Dark Night (24 page)

Our parents were dressed casual, my mother
with a black business suit, skirt, white collar blouse the whole
nine yards. My father as well was wearing a dark gray suit,
perfectly fit, as casual as a king and queen could get.

I caught Illyanne staring at them in what
seemed like disappointment. My mother turned to her slowly and
dismissed her, Illyanne smiled to her face and stalked off stage. I
held a laugh.

My mother, instead of
sitting next to our father walked to the microphone and took it in
her hand. Before she spoke, out of nowhere the secretary from
Illyanne’s office gave her a clipboard. She bowed and disappeared
from stage quickly.

“It seems we have some catching up to do.”
She paused and from what I could see, she smiled. “I have some
important news I need to share with you today. First, I have to say
how glad we are to be back.” That got a loud applause, “Thank you.
Second, I would like to welcome some new students who will be
joining our institute… temporarily,” That did not get many
applauses, “These are not just any students. They are princes‘, and
princesses’ from other countries who have not accepted our kind…
yet.” She seemed to struggle looking at the clipboard and hold the
mic. But my father got to his feet and walked to her, to help her,
he held the mic now while my mother looked through papers.

He spoke. “Not only will we have guests, we
will also have some permanent students. The first list is of our
new permanent students….” As he started reading their names,
students walked up to the stage and bowed to the king and queen
then returned to sit with the other students. Next I saw Dana come
up to the stage when my father said: “Gabrielle Bernice Petrelli”
And Bonnie walked up behind Dana. I had no idea that was her real
name.

When he was finished with the first list,
there was a loud applause before he started to read the second.
“And now we welcome Prince Xin Zhu, and Princess Xia Zhu from
China.” As he introduced them they appeared from behind me and
Genevieve. They were skinny and beautiful Chinese twins, because
they looked just alike. Xin was wearing a dark prince tuxedo I
assumed, that had a golden color to it. His face was flawless and
his hair was short, dark and spiked. Xia, was flawless as well. She
wore a tight dark red dress that hugged her skinny little body
perfectly. Her hair was in a bun, and she wore bright earrings.
They sat down next to us after bowing to the king and queen.

Our father continued with
the next on the list “…. Prince Bruce Rousseam and Princess Abelle
Lefebrve from France,” The two stepped from the opposite side from
us and came toward our parents. Bruce had a little boys’ face,
well… he was little. He looked about fourteen, yet he wore his
tuxedo and looked cute in it. He had shaggy light hair, with nice
big green eyes. The girl, Abelle reminded me of someone I couldn’t
put my finger on. She was tallish, slim and a show off. Her skin
was tanned it seemed, her hair was also pinned up and it was a
little darker than the boy’s, her eyes were big, bright blue. She
looked just like Mereily, and I wondered if they were
related.

“
Prince Adalbert Fischer and
Princess Frederike Fischer from Germany,” Adalbert looked about
twenty, which he probably was, he was kind of handsome and he was
tall too. Frederike was short and curvy, younger than Adalbert. She
wore a short mini dress to show off her legs, “Princess Miki
Sato and Princess Katsumi Suzuki from Japan.” The Princesses’
looked like trouble, both looked alike but only because of the
matching skirts and tops they wore nothing else. Miki had a boyish
haircut with bright red highlights. Katsumi had long blonde hair up
in a ponytail, and wore way too much make up.

“Prince Magnus Cunningham from Ireland,” Now
he was hot, he had his longish red hair combed back. He was tall,
and had a pretty smile. My father continued reading names from the
list, but I stopped paying attention when I caught sight of Robert.
He was leaning against the exit door watching, but not really
paying attention to the introductions, more like watching me. He
looked right at me and he held my gaze for a while until he finally
broke it off, and walked towards the stage, for a minute I had
thought that he was going to get me, and go. But no luck, I
realized he was being called by my father. “…. Lord Robert
Townsend.” And that got a cheer from Genevieve who “accidentally”
bumped me with her elbow when she clapped.

