Chapter Eighteen

(Reagan's POV)

"Direct descendant, huh?"

I slammed my locker shut and exhaled a sigh. Here we go.

I spun around and gave Bryson a small smile. "You could say that. How did you know?"

He shrugged. "Ciara. She told me a few days ago. As Alerians, we were obligated to know our history."

I frowned. Does he know the true origins? Would it change the fact if I tell him the truth? I think it was best to throw in the oblivious card."What do you know?" I asked innocently.

He half smiled."It's a long story. We could go somewhere and talk?"

I thought for a bit. If I get to hear his side of the story, I could narrow things down, and maybe find some answers. I shrugged. "I got nothing else to do, and school's over for the day."

He smiled gratefully. "Cool. How about we go to our usual hang out spot?"

I moaned. Not The Lounge. They had the best pudding in the history of dessert madness.

He chuckled at my reaction. "I know what you're thinking, Ree. That's why I chose that place. Besides, it's the weekday. Not a lot of people come there, and the place seems ideal for a talk."

I grinned,"Let's go then." I tugged his arm,"ANDALE! ANDALE!"

He cracked up laughing,"Whoa! Easy there, Speedy Gonzalez. Eager to be with your pudding?" he teased.

I was about to retort, but a bitchy voice just had to put a word in to annoy me. I guess I needed more raw telekinetic power to make a 'shut the hell up' statement.

"Where do you think you're going, Bryson? You're supposed to come home with me."

We simultaneously spun around to face Ciara. She was popping her hips to side -a hand perched-quirking an eyebrow that said 'Bring it on.'

Bryson let out a soft sigh, "Ciara, I told you. We are over. You can do whatever you want."

She glared ferociously. Oh boy, she going to blow."It's the end when I say it's the end, honey." She paused adverting her eyes, a smirk gracing her lips," Now, come with me and leave that skank.Your mother is expecting our return."

Bryson in turn scoffed."God Ciara, you're acting like a psycho ex girlfriend. My decision is final and there is nothing you can do to change it."

Her eyes changed to an electric blue hue and let out a shrill cry of frustration,"ARGH!!!"

I made a quick sweep around the hallway to make sure there were no onlookers. The hallways were empty, so it was safe to say were good.

She stood erect, breathing rapidly from anger. Her hands curled into fists, and I'm pretty sure that sneer was intended for me,"This is all your fault, Reagan. If you hadn't come back, Bryson would have been mine."

Bryson shook his head, a frown on his lips,"I would have stayed with you, Ciara, if you didn't act so hostile towards Reagan. She was your best friend, and that is no way to treat someone so close to you."

With that said, she charged head on for a punch, but Bryson held up his hand, palm facing forward, letting out a wide blue energy wall, making Ciara crash into it, jerking her backwards. She staggered a few steps back, then regained her footing.

"I'll let you off with a warning, Ciara. Your actions could cost you your life. You know the law. It's a good thing The Pillars gave you a second chance. The provocation incident a few days ago was uncalled for." He said with pure authority in his voice.

She glared, her electric blue orbs darting to me, then to Bryson, then back to me,"This ain't over. You both will pay for this." And she vanished out of thin air.

Bryson heaved a lungful of air and dropped his hand to the side, the blue energy dissipated. He turned to face me,"I'm sorry about that. I never expected Ciara to act bitchy."

I shrugged,"She loves you. She would do anything to get you back."

He frowned,"By acting like a red bull? I don't think so."

"Bryson, when you're in love with someone who doesn't love you anymore, you feel helpless. Ciara right now, is frustrated and she would do anything. Love does that to you."

At some point, I envied her. Her assertiveness and knowing what she really wanted made me a coward.

Yes, I was too afraid to admit to Derek that I love him and I couldn't handle the rejection of an unrequited love.

"Reagan?"

I blinked."Oh. Sorry. You were saying?" I asked sheepishly.

He rolled his eyes,"I said let's get out of here. Your pudding awaits."

I laughed and we both left school.


*************************


We arrived at The Lounge after 10 minutes. Usually, it would take 25 minutes, because the cafe was located right smack in the middle of the city, but due to my Formula 1 driving - with Bryson trying to keep up - we got there earlier than usual.

The Lounge still looked the same. The wooden wall paneling gave off a cozy feel to it, with contemporary art decor to give a modern edge to compliment the homey ambience. Instead of the normal chairs and tables, they put in couches and bean bags. The set up was like a living room, a great way to hang out with your friends.

Bryson chose a spot on a far end corner, where a small short legged coffee table was surrounded by three bean bags. We headed over there and made ourselves comfortable.

A cute waiter approached our spot and smiled, showing his dimples,"Hi. My name's Tristan. What will it be? Coffee, tea or me?" he said suggestively, ogling at Bryson. I stifled a laugh. Cute, Tristan's gay and hitting on my ex.

Bryson pursed his lips, uncomfortable being hit on."I'll have a latte and a chocolate pudding for the lady." He said, voice clipped and brisk.

Tristan darted his eyes to me, quirking his eyebrows questioningly."Girlfriend?" he asked.

Bryson opened his mouth to say something, but I beat him to it."No. We're just friends. He's completely,"I paused for effect,"single." I emphasize the last part with a devilish smile on my lips.

Tristan beamed while Bryson scowled at me.

"I'll be right back," he winked at Bryson,"hotstuff." And walked off.

I broke out laughing, snorting like a donkey.

