Pastel Colored Sadness

CHAPTER 2 Fateful Day Number Two

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Chapter 2

Fateful Day Number Two

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Uncle Edward was a renowned Surgeon in our small city within Utah. He, of course, had enough money to make me live comfortably, in pleasure. But he could not replace what I'd had with my sister and Mother. My nightmares are filled with the day they left, even though it was ten years ago, and three years ago that I had my own ceremony. Those two poor siblings of mine I was forced to watch being cursed were just as horrifying as when I saw my sister. It had looked like her soul was dying, like there was no light left, just embers, which were being smothered with each bloody teardrop she shed.

"Theo? Are you awake?" Jacob asked from the door of my room. "I've got more pictures and news of your sister," he offered.

I sat up, watching as Jacob entered with a folder like he did every month. I might not be allowed to see or touch my sister anymore, but I can surely send Jacob to find and keep track of her. "How are they?" I asked, nervous. I sat on the edge of my bed, waiting anxiously for whatever news he had to deliver. By the way he acted, it was bad. He'd been bursting with joy when Taylor started a band, and got a boyfriend, and had moved out of her kelpie's place. I could only worry what had gone wrong now. Has she lost her job? Has the band dropped her? Had her boyfriend dumped her? Had she been evicted?

"Taylor's... Thomas committed suicide. They say she's going to be leaving the band. I saw her packing her car a few days ago..." Jacob handed me the folder with shaking hands. He wasn't afraid of me because I hurt him, but because he feared what I'd do to myself. My hands were covered in bandages from split knuckles and my broken pinkie from my loss of temper. Months before, when Taylor's manager screwed her over, I'd broken everything in my room, even all my art supplies. I regretted it afterward, but it had been satisfying to do so at the time.

I opened the folder to find a picture of Thomas hanging from the lamp with a sheet tied around his neck, at his feet was a black and white painting done as if as a self-portrait of his hanging self. There was police evidence along with the diary that had been released from evidence to a man named Sam. It was Taylor's Kelpie.

I also see the pictures Jacob had taken of Taylor packing her things, sitting with Sam outside their diner, then a picture of her leaving the city she lived in. "Do you know where she's going?" I asked.

"My friend is tailing her as we speak. He'll make contact, become friends, and ask her anything you want him to know. He's a famous Conn artist and can escape anything. He is an Elf, after all," Jacob smiled when it seemed that I was not going to lose my temper.

And Elf, I scoffed. They were known by the human stories as fair people that are one with nature, beloved by starlight or by magic, the most beautiful and magical and wise beings on the earth. That's what the Elves want you to think, blaming the fairies for their mischievous deeds when in fact, they were the ones doing all the tricks and lies. Only someone who's gained the trust of an Elf knows how an Elf truly is. One of the great Kings was part Elf, and his mother had given him all the secrets. Those secrets were passed on through our elders which tell us enough that we know to stay away from the fair folk.

"What about old man Beach? Can't you send him to her? He can teach her more than an elf conn man," I suggested. Old man Beach was an elder that had left the sea because his only child had been turned into a Siren and killed themselves. He'd also been a mentor and teacher of magic. He was a valuable friend that I'd made, and he owed me this. He could teach my sister everything she needs to get away from that Hunter asshole.

I still want to tear out his throat for what he'd said to her that night. It echoes in my head like a wasp that kept on stinging me for the sake of it. Although I no longer start throwing things whenever I hear them, I still remember it and want to tear his throat out.

She'd been cursed because of what her firstborn will mean. A new dynasty from the cursed son and daughter of the firstborn of the previous one. I hated it. I hated how twisted it all was. That boy was our half-brother, and he wanted to mate with my sister because of what her child will be like. He won't be stronger, he'll be weak if that half-brother of ours takes her.

Jacob wrote down notes as I thought, "We could. But he doesn't leave his seaside home, located in a small town not too far from where she was. If she goes to him, she'll find him, hopefully. We'll wait until my elf friend tells us where she's gone," Jacob agreed, "If her child's to be king, she needs to learn what she can do, and who she is."

"My thoughts exactly," I stood, hugging Jacob's giant body. Jacob reacted instantly, kissing my neck, letting his hands drift down my body.

I wasn't gay. In fact, I thought of myself more as Pansexual, that I didn't care as long as each side was willing. Jacob, on the other hand, was gay. That was very hard on him, knowing what his family would say. Out of pity, I offered once after a party, and now I've become Jacob's escape. His refuge. It's the least I could give him since he's done so much for me.

Gently, he pushed me back into the bed. He went for a long time, then when Jacob passed out, I washed up and went to breakfast with my Uncle. He was already past eating, now only reading his newspaper and smoking. I hated the smell of cigarette smoke, and Uncle knew that. That's why it was his favorite punishment for me being late. I sat down and picked up my glass of juice, taking a sip.

"Your father's found you a mate, Theo," Uncle Edward said, "She's the human daughter of a newly changed mer in our family. She knows the secret and is willing to become one herself. You don't have to marry her, just give her a baby," Edward informed me.

The cup in my hand shattered, juice flying everywhere, and shards of glass cut into my already bandaged hand. Shit. I was going to pay for that. And what was I gonna do about Jacob while 'mating' with this poor girl? What was I gonna do? If I have this child, once they grow up, I'll have to leave, or have more children beforehand in order to keep myself on the land.

"Your habit is getting quite expensive these days, Theo. How many glasses have you broken this month?" Edward asked.

"I've lost count," I honestly reply, letting a maid clean the mess.

"I have an offer to make you," Edward finally set aside his newspaper.

"And?" I asked.

"You remember Remer? My friend from college?" Edward asked, folding his hands.

"Yes," I nodded, uncertain where this was going. Remer was a sixth-generation Vampire asylum owner in Maine, but he often came over to our home for social visits and to spread awareness on how to treat the mentally unstable and often mentally dangerous. Though they didn't call it an asylum anymore since it did much more than it had before. It also gave help to those who had any sort of problem that can be treated with therapy and a safe environment like drug addiction or PTSD or even depression.

"He's offering to give you an apprentice position as a nurse. Of course, I get access to the corpse trade his family's in charge of, but that's beyond the point. This is a valuable experience, and it will give you a chance to stall the mating," Edward offered.

"Are you making me a patient or a nurse?" I asked, eyeing my bleeding hand. He caught onto my train of thought.

"I do hope that while working there, you'll get past this uncontrollable rage you hold within you, but this is for you to be a nurse. I'll expect you at the end of the agreement of five years," Edward smiled as I hesitated.

"What about Jacob?" I asked.

"He'll be allowed to see you whenever. He'll be a stable boy, working with the horses and carriages. But unlike you, he'll be allowed to leave the facilities whenever he wishes to." Jacob walked in at that moment, still adjusting his tie.

"What did I miss?" he asked.

"Apparently, we've been traded into apprenticeships for five years with Remer. You'll care for horses and I'll be a nurse," I summed up.

"Well, I don't see what the problem is," Jacob eyed my hand being rebandaged by the maid at the same time as everyone else in the room.

"Fine. I get it. We'll go," I relent. If Jacob wasn't concerned about it, then I wasn't going to say anything either.

"Good. Now, you'll be leaving on the first flight to Maine in three days," Edward smiled.

Three days and my freedom will be limited the same as any patient in that asylum.