Robert took the mic, and
began to speak. “Today we re-opened Crimson House.” And the crowd
went wild… literally. It took Robert a minute to quiet everyone
down. “But this time there will be no waiting, if we have not
talked to you already then what that means is that you are not
living at the Crimson House.” Everyone stopped cheering, but he
continued. “The ones that have been chosen have already moved in,
or are doing so as we speak. With that said, have a great day.” He
said that last part almost sarcastically.

Students started whispering to each other in
confusion, disappointment, and frustration. I saw some girls
actually cry. Well that was just plain stupid. As far as I knew
there wasn’t anything that special about the house, except the
luxuries, like they needed it that bad.

The ceremony continued, we left the
auditorium and were now in the dining area. My parents were
chatting as they were having dinner with the Gods and Goddesses.
Some of the new students stayed with the intention to get to know
the royals here better, which they were good at. I was talking to
Bonnie who was surprised that I hadn’t known her real name.

“Yep, I hate it with a passion. You know kids
at school always teased me and called me Gabe! Like I was a guy or
something, piss me off. But whatever, soon as I was out of Junior
High I started going by Bonnie which I like a better, people didn’t
even notice. Anyway, did you see that red headed guy? What was his
name? He was fine!.” She hip bumped me.

“I think it was…Magnus?
Magnus Cunningham… yeah, that was it, Irish.”

“Even better, I like me some temper!” She
burst into giggles.

“Excuse moi?” said the Princess from
France.

“Yeah?” Bonnie stopped giggling and turned to
her, she was with the boy.

“Bonjour, Je’mappalle Abelle Lefebvre.” She
said as she held out her hand at Bonnie who took it.

“Bonjour, I’m Bonnie. Do you speak English?
Sorry my French is still not that great.” She admitted, looking
guiltily at me.

“Of course,” Abelle really looked like
Mereily except a little darker. “I know English. It is just hard to
understand with my accent.” She blushed.

“What accent? You’re a pro. So, what’s up?
What’s your name?” Bonnie asked the boy who seemed too shy to even
say his name.

“Bruce. Hi.” He smiled sheepishly and looked
down.

“Well you look mighty fine Bruce, enjoy
yourself.” Bonnie was seriously making the boy nervous, a blush
rose on his cheeks.

“Princess Mia, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Abelle said to me. We shook hands and she gave me a kiss on both
cheeks. Okay.

“We have heard so much about you two, our…
cousin? That is the right word isn’t it?” We nodded. “Mereily Jolie
talked to us about her best friends, that if we were able to
present ourselves here and we could not find her, we could find
you.” She said slowly.

“Mereily is your cousin?” Bonnie said
surprised, I knew there was something there.

“Oui… yes,” Abelle
confirmed.

“She looks just like her, Bonnie you really
didn’t notice?”

“Nope, no clue…” She shook her head.

“Well, I am glad you think
so. But we cannot find Mereily, and we wondered if perhaps you
could show us the way to her?” She spoke softly. Bruce was standing
beside her, still looking around the room for the tenth
time.

She was oblivious to her cousins condition,
not good. “You don’t know do you?” Once again I asked knowing the
answer.

“Know?” Bruce said.

“Mereily…. She is in a comma…. I’m sorry. I
thought they informed her family.” That was something I didn’t
know.

Abelle and Bruce had the same look in their
face, pure sadness. “I see now… that was the reason we were sent…
Bruce?”

“Oui, I agree.” Both were exchanging looks
with each other, as if speaking in a code. Then Bonnie cleared her
throat. “I apologize.” Bruce said.

“But we must go, and find Illyanne.
Arvouir,” Abelle said before she turned to go, pulling Bruce
with her. Then they were gone.

“God, I feel terrible maybe we shouldn’t have
said anything.” I was telling Bonnie who sighed.

She was looking around the room. “I know, but
they needed to know. It looks like Illyanne wasn’t going to say
anything to them, what a bitch.” Bonnie said it as if it were the
only truth, which it probably was.

My jaw dropped a little then I nodded.
“You’re right.”

Later that night, we danced and met a few of
the new students. Cole and Jewel were nowhere to be seen, not that
I cared. That was just something I didn’t want to be around. Sophie
was acting strange, looking around as if waiting for something and
Anna was not here at all. She had said she had some serious
business to take care of.

