Chapter 9

Raven lay quietly in her bunk, watching out the window as the morning's first rays of sun gently kissed the dewy grass.  A smile played at the edge of her lips as she felt a tiny paw swipe at the loose strands of her hair.  A soft purring rubbed on the side of her cheek as she stroked the soft grey fur.

 

"G'morning Lia" Raven whispered with a grin.

 

Raven watched in fascination as the tiny ball of fur pounced on her fingers under the worn thin blanket when she moved them slightly.  Catching a glimpse of a pair of happy aqua eyes peering over the edge of her bed, Raven scooted over making room for her friend.  Jax hopped up on the bed, grinning at Raven and the little ball of fluff.

 

Both girls lay quietly on their sides, watching the small kitten pounce and play between them while an unknown force drew their attention back to the window and the dark forest they had visited last night.  Raven thought about that and began to wonder if it had all been just a dream.

 

"So, you still ok with being a Sinsear, or whatever it is?" asked Jax absentmindedly staring at the wooded area out the window."

 

Raven thought for a moment, wondering if she really was ok with it.

 

"I guess.  I mean, it made a lot of things make a lot more sense.  Like seeing Nikolas in my dreams, and having that warm glowey feeling at the party.  But then again it dredged up a lot more questions about myself than I've ever had before."

 

Jax raised an eyebrow "Like...?"

 

Raven sighed softly...she wasn't sure where to being or how much she should say since Jax could end up running screaming from the room that her friend had gone off the deep end.  Then again there was nobody on the planet that would or could understand and sympathize with her any better.

 

"Well, if I'm a Sinsear, then who else in my family was?  I mean I can't be the only one, it had to come from someone.  Like say...take my parents.  I mean my grandmother said they had been in some sort of accident but their bodies had remained missing. Could they still be alive, fighting the Siofra?  We're they killed fighting the Siofra?  Was Gran a Sinsear? If she was, why didn't she ever say anything?"

 

Raven trailed off staring at Jax.  Jax let out a long slow breath giving her friend a sympathetic look.

 

"I don't know Raven.  Those are all really good questions and for your sake, I really hope Nikolas has some answers.  I mean he has to know something, wouldn't you think?  But I don't know, I don't know how many of these Sinsear and Siofras are around...like if it's a small group, he might know but if there are thousands of them then he may not."

 

Jax flashed another sympathetic look at Raven with a shrug of her shoulders.  Raven sighed and scratched the little grey fluff ball behind the ears.

 

"Well, whatever it is, we better get her back upstairs and dressed.  Sun is almost fully up and everyone will be getting up in a little bit."

 

Jax agreed and the two scampered up to the hidden attic to hide their precious friend, making sure she had plenty of food and water.   Back in their room, readying themselves for inspection, Jax flashed Raven a concerned look.

 

"Do you think things will be back to normal today?  You think Ms. Teeny and Angelique will be doing inspections?"

 

Raven thought for a moment, that was a very good question.  Raven and Jax had been pretty apprehensive before yesterday morning's inspection, especially after what had happened at the party, however Ms. Teeny and Angelique had been nowhere to be found and a teacher she had never seen before conducted the inspection in a hurried way.  The two hadn't really thought much about it.  Odd?  Sure, but nothing surprised them anymore when it came to those two.  It had been the morning after a big party and they figured they were recovering from the night of frivolity.  At least that was what they had hoped.  Today was a new day and the day after they had left the manor without permission.  Who knows what would be in store!

 

Raven and Jax quickly finished dressing and making their beds and assumed their positions outside their door with the rest of their floor.  The unmistakable click of shoes sounded on the steps which made Raven's heart speed up a little.  If Ms. Teeny and Angelique yelled and gave her a hard time, they were once again back to normal, but if they didn't......Raven didn't want to even think about it.

 

Raven watched with bated breath as the enormous woman strolled through the hallway with Angelique in tow, looking each girl up and down.  When it was her turn she was stunned as the evil matron and her minion passed her by with barely a glance, but then stopped in front of Jax.

 

"Well, well Jaxon, what do we have here?"  gleamed Ms Teeny.

