Gifts of the Living Phoenix

Chapter 19

            Faith continued her meetings with Valois, the strange elf witch as the days went on.  Faith called these meet ups “meetings” since it wasn’t really training, they were doing.  The two  met by the lake and continued drawing extracting information from the past to fill in the blanks to the Living Phoenix and knowledge of her talents.  The lake area was utilized for the sole purpose of bringing together her fire and water manipulation.  One area of it had been hazed so that no one could see what was happening except those within the haze.  It was like being undercover and away from prying eyes. 

            Valois had insisted that the outside world not know the extent of her abilities or what she was doing.  She had hinted that the school had more eyes than she cared to confirm.

Faith found all this secrecy draining.  She hated drama.  And honestly, while learning this information was one thing, mastering her gifts, another obstacle to overcome altogether. 

Although Faith knew she had to do this, she felt torn between spending time with the Twins and their friends and doing all this “training.”  She wished things could a little simpler.  She wished she could talk to her father, just hang with her sister and not worry about the fate of so many.  Sometimes the pressure to learn these gifts felt overwhelming.  When that happened, either the Twins or Dante would be there to help her navigate the doubts in her mind. 

 Pushing aside her own doubts and fears, Faith tried concentrating at the task at hand.  Today however, it was exceptionally difficult.  It had been 3 months since her father’s death.  Valois must have sensed the difficulties Faith had because she suddenly put down her outstretched arms and gave her an inquisitive stare.

            “I know, I should be concentrating,” Faith sighed.

            “Well…knowing and doing, are two different things, are they not?”  Valois smiled gently at Faith in understanding. “Let’s pause a moment my dear.  You seem troubled.”

            “I’m not troubled, per say, I’m more conflicted about things,” Faith admitted.

            “Ahh, conflicted about the young men you have surrounding you?”

Faith smiled a little sadly.  “Yes and no.  It’s been 3 months since my father’s death.  Then there are the men in my life.  It seems there may come a time when something I choose to do may hurt one or more of them. I can’t promise them anything and I find the uncertainty of my future with any of them so confusing.”

            Valois paused a moment before saying, “Promise is a big word my dear, it either makes something, or breaks everything.”   Valois tipped her head to the side and said, “Worry not about the things you cannot control.  Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be.” 

Faith smiled at hearing those words.  She had read them before in the old ancient manuals. 

            “Let’s stop early today.  I think you need a break.”

            “Thanks Valois.”

“Oh, Faith…I won’t be around for a couple of weeks, so you will have to continue your training without me.”

            “Alright, I will make sure to do that.”

“Be sure to have your guardian with you when you’re training,” Valois warned, “You may end up needing his help.”

And with a quick clap Valois disappeared in front of her.  Suddenly the air seemed to billow around her a little before dissipating into nothingness.  Faith turned to the school and headed towards the library in the hopes of catching up with Dante.

            “What are you up to?”  Dante whispered.  He seemed to materialize out of the darkness and creep up right behind her.

            “Don’t DO that!  You’re practically sneaking up on me!”

            “Nah, not practically, absolutely.”  Dante smirked and said, “Looking for me?”

Wiggling his eyebrows at her, Faith stifled a laugh. 

            “You’re ridiculous, seriously.  However, you are right, I was going to go look for you.”

            “And what can I help you with my sweet Phoenix?”  Dante said in a seductive glance.

            “Get your head out of the gutter, I was actually wondering about Melody.”

Dante’s body immediately tensed up and his manner turned absolutely serious.

            “What do you mean?  What about Melody?” 

            “It seems you don’t like her, and I want to know why,” Faith said simply. “What are you hiding from me?  What aren’t you saying?”  

Initially Faith thought it was her imagination, but seeing Dante’s reaction made her realize there was something he was hiding from her.

            “I don’t want to alarm you, since I have no proof, but I don’t think Melody is who she says she is.”

            “What do you mean?  What makes you say that? She’s just 16 like us, no?”

            “No, that’s the thing.  I can tell she’s even older than me,” he confessed.

            “WHAT?!  That’s impossible.  How could you tell where I couldn’t?  OMG I live with her for god’s sake!”  Faith whined.

            “Shhh, and calm down.  It’s just a hunch but I think she’s sort of a plant.  Though I don’t know by who.  And until we know things for sure, I just want you to be a little careful around her.” 

            Great, like that’s going to be so easy.

            “Just continue to act natural around her.  We’ll see what happens.  But the other guardians are well aware.” Dante said assuredly. “You’re safe either way.”

            Act natural??  Like it was going to be that easy… Great, life just got more complicated and she had idea why…

-----

            “Faith, I was wondering if you could help me with something,” said a voice she hadn’t heard in a while.

Faith looked up from her reading in the library when a shadow came across her desk.  She looked up to see Selena, Jacob’s sister standing in front of her with a blank face.  Sometimes Faith couldn’t believe those two were fraternal twins, they didn’t look alike at all, except for the same color hair. 

