Uncle J's Office Above ✨

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| RED'S POV |

"What do you want?" I hissed, irritation dripping from my voice as I confronted him. The sudden appearance of Xavier had shattered the delicate world of my imagination, where Nicholas existed in all his perfect glory.

"Why so feisty, Red?" he countered, taking a step closer. With a firm resolve, I pressed my hands against his chest, creating a tangible barrier that prevented any further intrusion. A fleeting smirk danced upon his lips, swiftly replaced by a mask of confusion as he studied my face. "What's wrong?" I inquired, my eyes searching his.

I posed the question, my voice laced with a mix of frustration and curiosity. But instead of providing an answer, he tilted his head slightly and boldly ventured toward my neck. The moment the warmth of his breath caressed my skin, a shiver coursed through my body, leaving me paralyzed. Reacting on instinct, I summoned all my strength and pushed him away, though he barely budged. "What are you doing?" I demanded, my voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and defiance.

"You smell different," he stated matter-of-factly, his words laced with both intrigue and confusion. "Huh?" I managed to utter, utterly bewildered by his unexpected revelation.

"Your scent used to be reminiscent of sweet strawberries, but now it has changed. It emanates a fiery heat, akin to peppercorn," he explained, his tone a blend of amusement and curiosity. My scent had changed?

Could it be because I had finally tapped into my powers? Perhaps I should discuss this with Uncle J.

Uncle J!

"Shit!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing through the room, startling Xavier, who quickly composed himself. I hadn't informed Uncle J about Gwen or the harrowing encounter with the bloodthirsty creature that had feasted on my very essence.

"Xavier..." I cautiously distanced myself from him, my hand reaching out to grasp the doorknob. "Can we continue this conversation later? I really need to get to class," I implored, my voice a mixture of urgency and determination.

"We don't have one until next period," he retorted swiftly, his gaze unwavering.

"Well... Then I'll just have to make a quick stop at the restroom," I offered another excuse, hoping it would buy me some time.

"Then I'll follow you," he declared, his hands slipping effortlessly into his pockets, a subtle display of dominance.

"Okay, what's your deal, Xavier?," I asserted, releasing my grip on the door and striding purposefully toward him. "Why did you drag me here? Haven't you learned anything from Aubrey's ordeal?" I folded my arms across my chest, awaiting his response. Yet, despite the intensity of my inquiry, he remained silent, his golden eyes fixed on me, as if they held a cryptic message waiting to be deciphered.

"Where were you yesterday after school?" His sudden question sliced through the air, catching me off guard. What was he trying to achieve?

"Why do you ask?" I replied, my voice laced with a tinge of caution as I tried my best to maintain a semblance of calmness. Xavier's inquiry had caught me off guard, and I needed to tread carefully.

"Because I searched for you, hoping we could study together, but I couldn't find my study partner," he explained, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. There was something in his eyes, a flicker of determination mixed with curiosity, as if he were searching for some hidden truth within me. My mind raced, trying to piece together the implications of his words. "And Mr. Caddel disappeared at the same time," he added, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place.

So that's why he attacked Nicholas earlier.

"What are you trying to imply, Xavier?" I inquired, my voice a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

" Oh, nothing, Red," he replied, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Just wanted to confirm if I was seeing things correctly or if it was all a product of my bloody mind." His words sent a jolt of confusion through me. What did he mean? What had he seen or suspected?

Before I could press him for more information, Xavier swiftly pulled out his phone from his pocket, his fingers tapping on the screen with a sense of urgency. Then, with a deliberate motion, he handed me the device, his eyes fixed upon my reaction.

"Take a look and prove me wrong, Red," he urged, his voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and frustration. My hand trembled slightly as I accepted the phone, feeling a knot tighten in the pit of my stomach. With trembling fingers, I pressed play on the video that unfolded before me.

The screen came alive with the image of Nicholas, his face etched with determination, carrying me in his arms. It was the scene from the mall, captured by an unknown observer and subsequently posted online. My heart stopped for a second as I watched the footage, the wounds on Nicholas's body visible through his torn clothing, a testament to the danger we had faced against Gwen. But my face was hidden, buried in the crook of his neck, concealing my identity from prying eyes.

"So, I was right. It was you he was carrying," Xavier's voice seethed with anger as he snatched the phone back from me, his fingers gripping it tightly."Do you have any idea how much trouble this could bring, especially for you, Red?" My mouth remained agape, unable to form a coherent response. Thoughts raced through my mind, considering the potential consequences if the Elders or anyone here were to discover this.

"Calm down," Xavier interjected, his anger still palpable but now laced with a sense of controlled determination. "No one in this realm is interested in the human world only when needed, at least not for now. Plus, I know someone who can delete it within a few hours. However, I still have the original copy," he explained, his voice carrying a mix of caution and reassurance.

"So, what now?" I asked, my confusion evident. Why was Xavier going to such lengths and keeping it all a secret?

"I've seen the scars on Mr. Caddel through the video, and I know he'll recover today. But my question is, what really happened, Red? You know what, can I be real with you?" he implored, his golden eyes locked onto mine, searching for answers. I hesitated for a moment, the weight of his words settling upon me. Finally, I nodded, granting him permission to share his thoughts.

