Inferni

Chapter 3

Jill pulled in front of a four story house. She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel, and I could tell that she was nervous. "Just... be careful. Please," she said, looking at me. Worry filled her eyes, and I could tell that she was second guessing herself over adopting me. "Some people aren't... welcoming to outsiders."

I shrugged my shoulder but didn't reply. Unfortunately, I was used to people not liking me and was actually surprised when some did.

"Blaire..." Jill said, and I shook my head, making her stop talking. She kept her eyes on me, but I didn't turn to look at her while I studied the house that would become my new home.

"It's fine," I said, forcing a smile on my face. I should have known that I was probably not going to be welcomed there. I was sure that some people would try to make my life miserable, and honestly, I could care less. "I'll keep out of trouble."

Jill frowned but didn't say a word. She opened the car door and waited for me to do the same. Jill gestured for me to walk up the steps and followed me up to them. She squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, surprising me with her comfort. "They will like you," she said, honesty. "It will take time, but..." She grimaced and shrugged her shoulders.

I shrugged but didn't reply and waited for her to open the door. I wasn't surprised to see complete chaos, but I was a bit surprised to see them all stop when Jill whistled a sharp tune that made them all behave.

"Where is your father?" Jill asked, and they all pointed upstairs. She scowled and narrowed her eyes before she folded her arms across her chest. "In his office?"

"Yes," the oldest said. He looked at me and narrowed his eyes when I was sure my eyes flashed. "Who is this?" he asked, looking at his mother. He scowled, and I could see the sudden dislike in his eyes.

Jill placed her hand on my shoulder, and I stiffened because I did not like being touched. "This is Blaire," she said, a warning tone in her voice.

"Why does she have a black eye?" another male asked. He stared at it, frowning. Worry filled his eyes, and I could tell that he might be fine with me being there. "That looks like it hurts."

"It's fine," I grunted, glancing away from them. I licked my lips and cleared my throat. "And, I was ganged up by a group of females."

"Why?"

"Because I stole some food and medicine," I replied. I stuffed my hands into my pocket and shrugged my shoulders. "It was the only way that some of... the kids could eat."

"Why did your eyes flash to a silver color?" another boy asked. Curiosity filled his eyes, and I could tell that he would be fine too.

"I'm part ghost," I replied, and the boy's eyes widened in shock. I bit back a small smirk because I could tell that he believed me.

"Really?" he asked, his mouth wide. Excitement filled his eyes, and he couldn't help but bounce on his feet. "That is so cool. Can you go through walls?"

I shrugged and cleared my throat, shaking my head. "Unfortunately, I didn't get that ability," I said, my voice filled with sadness. "I wish I did. It would have made my life a heck of a lot easier."

"Why?"

"Beca-"

"Jilliana," a male voice called out, scowling. A man walked into the area where we had been standing and scowled. He looked like an exact image of the older male, and I could sense the same power coming from him like the others. "Where have you been?" he asked, blatantly ignoring me. "I have been trying to call you, but you kept ignoring me."

Jill cleared her throat and pulled me towards her. Her grip was sort of tight, but I ignored it the best I could. "This is Blaire," she said, nervousness in her voice. "She is going to be living with us for the time being."

The man turned to look at me, his eyes widening in recognition. Brown eyes studied me, and I could tell that he was trying to find the sort of young girl that he had seen one night. "I know you," he said.

I hesitated and nodded. I remembered him and the night that my... friend decided to run away. I had been left a letter, but I had never gotten the chance to read it because of that old bat.

"Wait, how do you know her?" Jill asked, confused.

"Declan," he replied, and a small glimmer of hope appeared in my heart, hoping that I would be able to see my friend again. He studied me before shaking his head. "Never mind," he added, and that hope disappeared because I had no idea if he was here or not. He cleared his throat and held out his hand. "Justin."

I hesitated and took his hand. "Blaire," I replied. I quickly placed my hands behind my back when he released me, feeling small underneath his unwavering gaze.

Justin looked at the six other males and gestured to them. "These are my sons," he said finally. "The other one is taking a nap." He cleared his throat and pointed to the one closest to him. "That is Patrick. Next to him is Jace." He pointed to the two similar looking males. "They are Mick and Mack. Behind them is Anthony." He pointed at the male standing beside himself. "That is Carter, and the youngest that is sleeping is Zander."

I waved, hesitantly, not speaking. I was sure that they already knew my name because I had said it once, and Jill said it once, too.

"Patrick will show you to your room," he said before looking at Jill. Love filled his eyes, and I was sure that he wasn't that annoyed with her adopting me. "And we need to talk."

***

I followed Patrick up to my new room. I was nervous, and I couldn't help but glance around the hallway, trying to memorize my way around the large house. I hadn't expected this house to be so huge, even though I saw that it was four stories.

Patrick looked at me before looking forward. He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. "Age?" he asked.

"Seventeen," I replied.

"Birthday?"

"December 21st," I replied, and he cursed because I was older than him by a day. I bit back a smirk. "You?"

Patrick narrowed his eyes at me and huffed sarcastically. He looked away from me again, scowling. "Seventeen and December 22nd," he grumbled, and I snorted. He paused and looked back at me. Curiosity filled his eyes, and I could see that he was wondering what Justin had said. "How do you know Declan?" he asked, cocking his head.

I squeezed the hope that wanted to take over my heart. I didn't know if it was the same person or not, but I hoped it was. "Black hair, blue eyes? Kinda look like a skinny model?" I asked, and Patrick nodded in confirmation. "Ya, he used to be at the same orphanage I had been at."

Patrick nodded, staying silent. Almost towards my new room, I think, he turned to look at me. "He talked about you for a little while," he said, thoughtfully. "Then, one day, he just stopped."

I sighed and shrugged, my heart aching. "Guess he thought that I was dead," I replied, honestly, stuffing my hands into the pocket of the sweatshirt. I bit my lip and cleared my throat, looking down. "I know that I thought he was dead."

"Why?" Patrick asked, looking at me. He had a thoughtful look in his eyes, and I was sure that he was surprised that I had thought he was dead.

"He didn't come back for me for us. We made a promise long ago that we would try to get help for the children still at the orphanage because of the poor treatment of some if we were able to leave."

"Why didn't you run away and try to get help?"

I smiled grimly, thinking about the two fearful brown eyes staring up at me. "I had a job to do," I replied. "I needed to make sure that the others were safe."