Zodiac Academy: New Gen

Tarin Chapter 20

2 months later

I look down at Elara, who is lying with her head on my lap as we sit under a tree on campus. She is reading a book while I'm reading a pitball sport illustrated. "My mom wants us to go to the council ball tonight" I say, breaking the silence. Elara looks up at me, smiling "sure its been a while since I've seen my dads.". "Great well leave here about 6" I say, looking back at my magazine.

We get dressed and meet in our hallway, Rygar left this morning back home to help dad with some business matters. I wanted to wait here with Elara so we could go to the party together. Elara walks out in this amazing maroon long dress, and her hair is pulled back in the loose half up half down. I went with this suit my mom had sent over all black. "You look amazing" I say, kissing Elara. "I don't know why I am so nervous right now. I guess it might be because I havent been back to your house since the Holliday party. And now we are going back as a couple" she says, playing with her hands. "El you were already a part of the family. Nothing changes" I say, grabbing her chin.

We make it to my house in no time. I come around and open Elaras' door, helping her out. She looks around like she hasn't been there in years but then turns and smiles. We walk up the stairs and are greeted immediately by servants. We follow them into the ballroom where music is already serenading the others.

"Elara!" I hear Caleb and Seth say as they come running over, gripping her in a hug. " Can't breathe" she squeaks out, making them let go. "Tarin" Caleb says, grabbing my hand and shaking it. We all stand there awkwardly for a minute before my mom walks over. "Tarin Elara!" she says, pulling us both in for a hug. While still embracing us, she whispers "I just knew you too would find eachother" she says, pulling back and smiling. We go around the room hugging and greeting the others before we come across Gabrielle.
"Gabrielle!"she practically scream, jumping into his arms. "Little vampire!" he says, bringing me in for squeeze. "How has school been going?" he asks, putting her down and shaking my hand. "I see this finally happened!" he continues pointing between us. "You knew this would happen?" she asks, giving him a look. "Come on, Elara, you doubt me?" he says laughing. She shakes her head, smiling and then grabbing my hand.

We go about the norm of the party dancing and drinking. The servants come in to announce that dinner is ready, leading us all into the dining room.  I grab Elaras' hand, pulling her into the room. She pauses before I can pull her any further stairing into a corner of the room. "Hey you okay?" I ask in a soft whisper so others around don't hear. She doesn't hear me she is locked into that corner of the room. I pull at her arm, finally snapping her out of wherever she was. "Are you okay?" I ask, looking at her. "Yeah I thought I saw something, but it was nothing" she says, smiling at me. We continued to walk into the room, and the only seats open were right next to Rygar. Elara grabs a seat in the middle of him, and I, giving him a soft smile as she sits down.

The meal comes, and everyone around us is talking. I give a couple glances to Elara to make sure that she is okay still. She is smiling with Rygar as they are talking to the side. I turn back to my plate, joining in on a conversation to my right with Lance. "I definitely think we can go undefeated this year." Lance says, cutting his food. "Yeah I think we have the best team yet" I say, looking to the other dads who I know that will upset. "You know we were pretty damn good." My dad throws in.

I hear from next to me "El are you okay?" Rygar says. I turn to see Elara in the trance staring straight ahead. "El?" I say, shaking her. She keeps her staring straight ahead. "Elara?!" Caleb yells from across the room. "Whats wrong with her?" Axel adds in as the room is now focused on her. Gabrielle shoots up and runs over. "Tell me what you're seeing, kid," he whispers to her. Without breaking her stair, she starts to explain what she is seeing to Gabrielle. "I see Lionel. He wants me to set him free." she says, pausing drawing a gasp from my mom and dad. "He is very upset that I am telling you this." she whispers so only Gabrielle and I can hear. "Elara you are stronger than him pull away." Gabrielle says to her as he puts a hand on her shoulder. "He says if I deny him someone is coming." Elara says, shuddering. "Come on babe" I say, trying to add in. She stays, looking straight ahead. "Elara please" Rygar says, trying to help grabbing her other hand. Elara closes her eyes, and a tear rolls down her cheek as she turns to Rygar, breaking out of the trance.

She looks around the table, landing her eyes on my mom and dad. "I think you guys are in danger" she says, letting out a soft sob.my parents look ag each other before looking to Aunt Darcy and Uncle Lance. "Elara we should go outside" Gabrielle says, pulling at her arm. I stand up with them, Rygar following in tow.

"Are you okay, El?" I ask as we are outside. She hugs me, staying locked in. "When did you start seeing the dead again?" Rygar asks stepping up. Elara takes a step back, looking to Gabrielle. "The night I was locked in the closet" she says, looking down. "El I'm so sorry!" Rygar says, stepping forward. Before he could reach her, I stepped in front of him, stopping him from going any further.

Before him and I have a chance to exchange any words, Elara throws her hand on her head kneeling on the ground. "Elara what is happening" Gabrielle asks, grabbing her arm. " The voices, they are going crazy" she pushes out, still gripping her head. I try to run to her side, but I am met by a wall of magic, which pushes me away. Rygar and I exchange looks at each other before standing up and trying again. We are met with another blast, sending them backward. Gabrielle stands up and looks over his shoulder, I try and look over and see what he is looking at. I see a woman approach him and Elara. "El!" I shouted out, stepping up to the magical force field, careful not to touch it. The woman restrains Gabrielle with earth magic as Elara stands up. Elara and the woman exhange a moment of words before Elara starts to follow the woman without any hesitation or force. Before she enters the forest she turns around, All I see in her eyes is black, no blue left. I shouted her name again "Elara!" I yell.

All the parents come rushing out of the house before they realize what is happening. The woman and Elara are gone.

"What happened??" Caleb asks, running past us, helping Gabrielle up. I look to Rygar for help. "A woman came put a magic field around Gabrielle and Elara. We couldn't touch it. She then restrained Gabrielle, and Elara went with her." Rygar says for me. "There was something different about Elara." I say, looking into the forest.

"What do you mean?" My mom asks as she steps towards us. "Her eyes were black" I say, meeting my moms eyes. My mom turns to look at the others. "Are you sure?" she asks, turning back to me. "Yes" I say confidently. "We need to find her before it's too late." Lance says as he steps up towards Gabrielle. "It might already be too late." Gabrielle says, looking at Lance.