Untitled

Chapter fourteen

She took Edward's hand and stared at the beautiful white manor.

People flooded up the steps, laughing and giggling as they stepped inside the massive building. Cadence saw alluring balconies all along the sides of the manor, twirling vines circled around them.

Something glittering caught her eye.

As she jumped from the carriage she saw a graceful, stunning creature.

Her skin was pink and she wore a long gown, made of all different colour leaves, she had wings spring out from her back. Not Angel wings but wings that had a sparkle to them and reflected the lights onto them, glowing with all different colours. They looked silky to the touch, and Cadence would have liked to reach out and feel if they were what she thought.

Her hair was as white as the snow and her lips as red as fresh blood.

She blinked her pink sparkling eyes at Cadence and smiled, she was beautiful, in a way that Cadence had never seen before.

"A Pefriog." Said Quinn beside her, taking her arm and pulling her along up the steps.

Cadence finally turned her eyes away from the creature and looked to Quinn, his jaw was set and he looked around cautiously, he seemed nervous.

"What's wrong?" Cadence asked him.

Quinn didn't answer, instead he stood a little straighter and relaxed his shoulders.

Cadence noticed some ladies pointing and giggling at him, but Quinn didn't see.

Of course, Cadence thought, He was certainly used to that.

As they slipped inside the big doorway Cadence's ears were flooded with loud, but lovely music. She heard mostly violins and their graceful sound.

People shoved her to get inside, men with broad shoulders and women the size of twigs.

"But, they're all normal." Cadence whispered to Quinn.

She felt his shoulders shake as he laughed.

Everyone started down a glorious hall, walls painted gold, paintings hung on the wall of what looked like other Pefriog's. She even saw the same one she saw outside in one of the paintings.

The ballroom was luminous, a chandelier made with many different gems lit up the large room. Sending rays of different colours down to shine onto the crowd of people.

In the crowd Cadence saw lots more of the Pefriogs. All very fair hair, but some pink skinned, blue skinned or green.

"Quinn," Cadence looked up at him. "What are we doing here?"

Quinn sighed. "I thought I'd talk to the head of the Pefriog's, Nathana, she is known for casting strong curses, and I thought perhaps..." He trailed off as he eyed a girl with long blonde hair with a big golden dress, she winked at him and smiled. But, Cadence didn't need him to continue, she already knew why he had planned to come here.
"You think she put the curse on my uncle?" Cadence asked.
Quinn finally looked away from the girl and nodded. "I come here often, but the idea just never clicked in."
"Why wouldn't you bring me anyways?" Cadence shook her head.
"I wouldn't want you to get hurt." He pressed his lips together.
"How could I get hurt?" Cadence raised her eyebrows.
"Never mind that," He snapped at her. "Just give me your coat and gloves."

Cadence did as he asked. He took them and called at a Pefriog. "Saphora!"

One with a dress that glowed brightly to match the bright purple of her eyes. Her skin was also pink but her cheek bones stood out more than the other that she saw.

"Quinton Turner," She curtsied and took their coats and gloves along with Quinn's hat. "How lovely to see you return again," Her voice was like silk. "Are you to buy more magic from my father? Perhaps go up against a giant," she giggled. "My father is offering much money if you defeat it, men are lined up outside to try but, as my family nows, perhaps only a Turner can bring one down."
Quinn laughed shortly. "That's quite correct." He cleared his throat. "But I come for none of that tonight."
"Really?" Her sparkling eyes widened.
"Yes, I come to speak to Nathana, your grandmother, I would like to ask her of some curses she has brought upon someone."
"Oh, dear," Saphora smiled nervously. "Grandmother always setting curses on anyone who gets in her way."
"I'm surprised she hasn't set one on you yet." Another Pefriog came up beside Saphora, he had purple eyes just like hers and had that snowy hair that came just before his shoulders. Their wings sparkled under the bright gems shining from the chandeliar.
"Ronathan," Quinn's jaw set. "Pleasure to see you..." He paused. "Again."
"Is it really?" He scoffed.
Quinn pursed his lips and shook his head. "No, not at all."

"And who's this?" Saphora's gaze met Cadence's.
"Sister," Ronathan snapped. "Isn't it obvious? She's that Bennington girl..." He paused to stare at her for a moment. "The one father has been suspicious about."

Saphora swallowed. "Oh."
Cadence gave them a slight smile. "Good evening." She tried to say it in the kindest way possible.

But what she really wanted to ask was why their father was so suspicious of her.

