*Beautiful and haunting song- Haunted ocean, Max Richter

'I prayed again that I wasn't making a dire mistake...'

White-tinted Truth

Sonya and Trita's parents were in quite a state when they'd arrived. We spent most of the early morning trying to calm everyone down and trying to explain to them how an uncommon incident like this shouldn't result in them pulling the girls out of the university.

By two in the morning Sonya was fast asleep; her mother dozed off next to her bed while Trita's parents and Sonya's father discussed the police report in the corner of the large room, careful not to wake the sleeping girl. Trita, Thanatos and I sat across from Sonya's bed, our eyes drooping.

I was nestled into Thanatos' chest and Trita's head rested on my shoulder. We looked like a line of dominoes that had fallen over.

Barrios, the reaper instructed to watch over them, had rushed into the hospital about an hour ago. It was just Thanatos and I who greeted him in the dark corner of the passage; he looked like shit. Dried blood was matted onto his forehead and he was clearly out of breath.

I noticed he was quite handsome and around my age- or he used to be when he was still mortal.

His voice was ragged; "My lord! I apologise greatly for-"

"Where were you?" Thanatos didn't waste time with niceties; "What happened to your head?"

Barrios pushed a few stray strands of golden hair from his green eyes. I noticed then that he looked really familiar.

Where had I seen him before?

"I was attacked by a group of vampires. They sucked away the force field and one hit me over the head with-" He groaned and shook his head in an embarrassed fashion; "That's not important right now. I passed out and only woke up a few minutes ago. That's when the rest told me you were looking for me. My lord-"

"They attacked Sonya and Trita."

"I was afraid of that..." He looked genuinely devastated, like we'd just told him his mother was in a car crash. I searched my brain for his image- I'd definitely seen him before. Somewhere...

"They're alright, though. Sonya was stabbed, but it's not too deep. She'll be fine in a few weeks."

I back-tracked a bit. Barrios looked suddenly sickly ill. The mere mention of Sonya's name made him almost tremble with fear. Why was he so invested?

"Oh, gods..." He leaned against the wall of the passageway and ran a hand through his messy, bloodstained hair. "I'm so sorry."

Thanatos watched him with the eyes of a general, but something flickered through them- a recognition of some kind. Like he'd experienced the emotions poor Barrios was going through right now. Thanatos understood his shame and self-loathing.

I suspect he had a soft spot for the young man, because Thanatos almost sounded tired and relieved as he said; "Go clean yourself up."

Barrios stood up straight, his soldier-instincts kicking in again. He bowed slightly at both of us, but his eyes were focused on the room behind me, where Sonya and Trita were busy sleeping. He looked worried.

"Thank you, my lord." Barrios sounded relieved at not being flung from the near window. I suspect he'd thought this encounter would've ended in a far worse manner for him.

"Wait." Barrios' eyes widened as I called him back. He gulped; "Yes, my lady?"

"Where do I know you from?" I asked, my eyes narrowing as they examined his face. Barrios quickly shot a nervous look to Thanatos. I couldn't see what Thanatos had signalled to him, but instantly the young man looked back and smiled stiffly; "I'm not sure we've met."

"But I do know your face?"

Barrios shook his head and shrugged; "I'm afraid that's impossible. Good evening."

And with that he quickly walked away, eager to go clean his wounds far away from his intimidating superior and my curious eyes.

I turned to Thanatos with a raised eyebrow; "What are you hiding from me?"

Thanatos' stern gaze shifted from the retreating reaper to mine. His face was serious; "Nothing."

He was a good liar.

"Thanatos, I'm warning you. No lies."

Almost mechanically a reassuring smile crept up his lips, like an immediate response to the pressing question. "Angel, you've never met him before, I promise."

"I know, but that wasn't the question, was it? How do I know his face? And I definitely do."

Thanatos sighed; "Aurora, you're seeing things. Come on, Trita must be wondering where we are."

And just like that, the conversation was over. I didn't bother pressing for more. I was tired and Thanatos had already clammed up; I wasn't going to get anything from him tonight.

Besides, I had more to focus on- like how I was going to tell my two best friends that I'm technically a goddess soon.

The following day Thanatos left us to go search for the vampires who'd attacked Sonya and Trita. He took Barrios along with him, the young man still ashen by the fact that he'd managed to let those creatures past his guard. I let the men go out and hunt. It could only help relieve some stress.

The less of Sybaris' children roaming around, the better; and at least Thanatos and Barrios would be able to exercise some of their frustration. I had the feeling the police report and manhunt Sonya and Trita's parents had organised wasn't going to bring in many results.

I knew I'd have to tell them today- the sooner I could get them out of here, the better chance I had at keeping them safe.

But I was stalling.

