☼ Chapter XI ☼

picture; Nora Preudova

song; "Hollow" by Cloudeater

author's note; This literally took me like one night to write the first two parts of the chapter, and I procrastinated writing the ending for weeks. I knew it was gonna be draining because it was a new scene I had to rewrite since I lost the original document of it, but it is finally done.

Comment + Vote, enjoy!

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Quiet. It seems peculiar now how the absolute lack of noise had begun to suffocate me, instead of console me. A part of me had never been partial to silence; the loneliness of it threatened to drown me, especially after my parents' divorce.

Our home used to be warm and full, brimming with joyous laughter, but it soon dulled to grief—grief born from the knowledge that our father feared us so much he chose to abandon us.

These moments I hated the quiet more than I hated myself then, and even now more than I hated Rene.

This emptiness pulsated over me, and I felt my cheeks grow warm. I felt embarrassed. Or maybe it was actually that I felt pathetic. I hadn't felt so self-deprecating in such a long time.

The fact that I was being followed by Darkness was hard to swallow.

I was trying to find my balance again after hearing the news. Everyone had left the room to give me a moment to collect myself after I freaked out and nearly had a panic attack.

Only one person was left in the room beside me.

Derik was being incredibly patient, and I hadn't said a word, just stared down at my burgundy painted toes. The wine color really complimented my brown skin.

Meredith had told me from a young age that reds and burgundies were my color, but I always had been much more into black and Navy blues—similar to the Navy blue Derik's eyes often shifted to.

The memory of my mom caused the slightest tugging of my lips upwards and I suddenly realized that I had somehow finally regained my composure. "Sonya?" When I lifted my gaze to connect to his, I saw that Derik's face was questioning and still quite stern.

The hardness of his expression caused an uncontrollable giggling to bubble up my throat and overflow passed my lips. "Are... you okay?"

"I... for now." I had almost said that I wasn't sure, but I decided that I actually was okay. Even though I had been attacked, I wasn't really hurt at all. I was honestly just scared, but Genevieve knew now and she would protect me. And so would Lorelai and Derik.

I trusted that they wouldn't let anything happen to me, and I also knew for damn sure the Elders weren't going to let anything happen to me either.

Derik copied my actions as I rose to my feet; I paused to look at him again. He was staring right at me, and even though his expression looked apologetic and sincere, the ticking of his jaw revealed something was bothering him. "Sonya," My name was spoken on a deep sigh and Derik cut his eyes away to the floor.

"I'm sorry about everything." He said after a few moments of more quiet, giving me those cerulean pools once again. "I'm sorry about what I said about your parents and about my attitude earlier. It wasn't right, none of it. Just... please don't be angry with me anymore.

"When I felt you panicking last night, I was going to come again, but it came and went so fast that I figured that you were fine, and you wouldn't want to see me anyway. And I'm also sorry I told Genevieve you were attacked but, honestly, then again I'm not. I'll do anything to keep you safe, Sonya." Derik grasped onto my shoulders as he looked me squarely in the face.

"I know, Derik. I'm not mad you told Genevieve. I actually was going to tell Head Vierseut but he isn't on grounds for whatever reason. I get it." Even though my words were telling him it was okay, I still shrugged away from his hold.

"So I take it you're still mad at me about the shit I said before." My Mate looked slightly hurt that I'd pulled away from his touch for the second time today.

"It's gonna take a lot more than a couple sorrys for me to forgive you, dude. What kind of stupid cunt speaks ill of the dead?" I questioned hotly, crossing my arms again.

That seemed to be the trend today: crossing my arms and leaning away from magnetic pulls, almost as if that could contain the relentless emotions throbbing through my chest.

"Okay," He paused, turning his eyes away thoughtfully as he did. "Well, I'm going to start trying to make it up to you this weekend."

I scrunched my brows together and opened my mouth to ask where he was going to be all week, but Derik moved in to me and lightly brushed his lips over mine. It wasn't really a kiss since the touch was so soft, and I was so caught off guard I couldn't even think to move away.

Tingling warmth danced over my mouth at the simple touch and I pressed my index and middle finger firmly there as if to shove away the sensation. Derik twisted away and exited my bedroom before I had the chance to deck him.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists at my sides as I stomped out after him hurriedly, grappling for that headful of blonde hair to throw him to the ground.

For whatever reason, I couldn't really pinpoint if I was angry because he kissed me when I was mad at him or because he actually didn't kiss me. Maybe both.

How dare he?

