Fates Intertwined

41. | Eclectic

The girl standing beside Evelyn, shook her head with a small laugh. "No. My name's Madison."

"Madison is my niece's girlfriend, and she helps keep things in check online. She's also exceptional at design." Evelyn explained.

Aurora was shocked. She looked so alike to Octavia, it was uncanny.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, she thought to herself. But then her gaze drew on a birthmark peeking out from the collar of her jacket.

"You're an Aveyard." Aurora whispered. Which made no sense, considering Octavia ended the Aveyard bloodline.

Zyran stepped up beside Aurora. "Why don't we stop making assumptions about people, yeah?"

"No, look." She pointed. "That birthmark is the Aveyard family crest. All Aveyards have them." She explained. Madison's brows furrowed and her hand flew to the birthmark on the side of her neck.

Lina sighed exasperatedly. "It's just a dot. Why does everything have to be a thing with you?" She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

"Because I've seen it." She hissed, their eyes widening. "I've memorized that birthmark; you haven't." She turned to Evelyn. "Do you have a library? One with history books of Esme's family and the wars they've been in?"

"Uh, yeah. How do you know Esme?" Evelyn's brows furrowed.

"I was friends with her." She explained. "Back long before the fall of Solaris."

The door behind them burst open. "Babe, we're back-" A man stopped in the doorway, holding a brown haired toddler in his arms, her hair in pigtails, and a boy at his side.

"Hi, Mom!" The boy grinned, running to Evelyn. His hair was blond and he looked like a carbon copy of Evelyn. "Who are your friends?"

"This is Aurora, a friend of Grandma's, and her friends." She explained, running her hands through his curly hair.

Evelyn's husband appeared at her side, handing the little girl over to Evelyn. "Who are they?" He asked, pressing a kiss to her temple and then her lips.

"Aurora and her friends. Came to tell me about Van Helsing." She explained.

"Who?"

"The man who's been tracking us down and trying to kill us just to get his hands on Aurora." Lina answered for her, attitude lacing every word. "You have the military we need to stop him from ever getting Aurora under his thumb and using her for world domination."

"World domination?" Evelyn quirked a brow. Aurora glanced at her feet.

"What power do you have?" Madison asked, looking directly at Aurora.

"I don't know." She answered honestly. "I have...magic...but I don't understand it."

Madison handed the iPad over to Oliver and walked to her, grabbing her wrists. Immediately, she was sucked into her mind, a flash of memories rushing forward. Aurora ripped her hands free, stepping back as Madison gasped.

"Aurora." Zyran rushed to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm- I'm fine." She stammered, staring at Madison.

"You're an Eclectic." Madison whispered.

Nara poked her head around Lina. "What the hell is an Eclectic?"

"It's a type of witch that originates in Europe. Their magic is powerful, and it balances between light and dark." She explained.

"That explains why her magic is so bright." Eric commented, bouncing his shoulders.

"Who are your parents?" Madison asked, eyebrows scrunched.

"I don't know my parents. I've been on my own since I was a baby." She answered.

"Okay..." Evelyn stepped away, handing her daughter over and grabbing Madison's shoulders. "I'm getting a headache-"

"You and me both." Eric murmured, rubbing his temple.

"-and our guests smell like B.O., so why don't you show them to the guest quarter?" She smiled at Madison, guiding her to the group of four. "I'll give you all time to freshen up with new clothes, and I'll send a guard to come collect you to continue this little chat." She smiled at them. "Aurora, follow me."

She nodded, following her.

"Rory-" Zyran called.

"I'll be fine." She assured him. He looked ready to say more, but she walked off.

"Relax, brother," Eric said as they followed Madison out. "She's not gonna kill her."

"That's not comforting." He glanced at him. Eric only shrugged.

Evelyn walked to Oliver, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "I'll be right back." She assured, pressing a kiss to her daughter's temple and ruffling her son's hair.

"I'll take these two to get freshened up since they've been in the heat." He told her, and she nodded.

"Let's go, Aurora." Then they were walking out the side door to a hallway.