Embrace The Night

Family

Soren squinted her eyes shut and whispered for Gabriel to move his hand away from her and take about three steps back. She could hear it in Damian's voice that he knew Gabriel and was NOT happy to see his precious, 16-year-old, little sister in such close proximity to him. She felt rather than heard Gabriel step back. Soren took a deep breath and turned to face Damian. 

"Hi, Ian."

Soren attempted to look innocent, which she was; however, the whole 'I just got caught stealing a cookie from the cookie jar and the whole freaking cookie is in my mouth' look was the best she could muster. 

"I want your ass in front of me in .5 seconds or all hell is going to break loose." Damian said in a harsh tone that meant 'Oh yeah I'm super pissed!' Soren complied. She knew when to push his buttons and when to just shut up and do what he said. She dropped her head as she stopped in front of him. 

"What's your deal, Soren? Why are you out here? Least of all with him!" Damian yelled.

 Soren kept her head down and tried to keep her mouth closed. Damian was 19 and acted like the three-year age difference made him 'God'. Damian grabbed her shoulders roughly.

"Soren," he said slowly, "look at me when I'm talking to you!" 

He jerked her roughly, his hands biting into her arms. Sorin bit her lip to keep from crying out, she could already feel the bruises forming. She averted her eyes as best as she could.

"WELL! ARE YOU GOING TO ANSWER ME?!*" Soren looked at him, finally. Apparently, Damian didn't like the look because he suddenly hauled off and slapped her. Her head whipped to the side. She turned her head back slowly. Jerking out of his grasp, Soren thrust the heel of her left hand into the sternum, while quickly uppercutting with her right. As Damian stumbled back, she began to yell out her frustrations. 

"What's your problem? How dare you put your hands on me? I don't know who you think you are but no one puts his or her hands on me. At least not without me putting my hands right back on them! I dare you to try that again! I freaking dare you! See if I don't break that hand, Ian!" 

Hearing movement behind her, Soren spun, fist raised and ready. Gabriel grabbed her fist and spun her so her back was pressed against his chest. His face pressed into her hair. She relaxed against him and watched as Damian's eyes filled with fury. 

"Relax, Damae. I will not harm her as you have. I seek only to teach her our ways. She is 16 and turning. You have heard her. Your mother and father knew of her bloodline when they chose to raise her. It's time she learns our ways. Even now, look into her eyes, Damae, and tell me that you do not see the animalistic color tones in them. To say so is a lie. You know the ways but refuse to teach her. The Council has appointed me as her Guardian. I'm sorry that you cannot be the one but it is your own choice that has forbidden it." 

Damian looked down and rubbed his chest where Soren had hit him. 

"Her strength has increased," he sighed. 

Soren's laugh tinkled through the night air. 

"Okay, since you both know what's going on that involves me I would seriously like an explanation on what's happening." 

Gabriel and Damian both began laughing. 

"Oh, hardy-hur-hur! Shut up both of you!" she snapped. 

"Sorinave, relax, heh heh! It's okay really."

"Gabriel, what does that mean? Sorinave?" 

He sobered immediately. 

"Sorinave means little one in Elfin. Your whole name is Soren Elana Groves, correct?" 

"Yeah." 

"Well in Elfin your full name is Sorinave Elvana Grovisa. It means 'protector of little elves." 

Soren pondered this while trying to say her own name correctly. 

"Wait, you called Ian something to. What does his name mean?" 

"What is his full name?" 

"Damian Romeo Whitaker." 

"Damae Rom Whitsan. 'Fallen angel of wit stealing.'" 

"What's yours?" 

"Gabrale Miche Tainta. 'Angel risen but tainted.' In English, it's Gabriel Michael Tamers." "Tainted?" Soren murmured her eyes closing. 

"It's a long story, Sorinave. For another night perhaps, but tonight we have other matters to discuss." 

Soren groaned. 

"Like what?" 

 "Perhaps we could start with your allies and enemies." 

"Like who? Who could possibly be my enemy?" 

"Nathaniel D'Marco, for one."