Celestia POV

"Yes, we were obsessed with it," Weston explained that they liked it so much because their favorite cartoon character was wearing an orange superhero suit. Asher continued "His name was Captain Fruit Punch. Have you ever watched it?" I shook my head. I have never watched TV shows, cartoons, or whatever they are called. Weston exclaimed "Well then, we will have to change that. As your brothers, we are behind on your cartoon training. What do you say we grab some snacks and binge on all the season one episodes tonight?"

I smiled at him. He was really cheeky and I loved every second of it. Asher was calmer and empathic. He was in tune with people's feelings, while Weston acted like himself no matter the consequences or feelings of the people around him. I nodded my response and was about to ask where we would watch this cartoon, but Asher asked me "You haven't seen this one, but which was your favorite as a kid?"

My excitement quickly dwindled. While I knew what TV shows were I still didn't even know any. I tried deflecting at first "I didn't have a favorite one. I liked all that I watched." They weren't satisfied though because they continued asking "Come on, you must have had a favorite cartoon or a character. I will accept book characters too, but only because you seem like the kind of girl who would enjoy reading. Even though movies are way better." I tried thinking of something on the spot, but my mind blanked. "I... Well... There was this..." I cleared my throat and looked down embarrassed.

They didn't get to look at me with pity for long before we heard someone coming up the stairs. I saw a very shiny pair of shoes coming this way. "Yo, Wes! I thought you would be in bed, but your mom said you guys were sick. I looked up and saw a boy that looked around our age coming our way. When he noticed me he smirked and cleared his throat. "Well hello there. And who might you be pretty lady? And what are you doing in the bedroom area with these two?" When I didn't respond he continued "Don't tell me you are here for the eldest King brother, you look too young, not that there's anything wrong with that." I frowned along with my siblings. Weston was quick to engage him. "What are you doing here Faraday?"

"Can't a guy visit?" He asked pouting. " And here I thought we were friends King. Let me just remind you that friends share." He tilted his head in my direction when he said that. Next, he extended his hand toward me and introduced himself. "I am Seth Faraday. You might have heard of me. If you haven't, then I will happily take you out and enlighten you about me! We can even share because I know I want to know everything about you doll." Asher didn't like what he said apparently because he pushed Seth backward with force and yelled "Stop that RIGHT fucking NOW! That's our sister and I'll be damned if you think you can get anywhere near her."

The new face with curly dark hair and brown eyes was surprised. He quickly masked that and suddenly looked very calculating. "You can't keep this gem hidden forever. I'm surprised no one knows about her already. She will most likely go to school next year, am I right? I will have my chance then and if you are lucky in a few years you might even be calling me brother-in-law." Did he just imply I would marry him? Was he delusional or just insane? I don't like him. At all. He says weird stuff and overall I can feel this darkness surrounding him. A darkness I only felt once before when that man outside the diner talked to me.

Weston quickly took him by the elbow and started dragging Seth back toward the staircase. The lunatic winked at me, too, as he was walking away. Asher asked me if I was okay. He was looking at me concerned. "It's fine. I am okay." He didn't look convinced though and kept frowning. "I'll see what he's doing here, you should stay here Aurora. We will come up later." I didn't listen and trailed after him. Something in me had to know what that feeling was and why I only felt it around some people. We went downstairs and there were other people in the living room. By the looks of it, they were his parents.

As if a hound smelling its prey, the unknown man turned in my direction as soon as I entered the room. He had white hairs peeking from his curly dark mane but you wouldn't be able to tell his age otherwise. The woman didn't look natural and obviously interfered with nature's plans for her. "This must be her, oh look at how beautiful she is, a little pale though. Maybe you could take her out in the sun sometime Isabella, vampire pale isn't popular anymore." James cut in here "Aurora just came to live with us." The woman looked flustered "Oh, of course. I could tell right away. The gorgeous little girl looks so much like her mother it's striking." This woman couldn't be sincere and nice at the same time. Just listening to her all I could see was lies and fake politeness.

I saw my family looking at them with clear hatred in their expressions, but they didn't say anything. The man spoke for the first time "Are you enrolling her in the academy James, maybe Seth can show her around. I am sure a teenager doesn't want to be around her family in a new school. You know kids these days." He laughed mockingly.

Throughout that whole exchange that man didn't stop staring. I felt sick for some reason. Like all the food that I ate was going to return where it came from any minute. It was a new feeling. His laugh, his eyes, and the air in the room were making me dizzy. My stomach was turning and every second that passed, it was like the feeling multiplied. I didn't feel hot, like I would if the flu or virus was making me sick, like my brothers. Actually, it felt the opposite, like the temperature in the room dropped suddenly, but no one else seemed to be cold. I moved behind my brothers to escape that stare.

Unexpectedly, Alessandro made them leave. He had no idea how thankful I was right now. As they left with him the unknown man turned one last time before heading out the door. I froze. I swear I saw his eyes turn black. Demon! Or at least someone possessed by a demon. My Mom told me stories about them. I guess they weren't all made up. I couldn't be sure though. What if I imagined it? It didn't seem like anyone else saw it. Maybe I was just seeing things.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I felt I was going to puke any second, so I ran to the kitchen sink, which was the closest. All of the food I ate ended up in the drain... Everyone was fussing over me and I was pretty embarrassed that I emptied my stomach in front of them. My Dad took me to my room and tucked me in. It felt good like my Mom used to do it when I was little.

