So....this story does not have a title as of yet, mainly because I have no idea what this is going to be about. I hope you like it, I don't know if I do yet. So....here it is:
Ƥяσℓσɢʋɛ
A loud, ear-piercing scream was the only sound heard in the otherwise dark and silent night. The three men watched the scene unfold with little interest: the little house down the hill, with only a few flickering lights, was being bombarded with an army of merciless men. The wailing of two babies was then heard, shortly after the scream. Two men scurried out of the house with two babies, the mother screaming for them to come back. She began wailing, throwing herself at each of the armed men, not caring if she got a blow back. The two men carried the babies into the trees, never to be seen again. The mother, sensing this, collapsed out of defeat. Before she knew it, a sword swooped down, ending the poor woman’s life. She died, having no idea what happened to her twin daughters…
“We must alert the council,” the elderly man, Schroff, stated to his two companions.
A bitter chuckle erupted from the younger man, the one standing in the middle of the trio. “And tell them what? That the twins our men were supposed to extract were, in fact, ah, how does the saying go? Beaten to it? “ Raul responded with a shake of his head.
“The council will have our heads,” said Yulen, who had stayed quiet through most of the conversation. The other two stared at him for a moment, not expecting a response from him. After another moment, Yulen spoke again. “What happened to the men we had stationed here? Where are they?”
Schroff sighed, suddenly becoming solemn. “They were taken out.”
“They are becoming stronger,” Raul added, his grey eyes staring off into the distance. “Them, having the twins, is grave news.” Before the others could chip in, he spoke again. “But, we will get them back. If it’s the last thing we do……”
The trio then grew quiet, knowing what they must do.
“We must alert the council,” the elderly man, Schroff, stated to his two companions.
A bitter chuckle erupted from the younger man, the one standing in the middle of the trio. “And tell them what? That the twins our men were supposed to extract were, in fact, ah, how does the saying go? Beaten to it? “ Raul responded with a shake of his head.
“The council will have our heads,” said Yulen, who had stayed quiet through most of the conversation. The other two stared at him for a moment, not expecting a response from him. After another moment, Yulen spoke again. “What happened to the men we had stationed here? Where are they?”
Schroff sighed, suddenly becoming solemn. “They were taken out.”
“They are becoming stronger,” Raul added, his grey eyes staring off into the distance. “Them, having the twins, is grave news.” Before the others could chip in, he spoke again. “But, we will get them back. If it’s the last thing we do……”
The trio then grew quiet, knowing what they must do.
Ɔнαρтɛя σиɛ
“Wait up!”
Pillar yelled as she quickly grabbed her stuff out of the car. She gritted her teeth when the groan from Pierce was heard. Finally, she slammed the car door shut, jogging up to her twin sister. She slung the bag over her shoulder, walking in step with Pierce. They were headed toward the doors of the school, waving to their friends as they did so.
With the door swinging shut behind them, they went their separate ways, noting that they’ll meet up at lunch.
As Pillar walked into her Physics class, suffocation was almost possible. After she was finally released, she turned to see it was one of her good friends Sera.
Wide smile appearing, a laugh escaping, Pillar greeted her friend warmly.
“Sera, hey!”
Linking arms with Pillar, Sera led her to their desks next to each other.
“So.....how’d it go?” Sera asked her excitedly, her bright eyes staring intently into Pillar’s green.
“How did what go?” Pillar responded, glancing away as the teacher walked in, all business-like as usual.
She burst out laughing when she heard her companion groan, slapping her forehead with her hand.
“You know what I’m talking about! The-“ Sera suddenly paused, her now nervous gaze flickering from student to student. Once she was satisfied, she finally finished speaking. “The initiation.”
Sighing softly, Pillar grew serious.
“It went…..different. The Council has always treated us differently, so it was no surprise they weren’t open-armed as they were for the others.”
Sera sighed, knowing exactly what Pillar was talking about. “Maybe your parents can talk to them, and-“ Before Sera could finish, Pillar cut her off. “And do what? Ask for special treatment? No thanks.”
As Sera opened her mouth to argue, Mr. Totem spoke up. Pillar had never been more relieved to hear that man lecture on and on in his monotone voice.