"Yes," Quinn said. "Cadence Bennington."
Ronathan scratched his round chin. "I suppose you are her Ceidwad, than?"
"Your suppositions are correct." Quinn nodded once. "Now, perhaps if one of you could lead us to your grandmother-"
"Grandmother has disappeared." Ronathan crossed his arms. "She left us just yesterday."
"What for?" Quinn creased his eyebrows.
"We don't know." Said Saphora quietly. "Mother and father are devastated, as well as all of our family."
"Well, I'm not." Ronathan scoffed. "I'm perfectly fine with grandmother leaving us. She always got the family into trouble."

Saphora gasped. "How could you say that?" She exclaimed, she looked as if she were about to cry.
"Saphora, really. Don't act childish."
"You are the one that is acting like a coward!" Her lip trembled.

Quinn pulled Cadence away as the walked around them.
"Where are we going?" Cadence asked.
"Away from them, Pefriog's are quite dramatic."
"Ronathan seems incredibly rude." Cadence said quietly.
Quinn chuckled. "Oh, he is. He's never exactly liked me."
"Why is that?"
"He thinks I fancy his sister."
"Saphora?"
"Yes."
"Do you?"
Quinn gave her a smug smile. "Of course I do, well-" he cocked his head to the side. "The only thing I really fancy about her are her skills in the bedroom."
Cadence blinked. "I didn't really need to hear that."
"No," Quinn laughed and shook his head. "You did not. But, I decided to tell you, only for my amusement."
"Yes, I suppose," Cadence cleared her throat. "Only for yours."
"Well," Quinn smirked. "Of course I don't JUST fancy Saphora."
"Oh, you don't have to tell me that, I understand you fancy many women-"
"I've made love to all of them." He smiled.
"All of them?" Cadence coughed. "Wait what do you-"
"All of his sisters." Quinn looked as if he was trying not to laugh.
"Ugh," Cadence shook her head. "You're disgusting."
Quinn giggled childishly. "The idiot doesn't even know, he only thinks I fancy one of them."
"Can we move on with the conversation?" Cadence sighed.

Quinn took her wrist and pulled her into the crowd. "Of course," He raised one of his eyebrows and gave her and amused smirk. "In fact we don't have to go on with a conversation at all."

Cadence looked around her to see all couples dancing the same dance, swift and fast movements.

Quinn clapped two times along with the other men that did the same.

He walked around her, following the others moves swiftly.

"Um, Quinn," She followed his gaze. "I don't know this dance."
"Neither do I." He pursed his lips then shrugged.

Cadence tried to follow the movements as best she could, allowing one hand on Quinn's shoulder and the other to hold his hand.

Cadence noticed scars on his hands and could feel the calluses on them as well.

"Sorry," Quinn smiled slightly. "I know I don't have the softest of hands."

Cadence just shrugged.

Suddenly Quinn lifted her up from the ground and spun her around once, Cadence laughed as he smiled back at her, leaving her giggling as they danced.

"So," Cadence giggled once more. "What is the party for?"
"For stupid non-supernatural beings that prefer magic over their non-exciting lives."
"Oh," Cadence cocked her head. "So, that's why you come here?"

Quinn scoffed as she twirled around him, following the other ladies steps. "I only come her to make some good money... And purchase some magic from Trance Harvensteen as well."
"Trance Harvesteen?"
"The Pefriog's father."
"How many children does he have?" Cadence was baffled.
"Ah, about thirty."
"Oh, my."
"Nobody at the Llaw Hud approves of me buying magic at all. In fact, it's against the Ddwylo Hud for a human being to purchase it."
"Oh," Cadence bit her lip. "So why do you do it?"
"Magic is fun, that's why."
"But it's against the law-"
"It makes me feel scandalous." He laughed. "Although with all the sisters that I-"
"Quinn." Cadence snapped.
"Sorry." He giggled.

Suddenly Quinn stopped dancing, and stared somewhere into the distance.
"What?" Cadence turned around.
"Stay here." He said as he turned to walk away.
"No!" Cadence grabbed his hand. "I'm coming with you."
He looked at her with an annoyed expression. "Cadence-"

"Quinn!"

A Pefriog stood in front of them, his smile was warm, and his skin blue, he had yellow eyes like Cadence had never seen before. He had wrinkles that creased near his eyes as he smiled, though he looked as young as any other Pefriog. Although he was larger and looked stronger than most.

"Trance!" Quinn smiled crookedly. "Good evening."
"How are you, boy?" He chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder.
"I'm doing well, thank you, and yourself?"
"Ah, just fine," he nodded. "How are you and the ladies?" He smirked.
Quinn laughed. "Oh, you have no idea."

Cadence pressed her lips together.

Trance laughed back then glanced at Cadence. "My, oh, my," He smiled and shook his head at her. "Isn't this a beautiful one you got."
Cadence felt her cheeks get hot.
"This is Cadence Bennington," Quinn cleared his throat. "I am her Ceidwad."

