Book of Curses

Chapter 6.

“We’ll show you to your room; Layre and Nickel have them.” One of the boys said to me, offering me a soft smile. I smiled back, nodding my head and started to follow the two of them.

We ended up walking for a while before I got bored with gazing at the various paintings upon the walls. I took a deep breath, and looked at the two of them for a long drawn-out moment before I spoke.

“So, um, who’s who?” I asked, tilting my head slowly as I spoke. I gazed between the two of them for a long moment, trying to see if I could figure it out on my own, but I failed. 

“I’m General Talon Wolff,” he began, looking at me for a moment, frowning. “General of area fifteen and Nixon here’s tutor.” 

“I’m Nixon like he said, Dhampire, first one ever assigned to the King and Queens home ever. Also the youngest, I’m only seventeen years.” 

I nodded, looking over at Nixon, and then back at Talon. So I could finally tell them apart. “That’s awesome.” My eyes slid back to Nixon as I looked him over.

He was shorter than Talon by quite a bit, though he had to be somewhere around six feet, maybe a little taller than that. He had black hair that was a complete mess around his head, with bright hazel colored eyes. His skin was pale looking, but not nearly as pale as the others were, there was a strange-looking tattoo that sat at the base of his throat. It looked like a circle with a star coming out of it, and random markings surrounded part of it. 

He tugged on his shirt, pulling it so that it was covering his throat. His hands then sliding down into the pockets of his jeans, his boots clicked on the floor as he walked beside me. 

Talon's hair was a dark-brown color. It seemed to hang in his eyes when he made certain movements and was shaggy around his neck. It looked like it hadn't been cut in a long time, and he was badly in need of a haircut. I noticed when he moved there was another tattoo that was below his right eye, it looked like a half moon with some strange design in it.

His skin was paler than Nixon's was, and he was at least a head taller than Nixon, if not more. His shirt fit snug against his body, outlining the muscles in his upper body. His pants were tight looking as well, but he was barefoot for some strange reason. 

“Here we are.” Talon spoke, in a clearly amused voice. His face never once showed any signs of emotion, it was like looking at a blank canvas. “This is your room. We'll be out here.” 

I watched as Talon slowly opened my door. I nodded my head slightly, and muttered a thank you to him as I stepped into my room. Looking around slowly, I took in my new room. It was big, with a wooden floor and stone walls, a single grey rug was under the bed on the floor, and on the far wall was a lone window looking out into the dark night.

An oak dresser sat against the wall next to it; it was detailed with roses and vines of the most realistic carvings I had ever seen. On the right wall sat two doors with a fireplace smack dab between them, a picture of a house surrounded by wildflowers and sunlight hung over it. It was an odd picture to be in a place like this, I guess it was their only way of having sunlight anymore. 

In the very center of the room was a queen-sized bed, complete with silk sheets and dozens of pillows. I gazed at the bed longingly, nearly falling into a trance. I wanted to curl up on it so badly, it looked amazing right now. I shook my head though, and looked around the rest of the room smiling to myself. A girl could get used to living in a place like this. 

“Queen Valdis is having clothing sent to each room, though if you want, we could get you something else to wear in the meantime.” Nixon spoke from the doorway. I turned around and looked back at him blinking a few times, just now realizing that they were both there still.

“No! I’m alright, really!” I protested as quickly as I could. They were already doing too much for me as it was. They didn't need to go to any more trouble just to get me clothes. 

Nixon exchanged an odd glance with Talon, who had waited until then to speak. “Just come on.”

“Really, I’m fine; I can easily sleep in these, honest!” I said, trying to protest again as Talon started to urge me out the door. 

“You’ll like Mrs. Lane.” Talon said smiling a bit, or trying to before he let out a sigh.

“Yeah, mom’s great, besides I won't take no for an answer,” Nixon looked at me, slowly scanning me over and shaking his head at me. “You’re filthy.” 

I looked down at myself, I guess between the horseback riding and sleeping on the bale of hay last night, he was right. Besides, I didn't even get a real bath yesterday, I just washed myself off, so I was sure I smelled awful at this point. 

I looked down at my clothes, and saw that they were covered in dirt. Lord only knew what my hair and face looked like. I shuddered at the thought of it, as I gave into them finally.

“Fine!” I said sighing out loud and shaking my head in defeat as I looked at the two of them frowning. 

I followed after them as we made our way down a series of halls, again. It was starting to make my head spin. We made a few new turns, and after a while ended up at a door. Nixon and Talon pushed it open and walked out into a courtyard that was lit by hundreds upon hundreds of lights along a pathway.

