From the Flames- Book Six

Ch. 2- Family Never Breaks

The restaurant was noisy as a group of Werewolves were drinking and eating as if their life depended on it. The three of us sat in the corner and I caught a few stares from a couple of Vampires that were seating at the bar. I took a sip of my glass of blood while my brother Ace took a bite of his cheeseburger and fries. He and I are able to consume blood and human food combined, it just depended on what we were feeling at the moment. 

Aunt Ellie stayed silent as I finished telling her what I have been doing for months and how Aeson attended the fights with me. I did not get why she wanted to come here knowing our lethal powers. Not only do I have the power of fire, of setting anything ablaze with just my hands but I can read the thoughts of everyone in this room. My brother has ice powers and can sense the emotions of others. We are two different people but we are the same. We are twins and we look alike, as paternal twins do. 

Minutes went by and I was growing restless. I wanted to know if she was going to tell my parents or not. If they found out I was sneaking out to fight dangerous creatures every night, they would literally kill me. I was not about to let that happen. "So, are you going to tell them or not? I think you noticed that we want to go home now."

Ellie's head tilted to the side, smiling. Her raven black hair was in a long braid down her back and her violet eyes brightened in this lighting. "Oh, sweetheart. Why would I do such a thing?" she asked, leaning back in her seat and taking a sip of her blood. "Do you remember how I told you about the first rebellious daughter in the Breevort family? That was me. At least, that is what the history books would say about me. Anyway, those fighting rings were here long before you two were even born. It helped with any kind of creature that needed to handle its aggression and powers. And did it help you, Kala?" 

I was silent for a moment, analyzing the very question she asked me. "Yes, but it doesn't last long." I breathed heavily, hearing the thoughts of everyone in this room as they were my own. "Most times, it helps with other people's thoughts in my head from getting too loud."

"I am not going to ask you if you can read my thoughts because I already knew the answer. Our powers are similar to each other and my own can get too powerful if I let it. I have to find a balance. And I hope you find one too." Ellie turned toward Ace, who was eating a fry. "You too. Emotions can get way out of hand if you let them. Don't let your powers control you if what I am saying."

I rolled my eyes. "You sound just like Mother." 

"No, she does not." Ace said, a bunch of food in his mouth. I tried not to gag. "She is the fun aunt, remember? She used to give us pieces of candy in the middle of the night when we asked for it. Mother would never do that, she worries about us too much." 

"It is because she cares, children." Ellie said. "She cares too deeply about keeping you safe from others and yourselves. It is her job to do so, as it is your father's. They think too much about keeping you safe that it hard for them to see that you can have fun too. C'mon, let's go back home. I am sure they will be thrilled that I have come back."

"Where did you go anyway?" I asked, getting up from the table as Ellie paid for our food. Ace was right beside me, hands in his pockets. He devoured all of his food in one seating. "I told you about my hobby, tell us where you went off to this time."

She laughed. "It was not entirely a vacation. Your parents needed my help tracking down someone and they couldn't get away from their jobs at the moment. But let me speak about more in the castle, I do not want prying ears in our business."

We walked out of the restaurant and I could distantly hear a group of Vampires talking about me and my brother, the halflings that are meant to destroy everything in the world. I shut them out, keeping my eyes straight ahead. Ears on me, sister. I am right next to you. Keep your head held high and we will get through this together. I smiled at my brother. He understood. He always has, no matter how many times we fought. He will always have my back, no matter what. 

It took us a while to get back home, for we wanted to enjoy the nice weather. It was summer and the streets of Ambrosia were packed with vendors of all kinds. This time of the year was great for me but horrible for Aeson. He loves the cold, wintery months where his power is the most powerful during that time. And mine is this time. From trinkets to exotic foods, it has everything. But it was no time to wander, I wanted to take a shower and change into a fresh set of clothes. 

When we got back and opened the door to our home, familiar faces were in the doorway. Their arms were crossed over their chest, disappointment in their eyes. Fuck. I whirled to my aunt, who leaned on the wall with a smirk on her face. "You told them? Why?" 

My parents, the King and Queen of Ambrosia were staring right at me. I am in so much trouble. "Oh, we have a group chat. It is called "OG Royalty" and we update each other on everyone's whereabouts and drama of course. Did you really think I wouldn't tell my brother what his kids are doing without him knowing?"

"I think we need to change that name, I never liked it." Father said. 

"Sebastian!" Mother yelled. "Focus on the task at hand." she turned toward me, her red hair glowing like my fire in the sunlight. "Kalama Alli Breevort, how could you do this? You know how your powers can get out of control."

"Yes, I do know. Everyone here likes to remind me." I grumbled. "You can ground me or whatever, I don't fucking care. I am going to my room and I will see all of you again until I feel like it." 

"There will be no more fighting in those rings. If you want to fight, do it here. Where we can watch you." Father said. He turned toward Aeson. "You have always watched out for her, thank you." 

"I am old enough to do what I want to do and you cannot stop me." I finally said. "I am not your little girl anymore, I am a grown adult. I have trained all my life to control the very thing that might kill me and so far, I have managed it." I stared at my mother, hurt flashed in her eyes. But I know she understood more than anyone else. "Mom, I can handle it. Please, it helps keep the thoughts out of my head."

It took her a moment to say, "Your father and I will talk about it. For now, you need to welcome your cousins and aunt back. Everyone is here and waiting to see you two." 

"We will see them at dinner." Ace said, speaking for me. "Right now, we need to rest. At least, Lama needs to rest for a little bit. She fought a great deal today and kicked some ass like you wouldn't believe." I tried to hide my smile as I watched our family turn their faces into horror at what he said. He is the only person who calls me that for when we were five years old, he forbid anyone to call me Lama except for him. It was his way of telling me that he will always be right beside me. 

Aeson and I walked out of the entryway and upstairs, where our rooms were right across the hall from each other. "You know you hurt their feelings?" he asked when we were out of earshot. "What you said hurt them."

"Sometimes it is for the greater good." I said. "They need to see that we are capable of anything. That when war comes, we can fight. That we can win with just the two of us." 

"They are powerful, too. Do not forget that." he replied. 

I turned to face him, his eyes the color of russet. A mix between gold and black, just like my own. "I'm not an idiot. I could never forget what we come from."

"And what is that? Royalty?"

I curled my lips into a smirk. "Survival. We come from a family that has survived for centuries. And we will not stop now." I turned away from him and went into my bedroom, leaving him in the hallway. 

"You are as dramatic as Father!" he yelled from the other side of the door. 

"And you are as arrogant! Go away!"

I heard him laughing as he went inside his bedroom and shut the door. I laughed slightly as I flopped on my bed and closed my eyes. The blackness of sleep took a hold of me and I did not stop it this time. 

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