Diana was fucking furious. Her hands gripping the sides of her vanity Diana felt she was going to explode. Sharp painful chills ran all over her body as she trembled, unable to physically withhold the fierce drowning of her fury. I'm going to kill him. Diana knew she had to mask her bloodlust and knew that aura this murderous would alert a certain someone of her reaction. Yet she didn't fucking care. How could she after being made a fool of? One thing was being blinded sided another being sent on not one but two fucking fool's errands! She couldn't believe she ever held an ounce of affection for that fucker.
Just thinking of the meeting had her blood chilling over. He played her. The absurdity of the situation had Diana laughing out loud. She should have seen it coming. She already knew he didn't want her in the war for whatever reason but to go about it this way. She didn't know if she should applaud him or rip his throat out. She had known something was off when he'd fetched her from her room that evening.
She had been sitting at this vanity staring at herself in the mirror when he had knocked on the door. She had admired herself at the last moment. Taking in her soft distinct brows, her full merlot painted lips, the sharpness of her cheekbones, the arch of her defined nose, and the pink hue of her cheeks. One of Diana's favorite hobbies was admiring her own beauty. She hadn't always been so confident in herself but that was because she hadn't always been so beautiful. She had been a chubby burnt child with odd growing features. Though like fine wine she aged into her features and learned how to enhance her best qualities. This is why at that moment it felt like cruelty to look away from the mirror.
So she tilted her head, erasing the slight frown at her hair. The style was beautiful. It was half up with a braided bun and curled ends but it was the color that brought up discomfort. Her once auburn chocolate hair had been for some time now silver platinum. She had avoided mirrors for the long part of a week. The sight of herself would trigger such distress within her that she felt as if she couldn't breathe. But it had been necessary they said. All her other siblings had inherited their mother's silver hair, all but she. In order to help ease any doubts of the unexpected Zoldyck, her Mother had insisted. Though she had instantly agreed the week after had been full of silent resentment. She had gotten her father's hair but her mother's icy violet eyes. The only joy the resemblance brought was that she looked more like her youngest sister who had inherited those combinations from their mother.
The second knock had snapped her out of her thoughts. She got up and answered the door to see the handsome Leo. His slightly curled ebony hair was fluffed out framing his youthful sharp face. His jawline could cut and his shining grey eyes held stars. He looked like a god with his tall lean figure. He had spoken his soothing melancholic voice consuming her, "You're beautiful." His simple words released an array fluttering of wings in her chest.
"Thank you. Mikkhail picked my outfit."
"He did a great job white truly suits you."
"And black suits you."
He shrugged before replying in the strange voice he'd take on every now and again. "It's in my blood."
"Thank you."
"For what ?"
"For being patient with me." I'm sorry about last time.
He smiled at her, "I have something for you."
"I've had plenty of gifts to last me a lifetime."
"It's something small." With a wave of his hand a large painting appeared in midair. The sight of it had frozen Diana to her spot.
The castle in the painting was majestic and standing tall on a rocky cliff foundation blending into its stone structure with a forest of green diverse trees decorating the base of the tan cliff. Its towers pointed towards the heavens of a beautiful cloud-covered sky.
It was as if she could hear the painting as if she knew that there were soft waves rolling up the shore that the painting did not show. She could hear the nature of the birds and the wind as if she were there and for an instant she was. But just as quickly as she went in she was out. Stumbling backwards Diana was gripping her head as if holding it would bring her mind back from wherever it had gone. It couldn't have been a memory she told herself. She had never been there she didn't even know where the castle was or if it was even real. It had to have been her mind attempting to bring back the pushed memories of the Kalinia beaches she had spent with her.
She could see her face yet her visage would change as if overlapping with another with the same raven black hair but different in all other ways. It's not that she couldn't remember the way she looked of course not just the idea of that would break her but it was that she didn't want to think of her or even see her face in thought.
"Are you alright Diana?" At the sound of his voice Diana managed to pull herself back together remembering she wasn't alone. She glanced back at him, nodding her head. Had she taken the time to look she would have noticed his odd expression that was almost analyzing her reaction.
