CHAPTER
SIX

So, Helaena was now working together with three different people. Three different people who had absolutely no clue what they were getting themselves into, yet, neither did Helaena. After all, what could she know besides this mystery would lead her to the truth about the death of her parents.

The death that everyone seemed so involved in. The death that followed Helaena through her entire life. The truth that had been hidden from her and the public since she was a little girl. A truth, that wouldn't be hidden much longer.

The only thing against Helaena at the moment was time. And a group of people she never expected to be working with. A group of people she never even expected to talk to. Yet, it ended up happening.

Helaena sat in her final class as she managed to get into the library. Looking around before deciding that the school system would only block her. She hoped to find something that may be of some use to her.

Helaena did not understand much of archaic things such as artifacts. She found them to take up too much of someone's time and from what she could remember, consume the one who looked after them.

The girl's red hair rested over one shoulder as she looked around momentarily. She wasn't sure what she was hoping to find, maybe something to get her into the school's archives rather than the archives of the town.

Her eyes narrowed as she slid through a small hall before finding a set of spiral stairs. The girl chewed on her bottom lip before deciding to go down. The quiet sounds of pat pat pat coming off of her shoes.

Rows of lined shelves filled the room. Papers were scattered everywhere, some were inside of files and some simply rested on a dusty table. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned since its creation or the creation of the school.

Helaena started to slide through the aisles of bookshelves, her eyes scanning over the spines for some sort of indication that she could find something useful.

"Gotcha," the teenager stopped in her tracks as she pulled a book off of the shelf, coughing at the dust that came off of it, "Jesus, you really haven't been cleaned in ages."

History of the Triad, a book that seemed familiar to Helaena but she couldn't recall from where. She must've seen it during her childhood, but even then that call seemed too far-fetched.

Placing the book on the table, wincing at the amount of dust, the redhead began to scan through the pages rather quickly. Hoping to find something useful before someone was to find her.

The girl continued to flip through the pages before pausing. Her eyes landed on something that caused her to stop.

The story behind l'ascesa della triade degli dei is one of many legends passed through tribes from all over. The rise of the triad of the gods was one brought to by the cold ones. The triad is of legend the most powerful of the cold ones. The rulers. The most human-looking creatures.

There are three minds. Alessandro... The Trickster, the one who can trick those around him for what he needs or wishes to gain. He is almost impossible to outsmart or so the legends say. Donatello... The Conjuror, the one who can bring forth anyone and anything as he pleases and no one can stop him. Through legends, we learn that he is the only one of the triad to never experience death. Rhaenyra... The Enchantress....

Helaena felt a sharp pain in her head causing her eyes to break away before she felt a cold hand grab onto her causing her to jerk herself back as she placed a hand behind her on the book.

Her eyes slowly rose up to meet those of Jasper's. He seemed to have concern behind his expression but he slowly moved his free hand to grab the book behind Helaena as well.

"Don't," Helaena shook her head, knowing good and well he had some sort of intent to take the book.

His eyes scanned over her as he seemed to be holding something back, the amber color in his eyes slightly darker than it had been previously, "Let me see the book, Helaena."

"It's nothing of use to us but I have to put it back," Helaena managed to grab the book and slide by Jasper but he managed to move quicker than she could comprehend, taking the book and looking at where she had once been.

"So this is what you were lookin' at? Why hide it?" Jasper questioned as his eyes moved from the pages to Helaena.

Helaena shrugged her shoulders, acting as if she had no clue what he was talking about, "I do not understand. Now, I want to go. We have a long night ahead of us."

As the silence fell, Helaena felt sick to her stomach. She had no clue why, she had felt perfectly fine a few minutes prior.

"You're pale," Jasper seemed stiffer than she had ever seen him, what was happening?

Helaena felt a cool sensation from her nose, she slowly lifted her finger up and swiped under her nostrils after smelling what seemed to be metal and finding herself displeased by the blood on her finger.

This was all some odd sort of coincidence. One that she wasn't sure how to feel about.

She noticed the way that Jasper tensed up and the way he was quick to back away from her. Helaena tried to pass that off that he wasn't really good with blood, he must be one of those people who get queasy around it.

"I think that this should be done for a bit," Helaena moved her hand back up to her nose and applied pressure, trying not to make eye contact with Jasper as she was quick to push the book away.

"Helaena," something in his voice changed, but she did not pay any mind to it as she continued to leave.

Helaena was quick to run up the steps and leave the library. Leaving Jasper by himself, she didn't want to talk further about anything.

She quickly made it through the school, running past a few of her friends before she managed to stop herself as her breathing became rapid. Leaning her back against one of the walls as she made herself take deep breaths.

