Capítulo 9: Misunderstanding

Luc and I walked in silence as the high school came into view, the awkwardness only making me more nervous. Despite calming Luc down and ensuring him I didn't find the change "gross" or "unnatural", I had to admit it was weird. He insisted I still use "he" despite the obvious femininity and that he still wanted to be called Luc. I tried to tell myself I'd get used to it with time, but I had a feeling Luc wouldn't give me the chance.

"She's here." I jumped slightly when hearing his voice, glancing up to look at him. His clothing had adjusted to new form and if not for the obvious changes to his hair, voice and chest, Luc mostly appeared the same. His piercing red eyes were locked on the building in front of us, absently brushing the hair from his face.

"Yeah?"

"She… is confused as to why we are here." Luc admitted, his voice soft as he continued staring. I tore my gaze from the vampire and looked to the sterile white building in front of us. "She thought you would understand."

"Are you… talking to her?" I chanced a look back to the vampire, but he ignored me as he continued speaking.

"You… of anyone, should understand. You knew what it was like to be tricked, to be betrayed." My concern started to mount as I realized that Sammy was using Jinx's power to also possess Luc and I stepped in front of the vampire. His red eyes were still locked on the building, but I frowned as I kept my eyes on him. "After all, the one you loved betrayed you."

What? I frowned as I considered what the zombie had said. No one I loved had betrayed me; I reported myself to the Angelic Council to save Sarai from taking the fall for what I had done and Evan was dead. What was she talking about?

I decided to ignore the thought for now, instead focusing on my worry for Jinx. "I do Sammy, but you can't just keep Jinx's body."

"Jinx?"

"That is the name of the woman you possessed. Right now, you are using my other friend Lucien to talk to me." I explained, and Luc's blank face twitched. Good, it seemed she was only vaguely aware of what she was doing. "Honestly, I agree your parents are monsters, but Jinx doesn't deserve to be killed by you. It's not your body to keep."

"Killed…? No, I didn't-" Luc seemed to falter, and I caught the vampire's arm as he steadied himself. He clutched his head and was breathing heavily as he tried to catch his breath. He took a moment to smooth the longer hair from his face, his eyes finally reaching mine. I tried to smile, but I doubt it was very reassuring.

"You okay?"

"She is very scared, more so than angry." Luc revealed, standing up straight as he managed to compose himself. "I don't think she realized she had possessed anyone. I think she thought she just pulled her body free."

"Okay, so hopefully it won't be too difficult to get her to release Jinx and let me carry her back willingly." I breathed a sigh of relief, but Luc's hand on my shoulder made my heart jump.

"Don't be certain about that. She is still determined to make sure the journal stays safe."

"I have an offer for her on that front." I smiled, patting the vampire's hand gently as I began towards the library. The night was silent behind me, but his aura told me the vampire was following. As we reached the door, I removed my jacket, the sickly yellow power summoning to my hands almost immediately.

"Allow us entrance." The yellow tendrils floated into the lock and released it, allowing me to open the door quietly. I took the moment to invite Luc in, waiting until he glided past me to close and relock the door. I took an extra moment to cast a quick enchantment on the door, before motioning for Luc to lead the way.

Luc started to glide through the library, trying to determine exactly where the zombie was as I followed behind. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness, although I was surprised by the slight amount of light that allowed me to see. Considering Storm Coast was a mixed-species school, even if someone wanted to break into the library at night, it was pretty much a given that someone with low light vision would be included. Maybe the staff didn't care.

"I… how…" Luc held his hand out as we heard a soft voice, and I immediately recognized it as a mix of Jinx's and Sammy's. I looked around the vampire to see the witch kneeling on the ground, golden tears falling from her eyes. "I didn't, I just-"

"Hey." I offered slightly, jumping slightly from the fear and anger that flashed across Jinx's face. Luc also put himself more between me and the zombie, his longer hair brushing in my face. "It's just me, Lin. The one who raised you."

"I can't… go back yet." Sammy insisted, looking back to the floor as she stared at the puddle of gold. No hint of Jinx's voice was mixed with hers and my heart pounded at the implications. "Not until they pay."

"I have an offer for you. A trade." I continued, once again leaning around Luc to see the zombie. She was glancing at me now and I could almost see her brown eyes through golden yellow of my friend's eyes. "Let Jinx go, and I can make sure the police find the journal."

"No. The police-"

"Already suspect your parents." I interrupted, fully stepping around the vampire to meet the zombie's gaze. I needed her to willingly let me carry her back, because forcing the transfer carried too much risk for all three of us. "They just need more concrete proof. Your journal could give that proof."

"How do you know?" Sammy narrowed her gaze, and I took a deep breath as I answered her.

"Because while I don't know what you are or exactly why, I know you allowed yourself to be killed to frame them and so your journal would incriminate them for the crime." I explained, taking a step closer. Sammy still seemed wary of my intention, but she didn't move away as I approached. "Let me give that journal to the police and I can swear as an Angel that they will be punished for their sins."

"An… angel?" Sammy finally seemed to notice my wings and I smiled, fully spreading them as my sickly gold magic dripped from my hands.

"Fallen as I may be, I am still bound to my word to punish those who sin." I insisted, leaning down as I reached out my magic covered hand to the zombie. "Let me carry you, and I'll even wait until after the journal is delivered to lay you to rest."

"Li-"

"Deal." The zombie interrupted Luc as she grabbed my hand, and I felt the transfer almost immediately. I could feel her soul as it slid from Jinx's body to mine and I took a deep breath as I felt her worry and concern.

'Better not break your word.' She warned and I shook my head, standing as I waited for Jinx to wake up.

'It's not in my interest too, and I have nothing to gain by doing so.'

'Then why help me?'

'Like I said, I'm an Angel.' I shrugged, smiling as I noticed Jinx starting to move. 'Kinda my job to help punish sinners like the Hendersons.'

Sammy said nothing as Jinx finally groaned, grabbing her head as she shook it. It took her a moment to reopen her eyes, turning to look at me and Luc.

"Who's the chick?" She scoffed and my heart pounded as I considered what to say. Telling the truth, that I had called Luc, could potentially cause the witch to destroy the journal we needed, but lying would get me in trouble once she found out. Sounded like a problem for later me.

"This is Lucia." I offered, motioning toward the still and quiet vampire. "Needed someone who can sense death better than me."

"Makes sense." Jinx agreed, taking my hand as I offered it to her. She offered a curt nod to Luc, who returned it politely. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the matter at hand as I addressed the spirit inside me.

'Now, where is-' A sharp pain cut off my thoughts and I looked down to see sickly yellow blood running down my shirt. It soaked my blouse as I failed to hear Luc and Jinx's surprised cries and I merely turned to see who had shot me.

Sitting in the window behind me was a dark figure carrying a large rifle, and they had another shot lined up at me.

Well Fuck.