"We should get going, I don't want to be late."
"Don't worry they wouldn't dare start without me." He nonchalantly replied.
"Of course." Diana sarcastically agreed.
The walk to the Council chambers went quickly with only two halls being walked through before they reached the crimson tall double doors. For a moment Diana didn't want to walk through those doors. As if she knew from that moment on her life would forever change and deep down she understood that no matter the road she took it would always be a thorny path. Though she could not bring herself to open the door herself they did not bother waiting for her as they suddenly breached open making way for the pair. Her chest felt tight and she couldn't stop herself from unconsciously tensing had it not been for the intertwined arm with her own she would not have walked through those doors.
"Be brave. You got this. I'm with you all the way." His mouth was so close to her ear she could feel his warm breath on her neck causing chills to run up her spine.
Don't say that so casually. You are making me wonder what it'd be like to be loved by you. Those are the words she wanted to say but at this moment there were too many eyes on them.
In the crowd of foreign faces Diana searched for the familiar ones. She spotted the warm smile of her brother standing by his best friend Niac Degurechaff. His violet eyes were tender and brimming with silent awe. His expression alone had her holding back a blush. He was just so used to seeing her sweaty and beaten after their sparring sessions that for the first time he was able to see the rare beauty of his sister. Mikkhail made the mental note to prepare rejection letters for her potential suitors. Had he looked to his right he would have known to prepare one for his friend who in that moment was stunned into open admiration.
Diana sent a smile her brother's way as she found her mother standing in front of her throne-like chair as a sign of respect towards the Keeper. Leo did not let go of her hand instead led her to where her mother was making her way towards them. Her mother greeted Leo first with a small curtsy and a low 'Keeper of Obsidian' before looking up at her with a ghost of a smile. Her next simple words made something startling clear to Diana. "You look just like your father." She didn't though, anyone could see she looked exactly like her mother had at her age. Yet that moment she reminded everyone that Diana was a half-breed and in doing so she inadvertently sided with Visenya in front of the council. Diana felt the hand around hers tighten.
Diana couldn't help herself so she said what she said before she could even process it. "May he Rest In Peace." She spoke in a soft mournful tone. Instantly her mothers expression became closed off at the slap on the face her words brought. You're the reason he's dead, you have no right to mention him. Diana bitterly thought.
Thankfully her savior from the unbeknownst tense conversation came from Leo. "My memories tend to overlap due to old age but I'm sure Diana is the exact image of you when you were young, Kaisen."
"Yes she is." Her mother was forced to agree.
"Everyone, I'd like to make the formal introduction of Domina Diana Perséfone Zoldyck. May you treat her with the care and respect owed to a child of Drakøn."
All through the room the mantra "Live prosperously Domina Diana Perséfone Zoldyck," could be heard. Like practiced Diana curstied while giving a reply of her own,"I am in your care." She took this moment to look at the faces of those around her. There were far more people than she had anticipated, almost two dozen. They ranged from young to old, ebony to fair skinned, short to tall, and of both sex. She was happily surprised at the diversity and even more so that they seemed to have something else in common aside from the Creed. They were all pretty attractive and fit. There was one figure towering over the rest that caught her attention. He had golden tan skin the exposed area of his arms were covered in black rune tattoos. He had shoulder length brown wavy hair with a long well trimmed beard. He had eyes the color of the sea with three moles under his right eye.
She felt him get close, his voice thrumming by her ear, "That is Honesto Dogon Narangel, head of the Narangel House. I can introduce him to you after the meeting. He's a good one." Diana remained still at his closeness. He seemed to have gotten in the habit in a short period of invading her space. Not that she was complaining in a way he was marking his spot by her side in front of the others. The only problem was that he seemed to forever attract the eyes of others to the pair. She could hear their low murmurs and speculations of their relationship through the chamber.
"Shall we begin, Keeper." Her mother spoke out.
"Of course, Kaisen Evita."
Diana took the open seat between the Keeper and a redhead woman with a scar across her face and vibrant teal eyes. They exchanged nods before facing the Keeper.
"Today on 15th July 1943 the sixteenth War Council meeting of the year shall commence."