Soon it twisted into a street full of houses. As we walked down I noticed each house was scattered at random, and people milled about everywhere. Vampires and humans alike chatted and joked around. I bit my lip to hold back the questions that formed. I smiled at the children who were running around and laughing as we passed.

We went further and further, and the longer we walked the more children we saw. We finally stopped outside a two-story house, there were lights on behind a few windows, and I could see shadows moving around as people walked past them. 

“Home sweet home.” Nixon said smiling brightly as he walked closer to the house. He pushed the door open and walking inside. “Mom! I’m home, brought some people over.” 

I followed him in. As soon as I was inside, I felt the warmth of the house, and it made me think of home. Not my home, I meant a home like most children usually had, with the caring and loving parent.

It made me think of what I missed out on, and I frowned for a moment. It was weird how motherly it felt in here already, and I was only in the doorway. I was overwhelmed by how clean it was, how warm and welcoming it felt, and how peaceful it was. Then I smelled the faint scent of cookies, I didn't understand that, but I didn't complain either.

“Nixon Lyle!” A woman practically screamed out, though it sounded more like a yell of happiness than anything else. I was startled out of my own thoughts and jumped a bit, looking around to see where it'd come from.

I noticed Nixon's wince, before he started forward into the house. He followed the voice, and I saw a short slim woman come around the corner and hug him tightly before pulling him down enough that she could kiss his cheek. 

She seemed too young to be his mother. She looked like she was maybe in her late twenties, but the way she acted was a different story. She acted like a mother would; she was caring and kind and had a way about her that just screamed mom.

“Bliss, Pandora, Nixon’s here!” She called out as she turned to look back toward where she was yelling. Right after she offered us all a warm smile, before looking at her son again. “I heard you found the Chosen today.”

“Yeah, it’s why we’re here.” Nixon stepped to the side to show me to his mother better; I noticed her sizing me up fast and felt confused. “She needs something to use for tonight, so she can clean herself up.” 

“Oh my, aren’t you pretty.” She smiled brightly as she walked towards me, two little girls ran over and began pulling on Talon's arms with no mercy. 

He gave in and sighed as they dragged him away from us, though I swore, I saw him smiling at them. Nixon covered his mouth to try to keep from laughing, as he looked to his mom then me, watching us for a moment. I was scared to move, so I just stood there watching his mom and looking at the pictures on the wall. 

“Come on dear, I've got something for you.” His mom said as she grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me with her towards a bedroom, I didn't even get a chance to look around. 

“These are Amie’s old things. She left to work with the Guardians. I left her things here; she’s my oldest son’s twin sister.” She explained to me, as she started to open a dresser and fish through it. She pulled out a pair of shorts and a shirt before turning around and handing them to me.

“These should work, there’s a bathroom down the hall. Go take a shower and change, and then you can stay for dinner.” 

“Oh but I don’t want to intrude or anything…” I said to her, holding onto the clothes and yanking my hands up. 

“Nonsense, the girls will enjoy seeing their brother for once, and when Raven and Heath get home you can meet the whole family -” She smiled brightly towards me, setting a hand on my shoulder. “You can tell us about yourself and your brother, it’ll be fun, besides. I made too much food for just five of us.”

I nodded hesitantly, before I let a smile slide over my face in a slow manner. I wasn't sure what to make of this, but I couldn't deny Nixon time with his family. “Thank you, Mrs. Lane.” 

“Call me Alani.” She said as she removed her hand and started towards the door, then stopped in the middle of the room. “Come on now, let’s get you to the shower,” She began to move forward again and out into the hallway, pointing to it. “At the end right there is the bathroom; there are towels and washcloths under the sink.”

I nodded my head slowly, before I started down the hallway towards the door at the end. I turned the door knob and slowly opened the door going inside. 

****

I took a long shower that was long overdue, yet excruciating against my bruised and scraped body. I had noticed while taking the shower just how filthy I really was; dirt pooled in the bottom of the tub. I also found there were cuts on me; I hadn't previously been able to see.

My wrist wasn't helping me either, the cut on my arm, where the tiger had scratched me, lead-up to the sensitive area on my wrist, and it was aching as I got out. The difference from hot water to cold air made it agony, but the water had felt so great I felt it was worth the pain. 

I changed into the new clothes quickly. I used a few pieces of the bandage that weren't ratty looking or destroyed, and re-wrapped my arm up. After I was finished changing I went down the hall to where I heard voices coming from.

I stood there for a moment, watching Nixon and Talon playing with the two little girls who giggled happily. Talon looked happy yet pained to be around them, as if he wasn't sure if he could enjoy happiness or not. Alani had stepped in front of me blocking my view and smiled warmly at me.

“They fit well dear?” She looked at me, the question hung in the air for a moment before I answered her... 

