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Chapter Seven

I THINK I STOPPED BREATHING.

"What?" I screamed almost crying. William wanted me dead? Why me? I hated this, I hated being a target. "Am I going to die?"

My breathing got short and I felt tears in my eyes. I was so scared I didn't want to die…who did? Drake saw that I was freaking out and he came over to me, wrapping his warm arm around me. He leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear.

"You're okay, just breathe…"

His words were calming. It wasn't compulsion. I would know if he tried to use compulsion on me. I knew how it felt. Plus Drake would never use it on me. I knew him. Plus compulsion didn't work on most mind users. It's weird. It must be because it is a power only mind users get and that means they are immune to it?

A few seconds later I was basically back to normal.

"You are not going to die, Angel." Josh spoke up.

"I'm not? But when William wants someone dead they are dead!" I screamed.

"Hey, hey, it's okay…" Drake said.

Josh started to talk but I didn't really tune in to what he was saying. I didn't know if I wanted to know. Until finally I heard him talk straight to me.

"You won't die, Angel. We will keep you safe—actually, Eddie and I will keep you save. Scarlett and Kira will watch over Vanessa. But we will find this guy, hunt him down and kill him!" He paused for a second. "Until we find this guy Drake will be with you almost 24/7."

My eyes widened. "You are kidding, right?"

"No, Drake is one of the only people that can protect you, Angel. Deal with him."

I narrowed my eyes at him. You suck! I thought. Great! Just great! Now until they found the guy that tried to kill me I had to be around Drake. This was going to be the funniest—whoever long it takes to find this guy—ever!

I sighed. "Fine, I know I can't win on this topic. But can I get some sleep? I am really sleepy."

"Yeah, of course, Angel." Josh said. "Have fun in the hospital. I have no idea how long you will be here."

"Sweet dreams, Angel," he leaned in and kissed my forehead.

I made a face as he kissed me. I narrowed my eyes and thought, Jesus Christ! Gross!

Drake laughed. "I heard that."

"Damn," I said. "I forgot about that."

"I heard that too."

"Get out!" I threw a pillow at him as he ran out of the room.

I shook my head and threw myself into the covers.

"Have you found anything?" I asked Grant a few days later.

Grant and Vanessa had come by every day since I basically killed myself. I was happy to have people around but I knew they had better things to do than hang out with me. When I told them that they just laughed.

I still felt like crap. My head hurt and the stitches annoyed me—even though they were basically out—my hair didn't like them either, it messed it up highly. I guess it didn't really matter what my hair looked like though, since no one was around.

"Anything?" He asked. "What do you mean by that? Do you want some water?"

"Yes please," I smiled.

He poured two glasses of water, handing one of them to me and he kept the other one. He sat down in one of the chairs and drank his water.

"So?" I asked setting my glass on the side table. "What did you find? Where is he now? What's his name? How did he find us?"

Grant smiled at me. He told me that they had been trying to find stuff out about this person. He told me that he was glad that he had Vanessa here, the computer person, as he called her. I guess that she had found almost all of the stuff online or in hidden files on the computer. Jeez, was Vanessa a hacker? They had found out the guy's name and Vanessa had never seen him before when they looked at the people they knew were on William's side. That meant that he had just turned to his side. He was most likely at the lodge and that's how he knew that Vanessa—and I—were at the lodge.

"Well if we know the guy's name we could find us room here and—"

I was cut off by Grant laughing slightly. "Angel," he said trying not to laugh again. "He most likely used a fake name to get in. Well if he was smart he would use a fake name."

Damn, I felt like an idiot. Of course he would use a fake name, even if he did just go to William's side he was still smart enough to use a fake name.

"Angel, it is fine! Believe me I have said, and done, a lot stupider things. Plus Vanessa said the same thing and she's usually a genius…it's weird."

That perked me up. Weird was my middle name. Actually my middle name was…was…ah shit! I could never forget my middle name. Jeez, sometimes I could barely remember what my last name was. I don't think that is a good thing. Maybe I had some brain problems.

"What?" He looked at me. "What is weird? Don't leave me hanging here, bud!"