Thirty minutes into the class, Sera was blabbing away about the Initiation again. Pillar, doing her best to ignore her friend, for once actually listened to Mr. Totem teach. She actually learned something.
As soon as the bell rang an hour later, Pillar was thankful that Sera did not have the same class as her. Waving to her friend, Pillar made her way through the crowd of students, waving and greeting as she did so. Not once did she see her sister, but that was normal. They were on opposite sides of the school.
Taking a deep breath, Pillar walked into her Literacy class.
“Pillar!!”
Hearing her name screeched across the classroom, Pillar looked up to see one of her good friends, Mia. They hugged and greeted, making their way to the front of the class. Literacy was one of Pillar’s favorite classes, for she loved to write. It’s how she expressed herself, whereas her twin had art for that.
Mia, who was much more calm than Sera, just smiled, somehow sensing that Pillar didn’t want to talk about the Initiation.
“So did Sera bombard you?” Mia asked knowingly.
Giving her friend a curt nod, Pillar glanced up when her favorite teacher, Ms. Glass, walked in. She smiled, waving at the aging lady, and turned back to her friend.
“Do you even have to ask?” Pillar answered sourly, rolling her eyes playfully. The laugh in return she got cheered her up a little, having been in a foul mood because of Sera’s evasiveness.
The pair stopped talking, as they listened to Ms. Glass talk. The class had always been enjoyable for Pillar, for she actually understood it. Mia was the same way, that was basically how the girl and Pillar bonded.
When the bell rang for lunch, Pillar sighed, grabbing her things. Before she could leave though, Ms. Glass had stopped her at the door. With a gesture for Mia to go on, Pillar turned to the elderly lady with a sweet smile.
“Yes Ms. Glass?”
The sigh she got in return made her stomach churn. Before she said anything though, she stayed silent, her eyebrows knitted in confusion.
“I know I’ve tld you this before Pillar, that your writing is…amazing. You are a good writer, which is why….I’m giving you an assignment.”
Pillar stared at her in puzzlemnt, unsure why Ms. Glass would want HER to write something for her. “Okaaay…..what’s the assignment?”
“I’ll give you the assignment tomorrow. I have to talk to someone first.” Ms. Glass smiled sweetly before turning back to her desk, obviously dismissing her.
While on her way to the cafeteria, thoughts were whizzing through her mind, like what would this assignment be and why would she choose her, of all people.
Shaking her head quickly, clearing it of all confusing thoughts, Pillar sat down at her usual table with Pierce, Sera, Mia, and few other people. She greeted her sister with a hug, ad hello to the others. Thinking about bringing up what Ms. Glass said, one look at Mia told her no. She had obviously not gone on, and heard the whole thing. Lifting a delicate eyebrow, she was met with a slight shake of the head.
Before she realized it, Pillar had zoned out. She shook her head slightly, blinking multiple times. Pierce, apparently, had been trying ot talk to her, but had long given up. When the bell sounded for the end of lunch, and the last class of the day, Pillar made her way to the field house with Pierce. They had Soccer together; it was really the only time they got to see each other, besides lunch.
Soccer was tiring as usual, but you get a lot of your energy out. Pillar was now headed to Pierce’s car, walking beside her twin. Pierce was still mad about Pillar ignoring her earlier, which she had definitely shown in Soccer, giving Pillar many bruises.
They were to meet with the Council after school, so as Pierce veered their car to the warehouse, Pillar’s mind was on what the Council would do with them. Their Initiation hadn’t gone as planned, so what did that mean for them? Disaster? Pain? Betrayal?
Pillar yelled as she quickly grabbed her stuff out of the car. She gritted her teeth when the groan from Pierce was heard. Finally, she slammed the car door shut, jogging up to her twin sister. She slung the bag over her shoulder, walking in step with Pierce. They were headed toward the doors of the school, waving to their friends as they did so.
With the door swinging shut behind them, they went their separate ways, noting that they’ll meet up at lunch.
As Pillar walked into her Physics class, suffocation was almost possible. After she was finally released, she turned to see it was one of her good friends Sera.
Wide smile appearing, a laugh escaping, Pillar greeted her friend warmly.
“Sera, hey!”
Linking arms with Pillar, Sera led her to their desks next to each other.
“So.....how’d it go?” Sera asked her excitedly, her bright eyes staring intently into Pillar’s green.
