Evabelle's eyes flashed open as she sat straight up in bed.  Her heart hammering in her chest, she took several deep calming breaths.  Once her pulse had slowed to a much more comfortable rate, she yawned, stretched, and finally rolled out of bed.  She opened the curtains and stared out of the apartment window.  The streets were busy as usual.  Even at this early hour there were always cars driving back and forth.  Slowly she turned away and headed for the small bathroom. 

Evabelle scrunched up her nose and stuck out her tongue at her reflection, a heart shaped face, with round honey brown eyes, and a large splay of freckles along her surprisingly tanned skin (considering she wasn't the most outdoorsy girl). It seemed to better match the scraggly bed head she saw there. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty." She chuckled to herself as she turned on the water, and began to wash her face.

The young brunette always got up before her mother and her brother, Thom. She constantly told herself that she liked it, so she could have a little peace and quiet to herself. Well, as peaceful and quiet as it can get in New York. But she knew that wasn't the only reason. Evabelle had dreams, dreams she could never remember, but would wake her with a throbbing head and a pounding heart. She sighed as she tried to remember once more what she had dreamed. She gazed at her reflection without seeing it, biting her lip in concentration. There was something... A storm? A boy? There was something with... wings? Evabelle shook her head. The memory of the whole thing slipped away as easily as the water trickled through her fingers.

When Evabelle had finished in the bathroom, she returned to her bedroom. For a moment she stood in the doorway staring around the small cold room and in her heart she wished for a little more. Her life was simple and unexciting most of the time. Not much happened, around here. The most exciting thing in Evabelle's life was probably Azara, her best friend. If anything exciting were to happen to anyone it would be her. Aza was a crazy, wild child, and afraid of nothing just like all the heroines in Evabelle's books.

Absentmindedly, Evabelle drifted into the room and began to trace her fingers over her most prized possessions, those books that she had a tendency to turn to for escape. They held all the adventures she longed to have, all the princes and heroes that she dreamed would one day take her away on their white stallion, and all the happily ever afters that only happened in fairytales.

This is real life, she told herself roughly, wrenching her fingertips away from the many volumes that were spread along her shelf. They're all just silly make believe. But Evabelle could never really accept that.

Once Evabelle had finished getting ready she slipped out of her room and down a short hallway that connected to the small, gray and white kitchen. Her mother wasn't for anything impractical. There was very little color in their minute apartment. If Evabelle and Thom wanted anything bright and flashy it was to be kept in their rooms.

Evabelle walked over to the counter and sank onto one of the stools. Slowly she began tracing designs with her finger along the dark gray stone granite. One of Evabelle's earliest memories had been when a tall lady had come to the orphanage. She had been in a dress suit, with sharp hazel eyes that said she was not entirely sure about adopting, but in the end the papers were signed.

That had been when Evabelle was nine years old. That was how far back her memories went. Doctors had said that she had probably suffered from some sort of head injury. When Evabelle had told her mother that she didn't remember anything earlier, it had made her worry. That was what Evabelle knew very well about her mother. She worried. A lot. Although to remember absolutely nothing before that point was admittedly strange. And as much as it bothered Evabelle sometimes, it was nothing compared to what her mother went through.

Morgan Danes worked a fulltime job, and lived alone. Evabelle was aware that her mother's extended family had been in a terrible accident, leaving her without anyone. That's why she had come to the orphanage. It was also why Evabelle's mother was extremely protective. She had done limitless amounts of background checks on the daycare Evabelle had gone to. Parties or activities that went late were a big no. Despite being a strict woman, Evabelle knew her mother loved her. There was no mistaking that.

Morgan loved Evabelle, so much that she decided to adopt again, and this time it was a younger child. Just a year after Evabelle had started living in the small apartment, her mother had brought home a little two year old. She had told Evabelle that this was her baby brother and his name was Thomas. The little ten-year-old girl had instantly given him the nickname, Thom since he just looked too small to have such a big name. Their mother of course had continued to call him Thomas. Nicknames were not her thing.

But Thom had brought a spark to their calm abode. He was silly and outgoing, opposed to Evabelle's quiet nature. And beyond that, he was full of tireless energy rather than cooping himself up in his room and reading all day like the shy brunette tended to do.

"Evabelle?"

Evabelle turned. There in the doorway stood a young boy with his towhead hair all mussed up, his pajamas wrinkled and twisted as well as put on backwards, and his small fists rubbing his eyes sleepily. Evabelle smiled. So much for tireless energy.

"Good morning," she said pleasantly, watching the yawning boy. A soft cough made Evabelle glance up. "Oh, and a good morning to you too, Mom."

