- Gabriella -

"Why don't you just tell her that I won't be coming back?"

She kept looking ahead but I know she heard me. Undeterred, I continued on. "I understand that all this top secret business needs to be kept under wraps. What with all your commandments. But I don't get why you did that to Claud."

"This is absurd. You had orders to keep me under surveillance. There was nothing about lying to my friends! Claud is my friend, she deserves at least a grain of truth." I opened my mouth to continue but Vesna stopped abruptly.

I almost crashed into her because I could hardly watch my front as I grappled with the items I'm carrying.

"I will do what it takes. Lying, thieving, killing. If it means it will keep us safe. Including that girlfriend of yours." Her tone is cold and cruel. Gone is the sassy girl who smiled and laughed at my jokes. She looks taller, more imperious and every part the third-in-command of her squad.

Without looking back to see if I followed her, she continued walking back to our dorm. Right. Our dorm now. Guess I will have to move in eventually? Might as well just announce to all my friends that I can longer be with them.

***

"Hey. You forgot this." I glanced up from the bed I was sitting on. It's soft and large, covered in a silk coverlet and also my bed now.

Fenrys is holding something out to me. I recognized my old phone but it looks different. I looked at him puzzledly.

"Uhm you see, because of your awakened powers Damien had your phone modified. He incorporated some materials with fire resistance in case you lose control and made your phone explode." He shrugged as he handed me my phone.

It looks almost the same but it felt slightly lighter. The scratches and cracks on my screen are gone. The back doesn't feel worned from years of me gripping it.

I never realized I forgot to bring it with me when I went over to Claud's this morning. I glanced up to say thanks but Fenrys has already left, leaving me alone in my new room.

Switching it on, I watch my screen flicker twice and a slightly pixelated graphics of the logo appears. Same old, same old. It seems only the outside has changed but not inside. I don't know why but it's reassuring.

There are only three text messages. One from Claudia, one from my mum and another from Res. I replied to the easy ones first.

I texted my mum saying how much I miss her and that I am doing well in the university, especially now I have many friends (including five demi-fae and the Prime Minister's son). Of course, I didn't tell her about them. I carefully left out the details pertaining to the word "fae", and tried to briefly tell her my life in the past few weeks.

The insecure and judgemental girl who is afraid of opening her heart seems so long ago. The me who was hesitant about befriending others. Yet it was only three weeks ago and I still remember moving into Claud's dorm two weeks ago.

Claudia's text was much easier. I texted her saying there IS NOTHING going on between me and "Daniel", as well as asked her about her progress in her dance practice.

Staring at the inbox under Res' name, I debated. Should I open it? Should I just ignore it?

The scene of him barging into my room replays in my mind. I don't know what to tell him. That I was just having an afternoon nap? That you didn't have to punch Damien? Hey what's up? Hi why did you punch Damien?

This is going nowhere. Giving up, I set up my canvas stand and placed the board on it. Soon I'm mixing my colors and sitting on a chair in front of my empty page. It's not a stool but it's better than standing. The face of my topic appeared vividly in my mind when I closed my eyes. I already knew what I should draw for this art assignment. With the way the lingering effects of that dream is still haunting me, there is no way that I could forget it.

I sketched the details as true to life as I remembered. The sharp canines, the matted dirty fur, its leering hungry gaze. I shuddered as I stepped back to admire it. It stares right back at me, like it would jump out of my painting. On impulse, I added more details. A room covered in shadows, a window and a girl sitting on a bed. She gazes out of her window curiously at the creature which watches her.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

With my assignment done, I stretched and released a yawn. Cracking my stiff muscles I tidied the place up. As I scrubbed the paint from my fingers and my arms, Vesna walked in. "Hey, Damien wants to talk to us."

***

"I have something to announce. So we have a new addition to our team. A new S.P.A.D. member." Damien was saying as he lounged on the sofa while the rest of us stood. I'm beginning to see the hierarchy here. It seems today Raziel has another late shift and he stood there wearing his work attire. Everyone stares at Damien intently as they listen.

"Before I move on, do any of you have questions?" Damien asked as he folded his arms.

"Yes Vesna?" He nodded at Vesna's raised hand.

"Well who is this new member? Gabriella? I mean no offence but I don't think she's qualified yet." I looked at her but I was even more surprised by everyone's shocked reaction. "What? She's inexperienced and her powers just awakened. She didn't even receive proper training yet."

