by Tara Chau
“You’re crazy,” I spit.
“I am offended,” she says in mock horror. “That is the biggest insult I’ve heard in a month. I am not crazy. I am special. There is a very big difference.”
“What is the Xavia planning?” I ask fiercely.
“Oh, that one’s easy. I could tell you… but Lucien would kill me,” she says, enlarging her eyes for dramatic effect.
“W-wait,” I say, cursing my brain as it slowly comes to a realisation. “You said, Lucien.”
“Yeah, he’s killer, literally,” she says, shuddering.
“What is Lucien doing working with the Xavia?” I ask, bewildered.
“I wouldn’t say working with us. Maybe doing a few little errands for us. That’s all,” she says innocently, shrugging.
“Where is he?” I demand.
“With the Xavia,” she answers.
“Then where is the Xavia?”
“With Lucien,” she says with an obnoxious smile.
Rolling my eyes, I prepare to pounce, trying to move slowly enough so she won’t notice.
“You know-”
I lunge at her before she can finish her sentence, catching her off guard. Using my staff, I swoop low, causing her to trip and fall to the tiled floor, her yellow skirt riding up to a disturbing place. Before I can move to get her, she jumps up and backhands me. I’m sent flying back into a clothes rack, moaning as I get up hastily. I bound for Ren, blades extended. She dodges my first attempt but fumbles on the second. Taking advantage of her unsteadiness, I whip my weapon out, slicing across her waist.
Deep red blood bleeds onto her dress, looking almost like part of the dress design. The blood makes its way down, dripping onto the white floor. My blade has sliced a perfect line across her abdomen. The yellow fabric hanging raggedly showed the ugly gash. Ren looks down at it. She doesn’t look like she’s in pain or like she is angry. In fact, disgustingly, she looks fascinated. Looking back at me, she smiles wickedly, her canine teeth sparkling.
“Nice,” she comments.
I continue to glare, watching her closely. Observing the way she adjusts her back foot and how she turns her body towards me, I know she is about to make for me. Even before her body leaves the ground, I have dodged to the right, Ren landing hard in the same spot that I had just been in three seconds ago. I take a step back as she draws a small dagger from the back of her thigh. I make a mental note to myself: always check your opponent’s bodies before the fight. Ren had somehow hidden a small sheath under her dress skirt. It is strapped tightly to her leg.
“Here’s a little tip, Iysador,” she says while spinning the blade in the air before catching it. “Never take your eyes off your enemy. I hid the blade while you were looking in the other direction. You’re seriously inexperienced. It’s a simple rule.”
“You were naked,” I sneer, almost like a protest.
“Yeah, and you were too uncomfortable to look at me. So, naturally, I took advantage of that. Hiding the dagger was way easier than it should have been,” she says while shaking her head.
Running at her, hand extended before me, I use everything I have to mentally throw her into the wall. She goes flying back before I reach her, smashing in a deadly fashion into the wall. She rises smoothly, blinking a few times before a low and distinct animal growl emanates from deep within her. Ren rushes at me, landing a firm sidekick to my hip. I block her next punch, but in doing so, leave my stomach open. ‘She seizes the opportunity and throws a painful kick into my gut.
Sprawling across the ground, I wince as I wait for the pain to dull. Ren yanks me up from behind, holding me by the hood of my coat. I guess this is why most coats don’t have one.
“Honestly,” she says with a sigh, “I thought you would put up a better fight than that.”
A drop of wet blood spills onto my arm. Smiling at her, I jab three fingers into her wound. She doesn’t let go, but she does flinch, and that’s all I need. Swinging my legs up, she unintentionally loses her grip. I punch her hard in the jaw, and I fall back to the ground, scrambling to a good distance. A deep red smear appears on her jaw where I punched her, left behind from the blood on my fist.
I run for her, kicking her shin. She falls to the ground, knees buckling. I stop myself from following her down. Holding my blade to her throat, I smile.
“I’m suddenly hit with a sense of déjà vu. I’m pretty sure we’ve been here before,” I say proudly.