He laughed again, making me smile, but only a few seconds later it went away. "You. You are weird. You and Vanessa you two just seem…well you two are just so alike. It's like you are part of her bloodline. Like you are her sister. You two look alike. If she had darker hair I couldn't tell you two apart."

Those words made my smile come back—for good. But then I remembered that, it's like you are part of her bloodline remark. That brought a weird look to my face.

"Are you okay? Are you feeling—"

I held up my hands. "No, no, I'm fine, really it's just…um, it's just…you said part of her bloodline, like you weren't a part of it. I thought that the Hall's and Smith's were one bloodline at least that's what, um, I am being stupid aren't I?"

I felt like I was. Maybe I should just stop talking.

Grant shook his head at me. "No. You are not being stupid."

"Good, because I felt like I was. So?"

He went on to tell me that they were not one bloodline. He made the not part super clear. He must have said "not" twenty, thirty times. At the least. I actually stopped listening to him half way through the millions of not's. As he went to tell me more he got stuck on one word: Jill.

I reached out and grabbed his hand tightly. "Jill, what you are trying to say is, 'nope Drake, Susan and I are part of one bloodline and Vanessa and Jill are another."

"Yes, that is what I meant to say," he squeezed my hand tightly.

"That makes a lot of sense," I laughed. "It makes sense because, well, you are a Hall and she is a Smith. I am an idiot."

"Nah, you are so not an idiot. You are still smarter than Drake."

I giggled. Damn it, I don't giggle. That was girly. "Well that makes me feel much better. So really, you are all part of a different line?"

He nodded. "Yep, do you think I am lying, Angel? I don't lie…well not usually." He smirked.

There was something about him. Something that made me not able to tell if he was lying. My magic was blocked when I tried to see if he was. I wondered why that was. So I had to believe him. Had to believe this weirdness. At least with the others I could sort of tell if they were lying. I bet by the time Drake is done training me with mind I would be able to tell it everyone was lying or not. Maybe that's another reason they want to increase mind, it will be useful later on.

I grabbed my glass of water and took a drink, sipping it slowly and just thinking about everything. This mind user and the different bloodlines—

"Wait!" I said as he was about to leave. "Come back, I want to know how. How they are a different bloodline. Plus I don't want to be alone."

He stopped, he was already standing at the door, one of his arms gripped the doors edge tightly and the other was loose at his side. He turned around and talked from the door.

"I…I don't really know, Angel."

That time I knew that he was lying. He couldn't say his words right—actually it was more that he could get this words out. He didn't want to tell me what was going on with this bloodline thingy.

"You are lying to me. I can tell right now."

"Why are you so smart, Angel? I hate when people know that I am lying!"

He sighed and started to walk back over to the bed. He grabbed the chair and sat down again. He stared at me for a good few minutes before starting to talk once again

"Well...let's just say that, um, they have both Ilustrado and human blood."

Human blood? Now how was that possible? I didn't get that. Ilustrado usually never went near humans in that way. We were to scared that we would get found out by humans, that…that we would be found out and used in experiments. None of us wanted that…who did?

"Tell me how," I demanded. "Because we basically don't go near humans."

And of course he did. Grant would tell me anything. He trusted me—at least I think he did. Why would he tell me that they had both Ilustrado blood and human if he didn't? That was what I told myself.

"Well Jill and Vanessa's mother did…stupid move if you ask me. But anyways, she went to France and fell in love with this guy. She had Vanessa, Then Jill and then..."

"Then?" I shirked.

Vanessa and Jill have a sister! Are you freaking kidding me right now? If Vanessa and Jill had a sister people would know about it. I mean come on, the Smith and Hall bloodline is powerful and strong. Everyone and I do mean every-freaking-one would know about a third Smith in the bloodline.

I wanted to get out of this bed and run up to Vanessa's room to go and ask her if what Grant was saying was true. But I did a double take on that thought and deiced not to. It was the better choice. Grant would probably tackle me to the ground the second I tried to get to the door. It would be a much better to just stay safe in this damn bed.

"Yes, Angel," he said. "Then. They have a sister."

