The Deception

Chapter 13

1971, Flamel Castle

My Dearest Older Sister,

I hope this letter alleviates any tension or scorn that has been because of me, I hope you find yourself in good health and spirits. I know you must be anxious about whereabouts and what I have been up to these eleven years, though I am not at liberty to say my quest has so far been both annoying and a joy. I have learned so much these past years, about myself, the world around me and about different people and how they work, you would be most surprise by the lack of tack, mindlessness and utterly outrageous outspokenness people have here, it is honestly a miracle I haven't blasted anyone to bits.

This coming fall everything will change, and no I will not be returning home, at least not yet, I know mother said I would be gone a decade but plans have changed as the new visions have unlocked for mother. I'm both excited and devastated, my heart can't truly decide at least not at this moment. I'm excited for the opportunity I have been given and devastated that I will be alone in this endeavor and not have you all by my side.

How's Tom doing? Is he still aging? Have you found a way to extend his life besides that half-brained schemed you cooked up with Death all those years ago? I miss everyone terribly, I feel as though you my dear sister are the only one I can safely communicate with for now, you who is always so critical and controlling would give me the hard truth advice I need in this coming journey, everyone else would fill me with happy and fantastically complimentary advice and I don't think I need that for where I am going. Before you ask, no I am not going to any prison, the place I am going is a place filled with rich history, mysterious corridors, fantastic feasts and tumultuous emotions.

Tempted to track me down yet? I tease dear sister, don't tempt the vow mother forced you all to make, I'm sure its been harder on some than others. I must go it will soon be time to prepare for my departure and I would like to spend the rest of these glorious summer days out with nature. Please write to me sister, I know that I don't deserve to hear from any of you after being silent all these years but trust me it wasn't feasible as I didn't have an owl yet, not until today anyways. Until next time my dearest sister, send my love to everyone.

Eternally Yours,

Evie

James set down the letter on the arm chair of the couch she was sharing with Billy and Castor and looked up to see the reaction on the faces of her siblings. Anger, that was what stared back at her, all of her siblings where angry, not at her but at Evie, after years of no letter they all thought she had decided to move on from the family, create a new life in which she wanted no contact, and now out of no where eleven years later they receive a letter, no not they James received a letter from their sister.

"I don't know why she bothered to write, she isn't coming back that's for sure, even if she wanted to I don't know if I would be too chuffed to have her back after all this time" Loki stood and walked towards the library doors. "Ill see you all at dinner, I don't want to be apart of this conversation anymore and I don't want to hear about her, please keep me out of future letter readings"

"Me too, I have no real hate or any feelings really towards her, I just am indifferent" Katana stood and walked over to where she had been researching earlier.

"And you four? How do you feel?" James turned to the last of her siblings with a quizzical brow.

Billy shook her head, her anger slowly was turning into sadness. Castor and Reagan both shrugged, no words could describe the emotional confusion they both currently felt. She turned towards Tom, now a whooping 48 years old, married with a two rambunctious children Persephone, now 8, and Thaddeus, now 6, he stood facing the fire before slowly turning towards her.

"I don't know Jamie, part of me is mad at her, she missed so much! These past eleven years have been the best and most difficult of my life, my wedding to Thea in the Swiss mountains, the birth of my children! Birthdays, milestones, accidental magic, first words! She has missed all of it and I don't think I can get over that, you where all there, to support me, help me, to love my children even when they where being the most annoying of cretins" He took a breath to settle new swell of emotion that had erupted in him. "But part of me misses her deeply, she was my best friend, my confidant, she always had my back and she is still our sister, its just so much to take in at once"

"I understand Tom, if she writes back would you want to read it?" He took a moment to think about it and nodded.

"I think I would but please don't tell her about what has become of my life, when she comes back, if she ever does I want to be the one to tell her" James nodded and watched as he grabbed floo powder and flooed back home to Austria. The birth of Toms children had been an unexpected surprise until Death shed light into the situation, Tom wasn't immortal, he had a normal lifespan which loop holed him out of the agreement she made with Death. Luckily he met a witch while traveling through the Netherlands and fell deeply in love with her, Thea was his saving grace, his reason to look forward to aging.

James stood and walked back to her room leaving her siblings to deal with the derailment of their emotions so she could write her Evie back. As she sat down at her desk she stared down at the blank piece of parchment trying to decide what to write, should she tell her sister of the anguish and rage she ignited in their siblings or keep her out of the loop with what has gone on these last years. Sighing she began to write a short letter.

Dear Evie,

Your letter has found me in good health, I was very surprised to hear from, as where our siblings, mother and father are currently traveling and are not aware of your letter. Everyone is as usual; I have not found a way to stop Toms aging although I do not think he minds anymore he is after all a very busy 48-year-old wizard. I am glad your quest has been fruitful and educational and am curious to hear more about it and am willing to give you advice should you need it.

Your Sister,

Phoenix James