) and this is what I came up with for the next chapter. Be honest and just in your critique. Happy Reading!
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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
My attempt at nonchalance was wasted. It was like Carmen had a sixth sense when it came to me and mischief. I had barely gotten through the front door before he was on me, eyes narrowed, gaze switching from me to Michael and then back again.
Michael quickly smelled trouble and graciously escaped before Carmen could start his questionnaire; my glare followed him all the way to his room. When I looked back at Carmen, his arms were crossed, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from rolling.
“Carmen, not now,” I murmured, making to go around him. I watched as if in slow motion his nostrils flare and then before I knew it, I was flung from the house and half-dragged into the woods before I could register what had happened.
“What the hell is your issue?” Carmen practically sneered in my face before backing away as if I reeked like a disemboweled body.
I frowned. “Did I miss something…?”
“Obviously! I swear sometimes you do these things just to do them; because you can or something.”
Now I was really lost. Did Carmen somehow know about me visiting Isaac? And if he did, he just knew him as a human; that wasn’t dangerous at all for me.
“Carmen, seriously, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I tried to keep my expression placid but Carmen slowly took a step towards me, guessing my bluff.
“I can smell him on you, Sophia.” His voice was a terrifying sound—like a rumble a lion makes before it pounces. I had never heard him use that against me before, and I froze in pure instinct, though I knew that Carmen wasn’t a threat to me.
At least, I hoped not.
“I don’t understand,” I said cautiously, watching as he took another step towards me, slightly crouched now.
“Stop playing dumb, Sophia! I know what’s been going on here but I thought you’d be smart enough to stay away. It seems I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you.”
“Carmen, I can take care of myself! Besides, you don’t know what you’re talking about! I did nothing wrong.”
He stopped and sighed deeply, the sound heavy and fatigued. “Sophia, I think it’s time you talked to Philip.”
* * * *
I had to wait until deep into the night before seeing Philip. It seemed that whatever he had to tell me was urgent and secretive, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Carmen woke me at around midnight, hissing in my ear. I shoved him away, knocking him off his feet.
He caught himself before he went flying into the opposite wall, shooting me a death-glare while I glanced over at Elena. She was snoring softly and shifted under the covers before going still. I then eased out of the bed, throwing on a sweater over my pajamas and pulling on my boots before following Carmen outside.
He led me to a small shack I had never noticed on the outskirts of the cottage’s yard. It was built with gray stone and roofed with red tiles. The shades were pulled but an orange glow notified us that there were others inside.
I hesitated at the door. Carmen glanced back at me, frowning at my sudden trepidation. What if I didn’t want to know what was going on? What if I wanted to continue being clueless? Didn’t I have a choice in all this?
In the end, I knew I had to enter that shed. If I didn’t, I would spend the rest of my time wondering, as I did with Anisha. Never understanding. Always questioning. Not a fun experience.
Carmen motioned with his hand to get me moving again and I entered, closing the door behind me.
Inside, I met the shadowed faces of vampires that I knew and some that I didn’t.
Philip, Walter, Anita, and Jasmine were among the ones I did.
Three others I didn’t.
Philip stood, as if I was one to recognize, and greeted me with surprising warmth. “Sophia, I’m glad you have finally sought us out.”
I frowned. “Carmen was the one that took me here.”
I saw Walter and Anita exchange looks and Jasmine stiffened noticeably. “She doesn’t know?” Her voice was condescending and sliced openly like a knife any that the voice was directed at.
Poor Philip was the victim and grimaced openly. “Jasmine, please. I had no idea they would seek out Sophia, of all people.”
“Videlicet is est a nemo. Nusquam of gravitas.” Jasmine eyed me in disdain and I felt my hackles rise in defense. Though she spoke in the Ancient tongue, I knew that whatever had left her lips was not a compliment.
Carmen laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder and I took a deep breath, knowing getting into a fight with one of the most imperative vampires in our community would only end in trouble for me. And I didn’t need any more of that.
“Sophia has been singled out. That’s all we know yet. Knowing why will help us significantly.” Orbs that glowed like animals in the dark all turned to me in unison, forcing me to look away.
“Dear, we know you saw one of them today.” It was Anita, her voice soothing, as only a mother’s can be.
I braced myself for what I thought would be another patronizing remark from Jasmine, but none came. They all still waited for me to speak. I was still trying to get over the shock that they had been watching me; knowing that I had gone to a Soren’s house. I remembered Isaac’s words, about Jasmine knowing about them and met her gaze steadily.
“Yeah, I met one. He’s name is Isaac.” I shrugged it off as if it was no big deal.
Jasmine scowled. “We don’t need your reticence, puella. What happened?” She had a thick accent when speaking English, one that twanged her a’s and drug out her l’s.
“I figured out what he was and I decided to confront him about it.”
“And you still went alone? Even after realizing what he was?” It was one of the unknown’s that spoke this time, his face shot through with shadows, only the tip of his nose showing.
“Yes,” I said confidently.
“Balatro,” I heard Jasmine hiss under her breath.
Ignoring her, I raised my chin a bit higher. “I wasn’t sure if I was right or not. And I didn’t have a clue any of you even knew.” A hint of bitterness entered my voice and I glared right at Philip.
“We had no idea they would seek you out, Sophia. We had no reason to tell you.”
“What about all the others in that house?” My voice was rising but I couldn’t control it. “They have no idea that a whole group of Sorens are living right next door and how dangerous that could be for them!”
“Calm yourself, puella,” Jasmine ordered and I had no choice but to obey. Her voice was that commanding. “You listen now. For some reason, the Sorens have chosen you to communicate with. You have to be our eyes and ears in all this. Our custodies, our viator.”
“Are you even going to tell me what I’m listening for? Why I have to do this?” I was still angry. I didn’t even want to do any of this. After what happened today, I wanted nothing to do with Isaac or his strange friend Greg.
“You’re doing this to aid your coven. Strange, dangerous times are heading our way. And you seem to be the one the Sorens picked to talk to. Will you help us?” For the first time since meeting her, Jasmine’s voice almost sounded like a plea, as if I was their only hope. It made my head swim for a moment before I nodded once, hard and concrete, knowing I really didn’t have a choice in the matter.
She met my eyes; hers were so dark and cold that I shivered. Then she faced the other group. “Now that thisepistola is finished, we have to come to an agreement before this night is over.” Jasmine paused and eyed each vampire with her stony gaze. “What do we do about the Exiles?”
. You did not tell me this was here though, missy *looks stern* =P. I'm glad to see you're back writing, and I can't wait to read on... Although, I have a feeling I'm not going to remember much of what happened last, so excuse any stupid questions 
. Well you know my reviewing procedure, so off we go!! (: