•Cerise•

"Ok I don't sense anymore Umbra," Azure opened his eyes revealing the rich sapphire shade of his irises.

"We must have fought a whole battalion," I crossed my arms, looking out the window by Blaine's front door. "It will be a bit before they can recover, but we should probably stay here until our essence fades."

"Agreed," Azure nodded.

We fell into silence. I continued to look out the window.

This attack was abnormal in every way, and my mind was still reeling trying to sort everything out. I'd never seen that many Umbra outside of my home. It didn't seem feasibly possible for a whole battalion to be present...and a battalion meant a fleet was here too.

For that many to track our essence and cross realms as a unit like that, we'd usually have to be occupying Earth for years and actively using our crystals. It didn't make sense.

How could we not have encountered a handful of Umbra over the past week, but rather thirty all at one time?

Blaine's signature wasn't active either in the years past, so they couldn't have been tracking him prior.

"So either of you want to tell me what the hell is going on?"

Blaine's brown eyes were shining with a protective heat. His gaze shifted from Azure to myself, demanding answers. After we had defeated the Umbra, Blaine led us to his home. Now that we were out of danger, I assumed millions of questions sat like fire on his tongue.

"We can explain everything," Azure assured him quickly, turning toward Blaine from his place in the foyer.

The foyer was simple and roomy, offering a welcoming feel. Blaine's whole house was nice I supposed. It was two stories and a calm grey color. The front of the house had a nice porch with a swinging bench. There was a small garden in the front yard too filled with yellow tulips and white roses. The front door was white and so was the window paneling. Overall the house looked very put together according to human standards. It wasn't my style.

Blaine fixed both of us with an accusatory glare. Despite just saving his life, it seemed he still didn't trust us.

"This better not be some twisted attempt to make me join you guys," he scowled.

Azure shook his head, "It's not. We'll give you any information you want to prove it." He then glanced at me as if to get my agreement.

I turned to them, pulling my attention from the window.

"All you need to do is ask," I stated.

Azure and I's strategy was still in play. We weren't forcing this on him, it remained his choice to be informed. In this case however, denying information would be foolish.

Blaine seemed to understand that, because he sighed before nodding his head. "Let's start with those monsters then. You said they're called..."

"Umbra," Azure answered. "They're creatures of darkness, believed to exist as a balancing counterpart to pure light."

"And why are they here?"

"To consume our essence," I answered, "It's woven into their being to devour us. They can track our signatures and the traces we give off when using our powers."

"Much like how we can track each other's signature," Azure added.

Blaine nodded slowly, hints of fear grazing his expression. "But my house is safe?"

"Yes," Azure affirmed, "Also like our tracking abilities, homes act as barriers. They tend to be covered in a protective essence and they give off confusing scents."

Blaine deflated as he leaned back against the wall that separated the foyer from the rest of the house. He silently stared ahead. It appeared that he needed a minute, which I guess was a valid response to this.

"I hate that you guys brought all this into my life," he muttered. There was frustration in his tone, but no malice.

"I know," Azure acknowledged, "But awakening your crystal would've happened one day with or without us here. All this, who you are...it's inevitable."

Blaine's brown orbs flashed in anger before simmering into something almost sad. I looked away feeling uncomfortable.

I entertained myself with Blaine's baby photos while I waited for him to get it together. There were quite a few that lined the walls. One in particular caught my eye. Blaine was probably only ten. He was smiling widely showing off a few missing teeth, and his blonde hair was a messy mop on his head. He was with a woman that was probably his mother. He was proudly holding a school award that said 'Highest Academic Achievement.'

His chocolate colored eyes were warm and beaming brightly. When I glanced back at Blaine, his eyes now held a look of defeat.

"There's no getting out of this Celestial thing huh," he gave a huff.

Blaine's voice held a heaviness that made me shift my feet. I was never good at comforting people. It wasn't something that existed within my skill set. Without really realizing it, I found myself looking up at Azure for guidance. He was compassionate, so he must know how to comfort people right?

Azure didn't seem to be doing much though, he simply watched Blaine carefully and allowed him time to continue asking questions at his own pace.

"Will they attack innocent people?"

"Not while we're here," Azure admitted. I noted that his voice seemed gentler than normal, like he was breaking bad news to someone. "Umbra are solely after Celestials, however it is common for humans to get caught in the crossfire if they stand in the way."