A tall, extremely thin woman in a pale blue bathrobe stood just behind her son. Miss Morgan Danes's dark hair was in curlers, and her eyebrows were raised. "I would not consider getting up at the crack of dawn a good thing."

"Well you didn't have to get up so early, if you didn't want to." Evabelle shrugged.

Miss Danes glanced down at Thom. "Well I don't think I could have slept in this morning either way."

The little eight-year-old, sprang forward, giving Evabelle a giant hug. "Happy Birthday, Evabelle!"

Evabelle laughed. "Is that today?"

Thom glared at her. "You know very well that it is."

Evabelle smiled, glancing up at her mother, who was returning the smile. "Happy Birthday, Evabelle," she said softly.

Evabelle's heart swelled. She grinned as her mother came to give her a brief hug and a quick peck on the forehead. "It's time to make breakfast," she said briskly, breaking away from her daughter.

The three of them quickly began preparing breakfast. It was just some scrambled eggs and toast, but Evabelle was pleased when her mother brought out hot chocolate, a rare treat in this household. Thom jumped for joy at the sight of the sweet beverage.

As Evabelle finished her breakfast Thom asked, "So, Evee, what are you going to do today?"

"Hmm," Evabelle thought as she bit down on her fork. Then she gave her mother a quick look. "I'm not exactly sure..."

Slowly, Morgan lowered her own mug of hot chocolate from her lips. "Well..." She began, but was cut off as the bell rang.

"I'll get it!" Thom cried and streaked toward the door.

Evabelle chuckled then turned in surprise at the voice she heard emanating from the entry.

"Greetings, earthling, I have come to kidnap your sister. Could you direct me to where she is hiding?"

Thom squealed in delight. "Aza, you came!"

"Of course I came, Cruiser!" Cried the voice of Evabelle's best friend, using one of her silly nicknames as usual. "What do you think I was going to do on my bff's b-day?"

A head peaked around the corner of the kitchen doorway. "Well I'm definitely not going to let her finish her breakfast," she said waggling her eyebrows mischievously.

Evabelle grinned. "Sorry you're a little late." She showed her, her already cleaned plate.

Aza shrugged. "Ah well, it's not the reason I'm here anyway." Evabelle watched her friend stride into the room, still with that glint in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Evabelle asked watching her friend a little warily.

Aza snatched her arm, making Evabelle jump. "Didn't you hear me? I've come to kidnap you." She whispered, her breath tickling her ear. Evabelle turned and glanced at her mother.

Morgan, who had a slight disapproving look on her face, didn't know what to think of Azara sometimes. Surprisingly though, she said, "She has my permission."

Evabelle gaped in astonishment. "You're letting me go with her?" Normally they celebrated birthdays with just family.

Her mother gave another smile. "It is quite a special occasion after all."

Evabelle's mouth curved upward into a smile. She jumped from her stool and gave her mother a hard embrace. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Morgan gently put her arms around Evabelle. "There is no need to repeat yourself. I heard you the first time."

Evabelle let go and beamed at her. "I'm just really grateful."

"Sweet, now that that's all straightened out, let's head, Bellz." Aza gestured for the door. "I have a lot of plans planned for this wondrous day."

Evabelle turned. "I'm coming."

Thom, who had come in just after Aza, chimed in, at this point. "What about me? Can I come?" He asked with his large Hershey kiss eyes pleading with Evabelle and Aza.

Morgan finally slid off her stool and crouched down by her son. "It is not your birthday, Thomas. You have chores you need to complete, and this is something special between Evabelle and her friend."

"That's not fair." Thom grumbled and folded his arms. "Aza's my friend too."

"Wait Miss Danes," Aza exclaimed. "Let me try."

Morgan raised her eyebrows at Aza, but said nothing as she stood and allowed Aza to take her place, kneeling at Thom's side, who bit his lip and clasped his hands in front of him, the picture of pure, loveable innocence. "Are you going to let me come?" He asked, the slight tilt of head combined with his round eyes were nearly impossible to refuse.

Evabelle watched her friend smile at her brother. "You see Thom Thumb, your mom is right. This is Evabelle's special day. We're just going out to do girly things." Thom opened his mouth to protest, but Aza held up a hand. "But what if I promised that Evabelle and I will take you out on your birthday? How about that?"

The eight-year-olds eyes lit up. "Really? You promise you will?"

Aza grinned and Evabelle saw her wink at her younger brother. "As long as you mother's okay with it."

Thom looked up at his mother, biting his lip again in anticipation.

