Blissful Burn ➳ Stiles Stilinski [5]

Identity

Before I even entered the armoury my eyes glowed wildly and I clicked my fingers watching small sparks of fire being released.

Parrish.

I storm in immediately and find Parrish sitting down nervously flicking through pages of a book. I stare at him oddly and then stare at the other two Argents.

They stared back at me with a sigh. Have I missed something?

"What?" I asked with a groan. "What secrets do I need to keep now? Is there another relative I didn't know about? Or is this about the one time I used your penthouse in Brooklyn because–"

Gerard throws a book at me and I catch it quickly before it manages to give me a black eye.

My smile to Grandpa is a big bitter one before I look down at the book. "Mythical madness." I read out. "Thanks but I think I'll pass. I'm more into Steinbeck."

"I'd pictured you to be a Stephen King fan," Gerard replied and I glared at him. Because I was.

"Well I'd tell you how much I enjoy other inappropriate genres but we don't share that type of relationship. Or any for that matter." My smile disappeared.

"Skyler. Open the book. Please," Argent asked nicely so I complied with a huff.

"Fine. Fine. But only because I actually tolerate you. And you know, the whole family thing too." I muttered that last part under my breath.

I opened the book on the only folded page and stared down at it confused. And then I glanced at the long mirror against the wall next to me.

And then I looked at everyone in the room before looking back at the book. What on earth is this?

"Can someone explain to me why the hell I'm looking at a bird?"

I turned the book to show them all in case I didn't open it on the right page. Oh, I did. And they kept quiet for me to understand that I did.

"Contrary to everyone's beliefs I actually don't like hearing myself talk this much. So somebody speak!" I yelled while the book flapped with my wavering arms.

I stare back at the picture in fascination this time. Because it's right there. Face to the page. Staring directly at you. But not aggressively. Assertively.

It's bold. But it's still subtle. It's a pretty cool bird.

"It's called a phoenix." Argent finally said.

All eyes were not trained on me. And Parrish's eyes began glowing triggering mine. They all watched me curiously and it spiked my anxiety.

"Is this a new thing we have to battle now? Because I might consider leaving for good now."

I'm not kidding. Please. One beast at a time!

"That day you had a memory unlocked due to the dread doctor's novel. What do you remember?" Gerard asked and I stared at him confused.

"What?"

"Tell me what you remember."

I comply because despite Gerard and his rotting personality along with his age he has what I want:

An explanation. An answer.

"I remember running into a basement. A house. Your house," I began retracing through the memory. "I remember seeing my mom and Tessa fighting. Or hearing it. I remember the man you chained up."

I stopped there because the last part I do remember was being hurt by the man I took pity on.

"I felt drawn to something about him. It was his eyes. His eyes were..." I stopped there.