My Secret I Never Knew

Rebirth continued

Eric’s POV

I sat on the porch watching my father. The embarrassment of hearing my brother and his girlfriend getting intimate on the front yard had subsided and the anger of the way my father spoke to Nik, was starting to boil down. Now I felt worried as I watched him pacing back and forth in the yard, worried that he was looking for his own way in and not the peaceful way required of him.

“He won’t hurt her, we won’t let him, Nikki will be fine” Eli said into my head and I rolled my eyes.

“Where are you, you bloody bird?”

“I am close.”

“No s**t, I wouldn’t be able to hear you so clearly if you weren’t. What are you up to?”

“I am watching nuestro corazón, while you are refusing to acknowledge the truth .”

“Stop calling her that and I haven’t refused to acknowledge anything.”

“You can’t lie to me, I may not be able to read your mind but I can feel what you feel.”

“Nik said you speak to her, how?”

“I am not sure, I wanted to warn her during the battle. Then I could, it took a while but I finally reached her again last night. I told her about your father and I watched her create the barrier she didn’t realize what she had done, it was marvelous.”

“Eli, you had no right to say anything.”

“You wanted to tell her but you fought your urges, I did what you wanted and I felt the shock then relief you felt from her knowing. You should thank me.”

I scoffed, the bird was right. I've wanted to open up to her about so much. I felt a heated glare and turned my attention back to my father who was staring daggers at me.

“What?”

“You disappoint me boy, letting an outsider turn you against your blood.”

“She’s not an outsider, she's my friend and I trust her.”

“That little witch w***e has a spell on you, I should’ve let her die when she was a child.”

“SHUT UP!! What happened to you old man, you’ve become a monster since mom died. You were always a hardass but you turned into a completely abusive alcoholic d**k. You weren’t the only one affected and instead of you being there for us, your children you spiraled into your own self wallowing and pity.”

“Are you trying to challenge me boy?”

“No you psychotic sociopath, I’m trying to have an honest conversation with you. We were once a family, yes I disliked some of your methods and leadership but when mom died you changed. My dad would never have wished pain or death on a child. He wouldn’t use power to manipulate people to submit to him or beat his children because they resembled their mother. Why don’t you stay at your house in town? You never liked it here anyway, this was mom’s place, just stop disrespecting it with your presence. Come back when you can be the man she once fell in love with, the man I used to respect.” I turned my back on his stunned expression and walked into the house going straight to my room. 

I could hear Holly and Anthony going at it again in the shower, the separator was down thankfully. I closed and locked my side of the door after locking the bedroom door and climbed into bed staring at the ceiling.

I stared at the ceiling for what felt like forever, playing images of my happy childhood in my head. I always knew my mother balanced out my father, kind of like how Anthony and I balance each other. He was older by 5 minutes yet I was more mature, I would keep his mouth and behavior in order making sure his tricks and jokes didn’t cross a line. He would force the occasional fun on me, we were two sides of the same coin my mother would always say. Similar yet different, identical twins sharing a soul but individual personalities. Mom would always keep her husband from going too far, she was always the voice of reason and of doing right.

I was pulled from my thoughts by a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“I would but the door is locked and I don’t know how to teleport yet.” Nikki said from the other side of the door. I got up and opened it, she was standing with an apron on and a plate of food in her hand.

“You can created weapons of energy and force fields that keep out one of the strongest warlocks on the planet but you can’t teleport ?” I asked with one eyebrow raised and a smirk, she pushed past me and sat the plate on my nightstand. I could see irritation in her eyes and  I expected a smart remark but she didn’t give me one. 

“I am proud of you Eric, I know it was difficult to say those things to your father.” She smiled slightly at me before looking to the ground and slid her right arm up her left one stopping at her elbow and holding it. A nervous tick she does and she doesn’t get nervous often.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong, we just had a discussion downstairs and didn’t want to bother you but I want to tell you something. I have to tell you something.”

“Okay, talk to me about what's going on.”

“The others are coming tomorrow so that training can be modified and you guys are going to explore your powers. Ariel and Angel believe that the Scourge won’t be around for a while since they believe they’ve killed a guardian which would weaken the collective power of the Guardians. I think they might’ve targeted Candice since she would technically be the most powerful due to possibly being a Princess but also the weakest due to the block. Having the Guardians train together in one place should strengthen the bond as well as help those that haven’t embraced their powers to power up basically.”

