Masked

XIII

"Michael please explain to me why Lacie wants to become like one of us?" Amelia whispered to me after Lacie had told her our discussion.

"She doesn't want to grow old and die while I can keep on living Amelia."

Amelia looked at me with understanding, "oh. Well that changes everything doesn't it? When do we start?"

I was taken by surprise but hid my excitement, "I want to get the supplies today so we can start by tomorrow."

"Okay sounds good to me. What do we need?"

"Moonshine and a full moon, which will be tomorrow night. So now we just need to get the liquid which you can get from any running waterfall."

Amelia went to get some water for me in a tiny glass vile as I found Lacie and told her about our plan.

"Really? You won't need your parents here?"

"Well since I'm the oldest and sorta know what happens, I think I'll be able to change you," which didn't come out as reassuring as I wanted.

Lacie giggled her what used to be cute, but now sexy and irresistible laugh, "sounds good to me."

"Great. We'll get the moonshine today and give it to you tomorrow when the moon is in the middle of the sky."

"Okay Lace, are you ready?" I asked her as we watched for the moon to continue traveling through the sky.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied and seemed a bit nervous.

"You'll be fine Lace, don't worry."

 She nodded and took the moonshine from my hand before slurping it down without any difficulty. Lacie didn't even think twice about what she had done until she screamed. I felt goosebumps travel all across my body as Lacie stopped screaming to not blow our cover and dug her nails into her palm.

That's when I heard the bones snapping and started going towards her as she writhed in pain.

Amelia grabbed my wrist, "there's nothing you can do for her now Michael except wait."

I nodded, knowing she was right and watched as Lacie struggled to breathe. She was hunched over as her shoulder blades started rippling. Blood began trailing down her white skin before I realized what was happening. It was all around her shoulders before ceasing as her wings slowly sprouted out from her shoulder blades.

Amelia looked at each other then towards Lacie. Amelia had light silver wings, and mine were black depending upon gender and age I think it was. I would probably have to look that up again though on the computer.

I looked back at Lacie and saw her angelic white wings that looked fragile and translucent.

"Wow Lace you look... amazing," I said as she lay on the ground still not moving a muscle.

I heard her barely audible whisper ask, "is it over with?"

"Yes, you can get up now."

She slowly got to her feet and looked at Amelia's reaction then mine.

"Is something wrong?" she turned around, her black hair shimmering in the moonlight.

"I've never seen someone who looks this gorgeous when they finish the change," Amelia said looked at Lacie with envy and awe.

Lacie went over to the water and examined herself.

"Well I still look the same don't I, except for the wings," she looked at me as if I were going to disapprove of her new look.

"Lacie you look even better as a gargoyle, than human."

Once I said that I was worried she might be insulted but she simply smiled and said, "thanks."

"Okay lovebirds, let's go so Mark and Liliana don't find out,"

"Don't find out about what?"

All three of us gasped and turned to see my parents.

"Mark, Liliana... how did you?"

"Like we've told you before, we're excellent trackers."

"Lacie you didn't!" Liliana yelled and looked directly at me accusingly.

"I guess I shouldn't have to ask who did this to you."

"Liliana listen to me,"

"No Michael I won't. You ran away with your girlfriend and sister, and you've changed her into a creature that her parents experiment on. If she goes home, she'll be killed! You have no idea what you have just now started for her."

I stared at Lacie as she met my eyes with her hair swirling around her face.

"Liliana, Mark, I told Michael to do this. I knew the consequences for this decision... but I couldn't bear the realize that I would die, and your son, who I love with all my heart would potentially live for eternity."

If it had any effect on the two of them, they hid it.

"Lacie we're taking you home to your parents and I'm sorry if they kill you. You didn't deserve this life that we have," my dad looked at me, "as for you and Amelia. You are both grounded for life and will have serious consequences for disobeying us."

I stared at my father and shook my head, how unfair could he be!

"No Mark, you don't understand. I love Lacie so much that I will break out of my room when we leave her and come to her rescue. I don't care how many punishments you give me. It will never change my feelings for Lacie."

 Mark and Liliana looked at me, expressionless. I saw my mom's mouth open, "well Michael I hope you enjoy disappointment."

"Liliana that's not fair!" Amelia yelled before looking at Lacie then at the sky.

It was a great idea but Lacie didn't know how to fly yet...

'Well here goes nothing,' I thought as all three of us shot into the sky and began flying away from my parents.

"Goodbye Liliana and Mark, hello freedom!" we all chorused and laughed.

"Where do we go from here?" Lacie said as she figured out the rhythm to flapping her wings.

"No idea. As long as it's away from here. Eventually they'll come to their senses."

The next minute went by in a blur and I have no idea what exactly came first. Something came flying out of nowhere and hit Lacie before striking me and Amelia.

"Michael help me!" Lacie screamed as she started plummeting faster and faster towards the ground.

I struggled to follow her but was hit again and fell sideways, landing by Amelia who was gasping heavily.

"Lacie!" I cried but wasn't able to utter another sound after.