The Hidden Hybrid Within

Chapter 14: The After Party

Sin’s POV

      “Come on, everybody is already making their way outside, you look beautiful.” Eva had been trying to get me out of the room for at least twenty minutes.

      Me on the other hand I was still standing in front of my mirror looking at the unknown girl staring back at me. My hair was hanging at full length in big ringlets, didn’t like it, didn’t feel like me, makeup, I never wore it, but there I stood with a perfectly manicured mask on my face. And the dress, yes, they put me in a dress with three-inch heels, the dress came just above my knees and it was a beautiful green color. Nope, Nope, Nope I couldn’t do this.

      “You guys go ahead, I thank you both so much for this, but I can’t wear it. I am not comfortable in this. I have to do things my way.” I started to the closet, first change; the clothes.

      “Nope, you are going that way.” Claire fussed.

     “Seriously you two are like my sisters, and I love you. But I am not wearing this, I am not ready to be a girly girl. I assure you when I am, you two will be the first to know, but if you want me to do this, I am doing it my own way.”

     “Fine, but you have ten minutes to be downstairs or we are coming back to get you, and you have to do it my way.” Eva grabbed Claire and pulled her out the door while tapping her watch. I just rolled my eyes and rushed into the closet.

      Ten minutes later I was standing in front of the mirror, no makeup, hair in a messy bun, pair of skinny jeans and a blue t-shirt, and tennis shoes. That’s more like it, all me. I walked to the door, stepping out and guess who was standing there, none other than Xander. I turned around and ran straight into his chest like a bug to a wind shield.

     “I am so sorry.” I jumped back quickly and turned to walk away.

    “Hey no problem. I wondered who got that room.” He laughed behind me. It was heartwarming, and it was the first nice thing I think I had ever seen out of him.

     “Yea evidently I am lucky.”

    “Care to walk down with me?” He asked as he stepped up beside me.

     “Well, we were both going that way anyway at the same time, so no need for one of us to sit here and wait till the other leaves.”

     “True, so come on.” And we started walking, “So tell me Sin, how did you do that today? No pain, No pressure, just darkness.”

      “Just a trick my dad taught me. Kind of a last-ditch effort if you aren’t winning.”

     “So, you admit you weren’t winning.”

     “Well actually neither one of us was, we could have still been out there. You and I both know that neither of us was going to submit. And before one of us became hurt or embarrassed ourselves I provided a solution. And as far as that training position, feel free to give it to someone more qualified.”

       “On the contrary Sin, I think your training will come in handy for everyone. And you earned it. And before I decide not to tell you, or forget, thank you. And if you tell anyone I told you that, I will deny it.” And with that he left me standing there.

      Did he really just thank me? Why is he being so nice? Am I losing my mind? Did I finally earn respect from him? All questions I was sure I would get no answer to. But I was still going to smile and thank my lucky stars at least he was being nice.

       “Hey little buddy glad you finally decided to show,” Jake grabbed me as soon as I stepped outside. Looking around there were people everywhere, a large bonfire and a stage set up. The music was blaring and much to my surprise everybody was having a good time.

      “Yea, I about talked myself right out of this.” I smiled back at him.

      “You should walk proud. You did good today.” He bent down to my ear, “And one day you need to share those secrets about healing so fast. I know you don’t have make up on however I can see your eye still looks as if it was never blacked and I don’t see the busted lip or any bruises.”

       I smiled up at him as my thoughts rushed through my head, a cool wash rag and hot shower and I could always get the easy stuff to heal fast and it only seemed to be getting faster.

     “Just good genetics,” I shrugged as I pulled him through the crowd to find Claire and Eva.

     “Hey guys, bout time you join us.” Eva greeted us. We all laughed and spent the next hour talking, dancing and having fun.

      For once in a long time, I felt comfortable, I felt at home the best I could anyway.

      “Attention, everyone please join us at the stage as we hold our ceremony for our new inductee into the Warrior Training Club.” Mr. Russell announced drawing the crowd to the stage. “Xander, Jake, Sin will you please join me.” Jake grabbed my hand and pulled me to the stage willing or not. “Sidney please stand beside me.” Mr. Russell motioned for me to take a stand next to him, and I did. “Ladies, and gentleman we are gathered here this evening to welcome Ms. Sidney Lane to our Warrior Training club. She has earned her position as our third in command.”

       “Excuse me Alpha may I say a word,” Jake stepped up cutting Mr. Russell off.

       I still hadn’t gotten use to the whole Alpha, second, third in command stuff but oh well. Mr. Russell stepped back and allowed Jake to step to the front. “I Jake Manning, am stepping down as second in command to take the third spot. I am turning my position over to Sidney Lane, or better known as Sin.” He turned to smile at me, while the crowd went wild.

      Xander was muttering something behind me and Mr. Russell was smiling. My heart was racing, and I couldn’t help the sweaty palms and feeling a tad bit dizzy.

    I stepped forward and grabbed his hand pulling him close to me, “What are you doing? You know that I didn’t want this, I only wanted to be a team member.”

    “Sin you will soon learn you are not a follower.” He looked at Xander and then to Mr. Russell before continuing. “There is something that I can’t put my finger on, but you were born a leader, a powerful leader and you do not belong in a following position. You and Xander belong working together. Two of the strongest people I have ever met, should be side by side, not battling for dominance.” He kissed my forehead and stepped back leaving me speechless.