That night sleep was evading me, but at least my stomach had calmed down. My human family thought that I just had a delayed reaction to the flu...but I just kept thinking about those black eyes. Did they know who I was? If so, how did they find me? Were they going to kill me? How could I keep my family safe? Although I just met everyone I didn't want to lose my Dad and brothers. I was surprised about the grandparents, but they seemed fine. Isabella... She was not what I expected. When I focused on her I didn't see any of the negative emotions I assumed would go hand in hand with living in this expensive house. She was acting a bit too eager at times, but that could be for a whole different reason.

I realized I wanted to get to know her. I was curious why my dad loved her. I wanted to know all of them... even Alessandro. He seemed troubled and obviously had a dark side to him, but I could tell he loved his family. He even considered me a part of it now, even though we weren't related. How could a human feel like that and angels, who were meant to be perfect felt hatred? I could understand they hated Nephilim for whatever reason, but they knew me my whole life. I realized I was angry at them for throwing all of our histories together away. I didn't do anything wrong, I was their niece.

My brothers came in the next morning and they all surrounded me on the big bed. We were watching the cartoon they mentioned. It didn't look that interesting, but I was enjoying the time I had with my brothers. The adults came to check on us frequently and bring us medicine and food. They told me tomorrow I would meet the family doctor. They still thought I was sick because of the rain. Understandable, but not true. I already felt much better. The more time passed after that thing left the better I felt. I just didn't bother to correct anyone because what exactly would I say? A demon made me sick with his presence alone?

We had breakfast in bed and laughed about the ridiculousness of the cartoon. Overall, it was quite fun. Mateo came in before lunch with a big book in his hands. Wes and Ash looked at each other and silently exited the room. He sat on the end of my bed and handed me what I realized was a photo album. "I thought you would want to see our baby pictures. Weston and Ash look pretty funny in some of them."

I didn't expect my oldest brother to engage considering he mostly stayed on the sidelines until now, so I was pleasantly surprised he did. It made me feel accepted that he reached out and thought of something for us to do together. Even if it was just looking at pictures. I smiled and reached for the album. "I would love to see you guys. Although, you need to tell me all the backstories behind the funny photos if you have the time?" He smiled and came to sit next to me, so I could see better. 

"We have to start at the beginning. Look at this sophisticated little guy. Who do you think it is?" He mischievously looked at me daring me to guess. I don't know how, but I got the feeling this was Mateo. Plus he said he will start at the beginning, so it makes sense. "That looks a lot like you. You have the same serious expression even as a toddler." He laughed and answered "Okay smarty-pants! And who is this guy with the funny hair?" I looked down and saw my brother Asher's eyes, but his hair really was funny in that picture. It looked like he slept late and just woke up with ruffled bed hair.

"Well, that can't be anyone other than Ash, which probably makes the little guy next to him poking him with a stick Wes. What's the story there?" Mateo looked up and smiled. He remembered the scene and told me. "Asher slept late almost every day when he was little. He hated getting up early and Weston wanted to rise early and explore. He was in his adventurer stage where he discovered the native plants and animals of the backyard. He got up early every morning even before school. Mom told Weston to wake up his brother and he got a worm from the garden with that stick and put it on our brother's pillow." He paused and laughed. "I remember Asher started locking his bedroom door after that and he would always get in trouble for it. He didn't retaliate though, no one wanted to be against Weston in a prank war. As he grew up his pranks became more vicious but still hilarious."

Mateo told me a couple of more stories related to the pictures and some that weren't depicted in the album. He told me more about himself and what he wanted to do with his life. I felt that he was scared to walk the path he wanted to, but I had no idea why. I learned that he has a best childhood friend that he will introduce me to. The way he talked about her I got the feeling she is more than a friend, but he didn't mention he was in a relationship with her. I didn't want to overstep, so I let that go even though I was curious. 

"I can call Stella over today if you want. You two can talk about girl stuff." I was amused and joked "About periods you mean big brother?" His eyes widened a little. I guess he didn't expect me to make that joke. I knew about periods, I just never had them. I don't know if I will develop one now, but I suppose I could ask his best friend for pointers. Talking to Isabella about this would feel so much more embarrassing.

"Umm... sure. Whatever you want to talk about. Anyway, you look better, but Dad would still want you to be checked out by the doctor." I looked down at my lap. I had no idea what this check-up meant. I have never needed a doctor, but I knew they helped the injured and sick. I wasn't any of that, but still, I would like to meet one. They sounded good, unlike some humans. Mateo took my hands in his and asked me hesitantly "Do these hurt?" He was rubbing the runes on my wrist gently. I answered honestly "Not anymore." Now it felt more like they itched and they weren't red anymore. 

He was lost in thought when he shook his head and got up to leave "Good, I will leave you to get ready before lunch. I am sure Dad will check on you again soon." He smiled at me and I returned it before he left to go downstairs. I don't know what today had in store for me, but if I could I would like to get to know my human family more and maybe ask them what they knew about angels and demons. I don't know how that was going to sound, maybe I shouldn't ask them. It would sound pretty weird if I suddenly began talking about the supernatural. Maybe it was better for me to find information on my own, so they wouldn't think I was crazy. I also had the feeling that I didn't want to involve them in my secret. I felt like I had to protect them from my aunts and uncles. 

Demons are starting to notice Aurora, but do they know what she is?

How will she find out more information?

Question of the day: What is your favorite book?