Chapter Five.....Scene One

Eric woke up feeling like somebody had been using his head to play the bongos. He couldn’t remember when last a hangover felt this bad. Yawning loudly, he got out of bed and walked to the bathroom wishing he hadn’t when he came face to face with his brother.

“Good morning sunshine,” Tristan said with a huge grin on his face. “I’m surprised you’ve decided to join us on earth this morning.”

“Shut up Tristan,” Eric said.

Tristan held his hands up in mock surrender. “As you wish but I should just say at least one more thing. Your mother isn’t too pleased with you young man so you better be braced for the full Athena Xavier show.” He continued to brush his teeth. “Speaking of which she was acting a bit strange last night. Can you believe that she actually told me to invite Jade over for dinner?”

Eric raised an eyebrow. “Gotta be some sort of trick. You bring Jade over and she’ll sit the poor girl down and hustle her into breaking up with you because no one is apparently good enough for her son.” He stepped into the shower before continuing, “So are you going out with Jade now?” he asked.

“Oh definitely my friend,” Tristan replied. “After last night, I’m pretty sure it’s just a question of when now.”

“Obviously I don’t need to remind you about a certain boyfriend she has. You know that big burly guy that almost knocked your head off yesterday?”

“Yeah he really showed me a good time alright,” Tristan said, checking him self in the mirror. “I’m not worried about him though. Besides from what she told me about him last night, he should have seen this coming. He’s a downright jerk.”

“Well next time that downright jerk decides to unleash a whipping on your ass, please do me a favor and don’t be anywhere near me.”

Tristan feigned disappointment. “I thought you and I were a team man,” he moaned.

“Oh so now we’re a team but when some girl comes along and smiles at you it’s alright to leave your team mate hanging with some crazy chicks to get him all sauced up.”

Tristan chuckled. “I have it on very good authority that you had quite an interesting night with the ladies. Besides, I see your ugly face every day and I just thought a change of scenery would be good.” He flushed the toilet and left the bathroom leaving Eric shouting insults at him.

Downstairs out on the patio, a worried Athena sat sipping on a hot mug of coffee. The events of last night were still weighing heavily on her mind. She had been sure to research this town before they moved here and had identified which residents were vampires and which were werewolves. She now knew for a fact that the Taylors had been on her werewolf list. She sighed deeply. So Tristan was seeing a werewolf and Eric was more or less involved with a vampire though none of them had any idea of what was going on. Athena wished she could tell them but she had made a promise to Angeline that the boys would never know about their heritage. Angeline had never wanted her sons to turn into what everyone referred to as abominations but rather to grow up and live normal human lives.

That wish was now in jeopardy and Athena vowed she would do everything in her power to keep the truth from Eric and Tristan. The first step would be to talk with the parents of both girls. Being a werewolf herself, Amanda Taylor wouldn’t be much of a problem, especially after what Tristan had told her about Amanda wanting her to be a guest speaker in her class. No, she definitely wouldn’t be a problem. The problem would be with Raven’s mom.

Most vampires that were remorseful for what they were would always look for a way they could help the society they sometimes preyed on. But doctor or not, Tabitha Savage was still a vampire and once a vampire meant always a vampire. She would have to be careful. Not that she was scared of Tabitha but rather because it would not be seen as healthy to be talking to a vampire. Werewolves did not talk to vampires and vice versa. Werewolves did not like vampires and vice versa. It had always been like that for centuries.

“Mom, are you down here?” Tristan called, waking Athena from her reverie.

“I’m out here honey,” Athena replied.

“You’ll be glad to know that your son is awake,” Tristan said coming to sit down beside her. He helped himself to a couple of slices of toast, spreading a generous amount of peanut butter and jelly on them.

“Yes I am actually. Now if he could only get his butt down here so he could tell me what the hell happened last night.”

“He got drunk that’s all. I mean I admit he’s never been that drunk before but there’s a first time for everything right.”

Athena smiled sarcastically at her son and ruffled his blond mane. “What about you? Do you have anything special planned for your dream girl today,” she teased.

Eric walked in before Tristan could answer. “Good morning family,” he said cheerfully. “How are we doing this lovely seven forty five am?”

“You’re in an awfully good mood for someone who’s supposed to be nursing a hangover,” Athena commented.

“It’s nothing a hot and cold shower can’t cure,” Eric said, glaring at his brother.

“I hear those are good for you,” Tristan laughed.

“Anyway it’s good you’re all sobered up because now you can tell me who that girl was you came home with.”

Eric looked stumped for a minute, trying to recall which girl his mother might be referring to. “Oh you mean Raven right? Yeah she’s just some girl from school.”

“Oh I see. Are you two going out?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it that. We’re just friends, sort of.”

“You’re friends sort of? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means our first impressions on each other weren’t really the best but we got through last night without once arguing so I guess we’ve smoothed the road a little.”

“But I mean what’s your take on her? Would she be someone you’d be interested in?”

Eric now saw what Tristan had been talking about. His mother was acting strange. She’d never been this interested in his romantic life before. It was always just “what’s her name” and “is she cute” and she would leave him to it. This however seemed to be the opening to “let’s play twenty four questions”. Something was definitely not right here. “Are you feeling alright?” Eric asked.

Athena laughed softly, trying to bring back the cheery atmosphere that had just disappeared. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“Because you’ve been acting weird,” Tristan joined in.

“So it’s a crime to ask about my own sons’ love lives?”

“Only if you’ve never really asked about it before,” Eric said.

Athena held up her hands, knowing she was defeated. “Okay, I give up. Just don’t come crying to me for advice when those girls turn the screws on you.”

“That hasn’t happened in four years mom and I don’t think it’s gonna change anytime soon,” Tristan said finishing off his toast.

“Never say never Tristan Xavier,” Athena said picking up her forgotten mug of coffee. “It could very well happen.”

“Well if it does, we’ll be sure to remember your words mom,” Eric said grabbing a couple of grapes from the table and hurrying after his brother.

Athena watched them go. She went back to the things she had to do today. First stop would have to be Amanda Taylor. It would be the perfect platform for when she would come back and drop in on Tabitha Savage.