Though there was much she couldn't understand, what the meeting did provide was a clearer understanding of the war. The mundane world was still in chaos and going strong for four years since the beginning of the continental war.
The Dark Lord was last spotted in France by Ackerman intel but current location unknown. He's suspected to be returning to his allied country, Germany in the coming days. The tensions had been rising in the Americas with pressure rising for the US to send more troops to France to fight the occupying Germans. On the more magical side the House of Beaumont de Lauevu was holding firm on their region near the trenches in France, allowing their Chauatue to house not just the Bellators fighting Zorn's forces but also housing high mundane officials. There had originally been a clear divide between the mundanes and the magicals but as the war dragged on that line had begun to blur. It wasn't just in France but also in House Solstices territory in the US that had begun providing warfare materials for the Bellators but also clothing with charms and runes built into it for the mundane troops. Though there was a clear divide that this shift brought with some people looking pleased and most looking upset that we weren't doing more or that we were even getting involved.
Though our Creed principals make it clear we can not participate in the mundane wars it does not disallow for us to conduct none weaponry business with them either.
In this regard Diana didn't know where she stood, her brother seemed to want to provide aid but to remain away from the mundane war and simply focus on their own. While her mother was pushing the creed principles to its limits by giving some houses what they want in regards to the fight. Though in the past this never seemed to have been an issue but with the increase in technology and the change in warfare it had become increasingly difficult to remain detached by the deadly weapons being produced. Her mother wanted to help the mundanes finish there war because it was obvious to Diana who grew up with a father that had fought in the first continental war that the machines being produced scared her mother. There was too much progress in war times and she wanted to end that. Some like Degurechaff seemed to believe that the mundanes had already created such deadly weapons that they knew they had the obligation but to interfere. Others like the Ackerman thought that now was the perfect time to completely cut off from the non magical world and simply deal with the magical one.
Diana, having been the product of both worlds, spoke only once. Surprisingly enough they listened though to say that her words came as a shock was an understatement. "The mundanes are dangerous they may not have magic but they have drive and desperation. Both of which make a dangerous combination. We can't allow ourselves to aid them but we also can't afford to let them continue with their experaminations." Diana herself did not expect these words; many believed that the young mundane raised girl would have urged them to interfere more and maybe even outright support action for the allied forces but what many did not expect was for her to discourage it.
"We should not blur the line more than it is but we should not define it either let them think we are friends but as the Creed states any and all not apart it will naturally always be an enemy." She didn't know why she had spoken. She had intended to sit still and simply listen but hearing some of them speak ignorantly about the uncivilized mundane world had sparked a rage inside her. The last continental war had ended not long ago but they have already forgotten the millions of lives lost by the brutality of the mundanes weapons. Diana had lived through how war effects man afterwards and it was not this pretty romanticized honor that the Bellators were privileged to have. It was monstrous and inhumane. Something they would experience as time continued and as the lines would fade. Only then would they understand what war has now become.
Diana knew there was no stopping it but even still she felt- could it be fear or maybe pity for them. She knew she was still naive and inexperienced compared to them that it seemed hypocritical of her to comment on their lack of understanding even if it was on the mundane side. It was without debate that she made enemies and friends today. Though refusing to state a side but agreeing on the general flow of the conversation she set herself to seem informed and wise enough to be considered knowledgeable on the subject. She found the upside of being a halfbreed and took advantage of it while pushing those previously against her due to that in a more gray area. All in all the outcome of the meeting was going smoothly, that was until the Keeper spoke.
"I agree with your words, Domina Diana. Our connections with the mundanes have proved to be beneficial for information but there is only so much us as outsiders from the rest of the world could possibly know. We can not openly side with them as Zorn has but we must keep them close. There is only so much people will say on the outside but in the safety of their own home that is a different story." He paused as he looked around the faces of the adults he watched grow up. This was the first time he had spoken from the faces of those around her; it was clear to Diana that he didn't tend to speak during meetings. And so everyone was watching, taking in his words with reverence. "Which is why I say we remedy that. Who better shouts the beliefs of the mass than their children. For this purposes we should implement an informer into the main allied force's school, Sinnore. It's the largest education institute in Europe and also considered so far untouchable and impenetrable by Zorn and our own forces." She kept herself from frowning as he spoke once more but turning to face her, "We will need someone young that is unknown to the rest of the magical world and must be portrayed in such a way that the Headmaster will overlook the intrusion on our part. For this mission I call onto you, Domina Diana Perséfone Zoldyck."