“How did what go?” Pillar responded, glancing away as the teacher walked in, all business-like as usual.
She burst out laughing when she heard her companion groan, slapping her forehead with her hand.
“You know what I’m talking about! The-“ Sera suddenly paused, her now nervous gaze flickering from student to student. Once she was satisfied, she finally finished speaking. “The initiation.”
Sighing softly, Pillar grew serious.
“It went…..different. The Council has always treated us differently, so it was no surprise they weren’t open-armed as they were for the others.”
Sera sighed, knowing exactly what Pillar was talking about. “Maybe your parents can talk to them, and-“ Before Sera could finish, Pillar cut her off. “And do what? Ask for special treatment? No thanks.”
As Sera opened her mouth to argue, Mr. Totem spoke up. Pillar had never been more relieved to hear that man lecture on and on in his monotone voice.
Thirty minutes into the class, Sera was blabbing away about the Initiation again. Pillar, doing her best to ignore her friend, for once actually listened to Mr. Totem teach. She actually learned something.
As soon as the bell rang an hour later, Pillar was thankful that Sera did not have the same class as her. Waving to her friend, Pillar made her way through the crowd of students, waving and greeting as she did so. Not once did she see her sister, but that was normal. They were on opposite sides of the school.
Taking a deep breath, Pillar walked into her Literacy class.
“Pillar!!”
Hearing her name screeched across the classroom, Pillar looked up to see one of her good friends, Mia. They hugged and greeted, making their way to the front of the class. Literacy was one of Pillar’s favorite classes, for she loved to write. It’s how she expressed herself, whereas her twin had art for that.
Mia, who was much more calm than Sera, just smiled, somehow sensing that Pillar didn’t want to talk about the Initiation.
“So did Sera bombard you?” Mia asked knowingly.
Giving her friend a curt nod, Pillar glanced up when her favorite teacher, Ms. Glass, walked in. She smiled, waving at the aging lady, and turned back to her friend.
“Do you even have to ask?” Pillar answered sourly, rolling her eyes playfully. The laugh in return she got cheered her up a little, having been in a foul mood because of Sera’s evasiveness.
The pair stopped talking, as they listened to Ms. Glass talk. The class had always been enjoyable for Pillar, for she actually understood it. Mia was the same way, that was basically how the girl and Pillar bonded.
When the bell rang for lunch, Pillar sighed, grabbing her things. Before she could leave though, Ms. Glass had stopped her at the door. With a gesture for Mia to go on, Pillar turned to the elderly lady with a sweet smile.
“Yes Ms. Glass?”
The sigh she got in return made her stomach churn. Before she said anything though, she stayed silent, her eyebrows knitted in confusion.
“I know I’ve tld you this before Pillar, that your writing is…amazing. You are a good writer, which is why….I’m giving you an assignment.”
Pillar stared at her in puzzlemnt, unsure why Ms. Glass would want HER to write something for her. “Okaaay…..what’s the assignment?”
“I’ll give you the assignment tomorrow. I have to talk to someone first.” Ms. Glass smiled sweetly before turning back to her desk, obviously dismissing her.
While on her way to the cafeteria, thoughts were whizzing through her mind, like what would this assignment be and why would she choose her, of all people.
Shaking her head quickly, clearing it of all confusing thoughts, Pillar sat down at her usual table with Pierce, Sera, Mia, and few other people. She greeted her sister with a hug, ad hello to the others. Thinking about bringing up what Ms. Glass said, one look at Mia told her no. She had obviously not gone on, and heard the whole thing. Lifting a delicate eyebrow, she was met with a slight shake of the head.
Before she realized it, Pillar had zoned out. She shook her head slightly, blinking multiple times. Pierce, apparently, had been trying ot talk to her, but had long given up. When the bell sounded for the end of lunch, and the last class of the day, Pillar made her way to the field house with Pierce. They had Soccer together; it was really the only time they got to see each other, besides lunch.
Soccer was tiring as usual, but you get a lot of your energy out. Pillar was now headed to Pierce’s car, walking beside her twin. Pierce was still mad about Pillar ignoring her earlier, which she had definitely shown in Soccer, giving Pillar many bruises.