Blaine stood up straight again, pushing off against the wall. He ran a hand through his hair as his brown irises hardened in resolve. He took a breath before locking his eyes on Azure and I.

"If I leave Earth with you two will the Umbra follow?" Blaine's eyes were fierce and his voice was thick.

It took me a moment to realize the weight of his question- He would leave, if the Umbra left with him.

Azure and I exchanged glances. I wished that were the case. If we said yes, Blaine would come to Akai and we would be one step closer to ending the war. However, something told me that comforting someone didn't involve lying to their face.

There was also the fact that Azure's blue orbs were piercing into me. His eyes said 'Come on, tell him the truth.' I hated the fact that the thought of lying actually made me feel a tad guilty. I was spending way too much time with Azure. However, I couldn't exactly lie with Azure here anyway. He would just interrupt and tell the truth.

Stupid morals.

"No," I admitted. "Once an Umbra crosses from Akai to Earth they can't cross back. But they do die on Earth after being here for a couple months. They're not made for this atmosphere, but their hunger makes them come for us anyway."

"However if we left and there was no Celestial for them to attack, they could go after innocent people before they die out. As they slowly die they'll become more desperate, devouring people in hopes to quell their thirst for us," Azure added.

Blaine's eyes widened in concern, "What? So how do we get rid of them?"

"We would have to kill a good portion of their clan." Azure crossed his arms, his blue eyes gleaming. "Celestials are the only ones that can kill Umbra."

"I don't understand," Blaine stated. "They'll just keeping crossing over to Earth and we'll have to fight them all? When does it end?"

Azure shook his head, "Umbra don't work like that. They're separated into clans. Once one crosses over no other clans will unless all the Umbra from that clan die, but it's rare for a full clan to cross realms."

I kept thinking about how many Umbra were in that clearing. Who's to say a full clan wasn't already here? Something told me Azure was trying to ease Blaine into this Umbra situation. He was side stepping just how unexpected this battalion attack was.

"It seems that a lot are already here though," I voiced my thoughts aloud. "This town would be in danger if we just left."

"But we can help defeat them," Azure assured Blaine. "If we defeat the bulk the rest will scatter and simply die with time. Overwhelming their opponent is how they fight, without numbers they'll cease to attack."

I could slowly see where this conversation was headed and I didn't know if I liked it. Blaine was going to want our help with the Umbra. Unfortunately, I didn't think our capabilities could be used as leverage. Azure was what you call a sympathizer. There was no way he would leave the humans in this town to deal with the Umbra. Which meant I had to stay here too. I couldn't very well compete for Blaine's loyalty if I left.

I let out a small sigh. I really wanted to get back to Akai, but it seemed like this mission just kept getting longer and more dangerous.

"My family, friends..." Blaine's lips fell into thin line as his eyes turned dark, "I need them safe-"

The sound of the front door lock turning and keys jingling caused Blaine to pause. The three of us tensed, the simple noise managing to raise my heart rate the slightest bit. I felt my eyes narrow.

"Who's here?" I hissed at Blaine.

He looked away from the front door to glance at me. "My mother."

At that moment, the door swung open and a blonde middle aged woman stepped into the house with a bag of groceries. She halted in the doorway when she saw the three of us standing there. Her doe shaped eyes widened as she processed the scene before her.

She blinked once, green irises darting between all of us. "Um hello."

"Hey...mom what are you doing here?"

Her eyes went to Blaine. There was a silent question in her green orbs.

"I live here and don't have an obligation to be at school." She paused and tilted her head slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Blaine moved towards his mom, taking the groceries from her. He then closed the door behind her with his foot.

"Uh yea, I can explain," he said walking past us and into the kitchen.

His mother followed him with a skeptical expression, "Hm mm."

She glanced back at Azure and I, still standing in the foyer. I wasn't entirely sure what do right now, and Azure's expression told me he didn't really either.

"Don't just stand there. Come into the kitchen." She gestured for us to follow her and then briskly walked away.

Azure looked to me and I shrugged.

What's the harm in following her to the kitchen?

We followed behind Blaine's mother, turning a corner which revealed the kitchen area and the connected dining room.

The kitchen was nice and spacious. It had white, wooden cupboards and a black marble counter. There was a small dining table to the left of the kitchen that had a newspaper, and a used mug at one of the place settings.

Azure and I stood in the entrance hall that led to the kitchen awkwardly. It was clear that Blaine was in hot water. I honestly didn't want to be close to the confrontation. I'd much rather enjoy the show from a safe distance.

