chapter fourteen

As late October rolled in, things became very strained in the demigods house to say the least. The deaths in Forks had paused, the kill count only being up to two people. Este had almost completely drawn back from Finn, but not all the way so that she could still keep a close eye on him just in case another death had occurred and he happened to have been missing at the scene of the crime. She was certain he was doing the killing and he hadn't said a word to her since he got his ass handed to him.

The weather had gotten colder, staying at around forty to fifty degrees while the fog seemed to lay down heavier. The sun rarely being in existence anymore as fall had taken over as the trees slowly began to lose their leaves. Este needed to go down to Port Angeles to get a hold of a few books before starting up the week in AP Lang, and she had come up with an idea of who should take her just in case.

Este had come up with the slightly stupid and slightly questionable idea that Finn should be the one to take her to Port Angeles. Deciding that if anything happened while they were there, then Finn had no excuse to try and hide what he had been doing all along. And if push came to shove, Este could shadow travel out of harm's way. Despite the girl trying not to use her abilities as much anymore due to how exhausted it made her.

Newt, of course, was fully opposed to the idea of sending his sister off with the one person who had been causing all of the trouble all along. Especially after he had laid his hands on her twice, Newt wanted Este as far from Finn Carnehan as he could keep her. And as much as Kaz and Titus were behind him, they understood the thought behind her idea seeing as they needed just one more thing to happen to nail Finn's coffin shut. Which led to the plan being made.

Este and Finn would go together, but Kaz would be on high alert. He'd follow them down to Port Angeles just in case something happened, and with his enhanced speed, he would have the upper hand when it came to keeping an eye on Finn. Titus would be listening into the police radars and keeping Newt updated while they both waited for Este's text to confirm that she was okay or to confirm that he had been doing it all along and that she needed help.

A plan that they had deemed to be without fault. Having every situation and every possible scenario thought out, and everyone understood what they had to do. And while the plan was in motion, the others would be searching through Finn's belongings. Looking for the notebooks that he had stolen from Este as well as the ones that he never let anyone touch. So, if they didn't witness their proof then they would find it nonetheless. A foolproof plan to prove a boy to be guilty, or to be innocent.

Whichever way Themis seemed to lean would reveal the truth on that night, and someone would inevitably be proven guilty. Whichever it was, the house would forever remain divided. Elijah and Elyse were both staying together in fear of what was happening in Forks, and no one could reassure them that everything would be okay. But the two remained in contact and visited the others just to keep themselves updated and their friends close.

"If anything at all goes wrong, if you get any little suspicion or uneasy feeling you know what to do," Newt reminded Este as she pulled on a long henley over her tank top, "You know that we'll be there in an instant. Don't feel like you have to do some self-righteous hero shit because you really don't."

Este let out a small laugh as she adjusted her shirts over her jeans before she looked over at her brother, "I know, Newt. Trust me, I don't plan on having a hero complex. I won't be afraid to call any of you and I know how to protect myself so you can stop worrying before that blonde turns white. I think it already may be," She faked shock as she ruffled his hair.

Newt rolled his eyes while shooting Este a playful glare, swatting her hand away from his head, "Don't be so nonchalant about all of this. I know that you can protect yourself and you are more than capable of fighting but I still worry about you being alone. With him. In a car."

    How do you think I feel? This isn't exactly Christmas Day for me either.

"Kaz won't be too far from us and I'll beat his ass like I did the other night, and gods forbid you get there just in time to lay it on him," Este moved to sit down next to her brother as she slid on her shoes, "Newt, I swear we've got this planned to where nothing can go wrong. Trust me, I'll be fine and if not then I can easily get away from him."

"Just please, please be very careful," Newt looked over at his sister with a look that a mother often gave her children, "I'd rather not have to commit a murder so that we'd have to leave town. I don't care what you have to do to him, just please, be careful," there was a frown tugging down his lips as he looked down at the floor.

Este placed a kiss to her brother's head as she rose to her feet, offering him a hand as she nodded, "I'll be careful. You won't have to commit a murder and trust me, everything's going to happen just as we need it too. I have a feeling that it will," She gave him a pointed look before sliding her flip-phone into her pocket, "We'll give him hell," She joked.