"What's her name? Who is she? Where does she—"

"Shh!" He cut me off. "Aren't I the one telling this awesome story about a third Smith?"

I rolled my eyes at him. I guess he was telling the quote stupid phrase quote—what I didn't know what it was— "awesome story" about the third Smith.

"Yes you are. I am so sorry for asking questions about this awesome third Smith. Is it like a double of Jill?"

He laughed. But like always his laugh was short and sweet. Sometimes I thought that he couldn't laugh for more than three or four seconds.

"No! Can I just finish?" He asked shaking his head.

"Of course, who is stopping you?"

"We don't know where she is though."

Well that's helpful! How was I supposed to go and find another Smith if Grant, a Hall, didn't even know where she was…maybe he was lying to me again.

"So, she like ran off?" I asked.

"No. Well no really."

Okay, now I was really, really confused. What was Grant taking about? He was talking about this other Smith like she—or even a he, but most likely a she—was still alive so she had to be, at least I thought that.

"Then tell me what happened to her."

"I can't really tell you that."

I stared at him. He couldn't tell me? Didn't he remember that I could take him down with one look? Well maybe not right this second since I was still sort of weak but still. "Why not?" I demanded.

"Because…because I don't think I should have even told you that they had a sister."

So it is a girl. I thought.

"Come on, Grant!" I begged. "I won't tell anyone. Really. I promise that I won't tell anyone that you told me. Not even Drake." I added.

He took a deep breath in. "Really? You won't even tell…him?" Him equaled Drake.

Jeez, I thought. Why could Grant just say Drake? Why did he hate him so much?

"I promise, Grant. I will make a deal with you. I tell Drake that you told me this and I will, um, let you punch me in the face about three times. Believe me this deal is the best you will ever get."

It was true. No one ever touched me. No one should touch me. If anyone tried to punch me in the face they would have a broken nose.

"Okay, fine…I accept." He finally told me.

"Damn, I didn't think you would." I joked with him.

Sighing he went on with his story. "Okay then. Vanessa's mother had Vanessa and Jill with this guy and kept it a secret. She couldn't have the guy find out that she had kids. He would want more and sooner or later he would find out."

I waited for more and like always nothing came. I didn't get that people saw me waiting for more but didn't say anything else.

"Grant, that is an awesome story but it doesn't tell me what happened to their sister…and plus that is what you have to do if you go near humans."

Grant rolled his eyes at me. He knew as well as I did that he didn't finish that story. I wanted more and he was going to tell me more.

"Well she had another child. He guy found out—about both that she had another kid and that she was magical. He came to her house—she was living…actually she was living near the so called fort that you live at. He moved from France after meeting her. She thought…she didn't think he would follow so she kept seeing him…" He paused.

"Grant you are getting off track here."

"Right, sorry about that," he told me. "Well he went to her house and saw her playing with magic around the baby. He already knew that she was a magical being. She was shocked. He took the baby from her. He told her that he would tell the world about us. Expose us. Evil asshole. She tried to kill him but she didn't know he held a gun. She got shot. He started to leave but with her last dying breath she grabbed the gun and shot him. It was a good shot, right through the head."

Eww! Thinking about getting shot threw the head sent shocks down my spine. That would hurt like hell but it was probably a nice quick death.

"Gross," I said. "Just eww okay? Eww!"

"Hey," he said smiling. "You asked for the story."

I made a face at him. "What happened to the girl? The sister."

"Well," he started slowly. "No one really knows. Some say the person that found Vanessa's mother—who we don't who—took her in. Or that she died and no one ever said anything."

That sucked. It would suck to die as a baby. They didn't even get to live. That almost brought tears to my eyes. But I fought them off not wanting to cry over this stupid story.

"How old is she?"

"Actually it is weird she would probably around your age."

"Really?" I asked in surprise. That was odd. "So she is like what, around twenty-five?"

"Of course. Actually no, I said that to mess with you, Angel."

I smacked his arm. "Don't be an ass. It isn't nice."

"Aw! I am sorry, Angel."

I couldn't help but smile and laugh. "What does she look like?"

"Well I would say, maybe a tooth and like baby hairs…but that is just a guess."