            “Sure Selena, what is it?” 

            “I’d like to know if you could help me with Dante,” Selena said shyly.

            “Help you?  How?” 

            “I’d like to go out with Dante,” she admitted.

Faith looked at Selena for a long time.  She wasn’t sure if she was sincere or if there was some hidden agenda.  Faith decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

            “Ok, so how can I help you with that?”  Faith asked sincerely.

            “Find out if he’s interested in me, and put in a good word for me at least?”

Selena almost sounded like she was pleading, so she decided maybe she had changed and wasn’t looking to be spiteful or manipulative. 

In the past couple of months, there had been some odd pranks that had been pulled on Faith.  Books of hers that went missing, bad food that made her sick, missing mail from home, etc.  Lately though, those pranks had stopped and Faith had hoped that whoever was behind them had grown tired of committing them.  Since they weren’t major, she hadn’t really told anyone but Melody.  Melody on the other hand wanted to tell both Dante and the twins but Faith had convinced her they would go into overprotective mode and she would have no life without a body guard around.  Melody had quietly acquiesced.

            “Selena, I will do what I can’t, but I can’t make any promises.  Dante … well he kind of has a mind of his own.”

            “Understood, but I’d appreciate any help you can provide.”  Selena said quietly.  “And…I’m sorry, about what happened between us in the past.” 

Wow, she’s really in love with the guy Faith thought.  OH boy… this will be fun…not.

            “So… guess who has the biggest crush on you?”  Faith inquired.

            “Who? Or wait, is this a game?  21 questions?”  Dante shot back with a smirk.

            “HA! I’m not going to give you that answer so easily.  You need to “earn” it.”

            “Good god, I’m done.  I honestly don’t care,” Dante said, totally looking disinterested.

            “Seriously?  You don’t care?  You aren’t going to ask any questions?”  Faith said shocked.

            “Nope, not playing this game.  You either tell me or I walk.”

            “Aww, you’re no fun at all.  Sheesh, who’s made you so dang cranky lately?”

            “If you must know, Selena Sarosian.  She’s been hounding me and showing up at all the oddest and most inconvenient places lately.” Dante truly looked irritated.

Oh s**t, well this is gonna suck for me.  Well damn, now how do I proceed with this?

            “Ok, let’s drop it.  I don’t want to end up on your list of irritations,” Faith said meekly.

            “Sounds good to me.  Hey, want to spar?  I heard you are doing hunter/warrior training, I can help.”

            “Are you sure this isn’t a ploy to get your hands around my body?”  Faith asked in mock horror.

            “Yes, my dear… and you’re playing right into my hands,” Dante smiled evilly.

Faith shook her head at him and led the way to the training fields.  She would have to figure out a way to gently change Dante’s perception of Selena. 

            “Oof!  Hey!  Watch where you’re putting your elbow!”  Faith gasped.

            “Stop complaining, Princess.  You gonna toughen up or what?”  Dante said tripping her down and slamming her to the ground with his weight.

            “OH NOW you’re GONNA GET IT!”  Faith said and pummeled herself into him but only managed on having Dante again shift his weight and land on top of her.

            “GET OFF ME!  GET OFF!”  Faith exclaimed.

            “Calm down, Princess.  Looks like you have some moves, but your defensive skills need a lot of work.  We need to make sure you can absolutely defend yourself. Can’t count on your gifts to carry you through.” 

            Faith was breathing hard as she fought to catch her breath.  She had thought that training and sparring with her father was hard.  Dante was next level.  He fought for keeps and wasn’t “gentle” in how he went about bringing down his opponent.

            “Yeah fine.  I can train with the Twins,”  Faith huffed.

            “Oh no you’re not.  They’re going to go easy on you. I won’t do that,” Dante prodded Faith with his finger.  “No babying.”

Faith rolled her eyes at Dante but decided to keep quiet for now.  She would ask Everett for help.  Everett was a shrewd fighter and had the fine makings of a hunter/warrior. 

            “No Faith, I won’t train with you.  You have me and Edric, why would you need to push yourself more?  Isn’t tackling the gifts hard enough?”   Everett shot a look at Faith but she pressed him further. 

            “I may not always have you with me, and what if I ever get kidnapped or something?  What if we were in a fight or even a small battle and it was every being for themselves?  Then what?” 

            Everett sighed and pressed his lips to her temple.  “Yes, I guess we can’t always be there with you 24/7.  Even if we wanted to be.”

Conceding he said firmly, “If we do this, no whining, no complaining and always doing what I say, without question.” 

            Geez, what made him so domineering all of the sudden Faith wondered.  But she only shook her head at him in silent agreement.

            Days passed quickly as Faith’s time was filled with course curriculum, training her gifts and physical training.  True to his word, Everett pushed Faith hard during their training sessions and never let her quit.  Even Dante was amazed that Everett didn’t cut Faith any slack.  Eventually they ended up having a number of other elves and shapeshifters join their training and sparring sessions, one of which was Selena.  Faith still had hopes of matching Selena with Dante, but Dante was having none of it.

