Fire and Ice

Chapter 35: Blackmail

Seth's POV

"Dammit, Seth, watch where you're walking!" another voice echoes through the crowded hallway as I bump into yet another person on my way out and just like all the others I don't offer any sort of apology.

With my head hung low I shove past the crowd toward my car which thankfully I parked in the far spot in the parking lot. The last thing I need is someone trying to speak to me. I don't need nor do I want company, especially from any of these losers. I want Vega... no, I need Vega. I need to see her and be with her. I need to be around her and hold her in my arms but once again certain people are standing in our way.

Why can't we just be together? Why won't they let us? Hasn't this damn war gone on for long enough? Why are fighting anyway?

I can't decide whether it's funny or concerning that I don't know the answer to that simple question. Over the past thousand years, I've been born twice and have lived at least over thirty years combined but I've never found out why the fighting started let alone when it started. I suppose there was a time when I thought the benders were just born to hate each other simply because we're different. But it can't just be that simple, could it?

The roar of a nearby engine snaps me from my internal rant. Glancing at the thick black watch resting on my wrist a small spark of panic rushes through me as I notice all the time that has gone by. Hopping into my car I turn the key bringing it to life.

Speeding down the quiet back roads of Los Angeles I get to my house in no time hopefully still before my mom because I know she'll freak if she gets here and I'm not—

"Where the hell were you, young man!" my mother's voice booms from the now-open doorway.

I wince as I look up at her, despite being at least a whole foot shorter than me she suddenly looks like she can tower over me. Her arms were firmly tucked over her chest and her emerald eyes sharpen with her glare. There are many things in this world that I have learnt you shouldn't mess with and an angry Anastasia King is one of them.

"Sorry, Mom, the parking situation at the school was next level packed?" I nervously mumble as I slowly walk up the small set of steps onto the porch where she's standing in all her furious glory.

Her eyes trained on mine she stand silent most likely contemplating whether my story is complete bullshit or not or maybe just trying to work out how long she should ground me for.

"It was that bad, huh?" she asks.

The calmness in her voice fills me with a sense of ease and I can easily look her in the eye and nod.

"The worst," I scoff.

With her gaze still locked on me she slowly nods before turning around and making her way back into the house. "Oh, Marabella and Carla are coming over for dinner tonight. They'll be here at six."

A low groan slips past my lips and I slump into one of the nearby chairs. "Why God do you hate me so," I cry into my hands.

First I have to wait four weeks to see Vega properly and now I have to sit at a table and deal with that bitch. Today is not my day.

* * * *

Today is not my day, I think as I stand as close to the steps as I can allowing me to safely watch the two demons walk through my front door without being spotted and pulled into any sort of embrace they want to offer.