The Beautiful and Divine

Chapter Seventeen: Days Are Numbered

I get off the couch, "I have to go home now. My parents will kill me if I'm not." I explain looking to Edward and Jade.

"Be safe." Jade smiles, Edward nods in agreement.

I walk over to the front door twisting the metal handle, pushing it open. Making my way back up the empty poorly lit sidewalk, I pull my thin hoodie closer. The light footsteps are all that fill the cooling air I feel like someone is watching me. Only being me, I'm too scared to check for myself. In a flash I'm pinned against a wall, someone has an iron grip on my upper arm.

My eyes travel up to see the face of this attacker, my big brother what is he doing?

"What were you doing at the Styles' house?" The eldest sibling of mine growls, "Talking and hanging out with them and a girl what's it to you?" I answer.

"I told you, even mom and dad! We have told you no talking or associating with them. They are our enemies and have been for centuries." Black snorts, "This is a warning the first and the last one you'll get. Protect our family and stay away from the Styles' children." he finishes.

"What's the big deal? Neither brother has attacked or harmed me, so it's fine. If the brothers know who I am, they don't seem to care." I defend yanking my arm away from my older brother, "If those wolves come anywhere near our home turf all bets are off." he steps back fixing his suit.

I hold my bruising arm, glaring back at the oldest Andrew. He runs off, shifting into his black leopard form. Leaving me standing alone in the darkness, I know in the past the Styles' wolves have killed many of my family members. Whether it be my great grandfather or great-great-great aunt, I believe it was out of defense. Our fellow kin always attacks first forcing them to retaliate.

So I get the Styles' family crest "Cavete a canibus." (Beware of the dogs.). Ours is quite different "Simul astu et dentibus utor." (I use my cunning and my teeth simultaneously.). All the ancient Styles family did was stop injustice from happening. We have tried to kill their babies less than twenty-four hours after they were born. Who is the real bad guy here, I have denied my family name and heritage?

I have nothing to be proud of, in fact, I have rid myself of the tainted name. Why I call myself Andrew Biersack not Andrew Black like my brother. The youngest of us goes by Andy Sixx for he feels the same way. I hate everything my old name stood for, the murder of innocence. Luckily I wasn't even an idea when that happened, for much would have been different if I was.

Many of those children would still be alive to tell the tale of how a 'Black' saved their lives. Even though it shouldn't have to be that way, I sigh heavily. I jog the rest of the journey home, making it back just before eight. Reaching the front door of my white and green painted two story house, I open the door pushing it inward. Stepping inside I'm greeted by my youngest brother, who walks up to hug me.

I return the embrace, picking Sixx up off the ground slightly. Placing him back down, I needed that the world just blows for me. I walk into the dining room, seeing everyone sitting around the round table. Oh great lecture time and my baby brother doesn't know unless Black already told him. I know for a fact my older brother got home before I did.

I tread carefully, walking over to the table and sitting down. Sixx senses the tension and follows suit, taking a seat beside me. The moments of silence are agony as we all wait for somebody to say something. My father gives the signature death glare making me swallow hard. I know I'm not going to be the one to say something so I shall wait.