“What, with your blade against my throat, yes, I do believe so. But, if I remember correctly, I also escaped seconds later,” she says in a snobby smile.
“Not this time,” I sneer.
Carefully lowering myself to one knee, I remove some silver-lined cuffs. Silver burns Lycans. If she tries to struggle out of them, they tighten, therefore, burning her. If she stays still, then the pain will only be a slight throb.
Ren eyes the handcuffs, looking back at me, she speaks.
“Silver,” she says it more like a comment than a question, but I nod anyway.
Before I can open the cuffs, she takes my small distraction and uses it to knock the blade away. I really have to get better at this.
Ren shoves me to the ground, yanking my blade from my sweaty palms and sitting on my stomach, using it to restrict my movements to breathing. Now, I am the one being held at blade point, and I am currently all out of ideas.
“Oh, how the tables have turned,” she says in a sing-song voice.
With no clue on what else to do, I decide on a snarky comment. “I’ve always wondered why the saying said tables, shouldn’t it be something like a leaf, or maybe a coin?”
Ren slaps me across the face. My right cheek burning, a severe sting pulsing beneath my skin.
Suddenly Ren is thrown off me. I hear her hit the wall and a loud thump. I reluctantly rise, fighting the screaming of my body. Blinking a few times, I walk over to where Ty is standing over an unconscious Ren. Ty looks down at me as I bend to cuff Ren’s wrists behind her back. Ren stirs but doesn’t wake. Walking closer, I smile weakly at Ty.
“Thank you,” I say, nodding my head.
“Bested by a single Lycan,” he says, shaking his head dramatically.
“I take back what I just said. I could have handled that myself,” I correct.
Ty shrugs and picks up Ren, hoisting her over his shoulder. “Well, I handled it for you.”
Since we came back from Japan, Ty and I have become closer. Training together, along with doing small missions. I haven’t totally forgiven him yet, but Anne says that this is the first step. Ty is good company. It’s not really easy at times, but I know that he really does care about me.
Both he and Gabe have also gotten back to their old selves, according to Anne, that is. Ty always yanking the phone away from me for about half an hour while I am talking to Gabe. Once, Anne and I listened to them, laughing softly at how they would comment on silly stuff from their childhood and the difficulty of handling girls.
We both walk out into the car park. Ty shoves Ren into the back of the van, and we both clamber onto the front.
“How many bruises do you think you got today?” Ty asks as he starts the engine.
“Um, six?” I say, trying to count every spot that I am aching in.
“I could have done it in two,” he comments smartly.
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have gotten any if you would have picked up the frickin phone in time,” I snap.
“I was busy,” he shrugs.
“Making out is not a good excuse,” I say, glaring.
“Is so,” he argues, “of course, you wouldn’t know how good it is since you’ve never done it.” I slap him hard on the shoulder, and he has to swerve to dodge another car.
“God, Ty, you really should work on your driving skills. You could have killed that person,” I say sarcastically.
He looks back at me and glares darkly. Shrugging, I smile and look out my window.
“
Hey Di?” he asks uncertainly.
“Hm?”
“Would you do me a huge favour?” he looks at me, voice laced with desperation.
“No task is too big for Dianna Reeds,” I say proudly.
“Would you babysit my sister tonight?”
“That is too big a task for Dianna Reeds,” I decide.
“Please,” he begs.
“Why?” I ask suspiciously.
“I should be doing it, but I’m supposed to be going out with Helen tonight,” he says reluctantly.
“Ah, that makes sense,” I say, smiling. “Your sister, right?”
“Yep,” he assures. “Promise, she’s not high maintenance.”
“Six?” I ask.
“Yeah… though she’s super smart for her age. It’s actually rather annoying,” he realises.
“I want fifty dollars,” I state.
“But then it’s not a favour,” he protests.
Nodding happily, I continue to smile.
“Thirty,” he argues.
“Forty-five.” I negotiate.
“Forty,” he says finally.
“Alright,” I say happily. “What time?”