His silver eyes moved to hers as she starred in stunned silence. She must have heard him wrong but the slight murmurs of 'honorary mission' were thrown in that it was obvious this was how he intended to portray this betrayal.
This fucker.
He knew she'd lash out at him which is why he had given her the order infront of everyone! It wasn't a request when you are called by the Keeper you answer, it was law.
"Do you heed my call, Diana?" No you sick fuck. But of course she could not say that so said the line she had been praying to say for a different order, "I hear and I answer your call, Great Keeper of Obsidian." Answer that you will pay for this. His face gave nothing away; she couldn't tell if he was pleased with himself or pleased with her response but he had to have been proud of how he orchestrated her banishment. Of course it wouldn't seem like that to the others, for them he was putting the almost of age potential second heir into the safety of a school away from the onslaught of war. As a savior plucking away the innocent damsel in distress away from the horrors of men. He is truly testing me to my limits. She took a deep breath before showing the gratitude a bestowed mission gave, "I thank you for your consideration in providing me this opportunity to aid the cause."
In reply he only gave a single slight nod before leaning back, signaling the Kaisen to continue. For the rest of the meeting she held a face similar to that of the Keeper, stoic and emotionless with roving eyes. He'd look away whenever they're eyes caught, never spending more than a second in her direction. He had to have been attempting to catch her emotion but she wasn't letting anything out in the presence of others. When the meeting finally did come to a close Diana wanted nothing more than to yell while trashing her room and take a nap. But she had people to meet and connections to make so she put on a slight smile when the Keeper offered his hand for her to take. She had to keep her hand from trembling in spite of she wanting to grip her nails into his forearm. All she could do was hold it limply. As if she didn't have the energy to deal with him which was a lie cause if given the opportunity she would have happily strangled him.
Luckily he got on with the introduction swift enough that he didn't let a moment between them pass, "Honesto Dogon Narangel allow me to introduce to you the daughter of Kaisen Evita, Diana Perséfone.
"It is a privilege to meet the unknown Drakøn." His voice was deep and husky with a low thrum to it.
"And I am privileged to meet the Head of the Narangel House."
"No it is a given that you'd have met me, Domina. The true privilege is the honorary mission you have received."
It took a great force to keep her smile slack and comfortable. "Yes, a great honor indeed."
His smile was warm and genuine, which wasn't one you'd expect to receive from such a big man. "Enjoy your youth, a child should live as one does. "
At this Diana could not reply, the response came from the familiar voice behind her. "Yes these are the golden years she should hold close." Diana turned to see the reassuring smile of her elder brother. Did he know ? She couldn't help but wonder. She had been too busy dealing with the shock to have studied the faces of those around her, a mistake on her part. His hand came to her shoulder slightly pulling her away from the keeper as he gave her a small squeeze. He didn't know. But it didn't mean he was dissatisfied. Even still his presence brought comfort. He wasn't alone either with him was the red headed woman she had sat beside. She towered over Diana making her feel tiny and vulnerable as she was lean with muscle and noticeably toned in her tight pants. Despite the scar across her face she was gorgeous as it only seemed to enhance the dangerous beautiful aura she had to her. She looked like a fiery lioness and Diana would be lying if she said she didn't fall in love with her for a moment. Personally she wasn't a fan of redheads but this one was an entirely different flavor of her own. She hadn't had the chance to look at her closely at first but she was intrigued now. So Diana could not help herself and before her brother had a chance to introduce them she spoke.
"I know you must hear this constantly but you my lady are a sight to behold. You must have been sent by the goddess herself to grace me with your beauty."
"Woah now you definitely need to keep an eye on your little sister, Mikkhail. She's a sweet talker." Dogon laughed out loud, catching the attention of those around.