They were to meet with the Council after school, so as Pierce veered their car to the warehouse, Pillar’s mind was on what the Council would do with them. Their Initiation hadn’t gone as planned, so what did that mean for them? Disaster? Pain? Betrayal?
Ɔнαρтɛя тωσ
Pulling into the drive of the old warehouse, a sigh was heard from Pierce as she set the car in Park. Stepping out gingerly, her leather boots creaked on the worn concrete, her heart hammered. It was racing, no doubt obviously beating faster than it should. Her brain was filled with thoughts of how this meeting would go, and what would happen. One glance at Pillar told her she was just as nervous as he twin.
As Pierce stepped up to the large metal door, she let Pillar swing it open with a grunt. The dim light inside was dingy and stuffy, just like the last time they were here.
As soon as her feet stepped inside, a boy, about their age, appeared out of thin air.
“Pierce, Pillar. Nice to see you both again.”
Pillar, being the ever friendly twin, greeted him back. “Faelon, how are you?”
Faelon chuckled, flashing a smile. “I have been well, thank you. So hat brings you here?
Pierce, already getting a little sick from all this friendliness when she knew that they hated each other. “Faelon, you know why we’re here. The Council summoned us. Now, either you take us to them, or we take ourselves there.”
Faelon, now growing irritated, opened his mouth to retaliate a snide response, was cut off by another voice, one of that of an elderly man. White covered this man’s face, all the way down to his chest, where it ended. Stepping into the light, it was clear this man was, if anything, ancient. His eyes, oh wise and honest, had seen the world. They held so much knowledge, only the amount you could get from living for centuries.
“Why, hello ladies. I hope Faelon here hasn’t been bothering you.”
Nervous laugh escaping, but recovering quite quickly, Pillar was the one to speak up. “Oh, no. He was just welcoming us. Right Pierce?” Pillar’s eyes green eyes turned on her twin, normally sweet and friendly, now filled with a spark so bright, Pierce didn’t what to say.
“Uhh..yeah. He was just welcoming us.”
The old man chuckled, clearly not believing the twins. “Well, that’s good to hear. Faelon, I’ll take it from here.”
Faelon, his normal arrogant expression gone with a shocked one. “But, sir-“
“Leave us Faelon. Now.” The old man turned his now cold, hard gaze on the boy, practically willing him to leave.
After Faelon’s departure, the old man sighed, taking off his glasses. “Ladies….it’s seems I am in..a predicament.”
Pierce, feeling utterly confused, looked to her sister, Pillar, one who always had the answers, always had the intuition to find them, had no clue.
Now, of all the things Pierce has faced, being dumped by her ex, fighting with her sister, fighting with her friends, of all of these things, Pillar not having the answers scares her the most.
Getting tired of the cryptic statements, Pierce spoke up in her plaintive, curious voice. “First, can you tell us who you are? That might be helpful.”
Pierce’s gaze never glanced at her sister, for she knew that Pillar was staring at her in shock. She resisted the urge to shrug, not caring if she disrespected this man. He wasn’t being very helpful, except maybe sending Faelon away.
“Oh, you are correct. I haven’t introduced myself, have I? Tsk, tsk. I’m really getting old, now aren’t I?”
Really hoping that he wasn’t serious about them answering that last question, though she dearly wanted to, she stayed silent, her gaze never wavering.
“My name is Siris. I…work with the Council, you could say…..”
Attempting to ignore the way he said the last part, Pierce gave the man a curt nod. Before she could ask though, Pillar decided then to chip in. “Okay, so now we know what you’re name is. How do you know us?”
Instead of an actual response, all they got was a humorous chuckle, and a shake of his head.
“Come, follow me to the Council. They have been expecting you.”
Pierced released a sigh, realizing that the man didn’t plan on answering any more of their questions. So, unlike what she would normally do, she followed without an argument, her eyes flickering from one part of the decor to the next.
After about ten more minutes of walking, Siris finally stopped in front of yet another large metal door. But instead of just passing it by, acting as if it were nothing, he slowly opened it. It swung open, creaking all the while, the door revealed a large room that resembled a court room. A large, elegant chandelier hanging in the center of the room, with maroon curtains covering large windows. Very little light streamed in, the only source being the lit torches all along the walls. At the front of the room sat a row of people, almost like judges. The men and women that sat there seemed like stone, staring straight ahead. They all were like Siris, the vibe they emanated. Their age…appeared limitless. Their physical appearance made them look as if they’d been alive for years, but in here, in this place, it was obvious they were the same age as Siris, if not older. Though they appeared, and probably were, centuries old, their eyes revealed a much younger side. They had this look in them that they were not ignorant of youth, that they could act childish if they wanted to.
