'Where is she??' I think desperately as I run through the dark hallways and up the limestone stairs. The sound of the clock chiming its twelve rings sends my worry spiraling out of hand. My vision blurs with tears as my hand snatches the door knob to my sister's room.
Click.
With a yank I unlock the door and rush inside. My hands tighten into fists as I prepare to attack whoever is inside. My eyes take in the empty room. No one was here. Only Adero. My twin. Letting out a relieved sigh I touch her bed. She is safe.
I turn to the door to see my father standing like a statue in the doorway. His dark eyes peer into mine and track every movement I make as I sit down by her bed. My legs shaking in the adrenaline rush he finally speaks.
"You lost her position." He points out shortly. Coldly.
My heart breaks in shame as tears fall down my face. "I know. I'm sorry, father."
"You're sorry?!" He cuts in, angrily. "What if one of the Moiy got in? Your sister would be dead and it would be all your fault, Nastusia!"
My head ducks to hide my grief. Anger burns at my heart sending an aching pain through my chest. I don't dare say that the Moiy can't get past the defenses. Such retort would only infuriate him all the more. I wisely remain silent; stroking Adero's soft black hair.
He continues to glare at me. Finally he begins to speak once more. "What is your purpose, Nastusia?"
I knew this. How can I not? These words have been all he's told me since I was merely three. My eyes turn to face his in a look of pure rage, "My purpose is to protect Adero, the Fox Flame heir. To be silent in order to be overlooked. It is essential for keeping her safe. I am to be whatever makes her happy, sir."
He nods; a soft smile easing his usually hard face. I keep a mask of indifference on that belies my joy. I have made him proud. I watch now as he walks up to the bed.
"You may go now, Nastusia." He says courteously. The dismissal was blatant and I bite back my protests and obey. As I close the door I see his look. It sends chills down my spine and warning bells ringing in my head. The cold, calculating look of a predator stalking his prey.
Shaking my head in denial of his objections I begin to climb the stairs to my room, the attic. I drift into my thoughts.
'The letters should be arriving soon. I wish that they accept me, too.' My eyes widen in disbelief at the thought of being an equal to my sister. 'You shouldn't wish for things that won't happen. Especially since Adero is the one who has the power, not you.'
Shoving my wishes away I open the door to my room as my mother's voice rings up from the bottom of the small staircase.
"Nastusia, are you alright?" She inquires softly as she begins to climb the stairs towards me.
"I am fine, Mother." I lie smoothly as I step into my room. The failure still burns my heart with sorrow. It still grows as she persists.
"Please, darling, I know you're suffering." She pleads as her hand touches my shoulder.
Her concern knocks away my anger. My mask falters and I yearn to tell her what is going on. 'Maybe I can tell her...' I begin to think but soon I dismiss the thought as impossible, 'The more who know the more danger Adero will be in.'
I force a smile on my face and turn towards her. "I'm fine, Mother. I am merely tired." I reiterate before moving farther inside the room.
She lingers at the doorway with sad eyes. Guilt sweeps through me but I give her a reassuring smile. She comes inside and I visibly tense.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" She whispers as her arms circle around me.
I struggle to remain courteous and kind as I mutter, "I know."
Finally she pulls back and heads out. Closing the door behind her she says, "Good night, my child."
I whisper, "Night." to her before finally letting myself relax. Slipping into my small bed I allow myself to drift to sleep. I know that when I wake my duty would resume once again.
'You are a very determined young girl. You shall protect the Fox Flame as its heir when the time comes.' A feminine voice mutters approvingly.
I move my mouth to question what she meant when she vanishes. "I give you my best of wishes, young one." Her voice echoes in my head as my eyes snap open.
'How long was I out? I need to go back.' I frantically sit up. The memory of my father's frightening gaze on my sister sends chills up my spine and I shudder.
"I'm not the heir." I whisper in denial as I move to begin my day. I knew now what today was. Father would watch over her for now.
