\[Serenity’s POV\]
I grab Aunt Elise’s hand and begin to lead her out of my room, only to find that Maverick and my parents are in the living room. For a moment, they simply stare at me and Aunt Elise while we remain in place, and when my father’s expression darkens, I know that he’s going to show his ass.
“Serenity,” he says slowly, looking from me to Aunt Elise. “I think it would be best if you didn’t…”
“Hold that thought!” I yell, stopping him. “I know what you’re going to say, but I’m going to have to say I won’t listen to you.”
Swallowing, I watch as a wave of emotions flashes in my father’s eyes before they settle on anger.
Shit. Maybe that wasn’t exactly the best way to put it, but by this point things were too serious to back down, especially if we wanted to get to the bottom of what was happening with these rogues and what could possibly happen to Aunt Elise.
“I know that neither you nor Uncle William trust Eleanor.” I continue now, pulling Aunt Elise against me and wrapping my arms around her. “But she is involved in all of this, and we can’t just let her navigate everything alone.”
“It is because you allowed her to be involved that everything is happening now.” My father huffs. “Do you really expect her parents to remain quiet about what has happened after the stunt the two of you pulled?”
“Probably not,” I admit, knowing that they had absolutely no reason to keep such secrets from those whose children were going to this place. “But that’s even more reason that she needs to stay for now.”
“And why is that?” My father demands, his anger spiking. “Wouldn’t it be better if she was home?”
“No,” I respond immediately. “She can’t, because she... She is…”
“She’s Elise,” my mother finally says, giving Aunt Elise a gentle smile. “She is just as intwined in all of this as the rest of us.”
At her words, a look of shock and disbelief crosses my father’s features before his mask of indifference returns.
“What did you just say?” He asks slowly.
“She is Elise.” My mother repeats. “I know that it may be hard to believe, but Elise has somehow managed to be reborn as this child in order to continue to protect Serenity.”
“Elise,” my father says, turning his gaze to Aunt Elise, who looks annoyed. “You’re saying that she... this tiny little fairy is Elise?”
“Yep,” Aunt Elise announces in annoyance. “It’s me. Disappointed?”
Biting back my shocked laugh, I wait as my father continues to examine Aunt Elise, and when he gives both me and my mother looks of betrayal, I know he is angry we didn’t tell him sooner.
“Did he know too?” He asks now, pointing to Maverick.
“Yes,” Maverick responds easily, only adding to my father’s anger. “I was aware.”
Eyes widening, I look from Aunt Elise to Maverick. When the heck did he find out that she was Aunt Elise, and why didn’t he say anything to me?
‘Because you were ignoring him.’ Mahogany says in amusement.
Blushing, I tear my gaze away from Maverick and turn it to my parents once more in a desperate need to change the subject and get the ball rolling on finding the evidence that we desperately needed to try to stop the rogues from attacking again and to keep Aunt Elise from turning into one.
“Anyway,” I say slowly, hoping to shift the conversation. “I know that it is shocking that Aunt Elise is here with us, but that isn’t the thing that is most important.”
“It isn’t?” My father challenges. “Because I am still pretty damn confused about how someone can die and somehow be reborn as a completely different person. I am also really curious about why my wife and daughter kept something so important from me.”
“Because I told them to be quiet.” Aunt Elise huffs. “Could you go ahead and get over it. Serenity and I have some information that might be useful to you. And,” she continues, pointing to Maverick. “You and the rest of you newly human weirdos.”
“And what might that be?” My father asks.
“First, I think it would be wise to get William here.” She responds. “Since everyone here is involved one way or another, it would be better for them to be on alert.”
“William knows too?” My dad snaps. “What the fuck?”
“Rosco,” my mother sighs, patting his leg. “It’s going to be alright.”
“Going to be alright.” My father grumbles, a pout forming on his face. “My whole family is keeping secrets from me, but it is going to be alright.”
“Annoying,” Aunt Elise sighs, breaking free of my hold. “All of you just stay here, and I’ll go get him.”
\[Elise’s POV\]
I don’t wait for anyone to respond or argue on my decision, and when they don’t make to stop me, I head out of Serenity’s dorm and down the hall towards the principal's office, where I’m certain William is waiting. As I draw closer, I can feel my heartbeat kicking up as I remember our last conversation, but I quickly try to get it in check since my emotions or our past no longer matter.
When I draw near, William is heading out, taking me by surprise, and when our gazes meet, I feel my determination to keep a distance wavering.
“El… I mean Eleanor,” he says, eyeing me curiously. “Is something wrong?”
“Family meeting.” I say slowly, pointing toward Serenity’s dorm. “Your presence has been requested.”
Growing quiet, I wait as he processes what I’ve just said, and I can’t help but feel the awkwardness and tension forming around us.
Fuck. This was part of the reason I didn’t want him to find out who I was. I knew that it would make things tense, and that alone would make being around him damn near impossible. And if that bitch Lydia found out, then I was really done because even if I was a kid, I knew she would give me a hard time.
“Is it about you?” He asks quietly, breaking the silence. “I’m sure it must be hard for...”
“No,” I snap, not wanting to go down that track. “It’s actually about them.”
As I speak, I begin to look around myself, noting the few students who are still milling about, wasting time before they have to go back to their dorms, and when one in particular catches my eye and then starts to make his way toward me, I know that I’m going to have trouble.
“Anyway,” I continue, starting to move past William and toward the guy approaching me. “You should go to Serenity’s dorm. I’m sure that everyone will fill you in once you get there.”
“What about you?” William asks. “Where are you going?”
“To visit with a friend.” I say, lifting a hand and waving at Forrest, who has almost reached me.
To my surprise, a growl of annoyance escapes William, but he doesn’t ask any further questions. Instead, he gives Forrest a look and then begins to move.
Only once he’s gone do I turn my full attention to Forrest and give a smile.
“What’s up?”
“I was sent to find you.” He responds, though his gaze is fixed over my shoulder, watching William as he makes his way away from us. “What was that?”
“What was what?” I ask, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Were you in trouble again?”
“Something like that,” I chuckle, hating the awkwardness that has been left in William’s wake. “Anyway, who sent you to find me?”
“The professor in charge of the disciplinary committee.” He responds. “We’re on guard duty again tonight.”