The Divine Twelve (Urban-Fantasy)

Chapter ten: Infiltration

Sahir jumped up, fresh tears streaming down his face. He inhaled deeply, wiping at his face as his eyes adjusted to the room. He looked at the yellow sheets that covered him, the satin cool against him.

He climbed out of the bed, placing a hand on his head as he walked towards the door. He smelled the fresh scent of bread as he exited the room and decided to go downstairs.

"Oh, it's Sahir!" He heard JJ announce as he reached the bottom of the steps.

"Oh great." Laura grinned. "Just in time for dinner. I thought you'd end up sleeping until tomorrow."

Sahir just looked at them quietly. JJ shifted in his seat and picked at his fingernails.

"I heard JJ yell, Sahir," Penelope said at the head of the steps. She saw her brother and ran down to him, grabbing his face and looking over him.

"Are you okay?" She asked, tilting his head in the light. "You look exhausted."

Sahir nodded and pushed his sister's hands away, walking over to the kitchen table and taking a seat.

"Are you sure?" Penelope asked, sitting next to him.

"Yeah Nel," Sahir mumbled. "I'm just tired."

There was a grumble and the three of them turned towards Sahir. "And hungry." He muttered embarrassed. Penelope chuckled and stood, assisting Laura with the plates.

"Well!" Lara laughed. "You're in luck. I just finished cooking and it's spaghetti and meatballs and some homemade breadsticks."

She set a plate in front of Sahir and placed the bowl of bread in the center of the table. "Enjoy!" She smiled as Sahir started stuffing his face.

Everyone else made their way to the kitchen. "Mmm!" Kori smiled. "Smells amazing." She helped herself to some bread.

John poured Laura a glass of wine and looked over at Penelope. "How old are you again?"

"20." Penelope looked at the wine.

"Maybe another time." John shrugged, pouring himself a glass.

Sahir sat quietly as he finished his plate, shifting nervously as he looked around the table.

"Would you like some more?" Laura asked, noticing Sahir.

"Yes please." Sahir nodded. Laura laughed as she picked up his plate and piled another helping of food.

"Don't hesitate to ask for more." She smiled. "I have a husband and a young boy, I know when you want more."

Sahir smiled and took the plate, scooping the noodles into his mouth as John started telling his story of becoming a Zodiac.

"I was like 8 or 9 I think," John stated, sipping his wine. "I was heading to class when some older boy pushed me."

"John used to be bullied?" Penelope covered her mouth. "Is that why you like to bully other people?"

"No, just you." He flashed a smile. "So I got mad, I wasn't bullied either by the way." He added. "But I got mad, and I wasn't a punk. I knew if I didn't fight back, or if I lost, I'd have to fight him again because of my dad."

Laura nodded, chuckling. John smiled at her and continued. "Anyway, I swung and knocked him out. He was sent to the hospital with a concussion and a fractured orbit and broken nose."

Lennox choked on his noodles. Penelope passed him some water and patted his back.

"Lennox. I don't appreciate you dying while I'm telling my story." John said as Lennox recovered. "Save it for after."