Pierce, absorbing this, stared in awe. These people….who were centuries old, held so much knowledge. How much, she hadn’t a clue.
Ignoring their awe-struck expressions, Siris led the two girls toward a small table, situated in front of the panel of people. He gestured for them to sit, before taking a seat near them.
Pillar did as she was told, completely and utterly confused.
Pierce, however, stood standing. “Why are we here?”
“If you have a seat, then you will find out.”
Heaving a sigh, Pierce finally sat. With one glance at her sister, then Siris’ disappointed glare, she could tell she already did something wrong.
“Pierce, Pillar…” A man, who looked quite young compared to the others, started. “You are here because of many things. Some, we will not tell you. One reason you are aware of, is the Initiation.”
Pierce glanced at her sister, fear now stricken in her eyes. What were they going to do to them?
Her gaze flickered back to the panel of people when an older man, the oldest it seemed, cleared his throat. “We are aware that…you girls are the daughters of Isabella.”
Hearing her birth mother’s name, Pierce’s blood ran cold. She had only heard little about her birth mother, for her having died during child birth. Her adopted parents had been given the rights as their parents, for they were the same as the twins. Pillar had tried to look up more about their mother and father, but nothing could be found. With the death of Isabella, it was like she fell off the face of the Earth.
“Now, knowing this bit of information…worries us. Isabella could not be trusted, so we’re a little weary of….allowing you entrance into the coven.” Another man stated, his dark eyes staring intently at the twins.
“But we have no idea who our birth mother is. We never met her!”
“But her blood runs through your veins!!” The eldest man from earlier exclaimed. His eyes were bloodshot and his bony hands shook with fear. One glance at the others’ faces told Pierce that he wasn’t the only one scared of them.
Siris, apparently growing tired of this, finally spoke up. “They are unaware what situation their mother got herself in. I have watched them. I do not think we have anything to worry about…… for now.”
Hearing him pause, made shivers crawl through Pierce. So he was just as suspicious…..
“Siris, we cannot take that chance!!”
The younger one, obviously in charge, sighed. “Toui, be calm. Siris has a point. We do not have to treat the twins as if they were their mother.”
“Rohe, it seems you have gone blind. Look at them! They look just like her.” Toui snapped, his narrowed eyes glancing from the twins, to Siris, to Rohe.
Rohe, his gaze now set on the twins, watched them curiously.
Hearing them bicker over whether or not to trust them, irked Pierce. They had no idea who she was, or what she was capable of. “Stop talking about us as if we weren’t here!”
The panel of judges, as they seemed to be, looked at her in shock. She had just yelled at the Council….what was she thinking? They could kill her…. Laughing nervously, she shrugged, mumbling “Sorry”, before sitting back down in her chair. Avoiding eye contact with her sister and Siris, Pierce kept her gaze set on the tiled floor. Intricate patterns were strewn about all along the tile, with a nice woodsy color to them. She did her best to tune out their argument, not wanting another outburst to slip.
After another ten minutes of bickering over the twins, Rohe finally silenced the Council. “It is decided. The twins will be allowed into the coven, though under heavy watch.” His now intense gaze fell upon the sisters, as he continued. “Pierce, Pillar, if you do anything to even suggest that you cannot be trusted, we will not hesitate to punish you. Understood?”
Nodding quickly, Pierce glanced at her sister, eyes frantic with fear. What were they not supposed to do?
Siris cleared his throat, standing slowly. “Girls, let’s go. It’s time for you both to head home.” Before waiting for their response, he started toward the door.
Pillar stood shakily, her gaze avoiding the Council. Their intense eyes were watching their every move, like a hawk, just like they promised. Pillar pulled her sister up to her feet, tugging her along to the doorway. Pierce, now retrieving her bearings, paused to look back. The Council had relaxed now that the twins were leaving, so they were no longer watching them, except for Toui. His dark eyes were staring straight at Pierce, a glare set into his old features. His graying hair seemed to frizz at the amount of hatred he was giving off.