“So what aren’t you telling me Nik?”

“Ariel senses that I do have a bond with everyone but not the same type of bond as a guardian. Uhm, and Rebecca will be returning soon so I think I’m going to return home. The barrier will remain over the property so you guys will be safe, and the Sanctuary is also still protected. The others will arrive in the morning and I will leave tomorrow night.”

“So you want to go visit Rebecca for a bit, that's great, maybe I could come with you to keep you company. Or better yet out of trouble.”

“You need to train and I’ll be gone for more than a bit and I”

“You don’t want to be around me, if it’s about what my father said or how he is? Or are you upset I stopped you from….”

“No, no I love being around you. I can completely be myself when I’m with you and I don’t care about what your father said or did, he’s not you. You’re so much better than him, I just need to find out more about my family, especially my mom’s side. I still don’t really know much and I haven’t been looking into it since I returned. I need to know more about my power and I don’t want to be a distraction with your training either.”

“Nik, you’re not a distraction or a complication or anything negative. You’re my best friend, and I think you should train with us. We can all help you with finding out more about your family as well.”

“Eric I need to go, and you need to stay. As much as I appreciate you wanting to help, I can’t let you do that. I’ll be fine and Ariel thinks it’s best if I also give Candice a bit of healing space.”

“So this is his idea?”

“No it’s mine, he suggested I stay here and try not overcrowd her. I just think it’ll be better for everyone if I go, besides I miss home anyway.” I walked closer to her and gently placed my hand on her chin and lifted her head until her eyes met mine. I don’t think she’s being completely honest about her leaving. An urge came for me to tell her some of what I’ve been feeling, what I’ve been avoiding talking about.

“Nicole I don’t know if I can be away from you for even a day. Honestly whenever I’m near you I feel stronger, and more confident, more me. I don’t just feel like my twin’s other half but I feel like a complete person, I don’t feel the burden of responsibility with you. I don’t feel like you’re judging me and when I look into your beautiful hazel eyes with those unique purple flakes I feel a calmness that I crave. You’re my best friend I… I love you and I don’t want you to leave.” Her body tensed at my words and she was speechless, for once she was speechless which amazed but scared me. Maybe I messed up. Maybe she thinks I only love her as a friend. Maybe I’m not even sure if I really do love her and she can sense that. Suddenly she pulled my head forward and our lips crashed together causing her body to relax. She pulled away slowly and placed my forehead on hers. 

“Eat, I’m going to shower then we’re going to bed. We both need rest for tomorrow.” She turned away grabbing one of my shirts and a pair of my shorts. I ate as she showered and picked a movie to fall asleep to. Once she was done I went into the bathroom to shower. Once I finished I came out and noticed she was already snuggled under the covers waiting for me. I climbed on the bed next to and pressed play. I kissed her forehead before laying on top of the covers and cozying up next to her. I heard her light snores halfway during the movie and I turned it off before falling asleep myself.

I woke to the sounds of laughter and noticed I was bed alone. I got dressed and headed downstairs to see everyone had arrived and were sitting around the table eating and talking, which they stopped doing upon seeing me. I looked and noticed everyone wasn’t here.

“Good Morning everyone, Uhm is Nikki outside or something?”  Anthony got up from the table and walked over to me.

“No she ah, she left really early this morning. She left this letter for you, and Angel teleported her where she needed to go.” He tried handing me an envelope but I refused it and quickly headed to the front door. Once I was on the porch I stopped, gasping at what I saw. Beautiful flowers were blooming all over the yard that was once dying crabgrass and dirt patches. 

 I regained myself and ran down the stairs and began sprouting wings, and flew into the air only to be knocked down hitting the ground with a loud thud.

Candice POV 

It was decided that it was time we all went to Crystal Heart for training. Neesh’s father stepped down from being delta to come with us, his son took his position. 

We arrived at a beautiful huge home surrounded by flowers at 7am greeted by Angel. Breakfast was being cooked by Holly and Ariel, Anthony showed us to our rooms before we returned back downstairs for breakfast.