Evabelle hid her smile as she saw her mother roll her eyes. "As usual, a little imp has forced my hand." Aza smirked. Morgan continued. "But I will only agree to it if you do your chores quickly, efficiently, and without complaint up until then."

Thom nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, I'll go and do them now." He cried then sped off down the hall.

"Thomas!" Evabelle's mother cried. "One of those chores includes doing your dishes!" Then she quickly raced after her son. "Have a good time girls!" She yelled over her shoulder as she vanished past the doorway.

Aza laughed. "I love your family!"

Evabelle watched her friend. Aza was shorter than Evabelle by quite a few inches. Her frame was quite small as well. It was strange Evabelle thought, even though Aza was so small, out of the two of them she had the bigger personality. Her short, dirty blond hair hung loosely just past her jaw line with a few choppy layers that Evabelle was fairly certain were done by the girl herself. A small braid hung on the side with a small, silver and lavender flower charm at its end. It had been a gift from Aza's mother, therefore her most precious belonging. Many would find it odd to have such a strange object in one's hair, but when Evabelle had asked Aza why she didn't just put it on a bracelet or slide it onto a necklace chain, she had replied that that would have been the sane thing to do, and that her policy was: 'what would a sane person do' and then do the opposite. That was the definition of Evabelle's best friend.

"How did you do it?" Evabelle asked finally. "How did you convince my mother to let me go?"

Aza turned to her. "A long conversation filled with bribery, begging, cart-wheeling, back-flipping, hoop-jumping, fire hoop-jumping," Evabelle rolled her eyes, and Aza grinned then looked at the clock above the stove. "We've got to fly. We have a lot to get done."

"Right," Evabelle nodded then ran to the entry to grab her shoes. She began to tie them when she paused. "Wait a second," Evabelle glanced up at Aza, who had followed her. "Where did you say we were going?"

"I didn't." Aza smiled then added at Evabelle's questioning look. "I'll tell you on the way. Now come on, hurry up."

Evabelle finished tying her shoes quickly and started to follow Aza out the door when she cried out. "Oh, I forgot my purse!"

Aza gave her scathing look. "Look at my wrist it's time to go!" She yelled swinging her bare arm in Evabelle's face.

Evabelle quickly ducked around Aza's flailing limb. "I know, I know, I'll hurry. I swear." With that Evabelle dashed back down the hall, past the kitchen and bathroom, finally skidding to a halt in her bedroom doorway. Her eyes scanned the room, but she didn't see it. She stepped in quickly, checked in her closet, then her dresser, and finally struck gold when she reached under her bed. Evabelle pulled out her small red purse and smiled at it. It had been Aza's gift to her last year.

Evabelle turned about to leave when something caught her eye. She looked back at the small digital clock that rested on her nightstand dresser. It read 7:24am. It's not time yet. Evabelle thought, then shook her head, confused. Time for what? A small spike of pain shot behind the girl's eyes, that made her wince.

"Evabelle!" Aza's voice called out. "This is your birthday after all!"

Evabelle jumped. "Right, I'm coming!" She gave her temples a quick rub, and then without a second glance at the clock she ran from the room back to where Aza stood, folding her arms. "Sorry I couldn't find it for a minute."

"Alright, come on Bellzeree, let's go." Aza grabbed Evabelle's arm then with a lot more strength than one would think of such a small girl, she dragged Evabelle out of the apartment.

The aroma of New York never really changed. Sweat, food, and smoke were at the top of the list of things to smell in this city. Evabelle could never remember any other place; she had lived here for as long as she could remember. Aza, on the other hand, had lived in the west of the US and Evabelle was quite aware of how Aza disliked all the tall buildings, the loud noises, and the toxic smells. It was why Evabelle was not surprised when she began to complain.

"This place just drives me nuts." She began. "The buildings, they are just too tall. It makes me feel like an ant in this place, too easily stepped on, if you know what I mean." Aza glanced at Evabelle.

"We must just think of it differently." Evabelle replied. "I think of it more like a great wall protecting us. It makes me feel safe."

"Safe?" Aza scoffed. "Safe in New York? That's new."

Evabelle shook her head. "I just don't get you. You've lived in New York for eight years now, I'd think you would get used to it."

Aza shrugged. "I'm used to it, that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Evabelle sighed then stopped short as a sudden thought occurred to her. Aza turned. "What is it?" She asked.

"I'm not moving until you tell me where we are going." Evabelle folded her arms stubbornly, glaring at her friend.

Aza raised her eyebrows, looking confused for a moment. "I told you I'd tell you on the way." She replied, holding out her arm for Evabelle to take it.

