Where The River Flows Red

Fourteen

Linkin Park- New Divide 

    I didn't comment on anything he had just said or what Elijah said. I want to, but I can't bring myself to think straight. Ebony got hurt. We had told one another that we weren't friends anymore but it doesn't change the fact that I'm freaking out that my best friend is hurt. What will I be walking into if mom said not to come without Godrick? What happened?

    "You're panicking. I feel it," Godrick interrupted my mental banter as I shifted into third gear. 

    "Can you blame me? Two weeks ago, my family didn't have to choose between who I am to them and what I am to everyone else. I had a best friend who I considered my sister and now she doesn't speak to me and she's hurt. I'm going to face my dad, my mom, and my brother as if... as if they were my enemies, not the people who raised me," 

    "You have me," his tone is soft. I glanced at him going into fourth gear. I probably shouldn't be driving this fast but I can't help it right now.

    "Do I?" I asked. "I don't know anything about you except for what others have told me. A story that has flaws. Everything is going to s**t and I have no idea how to take control of any of it," 

    "You assess your surroundings," he smiled. "Everyone. You're right to not trust me or anyone else. Including your family. Change is hard and it'll make you feel like you're losing your mind but it's usually a good thing. You have to put aside your personal beliefs. I am not your brother. Silas isn't your brother. Bruce is not your father. Cassmier is not your mother and that girl is just an instigator for now. Do you understand that?" 

    "I do," I sighed, shifting down. We're getting close.

    "Ebony waited outside of Lockheart Industries. Analyse walked out and the two spoke briefly. Witnesses say there was gunfire and then a fight," 

    "Who had the gun?" 

    "Analyse was shot in the chest twice," he growled, the scent of his anger is filling the air in my car burning my throat. 

    "Is she okay?" 

    "Yes, I made sure of it. We heal differently. She was stabilized within the hour," he tapped a laptop carrier. "I have the report here," 

    I stopped the car in front of the building. I looked at him realizing that this is way out of my league and I'm still going to have to deal with it. He handed me the silver folder from inside of the carrier. We got out at the same time. The men in the trucks climbed out. I just now realize they're bodyguards. All of them are dressed in black suits. 

    The report says exactly what he had described. It's from the police department. I took my sweater off feeling too hot and a little faint. I threw it on my seat and turned to look at Godrick. These people are not my family right now. I repeated in my head as we approached the building. The doors were all opened. My dad and Ebony's dad were standing in the center of the lobby. 

    "That's a lot of backup," Mr. Stark complained without taking his eyes off of Godrick. 

    "These are just our personal guards," Godrick smirked. 

    "We have a problem," my dad ignored them keeping his eyes on me. He looks tired.

    "Yes, we do," I agreed, handing him the file. "What was Ebony doing at Lockheart Industries?" 

    "You've got to be f*****g kidding me," Mr. Stark shouted, looking at my dad. "Of course. Just a few days with these f*****g leeches and she's already a sympathizer," 

    "A sympathizer?" I laughed. "Of what? There are witnesses. There is evidence. What the hell was Ebony doing on that side of town? This place is nowhere near any place she could have possibly been," 

    "How would you know that?" he asked, stepping closer to me. A guard extended his arm out to stop him from getting any closer. 

    "Don't come any closer," Elijah growled at him before looking him over. 

    "I'm not accusing Ebony of anything. Just tell me what the hell she was doing there and why she had a gun," 

    "Ebony is certified to carry a gun. She's a huntress. One of our best. That leech has it coming," Mr. Stark's eyes turned back to Godrick.

    "That's a clear threat, Mr. Stark," I sighed before looking up at Godrick. The burning smell of his anger swirled around me. I can feel it on my skin. It's almost a burning sensation. "Is this what you brought us here for? To threaten us?" 

    "No, that's not what we brought you here for," my dad chuckled. He wants to laugh. "Follow us," 

    I looked back at Elijah and Raven. Both of them smiled like they knew my dad wanted to laugh. I had been in this conference room once before. My mom and Silas are seated at the end of the table. Godrick told the guards to stand outside. I sat down across from Silas. Godrick to my left, Elijah to my right, Raven next to Elijah. 

