BITTER SWEET TRUTH-E

Ace burst through the front door, right behind Astrid and demanded an explanation.

`What happened back there?', he sat on the couch.

`What is he talking about?', Grandpa Jones spoke, his attention diverted from reading one of the parchments.

`News flash, Ace is a fire element, pop', Astrid broke the news getting comfortable sitting on the floor next to pop and leaned her back against his legs.

`How?', pop was surprised.

`I had a feeling he had something when I sense energy different from a vampire's, so when his eyes changed to amber, I pushed his anger out and he produced a small fire', Enlil explained.

`And how exactly did his eyes turn amber? Any precursor-', pop was cut but Ace.

`Astrid bit me.' Ace winked at Astrid only for her cheeks to turn crimson.

`Astrid?', pop looked at her intently.

`I…I…must have gotten carried away', she chuckled nervously, eyes darting away from the intense stare.

`But the point here is, he is a fire element. That we have gauge correctly. Shall we assign a mentor for him? None of us is of his element'. Enlil looked at pop, waiting for an answer.

`Whoa, hold it right there! First of all, explain elements and what do you mean by `none of us'? Ace held his hand up and looked at all 3 of them.

`Ace, there is something we withheld from informing you. By now you must be having an impression that we are different people, compared to a normal human being. I am the Wind God, and as the name states, I am exactly that. Our kind holds power to bend and control the power of nature. Wind, Water, Fire, Earth the 4 elements of nature. Astrid is associated with earth and wind one of a kind to hold 2 elements. Usually, it's one person and one element. Are you getting what I am saying?', Enlil cocked an eyes brow at Ace who was staring at them, bewildered.

`Continue', he spoke.

`So, each element has a God assigned to help their mentors hone their skills, etc. I was summoned by Jones to guide Astrid. And those students who learn the skills either use it or don't, but mind you, the elements choose their carrier, not the other way around. So, you won't hear of anyone abusing their skills for their own benefit. Usually, they use it to help other beings or animals. We've been around for generations, far longer than humans or vampires', Enlil spoke at length. Ace nodded his head.

`So that explains the sudden tattoos, that appear? Accumulation of power?Or proof that we are different? Why I don't have it? And why did it take a long time to choose me? Why not earlier?', Ace stared at Astrid who looked tired.

`Tattoos appear only when they are meant to. God's has no intervention in that. You were chosen by the element fire, by the element itself. We do not know when it develops in a person, be it human or vampire. We only know the symptoms come and then we will be summoned to find our students Astrid dreamt of her mother and she had those tattoos as her blessings. Mind you, her mother is the God of Creation, Nergal. That makes her unique and sadly, hunted. ' Enlil paused to drink some water, to clear his parched throat.

`You mean the dream hobo?', Ace exclaimed.

`Yeah, he is hunting her through dreams, the easiest way to manipulate and control her. Enki is the God of Water and he is my brother. Unfortunately, he is not in the same team, hence the animosity', Enlil sighed loudly.

`He fell in love with a student, freak accident, died and voila he becomes ape shit crazy', Astrid explained.

`Enki wants to tap into Astrid's energy and harness it for his own good. He is out there looking for her, but I've had some enhanced spells and chants protecting over Astrid so she is safe for now', Enlil looked at Ace in the eye.

`So the training and firearms practise fits the bill', Ace stared up at the ceiling and put his hands behind his back.

All of them were silent for a while, digesting the information in hand.

`There is a book on elements. More like Elements 101. Which explains the origin, ways to control and bend it, when you get it, how you age slower, things like that. I will pass it to you, in hope for you to understand it better', pop left the couch and went to his room to find the said book.

`When did you find out your Astrid?', Ace stared at her.

`Just a month ago. I mean I never knew', Astrid bit her lips, nervous.

`If I don't use this skill, and just let it bypass would it do any harm?', Ace questioned Enlil.

`On the long run yes, will affect your mood swings. More like men on PMS', Enlil was serious.

`That is an insult to womankind', Astrid sulked and crossed her arms in defiance.

Ace opened his arms for Astrid to come over and cradle her in his lap. He held her waist and circled his long fingers around her back.

`Ace…do you…see us as freaks?', she whispered into his chest.

`What?! Never. Why would I?' Ace kissed her temples and hug her closer.

`Just a thought', she mumbled.

`I mean it seemed cool to have this ability. But it's a lot for me to take in one day', he sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

`Here is the book, Ace. Don't lose it', pop hand it over to Ace and looked at Astrid sternly. Astrid shifted and sat on the couch next to Ace.

Ace thanked Grandpa Jones flipped through the book gingerly.

`I need to get going'. Ace looked at Astrid and started walking towards the door. He sat on his Harley Davidson and waited for pop to disappear into the house, but to his dismay, the old man stayed put. Shit, there goes my kiss! Ace thought.

Astrid hugged him and touched his cheeks before kissing it. She looked at him with longing.

`I am going to miss this so much', he leaned near her lips and spoke hoarsely. Enlil smirked and Grandpa Jones cleared his throat. Ace gunned the engine and waved them goodbye before riding his bike back to his house.

`Enlil, what is going to happen now? Who will be his mentor?', she was curious.

`Er..we need to find one', Enlil did not look convincing and Astrid stopped him in his tracks.

`Why the hesitation?' Astrid narrowed her eyes at him.

`I believe the God of Fire is his ex-girlfriend', pop smirked and retired for the night, before hugging Astrid.

`You got to be fucking kidding me!', Astrid stared at Enlil in horror.

`Kiddo let's speak tomorrow', Enlil stretched his hands over his head and patted Astrid's hair before speed walking to his room.

`Im not done with you!' Astrid yelled, but Enlil shut the door of his room in her face, leaving no room for argument. Astrid kicked his room door and stomped to her room. She took a much-needed shower and flopped on the bed, sleep coming easily over her tired body.