"You act like that's a joke and we can't actually..." Newt trailed off as he gave her an insinuating look while smirking, "You've got everything? Your dagger, back up knives, phone, drachmas, pocket knife... and everything else that you usually carry?" He asked while they made their way down the stairs.

"Everything that has proved deadly or that I can prove deadly, check," She joked as she made it to the door, "Keep this ship in a tight run, Captain. Don't let it sink to the bottom of the seven seas," She joked as she pulled him into a hug, "I'll see you soon. Seriously."

    Newt reluctantly let go of his sister, before watching from the door as she got into the car that Finn had already been sitting in. Staring at the pair as he waited for her, until he drove off as soon as she had gotten into the car. Before she had even closed the car door, causing a tense feeling in the air as Este remained silent for the ride to Port Angeles.

"Who are you?" Este questioned after a moment, looking at the woman who was sitting in the back seat of the car seemingly unknown to Finn, "And why are you here? Assuming that he can't see you, you're a god. Probably manipulating the mist enough that even those who can see through it cannot."

The woman kept her posture high as she adjusted her green chiton, looking ahead, "I am Demeter." Her words flowed freely as she then looked at the girl through the rearview mirror, "Eurydice Devereaux, I have heard much about you."

Isn't that wonderful? Haven't heard anything but myths about you, "Let me guess, ole step-mom told you about me?" Was Este's first guess as she turned back to look at the Goddess, tilting her head to the side as she refused to be belittled by the woman.

"My daughter has told me about you. Nothing bad, I fear." Demeter let out a sigh as she pursed her lips in a thin line, "In all honesty, she is fond of you and your brother. I, on the other hand, prefer your existence to cease. Seeing as you are a product of an affair from your father and you are bastards."

"Sometimes bastards are better than the inbred," Este remarked under her breath before making a face, "You all have quite the tales behind your names. Now, may I ask that we get this going? I'd like to return presently to my life."

"Ah right," Demeter rolled her eyes as she looked down at the grain in her hands, "That's why I have come to you. Soon you shall be tasked, there will be a family and a path you must follow. Everything will fall in line and blah blah," Demeter's voice was stern despite at the end where she sounded like a mere child.

"Alright.." Este trailed off in slight confusion as she looked at the Goddess, "Well, that is good to know I guess. Thanks?" Though it came out as more of a question as she blinked and the woman was gone from sight.

In place of the goddess sat flowers and wheat, in a neat little set up. Este's eyebrows furrowed before she opened her eyes, now looking out the window of the car as the sky had remained the same murky shade of blue and gray. It was late in the day, and they were nearly at Port Angeles. And the silence remained between the two, though he kept throwing glances in her direction before he caught sight of the wheat in the back.

"Where the hell did that come from?" His voice was harsh as he threw a glare in Este's reaction, waiting for her to give him an answer, "Well? Where the hell did the trash in the back come from?" He persisted.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Este muttered as she rolled her eyes before adjusting herself in her seat, "Use that little pea-brain of yours and maybe you'll have a thought. Crazy how that works, isn't it?" She faked shock before scoffing as she looked out the window once again, "No need to be such an asshole, Carnehan. Or are you still salty your ass got handed to you for laying hands on a woman?"

"Get out of the fucking car, we're at the bookshop," Finn remaked not a second later as he unbuckled himself before slamming the car door shut behind him, "Fucking dumbass bitch. You're hardly a woman," He muttered under his breath, his eyes were sunk in and there was something off about his entire demeanor.

Maybe he's spiraling, Este figured as she got out of the car and managed to send Kaz the signal that they had arrived as she shut the car door behind her. She gave Finn a look as he towered over her as if trying to peer at what she was doing before she cut around him, walking up the stairs of the bookstore that had many things like dream catchers and crystals hanging in the window. It looked like it was also a spiritual place.

"You play with people's feelings, Este," There was a certain tone in his voice that was unsettled as they entered the bookstore, "You really shouldn't do that. You never know who you are messing with."

    Aren't you an absolute ray of sunshine tonight?

