Not bothering to wash the blood off my face I follow Rydel out the bathroom when he opens the door. Eve and Rose are sitting on the couch, quiet. No doubt they heard our conversation, we weren't exactly trying to hide it. I move to sit across from them, and Rydel sits next to me. "So, who else do we need to watch out for?" I ask, laying my feet across my twins lap. Eve and Rose look at each other. "Well," Rose starts. "Like any high school, this place is run in social circles. But of course this is a delinquent school for power bloods, so out social circles are a little different. They lower circles are separated by the crimes the committed to get here. You have petty crimes, like the shoplifters, pyros, and cleptos, then the more serious crimes, like the hackers, the racists, who commit crimes outside of their own breed, and some murders. Then you go a little higher on the social scale where your famous for the crimes you commit while here. The ones skipping classes, escaping from campus, using their powers without authorization, destroying the school. But then you have the High Circle, the upper class. And unlike most schools, this isn't just a handful of kids. The High Circle consists of the kids who have been acknowledged by teachers and students as, for lack of a better word, monsters." I raise an eyebrow.
  "Not all of them necessarily own the role, which is why they're divided. You have they ones who don't go looking for trouble, then you have the inner circle. The most tell tale sign that a student is in the inner circle is they're always in their natural form. Another-" I hold up a hand to stop her. "We can walk around in our natural forms?" The girls look at each other again. "Well, yes." Eve says. "Since there are no humans here, it's allowed, but it will stunt your progress twords leaving. The whole point of this school is to reform us so we can return to society." I look at Rydel with a sharp smile. The only time we've ever been in our true form is when fighting Hunters. My twin doesn't smile, but his eyes have glazed over with a sort of manically gleeful look. There's my darling brother that I know. There's a knock on the door right then and all four of us look over. But a slight sniff of the air has me looking back to my brother. "Y'all are just in time for the good part. Come in."
  The door opens and the rest of our friends, plus Cor and another girl come in. I'm guessing the guide that was meant for Liza and I. She doesn't smell very strong so I don't bother acknowledging her. And I pointedly ignore Cor. With his blood still on my face I don't know how to deal with him at the moment, so I won't. I nod them over. "My loves, this is Eve and Rose, two of our new peers and fans of our Clan. Doves, this is
Liza, Tank, Sin, and Devi of the Ember Clan and four of our closest friends." I point to each of my friends as I name them. Liza sits next to Rydel on the couch, Tank stands behind the couch between both Rydel and I, Devi sits on the arm of the couch next to me, and both Sin and Cor sit next to each other in front of me. I momentarily wonder at the comradery that I sense between them, but dismiss it. The other girl sits with Rose and Eve, giving them a quiet greeting.
  Once everyone is settled I continue. "Dear Rose and Eve were just sharing with us the ins and outs of the school, and we were discussing social circles when they told us something most interesting." My body takes a page out of Roses book and starts to vibrate. Tank smiles down at me, amused at my behavior. "Pray tell what has our Princess so excited. Don't tell me torcher is aloud." Devi teases, and I swat the back of his head. "No, but being in our natural forms is." Rydel answers. "But that's not-" the new girl starts.
  "Amber Smith, a pyromaniac witch, here for setting her previous school on fire with class on session." Rydel cuts her off. Her eyes widen. "I'm going to assume you're part of the lowest circle, yes?" He continues, and her pale face flushes a deep red and she looks at her lap, tangling her fingers. She says nothing else. "As Amber was saying," I say, looking at my friends, "it's aloud, but counterproductive to the school. Only students of the High Circle do it. They're considered monsters." I stress the word monsters, and Sin chuckles. "So we are going to do a power play?" Liza asks, arranging herself so her feet are curled to her side and she's leaning into Rydel. He shifts to wrap his arm around her.
  "Of course." Tank says, his voice a deep rumble. My toes curl at his primal tone. When did my little Teddy grow up? "This is the best place to put me and Del's plan in action." My eyes sweep over everyone in the room, lingering on the outsiders. Rose perks up, her body vibrating again as if she senses she's being let in on a secret. "We're starting a war. We're gathering allies, have been for years, and making note of those who might appose us. Our end game plan is to create a world where those with more than two bloods don't have to hide." Rydel explains. "And this school will be our main breeding grounds. This is as many families that have been gathered together in public since our culling." I continue, meeting each of my friends eyes.
  "For now, we won't step on any toes. Which means specifically avoiding the kids of Council members and Royal children. I don't care how friendly and for our cause they seem." I narrow my eyes at Rydel and he sighs. "But wouldn't it be smart to have them as spies?" Devi asks. Now I sigh. "I said right now. We need time to make ourselves known and show we are the real monsters. We need to show them that despite their people having oppressed us, we still grow stronger every day. And we need to watch them to make sure they really will support and stand by us. Not stab us in the back once they get close to us."