Whatever was happening couldn't be coincidental, right? There was absolutely no way. That would be a huge coincidence in itself.

The girl finally got a grip on herself before she began to move. Now on a search for Thomas - wait, he'd tell Alice. Shit, who can I find?

Helaena wanted, no, needed to find someone just so she could talk or have a minute to at least situate her thoughts with. But who could that be? Matteo.

So, thus, Helaena's search for Matteo began as she walked through the halls. She switched buildings and walked down to the gym and weight room before she found him.

"Matteo," Helaena called out as she looked at him, giving him a look that must've explained all he needed.

The boy walked over as sweat beaded off of his forehead, "What's up? Where's Thomas?"

"Probably with some girl, I've got a migraine or something's happening and I just need a ride home, please," Helaena ran her fingers through a few pieces of her hair.

Matteo nodded before he went to grab his bag, "I've got you, shorty. You know that."

Helaena had a slight smile and nodded as she waited, then when Matteo joined her side the two began to walk.

"So, something's happening with Thomas?" Matteo questioned, finding himself rather curious on the subject.

Helaena shrugged before shaking her head, "Same old, same old. Just doesn't know what to do or say and he has other girls to talk to. He's growing up," She joked before nudging Matteo's bicep, "We're still here though."

Matteo rolled his eyes, "You know my predicament, El. Besides, you're also growing up. You don't think I notice, everyone has eyes," He laughed before nodding his head in a different direction, "Why are they watching us?"

Helaena cut her eyes over to see a few of the Cullen's and Thomas which made her shake her head and shrug her shoulders as she continued to walk.

"Ah ah, Helaena," Matteo slung his arm over her shoulder as she tried to speed off, "What's going on?"

"Hm? Nothing," Helaena managed to keep dragging Matteo with her, "I just need time."

"Time?" Matteo questioned as he came to a stop, pulling away from Helaena, "Did someone say something? Is it... is it something with them? Or Charlie?"

"No, Dad's fine," Helaena shook her head as she began to mess with something, "It's just something that's eating me up and I'm stressed, okay? Now can we go?"

Matteo stopped momentarily as he processed her words before he nodded, that is, until he was stopped.

"I can take her home," Jasper offered as he looked between the two, Helaena swallowed thickly as she felt her chest tighten while Matteo looked stuck in the middle.

"You really don't need to," Helaena's words were barely above a whisper as she forced her eyes to go anywhere but on him.

Jasper must've noticed this, as his eyes went between falling over Helaena's frame and Matteo's, "We have to work on our project, anyways. It won't be any... trouble."

Despite his struggle in getting his words out he didn't seem deterred. Helaena wasn't sure it was the best to go with him. She knew what the conversation would be about and something was happening - something that had been happening for years.

And she was afraid of what she would find.

"Matteo," Helaena's voice was quiet.

"I can take her home," Matteo wasn't sure what was happening, he seemed too weirded out by the fact Jasper Hale was speaking, "I can take care of her..."

"I can handle her, besides I think that Thomas wanted to see you," Jasper wasn't letting this go easy, "I'm tryin' to help you out."

"It's no trouble really-" Matteo shook his head before it was like he had a total mood change, he looked back at Thomas who had his eyes locked on the trio, "You know, fine, you can take her. I've got to go deal with that knucklehead," Matteo sounded rather annoyed.

Helaena lifted her head confused by the sudden change. This is one of those weird things that have been happening. She thought to herself. This has been happening ever since... stop.

Helaena made herself stop trying to think deeper. There seemed to be one thing linked to all of the strange happenings within the town. But she couldn't think about that, they had been nothing but kind to her.

But...

No. Helaena kept shutting down her mind. She had one thing that she needed to focus on. One. That was the mystery behind her parents and the artifact that got them killed and why it caused strange things to happen to whoever got involved.

Matteo had bid a quiet goodbye to Helaena as he rushed over to Thomas while she continued to stand in silence. Finally pulling herself out of her mind as she chewed on her lip. Now, here she stood, left alone with Jasper Hale while the group looked on. With the small distraction that was Matteo Carr.

"Are you alright?" Jasper's jaw was clenched, per usual, as his dark eyes remained on her.

Dark eyes that are usually gold. No, Helaena found herself scolding her mind before coming up with the logical explanation of Jasper being one of those people with color-changing eyes.

"Fine," Helaena answered through her pursed lips, not sure how else to react or what else to say.

She found herself at a loss.

"Fine never truly means fine," sarcasm accompanied the thick southern accent which made Helaena chew on the inside of her lip to not smile.

"What are you? Some type of girl whisperer?" Helaena questioned as she continued to keep her gaze on the ground.