I was a little relieved Nikki wasn’t here, I wasn’t ready to face her yet especially since I felt like her dying was my fault. Ariel and Angel explained to the rest of us that she left to give us space to train since she wasn’t really a guardian like we first believed. Apparently she left at like 3am and Eric didn’t know yet.

We were laughing and talking when Eric entered and everyone stared at him.

Good Morning everyone, Uhm is Nikki outside or something?”  He asked and Anthony got up from the table and walked over to him.

“No she ah, she left really early this morning. She left this letter for you, and Angel teleported her where she needed to go.” Anthony tried handing Eric an envelope but he refused it and quickly headed to the front door. He actually looked heartbroken. He stopped monetarily before growing wings and flying into the air only to be knocked down by Ariel hitting the ground with a loud thud. 

“What the hell are you doing man?”

“I was trusted by the beautiful Miss Nicole to keep you from coming after her.”

“Are you f**king serious, she could get hurt out there alone. It’s dangerous”

“The Scourge believes she’s dead, the sanctuary is protected by magic. I understand her mother Rebecca is returning and my sources have heard of no other dangers. I think you should respect her wishes.” Ariel stated and Eric turned around furious and made his way back to the house, stopping to glare at me before proceeding inside.

I felt like this was going to be a difficult time here.

We all went inside to finish breakfast and talk.

“So here’s what’s going on, Ariel has been collecting information from dark beings and I’ve been speaking with light magical creatures gathering as much information as we can. Candice we have discovered and acquired a potion that will unblock your powers but unfortunately not your mind or memories before your adoptive family.” Angel said and I smiled feeling hopeful. I could do magic, I would be ok without the memories I’ve been dying to do some magic.

“Neesh, you, Anthony and Eric are to train with Angel and I, while Candice and Holly will train in combat with my husband, Ariel and Zack. This will alternate biweekly.” Mrs. Lee said. 

Training was to start tomorrow so I decided I would try to speak with Eric today, I still felt he and I could be together. Nikki did abandon him after all. I knocked on Eric’s bedroom door and after a few seconds he opened it, stared at me then promptly slammed the door in my face. I guess he’s still upset about Nikki ditching him, I walked downstairs and out to the porch.

“Miss Nicole hasn’t been gone even 12 hours and you’re already trying to replace her, pity.” Ariel said from beside me, I rolled my eyes at him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you do, you want to take your friend's place, even after being the cause of her having a hole in body.”

“What are you talking about? That wasn’t my fault, that was the Scourge trying to kill me but she jumped in the way.”

“Please don’t insult me with lies and denial, I can sense your guilt. It’s seeping through your pores calling out to the world. You’re jealous of your friend because for once she’s not in the shadow, for once she’s not just the poor troubled orphan girl. You let that jealousy put a target on her back.”

“I didn’t mean to, it was an accident.”

“What was an accident?” Eric said from behind me, I jumped not knowing he had been behind us. I looked at Ariel who grinned and motioned for me to speak as Mrs. Lee and Holly came outside. I paused, Ariel cleared his throat and motioned again.

“Ok, ok. I was a little upset the day of the graduation party. I ran into Tierra and she said somethings about Nikki intentionally trying to hurt me and she got in my head. I…I said something about Nikki being a Princess and guardian. Tierra called her the Guardian Princess,  and she was basically gone before I could correct her.”

“I don’t understand what does that have to do with anything, the Scourge is the one that hurt her.” Holly said

“Nikki ran off to save Candice after we heard Scourge members saying they needed to kill the Guardian Princess and we assumed they meant Candice. They had to have seen her run across the field into the woods, they mistook her for someone she wasn’t because of you Candice.” Eric stated with a piercing look towards me, I gulped.

“This also means that Tierra and maybe even the whole Monroe household are a part of The Scourge, this could explain the ability to attack at Silver Lake. I have to inform the council of this.” Mrs. Lee said hurrying back into the house, I could feel Eric’s anger rolling off of him then Ariel spoke.

“Well Candice you should know I had already informed Miss Nicole of your accidental conversation with this Tierra. It was part of the reason for her wanting to return to her home, since she is believed to be dead she can keep an eye on things in town.” 

I felt like I had been set up for everyone to hate me, I don’t think I can take this for long. Not if I couldn’t win everyone back on my side, including Eric.