"Ever since you arrived here, things have been spiraling out of control. I can sense it in my gut. My mom has been acting suspicious, and even the guardians are more vigilant than usual. I know you're somehow involved, but I can't just piece it all together," he confessed, releasing a heavy sigh as if he had been longing for someone to confide in. He settled himself onto a nearby desk, running his fingers through his frosted hair in a gesture of frustration and weariness.

"Xavier, I understand that you sense something is amiss, but it doesn't involve you. You have to trust me on this," I explained, my voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos. I couldn't disclose the truth-that a dark lord sought to rise from the dead, and my blood was the key. Xavier couldn't know.

"I want to believe you. Truly, I do. But it does involve you, and weirdly I want to be a part of it," he asserted, his gaze unwavering as it locked onto mine. I stood there, speechless and confused, unsure of how to respond to his words.

"So, if you don't want this to reach the elders, meet me after school today in the library, at our spot," he declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. With that, he turned towards the door, his hand reaching out to open it.

As he stood there, his gaze fixed upon me, he uttered a final statement. "Don't forget, Red." With that, he closed the door behind him, leaving me alone in the empty class.

"Why couldn't it have been someone else?" I muttered to myself, frustration and disbelief mingling within me. Xavier had just issued me a threat, albeit one that kept our secret intact. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude that he hadn't disclosed it to anyone else. However, the weight of the situation now rested on my shoulders. How would I tell him without involving the others and Nicholas?

I needed to speak to Uncle J, and I needed to do it quickly.

****

I hurriedly made my way through the bustling hallways of the academy, weaving through clusters of students and teachers with a sense of urgency. Excited voices and laughter filled the air, but my mind was focused on one destination: Uncle J's office. As I passed by familiar faces, I exchanged quick greetings with the teachers and guardians, barely registering their smiles and nods. My thoughts were consumed by the mystery that awaited me behind the door of Uncle J's office.

Finally, I arrived at the front of his door, my heart pounding in anticipation. The memory of Aunt Morgan, flashed in my mind like a flickering candle flame, momentarily transporting me to another time. I shook my head, trying to clear the enchantment that threatened to distract me, and turned the doorknob.

To my surprise, as the door swung open, I was greeted by an unexpected sight. Uncle J stood in the center of the room, engaged in an intense conversation with two stern-looking men. Their brows were furrowed, and their expressions grave. The atmosphere crackled with tension, hinting at the gravity of the situation that had brought them together.

For a moment, I considered quietly retreating, not wanting to intrude on their serious discussion. But before I could slip away unnoticed, Uncle J's voice called me back. "Miss Musee?" he said, his tone both curious and cautious. I turned slowly, feeling the weight of their gazes bearing down on me. One of the men broke the silence, his voice firm yet tinged with a note of urgency. "Jayden, we'll discuss this later," he said, his words hanging in the air like a veil of mystery. The other man nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving mine, as if trying to convey a silent message. As they exited the room, the heavy door closed behind them with a soft click, leaving me alone with Uncle J.

Uncle J's eyes met mine, and I could see a mixture of concern and apprehension in his gaze. Something was amiss, something far more serious than I had anticipated. He moved swiftly, closing a file with a sense of urgency and concealing it beneath another one, as if desperate to keep its contents hidden from prying eyes.

A wave of curiosity washed over me, mingled with a touch of trepidation. I couldn't resist the temptation to uncover the secrets that lay within that file. Ignoring the warning in Uncle J's voice, I took a step closer to his desk, my hand inching towards the concealed folder. His sudden attention snapped me out of my trance. His voice, filled with both caution and a plea, reached my ears. "You don't want to open that," he warned, his words carrying a weight of knowledge and concern. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I disregarded his plea. With a trembling hand, I unceremoniously opened the file, unleashing a world of darkness and despair.

" What on earth?" My breath caught in my throat as my eyes absorbed the gruesome images before me. The photographs contained within were not ordinary pictures; they were haunting glimpses into a realm of death and suffering. The lifeless bodies depicted were pale and drained of vitality, as if their very essence had been mercilessly sucked away. Some were disfigured, missing digits or limbs, bearing the unmistakable marks of a brutal fate. I couldn't discern the identities of the victims or the creatures to which they belonged, but the sheer injustice of their demise resonated deep within me.

"What happened to them?" I gasped, my voice barely a whisper, as I hastily closed the file and placed it back on Uncle J's desk. The weight of the revelations pressed down upon me, threatening to suffocate my senses. Uncle J's weary sigh filled the room as he rose from his chair, his gaze shifting towards the window beside him, as if seeking solace or answers in the outside world.

"That's the doing of the Astrid clan," he explained, his voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and determination. "They are doing everything in their power to bring The Dark Lord back to life."

The mention of The Dark Lord sent shivers down my spine. I had heard whispers of this malevolent being, a figure of unspeakable darkness and power. The mere thought of his resurrection was enough to ignite fear and uncertainty within me. I struggled to comprehend the twisted motives that could drive a clan to commit such atrocities.