“I, um, yeah they fit perfectly.” I told her as I heard the door open. I looked over and saw two boys stepping inside quickly. One looked almost identical to Nixon, only with red hair but was paler and older looking. 

Since he resembled both the boys in the house I figured he was their father, and that the other one was his brother, Raven. I stared at them for a long moment, blinking my eyes a few times before I looked over at the other boys to see if they'd heard. Before I got a good look I was startled again. 

“Whoa, hey there cutie.” Raven smirked as he started toward me. 

 I think; I managed to turn every possible shade of red before Nixon stood up and yelled out to him. “She’s one of the Chosen, thought you should know.”

“Nix?” Raven smiled brightly, he and his father went into the other room and right to Nixon and Talon. They spoke fast, and then Raven sat down next to Nixon with their father on the other side. 

‘Must be what it's like to have a real mom and dad’ I thought bitterly as I looked at them. I turned my head and looked at a wall, ignoring what was going on as I tried to push my own thoughts away. I saw Talon stand out of the corner of my eye, and say something to the group of people in the room. He walked past me, walking towards the door before he stopped with his hand on the door knob and looked back at me. “If you want, you can join me. I'm just getting some fresh air; you look like you could use it.” He said and then he went outside.

I looked at the door for a long moment, watching as he went out, then I looked back at the happily chatting family. I weighed my options and then followed, shutting the door quietly behind me. 

“You looked like you were about to be sick.” He said, chuckling a little as he leaned back against the house, shutting his eyes tightly and breathing deeply.

“Oh? Sorry, it was just strange to me. I've never really had a family to speak of, other than Tom. I was never around any of my friends’ family.” I told him, shrugging my shoulders before looking up at the black night sky. It was empty, except for the moon, and seemed to go on forever into nothingness. 

“Ah, well, I can relate in a way,” He rubbed his chin slowly thinking to himself, before he opened his eyes and looked down the cobbled pathway we'd taken to get here. “My parents didn't exactly, acknowledge, my existence.” 

I looked over at him sadly; I knew the feeling all too well and understood how annoying and cruel it was, and how much it hurt. I looked back down before I began to speak. “I’m sorry.” When he cut me off with his hand, I blinked a few times and looked back at him.

He looked at me with a blank look on his face, shrugging his shoulders for a moment. “I don’t like living in the past, or having someone feel sorry for me. It’s been a little too long to stop and wallow in self-pity over it, or receive it from others.” 

I slid down slowly, sitting on the cold stone. I let my eyes shut as I started to think to myself for a long moment. "When dad died, mom didn’t give a damn and was too busy trying to be the popular girl she never was when she was in high school. She even goes to the extreme of acting as if we aren’t hers. Stupid damn woman, she could have sent us to our aunts, but no. If she had we never would’ve been in this situation, and now... Now." I opened my eyes, gazing off into the distance for a long moment as I thought to myself. “I won't ever see her again, will I?" 

“I can’t say that I know.” Talon said aloud to me, and then it dawned on me that I had said the last part of my thoughts out loud. I looked over at him as he tapped his fingers on his leg slowly, before he looked back towards the house for a second.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud!” I told him, wanting to smack myself now. “I shouldn’t ask you things like that, I don’t even know you!” 

He looked down at me with a bemused look on his face, before shrugging his shoulders. “Don’t worry, I think we’re going to know each other pretty well soon enough, besides. You're stuck with me and Nixon, remember?”

“I suppose so…” I said looking down, it was said more to myself than it was to him. I didn't want to get to know him, or Nixon. I wanted to go home. 

Talon glanced back once more, then stood up to his full towering height, before he tilted his head in the general direction of the household we'd just come from. 

“We should head back in; sounds like they’re readying the kitchen now.” 

I stood up slowly, following him into Nixon's house once more. I was somewhat prepared for whatever was about to happen. Well, I hoped I was, since I didn't really know what was going to happen. 

Alani had managed to prepare a feast. She called everyone from the living room into the kitchen. The girls were seated next to one another, looking as childish as ever, giggling and talking in hushed voices. 

Nixon was sitting between his father and a rather expressionless Talon. I got the seat between Alani and Raven and wanted to run away almost as soon as I sat down. He wouldn't stop looking at me and smirking. I couldn't handle it for too long, but I just took a deep breath and tried to pretend that he wasn't sitting next to me.

“So, what’s your name?” Alani asked suddenly, looking over at me with a smile on her face once more. “Rude of me not to ask earlier, forgive me for that.” 

“Oh, it’s fine.” I smiled back at her, as I sat up a bit straighter. “My name’s Raine.” 