Genevieve gracefully moved into my path just as I almost reached my annoying Mate with a sly smile over her pink lips. She obviously knew Derik was about to get it and got in the way on purpose. I narrowed my eyes at her and her grin widened, and I now could definitely see the familial resemblance between her and Derik.

"Sonya, the Elders and I would feel most comfortable if you moved out of this dormitory and stayed with your Mate, but it is ultimately your choice. If you do decide to stay here, we will have extra Protectors positioned here to guard your dorm and Rituals placed to keep you safe." My eyes scanned over Genevieve, who stood with her hands tucked halfway into her back jean pockets, and the male Protectors who all stood in a semi-relaxed parade rest stance behind her.

The male Protectors were talking amongst themselves but I could tell they were also waiting for my response. I scoffed and crossed my arms once again.

"I'm not rooming with that asshole. I'm staying here." My eyes slid over to my Mate again to glare pointedly at him, but instead of an exasperated or hurt look, there was a devilish grin on his face as he watched me.

I stuck my tongue out at him and those cerulean orbs flickered with further amusement. Genevieve nodded and reached out to grab my hand before squeezing once and letting go.

I nervously glanced around the room to see if anyone saw the gesture, and literally everyone was looking between Genevieve and me with soft shock.

It was completely against tradition in the Unknown World for supernaturals of high status, such as Genevieve and I, to share intimate physical touch in public unless they are Mated, share a Thread, or are family.

Genevieve had squeezed my hand in this exact same way many times before to reassure or comfort me, but always in private.

Even though it wasn't customary and everyone was scrutinizing us strangely now, I appreciated the fact that she didn't leave without relenting one motherly touch. It truly helped to ground me even further, and I offered a small grateful smile.

Genevieve nodded slowly in a dismissal manner that was customary and turned away to exit the dormitory without another word. The two male Protectors were glued to her heels after mimicking my Mentor's dismissal.

Derik let the others file out first, the mischievous smirk still evident on his handsome face and suddenly my blood was boiling under the reckless weight of his eyes.

He then had the nerve to nod to me respectfully in the same fashion Genevieve had. Never in a million years would I admit it, but I almost cringed at the formality. I mocked the usual phrase he would always leave me with, "Be seeing you, Derik." My heart skipped a beat when he winked at me, then closed the front door behind him.

Still mad. I reminded myself on a sigh as I covered my face with my hands. A longing tugged in the pit of my stomach and I gritted my teeth at the feeling. I'm still mad at him.

☼

Nothing new had surfaced in my Gifts and Powers classes. I figured it most likely was because I hadn't Awakened or started the Change yet. During these transitions is usually when Vampyres gain a lot of new abilities.

Today, though, I felt different.

It had been three days since Genevieve and the Investigative Protectors had come up to my dormitory to question me about the night I was attacked nearly a week ago.

It was later that day that a Threaded coven of Sorcerers visited the dorm to cast protection Rituals, and I had to admit that the atmosphere definitely improved. It truly felt easier to breathe in there.

I had also met the twelve patrolling Protectors the Elders had ordered to be stationed at my dorm building to keep me safe.

In the six years I had lived at Siekrov, I hadn't ever really felt like I was that different from the rest of the Novices, but having a party of a dozen bodyguards keeping watch of where I slept definitely made me feel like a Royal.

Can't even pretend that it doesn't bother me. I hate it. Especially when one of the over zealous guards basically verbally assaulted Lorelai and made her show her Academy ID to prove she was who she said she was.

He felt like a complete idiot when he saw her last name was Ylisove. Of course, Lorelai just had to fuck with him a little bit after he was so rude to her and in a very Draco Malfoy manner expressed to the Protector that "her father would be hearing about this."

Everything had basically gone back to normal—almost. It actually was a lot better than normal, in a weird way. My anxiety had basically disappeared and I hadn't had a single night terror since Trent woke me up from the last one.

If everything was actually back to normal, I still would be looking over my shoulder, afraid I was going to be attacked again or worried I was still being followed. But no; I felt completely relaxed.

Trent had slept over at the dorm every single night since Genevieve's visit, and a very small part of me knew that I felt safe and at ease because he was there. The rest of me didn't want to entertain the thought because of Derik.

I was actually missing him a lot. He was scarce the past few days, and I appreciated that he was giving me space after pissing me off. If I'm being totally honest though, the urge to be with him again was really beginning to overshadow my anger.

My mind was so occupied with thoughts of my Mate that I walked right into someone when I entered my Gifts & Powers lesson. A devastatingly familiar pair of violet-amber eyes and the heady scent of sandalwood and fresh mint assaulted my senses, and I stumbled back as Trent's presence forced its way inside my brain, decimating Derik into nothing.