Sonya and Trita's parents were out shopping for groceries. They were booked into a self-catering hotel and were planning on staying a while until the girls were settled. It was strange seeing Trita's mother and father in the same room like this. They usually avoided each other, but I suppose even they could put their differences aside for their daughter.

I was walking back towards the room, three bottles of ice-tea clenched in my hands. The corridor felt like it went on forever, never ending. No wonder Thanatos wanted to get out of here as soon as he could- all this light and white paint was giving me a headache.

A few feet ahead of me, an old nurse with a curly bob-cut and sunken brown eyes smiled at me. Her white uniform was neatly pressed and the glasses on her nose were round and golden. She had skew teeth in the front, but they were as white as snow. She looked to be around seventy, her short stance reminding me of an old high school teacher's. I smiled back politely; "Good morning."

"Morning, dearie." The nurse's voice was shaky, but kind.

As I passed her a wrinkled hand reached out to grab the white shirt I'd borrowed from Trita. The old nurse's eyes found mine and her whisper sent a shiver down my arms; "They say it will happen again."

I furrowed my brows, the polite smile still on my face, but it was turning sour with confusion; "I'm sorry?"

"It will happen again, soon, unless you give them what they want."

I reared back from her warm, damp hand. The nurse looked just as frightened as I did. Her brown eyes widened; "They want the Aegis. Bring it to them or this will happen again."

I was frozen to the spot as she smiled with sadness in her eyes and turned to leave. My temper snapped.

I stepped in front of the cart she pushed along with her; "Who put you up to this?"

The old nurse shook her head; "I'm sorry, do I know you, dearie?"

"Who told you to tell me that? Was it a woman with long brown hair?"

Had Sybaris came in here? The mere thought brought a sharp chill to my bones. The old nurse merely shook her head and furrowed her brows in bewilderment; "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about?"

"You just told me they want it or they'll go after my friends again."

"I never said that!" The old nurse laughed in surprise and touched her cheek with her fingers; "Are you alright, dearie? Perhaps you have me confused with someone else?"

I breathed out shakily and looked down.

Of course. Of course she would play games.

I looked back up into the old woman's confused eyes and smiled stiffly; "I'm sorry, you're right. I thought you were someone else."

"Is there anything I could do for you, dearie?" She asked as I rushed towards the room. I didn't turn around to her, but instead just shook my head and tried to sound as polite as I could; "I'm fine, thanks."

I opened the door, but before I closed it, I looked down the corridor or any sign of trouble. Thanatos may not be here to scare Sybaris off, but if she valued her life, she wouldn't show her face here. I might not be a goddess yet, but I could twist her organs inside-out before she even had the chance to grin.

I'd very much love to do that right about now...

Why should Thanatos have all the fun?

"Everything okay?" Sonya asked as she and Trita eyed me with worried looks. I nodded and closed the door. With a twist, I locked it.

"Um, the doctor might need to-" Trita tried to reason, but I quickly cut her off; "Never mind that. We need to talk."

If Sybaris thought giving me a death threat was motivation enough- she was wrong. But her threatening my friends; now that wasn't playing fair.

How did they find out we have the Aegis? How?

Hypnos' face popped into my head and I felt instantly nauseous- if he was involved somehow...

It would break Thanatos.

Completely.

Shit, what a mess.

The time to come clean couldn't have arrived sooner.

I was shaking as I placed the iced-teas on the table and grabbed a chair. I placed it next to the bed where Sonya and Trita sat. They watched me with wary concern.

"Are you alright?" I shook my head at the platinum blonde and licked my lips.

"I have something to tell you both, but before I do, I need to know that you will support any decision I make. Especially for the good of the group."

They shared a look, but Trita was the first to speak; "Jeez, why so serious? Are you pregnant?"

"Please, guys. This is serious."

Trita swallowed softly; "Sorry." She looked down and back up, her dark eyes full of fear; "Aurora, what's been going on lately? I think there are people following us around. I feel like there's so much you're not telling us? How did you get here so fast and why is Thane so fucking hot?"

A nervous, quick laugh burst from my mouth as Trita smiled softly, but with uncertain eyes. She was clearly trying to bring in some light-heartedness into this deep and grave conversation. It worked.

I pushed back my smile and shook my head; "I've been lying to you. For a while now."

"I think we both sort of had the feeling you were." Sonya glanced at Trita who nodded her head. I pursed my lips.

"I want you two to know that you both are incredibly important to me. I love you so much and everything I've done up until today has been to protect you and to keep our friendship alive. But... today that chances..."

Sonya and Trita's eyes turned from serious to concerned. Trita paused, her voice low; "What are you saying?"

"Today I'm making a decision to put your safety before our friendship. What I'm about to tell you, and what I'm about to do, you both may not like. And you may hate me for it, but I'm not risking your lives anymore. I can't."

"We will never hate you, Rora." Sonya said as she squeezed my hand. I smiled up at her; "I hope not."