Trance's smile disappeared, but he still stared at Cadence, looking at her closely.

Finally he turned. "Do follow me, Quinton." He said dryly.

Cadence took Quinn's arm as they followed the Pefriog out of the ballroom, down the hallway and up the stairs.

Trance shut the door behind them to a room filled with books, windows that came up from the floor to the ceiling and a massive desk that sat at the far wall.

Trance walked swiftly to the desk and sat down, he ran his hands through his fair hair then slammed his fists on the desk.
"I should have seen it in her eyes as she came in." He sighed.

Quinn let go of Cadence and walked over to one of the windows, his hands behind his back.

"What do you mean?" Cadence took a step forward.

"Your father's eyes." Trance looked up at her.

Cadence swallowed and looked away. "I'd rather not talk about my father."
"Fine, girl," he shrugged. "But, I do know where he stays."

Quinn looked away from the window. "Where, Trance?"

Trance pursed his lips. "It will cost you."
"How much?" Cadence snapped.

Trance looked to Quinn. "Give me the girl."

Quinn's looked at him weirdly. "Cadence?"
Trance nodded.
"Why the hell would I do that?" He scoffed.
"Quinn," He hissed. "She is more powerful than we had expected."
"Do not talk about me as if I were not here." Cadence stood tall. "Explain yourself."

Trance blinked. "Cadence, you do not know what you are, and neither does anyone around you."
"She's a vampire." Shrugged Quinn.
"Is that really what you think, Quinn?" Trance gave him a questioning look.
Quinn sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "No," he sighed. "She doesn't act like one whatsoever."
Trance nodded. "Of course she doesn't."

"But she does draw fangs." Quinn bit his lip. "That's what I don't understand."

"Cadence," Trance looked at her. "What do you think you are?"
"I don't know," Cadence shook her head. "I kept thinking that perhaps I was just human..."
Trance laughed coldly. "Oh, no. You are much, much more powerful."

"Do you know what I am?" Cadence asked, walking quickly over to his desk. "Please, please tell me."
Trance shook his head. "I may, and I may not know. But, let me start by asking you something."
"What?" Her eyes widened.

"Do you know what your mother is?"  
"My mother is dead," Cadence pressed her lips together.
"Yes, but-"
"My father-"
"Just listen to me first, please, Cadence." He held up his blue hand. "Your mother, was something so special and unique to our world, she was something that many creatures never believed in." He cleared his throat. "Your father didn't kill her, did he?"

Cadence looked to the floor. "No."

"Cadence-" Quinn looked astonished as she met his eyes.

"Tell me, Cadence, how she died." Trance rested his hands on the top of his desk.

Quinn leaned against the desk and crossed his arms.

"She took her own life, stabbing herself in the chest," Cadence bit her lip. "My father-"
"Wasn't very happy about it?" Trance scoffed. "Cadence, your father had wanted her to live as she was."

"She was a vampire, that was all." Cadence's voice trembled.
"No," Trance shook his head. "She was a fallen angel."

Quinn caught his breath.

Cadence shook her head, her eyes wide. "Fallen angels... A-are dead angels-.... Aren't they?"
"Is that what your mother told you?" Trance asked.

"The fallen angels, fallen from their wounds, bravery casting upon them as they'd fight for their Unigol." Cadence said, her head starting to pound. "Angels can only die of a broken heart."
"That was the lie your mother told you to protect you." Said Trance. "But truly, a fallen angel is an angel and a vampire crossed, quite unique. Fallen angels are the most powerful creatures of our world."
"So, she lied to me?" Cadence's voice cracked.
"It was to protect you, Cadence. Your father wanted to keep your mother close to him, for her to do things that he could never do himself, he wasn't as powerful as she."

Cadence felt as if she would faint, she held her head with her hand. "No, no, that can't be true."

"It is, child. The reason she had stabbed herself was to take away the vampire in her, only the angel in her remains." Trance stood up and walked around his desk, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Your mother made up those stories for you to believe something else, for you to believe that Fallen Angels were just a silly myth. But in reality, she was trying to keep you safe from your father."

Cadence felt a tear come down her cheek, she wiped at it instantly, not wanting to cry in front of them.

"Cadence," Quinn's voice was soft. "Do you realize what you are?"

Cadence trembled, she couldn't say it, she didn't want to.

"A Fallen Angel." Said Trance.

Cadence took a step back and held her head as her vision started to become dizzy.

"Cadence," Quinn reached out for her.

But she cried. "Don't touch me!"

Quinn's hand came back and he sighed, scratching his cheek.

"You must learn how to use your powers correctly," Said Trance.
"My mother-" Cadence coughed. "You said my mother remains an Angel? She's.... She is..."

"Aubrey Bennington is alive."