Written in the Stars

Chapter Nine

"Celeste dear, I know what you are doing and you cannot keep it up any longer." This was the first thing Izabela said to her as she sat down for dinner. Celeste was meeting Izabela every other day at this point and she was getting more and more anxious. She also knew that whatever Izabela was saying, she was likely right. She was right about most things after all. Celeste didn't know how she did it, she just knew that she did.

Still, she decided to fight a small amount, even though at this point it was more for show than anything else. Celeste was discovering she could not find it anywhere in her to genuinely argue with Izabela. She knew she would always lose and it was easier to just agree at this point. "I don't know what you're talking about Izabela. If I did though, I would say that I probably can keep whatever I am doing up as you say. I have managed to do it this long after all." She smiled as she reached for her glass of wine. She had also given up sniffing for poison first. She knew Izabela would never try to kill her. At least not like this. Subtle wasn't her style.

Izabela suddenly reached for her wrist and held her hand in place with a strong, verging on painful, grip. "I think you know exactly what I am talking about. You need to pick a side. Now." She hissed and then let go of Celeste's wrist with such force that she almost spilled some wine. "It is time for you to choose between me and your sister. And of course your plaything, Jean." She said his name with such derision that it made Celeste sick to her stomach. Izabela sighed and picked up her own glass of wine before taking a long drink.

Celeste decided that instead of answering she would take a bite of what Izabela had prepared for dinner. Or rather, had had prepared as she did not cook. It wasn't that she refused to do it, it was just that she had never had to learn in 900 years and definitely was not about to start now. But Celeste did not mind as it meant she was getting to try out all of her favourite restaurants as apparently Izabela was apt to ordering in. Or just hiring the chef for the evening and making them cook for the pair. It was greatly appreciated by Celeste, even if she did know deep down that it was being used as a manipulation tactic.