Turning quickly, Pierce scurried out of the room.
Waiting at the door, quite impatiently for a man of his age, was Siris. He appeared to be leaning on a cane, where he got it, she hadn’t a clue. He held the door open for the twins, smiling sweetly down at them. Almost too sweetly. “Well, goodnight girls. It was nice to see you both again.” Without another word, the door slammed shut.
Pierce, fed up with all of this, practically jogged to her car, wanting to get home where everything was familiar and true. Pillar didn’t arrive to the car just as fast, but rather slowly. Her mind was still inside the warehouse, in that courtroom. One glance at her sister told her so.
When they were finally in the car, Pierce started the car and headed home, speeding a little faster than usual.
Within five minutes, a record even for Pierce, they arrived home. Slamming the door shut, the twins were home, closing the door behind them. As soon as their parents heard the door open and close, they practically appeared in the entryway. Their expressions were that of nervousness. One smile from Pillar made those frowns disappear, and smiles appearing in their place.
We told them, partially, what happened, assuring them that we were okay. Pillar, for some reason, didn’t want to tell them what exactly had gone on, about the Council being afraid of them. Pierce didn’t know why, but she didn’t question it. Soon, they were headed to their rooms, right next to each other, having a connecting door.
Pierce threw herself on her bed, groaning all the while. She didn’t look up when she felt Pillar sit on her bed as well.
Pierce’s room was, in fact, more boyish than Pillar’s. Pillar had more pink, whereas Pierce had lime green and grey, with a little purple. Their rooms were set up kind of similar, with the same TV, desk, bed, etc.
“Why didn’t we tell them?”
Pillar released a stressful sigh, looking up at a now sitting Pierce. With a slight shrug, she began in a whisper. “What would they say? Would they even know who our mother was, and what she was?”
Pillar had a point, and she knew it. They sat in silence for a few minutes, absorbing this new information. “They might. It wouldn’t hurt to-“
“To what? Ask? What do you think would happen if they did?”
Pierce had no answer to her question, for she had no idea either. “Well, what are we supposed to do?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? What do you mean nothing?”
“I mean exactly what I say. We lay low, do nothing to give them suspicions. We can’t afford to lose the Council’s trust.”
“Why? What would happen if we did?”
“What are a few witches without a Council behind them?”
As Pierce stepped up to the large metal door, she let Pillar swing it open with a grunt. The dim light inside was dingy and stuffy, just like the last time they were here.
As soon as her feet stepped inside, a boy, about their age, appeared out of thin air.
“Pierce, Pillar. Nice to see you both again.”
Pillar, being the ever friendly twin, greeted him back. “Faelon, how are you?”
Faelon chuckled, flashing a smile. “I have been well, thank you. So hat brings you here?
Pierce, already getting a little sick from all this friendliness when she knew that they hated each other. “Faelon, you know why we’re here. The Council summoned us. Now, either you take us to them, or we take ourselves there.”
Faelon, now growing irritated, opened his mouth to retaliate a snide response, was cut off by another voice, one of that of an elderly man. White covered this man’s face, all the way down to his chest, where it ended. Stepping into the light, it was clear this man was, if anything, ancient. His eyes, oh wise and honest, had seen the world. They held so much knowledge, only the amount you could get from living for centuries.
“Why, hello ladies. I hope Faelon here hasn’t been bothering you.”
Nervous laugh escaping, but recovering quite quickly, Pillar was the one to speak up. “Oh, no. He was just welcoming us. Right Pierce?” Pillar’s eyes green eyes turned on her twin, normally sweet and friendly, now filled with a spark so bright, Pierce didn’t what to say.
“Uhh..yeah. He was just welcoming us.”
The old man chuckled, clearly not believing the twins. “Well, that’s good to hear. Faelon, I’ll take it from here.”
Faelon, his normal arrogant expression gone with a shocked one. “But, sir-“
“Leave us Faelon. Now.” The old man turned his now cold, hard gaze on the boy, practically willing him to leave.
After Faelon’s departure, the old man sighed, taking off his glasses. “Ladies….it’s seems I am in..a predicament.”