“Six o’clock. My mum leaves at five, and I’m gone by ten past six, be back at nine, then she’ll be back at ten. Plenty of time,” he works out.
“Right, that gives me two hours to do homework. What’s her name?” I question.
“Ronnie,” he says while parking the van.
“Cute,” I comment as I open the door, dragging a half-conscious girl into the Sanctuary foyer.
“Does it mean anything? Like your name?”
“Yes, mum’s all about honourable names. Ronnie means victory bringer,” he sighs.
“Cool,” I say, handing Ren to one of the guards on duty. “I’ve gotta go home, do some schoolwork before I meet Ronnie,” I say, making my way back out.
“Okay, I’ll walk you. I’m going home anyways,” he says.
The walk home is silent. It isn’t like walking with Gabe. Ty and I are awkward when it’s silent. Gabe and I are more comfortable walking in silence. It’s not awkward at all. Once we get back, Ty says goodbye, and I walk in to tell dad that I will be babysitting tonight next door. He’s happy with that but makes me promise to get some dinner before going over. Apparently, he doesn’t trust me to eat their food.
Homework done, I still have half an hour left, even after stuffing down some boiling hot tomato soup. Deciding that it will be better to dress in some normal clothing instead of my armoured coat, I change into some skinny jeans and a tight peach-coloured top. I watch some TV with dad for fifteen minutes before slipping into my white sandals.
“See you at nine, dad. I’m leaving now,” I call from the hall.
“Okay, say hi to everyone for me,” he calls back.
Walking up Ty’s driveway, I recall the last time this happened. Helena had locked both Ty and me in the same room, attempting to make us resolve our disagreements. It ended up with me punching him so hard he coughed up blood. And Elizabeth, Ty’s mother, found us during lunch. Gabe had turned up late, and Ty and I had to find a quick excuse.
Knocking on the door three times, I wait three seconds before he answers the door.
“Thank you,” he sighs, stepping aside for me to enter.
Ty leads me into the living room. I’ve been in here before but never truly taken anything in. Everything is so modern and clean. An open layout is attached to the kitchen so you can see what is happening while cooking. Two couches are pushed up against the left wall behind a large TV, a glass coffee table between the couches. Dining table to the right, closer to the kitchen side, six wooden chairs sit neatly around it. A beautiful picture of the ocean hangs on the wall behind the couches, lighting up the room. Something small flies towards me. Instinctively, I tilt my head to the left, letting the dagger pass harmlessly past my head to embed itself into the wall behind me. Looking back at it, I yank it out in shock. That was very close.
Glancing around the room, I spot a small girl in the far corner. Short, strawberry-blond hair cut at her shoulders, a few cute freckles scattered across her cheeks and nose. Ronnie wears faded purple shorts, which are frayed around the bottom, with a stripy black and white singlet. She draws another dagger from behind her and readies herself, a look of concentration carved into her face.
“Ron… don’t,” Ty warns.
“She…” her voice is soft and sweet, but something about it tells me that she should not be judged on that.
I hastily dodge to the right as she chucks the next blade at me, landing it firmly in the wall again.
Ty strides over to his little sister, taking the last blade from behind her back. I watched as she looks back at me. How can a six-year-old have such precise aim? How can she be this deadly?
“This is Dianna,” Ty says, taking hold of her hand and walking her back over to me.
“You’re very fast,” she states professionally, her tone still guarded. She looks me up and down, inspecting every bit of me.
Ty sighs, shaking his head, but continues, “Alright, Ronnie. I have to go. Since you’ve done your homework and finished your training for the night, you can watch one movie,” he says strictly.
As soon as he says that, her warrior-like facade melts away into the look of an excited six-year-old. This is what I was originally expecting.
Ronnie sprints over to the couch and jumps up, dangling her legs over the sides as she turns on the TV and scrolls through the movies.
“Thanks, Di,” Ty sighs.
“Yeah, just don’t spend all your money tonight. You still owe me forty,” I say, smiling brightly.