    Ebony's mom walked in and sat next to her husband who took a seat next to Silas. My dad took a seat at the head of the table. Mrs. Stark threw a stack of pictures at me. I picked them up to see they were pictures of Ebony. Her eyes are shut. There's a tube in her mouth bruising around her throat. Godrick handed me pictures as well. The two wounds on Analyse's chest. The silver coming out of them. I slid them over to her. 

    "She shot someone twice in the chest," I pushed the pictures away. "By the markings on her throat Analyse grabbed her in order to stop her," 

    "Is this what you are now?" she asked me. "One of them?" 

    "I was never one of you. All of you made sure of that. That's not what this is about Katherine. Your daughter shot her twice before Analyse hurt her. I don't understand what it is you want me to do. You want me to apologize for something that Ebony went after?" 

    "You don't understand our laws," she accused.

    "So explain them to me," I suggested. She sat back surprised. 

    "These are the laws of a hunter," my dad interjected, handing me a stack of paper. 

    The top paper, in big bold letters, reads, TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE HUMANITY. The laws all went the same as most. They weren't allowed to hunt anyone of the immortal Clans without reason. Even then probable cause and evidence had to be presented before a hunter or huntress is activated. 

    "Is there any proof that Analyse had anything to do with the harming or turning of a... human?" I asked. That's hard to say out loud considering I had spent my entire life thinking I was human. 

    "None that has ever been presented to an open council," Godrick answered when she didn't. "Analyse was accused of turning a human when she was nineteen. At the time, it would have been improbable for her to have done so. She was still mortal. The Lockheart bloodline has not turned a human since the nineteenth century in Vienna. The former human who accused her mysteriously disappeared. The act suggesting the execution of Analyse Lockheart was terminated," 

    "f**k," I whispered under my breath. What is this conversation? 

    "We don't have to take this to court if you hand the b***h over to us," Mr. Stark slammed his hands on the table. Godrick's hand clamped onto the table, digging dents into it with just the tips of his fingers.

    "I'm not handing anyone over. How would you like me to suggest handing over your mangled daughter's body over to us?" I asked. Godrick looked at me with his eyes shining brightly. 

    "Ebony lost her childhood to you?" Katherine bit out. I laughed. 

    "Ebony had an amazing childhood because of me. She's miserable and uptight because of you," I corrected. The anger I've learned to suppress in me is flaring.

    "We have to draw a line here," my mom interrupted her.

    "Please," I agreed, looking down at my hands. If my nerves spike anymore I'm going to start popping my fingers. It's already an itch. 

    "This is exactly how we're supposed to act in this case. We can't put one another in a situation where we choose simply because she's our daughter or vice versa," my dad added.

    "I agree," Godrick nodded. "I will not be treating anyone any different simply because of what they mean to my sister. There is no change. Ebony Stark f****d up. She had no reason to be at Lockheart Industries. A full investigation will be conducted and should she be found guilty she will have to answer to my authority," 

    "Couldn't have said it better myself," my dad agreed. Mrs. Stark began to shout. Godrick walked out with Raven without saying anything else.

    "Why was she there?" I asked popping my neck trying to ease my tension. Don't pop your fingers. Don't do that.

    "That monster nearly killed my daughter," Mr. Stark shouted. 

    "Your daughter took the initiative to go after someone. She almost killed her. I can overlook Ebony's mouth and the aggressive demeanor she reflects onto me because she was my friend. This attempted murder," I sighed before looking up at him. I can't believe that just came out of my mouth.

    "All of you f*****g leeches will rot. I will make sure of that," he threatened. I don't know what possessed me to smile but I smiled at him. 

    "I've always hated you both along with your moronic son. You turned a little girl into a killer. It would give me great pleasure to see that you rot alone in a cell," I bit out.

    "You f*****g b***h. Ebony did all of this for you,"Katherine Stark shouted. 

    "Get them out of here," my dad ordered into a speaker. Mr. and Mrs. Stark were escorted out. 

    "Yeah, she's related to them," I shrugged, making Elijah smile. Silas pulled me out of my chair and into a hug. The guards all tensed up. 

    "I'm not going to hurt her fangs," Silas waved them off. He looked me over. "What are you wearing?" 

    "Umm clothes," I shrugged. The door opened again, Godrick and Raven walked in Professor Sterling.

