Annaveri

Chapter 12

"Seven years, close to that big 10... that will be very useful in the future... since I can't leave you here, you will have to come with me..." Ypolous looked at Siopi, who leaned heavily on the wall gazing out the window, thinking hard. He remembered everything Siopi had said to him when they first met. At the time he was so gentle and soft, now that all these events has taken place he isn't the same. His words are more harsh and stern. His posture is more stiff and his eyes cold. His heart seemed to just disappear, but why? Siopi looked down at him. "Why such a sad look, Ypolous?" He asked. Ypolous looked away and frowned. "Are we going to be ok? All of us?" He asked. Sio sighed softly and walked over to him. His tail flicked and he lowered his head more as Sio gently patted between his horns. "You need to stop worrying about us, we will all be alright. And if push comes to shove, I have a plan that will protect us all."

"A plan..? For what?"

"Well, too keep us all safe of course."

"From what? Is someone after us?"

"It is too late for you to be asking these type of questions. Unlike the great Siopi, you need sleep."

"I heard C.J. and Zekke arguing earlier... are they mad at each other again?"

"No, goodnight Ypolous. Find Jeznee and tell her tuck you in." He turned Ypolous around and gently pushed him. "I will see you in the morning." He reassured. Ypolous nodded, and went to find Jeznee. Soon after, the soft clicking of small heels and a cane echoed in the halls. Siopi closed his eyes and sighed hard. "No one came to have dinner with me! I worry that all of you are saddened." Aiden spoke up. Siopi didn't turn to him, but stood still and raised his head. "Sorry about that, it truly slipped my mind."

"Ah no worries, are you all settling in alright?"

"Getting there."

"Say, Siopi is it? When was the last time you've returned to your homeland?"

"Huh? Why do you ask?" A gentle smile appeared on Aiden's soft, pale lips. "If only you knew what has become of it.~" He spoke lowly. Siopi tensed at his words, and tried to find some of his own. Millions of thoughts races through his head. Aiden sighed and shook his head gently as he walked passed him. "I hope for the best for you...London bridge is falling down... falling down... falling down..." He began to sing. "My fair... lady..."

The morning sun shone brightly on the dining table. Plates and silverware clinked against each other, the tea and coffee warming their cold bases. Aiden folded down his news paper and set it aside, as Isabella served his breakfast. Everyone else was served too. "Good morning to you all, hoped everyone slept well? Oh- mmh, I see we are missing three?" He spoke. Everyone looked around at each other and the three empty chairs. C.J., Zekke, and Siopi were missing. "Christapher and Ezekkeyiel are out sparing in the backyard next to the garden. Siopi seems to be still asleep." Isabella answered. Aiden nodded and sipped on his tea. "It's a little early for sparing, isn't it?" He asked.

"They had another disagreement, and before things got physical inside I pulled them both outside. They shall settle it out soon." Outside, both C.J. and Zekke panted hard as they stood in front each other, half beaten, but too prideful to stop. Both had refreshing smiles on their faces, as if their itchiness for a fight was fulfilled. Scratches and bruises marked their bodies, but neither wanted to give in. "How 'bout this, if you win, I will let you go freely. I won't stop you at all, shit, I'll even help you. But if I win, you have to tell me everything there is about yourself, and you can't lie. On top of that, you have to stay and help everyone with their goals before you can finish yours, got it?" Zekke growled. She gave a small laugh, and smiled harder. "Oh Zekke, if you only knew how dumb you are. Without any weapons you know I can't kill you. You make these deals nearly impossible. But you gotta admit, I've gotten farther than last time. I fight so much with you for a reason, look at that, your nose is bleeding!" Zekke wiped his nose with his thumb and looked at it. His black blood dripped from it, and more fell from his nose. Shocked, he looked up at her. "Surprised? You're the one bleeding now, baby.~" She teased. Zekke's smile returned devilish. "It's a serious turn-on how a human woman could have power like you do, Mama. But that will never be enough.~" He licked the blood from his hand and tightened his fist. His eyes turned black and his fangs enlarged, and before she knew it, he had her pinned to the ground by her neck. The world spun around her as she tried to comprehend what happened. Zekke knelt down beside her, his hand around her neck. "I hope you know you will be stuck with me forever, Chris." He whispered to her. She let out a shaky breath that she had been holding, and looked up into his eyes. "You win..." She mumbled. He grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled her up, but she stumbled and fell to her knees. Zekke looked at her sternly. "Get up, I barely hit you." He instructed. She gripped her sides tightly and began to groan. "F-Fuck..! I'm burning...! My insides are burning something is wrong!" She yelled. Now panicked and confused, Zekke picked her up and ran inside the manor. His screams for Siopi echoed in the home. "SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH C.J.!" He yelled. She screamed in agony and began to grow pale. "It feels like I-I'm being r-ripped apart..!" She cried. Siopi raced down the steps, and everyone circled around the two. "What have you done?!" Siopi yelled. "What's going on?!" Aiden asked. "I-I don't know! We were playing around a-and she collapsed a-and an-nd she says shes burning w-w-what do I do please-" Siopi silenced Zekke.