"I speak only the truth." Diana stated firmly.
"You are a sweet talker aren't you." The beautiful woman sent a radiating smile her way, her head tilted as she analyzed Diana up and down. "You're quite a beauty yourself, love."
Diana allowed the blush to form on her face. "If you'd allow me to know your name?"
"Bellator Freya Beaumont de Laeuvu but please call me Freya."
"You don't let me call you Freya." Dian heard a disgruntled voice of her brother's best friend but she didn't bother taking her eyes off the woman in front of her. "Then please call me Diana."
Diana reached out her hand but to her pleasure the woman turned her hand around placing a slight kiss on the back of her hand. Violet eyes reminded on the teal ones before her.
"Freya please don't she's my sister and she's still a kid. You're what thirty one?"
"If I recall correctly I remember a sixteen year old Mikkail attempting to court my aunt when she was forty." Dogon spoke beside Diana while smirking at a spluttering bashful Mikkail.
"Can't deny she isn't related to Mikkail. They look the same and act the same around beautiful women."
Diana unconsciously smiled at this. She was never really compared to anyone she'd be proud of relating to.
"She is my sister of course we both had to be into old women."
"Who are you calling old?!" The crimson haired woman gasped out before baring her teeth daring him to speak.
"Yes brother, who are you calling old?" Diana turned to him with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk. He made it too easy sometimes.
"I must have lost my head for a second. I don't recall ever saying that. I'm pretty sure I said ``beautiful women." Mikkail scratched the back of his head, turning to Niac.
"Yup that is what I heard." Of course his best friend agreed.
"Uh ha of course you did." Freya replied while nodding her head with a fierce smile.
She could have stayed in that comfortable moment for longer but the husky deep voice broke Diana out of it. "Well I would normally leave a young heart to chase around another but the Keeper has left me with the duty to personally introduce you to a few other members." Dogon spoke firmly but with slight sheepishness.
Diana hadn't even noticed the Keeper had disappeared. She looked around but he was nowhere in sight. It must have been before they had started speaking so casually she concluded.
She nodded at him in understanding before turning to the tall crimson woman, "Well lovely Freya should we ever get the chance I would enjoy spending time with you."
"Next time we meet then." She spoke in her velvety voice.
As they went their separate ways Diana took a look at her behind watching the slight sway of her hips and the round firmness of her bum. Yup she could definitely fall in love with her. She sighed taking one last look at her thick toned thighs before turning to the even taller bronze man. She blushed when she realized he had seen her olgoling Freya. He simply laughed without mentioning much to her silent thanks. The rest of the time was spent with him introducing her to a few others. There was a gorgeous feminine looking Japanese man with freckles, a blonde girl with strong thick eyebrows, a beautiful ebony girl with long curly hair, there was a man that looked almost like a priest with matching silver hair. The most memorable ones were a tan man with a serpent familiar wrapped around him, another with long black hair and an even longer sword on his back, and a Latina woman that screamed of nature with a small array of butterflies fluttering around her. She even met two sets of twins which were apparently common. A paternal pair from House Achilles woman and man and identical female twins from House Varama. She got on especially well with the Varma twins, both of which were to no surprise just as beautiful as most of the Creed. They were named Kira and Xia Varma both were the heirs of their House and the only daughters with six younger brothers.
By the time she was done with all the introductions Diana was exhausted. She said her final farewell to Dogon as Mikkail was waiting patiently by one of the pillars in front of the Gates Parlor.
When she turns around moving towards Mikkail she allows her mask to drop. Her shoulders slump in her exhaustion and her eyebrows frown as she lets out a long deep sigh.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired."
"You should take it easy and rest tomorrow."
"I'm okay Mikkail."
"No, I'm being serious, Diana. You can't push yourself you're still not -"
"I'm healthy, Mikkail. I've been healthy ever since. . . ." An awkward silence descended on them as they looked tensely at each other.
"I shouldn't have mentioned it." He finally replied.
"No it's alright. I'm okay now Mikkail. You don't have to worry about me. I'm not gonna drop dead by having too many conversations."
