Disgraced: Twins of the Zodiac

Thought We Were In This Together

    It was Saturday, mid-afternoon when Aurora decided to go out for the day. She’d been lying there, belly down, legs up, reading per the norm. When she was done, she stood from her bed and looked into the mirror, deciding that she was in such a good mood, that she’d spend a portion of the afternoon out, thinking about a walk around town-maybe even go to the mall.

    Aurora had been feeling quite delightful for the last day and a half; she hadn’t even thought to take a puff of her cigar that day-even with the subtle pang of hunger still pinching at her insides. In truth, she didn’t even think much about her need for nourishment. She’d found herself in quite the delightful mood and knew why. Jeriko. It was with this in mind that Aurora realized that she depended on that cigar for more than just a means to satiate her bloodlust, but the anxiety of walking on pins and needles around her brother...wondering when next he'll blow a gasket because of something that the thought she'd done to spite him.

    Both she and Jeriko really got off on a good foot Friday afternoon-despite the minor hiccup of Aurora showing her brother a peek of her power that day. She could see how uneasy it made Jeriko but wasn’t sure why. And if Aurora were being honest with herself, that was the biggest curiosity that she had concerning Jeriko knowing the extent of her power.

    Was it because she kept it a secret that she was capable of such things? Was it because he didn’t feel comfortable with her having this much power coupled with being who and what she was? Did he find himself at a disadvantage? Weaker, knowing this? Or was it all of the above?

    Fortunately, Aurora assured that her older twin was not aware of the true extent concerning her sorcery. After just a hint of his reaction to her changing the weather Friday, Aurora knew that it was best that Jeriko not know the truth of what she could really do. It suddenly made sense, why, their mother always made Aurora promise never to showcase her true power-not even to her brother. Maybe she felt that Aurora could not fully trust her brother as much as she would like to believe.

    Taking in a deep sigh, and wanting to forget all of those negative thoughts, Aurora shook the pessimistic notions away.

    Fortunately, Jeriko eventually resigned to his inquiries anyway, as Aurora refused to dwell on the subject long, any time he decided to ask about it further. Aurora insisting that it was a small parlor trick that their mother taught her when they were kids because she didn’t have any friends, helped her cause. Even in them both knowing, that when it came to sorcery, there were not ‘small parlor tricks’-especially, when it concerned the weather. Though, maybe the fact that their mother being as powerful as she was, helped Jeriko believe that if anyone could find a loophole through complicated sorcery it was their mother, Abigail Valentine; the most powerful sorceress of the Gemini coven and the Zodiac as a whole.

    Regardless, after the small bump in the road, concerning that day’s events and Jeriko’s curiosity about it, the remainder of the evening went on quite nicely.

    It stopped being about magic or sorcery-power or what other tricks Aurora might have learned from their mother when she was a child. Suddenly, it was just about Jeriko and Aurora-siblings; and just having a plain good time as brother and sister.

    For the first time in what seemed forever, Aurora felt like she hadn’t done anything wrong. She felt guiltless and, in some ways, free of who she was-not that being a vampire was something that really bothered her. In fact, she was sure that her being what she was troubled Jeriko far more than it did her; and that’s what bothered Aurora most of all. She knew that it had to be hard having a sister like her...one of muddied blood-someone so 'unclean' as they'd call it. Naturally, that would have probably, in turn, made things harder for him at times. However, the point of it all was that in that moment and thereafter-if only for that day and a half alone...Aurora felt like she actually mattered to her brother. She felt...normal.

    A large part of her wanted badly, to have a repeat of that day's events. However, the better part of her knew that it would have been naive to think that it would happen. It was best not to expect that the good time that was had on that day would exist too much beyond it. 

    She changed from her sweat pants and tee to a pleated, thin-strapped black minidress, and a fitted mock-neck short-sleeved white shirt. Deciding on a pair of vintage leather, loose calf combat boots, and high leg socks, Aurora ruffled through her hair, to loosen her soft black curls before going downstairs.

     “Aurora!” She heard as she was leaving her room.

    When she heard her name being called, Aurora turned to see Mags standing there with a bright smile on her face. 

     “Hey, Mags.” Aurora greeted. Somehow, Mags was the only one that could actually produce a sincere smile from Aurora.  

    “You’re looking right beautiful today.” She giggled, causing Aurora to smirk a little. “Intentionally so.”

    Finding her choice of words amusing, Aurora chuckled. “Intentional? How so?”

    “Usually, you seem to not think about what you wear and still turn out as beautiful as if you had. This time, it seems you actually thought about what you wanted to wear. Hot date?”