"We were at school," Blaine continued, while him and his mother began putting groceries away in the various cabinets.

"Yes that is where I assumed you were," his mother smirked.

"But then I wasn't feeling well...?" Blaine trailed off.

His mom stopped placing boxes of cereal in the cupboard and turned to Blaine. She examined him carefully, her eyes pointed.

Blaine looked away. He was clearly uncomfortable under his mother's stare. It was like she had mind powers or something. Her gaze wasn't exactly intense, but it was all knowing. Like she knew exactly what was going on, and could detect Blaine's bullshit from a mile away.

"Something tells me Blaine is not a good liar," Azure whispered to me.

"What gave it away?" I whispered back. "The lame excuse that was delivered as a question? Or the no eye contact?"

Azure chuckled, gaining the woman's attention. Blaine's mother whirled around to look at us.

Azure and I froze.

Her eyes flickered between us. She seemed to be wondering if she recognized us as Blaine's friends. Her stare was unnerving.

Geez, were all human mothers like this?

Azure cleared his throat, "Sorry Ms Davis."

She rose a brow. Azure nudged me and I looked up at him annoyed.

What was that for?

As if reading my thoughts his eyes shifted from me, to Blaine's mother, and back to me intentionally.

Oh. He wanted me to apologize too.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"Yea. Sorry."

Azure nudged me again, a little harder.

"Ma'am," I choked out reluctantly.

Her eyes went from me to Azure, regarding us carefully. After a moment she turned back to her son. Blaine's mother placed her hands on her hips. She was a small woman, but right then she seemed way taller than Blaine. Which was saying something, because Blaine was tall.

"Try again," she said her brows furrowed critically. "The truth is what I would suggest."

Blaine sighed, his right hand rose to the back of his neck nervously. I wondered what he was going to say. This woman didn't seem like a person you should lie to twice. The problem though was that telling her the truth, would sound like a lie.

"Honestly, I didn't feel like going to Spanish class. It's my last class so my friends and I..." Blaine gestured to us, "Wanted to ditch and do something else."

His mom crossed her arms, a thoughtful look in her motherly gaze.

"Was that explanation supposed to help Blaine's case?" I glanced up at Azure.

He shrugged, "Maybe it's an acceptable human explanation."

Hm how interesting.

"Grade in the class?" His mother asked.

"94"

"Last test?"

"88"

"Missing assignments?"

"None."

Blaine's mother nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Ok. As long as you're on top of things." She then turned to us. "You two have good grades as well?"

"They're both very good students," Blaine answered for us.

"Do they always just lurkingly stand around?" She glanced at her son.

Before Blaine could respond his mom walked up to Azure and I, and grabbed our wrists pulling us into the kitchen and seating us at the counter.

"You two are making me feel like a bad host, which I can assure you I am not." She smiled, walking around the counter.

Apparently, now that Blaine wasn't in trouble we were welcomed guests.

"Uh thank you Ms Davis for being so hospitable," Azure replied, "You have a lovely home."

"All the grey is a little bleak-" I began but Azure nudged me under the counter with his leg- silencing me.

I had to keep myself from scowling.

"She just means her personal preference is more color-ah!" I kicked him back hard.

He grimaced the tiniest bit, it almost wasn't noticeable. But I saw it and couldn't help the thrum of satisfaction that ran through me.

"I prefer neutral colors but love a good statement piece," Ms Davis's smile widened unaware of the tension. "And please call me Linda. Now I don't think Blaine has mentioned you two. What were your names?"

"I'm Azure," he then looked to me, "And this is-

"Cerise," I interjected.

I met his gaze to see him narrow his eyes at me in a warning manner. They clearly said: Don't be rude. I'll handle the talking. I wanted to punch him in his polite face.

I would not bow out to Azure.

His blue orbs said, be cooperative and play nice.

I almost wanted to laugh. Don't tell me what to do jackass!

I did not need Azure to speak for me, and if he was worried about what I would say well...

"I can introduce myself," I let my lips curl up in a sweet smile. I then turned to Linda. "Sorry about him, he's kinda a control freak," I leaned forward and whispered, "But he doesn't like it when I call him that."

Linda's eyes widened slightly as she let out a small laugh, "Control freak huh?"