"I'm not saying I don't like her, mind you and I think with the right training she will make a great addition to our team. But now? I doubt it will be a good time." Everyone looked stunned and no one said a single word. "Err yeah. Like what Vesna said, I'm still kinda inexperienced. So I don't think it's a good idea..." I trailed off as Damien shook his head. He held up a hand to stop me.

"You don't have to defend what she said." He frowned at Vesna who shrugged. "Gabriella is not the new member if that notion scares you so much. She is an agent promoted based on her past achievements. An undercover here."

"What's her name?" Jonathan asked. He caught my eye and offered me a small smile. I know he's trying to divert the conversation but I doubt Damien will let this go that easily.

"Bella." He said as he promptly nipped the issue at the bud. "Talking about Gabriella, let's make things clear. Firstly, I have no intentions to recruit her unless she herself wishes to be part of the Paranormal Department. Secondly, by no means are we to disrespect her. Thirdly, my father has developed quite an interest in her powers and I hope to maintain this current proposal..." He gestured between him and me. "... for the time being. Or as long as possible."

"Shit man. If your father ever gets a hold on the reports, we would all be screwed." Raziel said.

I watched as they turned to look at me and contemplated. "That's why I want to keep things the way they are. Our presence puts Gabriella under our protection, which keeps the HQ off her for the moment. But the pretense won't last for long. They are expecting answers."

"Why don't we do it this way? We can fake some results and submit it to them. They won't suspect a thing." Fenrys suggested.

"No. If the test results don't tally it will be obvious." Damien shook his head.

They started arguing about the merits and risks of the plan until Jonathan interjected. "Guys wait." He looked at Fenrys brightly. "Your plan, it actually might just work."

"What do you mean?" His brother asked him as he studied the gleam in his eyes. "Do you have a better plan?"

"Sort of." He looks at me. "Do you guys still remember about my treatment? For iron sickness?" They nodded but I have no idea what they're talking about. "I was going to say that when I go to the HQ for treatment the next time, I can sneak into their archives and steal some of their test files." My jaw almost dropped. I may not know their HQ, but I know stealing something in the archives is classified information.

"Oh. That's a good one." Qas chuckled. "I've always wondered what sort of information they kept locked inside those four walls. Looks like we can find out soon enough."

"Woah guys. Wait. Isn't anyone going to say anything about Jonathan suddenly growing balls? I mean c'mon this isn't the usual coolheaded twin I've known my entire lif- Ow!" Fenrys clutched his ass which had been kneaded. "You fucking pervert!"

"Jeez Fenrys. If Jonathan is a pervert he would have stolen your virginity when you were young. How many times has he seen you naked and ogle at your little jeepy?" Damien said amusedly and I laughed.

"Since he was a baby." Vesna added much to Fenrys' mortification. "Enough. Seriously, I get it already." Fenrys mutters darkly. Grinning, Jonathan pats him lightly on the back which made him glower even more.

"You guys are hilarious." I admitted as I laughed.

"Hey Damien, can I request something?" Vesna said as she looked at me and smiled. Damien nodded for her to go on. "We should compromise. I think Gabriella is capable of looking after herself when she's with her friends and the fae won't appear in the presence of mortals. So I think we can let this bodyguard thing slide."

"That's true. Hmm alright, I will approve for just this time. But if anything were to happen, I will be asking from you Vesna."

She rolls her eyes and winks at my surprised look before whispering to me. "Don't look so shocked. I was the one who requested him to arrange the next door room for us girls since we have another coming. It's gonna be our girl's thing."

***

I tossed and turned on my new bed. I'm sweating and the room is hot and stuffy. Giving up, I padded to the adjacent room where the guys were sleeping. The girls' room is adjoined to the guys and because we just moved in this afternoon, there was almost nothing in the fridge. Opening the fridge in the guy's room, I spotted my midnight snack. It's not my first choice, but in the warm recesses of the night, it will do.

I pulled the tub of ice cream out and took a spoon from the kitchen. Even with only the moonlight filtering through the windows, I can see the dining table clearly as I propped myself onto the stool. I know the enhanced eyesight is due to the fae blood running in my veins, but I've heard from Vesna that it is more than that. She told me stories of how they can see around ten metres in the dark. However, there seems to be something obscuring the true extent of my capabilities.

I can't shake the feeling that there is more to this. I remember being able to reach a 3 m radius and there is this thing that's lying dormant inside me. It's always been there, a steady reassuring presence but ever since that incident with the sidhe, I've become more aware of it. As the ice cream melts in my mouth, I heard two people talking.