"You are kind of funny, Grant."

"Thank you, Angel. But really she could look like Jill. Blondish hair and big green eyes with tan skin or she could look like Vanessa—or a mix of both."

"I think she should have normal colored skin, lighter brown eyes and a dirty blonde hair color."

"You are an idiot, Angel."

"Thank you," I smiled.

Just then Vanessa, Drake and Josh came in. They all looked beyond tried. It looked like they hadn't slept in days and I felt kinda bad about it.

Grant stared at me. "Don't you dare say anything, Angel." He whispered to me as he rose to go and greet the others.

"Hey don't worry I won't," I told him. That was the truth I didn't want to get punched in the face, that would hurt and possible break my nose.

He talked with Vanessa and Josh and basically ignored Drake. So mean. I wouldn't do that if I had sister…or maybe I would. It doesn't matter thought, I don't have one.

A few seconds later Vanessa came over to my bedside. I sat up and smiled at her.

"The stitches are almost gone…that's good."

"You know it would be a lot easier if I could just heal you." Drake said grabbing a metal bottle from under his jacket. Alcohol. That was most likely.

"No!" Vanessa, Grant, Josh and I said all at once.

"Whatever," he said taking a big drink from the bottle.

I stared at him. Jeez, why did he bring alcohol? Was mind brothering him?

Drake's blue eyes rested on mine, staring through me. I am fine, Angel.

"What the fuck!" I screamed.

"Are you okay?" Grant asked.

Was I? That was beyond weird. Did I just get a response from Drake? I let out a weird sigh and I nodded. I turned my head towards Drake letting my dark eyes connect with his lighter eyes.

Was that you?

He nodded slowly.

Creepy. Maybe that meant that I was getting better at using mind. I hoped so. The faster I leaned to use it the less time I had to spend with captain idiot (AKA Drake Hall.)

"How do you feel, Angel? Vanessa is right about the stitches though." Josh said.

"I am actually okay. I feel fine." I smiled. "But can I get out of this place? Come on, what is the worst thing that could happen to me? I have been attacked. Yet. Please?"

He sighed and ran a hand threw his dark hair. "I will see." I don't want her to die.

I was still somewhat thinking about what Grant had told me but know it was mixed with Josh's thought. I signaled for Drake to come over to me. When he saw me he gladly walked over.

"How are you doing?"

"I wish people would stop asking me that. I. Am. Fine. I am not some broken toy that needs to be looked at. I may be a mind user but I'm not crazy. Yet."

"I mean with mind."

"Oh," I said stupidly and pushed my hair behind my ears. "I think I can hear more thoughts now, which is good right?"

"Which is great, Angel." He said quietly. "What were you hearing?"

My face dropped so fast I didn't even know it dropped 'til Drake stared at me. "Nothing that involves you Drake, you are okay."

"Angelina," he warned.

I gave him a death stare. "Don't Angelina me!"

"Tell me what the thoughts were." He stared me straight in the eyes.

"Your thoughts the ones you said a few minutes ago then Josh said: 'I don't want her to die.'" My mind snapped back to normal when he took his eyes away. "You bitch! You used compulsion on—"

He whipped around to Grant. "You told her?" he asked.

Grant stared at me and I shook my head and pointed to it. "Damn it." he mouthed when Drake wasn't watching.

"Drake. Let's go outside I need some air." Grant said.

"Well you don't need me for that," Drake said going to take a drink of his whatever it was.

"Let's go, Drake!" Grant grabbed his jacket and pulled him out of the room making him spill his drink. Drake swore as he was pulled out of the room.

I giggled at the brothers. Idiots. They were so weird. I actually wanted to know what Grant was going to do to Drake. I mean Drake could whip his ass with mind or just use compulsion.

Mentally shaking my head I turned back to have Vanessa. "Did you find anything on this asshole who is keeping me in here?"

She nodded. "She actually. I have a picture. Want to see?" I nodded and she started to search through her bag. "His name is Matt or Matthew. About twenty-three, he had to have just switched because we have nothing on him. Like zipo!"

I shook my head. "You are so weird." She handed me a piece of paper. "Is this the guy?"