"Oh, sorry. I was in my own wor–" When I turned my gaze to the person I'd bumped into, I realized it was a girl. She was Japanese with jet-black hair that came down like a dark waterfall of huge curls along her back and abyss-like brown eyes that reminded me of hot chocolate. Her angular face was pretty, and her baby pink lips turned up into a small, sheepish smile.

"That's okay!" Her voice was high and cheerful, but not in a screeching or disingenuous way. "I wasn't really looking where I was watching either... I-I mean, wasn't looking where I was walking." She nervously laughed and side-stepped to get passed me.

I tilted my head to the side in curiosity as I watched her slender, retreating form trek down the hall. Blowing a raspberry, I twisted around and continued on my way into the room. It was already half-filled with Novices chatting amongst each other or preparing for the lesson.

Our Mentor Myna Nyoria sauntered into the classroom after I settled into a spot toward the back of the room and tossed her bag haphazardly onto the floor beside her desk. She shifted around some papers on her desk for a few moments until the bell resounded through the room before turning to address the class.

"Today we have an exhibition session and meditation. We'll begin with exhibition and rest till the end of lesson with meditation." I rubbed my hands over my face and inwardly groaned.

Exhibition is pretty similar to Show & Tell. We exhibit our abilities and the Mentor assists us in going deeper to see if our abilities can be improved.

Myna is a Sorcerer, and can use magick to create an opening in our soul to allow the full potential of our Gifts to showcase themselves. Benevolent Gifts are usually discovered and strengthened this way, while Gifts or Powers that can be used to attack are strengthened through wielding them.

Over the past few years, exhibition sessions had done next to nothing for me. I'd discovered a healing Gift, but it was weak and almost useless. I could heal superficial wounds I get from combats lessons, but not much else. Definitely couldn't save anyone's life with the Gift or anything major like that.

Being a Novice who had been excelled a year but couldn't exhibit any real talent with benevolent Gifts was embarrassing. I had unearthed a Power or two that could be fairly useful to me, and I'd improved them to an almost impeccable degree, but a few abilities was nothing special; most Vampyres typically developed a couple abilities.

I was utterly unimpressive in this department if I'm being totally translucent.

But, like I said: today, I felt different.

There was an unrecognizable humming that seemed to coil all over my body, and it radiated out from my chest. I'd had an intense pinprick of agony living at my temples since I woke up, and my hands were shaking from unyielding adrenaline. Also, there was a radically peculiar pressure I felt over my skin, and all day it had been overly sensitive to touch.

It felt like something was pouring out of me, and it was tearing my skin off as it tore its way out.

"Princess," my head snapped up so fast, my neck ached from the movement. She stood above me, hands behind her back in a parade-rest stance, emerald eyes peering down at me expectantly.

"Mentor?" Myna nodded her head towards the front of the class and I internally groaned yet again. Of course she would pick on me first. I had been fairly vocal in the past about how horrible I felt in Gifts & Powers, and Myna was determined to assist me in discovering more benevolent Gifts. She'd even offered help with exhibition outside of regular lesson times.

My toes attached to her heels as I moved up to the front of the class. All eyes were on the two of us, and when I turned my attention to the on-looking crowd, many Novices appeared bored. I felt like such a loser.

Gritting my teeth, I settled onto the mat and faced my Mentor. Myna and I sat across from one another, our backs angled away from the rest of the class. "Okay, Princess. Whenever you're ready to start."

I hesitated before nodding slowly in understanding and allowing my eyes to drift closed. A deep breath pushed passed my lips slothfully, and my body's thrumming seemed to heighten, despite the fact I was purposely trying to relax.

Coolness abruptly lapped at my cheeks, and everything melted into nighttime darkness. Moonlight shrouded us in affectionately, and the delicate cry of a baby girl met my ears.

Somehow, I felt I was suspended on a stream of the wind that blew by--so light and unreal. It was a off-putting sensation, but I kind of liked it at the same time.

"Meredith." A new voice caught my attention as a woman spoke my mother's name. Turning my ghostly eyes in the direction it came from, she came into my sight. Unmatched, ethereal beauty. I had never witnessed such a beautiful woman.

Her hair wilted down her petite frame in mocha brown box braids, framing a face fixed with gently elfish bone structure and jade eyes identical to my own--to Meredith's and Cetilayn's as well. Her skin was shades lighter than mine and my mother's and sister's; she wore a shade of coffee with a bit too much creamer. Her plump lips were painted a burgundy-red, almost reminding me of the tone of a bruise, but somehow the color suited them.

