Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze [2]

Davnix-

Isabella and Max approached me from where i stood, talking with Trent and Velna. I glanced over at them.

"Nathaniel wants everyone upstairs." Isabella said, her eyes flickering to Natan then to Max, and back to me.

I nodded and followed her over to Natan, Velna and Trent walking close behind. I noticed the girl Natan was talking to for the second time tonight and felt a uneasy feeling ease its way inside of me. Something wasn't right with this girl. Something seemed out of place, and being this close to her only heightened the feeling. I suppressed a shudder.

Isabella walked forward and started conversing with her brother. His brows furrowed and he shook his head. Max stepped forward then...

Max

"Something isn't right with that girl," I whispered to Davnix.

"You mean Isabella or Zaliah?"

"Zaliah, she's not like the other mages. There's something dark about her. And trust me, I will know."

"What do you suppose we do then?"

"Tell your uncle about it, see if he can sense anything wrong. I think Isabella senses it too, but I know Natan is too infatuated by her to realize anything. And I doubt Val has paid much attention to her but anyone can tell she's wounded by Natan's affection. We'll tell her too, she'll feel better if we do."

Davnix-

I nodded. "Alright, good idea."

I felt bad for poor Val. Ever since we had known her, she had had a crush on Natan. And until recently, he'd been brushing her aside, insisting on being 'Only Friends'. But the appearance of this new mage had him practically on his knees, begging to do her every whim.

This alarmed me even more. I never Natan to be that kind of person. He always seemed more...distant, to me. Never always completely there. Never really concerning himself with anyone else's wellbeing save for his patients. And yet here he was, drooling over this mage.

I knew something was definitely wrong.

Ariana

I felt the vestiges of a sleep spell silde off me, I didn't feel refreshed, I felt tired still. I frowned, Uncle Nathan was going to die. If I could only get my eyes open. Giving up on that venture I willed myself back to sleep.

Ariana, the sweet voice tickled my ears and rattled through my head, making me shiver in fear. Ariana, I'm coming to get you.

No you're not!

I am. I'm twice as powerful as your uncle Nathan. I shall kill him and all your friends before I find you.

Get out! I mentally screamed, stop tormenting me!

You know that won't happen. I own you.

No you don't! GET OUT!

Fine, but then neither shall you. I felt him leave my head and then I was all alone, I tried to wake myself up but couldn't. Was this what he meant that I'd never get out?

Velna-

Velna watched quietly while she walked with the others. She looked at the girl that Natan was talking to. Her eyes flickered black for a second, but were back to normal just as fast. Everyone seemed a tad caustious about her, but Natan who was doing everythign but drooling at the mouth over her.


Stay away from her, Velna, I don't like the looks of that mage, I don't want you close to her. Crest's voice said pushing into her mind.

Don't worry, I don't plan on getting anywhere close to her, She replied, I hope Davinx doesn't either! The thought shocked her, why would she care if he did. She shook her head and looked at Trent.

I don't blame him, she is pretty. Trent laughed in her head,

Looks aren't everything, Trent. She hissed back pushing him out of her mind.

Keep an eye on him, I still don't like the looks of her. Crest left her mind and she looked back at the girl.

Isabella-

"Natan," I said, coming to stand at his side.

"Yes, sister?" he asked, not looking at me. I grabbed his arm, forcefully dragging him away from Zalia.

"Natan, we have more important matters than to be down here flirting," I snapped.

"I'm not flirting! I am simply having a discussion with my new found friend!" Natan said resentfully. Angrilly, I smacked him across the face.

"Dont' you see what she's doing to you? Have you seen the way your old friends feel? How much your so called discussion with a so called friend is hurting Val? Or is she nothing to you now?" Natan looked speechless as I continued.

"What about your family? Arianna is being hunted down by a demon, and the rest of us are in danger! Do you plan on doing anything to help?"

Natan blinked a few times. "Zalia comes with," he said finally, between clenched teeth. I sighed, looking at the girl.

"Only if Father approves it," I replied.

Natan-

I glanced apologetically at Zalia.

"I don't think he'll disapprove." i muttered, casting Isabella an angry look. She scowled.

