Chasing the Sun

13

I was sitting at my vanity, attempting to drudge up some sort of excitement for the ball tonight but I was coming up short. My hair was piled upon my head in a mass of ringlets and waves, a glittery gold barret was somehow keeping it all together. A knock on my door startled me, causing me to smudge my eyeliner.

"Come in," I called with an irritated huff as I tried to fix the mistake.

Asher poked his head in and my already bad mood plummeted. He entered my room with a hesitancy I didn't recall him ever having before. I set down the makeup tools and turned to face him fully.

"How can I help you, Asher?" I asked formally.

"Your grandmother said the car would be here in ten minutes. I just came to see if you were ready to go." He said.

"I'm almost done." I told him, turning back to face the mirror.

I fixed my eye makeup and grabbed the necklace sitting amidst the makeup and hair products. I fumbled with the clasp of the necklace and just as I was about to give up in frustration, I felt warm fingers gently take the necklace from my hands and fasten it around my neck. I didn't want to be affected by him but I couldn't help it. I closed my eyes, reigning in these confusing emotions.

"Thanks." I muttered.

"Anytime." He murmured.

"I'll uh meet you downstairs." I just needed him out.

"Sage, I-" he started then stopped himself, shaking his head. "I'll see you downstairs."

With an odd sort of look on his face, Asher exited my room. I huffed out a sigh and buried my face in my hands. The next few months were going to be anything but easy. I stood up and slipped on some heels and left my room. I saw Alexia coming out of her own room and paused at the stairs.

"You look beautiful." I said when she reached me.

She blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you."

The boys were waiting at the foot of the stairs as we descended. Asher was making a point to look everywhere but at me. I shot him a glare before taking the arm Diego offered me. Grandmother came out of the kitchen adjusting her necklace and Asher chivalrously offered her his own arm. All linked up, we made our way out of the house to the limousine waiting for us. Jason let out an appreciative whistle before sliding into the car. Once we were all in, the driver tore down the street, racing to the ball.

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I sipped languidly on my third glass of wine, I was already sick of this ball and we'd only been here for fifteen minutes. Grandmother had whirled off into the crowd as soon as we'd arrived, disappearing to go mingle. I headed straight for the open bar, the others following close behind me.

"Can we have some wine?" Jason asked.

"You're sixteen." I said.

"So?" He shot back.

I glanced at Asher who simply shrugged. "Go for it." I said.

"Cool." He and Alexia got some red wine and left to find younger people.

I glanced around the room, searching for Sybil. I knew she would be here, biding her time before cornering me. Upon spotting her, I tossed back the rest of my wine and ordered another. I was quickly making my way through it when she approached me. I nudged Diego and nodded toward Sybil. He got the hint and led Asher away.

"Sybil." I greeted when she finally reached me.

"Ms. Flores." She returned.

"What fresh hell have you come to bring me?" I asked overly pleasant.

"You know I really do not care for your attitude," she said with a sniff, "Anyhow, I've just come by to ask you how the twins' training is coming along?"

"It's coming along quite nicely. Because-and you're old so I forgive you for forgetting-this is my job and I'm damn good at it."

"Ms. Flores, I know this is your job. But you can't expect us to simply forget about your history."

"How many times do I need to prove myself to you? I made a mistake when I was young-who hasn't?" I snapped.

"Watch your tone, Ms. Flores. I am your superior and I will be treated with the respect that demands." She glared at me with those beady grey eyes of hers. "To answer your question, you will continue to prove yourself to me until there is no shadow of a doubt in my mind that you are to be trusted-however long that takes."

A soft growl slipped through my snarled lips. I had done everything for this woman and continue to do so and yet- I took a deep breath, calming myself, finding my center.

"Fine, Sybil. Continue to make me jump through your hoops. I'll pass all your tests with flying colors and eventually you're going to have to accept that I know what the hell I'm doing and that I'm good at it." I smirked at her. "Probably even better than you."

I downed the rest of my wine and walked away from her without a backwards glance. I could feel her boiling rage and I cackled inwardly. I hated that woman with an indescribable passion. I made my way over to the alcove that Diego and the others had sequestered themselves into. Diego put a comforting arm around my shoulders, giving me a gentle squeeze.

"Who was that woman?" Jason asked.

"The devil herself." I muttered darkly.

Diego chuckled. "That's Sybil. She's the head of the Council and she created the Elites-they're kind of the supernatural FBI. Sage and Asher here are Elites."

"So she's your boss." Jason summed up.

"She's the bane of my existence, a bitch from the deepest darkest parts of hell. Honestly if she's not actually Lilith, she's gotta be her daughter." I glared in the general direction of the Bitch.

"Who's Lilith?" Jason asked. He was so curious and talkative while Alexia was so quiet.

"Lilith is the mother of demons." I answered.

"Do you hate her too?" This was directed at Asher.

"I have no reason to." He replied.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms against my chest. "Just know that she's a bitch and-"

"And not someone to mess with." Asher cut me off. "I don't hate her because I don't do anything to give her a reason to dislike me."

"She wasn't always so kind to you." I muttered.

"Sorry what was that?" Asher asked pointedly.

"I didn't say anything." I said innocently.

Asher narrowed his eyes at me and was about to say something in return when a loud BOOM shook the ballroom. The room went dark and that's when people started screaming.