Sophia
I left the note, changed in one of the many bathrooms, and headed to work. Today was a school day, but my boss was desperate for someone to cover an extra shift, so he didn’t even ask about school.
I texted Kat to let her know I didn’t need a ride since she was in school, which meant I’d have to walk. I didn’t mind; it gave me time to think. Unfortunately, I had too much to think about at the moment.
Sebastian would probably give me a ride if I asked, but I didn’t want to. His huge house felt smothering, filled with people who didn’t want me there (except for Tracy).
By the time I reached the restaurant, my foot was aching. The pain wasn’t as bad, but it was still annoying. ‘One miracle is good enough,’ I thought, considering my magically healing face.
The next few hours at work were effortless. No kids from school were there, no one I knew, just a peaceful shift where I could get lost in my thoughts and focus on not spilling any drinks.
At three o’clock, new faces began showing up. Kat walked in, her hair a mess from the wind. She clocked in and gave me a sympathetic smile. I took a deep breath, knowing she’d want an explanation about Sebastian.
For the next few hours, I explained my strange situation, and Kat did her best to comfort me. She didn’t give me any grief for missing school, acknowledging that I had enough on my plate.
“I’m still planning our shopping trip, Sophia,” Kat said, cocking an eyebrow. “Rich father or not, we’re getting you some new clothes.”
I rolled my eyes. “New clothes aren’t at the top of my list right now.”
“Clothes should always be at the top of every list,” Kat mumbled to herself.
‘She’s right, you know,’ Silver chimed in, giving me a shrug.
‘You can’t even wear clothes,’ I retorted. ‘You’re a disembodied voice in my head!’
‘Rude,’ Silver scoffed. ‘Bet I still have better style than you.’
With Silver’s retort, she faded to the back of my mind.
“Why couldn’t the voice in my head be nice?” I muttered to myself. “No, instead, I get a mean voice that just hurts my feelings and confuses me.”
“Tough love, bitch,” Silver growled before disappearing again.
“I’m losing my mind,” I nodded to myself, grabbing drinks for another table. Acceptance was my best friend right now. The stress was clearly getting to me, muddling my thoughts and creating this false persona. I wasn’t skilled in psychology, but I knew something was wrong.
Kieran and Ethan came into the restaurant, which didn’t surprise me. They seemed to go out of their way to find and approach me. I hid in the kitchen, only coming out under the threat of losing my job. I rushed out with a tray of drinks, frantically scanning for my customer’s table.
A strong hand wrapped around my wrist, causing a surprised yelp to escape my lips. The sparks bursting through my cells stunned me, sending a pleasurable wave of calmness through my body. I knew who it was without looking. I spun around too fast, and the tray of drinks toppled over onto my chest.
“Crap,” I muttered, brushing the ice from my shirt. This was my only work shirt, so I’d have to spend the rest of my shift in a sticky mess.
“Sorry, doll,” Ethan frowned, picking up the tray while Kieran grabbed the cups.
They stared at me in awe, and I cringed under their attention. They looked at me like a man seeing the sun for the first time, in wonder, as if I were more than just a plain girl covered in sugary soda.
“Thanks,” I muttered, averting my eyes. Looking into their dark eyes did things to my mind, placing images I didn’t want to see. My mind was trying to move on, but my body hadn’t gotten the memo.
“You haven’t been in school,” Kieran said, his voice tinged with worry.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Things have been busy.”
“Who was that man you were here with?” Kieran frowned, his voice possessive.
“They’re ours, Sophia,” Silver murmured in my head. “And we’re theirs!”
I ignored her and frowned at the twins.
“We don’t mean to pry, doll,” Ethan said, shooting Kieran a look.
“It’s alright,” I shook my head. “That was Sebastian, my-my father.”
They stiffened, Ethan’s eyes widening slightly while Kieran’s jaw clenched.
“Your father?” Ethan asked, his voice a mix of confusion and denial.
“Unfortunately,” I mumbled. “He couldn’t leave well enough alone.”
“Excuse us-we’ll catch up with you later, sweetheart,” Kieran murmured, his eyes roaming my face. “At school, preferably.”