He let out a small noise, one that could've easily been a laugh, but Helaena refused to believe that it was, "No. No, I'm just a friend."

"A friend," Helaena mumbled before she started to fiddle with her sleeve, "So, are you going to take me home?"

"If that's what you wish, ma'am," Jasper lifted his hand causing Helaena to lift her head so that she could peek and see the keys resting on his palm.

"Please," Helaena asked softly, she nodded as if telling him to lead the way, "You know the way."

Jasper offered her an arm. Helaena knew they were still being watched and wasn't sure what to do, so, she did the only thing that she thought of doing. Stood completely still.

"You can take my arm, or not. It's a favor of trust," His words sounded kind, part of Helaena was telling her not to take his arm.

He's not to be trusted. She wanted to keep reminding herself of trust, but, she had to trust him. After all, he was involved with the little mystery they had going. He was helping her figure out what happened to her parents alongside Alice and Thomas. Not to mention, he was a project partner of hers.

Helaena slowly lifted her arm before lacing it through Jasper's, finding it a bit old-fashioned but she didn't mind. It wasn't as awkward or as odd as holding hands with someone. Jasper slowly made the first move as the two finally began to walk.

It was silent. He was cold. Ice cold.

There was almost an unspoken conversation between the two. Shared glances between the two as they walked through the school. Helaena looked between the two once she noticed the looks she began to receive from her peers.

"Are you sure you want to go... tonight? I'm not sure that if it's the safest for you. You don't seem to be in proper health," Jasper made sure to express his concerns as the two descended down the stairs to the parking lot.

Helaena made a face of annoyance but kept her comments to herself as she shook her head, standing firm on her decision, "No, I am fine and in perfect health to go. Stop trying to shut me down from this, I hear enough of it from Thomas."

"Oh?" Jasper questioned as he easily got the two to one of the many Cullen vehicles, "I'm surprised."

"Don't be," she found herself huffing before flashing a forced smile as he opened the car door for her and closed it behind her.

Is he a gentleman or an asshole? Or is there even a difference? Helaena couldn't even tell at this point.

"You're always so nervous."

Helaena found herself caught off guard by that one. It was the first thing to slip Jasper's lips once he got situated within the car. She found herself resisting the urge to roll her eyes, and failing, before adjusting herself and her bag in the seat.

"I don't mean that in a mean way, please don't take it that way," Jasper must've realized how it sounded as he began to apologize and try to make amends, "Many teenagers have anxiety."

You really don't know when to shut up, do you? "What a nice observation, why wouldn't I be nervous? After all, look at my life," Helaena muttered as she began to grow quiet.

"The past doesn't define you," Jasper tried to say what her father says, causing Helaena to scoff.

"My dad says the same thing. But being the girl whose parents died in a mysterious accident? A murder? That will always be what marks me in this town," Helaena then decided that she was done talking and rested back into the seats.

The Cullen's was a family that definitely had money. Especially with Carlisle Cullen. He was a doctor in Forks that was practically the only working surgeon and doctor.

Helaena listened as Jasper slowly turned on the music as he began to drive out of the parking lot, finally decided it that they had sat there long enough. Helaena looked out the windows watching as the trees began to pass.

What if I go alone tonight? After all, I want answers... Helaena began to play out scenarios in her head. Scenarios of how to lie to Jasper, Thomas, and Alice about not going tonight. She didn't need them there. She could go by herself. Hell, it'd probably be safer having one person and not a large group.

Jasper pulled into her driveway causing her to pause her thinking, "Are you sure you're alright, Helaena?"

"I'm sure, but I think it's the best if we don't go tonight. Maybe we should pause this... until tomorrow," Helaena tried as she held the handle of the door, "My head is killing me and I just need to lay down for a while."

Jasper seemed as if he didn't believe what she was saying, and the look on his face was hard and as if he was deep in thought, "Get all the rest that you need."

"Thank you," Helaena then grabbed her bag and began to exit the car and walk down her driveway to the front door.

"Helaena," The girl paused and turned to look in his direction, Jasper stood outside his door as he looked at her concerned, "Take the rest. You need to be careful."

Helaena managed a small smile as she nodded, fumbling with her keys in her hands, "I will. Have a good afternoon, Jasper."

Now, how could Helaena throw them off of her trail? How could she distract any of them so that they wouldn't see past her lie? There was only one person she knew could make one hell of a distraction...

Helaena then turned and unlocked her door and proceeded through it. Locking it once more as she pressed her back against the door, slipping her phone out of her pocket as she dialed Suki's number.

"Suki," Helaena hummed as she began to plan things out within her head, "I need your help."