Pierce, feeling utterly confused, looked to her sister, Pillar, one who always had the answers, always had the intuition to find them, had no clue.
Now, of all the things Pierce has faced, being dumped by her ex, fighting with her sister, fighting with her friends, of all of these things, Pillar not having the answers scares her the most.
Getting tired of the cryptic statements, Pierce spoke up in her plaintive, curious voice. “First, can you tell us who you are? That might be helpful.”
Pierce’s gaze never glanced at her sister, for she knew that Pillar was staring at her in shock. She resisted the urge to shrug, not caring if she disrespected this man. He wasn’t being very helpful, except maybe sending Faelon away.
“Oh, you are correct. I haven’t introduced myself, have I? Tsk, tsk. I’m really getting old, now aren’t I?”
Really hoping that he wasn’t serious about them answering that last question, though she dearly wanted to, she stayed silent, her gaze never wavering.
“My name is Siris. I…work with the Council, you could say…..”
Attempting to ignore the way he said the last part, Pierce gave the man a curt nod. Before she could ask though, Pillar decided then to chip in. “Okay, so now we know what you’re name is. How do you know us?”
Instead of an actual response, all they got was a humorous chuckle, and a shake of his head.
“Come, follow me to the Council. They have been expecting you.”
Pierced released a sigh, realizing that the man didn’t plan on answering any more of their questions. So, unlike what she would normally do, she followed without an argument, her eyes flickering from one part of the decor to the next.
After about ten more minutes of walking, Siris finally stopped in front of yet another large metal door. But instead of just passing it by, acting as if it were nothing, he slowly opened it. It swung open, creaking all the while, the door revealed a large room that resembled a court room. A large, elegant chandelier hanging in the center of the room, with maroon curtains covering large windows. Very little light streamed in, the only source being the lit torches all along the walls. At the front of the room sat a row of people, almost like judges. The men and women that sat there seemed like stone, staring straight ahead. They all were like Siris, the vibe they emanated. Their age…appeared limitless. Their physical appearance made them look as if they’d been alive for years, but in here, in this place, it was obvious they were the same age as Siris, if not older. Though they appeared, and probably were, centuries old, their eyes revealed a much younger side. They had this look in them that they were not ignorant of youth, that they could act childish if they wanted to.
Pierce, absorbing this, stared in awe. These people….who were centuries old, held so much knowledge. How much, she hadn’t a clue.
Ignoring their awe-struck expressions, Siris led the two girls toward a small table, situated in front of the panel of people. He gestured for them to sit, before taking a seat near them.
Pillar did as she was told, completely and utterly confused.
Pierce, however, stood standing. “Why are we here?”
“If you have a seat, then you will find out.”
Heaving a sigh, Pierce finally sat. With one glance at her sister, then Siris’ disappointed glare, she could tell she already did something wrong.
“Pierce, Pillar…” A man, who looked quite young compared to the others, started. “You are here because of many things. Some, we will not tell you. One reason you are aware of, is the Initiation.”
Pierce glanced at her sister, fear now stricken in her eyes. What were they going to do to them?
Her gaze flickered back to the panel of people when an older man, the oldest it seemed, cleared his throat. “We are aware that…you girls are the daughters of Isabella.”
Hearing her birth mother’s name, Pierce’s blood ran cold. She had only heard little about her birth mother, for her having died during child birth. Her adopted parents had been given the rights as their parents, for they were the same as the twins. Pillar had tried to look up more about their mother and father, but nothing could be found. With the death of Isabella, it was like she fell off the face of the Earth.
“Now, knowing this bit of information…worries us. Isabella could not be trusted, so we’re a little weary of….allowing you entrance into the coven.” Another man stated, his dark eyes staring intently at the twins.
“But we have no idea who our birth mother is. We never met her!”
“But her blood runs through your veins!!” The eldest man from earlier exclaimed. His eyes were bloodshot and his bony hands shook with fear. One glance at the others’ faces told Pierce that he wasn’t the only one scared of them.
Siris, apparently growing tired of this, finally spoke up. “They are unaware what situation their mother got herself in. I have watched them. I do not think we have anything to worry about…… for now.”
Hearing him pause, made shivers crawl through Pierce. So he was just as suspicious…..
“Siris, we cannot take that chance!!”