Typical.

Bonnie had left to get something to drink
when someone tapped me on my back.

It was Genevieve.

“What now?” I asked annoyed, I had enough of
her already. For some reason she still wouldn’t leave me the hell
alone.

“Don’t be so rude.” She grinned. “We… need to
talk. Now,” The grin was gone replaced by a serious face, I noticed
also that she had changed into a less formal dress, still
pretty.

“Why should I listen to you?” I snapped at
her, I really wasn’t in the mood to play one of her stupid little
games, but she just grabbed my wrist and I let her pull me away
from the crowd that was gathering to dance.

She pulled me out of the dining room, and let
go of my arm. I followed her to a maintenance room that was off the
hall, I closed the door behind me once we were inside. “Okay,
enough with the sneakiness, what do you want?” I said as I crossed
my arms.

She looked like she was about to cry, she
pulled out a folded paper from a handheld purse and handed it to
me. “This. Was left in my room, I just found it. I don’t know who
is doing this, but we need to stop it.”

I unfolded the paper and it was a printed
picture of our parents talking to each other, wearing yesterday’s
clothes. Their faces were marked with red crosses and underneath
the picture it said: Today is the day. “What the hell does that
mean?” I asked to myself, afraid of the answer.

“Obviously someone wants to take them out.
The funny thing is.. Is that this stationary paper is from this
school which means that whoever is doing this is in here.” She
whispered shouted.

“Okay. Hold on a sec, how can you be sure? It
could be just a coincidence, right?” She was already shaking her
head.

“No, it isn’t. Who was going to know where my
room was and get in without being noticed? Seriously I didn’t think
you were that stupid.” Her hands went to her hips, again getting
defensive.

I glared at her. “So, why are you telling me
this? Shouldn’t you be telling our parents? Where’s Robert? You
could have told him.”

“I can’t tell my parents without causing a
scene, and I haven’t seen Robert. I can’t even believe I’m telling
you this, but maybe you could tell Isabelle or someone that can
discretely watch our backs.” That sounded reasonable, I nodded.

“Fine, I need to get my cell phone and change
before we go all FBI on this place.” She rolled her eyes but didn’t
argue.

We quietly reached my room without bumping
into anyone; I carefully opened the room and scanned it quickly.
Everything looked the same as I had left it, I grabbed a pair of
black skinny jeans, a black tank top and a black cardigan, I wore
black Ugs too. I looked over my shoulder at Genevieve and found her
checking herself out in the mirror. I rolled my eyes. “Aren’t you
changing?”

“After you’re done, then we can go to my room
and let me change___”

“We don’t have time for that! Grab something
from my dresser and hurry your ass up!” I snapped at her while I
got out of the dress. She made a disgusted sound but said no
more.

After I was dressed I grabbed my cell phone,
then Genevieve came out of my closet. “Don’t you dare say a word.”
She crossed her arms after putting her dress neatly on my couch.
She wore a black skirt, that I didn’t like because it was way too
short, but it fit her perfect. The shirt she was wearing was a long
sleeved, button up white dress shirt, with black high heeled, knee
high boots. That I also didn’t like. I was still taller than
her.

I grinned. “Please. You look like your bitchy
self,” Then turned away from her before she could say a word. I
pulled my cell phone out and speed dialed Isabelle. She picked up
on the second ring.

“Yes?” She sounded like she was in the middle
of something but this was more important.

“Isabelle, we have a situation.” I said
quickly.

“I’m listening.” Then, Genevieve took the
phone away from me and told her about the note, and where she found
it. She was nodding to herself, and agreeing to whatever Isabelle
was saying. Then she hung up, and tossed it to me.

“She’s going to alert the guards, without
making a scene. She wants us to stay where we are and wait for
protection, she doesn’t want us to do anything else.” She shrugged
and sat on the edge of my bed.

“That’s it? What the hell are we going to do
sitting here?” I put my hands on my hips and stared at her.
Genevieve looked about five years younger and scared.

“I don’t know! What do you want me to do? You
think I want to sit here until someone comes to protect me? I
don’t!” She stood up and went to the restroom, where she stayed for
a while.