    "I'm sorry we asked you to come like this," my mom apologized taking advantage of the situation. She pulled me to her. "They're insane. The council will retaliate. Ebony is a big asset to us," 

    "I suggest putting Ms. Lockheart on lockdown," my dad suggested, looking at Godrick. "I want to thank all of you for taking care of our kid," 

    "Dad, what was Ebony doing there?" I asked again. 

    "Ebony and Analyse have a history. Perhaps you should all sit and we can enlighten you," he began. I sat back down. Elijah's family joined us. "Kenzie Lockheart and Ebony went to the same undergrad school," 

    "We know that. Kenzie was used to lure Analyse in. It was there that Analyse was held down and branded," Godrick growled. 

    "Kenzie found out about Amelia. She didn't know who she was but she knew she was like her. Ebony's duty to the council was to protect Amelia's identity at all costs. At first, Ebony made a direct approach and told her she couldn't tell anyone about Amelia, and when that didn't work she used a more persuasive method. One that brought out Analyse Lockheart. The brand is a spell to keep them from remembering why they were branded," 

    "Amelia belongs with us. With her own kind. What you did is enough to start a war between all of us," Elijah argued,

    "She's just a civilian," my mother shook her head.

    "No, she's not," I shook my head, putting my hand on Godrick's hoping it would calm him. "Even if that were the case mom, what was done to her is not okay. I... you marked her. Have you seen her? How beautiful she is? You took a part of her for something that was inevitable. They know I'm here now. Analyse is in her right to have fought back,"

    "She was there to remove the spell," Silas interject, his eyes are on my hand.

    "What?" 

    "Ebony knew it was only a matter of time before you found out and bitched her out about it. She went there to remove the spell. Whatever happened between them is up to them to reveal. I knew Ebony was there. I told her where Analyse would be," 

    "Thank you," Godrick didn't move his hand and the scent of his anger is going away. "But this doesn't change the fact that Analyse was attacked. Ebony Stark deserves to be where she is for shooting Ana in the chest. If Ana had been a civilian as you so like to put it, she'd be dead. You're lucky Ana has come to care for my sister or your asset would be dead. You should excuse yourself, Anastasia. We're leaving. I'll be waiting for you outside. Know that I don't like to,"

    "I hate when he does that," Elijah murmured before shivering.

    "Same," Raven added uncomfortably. 

    "We will be going as well. If anything happens to my daughter here, Bourne. I'll burn this place to the ground," Professor Sterling added. I jumped when the plant behind my brother caught fire. 

    "Mother," Elijah scolded holding his hand out. The water from one of the glasses on the table was lifted to put the fire out. "I swear sometimes I have to watch you as much as I watch your son," 

    They walked out leaving me speechless. Raven stayed by my side. She motioned my brother and I got what she was saying. I had completely forgotten my reaction.

   "This is Raven Sterling," I introduced, pointing at her. Silas flinched looking her over. 

    "What?" he asked. I laughed. When a squeak came out of his mouth. 

    "You may not be blood but he is most definitely your brother, honey," she smiled placing her hand on the small of my back.

    "I've missed you guys," I admitted, hugging my parents. 

    "Are you okay? Do you need anything?" my mom asked.

    "A vacation would be nice," I shrugged.

    "That's the Lockwood in her," Raven smirked. 

    "Oh, my god. You're Raven Sterling," Silas finally shouted, making her burst into laughter. 

    "You guys make me feel so flattered," 

    "Dude, she's a swag fag. I think we should introduce her to the future Mrs. Silas Bourne," I laughed. He looked at her and smiled. 

    "Sam would flip. She's obsessed with your historic algorithm," 

    "I will be looking forward to that," she nodded. "We should go, princess. Godrick gets super pissy when he has to wait. The King ladies and gentlemen," she rolled her eyes. "Is a drama queen,"

    "I'll see you guys soon," I said, hugging them again. 

    "We love you," mom reminded me as I stepped out. The guards followed behind us.

    "Head up. Straight face. Don't let them see you cry," Raven whispered knowing I would hear her. Lots of eyes are on us as we walked out of the building. Some are angry. The rest are curious. I handed Godrick my key pod. 

    "You hungry?" he asked. 