    For some reason, the question was far more amusing than it should have been. Aurora chuckled.  "Not...at all, Mags," She finally replied. "Just in an okay mood today,"

    "Ah," Mags returned. "Well, 'okay mood' looks good on you, Ro. I'm glad you're doing well today,"

     "Thank you, Mags," Aurora realized that Mags seemed to have been paying attention to her more than she had realized. I need to be more careful not to make her worry so much about me in the future, Aurora thought before she said. "I guess 'okay moods' just run in the family, huh,"

    Mags caught Aurora's joke that referenced her being beautiful as well. She chuckled. "That is very kind of you to say but, I cannot hold a candle to you, hon,"

    "I'm not surprised to hear you say something like that," Aurora replied. "Your mother was as modes-"

    Mags looked at Aurora, a curious expression on her face. "My mother?" She gave a smile that was befuddled. "How...how did you..."

    "You were just talking about her last week, Mags," Aurora replied.

    Mags didn't respond, standing there in silence for a moment as if trying to recollect. "Right," She uneasily chuckled. "The older I get the more I forget," She then shrugged. "Yea, my mom was...a very beautiful person...in and out,"

    "I wish I could have met her," Aurora replied.

    "Me too," She smirked. "She would have liked a firecracker like you," 

    Aurora laughed. "And I'm sure she'd be proud of the amazing and beautiful daughter that you've become," She complimented.

    She certainly did not lie when she gave the compliment as Mags was quite beautiful for her age. Though, she wasn’t so old in the first place. However, in her comparing her age to what she assumed Aurora’s was, Mags always seemed to think that she was quite elderly. Her hair was caught between chocolate brown and black and she, similar to Aurora and Jeriko, had a hint of that frost blue in her hair, though she constantly mistook it for getting older instead of the birthmark that it was. Her skin was still quite young and taut, her face youthful as well-in fact, quite youthful for her forty-two years; or so how she would explain it. She was a little fluffy in size and wore it quite well; she was a very attractive woman. But her attraction only complimented her success as she seemed to want for very little, and was quite a business savvy and independent woman.

    They found themselves heading down the stairs together as Mags abashedly thanked Aurora. This probably was the longest that she and Aurora held a conversation and Aurora could tell that this made Mags happy. Truth be told, she was glad to have a conversation with her and was even more glad to see that it made her happy.

    They were halfway near the bottom of the stairs when Mags spoke again. “I said this before, I'm sure but...you seem like you're in such a good mood.” She said. “Happy.” She smiled at Aurora. “I’m glad to see that.”

    It amazed Aurora at how genuine Mags was in wanting to see both she and Jeriko happy. It was, in all honesty, the brightest spot in Aurora’s life, though she would never let that be known aloud. Mags gave Aurora hope that maybe she could be happy one day. Fully happy.

    “Thank you, Mags.” She finally said.

    Mags smiled as she always did. “Take it your brother has actually been showing his sister a little attention-being the big brother he’s supposed to be.” 

    Aurora looked at Mags curiously. “What makes you think that?”

    Mags grinned and shrugged. “Just a feeling. I always tell him to make sure you have someone to open up to.” She said. “Lord knows twins are…” She sighed. “ cutting off her words, she just looked at Aurora. “Something that should never be taken for granted.”

    Aurora found curiosity in Mags' words and the way that they were spoken; almost as if she had something else on her mind. Aurora wanted to delve deeper but chose not to. The least she could do was respect Mags enough to give her privacy.

    As they descended the last stair, Aurora finally spoke again. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mags.” She reassured. Though Aurora had always grown to have a slight resentment for being a twin-not because she did not love her brother but because it seemed like things were made extensively more difficult for them because of it. She always harbored the feeling that she was holding Jeriko back because of who or what she was. This was only one of many reasons why Aurora never made a funk about some of the ways that Jeriko treated her. She knew that it wasn't meant from a terrible place but one of a person who was lost between the line of caring for his twin and trying to fit in with societal expectations.

    Mags squeezed Aurora’s hand before walking off to tend to whatever business she had on a Saturday afternoon. 

    As Aurora watched her walk away, she thought about what she said about taking the bond of being a twin for granted. She’d like to think that neither she nor Jeriko forsook such a sacred thing, but then she also knew that her bond with Jeriko could always be stronger. Maybe she should ask her brother if he wanted to go spend the day with her. Maybe even open up a little more. Maybe it wouldn’t be so naive to think that we could become closer-

    Before she could finish the thought, a familiar scent intervened. Aurora rolled her eyes as the voices gradually got closer and closer to the threshold of the house. Just as the door opened, Aurora turned around to see four people coming in behind her brother. Aurora scoffed. Guess not.

    “Aurora Valentine!” 

    It was Darvin, Marlo, Carla, and Jennifer. However, Marlo was the one that said her name in what seemed a surprising way. 

    No sooner Jeriko entered the house and made eye contact with his sister, he knew that she was not happy.

    “Hey, Ro,” Jeriko said with subtle angst. He knew that a scene would more than likely ensue because of his actions.

    “You’re pushing it, brother.” She linked with him telepathically.

    “H-hi, Aurora.” Marlo approached her anxiously. 

    Aurora was quite uninterested and showed as much when she looked at Marlo. Her feigned smile only lasted a moment before it disappeared. 

