd been pretty busy with Ethan's vampire trial and the whole 'mist' business, so we hadn't had time to really be alone. And while it was annoying, it was relieving at the same time. The main reason being; I was scared to be alone with him. The bloodlust was scary, and I'd hate to lose control around him. But when I thought about it, I'd been training for two months before coming back, so surely I was strong enough by now. And with that thought, I flew up towards Benny's window.
As I sat down on the windowsill, I peeked into his room. He wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary; Practicing his spells, again. Rolling my eyes, I gently knocked on the glass, giggling as he jumped high in his chair "Hey sweetie" I greeted, an amused smile on my face.
Benny rose from his chair, rolling his eyes as he slid up the window "And you couldn't use the front door why?" He asked, resting his palms on the windowsill.
"If you could fly, would you use the front door?" I asked, my eyebrows raised knowingly.
"Point taken. C'mon in" He shrugged, backing up from the window. I threw my legs in first, easily climbing into his bedroom before shutting the window behind me.
"So, watcha doin' magic boy?" I sang, standing behind him as he sat back down on the computer chair.
"Practicing. Check this out" He said excitedly. My eyes narrowed curiously as he held out his closed hand, staring intently at it. Though my eyes widened as he opened up his fist, revealing a pink orchid.
"Wow" I gasped, shaking my head in awe.
"Aw man, I can never get it right" He whined, pouting.
"What do you mean? That was amazing"
"It was supposed to be a rose, they're pretty hard to make" He explained, offering me the orchid. I smiled, taking it from him and twirling it in my fingers.
"You did better than you thought" I reassured, sitting sideways on his lap and resting my right arm around his neck. His left arm automatically wrapped around my waist, using his right hand to flip through the spell-book pages.
"Not that I'm complaining, but why are you here?" He asked, tilting his head up at me with a curious expression.
"Well, Ethan's with Sarah and Maya's with Rory, so I thought I'd come see you" I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
"Sounds good. So, what d'you wanna do?" He asked, marking the page with a blue sticker before closing the book.
"I don't know, what do you wanna do? I've been gone for a long time, what we do tonight is completely up to you"
"Really?" I nodded in confirmation "I don't care. As long as you're here"
"That is the cheesiest thing I've ever heard" I giggled, shaking my head. He smirked.
"Did it work?"
"More than you think" I admitted, leaning down and pressing my lips against his.