Yawning I allow my hands to run through my sleek hair before combing its massive waist length with my brush. I wince every time I run into a tangle and after a daily half an hour of cursing and grumbling I finally tie it back with a ribbon.
I twist it to the front to place on my shirt when I took note of a new occurrence. Horror freezes me completely as I can only stare at the unjust marking now tattooed on my right shoulder. A beautiful fox now lays imprinted on my flesh. The elegant looking flames surrounding leave me hollow.
Tears fill my eyes as I hiss out in both anger and fear, "I'm not the heir! Adero is." Yanking on my long sleeve shirt I ignore my heart's persuasive whispers that it's true. There was no denying the truth but still I refuse to submit.
Scowling at the dilemma; I stare down my reflection. Dark circles haunt my silver eyes. I reach up to tuck a loose lock of my ebony hair behind my ear. Despite the situation I let out a genuine smile to grace my usually stoic face. I am now-
"Adero is now ten." My thoughts caught off and I find myself celebrating her occasion.
"Nastusia! Come on!" Adero shouts from outside my door. The impatience, but also the excitement, is clearly audible. I chuckle lightly in amusement.
Opening the wooden door I tease, "You can wait ten minutes, you know."
She flips a wave of our matching hair back while tossing me a flirtatious smile, "Of course not, my dearest twin. A princess can never be kept waiting. It is improper."
We gaze seriously at each out in our respective playful characteristic roles before cracking up into loud laughter. Our giggling echoes the hall as we head towards the kitchen.
I enter the kitchen behind her. I never went ahead of my sister. I refuse to let this ever change.
"Good Morning, birthday girls." Our mother greets warmly.
She stand in front of the stove with a spatula. I can smell the scent of blueberries and I know at once what is cooking. "Good Morning, Mother." I say courteously as I take my seat.
Just as she flips one of the pancakes our father enters. His elegant stride is still a tad frightening as he glares at me meaningfully. I gaze at him questioningly. His uptight manner is uncommon and leaves me wondering.
He stares me down. I immediately knew and nod. My eyes scour the room and continuously do so every few minutes. This day is and always will be dangerous....for Adero.
Not picking up the tension between the two of us, Mother sets plates of eggs and blueberry pancakes in front of us. I wait patiently for my father's slight tip of his head before eating slowly. Still concentrating around the room I notice three letters floating towards the table.
Both my father and I tense as they drew in close. I recognize the seals on the backs and relax. They are only school invitations.
Mother smiles at them and tucks them inside her pocket before exiting the room. I push away my half eaten plate to watch Adero hum cheerfully under her breath.
"Nastusia?" She finally says in attempt to draw my attention from my disguised interest in the painting behind her.
"Yes?" I question back as I hear Mother's footsteps coming closer.
"Have you written anything new?" She inquires. Amber eyes gaze adoringly at me in hope.
Unable to keep a nod from her I answer yes just as Mother walks in. Her arms loaded with presents she grins at us, "Present time." The cheery tone makes me frown as she divides them up.
I stay still, watching with scarcely concealed excitement as Adero opens the present I gave her. Her eyes light up at the first copy of my new novel. She smiles at me, "I can't wait to read it, Nas!"
I feel pride swell within my heart. She is happy which means my duty is still going correctly. My father gazes at me approvingly while motioning towards my own stack of presents.
I give him a slight smile. He will watch over her for this. I search the tags to find the one from Adero. I stare in interest at the large box in silver wrapping. I carefully peal away the tape to preserve the perfection of this gift. My sister's perfection. As I remove the paper I finally can open the box. Lifting the lid I peer inside.
Joy sweeps me away. Inside lie several blank hardback books. Each cover is blank with instructions on how to use the magically crafted paper. My fingers stroke the spine and I realize that the paper is a mixture of saxl and amberila. Its silverish hue of the paper is prized all over the world and when you write it comes on as a vibrant red.
A lump clogs my throat as I choke out, "Adero...you shouldn't have!"
