Lost Soul

Secrets

Ash was glaring intently at Elijah, while Sebastian tried to muffle his laughter. Elijah folded his arms across his chest, and raised an eyebrow.

"I just wanted to know if my sister made a contract. That's all."

"You could have just asked! Now get out. Both of you." Ash gestured to hallway, rage prominent in his voice.

Elijah sauntered out of the room, and follows his sisters light peony and vanilla scent to the music room. He peeked into the room, and saw Celine standing in front of the window. She didn't move or call out, so he silently walked around the room, thinking.

"I know you're there, Elijah." Celine brushes her hair aside, and sits on the window sill. She pats the empty space beside her, and Elijah walks over and sits down. Celine takes a deep breath, and sits up straight.

"I'm not saying I believe that you're my brother, and I'm not saying I fully trust you. But, I'm willing to give you a second chance, if you like." Elijah's face breaks into a huge grin, and he embraces his sibling in a bone-crushing hug.

"Thank you, Celine. It means a lot." He lets go of Celine, who looks startled and disgruntled.

"It's no big deal, but, please hold back on the hugging and such." She stands up, and 'looks' out the window again. Suddenly, a wave of grief and despair washed over her, along with vertigo. Celine becomes nauseous, and falls to her knees.

"Ellie?" Elijah glanced at her, worried.

"Er-I'm fine....I think. Just tired, that's all." She manages a meek smile, and another wave of vertigo washes over her. Celine rises to her feet, rushes out the door out to the balcony, and retches. Elijah runs to his sister, and holds back her hair.

When she finished, Elijah picked Celine up, and carried her to her room. Celine's eyes were sunken, and her was skin waxy. He knocked on the door, and looked at the small, slightly shaking frame of his last family member. The door opens, and Ash stares at Elijah, then Celine.

"What did you do to her?" His voice was slow and dangerous.

"I didn't do anything! We were talking, and she just suddenly fell to the floor!" Elijah readjusts his hold on his sister, and Celine's head lolls against his chest. Ash looks at her waxy skin, and reaches out for her. Elijah hands her over, unwillingly. He watches how Ash carefully places her on the bed, and puts a hand to her forehead. He pulls back, clicking his tongue.

"What?" Elijah storms to his sisters bedside, and glares at Ash.

"She's sick. Probably from when she ran away the other night." Elijah sweatdrops, and Celine sits up.

"One; I could have walked, and two; I'm not sick." She crosses her arms, and glares ahead defiantly.

Ash and Elijah look at each other, and they too cross their arms.

"Yes you are." Elijah sits on the edge of the bed, and smiles apologetically.

"Sorry, Ellie, but I actually agree with him. You're sick." Celine huffs, and tries to get out of bed. Ash puts a hand on her shoulder, holding her back.

"You need rest. You won't get any better by staying up late." She crinkles her nose, and lies back into the pillows. Elijah pulls the covers over her, and ruffles her hair.

"G'night, Ellie." He and Ash walk out of the room, a stony silence between them.