“Raine, that’s a rather vampiric name.” Heath told me, with a strange look on his face as he eyed me.

I looked at him rather confused. I didn't understand what he meant by that, Alani rolled her eyes - an odd gesture from a mother of five - and spoke to him.  “Heath, she’s not from this world; I'm not sure her family knew that.”

“What’s your brother like?” Pandora asked me. I looked over at her and blinked a few times, trying to figure out what to say to that.

“Oh, well, um he’s… uh, hard to describe.” I told her truthfully. Then I realized I hadn't even touched my food. There was a perfectly cooked steak, and I hadn't even tried it. “He’s usually very childish, unless he’s worried, then he gets overly mature and guard like.” 

“Sounds like Nixon!” Bliss shouted happily, then looked over at her brother. 

Nixon looked at her, giving her a strange look before raising one of his eyebrows at her. “I am not childish, ever.”

“I call liar on that.” Raven called over to him, smirking as he did. 

“What about your mom and dad!” Bliss asked eagerly. Obviously ignoring what Nixon had to say, in that way that little children tend to do. 

“Well, my dad… he died when we were born, and my mom, she’s not around much.” I explained, wincing at how casual it sounded when I said it out loud. I regretted my words after they came out, and frowned slightly. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Alani said slowly, looking over at me sadly.

I shook my head at her, smiling as much as I could. “Don’t worry about it, Tom and I take care of each other.” I told her and faked a bit of cheeriness, as if it didn't matter. 

It didn't change the awkwardness that now hung close in the air around us. Talon looked from me to the others, before frowning a bit. Nixon looked down at his plate as if it would tell him something he could do to help.

“How old are you?” Talon asked me, arching one of his eyebrows. I saw the expression in his eyes; he was trying to help me out and for that I was extremely grateful.  I wanted to find a way to let him know... 

I settled with looking at him thankfully, before I answered his question. “Eighteen, as of two days ago now.” 

Pandora and Bliss looked happily at one another then to me. They were practically bouncing in their seats, and it frightened me a little. “What’s it like being an adult?” They asked at the same time. I just blinked a few times at them.

Laughing a little, I bit my lip and then thought about it. “Well, it really doesn’t seem any different than being a teenager, to be honest with you.”  When their faces dropped I instantly felt bad, and added in a quick. “But maybe, it’ll be different for you guys.” Their faces lit up once more with happiness, and I felt relieved to have been able to do that.

“Single?” Raven asked me, looking down at me and wiggling his eyebrows back and forth, before he gave me a look that made my skin burn as if a lighter was being held to it. 

“Er, well, um…yes?” I answered him as I started to inch over towards their mother without realizing what it was I was doing. 

“Come on now Raven, give the girl some space would you?” Nixon asked him, letting out a very audible sigh, frowning at him. 

“What? Just because you’re a soldier doesn’t mean I am, and I’m certainly not restricted from things like you are.” He told him, smiling back at me before he winked his right eye in my direction. My eyes grew at least three times their normal size, and I tried to look away from him. “I can have a little fun can’t I?” 

“You can, but when you screw her up and you’re on your deathbed, don’t say I didn't warn you.” 

“Boys…” Alani warned them in a tone that even made me feel like I'd done something wrong. I looked up at her, and then at the two of them for a second, she seriously had the scary mom thing down. 

“Sorry mum…” Raven said instantly, looking down at his food. 

“Sorry…” Nixon managed to whisper before he shoveled food into his mouth, and stared down as well.

“Raine was it? How are you adjusting to our world? I’ve met other humans from your world, when they tried to end our wars they were terribly shocked by our world.” Heath asked me just as I shoved food into my mouth. I looked up at him blinking my eyes a few times.

Swallowing the food, I managed to think of something to answer with. “Well, it is different.” I told him, and then gestured to everyone around me, flushing a bit. “There’s really no such thing as, well you guys, where I’m from, or Lycanthropes, only humans…” I began to scratch at my arm absentmindedly as I kept thinking to myself, I sounded like a complete fool, but it was the best way I could think of to say it. 

“That sounds awfully boring.” Heath told me, nodding his head slowly. 

I shook my head slowly, smiling a little. “Not really, I mean, as a race we all stand out in different ways, from horror writers, to romantics, the crazies to normal people… it’s not so boring, besides we build all kinds of things, I’d show you if I could.” 

Heath gave me a look that was completely and totally amazed. “What sort of things do your people build?” 

“Buildings, cars, iPods and computers, all kinds of things.” 

“What are these cars, and computers? Ipods?” He asked me, it was like watching Harry Potter and listening to Mr.Weasley. I had to keep from laughing as I looked down. I licked my lips slowly, trying to thinking of a way to explain it.