     “Very well then, as I have been corrected, we will be welcoming Sin to the second in command position beside your current leader Xander.” I could feel daggers being thrown my way with deathly stares by none other than Jess and her team of minions, but I paid no mind to them and kept my attention focused on Mr. Russell. “Sidney, please step forward.” Taking my hand and placing it on an old looking box with odd looking designs all over it, Mr. Russell instructed me to repeat after him. “Follow my lead Sidney. I Sidney Lane swear to uphold the rules and laws set forth in this community. I will stand up for my peers in dire situations and will serve to protect the weak and innocent. I will work closely with my equal Xander Russell and our third Jake Manning. When times call for it, I will lay my life on the line for those in need.” That last part kind of threw me for a loop, but oh well I repeated as instructed. I did notice how I was considered an equal to Xander not a second. I figured it was just a mishap in words, so I just shrugged it off. Mr. Russell took the box and opened it revealing an old dagger with inscriptions on it that looked familiar, but I couldn’t read them, and couldn’t figure out why they looked familiar. “Xander please step forward.”

       “Dad do you really think this is necessary?” Xander questioned leaving me completely clueless as to what either one of them were talking about.

       “Xander it is, please trust me and step forward.” Xander reluctantly followed his father’s instructions and stepped forward next to me. He gave me a small smile and then looked to his father. Mr. Russell reached under the podium and grabbed a clear chalice and placed it in front of Xander and me. “Sin please place this dagger in your palm and close your hand around it.” I did as he asked squeezing it as hard as I could. He grabbed the end of the dagger and jerked it out as quickly as he could and caused it to slice my palm. He turned my fist upright and squeezed it causing blood to drip out into the chalice. He then gave me a cloth to clean my palm with, before repeating the same steps with Xander. “Eva can you please step up here.” Eva came to the stage with us and stepped to the chalice. At this point I was just watching, unsure of what was going on. Eva placed her hands to each side of the chalice, closed her eyes, and then chanted something under her breath. She was so quiet about it I couldn’t make any words out at all, but when she opened her eyes a puff of purple haze lifted from the chalice. She looked at her dad, nodded her head and then quickly left the stage. There were gasps and whispers among the crowd, but no one spoke aloud, and at this point I was pretty sure I would wake up from the weirdest dream ever. “Xander you will be eighteen in two years and you are destined for things outside of these walls. Sidney you are bound to these walls as your home until you are eighteen years old, so you will be with us for another four years. With this part of the ceremony, we have decided to only bound the two of you in leadership for the next two years, so please both of you repeat after me.”

       I have entered a cult and there is no way out now. Oh well I might as well play along, my mind was running wild.

      After quieting the thoughts, I simply nodded as did Xander, and Mr. Russell continued. “Gathered among these people tonight with this blood I swear my allegiance to my newfound family. The two of us will work together as one to conquer our enemies and follow our destinies.” Xander and I repeated after him and he handed the chalice to Xander first.

      I held my breath, not really believing my eyes as Xander took a sip and I watched as his eyes turn a fiery red for a brief second and I immediately felt a tingling sensation throughout my body. It’s hard to explain, but it ran all through me.

      Xander then handed me the chalice, I looked at the redness of our blood circling around the bottom and my stomach churned just a bit, but then there was something deep down inside of me that told me I couldn't back down now and so I followed his lead.

      The minute the blood touched my lips I felt the most powerful surge of electricity run through my body. My vision flickered for a split second and I felt like I was on fire. The invisible flames felt as if they were engulfing my every inch of my body before a cooling sensation quickly took over.

      Mr. Russell took the chalice from me and gave me a small smile, “Well I wasn’t expecting that.” He whispered and before I could say anything the crowd was clapping. “Now everyone enjoy the rest of the evening’s festivities.” He turned to me, “Sin will you please follow me?”

      He led me off the stage back to his office. “Please sit.” He motioned for me to take a seat in front of his desk before he took a seat behind it.

      “Mr. Russell please tell me what in the world is going on and what was that?” I was trying to keep calm, but something was off. I couldn't explain all the things I was feeling.

      “Well Sin, what I witnessed tonight was to say the least remarkable.” He stood and approached his window staring out into the night like he was trying to find his words. I wasn’t really sure if I was prepared for what he had to say or not, but I needed to know. “Sin this facility has run for four hundred years, the warrior training club has been going that long as well. Never in all the years that this place has run and that ceremony has been conducted has anyone displayed the aura you do. I know your story of how you ended up here, but nothing before that and I know nothing about your family, but I need to ask some questions.”

     “I will answer the best I can Mr. Russell.” I knew what aura meant, my real mom use to tell me mine was strong but I should never dwell on it, just hide who I was. I never knew what that meant, and had not heard anyone else say anything about it since her.

     “Your father we know is Abel Lane, do you know where he is from or anything?”

      “Alaska, I think is where he said he grew up. He never spoke of my grandma or grandpa and I think he was an only child because he never spoke of any aunts or uncles.”

     “Okay, I understand. Now what can you tell me about your mother; name, maiden name, where she was from, anything really would help.”

     I didn’t really know much about mom. Dad was so devastated when she died that he never spoke much about her and even though I had many memories of her, I still didn't know much about her, other than she was my mom. “I don’t really know. Her name was Mary, but that’s all I really know.”

     “That’s okay Sin, I will try to do some digging of my own and when I find anything, I will let you know. Now you said you have siblings correct?”

      “I do, I have an older brother, Dylan and then the twins, Natalie and Nathan. And speaking of them I haven’t been able to contact them since I got here. Do you think you could help me get a hold of them? I really need to know if they are okay.”

     “Yes, Sin I will track them down." He paused for a moment as he took a seat back behind his desk. "Now why don’t you go enjoy the rest of the party.”

      He didn't have to tell me twice, the night already had me so confused I didn't know which way I was coming or going, so I didn’t waste any more time to make my way back outside to my friends.