Este cut her eyes back at him as she began to sift through the books, looking over at Finn as they entered a section of spiritual healing books, "I think that you could use one of these," She quipped before he grabbed her and tried to shove her against the shelf but she shoved him back and glared, "I made it very clear on my boundaries. I also made it very clear there's nothing between us and whatever was, is gone. Touch me again, I dare you."

Este paused as she continued to pull at the books as she paused. Almost laughing as she felt that familiar feeling. A feeling that she'd grown used too, as it didn't overwhelm her senses as much anymore. Jasper Whitlock. July 3, 1863. El Paso, Texas. Mary Alice Brandon. September 24, 1920. Biloxi, Mississippi.  She knew exactly who else was in the book shop as she moved to turn a corner before turning around when she felt a cold brick wall hit her.

"Sorry," Este was quick to say when she realized she'd just walked into Jasper Hale.

"Don't apologize, ma'am. It was my fault," Jasper spoke tensley.

Este paused as she found Alice standing at her side while Jasper Hale moved to be chest to chest with Finn who clearly looked as if he had tried to grab ahold of Este again.

Boomshakalaka, yes ma'am. This just got interesting.

"You're going to regret that," Finn spat out as he shook his head before pointing at Este, "You're gonna get what's coming for you, Devereaux. You all will," He went to move forward but the Hale boy shoved him back, nearly causing the bookshelf to crumble causing Este's eyes to widen. Okay strength, that's not a human strength. Me next, honestly.

"I think that you need to walk it off," The thick southern drawl had caught the girl off guard, as someone stood over the boy as he glared down at him causing a blockage, "We can handle her from here." Handle me? That sounds so welcoming.

    The stare down that the two shared was something that Este hadn't seen before. Watching as Finn practically crumbled under the Hale's glare before he was quick to leave the bookstore. Causing Este to reach for her phone and alert Kaz that he was on the move and tell Newt that she was in safe hands and that Titus needed to be on high alert. Well shit, that really just escalated quickly.

"Jazz," Alice gave him a look before turning, "Are you okay?" Alice asked as she began to scan over Este's arms before she looked at her, "Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You shouldn't have come here with him if he was acting like that towards you. That's unsafe. Especially after what happened when you got sent to the hospital-"

"I know how to keep myself safe, thanks," Este remarked as she looked between the two, "I don't know how the Hera you two knew where I was but it's really unnerving. I feel like every time I turn the corner one of you is in eye-sight."

"We simply happened to be in the right place at the right time," Alice tried to play it off as she shrugged her shoulders, moving back to Jasper's side as the two continued to keep an eye on her, "We know that you understand what is happening, we're all just trying to get to the bottom of it and it seems to stay close to you."

"You're always in the right place, aren't you?" She scoffed, "And it seems that this is none of your business," Este pulled her lips in a thin line, "I don't know what you two are, or what your family is, but I know what it is not. If you're here to do what everyone else has tried, let me warn you, you won't be alive to tell the next person," Este gave the two a stern look before she went to leave.

"Test your theory," Alice spoke as Este paused, "I know you have it with you, so, test your theory. See if we are what you think that we are," She was almost challenging Este as the girl turned to look at her. Is this girl nuts?

"I don't know what you mean," Este tried to play it off as she had no clue what they were talking about, keeping her head held high as she let out a small laugh at how ridiculous the situation had become, "Thank you, for stopping him but I really must get going."

"The dagger," Jasper was the one to speak this time as he looked at her, he looked like he was in pain (which was his default look) but he talked, "Made of some sort of special metal, unknown to many. But not to you," He pointed out before looking at her, "Test it," He was playing the same game that the Cullen girl had been playing.

"Do you know what I am?" Was Este's simple question as she looked between the two, trying to test them before she did so. Her eyes narrowed in a glare as she refused to cower beneath them despite something trying to calm her down.

"No," Alice held out her hand, as she gave Este a small smile, "But I know what you aren't as well. So, test the theory and let this put everyone on a clean slate. We can work this together, that way no one is at risk of being harmed. Okay?" And when Este hesitated the girl hummed, "No one will touch your brother, or the others."