"Eloize." Nothing and nobody could ever compare to the beauty of this woman, but nothing could ever ignite that feeling in my chest like the soft warmth of Meredith's voice.

I missed her voice so much and the emotion that swelled in my center caused immediate tears to spring into my eyes. I twisted again to watch as Meredith rushed into Eloize's arms, in a way fairly akin to the manner that I used to rush into Meredith's arms.

My mom's average 5'7 height absolutely dwarfed Eloize's frame. Eloize was so small; she actually reminded me of an elf--like the ones I read about in all those fairytales as a kid.

Curiosity birthed itself in the back of my mind as I wondered how my mom could be so familiar with the Head of our bloodline, yet I had never once met her.

"Thank you so much for coming. I know that this isn't customary." Meredith leaned away from Eloize's embrace to peer down into her eyes.

"Please, Child." Despite her unassuming size and otherworldly beauty, Eloize pulsated with regality and barely subdued Power. She could probably tear a man apart with the snap of her fingers. I couldn't help but wish I would be just like her one day. "You recognize the absolute importance of these girls and yourself, Princess."

"Please, bunică. I gave up that title a long time ago." Meredith fully released herself from Eloize and turned toward a cooing stroller, padded heavily with blankets to protect the child inside from the chilliness of the nighttime air.

"Somehow, I cannot recall accepting that title, fiică." Eloize's tone dripped with ice suddenly despite the fact that there wasn't a shred of emotion on her perfect face. "Come now, before I think better of my choice." She snapped at my mother.

Meredith bowed and tilted her head to slightly expose her neck and show her submission to Eloize, but the smirk on her lips was unmistakable.

It was no doubt the same smirk I wore when I would say something snarky to my mom.

"Of course, Mistress. You are doing us a great favor. I gathered all the materials you said we would need."

"Yes. It will be the same with this girl as with Cetilayn. The Hunter gene will be removed and the spirit Ripped. You must take great caution to protect her from any Dark influences as she now will be crapat." Eloize warns my mother lowly, and Meredith nods fervently.

"I understand. We're ready to do whatever it takes to protect her." The covering of the stroller was pulled back, and there bundled in several blankets and layers of warm winter clothes was... me. Well, me as a baby.

"Are you sure that human will protect our girls?" I saw Meredith clench her gloved hands and she sucked the sides of her cheeks--something she used to do all the time when she was irritated. Eloize seemed that she couldn't care less that Meredith was offended by the question; she regarded her expectantly, her abysmal jade eyes never straying.

"He will. He isn't like any of those Hunters from before. He is human." Meredith seemed so sure, and I felt sadness coil over me. If only she knew that her husband abandoned me yet again before she was even cold in the ground.

He didn't even show to her funeral.

Honestly, a part of me has always believed that he never really loved any of us.

"That is what worries me most." A part of me was shocked, and then I wasn't. It is a common belief amongst supernaturals in the Unknown World that humans still hate or fear our kind.

Someone who has seen humans at their absolute worst as Hunters most likely understands the depth of their hatefulness and depravity better than any of our kind.

Eloize led armies into battle during the Red War; she knows the prejudice that resides within them better than anyone.

"That is why we're removing this gene." Meredith responds evenly. "We still don't know much about the Hunter kind to know if these urges and Powers Awaken in the same way ours do when we reach a certain age, so I would rather just not risk it at all." Eloize looks onward at my mother silently, giving no indication of if she agrees or not, or if she even cares.

A whooshing builds in my ears, and it seems to spread from there to my temples before enveloping my entire head and then my entire body.

I became aware that I was gently being pulled away from the scene before me, with Meredith's comforting voice and Eloize's aggressive beauty growing muffled by the backward tug.

Reality begins to bleed into the past again and after one melts so much into the other, the thrumming returns to my skin and once again I am sitting across from Myna in my Gifts & Powers lesson.

"Sonya? Are you alright?" My Mentor is looking at me expectantly and I focus my gaze on her face. Everything feels heavy--solid, once again. I am no longer floating.

"I'm okay." I informed her slowly. "I saw my mom." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. Whispers kissed my ears, but I couldn't really make out anything specific anyone was saying if I'm being honest.

"I know, Princess." Myna helped me to rise to my feet and beamed proudly. "You have discovered a new Gift." My mouth was slightly slack as I stared at her dumbly. "You're a Seer."