    "Not really but I think I can use some frozen yogurt," 

    "Frozen yogurt it is," he bowed his head slightly before pressing the button to open the doors. 

    "Ms. Tobi," I turned to see Ivanka. Godrick growled, pulling me to him. Elijah is now standing in front of us. I didn't see him anywhere around us but in a blink of an eye, he was here. Ivanka put her hands up as the guard searched her. 

    "It's okay. She's not going to hurt me," I tried, stepping towards her. 

    "Tobi, I'd never hurt you. You must know that. Matilda did this," she whispered in my ear. I looked back at Godrick. 

    "What?" I asked looking at her. She lifted her sleeve to show me a carving in her arm. 

    "My baby," she smiled her eyes are filling with tears. She pushed my hair back. "I never wanted this. Matilda is plotting something. She's tagged me compromised. I don't have much time. Whatever I found is in Narnia," 

    "Ivy," I shook my head, touching her arm to keep her from walking away.

    "I wanted a daughter. My husband was killed by a Lycan. I was attacked and I was told I'd never be a mother and you changed that, my love. Tell Analyse the key is in the bracelet," she pushed me back and walked away pulling the hoodie over her head. 

    "You can't help her can you?" I asked Godrick. 

    "No. She's killed too many of us," he answered, offering me his hand. I put my hand in his. 

    "Will you be bringing her back?" Raven asked. She put a cigarette to her lips and lit it. 

    "Not tonight," he answered while helping me into the car. 

    "Cass isn't at the penthouse anymore," Elijah informed us.

    "Then you stay with her. She's going to need you," he Godrick ordered before shutting the door. "She'll get there in the morning," 

    "Convenient," Elijah said something under his breath. I had to strain to hear what they were saying. 

    "I've always wanted Ana. From the moment she came into my life. It's you who had the problem. Had I killed you as I still want to do now. I would have lost her. I always wondered what the f**k your problem was and now I completely understand. Know one thing kid. I will not bow to you. This is all still mine. I am still your king. This changes nothing until death comes to collect its prize," Godrick sound pissed.

    "I don't want what you have, Godrick. Analyse made her choice and it wasn't you. Do you think I want her?  I've never wanted her. You think she's so innocent and pure and I can tell you exactly what kind of beast she is. She knows that she'd never get away with half the s**t she does under your rule. She never had the luxury to be a little girl. She's perfect for you. The queen missing in your life. The princess is sitting in your car. She's the one that needs what Analyse doesn't," 

    I watched Elijah walked away. I clicked the seatbelt in place and waited for Godrick to get in the car. He adjusted everything to fit him and started the engine. 

    "Did you hear that?" he asked me. 

    "Not if you didn't want me to," I scoffed, looking out the window. He chuckled. 

    "What's your take on it?" he asked putting the car into gear. 

    "First of all. f**k him for thinking I need to be babied," he laughed. "She comes off really confident. There's coldness there. I saw it at dinner last night. There's also sadness in her eyes. I think you should embrace this Queen side Elijah talked about but I also think all girls want to be treated like princesses here and there," 

    "It's hard to see her that way," he sighed after a while. "I think I wanted her to be what she's not and she thought I didn't want her because of it," 

    "I've only ever been in one real relationship," I admitted still looking out the window. "They said it was an accident but after knowing what Ebony did to Analyse I'm not so sure anymore," 

    "How old were you?" he asked. 

    "I was seventeen," I whispered. "I was at MIT. It was three days after my birthday. He called me really startled. He said he had to tell me something really important. He told me to meet him out on the racetrack. It was where we had met. Then he never showed. I was mad at him because I stood out there for three and a half hours until it began to rain," 

    "Do you think he found something out?" 

    "I don't want to think about it because that would mean that I got him killed just like I got Analyse and her sister scarred and almost killed. It's my fault. That wasn't the only time. I had a friend named Dela. She moved away out of the blue one day. Anyone who came near me. I didn't know. The more I think, the more I feel like maybe everyone is right. I was kept hostage in my own home. They secluded me from everyone," 

    "They love you," he tried to comfort me. "You have to understand that their actions were not their own. They were under orders," 

    "It doesn't change the fact that a lot of lives were ruined because of me. Not just those who tried to get close but those who were forced to be at my side. If I were them. I'd hate me too,"