I gave a weak nod, fighting the temptation to follow them out the door. I had no intentions of going to school, no matter how badly I wanted to see the twins. My gut twisted as I watched them leave, catching Jessy’s murderous stare. I wasn’t sure how much she’d seen, but her glare told me it was enough. Lilian and another girl were with them. I purposefully ignored Lilian, refusing to meet her eyes. What Jessy did was reprehensible, but what Lilian did was just as bad. I trusted her, and she led me into a trap. She had me drugged, beaten, and nearly raped. And for what?
Kat insisted on taking Jessy’s table, something I would forever be grateful for. I laid low until Jessy left, finishing the rest of my shift in a confused and slightly tormented haze. ‘Friday,’ I repeated in my head like a life-saving mantra. Everything would be fine after Friday. No more Jessy, Sebastian, Lilian, Calvin, or the drama and pain that followed.
Kat drove me home at the end of our shift, the conversation light as she sped down dark road after road. After some slightly confusing directions, Kat dropped me off at Sebastian’s house.
“Oh,” Kat cooed, looking up at the house. “I wondered when they’d finish building this place. Your-Sebastian must’ve been waiting months for it.”
I raised an eyebrow at Kat , confused by her remark. “What do you mean? Sebastian just came to town a day ago.”
Kat gave me an uneasy look. “My mom furnished and decorated this place. She said some rich guy requested it to be built months ago.”
My mind raced at what Kat said. Either her mom was talking about another rich guy, or Sebastian had this house planned out months ago. Why would he choose here of all places? Did he know I was going to be here?
I hopped out of the car and gave Kat a hasty goodbye wave. I was going to get some answers from Sebastian, whether he liked it or not.
It turned out, I didn’t have to look very far. Sebastian sat in the darkened living room, a glass of dark liquid in his hands. My nose wrinkled as I watched him take a drink of what looked like alcohol. While Sebastian looked nothing like Darren, the image was unsettlingly similar.
“Sophia,” Sebastian cleared his throat, setting his glass on the table. “I waited up for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I mumbled, setting my shoes in the closet near the front door.
“There are some things we need to talk about,” Sebastian sighed, looking very much like an unwilling participant.
I grimaced. “Can’t they wait until morning?”
“I’m afraid not.” Sebastian gave me a sympathetic smile, an expression I was beginning to loathe. “I’ve kept this from you for seventeen years. I’d prefer not to wait another day.”
“Fine.” I nodded, pressing my lips together tightly. “But I have a question of my own.”
“I believe what I’m about to tell you will answer some of your questions,” Sebastian murmured. “But you may proceed.”
I grimaced at his formal tone, like a true businessman. “This house,” I nodded, looking around us. “My friend’s mom designed the interior. She said it was requested months ago. It was you, wasn’t it?”
Sebastian didn’t respond, but his eyes held much to decipher. He was avoiding my question for a reason; I was right.
“My side of the family is… unique,” Sebastian began, brushing off my question completely. “I wasn’t sure you would inherit this particular trait, but it appears you have.”
“Obviously,” I rolled my eyes. “Heterochromia iridium isn’t that uncommon.”
“Ah yes, our eyes,” Sebastian paused, clearly taken aback. “That is not the trait I’m referring to.”
I stood silent, unable to guess what else he might be talking about.
“You see, my side of the family are a different species from average humans.” Sebastian’s words sounded nonsensical. “My side of the family are werewolves. Now, half-bloods don’t always develop that wolf side, but sometimes they do. Which brings me back to you, Sophia.”
Sebastian went silent for a minute, no doubt giving me time to process what he had just said. Werewolves. Fuzzy winter dogs that roamed the woods and ate animals.
‘Not dogs,’ Silver rolled her eyes. ‘You were petting two werewolves the other day.’
‘You’re really buying into this?’ I rolled my eyes at her. ‘They were wolves. Freakishly mutated and calm wolves, but that’s all they were.’
My mind struggled to understand any of this. So, being the slightly unhinged person that I am, I convulsed into laughter.