The Continuous

Part 2 Chapter 31: Help

I glared at Ben, "Well I wasn't the only one with a scandal Ben," I said, raising my eyebrows.

"Let's not dig up old wounds shall we?"

"You started it."

"I merely came to offer my help...after all... we were family at one point," he said with a smirk.

I scoffed, "Family...what a beautiful family we were," I began to smile, "It's why it makes me so happy, every time I think about your cousin...dead."

"Yes, well...he was of a different...breed shall we say."

I let out a deep sigh "Leave, I have nothing more to say. As for your offer...I'll think about it."

"That's not good enough, I need a guarantee to leave," he said.

"No guarantee, I said I'll think about it, that's as much as I'm willing to offer."

"Fine, for now anyway. I also came to give you this," he said, handing me a pearl bracelet with metal links on both ends.

"What's this?"

"The key for the rooms, we have decided that the rooms will remain in mutual ground. No one will harm you there."

"How generous,' I said with my eyebrows up.

"Where are you staying Emerald?"

"With a friend," I said blankly.

"What friend, Monica said you refused to make any connection in this life."

"She's right, I guess I should start changing that though, seeing as I'm not coming back."

"So much confidence, let's see how long that lasts you when you're up against all those of the two houses and me," he said walking closer to me and leaning into my face.

I stared into his eyes, "What are you not telling me, Ben? What is it you know?"

A smile started to form on his face, "Much...like exactly how many Blessings remain...how many of us will get to break our curse. But of course, all this information is only available to my partners, those who want my help."

"Anything else that I might offer for that information?" I said putting my hand out to push him away from me.

He shook his head, "I'll call you when I have what I promised you, maybe then you'll want to accept my help."

"You mean maybe then you'll have even more to offer me? Why not just force me to help you?"

"My powers are a reflection of my parents, I try to be different from them...I suggest you do the same."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I said offended.

"Simply Emerald, that you are more like your father than you realize. Perphase it's because you didn't know him for the first part of your life that you fail to realize how similar your behavior is."

"Well...after three tries I'm glad he got what he wanted," I said.

He began to walk out of my room before turning to say, "I'll see you at school tomorrow Emerald."

"YOU WHAT!"

"Well what did you think was going to happen, Ahati tells us that you already managed to find a Blessing. This news only adds more to the assurance that your powers are the key to breaking the curse. You are everyone's...golden ticket," he said with a smirk.

"So much for not digging up old wounds."

"You're right, my bad...let me make it up to you," he once again walked closer to me, putting his face closer to mine, "7."