He laughed a bit but shook his head. "Let me take you to bed."
"Could we actually spar?"
"Why must you do this to me, dear sister."
"Please. Only for a moment. I have a lot of tension I need release."
"Is it about your mission?"
She gave him a deadpan look. "Of course it's about your mission. I didn't know."
"I know you didn't."
"Yet it does not mean I don't agree with him. We need information and you're essentially a ghost. We could make you whoever we want you to be."
"But I don't want to be anyone else. I want to be me but I don't even know who that is. How can they ask me to change when I'm still trying to figure out who I am?" Without intending to, the real reason she was emotional came out. She wasn't angry but sad right now. She had wanted to show him how his mission had been a betrayal enough to cause anger but she was so tired.
"I'm sorry Diana. I know if your circumstances had been different you would have never gotten this mission."
"I don't want to be different. I didn't want any of this so why should I do it?" At last her anger seeped through.
"I know but it will never change the fact you're a Zoldyck. You have to do this. Because your upbringing was different from ours you can not expect your journey to be the same. We all have different expectations, different duties, and a different destiny. The Keeper has insight on your future and so it is the Keeper who knows best."
"But what if he doesn't." "What if he doesn't have my best interest?"
"He doesn't. He has the best interest of the Creed."
She stayed silent mulling over his words.
"Put that aside, your being given the opportunity to delay your draft into the war. You're about to turn 20 and aren't nearly at the level of our average Creed member. If I'm being painfully honest, if you join the war as is dictated by Law you won't live past 22. Yet if you accept you have gained yourself an extra two years to become stronger and your chances of surviving the war will more than triple." "There is nothing shameful with not joining the fight right away and you'd be on a Keeper Sanctioned Mission, an honor and privilege. You'd be a dead fool to not accept" .
Her breathing had become heavier. 'If I'm being painfully honest' 'painfully honest' so it was true. Mikkail couldn't even acknowledge her as a basic memeber but here he was fucking condoning her as second heir ! When she didn't even want any of this ! She couldn't fucking breathe. It seemed that no matter how many times she tried she couldn't seem to get any air. As if her lungs couldn't expand. But she had to.
The voice of their mother rang out. She wasn't aware of how badly she didn't want to see her till she was right infront of her. But she wasn't able to resent her for what happened. She knew she was only trying to protect her the only way she knew how.
"Diana." Her simple name was like a sharp knife cutting her away from the panic that had set in. Her moms voice was raspy and mellow that all she could do was breathe. So she did taking in the soft waves of her mothers silver hair, the sharpness of her jaw and the angular structure of her face. Her soft fair skin that she imagined would feel like a peach. For a moment she could see how her mother looked in her youth. Yet strangely enough the lack of resemblance frightened her. Yes they had similar features but Diana was certain she did truly look like her father. Had it not been for the change in hair and style she would have been the visage of his own youth. All she could do was reach out and touch the face of her mother much to her mothers own startled surprise.
Once more she surprised them both when she spoke, "I want to see Elena." She withdrew her hand, looking straight on as if daring to deny her. Diana could not deny it that she missed seeing her sister. Yes she had not seen her grow up but the love she held for the little girl was great. She had never blamed or resented her for her absence of course not how could she blame that sweet child for being born with the Gift.
"And you will see her. But we must first speak of your mission."
"Of course we must." She replied in a sigh. In truth she did not want to speak of that. She knew her mother was about to tell her off. Despite not being raised by the woman she knew her well enough to know that she, like everyone else, held the Keepers' wisdom in high regard. It would not be a conversation on her side. "I will not force you to take the mission. I know it is not what you want. '' Diana did not expect that, " I will not force you to leave your family and I will no longer deprive you of your birthright for an Honorary death." But that was what she was expecting. Knowing arguing against it would go nowhere she did the only thing she could do and agree.
"Of course I will accept the Keeper Honorary Sanctioned Mission." The startled eyes of her family told her they weren't expecting her to go down without a fight and of course they were right. "On the condition that I recieve training from the best of every Zoldyck clan while at school."
"It's not possible it would interfere with your mission."