"Are you in danger?"

I nodded at Trita; "Yes. And because I'm in danger, so are you. You're collateral damage. I won't allow that to continue."

Sonya gulped; "Aurora-"

"I'm about to tell give you a hell of a lot of information, so I would appreciate it if you'd just listen for now. I promise you, I will explain everything when I'm done."

They nodded. The room was quiet and the windows were closed. I folded my hands on my lap and said the one thing I'd been yearning to tell them since that faithful day when Thanatos raced into my life; "The Greek gods are real."

Silence.

I didn't expect them to believe me, of course...

Trita scoffed and laughed; "What?"

"The Greek gods are real, and soon I'm going to be one of them."

They didn't speak. I just let them stare at me in disbelief and bewilderment. I didn't expect any other reaction than the one right in front of my very eyes. I knew it well- this had been my reaction a few months back; when life was so simple, and yet so incomplete.

I prayed again that I wasn't making a dire mistake...

Sonya spoke; "What are you talking about?"

"At the beginning of the year, while we were still in Seagull's valley for the holiday, I was... contacted by the gods. Well, a god. He basically... uh- welcomed me." How long ago that all seemed now.

What different people we were back then. I could see Sonya and Trita- even my parents- sensed that I was different somehow; stronger perhaps. But the question wasn't how- it was by how much?

I straightened my posture and didn't falter in my resolve; "Look, this is all very weird and unbelievable, but I promise you, I am telling the truth."

They didn't speak. I continued; "Do you remember history in grade ten? We were taught all about the Greek gods and their function."

They nodded slowly.

"Do you remember Hecate?"

"Greek goddess of witchcraft." Sonya said with a voice I'd never heard. She sounded like she was giving directions to a strange. That's what I was right now- a stranger.

"She was killed. Murdered. And they contacted me to fill her place."

Suddenly, the room exploded with laughter. Trita clutched her sides and her hand flew to her mouth; "What the actual fuck are you saying?"

I let her laugh until she couldn't anymore, her eyes dripping with tears. I watched Sonya as she watched me. She knew I was serious and it terrified her. She looked paler now than she did yesterday.

The petite blonde didn't move an inch, but her eyes were searching. "She's serious."

Trita shook her head at Sonya; "Don't be ridiculous! Gods? Monsters? Aurora, as your friend, I think you need to stop these shitty pranks, because-"

I lifted my hand and snapped my fingers.

In an instant, a large flame burst from between my fingers, engulfing the dim room in a bright light.

Trita clasped a hand over her mouth and Sonya shrieked and jolted back, probably ripping some of her stitches.

I waved my hand and the flame disappeared, but just in case they thought it was some sort of trick, I duplicated myself. They both yelped in horror as two Aurora's stood before them. I waved my hand and the mirage vanished.

"I can show you more if you don't believe me?" I flicked my wrist and the water in the jug beside Sonya floated up and into the air. I swung it around the room, twirling it into different shapes until I saw Sonya might faint. I dropped it back into the jug and crossed my arms.

Trita's eyes were wide and terrified as they landed on mine; "What- what-"

"I'm able to do magic."

"You're a-a witch?"

I shook my head at the blonde; "No, a mage, which is kind of the same thing, but more than that too. I'm Hecate's direct descendent."

"Which means?" Trita eyed the room for any hidden cameras.

"It means that I have special powers. And it means that I need to take her place soon, as the goddess of witchcraft."

"This must be a dream..." I couldn't help but smile as Sonya shook her head; "Funny, I though the exact same thing in the beginning."

They gasped at me with their mouths hanging open.

"Look, I have a lot to tell you, more than you'll be able to handle, but-"

"Please. Just tell us everything. I need to know." Sonya said as she grabbed my hand. I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I looked into her eyes filled with concern and love. I didn't think she'd want to know at all.

I nodded and looked to Trita. She was still staring at me with wide eyes; "Aurora..."

"I understand if you don't want to know, but I need to keep you safe and I love you-"

"You bitch." Trita's words ripped through my heart, but then I noticed her smile; "You bitch! How could you not tell us this! Why?" She was crying, her smile breaking slightly.

She wanted to know too. I let my tears fall too. The feeling of being out in the light again was so refreshing; I'd forgotten what it felt like to not have to constantly watch my words and hide my tongue.

"I promise you, no more secrets! I'll tell you everything you want to know, everything."

"Go, just start. We might be a bit slow, but I want to know." Sonya said and grabbed Trita's hand; "We want to know."

I steadied myself and climbed up onto the bed next to them, my hands shaking. We all held hands as we sat in a circle and I felt their eyes burning into me as I traced a pattern on the duvet.

"At any point, if you don't understand, just stop me." I lifted my eyes and I was so happy to see resolve and determination in their eyes.

They were ready.

"Here goes..."

Lucas Medeiros- as Barrios