The Alchemist

Chapter 2

"What do you mean biological parents?" My mother took a deep breath and grasped my hand.

"Cade have you ever wondered why you were always taller than us? Why your hair is a light brown shade while Nicolas's and my hair is a pitch black shade? Why your skin has a deep olive complexion, and ours are paler than snow? It's the little things Cade. We aren't your birth parents. We love you, but you are someone else's child."

"Why would you keep this from me?"

"It was for your own safety. Your parents requested that we never tell you about your heritage until it became absolutely necessary. We knew something had changed within you when Landon was taken, but we didn't realize your powers were coming in. They shouldn't have come in so soon."

"Is Landon my biological brother?" Jean smiled.

"Well, he is not your blood-brother, but you are family to one another," I raised an eyebrow in confusion. Jean looked off into space as if she was remembering something important.

"Do you believe in the supernatural world? Do you believe in creatures such as vampires, werewolves and witches?" I looked at her with a humorous look.

"You mean the creatures in Twilight? If so, then no." I chuckled. I mean of course I had read those fictional stories when I was younger. Of course I wanted more than anything to have a soulmate. I even prayed for the longest time, even though I wasn't religious, that maybe one day my "vampire soulmate" would come and take me away. I wanted more than anything in the world to be loved. But reality caught up with me when Landon was taken. No one could save me from that pain. I couldn't find it in me to love anyone any longer. I locked my heart away in a thick silver cage so I couldn't be hurt like that again.

He was more than a brother to me. He was my protector, my best friend and it broke me into little pieces when he was taken. Don't get me wrong I had grown to love Jean and Nicolas, they treated me as one of their own. But I always knew something was off. When I made varsity as a freshman for basketball, they only showed up to a few of my games. Same thing with softball. But when Landon made the varsity football and baseball teams, they showed much more attention his way. I excelled in my academics, along with my athletics. I was social, yet I never had any best friends. Unlike Landon. Landon was the guy that every girl wanted, he was Prom King and the star player of the football team.

Of course I got attention in school, probably more than the average student. Though it was never as much as Landon got. I was never jealous of him. He treated me like an angel. He was always my biggest fan, motivator and believer. I loved him. I only wish that it was me that was taken instead of him. It was so sudden when it happened. He was picking me up from one of my basketball open gyms. When he picked me up we went home, had dinner, took our showers and went to bed. I woke up the next morning to get Landon up, and he wasn't in his bed. I started to worry, so I asked Nic if he stayed up late to finish some homework. Nic told me that he went to bed at the same time as I did. We called 911 after a couple hours, sadly they claimed that he 'disappeared without a trace.'

"Not necessarily how they are portrayed in those books and movies. But in theory yes, the creatures in Twilight." I widened my eyes when I realized that she was serious.

"Those are just myths, mere fairytales you told me about when I was little to try and scare me to sleep. You don't have to lie to me anymore.  Just tell me the truth."

"Honey that is what I'm trying to do. I guess I should start from the beginning, before you were born. Your biological parents, Scarlette and Orin, have been alive for a long time." I held my hand up towards her.

"Where is this going? Because if you are trying to scare me or something, it's not going to work." Jean sighed.

"Quit interrupting me and I will tell you." I nodded and Jean laced her hands together.