She nodded. I turned the picture over and gasped almost dropping it from my hands. It was the guy that knocked me down in the hallway. How didn't I feel that he was a mind user? I should have known. This was not good!

"What?" Vanessa asked in shock.

"I know him."

"What do you mean by 'I know him,' Angel?" Josh asked coming back with a female doctor.

"Well not in the way you're thinking. I'm not on William's side, come on Josh, I am smarter than that. Give me some credit."

"You sure about that?" he mumbled under his breath.

"I heard that," I hissed angrily. "He knocked me down in the hallway. I thought that he was just another Ilustrado so I told him that Drake broke my hand because he was worried."

Josh narrowed his eyes at me. "You told a guy on William's side that Drake Hall is here?" he shrieked.

"What," I started very slowly, "was I supposed to do? Was I supposed to know he was a Williamer?"

"Williamer?" Josh snickered.

"Shut up," I told him sternly.

"I guess not. Where's Drake anyways?"

I told him that he was pulled outside by Grant so that was his best bet. He sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets before leaving the room.

The doctor looked at me and said that the stitches had healed pretty nicely—everyone already told me that though. At least she didn't have to go back and dig them out. Gross.

When Josh came back in he walked over to the doctor and started to talk with her.

"If we find him what are we going to do about it?"

"Pardon?" Vanessa asked looking back at me.

"This guy…the one that hurt me."

I guess I could have been a little clearer on that one. I could have said Matthew. What if we find Matthew. That would have made it a lot more clear. Or maybe she just didn't want to answer the question.

"We kill him." She replied her voice didn't even shake.

"Why? He just changed could we get him back?" I asked almost pleading with her.

"Angel," she said softly. "You aren't in on this stuff like the Smith's and Hall's are. If a person switches to William's side there is no saving them."

Maybe she was right but then a thought flickered in my head. "What if Drake went over to that side. Would you try and save him?"

She stared at me and was thinking hard about this. "No. I wouldn't if he killed—or almost killed—someone. There would be no bringing him back and he would be better off dead."

"I would try and save you," I said quietly but she didn't hear me.

Josh started to walk back towards me.

"Good news?" I asked hopefully.

He only smiled at me, which was sorta annoying I mean I need more than a smile. A smile could be bad and good. You could have a smile coving something up or a real one.

"Yes, no? I kind of need more than a half way smile, Josh." He gave me one of his death glares and I just backed down.

"I swear to God, Angel." He started. "I am so close to sending you to annoy the Ilustrado's in Canada. Go live with the polar bears."

"Canada has polar bears?" I asked confused.

"Oh God," I knew he wanted to smack himself in the face. "You are getting out of here so you can be watched over by Drake."

"Really? Why him? Can't like Eddie do it? I actually like Eddie."

A half-witted smile crossed Josh's face. "You like Drake too. We both know it."

I only laughed.

Vanessa went upstairs to get me some clothes. When she got back she had some pretty cute stuff. Black jeans, White tank top and a white and red Nike sweater—one of my favorites I didn't even know I had. I went into the bathroom and put the clothes on. I was finally getting out of here. It felt like I was in here forever. I hated being alone.

But then something hit me smack in the face (not really.) "What did you tell, um, Kira and Scarlett."

"They left. Denis needed some help back home and I guess Alison wasn't cutting it." I laughed at that. "Eddie knows what happened. He knows that you were hurt."

"Why didn't he come to see me than?"

"He is scared, Angel."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know."

Josh walked me back to my room. I kept looking at him to see if I could get any of his thoughts but there was nothing. When we reached my room I threw my arms around his neck.

"Josh, I am so not going anywhere." I smiled at him and went into my room.

Eddie sat on his bed and rushed over to me almost knocking me over when he saw me. He hugged me tightly and wouldn't let go, actually he was cutting off my air and it wasn't good.

I reached out and patted his back. "Eddie! I can't really breath."

"Oh," he said releasing me. "I am sorry about that."

"I'm glad that you are alright, Angel."

"Well would you look at that, we think alike, Eddie."

I growled and turned around. Drake Hall.