Azure shook his head in confusion, "I'm not-

-Yes," I nodded. "His way or the high way and all that. He tends to believe himself to be superior."

Ms Linda nodded slowly, clearly trying to understand how much of what I said was meant to be playful teasing...and what I was dead serious about.

"You know I used to want to speak for myself more often, but I've learned it's easier to just let him talk," I was mentally grinning as I watched Azure's eyes widen slightly, "It's not worth the consequences if you know what I mean-"

"-I don't know what she means or what she's talking about," Azure tried to chime in.

"At first I thought I might try and help him, but it's just so emotionally taxing. He's constantly justifying his behavior, and he's always saying most people are fools. But I wonder if that's just the lack of empathy speaking."

"I've never said any-" Azure shook his head.

"So anyway I've learned to usually keep my mouth shut. After all there's only so much you can do for a diagnosed narcissist-"

"Ok thank you for that Cerise," Azure interrupted me his voice stern, "You're funny, it amazes me what you can make up."

I gave him an innocent smile. Inside I was smirking in triumph. Azure watched me with narrowed eyes, before a challenging glint sparked in his irises. I rose a brow in caution, instantly wary.

What was he thinking?

"Our dynamic is hard," he turned to Linda, suddenly looking very sullen. "I don't want to keep such a close eye on her but with her history of violence and since she just got out of juvenile detention, one can never be to careful you know?"

"What?" I grit my teeth as I glared at his infuriating head.

"It's not her fault though, psychiatrics have visited her before and all of them say the condition-"

"Is all in Azure's thick skull," I seethed.

Azure didn't even glance at me, "And anger tends to be a side effect as well."

"He has a problem with accountability," I whirled to face Ms Linda. "Blame game and all that. I personally think he's just embarrassed by his past, and current tendencies." I then shot him a wicked grin, "It's ok to admit it."

Azure turned to me with narrowed eyes, "At least I'm not cruel and vicious sweetness."

"I'll take cruel and vicious, over arrogant control freak darling."

"Well you would, considering your tendency to come off as psychotic."

I rose a challenging brow, "And there's that superiority complex once again with the insults."

Azure gave a tight lipped smirk, "I thought you considered being called psychotic a compliment."

The sound of laughter stopped Azure and I's argument. I faced forward to see Linda laughing, her green eyes shining.

"You two should take this on the road," she chuckled placing a hand on her chest, "Oh my, for a second you guys had me and I thought you were serious!"

She then looked to Blaine, who was standing behind her looking like he was trying to think of any possible way to end this conversation.

"How come I've never heard of these two? They're funny!"

I was perturbed at Blaine's mother. She thought this was funny? I didn't get it. What part was funny?

"Uh they're new this year," Blaine stepped up next to his mom. "We just started getting to know each other."

Ms Linda turned back to us. A smile was on her face still, but it was different somehow. I couldn't put my finger on what it was.

"And how long have you two been dating?" She asked looking between Azure and I.

My eyes widened incredulously and I felt Azure stiffen next to me.

Me and Azure? Azure and I? Dating?

In what world?

"We're not together," I stated firmly. All fake smiles were now void from my face.

Ms Linda rose an intrigued brow. "Oh, my mistake."

"Yea we're just.." Azure trailed off uncertainly.

I assumed he was about to say friends, but calling us friends was also weird. We were enemies. We were fighting on two sides of a war against each other!

This alliance was temporary.

"Friends," Blaine finished for us. "They're just friends mom. But um we were actually about to do something so..."

Ms Linda turned to Blaine and after a moment her eyes widened in realization. Her son clearly didn't want her to stick around with us.

"Right! Well don't get into too much trouble today, are you guys heading out?" She looked at Blaine expectantly.

"Um..." Blaine looked at us over his mother's head.

Azure and I both shook our heads immediately. It was too soon to step outside, the Umbra would find us in minutes.

"We were actually thinking about watching a movie here," Blaine looked back to his mom.

"Ok, but just so you know I will be around the house doing stuff." She grabbed her purse off the counter and made to leave the kitchen. "Please make yourselves at home!"

With one last smile at us, Ms Linda left the room and headed upstairs. I frowned as I watched her go. How would we discuss anything with her around?

•••

Happy 4th of July!

Things will begin really picking up and unfolding- I'm excited to continue sharing this story hehe. Thanks to all those who've voted and read, it means the world :)

Hope everyone has a fun and safe day! Until next Tuesday...

As ever, Berly