  Devi nods, and I look to Rydel, who nods as well. I smile. "I also want to say this, I am a cold hearted bitch. I don't like the fact I have to make nice with people in a society who can't accept anything out of their lines of "normal". Rydel does not share these feelings, and I accept that. He is the angel after all." I smirk at him and he growls at me, baring his teeth. "Yeah, because it's my fault our powers were split fifty-fifty." Ignoring his words I continue. "And I want you all to follow your Prince on this one." My voice softens. "Our Clan represents freedom for all. We were built on love and acceptance. On pride on self and respect for others. People tried to take our core values from us, but they didn't succeed. I want so much better for our people than what we have. You all disserve so much better." Tank lays a handle on my shoulder and Sin laces his fingers with mine, giving me a soft look. "So do you Princess." Tank says.
  "Which is why we will have it. But I said this to say, if you want to make friends, or even find love, I may not agree with it, but by the blood of my sword I swear I will honor it and stand by you. This is high school and we're fucking hormonal teenagers with attitude for crying out loud." Everyone laughs at this. "Some more than others." Rydel lightly kicks Sin, who sticks up his middle finger. At least their fight from the cars is over. "All of us, well, us Embers, are beautiful monsters. And we," I grad Rydels free hand with mine, "are going to make sure we will be free again. This is an official declaration, we are done hiding. Call home to your families, send word to the others, and we will speak to the Elders ourselves. Brandish your magic, spread your wings, bare your claws, flash your fangs. Our second coming is starting."
  There's a weighted pause before everyone in the room, including Amber, cheer, jumping to their feet. Tank throws back his head and howls, his eyes now glowing gold, nails sharpening into talons and his build gaining more muscle. Liza's skin places to marbel as she cheers, jumping on Devi, as pink tinted wings sprout from her back, her canines turning to silver and her pupils changing to that shaped like a cats. Devi catches her as he sprouts a lion tail and another set of ears, his eyes changing as well, as he gains a horn in the center of his head and patches of scales appear on his visible skin. Sin bows first to Rydel, then to me, his wings sprouting, ears sharpening, and contacts incinerating. Roses Fae features become more prominent as does Eve Elvin features, both jumping up and down together laughing. Amber surprises me when her hair, which was a sort of copper color before, bursts into flames. Cor sprouts leathery, veiny wings, his skin greying, his eyes becoming completely black.
  Rydel shifts my legs off his lap and stands, offering me a hand. "You are quite the motivational speaker." He grins and I smirk, taking his hand and letting him lead me away from the others. "I get it from dad." I tell him as he pulls me closer to him, grabbing my other hand. We stand toe to toe, leaning our foreheads against each other and closing our eyes. As one we take a deep breath and exhale slowly, releasing the magic binding our forms. My shirt rips as my wings extend, my black leather demon wings on the outside and my red dragon wings extending the whole inner length of my back. For horns sprout from my head, two that are red from my temples, and two larger black ones from the base of my hair line. I grip Rydels hands tighter and he returns the force, a tale covered in red scales extending from my spine. My nails harden and lengthen, my teeth sharpen, my fangs grow longer, piercing my lips. I feel the cartilage of my ears shift, becoming pointy at the top. My hearing and smelling becomes clearer. I open my eyes to my sight becoming clearer.
  I step back to admire my twin. His soft features have become breathtaking, his cheek bones accented, his bronze eyes clearer with flecks of gold, his pink lips now a soft red and Fuller, his golden hair longer and seeming to glow slightly. Two white horns protrude from his temples, gently curving back, not out. Pure gold wings frame his white dragon wings, but unlike me his tail only grows in his beast form. Instead he gains gold scales that shimmer in the light. His fangs are smaller than mine, only denting his lips slightly. He looks like a god. "Beautiful." We whisper at the same time, causing what I know are identical smiles to lift our faces.
  "Holy shit." I hear someone mumble, but I don't look away from my twin just yet. I ask a silent question and he nods. We shift our hands so one of mine goes to his shoulder and his now free hand goes to my waist. "Are they going to-?" I hear Tank whisper. "They are." Liza breaths, sounding to be in awe. Which is only right. Rydel begins humming softly, an angelic sound if there ever was one, and we begin to dance. His tune is light, cheerful, caressing my ears and sweetly tinting the air with promises of peace. We step and spin gracefully for a moment, and then I join in. My humming is lower than his, darker. Even to my own ears it tells tales of disparity, slowly overcoming Rydels song, tinting the air with sadness.
  The air is charged with our song, thrumming and vibrating. I close my eyes, feeling his light energy and my dark energy be woven into space. His voice fades out as mine becomes stronger, and we separate, our dance now that  of lonely souls forsaken. We skirt around each other, reaching, but never touching. I feel his every movent, seeing it behind my eyelids, becoming the ritual until it's only me, him in the song that I know. And I sing.