The younger one, obviously in charge, sighed. “Toui, be calm. Siris has a point. We do not have to treat the twins as if they were their mother.”
“Rohe, it seems you have gone blind. Look at them! They look just like her.” Toui snapped, his narrowed eyes glancing from the twins, to Siris, to Rohe.
Rohe, his gaze now set on the twins, watched them curiously.
Hearing them bicker over whether or not to trust them, irked Pierce. They had no idea who she was, or what she was capable of. “Stop talking about us as if we weren’t here!”
The panel of judges, as they seemed to be, looked at her in shock. She had just yelled at the Council….what was she thinking? They could kill her…. Laughing nervously, she shrugged, mumbling “Sorry”, before sitting back down in her chair. Avoiding eye contact with her sister and Siris, Pierce kept her gaze set on the tiled floor. Intricate patterns were strewn about all along the tile, with a nice woodsy color to them. She did her best to tune out their argument, not wanting another outburst to slip.
After another ten minutes of bickering over the twins, Rohe finally silenced the Council. “It is decided. The twins will be allowed into the coven, though under heavy watch.” His now intense gaze fell upon the sisters, as he continued. “Pierce, Pillar, if you do anything to even suggest that you cannot be trusted, we will not hesitate to punish you. Understood?”
Nodding quickly, Pierce glanced at her sister, eyes frantic with fear. What were they not supposed to do?
Siris cleared his throat, standing slowly. “Girls, let’s go. It’s time for you both to head home.” Before waiting for their response, he started toward the door.
Pillar stood shakily, her gaze avoiding the Council. Their intense eyes were watching their every move, like a hawk, just like they promised. Pillar pulled her sister up to her feet, tugging her along to the doorway. Pierce, now retrieving her bearings, paused to look back. The Council had relaxed now that the twins were leaving, so they were no longer watching them, except for Toui. His dark eyes were staring straight at Pierce, a glare set into his old features. His graying hair seemed to frizz at the amount of hatred he was giving off.
Turning quickly, Pierce scurried out of the room.
Waiting at the door, quite impatiently for a man of his age, was Siris. He appeared to be leaning on a cane, where he got it, she hadn’t a clue. He held the door open for the twins, smiling sweetly down at them. Almost too sweetly. “Well, goodnight girls. It was nice to see you both again.” Without another word, the door slammed shut.
Pierce, fed up with all of this, practically jogged to her car, wanting to get home where everything was familiar and true. Pillar didn’t arrive to the car just as fast, but rather slowly. Her mind was still inside the warehouse, in that courtroom. One glance at her sister told her so.
When they were finally in the car, Pierce started the car and headed home, speeding a little faster than usual.
Within five minutes, a record even for Pierce, they arrived home. Slamming the door shut, the twins were home, closing the door behind them. As soon as their parents heard the door open and close, they practically appeared in the entryway. Their expressions were that of nervousness. One smile from Pillar made those frowns disappear, and smiles appearing in their place.
We told them, partially, what happened, assuring them that we were okay. Pillar, for some reason, didn’t want to tell them what exactly had gone on, about the Council being afraid of them. Pierce didn’t know why, but she didn’t question it. Soon, they were headed to their rooms, right next to each other, having a connecting door.
Pierce threw herself on her bed, groaning all the while. She didn’t look up when she felt Pillar sit on her bed as well.
Pierce’s room was, in fact, more boyish than Pillar’s. Pillar had more pink, whereas Pierce had lime green and grey, with a little purple. Their rooms were set up kind of similar, with the same TV, desk, bed, etc.
“Why didn’t we tell them?”
Pillar released a stressful sigh, looking up at a now sitting Pierce. With a slight shrug, she began in a whisper. “What would they say? Would they even know who our mother was, and what she was?”
Pillar had a point, and she knew it. They sat in silence for a few minutes, absorbing this new information. “They might. It wouldn’t hurt to-“
“To what? Ask? What do you think would happen if they did?”
Pierce had no answer to her question, for she had no idea either. “Well, what are we supposed to do?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? What do you mean nothing?”
“I mean exactly what I say. We lay low, do nothing to give them suspicions. We can’t afford to lose the Council’s trust.”
“Why? What would happen if we did?”
“What are a few witches without a Council behind them?”