    “Hi.” She finally replied haphazardly.

    “Hey, Ro.” Jennifer smiled and waved.

    “Aurora, thanks.” Aurora corrected. Strike two of this girl using her nickname a little too comfortably.

    “So I-what brings you here?” Marlo nervously asked until he realized what he said. “Oh-I-I mean, what are you doing here?”

    Aurora, perfectly shaped brows raised, dipped her head and looked at him, wondering if he was serious. “I live here.” She realized that he was nervous around her but, again, this was not the concern at the forefront of her mind, as her gaze returned to her twin.

    “I-wha-I..." Marlo’s words trailed off as he realized that he was not getting anywhere. “Yeah.” He looked away defeated. "Righ, that makes sense,"

    “Be nice, Ro.” Jeriko finally responded telepathically.

    This frustrated Aurora and Jeriko knew it, she fought against the growl that was stuck in the back of her throat. She looked at Marlo, deciding that she may have been a little harsh, though she barely said three words to him.

    “You’re nervous,” Aurora said to Marlo, another feigned smile on her face. “Don’t be.” She cooed, her amethyst stare giving a once over of everyone before returning her gaze to Marlo. “I won’t bite.” She then tiptoed to his ear, her eyes on this Carla, that seemed to be annoyed by Marlo’s obsession with Aurora. She found this entertaining and so touched his neck and added, her watch still on Carla. “Unless you want me to.”

    “Yes, I-yes I do! I would-yea I would like that.” Marlo nervously fumbled.

    “Your wish...is my command…”

    “Aurora!” Jeriko cautioned.

    As he said those words, Aurora’s eyes dilated and her incisors elongated, a gasp escaping everyone. 

    “Zastoj!” Jeriko belted, making the whole surrounding area around them pause in place with the exception of Aurora and him.

    Aurora inhaled the sweet sweet scent of the boy before retracting from him and looking at her brother, her eyes still dilated and fangs bared.

    “What is wrong with you!?” Jeriko snapped. He wanted so badly to put his hands on Aurora for such recklessness

    Aurora, her hand still around his neck as she looked at her brother. She knew that he was very upset with her, and she didn’t like it but she was annoyed and she needed him to realize just how much. 

“What did we discuss, brother?” She asked, her eyes narrowing in aggravation.

    “Aurora, these are my friends!” 

    “I told you...bringing them here is not…”

    “A good idea! I know! Why though?” Jeriko asked. “Aurora, they don’t have to anything more than what we allow! They have this...this idea about us that has nothing to do with our past! So why can’t I have friends over every now and then? Huh? They are completely clueless. Until now! Because of you! You are the problem in this situation, Ro. I love you...I do, I really do. But this bloodlust thing is your problem that you have to work to control! Not me!”

    His words were like a blow to the gut; she could barely stand to look at her brother from this point. Not only was she hurt, however, but confused...terribly confused, because the guy that she was looking at in that point in time was not the one that she'd had a sibling day with a day before. Somehow, someway...Jeriko had returned to a selfish and uncaring state towards his twin again. Aurora sneered, cutting her eyes away from her brother. It was as if all of what they had discussed the day before-the understanding that they came to had never happened in the first place. This angered, Aurora, frustrated, and most of all, hurt her. And while she knew that this would not make her relationship easier with her brother, she did not care.

    Her teeth elongated even more before she aggressively sank her fangs in Marlo’s neck and fed off of him.

    “Aurora, no!” Jeriko attempted to intercede when with a flip of Aurora’s hand, he was frozen in place. He, shocked and bewildered, looked at her incredulously. Their powers never worked on one another. Not this type of power, so how? How did she do this?

    When Aurora was done, she healed Marlo by nicking her slightly swollen lips and kissed the wound that she caused. 

    Marlo, along with the others, was still frozen in place when she erased the last few moments that gave her away before Jeriko stopped the time around them. 

    Aurora then turned to her older brother. “I thought we were in this together.” She scoffed. “I guess not. You’re right, brother.” She said as she started to walk out of the door. “I will figure it all out on my own.” She walked out of the door, and with a wave of her hand, everyone was out of the frozen time loop that Jeriko had caused-including him. 

    “Wai-where’d she go?” Marlo asked. He cursed under his breath. “At least a bite.” He was muttering, relaying that he wanted that at the very least

    Jeriko ignored Marlo and the curious gaze of Jennifer as he incredulously watched his sister, walk down the driveway of the house; now a part of him, very afraid of how powerful she truly was.

    Aurora glanced at her brother for one harrowing moment before she disappeared. It was clear at this point that she was done playing games or tip-toeing around him. 

    “Hey, you alright, Jer?” Jennifer asked, tipping her chin to his shoulder as she stood behind him waiting for him to answer.

    He had to find his words before he spoke. “Yeah-I.” He thought to say when he just couldn’t bring himself to lie. “I don’t know.”