Trusting the Devil

Chapter 1: Sage

Sage

Everyone's expectations. That was all I was to my parents. An object. A toy. I had to keep making them believe I was one of them if I wanted to protect myself and my twin, Nina. I wasn't going to let them get away with the years of suffering–

"Oh my, it's getting hot in here!"

I would agree if I weren't so pissed at my mother for making me attend this charity ball. I loved helping people, but all of this was a facade. My parents only ever cared about influence and power. It didn't matter how much money they wasted, they wanted to be on top of the rule. That was hard to achieve. The Dukas were on top, for now. They were also my parents' rivals, which made them automatically mine.

My parents had influence in the Southern part of Xerus. They had an organization that I was supposed to lead one day. Unfortunately, they always kept me in the dark when it came down to the business of this "cult".

I felt more than saw my sister's hand rest on my diamond necklace as she rested her chin on my shoulder while looking at our reflection in the mirror of my white vanity.

"What's wrong, Sage? And don't bullshit me. I can feel something's wrong through our twin bond."

I rolled my eyes. She knew everything about this gala was wrong. And something felt... off. I had a bad feeling going through with this, but did I have another choice? I needed to buy my freedom as well as my sister's. I needed to perform and ace my parent's commands to continue my medical studies. According to them, my studies were distracting me from my "duties towards my people" and I needed to attend all these fake events every once in a while in order to keep on studying and realizing my dream. I had skipped most of the classes that normal students would take. Since I was fourteen, all my classes were at home and would only consist of biology. It kept me busy and I was good at it. It was one of the things that distracted me from my parents'... punishments. They needed a lot of convincing from multiple doctors telling them I was more intelligent than a normal student, being that I had psychic abilities and an insane level of memorization and that it would serve well once I took over. I will forever be grateful to these doctors.

I sighed as I looked down at my bruised wrists and quickly covered them by wearing my shiny black gloves that perfectly matched my forest green princess-cut dress. It was a simple dress with a sweetheart neckline that showcased my collarbone and made the diamond necklace shine brighter on my tan skin. The dress's train was layered and had flowers embedded in the fabric.

"I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen," I replied, worry coating each of my words.

"Your psychic powers have yet to be wrong, sister. If you want to sit this charity out, I can go and–"

"No." My voice was final. My eyes pierced through my sister's light blue eyes, challenging her to contradict my command. She knew I would riot if something were to happen to her. If my psychic abilities were right, there was no chance I was going to let her go there to replace me.

"Okay." She said slowly, carefully. "I'll inform mother that you are ready. Please remove your green eyes from my face. They creep me out whenever you give me that look."

My eyes softened at her comment and I smiled, "Thank you."

Nina knew me so well. She knew that I didn't want to see my parents right now or else the wound would open and I wouldn't be able to be strong anymore. I needed to be. For her. I promised her, ten years ago, when we were only eight, that I'd protect her, and I have been faithful to this promise- I always have been.

After a few minutes, a knock sounded on my door and it was all I needed to get me moving to this charity.

After a short ride inside the carriage, I reached the picturesque building. It was made of the whitest stones ever found in our realm–stones that were the result of the moon's cries to the sun– the moonlight making them shine brighter than I had ever seen them as if the moon was calling them back to her. I smiled up to the beautiful lit sky and breathed in the fresh air. Freedom. Even if my parents made me come, I was grateful for the fresh air and the independence I had being here, without them. I will get us out of this prison, Nina. A burning sensation bloomed in my stomach. It was uncomfortable but it felt so right. Liberating. I had never had anything like this experience before. Maybe freedom was making its home in my blood.