She throws a delighted smile at my happiness. "Now each of your stores can be written on the most sought after paper. Anything for my sister."
We grin at each other for a few minutes before Father coughs in signal to move on. I scowl slightly at him for disturbing our moment. His eyes flash angrily in warning and I look away quickly. I notice a large present from our Mother.
I finish unwrapping it. To my disbelief is a small fox cub curled up in a cage. It's amber eyes gaze at me intensely and I notice my mother's knowing smile. I glare down at the table in anger. 'Adero is the heir! Why doesn't she see that?? The Moiy want her; not me.'
"Nastusia. Control yourself." My father whispers sharply while tapping my hand to continue. I force my feelings away in order to continue.
I find my gramma's present and smile lightly despite my bad mood. My doubts clear as I use the distraction of opening it to ease my temper. I am only Nastusia. I pull out a necklace with a note attached to it.
Dear Nastusia,
This pendant shall always show you the right path.Guard it well, my kit."
I finger the delicate Flamestone pendant. The detail in the raven astounds me. Lifting it I notice Adero now wears a similar one.
As I clasp it around my neck our father hands forth our last gifts. His. We take them tenderly knowing he always gets us something both valuable and of purpose. He stiffly orders, "I expect you to wear them at all times."
He sends Adero a light glare. She is always forgetful. Turning his eyes towards me he gives me a fierce glower. My indifference falters as I glare back, haughtily. I am not some insolent puppy I think indignantly before Adero squeals, "Daddy it's so beautiful!"
My anger simmers down to a weak flame as I once again remind myself we are on the same side. I let go of the rage and allow gratitude to fill it's spot. He has made her happy.
I look down at the small present. It looks rather unimpressive in size and wrapping. The plain white paper belies the truth. This will be very important to my, our, mission.
I peel away the paper to find a bracelet. I notice at once that the letter N is made of a rune material often used in special amulets. The tiny charms I knew help importance of some kind. Allowing Mother to help put it on my wrist I fail to to notice my father standing up to depart.
"Nastusia. When you are done meet me in your room." He orders while leaving the room.
I swallow my nerves as Adero pleads to Mother, "Now can we read them, Mom?"
She laughs in amusement and hands them over. One is for Adero and the other two were for me. "Since you asked so nicely."
"Yes." Adero cheers and struggles with opening hers. I chuckle and stare at the top letter.
The emblem is from the prestigious Elderflame Academy of Necromancy. Sighing in frustration I unwillingly open it at the encouraging smile from my sister. My eyes flicker across the words and widen with disbelief and denial.
Dear Nastusia Alicia BloodFlame,
It has come to our attention that next year you shall inherit the powers of Necromancy. You will be the youngest by far to do so. It would be a great pleasure to welcome the Fox Flame heir to our school. Please respond before August 5th of next year.
Sincerely,
Headmistress Alexia
Snatching the letter from the table I run from the room. I turn to flee the room as Adero cries out in alarm, "Hey are you ok?"
I shove the letter in my pocket. My mind tumbles through words to say. Should I tell her what's wrong? I bite my lip and guiltily reply, "I'm fine. I just need to speak with father."
Tears of worry fill her dark eyes and I flee from the room. I have made her sad. I can't keep doing this. I don't have what it takes to make her happy. Tears cloud my eyes with the pang of my heavy heart. How am I suppose to protect her when everything points to me as the heir?
Breaking into a sprint I hurry up the stairs. My hand reaches for the door knob when I suddenly freeze in panic. 'How will he react? Can I even tell him what's going on? I made her worry...I have failed....again!' My thoughts trouble me as they push in all directions.
I shakily reach for the door to face my father and whatever is to come next.
Spoiler
I couldn't finish this and I wanted to post so I shall finish the rest tomorrow, hopefully. I need help with grammar for sure, mainly with tenses being switches and overused words. Any criticism is welcome ^^
Keep up the good work!! 