 

Jax looked like a deer, caught in headlights.  Raven could see Jax swallow back a gulp and a nervousness surround her.

 

"Yes Ms. T-teeny?" stammered Jax

 

"You looked like you rolled around in the bottom of a hamster cage.  Care to explain all this animal hair all over your blazer?"

 

Raven could see Jax begin to panic trying to think of something to say.  They hadn't thought about Lia shedding and leaving fur on their clothes!  Oh no!

 

"Ms. Teeny?  Her blazer is my fault.  She let me borrow it when we went to the farm and I forgot to clean it"

 

Ms Teeny didn't blink, didn't look at her or even acknowledge she has said a word. Angelique had given her a glance but quickly refocused herself on Jax.

 

"I asked you a question Jaxon, and I'm waiting for a response."

 

"I-I don't know Ms. Teeny, it may have happened at the farm.  I haven't worn it for awhile; I've been wearing my sweater instead"

 

"LIAR!!!" Ms. Teeny screamed while Angelique slid around and grabbed Jax by the hair, yanking her head back.

 

Ms. Teeny stepped to Jax, leaning down into her petrified face.

 

"You're up to something Jaxon, and when I find out what it is, you will be punished.  SEVERELY punished"

 

Raven could feel her anger bubble and begin to pour over the brim.  How dare they!!  Jax was the sweetest, most kind person she had ever met and for them to be treating her like this was absolutely inexcusable!  Raven could feel the warm glow begin inside her, like at the party and began directing it at Angelique and Ms. Teeny. Angelique whirled around and practically hissed at her, taking several steps back.  Ms. Teeny on the other hand, did the opposite.  Grabbing Jax by the front of the shirt she pulled her close while turning to backhand Raven across the face, sending her sprawling to the floor.

 

"Try that again girl, and you'll never see your friend again.  Got it?" Sneered the old woman.

 

Raven sat on the floor in shock, rubbing the side of her face where she had been slapped.  Ms. Teeny then turned her attention back to Jax.

 

"Be warned Jaxon, I'm watching you.  I will catch you and when I do, you will wish you had never been born."

 

Ms. Teeny let go of Jax' shirt and watched as Jax slowly slid to the floor, her jelly legs unable to support her body at the moment.  Raven could see Jax tremble with fear as tears began to slide down her cheeks.  Ms Teeny grinning and chuckling at the misery she had created, turned on her heel to take her leave.  Once they were gone, Raven slid over to her friend and wrapped her arms around her.  Raven could feel her friends shoulders shake with her sobbing.  Tears streamed down her own face but her anger inside was so much stronger than her fear.  So that's how they were going to play it.  Go after Jax because she can't really defend herself.  Raven stared at the empty space where they had stood and vowed right then and there to do everything and anything it took to protect her friend...no, her Cara de Sinsear.  She was so much more than a friend and she felt it deep in her soul.  Jax looked up at her with her glistening aqua eyes, drying her nose on her sleeve.

 

"I'm okay, Rave.  Just a little shaky.  It's ok, I'm not afraid of them, they can't scare me" said her beautifully stubborn friend.

 

Raven smiled and stood, helping Jax to her feet, placing an arm around her shoulders.

 

"You know what they say, don't you Jax?"

 

Jax looked at her with quizzically.

 

"Paybacks are a...." 

 

Jax burst into a fit of giggles.  

 

That was more like it.

 

Raven was absolutely boiling inside and had no idea how to deal with it.  Her head was still reeling from the fact that her new found power had zero effect on Ms. Teeny, not to mention her cheek was still feeling the sting from that confrontation.  Why hadn't it worked?  Would Nikolas know?  So many questions and worries, she wasn't sure about anything at that moment.  With a deep breath she knew she would have to draw on her inner strength to get both of them through this.  With a massive amount of effort, Raven calmed her shaking body and soul and led her quivering friend to the line for breakfast.