But Evabelle did not. "We are on our way now." She said, watching Aza blink innocently at her. "I know you, Azara Kendall. You have a knack for playing pranks on people, especially me. I want to make sure you're not taking me to some hot dog eating contest you've entered me in, forcing me to eat tons of those disgusting things, and having me puke all over myself, just to win a giant stuffed duck. And don't deny it; I know you would."

Aza burst out laughing. "That is not what I planned for today, but that is just brilliant." She snorted. "I have got to write that down." She looked up at Evabelle through watering eyes. "Where do you get stuff like that?"

Evabelle tilted her head to the side. "I've been best friends with you for nearly six years. Where do you think I get it?"

Aza nodded in agreement, but then said. "You're the one who comes up with ideas ahead of time. It's more like if I see that there's a hot dog eating contest on the run, then I'd sign you up. I'm more of a spontaneous kind of gal."

"Ain't that the truth." Evabelle agreed. "So if we're not off to a hot dog eating contest, where are we going?"

Aza cleared her throat and when she spoke she had a deep rich French accent. "Vell, Mademoiselle, we are off to ze Fleur de Floraison, ze local spa retreat owned by ze magnificent Pierre and Augustine DuPont." She bowed.

Evabelle's mouth fell open. "We're going to the Fleur de Floraison? Are you crazy? That place is expensive."

Aza grinned. "I know. We're not having their full treatment. I'm just getting you a nice mani-pedi for the party tonight."

Evabelle shook her head. "No, you can't get me something that nice, that's not... wait did you say party?"

Aza chuckled. "Yes, I did. Here's the plan, little miss nosy. I plan on taking you to the spa to get your nails done, then we're off to Donna's boutique to get your hair fixed fancy, and after that we're going to the mall to buy you a new outfit. After all's said and done we're going to Michael Richard's summer bash."

The entire time while Aza had been speaking, Evabelle's mouth had been hanging open. She finally shook herself out of her stunned silence. "I thought you said you never planned anything out."

Aza nodded. "Yeah, well, today is something special. I had to have some sort of plan."

"Michael Richard's summer bash," Evabelle murmured, still slightly shocked.

"Yes," Aza nodded again. "Your mother laid down the rule that you couldn't date until you were sixteen. Guess what age you turned today darlin'! I chose this party because I know you've been secretly boy crazy for years," Evabelle felt color rising to her cheeks, "And this is your opportune moment to get to know them, to get a date with a hot guy, and dance the night away to your heart's content."

Evabelle shook her head. "Aza, you know how I am around guys. I'm the most awkward girl on the freaking planet, even around CJ, who's always hanging out with us, I'm not quite myself."

"Exactly, as I said this is your chance to come out of your shell and talk to them."

Evabelle's heart thumped painfully and silently she cursed herself for being the turtle that she was.

"Well come on, Bellz." Aza linked arms with her. "Let's get you all prettied up for tonight." Aza giggled at Evabelle's pale face and began to skip down the road to the spa. "There was a reason I didn't want to tell you, you know."

LUCIS

"Michael Richard's Summer Bash?"  Lucis looked up.  A tall dark red haired girl was watching him; her full lips pressed together, a look of clear annoyance written on her face.  She wore the deep green robes of a Mage, her black eyes were cold, not that different from Del's.

"The human claims that she'll be there tonight." 

Lucis glanced down once more at the flyer.  "A human."  He muttered softly in surprise.  A human had tipped them off.  A human that shouldn't have been able to see the Sanctuary, yet had come to give them the information that they needed most.  And he hadn't asked for anything in return, just as long as they took her away.

"I wouldn't trust him, if I were you."  The young women spoke once more.  "Claiming he had mastered the Sight.  Plus he was just plain suspicious, he wouldn't even show me his face."

Lucis looked at her again.  "He knew you were a Mage."  The girl's mouth twitched.  "He obviously knows of our world and of Evabelle herself.  We've been searching for weeks, Calandra, and Del and I have been most grateful for yours and your father's assistance, but we have yet to have any hint of where she could be."

"You should be grateful."  Calandra cut in.  "Mages don't open their Sanctuaries to Anahalians anymore."

Lucis nodded.  "As I said, we are indebted to you.  Now I know this human is obviously not the most trustworthy, but considering our time, what do we have to lose?"

~(A/N: So I have never been to New York. I am well aware the place described here is a very bare outline of the great city and state.  I do plan on doing more research and making it more believable. Anyway please vote and comment if you liked this and let me know if you see any other mistakes. Let me know what you think of Aza and all the other characters! Thank you so much!! :D)~