            “He really hates me,” Selena said dismally.

            “Why didn’t you tell me you pursued him so hard?”  Faith hissed quietly.

            “I – I just didn’t know what to do…he is …so… beautiful…” Selena said with longing.

            “Ugh… just try and act normally around him, not so love sick.  We’ll figure something out,” Faith said encouragingly.  She really was a love sick puppy.

            Selena smiled at her and shook her head in agreement.

-----

            “Professor Maudalin, may I have a word with Ms. Geniason?  We have someone that would like to speak with her,” Professor Geniason interrupted Professor Maudalin politely.

            “Yes of course,” she responded.

            Faith lifted her head from her book and her eyes temporarily locked with Dante’s.  He didn’t say anything to her, but she could tell he was a little suspicious of this sudden interruption.

Faith quietly followed Professor Geniason and was led to his office.

            “Ms. Geniason, I don’t know how things have been left with your family, but I hope you’ll keep an open mind to whatever this person says,”  Professor Geniason said calmly.

            “Yes sir, I’ll try.  Though I’m not sure what you mean by fam”- Faith’s words were cut off when she came face to face with her uncle, Colvine Geniason.  He had a hard closed off look about him and only said, “I heard you were looking for me, Daughter.”

            That word, daughter seemed to be said with disdain and almost in spite. Faith hadn’t expected him to open his arms to her, but she hadn’t expected such a cold reception either.

She looked at him and waited for him to continue.

            “I know you came to the second realm to confront me.  My son tells me that you were seeking me out, to talk to me,” Colvine said, the bitterness evident in his words.

            “Yes, I went looking for you… to ask if you knew… about what my mother had confessed.”

            “And what, pray tell was the confession?” Colvine asked impassively.

            “That you were my biological father and my mother’s first lover.  That Colton, your brother was not my father,” Faith said as if daring it to be contradicted.

            Colvine looked at her suddenly with eyes that softened just a moment before they hardened again.  “Your mother and I were ancient history long before you were born.  I highly doubt you are my daughter.”

Faith wasn’t sure why she had expected him to admit to being her father, or for him to even acknowledge her existence.  All of the sudden she felt the need to rebel.

            “Then what are you doing here, Uncle?” Faith spat the words out vehemently.    

            Looking slightly taken aback he eyed her.  “I’m here to meet with the Living Phoenix.”

            “OH.  Figures.” Faith says slightly disappointed, “I wondered who would be first. Wondered when the three realms would come and seek my “assistance,” Faith said.

            “I’m not here to ask for your assistance, I’m here to offer you my protection,” Colvine says haughtily.  “There are more forces here at work than you realize little girl.”

Colvine Geniason sneered at her as he said that.  Faith hadn’t met her uncle often but he was now officially one of her least favorite people. 

            “I’ve managed all these years without YOUR assistance. I’m sure I’ll be fine without your protection.”  And with that Faith turned on her heels and walked out the door.

            Short and sweet, Faith thought to herself.  Her confrontation with her Uncle didn’t turn out in any remote way as she had imagined.  Maybe she immaturely imagined he would claim her as his daughter and ask for her forgiveness, for giving up on her and her mother. Maybe she thought there would be some kind of final piece of the puzzle that would fix everything that she felt was crumbling.  All Faith knew was he was not the man she hoped he was.  He was not someone to be trusted or counted on. 

Faith knew she should get back to class, but didn’t want to feel everyone’s inquisitive eyes on her.  She chose to go to the lake and was lost in thought for some time, which she thought was just minutes, only to realize hours had gone by.  Slowly she got up to go back to classes.

            “Faith! You need to come with me quickly!”  Dante rushed at her in a panic.

Faith had been making her way back to class when she ran into Dante in the empty hallways. 

            “What?!?  Why are you panicked?  Did something happen?” 

            “Professor Geniason was looking for you.  He wants you to come back to his office.”

            “I just came back from there!  What could be so important?”  Faith said in a huff.

            “Let’s just go, ok?” Dante said pleadingly.

            “Fine, lead the way.”

Faith walked back with Dante to Professor Geniason’s office.  She knocked meekly at the door which suddenly swung open for her.  She didn’t even hear Professor Geniason say come in.

            “Sir, you sent for me?”  Faith asked.

            “Yes, my dear, we’ve been searching for you for the past couple of hours,” he said sadly.

            “I’m sorry, what did you need me for?” Faith wondered.

            “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.  Something happened at your home.  Your mother is in critical condition and in care with realm healers,” he said awkwardly.  

Faith could tell there was more news but Professor Geniason seemed to be hesitating.

            “Is there something else you’re not telling me?”  Faith almost daring not to breath.

            “Your sister’s been kidnapped.”