 

Once in the cafeteria, Raven scanned the room for any signs of Nikolas but he was no where to be found.  Her foul mood began to cloud her face as nothing seem to be going right today.  Raven sighed and looked at her sweet friend nibbling on her toast, obviously lost in thought.  She had to do something to fix this, but what?  First thing first, she had to find and talk to Nikolas as soon as possible.  If anyone had a clue what to do, he would, but where was he?!?!  She could feel her frustration burn within her soul, trying everything she could think of to not lose it and belt out a scream.  Hearing the first school bells chime, Raven stayed close to Jax as they made their way to history class.  Hopefully Nikolas would be in her English literature class later today.  If he wasn't...she didn't even want to think about that.

 

History class crawled by which was unusual since Raven usually enjoyed history very much, but with so much on her mind, it was very difficult to keep a thought in her head.  Finally hearing the bells chime once again, Raven and Jax made their ways to their own English classes.  With a quick hug and a sad smile Jax quietly mad her way to her class disappearing behind the heavy wood door.  Raven could feel the hurt in her chest and the knots in her stomach.  Nikolas had to be in there, he just had to!

 

Raven popped her head around the corner to survey the classroom.  Relief flooded every pore of her being as a familiar black haired boy sat at his desk, pouring over what looked to be school books.  She was so happy to see him, she didn't even bother to pay attention when she walked past Angelique's desk, which turned out to be a big mistake. That blunder caused her to go flying down the isle when she connected with Devilique's foot that was placed to trip her.  A murmur of laughter rippled through the room as Raven could feel her face get warm from the humiliation.  With a glare at Angelique she could feel the warming sensation return and all she could think of was how much she wanted to hurt her back.  

 

In amazement she watched as Angelique shrunk beneath her gaze and almost seemed scared.  She could swear she heard a squeaky noise come out of her which made the warming sensation even stronger.  Raven was enjoying this and wanted to do more!  Ready to turn up the embers, she could feel the heat radiate through every pour when suddenly Raven felt as if someone splashed cold water on her soul as a soft hand touched her shoulder.

 

"Raven sweetie, I think maybe you should take your seat"

 

Raven looked up into the kind eyes of her teacher, Ms. Vargo.

 

"Yes Ma'am"

 

Raven's legs felt likea new born colt's and she was sure they would give out at any moment, but she made it to her seat safely, taking deep breaths to settle herself.  Looking again in Nikolas's direction she was a little bit amused to see him staring at her with his mouth agape.  No matter, she needed to talk to him, but how to tell him that?  Raven stared at her desk, thinking thinking thinking....when a slight warming sensation surrounded her and a quiet hum sounded in her head.  Looking again at Nikolas she saw him slide a sideways glance, shaking his head up and down.  Had he heard her thoughts?  Was the "hum" him?  Again, he shook his head up and down.  Then as quickly as the warmth and hum had appeared, it was gone.  It was then Raven's turn to slightly nod her head up and down.  She still wasn't sure where or when she would talk to him, but she at least knew he was aware it was imperative they speak.

 

Raven tried to concentrate on Ms. Vargo's words, but her brain would simply not cooperate.  Her worries tornadoed around in her head, wrecking any normal thought process  She was still kicking herself for not being more careful about checking for Lia's fluffy fur on their clothes.  She knew there was no way Lia would be safe in the building, not with Ms. Teeny watching them like a hawk.  Sneaking upstairs now was out of the question.  She couldn't just leave her up there in the attic either, Lia would be so lonely and eventually run out of food and water. Hopefully Nikolas had an idea because currently Raven was all tapped out of them. 

 

 Raven's heart ached at the thought of losing her new found fuzzy friend, but Lia's and Jax safety came first. Raven couldn't be selfish and keep her when she knew it would put all of them in danger.   Yes, she knew what had to be done, but it certainly would not be easy.  Just the thought of losing Lia made her eyes well up with tears.  The hole that Gran had left in her heart when she died was enormous, and Lia hadn't been able to fill quite all of it, but she had made it better and a little easier to deal with. Losing Lia...the hole would be the equivalent of the Grand Canyon now.  How could she possible ever get over this?  Raven stared straight ahead as a tear traced its way down her cheek.  When would her losing the people she loved ever stop?

©jaholland 2015