"Deep in the darkness where things were unseen
Those cast out and forgotten lay broken and weak
Hearts shredded, pride lost turned desperate and crude
Forsaken, abandoned, they were left to brew
And melocny brew anger and their constitution changed
And so the monsters grew"

  I begin humming again. This time a more upbeat, albeit still dark, melody that speaks of overcoming the hardships of being abandoned. Distantly I feel energy connecting with ours, and we both welcome it. Tingles race through my spine, my heart thundering in my chest. Rydel joins my song, his voice bringing touches of hope that flirt with the strengthening darkness, taking off some of the bitter edge little by little, sharing the story of growth. Slowly at first, gradually picking up speed, until the darkness is only a faint undercurrent. Still sharp and fierce, but no longer angry and broken. I feel other voices join us, the air vibrating even more. Some join my darkness, others Rydels light. I sing again.

"Deep in the darkness wild things they rage
They reach up  and prosper they grow up and change
Called sinners and leeches they welcome their cage
Learning to crawl, walk and fly
Wild things in darkness relearn their pride
And oh we see it, we recognize your plight
Inside your darkness we acknowledge your light
Claw to the top, claim all your rights
Remember your names, declaring your story for those that are bright
Reach out your hands and join them together
Become your own people, and mark what is yours"

  I feel a hand take mine, spinning me around before bringing me in. I know this person is not here, this is only their spirit, but I give them a smile. Rydel gains his own partner, and we dance, humming out the melody. We change partners and now a more delicate hand takes mine. I spin then dip her, feeling the joy that she radiates. I share her feeling, conveying my own pride and excitement.

"Deep in the darkness, monsters they rise
We call to all beings forsaken by light
Raise up your swords and brandish your fangs
Come to us lonely and defamed
We'll lead you to glory, we'll fight for your peace
We wish for your happiness, its all that we seek
Deep in the darkness we call you by name"

  We switch partners again, and I join back in the humming. When our song ends I curtsy to my partner, and open my eyes. The man before me is simply a silhouette mad of their energy. I gasp softly. They're pure silver swirling energy, and I've never met anyone with such a color. He bow to me, and I feel his lips brush over the back of my hand before he fades away. I blink for a moment before smiling wide. Moving to Rydel I jump into his open arms and kiss him, my heart still racing. He kisses me back and I purr as he spins us around before setting me on my feet. Pulling apart we clasp hands and look around.
  More students have entered the room, with the original group on one side and newcomers grouped by the door. I giggle, and with a soft smile Rydel lifts my arm and twirls me. We did it. And our time for revenge is coming.

2724 words y'all. My longest chapter yet. Hope you enjoyed.