"Just hurry up. Who knows how long father's patience will last."

I nodded sharply. "I'll follow. Where are we going?"

"To the top." she responded before grabbing Max and Velna.

"Will you accompany us? We can continue our conversation up there." i said, waving vaguely above my head.

She laughed. "Of course I will come."

I smiled back. "Hold onto me."

She grasped my arm, sliding closer to me. I inhaled sharply before grabbing Davnix and Trent and teleporting to the top of the tower.

Isabella --

I ignored my brother once we entered the room, walking straight to my father. Max and Davnix were already there, and on the same subject as I was going to bring up.

"Father, she's not right. Have you ever known Natan to act this way over someone - especially a woman?" I said, coming to stand at Max's side. He put his arm around me gently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Val --

As Natan and the others entered the room, I looked up. Why was she with them? I shuddered at the way he held her arm, and turned so I wasn't facing them. Isabella caught my eye, and waved me over. Slowly, I got to my feet and came to stand beside Davnix. He touched my shoulder encouragingly, as if willing me to be strong despite everything I cared about crashing down around me.

Davnix-

I squeezed Val's shoulder encouragingly. "Don't worry. We'll get this all worked out."

Then he turned to Nathaniel. "Something is seriously wrong about that girl, but i can't place it."

Nathaniel raised his hand. "I know Zalia, and I have known her for many years now. Trust me, Natan will get over it in no more than a few days. It happens to everyone who meets her."

"See?" i whispered to Val. "There's no need to worry."

Val--

I shook my head. My gut feeling said that he was wrong, and my gut never lied.

"No...her scent isn't right," I replied, inhaling deeply. "There's a tinge of something horribly unhuman to it."

"She is a mage," Nathaniel pointed out bitterly.

"That's not it either. Mage scent doesn't stand out much -- this really stands out. She holds the scent of something demonic." I replied, shuddering. Zalia turned, her eyes meeting mine suddenly. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't look away.

Her eyes flickered back for a moment, and in those eyes I saw all hell. In only seconds they had flickered back, leaving me with no proof, or even any sureness that I had seen it.

Nathaniel-

I sighed. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on her."

Suddenly exhaustion gripped me again, reminding me that i would need sleep soon or become horribly ill. I nearly fell, but Isabella put her arm around me, recognizing the signs.

"We'll watch her. You need rest." she said quietly.

I nodded gratefully. "Just be careful. Zalia is an powerful mage, as well as ambitious. If it weren't for Natan, she wouldn't be here right now."

Isabella--

I allowed Max to help me carry my father to a bed, where we laid him down and let him sleep. I sat down on the floor a few feet away, and Max sat beside me. I yawned.

"You should sleep," Max said, holidng me close against him. I sighed, trying to keep my eyes open.

"No, I need to watch Zalia," I argued stubbornly. Max patted my head lightly.

"I'll watch Zalia, you sleep," he said sternly. Sighing, I allowed my eyes to close.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Val-

I left everyone alone in the room, going to sit on the balcony. The moon was full and bright.

I sat down on the floor, knowing better than to sit on the railing (that's how people die). Looking through the railing at the moon, I alowed myself to calm down, to forget everything. But the foul scent of our unwelcome guest would not leave.

Riley-

I held onto Ariana, listening to everything that was going on. After a moment things quieted down and i heard a door close softly.

"Who left?"

"Val. She went to sit on the balcony."

"Shall we join her?" i asked. "After all, she must be so depressed."

Ariana nodded and led me outside.

Val -

I looked up as the door opened. Ariana and Riley stepped out onto the balcony.

"Yes?" I questioned, half expecting them to need me for something.

"Do you mind if we sit with you?"

"No, not at all," this wasn't completely true, and I knew it. As much of a destraction as otehr people were, I always found it easier to forget everything when I was along. Ah well, at least they care, I thought decidedly, turning my attention to them. "So, what's going on?" I asked conversationally.

Riley-

A sudden wave of anger washed over me out of nowhere.

"How am i to know what's going on? I'm blind." i said bitterly. Turning my face away. "I can't see."

I knew this was uncalled for, but for some reason i felt compelled to say it. I had no idea why...