The Raven and the Viper

Chapter 4 - Who Do You Think You Are?

Those of you who have continued this far I really want to thank you. You people are the ones that I'm truly writing for and it means a lot. Enjoy Chapter 4!

-Love, Sabrina <3

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- Kathrine -

Let's do this!

Walking across the street with our backpacks over our shoulders we feel staring all around us. Everyone probably knew who Alice was but who was I? Well, now. They're about to find out.

Stepping up to the doors we look at each other with wide grins and push open the doors, stepping in a step but stopping for a brief second to add some dramatic affects. As we walk down the hallway the staring intensifies and conversations that were loud and clear die down to whispers.

'Who's the new girl?' 'She's got to be related to Alice, I mean, look at them.' 'Damn, the new girl's hot!' 'Yo, who's she?' and other things can be heard slightly throughout the hallway.

Locker 942, Locker 942, come on where are you? Scanning the halls I find Locker 942 and walk over to it, Alice following closely behind.

"Oh my god, Kat! Look how much attention that got us." She laughs looking around at the lingering faces.

Facing her now after I opened my locker, "Well now, what can I say? We are Vanes after all!" Turning back around a peculiar pair of lingering, glaring, bright blue eyes catch my attention. "Hey, um, Alice?" I begin, slightly pointing to the mysterious boy, "Who's he?"

Alice follows my gaze and tension builds up in her. "That, my dead, is Asher Adams. His parents are rich and practically founded Ridgeview High. He's your typical bad boy with a little extra spice."

Not taking my eyes off of him in this now-staring competition I ask, "What spice? He can't be much of a bad boy compared to us, can he?"

"Kathrine, he, um, h-he," Noticing her stutter I snap back into reality and notice the blue eyes mysterious man approach us. I also see he's not alone. Two boys following on his tail, one foreign to me but the other very familiar. Justin.

"Alice." The boy speaks in a low and deadly tone, not sparing a glance at her to break his on-going stare. "And who might you be?" Ruffling his dark hair back he smirks, trying to gain a hold on me. Sorry, honey, but it's not working. Or is it?

Clearly annoying me, I reply back, "A girl that's way out of you league, hun. Now, how about you, Justin here, and whoever this may be," pointing to the other boy, "scurry off and find some other girl to get hitched to? I think your time would be spent way better on them than wasting mine." I turn my back to him, catching a glimpse of Alice's smirk showing how she enjoyed my witty reply, and put away some materials into my locker.

Closing the door to my locker I turn around seeing that all of the students have clued their eyes on me, mouths open but no sound coming from them. Winding around to the blue eyed bad boy I with-hold my smirk, seeing his confused face. Bet no girl has rejected him until now. Poor dude.

Beginning my way to first period as the bell dings, a hand grips onto my wrist. Jerked back I let out a scream, "What do you want?"

Stepping closer to me, not loosening his grip, he whispers in the softest voice possibly imaginable, "You." Then, he walks away as if nothing happened. What. Who the hell does he think he is? Ignoring what just happened I continue my way to Chemistry.

Room 206, now where are you?

201, 203, 205, oh, 206! I walk through the wide open door and take my seat in the middle of the class, not wanting to be too close to the board but not too far. Seeing as my teacher hasn't arrived yet I pull out my phone and text Alice.

Kathrine/7:09: Why does this Asher guy seem so important?

Alice/7:10: Oh I don't know, maybe because he's rich, hot, and a gang leader?

Kathrine/7:10: Yeah he's rich, average looks, but wait what?!? A gang leader? From which gang?!

After I sent my text a loud commotion enters the classroom. Walking into the room are 2 boys laughing hard at something, running their fingers through their hair. As both pairs of eyes land on me I quickly divert my eyes away and open my notebook.

"Hey there." The blond, hazel eyed one says as he sits next to me. "Cody's my name. What's yours?" Twisting so I could face him properly I look at his features. He's cute. Short blond hair that he seems to constantly run his fingers through, pretty tall height, about 5'11", and blue eyes that you could stare into. They almost remind me of those pretty, special, and jaw-dropping hazel and blue ones that you could get lost in...okay off track. Definitely did not go off track with Asher...

"Hi there, Cody. Congrats! Because you kept your eyes on mine and not anywhere you'll be the first person I tell my name to." I laugh, "Kathrine, Kathrine Vane." Turning to the other boy, brown hair and brown eyes, fairly cute as well, I ask, "And what's yours?"

"Kyle, my name's Kyle." He looks at me with wide eyes as if he's surprised at me.

"So, Kathrine. Any chance you're related to Alice Vane?" Cody questions.

"Yeah, we're actually cousins. You see, I used to live in New York but then I went to go and live with my aunt in Chicago for the past two years. Now I'm back and ready to attack high school." I answer his question with a little more information.

"Oh..." Cody's face saddens.

"What?" I asked, curious.

"We, um, we know, Kathrine. About your parents. Martin and Carolina Vane were...skilled at their jobs. Their passing took a toll on a lot of us." Kyle speaks up. How did these two boys know about my parents and their profession. How much did Kyle and Cody know?

Straightening my face and posture I question directly looking at the chalkboard, "How do you know about my father and mother? How much do you know?"

"Wow, I feel betrayed from Alice. She hasn't told you about us?" Kyle doges the question with another one of his own.

"What you Alice have told me? Who are you two really?" Now questioning coldly.

"Cody Johnson, Miss. Vane. Son of Lance Johnson." Cody introduces himself once more, this time fully.

Kyle doing the same, "And Kyle Payne. Son of Jennifer Payne."

Johnson and Payne? I remember Aunt Letrice talking about Lance and Jennifer. Lance was my dad's trusted adviser after my uncle and Jennifer was my mother's trusted adviser after Aunt Letrice. When I was little I would always play around with Kyle and Cody and Alice since our parent's were always so close. Little did I know.

"Cody? Kyle? As in, the Cody and Kyle Alice and I always hung out with? The ones that would always throw snowballs at me during the winter? I can't believe it!" I shouted with glee.

All of us laughing and rejoicing in our reunion a older male in his late 50s enters the classroom and takes a seat at his desk.

"Hello, students. My name is Mr. Heller and welcome to Chemistry." As he goes on and talks about our lesson plans for this course my phone buzzes. Expecting a text from Alice I open my messages but am surprised when I see an unknown number.

UNKNOWN/7:16: Hello there, Kathrine. Back again I see. It was a bad choice moving back to New York. Guess we'll have to take care of you soon. XOXO - J&L

Please tell me it's not them. Please, please tell me it's not Julie and Liam but then again, life is never fair on my part. Quickly texting back so I don't get into trouble I reply.

Kathrine/7:16: Mess with me once, shame on you. Mess with me twice, you'll see what happens. Try and harm any of my friends or family again and you're end won't only be about vengeance. Not destroying you before leaving was a mistake. This time, so much as even try and irritate me and you'll feel my wrath. XOXO - Vane

They destroyed what was most precious to me. I will get my revenge. One way, or another, I'll make them hurt. Now that I've reunited with Cody and Kyle my path has become much, much smoother. But what of Asher? He won't be in my way, will he? If he wants me, he has to come and get me.