Ty huffs and nods, collecting his jacket as he walks over to Ronnie. She tries slapping him away as he ruffles up her hair, giggling madly. She tries turning her smile into a glare.
“See you soon, Ron, be good,” Ty says as he gives me a hi-five and walks out the door, closing it shut behind him.
I walk over to the couch and sit next to the little girl. Ronnie turns to me and smiles sweetly.
“What movie are you watching?” I ask.
“Um…” she shrugs cutely, still indecisive.
“What kind do you like?” I ask.
“Spies,” she says with a broad smile.
“Spies? That’s awesome. They’re pretty cool,” I say fondly.
“Yeah,” she agrees, nodding as she continues to look.
“How about Spy Kids?” I ask, remembering how much I loved those old movies when I was younger.
I politely take the remote control, searching for the movie. A relieved sigh escapes my lips as I find number one and two.
“You wanna give it a go?” I ask.
“Sure,” she says, bringing her knees up under her chin.
Clicking on the first one, I place the remote onto the table. She laughs softly as the little animated spy starts flying around the screen. I smile at her and get up.
“Won’t you watch with me?” she asks puppy-dog eyes to the max.
I sigh dramatically, pretending to debate the idea in my mind. She watches me closely, waiting for me to decide.
“How about you watch ten minutes yourself while I get us some snacks,” I say.
Her lips spread into a wide grin. “Cookies!” she coos.
I nod my agreement and walk into the kitchen. It takes me about three minutes to find them. Placing five choco-chip cookies onto a clean plate, I pour some water into a glass and take it over to the table. Ronnie looks up at me and smiles.
We’re about halfway through the movie when my phone chimes. Plugging my headphones in, I answer the call.
Gabe’s face pops up onto the screen. He beams at me. Butterflies take flight inside my stomach at the sight of him.
“Hey,” he says happily.
“Hi,” I say, crossing my legs under me. “How are you?”
“Not too bad,” the virtual Gabe tilts his
head, looking behind me. “…Are you in Ty’s house?” he asks, one eyebrow raised.
“Yeah, I’ve been tasked with the job of looking after Ronnie,” I say, looking over to her. She laughs at the TV screen, munching on the last cookie. I smile fondly at her before turning back to look at Gabe.
“Oh, careful, she’s deadly,” he warns, chuckling softy.
“Yeah, I dodged two daggers before Ty took the third one off her,” I say with a huff.
Gabe laughs again. “Though she is adorable.”
Nodding in agreement, I squeal as she climbs over to me, looking over my shoulder.
“Gabe!” she screams excitedly.
Taking the earplugs out, I hand her the phone and pause the movie.
Getting up, I walk over to the kitchen so I can wash the now empty cookie plate. As I come to sit down again, I goggle at what Ronnie is saying. Gabe smiles proudly as she boasts about her three bulls’ eyes using her three daggers.
“Hey, Ronnie, can you hand the phone back to Dianna for me?” he requests.
“Wait! One more question,” she begs.
“Alright,” Gabe agrees.
“Do you like Dianna?” she asks innocently.
“Yes,” he admits shamelessly.
I feel my cheeks flame red. I know that he likes me, but he’s never said it directly to me.
“Ew, alright. Go away. I’m trying to watch a movie here,” she says, giggling cheekily.
Taking the phone back, I plug the earphones back in, looking at Gabe through the screen.
“What did you do today?” he asks. I can tell that he’s readying himself for the worst, waiting for me to tell him that I battled a demon or something.
I simply smile, licking my lips as I begin to recall the day. A memory sharp as ice slices through my head. “Oh, Gabe,” I say, recollecting something Ren had said to me. “During a fight I had today….” I stop until Gabe finished checking if I am okay and why I was fighting alone before continuing. “I was fighting Tee-Ly-Ren, and she spilled some info to me, unintentionally.”
Gabe’s eyes largened, and he nods for me to continue. “Lucien is working with the Xavia. If you tell the Counsel, they might let us try to find him. If we find Xavia, we find him. If we find him, we find Xavia.” I say excitedly.