"Why did you do that?"Bryson shot me hateful daggers as I guffawed at his reaction even more.

"I... can't help,...it." I chortled, finding it hard to talk,"Oh man, that was hilarious."

I looked back at him through my teary eyes. He was smiling at me, sincerely might I add."It's good to hear you laugh, Reagan. I missed it."

That caught me off guard."Oh um... thanks?"I said unsure. I don't take compliments very well.

He cleared his throat,"Okay. So, Alerian history?"

I nodded."Yeah."

He took a deep breath and started,"It was believed that a Galerian was a result between an union of an Alerian woman and a god named Zeus. Back in 4th century BC in Greece, Alerians were an outcast and feared because of their powerful mind. The purebloods were threatened that such race could compare to their superiority. With that in mind, they made them as slaves. The god of thunder and lightning was enraged with the purebloods' arrogance. It was rare for a god to intervene with the supernatural realm - let alone a vampire world to be exact - but he couldn't stand to see Alerians being treated like dirt. With that, the purebloods created a damper; a device in a form of a choker which keeps an Alerian in check. Zeus felt a strong compassion for the Alerians seeing how they suffered, so he went down from Mount Olympus, and disguised himself as a young, strapping Greek man."

Wow. Their version was appalling. Zeus? The Alerian historians sure did make up an outrageous story.

"He was roaming around the city, when he saw an Alerian slave, Chezahrina. She was beaten up by two purebloods on the street on broad daylight. Zeus got mad, but he couldn't use his godly power. So he did it the human way, saving the damsel in distress with his bare hands. He had to fight like a human, not to draw attention and took the blows from the purebloods. After that, the arrogant bloodsuckers left, seemingly bored. Chezahrina, however, thanked Zeus for his chivalry. She had no idea she was talking to a god, and Zeus wanted it that way. He felt drawn to her for some reason. She was, after all, beautiful. They got to know each other, and bada bing, bada boom, as a result, a new breed came to be; a Galerian. They named her Sephrina." He said, clearing his throat then continued.

"Unfortunately, Zeus had to go back to Mount Olympus, so he left with a heavy heart, without saying a word to Chezahrina. He took it hard, but seeing he had responsibilities and obligations as a god, he had to return, leaving his child and lover. The purebloods were unsettled, but curious about the new breed. The Ancient Elders concured that this new breed was a mystery to them, and they discussed among themselves what to do with it - to get rid of it or not. All they knew was that she was a result of an union between a human and an Alerian. Sephrina grew up to be a beautiful woman, and thus had one pureblood drawn to her. His name was Constantine. They fell in love, but that led to betrayal. She thought Constantine loved her, but he was only pretending. He was ordered by the Ancient Elder to woo her, then kill her and her mother when he gained her trust. Sephrina was enraged. She invoked a prophecy so strong it was laced with bitterness and hatred."

It doesn't make any sense. Why did the purebloods and Alerians concealed the truth? Why fabricate a story to the new generation? The Alerian historians even include mythology to the cracked up origin. I dread if this was the same fabrication for the purebloods because damn, I couldn't imagine their faces if I dropped the bomb on them. If I plan to, that is.

I leaned in feigning innocence,"And what prophecy would that be?"

He sighed,"That a first born female direct descendant of Sephrina will lead Alerians to overthrow the purebloods."

I blinked. Technically, their version was slightly different, but the premise was the same. But they didn't know that Constantine was Derek's ancestor.

"Ciara told me that you are Luke's daughter. We knew that he's a direct descendant of Sephrina, and so far, most of the descendants were male." He said.

"Until now." I added in a whisper.

Bryson smiled sadly,"Constantine tried to go in for the kill, but Chezahrina got in the way, saving her daughter. After that, Sephrina disappeared. Some believed she married a human, thus continuing the lineage of Galerians. The difference between Alerians and Galerians is the magnitude of our abilities. Yours is raw and well," he paused trying to find the right words. "untamed so I think it has to do with the fact that you are a half god and half Alerian."


This brought a conclusion to the subject. The new generation of purebloods and Alerians were fed with lies to cover up the truth by the ancient ones, who seemingly passed down the fabricated story to their descendants. I don't know if it has to do with shame, or the fact that the prophecy could somehow thrive the Alerians hatred towards purebloods, hence erasing the fact that a Galerian in truth, was result of an union between a pureblood and Alerian.

Tristan came back with our order, giving Bryson a wink in the process. He slipped his phone number discreetly on the table and mouthed 'call me' and left. Bryson, once again, scowled at me while I just chuckled, then covered it with a cough when he shot me a death glare. Oops.

He sighed."I know this may come a shock to you, but Reagan, you were born to overthrow those,"he paused, contorting his face in disgust,"bloodsuckers." He said the last part with complete revulsion.

I sighed. Another pressure added to my plate. I hope my dad would come up a solution to break the prophecy. To be honest, the sight of Derek's lifeless body brought a sickening shiver down my spine - bile threatening to rise up my throat.

God, help me.

(Alexis POV)

I watched in great satisfaction as the people I called for this important meeting sat in front of me, waiting for my proposition.

They were all here, in my house, for a purpose. I knew that these people would jump at the opportunity, seeing this involves Derek and Reagan.

I should know. My family was very influential. Up to par with the Elders, but not enough to outshine them.

I smiled, looking at their expectant faces as I started."Thank you all for coming. Here's my proposition which would please you to the high heavens."