"What's so special about this Dark Lord that they're willing to go to such lengths?" I questioned, my voice laced with a mixture of confusion, anger, and a tinge of desperation. I needed to understand, to grasp the depths of their madness.

Uncle J settled back into his chair, weariness etched into the lines of his face. "Do you remember what I told you about the two statues that stand as symbols of the union between a werewolf and a vampire when we first arrived here" I nodded, my mind racing to recall his previous explanation. The statues, representing the balance between two powerful supernatural factions, had seemed like a beacon of hope in a world fraught with tension and conflict.

"Well, it seems that I was wrong when I said that some creatures disapproved of the union," Uncle J continued, his voice heavy with regret. "The Astrid clan has managed to sway almost all the creatures to their side in this madness."

" So they want to bring back a killer? I don't understand. Don't they realize it would only lead to their own destruction?" I expressed, struggling to comprehend what the Astrid clan hoped to gain by resurrecting such a malevolent being. It would undoubtedly plunge the world into chaos.

"It may appear illogical, but let's try to see it from their perspective," Uncle J reasoned, his voice tinged with a weariness that mirrored my own. "In this world, most creatures are predators, and others are their prey. Years ago, the killings were rampant, almost leading to the extinction of countless species. It was the union between werewolves and vampires that brought about a fragile peace. Since then, killing without just cause has been strictly regulated."

I sank into the nearest chair, the weight of the revelation pressing down upon me. The Astrid clan's actions, though despicable and dangerous, now carried a twisted logic. In a world where survival depended on the delicate equilibrium between predator and prey, the fear of returning to the blood-soaked days of the past held a powerful sway.

"So, they believe that resurrecting the Dark Lord will restore the balance they once had," I murmured, grappling with the conflicting emotions swirling within me. The Astrid clan's desperate quest to bring back a killer suddenly seemed like a misguided attempt to regain control over a world teetering on the edge.

Uncle J nodded, his gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the window. "Yes, precisely. In their eyes, the Dark Lord represents power, dominance, and a return to a time when their kind ruled without restraint. They are willing to pay any price, even if it means plunging the world into chaos once more."

"But I thought my blood was what they needed to bring him back, so why take body parts?" I asked, my voice trembling with overwhelmed confusion.

Uncle J looked at me, his gaze steady yet filled with concern. "Your blood is indeed the final ingredient they need, and luckily they haven't attempted anything deceitful thus far. We're in the clear," he reassured me, but I couldn't shake the pang of guilt washing over me.

"But what if they take a small amount of my blood? Wouldn't that be enough to bring him back?" I gulped, memories of the creature's attack at the mall flooding my mind. Gwen had some of my blood. Did I unknowingly play a part in resurrecting the Dark Lord?

Uncle J paused, his brows furrowing as he pondered my question. "I'm not entirely certain about that. The quantity of the blood matters. If it's only a small amount, I highly doubt it would be enough to bring him back, and even if it did, he would be weak and vulnerable, akin to a mere human," he explained, his gaze fixed upon me with his piercing gray eyes. "But why do you ask? Is there something I'm unaware of?"

A surge of emotions welled up within me, and I rose from the chair, taking a few steps away from Uncle J. "That's why I came here," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. He didn't say a word, patiently waiting for me to continue.

Rather than speaking, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to tune in to the whispers that seemed to surround me. I felt the familiar heat coursing through my veins, and when I opened my eyes, I released a burst of fire from my left arm.

"I can control my powers," I declared, the flames dancing on my hand, illuminating the room.

Uncle J abruptly stood up from his seat, his speechless gaze locked on the fiery display. "Red, when did you learn to control it? I know Amelia didn't teach you to this extent," he said, still fixated on the flames.

"Uncle J, I think you need to sit down for this," I urged him gently.

And so, I proceeded to explain everything that had transpired the previous day, including Gwen's involvement. However, I omitted certain details, such as the false excuse I gave for wanting to take a breather from the events. But it didn't alleviate the fact that anger was coursing through Uncle J, his jaw clenched with each word I spoke. I regretted entangling Nicholas in this dangerous situation.

"So, this Gwen, who was sent by Morgan, has some of your blood?" he confirmed, his voice laced with concern. I nodded, gripping my hands tightly and nearly breaking the skin with my nails.

"Then I'm afraid Red, the war has begun."

~~~

Uncle J's words left me feeling scared and worried. I didn't know what to think or how to navigate this treacherous situation, but I had one problem I needed to address-Xavier.

I stood at the entrance of the library, a mix of hope and trepidation swirling within me. I opened the door swiftly, relief washing over me as I saw that Miss Allysn wasn't at her desk. I made my way to the spot Xavier had mentioned.

There he was, sitting on a table, his gaze fixed on a photograph. "Xavier?" I called out softly, causing him to look up at me. He didn't say anything, but his eyes flickered between the picture and me, as if he had discovered something significant.

Reality crashed back into my thoughts as I heard his next words. "You're a Hathaway, right? Your parents were the ones banished from this realm, am I correct?"

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