"Fine," Este slowly pulled out the dagger before narrowing her eyes, "If she bursts into gold dust, you are next blondie," They both just looked amused. And with that, she slid the blade over Alice's hand. Nothing, "There's something seriously fucked here."

"Nothing is wrong here, ma'am. Things just aren't as they seem," The thick southern drawl that came off of Jasper's tongue nearly caused the girl to double take as she looked at him, "Now, do you understand that we are no threat to you?" Okay cut the accent out, she felt like she could explode.

"Don't call me ma'am. I'm seventeen, not fifty," Este looked down at her phone, noticing the message from Newt that confirmed that someone else had been killed in the area.

"Why don't we give you a ride home? It seems that there are unforeseen circumstances that have caught up with your original driver," Alice suggested as she smiled brightly.

"How did you... never mind. I couldn't be a bother like that," Este was trying to politely deny the request, debating on just kick starting the car or shadow traveling as a last resort, "Seriously, I'm fine."

"Nonsense! We can take you, right Jazz?" Alice turned to look at Jasper as she placed a hand on his chest with a bright smile. We can take you is crazy, I'm about to be kidnapped.

Without missing a beat the Hale boy mumbled, "Right." before he gave a swift nod while looking at the girl, "Not a problem at all."

Este swallowed her pride as she looked between the two before nodding her head in the slightest as she pursed her lips in a thin line, "Fine."

"So it's settled!" Alice beamed happily, bouncing on the balls of her feet from excitement before she moved from Jasper to Este's side.

"Oh and Eurydice, I think you forgot this in class." Jasper's drawl brought Este's attention back to them as he held out the bracelet she had lost in the morgue, not in class.

    Suddenly, she didn't hate her name so much.

"I did," Her voice was skeptical. Este narrowed her eyes in the slightest, they shared a knowing look and it seemed that he understood that she knew where he had really gotten it from.

"Here, let me help you put it on." Alice hummed as she took the bracelet from Jasper before clasping it around Este's wrist. "There."

"Thanks," Este gave a small nod before she began to fiddle with the bracelet, feeling relieved to have it back again before she grabbed the book that she had come for, "Are we going to get in the car and leave or are you two gonna keep standing there looking like you're going to be on the next episode of Dr. Phil?"

"The things you come up with," Alice rolled her eyes as she let out a small laugh before they exited the book store, getting into the red car that was often sported by Rosalie Hale, "Don't be shy or nervous. We don't bite." Alice said amused as she shared a look with Jasper, almost sharing an inside joke.

"You better not," Este rolled her eyes as she leaned back in the backseat as she kept her dagger in her hands under the book, "Because it'd be a shame to send your body parts back to your family. Little surprise gift, for the new school year."

And as she looked out the window as they pulled out of Port Angeles, she caught sight of Finn standing near a dozen police cars as the coroners rolled away the body bag into the back of the van. And so it begins.

When Este got home she was quick to enter. She almost smiled, something she never did. She wasn't sure why she felt so giddy that she wanted to smile. The sparkle of her eyes was quick to die as she entered the home. Her hair was slightly a mess and she was lucky she didn't look like a wood nymph. Her cheeks were tinted pink like a frostbitten rose due to the cold air that had whipped her face.

The problem was that she couldn't get attached and that is exactly what she wanted. Why do I want this? Este wanted to be attached and she wanted to know everything. Her happiness quickly deflated as she scowled to herself. Feelings are silly. Why in the Tartarus did she feel this strongly for the two? It was not normal. She did not need them nor did she want them, at least that is what she led herself to believe. They were monsters.

She stood there before Newt peaked his head into the room as he looked at his sister. She stood with a book in hand and her bracelet on her wrist once more. Newt's eyes squinted as he recalled during some point in the week Este saying that she had lost it, yet now she had it. He was puzzled but decided to speak.

"Didn't you say you lost that?" He questioned with an eyebrow raised.

"I did." Este nodded confirming it.

"Cullens!" Kaz was practically fuming," It was the blonde girl's Mercedes-Benz CLK 350."

"I'm not getting attached. They are just creatures." Este retorted as she glanced at her brother, unamused. "That is all they'll ever be."