"I am a ghost but you will not deprive me of the Drakøn clan any longer." The firmness of her tone was much harsher to her ears than she expected but even still she held firm.
Her mother watched her taking in the seriousness of her face and analyzing every shift and tense muscle. Finally she spoke. "You will be a Solstice orphan and you will receive your training should the Keeper allow it." Good. In all honesty she hadn't had any expectations of her mother accepting and even if she didn't just now the fact she would allow it if Leo does was better than she could have wished for. It was a slight gamble since her mother could have been angered at her selfish demands that would indeed jeopardize their mission. Had Diana been her own mother she would have slapped her child and put them in their place. She guessed it was a good thing she did in fact take more after her father.
"Okay." She agreed. This was good. Count your small miracles.
"We will talk more about this tomorrow while the Keeper is present. For now go get some rest I have business with your brother."
"We were just about to spar." She protested.
"Diana," Mikkail called out, "we can spar next time we meet."
"And when will that be?" Diana angrily shot back knowing he wouldn't be able to give her an answer.
"When the next time you meet. I will not tell you again Diana. Go."
Diana held in her spite, dipping her head in a curtsy, "Kaisen, as I take my leave.." She formally addressed her mother before walking away giving an indifferent glance at her pained looking brother. She looked away as he mouthed a sorry.
It was the long walk back that she had time to dwell on what had just happened that day. She didn't even bother going back to Timsen Den. It was this thought, this reminder that stopped her in her tracks. No he wouldn't have. But of course he would. It was this fresh burst of anger that rocked Diana's body. She had to see him. She had to know. So without knowing what she was doing and with a great amount of emotion and built up tension Diana moved. One moment she was in the hall of mirrors and the next she was standing in front of the man she was cursing.
She was heaving her mind going in circles her head throbbing in pain. She felt she would collapse any second.
"Diana what are you doing ! You know you shouldn't apparate in your condition! This -" Diana cut off the sincere panicked voice of the man infront of her.
"Why did you do it?" She pressed the question.
"Excuse me?" The confusion in his tone was evident.
"Why did you send me on a fools errand?!" Diana yelled out allowing her rage to seep out of her filling the room.
"Diana if this is about the mission there's -" Leo started off in a worried tone before getting stopped once more.
"It's not about the mission." She finally revealed.
"Than what is this about? Why would you put your health at risk to come here? It was reckless of you, Diana!"
"Do not fucking gaslight me right now!"
"I wasn't gaslighting you, Diana. I'm just worried about you." He sighed defeatedly.
"Bullshit!"
"Diana." He said her name in a serious menacing tone.
"Tell me what were you going to do when I had no choose but crawl back to you. Were you going to let me think it had something to do with me. That I was the problem!"
"Diana." He said her name again
"No! You don't get to turn this on me! Did you know I wouldn't be able to make a wand, Leo?"
He was silent staring at her in slight shock and embrassment before putting his head slightly down and speaking in a remorseful tone. "I suspected it. That your magic is too unstable to even use a conduit."
"Fuck you, Leo."
"Diana." This time his voice wasn't tense instead it was coarse in genuine worry.
"Diana Diana Diana is all your saying! Say something else ! Anything!"
"Diana Perséfone!" This time the voice speaking out was not Leo's but the furious voice of her mother.
Diana hadn't even noticed they weren't in Leo's tower but in the Omma's Sacred Temple. An area off limits to everyone but the Keeper, the Archpristess, and the Kaisen. Diana turned around to see the livid face of her mother and just like that she was gone. Stumbling around in her room Diana fell over heaving while attempting to hold down her contents. Her veins throbbed and her body felt on fire for a moment. The ache of her shoulders intensified to the point she felt like the skin of her blades was burning off. She threw off the dress vest, ripping away the dress on her back. She reached over digging her nails into her back as if she could scratch away the burning flesh. She didn't stop until she felt warm liquid running down her arms dripping on the floor. Splayed out on the floor Diana watched numbly as the white dress turned a deep crimson. She could no longer feel her back. The last thing she remembered was a bright golden light before she was out.
When she came to, she was on the floor of her room. She was there all day, no one came for her.