Chapter 2

• Nile smiled back just as politely. “If I say it’s sweet twenty one, then it is sweet twenty one! And Erick, man, you really need to see this.”
• I followed Nile and the others out of the guest room with Jordan right behind me, suspicion growing in my mind as to why the boys kept looking back at me and laughing. However, the reason became crystal clear as soon as I reached the main hallway that had a balcony overlooking the grand hall.
• “Why the fuck is everything glittering?”
• Unable to control themselves anymore, everyone beside me burst out into booming laughter, Jordan included.
• “Happy Birthday Erick.” Justin, the black-haired, blue-eyed jock of our group, told me in between his laughter.
• Narrowing my eyes at the decorators who were currently stringing up glittering golden curtains, I teleported to the Grand hall, my friend’s laughter clearly audible from this distance. I looked around for the culprit, but it took me a while to spot her.
• Hiding behind one of the large pillars on the side of the grand hall, was none other than my second elder sister, Susan Stayton, who took off laughing in the opposite direction as soon as she spotted me.
• “Oh no, you don’t!” I teleported right in front of her path, and since she was looking behind her to track my movements, she didn’t notice me in front of her and crashed right into me.
• I failed to balance with her weight crashing into me, and we both tumbled into a large box behind us and were instantly covered in more glitter and lights. Susan couldn’t stop laughing while the second culprit, my eldest sister, Athena, came out from behind another pillar, laughing at the state we were in.
• “Glitter and fairy lights! Seriously?” I said, spitting out a fairy light strand that had gotten inside my mouth. “And why on Earth did anyone not inform me sooner?”
• “Where would be the fun in that?” Athena said, coming up to us and helping Susan out of the box.
• “Exactly!” Susan said, smiling. “We wanted to see your face when you’d finally come down for the party. It was going to be Epic!”
• “Well, too bad I got to know about it on time.” I got out of the box after Susan and dusted myself off, a pile of glittery stuff falling to the surrounding floor. “Now go change the damn decoration!”
• “Hell no!” Athena complained. “Wait till you see the final product. You’ll love it, I promise.”
• “Yeah! After all, how often does our brother turn twenty-one?” Susan came and wrapped one arm around my waist while Athena did the same on the other side. “Four more years and you’ll be king! I can’t believe you’ve grown so big already. Can you Athena?”
• “Definitely not. To us, you’ll always be our little kiddo!” Athena confirmed.
• “You guys sound just like mom right now with that ‘you’ll always be my little baby’ speech.” I told them as we began walking towards the boys who’d just come down the stairs.
• “Do not!” both girls said at the same time.
• “Hey! Why does Erick get to have all the fun? Pass on the ladies dude!” Who other than Nile could make such a snide comment?
• “I would watch my mouth if I were you, little boy.” Athena told him off. “I wouldn’t want to accidentally…” She held out her hands and her palm turned bright red, making Nile jump back from her. Athena had the power to heat anything she touched. It wasn’t exactly a direct expression of firepower, but it was pretty close. And it was pretty cool.
• Susan was the exact opposite of Athena. She had the power to freeze water into ice. A vampire’s powers were usually linked to their personality. Athena was the active one, always cheery, always running around, so her being able to heat things up was no surprise. Susan on the other hand was the introvert of the family. She’d rather read a book than gossip about the latest trends in women’s fashion, so her being able to control ice was also acceptable. I somehow seemed to be the odd one out with my gift of teleportation and a minor amount of telekinesis.
• “Alright guys, we need to get back with the decoration. The guests are supposed to arrive by 8 in the afternoon.” Susan told us. “Come on Athena, let’s go.”
• “See you losers at the party.” Athena told my friends before turning to me and giving me a kiss on the cheek. Then she was off her merry way with Susan.
• “Dude, if dating your best friend’s sister wasn’t against the bro code, I’d totally go for Athena.” Justin sighed, ruffling his dirty blonde hair with his hands.
• “Dude, stop dreaming, she’s married.” Jordan told him.
• “Boys!” We all looked towards the stairs to watch two servants carry some heavy bags towards the front door and my mom and Aunt coming down the stairs. Aunt Kiara was almost a hundred years younger than my mother, but they looked almost like identical twins. The only notable difference between them was the hairstyle. Aunt Kiara liked short hair while my mom preferred it long.
• “Leaving already?” I asked as I neared them, followed by Jordan.
• “Yes honey,” Aunt came over and engulfed me in a hug. “You know I would’ve stayed if there wasn’t an emergency. Happy Birthday, sweetheart. May you have a long a happy life ahead of you and become a man everyone can be proud of.” She said after she pulled away from me.
• “Thank you.” I smiled as we all headed towards the front door.
• “Call as soon as you have everything under control. No, scratch that. Call every hour to keep me updated and inform me if you need help.” Mom told Aunt Kiara as we walked down the front steps and towards an awaiting car.
• “I will, Kenna. Don’t worry; I’m sure we’ll have the situation under control by next week.” Aunt Kiara got into her car and waved goodbye to mom as she drove away. A second car rounded the driveway and came to a stop before us.
• “Take care of your mother for me, alright honey? And be very careful. Don’t go anywhere without a guard, make sure your room is guarded well and―”
• “Aunt Kenna, I’ll be fine. Please don’t worry so much. It’s Erick’s birthday and I don’t want you to miss out on the fun.” Jordan hugged my mom before coming over to me.
• “Bye, Jordan. I hope to hear from you soon.” I gave him a hug before he got into his own car.
• “For sure. I’ll try to contact you as soon as things have settled down a bit.” Jordan waved goodbye as his car drove off down the driveway.
• “So Erick,” Nile slapped a hand on my back as he came to stand beside me. “Looks like you’re at our mercy now.” He joked.
• I wish that at that time, I would’ve known how true his words were and that the night of my twenty-first birthday would be one that would change mine and Alina’s life forever.